388. that all 7 of my children are here in my home sleeping peacefully in their beds

389. my husband was here with me

390. God spared Chad's life 10 years ago--others are not so blessed

391. children that carry on our husband's legacies long after they are gone!

392. 3 little boys sleeping in the same bed for comfort after this great tragedy

393. the testimonies of 4 young men that lived for God

394. a Pastor who has the wisdom to lead our church through this tremendous time of grief

395. A God who cares and hears

381. An entire week of beautiful, sunny days

382. An understanding, patient husband

383. A hard-working man

384. A huge opportunity to see God work in a really big way in our lives. We are asking Him for something bigger than we've ever asked Him for before. It seems impossible, but He dropped something in our laps when we weren't even looking for it. So, I'm just trusting in faith that He wants to do something for us..... We'll see.

385. Not being able to sleep because I can't stop thinking about our prayer request

386. Some days where I can function pretty well despite feeling so poorly

387. Being able to take care of a sick hubby yesterday afternoon (food poisoning, I think)

371. Four days without children when Chad and I went to Florida

372. A mom (and daughter) willing to care for them for a few days!

373. Living in a place with a high altitude (at least higher than the surrounding areas) that gets a steady breeze each day

374. A comfortable couch

375. Electric fans

376. Children who are willing to help with daily tasks and cooking when mom doesn't feel so well

377. Lots of paint work for Chad (a necessity, it seems, this summer)

378. Elisabeth's sweet attitude about Daddy's protective nature now that she is entering the youth group

379. A husband who is protective of the children

380. Children who planted all of my flower bulbs

356. Surviving the day! lol

357. Running some much-needed errands today

358. Helping to get Chad organized at the school

359. Second chances, and third, and fourth, and fifth....you get the idea!

360. Playing with the baby on the floor

361. Having children who know the value of good, hard work

362. Neighbors willing to watch our dog for us again while we are away

363. Chad getting to see the Changing of the Guard at the Coast Guard in Traverse City today.

364. The ability to scratch an itch. Can you imagine having to scratch your back or your arm and not being able to do it?!

365. Books, books, books

366. Bible reading schedules and little boys who are trying to catch up!

367. Washing dishes by hand

368. Folding laundry -- There's just something about fresly laundered and folded clothes!

369. A warm, sunny day today and, hopefully, tomorrow

370. A life full of stable men. My dad was stable and my husband is stable. If the world were run by emotional women it would be a scary place to be. I am so thankful that my husband brings me back down to earth when I become emotional about something that won't matter 5 seconds from now. I LOVE that man!!

Shame on me for not posting in such a long time! No excuses. Plenty of things for which to be thankful. I won't even attempt to "catch up"; I'll just go on from here.

325. Sunshine almost every day, even if it is still chilly up here!

326. A very clean car -- from 3 hours of work, work, work!

327. A freshly mowed lawn by a very determined 10 year old boy, who even managed to start the lawn mower without mom's help! ;)

328. A daughter who turns 12 tomorrow

329. A wise husband who protects our children and follows his heart AND head where they are concerned

330. 3 days until vacation; 5 days until Florida with my man!!

331. My home

332. Buying tickets online to Busch Gardens!

333. The smell of freshly washed babies

334. Touching a newborn's fuzzy head at church tonight. "I just have to touch him. I can't help myself!" Momma-"It's okay. You can touch him anytime!"

335. Chatting with an old friend

336. Meagan finishing her first Boxcar Children book in 2 days and beginning on her second.

337. Fresh pineapple and watermelon

338. Chad's new truck

339. A clean shower

340. Keeping the laundry pretty much done

341. Getting organized for the school year

342. Many new babies coming this year and next ;)

343. Chad getting to see the changing of the Coast Guard tomorrow with all of the staff men

344. The ability to use both of my legs

345. Sight

346. Hearing

347. Cameras

348. The fact that my children love me even though I "mess up" so often as a mother

349. Schedules and summer lesson books

350. Sibling love

351. Listening to the man I love breathe and knowing God spared his life 10 years ago! Wow! God is so gracious and so full of mercy!!!

352. A goodly heritage--for me and my children

353. Mother/daughter trips

354. Children who love to work

355. Little League Baseball :)

316. Getting all my shopping done for the Camp Meeting baskets

317. Remembering what a nice visit we had with Chad's Dad and Kay and Brianna last June--and missing them

318. Listening to the thunder outside through my open window (I should live somewhere warm!)

319. Finding yellow heart confetti for a young bride-to-be's wedding for ten cents a bag

320. Eating dinner at KFC with all of my men

321. A nap

322. Exercising for 4 days in a row

323. Being able to keep a missionary family during camp meeting

324. Tyler making his first mess in the kitchen by spilling olive oil on the floor. He's scootching all over the place on his little bottom!

