The month of December passed by in a blur. Tim had just three weeks off starting December 10th instead of finishing around December 1st as in other years. Since he was home I offered to work more at Home Depot. Work I did. So much so that the baking and candy making I had looked forward to all fall didn't happen. We ran out of time. I had no energy. I blinked and the days were gone.
It's already the sixth of January and we are most of the way through our first week back at school. The house is messy but starting to improve. Today is my third day off of three in a row and my peace is slowly returning. I am happy to be home. Yesterday we had an appointment in the city and did many errands as well as a couple of fun things which took all day. We arrived home exhausted and were happy to be here, mess and all.
I have learned that putting too many things on my plate, even if they are good, fun things that I want us to do results in me feeling exhausted, cranky, and anything but peaceful. Our decision this fall to scale back and be home more was a good decision. Even as my heart twinges at the things the girls are missing out on this fall/winter/spring in a moment it is gone and it swells with joy as I listen to them enjoying simple things like going outside to play. It's good to simply Be Still and know that He is God.
I think that is probably the theme for this year. It seems like every year God has put a theme on my heart, for two years I sat at Get Wisdom, Get Understanding. This year I think he's telling me to slow down, sit still and just know.
One of my goals for the year is to daily read scripture. I've already missed and we're six days in, but that brings me to the second theme of the year. The one that came initially. Don't Give Up. I quit so easily, sigh, shrug, feel horrid that I failed again. This year as I think I said in an earlier blog I'm going to work on just getting back up and going again. Kinda funny actually when I think about it. Sit still, then get back up and try again.
For the moment now though, I am sitting with my favorite mug filled with a new favorite coffee and just being content and thankful to be here right now. Thankful to have my girls happily playing outside in the snow. Thankful to have an opportunity to be quiet. Thankful to be at the start of a new year. Thankful for food to eat, coffee to drink, and clothes to wear. Thankful for an upcoming weekend in the city. My heart jumps and I smile just thinking about that one. Thankful for friends that I can trust and who enjoy my girls. Thankful for a few more months with treasured friends before they move on to a new stage of life. Thankful.
Showing posts with label Thankful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thankful. Show all posts
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
MWA weekend and a Mini Vacation
It was six months in the making and lasted just 36 or so hours but the memories of our second annual MWA/SKU (ska depending on who spells it) weekend will last forever. Mom's Weekend Away is what I painted onto the gold stars to give out to those who came. Sku/ska is a long running nickname for Dutch Blitz and the term of choice to shout out when you need to in the game to indicate you won. SKA! There were several games of it this weekend and I happened to be the winner of one!
Last year we had a couple of cottages at Darcy's By The Bay. It was fun but the cleaning our way out wasn't hugely thrilling. This year I found a different location thanks to a college friend who had a trip planned to Ontario. I found Carriage Hills Resort. There are all sorts of resorts around here but finding one that allowed 8 women in the same space and that didn't cost the earth? That was tricky. Then our sweet Julia figured out that if she used RCI to book it she could book the week for the same! SOLD!
And tada we have a MWA weekend and a Mini Vacation rolled into one. Julia offered the extra days out to anyone who wanted them for $20/night. In a condo. Near home. With a pool. Add those things up and mix in us not going anywhere for Christmas this year, me feeling very sorry for myself because of that and just feeling sad and you get a chance to have some fun anyway.
Now, what happens at MWA stays at MWA so I can't tell you more details. Although the chocolate cake recipe (wheatless!) is fantastic and so amazing. Dense, rich, it's more like eating a truffle or a super rich brownie than cake. It was amazing.
On Sunday afternoon the last two ladies headed out. I had the condo to myself for a couple of hours before Tim and the girls arrived. I filled the giant tub with water and soaked for a bit. I have to confess that without a book it was boring. You know a girl doesn't watch much tv when she's sitting in front of one, on a Sunday afternoon and wishes there was something to do and checking the TV for a basketball game or football game doesn't even cross her mind. Yes, I'm that sad. And Yes, I was that tired.
