happy Wednesday. . .

Gifts from yesterday...

I tried to get my kids to tell me something good from their day at dinner last night. They had a very hard time. I believe Ryan's exact words were "there was nothing good." To which I rattled off a basic list like sunshine, his mom made him lunch, he made it home from school safe, etc... Ah- teen angst. We'll be working on that.  Both my (at home) children have had pretty rotten attitudes lately, especially toward each other.

Today's Run-

My hair-tie was tangled in my hair- I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get it out!

But I did- I was almost ready to go hunting for scissors.

NEW Read- I just saw this in my email as a Kindle deal of the day- I immediately downloaded it from the library on my kindle app :P So far- loving it!

 

Because I am a sucker for survey... Survey from Hunger Runner Girl's blog

• Favorite place you’ve traveled to? My favorite trip was our "honeymoon" cruise in 2012.  Our trip to North Carolina was pretty great last year too. But more to do with my traveling companion <3 than the destination.
• Worst pain you’ve ever experienced? Child birth. 
•  Who was the last person you took a picture with? My sister and nephew at the run on Saturday.
•  If you could talk to ANYONE right now, who would it be? I don't have a definitive answer to this one. 
•  Ever had stitches? yes, fell when I was in Kindergarten and hit my head on the stairs. 7 stitches in the middle of my forehead.
•  Nail polish… yay or nay? currently yes, I painted my nails teal for the run on Saturday.  Not usually though because I can't keep it looking nice.
•  If you could have any career, what would it be? Chef
•  Does pineapple belong on pizza? on occasion.
•  You have the remote; what channel? Food Network
•  If you were an animal… what would you be? Dog or Lion
•  Did you grow up in the city or country? country
•  Are you taller than your mom? nope.
•  When was the last time you cried? Not sure, shed a few tears when we dropped of Mik at college. I'm sure that wasn't the last time. I was dangerously close talking to MP about Mikayla on Sunday but managed to keep it in check.
•  What percentage of the time are you listening to something while you work out? 97% unless I am running with someone else- then I go without music.

In case you need reminding...

what makes it home?

I love our Church, I really do.  I know I have said this before.

KCWC is more than a place.  It is more than a group of random people.  To me- it is family. My family.  And that is why I shall never leave it.  I know I shouldn't say never.  We never know what the future holds, we are not guaranteed even one more breath.  But as long as I have breath, and as long as this is where God has me, this is where I shall be.

But truly this Church is part of my heritage.  I love that we have 4 generations currently attending.  That last night we had 4 generations together in one pew. My family has been here from the very beginning. I hope in the future to come many more Nemitz generations will sit in these pews.  I am thankful for the legacy of loving Christ modeled to me by my parents and grandparents.

I am fiercely loyal.  This Church Body is a part of me, and I of it.  I could no sooner abandon it than I could one of my children, or lop off one of my hands. 

I know that there are legitimate reasons for leaving a church.  I know that there are other churches just as good as KCWC.  I also know that sometimes people leave for silly reasons.  Families aren't perfect and neither are churches.  They are made up of people.  People hurt each other, people make mistakes, people sometimes do dumb things, people can be down right mean.  But families seek forgiveness.  Forgive. Grow. Heal.

These last few days we have had Revival Services here.  They were phenomenal. It was such a time of refreshment, of joy, of encouragement, of laughter, of fellowship.  We had a guest speaker, Steve Wingfield.  He was marvelous.  His love for Jesus shining through above all else.

I feel renewed.  Excited about things to come.  I know God is doing wonderful things in this Church Family.  It's your choice if YOU want to be a part.  I am not foolish or prideful enough to think our church is the perfect one for everyone.  But being a true part of a Church Family is so important and such a blessing. :) I hope you will find your home.  The place God has for you to serve and fit perfectly.

