Eucharisteo | Everyday Gifts

lightening storm in the distance
long distance friendships
all of my girls having fun together
my newborn son sleeping peacefully beside me
sound of rain on the window glass
family that drives far to see us
breezy, overcast autumn days
she had her “best birthday”
the older ones love of reading
sister who loves playing with my children
his new body asleep on his great grandmother
sitting around a bonfire laughing
an autumn walk with my oldest and youngest
stillness
hot shower on a cold night
waking to my son sleeping right next to me
laughing so hard with my husband that we cry
she loved her birthday party
sleeping in
how baby clothes look so big
daily grace
a new book that I’ve been excited to read
a husband who guides me back when I’m lead astray
a change in congress
cinnamon, cloves and orange juice on the stove
employment
prayer
a successful surgery
almond milk
a chill, overcast November day
her rosy, chilled nose
she created a club that learns about God
clean carpets
fresh apple juice and grapefruit juice
a swaddled baby
warm butternut squash
a kindred spirit willing to watch the girls
stockings
an evening with friends
being inspired by my husband
seeing my husband seek out our second and make her feel important
an evening out with friends
tiramisu
an eye opening sermon
a good postpartum check up
“One Month to Live”
seasonal ladybugs
an amazing/convicting/encouraging blog post about the sacrifice of a mother
a tea party with my middle girls
the warm scent of sauteing butternut, apple and pear
an open windows kind of day
the vibrantly colored leave in our backyard
little smiles while he sleeps
time spent with my kindred spirit while our kids play and we shuffle thorough boxes of books
fresh but grass in November blending autumn with summer
seeing second one up in the playset reading her Bible
a bird land in a pear tree and fly to the bottom and gather a berry
baking pumpkin and chocolate chip muffins with my girls
he willingly runs to the store in the early morning for baking powder
a good nights rest
the girls reciting scripture (Col 3:16)
warmth of the sun kissing my skin
gentle, cool breeze playing with my hair
health where there was once damage
date night at the gym, out for dinner, the bookstore and the grocery
the two oldest making pumpkin pancakes together
silk nog
first honest smiles creeping across my sons face in the early morning
girls huddled under playset making a house for one little ladybug
sitting on the couch with a slightly cool breeze coming through the window screen
a teeny, tiny voice trying to mimic mine
the joy it brings the girls to help their mama
scanning through old photographs
the golden hue of an autumn morning
the rusty afternoons
planting spring bulbs with my daughters
a freshly painted wall
the rhythmic rocking of a baby swing
light tufts of baby hair
freshly bathed baby scent
fallen leaves fathered along the streets
the sound of crunchy leaves blown across a parking lot
sisters apologizing and making amends
thyme
his creativity with our Christmas letter
hundreds of leaves sprinkled on the car
sound of aged leaves chased by the wind
peals of laughter echoing throughout the house from children and father
husband willingly helping paint rooms
encouragement to decorate house to feel like ‘home’
tangible photos hanging on the walls
she turned two
the sheer joy of a toddler dancing to Christmas music
older couples tapping the other on the shoulder to watch the dancing little girl
Christmas lights at the zoo in 60 degree weather
Thanksgiving with friends
stromboli party with friends
the girls working together to decorate their Christmas tree
picking out a real tree for Christmas
the full yet soft branches
receiving a heavenly scented advent wreath in the mail
my youngest daughters hard to hide smile in the morning
music
to be missed by loved ones far away
seeing her heart open and walls come down
having momentary eyes of Jesus
painful conviction in my heart
baby dolls tucked under arms and in beds
a wall of alphabet blocks
quiet at the end of the day
a healthy husband
nightly Jesse Tree readings around the table
the girls finding ice outside
two sisters sharing a blanket
she found a joy in science
an unexpected visit from a dear friend
pants that fit postpartum
her bravery at the doctor while getting blood drawn
the smile on her face when she’s shown love
the smile on her face when she receives positive personal attention
reminders of how short our life here is
seeing the oldest as a toddler in my youngest girl
the family reciting the Lord’s Prayer (and the toddler acting like she is)
a generous neighbor who takes the kids for an afternoon
a toddlers contagious smile
little red sparkly shoes
receiving Christmas cards in the mail
snowflakes in December
homemade stockings
time with a girlfriend at a fabric store
helpful church family after little one passed out on stage
a healthy daughter
lunch and a photoshoot with a dear friend
his tiny hand sneaking out of a his swaddle and resting as a fist on his chin
realization of needed grace for every day
fresh snowfall
a silent morning outside in the snow
the sound of crunchy snow underfoot
her delight in her first time playing in the snow
building snowmen together
a cold wind blowing the snow out of the trees
making Christmas cookies as a family
snow ice cream
when the youngest daughter lifts both feet off the ground when she hugs
a new year full of second chances
forgotten numbers
glow of Christmas lights on a peeling windowsill of an old restaurant
my husband reading the Bible to me
little toes peeking through footed openings
daughter deeply engaged in a personal reading of Psalms
everyone singing ‘hallelujah’ around the dinner table
the welling up in my soul when the music crescendos
a sea of hands raised in praise
my husband creating a website so I can give thanks
anticipation of snowfall
a toddler pretending to sneeze
