A List of Gratitudes

:: For mountains of snowfall where little boys can be kings, and build forts, and dig tunnels...and for the excuse to stay inside with baby...

:: For a husband who takes care of us, who blows the snow away - and makes paths to the henhouse and mountains for his boys. Who takes flat tires and broken snowblowers in stride and doesn't lose his cool. And for an 80 year old father-in-law who comes to help with the snowblower and accepts a peice of pie and a crazy houseful of boys in gratitude.

:: For nighttime cuddles and first thing in the morning blonde alarm clocks...who, without fail - no matter the time they went to bed - wake up with the dawn. But, all is forgiven when the freezing cold feet snuggle under the covers with Mama and her face gets plastered with sweet, spitty kisses.

:: For the book which helps me to remember to savor. And for the author whose pen writes the most beautiful words that bring tears with each page read.

:: For the big boy and his cat and the snuggles on the couch. For the middle of the night potty breaks, and the "Tuck me back in the bed, Mama?" And for the huge, unashamed boy hug and the "Pray with me before you go back to bed?"

:: For the waiting for spring but seeing beauty in the snow.

:: For the girls and their eggs...and again, for the Husband...who caters to his wife's worries about the freezing of the wattles and the combs...and who goes out to buy another heat lamp to ease her stress.

:: For the home full of love.
:: For the friendship between the one who asked for forever and the other who said Yes.
:: For the loudness and mess.
:: For the journey we're on.
:: For the Savior we follow.
:: For the life we are living.

I am grateful.
And I savor.