A crazy week.

This past week has been completely, 100% out of the ordinary.  It has been good, but I always come back from adventures ready to get back into my blessed routine again :)

It all started with a pastor's retreat that started last Sunday evening at a camp near here.  Nathan and I both went and it was our first time leaving Levi overnight.  My mom came out and my grandma with her to stay with Levi for the two nights we were gone.  If this retreat had been even as little as 6 months ago, I don't know how it would have gone to have left Levi overnight.  But he has grown up so much over the summer and much of his shyness is gone, at least with people he knows and remembers from one visit to the next.  He did wonderfully (I had no doubts that he would) and it was such a wonderful break to not wake up to crying through the night and first thing in the morning.  It was equally as nice to only have myself to look after throughout the day.  It's amazing how even just going to the bathroom alone, feeding myself with no interruption, or going to bed without fighting to put someone else to bed first felt like a bit of a luxury while we were away.  It felt lik ea rejuvenating break from motherhood and also felt surprisingly natural.  I didn't even end up having any contact with my mom for a full day while we were gone and had no temptation to call home.  How's that for letting go of control and "retreating"??  It was amazingly good to be alone with just Nathan for that amount of time too.  I'm pretty sure the last time we've had that amount of time alone together was about 2 years ago before Levi joined us.  But as wonderful as this retreat was, I was very ready to see my boy again when we got home!

When we got home from the retreat last Tuesday afternoon, I had about half an hour to unpack and repack before Levi and I got in the car with my mom and grandma to visit for a few days.  It felt a bit like whiplash to change pace so quickly but I'm very glad for the visit I was able to have with my parents at their house.

We had a few adventures while we were visiting:

Levi raked leaves with Grandma

We made playdough and did lots of playing with it

Levi got to see goats and chickens and ducks and a goose and a kitty and two puppies at a farm we visited.  He even got to hold a baby goat that was only a week old!  Too bad none of the pictures of that worked out :(

Lots of quality time with Grandma

Evidence of leaf raking...might have to frame this one!

Birthday cake baking

Birthday cake decorating...it didn't turn out quite how I was picturing but Levi didn't seem to mind!

Hanging out with Auntie Alicia, having fun with Mommy's iPhone camera

Hanging out with Uncle Andrew and Auntie Pearl (the newlyweds)...photo courtesy of Levi - as you can tell by the tiny foot in the foreground

Playing K'Nex with Grandpa

Having a pastoral coffee break with someone who stopped by the house to see my dad one day

Trying out his birthday present from Grandpa and Grandma, a hand-crafted rocking horse made by my very talented pops

More quality time with Alicia this morning before we all hit the road

It is so much fun to hang out with my family. We are blessed to be a family who enjoys being together and who laughs together. It was so good to be all together for a couple days and to celebrate thanksgiving and Levi's birthday together.  It is definitely something I don't take for granted! 

So that has been my past week.  Crazy.  No two days have been the same.  But it has been great.  And in celebration of Levi's second birthday, which is today (October 8), Nathan and I bought him a play kitchen.  As we susptected, he LOVES it.  It's a bit of an unconventional toy to buy for a boy, but as he was begging to "cook" until well past his bedtime tonight, I knew that it was the right decision!  Here he is filling up his cup with water from the fridge door water dispenser.  Man, play kitchens have changed since the last time I played with one as a kid!  Fridge water dispenser?!  Built in microwave?

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

February - A Month of Promise

February will always mean a little something extra to me.  It was never a particularly special month to me growing up.  It was shorter than the rest of the months, even on a leap year.  It had Valentine's day, now also Family Day.  But it was still winter and just meant another month of winter routine. 

Eventually I got married and, just over a year later, we started trying to grow our family.  Years came and went and still we weren't pregnant.  I remember one day as I was praying and pleading with God to give us a child, I heard God say, "Expect a baby in February."  That was it.  No details other than that. 

This statement stuck with me and one or two February's came and went with still no sign of a baby.  I had pretty much forgotten about this promise until February 13, 2010.  I took a pregnancy test and it was positive.  As soon as I saw that positive, I remembered God's words from years earlier.  And I knew that this was God fulfilling his promise to me: "Expect a baby in February."

I still find myself doubting that God actually speaks.  That He actually answers our prayers and can be trusted.  I find myself knowing in my head, but wondering in my heart.  But when February comes, it will always be a reminder to me that God does speak.  That He does answer prayers and keep His promises. 

I am humbled and amazed...God you are good and your mercy endures forever...

A few of his favourite things...

Happy due date, Levi!  A year ago today I was wishing that today would be the day I would finally get to meet you.  I really, really didn't want to have an October baby and September is quickly running out!  But you waited.  And waited.  And your birthday ended up being the perfect birthday for you!  Can't believe my due date was a year ago already...

