A thankful heart: The Little Things

Today, as I checked out at Petsmart with a huge bag of dog food and bird food in hand,

I noticed the signature for my credit card was no longer paper, but electronic.

I asked the woman working when they got electronic signing pads.

She stopped, looked at me, and grinning ear to ear, said

"We just got them this week. It is new.

I think you are the first customer to notice!"

I didn't think much of it at first.

I mean, J and I frequent Petsmart at least monthly.
And it's technology for goodness sake. ;-)

But then I realized that was the point.

That it was a little thing. 

And that God gave me eyes to notice the little things.

One example:

J driving during our entire vacation last week,

smiling and calming me down when I gave the wrong directions

and we got stuck waiting for the train for ten minutes.

One more example: 

A cloudy fall sky. 

And the moon peaking out behind the sun, peaking out behind the clouds

on my way home from work today.

I'm so thankful for eyes to see the little things.

God, may I never miss the little blessings from you.

Show me every glimpse of your power, glory, and faithfulness.

Thank you for the {seemingly} little things and the {not-so} little things.

Thank you for little bits of kingdom eyes here in this life.

You are a good good God.

May I never forget.

A thankful heart: Home

Last night, we got home from the most amazing trip to Oregon.

We saw some of the most amazing views ever,

spent time with special friends,

and cherished each other as we made memories together.

As much fun as we had,

we were so excited for our flight to touch down in San Diego,

to drive home along familiar roads,

and walk into our home greeted by the two happiest puppies I've ever seen

and the cockatiel with the prettiest whistle.

Our home is humble and modest,

and our animals are definitely not perfect.

The list of things to remodel is huge,

but I am so thankful we have a home to make a list for.

I'm so thankful we have a home for our puppies,

and we have a family to create a home.

As much as I love vacation,

I might love home even more.

Lord, thank you for my home.

Thank you for blessing me with such a special family

in my husband and pets.

Thank you for a roof and a heater and a cozy bed.

May I remember how blessed I am

and be ever thankful for what I have.

A thankful heart: Vacation!

I meant to post yesterday before we left,
But J and I are vacationing in Oregon the rest of this week!

A few things I'm excited for:
Lots of fun and tasty eats
Exploring new towns
Meeting new friends and touring a hospital
Seeing old friends and playing with baby Elle
Laughing and memory making with my best friend and hubby

I'm so thankful for vacation!!

Have a great week -- see ya on the flip side!

A thankful heart: Birthday Celebrations

Tonight, J and I met Ali and Joe for a birthday celebration dinner and pazookie

to celebrate Ali's 26th {on 11-1-11}.

The night was filled with lots of stories,

lots of laughs,

lots of yummy pizza and salad,

a few presents,

and an a-mazing gluten free chocolate chip pazookie.

I love celebrating birthdays,

especially when they belong to special people.

It's so fun to take moments to thank the Lord for individual people.

Today, I'm thankful for birthday celebrations.

Happy birthday, A!

A thankful heart: New Discoveries

This morning, Mom and I mapped our own 15 {turned 16} mile walk

through Old Town, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, Balboa Park, and Banker's Hill

{by the way, mapping a 15 mile walk is not as easy as it sounds}.

I am loving our weekend walks

because they are filled with new discoveries.

Discovering more about each other.

Discovering new eateries, coffee houses, and neighborhoods.

Discovering new friends and stories.

Discovering how our bodies react to walking and carrying so much.

Just today, I discovered:

Mission Hills is a darn cute little neighborhood,

Hillcrest and 1st through 6th avenues are actually delightful to walk through,

there is a coffee bean on washington {hello favorite!},

a new {becoming not-so-new} friend who joined us for the second half of the walk

 {mom and me with our new friend, Leti at espresso mio}

there is a real town called Rio in Brazil... not just in the movie,

mom is really good at braiding her hair without a mirror,

the living room cafe has yummy breakfast burritos {#whoknew?},

I don't get such bad blisters when I walk a little slower and use second skin,

I will walk through any neighborhood I'm considering moving to in the future,

espresso mio is owned by one of the sweetest marathon-running ladies,

places that seem so far away are actually only a couple miles,

my cell phone battery only lasts 6 hours when i use the gps mileage tracker,

I love walking and talking with mom,

every home has special character

{the house mom fell in love with},

it's sometimes fun to wander off the beaten path for a picture or two,

and God is  e v e r y w h e r e .

