Counting the Gifts

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short nights with a stuffed up little baby

lots of cuddle time during the night and the day

a toddler who keeps me moving all day long

the way she laughs and loves to help me with everything

the look of satisfaction and delight as she cracked yet more eggs "help you, Mummy!"

the vocabulary that is increasing on a daily basis for my Kilmo-girl

the humbling realization that I have two little people constantly watching me

 

my husband's grace when I'm short on patience and sleep

a community Valentine's party 

a chance to dress up and go out together

family close by to watch our little ones

 Starbucks coffee on a Sunday morning

stimulating conversation

seeing smiles through grief and hurt

a blue rose for all the reality and the romance of the life we share together from my warrior-poet

worship and letting everything else fade away 

 

Weekend Plans and These Present Moments

If last week was one of those weeks, then the weekend was one of those weekends. And today is Monday. 

I love Mondays for the redemptive qualities of picking up the house after the weekend busyness, cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry, and all the other little household tasks that need to be done to keep it all running smoothly.

We had great plans for our weekend. We planned out our errands, printed out coupons, and made sure we had our gift card to a favorite tea shop. But the van that had just gotten a complete check-over and fix was making some weird noises. And they got weirder the longer we drove around. So we cut our list short and drove home. And re-arranged the rest of our weekend plans.

My husband drove (cautiously!) to another mechanic before work this morning. And mid-morning the call came. The lug nuts on our front tire were loose. In light of all what could have happened and didn't, the upset of our weekend plans seems pretty minor. We're all here. Alive. Healthy. We have this moment together.

And I'm counting my gifts again. Stopping and realizing what I have within these four walls, this present season.

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a simple dinner party to cook for

long morning naps and quiet toddler to make the cooking much easier

the absolute fun and delight of creating new recipes

long walks through the River Valley

free Starbucks to warm us up

 my little toddler's delight at being able to walk in the snow

the way she calls to every dog, "come, Ginger!"

how safe and secure my baby is, worn in the Ergo

coupons for stuff that I was actually going to buy

the way Kilmeny smiles and shivers with delight when I tell her we're going shopping

trying on clothes just for the fun of it

a new shirt for a few dollars

the fun of house-sitting for neighbors with a hot tub

learning again (and again and again) the patience needed with little ones

in-house dates with tea and chocolate cheesecake 

having both of us home when both girls cry and need us.right.now

staying up late, walking the floor and trying to get the baby to sleep

listening to her breathe as she finally drifts away

 fresh milk and coffee (!!!) delivered to our door by my father-in-law

the way Kilmeny serves tea to each of us and delights in the sharing of her tea set

 the way Khaira absolutely adores Kilmeny

hearing them giggle together

texts from my husband and lunchtime phone calls

 inspiration for long winter days

a van that runs and a trustworthy mechanic



I'm blessed. Really and truly.


What moments from your weekend are you taking into this next week?

still counting...

I haven't sat down and recorded the gifts for some time now, it hits me when I stop and drink them, the beauty that happens right now all around me. And I want to make note of them but I don't always. So here's too grabbing a few minutes and jotting a few of them down. Because I don't want to forget all that I've been given. 

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the fact that both my girls do often nap at the same time each day 

dirty dishes and dirty counters and dirty floors because real life happens here, every day

piles of laundry 

my two healthy, beautiful little girls 

family to give too

 books to read again and again (and again and again)

hot tea and shortbread

people to bake for

realizing that being happy is better then being perfect

a husband who encourages me to just live now, in this moment

my Mum's voice on the phone and sharing real life with her

snow-covered fields to pull my little girl's sled on 

the oh-so-Canadian sound of pond hockey

the sparkle of Christmas lights throughout the neighborhood and around our door

quiet moments of snuggle time with my baby 

singing to my toddler as she goes to sleep and the way her skin is soft and smooth