Things that spoke to me this weekend:

• The importance of touch and encouraging words
• looking beyond appearances to see the potential
• the difference in preferences and conviction; conviction being something you are willing to die for
• becoming completely "under the influence" of Christ; just as you can tell if someone is under the influence of alcohol. So you should be able to see I am a Christian, by the way I walk, talk and live my everyday life
• Christ will see me through in Victory; He will see me safely to the other side (Mark 4:35-40)
• Little ones are watching, they will learn more by my example than my words

A few more gifts~

• being with my family
• the joy spilling over, bubbling out of everyone
• seeing men gathered to pray over one at the alter
• seeing Mikayla with her friends, beautiful girls inside and out, I treasure them
• hearing Ryan tell me about a friend at school he has been telling about Jesus
• the love, and joy, and peace of Christ
• the reluctance to leave on the last night, wanting to hold on
• the expectation of things to come
• knowing there is power in prayer

Is it Friday yet?

The pace of the last few weeks have been wearing on me.  I feel tired and worn. I sincerely believe people were not made to live this way.  I long to go back to a simpler time.  I am trying to focus on the good.  I let my children stay up far loo late last night just so we could spend some time together.  I feel like summer is already drawing to a close.  Summer? Did that really happen? I saw a tree already with leaves turning and wanted to cry.  I love fall.  Its my favorite season but this year I feel cheated out of my summer.  I have been working constantly, it feels like.  I miss my family.  I miss afternoons at the beach.  I even miss that we are not going to get to go on our camping trip this year.

I am looking forward to this weekend more than I can say.  I am so excited to run with my sister.  To spend the rest of the weekend at Grammy and Pa's.  I am so happy this is my third trip down in as many months.  I will never again go so long without visiting Grammy and Pa.  When Pa got so sick at the end of May I was sure I would never see him again and I was beside myself with grief.  I am so thankful my husband urged me to drop everything and go.  And to my sister and her guy who let me bum a ride to PA with them.  Family is the most important thing.  I am looking forward to a weekend to just be with my family.  To not have to race from one job to another.  To just be at Grammy's again.  Hopefully see most of my cousins and aunts and uncles and Grammy and Pa.    Gammy's will always be one of my most treasured places.  It holds the best memories.

I have been counting my gifts although I have been neglectful in posting.  I read a few of them over almost every morning to give myself a little positive boost.  Here are a few recent highlights-

• Txt from my sister- "We got this!"
• Listening to old favorite songs on my run
• Giggling to myself at the memories
• VBS
• Watching the kids dance
• Time with my friend
• Chocolate Pie
• New phones are on the way
• Fall Pampered Chef paperwork :D
• Hitting 3+ miles
• Chatting with my sister

from the overflow of the heart

Time is not running out.  This day is not a sieve, losing time.  With each passing minute, each passing year, there's this deepening awareness that I am gaining time.  We stand on the brink of eternity.
                                                                   --Ann Voskamp, 1000 Gifts Devotional pp44

Deep Breath.  Slow down and enjoy.  So much of my time is spent running.  Hastening from one task to the next. Yesterday I rushed to church feeling harried and late.  Frustrated for being late to my appointed task.  Frustrated I was going to miss being in service at all.  As I breezed into the nursery I was urged to go sit in service instead.  Its OK go.  As I slipped from the nursery and up the stairs I felt a bit of the weight slip away.  As I listened to the message I felt my soul being restored.  I felt God's Arms. I knew I was home.  After Church we had yet another fellowship dinner.  It seems this season of our Church has been filled with dinners and farewells.  But this one was different.  Or maybe I was different.  I didn't feel rushed or urgent.  It was quiet, relaxed.  We could just be.  I could chat with my husband and daughter.  I could catch up with friends.  I still sat at the table as tables and chairs and table clothes were whipped away.  It felt like home.  It felt strange that Pastor and JoAnne were gone.  And yet so many things were the same.  That the way of life.  Things change, things stay the same.  Time moves on.

This week I am looking to God for strength.  For energy.  For wisdom to know what to keep.  What to let go.  To enjoy every summer moment I can with my children.  Not to fret about moments missed.  But to breathe deep.  To be fully present in the moment I am in.  Not wishing it was over so I could be somewhere different.

