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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Serves Ya Right
Today has been a pretty slow day which has been nice. The children worked on their rooms and Ian and I have been slowly trying to put the house back together after Christmas.
The pranks are flying around here. Sam has this Nerf gun that can shoot rounds of those little pellet things. So, he crept up to Julie's room and fired off a round which scared her like no one's business. Then, about five minutes later, he got her again doing the same thing.
Ian coated Sam's bedroom doorknob - both sides - with Vicks Vaporub.
He gets extra points for grossness.
Sam then came to me of all people to complain and wiped his hands on my sleeve to get rid of it off his hands.
Have I mentioned my extreme dislike of Vicks products?
Then Sam put toothpaste on Julie's doorknob. Who knows what's going to happen next.
At the dinner table tonight Julie started asking a lot of questions about marriage and children. We told her about dating and engagement, and how if she's really lucky she will be given an engagement ring. I showed her what was engraved on the insides of both of my rings - "God's Own Poem" is on my engagement ring, and "Forever" and our wedding date is engraved on my band.
Then Julie asked Ian what his said, and this blank look came over his face. I thought he was joking, so I started teasing him about what it said. I thought he was teasing me too, but then I realized he had forgotten.
!!!
Mind you, he hasn't taken it off in 14 years - he can't, actually - but still. How could he forget? He was being all playful, trying to guess what it said but I was getting a little sad.
So, up he gets from the dinner table and starts running the cold water over his finger. After much tugging (and I am sure no small amount of discomfort) it came off. His finger was really red, and there looked like a bruise on his knuckle. But he did it, just for me.
How romantic! He hurt himself so I would feel better!
Watching him put it back on was painful... Well that will show him for forgetting!
;-)
What did it say? "My Gift From God" and our wedding date.
I've been feeling a little sad all day today. I lost my dad 23 years ago today. It's amazing how much it still hurts. I guess it always will.
Hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of the year. What a year it has been. I wonder what 2009 will bring.
The pranks are flying around here. Sam has this Nerf gun that can shoot rounds of those little pellet things. So, he crept up to Julie's room and fired off a round which scared her like no one's business. Then, about five minutes later, he got her again doing the same thing.
Ian coated Sam's bedroom doorknob - both sides - with Vicks Vaporub.
He gets extra points for grossness.
Sam then came to me of all people to complain and wiped his hands on my sleeve to get rid of it off his hands.
Have I mentioned my extreme dislike of Vicks products?
Then Sam put toothpaste on Julie's doorknob. Who knows what's going to happen next.
At the dinner table tonight Julie started asking a lot of questions about marriage and children. We told her about dating and engagement, and how if she's really lucky she will be given an engagement ring. I showed her what was engraved on the insides of both of my rings - "God's Own Poem" is on my engagement ring, and "Forever" and our wedding date is engraved on my band.
Then Julie asked Ian what his said, and this blank look came over his face. I thought he was joking, so I started teasing him about what it said. I thought he was teasing me too, but then I realized he had forgotten.
!!!
Mind you, he hasn't taken it off in 14 years - he can't, actually - but still. How could he forget? He was being all playful, trying to guess what it said but I was getting a little sad.
So, up he gets from the dinner table and starts running the cold water over his finger. After much tugging (and I am sure no small amount of discomfort) it came off. His finger was really red, and there looked like a bruise on his knuckle. But he did it, just for me.
How romantic! He hurt himself so I would feel better!
Watching him put it back on was painful... Well that will show him for forgetting!
;-)
What did it say? "My Gift From God" and our wedding date.
I've been feeling a little sad all day today. I lost my dad 23 years ago today. It's amazing how much it still hurts. I guess it always will.
Hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of the year. What a year it has been. I wonder what 2009 will bring.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Drama At The Coffee Shop
Tonight was my weekly night out with the girls and we went to our usual haunt at Wendy's/Tim Horton's for our frosties. I told Bindi to make it extra special tonight because it was our last frosty before we begin our Big D.... diets.
Ugh. I don't even want to go there, so we'll discuss that awful topic next month!
Being that Bindi loves us she added extra M&Ms to our treats. We love her. We also love Amandeep because she makes the best frosties ever.
Then....the drama began.
It started off with this one fellow who came in and sat down at a table alone, which was all well and good, but then he started talking and laughing. All by himself. He wasn't on the phone, nor did he have a bluetooth earpiece. He was just having a wonderfully entertaining time all by himself. He kept moving from table to table, chatting and laughing away. He sat at seven different tables before he left.
While we were talking, a young girl about 20 came in and was speaking very loudly on her cell phone. Before long, she was full out yelling. Everyone stopped talking and was watching to see what was going on. It appeared that she was berating the people behind the counter. I won't even repeat some of the things she was saying because it was just so vulgar.
Jen is known for speaking her mind. If you want to know the truth about something, ask Jen. She has no time for lies, that one. If she has something to say, she says it. I appreciate that about her. So... I said to her "JEN! Do something!" Then it was "Jen! SAY something!"
Well, finally the big mouth opens up and says something.
Oh - big mouth = Kate, by the way.
"You are embarrassing yourself!" I said, and everyone - including her - turned to look at me. I said it again and then said "shame on you for yelling at them like that".
Then... she gave me the finger.
!!!
I told her that her class was overwhelming. Then she dropped a few f-bombs at me and told me to shut up.
This made Cindy absolutely irate and she said "don't you tell her to shut up!"
More f-bombs and the finger.
Cindy asked her if she was alright. (Isn't she nice?) I asked her flat out if she was on drugs or something. I said I was giving her the benefit of the doubt regarding her behaviour because rational people don't behave like that. I then lowered my voice and said "You should be ashamed of yourself saying those things. How dare you? This is their job! They are trying to make a living and this is how you treat them? Shame on you."
I do love that expression....shame on you.
F-bomb, f-bomb, f-bomb...blah blah blah...
Then she said that since I spoke to her I must want to hang out with her, so she was just going to talk to us for awhile. I said no she was not, I was done with her and turned my back on her.
Jen was all ready to throw down Philly style by the time crazy-girl left.
Ugh. I was shaking I was so angry. Where does she get off yelling at those poor people like that, in front of so many people? And this kills me... not one person stood up for those people. The line had several men in it, and not one of them said anything.
Oh but they had plenty to say after she walked out. One said that if she had touched Cindy he would have broken her neck.
Nice.
Another one said he was just about to say something when I spoke up.
Sure you were buddy.
But the thing that got me was when I looked back at the counter staff a short while later to see if there was a lineup and the young guy looked at me and mouthed "thank you".
I am no hero, friends. Just a big mouth who can't stand to see someone treat others poorly. To me, if you sit by while someone is mean to someone else and you don't do anything about it, you are just as bad as they are.
In other news...
Jordan is 9 months old today and she continues on her path of brilliance. Her first tooth popped through this past week and I love seeing it when she laughs. She tried milk and loves it. She is almost crawling and is trying to pull herself up to stand. I put her on her bedroom floor with some of her toys and she was moving around so much, wanting to see, touch and play with everything. When she had enough, the lower lip came out and she shouted "MUUUUM!"
Love her. I love her little chubba legs, and the way she smiles so hard, and how her face lights up when she sees me. I love everything about her. She was so worth waiting for.
That's it for me. All this drama has tired me right out.
Ugh. I don't even want to go there, so we'll discuss that awful topic next month!
Being that Bindi loves us she added extra M&Ms to our treats. We love her. We also love Amandeep because she makes the best frosties ever.
Then....the drama began.
It started off with this one fellow who came in and sat down at a table alone, which was all well and good, but then he started talking and laughing. All by himself. He wasn't on the phone, nor did he have a bluetooth earpiece. He was just having a wonderfully entertaining time all by himself. He kept moving from table to table, chatting and laughing away. He sat at seven different tables before he left.
While we were talking, a young girl about 20 came in and was speaking very loudly on her cell phone. Before long, she was full out yelling. Everyone stopped talking and was watching to see what was going on. It appeared that she was berating the people behind the counter. I won't even repeat some of the things she was saying because it was just so vulgar.
Jen is known for speaking her mind. If you want to know the truth about something, ask Jen. She has no time for lies, that one. If she has something to say, she says it. I appreciate that about her. So... I said to her "JEN! Do something!" Then it was "Jen! SAY something!"
Well, finally the big mouth opens up and says something.
Oh - big mouth = Kate, by the way.
"You are embarrassing yourself!" I said, and everyone - including her - turned to look at me. I said it again and then said "shame on you for yelling at them like that".
Then... she gave me the finger.
!!!
I told her that her class was overwhelming. Then she dropped a few f-bombs at me and told me to shut up.
This made Cindy absolutely irate and she said "don't you tell her to shut up!"
More f-bombs and the finger.
Cindy asked her if she was alright. (Isn't she nice?) I asked her flat out if she was on drugs or something. I said I was giving her the benefit of the doubt regarding her behaviour because rational people don't behave like that. I then lowered my voice and said "You should be ashamed of yourself saying those things. How dare you? This is their job! They are trying to make a living and this is how you treat them? Shame on you."
I do love that expression....shame on you.
F-bomb, f-bomb, f-bomb...blah blah blah...
Then she said that since I spoke to her I must want to hang out with her, so she was just going to talk to us for awhile. I said no she was not, I was done with her and turned my back on her.
Jen was all ready to throw down Philly style by the time crazy-girl left.
Ugh. I was shaking I was so angry. Where does she get off yelling at those poor people like that, in front of so many people? And this kills me... not one person stood up for those people. The line had several men in it, and not one of them said anything.
Oh but they had plenty to say after she walked out. One said that if she had touched Cindy he would have broken her neck.
Nice.
Another one said he was just about to say something when I spoke up.
Sure you were buddy.
But the thing that got me was when I looked back at the counter staff a short while later to see if there was a lineup and the young guy looked at me and mouthed "thank you".
I am no hero, friends. Just a big mouth who can't stand to see someone treat others poorly. To me, if you sit by while someone is mean to someone else and you don't do anything about it, you are just as bad as they are.
In other news...
Jordan is 9 months old today and she continues on her path of brilliance. Her first tooth popped through this past week and I love seeing it when she laughs. She tried milk and loves it. She is almost crawling and is trying to pull herself up to stand. I put her on her bedroom floor with some of her toys and she was moving around so much, wanting to see, touch and play with everything. When she had enough, the lower lip came out and she shouted "MUUUUM!"
