Raising Blessings

I waited 4 years to formally bless our 4 children.  It was definitely worth the wait.  I had planned a fun day at the local park that included possible walks along the nearby beach, splashing in the splash pad and playground fun.  I had stocked the freezer with sausages, min burgers, and ribs for this special day. I checked the weather meticulously to make sure it would cooperate.  The night before I had 5 crock pots full of sweet sticky ribs.  My mom  made vegetable and fruit trays.  I counted cookies for our ice-cream sandwich bar and spent way too much time planning every minute of the day.  Then I woke up to find the skies full of clouds and heavy with rain.  My heart sank.  My blessing ceremony wasn't going to be the big out door bbq I had planned after all.  

Instead we used the church.  My friends help set up tables, chairs and our food in 20 minutes before everyone arrived.  Tables were lined with steaming containers of meat, salads of various kinds and drinks ready to quench thirst.  Inside I felt a sting when I remembered friends who were missing and plans that were altered.  It was not going to be the big party I had planned.  Then the official ceremony began.  My husband and I listened as the children's pastor blessed our children with words of our saviour and graciously led our "community" on this altered journey.  We laid our hands on the heads of our children and blessed them.  Our friends and family read blessings for each child while meeting their eyes and embracing their hearts.  Our children beamed with that awesome feeling of knowing you are special.  At the end I felt full of love for my children and eager to embrace these altered plans.

In the end it wasn't my countless perfecting list, a crowd, the sunny skies, and a menu that made our day a blessing.  It was the look in our children's eyes that showed the bursting hearts and beaming joy.  It was a commitment that bound friends to family and family to child.  It was a shelter protecting us from natures unpredictability.  It was a pastor whose words inspired and touched the hearts of two parents struggling to raise the blessings that God had poured into their lives.  

Today I would like to thank God for four blessings: 

1.  Thank you for the spirited blessing that is our first born.

2.  Thank you for the humorous blessing that is our second born.

3.  Thank you for the determined blessing that is our third born.

4.  Thank you for the soothing blessing that is our newborn.  

Who are the blessings you are raising?

Follow Ann Voskamp as she encourages us to give thanks!

Pickled Gratitude

This weekend was very tiring.  We had a small group meeting that lasted well into the night/morning at my friend's house. Then that morning I went to a friend's garage sale at 7:00 (am)!! (I know crazy!) At 9:00 I went to a learn how to pickle pickles!  Lots of crazy fun.  Even though I am too tired to even remember the crazy fun I had, and I smell of vinegar, garlic and dill- I am one happy chick  turtle!

My mom always said that it was very easy to please me as a child.  I never asked for toys or expensive things.  Whether it was a plain comb or a walking doll, I had the same reaction.  I was grateful.  I often wonder how I developed such a deep gratitude for the ordinary.  I look back to my childhood (especially when I was 6) and recall one tragedy after another: the death of my father, my mother's move to Canada (without me), and a hurricane that devastated our lives.  Somewhere in my life as a child I realized that people trump things.  Instead of things I clung to memories of my father (starting at age 2), wishes of being with my mother (which came true a year later), and the everyday with the people that loved me.

Today, in the midst of my exhaustion, I am reminded again to give thanks for the people that love me in my everyday ordinary life.

My Mom- she is the life of the party and the party in my life
Libby - the younger sister I wish I had, and mother extraordinaire
Angel - a woman that is coming to know her strength and has limitless compassion flowing through her
Missy - she has taught me that judgement does not belong in friendships
Miss Pa - the Northerner who really belongs in the south
CC - a woman who came out of my prayers and into my life
Mille - our precious fitness guru

I thank God for the power house of friends he placed purposefully in my life.    Who are you grateful for today?

Join Ann Voskamp as she reminds us to be grateful.

Gratitude on the Range

Our visit was cut short by the rain!  We will be back for the corn.

On Friday, my family joined another family on a farm visit in Zephyr, Ontario.  We saw the most beautiful chickens, white young turkeys and lazy pigs. In every direction we were met with a reminder of God's love for us.  Fields lined with sweet red strawberries, limitless skies, and children chattering in the background.  I just wanted to whisper "how great is our God?" As we walked around we also saw dirt, mud and unattractiveness.  This unpleasantness is where our nourishment comes from.  This is where we get the energy to grow and heal.   They partner with God to bring to our bodies what we turn away from.  I am filled with an overwhelming gratitude to the farmers and the workers that rise before the sun and cover themselves in dirt for our nourishment.  The rest of my gratitude list will be expressed in photos of our farm visit.  Bon appetite!

Nothing like the colour red on a farm!

The prettiest copper coloured chickens I have ever seen!

Can you tell how much we loved the chickens?

Pure White Young Turkeys

Three Billy Goats

The reason for our early departure.

Join Ann Voskamp as she encourages us to give thanks!

Journey to Gratitude

On Saturday, my family and I went to the Cobourg Sandcastle Festival.  It was a busy day.  Everyone was worried about getting there early and the traffic.  My mom and I decided to take the winding route.  As we drove we chatted about how great it was to not worry so much about the destination.  Living near big cities we are always talking about how long it takes to get to places.  Our inclination is to rush the journey.  We found a way to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. I wanted to give thanks for those things that we hear/see often but overlook even more.  

Thank you God for:

-rolling hills that keep you guessing

-Ella-Shilloh's long nap in the car

-farmers that keep us fed

-our 10 year old van that gets us from adventure to adventure

-fresh eggs and blueberry picking signs

-old barns that dot our journey

-mustard yellow fields with mystery crops

-animals that bring smiles to the children

-hill top views

-sand

-chip trucks with "newfie fries" (fries with stuffing and gravy- who knew?)

Thank you Lord for the everyday, the winding road, and a journey that keeps us guessing!

Join Ann Voskamp as she encourages us to give thanks.

Awakening to Gratitude

Today I was stirred by a beautiful song by Chris Tomlin, Awakening.  It reminded me to let God wake me from the my distractions, business, and desires.  I appreciate when a simple song can remind us that God needs to be our alarm clock.  We should allow God a place by our bedside where he can speak into our ear the things and desires we have been sleeping through.  In my case I tend to focus on the tasks at hand and the stresses in my life.  I hear God telling me "wake up and see the good I have sprinkled into your life".  I feel his hand turning me to face the good in my life when I want to curl up and face the corner of darkness behind me.  This is my awakening.


Thank you God for:


-awakening to gratitude
-a great Father's Day Lunch with all four children that was void of tantrums, tears, and tension
-my newborn's gummy smile
-beautiful worship music that stirs
-Hannah's potty success (look mommy no diapers)
-awesome message from Brett Ullman (wow)
-reminding me that I am my children's first messenger of your love
-Cohen's sales talent
-a late night with friends, their spouses, and the best brownies ever
-a stress free High Tea
-Kiran's love for his siblings
-Your love for me





Join me and many others as Ann Voskamp  reminds us to give thanks!




Join me at Blissfully Domestic today.  My post is evidence (for my frommies- mommy friends)  that I am committed to going green- one hue at a time.  Today I will talk about my journey on the cloth diaper trail.  I learned that going green benifits the pocket book as well as the environment.  If you want a more detailed look at cloth diapers and want to check out my review of Wee Ones cloth diapers have a look at my new Check It Out page at this blog.  Stay tuned for my reviews on some summer products distributed by Urban Bubbles.