Tuesday 9 April 2013

April 8th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A package in the mail - I had ordered something off of Etsy a while back and the tracking number didn't work so I had no idea when it would come, and it did!

2. A visit with a friend and a walk through the mall with no kids!

3. Paint chips - Love looking and dreaming about what colors would look good on our walls!




Sunday 7 April 2013

April 7th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Today while serving in the NP nursery I got to chat with a couple that I haven't before. Quite enjoyed the opportunity to get to know someone new! Looking forward to having them for dinner and getting to know them more!

2. youtube... LAME I know, but today I used it to get my hairstyle and scarf tie right... Love that I can take these kind of ideas from people because I can't come up with them on my own. 

3. For a while I've been feeling the urge that I need to be serving, doing something outside of my normal life. I LOVE being a mom and feel so fulfilled and like I am in the right place, but at the same time I see in the Bible where we are called to minister to the widows, orphans, the poor and needy, and I wonder what in the world I am doing to follow that command. Well, today in our church bulletin there was a little insert about a fundraiser for an organization in Calgary and talked about how they help people who are coming out of the sex trade to have healing and a healthy lifestyle. That has honestly been the thing that keeps coming back to my heart as I've heard more and more about it in the past months. I've done google searches trying to find Christian organizations that do this kind of thing in Calgary and I have not been able to find anything. Seeing this notice though got me really excited. So today I sent an email requesting information and how I can volunteer, I want to try and make it a weekly thing! 
So I guess all that to say... Today a gift was the bulletin at NP that gave me the information I've been looking for and unable to find! I'll keep you posted on what this is going to look like! 


Tired, annoyed kids! We had to run a quick errand right before bed and they were QUITE done!


April 6th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A sacrificial husband who took care of the kids all morning because I was feeling sick, so I could just lay and relax. 

2. A sudden burst of energy at 6 0' clock to get laundry done... Still working on our laundry from our 'flu days' and I'm anxious to get it done.  

3. The ability that Chris and I have to just BE together, we don't have to do anything significant, we just like be around each other! 


Man, we are such great parents... We tie our boy to a toy car and let his big sister push him around... :-)


April 5th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. The Rocky Mountain Bible College Spring choir concert. What an amazing treat to see this great concert! 

2. Dinner out with my man soley bought with a gift card from Christmas and gift cards bought with Swag Bucks I'd earned a while back!

3. The car ride home after we picked up the kids from my in-laws after the concert. One of my favorite times with Riley is when she gets woken, if sleeping somewhere else, and then we drive. She always has the cutest responses and just is overly sweet! 

  
Snack time with the kids... Can't tell that most of this time was full of screaming and fighting over who's cracker was who's.... But they just look so peaceful! :-) 

April 4th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A theological discussion with my most wonderful friend Kierst! 

2. My Grudem textbook! Came in very handy! :-)

3. Giving my kids their bath today! They had so much fun together. 


The loving thing to do is help my brother drink bath water right?!?! :-)

Wednesday 3 April 2013

April 3rd, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A friend who texts me for a last minute lunch date! So appreciated that!

2. Tylenol - a headache has persisted throughout the day and I'm thankful for pain relievers!

3. A fun video message from my parents and brother from Universal Studios Singapore. They showed Riley around some Sesame Street stores and gave us a glimpse of their trip. Boy I'm thankful for technology! 


April 2nd, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A 20 degree day! - Cleaned the deck and sat outside in shorts and a tank top. Gave a wonderful glimpse of summer!

2. Riley reading Jackson a book. So fun to see them interacting in a positive way!

3. Freezer meals! - I love finding meals in my freezer which give me a break from making dinner!


Tuesday 2 April 2013

April 1st, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A throw up free day for the first time since Thursday! 

2. Hosted my first family dinner in our new house. I'm so thankful that God blessed us with a home that can hold so many people and I can entertain like I love to! 

3. God's strength to get through the day even though we were exhausted from a night in the emergency room. 


Jackson got to wear his Easter outfit today, so we had to get a family picture!

March 31st, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Reading the Easter story together as a family from 'The Jesus Book'

2. Watching Riley's excitement as she looked for eggs. Mommy, I find them ina stairs, ina floor, ina my kitchen. 

3. A short visit with the Choropitas and Theresa. Also a HUGE blessing that Chris allowed me to go even though he stayed home with very sick kids.

4. My father-in-law who came at 12:30 at night to watch Riley while we took Jackson to the Children's hospital. He stayed until 4:30. 


Ri in her pretty Easter dress


March 30th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Decorating easter eggs for the first time with Riley. She had a BLAST!

2. Getting excited with Chris for the Easter Egg Hunt with Ri as we put some candies in eggs for her. 

3. Our hardwood floor - Our kids are SO sick and I'm SO thankful I am cleaning up hardwood and not carpet! 


March 29th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Tag team parenting. - Last night/morning was the worst we've had yet. Both kids got sick all night long. So thankful that I have a husband that will help me in the middle of the night. 

2. An AMAZING sister-in-law who came to babysit for us despite throwing up kids. She was SO amazing and I was so grateful! 

3. The hockey game Chris and I got to go to. A welcome break from all the sickness. 


March 28th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. The sunshine - wore shorts today for the first time since last year. I loved it! 

2. Young girls at the park who took Riley under their wing and played with her for at least an hour. So excited to be apart of a community with young kids!

3. My washing machine - Jackson got sick a couple of times today and I'm so thankful I have a machine to wash all the clothes and bedding.


 

March 27th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Riley's rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to Uncle Josh. (It was his birthday on the 20th but apparently it made a great impression on her.)

2. Nursing Jackson while Riley nurses her baby today. Love how she observes and learns!

3. Evening family grocery shopping! 




March 26th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Lunch with Nayeli and Felicia. Excited to build new friendships. 

