{922-1000}

The end.  Or maybe the beginning of something much more beautiful to come?

Oh, we've had our share of sadness and tears, but it has been so full of joy, because I made the choice to see it and dwell in it.

And not always did I make that choice, but it is slowly becoming habit that in all things, to look for that joy.  To live it.

My goal for this year is to radiate to others.  To share.

My cup overflows.

and I am oh. so. thankful.

the old cook house, which shields our family from the crazy mountain wind
sunrises and sunsets.  by myself or with miss ella the earlybird.
a dog who is always enthusiastic to see us and chase birds out of the yard
listening to the guys load the cakefeeders in the morning
slowly converting to an early riser, and ditching my night owl roots
peppermint tea with honey
cups of hot cocoa
little laundry helpers who love to sort and match socks
washing the floors daddy's socks to scrub
and singing into brooms

a little help in getting organized, all at my little fingertips
mint
cozi
flylady
moneysavingmom
and pinterest
all with apps for my phone, but still no service at home :)
sweet pictures of my girls while I scribble lists in a journal
google calendars
and my lovely google reader

tired puppy laying at my feet
snuggly girls in "mama's chair"
snow, finally
sledding down by the creek
snow gear keeping the frosties at bay
reese barely able to walk with her puffy pants and coat
girls making snow angels in the soft powder
eating their body weight in snow
playing horses
rosy red cheeks

cleaning sesh in the "princess castle" porch
shoveling snow before it becomes ice
looking for animal tracks in the snow
Ella sure a badger was on the creek
collecting icicles, my favorite outdoor activity
playing in the snow fort
"I'm thirstttttttttty"
warming up with chairs by the stove
wet snowpants drying by the fire
practicing cutting in magazines for scraps to build a fire

grilled cheese {with extra cheese} sandwiches
trips to "harlo" in boots and mittens
"where did you get that beautiful dress Reese"
"in Harlo"
basketball games while the kids play in the bleachers
concession stand popcorn
preschool kids reading books together
and organizing a game of duck duck goose
crafts and snacks, by very creative mamas
practicing letters with unsteady hands

wintertime bubble baths
all 3 of them daily
toys in the tub, making water slides and rescuing shipwrecked barbies
an ever shrinking ironing pile
audio books on montana2go.com
painting toes and fingers
Daddy even helping
white elmer's glue
piles for taxes, ready to go
trucking blessing us yet another year

the blessings I can never fully deserve

my salvation

that handsome cowboy

two sweet girls

happy healthy lives

strong foundation, happy childhood

loving parents

supportive best friend sisters

marrying into a very special family

friends that truly nourish and feed my soul

all this, and more that are whispered daily, all gifts given graciously to me, 

a thousand counted here, not even consistently, and not even close to naming them all

encouragement to keep counting here.

praying that I never stop the counting, remembering the full life I am given each and every day

how very blessed I am, in good and bad

learning and practicing to be thankful and full of joy

in every moment.

and this little gem:

{811-921}

joy cometh
fruit of the spirit
plus sign language
multi colored pen pack for 2012
yummy new snacks
and questions about 144,000
radiate that joy
2nd annual retreat
homework or not
fellowship

sisters snuggling together
calling a bunk bed:
"theirs"
reading 3 little pigs
over and over and over again
with voices
knowing their love firsthand
seeing it bloom and grow
and knowing how much it will bless them
their whole entire lives

my own three sisters
source of so much joy
looking back - memories, stories
same laugh, smiles, same heart
being present
and moving forward
but always staying the same
straightening hair together
and sharing makeup, clothes, fashion advice
and lots of love and hugs

a quick day trip to chico, a girls day out
a thanksgiving feast, with the company and the food
and a quick trip to bozeman
leaving with packages stowed on our laps
and 3 boxes of trees
turkey leftovers
wrapping little presents, like mom did for us (minus silkies)
TSA unwrapping most (playdough needs to be claimed!)
a mini dance party

the ranch and its sprawling miles
loading firewood while the girls danced on the truck bed
in pink princess dresses
taking turns stacking kindling
and spotting coyotes
the weathered corrals
and many stories of the past
tossing cake to hungry cows
feeding the "pet" who sticks her head in the window
and Spencer scratches her back