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NIV

May video

Some of our May highlights~

Tomorrow it will be better!

That was our mantra this weekend.  It seemed like we said it over and over and over.

We went on our annual camping trip to Long Point.  This year we had a larger group.  The five of us, my father-in-law and our dog Riley are the usual crew.  Two of my sister-in-laws, a boyfriend and two nephews joined.  My mother-in-law stopped by briefly and my mom and dad joined us for Sunday afternoon through campfire time. :)

It was a rough weekend.  It poured most of our drive up.  We were happy to see the rain stop and the sky lighten as we arrived at camp.  Hey, we thought, maybe it will be ok.  A litttle chilly but still fun.  The wind however was insane.  It never stopped on Friday.  We huddled around the meager campfire we got going.  Turning in far earlier than we normally would in hopes of being snug in our sleeping bags.  Tomorrow will be better.  I spent a mostly sleepless night, sleeping bag over my head for warmth.  Listening to the wind gust and the tent shudder.  Praying it would stay up and that the wind would stop before morning.

Saturday morning Hannah and I trekked to the bathroom.  I took Riley out to relieve himself and then we hunkered down again in our warm sleeping bags.  The wind was still in full force.  Maybe once the sun is fully up, it'll die down.  I dozed off.  Woken by a woosh and whomp.  I peeked out of the sleeping bag to see the tent inches from my face.  It was collapsing on us.  I called to Mikayla at the other end of the tent.  She was dead asleep, oblivious to our predicament.  I called through the screen to Rhett and Ryan a few feet away in their tent.  I heard a faint reply and Ryan's face soon appeared in their tent window looking at me with utter confusion.  He stumbled out and around to the front of our tent.  "Oh yeah," he called back to his dad.  "They need help!"

 (A brief video of the wind and our fallen tent.)




Rhett rescued us and we all ended up sitting in the van to escape the cold.  Rhett soon declared we would be going to McDonald's for breakfast and Wal-mart for a new tent.

Later in the day (wind still blowing, bone chilling temperatures) we heard that tomorrow (Sunday) the wind would die.  We just have to make it through today.  Tomorrow will be better.  As we wandered about the camp we realized that there was far less wind pretty much everywhere else.  Making the temperatures much warmer and tolerable if not down right pleasant in comparison.

Everyone spent a lot of time down on the dock fishing. 

 I tried to join them.  Thinking even if I wasn't fishing I could sit with them and maybe Riley and I could warm up a smidge.  No such luck.  As I was easing down to sit, Riley stepped right off the dock and into the lake. :-( I quickly hauled him out of the water.  Hugged and kissed him, told him he was ok.  Apparently a narrow, unsteady boat dock is no place for a nearly blind, deaf, geriatric cocker spaniel. (Who hates water to by the way). Riley and I went back to the campsite.  I wrapped him in a blanket and we retreated to the van.


I don't know who took this picture but you can see; I was cold!






There were moments of beauty.

The wind didn't seem to phase the younger kids much at all.  They rode bikes, explored the beach and brought back all kinds of discarded treasures.  Went fishing.  Played on the swings and in the sand. Played Uno in the back of the truck.  It was great seeing Hannah zipping around the camp roads like a pro when two short weeks ago she was begging to have her training wheels put back on her bike!

Sunday was slightly better.  We saw the sun.  The wind stopped for a bit before returning but still it was less blustery than the previous two days.  We set up the new tent.  Mom and Dad came up after church.  We played some of the games we brought.  Enjoyed time around the campfire.





Monday morning we woke to this glorious sight.







The wind had ceased. The sun was shining bright. The water was calm. We shed extra layers. We enjoyed our breakfast without shivering.  Rhett could finally take Hannah out on the boat. 

