In 2011, I ...

...was pregnant, and gave birth to my second son.

...recovered from a c-section.

...started doing administrative work from home for Chris. He left his job to start his own business.

...organized and sorted and de-cluttered.

...was reminded to take care of myself better, and set some new boundaries.

...felt the support of old and new friends.

...struggled with letting go of the mom's group I was attending because I didn't feel it was right for Josiah.

...reconnected with my Bible in a new way.

...enjoyed the challenge of three simultaneous book studies (with lots of homework!).

...realized that my pregnancy with Elwin seemed to trigger a gluten intolerance, which has not been easy to deal with.

...felt lonely and isolated at times. Even with great friends to make fun plans with, the days can get long being home alone with the kids.

...let myself off the hook, and gave myself permission to not have to do or be the best in every situation...maybe felt a touch of His grace in new ways.

...worked through more past crap. Those painful struggles never seem to end. They serve as a constant reminder that things will never be perfect in this life, and that my hope should be in the next one.

...sought help for some parenting issues that I have been battling through.

...continued to serve in the ways that I could.

...stayed home too much, and did not have enough times out with Chris. It has been harder than we thought to make dates happen.

...missed some extended family members. Although my family was far from perfect growing up, I did experience a lot of connection and support from some extended family. I think since having kids that I wish I could be closer to that again. This year, I found myself longing to be close to those who I know would stop in for lots of tea, and spend quality time with me and my kids.

...felt thankful on many occasions for my wonderful kids and husband.

...missed vacation time (since most of it was used up on baby time).

...watched Josiah turn three, learn to do new chores, start preschool, dress and undress himself, recognize and draw numbers and letters, make new friends, problem-solve, potty train (YAY- we're completely done!), become an amazing big brother, play some new games, learn to swim, have his first sleepover, identify and talk through his feelings, and grow taller and stronger.

...watched Elwin turn six months old, roll over, sit up without much assistance, and start to eat solid foods. Also got to know his little personality, and watched him grow like crazy!

...felt God move in some areas, and continued to wait on him on others.

...trusted that He knew best at times, and worried at other times because I just couldn't see it.

...wanted to be closer to Him.

...needed His help to forgive, and to trust again.

...didn't feel ready for some of the places He wanted me to go...maybe I'll be more ready in 2012.

Happy New Year!

This year, Chris and Josiah went to cut down the tree. Although I love doing this, I was feeling under the weather, so I stayed home with Elwin.

I love decorating for Christmas. It may be the only time of year that I enjoy loud and tacky decorations (well...not too tacky!). This year, I had tiny hands eager to help. Josiah was elated to see all of the ornaments being pulled out. He wanted to know where they came from.

He loved putting decorations on the tree, and I let him throw them wherever he wanted. I was so happy to share these moments with someone who seemed to enjoy it as much as I do. I did not have the heart or inclination to move a single thing he placed on the tree (well, maybe a little bit of an inclination). Life is too short. I'm sure someday when I sit gazing at my perfectly decorated tree, that I will close my eyes, and long to see those chubby little hands and eyes filled with joy staring at our lop-sided tree!

And we couldn't forget the trains! Josiah picked out some decorations to transform his train table into a winter wonderland. He's been having fun, piling snow on the tracks, making it fall from the sky, and plowing it out of the way. It is all over our house too, but he is really enjoying it!

Even though it feels like October here, I am really in the Christmas spirit this year...now if only I could get some of those last minute details worked out...so hard with kids!

Random Christmas confessions...

- I love Christmas, and I am getting excited as I prepare for all of the celebrations.

- Today, I pulled all of the Christmas mugs out. These are one of my favorite decorations, perhaps because they are useful too!

- Sometimes, as the holiday approaches, I long for a space to decorate nicely and host fun things. I get irritated when I hear complaints of people having to host, when I would love this more than anything (although I do realize it is not every one's gifting!). Maybe someday...

- Every year, I deliberate on whether or not to string popcorn. It looks quaint, but then it gets stale and stinks up the house (and my three-year-old would probably try to eat it all off the tree).

-Wheaton's store is one of my favorite places to be while Christmas shopping...the country Christmas decorations, all of the candle smells, lights, fudge...

- It is hard for me not to spoil my kids (and everyone else I know) at Christmas, even though I know I shouldn't, don't have the money, and realize that gifts are only a small part of Christmas. I just LOVE thinking of people and buying fun gifts.

- Personally, I am looking forward to Josiah's new toys...I am soooo bored of the ones he has now!

- I miss making Christmas decorations...a part of my past that seems to have gotten lost in the busyness of having small children (and a heart problem).

- One of my traditions has been an advent calendar, where I store Bible verses to be read each day, and sometimes other surprises such as treats, small gifts, crafts to be completed, games to be played, books to be read, movies to be watched, giving missions to be completed, etc... This is one of the things I look forward to most.

- I miss teaching, and getting two weeks off at Christmas. All that is in me anticipates a greatly deserved break that won't happen.

- I enjoy watching Christmas movies, as well as all of the Anne of Green Gables movies (this was easier before I had kids as it can take a while!).

- I bought the Doug and Melissa wooden nativity set for the boys this year, and I am looking forward to setting it up and retelling the Christmas story.

- There are a few people on my list who seem challenging to buy for, and they always seem to be the last gifts I purchase. I vow every year that I will find the perfect gift...and I don't think I ever have!

