Thankful Thursday

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, where we look back over our week and remember our blessings.  It is so good to see all that has happened, especially if you have had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here are just a few things that I am thankful for...

1. Not fractured

Abi had an incident in PE class where she fumbled a football and it slammed into her index finger. That evening, it was so incredibly swollen she couldn't bend it! We taped it up and told her to be mindful of it and we'd keep an eye on it to make sure it was healing. Then, of course, she went away for the weekend!

When she returned, it was so incredibly bruised, and still very painful, although the swelling had gone down and she had some mobility return. To be on the safe side, I took her to the clinic where the doctor sent her for an xray.  The nice thing is that this xray clinic took all of 15 minutes for the pictures, instead of like an 10 hour wait in the ER. The bad news is that it took the clinic 4 days to get the results back on the xrays, whereas it would be the same day news if in the ER.

Good news is that there is no fracture.
The bad news is that there is no fracture. (that means she will still have to do PE again.) 

2. Sudden Pro-D Days

The floor in the gymnasium of our high school is being resurfaced (after a leak) and the sealer that they use on it is so powerful that some kids were being sick from the smell. The final sealant went on this past weekend, and since we were told it is 5x stronger than the previous layers, the school decided it would just be safer for all to close the middle/high school. And to keep it fair, they've closed the Elementary/preschool campus as well! Yay another long weekend!

 We had some of the boy's friends over, so there was much computer game playing, computer gamer videos to watch and a big Nerf gun war in the drizzly rain!

 3.  Safe Hallowe'en

We had pouring rain the morning of Hallowe'en, and were told to expect more during the evening, but thankfully it didn't fall and so the kids got to go out trick-or-treating in the neighbourhood for over an hour. We even got a burst of sunshine just at dinner time too, just to confuse us and brighten our day!
 

Abi wanted a theme dress up and most of the siblings were on board (thankfully so was Grandma Lynn who sewed most of these beautiful costumes!)  so we had Peter Pan, Captain Hook, a pirate, Tinkerbell, a Hunter, a Chopper Jr Contestant and a Bandit!

 4. Excellent Parent-Teacher Interviews

 This week, we had our first ever Parent-Teacher interviews at the high school. That was different. Instead of seeing one teacher at a set time, you need to see like 9 of them and stand in line at an open-house-type evening. I am so thankful that Abi is a good student, a conscientious girl and an easy-going friend. Her teachers had nothing to report other than that and so each interview was only 5 minutes long! 

We were at the Elementary school the next night, and the Middle School the week earlier. I am happy to say that those went well also!  Our kids are doing well, and I am so thankful that they are in this school! I feel that the teachers they have are such a blessing and a perfect match so far! 
 
5. Vintage Barn Market and coffee meetings

Over the weekend, the Vintage Barn Market was held out at the Heritage Barn in Chilliwack. This market is a big one and I've been waiting to go for a while! After I dropped off Abi at a friend's house, I drove out to see my parents (and snagged some pizza for dinner, yay!) and my Dad and I went to check it out. It was so amazing!  We have so many talented people locally!  I was impressed.

Afterwards, my Dad and I went out to Timmys to discuss the market and go over business ideas. It's been a quiet year for us, not one that we had thought we'd have, but we've had so many other things come up, and this is normal for a small business. Next year will be exciting!

I am thankful for a fun evening walking around with my Dad. I was laughing as I realized just how much alike we are!  

6. pumpkin faces

I felt bad that I didn't get to go to the pumpkin patch with the kids, and I forgot to pick up pumpkins for them as well. But then my parents dropped off two that they weren't going to use, so yay! So thankful for that! 

Rhys got one when his class went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch, so he carved one, and Bryn and Eden shared a large one and decided on a face to create. They had fun doing that the morning of Halloween! (I helped Rhys carve his. Normally I don't, but he insisted!)
 

The last pumpkin Abi carved since Kai wasn't too interested. She printed off some stencils and decided on doing Ariel (the Disney Princess). It turned out so good!

 

 7.  Chocolate!

Kai was super excited that they recognized his birthday this month (and all November birthdays to be exact) in the youth group. He was given a card and his fave snack, which is  white chocolate!

It had him feeling pretty happy!

8. bday parties

I love it when my kids are invited to birthday parties. Even if it is because the whole class was invited. I love it when they're included.

Rhys had a blast playing at Go Bananas for a classmate's birthday (who he plays with in class as well) this week!

9.  Team Effort

I am so thankful for family and friends who helped us out when we had to juggle around rides to preschool and after school after a trip to the hospital. It made things so much easier for us to know that our kids were being taken care of and such a wonderful thing to know we have good people in our lives.

