Thanksgiving multitudes... #505-533

Allow me to introduce you to my niece, Lucy, who loved showing off her pilgrim costume when we gathered for Thanksgiving. She is just one of the many people that I am grateful for...especially this Monday after Thanksgiving.

(I wonder what the pilgrims thought about lost teeth?)

What a fabulous weekend of feasting, gathering, laughing, reminiscing, more feasting.... And just time to be together. 


While it is no secret that I simply adore my family, I am constantly amazed with how MUCH..... Time is precious, and the people in my life even more so! 


Ever-so thankful for:


gap-toothed smiles
Lindsay and Zack playing with Max
Julie's pumpkin bread (made with love!)
big breakfasts
cousin silliness in the swings
Muppets with sisters and kids
memories of original Muppet laughs
introducing Joe to "The Goonies"
listening to "The Goonies" and remembering lines by heart
road-trips home
day-dreaming of future home on the water
dreaming out loud with Tom
....."and with your spirit".....
ever-growing family gatherings
Joe loving his first fishing trip with "the guys"
gorgeous day on the water
fresh rock fish
nap time
pumpkin spice coffee
sweet potatoes piping hot
turkey-and Katie's-cranberry-orange-sauce-and-stuffing sandwich
"Because of Winn-Dixie"
shopping-planning giddiness
designing Christmas Cards
finding the perfect surprise
candles that smell of cinnamon and home
Advent wreath surrounded by greens
hot chocolate with marshmallows
Max saying "Nana" 

Aunt Julie and Max

Lance in the leaves

Sharing at Ann's today.

Gratitude for Life ~ {Day 7}... #486-504

Life is beautiful. Truly. How lucky we are to recognize the incredible beauty around us, and to experience all that this life has to offer....


But.


I have a confession to make. I really do not know what I am doing when it comes to blogging and seem to make more mistakes than anything else. At times I am frustrated because that tiny perfectionisitic part of me is just sad that things don't look like they should, or the words do not flow quite as freely. Stumbling around seems to be the status quo for me lately. (In the blogging world as well as the real world.)


And yet. 


As the tears flowed as I read Misty's post this morning, I was once again reminded of why I am doing this. (It seems that I owe a lot to her. Several times, she has lifted my heart. Thank you, my friend.)


I do know that there are things that I want to say. There are words and phrases on my heart that are bursting to be let out. 


So despite the sometimes not-so-pretty blog posts, I recognize that I do have a story... and I am grateful for this life.


And more than anything else, I recognize the precious gift of life itself. I hope to never take it for granted, for I know that because I am alive, I can experience all of the silliness and yes, even the heartaches. I pray that our country will come to recognize the beautiful uniqueness that we humans are....beginning at conception....


Counting today with the gratitude community at Ann's...I am grateful for:


baby hugs from Max
singing "Wicked" songs with Joe at the top of our lungs
car rides filled with laughter
violins at Mass
sister time peppered with fabulous food 
Thai iced tea
laughing at Bobby
cousin love shown by Lance and Joe
long walks with my sister and children and nephews
cool breezes 
crunchy leaves underfoot
watching an earthworm bury underground
boys on swings
Cleo greeting us after a weekend away
neighbors who love our dog
the knowledge that human life is the most precious gift
crackling fires
Tom...who loves me anyway

Also sharing with the entire 31 days community

Gratitude Multitudes ~ #451-485

  My husband Tom and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on Friday, and I cannot begin to describe the joyfulness in my heart for the gift of my husband. My gratitude to God for him is simply overflowing. To be gifted a companion so in tune with my heart? Yes. That is grace, indeed. (Grace....infused with unbelievable amounts of patience and love.)

    And I need to tell you a little story. On our wedding night, we needed to stop and pick up a few essentials (read: we forgot our toiletries bag). So here we are at 9 p.m. at night in a not-so-wonderful part of downtown Norfolk at the CVS. And it's pouring rain. When we were done shopping, Tom sheltered me as much as possible as we raced to the car in the pouring rain. Laughing. 

It was locked. 

With the keys inside.

