Day 21-22 Snow and naps!

I am grateful for being able to participate in an afternoon luncheon with Mason and his class yesterday! I was equally glad that Martin was able to participate as well :) Not only because my battery died in my phone and that was my camera so I used his phone, but because it has been such a pleasure to be able to share these special moments with Martin.

When we lived in Seattle it was always me doing the daytime school things because of Martin's work schedule. Now that he works from home he can usually make his own schedule! I know the kids love it too! Especially Jakers because he gets to spend the most time with him!

I am grateful for Christmas cards!!! I used to be really good at sending them out, and then I had my third child! Who knows, maybe I will get them out for New Years :) Then again  it might just have to wait until next year.

I am grateful that both Logan's and Mason's hockey games were in the same place and one right after the the this morning! It is so much nicer to be able to stick together rather than splitting up and going in two different directions! This way we can watch both games!


I am grateful for the snow that fell last night in place of the rain that was yesterday! Even though it was icy as the day moved on it made sliding with Jacob on our front lawn that much more fun!

I am grateful that my husband took over the task of driving Logan to his church play rehearsal!! I don't mind driving in snow, but it isn't my favourite! Instead I had the pleasure of reading Mason and Jacob a Christmas story, the Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree, and putting them down for a nap! Then I had almost an hour of peace and quiet to myself!

I am grateful that I chose to write my blog while the kids are enjoying a movie because I know for sure I will be heading to bed right after them tonight!

Blessings to All!!
Lee-Anne

Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
This was the message in the book , the Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree

Day 20 of Gatitudes

I am so grateful for lines on the back of wrapping paper! Now I can cut straight lines and I can actually measure how much I need and not waste anything!

I am very grateful for that my husband has started the P90X!! He is now more conscious of what is going in his mouth (which I have been hinting for a while) and he is making nice egg srambles often so I get to benefit from it!!!

I am grateful for the snow that has been falling so that we can play in it and actually make the most of winter. Maybe it will even stay long enough to have a white Christmas!

I am grateful for my lovely friend, Cynthia,and her two boys who have been such a blessing in my life. Her constant smile and loving heart is so amazing. Even though all our boys were a little crazy last night, it was a pleasure to have them eat with us at dinner and share a warm evening.

I am grateful that ALL my kids slept through the night!

Blessings
Lee-Anne

Thank you Lord for a the little blessings in my life xoxox

Day 19- Slowing Down

My day started with folding laundry, making breakfast (placing the bowls on the table :) and getting the kids off to school with the help of hubby. I then proceeded to drop of my car to finally get the windshield replaced after it having a crack for almost a year!

When I got home Martin made a very delicious egg scramble with the works! We actually got to sit down and have a quiet breakfast with some adult conversation!

I then headed off to school to skate with Mason's kindergarten class!!! I love being able to do these things with my kids!

Once I picked up my van I was off to what was supposed to be a final Christmas shopping trip. Of course I had to be back by 6 pm to teach my Zumba class at 6:30pm. With line ups and travel and a few set backs I didn't get it all done :( Although I think it was God's way of saying SLOW DOWN and don't worry about it all! I had actually taken the "wrong exit" which put me homeward bound instead of towards Costco.

I drove home in silence and enjoyed my breath and tried not to think too much about everything else I "HAD" to do. I did want to keep this Christmas simple and I was starting to stress about jamming everything in! WOW what a great set back!

When I arrived back home, with an hour to get ready, I took my time! Martin had the kids out for the evening so it was super quiet. I never take my time to get ready for my class! I am always rushing through dinner, kissing the kids and running out the door and only taking a few minutes to prepare myself.

I made myself a super shake with some REV3 and recharged my body for a workout! I even had the time to cut a brand new shirt for my Zumba class! This has been one of my favourite things to do since I have started teaching! I have even cut t-shirts for all the girls in my Zumbatomic class. They almost all look the same because they liked the design and it is fun to see them wear their t's  to class!

I was super pumped during my Zumba class tonight. I had added  quite a few Christmas songs to the play list, I had a new red shirt, and I was having fun! Tonight was a special night because it was FREE for all participants as long as they brought a non perishable item or made a cash donation to our local food bank! I was also super excited because there were 2 brand new people in my class!

I arrived home to my kids in bed, ALMOST sleeping :) I think Jacob got his second wind as soon as he saw me! It took a good hour before everyone was sleeping solid. I think with all the excitement of Christmas and all the fun things happening it just makes it that much harder for them to settle down :) Takes me back to when I was a kid and couldn't sleep for a week before Christmas!

I had a FULL day of pure energy and look forward to tomorrows series of events as well! I will be more careful to take some extra time out for me!

What kinds of things do you do to calm down and take a reality check?

Blessings
Lee-Anne


“Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.”
--John De Paola

31 Days of Gratitude- 4 in 1

Well I am back! I kinda lost the "commitment" for writing this blog, and now I am recommitting! That is the great thing about life is there is always an opportunity to improve!

Today I have decided to give a brief list of all the things I have been grateful for over the past 4 days.

Saturday:
1. Spending 2.5 hours with Mason at a lovely Christmas concert at our local church in Stanstead
2. Listening to the voices of all the beautiful children in the choir
3. Listening to the few children playing their violin for the first time in public and being directed by my two wonderful friends :)
4. Spending a lovely evening with our neighbours, Paula and Joey and their children.
5. Not having to cook another dinner!

