Happy New Year

I wrote this post about this time last year. As I was reading it through, it was amazing to see the way God has been using the things that have been happening over the last 12 months to draw me closer to Him, to become my everything.
This year has been filled with ups and downs and there were times I leaned on Him and there were times when I choose not to.
I have learned and grown so much this year and it is all because of His faithfulness to me.
There have been a few songs and verses that have impacted me this last year;
Acts 3:19
"Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
1 Peter 1:8
"though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."
and the songs;
Casting Crowns - "As far as the East is from the West" (or something like that, I am horrible at remembering the actual names!)
Casting Crowns - "Glorious Day" (off their new album)
Travis Cottrell - "Victory in Jesus"
In this coming year, 2010, I can only pray that God will continue to work in my life like He has worked in 2009. That I will be open and willing to submit to Him, that the joy and peace I have been blessed with this year, will remain - even in the midst of struggles that 2010 is sure to hold.
I pray that God will use my attempts at mothering *well* (or not so well most days) to draw my kids to Him, that they will see Him for Who He is, and not in the reflection my life shows some days.
I am praying that your 2010 is filled with grace and joy and peace and a drawing near to God, even in the midst of the unknown. That there may be a boldness and a confidence in Him.

Happy New Year!!

"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

Their *favourite* Things

We had a fantastic Christmas. It was filled with time with family and friends and just hanging out together, celebrating the birth of Christ...everything that Christmas is really about.

This week is going to be more of the same; playing and visiting and just relaxing before routine starts again.

The kids were spoiled silly by our family and friends this year. But they love everything they were given and Anthony has even taken to playing for hours by himself with the pirate Playmobile and Leggo that he was given. I am thankful that we have family that spoils the kids, not just with *things* but with their time and their love as well. I'm blessed knowing that my kids are well loved by a whole lot of people.

Next weekend, the Olympic torch run comes through town and we are going to take the kids to see it. They may be a little young, but really, I'm not sure if they will ever get the chance to see it again. So regardless of what time it is supposed to make it's way through, I will be there with the kids, cheering them on as the head to Vancouver for the opening of the Winter Games in February.

Hoping your Christmas was filled with blessings and love and joy as well!

i heart faces: Hilarious Outtakes

It's been a while since I've had the time to participate in an i heart faces challenge, but this week's theme intrigued me. With 3 kids, it wasn't that hard to find outtakes!

He is shoving chocolate eggs into his mouth, I was going for some nice Easter themed pictures!

Head on over to i heart faces to check out some more outtakes and maybe add soem of your own!

Siblings

Troy and I took the kids to the Conservatory on Monday to try and get some nice pictures of them, all three at once. . . I got maybe 4 decent ones. Owen is at the stage right now where if he knows I have the camera will NOT look at me! So his pictures? Well, mostly of his back and side of his face!

We are having a fantastic holiday. I am filled to overflowing with the *goodness* of it and the joy. Hope your days before Christmas are full too.

Little Girls

When it Snows

Yesterday morning, we woke up to snow falling. It looked like someone had shaken a snowglobe, my favourite kind! Alexandra, Owen and I baked some gingerbread cookies while Anthony went out and found a neighbour boy to build a snow fort with. Once Anthony went out however, the other two were NOT happy to stay inside and Owen kept bringing me his boots and jacket so I would put them on! So we all went out and had some fun in the snow.

I am so thankful to have snow for Christmas, and even more thankful that the temperatures this week have been fairly mild so that we have actually been able to get outside and ENJOY it!

hair

Troy has been using the clippers on Anthony's hair since Anthony was 14 months old. And it gets cut s.h.o.r.t.! SO....I have been putting up a little bit of a stink everytime he suggests that it's time to cut Owen's hair. I refuse to use the clippers on it, because I don't want it that short, and personally, I think this:

is stinkin' adorable!

But, Troy threatened the razor so I gave in and did this:

and then cut off a little (very little) of the stuff that stuck up!

Today

Today is the last day of work/school/babysitting before the holidays and I am so very excited. I cannot wait to spend two weeks with just the 5 of us, hanging out, skating, sleding, laughing and making memories.

There are *plans* but they include things like movie nights (complete with popcorn and sparkling apple cider (yummy) while snuggled under blankets on the couch), playing, visiting some family and just being together.

I am so thankful that I don't have to babysit while Troy and Anthony are off, I was supposed, but things changed at the last minute and their dad is off, so I am grateful.

Hoping to be able to get my camera out again and get some pictures, because I'm missing that right now, life is just speeding by without stopping lately and there are days I come to the end and my head is spinning from all that has gone on.

I am so excited and thankful for this holiday, this break where there is *nothing* to *needs* to be done.

Decorations and Gingerbread

At our house, when we decorate the tree, the kids get to eat the gingerbread house they have assembled.

Now, a little more snow would be nice....but hey, at least the ground is white!

A Christmas Tree Adventure

It has been years since I have cut down a Christmas tree. We were hoping to be able to do it last year, but a 6 month old combined with -45 celcius was too much! So Saturday, we bundled the kids into the car and drove out to Sandpiper Tree Farms to choose our tree.

Anthony spent the time telling us he was cold (it wasn't THAT cold out!), Owen, was scared of the trees and didn't really want to be put down so Troy and I took turns carrying him. I did manage to convince him to stand so I could get a few pictures of him! And Alexandra? well, I'm pretty sure the pictures will speak for themselves!

yup, this was about 1 minute later....

this is as close as Owen would get!

this was a better distance!

Our house smells wonderful, the tree combined with the gingerbread cookies the kids andI spent Saturday morning baking and it really is Christmas time.