happy christmas.

Merry Christmas friends!

It really is the most wonderful time of the year!  Being with friends and family, carrying out new and old traditions, eating some oh-so-delicious food - that is just the small stuff(!).  Remembering that a baby was born so that we could have free and everlasting life ... now that is something truly wonderful and worth celebrating year after year again.

It was so nice this year as Matt took off the entire week to spend with me and the boys.  I don't think I want this holiday to end!  We went to the zoo, got out to the mountains, visited with loved ones, and just spent time together.  Having these two littles to share the excitement with definitely makes it all the more fun.

Hope you and yours had a merry one too!

pic pix: Christmas cardigans, 25.Dec.2013, at home

itty bit of light.

It's quiet here tonight.  The guys are all sleeping.  It's just me and the twinkle of these little lights.

Somehow, when a room is lit by little lights, it just feels more special.  A little more 'magical'.  How those strands of bulbs can fascinate me so or why(!), I am not to sure.  They bring a room ambiance.  Warmth.  A spark of enlightenment.

Growing up, I'd heard time and time again how I, as a christian, am like a little light that shines ... This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine ... I always imagined a lone candle sitting in a brass holder, bringing light wherever I went.  I knew that I always carried a bit of light with me because Jesus was with me.  Illuminating through me.  I guess that's as far as my imagery went with carrying a "little light".

Lately, for me, it's been a struggle.  Physically - I'm tired.  Emotionally - I'm drained.  Spiritually - I'm thirsty.  I guess with all the new changes around here, I haven't felt like my single candle has done a very good job of staying bright.  It's like, I've viewed my candle as the source of bringing light into any room, circumstance, or relationship.  How I've been wrong ... without even really focusing on it but just accepting a perspective I've derived from imagery in a childhood song!

When my world felt like it was falling apart (hormonally that is, just hours ago), it wasn't my brass candle holder that I turned to for illumination ... it was Father and His word.  Communicating with Him, crying out to Him, acknowledging that I couldn't function alone, and clinging to His promises - it's like I got plugged back into a socket and multiple lights got turned on.  My strand of mini lights.

For everything I was thankful for, it seemed like a bulb lit up.  For the gift of life, here on earth and eternallly, a light was turned on.  For the beauty of my situation, even though I am tired, another light began to shine.  For the burden of my problems that I never had to carry in the first place, another twinkle.

I'm unpacking this idea of letting my light(s) shine wherever I may go and staying plugged into the Source - my God - to illuminate me REGARDLESS of my current state.  Like these small little christmas lights, I too can bring a room ambiance, warmth, and enlightenment.  

So can you.

pic pix: our lit rooms, at home, Dec.2013

{glimpse} our day in pictures.

1. early morning 'bubba' (milk) in front of the Christmas tree

2. a bit of ambiance with our toast and fruit for breakfast.

3. little people.  little games.

4. it's freezing here these days ... lots of layers.

5. advent season.

6. a few minutes during naptime to dibble dabble.

7. frost - one of God's most delicate and perfect creations.

8. my guys.

9. our blurry, attempted family "selfie" before bed.

tree hunting.

We had our family tradition planned for Saturday ... head out of town to chop down our Christmas tree.  Then, croup happened.  Poor Judah was not doing so hot, so we cancelled our plans and opted to just pick one off a lot.  So come Sunday, we packed up our little tribe and found ourselves at the IKEA tree lot.

As a kid, getting the tree was a big deal for me (and probably my siblings too!).  Some years, we didn't get our tree until the week of Christmas...one year, even the day before!  After we would have the tree (however close to Christmas day it was!), my brothers, sister, and I would get up early in the mornings, turn on the Christmas tree lights, and just sit there with something hot to drink, talk, and "enjoy" the tree.  A special tradition that we don't get to do at this point in our lives, but I hang onto it's memory as one of my favorites.  It's funny to me how those little traditions impacted me as a little.  And how now, as a parent, I want those very same things to mean the same to my kids.  

Now, to go and enjoy our little tree ... and finish decorating it!

pic pix: getting our Christmas tree, IKEA Calgary, 01.Dec.2013 *missing: me and Hunter boy - we were actually there!*

hunter elias.

So friends, as you probably have guessed (and anticipated!), my lengthy blogging break has been due to my son being born!  Alllow me to introduce you to our sweet baby boy, Hunter Elias.

He was born November 5, 2013 at 7:50pm.  Weighing in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces, he felt so tiny and fragile.  Though now ... he's got a little more meat on him!  Already, he is so different than Judah and I can't wait to learn and see his personality grow.  One thing I do know, is that these boys are going to be great friends.  I just know it.  He's got the type of personaliity that is very definite - he likes what he likes and that's it.  At this point, he seems much more cuddly than Judah and both his papa and I are absorbing as many cuddles as possible!  And, though you can't really see in these shots, right now he has two differend colored eyes!

Name meanings are important to me, so picking his name (and Judah's) felt a bit daunting, but I am absolutely in love and happy with his name.

Hunter: one who pursues, hunts

Elias: my God is the Lord

Little buddy, we're so happy you joined us out here!  We love you and anticipate only God's best and perfect will in your ife

pic pix: mini photoshoot, 25.Nov.2013

color board / no.21

color: peacock blue

word of inspiration: secure [not subject to threat; certain to continue or remain safe or unharmed]

source of word: There's an ageless sense about this color that gives me the sense of safety in familiarity yet safety in the pure, fresh unknown.  It's most likely because of my perspective, that I chose it for one of our bedroom walls.

