...Oh the Places You'll Go...

12 weeks

2011-11-18T08:00:00.001-08:00

not much has been happening around these neck of the woods...

but somehow mr. levi has turned 12 wks old today!!

we love him...so much

we feel so blessed!

and his smiles and coo's melt our heart each time!! in fact, when we want him to smile or coo we generally have to call in the support of his big sisters, as they can make it happen every.time!! he loves his sisters...and they can NOT get enough of him!!

here's a picture of a hat i just made for the Craft Fair I'm in tomorrow...

not a good picture of my lil man, but you get the idea!

so...there ya have it! sorry things have been so sparse around here, but life is busy...Jim is (PTL) back at work until Christmas - a definite blessing given how much we have going on in December! The girls are soaking up all the learning we are doing...our homeschooling group is off and running, meeting once a week...i have 4 fairs between now and Christmas. So, unfortunately, blogging has not made it to the top of any of my to-do lists...but you go this one :)

punkins

2011-11-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

we carved some

avery didn't like the smell...so she wouldn't help

but then she did

we found some seeds...baked them and ate them (mmmm)

and had a lot of fun...making memories together...

we are blessed, indeed!

glo sticks

2011-11-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

my girls have been so awesome with the adjusting we've done in the past two months getting used to being a family of FIVE!! it still gets even me sometimes!

so i wanted to do something special for them that i knew they would enjoy, just as a little treat for being such good girls and HUGE helpers to their muma and awesome big sisters!

so....for two whole dollars...

we made what usually is a chore

into something very fun!

2 whole months

2011-10-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

wow...that's all i can say!

how on earth has 2 months gone by already??!

well...it has and we are enjoying each day with our little mister!

we've enjoyed the days gone by watching this little guy come into his own...

he grunts like there's no tomorrow

he makes noise unlike any I've heard

he's just starting to smile...which melts my heart each time

he's cooing, especially to his sisters!

and he calms down at the sound of my voice

he is still in our room, something i find quite funny because the girls never made it past 2 weeks in our room!!

i think it's me getting a tad smarter the more children i have...WHY on earth did i put them in their own room...all the way down the hall??

having him close to me makes the thru-the-nite feedings that much less work in my sleepless state!

as much as i wish i had something more memorable or witty to say...all i can muster is we're doin' good

life's good

and what more could a girl ask for?!

Apple Festival

2011-10-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a beautiful Sunday last weekend taking part in this year's Apple Fest!

Bright sunny day...right at the water...lots of friends to visit...and fun stuff for the girls...

like cinnamon scented play-dough

Karys' little birdie in a nest...can you see it??

Proud of her creation

enjoying a delicious treat!

Beanie peeling her apple...it takes a LOT of concentration!

another great day for the memory-bank:)

(see the beanies??! All courtesy of Mairsy Doats...of course!)

Thanksgiving

2011-10-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

we had a busy weekend with me having a 2-day craft fair...but we were able to enjoy the holiday with family and a yummy dinner at Grams house

silly girls

2011-10-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

the girls got a hold of my camera and had some fun...

official announcement...300th post!

2011-10-11T12:50:00.001-07:00

quite fitting for my 300th post!!

life...lately

2011-10-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

morning snuggles...

night time cuddles...

better late than never!

2011-10-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

we are embarking on our second year of homeschooling...

they are growing up so fast

i choose to savour these days...

and am so excited for what this year holds!

the view...from here

2011-10-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

one month...aka five weeks :P

2011-09-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

what a difference a month makes

there are so many things that can be done in a month

my heart has grown in vast proportions this month

i didn't think i could love another child so completely

i didn't think i could function on such little sleep

i didn't think we would adjust to being "5" as smoothly as we have

i am BLESSED

life is good

the end

#1 and #3

lil bro and lil bro!!

quickly filling up the bassinet

stylin' lil man...at one month!

heart broken

2011-09-26T22:04:00.001-07:00

my poor poor karys...it's difficult to watch a five year old grieve

she has loved and adored cats since she could speak!

and, since we caved into her wishes over a year ago and got her a kitten, she has loved and adored her "Cricit" (Cricket) cat!!

needless to say, we've lost the cat...she's gone, and has been for over 2 weeks now! see the ziploc bag at the top of the picture?? yup...it's FILLED with little pictures and notes to/about Cricket and (don't judge me) a chunk of her fur they found when she and Daddy were on a walk looking for her!

it's hard to see, but I honestly forget about it a LOT of the time...until moments like tonight when she drew this card and wrote this note and was biting the insides of her cheeks to make the tears go away...

i have let her know that it's okay to be sad...it's good that she's writing these things to help her remember her kitty...and it's certainly helpful to cry! so...cry she did....and it nearly broke my heart!

how to comfort her? how to help her when she wonders "why?" what to say when she asks if God will bring her back?

my little girl is sadly getting an adult dose of reality...

i wish i could take it away...

now, my question is, does another kitty really fix things or make it worse??! and i'm the mummy who has to make the call...*sigh*...i've never wanted that cat back so badly!

cause for celebration...

2011-09-25T21:44:00.000-07:00

i am blessed...

daily, i am reminded of the many things in life that are a cause for thanksgiving and celebration...

today was no different...

an "off the cuff" comment from our middle child led us to have an age-appropriate conversation with her...

that comment and conversation resulted in a cause for celebration!

WHY??

because Avery has asked Jesus into her heart!!!

we could not be more excited for her!!

and SHE could not have been more excited to be taken out for ice cream...like her sister was...to celebrate this moment!!

Avery has such a huge heart, she never fails to make us laugh each and every day, she is a source of joy in our life and we are so excited for her to have made this decision to accept Jesus as her Saviour!!

he's HERE!!!

2011-09-11T21:06:00.001-07:00

LEVI "unified" EMERY "brave, full of strength" made his debut on August 26th at 3:44 pm...we could not be happier!

Something we have been waiting for for 2 years had finally happened and the joy that filled our hearts was and still is INDESCRIBABLE!

We thought we knew what was best for us...

We thought it was best to have our children close together...

We thought having it take a year and a half of trying was too long...

"Man plans his path...God directs his steps"

This is perfect...

God's plan for our family is perfect...

This age-gap is perfect...

And we are blessed!

It all started that morning...around 5:45am...three days later than I had planned! :P

My contractions were 2-4 mins apart from the on-set. I timed them for an hour, not wanting them to stop, but also feeling unsure as to whether I was ready for them to be "real." I also didn't want to wake Jim, for fear that they would all stop!

So, after the hour I timed them for another 15 minutes before calling my midwife. She asked how I felt, and I knew things were not going to be as hasty as with Avery. She lives 45 minutes away and said she'd come right away just to check things.

She got to our home (which was perfectly silent because the girls had actually been at my Mum's for a sleepover! What a blessing!) and I was only 2-3 cm dilated...but at least it was something!!

While she was here she received a phone call from the hospital letting her know of their shortage of OB nurses...meaning that if she had anyone in labour (ME) that day, and they didn't have the baby before 7pm, (!!) that person (ME) would have to be FLOWN OUT!!! She hung up the phone and said "We have to have this baby before 7 tonight!!"

I had never wanted to induce painful contraction more than then! But, things went slowly along for the next chunk of the day...until 2pm rolled along and my midwife suggested that we move to the hospital and break my water, in hopes to speed things up.

To the hospital we went...and it took 45 minutes for her to get all her ducks in a row and at 2:45 she broke me water...

Remember the beginning of the post, where I said Levi was born at 3:44pm!! yup...59 minutes after my water broke I went from 5 cm to 10 cm and pushed him out! Needless to say, that was an hour of my life that I will never forget, but never want to re-live!!

One push and my life was forever changed!

And...by 7pm we went HOME!!

i'm here!!

2011-08-31T13:10:00.000-07:00

i AM here

i WILL update

but for now...know that I am fully occupied with the responsibility of loving and caring for and snuggling and feeding and smelling and kissing my baby!!

thanks for your understanding and patience
xoxo
c

life...these days

2011-07-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

well...i'm still standin'!

we are busy around here enjoying life...

i feel as though growing this bebe is taking up more than my torso section! my mental capacity is greatly diminishing and i honestly feel as though i've got nothing to share with you.

let's see....

so far this summer we've enjoyed the sunshine every minute it's showed it's face...

we've gone to VBS - first time for Avery, and a greatly anticipated second time for Karys...and as much as they say they enjoyed themselves, sometimes it's hard for me to "see" it because they are VERY reserved in large crowds...

we enjoyed taking part in the Canada Day Parade

me...the girls...and their spiffy decorated bikes

karys bravely cruising along on her newest set of wheels!!

me trying hard to keep up with Bean on her run-bike - we {heart} run-bikes!!

we've been blessed with some work for Jim - and, in turn, have been able to bless my Mum...as he "job" was to work for her landscaping her front yard and painting her entire house

and most recently, the girls and i were able to get away for a MUCH NEEDED visit with one of my nearest and dearest kindred friends - Karleigh Jane...our ties extend way back to a time in life when we were both young and naive and has continued through all the valleys and mountains our lives journeys have contained...we are no longer younger, or naive, but our bond has grown closer in spite of the physical distance that has always separated us...but has been greatly diminished in this past year!! yipppeeee!!

so far...sooo good!!

i've also gotten to the point in this pregnancy that i am down to a prenatal visit every 2 weeks!! instead of every month! so...that has really brought it home to us - how close the arrival of our long awaited miracle actually is!!

and - MUCH to my excitement - my midwife upped my due date by 6 days!

so i am officially 31 weeks and 3 days

NOW - by my calculations this could mean ONE of THREE different things:

compared to my due date, 31+ wks would mean i have 8+ left
compared to my first pregnancy, it would mean i have 5+ weeks left
and compared to my second pregnancy, it would mean i have 3+ weeks left

looking forward to seeing the story unfold!!

so...that's us...in a nutshell...these days!

hope you too are out there savouring these "summer" days!!

baby names

2011-06-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

...admittedly, I am at a loss!

not TOTALLY (as i DO have a name list started) but there are NO names that I am 100% S.O.L.D. on yet, and certainly NO names that Jim and I agree on!

So...that being said, i thought i'd take this chance to query you, my audience of...?!

can you please make us some name suggestions - Boy OR Girl as we are not 100% sure of the baby's gender YET!

our girls' names are:

KARYS NICOLLE and AVERY DANAE...and we would obviously want a name that "matched" those...so something like George or Henry would really suite the more "unique" trend we've got going.

(keep in mind that we may actually use a name you suggest, so DON'T suggest anything you're not will to part with!)

looking forward to hearing your suggestions!!!!!

who do you think s/he looks like?!?

our dado

2011-06-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

this year we weren't too sure what to do for our Dado...

thankfully karys remembered what we did last year, and she wanted to do it again!

we love our Dado...and we know he loves beer and new clothes (once in a while!)

so...off we went to fill a basket with things he likes!

we got it all ready and then had to go do the delivery...which wasn't too hard seeing as how Daddy is spending most of his free time making our yard look purdy!!

sooo off to the front yard we went

there he IS!!

