May's Joys

May's Joys - also late

5-1-2013  - 3 gifts tasted
1. any food now that I'm not as sick
2. hot chocolate in the morning
3. Jimmy John's

5-2-2013 - 3 gifts flat
1. the kids singing to the Blessed Virgin Mary
2. a new book
3. North Dakota - you can see forever!

5-3-2013 3 gifts found in difficult people
1. honest reflections of myself
2. lessons to be learned
3. chance to walk in someone's shoes and see how they see you, the world around them, and themselves

5-4-2013 - 3 gifts before 9 AM
1. sleep
2. Darren closing the door so he won't wake me when he's getting ready
3. goofy wake up pranks from the kids

5-5-2013
a gift in a sign - family seeing "Mark Park"
a gift in a smile - there are so many gifts in smiles its hard to choose today
a gift in a snack - hearing "tank too" from Gianna after she gets a cracker

5-6-2013 - 3 gifts found in Christ
1. examples to live by
2. the belief that all things are possible
3. strength

5-7-2013 - 3 gifts about your house
1. fingerprints on the windows and walls meaning someone made a memory
2. shelves and shelves of books
3. pictures of family

5-8-2013 - 3 gifts inside a closet
1. bins for shoes - huge blessing!
2. keepsakes from my childhood
3. clothes actually hung up

5-9-2013 - 3 gifts found in the dark
1. shooting stars
2. fireflies (kind of miss Michigan now)
3. silence

5-10-2013
a gift outside - song of birds
a gift inside - babies growing everyday
a gift upside down - my life to remind me I have it really good most times

5-11-2013 - 3 gifts about your parents
1. simply - wisdom
2. completely - love
3. always - charitable

5-12-2013 - 3 gifts held in hand today
1. vitamins to make me healthier
2. sweet Gianna cheeks as I kiss her forehead
3. Brech's  hand during nap time

5-13-2013 - 3 gifts found in your mother
1. honesty
2. energy to keep going
3. always sacrificing for others

5-14-2013
a gift picked up - a pear
a gift put away - the piles of books
a gift put back - my big boys "put back" with me after a quick trip to South Dakota

5-15-2013 - 3 gifts about you
1. about me - ha, I'm leaving it blank
2. about YOU - you keep reading my blog
3. about YOU again - always there for me or at least some of you

5-16-2013 - 3 gifts found in His word
1. parables to teach
2. consistent theme, no surprises
3. everlasting from generation to generation

5-17-2013
a gift in a bag - Kit Kats
a gift in a box - school books
a gift in a book -  Mom's time

5-18-2013 - 3 gifts unexpected
1. Twin B
2. Twin A as well
3. the miscarriage in December that allowed for conceiving Twin A and Twin B

5-19-2013 - 3 gifts from your childhood
1. chores and animals
2. homeschooled
3. going to work with Dad

5-20-2013
a gift sweet - new babies
a gift sour - Rex normally
a gift salty - jerky

5-21-2013 - 3 gifts found in little people
1. complete trust
2. endless energy
3. imagination

5-22-2013 - 3 gifts that made you laugh
1. Brech Earl wearing his cap to bed because Blase does
2. the fact that if you say "gas", "poop", or "underwear" everyone under 12 in this house will giggle making me giggle
3. listening to either Rex or Brech laugh

5-23-2013 3 gifts found in community
1. help
2. support
3. McTherapy

5-24-2013
a gift on a plate - egg salad, yummy
a gift in a pot - chili Darren made
a gift in a package - sock monkey socks

5-25-2013 - 3 gifts hard giving thanks for
1. Level 200 audios when I just want to be done with the herbal course
2. Darren gone to South Dakota because he is taking a very happy Blase to stay for a month - sad for Mom, gift for Blase
3. Mother Nature after those tornadoes

5-26-2013 
a gift worn - Black Hills Gold necklace from a dear friend on my wedding day
a gift white - lace
a gift whispered - "I love you" for anyone

