Reflections on Motherhood

Tonight as I sat on the edge of Levi's bed, one hand being held by a sleepy Levi and the other wrapped around a sleeping Kayden, both children silent and still with me in the same moment, I felt such an unexpected rush of gratitude.  I've known for my entire life that I wanted to be a mom.  That this is what I was created to be.  And yet, in those 25 years of being preparing, nothing could have fully prepared me for the amount of love that is bursting forth for these two children today. 

Levi is a handful these days.  He is feeling the loss of having mommy and daddy all to himself and it is often coming out in testing ways.  And yet, tonight after supper, he and I spent 15 minutes just laughing together.  Sitting at the table and looking at each other and laughing uncontrollably with each other for no reason other than being happy to be together.

Kayden is so sweet.  She does cry, occasionally, and sometimes it's for no apparent reason at all, but my heart is so full when I look into her eyes and she looks into mine!  My love for her just grows every day as I get to know her more and as our connection deepens.

I am incredibly blessed to be able to call these two children mine.  They are indeed gifts from God and I will never take them for granted.  Having three years to ponder what life might look like without children has landed me in a place now of being humbled and grateful, a place unlike any I would have been in without that period of waiting. 

When we named our children, we took into consideration the meanings of their names, middle names especially. We gave Levi the name "Jonathan" because it means "God has given."  We gave Kayden the name "Grace" because it is by God's grace that we are fully healed and that Nathan and I have not one but two beautiful children.

So tonight I am feeling extra thankful for these two wonders who share life with us.  And thankful that I am called their mother.  All praise to HIM...forever and ever.

Picture Post - thankful

 We have been so blessed.  Worth the wait :)

Belly pics - 37w

There must be something about being 37 weeks pregnant that makes me want to see myself from all angles. Weird, I know. I was curious so I took pics all around just now and then checked back to see when I did the same thing last pregnancy and it was right at the same time!  I'd say I look different from the back (wider than when not pregnant) but not bad.  Front...well, I look big.  Side? Yeah. Definitely preggers. I feel big.  And less comfortable than my last pregnancy when I took THESE. The baby must be sitting right on my sciatic nerve or something cause man oh man, I've had to wonder if my hip is still in joint countless times since last July. But hey...I am super pumped to be carrying baby #2 and very very thankful that the pregnancy has been basically free of complications.  Praise the Lord!  Neither of these things is something I take for granted!  Now we're just praying for a safe delivery and healthy baby...countdown is on!

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! 

A House!

Things are really coming together for our impending move.  I just keep being blown away by how God just seems to be leading us at this point in our life.  First, we were patient and turned down other job offers in faith that the offer we really hoped for would, indeed, come.  It was tough to let good jobs go by, not knowing if we even had a chance at the one that our hearts felt called to.  But time went on, we interviewed, candidated, and were asked to come.  And our hearts are rejoicing in that fact that we will be calling Philadelphia MB home.

The next step was finding a place to live.  Having moved boxes into 4 different "homes" in the past two years, we were really dreading the thought of renting a place in our new hometown, only to pack up and move again before too long.  We really longed to buy a place where we could put down roots and make ourselves truly at home right away.  At first we didn't think it would be possible to buy a house straight out of seminary, but as time crept closer to our ideal move date, we were realizing more and more that it could be possible.  I can only call it God's provision that we have been able to make an offer on a house.  It shouldn't have been possible.  Yet there was the perfect amount, sitting in our bank account, ready for a down payment.  God is good!

So, without further ado, our house:

Isn't it kinda homely homey?

(more pictures will come once we're all moved in...possession date is August 2!)

Job Search Update!

Watrous, SK, here we come!

We are employed once again and oh, what an exciting feeling it is!  From the moment we heard about this position at Philadelphia MB Church (Pastor of Discipleship), we have been feeling pulled and tugged in this direction.  As with any huge decision in life, there are always things that we ask God for, whether consciously or subconsciously.  Some of the things we were asking for were being close to family, being in Saskatchewan, good position for Nathan (good fit), small town (but not too small), place where we could call home for a LONG time.  Well, this move looks like it will be an answer to each of those prayers AND MORE!  Isn't it wonderful how God knows how to give good gifts?  Things we didn't even think to ask for?  Like 40 kids in the church under preschool age for Levi to grow up with?  Wow.  Honestly, I thought we would have to settle for just a few of the things we were hoping for, or even just be ok with letting our dreams go and learning to be happy wherever we ended up.  But this?  This just has us surrounded in peace and joy.  This is where God is leading us and there is no question about that. 

