my weekend of wonder

Suprisingly, I've had a wonderful weekend. It is only Saturday evening and I am feeling blessed beyond measure. It feels like everytime I answer the phone its good news, and every text I am getting is an answer to prayers. There are many things to be looking forward to and plenty of rejoicing to do. And then there are the special suprises that I just didn't expect from this weekend in the middle of busy harvest. The things that God is doing for me just so that I can hear Him saying, "I love you."

A few of the wonders of my weekend are

- times with friends, slow and relaxed
- story times with the children
- super suprise of the hot air balloon landing in front of our house and the time we got to spend with the pilot afterwards

the balloon coming down-- the combine is just to the right of it

- the boys going for rides in the combine and grain truck--- a breather for mommy... especially when my 2 year old went for 2 hours!



walking across the field in front of our house to hop the fence and go with dad :) that is actually a swather and this picture was taken a couple weeks ago- but it is a cute picture so I included it

 - a special flight in a family friends flying machine- a parachute with a motor. My 4 year old even went up for a  ride
- getting to work in the garden and almost get all the potatos and carrots in
- watching the kids play in the sprinkler
- listening to music and dancing with the kids all through supper
- God providing...
- neighbors being wonderful and blessing us with food and gift certificates
- people rallying together to save a ministry
- listening to my 2 year old sing, "Thank you Lord!"
- anticipation for my ladies night out on Monday!!! looking forward to spending time with some amazing women!
- looking forward to the 'fall swap' and all the treasures to be found... and time to be spent with friends

And I have also been loving the family pics a friend did for us--I have been working with them to make our family Christmas cards. My friend Rochelle did such a truly amazing job of capturing our family (even though it was the first time she's met my kids) and our home in a way that just makes me smile. Here is a sneak peak...

I echo my 2 year olds words today... "Thank you Lord!"

blessing upon blessing upon blessing

They are piled high. The blessings we do not deserve.
I am so greatful.

These days are full to the brim of things to be thankful for.

I sit down to spend time with God and the "thank yous" come pouring out.

I am blessed!

This past week was a busy harvest week, with birthday celebrations to finish it off.

I was surrounded by people who wanted to help me with the kids, people who shared many thoughts and prayers for a good harvest, people who wondered how it was going for me cooking, homeschooling, housekeeping and preparing for the birthday party. People cared, and I was thankful.

I was blessed by the presence of those who come into my home and life and do what needs to be done. My mom is one of those. My birthday is in the middle of harvest... and every year she comes here to serve me and my family in the middle of this crazy season and works her butt off to show us that she cares. We appreciate every load of laundry she folds, floors washed, meal prepared, kitchen cleaned and story read. One of her great gifts is in doing what needs to be done. This was such a refreshing gift to me, one I really needed.

 Because my husband and I have birthdays back to back, we are always overwhelmed by the kind words people send our way. I know it is somewhat obligatory that people tell you they love you and that you are wonderful on your birthday, but I will take that any day. It feeds my soul to hear those words.

Like a plant in need of water in a dry land, I was watered with care by those who love me. Not an overwhelming downpour, but the kind the soaks in and lasts a long time.

And as I reflected on this past year for my husband and I (because our birthdays are one day apart), I saw incredible growth for both of us. In this year we've had some battles, we've climbed some mountains, we've celebrated milestones and momentus occasions. We've grown and we've learned. We are older. I feel older than I did last year. This past year has aged me, in good ways too.

But at the end of it all, I can say that the Lord has heaped blessing upon blessing upon blessing on us. We do not deserve this life. We do not deserve His blessings and yet He is pouring them out so freely upon us. He delights in us. Sigh... isn't that a wonderful image. The creator of the universe smiling with joy as he touches us with His presence, His mercy, His grace, His love, His forgiveness, His joy, and the gifts He freely gives us in the form of those we love.

And so I look at the dishes on the counter knowing I fed those hungry mouths healthy food, and I preserved apple juice and tomato sauce for my family to enjoy this winter. I see the remnants of good learning done, creative play enjoyed, gifts given and projects still to be tended- and today rather than feel defeated by what lays ahead of me I am joyful. Because thankfulness results in joy. Joy comes from thankfulness.

more gifts

I woke up this morning before everyone else in my home. I get to sit on my couch, drink yummy coffee and stare out of the window- all alone, in the silence. This is a gift. I am thankful for this. This makes me giddy happy inside. Thankful. Joyful. This is my own special time... a gift, a treasure that I embrace.

As I look out said window, it is dreary, sprinking rain. And I see growth in me because I didn't get grumpy about the poor weather for the BBQ we are going to today, I didn't even think about it... instead I saw the ducks livin it up in our pond... the lines in the lawn from the grass being freshly mowed... the way the grey sky makes all the greens look more vibrant... the water in the puddles on our laneway. It was not my first inclination to see the bad, I choose to see the beauty and be happy about it.

This is, in another way, my personal challenge. I have started a page on my blog called "my one thousand gifts" and it has been awesome for me to be seeing, looking, noticing those things of beauty that surround me day after day. It has shown me a new life filled with wonder and expectation. Take a look at my list, read the book I've been referring to, "One thousand gifts," by Ann Voskamp and watch your life be changed too. This list, is just some of the simple everyday things that I am loving, and that I am thankful for. Gifts given to me by the creator who loves me.

freshly mowed green grass

ducks playing in our pond

water in puddles

Usborne books sticker dressing books!

first spray park visit of the year

stillness of the morning

robins on my lawn

My iphone

kittens meowing

expectations for a new day

Singapore math textbooks

coffee hot in the pot

long bike rides with my beautiful kids

Fresh bread
Norwex face cloths

taking care of our trees

Bear Brownie

Narnia audio series by Focus on the Family

first camp fire of the year

a child's excitement over roasting marshmellows

creating and crafting

holding babies

coloring and drawing with the boys


free glasses from Clearly Contacts!
watching my garden change and grow

lily of the valley

"Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
His faithful love endures forever,
Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles,
His faithful love endures forever,
Give thanks to Him whe made the heavens to skillfully
His faithful love endures forever
Give thanks to him who place the earth among the waters,
His faithful love endures forever
Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights-
His faithfullove endures forever." (Psalm 136: 3-7)