Multitudes on Mondays: Bellies

I think pregnant women are beautiful. 

Especially their bellies. 

I got to rub this one . . . and take pictures. 

Amateur photos, that is.

Honored.  Thankful.  Amazed. 

Being with a laboring woman . . . to feel the power of life.  The miracle of life. 

God is a creative One.  Of that I am sure.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.

Psalm 139:  13-18

So . . . not a list of multitudes.  Just one.

Life.  Powerful. 

OK . . . I can’t resist.  Here are a few more.  My journal is beside me.

250.  Mountain biking with my sons and experiencing “danger” with them prayerfully.

251.  Bagels roasted over an open fire.

252.  A computer box in the hands of a UPS man, just before we left for vacation.

253.  Grimy bathrooms that house gentle showers and refreshment at a campground.

257.  A meal filled with ingredients from our garden.

258.  A night of delivering essential oils like St. Nicholas.

262.  My mother-in-law and her Kerug . . . while camping.  Thank you electric campsites.

263.  Electric dog training collars.

264.  A 7 year old boy who wanted to make sure his brothers received presents on HIS birthday.

265.  Fellowship and feasts . . . miles from home.

Though it is not Monday

It’s not Monday.  But a girl can still be thankful.

 

171.  It’s not Monday.  It’s Tuesday!  What a great day to start the week on!  I seriously am loving this.  It’s not Monday.

172.  Baptisms.

173.  Seeing my Dad’s profile from behind as he held my daughter.  It was like seeing a tiny reflection of my Grandpa.

174.  Having my dad come up to me at church, asking to hold Naomi.

175.  My parents coming to church with us.  (OK  . . . there is a theme running here.)

176.  A viewing of the movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, over Bravo’s Almond Encrusted Chicken Salad and sitting beside the handsome man who picked our dinner up.

177.  Reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe with our children each night – knowing that it was worth saving my childhood set JUST to read to my children one day.

178.  A three day weekend.

179.  Naomi’s jean skirt.

180.  Friends who send me honest emails and amazing books.

181.  A renewed passion to study my Bible.

182.  Chalk notes to read from my bedroom window.

183.  Antlers.  To chew.  For Ruth.

184.  Knowing where our milk comes from.  Knowing our farmer.  And reading his sometimes funny tweets.

186.  An insane amount of scrumptious time with the Engineer this past weekend.

187.  Countless peonies sans ants!  (Compliments of Asher.)

188.  a quiet afternoon with the windows open, an open Bible, 2 children sleeping, and an Engineer playing at church with his sons . . . being dangerous and wild.

189.  Getting to go to spin class for the first time.

190.  Spin class being OVER!

191.  Yogurt made with half-n-half.  Wow.

1000 Gifts

So, I go to write this post – just so that you know there is more to me and my blog than reviews . . .

And I find myself disappointed.

I haven’t written anything down in my journal that I am thankful for since I last updated my 1000 gifts. 

Maybe that’s my problem. 

Not really.  I know what my problem is and it is getting fixed.  It feels so good.  Thank you , Jesus.

