sunshine and almost spring

 I have so much to share, so many pictures to upload and stories to tell but I just wanted to share a bit of today with you. It was hard leaving spring in Vancouver and coming back to snow and winter jackets and cold but it seems that spring is coming here as well. Perhaps. We drank it in today and seized the sunshine. 

 I had been out and when I came home, the younger ones were all outside, playing in the snow. They were so excited to see me and asked if we could go for a walk since it was so warm out. I swapped my shoes, grabbed the stroller and camera and we were off. I had other plans for that time but knew that nothing could be substituted for seeing the smiles on their faces and the utter bliss of going for walk in the sunshine.

 We took turns pushing the stroller, stopped to look at the mailboxes, called the dog to come, cheered when the sixth member showed up on a bike. Happiness is pure and simple. Seizing the moments that are so fleeting. Realizing just what is really important in life, investing in these relationships while I have opportunity to do so.

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Kilmo and her cousin, Kaden.

counting the gifts

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breakfast with my sister and brother-in-law before our flight

goodbye kisses from my little baby girl

sunny skies and bright yellow daffodils

my husband who plans the best surprises for me

meeting a friend who is a kindred spirit and talking for hours

beautiful food that tastes as amazing as it looks

familiar West Coast drizzle and ocean tang

journaling

multi-grain bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam

being at peace inside and finding such enjoyment in the little things



anticipation

Anticipation is part of the enjoyment. Reliving the memories is another. 

I'm going away for a few days, a week to be exact, with my husband. He has to go to Vancouver for training, I get to go along and hang out. Scrapbook, read, write, ponder, watch the ocean, catch up with relatives....

I can't wait.  

It's the city of my birth. Literally. And as much as I love where we live now, there's just something about hearing the ocean and smelling that tang that always feels like home to me. It's going to be a special week. 

Our little princess isn't coming with us. We thought she would be much happier hanging out with her aunt and uncle and little cousin, whom she adores. 

We will miss her. And it will be so good to come home to her smiles and bright eyes. 

We spent the day chilling as a family. Running a few errands, picking up some last minute items, laughing and enjoying our little threesome. 

I have a half full suitcase on my bedroom floor. I really should be packing. But I'm here, writing.

I wanted to have a whole week of posts ready to go up but I kissed my husband and made my baby girl laugh instead. Making some of those memories. 

I hope your week is full of anticipation of sweet things and days that are filled with soon-to-become memories. 

when one is sick

We've been sick. The snuffles are just beginning to leave my little daughter but as is always the case with a cold, it has spread. Almost the entire household has come down with a cold, cough, sore throat and general unwellness. Spirits have been dampened and it's hard to remain cheerful and upbeat when you just feel like burying yourself in a heap of blankets or escaping to somewhere warm.

A few things do help. My sweet husband brought me several immune boosters when I was down and they helped immensely. So here is my little list of what to do when one is sick. 

Eat.
Grapefruit,oranges, red peppers, garlic, homemade chicken noodle soup. Try to avoid sugar, chocolate and coffee as these all tend to shut down your immune system. 

Drink. 

Water. Pure fruit and vegetable juices. Herbal tea. The fluids help flush those toxins out not to mention soothing a sore throat. My personal favorite is a steaming mug of honey and lemon. 

Sleep.
Grab a cozy blanket and curl up on the couch or bed. Allow your body to rest. Grab everyone and snuggle on the couches and watch a favorite movie.

Be happy.
Along with the grapefruit and echinacea, my husband also brought me flowers and a candle. The flowers made me smile and the candle is still lovely. Do something to boost your spirits even though you are not feeling great.



What are your ways to combat sickness?

all on a Monday

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aunties who play with little girls giving me a chance for a longer nap or a shower or just some quiet time 

Starbucks dates with my little girl who is thrilled with drinking water from a cool Starbucks cup 

beeswax candles burning long into the evening 

tears and hugs and honesty and the healing that comes 

family 

warmer weather and bright sunshine 

quiet time to think and be while waiting for appointments 

anticipation of times with friends and the refreshing that comes

anticipation of a trip away with just my man in a place we love

sick children and time to snuggle and just be 

my man who does the hard things everyday

 

when winter seems too long

When the weather is blustery and cold, when winter seems to be lingering on forever in a before-Aslan-sort- of-way, when spring flowers seem to be a faint dream of other times, there is only one thing to do. 

Go to where the flowers are. Drink their sweet perfume. Delight in the vibrancy of colors and textures. Bask in the sunlight sifting down through high glass seasons. Know that spring will come again.

 

Within our city is such a place. It has four glass pyramids that house three different climates and one feature display that changes throughout the year. I especially enjoy the tropical zone, you can feel the humidity and warmth as soon as you walk through the doors and a for a brief while it really does feel like you are somewhere tropical.

Kilmeny loved getting up close and personal with the flower beds and the fact that she could toddle around without any coat on. She danced to the classical music playing in the feature zone and was fascinated by the water in the tropical zone.

These brightened my day and spirits. I love spring flowers and seeing these perky yellow daffodils made me hope that soon we will indeed be seeing green grass and flowers again.

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Counting My Gifts

 141 -150

flowers in the middle of winter

a new candle to burn 

time to spend with my husband and baby girl, just being us 

dreams of someday houses and gardens

aunties who love on my little girl 

laughter with the family 

new books and a visit from my brother 

granny smith apples and cheddar cheese 

hoarfrost on the trees 

anticipation of a trip  

photos: Kilmeny 'playing' scrabble for the first time

Books and blocks

I love children's books. I always have. Captivating stories, beautiful illustrations, cries of  'can you read it again?'. I love giving books as gifts because it gives me an excuse to wander through the bookstore or online store finding the perfect book. 

Recently I have discovered that I also love children's toys. Now that I have a daughter of my own, I'm quite particular as to what books she has and what toys she plays with. I want each to be special, not be played with for a brief span and than forgotten about. I had a discussion with a friend once who told me of their list of toys for their children. At the time I thought it was a bit over the top but now I completely agree. Toys that are made of natural fibers intrigue me. Toys that have been around for decades delight me. Toys that can be collected over time will catch my attention. 

My sister and I share this affinity for books and toys. We can talk for hours about books that we want to add to our collection and get excited when we find toys that meet all of our criteria. She gave the block sorter to Kilmeny because she knew I would love it and it was exactly the sort of toy that I want Kilmeny's collection to be built. Fun, educational, wooden, and long lasting. 

Kilmeny's library is slowly growing as well. I snatch up books at garage sales and thrift stores whenever I see them and then she gets given books by sweet friends who already have a copy of a book and so pass it on to Kilmeny. My passion for books as gifts has caught on as most of Kilmeny's Christmas gifts were books of various sorts. Oh, delight! She loves to have stories read to her and also loves to sit and 'read' books. It is so fun to be able to pass on our love of good books to her.   

What are some of your recommendations for Kilmeny's library and toy box?