thankful{ness}

It's multitude monday once again at A Holy Experience.  I never did post last week so this is 2 weeks worth of things to be thankful for!

#147 My sister and her family coming over for a visit.
#148 Preston getting LOTS of play time with his cousins, and I mean lots!
#149 The greatest friends and family ever, who helped celebrate the anticipated arrival of our baby Grace.
#150 Celebrating Fathers Day, my Dad and Dave.
#151 The good weather this week is supposed to bring {finally, right?!?}
#152 Backyard BBQ's with friends.
#153 A new car for our family! Yay!
#154 A new place to consign my journals.
#155 Feeling a little more organized in life.
#156 Saving money through couponing. {I am getting back into it and love knowing that I am saving money!}
#157 the slow pace of summer days-enjoying being at home.

Let's try this again, shall we?

It's been a while, about a year or so since I've last linked up with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience to give thanks for the simple things {and not so simple things} in life. Honestly, at times it just felt trite or cheesy and I had a hard time thinking of things to be thankful for. I know that sounds lame and ungrateful, but it's true. I want to try again though, because I really do have so much to be thankful for. I've been so negative lately and have had such a bad attitude and perspective and I realize that something needs to change, being thankful seems like a good place to start!

I think I left off at #135.

here are #'s 136-146

• waking up early and enjoying being the only one awake in a quiet house
• the Word and the encouragement it brings my soul
• listening to books on my ipod
• reading actual books when time allows
• anticipating time spent with friends
• making journals and enjoying the creative process
• my husband and everything he does, need I say more?
• being challenged by each new stage that parenting brings, or so i'm trying to convince myself! ;)
• the sun pouring through the windows
• yards sales and good, thrifty finds! {a post to follow??}

More thankful{ness}

Well most of you who read my other{family} blog or see me on facebook, know that I had a miscarriage early this week-so no baby yet. I say yet because we have every reason to hope that we it will happen...all in Gods timing and we are ok with that! Sad. But OK. Preston is evidence that we are able to have a healthy baby! God is loving. God is good. Gods timing is beautiful. I know from past experiences that Gods timing is way better than mine. So this time I am not even going to argue with Him! :) Phew. So, this just got me thinking of things that I am thankful for when things aren't going great.

135. Homemade french bread-with melted butter smothered on top. I am wiping crumbs off my lap as I type.

136. lipstick. Weird I know. And if you know me, you might think it even weirder! I don't really consider myself a "girly girl". I wear minimal jewelry if at all, I can't walk in heels, and in am more comfortable in a hoodie and cords or jeans than "dressy" stuff. I own 2 dresses. Neither of them fit me. In fact I don't even know where they are. I know nothing of name brands or any of that stuff...so that being said, lately I like wearing lipstick. It makes me feel pretty:)

137. Hoodies. I have several, in many colors...I love wearing them and they make me feel good.

138. Reading. An easy read is a must. Nothing heavy, just gripping.

139. Cleaning. This is hit and miss. I have to be in the mood. But I could totally lose myself in cleaning and organizing!

140. Treasure hunting. AKA thrift shopping. I love searching for and finding that perfect thing that I didn't even know I needed!

141. Arriving home and finding goodies on my porch! Thanks Sara, Lynn and Angie:)

What cheers you up when you're feeling blue?

Multitude Monday

Last week when I was reading over at a Holy Experience there was a quote that really impacted me, it said,

"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby."
~Ruth E. Renkel

That quote changed my perspective today. Instead of seeing the glass as half empty I am beginning to {slowly} see it as also half full. Could it be that my heart it changing-that God is changing the way I see things? That in the mix of sadness, hardship, bad days, sad news that I am looking, searching for God in the midst of it all. I think so. It makes me smile.

129. I am thankful to see how God will work in our lives. To anticipate how He will be glorified through our family and through circumstances.

Because if times are tough, and you know God, get ready. Anticipate how He will work in your life. I am sure it won't be in anyway that you would expect. It never is. God, my God has His own timetable and His own plans and they are never the same as mine! It's taken many trying circumstances to realize that God does not need my help or insight!

the list continues...



130. I am also thankful for reuniting with an old friend, a very good friend! You can read all about how we reunited {thanks to technology!} here. You can also see me with a mullet, that is just a bonus for ya'll! I was just thinking how great it feels to have a friend that has known me for so long-it's kind of a neat feeling!



