The sound of rain on the windows at bedtime.

July 31, 2018
Day 671

Tonight, I am thankful for:

1. A great lazy day with my family.

2. Rain.

3. Movies.

4. A fun coffee date with a good friend.

5. America's Got Talent.

6. Spending nights laughing with my family. Matt makes me laugh hard. Laughing hard is one of my favorites.

7. Long talks with Jason.

8. Netflix.

9. My bed.

10. The sound of rain on the windows at bedtime.

Lullaby music.

July 30, 2018
Day 670

Tonight, I am thankful for:

1. The fact that I left my house today with no intention of driving to Patty's. But I ended up driving there anyways. There are days when I just need to drive to Patty's for the day.

2. Big bowls of popcorn.

3. Movies.

4. Washing our hair in the rain.

5. Delia's.

6. Being able to see my parents on a weeknight.

7. Being able to to see AJ. I haven't seen him in a while.

8. Odette kissed me goodnight.

9. Tobin and Adelyn fall asleep every night to lullaby music. It makes me smile to hear it.

Good 'ole days.

July 29, 2018
Day 669

Tonight, I am thankful for:

1. A good Sunday at home. We spent this day relaxing, and it was lovely.

2. My parents came over for dinner and they brought a london broil. It was delicious.

3. We spent the night talking about when my parents were dating and newly married. I love talking about good 'ole days.

4. It's supposed to rain all week. I am so excited about it!

My hero!

July 28, 2018
Day 668

Tonight, I am thankful for:

1. My dad! He's my hero! He came over today and fixed our AC. I'm overjoyed to be able to sleep in bed tonight.

2. A nice family dinner. Burgers on the new charcoal grill, homemade fries, salad, and watermelon.

3. A lovely day. We spent a lot of this day outside; walking, playing, enjoying.

4. Chocolate.

5. My husband went to get me ice cream. There are nights when ice cream in absolutely necessary.

6. Tomorrow is Sunday. A new day. The start of a new week.

7. The house is quiet. The kids are sleeping. Higbee is sleeping.

8. I have a package ready to send to my friend. I love sending things in the mail.

Lazy rest of the day.

July 27, 2018
Day 667

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. A fun day with family swimming at our Aunt's pool.

2. Lunch with family.

3. A very lazy rest of the day. I wasn't feeling well, so the kids and I had a lazy evening in the living room. Our AC is out upstairs, so we've been having sleepovers on the main level. We all had dinner in front of the TV, and spent the rest of the night on the couch. Sometimes, those nights are needed.

4. It was rainy and stormy today.

5. Higbee and Tobin and Adelyn were especially cuddly today.

Things made of lavender.

July 26, 2018
Day 666

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. A blue sky with puffy white clouds day.

2. A trip to the lavender farm.

3. Lavender shortbread cookies.

4. Things made of lavender.

5. Sprigs of lavender drying in my window.

6. Wildflower bouquets.

7. Sunflowers.

8. Thunder.

9. An amazing night of prayer.

10. Tomorrow is Friday, and we have plans to go visit with family tomorrow. I'm excited.

AGT

July 25, 2018 

Day 665

Tonight, I am thankful for these things: 

1. Big bowls of popcorn.

2. Pops.

3. America's Got Talent. 

4. Blankets. 

5. Sleepovers in the living room because our upstairs AC is broken. 

6. Open windows. 

7. A box of goodies I have ready to send to a dear friend of mine. 

8. Tobin being sweet at bedtime. He put his hand on my cheek and said, "Goodnight, Mama," in the sweetest voice. 

9. Adelyn helping me around the house. 

10. Texts from my sweet husband. 

Many days of summer left.

July 24, 2018
Day 664

Tonight, I am thankful for:

1. A rainy, stormy day.

2. The chance to work in my classroom a bit.

3. My sister who always volunteers to watch my babies for me.

4. My parents who came out to help us yet again. Our upstairs AC unit broke. It's very hot upstairs, so he came to fix it for us. My parents are the loveliest people.

5. A delicious dinner.

6. Working AC on our middle level.

7. A sleepover on the middle level with my kids because it's too hot to sleep upstairs.

8. Higbee. He has very sweet eyes and ears.

9. Texts from my husband.

10. Many days of summer left.

Bowling.

