"No one is like you, O Lord;
you are great, and your name is mighty in power.
Who should not revere you, O King of the nations?
This is your due.
Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms,
there is no one else like you."
Jeremiah 10:6-7
Wednesday, July 6th
366) Pictures- I was looking through photos of the past two years today as I worked some on our daughter's scrapbook. Often a picture would remind me of one of her special quirks that has faded with age and thus is no longer in the forefront of my memory. It was so much fun to look back and see what a silly, truly unique child she is. Pictures are just things and without them I would still have my memories, but it's still nice to have them to flip through once in a while.
Thursday, July 7th
367) Hotel points- Traveling can be a daunting event, made even more so when you factor in the cost for gas, food and lodging. As we drive to Texas, I am thankful that one of those items has been covered through hotel points. We have been able to break up the drive without adding to our budget and that is pretty incredible.
Friday, July 8th
368) Luggage carts- I never really thought much about luggage carts at hotels. My only connection to them was that they are often shown in movies out front of your nicer hotels, but now that I am a woman alone with a toddler and all our bags and all the assortment, I think about them so much more. A luggage cart turns a two to four trip event into one trip. It also allows me to hold my daughter's hand so she doesn't head off in the wrong direction. All around, it's a huge benefit and blessing.
Saturday, July 9th
369) Choices- We have a lot of choices in life and depending on what and how we choose, they can be both positive and negative. However, no matter what my choice or the resulting outcome, I am grateful that I have been given the freedom of choice. Especially when I consider my faith, I am blessed to know the relationship I have with the Lord comes from free will. God did not force his love or grace on me and that makes his love and grace all the more amazing. I know He has the might and ability to require all humanity to love Him, and if He did, we wouldn't know any other way. However that was not His way. To let us choose is an amazing gift.
Sunday, July 10th
370) Playing in the rain- Albuquerque isn't exactly known for its wealth of precipitation and for our daughter who moved here before her first birthday, she has few memories of rain at all. As with most of the middle portion of our country, we have been experiencing a drought and have gone months without rain. Our daughter had a chance to see rain a few months back, but it was only today that she first had the chance to experience the joy of playing in the rain. I am so glad I was able to be there, splashing, dancing and jumping with her. What a treasured memory!
Monday, July 11th
371) Water- Water is another one of those items in our lives that it is probably quite easy to overlook and take for granted. Just consider all the ways we use and rely on water in our lives: drinking, washing, cooking, feeding plants, staving off illness, recovering from illness, cooling off in heat. Those are just the benefits and uses that immediately came to mind in a minute or so. Water is such a simple, basic substance and one, that for us in particular, is easily accessible in many forms, yet oh, what an amazing gift that not only aids in life itself but also adds to and augments life.
Tuesday, July 12th
372) Sharp knives- My grandmother has always commented on the sharpness of individuals' knives when she is helping out in their kitchen. She never means it in a bad way; she just has a true appreciation for a good sharp knife. Some of her thinking must have rubbed off on me because I see the benefits, ease and safety that is provided through using the correct, sharp knife.
Wednesday, July 13th
373) Great grandparents- I have always felt blessed that I had the chance to know four of my great grandparents. Not only did I know of them, but I had actually spent time with them. Now our daughter has that same opportunity and I think it is wonderful. Our daughter is blessed to not only have five great grandparents but one great, great grandma. She has spent time with them all and I pray she will have many more opportunities for they are truly great and wonderful people to know.
Thursday, July 14th
374) A break-Traveling for me doesn't necessarily equal a vacation as my job has always come with me. :) I'm pretty sure that was in the job description, but still it is nice to get a little break- in one way or another at least every now and then. When I visit family I have been blessed with people who want to help in a variety of ways, from watching our daughter to relieving me of my cooking and laundry duties and so much more. It's a nice little break and something I neither require nor expect- which makes it all the nicer.
Friday, July 15th
375) Timer- In recent months, I have found that I am using timers for a multitude of reasons, but I have found them to be a particular blessing when it comes to our daughter. Although she doesn't understand segments of time, she does recognize that if we set the timer (for one reason or another), there is a definite end to an activity. This realization has helped to eliminate tantrums and frustrations and made for a more pleasant home.
Saturday, July 16th
376) Surprises- Today I was surprised with a birthday in July (instead of December). I really do not know exactly how or when the thought first arose, but some of Drew's family recognized how close my birthday is to Christmas and how easily it gets overshadowed by the holiday and decided to have a special celebration while I was in town. What a surprise! All along I was looking forward to some time with Drew's family and I ended up having a birthday celebration. It was completely unexpected and something I never would have considered asking for myself and that made it all the more special.
Sunday, July 17th
377) Answered prayers- There are lots of times when we need to pray. In fact there is really no time when we shouldn't pray, but I don't believe most of us recognize that need a good portion of the time. I am thankful for those times when I recognize my need for prayer and also see how God has worked in my life and answered my requests, whether as I would hope or otherwise.
Monday, July 18th
378) Anti-itch cream- I don't know exactly what it is, but insects in Texas seem to think I am especially tasty. I have been bit several times and have had some minor allergic reactions to the bites. In the past, I have been bit by plenty of fire ants, but the itch from those bites was nothing compared to what I have been dealing with as of late. I am so thankful that someone thought to figure out a topical method to help alleviate the itch. It could seem a little mundane, but oh- what a pleasant difference it has made for my past few days.