131. Time alone to craft, without little helping hands! Thanks Dave!


132. Second, third, fourth chances.....I am surrounded by grace.


133. Thoughtful Jack...who is always thinking of others and made Prestons day!


134. Cards in the mail. Thanks Angela P-It made my day! Really.

Lord, with all my heart I thank you. I will sing your praises before the armies of angels...Your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. When I pray, you answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need...The Lord will work out His plans for my life-for your loving kindness, Lord, continues forever.

Psalm 138:1-3

Thankful{ness}

Well it's not Multitude Monday, but there's no rule saying we can't be thankful on Thursdays right?!?

So my list continues:

120. Running through the park with Preston with the leaves crunching under our feet.

121. Seeing Prestons eyes sparkle when he's looking at his daddy.

122. Hot bubble baths{while listening to a book on CD}

123. My sister watching Preston so I can do my errands childless-I know Preston was thankful for that too, he had way more fun playing with Ta-Ta {thomas} and aunt A-gee {Angie}.

124. The little life inside me, all of 6 weeks and 4 days old. :)

125. That I am relatively morning sickness free, except for the occasional wave every now and then-and that is something to be thankful for!

126. Rocking in the rocking chair with Preston

127. Prestons superhero friends who act as bodyguards as we walk to starbucks. {that would spiderman and ironman, known to Preston as Ja-Ben. Known to everyone else as our neighbors and friends Jack and Ben who were holding Prestons hands, one on each side as Preston crossed the street-thanks guys, for watching out for my little one, even though you are little too. It's nice to know Preston is being looked out for;)

128. The pumpkin cookies Angie brought to bible study...I am still drooling. Seriously, you need to share that recipe.

The search continues.....

multitude monday

When I was younger, say in my teens. I thought that marriage was the ultimate goal in life. After which it was attained one sits back, relaxs and life now smoothly played itself out. I don't know why I thought this, It was just my young mind I guess. I just thought this was when life began-then I could relax, have someone take of me and I wouldn't have to worry about a thing. I would always have someone there for me.

You see where this is going, don't you? For one, I looked to people rather than God. I guess I didn't really know God or my idea of who He was was kind of warped. Secondly, I thought that married life would be worry free! Yeah right! I was looking for something that does not exsist in this lifetime.

This post isn't about the first thing though. It is about the second. Worry. The first is another post for another day, but not today.

I don't really consider myself a huge worrier by any means, but I am human and at times, sometimes more than other worry invades my mind.

It wasn't until I got married that I started to really worry. Because now I had so much to lose.
And then when I became pregnant with Preston that I came to see how fragile life really is. It is a miracle. This is when the worry really started to creep in.  I realized just how many things could go wrong! SIDS, a myriad of health problems that could occur, I think I even went through a phase where I was convinced that Preston didn't like me-weird I know.  Then I worried about Dave-his health, his job, his safety and on and on and on.

Sometimes it seems that no matter where you turn you hear bad news, it is afterall inevitable we live in a fallen sinful world. Bad things happen. Spouses die, divorce is real, children get sick, babies die, you get the drift.

So where does that leave me? In a state of panic and fear? Sometimes. When I am not looking to God it does. But, when I keep my eyes on Him and He calms my heart and fears. I can rest, knowing that He is in control. He is in control of the good things that happen and the bad. I am so thankful for who God is.

110. That we are made with eternity written on our hearts. At times I long for heaven.

{Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; they go from strength to strength. Psalm 84:5-6}

111. That God is in control
{I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do as I please. Isaiah 46:10}

112. God is my foundation-and He doesn't change. Ever. He is the same always.

{He will be the sure foundation of your times.... Isaiah 33:5}

113.That the same God who formed the Earth also tenderly fashioned my heart and being. {For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139: 13-14}

114. He is powerful yet compassionate.

{The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Psalm 116:5}

115.  I have access to Him-{I feel like a VIP!} I can pray to Him anytime about anything.
{Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access through faith... Romans 51-2}

116. He is grace. Grace upon grace.

{It is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves , it is the gift of God. Epehesians 2:8}

117. God gives wisdom freely.
{If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5}

118. He has a plan and purpose for my life.I don't have to aimlessly wander around.
{For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11}

119. He came to give me life-a full life-not a mediocre life, not just getting by, but a full life.
{I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full! John 10:10}


I am so thankful that God is all these things {and more!} because it means that I don't have to try to be them or look to other people to be who God is. Talk about taking pressure off!

multitude monday

Monday, again. The start of a new week! I am especially thankful for this new week because I am feeling sooooo much better! Finally life can return to normal and we can get back into a routine. Thankfully and amazingly Dave did not get sick and Preston did not get anything more than a cough and a runny nose-no asthma complications.