2. A great turn out for the baby shower I held. 

3. The ride on toy cars that were given to us by a friend. Riley is having so much fun having something to play with in the backyard.  



March 25th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A visit from Grandma and Grandpa. Haven't seen them in a while and enjoyed chatting and Jackson liked the cuddles. 

2. Chris' help as I was prepping for the shower tomorrow.

3. The Dollar Store. So excited for the decor I got for the shower. 


March 24th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A free punch jug! I'm quite excited as I've been wanting one for a while but didn't want to pay full price. What a great time as well, with a baby shower and hosting an Easter dinner this week. 

2. Micah and Riley enjoying each other at home group tonight. 

3. Turning around in the van and seeing Riley belting out the words to a song using a pompom on her hat as a microphone! :-) She makes me laugh so much!


March 23rd, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

Today my gifts are all about Jackson

1. So thankful he is growing and getting stronger. He loves to walk around now, but has this little swagger, it makes me laugh! 

2. The look in his eyes that says how desperately he wants to be like his big sister and do what she is doing. I know there will be hard days with fights and bickering... But I pray they will be great friends. 

3. The joy he has while having a bath. His eyes light up and he kicks like crazy. I love how little things bring him so much excitement. 


March 22nd, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

Today's gifts are all things that I love about Riley

1. So thankful that Riley knows my parents despite the distance. I love the Skype calls where Riley asks to hold Nene and walks around giving her motion sickness. 

2. Riley helped me wash walls today. She grabbed a bucket and stood inside it to make her taller. She kept telling me "I cana reach it mommy" 

3. Riley is learning about Jesus from such a young age and I'm so thankful. She always reminds us to "pray a Jesus mommy" and she always wants to read her Jesus book. 


March 21st, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Celebrating our friend Jake and supporting World Down Syndrome Day. 

2. My doctor. As we investigate why Jackson struggles gaining weight and why he is not healthy I am so thankful for a doctor who trusts my instincts and will work hard to get answers for me. 

3. A great baby shower visiting and laughing with ladies from North Point. 


March 20th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. New spring clothes

2. Help while grocery shopping. - Serenity came for a visit and while she was getting an oil change she helped me with her kids while I shopped. So much more fun shopping with a friend!

3. Dinner and a visit with Josh and Marcia. Enjoyed touring them around our house and Ri and Jack loved the attention! 


Reading her baby a bedtime story. 

March 19th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Growing friendship

2. A blog that I found. It gave me little hair, makeup, style tips and I feel good about how I look now. I know what appearance is not the most important thing, but I really enjoy being able to learn and try different things. 

3. I'm beginning to spend time with a girl from church. We have been friends for a while but now we are starting a bible study/mentoring time together every 2 weeks. Looking forward to meeting and growing in our love for Jesus together!


March 18th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Finally had a victory in swimming lessons with Riley. She stood up and jumped into the pool without melting down. 

2. Jackson is learning to clap... It's so fun to ask him to do something and to have him respond!  

3. Loving playing with the kids in Riley's room. It is so bright and warm. 


March 17th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. My mom - Today is her birthday and I am so blessed that she is my mom. She will always listen and give me advice and encouragement when I need it. 

2. A good friend who I was able to talk out frustrations with. 

3. A great time with friends. Dinner and a movie. Glad we were able to spend the evening together!


Not the greatest picture, but apparently the best I have for today!

March 16th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A trike for Riley to ride, she had a lot of fun in the basement with it!

2. A family outing where we came across a Grand Opening for a Frozen Yogurt place, we got tons of free samples, smoothies, sandwiches... Got a whole free lunch! :-)

3. Chris is such an amazing dad. He gets on the floor and plays with the kids all the time. Tonight he was doing pushups with Jack on his back and Ri jumping all over him. I treasure these family moments!


March 15th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

Today was a second annual fundraiser for the Guatemala team that we are sending in May. All my gifts today are in relation to that
1. Sobeys grocery store - They donated all of the food that we served at the auction! I fried SO much ground beef today. 

2. A church family that has fun while working together!

3. A fun night with Matt and Justine. Thankful they could come and enjoy the night with us!




March 14th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. Seeing Riley becoming so mother-ly to her animals and babies, today she fed her plastic peacock a bun from her kitchen and she took her baby walking. She also put all her stuffed animals in 'jammies' and put them to bed.  

2. Cancelled plans - we were supposed to have friends for dinner and games but it just worked out that he had to work late. This was a huge blessing though because it has been almost a week that we have had a night just to us. 

3. A video camera - I'm so thankful that we get to document our kids lives. I'm so excited we will be able to remember Riley's voice and the cute things she says!  


March 13th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A park within a short walking distance - So excited for more time there this summer!

2. Standing outside Riley's room in the morning and listening to her singing. She is so special!

3. A night out with a friend with NO kids! :-) What a blessing to be building a friendship with someone I knew a while ago!


March 12th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts

1. A men's group that Chris loves to go to and that builds into his spiritual growth. 

2. Personal apple crisps (enjoyed a treat when Chris was out for the evening)

3. Riley had a great day of showing love, gentleness and kindness to Jackson. 



We had to make a stuffed animal bed for Ri as she has started bringing too many to bed and losing them in the middle of the night! So, we spend the afternoon decorating this special bed!


March 11th, 2013

One Thousand Gifts 

1. God's unwavering patience. It is so evident and amazing on days when I am so short on mine. 

2. A continued friendship with an old coworker. 

3. Normally healthy kids - So thankful that a cold is our only issue with the kids health thus far. 






I'm SO disappointed. After 434 days of consistant pictures, I have forgotten. I was hoping I could make it 2 full years. O well.