1,000 Gifts Updated

I found for a while that I was feeling as though I was having a hard time thinking of things to be thankful for lately in my life. But as time goes on, I'm starting to hurt less and remember all the small gifts I am blessed with. So, I've decided that I'm going to make a weekly post of all the small blessings and gifts that I've received that week. Here goes...

14. The way a child's hand fits perfectly in yours.
15. Time to reflect and wonder.
16. The sound of rain on the roof.
17. Friendly neighbors.
18. Knowledge.
19. Dandelions freshly picked by tiny hands.
20. Reconnecting with my husband
21. The smell of rain.
22. Drinking a cup of tea while reading a good book.
23. Gardens.

What small gifts have your received this week?

1,000 Gifts Updated

My Favorite Part of Summer

My favorite part of summer is going to all the local fairs. To me, a fair is the essence of summer; spending time outside, animals, games, and food. Spending time with family. Love it.

This past weekend we went to the local Woodstock Fair.

Getting lost in the kid's maze.The Guppy was more interested in the stuffed chickens.Standing next to the 1,000 lb pumpkin.Learning about baby chicks.The Mermaid went on a ton of rides, she loved it!The best ride of all: the Ferris Wheel

The Mermaid was fearless.
So was the Guppy.The View

Which brings me to #5 on my List of One Thousand Gifts......

#4. Summertime at the fairs.

My Favorite Part of Summer

One Thousand Gifts: #2 and #3

On Friday, I walked the Knight to the door and kissed him goodbye as he left for work.

Five minutes later, he walked back in the house. Our only vehicle was not starting.

In the past, before we started Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, a situation like this would not only be a car crisis, but a money crisis. We would frantically try to find the money to fix the car, and either end up borrowing from our parents or putting it on our credit card. Thanks to Dave Ramsey, no more financial crisis. Instead, we had the van towed to the mechanic, he fixed the starter, and we paid him.

We just paid him.

Such as small, simple act that most people view as extremely unpleasant, and we were overjoyed to have the ability to just pay the mechanic. Without scrambling for money. Without worrying about how we were going to pay this month's bill, because all the money went to fixing the van. Without having to go through the humiliating process of calling people up to ask to borrow money.

We just paid him.

So, #2 on my list of One Thousand Gifts: we just paid the mechanic; proof that our financial situation has drastically improved since two years ago, thanks to Dave Ramsey.

In fact, after the Knight picked up the van we were so relaxed and not worried about money that we took the girls to the beach.

#3 on my list of One Thousand Gifts: Happy Days at the Beach.

One Thousand Gifts: #2 and #3

One Thousand Gifts

Thanks so much to Steph at Problem Sovlin' Mom for the heads up on this great idea.

First, go read this absolutely beautiful post by Ann over at Holy Experience. Go ahead, I'll wait.

I love this idea. I completely "get" it. Lately, what has been helping me a lot is that I take the time each night to write down five things I am grateful for, or five things that I accomplished that day, no matter how small. I'm now going to take it a step farther and start my list of 1,000 gifts on this blog. I'm going to add to this list a little at a time, as they come up, instead of sitting down and banging out a huge list in one sitting. If you decide to start your own list, let me know, I would love to read it as it comes to life!

To start.....

1. The gift of a healthy family.

One Thousand Gifts

1,000 Gifts

The idea of the One Thousand Gift List began with Amy over at Holy Experience. Head on over and read her original post.

We're busy. We rush through our lives, with our lists of things to do and things to buy. Our eyes and thoughts scan God's blessings, at best: the beautiful views, the happy moments, the healthy days.

I don't want to be rushed. I want my eyes to be open, to see all the gifts that I have been giving in my life. So, this is my list of One Thousand Gifts.

Please read my original post here.

1. The gift of a healthy family.
2. Our drastically improved financial security.
3. Happy days at the beach.

4. Summertime at the fair.

5. Cheering from the sidelines.

6. Being able to work from home.

7. Health Insurance

8. Patience

9. Reaching loving goals.

10. Home Sweet Home.

11. Creativity.

12. Supportive Friends and Family

13. Smiles

14. The way a child's hand fits perfectly in yours.

15. Time to reflect and wonder.

16. The sound of rain on the roof.

17. Friendly neighbors.

18. Knowledge.

19. Dandelions freshly picked by tiny hands.

20. Reconnecting with my husband

21. The smell of rain.

22. Drinking a cup of tea while reading a good book.

23. Gardens.

24. Family traditions

1,000 Gifts