- I secretly listen to Christmas music because Chris doesn't like it played too early, only this year, he found out (and he was also listening early!).

- I am finding the Santa dilemma hard. Josiah called him the Christmas man- too cute! It is difficult when older people ask him who is coming, or if Santa will bring him presents. It plants ideas in his head that I'm not sure how to correct. I don't want him to be a 'spoiler' for other kids who believe this way, but I don't want him believing in this either. Seems too complicated for a three-year-old to sort out.

- I am excited for Elwin's first Christmas!

- I am feeling sad for some who are heading into this holiday with heavy losses on their hearts.

- I used to be great at sending Christmas cards and pictures...now I really have good intentions, but my list has grown shorter every year. I love this tradition and feel that it is dying out a little from when I was a kid, when Christmas cards would fill mantles and wrap around doorways.

- Although Chris thinks I am a snooper, I have only ever peeked at one Christmas gift. When I was a kid, and I saw the wrapping paper peeling at one end (after vigourously shaking and investigation- I am not claiming total innocence on this one!), I looked in and saw IQ2000 (the board game of the year!). It was quite disappointing on Christmas morning, and I had to pretend to be excited, and I'm not a good liar. But every year, Chris hides my present (usually away from our house!) because he thinks I'll peek.

- This year, we are going to my childhood home for Christmas, and I am so excited about this! I love being there, and visiting with family members I don't get to see often enough.

- In the midst of housework and dirty diapers, shopping and baking, planning and running, I am looking forward to stealing away quiet moments to reflect and give thanks for everything this holiday means to us.

Part Two/ Christmas 2010

Morning sky (with something very bright that left Chris trying to find out what it was while he waited for Josiah to wake up)...



Stockings...



Smartie bulbs= music shakers...



Opening presents (yes, before breakfast!)...





Josiah liked 'helping' everyone open presents...



Chris' new hat...



Josiah finally looking for real food...



Grammie and Grampie came for presents and breakfast...





Supper with the Chris' family...



Trip on boxing day to visit my mom/family...







(I missed some really great pictures of Josiah sledding down big hills with my mom, and visits with other family members too).

Sleigh ride with Chris' family (those who could make it...it was a bad week for being sick!)...











Playing in the snow...



Oh and this was my baby's first Christmas (2008)...



And next Christmas, we'll have another little one (coming to us on July 7th, 2011!)...

Part One/Christmas 2010

First candy cane...



Cutting down the Christmas tree...







Setting up the tree...



Watching mommy decorate the tree and then pulling everything off...



Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus at music class...



Gift exchanges...



Reading Christmas stories and Bible stories...



Unwrapping a Christmas Eve gift...



Ready for the Christmas Eve service...

These are a few pictures from an early fall hike we did:











Thanksgiving with Chris' family:



And a little touch football afterwards:

Vacation- Week 2

For the second week of our vacation, we headed to NS. We visited with my mom, and then she kept Josiah for a few days so Chris and I could get away. We decided to tour the Cabot Trail. I haven't been there for a number of years, and Chris says he's never been there .

We spent our days visiting art galleries and beaches, going for drives, shopping, walking, boating, and camping. Oh, and taking a lot of pictures! Here are a few of our favorites:



It was very cloudy when we were driving up the coast on the first morning:



We saw this whale swimming by right off the shore as we drove by one of the beaches. It was a very big one, and we wondered if it was a fin whale:



The weather was quite beautiful for most of the time we were there.



This was the office of the campground. It was a really great place with a stunning view of the beach.







These pictures are of the beach that you can see from our campsite:







It rained a bit in the morning of our second day, so we drove into Baddeck and hung out for the day. It is a cute, touristy little town. I loved the shopping! On our way there, we saw a BIG sign for coffee (a very welcoming sign after getting up at our camp sight in the rain!). I was expecting the gas station kind (and I was still excited...), but was delighted to find this little treasure tucked away in the hills. (Notice the 'I' used in this paragraph. Not only is Chris repulsed by any type of coffee, he also does not appreciate the art of visiting over coffee).







We had to wait a long time for a little ferry to connect us back to the mainland, so we took more pictures:



I love this little lighthouse that greets you at the entrance of Baddeck:



This is one of our favourite scenery pictures:



These are some highlights from our whale watching day:





Chris loves boats and the water. He also loves talking to captains and fishermen:





It was a pretty wavy day, and the boat was rocking! It also made it a little more difficult to spot the whales (in case you are wondering why there are no whale pics yet!).







We did end up spotting a fin whale (which must have been camera shy because it disappeared quickly), an angel fish, pilot whales, and seals. It is very hard to take good pictures of living things in the ocean so eventually we just gave up and enjoyed watching them). This first one is the angel fish:



This is a mother and baby pilot whale:



This is one of the coolest beaches I have ever seen! It has a built in rapids/wave ride. There were kids taking tubes down this little channel. It was a really fast current!







There were endless rolling hills and coastlines (and what feels like endless pictures on our computer of this trip!):









We had such a wonderful, peaceful time away. It was disturbing and freeing to not follow the schedule of a toddler. I missed Josiah like crazy, but I knew he was in good hands.

In addition to enjoying this lovely vacation, we also celebrated my 33rd birthday and our ten year wedding anniversary. Chris took me here for breakfast on the morning of my birthday. This place looked scary!! But it was one of the best meals we have had out in a very long time. We were pleasantly surprised (and relieved!!):



If you ever want to see a thousand more pictures of our trip, come on over for a slide show!