oh, I'm running (back)

This song has been on my mind all week ever since we sang it in church on Sunday. It's one that I hadn't heard in a long time. (it came out in 2010, forever long ago)

(Forever Reign by Hillsong)

Oh, I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign


Oh, it's been so long. Too long. It's funny (but not really) how so much can change without you even realizing it until it's almost too late. Suddenly you notice that something is missing, but you're not too sure what. And when you finally connect it, you wonder how you ever got there.

Somewhere along the line, not only did I drop off my blogging (I got busy and tired and needed a break somewhere and it's usually the first thing to go.) but I also stopped my daily journaling, and then I stopped my thankful list. And the next thing you know....you're not doing anything that you used to do!

Why is it so easy to drop a GOOD habit???

I've been struggling with that. It's so frustrating. I wish I were more disciplined.

So this song reflects my recognition that things are not as they should be but that I am taking steps to regain all that I did before that was so much better for me. Funny how daily journaling a thankful list can change your heart and outlook so much! Focusing on good, even on the toughest days, brought Joy back to my life!  Why did I stop doing this??  *insert disappointed pouty face*

Oh, I'm running (back) to Your arms.



 My heart will sing
No other name
Jesus, Jesus

wishing you a silent peaceful night

The kids were in their new jammies as we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas before this evening. And that's when it really started to feel like Christmas!  After they were tucked into bed (fifteen times!), my Hunny and I tackled the gifts wrapping and enjoyed the (eventually) quiet house together. We don't sit together like this often enough, usually we have distractions of tv or phone as background filler. Tonight was just a perfect evening of listening to favourite carols and resting. 

I have been listening to a lot of Pentatonix lately. I'm not usually a fan of A Capella, but they do it so beautifully. Most of it sounds like a choir singing with their mix of harmonies, which I love.  Their version of Silent Night is amazing!

{You also need to listen to Mary, Did You Know? <<< click here

And The First Noel <<< click here
No seriously...do it! Go now!}

From my Clan to yours: Have a wonderful Christmas.  May it be full of family and happiness as we celebrate His gift to us.

May your night be filled with peace.

Noel // Come and see what God has done

Noel 

Love incarnate, love divine
Star and angels gave the sign
Bow to babe on bended knee
The Savior of humanity
Unto us a Child is born
He shall reign forevermore

Noel, Noel
Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel

Son of God and Son of man
There before the world began
Born to suffer, born to save
Born to raise us from the grave
Christ the everlasting Lord
He shall reign forevermore

Noel, Noel
Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel

written by Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash. This version sung by Lauren Daigle.

So incredibly beautiful.  So peaceful.  

Oh Light

I love Gungor for their incredibly touching lyrics, breathtaking music and heavenly voices. And this new song is no exception.

Oh Light / Gungor feat. All Sons and Daughters

I will trust

There has been a new song on Praise that I love called "First" by Lauren Daigle. When I searched for it (the truth is that I didn't know what the title was and couldn't tell that's what she was saying, so I googled the lyrics and found it!) I found many more songs of hers.  Currently, this is my newest favouritest song and on repeat.

Trust in you

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I've tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary, I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You're by my side
 
When You don't move the mountains I'm needing you to move
When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There's not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation, the rock on which I stand
Your ways are higher
Your plans are always good
There's not a place where I'll go You've not already stood

I will trust
I will trust
I will trust in You!

new music Monday: I'll keep on

Heard this song on The Valley Stream and fell in love. I don't listen to a lot of rap, but stuff with awesome and touching lyrics, yes!

I've never heard of NF, but I'll be looking up his stuff more now!

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. trees to climb

2. dinner with friends

 I am so thankful for the friends that we have and that we could go out and enjoy an evening together, and that our kids play well and that it is just like being among family.

 3.new sunglasses

 {I'm Batman}

4.  swings that make you fly

4. texts that give you hope again

 I received a message from a friend that I hadn't heard from in such a long time that I had just about given up on our relationship; she just wasn't responding to me and it hurt.  I don't know what will happen in the end, but I am thankful that she sent something. 

I am thankful that even though friendships change, He is always faithful.



