One Thousand Gifts #701-725

701. A hand up
702. "I'm the thorn in Your crown, and You love my any way"
703. A warm spring morning
704. Water tumbling over rocks and laughing
705. Seeds
706. Sheep with their thick woolly coats
707. Lambs playing
708. An unanticipated 75* day.....weird!
709. Turning the furnace off (we'll see for how long)
710. Impending thunderstorms
711. A first splinter removed without too many tears
712. Sharp needles
713. My sister's wonderful dinner and dessert
714. It's 9pm and still 70*
715. The excitement of planning a special menu
716. Mailing cards :-)
717. Remembering to mail them on time
718. Hearing the birds still chirping after it's dark
719. Almond Oil
720. That as tough as it's getting sometimes to think of gifts, there is still always something
721. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" Eph 2:8
722. Beauty in unsuspected places
723. "Secret" hideaways in nature: Trees bending low over a little brook
724. Anticipating the sound of peepers every evening
725. Getting all the supplies together to start our seeds

One Thousand Gifts #676-700

676. The beautiful weather we're having today, after a dreary week of rain
677. Getting the car cleaned inside and out
678. Cloudless skies
679. The SMELL of clean
680. My sister babysitting Avelyn tonight
681. One of my favorite meals (we only have it when our dance is held at this one place): Chicken and halupkis!
682. Dancing with Matt
683. Laughing with family friends we haven't seen in a long time
684. My head is slowly getting better
685. We're surviving the longest span of being sick every (Ave's been fighting her cold since April 1, me since the 4th)
686. The ability to change: Whether it's ourselves or our environment
687. Ave's fascination at seeing a robin
688. Actually seeing a robin.....first time this year!
689. People working in the community garden in the field behind our house
690. Folks stopping and saying hello or waving
691. White laundry flapping in the sunshine
692. Getting dressed up
693. Matt being dressed up
694. A God who put so much beauty in our world...just for us to enjoy!
695. Open windows without the heat on
696. Scotch tape....fixing books that get ripped
697. Ave waking up happy from a nap
698. Meandering around the backyard, enjoying
699. That we have been forgiven: "You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin" Psalm 85:2
700. Favorite old hymns: "For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies......"

One Thousand Gifts #651-675

(posted on Sunday, April 10....catching up from last week's not feeling well)

651. Avelyn being tossed up in the air
652. Taking a family walk (with the dogs)
653. Family time with Matt's parents and sister
654. Ave's first Baptismal blessing (she was baptized last year on 4/11)
655. Being able to donate money
656. That our God has raised Lazarus from the dead
657. That all, whether we realize or accept it, is being worked for the Good of God's plan
658. Today's gospel reading in church
659. Doing devotionals together as a family
660. Buds on my forsythia and flowering quince
661. Afternoon naps with Matthew
662. Key lime pie
663. Not bringing home any leftovers from dinner....as good as they are!
664. The dilly-daffils getting buds on their tips
665. Flowers randomly popping up in the yard (thank you previous owners for planting things in weird places)
666. That our Lord has conquered!
667. The promise of rebirth: In ourselves as well as nature
668. Ave's hysterical laughs as Matthew tickles her
669. Flannel sheets
670. Walks to the brook behind Matt's parents new house
671. Throwing stones in the water with Avelyn
672. The promise of fun and new memories
673. Hearing: How many of these gifts would we never know if we could not hear
674. The awesome gift of "family"
675. Catching moments

One Thousand Gifts #626-650

626. The way the sun pours in through our bathroom window
627. Wooden drying racks
628. Our American flag snapping in the wind
630. Homeopathy kits
631. Neti pots
632. Finding delicious new recipes
633. Family Life Network
634. Church bells on Sunday mornings
635. My eardrum isn't ruptured
636. Taste buds (how many things wouldn't be on this list if it weren't for them)
637. Clearing out stuff
638. Seeing our neighbor and their daughter (who we haven't seen since the snow started in October)
639. Ave smiling and clapping
640. How she encourages others
641. Anticipation and excitement about our night out tomorrow
642. Monkey sounds
643. Favorite memories of beach vacations (particularly since it's gray and gloomy here and no vacation in sight)
644. A fridge full of food
645. Chocolate covered faces
646. That I don't have to be supermom
647. That I don't have to do it all myself
648. That God has blessed me with a willing and understanding husband
649. God's gift to us of our talents
650. Using our gifts to glorify Him

