micah vacuuming made me cry...

yes, its true.

my sweet boy was 'vcuuming' and i sat on the stairs watching and crying.
those of you who know me know that i cry pretty easily but this wasn't a 'oh my baby is growing up' moment.

i had just finished vacuuming the living room and had ran upstairs to grab something and when i cam back down this is what i saw.

he was very content 'vacuuming' so i sat on the stairs to watch him and that is when the tears started flowing.

you see this is how i vacuum:
- turn on the power by stepping on the power switch
- push the vacuum head around
- push the ball back and vacuum the next section

this is what micah did:
- reached his tiny foot up to turn the power on
- pushed the vacuum head around
- put the vacuum head down
- pushed the ball back
- proceeded to vacuum

what i saw was a mirror of what i had just done. my little boy had watched every detail of what i was doing and copied me. he had been playing with trucks while i vacuumed, i didn't even realize he was paying attention.

as i sat there and watched is tiny little foot reach up to hit the power button i was flooded with the realization of just how much impact we have on these tiny humans. he notices everything i am doing even when i don't realize it.

how blessed am i that God would entrust me, me, with this beautiful soul to raise up.

i am blown away!

it is not easy task and i need to look at myself first and make sure i am setting the example in all things and that starts by coming to the Lord in prayer and seeking His guidance and direction.

momma thoughts & cute pictures

this post is for me, if it doesn't make sense just ignore it and look at the cute pictures of micah

 

this incredibly cute kid has been very trying over the past week. 

i am learning more about myself than i care to but i guess that it all part of parenting right?

 i am realizing more than ever that this sweet scrunchie faced boy is a mirror and he will mirror not only the good but the bad. i am doing some serious praying that i can be the mom he needs me to be. so that as he grows up he will be a man who seeks the face of Christ and wants to serve Him in all he does. a man who will not just get angry when he is frustrated but instead will fall to his knees in prayer. a man who will love fiercely no matter the circumstances. a man who will act justly, love mercy and walk humbly (micah 6:8 - the verse i pray for him) 

 in order for that to happen i need to be a momma who seeks the face of Christ, fall to my knees in pray, love like Christ loves us, act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. i wish it was simple. i wish that it didn't take going through trials to be that person. as i pray for these things i know that i am praying for hard times, times that will test me and shape me. i know that there will be more tears shed and that i will not do it perfectly. i know i will fail.

thankfully God is so good and he forgives freely when i mess up. he will embrace me again and will continue to shape me into the momma micah needs. micah too is so gracious and loving and forgives the way i wish i could, the way i should. 

being a momma is no easy job but it is the best job and i wouldn't change a thing!

snip-its and thoughts

is it just me or did this week fly by?! 

so crazy that another week has come and gone. 

with another week done it is bitter sweet. that means my baby is growing and i want to savor every possible minute i can with him. time goes by way to fast when there is a baby in your life. 

do you agree?? 

on the other hand it means we are one week closer to moving into a place we can call our own. no we aren't moving anytime soon, although i really wish we were. if you follow me on instagram you know i love the town we have just moved to. it is such a great little community with great walking paths and the friendliest people. i just really don't like the place we are renting. i have tried to make it feel like home but we just don't feel settled here and 'at home'. when we moved we purposely choose to rent instead of buy so that we could scout out the town and figure out the busy and calm areas, the nice neighborhoods and hopefully find the perfect spot to raise our growing boy.

 my cutie pie and i // thumb sucker // post walk smoothie // happy mail from the adopt shoppe

moving was such a crazy time clint got the call that he got a new job while i was in labor. so went home with a new baby, trying to figure out being a family of three all the while have to pack up our life and move. we had been wanting to move so that we would be closer to our families since little man was about to join our life.  we knew that God was going to do everything in his timing. but seriously the timing of it all was just crazy! it had to be a God thing because there is no way we would have timed it out this way.

 baby boy is 15 week!?! 

so, for now we live in a trailer park. that alone has such a stigma. living in a trailer is one thing, living in a trailer park is another, or maybe that's just my judgmental thinking. however this trailer park is really great, our neighbors are so friendly. we live amongst A LOT of retired couples who spend their days cutting their grass, weeding their flower beds and sipping coffee on their decks. i'm so thankful we don't live amongst a bunch of rowdy party animals, which is what i think of when i think trailer park, again judgmental but just being honest.

