overjoyed!

i decided a week into this month to participate in sarah's 100 joys for december.

there are two days left in december and i've posted 48 joys.  

yep, i have 52 joys remaining.

think i won't finish?

watch me!

 michael joy

#49. the alarm goes off for the second time. he turns it off, turns my way, gives snoozing me a a good morning kiss and says, "i'm so glad you're my wife."

#50. he meets us at the table each a.m. with the bible open, the Word to give to us.

#51. he walks with noah his school campus each monday, praying with him for his school, classmates, teachers.

#52. when i'm playing the guitar and singing, he stops, sits, listens, enters into worship.

#53. he plays games with the kids after dinner.

#54. he partners with me in every thing: parenting, house, church, finances, friendships, schooling... everything together.

#55. he likes teaming up with me- values my ideas and brings them to fruition.

#56. he sews fairy wings...

#57 and makes heath toffee crunch cheesecake with homemade caramel sauce...

#58. and saturday morning breakfast.

#59. he makes silly faces...

#60. and has a witty sense of humor all his own (which noah is developing).

#61. he lets me cry about the same old thing, then speaks Truth into my life.

#62. he lays his hands on the kids each night and prays for them.

#63. he finishes his day in his "favorite spot," cuddled up with me.

noah joy

#64. he adores me.

#65. melts me with the look.

#66. gives me his best kisses.

#67. nestles in for a hug right under my chin (where until 2 weeks ago was how tall he was).

#68. he talks to me, unwrapping the events of his days with me.

#69. he sings and dances when he thinks no one is looking.

#70. he is our man when daddy's at work; opening our jars, killing our spiders, carrying our loads, opening our doors.

#71. emilie is his best friend, she gets a sneak peak into his heart.

#72. josie is his playmate, get his attention and tickles.

#73. he has a comedic response to every situation.

emilie joy 

#74. she is thoughtful with her words.

#75. generous with her life.

#76. she considers others before herself (she gets this from her daddy).

#77. she has the gift of hospitality.

#78. she finds peace at the piano.

#79. she lets her little sister play the teacher, mommy, queen.

#80. she cries with me as we girls read "little women" together.

#81. she'd rather participate than worry about being embarrassed.

#82. she is the kindest friend (she is playing with a friend right now, i hear her delighting in her).

#83. she gives the best massages (joy for my aching back).

josie joy

#84. she wears silly socks every. day. 

#85. she practices making snow angels on the wood floor before we head to the snow.

#86. she sings "walk like an egyption" by the bangles to the tune of "o come, o come, emmanuel."

#87. everything becomes a song; washing hands, sweeping, flushing, brushing, sneezing, laughing... every. thing. 

#88. she hugs me and tells me she loves me 30x a day just to make sure i "rememberize" it.

#89. emilie  (a.k.a. "emmy" to only her) is her favorite person.

#90. her heart is expanding in understanding and wanting for Jesus.

#91. she delights in being helpful.

#92. she thinks she is funny and laughs at herself... a lot.

#93. she gets a little embarrassed, but always participates, and gives the grandest performance.

#94. and i think about where i've been, when i thought joy would never be mine, and i imagine then that God could not wait to lavish on me, His beloved, the overjoyed He had planned for my future (now). 

#95. there is peace-love-joy in knowing this always was written for me. 

#96. there is joy in knowing that it delights my Father God that i embrace this overjoyed life. 

#97. the Spirit leads me to have great expectations for a continued joy-filled life.

#98. the Spirit whispering that God can hardly wait to lavish on me, His beloved, the JOY still to come with Him in glory.

#99. and i savor the sweetest Joy...

#100. Jesus. 

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness!"

Isaiah 61:10