Final February Foto Fun Day 29: Gratitude

Again, I could go deep with this or keep it light. But here are two things I am grateful for today:

1. I am so grateful that I get to flip the calendar tonight to wake up tomorrow with it being MARCH!! And you know what that means.....Spring!! Even if we are being warned of quite the winter storm coming in the next days, it can't stop March from happening! All of this means that I have pretty much gotten through winter fairly unscathed. Winter can be so long for me, and here we are, with Spring around the corner. So I am grateful for a fast-upcoming season of Spring, and most of all that God has spared me this past winter of the winter blahs.

2, The second thing I am filled with gratitude for is the comments I received with this month long challenge. It was so nice to have some "interaction"! I get just as excited to see a comment on here as I do when I get the mail (I know, pathetic, but yeah, that's me :) So thanks for following and commenting this past month with all my pictures and blatherings.

While it was fun, I am thankful this challenge is over. I shall keep it mind again though because it sure gave a bit of a (little) focus for this month. I hope you enjoyed it!

And to think that there are still pictures I took this month that didn't even end up here......next time!

February Foto Fun Day 28: Self-Portrait

I knew this one was coming all month and doubted whether I should have just axed that one. In most photo challenges, self-portraits were on for the month two times! At the beginning of the month and the end. I didn't like the idea of two self-portraits so one it is.

And that was a good choice considering the difficulty in doing a self-portrait. You have no idea how many pictures I took before I was somewhat "satisfied". You can totally tell I am not of the generation of selfies. Well, that and the fact that I didn't do fish lips and pouting eyes in my self-portrait :)

Day 29: Gratitude

February Foto Fun Day 27: Animal

The only way I like "animal" - cooked and on my plate. That above is butter chicken with some naan. Mmmm, I love Indian food!!

And for those who think I am morbid and against all animals alive, we do have a pet fish: Bobby. He will never end up on my plate. Don't tell a anyone, but I've actually gotten used to having him here, watching all my doings in the kitchen. In fact, I believe Bobby is still here today because it is me that feeds him!

See?! Not such an animal-hater after all.

Day 28: Self-portrait (groan......)

February Foto Fun Day 26: Jewelry

My jewelry box. I believe there are more necklaces and bracelets in there made for me by my daughter than there is of the "real" stuff. Oh wait. Those handmade ones are the real stuff :o)

Day 27: Animal

February Foto Fun Day 25: Music

Music to my ears.....listening to my daughter getting the hang of reading.

Day 26: Jewelry (I always think this word is spelled wrong......)

February Foto Fun Day 24: A Photo that Tells a Story

I thought I could skip this one, seeing as I kind of did this every day so far this month. But no......someone has reminded me that there is no skipping allowed. Actually, the truth of why there was no photo yesterday is because when you are a supply teacher, you never know when you will get called in! Yesterday I was in Gr. 5 and today I was in Gr. 4, both last minute calls (one being late the night before, and this morning's call came at 6:20 am).

Anyway, I shall back up one day......A Photo That Tells a Story:

Whitewater rafting......kind of the same adrenaline used/needed when we did Tough Mudder. We did this before we had kids, meaning, it didn't matter if we got hurt......oh wait, we had kids when we did Tough Mudder. Well, anyway, we went whitewater rafting back in 2004, on the Ottawa River.  When you pay off some $40,000 of school debt (ahem, not mentioning any names here, but it wasn't mine........), a celebration is in order, and we chose to do it by risking our lives. And it was SO. MUCH. FUN!!!!!

And you honestly think I could leave it at just one photo?! You know me better than that.....so here are some others from our adventure. Can you find us?! Proof I truly have a problem of keeping my mouth shut in all circumstances.....

 

 

Great times, I tell ya!! If you haven't done this - put it on your bucket list. :o)

Day 25: Music

February Foto Fun Day 23: Something I Want

Yikes. That's a loaded one. Something I want?! How deep do I go with this? How shallow? I guess I can go as deep or as shallow as I am willing to go. So here goes:

I want:

• to like healthy food more
• to learn to let go
• to never have to shave again
• it to be a sunny 26 degrees Celsius every single day (with no humidity)
• my basement finished
• to know when to shut up and when to talk
• a content heart
• adopt all orphans
• people to experience no more pain or diseases
• a cup of chocolate milk
• a creative bone in my body
• curly hair
• straight hair
• patience
• a double oven
• all to know and see God as their Saviour
• clear skin
• to write a book
• to be pregnant
• no child to ever experience sexual abuse; or poverty; or starvation; or loss
• to go back to school
• to trust God more
• to go on a missions trip
• to learn how to dance
• Christ to come back
• to go camping. Now.
• my kids to grow up knowing they are a child of God
• to get my motorcycle license
• to enjoy today's moments, not always anticipating for the future
• my husband all to myself
• to bake and be left with no dirty dishes
• a No Frills in my town
• to love animals
• wisdom
• to take the kids out of school for a year (or more) once they are older and travel the world

Phew. Quite the list, and I haven't even posted a picture yet!

