I finished last year's gratitude journal, a little gray book from Val Marie Paper with black cursive letters on the front cover that simply say, "Thanks, God." 1,000 simple sentences of gratitude from last year. Now, the little book has become a sort of family almanac for us to look back on and remember simple things we were soaking up last year at this time. Moments like when Cruz used to lay in a barely finished basement bedroom and request Alexa to play "Fight Song" over and over (and over) again. Now, a year later, his sister is doing the same thing, only in a finished space that all four of us are very thankful for. From those tiny tulip petals Mila kept in the little birdcage in her room for a month, to a day at work when God breathed a little of Himself in an otherwise ordinary encounter with a student, these small memories of joy continue to do their thing a year later. Just three, simple things a day that make you smile, make you thankful, or make you stop, take a pause, and marvel at the beauty that surrounds us lead to 1,000 gifts of a year.
Good gifts of early spring...
665. Their bond of The White Stripes. They listen to it on the way to school nearly every day, and now Mila knows the words by heart. Beau started learning it on guitar and now they practice together. Look for a debut video on here soon.
666. Dance parties to The Greatest Showman soundtrack. It plays on loop around here and you can't help but want to start the world on fire. Or if you're Mila, toss your hair around and scream really loud.
667. Plugging away on Shutterfly books, another opportunity to relive colorful moments and sweet stories.
668. When he makes her giggle. Really giggle.
669. All these pictures of the two of them. We are in this sweet spot of parenting where both kids are independent, yet love to be together. We've been having so much fun lately doing the simplest of things, like setting the table for supper, playing rousing games of "Don't Let the Balloon Touch the Ground", or having Just Dance parties before bed. Beau has been calling us "the crew" and I quite love that.
670. Or games of tag in this big ol' space. I've been counting my steps and if I'm not to 10,000 by the end of the day, we play Tag. The kids run and giggle and sometimes we even end with a dance fight.
671. And last weekend with the Guesses. Nate, Kate, and the kids came for the weekend and as we always seem to do, we made memories we'll likely be talking about for years to come. I spent all week getting this house ready to embrace them all in one big bear hug the moment they walked in. From the big fluffy bedding in the guest room, to the Cup of Joe coffee in the pantry, I loved getting every last detail ready to love on the people we would welcome inside. And Friday night, our Pella friends gathered with us around the table while one epic snowfall started outside. The kids camped out downstairs and watched Ferdinand while we reconnected over cupcakes and Vietnamese coffee with Frangelico. It was cozy and special and the unique late-March snowstorm seemed to add to the level of excitement.
Saturday morning, we were snowed in. We stayed in our pajamas and made pancakes, then the girls painted nails while the boys watched Star Wars. Then we did as any good Iowans will do in March when we receive a foot of snow in 30 degree weather. We had a campfire!
One of the many reasons Kate and I connect so well is we are both lovers of experiences that inspire us, shape us, and bring us joy. Especially unique experiences where God clearly steps in and surprises us in ways we could never quite plan for ourselves. Never did we think our weekend together in March would include a roaring fire outside while the snow fell thick around us, but I'm sure glad it did. We threw snowballs, built forts, roasted hot dogs, and made s'mores. And when the kids got cold, they went inside for a dance party and the adults listened to Willie and sipped a little whiskey. Then we played card games and ate chocolate chip cookies, then left the kids in good hands with Payton while the adults enjoyed a night out to some old and new favorites around town.
We sure love doing life with this family. Whether it's riding bikes or learning to two-step in Austin, calling the Magnolia House home for a few days, camping under the stars in Decorah, or playing in the snow in our own backyard, it seems God has weaved our hearts together for the long haul. And we're so thankful He's smack dab in the center of it all.
Thanks for one last hurrah, you beautiful winter snow. But now, away with you, for I'm ready to plant!
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