Rules, Rules, Rules...

Declan and I had a long discussion last night about rules. He wasn't following them and so we talked about why rules need to be followed.

At bedtime, I saw the Bible Declan got for Christmas on his dresser and I asked him if he would like me to read him a story from his Bible tonight. He said yes so I simply opened the Bible and where did I turn but to Titus 3:1-5 and a little devotional about rules. It talked about how rules are there to create order instead of chaos and how obeying rules trains you to behave a certain way and proves that you are growing up. I told Declan that this is how God talks to us. He hears what we are going through and He backs up our discussions through His Word. Praise the Lord for those verses! It was so cool to read that in DECLAN's Bible!!

Thanks again Mom and Dad for so precious a gift! It came at the right time and it confirmed for Declan that God cares about what he's going through and wants to show him the right road to travel. Declan and I are starting a journal of Bible verses we've read together and what they were about so that we can look back on them later. I can hardly wait to see where we end up next!

Christmas and the sickos...

Well, Christmas is over and thankfully, so is the flu bug that ran through my house. It started with Rowan and Declan. Rowan was so sick she went into the hospital and received the same anti nausea drugs they give to chemo patients. Declan recovered in 2 days. We didn't know if we would even make it to Mom and Dad's for Christmas, but the kids were feeling better so off we went. The day we were supposed to head home, I got sick. That was the longest ride back to Lethbridge I have ever had. I feel a little better today and I'm hoping that things just keep getting better from here. We had a wonderful visit with my sister, brother in law, niece and nephew as well as with Mom and Dad. It's always great to see everyone. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see John's sister, brother and nephews, but we are hoping to see them in the new year.

This was the first Christmas without John's Dad. That was hard. While we didn't get to see him often, he was a wonderful man who loved being with family and friends. He loved his grandchildren and always had encouraging things to say to them. I know that this Christmas has been very special for him because he got to celebrate it in heaven with his wife, Isabelle who predeceased him 20 years ago. God bless you Norm and Isabelle. We miss you horribly but we know you are finally together again with our Heavenly Father and that's the best Christmas gift we could ever ask for.

Looking for the end of the tunnel...

Do you ever feel like you have so much to do and not enough time to do it all? I'm feeling that way. I have so many gifts to wrap and things to finish up before Christmas and I'm losing my momentum. I'm very thankful that John is home today to help me get through some of this stuff. What would I do without him? I don't even want to think about that.

So, if you don't hear much from me in the next week or so, please know that I'm not ignoring you, I'm just up to my ears in wrapping paper, ribbon, flour, sugar and other assorted foods!

Merry Christmas Everyone! We'll talk more closer to New Year!

Nearing the mid 40's...

This weekend we celebrated John's birthday. My Mom and Dad came out to help us celebrate. We left the kids with a friend and went out to dinner. The plan was to go to the Keg, but the line was huge and they don't take reservations. We tried 3 restaurants before we finally arrived at Earl's. We had a wonderful meal and then went home to have chocolate cake with the kids. John got an mp3 player, pants and a shirt from the kids and I, and money from Mom and Dad. It was a great day and we all had a lot of fun.

I have been so blessed to have John in my life. He's an amazing husband, a wonderful father to our children, and an incredibly hard worker for his employer. Honey, I love you more now then I ever did. With every passing year, I see more clearly the beautiful man that you are. I could not have picked a better partner for my life than you. I love you! Happy Birthday!

A King is Coming to Town...

The people of Rumorville were buzzing with the news that a King was coming to their town. They were all trying to figure out what kind of King was coming. The mayor, the press, and the sherriff were all doing their part to prepare for the coming of a King.



But what kind of King was coming? Was it the King of Rock and Roll?



Was it the King of the Jungle?



Was it King Tutt?



Some student finally told the press, the mayor and the sheriff that it was Jesus, King of Kings that was here. He came many many years ago as a Baby and grew into a Man who saved us from our sins! They found the answer to which King was coming in the Bible.





The people of Rumorville were excited to hear that the King had already arrived. They celebrated by singing Christmas carols and worshiping the King who came to save them.




This was the Christmas concert I witnessed today at my son's school. Speaking as a mother who saw a Christmas concert which made no reference to Christ last year at the public school my son was attending, I was thrilled to see children singing about Jesus, reading the Bible ON STAGE and telling us the REAL reason for Christmas. Declan came out for two songs but stayed back stage helping the teachers for the rest of the show as he is prone to stage fright.


I was blessed beyond blessed tonight. Praise the Lord for schools that preach the Good News through our children. Praise the Lord that my son is singing and speaking about the true story of Christmas. Praise the Lord for Jesus who made it all possible in the first place!!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's all about the Chi...