that same shy smile
raising daughters
teaching them how to dribble a ball
cheering them both as they practice in plastic princess high heels
still quiet, always calm, always has a plan
watching a Tudors together
assembly line of envelopes for paychecks
the perfect dinner salad overflowing, always
coffee brewed fresh
for a hardworking man

that same man making a path for our double wide stroller in packed security lines
and traveling with two small children with a smile on
taking our family to the beautiful beach
where the girls played in the sand
the waves tickling their toes
then to the pool, diving underwater and blowing bubbles
and back to the beach, to soak up the sunshine some more
bedtime snacks of ice cream in waffle cones -- sprinkles too
a breathtaking beachside wedding with a gorgeous bride, and the best friend in the world
and the topper?  beach volleyball -- and for two old mamas we played pretty dang good

a Christmas holiday full of blessings
an evening with two excited girls
playing with corrals and new horses
and their grandparents who love them so
checking out the ranch Christmas lights
a drive to make it to the candlelight service
sitting next to Grandma, snuggling the girls
baby Betsy snoozing through church
Reese playing with the same nativity I had played with for years
a house full of love, another generation busy being Christmas elves

Christmas day, an early morning to serve
sharing joy while preparing meals
passing out blankets and towels,
stockings filled with goodies
and more than enough help to run things smoothly
a quiet church service --
except for Reese.  :)
appetizers and lettuce wraps
7 come 11, and the most powerful number in the world
3 fancy girls watching Inspector Gadget and snuggling

Cousins playing peacefully,
not yet making up videos and playing war
while the sweetest babe sleeps in someone's arms
swimming, shopping trips,
golf on Christmas day
family pictures
...and a long trip home
stomach bugs and stalling cars
but a mean game of words with friends together
{I won}

ringing in the new year in style
my sweet journal with my 12 habits
lots of goals to work towards
and a whole lot of to-dos getting crossed off the list
organizations, budgets, appointments, and declutter
cleaning up Christmas decor while the girls keep singing
"Deck the hallways"
taking down outside lights
 in a tshirt...
... in January

{764-810}

Today I am most thankful I have such a forgiving blog audience, who love me even when post once a month.   :)


I'm thankful for smiles when they are sick
eyedrops and tummy medicine
exceptional care from small town doctors
kids that snuggle
laundry that won't go away


for the promise and hope of my dear Grandma Marjorie
who can now treasure her memories
and taught me what a joyful heart really means
when stripped of everything you love and cherish
to simply live filled with joy


thankful that she is having a reunion with my Grandpa Gilly
her sweet husband and partner in parenting seven amazing woman
two lives well lived
two lives much missed
the celebration of their legacy


feeling an Aasen hug 500 miles away
voice texts from dad
baby bumps
stack of volleyball jerseys
conquering the corn maze


melville church ladies
bountiful baskets
co-op preschool
lessons about ice skating safety
zucchini brownies


big girl beds
"okay mommy"
picking dresses everyday
tight neck hug
reading the princess book every night


showing new writing skills
asking about rhyming words
like basket and basketball
painting toes yellow
telling jokes


sharing sharing sharing
and not sharing
saying sorry to each other
giving love before bed
trying sleeping overs every night


the slower season
reminding me to slow
and count my blessings
the many many blessings

{713-763}

{as I share my blessings from this summer, I'll sprinkle in some pictures, because I am WAY behind :)}


rain with sunshine and ladybug umbrellas
barefoot in the garden
stomping on weeds
girls shaking corn stalks
catching grasshoppers

mowing
smell of freshly cut green grass
girls chasing in the yard
ballet performances mixed with concerts
old school ac

ella and leroy when the water was running high behind our house

roping gloves
paths through the lilacs
balloons
green and blue freezies
mom doing laundry

wild sage and roses
ditch baby
big sister teaching little sister
childhood imagination
devoted dog leroy

reese in her big girl bed

a rule loving toddler

more blonde curls

"help me"

sweet toothy grins

her puppy

charlotte's web with the girls
critters while on a run
questions about God, by Ella
garden updates from Sarah
oldies but goodies volleyball gold

cowgirls and a cowboy at our branding

family movie theater trips

taking lunches out

mom tuning me for danny boy

the piano man

purging my closet

girls watering the lawn

pushing the swings

teaching how to pump their legs

chasing butterflies with butterfly wings on

books and blankets in the "clubhouse"

slice of what branding looks like for us

sarah's baby girl

sadie mae listening to heartbeats

that red bedhead

the fun of cousins

making popcorn balls

grammy reading bedtime stories

{grammy and grampy!  :)}

hot attempt at a photoshoot

flax babies

all that help... oh so wonderful!