5-27-2013 - 3 gifts found in church
1. beauty
2. peace when my kids are quiet
3. Our Lord

5-28-2013 - 3 gifts in today's work
1. laundry that is clean, folded, put away
2. Darren and Stephen helping with dishes
3. Brech wanting a job too

5-29-2013
a gift at 8 AM - sleep
a gift at 12 PM - food, again
a gift at 8 PM - happy, healthy, noisy kids

5-30-2013  - 3 gifts blue
1. clear sky
2. a collection of Pooh stories between blue covers
3. new maternity clothes

5-31-2013 - 3 gifts you gave today
1. friendship
2. comfort to a friend
3. rosary intention

April's Joys

April's Joys very, very late!

4-1-2013 - 3 gifts round
1. snowballs
2. my ever-expanding baby belly
3. Malted Milk Balls

4-2-2013 - 3 gifts white
1. cream cheese in crab rangoons
2. niece's newly baptized soul
3. snowflakes

4-3-2013 - 3 gifts surprisingly found
1. I am eating more and more
2. School is actually on time
3. Darren has been wonderful this pregnancy - I'm spoiled

4-4-2013 - 3 gifts in His word
1. Epistle and Gospel from the 15th Sunday after Pentecost - the readings from the Sunday after Mark died Galatians 5:25, 26; 6:1-10 and Luke 7:11-16
2. The Our Father prayer
3. Luke 9:23-27

4-5-2013
a gift at 11 AM - blessings from school
a gift at 2 PM - Gianna's naptime
a gift at 6 PM - Gianna's 2nd birthday party

4-6-2013 3 gifts nailed together
1. walls of this house
2. the bookcases Darren made me
3. the shelves Darren makes for the nieces & nephews

4-7-2013 - 3 gifts waited for
1. warm sunshine
2. my children
3. books ordered online

4-8-2013 - 3 gifts rising up
1. Our Lord on Ascension Thursday
2. homemade cinnamon rolls
3. the sun every morning

4-9-2013
a gift hiding - the gender of the twins
a gift held - my children right after birth
a gift heard - prayer intentions of my kids

4-10-2013 - 3 gifts opened up
1. bag of chocolate
2. new bubble bath
3. heart to hearts over the years

4-11-2013 - 3 gifts budding/blooming
1. my sister, Juliana
2. friendships here in Fargo
3. the promise of spring soon

4-12-2013 - 3 gifts worn
1. St. Benedict medal
2. pregnancy clothes that fit
3. a smile even when it hurts

4-13-2013 - 3 gifts bright
1. the blue eyes of my children
2. my new orange Kindle case
3. the orange pillow case for my body pillow

4-14-2013 - 3 gifts found looking up
1. cloud shapes
2. eagles flying by
3. stars

4-15-2013
a gift in a bag - IV fluids two months ago
a gift in a box - treasures of my children
a gift in a book - saints names for babies

4-16-2013 - 3 hard euchariteos
1. twins after 6 kids
2. Darren's cows
3. raising kids

4-17-2013 - 3 gifts woven together
1. palms creations from Papa Bestgen
2. blankets from Grandma Bestgen
3. family

4-18-2013 - 3 gifts inherited
1. love
2. mandolin
3. Grandma Ingalls' class ring

4-19-2013 - 3 gifts square
1. book before nap time with Gianna
2. a square, dirty plate meaning a full tummy
3. Dove chocolate

4-20-2013
a gift stacked - dishes put away by Stephen
a gift stashed - birthday presents
a gift stilled - the boys after a fight

4-21-2013 - 3 gifts found in Christ
1. truth
2. peace
3. instructions for life

4-22-2013 - 3 gifts close
1. Darren's work
2. hospital we will deliver at
3. my children every day

4-23-2013 - 3 gifts reflecting
1. the goodness seen in our family
2. the look of amazement shared when we learn something new
3. kids getting along as seen through rearview mirror