301. Raking leaves with my boys

302. Finally doing something with the massive wood pile that we inherited when we moved in--7 years ago!

303. Feeling sore but knowing that I worked hard

304. Six freshly bathed children

305. Staying caught up on the laundry

306. The three new painting jobs that Chad has gotten in the last few days, one of them will pay for our little trip

307. Warm, sunny days that make me feel so alive inside

308. Sleeping so soundly at night from all the physical work we've been doing

309. Contemplating painting our bedroom when Chad's gone to Cedar Point with the high school next week

310. Extra paint from a job that might just be the color I want in my room

311. Remembering that I need to make a dessert for the preachers during Camp Meeting (I forget so many things!)

312. My Franlkin planner

313. Having a two year old around the house. They are so fun with their fresh outlook on life.

314. Helping to plan wedding decorations for Chad's secretary

315. Cereal and milk

286. Making bacon and eggs for breakfast for the kids before school this morning

287. Exercising 2 out of the last 3 days

288. Tyler's laughing and playfulness

289. Enjoying Lauren being home still (not off to school yet due to her late birthday!)

290. Getting the yard cleaned up most of the way today

291. The Henson's coming to camp meeting even though Micah won't be with them

292. A reminder in church last night to be careful of the things we say to one another 9even our spouses)

293. Looking forward to a few days away with my man in June while the children stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house (yeah!)

294. Forgiveness and Grace

295. The fact that I am never bored -- there is always something to do :)

296. My front-load washing machine

297. Flower bulbs waiting to be planted

298. Seventy degree weather

299. Sidewalk chalk drawings on my driveway and sidewalk. Someday they will not be there, and I will miss them so much my heart will ache.

300. Many hugs and kisses each day. I am so blessed!!!

271. Loving and Laughing on a daily basis.

272. Two completed research papers!

273. Going to the teen banquet with my hubby

274. A corsage from my husband -- none of the other wives were honored so

275. A little 8-year-old boy sleeping on the floor in the hallway with a tummy ache (hope it's not swine flu!)

276. Tyler's three little teeth

277. Derek's cute little words and sentences

278. Playing cars on the floor with Derek

279. Doing lesson books with Lauren

280. Teaching my 10-year-old a life lesson about plagiarism

281. Daffodils blooming in my front yard (my very favorite flower)

282. Connecting with old friends

283. Looking forward to a little getaway with my man

284. A new iron

285. Fresh shower curtains

258. Sixty-five degree weather

259. An hour at the park

260. A bike ride to Dairy Queen

261. A new jacket

262. A husband willing to tackle putting in the new hot water heater

263. A little two-year-old boy with a naked bottom riding his little scooter down the driveway while company sits in their car ;) (Ya just gotta love two-year-old boys!)

264. Finding several short-sleeved outfits for Tyler that I had put away after Derek outgrew them

265. Not being able to do dishes today because there's no hot water!

266. Talking with my three oldest children while ironing handkerchiefs for Chad

267. Hearing Meagan giggle while she rode her bike down the street. There was nothing special happening; I think she just loved the feel of the wind while she was riding.

268. The fact that Lauren learned on her own how to ride a two-wheeler last year

269. A neighbor willing to keep my dog while we are away next week

270. The ability to live another day

249. Surviving yesterday

250. Applebee's half price appetizers after church!

251. Finally getting my packing lists made

252. Being able to stifle down the knot that keeps threatening to form in the pit of my stomach

253. Sunshine

254. Sixty degree temperatures two days in a row :)

255. A water heater that lasted 18 years

256. The fact that when the water heater cracked, it did not flood the basement carpet because of all the blankets and things on the floor in the back room! (I knew that not cleaning that room would pay off!!!)