5. sparklers

 {yay. sparklers.}

{that's better. that's the spirit!}

6. music that makes us move

This is currently Rhys' favourite song:  Build Your Kingdom by Rend Collective.  (he also loves their song "Lighthouse")  He will play it over and over and sing and dance, and it is so wonderful to see!  I love his spirit!  (and, seriously, how FUN is Rend Collective???)

7.  front yard visits with neighbours

We live in a really good neighbourhood and have been blessed that the people who live on either side of us are great people. We have known eachother for 12 years and our kids have grown up together and we have shared in each others' lives!  It's nice to be able to sit in our yards and just visit!  I am thankful for the women I live by!

8. water to splash in

9.  rest

I am so thankful that after several busy days, when my body is fatigued and I feel overwhelmed, that He gives me rest.  I am given a day of quiet, where I can rest on the couch without the kids needing much. My body needs this every so often!

10.  laughs at the dinner table

My Hunny was teasing Abi about something and told her to "suck it up, Princess!" Eden stood up on her chair and pointed her finger at Abi, hotly telling her father, "She's not a Princess!  I'm a Princess!"

What a funny girl!  Apparently there can not be two princesses!


So that's my week in a nutshell. How has your week been?  I'd love to celebrate your Thankful list with you: share it in the comments!

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. Surprises in the mail

I got a fun surprise in the mail this week, to "help me cheer for the Ducks": a playoff towel from my friend in California! Haha!  I've never been a big Anaheim Mighty Ducks fan, but I suppose I can cheer for them.  

They play against Chicago next though, and well, I've been more of a Blackhawks fan!  It will be an interesting series!  I"m mostly cheering for Montreal! Got to cheer for the Canadiens left in the Stanley Cup playoffs!

2. Nat

I love this woman!  She really is such a blessing in my life!  I am so thankful that she offered to babysit Eden for me so that I could attend my last BSF meeting. There was no childcare that day so that everyone could be involved in Sharing Day. It really meant a lot to me to be able to be a part of this last "class".

3. Long Weekends

Yay for Long Weekends, and sunshine and Queen Victoria's birthday so that we Canadians could have the day off!

4. Tree Climbing

There is a tree that sits in the front of my parents' yard that the kids have taken to climbing. It's neat to see how they get bigger and can climb with ease...and how much smaller that tree gets!

5. Water table fun

I got to babysit my sweet nephews this week; it feels like it's been so long since I've been there!  They had just got a water table on their deck, which was perfect for this week's weather!  The cousins had fun playing at it for a while. (until they got too cold and it was time for lunch!)

6. Paintball

Kai's best friend, David, celebrated his birthday this past weekend with a few paintball games. This is something that my Hunny did as a teenager too (and he still has a few of his gear!) so he came along and played with the boys and David's father!  It seemed like a fun afternoon! (Kai managed to not even get hit either! Since they all played on each other's team, they didn't get to gang up on eachother....that's a good/bad thing! It's fun to attack your friends, but nice to know that certain friends aren't going to corner you and pelt you with paint!)

7. old music

I found an old cd that I borrowed off of my brother years ago (*snicker*) and had a good time listening to it again. It's not so much a #tbt, but I did remember listening to this many times and hearing my brother drum to it. I miss his drumming! I miss my teen years too!

8. Little Friends

Now that Eden has discovered Joey next door, the two girls always have to play together!  Eden went over in her Princess dress, which got Joey all excited, so she put hers on too! It was  a perfect photo op!

They are so adorable!

9. Healing

My Mom has been sick with strep throat and bronchitis this past week (I know, right! Isn't that terrible? When your immune system is down...ugh!)  so we didn't get to visit her for Mother's Day. Finally, she was feeling well enough for guests, so we popped over for a bbq dinner over the long weekend; what a relief to see that she is looking and sounding better than she had earlier in the week! I was able to give her a gift that I made as well.

