MAKING THE GRADE

Today was report card day for our kids and I have to say I was very impressed with the three younger kid's reports, (I don't have Jonathan's just yet), but so far, nothing below a "B" in the bunch. Sigh...I always breathe a little easier when I find out they are on track...especially in an area that has been a struggle in the past.

As Jianna came in the door from school, she let us know that she had gotten "mostly A's". While Mark and I were having a quick look at her report, she pipes up with,

"How come I didn't get any F's...for FANTASTIC ?"

Only in Jianna's world would an "F" be for Fantastic,  we assured her she never wanted to get an "F" on  a report for school, but she was still Fantastic!

Is Your Joy Intact?

For a number of reasons, I have been uncharacteristically late with my Christmas preparations this year. In the past, this would have caused me extreme stress and even sleepless nights. I would have found myself up in the middle of the night, making lists in order to organize what needed to be accomplished.

Instead, I have taken the attitude that I can only accomplish what I can accomplish and anything that doesn't get done really doesn't matter. I mean, do I really need 12 dozen different varieties of treats baked and frozen in case company drops by over Christmas?

Do I need every decoration collected or handed down to me from the past three generations, on display?

I have discovered that Christmas traditions are only special if there is Joy in them, if they are fun to do, if they bring happiness...to me and to others.

I have a massive Christmas village complete with an electric train. I love this village. It is a mixture of pieces my mother created to start me off, pieces I collected along the way and many pieces that my mom left to me from her own Christmas Village.

Although I love the village, my house is too small for it, and it became stressful to try and figure out how to carve out a location for it each year...so, a few years ago, I decided not to put up the village. It was not fun any more, so I will wait, for a larger home, and I know it will have a wonderful spot that will seem as if it were created for my village.

Some things are harder to put aside, or the happiness they bring, out ways the work.

Things like shopping for gifts. Not a toy store full of gifts, but some special gifts for some special people.

My shopping has been forced into a small window of opportunity this year...much of it last night and today.

I would have preferred to have it done by now, to do it during the week, to avoid the weekend madness. I did not have that luxury this year...and I will admit, I had to do a little "self talking" in order not to panic...but I did not lose sleep either.

I got up early (well, early for me on the weekend), did a bit of Christmas baking, relaxed with my tea, showered and basically, psyched myself up for what I envisioned would be a mad, tiring, crazy day of shopping.

The traffic was bad...but Hey! It's Belleville!

I have shopped in Christmas traffic in Ottawa, many years...we really don't know what traffic is here.

The stores were busy, but not nearly as crazy as my imagination had conjured up.

As I shopped, I began to people watch. What I saw amazed and saddened me.

I began to look more closely, at more people.

I had some lunch, rested a moment and prepared myself for the one store I did not want to have to go to the second last Sat. before Christmas...WALMART!

Determined to make the best of it, I headed in. I continued to notice people around me...the crying children were hard to miss.

The checkout line was not nearly as long as I had expected.

As I waited my turn, I looked around me. What I saw that was so disturbing and left me with an ache in my heart was the faces of the shoppers. Everywhere I looked, I saw dark circles under eyes, worn down faces and demeanors. People looked beaten down, sad and somewhat vacant.

I tried really hard to find someone who looked like they were enjoying themselves...both in the mall and at Walmart. I could not, and I began to wonder if I looked as tired and worn out. I began to purposefully smile as I went about my hunt for the perfect gifts.

When I reached my check out girl, (who happened to be responsible for the front line), she was trying to make the best out of simply not having enough people to be able to open every check out. She explained to me how she had tried to get the last shift to stay later, but they could not.

We talked about her experiences with people that day, (one who had actually, physically grabbed her to try and make his point), and my observations.

That people seemed to have lost their Joy in Christmas...I expressed my views of "why bother if there is no fun in it", and that although, I would rather shop at another time, I am shopping today and possibly next Sat. too. Why would we expect to get through the cash of a super store in 5 minutes, 11 days before Christmas. That is just not realistic...so you plan and prepare for it. Is it really worth, getting upset or even stressed over. Is it her fault that I had to wait until now, to do my shopping?

In case you have been wondering, we did not tie up the line with this conversation, I ended the conversation as she finished my transaction. She thanked me for our conversation...which felt really nice. Then she wished me a "Very Merry Christmas"...which practically sent me into orbit.

