My Man!

Nathan is now one year older and perhaps a tad bit wiser. A beautiful man full of creative interests and positive energy.
I couldn't have chosen a better man as a husband and celebrating him this week is what we shall do!

Random things I love about my man:

• The way he encourages me to cut my own hair and to be the artist I'm meant to be.
• The way he spends his personal time by reading Harry Potter in German!
• The way he plays with Mikayla and makes her laugh like no one else can.
• The way he loves Bono and David Ruis and comes alive when he hears them.
• The way he finds patience for my never-ending need for rearranging our house...I know most of my room-mates couldn't handle that!
• The way he loves to travel to work...by bus. He is so unique.
• The humility in him that doesn't demand things he would love to have or do. His gracious love for others and loyalty to friends.

I love you Babe!

Going Outside

Well, I don't think the weather can keep us in! We've proved it.
It snowed for Thanksgiving this year and though we felt glum and sad that we were cold, we still made it outside to enjoy the yellowing leaves.
What I am most excited about though, is this coming week where I get to enjoy autumn in Ontario!
Where the weather only fluctuates between 5 degrees rather than 10 and the leaves have more colours than just yellow!
I'm sure lots of pictures will be taken then but for now, here's three…

coming inside

Well I thought it was a while since I posted some great pics of this cute 19 month old. We've had a few pretty cold days now and it's looking like fall is here for good. We've been dreading it but now that it's here I have to somehow find a way to make it good and enjoyable for us all. Coming inside is the hardest part. Mika and I love going for walks and have discovered many parks in the area as you can see in the pictures. Even just sitting on the porch is filled with so many memories from this summer. It's hard to think that we could have as much fun inside. But does fall and winter mean we're stuck indoors? Probably not. It's just a lot more work for mom. But worth it. I find if I don't get fresh air everyday I'm a lot less "at ease".

This picture really reminds me of myself as a kid. I loved swings so much!

I did a 24hr detox on Tuesday. It was really hard but I got to make a few fruit and veggie drinks which was enjoyed by Nate and Mika as well. Anytime a straw is part of the equation Mikayla is happy!

Of course the threesome (Ben, Norah and Mika) just before the temperatures dropped. Being silly, goofy, fun little kids. Oh, I'll miss hanging my laundry outside.

What am I looking forward to in this next season?

Warm drinks like Nepali chai tea.
Fresh indoor herbs! (sorry I just love my plants)
Eating the jam we made
ok, think fall…um, crunchy leaves
Bundling up in warm knitted scarves and mitts
Going to Ontario twice!!!
Having lots of play parties with music and books from the library and playdough and imagination
Sewing…ahhhh
Warm blankets and quiet sleeps with an end to construction (I hope)!

the changing of seasons…

For us Fall is a very marked occassion. Every year of our marriage (that being 2) we have gone through this cycle of summer job over to winter job. We have been so blessed to have work every year and Nathan has started his new position at Miles Mac as a level 3 TA full time while taking 1 evening course at UofW.

He loved his summer job in construction but there is always a welcome indoor life during the cold months! It's a perfect mix for him.

With the changing of seasons I have personally felt connected to history simply by being more aware of the harvest season and trying to take part in that in whatever way I can. We have been to a number of markets and gardens and even picked Choke Cherries for the first time in my life! Here is the outcome:

from this
to this! 8 jars of jelly!

As the warm days have been waning I've tried to be outside as much as possible. Going to parks around the city, getting out of the city and discovered many hidden treasures along with cousins and friends. It has been incredible.

I feel ready (almost) for the next season in my life. I am scared at what that might look like (you can all guess) but excited too. Now is the time to live to the fullest. No holding back. Our children are discovering everything for the first time. I feel I need to make it full of richness and beauty.

Are you ready for the next season in your life?