1168-1170

1168 just the right amount of sleep last night so that i can get things done when baby takes her naps, i'm not even tempted to fall asleep with her 1169 this girl asleep on my lap, exhausted, because she has a respiratory virus, and with it the most terrible-sounding cough you ever did hear coming from a little 4-month-old body. but, the gift in all of it is that she falls asleep all the time, and still smiles the other half of the time, and i get all the cuddles 1170 challenge from a good friend, an assertive one, she challenges me to stop and think about my feelings because my tendency would be to neglect myself and to push forward to achieve what's best for everyone else. but. God works through our feelings. and so i stop to consider them. and in that quiet place, i learn more than in the busyness.

1159- 1167

1159 flip flops in february. 1160 a pedicure gift. and the greatest new OPI color. chelsea, can you tell me what it's called? i can't remember. 1161 touring a new city with an old friend 1162 dallas art museum, with a like-minded art lover. european, impressionism, realism, photorealism, furniture design 1163 klyde warren park. opened in 2012, a major highway was rerouted underground to create space for this park in the middle of downtown dallas. amazing. 1164 challenging conversation, spending time outside of my regular element. a refreshing perspective. 1165 a possibility in the future? and that it asks for greater dependence on God's timing and His wisdom + my patience and obedience. 1166 a changed flight, to avoid an ice storm 1167 a few days away. a breath of fresh [warm] air

1143 - 1158

1143 a saturday where his kiss awakes me but i get to stay in bed all bundled in flannel sheets with milly at my feet 1144 this new schedule of paint then cut and color than paint 1145 alone for a few hours catching up on photo projects and reading blogs ive missed 1146 the shadows on this wall my fingers dancing along typing 1147 someone knocks at the door and i have the luxury to ignore it as im stuck in my bed 1148 the soothing gray of the walls 1149 that we are this far in our thankfulness adventure andthat i have friends who love to love their lives with me 1150 hibernation 1151 a day spread out in front of me with nothing to have to do nowhere to have to be nothing i have to be a day of rest 1152 i am loved 1153 the look on his face when i introduce him to clients 1154 clients that i love and that love me and that i learn to connect and become family with 1155 the way paint drips down a canvas in a convenient and satisfying way 1156 fellowship and giddy laffing (I know thats spelled wrong I wanted to try it) last night with two kindred spirit friends 1157 fish tacos 1158 hannah

1133-1142

1133. the sound the electric tea kettle makes as it buzzes and rattles to let me know a hot drink is ready to be made. 

1134. hearty laughter and quality time with T, staying up till 2:30 in the morning laughing over "feature family films" or is it "feature family for friendly films"? ha. i guess we'll never know. that and new eyes for us to examine, praying with her that one set of eyes would mirror her own heart and soul..

1135. grace for the weak and tired moments. rest for the weary and worn out times. permission and actual command to be still and know Him.  in these weird sick and worn down seasons, it is a gift to recognize His presence and joy in the mundane.

1136. overhearing words of kindness and tenderness between my son and his little sisters. 

1137. peach prosecco candle, along with pineapple coconut lit at the end of the night to signify rest and quiet for me. 

1138. nutella. strawberries. bananas. semi sweet chocolate.

1139. the gift and delight that comes from giving and surprising, not always from receiving.

1140. little updates from her, encouraging us that our prayers have not been in vain, and that little bits of fruit are being revealed to an ever growing garden of healthy  newly planted fruit.. [by their fruits you will know them.]

1141. putting away clean laundry. 

1142.  "new" boots given to me by my sister, all the way up to the knee.  love them.

1143-1154

1143. heart cookies with purple frosting for our neighbors

1144. it wasn't a struggle to think of a gift to give 

1145. the old school version of the parent trap

1146. everyone cuddling on the couch

1147. a warm crackling fire

1148. reading for almost an hour in Barnes and Noble with no kids and a Starbucks coffee 

1149. second movie out in a week

1150. shared food and drink

1151. healing from strep throat

1152. my journal and my Bible

1153. books

1154. this truth: "Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." {Romans 8:35,37}

1117-1132

1117. school projects with Hayleigh.

1118. restful morning with Leena in bed. her, watching PBS kids on my phone & me reading.

1119. books. insight and wisdom shared.

1120. mom willing to watch the girls anytime.

1121. 2 of the best bosses.

1122. the support of the board of elders.

1123. coffee at WSB with M. peaceful. fun. free. healing. reconciled. forgiveness.

1124. friends. I have the best friends. I could name them all, but there are too many. so many people care about me.

1125. words of encouragement. today.

1126. words of affirmation. today from 3 different people.

1127. a strong desire to just be, to spend extended time, with God.

1128. San chez. fried cheese, empanadas, and sangria. blessed at just the right moment.

1129. new jeans.

1130. fresh snow.

1131. the 10 commandments & the sermon on the mount.

1132. faithfulness. God's faithfulness.

1111.-1116.

1111. sick this week, don't know where it came from, the last few days knocked me out. nathan was so patient and helpful, serving me in quiet gentle ways, giving room for me to rest. he took the two olders grocery shopping so i could rest with baby and was just so tender with me. i could not thank him enough for his patience and ability to nurture me well.

1112. little blue tea pot. it always comes out with company so it is gift to me knowing that friendship, conversation, and hot tea tag along with it.

