There are times in life when a person comes along side of you, helps you in a time of need, carries your load with you.

There are other times when the things you carry are all your own. Even if that person came along, there would be no way to let go of the burdens.

Sometimes in those moments, the only option is to be carried. Maybe nothing can be taken or carried with, but someone can hold you while you keep everything in motion.

That was last week for me. A few things starting, a bit of extra, a bit of planning and figuring out. And it was mine to carry and it was Clint who carried me.

And I am fully aware that the week wouldn't have been what it was without the listening, words of belief, encouragement and extra holding. I am thankful.

I turned to look back as I walked out their bedroom door. Clint was leaning over Evee, whispering good-night, pushing the hair out of her face, kissing her forehead... having just done the same to Iris.

As I walked out a picture flicked through my head... My own dad leaning over my bed. One morning, in the hours before I normally woke, I remember waking to a gentle weight on my back, the hand of my father, and to flickers of words, my father's prayers over me.

I remember looking up, seeing him knelt beside me, his soft smile and whisper telling me to go back to sleep. And I did, with such peace in my soul.

I can't tell you whether this happened once or over a number of mornings. I don't know how long he was there on that particular day, what season it was, what else was happening in my life, or how old I was at the time.

All I know is that one morning, probably 25 plus years ago, I woke to my father whispering his prayers over me.

I hold this to my heart.
I carry it with me
as we continue our own journey of parent our little ones...
remembering that it is often what we do when no one is watching that matters.

Today I sit at my favourite cafe. I debate how I should spell favourite/favorite when I write that line (as I do mum and mom).

I think back to writing sentimental posts about my Saturday morning places in Princeton over a year ago.

And now here I sit.

As I stood in line at the counter this morning a girl on the other side asked if I was here for "my" veggie sandwich... the one she'd suggested I get months ago. The sandwich we'd bonded over.

The girl who took my order asked if this was my morning alone. Yes it is, I said with a smile. I'd forgotten that we'd talked about that awhile ago.

I know exactly what I will order and where I will sit. I can pick out the locals from the tourist. I know the man sitting at the bench is one of the owners and not a customer. I know and love the quote by the bike rack. I read it every time.

And it feels like home.

And not of course because of this moment only, but the collections of moments over the last year and a half. //The ladies I sat around the table with last night... almost one year exactly of sharing our stories, laughing, living out pain and joy together. Letting each other in a bit more as the days go by.

//And the job I took and started this past week, back into social work. That feels like going home in a way to something known and familiar.

//And the suicide bereavement group that will start in just over a week from now. And, although it is somewhat new territory, it's another way that we, as a church, are putting our roots deep into the soil of our community and that feels like home.

I could go on and on, the way any of us could about our own communities that we deeply love.

I guess all to say that today I feel very blessed to have multiple places in the world to call home, that truly feel "home".

Hello friends!

Where we're at
and gratitude:
:: We've moved house!
:: So many beautiful people helped us move, brought meals, watched our kids, helped us pack, and cleaned. Really, I was amazed.
:: Change always takes me a second to process. I wasn't certain about our new house, but one week in and I'm loving it. It seems to be just perfect for this season.
:: And as crazy as this week of unpacking and settling in has been, there have been amazing moments of processing faith over meals and friends sitting around in our unpacked living room and many cups of tea. I'm so thankful.
:: Evee turns 6 next month. 6! Can I just say I love the 5 year old age? She is a joy. Tonight, with Clint out and Iris to bed early, we had a girls night. She is a delight to hang out with.
:: Iris is all her own. Lots of laughter (and, at 2 years old, lots of tears).
:: Iris is full on into dress up. Not like Evee was with wearing dresses all the time, but actually dressing up in costume type clothes. I'm pretty sure her daily goal is to be in a princess or ballerina outfit as much as possible. She does pretty well.
:: This past week Clint, Iris and I went to visit some friends that have just under 50 years on us. There is something so peaceful about being with them. I hope that as I age I become more and more gracious, steady and encouraging.
:: We have another new niece! So many little people in our families that I am longing to meet!
:: And the last picture above - our happy faces at sweet blessings that came this week through papa & grandma (my parents). Learning more about God's goodness, love and gifts through them.

Much love to you all as you go about your days... May we find joy and peace.

This is our current "say cheese" face. A very update picture, taken tonight. Evee is out with a friend. They will come back to our place for a sleepover tonight. We're already at that stage.

Where we are:
It's been a month since I last posted. What's happened to me friends?
We've had my sweet friend Regina for 3 weeks and her brother for almost one week. It was wonderful to have them.
We found out that our house that we rent is being sold and that we need to move. Just this week we've also found a new place to live. We move in 2 weeks. Crazy!
At the playground tonight, a lady we didn't know asked if we'd keep an eye on her daughter while she went to the end of the block to grab their fish & chips. I don't know... just thought it was interesting.

My next post will be on gratitude and thankfulness. I have been thinking a lot about that today and the need I have to bring that attitude back into my life more habitually.

Hope you are well friends.

The girls and I headed to a bay earlier this week to camp with friends. We joined my brave friend who considered camping with her two little ones and me and my two littles no biggie... so we were happy to go along :).

And truly, it was easy. Granted, we joined them along the way since we had things on the schedule all ready. So we didn't even have to set up a tent! I guess I shouldn't say it was easy...

We had two days hanging out on the beach, exploring a bit, an early morning walk on the beach as both Evee and Iris were awake, and hanging out with friends.

The hills go right into the ocean. New Zealand is unbelievably beautiful. I will say this again and again.

Then we headed back home to get ready for Evee's first day back to school for the year. Lots of excitement here this week.

Hope you are all well...

Pictures in no good order:
:: We went to the Botanic Gardens for the kids part in the Buskers Festival today. Clint got asked to hold a ladder on stage ;). It was fun to go together.
::  We are preparing for school starting next week (!!!). Evee's excited. We will treasure this last week.
:: She is a beauty. Seriously a joy to be around.
:: The confident scooter and bike riding are changing my life. The walk to and from school is going to be a breeze!
:: Clint & Evee watching the act today. Sweetness.
:: Iris on a non-baby swing going high. She is growing up. She is funny and wonderful.
:: And a picture Iris took. Just because I'm not often in the pictures :).