An Ordinary Day in My Life

So, a friend of mine nominated me to post a picture a day that showed an ordinary day in my life for seven days.  Lets be honest ... the last few days have not been thrilling especially since  I find my family entertaining enough to have made this blog years ago and filled it full of humour, love, and laughter.  After all, I am sure most of you remember December 24, 2015 -  I swear officer, we are an honest family.  Yep I am going there ... If you read that previous posts about two certain toads and fish and wildlife you might want to stick around and read this one to the end.  HONEST Officer ... I swear we are an honest family.  Finally a real ordinary day for us.  Don't know what the heck I am talking about?  Take a moment to check it out ... Far right column- Out of the mouth of Keegan - First entry 

Day 6 - An Ordinary Day in My Life 
So now that I have your attention and you are familiar with our Toad situation and our near escape from being convicted of a criminal offence I can tell you about today.  My day started at 05:00 - (hard to get up that early when you have done nothing but sleep for days because of a flu).  06:00 - En route to work I was stuck in a major traffic delay due to a train guard being stuck in the down position.  08:30 - One patient transfer out from Leduc and back, followed by 3 lift assists (allowing me to feel like a Firefighter again.)  15:30 - Pit stop after work at Costco.  16:30 - Ending with Hot drinks and a fine gentleman that I am proud to call my husband.

Ending is the key word.  I finally get in the door hang up my jacket, and start putting the groceries away when a familiar blue and red light out the window catches my eye.  I run upstairs to inconspicuously check out whats going on.  Just as I look out the window I see someone pointing to our house.  This is all too familiar and I immediately starting asking everyone what illegal activity THEY took part in.  Ginny heads out to move the garbage can that was previously frozen to the end of the driveway thinking perhaps that was the issue.  Yes we are now that paranoid.  Then it happens.  Ginny comes to the door and sheepishly says "Mom ... Someone is here to talk to you."  Not again! I swear I didn't harbour any illegal reptiles, rodents, or animals of any kind.  Sure enough, there at the my door is Benoit, our familiar town Peace Officer.  Of course he has to make me even more paranoid by starting out with "The neighbour has an issue ...... An issue with a porcupine in their back yard and I was wondering if someone could assist me in capturing it."  A big sigh of relief "Heck yah!' I said.  Long and forgotten were the toads and any other thoughts of recurring offenses.  I once again dawned my EMS jacket and my duty boots, this time aiding and abiding in transferring the neighbours fugitive pet .... with the LEGAL help of a Peace Officer ... Well ok ....  He may have done all the work.  I just held the flash light.  All in An Ordinary Day of My Life.

Happy 15th Birthday

Hey Kiddo;

In just a few short hours you will be 15.  15!!! Can you believe that?  It is so hard to believe that in 3 years you will be an adult.  Wow how the time fly's by.  The other day I read something that someone had posted on Facebook about raising teenagers.  It talked about how us as parents should take the time to do all these great things with you so that you will turn out awesome.

There is no secret that you and I have had our differences this past year.  I think our biggest challenge is that we are so much alike that we tend to get on each others nerves.  We are both not morning people.  Ginny comes upstairs all bubbly and wants to know how we slept, dad comes downstairs whistling away, while you and I both need silence.  Sometimes their happy is too loud. :)  Just like me you love to tease but sometimes you tease to rough or someone takes your teasing the wrong way.  We have tender hearts but boy can we let others know when we are not impressed.

Anyways, after reading that article my heart ached a little.  I felt like for some reason I failed you but then no sooner did I think that when you came upstairs, laughing hystarically because you called some kid Salmon when his name was Solomon.  Lately you have been cracking these little harmless insults that show you are just trying to tease us.  Your freakishly passion for ants has finally turned into something interesting.  You have such a passion to become an enterpernour.  You are always looking to make something that will sell big.  :)  I am so proud of you.

I love how dating is not your number one concern.  I love how when family tempts you to try things that you shouldn't you stand firm and say no.  I love how have your own sense of style.  I especially love how I shared that exact same style when I was your age but you think of us as old. :) I love your crackling voice and your laughter.  I love how you always want your sister or brother by your side.  I love how as much as you hate our rules, you will still abide by them.