257. Extra time cuddling with Derek after everyone else was in bed

236. Spending extra time with Chad the last couple of days

237. Chatting with an old friend online for over an hour

238. Seeing my dad's twitter updates

239. Still nursing Tyler when he's almost a year old! (Most of my children have only lasted for 9 or 10 months.)

240. Fresh sheets on the bed

241. Being able to keep up with laundry

242. The help of Elisabeth and Brian to straighten up my out-of-control bedroom

243. Crocuses

244. Going on 3 weeks of a clean house!

245. Anticipation of a special visitor from my past this weekend ( a little unnerving and a little exciting)

246. Being able to send the children outside to get out their energy

247. Twelve and a half years of marriage when so many I know have been divorced

248. Second chances

221. Two weeks of a sparkling clean main floor!

222. The ending of Chad's most recent paint job

223. Playing four-square in the driveway with the kids

224. Coloring Easter eggs with the kids

225. The desire of the children to make resurrection cookies this year since we missed making them last year

226. Derek's fear of ants ;)

227. Nursery time with a friend

228. Being able to help the college tour group by allowing them to use my keyboard to travel with

229. The fun of nail polish

230. Finding $40 blankets for $8 plus 20% off at Kohl's

231. My new phone

232. Tyler's smiling eyes

233. Having many opportunities each day to teach Meagan and Lauren to be quiet ladies

234. A hubby who's home tonight

235. Dog crates!

211. A very enjoyable evening last night watching old movies

212. Seeing my mother-in-law on video

213. My children seeing and hearing their Grandma Vest talk

214. Watching our wedding video again for the first time in several years

215. A clean kitchen for 6 days in a row

216. Baked Potato Soup

217. Oral spray for my dog's teeth arriving in the mail today

218. My 3rd through 6th graders doing a great job getting ready for their choric speaking piece

219. A thank you note

220. A few comments on my family blog (I love hearing from others!)

171. A clean house

172. Washing dishes by hand in the sink instead of using the dishwasher (This was at Chad's request, but somehow it makes me feel better about my whole life!)

173. A fresh comforter with the smell of Downy still lingering in the air

174. A jumperoo from a friend for Tyler

175. Tyler's first little tooth

176. Derek sleeping through the night in his own room

177. An afternoon for the boys to play with friends

178. The last fellowship with friends at the house for a few years until they come home again on furlough

179. Seats saved at church for my whole family by a dear friend

180. "I love you more" from Derek

181. A sweet spirit from Elisabeth to help when Tyler isn't feeling well

182. A young teacher putting into practice each of the things she learned from me two weeks ago

183. Seeing my children read

184. Watching Meagan read all evening in order to win a prize in the reading contest

185. Seeing my children strive to do their best in all that they do

186. Watching our little turtle eat a worm

187. Realizing that the turtle died after eating the worm. Was the worm too much for his system? Was it the drywall dust in the kitchen?

188. A freshly patched kitchen ceiling (3 years in coming ;)

189. Organized book shelves

190. Memories of Lynda Hitchcock delivering my first two babies

191. The news that a sweet friend is expecting baby #5 after 5 years

192. Phone calls from my mother

193. My children getting to know another relative long distance

194. Working together as a family to accomplish goals

195. Finding a tooth spray for the dog that could save us hundreds of dollars at the vet for a dental cleaning

196. Realizing we only have a few weeks to get Tyler's birth certificate

197. Text messaging Chad in the middle of the day

198. Working with the elementary students on a choric speaking piece for a school program

199. A snowstorm

200. Nursery workers

201. The fact and blessing that none of my babies have been born prematurely and that all were born healthy

202. My Bible and the ability to read and understand it

203. God's grace at the exact moment I need it

204. An email from a friend

205. Chocolate

206. Helping Lauren with her school work today

207. Feeling like I might be getting back on the right track again, even if momentarily

208. A friend hearing the good news that his cancer has not returned

209. The love of the best man in the world

210. My wedding ring - I know so many ladies who have lost theirs or just never received one

131. Relationships that take work because they are the most meaningful

132. Spending the last two (three now) with Derek in my bed because he is suffering from some kind of ailment that I cannot figure out