In celebration of this little anniversary, here are a few of Levi's favourite things these days (in no particular order):
-  Lennox
-  pulling up our shirts and pinching our tummy skin
-  being chased by us
-  chasing Lennox with us
-  going for walks
-  grabbing my arm and trying to bite my elbow during diaper changes
-  snuggles with mommy (he's becoming a snuggler!)
-  Cheerios, raisins, Gerber Graduates Puffs, corn, chicken, slurpies, ice cream, anything off our plate (hence slurpies and ice cream making the list)
-  pushing chairs, stools, tables around the house while walking behind them
-  electrical cords...specifically chewing on them, though trying to plug them back in is also alot of fun
-  taking everything out of a box/cupboard/etc
-  putting blocks into and out of a box
-  parks, especially the slides
-  eating paper
-  touching things he's normally not allowed to have
-  climbing stairs
-  playing in the bathroom (why do all little kids LOVE the bathroom?  Ick.)

And while I'm in the list-making mood, here are a few of my favourite things about being a mommy:
-  snuggles
-  words starting to form and Levi being able to communicate with us ("MUM!" whenever he wants something, for example)
-  toys and books all over the house
-  little shoes lined up by the door
-  nap time
-  schedule wide open so we can go to the park when we want and stay home and read books when we want
-  picking daddy up from the office for lunch with Levi and Lennox
-  going down the slide with a squealing boy on my lap
-  little arms reaching up for me
-  always having someone to make a toque for

This really is the best job in the world for me.  I'm so thankful that God answered my prayers with our little Levi.  There are certainly hard parts about being a mom and times when I'm just SO tired that I don't want to do anything at all.  But seeing that little smile and having that little body completely relax in my arms...I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Happy almost-birthday, Levi! 

February 13, 2010

What an exciting and unbelievable day.

One year ago today, we found out about Levi. 

(did I knock the breath out of anyone with that picture?  you're welcome.)

Of course, a year ago we had no idea that "it" was in fact Levi.  But it turns out that it was!  Boy were we excited to see those two pink lines...

It's amazing what can change in a year...

(there's a 7.5 week old Levi in there)

Last year I was spending my days crocheting, hanging out with friends in the Court (at seminary), sewing, and pretty much just being a normal seminary wife.

Now, one year later, we have a bouncing (literally, he's in his Jolly Jumper as I type) 4 month old baby boy.  He's wonderful, amazing, adorable, and ours.  A year ago today is when one of my life's dreams came true.  Wow.  I will never take that for granted.

This guy was worth all the waiting...all the tears and worries and stress and pain.

What a year it's been!

The Trip...

We made it!  After 33 hours on the road, Nathan and I arrived at his parents' place last night around 8pm local time.  To say we were excited does not even begin to describe how we were feeling.  Well, ok...it does begin to describe it.  But we were also grateful to have made it, thankful that our car was reliable, sore from sitting so much, tired from so many hours in the car and poor sleeps during our stops along the way, and relieved that everything went well with Baby.  I will not say that traveling while 4.5 months pregnant is a good idea; the doctor was probably smart in suggesting that I fly.  But everything did go well and, aside from alot of extra soreness along the way, everything went smoothly as far as the pregnancy goes.  Praise the Lord!

We did take a few pictures along the way too.  Want to see?

This is everything that still needed to go into the back seat.  Well, not everything even.  Just some of what needed to go into the back seat.  The trunk was already full at this point.

Me doing dishes for the last time.  It's starting to get uncomfortable.  I don't think I'll be able to reach the sink anymore in a couple months...

We were driving through the desert in Nevada when all of a sudden we came over a hill and saw this.  Completely white, snow-covered mountains.  We quickly looked at a map and made a "plan B" in case the GPS wanted to take us through these mountains.  Fortunately the interstate went around them.  We saw many snow-capped mountains on our drive north, from Nevada right through Montana.

On our second day of driving, we listened to all of U2's albums, minus the live ones.  It took all day (about 14 hours).  I think both of us only grew in our appreciation for the band!

We always have fun driving together.  Sure, it would have been more comfortable for me to fly, but where's the fun in that?  Someone had to be in the car to keep Nathan awake with stupid questions and random statements...

Let's just say it was a...cozy drive. We left our bumper in California and Nathan likes to say that he left his money in Nevada.  Haha.  No more bathroom/leg stretch stops near casinos!

Our first stop once we were back in Canada: 

Tim Hortons in Taber, AB.  

Nathan loves these pictures...I mostly just love him.

200th Post!

I can't believe I'm at 200 posts already!  Wow.  In the past I have done various lists using the number of significance on the given day...but I don't think I have 200 of anything that I can put into a list form, and I doubt that any of you would make it through reading a list of 200 anything.  So 20 it is.  (Like a tithe! - 10%)

1.  My parents arrive in one week and two days!  There will be here for a week before they continue on in their other adventures.

2.  I haven't been working on many projects lately.  Well, I should say I haven't been finishing many projects lately.  I have an afghan on the go as well as two baby quilts (that I mentioned earlier).  But the quilting on the latest one kinda shifted the backing fabric - I guess I was getting too cocky after such a good first quilt - so I'm in a bit of a slump, not wanting to mess up the next one.

3.  I miss our puppy.  We haven't seen Lennox for 6 months!  Poor guy probably doesn't even remember us!  Nah.  He remembers us.  But I still miss him!

4.  It is a rainy day today.  Apparently when it is foggy for a few days in a row, it means rain is coming and apparently that clears the fog for a day or two.  Interesting weather patterns here.  Personally I was enjoying our week of sun and warmth...

