Christ the Lord is Risen Today-Steve Green

I know the older hymns aren't everyone's style but I love listening to this one!  Brings back many memories of living at home.

Home again

It's been a couple weeks since I last posted about our arriving at the in laws for a mini *stay*cation.  It was a nice two weeks to get away from the rush of the city and constant doorbell and phone ringing of friends trying to play with my kids. 

What I will miss:

• being far from city things such as lights, sirens, traffic, and rushing around
• the peaceful mornings in front of the fire place with my coffee and thoughts
• never worrying or wondering about the kids when they are outside
• the quiet... all the time

What I am glad to return to:

• my washing machine and dryer
• my bed
• high speed internet
• a pot of ground coffee (we only used Keurig cups while away)
• having Sarah in her own room
• the convenience of getting groceries quickly
• routine (it went out the window while away)

Time away is always good and I think it makes us appreciate our own space.  I love my house and the home it provides for us. 

Morning Person

I am one of them.  Always have been, always will be.  Today Sarah woke me, wanting to nurse a bit.  Easy for her and she goes back to sleep.  Me, I start the wheels in my head rolling.  Thinking about my girls having a sleepover down the road.  About Joshua who is fighting a cold and wondering if he needs his inhalers.  About Doug who came in really late after an evening filled with conversation with a good friend.  About how super quiet and peaceful it is on the acreage.  I thought about what I have to make before heading to my sister's this afternoon. 
Sure enough, after about 20 minutes of *thinking*, I knew I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep.  I rolled Sarah over because she WAS sleeping again and just got up.  I had a moment of wishing I could fall asleep again but knew it would be pointless to just lay in bed. 
I genuinely like being a morning person.  I enjoy the time alone.  With homeschooling three of the four kids, I find there isn't a lot of *me* time and so I take these quiet morning moments for me.  I enjoy my coffee, catch up with my Facebook friends, check the weather, read some comics and welcome the day on my own.  Slowly, my sweet littles join me.  Usually Arianna or Joshua is first.  Then Arianna or Joshua is next.  Doug usually bring Sarah down to me next.  Once we're up and moving around, Andrea gets woken up.  (Note: she is NOT a morning person)  The day is then running.  I love the busyness that my family has and I am equally thankful that something (or someone) wakes me up early enough to simply enjoy the quiet of the house. 

Acreage Retreat

We are house sitting for Doug's parents for a few days (a couple weeks actually).  Rather than just pop in every few days, we were invited to move in.  The kids were delighted with this idea and we jumped at the chance.  We had hardly brought our stuff into the house, and they had pulled on the rubber boots and made a mad dash for the snow, puddles and MUD!  I can hardly wait to see what they look like when they come in.  Once we were a bit settled, with a coffee in hand, I began to feel like I was on a retreat.  It is quiet, serene and peaceful up here.  I think it will be a nice time away for all of us.  I feel so amazingly blessed to be part of this family.

A Good Day

You may or may not know that Sundays are my favorite day of the week.  You can read about it in this POST.  Today we all got up when we wanted to and then I had it in my head that we'd visit the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton.  We only had to pay for the kids since we had a Groupon to use up. It was fun to just mosey around and check out all the new greenery since our winter has been SO long now.  After that we grabbed a bite to eat and headed home.  I put Sarah down for a nap and figured I'd grab the chance to have a sleep as well.  It's been months since I had a daytime sleep.  After I got up, Doug started on supper... it seems he makes most suppers on Sunday and I kind of enjoy the night off that way.  The steaks had been marinating for over 24 hours and so they were ready for the barbeque.  Add to that some mashed potatos, sugar snap peas and cucumbers and we've got a scrumptious meal.  Tonight we'll end our weekend watching a family movie or playing a game!  Photos from the conservatory to come later.