 I know there are a lot of legitimate stresses this time of year, I also know that there are losses and gaps that  CAN make it difficult, (but don't HAVE to)...I have felt them personally; but really, it all comes back to choices. Will I choose to allow these things to steal my Joy, or will I choose to focus on what really counts, what I love about the season, what I DO have, who I Do have and above all, the birth of the ONE who came for my Joy?

Will I choose to go around, so focused on what I have yet to accomplish, that I look miserable...or do what I need to with a smile and a kind word?

When all the gifts are unwrapped, the goodies eaten and the decorations pulled down...will I smile with Joy, knowing that my celebrations brought honor to the ONE who it is really all about anyway or simply sigh with relief?

Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year....I don't want to miss a moment.

New Doos for Christmas

                   The girls finally got their Christmas wish...Hair cuts!! Maria likes hers, but may go shorter over Christmas... Judging by the poses in front of the mirror, I'd say Jianna LOVES hers, (though she originally wanted a chin length bob!).

I was proud of myself, no tears, no fainting as the first beautiful long locks hit the floor....actually, I think they both look better in the shorter styles.

Today's the Day...

I was 20, he was 23.

He'd asked to hold my hand,

then walked me to my front door.

As we said good bye, he came a little closer.

 My mind whirled as I sank into the most glorious of kisses.

That was the beginning...

 Who knew one kiss could lead to all of this 20 years later?

Happy Anniversary of our first kiss baby.

Smiles

Something light my mother in law sent me. 

I hope they make you chuckle and if your kids are anything like mine, they will remind you of a few of your own, "kids say the darndest things"

1) NUDITY I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, 'Mom, that lady isn't wearing a seat belt!'(this one reminded me of the first time Jonathan saw an extremely obese, very dark, African American man...he was about 4 and I was sure I would be faced with a comment about either his color or size. As I prepared for the inevitable, Jonathan piped up with disbelief in his voice..."mommy, that man's head is SOOOOOO small!!!")

2) OPINIONS On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, 'The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents.'(I should send this note with at least my oldest and youngest child every year!)

3) KETCHUP A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. 'Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle.'

4) MORE NUDITY A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, 'What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?'

5) POLICE # 1 While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, 'Are you a cop? Yes,' I answered and continued writing the report. My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?' 'Yes, that's right,' I told her. 'Well, then,' she said as she extended her foot toward me, 'would you please tie my shoe?'

6) POLICE # 2 It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. 'Is that a dog you got back there?' he asked. 'It sure is,' I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, 'What'd he do?'

7) ELDERLY While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, 'The tooth fairy will never believe this!'

8) DRESS-UP A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, 'Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit.' 'And why not, darling?' 'You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning.'

9) DEATH While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the in toning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year- old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: 'Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goooes.' ( I am thinking I should request this one at my grave side, what do you think?)

10) SCHOOL A little girl had just finished her first week o f school. 'I'm just wasting my time,' she said to her mother. 'I can't read, I can't write , and they won't let me talk!'

11) BIBLE A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. 'Mama, look what I found,' the boy called out. 'What have you got there, dear?' With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, 'I think it's Adam's underwear!

Count Down to Christmas

Three Weeks to Christmas Day!!!

Christmas, Surprises and Chocolate

I am rewriting the lyrics to a well known classic...

"Christmas, Surprises and Chocolate...these are a few of my favorite things"

We have been busily decorating, shopping, planning, wrapping and scheduling since we got home a week ago...and the concerts and Christmas outings have also begun.

The relaxing pace and uninterrupted time together for Mark and I seems to have been left behind on the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean.

Somehow, amid my hubby's busy chauffeur schedule tonight, he made time to combine three of my favorite things into a special, somewhat nastalgic treat for me.

He came home and surprised me with a Laura Secord Chocolate Advent Calendar!

WE have a wonderful wooden advent calendar for the children that we add their favorite treats to, but I have not had an advent calendar myself, since I was a little girl.

After the over indulgence of chocolate at the chocolate buffet on the cruise, I was actually kind of sick at the idea of chocolate ....I know, UNBELIEVABLE!

Alas, My beloved hubby and my beloved Laura Secord have restored my heart and pallet to the ecstasy of a single divinely created piece of chocolate.

In my world one taste of chocolate perfection trumps an entire buffet without the slightest hesitation.

Sing A New Song

Missy Girl Jianna has been fooling around with Michael's guitar a lot lately, and also works away at the piano periodically.