the little swirl of hair on the back of his tiny head
seeing friends at church
One Thousands Gifts – the book
large snowflakes that break apart when they touch the oldests jacket
the silence of a fresh snowfall
handfulls, armfulls of snow being thrown in the air
the little, trusting bird that scuttled beside me
the weight of his small body deepens as he falls asleep in my arms
the breaking of ice underfoot with softness
birds in snow
iced over branches
conifer arms bending from weight of snow and ice
little bodies dancing in praise
eyes opened to I Am, the present now
distorted faces on babies when stretching
the breaking of dawns first light
snow twinkling on rooftop
Bibles for each family member
new book smell
warm gyro meat
warm sun melting ice
ring of family praying around table
sharing eucharist together
smell of baking bread
her deep dimple when she smiles
waves of dark below from clouds above
my sister
solitude before the day
irish steel cut oatmeal
crackle of crust breaking
dear friend delivering thumb print cookies
crumbs on lips
alphabet block towers tumbling
Highlights magazines in mail
small hands covering mouths of laughter
their first cross-stitches
dog napping in afternoon sun
finger smudges on doors
brown glass bird
mid day nap
unexpected blessings
tiny bubbles in water glass
patterned sunlight through blinds
warm January days
smell of neighbors grilling
fallen hair from day old ponytails
giggles around the dinner table
“Count it all joy…” James 1:2
his body still curls when lifted
phone calls with old friends
red velvet dress with white fur trim
freshly bathed babies
God, Jesus and Holy Spirit
a house full of music
salt water bath
markings on the walls
voting
healthy dental check for little one
a voice lesson for oldest
splendid older women at precinct
lying center, listening to husband and son sleep
early arrical of morning song bird
morning heavy laden with fog
he still holds his breath when the wind blows
a new hairstyle
they throw leaves in the wind
the grasp of my shirt while he nurses
three year old mother in training; she loves babies
no clots
friend at radiologist, too
husband stayed home to nurse sick girls
two new books; One Thousand Gifts & Organized Simplicity
grocery trip with oldest
warm to the lips tomato soup
toasty grilled cheese sandwiches
unexpected long naps from little ones
quiet time with God
the oldest, she wants to be just like mama
the second, she is an artist
the grace child, she’s maturing before my eyes
the toddler, always exploring
our little man, an unexpected blessing
my husband, always considerate and loving
winter colds, a reminder to slow down
easily accessible fruits and vegetables
crystal landscape in morning light
making breakfast for my husband
rocking chairs in wind
little one wearing large bicycle helmet
repentance of a three year old
financial blessings
less in the house
family cleaning cooperation
vacation anticipation
new bulbs breaking through
I am small and He is so big
experiencing new foods
opportunities to renew my mind
grace, lots of grace
empty spaces
little girls wearing elegant dresses and playing in dirt
progress in breaking a food addiction
he wrote a book
the toddler looks just like the second daughter
more to add to the memory boxes
valentine party with friends
he was first to confess at alter before God
an unexpected but wonderful visit with sister
southern men in overalls
flower hunting with a van full of littles
finding wisteria
fallen pink dogwood bloom
backyard lounge chair
long, enjoyable phone calls
overflowing pitchers of blessings
fresh cut flowers from our garden
successful trip alone for the first time with all my children
new life in dormant plants
dirt washed from feet
lavender scent that make me want to clean
the girls made a friend in sunday school
laughing and living life with my two oldest
eyes opened to my own pride
heart tugging sermon on finances
another debt gone
evening backyard soccer games
getting back into photography
support from husband
butterflies on flowers
nostalgic smell of sun tan lotion
colored eggs
sun tea
pre-pregnancy jeans fitting
discovering new plants in back
he started solids
the trees worshipping Him
she says “ap-el-saw” for applesauce
our neighborhood bought
He is risen!
no need for regrets
sun soaked skin
hands raised, heart open
beautiful photo sessions
a teenagers renewed self confidence
shakeology
a contest won
learning to embrace being the background
clouds breathed across sky
he let me sleep in
he brought me home and orange drink
new flowers opening
family fun at Disney
husband declaring his devotion through baptism
a spiritual change in a lost sister
a healthy, large garden
safe travels to and through and from Florida
summertime
teachings from Voddie Baucham
a new friend
His protection
old words made new
farm fresh foods
his plane was delayed
he just missed the tornado
wet blonde curl flat on back
rolling storms
heart felt apologies
broken hearts made right
true love
friendships mended
a day of birthday parties
possible opportunities
discovery of a butterfly, her squeals of delight, chasing through the yard
oldest is so gentle and loving with sisters
old men in uniform in parade – veterans
hobo clowns
little ones collecting candy; oldest gave to youngest sister
he nurses with his booty in the air
he says ‘dada’
he waves and says ‘hi’
his finding his voice and yells whenever the blender or vacuum is on
He provides
skyping with loved ones
skyping to India
hope
he claps!
job opportunities
almost sleeping through the night
he turned 35
Christmas in July
toddler chatter
talks with friends about our Lord
night out at Buca di Beppo
baby babbling
air conditioning
online sermons
local safari
cold front in July
trip to the zoo
a very content little man
road construction in our neighborhood
early morning walks
sweat dripping off face
feeling of accomplishment
craft projects
chalk on cement