Her children arise and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:28

10. Afternoons and Conversations on the Playground

I am thankful that it has been such beautiful sunshine this week. The kids have been able to play after school on the playground, and I have had good chats with a friend that I am getting to know better. It is good to connect with other moms. And it is so important to share each other's lives so that we can encourage each other. I'm not the best at meeting other parents and developing deeper relationships; it's something I need to work on. I don't like small talk; I find it awkward and sometimes superficial. I don't want to have pretend conversations with people who don't actually care. But jumping into deeper talks takes time. I am so grateful for those who put themselves out there, ask questions, dig deeper and open up their own lives to me. What a blessing it is to find someone like that!


So that's my week at a glance.  What about yours? What are you thankful for? Taking time to look back over the week and remember the blessings is so good! Consider making your own list up...and then share it with me. I'd love to hear about your Thankful list too!

Blameless (Music Monday)

I came across this song on The Valley Stream, an online Christian radio station that is local (it's based out of Abbotsford.)  And wow, what a blessing!  It has touched me so much. So I have to share it with you!

Blameless by Dara Maclean

What manner of love is this
That You would lay down Your life
You paid the price, the sacrifice for redemption
Now I am determined to know
Christ and Him crucified
Now alive and the power in me is You, now

CHORUS
Blameless, You call me holy
I’ve been forgiven, You call me righteous
I’m free
Now spotless, You call me worthy
I am Your child, You call me chosen
I’m Yours, I am Yours

I will boldly come
Running straight to the One
Singing over me
Your songs of salvation
No one can take this from me
I’m a child that You name free
Nothing will separate us
I’m held by You
Oh I know, yes I know I’m

CHORUS

I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours
I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours

CHORUS

Blameless, You call me holy

I’ve been forgiven, You call me righteous

I’m free

Now spotless, You call me worthy

I am Your child, You call me chosen

I’m Yours, I am Yours

I am Yours

I am Yours

I pray that you may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know that this love that surpasses knowledge...that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:18, 19)  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)  What love!

Thankful Thursday

So I forgot it wasn't Wednesday any more! So this is late. Oops. :( 

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. Face Paint

The kids' school held their annual Spring Festival on Saturday and they each got $5 game cards to spend on whatever they wanted. So they played a few games and got a freezie and a jar of goodies and some face painting done.  I was impressed with their patience to stand in line for so long (for which I am also thankful for as I had an important conversation with an aquaintance standing in front of me! This is a something I had meaning to track her down for for a few weeks now!)

2. Neighbourhood bunnies

We have a few bunnies in our neighbourhood. Everytime I see them hopping around, I feel happy.  I managed to get a few pictures of one of them when it was snacking beside our van when we arrived home after school. (there are three that I've seen together, but they are all brown and similar looking so I never can be sure if there are more) 

 My Hunny, the Hunting Mountain Man, joked about it being dinner. I admonished him with "It is not! It's a pet!" He laughed and asked how it was a pet, so I explained that we feed it. "Look at all of the grass, clover and dandilions they eat!" 

 I feel it was a win!

3.  Baby Birds

Okay, so technically, I don't know if there are any babies or if there will be future baby birds, but I can only assume that's why the Robin built a nest in the rafters under our deck!  It's a bad picture, I know, but I didn't want to get too close. The Robin was watching nearby and feeling agitated.  I'm just so excited!  I hope we can peek and see some eggs one day or hear the babies.  After my successful non-caterpiller-killing experiement, I am feeling confident!

There is a Steller Jay flying by our deck a lot lately as well, and it flies at the Robin when she gets too close, so I wonder if this bird has a nest somewhere as well? I'll have to keep an eye out on that one!

4. Weekend guests and baseball games

Over the weekend, we had Kai's best friend, David, stay since his parent were going away. I thought it turned out great! The two boys had fun and stayed up late watching videos, and we had a busy Saturday with the LCS Spring fest (see the first entry above) and spent the afternoon at the ball park cheering David during his baseball game!

I was so thankful for sunshine and for blankets and for kids that weren't too complainy, even though they were restless.

5. Old Boots and New Boots

I had posted this picture on FB about Rhys' sad boots.  He was complaining that his foot got soaked at school, and when I turned his boots over I found out why. There were these HUGE holes in the bottoms and patches where the rubber was so rubbed down that you could see into the boot! 