{662 - 712}

my 50 mm

summer breeze

colored smoke bombs

thunder rumbling the sky

parades

beauty shop

weeding the flower beds

Ken helping with the swingset

dirt at the roping arena

cooney ranch fireworks show

photographer's assistant

box fans

our porch turned princess castle

3 swimming pools

wind blown hair while swinging

spray glitter on magical horses

our water pump

patient husband

fudge sticks

reading Charlotte's Web aloud

tiny blooms

summer tan lines

swinging on the gate

Leroy kisses

nightly jog with Ella

folding laundry with the girls

combing just-out-of-the-bath hair

caramel apple popsicles

ranch hands volleyball team

painted toes

family sprinkler time

dance parties with adele

pink lemonade

slippery water slide

baby finch nest

little screwdrivers

books from amazon

fresh mint

scratching buggy bites at night

Girls cracking eggs

"funderstorms"

homemade energy bites

Rick the UPS man

the new princess "castle"

duets a la Ella and Reese

cool Montana breeze

days of riding horses

fresh paint on a wall

mowing the lawn

hens and chicks

{621-661}

Spring fever has no doubt hindered my blogging, but no worry, I am still very much counting my blessings.  Many many many, and still counting...

spring mattress cleaning and rotating

making a slide/fort

hours of fun

smoky burn barrel

finding worms in the rain

girls and their umbrellas

four spots filled at our table

dessert bar at the Mother's Day brunch

hazy

chocolate strawberries

red wagon filled with dirt and worms

cousins playing while old cousins chatted

swinging on their bellies

dill pickle chips

playing "monsters"

making sandwiches

Adele from sis

name lists

dirt covered hands

girls helping transplant

sketched out garden plans

the tiller

girl's nights

hanging baskets from Grandpa

muddy boots

croaking frogs

Easter church songs

vball workout plans

box from Tina

spreading grass seed

more create inspiration here

sisters Irish homecoming

making lefse with mom

red iced tea

freshly ironed western cowboy shirts, all in a row

the laundry chute

bed heads

reese's fear of tractors, trucks, airplanes, and other various outdoor noises

morning updates of her dreams

orange poppies

{565-620}

I continue to be humbled by my thousand, countless, unending gifts...

Ella reading the directions
Reese pouring flour
cracking eggs, no shells!
oven lights
warm cookies from the oven to the tummy

Ash's buddy
bare feet
pollinating apple trees
wipes in Costco
mamas behind our house

digging holes in soft soil
black mascara
steam from the iron
sharing oj
catalinas

Crispix
baby's bedhead
pairing socks
new/old jeans
garden blueprints

more Easter surprises
daily check-in emails
ashes, ashes
organized tubs
labeling stickers

heating vents
selling potatoes
lenten season
remembering many wednesdays at Grace
soup and sandwiches

Reese on the phone
Ella adding apps on the ipad
talking tom
floor pillows
doubles

amazon
pb m&ms
chicks
ducks
bunnies

new potential ranchmates
new specs
april showers
my spray bottle friend
"again, I say rejoice."


lunch coffee and cookies
setting up a picnic, with plants
ice
princess rollerskates
and knee pads

an older, wiser sister
sometimes easter birthday
chats, afternoon & evening
rankab
deal snatchin'

{514-564}

the counting continues...


mama cows nudging their newborn babes
fresh cut straw
girls stirring the water tank
warm bottle for a bum calf
naming him buddy

working out with the girls
reese doing planks
crawling under tunnels
ella coaching
"don't stop!  keep going!"


cats chasing balloon strings
sorting beads in the playroom
first spring rain
...and snow the next day
still building fires

fuzzy socks
plastic organizing tubs
new box of otter pops
green peeks of grass
tree shopping

yummy stew
cuke peels on the floor
changing sheets
"let's dance!"
air popped popcorn

new love
snacks at church
stack of to be ironed shirts
thick orange fluffy fur
sunday afternoons with new friends

book club books
calves snuggled up in hay
harlo trip itinerary
scooby doo marathons
"i'm just exhausted of you"


brushing their hair in the morning
hallway chases
zn
morning productivity
easter surprise!!

