A Thursday Full Of Thanks...

No introduction today. Just getting straight to the praise...

1. I am so thankful for our health. You know the first day after you're sick, how you're all, "I'm never going to take being healthy for granted again!" Well, this time I'm serious.

2. How much Cuinn does around here. This guy. I did not fully appreciate or realize how much he helps me, until he got sick and couldn't help as much anymore. You all deserve a husband like mine. Except, not mine. Because he's mine.

 

3. Aislynn saying one word all day long for the last week. Momma? Momma? Momma! Momma! Momma? Yes, it gets a bit annoying when she says it litterally all. Day. Long. I kinda like being a big deal around here.

4. Every single kick and turn this baby is doing. I really missed those kicks after Aislynn was born, and I am revelling in all the movement.

 

5. Christmas oranges. I don't care what they are "really" called. They are, and always will be, Christmas oranges to me.

6. Candy Canes. For real. Candy Canes are my weakness. None of those crazy different flavors though. (except cherry. I love cherry) Give me a plain, old Candy Cane and I will be your best friend for life.

7. Epicure's Mac and Cheese seasoning. It kicks KD's ass every single time. Don't believe me? Just try it, I promise, you will not want KD ever again.

8. Vinegar. 'nuff said.

9. This Santa picture. Aislynn... I love you.

 

10. That Aislynn slept for TWO HOURS yesterday during nap. I did not enjoy that she then didn't go to sleep until midnight last night, but getting an unexpected 2 hours in the quiet was kinda awesome.

11. Driving with my husband. Seriously. I love just driving with Cuinn. Which is kinda weird, because as a kid I hated the car. But now I really enjoy sitting in the passenger seat while Cuinn is driving us somewhere.

12. That I have 13 pregnant friends right now. Yep. I know 13 people who are pregnant. Wait, actually I only know 12, since I am the 13th. Still. That's a lotta new babies! Plus, I just love our friends.

13. Re-reading the Potter series. I haven't done it since I was pregnant with Aislynn, and since I'm pregnant again, seemed like a good time to do it for the 1000th time. I get new enjoyment each time I read them. Plus, I like "geeking out" since my hubby gets to do it all the time. I get to be a geek too!

 

14. Right now, my wedding rings fit. In the evenings, not so much. During the day though? I get to wear them again. Which is always lovely.

15. Movie night being spread over two nights. I know, that's a weird one, but Cuinn and I started watching Dark Knight Rises last night, Aislynn had a fitful sleep because of her two hour nap, so I had to go to bed and sleep with her. So we watched the first part last night, and now I get another cuddle night with Cuinn on the couch to watch the second half. Yay!

16. Hearing Cuinn read to Aislynn in her bed. So sweet.

17. That Aislynn tells us when it is nap time and bed time. At nap time she just goes to her room and at night she says, "Tub? Tub time? Tub daddy?" Love it.

18. Cuinn's staff party was on Sunday. I'm thankful that J and S watched Aislynn for us. I'm also thankful that their son C is such a big part of Aislynn's life. Those two kids really love each other. Good thing we love his parents!

19. Also, I'm thankful for the staff party. We had such a blast. Cuinn's employees are really awesome, it's a small store, so there aren't a lot of people. There was only 9 of us at the party, but because it's small, everyone knows each other and it's really great.

20. Our friend Bekka. She has been watching Aislynn every Tuesday for the last 7 weeks so Cuinn and I could go on this marriage course. I'm really sad it's over because no weekly date night. BUT, we are soooooo grateful that Bekka watched Aislynn for us. Bekka, we need to set up our dinner date soon!

Jade usually does the Thursday posts, so I'm sending you there. Hopefully she does one this week since I've missed the last couple!

A time to blog...

I have been absent from the blogging world. And I miss it. I feel like I say that every time I blog now, which probably means I need to try to blog more. So here's a little update for you who are nosey  want to know what's up in the Simpson world...

- My laptop is still broken. Sad face. Well, not broken really. We just need a new power cord, but they are more money than I originally thought. So since we're a little tight right now, it's just going to have to wait. We do still have Cuinn's gaming computer (which I am using right now), but it's kind of sucko and old. I can't download Itunes onto it, so I can't get my Christmas music onto my phone. I can't download Skype on it, so I can't talk to my parents. It only has the internet and Cuinn's game on it. And since it's Cuinn's computer, I have to ask if I can use it. Which is annoying because I am feeling like a child again. (I don't really have to ask, but I feel like I should. Plus, this is how Cuinn unwinds from his day, so I don't like using it when he's home and during Aislynn's nap I am needing to rest so...)