I guess what I am trying to say is although I sometimes feel like I am failing with you, all I have to do step away and look through the window at the man you are becoming.  You will struggle and I will have to let you fall but I will always be there to pick you up and pat you on back.  You are finding your own wings and learning to fly.  Always remember how important God is to our family.  Always remember that we are there for you no matter what.  Always know that we will be here every step of the way until you spread your wings and soar.  Happy Birthday son.

Love you buddy.
XOXOX

Mom

 

     

Dancing in the Mine Field

The last 4 months have been filled with so many mixed emotions.  The road that I have been plunked upon is filled with mountains, pebbles, brooks and mine fields.  The last thing I want is my kids to go back to school and tell their friends that they did nothing but sit in front of screens for the summer.  So regardless of what we have been dealt I make every effort for my kids to see it as memories and fun rather than a summer that will always haunt them.

Unfortunately we have the acreage to deal with and so instead of camping at a camp ground we are camping at the acreage.  Two weekends ago Blaine and I were out there alone with the kids.  I started right into the project the minute I got there.  After finally succumbing to Blaine's request of coming to bed at 11:00 pm,  it felt like I was no sooner asleep than the birds were chirping telling me that my day was slipping away.  When I looked at the clock and saw that it was only 6:30 am I contemplated going back to bed but I also realized that right then was the best time to begin another round of cleaning and organizing.  The kids were still asleep, Boo curled up at Blaine's feet and the only sounds to be heard were the chirping of the family birds that were all so familiar.  Even with Mom and Dad gone they still came fluttering by to see what what bits of food they could find.

It wasn't long before I was well into my work when Ginny came in for her morning hug and to say good morning.  Soon Malakai followed with requests of breakfast and then shortly after Blaine came in asking what the plan was for breakfast.  It was all too familiar..  Something that always happened when we spend the weekend at Mom and Dad's.  I could even hear how excited my Mom would be when we pulled up in our trailer.  Blaine made fried potatoes, bacon and eggs ... not even realizing that it was something Mom would have always made.  A country song played in the background while we ate.  It was a song that I was familiar with and I immediately hopped up and asked the boys to dance with me.  Of course at this age it is not cool to dance let alone with your mother. :)  Ginny jumped right up and giggled as I tried to teach her how to two step.

All of a sudden Blaine put his fork and knife down, got up and said ... "here, watch Mom and I"  He folded me in his arms and began to dance with me, right there in the kitchen.  I couldn't hold back the tears.  They flooded my eyes with joy.  A moment that I will treasure for the rest of my life.  A moment that shows so much to our children.  A moment to add to so many memories of moments spent with family in that kitchen.

The song ended, breakfast was cleared and  the sound of the sander curiously brought me to the big living room window.  There, out side our trailer, Blaine had taken a break to make the kids each a set of stilts.  I was instantly jolted to another child hood memory where my best friend Jill and I used to play on her farm on home made stilts.

What a blessing to see these things enfold before my eyes.  What a fun treat for the kids.  What a blessing to be able to keep them forever in the banks of my memories.

So for now, we will go dancing through the mine fields and take life one step at a time!

If you were to walk into my house right now you would have no idea that I was home all day.   Tonight you would find an entry way scattered with soggy mitts, wet snow pants and pieces of scattered snow.  A box of unmatched socks would welcome you as you sat on the couch amongst the bits and pieces of the new 'lego friends' who are visiting the 'pirate of the Caribbean' gang.

If we found the time to indulged in some adult conversation I am sure we would be quickly interrupted with the buzzer update of the current hockey game score coming from the ipod charging on the floor, and of course I would have to warn you that you will most definitely find a half a dozen cowboy, sniper, dart or pistol guns scattered between the bedrooms and living spaces, and don't be surprised if you find the odd piece of laundry lying about or even dirty dishes in the sink.

The part that you would have missed is watching kids play some military game outside in the snow while the two youngest kids played Lego together.  Your life may have been even better and fuller knowing that your favorite team lost yet another game.  Did you notice the walkway shovelled clear for your visit?  Or the play room now a bit more neater.   The best part will be tomorrow when at three different instances all three kids will go riffling through that box of unmatched socks filled with frustration as they 'can't find one pair'.  Now close you eyes and smell the faint hint of freshly baked cookies or hear the soft noises of someone playing in bed as they try and fall asleep.  Now you understand why my house is a shambles even after I didn't work today.  :)  Thanks for the visit.    