Looking through my pictures . . . I came up with an impromptu list of which I am quite proud.

~~~~~~~~~

153.  A new resolve to spend time in the Word.  Really In. The. Word.  not just a topical study.  A book of the Bible.  With Kay.  MacKenzie.  Sarah.  Inductive.  Like a gentle spring rain to a freshly planted garden, is this Bible study to my soul. 

154.  A thirst to date Jesus again.  Finally.  To be won over by Him.  To desire to live for Him.  Dying to myself.  Such a good feeling.  Such assurance.

155.  Finding my favorite colored pencils after having been lost for as long as I took my vacation from my Bible. 

156.  A birthday date with the Engineer.

157.  Asher placing birthday cards all over my bedroom for me to discover after our perfect date.  He has learned well.  Of course, he has a good teacher. 

158.  Two Mother’s Day quiches turning out perfectly.  And yes, I do plan on sharing the recipe one of these days.

159.  A little boy who learned how to swing . . . for my birthday gift.

160.  That same little boy who demonstrate bravery and had his tooth pulled without tears or timidity.

 

161.    Her smiles.

 

162.  His curls.   And concentration.  (PS. Gabe’s turning 3 tomorrow!)

163.  Awana (is over . . . we just need a break from activity.  Nothing against Awana.)  Having all the grandparents there for the Awards Ceremony this year was priceless. 

  

164.  Dinner with Nicole while our Engineer’s went to play in the woods.

165.  Answers to prayer and a little boy name Lukas being restored to health.

166.  Using behavioral issues as learning lessons and opportunities to disciple.  Thank you Sally Clarkson, The Ministry of Motherhood.

167.  Grace bestowed upon me through Jolanthe.

168.  Talks of skirts with Melanie.

169.  Restorative comments from Michelle.

170.  A sweet gift from my mom that she left for me prior to her vacation.

One Thousand Gifts continued . . .

108.  Adult dog teeth, because puppy teeth are sharp.

110.  Cartridge World (thanks Michelle!)

111.  The Engineer who stayed up late to help me lay out my garden, complete with graphing paper.

112.  Listening to the Engineer instruct his “arrows” around the dinner table about the Resurrection.   And how the Engineer did a so-like-Brian thing . . . he used his phone and the phone read the Bible passages.  Of which, his arrows thought was great!  Which made for some very disappointed little boys when Mommy took over Bible this morning.

116.  scratch and sniff stickers

117.  a free Earth Day tree

120.  The surprise color of my emerging tulips.

121.  Baby poop that still smells like a breastfed baby . . . despite starting solids.  Oh how my dread turned to delight!

125.  Dying to self in order to give another a gift.

126.  The patience of one of my last sling customers . . . especially with the tardiness of my completing her order. 

128.  Hearing friends sing worship songs while I fed Naomi her supper. 

129.  Beautiful, delicate buds at a boy birthday party.

130.  lemon in my water

131.  Young Living Pan Away Essential Oil

132.  Jesus

1000 Gifts

Continuing my list of things that I am thankful for . . .

44.  Pink poke-a-dot gauze curtains billowing from a spring breeze as I nurse my baby.

45.  open windows

46.  noses that stop running like a leaky faucet

47.  meeting an email Young Living  friend after several years of correspondence

48.  that same friend giving me an amazing neck massage that I had prayed for earlier that morning, unbeknownst to her

49.  smelling new essential oils, like rose . . .

50.  breakfast in bed on a morning I don’t feel so well . . . by my son and complete with a napkin

51.  Naomi in sunglasses

52.  Spring weather that unveils baby feet.

53.  Costco samples

54.  Soooooooooo thankful that the Engineer doesn’t like danger and adventure nearly as much as the man in the movie, 127 Hours, that we watched on date night.

55.  a little boy who wore a clip-on tie with a Thomas the Train shirt and camouflage shorts, complete with orange crocks, a jean hat, and sunglasses while he played in the sand table.  I wish I  had a picture.

56.  a blooming rhododendron that hopefully I won’t kill (I killed two at our old house.)

57.  packages ready to be mailed

58.  a slight sunburn that implies that I actually rested on Sabbath

60.  no gate in our kitchen, which means Ruthie can be trusted a smidgen more

61.  externally, mind you, a cleaned and organized kitchen

61.  smelling the essential oil, rose.

Have you been thankful for any of these things?

 

1000 Gifts

It’s not that I’m an ungrateful, unthankful, or unappreciative person.

My eucharisto journal unfortunately got stuffed behind the computer when we had some guests over . . . and it stayed there all week.