Our neighbour saw the picture and offered us her son's old boots!  How wonderful! Rhys is very happy to be back to splashing in the puddles again!  I am thankful for friends, for hand-me-downs (new ones to us and even the ones that are loved so much that they wear out) and for FB connections!

6. Intuitive Girls

I am so thankful for my daughter, who, seeing that I was so exhausted and starting to lose my patience with the kids, offered to take the Youngers to the park so that I could rest!  What a sweet girl I have! I am so blessed to have her!

7.  ENT apt

This week, Abi finally saw the ENT Specialist.  The appointment didn't quite go as I thought it would, but I am thankful that the doctor was personable and is giving us the option on what to do with her tonsils.  Coincidentally, she has swollen tonsils this week again, so at least he saw what they look like when they are bothered!  It hasn't been fun for her asthma though, but I am also thankful that she is actually doing well, despite the soreness and troubles.

8. Little Friends

Our neighbours have a little girl who is just a few months younger than Eden and so every now and then they'll see eachother outside and play beside each other. Yesterday, Eden ended up at their house (she was supposed to be playing outside with her brothers, but Rhys and her went inside instead. haha) where she and Joey played and had fun!  This is the picture that my neighbour sent to me. 

 It made me smile!  We're going to have a fun summer with them playing together!

9. JOY

I found a song that I hadn't heard in a long long time and it made me so happy! How had I forgotten about this one?  I have been listening to it on repeat all week!

Joy by Newsboys (old school newsboys, that is)

10. Fun car rides

Thursday evening is Youth Group for Abi and I'm the one typically chaffeuring her around. Some weeks I lack the enthusiasm to go out, but it all works out in the end. I manage to find the energy and start to become more alert by the time it is to pick her up!  I am so thankful for the times that we have in the van on the drive back home.  We play music loud, we're silly and giggly and it's a lot of fun!  We've driven home a friend of her a few times now too and I am loving the moments to peek into the lives of our kids.  

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to take her to youth events, and I am thankful for the times that I have been able to connect with her, and I am so thankful for all of the laughs we've had!  I love being known as the "fun mom"!  haha.


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 to remember our blessings.  It is so good to see the good things that have 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. Spring Break

This is our second week of Spring Break. Our neighbours went back to school (they were out the week before we were; our school isn't near us) and it rained for a lot of the the week, so the kids were bored and boring.  I was so happy for when we finally got some sunshine!  I am thankful for quiet mornings and waking up when we wanted to though.

2. Birthdays

This past Monday was Grama T's birthday. That is, my Hunny's grandma. She turned 97!  She lives in an assisted living home, so she has her own apartment room with kitchenette or she can join the catered meals in the dining room. I don't know many 97 year olds who can still live that independantly (even if she is losing some of her abilities)!

Our family went down to visit her on the weekend with flowers (Hunny remembered her favourites are pansies) and the kids drew her cards and pictures. I am kicking myself for not remembering to take a photo of her with the kids though! Oops.

3. 24 years in Christ

Twenty-four years ago on March 23rd, I accepted Jesus into my heart! I grew up in a Christian home, so it's not like I didn't know the Bible stories or didn't believe them, but I needed to make that decision on my own; I needed to encounter Him on my own. And He made Himself so real to me when I was listening to a song about His death. It was Palm Sunday and I remember every year and marvel at that night. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called Children of God! (1 John 3:1)

4.  Busy days driving

 I had to drive Bryn over to a friend's house, and then drop Abi off at her friends, come home and then head back out and pick up Bryn, and then go out and babysit my nephews, all right after eachother. It was crazy busy!  And very rainy!  I am so thankful for safety as I drive in the rain and when it is darker and when there are so many construction sites on the roads I tend to drive! We take driving as a given, an automatic ability when you are older, and don't consider being thankful that we made it to our desination safely.

5. nails

Can we just take a moment and marvel of the miracle of my nails?  This is three weeks of not biting! Three Weeks!!! Can we get an Amen?  I am pretty pleased with myself, thankyouverymuch! I am thankful for nails and for self control.

