Multitude Monday

64. Conversations with Aeralind (She says Ah-oo and I respond in kind until she’s tired of the game or just too smiley to continue)
65. That silly, fun, wonderful man-boy who stopped at bench 7 year ago just to say “hi” to a “pretty girl”
66. Warm cozy fleece wearable blankets so that we don’t have to worry about the house’s temperature
67. My crazy decision to cloth diaper the girls that has kept our checking account above the red many months now
68. Those generous folks who gave us gift cards or went out on a limb and bought us cloth diapers
69. Meeting Becca 7 years ago on a ropes course
70. The ropes course and the learning I have gained from it many times over
71. The courage to pursue working on that ropes course and the friendship with Becca that ensued
72. Majoring in Outdoor Leadership.  So much growth, so many mentors, so much love to nurture.
73. The joy of turning cartwheels
74. A roof over my head
75. Babies staying on the same schedule even if it is pretty wacky
76. SLEEP
77. Soy and coconut ice creams
78. Derek’s double chocolate chip cookies
79. Pumpkins- So gorgeous, so tasty.
80. Bronwyn’s special smiles that she reserves only for her daddy
81. Fellow moms of multiples and the support they offer
82. Chicken salad sandwiches from the St. Francis Breastfeeding Support group. Mmmm
83. Uninhibited laughter
84. Being in submission to a loving husband
85. Grace even for a proud heart like mine
86. A body that functions
87. A neighborhood with a pool
89. the ability to tend to a plot of land and produce food
90. Falling down the stairs again without hurting myself (only this time without a baby)
91. Gifts to give
92. Pastors who serve Him and shepherd me
93. Going on a walk with my husband, girls in Moby’s and Moonbeam kitty following along

40. Vegan Chocolate Chips
41. My husband “mowing the carpet”
42. FOUR nights with 7 hours of sleep
43. Babies that latch
44. Marriage and the wedding of friends
45. English Country Dance
46. Orange and White Moonbeam Snuggles
47. Cute warm dresses from my neighbor who drove me to the hospital

48. Three months with the sweet babies
49. A steady paycheck
50. Swag Bucks to spend on the girls for Christmas presents at Amazon.com without blowing the budget (if only I could decide what to buy!)

51. Flannel Sheets
52. A visit with Sara and her twins Frazor and Hunter
53. Fleece wearable blankets
54. Waffles
55. Winning a blog giveaway and the chance to share the whole prize with others for Christmas
56. Less reflux more smiles!
57. A predictable baby schedule
58. Not breaking my toe when the pot fell on it.
59. Reconnecting with folks from my Multiples Birthing class
60. The days about to get longer!
61. Sausage… I love sausage
63. All laudry clean and waiting to be folded

30. Marcie Knox organizing the Under One Crowd at our local MoM’s group
31. Marcie Knox making dairy free cookies for a playdate…mmm
32. Hugs
33. My frugal playmat updated with some toys.
34. Watching Bronwyn begin to whack the snail
35. Random gift of a $400 double stroller from people we’d never met
36. Girls that latch better!
37. How wonderful my husband smells
38. Hand me down clothing!
39. My sister and I laughing so hard it hurts our cheeks when I do something clumsy

12. Baby smiles

13. Baby open mouthed grins

14. Sly winky-eyed pirate smiles from the girls.

15. The joy my little ones bring to others.
16. Dairy-free pumpkin pie
17. Being mothered at the Thanksgiving meal because I had mastitis again.
18. Two naps without having to worry about baby care.
19. Singing Praise and Worship at the farm

20. A three legged orange and white kitten that found a home with someone who wanted her more than any other kitty
21. Hugs
22. Watching Nana kiss my babies and tease my husband

23. Never having been in want of anything
24. Snuggling with farm kittens

25.Derek-swaddled babies
26. The ability to capture a moment with a camera.
27. Lactation consultants
28. Music.
29. The Sense of Taste

I mentioned recently that one of my biggest temptations is to sprint: to go through life quickly competing for some elusive piece of perfection. Being unable to obtain that perfection gives me a terrible tendency to complain about everything from my circumstances to the way God works.
 Romans 1:21 says “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (emphasis mine). I get stuck at this verse every time I read it for it answers such a huge question: What does God expect of me? Similarly, it answers the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.  How can I enjoy God without intentional thanksgiving? How can I quit complaining without intentional thanksgiving?

I recently stumbled upon Ann Voskamp’s reflective blog. Ann and other member of her Gratitude Community, keep lists of the little blessings found in each day, the little moments where Jesus whispers “I love you.” And I shall join them, knowing that doing so will give me greater joy in Him.

1. warm fall days fit for walking slowly in conversation with one another
2. the contented smile that plays on Derek’s lips when he sees us after he comes home
3. circle skirts on a girl who still loves a good twirl
4. oatmeal cookies from a friend who knew I’d be hungry when I stopped by (dairy-free too!)
5. answered prayers of soothing when I needed a rest from a crying baby
6. my first smiles from both of the girls and the pure joy they elicited
7. pumpkins, their cheery orangeness, their tasty baked goods
8. snuggling with my warm husband as the nights cool off
9. a messy house reminding me that I’ve been spending more time loving in the moment than be concerned about appearances
10. excess to give away even if the money seems tight
11. provision: even when I’m not certain where it’ll come from
12. healthy crying babies wanting to be held close