Back in America.

April 30, 2018
Day 580

     Today we traveled all day long. It was an extremely long and tiring day. I am so thankful to be back home in America. I can't wait to go home and see my babies and my family and my dog. Thankful to be back home safe and sound. Thankful for my husband. He was amazing.

Last day in Italy.

April 29, 2018
Day 579

     Today was our last day in Italy. It was a lovely one. There were two parties. There was a delicious dinner. Pasta is Italy is the most delicious pasta I've ever had. It was a great last day in Italy.

     I'm thankful.

Epic wedding day.

April 28, 2018
Day 578

     We just got back to our room in the castle from the most amazing wedding ever. There was the best food. The best wine. The best dance party. The best desserts. The best view. It was epic. And I was proud and honored to be a part of it.

     So thankful for this day.

This place and this day.

April 27, 2018
Day 577

     This day was lovely. It was warm with a cool breeze. The sky was blue. The food was amazing. The people were fun and wonderful to be with. I am so honored and blessed to be here to celebrate with my friends. I am thankful for friendship. I am thankful for good food. I am thankful for this lovely place and this lovely day.

The best destinations.

April 26, 2018
Day 576

     We arrived at our destination in Italy! It's beautiful. Matt and I traveled for 2 days to get here, but long journeys mean the best destinations. 

     I'm so happy to be here with and for my friends!

Waiting to fly.

April 25, 2018
Day 575

     Tonight, I am writing from the airport. I am waiting to board a flight to Italy to see my good friends get married.

     It's always on days like these when I am away from my loved ones that I remember how deep my love is for them. I remember that my heart wants to be with them. Always.

     It's on days like these that I am so thankful for things like my bed. My home. The smells of home. The familiar roads I drive down every day.

     Thankful for my husband who has been supportive and loving this entire day.

     Thankful for the prayers of those who love me.

     Thankful for this opportunity to see a new and beautiful place.

Tomorrow will be a good day.

April 24, 2018
Day 574

     Thankful for my sister and my mom who will watch over my kids while Matt and I are gone. Thankful for cuddles with my kids and my nieces and nephew. Thankful for dogs. Thankful for rainy nights and rainy mornings. Thankful for music and road trips and plane rides. Thankful for new headbands. Thankful for new dresses. Tomorrow will be a good day.

It's a peaceful feeling.

April 23, 2018
Day 573

     I am thankful for the times that I get to take care of my children. For the times when I can wash their hair, clip their nails, dress them. I am thankful for the times when I get to hold them. I am thankful for the times when I catch a glimpse of them looking like a wee one again. It's so quick. And it doesn't happen often, but when it does, it makes my heart happy. Thankful that I get to be the one that takes care of Adelyn and Tobin. Thankful for all the time I have with them. Thankful for Higbee. He's sweet and wonderful. God knew we needed him. Thankful for one more day at home tomorrow. I love being home. Thankful for the time when my babies are sleeping soundly and quietly. It's the most peaceful feeling. I haven't felt it any other place.

Exciting trip coming.

April 22, 2018
Day 572

     Thankful for this lovely day. We brought Higbee outside with us off his leash, and he did a great job staying with us. He just wanted to run and play with the kids and it was so nice to have him out with us. He's very tired now because he ran so much. Thankful for an exciting trip coming up. Thankful for my mom and my sister who are going to watch Higbee and our kids. Thankful for time to lay in bed and watch Dr. Quinn. Thankful for the woods. Thankful for a cool day. Thankful for new dresses and pretty shoes. Thankful for my parents who came with tasty food. Thankful for their love. Thankful for a good day.

A most relaxing evening.

April 21, 2018
Day 571

     Tonight was a relaxing evening. Sometimes, it is so good to just stay at home and be still and quiet and do nothing but relax. Thankful for my home. Thankful for my family. Thankful for another day of this weekend left.

Busy, but fun day.

April 20, 2018
Day 570

     Thankful for a busy, but fun day. We went to Chuck E Cheese's tonight for a spirit night for our school. I love seeing my babies so excited about having fun. Tobin was especially excited about winning some plastic bugs and snakes. It was a long, busy, but fun day.