Out of site, out of mind.  (Kind of.)

I am thankful for . . .

24.  A quick 2 hour drive to Cincinnati with a special friend (Nicole) that made my tired body refreshed with fellowship.

25.  Two days wearing my sweet baby girl.

43.  And with that sweet baby girl, making bloggy friends into IRL friends . . . such as Dianna from Grapevine Studies . . .

and Joy and her sister from Timberdoodle . . .

and Marie Rippel from All About Spelling . . .

25.  The Engineer who easily slipped into the role of teacher, while I was gone at the Homeschooling Conference.

26.  Inspiring talks that have already reshaped our dinner table.  I hope to share soon.

29.  White linens.

30.  A picked-up home after being absent.  I tell you, the Engineer is not only handy . . . but an awesome husband.

32.  Passing puppy kindergarten . . . despite us not training as much as we should have.

 

33.  Raspberry flavored Emergen-C.

39.  Turkish Delight.

40.  Even better is the friend who comes bearing Turkish Delight.

 

41.  Having some spare time waiting for above friend (Auntie) to people watch at the airport.  I even started crying after observing one sweet reunion. 

43.  Fitting into pre-baby pants.

44.  Poke-A-Dots.

What have you been especially thankful for recently?

Seeing The Gifts In Front of My Face

This journal.

It has glass glued on the front cover, much to the dismay of my inquisitive son who attempts to explain everything. 

I’ve had it since the Hottie came back from India. 

(By the way, I think I’m going to change his name, from Hottie to something you all could actually call him while sitting around the family dinner table – not that you talk about us during your meals. 

At least, I hope not.

Because I highly doubt your husband or boyfriend would be happy if you said, “Hottie is biking across the country on his blog.  You should join him.”  That wouldn’t go over well – you calling another man, “Hottie.”

Not appropriate. 

At least I won’t have to let the Social Security Administration know that. . . I’m changing Hottie’s name.

I’m thinking – the Cyclist or something bike related.  His guy friends could probably come up with a better name . . . but none of them read my blog.)

Anyhoodle . . . the journal.

I’ve saved it.  Saved it for something special.  Meaningful.  Something that will impact my children, impart wisdom to them should I go to slumber in my Father’s arms before the trumpet blast .  . .

But is has come time to use it.  I’ve found just the thing to fill it’s pages with. 

I’ll let you in on a family secret.  I can be a grouch.  A baboon is what we call it in our house.

In fact, recently it was flippantly remarked that I can be well . . . negative.

So, instead of wishing to be something different.  I’ll do something different.  I’ll practice gratitude, along with Ann Voskcamp who wrote, 1000 Gifts:  A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You  Are, the book the Cyclist and I are reading for our nightly devotions together.

Because we aren’t going anywhere. 

God has called us to the land of “horizontal beauty,” as my pastor would say.    And it’s time to be content with that. 

If being thankful changed one woman’s life . . . why not mine?  Motherhood doesn’t have to be dreary.  Whole foods cooking doesn't have to be overwhelming.   Laborious.  I don’t have to be surrounded by laughter but never able to penetrate the barrier to join in. 

 

This morning these words were printed into my handcrafted journal . . . may they provide a legacy of gratitude, to be passed down from one generation to the next. 

1. getting to sleep through the night, solid, uninterrupted . . .
2. hearing Naomi swallow as she nurses and tightly grips my hand as if to squeeze more milk out
3. a flowing, turquoise pen that reminds me of the ones at my grandma’s house, except hers were ALWAYS red or black
4. Dutch-pressed unsweetened cocoa instead of generic cocoa in my espresso
5. the crinkle of a down comforter
6. Veggietales Worship music blaring down the hall as I remain swaddled by the pages of my Bible in mysterious lamplight
7. a sassy haircut
8. the Cyclist taking out the trash, despite the need to hop on his chosen mode of transportation this morning:  the bicycle
9. glorious sunshine that is like a natural opiate to my brain
10. effective nursing pads (‘nough said)
11. airplanes flirting through the sky on their way to a surprise location . . . reminds me of summer days
12. a used house . . . used – not clean – used
13. the return of my camera, Willow
14. a friend who loaned me her amazing camera and with whom I get to hang out with tonight . . . and tomorrow night
15. surprise gifts from Sarah and Maureen 
16. my mom’s endless supply of international teas that come with a story
17. daffodils