Join us in celebrating!  Wahoo!  God is good!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for...
-  God's saving grace
-  Nathan
-  Levi
-  this house that we're renting
-  a yard that is fairly private and fairly large
-  summer!
-  the opportunity to live in California for a year
-  the job search likely being near its end (!!!)
-  things finally seeming to be straightened out with the Canadian government and that we should be receiving our first Child Benefit Cheque shortly...should be here by Levi's 9 month birthday!
-  student loans...without interest
-  Levi sleeping through the night (though I do miss those middle of the night snuggles that we had for 7 months)
-  Vaseline Cocoa Butter hand lotion...it's the only thing that works on Levi's baby eczema...and it smells amazing!
-  Infant Tylenol
-  the fact that my family is healthy
-  our Toyota that keeps going and going and going and goin...
-  friends who we've been able to reconnect with over this past year
-  indoor plumbing
-  Nathan's graduation and that he's almost done all his homework!
-  the happy noises that are resting their head on my knee and grabbing my keyboard...gonna and go hug the maker of those noises right now!

Spring!

It was a beautiful 12 degree day here today so Levi and I spent a few hours outside in the nice, warm sunshine.  And he just looked so cute, I had to grab my camera!  Do we not have the most adorable little boy you ever did see?  I think so...

He's also one of the happiest, most content boys too...  LOVE YOU SO MUCH, LEVI!

Initiation

I think I was initiated into the "motherhood" club today.  We were doing some newborn pictures with Maryvel Friesen (A Moment in Time Photography).  Levi was being an absolute doll.  He did the sleeping pictures perfectly after giving us some good eye contact and showing us his big, dark eyes for a few shots first.  But then we started doing the mommy/baby shots.  With no diaper on.  Right after a feed.  I had a feeling we were asking for trouble...  By the time we were done the photo shoot 3 hours later, I had been spit up on, peed on, AND pooped on.  Numerous times.  And as disgusting as I felt when that photo session was done, I was on top of the world at the same time because a year ago I never knew if I would get to experience a photo shoot with my newborn.  Yet today I did.  And it was wonderful, minor explosions and all.

Stay tuned for pictures to come shortly!

Back to "normal"

Photo courtesy of "A Moment in Time Photography" by Maryvel Friesen.  

What you can see of the bump is almost 31 weeks of baby growth : )

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Well, I finally got my old blog template back (YAY!).  On to more fun and interesting things.

Our move has happened and, though we still have a "room of chaos", I can safely say that our place is liveable.  There are a few corners where there are still random boxes sitting around, but it's not too bad for having only moved a week ago today.  Pictures are coming, I promise.  They are all on Nathan's computer, though, and without internet in the house, I can't just switch computers and post them.  Sorry!

On the family front, today I am 31w1d.  Only 9 weeks to go.  Seriously, where has the time gone?!  I am so ridiculously excited to meet this little person.  Did I mention a while ago (near the beginning of my pregnancy) that I thought I knew what we were having, gender-wise?  Well, I take that back.  Completely!  I have no inkling whatsoever of whether we're having a boy or a girl.  For the first few months I was sure that I knew, to the point that I would have been shocked in the delivery room if we'd had the opposite.  But these days I just have no idea.  None.  And while it makes me so VERY curious every single day, I wouldn't have it any other way.  Everything is going very smoothly with baby.  I walked out of my doctor's appointment today pretty much on cloud 9.  Baby is the perfect size.  Perfect weight gain.  Perfect position.  Perfect heart rate.  A year ago I would never have guessed that this is where I would be right now.  Even 7 months ago I had no hope left that I would ever be experiencing this.  And yet here it is.  It is happening.  My prayer is that each of you out there would have the opportunity to experience the joy of a growing family.  That can happen in SO many different ways.  Families come in all shapes and sizes and ways...

Well, I'm sitting out in terrible mosquitoes and on a hard concrete sidewalk so I think I'm gonna get going now.  Time to see if my numb, sleeping legs will carry me back across campus to my home.  There will be pictures soon.  I promise.  What I don't promise is that my definition of "soon" is the same as yours!  Have a good evening, all!

