My One Thousand Gifts

Davis, when you were in my tummy, your Nannie gave me a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I was very excited to start reading it--I had heard so many great things about it.
Your mommie is not the best reader around, so I have struggled with this book due to the vocabulary used in it. I am determined to read the whole thing--no matter how many times I may have to reread a sentence to get it.
I am currently still reading it. As of today I am in Chapter 6. This book is really amazing and I would recommend it to everyone.

I felt strong to start my "list" of gifts but struggled with where to write them all down. I believe some may be more private than most, but it was something that I wanted to have for my children to read as they grow older.
It occurred to me after you were born to include my list on your blog. This way you and your siblings could see the list in years to come.

Some of my items I will write about (for example my #1) and some I will just list. Most will be self explantory. As I gather more and more to my list, I will come here over time and edit this post. Sooner or later I will have one thousand or more.

Why do I feel it is so important for you to know my list---Well I quote Ann on page 53-which she quotes from the Bible.
"To name a thing is to manifest the meaning and value God gave it, to know it as coming from God and to know its place and function within the cosmos created by God. To name a thing, in other words, is to bless God for it and in it."
On page 54
"This naming really does call now a gift, a gift of God."

So I too want to name what gifts God has given me. By naming these gifts I will find joy and have Eucharisteo right where I am in my daily life that God has given ME!!!

1. Single star in the early morning sky,my sign of hope.
Just a week or so before Davis was born I was up from 4am til 6am. In that time period struggled with falling back to sleep. After praying my rosary and still not able to fall asleep I got out of bed and did my Cajun Power Mail Order. Close to 6am I returned to bed feeling very weary. I cried out to God in my mind and asked Him to have mercy on my weary soul. As I walked passed the window to climb in bed the sky caught my attention. One single star in the early morning sky. I heard in my head...........The star that everyone followed when Jesus was born....their sign of HOPE. My sign of HOPE--then I heard "I am here with you, everything will be fine." My HOPE began even stronger. The best encouragement I could have received that early morn.
2. My supportive husband
3. Friendships in Christ
4. My Catholic Doctor
5. A Clean Home-by some one else
6. The shine of wood floors in the sunlight
7. Horses outside my window
8. Sunrises---This is one thing that I look forward to so very much--It's like God painting me a picture every morning. When I wake, usually towards the end of my prayer time (depending on the time change) I can't wait to see what God has in store for me in the sky. This particular time, His work has left me speechless (as usual). Total awe!
9. Real Communication
10. Adoration with my husband
11. Quiet home
12. Prayers from others while waiting for life
13. An understanding nurse
14. The cry of my child
15. Being a witness to a true miracle
16. Ten toes
17. Ten fingers
18. The smell of a new born
19. Supportive friends and family
20. Sunshine on the field
21. Tulips
22. Ice cream cones on the front porch
23. An empty laundry basket
24. Delivered meals--this helps out so much with a new born in our home!
25. Sibling love---Currently each of you have just not had enough of your new brother Davis. There is never a moment that you see him that I hear: Can I hold him, Can I burp him, Can I kiss him? When will I hear: Can I change his diaper;)? Your love for your brother has given me so much joy. I am an only child, and can not understand true sibling love. I am very thankful (Eucharisteo) for this love you show me in our home.
26. Sun rays from my bedroom window
27. New born ears
28. Comforting emails
29. My 10 year olds laughter---Today we were about to leave for Mommie to go to the doctor. Davis, while I was changing your diaper you decided to poo all over the place. Then you started to tee tee, and it ended up all over your face and clothes. Grant got the biggest kick out of this. His laughter was something I noticed that I had been missing. I was so glad to hear it. Later than evening Grant was laughing at Papa Love and I realized how much I treasured this laugh.
30. My Caring Doctor
31. New born grunts
32. Children sleeping in really late
33. Half Partial Mirrors in my home
34. The tree right outside my kitchen window
35. Lunch prepared by my independent 7 year old----peanut butter sandwiches and koolaid! Thank you Zoe for helping out this way today it was perfect!!!
36. Unexpected visits from friends
37. A glass of cold milk and Double Stuff Oreos
38. Reading a new book to the kids
39. Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares with Caramel Filling
40. Davis's hair after his bath
41. Icee treats with Zoe
42. A friends art talent
43. Chick fil A's oreo shake---YUMMY!!!!!
44. A child playing all alone
45. The blue sky with white puffy clouds
46. An unexpected guest
47. $1.00 any size ICEE
48. A fresh hair cut
49. Birthday parties
50. Chiropractor
51. Antibiotics
52. Snow balls
53. Malia's dancing
54. Grant reading Math problems with no help
55. New wire cutters
56. New beads
57. Coby's cooking
58. Davis sleeping so fantastic
59. Sleeping til 7 am
60. My Prayer Chair 70.kids going to back to sleep 71. crest toothpaste 72.Zoe's innocence 73. toothbrushes--from Zoe 74. a clean mouth 75. spiky hair 76. a babys cooing & smiling 78 ice-cream cones w/my family 79. micah's touch 80. kids laughter 81. a snugle from a tired child 82. candy 83. for our children desire of more siblings 84. reading scriptures @ break feast 85.