Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8  
I’m learning to train my eyes, my heart and mind to look for the beautiful things. Philippians 4:8. Keeping my mind focused on the Lord. So through a heart, seeking that which is good – I’ve started giving thanks once again in 2014. It’s in giving thanks, I’m finding beauty. Beauty that makes my soul want to sing of His unfailing, unwavering goodness and grace. I’d love for you to join me in counting our blessings!

 

I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6

 

1st: For May Basket’s, May flowers & Piano lessons.

 

2nd: For the arrival of official SUMMER of 2014! School completed for two and one more will be done here in a few days. So thankful for the ability to carry on a few things through summer. Blessed to be able to homeschool.

 

3rd: For receiving our passports in the mail!

 



AND For girly giggles, twirly dresses, and tea parties, and friends. And the desire to keep the little in my girl. For the desire to teach and implement Godly womanhood while she’s young. Oh, to grow up the way God intended – and not have to deal the world skipping through childhood.

 

 

4th: Being able to actually take a nap on a Sunday afternoon! RARE, and very much enjoyed!

 

5th: Having the ability to make a summer schedule, but knowing the Lord holds the final plans makes it rather exciting. : )

 

6th: Being reminded that God has control of every situation. Even broken down vehicles!

 

7th: For good health exams for all 5 Munchkins. And for their great attitudes & behaviors they presented for 2 hours in one little room. They were excited to do it, it meant one step closer in bringing her home. It makes my heart melt. <3

 

8th: Receiving our certificate for finishing 12 hours of required parent training! And for feeling great getting that out of the way…one step closer!

 

9th: Being able to get the rest of the 2014 garden planted! And being able to watch my son mow a small patch I saved for him. He was thrilled and honored to do something for his mother. 9 and very much desiring to be a man, while struggling his hardest to still reach the petals.

 

 

10th: Spending time with our Church youth – and watching them grow in the Lord. Realizing how old my husband and I are getting, and how theme park rides, just aren’t as intriguing as they use to be. ; )


11th: For Mothers. The real heroes! And for being blessed with a Godly one who has given me a great example of motherhood. And for being able to live out my dream of “being a mom.

 

 12th: Thankful for the Lord’s protection for our family, and everyone else last night during a tornado. {No one hurt or killed.} Our home and property were not touched, but other homes were damaged and or destroyed near us, while many trees snapped or uprooted. Thankful for a great time of prayer, cuddling and great conversation that God has complete control. It was a good night to be in our basement, for many reasons that night. 🙂 {We are the red dot.} Map is obscured and chopped for safety purposes.

 

Thankful for modern technology, because not being able to be close to Granny while she’s leaving this earth is hard, but thankful we were able to send our love and the Munchkins could encourage her through a song sung from our home 16 hours away, right to her bed side.

 


13th:
Knowing his pain too well, and seeing him smile from across the room with a smile, makes me smile. And how It still makes my heart puddle. : )

 

14th: For showing and helping me realize my personal flaws, and opening my heart to see the need to fix them. Mold me Jesus!

 

15th: For the ability to train my heart, and ears to look for and find “teachable opportunities” when it comes to everyday living with my children. Thank you, Lord for allowing me to find these important parenting moments!

THE MOMENT:

I told the two littlest Munchkins to get in Mommy & Daddies bed for nap time, and I’d be right there to tuck them in. As I’m walking down the hall I hear giggles of laughter from the 4 year old {I} telling the 2 year old {N} “let’s jump on the bed!” I holler out “you’re not going to jump on the bed are you?” A quick scamper and whisper of the 4 year old telling the 2 year old “uhh, she knows!”I explained to them yes, I’m afraid Mom knows, and when she doesn’t, God sure does! We then had a short little conversation about how God sees EVERYTHING we do good or bad ALL. The. Time. Now how’s that for an impromptu lesson?! Thankful for the eyes to see the moment, and the right words to say. For now I’ll leave the “eyes in the back of mommies head” mentality for a few more years at least. ; )

 

16th: Knowing we will see Granny one day again, and knowing she is pain free.

 

17th: For the ability to start our 16 hour trip to Grannies funeral, and thankful we were be able to go. And for helping bring us peace despite the circumstances that occurred. For kids behaving so well, for being in the car for so long!

 

18th: Having only 4.5 hours of driving to do because the Munchkins did so well, the first day allowing us to drive further then expected. And thankful for the Hilton hotel who let our whole family stay in just one room.

 

19th:Thankful Grannies funeral went well, and honored to be able to sing with my daughter & sister-in-law for the service. Blessed to spend a little time with Papa and other family members.

 

20th: Being able to enjoy a great big and very delicious and “fancy” breakfast from our hotel, even if it may not have been completely kid friendly. ; ) And thankful for being able to get on the road at a decent time with 5 children in tow. And for all the random hand holding. I love his hands.

 

 

21st: For Country Inn & Suites allowing our family to stay in one room. And for a simple kid loving breakfast they devoured. 😉 Being able to consider ourselves survivors of 32 hours of driving in all, with 5 children in a packed mini van. And for a HOME that couldn’t be sweeter. And blessed that cranky tired of driving little boys can find things to do. ::ahem::

 

The 4 year old made himself a “pond” in the van.


22nd: For a great 4 hour home study! Interviews went well, as did the home inspection and extra stuff to help the next study go quicker. {1 more to go!} Knowing others were praying for energy and strength to get through the long study despite our tiredness from getting back from the long trip the day before. : ) God is very good, all the time!

 

23rd: For the quick drive in to town with my husband for last minute Memorial Day supplies, and being able to just chat.

 

24th: Being able to have a beautiful day to work in the garden, and put up some rhubarb to freeze. And enjoyed a quick little bounce with the hubs and Munchkins on the trampoline. ; )

 

 

25th: For another unusual Sunday, {2 in a row!} and actually feeling like it was a day of rest. {It’s sadly rare on Sundays.}

 

26th:  For a great Memorial Day spent with my husbands side of the family – good friendly fellowship. And blessed to have the day topped off with several hours of just chatting with my man, everywhere from silly things, to deep theological discussions to genuinely sharing feelings of hearts hurting deeply for the same things. <3 Lord, I am SO very blessed.

 

27th: The way he folds his hands, squeezes his little eyes, and prays. {N-2 years old}Yes, I peeked during prayer to snap this picture.

 


28th: Noticing my 4 year old’s little feet and getting the feeling, my babies are growing up, getting older, and I must cherish, cherish, cherish each moment. Thank you, for the moments Lord to savor.

 

 

29th: For the time the Lord gives us. And for choosing to spend some of it gardening, growing our own foods. And thankful for little hands that love to help in it.

 

 

30th: For the fun surprises the Lord gives us. While the kids were setting up the sprinkler on a very hot, sunny May day, it just started to pour down rain, in the middle of a beautiful sunshine. {One of my favorite blessings, that are rare, no thunder or lightening just a good rain!} So, instead of the sprinkler, the Munchkins used God’s sprinkler system. So much better! And so much fun!

 

 

31st: Being able to watch one of my little brothers walk across the stage at another homeschool graduation. 6 more siblings to go! ; ) And my littlest sister turning 12. Hard to imagine this!

 

Never lose an opportunity for seeing anything that is beautiful; For beauty
is God’s handwriting–Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky,
in every fair flower, And thank God for it as a cup of His blessing.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
What gifts of gratitude have you found this past month?  Share your link to your “blessing post” below in the comments or on our Facebook page!
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