One hundred

This is my one hundredth post!  A list of 100 seems appropriate.  So here I go... hope you don't get too bored.

100 things I am thankful for:  (in no particular order)

1. water from the faucet, safe to drink
2. listening to my daughter's voice as she reads
3. the joy and adventure of imagination
4. warmth of the sun on my cheeks
5. clean, soft sheets
6. flapping wings, chickens running through the yard
7. bare feet on cool tile
8. a home to live in, learn in, breath in, grow in
9. my husband's loving words, kind eyes
10. warm showers
11. the blessing of food to feed hungry little tummies, and big ones too
12. two hands, able to accomplish all my chores
13. spiders, surprising me with their unexpected hiding spots
14. fruit smoothies
15. kids with lots to say
16. little legs running fast
17. watching cousins play
18. second chances
19. memories
20. libraries full of books
21. my son, so full of joy and enthusiasm
22. the sky, robin's egg blue with wispy white clouds
23. freedom
24. forgiveness
25. friendship
26. family
27. laughter
28. soft butter on homemade cinnamon-raisin bread
29. nap time
30. powerful hymns
31. leaves blowing in the wind
32. brightly colored butterflies
33. hum of hummingbird wings
34. a cat's slowly blinking eyes
35. kids, fascinated by simple things
36. hugs
37. tender kisses from my darling
38. rainbows
39. God's promises
40. friendly service in tiny towns
41. meaningful conversations
42. meeting new babies
43. time with "old" friends, and all friends
44. last minute plans
45. kids learning new skills
46. time to think
47. clean floors
48. choices
49. watching my kids treat each other with kindness and thoughtfulness
50. our yard, space for the kids to run and explore
51. prayer
52. hearing God's voice
53. watching the kids' excitement over life's small pleasures
54. chocolate ice cream
55. warm days at the beach
56. splashing in the waves
57. attending church as a family
58. unexpected sightings, llamas walking down our street
59. tea parties
60. gardening
61. hiking with my family
62. dusty shoes from a path worth hiking
63. spending quality time, not money
64. studying history
65. collecting and eating fresh eggs
66. sweet thank you note received in the mail
67. taking time to be grateful
68. a house so quiet that I hear the clock ticking
69. folding small clothes, some pink and some blue
70. Charlotte (the chicken) announcing to the world that she just laid an egg
71. curious children, excited to learn and explore
72. teaching my kids about Jesus in all aspects of our day
73. home school
74. gentle reminders from God
75. walking and running 5 miles, a feeling of accomplishment
76. new Playdoh
77. looking up words in a dictionary
78. the end results of difficult conversations
79. art projects with the kids
80. the Bible, God's word, medicine to my heart
81. my kids and husband!  Oh, how I love them!
82. headache free days
83. beautiful sunset colors, orange, pink, and purple
84. the moon, glowing in the clouds
85. little ones, still small enough to hold and rock in my arms
86. words of love, making little eyes smile and glow
87. sheets full of holes, reminding me to be content and thankful
88. loudly purring cats
89. access to healthcare
90. hope and grace
91. relaxing yoga
92. puzzles
93. singing songs about Jesus with my kids
94. pond refilled by rain, swimming ducks
95. advice from friends
96. turkey vultures and hawks soaring in the sky
97. homemade spinach lasagna
98. memorizing Bible verses with the kids
99. smiles
100. picnic lunches

Thank you, God, for all these blessings in my life!

My holey sheets

A year or two ago, my husband and I were working together to make our bed.  We looked closely at our sheets, sheets that used to be green flannel.  We noticed that after 3 or so years of using only that one set of sheets, they were becoming extremely thin and discolored.  We mentioned that maybe we should purchase some new sheets.  When I consider buying something, I tend to think in terms of what that amount of money could accomplish at Save the Children Orphanage.  I could have new flannel sheets or I could help provide almost a month's worth of formula for a baby.  New sheets?  Or provide a month's salary for an extra "mama" to care for the kids?

We're still using those sheets.  Every time my husband and I make the bed we look at our sheets and laugh.  They are full of small holes, the elastic on the bottom sheet is gone, and this week Joel asked me what color they used to be.  Those holey sheets remind me to be thankful for what I have, and thankful for what I don't have.  I love my old sheets and the laughter they bring.

Exploring in the garden

Most of our spring/summer garden is done for the season.  That means it is time for me to dig and weed the garden in preparation for fall planting.

The kids and I have been working out there.  The kids say they are going to turn the whole garden into a swimming pool.  I must admit I have other plans for it, like growing edible things.  In the meantime, they have made a pretty large hole.  And they certainly have been coming in the house with very dirty hands, feet, and clothing.

While the young ones dig, wistfully dreaming of a swimming pool, I've been cutting down the tomato jungle.  We have seen two mice darting in and out amidst the zucchini and spaghetti squash plants.  No pictures; they are fast little critters.

