I really, really want these dishes!

gratitude

guitar lessons tomorrow ~ Sloane

my new polka dot skin for my school laptop and that Jeffrey put it on for me ~ Relyn

my grad school project is finished and turned in ~ Jeffrey

I want a chalkboard on my porch.

gratitude

Eragon ~ Sloane

my parents are home! ~ Relyn

time with Greg ~ Jeffrey

butterfly release day

gratitude

Tara is spending the night. ~ Sloane

being here ~ Tara

Melissa, Anita, Kelly, and time together tonight ~ Relyn

spending time with Greg tomorrow ~ Jeffrey

the girls

gratitude

Beautiful Palace ~ Sloane

at the end of a long, hard day I get to come home to Sloane and Jeffrey ~Relyn

my professor is flexible ~ Jeffrey

Matthias' laugh

gratitude

Missionettes ~ Sloane

our social committee is coming together so well ~ Relyn

tickets to Les Miserables ~ Jeffrey

looks like we were at the ocean

gratitude

musical theater class was great today ~ Sloane

small group & that Char was so pleased with the pictures I took ~ Relyn

small group ~ Jeffrey

Aden's smile

gratitude

got the mile run over with ~ Sloane

the whole family snuggling on the bed together ~ Relyn

our home is such a peaceful place to come home to ~ Jeffrey

The Green Sacque by Robert Henri

gratitude

Mommy ~ Sloane
Relyn ~ Jeffrey

I have so many things to be thankful for today; every day.  I am thankful that God knows just what our heart needs.  I am thankful that just when this looked to be a sad, lonely birthday (parents in China, husband very sick...) He sent friends to fill in the gaps and make me feel so very loved.  I am thankful for thoughtful gifts, for books that make me cry, for lunch with friends, for excellent brownies baked by my ten year old, for a table set with china, candles, and cloth napkins, for an excellent dinner that my very sick husband insisted on cooking, for Facebook wishes, for birthday texts, for calls from my brother and SIL, for getting to hear my niece's sweet little voice, and an email from my parents first thing this morning.  Most of all, I am thankful for a Father who loves me. I am thankful that each year I look back and say, "It was a good year."  I do that every year.  Every single year.  Not because each year was easy.  Not because the road was always smooth.  But, because God walked beside me, because He held my hand, because His way is perfect, because I know that He gives good gifts to His children.  So, even when I look back at the last year - and my has it been hard - I can truly say, it has been a good year.  God is good ALL the time.  All the time, God is so good! ~ Relyn

Note: The above is a close up of one of my favorite paintings at the Nelson Atkins in Kansas City. I love it for many reasons, but mostly because it looks so much like my brother did when he was little.   

Caroline

gratitude

Lauren ~ Sloane
fun ~ Lauren

the internet ~ Relyn

serendipity ~ Jeffrey

Allison

gratitude

mom's birthday is coming soon ~ Sloane

my thoughtful friend Anita ~ Relyn

good information at a conference ~ Jeffrey

painted ladies

gratitude

goofy people at my volleyball practice ~ Sloane

everything is done - no working this weekend ~ Relyn

thankful to be feeling a bit better ~ Jeffrey

my favorite pixie

gratitude

my iPad! ~ Sloane

the chance to be a blessing today ~ Relyn

coworkers who jump in and pick up the slack ~ Jeffrey

at Table Rock Lake

gratitude

I got my iPad tonight! We got information about math club.  I am thankful my faux Snickers worked for our engineering project at school.  Plus, I got a great part in my musical theater class performance.  ~ Sloane

My parents are in Japan, and I am able to hear from them every day in spite of the distance. ~ Relyn

I have several students who are excited about this round of book club. ~ Jeffrey

I really love old signs.

gratitude

Uncle Arlen got the disability he needs ~ Sloane

Arlen's great news & my parents safe arrival in Japan ~ Relyn

Arlen and Mom's good news ~ Jeffrey

Note: Sloane has been praying every single day for the past 42 days that her Uncle Arlen (who has had 17 surgeries in the past two years) will qualify for disability.  He got a letter today saying he did.  God is faithful.  

books

gratitude

Lauren is coming to our church now. ~ Sloane

the framing Mom and I chose yesterday ~ Relyn

a great sermon ~ Jeffrey

cute ideas at Leola's

gratitude

the new book Mom bought for me ~ Sloane

time with my parents today ~ Relyn

Ibu and Bapak ~ Jeffrey

anything you can get away with

gratitude

lots of time to read ~ Sloane

Sabbath ~ Relyn

a quiet time at home with my girls ~ Jeffrey

it's a mystery

gratitude

getting an iPad in 6 days ~ Sloane

a thoughtful, serving husband ~ Relyn

iPods ~ Jeffrey

spinning baby

gratitude

I get to see Briana tomorrow. ~ Sloane

date night with Jeffrey ~ Relyn

new books in the library ~ Jeffrey

Lauren's Laugh

gratitude

no more acuity ~ Sloane

Sloane's first volleyball game ~ Relyn

pleasant places, well landscaped ~ Jeffrey

at the swim meet

gratitude

Eliza Bennett, even though she's a pain ~ Sloane

winning $50 today in a WalMart give away ~ Relyn

Sermon on the Mount ~ Jeffrey

Beautiful Lauren

gratitude
Lauren came to church with us again this week.~ Sloane

I got lots of work done today. ~ Relyn

a good worship service today ~ Jeffrey

Beautiful Sloane

gratitude

Lauren gets to stay the night again ~ Sloane

another fun night ~ Lauren

a restful Sabbath ~ Relyn

Sloane and Lauren's friendship ~ Jeffrey

the girls tonight

gratitude

makeup and dresses with Lauren ~ Sloane

prom dresses ~ Lauren

fun with the girls tonight ~ Relyn

new friends ~ Jeffrey

at Firehouse Pottery

gratitude

Lauren is coming over tomorrow. ~ Sloane

Our tie dye party is tomorrow!  ~ Relyn

Sloane has a really good volleyball coach. ~ Jeffrey

I do love random, found art

gratitude

Super Hero Comic Book Club at school ~ Sloane
surprise gifts from thoughtful friends ~ Relyn
Arlen's surgery was approved. ~ Jeffrey

intriguing shadow

gratitude

Mrs. McFadden's costumer for Super Hero Club ~ Sloane
I just love the way Jeffrey jumps in and helps Sloane with all her projects. ~ Relyn
Sloane's super-cool costume ~ Jeffrey

Jeffrey, my love

gratitude

a long weekend ~ Sloane
my blog redo!! ~ Relyn
getting the yard done and still having time to read ~ Jeffrey

waiting for the plane

gratitude

The Goddess Girls books ~ Sloane

We accomplished so much in Sloane's room .~ Relyn

friends who join us for church and lunch ~ Jeffrey

Jeffrey's dream

gratitude

a quiet day at home with Jeffrey ~ Relyn

clean fans~ Jeffrey