Blessed...

I feel like I am always analyzing...my life, really -- my friendships, my church, my family, my motives...the way I take care of my home, everything. But...why?! Its generally because of some sort of comparison: looking at someone else and wishing I was a little more like them...that I had what they had, looked like they did...or the opposite: thanking my lucky stars that I am NOT like 'them', that I don't act like 'them' or have what they have...

But, its crazy. I am purposing to stop doing this so much, and instead look to the Lord, and what He has given me -- what He IS giving me, how blessed my life really is...to look at the every-day and count my blessings. I need reminders of this, and...I've said it before, but...my friend Amy is a good reminder to 'savor' the little things in life. For my own benefit more than yours, I will write of the little things...just TODAY that are blessings in my life...there are many, but if I look hard enough, I think even TODAY's blessings are probably greater than I realize. If I just count:

1. Waking up just before 8:00 - - WITH a toddler - - after a lovely night’s sleep. I have friends whose kids wake up at 5:00. I feel quite blessed to not wake before 8:00 most days.

2. Cuddling with my boy on the couch before we ‘ready’ for the day...and having him spontaneously telling me he loves me. All those promptings for all those months finally paying off!! Haha.

3. Having a lovely shower with some new yummy smelling shampoo while Jonah makes a birthday card for his little friend, Georgia.

4. Having a delish breakfast made for me and my boy while we celebrate his friend’s little birthday - pancakes, tons of fruit and coffee...and friends.

5. Coming home and having time to tidy up after a week of neglecting my house...

6. Neglecting my house for good reason: visiting my dear friend, Angie for the past week + and pretending like we still live close even though there are hundreds of miles separating us now. Being able to share our hearts and just ‘be’...

7. Having left-overs for lunch, and eating on the couch with my boy before he naps and I go to work for the day. Seeing his excitement at being able to eat on the couch!

8. Having my mom live close enough and be willing enough to look after my kid while I work, and not paying someone who DOESN’T love him to look after him. And praises that I don’t have to work very often. Its just not my thing.

9. Coming to work and having Angie come and say good-bye while she leaves me for another few months, and bringing me a yummy treat from Starbucks to ease the drudge of working just a little bit...and knowing I will see her again at Christmas...and not having to wait until next summer.

10. Hearing Jonah laughing outside my office window, running down the walk-way in the sudden down-pour, proclaiming how he loves the rain! And seeing his sweet face hidden under his bright yellow rain jacket...and a fresh muffin made by his Mammie...and delivered by the 2 best boys in the world.

11. Seeing my husband for the first time today (I don’t count the quick peek through one sleepy eye this morning at 5:40 when his alarm went off and he kissed me good-bye), and still being so in love with him...I’m not kidding, either. I love him.

12. Having my sister drop in to visit me at work and sharing some of her McDonald’s french fries with me – and my very own Coke and peach pie...mmmm. I’m so happy she lives near me...and that we get to spend so much time together. Quality time. Both of our love languages.

13. Internet access. I’m not kidding – I finished my work long ago, and if it weren’t for this computer and having access to the world-wide-web...I feel quite certain I would have lost it by now. Thank you Amanda, for obliging me and writing me!

14. Having 20 minutes left to work, and then being able to go home, and only having to drive a mile before I step into my cozy little home...and finally get to hang out with my husband after a very long day.

15. This is just today...my life is filled – FILLED – with lovely things. I am determined to count them more than I do.

I won!!!

I'm not a girl who wins things. I'm not a particularly 'lucky' person. But....

I just WON a free ferry boarding pass to Nova Scotia from our radio station!! I had to share a favorite ferry memory -- and be caller #5 -- I've been calling every day for 2 weeks -- and I finally WON!!!

