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.