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Multitude Monday

Giving Thanks In Every Season

I think it was Thursday.  The sun didn’t exactly shine bright, but the overcast haziness outside was lighter for a while.  There were shadows beneath our trees, shadows that indicate light.  It wasn’t much, but it was enough to lift my spirits for an afternoon.

It was my light at the end of the tunnel.

The tunnel of another long Minnesota winter.  The tunnel lined with cold, hard, gray day after cold, hard, gray day.

Friday and Saturday brought the return of cold, hard, and gray.  I felt the difference, literally, in my body, in my mood, in my mind, and I thought about the difference.  The difference between an almost palpable energetic optimism and the feeling of exhausted indifference taking hold, the difference a little sunlight can make.

I realized the date, the fact that we are only a few days away from the end of January.  I inhaled deeply, and exhaled, attempting to blow away the gloom.

“We’ve almost made it!”

The thought ran through my head shouting, hooting, and hollering like a high school kid whose football team just took the conference title and was on its way to state.  “Woohoo! Yes! Way-To-Go!”  “High-five!!”  I was seriously celebrating inside.

I was gonna make it.

And here we are.  It’s Monday, January 31st, the last day of the month that can be so brutal, the month I usually have to drag myself through, by sheer will power many days.  The book of January is closing, and I’ve only had a few dark moments, brief flashes of that dark place “a good mother”, “a good Christian”, tries not to admit to going.  Depression.  A few moments, brief flashes, that did not overtake, did not defeat.

This is a victory, a small, and yet monumental, personal victory.

So much to be thankful for-

676. pan after pan of cinnamon scones

677. moments of victory

678. knowing that spring always comes, every year

679. thoughts of starting seeds for summer plants

680. 32 weeks of healthy pregnancy

681. finding a forgotton bag of baby girl clothes in the garage

682. a husband holding my belly, grinning wide

683. bean bags

684. silly toddler squeals of delight over bean bags

685. a sister playing so sweetly with a little brother

686. chubby little boy feet

687. whispy blonde little girl hair

688. mint chocolate chip ice cream

689. a husband optimistic about business

690. a sweet book to bless this mother’s heart

A Multitude Monday Giveaway
(more Blogoversary fun! still time to enter 1st giveaway!)

Ann’s new book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, is out!  Her (blog) writing has challenged and inspired me so much the past couple years.  Her book is challenging and inspiring me now, and I’d like to gift a copy to one of you, praying that you would be challenged and inspired as well.  Inspired to a life of gratitude, living in true thankfulness for the multitudes of blessings He bestows on each of us every day, undeserving as we are…

How to enter:
Leave a comment on this post, name just one thing you are thankful for today, by midnight (CST) on Wednesday, February 2nd.  Easy-peasy, n’est-ce pas? 

And for those of you competitive types, who’d like extra chances to win, you may…

– “Join” An Ordinary Mom on Google Friend Connect (left sidebar)
– “Follow” @Ordinary_Mom on Twitter
– “Tweet” about this giveaway (you can use the share button)
– “Like” An Ordinary Mom on facebook
– “Share” this post on facebook

Leave a separate comment for each entry, you know the drill…

Ok, ready? Name something you’re thankful for today…

Oh, and one more thing- while I normally try not to be all about self-promotion, ’cause that’s really not cool, just for this week, you know, since it’s my little blog party week, I’ll be adding this little plea for validation “vote for me” button, to my posts. If you feel so inclined to click, I thank you kindly in advance 🙂

Visit Top Mommy Blogs To Vote For Me!

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46 Comments

« Sunday Hymn, Pass Me Not
Blast From the Past Post #1 »

Comments

  1. Renee says

    January 31, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Love the blessings that you listed in this post! I can wait for spring, it’s my favorite season!!!

    Reply
  2. Jessica says

    January 31, 2011 at 9:21 am

    I am so thankful for answered prayer. I had something I was really struggling with last week, and yesterday I realized I hadn’t really, fully given it to God. I had prayed about it many times, but I just hadn’t let go – if that makes sense. Not even a half hour after I did I received a phone call with an answer to my prayer. The answer itself was as much of a blessing as the lesson that I learned was. My prayer had actually been answered two days before, I just didn’t know about it until I came to the point where I knew I needed to fully surrender it to God.

    Reply
  3. Traci says

    January 31, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Thankful I’ve made it through with less depression this year too although the fatigue has been hitting me hard. I’m happy to bid a fond farewell to January! Adieu!
    😉

    Reply
  4. charity says

    January 31, 2011 at 10:03 am

    I am thankful my thyroid levels seem to be right.

    Reply
  5. charity says

    January 31, 2011 at 10:04 am

    I already follow on google connect

    Reply
  6. charity says

    January 31, 2011 at 10:05 am

    I already follow on twitter

    Reply
  7. charity says

    January 31, 2011 at 10:07 am

    I tweeted about the give away

    Reply
  8. charity says

    January 31, 2011 at 10:09 am

    I also like u on fb! My girls ask me daily if it’s spring yet.

    Reply
  9. Sherry says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:20 am

    I am thankful for my blog and for other blogs where I can read about the grace of God.

    Reply
  10. Mrs. White says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Thank you for this chance to win! Today I am thankful for hot chocolate and a warm wood stove!