10. No more tonsils

That's it! They're gone! Our appointment came up quicker than expected and Abi had her tonsils removed this week. She's still recovering, but she's doing well. Hopefully this will mean a healthier winter for her this year.

 {this is her pre-op, after we'd been up since 5:30am and she was feeling a bit silly sleepy. I love her smile!}

So that's my week in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for? Write up your list and see just what a good week you had after all! :) 

Thankful Thursday

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, where we look back over our week and remember our blessings.  It is so good to see all that has happened, especially if you have had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here are just a few things that I am thankful for...


1. puddle jumping 

I am thankful for sunny days after the rain, for new-found (again) winter boots, for puddles to jump in and for friends to jump with after school.

2. birthday surprises

It was my birthday this past weekend and we had no plans for any special celebration. (which is strange for me) We had a birthday party to get Bryn to though, so while he was swimming, my husband drove myself and the two Youngers around for a few errands. As we were heading home, I accepted a phone call on my husband's cell from his mother asking if we could help our brother in law, since he had a flat tire. I agreed, so off we drove up to Walnut Grove. 

My husband pulled into the parking lot of Old Spaghetti Factory, saying that he would just call to find out where exactly our BIL was. I didn't think anything of it. Bryn then says that he sees his Grandma Lynn's vehicle, so I correct him to say that no, she wasn't going to be there, since she couldn't, and that's why we were. My loving, sneaky husband turns to me and says, "no, actually she is. We're here for a dinner for you!"

What? !!!   I was slightly shocked. I may have looked at him quite confused and stunned because I did ask, "what?" a few times! haha. I can't recall the last time he has shocked me like this! It was a nice surprise to have him plan an early dinner out with family for me!

3. youth retreats

We have joined a new church that is closer to our home and have been going since September. We're really enjoying it, and the kids are happy and we're feeling comfortable, even though we don't really know anyone yet. The Olders have joined the youth group and are trying to settle in, which is such a relief to see.

This past weekend was their Youth Retreat up at Camp Kawkawa for two nights. I am so thankful that the two got to go on that trip, and that they were safe and had a good time.

4. forge

My smart and clever and skilled husband has started up his own mini forge in our back workshop over the summer. He's always wanted to learn more blacksmithing.  Conveniently, this season a show called Forged In Fire started up, where four blacksmiths compete to build swords for a huge monetary prize. Not only have we been watching it, but our neice has been really into it. So for her birthday, my husband had her over to teach her how to forge her own item!

It was a pretty cool afternoon! Bryn joined her as well and they made a fancy coat hook. They were pleased with themselves.

I am thankful for creative husbands, for skills that are still important being taught, and for an afternoon to play (safely)!

5. cuzzie leaf jumping

After forging coat hooks, the cousins piled up our leaves and jumped in them! Isn't that the best part of Autumn?
 

Sadly, none of these leaves actually made it into the compost bin, but I am still thankful that they could run and jump and play. I am thankful that we have large trees and a yard with our house.

6. safe driving

Driving home from our dr apt on the 99 and we had come to a slow trickle. Instead of it being an hour drive home, it took 2.5hrs; all traffic on every major roadway was being diverted due to a big accident.  A police officer had to direct four lanes off of the freeway (one being driven from the opposite direction. You know it's not good when they have traffic on the wrong side of the road) and onto the 91, which was also crazy busy. Ugh! At one time, I was driving with no clue where I was going or how I'd make it back home! Something like that would normally make me all anxious since I get lost easy, but I am so thankful for His Spirit of Peace upon me. It was a crazy drive home, but oddly enough, not a terrible one. Rhys and I even made it to a gas station in time for gas and the bathroom! :)

7. drs appointments

This is Rhys' "I don't want to be here" pouty face. It makes me laugh.
 

We had a good specialist appointment, which I'll update on soon. Once I find time. Blah!
I am thankful for good doctors and appointments that go better than expected.

8. the cutest cowgirl

Eden had Western Dress Up Day in preschool, so I bought her a hat and bandana in her favourite colour, which she was so excited about. We happened to be out shopping before her class began and she found this big stuffed horse in a Christmas section for $3 and had to have it. I didn't realize until we got to her class that she wanted it for her cowgirl costume! How clever is that?

9. lunch dates

Since it has been so crazy busy lately, I feel like I haven't connected with my usual "old" friends in a long time. That saddens me.  I was so thankful to be able to visit with a good friend of mine this week and have her over for lunch. Yay for friendships that still survive and thrive despite busy lives.