Love her. I love her little chubba legs, and the way she smiles so hard, and how her face lights up when she sees me. I love everything about her. She was so worth waiting for.
That's it for me. All this drama has tired me right out.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Whew!
Wow.. the last few days have been busy.
Christmas Eve day was spent wrapping and baking. I managed to bake everything I wanted to. I had bought little Christmas chinese take-out style boxes so I filled them with treats and Sam delivered them to our neighbours. He was so excited to do it. I have blogged a couple of times before about a couple in our church that is challenging us to reach out to our neighbours and coworkers to develop relationships with them. I've been trying to do that, little by little. I was happy to box up the treats but was way too shy to deliver them. Thank goodness that Sam was so willing.
Yep... I'm shy. I bet you didn't know that.
We headed over to our church for the children's service and it was very enjoyable. We went along a "journey" of three dramatic scenes; when the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary, a scene where the angel appeared to the shepherds and then a scene with the wise men. Towards the end, all the scenes came together at the front of the sanctuary. So much work and detail went into the whole service. I really liked it.
This was Jordan's outfit for Christmas Eve...
She hates wearing her dress shoes and kicks them off constantly. Well, Ian found this darling little outfit, and with it came the tights...and the "shoes" are part of the tights. HA Jordan! She spent a lot of time trying to kick them off before giving up.
We ditched the hairband in this next picture because a) she has very little hair and b) hairbands on babies with no hair is lame. I have seen so many babies with crazy ones on their heads with huge bows and flowers on them and the poor kid looks ridiculous!
She was happier without it.
After dinner, Mom gave each of the grandchildren a gift to open: new pjs! Then we sat in front of the fire while Sam and Julie read T'was The Night Before Christmas. So precious.
When we got home we checked Norad's Santa Tracker and Santa had just arrived in Newfoundland. Sam was rushing us along while reminding us that there weren't many provinces between us and Newfoundland. We put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer, and off to bed they went. Ian and stayed up for a bit longer before heading up ourselves.
The children were at me about what time we were going to wake up on Christmas morning. Last year we got up at 4am!
!!!
This year I put my foot down and said no earlier than 6am. Even that hour came too early! We all made it downstairs by 6:20 and an hour later the children were still opening their gifts! They were spoiled once again.
It's Ian's fault. ;-)
Ian ordered a lovely throw blanket for me, with our family picture on it...
I cried when I saw it! I am in love with it and can't stop looking at it. He also bought me Season 4 of LOST on Blue-ray and a ton of books! Looking at each book, I could see how he had put so much thought and care into each selection. I was floored. Sam and Julie made me a bookshelf and decorated it with encouraging words of love and some artwork, and it holds all my new books.
We headed back to Mom's for breakfast and to exchange gifts there. Too much activity for Jordan, so she just....
We went home for a few hours so the children could play with their new gifts and to have a little rest. I laid down with Jordan and we napped for a bit together, then we headed back to Mom's for a lovely turkey dinner.
The best part was when the children brought out a birthday cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus...
I think we all fell into bed that night, completely pooped from the day's events.
Boxing Day we woke up to get the house in order for Ian's parents as they were coming for lunch. Julie worked so hard helping me to get things ready for our lunch. She rolled all the cold cuts, arranged the veggies and dip, helped with the shrimp salad and made Skor Squares for dessert. Then she laid everything out on the coffee table so we could eat "buffet style". She was so cute as she puttered around with her apron on!
My inlaws stayed for a few hours then headed home. They are leaving tomorrow to spend the next three months in Myrtle Beach, SC. Nice life!
Ian took the children out to use the gift cards they received for Christmas and then to the movies to see Bedtime Stories. Jordan and I hung out at home, enjoying the quiet. We had my world famous beef stew for dinner and then enjoyed chocolate fondue for dessert.
Currently "the boys" are playing Nerf dart tag and I am right in the way, so I'll sign off for now.
I hope you all had as wonderful a Christmas as I had!
Christmas Eve day was spent wrapping and baking. I managed to bake everything I wanted to. I had bought little Christmas chinese take-out style boxes so I filled them with treats and Sam delivered them to our neighbours. He was so excited to do it. I have blogged a couple of times before about a couple in our church that is challenging us to reach out to our neighbours and coworkers to develop relationships with them. I've been trying to do that, little by little. I was happy to box up the treats but was way too shy to deliver them. Thank goodness that Sam was so willing.
Yep... I'm shy. I bet you didn't know that.
We headed over to our church for the children's service and it was very enjoyable. We went along a "journey" of three dramatic scenes; when the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary, a scene where the angel appeared to the shepherds and then a scene with the wise men. Towards the end, all the scenes came together at the front of the sanctuary. So much work and detail went into the whole service. I really liked it.
This was Jordan's outfit for Christmas Eve...
She hates wearing her dress shoes and kicks them off constantly. Well, Ian found this darling little outfit, and with it came the tights...and the "shoes" are part of the tights. HA Jordan! She spent a lot of time trying to kick them off before giving up.
We ditched the hairband in this next picture because a) she has very little hair and b) hairbands on babies with no hair is lame. I have seen so many babies with crazy ones on their heads with huge bows and flowers on them and the poor kid looks ridiculous!
She was happier without it.
After dinner, Mom gave each of the grandchildren a gift to open: new pjs! Then we sat in front of the fire while Sam and Julie read T'was The Night Before Christmas. So precious.
When we got home we checked Norad's Santa Tracker and Santa had just arrived in Newfoundland. Sam was rushing us along while reminding us that there weren't many provinces between us and Newfoundland. We put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer, and off to bed they went. Ian and stayed up for a bit longer before heading up ourselves.
The children were at me about what time we were going to wake up on Christmas morning. Last year we got up at 4am!
!!!
This year I put my foot down and said no earlier than 6am. Even that hour came too early! We all made it downstairs by 6:20 and an hour later the children were still opening their gifts! They were spoiled once again.
It's Ian's fault. ;-)
Ian ordered a lovely throw blanket for me, with our family picture on it...
I cried when I saw it! I am in love with it and can't stop looking at it. He also bought me Season 4 of LOST on Blue-ray and a ton of books! Looking at each book, I could see how he had put so much thought and care into each selection. I was floored. Sam and Julie made me a bookshelf and decorated it with encouraging words of love and some artwork, and it holds all my new books.
We headed back to Mom's for breakfast and to exchange gifts there. Too much activity for Jordan, so she just....
We went home for a few hours so the children could play with their new gifts and to have a little rest. I laid down with Jordan and we napped for a bit together, then we headed back to Mom's for a lovely turkey dinner.
The best part was when the children brought out a birthday cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus...
I think we all fell into bed that night, completely pooped from the day's events.
Boxing Day we woke up to get the house in order for Ian's parents as they were coming for lunch. Julie worked so hard helping me to get things ready for our lunch. She rolled all the cold cuts, arranged the veggies and dip, helped with the shrimp salad and made Skor Squares for dessert. Then she laid everything out on the coffee table so we could eat "buffet style". She was so cute as she puttered around with her apron on!
My inlaws stayed for a few hours then headed home. They are leaving tomorrow to spend the next three months in Myrtle Beach, SC. Nice life!
Ian took the children out to use the gift cards they received for Christmas and then to the movies to see Bedtime Stories. Jordan and I hung out at home, enjoying the quiet. We had my world famous beef stew for dinner and then enjoyed chocolate fondue for dessert.
Currently "the boys" are playing Nerf dart tag and I am right in the way, so I'll sign off for now.
I hope you all had as wonderful a Christmas as I had!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
It's been a busy few days getting ready for Christmas, but I'm just about done.
Last night I went out to do some last minute shopping with Jen and Cindy at the Bramalea City Centre. It wasn't too bad there but I guess the snow storm kept a lot of people home.
Oh yes, that's what I said... snow storm. Our third in less than a week.
Today I've been very busy baking and wrapping...wrapping and baking. I made a batch of Fat Archies (Molasses Cookies) for Ian and he said they were perfect. I just about squealed when I took them out of the oven and they looked just like the picture.
!!!
I've also got chocolate chip cookies and brownies baked, and I need to finish my world famous shortbread and some peanut butter cookies. Then I need to package up some for a few neighbours.
We'll be attending the children's service at our church this evening then going to my mom's for dinner.
This morning Jordan was sitting on the couch with Jules, and I called Julie over to show her something and she came....leaving Jordan alone on the couch. I guess Jordan wanted to come too so she lurched forward and fell right off the couch and got a lovely mark on her face, just in time for all the family gatherings.
Sigh.
Sam flew over to her and grabbed her up, soothing her as only he can. I got there right after him and he wasn't about to give her to me!
!!!
Anyway... all is well. She is happily practicing her new talent - getting into a sitting position from her tummy. She rolls and slithers everywhere so I'm sure its only a matter of days before she takes off crawling. She's a busy girl.
We're so excited to celebrate Jordan's first Christmas with us. The children are so excited they can barely stand it. We'll be tracking Santa on the Norad website until bedtime.
Track Santa with us! If you have time, leave me a comment letting me know where he is when you read this.
As of 2:23 pm he is in Laki, Azerbaijan!
While I was baking this morning, it occurred to me that I haven't been focusing on the true meaning of Christmas as much as I should have been in these last couple of days. I found myself thinking of Mary and the child she would soon deliver, and how He will one day deliver us all. Is there any gift more precious than Him?
My dear friends, may you know the comfort and joy of God's presence this Christmas season and always.
Love,
Kate
Last night I went out to do some last minute shopping with Jen and Cindy at the Bramalea City Centre. It wasn't too bad there but I guess the snow storm kept a lot of people home.
Oh yes, that's what I said... snow storm. Our third in less than a week.
Today I've been very busy baking and wrapping...wrapping and baking. I made a batch of Fat Archies (Molasses Cookies) for Ian and he said they were perfect. I just about squealed when I took them out of the oven and they looked just like the picture.
!!!
I've also got chocolate chip cookies and brownies baked, and I need to finish my world famous shortbread and some peanut butter cookies. Then I need to package up some for a few neighbours.