133. Three new dresses from my husband with the promise of jewelry to match

134. Two "books" for my birthday made by 6-year-old Meagan

135. The most wonderful children in the world who cleaned the entire main floor yesterday because I was feeling sad

136. The return of our dog who was lost for 4 days

137. Beef Stroganoff made by my husband and daughter for a special birthday dinner

138. A real birthday party for the 3rd time in my life ;), complete with streamers and balloons

139. Being able to help a struggling new teacher figure out how to control her classroom a little better

140. No more fevers or coughs

141. Dutch Blitz

142. A feeling of being spoiled by my man

143. Clean kitchen counters

144. A veritable *mountain* of laundry

145. A fresh, new day tomorrow with no mistakes in it

146. Being able to work on a choric speaking presentation with the 3rd through 6th graders at school

147. The realization that we are now entering the busiest time of our year

148. The school secretary being back to work full time

149. Dominic's legs getting more feeling and ability all the time

150. Helping a bride-to-be find some necessary items for her wedding

151. Three very warm days this week

152. Playing four square with my children

153. Helping Derek ride his bike

154. Lots of cuddling time with Derek

155. An eleven-month-old who still loves to nurse

156. Spring Break!

157. Dairy Queen Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake

158. Sparkling juice

159. Popcorn with parmesan cheese for a late night snack

160. Planning the senior trip

161. Having a good day today after a not-so-good day yesterday

162. Many "I Love You"s from Derek

163. My big helper Lauren

164. Seeing Meagan go to bed early because she was sleepy

165. The beginning of crocuses in my front garden

166. Ordering flowers

167. Our paper route

168. Coming out to use the car and finding it freshly washed and full of gas (a thoughtful deed from my hubby)

169. Emails from friends and family

170. The fact that all of my babies have been born healthy and on time--neither *too* late nor too early

121. Wonderful children who cleaned the entire main floor and unpacked the suitcase while mommy slept in today!

122. A chocolate malt made by Budge

123. A special birthday lunch, complete with decorations and a crown made for me by my children

124. The opportunity to spend extra time holding my two little ones while they've been sick

125. My feather bed

126. Safe travels to and from Temperance with a full car

127. My dad watching the children all day on Saturday (something I certainly did not expect)

128. My dad helping me figure out a solution to the 5 bloody noses Budge had in less than 24 hours

129. Playing Dutch Blitz together as a family tonight

130. "Happy Birthday" wishes from friends and family

113. Always having a task to keep me busy - Life is *never* dull!

114. All of Derek's new words. His talking has really taken off. Some of my favorites are: milkshake, boots, What is it, bagel...

115. Grocery shopping with Chad and the two boys (What a treat to not have to push and load/unload the groceries alone)

116. A hairdresser who calls to see if I need a haircut before she goes on vacation :)

117. A new little nephew - Daniel Benjamin!

118. Beautiful, soothing music

119. Coloring books

120. Tyler's clapping - how fun!

106. The realization that our house is exactly as big as we need it to be. If we can fit 14 more people in here without complaint, then the 9 of us can live here peacefully.

107. A quiet house again

108. Sledding as a family with the Bachman family

109. Having a "Martha" spirit and realizing I need to cultivate some of the "Mary" as well

110. Dozing with Tyler on my tummy

111. A young lady who is growing up so quickly and realizing that she must be kind even when others are not

112. The convenience of shredded cheese

101. The unexpected privilege of being able to have the Bachman family, missionaries to Germany, stay in our home

102. A baby who mostly sleeps all night

103. Derek falling asleep in my arms several times this last week

104. A family of little people who can pitch in and have a house fairly clean in less than 20 minutes

105. Little Caesar's Pizza (it's great in a pinch!)

91. A baby boy who loves to nurse

92. Being able to snuggle up next to my hubby

93. The family working together as a team to whip the house into shape

94. Piles of folded laundry

95. Betty Lukens felts

96. Freshly fallen snow

97. My children's teachers

98. An electric iron

99. The love of a good man

100. God's mercy

82. Nothing was seriously wrong with me when I went to the emergency room yesterday

83. I was able to spend ALL afternoon with my husband due to my pain

84. I was able to find a jacket to go with the dress I am wearing to the college's Valentine Banquet tomorrow evening for 60% off!

85. Tyler has been a complete angel while I have not been feeling well

86. Elisabeth stayed home to help me with the little ones today

87. Found a new scent at Bath & Body that Chad *loves*

88. Have been able to spend a lot of family time together this week and last week

89. My Pastor asked my how I was doing today because I had to miss the service last night

90. The care and concern of friends

69. Sweet fellowship at Abundant Blessings last night

70. Mrs. Cathy Berry reminding us not to be judgmental when people say hurtful things to us

71. An "ice" day today, even though the temperature right now is 44 degrees

72. Derek rubbing my arm during a difficult time

73. Driving home talking to Chad while he was talking to my dad on the webcam

74. A fresh, new day with no mistakes in it

75. My Bible

76. My "accountability" partners

77. Falling asleep with my head on Chad's chest listening to his heart beating rhythmically

78. The fact that Chad is still here with us and is healthy. Ten years ago we almost lost him. If we had, Brian, Meagan, Lauren, Derek, and Tyler would not be here, and we would not have a little one waiting for us in Heaven.

79. Children sitting on the counter while I frost cupcakes for them

80. Lauren squirting the leftover frosting into everyone's mouths - big, long strands of it!

81. The verse that says, "Thou God seest me."

59. Two little girls playing happily together yesterday afternoon while I made lunch and fed the baby

60. A gentle reminder in last night's sermon about the power of speaking in love

61. Warm, soft baby hands touching my face

62. Derek's singing

63. Finding the cause of the awful smell in the girls' room (The little girls had been "cooking" in their kitchen with torn up onions, salt, pepper, and cheese in water. Some of it spilled into their little sink that has no drain!)