Organization ~ "Finally your back."

Usually I am quite organized.  In fact there used to be a time when organization was a bad thing in my life.  I was a stay at home mom and would spend all day cleaning and rearranging the house.  Poor Blaine had no idea where anything was almost all of the time and my kids were always coming home to a new bedroom or toys that somehow wondered off to good will.  Going back to work full time changed that about me.  I am still organized however my house has now become accustomed to the "live in" look.

At first the "lived in Look" would make me panic and add a bit of anger to my day.  Now with three kids and two adults on the run it is the new norm.  Who knew though that this new norm would effect my kids the way that it has (more on how it has effected them later.)

This year I didn't want to make a New Years resolution but set a Goal instead.  I have a few goals but one  in particular is to get back in the groove of being a little more organized.  Instead of throwing lunches in a Safeway bag I have now purchased lunch bags with water bottles and a special spoon and fork.  We are trying to make lunches and lay our clothes out the night before, and I have also stocked my freezer full of dinners that should last us at least 3 weeks.  I even have big ideas of a large family calendar a chore chart for my two eager beavers and a homework chart for our not so eager beaver.  This may sound like my freakishness is back but honestly it is where it should be, and I know for a fact it will never get where it used to be. :)    I don't expect things to go well every day and night.  I am sure there will be times where we wake up in a rush and throw together everything all at once but hopefully those days will be few and far between.

Here's to hoping!

Happy New Year ~ 2012

In a blink of an eye we are done with our year and onto a new one...well not really a blink but close enough. I watched our 'annual' home video the other day and it amazed me at all that we have accomplished, achieved, experienced, endured, suffered and sacrificed in 2011. I stare in shock at my reflection in the mirror as I notice grey hairs that have found there way to my head. I also laugh in understanding as I place a moment to each and every one of them.

Perhaps the onset of those moments were when Blaine announced that he wanted to give firefighting a try and succeeded in becoming a volunteer firefighter for our wonderful little community. If it wasn't that it was definitely when he decided to take the kayak down a hill in the dead of winter. Apparently it is called 'snow kayaking' you need to google it just so you can get a clear visual.

The most exciting part of our year was when we decided to surprise the kids with a trip to Disney. The best part of that trip was that Nana and Opa were able to come with us. It was the greatest surprise ever! We had the kids fooled all the way to the boarding area. Malakai was so surprised that he nearly cried. This was a great time for the 7 of us and we were so blessed to have been able to take that trip when we did. Little did we know that Dad's cancer had returned and that his strength and energy were far better off then than it it is now.

After a fire storm destroyed almost all of Slave Lake I took the opportunity to be involved in the disaster relief that was provided for the community and joined a team from the Samaritans Purse who helped out with the logistic team. Being a part of an emergency team in a high adrenaline situation such as that sparked an unknown interest for something much deeper.

Spring also brought a great surprise as or landlords were in need of selling the house that we lived in. While we knew the time would eventually come, it came much to fast and we were house searching yet again.  Ginny joined her first triathlon and we couldn't believe how well she did each event. It was so fun for her, and us.

Obviously each kid celebrated a birthday. Keegan turned 12 this year and since he is always so interested in guns, Blaine and I thought it would be neat to take him to a shooting range. He surprised us with his reaction when he refused to shoot one. We were proud of him for his decision.

Throughout the summer Blaine responded to more fire calls and we soon began to become acquainted with our 'new' family. The two of us joined a soft ball team with them and while neither of us were good at it, we enjoyed it. We kayaked down the river a fair bit and Blaine snuck off to do a fair bit of fishing.  At summers end we went on a well needed family camping trip with Blaine's parents, sister and nieces. It was the first time that we took our two weeks holiday all at once. We came back just in time to move into our new house, celebrate Ginny's 10th birthday and start the kids off in school all in a matter of ten days.

