A Mother's Grateful Heart

It's Monday and after a week of birthday party planning, and a long but fun weekend of birthday celebrations, this post is all about the blessing that is our little Abbie Joy.


212. precious pictures that capture moments in time of a little girl who is growing up too fast.
213. looking back on two years of joyful moments and frustrated tears on this journey of parenting.
214. extended family who shower our little one with gifts, love and legacies.
215. friends who share in our joy over our bundle of energy.
216. birthday cakes that, while lopsided and clumsy, are decorated with love from this inexperienced cake decorator!
217. old friends with helpful tips on cake decorating!
218. a grateful two year old, who thanked us over and over for her special day.
219. a husband who was moved to tears when singing "Happy Birthday" to his princess.
220. tired feet, weary arms, and overflowing hearts at the end of a busy weekend.
221. celebrating the moment Abbie was placed in my arms, by marking each year, on that day and time, with a photo.

Growing a Grateful Heart

A person however learned and qualified in his life's work in whom gratitude is absent, is devoid of that beauty of character which makes personality fragrant. ~Hazrat Inayat Khan

193. The privilege of serving like "Martha" and blessing the church leadership with dinner while they meet.

194. Snuggly naps on chilly, cloudy afternoons.

195. Warm pjs.

196. Monday nights on CBS - "Mike & Molly" and "Hawaii 5-0" with my hubby. 

197. Star shaped pancakes and a giggly, hungry little girl.

198. Having enough.

199. A husband with a burden to re-prioritize our budget so we can do more for others.

200. Reaching 200 in my journey to 1000 of gifts from the Lord, and looking back on a growing list of blessings. 

201. Pants that fit a little too tight... because it means I have plenty of food to eat (even when I shouldn't be eating it!).

202. Seeing the discipline of gratitude being cultivated in my daughter. 

203. The ability to order things online!

204. Fuzzy socks for cold toes.

205. Cupcakes, pasta, chicken caccatorie, sweet things and other random holidays!

An Attitude of Gratitude

I've been attempting to cultivate an "Attitude of Gratitude" and to practise the spiritual discipline of gratefulness thanks in part to the challenge put forth by Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience. And as I work my way toward 1000 Gifts, I can attest to the joy that fills you when you take your eyes off your troubles and count your blessings. It's so easy to get lost in the chaos of life; to lose sight of what is truly important. 

So on this day, Thanksgiving Monday, I officially begin blogging portions of my own list, and challenge you to do the same.

170. Slow days at home, just playin' with my daughter.
171. Watching Abbie enjoy her first Kinder Surprise.
172. Delighting in Abbie's learning experiences.
173. Wii Party games as a family on "Family Fun Fridays!"
174. Enjoying a drive to visit family while my hubby and daughter sleep in the car.
175. Dim Sum brunches with the inlaws.
176. Watching friends and family love on my daughter.
177. Sleeping in.
178. The crisp air and the radiant colours of Fall.
179. An overabundance of lefovers in my fridge.
180. New recipes.
181. The pile of laundry waiting for me -- because it means we have clothes to wear.
182. Long weekends and lazy days.
183. Birthday party planning for an almost-two, "never even thought we'd have one" little girl!
184. Calls home.
185. Getting lost in worship as I sing. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Flutter...what?

It's "Flutter...what???" That was my reaction when reading Punchbowls.com's random holiday for today. Apparently, today is "Flutter nutter Day." I say again, "flutter...what?"

Let's face it, I grew up on the mission field. As a result, there were some delights of the North American childhood experience that I missed out on. However I am happy to say that "Flutter nutter" is not one of them. When I learned what "flutter nutter" was, well, let's just say I "revisited" my breakfast. Disgusting. 

For those of you who are just as oblivious now as I was this morning, a Flutter nutter is ... get this... a sandwich. According to Whats Cooking America, a flutter nutter is a peanut butter and... drum roll please... marshmallow fluff sandwich. To use a term from the 80s, "gag me with a spoon!" Why on earth would you want to ruin peanut butter, or for that matter two perfectly good slices of bread, with marshmallow. And not just any marshmallow... but "fluffed" marshmallow. The whole idea literally makes me want to vomit.

And so I'm left with a dilemma. How do I celebrate something that makes me want to hurl? After careful consideration, it occurred to me that this was the perfect opportunity to add to my 1000 gifts list! No, I'm not (nor will I ever be) thankful for flutter nutter. However, I am thankful for the abundance of food we enjoy that allows for the creativity (or insanity... it's a fine line sometimes) of such odd concoctions to exist. And so... while choking back the lunch I just ate... I give you: The Flutter Nutter.

(image borrowed from http://mommycreations.blogspot.com/)

Picture It!

A week's worth of celebrations in images...

Vegetarian Day (Friday, Oct 1st)

Fried Scallops Day (Saturday, Oct 2nd)

Caramel Custard Day (Sunday, Oct 3rd)

Taco Day (Monday, Oct 4th)

Apple Betty Day (Tuesday, Oct 5th)

Mad Hatter Day (A celebration of silliness -- Wednesday, Oct 6th)

Frappe Day (Thursday, Oct 7th)