- Our home is finally starting to be bug free. Cuinn has been sick for the last month, which is very weird for him. He usually gets sick once a year for a day and then he's fine. But for the last month he's been tired, worn out, coughing, tired. And I've not been very nice. Every time he said, "I'm tired." I would make a snarky comment like, "Yep, it's Christmas time. We're all tired babe." then last week he started getting a fever. Then on Wednesday (daycare day), I dropped Aislynn off and then came home to go lay down again to get a bit more sleep. I crawled into bed, and said, "YUCK!" Cuinn was drenched in sweat, shivering and felt like fire. He still insisted he was fine, but I called the dr and made an appointment for him. Lucky I did, because the dr told him he should be have gone to the hospital because it had gotten so bad. So he got some drugs, came home and has been resting for the last week and I've been feeling guilty for being so uncaring about his for real sickness. BUT, he is feeling lots better! Went to work yesterday even! So now Aislynn just needs to get rid of this cough she's had for a while and we'll all be good! (This section was a lot longer than I thought it would be)

- Can I just say, thank God for universal health care? I am so happy to live in a country that we don't pay out of pocket or pay very little for dr visits or medication. Cuinn's prescription would have cost us $70! Know what we paid? $11. Know how much our dr visit would have cost if we didn't have our OHIP card? $65. (our dr has a little price list thingy at the front desk) We are so thankful to live in this country.  

- I have nothing done for Christmas yet. I'm feeling very grinch like this year and I don't want to talk about it.

- I have entered the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. And it happened all of a sudden. Cuinn and I had to run to Walmart to get Aislynn her Advent calendar (3 days late) and while we were walking around I said, "Can we go home now? My hips hurt from walking." We had walked from the door, to the Christmas section then to the cash register. And I've been uncomfortable every since. Just when I got rid of the pesky morning sickness. 

- My brother is going to England for Christmas this year! I am very excited for him and my parents and the rest of the family. Neither Simon or I has ever spent a Christmas with our extended family since they are all in the UK and we are in Canada, so it's very exciting for all of them to be able to celebrate together. I'm also excited for Simon to get to see our mum and dad and do loads of fun things with them. Although, Simon's trip to England will be VERY different from ours in January. Mostly because Simon and I are VERY different and our ideas of fun are so vastly different. I'm so excited for him all the same. Hopefully he has taken his Cuba pictures of his camera and will be able to take lots of new pictures. 

- With Simon being gone, we have no more family here in Ontario, so it's just us for Christmas this year. For the first time since we've been together. I have to say, I'm really looking forward to it. Plus, with my parents coming home next year, this is the year Cuinn and I can start OUR family traditions which will, hopefully, carry over when my side of the family is back together again. PLUS, Cuinn actually has Christmas eve off this year. This is also a first for our relationship. I'm not even sure what normal people do who don't need to work on Christmas eve. Share your family traditions with me! I might steal them!

- Our new pastor is finally here! We missed church this week because of all the sickness, but we are so looking forward to where our new pastor and his family will be taking our church. It is such an exciting time and we can't wait to see what God has in his plan for us! We've heard him speak twice before during visits, so we are so ready to be filled!

- I'm singing in the worship team in my church now. Obviously my church knows this, and those who go to my church know, but I've kinda been keeping it to myself from friends and family. I can't really explain why right now. But I've been holding it close. Cuinn and I have been getting some major pushes and whacks on the head from the Big Guy lately and we're trying to figure out what that means for us and our family and our life. It's hard. It was so much easier when we were calling the shots, now that we are trying to listen and obey, it's so much more stressful and scary. 

- Aislynn is not happy about the baby anymore so we haven't been pushing it a lot lately. When we ask her if she loves the baby she says, "No." When we ask if she will play with the baby she says, "No." Basically, anything about the baby is met with a No and a firm shake of the head. She won't kiss the baby anymore, when Cuinn is rubbing my belly she gets upset, when the baby kicks her while we're cuddling she says, "No baby. Bad." We're not surprised in the least, and we know it'll be a big change. But we also know that Aislynn has such a kind heart and she is going to be a fantastic big sister. It'll be one step at a time.