We'll be attending the children's service at our church this evening then going to my mom's for dinner.
This morning Jordan was sitting on the couch with Jules, and I called Julie over to show her something and she came....leaving Jordan alone on the couch. I guess Jordan wanted to come too so she lurched forward and fell right off the couch and got a lovely mark on her face, just in time for all the family gatherings.
Sigh.
Sam flew over to her and grabbed her up, soothing her as only he can. I got there right after him and he wasn't about to give her to me!
!!!
Anyway... all is well. She is happily practicing her new talent - getting into a sitting position from her tummy. She rolls and slithers everywhere so I'm sure its only a matter of days before she takes off crawling. She's a busy girl.
We're so excited to celebrate Jordan's first Christmas with us. The children are so excited they can barely stand it. We'll be tracking Santa on the Norad website until bedtime.
Track Santa with us! If you have time, leave me a comment letting me know where he is when you read this.
As of 2:23 pm he is in Laki, Azerbaijan!
While I was baking this morning, it occurred to me that I haven't been focusing on the true meaning of Christmas as much as I should have been in these last couple of days. I found myself thinking of Mary and the child she would soon deliver, and how He will one day deliver us all. Is there any gift more precious than Him?
My dear friends, may you know the comfort and joy of God's presence this Christmas season and always.
Love,
Kate
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Not So Silent Sunday
"Silent Sunday" is when a blogger posts a picture and says nothing. I guess the picture is supposed to speak for itself.
Since I always have something to say, today is "Not So Silent Sunday".
My blog, my rules.
This first one is for Jen. She didn't believe me when I told her that my next door neighbours leave a strip of snow down their driveways to separate them. I wondered all last winter which side did it, and now I know.
Honestly. Would it kill either side to clear that little bit??
This next picture is of a Christmas decoration Ian has owned since before we started dating. It really creeps me out and he knows it, therefore he refuses to get rid of it.
He was packed away and put into storage back in the spring but he's free now and has once again taken up residence in my house.
Creepy, yes?
My master plan is to move him a little closer to the front door each day. Then one day he will be gone. I perfected my "I have no idea what you mean" look years ago.
The children have been playing outside in the snow for the last 45 minutes. I don't get it. It's freezing out there. I put some cookies in the oven for them so they'll have a nice, warm treat for when they come inside.
Last night Ian and I played Left For Dead on his Xbox. We had to go around looking for zombies and killing them. I think my controller was broken because all it did was look at the sky or on the ground. I refuse to admit I didn't know what I was doing.
Zombies really, really freak me out. It doesn't matter how many times you kill them, those things just keep coming back alive.
I am not a gamer. I never have been and after my performance last night I don't think I ever will be. A friend of mine once suggested I try World of Warcraft and I actually bought a 14 day trial but it's still in it's original packaging, unopened. Lost somewhere in my house.
Just as well... the last thing I need is another addiction.
Can't believe that Christmas is this week!
Since I always have something to say, today is "Not So Silent Sunday".
My blog, my rules.
This first one is for Jen. She didn't believe me when I told her that my next door neighbours leave a strip of snow down their driveways to separate them. I wondered all last winter which side did it, and now I know.
Honestly. Would it kill either side to clear that little bit??
This next picture is of a Christmas decoration Ian has owned since before we started dating. It really creeps me out and he knows it, therefore he refuses to get rid of it.
He was packed away and put into storage back in the spring but he's free now and has once again taken up residence in my house.
Creepy, yes?
My master plan is to move him a little closer to the front door each day. Then one day he will be gone. I perfected my "I have no idea what you mean" look years ago.
The children have been playing outside in the snow for the last 45 minutes. I don't get it. It's freezing out there. I put some cookies in the oven for them so they'll have a nice, warm treat for when they come inside.
Last night Ian and I played Left For Dead on his Xbox. We had to go around looking for zombies and killing them. I think my controller was broken because all it did was look at the sky or on the ground. I refuse to admit I didn't know what I was doing.
Zombies really, really freak me out. It doesn't matter how many times you kill them, those things just keep coming back alive.
I am not a gamer. I never have been and after my performance last night I don't think I ever will be. A friend of mine once suggested I try World of Warcraft and I actually bought a 14 day trial but it's still in it's original packaging, unopened. Lost somewhere in my house.
Just as well... the last thing I need is another addiction.
Can't believe that Christmas is this week!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Happy Saturday
Well, we survived the snow storm from yesterday. Oh, excuse me, I believe Environment Canada dubbed it "Snowmageddon". Hardly. I cleared the driveway twice yesterday, and then Ian shovelled it so we could get out to go to the party last night.
Here's Julie...
What IS it with kids that they have to eat snow? Oh well... as long as it isn't yellow...
Back in the summer I posted about my neighbours across the street and how they only cut their half of their postage stamp sized lawn. Well, take a look here at the neighbours on the other side...they only shovelled their half of their teeny tiny driveway!!
!!!
The guy in the middle gets such a bad deal. No one cuts his grass or shovels his driveway. And he has cancer. Give the dude a break. I was going to try to head out there today with the children to see if we could clear his driveway for him but I just looked out and its been done.
Next time...
The wind was blowing so much that it blew my front door open and snowed in my front hall.
And no one noticed!
Great.
We made it to the Lewis's annual Christmas party last night and it was a good time.
Here's Jordan all dressed up for the party...
We got home just before 1am and the children were so exhausted they just fell into bed. Jordan had fallen asleep at the party, three hours after her normal bedtime, so we weren't sure what kind of night/morning she'd have.
Well.... She got up for a bottle at 8am (!!!) and went back to sleep. Ian got up at 9:30, Julie came down around 10am and Sam at 11am! Sweet. Ian headed out for donuts, muffins and my beloved steeped tea (again, double milk/no sugar in case you wanted to surprise me) and we all watched some tv together on the couch.
Jules plays soccer at 2pm then I'm making the children help me with some housework and gift wrapping.
Maybe I'll even start my baking today. It's only 5 days until Christmas!
Here's Julie...
What IS it with kids that they have to eat snow? Oh well... as long as it isn't yellow...
Back in the summer I posted about my neighbours across the street and how they only cut their half of their postage stamp sized lawn. Well, take a look here at the neighbours on the other side...they only shovelled their half of their teeny tiny driveway!!
!!!
The guy in the middle gets such a bad deal. No one cuts his grass or shovels his driveway. And he has cancer. Give the dude a break. I was going to try to head out there today with the children to see if we could clear his driveway for him but I just looked out and its been done.
Next time...
The wind was blowing so much that it blew my front door open and snowed in my front hall.
And no one noticed!
Great.
We made it to the Lewis's annual Christmas party last night and it was a good time.
Here's Jordan all dressed up for the party...
We got home just before 1am and the children were so exhausted they just fell into bed. Jordan had fallen asleep at the party, three hours after her normal bedtime, so we weren't sure what kind of night/morning she'd have.
Well.... She got up for a bottle at 8am (!!!) and went back to sleep. Ian got up at 9:30, Julie came down around 10am and Sam at 11am! Sweet. Ian headed out for donuts, muffins and my beloved steeped tea (again, double milk/no sugar in case you wanted to surprise me) and we all watched some tv together on the couch.
Jules plays soccer at 2pm then I'm making the children help me with some housework and gift wrapping.
Maybe I'll even start my baking today. It's only 5 days until Christmas!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...
And snowing it IS!
All the school buses were cancelled today so I kept the children home.
I've already been out to shovel the driveway once and when I looked outside just now I see that it's covered up again!
The children went outside to play for a bit. Freaks. It's FREEZING out there, and the wind is blowing snow everywhere. Not that they noticed however. Once they came in I threw all of their stuff into the dryer in case they want to head back out again later.
Ian's office closed early so he's on his way home now. It's pretty bad out there. I was teasing JenM yesterday because she was going out to get "provisions" for the storm, so she wouldn't starve to death while trapped at home. Good thing I asked Ian to pick up a couple of things while he was out last night.
As of this moment we are still planning on going to the party tonight. I would really hate to miss that.
However... a bright spot in my day... while I was shovelling, a Canada Post truck came by with a package for the children from Amanda! So sweet! I'm going to let them open them shortly because Amanda is about to burst.
Catch ya later.
All the school buses were cancelled today so I kept the children home.
I've already been out to shovel the driveway once and when I looked outside just now I see that it's covered up again!
The children went outside to play for a bit. Freaks. It's FREEZING out there, and the wind is blowing snow everywhere. Not that they noticed however. Once they came in I threw all of their stuff into the dryer in case they want to head back out again later.
Ian's office closed early so he's on his way home now. It's pretty bad out there. I was teasing JenM yesterday because she was going out to get "provisions" for the storm, so she wouldn't starve to death while trapped at home. Good thing I asked Ian to pick up a couple of things while he was out last night.
As of this moment we are still planning on going to the party tonight. I would really hate to miss that.
However... a bright spot in my day... while I was shovelling, a Canada Post truck came by with a package for the children from Amanda! So sweet! I'm going to let them open them shortly because Amanda is about to burst.
Catch ya later.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Colds Suck
I woke up yesterday feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. If this is how Jordan has been feeling all week then I feel even sorrier for her.
Sick or not, it was Wednesday and that's the day I try to do my errands if I have any. Being that Coffee Hour is on hiatus until the new year (sniff) I had a few more hours to do what I needed to do. And did I need to do a lot!
After dropping off the children at school, Jordan and I mailed our Christmas cards and returned my books to the library. Then we went to Shoppers World to see if I couldn't knock off a few gifts on my list. This is a very lousy mall, I have to say, but I did get one gift before heading off.
Next stop was Costco for some spinach dip my mother loves. It was crazy there and people don't seem to care if they hit you with their cart. As I was pulling out of my parking spot, I heard something scraping along the ground. I stopped and interestingly enough, so did the noise. I pulled forward but couldn't see anything, so I reversed and heard something drop. Pretending that it couldn't possibly be from my van I pulled out completely and started to drive away. Then... I saw it. A piece from my van had fallen off.
!!!
I quickly stopped and got out to see what the heck was missing and saw that it was a strip by the sliding door. GREAT. I turned back to go and pick it up and saw a woman pulling in. So I started running.
Yes... I ran. You can laugh later.
