Hey

So.

A friend emailed me recently and said "You know how bloggers go quiet for long periods of time? And then suddenly there's a pregnancy announcement? Is there something you want to tell me??"

It's true, isn't it.

Well, my friends, not in this case.

I've just been busy.

I have things to talk about, I just don't have the energy.

I just wanted to say hey and let you know I'm ok.

Hope you guys are too.

Week Long Wrap Up

Oh my word, I am a slacker blogger.

This past week has been so busy that it just passed by in a blur.

The manager was in the hospital this week so a lot of her duties fell to me. I already have a very heavy workload so these extra tasks really had me hopping. People were looking to me to make decisions that I didn't necessarily feel qualified or authorized to make, but I had to do it anyway. Hopefully this week will be a little more manageable.

Monday night I met a friend for tea. I was a little shy about going, because although I really, really like this friend, we hadn't ever gotten together outside of our small group. I shouldn't have worried! We had such a great time, and she lovingly prayed for me before we left. I didn't get home until just after 10pm.

Tuesday night I stopped at my mother's on my way home from work. We had dinner together and I helped her out with something and we talked for a few hours. I love spending time with her but I don't seem to get over there as often as I'd like to. I need to change that. By the time I got home it was almost 10pm.

Wednesday night was my course. Guess what time I got home? Just after 10! I really, really, really, didn't want to go that night. I was tired from work and two late nights, and it felt like just one more thing I had to do. I sat on the couch until it was ten minutes to the beginning of the session, still trying to convince myself to go. I decided to just go for pete's sake, and I was so glad I did. I love my small group.

Thursday night was quieter and we were all home, which was so nice. I feel guilty when I'm out in the evenings.

Friday my coworker friend took me out for lunch to the Greek place around the corner. She wanted to treat me for my birthday. So sweet. I like her a lot, and I love that she's a Christian as well.  The big boss was kind enough to allow us to have an extended lunch which we were thankful for and made good use of. We never run out of conversation!

Friday night I went straight to the church after work to meet up with Ian. This weekend was the Jr High Youth Retreat up north in Muskoka, and Sam and Julie were going. Once they headed off, Jordan, Mattie and I hit up the grocery store for some snacks and then McDonald's for dinner. Once Mattie was in bed, Jordan and I climbed into my bed with a bag of chips to watch a movie together. She ended up falling asleep and I let her stay.

Saturday was my birthday (happy birthday to me!) and Ian had made videos for me from the children as to where I could find my gifts. So sweet. After lunch, I took the children to my mom's for a visit and she served a delicious roast dinner with my favourite dessert. Once the little ones were in bed, I watched The Vow.

This morning was slow and relaxed. We skipped church and ate birthday cake for breakfast. I scored a short nap on the couch. Ian, Sam & Jules arrived home around 5pm and my house was full and noisy once again, just the way I like it.

Sam's school of the arts audition is this Thursday. I'm hoping to be able to leave the office to be there. I know I can't watch, but I can lend my support from the hallway!

Ok, that's about all I've got for tonight. I need to get to bed so I'm ready for whatever tomorrow may throw my way!

Counting Mine (241 - 250)

I will proclaim the name of the LORD.

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

He is the rock, His works are perfect.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

 

241)Jordan`s arms around me, and her little girl voice telling me she needs me

242) being able to encourage a friend, simply because I`ve experienced the same trials

243) a friend telling me how much I mean to her

244) a good pen

245) when Jordan climbs into bed with us, cuddling into my back

246) mashed potatoes and corn, covered in gravy

247) wild wind while I`m warm inside

248) fresh beginnings

249) being in a small house group with women I love and trust

250) how much Ian loves me

 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

If you are counting your own blessings and blogging about them, will you leave me a comment with the link to your blog, or share them with me at katieb38@hotmail.com? I'd love to know how you are being blessed through your journey!

5QF ~ Jan 11

Oooh boy.

I have some weird eye infection thing going on in my eye, so I had to take out my contacts and I'm wearing my glasses instead. It's an old prescription and it's making me feel a little off kilter.

Someone once told me my glasses looked like they belong to Mrs. Beasley.

Anyway.

I vlogged again because I'm lazy.

Quite possibly my worst vlog ever.

And the longest.

Here we go.



Have a great weekend.

Counting Mine {226 - 240}

One of the many things I want to bring back to my blog this year, is the theme of gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for, but I've let what I don't have cloud that.

