1000 Gifts: In the pool

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts..."

Psalm 105:1-2

So this morning I do just that...

with a heart full of awe and wonder, I give thanks.

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God-given talents, abilities, and strengths... and the opportunity to use them to the fullest

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an arena to compete, an opportunity to embrace victory like a champion,

and the lessons learned in the moments of disappointment, too

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dedicated coaches who train and encourage and instruct and support...

who challenge my boys and then equip them to excel

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a natatorium close to home so that travel is quick and easy

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designated space to set up camp... so that we can sit and rest and read and play and just enjoy together

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the comaraderie of teammates

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the friendships, both in & out of the water, and healthy competition

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the willingness-- the choice-- to dream big!

the willingness-- the choice-- to fear no more

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an outpouring of God's blessings as seen in 14 races, 14 first place wins, 14 personal bests, and one team record...

and the heart and determination of my very favorite 8-year old

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his gracious spirit and his humble heart

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and his smile... that face-filling smile we saw this past weekend when he finally met his long-awaited, much-anticipated,

fight-to-the-finish goal

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then a moment to give thanks to the One who made it all possible

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my eldest's dedication and determination... his relentless pursuit of excellence...

his humility in success... and his willingness to offer everything's he got

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his tender heart, his loyal heart, his courageous heart, his Christ-filled heart

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and his desire to glorify God with a bold proclamation of his faith

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:13

Oh, the never-stopping, ever-flowing, always perfect gifts from our Abba Father...

every. single. day.

May I always remember to give thanks~

and the list continues...

Just another afternoon...

... on the Capitol lawn.

With John Voight, John Ratzenberger, Mark Levin,

and thousands of other Americans--

who are fed up with government waste, a ridiculous healthcare proposal,

and elected officials who refuse to listen to their constituents.

Were our voices heard??

Let's hope so.

Wordless Wednesday: The Apple Cider Donut

1000 Gifts: Best friends

"A friend loves at all times..."

Proverbs 17:17

The gift of true friendship... one of God's greatest gifts.

After a delightful weekend in the woods with 4 of those gifts, I rejoice!

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the generosity of parents, who opened their home for our weekend retreat

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traveling mercies and friends finally here

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late night chats and late night chuckles with brownies and ice cream to boot

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early risers, eager to play

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a trip to pick apples and fresh apple cider donuts

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a picnic on a bench, a game of tag, a path that winds under the expressway, and energetic little bodies... ready, willing, and able to savor it all

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new adventures... every single time

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a place to sit and rest

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a treasure hunt through the forest. Getting lost. And then finding our way.

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little boy buddies and the tenderness of one slightly older as he gently leads the rest

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God's provision

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a hot meal at the end of a very long (yet wonderfully fun!) day and ten weary bodies to share it

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from my son to theirs, "I'm so glad you came!"

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hours to talk. hours to share. hours to enjoy... together.

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honesty, understanding, encouragement, acceptance

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a sounding board, a confidante, a prayer partner, a sister

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an extra hour of sleep!

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ten years of best friendship... and this blessed reality-- that even though the miles now separate us, when we finally get together,

it's as if we've never been apart.

"Greater love has no one than this,

that one lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

and the list continues...

Down the Missouri

History.... American history. Who'd a thunk it could be so interesting?? I'm having having a ball with this stuff (and I think my boys are even enjoying it!), so so much more than I did eons ago when I was in grammar school!

So, as I mentioned the other week, the boys and I started this year's study with the birth of our nation. We reviewed the Declaration of Independence (1776) and our desperate need for it, the flimsy Articles of Confederation, the leadership of bold & daring men during the Constitutional Convention and the timeless document they produced. We then took a look at our first president, the rise of political parties, and the enormous growth and change that ensued. Together we read extensively about those early years and the men who shaped this great nation, and-- as a quick aside-- I've gotta tell ya... I can't seem to find a single soul today (in our political realm, I mean) who even closely resembles-- in character or integrity-- those early pioneers. Washington, Adams, Jefferson-- three extraordinary men with brilliant, disciplined minds. Flawed, yes. But courageous patriots nonetheless... who fought for what they believed in (not for what was politically expedient) with every fiber of their being. Me thinks we could use a few more like them today!

Anyhoo... after covering the first 15 years (or so) of our nation's history, and after learning a bit about Jefferson's early years (including his rise to the presidency), we tackled two huge topics which are most certainly credited to our third president-- the Louisiana Purchase (the most significant land purchase of all time) and the Lewis & Clark Expedition. To learn more about both, we read tons of books, we colored maps, we traced travel routes, we discussed motives and consequences, we checked out websites, we watched a movie... and as a result, we now know a lot more than we did when we started (including me!). In fact, most every day I am absolutely amazed... just how much I learn alongside my kids. It's really quite remarkable!

Well. At my request, the boys tackled a construction project with their dad to reinforce and supplement their studies. I stumbled across some basic directions for building a keelboat out of balsa wood-- a near representation of the 55-foot flatboat Lewis & Clark used on their adventure down the Missouri River. The guys measured and cut, they glued and re-glued, they taped and they tied, and when it was all said and done, they had a nice little keelboat-of-a-trophy to display on their bookshelf. Not bad for a few hours work!

And in case anyone's looking to learn more about Jefferson, the Louisiana Purchase, or the Lewis and Clark Expedition (on a fairly elementary level, that is), here are few of our favorite resources:

Thomas Jefferson by Cheryl Harness

The Lewis and Clark Expedition by Carol A. Johmann

Louisiana Purchase by Peter & Connie Roop

How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark by Rosalyn Schanzer

The Lewis and Clark Expedition by Sally Senzell Isaacs

Seaman's Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark by Patti Reeder Eubank

The Story of the World, volume 3 by Susan Wise Bauer, chapter 32

Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West DVD (this is excellent!!)

The Monticello Classroom at the official Monticello website

Wordless Wednesday

1000 Gifts: His provision

"Rejoice always;

pray without ceasing;

in everything give thanks,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thess 5:16-18

Not always easy to do...

Especially when daddy's away on business.

And the housework threatens to overwhelm.

And sickness overtakes our bodies.

And the sun just doesn't seem to shine.

Yet the beauty through it all...

God-- in all His goodness-- provides.

And day by day, hour by hour, the blessings flow.

So this morning, after one doozy of a week, I offer thanks...

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two wonderful grandmoms... who selflessly help, who selflessly give, who selflessly love

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Sickness gone. Healthy bodies once again.

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daddy home after a week of travel

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vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds... as far as the eye can see

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well-crafted stories... that captivate, mesmerize, and inspire

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one child teaching another... with patience, encouragement, and understanding

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devoted mamas, gently leading their young, just as the Father intended

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glorious sunshine & cloudless skies after five long days of rain

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those five long days of rain and garden-life restored

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a family reunion... for Mosby!

8 energetic littermates

+ their very sweet mother

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a wonderful play date at the doggy park!

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"Is there anything I can help you with, Mom?"

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growing bigger every day

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"Don't forget to say your prayers," from one tired boy to his brother

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new challenges to strengthen & stretch us

new challenges to teach us to depend on the One who made us

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and this great comfort:

"The LORD will fight for you;

you need only to be still."

Exodus 14:14

and the list continues....