One Thousand Gifts #576-600

576. A whole months meals planned
577. My Oma for my love of sewing
578. My Opa for my faith
579. Tissues! Tissues! Tissues!
580. A little girl who is starting to feel better
581. A mommy who got a nap in this afternoon (thank you daddy)
582. Yummy family recipes
583. Chapstick
584. Hand lotion
585. Coconut oil for sore noses
586. Silly dogs that sleep on top of each other
587. I am loved despite my imperfections
588. The red haze of buds on the trees
589. Snow that didn't stick....at all!
590. Steamy showers that help stuffy noses
591. A little girl plunking away at our piano
592. For books that convict
593. Gummi chicken feet....yumm!
594. How God uses our children to open our eyes to Him
595. Matt getting my car in the shop to get the snow tires off
596. Matthew home safely
597. A little girl who's interested in cooking
598. Old movies
599. Ice cream (from Matt)
600. Hot Fudge (from Matt)

One Thousand Gifts #551-575

551. Holding a sick baby in a darkened room
552. Feeling her muscles and bones beneath her clothes and remember feeling those through my tummy
553. Ave standing on a stool helping Matt bottle his beer
554. Doctors who don't think you're just an overprotective mom
555. Good health insurance for Avelyn
556. No ear infection or respiratory infection
557. That Ave isn't a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis like I am
558. A much needed nap this afternoon by Miss A
559. That we see Him and His gifts even more obviously when we need to be reminded of them
560. Knowing that everyone is home, safe and sound, in their beds where they belong
561. Lying in bed next to Matt as the rain pours outside
562. Cut fingernails
563. "up peas" with up stretched arm, stopping mid-way because she forgot to sign "please"
564. Patience to go on when I'm sick too
565.Advil cold and sinus
566.Sleeping eyes of Avelyn: long, dark lashes against soft, creamy skin
567. Kicking a ball around the store with Avelyn
568. How excited Avelyn was when she saw a table and chair her size
569. A day that feels like a cool summer's day (must be the humidity level)
570. Easy dinners
571. An early to bed night
572. Seeing the trees tapped for maple syrup
573. Maple Cream
574. Maple Candy
575. Grade B Maple Syrup

One Thousand Gifts #526-550

526. A very sick baby who slept well last night
527. Humidifiers
528. UNKERS!!!!! (AKA Amish Origins)
529. Positive pregnancy beta for a special blog-friend!
530. Prayers for babies answered
531. Seasonably warmer weather
532. A hobby that Matt enjoys: Beer!
533. A hobby that I enjoy: Quilting/Sewing
534. Ave taking a couple of really good naps today
535. Finding (new to me) great blogs/websites
536. Getting things organized on the computer
537. Comfy clothes
538. Aunt Kate bringing "cookies" for a special little girl
539. Yeast: Beer, Bread...to name a few uses
540. All we have to do is ask Him
541. The freedom to decide how we educate our children
542. That even though I completely overturned the 375* fryer with oil, no one was hurt
543. A faithful husband
544. The promise of church tomorrow
545. That Little Miss is starting to feel better.....I think
546. Love without ceasing
547. Unconditional love
548. Love undeserved
549. Remembering something you've forgotten
550. Forgiveness from a little girl who you had to hold in a death grip to give her the Tylenol she needed to bring down her fever

One Thousand Gifts #501-525

501. Birds singing while the sun is out and it's snowing (only in upstate NY)
502. The printing press, without which I wouldn't have....
503. ...a house full of books!
504. A husband who helps me speed clean the house
505. Having enough.....
506. Patience
507. Money
508. Time
509. Tissues (for the sick baby)
510. Lists (I love lists....obviously)
511. Deep insightful authors (AW Tozer
512. For will-power, through Him (only way I have any)
513. That I can just KNOW that HE is GOD, and that is enough
514. Things that make us stop and think....really think
515. Great old hymns....that I somehow still remember
516. A husband who is a handy-man
517. A father in law who took the time to teach his son how to build/repair/construct etc
518. Watching Ave actually start putting puzzles back together
519. Vacuums
520. Having another snow storm pass us by with just a little of the white stuff
521. Even though it still snows, SPRING IS ON THE WAY!!!!!
522. A $45 credit from Brecks (MORE FLOWERS!)
523. How God uses color....every infinitesimal detail and shade
524. Matthew being home by supper-time
525. A sick baby who just wants to cuddle (NEVER HAPPENS!)