July 23, 2018
Day 663

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. A rainy day.

2. Bowling with my family.

3. Shopping with my family.

4. Being lazy for the rest of the day here at home with my family.

5. My dad hung our pretty pink lamp over the pink table last night. And now my home is perfect.

6. A long conversation with my cousin.

7. 100 day prayer projects.

8. Text messages with my friend.

9. My husband. He loves me even when I'm in sweats and a raggedy old t-shirt with messy hair and no make-up. He's always loved me that way, and it makes me feel very blessed.

10. A rainy week.

11. Music.

12. Books.

13. Blankets to crochet.

14. My babes. They make every day lovely and full and exciting.

15. I'm working in my classroom tomorrow.

16. I have plans to have dinner with my good friend tomorrow night.

I love that feeling.

July 22, 2018
Day 662

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. The best family Sunday ever.

2. Delicious food.

3. Delicious dessert.

4. AGT reruns.

5. Laughter.

6. Rain.

7. A walk in the woods with my mom.

8. Time to sit and relax now on the couch by myself and watch a show.

9. Tomorrow is Monday. I don't have to work. I love that feeling.

A fun night out.

July 21, 2018
Day 661

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. Lazy mornings.

2. Movie days.

3. Rainy days.

4. Jason.

5. Jeff and Gary.

6. Steph and Mario.

7. The chance to visit with all of them.

8. Patty and AJ. I love that she will always babysit for me.

9. Ryleigh who went to help Patty babysit.

10. A fun night out.

Friday! Friyay!

July 20, 2018
Day 660

Tonight, I am thankful for the following things:

1. A great day with my family at the lake. Lake swimming is grand. It's great fun to search for fish and snail shells.

2. Burgers at the lake.

3. An awesome night with some great friends. We had good food, great conversation, and lots of laughs. It was our first time entertaining on the deck, and it felt so nice to host a dinner where we could be outside.

4. It's supposed to rain tomorrow. I love rainy days.

It's alive.

July 19, 2018
Day 659

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. A lovely day at a farm of lavender.

2. Cheeks made red by the sun.

3. Sweaty hair.

4. Lavender things to buy in a lavender shop.

5. Lavender shortbread cookies.

6. My fridge and pantry is fully stocked from a solo trip to the grocery store.

7. Dessert on the deck after dinner.

8. Early bedtime for my babies. Tobin needed me in his room tonight while he fell asleep. He fell asleep with his hand on my check. I love my sweet son.

9. Fresh cookie bars.

10. Fresh banana bread. I threw in a handful of pecans and handful of chocolate chips. We'll see how it turns out. I mean, banana bread isn't exactly healthy. It's made with a full cup of sugar. If there's already sugar in it, I might as well add some chocolate.

11. Plans to go to the lake tomorrow and then to have my dear friend and her family over for dinner.

12. Nights when everyone is sleeping except me. I love being awake and having the quiet house all to myself.

13. A clean kitchen.

14. Video chats with my sister. I know it's 2018, but I didn't know this was a thing I could do with my phone. So, I was pretty excited.

15. Quiet nights in the forest. I love the forest. It's alive and when you live in it, you can feel it.

Heart and Soul.

July 18, 2018
Day 658

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. An awesome day at the pool with my family. I love being with my family.

2. The weather today was glorious. The sky was so blue and the clouds were so white and puffy.

3. I had a dear friend over for dinner tonight. We had dinner and sat on the deck and talked and laughed for a long time. It was good for my heart and soul.

4. I got to see Bia today. Bia is my aunt's and uncle's dog. She makes me so happy. I love puppy paws and puppy breath and puppy ears.

Lots of butter and salt.

July 17, 2018
Day 657

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. Homemade chicken noodle soup and biscuits.

2. Being able to deliver homemade chicken noodle soup and biscuits to my dear friends.

3. A rolling thunderstorm during the afternoon.

4. Heavy rain on the roof.

5. Hugs and kisses and cuddles with my babies.

6. Being able to watch America's Got Talent with my family.

7. Big bowls of homemade popcorn with lots of butter and salt.

Girl's Night. Dinosaur Hunt.