After Tim and the girls came we went to the pool. It is an indoor/outdoor pool with a swimout. They have a hot tub outside too. This in my opinion is sheer brilliance. There is nothing like sitting in a tub of hot water when the air is frigid around you. It's like sticking your tongue out at winter. Bring it on!
The last couple of days have been fabulous in a simple, quiet way. I brought no school work. We had literally nothing to do and it was wonderful. We swam a couple of times a day. The girls did an activity yesterday making edible necklaces. Today they had local vendors set up and we shopped for a little bit and chatted a little bit more. One of the vendors is neighbors with another homeschooling family we know. The one night we were swimming G made friends with a little girl only for me to realize the girls is a daughter of a rather new friend. Small world.
Today I am calm and relaxed. I'm tired, it's true. I'm praying I sleep before one tonight. I'd sure love to wake up feeling rested and ready for the day.
This week is Thanksgiving week in the States. This Thurs. the girls and I will be back at the condo for a night to play with friends this time. Just one more small day of fun. This year instead of sitting at home wishing to be with family and friends I will be with friends. We probably won't have turkey, maybe pizza instead, but when it comes down to it, it's not really about the food it's about the people.
I am so thankful for the time we had, for the friends I have and for a God who loves me without strings.
Last year we had a couple of cottages at Darcy's By The Bay. It was fun but the cleaning our way out wasn't hugely thrilling. This year I found a different location thanks to a college friend who had a trip planned to Ontario. I found Carriage Hills Resort. There are all sorts of resorts around here but finding one that allowed 8 women in the same space and that didn't cost the earth? That was tricky. Then our sweet Julia figured out that if she used RCI to book it she could book the week for the same! SOLD!
And tada we have a MWA weekend and a Mini Vacation rolled into one. Julia offered the extra days out to anyone who wanted them for $20/night. In a condo. Near home. With a pool. Add those things up and mix in us not going anywhere for Christmas this year, me feeling very sorry for myself because of that and just feeling sad and you get a chance to have some fun anyway.
Now, what happens at MWA stays at MWA so I can't tell you more details. Although the chocolate cake recipe (wheatless!) is fantastic and so amazing. Dense, rich, it's more like eating a truffle or a super rich brownie than cake. It was amazing.
On Sunday afternoon the last two ladies headed out. I had the condo to myself for a couple of hours before Tim and the girls arrived. I filled the giant tub with water and soaked for a bit. I have to confess that without a book it was boring. You know a girl doesn't watch much tv when she's sitting in front of one, on a Sunday afternoon and wishes there was something to do and checking the TV for a basketball game or football game doesn't even cross her mind. Yes, I'm that sad. And Yes, I was that tired.
After Tim and the girls came we went to the pool. It is an indoor/outdoor pool with a swimout. They have a hot tub outside too. This in my opinion is sheer brilliance. There is nothing like sitting in a tub of hot water when the air is frigid around you. It's like sticking your tongue out at winter. Bring it on!
The last couple of days have been fabulous in a simple, quiet way. I brought no school work. We had literally nothing to do and it was wonderful. We swam a couple of times a day. The girls did an activity yesterday making edible necklaces. Today they had local vendors set up and we shopped for a little bit and chatted a little bit more. One of the vendors is neighbors with another homeschooling family we know. The one night we were swimming G made friends with a little girl only for me to realize the girls is a daughter of a rather new friend. Small world.
Today I am calm and relaxed. I'm tired, it's true. I'm praying I sleep before one tonight. I'd sure love to wake up feeling rested and ready for the day.
This week is Thanksgiving week in the States. This Thurs. the girls and I will be back at the condo for a night to play with friends this time. Just one more small day of fun. This year instead of sitting at home wishing to be with family and friends I will be with friends. We probably won't have turkey, maybe pizza instead, but when it comes down to it, it's not really about the food it's about the people.
