Finding and focusing on the JOYS of life

I know one of my last posts probably seemed somewhat like a downer.  I try to focus on the positives and good here and on social media, but sometimes real life and pain do need to be shown and heard, and that's what that post was all about.

And amidst the pain and messiness of life, grace and goodness and God's presence are still felt and seen.  With it being the end of the year, it's a great time to look back and thank our Good God for sending JOYS our way too.

So, here is a month by month view of of the goodness God has sent our way this year.  Click on each month below to see what JOYS God brought our way that month.  (and please be patient with me as this may take a while for me to complete - lol!)

January 2018 JOYS

February 2018 JOYS

March 2018 JOYS 

April 2018 JOYS

May 2018 JOYS

June 2018 JOYS

July 2018 JOYS

August 2018 JOYS

September 2018 JOYS

October 2018 JOYS

November 2018 JOYS

December 2018 JOYS

++Thank you God for your love, presence, and grace throughout our life!  Please help us to always stay close to you and never forget that you are near to us.++

Extremely Grateful

Some days I just stand and pause in awe at how much God has given me.  

A husband who loves me and cares for me, who is my best friend.  

These 9 young ones who call me "mom" and help make me a better person each and every day.

The love that has just multiplied and continues to multiply daily in our house.  

++Thank you, God, 

for your grace and gifts daily!!!++

Thankful Thursday - ed #1

It's the small stuff.  Grace, love, and joy can be found in the smallest most ordinary moments of every day life.  I had a couple today that I wanted to share...

**Sweet Pookey came to me and told me he wiped clean the toothpaste dispenser because it was all gunky and gross.  This is normally a job I do once a week on my own, but he noticed before me and did it all on his own.  No prompting at all!  Just saw a job that needed to be done and did it.  He's 6 years old, by the way.

**We just got back from a little trip up to WI last night and I had mountains of laundry and unpacking to do today, so I was just going to let the kids have the day off school today.  This sweet kid ate breakfast, showered and got his basket of schoolbooks out and began working all on his own.  Wasn't told.  Just did it.  Because he's homeschooled and that's what you do on a weekday.  WOW!  Mario blew me away!!

++Thank you, God, for showing your presence so beautifully in these small but really BIG ways.  You are truly here and present with us daily!++