It Was A Good Day

You know those days when things start out good and just keep getting better and better?

That was yesterday.

The weather was so nice yesterday. At one point it reached 16 degrees (about 60F) and it was like heaven.

The littles and I headed over to the church for my Bible study at 9:30.

Matthew moved up to his big boy carseat over the weekend and looks mighty pleased with himself whenever he's sitting in it.

So cute. And growing entirely too fast.

Jordan stayed in the nursery/toddler room but wasn't too happy about it. Apparently she thought she was going to be a part of the study too. However, the lure of playing with play doh - something I can't stand and avoid bringing out at home at all costs - eventually helped her warm up to the idea of being there. I kept Matthew with me.

What a lovely way to spend a morning. We shared a bit about our stories and where we were at, what brought us to the church, stories about our children and child birth and family and tattoos... all over the place conversation and it was so nice. We won't start the actual study until the 21st because next week is our Spring Break.

Afterwards, the children and I came home, loaded Matthew in his stroller and headed to the park to enjoy the sunshine and warmth.

I'd love to show you a picture of Jordan so you could see how cute her outfit was, or her pretty hair that she let me style for a change.... but she's in this phase where she'll either flat out refuse to let me take her picture or she deliberately does this weird smile.

After playing at the park for a bit we took a walk around the block, then Matthew sat in his stroller on the porch while Jordan walked around and I cleaned up the yard a bit. Lunch and naps followed.

I met my new neighbours last night and they seem to be really nice people. We stood at the park talking for about 35 minutes and seemed to click. I'm hoping that we'll continue to get along well and be able to get together with our kids this summer.

Dinnertime was a noisy affair as it always is. People laughing, teasing and talking over each other all at once. I love nights like that. Ian and I will look at each other across the table and wink because we know these are the days.

Once the children were all in bed asleep, Ian and I had a great heart to heart about our future and some tough decisions that we may need to make soon. He soothed some of my fears and affirmed that we are doing what we feel is best for our family, and the opinions of others will not have any weight on what we choose to do. I don't know why I worry so much about what other people think. One of my many flaws.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. Not only did Matthew pull himself up on the chair to stand, and then cruise along the chair this week (which I immediately called my mother to tell her because I was so excited and she loves to hear this stuff first hand) but yesterday he WAVED at me.

So.CUTE!

Ok, I can't sit here talking to you all day. I am in the middle of making cake balls to take to the playgroup I'm trying out this afternoon. Hopefully I won't feel too nervous or talk too much and I'll get invited back. I'll let you know how it goes.

Have a great day!

Answered Prayers

Today has been one of those feel good days and I've just been soaking it up.

Matthew is becoming more and more mobile every day. He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth, but only takes one or two "knee steps" before he flops on his belly. But he has mastered the army crawl and has gotten quite fast at it. He knows what he wants and goes for it!

Today he sat looking at one of the chairs in the living room, and right before my eyes I watched him pull himself up so he was standing. He looked over at me and just beamed. The more I clapped and praised him, the prouder he looked and the harder he laughed. Then he started slowly working his way along the chair until he got to the edge. He looked at the foot stool, then back to the chair, then to the foot stool. And then he went for it. Bless his heart, he fell between the two, but he tried! I was so excited.

I got to see every single second of it.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love being at home with my children? These moments are so precious.

I've had two prayer requests answered in the last 24 hours and it's been so exciting. I've been praying about so many things lately that I'm sure God is getting a headache just from the sound of my voice.

One of the things I've been praying about is an opportunity to connect with other mothers who stay at home, who also have young children. We don't really have any MOPS groups that I can find, and I don't want to pay for a class and find out we don't like it. And the Early Years Centre I checked out smelled and looked dirty. So... I just asked God to open a door for me and He did! A friend of mine contacted me yesterday to invite me to a Mom & Baby group that has recently started. The woman hosting it lives just down the street from me and has a 3 1/2 year old and a 7 month old. How perfect is that?? I'm so excited to go. That's on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 - 3:30. I'll have to leave a bit early in order to get Sam and Julie from school, but it'll be so worth it.

The other thing is, I've been praying for awhile now about an opportunity to join a Bible study. I used to be a part of a group of lovely women who I loved dearly and trusted with my spiritual journey and I've been missing them so much. I started going to the Wednesday morning Coffee Break at my church back in the Fall, but it just didn't feel like a good fit for me at the time. When I was ready to try it again I learned that it had been cancelled for some time. I just started praying that God would open a door for me to join in somewhere and He did! This morning I received a message from a lovely woman from my church letting me know it's starting up again this Wednesday and I just can't wait! Apparently we're going to be doing a Beth Moore study and you know how I love me some Beth Moore.

