And we are caught up!

A gift in a box: Organized files out of a box and into their proper place.

A gift in a bag: Bananas from a friend for freezing for smoothies and banana bread.

A gift in a book: The gift of imagination and adventure! (Two Towers :) )

3 gifts unexpected:
~ Things found while organizing! The only physical letter my husband wrote me when we were dating and a part to my sewing machine that means I can use it again!
~ Such complete trust in God's Sovereignty that He has grown in me.
~ My Ipod dying, realizing what is important.

3 gifts from your childhood:
~Summers spend with my nose in books.
~Learning the joy of baking and cooking.
~Learning so many mommy skills.

A gift sweet:  White chocolate kit kat

A gift sour: The lemon in my water each day.

A gift salty: Pickles with my lunch.

3 gifts found in little people:
~A snuggle on Canada day.
~Getting to paint Little Girl Friends nails for her.
~A little drawing made for my baby girl.

3 gifts that made you laugh:
~A silly commercial.
~Watching a silly movie with my husband.
~ Husband making up a silly laugh.

3 gifts found in community:
~A meal shared.
~ Appreciation  for lives poured out.
~ Hugs, tears and joy in God's plans.

A gift on a plate: Key lime pie from my landlady (what a nice treat!).

A gift in a pot: A new recipe tried for dinner last night. It was delicious!

A gift in package: New diapers and diaper covers.

3 gifts hard giving thanks for:
~ Gaining pregnancy weight. Learning to not put my significance in how I think I should look.
(The other two are personal)


A gift worn: Comfy maternity tank top.

Oh So many

Well, I know it's been way too long. But I've been collecting my gifts on my phone and here I am at last.
I now find that even when I'm not writing gifts down I'm thanking Him for all the gifts around me. It's a great change.

3 things blue:
~My beading cloths, used on a regular basis.
~Comfy bright turquoise shirt I had on today.
~New comfy dress that fits the bump (for now) found on the clearance rack.

A gift before 9 am:
Getting to sleep in a bit.
A gift before noon:
A good job that I enjoy.
A gift after dark:
Fellowship with friends and their boys.

3 gifts that might never have been:
~The husband putting the satellite receiver up-time better spent.
~Evenings spent reading (because the receiver is away).
~A changed heart that sees this season as a gift (season of pain on the husbands part).

3 gifts found in your friends:
~The servant heart of T.
~Joy and laughter spent sharing stories.
~Shared joy in giving thanks for 1000 gifts and more.

A song heard:
"I'm singing" ~Kari Jobe

A soft word:
The husband telling me how he finds me more beautiful today than when we married.

Where you saw light:
Streaming through the living room window.

3 old things seen new:
~Old work shoes-still comfortable for running to the store.
~Rain.
~Pain-being reminded that everything is from our loving God for our good (Trip Lee, "for my good") 

A gift found on paper:
Quote on thankfulness and worry "It's impossible to give thanks and simultaneously feel fear." ~Ann Voskamp, 1000 gifts

A gift found in person:
A humble husband who truly loves me.

In a picture:
The husband being silly with two of my favorite girlies.

3 gifts spoken:
~"How long is intermission?" ~M
"Until they're done selling children."~N (yes it came out wrong ;). She was referring to sponsoring kids at the compassion international table at the concert we went to last weekend. Priceless!)

~"Why do all these pants have panels on them?" S asking me in a maternity store. Great memories!

~The privilege to sit under John Piper's preaching on Sunday.

A gift sung: The music at the Casting Crowns Concert. Matthew West's opening may have been my favorite part. Very refreshing.

A gift written:
A thank you note with the picture of a new blessing to put on my fridge. Love our church family.

A gift painted:\The sky painted pink first thing in the morning.

3 gifts almost gone:
~my nail : it protected my finger when I was clumsily shaving in the shower. It made me think about how something we take for granted does so much!
~ Trail mix: healthy snacking that helps me to get through my days at work with all this pregnancy hunger!

 ~My cup of coffee-a little treat in the middle of my day.

3 gifts redeemed:
~My heart.
~My future.
~My life.

3 gifts entwined:
~Time spent with the youth this past weekend.
~Girls singing silly in the van on the way home.
~Sweet white chocolate.
(all a part of our youth's road trip to see Casting Crowns).

3 gifts of His promises:
~1 Peter 5:7
 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
~2 Peter 1:3
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
~Psalm 62:8
 "Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your hearts to him,
   for God is our refuge.
                         Selah"

3 gifts uncovered:
~A box opened to reveal a new mug.

~My first baby (and mama) gift from my sweet friend.
~My birthday gift from my husband: artwork made by an artist friend (he remembered!)

A gift heard:
~The sound of geese echoing.
A gift held:
~My new French Press for the perfect amount of coffee right now.

 A gift hoped for: Rest. Naps are a beautiful thing right now!

Grace in hard days

So, not doing so good with this this week. Some days yes, some no. Some moments yes, some no. I know, it's a new habit. It will take some time.
Part of this is the hard week I am having. I am working on thanking Him no matter what. Thanking Him for hard days, moments, situations. Working on waking up and thanking Him for whatever He has for me that day knowing it is from Him and for my good out of His love for me.

Some gifts He's given this week:
3 gifts that changed today (or rather the day before ;))
~My heart. It seems He is doing this a lot this week.
~New habits-eating better, exercising.
~ Changes at work. A new member of our team that is doing great!

~One gift old: My boots. They keep my toes toasty and dry all winter.
~One new: A new perspective and attitude on some things.
~One blue: Our car.