Count your blessings...

Growing up "count your blessings" was a phrase I heard quite often. Mom would encourage me to think of all the things I had to be thankful for. I feel blessed that it has generally been easy to think of things to be thankful for.

Last night at small groups with the teens we went around the room and all said something that we were thankful for. So many things ran through my mind. I said that I was thankful for the girls in my group and also that I'm able to stay at home with Naomi.

Jamin & I made the decision that I will stay home with Naomi full time. We talked/prayed for a while and in the end made this decision together. We feel very at peace about it and I'm so thankful for this opportunity. I will miss my coworkers very much and the work I did, but I think that the new "position" will be very worthwhile :) I know it's not the right decision for everyone, but we think it is for us.

In good times & bad, remember to count your blessings...what are you thankful for today?

I'm thankful for my family.....here they are!Jamin trying on stilts in the basement

Naomi in her "sleeping bag" on the grass before a walk. Check out the cute hat from Great-Aunt Jane!

I love Toffee/Happy Birthday

For the past 4 days Toffee has been staying at our place. Who is Toffee? She is Kelly, Jamie & Ainsley's doggie. She is such a good little doggie. She listens very well and likes to snuggle. I miss her already....My favorite things about Toffee:
-the pitter-patter of her little feet on our floors
-the way she gets into her kennel on her own when it's time for bed
-the way she snuggles into me when we take naps together
-her doggie tricks
-the way she cleans my floors :)

Toffee...come back soon!

We took Toffee with us to Stephen & Jillian's place last night. She & Guiness became good friends. We all went for a walk together after a delicious dinner.A couple of birthday shout-outs!

Happy Birthday, Shira! (Shira is Jamin's sister) Shira turned 26 today! Wish we could be there to eat cake with you!! :) Answer your phone!!! Here is a cute pic of Shira with her bros. Happy Birthday to Patty!! Patty is my friend from work...she is enjoying her last year in her twenties!! Hope to see you & Mark soon!

Baby Expo

Today Kelly & I (& our girls) went to a baby Expo. Talk about free stuff! Really that's the reason everyone goes :) That & the movie they show afterwards. It was held @ the movie theatre. There were babies, babies, & more babies. I can't guess, but I know that there were hundreds of them!

I should have taken my camera. I would have taken a picture of the strollers all lined up (you weren't allowed to take them into the theatres)...it was quite the sight!

We saw Matt, Tamara & Bethany there. They were very glad they went because they both won $25 for Lawtons ($50 total)! Kelly & I won.....NOTHING! Ah well..the free gifts we got were enough (I guess). I also saw Tonya & Myla there...what a cutie!

Here's a pic of my loot! The bag everything came in also has a diaper change pad. Notice the camera, bottle, nail polish, cream, tons of coupons, etc. Not bad!

Happy Birthday, Margaret!!

November 21st (3 hrs from now) is Margaret's birthday! She turns 26...we will be the same age :) I always tease her about being so young. Probably once I turn 30 she'll tease me about being so old!

Margaret is my best friend; really more like a sister. She knows me better than most people in this world. We met in Cape Breton about 8 years ago. Within a few months, we were the best of friends. Margaret is kind, genuine, talented, Godly, giving, good at listening, beautiful, & easy going. She is irreplaceable. I am blessed to call her my friend.

Happy Birthday, Margaret. Thanks for being such an awesome friend.

All about Kyler

As you (Kelly S) may have noticed, I have been neglecting the blog for over a week (a long time for me). I was in Cape Breton visiting Mom & Dad last week while Jamin worked on the basement. Then we headed to PEI to see our nephew Kyler. I took tons of pics..here are a few! I know there are a lot, but I thought family from away would enjoy!

Jamin working on the basement

Naomi sitting on Nana's tableMe, Peter, Mary & Naomi

Jamin & Kyler

The "men": Jamin, Benjy, Bob, & Kyler

Great-Grammie & Naomi

The whole gang

Jamin & I, Benjy & Lee-Anne & Kyler (Naomi was napping)Naomi & her cousinKyler in Uncle Jamin's armsBrothers & babesGreat-Grammie & KylerUncle Jamin, Aunt Sarah & KylerProud Great-Grandparents
Kyler in Great-Grammie's armsKristi & KylerKyler, moi, & NaomiGavin (Mark & Roxanne's boy)Naomi in her outfit that Grammie made! You'll be seeing more of this :)

Bowling for Babies!

Last night Jamin attended a fund raiser for the Metro Pregnancy Centre, Bowling for Babies! I was going to go, but came down with a cold (we all have one now), so Jamin went instead. I sent him with strict instructions to take some pics! Here are a couple for your viewing pleasure! Thanks to all those who contributed!

Jill & her bro, Mark

The happy couple (The Stows)Stephen preparing for his shot
What form!

We remember

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I memorized this poem when I was in elementary school. Funny how I can still remember most of it. Today is a day to remember the men & women that fought for our country and be thankful for the freedoms we have. God bless Canada.

What's your pick?

For over 24 hours our internet, phone, & cable were out. I started thinking about which one I missed the most. I think it's this order:

1) phone: ever since I was a teenager, I have loved talking on the phone. I talk to Mom & Margaret pretty much everyday. I also talk to various other people quite frequently. You will notice in the pic above, I am all about my headset!
2) a close second, internet: I love checking my email and of course, blogs!
3) cable: I'm not that into TV. The only show Jamin & I watch right now is the Amazing Race. I tune into Oprah somedays.

Since this is also Jamin's blog, I asked him his order. His is this:

1) internet by far: he loves the internet
2) phone: he doesn't use the phone much, but he said it is more essential than TV, so that's why it came in second.
3) a close third, TV

How about you? What would you miss??

some random pics

Just a quick update. I haven't had as much time lately, so my blogging has suffered :) Here are a few pics from the last little while.

Baby food in the making:Friends: "Naomi & friends":

Naomi has a cousin!

This morning Kyler Benjamin Barrett was born! Congrats to Benjy & Lee-Anne on their little boy! Can't wait to meet him!

Pulling up

Naomi started to pull up on things a couple of weeks ago, but she's starting to get really good at it now! She pulls herself up on chairs, the side of our bed, and the couch. Check it out!



Also, her hair is getting longer and we're starting to see some curls!! So cute :)

Halloween

Last night we had our Thursday night group over for a party (instead of meeting on Thursday night this week). We had a great time playing some games (we learned a lot about each other!!), eating (of course), and just hanging out! I will mention that along with Ashley & Jillian's home made goods, Kelley brought her famous dip...always a crowd pleaser!

I was interested to see how many trick-or-treaters we would get at our new house. Here is a graph for your viewing pleasure....a grand total of 22!