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Judah West: lately, you haven't been letting me take your picture.  i'm sure glad i was able to sneak this one in!

Hunter Elias: trains, trucks, wheels - anything that goes, you need to be part of!  i'm also surprised i was able to nab this picture of you as you are also on the go, all. the. time.

friday introductions.

Well, it's Friday and I think time for another round of introductions!  The question I ask you (to either blog about or answer in the comments below) this week is:

What are some of your nightly rituals?

I've had a myriad of different phases in my pre-bed routines, but one of my constant ones is a bath ... in the dark.  It may seem weird, but really, it has got to be one of the most relaxing things.  It eliminates any type of screen time before bed and I don't turn on any lights after.  I'd say half of the week nights are spent this way(!).

Currently, I am "into" essential oils (more oily posts to come!) so they are huge part of my nightly wind-down - diffusing, massaging, soaking, you name it!  I'm also a reader, and if I'm not too exhausted, I'll be reading in the tub to relax my brain.  SOCKS - usually, I hate wearing them, but when there are cold nights there is nothing that can help more than a comfy pair of socks!  And warm drinks ... right before bed is the. best.

pic pix: some bath side essentials, Nov.2014, my bathroom

thoughts. things.

1. fried eggs

2. what a typical weekday (not cleaning days) look like over here

3. making shortbread (and eating it!)

4. finally got them happy outside, then they didn't want any pictures taken

5. morning reflections

6. getting out of bed deliberations

7. bath time is always a good time

8. some of the baked masterpieces

It’s been pretty quiet over here on the blog lately <cricket sounds>, but not here in my house, Daily living been a constant whrrrr, and I am grasping to find simple, quiet moments like pictured above.  Let’s just say, it’s been a dream if I even get a chance to daydream, let alone, get in a deep enough sleep to dream!  

As a family, it’s been a very busy season - one that I’ve loved, but also one that I am looking forward to slowing down in.  I laugh, because, the boys are in no organized sports, school, or any other extra circular things.  Yet, I feel like my life as their mom is b-u-s-y!  What the next 10-15 years looks like is going to be fun(!!!).

pic pix: things around home this week, Nov.2014, at home

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Judah West: you've always got a plan up your sleeve ... today's was a motorbike ride with your backpack and an important phone call.
Hunter Elias: your smile these days just lights up my heart.  in other news, your walking/running is always keeping me on my toes.

**I thought it was funny I took a picture of each of them in literally the same spot this week(!).

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Judah West & Hunter Elias: today, you guys weren't really digging the outdoors. but that's ok ... there's always tomorrow.

joy in EVERY moment.

It's around 6:05am, my husbands alarm song goes off.  Since this the third time he's pressed the snooze button, he declares that he is sleeping in a bit this morning.

Glory be to God.

The kids are still sleeping (if you count the youngest one who's snoozing after he got brought into our bed 20mins ago "still sleeping").  And the morning air in our house is cool and I'm not ready to leave my covers quite yet.

Then I hear it ... < r u s t l e,  r u s t l e,  m o a n,  y a w n,  s i g h,  r u s t l e,  r u s t l e, pat-pat-pat-pat (tiny footsteps hitting the hardwood)>

Noooooo ... sleep, I must sleep.

Up comes our oldest one into the bed, ready for morning cuddles.

Oh, this isn't too bad, we will all just lay here for another hour an....

< P O K E  in the cheek >

< C R A W L  over the head >

< C R A S H  onto my pillow >

I love cuddling (thought with no sarcasm, of course).

It really was in that moment, of total self expectation and selfish desire, that I wanted to just burrow in and ignore the chaos around me.  Take my want for relaxing on the "sleep in morning" seriously.  Shut out any inclination to start the day and sleep.

But it was also, in that split second, did I realize that I could choose to just embrace the fact that I needed to get up and OUT of bed with these boys.  Leaving Matt to get only a few more winks of shut-eye, we went downstairs.

I was not only able to have coffee ready for Matt when he woke up but breakfast too!  I definitely didn't have any intentions of serving my husband this morning, but God took the opportunity of me choosing JOY to then receive JOY as I was able to help Matt out that little bit.

My idea of JOY can be so skewed.  I thought having those extra minutes of sleep would have been joy in all it's glory.  Yet, with just a shift in perspective, I got to experience a real JOY.  Not one that I fabricated, but one that I was surprised with.  How I love a good surprise!

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for JOY and be glad all of our days.   Psalm 90:14

pic pix: a sight that always brings me joy, Dec.2013, Kananaskis Upper Lake, AB

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Judah West: you exude such a passion for everything you do ...  we love that about you.

Hunter Elias: there is a face for everything, and there is not one face that I can't help but love.

happy weekend.

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips. ~ Unknown

pic pix: my sister (A-boo to the boys) helped with the boys' halloween costumes last week. we are so blessed to have her around to have fun with! 31.Oct.2014, at home

friday introductions.

