Glory and trumpets, we made it to Grandma and Grandpa's piece of paradise for a week! And they have a TRAMPOLINE! 

(119/365)

Benjamin approves of the new furniture. (These IKEA couches showed up on my doorstep and somehow just assembled themselves? That, or I am responsible. And am ridiculously proud.)

(118/365)

Never is this boy happier than when he is physically exerting himself. Joey and I can confirm: he will never, ever stop.

(117/365)

An evening stroll with my four favourite people in the world is medicinal to the soul. And the absence of mosquitoes is worth taking advantage of.

on missing the joy

It's 4:00 on a Thursday afternoon. My boys are less than happily playing together downstairs at my instruction. I can hear screams of anger echoing up the stairs. It's not quite at intervene decibel level, so I do my best to ignore it and hope that they can sort out their differences, which is unlikely.

My almost-two-year-old daughter is wandering around listlessly, unimpressed with every single one of her toys. She wants to sit on me, doesn't want me to touch her. I set her down firmly on the ground and tell her no more, Mommy's done with this game. Go find her baby - I think she's crying? My ruse works momentarily, and I'm left to my own gloomy thoughts.

I need this day to be over. Is it Friday? Please tell me it's Friday. It's not Friday, is it?

(116/365)

Whenever we go for a nice, relaxing drive (a weekly occurrence), this is the sweet sight that greets my eyes when I turn around in my seat.

(115/365)

Night night kisses for her new baby.

(114/365)

I'm determined to spend more time with my eldest son, because, lets face it: he's the one that made me a mother in the first place, and somehow he's already 5 years old. *sniff*

(113/365)

Mah main sqeeeeze.

(112/365)

It's a perfect day for having a picnic and drying the laundry on the line.

(111/365)

She's toting snacks all over the house and feeding them to inanimate objects. 

(110/365)

I still can't believe that she's mine.

(109/365)

Bedtime prayers with Daddy. He always takes the time to wash them in the Word before they go to sleep. I am beyond thankful for him.

(108/365)

My meticulous boy is the dawdler of the family. He takes his time getting dressed, going to the bathroom, eating, and washing up. I've come to learn that it's who he is, and it might just be a tiny bit adorable, if mostly aggravating. 

(107/365)

A typical morning scene.

(106/365)

We met a whole crowd of goats, three sheep, and some friendly free-range chickens today, and can you guess what animal my kids liked best? 

(105/365)

Little Laundry Helper.

(104/365)

The days have been windy and warm, and perfect for letting the afternoons drift by.

(103/365)

He is a scary dinosaur, obvs.

(102/365)

Someone's almost two.

(101/365)

We went to a car show today. Minds: blown. We saw a whole variety of impressive vehicles that cost more than I care to imagine, and guess which one was the boys' favourite? The junior dragster they got to sit in. 

(100/365)

He loves to help her. He finds her beloved things, he picks up her cup or fork when she throws it from the table, he holds her hand on a walk, and he helps her get dressed. It has taken Benjamin almost two years to get used to the idea of having a little sister, and I think he's finding that he rather likes it.

(99/365)

I beat myself up for not getting "things" done today. I didn't unpack boxes. I didn't clean my house. I didn't even make supper (hotdogs and salad doesn't really count). I was determined to judge my day by the domestic things I accomplished. But here is what I did do: I spent time with my kids. I threw routine out the window. We went for a walk, picked up treasures, walked at the pace of an almost two year old. We lived in an unhurried, unhindered manner. And I think those are the days that matter most, in the end.

(98/365)

Playing with Mega Bloks in the bay window is their favourite activity lately. The abundance of windows and light in this house is a beautiful thing.

(97/365)

Watching her brothers play in the INCHES of snow that fell last night. And it's still falling.

(96/365)

Upper body night at the Sawatzky house.

(95/365)

Jesus Christ is risen from the grave! Happy Resurrection Sunday!

(94/365)

Everywhere we go, Benjamin gets compliments on his curly hair from complete strangers. Judah is quick to point out his beautiful hair as well, and rightly so.  Because EVERY type of hair is beautiful. 

(93/365)

"I did it!" I love watching her develop words and sentences, thoughts and ideas. 

(92/365)

"Mom! I'm being nice to Lyddie!" I'm as shocked as you are, Benji bean. 

(91/365)

When the bedtime routine starts, it feels like the home stretch. Either you can just do whatever's necessary to get them into their beds, or you can finish well by loving them and giving them the very last of your energy. Bedtime may seem so ordinary, but I believe it's the ordinary moments they'll remember most.