Thankful Thursday

"An act of love that fails is just as much a part of the divine life as an act of love that succeeds, for love is measured by its own fullness, not by its reception"

Harold Loukes

Something about this quote brings a sense of peace to me. Perhaps it's because I don't always feel like I'm good at showing love to others, or because I've lost touch with people I care about, or because I struggle to find the right words to say to express my care, especially at important moments. Perhaps this is especially true because this week my husband has been a dream to me, and I have not been a dream to him in return. Naps, sleep-ins, back rubs, chores around the house, fixing random things that I break, giving me time away - he's been so good to me, and for that I'm so grateful. It brings peace to know that my heart, and my attempts at love, are worth something.

Love to you especially, Greg.

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Eve 2010

It's a White Christmas...

... and 2 of my 3 boys are really excited about that! They spent most of the morning outside today doing this...

Merry Christmas Eve all!

Thankful Thursday

One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?"

Rachel Carson

Wordless Wednesday - FLASHBACK of Asher's 1st Christmas

Lately I have been...

... feeling restless and sometimes bored despite having lots to do

... not doing much of the things I "should" be doing

... wrapping Christmas presents

... having the occasional evening glass of red wine

... worrying about how I will manage when Greg goes back to work in a couple of weeks

... but also looking forward to Greg going back to work so I can have my space again

... potty training the toddler, with some success and some accidents

... eating too many cookies, and too much cheese (although not at the same time)

... considering registering Levi for swimming lessons in the new year (I started with Asher when he was 3 and a half months old!)

... anticipating with both sadness and excitement the day when Asher will start preschool in January (it's just one morning a week, but that's a big step)

... looking forward to seeing my dear friend Erin soon

... experiencing blocked milk ducts on and off

... receiving physiotherapy treatment for said blocked milk duct, which seemed to have some positive results, but didn't fully resolve the problem

... wondering if I should hold onto my baby stuff as Levi grows out of it or find a place to store it

... sleeping more at night as Levi is consistently sleeping through until about 5 AM

... reading too many books at once

... wishing my hair would just hurry up and grow a little bit more

... looking forward to Christmas morning

Thankful Thursday

My baby slept 7 hours straight!!!!!!!!!!!

Need I say more?? :)

Wordless Wednesday - Family Photo Session 2010 edition

The Baby - Levi, age 2.5 months old

The Toddler - Asher, age 2.5 years old

Our Family

Levi at 3 months...

... goes to bed at 7 PM

... still needs to be swaddled to sleep well

... has a dream feed around 10:30 PM

... wakes up to eat somewhere between 3 - 5 AM, but goes right back to sleep

... is up for the day between 7:30 - 8 AM

... has 3 naps a day; one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and a little one around suppertime

... can fall asleep all on his own

... is just starting to roll over from his belly to his back

... is not so into tummy time

... coos a lot

... loves to suck on his hands (I think I have another thumb-sucker in the making)

... needs his soother to calm down most of the time

... cannot yet grasp for toys, but can hold onto them if I put them in his hands

... loves the star lamp in his bedroom

... is always happy on his change table

... has the biggest smile that comes so easily to him

... is pretty laid back and easy going

... likes his bouncy chair

... is super content in the baby carrier

... still falls asleep on my chest and in my arms

... is still nursing strong (despite my reoccurring blocked milk duct!)

... has blond hair, but not much of it

... has little chubby rolls on his arms and legs and I love it

... just finished 5-weeks of baby massage class with his Papa (and LOVED every second of it!)

... has spent the night at his Nana's house twice

... just got his very first teddy bear (a Winnie the Poo from Pops)

... is mostly in size 3-6 month clothes

... is an amazing car-traveller

... hates getting into his car seat

... is pretty comfortable around a certain loud toddler who sometimes hits him and sometimes smothers him with hugs and kisses

... has managed to fill a space in my home and heart that I truly didn't know existed

... is loved immensely!

The Christmas song I just can't get out of my head...

Levi rolling over!

Look what my brilliant boy started doing this week! It usually takes some prompting, but he's getting it. So impressed, I am!

Thankful Thursday - my dad edition

I have a big reason to be thankful this week. A big one.

I haven't been very vocal with many people in my life about my dad being sick, mostly because I thought it was his story to tell and it didn't feel it very hopeful to talk about. Oh, and I'm a world class avoider sometimes! Close to 2 years ago now, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer, which quickly spread to his lymph nodes and adrenal gland. The prognosis for this stage 3A cancer wasn't good since the cancer had found it's way to other parts of his body. When he was first diagnosed, the oncologist said he would have a 30% chance of being alive in 5 years.

My dad has gone through numerous rounds of chemotherapy now, his cancer being treated aggressively since he's so young (he just turned 50 in September). He has been sick and has had many, many reasons to be miserable. Throughout all of this, however, he has remained strong in his faith, and has been one of the most hopeful and positive people I have ever known. It's quite incredible, and encouraging, to talk to someone with such a dreary set of circumstances who is so optimistic, faithful, and hope-filled. As you can see from this picture, this is a trait my dad clearly exhibits!

So the good news this week is that after his most recent round of chemotherapy, his CT scan showed that his cancer in all 3 parts of his body has shrunk by 50%! It's quite incredible! The oncologist said that this type of chemotherapy that my dad just took (he's gone through all the stronger ones already) only had about a 1% chance of doing anything to his cancer. The fact that it shrunk it by 50% in all 3 spots in his body is more than anyone could have even dreamed of. We are all so thankful and happy to hear this news! Way to go, dad!

He's off to start another round of that same chemotherapy in hopes of continued good outcomes. This is truly the best Christmas gift we all could have received. Thank you Jesus!

Wordless Wednesday - "decorations our Christmas tree" edition

I'm home!

Last week we took a 5 day trip to visit my family in a neighboring province. During that time we...


... discovered that Levi is an AMAZING traveller. He slept literally the entire drive (it's 5 hours one way, without stopping). He, unfortunately, did not sleep so great at night.

... were thankful for borrowing a friends portable DVD player to entertain Asher in the car.

... had a great couple talk time during our drive.

... enjoyed time with my dad especially, whom Asher calls "pops". They have a very special little relationship that was awesome to watch.

... had great visits with my grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was lovely to catch up and have my boys meet and interact with the people who are my roots, my history.

... did a Christmas gift exchange and Asher has been loving his new front loader tractor ever since.

... laid off potty training Asher - it's bad enough having him pee on our floors, let alone someone else's.

... realized that Asher is a homebody. Around day 3 he started saying "I want to go to my house now".

... ate way too much junk food.

... drank Tim Horton's coffee everyday (I was very glad to come home to my fair trade organic yummy goodness).

... took lots of pictures, but have yet to upload any of them (sorry about that!)

... enjoyed the break from the everyday routine of life here.

... got along better with my husband than I have in months.

... was reminded that I am blessed to have my family, and am grateful for where I come from.