Thankful Thursday #7

This week I have been making good use of the practice of gratitude and it is paying off. I have been taking pictures, AND scribbling down notes in my Joy Journal. Joy and peace have been mine! (And not because everything is all perfect here... this momma had to pull a tick out of her baby girl's head and battle some "slapped cheek" disease). I even tried applying the whole gratitude thing to my marriage. Mike and I have been fighting much more regularly, I think just from him being gone so much. I decided to intentionally thank him for everything on our love notes board (in my organization station), text him and send him voice mails... thank you for taking out the trash, thank you for unloading the dishwasher, thank you for all your hard work, plus a couple "hey baby you're sexy" notes. I feel better just remembering how much he does, and he does better feeling appreciated. Plus, he remembers to tell me how much he appreciates me. This whole gratitude thing really can change a life, a family, and a marriage!


 #57 The smell and sound of valley oak leaves beneath my feet.

#58 The way a thistle can be even more beautiful when it's found amongst dead grass

#60 My sanctuary

#61 Pink Princess Shoes

#62 The girls who are going places

#63 Hay in the background... just something about the sight and smell of hay bails

#64 Balcony seating for 4

#65 The way a momma can love this face just as much as the happy faces. Grace. Love.

#66 Beautiful sights... the curls of brittle browned ivy around the barbed fence.

#67 Her excitement for friends and her first (non-family) birthday party... but still needing to bring Dawson IN the carseat with her.

#68 The company of this boy, bubbles and the morning sun during my prayer time.

#69 Addy wanting to play school. She's the teacher (in only her underwear) theatrically teaching me about bugs, "It's a hooded praying mantis. A poison praying mantis in the whole wide world. It's SO STRONG. And SO BEAUTIFUL!" Raises arm and twirls in dramatic fashion, plastic praying mantis in hand.

#70 The 5 fleeting and precious seconds this adventure-spirited boy offers his mother before he is off and climbing the heights of the chair (and making his mother's heart stop.)

Heart is full of gratitude!
Hope yours is too!
xo
Amanda