There is more, but I'm thinking you don't want to read a novel. So that's it for now. Until tomorrow. I've complained a lot today, so Thankful Thursday is happening this week. 

Thanks for stopping by, friends!

Oh, hey, since I can't blog as often as I would like, follow me on Instagram! I post pictures daily, so you can still keep up with what's going on in my life. Plus, who doesn't want a daily dose of cute pictures of Aislynn? I'm Sarah_pants

A song...

We've been trying to change our music in our home and car lately. This is one we sing in our church sometimes, and when it's on the radio I turn it up and Aislynn and I sing it really loudly. With the window's rolled up, of course. No one needs to hear that.

Anyway, enjoy.

You thought of us before the world began to breathe
You knew our names before we came to be
You saw the very day we fall away from You
and how desperately we need to be redeemed

Lord Jesus
come lead us
we're desperate for Your touch

Oh great and mighty one
with one desire we come
that You would reign that You would reign in us
we're offering up our lives
a living sacrifice
that You would reign that You would reign in us

Spirit of the living God fall fresh again
come search our hearts and purify our lives
we need Your perfect love we need Your discipline
we're lost unless You guide us with Your light

Lord Jesus
come lead us
we're desperate for Your touch

Oh great and mighty one
with one desire we come
that You would reign that You would reign in us
we're offering up our lives
a living sacrifice
that You would reign that You would reign in us

we cry out for Your life to revive us cry out
for Your love to define us cry out
for Your mercy to keep us
blameless until You return

oh great and mighty one
with one desire we come
that You would reign that You would reign in us
we're offering up our lives
a living sacrifice
that You would reign that You would reign in us

You would reign in us

So reign please reign in us
come purify our hearts
we need Your touch
come cleanse us like a flood
and send us out
so the world may know You reign You reign in us

A Thankful Thursday...

I was going to take a pass today on being thankful. I'm feeling sick (as per usual), Aislynn has been testing my patience much more than usual, our apartment is bugging me, and I'm just kinda cranky.

Then I went to bible study this morning.

And obviously these women who go to bible study make it their mission to make it as difficult as possible for me to be grumpy.

Jerks.

But for real. This mornings walk through the word was so wonderful. The conversation that was flowing, you could practically touch the spirit. That's how palpable it was.

So, with that said,

I'm Thankful For...

1. Obama fries! Our local burger joint posted on their facebook page that if you correctly guessed who would win the American election you would get a free small fry! Thanks Obama, so far you have surpassed all my dreams for you being in office for another 4 years.

2. Thursdays. They are my fav day. Ladies bible study in the morning, every other week we have small group, and every fourth week I have worship team. Thursday's rock.

3. Aislynn wearing her daddy's sweaters. I totally can't blame her. There's just something about wearing your mans sweater that is just so comforting.

4. Our friends the W's. They were our first friends we made when moving here and we are continually blessed by that friendship.

5. Crochet nights with J. We haven't done one in so long, and we just did one a week ago, and we're doing it again on Friday. It so relaxing just sitting, not having the tv on and just crocheting and chatting. Sigh, I'm feeling more relaxed just thinking about it.

6. Light Up The Night festival in one of our neighbouring tiny towns. I love, love, love small town festivals. I feel like I'm living in Stars Hollow sometimes and I am so not complaining. Tomorrow night is the start of the Christmas festivals.

7. Seeing things through Aislynn's eyes. I love the snow and all the winter has to offer, but seeing it all through the eyes of a child is that much more magical. Watching her eyes in wonder as the snow fell warmed my heart.

8. Granny Panties. So unsexy. So unflattering. So ugly. BUT, so comfortable on this preggo's expanding butt. And Cuinn always gets a kick out of them.

9. Left overs. I actually really love left over nights. Mostly because I am an amazing cook and who doesn't love to eat my meals twice? (Seriously though, I'm not that great, but I really do love left over nights)

10. McDonalds is having this awesome deal on this week celebrating the 30 years it's been open in our tiny town. Yesterday was 30 cent hamburgers. Today is 30 cent ice creams. Tomorrow is 30 cent french fries. Saturday is 30 cent apple pie. Sunday is 30 cent coffee. I am most excited for Friday. But I'm also loving the cheap dessert treat that our fam is going to enjoy tonight after dinner.

11. Having a husband who knows how to make me relaxed after a rough day or sickness and Aislynn being crazy. Thanks for this wonderful bath you ran me.

