fairyland

 There is such a place as fairyland – but only children can find the way to it.

And they do not know that it is fairyland

until they have grown so old that they forget the way.

One bitter day, when they seek it and cannot find it,

they realize what they have lost;

and that is the tragedy of life.

On that day the gates of Eden are shut behind them

and the age of gold is over.

Henceforth they must dwell in the common light of common day.

Only a few, who remain children at heart,

can ever find that fair, lost path again;

and blessed are they above mortals.

They, and only they, can bring us tidings from that dear country

where we once sojourned and from which we must evermore be exiles.

The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and story-tellers;

but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland.

— L.M. Montgomery, The Story Girl

I was inspired after reading this quote on a friend's blog and it made me smile and feel like perhaps I haven't lost my way to fairyland after all. 

What's inspiring you tonight?

a new adventure and many gifts

As some of you know, Jared didn't win the audition on Sunday. It wasn't that big of a surprise to us, I was hopeful but not naive. It does mean that now we know the outcome and can move on to the next adventure that God has for us. 

We're taking a few days to get away together in the mountains. Renewal, reconnecting, revitalizing. It's what we need. And I am so looking forward to it. Kilmeny is spending a few days with her aunt and uncle whom she adores.

It'll be quiet on here again for a few days. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you when we get back.  I'm a quiet, content girl tonight so this is brief before getting up super early to take the train out to the mountains. But I am thankful.

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a husband who never ceases to make me smile and feel like a princess 

a little girl who reaches up her arms to me and smiles 

the same little girl who screams in the grocery store and teaches me patience 

hugs from little brothers in law

laughter when you're too tired to do anything else

cute shoes that were on a great sale

anticipation of time alone with my husband

hope for the future

life and passion for it

invigorating discussions with friends 

pink toenails 

a warm bed to crawl into at the end of the day

books that make you think

 

  

tomorrow, tomorrow, you're always a day away...

Except that it finally is here. 
 Tomorrow is Jared's audition. For the orchestra. The one we've been working towards for a long time. He's been doing all the hard work of practicing and learning and practicing and listening and perfecting. I've been beside him, supporting him as best I know how. And it all culminates tomorrow. 

God has led and directed us so clearly thus far and I know that He will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of tomorrow's audition. Part of me is just excited to see what will happen, the other part is quivering butterflies. 

If you think of us tomorrow morning, we would really appreciate your prayers. For peace. For Jared's perfomance. For God to be glorified in the whole process. 

Thank-you. We'll keep you posted!   

when cousins come to visit

Life is pretty exciting.

New babies to check out.

Lots of cuddle time.

And smiles.

And new places to explore and adventures to go on.

sometimes...

Sometimes you just need to go shopping. For a girls party. And buy everything on your list and then more because it's pretty. And you need to laugh by the deli counter because you can and you are sisters. 

Sometimes you need to twirl your daughter and watch her eyes light up when she sees you. 

Sometimes you need to flirt with your husband and just enjoy being out and about as a twosome because you can. 

Sometimes you need to be in a library with a book and take a nap on the comfy couch because there's no one around. 

Sometimes you need to meet a friend and sit in red chairs and sip yummy hot drinks and talk and listen and talk and listen and wonder where on earth did the time go?

Sometimes you need to get off the computer and curl on the couch with a big fluffy blanket and your book and just read. 

Sometimes that's how my day goes and I don't get anything done on my list but I lived and it was lovely.

bits and pieces and always learning

 It's been a quiet week of frigid temperatures and non-stop snowfall. The cold affected our internet connection and the mouse went wonky and my little girl is transitioning (on her own accord) from two naps a day to one nap in the afternoon. All of it adds up to not a lot of time spent on the computer which has been nice actually.

 Sometimes though it feels like I'm taking one step forward, two steps backward trying to figure everything out. Life in a new place, staying with family always has challenges. Trying to keep things somewhat familiar for my little girl when everything is all new for her. Remembering to trust and live in the grace for today. For myself and then looking at others through eyes of grace, not judgement.

Knowing that the future which is so unclear to me is not unclear to our Father and it is He who is leading us. That much I know for certain. 

I had many high hopes for this month and plans that I was going to accomplish but I haven't and I'm realizing that that's okay. I'm learning other things, being stretched in other areas.

 I want to take the dare. I do want to embrace each moment and live each day, fully. I want to keep counting the gifts because when I do, I realize just how many there are and how many there will be.

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frost covered trees in the early morning 

snuggles from my Kilmo girl

late night date with my husband with time to talk and just be us

tea with my sister, such a gift

having my sister and brother in law move to the same city

friends who make me think and laugh and refresh my soul 

hot tea

grace

family love

 

lots and lots of family time 

curious, eager to learn little boys 

provision 

warm blankets 

the word of God 

 

photos: my youngest brother in law figuring out the shape sorter and Kilmeny reading her ABC book, I did both with them and then sat back while they figured the blocks and book out by themselves.

Traditions and Family

A big part of what makes Christmas special to me is all the traditions that we have done over the years, some no one can remember how or why we started them, it's just what we do and it makes the holidays very special. 