64. Cuddling with my family

65. The ability to create

66. Being able to give devotions to the college girls last night

67. A freshly made bed

68. The fact that Tyler is still nursing. Some of the babies have had to stop nursing early due to different problems and situations. I'm thankful that he's still nursing and that he still *loves* it!

51. Waking up to a day of 40 degree weather--unheard of in our part of the world in February!

52. Many things to keep me busy -- I am NEVER bored and haven't been for the last 12 years!

53. Watching my two boys play their hearts out in soccer last night

54. Watching Elisabeth "lead" a little cheerleading squad at the soccer game last night

55. A 45-minute nap while everyone else went to the game

56. Staying up late playing games with the children on Friday nights

57. The realization that though I have not always treated my husband right, I can begin again and he will still respond in a sweet way

58. Job Security! ;o)

41. My husband's wisdom in guiding me through remedying a situation I created with my unbridled tongue

42. A day spent playing with and caring for all of my children - heaven!

43. Homemade chicken cordon bleu made with my oldest daughter, Elisabeth

44. A new Wii game that is fun while also getting exercise

45. An incredible church service last night reminding me of the importance of souls

46. Nursery workers

47. A small boy coming in our room in the middle of the night

48. Tyler's getting 6 teeth all at the same time

49. No-spill sippy cups

50. The love of an incredible man

32. A very productive day yesterday - browning the meat I bought so it doesn't rot in the refrigerator while waiting to be used, freezing leftover veggies to use in soups, hard-boiling eggs, cooking up Chad's gizzards

33. Being able to chat with friends at church last night. I'm usually too busy getting to the next place to stop and chat.

34. Hearing that Dominic is regaining the use of small little muscles each day. He stood for 25 minutes yesterday morning (assisted by two nurses). He still is unable to stand alone but he IS improving.

35. Finding Tyler upside down in his bed this morning

36. Listening to Tyler talk in his bed last night before he fell asleep

37. Sunshine

38. Playdough on the kitchen floor ;) - an indication that children live here and are happy

39. Hair dye :)

40. Second chances

26. The inspiration for this blog from Bridgett Eloe's website. I want to learn to appreciate what is going on around me before my life is in a crisis. I watched my husband nearly die on a hospital bed almost eleven years ago now. It's amazing how quickly we forget how dear our loved ones really are to us and how much it hurts when we are losing them. I can remember walking through the hospital and realizing that my heart was physically hurting with the pain of losing my husband shortly. Real, literal, physical pain.

27. Being able to go out to eat with Bro. Darrell Cox last night before the revival meeting

28. Getting sound advice about getting my children's hearts. All the training in the world won't do any good unless we first have their hearts.

29. Climbing back into bed for a few minutes of warm snuggliness under the covers

30. Grocery shopping with Chad first thing in the morning

31. A fresh covering of pure white, diamond snow on the ground this morning

16. Clean bathrooms

17. Freshly bathed children

18. Raspberry hot chocolate with marshmallows :)

19. Our bus ministry

20. My fixed "snuggler" chair. It has been broken for several months in that the recliner foot rest would not stay down. We have been wedging it shut with a stuffed lamb, which was slightly embarrassing when folks would come for a visit but completely forgivable with seven children running around. My dear hubby took the time to figure out a way to make it stay mostly down without the lamb!

21. Seat warmers in the car

22. My lost Bible reading schedule. I didn't know how much it meant to me until I couldn't find it. I can never replace my old one (of course, I might find it yet), but life will go on.

23. The opportunity to train my children do be thorough in their work

24. A mini-date to Culver's with my hubby on the way to the Bus Banquet

25. Twenty-dollar "1928" necklace/earring sets for two dollars at Kohl's!

5. Heat in the cold winter months

6. Being able to spend all day with my husband in the next room

7. A friend who graciously watched my children in the nursery down the hall so I could be secretary at the school for the day

8. Mushroom, onion, and sausage pizza

9. Children busy and happy all around me

10. The curls on the top of Tyler's head

11. The daily Bible reading schedule and Bible memory plan put out by our Pastor

12. Seeing a dear lady at church today who is dying of cancer but came to the church to "get out"

13. A husband who took the time to pray with her

14. My beautiful end tables refinished by my husband (they are so pretty)

15. My dad

1. Waking up in the arms of my love

2. An understanding husband who listens to me

3. Krispy Kreme doughnuts

4. My warm, fuzzy fleece fuschia and purple polka-dotted blanket