One Thousand Gifts #476-500

476. Feeling Avelyn's hand in mine
477. How big her "little" hands are getting
478. Jelly hand prints on the furniture
479. That even when people in our life are out of control, He is still in control
480. Mashed sweet potatoes
481. A fresh, warm towel after a shower
482. Avelyn say "I'm sorry"
483. The comfort of repetition
484. Through pain we grow....whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual
485. A warmed bed
486. A God who believes in us, even when we don't believe in Him....or ourselves
487. A mom who prays without ceasing over all her children
488. That we turn a knob and not only have water, but it's clean...drinkable water
489. A returned smile (or comment)
490. Awesome clothing finds! (Thank you Baba)
491. The steely gray sky of an impending storm
492. The desire to "hunker down"
493. Imagination....what an awesome gift!
494. Morning prayers
495. Finding easy (FREE) patterns for adorable girls' clothing
496. For seasons, both in life and weather
497. The thrill of impending company
498. Quietness
499. Being still.....
500. That in only a few short weeks I've noted 500 gifts I've been blessed to receive from our Father; and that's just the things I've noticed.

One Thousand Gifts #451-475

451. Homemade pizza
452. Looking at the clouds
453. Seeing one in the shape of an angel's wing
454. Walks on beautiful afternoons
455. Vinegar
456. Great gifts (to give)
457. A quilt shop down the street (also dangerous!)
458. Friendly strangers
459. Ave saying "Hi lovely ladies" (I adjusted it Barbara ;-)
460. Little girl chuckles
461. Inspiration from other blogs
462. The ability to create something from confusion
463. Finding beauty even among the confusion
464. A blank sheet of paper
465. Knowing that even when I don't like what's going on, God is at work
467. Christ's power is made perfect in weakness
468. Our pastor's first grandchild arriving safely into the world: CONGRATS!
469. That there are people who are willing to FIGHT for what is right
470. Managing to get us all through the winter without any major illnesses (KNOCK ON WOOD!)
471. Not missing my old job one bit :-D
472. That we put our faith in God to give up a paycheck and be a stay at home mom
473. And it's working!
474. A pile of snow that was 15' high reduced to only a few feet
475. Grace....breath in*breath out*breath in*breath out

One Thousand Gifts #426-450

426. How God can use the most painful things in our life for good
427. That there is treatment available to a friend diagnosed with skin cancer (may it work!)
428. Making enough of dinner that I could put some in the freezer
429. Sisters who visited us today
430. Wisdom as to what to say
431. All our meals planned for the week
432. Truth
433. Loading the dishwasher (because it means I don't have to do them by hand)
434. That even when this list gets hard to add to there is always "one more"
435. The patience to deal with a little girl who thinks she's 2 (Terrible 2 that is)
436. Laughing at British humor....there's nothing quite like it
437. Unker's
438. Chickens that lay enough eggs to provide the money to buy their feed
439. Water from the door of the fridge
440. Being entirely caught up on the laundry
441. Sleeves dirty with the hand prints of the little girl who sat next to me at dinner
442. Shout sticks
443. Advertisers that get the information right the first time!
444. The ability to see color
445. Choosing to live life fully
446. Choosing to see the good
447. Choosing to trust
448. Taking one of the most painful things in our  life and helping others on their own journey through
449. Using our pain to glorify God
450. Rejoicing IN all things

One Thousand Gifts #401-425

401. That even if we don't, or can't, see how God is blessing us, he still does
402. Being reminded, "In the middle of my little mess I forget how big I'm blessed"
403. Avelyn taking long naps
404. Getting lots of things done during those long naps
405. Having some time to do some thing I want while she's still napping
406. Little girls in homemade skirts
407. The three of us cuddling on the couch before bed time
408. Fresh sheets from the clothes line
409. Great finds at church rummage sales
410. A cloudless night with thousands of glowing stars
411. The last vestiges of snow slowly disappearing
412. SIX Eggs  today from our chickens!
413. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" Phil 4:13
414. My awesome massage therapist
415. For twins due in October to my message therapist's son and wife
416. Knowing that He is always working in our hearts
417. Using my Oma's spaetzle press and thinking of all the meals she made with it
418. That Matt and I have both had the opportunity to help someone in need this past week
419. The men and women who fight for our country
420. Their families'
421. The little things in life
422. How God uses our pain to ease that of others
423. That we live in such a beautiful country side
424. "There's no place like home"
425. That I don't have to hide my Faith!