I could not imagine the exhileration of winning the lottery -- I was all shaky and babbling (to Jonah!) about how excited I was -- and I can't wait to use it and save myself over 70 bucks!! maybe THIS Fall we'll finally make it to Cape Breton like we've been saying every Fall for the past 6 years and never actually done!! I'm sooooo stinkin' excited!!

wooooooohoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bored

I am rarely bored. But. Let me explain. I'm at work. For an 8 hour shift. Which I hardly ever do. And I've pretty well been alone in this facility since I started working almost 7 hours ago. Which means...I've done a ton of work. Which means. I'm DONE now. And still have an hour and 20 minutes left 'til I get to go home. Oh. My. Word. I'm bored.

So. What can I write about? Perhaps about how I've eaten TWO chocolate bars in the last few hours. That's right. Two. What on earth? I blame it on the sad little canteen just 15 feet away from me, just longing for someone. Anyone, to be interested in its contents. Well. Count me in. I love chocolate.

I could write about how it was a Gorgeous day, and I got to come to work smack dab in the middle of this gorgeous day. Not bitter.

I could write about how I got to see Angie yesterday. And her adorable little kids. And how Jonah was so shy, the only one he would even pay attention to was Vince, Ang's dad. Until 2 minutes before we left, he decided he would like to be friends with Rory. Go figure. We'll see them tomorrow, and hopefully he'll remember how he wanted to be her friend. He thinks they're his cousins. Which is practically true, I suppose. I love how I see Angie once (maybe twice -- like this year!!) a year, and...besides the initial 20 second emotion and excitement...its like we just saw each other. Not in a bad way, but...there's no 'ground' to cover...we just pick up where we left off. Which I love, actually. And how she looks better and better with every passing year, and every kid...is beyond me. But, seriously...she's too pretty.

Hmmm. Okay - well -- now I have an hour and 10 minutes left. Hmmm...what to say.

We finally took the flannel sheets off our bed. Yesterday. July 19th. Yup - that's right.

I could write about how my belly is getting larger...but I still mostly just look chubby, not preggers.

And if you really wanted to know what I was thinking about right now...I would tell you its about the tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro I bought today so I could make some salsa. My mouth is literally watering just thinking about it.

I could write about how my dearest girls on this little Island are my sister, Erin. And Amanda. I love them. I don't think I want Amanda to go back to work, 'cause...who will I hang out with when Jonah has his naps?! I could write about how they're going on a camping trip together and to the U2 concert together. And how that makes me a tiny bit sad, but...its my own fault/choice...however you wanna say that. I didn't think I'd be able to stand for hours on end at a concert with thousands and thousands of people without panicking. so...Erin will go in my place. No big deal.

I could write about how Erin and her *friend* are babysitting my boy right now, and how I am seriously so incredibly grateful to have her love my little boy so much. He adores her. As he should.

Okay a little less than an hour now. Sweet.

But seriously. this is ridiculous. Surely there's something of interest I could be reading about on the internet instead of writing useless nonsense. Let me explore that option...I could be back. Ya just never know.

Re-cap of Summer so far:

We were still ON vacation last time I wrote...my goodness, how quickly life just goes 'back to normal'...in a good way, don't worry! I am so happy I don't have to work (much) and that I get to continue to enjoy my summer, and just play and have fun, for the most part! In some ways I feel like I'm still waiting for summer, 'cause we haven't had consistently awesome weather, but...for a girl who loves the Fall, 'cause I'm not HOT all the time...I'm not complaining too much...what good would it do, anyways? On the rainy cold days...I just bake...or entitle myself to be a little lazy...or a little productive...whatever I feel like doing. I could not work full-time again, I'm quite certain: I love my life the way it is!!

Anyways...We had a great vacation - enjoyed our time with the fam, got to eat lots of yummy food and play outside alot - we had awesome weather! It didn't rain until we got to Calais, almost to Canada -- does it always rain in Calais?! I'm seriously beginning to wonder....

We had a lovely (but short!) visit with Kevin and Amy and their sweet, sweet little boys...Amy is my oldest friend in the world -- seeing as our mothers are best friends...we had no choice...the first 10 years we fought it, but...eventually gave in, didn't we, Ame?! And now we are dear old friends, who have that ability to just pick up where we left off...I love that. I do love myself some old friends...I feel quite blessed to have a number of them. No offence to the new ones, but...let's be honest. Ha!