Yes that's right folks. I finally have a Chi hair straightener. Yesterday I went to have my hair cut by a friend of mine and while I was there I received a Chi as a gift. For those of you who have never tried the Chi, you don't know what you're missing. I've never seen a straightener that works this well. My hair feels softer and looks healthier than it did with my old straightener. These retail for around $230.00 and while that's expensive, they last a long time and do the job the first time. You don't have to run over your hair 3 or 4 times to get it straight. One time will do it.

So that's my commercial for today. The Chi Hair Straightener....fabulous!!!

One of those days...

Have you ever had one of those days where things are just...off..? I had one of those today. It snowed more today than it has all winter thus far. Rowan slept from 8pm last night until 10am this morning and then napped for 3 hours in the afternoon. Declan spent the whole day seeing how far he could push me (he finally pushed himself right into an early bedtime). John worked the night shift which I'm simply not used to anymore, and I had a visitor! Not only that, my house was actually clean when she arrived!

Now I'm not complaining about Rowan's sleep habits (unless she keeps me up all night tonight. Then I'll start complaining). Declan is just that age where pushing boundaries is part of the process, and John's work demands that he work shifts so there are times when he's not home. I guess things were just so routine for a while there, I wasn't prepared for anything out of the ordinary. In a way I'm glad for the odd things that happen in my day. It keeps me on my toes and out of the ruts I tend to put myself in. It gets me thinking and stimulates me to learn something new about myself or the people around me.

What kind of day did you have today?

Sundays and music...

Every third Sunday I have the pleasure of playing worship music with some amazing (not to mention talented) musicians in my Church. This was one of those Sundays. I have always been the type of person who learned more from the words of the songs I was singing than I did from the sermon (sorry Pastor Barry!).

There have always been some songs that I have liked more than others. Some choruses just seem "fluffy" to me. A lot of talk that really has no purpose except to make the singer feel good. I like songs that make a person feel convicted and songs that are awe inspiring. One such chorus is called "Today". Here are some words...

Today I choose to follow You
Today I choose to give my yes to You
Today I choose to hear Your voice and live
Today I choose to follow You

As for me and my house, we will serve You
As for me and my house, we will spend our lives on You

Wonderful Counsellor, Everlasting Father
Eternal King, Lord of Hosts, Willingly we follow...

I love those words. When sung from the heart, they are a promise to God that you will follow Him. The best music in the world to me was hearing my son sing that song at the top of his lungs in church when he thought no one was listening. There is truly nothing sweeter...

I also like songs like "In Christ Alone". It's like an anthem! The first time I heard it I was sitting next to my Grandpa in his church. We both sang at the top of our lungs and I was pretty teary by the end of it. I said to Grandpa, "If this is what your Church plays every Sunday, I'm moving here". He said, "There's lots of room for you". What a great memory. Every time I hear that song, I think of my Grandfather and his love for his Saviour as well as his family. I think of all the ways he has shown me examples of what a relationship with God should be like and I'm grateful.

I love music. So many different songs speak to me at different times. Does music ever speak to you? What songs mean the most to you?

bodies...what's the deal?

I have tried for years to figure out where my body type came from. You know how you read those magazines that say, you're pear shaped, or you have an hour glass figure...is there such a thing as brick shape with chicken legs? Because that would be me.

I have yet to find a clothing company that makes clothes for my shape and height. There is no such thing as jeans for women who have long legs and no bum or hips. There is no such thing as a fitted dress shirt for women who have nearly the same measurements for their chest and their waist. There is also no such thing as a PRETTY bra that will pick up "the girls" and put them back where they belong instead of letting them dangle somewhere around my navel. Honestly, do all bras this size have to look like they belong to Broom Hilda?!!? If I had any capabilities when it came to sewing, I would simply give up shopping and make all my own clothes. If any of you are budding fashion designers, try to come up with something flattering for my figure - I dare you!

Don't get me wrong. I'm okay being who I am. I do sometimes wish I could just move my "weight" around a little bit. Sort of like Robin Hood. I want to take from the rich (stomach mostly) and give to the poor (bum, hips, even a little in the chicken legs and feet would be nice).

Now I could just watch what I eat, exercise and lose the weight I don't want around my middle. The problem there is that I'm afraid I'll also lose what little I have in the areas where I want it! It's a complicated life I lead...

My Dad told me once that he didn't like it when I talked negatively about my body because half of what I am comes from him. Dad, if I looked half as good as you, I would never have a bad thing to say. You are gorgeous!!! I have always felt that humor is the best medicine for pretty much anything. I think we should be able to laugh at ourselves and poke fun - just a little.

I do say a lot of things about myself, but really, I love who I am and I'm even okay with what I look like. So long as there are stretch pants so I can breathe and duct tape when I want to let the girls stand up and be counted...I'm good.

How do you cope with your body type? Are you able to use a little humor when looking at yourself?

Insomnia...