5.  Tomorrow I have a class from 9am-5pm.  I anticipate it feeling like a LONG day.  This particular class is split up into two weekend sessions.  After tomorrow, I have another full day of this class three weeks later.  Hopefully I really enjoy it, otherwise I'm really not going to be looking forward to March 13!  The class is Counseling Couples, though, so it sounds interesting!

6.  Nathan, as I type, is plugging away beside me on a book that he just wishes he was done already.  It is called "The Souls of Black People" and was written back in the 1800's or something crazy like that.  He's on page 200-something, so he's getting there...but he's not enjoying it!  Sucker...

7.  I bought Nathan a box of Raisin Bran this morning just because I love him.  He mentioned this morning as he poured his bowl of Corn Flakes (with tons of brown sugar!) that he was getting sick of them and really wished he could have some Raisin Bran again.  So while I was out running errands, I picked up a box.  And he was happy...at least I think he was. : )  Not a huge thing, but fun to walk in with them just a couple hours after he mentioned that he would like some.

8.  I got the cutest letter ever from one of our friends' kids the other day.  She had been at a birthday party and got a palm tree eraser in her goodie bag and wanted to send it to me because I'm living in California!  And the note was hand-written.  So special.  It is definitely hanging on our fridge with the eraser still attached (of course).

9.  Our house has not been as clean as I would like, lately.  (Obviously I'm running out of things for my list of 20.)  I usually go through phases of keeping it perfectly spotless (yeah right) and letting it slide.  This is one of those slide-times.  Haha.  It's still not bad.  The floor is vacuumed/swept/washed, there are no clothes on the bedroom floor...but the dishes haven't been done in a day and there are papers/books (homework) laying all over our coffee-table, there are shoes piling up at the front door (because we really have no entrance or shoe rack) and the cereal is just sitting out on the counter because I don't feel like organizing the cupboards so that it will fit (because there just isn't room, even if I do organize).  You know the feeling when you live in a place that just never looks "shiny clean" even when you clean all day?  It's hard to feel motivated to work hard when it's a rental and an OLD, rundown rental at that!  But that is no excuse, really.  I should spend a day tidying/cleaning/organizing.  *sigh*

10.  We have been watching Olympics here and there.  We've watched some moguls, snowboarding, and speed-skating.  Oh, and some ski jumping.  We really haven't watched that much, but some.  And we've even seen some of the Canadians, though only if they are doing really well, because let's face it, American coverage mostly just covers American athletes.  Logical...

11.  Nathan just finished his book!  He's keeping a count of how many books he's read in 2010.  He's at 15 now.  I'm so proud of him.  He works so hard. : )

12.  I've got nothing else.  You got 12.  I guess that can be one for every month since I moved over to this blog from ThoughtsFromSecondStreet.  It's been almost a year!  March 18 was officially the switch date, I think.  Wow, it feels like so much longer.  Feels like it's almost time to switch up the blog address again...but don't worry.  If I decide to do that, I'll give you much notice and walk you carefully through the transition so that nobody gets lost along the way.  hehe.

Happy 200th post everyone!

Five

What happened 5 years ago today? Hmm...

It was a very special day. Nathan and I were driving to my home town from Bethany to spend thanksgiving with my family. My parents had just moved into town from the acreage so on the way into town, Nathan and I stopped at the old place. Of course, the door was open (we didn't even receive a set of keys when we bought the place...we later bought new knobs that had keys, but we still never locked it!) so we went in to have one last look at what had been my home from ages 10 to 18. We wandered through each room, which were all, of course, empty, and when we got to my old bedroom, I started to cry. I missed it. I showed Nathan my wall, first in my closet and then behind the closet door, where I marked my growth on the first of every month for years. I saw my light fixture that I'd bought at a youth fundraiser auction. I saw my yellow walls and that hideous water filter that took up such precious real estate in my already small room. And I cried.

Before we left for the weekend, Nathan had made me promise that we would take a walk to my favorite place on our yard...a corner of a field. I had promised him that we would, but when I got all emotional, I said I just wanted to go into town. He tried to persuade me that a walk would make me feel better but, being the stubborn person that I am (not really), I refused to go. So Nathan improvised quickly and sat me down in the bay window in the empty living room. He knelt in front of me and said a bunch of nice stuff (which I just wrote off as him trying to make me feel better) and then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. He ended his beautiful speech with the words, "Niki, will you marry me?"

I was shocked (I expected a proposal that weekend, but AFTER he'd seen my parents and asked my dad...sneaky boy went and called my dad on the phone before we left). Thankfully I recovered quickly and hugged him and said, "Of course!"

So today is the fifth anniversary of our engagement. Nathan is surprised each year that I remember this day and celebrate it. I guess it's because I always saw my dad get my mom flowers on the anniversary of their engagement so, naturally, I remember our special day. October 8, 2004. I'm not sure what I'm going to do today that's special. Nathan has class all day and we are having supper with another family here in the court tonight. If I had balloons, I would decorate a bit, but I don't even have that this year. Maybe I'll make a banner...haha. Wish me luck!