HELP!!! It's Exam Week!!!

It is exam week, something every student knows is coming ...really for at least a few years.

Every semester is the same after all: start fresh courses, learn new things, write an exam...repeat.

My admonition the past few weeks has been:

Yet, here we are, the first day of exams, and I see this face repeatedly, before and after the exam:

My job sounds simple, keep the kids out of the halls and lockers so that those still writing can actually think.

No problem! After all, the principal did announce before the exams began, what time the kids were to be allowed out, with an admonition to be quiet as they moved through the halls.

We know kids are terrific at paying attention to announcements right?

Yet, some how, I still found myself repeating this statement a hundred or more times today:

My remedy and preparation for tomorrow's exam, (beyond calling in the Big Kahunas to help with the initial dismissal) is this:

I hope I don't make it to number 4 of the instructions, but by Friday....you may have to come looking for me!

Christmas with the Chows

Christmas Morning 2008

Jonathan P, Maria, Jennifer, Jianna, Jonathan C and Michael

(Jennifer-my cousin- was my first Chinese baby, her mom lived with us when she had her, I was 15 and took Jen everywhere with me, dressed her up and cried all night when her mom took her to live with her daddy 2 hours away. Stephanie is not in the picture, she is a nurse and was in the process of moving back to Aylmer from Fredericton at Christmas, so we didn't get to see her. Steph. used to come to church with us every week as a little girl, and spent many overnights with us when we were in the Ottawa area. Jonathan C was born after Mark and I were married and we lived with these guys for 6 months when we first moved to Ottawa. He used to spend many weekends with Mark and I after we moved out and was our very first little man. He was 2 when my Jonathan was born, we were moving back to New Brunswick, so named our Jonathan for him...not realizing we would be back in close proximity a couple of years later. 

It was fun to all be under one roof for Christmas, my dad joined us from NS as well.

Jen took Maria downtown Ottawa to LuLulemon on Boxing Day, then to La Senza to buy matching PJ shirts...the next day, she took both girls on another shopping trip to make sure Jianna got a shirt as well.

All my girls in my favorite color...ahhh.

The Best Decade of Her Life

I made a decision today...I'd like to say that it will be my view point for the next 5 decades or more, but grief is not quite that simple.

For now, for this year, I am choosing to celebrate with the angels.

Today is the 10 year anniversary of the day, Heaven first welcomed my mom...I figure it's party time there, and I really didn't feel like being swallowed up by my loss...So, I am choosing to celebrate with the angels.

Tonight, we decided to go out for supper and celebrate my mom...the time we had with her, her legacy and that she has just completed the very best decade of her life.

(I did have to explain this to the kids as Michael thought we were celebrating Nanny's death...not exactly).

Mom, my heart still aches and I will always miss you...but congratulations on the best years of your life!

Love always,

My cry for 2009

Psalm 43:3

Send forth your Light and your Truth, let them guide me,

let them bring me to your Holy Mountain,

 to the place where you dwell.

Our Loss is Heaven's Gain

"JILL AUSTIN Has Gone Home
to Be with Jesus
At 9:48 CST January 9, 2009"

This situation has so saddened me. Through Jill's  "Master Potter" books, God brought such clarity to me about many aspects of my walk with Him. He also opened my eyes and heart to what He is able to accomplish through  books that are fiction or parables, but birthed in His heart. If you have never read either of these books they really are life changing and I would highly recommend them.  

 I have included a link to Jill's ministry site below.

You can go there for more details, but on Jan. 6'th, it was discovered that Jill's intestine was twisted and infection set in, she underwent 2 surgeries, but was unable to recover and past away last eve.

Please pray for Jill's loved ones, I am sure this is an unexpected and excruciating loss for them and for this ministry. Jill's gifts were unique and I am praying that God will raise up others to walk in the anointing and power that were a part of Jill's mantles. 

www.masterpotter.com

Snow Day!!!

We awoke to the radio declaring all of the school buses cancelled for the day, which gave Jonathan and Maria a day off. Now we were left with our recurring dilemma.

Whenever the buses are cancelled, I have 2 children with a free day.

The other 2 children attend a walking school with no buses, so they almost never get a day off.

Of course, it is not God, the weather, the school board, teachers or principals that get blamed for the incredible injustice of the situation...

NOPE it is dear old mom!

Today, with the forecast stating that the weather was far from over, we decided we could justify giving Michael and Jianna a day off as well.

Then I called in to my school, to find out if I was required. Since less than 10% of the students were in attendance, I too had a snow day.

YIPEE!!!

I know we have only been back for 2 days, but to get an unexpected

 day together without the busyness of Christmas...was a treat, even a blessing.

So, we spent the morning on some household chores, extra prep for some upcoming tests....Johnny got some free time

 to work on the 4000 word essay that looms over his head...(that would

 be a grade 11 class!!!).

Hubby whisked me away for a secret sushi lunch...meanwhile the girls made themselves and the boys  chicken caesar wraps.

After Lunch, we girls did this:

Kallie loved playing with us in the snow and would chase this ball she found, a big stick she found, and the girls as they slid down the hill.

Unfortunately, my battery ran out before I could get pics of Kallie climbing up the play structure, so she could slide down the slide with the girls as well...too funny!

Jonathan and his friends played in the snow as well, but they were off to the big hill together, so I did not get pictures.

Mike was content to have some time to himself to play Xbox, but before that, they both did some of this for dad:

I am glad we had this day together...it was good.

2009!!!

May this truly be a blessed year full of Hope and the fulfillment of dreams & promises for each one of you.