cross country 2018

these three did it again!  

so thankful for their strong determined legs that carry them so easily...

 so many competitors at SWOSSAA

 but only two from GLSS in Layla's division...they did awesome!

grade eight boys in red!  Hudson's last year in elementary school!  Crazy...

AJ snagging the hardware....third place!

love you three!  you are so fun to watch!

life giving words

you know...seems fitting to link to some really great song lyrics this week.  these two songs have reached deep into my heart and spirit these days and brought life and promise and truth.  beyond thankful for words that remind me of God's great love and care and purpose for my life and the lives of those around me, big and small, young and old, hurting and broken...haven't done this in awhile, so i hope it's a refreshing gift to you as well.  a little soul pick-me-up!

Matthew West~ Broken Things

Rend Collective~ Rescuer

the extractions

poor kid.  four wisdom teeth were mercilessly removed (drill and all) during Hannah's first fall reading week of her university experience.  it wasn't exactly the relaxing and comfortable break she anticipated, but nevertheless, the experience is behind her~ the teeth are out, the drugs have worn off (can you say loopy? :)), the fainting/vomiting spell is behind us, and she's well on her way to feeling normal again.  

the side blessing (isn't there usually one if you search for it?) was lots of napping on the couch for her, lots of time to "catch up" for us, the chance for me to love on her in lots of tangible ways, and some shopping together before she went back to school.  she returned yesterday with this experience behind her and we're both pretty glad about that. 

and now the second half of term one is underway.  already looking forward to Christmas! 

thankful

this weekend had several moments i wanted to "freeze-frame", those conscious pauses where you take stock, breathe in the sight before you and wish to capture it in the "forever" spot of your brain while life all around whizzes right on by.  here's one of those such moments i'm super thankful for.  all of our kids home under one roof again.  more shoes, more laundry, more noise, more dishes, more wet towels, more cheese consumption, more fun.  simple as that.  a big family isn't all hard, and sometimes i feel i need to defend it to others (and to myself on occasions, if i'm honest!) and there are these times where six is a fantastic number all around.  

like during a good old fashioned game of spoons! with water chugging or hot sauce drops for the loser as an added twist of crazy because, you know, the game of spoons wasn't exciting enough on its own...

happy season of gratitude!  such a great time of year!

eleven

this fella has one full decade in the books.  on to the next.  

so thankful our lives intersected so miraculously~ and that God chose me to be his mom...that first day we met him as a newly turned three year old with dancing, playful eyes is (thankfully) etched in my brain..  this guy is sweet and kind, and funny.  loaded with God-given potential.  can't wait to watch him grow and "become" more of who God has designed him to be.  Alemayehu~ wishing you an amazing year!  you are so very loved!!