Now I need to trim them (it's getting hard to type!) and then slap some Jamberry designs on them!

6. new music

I have been listening to PRAISE 106.5 FM ever since I was a teen (and back when it was KLYN) and it is what we have on in our vehicles when we are out driving; Christian music has been a HUGE part of my life growing up (and one of the main venues that I was able to make that choice 24 years ago...see above!) Praise is based out of Lynden, WA, which is just half hour from here, so it is "local" enough to mention both sides of the border. 

But I was very happy to hear of an even more local Christian radio station that started up!
The Valley Stream is a sattelite radio station that is based out of Abbotsford, woohoo! They have four different channels available (Contemporary, Gospel, Rock and talk shows like Focus on the Family, Dr. Tony Evans, and Beth Moore); I have been listening to the Contemporary channel and have heard so many songs I had never heard before and so much more variety! I am very happy!  Check them out if you are looking for Christian music online: The Valley Stream.

7. cards

I got my creative groove back and managed to make a whole pile of cards this week! 62 to be exact!  It helps when you are making them in batches. (I would often make 10 of the same design at once) I am ready for upcoming birthdays again!

I love being creative! And I love making cards!

8.  sibling love

I love it when they actually play together and help eachother out! Sometimes it feels like all they do is tattle and get annoyed and try to irritate eachother!  I am thankful for moments where it looks like they are actually a loving family!

9. Five feet tall

It was bound to happen eventually: my 13 year old is now as tall as my mom! Soon she will overtake me! Now, granted both my mom, and my mother-in-law and myself are all short, but it is still exciting to reach the height of an adult! I don't know how tall my kids will be, but I am sure they will all be taller than me! (or I hope so!)

I am thankful for small things like this! They make me smile!

10. Sudden plans

I didn't think we would have much happening this week (last week felt more busy) but we still managed to get some friend get togethers and sleepovers in. As I mentioned in #4, Bryn got to go to his friend Forrest's house, and then I dropped Abi off at Hannah's for a sleepover and Kai got picked up for a sleepover (it was nice to have an 'early' night at home with the two Olders gone, but my Hunny and I didn't get to snuggle up on the couch and watch HGTV together, haha, as I came home late after babysitting.) And then we had Kai's friend over here and it was a good and fun week after all. But I do think the kids are ready for back to organized events like school!

Some weeks are just amazing and some are just quiet and maybe a bit boring. I am so thankful that we are given more blessings no matter what and have so much to be thankful for. How about you?

music monday to get you moving

Some music just makes you get up and dance...and this is one of those!

I've posted about Lindsay Stirling before but I've just been listening to her again. Mostly because Abi had found some fun music of hers and shared them!  Apparently, Lindsay was on America's Got Talent (I think that was the one) a few years back, but I didn't know that since we don't watch tv or keep up on the celeb news. She seems like a super fun young woman! I still want to be her when I grow up!

I hope her Roundtable Rival video brings a smile and a step to your Monday! What a fun video!

Check out Master of Tides as well. Another fun one that would have been awesome to see live!

And listen to her play My Immortal---just because I love this song! (hear the original song by Evanescense here)

Thankful Thursday

 Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, where we look back over our week to remember our blessings.  It is so good to see the good things that have 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. digging

We began to dig up a bit of our backyard this weekend for a new veggie garden. It was a family affair, with even my mother-in-law coming to help out!  (not that we needed that many people for a small patch, but it was good to all be involved)  I'm not a big gardener (I tend to kill plants) but I do enjoy digging in the dirt!

2. Bryn's heart

I took the kids to the park where there were two other kids, a little boy around two years old and a baby girl. The little boy wanted to go on the turnstile (what do you call that playground toy that spins??? we used to call it a Sick-mobile as a kid!)...the merry-go-round-thing (I'll have to take a picture of it next time) with Eden, and Rhys,  so Bryn would push it slow enough for them to be spun but not fast enough to get flung off! When his Mom said it was time to go home, the boy started to cry, and so Bryn did the sweetest thing: he put his arm on the boy's shoulder and got on his knee and tried to comfort him in words. It was such a gentle thing for him to do! I don't think it made the boy less sad to leave, but the gesture was so touching. I was impressed with him. His heart is so good and open to the Lord.

