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"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 

Colossians 3:17

Sugar cookies baking in a clean oven. The chance to catch up on a few to-do's. A tried and true recipe from a dear sister in the Lord. My cookie decorating that could have passed for the boys handiwork. 

This three year old and his awkward preciousness. Seeing obedience come to fruition in his little self. His, "I sorry's" and growing sentences and his.constant.chatter. Conversations at dinner about how one day we will MISS IT!

The baby fresh from the bath. Toothy grins. Clean neck rolls. Her nose crinkle when she smiles. Bare bottom standing and the shrieks when you try to catch her and put her diaper on.

A house *full to the brim* with life. That mess means people to cause it. The realization that, "In twenty minutes this will pass."

Valentine's Day surprises and bellies full of chocolate by 7 am. Cars tattoos. Counting to thirty with each of them while we hold the dish rag in place. The look on their face every time we peeled that wet backing away. The fact that they kept those empty heart shaped boxes.

That Saturday morning breakfast now requires a full dozen. The anticipation of when we pull those eggs right out of the coop and put them in to the pan. Shopping chickens online. Coop plans. Making life lovely right where we are.

Content play. Knowing that if she's missing, she's in the closet.

Shots with NO TEARS. A trip to Target afterward to pick out a truck. Twenty three minutes in the same spot of the aisle trying out each and every one. That a Grandma bought her grandson the same truck after watching him choose so very carefully. Brother joy, not envy, despite the fact that he was the only one who got a toy.

One Thousand Gifts

Why don't I do this more often? Put the chores aside. Put my agenda aside. Put my desire for easy aside. And just say yes. 

Yes to the walk. 

Yes to the pine-cones in the bottom of the stroller. 

Yes to the day uninterrupted by facebook or dishes or another load of laundry.

Yes to paint. Even if they want to use the non-washable gold one because it's, "just so pretty momma." 

Yes to my boys.  

 

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My growing gift list
My three boys and their zeal for crafts
October walks through the neighborhood
Washable paint
The baby quiet in the stroller
Excitement over pine-cones
A hanging reminder of what is truly important
Sweet encouragements from brother to brother
Several hours of free fun
Eyes to see the fall beauty around us 
Time together
Our daddy home, just as I'm losing steam
That all of creation speaks of it's Creator

One Thousand Gifts

Pistachios 

Water play every single day

Watermelon before 7:00 am

Cowboy boots with jammies

Just cause bouquets

Inviting a friend to lunch

The baby covered in his first peanut butter and jelly.

Summer haircuts

The husband reading of Transforming Grace

Burgers on the grill and corn boiling on the stove

T.V.-less nights

The smell of cut grass blowing in through an open window

Meeting neighbors

The first cobbler of the summer

  Brother play

A hatched Robin's egg in the grass

Clean sheets

Celebrating our Nana's 89th

Grace. Marvelous, wondrous, amazing Grace.

Dear Benjamin,

Lately, you've been needing less of a nap than your sleep loving brothers, so we've been spending a great majority of each afternoon together in the front yard. 

I have to say the time alone with you, my son, my firstborn and bearer of your late grandfather's name, has been nothing short of a sweet blessing and has left me in awe of how much you are growing and maturing. 

Sometimes we talk about the neighbors walking by or a barking dog  up the street and sometimes we just water alongside one another in solitude. It really doesn't matter to you. You are content, so long as you are near your momma. 

I wish I could express to you how much these afternoons mean to me, sun shining on your face, lashes illuminated as you laugh at a butterfly or chase after the kitty. How I wish I could make you understand what unadulterated joy it brings me to watch you watching a honey bee move from flower to flower or the look on your face when you set the hose down and  the cold water catches your shoeless feet. 

How I'm thankful that these nap sacrificed days are helping me to get to know you that much better, to spend time exploring what interests just you, or to just slow down and take in life with no agenda. 

After all, one can't exactly enjoy an apple while watching ants crawl by with an agenda, as you so aptly remind me when I try to get a little yard work done on the side.   

You are a treasure, entrusted to me by the Lord. And as much as I may not want to say it, I must. Thank you for not napping, my precious, precious boy.   

Momma loves you.

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My Growing Gift List

Time with the firstborn

Apples, crisp and cold

Sun kissed eyelashes

Laughter from my boy

Grass on bare feet

Sunlight through tree branches

Ants in a line

Shuggles {a.k.a. shovels} and digging with the boy

Living seamlessly, choring and teaching and weaving in the graces of God

Water flowing cool and clear

Front yard play-dates with the neighbors until the daddies get home

Wonder in the mundane
Momma love