This is now

I've been meaning to write about the books that we have been reading for a while. It was a few months ago now that Atticus pulled a chapter book off our shelf for evening book and the kids begun to feel the thrill of getting lost in the words of a fully woven story that knits together another world for you to explore in your mind.

We love books. We go to the library and take home stacks and stacks of books, then pull them all out on the floor and read through every single one - multiple times. Advancing into early chapter books seems to have opened even more doors for those wonderful imaginations of theirs. Not to mention, it is so much fun to see them anticipate what is going to happen next.

With us living in Quebec, where maple trees abound, I thought that reading the first book in the Little House series would be very fitting seeing that they go maple sugaring in the book. 

I must admit, I recall reading this book in the early school years and very vividly remember some parts of it (like the maple sugaring and Christmas) but I never really took to it. Reading it through with the kids gave me a new sense for the comfort of the words in this book. The words are thick, descriptive and oh, so, comfortable. I'm not sure that I could explain it any other way. 

As we read we really did feel like we were gently pulled into and guided around another time. It was soothing and peaceful. We loved it so much. 

And as we read the final words of the book I felt the need to snuggle those little kiddos a little bit closer to me. Because while "this is now", now is always changing and the only time to truly appreciate it is to breath in deeply and enjoy all it's many dimensions and sweetnesses. 

I love a good book, but I love so much more being able to share special moments now with this special family of mine to help lay the foundation for many more lovely moments to treasure and breath in deeply. 

Swim Lessons

The kids finished up their swim lessons and we are so proud of the progress that they made. Both are anxious to get started on the next level but Milayla won't be old enough until after her birthday (it's the big transition class to going solo in the pool) so we are holding off most likely until the fall. 

These kiddos worked hard on that kicking though. Atticus is swimming across the pool with just a noodle and Milayla is jumping into the pool and kicking with lots of oomph. 

It's been fun to see the kids tackle this! They both said that they thought it was hard and after the classes were all done they remarked at how much fun hard things can be. Yay for fun times and good lessons. 

I love the array of smiles that they give me.

The kids requested ice cream cones to celebrate. Coconut ice cream for Atticus and home made chocolate banana for Milayla.

So proud of them!

General Conference and Easter - A great start to Spring

As I write this, it is raining nonstop outside and I can't help but smile because it's a warm rain and it is very slowly working its' magic on this long winter snow that we have had. I will probably still miss the snow and welcome it's timely return (provided it comes at an appropriate time :) ). But for now, I am so looking forward to spring, flowers, rainy days and sunny days that bring with them long days at the park and bicycle rides - oh how I cannot wait to again be on our bakfiets. It also means that those maple trees have started to release their delicious sap and there is a new adventure on our horizon.

Last weekend we watched General Conference and that is always a lovely start to April. We gave a new gf cinnamon bun recipe a go. They were - ok. But we will keep our eyes open for other recipes.

Nothing beats cream cheese icing though. The kids discovered how good it is to lick icing off of a spoon - or from their finger. Jason could do nothing but smile when all three of us were caught stealing licks of his special icing. I really should do better at not passing down my bad habits.

I loved that the kids were so excited for conference (I tried a countdown chain, but it really wasn't high on the priority list this year so it kind of fell by the wayside). I think the cinnamon buns had something to do with it, though the fact that they could each list off favorite parts of the conference sessions tells me that they definitely got more than just cinnamon buns from conference.

Often, their eyes wandered to other people and things in the chapel but then there were those moments, which seem to be slowly and steadily increasing, where something on that screen took a hold of them and their eyes were glued to the screen not even taking a break when they asked questions like, "what is fear?". It got them thinking and asking questions, and I like that. Conference got me thinking, too. Looking forward to getting to study each of the messages throughout the year.

Most often, those captivating moments came by way of music. I love music. And I love seeing it have such a lovely effect on the kids. Pretty sure they are big Mormon Tabernacle fans. Atticus is asking when we will get to go and see the conference centre and the Salt Lake Temple. I do hope that day is not in the too far distant future. It would be a good experience.

And then there is the preparing for Easter. While some traditions will be modified this year based on our new locale, the kids did a happy dance the morning they woke up and saw that I had put up our easter countdown tree on the mantle. It's a good tradition that really focuses us in on the Savior and who He is. I adore Easter. Definitely not for the candy, but for the rich spirit that runs through our family as we strive to understand and apply the atonement just a little bit more in our life. It tends to lead me to a lot of reflection time on how I could use weekly sacrament time better than I am. I have so far to go.

We have been preparing a number for our stake Easter Concert. I had been wanting to plan a number for it, but with time not on my side I had quietly decided not to do one. Then we ran into the woman in charge of the concert at a grocery store that we rarely go to. It was the kick I needed.

It is so awesome getting to watch the kids put the tags on the tree each night. I love seeing their eyes sparkle.

I stressed, probably much more than I needed to, over finding the right song that would bear testimony of the Savior through our voices and help others on their journey to come closer to Christ. Then that song was taken. So I was at the process of searching and praying again. We found one. And while I don't think the song was 'perfect' in the sense that I thought it should be, I can already see it coming together in a beautiful way as everyone in our little group brings their individual talent and testimony to the music. It will be a good experience. I'm sure of that.

April is already bathed in so much goodness. I love goodness.

Montreal LDS Temple

I especially enjoy when I get to go here:

Particularly when it's with this guy:

And his blaringly white smile.

So grateful to live so close to a temple.