skype dates to ireland
hanging up coats
reesie tossing out everything in her crib before bed
warm out of the dryer clothes
picking up branches

"I want that but that's cool"
reese's bubbles
climbing on panels
spray bottle butterflies
mondays

{413 - 513}

from her

When I started this journey to one thousand gifts, I thought that it would be easy, because of course, I am so richly blessed.  And in that sense, it has been easy.  I was sure that I would be more aware of all the good in my life, and become even more joyful.  That has happened, but what I did not expect was the gifts I would find in the not so pretty moments of my life.  The pulling hair fights, the flu, the potty accidents, the flat tires.

To say that finding gifts in the supposed curses has been life changing would be an understatement.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I have begun to break our bads into little gifts in themselves, and opportunities for me to make those bads a little better.  The power of perspective.

I'm half way there!

{413 - 513}

the surfboard dance

baby calves in the backyard

bud {rip little guy!}

loud laughs about the cats

Reese's wakeup call

homemade chicken noodle soup

rug/blankets

chocolate church faces

fever reducers

"He is ABLE"

cleaning out pens

the quiet

clean car

the pink hula hoop cup

swimming with mermaids

mint tea with honey

closing down the coffeeshop

hours-long skype chats

brooming snow off the dish

painting dressers

girls playing a concert

home inspiration a la Jeana

stacking wood

calves laying in fresh hay

garden catalogs

green sprouts peeking through snow

greek yogurt

birthday parties

letters from Grandma

fountain pop

Sadie and her coloring books

fabric bins

a stack of shirts to iron

cats finding sun

the coupon bag

smoov-ies

yeah sisters.

30 min in 3 weeks

bedhead ponytails

cold kitchen floor

nose scrubs

Ella volunteering at the dr.'s to show Reese she was okay

a family of a snowman and snowwomen

makin' footprints

morning fog

re-attachable polly pocket heads

insanity

glasses of water like sarah

easter candy

barbie movies

broken branches from too heavy snow

kathy at walgreens

quiet giving

red cheeks

stepping on princesses in the hallway

cracking peanuts

ring around the rosie

hydroponic tomatoes

4 wheel drive

building a snow fort

lenten season

birds gathering just to bug Leroy

sledding with the girls

queen of the mountain

clean windshield

washerful of jeans

skinny dipping scenty bars

new boots

"thatta girl"

softball season

more pandora

"hazy"

getting the mail at the po

detached bands

ouchless hair bands

footprints in the snow

white subway tile

sorting laundry into piles

Ella's Scooby Doo "like"

alfalfa sprouts

working during naps

hearing the stir

Reese escaping her bed 

post nap

and running down the hallway

going into Ella's room

climbing onto the bunk

and giving a snuggly wakeup call

hearing their laughs

and loving their bedheads

planning summer vball

carhartt hat

building a fire with the girls

answering phone calls

early bedtimes

my dyson

"rockabye"

light in the attic

this blog

answered prayers

want to join me in counting my blessings?

{312 -412}

footprints on freshly washed kitchen floors
wind whispering through old windows
iced tree branches
kitties finding the heat vents for their naps
my Christmas quilt from Mary

folding another load of white socks
the mismatched sock drawer
dress up dolls
embracing the new horsey
traveling sister

toothpaste on the sink
playing princesses every. single. day.
Ella learning the letter l
and writing it!
fully charged phones

Reesie and her blankies
and her vortex room
If something missing --
check under her crib.
Calculators, cell phones, remotes, folded laundry, sippy cups, mail, and the cats.

more banana bread
Nutella brownies
kids with chocolately faces
taking turns emptying mixing cups
Ella "reading" the directions

seed catalogs
summers spent at the greenhouse
dead heading flowers
cleaning tomatoes
listening to AM with Grandpa

watching commercials with Ella
double stroller
reading just before bed
water that the cats drink
or spill