September brought us craziness again  as I couldn't help myself and I applied for the volunteer firefighters as well.   In November we celebrated Malakai's 8th birthday with close friends and a few family members.  After passing my interview, nine weeks of training and my final exams i officially became a firefighter. It sounds so crazy and I can honestly say I have gotten every mixed reaction you could think of but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of training.  In just two short days I will receive my pager and then we will see if I still feel the same way.  :)  

Since then we have been juggling boys brigade, shinning stars, piano lessons, youth group, and training. What a crazy, wonderful, sad, fun, adventurous year.  While I have not enjoyed feeling a year older we have enjoyed watching the kids change before our eyes. We have enjoyed serving our community and most of all we have enjoyed the many blessings that God has given us and the friends and family in which to share them with.

Colossians 4:6  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Happy 2012!

Where does the time go?

Again I find myself admiring the kids and their little quirks. Each month is like a new deposit to my memory bank.

This weeks deposits ...

It amazes me how every night Ginny prays that we will have "a great time, and a fantastic time tomorrow." I wonder if she ever thinks "Wow that day sucked. God sure didn't answer me last night." Ginny is our athletic one. Every day after school she asks to go roller blading. We knew she wanted roller blades but we really had no idea at how much she would LOVE them. It amazes me at how well she made new friends in our area. What a sweet heart she has. Funny thing that she has troubles making friends at school though. When we ask her how come she can't seem to find anyone to be friends with out of twenty some students her reply is ... "Well, all the girls in my class just walk around at recess. No one ever plays on the monkey bars or the swings like I do." She was ecstatic to find that over a weekend they put up monkey bars and a swing set on the older kids side of the field.

Keegan got a snake on Sunday. His heart did a double beat when we finally, after years of begging agreed to buy him a corn snake. The only reason I said yes was because I felt so sorry for the salamanders that he was trying to keep. For some reason spending $5.00 a month on pinkies seemed more reasonable than $15.00 on crickets that died before they even made it home. He is still such an insect lover. Last night I was reading the bible and came across something about ants. I had to call him out of bed just so I could read to him and show him that God loved him so much so that he even put ants in the bible for him. :)

This is week one that Malakai has been on his medicine for ADD. It was a hard choice but after struggling for so long I decided we had no choice but to accept this and try whatever it took to deal with it. So far, it hasn't altered his mood or his apatite. The only thing it really altered is his sleep. This evening as I was banking online he proceeded to yell down the vent ... "Mom, I have a song to sing to you ... Then he proceeds to sing down the vent "Open the eyes of my heart Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want see you." It was an awe moment for sure.

Tonight my memory bank is full and overflowing.

A sence of "Newness"

Ever since our move, I have had this overwhelming felling of "newness". A new house, a new school, new routine, new season, new outlook on life, even a new smell. When your world flips upside down somewhat like it did for us this summer, you can decide to deal with irrationally by filling it with anger, resentment or depression. Or, you can keep putting one foot in front of the other and have faith that God will get you through. Perhaps that is my reasoning behind this newness. So many people are praying for my parents and us that it has given me a sense of peace and acceptance. At the same time, I have chosen to make things different for us. I have chosen to work harder at my relationships and I have chosen to work harder at seeing myself in a different more positive way.

Highlight of my afternoon and morning ~ Malakai and I were spending some one on one building lego. The whole time I was building, I was listening to him sing and mummble and tell stories. The whole time not knowing what on earth I was creating. All of a sudden he looks up at my piece of work and says ... "Awesome!! Mom that is great. Look, if I add it to this, it becomes a garage for my motor bike. So cool!" Who knew! :) Then this morning, it being grocery day our staples are low and we have very little time for creativity. So, in a mad dash I whipped up some muffins, threw a pizza in the oven, found a cheese stick and some fruit, threw on a pot of oatmeal and had breakfast and lunch taken care of. As I am upstairs getting ready I hear Malakai ... "Mom, you are awesome! You gave us all our food groups in lunch today."

What a way to lift a mom's spirits.

It's Showtime!!!

Malakai is asleep. Ginny is asleep, Keegan is in bed and it is only 8:10 pm. How on earth did I work that one out you ask? Well, you work late, get your hair done, come home later than usual and turn the clocks ahead by one hour when everyone is eating supper.

