Fancy that, forty days...

A tradition started all because my eldest sister turned forty first! Forty ways to love someone forty days before you turn forty! (That is a lot of the number forty in that sentence) A gift a day for forty days leading to the birthday.

 We may not have done it quite the same for Charm (eldest) , slightly different but with the same meaning. A gift with forty items  to open was a part of the fun!!!
 Now, hold on, it is my turn. When I write this I truly do not believe that forty is my age. Having  precious baby number five arrive before forty still has me in awe. I have not been thinking much about this birthday. I have been navigating the waters of baby and homeschooling the other four...

I did not know that twenty two years ago (when I met my dear hubby) I would be celebrating sixteen years of marriage this summer, a fortieth birthday with five children to cut the cake at my side!!! Amazing the plans the Lord has for us when we just do not know.

So, my mom arrived with a few goodies to begin the countdown and gifts have already been opened! The tradition continues and I am looking forward to the plans God has for me in this fortieth year of life. So thanks to my sisters and my mom I am on a journey daily to open a note and gift with words of biblical wisdom and love! How cool is that! Right now I am re-learning to type with the 'fake nails' that I have on! So funny, I look as though I was just at the spa and really I was in front of my fireplace laughing at myself for trying to have the perfect french manicured nails (they say to take them off in a week, okay there were obviously not meant for moms! How can these stay on for a week? The test is on...)

Many weeks ago I sat down to reflect and what came to be is what follows...

I have a list compiled (I like lists!) broken down into four groups: Spiritual, Mental, Physical, Social

Forty Ways,

Forty Days,

To a stronger Women of God!

So here is the beginning of my journey to forty - less than a month to go....

Spiritual

scipture memory with Duncan
reading verses out loud to the family
reading biographies of christians that have gone before us
reading and reviewing books so that others can learn from them too
early rising for prayer and devotion
praying with whole family
praying with individuals
read New Testament
journaling prayer requests and praying alone with Hubby
have a spiritual mentor and more accountability

Social

wise activities with children - choices of where we go and what we do to be honouring to Christ
pursue relationships with neighbours
seek out a local senior home to play piano
 love my circle of friends with prayer, more consistent contact and listening to them
remembering birthdays better and celebrating friends more
pray with friends, meet new people, contact old friends
dates, date and more dates with Duncan and talking listening and enjoying this journey of life together
Dates with kids
titus 2 - Keep my children, home and husband as number one
mentoring younger moms
embrace my sisters, mom, MIL and SIL in creative, loving ways

Physical

walking
exercising indoors with J. Michaels
Water water water
cleaner eating
new recipes
take cooking class, and cook with friends and kids more
more salad
less white, more whole grain, less sugar
the quest for the best cookie, muffin, cake recipe (healthy if possible)
sleep - bed earlier (?) rise earlier

Mental

more reading and book reviews
writing more articles, blogging, write a book (one day?)
get published in the right places at the right time for Gods Glory
photography class
bring two blogs into one
stationary and photography dream
read to kids more and encourage submitting to magazines
Learn spanish
photographing families
young moms ministry

My theme for forty is
'Doing something bigger than me'

Here I go....

I begin by taking notice of what inspires me....

Seeing the simple, knowing it is really profound...

taking time

Sometimes I put my camera down and days go by and wonder what is missing. Then I realize the camera has been safely stored in the case. Why? So I won't bump or drop it. Then the days go by....no memories captured.

 I know my niece Sydney is attempting to take a picture a day and that inspired me to not get so caught up in life that I miss out on the beauty of viewing life through a lens. I read the pioneer woman's blog and appreciate her photography assistance and she too inspires me to really dig deep and take time learn just how to capture the memories. I am thankful that this love of photography means I take time. This photo above reminds me to look out my window and stand in awe of the God who created it!

Psalm 121 I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from. The maker of heaven and earth...

a day...

Sometimes you find the day, other times the day finds you. Does that sound odd? Well, thinking Ann Voskamp style (really is our Lord speaking through her!) is the whole concept of being thankful. So I begin the year with my first item of gratitude...

1. Thankful it is only fleas, not lice

2. Embracing children that serve by vacuuming, taking care of baby while I do laundry, and say with a forced grin, "I like cats'.