Reese's excitement to go anywhere
dirty pink boots
clean carseats
the door sensor at the post office
a mailbox right at the girls' level

de-cluttering
a huge stack of books
the girls reading together
building train tracks
playing, playing, playing

talking with Mom
the squeals of sisters
laughing, yelling, more squeals
she is so used to it
how she loves

morning grapefruit
Spencer's weaving blanket
the balance of schedules
sparkling glittery snow
breaking icicles

my middle name
sweeping around the wood stove
cats playing with mittens
artichokes
our ups guy

cat in the cradle
"Charcoal's wicking wreese's blanket"
peace
sunny mornings
a dog's stretch

finding Christmas ornaments
playing memory
the one chewed on card in the bunch
Barbies in the bathtub
clean dishwasher

slowing down the days
flat tires
Reese's toothy grin
warm leather seats
fruit snacks

no wind
freshly painted fingernails and toes
red light, green light
fabric baskets
harvested wheat

beaded moccasins
sudsy warm dish water
girls cooking in the sink
slippery floor
DVDs in their case

fluffy pillows
ring around the rosie
bed head
deer in the backyard
bulls too

"that looks cool"
car rides
lotion
clocks I can read
chubby feet

torn book pages
light trickling snow
giving love
Leroy's folded ear
forts in the living room

want to join me in counting my blessings?

{211-311}

wintery February days
that snuggle us into blankets
and with each other
cozy around a stoked fire
watching WALL-E after WALL-E

"Mollie and oopsy"
slow motion days with sick girls
tight neck hug from Reesie
her current dislike of baths
freshly bathed babies, just one with tears

plastic animals (and an alien!) lined up on the tv
crackling firewood
hot cinnamon sunset
painting masterpieces
turned into fingerpainting
and hair painting
and sink painting
and blue footprints leading upstairs
to blue paint under fingernails
snuggled in bed

sound of an old western downstairs
a new ranch season --
calving
anticipation of births
watching new mothers and their babies
smell of freshly cut hay
heifers making noise in the calving shed
throughout the night, the jingle on the door signals another check
shift change
sleeping with Ash

Ella talking of her "pet"

"the one that lets me scratch her back"

adventures feeding cows with daddy-o
or feeding "da bulls"
phone call telling me to fix lunch, "cause we're done feedin' mama"

her eyes, the light and excitement
her name means bright light
sisters playing with dolls
"mama, I doctored Reese's girl!"
learning the ropes from her dad

A sick Reese, wanting to be held and snuggled
along with her pal Violet (thanks laura!)
her horsey blankey
her polka dot blanket and monkey blanket
and a sippy

videos of Sadie Mae's "frackle"
Jenna's future volleyball career
Yeah Sisters
naps with kitties
flushed cheeks

clean kitchen floor
howling wind
smell of fresh cut firewood
toy donation box
doing projects
a husband who doesn't mind the projects
chalkboard paint...
in our kitchen!
clean sheets
Reese getting over her fear of baths

a special surprise from Ann
signed bookplates for this
more weekly book club discussions
s-l-o-w-i-n-g d-o-w-n
seeing the beautiful of now

diet coke
Reese saying "this" --"dees, dees"
cheering for the potty
Ella's enthusiasm and encouragement
birthday card from Ireland

cozy blankets
moccasins
sunshine in the midst of a blizzard
hay castles
warm clothes out of the dryer
organized pantry
girls helping me sweep
old books
our wedding pictures
folded towels

trip planning
quiet moments with both girls
stacking wood together
screeching chairs across the floor
my birthday create bracelet from this sweet
sundays
my desk/door
goodies in the mail
checking the sheds for new calves
"howdy"

Ella and Cavan discussing getting the heifers in the shed
Bozeman pass
catching up with friends
pictures of white kitchens
princesses in the barn
bridesmaid dress shopping
drying Reese's wispy brown hair
spaghetti noodles
scratching the girls' backs before bed
warm banana bread






want to join me in counting my blessings?

