The summer sure does go by quickly. I'm so thankful for a job in the school district. Having a couple of months off during the summer, but knowing there is another busy schedule coming just around the corner, definitely enhances my appreciation of leisure time. I like to be busy, but I also like to "putter". I like to be with people, but I also need some time to myself, and I crave time with family (which is a challenge now that Woody and I are at least a long day's drive from any of our family). I am very thankful for summer puttering and summer visiting.
So far we have enjoyed time with my mom, time with some dear California friends, time with our kids (and grandkids) in Oregon, time with Heidi and Brady (and Sandi Patti - the dog) as they came through town on their road trip to Oregon, time working in the yard, and plenty of time puttering. I actually just looked up the word puttering in the dictionary. It means "to occupy oneself aimlessly, as in wasting time". I feel like I should look for a different word now, because I believe that my time has been spent productively, and productive puttering would seem to be an oxymoron. Oh well. I am still going to give myself permission to continue puttering this summer.
Another blessing is that as I was struggling today with the technology of downloading pictures from my camera to my computer (should be a simple task I know), I found a file of pictures on my computer that I hadn't seen for a long time. One thing about missing Sara is that it is such a gift to randomly come upon a picture of her, or something of hers that sparks a memory. It's the same with special songs, funny stories, or little things I see that I know she'd like. I hope and pray I have those sparks in a constant and consistent way for the rest of my life here on this earth. We are going to celebrate Sara's birthday in Oregon with all of the kids this year, and we will embrace all those memories as we wish we could be embracing her.
A picture from Sara's senior year in high school
Time with Wyatt & Ellery
Time with my amazing mom
Being creative in our backyard
351. The Happy Book - a gift from a much-loved friend
352. Antique stores
353. Browsing
354. Summer rain
355. Yard art
356. Flowers
357. Good books
358. New songs
359. Air conditioning
360. A comfortable home
361. Salted caramel coffee ice cream cake
362. Road trips
363. The funny things children say
364. Being honest with yourself
365. So many daily blessings that I never want to take for granted
366. Time to be quiet
367. God's never-failing love, patience, & forgiveness
368. Learning to yield
369. Creative outlets - like crocheting pirate beards - Pirate musical coming the end of July!
My goal is to number at least 1,000 gifts and blessings. I haven't gone back and read through the first three hundred, but I'm fairly certain there are many repeats. That's okay. When I get to 1,000 I'll be interested to go back and see which blessings are listed over and over again. Most of all I want to keep cultivating a thankful heart. Not holding on to things of this world, but keeping my eyes on God, the One who provides, and finding joy in Him.