4-24-2013 - 3 gifts fragile
1. this pregnant lady's emotions
2. the already broken heart
3. the fine balance that teaches me a lesson about emotions and broken hearts that never would have been a blessing without the hurt

4-25-2013
a gift cloth - warm blankets
a gift steel - Daddy's hands
a gift wood - the Cross

4-26-2013 - 3 gifts moving
1. my children
2. the beating hearts of the twins
3. birds to watch all day long

4-27-2013 - 3 gifts "ugly beautiful"
1. a messy room where kids have had a wonderful time playing
2. Brech's latest painting
3. my growing belly

4-28-2013 - 3 gifts orange
1. vitamin C chewables
2. the color orange itself because it is Brech Earl and my favorite
3. oriole in the neighborhood

4-29-2013 - 3 gifts in dirt
1. hours of my childhood play time
2. a garden - hopefully soon
3. 5 boys and 1 girl covered in dirt means a good time was had by all

4-30-2013
a gift given - a helping hand
a gift made - supper
a gift sacrificed - visit from family

March's Joys (a bit late - yes its a trend!)

March's Joys, Gifts, Blessings

3-1-2013 - 3 gifts at 3 PM

1. Chaplet of Divine Mercy

2. nap time

3. 3 PM on Good Friday

3-2-2013 - 3 gifts green

1. sod in a box for the home show - a bit of green in a dreary winter

2. our St. Patrick's Day shirts worn all year long

3. newly sprouted tomato plants

3-3-2013 - 3 gifts worn

1. a smile

2. wedding ring - though I can't wear mine right now

3. a skit that belonged to Grandma Bestgen

3-4-2013 - 3 gifts hard to give thanks for

1. Darren working at CAT

2. Lenten sacrifices

3. certain family members

3-5-2013 - 3 gifts found

1. a great saint quote

2. robin's egg shells in spring

3. a rare book bought online

3-6-2013 

a gift bend - an old tree still standing

a gift broken - the heart of a child, the chance to comfort

a gift beautiful - sunsets on the prairie

3-7-2013 - 3 gifts in the kitchen

1. someone else cooking

2. cooperation from the family

3. a new cookbook

3-8-2013 - 3 gifts loud

1. my children

2. branding time - only because I know how much it means to Darren

3. my favorite song turned up

3-9-2013 - 3 gifts carved

1. a good roast for supper

2. Stephen's homemade arrow

3. snow forts made by the boys

3-10-2013 - 3 gifts in Christ

1. examples to live by

2. redemption

3. His Mystical Body

3-11-2013 - 3 gifts read

1. herbal information to heal my family

2. Kindle books in the ER

3. encouraging emails from friends

3-12-2013 

a gift in wind - seriously? maybe a slight breeze

a gift in water - skipping rocks

a gift in white -  snow falling peacefully down

3-13-2013 - 3 gifts round

1. snowballs flying through the air

2. shortbread cookies

3. eyes full of wonder

3-14-2013 - 3 gifts found in silence

1. deep breathing

2. duh- silence itself

3. God speaking to your heart

3-15-2013 - 3 gifts given away

1. kisses

2. meals shared with others

3. hand-me-downs from others

3-16-2013 - 3 hard eucharisteos

1. trusting those who have hurt me

2. asking for and accepting help

3. forgiving knowing it will happen again

3-17-2013

a gift turned - pages of a new book

a gift folded - small hands in prayer

a gift hung - picture colored by Goddaughter (Taylor) to help me not throw up as much

