pandemic times

 Joelle is slugging it out.  as are her coworkers and fellow nurses worldwide.

front line workers extraordinaire!  

way to go, Jo! ❤

thankful

gratitude is probably one of my biggest, life changing practices of the last decade.  it is absolutely key to my overall perspective and attitude.  thanks Ann Voskamp!  the necessary habit of counting my blessings draws me closer to God and His goodness and His daily graces when it's sometimes easy to get lost in the "less wonderful".  go ahead, read between the lines. :) so in this season of thanksgiving i am once again taking stock of the amazing ways God's provisions carry me and sustain me.  here's a few that rise to the top....

gorgeous fall colours painting the trees

mum pots in full bloom 

warm summer-like weather in October

a table full of my kids playing a game of spoons

the luxury of so much food that it takes a whole evening and day to prepare a Thanksgiving feast

laughter and togetherness

a rock-star husband who supports and carries so much of the load

fall candles lit

new beginnings 

small connections and baby steps

friends who stay the course 

silver linings 

...and these just roll off my fingertips.  i could go on and on.  so much good.  thankful for much and happy to have another season to reflect on the blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families too!  

the fun drought is over...

 thanks to these...

so. much. fun. 

Jeff has wished for these since before children....so pretty much another lifetime ago.  needless to say he's a happy guy with a definite grin when he hops on one.  

grateful...

hard

 i'm about to drop a link for the most beautiful song.  it's a declaration of sorts.  a strong stand of faith and courage during the seasons of "hard"...we all have them, times that realllllly stretch us.  the coolest part is that Jeremy Camp, the man who penned this song, has an amazing personal story of perseverance through his own place of the lowest lows.  see if you can get a hold of the movie "i still believe" for more on his life and testimony of God's goodness amidst tragedy.  

here it is...

Whatever May Come

i hope it encourages you through the hard!

sending virtual hugs...

summer "job"

 this one didn't feel much like work to Hannah...she sooo enjoyed her time with her friends and fellow lifeguards this August.  the typical full summer of lifeguarding didn't happen with the covid lockdown, but once things started to open up and the pool and beach started to return to normal, Hannah was able to work for the second half of summer at the beach.  tough gig.  like such a chore...sun and waves and a beautiful location with iced coffees and friends. :) and a pay cheque too.  i'm obviously doing something wrong...haha...happy for her though, might as well soak it up while she can.  

(Layla did her first shifts as a lifeguard at the city pool, and to her surprise she also really enjoyed it!  no pictures from her unfortunately.  hopefully next summer.)

photo credits to one of the moms. she captured them so nicely!

these two

 these two are pretty cute.  on their own and together. :)  

a baby in one hand while he charts with the other...

i love Jeff's heart for this boy, and all the ones like him.  but man he's good with babies.  so chill and so compassionate. 

change

both Mr. C and i were ready for change.  admittedly, we were both pretty weary...sadly, my change is way more certain.  way more sure.  and this brave and feisty little soul faces yet another shift in normal.  a new beginning.  a fresh start, which sometimes is just necessary.  i know it, yet it's not without adjustments...we pray it leads to stability and security for him.  that Mr. C finds warmth and consistent love in his new surroundings.  we pray that he always knows of our deep love for him, and that a part of my heart will always be with him.  that his fifteen plus months in our home will impact him way beyond his memories.  that the love of Jesus will seep into the cracked places of his heart and mend and soothe and repair.  that he'll always know his value and purpose, and that just the right people will step in along the way to solidify those basic truths of worth and self-image.  that his future will be as bright as the glorious sun streaming in the window behind us.  God, please be with him, hold him tight...  

we love you, dear boy.  always will.  with a giant pit in my stomach we promise to hold you close in our hearts and pray for you when you come to mind...

stay strong kid...

photo credits to Jeffrey...