House pictures, motherly excitement, and a freebie!

Ok, so I'm going to start this post with a great freebie that I got an email about today.  It's for a nursing cover.  So if you need one or if you're going to be going to any baby showers in the next little while and think a nursing cover would make a great gift, check this out!  You go to www.uddercovers.com.  Pick whichever cover you want (or a gift set for $5 more).  Once you add what you want to your shopping bag, add the promo code CUTE and you'll get it for the price of shipping - $9.95.  So technically it's not free, but $10 for a nursing cover that's usually $32.  I'd say that's pretty good.  AND, you can buy as many as you want for this price.  You just need to open a new window and put in separate orders, thus paying $9.95 per cover.  Take it or leave it.  I took it and am looking forward to receiving my nursing cover in the mail in a couple weeks!

A few of you have asked which cover I ordered...I went with the gender-neutral "Porter"

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Next order of business...sorry, also baby related, AND also free stuff related.  I got my first free promotional can of infant formula today!  And a package of rice cereal.  I was so excited when I got that box in the mail today.  I just like free things a little too much.  Oh well.  According to Heinz, I can "Rest easy - my Heinz Nutrition Kit has arrived!"

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And, last but not least, I have "before" pictures of our new place!  I especially would like to draw your attention to the picture of the living room wrapped in its luxurious wood paneling.  A few of you commented that you'd like to see pictures of it so that you could be inspired and thus help me out in the decorating realm.  Well, I've provided pictures.  Now I need (very inexpensive) suggestions!

This is the kitchen.  

I was quite impressed, actually, when I saw this picture.  But don't be fooled.  Yes, it is a cute place, but my amazing photography skills are to thank for the amazing cleanliness and the quality look that this kitchen has. 

Next, we have the entrance/laundry area.

This photo also impressed me, for the same reasons as the kitchen.  If only cleaning was as easy as taking a picture all the time!  That, my wonderful blogger friends, is a brand new washer/dryer set.  Bethany provides only the best for their renters ; )  I might add that the fridge and stove in the kitchen are also quite new...  I look forward to many a day washing diapers in this room.

Bathroom.

By far, the worst room in the house.  If you ever need to use the commode in our new place, you'll have the luxury of deciding whether you want to use the right half, or the left half, or BOTH halves of the polished wooden toilet seat.  Making this decision possible is a lovely crack down the front of the seat.  I can only imagine the pain that might ensue after a late night bathroom trek when one is half asleep and not taking time to choose left, right or both.  Ouch!  The tub is also lovely and, to show off it's loveliness, we decided to go with a clear tub mat instead of a white one.  (oops)  Enough of the bathroom...moving on.
Oh yeah, one more thing about this room.  For the second rental place in a row, I can get a lovely view of my forehead (and nothing else) in the bathroom mirror.  So if my mascara is running and my lipstick is smeared up to my nose, yet my eyebrows are meticulously plucked to perfection, you, my friends, will have the inside scoop.

Doesn't that just look like a staircase to the great dark depths of the unknown?

I hope to keep this door closed and spend as little time down there as possible.  It's dark.  It's damp.  It's dirty.  I don't want to know what's living down there, but we should probably be charging rent.

"Master" bedroom.  

Really this is only a secondary bedroom, but the true master bedroom in this house has no heat vent in it so in the dead of a Saskatchewan winter, it basically becomes a cold storage room.  If we need to (read: if our bed doesn't fit into this room and allow all doors and closets to function) we will use the larger bedroom.  But if we can get away with it, we will just use this smaller bedroom and block off the other bedroom and try not to pay an arm and a leg to heat it. This room will probably get some paint before we move in.

My favourite room in the house.

This is probably the room that's in the best shape, likely because it is the smallest room in the house and therefore the least-used.  This will be the nursery.  It has a south window so, next to the kitchen it will get the most light (and hopefully heat) through the winter months.  It will also fit our nursery furniture perfectly.  All I can say is it's good thing we found some small-scale furniture.  I doubt a "regular-sized" crib would fit very well in here along with everything else that normally goes into a nursery.  This room may or may not get paint...we'll see.

The infamous wood paneled living room.

Suggestions?

