Thursday, November 16, 2017

Thankful Thursday

Thankfull Thursday

Wow, this week has been so wet and stormy on the west coast. We had a long weekend full of family time (maybe too much?), Remembrance Day activities and just getting stuff done. Today we have our annual review for fostering. This is where they go through the safety checklist in your home (it's a big one) and we will talk over our contract and what our limits are regarding age and needs. We have this talk often as it's good to assess boundaries and reassess after each placement. Check out this graphic below that Brene Brown emailed out this week, so fitting for Thankful Thursdays, right? Let's practice it, team.


This week I am thankful for:

1. New meals to try. We bought the Yum and Yummer book from Costco after it was recommended to us and it encouraged me to try four new meals this week! This is the Chicken BLT Pasta Salad (before adding the chicken). I love simple and healthy. Win win.

BLT Pasta Salad
2. Thrift store finds. I checked out a new local thrift store (Talize) and found some great items! Nya always needs "new" leggings, the boys needed a new chest pad for ball hockey in the alley, and the Etch A Sketch was a major hit. Also love that the sled can be brought to school as it's nice and small. My purple sweater was returned because I made the rookie mistake of not trying it on (Nya was done with our shopping experience when I spotted it).

Thrift store finds

This is Koen's hoodie that he got for $3.99. He loves it.

Darth vader zip up hoodie

3. Slow Saturday mornings in pj's. Okay, I'm the only one in pjs'. Being with "just" our family of five is so relaxing sometimes (aka I get to sleep in!).

Reading a book on the family room couch

4. Our swing. This thing is so well used for cuddles and for wild activity too. 

Costco swing in the basement

5. Genetic test results. I did it through Color and although it cost $100 (they anayze your saliva) it gave me peace of mind when I received these results. My mom did not have the genetic form of breast cancer as far as we know so this was a great relief. Your chance of breast cancer is normally about 12% over your lifetime but with the gene it is 50+%. I did not do the advanced test which was recommended for those with breast cancer in their history as it was $250. 
Color gene test

6. A very part-time job. I teach one day a week as a substitute teacher and at this point it is perfect. I often do childcare one day a week as well (more to help out than for the $). Nya is still home two days a week so maybe next year I will try to work at least 2 days a week rather than do any childcare.

7. Confidence in my almost 40-year-old body. My metabolism is definitely slowing down and my body is quite a bit softer than it used to be in the hip and waist region but it still works pretty well! I love that I can still hike and play hockey and do all that I want/need to do. I've never been a small girl as I've had more of an athletic build (if that's the term) and I'm so grateful that I have really come to the point of accepting my body as is. I spent way to much time, energy and tears over it when I was a teenager.


8. Being able to go to Kai's volleyball tournament. Although I did not want to drive to Richmond he asked that Nya and I go so we did. I'm glad I have the time, energy and ability to go and cheer him on. Next up is basketball! Gary has been coaching senior boys basketball for about 20 years now and this year will be a big change–he'll be doing junior and helping with Kai's gr. 6 team.



9. Books!  What are you reading right now? I'm reading this one for book club.

An Audience of Chairs book

10. Kids ages 5-11. Oh my goodness. I can sit and read while they are dispersed throughout the home. I can delegate. I can sleep until at least 7 AM every morning. THIS IS SUCH A SWEET SPOT.


Don't forget to practice gratitude today and every day. What is something you are thankful for today?

Love,
Louise

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