     So back into the store we went to wait for the locksmith. The store was closing, and I believe that we even offered to help clean up. I am SURE that they thought we were crazy. Two dressed up people waiting for a locksmith. Still holding hands. Still laughing.

Only us.

     Fast forward 16 years. A lovely dinner out at Old Bookbinder's in downtown Richmond. Lovely, lively conversation of two people who never seem to run out of things to say....Holding hands. Laughing.

Then the sheer look of horror as he realizes....

No wallet.

     (And no. I didn't bring mine. He told me he was taking me out to dinner.)

Luckily, he found a credit card in my car. After much worry and "Can you believe this?" ... It worked out. 

But oh. I realize....the more things change, the more they stay the same. :) 

Only us. Still laughing. Still holding hands. And it's all good.

Linking up with Ann today.... and so grateful today for:

memories and laughter and togetherness

the gift of love

holding hands in the car

shelter from the storms of life

"Seek Ye First"

tulips and irises (love by mail)

homemade chicken soup

the last of the "red hot zinnias"

football weather

football parties

cheering on the Redskins

pizza night with Kellie

prayers whispered in the car

Opening Mass at Joe's new school

hugs from former colleagues

teachers who love my child

hugs from former students

laughter and silliness.....STILL

the look of understanding

another heart-felt talk with Whitney

making dinner for Whitney

salted caramel gelato

snuggling on the couch

old episodes of "Mad About You"

moonflowers that scent my porch

orange-red chrysanthemums

cinnamon spice candles

clear, cool evenings filled with birdsong

listening to"Old Yeller" on CD

Joe's laughter at the "silly yeller dog"

singing Sesame Street favorites

parties in the field

seeing new baby Brady

basil profusion

change of season

   

Birthday Multitudes ~ #436-450

     These last few weeks of summer have been filled with life, love, laughter, and friends. For me, there is nothing like feeling the connectedness with other human beings... Maybe it has something to do with turning 39. Recognizing that time is marching on and that I need to continue to remember the people in my life who make a difference. And sometimes, tears happen, too:

Me and Carol

     This is my dear friend Carol...who moved away when we were in 6th grade. (Which, by the way, is a horrendous year to lose your best friend. I felt oh so lost....At school, home, and church, my trusty sidekick was gone.) We kept in touch for awhile and then, well, life happened. Marriages, babies, moves. So thank goodness for technology that allowed us to find each other and reconnect. Reconnect with my first and best friend. Like no time had been lost, even though it had been (gasp) 26 or so years ago.  Chatting like two young schoolgirls while our children played and our husbands talked was a little surreal. (Aren't WE still in the 4th grade?!) I could have stayed up all night reminiscing, and was grateful that they came to my parent's home for breakfast. What a fabulous birthday present. I got to see my dearest friend. Reconnect. And be renewed. Lovely.


     Still counting...and thankful for:

Carol's laughter

remembering childhood

hugs that you just don't want to end
feeling like a kid again

Moscurnello  

quart jar of tomatoes from New Jersey

promises to "do this again soon"

watching kids enjoy water play

watching Carol's children dance

sausages and peppers and mozzarella

Tom and Pete corralling the kids

connectedness

coming home to a friend

dad's breakfast casserole and hospitality

realization of true life-long friendships



The kiddos





Pop Pop and Max



Gratefully sharing here today:



Summer Multitudes ~ #402-435

     Please excuse the randomness and stream-of-conscience writing...there is so much that is rambling through this lazy brain of mine that I just don't know where to begin.  :)   I have been away for awhile... 

     For the past two weeks, I have been so incredibly lucky that Tom has been home on vacation. Relaxing time, play time, let's-just-take-time-to-be-together time. I love that he has such a relaxed schedule in the summer (mainly because it helps me to be comfortable with the fact that we can be summer-lazy together.)  I have also been deep in prayer about friendships...

     We started the vacation at the beach with my sister (my first friend)and her adorable family. Heaven. (And as far as I am concerned, it was way too short a time.) Next up, Tom's 20th High School reunion. Time spent meeting friends again, remembering good times, and hearing stories about the intersections of lives. Then, we took some time to travel and visit some dear friends....I love, love, love reconnecting with people who mean so much. Hopefully, I will round out this week by getting to see a dear friend from childhood who moved away.  Carol has such a tender piece of my heart to this day....

