For various reasons, I have decided to move my blog over here!
Come see me and hopefully there will be much more regular posting! :-)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thursday, October 13, 2011
I'm not sure how many readers I actually have here anymore. I know there are a few who have decided to stick with me. :) I really want to keep up this blog, more for my own records than anything. I love reading back to what we were doing a year or two ago, and since I don't journal with pen and paper much, this needs to be more of a regular thing for me.
Every time I sit down to blog, or try and think of what to say, I feel like not much is new. I'm tired of saying we are "settled" in Toronto. It's what I say, but I'm not sure it's the truth.
Our days are so similar to one another that they all start to run together and I'm not even sure which day of the week it is sometimes. I have been looking for activities to get involved in, and especially things for the girls to get involved in, but nothing has worked out yet.
We tried going to a potluck for homeschoolers today. Apparently they meet in a gym, eat together, have sports for the kids, etc. We showed up about 10 min "late", and waited for an hour and a half. No one. We asked at the community centre desk and were told we were in the right place. Hmmm. I think I was more disappointed than the kids! I was really looking forward to some adult conversation, especially with people who don't think I'm crazy. :-) Maybe next week.
We thought we were settled into a church. The jury is still out on that one. There are definitely pros and cons to the one we were starting to get involved with, as there is with any church. We just have to decide what is priority and what things we can't compromise on. It's not big doctrinal issues, just preferences.
So, at the risk of sounding lonely and depressed...this hasn't been the greatest past few weeks of our lives. We are happy, we are doing well, we are blessed. But we are very much in transition, very much aware that this is not our home, very tempted to pine away for something else.
In other news, Daryl is done Day 1 of his cardiology exams. YAY! Day 2 is short, and he should be home by late afternoon. CAN YOU SPELL E-X-C-I-T-E-D?!?!
We are planning to party when this is over.
Something happy and exciting to think about is that we are back to considering building a house when we move away from here. I have been having fun looking at kitchens online and wondering what style I would pick. We don't want to spend excessive amounts of time, money and energy on a house, but obviously we want it to be something we love to be in. So even though we're not sure about it yet, it's definitely fun to think about.
Every time I sit down to blog, or try and think of what to say, I feel like not much is new. I'm tired of saying we are "settled" in Toronto. It's what I say, but I'm not sure it's the truth.
Our days are so similar to one another that they all start to run together and I'm not even sure which day of the week it is sometimes. I have been looking for activities to get involved in, and especially things for the girls to get involved in, but nothing has worked out yet.
We tried going to a potluck for homeschoolers today. Apparently they meet in a gym, eat together, have sports for the kids, etc. We showed up about 10 min "late", and waited for an hour and a half. No one. We asked at the community centre desk and were told we were in the right place. Hmmm. I think I was more disappointed than the kids! I was really looking forward to some adult conversation, especially with people who don't think I'm crazy. :-) Maybe next week.
We thought we were settled into a church. The jury is still out on that one. There are definitely pros and cons to the one we were starting to get involved with, as there is with any church. We just have to decide what is priority and what things we can't compromise on. It's not big doctrinal issues, just preferences.
So, at the risk of sounding lonely and depressed...this hasn't been the greatest past few weeks of our lives. We are happy, we are doing well, we are blessed. But we are very much in transition, very much aware that this is not our home, very tempted to pine away for something else.
In other news, Daryl is done Day 1 of his cardiology exams. YAY! Day 2 is short, and he should be home by late afternoon. CAN YOU SPELL E-X-C-I-T-E-D?!?!
We are planning to party when this is over.
Something happy and exciting to think about is that we are back to considering building a house when we move away from here. I have been having fun looking at kitchens online and wondering what style I would pick. We don't want to spend excessive amounts of time, money and energy on a house, but obviously we want it to be something we love to be in. So even though we're not sure about it yet, it's definitely fun to think about.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
New Season
So summer is over. It was, over all, a good summer. I can't say I'm sad it's over though. I always love fall, and I am planning to enjoy it again this year.
We are settling in, I suppose. It is very hard for us to really focus and try to enjoy this season in our lives. It feels more like survival at the moment. But I know God has things for us to learn in this season and we are trying to listen, trying not to rush, trying to look around and live truly awake.
