Whole wheat chocolate chunk cookie dough
Flourishing house plants wrapped in tiny white lights
My daughter’s new friend Olivia
Curated collections
Early morning pilates
Watercolors by a 3-year-old that seem legitimately artistic (and lots of them)
Bubble baths
Chubby chunky baby thighs
My teenage sourdough starter—temperamental but maturing.
I reached the 1000 gifts goal, and on my birthday no less! My journal is full to bursting, with only four pages left. It took me a year, but I went from fall to fall, which is fitting because gratefulness seems to come more naturally this time of year.
{#946}
Baby steps in yoga.
{947}
Help in my weak moments and enough energy for the day.
{#949}
Ellary playing sweetly at the playground, watching the big kids run by.
{#955}
Being on mission in my life and marriage and family. Walking by faith and knowing that God is good.
{#958}
Tomato tart with goat cheese, leeks and thyme.
{#976}
Rain.
{#988-9}
Candles lit; blankets draped.
{#1000}
The discipline of gratitude; it has taught me to trust the LORD.
I’m nearing the goal, and there looks to be just enough room left in the journal I picked for logging my 1000 gifts.
{#866}
Praying with Ellary for certain little someones in distant lands named Johnstone, Cheyech and Daniel.
{#877}
One 11x14 wedding photo finally framed and hung. Memories of that day make the present very powerful.
{#879}
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (Isaiah 32:17)
{#880}
The freedom to be outrageously exhausted and peopled out at the end of a week.
{#890-1}
(photo by RLHyde)
The heat of summer making things like swimming and tomatoes possible. Sunscreen, sleep and painkillers for the over-sunned days.
{#895}
Thankfulness.
{#782}
Leaving the windows open all night and waking up to birdsong.
{#784}
The GardenWorks stall and bags full of lettuce, spinach, & shoots.
{#786, 97-98}
Sunscreen, cool showers before bed, & cold fizzy lemonade.
{#799}
Anticipating a vacation up north at Higgins Lake.
(photo by code_black2)
{#804}
A friend’s sweet, sympathetic and encouraging response to the misbehavior of a certain little lady during Sunday school.
{#807}
Tears. I have been weaning myself off my anti-depressants and getting horrible headaches, but all of a sudden I can cry again.
photo by CoastRanger
***
{#668}
Glasses and contacts for seeing.
{#672}
A brilliant full moon—the ultimate contrast.
{#676}
Tulips and daffodils.
{#684}
There is no one for me to be but myself.
{#685}
Giant V’s of geese and early spring twilight.
The list is getting longer (600+), slowly but surely in my funny yellow journal. Today, though, I want to give my praises to the God who covers my mothering days with His kindness. He does not put expectations of productivity or accomplishment on me. He delights in my delight in my little girl. He heals me physically and emotionally. He nourishes us with delectably real food to savor. He gives me rest. His kindness leads me to repentance.
{#454-5}
Ellary’s first romp in the snow. Her little puffball snowsuit.
{#458}
Quiet pre-Christmas nights at home, just the three of us.
{#467}
Surviving two flights with Ellary, single-parent-style.
{#464}
Missing my husband.
{#470-1}
A twilight hike through snowy forest; baby boots swing and tap the back of my legs.
{296}
Morning at a sunny coffee shop.
{297}
“Julie and Julia” at the dollar theater with Gaia.
{298}
A university architectural tour (wandering through new construction at Stockwell Hall, the University of Michigan Museum of Art and the Business School).
{299}
Ridiculous reading in the reference room at the Grad Library. Call it an anthropological study in alternative diets.
{300}
Drinks and dessert at Eve. Oops, scratch that. Zingerman’s instead—cause they’re not above being open on a Monday.
{301}
Relief from the monotone of the last few days.
{302}
A husband who dreams up the idea and makes it possible.