July 16, 2018
Day 656

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. Miss Addy B and I had a girls night and it was great fun. We did make-up, hair, painted nails, listened to music, talked, laughed. It was so much fun that we have plans for an even bigger girls night on Thursday night. I love sweet time with my girl.

2. We watched Jurassic Park tonight with a big bowl of popcorn.

3. After we watched Jurassic Park, Tobin and I played dinosaur and hunter. He was the hunter. I was the dinosaur. A T-Rex to be exact. I got shot many times with his semi-automatic nerf gun. Let me tell you; those darts hurt!

4. I got to visit with my dear friend this afternoon. It makes me so happy to see good friends.

5. Matt's home relaxing in bed right now. He came home in his uniform, and it made me so happy. He looks so handsome in his uniform.

6. I had a nice phone conversation with my mom earlier this afternoon.

7. Tomorrow, I have plans to deliver some homemade chicken noodle soup to my dear friends. I love bringing people soup. I would much rather bring soup than flowers. And I'm convinced that a good pot of organic, homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade crusty biscuits will cure what ails a person.

8. I have plans to have a friend over on Wednesday and on Friday. I feel very lucky.

9. I have plans to see family on Saturday. I can't wait.

10. Adelyn painted my nails during our girls night. It was her first time, and it shows. I thought about taking it off as soon as I put her to bed, but I'm going to leave it. At least until tomorrow morning.

I love my babies so much.

So very thankful!

Baptism Sunday.

July 15, 2018
Day 655

Here are the things I am thankful for today:

1. An amazing time at church with my family this morning. Tobin was baptized. I was so proud of him. He made the decision to be baptized all on his own. Without any prompting from me or Matt.

2. We had a great celebration lunch. Grilled lemon and garlic chicken, rice, salad, corn on the cob, watermelon, cookies, and homemade ice cream. My dad makes the best ice cream.

3. We had popcorn and watched golden buzzer AGT performances. It was really fun and relaxing.

4. It was a great day with my family. I love great days.

5. Even though Matt was working, he found someone to cover for him so he could come watch Tobin be baptized. It was a great surprise.

6. Adelyn, Tobin, and I just spent about two hours talking, reading, cuddling, and saying goodnight. I love long goodnights.

7. Matt is off tomorrow, and I can't wait to see what adventures we'll get into.

Blue and Green.

July 14, 2018
Day 654

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. The weather today was lovely. The sky was very blue. The trees were very green.

2. We had a lazy morning.

3. We went to the Air and Space Museum today. The kids loved it. It was so interesting to see all the old planes.

4. We had a nice lunch together.

5. We got milkshakes after the museum.

6. Adelyn and Tobin have the most beautiful blond hair ever.

7. Adelyn has the bluest eyes.

8. Tobin has the greenest eyes.

9. My children's eyes remind me of the ocean. Adelyn's: a very blue ocean. Tobin's: a very green ocean.

10. We had a nice night at home together.

11. Tomorrow, Tobin is getting baptized. He's very excited.

12. Higbee was very playful and funny tonight.

13. It was a good day.

14. My husband has the sweetest eyes and smile ever. I can tell when he's smiling just by looking at his eyes.

Four on a Friday.

July 13, 2018
Day 653

Today, I am thankful for these things:

1. It is Friday.

2. Matt and I had the best date night. Any time spent with my love is a good time.

3. Tomorrow will be a fun family day.

4. The weather has been lovely. This has been a great summer so far.

A day that is bright and sunny and full of hope and promise.

July 12, 2018
Day 652

Today, I am thankful for these things:

1. For second and third and fourth and fifth and sixth and hundreds of chances to make each day better than the one before it. To make each moment count. To not waste time. It is one of our most precious gifts on earth.

2. For music blaring.

3. For lungs and vocal chords so we can sing at the top of our lungs.

4. For no neighbors. We can blast the music just as loud as we want to.

5. For children to love and care for.

6. For food to make.

7. For clothes to wear.

8. For books to buy.

9. For bookshelves to put new books on.

10. For morning texts from Matt. He always says good morning to me when he's working.

11. For a bright sunny day with blue sky.

12. For clean water.

13. For a dog to love.

14. For green grass.

15. For iced peppermint tea. It tastes like summertime at my grandparent's house when I was a little girl.

16. For a desk to sit and write at.

17. For plans to write something big tonight.

18. For friends who call in the morning after a long trip just to say hi.

19. For phone calls with my mom. My mom feels like home.

20. For a day that started off rough, but turned around to be bright and sunny and full of hope and promise.

21. For twenty things to be thankful for today, and it's not even 3 o'clock yet. God is good to me.

We revel in our love.

