I mentioned last November (here) that I adamantly believe Thanksgiving is intended to be a verb, not a noun that takes place once a year.  

Yesterday, as we played the afternoon away on the lake, I was inspired by a thankful heart and found myself actively giving thanks from one moment to the next.  As healthy, happy little people jumped from docks, and fed ducks I gave thanks to the Lord, who gives such wonderful gifts!

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of lights  (James 1:17)

 Asher (4) won the swim race to the diving dock.

Brody (6) smiled his toothless smile.

Caleb (8 ) exuded big boy confidence each time his Dad let him take over driving the SeaDoo.

Sitting in the inner-tube with my youngest son, skipping like a smooth stone over the chop, we'd smile at one another every few seconds — smiles that didn't end at the lips, but shot out like arrows into one another's hearts.  At one point I looked over at Asher by my side, laughing so hard into the wind that a little drizzle of drool streamed from the corner of his mouth and back over his shoulder.  "I'm so happy when I'm with you!"  He yelled over the sound of motor, wind, and waves.  

And so I add these to my grateful list:

52) Sea Doos

53) Swim Competitions

54) Holidays

55) Healthy boys

56) Happy boys

57) A Joyful little stream of drool whipping in the wind

58 ) Articulate little boys who tell me how much they love me

59) Puzzles

60) Peace Cobbler

61) My husband's generous spirit

62) Free VBS

63) Black Beauty

64) Billy and Blaze

65) More Cousins

66) Nana's Cooking

67) All natural Snapple Pops

68 ) The close of escrow

69) Unashamed EXCITEMENT over homeschooling this coming fall

70) So much joy as I watch my eldest maturing these days

71) My toothless boy's smile

72) The tooth fairy

73) My youngest's fearless nature

74) That no bones have been broken yet

75) For hot days and cool pools