Friday, December 18, 2009

Sally...

Sally Ryder Cook 1909-2009
Daniel's grandmother's memorial services were yesterday, and they were an amazing tribute to her life.  It was a joy to sit and listen to stories about her, her friends, and her family.  She was truly a remarkable woman.  Today's entry is my top ten tribute to things Sally embodied.  To have known her and to call her family is a treasured gift.  The Lord definitely was present in her passing.  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever.  Sing praise!

91. Spunk
92. Beauty
92. Butterflies
93. Adventure
94. Genuine interest in the world and others
95. Mother
96. Optimism
97. Bravery
98. Friend
99. Confidence
100. Consistency

Hmmm...this makes 100 for my gratitude list...900 to go!   

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Walking with Him Wednesday


He is apparent in the faces of my children.  His love is shining outward in simple smiles, moans for attention, and stories of interest.  Our children seek us, and our Father seeks us also...he wants to know our faces and our hearts.  Thank you Lord for your lasting life and joy.

Finally...Florida!

71. Florida's warm sunshine
72. Palm trees!
73. Safe, smooth flights
74. My dad...he always makes family a priority over work...in the past and present...thanks for coming to get us at the airport!
75. My mom...she has gifts galore for us all, and the Spirit of the Lord is always upon her face
76. My sister...she is with child...a boy!  Jackson we so look forward to meeting you in May!
77. My brother in law, Adam, is an amazing husband and loves my sister with a Godly love that is sacrificial and strong!
78. My sister in laws...they all arrive to Central FL today too!  Dinner date as a Cook family!
79. Bath times...Daniel is a super hands on dad who is willing to help out with keeping our boys clean and happy!
80. Health...our boys and able to play, laugh, and move in so many miraculous ways!
81. Balloons
82. Rudolph's magical blinking nose!
83. Kisses
84. Christmas decor
85. Hope
86. Books...so much to learn and so much to imagine!
87. Bagels...one of the finest breakfast creations!
88. Peanut butter...one of the finest toppings for carbs!
89. Diamonds...sparkly, timeless, and symbols of everlasting love
90. Computers...so amazing...they are beyond my understanding!

Sunday, December 13, 2009



 

 

 

Waiting...

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:1-2

61. God's grace to me, his child, when I'm sad/scared/mad
62. Soot on my son's nose
63. Egg quiche breakfast
64. Wine
65. Good friends
66. Laughter
67. Comedy television shows...laughing as a family
68. Ice water
69. Community Bible Study
70. Mothers of Preschoolers

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Silent Saturday Start

51. Daniel sleeping with Addison to calm a boy's fears
52. Bryan's kicking feet
53. Baby sniffles
54. Cat snuggling on my lap
55. Books that inspire
56. Our country
57. Reflections
58. Light
59. An amazing new neighborhood
60. Smiles from your child to you


Friday, December 11, 2009

Friday Night Reflections

"Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead, find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed: Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see all the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be." Shirley Erena Murray

41. Dinner with my family
42. Children in bed by 7:30 p.m.
43. Phone calls to new friends
44. Neighborhood Nativity...thanks mom for creating this tradition that I can carry on with our own kids!
45. A dishwasher
46. Hot tea with a candy cane
47. Loads and loads and loads... of laundry...it means we have been blessed with many clothes to wear
48. Saying the Lord's Prayer with Addison nightly...he's precious..."and the power, and the GLORIA forever!"
49. Joy
50. Comfy winter cloths

Gratitude Community

What is the Gratitude Community?


Glimmers of Grace Friday's Findings

8. Baby hiccups
9. Pre-Dawn's quiet times
10. Christmas lights
11. Mary...was brave
12. Joseph...was faithful
13. Jesus came to us and for us as a baby
14. Snotty baby noses
15. Slobber on my hand from a teething child
16. Raspberries...elephant kisses as we call 'em
17. Baby babble
18. Family photos...framed with magical memories
19. Addison's Christmas excitement
20. A heated house
21. Hands on healing of a good chiropractor
22. 10:30 a.m. indoor McDonald's playground...quiet...private snack and play for me and my boys
23. Happy Meals...they really do make every one happy!
24. New toys...from the Happy Meal of course...the Nerf Dart Gun with targets today
25. Nursing a baby successfully in public, under cover of course :)
26. Grocery carts that are kid-sized
27. Laughing as Addison tips over his kid-sized cart twice in his swirling and twirling to shop and look at people/things
28. Healthy kids...despite the fact that my 6 month old was teething on the grocery cart
29. A Potty trained preschooler...he made it to the bathroom during our grocery shopping adventure
30. Salvation Army Bell Ringers
31. Sunny days with snow on the ground
32. Preschool
33. Sleeping baby on errands
34. Target actually gave me store credit for a return without a hassle
35. Last minute Christmas gifts were found and purchased
36. Quiet time to wrap gifts by the lights of our tree
37. Sunlight streaming through big beautiful windows
38. Callie, our cat
39. Laundry...it means we have clothes to wear, water bills paid, and energy to make the machines run
40. Disposable diapers...what in the world did they do with that stuff in Bible days?

Thursday, December 10, 2009

An old love note...

4. Old love notes...
I was searching for a book in a chest of drawers, and instead in our basement bureau I found a note that I had written 08/08/2007 to Daniel...here's a piece I loved...
"The trouble with steeling yourself against the harshness of reality is that the same steel that secures your life against being destroyed secures your life also against being opened up and transformed." --The Sacred Journey

5. Naps

 6. Screen bucks...this great suggestion from a fellow mom...index cards worth 30 min. of screen time on the computer/tv.  Addison has burned through his 14 ration of the week...all ready...he has 3 days left in the week.  We'll see how this unfolds!

7. Leftover pizza lunch...mmm.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Snow Day December 9, 2009

I am grateful for...

1. Our children



2. Our house...it is surrounded by God's glorious trees...and today...snow!



3. My husband...who loves us so much...and makes me so happy!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Glimmers of Grace...The Search Begins


Ann Voskamp's Blog, A Holy Experience

This web-site was shared to me by my good friend and sister in Christ, Adrienne Maples.  Ann's blog has inspired me to take on the challenge of taking time to photograph and describe different things that I am grateful for. The 1000 items of gratitude will open my eyes I'm sure to the glorious ways God is abounding in my presence. I hope that you enjoy these photos, words, and find your own grace glimmers amidst you.
Love,
Jennifer Cook