FOR ALL YOU DO...FOR ALL YOU ARE...WE LOVE YOU, DADO!!

summer days

2011-06-20T11:22:00.000-07:00

although the weather has been rather inclement as of late...there have been a few days mixed in where we've been able to get out and soak up a LOT of vit. D!!!

here's some evidence of our fun in the sun!!

auntie jenn brought her paddle board with her...and was gracious enough to bring the girls out on the water with her!!

they even got to see a few new baby turtles while they were out there...but NO that didn't tempt me enough to even think out giving the board a try!!

all the while, miss thalia and i soaked up the rays and watched the goings-on...

here's to many more sunny days to come!!

prima ballerinas

2011-06-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

last weekend we were all very busy with the girls year-end dance recital!

it was SO MUCH fun...and the girls can't wait to do it again! they are already asking when they can go on stage again!

karys was in two different dances and avery was in one...

getting ready...for her shirley temple "animal crackers"

waiting patiently in her jazzy ballet outfit

before the show poses...

and they're done!!
(i think their favourtie part was getting to wear make-up!)

we're glad for a little break this summer, but very excited for next year's dance already!!

Baby B

2011-06-16T21:14:00.000-07:00

not too sure if there are any inquiring minds out there, but I know I took a picture of me with the girls at this stage...and just remembered this evening that I was almost past the mark!!

so...i took two...on self timer...just for my own personal library...but then thought i'd share
this is what I got!

this pregnancy has gone by so fast...in a slow kinda way!

and...so far, everything has been exactly as with the girls!
i'm bulking out more on the sides than in the front, showing considerably more width than "baby belly"...and that's seriously about it!

my lungs feel a tad less capable of breathing deep, and fast walking immediately induces Braxton Hicks! But those are old hat...and I had them with both girls from about 15 weeks on!!

so...as much as I was somewhat dreading the heat of this summer...I was honestly expecting to be carrying #3 a lot more obviously, considering it is my third time 'round!

now, obviously, i know i still have my biggest months to come, but here's hoping this baby follows the suit of it's sisters and remains s.m.a.l.l.!! (6lbs7oz and 5lbs7oz!)

and...if all goes according to plan, we will be able to meet this little miracle at the end of August! In the case that doesn't happen, then I would LOVE to have it on September 14th...in honour of my Dad!!

we shall see!

NEW CREATIONS over at Mairsy Doats

2011-06-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

go on over to my other site and check out the latest creations...here's a sneak peek

on homeschooling

2011-05-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

i couldn't say it better than this....

SO please go on over to A Holy Experience and read her post on "Why would anyone be crazy enough to Homeschool?"

here's an excerpt from her post that speaks my heart:

**********************************

the problem today is that ‘parenthood is no longer lasting as long as childhood‘ — that our children need parents to be intimately involved, moment-by-moment, not till they are only four years old and leave home for school and possible peer dependency, but they need us to be parents until they are fourteen years old and older…. “We need to hold on to our children and help them hold on to us. We need to hold on to them until our work is done,” writes Dr. Neufeld“We need to hold on, not to hold them back but so that they can venture forth.”

Where two or three are gathered, there He is also. What I love most about the homeschooling lifestyle is that we are all together, in all our glorious mess, day in and day out. We are not time-torn or fragmented. We are gathered. There is no dichotomy between God and secular: we are making a one-piece life. This works for us. We are real, transparent, and growing –sometimes painfully– with each other, season upon season, and God is in the center, bathing us sin-scraped ones with His Grace. That’s rich.

Because homeschooling is this magnificent crucible, to reveal impurities and sinfulness and brokenness. It keeps us on our knees. Homeschooling often hurts and disappoints. You cry and wonder if you are insane to try to educate these children, to disciple these little hearts, while laundering, cooking, cleaning, managing a household, and still being a wife, a sister, a daughter, a missionary in your community, a servant to Christ and in your faith community. And He smiles and say that He walks with you, has grand and glorious purposes, and He understands radical and crazy!

Homeschooling is about going higher up and deeper in, for you learn to sacrificially love in ways you have never loved before. You come to know your own heart in ways you never imagined, the souls of your children in intimate, very real ways.

For you will be together, making memories together, laughing together, crying together, praying together, and asking forgiveness together. Throughout your day, you worship God, together. And you learn to die-to-self together. It’s about doing hard things… together. And there will be no fragmented scraps of learning, home-life, friends, work, God.

We keep homeschooling to weave a one-piece life – hallowed threads of parenting, love, pain, education, growing, stumbling, creativity, forgiveness, wonder, sacrifice, and God all woven together.

*************************

...ahhh, I am refreshed!!

sisterly love!?

2011-05-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

look what i came across on the white board one morning...

oh the joy of siblings!

on life

2011-05-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

i am here
i have been wanting to blog
nothing profound
life is happening

mother's day is around the corner
six years ago
the flutters of life began in me
and
on mothers day
we took "the test"

on mothers day
six years ago
i found out
i would soon join the ranks
of blessed women
who were called
to raise
the next generation

and today
six years later
as number three explores
kicking and squirming
i sit in silence
reflecting on His faithfulness

this IS my calling
He DOES want me
we HOPED to expand
and
after sixteen months
many tears
and much hope
we ARE expanding
my family...figuratively
me...literally!

my brain can still not comprehend
but the scans prove true
the miraculous gift
of growth
inside me
of strength and health
Thank you Jesus!

tiny flexing hands
perfect pouty lips
delicate feet
with 10 tiny toes
oh...the view

six years ago
on mother's day
the joy began inside
the naive joy of "motherhood"
unaware of what's to come
but expecting the best

and now
six years later
the joy continues
no longer naive
very much aware of the rollercoaster
that is "motherhood"
but i AM called
this IS His plan for me
and number three
is proof
of His faithfulness
of His love for His children
and added blessing

what deep joy
what persistent hope
what a blessing
motherhood is my calling
i am not perfect at it
many days i am certain
my children deserve better
but we press on
seeking His face
leaning on His grace
we unite as a family
to become better in spite of our failure

six years ago the flicker of joy ignited
and now...as this little one grows
bigger and stronger daily
so does my joy
in the blessing of three lives
that have been given to me
who are my calling
that make me "mummy"

Mairsy Doats Post

2011-04-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

okay...so I uploaded some new pictures over @ Mairsy Doats!!

go check it out and place your order!!

::CHECK IT OUT!!!::

2011-04-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

so, this has been in the works for a while (read: i've been really good at procrastinating!!)

but, it's finally up and running - with some wrinkles that will eventually get ironed out!!

go on over and check it out

Mairsy Doats - Custom Homemade Creations!!!

this is where i'll be posting pictures of things i've made and where you can go to place an order!

so...hope you like it!!

make a guess!!!

2011-04-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

okay...i think i figured it out...

check out the poll i added to the side bar

and...make your guess!!!

as it mentions there, i feel the exact same as with the girls

i am craving everything (not swayed one way sweet/savoury)

i am not yet showing (@ 16.5 weeks)

my chinese calendar thing (that has been wrong every time) says "boy"

....what else?!

let me know if you'd like more specifics before making your guess!

YAY! i (heart) polls

flutters and beats

2011-04-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

...two things that have caused me to smile as of late!!

i have been waiting to hear baby B's heart beat for WEEKS now!!! I thought i would be able to at my last last midwife's appt. but i was only 10.5 wks and she wasn't as intent as i was on finding it...stating it's too unlikely, but she'd give it a "try"

so then i had to wait until my next appt...4 weeks away!!!! so wait i did! and wait...and wait...and then the day came...and then, 2 hours before my appt, my midwife called and canceled!!!!

Jim was soo funny! He said "Can she even DO that?!"

So...then I had to wait...again...for another 5 days....

i'm not too sure why this was SO important to me...but i really felt like it was that ONE THING that would make it all real!! i doubt that makes sense to anyone seeing as how i had already had an ultrasound....

but the entire first trimester goes by so "silently" - aside from morning sickness - that it's hard to "know" if anything is really "happening"!

anyhow...that appt came and went and i finally heard the heart beat...and cried! i was so completely relieved!

it was the most incredible, miraculous, encouraging, beautiful, cute sound i have heard in a long time!!

and i have smiled every time i have thought about that moment!

the flutters have also started to be detectable....and had been PRIOR to me hearing the heart beat, but i didn't want to admit it until i KNEW that everything was "okay"...just a weird way for me to guard my heart a little longer, i suppose!?

but now i KNOW...and now i can admit...this baby's movin'!!!

so...that's all for now...just wanted to share my latest excitement with you!

rambling procrastination

2011-03-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

hey....

yet again i am placating myself with a blog post because i am currently off facebook and can't procrastinate there!!

so...as i mentioned in my last post, i have an upcoming craft fair that i bought a table at.....and am hoping to sell some beanies and other things i've made....

my only problem.....i don't have many things made!!

note my slight dilemma!?

so...instead of hooking away like a crazy woman, i am here.....rambling

dinner is in the crock-pot.....

#2 is down for a nap (shocking that she's over 3 and gotten back into a habit of napping lately - i think she's still recovering from a flu...a month ago!! is that even possible??!)....

#1 is doing her journal.....

Dado is out cutting wood again today, as the permit is only valid until April 1st!!

i wish this was more inspiring....or encouraging.....

but i have come to realize that growing a baby takes up more than just space in my body......it has currently occupied all forms of rationel and reason, along with any creative thoughts in my brain!!

speaking of the baby....

so far things are going great!

february was a rough, rough month......

i was sick every single day......but that was an expected and very welcomed feeling

we had been trying for #3 for 16 months by then and to know that "things were working" because of the morning sickness, was reassuring

then we flipped the calendar to march

and all of everything stopped!

i still had/have some food aversions...but NOTHING like february!

honestly, although one would imagine a sense of relief from the ending of morning sickness, i actually am battling a sense of anxiety....

i know that satan wants nothing more than for me to suffer in any way possible...and if it's not going to be through morning sickness, then he'll try stressing me out with negative, defeating thoughts about the baby and what is/may be happening to cause the morning sickness to stop....

all the while, God is faithful

He's kept close to me and reassured me that this is all His plan.....and there is nothing to worry about

so the anxiety has certainly died down....a LOT in the past week or so....for that i am thankful

as far as feeling go about what we may be having....i think it's too early to tell....

all i know is how i felt for my last 2 pregnancies....and this one is identical to those two...?!

i think i am going to start a little poll on the side...

but before then i am going to go and do some web-search and look at what the preggo-sites guess that my "signs" are telling me...you know, those chinese calendar thingys, and the old wives tales....

once i've done those, i'll post the results and then add a poll and you can make your guesses...

we WILL be finding out what we are having in about 3-4 weeks.....i am undecided yet as to whether we will be sharing that information.....

so....that's me and #3 so far.....

and now....my rambling is all done

hope you have a fabulous day!

::monday::

2011-03-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

outside my window....clouds are flying by revealing big and small sections of beautiful blue sky and sunshine

i am thinking.....about a friend who has returned to work, what to get for a four year old's birthday, and what is in store for us today

i am thankful.....for the stirrings of new life - in my garden and in my body. For my husband who is preparing for next winter by going out and collecting wood. For my girls who are slowly learning how to be good friends.

from the schoolroom.....i will attempt to cover more science and social studies this week, in hopes to get finished this year with a bang....and extra early!! i am thinking about doing some plant growing and neighbourhood drawing....that should be good!!

in the kitchen...some nearly black bananas are screaming to be made into banana chocolate chip muffins! the oven is hoping to be needed for dinner, but i am personally thinking we may just pull out the BBQ again tonight! everything tastes better a little charred!

i am wearing.....a bright pink AE hoodie, some ultra comfy (read: super baggy) lounger pants and my sheepskin slippers.....YES, I am still in my "jammies"!!

i am creating.....i just finished sewing up 6 burp clothes, a lovey, a beanie and a hooded bath-towel for a friend's baby shower yesterday.....and now i must "hook" like a mad-woman to prepare for my looming....er, i mean up-coming craft fair on April 2nd!! eeeeek.......

i am going......to try and get the kids out for a walk/ride/play today as well as do a bit of grocery and hunt down a gift for a four year old...all by 3pm today!!!

i am reading......Francine River's Her Mother's Hope and still getting through Tim Kimmel's Grace Based Parenting

i am hoping....to get started on a garden sooner than later...to hear baby's heart beat this week at my appointment.....and to start enjoying warmer weather!!

i am hearing.....the hum of the fridge.....the chatter of a five year old.....the silence of a three year old, napping

around the house.....floors need washing....laundry is crying to be done....dust is setting up permanent residence.....and we are loving life!