 

diaper changing time // got stuck in a down pour while on our walk, clint came and drove us home // cloth diaper folding with a great view // scripture to hang in our house from the lovely words

so maybe God's timing was perfect?! this was the only place to rent, that wasn't a tiny apartment, when we moved.

 maybe God is trying to teach me 

that i am full of pride,

i am judgmental,

to be content,

be joyful always,

that i need to trust Him in all things,

and that i need to let go of thinking i am in control.

this is where God has placed us right now and i need to accept that. i need to allow myself to be used by him, to build relationship, be thankful for the a roof over our head, and to enjoy making memories where we are currently. 

what has God been teaching you lately?

......

 follow along on 

bloglovin'

instagram

facebook

twitter

choosing to find joy

i have neglected this space over the last little while. it hasn't been intentional but the way life has been lately hasn't really allowed me to sit down at a computer. however i was looking at my blog today and read the little tag line under my blog title 'finding joy in the everyday'.

 

i knew life would get crazy after micah was born but i wasn't expecting that we would be moving the same month as well! our little family of three hasn't been at home very much at all. we have been staying at our parents places so that clint doesn't have to drive so far for work each day. however, this has put me into a bit of a funk. we haven't been able to find a normal, we haven't been able to get settled and live our life as a wee little family of three.

.find print here.

 

this month has flown by and i have just been a big basket of stress because our life isn't the way i had pictured it to be. to add to the stress there is still tons of packing to be done since we haven't been home, we move in four days!

 

i have been disappointed that life isn't going the way i had wanted it to.

all of the above are excuses though.

 

i haven't been looking at the sweet little joys in each day and the many ways that God is blessing us each day.

.find necklace here.

 

so today i choose to change my attitude.

today i choose to find the little joys in my day.

 

a few little joys from today

 

.sweet snuggles with my bebe micah.

.being able to get my wedding rings off because my fingers aren't swollen any more.

.the smell of chicken roasting for supper.

.napping while micah napped.

.sweet baby breath.

.iced coffee & ice cream sandwishes.

 

 

psalm 90:14

week 16 - a prayer

i was gifted this book by my high school english teacher. this sweet gesture spoke volumes to me. not many people can say that their high school teachers care about them after high school let alone get them gifts when they find out that they are expecting.  

the card read 'children are such precious gifts. i've been so thankful for the gift of being a mommy. i'll be thinking and praying for you and your little one though this special time.'

i was beyond blessed when i opened up two books 

(what do you expect from an english teacher?) 

both centered on prayer for your child.

i am loving this book 

'expecting - praying for your child's development - body and soul' 

by marla taviano

it goes week by week and you pray specifically for your babe 

in the stage that they are at in development.

.....

week 16 cheerfulness ~ facial muscles

a cheerful look brings joy to the heart - proverbs 15:30a

my prayer for sweet peanut

Lord, thank you for paying attention to the smallest of details like a smirk, grin and smile. 

I pray that my sweet peanut will have a smile that lights up the room and 

radiates your love to everyone they meet. 

I pray that you would shine through my sweet babe as they grow from a babe to child, teen and adult. I pray that Clint and I would be Godly examples of what true joy is

 and where it comes from. 

Lord, I pray that this sweet child would be know for their happiness and joyfulness 

everywhere they go.

Amen

harvest

it is full force harvest time around here. i love all the golden fields of wheat, barley, oats and canola. slowly they are all being cut down because it is just that time. 

as i was watching a combine in the field i was thinking about how harvest is brought up many times in the bible.

here are some verse that i found about harvest that i really liked and hit home.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. 