I am glad the weekend ended well.  A reminder of why we love camping, why we love this spot.  The hope that next year we will have a wonderful, warm, sunny trip. :-D

Gifts from the weekend~

• warm sleeping bags
• being rescued from our falling down tent
• McDonald's for warmth & breakfast.  Coffee!
• New Crocs for Ryan
• seeing Hannah ride her bike all around camp
• watching the kids fish
• Mom & Dad visiting camp
• playing bocce ball
• laughing around the campfire
• waking up to sunshine and no wind
• ending the trip on a good note

April Recap

My April video. :) Enjoy.  I have some yummy recipe reviews to post tomorrow ;)

Spring cleaning and other such nonsense

Spring is here.  The warm temperatures are a welcome change!  Seeing the world come to life once more.

The trees are budding.





The first flowers have bloomed.


I was surprised to learn the mister set up my hammock yesterday after he got home.  Hannah and I enjoyed our story time in the yard last night. :)

The kids have been out playing basketball and baseball.  Hannah starts her Tee Ball career this coming Saturday!





Mikayla and I have started some spring cleaning/decluttering. I started cleaning off the dry sink in the kitchen which quickly becomes the catch all of anything I don't know what to do with. Mikayla  decided it should become the home of my keurig. And appropriated my cupcake stand to use for the K-cups.

Before:

After:

Today I worked a little on the closet.

Before:



After:


Tomorrow I hope to work a bit in our bedroom. :) Stay Tuned...

A few  more gifts counted~

• A morning shopping with Mom
• Lunch out with Mom & Laura
• Coffee date with Magda- its been far too long!
• Jessica is going to be my prayer partner
• time to Blog
• Pay Day $ =)
• getting groceries
• Picking up the phone to txt  Rhett only to see him walk through the door
• Visiting my sister
• Closing a party
• Another PC lead!
• Reading snug on the couch
• The excitement of a friend when I share good news {AL}
• Eph 3:12- we may approach God with freedom and confidence
• Rhett put up my hammock!
• Reading with Hannah in the hammock
• 70 degree day!
• Grass getting greener
• Open Windows! Fresh Air!
• new sneakers for Hannah

Rosie and Riley eating out of the same bowl ;P

Thankful even tho...

Yesterday I was awakened by a text message.  "Two- hour delay" for our schools.  Ugh! i had to work at nine.  But this meant that the younger two would not be catching the bus until 10. I would be late for work.  Maybe it'll get upgraded to a snow day.  Then I was fearful of driving on the roads which warranted closing school for the day.

As I sat down with my coffee and devo I began to fret in earnest.  Now I chuckle at my angst.  Really I fret and worry over the most trival things.

School was closed and I began to get anxious about driving on the surely slick roads.  Oh how I hate winter and its blustery and treacherous conditions.

I opened my devotional, the title of the page "Storm Grace".  Wow, that's appropriate, I thought wryly.   It went on to talk about being thankful.  In all things, even when things were not going well.  My resounding theme for this year.  As I read the verse from church this week was playing itself over in my mind like a broken record.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:6

I had previously txt my friend, exclaiming my displeasure at having to drive to work on this snowy day.  Before she wrote back I found my attitude completely change.  I txt her my thankful list instead :D

I am thankful for an extra hour of sleep. A cozy kitchen. That I have a job. That I have a wonderful daughter who can care for her siblings. That I have a nice, warm, reliable van to drive.

I made it to work safely, with little to no slipping and sliding. :) Another thankful moment.  Being thankful the kids were all home snug and warm and safe. 

At work I tucked a scrap paper in my pocket and continued jotting down my gifts to keep my thankfulness alive and not my grumbling ;)

God is so good.  I am bountifully blessed. <3

Vacation!!!

Sitting in the hotel living room watching the waves roll in on the beach...

I LOVE the Ocean. So very much! I never get tired of it.

Today is Day Three of our vacation. It is a very long trip from Syracuse area NY to Myrtle Beach,SC...the longest one I have taken in a very long time! ;P At time it didn't seem worth it... especially when I was sitting in the very back seat of the van..it was an adventure getting out at rest stops!....But now that we are here... :D

Yesterday we woke up to snow on the beach!

We walked up the street to the Ocean View Baptist Church. :) It was a great service, although it seemed short.  But spoke to my heart.