The other day the kids and I found a lovely park. It is like an oasis in a desert to me. There is enough bush to feel like you are not in the city (if you can forget for a few minutes), some nice trails to bike on, picnic areas, and beautiful gardens.
We also discovered a group of parks about an hour from here, and even though they take more planning ahead, they are worth driving to. There is some nice hikes (a little too easy and populated, but nice nonetheless), and camping, etc. So we are happy to have found those. The plan this weekend is to take bannock and hot dogs and spend the day at one!
One month from today Daryl will be done with exams forever. I cannot even imagine what a feeling that will be. I've been married to him for 12 years and not once have I had a husband who doesn't have to study something. So it will be an amazing thing!!! The kids clearly understand this and they are just as excited as I am. :-)
We have started homeschool. I am hoping and praying that I feel more organized very soon. Every day I feel like there was more I should have done, and I remember things at the end of the day that I meant to work on with the kids. I have a feeling that part is normal though! So far it is going well, over all. I am very happy with the different things we've pulled from different places for curriculum. Hats off to all my veteran homeschool moms for recommendations!
Time to go tuck kiddies into bed. Hubby is home too!
We are settling in, I suppose. It is very hard for us to really focus and try to enjoy this season in our lives. It feels more like survival at the moment. But I know God has things for us to learn in this season and we are trying to listen, trying not to rush, trying to look around and live truly awake.
The other day the kids and I found a lovely park. It is like an oasis in a desert to me. There is enough bush to feel like you are not in the city (if you can forget for a few minutes), some nice trails to bike on, picnic areas, and beautiful gardens.
We also discovered a group of parks about an hour from here, and even though they take more planning ahead, they are worth driving to. There is some nice hikes (a little too easy and populated, but nice nonetheless), and camping, etc. So we are happy to have found those. The plan this weekend is to take bannock and hot dogs and spend the day at one!
One month from today Daryl will be done with exams forever. I cannot even imagine what a feeling that will be. I've been married to him for 12 years and not once have I had a husband who doesn't have to study something. So it will be an amazing thing!!! The kids clearly understand this and they are just as excited as I am. :-)
We have started homeschool. I am hoping and praying that I feel more organized very soon. Every day I feel like there was more I should have done, and I remember things at the end of the day that I meant to work on with the kids. I have a feeling that part is normal though! So far it is going well, over all. I am very happy with the different things we've pulled from different places for curriculum. Hats off to all my veteran homeschool moms for recommendations!
Time to go tuck kiddies into bed. Hubby is home too!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Well, here I am. Sitting in a townhouse in Toronto. Hard to believe I "live" here. I put quotation marks around that because it doesn't really feel like we live here in some ways. It just feels like we're staying here for awhile. :-)
We are getting settled in, I guess. It's quite difficult to downsize a family of 6 into a smallish townhouse. It's actually a fairly spacious place, considering our location and all. It's just that I'm used to having this much square footage plus storage, etc. But that's okay. We can live around boxes for a year.
So, not being city folk, we are trying to look at the bright side of living here. Here are some things we like:
-access to absolutely any kind of ethnic food you can dream of. So far we haven't sampled too much, but it's out there. We had some very tasty shawarma the other night.
-a 2 minute walk to groceries, banking, Starbucks, etc. And a 2 minute drive to gas, Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, etc. So quick and convenient.
-the fact that it took me about 20 minutes to mow the lawn today - front, back and side. And that was with a push reel mower.
-cheap, cheap, cheap groceries. 97 cents for a pint of blueberries, for example.
So far the list of things we don't like about the city is a little longer, but I'll not dwell on that :-)
I do have to mention that what should have been a 12 minute drive to the park took us well over an hour last night, simply because an exit was closed and we got stuck in rush hour traffic going the wrong way. Not fun. Thankfully we had a picnic along and started eating it in the van.
We like our neighborhood pretty well. It's very odd going from NS where people seem so happy to have a new family in the community, to this. One lady has made an effort to meet us, and a few people have smiled at us or waved when waved to. But this is different, that's for sure.
It's very odd to live in a place where no one can see each other through their 7' fences that divide everyone's yard from the next. Having said that, I'm really glad for the fence...