James 3:13-18 NIV

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11 NIV

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:7-10 NIV

micah 6:8 // free printable

i absolutely love the verse micah 6:8 and need to see it everyday as a daily reminder.

so i made you a free printable because who doesn't love a free printable.

click the image to download it

a simple prayer

 there are so many big and little things in life that i so easily take for granted.

 clouds for shade.

green trees.

beautiful unique flowers.

gorgeous sun sets hand painted by God for us.

iced lattes.

earthly possesions.

material things.

 a place to call home.

 sweet baby cuddles.

 the freedom to play out side with out fear.

 road trips.

 the ability to crochet.

 a job that i love.

healthy food.

friends to share meals with.

wide open skies.

an evening summer breeze.

a different sunset every night.

thank you Lord for blessing me with more than i could ever need.

please help me to be more aware of my blessings and to use them to bless others.

linking with lindsay, jeannett and carina

Job 19:25

He is RISEN

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning? 

Who told the ocean you can only come this far? 

Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening? 

Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives I know my Redeemer lives.

 Let all creations testify!

Let this life within me cry,

 I know my Redeemer lives!

The very same God that spins things in orbit, runs to the weary, the worn and the weak.

The same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken,

they conquered death to bring me victory!

Now I know my Redeemer lives I know my Redeemer lives

Let all creations testify!

Let this life within me cry, I know my Redeemer!

He lives to take away my shame

And He lives forever, I'll proclaim!

That the payment for my sin was the precious life He gave,

but now He is alive and there's an empty grave.

I know my Redeemer lives I know my Redeemer lives!

Let all creations testify!

Let this life within me cry, I know my Redeemer!

- Nicole C. Mullen

Happy Easter!

<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fabranconier.blogspot.ca%2F&description=He%20is%20Risen" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>

matthew 7:7-8

happy sunday!

my story

hello dear friends!
hope you are settling into the new year now that we are nearly two weeks in.just wanted to let you know that i am over at the pless press today sharing my story.
be sure to read up on all the other amazing women who have shared their stories as well.

ephesians 5:1-2

amen.

linking up

acts 20:24

may we truly long to live out this verse.
happy sunday!

linking here

luke 1:68-70

happy sunday!
may we truly reflect on the reason we celebrate Christmas.

blessings,
amber

Christmas-y home tour

hello and welcome
grab a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, what ever Christmas-y drink you wish and join me as i give you a quick little tour of my placei live in a basement suite so as you come down the stairs you will be greeted by this lovely little wreath i made from a vine. unfortunately living in a basement means a lot of unnatural light but it is still cozy, warm and very beth and amber.
as you come in you will find our little note centre and where we drop our keys. the little gingerbread man and bird keep a good watch of the place. i found some bittersweet in the ditch and my dear clint went and cut it down for me. i'm a sucker for bringing the outdoors in. i also made some gingerbread men garland and hung it up in the bathroom.as we move into the livingroom you will find, yet again, some outside life indoors. i love red willow branches and clint once again so lovingly went and cut some down for me. our simple tree is decorated with gingerbread men and little snowmen. i made some very simple but cute (in my opinion) stockings to up. under them is a nativity scene my great great aunt bought me years ago. it is so cute and colourful.
beth and i have candles scattered e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. and out place smells amazing because of it. i just got this bath and body works, butter and rum, candle and it always smells like baking :)on the other side of the living room is a wonderful built in desk and bookshelves. this is my sewing area and where all of our lovely Christmas music comes from. together we have a collection of books, vintage pieces passed down from grandparents, candles, and recipes books that we display here.next is my room. i'm keeping it real here friends, its the last week of school so there are papers and things laying about. i once again have branches :) there was lots of left over bittersweet so i tied it together and hung it from the ceiling. i want to make some little birds to perch on the branches. once again the gingerbread men make an appearance on yet more red willow branches. i have little cluster of candles, old bottles, perfume, and an etsy print.

this is my first place (besides dorm) so far it has been great.
i have loved decorating for Christmas for the first time in my own place.
i hope you enjoyed this little tour.
come back again some time.

blessings,
amber

Psalm 95:1-2

Happy Sunday

john 14:27

Happy Sunday

proverbs 15:23

Happy Sunday!!