She sings at the top of her lungs through out her (lengthy) showers and practices her hip hop moves when she thinks I am not watching.

Today, she tried her hand at a new aspect of musical creativity.

 Jianna penned her first song, found below. She is now trying to put the words to music which Michael has offered to help her with.

I am not sure what the final out come will be, ( she is 6 after all), but she is very serious about her song writing.

I was surprised to discover where her little mind and heart take her through the melodies in her head. Then again, this child has always been full of surprises!

(I left her spelling faux pas in as the song is hers completely...I think you will figure it out though)

Music Song

Jianna Piers

Someones right beside me
I think it's the wish I finnley found
someones right there helpping me out of this situation
I think it might be the friend I finnley found
Yah...
I think it's God
He's helping me
I know He's rilly helping me!
I know it's Him.
Yah yah yah yah

A Beautiful Gift

We're back and we had an AMAZING Holiday!

My hubby had chosen this Cruise as a gift to me to celebrate our first 19 years together, and it turned out to be such a precious gift.

We had time to kick back and relax, see new places, eat and eat and eat some more, soak up the sun, SHOP, laugh with friends and simply enjoy each other.

It was good, and so needed.

Thanks Baby for awesome memories...

Standing in front of our ship "Valor" in the Bahamas

St Thomas, our second destination, we shopped here and enjoyed the lush scenery

Rhonda and I in front of the "girly condos" beside the Atlantis resort in Nassau

Aren't they so pretty? Reminded me of mints.

Our guys at the Atlantis...they were more interested in the huge yachts then the girly condos

Police man directing traffic in the Bahamas

WE enjoyed our dining room experiences on the ship

The colors of the Caribbean were such a delight to the senses....even on the buildings.

I was amazed with what the chefs on the cruise were able to create 

with food as their artistic medium.

Everything from simple food, to the chocolate buffet (above), to the Art pictured below was amazing!

The watermelon chief was part of the Midnight Buffet, to his right, (your left), the flowers were all formed from vegetables...mostly potatoes.

Look closely at this musical trio...the bodies were cooked chickens, with fruit and vegetables carved to form their embellishments. Aren't they great?

During the galley tour, we got the privilege of seeing how a few thousand people are fed wonderful, hot, beautifully presented food every night. One pastry chef even taught me an easy way to make gum paste roses for desserts, then gave me the one he was working on.

Service and attention to detail were incredible.

Sunset from our balcony our last eve at sea...I loved being surrounded by my beloved ocean, being rocked to sleep at night with it's gentle rock.

(trying to walk in heels through a crowded dining room while the wind and ocean tried to knock me on my bottom was quite a different experience though...less like a graceful lady and more like a drunken sailor!)

A Very Cool Dream

Ok, this was way too cool to not share before I go.

Today at school, one of the groups of girls that I visit with daily, stopped me in the hall.

One of the girls had a dream she wanted to tell me.

I have known this girl since last year, and had some good chats. She not only wears a mask, but a whole "costume" of being a tough, non caring girl, but I tease her and tell her that she is really an old softy with a big heart.

She told me she had a really weird dream and I was in it.

There was a big party, and "everyone" was there, (the whole school, basically).

"Kids were getting smashed and stoned....really bad, they were getting sick and some were dying"

I was really getting worried that she would tell me I was part of this party scene or something.

She said I was there helping people, checking to see if they were OK, making sure they were not choking on their vomit. Telling them it would be OK.

Later, we were in one of their cars and they were driving me home. My home was this "Huge house in the sky", with a long ladder that I used to climb up to it.

I thought it was pretty cool coming from a student and even went so far as to exclaim,"Cool, I have a mansion in Heaven!"

I so wanted to say a whole lot more, but didn't want to freak this girl and her friends out.

God is speaking, whether they know it is Him or not!