Sunday was very enjoyable.The kids went swimming twice in the indoor pool. Mom, Mik and I visited the Myrtle Beach Mall.  Mikayla got a new bathing suit and we found a dress for $20 for her eight grade formal.  She was ecstatic!

We briefly visited the beach.  The wind was very cold yesterday!  Looking forward to visiting the beach again today now that the air is warmer and the sun is shining brightly!

Visit the gift tab at the top to see my list of gifts. :D

resolutions status

Time seems to be flying by.  Already this January is in its final hours. Craziness... I realized I also have been neglecting my camera. Not many pictures or videos taken this month.  It made me a little sad.  The good news is tomorrow is still fresh.  We can always begin again tomorrow. :)

This is also good news since I have been failing miserably on my Resolutions...

• live each day to the fullest-- this one I maybe doing all right on :)
• stop sighing-- I have become much more conscious and think I have cut back on the sighing for the most part
• have semi regular date nights with the Mister-- hopefully there is one on the horizon ;)
• de-clutter our house!-- I do have some bags ready to be taken to the SA...taking them there is the next step
• Memorize a JOY verse each week-- I am working on my 3rd verse...not a total fail
• blog more regularly-- trying
• count 1000 gifts in 2013-- counting away... up to 111
• make a new quilt and maybe another ripple-- I have a quilt fund started. And a pattern picked out. And another top secret ripple or two are in the works ;)
• keep piano bench and kitchen table cleaned off-- this is a constant battle
• exercise-- I think I have exercised maybe a grand total of three times this month.  Fail.
• start playing piano again-- did not even sit down at the piano even once.  Major Fail.

 Okay so maybe not failing miserably.  They are a work in progress.  Today is not over.  Tomorrow is a fresh new day.

In the meantime here is a recap of some of my January gifts...

flash back

Last night Mikayla and I were in the kitchen.  She was making her lunch, we were chatting and laughing.  I opened the freezer to grab the hamburger meat to make Tacos for supper tonight.  As I was reaching into the freezer, I heard the sound of something dropping.  Startled, I jumped back in panic.  Mikayla almost fell over laughing at me.

It was only the ice dropping into the bin from the ice maker.  However... you may recall a few years back I suffered an injury from frozen chicken falling out of our freezer and hitting me on the back of the head.  Thus the reason for my jumpiness around freezers.

If you missed that story or just need a good laugh, you can check it out here.

Things have been busy here, not much time for blogging.  Sunday though we had a lovely little family dinner.  My parents, grandma, my sister and her boyfriend were able to come over for dinner.  We had a lovely mini "Thanksgiving" dinner.  Grandma kept asking me what we were celebrating.  To which mom and I replied, why do we need a reason... but finally settled on Family being the reason.  It just doesn't get better than that. :) After dinner we indoctrinated Rich, teaching him our family's favorite game. Dutch Blitz!

 

Storm cuddled up with Grandma on the couch...

 The Mister of course was watching football... ;P 

Monday Hannah was able to go over to Pastor's house along with a couple buddies and play with Pastor's trains.  The kids look forward to going for their train visit every year. :) They will miss Pastor and his trains next January.

So much to be grateful for!  Yesterday I was having a little attitude problem in the morning.  But I recognized it, that's half the battle.  I prayed about it as I drove to work.  Listening to KLOVE as usual.  They have started this new feature in the last month or so where at 8:45 every morning they having an encouraging story.  It happens to hit right about the time I pull into the OMX parking lot the mornings I work.  :) I frequently sit in the van and listen to it before I head in.  Yesterday it wasn't so much the story but the song they played in response to it.  It touch my heart, and made me thankful yet again, as I read in my devo that very morning--  That we do indeed have a God who sees us.  A God who cares about our trials and struggles no matter how big or small.  A God who answers us.

This is the song, I listened to it again before I went to bed last night, as the anxiety level was creeping up again...

anew

 I kinda feel like I haven't been doing well on the joy front the past week or so. I have let feelings of being tired, over whelmed and discouraged take over. Last week as I was at work {feeling overwhelmed tired and discouraged} this is the verse God was whispering to my heart.

