Found

New experiences. 

The outdoors. 

Beautiful spring weather.

Pure joy. 

A sweet smile. 

"As you sit quietly in My Presence, 

I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart. 

Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances.  

You gain My perspective on your life, 

enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not.  

Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you."            

- (Jesus Calling devotional app, March 13)

* * * 

Trust in the good things: Five Minute Friday

START

Today was one of those days I've spent the entire day pondering "trust".  How do I write about it?  What do I write in five minutes about the word trust?

I considered writing about the trust I share with friends {lucky}, the trust I have in my husband {even more lucky...and loved}, the trust in God {of course}.  So many people that I share trust with.

But I'm started out the day crabby.  You know how it is, right?  So the mood to write anything wasn't there.

Then...the afternoon and evening came.  My husband returned from his work trip.  I was no longer alone with the kiddos.  The mood started to lift.

And then this happened:

Click here for the video.

It happened a few other times today.  But by the time Daddy got home, her first move to get somewhere was to get up and walk.

Awesome.

And that is when I am reminded that it isn't just people that we need to trust.  We need to trust in the fact that there are always "good times".  There are always exciting, thrilling and memorable moments.

And those far exceed the bad ones.  Because those are the ones we will remember.

We might remember a time of sadness, depression, or despair.


But the moments that will overtake those? That will shine forever in our minds, our photos, our scrapbooks?    

Those will be the good times.  I trust in that.


STOP

Interested in writing for five minutes?  No editing, just writing.  Visit The Gypsy Mama by clicking on that button down there, and while you are at it take a sec to read about how others are trusting today.

And then she joined us.

A little over a year ago, we were a small family of three living in the Netherlands.

Content.  But not yet complete.

And then she joined us.  

Now we are a family of four, living in Scotland.  And we are complete AND content. 

*  *  * 

A little over a year ago, I had a son.  Full of spirit, energy and well...boyness. 

And then she joined us. 

And I developed a fondness for pink and hair bows.  

*  *  *  

A little over a year ago, on February 1, 2011,  I thought my life would change forever. 

And then she joined us.

And my life DID change forever.  She has touched my heart in a way no one has before.  I never thought I'd have a bond like the one I feel with her.  I want all the best for her in her life.  I want all of her hopes and dreams to come true.  

She fills our lives with smiles, belly laughs, giggles, finger points {that's one of her trademark greetings}, blown kisses and that special open mouth kiss {you know the one, right?} too.  She's loves to "dance" and wrestle with her brother.  

She is cruising and taking a few steps here and there.  Saying hi, mama, and dada.  Eating just about anything we set in front of her. 

Filling our hearts with more love every day. 

*  *  *

A little over a year ago we had only celebrated one FIRST birthday. 

And then she joined us. 

 And now we have celebrated two first birthdays.

* * * 

We extended her celebration, so it lasted about four days.  And it will last even longer with presents from the U.S. finding their way to Scotland.  And that is the way it should be, right?  Especially for a first {and golden} birthday.

And now I have another thing to add to my bucket list.  Learn how to make pink frosting.  Mine turned out orange.  Hmph.

*  *  *

Capturing the joy in the little things

This week?  Flew by.  Which is pretty hard to believe, since it was pretty low-key.

But, since its Friday, that means its time to appreciate the little things with Lindsay from From the Aisle to Aloha.  And since those little things are things that make me happy, and I have discovered another link-up on Friday that fits in nicely with that theme, I am joining Erin at Living in Yellow.   Have you checked out her little home on the 'net yet?   If not, please do.  She is hi-lar-ious.

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So, peeps, I need to start taking A LOT more photos.  I had just a few to choose from.

But, can I tell you somethin'?  I have realized this week that I get GREAT JOY out of capturing moments for other people.  Just as much {maybe even a bit more} than I do for myself.

Which brings me to this...the city of Eindhoven turned into a marathon course.

My friend Tracey finished the marathon.  So awesome.  And I got to sort of be her unofficial post race photographer.  So awesome. {I was going to delete that second "so awesome" since I had just said it, but it. just. was.}

These little puppies.  They arrived a few days too late, so have delayed our move to Scotland.  BUT they arrived {with special little UK Visas stamped inside}.  And that is what matters.  I just about could have kissed the DHL guy {he was kind of cute, actually}, but just settled for a "you've made my day!"

See that hand on the ear?  A tell-tale sign that J#4 is tired.  I love signs.  Its sort of like a warning bell, you know?  Rubbing of ear.  Tired.  Rubbing of eyes?  Really tired.  Go directly to crib, place her gently in it. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 Euros  {I wonder if it is less because of the currency conversion?}.

He's finally back on a peanut butter toast kick {picky eater + phases =not many choices of what to feed him}.  Yay!!  And those pjs are too adorable for words.  Flannel pants.  Swoon {about the flannel pants...I grew too small for my old ones, need to find some new ones!}

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? This is going to be my vehicle for starting the book I want to write   {on my bucket list, look under miscellaneous}.  It means I write every day during November, with the goal of writing a 50,000 word novel {about 175 pages} by midnight on November 30.  What happens when I'm done?  I get a web badge, and I get listed on a page on the NaNoWriMo website.  Not too exciting, but at least I'm on my way, right?  