    Blessings
    Mrs. White

    Reply
  11. Juanita says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:24 am

    I am thankful for the spontaneous love and affection my teenage sons show me EVERY day. For coffee delivered to my chilled hands, a heating bag placed over my shoulders, a fleece blanket wrapped around me and kisses on my cheeks, hugs queezing me tight!

    Reply
  12. Patty says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Today…I am Thankful that we made the choice to Homeschool our children.

    Reply
  13. Sandpiper says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:27 am

    I’ve just tweeted about your give-away.

    Reply
  14. Sandpiper says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:29 am

    I’m thankful for my daughter who made breakfast(pancakes!) this morning. She even made me a cup of Earl Grey tea.

    I love your list too, BTW.

    (If I win, I hope it’s OK that I’m in Canada.)

    Reply
  15. Sandpiper says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:31 am

    I’m now following you on Twitter. (I’m Sandpiper2)

    Reply
  16. Liberty says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:32 am

    Today I am thankful for your giveaway. A PERFECT way to celebrate the end of January…I have similar issues with this long (sometimes seemingly) endless post holiday month! For an idea I was encouraged to pursue by writers I admire.
    For sweet children who love me even when I’m a grump.
    For the grace to encourage…
    LIB
    http://bit.ly/fozHzA

    Reply
  17. Christine Ivy says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:34 am

    I am grateful for discovering Ann’s blog recently. It has brought me healing to read it every day.

    Reply
  18. Heidi says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:38 am

    I just started following you on Twitter. 🙂

    I’m thankful for late night talks full of wisdom from my parents.

    Reply
  19. Heidi says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:38 am

    Also, I’m thankful for kind words that come at just the right moment.

    Reply
  20. Toby says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:54 am

    I am grateful for Groundhog Day. 🙂

    (we were engaged on Groundhog Eve, *ahem* some years ago.

    Reply
  21. Sarah N says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    I am thankful for so many things…our warm house, a job for my husband, music to lift my spirits. I hope I win the book! It’s on my list of books to read in 2011.

    Reply
  22. Courtney says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    I’m thankful for the little life inside me moving all around today.

    Reply
  23. Courtney says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    I joined with google friend connect!

    Reply
  24. Courtney says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    And I like ya on facebook!

    Reply
  25. lora says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    great giveaway! i am thankful for my five beautiful children.
    glad to have discovered your blog! blessings, lora (eagerhands@gmail.com)

    Reply
  26. lora says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    i’m following your blog now. 🙂 lora

    Reply
  27. lora says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    i am following you on twitter now. 🙂 lora

    Reply
  28. Mom2xamj says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    I am thankful for the chance to win Ann V’s book and for finally being a stay-at-home mom again.

    Reply
  29. Amber says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    I am thankful for lunches out with the girls. It was fantastic today! And even though I’m in CT I feel your long winter pain. But, like you said, we’re going to make it!!

    Reply
  30. sarah n says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    I follow you on Twitter!

    Reply
  31. sarah n says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    I just tweeted about this! sarahn06

    Reply
  32. sarah n says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    I like you on FB!

    Reply
  33. sarah n says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    I joined google connect.

    Reply
  34. Mom2xamj says

    January 31, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    I am now a Follower here on your blog 😉

    Reply
  35. Mom2xamj says

    January 31, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    I meant to tell ya in my first comment (but got excited about the giveaway) that I love #688 Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is my favorite especially the green one. I’m not even sure if there’s a difference in taste I just like it a little better!

    And I’m now following you via Twitter!

    Reply
  36. Susan J says

    January 31, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    I am thankful for my loving family and the bright blue sky today!

    Reply
  37. Mary says

    January 31, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    My girl calling me Mommy instead of her normal Mama when she’s sad. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Holly says

    January 31, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    Thankful for little ones saying…one more story! God bless – Holly

    Reply
  39. Holly says

    January 31, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    I shared your post on Facebook.

    Reply
  40. Melissa says

    January 31, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    I am thankful for 2 thank you notes and a note of encouragement in the mail today. Always a nice change from junk mail and bills!

    Reply
  41. Michelle says

    January 31, 2011 at 11:31 pm

    Mostly, everyday I’m thankful for all the prayers that I thought were unanswered….but were really just answered differently than I thought I wanted or needed.
    And I’m also thankful for markers being washable.

    Reply
  42. melody goldmeyer says

    February 1, 2011 at 12:03 am

    I am thankful for a loving husband and father to our babies.

    Reply
  43. Marcia @ Taking Thyme says

    February 1, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    With a foot of snow today, I am thankful for a husband and son that I love spending the day with, and lots of hot chocolate!

    Reply
  44. Kelli says

    February 2, 2011 at 9:30 am

    I am thankful for friendship. God has given me some amazing friends to be honest with, pray with & laugh with. I would love to win this book.

    Reply
  45. Charity says

    February 2, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    I shared this on facebook. Is it spring yet?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention It's Almost February, I'm Gonna Make It -- Topsy.com says:
    January 31, 2011 at 10:38 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ali and Charity Cole, ali. ali said: celebrating, thankful, and giving away a copy of @AnnVoskamp 's new book! http://ht.ly/3NhKh (pls RT? thanks!) […]

    Reply

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