eucharisteo: 451-500

I haven't forgotten about this.  In fact I've been thinking a lot about it and taking some mental notes.  The more aware you are of the joy surrounding you the more joy you find.  Here's a few more things that bring warmth to my heart.

451.  frost covered winter branches
452.  a super long icicle with small cold drips at the end (the sign of warmer weather approaching)
453.  the long wags of my friend's black labrador's tail
454.  Anna's struggle and self motivation to crawl and move forward
455.  bookmarks
456.  windchimes
457.  hot yoga
458.  seeing the pounds melt away on the scale
459.  knowing my fat jeans no longer fit and getting rid of them!
460.  a smooth plane ride
461.  direct flights
462.  warm sunny weather in the middle of winter (texas)
463.  standing on a balcony in the morning listening to the waves crashing against the shore
464.  the way your skin feels after you put on lotion
465.  the feeling you have after a great yoga stretch
466.  new workout clothes
467.  new socks
468.  finishing a jar of anything (it feels like an accomplishment for some reason)
469.  a few jar and the sound a lid makes when you open it the first time
470.  peach tea snapple
471.  snuggles with anna
472.  seeing my husband after a long work day
473.  snuggling in bed with my husband as we both read the bible in silence next to each other
474.  the wonderful church we have found here in Sherwood Park
475.  getting lots of compliments and requests for a new recipe
476.  my new magic bullet blender
477.  seeing how much anna loves baby swimming lessons
478.  being able to stay home with her everyday
479.  a new magazine
480.  sunday brunch
481.  the sunday comics
482.  the feeling you when you just finish a great book
483.  when everything goes "exactly by the book"
484.  anna's laugh (this probably counts as 1,000 joys in itself and i'll probably include it a few times)
485.  vintage luggage
486.  a new purse
487.  the feel of a worn in pair of heels
488.  bread baking in the oven
489.  knowing you accomplished everything on your to do list that day
490.  french windows
491.  my husband getting me to laugh so hard I cry
492.  my dog's unconditional love
493.  the stillness of a winter night
494.  big fluffy snowflakes falling at night
495.  the little boys in their hockey gear waddling out onto the ice
496.  movie popcorn and a giant coke
497   dinner reservations
498.  ordering dessert when we go out to eat
499.  a glass of champagne
500.  knowing my dog will always be by my side when I open a jar of peanut butter, a plastic wrapper of string cheese or get out an ice cube from the freezer.

eucharisteo: 401-450

401.  the way my baby's face lights up when she recognizes me
402.  my baby sleeping for two hours after the sing and song program we go to downtown
403.  soft warm blankets straight from the dryer
404.  big fluffy snowflakes
405.  the steam rising from a hot mug of apple cider
406.  getting your hair to do exactly what you want it to do one morning
407.  new makeup
408.  my dvr
409.  the feeling you have after a great workout and shower
410.  yoga class with a good friend
411.  doughnut holes
412.  pumpkin bread
413.  argyle socks
414.  knitted baby hats
415.  vanilla ice cream cones dipped in rice krispies
416.  peppermint ice cream
417.  great conversations at daybreak
418.  prayinlg for someone else
418.  the sound of the ice cream truck
419.  when our day goes according to schedule and by the books
420.  a happy baby
421.  watching my babys face light up when we do airplane
422.  quick fast food drive thrus
423.  my baby talking to herself in her crib
424.  skyping with my nephews
425.  hearing my nephew noah sing
426.  hearing my nephew count backwards from 20
427.  my baby falling asleep on her own with out any fussing
428.  watching my baby look out the window in the backseat
429.  seeing her happy in someone else's arms in the church nursery
430.  the northern lights
431.  zulily deals i get everyday
432.  my kindle fire
433.  checking out a good book at the library
434.  being able to put books on hold online and then picking them up at the library
435.  bright yellow birch tree leaves
436.  a beautiful hike in the woods
437.  waterfalls
438.  our dog getting super excited when he sees a squirrel
439.  big knobby walking sticks
440.  cedar plank salmon
441.  kabobs on the grill
442.  a beautiful fruit salad
443.  tupperware
444.  the smell of fresh pine
445.  seeing my husband enjoy his record player
446.  lazy sundays watching football with my husband
447.  how excited my dog gets when we say "walk"
448.  wreaths on doors
449.  christmas decorations at the mall
450.  the ballet