We had a great time with my cousins, who were staying at a beautiful house on a gorgeous lake. We don't have lakes on PEI -- just tons and tons of ocean (which I love!) - but there is something so peaceful about a lake -- even if you're enjoying its peacefulness with some very LOUD and hilarious cousins! I do love those girls!

Got to spend our last night at a little camp with Brad and Alecia -- there are few people who make us laugh as hard as Brad - so much fun to see old friends...

I feel so blessed to HAVE old friends...and even more blessed that i get to see so many of them (of you!) at least every year...there is something about old friends, isn't there? People who know you so well...and love you just the same. I love that. I am realizing more and more the sweetness of true friendship...which makes a mediocre friendship so much more...un-sweet. I'm truly grateful for the friends in my life.

As I type, Angie is getting closer and closer to this little Island...I'm waiting for her to honk as she drives by, but...may have to head to bed before I hear that honk.

I love summer. I love that I can be home and spending so much time with my boy...who just LOVES...everything. He is so game to just go anywhere...and just as content to stay home. I do love that boy. He is changing and growing up so fast these days it seems. I am still such a happy little mama.

I am entering my 18th week of pregnancy. I can hardly believe that. Feels like its going so fast.

I must say how much I am enjoying time with my siblings these days...we are all on PEI right now...and I love that we get to spend so much time together...I know that is a gift not a lot of people get to enjoy with siblings tending to be all over the place...it may not last forever, so...while I can, I will enjoy as much time as I can with them. They rock.

Why I ramble on so on this blog, i don't know, but...that's just how I roll. All for now, though.

July 4th

We went to a fun little 4th of July parade this morning in Whitefield, Maine -- and Jonah got a baseball cap-FULL of candy, freezies, chips, etc...which we are hoping he forgets about, 'cause so far on vacation he has had his SHARE of candy/snacks/everything UN-routine and normal...we're struggling to get him to drink a full glass of milk in the morning for breakfast...why does that happen on vacation? Part of is is apeasing him to keep him 'behaved' while we're driving (which we've done LOTS of!) - and being sure we don't 'cause a scene' and let everyone know Jonah is not as perfect as we'd like them to believe he is! hahaha -- just joking -- I'm pretty sure they're all onto that by now! He's actually doing very well -- very happy to be hanging out with everyone, and just game to do anything - he keeps saying we're going on 'lots of adventures'...oh man, we sure are....its getting a little tiring, actually. we decided to come back to Nick's house (Jay's brother's) for a bit this afternoon to try to get Jonah to have a little rest so we can go see some fireworks tonight. He's been waking up sooo early -- normally around 8:30 at home -- it was before 7:00 this morning -- and he is just waaaaay too tired to keep going all day long. Though he thinks he can.

Anyways. I am not intending this to be so boring - just kinda 'de-briefing' our trip so far, for any who are interested, and also for a point of reference for myself someday! (I'm not a good journaler these days!)

So, we got to Nick's on Friday before supper, and were greeted by Nick, Debbie, Nathalie (Jonah's cousin), and Nana, and Grandpa -- and he just weasled his way into everyone's hearts right away -- not at all shy!! He was soaking everyone with the hose before we had even been parked for 5 minutes!!! Nice to have some outdoor fun after driving all day, though!

We've been eating lots of yummy food, and going to some beaches and just enjoying the Maine 'way of life'...spending time with Jay's family, and trying to tell ourselves that our lack of great sleep is just temporary -- its tiring being out of your own territory...and not on any real time schedule...but, we're enjoying ourselves...We keep wishing we had a little cabin of our own on a lake here...

Anyways. I have a piece of strawberry pie that we brought home from a restaurant at lunch that is literally making my mouth water just thinking about it, so...I think I will go give in to the temptation. Happy July 4th, and...PEI -- we'll be home soon enough. Erin and Amanda, I miss you girls.