project three sixty five

Day 204:  My go-to breakfast lately: yogurt, oatmeal, grape nuts and whatever fruit I have on hand.  Yummy and good for me. 

Day 205:  New diet plan we're starting to try to hopefully make my stomach/ intestinal pain lessen. 

Day 206:  I took Micah's baby book to get the pages copied so we could give him his actual book. 

Day 207:  Our service group had a special turkey lunch after service.  Nice to get together with everyone. 

Day 208:  Special visit with my new nephew Emerson. 

Day 209:  My new mug from the dollar store and spearmint tea.  Its making me forget how much I miss drinking coffee; well, its trying. 

Day 210:  We both got paid today and cashed our checks at the store where I work. 

Auntie Shai meets Emerson

Yesterday I met my sweet little nephew Emerson for the first time.  My brother and his girlfriend Shawntel made the long journey from northern Alberta down to southern BC with their little bundle.  Chris, my mum and dad and I drove up to Osoyoos and met them for a visit in the afternoon.  

I am smitten.  For sure.  

Little Emerson is just 9 days old in these pictures.  

 He even had some cuddles with Uncle Chris! 

I was looking forward to meeting Shawntel for the first time too.  We had a really nice visit and it makes me happy to see how in love with my brother Micah she is.  

Little yawn faces are the best.  He would also make the sweetest little squeak noises.  Kind of like a little baby chick.  Too cute. 

They are such a cute little family. 

I am so glad that I got to meet this little one as a newborn.  It just made my month.  I can't wait to watch him grow up and develop his own little personality.  Micah has promised me Skype dates with him.  That will make me happy since we're like 20 hours apart.  I am so excited to be an Auntie!!  

Now, what are the best little baby boy gifts??  I'm so new at this!  I don't know what to get them! :D 

OLW: flourish

My one little word for 2012 is flourish.  This is my second year picking a 'one little word' to guide and mold my life in the year to come.  Last year was full of changes and big beginnings...this year will be about settling into my new routines and choices and thriving within them.

Flourish --  verb:  

1. to be in a vigorous state; to thrive
2. to be in it's or in one's prime; to be at the height of excellence
3. to be successful; to prosper
4. to grow luxuriantly, or to thrive in growth
5. to make dramatic sweeping gestures
6. to decorate or add embellishment

synonyms: exist in abundance, overflow, thrive, accomplish, increase, intensify, garnish, display, swish, curlicue.  

 I have had a couple weeks sitting with my word now in this new year.  I knew this was my word as soon as it hit me, but I have struggled a bit with writing about it.  It is important to me to document this journey and to see what good things this word may bring into my life.  To delve into the ways I can be effected and affected by choosing this word.  So I've been sitting with it and collecting my thoughts, but today I want to share.  I want to put a voice to my intentions, to claim and to invite this word.  

A favorite quote I have discovered is from Barbara Smith. 

"Where trust is, love can flourish." 

I hope that this word has a powerful impact on my relationships.  With my husband especially.  This year we will celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary and my love for this man just keeps on growing.  And I want that to continue... I want our love to flourish here in our new home, in the life we have made for ourselves.  I also want to be more present within my friendships.  To make real connections and accept and love and encourage those around me.

I also want to flourish spiritually... I feel that this is a process that I began last year with getting back into the pioneer work and I want to continue to set and reach my spiritual goals.  Being active in the ministry work makes me feel like my life means something, like the work I do is worthwhile.  The greatest gift I can give is of myself and my time.  I want to give my best to Jehovah.  I want to grow and thrive in this area of my life.

There is also great opportunity for adding flourish within my home.  Being a new homeowner is so exciting and I am eager to continue to decorate and make our house a home we are proud of.  I have plans to turn our guest room into a bit of a music studio space for Chris, and ideas for utilizing that big wall in our living/dining room.  I can literally "add flourish" here.

I am also on a bit of a journey with my health (another post about this coming sometime soon) and I want to invite the thought of flourishing into this space as well.  Its been a difficult battle with figuring out what is wrong and exactly how my body works in relation to the foods I eat.  I have not been making the best choices, but this is changing.  And I can already feel my body changing.  I want to flourish physically and be healthy.  I want my eyes to shine again.

Throughout the year I plan on collecting things that relate to my word on a Pinterest board I've created just for it.  I am excited to see it morph and change and collect things, maybe even unexpected things.  You're welcome to follow me there and watch the journey unfold.

I chose this word because it just took hearing it one time to know it was the right word.  I think it chose me. My mind started spinning with all the ways it could present in my life, and I am glad to have some of my intentions and goals written down in this space.  I'm sure I will share throughout the year little ways that I am flourishing.  I am glad to be on this journey.

Did you pick a One Little Word this year?  

What are you inviting into your life? 

Project Three Sixty Five

Its been a few weeks since I shared my Project 365 pictures, but we have been taking them.  I can't believe we've been keeping up with this project for 6 whole months now.  I am so proud of us!! 

I won't share all the weeks that didn't get posted, but the last couple would be fun to share. :) 

This week was full of: new candles from overnight guests we had, free 6" sub from Subway cuz I had enough points, Chris got his eyes checked and picked out glasses, then he strained his eyes some more playing Assassin's Creed, my cousin Hannah's new business card at her new salon, magnet poetry for our fridge, and 28 degree weather but still no snow. 

This week was full of:  before and afters of new hair, eating lots of grapes, chocolate gifts from Chris' customers, my camera collection unpacked, fresh baked banana bread, reading Jasmine* 's Exposed magazine, and Chris' glasses came in (he looks so handsome, and he can see now!!) 

This week was full of:  trying to catch the stupid mouse, my favorite place to get coffee (and what turned out to be my last cup of coffee ever), brand new babies, the longest Chris' facial hair has ever been, rodeo bulls back in town on "winter vacation", the offer for the month and walking around the block in the cold crisp day. 

My favorite day:  becoming Auntie Shai for sure!!  

Baby Emerson is here

Yesterday at 2:44 pm my little nephew Emerson Bradley Andre Fricke was born.  He weighed 8lb 6oz and was 21 inches tall.  I am so happy for my little brother Micah and his girl Shawntel.  Micah kept me posted via text as things were happening and all is well with both baby and mama.  I hope I get to see them soon and hold that sweet little one in my arms.  Just call me Auntie Shai.  I'm pretty excited!! :)  

Thanks to the friends who were there to take pictures.  I am treasuring these today.

This is the New Year

Welcome 2012.