This week I stumbled upon a new site Good Morning Girls and look what book they are going to be studying! I've joined a group of women to study with and I can't wait to dig in!! I've read this book before maybe a year or so ago but I know this is the perfect time to go back and reread it!

Life has been so busy here......I've been enjoying having a newborn around again and I am really just savoring every moment.....as I know how fast this time is going to fly by. One thing I love watching is the relationship and bond that has formed so quickly between all the kids and Hannah Grace. They all love her in their own special ways. She is never alone and never left to cry or get upset for very long.....there is always a sibling to scoop her up and coax her into being happy again. What a very lucky baby she is!!!!

And so these are some of the gifts I am counting this week......gifts that make my Mommy heart so full!!

big hugs from big brothers

story time

new haircuts

baby surprise jacket on the needles

a beautiful rainbow to remind us of Gods promises

a mothers day portrait

hanging out

this young man is going to make an awesome Dad

more loving from Jacob

I am continuing to count God's gifts to me ......every day He reminds me how much He loves me.........

 little ones loving one another
 a cozy house to learn and grow in.......
 fog which means warmer weather is coming......and spring!
 homemade cinnamon and sugar donuts.......sugary sweet goodness
 hands that can create and nurture......Yes Lord thank you for these!
 Spring snow storms and the road that leads home.........
 early morning naps..........
 after spending time in the childrens hospital with Hannah Grace I am so very thankful for children who are healthy and can dig their hands into pretzel dough and create anything.....including turtle pretzels!
 So very thankful for this girl and her help as we get used to a newborn in the house
 Crusty, warm pot bread!
 I could do this all day..........and some afternoons I have!!
 early morning baking..........so the children wake up to warm buttery cinnamon bread!
 a visit from Uncle Mark! Just to meet Hannah Grace!
A spring photo shoot and an impromptu duet to welcome the warmer weather!

So many gifts.....so much to be thankful for.......and all from my heavenly Father who delights in me!!!  counting these gifts daily has helped me to truly focus on being thankful during a time of stress where worry could have easily been my constant companion. It is a choice......and sometimes I have to make it again and again....daily.......and that's ok!

It's Multitude Monday.......a great reason to blog today! And I know I have been scarce around here but I hope to get back to more blogging on a regular basis......I've been too busy just living life!!
As Thanksgiving week approaches my heart has been pondering gratitude and how I can live a life that reflects thankfulness on a more daily basis. I really have so much to be thankful for and so the list continues!

the smell of freshly stacked wood

Claire's fresh made chocolate chip cookies

visits from  Grandma

the light of a full moon at night.....so clear and crisp


operation Christmas child boxes lining the church wall......a little Christmas joy in each one! What a blessing!

craft projects spread out and progressing....slowly but surely

hunter orange hanging in the hallway....young boys looking forward to this years hunts

so thankful for His grace that covers all the mistakes and the words said before thinking....He covers it all!

Today I am joining Ann over at Holy Experience as we seek God in the every day....will you join us? I am continuing to add to my endless gift list.....because yes.....His gifts are endless!

Wow it has been quite a while since I blogged last.....I've been mostly over on my scrappy blog these days .....sorry about that! But Spring is here and I need to do some updating on the blog....I want to change up the design and add some homeschool resource links to the side bar.... I have been wanting to do this and just have not made the time.
Time seems to be at a premium lately, our schedule is all over the place and I am ready for a bit more down time at home. My Dad began Chemo yesterday after two weeks of radiation. His shoulder seems to be a bit better but his hip is getting worse and some times he can not walk....
It is times like this that I am glad I know God and can lean on Him and His understanding not my own. We are so weak in this world and it is only through His strength that we can survive!

I have not updated my gratitude journal lately so I think today is a good day to count my blessings!




Our Daily Bread....

Healthy boys with good appetites!



Exercise and fun in the fresh air!


Christopher learning to ride his 2 wheeler!


A visit from Uncle Keith!!

many hands to help in the kitchen
Homemade glazed doughnuts....mmmmmm!

cuddling with a sleepy two year old

heat on a - 14 degree day...brrrr..

Gods word to guide me direct me and lift me up

a new year full of promise

being able to stay at home, love and teach my children and give them the foundation that they need to go out and do their God given mission....

scrapbooking with friends!!

whispers of love in my ear from sleepy 5 year old....

I am so very blessed!!

the gifts God has given me are never ending......

cuddling in the early morning with wiggly boys



older children loving up on the younger...


the joy of sons first hunt....and meat on the table this winter (no he did not shoot one yet but he gutted this one and got it out of the woods....) His excitement was contagious!!


warm tea with honey....

Christmas decorations and preparing for the birth of Jesus.

Advent reading every night...Jothams Journey......lighting candles and preparing our hearts

My husband looking at me and calling me Gods gift to him....

clouds heavy and grey..the promise of snow

I am so blessed and grateful Lord!!

I have been wanting to join the Gratitude Community over at Ann's blog Holy Experience. I have said it, thought about it but just never took the time to do it. I love the idea of keeping a running list of those things we are so thankful for. So today I begin but right now I am not seeing these things as items just to be thankful for but as gifts straight from Gods hands.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Since Brian's accident my view on life has shifted......in a way that allows me to see Gods hand more clearly then before. It is hard to explain but even the most mundane things seem a gift from Him. But isn't everything here on earth a gift from Him? And how sad that I knew that before but did not really act like it before.
I am purposing now to enjoy every gift He has given me....and to give THANKS!!

A few precious gifts I am opening today...... (not going to # them as I know the list is endless!)

Your word Lord which feeds me so well

My hand on my husbands chest as he sleeps....the comfort of it's rise and fall

the joy of knowing you hold his heart in your hand and he is yours

a beautiful view outside my window the ground covered in a dusting of white

warmth and glow from the wood stove in the early morning light


sleepy tousled headed children curling next to me

the promise of a new day to glorify you, praise you and learn more of your grace and mercy......

What gifts are you opening today???