"Stop! Stop!" I yelled.
The woman in the car stopped and looked at me. Then she kept going. By then I was close enough to see that the part that had fallen off had a nail sticking out of it and would pierce her tire.
"Stop! Please stop!" I said, more because she was driving over a part of my van and less because it was about to puncture her tire.
Then she gave me the finger.
My mouth fell open.
Finally she reversed enough to let me pick up the piece and when I looked up to thank her, she was wildly waving her hands at me, and yelling something. I think she may have even been frothing at the mouth.
I just pretended she was wishing me the Love of the Lord, tossed the piece into the van and continued on with my day.
We stopped at a few more places before stopping at home to rest and recharge. Jordan, however, had other plans. Plans that included a lot of crying and fussing. She finally fell asleep 5 minutes before we had to leave to get the children from school.
Picked up the children, went to my mom's to drop off the dip but she wasn't home, so we went to buy a stamp. I actually let Sam go in to Hasty Market on his own (with a list of security measures and 60 cents) to buy the stamp. Then we went to Walmart which was a MISTAKE. I should have gone there first thing, because everyone and their uncle was there and all the aisles of Christmas wrapping paper and decorations was jammed up with skids of stock.
It was frustrating to say the least.
We got home and I had just finished shovelling the driveway when Ian arrived home from work.
Whew.
I felt so crappy that Ian sent me to bed early. I was there before 8pm! SWEET!
This morning I had just gotten out of the shower when Ian told me I had a phone call. It was my very dear friend Jen calling to tell me that she had her baby just an hour before. He was born at 6:05 am and weighed just over 9lbs. I can't wait to see him. I just had to stop and thank and praise the Lord for this precious arrival. This time last year, Jen and her husband were mourning the loss of a baby that was not meant for this world, and now here they are with this precious little boy.
I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it as long as there is breath in my body... He is so good, is he not! Thank you, Father! Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU!
I rested as much as I could today but I still feel lousy. I yearn for the day my nose works again so I can stop breathing through my mouth like a neanderthal.
Apparently there is a huge storm coming either tonight or tomorrow. Looks like we'll have a white Christmas, and who doesn't love that! I hope it doesn't affect our plans for tomorrow evening though. We're going to a Christmas party that friends of ours hosts each year. There will be five couples and a whole lot of children. Two of the ladies are friends of Ian's from way back in the day that we reconnected with through our church. One other couple is from our church and we are close with, and the last couple are people the hostess met while in the hospital. It's always such a great evening together. Once a year just the ladies get together for dinner.
Ha... someone just let me know that they received my Christmas card today. TODAY! And I just mailed it yesterday. I think Canada Post is staffed by superheroes.
Well, I'm waiting for Ian to come home so I can go to bed. I am hoping that I will wake up miraculously well in the morning.
Sick or not, it was Wednesday and that's the day I try to do my errands if I have any. Being that Coffee Hour is on hiatus until the new year (sniff) I had a few more hours to do what I needed to do. And did I need to do a lot!
After dropping off the children at school, Jordan and I mailed our Christmas cards and returned my books to the library. Then we went to Shoppers World to see if I couldn't knock off a few gifts on my list. This is a very lousy mall, I have to say, but I did get one gift before heading off.
Next stop was Costco for some spinach dip my mother loves. It was crazy there and people don't seem to care if they hit you with their cart. As I was pulling out of my parking spot, I heard something scraping along the ground. I stopped and interestingly enough, so did the noise. I pulled forward but couldn't see anything, so I reversed and heard something drop. Pretending that it couldn't possibly be from my van I pulled out completely and started to drive away. Then... I saw it. A piece from my van had fallen off.
!!!
I quickly stopped and got out to see what the heck was missing and saw that it was a strip by the sliding door. GREAT. I turned back to go and pick it up and saw a woman pulling in. So I started running.
Yes... I ran. You can laugh later.
"Stop! Stop!" I yelled.
The woman in the car stopped and looked at me. Then she kept going. By then I was close enough to see that the part that had fallen off had a nail sticking out of it and would pierce her tire.
"Stop! Please stop!" I said, more because she was driving over a part of my van and less because it was about to puncture her tire.
Then she gave me the finger.
My mouth fell open.
Finally she reversed enough to let me pick up the piece and when I looked up to thank her, she was wildly waving her hands at me, and yelling something. I think she may have even been frothing at the mouth.
I just pretended she was wishing me the Love of the Lord, tossed the piece into the van and continued on with my day.
We stopped at a few more places before stopping at home to rest and recharge. Jordan, however, had other plans. Plans that included a lot of crying and fussing. She finally fell asleep 5 minutes before we had to leave to get the children from school.
Picked up the children, went to my mom's to drop off the dip but she wasn't home, so we went to buy a stamp. I actually let Sam go in to Hasty Market on his own (with a list of security measures and 60 cents) to buy the stamp. Then we went to Walmart which was a MISTAKE. I should have gone there first thing, because everyone and their uncle was there and all the aisles of Christmas wrapping paper and decorations was jammed up with skids of stock.
It was frustrating to say the least.
We got home and I had just finished shovelling the driveway when Ian arrived home from work.
Whew.
I felt so crappy that Ian sent me to bed early. I was there before 8pm! SWEET!
This morning I had just gotten out of the shower when Ian told me I had a phone call. It was my very dear friend Jen calling to tell me that she had her baby just an hour before. He was born at 6:05 am and weighed just over 9lbs. I can't wait to see him. I just had to stop and thank and praise the Lord for this precious arrival. This time last year, Jen and her husband were mourning the loss of a baby that was not meant for this world, and now here they are with this precious little boy.
I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it as long as there is breath in my body... He is so good, is he not! Thank you, Father! Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU!
I rested as much as I could today but I still feel lousy. I yearn for the day my nose works again so I can stop breathing through my mouth like a neanderthal.
Apparently there is a huge storm coming either tonight or tomorrow. Looks like we'll have a white Christmas, and who doesn't love that! I hope it doesn't affect our plans for tomorrow evening though. We're going to a Christmas party that friends of ours hosts each year. There will be five couples and a whole lot of children. Two of the ladies are friends of Ian's from way back in the day that we reconnected with through our church. One other couple is from our church and we are close with, and the last couple are people the hostess met while in the hospital. It's always such a great evening together. Once a year just the ladies get together for dinner.
Ha... someone just let me know that they received my Christmas card today. TODAY! And I just mailed it yesterday. I think Canada Post is staffed by superheroes.
Well, I'm waiting for Ian to come home so I can go to bed. I am hoping that I will wake up miraculously well in the morning.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Drive-By Post
I am almost finished my Christmas shopping. I have only a few gifts left to buy and I pretty much know where to find what I need. I still have a ton of wrapping to do and haven't even started my baking yet. Maybe this weekend I will get around to it.
My aunt arrived today. Mom and I picked her up at the airport. I love it there...it's so exciting. I am always inspired to go somewhere, but then I remember my intense fear of flying and the inspiration goes away.
Jordan is on day 5 of her cold. I feel so sorry for her and it's very clear that she feels so lousy. I finally took her to see Dr. L today and he said her ears, throat and chest were clear, its just viral and we have to wait it out. Poor thing. She weighs 20 lbs which shocked me. I was expecting around 25 lbs.
The more he checked her out the more excited he got. "Look at her growth chart! Look at it! Could she BE any more perfect?"
My sentiments exactly.
He went on to say "She's better than perfect...she's...she's..."
"Brilliant?" I supplied.
"She certainly is!" he agreed.
But of course. ;-) Brilliant children are the only ones I make.
He got so into playing with her I had to jokingly tell him to focus because I had a ton of questions. We wrapped up with him saying he wanted to take her home.
I checked out Mitchell's going-out-of-business sale tonight. Every single book - both hardcover and soft - are $2.95.
!!!
Bibles are $7.95!
!!!
I bought a copy of The Message which I have been wanting for awhile. I could have browsed for hours but I had my nephew with me.
I just finished writing my Christmas cards and my tongue has a paper cut and it tastes funny. I should invent an envelope that has chocolate tasting glue. I would be famous.
Anyway... I'll mail them tomorrow but I honestly don't expect them to arrive at their destination by Christmas. I am late for everything. But just when you are experiencing the Post Christmas Day Letdown... a card arrives from Yours Truly.
Oh... it will be like Christmas all over again.
Here it is, almost midnight. I wanted to be in bed by 9:30!
My aunt arrived today. Mom and I picked her up at the airport. I love it there...it's so exciting. I am always inspired to go somewhere, but then I remember my intense fear of flying and the inspiration goes away.
Jordan is on day 5 of her cold. I feel so sorry for her and it's very clear that she feels so lousy. I finally took her to see Dr. L today and he said her ears, throat and chest were clear, its just viral and we have to wait it out. Poor thing. She weighs 20 lbs which shocked me. I was expecting around 25 lbs.
The more he checked her out the more excited he got. "Look at her growth chart! Look at it! Could she BE any more perfect?"
My sentiments exactly.
He went on to say "She's better than perfect...she's...she's..."
"Brilliant?" I supplied.
"She certainly is!" he agreed.
But of course. ;-) Brilliant children are the only ones I make.
He got so into playing with her I had to jokingly tell him to focus because I had a ton of questions. We wrapped up with him saying he wanted to take her home.
I checked out Mitchell's going-out-of-business sale tonight. Every single book - both hardcover and soft - are $2.95.
!!!
Bibles are $7.95!
!!!
I bought a copy of The Message which I have been wanting for awhile. I could have browsed for hours but I had my nephew with me.
I just finished writing my Christmas cards and my tongue has a paper cut and it tastes funny. I should invent an envelope that has chocolate tasting glue. I would be famous.
Anyway... I'll mail them tomorrow but I honestly don't expect them to arrive at their destination by Christmas. I am late for everything. But just when you are experiencing the Post Christmas Day Letdown... a card arrives from Yours Truly.
Oh... it will be like Christmas all over again.
Here it is, almost midnight. I wanted to be in bed by 9:30!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Smackdown 2008
High drama today.
I sent the children upstairs to the bathroom to brush their teeth before we headed out this afternoon. Within 5 minutes I heard a lot of yelling and someone crying.
Great.
