Thrifty Friday

I feel like my posts have been a bit heavy lately so on the lighter side I thought I could share some of my recent thrift store finds.
A day of thrifting always cheers me up! One great thing about living in a new city is exploring all the thrift stores! So far I have only been to the Penny Pinchers....
Here are some of my recent finds...

The tank is nice and flowy...I am dreaming of spring already! Can't go wrong
with a little leopard! 

Some bud vases. Hopefully my husband sees this
and buys me some buds to fill them with!
Preferably tulips ;)

I also picked up a few key baby food making tools. A apple peeler and a vegetable steamer.

Happy Friday all!

Mel

PS- My new hobby is now knitting. Currently I am working on headbands since they are quite simple to make!

Saturday thoughts.

Sometimes I feel like my heart is in two places. One half is here in Kamloops with our little family of 3. The other half is back in Abbotsford with our family and the community we built there. I am still trying to navigate through this territory. Moving has been a really hard adjustment for me.
I do love our new life in Kamloops. I love that Mika is home a lot more and we get to spend a lot of time together as a family. I love the rolling hills. I love that it doesn't rain, like ever! I love the constant sunshine and the dusting of snow.
The hard days are when Mika is working his day shifts. It's those days I realize how lonely I am here. I find it really hard not having family or friends here. I am a very social person. I didn't really realize how much time I actually spent with friends or dropping by Tracycakes to see my Mom and sister until now.
I am praying that we find community here in a church. We are still trying to figure out where we want to go to attend. We were so comfortable at The Bridge. One big family. Its hard to think that we can find that again. Our old bible study has been together for almost 5 years. I guess it is a little bit daunting for me to just start over in a church.  I know I need to go out of my comfort zone to make friends.
God is using this time to draw me closer to him and strengthen our little family. I am also using this time to try new hobbies! I was at MCC this week and picked up a crib board and some knitting needles. I thought Mika and I could spend the evenings drinking wine and playing crib. Learning to knit has also been a skill I have always wanted to learn! In the spring I want to plant a garden. Currently I am practicing my garden skills on some herbs in my window sill.

This was posted on Ann Voskamp's page yesterday.
It was a little shot of encouragement for me.

Happy Saturday!

Mel

6 months old.

Sadie is 6 months old. Just saying that brings tears to my eyes. How can my baby girl be half a year old already? Everyone tells you "enjoy it, it goes fast" but I never believed them until now. I still remember those first moments with her like they were yesterday. One of the best moments of my life was hearing the words "You were right! It's a GIRL!". I held her close and was instantly in love with her. Each day I spend with her my love grows even more. I love being a mama. I am cherishing every moment with her. God blessed us SO much by giving us this little girl to raise.

A letter to my girl.

Sadie Rae,
Today you are 6 months old. You bring SO much JOY into our lives each day. From the moment you wake up you are such a happy baby. You literally wake up with a smile on your face. Sometimes Daddy and I race to get you in the morning since you are so happy to see us. Being a mama to you is the best feeling in the world. Some days I don't accomplish much around the house but I feel so proud of how you are growing and changing each day. I love to see your chubby legs kick around. I love to see you roll. I love watching your face light up when you see your Daddy.
You are so loved.

1 month old

2 months old

3 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

Mel xo

Currently.

Currently.....

Obsessing over: my juicer! I make Mika and I fresh healthy juices every day. I am so amazed of how many veggies and fruit I can pack into one cup of juice! So far my favorite combo is spinach, kale, pineapple and carrots.

Working on: Right now I am working on being content. Moving is hard to say the least. I am taking it one day at a time. I am really trying to find the small joys in each day and have a more thankful attitude.
Today's joy was that Mika was able to take Sadie and I shopping downtown and on a coffee date. We are so blessed with all the time we get to spend together as a family with Mika's new job.

This is a verse that I printed and hung in my kitchen as a daily reminder.

Always be joyful.  Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 
1 Thessalonions 5:16-18

Thinking about: How we can get more connected in Kamloops. We are trying a new church and we really like it so far. But we both know that we need to get more involved to actually get connected. We want to join a bible study and I will start going to the women's group next week. Trying new things like this always makes me really nervous. I know going out of my comfort zone is the only way I am going to make friends here and feel more connected though.
I am also working on getting back into more of a routine. Since Mika's work schedule is a lot different than his old Monday-Friday job I kind of lost my routine. I thrive on routine! So this week I am trying to have more of a daily schedule.

Anticipating: My visit to Abbotsford. I am coming on Friday! I am really looking forward to seeing my family and my friends.

Eating: Trying to get back into our normal healthy eating now that the holidays are over. Today I am cooking Jamie Oliver meatloaf. I know meatloaf has a bad rep but I love all Jamie Oliver recipes so I gave this one a try awhile ago and it is one of my hubby's favorites!

Praying for: That God would use this time to draw me closer to Him. Praying for more connections in our new home. Praying for a house to call home.

Wishing for: A new winter hat. I am not used to living somewhere so cold that I need to wear a hat all the time outside!

Well Sadie is down for her morning nap. This mama needs to do her workout video! Jillian Michaels is kicking my butt so far...!

Happy Wednesday :)

Mel