Anyway, God is good. God is here. God is faithful, and He knows what He's doing. I'll try and post pictures soon, but you've heard that before...
We are getting settled in, I guess. It's quite difficult to downsize a family of 6 into a smallish townhouse. It's actually a fairly spacious place, considering our location and all. It's just that I'm used to having this much square footage plus storage, etc. But that's okay. We can live around boxes for a year.
So, not being city folk, we are trying to look at the bright side of living here. Here are some things we like:
-access to absolutely any kind of ethnic food you can dream of. So far we haven't sampled too much, but it's out there. We had some very tasty shawarma the other night.
-a 2 minute walk to groceries, banking, Starbucks, etc. And a 2 minute drive to gas, Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, etc. So quick and convenient.
-the fact that it took me about 20 minutes to mow the lawn today - front, back and side. And that was with a push reel mower.
-cheap, cheap, cheap groceries. 97 cents for a pint of blueberries, for example.
So far the list of things we don't like about the city is a little longer, but I'll not dwell on that :-)
I do have to mention that what should have been a 12 minute drive to the park took us well over an hour last night, simply because an exit was closed and we got stuck in rush hour traffic going the wrong way. Not fun. Thankfully we had a picnic along and started eating it in the van.
We like our neighborhood pretty well. It's very odd going from NS where people seem so happy to have a new family in the community, to this. One lady has made an effort to meet us, and a few people have smiled at us or waved when waved to. But this is different, that's for sure.
It's very odd to live in a place where no one can see each other through their 7' fences that divide everyone's yard from the next. Having said that, I'm really glad for the fence...
Anyway, God is good. God is here. God is faithful, and He knows what He's doing. I'll try and post pictures soon, but you've heard that before...
Monday, July 11, 2011
Here.
We're here. We're alive. We're mostly happy. We're thankful. We're together. We're tired. We're unpacking. We're getting used to a new normal.
More later.
More later.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Words of Grace
Some words that have been running through my head these days...
I believe You're my HealerI believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're all I need
-Michael Guglielmucci
By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called
us to Himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:3 NLT
My grace is all you need.
2 Cor. 12:9 NLT
Monday, May 30, 2011
PEI
Anne. New and improved.
For anyone who wishes they could sit on a porch in PEI and drink coffee with loved ones. But especially for Kim. :-)
Okay, I'm here...Probably for the last time until we are moved and settled (just being realistic). I'll try not to sound depressed as I update you on our lives. Life is bittersweet right now...
-so thankful that being sad to leave Halifax means that we have made wonderful friends
-happy to have seen pictures of the house we'll be renting in TO and feeling pleased with it
-feeling jealous of people who are planting things...that means they'll be around to reap the harvest.
-thankful that God guided my surgeon and my leg is healing
-thankful for a husband who took a week off work and parents-in-law who did laundry, cooked, cleaned, etc. and made me sit on a chair :-)
-jealous of anyone who experiencing sun, picnics, and warm weather. It just doesn't stop raining.
-excited for AC who is going to participate in a track and field meet tomorrow. She had to try out for it and she made the long-jump team. They are going to one of the university campuses to compete against other schools.
-rested after 2 days in PEI, sitting at a beautiful cottage drinking coffee
-thankful that God reminded me that He is already in Toronto, He's not just following us there!
-so thankful that being sad to leave Halifax means that we have made wonderful friends
-happy to have seen pictures of the house we'll be renting in TO and feeling pleased with it
-feeling jealous of people who are planting things...that means they'll be around to reap the harvest.
-thankful that God guided my surgeon and my leg is healing
-thankful for a husband who took a week off work and parents-in-law who did laundry, cooked, cleaned, etc. and made me sit on a chair :-)
-jealous of anyone who experiencing sun, picnics, and warm weather. It just doesn't stop raining.
-excited for AC who is going to participate in a track and field meet tomorrow. She had to try out for it and she made the long-jump team. They are going to one of the university campuses to compete against other schools.
-rested after 2 days in PEI, sitting at a beautiful cottage drinking coffee
-thankful that God reminded me that He is already in Toronto, He's not just following us there!
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