So far so good. They know nothing. :) Now I head to the tub to try and relax ( like that is going to work) turn off the phone and head to sleep ourselves. After all, 3:30 am comes mighty quickly.

Picture this

Picture this ...

You are eleven years old and playing a game of hide and seek with you family. With great success you have found everyone except mom. Where or where could she be? You checked upstairs in all the rooms and closets. You looked under the beds and in the bathrooms, you even turned on the light into the closet and reached in to try and look in the cold room but the door was locked .... In a moment of such excitement it did not cross your mind that the cold room door does not lock.

Your nine year old sister comes running down the stairs to help you find that last person. Your sister has many ideas of helping you get that door unlocked however you, being the utmost fearful one in the family, shrug off the idea and proceed to head up the stairs.... But Wait!!!! Your Sister yells for you to come quick to see what she has observed.

As you round the corner and stare at the little door within the closet you notice the handle twisting back and forth. "Mom!" you shout "stop goofing around". If only we could all see the look on your face. The door stops twisting for only a few seconds but then the door slowly creaks open. Then before you even know what is going on, the door fly's open and out bursts someone with a deep holler. You lunge backward and bang you head on the wall, while your sister is already screaming at the top of the stairs. There in the door way stands your proud mom bursting with laughter as your heart is beating out of your chest.

I love Hide and Seek. The best boredom breaker of all.

On our way!

Our weekend was eventful, frustrating and exhausting, but in the end it turned out not so bad. I won't bore you with all the details but I will sum it up and give you the highlights.

Saturday ~ Ginny and Keegan went to an at home alone course. They were 40 min late because of my stupidity but it still went well. Blaine and I took Malakai to buy his first "new" bike. To see his face light up with excitement was well worth it. It brought back memories of when I was getting my first bike. My brother saw a black BMX bike and said it was pretty cool. It was mine the minute he said it was cool. NO pink, or tassels or barbie decals for that matter. I was in love with the plain black trick bike just because my brother liked it and boy could I fly on that bike. In fact I was determined that I was a BMXer just like on t.v. Later we went to visit friends and got to snuggle the new baby. The rest of the day resulted in a BBQ flying out of the truck and Blaine hating himself for being "so foolish" as he put it. The night ended with a quick view of a lonely moose in an empty field just off of the highway.

Sunday ~ We woke the kids up, got dressed in casual wear and headed to church on our bikes. I was so impressed that the kids made it that far. 4.4 km later, the only thing that comes to mind is, they are awesome at these family outings. After lunch, Blaine took off for a Kayak ride on the lake, while I got some Wii time with Malakai. With all that fresh air by the time bed time came along Ginny and Malakai were done like dinner. They were out without a peep.

This morning ~ Back on our bikes and to school we went. I am surprised at how fit our kids actually are. We haven't put them into any sports for years now but we do take every chance we can to go for walks, hikes, skating and bike rides. Today we took along a friend of Ginny's and needless to say, we were a little late for school.

So, while training for the Amazing Challenge (again) we are using our moments to have fun with our kids. I enjoy these moments with them. The greatest part is that while we are training, our kids are dreaming of the day when they can join the race with one of us. I can't wait!!!

The trip of many "almosts"

The holiday is done and right now is probably not a great time to be blogging. My mind is in a whirl wind of thoughts right now. I had a lot of time to think on this trip. Fortunately and unfortunately I have realized a lot about myself. I am a deep ponderer. Sometimes, most of the time I ponder too much and get way ahead of myself. Right now I wish I were still in that small trailer with my family and no ties to the world. No one expecting anything except for a nice meal and a lot of love. For now though let me humor you with our Trip of many "almosts."

We almost.....
missed out on what was to become a great holiday


We almost thought we missed the ferry because of a great visit with even greater friends



We almost
saw a Sea Otter preying on pet fish

We almost
saw a Sea Lion but soon found out it was actually a bird

We almost
had good weather

We almost
saw a Gray Whale


We almost
lost Malakai to the Ocean (if I had stopped to take an actual picture I am not sure the Ocean would have let him go.)


We almost
saw a beached Sting Ray

We almost
found the bridge to Terabithia


We almost
got out of a parking ticket (if only Blaine would have ran when I told him to.)