3-18-2013 - 3 gifts red

1. cheeks of my hard-working boys after they shoveled the driveway

2. fresh fruit I'm craving

3. church shirts on my handsome boys

3-19-2013 - 3 gifts eaten

1. Irish Cream Chocolate Cheesecake

2. lunch out with Darren

3. snow peas

3-20-2013 - 3 gifts that make you laugh

1. finding the picture of Luke in his wig

2. Brech Earl's infectious laugh

3. telling the boys stories from my childhood

3-21-2013 

a gift salty - honey-roasted peanuts

a gift sweet - Easter candy opened early

a gift just right - bath with no interruptions

3-22-2013 - 3 gifts found in His word

1. reading the Psalms to Stephen - always refreshed by the Psalms

2. The Beatitudes

3. Matthew 6:21

3-23-2013 - 3 gifts found in women today

1. courage

2. knowledge

3. love

3-24-2013 - 3 gifts spoken

1. prayers as a family

2. "I love you," from the kids

3. a saved birthday message from my dad

3-25-2013

a gift sung - Gianna's simple song to me

a gift written - old journal entries

a gift painted - toes in the summer

3-26-2013 - 3 gifts almost gone

1. winter

2. Lent

3. morning sickness medication

3-27-2013 - 3 gifts redeemed

1. free shipping - I love free shipping

2. my sins - thanks to Jesus and confession

3. vacation days randomly used here and there

3-28-2013 - 3 gifts entwined

1. my hand in Darren's

2. love and sacrifice building off of each other

3. Domestic Church - where the world and the liturgy blend in harmony

3-29-2013 - 3 gifts of His promise

1. forgiveness

2. crosses to bear

3. sacraments

3-30-2013 - 3 gifts uncovered

1. missing sled buried under snow

2. patience during the hard times

3. an idea for Mother's Day from my family

3-31-2013

a gift heard - sung High Latin Mass

a gift held - my children

a gift hoped for - springtime before summer comes

February's Joys (a bit late)

February's Joys, Gifts, Blessings

2-1-2013 - 3 gifts red
1. my red-head siblings
2. apples
3. St. Valentine's hearts all over the house

2-2-2013 - 3 gifts on paper
1. copywork of my children
2. picture of "Mickey Mouse" Brech drew
3. a recipe copied down by Grandma Ingalls

2-3-2013 - 3 gifts in writing
1. Grandma Bestgen's writing in the books I received from her and Papa
2. Mark's signature in his missal
3. letters in the mail, though rare

2-4-2013 - 3 gifts found when bent over
1. missing socks under beds
2. the scent of a newly opened rose
3. the moment when I come down to their level to give comfort

2-5-2013
a gift stitched - pillow from Goddaughter
a gift hammered - rosary holder from Blase
a gift woven - baskets to help me stay organized

2-6-2013 - 3 gifts found outside
1. birds to watch
2. plants, especially flowers
3. nature's noises

2-7-2013
a gift at 11:30 - kids working on school
a gift at 2:30 - chiropractor appointment
a gift at 6:30 - inspiration from Patrick Madrid

2-8-2013
a gift broken - statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
a gift fixed - supper made by Darren
a gift thrifted - bunk beds for Brech Earl

2-9-2013 - 3 surprise gifts - unexpected grace!
1. Paul coming to South Dakota
2. Darren saying we can go visit Paul
3. catching up history with Blase and Stephen

2-10-2013 - 3 times you heard laughter today
1. Brech and Gianna playing
2. kids watching a movie
3. boys laughing at each other's farts, sigh

2-11-2013 - 3 gifts in working
1. clean laundry
2. full tummies
3. peaceful atmosphere of a clean house

2-12-2013 - 3 hard eucharisteos
1. being so close to family, yet still too far
2. our house in North Dakota, didn't fulfill my expectations
3. lack of direction for our future

2-13-2013 - 3 gifts behind a door
1. the Blessed Sacrament behind the tabernacle door
2. my own space behind the laundry room door
3. my family welcome anytime behind my parents' door

2-14-2013 - 3 ways you feel the love of God
1. clear, beautiful morning
2. prayer time during a hard moment
3. blessing on my forehead by the kids

2-15-2013
a gift in losing - bad habits limited during Lent
a gift in finding - support from those around me
a gift in making something - a smile from a boy who took possession of a homemade blanket (Rex)

2-16-2013 - 3 gifts in shadows
1. the massive shadow of all of my family together
2. moon reflecting down on the walls
3. watching the boys make shadow puppets

