Thankful.

I am sitting in the corner of my living room. From where I sit I can see most of my house and I realize it has become my home. I didn't think it felt like home, but it definitely does.

I can see out five different windows from here and yellow and orange leaves greet me on the other side of each one. It is lovely.

I see small piles of things that need to be put away -- that need a home of their own -- but they don't seem to bother me in this moment.

I have a bathroom to clean, a spare room to set up, and myself to dress, but that doesn't bother me either.

Right now, in this moment, I am thankful. Kelowna is about to be bombarded with Jansens and, though I will still be thankful, I won't have much time to reflect on my gratitude so I am squeezing a moment in now.

I sometimes can't believe this is my life. I never would have imagined this and yet it is better than anything I could have dreamed.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from me and mine.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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...

First of all, Happy Birthday to my dear sister-in-law, Shawna!!! You are one of my favourite people in the entire world and I am so so lucky to have you in my life. I love you and miss you constantly.

Secondly, the pumpkin patch. I went with Lindsey and the girls today and they l.o.v.e. loved it. Peyton was bold as brass and said hello to the donkeys and pigs, the girls spent an entire hour playing in the corn box and Linds and I sipped on yummy drinks and enjoyed the sunshine. It was definitely a good day.

Thirdly, I am finally getting around to rearranging my living room/setting it up at all. I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off my chest and I actually want to spend a bit of time in there. All I have really done is arrange the furniture in a moderately cozy manner and brought the bookshelves in to make a "book nook" but it is incredible the difference it makes. I still have a giant bare wall staring me in the face and stressing me out, but in time it too will be transformed into something lovely.

Fourthly, I have been wanting to knit something fierce lately and haven't had any inspiration. At the pumpkin patch a friend asked if I could knit some cowls for her boys so I am off to buy yarn tomorrow to do the same. She lit a spark that I hope to fan into a full-blown flame as I hope to hunker down and knit myself silly in the coming months. Any other requests?

Fifthly, I forgot how much work school is. Erik is working so hard and I am incredibly proud of him. I forgot just how much of your life it consumes... each and every spare moment. Chatting with him about his courses makes me miss institutional/organized learning.

Sixthly, I am taking a doula course next month so I can be a properly certified doula. I was going to take it next weekend, but we have opted for a visit to the coast to visit the in-laws. I take it the end of November and I am excited to become legit. My love of the birth process is no secret and I am finally biting the bullet and making it official. So, if you know of anyone who needs a doula in the coming months let me know! I need to attend three births before I am officially certified and they need to be after the course is complete.

And seventh, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The Jansen family will be congregating in Kelowna as has been the tradition the last few years. I am excited to see them all come, but sad that I will be working the entire weekend. I start a set of 2 days and 2 nights on Saturday, though I did take Sunday off so as to not miss out on all the festivities. It should be a lovely weekend.

Nori's First Sleepover and a Visit from Heidi

Elinor and Maelle came for a sleepover a few nights ago -- Elinor's first sleepover! I was expecting to pull an all-nighter, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much we all slept. I went to bed at 8:00pm right after I put Nori Joy down thinking she would wake me up by 11:00pm so I was surprised when 5:00am rolled around without a peep from her. I actually made Erik check on her at midnight when he came to bed because I was worried about her being so quiet. She didn't make a sound until 5:45am and she quickly fell asleep after eating. She slept until 9:30am. I have super powers when it comes to making babies sleep -- that or my house is enchanted.

Middle of the night cuddles... It has been a while since I've had the chance to snuggle with a wee one in the early hours of the morning. Nori is 10 months tomorrow so she isn't even wee, but she still needed me and happily cuddled her sleepy body into mine.

We baked muffins in the morning and Maelle drew a picture for Sawyer. I told her I would mail it in a few days, but when I turned around Maelle was already at the door with her boots on waiting patiently. I scrounged up a too-small envelope and we marched to the nearest mailbox in our pajamas.

A dear friend from college came to visit this past week. I haven't seen her since my wedding and it was wonderful to catch up and spend some time together. It was as though we'd never been apart -- we picked up right where we left off. We baked cupcakes, ate delicious food, walked around downtown, and stayed up much too late. I needed some girl-time so the visit was well-timed.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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