I'm so thankful for new discoveries.


{ps: 13 DAYS until the big 3-day!!!}

A thankful heart: Thoughtfulness

When I checked the mail today,

I was so surprised to see a little package.

Snail mail makes me oh-so-e.x.c.i.t.e.d.

Inside was the most thoughtful little gift from my mother-in-law.

What a sweet surprise.

Thank you, K!!

It will be perfect for my 15 mile walk with mom in the morning!

And even more perfect for THE walk in less than TWO WEEKS!

Thoughtfulness is always such a special gift

no matter what form it comes in,

but an actual gift is one of the more rare forms.

I am so thankful for thoughtfulness!

A thankful heart: Rainy days

I woke up this morning to a dark sky with clouds that threatened rain.

And I got all giddy inside as I pulled on a long sleeve, short sleeve, and huge jacket for work.

I drove and watched the sky display God's power.

At work, I waited for the skies to open.

And open they did.

By the time I got home tonight, it was absolutely pouring.

I ran inside with my hood on, took the puppies out {in their jackets of course},

and then hurried to change into my comfy clothes and slippers.

We turned the heater on and enjoyed a warm dinner and lots of blankets.

Today, and everyday we have one, I'm thankful for rainy days.

A thankful heart: Morning Coffee

This morning was a [really] early morning, as I woke up to read for a nursing class I took today.

[I realize I should have started reading sooner... the good news was it was fresh in my mind :)].

Two days ago, I purchased coffee mate french vanilla coffee creamer. 

Which just so happens to be the best way to drink coffee, in my humble opinion.

[unless it's blended, of course].

Last night, as I set my alarm for eeeearlyyy,

I smiled thinking about the cup of coffee I would enjoy while reading.

And when I woke up, I smelled the brewing pot.

I poured my coffee into my cute coffee mug and added my yummy creamer.

And I read as I sipped my coffee.

And I was happy.

I typically have coffee and read my Bible in the morning,

but since I've started working earlier, I usually take both to work with me.

It was so fun to cuddle on my couch with a blanket and coffee today.

Today [and always] I'm thankful for my coffee... with yummy creamer... 

in my cute coffee cup... in my living room. 

sigh....

A thankful heart: Yesterday

Yesterday I was a little grumpy.

And I didn't have a very thankful heart.

But looking back today, I realize how many little blessings there were.

I'm reminded how much I have to be thankful for based on yesterday.

I'm thankful for a busy day at work.

I'm thankful for a car ride with mom.

I'm thankful for continued 3-day walker prep.

I'm thankful for dinner my husband got for me so thoughtfully.

I'm thankful for hugs and extra love.

I'm thankful for hump day.

I'm thankful for a scarf on sale [that matches mom's!].

I'm thankful for the reminder to be thankful.

Now that wasn't so hard. 

:)

Give thanks

Driving home from work today,

I was reminded of a worship song we sang when I was young.

As I began to sing it in my car, I mentally went back to the pews at Skyline,

standing and singing next to my mom; 

she holding my hand with hers and raising the other to the God of the universe.

The words hung in the air

and I realized how good God is

and how much I have to be thankful for.

On this first of November, my spirit is thankful.

I'm thankful for grace. 

I'm thankful that when I am weak, He is strong.

I'm thankful that He sees the depths of my heart and loves me the same.

I'm thankful I have a Savior.

I'm thankful He died for me.

I'm thankful for the riches of His grace which He freely bestows on His children.

I'm thankful for life.

I'm thankful for kingdom vision.

Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Give thanks to the Holy One.

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His son.

And now let the weak say I am strong;

let the poor say I am rich.

Because of what the Lord has done for us,

Give thanks.