Three years have passed since, inspired by Ann Voskamp and her beautiful One Thousand Gifts, I began jotting down my own daily thanks. Making lists of the daily graces I see in my simple days has helped me be more appreciative of the little things {and isn't motherhood typified by those little things?}.
My book has turned into a place to record the hilarious things my boys say, the menu for a meal I've prepared that turned out especially yummy, books we've read, a psalm that struck a cord in the heart of this pilgrim.
I have found it to be a wonderfully simple, do-able form of journaling for me in this stage of life. I don't hem and haw over the best way to say something; I don't have to have a sizable chunk of time before I pick up my pen to write. It is a place to jot notes of my day and as those notes grow into pages and pages of lists and I flip back through them and read of the abundance I've been given, wonder sets in of His love for me, of His grace toward this little family I call mine, and my heart worships the Giver of it all.
That thankful book also provides the backbone of my journaling in my family photo books. I have forgone the time and effort of writing neat, perfect paragraphs for each month or event and rather taken to copying my lists right into my photo books. And since my little boys love to read those books, I am surreptitiously influencing them to appreciate the beauty and goodness in little things.
Anyhow, to avoid sounding too preachy, on this snowy eve of Thanksgiving as I reflect back on God's abundant goodness to us over the past two months, here are some pictures that capture a bit of what has filled our lives.
 |
| My sister was sweet enough to leave us her four kiddos for two weeks while she and her hubby hopped the pond. What fun we had! |
 |
| Meeting Owyn. The same week Ali returned to reclaim her brood, I flew down by myself to meet my newest nephew. He's perfect. |
|
|
 |
| Lilah thought so too. |
 |
| And I got to meet August. And August got to meet Owyn too. Such a special time was had with dear ladies and their babies! |
 |
| Got my mama to fly back home with me and how we all enjoyed having her with us for a week. |
 |
| B and T are the same height now and must look something alike to a number of people for how often I am asked if they are twins. They are both pretty stinkin' cute. |
 |
| No caption necessary. |
|
|
 |
| Catch a falling leaf. |
 |
| So, what did you do on October 31st? I have a natural affinity for cemeteries, old cemeteries, as does my mother. We didn't plan to be ambling through one the last day in October but since we were, and since we aren't superstitious, we had a good time. |
 |
| On November 8th Casey passed his final practical exam for the doctorate he's been working towards over the last five years. Hooray! Big smiles and cheers all around! |
 |
| A weekend away in NY to celebrate the end of Casey's career as a student. Hooray! |