One Thousand Gifts #376-400

376. The strength to get through difficult things
377. Email reminders of His love
378. Setting up play-dates with friends
379. Helping someone else dealing with infertility
380. Family visiting
381. My mom for never giving up on her kids
382. My dad for loving us through it all
383. Making a connection with someone, on some level
384. The smell of the air coming from the dryer vent
385. The cold on a sunny day....making you feel alive
386. A daughter who accepts without question
387. Looking back on your life and seeing God at work
388. Knowing that even in the darkness He was there, working it for good
389. Instrumental music that just grabs you
390. Opening my eyes to seeing all His wonderful gifts
391. Hot showers
392. Beautiful poetry
393. A mother in law who's willing to fix my jeans so I can get some more wear out of them
394. Matt's grandparents, they came into my life just as I was losing 2 of mine
395. My grandfather, that he is still here and still has it all together
396. Holding Avelyn's hand walking down the sidewalk
397. A song that just speaks to your heart
398. Having so many people in the world that bring such goodness into your life (writers, musicians, etc)
399. Saying "no" to Ave
400. and standing fast to it

One Thousand Gifts #351-375

Today, Matt and I have been together for 11 years...hard to believe.

351. That I'm married to my best friend
352. That God brought this amazing guy into my life
353. For a husband that chose me and our life, over a profitable career path
354. His kisses
355. The silly "seductive" looks he gives me
356. His smile, as though I am the only one in the world for him
357. The feel of my hand in his
358. He accepts and loves me for me
359. He doesn't ask me to change who I am for him
360. That he still finds me attractive even though I am nothing like the person I was 11 years ago ('bout 50lbs heavier now)
361. How he will tell me what I need to do, when I don't want to make the decision
362. His love for Avelyn
363. How he works so tirelessly and without ceasing...and how it's always for others.
364. He deals with and accepts all of idiosyncrasies and quirks
365. That he lets me drive (I get car sick)
366. He listens to me
367. The butterflies I still get in my stomach when I think about him or see him
368. He he does for me....whether it's helping around the house or with a project
369. He genuinely likes my cooking and is open to my experiments
370. How he compliments me, whether its how I look, the food I made, or a project I finished
371. He does those things that I don't always want to do (mucking the hen house)
372. How he puts OUR goals and desires before his pride
373. He gave me my daughter
374. How we've grown together from the dork 17 year olds we were when we started dating
375. That he has been my first kiss, my love, my life, my husband, my partner in crime....until the end

One Thousand Gifts #326-350

326. Seeing a laughing little girl in my rear view mirror
327. Sunshine when it's supposed to be snowing
328. Another quick snow storm
329. Spaetzle and Goulash (I'm working on a recipe post)
330. Playing with the snow INSIDE!
331. Lying on the floor with Avelyn
332. Tracing my foot and Avelyn's, side by side
333. An almost "close" Scrabble game with my grandfather....darn those triple word squares!
334. Sunglasses
335. That our little local theater gets some amazing performers
336. Wooden spoons ;-) (No I did not use it on Ave)
337. Seeing my tulips poking through the snow
338. Reading the lists of others 1000 gifts at A Holy Experience
339. Being able to run
340. Beauty amidst pain
341. Playing in the mud
342. Warm toes
343. Kicking a ball around with Matt and Avelyn
344. Comments from new bloggers
345. Getting rid of things we don't use
346. Hand lotion
347. Getting a great picture of Avelyn
348. Snow sliding off the roof and THUMPING on the porch roof
349. Setting a breakfast menu for the week
350. Ave's excitement when she hears the car door slam: She's actually speechless when she realizes Matt's home, all smiles.

