100th post and thoughts on distraction...

As I was getting ready to write this, I realized that this is my 100th post on the new/revised blog! wow....

Anyways, I have been thinking lately how easy it is for life to get in the way - to be distracted by it rather than living it. I now this sounds sort of crazy but stay awhile and I will elaborate!
If I think about everything that is in our life right now - marriage, 4 kids under age of 8, church community friends, working, school, soccer, ballet, building a house, living in a rental, moving church locations, reading and learning about adopting an older child and of course, waiting for the next little one to arrive - life can seem fairly unmanageable at times. And I am sure your lists of what life entails are just as long if not longer.!! So lately my time with God, with my husband, with my kids and with friends has been stretched thin - cause I get sucked in. Distracted.  Distracted by all that needs doing (which by the way, always seems not include laundry - if anyone has any miracle ideas of how to keep on top of laundry, please let me know!)


But life is not all about what needs doing. I get distracted by the tasks. And tonight as I went through pictures, as I played Playdough with my princess and Wii with my son as I watched my kids play together in the living room and do gymnastics  &  as I talked for a few quiet moments with my husband ..... I was reminded that I need to be intentional with my time. And also my thoughts. That to be living life - I need to enjoy my days, to get into the Bible, to carve out time with my man, to say YES to my kids! To find Skype & phone dates with my best friend, to go for coffee with more great friends. To slow down and decide what is important and what can wait a few days (laundry is definitely on the wait a few days list!!)

So to end this thought, here are some pics of things I that made me pause and smile tonite....

candy! Which is now all gone...

LOVING snow!
Too bad is it supposed to be 12 degrees celcius and we just bought sleds! 

my and my sisters...and one very sweet little prince!

And remembering some amazing times from last year at this time...
Love you a tonne my amazing friend!! 

Have a wonderful evening everyone and enjoy the weekend ( & first Sunday of Advent!)!

Blessings,

Candra

Conferencing....

It has been a good day. I took my 2 older kids to three way conferences today and heard marvelous things about them. They are both doing so well and I am super proud of them. Then I got to spend some time at home with all 4 of them before heading out for the afternoon. My husband and I are attending an adoption conference this weekend, which started today. Got an eggnog chai to start and then sat back and listened to a fantastic speaker. Some key things I took out of today:

*** That loss is in inherent in adoption. Loss in the child's life. Loss in the life of the birth parent. Loss of culture. Etc. I have read a lot about this but it was good to hear someone talk about it. At first, I don't think I fully understood how important it is to understand this. As a mom, I want to protect all my children from hurting and loss but I can't. I can pray for them, talk with them and learn all I can about how to help them so that when questions come and feelings are drawn out, that they have a safe place to fall and be safe and be loved.

*** Sensory learning is so important in adoption. The speaker spoke about replicating the child's sensory experiences that they have had as they are welcomed into the family. Things like sounds they are familiar with, food they like, letting the child assist with choices about decorating their room. I don't think we thought a lot about this with little man. he has done incredible thus far and has attached so well. As an aside, today he said I was leaving " I miss you". Too sweet. Anyways, I think with the child we are waiting for this will be so important as he/she have had so many more experiences/ preferences etc. It was a good reminder today.

*** I think that last thing I took away from the conference is that we are doing good as parents. and as adoptive parents. Usually I am pretty good at picking out what I am not doing. But today it was good just to learn and to take some things out of it that we can work on. To realize that some of it we have thought about are doing . And we gained a broader perspective on adoption as a whole and all the people involved.

Looking forward to more conferencing tomorrow!

The rest of the night was family movie night and cuddle night. Just a how a good night should end!

Blessings,
Candra

Time for an update!

It has been too long. It has been a VERY busy start to November and bloggin has been left in the dust. However, I am determined to get back to posting regularly and thought I would update you with a few fun things going on in our family!!

well..this is fun for me! A completely organized pantry, LOVE.IT. Lasted all of 10 minutes til the kids need a snack!

sunday afternoon rest & cuddles. 

little man got a hair cut and he is so proud of it! Hangin out with daddy.

fun times on the couch. They are not supposed to be jumping off of it. Daddy was taking pictures...

...mommy was not home. But, they are loving it!

pumpkin carving was a hit!

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i have this in my pantry right now. A gift from my husband. My favourite cold drink....

trick or treating! Were out for an hour and a half and loaded up on candy...little man was sick.

Other quick updates...

House build: we are creeping closer to being in! Insulation Vapor barriering and finishing framing this weekend. Electrical is almost in. Thankful for help this weekend and very excited about being in, hopefully end of Feb.

Adoption: WE are anxiously awaiting news of immigration opening up again....Our agency that we are working with have been accredited (a beautiful answer to prayer - not only for us, but for all the hard work they do on behalf of all families) so they are set to begin referrals in the near future! We pray everyday for our next child and can't wait to have our fifth child home!

Other than that....

Lovin life. Life is full. Thanking God for our health. Our church is moving buildings which is awesome. kids are enjoying school. Ballet. Soccer. Christmas shopping. SNOW! Piano lessons. Family time. 

Enjoy your weekend...even if it is full!

Blessings, 

Candra