We almost
got to go for a boat ride on the Ocean

We almost
got blown over while sleeping in the trailer

We almost
chucked our breakfast on the ferry

We almost
had the most horrifying ferry ride ever

We almost
got to go for a hot tub

We almost
burnt down our campsite (thus causing us to lose our favorite camping chairs with years of memories, including our first mission trip. Rest in Peace dear Canadian chairs.)


We almost
caught the Easter Bunny


We almost
got caught by the in laws :)

And ..... We almost
didn't want to come home

Spring Break

Spring Break begins when school is over on Friday. This is going to be the best spring break that we have had, just for the fact that we are actually going on a holiday. Blaine loves to surprise the kids so they don't know where we are going. We really haven't been that secretive so I am sure they have their ideas. Ginny is sure that we are going to Vancouver, which we are. Keegan and Malakai heard us talking about the "Island" but of course they were straining hard so they think we are going to Ireland which we aren't. Then Blaine said something about a campsite by Nanaimo called French Beach so Ginny is so excited and telling everyone that we are going to French Beach. When they ask where that is she just smiles, shrugs her shoulders and says "I don't know, I think Vancouver." It has been fun that is for sure.

What I hope to get out of this holiday....

Sleep, Rest, Whale spotting, Visiting friends and a whole lot of silliness.

This time we better not get so dirty.

Dining etiquette.

Today while eating dinner with us, my niece observed the following ...

The cave woman ~ as Ginny ate off of a huge hunk of meat stabbed on her fork.

The lazy boy ~ as Keegan sat with his foot up on the chair, knee perched next to the table and mouth smacking away, and

The President ~ as Malakai sat straight in his chair with fork AND knife positioned just right, sugar coated with please and thank you's.

Moon lit sledding and nature hike

One day as we traveled the bridge through the hills, and over the river Blaine said "this little town reminds me of living in Jasper". The first time I took a look at this house and saw the ravine at the end of the block I knew it was meant for us.

I Can't say I entirely agree with Blaine since I haven't yet woke up to Elk in my yard, bears hanging out in sheds or the beautiful view of mountains but I undertood.

As a child he would ride his bike through the mountain side, go sledding down the largest hills and build forts in the trees. Each adventure was a new experience. As a teen I remember taking Sunday hikes with my dad. I was so afraid that we would run into a Bear but spending the time with my dad was worth it. Then when Blaine and I were dating we would climb this one mountain in particular (It wasn't as treacherous as it sounds, there were stairs and a sight seeing legend at the top). Anyways, I remember sitting up there together, talking about our future and what it held for us.

16 years later we have taken that passion and instilled in into our kids. We love hiking with the kids and take the chance when ever we can. Last night we took out our toboggan's and had so much fun sliding all the way down. By the time we got to the bottom it was dark and the moon lit our path. Keegan freaked out when I saw a bunch of deer running into the bushes. Later he freaked me out as he yelled "DEER, DEER, DEER" with my back towards them. I admit .... I didn't hear deer. I distinctly heard BEAR and the way he was acting even you would have thought that was his reason for freaking out. Then as we struggled with toboggans, and piggy backing Malakai up the trail I knew what Blaine was getting at. This was our third time hiking this trail but each time is a new experience.

So, if living here with out the high cost of Everything , the unlimited transients and bears :) means that I still get the Jasper benefits. I'm game.

Christmas

I love Christmas! I love any holiday that involves my whole family getting together and having fun. It is noisy, it is chaotic but most of all it is fun and wonderful. I love being a part of a large family, although it is rare that the "whole" family always makes it for one event. There is usually someone always missing. However most of my Nieces and Nephews are into their teens now and since I am the youngest in the bunch it is usually Blaine and I that end up having the most fun with them. In the summer we have giant fires and play kick the can. In the fall we go for long hikes to the trestle near by and throw rocks at the train signs. In the winter we sometimes get the buggies out and rip them around a bit. It is fun being the "fun" ones.

In just 3 more sleeps our house will be filled with laughter, noise and chaos. It is an estimated guess that 25 peoples will crowd in our new little home and join us for the best holiday of the season.