I have had this post brewing in my had for a while now. A post about how good God is. Yeah, yeah, you may think, this is not a newsflash. I ask you to go beyond this truth and personalize it. That is what I did, and it blessed me, and even made me laugh-because I am so sure that God has an amazing sense of humor!

Do you ever have times when you feel just ordinary, average, your run of the mill lady. I do. Then God will bless me for no other reason than that He loves me-and it makes me feel giddy inside and special.

This verse comes to mind:

He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than

what we are able to ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20

And He does! For example.

When we were looking to buy a house we looked at a lot of run down, not so charming both in location or visually houses that we were so discouraged-we didn't think that for our budget that we would get what we wanted. And it hit me the other day as I was driving down our tree lined street that God gave us everything plus more than we asked for! I have always wanted to live on a tree lined street-but not once did I pray for that-He just knew, and like a parent who gives a gift to their child out of love not obligation-but to see the joy on their face, that is what He did.

And this is so evident, it is written all over my life. And it makes me laugh. Because God is good!

So, after that long intro this is what I am thankful for:

100. my tree lined street-{i know i've mentioned this before #73 to be exact, but i am really thankful for it and thought it worth mentioning again!}

101. my husband-God gave me more than just a husband but he gave me a handsome, fun, hard working husband, a husband who is an amazing father and friend. He could've given me just a husband-but He didn't:)

102. a creative outlet. a hobby. i prayed for this, for years i prayed for this! i prayed for this with my mentor mom from MOPS and through lots of prayer "the best nesst" was born, not only is this an outlet-but it brings in a meager second income.

103. grace upon grace upon grace and on and on!

104. Gods perfect timing. when you are praying about something, then the phone rings and that phone call is an answer to the prayer you were just praying. {this is what leads me to believe that God has a sense of humor!}

105. a surprise visit from my sister and here family.

106. roast dinners with all the fixings!

107. early morning walks as a family seeing the evidence that the season has indeed changed and Fall is most definitely here!

108. finding a new to me author and being engulfed in a book, because finding a good book that you can't put down is awesome!

109. the big tree in our front yard-often I find myself or preston just staring at leaves and how they move in the wind-it's tranquil and very relaxing. it's better than any piece of art!

I would love to hear how God has exceedingly and abundantly blessed you beyond what you every imagined! Please leave a comment and let others know how God has worked in your life:)

Thanks is never for the things. Thanks is for His touch. That gifts have no significance in and of themselves. Gifts only have meaning in that they trace the outline of God's heart.-Ann Voskamp @ A Holy Experience

multitude monday

It is Multitude Monday once again at the best nesst. A time to reflect on all of the things I have to be thankful for, they are many! In my new journal I set aside a special section to write out my thankfulness-I really like documenting it in writing as well as sharing it with all of you in the virtual world. I like having a place to write my thanks down, in the moment, so I don't forget it. I also like to re-read my list from start to finish without having to go downstairs, sign into my blog etc. My goal is to be thankful all the time-to give thanks in everything, that my heart would be more like His, because so often it is not!

91. listening to Preston sing. he is quite the singer! the other night when we were getting ready for bed and snuggling-we were singing Jesus loves me-and by accident he sang, "mama love me this I know" it was funny because he realized his mistake and looked at me and smiled. too cute!

92. my new journal

93. automatic coffee makers

94. afternoon walks to the park

95. warming up my toes by the fire

96. neighbors who bring you soup when you are sick

97. as Preston and Dave were walking out the door last Saturday, Preston turned and looked at me, waved and said, "bye hun." he is such a copy cat-that little boy!

98. reading magazine after magazine all weekend, without guilt, because I am sick;)

99. seeing evidence of the changing seasons-as fall comes into her own in all her splendid glory!

multitude monday

I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for this Monday! We just got back from a fabulous trip to Seattle. Seattle is where Dave and I met-I am originally from Spokane and he grew up in both Spokane and the Seattle area. Which works out nice! I lived in Seattle for about 8 years and Dave for about 10-this was our first trip back since we moved to Spokane in 2007! We went to have a family reunion of sorts-all 8 of his siblings were there! And we went to see the musical Wicked, which was a lot of fun! So, I am thankful for....