small celebrations of new recipes turning out great 

making my Nana's fudge, a time honored recipe

quiet and peace even in the busyness

numbering the gifts

391-400

the way she settles down as I rock my baby to sleep 

 the way my Khaira-baby smiles at me first thing in the morning

spontaneous playground time just before supper 

the way the trees look in the autumn twilight

the way my Kilmo-girl mimics everything I do and say 

the simple truth of sufficient grace

the comforting smell of autumn baking

my Jared coming home, after putting in the hours at work for his girls

choosing to rest and to enjoy the busyness

photo by Jared 

Monday's gifts

371-390

falling in love with my precious Khaira

loving my Jared even more as I watch him hold Khaira

delighting in my Kilmeny's energy and excitement

resting and knowing that it is the best thing for me, right now

learning, again, to live in the moment

snuggling Khaira on my chest and watching her breathe

 seeing Kilmeny loving on her little sister

having family and friends delight in Khaira

and bringing Starbucks and meals 

having family so willing to help out 

tiny toes and fingers

little baby noises

 weepy moments 

feeling very overwhelmed yet so very content

my Jared speaking words of truth to me

the way he cleans house, does laundry, and serves me

  beautiful pink-tinged roses

texts, emails, facebook notifications, phone calls

being a Mom to two precious little girls

1000 words and the gifts that keep coming

  

360-370

 quiet and cool in the evening

my little girl's countless hugs throughout the day

her delight in the little things

story time on the couch 

the way she 'helps' with dishes and laundry 

the sound of her laughter

remembering to stop and live in the moment

picnic suppers

walks through rose gardens

knowing that God's timing is perfect

being able to relax with family

the refreshment of worship

texts from my Jared

jam jars all filled

clean sheets

scones with jam and tea

new books 

rest

beauty in the everyday moments

anticipation of our newest little one arriving

the gifts

I'm taking a few minutes in the middle of the day to blog. Or rather to continue my list of gifts, my reminder of the moments and the special things that happen every.single.day. Whether I'm watching for them or not. And today I'm feeling the need to remind myself, to look beyond how I feel right now or how my house looks and be grateful.

346- 359

washer and dryer to do all that laundry for me

glass pitcher filled with lemon-infused water, making drinking enough water a pleasant task 

a good night's sleep

a basement suite that stays somewhat cool even when it is really warm outside

a spray park just across the road

friends who have us over for dinner and are totally relaxed about kids and messes 

the way my little girl's hair curls when it's wet

special times with the girls of the family

Kilmeny's delight in her first daddy-daughter date

the way she needs a kiss after she gets an 'owie' 

knowing that this heat isn't nearly as bad as last summer's heat wave

Sunday afternoons to talk and talk and sort many things out

knowing that today is a gift, and I don't have to worry about the rest of the week or month but just enjoy today

What are you enjoying today?

a weekend of loveliness

 We spent the weekend away with my husband's family. It was very nice. So many gifts to add to the treasure box of moments to be remembered. 

321-345
grace and forgiveness and honest communication

pouring rain, tons of mud and a warm welcome despite it all

chocolate cake with tea at 11 pm

conversations with little girls at 11:30pm

sunshine breaking through the clouds

tartan to wear for the Celtic Gathering

hearing bagpipes all day

picnic lunch in the garden

little girls in strollers

watching the Irish dancers and having my little Irish girl dance along

buying matching Celtic rings

riding a real steam-powered train

tasting haggis for the first time

riding the carousel with my little girl

free tickets to a football game

grandparents who love to watch our little girl

homemade doughnuts

conversations about weddings and relationships and food

laughter

custom-made drinks at Starbucks by my brother-in-law

spontaneous Sunday evening company

friendship

tears because we have loved so much

home to our own little hobbit hole 

and there are more gifts....