I am so thankful for the time we had, for the friends I have and for a God who loves me without strings.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Good Things
Tonight was a plain and simple night of the most wonderful kind. We had a simple dinner of omelets and toast. Then we packed up our bags and box for the Library. I'm thankful we waited until Tim could come too. He's so good at carrying big heavy things!
We spent an hour at the library and then stopped at Walmart on our way home to get chocolate chips so I could make him cookies. Tomorrow he is going hunting for the first time in several years. He's excited!! He's also excited about homemade cookies. He called his dad before we left home and checked about taking a lunch. His dad is bringing ham sandwiches and Tim will bring the chocolate chip cookies.
I started mixing the cookies and realized we had a critical problem. No brown sugar. I could make a different cookie but he wanted chocolate chip! So my sweet husband looked at our middle child who was on her way to bed as the time was already 8:30, and said, "Get your coat and shoes on." Her face lit up and she hurried to obey. A daddy date is not something you take your time deciding on, if he offers, GO! And she did.
They called me from Walmart and confirmed the dark brown sugar would work. Then he grabbed baking soda for me, and checked for pecans, of which there are none. He asked if I needed anything else and I said no. There wasn't. Not that I need.
Just a few minutes later they are home and my sweet middle child sang out, "Delivery for Sara!" She called me into the kitchen to see the treasure she'd found. I knew she had a Twoonie so I expected to see a pack of gum, or a bag of candy. Instead she held up a frozen Turtle Cake. The one I had drooled over and put back on our first trip this evening to Walmart.
She then grinned, her eyes sparkling and told me, "My daddy date's not done, I have to watch him play cars!" Which means x-box. He looked at me with a sheepish grin and said, "Just ten minutes!" Of course I didn't say a word, just smiled and they scampered down the stairs before I told them it was way too late for her to be up, which it was. But for a daddy date? How could I say no?
So I spent the last hour listening to Josh Groban serenade me with Christmas songs while I baked chocolate chip cookies for my husband to take with him hunting tomorrow. As I sit here I am filled with contentment and thankfulness. It's been a good day.
We spent an hour at the library and then stopped at Walmart on our way home to get chocolate chips so I could make him cookies. Tomorrow he is going hunting for the first time in several years. He's excited!! He's also excited about homemade cookies. He called his dad before we left home and checked about taking a lunch. His dad is bringing ham sandwiches and Tim will bring the chocolate chip cookies.
I started mixing the cookies and realized we had a critical problem. No brown sugar. I could make a different cookie but he wanted chocolate chip! So my sweet husband looked at our middle child who was on her way to bed as the time was already 8:30, and said, "Get your coat and shoes on." Her face lit up and she hurried to obey. A daddy date is not something you take your time deciding on, if he offers, GO! And she did.
They called me from Walmart and confirmed the dark brown sugar would work. Then he grabbed baking soda for me, and checked for pecans, of which there are none. He asked if I needed anything else and I said no. There wasn't. Not that I need.
Just a few minutes later they are home and my sweet middle child sang out, "Delivery for Sara!" She called me into the kitchen to see the treasure she'd found. I knew she had a Twoonie so I expected to see a pack of gum, or a bag of candy. Instead she held up a frozen Turtle Cake. The one I had drooled over and put back on our first trip this evening to Walmart.
She then grinned, her eyes sparkling and told me, "My daddy date's not done, I have to watch him play cars!" Which means x-box. He looked at me with a sheepish grin and said, "Just ten minutes!" Of course I didn't say a word, just smiled and they scampered down the stairs before I told them it was way too late for her to be up, which it was. But for a daddy date? How could I say no?