12. Watching Aislynn play with her food. I know some parents get really annoyed by that, but I love it. I love watching her discover what it tastes like when you add goldfish to her peanut butter sandwich. Plus, look at the face of concentration! She's awesome.

13. How alike these two are. I get so annoyed when Cuinn eats a before dinner snack, because he usually eats this snack WHILE I'M MAKING DINNER. But Aislynn and him now have this routine of cuddling on the couch while I make dinner and sharing some goldfish. Annoys the crap outta me, but secretly I kinda love it.

14. Getting packages in the mail. Even if it's just "work" stuff. I still get a thrill when FedEx pulls up!

15. Going to worship team practise and then coming home to a very quiet house where both Cuinn and Aislynn are passed out in the little bed.

16. Texting my friend A, all day long about weird things that nobody else would enjoy but us probably.

17. Going to bed at 9:00 pm. Yes, Cuinn and I are 95 years old.

18. Our morning routine. I drop Cuinn of at work, we have a quick prayer in the car, he gives me a kiss and then Aislynn waits patiently for him to open her door for a big smooch and a "love you". It's just a small little routine, but I love it.

19. Veggietales. I used to watch them on sick days when I was younger, and now Aislynn loves them too.

20. Candy Cane Ho Cho. It's baaaaack!!!!




Also, feel free to start following me on Istagram. Sarah_pants. You can see all the hilarious antics I get up to. 

linking up with Jade!

A Tuesday Ten...

I follow Lena's blog and always see the Tuesday Ten lists. I like them and all, but I'm never really struck with the overwhelming urge to join in.

Until today.

 Because today is what ten things would you buy if you won the lottery. Cuinn and I play this game daily. Seriously. We are so sure that we'll be rich one day that we don't what what if we become rich, it's when we become rich.

Sigh.

Anyway, I'm linking up with Lena. Head over and see what other millionaires would buy.

First 10 Things You Would BUY or DO if you won the lottery!

1. I would buy us our dream home. Nothing fancy, just a 3 bedroom down in the heart of our tiny town. I know exactly which home too. I would offer the current owners quite the compensation for moving out. Even if it wasn't for sale. That house will be my home someday. (I am very particular about which house we will buy. Which means we might never be able to buy a home.)

2. I'd pay off all our debts. Which doesn't really amount to that much, considering, but it's still an amount that is more than $0. All our debts would read $0. And it would feel amazing.

3. Set up two college funds for the kids. Not a lot, but some. It would be not a lot because I want my kids to earn it and appreciate it instead of it just being handed to them. Build some character, y'know?

4. Buy each parent (Cuinn's and mine) one thing that they would love. Something totally frivolous and impractical. I'd probably buy my dad a TARDIS. My mum a mini. Really though, whatever they chose.

5.  Yarn. Lots and lots of yarn for all my crochet projects.

6. A personal shopper. Not for clothes. But for groceries. I would still coupon though.

7. I'd open a B&B with my mum.

8. In our home, in the basement, I would make half of it a man cave for Cuinn, and half of it a crafting room for me. I would also hire an exterminator to check for any kind of bug every 6 weeks.

9. I would keep enough money to live off of for as long as Cuinn needed to get more education for his passion. First we would have to figure out what his passion is though.

10. Lastly, I would set up a travel account. So Cuinn and I could go travel together. The kids could come sometimes, but mostly it would just be Cuinn and I. Sorry kids, we like you and all, buuut....

A Thankful Thursday...

I am feeling so full of thankful-ness right now, that I have been impatiently for Thursday to write this post. So here it goes!

I am thankful for...

1. Although we were out of power for a couple hours the other night, I am so thankful that we are all safe from the most recent disaster to hit our little world. I have friends south of the border who are not fairing as well and I have been reminded of how much we have to be thankful for. A couple hours in darkness with my hubby? I can deal.

2. Getting to hear the babies heart beat yesterday. I'm not posting what it was because people are already "telling" Cuinn and I what we're having and I really do want it to be a surprise this time. I'm thankful that it has a strong, steady heartbeat though.

3. Aislynn sporadically hugging my middle and saying, "hi baby!" and then kissing my belly. How does she know?

4. How kind all the people were giving candy out this Hallowe'en. Aislynn was so sweet about saying hello and please and thank you. We didn't meet ANY crabby people. It was such a special night.