Yesterday Arik said, "Mom, what is that?  It's something alive."  I glanced and told him it was just a leaf.  He poked it and showed me that it was indeed a living creature.

An albino praying mantis?

It turned out to be a pink praying mantis.  Pink?  I thought they are supposed to be green or brown.  I briefly researched it online and came across a bunch of differing opinions as to whether a praying mantis could be considered albino.

Last week the kids had their annual doctor's visits.  I thought they looked pretty cute in the little gowns.

These two get their fair share of colds and other viruses each year, but in general they are extremely healthy.  This was the first doctor visit for either of them in an entire year.  I am so extremely thankful for the blessing of their good health.  I am so thankful that they are able to dig in the dirt, investigate bugs, and climb trees.  I am thankful for the 20 times each day that I remind my son to not hug the chickens quite so hard.  And for the 10 times every day that I ask my kids to take a break from wrestling with each other before someone gets hurt.  Each day with my loved ones is such a precious gift.

The grass is greener

Did you hear me whining?  I'm sure sorry if you did.  The grass really did look greener on the other side of the fence.

My husband, Joel, worked a bunch of overtime in June and July.  That wouldn't be too bad if he got paid extra.  Or if the kids had been able to see him a bit more.  For Father's Day, my 6 year old daughter made him a card and showed it to me.  "See those four hearts, Mom?  Those are so Daddy doesn't forget that we have four people in our family."

But, the part I was whining about?  We are a one car family.  We share a car; which leaves me without a car most days.  Nothing wrong with that.  In fact, I was the one who chose to go without my own car in order to save money.  Usually we can take Joel to work on occasion and the kids and I can spend the day driving where we please.  It just doesn't work too well when he works super long days and gets home after the kids' bedtime.

Sheepishly, I must admit to you, my whining sounded something like this:  "I feel so stuck at home.  I had hoped to get out of the house a couple times a week this summer and go places with the kids.  Oh, poor me, I live such a hard life..."  You get the idea, right?  I'll leave it at that so I don't drive you crazy.

The grass simply looked a whole lot brighter over there. 

Now my darling is back to a normal work schedule.  The kids get to see their daddy; they know that they are not forgotten.  We are able to drive Joel to work and roam freely about the county doing as we please.  And what do I want to do?  Well, I just want to stay home of course!  The kids and I are having a blast here!  Who would want to go anywhere else?  Yes, our lawn is full of dry grass, weeds, and chicken manure.  But home is looking mighty green and bright to me.  It was just my attitude that needed a little weeding and watering.

Dry Season

It is hot and dry here.  Perhaps I wouldn't refer to it as hot if I was a "native."  I think it has only been 90 degrees or so.  We had some rain earlier this month and I was astonished!  During our first year of living in Southern California, it rained in April and didn't rain again until October.  I grew up in Oregon where it is easy to think in terms of seasons.  Winter is cold and wet, spring is mostly cool and wet, summer is warm and somewhat dry, fall is cold and wet and windy.  I didn't cope well with the constant rain and gloomy skies (the main reason we moved).

The seasons here are more along the lines of spring with some rain but lots of sun, a long and very dry summer, and a cool sometimes rainy fall but mixed with warm and sunny days.  There is no winter.  I don't miss winter!  I have found that I am comfortable and happy if the temperature is between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  I like it when it rains a few days each month, especially if that rain comes at night.  All this to say, I've gotten quite picky about my weather.  It bothers me that I will be too hot for the next 3 or 4 months and that my lawn will be dry and brown.

Some perspective is in order as I contemplate my current "dry season."  Check out this blog post that my sister-in-law Holly wrote last year during dry season in Congo:

http://kitumaini.blogspot.com/2010/08/just-when.html

I may be hot, and my yard may be dry due to the cost of water... 

but I have safe water to drink, I have water for showers, water to wash dishes and clothes, water for my garden, and even water to fill up a little plastic pool for my kids.  I don't have to send my kids out to fetch water and worry about their safety while I am at work trying to make enough to feed my family.  We don't stand in line waiting for our turn at a community faucet.  In fact, there are about 8 different water faucets just in my house and yard.  I wish I could share this access to water, especially safe drinking water, with my neighbors across the ocean.

For now, I will work on maintaining a joyful and thankful attitude.  I know I can share that with others!

Giving Thanks

I have so, so much to be thankful for!  When I stop and consider the blessings in my life, I am humbled and amazed.  I often pause and wonder, why me?  Why am I so immensely blessed when others are struggling through such hard things in this life?  Praying daily that I will use my blessings to bless others.

Today I am thankful for Jesus Christ (His love and grace), God's amazing creation, my husband Joel, my children, and all the rest of my wonderful family and friends.  I am thankful for freedom, for the opportunity to be a stay home mom, for a home, for our yard and garden, for food to eat, clean water that is safe to drink and easy to access, electricity, books, and so much more!