80. Seeing all of the family for the first time since 2005

81. meeting our new little nephew in person. Conley Grayson. He is adorable by the way!

82. the fact that Preston slept in the car for 2-3 hours on the way to Seattle and on the way back to Spokane-phew! That in itself was a huge blessing!

83. listening to music on the road with my hubby and singing together

84. watching Preston play with his cousins

85. Generous hearts {that's you Perri!}

86. a date night with my husband {ok, and his family! but nevertheless a night out!}

87. getting a text message saying "Preston is sound asleep..."

88. good friends who watched our baby boy while we enjoyed a night on the town

89. the beautiful weather we had in Seattle-it was niiiiice!

90. reminiscing in our old neighborhood and walking down Market street.

multitude monday

71. colorful leaves

72. fresh air

73. a tree lined street

74. apples

75. seeing how God works in my life, exceedingly abundantly more than what I ever expect!

76. Blues Clues-{I know, pretty random, but Preston loves it so much!}

77. a fire in the cool morning

78. quiet

79. warm cozy blankets

80. this beautiful day!

What are you thankful for?

multitude monday

It is multitude monday once again at the best nesst. A time to reflect on the things that I am thankful for, both big and small, significant things and not so significant.


61. cherry tomatoes fresh from our garden

62. old photos

63. a clean house, well, almost clean...but close enough that I am thankful for it!

64. my health

65. creativity and art

66. watching preston play with dave and hearing them both laugh

67. a handy husband

68. friends

69. these last few days of summer

70. modern medicine

Well, today is multitude monday a day to reflect on all of the things {the little things too!} that I am thankful for.

51. pumpkin lattes at Starbucks! They're baaaack!

52. fellowship

53. watching children play

54. children going to bed at 6:00 from a busy day of playing-who doesn't love that?? :)

55. yummy food

56. routine

57. seasons, new beginnings, change

58. provision

59. rainbows

60. double rainbows

I know, I know...it is Tuesday, but I wasn't home so...

my thankful list has to do with our vacation that we just took. We went to Kelowna BC for 4 days. If you want to read about it click here.

41. family getaways

42. watching the sunrise

43. listening to the waves crash up against the shore as you drift off into dreamland...

44. spending time with family you haven't seen in a while

45. suckers

46. portable dvd players

47. being safe from bears!

48. a chance to read my latest book in the car {when I wasn't carsick that is!}

49. tenting it with my hubby

50. the feeling cold water has on you when it hits you as you jump in!

I want to know-what are YOU thankful for!

multitude monday

Well I posted more of my gratitude list on Sunday night-which doesn't count for multitude Monday, cause well, it's not Monday:)

31. making jam {yes, with peaches!}

32. the sound of little boys playing

33. ending the day with a clean house

34. my bed

35. a hardworking husband!

36. anticipation of what is to come

37. hugs {i know, i've posted that before, but i am really thankful for them!}

38. seeing daves red truck pull in the drive way when he is just getting home from work

39. flowers

40. a good laugh

21. freshly picked peaches

22. finding goodies at a garage sale and giving them a new purpose-{that is a new post in itself!}

23. thrifting-it's the thrill of the hunt and the joy of a bargain!

24. the quiet moments spent with Preston while going through his bedtime routine-it's just so sweet.

25. freshly cut grass

26. a clean kitchen-aren't we all thankful for that!

27. my camera

28. watching Preston grow and hearing him talk more and start putting words together.

29. quiet time alone

30. receiving encouragement

the list goes on.......

11. sunny days
12. chubby little legs that chase squirrels {that would be Prestons legs, not mine;) }
13. starbucks
14. living nearby family
15. music
16. memories
17. colors!
18. ooey, gooey, chocolate brownies with vanilla ice-cream!
19. inspirational blogs
20. "our" park

So here I go with my gratitude list, this is kind of exciting, where to start?????? If you do decided to do this-I would love for you to leave me a comment so I can follow!

1. My home. I just love my home. It is my sanctuary away from the rest of the world. Where I can spend time with my family and just be.

2. My family. 'nuff said.

3. A good book.

4. a lawn to mow.

5. the warmth of the sunshine.

6. a good cup o' joe.

7. visiting with friends.

8. cuddles, hugs, and kisses.

9. when preston calls me "mama"- I don't know why, I just love hearing it!

10. my piano.