July 11, 2018
Day 651

These are the things I am thankful for today:

1. Long talks with my good friend over coffee and tea.

2. Bananas and almonds.

3. Kisses from my babies.

4. Snuggles with Higbee.

5. The way the forest looks around 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon. It glows an electric green.

6. The way the forest looks in the bright early morning sun. It shines so brightly it looks otherworldly.

7. The bed I share with my husband. It holds us as we kiss and cuddle and revel in the love that still burns brightly after 18 years together. I don't deserve even one ounce of his love. I'm in awe of how he still runs after me and kisses me like he hasn't kissed me every day for the last 18 years. God knew I needed him.

Beaches with sand by lakes to swim in.

July 10, 2018

Day 650

These are the things I'm thankful for today: 

1. Lakes. 

2. Swimming in lakes. 

3. Beaches with sand by lakes to swim in. 

4. Good food to eat for lunch by beaches with sand by lakes to swim in. 

5. Family to eat good food with by beaches with sand by lakes to swim in. 

6. Fish. 

7. Sunshine. 

8. The shade. 

9. Wet beach towels. 

10. Long nights with my husband in our home. 

We smelled many things made of lavender.

June 9, 2018
Day 649

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. For mugs filled with hot tea. The tea is peppermint and tarragon. I always add a generous drop of honey.

2. I am thankful for blank pages on which to write things down. Things that are important. Things that are not so important. Things that one should remember. I am thankful for words. I have always loved writing. My dream is to be a poet, a singer, a writer of beautiful words. My dream is that one day, I will happen upon a little corner bookstore, and I will wander in and see my book sitting on a shelf. With my name and my words.

3. I am thankful that I can dream dreams. I can be someone I wasn't before. It is possible. I can do things I've never done. I can make every day what I want to make it.

4. I am thankful that when I write, I can be raw and real. I can write it like it is. I can say the things that are in my head than need to come out. My mind is jumbled when I don't write.

5. I am thankful for a fun day with my babes and my sister and her babes. We went swimming. We went to two farms. We smelled many things made of lavender.

6. The forest was so lovely today. The sky was so blue, and the sunlight was so bright. I love the way the sun looks in the forest.

7. I am thankful that I had this day with air in my lungs and step in my feet and a beat in my heart. This day was a gift.

The great love of my life.

June 8, 2018
Day 648

Here are the things that I'm thankful for today:

1. It was absolutely gorgeous outside today. The sky was very blue. The breeze was cool so that it was breezy and comfortable in the shade.

2. The kids and I cleaned seashells.

3. We played outside.

4. Matt cut the grass. I never knew that I loved a freshly cut lawn as much as I do. I never knew that was a thing to enjoy and appreciate.

5. I'm trying to teach Higbee a new trick. I'm trying to teach him to carry in groceries for me. I love having such a smart dog.

6. My babies love to hug me and kiss me and cuddle with me. I don't deserve this lovely life. I don't deserve their sweet love. I don't deserve such happiness. That God gives it to me anyways is a miracle to me. His grace amazes me.

7. I went grocery shopping today by myself. It was fun to be alone and shop without my busy bees.

8. I drove home from the grocery store with the windows all the way down and the music all the way up. I was blasting country music while driving through the country. It was good for my soul.

9. I've been watching a bunch of chick flicks lately, and it feels good.

10. I have the most amazing husband. He loves me more than words can say. No matter what I'm going through, he loves me through it. I've never once doubted his love for me. I'm thankful to call my husband the great love of my life.

Feeling thankful.

June 7, 2018
Day 647

     This day was lovely. We spent it with family. We went to my grandparent's house to watch fireworks. I love watching my children's faces when they're watching fireworks. They are so beautiful.

     Having a family is a beautiful thing. And it should not ever be taken for granted.

     Feeling thankful.

Summertime is the best time.