Jim and Ron have been working like crazy downstairs finishing off a closet and making things feel more "homey" down there.....the trampoline has been set back up and the yard is starting to show the signs of spring's arrival!

one of my favourite things....as of late - citrus fruit!! i have been devouring oranges and grapefruit like a pirate with scurvy!! they are more enticing lately than chips, cookies or ice cream!!

a picture of what' been going on so far this morning....

my monkeys sure can make a mess in a short span of time! but man, they had fun making it!!

i made this "shoe lace box" for Karys the other day (reminding me of the book I used to love reading as a child!!)

after we bought her runners with laces...

she was determined to figure out how to tie them on her own......

and after one afternoon alone, this determined girl brought the box to me displaying a beautiful double knotted bow!! and she figured it out HERSELF!! i was certain Daddy must have helped her, and even asked her to make sure she was telling my the truth when she said "no one helped me!"...but after asking Daddy and him replying "nope, i didn't help her" I had to apologize and further praise Karys for her determination and figuring abilities!!!

So....I hope you all have a great monday....me and my lemon-sized baby (and #1 and #2) are off to get things going today!! ....after #2 wakes up from her nap, i guess!

lazy day

2011-03-26T17:24:00.000-07:00

i got nuthin' for ya...but seeing as how i'm not on facebook for another few weeks, i have no where to mention the fact that we are heading out for a dinner date (or sorts, brother in law is coming too) tonight, while my incredible Mum takes the girls...

the dinner is "courtesy" of our neighbours who just recently returned from their snow-bird trip down south....jim has been keep an eye on their place while they've been gone since dec. 26th (!!) and when they returned they blessed us with a gorgeous gift basket and a card - we were so thankful! but then...inside the card was a generous gift certificate to a great local restaurant!

so...we will use some of it tonight....my only wish is that i hadn't eaten so much at the little get-together we had this afternoon...for a childhood friend...who's packing up and leaving province - heading east...as far as she can but still remain in this country!

but it was sooo yummy! and dinner will be sooo yummy!

the only thing that would make it yummy-ER is if i could indulge in a couple glasses of wine along with it...

i'll take what i can though...being thankful for the fact that i cannot partake in some wine because of the miracle taking place within...

more on that, and how i'm feeling, in a different post...

i gotta stretch my thoughts out here...after all, they are few and far between these days!!

so...off i go...to stuff myself again...mmmm!

sigh...a reminder to SAVOUR these moments!

2011-03-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

every once in a while it's so refreshing to get a reminder you didn't know you needed!

we strive to live a simply life...not get "caught up" in it all and keep our daily routine family-focused.

but even while homeschooling does make this much easier, there are still times when i feel like i'm rushing the girls (and myself) through this chapter of our lives to get "there"...wherever "there" is!

so, when i stumbled upon this post the other day - from over here - i took it as a little whisper from God telling me to remember...to savour...to enjoy...to hold tight to our embrace of simplicity.

it's a post geared toward Mum's of daughters, but i think it's applicable to anyone - even people without children...embrace this chapter you are in right now, and don't wish it away - you are growing

************************

REFLECTIONS FROM AN EMPTY NEST

Spring-cleaning is just around the corner! And part of my springtime cleaning routine is to clean out cabinets. Feathering my nest is so easy and enjoyable! But when it comes to organizing my domain, that is when it gets a bit more difficult. I hate to clean out cabinets and believe this is because I am hopelessly sentimental. Clean and tidy cupboards I adore, but it is oh-so-painful to part with all the “memories”. Cleaning out the bathroom cabinet used to be my daughter’s chore…until she left home. I think the reality of her permanent departure from my nest and launch into the world hit me on the day I decided it was time to clean the bathroom cabinet. It was then I saw her numerous hair ribbons in a jumbled heap that I realized that she gone, never again to live in my home as a permanent resident.

As I untangled and sorted the pile I found the blue bow, the white fluffy one, the Kelly-green polka dot bow hmmm, I mused, why didn’t she take them with her ? Random snapshots, snippets of memories flashed before my mind’s eye of her scurrying around the house getting ready for church, AWANA, or one of her numerous babysitting jobs, her long brown braid hanging down her back anchored with one of her bows. That was when she was fourteen and she was now eighteen and wore a more mature and sophisticated bob.

Where did the time go?

The little girl who wore ribbons, bows, and braids was only transient, like a butterfly that stays but a summer, like the little bird that rests on your sill before migrating south for the duration of winter.

Today, she is in a nest of her own with two little ones.

Mothers, take it from this empty nester, make the most of the time you have with your daughters! In the time you spend training her to be a homemaker, you can give her skills and share moments that create life long memories. The moments you spend teaching your daughter are the “forever moments”. These are the instances that will influence her and give her the skills she will use someday in her own home. Don’t let this precious time of her life fly away without experiencing it with her. I look back on this time and wish I would have strived a little less and enjoyed a lot more. Make it a point to this week to savor this season when your nest is full!

Shelley

**************************

isn't it so true!?!

i need to remind myself of this more...

hope you have a good day!

encouragement for your day...as a mum

2011-03-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

well, it's wednesday, and my letters are stuck on orange! i like orange!

oh...there we go, that's WEIRD!! don't know what i did...

anyhow, i just thought i'd share this with you...it's the breath of fresh air i needed today, or yesterday (when i found it)...actually for ALL DAYS!!

it's from over here...a truly incredible place to go for a "rest"...go one over and take a peek!

10
Point Manifesto for Joyful Parenting

1. Today, I will make our home a house of prayer. I will pray at set times. And I will invite our children to come move into an interior space that lives with God.

2. Today, I will transfigure all things into beauty, and I will refuse to see anything else.

3. Today, I will not have any emergencies. There are no emergencies! Only amateurs hurry.

4. Today, when stress mounts, I pray to dismount it with gratitude. My stress management plan will be intervention with verbal thanks. I can only feel one feeling at a time, and I choose to give thanks at all times. Fight feeling with feeling!

5. Today, I will pray to speak words that are only STRONG words, words that make these children feel strong. Grace words. Grace is the only non-toxic air. All other words I breathe are death words.

6. Today, I will pray to be consistently consistent. I will create safe rhythms that our children can find security in. I will create daily ceremonies because everyday we are CELEBRATING the gift of now!

7. Today, the moment when I am most repelled by a child’s behavior, that is my sign to draw the very closest to that child.

8. Today, I will hug each of my children as many times as I serve them meals — because children’s hearts feed on touch. I’ll look for as many opportunities to touch my children today as possible — the taller they are, the more so.

9. Today, my priorities will be all Things Unseen.

10. Today, I will laugh! And I will let the little children laugh! I will create a culture of JOY!

hope you have a great day!

::taco soup::

2011-03-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

wanna know how it's done...over here at our place?!?

Well then go on over to simply homemade and check it out...

(and no, in case you were hoping for some long explanation about my absence, i got nuthin!)

Crafy creations...as of late!

2011-03-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

PLEASE NOTE: this IS a very long post,
but if you stick it out to the end....
you won't by disappointed, I promise!

ok...so i've gotten slightly addicted to crocheting...or "hooking" as it's more popularly referred to these days!? I think I'll stick with the "old fashioned" term...thankyouverymuch!!

take a peek at these little gems..and let me know if you'd be interested in purchasing any of them! Most of these are sold, as they were made for a friend as photography props...but reproducing any of them would be simple enough:)

::colourful beanies::

::aviator::

::little bear::

::pompom square::

::ear flap cap::

::ear flap cap and diaper cover::

::daisy top::

::flower beanie::

::popcorn top::

::molly monkey::

::max monkey::

::fuzzy bear::

and NOW, onto my newest favourite thing - RE-PURPOSED T-shirts!!!! And the magic of WUNDER-UNDER!!

::knot top "tough guy" beanie::

and my personal favourites.....

and.....

::Whatdoya think?!?!?::

tylynn

2011-03-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

::unsure::

last week we had the privileged of watching my niece for the evening...I wasn't too sure how it would pan out as she hasn't been to our place in a long time, and it was during dinner-time prep that she would be here, needing to be watched, and not easily distracted with the same things my girls are!!

::curious::

anyhow...she did GREAT!! We enjoyed having another 3 year old in the house! And my girls were great with their cousin!!

::warming up::

::there you are, Tylynn!::

ACK!!!

2011-03-08T23:16:00.000-08:00

....i AM here...and did arrive home safely after a weekend away with my Mum!

But...I haven't been able to catch a breath since returning...which certainly leaves blogging out in the cold!

but, please bear with me (is that the right way to spell that?!) and I will be back here as soon as I can!!

possibly without anything more on project31...but let me know if you'd like me to do a few of the last ones!! ...please :)

sidenote/tangent: Lent begins tomorrow and I am giving up Facebook! So...maybe you, my faithful reader, will be blessed by that with more frequent posts here?! ...i'm not promising anything though, because the idea behind giving up FB was to allow for more TIME!!

anyhow...hope you're having a swell week so far...i sure am!!

~C

project31 - day 25

2011-03-03T21:53:00.000-08:00

Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.

okay...so I'm kinda copping out here (again) as far as posting a pic goes...but there ARE two pictures...just not of moi!

but, in all seriousness, these two pictures perfectly represent my all-time favourite comfy clothes...

they are: Lululemon "Feel the Love" Hoodie - the name of this hoodie says it all...when you put it on it feels like your getting a nice, big hug! And it's nice and long too!!

and Lululemon "Be Still" pants - long :) Putting these pants on makes you wish that every pair of pants felt like these, fit like these, and make you look like these!! AND.....they are comfortable!! What more could you ask for??

.......I couldn't think of anything else either!

So there.....go get yourself some!! You'll thank me later!!

project31 - day 24

2011-03-02T23:21:00.000-08:00

whoa...barely made this one before the deadline of midnight! but i should honestly be in bed to get as much broken sleep as I can with a little sickie sleeping beside me with a croupy cough and super high fever :( poor Bean!!

Anyhow, here's today's...

24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?

Without a doubt, hands down, I am (we are) being taught to completely live out the faith I claim to have in Him and His promises. It's incredible, and somewhat sad at times, to get a good look at where your faith stands when it really comes down to the nitty gritty!!

I can have faith in many situations, and speak about faith to people in difficult circumstances, but when it comes to a time like this that we find ourselves in now, I have no choice but to run away or to run into His arms.

I've tried running away and doing it myself many times before...but the thing is, in living a life following God, you never fail His tests...you just have to keep taking them over and over...and over.

I am done taking this test...and on the narrow path of passing it with flying colours...with His mercy and love guiding and protecting me along the way.

how about you?

project31 - day 22 & 23

2011-03-01T23:05:00.000-08:00

okay...I am SO FAR behind, I don't even know what day I'm on anymore!!! BUT I think that if I do these two more....I MAY be caught up?!?! Let me know if you think different!!

