counting gifts

I’m currently about half way through reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and it is changing the way I see my world. Thank God for that. She was challenged to write down 1,000 gifts in her day to day life, in the little moments. So over the past four days visiting my family down in Florida and meeting my newest goddaughter Mackenzie Mae, I found myself counting and listing off gifts in my head throughout the day….

Freckles on noses… first few baby giggles… chocolate covered fingers and lips…little fingers brushing my hair… stories snuggled on the couch… 7 year old created comic books… funny faces… car ride sing alongs (to Justin Bieber, more specifically ;) )… baby burrito falling asleep in my arms… bright BRIGHT blue eyes… late night conversations about life… mickey mouse pancakes… recounting memories… two year old size splashes… kids on my lap… naked two year olds (with guitars)… ballerina necklaces… felt cookies… gummy smiles… the look on Tanner’s face when he smiles out of the corner of his eye… mermaid braids… antique (and funny looking) strollers… pizza nights… scrapbooks… girls afternoon… new (pink!) baby clothes… old Florida water parks… floppy hats… water balloon launchers… push-up pop messes… two year old arms holding two month old sweetness… princess dresses… summer storms…
rosy cheeks… painted fingernails… super delicious home-cooked suppers… lunch dates with my oldest friend (and newest goddaughter)… mermaid shows… creamy pumpkin smell… close up pictures… water slides… honest conversations…
little tool belts… sleeping bags… lazy rivers… board games… creative drawings… suntanned skin… the little curl at the end of blonde hair… sweet tea… familiar faces at the airport…
playing dress up… little sunglasses… rain drops on chubby baby cheeks… instagram photos… new recipes… the way he calls her “MY Kenzie”… ice cream pajamas… sandy toes… dark chocolate chips… Captain America aprons… kisses on the nose… long summer days… 
time… time with my family… family….

Happy Friday :)

ps for those of you wondering, we spent one day at Weeki Wachee Springs where they have a water park and 30 minute completely underwater mermaid show. It was one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen, and all of the kids loved it! You can look up ‘weeki wachee’ on youtube and find some videos of the show.. safe to say i’ve never seen anything else like it ;)

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  1. Holly says:

    Those are some of the PRETTIEST eyes I have ever seen!!

  2. […] so close and let their kids grow up together! I would give anything to live within 30 minutes of my cousins! Since I knew we would have a LOT more to accomplish in a shorter period of time, Joseph agreed to […]

  3. mom says:

    Absolutely adorable!!! Love the pics! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Ant Lis says:

    Just loved having you here, Jess! Thanks for the great photos.

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