Blaine and I both have Christmas Eve off and we plan to start a new tradition by lighting a candle for Baby Jesus. Hopefully if all goes well, our candle will stay lit until late in the evening. Everyone will start to arrive at 3pm and when everyone has settled we will pray for each other and for the fun that will begin. Usually we always draw names but after years and years of that, it is expected of who will get you and who you will eventually get. This year we are doing the gift exchange where everyone brings a gift and steals a gift. It will be interesting. After all that it is time to fill our bellies with the best German food... Buns, cheeses, meats and lots of goodies. Mmmmmm! When we are all filled up, we will be heading out the door to either go home or to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at the church.

It is so neat to see the kids all dressed up sometimes towing along a new Christmas stuffy or wearing a new Christmas hat. They love getting to be big and holding onto that stick of fire. Ginny usually belts the silent night as long as she can showing her pride with every word. Malakai stares at the flame, trying his hardest not to succumb to sleep. Keegan smiles with his big adult teeth and hugs the one closest to him.

After trudging the kids home and tucking them in, they are bound to have troubles sleeping with the excitement of Santa coming.

The next morning they rush for their stockings and beg for us to wake up. Daddy will make us breakfast and then we drive to Grandma and Grandpas for more gift opening and a wonderful, very classy Christmas dinner.

What are your plans for Christmas??

"Mama Said"

So, Blaine and I became victim to the dreaded H1N1. For us, it was not as bad as some have gotten. Blaine was even worse than myself but we survived and are now about 80% back to normal. Blaine tried to go to work this morning but just could not make it. Of course with piles upon piles of boxes to unpack I did put him to work in a few areas. I enjoy having him and the kids home. It is a nice, much needed break.

Anyway, I happen to be in Ginny's room and as I looked out the window I noticed two older boys approach the kids and their friends. My motherly instinct had to observe and see what was happening. One of the boys proceeded to bike down the steps of the neighbors path way while Malakai sat on his little bike and observed. Over and over in my head I willed him to do the right thing. "Don't do it Malakai!" "Don't do it!" Sure enough, one of the bigger kids challenges Malakai to try it out. I immediately called Blaine over to observe what was probably Malakai's first taste of Peer Pressure. Blaine joined me and observed as Malakai challenged the other teen to go down the steps. "Chicken" .... he chanted. Blaine was so proud of his son for talking smack. Before I knew it I saw Ginny run for the door looking for the bike helmets. I quickly met her at the door and gave her some much needed advice.

Blaine and I stayed and watched as Malakai hauled his bike to the top of the steps. Before he even braced himself for destruction little Ginny pipes in. "Malakai, Mama said don't do it." Blaine gave me one of those you didn't looks and says. "Oh great now the kids that Malakai was taunting will be like "you better not do it ... your "mama" said." I guess I did the forbidden and crossed the line. :)

Our continuous journey forward

I read a quote one day and it has been one of those quotes that has stuck in my head ever since (if I get enough courage you just may see it tattooed on my foot but that is a whole other post :).

My Quote: Life is a Journey, not a destination!

This one quote has held so much truth in our lives. We were Youth leaders, Drama directors, Awana Leaders and now Pre Teen leaders. Blaine did a shocker roo and decided one day to switch careers while another day deciding that it wasn't good for him and went back to electrical. I went from 10 years of being a stay at home mom to a full time Administrative Assistant. And yes as many remind us, we have a tenancy to move on a regular basis. The most awesome part of it all is that this whole time we have been loving friends, loving teens, loving children and loving each other. God has led us down this journey and all though there are times that we struggle and ask the why's or just don't know where we are going next, we are along for the ride and are loving the journey. Sometimes we look back and wish that we would have done things differently but then off we go down another fork in road, starting a new adventure.

This Friday we will be attempting a start down a new fork in the road. For so long I wanted to be where we are now going. For so long I wished to be closer to my parents and to our church family. Now the opportunity has come where we get to keep our house and rent it out, at the same time renting a house of our own. We are not the only ones excited. We have lots of friends excited about future walk nights and hang out nights and the kids have been adjusting in their new school since September and Love it! Today was the first day the kids got to see their new home and they got so excited about every part of it. We relished at the bike paths right down the road from us and we looked ahead into winter when we can toboggan down some more paths further down the road. Then, just as we were heading out the door we heared someone hollering Keegan's name. Can you believe that right across the street in the house directly across from us is a brother and sister that are in Keegan and Ginny's class? All I can say is, this is from God. This is our Journey that he is leading us on.