{83-210}

big snowflakes {that stay on your nose and eyelashes}
sledding down our big hill
new sleds!!
and new snow!!
spencer "shoveling" with a skidsteer
smell of fresh hot coffee
snow gear warming up by the wood stove
"when I was a little baby..."
swiss steak
red rosy, kissed by winter cheeks

teeth brushing before bedtime
twirling curly blonde locks
hearing footsteps upstairs
listening to our pack rat neighbor
"mama, it's a contest"
a clean kitchen
my pandora stations
learning letters
36 bananas
online storytime

a love story:
looking at wedding pictures
in a beautiful album from my neighbor/photographer
"mama and daddy got married"
watching her eyes sparkle
chubby fingers pointing out loved ones
"mama's wearing a beautiful dress"
flipping more pages, more faces
"and you guys lived happily ever after!
truth from a 3 year old

a brother {in law},
his curly hair, much like Reese's
unloading a trailer full of firewood
stacking neatly in the snow
cozy warm house

pony rides for the girls
puzzles at Raine's
skating on the water tank
trotting with Spotsy
proud little cowgirls

warm banana bread
pink jama skype date
morning quiet time
a copycat learning her words
"bubbles"
"jammies"
"ELLA"  "ELLA"  "ELLA"
"please"
"down"
"milk"

letting it go
peach crisp at book club
"it's fifteen eleven mama"
tickling backs
costco samples to hungry girls
a sister's wisdom
skype time with the sisters
craic
this

my bible study girls
#hellomornings
beth moore
second sundays
my parents, on facebook
photobooth pictures
the sleeping sigh-sigh
Horsey, hiding, then turning up
footie jammies
self-cut (and styled) hair

Reesie, snuggling in and tickling backs
birthdays
goodreads.com
trying on too-big shoes
fresh sheets
pennies from heaven
late night convos with her
the creaky floors
dinner time
picking up the mail

"how are things going in here mama?"
birthday wishes from good friends
swimming swimming and more swimming
Reese jumping into the pools like a little fish,
turning on her back to float
just loving the water
the girls snoozing in the hotel room
new friends at the pool
"squeaky fings"
double decker strollers

sledding on brown grass
muddy boots
warm sun heating the living room
waiting for the calves
finding Horsey... in the parking lot
kitty purrs
Montana wind
princesses in the barn
Girls laughing, playing together
finding joy

my birthday/christmas present
his tear duct eye lashes
every day, after work, the greeting
Ella's encouragement
13's
chocolate paint
wind chimes
big night sky
birthday gift from Mary and John
a clean kitchen

breakfast brunch at Cracker Barrel,
cozy right by the fireplace
Spence teaching Ella to play the wooden game,
Reese spilling out her milk cup,
extra clothes in the car :)

"I'll check the bulls with Daddy"
the chubby blond heifer cow
windows down, looking
at... the cows.
asking to take them back to the ranch

patience
night guy at the hotel,
getting us milk a little early.
seed catalogs
dreaming up our garden
up and down the ramp
Ella's new cowboy boots

{22-82}

Wispy blond hair
Milk mustache.
"Mama, you make this the best!"
Muddy jeans.
and boots.

That smile, with her eyes.
Dancing with her arms raised.  {we call it the PTL}
Words few, but meaningful.
Toddling through mud puddles.
Searching for white {ish} snow.

Socks in the family room.
The sigh of a dog's hard day.
Go Fish! Princess style.
Quiet in the dawn.
Phone call, background of cattle and calling them in.

Skype.
Same smiles, same laughs.
Same souls.
High speed internet.
Like Irish like.  {is that right, Laura... like?}


Sun set on the Crazies.
Smokey fire smell.
Rosy, winter-kissed cheeks.
Marshmallows.
... and hot cocoa.


The march up to the bathtub.
High fives at the dinner table.
Cats snuggling in at bedtime.
Watertown fairies poking through the sheets.
Cozy body pillow.


The mystery of his calculators.
The rumble of a diesel down our driveway.
His diesel.
The numbers, all memorized.
Smell of coffee in the morning.


"You are my sunshine", twirling her hint of curls and snuggling close.
My Pal Violet, no batteries, a well loved tag.
Dressing up in the laundry room.
Footsteps overhead.  Thumping of little feet.
Singing our "princess songs".


The old bridge, water peeking through.
Horsey.
His tail.
A mother's love.
My mother's love.


Stoked fire in the morning.
Toast with peanut butter.
Painted tootsies.
"Why you say 'ugh' mama?"
Emptying book bins.


The first smile in the morning, reserved for me.
Snuggly pillows.
Warm heat of a wood fire.
PB.
Hot Cinnamon Sunset Tea


Two girls laughing, playing together.
Dancing in the kitchen.
Dancing and cleaning.
Princess puzzles.