Santa

miss Z. was priceless at Jeff's (aka Dave :)) work Christmas party for the kids.  she must be at the very perfect age because she was chatty and curious and super sweet with Santa, stuffing her nervousness aside and embracing those moments when he was present with her...it was actually adorable...and this picture was my favourite.  this was near the end of the party when Santa had to leave, and only after she asked him where he was going, where his sled was, how he was going to get up on the roof to get it, etc...

caught it

not all mornings go like this one did.  lots of typical sibling stuff happens here too, all too often.  whining, tormenting, arguing...(ever see the movie Groundhog Day?  nevermind, no reason...) 

but not this morning.  

soooo, i snapped a quick photograph as evidence!

on this day Miss Z. sat in her usual spot for a piece of toast, farther left on the bench~ and i kept noticing her little butt was shimmying over closer to AJ.  she said "my sit closer to you AJ, okay?"  and joy of all joys~ for on this day, he obliged.  no argument.  just sweetness in return.  proud moment.  i loved it.   

reflection

Christmas is upon us.  i love this season.  amidst the crazy hustle and commercial everything, i consciously take time to reflect.  what an amazing Hope we have.  what eternal promise contained in this short verse our talented Layla so beautifully created on our chalk board.  what amazing context for the most wonderful holiday!  

and then there's this song. i've definitely shared the link before.  it should be an annual thing, i make no apologies.  so good...

and even a tiny smidge better?  a current favourite of mine~ this one ....a repeat from last year i think.  but honestly, never too much of this message.  Christmas in a nutshell, from a nutcracker of course :) 

good one, i know.

Merry Christmas season to all!

National Adoption Month

wow.  so many thoughts on the significance of National Adoption Month.  adoption has impacted our family in too many ways to mention.  it's profound loss, it's beauty, it's trauma, it's joy, it's grief, it's amazing, it's redemptive, it's exhausting, it's difficult...

but it's worth it.  

and then i read/watched...

this story

 it reminded me that it's really about daily grace, kindness and self sacrifice.  timely for me...it's about being open to the needs around you.  the messy, the sad, the painful.  it's about stepping outside of our comfort zones (do i have to??) and wow i still have so much to learn in this area....it's not about self-preservation but more about a daily lifestyle that demonstrates the same love Christ showed to us when we were broken and lost.  He loved us, even though...

check out the link.  beautiful people living open handed among the brokenness.  inspiration in the flesh.

❤

this...

while some of us weren't exactly hoping for the arrival of snow in the first half of November, especially on the grand scale that it came, we rallied and made the best of it.  "neighbours helping neighbours" was the theme of the morning, and then the kids moved on to snow forts and snow angels and a challenging snowman created by Miss Z., Alemayehu and myself.  more importantly, hot cocoa and marshmallows were enjoyed as well.  i wish all the pictures were fine to post, because i did get some adorable ones.  but here are a few....

can you spot the "snow crew dream team" heading to the neighbour's driveway? :)

 on the bright side, we are all practiced up now for the cold and snowy winter days that loom just around the corner!  

these two

i snuck my phone out quick.  thus the reason for Joelle's expression.  had to capture this moment at Ryerson University last weekend, although they will hate the picture.  that's not the point really...it's so much more than the photograph.  both girls wrestling for opposing schools for the first time ever...and still, close friends between matches.

two sisters~ brave and gritty and resilient~ and man do i ever adore them...if they only really knew my mama's heart.

such a joy to watch them do something so intensely difficult and come out better for it.  these are days they will cherish beyond the wins or losses of the day.  one day when life changes and they find themselves in a different stage and potentially mothers themselves, chasing after little ones or driving them all over the place, they'll be so thankful for the university days that helped shape their character.  the days where they learned to grind out the tough parts and dig deeper than they knew they could.  i'm thankful we live in a country that affords my daughters the endless opportunities to participate in sports just like wrestling.  i so wish it was an option back when i was that age.  i really think i could have been a champion...haha...still, so happy to cheer them on mat side and see them in this part of their becoming... 

the haul

2019.  there was lots of candy to be had.  like wayyyy toooo much candy...even though they were fighting the blustery weather conditions the kids seemed to cash in with more than enough candy to go around.  they are even sharing with their older siblings and parents. :)  it's a small gift that AJ doesn't seem to like any of the chocolate bars with peanuts or peanut butter~ so i'm happy to take those off his hands.  the things we do for our kids....

little miss Z.- an adorable fairy- bounced back nicely after her tooth extraction that morning and fluttered around from house to house as the trick or treating was in full swing.  

right about when the candy coma set in...

not many years left of this!

cross country

cross country 2019.  Alemayehu makes it look pretty easy.  he snagged 2nd place at the first meet which qualified him for the district race.  so fun to watch and always makes me pause and feel super thankful that his body is healthy and able to participate.