One Thousand Gifts #301-325

301. Beauty of snow sticking to the branches
302. Neighbor shoveling our sidewalk
303. Garlic
304. Spices
305. Herbs
306. Great new ideas
307. Dairy Farmers
308. Truck drivers
309. Trust
310. Breathtaking views
311. Realizing how ENORMOUS God is
312. That no matter how minuscule we are, He still loves us
313. Time to read
314. Planning our veggie garden
315. Having Matt home at a decent time
316. A little girl who smiles when I come back and shrieks for joy
317. Making my husband smile by doing something unexpected
318. Getting more accomplished than I expected
319. Avelyn's feet...such delicate and beautiful things
320. Saying grace together as a family
321. Three toothbrushes in the bathroom, because it's NOT just Matt's and mine
322. Sleepy good morning kisses
323. Sleepy good bye kisses
324. Piano music
325. Making bread with Avelyn

One Thousand Gifts #276-300

276. I'm a MOM!
277. Salt for melting ice
278....and adding flavor
279. Stickers
280. The way Avelyn's pony tail just fountains from the top of her head
281. Fish kisses
282. Scrubbing Ave's face (even though she doesn't like it)
283. Delicious homemade soup
284. For a husband who makes delicious soups
285. HOME!
286. Bathtime
287. Bubble bath
288. Getting through the day, when we didn't get much sleep
289. For people who read my blog
290. People who comment
291. Soap
292. Perseverance
293. Prayer!
294. For other people who are listing their one thousand gifts....reminding me of ones I haven't thought of or remembered
295. Singing
296. Forgiveness....received and given
297. To do lists
298....scratching things off on the to do list
299. Succeeding at something that I'm not sure I would be able to
300. Blog friends

One Thousand Gifts #251-275

251. The joy Avelyn brings to us, by bringing joy to others
252. Gray hairs
253. Compassion
254. Spring snow that disappears as quickly as it arrived
255. Wrestling with Avelyn
256. Tall glass of ice cold milk
257. Sun pouring through stained-glass
258. Freedom to worship
259. Wisdom earned and learned
260. Flying in a plane above the clouds while the sun rises/sets
261. Hearing the same bird that I have listened for every morning since I was a little girl (red-wing blackbird)
262. Scratch of a pencil across paper
263. Meals with Matt's family
264. Meals with my family
265. Cross stitch blankets made by my Oma
266. Family that treasures old pictures
267. Writing a note to someone....the old fashioned way: Paper and pen
268. Bedtime prayers
269. Glasses (so I can SEE!)
270. Cursive writing
271. Stacks of books to be read
272. Checking another book off of my To Be Read List
273. Smelling "spring" in my house
274. Laughing with my sister in law, Megan
275. Having the right to shoot a gun in our backyard

One Thousand Gifts: #226-250

226. Trees creaking in the wind
227. Comfort amidst the storm
228. The tingly feeling of warmth after being outside in the cold
229. Finishing a wall hanging I've had for a year
230. Getting our taxes done
231. Not owing
232. Kissing the underside of Ave's neck
233. Smelling Spring in the house
234. Driving with the windows down
235. Ave's smiles and giggles as the wind blows her hair
236. Piles of laundry (we have more clothes than we need)
237. Taste buds
238. God always gives us what we NEED
239. Seat belts and car seats
240. The words "I love you"
241. Knowing those words mean something
242. Not being alone in this life
243. Living slow
244. The dog pooped all cleaned up from the yard
245. Avelyn sitting and "reading" a book
246. Having actual conversations with Ave
247. Checking on Avelyn at night, with a flashlight, just so I can see her sleep
248. Sunshine warmed floorboards
249. Leftovers
250. Full moon over the tree tops

One Thousand Gifts #201-225

201. Morning sun burning off the fog
202. The fact that there is morning sun and fog
203. Freshly scrubbed floors
204. Running around a field with Avelyn
205. The ability to physically work
206. Driving along, when a bird flies right above your car, so you can see it's wings spread out
207. Sudden realizations
208. Completely random, but totally relevant, scriptures
209. Poopie diapers (I'm weird, I know)
210. My dad's homemade meatballs
211. Strawberry-Banana Smoothies
212. Quietly sitting and reading to Avelyn
213. The first 60* day in probably 5 months
214. Days when we're done with dinner by 6pm
215. Friday night take out dinners (from The Market Place, of course)
216. Another recovery for my dad
217. A cold glass of water when thirsty
218. Pulling out the spring decorations
219. Finding delicious new recipes
220. Quiet time with just Ave
221. Quiet time with Matthew
222. Talking with Matt before we fall asleep
223. Good night kisses
224. Down blankets
225. Hearing the birds all going crazy in the tree tops