July 6, 2018
Day 646

     Thankful for a lazy day at home. Thankful for time with Odette. Thankful for my sister who took my kids to the pool with her. Thankful for dogs. Thankful for dinners with good friends. I love catching up with friends. The food was good. The company was better. Thankful that tomorrow is a new, fresh start. Thankful for plans for fun things tomorrow. Thankful for family. Thankful for my mom and dad who came out to babysit our kids. Thankful for my dad's ice cream maker. We had delicious chocolate ice cream tonight. Thankful that now, I get to go relax in bed and watch a movie.

     Summertime is the best time.

Officially Moved In.

July 5, 2018
Day 645

     Today I am thankful that after months and months of living with moving boxes stored in our garage, we are officially moved in to our new home! There are no more moving boxes anywhere. This is an amazing feeling. I am thankful for this home, and this land, and the beautiful blessings that come along with it. Like waking up every morning to the waving of the leaves on the trees. Like hearing the wind blow through the trees. It sounds like ocean waves. Like hearing the crunch of the gravel under my shoes. Like seeing my children and my dog play happily in the backyard. This home is more than I ever could have even have imagined we could have.

Enjoy the journey.

July 4, 2018
Day 644

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. It was a lovely 4th of July. We spent this day with family. Days spent with family are days well spent.

2. We had delicious food and desserts today.

3. I love watching the awe and wonder in my children's eyes when they see fireworks. They don't have to be large and grand to make a child's eye pop wide open.

4. My kids had fun playing in the pool at their cousin's and aunt's house today.

5. Patty and I have plans this Friday to go out to dinner with our good friends. I'm excited to see my girlfriends!

6. I love our home. I so love this home. It's hard not to want to make every room exactly how I want it right away, but I'm trying hard to enjoy the journey of getting it where I want it to be.

7. Higbee loves to cuddle with me at night and it makes me feel warm and cozy to think that a sweet animal loves me enough to cuddle with me.

8. My kids have the sweetest kisses.

9. I love my bed. I'm always thankful for my bed.

Love letters.

July 3, 2018
Day 643

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. Matt and I started cleaning out the garage.

2. It was fun looking through all our old pictures and love letters.

3. We had a delicious dinner. We had grilled chicken, grilled potatoes, and salad.

4. My children were sweet and lovely and wonderful today. As they always are.

5. Tomorrow will be fun! We're going to two family parties.

Fawns.

July 2, 2018
Day 642

Tonight, I am thankful for these things:

1. We had a nice visit with Matt's grandparents today.

2. I love our home. Sometimes, I just sit around and look at where I live, and I can't quite believe that it's really mine.

3. I love cuddling with my babes all summer. Adelyn and Tobin make each day lovely and wonderful.

4. Matt and I are going to clean out the garage tomorrow. I am very excited because when we are done, we will finally be moved in. (We still have moving boxes in the garage.) :(

5. We have food to eat.

6. We have clothes to wear.

7. We have water to drink.

8. We have air conditioning.

9. We have working vehicles.

10. We have a backyard.

11. We have a dog.

12. We have comfy beds.

13. There are deer in our yard every morning.

14. Tobin and I saw two very tiny fawns this morning. They were small and sweet.

15. Tomorrow is America's Got Talent! I love that my kids love to watch it with me now. :)

I'm going to make it worth writing about.

July 1, 2018
Day 641

Here are the things that I'm thankful for today:

1. The sky was so blue this morning that it looked lavender.

2. Higbee was lazy this morning. He laid in bed for a long time before finally getting up to eat and go out.

3. Higbee slept in bed with me last night. He usually sleeps downstairs on the sofa when Matt works for 24 hours, but last night he slept in bed with me. It made me happy.

4. My children were sweet and precious today. As they are every day.

5. My husband looked at me tonight, in my eyes, and said, "I love you."

6. Tobin likes to cuddle in bed with me in the mornings. And he always wakes me up by saying, "I'm so hungry, Mama!"

7. We had a nice family dinner tonight with my family.

8. We went to the pool.

9. We sat on the deck and talked for a while.

10. We have plans to go see Matt's grandparents tomorrow.

11. I had a nice, raw, real conversation with my Grandma tonight.

12. Tomorrow is a new day. Each morning is new and fresh and ready to be written. I'm going to make it worth writing about.