One of those traditions is going Christmas shopping with my Mom and sisters. We haven't done it for a couple of years and I really wanted to make it work since we would all be home together again. We headed out bright and early on the 27th, planning to hit some Boxing Day sales and go out for brunch. Some of my favorite purchases from the day was at our first stop, the Salvation Army, where their books were half price. I got several books for literally pennies. It made me happy. We shopped and browsed and then finally decided to get something to eat. We tend to get distracted when we're all out together and forget to stop and eat. But stop and eat we did and had a wonderful visit over yummy food. We got home tired from being out and about all day but happy with our purchases (we got in on some stellar sales!) and happy to have the day together.

One of those traditions that no one can remember why or how we started it but we've been doing it forever happens on Christmas Eve. We bustle around all day doing prep for the big dinner the next day, wrapping the last few gifts, tidying the house and preparing our special Christmas Eve dinner. Once all the work is done, we gather around the table for a tasty ham, potato and egg puff pastry concoction. We don't linger too long over dinner before heading to the living room where we each get to open one gift. This year, we all got pajamas. From the littlest to the biggest. Kilmeny wasn't too sure about the opening the present part but once she saw her new pink jammies, she had to try them on. Or at least give it her best shot.   

Being that we were in yet another different house and different time zone, Kilmeny took awhile to get accustomed to sleeping properly and so Christmas morning found the two of us down by the tree very early. After I woke up a bit, I realized what a special moment this was and grabbed the camera. Kilmeny padded over to the presents and just felt them. I curled up on the couch, watched the sun rise and enjoyed just being quiet and reflective. It is now one of my favorite memories from this Christmas. 

Several hours (and a short nap for Kilmeny and I later), we joined the whole family in the living room, pajama clad and cozy while Dad read the Christmas story. We ate our oranges and cradled hot cups of cocoa. And then fun of stockings began. In our family, everyone stuffs everyone's stockings which results in all sorts of fun Christmas morning as we discover little treasures and candy and holler thank-yous across the room. Kilmeny was absolutely thrilled with her little purse that one of my brothers crocheted for her.

I loved watching everyone's faces and reactions as they opened gifts that had been bought thoughtfully with each person in mind. We open one gift at a time, starting with the youngest so we can all ooh and ahh over each gift. Kilmeny's library was tripled between Christmas and her birthday (on the 28th) which thrilled me to no end. I've made no secret of the fact that I love children's books and have talked for a long time about building my children's library. So it was great fun to open all the new books.

Kilmeny has an adorable cousin. His name is Ian. He is four months old and we got to meet him for the first time at Christmas. That was very special. We were home for a week which provided lots of time for visiting, playing games, catching up and just hanging out. It was so refreshing, even getting sick was okay since Mom was there to doctor us up.

On our last full day all together, we decided to take a day trip and go shopping in the States. It was a crazy, fun, long day and something I've wanted to do with Jared for a long time. My family typically goes down to the States (since they live five minutes from the border) every few months and when I was at home, we would go down for a shopping trip once a year to take advantage of the sales and the strong Canadian dollar. I was excited that it worked out to introduce Jared to another one of my family's traditions and make some new memories together. 


So, tell me, what are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Since it's a couple weeks past Christmas and it's fun to remember and since I'm catching up on my blog. =) 

on a cold and blustery day

Outside the snow is piled high, very high. There's been a record snowfall here, one of those winter storms that only happen every twenty five years or so. I'm sipping a cup of lemon ginger tea and have my pink scarf on to help brighten the day. I have so much to share, so much to write about that I really have no idea where to start. We're staying with Jared's family for the next little bit while we find a place that is suitable for our needs. We've set up a little space with our computer and an area for Kilmeny to play and it feels like a bit of home. 

We're in a bit of limbo state, not really sure where we're going to end up calling home and feeling quite ready to settle down into our own place. Trusting and waiting and finding purpose in each day. 

I will be posting more later, I hope, but for now I need to give my daughter some attention. She's sick for one of the first times in her life and needs some extra cuddle time.  I hope you all are well and staying warm and cozy. 

 What do you do when it's cold and blustery outside? Because I think I might need some more ideas....=)

photo: my adorable nephew Ian, such a smiley little guy

after a long absence

Hi. It's been way too long since I've posted on here and I thought I'd write a brief hello. I loved reading your comments along our trip home and am slowly working my way through the plethora of reading material in my google reader. I haven't really been online for several weeks except to briefly check my email and maybe facebook. I've enjoyed the break but I've missed writing and hearing from you. 

The holidays were wonderful, we stayed up late, ate lots of yummy food, laughed until we cried and made many new memories. And of course there were tons of pictures taken. We spent a wonderful week with my family, reveling in being all together for Christmas for the first time in two years. And then headed north to spend New Year's with Jared's family and almost all the family. It was a busy, noisy, special time! 

We  now have our computer set up so I hope to be posting a bit  more regularly again. =)  I'm off to enjoy a hot cup of tea with my man so I wish you all a good night!