   

even better when your oldest sister is home to watch! :)

then in Blenheim, at that next level he ran like the wind and through the wind, literally, and finished 7th out of 60 boys.  pretty impressive!  some Ethiopian genes working in his favour, i'd say!  i wasn't able to go that day, but a teacher snapped a picture just after the race finished.  

good job buddy!!!

hockey firsts

this was a special thing.  so fun to watch.  so fun for Hudson to experience.  first time ever playing an actual hockey game with his dad, his brother and his cousin.

pretty sure he loved every second of it!  so did i! :)

gratitude

in this season of thanksgiving i'm so grateful for things like sunflowers and fresh pumpkin pie...

and stories like this.  

how awesome is this guy?!  what a life changer...love it!!

this happened

Alemayehu turned 12.  he was scheming about things he'd like to buy with saved money and birthday cash.  front runners were a remote controlled car or a long board.  until his dad mentioned a mountain bike...

so he went from eating brownie cake and holding a bunch of bills~

to this sweet ride....

having a brother work at a sports store with a hefty discount sure helps.  he got a beautiful bike for almost half the original price.  happy guy.  

stuff that stirs

stuff has been stirring me in recent days.  here are the links to just two of the biggies. 

these words 

timely, and inspiring. beautifully affirming truth for my heart today.  maybe it will stir yours like mine.

this song

with so many people in this world, this city, and even many we know tied down by figurative chains, bound by their past, their regrets, their shame, their present struggles, their addictions, their catastrophic losses...this song strikes a chord.  it rings of Hope and "for King and Country" knows where lasting hope and rescue comes from.  their faith rests in Christ.  mine does too. 

understanding the genesis of this song makes me long for many more to "burn the ships and step out into a new day".  

what a kid

presenting right here, the week #2 Taco Bell player of the game!!  

way to go buddy...you are nailing these football practices and games like someone twice your size with much more experience.  proud of your courage to go out there and give it your all! 

rhythm

the fall rhythm is here and we're all settling into a new groove.  school and work and sports and all the rest of life has shifted yet again as our two oldest girls have returned to their programmes at their respective schools and the rest of us have settled into school and work and routine again.  this is my favourite season, still.  i've written about it many times before.  (side note~ initially when i started this blog, i loved recording our family events and also taking this space to write creatively....it served as a bit of an outlet for me.  when writing about this season of autumn i would have gone into great detail about all my favourite parts.  the colours, the smells, the cozy feel....you remember that now, don't you?  fast forward to 2019, and truth be told, i'm a bit tired for that now.  i still very much wish to keep logging my family highlights, for memory's sake.  but the creative descriptive side of me is a bit weary, i guess.  which means this blog is still very much an accurate picture of where i'm at!  after all, if i sit too long staring at this computer screen my eyelids get heavy anyway.  one day i may return to more detail, more reflection, but mostly for now i'm sticking with the facts and pictures.  it is what it is.  and for once in my life i'm 100% okay with that.)

anyway, back to fall...it's in the air, and i've already enjoyed one cardamom latte so far this season.  it's a happy time and i savour these days before the cold darkness of winter descends upon us.  here's a picture of some pretty mums at a pretty stage...

to all, Happy Fall!

season underway!

do i ever have a lot to learn about football.  i need someone to give me a real quick and easy tutorial.  the basics i have, but i'm realizing i need much more than that to have any chance of not looking utterly clueless during the game.  why is it sooooo complicated?  and who made these rules anyway? sigh...

anyway, one scrimmage and one game is in the books.  Alemayehu (#17!!) is a happy guy, finally taking part in the sport he begged to try, working hard and contributing lots.  small but mighty out there.  proud of his effort, and hoping he stays injury-free.

Go Saints!!

NBYMP

recently my basketball loving boys got an amazing opportunity to attend their first NBYMP workshop.  (that's National Basketball Youth Mentorship Program ) it was the first time ever coming to Sarnia, and we feel so blessed the boys could go.

great coaching, mentorship, education and fun!

the added bonus was time with P., a super cool Haitian connection who loves basketball and hanging with my two even when months pass between visits.  there's a common bond there on many different levels.  it's sweet to witness. the extended visit with his mom was a true gift for me.  her journey mirrors mine in many ways~ and it's so valuable to hear her heart and soak up her wisdom and know that she fully gets it.

the exciting conclusion was Hudson being chosen as the weekend MVP.  he didn't see that coming and the Raptors shirt and recognition was timely and so appreciated.  

fond memories.  thanks NBYMP!!  

Mishewah~ round two

Layla and Adam~ the two lucky ones who were blessed to return for another week up at Camp Mishewah, the final week, to volunteer in different roles.  so there was definitely work to be done and things to get accomplished, but there was plenty of time for fun and shenanigans too. 

