Week's end with thanks

Spring Beach Retreats: Saturday afternoon spent sitting in a toasty warm room, overlooking the ocean, writing to my heart’s content.
Coming home.
Greeted at the door by the love of my life.
Long kisses.
Sneaking into Dutch’s room, him not noticing with back turned playing. Door close behind me, he turns, face lit up. “Mommy!!” Wrap that little boy up in my arms and breathe him in. Yes!
Sunny afternoon spent planting vinca on the hillside.
Couch fort still up in the living room.
Hearing Heidi, creeping into room to get her from her nap. “Mommy!!!” She can’t stop smiling, just keeps staring at my face and saying, “Mommy!” So good to have gotten away, but oh so good to be home.
Returning to mundane tasks and finding them so satisfying.
My own bed.
Heavy quilt.
Putting on shorts for the first time this spring. No joke: Heidi pointed at my legs and said, “Uh oh!” Pretty much destroyed my confidence.
Telling Dutch, “Did you know that you can talk to Jesus all day long?” Response: “No Mommy, if you talked all day long you’d get tired!”
Friends who buy me green beans from Costco.
Trader Joe’s.
A glimpse of miraculous and abnormal maturity in Dutch as he maneuvered the grocery store cart and helped me grocery shop while I held a sleeping Heidi in my arms. Now I know what he’s capable of; I’m raising the bar.
Spring arriving all at once!! Everything waking up one day in the glorious light of Tuesday’s sun.
Long afternoon down by the creek. Sitting in the sun. Throwing rocks, smoothing my hands over that same magnificent moss, this time all aglow in the sunshine.
Kids “fishing” in the creek with stick poles.
Watching Dutch make friends at the park.
Watching Heidi bravely go down the big-kid slide. It spit her out so fast she about landed on her head, but she popped up, dusted herself off and smiled! That’s my girl.
Bob double jogger.
Tuesday morning Bible study. An amazing small group of ladies.
Jaw-dropping stories of pain, beauty, and grace.
Childcare workers.
Unexpected dinner with friends.
The happy shouts of children, “Daddy’s home!!”
Strength to be consistent.
An encouraging email from female hero in the faith. Amazed at the power of encouragement.
Taking risks.
Learning to be brave.
Pressing send.
Community Group. So blessed by them!
My tulips all in bloom!
Being on the same page.
Wednesday morning prayer group. Love those ladies!
Partnering with missionaries.
Organized Simplicity.
Finally giving attention to cleaning my home after far too long of letting it slide.
Doing a small thing for a friend, and realizing it meant a lot. Every act is so sacred.
A painful discipline moment with Dutch turning into a great gospel moment. Had I an inkling of what prayer is before I had this child?
The Little Black Book of London.
Honest authors.
An afternoon spent at the river’s edge, Willamette Park, basking in warm sun, cradling my little girl not feeling well, watching Dutch throw rocks and sticks, chase ducks, dig.
Everything abloom!
Holding Heidi in my lap during Good Friday service. Contented, she melts into my arms, I inhale her hair and kiss her cheeks, holding her to my chest as I sing to my Savior. This is so good.
The incredible privilege of sitting under my beloved man’s teaching at Good Friday. I don’t deserve Him or him. So blessed by my Jesus and thankful for my husband.
Jesus cried, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” so that we would never have to.
Knowing that Sunday is coming.
Old friends visiting, new friends here.
My momma-in-law.
New gold shoes for Heidi.
It is finished.
Rest.

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