Dining room.
We've never actually had one of these since we've been married.  The doorway to the right is the bedroom with no heat that we will close off.  The bright doorway to the left is the kitchen and entrance on the south side of the house.  Nice and bright, just the way I like it!  Our new dining room table and chairs will replace these mismatched beauties.  Sad, I know, but hey.  You do what you need to do...

Hmm...I was both horrified and relieved at the number of mouse traps we have found in this house.  Horrified because, well, I'm sure you can guess why.  But relieved because each and every one of them so far has been empty.  Whew.  Now lets just hope that these traps were a precautionary measure.  In case you didn't already know, mice for me are far worse than any spiders, bees, or ants that could be living in my house.  The latter are annoying, yes, but they don't scare me the same way that mice do.  I believe "heebie-jeebies" is the term I'm looking for.  Ew.

And that is our new place!  We're so excited to move in.  We've been finding every excuse to run over in the last couple days and, if we're going by the place anyway, why not take a load of stuff, right?  Friday is officially our move-in day.  But who knows how much will actually be left to take over by then.  My prediction?  Whatever doesn't fit in (or on) our car this week.

*I feel that I must mention that we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to rent this house.  I joke about its run-down condition and how "terrible" it is, but in all seriousness, it is exactly what we need now and we are very blessed to have found an affordable place to live this year with enough space for us and dog and baby.  Thank you, Bethany!

A House.

Nathan and I went by our new rental place this morning.  Now that we have our keys and can move in whenever we want, we are both dreaming of how to make it our own.  We are still dog and house sitting for Nathan's parents for another week, but we hope to move this next Friday!  Today we decided which rooms to paint, which room would be the nursery and which would be our bedroom, and where our furniture would go.  (Well, we didn't really decide where our furniture would go, but we talked about it!)  I am SO excited.  It's been 9 weeks since we arrived back in Canada and officially were not renting a place of our own anymore.  It is time to move and settle in somewhere again!  I am so thankful that this rental opportunity has worked out.  I'll post pictures once we're in!

Question...does anyone have any decorating solutions to wood paneling?  We can't paint it because it would soak up so much paint and require so many coats that it would be way too expensive.  Nathan likes it...I don't.  How do I make it homey???  It's the WHOLE living room!

More randoms...

Ok, I'll start with this.  Behold...28w2d.  Are we sure that babies never just "pop out" because there's just no more room in there?  I don't feel like baby is very out of room in there yet, but when I see pictures like this and think of 12 more weeks of growth...well, perhaps you can understand my apprehension!  In all seriousness, baby and mommy are doing great.  I'm still feeling good most days.  I've already kissed uninterrupted nights of sleep goodbye as I'm up a few time a night either for the bathroom or from sore hips.  My ribs and back tend to get sore more easily these days, particularly when I'm sitting, but it's certainly nothing to complain about.  Just a little discomfort which, considering the relative ease with which this pregnancy has treated me, I'll gladly deal with!

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Does anyone else with a blog get random Asian people commenting on their posts?  I think it's some kind of advertising and it's terribly annoying.  I usually get a few a week, particularly when I post often.  I've turned on the setting where I moderate all comments so at least I can weed out the junk comments, but still...is there any way of reporting these people so they STOP?!

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Remember way back when, when I mentioned that we had a basement suite all lined up to rent as of August 1?  Well...we found out two days ago (or actually, today is when we officially found out) that the basement suite was no longer an option.  I was pretty frustrated at first because we'd spoken for that particular suite 6 weeks ago and had chosen it over the other places because of a number of factors.  Plus, being pregnant, hormones are raging and I have been dreaming of life in this particular place with our baby and "decorating" our nursery and living space in my mind for over a month!  I've been "nesting" all this time in a home that is now unavailable!  Well, I prayed about it because there's really nothing we can do if it's not available and therefore there is no use in getting upset about it.  I asked God if he could somehow make this whole situation work out better than I could imagine, because at the time I couldn't image anything working out nearly as well as what we had been planning.  

Well, today we met with the person in charge of rentals and he "officially" broke the news to us that we wouldn't be moving into the basement as of August 1 but that they would make another place available for us for a very comparable cost.  And the more we've thought about this other option, the more we've seen that there are pros to this place that we skipped right over when we last considered it.  SO, though it's not what I've been picturing for the past month and a half, we now have an entire house that we'll be renting, and we can move is as soon as we'd like!  Though there is no fenced yard and we are responsible for paying utilities for the drafty place (cons), we will have more space, more sunlight in winter, and not have to worry about noise when our baby cries and our dog barks (pros).  It is an older place in worse shape, but I figure we can live in anything and I'll work hard to make it a home.  I'm really excited about this option, which is an answer to prayer because two days ago I just felt like hopelessly crying my eyes out!  Moving day: July 24, 2010.  Yesssss.......