I have other things I'm praying about, and God will answer those in His time, in His ways. But I feel as though He is giving me something to help me as I wait for those answers. Does that make sense?

I feel as though something big is about to happen. I can't explain why I feel that way, I just do. I'm not saying that suddenly everything is going to become perfect, but I just sense that something good is coming. I hope I'm right!

I was supposed to be returning to work part-time next month, and then full-time beginning in September to July to cover a maternity leave, but then on Friday that offer was taken back due to some immediate internal changes. I'm ok with it, and will look at some other options. Obviously I am hoping that I will be able to continue to stay at home with the children a little longer, but I'm trying to keep my mind open.

Ok, I think I've talked long enough for one night. You are now free to go.

:-D

Counting Mine {196-210}

"Fear not for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name;
you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned."
Isaiah 43:1-2
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
196} the way a certain smell can immediately take me back to a special moment in time
197} dreaming of people who have left my life, like a special visit
198} singing in worship along with 8,000+ Christian women at Women of Faith
199} finding a treasured item I thought was lost forever
200} meeting Angie Smith at Women of Faith
201} hugs and kisses from my family after being away from home
202} Jordan climbing into bed with us every morning
203} when Ian turns down my side of the bed and puts my lamp on for me at night
204} soft mittens
205} hope
206} a weekend with no responsibilites or anywhere to go
207} heart to heart conversations with my Mama
208} love, in all its forms: romantic, motherly, familial
209} hearing God's voice
210} learning that someone I've been praying for has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour
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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!

Week At A Glance

Seems like I took a lot of pictures this week.

Want to see some?

Sam gave me this gigantic Hershey's Kiss for Valentine's Day.

I don't know why we buy Neapolitan when no one really likes the pink part.

We need to move Mattie out of our room...but where to put him??

She must have done this puzzle a dozen times that first day.

Even teddy bears are subjected to naptime around here.

Came downstairs one morning to find Ian had tackled the dreaded mis-matched sock basket.

Met up with a sweet friend for tea AND bumped into another one while I was there :-)

Loving his music table.

Checking out the snow.

My little peeps sure are messy!

Snack time ~ cupcakes baked with love from Aunt Cindy.

What I'm reading these days.

Always so happy.

Can't believe this was even necessary.

What did YOUR week look like??

5QF ~ March 2

March already!

This month is a big one for us - Julie turns 11 on the 27th and Jordan turns 4 on the 29th. I see lots of cake and balloons and joy ahead.

March also brings spring break for the children. Looking forward to having them around all day :)

I've had a toothache for the last couple of days and it's driving me crazy. My new medication continues to give me the munchies, but I feel nauseated whenever I eat anything. And it makes me so sleepy. I'm a hot mess apparently.

We had some snow this week but it's gone already. I can't remember the last time we had such an easy winter and I'm so thankful for it. In case you missed it, I hate winter with a passion.

Matthew has mastered the army crawl and can move quite quickly. I love sitting on one side of the room and calling him over and watching him hurry. He's been sleeping better these last couple of nights which has been very nice for Ian. He tends to get up with him the most during the night. Something about Kate being a bear in the morning if she doesn't get enough sleep. Or something like that. ;-)

Jordan is all about being a princess these days and she loves for me to read her stories from her children's Bible. We've been cuddling a lot at every opportunity.

Julie is waiting to hear if she got the lead in the school play. She's had four auditions so far and all of the other parts have been assigned except for the lead. It's down between her and two or three other girls. I'm not sure if I'm more nervous that she gets it or that she doesn't. Either way, I'm crazy proud of her for trying out. Crazy proud.

Sam had to do a project this week using only recyclable materials. I'm so glad Ian is so hands on with the children's school work because I would have had zero ideas for this project. Together he and Sam made a robot using an old hard drive for the body, pop cans for the arms, iced tea containers for the legs, VCR cases (remember those?!) for the feet, and so on. It looks fantastic! He presented it this week and I think he'll get a great mark on it.

I think that's all my news at this point.

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Being that it's Friday, it's time for Mama M's Five Question Friday blog hop.



1. Where is your favorite vacation spot and why?

I love the Bahamas. I've been there several times and it's so incredibly beautiful there. I also love Florida very much, lots of family memories there. And I love Sherkston Shores as well, here in Ontario.

2. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

Naps, my cellphone and my laptop.

3. What is your favorite fashion trend right now? Or, in the past?

I'm not a fashion trend type person. I know what I like and what I don't like when I see it. I was looking in a brochure that came in the mail from my favourite store and I see that stripes and short sleeved sweaters are in for Spring. I don't understand the purpose of a short sleeve sweater. Isn't it supposed to keep you warm? How does it fulfill that purpose if there aren't enough arms on it?? I'm very picky about style and fit and I don't like when people give me clothes. If I didn't pick it out myself, chances are high I won't like it and therefore never wear it.