I'm so sorry, Lord.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

226) a warm shower, washing away the stress, worries and failures of the day

227) the way Mattie closes his eyes and lifts his face for me to kiss his cheeks, like he`s soaking up my love

228) feeling like I matter

229) watching a child`s eyes flutter as they fight sleep

230) little arms cuddling a stuffed lovey close while they rest

231) Ian`s arrival home at 11:57 pm, just in time to ring in the new year with us

232) Julie choosing to journal her gifts because she sees the model of thankfulness

233) the heart-realization that God didn`t make a mistake in me

234) when the children offer to help with dinner or to set the table

235) snow that falls steady like rain

236) hearing Sam tell me I`m a good mother, and that he doesn`t tell me enough

237) quiet moments to myself

238) the peace I feel after a day well lived

239) the way my sweet Mattie smiles at me, like he has a big secret

240) late night water fights in the house

 

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

 

If you are counting your own blessings and blogging about them, will you leave me a comment with the link to your blog, or share them with me at katieb38@hotmail.com? I'd love to know how you are being blessed through your journey!

5QF ~ Jan 3

Happy Friday!

It's a vlog-type day today. Turns out there are a few bloggers that are doing vlogs today.

Yay!

Too many people are worried about how they look or sound or whatever, but there's no need. Just have fun with it!

I love vlogs. And here's mine.

Could I look worse?

Probably. Do I care? Nope.

WAIT!

After I watched the video I realized I skipped question 4 which is "what food must be in your house at all times?"

That, my friends, is milk. We go through milk like nobody's business. About a 4L bag every day and a half. I seldom drink milk so don't blame me. If milk is not considered a food, then I would say Pop Tarts. The natives get angry when there's no Pop Tarts.

Alright, I'm all caught up. Carry on.

 

Have a great weekend!

My Year In Review

In the last few days I've seen a lot of facebook statuses, tweets and blog posts about how difficult 2012 was.

My current facebook status is this: Goodbye 2012. You have been painful, and you have been beautiful. I wouldn't change a minute of it.

We entered 2012 battered, bruised and so tired. We had no idea what this fresh year would hold for us. Had I had even the tiniest glimpse, I might have knocked back an extra drink or two on New Years Eve!

I won't give you a month by month recap of our year, because many of you have lovingly walked it with me. You know the emotions and fears I struggled with, because many times it was your prayers that carried me, especially during periods when my own prayers ran dry.

Selling our home was a difficult process for me, and there were many, many, MANY tears. I don't like letting go of things. I don't know how to.

But what God did in the month of June alone astounds me. Anyone who watched it unfold had to have seen that it was God at work. It stretched us and scared us and thrilled us, all at the same time. We stepped out in faith and trust and God delivered. Our house was listed, sold and we were in a new home within the month.

I returned to the workforce on a 2-3 week temporary assignment that resulted in a full time offer of employment with a salary that far exceeded my expectations.

We we able to purchase a second car for me to drive to and from work, leaving the van for Ian. We have always been a single vehicle family, even when Ian and I were dating. A second car wasn't something we thought we'd be able to have.

Our children are happy. We have a fenced back yard with a deck that we used constantly this past summer. The park near our home is ten times bigger than the one in our old neighbourhood. It is so peaceful and feels safe here. The neighbours wave to one another on their way to work. We look out for one another. One neighbour even returned our dog when he got out one afternoon and even knew his name. Sam and Julie have more freedom here, and they love it. We've replaced furniture that was all but broken down in our old house.

He's given me new friends, and restored our extended family relationships.

Pretty great, huh?

There's more.

God is doing something in me, I can feel it. He's speaking to me in the verses I'm reading, through the people I'm talking to, the sermons and music I'm listening to, the course I'm taking at my church. I'm finally getting it... He loves me! My sinful, selfish, messy self. He loves me and He has a plan for me. I've just been soaking it in and trying to get my head around it. My deepest fear has long been that I would leave this earth never connecting my heart to what I knew in my head to be truth. That I would miss my chance to know who Jesus really is. But I feel it happening. I sense Him with me, I talk to Him all throughout my day. I'm learning to trust Him. Oh how I wish I could explain this better.

2012 was all about letting go. Looking back, I can clearly see all the areas where God had me let go of things. (Sometimes ripping them from my vise-like grip!) He has taken my life and shaken it up and shaken me free, and set me down in new surroundings to begin again.

I have no safety nets. No home I own, no padded savings account. Just the Lord. I know that my faith is going to continue to be tested. Do I believe the words in my heart that I speak from my mouth? We have enjoyed a calm season, but when the storm rages again - and it will - will I rest in Him? Will I remember then what I know to be truth now? That He is the same in the valley as He is on the mountain? I hope so. Oh, how I hope so.

I don't know what 2013 holds, but I do know Who holds it. I know that there is a good plan for me, and I pray daily that I will have the courage to live out these days He has ordained for me in a way that will please Him.

May 2013 bring you abundant blessings, joy and peace to your heart.

With much love,

Kate
xoxo