Something Light

I am spending this week busily packing the kids to go to 4 different homes, the dog for the kennel and myself for the Sunny Caribbean....so, I figured I'd join in Holly's fun, for a quick blog post:

Just for fun

Where is your cell phone?  On a table in my room
Your hair colour? Dark Blond...but will have much lighter highlights by tomorrow night
Your mother? lives with Jesus
Your father? lives by the Ocean
Your favorite thing? hugs and kisses
Your dream last night? didn't sleep well, so can't remember
Your dream goal? To have a huge house by the ocean...with room for friends to come
The room you're in? living room
Your hobby (hobbies)? reading, baking...once in a blue moon, painting
Your fear? try to avoid it
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Living my dream goal

Where were you last night?getting my hair cut and running errands for the cruise...eventually bed
What you're not? In my 30s anymore
One of your wish-list items? to have my living room furniture (an heirloom from my mom), refinished
Where you grew up? Nova Scotia...my home and native land
The last thing you did? cleaned up from supper
What are you wearing?brown cords, light brown tank, aqua sweater and birthday jewellery to match
Your TV? is in the rec room and shared by all 6 of us
Your pet? Queen Kallie, (golden doodle), at my feet...King Tut, (Maria's cat)...gone stealth, probably her bed
Your computer? A Mac Notebook...birthday gift from hubby last year
Your mood? pretty tired...didn't sleep well, started to nap with hubby, but it was time to get supper on the table...maybe a little wistful about the nap..lack of!
Missing someone? Every Day
Your car? is still a dream...some cute little, completely impractical, convertible
Something you're not wearing? Men's Underwear!!!
Favourite shop? Anytime Any where!!!!
Your summer? A time to throw routines to the wind!
Love someone? Many
Your favourite colour? Forever Pink
When is the last time you laughed? A few minutes ago, with my girls...Jianna was being silly
When is the last time you cried? A week ago, I came close and probably should have...before that, when I grieved "baby C". I will cry when I watch my kids in the Santa parade, but I don't cry easily at sad stuff. One of my Quirks.

Such A Special Heart

It was early in the day, we had finished eating breakfast together...just the two of us.

I settled in to enjoy my morning cup of Red Rose and she decided on one last little something to fill up her belly before school.

The fridge closed and she came to me with red rimmed eyes.

"Mommy, did I do something that hurt your feelings?"

She began to cry in earnest, and my mind raced through the hour she had been up.

Had I answered something too quickly or sharply?

Was she wanting me to stay with her and decide on her final snack?

I couldn't think of a thing that might have brought this on.

I held her and asked what she thought she might have done.

Through her tears, she told me she couldn't really explain.

I asked her if it was this morning.

It was this morning and yesterday

Eventually, she choked out her concerns,

"Did I hurt your feelings because I was so happy to be going to Janaia's house when you go away?"

"Oh Jianna! I am THRILLED that you will be happy and not missing mommy too much..."

It took some time to be sure she understood that I was happy for her, and would have more fun on my cruise if I knew she was VERY, VERY happy.

I felt the bitter sweet tug on my own heart, to know that at 6 she would put aside her own happiness out of concern for me....to be quick to acknowledge another's feelings

I pray that I would have a heart that is sensitive to others the way that Jianna's heart was to me today.

Choices

Life is full of choices.

Everyday we are faced with many, many choices.

Some of our choices will be great, some, may cause us setbacks, hardship or even pain.

This afternoon, I am thinking about 2 students that I had chats with today.

I know I don't have the full story on either of these students, yet I can't help make comparisons.

Two very different conversations, yet my basic advice was the same.

To one, it was an admonition to work hard and start making better choices.

To the other, it was an encouragement to continue to work hard and continue to make good decisions.

One student I know very little about, but I know he is connected with his family and has been given repeated chances to make a fresh start. He has been given every possible opportunity to get an education and to prepare himself for an honest life.

In spite of all of the breaks, he seems to have repeatedly taken the "easy" road, and has now at 16, closed the doors to being educated in at least 2 different cities' school boards.

The other student is a young girl who has been in foster care from the age of 7, she is about to change homes for over the 20th time. She has lost touch with all of her biological siblings and parents...it would seem she has not been given very many opportunities at all in life. 

In fact, it would seem, she has been robbed of many.

This girl refuses to be another "stat", she has great goals and seems to be a hard worker. She has refused the easy road, even when it has been handed to her.

She has challenged herself beyond what she thought she could do...and she is making it.

As we spoke, and she shared her dreams with me, some pretty big ones that she had down sized somewhat, but even still, dreams that I would be proud to have a daughter of mine pursue.

I encouraged this girl to pursue her "adjusted dream", as it seemed more attainable to her, but to not let go of the original dream, because with the experience she would gain in her pursuits, she could line herself up very favorably to attain her BIG dream should it still be a desire.

If that remains her dream...I have a real strong feeling, she will attain it.

So what is the difference between these two students?

I am sure there are many, but the one that will make all the difference?

