Sunday, February 27, 2011

Meet Stella....


Makayla is a proud new momma to a beautiful baby Guinea Pig. 


Stella is only 2 months old and is already quite the fashion diva


I delight in the pure joy on our little girls face as she proudly displays
 the front pack she created just for her little Stella. 

Monday, February 7, 2011

One Thousand Gifts

A friend introduced me to a new book that I'm really looking forward to reading. I haven't even purchased it yet, but have already been blessed to read the authors blog called A Holy Experience  What beautiful, artistic, insightful writing. Here is a little trailer about the book...called the gift of now.  I think the photographer in me longs to slow down, breath deep and enjoy and capture the gifts god gives in the simple everyday moments of life.





One Thousand Gifts....is a practice that I am going to start. It is called Multitude on Mondays...It's starting a list of things I am grateful for.






One Thousand Gifts ( #1- 44 )

1.  The Love of my Savior
2.  A fresh start every morning, every hour, every moment of everyday
3.  Music, that sooths the soul and lifts the spirit
4.  My husband who is my best friend and soul mate
5.  The two children God has gifted us to love and tend for Him
6.  Sunshine and Blue Skies
7.  Morning, afternoon and a dessert cup of coffee
8.  Seeing the delight in my sons eyes when I tell a story about when I was little
9.  Listening to my daughters thoughts & heart as she maneuvers through life, relationships and day to day challenges. Talking it through & praying together too
10. Kiss on my forehead from each family member & a prayer that mommies headache goes away soon.
11. Feeling my dogs warm body and soft fur beneath my feet as he curls under my desk as I type.
12.  Laughing and maybe even screaming as the cat does a sneak attack from behind
13.  A clean and quite house, even if for just a moment
14.  Fresh, clean, warm laundry right out of the dryer
15.  My golden soft pillow, green plush blanket and King size bed
16.  Gods word every morning, noon and night
17.  Stars in a deep dark sky
18.  Breathing deep...in, out, in and slowly out again
19.  Stretching my mind, body and soul
20.  Being still, calming down, slowing down...Hearing Gods voice  
21.  The number 4 ... in any form or fashion
22.  Visiting a neighbor; getting to know them; learning how to pray and reach out to them 
23. Smiling with a friend over the little things that "just the two of you" get
23.  Exchanging a smile with a stranger...blessing them and being blessed in return
24.  Freshly cute flowers placed in an antique jar on my kitchen windowsill
25.  Zucchini fresh from the garden cooked with lots of garlic
26. The sound of laughter; the deep belly kind
27. Playing Tickle Tackle with my kids... fseeing the excitement and anticipation in their eyes
28. Watching things grow from the tiniest seed to the biggest tree
29.  Marking our children's height on a growth chart,as a reminder that time is surely passing
30.  Hearing the sound of the school bus rounding the corner in the afternoon
31.  Petting our kitty and making him purr
32.  Walking to the creek to skip rocks, hunt for fish or go for a dip
33.  Looking up to the treetops, mountaintops and hills
34.  Going for a country drive, just to enjoy the view
35. Singing in the car, weather it alone or as a family
36.  Stroking my daughters long golden hair out of her eyes
37.  Seeing what outfit my kids choose for the day
38.  Witnessing our daughter teaching her brother little things each day
39.  Helping my son learn how to read and listening to him read us a story
40.  Having a good talk with my folks on the phone
41.  Connecting with another busy mom who "gets it"
42.  Spending time with friends that really "get me" and "love me"
43.  Being heard and feeling understood 
44.  Resting in Gods presence

Wow...I can see how this can get addicting...I just want to keep going and going....I'm all for happy, healthy habits that will give thanks and glory to God.

For every Good and perfect gift comes from Him.