Apparently Sam was taking up too much of the mirror, so Julie bumped him to the side. He bumped her back and the toothpaste fell off the counter. So Julie bent over to get it, bumping him with her bum. Sam shoved her and she banged her head on the wall. Julie in turn picked up her toothbrush and went at Sam's arm and shoulder in a stabbing motion.
!!!
So Sam was crying and I couldn't blame him when I saw the welts rising up on his skin. Good thing Ian arrived to end it all because I don't think Jules was quite done with Sam yet.
Siblings! (insert deep dramatic sigh here)
Julie had a birthday party today and the entire class had been invited. It's all she's been talking about for a month now. After this whole fiasco we said she couldn't go, but then I got to thinking about the kid who was having the party and how disappointed he would be if she wasn't there.
Yes... we let her go.
We are currently trying to decide on an appropriate punishment fitting the crimes of shoving your sister into the wall head first and for stabbing your brother with the handle of a toothbrush.
Suggestions anyone??
I sent the children upstairs to the bathroom to brush their teeth before we headed out this afternoon. Within 5 minutes I heard a lot of yelling and someone crying.
Great.
Apparently Sam was taking up too much of the mirror, so Julie bumped him to the side. He bumped her back and the toothpaste fell off the counter. So Julie bent over to get it, bumping him with her bum. Sam shoved her and she banged her head on the wall. Julie in turn picked up her toothbrush and went at Sam's arm and shoulder in a stabbing motion.
!!!
So Sam was crying and I couldn't blame him when I saw the welts rising up on his skin. Good thing Ian arrived to end it all because I don't think Jules was quite done with Sam yet.
Siblings! (insert deep dramatic sigh here)
Julie had a birthday party today and the entire class had been invited. It's all she's been talking about for a month now. After this whole fiasco we said she couldn't go, but then I got to thinking about the kid who was having the party and how disappointed he would be if she wasn't there.
Yes... we let her go.
We are currently trying to decide on an appropriate punishment fitting the crimes of shoving your sister into the wall head first and for stabbing your brother with the handle of a toothbrush.
Suggestions anyone??
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Cooties & Chocolate
Lots of Cold Cooties floating around my house today. Jordan was sniffly yesterday morning and by the end of the day she had a fever, cough and congestion. Poor little lamb. She was up most of the night, with Ian and me taking turns going to her to comfort her. She's a little better today.
Julie seemed to be coming down with something today so we skipped her soccer game so she could rest. Ian is still fighting his cold and mine seems to have come back. UGH. Only Sam is perfectly healthy and I expect him to remain that way. That kid hardly ever gets sick.
I scored a couple of naps today and I'm looking forward to going to bed tonight.
Tonight the children and I made chocolate molds...
I can't believe they actually went to sleep without a problem considering all the chocolate they ate. But hey, that's half the fun, right?
Julie seemed to be coming down with something today so we skipped her soccer game so she could rest. Ian is still fighting his cold and mine seems to have come back. UGH. Only Sam is perfectly healthy and I expect him to remain that way. That kid hardly ever gets sick.
I scored a couple of naps today and I'm looking forward to going to bed tonight.
Tonight the children and I made chocolate molds...
I can't believe they actually went to sleep without a problem considering all the chocolate they ate. But hey, that's half the fun, right?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Kate's In A Chatty Mood
According to Jen M I've been a blog slacker, so here I am.
Yesterday was our final Coffee Hour until the new year. Boo. I didn't know that because apparently I didn't pay attention to the agenda that was handed out a couple of months ago.
What the heck is my life coming to? No Girls Club until the new year, no Coffee Hour until the new year... no Dancing With The Stars until the new year...!
!!!
Yesterday morning I was scraping together all the change I could find so I could stop for my beloved steeped tea (with double milk, no sugar, just in case anyone wants to surprise me). I'm talking about lifting sofa cushions...checking old purses...the ashtray in my van. I was able to scrape together 53 cents. Not going to cut it. While I was driving I shook my coat pocket and actually squealed when I heard jingling...now I had 67 cents. Obviously I didn't make it to Tim's.
I was the first one to arrive at the church yesterday morning and there was a dude walking around the door. He looked a little down on his luck so to speak, and came over to talk to me when I parked.
Being the ever-so-savvy (suspicious? paranoid?) person that I am, I kept my van in reverse in case he tried to kill me through the window.
Watch much tv, Katie?
Anyway, he had walked some insane distance to meet with our Associate Pastor. It was really cold and I don't have a key to the church so I thought about asking if he'd like to sit in the van with me to warm up a little until someone arrived, or if he'd like my 67 cents for a coffee around the corner. Sadly, I realized that I knew nothing about this man, and being as the world is today... I couldn't risk it. I made some excuse about running an errand and would be back shortly. Lame.
When I came back he was getting ready to leave. He started talking about what he had to do that day and he just looked so... beaten down. I asked if he had to leave right away, could he come in for a cup of coffee before he headed out? But he politely declined and headed off. I keep thinking about him.
Being that it was our last Coffee Hour of the year we had a pot luck. Yep...that bit of info must have been on the aforementioned agenda that I didn't pay enough attention to. Embarrassing.
We discussed the Psalms at great length, with several ladies sharing their favourites. Oh the number of times I have gone there to seek comfort or strength...
Jen had to leave early for her midwife appointment, so we gathered around her to pray for her. She doesn't know if/when she will be back as her little baby is due this Saturday (!!!) and her hands will be full. We laid hands on her while we prayed and I so hoped she wasn't freaking out. I do love touching people.
Ok.. that sounds a little creepy.
Afterwards, Jordan and I headed off to do some grocery shopping. She was very busy licking, tossing or squishing whatever she could reach in the cart. Once we got to the cash register I realized that I had forgotten a few things on my list, so I paid, parked the cart, picked her up and went to get what I missed. After I got her and all the bags into the van I realized I still forgot something. The very thing that took me to the store in the first place. UGH! I left it until Ian came home, then he ended up going out to get it for me.
Yesterday was the first time I did the grocery shopping start to finish on my own and it sucked. Usually I go alone, unless I bring Jules who basically does all the work for me, and when I get home Ian and Sam bring the bags up for me and Jules puts everything away. But no... I had to do it all by myself.
First of all, was I supposed to leave Jordan in the van while I brought the bags inside, or bring her in first and then go back and forth...?
I won't tell you what I did because it was probably the wrong thing to do. HOWEVER... I did lock the front door each time I went back out to get another load. I am nothing if not oh-so-savvy (paranoid?).
After putting everything away (by myself!), I spoke with a couple of friends on the phone, then it was time to pick up the children from school. Julie had a rough day. Jacob knows she likes him. The world as she knows it is over apparently.
This morning Ian was home sick, so I drove the children to school and dropped in on my mom. She was practically pain-free yesterday (yay!) but not so lucky today. After visiting with her I drove to Newmarket to pick up something from Ian's agent. I even drove on the 400.
Oh yes. Let's just take a moment for some awed silence and admiration.
Thanks!
I dropped in on Mom again so I could hide a couple of Ian's Christmas gifts (don't bother looking Ian... you won't find them) and visited with her and my sister until the children arrived from school, then we headed home. Tonight was Julie's Christmas Concert and so she had to look just perfect apparently. So.. she had a warm bath, I styled her hair and Ian presented her with a lovely new dress for the occasion. She looked beautiful.
"A is for all that He is!" was her line and she delivered it impeccably. She is amazing.
There is this girl that Julie goes to school with and for the purposes of this blog, I shall refer to her as *E*, because "brat" is not a nice thing to call a little girl however fitting that name might be. (Also because God reads my blog too and I wouldn't want Him seeing that!) *E* tells Julie she is ugly, has ugly hair, is a dork, follows her around, encourages the other kids to ignore her, has better clothes than Julie, and so on. This has been going on since Junior Kindergarten. Jules was in tears this week because she can't stand it anymore and wanted me to do something to end it.
Ahh... a teachable moment. And I jumped on it, friends.
We talked about how some people who feel poorly about themselves have to bring others down to make themselves feel better. She was shocked that people would do this.
I told her that yes, I could go into the school the following day and could put an end to it immediately but that wouldn't solve the problem. I told her that there just be another *E* around the corner, be it at this school or another one, high school, where she will choose to work. The key was to learn how to deal with the *E*s of the world and yes, to even love them. I said that even I had *E*s in my life too, and its a challenge to love them but I keep trying. She said she gets so angry with her, and she knows that anger separates her from God and she doesn't ever want anything to separate her from Him.
Oh preach it, my beautiful one!
So tonight, when I dropped her off at her classroom before the concert, *E* arrived. Julie smoothed down the front of her new dress and looked up at me and whispered "She looks prettier than me". I held her close and whispered back "No, she doesn't. Not even close."
Now I know I shouldn't encourage that sort of thing, but unbiased mother-love or not, my daughter is beautiful. Perfect hair, gorgeous face and features, but more importantly she has a beautiful heart. And she showed that heart tonight as she asked *E* if they could talk privately. I moved away slowly and eventually stopped because I was curious as to what she would say. She took *E*s hands in hers and asked her if they could start over and be friends again. And *E* said yes! I was so proud of Jules for putting herself out there.
When I tucked Sam in tonight I said hello to "The Guys", Shadow and Sonic the guinea pigs. Sam then said "Oh look, it's Grandma!" To which I replied, "I am far too young to be anyone's grandmother!" And then HE said "Maybe so, but you LOOK old enough to be."
!!!
Anyone want a 9 yr old? He's really rather smart and cute.
Before I sign off, I will update you on my new medical issues. In addition to my menopause, I think I am getting meningitis. My neck has been killing me since mid-morning yesterday and it gets stiff. I don't have a fever but I'm not ruling it out. And in addition to that lovely new issue, my hands are falling asleep all the time, mostly when I'm using them, so you know what's coming.... ALS. This is not the first time I have been concerned about my limbs falling asleep. I have also become rather forgetful so perhaps its the onset of Alzheimer's. I'm going to have to make an appointment to have these issues confirmed or denied, whichever the case may be.
See you next time.
~ Kate
Yesterday was our final Coffee Hour until the new year. Boo. I didn't know that because apparently I didn't pay attention to the agenda that was handed out a couple of months ago.