     I mentioned to Tom that I am so utterly frustrated with the way that life is today. The overwhelming busy-ness and distance makes it so hard to really keep connections going.  

     I need to confess something. I feel a little guilty with how I (unknowingly) made Tom feel. In the midst of traveling (to help settle some of this gypsy soul of mine) I didn't realize that I kept saying "I could live here", "Wouldn't this be a great place for you to get a job?". Unfortunately, he interpreted this as unhappiness. When really, I just miss my people. I am unsettled with having to drive 1, 2, or 3 hours to really reconnect and visit. Truly, I was simply trying to tell my friends how much I miss them, not that I was unhappy with where I am or how my life is. Luckily, the misunderstanding was cleared up, but I did learn that I have to be careful (still? really?) about how I say things. He is where I want to be. Wherever that is. Always.

     So...counting today...

kids covered in sand

bright beach towels

beach reading

conversations with Rae

kites on the beach

helping Joe ride the waves

Max walking with arms raised

Max's third word ~ Joe

road-trippin'

Nags Head, NC

reconnecting with Mari Tere

Mass with the Youth Apostles

Ana Marie and Family

Helen and Family

Fr. Jack and Fr. Peter

reconnecting with Beth

Joe and Ellie playing

Lebanese taverna (and Beth to myself)

Joe and daddy day

reconnecting with Paige and family

hearing Paige sing

listening to Molly sing "Cats"

talking with Anna about horses

seeing Beth twice in one week

comfortable silences
watching Tom be silly
reconnecting with Chris and Shelly
time alone with Tom
seeing Joe make a gesture that is his dad's
friendships through time

Max laughing

murals from nothing

painting and laughing with Rachel

Joe's gratefulness for Lego's
coming home to our little world

Sweet girl



Joe and his kite

Gratefully sharing at Ann's today:





Multitudes on Monday ~ For Birthdays ~ #379-401

     On Saturday, we celebrated Max's first birthday with family and friends. It was hot here. Like 104 degrees hot. So for the most part, it was an indoor party, although several brave (crazy) kids braved it outside for some swing time. And in true summer fashion, ate watermelon greedily as the sweat ran down their sweet faces....
Visiting
Laughing.
Celebrating.
     A perfect way to enjoy each other and the gift of a life. I am ever so grateful for:

Max's infectious laugh

cousins playing trains

having both of my sisters visiting

spicy potato salad

little conversations

house full of laughter

children sounds

cousin Joe playing Tom's dad's guitar

Max listening to the guitar

cake-on-the-face pictures

new books to devour

new toys that make Max laugh

first steps

blowing kisses

Mad About You reruns

anticipation of vacation

i-need-a-basket trip to the garden

Joe's help with Max

movie time with Joe (again)

healthy, happy children

summer rain

14 lbs. lost!

dreams that come true

Gratefully linking at Ann's place...



Multitudes on Monday ~ Summertime #352-378

     Ah summer. That lovely time of relaxed schedules, sandals, and time in the sun. Water-play, sun-play, friend-play. A time to slow down, drink iced tea with LOTS of lemon, and remember how it was in the old days. Seeing tomatoes on my windowsill brings back sweet memories of grandparents and working in their gardens (and being given sweet cherry tomatoes as payment). Counting today the gifts that summertime brings....

windowsill of summer
sweet cherry tomatoes

Rachel's refrigerator pickle recipe

sweet newborn baby Brady

Jen (and the kids)

Angie's hugs

Eileen and family

playing in the pool

Max's backwards wave

fireworks with the fam

dad's barbecue chicken

sister-talk

old childhood books

books in the mail

room temperature weather

Busch Gardens day with friends

Lucy playing in the water

Tom and Max in the water

reading and laughing with Joe

ice cream time

house contract for Katie and Dan

"hi Auntie Em" from Lance

time with my parents

girl time with Whit and Lauren

Darius....again

bruschetta with fresh tomatoes

Max's first birthday!