Tuesday, July 19th
379) Step stool- While at Nana's house, our daughter got to use a step stool while she brushed her teeth. I knew it would be a fun, new experience for her, but I never would have guessed it would have improved her interest and concentration in brushing her teeth. She has never done such a good job and I am certain it is because she got to watch herself in the mirror.
Wednesday, July 20th
380) "Jesus Loves Me"- Our daughter has started to repeat familiar phrases from songs that she hears. In the past few days, she has randomly begun to sing (using her own wording, of course) the chorus of "Jesus Loves Me." It has to be one of the sweetest things to hear. I love listening to her sing, no matter what the song, but when I hear her singing such a profound truth that I pray will come to mean the world to her, I can't help but feel blessed.
Thursday, July 21st
381) Automatic Transmission- Our Hyundai is the first automatic transmission vehicle I have ever owned or really driven. I decided that I wanted at least one car to be an automatic as I figured it would make things a little easier when it was just me and our daughter in the car. At least that way, I had one hand that was more free to assist her without an incredible feat of juggling. During our long Texas road trip, I gained another appreciation for automatics. Construction zones and inner-city driving is much easier and it's just one less thing to worry about when you have a tired, fussy girl in the backseat.
Friday, July 22nd
382) Long driving hours- Our trip home from Texas spanned two days, around 900 miles and approximately 16 hours on the road. I found that during all of those miles I had lots of time to think and pray. Filling that time with praises to our Lord, prayers and counting my blessings not only helped make the time go faster, but it also helped me emotionally and spiritually. Nothing like being trapped with your own thoughts to bring out the best, or worst, in you.
Saturday, July 23rd
383) The smell of rain- There is something refreshing about the smell of rain, isn't there? And now that we, along with so many others, have been experiencing an extreme drought the smell offers something even more- hope for some relief and some nourishment for the earth.
Sunday, July 24th
384) My own stubbornness- Usually I would not see this as a beneficial quality. It has often placed me at odds with others and under more stressed than I need to be. However, right now it is truly a blessing. Our little girl has a strong will and a good dose of determination and sometimes, downright stubbornness. As I am the adult (and authority figure) she is around the most, she seems to try to test my authority more, but no matter how determined she may be, she has met her match and finds that obedience is the best choice.
Monday, July 25th
385) A good report- For the first several months of this year, I found myself quite stressed over our daughter's diet. Her pediatrician was concerned about her minimal daily weight gain and decided to more closely monitor it. Although her average daily weight gain did increase early on, it was only slightly. However for the past three months or so, I have not worried about her diet. We have continued to feed her as we have always done and relied on our knowledge that she is healthy. She looks healthy, eats healthy, acts healthy and has been developing normally. We just went in for her 2 year check up and got a glowing report. Her doctor was so impressed with her growth. It was nice to hear and confirmed what we knew all along.
Tuesday, July 26th
386) UV protective clothing- Let me state the obvious by stating that Drew, our daughter and myself are all pale. My tans are lighter than most people's starting point. Sadly, this also means we all burn fairly easily, and this is especially true for Drew and our daughter. This fact has probably been one of the biggest concerns since we moved more than a mile above sea level. People who already burn easily toast at super speeds when they are closer to the sun and the air is thinner. We have been able to find some very light-weight, UV protective shirts for both Drew and our daughter and already we see the difference. Not only does this cut down on every day pain, but it is also protecting them for the long run. There isn't much that beats that!
Wednesday, July 27th
387) Kayak.com- Drew and I are looking at taking a trip for our 5th anniversary and so I have been doing lots of online research- looking for locations, lodging, plane tickets etc. Kayak.com has been most helpful in searching several travel sites at once and providing me with all the information. Saves me time, energy and probably a little bit of sanity.
Thursday, July 28th
388) Walking distance- This morning I had quite a To-Do list that I knew I probably wouldn't be able to completely finish, but I would try my best. The day started with some errands, just a quick trip to the Walmart and grocery store down and around the corner from us, and that is when our whole day changed. On my way out the door, I went to put a pen away in a drawer and grabbed my keys off the counter. As usual, I locked the door knob before heading out then prepared to lock the deadbolt from outside. However when I looked down, I was holding a pen not my keys and my keys were no where on my person. Oh no! I had locked my daughter and I out of the house and Drew wasn't likely to get home for a good 7 hours or so. I pulled out my cell phone to call Drew but before I could leave him a voice message, my phone went dead. So now I was outside with a two year old on a day that was bound to be in the mid to high 90's with no immediate way to contact my husband, who has the only other house key. I tried knocking on a neighbor's door but she wasn't home. And that is when our location in and around many businesses became such a huge blessing. We walked down to the library and I was able to use their phone to leave a message for Drew explaining the situation. A little later, we walked down and around the corner to a McDonald's where we were able to eat, drink lots of fluids and enjoy some cool air. As much as I have always loved the country and living in a place where you have a little more space, I am ever so thankful that today we were in the middle of town, within a reasonable walk to so many places.
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