What the heck is my life coming to? No Girls Club until the new year, no Coffee Hour until the new year... no Dancing With The Stars until the new year...!
!!!
Yesterday morning I was scraping together all the change I could find so I could stop for my beloved steeped tea (with double milk, no sugar, just in case anyone wants to surprise me). I'm talking about lifting sofa cushions...checking old purses...the ashtray in my van. I was able to scrape together 53 cents. Not going to cut it. While I was driving I shook my coat pocket and actually squealed when I heard jingling...now I had 67 cents. Obviously I didn't make it to Tim's.
I was the first one to arrive at the church yesterday morning and there was a dude walking around the door. He looked a little down on his luck so to speak, and came over to talk to me when I parked.
Being the ever-so-savvy (suspicious? paranoid?) person that I am, I kept my van in reverse in case he tried to kill me through the window.
Watch much tv, Katie?
Anyway, he had walked some insane distance to meet with our Associate Pastor. It was really cold and I don't have a key to the church so I thought about asking if he'd like to sit in the van with me to warm up a little until someone arrived, or if he'd like my 67 cents for a coffee around the corner. Sadly, I realized that I knew nothing about this man, and being as the world is today... I couldn't risk it. I made some excuse about running an errand and would be back shortly. Lame.
When I came back he was getting ready to leave. He started talking about what he had to do that day and he just looked so... beaten down. I asked if he had to leave right away, could he come in for a cup of coffee before he headed out? But he politely declined and headed off. I keep thinking about him.
Being that it was our last Coffee Hour of the year we had a pot luck. Yep...that bit of info must have been on the aforementioned agenda that I didn't pay enough attention to. Embarrassing.
We discussed the Psalms at great length, with several ladies sharing their favourites. Oh the number of times I have gone there to seek comfort or strength...
Jen had to leave early for her midwife appointment, so we gathered around her to pray for her. She doesn't know if/when she will be back as her little baby is due this Saturday (!!!) and her hands will be full. We laid hands on her while we prayed and I so hoped she wasn't freaking out. I do love touching people.
Ok.. that sounds a little creepy.
Afterwards, Jordan and I headed off to do some grocery shopping. She was very busy licking, tossing or squishing whatever she could reach in the cart. Once we got to the cash register I realized that I had forgotten a few things on my list, so I paid, parked the cart, picked her up and went to get what I missed. After I got her and all the bags into the van I realized I still forgot something. The very thing that took me to the store in the first place. UGH! I left it until Ian came home, then he ended up going out to get it for me.
Yesterday was the first time I did the grocery shopping start to finish on my own and it sucked. Usually I go alone, unless I bring Jules who basically does all the work for me, and when I get home Ian and Sam bring the bags up for me and Jules puts everything away. But no... I had to do it all by myself.
First of all, was I supposed to leave Jordan in the van while I brought the bags inside, or bring her in first and then go back and forth...?
I won't tell you what I did because it was probably the wrong thing to do. HOWEVER... I did lock the front door each time I went back out to get another load. I am nothing if not oh-so-savvy (paranoid?).
After putting everything away (by myself!), I spoke with a couple of friends on the phone, then it was time to pick up the children from school. Julie had a rough day. Jacob knows she likes him. The world as she knows it is over apparently.
This morning Ian was home sick, so I drove the children to school and dropped in on my mom. She was practically pain-free yesterday (yay!) but not so lucky today. After visiting with her I drove to Newmarket to pick up something from Ian's agent. I even drove on the 400.
Oh yes. Let's just take a moment for some awed silence and admiration.
Thanks!
I dropped in on Mom again so I could hide a couple of Ian's Christmas gifts (don't bother looking Ian... you won't find them) and visited with her and my sister until the children arrived from school, then we headed home. Tonight was Julie's Christmas Concert and so she had to look just perfect apparently. So.. she had a warm bath, I styled her hair and Ian presented her with a lovely new dress for the occasion. She looked beautiful.
"A is for all that He is!" was her line and she delivered it impeccably. She is amazing.
There is this girl that Julie goes to school with and for the purposes of this blog, I shall refer to her as *E*, because "brat" is not a nice thing to call a little girl however fitting that name might be. (Also because God reads my blog too and I wouldn't want Him seeing that!) *E* tells Julie she is ugly, has ugly hair, is a dork, follows her around, encourages the other kids to ignore her, has better clothes than Julie, and so on. This has been going on since Junior Kindergarten. Jules was in tears this week because she can't stand it anymore and wanted me to do something to end it.
Ahh... a teachable moment. And I jumped on it, friends.
We talked about how some people who feel poorly about themselves have to bring others down to make themselves feel better. She was shocked that people would do this.
I told her that yes, I could go into the school the following day and could put an end to it immediately but that wouldn't solve the problem. I told her that there just be another *E* around the corner, be it at this school or another one, high school, where she will choose to work. The key was to learn how to deal with the *E*s of the world and yes, to even love them. I said that even I had *E*s in my life too, and its a challenge to love them but I keep trying. She said she gets so angry with her, and she knows that anger separates her from God and she doesn't ever want anything to separate her from Him.
Oh preach it, my beautiful one!
So tonight, when I dropped her off at her classroom before the concert, *E* arrived. Julie smoothed down the front of her new dress and looked up at me and whispered "She looks prettier than me". I held her close and whispered back "No, she doesn't. Not even close."
Now I know I shouldn't encourage that sort of thing, but unbiased mother-love or not, my daughter is beautiful. Perfect hair, gorgeous face and features, but more importantly she has a beautiful heart. And she showed that heart tonight as she asked *E* if they could talk privately. I moved away slowly and eventually stopped because I was curious as to what she would say. She took *E*s hands in hers and asked her if they could start over and be friends again. And *E* said yes! I was so proud of Jules for putting herself out there.
When I tucked Sam in tonight I said hello to "The Guys", Shadow and Sonic the guinea pigs. Sam then said "Oh look, it's Grandma!" To which I replied, "I am far too young to be anyone's grandmother!" And then HE said "Maybe so, but you LOOK old enough to be."
!!!
Anyone want a 9 yr old? He's really rather smart and cute.
Before I sign off, I will update you on my new medical issues. In addition to my menopause, I think I am getting meningitis. My neck has been killing me since mid-morning yesterday and it gets stiff. I don't have a fever but I'm not ruling it out. And in addition to that lovely new issue, my hands are falling asleep all the time, mostly when I'm using them, so you know what's coming.... ALS. This is not the first time I have been concerned about my limbs falling asleep. I have also become rather forgetful so perhaps its the onset of Alzheimer's. I'm going to have to make an appointment to have these issues confirmed or denied, whichever the case may be.
See you next time.
~ Kate
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Show And Tell
This weather is killing me mood-wise. Jordan woke me up this morning just after six and when I looked out the window at all the snow that fell overnight I immediately felt so blue. I didn't even want to think about going outside and wished that the schools would be closed. I think it was only a couple of inches but still...
In the past I have experienced that SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) aka winter blues/winter depression, but I've had a wonderful reprieve the last couple of years. I don't think I will be so lucky this year. I try to combat it by keeping the blinds open to let as much light in as possible and on overcast days I keep the lights on. Still... it sucks. I don't enjoy the winter much at all.
I did make it to my mom's today after my mini-meltdown and was so pleased to see that she was experiencing very little back pain at all today and was able to move around rather easily. I was so thankful. She felt so good she was all set to shovel the driveway!
!!!
She didn't, in case you were wondering!
Lately I have been wanting to eat spaghetti but no one else eats it in my house. Today I could hold off no longer and so I cooked some. What a letdown. I didn't realize I was out of Parmesan cheese and it wasn't nearly as good as I imagined it was going to be. Very disappointing. So disappointing in fact, that at this very moment I never want to eat it again.
So there.
Here's Jules, earning her keep. ;-)
Cindy picked me up just after 7 and we met up with Jen at our usual hangout - Tim's. Our usual table was taken (grr) and so we had to wait for the couple sitting there to leave. If it's the three of us, we always sit at one particular table. If it's just Cindy and me, then we sit at a different particular table. It is my OCD people..things must always be the same. Always.
Tonight I am going to show you these dear friends of mine.
Here is Cindy...
And here is Jen...
I love these ladies so, so much. I just love being with them.
There was a couple at the next table making out which bothered Cindy immensely. I couldn't see them but Cindy was rather grossed out. I am not one for PDAs (Public Displays of Affection) so I didn't make it a point to look at them. Holding hands or a hug is fine, but if someone shouts "get a room!" you can be certain that you are crossing the lines of what is acceptable in public.
Lately I have been experiencing pain underneath my right arm, on my side. Anytime I moved I felt this sharp pain. Of course, I was certain it would turn out to be something horrible like a tumour or something so I have been feeling quite anxious about it. But I discovered today that I do not have a tumour... I merely require a new bra because the wire is sticking out of this one, and into my side.
Oops.
Jen was shamelessly laughing at me tonight. I was wearing my stretchy pants that I would wear to the gym and they are a little....short. Well, she couldn't stop laughing at my "floods".
Darn you, Jen! Never again will I feel bad for making fun of your "baby hands"!
Seriously, friends... she has little baby-looking hands. I love them.
I had a terrific blonde moment tonight, just as we were leaving Tim's. I saw something painted on the ground just in front of the store, and I stopped to look at it and asked the girls "What the heck is POTS?" and then I walked around and realized it said "STOP".
Sigh. I know. And I admitted it here, to all of you.
Love me anyway, people. Love me anyway.
Oh I am tired. Tomorrow is Coffee Hour. I hope I have the energy for it. I'm looking forward to seeing my other friend Jen. She is due in just a few days and I can't wait. I have become that annoying friend that constantly asks "anything? how about now?" I'm just so excited for her.
Still reading The Shack and I'm enjoying it. It has such great imagery in it and I've had tears more than once.
Enough babbling for one night... See you next time.
In the past I have experienced that SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) aka winter blues/winter depression, but I've had a wonderful reprieve the last couple of years. I don't think I will be so lucky this year. I try to combat it by keeping the blinds open to let as much light in as possible and on overcast days I keep the lights on. Still... it sucks. I don't enjoy the winter much at all.
I did make it to my mom's today after my mini-meltdown and was so pleased to see that she was experiencing very little back pain at all today and was able to move around rather easily. I was so thankful. She felt so good she was all set to shovel the driveway!