Gratefully linking here today:

Multitudes....For the Fourth.... #315-351

Thinking today of this incredible country of ours.
The struggles....the triumphs....the blessings.

Stream in Warm Springs, VA

This weekend we drove over and through mountains and hills, and wound our way down deep into valleys. Exploring the richness of our state. One out of 50.
Fifty states with their own story of how they came into being. How they came together to form a nation.

And oh how I adore Virginia. Miles of waterfront. Four distinct seasons (well. usually.) Mountain majesties. Farmland dotted with exquisite barns and gnarled ancient trees. Mill towns that are feeling the strain but harbor people with an interminable spirit.

The American spirit. The American dream. The American experience. Hard-fought by a group of rag-tag farmers and country folk willing to say... Enough. Driving through the state that housed Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington. Human men with faults, yes. But oh. The passion and diligence regarding freedom!

Oh how grateful I am for that spirit. For that freedom. My freedom. My children's freedom.....

having brother-in-law Dan home from Afghanistan

privilege of being an American

fireworks that color the sky

eyes to see such natural beauty

ears to hear the laughter of my children

nursery workers who love Max

singing hymns of praise

true hugs and smile from Fr. Gregory

Mass at Incarnation

playground silliness

Tom on the monkey bars

Tom playing with Joe in the pool

Max giggly on the slide

long lazy weekends

country house picnic fun

The Wade family

The Cavey family

The Barber family

barbecue by the fire pit

fishing in crystal clear rivers

patient people who help my child cast his rod

...and help him cast....again....

Go-cart races around the field

ice cold lemonade

swiftly flowing river

Green Valley book fair

cool mountain breezes

reaching 1st major goal of 10 lbs. lost!

watching thundercloud formations

lightning magic in the clouds

"wow mommy. lightning like a magic wand"

impromptu stop to pet horses

calmness of Joe after being among horses

Max's silly faces and horse noises

vineyards full of fruit

places to run in the vineyard

wine tasting notes of "jammy and fruit-forward"

Gratefully linking here today:



"God Sightings" and gratitude ~ #281-314

     We are beginning to settle into summertime. Well, as much as you can settle in. The schedules are relaxed, the days sometimes wide open with possibilities of sun, water, and friends. I look forward to pool days with friends, romping in the park, and walks at twilight (watching the fireflies of course). I recognize that I need a schedule and checklists, but sometimes, it's nice when the schedule is simply "pool with Jen" or "Joe to camp"....
     Last week, we were blessed to be a part of Vacation Bible School. We are still walking around singing the songs and doing the motions. "God Sightings" are now what we are currently looking for in our little corner of the world.... Here is what I am grateful for:

zinnias in bloom

drippy sweet watermelon

Feast of Corpus Christi

Kristie and her family

Danny's bear hugs

Max "walking" while holding onto me

Joe saying "Glad Uncle Dan is home safe!"

9.1 pounds down (total)

savoring a Krispy Kreme glazed confection

sauteed zucchini (mine)
Max "reading" books

summertime laziness

tomato red fresh off the vine (mine)

barefoot through the wet grass

reading Misty of Chincoteague with Joe

remembering how much I loved Misty

"God Sightings" around me
children singing songs of praise
Baptismal promises renewed
watching Yvonne's Confirmation

loving faith community

blowing bubbles with Max

Max's "kisses on demand"

saving a spider (so she can get the bad bugs)

fresh sage

vines and vegetables intertwined

calls from mom

free curriculum helps

Youth Apostles faith community

connectedness with old friends
Joe singing loud in the back seat
watching Harry Potter and screaming with Joe
Tom working 2 jobs for us...

...allowing me to wake up to my job and this face:

So what are you thankful for? Share your gratitude list here:



** Please, if you have a moment, please, please say a prayer for our friend, Tom Duesterhaus, who has been missing since last Thursday. He is a beautiful person of God and we just want him home....Along with all of my prayers to God, I will also look to the community of Saints, and most especially, to Saint Anthony, known as the patron saint of lost things and missing persons :

 

Prayer to Saint Anthony of Padua

O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me the safe return of Tom Duesterhaus. The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

(Then say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be)

<><><><><><><><>

Saint Anthony of Padua

Multitudes on Mondays ~ Father's Day ~ #257-280

    



Tom and Joe reading


     How truly lucky I am. For my life is filled with incredibly wonderful men who show guidance, love, and faith. I thank God that my dad, my husband, my uncles and brothers-in-law are men that I can turn to, rely on, trust. Before they passed on, my grandfathers were, too. Wishing, still, that I could have known Tom's dad...