Finally, I want nothing more than to keep on loving on my family. My crazy beautiful family. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovely, eh?! :o)

Day 23: Tell a Story with One Picture. (Oh. I think I did this every single day so far. Oops. Maybe the challenge will be the number. One picture. That's it......Yup. That'll be a challenge.)

February Foto Fun Day 22: Something I Can't Live Without

Of course you would know the obvious, right? I would think that by reading my blog you would know I could not live without my God and His promises. I also wouldn't want to know if I could live without my dear hubby and precious children.  I couldn't live without water, food, friends and air. But rather than take a picture of the obvious, I thought I'd let you know of something else I don't think I could live without:

That's right. Salt. I love me some salt. Salty snacks, salty dinners, salty fries, salted candy. Salt. I don't eat pounds of the stuff, but I certainly do cook with it and add a bit more to my food once it's on the plate. Salt does wonderful things to food. I crave a salty snack much quicker than a sweet snack.

But because I don't ever want to be told I need to cut out the salt in my life, I do watch my intake by keeping the salt container off the breakfast table.....I mean, salt on oatmeal?! Na. I'll pass. :o)

Day 23: Something I want

February Foto Fun Day 21: Something Red

The bow in Keziah's hair for Sunday today.

Day 22: Something I can't live without

February Foto Fun Day 20: Frozen

How I wish today was frozen in time. It was a day that was spent with my darling girl. It had been well over a year since we went on a date together. Her idea of a date is to spend time at the mall......my favourite place. Not. But I take her, as I get to see her in her glory, looking and touching all kinds of things. And I'll walk every mall with her if that means spending time with her.

First things first: eating lunch in the Food Court

Next on her agenda? The Disney Store.....the very reason why we drove to this particular mall!! Her and Olaf - her favourite Frozen character, and well, he fit my frozen theme for the day:

And then we wandered and wandered. And wandered some more. We stopped at every store that had a rack of Beanie Boos......who knew so many stores would sell these things?! She found every single one, and it typically went like this: she would look, touch, then take one out, snuggle it to her nose, put it back and then leave the store:

 

 

We also had to stop at any store that had figurines to look at......she spent a lot of time in this store, the Green Earth. She just went from one interesting display to the next. She never says much....just takes it all in, one display at a time.

After a few hours of this, a frozen strawberry and banana shake was requested. We sat and rested our feet, and shared not only the drink, but also a few giggles

 

 

We walked and wandered some more, and then after about 3 hours, our feet were done. We then invited the boys of the family to join us for a tasty treat: frozen yogurt, another choice by the 6.5 year old without knowing it would fit well with my frozen theme of the day. 

 

 

Ah, such a great way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday. On one hand I wish I could freeze moments like this, yet on the other hand I wouldn't want to because then we wouldn't get to experience more moments like today. I am so thankful for this girl. She is a treasure beyond what I deserve. But seeing that it pleased God to bless us with her, I shall continue to relish every minute with my daughter.

Day 21: Something Red

February Foto Fun Day 19: Exercise Routine

I started CycleFit again in the last couple of months.....wow. So hard yet so good.

Exercise has been a part of my life for a very long time. Nathan and I got our first gym membership when we were married for 6 months and we've made use of it ever since. Those first few years, we would meet at 4 or 4:30 and work out together. It was always so "pleasant" to spot for him after a day of him visiting all his customers, which were farmers (his old job). Mmmm, farm sweat.  (just in case you can't read it, I am being very, VERY sarcastic here......blech!!!!)

Once he switched jobs to what he does now, we would work out together at 5:30 in the morning, and then we would go each to our own jobs.

And then the kids happened. But while working out together stopped, we still worked out......just separately. I worked out according to the hours the day time care was available (9-12), and Nathan worked out at 5:30 in the morning. And this is still the times we work out to this day.

I am thankful I am healthy to be able to do this. Whenever I don't feel like working out, I remind myself of the fact that I *can* work out, so get going.

Day 20: Frozen

February Foto Fun Day 18: Best Friend

Surprise, surprise. Yes, my hubby is my best friend. He is the only one that sees me at my absolute worst physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and yet? He still loves me so very much. The Lord has blessed us with a rock solid relationship. We have been together for 20.5 years, and each year gets better and better.  I praise God every day with a thankful heart for blessing me with Nathan. He is everything I am not, and so he completes me. I pray that God will continue to bless our relationship as we travel life together as best friends.

Oh, and if I need some advice in the girly department, I am also blessed with some very close girlfriends......girls I have been friends with for over 20 years. I didn't see them today, so no pictures of them. I do have pictures from the past of them and me, but yeah, I am not ready to lose a 20 year old friendship over a posted picture from way back when. You're welcome, Jenn, Tam, and Michelle ;o)

Do you know how hard it was to get a picture of just him and I?! We have a couple photo bombers in the house, especially the girl.....love it! I crack up every time I look at these pictures!

 

 

 

Day 19: Exercise Routine (I guess tomorrow's a good time as any to start exercising...... )

February Foto Fun Day 17: Sunset

I knew it. While there was a sunset today, as there is one every day, it could not be seen due to it being overcast. So no sunset picture today. That means digging in the archives, and since I am breaking the rules by doing that, I thought I'd break ALL of the rules for today's picture by not showing a sunset, but a sunrise!