22:: What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.

There are many different demographics in our little town, each with their list of needs.....but the one that hits us closest to the heart is those families in need.  So something that we try to make a habit of doing is going through our things at home and thinning out some of the things we could do without in order to give to others. As well, when we can, we add a few extra things to our grocery cart in order to drop off at the food bank.  At Christmas time we make it a tradition to do a few hampers to dontate to the Elve's Club.

I know it's not much, and I'd love to be able to do more, but those are just a few things we are trying to help the needs of our community.

23:: What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

Strengths:
~ determined
~ loving
~ persistant
~ this one's HARD!
~ trying to be an optimist

Weaknesses:
~ insecure
~ unorganized
~ procrastinator
~ messy
~ I think that's enough for now!

....ahh!! All caught up - I think!!

project31 - day 21

2011-03-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him

Oh My Lovey...

I know that many people won't care to read what I have to say to you.....but I also know that I don't say it enough!!

I love you more than I even know. I love how you love me and how you are patient and persistent with me learning to love myself.

You have taught me so much, from the names of parts of an engine to what unconditional love looks like.

That unconditional love is something I see spread out into your role as "Dado, Daddy, Dad!" to our girls. The sparkle in your eye when you greet them after a days work is unmistakable. The joy in your heart as you cuddle them on the sofa is contagious. The kid inside you that breaks free when they ask you to play with them is hilarious!

You are an incredible husband, a loving father, but most of all, you are a man of great integrity and determination and that is something you need to be proud of. Those characteristics are not easy to come by, nor are they easy to maintain, but in these past 11 years that we've known each other and been together, what a testament to see those priceless characteristics never waiver.....but grown stronger.

I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that. What a honour it is for me to be yours....
I look forward to many more memories to come!!
Love you...lots,
me

project31 - day 20

2011-03-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

20:: Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.

Oh..... here we go!!

No job-hating here!!

I am finally living the life I have waited for for years

I feel blessed to have had my years of teaching in a great school district, but there is no way that you can give 100% in any area of life when you are a wife, mum and working woman....I don't care what anyone else says....there are always areas that suffer.

My life is free from the chaos of rushing off to work
to get my job done
to rush home to the kids
to get my job done
and repeat
and repeat....

No, it's not an easy job
No, it's certainly not glamorous
No, it really doesn't pay well - in a monetary value

But these days that I get with my girls
playing
baking
exploring
visiting
laughing
resting
being
are days that I can never get back
days that will be gone sooner than I care to imagine
days that teach me more about myself and my role in their lives than I will ever be able to teach them!

Making this choice in "career change" has certainly been a huge adjustment as far as finances go, but this is the job that I have been called to
these are the people who I have chosen to be my employers
and as much as there are moments in some days when I wouldn't mind getting back in a classroom, it only lasts a moment....and I am quickly reminded of my blessings

and how incredibly blessed I am to be able to stay at home

project31 - day 19

2011-03-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

19:: Write about your favorite comfort food

hmmm......let's see here!?

I love food in general......so narrow it down to A comfort food is a tad difficult for me!

I find any/all types of food comforting......but I guess if I had to narrow it down I would have to say appys of many sorts...guacamole and chips, warm dips and bread, hummus and warm pitas, fresh salsa and nachos, veggies and dip (not anywhere near the top of my list, tho!) .....

So, I guess, further narrowing it down, I love dips and dipping things:)

I know I have a picture in here somewhere of something yummy I've concocted at some point, but I can guarantee you it is my external hard-drive amidst all the other 135,324 pictures retrieved after they had been permanently deleted from my lap top :P .....so, you're not gonna see it!

....off I go to get something to nibble on!!

absence...excuses...

2011-02-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

ahhhhh....did you miss me?!?!?

So...i thought heading away for the weekend was a good idea, but then i remembered i hadn't written any posts to be published! Not that i have EVER done that, but being planned in advance to have that happen would have been great foresight!!

so, i got nuthin' ...but i will soon!!

I am still going to stick to project31 and i will post some C.U.T.E. pictures from our weekend away visiting a brand.new.bebe!!!

So...stay tuned! And...I'll Be Back! (said in my best Arnie voice!)

project31 - day 18

2011-02-24T23:12:00.000-08:00

18:: Describe your personality.

really?!? okay.....i'll try.....

loud, but quiet

sarcastic, but sensitive

optimistic pessimist

lover of people

loyal friend

child of God

blessed Muma

loved wife

project31 - day 17

2011-02-23T20:30:00.000-08:00

17:: Write about 3 things that make you happy.

Now that's a hard one to narrow down!! How do I keep it to only 3 things!?!?

Generally:
1::faith
2::family
3::friends

Mentally:
1::laughter
2::exercise
3::people

Physically:
1::hugs
2::good food
3::good wine

Spiritually:
1::quiet time
2::reminders of God's truths
3::signs throughout the day that God knows I will notice and they'll make me smile

Not too generally:
1::God's unending faithfulness
2::Jim's unconditional love
3::my girls and their ability to make me laugh

....there's my list of 3's :)

project31 - day 16

2011-02-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

16:: Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.

Dear Karys and Avery...

Oh my...what a treasure you two are to me. The amount of love I hold for you two goes beyond anything I can even fathom...and my love is flawed! Imagine then the perfect, flawless love that your Father in Heaven has for you! I pray that you come to know that love as your own one day. I pray that through my flawed perspectives and abilities that I am still able to instill in you both the depth of your beauty as a woman, and more importantly, a child of God.

I pray that you will never know the depth of pain this world can cause an insecure girl who feels like she could never measure up...but please know, that if that time comes, Mummy will ALWAYS be here for you...to cry on, to vent to, and to remind you of your incredible beauty.

The idea that my body housed and grew you for the first nine months has certainly helped me in the realization of what TRUE beauty is...what a beautiful miracle to behold the formation of a new life...

I take on this challenge as your "Mummy" with open arms and a open heart...to hold you when you're hurt, to cry with you when your broken and to laugh with you along the way.

Mummy loves you my beautiful baby girls...to the moon and back!

XOXO

project31 - day 14 and 15

2011-02-22T19:03:00.000-08:00

booo me!!! seriously!! how can I be so bad at this blogging thing?!?!?

Forgive me for these "catch up" posts...but honestly...? I don't have an excuse!

But I do want to mention, the last two days have been subjects that A: i don't feel like doing (day 14) and B: i feel like I'll be repeating myself!

SO I am going to completely skip *gasp* day 14, because who really wants to see my in another outfit?? Not me!

14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic! <<-- SKIPPED

Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.

My dear friend Mo came into my life about a year ago...and although we didn't know each other, at ALL, prior to a book club meeting, we became fast friends and before long, it seemed like we'd known each other for years! Mo is a lover of life and all things beautiful...and she can find beauty in ALL things! So...here's to you...

Dear Mo,

You are beautiful! Do you know that?! I think deep down you want to know that and I see that you are trying to live confidently and assured....but humble. I love that!
I love your unique style...it inspires me to be brave and just wear things that I want to, not caring what others MAY think! Because, really, who cares!!??
You have taught me to be brave in my style, to love better, to laugh more, to scatter joy, to live life FULLY!
I am completely blessed by your friendship and am so excited to share more of our lives together!
Keep smilin'!
Love,
Me

project31 - day 12 and 13

2011-02-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

ooops...totally missed yesterday!! boo me! but we did have an incredibly FULL day yesterday and I couldn't imagine having fit a post in there too!! yup...one of those days!

So, here I am chasing my tail, trying to catch up!

12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.

There are several things that wear me out...some self-inflicted, others aren't. The one thing that immediately pops into my mind is that constant pressure to "measure up"...this one comes from within - my own insecurities - but is made worse by society's standards of all things I am: woman, wife, mum. I can't stand feeling like I am always falling short when it comes to society's standards...BUT, a good way for me to combat that would be to stop caring! I know...easier said than done!

Seriously, that's the biggest one for me...seems trivial, but it is something that I struggle with, which brings me to day 13...

13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

I would L.O.V.E. to be able to be 100% fine with who God created me to be...as me, as wife, as mother. Instead of always comparing myself to "her" and "her" and how "she's so...?" and I could never be like that. It's not helpful...like, at all!! Something that helps me gain some perspective is when I imagine saying the things I do to myself to one of my girls...
I.WOULD.N.E.V.E.R.!!! I could NEVER!! So then why do I think/mentally say those things to myself??

Joyce Meyer says that it's scientifically proven that you believe the most of what you hear yourself say...not what your loving family and friends tell you over...and over...and over. But what you say to yourself!

So...here's a challenge for you (and ME!) ...go now to your bathroom, look at yourself in the mirror and say - out loud, with a smile - I am gorgeous! I am a great wife/friend/woman. God is doing incredible things in me/through me. Great things are in-store. I am beautiful.

And the next time you begin to think something negative about yourself...STOP! RIGHT THEN! And reaffirm yourself with 5 positive thoughts! It's hard...but SO worth it!

That's something I am hoping/trying to change about myself...for the better!

there ya go...two days in one...and again no pictures :(

hope you're having a great weekend!

project31 - day 11

2011-02-17T22:36:00.000-08:00

11:: Post a recipe.

okay...normally I'd be all over that one...hence my other blog! Find it on the side-bar and go take a peek if you haven't!

but normally, i don't have the flu and haven't puked up everything i've eaten...all.day.long!

So the only recipe i'm interested in at the moment is "how to get this bug outta the house!!...like, NOW!"

sorry guys...that's all I got!

project31 - day 10

2011-02-16T11:25:00.001-08:00

10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)

HA! I don't mean to be harsh regarding this question, but seriously?! What isn't He teaching me, would be a far better wording for the question! Dontchya think?!

Okay, back to the question:

As a wife, He is teaching me to love without expectation. Now, I don't want you to get the wrong picture of what that looks like. My guy is an in.credible guy! Helps without asking, awesome Dad and a better house-keeper than I'll ever be! But...when I start getting these expectations in my head about how he should be doing things, or what he should do for me...it only puts unknown pressure on him to "measure up" to something he knows nothing about! Now, I don't know about you, but I like knowing what's expected of me!

So...ya, I hope that makes more sense. I am trying to love him for him!

I am trying to be a better homemaker and not feel inferior when he cleans the house in a fraction of the time that it takes me.

I am trying my best to not do the those little things that I know irk him, that would be easy for me to stop, but I just haven't.

God wants me to be the best I can be in all situations. And as a wife, He has brought these particular things to mind.

As for a Muma, I strive daily to live up to what it says in Proverbs 31:26 - "She speaks with wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction."

God has, thankfully, blessed me with these incredible girls and has also shown me how fast this time will be gone...never again to be relived.

I am trying so hard to "not sweat the small stuff" and breath my girls in for who they are right.now.

I am trying, with His help, to have grace in all situations. Grace that He so freely gives to us, but grace that I am often led to believe needs to be earned by my girls in order for me to give. How dare I?!

As a friend, I believe that God is really asking my to "share your truths"... meaning to share with my friends the incredible things He has brought us through and the simple truths that have become reality for us.

But in that prompting, I also believe that He is asking me to listen and share when/if appropriate. Not just to bound into a conversation and go on and on about everything about me. But, rather, sit and listen, and when I have dealt with a similar situation, then share to relate.