A wonderful few hours...

I just had the most wonderful time with my husband today.  We went to the city for a doctor's appointment (each one means a month closer to D-Day!) and took our time wandering through a fabric store - pictures to come on what I bought for my latest project - having a picnic lunch by the river while listening to jazz music and grocery shopping.  It was so much fun to just spend a few hours with Nathan without homework needing to be done.  (I was able to forget about it...were you, honey?)  It was perfectly sunny too, which made the day even more wonderful.

Now, of course, it's back to rain, homework, and routine.  But at least I have a new sewing project to look forward to!  Oh the joy of little things...

p.s-As I was sitting in the car while Nathan filled us up with gas today, I realized that I've been married to him for 20% of my life already!  That number really took me by surprise.  By the time I'm 38 I'll have been married to him for half my life!  I love that we got married so young.  It certainly isn't for everyone, but it has turned out to be the best thing for us. : )  I love you, Nathan!

a time to weep and a time to laugh
       a time to mourn and a time to dance

Ecclesiastes 3:4

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(23.5 weeks)

I am dancing inside.  I am laughing with sheer joy.  I am getting to know this little person who is growing inside me.  I am noticing when Baby is awake and Baby sleeps.  I know that the most active parts of Baby's day are first thing in the morning and right after supper.  I know that certain types of music will make Baby move like nothing else and that loud drums played by a 3 year old make Baby go absolutely crazy.  And Baby is getting to know me too.  He/She is starting to respond differently to my hand than anyone else's.  When I put my hand on my belly, Baby moves.  But when anyone else tries to feel movement, even Nathan, it often takes longer for Baby to respond.  Our son or daughter is getting to know their mommy's touch!  How amazing!

I am feeling so good these days.  Aside from a few "scares" earlier in this pregnancy, it has been perfectly smooth.  I feel so at peace and am just so unbelievably thankful for this little miracle.  My body handles pregnancy so well and I've been experiencing no sickness and very few aches.  I feel more comfortable in my skin now than ever.  I get such great joy from seeing this little bump growing and feeling the kicks getting stronger every day.  Almost every day I spend time just sitting and staring at my belly, which is already starting to visibly bounce and ripple!

The fact that we're going to be parents has been becoming so much more real lately.  We are slowly collecting little clothes and blankets and other baby things, and my mind keeps wandering back to the nursery.  It's hard to believe that we'll meet this little person face to face in just a few months.  What an unbelievable blessing...one I feared I might never experience.  I am humbled that we are able to have this experience and joy.  It is something I will NEVER take for granted.  I know that there will be days when I'll be frustrated or tired and life won't always be picture perfect.  But wow.  That's all I can say.  WOW.

All praise to Him!

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P.S-I have been hesitant to share about my pregnancy too much here on my blog because I've been afraid to further hurt my many friends who are already hurting.  Infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and many other fertility-related struggles are painfully common and the last thing I want to do is make it harder for anyone.  That said, this is a huge time of rejoicing for me and Nathan and I do want to be able to share openly on my blog with those who would like to know how things are going.  If reading about pregnancy (and soon life with a new baby) is going to be painful for you, I'm so sorry.  But I long to share the joys as well as the sorrows here.  Being real and open isn't just about sharing the struggles in life.  We also need to rejoice together in our blessings!  Thank you to everyone who is following along with our story and offering words of advice, encouragement, etc.  I look forward to sharing more of our stories as time goes on!

The Local Eating Trend...

There has been a trend in the last few years when it comes to eating.  It is called Local Eating, or eating locally.  The idea is for individuals to choose to eat foods which are in season and grown within a short distance from where they live.

The problem I've always had with this concept is that the people I've heard about who have chosen to eat like this live in areas where there is always something in season.  If this is the case where you live, wonderful!  It is a great way to do your part for the environment and to be responsible for the world around you.  But my question has always been, "What happens if you live on the Canadian prairies and nothing is in season for 9 months of the year?"  I feel like telling the warmer-climate hippies to bite their tongues because obviously they are blind to what winter means for us.