Go in Peace.

April 19, 2018
Day 569

     Thankful for a fun day with my babies. It was busy, but it was fun. Thankful for time spent with my sister and her babies. Thankful for my class. They threw me a surprise birthday party at school, and it was so sweet! Thankful for time to sleep. Thankful for these words to focus on: "Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord's approval." -Judges 18:6

Wednesday's List.

April 18, 2018
Day 568

     Thankful for good friends at school. Thankful for time to be with my children at home after school. Thankful for this home to call ours. Thankful for Bible verses that bring me comfort. Thankful that this day is halfway through this week. Thankful for bedtime.

Juju Bee.

April 17, 2018
Day 567

     I am thankful for a sweet day with my kids and my students. I am thankful for cold weather in April. It has been a long, long winter. I love long winters. I am thankful that I found my stuffed dog that was missing. I almost cried for joy when I found him. I am thankful for my cozy, warm bed. And my home in the woods. I am thankful for phone calls with my mama. I am thankful that tomorrow is Wednesday and it's Odette's birthday. I am so thankful for Odette. I've nicknamed her, Juju Bee. I have no idea why, but she looks like one, and she smiles so big when I call her by it. I am thankful for coffee. And hot showers. I'm thankful for my husband. I'm thankful for his hugs. I am thankful for Dr. Quinn. I am thankful for time to be thankful.

Tobin looks for rocks.

April 16, 2018
Day 566

     Thankful for a quiet Monday. Thankful for the rain and the cool air. Thankful for the bare tree branches. Thankful for walks with Tobin and Higbee. Tobin looks for rocks and Higbee looks for squirrels. Thankful that my kids are happy and playful and creative. Thankful for Higbee and his sweet brown eyes. Thankful for my parents who came out to bring us bottled water. Thank for a very nice Monday. 

A calm day.

April 15, 2018
Day 565

Thankful for a good day. There was a great sermon at church this morning. It was cool and rainy today. It's beautiful when it's rainy in the forest. Thankful for my babies. And my husband. Thankful for a visit from good friends. Thankful for new adventures coming up. Thankful for a new week at school. Thankful for my home and my bed. Thankful for a calm day.

He stills the storm.

April 14, 2018
Day 564

     Thankful for a fun day with my family. Thankful for bats. I like the noise they make. Thankful for my home. It's a haven when I'm feeling frantic. Thankful that God gives me peace in the storm before He stills the storm. Thankful for my husband who prays for me when I'm afraid. Thankful for my sister. Thankful for the wind in the trees. Thankful for another day left in this weekend. Thankful for the sound of my children laughing. Thankful for Higbee who hasn't left my side today. He keeps looking into my eyes as if to say, "I'm here. I love you. Everything is okay." Thankful for camp outs in the playroom with popcorn and ice cream. Adelyn and Tobin have a sweet friendship.

For home.

April 13, 2018
Day 563

Thankful for my home. For my sister. And husband. And my children. Thankful for my bed. Thankful for quiet time at home.

Quiet time at night in my new house.

April 12, 2018
Day 562

     Thankful for the prettiest day. The sun was warm. The wind was constant. The sky was blue. The grass was green. Thankful for this lovely house to come home to every night. I still can't believe this house is mine. Thankful for the smell of homemade pizza in the oven. Thankful for a time to sleep all night. Thankful that tomorrow is Friday. Thankful that after tomorrow, it's the weekend. I cannot wait to sleep in and relax.

     Thankful for this quiet time at night in my new home. It makes me happy and peaceful and still.

This beautiful life.

April 11, 2018
Day 561

     Thankful for this night at home with all my great loves. Thankful for time to cuddle with my babes in bed. Thankful for the sound of my sleeping husband. And for the way Higbee looks when he's cuddled in bed with me. Thankful for the smell of roast chicken in my home. Thankful for the sweetest children to call mine. Thankful for the beautiful home. And this beautiful life.

Time to be quiet and still.

