Kids say the funniest things

Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I never use the term 'lol'.  In fact I am kind of old school and refuse to use text slang.  Well, the other day while Blaine and I were enjoying dinner on the couch, something we rarely ever do, the kids were at the table eating and laughing.  All of a sudden Malakai says "Mom, Ginny just lol'd at Keegan."  For anyone out there who does't text  lol means Laugh Out Loud.  I was more shocked than anything that my eight year old who doesn't have a cell phone let alone has ever texted on one would come up with that but I couldn't help but laugh as well.  I then explained that I would rather we talk normal and not use texting terminology, Keegan couldn't help but reply 'K,K.'  

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Blaine sees Ginny climb under the table and instead of asking her why she is doing that he looks at me, smiles and suggests we start discussing our options about Ginny.  "What options?"  I ask.  "Oh I don't know, I was just thinking that she might be happier if maybe we sold her to the circus or something, you know, then at least she could ride the Elephants."  He replies.  As silly as this game is, especially with a 10 yr. old, I couldn't help but play along.  " The Circus?  That is a great idea.  At least that way we could still see her when the Circus comes to town."  Instantly out from under the table pops Ginny.  "Oh Ginny!"  Blaine says.  "I had no idea you were under there."  "By chance did you happen to hear us talking."  Ginny laughs and says "Yes Daddy I did!"  "Well, what do you think?" He asks.  "Do you think the Circus is for you?"  Ginny looks at him so serious, smiles while shrugging her shoulders and says ..."I think it would be a lot of fun but I have summer camp to go to."  :)      

The week before Easter

This year our new Pastor decided to do Passion Week.  In an essence  it makes us ponder Easter a little more than the Easter bunny, eggs, and the few hours of Sunday morning mahem as we dawn our fancy dresses, and excitedly attend the Easter morning service.  Even the thought of  the weekly services, reflecting the betrayal, the crucifixion and the forgiveness that took place makes me ponder the process even more.

As we ended our staff meeting with prayer this morning the sun was pouring into the office.  It looked so beautiful outside yet so deceiving.  We wanted so bad to enjoy the day but the impending snow storm on its way brought a sense of discouragement and dread.  I couldn't help but think about Jesus as he entered the town with everyone waving palm branches, excited for his arrival.  Could he have that yearning to be just as excited to see them yet dread because he knew what was ahead?

Good Friday, The day of Christ's resurrection, only two days away.  As it turns out my laser eye surgery also lands on Good Friday.  While it is not a sacrifice for me and merely a luxury it still allows me to fathom what Jesus may have thought and felt only days before his crucifixion.  I can't compare a simple laser procedure that is pain free and lasts only minutes to anything remotely close to what he went through.  I can not compare the first time I will see clearly without any glasses or contacts to that impacting moment when he rose again.  I can and I just did however paint you a picture of the closest thing to relation that I am feeling right now.

I am looking forward to Friday and the outcome of being able to see without the tools that I have learned to rely on for 25 years.  At the same time I dread the waiting game that I will have to play in preparation for my surgery.  I fear the process and the pain that will follow.  I am very nervous of how everything will turn out.  But I know that the end result will be so worth it.  So, while I won't be saving any lives ... HA!  I just laughed out loud because Ironically, this whole procedure will help me to be a more efficient firefighter and in the end, maybe even save a few lives.  Yet I am not saving lives entirely.  Jesus sacrificed so much for us.  While I am sacrificing nothing even fathomably close to what he sacrificed for us many, many years ago this Good Friday, I can be sure that I will be thinking of it every step along the way.

Laughter is the best medicine.

Yesterday Ginny and I headed into the Stollery to visit Avery, Yvonne and of course, brand new little Jaylynn.  It was so good to connect again.  Yvonne is trying her hardest to keep Avery's fluids up and keep her eating good fighting foods and Avery is in good enough spririts to be stubborn and not want to eat what her mother is feeding her.  

Today I headed out to the Petkau homestead to lend a helping hand while Mom and Dad are in the hospital and working.  I haven't been there for quite some time and a part of me was nervous, wondering how the visit might go without Yvonne there.  I had a plan though and some tricks up my sleeve.  Every time we would visit the Petkau family Blaine would always play this special game that the kids would love.  Since there are so many youngsters all close together he rarely remembered their names.  All the kids would crowd the entry way when we arrived and he would start rattling off some names asking the kids if they were so and so.  They would roar with laughter each time.  Since the youngest one was just born the last time I saw them I had no choice but to play that silly game.  Little Carston, the youngest had the most fun with it, correcting me till I got them all right. Unfortunately Ginny missed Haven and Darby since they went to the hospital with their dad for a visit.  I promised her another visit real soon.

Things felt as normal as ever, especially when Riley handed off Carston to me and so bluntly said "You can go to Mrs. Anderson, She is nice Carston."  I have never known the Petkau's to invite a "none nice" person into their home. :)  We quickly gathered the supplies that Ginny and I brought and got to work on a great project for Avery.  Soon we took a break for lunch, all the while little Tristyn informed me that she was too big for naps and that I must be her momma for today. :)  Once we got back on track with our craft she informed me of what needed to be put where.  She sat on my knee, rocked back and forth, giggled and talked none stop.  Little Whitney ever so gently tapped me on the shoulder asking me to help her or to ask the odd question.  I saw new personalities, as well as hints of familiar ones.  Cierra has always been  the more outdoorsy type.  She used to love to catch bugs and play in the mud with Keegan.  The Cierra I saw today was growing into quite the young lady.  More responsibilities on her shoulders but still ready to run off with the younger ones in a heart beat.  We took some pictures for the craft and had a wonderful time being silly.

The whole while, little Tristyn reminded me that I brought ice cream and wondered when we were going to have our little snack.  I couldn't help but bring ice cream, caramel sauce and smarties to make sundaes.  Of course, I brought banana's as well.  Ginny and Riley ate up their banana's first so that they could savour the ice cream part. :)  It was a wonderful day.  As we wrapped up the afternoon little Tristyn asked me when we were coming again.  I assured her that we would return sometime soon.  "What will you bring next time?"  She asks.  "Hmm how about chocolate chips so we can make some chocolate chip cookies?" I reply.  "Oh yummy!!!"

It was such a great day and Ginny and I were blessed beyond measures.