Grateful

21. treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19-20)
22. blog encouragers (Mom and Hannah)
23. warm fires and smelling smoky later
24. friends, old and new, who remember
25. do-overs (Lam 3:22-23)
26. making it "this far" (2 Sam 7:18-22)
27. forgiveness from my little peeps
28. Mama's cookin'!
29. indoor toilets (although I'm considering sending the little boys outside unless they start aiming better)
30. colors of fall
31. Luke knowing the last word of each line of much-read books
32. "Holding on to Hope" and the friend who gifted it
33. Ruby Anne
34. people who don't care when you say dumb things
35. words and language
36. kids who sleep at 7:30 pm = QUIET
37. God speaking through my mother-in-law...PEACE
38. rest for the weary (Matt 11:28-29)
39. His everlasting-ness (Jer 31:3)
40. a mama who quilts (because I'm on my way to sleep under the wedding quilt she made for us!)

Gratitude

1. cool mornings

2. Bible study on the patio while Luke plays

3. hot tea

4. hard-working husband

5. "scub scouts" {Luke says it; Noah is one}

6. that Noah's favorite thing about "scub scouts" is "learning about God and serving"

7. 8 yr old boy insights

8. a king-sized pillow

9. Luke patiently lining up tractors

10. snuggles from a busy 2 yr old

11. "Mommy, I need go potty!" BEFORE it happens!

12. Excedrin

13. public school teachers

14. Luke's "lankie"

15. the luxury of a day of rest when a migraine hits: only 1 kid at home, being a stay-at-home mom, being caught up (for ONCE) on chores

16. leftovers for lunch

17. God's unlimited patience (1 Tim 1:16)

18. Word meals (Jeremiah 15:16)

19. kids' hugs for the bus driver

20. that salvation pleased him! (Ps 115:3)

The first of counting my many, many blessings...

Hello, my name is Melanie...

...and I think I feel like blogging again?