1000 Gifts

Have you seen this?  It's a book, devotional and now an app! 1000 Gifts is written by Ann Voskamp. My friend lent me her book. I read it and was inspired to start keeping a list of my "gifts". These are the blessings that God pours out on us each day.  Yes. I have started counting them. Well actually I can't possibly count them all so. I am trying to at least catch and document three a day.  How?  Well I am glad you asked. I discovered, whilst looking at Ann's website, that there was a free, yes free, app.  Go.  Download it!

There are limited ways of sharing your gifts through the app, but its possible.  Although, it is a personal thing at the same time. Which I do like. 

This is what it looks like on my ipad. Just do yourself a favour and download the app, read the book and check out her website http://www.aholyexperience.com/.  

Where it's at right now

My life is filled with small cars in every room and most handbags I own.
There are Lego pieces under every couch and bed.
Drink bottles and clothes are daily searched for.
A flashlight can bring hours of joy and adventure.
Colorful marks made from felt pens adorn small arms, legs and mouths.
Band aids and kisses fix most things.
Teddy and Spot dog are needed to bring peace in the evening for bed.

Whilst I am a whimsical, feminine woman who loves to sew, crochet and dance; I am a mother of two adventurous, cheeky, handsome and not to mention loving little boys!

Yes it's stressful at times, and completely crazy at others. I wouldn't swap it for the world! God has truly blessed me with these two boys and the cherry on the top, my super wonderful husband. (That awesome fella is a whole other post!)

036: showers of love

I got to see my darling new nephew Hendrix, oh how sweet he is. There is nothing more delightful than a newborn babe sleeping in your arms. (Well I think so anyway -also good when you aren't the sleep deprived parent). But, I got to FINALLY pass on a few of Asher's boy baby clothes to my sister Jules for Hendrix. Some of the clothes Asher never got to wear as he was born in the middle of winter and in Melbourne so the little short sleeve numbers never saw light of day. There will be more hand-me-downs where they came from too!

Today Asher had a BIG sleep in and we went to Maccas for breakfast (english muffins) and met up with Katherine and her girls. Yes, I hear you - going to McDonalds isn't new for Asher BUT climbing to the top of the playground only to get stuck coming down between the 4th and 3rd floors and mummy coming to the rescue (Yes! I climbed all the way up inside!!!) was a new thing for Asher. Oh, and did I mention that we came back out using the slippery slide!! (Then silly me, offered to take Elara up in there too and on my way had to rescue Asher again! I will learn!)

I am grateful for lots of things today - 1. the play equipment at Maccas being large enough to fit me in easily. 2. being able to help friends again, 3. mum being able to help me out, 4. being able to see my sis and nephew, 5. the rain, plus much more! (Am thinking of making this about blessings too - cause that is what all of these things are!)

005: blessings in abundance

Isn't it amazing how much we keep? Today I threw out two boxes that I had taken the toys out of ages ago - I have no idea why I was keeping them! Also, I got rid of a tennis racket that was broken and I only realised today when I had to pull a car out of its strings. :)

Asher got to spend the day just playing with his two friends, Piper and Soren, whilst my friend (their mum) Krystal and I made up charts for them (and us). The kids had fun and so did we. (We went nuts with a laminator) I made a nice shopping list and a fortnightly meal plan sheet for myself. I also made, for Asher, a routine chart with pictures so he starts to know the order of his day, also an activity chart that we can put pictures of what he does so that when his daddy comes home he can see what he's done that day. I also updated his potty training chart.

Shopping List

Menu planner

Routine Chart

Activity Chart

Potty "Train"ing Chart

(I only just noticed that I had called it

a training chart and put a train on it

- the old one was a caterpillar)

As for being grateful, I am! I am totally grateful for the realisation of blessings. We are always being blessed, sometimes in big ways and sometimes in small but we don't always notice them. Lately I have been noticing the blessings which is just awesome! Today I got to see the sun behind a thick dust storm and it looked like a big round light globe in the sky and it was so beautiful. Also, the past two days my precious friend Mandy has been at my house in the afternoons and has, both days, cleaned up my kitchen for me! (Thanks again Mandy) I love that I belong to a God who is not only alive, but is active and has so many blessings for me each day and I love that I am able to see them!!!