April 10, 2018
Day 560

     Thankful for a lovely blue sky day. Thankful for apples in bed while I watch Dr. Quinn. Thankful for time to unpack boxes and set things up in my house. Thankful for our rock tumbler. We've been tumbling rocks, and they are so pretty. Thankful for an easy dinner. Thankful for time to spend with my babies. Thankful for good conversations with Adelyn and Tobin. Tobin told me, "You have a really good ideas, Mama!" It made my day. Thankful that tomorrow is Wednesday. Thankful for conversations with my dad, my mom, and my sister. Thankful that God watches over me while I sleep. Thankful for time to drink tea and be quiet and still.

Sweet kids and husband.

April 9, 2018
Day 559

Thankful for very cold, snow flurry days. Thankful for the wind. Thankful for the ability to come to this beautiful home. Thankful for all the projects we have to do. Thankful for my sweet kids. Thankful for my husband.

My birthday celebration.

April 8, 2018
Day 558

     Thankful for the loveliest day. We spent it at home celebrating my birthday. We had the most delicious food. And the most amazing birthday cake. And my favorite people blessed me with the most amazing gifts. Feeling so thankful to have spent 36 years on this beautiful planet with my favorite people by my side. Thankful for peace that passes all understanding. Thankful for fresh bedsheets. Thankful for the bright blue sky and my trees. Thankful for the best Sunday.

A lovely April 7th.

April 7, 2018
Day 557

     Thankful for the quiet of the woods today. Thankful for the snow flurries. Thankful for the hawk I saw this afternoon. Thankful for time with people I love. Thankful for this home that I love. Thankful for a good April 7th. 

A pleasant Friday.

April 6, 2018
Day 556

     Thankful for a surprise birthday party from my former students. Thankful for people who love me. Thankful for corned beef and cabbage. Thankful for chocolate cake. Thankful for a new haircut. Thankful for a pleasant Friday.

Puffy Cloud Day

April 5, 2018
Day 555

     Thankful for a beautiful blue sky, puffy cloud day. Thankful for art projects made out of cardboard boxes and cut pieces of paper. Thankful that tomorrow is Friday. Thankful that tomorrow I get to go to school. Thankful for time to lay in bed.

Brisk winds that blow through the trees.

April 4, 2018
Day 554

     Thankful for dance parties after school with my babies. Thankful for quiet dinners of simple food. Like tea and toast. Thankful for brisk winds that blow through the trees because when they do, it sounds like ocean waves. Thankful for a warm house to sleep in. Thankful for these words: "I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

     Thankful for exciting days coming up.
     Thankful for God. He will indeed give what is good. And He has good plans for me.

Long conversations on the way home from school.

April 3, 2018
Day 553

     Thankful for my beautiful children. Thankful for their faces. Thankful for their fingers. Thankful that I got to carry them inside me for 9 months. Thankful that Tobin keeps coming into my bed in the middle of the night to cuddle with me. He's a horrible sleeper and flails around all night. He kicks me. He hits my face. He moves constantly. But to have his face cuddled up to mine makes it all worth it. Thankful for laughter with Adelyn. And long conversations on the way home from school. Thankful that Higbee seems calm and quiet and content to be here at home. Thankful for the way the forest looks in the morning. Thankful for rain. Thankful for snow in the forecast. God is good to me even though I deserve not one good thing.

Super short, but sweet.

April 2, 2018
Day 552

     Thankful for this beautiful home to come home to. Thankful for dinner to make and the kitchen to clean. Thankful for this home to call my own. Thankful for bedtime. I've been exhausted lately, so I think about bedtime when I wake up every morning.

A forest to call my very own.

April 1, 2018
Day 551

     Thankful for a lovely Easter Sunday with my family. Thankful for our first family dinner at our house. Thankful that I can tell the kids to go play outside, and they can, and it's perfectly fine and safe. Thankful for wide open spaces to call my own. Thankful for the way the trees look at night. Thankful for delicious food. Thankful a new month. Another new beginning. Thankful for exciting things happening this month. Lately, I've been thinking on this Bible verse: "God will indeed give what is good." -Psalm 85:12 Thankful for Dr. Quinn. Thankful for coffee. Thankful for the quiet stillness and greatness of a forest to call my very own.