Sunday, March 4, 2012

pieces of my list.


Life is good and busy and inspiring. I'm busy and hope to get even busier, with the goal of living each day within an inch of its life. Something I've been trying to focus on is thankfulness. Especially for the things that I wouldn't naturally think of as God's grace to me.


After reading One Thousand Gifts at the beginning of the year, I've been writing up my own gift list in my beautiful red moleskine (♥) 

It's such a good exercise--looking back on the day and instead of focusing on the ridiculously irritating things that happened, learning to open my eyes to the glorious grace that God gives me. Remembering it, writing it down, giving thanks for it. and not just the easily beautiful things, but the tougher things that I know He gave me for my good.



excerpts from my gift-list, along with random pictures taken over the last couple weeks:

56. frozen yogurt with fruit loops // 65. learning how to let go // 83. rumberry lotion // 88. waking up to twenty-three texts // 96. polite man in frustrating redbox line // 121. Sistine Chapel sunset // 


147. cinnabon cold cereal // 160. the brand-spanking-newness of a baby // 179. strawberries with nutella & greek yogurt // 202. wandering around in the dark on the phone // 208. vacuuming //


 211. running at night in rubber boots // 214. brother-in-law's perfect fried eggs // 217. the book of Lamentations // 222. unexpected hot chocolate with whip cream & sprinkles // 228. sun roof // 




231. wet asphalt in sunshine // 232. baby with newly-possible pigtail // 236. flashlightless walk home with just stars // 241. heart-shaped biscuits // 263. coming home // 267. drawing fast portraits of squirmy brown-eyed boys // 276. piano music making me cry irrationally //


289. two Starbucks drinks in one sitting [it was a long sitting okay??]  // 303. lawnmower sound & smell // 305. first day that I know spring is for-real coming // 308. tiny baby-boy hand squeezing my finger alarmingly tight //


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23 comments:

  1. Love, love, love this post! I've been thinking about writing down a list of happies in a journal too!

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  2. This is a great idea! I love it. :-) beautiful photos as well... :-)

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  3. i need to do that so bad. you have beautiful things on your list <3

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  4. i love your list. i love lists made up of the simple things, in general -- they make me think♥ Those pictures are gorgeous!

    xoxo,
    Jessica @ Diary of a Beautiful Soul

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  5. Instead of a journal, I have a Jar of Memories:) at the end of this year, I will open the jar and read through all the happy memories that took place in 2012. A lot like a journal, but...I just throw in pretty pieces of paper and actually, the jar is quite a lovely decoration :)

    Love the one about texts :) I need your numba, by the way, girl!!

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  6. You are a wonderful photographer and writer, how could I help not adoring your blog?
    ~ Rachel

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  7. I have also read One Thousand Gifts, and I have been working on my own list for quite a while now. =) I think it is a beautiful habit. I love all your pictures!

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  8. I've been working my way through One Thousand Gifts and making my own list as well. :)

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  9. I started a one thousand gifts notebook last month. I think it has been really good for me. Makes me think about how special even the little things can be.

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  10. You know what's funny? I do the same thing in my journal! I have pages full of things that make me happy. And I'd love to follow your Instagram if that's okay... what's your username?

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    1. aren't lists just the best thing ever?? no problem--my username is susannah_hope. :)

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  11. Ooh, I totally want to do this now! I think if we realized how many tiny blessings we have, even throughout our most stressful days, we can always find something to be happy about. :)

    Great post!
    ~Kaylee
    www.whateverrblog.blogspot.com

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  12. Wow, the two pictures of flowers at the beginning of this post are just about breathtaking! I think lists and journals are totally amazing, I find it so refreshing to be able to look back and see how many things I have to be thankful for. Thanks for the reminder. =)

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  13. Love this post. Fab blog xoxox

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  14. I love the way you always show your life in posts like this with photos, words, etc. ...so fun and beautiful and celebratory :)

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  15. Sweeet! I love this post. All the photos are wonderful. The blue iris are one of my favorites. I grow them in our garden. xo

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  16. This is super random I know, but I have to say... I *love* Beka's eyebrows (lol)! They are seriously perfect ;)

    love you!

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  17. I love this!!! Thanking God for random things helps so much to also be thankful for the hard (but important) things. <3
    And, if you don't mind me asking, what's your Instagram username? Haha I would LOVE to follow you! =)
    (Mine is missmae1992, if you'd rather not share yours publicly lol)... or if that's too stalkerish, don't find me! hahaha I just love all of your pictures! =)
    Anyway, hope you're having a spectastical, thankful-for-everything day!!! :D
    Love in Jesus,
    Traci

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  18. Haha Nevermind, I saw your reply to someone else who had asked the same thing :D

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