1113. beautiful hearted Ben, choosing on his own accord to be a "photogwaphewr" for career day at school. love that he has a dad to look up to respect, and thankful for the unique and brilliant boy he is in himself, so thankful for him.

1114. phone chats with linnie joy. we both dread the phone, but we set it aside to share hearts and lift up the weaknesses in need of prayer.

1113. little koko, sitting in the sun, coloring and content, her heart and smile shine just as bright, she is my delight and my little song. 

1114. and Liv. she is growing in her ever changing skin, it is cooled down from all the fiery eczema speckled all over her body, as we figure out how to treat and diminish that, she grows more content and joyful, and ventures out to explore

1115. thankful for the hard opportunities that present themselves in order to teach me and refine me to seek His face and glory in all things. to practice humility which i am so quick to preach, but can i put it in action when it comes down to it? when he asks me to bow low, to set myself aside, to put another's needs before my own, to not be acknowledged..i pray i can prove faithful, and humbled to be tested.

1116.  reconciliation. even that he would go as far to phone me, [his sister], to express love and forgiveness and a mutual respect and adoration. 

1101- 1110

1101 a few calm, quiet minutes in mostly-dark room with muffled traffic from outside the windows 1102 while a tired tired little person, fully suited in pink, is cozied in the brown leather rocker with me 1103 and we both start to drift off 1104 she, warm and clean and full and safe 1105 me, honored that her parents would give me such a responsibility, a best gift 1106 and those little blue eyes vary between closing slowly and looking back up at me 1107 until she finally gives in for another 45-minute nap 1108 and that little green paci falls out for the last time because she doesn't cry to have it returned 1109 so i lay the peaceful little body into the crib 1110 covered with that softest pink blankey

1087-1100

1087. tangible fruit each Sunday in the Crossroads kids' wing 1088. truth revealed 1089. that God answers prayers. He wants us to ask. He loves to give. He will satisfy our souls. 1090. a revolving door at our home. that people will come and go whenever works for them. that people like to come over. 1091. baby Breckin claps his little hands 1092. hope of things being more concrete soon 1093. misto 1094. a buyer for garfield 1095. reconciled friendships 1096. confidence to meet situations head on with strength from God 1097. a safe place for hay and liv to go everyday to learn and grow 1098. that hay and liv can have full conversations in Spanish together 1099. baby steps of vulnerability. 1100. gray skies 

1078-1086

1078. when my husband looks me, i mean really looks at me, and takes the time to rejoice in my beauty that belongs to his eyes, that he delights and tells me so. 1079. surprise sleep over from dear friend all the way from PA. more joyful for the littles that have no idea yet. 1080. old pictures and videos of my children when they were babies just being born and reveled in. how quickly did time pass. 1081.thursday mornings 1082. quality time with casey, cherishing these last 2 months before she leaves for the far corners of the world 1083. God's provision. I don't EVER want to forget or hold in healthy respect where our needs are met and provided for. whether we walk in plenty or in need, may the name of the Lord be praised. We are thankful for whatever He chooses to give or take away. 1084. getting better at applying makeup. it's fun, and i love learning how to enhance, not cover up. 1085. thankful for steady friendships that remain faithful and full of widsom and love 1086. thankful for peace and discernment to take hurtful words and filter through them with the Holy Spirit near and speaking truth in my ear 

1064- 1077

1064 neti pot! goodbye green mucousy phlegm - hahahaha 1065 the way baby m holds tight to any one of my fingers while she drinks her bottle half-asleep 1066 m, age 4, self-dressed to the nines for a morning trip to the library 1067 ally's instagram post with that giant cut-out of brayden's head - still laughing 1068 8 years of relationship with the same church family 1069 being known by my pastors, so many affirming words in the past couple of weeks 1070 dried apple slices 1071 the way a tiny baby fits perfectly against a woman's body 1072 lots of time with guy friends - thankful for them 1073 "my Father knows what i need" written on my mirror, my first thought most mornings 1074 nutrition classes, inspiration, excitement, conversations, planning 1075 dreams of a new living space all my own 1076 mason jars filled with whole grains, beans, nuts+seeds 1077 air-filtering house plants

1053-1063

1053. big fluffy white icy snowflakes gently falling outside my window as i type.
1054. people. community. friends. who encourage. and point me to Jesus in my need.
1055. that God wants a relationship with me. that He wants me to choose Him. He has chosen me.
1056. a season of desert. only finding satisfaction in God, nothing else. He is enough for me. He satisfies my soul. and bring real peace and rest. He reveals wisdom and insight when i seek Him with all my heart.
1057. that Leena just sat up in bed next to me out of a deep sleep and said, "i just had a bad dream. i spilled my chocolate milk but it's dried now." And then she cuddled back up and fell asleep.
1058. a long overdue phone conversation with a missed brother.
1059. boppies.
1060. the best basketball practice yet. lots of progress, learning, playing, and growth.
1061. my very cozy warm bed.
1062. baby steps in the right direction. in a good direction.
1063. a best friend date at rockwell. sushi. fish 'n chips. spinach & artichoke dip. cosmos. a friend to listen to my life. encourage me. care about every detail. eat yummy things with. to just take a timeout with. honest. restful & joy-giving.