I am still toying with the sadness of once again packing up our memories and leaving some behind. I will miss my bestest friend and will miss the other friendships that were just getting started but the whole time I am reminded of......

Jeremiah 29:11 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.

Yes it is true, my favorite quote has some false hoods. To my excitement there is a glorious destination that awaits me but until that time comes I am going to "Stand Sure" and continue forward on our Journey.

Mixed up Jelly beans

I am not really a jelly bean fan....Actually that's not true. I love the unique "jelly belly" beans. Life these days has been like a bag of mixed up jelly beans.

Cotton candy
Ginny turned eight a couple of weeks ago and told everyone she wanted just money for her birthday because she was saving for a bike. Cool thing is she did just that (Who knows where she got that talent from, neither one of us is good at saving). $100.00 later she found the "coolest" pink bike for 50% off and bought it all with her own money.




Cinnamon
Last year the kids would run through the house playing cops and robbers, attacking each other and pinning each other to the ground. This year they chase each other through the house saying "You have to believe in Jesus, you have to believe in Jesus". Can you tell they are in a Christian school now?


Pina Colada
We crammed in yet another long weekend camping trip close to home and had a really good time. One lesson I learned from our trailer ... when it has rained, do not stand near the awning while it is rolling back up. Can anyone spell torrential down pour?

Buttered popcorn (you know, the one where you bite into it and don't know if you should spit it out or choke it down).
To our dismay, we found out that we have been locked in at $11.99/GJ (for natural gas). By the way, the going rate right now is $3.00/GJ. YUCK!

Licorice
After two days of smelling fish all over, we realized that Malakai likes to pop his omega 3 fish capsules with his teeth and play with the stuff that is inside. DOUBLE YUCK!!

Tooty fruity
We are back in the school groove so our nights are filled with spelling, memory verses and reading.


What jelly beans are you picking out lately?

Summer mayhem

I know! I got stuck in the blogger rut. Let me catch you up to speed.





This summer we purchased a new holiday trailer and have been absolutely loving it! We took a couple of weekends out at our parents, and a couple doing the real actual camping. Our most recent trip was to Calaway park where the kids had so much fun. The best way to entertain kids without a huge cost - go buy them a bug zapper tennis racket, then let them have at er with each other. Did I actually write that? JK! Actually, it makes an awesome war with adults though.


Living all the excitement through Malakai's eyes was such a treat. If there was a ride that he was tall enough to go on, he was going on it, even when we said "NO!" The funniest to watch was when he went on the boat. He was all good, screaming with his hands in the air, that is until the boat got really high and then he was clutching on for dear life. When he got off he said "mom that was awesome!" "Really?" I asked. "I though you looked pretty scared." "No" he says "I wasn't scared, I was just freaking out." Keegan on the other hand is not a ride person but I give him all the credit for trying.








In July, Ginny went to her very first summer camp all by herself. We dropped her off on Sunday night and she stayed until Wednesday morning. It made us really aware of just how independent she really is. Every time Blaine would try and help her, she would always say "I got it dad!"

In the first week of August I put on my cowboy hat and jeans and soon became Bayou Betty. It was so fun. I enjoyed singing and teaching the kids how to shine with God's light. Everyone put so much work into getting the set and all the details just right. When it was show time, the cricket sounds were heard, the mist above the "Dock" was seen and the set came to life. I have to admit, after a full week of hopping up and down, singing and shouting "Fear Not" I was ready for a holiday. Hey, that must be how I lost a few pounds. :)




Since we somehow were unable to get a single picture of the two of us on our Wedding day we decided that for this anniversary we would dawn our wedding garb and recreate the wedding pics. We had a great time and came out with some great pics. On our anniversary Blaine got my niece to babysit and surprised me by taking me to the fringe on whyte ave. He then took me out to a very nice Greek restaurant. It was such a nice night and made me feel that much more special to have spent the last 13 years with my best friend and lover.





Well, that about sums up our August at least. Ginny's turning eight tomorrow so give me a few more months and I will post about it. :)