2-17-2013 - 3 gifts found giving or serving
1. gratitude from others
2. appreciation for the gifts God gave me
3. patience

2-18-2013 - 3 gifts on paper
1. a note from Grandma Bestgen
2. letter from Mrs. Burdsall
3. valentines from the nieces and nephews

2-19-2013 - 3 gifts that were "Plan B's"
1. staying at Mom & Dad's for awhile
2. moving with CAT and meeting new friends
3. Dr. Elkins delivering Gianna

2-20-2013
a gift at breakfast - keeping toast down
a gift at lunch - help from my family
a gift at dinner - feeling well enough to wash the dishes

2-21-2013 - 3 gifts white
1. nausea medication
2. warm blankets in the ER
3. peppermint candy

2-22-2013 - 3 gifts that changed today
1. first morning waking up knowing I'm having twins
2. encouraging words
3. smiles from the kids

2-23-2013
a gift of tin - colorful one formally filled with caramel popcorn
a gift of glass - pitcher for my essential oil water
a gift of wood - shelves Dad made me

2-24-2013 - 3 gifts before 11 AM
1. morning offering with the family
2. breakfast that doesn't upset my stomach
3. warm sunshine to sit in

2-25-2013
a gift worn out - my favorite childhood stuffed animal
a gift new - a book for Lent
a gift made-do - skirts I sew myself

2-26-2013 - 3 gifts seen as reflections
1. Stephen who is a mirror image of my dad
2. Gianna's looks and behaviors similar to Brech's
3. rainbows - how I miss them in the winter

2-27-2013 - 3 ugly-beautiful gifts
1. morning sickness
2. the Crucifixion
3. the world around us

2-28-2013 - 3 gifts from the past- that help you trust the future
1. visit to the Blessed Sacrament after Mark's death
2. the words of Our Lord
3. confession

January's Joys

I jumped on a bandwagon this month.  It's one of the good ones so no one worry.  Over at www.aholyexperience.com I found a great idea called Joy Dare.  It dares you to count over 1000 joys this year.  I decided that is just what this mommy needed to do as her New Year's resolution.  I still have my gratitude journal which I am keeping separate from this Joy Dare.  To make myself accountable I am going to post my Joy Dare gifts for the month on the last day of the month if possible.  At first I thought I should just keep these to myself.  As I pondered that I felt like God had given me these gifts and He didn't mean for them to just be mine.  They bring joy to me and maybe they will bring joy to you.  Hopefully at least a smile or two.

January's Joys, Gifts, Blessings....

1-1-2013 - 3 gifts heard
1. sound of old-time radio shows on the i-Pod
2. laughter of six wonderful children
3. the hum of my own fan after a vacation

1-2-2013
a gift outside - snowflakes that fall like baby powder and sparkle like glitter
a gift inside - laundry folded right away
a gift on a plate - pasties from Michigan

1-3-2013 - 3 graces overheard
1. polite children asking "Please pass the ketchup," at suppertime
2. Brech Earl telling his daddy "Thank you for hanging pictures and shelves."
3. Blase telling Brech he could play with the Star Wars Legos

1-4-2013
a gift old - Dad's warm wool shirt (the grey, brown, white one)
a gift new - family history book from Lacy
a gift blue - Dove chocolate (blue wrappers)

1-5-2013
something I'm reading - books from Linda
something I'm making - Paul's curtains
something I'm seeing - blog posts

1-6-2013
one thing in my bag - finished cross stitched project
one thing in my fridge - Darren's smoked salmon dip
one thing on my heart - family in South Dakota

1-7-2013 - 3 graces from people you love
1. reading old birthday and anniversary cards from Darren
2. hugs and kisses from Brech Earl "No one loves me" " No one loves me either" "I love you, Mom" " I love you Brech Earl"
3. polite, sharing boys when Mom is sick

1-8-2013
dusty light - waking without a harsh cough
surprising reflection - Blase can make lunch from start to finish
lovely shadow - two little kids running down the hall, one is Batman the other is Batgirl

