Counting Blessings

      I recently spent two days cloistered in the hospital with Xavier while wonderful nurses and concerned doctors ran numerous tests to find out if he had contracted pertussis. He found all the focused attention quite delightful, romping and playing the whole time. Thanks be to God, we were sent home with negative test results. However, I could not help but ponder and pray for all those in the hospital under far more grave circumstances. May they be blessed and consoled in their time of suffering.

Counting My Blessings

1. A healthy and happy Xavier who just so happens 

to love dressings up as a puppy.

19 months

2. A wonderful new dentist who spent many, many hours repairing my children's teeth and thus inspired dentist play at home.

Olivia x-raying Quinton's teeth.

3. Burly men who chop wood in the snow so we can have warm fires.

4. Boys who keep daddy company while he spends

 a week sore with back pain.

5. Children with a sense of humor and sheer determination.

(They moved the couch, footstool, and book basket outside while I took a short nap, hoping that I would live up to my promise to read to them outside)

6. Spaghetti and the dog lurking around the corner 

who is overjoyed to help with the clean-up.

7. A bountiful home library, children who love to read,

 and the inspiration that follows.

One hut among many that were built after reading Roxaboxen and Amazons and Swallows.

8. Soulful eyes.

9. Blaise too, because he patiently endures the snuggles and loves 

that my quietest and gentlest little girl heaps upon him.

10. The love that breathes life into our days and binds us together by the grace of God.

I am truly, deeply, and completely thankful for His goodness.