The Year of Living Thankfully (Part 3)

(Well, I guess it's better late than never to finally post my March thankful list. I've been up to my eyeballs with life here at home. Bad blogger!)

"Praise the Lord, O my soul;

and all that is within me, praise His Holy Name."

Psalm 103:1

1. Thank You, Lord, for Ricker's 12th birthday trip to Pismo Beach -- visiting Hearst Castle, Michael and Ricker's thrilling loop-de-loop biplane ride, and an elegant birthday dinner.


2. Walking on the otherworldly sand dunes with my boys feeling very Star Wars-ish (Ricker is an epic SW fan), horseback riding on the beach, driving down the coast listening to Third Day, Jars of Clay, Rita Springer, Kutless, and Chris Lizotte


3. Taking an early morning walk in the hills with the kids. Learning (again and again) not to be such a crank with my sweet babies.


4. Finally letting God's timing be God's timing. Cutting off my ridiculous hair! Hitting the beach at the Dana Point Harbor after schoolwork


5. Bumping into a dear old friend and hearing such good news


6. Homeschooling... what an honor it is!


7. My Mama Weekend away starting with a precious call from my friend, Emily, at just the perfect time! The Lord knew I needed it! Thank You, Father, that you RUN to the weary and give them rest.


8. Waking up early, walking on the beach, talking with the Lord, digging into my new Bible, rejoicing in every moment of the day


9. A long, wonderful day at the beach reading, napping, bodysurfing, walking on the shore. God's fantastic sense of humor (my encounter with the supermodels)


10. Worshipping God. It astounds me that the God of all Creation yearns for relationship with His workmanship! Driving home and seeing the beauty that the Lord has caused to spring up out of utter loss in the wildfires just a few months ago.


11. Waking up to my sweet family, hugging and kissing them feeling so grateful for every day we get to spend together!


12. Watching the sunrise with my precious snugglebunny Evangeline nursing a high fever.


13. A long evening with my sweetheart talking and laughing


14. Dinner out with dear friends, the Yateses!


15. Thank You, Lord, that the Clark family is now HOME!


16. Party time! Today we celebrated Mark, Lisa, and Michael's birthdays as a family and had such a fun time. Thank You, Jesus, for our dear family.


17. St. Pat's at the zoo, a wonderful phonecall with Emily, Happy 46th to our brother, Mark


18. Learning that when prayer doesn't seem to be doing very much, I need to ask the Lord HOW to pray and then pray some more. Happy 39th to our sister, Lisa!


19. Happy 39th to Michael!!! (even though he spent his bday dipping feverish babies into a tepid bath and administering Tylenol and Motrin and lots of hugs)


20. A fairly quiet week at home together as a family. Even though we're not well it's been so nice just to lounge around together.


21. The Love of Jesus on this Good Friday


22. That God had a different plan than I did for our Easter break! Your will, Lord, not my own! Focusing this week on communion with Christ.


23. He conquered death! HE IS RISEN! Thank You, Lord, that the fever that has hounded us is gone and we can go to church on Easter Sunday! Leading worship with Rick & Lori Kamrath, Easter brunch with our dear family, egg hunting with Ray Ray for the first time!


24. Precious baby boy Yates! Alexander kids! God, You are so GOOD!


25. Getting to congratulate Karen in person.


26. The Terrific Twos... Yes, I'm going to be thankful and rejoice through the Twos!
27. Hitting the road for our field trip to Santa Barbara, one of our favorite places in the world.


28. Taking a long walk along the waterfront in SB, seeing the Mission, the wharf, the harbor, and our beloved Westmont College


29. Walking, talking, and praying together as a family, enjoying the sunset on Miramar Beach in Montecito (very near where Michael and I got engaged)
    
30. Leading worship with Chris Lizotte, visiting with Papa, Grams, Uncle John, Auntie Marilyn, Uncle Don, Cousins Harry & Susan, lunch with Buddy & Becky. AND, a fabulous date night out on the town in L.A. with Michael to go see Wicked!


31. Learning to trust the Lord more every day!