I wasn't even thinking about this question, though, when I discovered that, while growing up, my family really did eat mostly local produce year round!  I had no idea that my mom was so "ahead of the times"!  (I bet Mom didn't either, did you Mom?)  I was shocked to see that it can work, even in the dead of a Saskatchewan winter.  Here's how we did it:

My mom would always have a garden.  In it she would plant cucumbers, potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, onions, tomatoes, peppers, beans (sometimes?), cabbage, and lettuce (am I forgetting anything?).  I also remember having kohlrabi one year, as well as squash.  Rhubarb and raspberries were also grown every year.  These vegetables would basically feed our family all winter.  My mom would spend all summer tending to the garden, planting, hilling, fencing, weeding, picking, etc. 

Once the garden was stripped of all its vegetables, the job wasn't done.  Vegetables don't feed a family all winter without a little help.  Potatoes, carrots and onions were put into storage in a cold room to be used throughout the winter.  Peas and corn were frozen.  Tomatoes were made into sauce and canned.  Cucumbers were made into both relish and pickles.  And, of course, much of the produce was eaten fresh, as that's when it always tastes best!


It's true, I didn't grow up with a variety of vegetables.  We didn't have salads year-round, and our vegetable side dishes were often peas or corn.  But it was a balanced diet nonetheless, and we were all healthy and happy.  And we were helping the environment more than I ever realized... 

Thanks, Mom, for all your hard work in the garden every summer.  Sorry I didn't help out more than you made me!  I do hope to have a big garden one day and provide for my family the way you provided for us.  Thank-you!

woke up singing again...

Psalm 100

A psalm of thanksgiving.

 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
     Worship the Lord with gladness.
      Come before him, singing with joy.
  Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
      He made us, and we are his.
      We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
      go into his courts with praise.
      Give thanks to him and praise his name.
  For the Lord is good.
      His unfailing love continues forever,

      and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Random thoughts...

-  Nathan and I spent a couple hours in Starbucks today doing homework.  It's nice to get off campus together sometimes, even if the activities of campus follow us...

-  I just realized this weekend that the fabric I bought HERE and made into THIS QUILT, actually stretches far enough to make another two quilts!  I sewed another quilt top on Friday evening and have the fabric cut for yet another quilt top.  I didn't think I bought that much...only 1 yard of four different fabrics.  I guess that is quite a bit when each quilt is only 40x60 ish.  Makes for tons of fun for me, though!

-  Today is a long weekend down in the States too.  President's Day.  Whoop-de-doo.  Nathan is enjoying a day without any classes (when he would normally have had both an afternoon class and an evening one) but I'm sticking to routine.  Monday is house cleaning day.  I usually try to wash the floors, vacuum and do laundry.  This week the bathroom may need to be cleaned on Monday as well, and perhaps the kitchen.  Oh, and the spare bedroom.  Ever since we re-arranged our living room and added the bookshelf from the spare bedroom, that room has been a disaster.  And my parents will be here in two weeks!  It needs to be cleaned before too long anyway! 

-  Nathan is reading outside today.  It was a foggy, chilly morning (8 degrees when we got up) and the heat wasn't on in the house, so it felt pretty cool inside too.  But it has warmed up quite a bit and it is now 14 degrees.  The high for today is 19 and it usually makes it at least to the forecasted high, if not higher.  I certainly don't mean to brag, but it really does feel beautiful outside.  All of our doors/windows are open and the fresh air is amazing.  We've had an exceptionally rainy winter in California this year (which we needed), but it is nice to have the sun back.  Don't worry, all you Canadians.  I am not taking it for granted.  I am still a Canadian from the prairies and am enjoying the weather to all it's sunny, warm fullness!

-  Well, not sure what else is happening.  Anyone out there have any burning questions for me? 

Beauty.

 

Yes, I do still get the camera out every once in a while.  Especially when I see things like this blooming right outside our apartment block.  I believe it's an Iris?  Correct me if I'm wrong.  There are a few more buds just waiting to burst into full bloom too.  I love this time of year in California!  Flowers are blooming and many of the trees that lost their leaves for winter are already turning visibly green.  It's absolutely beautiful.  Doesn't compare to hoar frost, but it'll do.