115

health.
the oh-so-taken-for-granted abilities to walk and run and skate and ski and jump and climb.

114

swings.
today. this weather.
[calm before the storm.]
soft clouds. a breeze, finally with the slightest chill.

113

these 2. what a gift indeed.

112

Crossroads family.

111

an invitation from a dear and trusted mentor
looking forward to the next conversation

110

my sweet roommate
speaking my love language
praying for peace for me
leaving these lovelies at my door

109

another year.
answered prayer

108

A creamy spiced chai latte.
Dairy free.

107

Letter writing.
Chels painted something for me years ago.
Colorful and creative, it has "encourager" written across it.
I wasn't sure that that word really described me but when I take the time to sit down and write,
It's true.
Letters encourage.
Words bless.

106

Those clouds this weekend. The most awe-inspiring masses of water that I've seen.
And the gift of awareness to give them my undivided attention for a few minutes.

105.

words of affirmation.
encouraging words of friendship and loyalty
answered prayers of
our vision for hospitality in our home,
creating a refuge of rest
and delicious food for others to partake in
to hear that that vision has
 been not only brought
to fruition, but thrived in and answered
specifically to what we approached God about,
my heart is lifted by
words, words have the opportunity
to bring life and joy
and I am so thankful to
receive any,
no matter how small or big.

104.

pistachios and sun chips.
I LOVE to snack.

103.

the gift of thoughtfulness.
I have had a harried day to start out with
and I needed to breathe by myself
for even just a few moments.
I walked into my bedroom
and my husband and made the bed
and tidied up the room.
He opened the blinds
and it was an invitation to my spirit
to find rest
and I grabbed my bible and journal
and was able to have some quiet time
with Jesus
and meditating on scripture.
All because of thoughtfulness.

102

parks, playgrounds, nature trails.
discovery.

101

little e.
asking yesterday if she can please do my hair.
and this morning if she can [please] help me take off my nail polish.
these unhurried days with her are such a gift.

100.

first off, I am pleased that
I have the honor of meeting our first milestone
with gift one hundred.
i better make it worthwhile.
I will:)
I am thankful for my husband today.
thankful that he is thoughtful and kind.
thankful that he never raises his voice at me
or that I never have to m feel unsafe with him.
I am thankful that he is involved
100 percent if not more
in the raising of our children
and because of this,
they respect him.
I am thankful that he is quiet
and unassuming in his pursual of me
he does it whether eyes are on him
or not.
He is kind and attentive to women
never flirtatious or misleading.
He is a gentleman.
I of course could continue,
but I just was so overwhelmed with
thankfulness for him today
that I wanted to take the time to say so.
so very thankful
for Nathan Phillip English.

99

the cool breeze flowing in my windows. the singing and chatter of chidren playing in the backyard. puffy white clouds in the blue sky.

98

the qdoba my husband brought home for lunch. and time to eat together in the middle of the day.

97

my daughter is found. we were at my oldest's soccer game yesterday. i told my middle daughter to go play on the hill. five minutes later i look up and can't see her. i walk up the hill to find her. nothing. i call her name as loud as i can. nothing. i tell my sister and husband to look. we search for 15 minutes. nothing. finally my husband drives his truck into the woods and finds her walking deep into the forest with two other children. exhale. one of the most terrifying moments of my life. but i'm thankful she is found. and that none of the other possible explanations of why she was gone that played in my head were true. so thankful for my fiery middle daughter.

96

an hour and a half of wakefulness in the middle of the night.
God is moving.
i'm thankful.

95.

fan hums in the summer months.

94.

Monday evenings with Tamaslam... I so look forward to going home after a long day and hunkering down, creating something to eat in the kitchen and Tammy, her middle name so evident of what she brings our home, she comes over with her jokes and her laughter and her honesty and her inappropriate comments and we laugh and eat and are festive and I can honor God and love God by loving her and I feel so blessed to have monday evenings with my Tamaslam