3. Beautiful weather

It was up to 16 degrees this weekend! The kids were in t-shirts and playing outside and it was oh so beautiful.  I told my hunny, "I don't want to alarm you, but even I am getting warm!" I am always cold (dang hypothyroidism) but I took off my sweater for a bit! Hooray! Spring-like days sure give hope and spirit.


4. Worship

I love music. I love to dance. I love to sing. Music just speaks to my soul. Our worship singing at the beginning of our church service is always one of my favourite parts. Our leader sang this song, which I had never heard of before, and it was so touching.  It's called "At Your Name" by Phil Whickham. Yahweh Yahweh! We love to shout your name!

5. Fellowship

My BSF classes are on Spring Break this month since schools are, but a few of the ladies in my group got together for an evening of chatting. I love that our group is close and that we can take time to share our own stories of how God is working in us. In meeting like this we strengthen our own faith, and we gain encouragement, and we find God bringing things to our minds when others speak the truth. I am thankful for how He works in each of us and yet weaves our stories and lives together. 

6.  guest lecture

My Husband is a Machinist and the place where he works often has students walk through on a tour to check out different shops and how they run. After speaking to a group in the Fall, the Instructor asked if he would be interested in coming in to teach! This week was his second time guest lecturing at University of Fraser Valley. I think he really enjoys teaching; he does seem to have a natural ability to lead groups (he has been teaching our grade 5/6 class at church for a good 7 years!) and a passion in his industry. Who knows where this will lead, but I am thankful for opportunities for him to use his talents and for chances to try out other ways to work in his career.

7. heath changes

My sister-in-law has a ton of allergies, many of them food-related, that makes life difficult for her. To help combat her Jobs Syndrome, she has been having blood transfusions for four years on a weekly basis. This week, she went to see how her allergy to pineapple was, and happily discovered that she is no longer analyphalactic to them! Hooray!  In November, she will see how she does with latex! Then we can have a pineapple and balloon party to celebrate!

8. Provisions

Sometimes, okay oftentimes, we are living paycheque to paycheque and we need to be creative to stretch out our food and gas those last two days before payday. I'm sure we aren't the only ones! It's not easy, but it is teaching me to trust and wait for the Lord to provide. I admit that I am still working on that. It's easy for me to say that I have faith that all of our needs will be met, but I sometimes don't live like I believe it. I am so thankful that He is willing to be patient with me, and to keep giving me opportunities to learn. I am also thankful that He does indeed provide, even if it is through an insurance cheque for B's dental appt last week. 

9. Sunbeams

I love my little couch (well, actually I don't and would like it replaced, but I love that I have a couch and that it was free...) and I love the sunbeams that fall across it during the afternoon when I am resting or writing or planning or reading or drawing or...you get the point.  I have done a fair bit of resting this week thanks to my thyroid and the dumb time change! I am thankful for furniture, sunbeams and restful days.

10. lettering

I was on Instagram the other day checking out other posts similar to mine and was encouraged to keep working on my lettering. It's something that I have always loved to do, and grew up watching my Dad paint his own lettering signs, but something that I never worked on to grow in. Until now.  It feels good to Letter!

So that's my week. How about yours? What are you thankful for? You should start your own list. You may be amazed at just how many blessings you have been given. If you do start, I'd love to share in your thanksgiving; let me know in the comments!

Thankful Thursday

 Welcome back to Thankful Thursday, a feature started by Louise at Talk Nerdy to Me, where we look back over our week to remember our blessings.  It is so good to see the good things that have 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. Trust and obey

 Eden started to sing a song one afternoon that I recognized learning as a child. Apparently the teachers in "her class" (my BSF has childcare for infants to preschool. I am so thankful for that) sang it and it stuck with her later on. That's so great!

"Trust and Obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus
but to trust and obey."


(does anyone else remember the other lyrics? I can't...they are at the tip of my tongue though!)

I am so thankful for these teachers and the whole Bible Study Fellowship group. This has been an amazing year for me so far!