1-9-2013
a gift held - a Kindle book during our first quiet time of the year
a gift passed by - walked by Gianna who was tearing small pieces of Kleenex off so she could wipe her babies' noses
a gift sat with - Brech Earl, green chair, Mom, quiet time, wonderful memories

1-10-2013
a gift sour - McDonald's French fries with sweet 'n sour sauce
a gift sweet - cheesecake
a gift just right - eating and conversing with other homeschool moms

1-11-2013 - 3 yellow gifts of fresh mercy
1. the blonde hair of my sweet Gianna
2. the yellow tinge the Christmas lights give the basement and tree
3. the hope of a warm spring day with the bright yellow sun to warm my thoughts this cold, blizzardy night

1-12-2013
something above - a roof provided by my dear husband, blessed by God, protected by angels, greatly appreciated by me on below zero nights
something below - my family all sleeping below above mentioned roof
something beside - a bookcase filled with prayerbooks, journals, and books that inspire the best from me

1-13-2013 - 3 things about yourself you are grateful for
1. thoughtfulness towards other
2. never give up spirit
3. faith in God's timing

1-14-2013 - 3 startling graces of God
1. The Blessed Sacrament
2. the creation of life
3. God's help during hard times

1-15-2013
a gift worn - brown scapular
a gift given away - hugs and kisses
a gift shared - reading books with the little ones

1-16-2013 - 3 witnessed blessings
1. my children's baptisms
2. my children's First Holy Communions
3. the first book read by a new reader

1-17-2013
a gift bringing laughter - my children
a gift bringing peace - rosary time as a family
a gift bringing quiet - Midnights alone to ponder the day and regroup for the next

1-18-2013 - 3 gifts from God's word
1. Love is patient (1 Cor. 13:4)
2. For where thy treasure is, there also will thy heart be. (Matt. 6:21)
3. With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)

1-19-2013 - 3 gifts that might never have been
1. Darren and I
2. homeschooling
3. Latin Mass in Fargo

1-20-2013 - 3 gifts only seen close up
1. "God bless you" from my dad
2. love in my children's eyes
3. Michigan snowfall

1-21-2013 
a gift in the sky - stars
a gift in water - bath time
a gift in memory - a beautiful family picture with ice on the trees in the background

1-22-2013
a gift wrinkled - the face of a loving grandparent
a gift smoothed - cream cheese frosting
a gift unfolded - a letter to my newborn child written by me and reread years later

1-23-2013 - 3 gifts found in Christ
1. love
2. mercy
3. hope

1-24-2013 - 3 things blue
1. newborn boy clothes
2. Our Lady in her finest
3. the eyes of my children

1-25-2013
a grace borrowed - wisdom of my dad
a grace found - trust in God's mercy
a grace inherited - love of a family

1-26-2013
a gift before dawn - no children with nightmares
a gift at noon - chapter a day as a family
a gift after dark - silence

1-27-2013 - 3 gifts found in the kitchen
1. aloe vera plant showing signs of life
2. dishwasher loaded and unloaded by kids
3. cookbooks full of endless possibilities

1-28-2013 - 3 graces found in friends
1. humor
2. advice
3. patience through a venting session

1-29-2013
a song heard - Brech Earl repeatedly singing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme song and yet it brings a smile to my face
a soft word - Gianna's "Please" that sounds more like "Peas", usually whispered with a smile
a light seen - sun dogs always impress me

1-30-2013 - 3 old things seen new
1. a recently rediscovered holy card given to my great-grandma by two of her daughters
2. a dusted off, tuned, and still amazing violin that belonged to great-grandpa
3. the love of my husband

1-31-2013 
a gift on a paper - valentine from Darren
a gift in a person - my mom's strong faith
a gift in a picture - our last Bestgen family picture with Mark to show when we were all together and the first Bestgen family picture without Mark to show we are still together, stronger than ever


want to join the dare??
https://s3.amazonaws.com/a.voskamp/JoyDareCollection.pdf