These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

I have been pretty quiet on the blog front. I've had plenty of ideas to blog about, just haven't taken the time to do it. I love to write, but I'm slow, that in combination with my desire to spend less time on the computer has resulted in few blogs in recent months. I'd like to do more but we'll see if I can get quicker at putting my words on "paper", so a post doesn't take me an hour :).


Anyway, lately I have been overwhelmed with thankfulness. The past 18 months has brought so many wonderful changes in my life, not outwardly, but inwardly and the result has been a joyous journey. I just wanted to share a little of that thankfulness in the form of a list of little things that pour an extra measure of joy into my heart...

• When Jesus hears me speak something out loud or in my heart, things that weren't a prayer just little desires and answers...for example, I have been in a bit of a romantic tizzy of late. My husband, whom I love dearly, is not the romantic type (I think most men aren't) but I have been daydreaming of some beautiful love letter from his heart to me. The other day in my bible reading I read (in the Message) Song of Solomon 2:17- "Oh dear friend, my fair and beautiful lover- come to me! Come, my shy and modest dove- leave your seclusion, come out in the open. Let me see your face, let me hear your voice. For your voice is soothing and your face is ravishing". Wow. What a love letter! I truly believe God spoke these words straight to my heart this morning, because I needed it. I have lived much of my life in seclusion, not on purpose really, just shying away from a lot of things. Part of the journey I've been on is walking out of that place of seclusion and into the fullness of joy God has for me, the fullness of love, the fullness of purpose. What a treat from a loving God!
• The look in David's eye when I say something rather silly and he wants to tease me but is debating the wisdom of it. 
• My boys encouraging one another, even if it means they just lost the game they were playing. 
• Isaiah, after solving a puzzle on a Wii game we play together, informing us he is a "genius". Or when he tells his dad, who is trying to give advice on said puzzle, that he "knows what he is doing". 
• Joshua repeating himself when telling me something exciting until my level of excitement is equal or greater than his own. 
• That my little wiener dog following me around, sitting at my feet, never leaving my side, when men he is not familiar with are in our home. I love he thinks he can protect me and I know he would sure try if he needed to :)
•  David's hands being so large, that my (also rather large) hands feel tiny and petite in his
• That after years of poor sleeping (that is an entire blog unto itself:), Isaiah often asks for "five more minutes" of sleep before getting up for school in the morning. 
• Turning on the radio and finding a song playing that is exactly what you need to hear
• Hearing my kids talk to themselves...like mother, like sons 
• Asking my kids "who loves you?" and their first response being "JESUS!"
• Hugging my hubby and sons
• Getting the giggles cause I'm way beyond tired
• The night sky here in the winter- WOW
• The wonderful insane excitement of my children when we set up the tree each year!
• This one is going to sound weird, but I don't care :). The smell of David's mustache, weird right? But it has smelled the same since the first time I ever kissed him, it's not a smelly smell (duh) nor is it like roses, it's just him and I love it. 
• Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas music, Christmas movies...I love this time of year!
• Getting together with old friends and laughing like no time (or kids, or stressful jobs, etc...) has passed between us. 
• Dancing with my kids the way my daddy used to dance with me.
• Hanging out with my family all together, taking a moment to chuckle at how crazy it gets and to remember old times as well
• A house full of kids, cousin's, friend's kids, etc...I want my house to always be the place they love to come (even when they are teens and pretend they don't or think it's "boring":)

So there you have it, just a few of my favorite things. There are many, many, more I could list. I probably already did too many...how many folks are still with me here at the end? :) All of that to say this, remember to be thankful. A heart full of thanks doesn't have room for anger, bitterness, resentment, self-pitty, etc...It's a lesson I am still learning but I am thankful God has helped me a long the way. He is good, ALL the time and the thing I am the MOST thankful for! Happy Holidays everyone!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever... Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever." Psalms 136:1, 26

Alaska night sky