family pics.

Last month before our vacation, my ever so talented friend, Sherah, took some photos of us down at the river.  It was a super hot day (for up here in Canada, at least!) and to dip our feet in the water was more than a refreshment.  For what she was able to capture of us in one hour, I cannot wait to frame.  Here are only a few of the treasured memories:

Sherah, you are simply amazing and have spoiled us with sharing your perspective.  Hoping to make this a yearly tradition.

pic pix: photos courtesy of Sherah, Jul.2014, Bebo Grove, FC Park AB

three years ago...

My life changed.

My name, my living arrangements, my family, my future...all got redesigned, transformed into what now is part of my everyday life.  The beautiful life I get to live with the guy of my absolute dreams.  What we share, laugh about, and experience, I wouldn't (and couldn't) do without him.  What I want to do, dream of, and be, I couldn't (and wouldn't) do without him.

Matthew James, I love these changes.  And more importantly, I love you.

Happy anniversary, m'love.  xo

pic pix: photo cred - gabe mcclintock

day on the boat.

We were literally on the boat for hours ... though it felt like only maybe one hour or two.  I'm relating it to kind of like how this summer has felt - moving way too quickly.  Maybe it's because you enjoy it so much it seems to go by faster?!  I don't know.  All that I am certain of is that each minute still has 60 seconds, each day 24 hours and that I can't explain how this phenomenon works!

But, back to our boating day.  It was a guys boating trip that we caught the tail end of.  A very fun tail, mind you.  The water was a bit choppy and the clouds were overcast on the day we went up, but it made for a comfortable temperature to just relax in rhythm with the water, and let the waves move you wherever & however (don't worry Mom, I won't post any videos for you and your stomach's sake!).  Judah loved being IN the boat and OUT of it!  I love the "hi mom" wave he's giving me (in the pics above).

Matt's been talking about getting a boat for weeks now... after this excursion, I think I'm really warming to the idea :)



pic pix: Judah's first time tubing, Little Bow Lake, 27.Aug.2013

the mexican getaway.

"It's always refreshing to step into another time..."

~Diane Lane

Hola!  As you can see, our week away was full of laughs, family visiting, beach time, pool-side dances, a beautiful wedding...SUN!!!  We were able to get of of the resort for a couple of days to see Chichen Itza and to tour a small fishing town, Puerto Morelos.  It was such a treat for our faces to have a continual stream of vitamin D each day, and it was a nice break for me to not have to cook all week!  It was a new kind of vacation for all of us - baby on the beach, travelling with a big group, being prego and chasing Juju around, etc. - but, our little lion man was a champ and Matt was finally able to catch up on some much needed rest.

A great week away it was, but there was such an excitement about getting home...especially to walk in our door to see a fresh coat of paint on all the walls!  *once I get a bit more organized, I'll post some pics!  Maybe it was all that ocean air, or just a change of scenery/a week in another "time", it feels good to be back - home, connected, blogging, etc.  With our new home, no pressing agenda, summer *hopefully* on it's way...fresh routine: here we come!

Hope y'all had a good week!


pic pix:  our week in Tulum, Mexico, April 2013

today.

Today I am so thankful.

Especially for the man who I get to spend my life here on earth with.  It is he who loves me, protects me, cares for me, serves God with me, encourages me, walks with me.  There's no one else who can make me laugh the way he does or challenge me quite like him.  His humble, forgiving, serving, and giving heart continues to radiate and influence me for the good.  Watching him father our son...makes me so proud to call him my husband, the papa I want my children to admire just like I do.

I'd say ... I'm still quite smitten with you Matthew.  Love you for always.

Happy Anniversary.


pic pix: courtesy of Perspectiveye Photography - our wedding photographer, 19.Feb.2011, Bragg Creek, AB

thoughts.things.

Weekend Naps ...

Matt's got this rule for the weekends (the ones he isn't working, at least).  His "rule" is that we must schedule enough time for a nap in between every activity/event that is planned.  Because he was working Saturday, I didn't follow that rule, but really wished that I did (I was so pooped!).  It's a pretty good rule!

Moving to ...

We don't know yet!  We've been on the hunt for a home (since December).  There have been some potential places ... but potential is as far as they've gotten.  Until yesterday!  Crossing my fingers that it may be "the one".  More to come on that soon (I hope!).

Visiting ...

I've had the chance to visit some friends I haven't seen in a while and get in some other much needed visits.  Being sick right after Christmas/New Years seemed to put me behind ... I hadn't even seen my sister for 2 weeks!  Got that straightened out with an IKEA visit the other day.  I also got to hold a brand new baby last week (only 3 weeks old!)...Miss Adia stole both Judah's and my hearts.  He liked giving her kisses!

Organizing ...

With a move in the near future(!), I've been trying to purge, clean, and organize!  My problem: I start the process, but end up stopping after purging because I can't clean with all of my give-away items piled up!  A good problem, just gotta get to the organizing.  I'm getting stuck how I should organize my shoes.  My system (or lack thereof) is not working ... any suggestions?!  I like these ideas: here, here, and here, but sadly do not have the space (or the amount of shoes) for them to work.

Community ...

A while back, I shared how we had been on the hunt to find a church and settle ourselves in the community there.  As of November, we've been attending this church.  Loving the challenge of the messages, feeding our hungry hearts of the truth, and embracing the warmth of the community.  It's awesome to see the way that God shows you that He hears our prayers and knows exactly what we need.  We're super pumped about it!

Besides these updates and our ever-so-darling son, our company stuff has been keeping us B-U-S-Y!  Year end, new employees, big jobs ... kind of a crazy time to be looking for a house/moving on top of it.  We're hoping these 'extras' will be as flavorful as a big cherry on top of a sundae ... a chocolate dipped bing cherry, that is :)

Here's to a -productive/busy/awesome- week!

pic pix: yesterday @ home, 20.Jan.2013

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.