eucharisteo: 351-400

351.  sun shining through a window on to the floor
352.  a cat bathing in the sunlight
353.  a beautiful fall day in the dog park
354.  seeing how excited anna gets when i sing to her
355.  fall smelling candles
356.  a welcoming fall wreath on the door
357.  hot herbal teas when you are sick
358.  curling up in your husbands oversized bathrobe when you are sick
359.  hot herbal teas
360.  snapple peach tea
361.  patio seating at a restaurant
362.  our purdue scentsy in our living room (boiler up)
363.  the little purdue onesie and purdue hat my husband bought anna while he was in w. lafayette
364.  all the beautiful photographs my good friend took of anna
365.  my new nephew, caleb isaac
366.  my sister n law had a fast and easy labor
367.  technology and the ability to see my nephew via email picture two hours after he is born
368.  my baby learning how to roll from back to stomach
369.  the little giggles that she just started
370.  baby feet splashing in the water
371.  that feeling you have after finishing a great book
372.  that feeling you have after you finished a great workout
373.  trying a new recipe
374.  leaves falling off the trees when the wind blows
375.  the pretty yellow flowers my husband brought home for me yesterday
376.  my husband renting a chick flick just because he knows i'll like it
377.  spending tuesday mornings with new friends at daybreak women's ministry
378.  my baby's face lighting up when she sees me in the morning
379.  clean sheets on the bed
380. i have parents willing to travel to canada
381.  the new mom's support group at the hospital
382.  my baby's face lightening up when we swing "head shoulders knees and toes"
383.  all the cute stories my mom tells me about noah, she is one proud grandma!
384.  being able to celebrate the canadian thanksgiving with my parents
385.  finishing our prayer for anna's baby dedication (tooks us forever!)
386.  fall sunlight streaming in through our bedroom windows
387.  the fact that i have all my laundry washed before noon
388.  the days i have worked out, showered, and eaten breakfast & lunch (with a happy baby) before noon
389.  hearing brandon and anna laughing over the baby monitor as he gets her ready for bed
390.  the wonderful nurses at the fort hospital
391.  how exhausted anna is after one hour of singing at mother goose on Wednesdays
392.  eating lunch with good friends
393.  the hub bub of an airports (yes i'm weird but i love them)
394.  cute jack-o-lanters
395.  hot apple cider
396.  my supportive mother n law
397.  my new purple bathrobe
398.  costco
399.  a great deal
400.  buying the family turkey for thanksgiving

eucharisteo: 301-350

301.  bottomless mimosas at brunch
302.  homemade sangria
303.  wine tasting the night we got engaged in breckenridge
304.  christmas decor shops
305.  a postman delivering mail door to door
306.  sidewalks (yes i love these... i grew up in the country where there aren't any)
307.  vintage light posts
308.  doughnuts that melt in your mouth
309.  watercolor paintings
310.  photos of my daughter
311.  my baby's spit bubbles
312.  the little smiles she has in her dreams
313.  homemade anything
314.  nice comments on your facebook wall
315.  getting an email from a friend you haven't heard from in forever
316.  finding a scripture that tugs at your heart strings
317.  finding a scripture that brings truth and light to your prayers
318.  sharpie pens
319.  seeing your weight decrease on the scale
320.  my baby's little chin
321.  tiny tiny baby socks
322.  finding the match to your sock
323.  waking up with perfect hair
324.  the feeling of brand new contacts in your eyes
325.  our little neighbor kid in his power wheels tank "cruising" down the sidewalk
326.  the two indian children that live next door and always play badminton in their backyard
327.  bbq brisket that's been simmering all day long
328.  wildflowers
329.  hog roasts
330.  the johnson county fair
331.  watching the town fireworks every year at my aunt linda's house with family
332.  my best friend's lake house
333.  being so close to someone that i'm even close to their family and call them my own
334.  motherhood bonding with my good friends who also have little ones under the age of one
335.  how excited my husband gets over the chicago bears
336.  the moment you've purchased your plane tickets to go somewhere fun
337.  that feeling you get when you first enter a 4 star hotel room
338.  a great view of the city from several floors up
339.  brass luggage carts
340.  sheer drapes blowing in the window
341.  butterflies
342.  knowing your house is perfectly dusted, vacuumed and cleaned
343.  a bright full moon shining over the ocean
344.  the romance of venice
345.  the beautiful norwegian fjords
346.  a gondola ride
347.  ferry boats
348.  my grandpa's straw hat
349.  the sound of my grandpa's cleats on the sidewalk when he walked
350.  sun kissed faces