300-320

water spray parks and little girl giggles

quiet Sunday evenings of reading on the couch 

tears

texting with family 

saying goodbye and crying because it hurts

six months of memories and childhood dreams coming true

hugs

Canada Day fireworks spent with family and friends

old friends who love on my little girl 

refreshing conversations

busy, crazy, emotional weekends 

grieving the loss of my husband's Grammie

cherished memories and shaking sobs

hope of new life

beauty of embracing the simple things 

Sunday brunch with friends 

fresh cinnamon rolls

full memory cards 

a working computer again 

fresh grace

 

lilacs in May

 281-300

the discovery of a lilac bush in our backyard

the many, many memories that the scent of the lilacs awaken

little girl learning a new word 'flower' both verbally and in sign language

the library's plethora of books

evening family time

bright sunshine and blue skies

fresh laundry 

lilac-scented house

dark chocolate and tea

an email from a very dear friend

dinner with good friends who share many similar passions to us

visit with an old friend 

the anticipation of summer and all the lovely, fresh vegetables and fruit

knowing that my rest is only found in Him

choosing to live in the moment and enjoy the rest

mason jars filled with lilacs

the way my little girl runs to see her daddy 

snuggles on the couch while reading the same book over and over again

  

a list for a Monday

261-280

sunlight streaming through the windows

all the laundry done

my little girl 'helping' with the laundry 

trying out a new bread recipe 

a long walk with my husband and little girl 

letting all the stress and frustration of the day go  

Starbucks iced tea

creating more memories with my sister 

slobbery baby kisses

French press coffee with cream 

late night talks with my husband

seeing part of my family over the weekend

my Dad's humor 

homemade wooden blocks for my little girl made by my brother

 smell of fresh paint 

an email from a friend

 apple blossoms

bruschetta and baguette 

the quiet of the evening 

A beautiful weekend

And there are so many moments to be remembered from it.

241-260

the first Saturday in a very long time where we just relaxed as a little family

invigorating morning walk through the forest, alongside a creek

pain au chocolat for breakfast and bread for the week from our favorite bakery

wandering through shops and a farmer's market, reveling in the time together 

getting caught in the rain and running the last part home

dinner with my great uncle and aunt 

laughter around the table despite a very grumpy Kilmeny 

chilling at my sister and brother-in-law's house with a movie and pumpkin pie

talking with my sister, both cozy under blankets, like we used too before we were married

the sound of our neighbor's water garden greeting us each time we step outside our door

Mother's Day brunch at a great little cafe despite not feeling very good 

eggs benny with smoked salmon and asparagus

 another walk through the valley and up the hill, all for a half-price coconut creme frappuccino

my husband who loves to spoil me and knows the little things I like 

my little girl who makes me smile every day 

finding the exact dresser we wanted, second-hand, in great condition

tea with milk and honey 

an inspiring book to read in the evenings

God who is so gracious to me and gives enough for each day 

feeling little baby kicks

our home

 

a tea party and the counting of moments

 221-240

 leftover cookies for afternoon tea

espresso mugs for little hands

memories of our overseas wedding trip in Starbucks mugs

a little girl who communicates very well in sign language, 'more tea, please'

refreshing break to stop and have tea and soak up the moment in the midst of a busy weekend

late night decorating for a surprise party

uncles who love their little niece

Sunday breakfast with fresh muffins

my husband's beautiful performance of the Bruch concerto with orchestra

a full choir and orchestra performing hymns in an old church

pulling off a successful surprise birthday party 

watching emotion on people's faces

having a new appreciation for the family I married into 

refreshing chats with other moms 

enjoying Riverdance with my husband, sister and brother-in-law

late night conversations and laughter

latte art and chocolate cranberry cookies

being able to vote

warm spring weather

my husband's love and the way he serves me

gifts from the weekend

201-220

long weekends spent with family 

music that makes me cry

hot bowls of soup at 11 pm 

talking with my Mom

leisurely brunch on a Friday morning 

my brother's coffee 

walking through trees and through touristy towns as one big family, all 15 of us!

crowding a chocolate shop and sharing our purchases

dark chocolate, cashews and caramel 

free Starbucks because it was Earth Day

window shopping with my sister

my Dad's barbecued burgers 

watching my brothers interact with my daughter and how they all love it

discussions on everything with everyone's opinions being voiced

late night outing to our favorite Mexican place 

hot baths and clean sheets 

fresh, crisp mountain air

being all together as a family and how that is all that really matters 

watching my younger brothers grow up and become men 

coming home to our own little hobbit hole