There's this hashtag on Instagram #fridayintroductions where people share their answer from the question these two gals (1 & 2) put out there for you to answer.  I feel like it's a cool way to get to know people through this connective vice we call the internet and I wanted to join in ... but over here on the blog!  I may or may not answer their specific questions that they ask on any given Friday.  But will introduce myself in some way, certain weeks.

What would make the process all the more fun (and more relational!) is if you would ALSO answer the question - either in the comments or in a post of your own.  I look forward to hearing and learning about you all more too!

As it's early in the morning and those lovely ladies have not yet put their weekly question out there, I have decided to create my own:

What is something you collected or are still collecting?

As a young girl, I have collected books of many varieties.  When I was the 8 year old Sarah, I bought Janette Oke books and Archie comics.  As a 12-15 year old Sarah, I collected Nancy Drew (original or early editions only) mysteries.  In my 20s, travel books, music books, and resource books.  And my current collection(s) consist of Kinfolk magazines, recipe books, and children's books(!).

As I was thrifting the other day, I came across this old mystery - much like an old Nancy Drew.  For a $1.50 I could not leave it behind.  It stirred up huge nostalgia as I sat and read half of it during the boys' naps yesterday afternoon.  There's just something about an old book ...

__________________________________________________________________

And total side note, since when has it been warm enough in Calgary, Canada to be able to sit outside, barefoot, coat-less, snow-less, looking at green grass in November?!  I think never.

pic pix: my afternoon delight yesterday on the porch, 06.Nov.2014, at home

happy 1st birthday.

I can barely believe it ... my Hunter-bear is one!  Parts of me feel like it was way longer ago, and other parts feel like he should only be 2 months old right now.  This year has been the most life-changing of years for myself and how awesome is it, that I get to sit at the end of it and marvel at this darling boy and the wonderful life he has shared with us.

Hunter Elias, there is no one like you.  Like a family friend mentioned today, you are a little man with giant spirit!  Everything you do, you make that much more epic.  You are an adventurer, a natural leader, a little munchkin, and the source of so much joy and laughter in our family.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank our heavenly Father for sharing you with us.  You are such a sweet sweet boy, and I love it that I am your mama.  And I love you so very much, my little bear man.  xo

pic pix: hunty's first go at cake and him loving his new present(s), at home on the counter and in the living room, 05.Nov.2014

frame of mind.

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."  Abraham Lincoln

Perspective is a huge element of literally, every aspect in our lives.  How we view something determines how we feel or associate with it.  How we interpret something carries weight until we are corrected/change our course of thought.  It's crazy to me that we can convince ourselves of things JUST because of our perspective on things.

It was only yesterday that I was having a busy day and was thinking, "Why do I do this to myself?  I thought I was getting better at this...".  I was on my way to a ladies lunch while my mom watched the boys for a couple of hours.  All I could think about was the hassle it all was that I 1. had to find a babysitter 2. had to leave the boys 3. was going to a lunch and not taking time for myself 4. yadda yadda yadda...

Clearly, I wanted to go (as I made all efforts to), but it wasn't until I got there that I enabled myself to experience the benefit.  It was more than just a ladies lunch, it was a time to connect and glean from other women.  A short hour and a half that did me wonders for being not only a wife, mama, friend - but me, Sarah.

The benefit didn't hit me until one lady started sharing.  She was the reason we were all together as she and her husband are visiting Calgary this week.  We were all asked to bring a couple questions about ANYthing we wanted to know.  This "benefit" of getting together wasn't clicking with me until she said something along the lines of,

"Enjoy every moment, every breath..."

I've heard that for so long, and was reciting it before I even knew it's meaning, I'm sure.  But something about that moment, when she shared that about her children, in the midst of the group I was sitting in, seemed to hit home for me.

Why else do we do life?

Life is about experiencing, engaging, receiving, giving, living, loving ... lunches like those, long laborious breakfasts with my boys(!), walks in the park, drives to do errands ... ALL of these things serve greater purpose when I realize the bigger picture and arrest those small moments as pure joy.

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever [and whenever] I have.  Philippians 4:11

I challenge you to change your perspective today.  Take that which is difficult and look at the bigger picture.  Realize the cause for each and every moment and enjoy it.  For THIS - today, right now - is the life we get to live.

pic pix: some of our 2014 pumpkin collection, Oct.2014, at home

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Judah West: I am convinced you are going to be one great worker, at whatever you do!  It's always on your mind to "work" and get stuff done just like papa ... it makes my heart happy that you love to be outside and productive.  To already see qualities of a man inside you makes me swell inside with pride.

Hunter Elias: This week you turn 1!  You exude cuteness on every level and are definitely the source of a lot of our laughter these days.  And my goodness, to see such a little person walking seems like a miracle in itself.  You make me proud, son, everything about you.