Start #1: Gifts 4 and More

4. Going to bed Sunday night feeling like I was going to burst like a juicy strawberry boba (if you've never experienced this sensation in your mouth, you can find it in the toppings at Yogurtology, and you must seek it immediately).  Brooke and I put each other up during the week to start a blog to document our 1000 gifts.  Just a few short days later, I actually did it, and the explosion was my stifled writing emerging for the first time in years.

5. Louise Hay's quote: I am open and receptive to all the good and abundance in the Universe.  Thank you, Life!

6. Shaking off the feeling this morning that starting my blog was sadly just a dream and, instead, embracing the reality with arms, heart, and mind wide open.

7. The wave of warmth, tingling, and lightheadness I experienced after seeing that I received two comments on my blog today!  A realization (another one) that someone, two someones, read what I wrote and were moved enough to comment!  Thank you, thank you, for being genuine and of heart!  I feel completely inspired to continue!

8. Coming home to a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, cheesy garlic toast, and our family's most savored dinnertime treats - a mouthwatering shallow dish of olive oil, balsamic vinegar cradled at the bottom, crushed garlic, salt and pepper next to another plate of sliced fresh bread just waiting to be dunked.  Thank you my  sweet Andy, again, for making dinner!

9. Listening to Andy and Emmy reading stories after dinner, watching them curl up in laps and pillows on the floor while Lily and I sat at the dining room table practicing spelling words.

10. Grateful that the girls and I have Andy, a husband and father, who is present, participates, loves, and shares.

11. Grateful to myself for showing up at the page.