Saturday, August 29, 2009

what do I know of Holy?



What do I know of Holy~Addison Road

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(BRIDGE)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

***
Inner Beauty Secret: never be satisfied with your walk with God. Keep desiring more of Him.

Friday, August 28, 2009

what was I thinking???

It started out oh-so simple. I was watching a thread on a forum I'm a part of (it's my extended SU! family that my up-up-up-up-up..and so forth...line started) on a Punch Art Swap. Now, I've never really been interested in punch art. It's okaaaay...if you're into that. But I'm not. It's ...too...perfect. The lines are perfect, the shapes are perfect, the punch perfect.... the art is too cute, and whimsical, and not me at all! So after a while, I just bypassed reading the posts. Until I saw that someone had to drop out of the swap and the came the call out. "Is anyone interested in taking the last place???"

And, I don't know what possessed my fingers to do so, but before I could think or even bargain with or stop them, they instantly replied all giddy-like, "sure! count me in!"

WT???? Are these fingers MINE??? Do they not know how much I'm not fond of Punch Art?

But there was this cute (yes, I said CUTE) punch art penguin I saw last year and found it online again that I want to make. Why not do it now? It'll be fun! After all, if I didn't say yes, then who knows when I'd ever get around to it? Right?

But wait! My fingers didn't take into account everything. Such as.... I Don't even own HALF of the punches needed for this project!!!!! But I can't back out of it now; I'd feel so embarrassed! How in the world am I supposed to make 25 of these babies...in two weeks...without owning all the punches needed? Good grief! What was I thinking????

Fingers!!!!

So yeah, I'm still working on that. I've collected most of the punches so far from begging and borrowing from friends. And I think I've got a solution for some of the circle punches. ...H'mm....

*shaking head*

I'll let you know how it turns out...

Monday, August 24, 2009

not me monday 8/24


Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. It's great therapy!

This week, I did not add two items to my To Do list today that I had already done just so I could check them off! That's unnecessary and only self-serving, something I am not interested in.

I also did not put a Pull Up on my potty-training son just b/c I was sick of washing wet underwear and wanted to quit, knowing he had to go to the bathroom soon. That would confuse the child and defeat the purpose of training, and I do not give up, nope! not me!

I certainly did NOT leave my clean clothes in a pile on the floor b/c I didn't feel like folding them. For four days. That's messy and rediculous! I love folding and lovelovelove putting away clothes and I know that chores such as these only builds character and I know that I am teaching my children to follow through with tasks. So that isn't something I'd do. Nope.

I most definitely did not have a nap when I put my Baby Honey down for one, while the older ones were watching a movie. What a silly idea! Who told you that? Did Steve tell you? Steve! (I also do not have an unhealthy infatuation with Flight of the Conchords and don't often have bits of their stuff popping into my head that most others don't understand!)

I didn't go to two wrong doors this week while looking for a house of an aquaintance, even though I've been there before! I also didn't need to call another friend to repeat the address for me b/c I didn't need her to since I had written it down the first time. Do I really look that forgetful? The drive was only 10 minutes at most!

I also didn't tell a customer one thing then tell her something different the next day just to have her correct me with the first info. Of course not! I always remember what I say and can keep needed info in my brain. I never put my feet in my mouth and embarrass myself. Nope, this girl's got it together!

I most certainly did NOT totally mess up my medications by giving myself 70% LESS than what I needed, thus screwing up my hormones and giving myself One Terrible Day. And I absolutely did NOT make up that percentage number either. That's just silly and misleading, even if it does only embellish a true story.

I didn't avoid the phone the other day, knowing it was my Hunny calling just b/c I didn't feel like apologizing yet for being a jerk and moody to him. Nope. Not me. I always set my mistakes right as soon as possible, if and when I ever make any! And when I do apologize, it is definitely NOT through a 2-sentance text message. Everything is done in a timely, polite, face-to-face manner. As if.

