Little Girls/Big Girls

Little girls watching big girls dance. ♥️

First Day of Spring

Today we took a trip to a local heritage village to learn how maple syrup was discovered, and collected through the years. It ended in a lovely taste of real maple syrup.

It was freezing. Despite how I suggested to dress, the children had other ideas, and 15 minutes in one was crying about cold toes. You can imagine how it was after another hour....

Afterwards we went for pancakes and maple syrup with friends. We all luved that :)

Happy 1st day of spring!

Creativity

Angelina made me this lovely bracelet. Who knew rainbow loom would result in such beautiful jewelry!

Black Berries

He luvs black berries <3

March 13 2014

January - A Month in Review

Oh the month has flown by faster then I can believe. A whole month, disappeared in a blink. But there, filled with memories, I tuck away, hole dear, and memories that fill my heart <3 nbsp="" p="">
We spend time being sick, laying on couches with buckets tucked close by pillows, time reading, family stories, beginning board games, story times, skating, walking, school work, hot cocoa, and snuggles by the fire. Its been ruff, but we've made the best of time together.

Lets start at the very beginning.


New Years Eve

I don't luv New Years, I'd rather be in bed getting my sleep :) But Goran does luv News Years Eve, so we stay up and ring it in like we should. We discussed and agreed to let the girls to stay up. Unexpected, but so very happy to have close friends and luved ones here, our elderly neighbors Tony and Lynn ended up coming over, spending the night quietly enjoying company, laughs, DS gaming, playmobil and baby snuggles.

The best New Years Eve I've ever had. And its only going to get better.

Happy 8th Birthday Grace

Between illness's we managed to have a few friends over and celebrate my girl.  

she was up late the night before, making one for each person.

she picked out rainbow butterflies herself and spent time cutting out each one. they are still hung up!

8. 

Eight.

I can't believe it.

8 years since I birthed my baby, in my home, in my bed, into my arms. It was an amazing day, one I will never forget, and always treasure.

Grace,

We luv and treasure you. You are part of our family, you make us who we are. Without you, we wouldn't be the same. You are luving, and kind, and sensitive. You are learning to empathize. In the last few weeks we have had numerous encounters where your face suddenly changes and you understand how powerful your words are. You feel so strong, often your face will crumble and you I can't help but hug you and luv you, knowing you are growing into a more amazing person every day.

Luv you forever Grace

Momma

The Rest

The dishwasher broke. It has been over 2 weeks. It has been frustrating. But we have adapted, and the time together, washing dishes, soapy hands, chatting with the kids, baby on the floor playing with the mop or broom....The dishwasher is at the doctors, and we hope to have it back this week.

Skating.....its been an adventure, but they are getting it. I'm so excited to see Goran involved, teaching, engaging, sharing something new with the kids. And the kids!!! Wow! I'm so excited to see them try, and try again, the excitement, and joy on their faces.   

Oh and Samuel is pulling to stand. Slow down baby!

                                                                                                                                      
I'm thinking of writing every day of the 'work week' - 1 day for each child. The whole point of the blog is to celebrate each of my kids. The great and small things they do, learn, experience. . I was thinking of giving each child their day, but I might see how each day goes, and make sure by the end of the the week I've got each child in.

Here is for trying new things!

Advent Reflection

Although it was a bit late coming to me, I enjoyed reading this book over part of December.

The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp is a daily devotional, with a bible verse, and her own educated thoughts on it, and then some question to reflect.

I had mixed feelings through out the book. Between those feelings, and unsettled family issues throughout the month, I found myself up and down day by day. Some days I really luved, and looked forward to the next reading, and other days I closed the book, annoyed, or frustrated. One day particularly after I finished reading felt crushed. Overall it was about, grace, and I understand the idea of being saved by grace, and not by anything I do, but seeing it like that, made me feel sad. This time in my life is not my own. I spend most of the hours in a day striving to meet everyone's needs. I luv being a mom, I'm happy to give this time to my children, knowing that it will all come back 2 fold someday. But at the end of the day, sometimes the only thing I have is the satisfaction of getting through the day, feeding everyone, maybe baths, and 1 or 2 things knocked off the constantly growing to do list. It made me feel sad that it doesn't matter. And I knew before that it didn't really matter, when it comes to salvation, but for me, right now, there are day's I'm searching for a reason to get up, struggle through that day, knowing there will be bickering, fighting, and that keeping children content isn't always an easy task. (Sometimes it is!)

And she continued to talk about the "Jesse Tree" throughout the book. I found that irritating, because I've gone to church more years in my life then I haven't, and I had no idea what she was talking about.

A bit of research has taught me something new! I luv this idea, and look forward to making ornaments and teaching my wee ones about the 'Jesse tree' next December, and hanging each one on a tree special for this purpose!

So I didn't actually finish the book, but there was one piece that still stands out to me...

"You can stand around a Christmas tree with a family tree like Joseph's, with cheaters and beaters and deceivers, with a family like Jacob's, who ran away and ran around and ran folks down. But out of a family line that looks like a mess, God brings the Messiah. What was intended to harm, God intended all of it for good, and no matter what intends to harm you, Gods arms have you. You can never be undone. 

No matter what intends to harm you......

God is never absent,"

God is never absent.

What a wonderful and comforting thought. 

So I reflect that its been good, reading and learning and being forced to think and look at things in a new light. And that was the intent, right?

I am thankful to own the book, and plan to, along with a Jesse tree, read, reflect and hopefully learn more and finish the book next December.