For Today

Outside my window...the sun has set and it's dark and cloudy out.

I am thinking...about a Nooma video by Rob Bell I watched tonight.

I am thankful for...a hardworking husband.

From the kitchen...BBQ chicken, baby potatoes from the garden, romaine and mandarin orange salad

with toasted almonds, corn, and icecream with berries

I am wearing...denim, Old Navy bermuda shorts and a t-shirt.

I am creating...editing pictures of Ellie to print at London Drugs.

I am going...to bed soon.

I am hoping...to see a good friend from University days soon.

I am reading...My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

I am hearing...the sound of the train going through Lacombe.

Around the house...there are lots of piles of school things as I gear up to go back at the end of August.

One of my favorite things...watching Ellie sleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week...going into Red Deer to run errands and check out new stores at the mall; picking raspberries, saskatoons, and strawberries; moving our office to the family room.

A picture to share...Ellie at the beach this last weekend :).

At 9 months, Ellie...

* has quite the personality! We've noticed that she is a detailed person. She loves to investigate new things and play with ribbons, tags, and other small things. She is so expressive and loves to spend time talking with people.

* gets quite excited when she sees her Daddy come home.

* is no longer in her newborn, baby carseat. We bought her a bigger carseat as she outgrew the new and improved bucket seat in height and weight.

* started drinking milk and water from a Nuby sippy cup.

* still has no teeth but chews and chomps on cold teethers.

* loves spending time outside on the grass, in the sand, or out for a walk. We enjoy watching her feet feel the new textures and her eyes take in the new sights.

* has quite the sandle tan. She has her Daddy's skin :)!

* does not like it when sunscreen is applied or wearing hats. She will pull on the hat until she gets it off.

* started raising her hands above her head when she's happy, clapping, and waving.

* has started to spin around in circles on her tummy and will motor backwards. She will pull herself forward if she grabs our hands.

* gets excited when she hears the water running for bathtime. She's quite the little fish and will splash in the water for a long time!

* had her first Canada Day BBQ and Westerner Days parade.

A sunny day for a parade...

Ready, Set, Maybe...

Sunday's Seven

This week I'm thankful for...

1. a quiet, morning cup of coffee before a little one gets up

2. the amazing love of God that I heard described as "more than a post-it love note"

3. a fridge and pantry full of food

4. this time at home to be with Ellie

5. laughter with friends at Starbucks

6. Marco...

7. ...and celebrating four years together

Sunday's Seven

I've been reading some other blogs the last few days and have come across a couple that post a wonderful list on Sunday. Their lists are about things they are thankful from the week before. I'm finding that sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in the rhythms of the day-to-day that I forget to pause to say "Thank-you" to the One who has given it all. So...here is my first, Sunday's Seven list:

1. being challenged in my relationship with God to slow down, listen to what He is saying, and then doing it

2. nights of rain and days of sunshine

3. a new book from Costco to read

4. a heart converstation with my Mom on Skype

5. a surprise visit from a friend at church this morning

6. time with my family at the park

7. hearing Ellie laugh when trying the swings for the first time