Greetings From Manitoba!

We've been having a very busy but wonderful week so far with my family. The weather is GORGEOUS! It's so beautiful out here; I've missed some of the sights and smells of Fall on the prairies, and how it feels to live in a small town. It's so peaceful here.

I don't know if I've ever told you guys this, but one thing I don't like so much about living where we live is how unfamiliar everything is. Whenever Art and I go out, he always runs into someone he knows, but of course I never do because I hardly know anyone! I yearn for that feeling again, but it takes a while. So it's nice to be back in a place where I know the people around me.

We've been spending lots of time with my sister and her husband and her two kids. Kiera is nearly three years old, speaks in full sentences, and seems to have endless amounts of energy (and words! That girl can chatter!!).

Blake is almost one, and he has quite a bit of energy too! He can't walk on his own yet, but he so desperately wants to. We spend a lot of time holding on to him as he teeters around on his wobbly little legs; he's a big boy, so it's quite tiring! But he loves it so much, and he needs to get stronger, so we give in every time. And his two-tooth grins melt my heart over and over. Who could possibly say no to his little charms?

We have our extended family gatherings today and tomorrow, and I'm excited to see everyone! I miss my whole family. Every family is changing and growing (as families tend to do) and it's hard to keep track of it all when I'm so far away. I can't wait to catch up with people, and just fellowship with my relatives.

That is something I am so thankful for: a large family, full of believers, who are all so loving and supportive and have no bad blood between them. There are no family feuds. It's such an incredible blessing, which also makes it so hard to be away from them sometimes. But I guess that's better than being glad I'm away from them.

And I won't lie: I'm kind of excited to stuff myself full of delicious Thanksgiving food, over and over and over. I don't feel like my appetite has actually increased (yet), but I'm not ashamed to use my pregnancy as an excuse to fill up anyway. How many times does a girl get five Thanksgiving meals in one season, while pregnant? (Three separate meals while in Canada, and at least two more for American Thanksgiving.) I have to take advantage of these opportunities! :)

Anyway, Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all my friends and family, and to any strangers out there who might be reading this but are too shy to comment. :) It has truly been a week full of moments that I can be thankful for. God has been so good to us in so many ways! I pray that you too will be able to see His goodness in your life.