#  #  #

If you have a few spare minutes, link up, or at least go check out some of other fun ladies over at both of these sites: 

numbers. most random blog post ever.

Numbers.  Good numbers.  Not so good numbers.  Let's start with the not good, and move to the good.  M'kay?

Not so good...

# on the scale:  Dudettes {I love the word dude.  Wish it wasn't so 80's}.  About two months ago I was at the lowest # I had been since I was married.  Now?  Not the case.   I am pondering making myself accountable for my weight fight here on the blog.  Contemplating.  Just not sure yet...

#s on the statistics page: UGH!  Why do I look at those?  I don't blog for followers.  I blog for me.  I gotta stop looking at 'em.

# of days until our move:  EEEK!

Good...

# of days until our move:  Yay!!!!

# of days until our fall trip back to Minnesota: Yay again!

# of days it took me to get through the Bible in 90 days:  79.

# of months J#4 is:  8 {as of yesterday}.   UNBELIEVABLE.  Fantastic.  Love. Her. To. Pieces.

Grandma...how's this one???

First time in a cart. Rockin' it. 

Five Minute Friday: Rest

Whew. Friday. Who's with me on that?

Alright...linking up again this week to The Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday.

# # #

Rest. I look forward to getting some rest.

Being mama to a two year old and six seven month old can be a bit tiring. Especially when J#1 is traveling for work so I am on my own.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining...just stating a fact.

Because it is all worth it. The messy rooms. The messy faces. The laundry, the dishes...you know the drill.

To see my adorable children smiling up at me from the crib or bathtub? Priceless.

In a few years, when they are both more independent, maybe there will be more rest?  Or maybe we will have to wait eighteen years or so.  Whatever.  Either way, I will be enjoying the moment.

Enjoying her toothless, gummy grin while I still can {a tooth breaking thru as we speak!}.

Enjoying his babble that I can't always understand for now. Because he isn't quite at the "why" phase, lucky me.

Enjoying their cute brother-sister time, which of course he is pretty much "leading" right now. But that is the way it supposed to be.

Rest comes at nap time. Rest comes at bed time. Thank God for sleep, right?

Thank God for these two little blessings that keep me awake. That help make it easier for me to rest.

What would tire me out, if it wasn't for them? What would help me fall asleep dreaming of a bright future, if it wasn't for them?

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Click over here to check out what other ladies have to day about rest.




P.S.  Photos were added after the five minutes.  Just wanted to make sure you knew.

Inspiration Workshop

I am late to the game on this one but am now joining with Gussy Sews and her Inspiration Workshop.  Gussy is based in Minneapolis, so that makes her one of my FAVORITE blogs to read. Yup, just because she is in Minneapolis.

Plus she creates these beautiful bags, wristlets, and headbands. Maybe someday, like when J#4 is past the spit-up age (not that she does that much, because she really doesn't), and I have a few spare bucks lying around I will grab one of these.

And people, listen to this. SHE TAUGHT HERSELF how to sew. That is VERY impressive to me.  Inspiration, shall I say?

 # # #

But back to the topic at hand. The prompt this week is "your favorite color".  For the last several years of my life, that would be either orange or green.  Just a little different, but fun colors just the same. 

Now?   It's pink.

Pre-February 2011 (or maybe October 2010) I despised pink.  You wouldn't see it in our home or my closet.  Maybe it was because I didn't think I could be a good mom for a little girl.  Just because I am not really a "girly" girl, you know what I mean?

But when the opportunity presented itself (and I was hoping for a girl, I'll have you know) via a 20 week ultrasound...this girl, in all of her pink glory, snuck that color to the top of my list.  

And being a mom to a girl?  It's just coming naturally. 

How could I NOT love pink now?

Pink dresses, pink purses, little pink toenails...so much to look forward to. 

She has even gotten me to wear pink...

Although, I am guessing I will be veto'd in trying to use it in decorating (actually LOVE this room below) for the foreseeable future.

Source: vi.sualize.us via Jennifer on Pinterest

But maybe I can sneak it in...

Source: pinkandgreenowl.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

with flowers...

Source: lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

or in J#4's room.  Cute, right?

These photos...and my little lady...are inspiration for me.

Xpat Blog Hop: Photo Time!

This weeks topic for the Xpat Blog Hop at Tales from Windmill Fields is: 
A photo or photos that sum up for you the country you live in.  


As I put myself a year (or 10) down the road and think back to our time here, what will I remember? 


Well, first it will be the friends we have made and how glad I was to find the Mums & Toddlers group.  That might be a little cheesy, but its the truth!  There are a few friends I have made that I hope are lifelong friends.  And J#3 and I would have gone a little VERY stir crazy without the Mums & Toddlers meetings and meeting up with the friends we have made through the group. 

J#3 on the move at one of our first Mums & Toddlers meetings

Next, are the tulips.  Is that a cop out?  No.  At this point in my life Keukonhof Gardens is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life. 

Next, would be walking A LOT, and just healthier living in general.  

the kids can be often be found here.  in the stroller, as we are walking everywhere we go. 

This is going to sound a little odd, but when we head out on the weekend with J#1 in the car it is actually pretty exciting.  Weird, isn't it? 


And the #1 thing I will remember about the Netherlands? 

Our, beautiful, forever reminder.