Contemporary Art Museum Montreal

One of the things that got me excited about moving to Montreal was the lovely (and large) selection of museums. Unfortunately, we don't really have room in our budget to go on a visiting spree to all those lovely museums right now. Soooo, that makes me infinitely more grateful that some museums have evenings where you can come and check out their exhibits for free. It also helps to take the stress of going with young children who may or may not want to stay and see every.single.exhibit in one go - something that tends to be more of a pressure spot when entrance fees are high. 

Thankfully, our kids get pretty excited about going to museums and I thank my lucky stars for that. 

They also get pretty excited about riding the metro. So that's always half the adventure right there. 

Positive attitudes make a pretty big difference when you spend a hefty amount of time wandering the general vicinity just looking for where the entrance to the museum is. 

The kids were pretty impressed with this though, where they could look down and see people walking around the underground. 

After wandering around outside, we wandered around inside and finally asked for some directions (yet, only the 3rd person we asked actually knew where it was). 

Getting lost in the underground was fun though.

Since we got a little lost finding the museum we sat down and gave the kids a little snack before heading in.

No pictures allowed inside the museum. But we thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits at the Contemporary Art Museum. It wasn't as big as I was expecting (particularly after being at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts) but it was a perfect size for us to check out with the kiddos in the evening.

Atticus sat and watched this video that they had playing of this town in Italy where all these people lined up in a square for the honor of shaking an artist's hand. He literally jumped in excitement when he saw one of the ladies in line holding a Lidl bag! And he said "Mommy! That's from Lidl! We've been there, too!".

And Milayla took it upon herself to make sure that everyone understood that you were not to touch the artwork. When she would walk up to a piece of art to check it out she would wave her hand in the air and say "Don't touch" then turn to anyone around here and repeat herself. She found this blue gradient painting that looked like it had textures merely by the use of color and sat and looked at it for a good chunk of time before daring to venture onward.

And me, well, I just love watching my kids absorb that art and build up that appreciation for all different kinds. Just the other day Milayla made a remark that music is art, too and I smiled. We love music around here. And art.

After the museum we lucked out and got to see them setting of for this big light festival. The pictures don't really show much - sorry. But it was cool.

They had this one display where you could stand on this interactive board and open curtains on a building across the street, or project your face on to a big face shape on the wall. It was interesting.

Not too sure the kids knew what to think about that one.

And with that it was time to head back into the underground for our metro rides home. It was a great family outing. We have a few more museums on our list that the kids have been really been counting down to so there will certainly be more to come!

Motherhood Realized - A New Book for Deliberate Moms

I don't typically post things like this on our blog, seeing that it is intended more for family happenings and moments, but I kind of love this book.

As I hope is pretty evident, I love being a mom yet, unfortunately, finding supportive resources for moms that want to magnify their motherhood can be a daunting task. I've long been a reader of, and occasional writer for, The Power of Moms website and this is their second book that they have released.

I have the first AND I got to sneak preview this one and there are some gems of wisdom in there from moms who are giving motherhood everything they have.

While this book doesn't lean much towards the practical application of parenting ideas it definitely provides a sense of unity among deliberate moms as we learn to recognize that there will be hard days, but it is oh, so worth it. And there is comfort and strength in that wisdom.

So if you want to check it out, be sure to check out the Power of Moms website. Also, if you are interested in ordering the book, check out this link because you can get some extra gifts if you order before Saturday, March 29th at midnight (not sure what time zone that is for...), including a digital copy of their first book.

Whether you get the book or not, I hope you are able to enjoy some time on their website reading some of the lovely articles on there.

Birthday 2014 - Jason

I feel like this post would be more appropriately named if it were titled, 'How Many Ways You Can Botch a Birthday'. Because I certainly managed to do that in so many ways.

I am not a big fan of my birthday; a sentiment that I hope Jason or the kiddos never feel about their own birthday. So I work pretty darn hard to try to make Jason and the kids' birthdays a nice experience and that they fully realize just how much we love having them in this family. And when all that planning and working to make it a nice experience goes horribly awry I just feel plain awful about it. Thus it was with Jason's birthday. Right down to forgetting how old my own husband is turning (yep...I messed up his age...I'm an awesome wife...), forgetting to cook rice to go in the requested birthday dinner of bean and rice burritos, and having our Plan A outing fall through AND our Plan B outing. The day just oozed awesomeness, can you tell?

Things that did work out; the kids did a great job with the decorations.

The birthday boy quite enjoyed his new socks, and all the hugs and kisses, and the cards.

Atticus picked the card and decided that if we made Milayla the little baby then I could be the girl and then we would all be in the picture. I think he did a great job coloring it!

And, for the first time in my life, I made decent pancakes for breakfast. A fact that everyone was very happy about!

And the snowstorm that we were greeted with in the morning made for some fun in the snow in the afternoon.

Love this picture. Jason had just told the kids that he was going to get them with a snowball and they both looked at him at the same time, unsure of whether to trust the claim or not. 

The kids made a snow slide and stairs.

So while my birthday planning skills need some serious help, I am grateful for two little kidlets who just didn't care and were happy to celebrate with balloons and brownies. And a husband who did a decent job pretending not to care; though I think he's just happy that I didn't burn the brownies (like last year...). And that Milayla was an awesome kitchen helper and made sure that those brownies were loaded in chocolate chips. I kind of love when positive attitudes outweigh negative experiences and fun is still had by all; particularly when that was my hope all along - that we would enjoy celebrating Jason and his unique part in our family.

So here is to Jason getting to enjoy un-burnt brownies with tasty vanilla ice cream and getting to turn 31....again...

*sigh*

Happy Birthday Jason!

I'm grateful that you know how to laugh at things like this...enjoy your extra year!