10. online love

I know that many of the messages may have only been because FB reminded them, but I still love reading all of the posts that friends and aquaintances left to wish me well on my birthday!  I love that I still get surprised when I receive some of them. You know how you have a few friends that are there just because they're family or you know them just briefly through church, school or work? I was pleased to see that some took the time to say HBD. I love the love you feel online sometimes!

So that's my week in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, where we look back over our week and remember our blessings.  It is so good to see all that has happened, especially if you have had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here are just a few things that I am thankful for...

1. BTS

Yay! What's not to be thankful for?

I have a child in each of our school's campus' this year: preschool (Eden), elementary (Rhys gr 1, Bryn gr 4), middle (Kai gr 7) and high school (Abi gr 9)  It's so strange!

2. preschool

Yes, it's time!  My little spitfire is going to preschool! She is so ready!  

She was so excited and loves to go, and I am so happy for her! I sure hope these teachers are ready for her! (she wasn't too happy that I got to stay when we had preschool orientation, so now she asks every time I drop her off for class, "you're not staying, are you?" haha)

3. cross country

Bryn joined the cross country team at school. Now that he's in grade four, there are more clubs available for him to be in, so he's happy! I think this is great, the kid really does love to run and jump. 

We have some practices and meets already this month. I can't wait to see him out there running!

4. specialists

 From Kai and Abi's awesome pediatrician, to the many specialists we saw for Rhys, to even the paramedics, nurses and doctors during Abi's asthma attack, I am so grateful for the specialists who are knowledgeble and trained and who have helped us out.


5. fun hair

 The kids found some small temporary coloured hair gel and had fun playing around for school one day this week. I thought they all looked great!

 I am thankful for fun hair colour and styles and that they go to a school that doesn't mind them playing around some!

6. new friends

Kai made a friend already so early into the school year and got to hang out with him at his house. Not only am I proud of him for making new friends, but I am so pleased that it is a new boy to our school. I remember how incredibly hard it was for me to move across the country to BC when I was 10. I had a hard time making friends, and when I did make some they weren't nice to me in the end; I still carry a lot of hurt of those years. So I try to impress upon my children to do what they can to include the new kids. My kids have the advantage of being in this school since kindergarten so they know everyone, but these new ones don't have anywhere to start from. A welcoming smile is a good thing to see!

I am thankful for new friends, and I am thankful that my boy is the one who is including new classmates

7. safety and healing

This goes without saying but I am so incredibly thankful for Abi's health after another asthma attack sent her to the hospital via ambulance. I am thankful that she is healing, she is safe, and that she had so many people helping her.

8.  Meet the Teacher nights

This week, we got to go check out the teachers for the middle and the high school. (last week was the elementary but we weren't able to go. I find those teachers easier to connect with though, so I wasn't worried about missing out) I am excited about their school year! We really are so blessed to be able to go to our school!

9. Baby Cohen

I am so excited about this little guy!

 My newest nephew was born a week before his due date, but just at the perfect time as it happened on an evening (and was swift) when I was able to be a part of it!  I am so in love with him and his squishy cheeks, and so proud and happy for my favouritest sister and her man/my friend! 

10. Rainbows
  
My day was filled with a few ups and downs so when I saw this bit of rainbow falling out of the sky this evening, I was brought to tears and reminded of God's covenant with us.

  "You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." Job 11:18

 I am so thankful that He let me see that tonight! What a beautiful reminder!

So that's my week in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for? Please share your list in the comments (there's a little button at the top by the title!) I'd love to celebrate with you!

Sweltzer Creek Campground

We were supposed to be camping this week, but had to cancel when important appointments came up. With all the rain and cool weather we've had, I guess it's okay. Would be nice to end summer with a bang though.  Instead, I'll tell you about our "camping" trip a few weeks ago.

It was local camping, and we actually didn't stay overnight. Just Bryn did, along with his aunt, grandma and cousin, but we did visit them for an evening and got to check out the place.  

My inlaws did a search online for local campgrounds and Sweltzer Creek Campground came up, and since it is just an hour away, tucked up by Cultus Lake, it was a perfect location.

 

The campground is surrounded by tons of trees, and has a fun playground at the top of a hill along with a huge playing field for games. It really is geared towards families there. Every evening, they had a night security guard come around and introduce himself, which I thought was neat. He kept any partiers ....and bears....out. I could appreciate their efforts to keep the campground safe and fun for all.

 What made it the most fun though was the creek. There were several campsites that were right up on the banks, which meant you could spend all day in it! And so that's what we did!

 We grabbed our air mattresses and boats and floated down the lazy creek.