/1. would love these for my kitchen  /2. rich rug  /3. could buy these jars...or make them!  /4. nicely done  /5. peacock feather watercolor  /6. fall/spring/summer overcoat  /7. sakura bloom silk baby sling-i covet  /8. elephant ceramics  /9. why isn't this chair just sitting there waiting for me at the thrift store?!  /10.  ring with bling  /11. bits and bobs mini pouch  /12. love cute puzzles like so  /13. toddler bedding set in scattered dots?  um, yes.

everything i have. everything i am.

The other day, some sweet friends asked if they could come by to 'pamper' me.  While the lot of our children played, I got the royal treatment!  Breakfast (sweet & savory crepes) and an oh-so-relaxing foot treatment.  I wasn't allowed to do as much as stand up to show them where my dishes went(!).  To finish things off, we all talked through some of the thoughts/fears of what lies ahead (baby, baby, baby!) then they all prayed over me.

Not that I don't know it, but those moments really hit home to me as to how blessed I am.  How overly fortunate I am to have people love on me and take care of me.  In those moments, I know I thought, "How come I don't appreciate this all the time?"

As the day continued, it began to unravel in my mind how "difficult" I find it to receive.  From my husband.  From my friends.  From God.

I starting running with the overall idea that this must be the root of why I couldn't see ~ I just have a hard time receiving.

Until I read this:

For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart?
And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for?  Isn't everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God?  
1 Corinthians 4:7

"Isn't everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God?"  Yes, and yes.

My difficulty isn't in receiving the wonderful and beautiful gifts I get to experience each and every day-my family, grace, the love of Father...  My shortcoming is receiving that those are given to me.  Like I wrote about before, I need to receive from the source (here I go again, learning and re-learning the same things!).

There is not a thing I can say that I have that I have not received.  Including this revealing thought.


pic pix: sometimes, taking a look down at where you stand reveals so many different details ... at times, even more interesting than the "big picture" stuff around, Kootenay Provincial Park, BC, Sept.2013

thankful weekend.

There was so much this past weekend to be thankful for: friends, family, food, love.  My heart is so full.  So grateful.  

Even though I get to experience these wonderful gifts and relationships all the time, this Thanksgiving weekend was yet another reminder of how blessed I am and how rich God's promises and love are toward us.  Thank you, Father.

I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King!

and I'll bless your name into eternity.

I'll bless you every day,

and keep it up from now to eternity.

God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.

There are no boundaries to his greatness.

Psalm 145:1-3

pic pix:

/1. fireside goodness

/2. fresh & crunchy leaves

/3. grateful for our friends

/4. dinner is almost ready

/5. this year's group shot (i look so awkward!) previous years here & here

/6. laughing is good

/7. sharing is too

/8. walks with auntie boo

/9. hot (homemade) apple cider 'round the fire

/10. helping papa make a bassinet

/11. i love this little boy so much (photo creds to my sweet sister)

color board / no.20

color(s): antique gold, turquoise, & white
word of inspiration: eclectic: deriving styles, tastes, or ideas from a broad and diverse range of sources

source of word: How such bold colors can create a dynamic compilation without overpowering each other speaks volumes about how our Creator was perfect with developing tones from a diverse range of sources.  These colors give me a sense of freedom ... freedom from the norm to be eclectic.

/1. simple pendant  /2. in love with this headboard  /3. you can never have too many chunky knit sweaters  /4. linens are my friend...especially in this color  /5. gorgeous capture on this print  /6. i like pouches  /7. splash of color for my living room, perhaps?  /8. cute studs  /9. umm, in love with this purse, not the price  /10. yes!  /11. navajo rug - check  /12. my chaise love continues

life.

 Life...is good.

Life is busy.  Life gets hectic (when you allow it).  Life seem to go way too quickly.  Life is so full of beautiful things.

It's been another season of movement and change over here.  All of this anticipation to have a new little one join us and the newness of life that she/he will bring to all of our lives is a pretty overwhelming thought.  Our family will change but yet "normal" things still will go on (our company will keep going, relationships will be ever tightening, family times will be had, etc.).

It's been so reassuring to dwell on the thought that all of our personal goings on are being orchestrated by the Author and Creator of heaven and earth.  My God who loves me and only wants the best for me.

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever
  to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
He removes kings and sets up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
  and knowledge to those who have understanding;
He reveals deep and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
  and the light dwells with him.
Daniel 2:20-22

God walks with us in this life and wants to bless us, help us, and comfort us.  Life seems too amazing when He is in the equation!  He knows whats ahead of us and how we'll deal with things.  He knows what we need and WHEN we need it.

I'm so blessed to have Father...who lives this life with me.

pic pix: captures of blessed moments lately, around home/town - Calgary, AB, Oct.2013

the glass castle. {book club}

Another book under our belts meant another get together!  A few saturdays back, I, once again, had the privilege of meeting with these ladies to have our book club *glee*.  I love being part of a book club...hearing the opinions/thoughts/discussions of everyone and really, who doesn't love getting a group of gals together to eat and chat?!

So many things to cover from this memoir, I'm glad we had a mini-brunch to keep us going.  The charming late guest (Juju) happened to like all of the excitement (aka-attention & food!) too!

If you're looking for a true story that gives a very diversified perspective/experience of life compared to any typical 1960s child ... you'll need to add this one to your list.

pic pix: book club extravaganza, 14.Sep.2013, my house