     And oh how I hope that my sons follow in the steps of these wonderful people in their lives and become men of virtue. Of faith. Of honor. It is my most fervent wish.

     I am grateful for:

Joe trying to get Max to say "mommy"

lazy Monday summer mornings

watching Harry Potter with Joe

Kahlua brownies

Mass as a family

prayers whispered with Joe

a teacher who understands my child

books in the mail

crisp white sheets (dried on the line)

play dates with friends

handwritten notes

"How Great Thou Art"

breakfast with Kristin and Sarah

golf with Whit and Stacy

laughing at Tom's silly expressions

"six-ish" as a golf hole score

that perfect drive down the fairway (rare!)

finding the ball in the woods

singing at the top of my lungs
"Closer to Fine"
Joe laughing at Calvin and Hobbes

new car with a sunroof
drawings from Lindsay

dad's voice



My dad and Max

    
Come and see what others are grateful for here:

The beginning of summer ~ gifts #236-256

     As the school year winds to a close, I can feel my muscles relaxing and begin to really enjoy the sights and smells around me. Catching up with friends, pool dates, playing in the park, and roadtrips are just some of what is in store for us this wonderful time of year. Harvesting vegetables from my garden is such a delight. Well, not that we could ever survive on what I grow..but...it's a start, right?! Oh, and what fun it has been to show Joe the process of it all....

     And so I continue to count my blessings and joys:



Can you see the baby squash!?



baby squash
home school convention with wonderful speakers

conversations with Kevin and Jody

laughing at Tom's silliness
"Weaving Women" church group
sweet ice cream treat
losing 6.1 lbs (in one week!)
Katie's sweet 2 year old hugs

coconutty smell of sunscreen

sun on my face (and shoulders!)

fresh cucumbers

fresh mint (spearmint) in my tea

vegetables continuing to grow

walks with Cleo

Tom's shrimp on the grill

curlicue tendrils from the cucumbers

smell of warmed earth

wicked thunderstorms

full rain barrel

rainshowers that quench the thirsty garden

flowers kissed by the sun

Come to Ann's place and see what others are thankful for:



Multitudes on Mondays ~ #201-235

     It really is rare. True friendship. When you find one, make sure that you cling fast to it. It is such a gift. Such a balm for the spirit. Having a friendship like Whitney's creates a peaceful place in my heart.... And now, here we are over 10 years late. Our husbands are friends, too, and our children have become playmates....Times spent together are easy. Joyful. Playful. Wonderful.     
     This past weekend, we were lucky enough to go camping with them (and others!) and enjoy just being together.... Here are some things that I am grateful for:

pink sky sunrises on the lake

Max's first camping trip

Max sleeping soundly in the tent

sleeping on a cot overlooking the lake

dreaming in the hammock

watching Tom play with the boys

dogs romping in the sand and water

laughing at Cleo who takes our chairs...

the friendship of Whitney, Stacy, and Zach

Sara and Brad

Tara and Clark

finding the dog of the campers next to us (we said that we would watch him....and he escaped....)

making new friends

riding bikes with Joe

old-fashioned ice cream stand

(*photo courtesy of Whitney!)

traditional S'mores

S'mores made with Ritz crackers (now that's yumminess!)

Whitney's laughter at the silliness of Brad and Stacy

the smell of impending rain

lightning on the lake

the sound of raindrops on the tarp

the safety (and dryness) of a tent when the rain comes

stories 'round the campfire

showering optional

nap times are encouraged

dinner from the grill

watching Max eat watermelon

cool breezes

swimming with Joe

watching Joe and Zack "fish"

sunsets over the water

new crescent moon

friends who watch over your children

hard-won friendships that stand the strains of this life...

Sharing gratitude with others here: