Today's Gratitude

Today is one of those days where I have to look a little bit harder for gratitude. Today the kids were having a tough day together as siblings and the arguing just got the best of me a few times. Nonetheless there is still so much to be thankful for:

Those long moments when our three kids are getting along and playing happily together. 

A filled pantry, fridge and freezer so we can put together a delicious supper. 

My sewing machine. I just finished a mermaid tail for Jean (which I started last November) and fixed a jumper that Jean just got but after one machine wash it seemed to fall apart. Now on to the quilts that are waiting...

Expressing Gratitude

To help take me out of my summer blues, I have been writing a gratitude journal for the past few days. I decided to post my gratitude items on my Facebook timeline but then thought I would add them to my blog...I cannot figure out how to cut and paste from Facebook on my iPad. Oh the problems I have!

I have decided to continue my gratitude on my blog... I won't post every day and some will be long and wordy while others short and sweet. It doesn't really matter anyways. 

I am always most grateful for my family; for my partner in life, Ian and for my children. I am thankful for my health. I can run, play, walk, sing, dance and plan to do so for a very long time. 

I am also grateful for the roof over my head even though it needs replacing. It still keeps us safe and dry and amidst this storm we are having right now, I wouldn't want to be any where else. 

Summer Blues

The spring and early summer months are very, very hectic around here.  It almost seems as though the outside world gets put on hold for us for a little while.  We watch people pass through, enjoying their summer, spending relaxing time with their family and friends while we work very, very hard to make a living. Every summer I always feel down right about now, wishing for those days when we can take a breath, take a break without the guilt (we should be working), spend time with friends and most importantly, have my husband around without distraction.  I usually have a few small breakdowns, chat with those who know me best, they straighten me out and away I go again... feeling so thankful for the life I lead.  I am very thankful.

The people we spend the most time with are the ones we also work with... family.  My inlaw parents live right around the corner and many evenings throughout the summer are spent with them, our siblings and nieces and nephews. 

Shoes for Jean

Our youngest child, Jean, absolutely loves shoes. She has since she was very small.

We have been told not to go shopping together because we always come home with shoes for her... I don't think that's true but it might be sort of true. 

Last evening Jean decided to pull out all of our shoes and display them on the kitchen table. I am not sure but it might have been representing a store. Shoes on the table just means more to clean up for me but I did notice, as I was putting them away, that most of the shoes were hers. Hmmmmm...

This doesn't even include all of her shoes.  Her running shoes were not in her display and she was probably wearing shoes as well. 

Those cute little sandals are my favourite pair of shoes that she has. I found them at a children's  used store and they fit perfectly and she doesn't get blisters from them. Unfortunately their novelty wore off quickly, as do flip flops and running shoes. She LOVES flats and her cowgirl boots. 

I can only imagine her shoe collection in years to come and hope she eventually has a large closet to hold them all. She certainly doesn't have a large closet now! I also hope she has the same size of foot as me someday because I would love the chance to borrow from her!

Happy 10th Birthday to Grace

Ten years ago today (well actually at 12:45am this morning) I became a mom.  She gave me a run for my money entering this world but I didn't know any better and I took it all in stride.  Soon we were a great pair enjoying my maternity leave from teaching - I could take her anywhere!  She was such an easy baby and I relished every moment I spent with her.  She marks the beginning of our family...

Soon after she was born

First Birthday

Grace as a flower girl in Uncle Cameron and Aunt Mandy's wedding, 2 years old

Grace, 3.5 years old, Alex, 1 year old

Our first family camping trip, Grace, 4 years old and Alex, almost 2 years old (I was expecting Jean)

Grace, 5 years old and Jean, 9 - 10 months old

Grace's 6th birthday party (look at those wiggly front teeth)

Grace, 7 years old

Grace's 8th birthday

Grace's 9th birthday

 Here she is on her 10th birthday today... celebrating at Aunt Margy and Uncle Mark's cottage on Norway Lake.  It was a perfect summer day and we enjoyed some relaxation and cottage life.

Wishing our girl a very, very happy birthday with so many more wonderful years to come.  We are incredibly proud of her - she is becoming such an amazing person.  She is thoughtful, smart, a really good friend, sibling, daughter, niece, grandchild and PERSON.  She works hard and enjoys life.  Her creativity inspires me.  She is a joy.

Summer Images

Let's Take a Selfie!

Our family has a healthy relationship with technology. Grace and I thoroughly enjoy our gadgets in particular, the iPad. I love Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and I follow many blogs. I enjoy taking photos and putting some on Instagram and have fun making cards using digital programs. Overall, it takes up too much of my time but I enjoy being connected. 

Grace, on the other hand, LOVES to take selfies. If you don't know what a selfie is, see below. When I check my photo collections, I always come across many, many selfies of my beautiful girl and sometimes they aren't so beautiful...but I won't share those. She wouldn't be happy with me at all. 

Here is my girl!