5. Our friend Bekka. Yep, I put her whole name on the blog, not just a letter. That is how thankful for her I am. She has been watching Aislynn every Tuesday so Cuinn and I can go to our marriage course, she picked Aislynn up from daycare yesterday so we could get to our midwife appointment, she just loves our kid and us so much. And we love her and think she's pretty special too.

6. Our other friend, Jenn. Again, no initials here lady. She is watching Aislynn tonight so we can get to Bible study. (by the way, when the heck did we get so busy?!?) She also is one of those friends who comes over to check on you when you don't answer the phone. We are so blessed by her and her husband. 

7. Cuinn and I are doing a Marriage Course every Tuesday evening for 7 weeks. We've only done 2, and we have already gotten so much out of it. I'm so glad we were able to go to it this time.

8. We were also invited into a small group Bible study every other Thursday evening. We went to the fellowship night two Thursdays ago and tonight is our first study. We're looking forward to looking into the Word and getting to know a few more families from our church.

9. Aislynn's favorite foods are apples, pears, yogurt and pasta. Aside from the pasta, I'm pretty happy that her favorites are healthy. I recently had a mum complain to me that all their kid wants to eat is chocolate. I'm so thankful that, right now, Aislynn's obsessions are healthy. I don't feel as guilty giving in to the cravings when she's asking for, "Appey mummy!"

10. Free coffee at McDonalds right now. I don't drink the yucky stuff, but I love being able to bring Cuinn a treat to work. I love it even more when I don't have to pay for it. 

11. It's November. That means Christmas music! It also means, only 30 days until I am allowed to decorate for Christmas!!!!

12. Also, this November is a 3 pay check month. Which will be helpful with Christmas around the corner. Plus, there are some bills that are needing to be paid. That "extra" pay this month will be welcome.

13. Right this moment I am thankful for feeling ok. Those moments between the feeling sick are so awesome. I will never take feeling good for granted again. Well, until the next time I'm feeling good that is. 

14. We just found out my cousin and her boyfriend are coming to visit us next year. Yay!!

15. Cuinn found our camera!!! Which means more pictures of the things we do together that aren't just from our iphones which means I can leave my iphone at home more!!

16. Asking Aislynn, "Did you poo?" and getting 1 of 3 responses. "No mumma, I tooted." or "Yep, I poo" and finally, "Nah, I pee!!" It's hilarious.

17. How super smooth the transition from crib to big girl bed was and is. I still can't believe how much she loves it. All we need to say is, "OK Aislynn, into bed!" and she goes and crawls into bed and pulls the covers over her then waits for a cuddle. I am so that proud mum who has to talk about it all the time. But trying to not be that mum who brags about it. It's a tricky balance.

18. Having 17 kids in nursery on Sunday. SEVENTEEN!!!! 

19. Clean underwear. I am always thankful for having just done laundry and having clean underwear. It's the little things.

20. Aislynn getting so much candy from trick or treating, and that she has to share with her mum and dad. And by share I mean she really only gets the suckers. Sorry kid. You're way too little to be eating all that candy, let mummy and daddy help you with that...

Linking up with Jade! Head on over!!

A blog just to blog...

One day I will no longer be pregnant and I will feel better again. Maybe then I'll blog on a regular basis again.

Oh wait, except I'll be chasing after a two year old while nursing a newborn...

Someday, when my kids are in college, I will blog on a regular basis again.

Probably about how much I miss when my kids were littles again.

So for now, I'll enjoy all the moments.

Taking Aislynn out trick or treating.

Cuddles on the couch.

Laying in bed with her while she falls asleep.

When she brings me a book and asks me to read it. 5 hundred times in a row.

Jumping in the puddles.

Carving pumpkins.

Being the only one who can feel baby movement.

Hearing the baby's heartbeat and watching as Cuinn has his first real smile I've seen all day.

Watching Aislynn interact with her friends and seeing how she already has her favorite people. (I'm looking at you C, R, B, J and N family)

Seeing her dance in the middle of circle time instead of sitting like she's "supposed to". (This is a whole 'nuther blog post)

I am loving being a mum, even when:

I want to pull my hair out and scream,

Lock myself in the bathroom and cry,

Am hunched over the toilet feeling so sick,

Drinking as much water as possible because it's supposed to take the headaches away,

I'm curled up in bed feeling so sorry for myself and so sick.

I love it because Cuinn and I have made these people. These amazing little people who have minds and opinions of their own.

No one can ever explain to you how much love your heart can hold, not until you've experienced it. And man, is it an experience worth having.