What currently is saving my sanity ~ Winter 2021

   Happy February! The week and month are starting off for us with a true snow day with no distance learning assignments for the kids to complete ~ and with me linking-up again with Modern Mrs. Darcy as we share tips to beat the winter blues.

• Reading always and forever Amen! Joining challenges and stretching my reading muscles, revisiting old favorites and finding them welcoming. One of the blessings of all the 'sheltering in place' last year I discovered Bookstagram, a corner of Instagram with a ton of people posting book reviews.  It has become where I find suggestions and companionship amongst the virtual bookshelves.
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• Journaling prayers & gratitude, and daily occurrences not to be lost in the craziness.
• Seeking out a good series to binge and watching a couple episodes with Dr. Daddy in the evenings once the kiddos are tucked.  Currently All Creatures Great and Small, and Miss Scarlet & the Duke.
• Lighting a candle or two in the evening.
• A weekly visit to a local coffee shop and making a cup of tea as we start homework.
• Daily Walks!!  Started last spring when I craved some quiet after a day of helping my kids with virtual learning, I have found my evening walk a great help in quieting the voices of anxiety.
• And seeking out 'what makes it better' for my people.  For example, finding a warm Chai waiting makes the winter morning a bit easier to face for the resident tween: which in turn makes the getting out the door routine smoother for everyone.

What is saving your life this winter?

Thankful Thursday: January edition

1. Sun after the rain!
2. Yummy food prepared or sent by friends and family!
3. Caitlin largely seems able to sleep through her siblings antics.
4. Jaundice resolved without light -therapy!
5. Caitlin largely skipped the cold everyone else got.
6. My blog got a very nice shout-out, voting still open :)
7. Lastly & importantly: Caitlin's safe arrival!!

My thanks also to Rebecca for inspiring the meme!

Thankful Thursday: November 22nd

30 days of gratitude continue: 

16: The lovely pre-school my kids attend; they seem to be thriving and I enjoy my couple hours free a week.

17: My 'little sister' who I have the privilege of mentoring since she was ten. She is now a high school senior and considering nursing (total coincident) as a career ~ such an honor to see what an amazing young women she is becoming.

18: My mom and her wonderful example of quiet yet devout faith.

19: My sisters; can always be depended upon for support and silliness! 

20: An autumn afternoon spent playing in the leaves.

21: Having a automatic dishwasher, and a husband who enjoys washing dishes!!

22: The chance to gather with family and friends and give thanks for our many blessings!

Thankful Thursday: August 23rd

1. A wonderful week away with family!
2. Safe travel there and back.
3. The great fun the kids had playing with their cousins.
4. A chance to see the sea!
5. Yummy food, including fresh seafood and 'Deck Deals'.

What are you giving thanks for today?

Thankful Thursday; June 21st

1. Ice Coffees
2. Lavender blooming
3. A/C on a sweltering day
4. Cold improving and funk lifting
5. Making muffins with my munchkins
6. Moments of quiet of prayer
7. Strength and support from my husband

Thankful Thursday

Inspired by Rebecca of The Road Home, the return of Thankful Thursday

Giving Thanks this Thursday for:

     Baby giggles
     Time spent playing pretend with my little lady
     Ice Coffee
     Joined meals cooked with my husband
     Pink Sky sunrises
     Love everlasting and Grace abundant

What are you giving thanks for this week?

Thanks 2 You!

Happy Blogaversary 2 Me!

Two years ago having so enjoyed other blogs and as a long time journal keeper I started this blog with the hope that it would be a good way of getting my thoughts down about mothering and being a woman of faith at this new stage in my life.

It has become so much more ~ a wonderful place to record those darling daily moments that go by so quickly as the little people in my life gets bigger ~ a springboard to following many other amazing bloggers, some I've been blessed to meet in person ~ and that safe place I imagined to share my thoughts and beliefs at this point in my life and faith journey.

I'm writing this with my sweet baby sleeping in my lap, a baby whose coming was still such a new blessed idea in my world a year ago ~ who is now so much more than an idea, making me so excited to see where life takes me and this blog in the coming year.

2 years old and going strong ~ thanks 2 you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Giving thanks for the little things

Last night thanks to members of my husband's family we went out for a nice anniversary dinner. Today has been filled with much more mundane things like the care and feeding of our two littles and post-holiday wrap-up. Which is just fine because eight years later I know that it is the daily tag-teaming through the chores and knowledge that my friend and partner has got my back that truly makes me feel loved and cherished within my marriage.

So here's to the everyday adventure of living, laugh and loving each other well as we seek to the best of our ability live out our vocation to build a marriage that serves as a loving and strong foundation for our children and a warm and restorative home base from which to serve the world around us. I'm so glad to be on this journey with you.

Quick Takes Vol. #66~ Moments of Grace

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1. Blowing bubbles in the backyard at dusk
2. Nursing my little nursling
3. Playing hide & seek with Lisbeth
4. Glorious weather to enjoy the autumn colors at home and the playground
5. Stuffed squash made by my husband to be enjoyed as part of our dinner & a movie nights
6. Big hugs and reconnecting after nap-time
7. Life slowing enough to see the moments of grace amidst the rush

Please visit Conversion Diary for the rest of this weeks round-up

Happy Blogaversary to me and you!

So as you may have gathered from the title today is my one year blogaversary and to celebrate and show my gratitude for all of you who have visited, commented and made this whole have a blog, write 'bout my life, my thoughts, my ideas so much less scary and actually quite fun I am giving away a book that I have enjoyed that you think you might like.

Your options are:

Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris

Glimpses of Grace by Madeleine L'Engle or

Babyhood by Paul Reiser

To enter leave a comment with which you would like to win and what you would enjoy seeing in the second year of this great adventure.

Extra Entry, if you blog about the giveaway

Entries accepted until Sunday night (January 24th 9 pm EST)

And thank you again for reading, commenting and not seeming to mind the many pictures of

my favorite (formerly ten month) soon to be 2 year old.

The "100th Post" post

So back in January I had this crazy thought that, since I really enjoyed reading various blogs in which people wrote their experiences good, bad and humorous as they lived out the adventures of life in their corners of the world that maybe I could do that too. I have from time to time kept a journal and while I am somewhat of a shy person, I do really enjoy the idea of being part of something much bigger than myself.

So here we are 100 post later and while I'm still not sure I have anything to say worth reading about I am beyond grateful for the kind and generous comments left by loyal followers and those who pass by on their way around the net.

So much of what I write reflects my journey as a mom and child of Christ and that I imagine will be true going foward. The nine month old I lived with at the beginning of this journey is now a walking talking toddler who fills my day with light and laughter as she hastens the greying of my hair, who knows what the next hundred posts will bring?

Care to come along?