Restore to me the JOY of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

So that is my Joy verse this week.  I kinda feel like its cheating as its one I pretty much already memorized.  But its the one that is speaking to me this week. =)

This morning as I read my devotional it talked about how the language of thanks was something that had to be learned. I found that encouraging.  It's not something that comes easy.  I am not utterly failing.  It is something that takes work and concentration.  Its so much easier to complain. To sigh, to be cast down.  But I don't have to stay down.  He will lift me up.  He will hold my hand as I begin again to journey down this road of Joy.

I flipped to the back of my devotional and realized I had not written a single gift since Wednesday.  That simply will not do...I thought back over the past few days.  Here are a few I jotted down.  My eyes wide open to see the gifts He has for me today...

• Reading Jessica's gifts
• Ryan is better
• Crock pot Chicken Fajitas
• finishing Jessica's bday gift (3 weeks late :P)
• watching The Cosby Show with Mikayla
• getting groceries under the limit
• putting in a PC show
• time laughing as a family
• seeing the Mr reading his Bible
• silly txts from Mik
• Talking to Rhett on my lunch
• catching Ralphie before he got lost
• snuggled with Dog and Cats
• a day of warm weather
• ice melted
• Hannah singing

the highlights...

I can not believe 2012 is already drawing to a close.  It feels like its been a whirlwind.  So much has happened this year! Including...

• Hosting my first baby shower for my dearest friend Jess
• The Mr and I went on our Honeymoon...and first ever Cruise! It was AWESOME
• I became the mother of a teenager!
• I finished my first crochet project a rainbow ripple blanket
• My littlest one started Kindergarten
• I got a new job
• found my first gray hair <gasp!>
• counted almost 700 gifts....hoping to break 700 before the year closes

Here are some of my favorite moments from 2012 ~

Jessica's Baby Shower

Our Cruise

Holding baby Liam for the first time!

our Easter Egg hunt

My mother's day present..a HAMMOCK!!

Camping Memorial Day Wknd

Giving Jessica Liam's quilt

Niagara Falls with the Fam

 

Kelly's baby shower

Dutch Blitz

fall days, parks, picnics and pumpkins

Christmas Time

It's been a great year! Looking forward to making many more wonderful memories in 2013.

I finished up my Jesus Calling devo this morning.  I very much enjoyed reading it this year.  It never ceased to amaze me how it always seemed to be written just for me. ;)  If you have not read it yet, I highly recommend it!

Here is a little excerpt from yesterday's devo

"Marvel at the beauty of a life intertwined with My Presence.  Rejoice as we journey together in intimate communion.  Enjoy the adventure of finding yourself through losing yourself in Me." (p 381)

 I am excited to start my devotional tomorrow! One Thousand Gifts Devotional by Ann Voskamp

May you have a blessed and happy New Year!

JoY

JOY. I have decided that for 2013 my word is going to be Joy.

Pastor spoke on the Joy of Christmas this past Sunday.  He read off verse after verse that referenced the word Joy.  I hurriedly jotted them down in my bulletin.  Thinking it would be a great project this year to feature a different joy verse each week on my BLOG memorizing them as I go.  I went to www.biblegateway.com and typed in "joy" as a key word and came up with 242 different verses. =)  If you look on the top of my sidebar you will see my first joy verse in light of Christmas this week.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:10

My joy this year has been lacking.  I have my moments of extreme gratitude and joy, where my heart is overflowing.  But I find it is all too easy for my joy to slip away.  I find myself growing anxious and stressed.  Worrying, fretting. Wishing things were different.

An excerpt from my Jesus Calling devo this morning...

"As you grow closer to Me, I open your eyes to see more and more of My Presence all around you.  Things that most people hardly notice, like shifting shades of sunlight, fill you with heart-bursting Joy. you have eyes that see and ears that hear, so proclaim My abiding Presence in the world." (p 379).