CHOICES

It's a little cliche, but so true, taking what ever life throws our way and choosing to use it as a stumbling block or a stepping stone...

Personally, I want to choose stepping stones!

Come What May

Mark and I watched this movie yesterday on line and are planning to purchase this DVD.

The story line deals with doing what's right, no matter the consequences.

The bulk of the story centers around the beginning of life debate, with some poignant and effective arguments being made.

I know these very issues are discussed by our kids at the high school level and what I love about this movie, is that though it is created by Christians and set in a christian college; that is not the vocal basis of the debates. It is not the usual quoting of scriptures to those who don't even acknowledge the Bible as truth. It is about sifting through the rolls of science, the justice system and what is beyond their scope. It is about using sound arguments from cases that set precedence within the Supreme Court.

Woven in and around the core story, are a number of others including a marriage that is all but disintegrated, largely due to neglect and differing life views. A beautiful Love story of not only finding your soul mate, and abstinence but also of preserving the heart.

There are other subtle and not so subtle messages as well.

I also love that this movie is done well, it is a first film done by a group of home schoolers, but let me tell you, there is nothing in the quality of the film that would announce that as such.

You can watch the entire movie in segments here and if it strikes a chord with you may want to consider buying a copy, particularly if you have a chance to show it within a church, small group setting,  youth group, or possibly a debate group.

Galvanized with Christ

God and I have been talking about some things lately...things He has put on my heart for quite some time. 

Things He has asked me to sacrifice to Him. At times, I have wavered, questioned and wondered why I am making some of these sacrifices.

Just last night, as I was going to sleep, I was wondering about the purpose in some of these things, knowing God was requiring them, but losing focus as to why.

This morning, I was preparing to pass over an article from Elijah List and save it for later, but felt I was to read it now.

There were so many answers for me in this, I get really excited when God highlights and brings clarity to things I need answers to so quickly! Below is just part of the article, but I thought it was such a cool and SIMPLE explanation of this seemingly mysterious mandate..."to Put on Christ".

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Romans 13:12-14, emphasis added


"become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (See 2 Peter 1:4)

We are to be "galvanized" with Christ! An iron chain is a very powerful tool; however it can be compromised through corruption and rust. When the iron chain links are galvanized they are coated with zinc, which is non-corruptible. Galvanized iron then becomes much more powerful because it is no longer subject to corruption; it will endure under the harshest of conditions that would otherwise compromise its integrity.

Likewise, when we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" our spirits are "galvanized" with Christ and our flesh is coated with the anointing. Corruption will then take on the incorruptible nature.

Is that not a very COOL explanation?!?!

The whole article can be found here:
http://www.elijahlist.com

It was dated Oct. 30 and is by Paul Keith Davies

Time Flies

Maria 5 1/2...Jianna 2 years

Mark came across this and sent it to my computer...I almost didn't recognize these 

2 little dollies.

Maria's dimples gave her away though.

Where does the time fly to anyway? I wish it would hurry  up and come back!

Simple Reminder

Have you ever thought about the fact that God's Word is His Word no matter what?

The truth of what He has declared is just that, truth. It does not hinge on our belief, (though there are many instances in scripture where a promise is made based on Faith or our belief).

When God declares something as so, with no "ifs, ands or buts", it IS, just as He IS.

It really doesn't matter whether we BELIEVE it or  have given it much thought at all.

I was given a very simple reminder of this over the past weekend.

Galations 6:7 speaks of sowing and reaping. We are reminded that God stands by His word, that WHATEVER we sow, in the spirit that we sow it in, we will also reap. 

Now, as Christians, we often use this as a caution to ourselves, our children and others, to discourage bad behavior.

This is definitely one aspect of this scripture, but the same is true when we sow according to God's character.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A week ago, dear friends were visiting from Minnesota. Not long before this, the girls and I had cleaned out their closet which involved the inevitable, shuffle of clothes outgrown, from Maria to Jianna and then from Jianna to...well, the sorting room. My bedroom.

I then sort, heirloom pieces, from worn out pieces from those with plenty of life left in them to be enjoyed by another little girl.

Sometimes this is difficult for me, (you know when you come across that piece, you wish they could wear forever, because of how cute they looked, or who gave it to them, or how much they loved it?), and only the idea of more clutter in my home propels me forward. 

In this purge round, there was such a piece...actually, a pair.

The cutest little gold ballet flats, they looked like little Tinkerbell shoes....SO CUTE!!!

