show me your glory.

...I long to look on the face of the one that I love,

Long to stay in Your presence it's where I belong...

Kim Walker Smith - Show Me Your Glory

When I went to do a re-cap of 2012, all I could think about was how God has shared His glory with us. Starting up a new company and already seeing fruitfulness and bounty...having Judah enter our lives and having them changed entirely for the better...time and time again, being reminded of the grace He gives us everyday...I'd say, we've seen His glory.

As we are about to embark on this new year, that is my hope for you and yours: that you would see and know His glory in 2013!

Happy New Year!

pic pix: trees on tunnel mountain road, Banff, AB, 23.Dec.2012

our christmas.

After a busy few days - from our house to the grandparents' houses and back again - I wish we could go back to capture ALL of Judah's first Christmas on video!  

We had fun lounging, visiting, EATING, and combining both of our families' traditions (Matt's family - Christmas bread & gjetost...mmmmm!  my family - getting up early to talk around the Christmas tree) and creating new traditions for just us.  The mattress was once again brought into the living room for the Christmas Eve camp out, pyjamas (and jerseys!) were all that were worn for 2 days, gifts were exchanged, afternoon naps had, the story sharing the birth of our King told & celebrated...

We were with family, we were with each other.  Regardless of how busy and packed it seemed, it was worth every moment to be together and I can't help but feeling over-the-top blessed.

Hope you all had a beautiful Christmas too!

xo

pic pix: Judah's first Christmas (1st shot - Juju's first ornament), 25-26.Dec.2012 ,Calgary AB

merry & bright.

Merry Christmas Eve!

My computer technically fizzed out this week and I've tremendously missed sharing over here!  I'm hoping it's just a battery issue...we'll see(!).  Once I get my technical situation under control (and my head out of the 'holiday game'), I'll be back with regular posts.  Maybe my computer broke down around Christmas for a reason ... hmmm!

Within the hustle and bustle going on around us, we took this past weekend to go veg up in the mountains for a few days...our second home.  We booked a hotel and spa services (my husband rocks!) last minute and figured the 'important' things that weren't done before Christmas were just not going to get done this year.  I'm so glad we did.  The fresh -and freezing!- air did us good.  Simplifying our to-dos merited a sweet rest right in time for Christmas.

pic pix: Banff Getaway, December 21-23, 2012

thoughts.things.

Here are some (random) smatterings of what's been going on over here ...

House for ... SOLD!
What a relief it is to have our flip-property sold!  After being on the market for almost 6 months, a deal came through and now it's all moving so fast.  As we weren't living in the house, we've been renting an apartment for the last 2 years.  With the house sold, we gave our notice to be moved out of here by March 1, 2013...let the house hunting begin!  We dream of an acreage with a mountain view, but for now, will be looking to buy in town (I'm still secretly hoping we find our dream place sooner!).  It's going to be a crazy story how the timing will work out!

Judah & the bean.
This little clip is just a sweet glimpse into the fun I get to have daily with Mr. Judah.  I'm loving every stage of being his mama!

'bean' there, doing that. from Sarah Nadine Arsenault on Vimeo.

Visiting.
We had the chance to visit Matt's Grandma last weekend.  They are still living on the farm (in their late 80s!) and keeping things going tickety-boo.  Amazing really.  It's always so refreshing to get up there and hear nothing but your own voices, animals, the wind & trees, and sometimes the machinery you are in!

Cleanse time.
I've been on a cleanse since the middle of November, and am craving a good cup of coffee, some dark chocolate(s), and good cheese.  It's interesting to learn these new things about myself (aka the foods I am addicted to!).

Blessed.
Once again, I've been beyond-the-feeling of grateful for this man.  He brings me so much joy, he is my constant support ... my wonderful husband. xo.

tree pickin.

I've always wanted to go and cut down a Christmas tree, and yesterday, my childhood dream was fulfilled.  Instead of picking one out at a lot, we went to a tree farm just outside the city (though our original plan was to go get one in the mountains ... we'll just have to do it next year!).

As most Alberta winter days, it was nippy - a chilling -6 C - with that snap of a wind biting at your cheeks.  The sun was out, the skies were blue ... we had some serious tree shopping to do!  We dressed Judah up with as many layers that would fit him(!) and he was STILL cold after our brief tree search (a whole 10 minutes because even I was freezing).  Next year ... a sled, hot chocolate, and blankets will be in tote!

Now, with the smell of white spruce in my living room *glee*, I have some decorating to do!

pic pix: the Christmas tree hunt, 09.Dec.2012, Elbow Valley, AB

our day in pictures.

1. toys kind of remind me of christmas / 2. deckin' the halls with chalkboard walls (work in progress...i ran out of chalk!) / 3. the eye of the trunk seen on our afternoon walk / 4. trying on new thrifted finds for juju / 5. l.o.v.e. / 6. i am seriously addicted to this tea (thanks to mariel!), the mint/vanilla combo mmmmm!

the smallest of things.

Baby step up, baby step down.  *pant* *pant* Baby step to the side, baby step to the other side *pant* *pant* *sigh* {repeat} ... the sounds I hear myself uttering as I attempt to work out ...

After having Judah, not being able to jump back into a rigorous workout regime (for my body's best chance a full healing/recovery) was difficult but at least I knew there was an end in sight,  Now that I've been given the go-ahead to give 'er, I'm finding to take things slow and peg success in small increments seems incredibly more challenging - mentally and physically!

I'm needing to stretch more.  Stretching to release and bring movement to all of the small fibers that make up each muscle (that darn gluteus maximus!).  I'm needing to ice the most tender muscles - which feels like them all.  I'm needing to change my standing and sitting habits (that have morphed while working at a desk for 2 years)...

Much like the small tires hanging on the fence posts (photograph above), the smallest of details give something or someone flare, character, individuality.  In a muscles case, the smallest of movements and attention to detail result in agility, flexibility, strength, and decreased pain.  How the small things make big differences ...

"...don't you know that a little yeast leavens a whole batch of dough?"   

1 Corinthians 5:6

Little things make big changes.  Making my bed in the morning means (at least) one clean room.  Saying a kind comment to a stranger, even if it's just 'hello', may be what you both need to brighten up your day(s).  Starting my day with a simple breakfast, warming up my brain with a daily crossword, consistently spending quiet moments with God throughout the day, stretching every day, etc.

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. ~ Vincent Van Gogh

pic pix: driving from Alberta/Montana border, Apr.2011