One Thousand Gifts

991. Blue skies and sunshine.
992. Bringing Patrick his lunch, and him hanging out with us in the car.
993. Having such a wonderful rescuer when I ran out of gas.
994. Vava going to sleep so easily after some papa-snuggles.
995. The kids' rhythm band of pots and pans.
996. Sam asking for cuddles before bed.
997. An awesome girls' night.
998. Fresh, clean night air.
999. Being wrapped in a new awareness of God's sweet ordinary and extraordinary gifts.
1000.  Knowing I'm Jacob ... undeserving, grace-flooded Jacob.

That my glory may sing Your praise and not be silent, O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever!
Psalm 30:12

981 to 990

981. The Month of Julune.
982. Letter and picture from Kennedy.
983. Whole lotta love and preciousness in a parcel.
984. Sam just wanting to be held after closing himself in his room.
985. Kids being so happy to eat cheesecake.
986. Nachos and laughter for supper.
987. A great Skype-date.
988. Beautiful baby off-sock almost crawling!
989. Vava waving goodnight upside down and delicious.
990. Writing poetry again. :).

971 to 980

971. Sam bringing a smile to sick&fussy Vava by giving her one of his favourite trains.
972. All unprompted, Sam saying excuse me at an appropriate moment.
973. Vava needing papa-snuggles before bed.
974. Quiet time and living words.
975. Hearing joyful adoption news.
976. Playing hide&seek in our giant fort.
977. Running spoon & cotton ball races with Sam.
978. Sam and Vava singing the VeggieTales theme song together.
979. Argan oil for my baby's chapped nose.
980. A special story.

961 to 970

961. The kids sleeping a bit later than they usually do.
962. Cuddling with my darlings on the couch, Kleenex and snippy cups at hand.
963. This conversation. Sam: "ooh, what on face?" Me, "face cream." Sam: "ice cream? Me! Me! Me!" Me, "no, not ice cream, face cream. Can you say face cream?" Sam: "fice cream." Vava: "me! Me! Me!" (I gave them face cream. It was, erm, quite the disappointment.)
964. Three happy owls :).
965. My tender-heart mama.
966. Sam wiping Vava's nose.
967. Vava devouring hot&sour soup (Sam actually spat his out on the floor, so Vava's enjoyment was way more than I expected).
968. Patrick cleaning the living room.
969. A comment on my blog! Thanks, reader-friend! ♥
970. Cheerful little messages on my cough drops ... thanks Halls!

951 to 960

951. Snowbanks worn smooth from the wind; my yard a small white Sahara.
952. Kids playing happily together.
953. Removable, washable couch cushions.
954. An unexpected phone call from someone I love.
955. Cake & kindness.
956. A real conversation.
957. Groceries ... delivered!
958. Lounging in the spare room, giving the kids horsey and airplane rides.
959. Reading in bed.
960. The hidden message in my tub: kids live here, blessed, blessed mama!

941 to 950

941. That perfect moment when bacon sizzles in the oven, pancakes cook on the griddle, my handsome husband is playing with the kids and I get to be right there, enjoying it all.
942. Sam giving me a million sweet kisses before bed.
943. The way Vava says "ye...ah!"
944. Hot, delectable soup.
945. Warm sweet cinnamon tea and muffins.
946. Friends loving us and bringing us food.
947. Praying with Patrick.
948. Vava so vivid and silly after her bath.
949. Dreaming of the summer and a cottage by a lake.
950. Loungey afternoon while the kids napped long.

931 to 940

931. Having a migraine last only a few hours instead of all day ... first time ever!
932. Sleeping in.
933. Laughing with Vava.
934. Sam gobbling his banana pancakes and helping me cook more.
935. Dayquil.
936. Nyquil.
937. The kids saying "ahhhh" when I pour warm water on their backs in the tub.
938. Sweet friend bringing Vava a dolly cradle, which she adores so much she took it to bed and kissed it goodnight.
939. Patrick handling the vomit-laundry.
940. Blogs that make you cry.

921 to 930

921. Sam practicing manners at breakfast.
922. My amazing friends.
923. Vava pointing at Sam's knee and calling it "belly button!"
924. Sam blissing out on his weekly timbit treat.
925. Seeing happy Patrick in the middle of the day.
926. A squirrel in silhouette against the sunrise, skittering on a wire strung across the street.
927. Orange snow swirling fast and slow under the streetlight.
928. Patrick putting Sam to bed and cleaning up.
929. Cozy cuddles and a movie.
930. A perfect gigantic mug of lemon tea.

911 to 920

911. When Vava came up to crying Sam, wrapped her arms around him, and laid her head on his chest, and he stopped crying.
912. Sam inviting Vava to play trains with him.
913. Angel Aunt driving Patrick to work so I didn't have to bundle the kids up and take them out in -41.
914. Slowcooker supper again :).
915. Reading and cooking while the kids napped.
916. Vava sleeping through a diaper change.
917. Finding out about answered prayer.
918. Seeing a new friend again!
919. Trusting in the Only Trustworthy One.
920. Checking out real estate in Hawaii and Zambia ... because why not! ... and pretending it's not minus a zillion outside.

901 to 910

901. Stormchips ... way to make a homesick girl miss her sea-bound coast a little harder (but in a good way).
902. A milder morning drive (only -16*).
903. That my kids think it's awesome to help me with dishes.
904. Unexpectedly productive naptime.
905. A new gym book.
906. Juicy & sweet cold grapefruit.
907. Praying with Sam when we got stuck in a snowdrift.
908. Happy visit in a gorgeous house.
909. Vava playing the piano like a born entertainer.
910. Sending my cold & tired hardworking man to bed early with a good book.

891 to 900

891. The delicious bliss of hot milk and coffee.
892. Both vinegar and oil jugs were open, but Sam only poured out the vinegar.
893. Vava lying down beside me, and asking "read book?"
894. Sam apologizing without my reminder.
895. Vava hiding, then bursting into the room yelling hi!
896. Patrick coming home and restoring my frazzled heart.
897. The kids painting in the tub with shaving cream & food colouring.
898. Making a grapefruit oil lamp.
899.  Strength to enjoy
900. My darlings.

881 to 890

881. Cold blue sky, brim-full of sunshine.
882. Friendly Monday morning.
883. Vava falling asleep in my arms.
884. Sam drawing a circle with a tail and calling it A!
885. Building a surprise track for Sam during naptime.
886. Patrick coming home.
887. Skype date with lovelies.
888. Patrick cleaning up and putting Sam to bed.
889. Vava relaxing against me while I prayed and sang to her before bed.
890. Coming home to a cozy house and hot shower.