I remember the shopping trip last year with the girls, where we found these little gems...we all fell in love immediately.

I almost put them in the heirloom bin, but realized that there are only so many pieces that can be given this designation...so, into the give away pile they went.

There were a few things in this pile that were difficult to part with.

My friend's little girl loved all the new clothes and had to try everything on, even though much of it would not truly fit for another couple of seasons.

I never thought anymore about it, after that, until today.

Last night, I had another friend and her teenage daughter over for a fun night. When she arrived, she had a box of clothes to give Maria from her daughters.

Now, this almost never happens, as Maria is so close in size to her older friends.

Maria was THRILLED to go through this box, and find all of her favorite brands, (Roots, Garage and a few others). Everything was just her size and had lots of  life left in them too!

As happy as Maria was, I was rather ecstatic!  Maria seems to have grown out of everything all at once, and it has been a struggle to figure out her size in Junior Ladies' vs children's. we have tried to rebuild her wardrobe piece by piece, but there was back to school for everyone, new shoes for everyone, class trips and school photos, and the list continues.

I was so happy for her that there were so many things that she LOVED in her "New to her " wardrobe, and felt such a relief that we now, just needed to add pieces to a base wardrobe, not replace everything.

Until this morning, I had not drawn a correlation between the two incidents, but you know what?

It didn't matter that I hadn't thought about it. 

The simple truth of sowing and reaping was no less effective.

Simple reminder, but it's got me thinking about all of the things that God has declared to be so, in scripture. God will not be mocked...He does what He says He will do, whether I see it, think about it or understand it...or not.

I am Thankful...

What a GORGEOUS weekend!!

I LOVE Thanksgiving, it is one of my very favorite Holidays, 

it's all about friends and family and being Thankful to our God for each one and all of the blessings He has given.

The weather could not have been better this year either!

 

I spent Sat. enjoying some girl time with Rhonda, (which was so nice), then back to her place to enjoy a wonderful meal that her hubby had prepared while we had our fun.

(Your Awesome Mark)

Sunday, we enjoyed connecting with lots of old friends around a huge Thanksgiving Feast out at Moira Lake..the leaves out there were spectacular!

We ended our weekend by taking the whole 

family and Kallie out for a big hike at a local conservation area. This was such a treat for me, as Jonathan had been working SOOO much lately. He's been finishing out the season at the golf course and working his winter job at the rink, and had been working every day for over a week...He's loving his bank account, but I was missing having him with us.

We got up and got going so Jon could join us before work and it was  a wonderful way to finish out such a terrific weekend.

I am TRULY Thankful! 

Wishing You All A Wonderful Day!

Another One in the Family

After teasing his mother mercilessly over blogging, My 16 year old has joined the ranks.

Mind you, I am sure he would present quite an argument as to the validity of his particular blog over mine. Jonathan's blog is not what you might expect from a 16 year old boy...unless you happen to know this teen, (and his dad)!

No talk of school, friends, sports, cars or girls...nope! This is a political blog. Let me tell you, living with this young man...he definitely has a thing or two to say about politics, both Canadian and American!

So, check him out at:

The Right Side of the Spectrum

If you have any questions about the issues or how to vote, Jonathan is the guy who will tell you...respectfully, I hope!

Welcome Jonathan, I am proud of your ability to search out why you believe what you believe and to stick by it despite the pressures of  the popular opinions around you.

I Love you Big Guy!

Happy Birthday Babe!!

My hubby's birthday is today!

Whenever I think of Mark's birth, I am in awe of the truth that the steps of a righteous man truly are ordered of the Lord.

Mark is a man of dreams and visions, but he has coupled his dreams and visions with Faith, tenacity, perseverance, hard work, wisdom and the courage to take would be chances in order to see those dreams and visions come to pass.

I have been stretched beyond recognition by this process over the years...but that was part of God's purpose in bringing us together, to mold one another into the individuals He has designed us to be.

Mark adores his family and would go to the ends of the earth for any one of us. 

Just recently, the kids found and showed us the pictures from the car accident, 7 years ago.

Mark was moved to tears, as he once again remembered the events of that day and how close we came to losing Michael.

Mark is a leader.

He is a leader in his profession, his family and simply by definition of who He is and what he represents.

He is my friend and confidante, 

the person I treasure spending time with more than any other.

Mark is a man I am proud to call my husband,

I Love You Babe!