Isn't this sunrise gorgeous?! I took this picture in 2008, on the beach while on holiday in Punta Cana with some very good friends. I was on the beach early in the morning, collecting sand to bring back to give to my kindergarten students. It was then that God once again showed His majestic glory.  What a way to start the day. I think it's time to go back....... :o)

Day 18: Best Friend

February Foto Fun Day 16: Favourite Saying

It's a saying I heard in a marriage video a few years ago, one that I quickly scrawled at the top of the workbook as I loved it. And it's a saying that I fall back on, as it is just so humbling. It keeps things in perspective for me, as everything He does here to me is to perfect me for Him. That may mean some tough trials or thorns in the sides, all with the goal of perfecting me. I am thankful for this reminder.

Of course I don't just have one favourite saying. I have a few. Another favourite saying I love is: 

Failure is trying to please everyone. 

This is a very good reminder for me as I tend to want to please people a little too much. A people-pleaser. And when I don't, well, that leaves me unsettled and sleepless. So to remember that saying is helpful for me to keep things in focus, and that is to first please the Lord and to stop looking to please everyone.

So do you have any words of wisdom? Favourite sayings?

Day 17:  A Sunset (oh-oh.....I may be going into the Archives for this one!)

February Foto Fun Day 15: Something New

I started a new venture this year.....something that I was trained in Ottawa for in the Christmas Holidays (which is why we were there for 3 days, including Lincoln's birthday).

It all started in November, when Nathan and I attended a Stewards of Children workshop held in one of our churches which dealt with prevention of child sexual abuse. This workshop was beneficial as we learned the facts of child sexual abuse, how to minimize opportunity, how to talk to our children, how to recognize the signs and then to react responsibly. It was 3 hours well-spent.

This workshop is from the organization of Darkness to Light (www.d2l.org), which is in the US. There is a Canadian version of this, called  VoiceFound. The facilitator of our workshop was a lady from one of our churches out in Alberta.  It was from her that we found out that no one, no one from our churches here in Ontario was trained to do what she does - facilitate these workshops.

That just didn't sit well with me, and so I looked into finding out how to become trained. And that is why I had to be in Ottawa, at the VoiceFound office, where I took an all day training workshop. This has left me now as a trained facilitator to lead this workshop. The good thing about it is I am not the only one in Ontario! There are 3 others as well from our churches that were trained with me.

So my "Something New" is that in 2016, I have started a new venture in educating adults (seeing as we are the ones responsible for children) in prevention of child sexual abuse. I am hosting my first workshop on Friday evening, February 26th, at my home. If you live in my area and are interested, let me know by sending me an email! I can then give you more details. And if that date doesn't work, I can do this workshop anytime and anywhere. You can host me in your home, or church, or school community. (michelle.helder@gmail.com)

Yes, child sexual abuse is a sensitive subject. But it is a subject that we need to talk about and be educated in for the benefit of the children in our lives, whether they are sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, children in our church/community.  I pray that God will bless this venture as we seek to protect the children He has blessed us with.

Day 16: A Favourite Saying

February Foto Fun Day 14: Love

Sorry, you won't find any sappy love sayings here.....not when we are shown what True Love really is:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

All the love stuff out there doesn't compare to the Love God has shown us through the sacrifice of His Son, for us - sinners. Hallmark has got nothin' This, my friends, is True Love. Do you know of that Love? I pray that you do.

Day 15: Something New

February Foto Fun Day 13: A Bad Habit

This is a very bad habit of mine. Oh, and a gross habit as well (aren't most bad habits gross?!). My bad habit (one of them) is I never know what to do with grease from after cooking something in my crock pot. And so because I never know how to get rid of the stuff, I tend to leave it, thinking that somehow it will disappear on its own ?

But no, a few days later, it is still there and I have to deal with it before it gets nasty (ier). But how? Only the top layer hardens and so I scrap that away, but what do I do with the liquid part? What do YOU do?

In the summer I tend to throw it outside far from the house, but what about the winter?

Please, please, please tell me how to break this habit. It is sooooo gross! Thanks!

Day 14: Love

February Foto Fun Day 12: A Good Habit

Eating breakfast. Every single day. Bran flakes with bananas. Oh, don't get me wrong. If I had a choice of cereal, it wouldn't be bran flakes. But eating Fruit Loops or Lucky Charms for breakfast every morning isn't really being a great model for my children, is it? Or is it?! Oh, how I wish. Oh well, at least I get to eat my favourites when we camp :)

Day 13: A Bad Habit

February Foto Fun Day 11: Favourite Colour

I think by seeing the following pictures of items around the house, it'll give you a clue as to what my favourite colour is:

 

 

 

No? Still need some more clues? This should help....:

 

 

 

I think you've got it figured out by now...... it's RED!!!

I mean, PURPLE! Yup, I love all things purple. Light purple. Dark purple. Lightish darkish purple. Darkish lightish purple. Purple. Such a beautiful colour.

What's yours?

Day 12: A Good Habit