Day 7 ~ Three graces from people you love
- Her blond head nuzzled against my chest.
- That he still finds me physically attractive 12 years, 4 pregnancies, and many pounds and gray hairs later.
- Chores done promptly – consistently.
Day 8 ~ Light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely
- Sun blinding through the branches as I walk.
- Yellow light on the counter.
- The cross that moves across my bedroom wall every sunny day.
Day 9 ~ A gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat by
- Warm, soft bread dough dusted with a bit of flour.
- Children all snuggled down in bed with pets, stuffed animals, baby dolls, blankets.
- Small faces all smeared with pizza and brownies.
Day 10 ~ A gift that’s sour, a gift that’s sweet, a gift that’s Just. Right.
- Finding out my dishwasher never ran – having to hand wash what I needed.
- Snickerdoodles for covenant group.
- Oldest son reading the story of Jonah from his Bible as we drive – a different kind of music in the car.
Day 11 ~ Three yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy.
- Yellow lights that let you through when you can’t stop in time.
- “The Golden Arches” and their $1 Dr. Peppers.
- The curb that the kids insist on walking from the parking lot to the library – every time – no matter the weather or how many books I’m lugging in to return – they simply must practice their balancing skills.
Day 12 ~ Something above you, something below you, something beside you
- Our yellow-bellied sap-sucker made an appearance this afternoon.
- The crumbs left behind by four well-fed children.
- A sniffy-nosed boy looking over my shoulder.
Day 13 ~ Three sounds you hear
- Howling wind outside.
- Two youngest playing together, wrapped up in imagination.
- The crackle and pop of the fire in the stove.
Day 14 ~ Three ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God.
- The shout that birthed the apology to son – and his forgiveness.
- Time for rest and relaxation – a rare treat – treatment for a sore back, too.
- The words, “You’re fine.”
Day 15 ~ One thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared.
- The down winter jacket my mom passed along to me.
- My shoulders as we watched a movie and two little ones fell asleep leaning in.
- Laughter – my favorite thing to share with my kids.
And a even more thanks:
- Sleep through the night (for the most part).
- A cat who can open the back door by himself.
- The way Mary says “eachother” – “demchuddas”
- John 8 (a fun and fiesty chapter to study)
- Little shoes on the wrong feet
- Kid messes. . . Kid volume. . . God peace. . .
- Grimey hands
- Footy pajamas
- Bedtime
- All four kids asleep last night almost immediately after prayers. . .
- All four kids sleeping in – nice quiet morning for me. . .
- James Herriot – hilarious – why have I waited so long to read his books!?. . .
- Kids playing together – all together and then split by younger and older. . .
- Olive oil. . .
- A corned beef in the crock pot (and it’s not even March!). . .
- This almost 24 hour backache. . .
- Hot coals left in a cold stove. . .
- Stale pecan sandies to hold us over till pancakes are ready. . .
- Cold toes. . .
- Bud-Jack almost playing the part of Hansel, so close to the wood stove. . .
- The smell of Grandma’s crumb cake warming me up this morning. . .
- Lilac-colored dusk
- Warm dessert