Planning to follow this reading plan in the New Year :) Saw it on Pinterest this morning!


Source: rachelwojo.com via Amy on Pinterest

I am hoping to hit the 700 mark in my gifts by years end. Here are a few of my latest gifts I have recorded...

• Christmas shopping
• seeing snowflakes fall
• Lunch out w/ my Mr
• writing Christmas letter with Mik
• Christmas Pageant
• Singing in the Pageant Choir
• headache has lifted
• feeling like I belonged when I stopped in at OMX
• coffee & the WORD, watching the snow gently fall
• a White Christmas
• Candle Light Christmas Eve Service
• Knit hats for all the kids from Aunt Laura
  
• Time with family
• It's Christmas! Midnight txts to my bestest
• Castle Calendar for my kitchen
• Christmas Stockings
• Ralphie the Shaggy Hamster
• Ryan's love and gratitude for his new pet
  
• watching Rosie and Storm
• being driven to work by my Mr
• safe trip home in a snow storm
• Mom & Dad home safe from Maine
• warm new slippers
• Choc Ice Cream with Caramel sauce
• a day off! =)
• coming home to a clean living room.

Its been a struggle lately.  I have not been counting my gifts...I have been starring my worries dead in the eyes...gasping for breath.  Trying to hold on. 

This morning I was at the breaking point.  I curled up in bed after the kids left and just cried.  I txt my friend, finally inviting myself over to share some cupcakes.  She of course welcomed me with open arms.  We sat in in her living room, sipped our coffee.  Talked about everything and anything.  I snuggled her babies.  And left feeling lighter.

Nothing is wrong.  It just that adjustment period.  Life has changed.  I am having trouble letting go of the "old".  I miss being home.  Knowing whatever it is the kids need I can take care of it.  Its hard letting go.

Now I am choosing to look up.  To be grateful. Thankful that....

•  I do have a job, that I {mostly} enjoy, people I enjoy working with
• I have a husband who loves and supports me, even when I am petty and spiteful
• we celebrated my sister's 30th birthday this weekend
• I finally got my MaxPerks card in the mail and can now get my discount at Office Max
• we could get and carve pumpkins Sunday night

weekend at Grammy's

Thia past weekend the kids and I went to Grammy and Pa's. My aunt and uncle celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on the 27. The family put together a surprise party for them. It was wonderful.
Uncle Bob and Aunt Deb... 25 years ago

Uncle Bob and Aunt Deb this past Saturday at their party.

It was a great time.  Almost the whole family could make it.  Lots of friends stopped in as well.

Monday on our way home we stopped by Niagara Falls.  I hadn't been there since I was a child.  My children had never been.

My pooch had never been there either! =P

So many gifts this weekend... coming home I found stress and worries waiting for me. Trying to take deep breaths and one moment at a time....here are some precious gifts from this week...  

• reading with Hannah
• board game after supper
• great report card for Ryan
• he got the "nicest teacher in 4th grade" next year
• kool-aid slushies
• waffle makers
  
• grocery shopping by myself
• helping my sister find fabric to sew a new dress
• moving my hammock into the yard under a shady tree
• Finishing Liam's quilt
• fireflies
• getting Hannah's room clean
• a friend's spare camera when mine broke
• giving Jess Liam's quilt
• watching the trains
• Uncle Bob & Aunt Deb's 25th anniversary party
• time with cousins
• making anniversary signs
• preparing for the party
• a wonderful family, full of love
• Pa's crushing hugs
• waking thought... "This is the day the Lord has made- I will rejoice and be glad in it" Ps 118:24
• a cup of coffee-- quiet time with the Lord
• lunch with the Snyder clan
• bonfire and fireworks at Uncle Bob's
• roasting hotdogs
• trip to Niagara Falls
• Hannah's teacher letter for kindergarten...she will be in the same class with Hannah W
• an excellent report card for Mikayla
• sending in Ryan's camp registration
• 1st sweet corn of the season
• opening a savings account {finally} for each kid