And...as a woman, God is still chipping away at the ugly wall of lack of confidence and self-deprecation. He is constantly whispering His loving truths into my ear, reassuring me of my abilities for the roles in which He's placed me. It's been a long road, I am just so thankful He hasn't given up on my yet!!

project31 - day 9

2011-02-15T23:09:00.000-08:00

9. What virtues do you value in yourself?

Hmmm...well according to Wikipedia: A virtue is a trait or quality deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.

SO...I guess for my sake of better understanding, I could re-phrase the question to read: What morally excellent traits or qualities do I value in myself?

I love to listen to people who are willing to share...and I listen with my whole heart. Sometimes to a fault though...because I get attached to people too easily!

If people are willing to listen to me, I would love to share with them this incredible thing God has brought us through, and is continuing to bring us through. To be able to share the wonders of our loving and faithful Father is something I cherish!

God's truths (some more than others) have been revealed to me recently in a way that really helps me...so I love to encourage others with those truths if a situation presents itself.

It's gotta be "morally excellent" to be able to laugh at yourself...NO?! Well, that's something I'm good at!

My "yes" is my "yes" and my "no" is my "no"...or at least that is something I am striving toward!

God calls us to a life of abundance. Not one where we mope around dwelling on our hardships...because we all have them! So, in order to live a life worthy of His calling I have claimed this year to be one faced with "expectant JOY!" ...expecting good things where I go, of the people I am with, in the situations I find myself.

Choose JOY!

project31 - day 8

2011-02-14T22:21:00.000-08:00

8:: Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!

okay...so this one has taken a lot of thought, because I really have nothing to share with you, in this department!

but I came up with two pointers!

#1 is for make-up wearers! My tip is regarding eye-liner! I've only recently stared wearing the stuff, because I finally found one that i can apply without looking like a 12 year old who doesn't know how to put make-up on! And what is it I found?? It's a liquid liner with a paint-brush tip!! So...it's like using a felt (always ready, never needs sharpening!!), and who doesn't like to colour! And...you can't really mess it up because the line is SO FINE!!! So, there's numero uno!

#2 is just for a little way to treat ourselves...a simple little thing you can do to at home to retreat into a mini-spa:) ahhh....
So, here ya go! Get a big bowl of hot, bubbly water...soak your feet in it until they are nice and toasty! Then, get your mixture of a good oil (olive, coconut, grapeseed) and sugar (1:1 ratio) and massage your feet with the mixture! This wonderful scrub sloughs off all the dead, dry skin and once you rinse it off, it leaves your feet feeling like you just had a pedicure!

go ahead and try these tips...I dare ya!!

project31 - day 7

2011-02-13T22:18:00.000-08:00

7:: Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.

Dear Friend,

Thank you! For being an example of beauty! For carrying yourself with such humble confidence. I doubt that you know the effect you've had on my own character, and that makes it all the more significant. Your integrity astounds me...your "stick-with-it-ness" inspires me...your sense of humour makes my day...your positive attitude in all situations is an example to me...your courage to take on new/unknown challenges pushes me...your love for your hubby and children (where applicable) refreshes me.
Thank you, so much, for your constant display of beauty to me...on every level!

Your friend,
me

project31 - day 6

2011-02-12T21:09:00.000-08:00

6:: Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?

HA...sorry! but I think the question should read "HOW has the world's definition of beauty jaded you?"

To be completely honest, the world's definition of beauty has always jaded me...and it continues to do so.

It is something I have always struggled with...and, by the grace of God, something I will be less jaded by as I grow older and deeper in my realization of importance and perfection through Christ.

I can honestly remember being jaded by "beauty" as early as Gr. 1!! Can you believe that?!?! Grade ONE! I would have been 6 years old...and already made to feel that I didn't measure up.

Those feelings of "falling short" in the beauty department continued through the rest of my adolescence in some way or another...whether it be fashion trends I could not be a part of because the items weren't made in my size, or simply being visually fed that offensive barrage of cover-shots on magazines that just scream "you'll never look like me; therefore, you'll never EVER measure up."

I tried everything.you.could.imagine. to try and "fit in" to the world's standards...all the while battling my thoughts of what the Bible says is truth, and true beauty.

I spent many, many tear-filled nights on my Mum's bed screaming at her to stop telling me I was beautiful, because I felt she HAD to say that...after all, she was my mother!

So yes...I've certainly been jaded by the world's definition of beauty...and I still am.

My only prayer is that I can rise above that and raise my girls to be confident women of God a lot sooner than it's taken me!

you are beautiful...say that out LOUD! And...believe it!!

project31 - day 5

2011-02-11T21:00:00.001-08:00

5:: Write a post thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.

well, this one's easy-peasy! That would HAVE to be my incredible hubby!
I met the guy at a point in my life where even I didn't know who I was...
he stuck around,
laughed at my jokes
and didn't seem to be bothered by my severe lack of self-confidence
(I would have said, at the time, it was because "he's a guy" and wouldn't even have that on his radar...but nuthin' gets past this guy!!)
he saw my pain
but didn't push advice
he simply befriended a girl who needed someone...like him
neither of us knew it at the time!
2 years went by and we were still friends
neither thinking anything about the other
and then...
with all the support
with all the late night
heart-to-heart chats,
we both started to realize
there may be something more here.

he made a meat-eater out of a reluctant vegetarian
he patiently sat at my side as I shared my pain
he laughed with me...and at me
he didn't care one.bit. what other people thought...and still doesn't
he offered help and meant it
he helped me believe in my potential
he made dates...and kept them
he encouraged me through my last years of my degree and listened to my rants even though he had no clue what I was going on about!
he faced my family with not an ounce of intimidation...not an easy feat!
he shared God's truths with me and helped me make them my own
he talked about...and still talks about...my Dad
he dreams...big
he believed in me...and still is my biggest fan
he loved me when i couldn't even stand myself

he loves to make me laugh

he is an IN.CREDIBLE Dado

my heart is alive because of this man...and I am blessed INDEED!

...i love you Babe.

project31 - day 4

2011-02-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

Style 31 - My Favourite Outfit

Okay...well although this may NOT be...actually, IS NOT...the most flattering outfit, you can be sure to see me in apparel similar to this most days of the week!

I {heart} comfort...and my clothing style mirrors that...I think:P

So here I am, me and my hair...(with two monkeys who most certainly MUST belong to a very unruly mother who lets them make crazy faces at cameras....*pfft* some Mum)...in my newest "comfy" item from Christmas...and what you can't see is a pair of ultra-comfy lounger-pants!! Hmm...kinda makes me wanna stay in this ALL.DAY.LONG!

happy day...

project31 - day 3

2011-02-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

3:: Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?

Whoa man...I hope that the other 28 days aren't such loaded questions! This one's gonna make my thinker think!!

But I'm gonna cheat a bit and bundle up all the people I can think of into one hypothetical person and describe how "she" inspires beauty.  You see, I've been blessed by a select few quality friendships...and that FAR outweighs quantity!

She carries herself with a humble confidence.

She laughs at her silly antics.

She is always...ALWAYS positive...and that makes me want to be a better person!

She is current in fashion, but certainly NOT obsessed with it.

She has her own style and sports it without hesitation.

She holds fast to her convictions.

She L.O.V.E.S. her family.

She is health-conscious but would devour a sweet treat with me...any day!

I am blessed to have "her" in my life...and you few KNOW who "you" are!!

...be blessed!

project31 - day 2

2011-02-08T18:50:00.000-08:00

2:: What makes you uniquely YOU?

well now...if this question was 20 years ago I could answer you in an instant!! "Why, it would HAVE to be my hair that is so high it surpasses the limits of a school photo...of COURSE!!"

now if you didn't have the privileged of knowing me then...or of seeing pictures of those days of ol'...then simply close your eyes and picture a mullet...okay?!
Are you picturing it?? Good...
and now picture that mullet being cut out of hair likened to that of someone of African decent...
coarse, frizzy, and uncontrollable...
are you picturing it?! Okay...
now picture that mullet of coarse frizziness belonging to a little girl
whose Mother INSISTED
on it being BRUSHED!!!...yes, brushed!
I would most certainly think that THAT would be what made me "ME"...then!

{kinda like this...but B.E.T.T.E.R.!}
oh my word...that pic is embarrassing!!

But we're talking about what makes me unique now, and probably not so aesthetically based!

So...then...I guess I'd have to say what makes me "ME" would be my hair...still!
But more than that, I'm a rather determined person in many respects.
I am a...or try to be...loving wife and Muma.
I am a loyal friend.
I love to laugh...and hopefully make people laugh!
I have a very sarcastic sense of humour, which sometimes lands me in a puddle of trouble.
I tend to live life more in the "ebb" than the "flow."
I'm left-handed.
I have a degree in English, but don't spell too well and cannot tell you ONE thing about the 5432123 Shakespeare plays I studied!
People can't usually determine my ethnicity...and I enjoy hearing their assumptions.
But most importantly...what makes me ultimately ME are all the people who have entered and exited my life...teaching me a bit more about who I am and loving me while they do it!
I AM THANKFUL!
I AM BLESSED!

...be blessed!

a little gem of truth

2011-02-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

So...I was going my daily dose of blogs when I came across this gem from over here...and, the awesome-er part about it is if you go over to her site, you can click on a link that will give you a printable version!!...i {heart} printable versions of ANYTHING!!!

So, although her site is quite obviously geared toward homeschoolers, there is still SO MUCH TRUTH in this little gem here....please take the time to ponder these truths and soak 'em up!

Super Mom	Abiding Mom
Does	Is (Psalm 46:10)
Tries to impress others	Pleases the Lord (Eph. 5:10, Proverbs 29:25)
Is controlled by an agenda (curriculum, schedule, etc)	Is controlled by the Holy Spirit: (Gal. 5:22-26) (Uses curriculum & schedules as tools for orderliness so she's more free to follow the spirit)
Her self worth is found in her accomplishments (clean house, perfect kids, the perfect bulletin boards, etc.)	Her self worth is found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10)
Her peace is found in the “perfect” environment	Her peace is found in Jesus in the midst of any storm (Is 26:3)
She is discouraged by failure	Failure reminds her that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
She expects perfection from herself and others	She practices grace with herself and others (Eph 4:32)
She teaches her kids to be good	She teaches her kids to be Godly (Proverbs 22:6)
She is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit	She abides in Christ and bears much fruit (John 15:5)
She does things with her children	She builds a relationship with her children (Deut 6:6-7)
Her perspective is based on what is seen	Her perspective is based on what is unseen (Col 3:2)
She chooses quantity of activities	She chooses the most excellent Way (I Cor 13)
Her kids may recall how busy she always is.	Her children rise and call her blessed. (Prov. 31:28)

OH the truth in these statements is so incredibly humbling!!

may you come to know your true value and fully realize the importance in the role to which you've been called!

...be blessed!

project31 - day 1

2011-02-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

1:: What does beauty mean to you?

I find this ironic that it is the first post to be written on, given that this exact "idea" of beauty is something that I have struggled to define for most of my life.

Being someone who has lacked confidence in myself since a very young age, I feel as though I had fallen deep into the pit of society's ideals of what "beauty" is by way a specific size, colour, face, and wardrobe.

All of that was, of course, all the opposite of what I learned growing up in the church and I never had parents who judged me by appearance. I also had very, VERY accepting friends. SO, this skewed idea of what "beauty" is most certainly wasn't something I was raised to believe.

If you listen to your Mum, "beauty is only skin deep," but as a 16 year old...skin deep is all that matters.