eucharisteo: 251-300

251.  early morning frost on the grass
252.  spray paint
253.  a ceiling fan going at night
254.  amish buggies on the road
255.  shopping in nashville, IN with my mom
256.  homemade wreaths
257.  double front doors
258.  brightly colored front doors
259.  bright patterned pillows
260.  the beginnings of my baby's laugh... not quite a laugh yet but almost there
261.  seeing my husband at the front door after a long day at work
262.  watching how excited my pup gets that daddy is finally home for the day
263.  sun tea on the porch
264.  diapers hanging on the line outside in the sun
265.  the smell of bleach
266.  using my letter opener to open cards from family
267.  getting a bill paid early and having enough money to do so
268.  mrs. curl ice cream with my parents in the summer
269.  the neighborhood park
270.  checking books out at the library
271.  seeing a mound of laundry thats been folded by my husband
272.  long hot bubble baths with a glass of merlot and a good book
273.  a baby that sleeps all night
274.  a baby that goes right back to sleep after a midnight feeding
275.  walking the aisles of a grocery store (this is a weird one i know)
276.  having a mom that is there for me with support, guidance and love 24/7
277.  robitussin (the only thing i can take for chest congestion while breastfeeding)
278.  my baby's little smile first thing in the morning
279.  peacock feathers
280.  large feather boas
281.  those old style pictures you can take at the fair
282.  the feeling in the air when its finally fall
283.  getting out your winter sweaters and the feeling of happiness that comes over you like you are seeing an old friend
284.  finally unpacking and getting settled in to a routine after a long vacation
285.  an organized calendar
286.  friendly customer service
287.  exact change
288.  step trash cans
289.  automatic dispensing anything
290.  the feeling you get when you step into a record store
291.  stores that only sell paper goods
292.  cobblestone streets
293.  hearing my grandparents talk about the old days
294.  when my whole family gets together in one room and everyone is having a great time
295.  wearing an apron while preparing a holiday feast
296.  buying a turkey at the grocery store and anticipating how wonderful its going to taste
297.  fuzzy ear muffs
298.  skating on an ice rink thats been freshly cleared
299. watching professional ice skaters on the ice
300.  seeing a groom's face light up as his bride makes an entrance

eucharisteo: 101-150

101.  the smell of a cedar chest
102.  the feeling of a big comfy sweater
103.  the feeling you get after a great work out
104.  hot tubs
105.  polka dot rain boots
106.  learning about my norwegian heritage
107.  my grandparents and that they still love each other (and show it)
108.  the feeling you get when you complete a project and you are thrilled with the results
109.  spring flowers
110. when you find the match to that missing sock
111.  a new tube of mascara
112.  manicured lawns
113.  snowglobes
114.  making christmas cookies with my mom
115.  snowmen
116.  sprinkles
117.  a worn in pair of adorable high heels
118.  anything wrapped in a very small box with a giant bow
119.  laying under the stars
120.  laying on a blanket in the grass and watching the clouds go by
121.  someone playing with your hair
122.  a great massage
123.  white picket fences
124.  horses running in a pasture
125.  the whistling of a train far off in the distance
126.  the hustle and bustle of an airport
127.  the sound of palm leaves in the breeze
128.  sipping fruity cocktails on the beach
129.  the slight spray of ocean water on your face from the breeze
130.  a great sandcastle
131.  recycling
132.  holding hands as you cross the road
133.  that beautiful soft blanket of snow right after a big snowstorm
134.  the stars and moon shining off the snow
135.  puppy tracks in the snow
136.  long cable knit scarves
137.  finding exactly what you were looking for and its on sale
138.  down comforters
139.  the smell of a roast in the oven
140.  big beautiful eyes
141.  especially my husbands eyes
142.  singing worship songs that brings tears to your eyes
143.  realizing a worship song is stuck in your head
144.  a memory that makes you smile
145.  sunday morning church service
146.  an old wooden church pew
147.  stained glass windows
148.  pipe organ music
149.  children's choir singing christmas hymns
150.  candelight services