   

 i'm soooo thankful they could experience that wonderful place again and close off the summer with this experience. 

finally...football

Alemayehu has been asking and begging and hinting and waiting for a very long time to try football.  i was digging in my heels.  i don't know that i'm 100% comfortable with the decision to let him go ahead and give it a try.  i also wasn't 100% comfortable shutting down the opportunity.  however, one thing is certain, he's adorable in the equipment...

so we embark on this new season with our mighty AJ.  practice #1 is in the books and he had the endurance to push through the adjustment of the heavy equipment, the high humidity and full sun, the drills, and the running.  he showed awesome effort.

so we'll see how it goes.  ushering in fall and a whole new experience for our youngest and our family.  more pictures to come!

i still do

i'd say "yes" to this guy all over again...so grateful for a man who loves me faithfully, completely and exactly as i am, shortcomings and all.  how blessed am i?

happy 25th, Jeffrey! ❤

and we have another one...

yes, Layla's the fourth member of our family to be employed at McDonald's!  such a great place to start out with part time work!  

congrats Lay, you're officially part of the McCrew!

Mishewah

baseball didn't happen for our boys this spring/summer.  not enough guys to field the team Jeff was all set to coach.  it is a bit of a bummer, and i miss the evenings at the ball diamond watching my three boys.  one of the perks, however, was that it freed us up this summer to volunteer at Camp Mishewah.  my dear friend has been bugging us to come for some time.  she is Head Cook in the camp kitchen all summer long.  i could go on and on about her and the amazing job she does with camp meals, with her kitchen staff, with her volunteers, etc....simply put, her heart is just beautiful and she shines in her role.  she is open handed and willingly being used by God to impact lives every day that she serves...praying for you, Leisha, as you slide into the second half of the summer...💜

so off we trekked to Round Lake for one week.  it's a beautiful second half of the drive, as you truly enter cottage country with a shift in the landscape to evergreens and rocky cliffs and gorgeous lakes...last time i'd been there was for Senior Teen week way back when i was, well, a teen!  back in the day when i packed only for myself and literally that consisted of my coolest clothes, lots of hair product and some suntan lotion.  it was a time of scouting out the cute boys on the bus ride up with my best boy-crazy friend, Karen.  so hilarious, and i have the pictures to prove our awkward place in time, but we had a blast and no real harm was done.  lifelong friendships were made and memories shared as we were smack dab in the middle of "becoming".  Camp Mishewah shaped those years in the best possible way...

so the week our family went this July was bliss.  every part of it.  i loved working in the kitchen each day.  i loved watching Leish work her magic (she would hate that, she does not like the credit at all) and being a small part of it.  i loved getting to know some of the staff and the directors.  i loved the beauty of Camp Mishewah, literally~ the gorgeous lake views with the sunsets in the evening by camp fire~ to the beauty of a week away with most of our family to reset, regroup, refresh (we did miss Joelle and Hannah of course).  it was also the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded followers of Christ and be reminded of our purpose and worth.  to see other parents and families slugging it out, staying true to their convictions in a shifting culture and world.  it was a beautiful time for Jeff and I that we really needed.  one small piece that hit me deeply was a description of God i'd not often contemplated.  the image of God as the "lifter of my head" from Psalm 3:3.  it sunk deep in my heart as i was reminded and encouraged by this picture...miss Z. had an absolute riot at the beach and she was in the lake for hours each day.  there were lots of little friends to play with and even one dear kitchen staffer who spent so long with Z, swimming and hanging out, just because she wanted to.  there were lots of late night laughs shared with L&T too, the best kind of fun...

so as is often the case, serving at camp ended up feeling like a giant gift, a timely blessing.  so grateful!  if you think of it, pray for the Camp Mishewah directors and staff as they shift to a month of ministering to kids, of all ages, and that many hearts and lives will be forever changed because of the message of Hope that is shared in that place....

oh, and a couple pictures, for memory's sake!

group garbage run

off to the baseball diamond

late evening marinating of the pork chops, that somehow tasted delicious even with lots of mustard in that recipe.  craziness.

 

camp fire songs.  Z's favourite.  

then there was this...

so i'm behind.  a good month or so behind, actually....which is perfectly okay.  it's summer.  computer time screeches to a halt as do long stretches of quiet. the house is abuzz.  my primary roles to my crew shifts to Uber driver, chef, psychologist and referee, sometimes in that order and sometimes not.  it's far from glamorous, but necessary and still sooo valuable.  i know that.  i think they know it too, even if it's deep down...so, blogging gets short and sweet and extra light on substance and heavy on pictures, because otherwise it wouldn't happen at all.  true story.

back in June, my Haitian sensation graduated from grade eight.  i can't even begin to unpack all of the feelings that come with this milestone, so i'm going to drop a few of my favourite pictures from the evening, and leave it at that.  Hudson, you looked so handsome and somehow you are almost my height.  sigh...

 

love you like crazy, sweet son!  so thankful God brought us together, and in doing so i've learned so much, about life, survival, tenacity, surrender, leaning on Jesus and unconditional love....i love your smile and i love you, and i always will!