The chapter of Proverbs that this entire challenge is based on says this in verse 30:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

So, even that verse would suggest that beauty is something to behold, or gaze upon.

But to me...something that I have come to learn in my 30 years on this earth - although it has taken a long time, and I am only really learning this in the last 10 years or so - is that beauty, for me, is more of a character trait rather than a specific "look."

Does that even make sense?? I mean, someone can "look beautiful," but then they open their mouth and speak rudely...not so "beautiful" anymore are they?!

So...beauty to me is someone who is genuine, funny, kind, displays integrity...someone who holds tight to their convictions no matter the "weather" of what's popular at the moment...someone who will speak the truth in love...

all things I try to be...and hope one day to possess.

or beauty is to gaze upon the face of an innocent child, all their trust and genuine love, confidence in their abilities because of their confidence in your love for them, and be humbled by your role in their life as "Mummy"...the one to whom they will look to for unconditional acceptance and even, one day, look to and ask "Mummy, am I beautiful?"...and my heart will break at their beauty and sincere concern over that arbitrary word...but I know the answer!

"A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised"...oh how I pray that becomes my character along this journey called life.

...be blessed!

a challenge...of sorts

2011-02-06T22:03:00.000-08:00

well, as i am sure you are well aware...i've kind of fallen off the wagon as far as posting goes!!

but the thing is, i really want to write...like really! but i don't want to just be another "blogger" that fills the web with banter...

i want to add a bit of "something" to the day of a reader....be it laughter, encouragement, or a bit of insight...

so, in the madness that is my life - good madness, that is!! - i have been soaking up a lot of encouragement, laughter and insight galore...but can't quite find the words to pass all of that on to you...so i haven't...and that makes me sad!

until now...i'm not making ANY promises here, but i AM hopping back on the "posting" wagon in hopes to let you in on what's going on here daily...as well as bring you that bit of laughter, encouragement, or insight...

how you may ask...?

i decided to take the challenge...after seeing the idea over here on my good friend's blog!

Here's an excerpt from the blog that posted the challenge...the "rules" per-say...

What is "Project 31"? It is a collection of thoughts, ideas, and women who potray beauty in a inspired way. "Project 31" is you celebrating your God given beauty, and celebrating the beautiful women around you. The meaning behind the project is taken from this:

Proverbs 31

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
¹³ She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
¹⁵ She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
²² She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Pretty good stuff, huh? Wanna join in? Here is the challenge... For 31 days, blog each day about things that celebrate your God given beauty, and the beauty of the women around you.

THE LIST:

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

*********************

can i do it??? we have yet to see...

do i want to...you bet!!

i've been thinking a LOT about Proverbs 31 as of late...and how i can be more of a woman described in this chapter...how i can be a source of encouragement to my husband, my children, and others in my life!

come along with me...as i celebrate beauty with project 31...and, maybe you'll decide to take the challenge too!!?

be blessed...

friday

2011-02-04T10:22:00.001-08:00

so...today...a glimpse into my day, thus far...and it's only 10:22

we've woken up...shared breakfast...watched the girls maul their poor kitties...wrangled in a few rude comments...given some snuggles...made a birthday cake...and the icing...made wrapping paper...and a card...wrapped a present...played "wile ferocious tiger"...cleaned the baking mess...opened up google reader to catch up on blogs past...while listening to the girls run, and run, and run....interrupted by "that sound"...that wretched sound from the depths of a sick gut!...to look behind me a shout "are you gonna puke??"..."mmm-hmmm"...followed by the wave!! rushed to the bathroom, only to be met by a closed door...oops! held my baby over the toilet wishing i could take away what the next few moments would bring:(...cleaned up the dripping door and full floor!...bathed my baby...got ready for taking them to swimming...blogged...and ran out the door in a frenzy to get the oldest to swimming...THE END

humbling truth

2011-01-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

thought i'd share this quote with you...

i was astounded as it brought my actions and their effects under a ultra-bright light to a place i could no longer hide them...

and maybe, "hopefully", try and blame the downward turn of any given day on something/one else, lack of sleep, children unwilling to listen...

sure, some of those things definitely play a roll in how situations are played out, BUT!!

can i allow them to control my actions?? no!

can i put the blame of my lost temper off onto someone else? no!

my attitude is MINE and no one but ME is to blame/praise for how i react/ don't react to a situation!!

so here's the slice of humble pie i enjoyed for breakfast this morning...enjoy!! (and yes, i ate it nicely and swallowed every last bite!)

“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated,
and a person is humanized or de-humanized.
If we treat people as they are, we make them worse.
If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

...to the start of a new week! Be blessed!

::wordless wednesday::

2011-01-19T18:13:00.000-08:00

Type-B Muma...

2011-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

i happened upon this refreshing post...and it brought comfort to my soul! I now know that I am not a failing type-A person, but rather very much a type-B person!! And this brings much freedom to my convictions of "failure" on all levels of life where I felt as though I could never measure up to those people who THRIVE of schedules and timetables!

I know that most of you who read this aren't homeschoolers, but I had to share it somewhere:)

enjoy...

*********************************

This one is for all you Type-B homeschooling mamas out there – be encouraged – you CAN homeschool well! Article brought to you by the sewing, cheesecake eating, ninja of jewelry and accessory hipness, Ashlee Baker.

My name is Ashlee and I am a work at home, homeschooling mama to 6 kiddos, ages 12, 10, 9, 7, 3, and 1, with another arriving in early July.

I run an online baby store as well as my home. And I am total type-b. Let me give you a glimpse at our school day and then I will explain. My husband heads off for work at about 8am and I try to be up by the time he leaves, but that doesn’t always happen. I make sure all my kids are up by 9 and we sit down for breakfast. It’s usually 10 or so by the time we clean up and do morning chores, and we dive in to our work. Everyone does their math and then we do some form of English. It could be a workbook, a creative story written after I give them a scenario, a synopsis of our weekend, their opinion of an upcoming holiday or event or anything else I come up with. The point is always to have them use proper English, punctuation, their best handwriting and make them think. After that we usually eat lunch and I lay the babies down. Our afternoon usually is spent watching a documentary, painting or doing a craft, listening to an audio book or just creative play.

To some people this does not look like a sufficient school day, and that’s okay. I was that person once. We started homeschooling six years ago when my oldest was entering first grade. I knew what a typical school day looked like so that is what I tried to duplicate; we did not have much fun. I am extremely laid back, but the only thing I knew about homeschooling was strict schedules, preplanned curriculum, and an 8-3 schedule. That was not working for me. I would spend hours writing up the perfect schedule, only to fail miserably the next few days, and beat myself up about the failure. Over the next few years I settled into a groove of teaching what is necessary, and teaching a lot of extras in things that were fun. This did work for me.

I am fortunate enough to have a type-a husband who keeps me in check. I have a tendency to be extremely type-b which can be tough when you are teaching four kids and raising six. He would love nothing more than for me to write out a schedule and stick to it. But he also sees that I work better with routines than schedules, so he helps me stay accountable to that. He also appreciates the crazy things we do in the name of education. Last week we watched several episodes of Mythbusters on Netflix all in the name of learning. A few weeks before that we watched the documentary, Babies, and discussed in detail, cultural nudity among other things. And that’s okay.

One of the things I try to do as a type-b mom is accept my weaknesses and ask God to make then strengths. I am a horrible procrastinator, so I try to make sure I am early everywhere I go and explain to my kids why its important. When we are late somewhere we are being disrespectful to the person waiting on us because we are not respecting their time. This helps me to be accountable to my kids. Another weakness is poor time management. I try to make this a strength by sticking to my routine in an acceptable time. This keeps the pressure of a schedule at bay, but makes sure I am getting the most done in the time allotted. I am teaching my kids through this as well by making sure they do their chores and school work in an acceptable amount of time, with diligence.

I am very thankful I am type-b because I think it allows me to be flexible and easy going. If something happens in the middle of our school day that causes us to get off track, no biggie, we will catch up tomorrow. If a kid becomes sick in the middle of the day, we just take that opportunity to exercise our compassion by taking care of whoever is sick through serving them, taking over their chores joyfully, praying over them and doing what we can to cheer them up.

My kids may never memorize all the Presidents, but they will know what they do and they will know to respect them at all times, even if they don’t agree with their viewpoints. They may never memorize pi, but they will know how to spot the best deal at the store, calculate percentages, and make change quickly and accurately. They may never recite Robert Frost’s poems from memory, but they will be able to quote scripture with the quickness, for any situation they come across in life. They may never draw out the countries in Africa in 60 seconds, but they sure will pretend they are missionaries in the African jungle bringing the Word of God to an unknown tribe. Then again, they may do all those amazing things if they want.

I heard a story last year that solidified this thinking in my heart. It was the story of Francis Collins, scientist who helped map human DNA and who also happened to be an evangelical Christian. He was interviewed about his success and was asked about his homeschooling experience. His father was an English PhD and professor and his mom was a playwright (and type-b, I bet). He said they were very into folk music and putting on elaborate medieval productions. But this environment was a place to thrive. They would explore a topic, like the origins of words, for a week or two, doing nothing else, then move on to another subject, like mathematics. As a result, Dr. Collins said, he grew up with an unquenchable curiosity and love of learning. You see, God’s plan for him was to help map human DNA. All his parents had to do was create in him a passion for learning and God took care of the rest.

I will never teach my children all there is to know, but I will teach them all they need to know. My job is to create a passion for learning and a passion for Christ and He will take care of the rest.

Lastly, I must accept that I will never be type-a. I will never run well off schedules and strict curriculum. But that is okay, God created me just the way He wanted. He will give me all the strength and ability I need to do what He has called me to. Also, I am not inferior to my type-a friends, just different and their detailed schedules are not better, just different. There is room for all of us in the realm of homeschoolers, and our goal is basically the same, to provide our children with the best we have to offer.

Ashlee is a disciple, wife, mom of many, and artist. She stumbles through Gods calling, trying to do her best to honor Him. She make lots of mistakes but never gives up the pursuit of her Savior. He guides her as a wife, strengthens her as a mom to almost 7, and inspires her as an artist. Head on over to her blog (or check out her shop) and say “hi!”

**********************

ahhh...so refreshed!

~be blessed

Pay-It-Forward...2011

2011-01-09T16:12:00.001-08:00

Okay...so this is something I found (and did) on Facebook...and it took longer than I thought... "who wouldn't want something homemade???"

at least that's what I thought!!!

So...here's the deal: this first five people to leave a comment here will receive from me something homemade within the year 2011!!

the catch: in return, your comment is sealing the deal that you will "pay it forward" and post this same thing in your blog, committing to make something for 5 other people:) Come on...you know you want to...and you have 365 days to come up with 5 things from the heart! That's like thinking of something for someone once very 2+ months!!

who's in??

The Dawning of 2011...

2011-01-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

So many words...swirling in my brain...

so many thoughts...trying to wrangle into sentences...

another year is upon us...and i have again sought a "word" to carry into this new chapter...

looking back on last year's word...i find it ironically similar to what life looks like for us at this moment...a year later...

the only difference is our attitude!

"delight yourself in the Lord" ~psalm 37:4

so, yes...we are going around the same mountain, but this time, we are learning!

we have learned to be happy in our "right now"...

not wallowing in what we had...

or longing for what's to come...

but to be content because we are right.where.we.are! (Phil 4:11)

so...this year my phrase is "expectant joy"

i will expect the best...of all people, in all circumstances!