eucharisteo: one thousand gifts 50-100

51.  pixar short films
52.  my husband singing beatles songs to our babe
53.  dinner on the grill
54.  light rain hitting the outside of our tent as we sleep
55.  s'mores
56.  the clicking of my knitting needles
57. a clean kitchen
58.  finally getting my hair cut at the salon after so many months
59.  the way my dog goes crazy after his bath
60.  air conditioning
61.  long walks with my pup
62.  my baby snuggling against my chest
63.  still being able to "read" books while holding a newborn via kindle or audiobook
64.  getting together with family at the church ice cream social
65.  my mom's broccoli and cheese soup on a cold and rainy day
66.  the sound of thunder
67.  my lil baby's snores
68.  country bars
69.  watching people two step on the dance floor
70.  an ice cold beer with friends
71.  lazy saturdays
72.  my baby's long eyelashes
73.  pup dreaming his lil pup dreams and kicking his feet
74.  my grandma's homemade dill pickles
75.  the macy's thanksgiving's day parade
76.  the way christmas lights twinkle on a christmas tree
77.  a beautifully wrapped gift
78.  getting someone something that they absolutely love and watching their face light up
79.  birthday cake
80.  blowing out the candles on your own birthday cake
81.  the excitement of christmas morning
82.  candelight dinners
83.  cloth napkins and tablecloths
84.  fine china and cut crystal glasses
85.  rocking on a porch swing
86.  strawberry lemonade
87.  lazy pool days
88.  the coolness on the other side of your pillow
89.  snuggling in an afghan watching movies on a rainy day
90.  the feeling you get when you walk into a coffee shop and smell the aroma
91.  peanut butter fudge
92.  oreo cookies dunked in milk
93.  the sound of my grandpa's cows mooing in the pasture
94.  my grandpa's barn cats that purr when you pet them
95.  tire swings
96.  laughing so hard you cry
97.  beautiful penmanship
98.  sharpies
99.  that new car smell
100. glitter

read of the week: one thousand gifts

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare To Live Rightfully Where You are by Ann Voskamp IS A MUST READ!  So refreshing and thoroughly inspiring.  "One Thousand Gifts is a celebration of grace and a recognition of the power of gratitude" (the website).  I wish I had her strength, motivation, patience, and thirst for such a close relationship with the One and only.  She did offer much insight about finding the joy in the little things everyday.  Not to lose your head when the laundry is overflowing, dinner is burning in the stove and your dog won't stop barking.  A great self reflection for myself as a struggle with 7 week old and colic.  Ann writes out a thousand gifts/joys/things she is most thankful for.  Her "eucharisteo". Eucharisteo – life-filling gratitude – the practice of which is exercised in recording blessings, one by one. I was so inspired by this book that I would also like to write out my thousand.  So for the new few days (or as I find time!) you'll see me post my eucharisteo.

{in no particular order}
1.   a sleeping baby
2.   an empty sink - clean dishes
3.   the wag of my pup's tail
4.   cuddling in bed with my hubs
5.   the smell of fresh cut grass
6.   the smell of rain
7.   the smell of chocolate chip cookies
8.   receiving a hand written letter in the mail from a friend
9.   talking to my grandma on the phone ... miles away
10. the sound of the washing machine (means i'm getting things done around here!)
11. my babies coos
12. the precious minutes (or seconds) i get each day doing a devotion
13. the beautiful pansies on my doorstep (that i have managed to keep alive)
14.  my babies big blue eyes
15.  my husbands laugh
16.  skype
17.  homemade chocolate chip cookies right of the oven
18.  big fluffy snowflakes
19.  cowboy boots
20.  that song on the radio that fits that perfect moment
21.  a good roadtrip with a friend
22.  a long and much needed catch up phone call with a close friend
23.  that wonderful happiness a bride has on her wedding day
24.  my babies little toes that wiggle constantly
25.  the christian lullabies playing in my babies nursery that put her to sleep
26.  a day at the spa
27.  being able to kiss those chubby cheeks of hers
28.  the way my husband dances and how it makes me laugh
29.  the feeling of contentment
30.  fireflies
31.  the sound of my nephew saying "hi aunt lauren" on the phone
32.  my baby's long and beautiful eyelashes
33.  text messaging
34.  that refreshing feeling you have after getting a much needed pedicure
35.  the time i'm able to find to actually write down prayers and thankfulness
36.  my "starting to wear out" bible look
37.  new friends at a new church in canada
39.  ice cream shops that are only open during the summer
40.  hot dogs outside at the park by mrs. curl in greenwood
41.  a good sprinkler run
42.  the smell of stationary paper
43.  organization
44.  still being able to hear my grandpa's voice in my head even though he passed away a year ago
45.  still being able to remember his smile and laugh even though he passed away a year ago
46.  a great yoga class on a saturday morning
47.  an evening walk with my husband and pup
48.  watching my dog prance around at the dog park in utter bliss
49.  the ergo baby carrier my baby loves to cuddle up in while i wear it
50.  fresh tomatoes from the garden