!!!
She didn't, in case you were wondering!
Lately I have been wanting to eat spaghetti but no one else eats it in my house. Today I could hold off no longer and so I cooked some. What a letdown. I didn't realize I was out of Parmesan cheese and it wasn't nearly as good as I imagined it was going to be. Very disappointing. So disappointing in fact, that at this very moment I never want to eat it again.
So there.
Here's Jules, earning her keep. ;-)
Cindy picked me up just after 7 and we met up with Jen at our usual hangout - Tim's. Our usual table was taken (grr) and so we had to wait for the couple sitting there to leave. If it's the three of us, we always sit at one particular table. If it's just Cindy and me, then we sit at a different particular table. It is my OCD people..things must always be the same. Always.
Tonight I am going to show you these dear friends of mine.
Here is Cindy...
And here is Jen...
I love these ladies so, so much. I just love being with them.
There was a couple at the next table making out which bothered Cindy immensely. I couldn't see them but Cindy was rather grossed out. I am not one for PDAs (Public Displays of Affection) so I didn't make it a point to look at them. Holding hands or a hug is fine, but if someone shouts "get a room!" you can be certain that you are crossing the lines of what is acceptable in public.
Lately I have been experiencing pain underneath my right arm, on my side. Anytime I moved I felt this sharp pain. Of course, I was certain it would turn out to be something horrible like a tumour or something so I have been feeling quite anxious about it. But I discovered today that I do not have a tumour... I merely require a new bra because the wire is sticking out of this one, and into my side.
Oops.
Jen was shamelessly laughing at me tonight. I was wearing my stretchy pants that I would wear to the gym and they are a little....short. Well, she couldn't stop laughing at my "floods".
Darn you, Jen! Never again will I feel bad for making fun of your "baby hands"!
Seriously, friends... she has little baby-looking hands. I love them.
I had a terrific blonde moment tonight, just as we were leaving Tim's. I saw something painted on the ground just in front of the store, and I stopped to look at it and asked the girls "What the heck is POTS?" and then I walked around and realized it said "STOP".
Sigh. I know. And I admitted it here, to all of you.
Love me anyway, people. Love me anyway.
Oh I am tired. Tomorrow is Coffee Hour. I hope I have the energy for it. I'm looking forward to seeing my other friend Jen. She is due in just a few days and I can't wait. I have become that annoying friend that constantly asks "anything? how about now?" I'm just so excited for her.
Still reading The Shack and I'm enjoying it. It has such great imagery in it and I've had tears more than once.
Enough babbling for one night... See you next time.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Busy Weekend
This past weekend was a busy one and I am pooped.
Friday was a PA day for Sam and Jules. This school gives PA days like nobody's business. I don't recall getting this many days off when I was a kid. In fact, I think we went to school 365 days a year.
It's become almost a tradition for the children to go to my inlaws for the first weekend in December. So, after an extremely healthy breakfast (read: doughnuts from Tim Hortons) we headed off for the hour drive north. We didn't have any snow here on Friday and Jules drifted off to sleep then woke up and was shocked to see all the snow everywhere.
I intended to only stay for a cup of tea then head back home so I could do some Christmas shopping with Jordan but I was invited to stay for lunch and the children really wanted us to stay, so we did.
Lots of drama when it came time for me to leave. I felt so sad that they were crying and asking me to bring them back with me. I hate that my inlaws' feelings would have been hurt by it, because they didn't mean to be hurtful. Anyway, I'll skip the details because they are so sad.
Later that afternoon I got an email from Sam pleading with me to "at least visit" them the following day. I talked to Ian when he got home from work and we called his parents to see what was going on. We all decided that if Sam was still that upset the next day, we would go and get them and bring them home. (It wasn't necessary because they had settled down the following morning after a good sleep.)
In the evening I went to a Christmas party at a friend's home. Ladies only :-) I brought a friend with me and it was a really lovely evening. The woman who hosted it is from my church so I knew a lot of the people there. I suck at small talk. I truly do. If I am comfortable with someone, I will talk until their ears drop off their head, but I can't do small talk. Good thing my friend is very comfortable and gracious so I let her do the work ;-)
Afterwards I met up with Cindy at our usual haunt. We even got Jen to come out at that hour and visit with us. I think we left around 1am. Yikes. Love those girls. I got to see them twice in the same week! YAY!
Saturday morning Jordan and I tagged along with Ian to see one of his Christmas shows. I don't think I've ever told you that Ian is a magician. Yep, he is! He does children's shows, adult shows, you name it and he rocks. It's been a few years since I've seen him do one and as usual he was excellent. At the end of the show he got all of the children to sing Jingle Bells and then Santa arrived. I got teary watching them get so excited to see Santa. Then before I knew it, I was crying. And... I also got teary watching the kids get excited when Barney arrived.
Barney!!
Freak.
Yes... so I think I know what's wrong with me. Between being tired and weepy, I no longer think it's mono or lupus. I think its menopause.
The Change of Life. Isn't that what they call it? Ugh... like 20+ years of PMS isn't enough, we get to experience menopause.
!!!
Moving on...
After a nap in the afternoon, we wrapped all of the children's gifts so we could drive them crazy when they got home from their grandparents. They aren't allowed to even touch them until Christmas morning. Ha ha.
Cindy offered to watch Jordan for us in the evening so we went on a date.
Oh yes, friends. A kid-free evening, doing grown up things. Dinner out... not having to repeatedly pick up things that the 8 month old drops...not having to remind the children over and over to eat their dinner, stop fighting, keep their voices down, etc....
After dinner we went to see Transporter 3 and while the plot was a little weak the action was unbelievable. Most excellent. Loved it.
Cindy would text me periodically throughout the evening to let me know that Jordan was fine. I truly appreciated that, because even though she is my third child, I worry as though she is my first.
This morning we headed off to the early service at church as Ian was teaching Sunday school. Great worship today.
After putting my house back in order, the children arrived home and all felt right again in my home. I miss those little creeps when they are away! Dinner was especially lively tonight as they shared what they had done all weekend. Its good to have them home.
Not much on the agenda for this week which will be nice. I'm going to try to finish my Christmas shopping so I can relax and enjoy the season for its true meaning.
Want to know what really gets on my nerves? When people type/say "Merry Xmas". Hello! It isn't X's birthday, it's Christ's birthday, thank you very much. And the other thing that bothers me - really, really bothers me - is the whole "Happy Holidays" thing. It's CHRISTMAS! I don't care if people are bothered by Christmas... I don't complain about Diwali or Ramadan or Hanukkah (sp?) and demand that they get "Happy Holidays".
Oh I am too tired to rant. I have menopause you know.
Talk to you tomorrow!
Friday was a PA day for Sam and Jules. This school gives PA days like nobody's business. I don't recall getting this many days off when I was a kid. In fact, I think we went to school 365 days a year.
It's become almost a tradition for the children to go to my inlaws for the first weekend in December. So, after an extremely healthy breakfast (read: doughnuts from Tim Hortons) we headed off for the hour drive north. We didn't have any snow here on Friday and Jules drifted off to sleep then woke up and was shocked to see all the snow everywhere.
I intended to only stay for a cup of tea then head back home so I could do some Christmas shopping with Jordan but I was invited to stay for lunch and the children really wanted us to stay, so we did.
Lots of drama when it came time for me to leave. I felt so sad that they were crying and asking me to bring them back with me. I hate that my inlaws' feelings would have been hurt by it, because they didn't mean to be hurtful. Anyway, I'll skip the details because they are so sad.
Later that afternoon I got an email from Sam pleading with me to "at least visit" them the following day. I talked to Ian when he got home from work and we called his parents to see what was going on. We all decided that if Sam was still that upset the next day, we would go and get them and bring them home. (It wasn't necessary because they had settled down the following morning after a good sleep.)
In the evening I went to a Christmas party at a friend's home. Ladies only :-) I brought a friend with me and it was a really lovely evening. The woman who hosted it is from my church so I knew a lot of the people there. I suck at small talk. I truly do. If I am comfortable with someone, I will talk until their ears drop off their head, but I can't do small talk. Good thing my friend is very comfortable and gracious so I let her do the work ;-)
Afterwards I met up with Cindy at our usual haunt. We even got Jen to come out at that hour and visit with us. I think we left around 1am. Yikes. Love those girls. I got to see them twice in the same week! YAY!
Saturday morning Jordan and I tagged along with Ian to see one of his Christmas shows. I don't think I've ever told you that Ian is a magician. Yep, he is! He does children's shows, adult shows, you name it and he rocks. It's been a few years since I've seen him do one and as usual he was excellent. At the end of the show he got all of the children to sing Jingle Bells and then Santa arrived. I got teary watching them get so excited to see Santa. Then before I knew it, I was crying. And... I also got teary watching the kids get excited when Barney arrived.
Barney!!
Freak.
Yes... so I think I know what's wrong with me. Between being tired and weepy, I no longer think it's mono or lupus. I think its menopause.
The Change of Life. Isn't that what they call it? Ugh... like 20+ years of PMS isn't enough, we get to experience menopause.
!!!
Moving on...
After a nap in the afternoon, we wrapped all of the children's gifts so we could drive them crazy when they got home from their grandparents. They aren't allowed to even touch them until Christmas morning. Ha ha.
Cindy offered to watch Jordan for us in the evening so we went on a date.
Oh yes, friends. A kid-free evening, doing grown up things. Dinner out... not having to repeatedly pick up things that the 8 month old drops...not having to remind the children over and over to eat their dinner, stop fighting, keep their voices down, etc....
After dinner we went to see Transporter 3 and while the plot was a little weak the action was unbelievable. Most excellent. Loved it.
Cindy would text me periodically throughout the evening to let me know that Jordan was fine. I truly appreciated that, because even though she is my third child, I worry as though she is my first.
This morning we headed off to the early service at church as Ian was teaching Sunday school. Great worship today.
After putting my house back in order, the children arrived home and all felt right again in my home. I miss those little creeps when they are away! Dinner was especially lively tonight as they shared what they had done all weekend. Its good to have them home.
Not much on the agenda for this week which will be nice. I'm going to try to finish my Christmas shopping so I can relax and enjoy the season for its true meaning.