Jesus came that we may have life...but not just a "hum-drum," "every day the same," "whoa-is-me" sort of life...but life in ABUNDANCE!!

No matter what is happening, no matter what situation I find myself in, or what chore I find myself doing, or what duty I have to fulfill, I can choose to do it with JOY!

I will pray bolder prayers because I believe what it says in Eph. 3:20...

He is able to do far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]

...does that makes sense to you?? HE is able to do MORE than we could even begin to FATHOM!! i would imagine that that's a LOT!

and just in case you may think that you aren't warranted any asking, dreaming or imagining...James 4 says that we have not because we ask not...so, I WILL ask...BOLDLY!

I will enjoy where I am at while I get to where I'm going!

I will dream big dreams and even if I only get part of it, that's better than dreaming small and getting it all!

it is promised in Isaiah that God will trade me JOY for mourning...He will give me BEAUTY for
ashes!

seems like He's getting a bad deal, but His divine exchange...it doesn't have to make sense, i simply have to accept it!!

I will expectantly hope for the BEST and live with JOY!

no, it won't be easy, and yes, there will be many times throughout this year where I fail and choose complaining and moaning over EXPECTANT JOY...but this will continue to be my hope and desire...this will be what I seek each morning, and what I pray He gives me the strength to live with!

And you...?

What word/phrase will you take with you this year??

Whatever it is, I hope you choose it expecting the best!

on this, the dawning of a new year, i am filled with EXPECTANT JOY for what's to come!

~blessings to you...

The Setting of 2010...

2010-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures I captured of the last sunset for 2010!

What a gorgeous day we were blessed with to close off a year that has showed us SO much!!

2010 was a year filled with growth...

finishing off a job that took me 100% out of my comfort zone, but taught me I had nothing to be afraid of...

surviving a 6 month drought with Jim's work that found us seeking the Face of the Only One who knows our future...

enjoying the work that comes along with a "fixer-upper" home such as ours...

seeing the progress in a job well-done!!

getting to spend our first summer in our new home!

taking the huge step out of a paid job to stay home with the girls...

and with that step, picking up the extra job of "homeschooling"

witnessing, first-hand, the joys of our steps of faith...we've never once regretted our decision to homeschool! what a freeing, bonding, growing, relaxing, fulfilling, encouraging job i have...not that it doesn't have it's challenges...there ARE certainly moments through days where I wish (and so do the girls) that we had some space, but that only teaches us more about how we work together as a family and how we deal with trying circumstances!

finally getting our heads above water with Jim getting his job back, only for us to find ourselves back in the same boat now for over 2 months! But we know God is faithful...and He has a pleasing plan for our future!! We now see this as a period of time in which we are to grow closer to Him and to each other, and we look forward to the day when His plans for us will be shown!

All in all an incredible year! One that I entered into having chosen to SAVOUR...and one that has certainly taught me to do so!!

Now...stay tuned for my words for 2011!!

Have a blessed and happy New Year celebration!!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-31T16:39:00.000-08:00

well now, THAT was fun!!!

here's a picture-walk through our holidays...i hope yours too were enjoyable, and filled with laughter and love!!

Christmas Eve

Karys ~ 5 yrs

Avery ~ 3 yrs

And the stockings were hung...finally!!
(if you're not friends with me on Facebook, you wouldn't know that these things have been talked about getting done for a WHILE now!!)

Jim's parents decided to come and spend the holidays with us, which is an added bonus ~ having all of both families right here!!

It's Jim's family tradition to open all the presents on Christmas Eve, but mine to open them on Christmas morning. SO the compromise we've worked out is: the kids get all his family's presents of Christmas Eve, and my side on Christmas morning...it kind of breaks things up a bit so as to attempt to avoid being completely overwhelmed!

SCOOTERS!!!!!!

Unfortunately i didn't snag a picture of the girls with my Mum, but my lil sis did...so, i guess i'm waiting on her!

~Christmas Morning~

Stockings...

Chapter books!!

a TAD too early for Dado!!

I am quickly realizing that as I found myself completely caught up in the hubbub of it all, i failed to capture many moments of the day on camera :( but here they are setting up one of the several "big toys" the girls got this year...which entailed a LOT of snapping and screwing and batteries - most of which we were completely unprepared for!!

They LOVE "tooling" with Dado!! and now they "can"!!

SO...from here on out you'll simply have to imagine: for brunch we enjoyed a delicious meal of waffles with whip cream, strawberry sauce and bacon...and for dinner, we had a traditional feast of turkey with all the fixings!!

Another year has come and gone...Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year. So much anticipation and excitement building up to a frenzy of food, family and gifts.

We are blessed...and now look forward to the dawning of a New Year and all that comes with that!

2010-12-21T17:26:00.000-08:00

::Merry Christmas...::

...to you and yours!! And a very blessed 2011!!

love, US xoxo

2010-12-20T16:49:00.001-08:00

::Sissy is Five!!::

okay, to be honest, this on snuck up on me! i mean, i KNOW, i have been teaching this girl Kindergarten for the past 4 months...but FIVE?!?! Already?!?!

i'm still in a bit of disbelief, but we DID enjoy Karys' day...fully!

it all started the week before the girls' birthdays when we headed into town for, what the girls thought, a trip to Costco!

and although we DID fit in a much-needed visit to the big-box-suck-your-bank-account-dry-store...our main intent for the trip across the water was....

Stanley Park's Bright Nights...with our favourite girls!! Unfortunately, we failed to snag a picture of all five girls...but fun was had by all! An event most certainly needed to be repeated next year!!

it was crisp and cool, a perfect addition to a wonderful Christmas event...and a great way for us to celebrate their birthdays...doing something simply... enjoyable!!

so, once their actual birthdays rolled around, it was nice to be able to just focus on the day and what we were going to together to make the entire day enjoyable and dedicated to the girl at hand:) (in case you're not aware, our girls birthdays are 5 days apart, and then our anniversary falls 9 days after that, so this is an expensive, blessed month, to say the least:))

Karys birthday comes second, but certainly not the least!! she has come to the age where she can remember the traditions we do for birthdays, and get excited with anticipation about what's to come!!

so...here she is, with her birthday pancake...and early presents from Gram

and later that day, we had set up a surprise for her!!!

4cats just opened a new studio here in the local mall, and i could not be more excited!! I thought it was a perfect way to allow Karys some alone, big-girl time on her special day! so i signed her up for a 2.5 hr course and we told her right before!! she was so excited!! and had a great time!!

Later that day, we had some family over for cake and presents...and Karys liked nothing more that to have undivided attention!!

the shirts suits her perfectly...and she LOVES her new game!!

all in all, it was a great day celebrating my first baby...turning five!!

here's my baby, 5 days after her little sister was born!!

so cute!!

mummy loves you Sissy, i love seeing you become such a little lady, a better sister each day...and such a big helper to me!!

2010-12-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

::beanie is three::

so, the birthday girl's morning started as all birthday mornings do in our home...with a birthday pancake, or two:)

in this collage we have the birthday girl patiently waiting for her #3 pancake to cook, posing for Muma in her birthday "outfit" - chosen and put on my the big girl, herself! And, an excited face ready to eat a yummy pancake!

(remember to click on the picture to get a bigger image)

the rest of the day was dedicated to Beanie...she chose what we did, she chose what we ate (to a certainly extent!) and she chose her guests for her special birthday dinner! Funny to think her favourite people are all 10x her age...or more!! So, we had the requested "noodles" for dinner...was that at ALL a surprise?! nope...

and here she is tearing into her presents and munching out on some birthday cake!!

all in all, it was a great day celebrating our baby...

what a different a couple years makes!!!

baby girl, mummy loves you and looks forward to celebrating many, MANY more days dedicated to YOU!!

2010-12-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

::no fail...super simple::

Play-dough!!

wanna know how to make it??

Check it out here at my simply homemade site:)

2010-12-12T21:54:00.000-08:00

::dance, dance, dance::

yes, the birthday posts are coming...i have the pictures uploaded and just need to do the posts:)

but lookie what we've got heeeere!!!

last week we had the privileged of sitting in on our girls' dance classes (3) to see what they've been learning this term!!

avery, i believe, is the youngest in her class, and has had quite a difficult time letting me go...but she has stayed a few times and certainly enjoys the class when she does decide to let go of her inhibitions.

all the little "ballerinas" in her class are SO.CUTE!! and...SO.TINY!! so, it's extra special to see them....

Karys is in her second year of ballet, and is a natural!! She LOVES her class, and LOVES her teacher! (which i was happy for, because it's a new teacher this year)

she is also in her first year of a combined class of tap and modern dance...this one was SUPER fun for us to watch as we had NO idea what she did in this class...or how she was doing!

she likes this class too...but maintains that ballet is her FAVOURITE!!

we love our girls...and love getting to be a part of what they love!!

2010-12-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

::my baby::

i know it's a day late...but who's counting! I mean i am, because i can NOT believe that Avery's three already!!!

so here's to my baby...Bean.

the sunshine of my life

SO smiley and eager!

willing and hard working

c.u.t.e!

sensitive

and cautious

but willing to try!

LOVER of food!

and her Sissy

always ready to get a laugh

my beautiful baby girl!

You have grown in leaps and bounds in this past year...and you're still a baby in my mind!! I love everything about you...your huge heart and short temper! Your love for life and sleep:)

Mummy hopes to raise you to be the best you can be! Confident, kind, loving, patient, big dreamer...And love every minute you are given!! Love you, my baby...

2010-12-03T21:23:00.000-08:00

::super speedy thin crust goodness::

go on over to my simply homemade site and check it out!!

sooo gooood!!

2010-12-03T17:51:00.000-08:00

:: refreshing truth::

so...I've written about this devotional we've been going thru several times now...maybe I'll try and find the links...maybe not... (one here, and i can't find the other one)

but I gotta write this while I have a moment...

so yesterday, before I even rolled out of bed, I was laying there, praying. That I would be the Mum the girls need, that I would portray some of the patience my heavenly Father bestows on me, that I would find the time to let them know how much I love them and just that the Holy Spirit would be present with us throughout the day...

and then we went for a drive...our Saturday ritual done on a Thursday...why not?!

i pulled out the devotional and opened it to this text...the words breathed refreshing truth into my heart, spoke right to my soul and cause tears to fall...

it's SO awesome when stuff like that happens, especially after I'd prayed for the Spirit to be present with us...

so, here's a section of the reading that will hopefully be some refreshing truth to you today:

One winter night evening, I drove up to the house, and there wasn't a single light on. At first I thought there must have been a power outage or something, but our neighbors' homes were lit up.

I walked into an empty house. Lisa and the kids had visited some friends and were stuck in traffic. The silence of my greeting felt overwhelming. The house, dark and empty, looked like a completely different place. I did something I never thought I'd do. I turned most of the lights on to welcome Lisa and the kids home.

That incident became one of those "lightning" moments when God impresses a truth on your heart, when the mundane becomes prophetic and time stops long enough for a profound thought to slip through. I couldn't articulate the thought, but I realized that every blessing comes with a burden.

If God were to take my wife and children home, I'd have a much smaller electric bill - and a hole in the heart the size of Texas.

I soon realized that in just about every complaint lies the foundation of thanksgiving....The fact that you're so busy assumes that you have a job. The fact that there's a load of laundry means someone is alive to get it dirty....

It really comes down to how we choose to look at it. God could remove the burden - but if he did, he'd also take away the blessing....