So I spent the last hour listening to Josh Groban serenade me with Christmas songs while I baked chocolate chip cookies for my husband to take with him hunting tomorrow. As I sit here I am filled with contentment and thankfulness. It's been a good day.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Where I've Been
The question wasn't asked but I'm going to answer it. The last three weeks have been. Ugh. Just Ugh. Mentally, physically and even emotionally, Ugh. Nothing big and horrible happened. Just life in general. But it's in the past.
Tonight I'm looking forward to about two hours of time to myself. I'm taking a book, a pad of paper and some magazines. I'm bringing my ipod and am planning to sit at the coffee shop sipping on a tea or a coffee and just relax. I have a Vision Collage to create. What do I see for the future, what do I want? What are my goals? What is important to me, really important? What motivates me? Those are questions I need to contemplate and try to answer. It's been a week since I started thinking about them and I haven't got solid conclusions yet.
On my journey to a healthy lifestyle I have rebelled, repented and now returned to the path I want to be on. But that means for the last month I've plateaued. NOT a fun place to be. Those around me are dropping, they are succeeding, they are losing sizes and weight and inches. I feel like I have, but I haven't. Not in that last couple of weeks. But I didn't give up. Three months in and I have not quit. Wow. That in itself is remarkable and worth remembering. I am succeeding.
I'm researching and learning about probiotics, nitrates, lactic acid, glycomes (sp), interval training, and much more. I'm looking into how to run. Considering doing the training for a 5k with my girls. I've been busy. Just not blogging.
I am thankful that my marriage is strong. My husband is fantastic and our relationship is very good. I am blessed. My children are healthy and our relationship is good also. I love them all so much. Giving them a healthy lifestyle is something I really want to do and the fact that it is important to me is coming to my attention. It is not good for mom to eat healthy and kids to eat junk. I'm also thankful that Tim not only recognizes my desire to move our lifestyle into a healthier one but supports it! He even likes my homemade granola.
Sparkpeople.com has been a blessing. Friends, in real life and those I've never met in person supporting, encouraging and even at times holding accountable each other. It's free. That is amazing. I'm reading The Spark, Chris Downie's book, hence the vision collage. It's good. Really good.
Now I need to go switch the laundry, call the girls in for supper and get ready for Awana. Have a great week!
Tonight I'm looking forward to about two hours of time to myself. I'm taking a book, a pad of paper and some magazines. I'm bringing my ipod and am planning to sit at the coffee shop sipping on a tea or a coffee and just relax. I have a Vision Collage to create. What do I see for the future, what do I want? What are my goals? What is important to me, really important? What motivates me? Those are questions I need to contemplate and try to answer. It's been a week since I started thinking about them and I haven't got solid conclusions yet.
On my journey to a healthy lifestyle I have rebelled, repented and now returned to the path I want to be on. But that means for the last month I've plateaued. NOT a fun place to be. Those around me are dropping, they are succeeding, they are losing sizes and weight and inches. I feel like I have, but I haven't. Not in that last couple of weeks. But I didn't give up. Three months in and I have not quit. Wow. That in itself is remarkable and worth remembering. I am succeeding.
I'm researching and learning about probiotics, nitrates, lactic acid, glycomes (sp), interval training, and much more. I'm looking into how to run. Considering doing the training for a 5k with my girls. I've been busy. Just not blogging.
I am thankful that my marriage is strong. My husband is fantastic and our relationship is very good. I am blessed. My children are healthy and our relationship is good also. I love them all so much. Giving them a healthy lifestyle is something I really want to do and the fact that it is important to me is coming to my attention. It is not good for mom to eat healthy and kids to eat junk. I'm also thankful that Tim not only recognizes my desire to move our lifestyle into a healthier one but supports it! He even likes my homemade granola.
Sparkpeople.com has been a blessing. Friends, in real life and those I've never met in person supporting, encouraging and even at times holding accountable each other. It's free. That is amazing. I'm reading The Spark, Chris Downie's book, hence the vision collage. It's good. Really good.
Now I need to go switch the laundry, call the girls in for supper and get ready for Awana. Have a great week!
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