Want to know what really gets on my nerves? When people type/say "Merry Xmas". Hello! It isn't X's birthday, it's Christ's birthday, thank you very much. And the other thing that bothers me - really, really bothers me - is the whole "Happy Holidays" thing. It's CHRISTMAS! I don't care if people are bothered by Christmas... I don't complain about Diwali or Ramadan or Hanukkah (sp?) and demand that they get "Happy Holidays".
Oh I am too tired to rant. I have menopause you know.
Talk to you tomorrow!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Someone...Help Me...
Pssst!! I think Ian is trying to kill me!
His poison of choice? Buckley's Cough Syrup.
Oh friends...this stuff is n-a-s-t-y!
It's pretty much common knowledge that if you pinch your nose it will cut off your taste buds. I have done this my entire life and it has always worked.
Until today.
Ian brought home the Buckleys and made me take some. Oh man.. this stuff tastes like Vicks Vaporub! In my mouth!
!!!
It didn't matter what I rinsed with or ate afterwards, the taste wouldn't go away. Nothing I did helped. I have felt nauseated all day. All day.
I am thinking about their commercials where they say "It tastes awful, but it works!" Then the people take a spoonful and make this mild little grossed out face. I would have gotten fired from that commercial because I started heaving as soon as I swallowed the second spoonful.
I think Ian used the biggest spoon he could find, that's what I think.
:-(
Poor me.
Everyone says it really works. I don't know if it does or not, I just know that I'm afraid to cough in Ian's presence because he is poised and ready to make me take more. And I'm not going to do it.
In other news....
Tonight was our Christmas party for Girls Club. Ian did a magic show for the girls which they loved. One of them wrote me a lovely Christmas letter, thanking me for spending time with her. I felt so teary when I read it because I pray for this particular girl all the time. There were so many hands helping to clean up and take down the tables and somehow my letter got misplaced and I am so sad about that.
I brought Jordan tonight and the girls were all over her. I had to push aside my major cootie issues and just let them love on her like they wanted. I love observing them and seeing their gentle hearts in action. We don't restart the next session until the second week of January and I felt sad saying goodbye to them tonight.
I am missing them already...
Tomorrow I am taking the older children up north to their grandparents so they can spend the weekend there. I miss them so much when they're gone and the house just doesn't feel right until they're home again.
That's it for today. Over and out.
His poison of choice? Buckley's Cough Syrup.
Oh friends...this stuff is n-a-s-t-y!
It's pretty much common knowledge that if you pinch your nose it will cut off your taste buds. I have done this my entire life and it has always worked.
Until today.
Ian brought home the Buckleys and made me take some. Oh man.. this stuff tastes like Vicks Vaporub! In my mouth!
!!!
It didn't matter what I rinsed with or ate afterwards, the taste wouldn't go away. Nothing I did helped. I have felt nauseated all day. All day.
I am thinking about their commercials where they say "It tastes awful, but it works!" Then the people take a spoonful and make this mild little grossed out face. I would have gotten fired from that commercial because I started heaving as soon as I swallowed the second spoonful.
I think Ian used the biggest spoon he could find, that's what I think.
:-(
Poor me.
Everyone says it really works. I don't know if it does or not, I just know that I'm afraid to cough in Ian's presence because he is poised and ready to make me take more. And I'm not going to do it.
In other news....
Tonight was our Christmas party for Girls Club. Ian did a magic show for the girls which they loved. One of them wrote me a lovely Christmas letter, thanking me for spending time with her. I felt so teary when I read it because I pray for this particular girl all the time. There were so many hands helping to clean up and take down the tables and somehow my letter got misplaced and I am so sad about that.
I brought Jordan tonight and the girls were all over her. I had to push aside my major cootie issues and just let them love on her like they wanted. I love observing them and seeing their gentle hearts in action. We don't restart the next session until the second week of January and I felt sad saying goodbye to them tonight.
I am missing them already...
Tomorrow I am taking the older children up north to their grandparents so they can spend the weekend there. I miss them so much when they're gone and the house just doesn't feel right until they're home again.
That's it for today. Over and out.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Challenging Day
I love Wednesdays.
This morning was Coffee Hour and I know I say this a lot, but I think today was my favourite one so far. It was a smaller group today so there were a couple of opportunities for me to talk one-on-one with a few of the ladies for the first time and I really enjoyed that.
I managed to remember to return the books I borrowed from the church library and signed out The Shack by William P. Young. Apparently it's a life changing book and will really make me look at God in a fresh new way. I've heard a lot of controversy about this book so I'll let you know what I think when I'm finished.
It was so laid back today...lots of sharing and laughter. We have really grown as a group and I feel so safe there. I almost shared my story...but I didn't. Maybe someday. No...probably not. Definitely not.
We talked about the various trials we will endure in this lifetime and how God allows them in order to refine us. He doesn't allow things to happen to hurt us, but to grow us.
What is faith worth if it is not tested? I believe this. Yet...I am ready for a break from being tested. I truly am.
When I look over the course of my life I can see where He has been working in me, around me and even through me. A lot of things make sense. A lot of things don't. Not yet. And maybe it never will in this lifetime. But one day He will reveal it all to me.
My favourite verse just came to my mind... "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Did you know that in the Bible there are 366 commands from God to not be afraid?
Neither did I.
As much as I loved the thought provoking discussion, my mind has been racing all day with thoughts and emotion. Mid-afternoon the anxiety started. For the first time in a very long time I had a panic attack. I couldn't regain control and I can't express to you how much I hate not being in control.
Oh friends...there are things in my life that I wish I had done differently. So many moments I wish I could return to, to create a different outcome so that I could erase the hurts I have caused.
I take comfort in knowing that He has forgiven me, and He is restoring me.
If I've said it once, I'll say it a million times...He is so good is He not?
This morning was Coffee Hour and I know I say this a lot, but I think today was my favourite one so far. It was a smaller group today so there were a couple of opportunities for me to talk one-on-one with a few of the ladies for the first time and I really enjoyed that.
I managed to remember to return the books I borrowed from the church library and signed out The Shack by William P. Young. Apparently it's a life changing book and will really make me look at God in a fresh new way. I've heard a lot of controversy about this book so I'll let you know what I think when I'm finished.
It was so laid back today...lots of sharing and laughter. We have really grown as a group and I feel so safe there. I almost shared my story...but I didn't. Maybe someday. No...probably not. Definitely not.
We talked about the various trials we will endure in this lifetime and how God allows them in order to refine us. He doesn't allow things to happen to hurt us, but to grow us.
What is faith worth if it is not tested? I believe this. Yet...I am ready for a break from being tested. I truly am.
When I look over the course of my life I can see where He has been working in me, around me and even through me. A lot of things make sense. A lot of things don't. Not yet. And maybe it never will in this lifetime. But one day He will reveal it all to me.
My favourite verse just came to my mind... "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Did you know that in the Bible there are 366 commands from God to not be afraid?
Neither did I.
As much as I loved the thought provoking discussion, my mind has been racing all day with thoughts and emotion. Mid-afternoon the anxiety started. For the first time in a very long time I had a panic attack. I couldn't regain control and I can't express to you how much I hate not being in control.
Oh friends...there are things in my life that I wish I had done differently. So many moments I wish I could return to, to create a different outcome so that I could erase the hurts I have caused.
I take comfort in knowing that He has forgiven me, and He is restoring me.
If I've said it once, I'll say it a million times...He is so good is He not?
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Yawn
My Jordan is BRILLIANT!
Tonight she was sitting on Ian's lap while he sang "If You're Happy And You Know It, Clap Your Hands" and she clapped at all the right times.
Oh she is amazing.
Yesterday's lunch with Cindy and Jen was excellent. We went to the Mandarin and the food was so good. Afterwards, Cindy and I went shopping and she came back to the house and we had tea.
This weekend the children are going up north to visit with their grandparents. I will miss them. :-( Cindy has offered to watch Jordan for us on Saturday night so that we can go and see the new James Bond movie. She is such a wonderful friend to me and we trust her completely with Jordan.
I woke up this morning feeling so lousy and wanted to stay in bed all day. I'm tired of being tired! Ian gets up with Jordan during the night so I don't know what my problem is.
I visited with my mother, then took my nephew to Square One to do some of his Christmas shopping. It was a difficult afternoon but God helped me through it. I feel emotionally drained from it, to be honest. There is such a story there, but not one I can share.
I took Jules to the doctor and did my grocery shopping, and now I am struggling to stay awake to watch a movie with Ian. If this fatigue goes on much longer I'm going to have to make an appointment with my doctor.
The children brought home excellent report cards and we're very proud of them. They work so hard.
I am absolutely disgusted, shocked and horrified at what is happening in Ottawa right now. They have lost their minds. Liberal/NDP/Bloc??
Disgusting.
Well I'm off to watch the movie. I give myself 10 minutes before I'm asleep.
Tonight she was sitting on Ian's lap while he sang "If You're Happy And You Know It, Clap Your Hands" and she clapped at all the right times.
Oh she is amazing.
Yesterday's lunch with Cindy and Jen was excellent. We went to the Mandarin and the food was so good. Afterwards, Cindy and I went shopping and she came back to the house and we had tea.
This weekend the children are going up north to visit with their grandparents. I will miss them. :-( Cindy has offered to watch Jordan for us on Saturday night so that we can go and see the new James Bond movie. She is such a wonderful friend to me and we trust her completely with Jordan.
I woke up this morning feeling so lousy and wanted to stay in bed all day. I'm tired of being tired! Ian gets up with Jordan during the night so I don't know what my problem is.
I visited with my mother, then took my nephew to Square One to do some of his Christmas shopping. It was a difficult afternoon but God helped me through it. I feel emotionally drained from it, to be honest. There is such a story there, but not one I can share.
I took Jules to the doctor and did my grocery shopping, and now I am struggling to stay awake to watch a movie with Ian. If this fatigue goes on much longer I'm going to have to make an appointment with my doctor.
The children brought home excellent report cards and we're very proud of them. They work so hard.
I am absolutely disgusted, shocked and horrified at what is happening in Ottawa right now. They have lost their minds. Liberal/NDP/Bloc??
Disgusting.
Well I'm off to watch the movie. I give myself 10 minutes before I'm asleep.
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