This week, whenever you feel tempted to complain because your kids are being kids - making messes, not replacing the toilet, leaving lights on, messing up your car - ask God to remind you of the blessing behind the burden. Ask him to help you remember that a clean house, a smaller bill, and a spotless car aren't nearly as fulfilling as a relationship of love. ~Gary Thomas

2010-12-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

::'tis the season::

for warm, chocolaty goodness...

check out how to make some...over HERE!!

do it....you know you waaaant to!

2010-12-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

:: creamy potato leek soup::

wanna know how to make it???

Check out my Simply Homemade blog!!

2010-12-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

::currency::

there's two

in this world

one that controls many lives

and one that life is controlled by

one that people strive to gain

and one that often slips away without so much as a glance

one that causes people to make pretty silly, hasty decisions

and one that, when all gone, people grieve not savouring

money

or time

when you have the money

you don't have the time

and when you have the time,

you, more often than not,

don't have the money

but what would you rather?

when THIS time is done...

it's gone, for good.

never again to be obtained,

no matter how hard one works.

at this moment...

i am living life with a currency

that can never make me wealthy

but what a rich, rich life i lead.

**********

***********
what currency are you living for??

2010-12-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

:: IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!! ::

and by IT, i mean DECEMBER!!!!!!

can you sense my enthusiasm??

*******
perhaps you don't share the same extent of excitement as me?!

that all may possibly be due to the fact

that your children weren't all born

in December?!

or maybe you don't absolutely LOVE Christmas

the way we do here?!

OR...maybe...you didn't choose to also

get married in December?!

***********

Needless to say...

We (heart) December...big!!

And, there's nothing more refreshing than

tearing off last month,

(with all of it's obligations,

written in pen,

and crossed out when done)

and looking forward to

this new month

and all the blessings it holds.

all the memories we will make

with birthdays, anniversaries,

the trimming of trees,

the crafting of all things

yummy and cute,

and remembering the birth of our Saviour.

Happy December!

2010-12-01T08:10:00.000-08:00

::can you hear me?::

...i mean amidst all things loud
and busy about my new backdrop??

 if you read me thru "reader"
or something of the like,
please click into the site
to take a quick peak
of my new digs...
and tell me if it's too...??

pretty please :)

2010-11-28T22:07:00.000-08:00

*freedom*

there's a lot of depth to that word....

there's a lot of limitations too...if you've trained yourself
to box in the word
as it pertains to you...and your life

i know that i have had MANY walls built up
surrounding that word
as it related to almost every aspect of my life

and I can honestly say, now, that most of those walls,
thank the Lord,
have been torn down

but the issue i am having now,
in all honesty,
is embracing this freedom,
being 100% fine with it,
and viewing how it's effect on my life
changes everything

because when you live in your own restricted freedom
for SO long
it's hard to retrain your mind

but i do it,
because i deserve it,
because Jim deserves it,
because my babies deserve it

Where the Spirit of the Lord is...there is freedom! ~2 Corinthians 3:17

so...as I am hit with these truths I am learning to embrace them,
to share them with people
and, hopefully, with you
but my struggle is making the time
and finding the words

the Truth is being spoken to me daily,
His word is breathing new life into me,
His Spirit wants nothing more than for me to KNOW this FREEDOM
but he enemy wants nothing more
than for me to shrink back
into that stilted, self-defined definition of the word
"Freedom as it pertains to you, Christina"

I will write on here more,
it is therapeutic to me,
and hopefully, if nothing more,
keeps you updated to my current "goings-on"

this Truth was brewing in my gut tonight,
and the old me didn't think it was worth mentioning
but I know better
because I now know the truth and
the truth shall set ME free ~John 8:32

freedom...
there's a lot of depth to that word
and my guts are still brewing
with more "stuff" that's on my mind

that'll wait for another day...
hopefully soon

~blessings

2010-11-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

i AM here

and life is INCREDIBLE

a LOT of "unknown"

a LOT of trusting

some HUGE steps of faith

i am still here

i still want to be writing posts

uploading pics of our incredibly blessed life

but i am really trying to figure out HOW

HOW i want this to be presented

HOW i hope this to be interpreted

SO....until i figure that out

i hope you'll stay tuned

~be blessed

2010-10-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

sitting here today...trying to think about all the this that need to get done...

but all i can think about is this and #2 on this love list

yup...it's that time of year again, for me. and one would think that if the in-between times are "easier," then THE DAY may get easier??

so far....not that case:(

but, it gives me cause to reflect, remember, and attempt to bring his personality and character across to my girls...

off i go to savour this day...

2010-10-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

well, as the days and weeks pass by, i am still 110% confident that we've made the best decision to homeschool our girls!

no...it's not easy

yes...sometimes i wish that we all had a 6 hour break from one another

no...we do NOT "do school" every day for 6 hours

yes...i ultimately love the time that we are getting as a family to work and be together.

here are a few pictures of 'school' in the past while:

our week focusing on the letter "c"

Cuties

Colours

Cookie Cutters

Creations

more fun with our discovery toys "busy farm"

colouring our little "fall is..." reader

Thanksgiving Turkey and her creation;p

my very creative Beanie...yes, that IS a "turkey"

so, there you have it. it's all i got right now...basically my life in a nut-shell - crafts and kids!
and I wouldn't change it...for anything!

2010-09-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

::EXPECT THE BEST::

That's my newest boost of encouragement from the incredible Joyce Meyer...in all situations, about all people, during all parts of your day-to-day...

::EXPECT THE BEST::

2010-09-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

{last week...in a nutshell}

...brought to you by the letter "Bb"

We've been homeschooling for over 2 weeks now...and wouldn't change a thing!!

THIS is what's RIGHT for our family...

THIS is what we NEED at this moment in time...

THIS holds such significance in the development of US as a FAMILY...

THIS, I wouldn't change for ANYTHING!!

2010-09-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

{let the games begin!}

well, the first week of 'school' ...aka: life...has come to a close

here's a snippet of what we've enjoyed doing...

our morning song list...

for calendar time!

Calendar close-up!
We have "Weather," "Days of the Week," "Months of the Year," memory verse, and some songs that help to learn/recognize the names/spelling of our family members!

this INCREDIBLE resource is available on-line HERE...and it's all FREE!!!
We LOVE it!!

***********************

After Calendar time, we "get to it"...having more fun;)

Awesome "Math tool" from Discovery Toys

Lots of fun for her...

AND her!!

Most days our "baby" goes for her nap a little after the calendar/math fun...

and that's when we do our big girl "work"

but even THAT'S fun!!

So...the first week we focused on the letter "A"...
and this is what Karys' "A" page looked like...

SO CUTE!!

*************************

And....as IF the first week of Kindergarten wasn't major enough...

my big girl learned to ride WITHOUT her training wheels on the second day of school!!!!

and I missed it ALL...because I ran in to get the camera!!

and THIS is the face that met me when I came out...

sheer JOY!!

So...it's done...and we're SO HAPPY!

What we're doing is what we've dreamed about...it is SO right for our family...we are in a good place right now!

we ARE blessed...

2010-09-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

{the big one}

so...i had many good intentions of coming up with something witty for this post, but really...? i got nuthin'

reality is...i just turned 30!!! *gulp*... *gasp*

I never thought that day would come...because in ALL honesty - no idea how all my 'mature' friends feel - but i'm still 18, mentally!! serious!

so, while this day was approaching, it was with much dread on my part...i would have to face the inevitable

well, face it i did...and like i said...i still feel 18...but have a higher numeral to admit when asked "how old are you?"

so..."whatdya get?" is a question i would wonder if i had a friend who just reached such a milestone...

and the answer is: SPOILED!!

nope...nuthin' fancy by ways of an elaborate party or a big surprise bash...we had a small BBQ with some close friends and family...and then jim took me into town one day and surprised me with this:

seriously!!!!!

and then...the next day, while we were trying to set this thing up (believe me...it's A LOT more simple than the route i was chosen to take, but that's a whole 'nuther post...or two!!!) i asked jim if i could re-register for this fitness class that i have been attending since may...

his response...from left field...was, "Na, i think you should just start running again...it's so much easier, and you come back so much happier. just get some new songs on your MP3 thingy and start running again!"

so...being oblivious to any underlying insinuations, i took that as "whoa, i guess i really HAVE fallen off that exercise-wagon and this is his subtle nudge at getting me back on it;)" *humble sigh*

okay...better get this computer set up so i can get some running tunes downloaded...and, i better find that MP3 thingy...where the heck did i put it...??

while we were setting things up, my lovely little brother was in town and decided to stop in for a visit/ aid-and-assist where needed...and as i'm busy asking questions and clicking where/when prompted, my little brother hands me this box...a big one...wrapped in birthday wrapping paper!!!! *SHOCK!!*

so...i do the giddy "what?!?! Dave!!! What is it??" and open the box to find this:

seriously!!!!

like i said...i was spoiled...my turning 30 was "mac-tacular!"...and now know why my hubby suggested i start running again;)

~i am blessed...

2010-09-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

{still here}

...and many posts a-brewing! but with all this not-going-off-to-school organizing and finding our groove here at home, blogging has - obviously - fallen by the wayside!!

once we fall into a nice rhythm here at home, you can be sure i'll be back here updating...

until then, savour these moments you're in - whatever they may be!

No matter what situation you find yourself in,

you have the ability to face it with JOY

~ joyce meyer

...blessings,

2010-08-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

{refeshing truth}

I came across this gem through Proud To Be Country and although I have no idea how to get the video to appear on here so you could just click the 'play' button...i think that if i just do this:

The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison

...and ask you to click the link, it should bring you to the right place...?

go ahead, click it...and be refreshed!

I was!

2010-08-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

::delicious::

wanna know how I make these bundles of goodness in this ancient oven??
then give me a little bit (as post is in progress) and
come on over to simply homemade goodness
to check it out!

UPDATE: this post is now up!

2010-08-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

::super speedy goodness::

wanna know how to make this?

come on over to simply homemade goodness and have a look!!

2010-08-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

{feelin' groovy}

the other day i got together with a couple mums and their kids (10 in total!!) and we decided to have a tie-dyeing par-tay!!

it may have been in the sweltering heat of the noon-day sun...and it may have taken us over an hour to mix all the colours together with boiling water...but who's to say;P

unfortunately, i didn't snap any pictures of the event...and the tedious tying or dyeing...or any of the kidlets displaying generous amounts of patience toward their mumas...

but i JUST rinsed them out and dried them...the dye isn't as vibrant as I, personally, would like...but...

what do you think???

I think they and their new owners are pretty darn cute!!
nice work for a trial run, i'd say!!
here's hoping the 8 other shirts turn out just as surprising!!

2010-08-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

{Simple Shoulder Bag}

wanna know how i made this:

come on over here and check it out!

2010-08-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

{my baby...bean}

well...i have a moment, so i'll take what i get! (in all honesty, i AM procrastinating;P) my baby is growing like a weed, which isn't anything new.

but what IS new is that i am actually snapping some pictures of 'things' :)

recently, Avery's been excited about 'camping out' in her room - an idea that she fancied, but one her older sister was NOT fond of...so, alone she slept!

{simple pleasures!}

{ooooh...and another simple pleasure...sleeping in Sissy's bed for nap-time, without her knowing!! Ssshhh!}

{cheese!}

and i will leave you with 2 pictures of Avery's newest 'talent' - dressing herself!!

{from head...}

{to toes!!}

well, i guess i can avoid no longer!! duties call (read: i must go and clean/wrap/freeze 60 fresh sockeye salmon...at least i now know what's for dinner!!)