Happy Anniversary

No doubt of what I'm thankful for today, my sidekick aka my hubby Chris.

We've been married for 8 yrs today. He's been my constant companion through thick & thin. What I love about him is he is kind & caring. He loves me just as I am; perhaps that sounds cheesy, but its true. Its been said I have a strong personality & he knows how to let me be me without being a pushover. That's a blessing for sure.

I feel I'm a blessing to him too. He has his own unique character & I hope and pray I challenge him just enough to be a better man, with enough tenderness to love him for who he is.

Marriage may not be all butterflies and romance, sometimes it's jogging pants, no make up & watching cheesy sci-fi shows. I don't hear the romantic theme music play when he walks in the door from work, but I enjoying hearing his stories from the day & telling him mine.

This cheesy little love story wouldn't be complete without the addition of our wee man, our love bug, our son. Having him has only brought us closer together & allowed us to express love more deeply.

My heart is so grateful for what God has done in both our lives & for His plans for us as a couple & a little family.

Making Hot Chocolate

Just a silly moment before bed, making hot chocolate. Thankful for fun little moments with my wee man!

"The world has changed..."

"I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost..."

I didn't write an entry yesterday because honestly I didn't feel like it. I received some news I didn't want, nothing serious just a little disappointing. It was just an all around kind of crummy day.

I was thinking tonight of something to write about & had it all planned. Then I was watching the news & changed my mind. The world around me is in such turmoil; the particular news item I saw was about Syria. I saw disturbing images of children that had been used as human shields. What struck me the most was seeing a little boy lying in the back of a pick up truck, I'm not sure if he was alive or dead, he looked to be around the same age as my son, three or four years old.

I saw other images of mothers running down the streets from gunfire grasping their children for dear life. A man very candidly said "why will no one help us, we are people not animals".

Kind of puts my world in perspective. Maybe things didn't go the way I was hoping, perhaps I was inconvenienced by events in my day, but all in all my world is pretty great. I have much to be thankful for, a free & safe country I call home, a wonderful home to live in, a family, knowing my son is lying warmly in his bed & I have food in my fridge, just to name a few.

I cannot explain why these things happen in our world. I know where hope & peace comes from, but my heart and mind have a hard time processing such atrocities.

"The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true".

What I come away with tonight is a thankful heart, but a troubled heart. We cannot cease in praying for justice & peace in the world.

(Quotes are from Lord of The Rings)

Church

Just wanted to say I'm thankful for our little church. Love the fact that they've been doing a series on families & parenting. Learning a lot, meeting lots of great people & feel like we are part of the family. Most of all feeling blessed at what God is doing in our little family- God is faithful.

Swimming Lessons Complete

It was the wee man's final swimming lesson today. Thankful he made it through with a few tears but mostly fun.

This was his first real group lessons without me, so I think he did pretty well. He doesn't really like water in his face or being told what to do, so some weeks he wasn't too happy. Who can blame him, yet all the things he learned in some small way will prepare him for life apart from me. His first lesson I just wanted to pick him up & say "it's okay you don't have to stay", but I knew this is something he needs to do to learn and grow.

Thankful for the new skills my wee man learned, beyond just swimming & thankful that I'm learning along with him, when to protect & when to let go.

Late Night Owl & Friends

I've probably mentioned this before, but just in case you missed it, I am a night owl. Which for the most part I am thankful for; it's only a little challenging on early mornings.

Which brings me to my next point, friends coming for breakfast. I am so thankful for my crazy friends from near and far that are coming tomorrow. With these particular friends I can be myself & I don't even mind if they see my house a little on the messy side. Now that's when you know they're good friends, they can see you & your house not at their best. (morning is definitely not when I'm at my best- haha).

On that note I'm thankful I've got some pick me up to get ready for tomorrow & very grateful to have friends to share my Saturday morning with.

Hope you have a blessed Saturday with good friends too!

Paully

It's my youngest brother Paul's birthday today! What better time is there to say how thankful I am for him.

He is a unique character, always has been. He's kind hearted, caring & generous, not to mention a little on the rowdy, daring & just ever so slightly rebellious side. He's dependable and fun; a big hit with my 3 yr old because he's always up for being over the top silly. He has a style all his own!

I'm so thankful for my little bro... thankful we always have a great time together & thankful for who you are!!

Now for some very silly old photos...

Last but not least...if you ever become a criminal this is the shot we'll use...