Past trend... I loved leggings with slouchy socks that matched a big baggy sweatshirt and hair scrunchie. Those were the days. The 90's I believe.

4. What are your spring break plans?

No plans to go anywhere, just sweet time spent together.

5. What baby names do you hate?

Gah. Can you imagine the number of people who could potentially get offended at this question??

I don't like it when babies are named after days of the week or fruit. Or boys names turned into girls names just by adding a letter. Or when parents try to give their kids way out there names in an attempt to be original but just succeed and pretty much guarantee that their kid will get it's butt kicked every day for his/her lame name.

OK, here are some names off the top of my head I don't like: Latrina. Susie. Olive. Rose. John. Pete. Steve. Mike.

*if you happen to be named Latrina, Susie, Olive, Rose, John, Pete, Steve or Mike, I am sorry for offending you.

That's it. Have a great Friday!

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Head on over to Mama M's blog My Little Life to join in on the fun!

Ten Random Things

My mind is all over the place today and I'm not having much luck forming a blog post tonight that makes sense.

So, I'll tell you ten random things that are on my mind.

Ready?

1} Yesterday was one of those rare days when I felt like I was rocking this mom gig. I was on top of everything with the littles, full of patience and we played a lot together. Today? Not so much. I was very tired and cranky most of the day and I hated that. I managed to get the littles to nap at the same time and closed my eyes for a bit as well and that helped me to feel better.

2} I have some really sweet and loving friends that have been reaching out to me lately, reminding me that they love me and are praying for my family. These simple gestures mean so much. They don't need to know all of the details of what we're going through right now, they just reach out. Such blessings.

3} I've been having recurring dreams about giraffes. I've never been a fan of the giraffe, but after dreaming about them for several days in a row I've become quite fond of them.

4} Tonight I met up with one of my favourite people ever for tea and to visit, and we ended up talking for just over two hours. *H* and I have been friends since the 9th grade.

5} I'm thinking about writing a post about some of the not-so-great things people say to someone who is searching for a job. I try to be kind and think that they're just trying to be helpful, but sometimes it's all I can do not to roll my eyes right in front of them. I'll tell you this, if someone you know has been laid off and is searching for work, the kindest, most helpful thing you can say to them is "we're thinking of you, and we're here to help if we can". Don't ask them if they've found a job every time you see them - believe me, they will tell you when they have. Just be encouraging and let the person know you're thinking and/or praying for them. Don't mention it every time you see or talk to them. Trust me, those things will go a long way.

6} I wish it wasn't so hard to move to the US. I love Canada, but I've always wanted to live in Florida. I really like it there. And I'm longing for a fresh start.

7} I think I'm over the worst of my caffeine withdrawal symptoms from giving up pop for Lent. Just the other day I heard that Lent didn't include Sundays. In my 30 years of being Catholic I had never, ever, heard that before. I'm not going to drink any pop until Easter Sunday. It will be a glorious event for sure.

8} I miss being in a small group for bible study. I used to be in one and loved it, but it's been a few years since I've been a part of it and I'm struggling without having that in my life. I'm praying about it.

9} I'm on some medication that makes me hungry all the time and it's so frustrating. I try so hard to stick to three meals a day and limit my snacking, but it's so hard. I don't need to gain any more weight, thankyouverymuch.

10} The new cast for Dancing With The Stars was revealed today and I'm really excited for it to start. Still a couple of weeks away though. Ooh! You know what else happens in the next few weeks? The clocks go forward! Come on Spring!

Ok, there you go. Ten random things from my head.

Counting Mine {181-195}

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Thessalonians 5:16-18
This past week I've been really trying to stay focused on the things the Lord has been blessing us with as we continue to navigate the events occuring within our family these days.

Ian and I were talking earlier this week and he has been encouraged (challenged??) to appreciate and be thankful for these blessings without adding a "but" to the end of the them. So easy to say "this is such a blessing, but..."

No more "buts".

Certainly keeps me in the moment and shows me where He continues to be with us. I can see where He is opening doors for us. I need to be grateful for those open doors and wait patiently for Him to open the rest.

Patience is not one of my spiritual gifts.

