{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Wiegh-In Surprise and Weekend Goodness

Yes I was surprised with this mornings weigh in. I hadn't had a great week. I was dealing with some major stress in the beginning and tried some stupid things to deal with it. (1 of them was eating to much) That didn't work. I was only more stressed, and feeling physically awful. So Wednesday morning, I upped the exercised and started writing out my meal plan for the day. It felt better. I was able to think clearer. (Can you believe it?) And I worked hard and stuck to it. I did an extra workout Thursday afternoon, and another one Sunday morning. Can you get addicted to this?? Honestly, it feels so good. I luv moving, and mastering the moves, and feeling the adrenalin rushing through me for hours. I weighed myself through the week and had hoped fingers crossed I would at least be the same. But it proved well worth it this morning when I was a pound down!! Yeah!! Exercise and eating well IS the key! A total of 5.6lb in 3 weeks.

I worked out 7 times last week.

I followed Weight Watchers points Wednesday-Sunday. I adjusted my points for breastfeeding and knocked off 2. 

Moving forward, slowly! 

I know I promised a picture of me every week. I don't know how realistic that it is since I am the one behind the camera....but I will try, and I have a picture for today :) (courtesy of Goran)

i luv this! cradling her smallness in my arms, nourishing her with the greatest gift I can give her.

The last few days have been a whirlwind of family, and togetherness, and watching them grow! Its the life I live, maybe nothing special to some, but to me it is everything. Each of these small people in my house, becoming more of there own, emerging, learning new things, sometimes getting along, and sometimes running and screaming from each other.

'learning new things'

'emerging'

But I luv spending time with them. Or just watching them learn, and listen, and follow instructions from someone else.

I luv these memories we are making for them. 

Sometimes, when Angelina's eyes are pooling with tears over school work, or Bryan is screaming at me because he doesn't want to go to bed, or Grace is crying because her feelings are hurt, or the baby is standing in yet another puddle of pee, the cookies are beeping, pasta is boiling over, and the laundry has followed me from room to room without getting folded all day, (all at once, and Goran is shaking his head with a luving smile) I wonder if I am doing anything right.

And then we skip all the morning work and go for coffee. Me and the wee ones. We order, and sit, and talk and drink. They interact together, sharing, and talking and laughing. Eyes shining, lips smiling, and my heart sings. Grace shyly compliments a woman on her new baby. Angelina holds the door open for an elderly gentleman.  Bryan reaches out for his small sisters hand. These are the times my eye fill with happy tears. My heart sometimes feels like it is going to explode with happiness and joy. 

i didn't stage this. I've been waiting for it to happen, and it did :)

I must be doing something right.

I read a quote this weekend that spoke to my heart. "Love Multiplies, Not Divides."

How amazing is that?

It has rained this morning, and the puddles are calling me and my 4. Schoolwork is done and cookies are baked (without getting burnt). Ah, but the laundry awaits and there are white paper circles all over the floor from the hole punch. And they will be here when we get back!

Hope your weekend was amazing, and your week ahead holds greatness waiting for you!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Inspired by SouleMama

 

Snow!

We had great plans for the day. EVERYONE was excited. Me too!! Lots to keep wee ones busy and learning, and a visit with my momma - can it get any better?

Wait.

Are you ready?

This miserable system moved in bringing snow, and wind, and making roads treacherous. They were crushed. I was crushed.

This out first real snowfall of the wintry season.

Why today Mother Nature??

Some cried. I wanted to too. Instead I smiled and said, "We still can have a great day!"

We bundled up in snow pants, and hats and mitts, warm fuzzy boats, and scarves wrapped around faces.  The baby pointing at the door after the big kids were out trying to tell me to hurry. My beautiful growing little soul. You can see so much in her eyes. She is always pointing and grunting, and her eyes get bigger when she is trying to tell you something important. O Sweet Klara, start talking, and tell me all those things you want to say!

A walk, and some shoveling, and helping the neighbor as well, bonded us, lifted our spirits, and an hour and a  half later when we entered the house stomping, laughing, talking and smiling. O except that wee one, who so badly wanted to stay out and color with chalk.....because that is what everyone wants to do when its snowing...??

A warm hearty lunch, and they were busy crafting. Cutting, gluing, and drawing......Valentines!! Talking together, helping, giggling and laughing. Is there anything sweeter then the laughter of children?

I hope your Thursday turned out as great as ours!!

Monday with a Check In

Quick check in to start.

I had a good week, staying on my Weight Watchers Points, and exercising 5 days for 30-45 minutes in the a.m. I was discouraged as I weighed myself every morning only to watch the scale creep up a point of a pound each day. I know there is fluctuations in weight throughout the week, but weighing in every day keeps me accountable to what I am eating. I just need to keep in mind that the weekly weigh in each Monday shows the weight loss!  So today did show a weight loss of 1.8lb over the last week. That is a total of 4.6lb in the last 2 weeks. I am getting there!
I also downloaded a weight tracker app on my phone. I like punching in my weight losses and see the graph coming down.
I feel good and the adrenaline kick I get in the morning still lasts all day :)  Usually in the afternoon I get cold. I mean really cold. I hoped in the shower a few times to warm up, and that was useful as it gave me a boast of energy to get me through the crazy dinner hour!

The Rest

Over the weekend I was reminded of my blessings. I was reminded how my choices in life have guided my path in life and also how they affect those in my life.  I am grateful for the support in tough times that got me through, and the guidance that lead to good choices so I can be where I am now.  I am safe. Emotionally, physically, and mentally. Among all the other blessing in my life, those are so easily overlooked and taken for granted. Because I take the good things for granted, and after awhile it becomes the standard and I forget that it is not like that for everyone.

Although my heart is heavy for those who are not safe, my heart is filled with love and gratitude this morning. I kiss my husband goodbye as he heads off to a new job. I watch as he closes the front door behind him and heads off into the still dark morning to work hard so we can have this life we have. As each of my wee ones get up, arms outstretched for pick ups, I snuggle my face into shoulders, and  slip my arms around tiny waists to breath in their sleepy bed scent. O I am blessed. Beyond what I could have ever dreamed of when I was young.

Favorite Pics over the Last Week

Angelina leading the pudding making.

a friend came over the play. the music (Raffi) was playing they were all singing, helping out baby, and coloring together. it was lovely!

nursing her baby at breakfast, well because everyone does

his new favorite piece of clothing, overalls like Paka

Bob jumped up for a cuddle while she did school work!

 and 2 to show what a wee bit of work can do....(my dream is coming true!)

top empty doors off for refinishing

top done! (new handles) and now bottom is removed for refinishing. all things in good time. its coming!

Tell me about your weekend! What are you grateful for this Monday morning?

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Inspired my SouleMama

  

Accept

Today accepting was easy. As school work was completed quickly, as laughter rang clear, and things flowed well. The baby said "Help me!" this morning, asking me to help her get dressed. She chattered "Bob Bob Bob," as she brought me the cats food dish and squealed with glee to bring it back to him and have him come running. Grace seemed to need extra hugs and cuddles today, which was easy too. Little agenda and lots of time, made a cuddle on the couch cozy and sweet, and extra hugs nice for both of us. Angelina supervised and led the children in making pudding. Pouring, stirring, and mixing. Taking turns, and delegating to each in turn. She finished off with a lid and popped it in the fridge. And it was good!! Bryan, my son. O, his concentration grows, he plays with his little sister, and is getting the hang of cleaning up and putting away.

Accepting was easy. Gratitude came easy. I accepted they all went to bed late, with hugs and kisses and "Sweet dreams"

A blurp from our day.



Now that they are in bed, I miss them <3