It's 2am and I can't sleep. This does not usually happen to me. I am usually the type that falls asleep at the drop of a hat but for some reason, tonight is different. I figured that I would try to lull myself to sleep by blogging. For that reason, if this blog makes no sense, please blame it on my lack of sleep.

You'll find that I will tend to write about things I have been through on my blog. If you keep checking in, you will start to learn about the mistakes I have made, how I have corrected those mistakes, and what I learned in the process. Let me be the first to tell you that I am far from perfect. I'm pretty sure I've made more bad choices than good ones in my lifetime. The beautiful part of that is that thanks to Jesus' precious gift on the cross, I'm forgiven and have learned from those mistakes.

I've been thinking a lot lately about authenticity. My brother in law wrote on this very topic not long ago on his blog. While I'm not as well read as him and I do not have his wonderful gift for writing, I also wanted to speak on this. I think it's a very important subject.

I find the pursuit of authenticity to be a struggle. I think in order to be truly authentic, you have to be completely honest with yourself and others in how you act. You also have to be willing to speak honestly about your thoughts and feelings when asked, no matter what the other person might think of your answer, and be willing to be challenged and possibly corrected if it's proven that you're wrong. All this needs to be done with a lot of love and respect for the person you are dealing with. I don't know about you, but this is a real battle for me. I used to be the person that would say anything if it agreed with the person I was talking to. I would act in whatever way would earn me the approval of the party I was with. I have finally come to the realization that no one could REALLY like me because no one REALLY knew me. I could not be known as a person who loved and respected those around me because I had never been one bit honest with anyone in my life. I am able to do that now. I'm also able to answer any question honestly regardless of how I think the other person may react. Being challenged and corrected? Well, let's just say that's still a work in progress.

Am I still tempted to be dishonest - all the time! The key here is that dishonesty is a choice. You can choose to be honest and take your lumps if people disagree with you, or you can choose to be dishonest and never really know who you are or what you stand for. I have to say, being honest with yourself and others is far less stressful than trying to remember what you told to what person and how you have to act in front of certain groups of people. God has called us to be truthful and loving to those around us. How can I possibly say that I am committed to following Christ if I don't do what He says? I know that Jesus will forgive me if I stumble, but that doesn't give me permission to keep doing what I know is wrong.

As far as being challenged goes...I've never been one to debate things. I have always disliked debating because it felt too much like fighting. I would get defensive and there ended any hope of discussion. I'd love to be able to tell you that I have improved in this area, but I'm still hopeless. Why should it be so difficult to defend what you know to be true? I've sometimes thought that this is why I don't tend to have really deep conversations with people. I'm too afraid that they will challenge me. My Dad once told me that we never seem to talk about things that really matter. I had no idea what he was talking about then, but now I think he must have been speaking about this. Stating something you believe in and debating the issue. Having a deep discussion of ideas and beliefs. Dad, if I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me and I promise, I won't get defensive!

We live in a free country where people have lost their lives so that we would be able to speak on any subject with absolute freedom. I am so blessed to live in a place where I can speak freely and follow Christ openly and yet for so long I have done the exact opposite. So my ongoing project is to continue to live authentically and without fear of what others say or think, and to speak what's on my heart truthfully and with as much love and respect as I can muster. Look out people! It's going to be a wild ride!!

The art of procrastination...

I'm sitting here looking around my house thinking, there are many things I should be doing right now. Things like dishes, laundry, and general picking up of stuff. I do this every night. I wait until the last possible second to start doing the things I should have started at the beginning of my day. Why do I do this? I have a million reasons - all very rational in my mind.

1. I like the challenge of doing things in a time limit. Doing things at the last minute means I really have to race to get them done. Perhaps I like the adrenaline rush?

2. There are many things that are more fun than housework - like blogging!!

3. I hate housework and therefore put off doing it because I don't like it.

I heard once from a friend that thanking God for things makes them more fun. Thank God that you have dishes and food as many people go hungry. Thank God that you have clothes to wear and the means to keep them clean. Thank God that you have the means to give your children toys and movies and other things that can clutter your space. Thank God that you have a roof over your head to care for as many don't.

I have decided to try this technique and see how it goes. Maybe if I tell God how grateful I am for the things He has given me, I'll be quicker to care for them. I think I'll start right now!!!

To new beginnings...

Welcome to my blog! This is a first for me. I've never really been one to write down the things that happen in my life. Somehow I thought I would just remember everything. I guess as I've gotten older, I've started to realize that my memory is not as reliable as I once thought it was. A wonderful woman in my life asked me recently if I had considered blogging. The thought had crossed my mind but I didn't know what I would write. I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes of this blog.

Today is cold and snowy and it makes me want to curl up with a good book and a warm blanket. However, I have company coming later today and as such, there is cleaning to be done so that I don't scare my company away! I find it hard to balance cleaning and spending time with my kids. My youngest is 22 months old. That 22 months went by so fast, I don't want to miss another minute with her.

How do you find balance?