:-)

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
181} the way my grandmother would remove her earring before answering the phone
182} an ice cold beer on a hot day
183} Ian's superhero shirts
184} Jordan swinging, her eyes closed and face lifted to the sun, smiling
185} family picnics in the fall
186} church bells
187} piles of laundry, sorted and ready to be washed
188} long dinners with great friends
189} the cuddly hug Ian gives me in the mroning just before we have to get out of bed and start our days
190} kindness at unexpected moments
191} dogs riding in cars with their heads hanging out the window, ears flapping in the wind
192} the way Jordan has to stand on her tippy toes to reach a spoon from the drawer
193} when Ian lets me put my lipstick in his suit jacket pocket so I don't have to carry a purse
194} capturing that perfect moment in a photograph
195} Julie's beautiful and strong heart for others
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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!

Week At A Glance

Today I'm going to show you a few pics I've taken on my cell phone this week.

I've seen this idea on a couple of blogs now, and thought I'd do it here too since Saturday is a slow day.

Let's go.

Sitting like a pro and sporting an adorable onesie from his Auntie Amanda
.

All he wants to do is stand up now, and he's beginning to try to cruise. So exciting.

He's going to take off crawling any second, I just know it.

Spying on the neighbours, just like Mama taught him to.

Riding along on the way to an appointment. Looks like he's holding on for dear life and praying.

Another adorable onesie from Auntie Amanda.

1am and wide awake. I think he was afraid he was going to miss something exciting.

Any guesses as to where this onesie came from?? Yep.. another one from Amanda.

I won two donuts this week, so yesterday after school Sam, Julie and I stopped so they could each have a treat before heading home.

Jordan and I hit up Chapters this week too. I read while she played with the train table.

What did I read, you ask? This book, because no matter what I try, Matthew still sleeps like crap.

There you go. A quick glimpse into my week.

Happy Saturday :-)

5QF ~ February 24

Last night was so mild out that Jordan and I sat on the porch together for a bit. Today? Snow and slush. I'm so over this Winter business. Had I watched the news this morning I would have found out that all the school buses were cancelled and let Sam and Jules stay home in their pjs. When the buses are cancelled the teachers make the kids watch movies all day. They can do that at home, as far as I'm concerned.

Ten months until Christmas Eve. Just sayin.

It's been a fairly quiet week with the exception of Wednesday: I spent the day at my mother's house with Jordan and Matthew, had an appointment at 4 and then met up with my friend Cindy at 8. Not much on the schedule this weekend which is nice.

Being that it's Lent, I've decided to give up pop. I don't normally observe Lent, however the children attend a Catholic school and I wanted to be able to support them. Two days in and the caffeine headaches are murdering me.

To death.

Still, I will keep going.

I decided to give up the word "jackass" for Lent as well, but that only lasted as long as dinnertime on Wednesday. I was super hungry and when I get that way I get crabby and well, that particular word sort of slipped out.

Mattie is on the verge of crawling. He gets up on his knees and will rock back and forth but hasn't figured out he can become mobile yet. In the meantime, he'll do this slithery belly move to get to the things he wants. He'll also stand up in his playpen, holding onto the edge, for a long while. He loves pears and ice cream.

Other than that, there's not really much else to report.

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Being that it's Friday, it's time for Mama M's Five Question Friday blog hop.



1. What's your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)?
Reading or surfing the net. Sleeping ranks pretty high on the list too.

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can't have it?
I have certainly been this way at times in the past, but I try to focus on what I have and just enjoy that. I tend not to want a lot of things as I have all the things that matter already.

3. If you were given $1000 to spend on yourself, what would you buy?
A plane ticket so I could fly to Chicago in June to spend the weekend with my sweet friends.

4. Do you ever go out to eat by yourself?
Not yet, but it's on my list of things I want to do.

5. What company would you want to do a blog review for?
Chrysler! Ha!

Ooooh... I'd like to do a blog review for a Sandals resort or a Disney cruise.

That's it. Have a great Friday!

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Head on over to Mama M's blog My Little Life to join in on the fun!

Christmas In February

One of the simple things that gives me a thrill is seeing the postman's little mail car pull up and stop in front of my house.

Like he did this past Monday morning.

What did he have, you ask?

Well, he had two packages for yours truly.

See?

So exciting!

The top package was from my sweet friend Amy from Mac or Cheesy.

Girl Guide cookies! I have heard much about the wonders of the Thin Mint cookie and Amy convinced me to let her send me a box. When I say convinced I mean she twisted my rubber arm.

Thank you Amy! They were delicious!

And the next box came from my sweet friend Melissa from My Scrumptious Treats.

Let's look inside :-)

Something for the children too!

Eeeeek!!!

These mini ones are Jordan's favourites...

And these are my favourites...

This was the biggest bag of M&Ms I've ever seen. It's resealable. Resealable!

Julie's favourites...

And mini packages in each of the children's bags.

What fun!

Amy and Melissa - thank you so much for your kindness! I love you both to bits and pieces! Thanks for loving on us like this!

xoxo