I had been cataloguing my thankfulness list in my head or jotting a few notes down here in blogger numbers 1-378. This past week I began actually keeping a gratitude journal.
I can't tell you all how delightful it is to find things to be thankful for, to find things or moments that I want to etch into my head and my heart, because they are wonderful and bless my life. I write them down and/or take a picture, so that I can remember.
Sometimes it's easier to give thanks and to catalogue my list than others. This week---the weather was unseasonably warm, which caused my heart to soar, bursting with joy and thanks---the list came easily, as did the smile on my face and in my heart. Other weeks, when it's cold and dreary, the girls are fussy with teething pain, and I feel lonely and overwhelmed--it's harder to find joy, to write down my gifts, and to give thanks. That is the challenge. To find joy and thanks in all circumstances. I would encourage everyone to give it a shot, and if you do, I pray it blesses your life, as it has blessed mine.
379. Walk with Laila and Nori.
380. Laughter at getting out strollers stuck in the snow.
381. Crazy-warm temperatures.
382. Taking a walk through the garden.
383. Green peeking through the bones of last year's growth.
384. Swelling buds on the hydrangeas.
385. The promise of spring drawing near.
386. Playing volleyball.
387. Winning the match in two games with only four players.
388. Family meal.
389. Girls that enjoy eating spicy food.
390. Hadley bravely taking a few steps on her own.
391. Brynne being so proud of herself when she lets go and stands on her own.
392. Going for a walk with my girls.
393. Hadley smiles through the stroller window.
394. Mud instead of snow.
395. Snow to wash off the mud from the stroller tires.
396. Tulips, daffodils and hyacinth emerging in the garden.
397. Playing outside in February.
398. Babies' hair blowing in the breeze.
399. The smell of spring in the air.
400. Full moon on a winter night that feels like spring.
401. Sleeping with the windows open two nights in a row.
402. Our Lil Rinser arriving in the mail just in time for bath night.
403. Being able to rinse Hadley's hair without her fussing or squirming.
404. Organizing the girls' baby clothes.
405. The girls "helping" me organize.
406. Baltic amber necklaces arriving in the mail.
407. Ordering the girls' first pair of shoes.
408. Sunday afternoon working in the garden.
409. Another Sunday afternoon at the park.
410. My little "foodies" enjoying tuna steak with a ginger-shiitake cream sauce.
411. Wearing flip flops.
412. Holding hands while watching a movie.
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9 comments:
Beautiful twins! I love your thankful list!! I am also a twin momma and go out of my mind at home most days. Thanks for letting me stop by to say hi!
Julia, I enjoy reading your thankful list. It has encouraged me to think of my own lists and reminded me to be grateful in all things. I wrote a post today on just that topic & am considering adding some of the things I'm grateful for to my blog in the future. Thanks for reminding me to enjoy these moments!
I am always so blessed when I stop by your blog! We have been having such a rough time with sleeping lately - and Doodlebug has decided he likes the noise I make when he bites me while nursing - and it's been so easy to stay focused on all the negative, hard things. Thank you for the reminder that there is still so much to appreciate, and be grateful for! In *all* circumstances. So I will start now...I am thankful that my husband had a day off this week, and that the snow outside reflects light into windows that don't normally get morning sun, and that the birds have been singing outside (because surely that means Spring is a-comin')!
This list makes me so happy, I think I need to sit down & make a grateful list. I usually do when I'm in a terrible mood & it ALWAYS helps me see things from a better point of view!
I love the "babies hair blowing in the breeze" one-so true! I love watching my kiddo run around at the park, it's just so much fun!
This is perfect. In the agony that is TTC, it's easy to forget how lucky we really are. I have a wonderful husband, a great family, a lovely home, a greyhound that loves me no matter what...I could go on! Thank you for reminding me that God is in control!
**here for iclw**
I’m visiting from Ann’s today again. I know it’s Wednesday – but there are so many!!
You are so right – counting makes such a difference – and sometimes the counting is harder.
I always pick a favorite - and my favorite of yours today was 407. Ordering the girls' first pair of shoes. (I have brothers who are twins – they are 40 now, we still have their bronzed baby booties – this made me smile – thank you)
God Bless you and all of yours this day.
I've been meaning to comment on this post for a couple of days...I love that your girls love spicy food. Ours do, too! :) [I hope I'm not oversharing when I tell you that some of my relatives are horrified. "They'll have to poop in the creek!" one of them warned me. I STILL laugh about that!!!]
And I love that your girls are "foodies", too. I don't talk about it too much on my blog, as I don't want to "jinx" myself...or rub it in the faces of so many parents who seem to struggle to get their kids to eat something other than chicken nuggets...but I am so proud of the way our girls eat.
I usually serve a vegetarian lunch. Today the girls had fresh strawberries and fresh pineapple (which is so amazingly good...and it was on sale this week!), fresh steamed Brussel sprouts, and roasted potatoes, carrots, and garlic (that I had cooked with some chicken a few days ago). The first thing they both dove for was the roasted cloves of garlic. They both exclaimed, "Garwic!" and ate it right away! :)
I love reading your lists...beautiful!
This is perfect. In the agony that is TTC, it's easy to forget how lucky we really are. I have a wonderful husband, a great family, a lovely home, a greyhound that loves me no matter what...I could go on! Thank you for reminding me that God is in control!
**here for iclw**
I am always so blessed when I stop by your blog! We have been having such a rough time with sleeping lately - and Doodlebug has decided he likes the noise I make when he bites me while nursing - and it's been so easy to stay focused on all the negative, hard things. Thank you for the reminder that there is still so much to appreciate, and be grateful for! In *all* circumstances. So I will start now...I am thankful that my husband had a day off this week, and that the snow outside reflects light into windows that don't normally get morning sun, and that the birds have been singing outside (because surely that means Spring is a-comin')!
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