3. A dear man that listens to my rambles through the tears of, a day...

Today the day found me, quite unexpectedly. Oh how 4. thankful I am for friends/sisters that listen to my stories and can laugh with me. A visit to the vet ($$) not sure how that happened...and news of the little pests arrive. I want to ignore what I found in the office before she (the vet$$$) arrived. I had seen no evidence of these 'things' but suddenly and most intrusively the have made their mark and now have to be taken care of. That meant a day of up and down and all over cleaning. I only just stopped to read a blog or two and write my own, therapy really! I think the boys are now convinced that animals are not necessary!! Especially cats (like their dad!)
Tonight, they sit alone downstairs with a treatment to cure the pests. I know they don't like it! Lady ignores me when I go see her and poor Brownie is just happy to see someone!

5. For moments to reflect for therapeutic reasons!

Psalm 5:1 said today, "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry.'
May seem a bit crazy, but yes i groaned and cried today over fleas! I need to get over the moments a wee bit faster now don't I!? But I was reminded that I am not alone..."in the morning you hear my voice." He hears our cries from whatever situation we encounter. So grateful for that fact.

Cling to the truth, God is here

Christmas of the past

How Sad it is to have to say this is in the past...but it truly is now! When my DH (dear hubby) is home for the few days around and after Christmas, the tree and all comes down with his help and the dusting begins! Not much of that during December honestly! I quickly realized that I had not taken a photo of my fav spot in the house - the fireplace in the living room. If you can see (pic is a bit dark unfortunatley) one stocking still does not have a name on it! I still have to add Katie to the stocking!! I still stuffed some goodies in there of course! Maybe before next Christmas!? So before it all came down I rushed for the camera to be able to soak in the moment....

I am thankful for this Christmas. We celebrated with family and friends and will continue to enjoy time off from our regular school days and simply play and visit! Organize and clean will fit in there someway, somehow?

Book Review:

Jotham's Journey was a wonderful book that we read over the weeks before Christmas. It was the fav part of our days and the kids always were so sad we would stop and wait for the next chapter! What an amazing book about Christmas. So much learned in the young boys journey toward Christ. It really helped our family each night remember the reason for the season! Reading out loud joins us in such remarkable ways. I too love being read to!!! What a treat, I usually do majority of the reading out loud. I was spoiled this time!

Katie in ONE!

Happy Birthday to you my baby!!

For 365 days we have held you in our arms and enjoyed the precious moments. We celebrate you today Katie and thank God that you arrived one year ago!!

To my other four children, thank you for loving her, embracing her and just simply being the best sisters and brothers ever!!

oxoxox

Living for the manger

I heard Pastor Robbie Symons speak today briefly while I waited for the boys to have their hair cut. He is the pastor of Harvest in Oakville. He spoke very clearly on the reality of Christmas for christians, it is about the manger! Christ came as a child and we must remember that beautiful fact. We have hope because of that miracle.

I need to let that fact flow into our Christmas....

A meeting place does not always require too much planning! For me, coordinating dental visitis and castle tours comes quite naturally! Odd I agree, however when I can accomplish as many wonderful events in a day with our clan AND include dear friends or family the more exhilerating the moments.

We did just that. Dental visits and off to Dundern Castle. I had the intention of going last year but had to cancel due to sick kids and almost due with baby number five. I had the feeling a walking tour would not go well for me at that stage!! How would I fit this field trip in now? Well, it did. Thanks to my kindred spirit Heather, it all came together! A call to stop what you are doing and come was all she needed to say yes! That is not always possible, but it was the other day. We met, we played, we toured, we talked, we laughed and we were educated with castle history. It was a quiet time of day in the castle and I could tell our brood was taking it in, and well. Over dinner that night they blurted out many details of the day that enriched their lives and demonstrated how wonderful it is to walk through history.




I am so thankful that Heather is a gifted photographer. She inspires me to reach higher in my own quest for photographic moments. I still remember one of my first cameras. The one with the cube flash on the top!? I am grateful for the camera I have now (changed some!) to capture our moments and days and the beauty that surrounds. So thank you Heather for bringing your camera. Funny, my oldest knows her well enough to remind me that it is okay you did not bring your camera today, Auntie Heather will have hers!

























































What turned out to be just a normal day, was an eventful memory maker! I think what struck me on this trip was the fact we have been doing this for twelve years! We have seen our babies grow into little men and women and enjoy one another through time. Truly a blessing and I give thanks to the one who brought us together as friends and sisters in Christ!!

I know many are following through with the Ann Voscamp 'One Thousand Gifts' challenge. I have been writing them down in a journal. I am adding this....