Sunday:
1. Baking chocolate cookies with my kids
2. Reading "The Littlest Angel" by Charles Tazewell and being so vulnerable that I cried at the end
3. Having Mason cry with me just because he knew I was upset
4. Praying together as a family before going to bed

Monday:
1. Helping Mason complete his hand made gift for his friend in class
2. Another night that Martin made dinner!
3. Completed my Yoga workout after the kids went to bed!

Tuesday:
1. Everyone went to school!!!!
2. I was able to help Logan's class get their skates on and off after lunch and got some parent social time in too!
3. Martin made dinner again!
4. Watching the boys make LEGO ornaments for their mini Christmas trees!
I will take a picture and post it tomorrow!
5. Opportunities to improve :)

I am blessed in so many ways :)

Blessings
Lee-Anne


1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Dec 13-14

I guess I haven't been fully committed to writing everyday on my blog! I tend to always write my blog at night, after the kids are in bed, and the day is pretty much done. What happens is many nights I fall asleep while putting the kids to bed and by the time I wake up the last thing I want to do is turn my computer on and write! I guess like anything else I need to schedule this in during another time of the day so I can get to bed without feeling like I failed :)

I know this is just a blog, but it isn't at the same time. This is my life, and there are other things that happen in my life where  I just can' t get it all in because of poor planning. Yes life is busy with three kids, but I also know there are many gaps in the day where if I took 5 minutes here and there I could actually accomplish my "to do list"!

Anyway, this is a gratitude blog not a pitty blog :) I am grateful that I have this space to spill out my thoughts. I know there are others just like me and I just want to remind them that life is a work in progress!

Last night I was fortunate enough to take a nice brisk walk with my two younger boys while Martin took Logan to hockey practice. It was crisp and clear with a full sky of stars. We took our flashlights and walked along the country road to the little red school house at the end of it. The kids talked up a storm and I listened in gratitude. How blessed I was to be with my children on such a beautiful evening winter walk!

Tonight I am grateful for being able to escape for a few hours with my hubby for a little Christmas shopping and to eat at a yummy fondue restaurant in Sherbrooke. The kids were being babysat at the church by a bunch of teen girls raising money for a trip to Haiti! Everybody wins :)

My heart goes out to all the parents who are suddenly childless tonight after the senseless episode that happened at the school in Connecticut today :( How dreadful to think that anyone could  even plan something like this! How grateful I am to have my children all snug in their beds safe and sound for one more night. Life is too short to waste it on negative energy.

Blessings
Lee-Anne


Matthew 5:4 ESV 
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted

Day- 12 Food Bank

This Christmas the Beasse ladies (my in-laws) and I decided to give to our local food bank instead of buying gifts for each other. I wanted to make sure we were getting items that they really needed so I just asked!

In our community the things that were missing were kids snacks for school, feminine hygiene products, and diapers. So we all pitched in and got a variety of these items. I was able to deliver the boxes today! It doesn't matter where these items go, just as long as the person who receives them is able to use them with a sense of appreciation.

I don't give to be recognized, although it is a little hard to be anonymous when I know everyone at the center:) I do it so I can help whoever may be in need.

I am grateful to be fortunate enough to have a beautiful home, two cars, a full fridge and many other things that many people in this world do not necessarily have. I am never starving because I do not have enough food, freezing because there is not enough heat or I do not have enough clothing, or lonely because I do not have family or friends who surround me.

What I give may not make a huge difference, but I know it does make a difference. I also know that if more and more people would be able to offer just a few items then the food bank would be overloaded and more people would be able to benefit from the donations.

The single mom who has to work 3 jobs to pay the bills, the person who is out of work and can't find a job,
The senior citizen who barely has any income, and the list goes on. No one should go without the basics in life. I would like to make sure that my contributions count!

Blessings
Lee-Anne

Dear Lord, thank you for providing me and my family with the basics in life and so much more. Please guide me so that I can give back where it is needed.

Day 11- the Prefab House

I love these prefab gingerbread houses! I am by no means a Martha Stewart when it comes to baking and creating stuff like this so hours of preparation is suddenly taken care of so my family can enjoy an hour of creativity :) 

At Halloween I had bought back a lot of candy from my kids and stored it. I actually forgot about it until today when we were running out of the candies provided in the box. As you can see there is a ton of candy on the houses! 

A $10 kit from Costco well worth the money! 

We started making the kits about 5 years ago when Logan was only 3. It has become a fun tradition. The kits used to be a basic house and a flat tree and flat snowman. As you can see they have gotten bigger! This is much more fun for a family of three! Yes the kids get a lot of candy while they are building, but that is half the fun of the project!

It was fun to watch Logan this year as he got more detailed and creative with his designs. Mason held quite the concentration while he worked on his house as well! Jacob managed to decorate 2 reindeer and then just focused on the candy:)

The hardest part for my little guys is leaving it alone! I am not sure how long the masterpiece will last, but I have a feeling it won't last past this weekend! Have you ever tasted the candy after it has been out for a long time? NASTY! I can't believe kids will still eat them! Hahaha

I am grateful for whoever started these little kits for those of us who want to get to the decorating right away!

Long live the holidays!!!

Blessings

Lee-Anne

Lord thank you for my three little blessings and for giving me creative opportunities with them!