25 Favorite Things {A Valentine's Day Reflection}

I have been thinking a lot about a certain passage in scripture... now don't get skittish, I won't preach, I promise.  This scripture has just been 'popping' into my thoughts lately... more as a light-hearted reminder than anything.  What scripture you ask?

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."

~Philippians 4:8

I was just thinking about how I have so many things I take for granted, and am not thankful for all the wonderful things I have in my life... so I wanted to dedicate a post to sharing some of my favorite things with you... (note: this is not like Oprah's Favorite Things, you will not get free things, and I am NOT an Oprah fan.)

So, in honor of Valentine's Day, here are 25 true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy things that I love, and all right inside the shoe I live in.  (In no particular order.)

{1}

A good cup of morning joe.  For over a year now, Brandon & I have forgone our 'daily' coffee purchases at the local coffee shop & saved $ by brewing our own.  We prefer the bold or extra bold flavors of Starbucks whole bean roasts, we grind it up at home.... or our other fav is Jose's which we find for a steal at Costco.  And yes, as you can tell, I put A LOT of cream in it.   And a LOT of sugar also... if it ain't sweet, I don't need the caffeine boost.

{2}

The sunshine out my window.

{3}

Pandora Radio.

{4}

Toothpaste.  I brush first thing in the morning, and before bed, oh, and about 3 times in between.  Yes, I am obsessed with care about dental hygiene.

{5}

My camera.  Its nice to know that I can capture life's breath to remember years later.

{6}

My baby's smiles.  They melt my heart...

{7}

Havaianas.  (Brazilian sandals)  I am a flip-flop girl.  No fashion can be found on my feet.  I go for comfort.  Love them.  Did I mention I am a flip-flop girl?  I wear them even in the winter.

{8}

Massages.

{9}

Pao de quiejo.  (Brazilian cheese bread)

{10}

Bubble baths.

{11}

My sewing machine.  Yes, its simple (literally), and I wing it every time I sew something... but its a fun toy machine.

{12}

Apple.  Their computers rock.

{13}

Sprouting herb garden.

{14}

The Word.

{15}

Granola in my yogurt.

{16}

Photos of our wedding day.

{17}

A good book.  I am currently reading Crazy Love, well, actually all of us here with YWAM Pismo are reading it.  Oh, and that Dave Ramsey book... its AMAZING.

{18}

Cooking for our family.

{19}

Skype.  Because faces are way more fun to talk to than phones.

{20}

Love note from Brandon.

{21}

My creative journal.

{22}

Brasil Map/Key Holder.  It serves as a reminder of how I fell in love with the nations and missions.  Oh yea, and it helps me not lose my keys!

{23}

My wedding ring.  Its perfect, and it not only symbolizes Brandon and my marriage, but its the same stone that my Dad gave to my Mom, (who were married for 33 years when my Dad passed) so it represents their marriage also.  I.  LOVE.  IT.

{24}

The Hand-Vac.  I use this EVERY DAY.  About 4 TIMES A DAY.  Babies are messy, so I am thankful for this little device. (See crumbs below)

{25}

Last, my most favorite thing in this shoe I live in is the shoe itself.  It may be small, but there are 3 heartbeats living inside this 250 sq. ft. and its filled with LOVE.  I fall asleep every night with my husband to one side, and my daughter just to the other side.  We play in this shoe, we laugh in here, we cry, we face challenges, we spent time with God in here, and we have made it a HOME.  Us 3 living in this small apartment is my most favorite thing.

I hope you have a wonderful and fun Valentine's Day... maybe now you'll be thinking about true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable,  excellent, and praiseworthy things that you love!   And a big Happy Birthday to my mom (Ekstrom mother)!

Cheerio Fun

My little lady is cutting her 2 front upper teeth... yuck... she has been a fussy, sick mess for the last 4 days.  I can't imagine how painful those teeth must feel on her young gums.  And I think I have a bad day if I someone cuts me off in traffic.  Thank you Shiloh for a little reality check.  My sunshine took a break from her crying (thank you Tylenol) for some Cheerio fun:

Look at those eyes... its going to get really hard to say no to her!

Smiles!  You'll have to excuse the 'over-the-top' grins... she is still perfecting that money smile, so for now, we get a scrunchy, snarly, but oh-so-cute smile.

"Mmmm, Cheerios!"  She LOVES them, plus she is entertained for 30+ minutes... thats worth gold in Mommy-time right now!

"Hey Mom!  What ya got there?"

"Cheerios make me smile..." (yes, that IS her smile!)

"Please Mom, can you stop being so 'snap happy'?"

Oh sweet life, to be so entertained by such a simple thing as a Cheerio!  I'm glad they brought some smiles and giggles to an otherwise difficult day.  Hahaha, love my little toothy baby... just wish those teeth wouldn't hurt so much!

So if today has you down, grab some Cheerios and just remember... you could be teething!  :)