2. boys

We had another long weekend (school had a Pro-D day) so I let the boys invite their best friends over. Kai had David sleep over, and Bryn's friend Forrest came to spend the day with us. I had seven children in the house and it was fun! 

Of course, them being boys, they all huddled around our tv/computer and played games for as long as they could!  (I eventually had to kick them off and made them run around outside with nerf guns!)

I am thankful for days like this, and opportunities, and friendships.

 3. merci

After Abi's birthday party...with boys...and learning that her group of friends was bigger than we knew, I decided to have them over for an evening of games. Abi invited seven altogether, but only four were able to come. Three girls (one I had never met before as well!) and a boy. I'm glad that he wasn't embarrassed about being the only one to show up! (Abi did warn him when he called earlier...he was very polite on the phone too!)  I was impressed with this boy: he even gave me a box of chocolates to say "merci" for having him over! How sweet! I'm sure they were for the whole family in general, but I accepted them on our behalf!  ...and shared them! I thought it was a generous act and very gentlemanly. If I had the chance to, I would've thanked his parents for teaching him such manners! (it made me wonder if it was something I needed to work on with my boys)

4. clean teeth

Bryn got to miss some school this week for his bi-annual teeth cleaning and check up. We were able to see that his second top middle tooth is about to push through the skin. Soon he'll have a full set of teeth again...until the next ones fall out and get replaced! But it's been years since he's had all of his teeth!

I am thankful that the visit went well and that he has no problems with his teeth and all is good!

5. new course and early and alert mornings

 My Hunny had to take a course on some new Mastercam program this week, which was held in Newton, which meant that I had to get up and actually get dressed in the mornings and drive the kids to school! I am not a morning person!  So I am very thankful that this week went well and that I was alert and we didn't have any issues.

6. flowers and tea

I am thankful for mornings that surprise and for unexpected visits. I had to pick up some potted flowers from a friend and she invited myself and Eden in for tea and chats. Some days just start out so good, don't they?

7. go carting fun

Bryn was invited to a birthday party of a classmate and they all got to try out go-carting! There is a new indoor race track in Langley that this group of boys went to after school. I had to pop the gift over, so I got to see Bryn's first try on the track. What fun!  He loved it!
 

8. Visits

The kids and I went out to Chilliwack to visit my parents on the weekend so I could take photos of our Once Again designs products and set up our booth. We were wanting to apply to this one market that's held in Fort Langley and so I needed some nice, almost-professional-looking photos to add to the form. (5 product pics and 1 booth set up)  That was fun! I'm not a photographer in any sense, but I like to think that I take some Okay-ish pics! Hopefully the jury on this market thinks so too!
I am thankful that I had that chance to prepare our items and to do the application. (I am also thankful for my Hunny for resizing my photos so that they could be emailed!)

I am thankful that my kids love visiting this grandparents and have fun at their place. They got to dig in the backyard, and play Mario Kart against my Dad!

9. healing

Abi had a few asthma attacks again this week. We were doing so well too! But, hey, we managed to make it through all of February without any health issues, so I should be more thankful!  But she started having troubles breathing and was panting and feeling weak, so I had to pull out all of our meds and at-home treatments again. She had her own inhalers (now with a spacer, as the clinic doctor suggested at her breathing test last week), and she took some steam baths with eucalyptus, and I had essential oils on her chest and feet (lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint.), and tried out cooler air and vaporub. It was a rough three days for us (well, mostly her...I just carried the worry) but we managed to avoid using the nebulizer, and we didn't need to go to the doctor (I came close twice) or head to the hospital. So I am thankful for strength and healing.

10. new babies! 

I am so excited!!!  I am going to be an Auntie again!  I already am a pretty darn awesome one to my other nephews and nieces, and I love babies, so I am delighted at this announcement!



It's been a good week of ups and downs, but I have so much to be thankful for! I could add more to this list, but I want to keep it all down to a "top ten" list. (you're welcome!)  I do write in a journal every day though, and I write out my thankful list there. It is so good to write out as the day goes by so that I can look back and remember later.

If you have a Thankful list, I'd love to hear about it!