 

 It was a lot of fun. And since the creek wasn't too deep (it came just below my knees in some areas) I wasn't too worried for the kids. I wonder how much deeper it would be if our summer weren't in a drought?

After our lazy swim, the kids played at the playground and climbed trees and made friends.

We even had a neighbour offer us their old propane firepit, since they replaced it with a newer and nicer one! That was pretty cool! With the fire ban on for the summer, camping isn't quite the same without roasted marshmallows! (wood fires are banned, but propane was okay)

We really enjoyed visiting family at their campsite! We don't go to campgrounds that are local.....or that have flushing toilets and pay showers; I like our rustic camping, but I also like the idea of having some comforts. So visiting and going back home to your own bed (and not having to pack up a tent trailer in the morning) was nice!

We'd go back to Sweltzer Creek Campground again. Maybe it is a perfect solution to wanting to camp but also not wanting to go far.

Thankful Thusday

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, where we look back over our week and remember our blessings.  It is so good to see all that has happened, especially if you have had a particularly tough week. Being grateful is good for the soul. Here are just a few things that I am thankful for...

1. Friends who gather

We were invited for a family bbq over the weekend to  a friend of Kai's. We didn't know them very well, but this was a great opportunity to get to know eachother better. They have four children (their youngest will also be in preschool with Eden!) and seem to have a lot of similar thoughts and lifestyle as us. It's so good to meet people who you can connect with! I am thankful for new friends,...and that it was such an enjoyable time that the kids didn't want to leave!

2. My book readers

Some of the kids joined the Summer Reading Club at our local public library this year. I don't know why we haven't done it before! This week ended their seven weeks of reading, so they got their medals. They boys were pretty excited about that!

I am thankful that they love books! 

 
3. Art Recognition

Abi entered the drawing contest at the library and won! This was for last months' contest, but we were finally able to go down and get a picture of it hanging on the wall!  I was impressed!  I love Abi's chibi drawings!

4. Birthday Fun

Rhys was so excited; he has been waiting for three weeks (since he first heard about the invitation) and the day finally arrived: he was going to his friend's birthday party! Yay! It's so nice that he is able to go to parties now and that I can actually drop him off and return later!

5. clearing the air

I was worried that a friend was upset with me and it was all so silly. It was just my own worries over nothing, but the more I wondered the more it felt real. When I saw her this week, I was nervous how it would be again, but to my delight, it was perfectly fine! She showed no signs of feeling indifferent towards me, quite the opposite actually! I am thankful that there was no need for me to convince myself that she wasn't happy (but when is there a need to do that?) and I am so thankful that she still loves me and wants to get together soon! What a weight off of me! Dumb imagination of mine!

6. sister bonding time

Abi and Eden were in Abi's room, colouring pictures and hanging out together "bonding", Abi said, when she took this selfie! It makes my heart happy.  I am one lucky mama!

7. Bear hug

There are still a lot of wildfires going on in BC (and plenty all over the place. A friend of mine in Oregon is dealing with the smoke of fires now too) but I am so thankful for all of the work and efforts of the man brave firefighters.

8. Stress Test

Kai had his annual cardiology appointment this week at BCCH. Along with his usual Echocardiocram and ECG, he also had a stress test done. He's never had one done before, so this was new! He did well, considering!

Good news is that his heart is good and there is no change. That is, it is still enlarged (it's approximately 1 year bigger than it should be), but it hasn't gotten bigger, and his test results look good and he is showing no concerning symptoms. I am so thankful for that!

I am thankful for his Cardiologist and the Cardiac team at BCCH. We've been going now for 10 years. That's incredible to think of!

9. Invites

Abi finally got together with her group of friends this week! (well, almost all of them. There are 13 in the group, and a few couldn't make it of course) I love this group of teens! I hope they stay close and continue to grow together as they enter high school in a few weeks.

I am also thankful that the host of this gathering also included younger tween siblings. So Kai got to go, along with his friend. That was so nice and unexpected! I don't know how many things he'll be invited to with Abi and her friends, but I remember the few opportunities I had with my older brother when we were teens, and it was so cool!

10. cozy evenings

I'm thankful that this week, my Hunny and I have been able to spend more time with eachother. Yay!  We've just been sitting together watching HGTV after the Youngers have been put to bed, but still, that's a big step. I was surprised actually at how much more happier I was, and how I viewed our relationship in a better light, just after spending an evening together in the same room!  (he likes to watch tv and I like to write or waste time on Pinterest, and we're often in different rooms)  I am thankful for small things that help.

So that's my week in a nutshell. How about you? What are you thankful for? I'd love to hear your list and celebrate with you!