"These are a few of my favorite things...."

It's been a long couple of weeks on my end, however, this past week I was able to rejoice in some good things in my life. Some of them were small things that made me smile and others were big things that made me laugh out loud.







Conversations over a cup of deliciousness from Starbucks with friends.











Last weekend I took part in a volleyball coaches training camp. I wasn't expecting to play as much as we did (5+ hours each day - fri, sat, sun) and the other coaches taking part were FAR better then I am or ever will be for that matter. Some of these other guys were former national team players, so it was fun getting hit at and playing WAY out of my league. The bruises above were a result of getting hit at and diving without knee pads. I know they look kinda gross, but I quite enjoy the feeling of being bruised after you worked hard - it makes you feel like you did something. Excuse my knock-knees as it is hard taking a picture of your own knees :)

play dates and lunch dates with some special people who can always make me smile.

I have found a new joy in soaking in a bubble bath with a glass of wine (sometimes accompanied by a book). In a house with 7 people constantly coming and going, it's a space I know I have all to myself.

p.s - don't worry, that's not a picture of me in the tub :)

These are some spectacular ladies in my life. Friday night we spent the evening together - low key style - doing a puzzle, drinking wine and eating. I have been playing the hermit card as of late and it was nice to join in conversation again (or at least listen to conversation go on around me). Here are some more pictures from the night:

There was an awful lot of laughter

Delicious spring roll type things sizzling in deep fried goodness.

Kristy made friends with Lex. She's not a dog person.

Watching this movie numerous times. It will make you both laugh and cry.

For the first time ever, the girls in my house have been welcomed into the March Madness pool that my brothers and my dad do every year. We have made our picks and so far the girls are winning. We have $70 at stake so I am hoping that my good luck continues right up to the finals.

These are a few of my favorite things!

Psalm 121

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore

Cake Galore

For the last few years I have fallen in love with cake/cupcake decorating. I love looking through some of my decorating books - completely in awe of the talent that some bakers possess. I have tried my hand at cupcake decorating and have been mostly pleased with what I have come up with (considering I have had no training to speak of), but I haven't done a lot of cakes.

Well, this past weekend we celebrated Norah's birthday. Kristy asked me if I would be willing to help her make a cake and I of course said I would. Kristy and I talked about what we would make and there were moments in the planning when I doubted our ability to make the cake we wanted. I have to say, I am extremely pleased with what we came up with and how it turned out.

After church on Saturday, Kristy, Aimee and I got together to assemble cupcakes and cakes for the party. Let me tell ya, it was no short process. Thankfully Kristy had baked the cakes and cupcakes, made the icing and the fondant all ahead of time, so that all we had to do was the actual decorating. The longest part was definitely creating the colours in the fondant. My hands were quite sore after all that kneading.

the process....

All that work definitely required some wine - my hands were died purple, so holding the cup myself wasn't really a possibility. Thank goodness for good friends :)

the finished products....

I LOVE how vibrant the colours turned out!

After about 4 hours of intensive labour, both the cupcakes and the cake was finished. I think we all went to bed exhausted, but glad we did it. It was definitely worth the 4 hours, however, cutting the cake on Sunday at the party was a little sad after all the hard work we had done only a few short hours before.

The look on Norah's face made all the hard work worth it!

About to make the first cut....ouch! It stung a little.

It was a great first fondant cake. I would love to one day do this a little more professionally and sell them, but we'll see where that goes. I think I need a bit more practice first. Aimee's birthday is next. We'll see what we can create!

An Ode

Sabrina had a very special post on her blog yesterday that made my day. It brought tears to my eyes and I thought I would paste it onto mine as well. The post was entitled, "Ode to my Auntie"

I'm so glad to have an auntie,
one just like yourself.
You always have big smiles for me
whether at church or my house.

You love me like crazy,
and buy me real cute clothes.
You sing me silly songs and dance
and make bubbles that we blow.

You are one familiar face

that stands out in the crowd.
You make me feel way safer
when all the kids get loud.

When mom and daddy need a date
you're there to help them out,
You come and play,
I wish you'd stay forever at my house!
Love you Auntie Kara!

Thanks Gavin for your beautiful poem! I love you too! I am such a lucky Auntie.

These were some pictures I snapped when I spent the afternoon with G last week. It seriously doesn't get any cuter then this.

This one is my favorite. It captures him perfectly I think.

Happy Birthday

Today is a very special little girl's birthday. She has melted my heart on more occasions than I can count and I love her dearly.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY NORAH!

Brand New

first day at home.

We are teaching you all the good things in life already like shopping!

Norah,
I LOVE being your auntie. You have brought me so much joy this past year. I love the joy and the excitement that you have for life around you and I pray that continues to grow as you get older. I love your cuddles and your goofy smile. I love playing toys with you and reading you stories. I love your very wet kisses, how much you love to explore the world around you, but most of all I just love YOU! I am looking forward to watching you grow and learn new tricks in this next year. I am very much looking forward to hearing you talk. I have a hunch that you will tell great stories. I pray that you will continue to grow and know that you are very much loved by Jesus and by all your "aunties and uncles" around you. I love you very much Norah Marie!
Love Auntie Kara

Goodness

Good Food

+

Good Wine

+

Good Tv

= an AWESOME night with Kristen.

Psalm 42

I have been attempting to immerse myself in the Psalms today. I seem to be able to relate to David these days. The Psalms are a neat book. I think most people feel as though they "get" the Psalms. When we fail to have the words to speak to Jesus, David knows exactly what to say. I have often let the words of David speak to God on my behalf because that is all I could muster up at the time. The Psalms are intended to connect us with God. There is a rawness in the words and in the emotions that are both captivating and moving. There are some extreme emotions found in those pages.

Late last night when I thought I would never end up falling asleep, I was drawn to a Psalm 42 in particular. The words are powerful. There is extreme despair and yet at the same time there is beauty in the promises of hope and assurance that God is faithful.

As the deer longs for streams of water,

so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”

My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration!

Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.
I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.

“O God my rock,” I cry,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?”
Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”

Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

~Psalm 42

Some Days...

There are some days when all I want to do is this!

The Journey of Contentment Part 2

*Disclaimer* - I apologize for the rawness and the scattered thoughts in this post - it's been a long week.

It's been just under a week since I have begun this journey of going through lent with contentment. Let me just say that right from day 1 I have been put to the test so to speak. For the past 5+ years I have been taking a medication that has become my lifeline in many ways. It helps me to function. It makes the world seem better in my eyes. After some recent discussion with my doctors it was recommended that I go off of this medication. The thinking behind this was that my doctors think this medication could be playing a role in the cause of (or at least contributing) to the intensity of my headaches.

So, I am currently on day 6 of my detox from these meds and let me just say that I am not enjoying this one bit. Prior to this last week, I felt in control, somewhat content where my life was, the work I was doing, etc. Now, all of a sudden, I have been thrown a curve ball and let's just say that I no longer am in control of the things that I used to be. My goal through lent was to relinquish control over the things in my life to God in order to be content with just God and I suppose that I am learning to do that right from the get go. It's been a tough week to say the least.

"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."
~ Philippians 1:3-6

The above verse has been on my mind as of late - it's been something I am clinging to. There are moments in my day where allowing God to lead and control will be hard, but I am trusting that this is just a part of the work God is doing in my life. I am praying that the contentment in allowing God to lead me through this journey will come - that the anxiety of the present moment will leave and that I would have the energy and the head space to draw closer to Jesus through this season.