Project 365 Thanks

Do you remember this?
It inspired me to make this...

We still have the journal and just had it out on the counter during the month of November. It is a blessing to read back a couple of years and see what everyone was thankful for as we continued to add to it.

Which brings me to Project 365 Thanks.

Alysa at InspiredRD has started Project 365 Thanks. She got her inspiration from reading reading the book 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. The book came about from Ann's own journal of 1000 gifts.

Alysa is challenging us to live with a thankful for heart and to post something daily for the entire year that we are thankful for.

"Stopping to give thanks will slow down the hurry, and bring my attention to where it needs to be. As Ann says, 'Wherever you are, be all there.'" -Alysa

If you want to join in head over to to InspiredRD and read about the Project 365 Thanks.

Here is a recap of what my #365Thanks tweets have been so far.

• Jan 1: I'm thankful that West Michigan is finally getting snow. #365thanks
• Jan 2: Today I'm thankful for a teammate that offered to bring Z back to MSU and save us part of the drive on the snowy roads. #365thanks
• Jan 3: Today I'm thankful for the opportunity to care for my niece 2 days a week. She is a blessing. #365thanks
• Jan 4: I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to be a youth group leader and spend time with some amazing girls! #365Thanks

Be blessed!

How is it going you ask?

I've got my cleaning supplies in hand and I am plugging away.

I have come to realize that I set quite an aggressive goal but I am not allowing myself to become discouraged. I would rather have each area really deep cleaned then to rush through it now to stay on schedule.

( Confession: I really would like to have that outfit. I love the look of that era's dresses.)
I have gotten through my bedroom and bathroom. If you look at the list I should also have conquered Anna's bedroom and the kid's bathroom. I may get those two done today. I am holding off on pictures because I am also sewing a new bed skirt for our bed and Anna's bed. I had already bought the fabric for ours I just hadn't gotten to making it yet. What better time to remove the old bed skirt than when I have the mattress off the box springs right? We have a king size bed so I picked up the box springs so that I could vacuum under the whole bed.

Back to cleaning...

I also just realized that it is the 8th and I need to update you on how I am doing on my 8 in 2008 intentional living goals....

1. Keep up our 1,000 Gifts List
-We (I) have been adding more things to our 1000 gifts list.
2. Work @ becoming a Proverbs 31 woman
-I don't have a tangible way to measure this but I feel I am making progress.
3. Consistant quiet time/devotions
-I am blessed by the fact that my quiet time is becoming much more consistent.
4. Memorize scripture weekly
-I have memorized a couple of verses since last month. But probably not weekly.
5. Spend 1 on 1 time with each child
-I did take Zack out to lunch yesterday since he had a half a day of school but other than that it has been a pretty busy month.
6. Complete sewn gift for Julie and Leo
-Haven't touched this because I am working on a baby gift for them.
7. Build up to run with Anna this summer
-Well this is going to be a huge challenge. I haven't done anything and summer is coming. Yikes!
8. Complete knitted gift for Crystal and Jeremy
-This one is getting really close to being complete. Yeah!

So there you go. I am so happy that this month's "check-in" was much better than last month's "check-in".
Smiles!

1,000 Gifts List

I'm starting a 1,000 Gifts List at Ann's suggestion. I originally found it at Jennifer's site. I am hoping it will help keep my family's focus on what really matters, God and all his wonderful blessings. I will occasionally add some of the "gifts" that we have recorded. I am curious to see how long it will take us to get to 1,000.




1. seeing my children showing each other love
2. unexpected hugs and kisses

Smiles!