Anyone who knows our Keegan knows his LOVE for insects and animals. After 14 years of his passion it can be overwhelming at times. Take 4 months ago for instance ... All the Anderson kids and their cousins were on holidays, rounding up slugs, larva, dragon flies, and yes even large toads. It was entertaining to say the least and it was something that even I did as a child. Keegan however can never part with his "friends" and always wants to invite them home. Even after explaining that they can't be let go in our eco system and on and on and on ... He still insisted that he could provide a nice home for his new toads. Let the record stand right now that I plain out said NO! I don't have a problem being the bad COP in the family, after all ... I know it will save me heart ache and frustration in the end. Well, fast forward to this fall. Keegan (the owner of two BC toads) started grade 9 in a new school with a teacher who was just as passionate about the eco system and the animals that it contained. Unfortunately he is a little extreme and told Keegan that he can NEVER, EVER let the toads go. Ever was a hard word for us. Especially since with all the windows being shut now, those darn toads were really beginning to stink. And, unfortunately Keegan's heart was taken by a new little lizard friend in the pet store. So, like most moms out there I set forth a plan. We would buy the lizard and hide him in our closet while PLAN A - We try to give our toads away or PLAN B - If no one takes them by Christmas we can send them back to their original home with Aunty Corey. Should have just gone with plan B. So I (not Blaine but ME) put an ad on Kijji, explaining that they can not be let go. It was a long shot anyways and no one responded so I (once again, just me) decided to go with PLAN B but forgot to delete the ad. Well yesterday (the night before Christmas Eve) Here I was ... At work, working with gmail when I noticed on my gmail account a reply to my ad. First thought ... Oh shoot, I forgot to delete that ad. Then I notice my reply was from a Fish and Wildlife officer - Tammy, can you please call me? Second thought ... Are you stinking kidding me? I know they are from another province but seriously???? I reply ... " It's all good, they are going back to their original home the day after boxing day." And I carry on with work. 10 minutes later ... a second email "Tammy, please call me." Third thought .. Oh my goodness. Am I in trouble? I have five minutes left of work. I will go home, explain this whole thing to Blaine and then get him to call. :) So I packed up from work, shut everything down loaded my two work kids in the truck and we headed home. Just as I rounded the bend into our cul de sac I noticed THE TRUCK! A Fish and Wildlife truck to be exact. "Just stay in the truck!" I tell the kids. I walk inside and Blaine is cooking supper while Keegan is sitting at the table, glued to his lap top with his earphones on." "Does no one notice the the Fish and Wildlife truck outside?" I ask. "Yep", Blaine says. "He came to the door and asked if we had toads from BC here. I told him yes and he asked what species they were. I told him I had no clue so he took them to his truck and is looking them up now." Moments later the officer returns and proceeds to tell us that collecting ANY animals in ANY province is an offence. Bringing them across to another province is another offence and since Keegan is under age we are responsible for his actions therefore held accountable for these offences. I was honestly waiting for the handcuffs to come out. And ... Apparently not knowing any better is not an excuse in the court of law. Instead of giving us fines of up to $5,000.00 and charging both of us we were handed 2 warning tickets and our names were added "to the system." So, the officer took with him two toads and gently closed the door. The minute that door closed we had anger, we had embarrassment, we had sorrow, we had every kind of tear you can imagine. Not just from one child either but from all of us. The only way to salvage the evening was to take Keegan into our closet and unveil the hidden lizard Christmas present. Lessons learned? I think so. 1. NEVER say yes to new friends, especially foreign ones. and 2. Big Brother is the real deal. All I had on that ad was my postal code and my name.
I still can't believe all of that over 2 toads. Can you imagine if he would have asked to search the house and found a lizard in our closet. We would have really looked suspicious. Oh the joys you bring to our lives dear Keegan. :)
Dec 24, 2014
Jun 13, 2014
Jesus isn't done with you!!
Yesterday you had one of your fits. Your frustrating moments when everyone and anyone is making you mad. Usually its your house, your parents, your teachers, your siblings, you are always done with someone. Yesterday you spouted off and then got really quite and said "you know what? I am done with Jesus." I asked you why you would say that and like usual it came back to school. Jesus put you in that school and gave you those teachers who give you lots of homework. Off to school you went, all huffing and in tears. Nothing anyone ever says can make it better, you just have to cool down on your own.
Well after school you called me and asked if you could cut the grass and weed whack the weeds. When we got home you asked if we could give you some change to go to the store with Jet. When you came back you so proudly told us that you gave the rest of your change to a homeless woman. I tried to picture a homeless woman in Devon and thought for sure you were scammed but from the details you and Jet were telling me I am most certain that you weren't mistaken and that you were actually approached by a homeless woman. When it was time for bed I pulled out the book about heaven that Nana bought for us and read it to you. After we were done you told me you wanted to bring it to school and see if the teacher would read it to the class so they could learn about heaven as well.
This morning as I was taking my walk a thought popped into my head. The thought brought a smile to my face and actually made me laugh out loud. My sweet Malakai ... You may be done with Jesus but Jesus isn't done with you. :)
Well after school you called me and asked if you could cut the grass and weed whack the weeds. When we got home you asked if we could give you some change to go to the store with Jet. When you came back you so proudly told us that you gave the rest of your change to a homeless woman. I tried to picture a homeless woman in Devon and thought for sure you were scammed but from the details you and Jet were telling me I am most certain that you weren't mistaken and that you were actually approached by a homeless woman. When it was time for bed I pulled out the book about heaven that Nana bought for us and read it to you. After we were done you told me you wanted to bring it to school and see if the teacher would read it to the class so they could learn about heaven as well.
This morning as I was taking my walk a thought popped into my head. The thought brought a smile to my face and actually made me laugh out loud. My sweet Malakai ... You may be done with Jesus but Jesus isn't done with you. :)
Jun 4, 2014
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
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
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