This morning, I did not open the peanut butter jar for my 3-year old and leave him unsupervised for 10 minutes. That's not smart and very messy! My son did not proceed to eat spoonfuls of the PB and leave splotches of it all over the counter. I'm a much more organized mommy than that!

I also did not threaten to lock my older DS in the bathroom if he didn't start behaving! Not only is that cruel, but I also wouldn't be able to follow through with it as the door doesn't lock from the outside! This is the actioon of a truely desperate mom, of which I never am.

Last night, I didn't grab towels to cover a wet crib sheet b/c I didn't feel like chaning everything at 2am either. I also didn't just strip Baby Honey of wet pjs and cover him with a heavy blanket for warmth. No matter what the time, I always do the job and do it right! I'm that kind of mom; the thoughtful and caring one!

And speaking of what a wonderful Mom I am, I didn't fall asleep tonight in Bryn's bed when I was reading him a bedtime story! Nope. It was his bedtime and I was only interested in getting him settled. His bed isn't comfy and bedtime doesn't call my name when it should be calling his.

Okay. I did it. Can you stand to be brutally honest? I promise you'll live to tell about it. If you check out MckMama's site, you'll see that she (and several others) did a "not my child" monday. It's up to you which you'd rather do, but do participate! If you don't want to add a link at MckMama's site, leave one here in my comments. I'd love to hear what you haven't been doing!!!

you've got mail....

I saw this today and it made me LAAAAAUGH!!! okay, maybe to the recipient it isn't funny, but can you think of a more tacky way of telling someone that you may have given them a disease? sheesh! Albeit, it's a better solution than not telling them anything, I suppose. But wow! Read on...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBH4CUUxFVL05Ljl-oTqE9DXwGzQD9A7F7M80

You've got mail — and possibly an STD
Brazil creates e-cards to inform partners of infection

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Brazilian Health Ministry has created a Web site to let people inform partners they’ve got a sexually transmitted disease via an e-mailed virtual postcard.

The official in charge of the ministry’s STD and AIDs programs notes that many people have a hard time telling partners they’re infected.

Mariangela Simao said in a statement this week that the e-mails may help people “to tackle these diseases directly and with minimum exposure.”

One of the cards shows a young man reclining in his underwear. It reads: “Hi! I don’t know if this is the best way to tell you, but I’ve learned that I have an STD.”

The card suggests the recipient see a doctor.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

You never let go



You never let go~David Crowder*Band

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rise
And hope takes flight
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful
Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain
And disaster came
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rose
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul
Overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul
Fills hope
Perfect love that never lets go

Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, what love, oh, what love
In joy and pain
In sun and rain
You're the same
Oh, You never let go

Friday, August 21, 2009

not what I was hoping for

I got a call from The Doctor I See (lol) to come in for the results of my bloodwork three days ago. That's usually a good/bad sign. It means that they need to talk to you. But that's what I was hoping for! I didn't want to go in to see him today and have him wonder what I was doing there.

The results weren't what I was expecting or hoping for. It turns out that my thyroid is out...something I knew...but I didn't think it would be Too High. My medication needs to go down again. WT??? I was slightly surprised. Down??? That doesn't make sense b/c three weeks ago I was up at 200 and Doing Well, then I had to go down to 175 and things have been Rough. And now I've got to go down further?

I told the doctor how I was expecting to increase the meds, how I noticed a difference after two days, how I can't get out of bed (which, thankfully, he actually wrote down word-for-word in my file. yay!) and how bad things have been. He was surprised to hear this and even showed me the test results, which clearly state the numbers (which really don't make sense to me. I don't know what number is 'normal'!) and the words: results are characterised with hyperthyroidism. *sigh*

He asked if I wanted to go back up or not, to which I decide that the Doctor is the Professional, and if he says I'm too high, I guess I've got to go with him. The idea for now is to keep at my current doseage and check again in two weeks to see if there is a difference. And I was okay with that when I left the office. Well, ... a bit....not really...only sort of. I actually wanted to cry by the time I got to my van. I wanted to cry when I drove to Tim Horton's and treated myself to an Iced Capp. I wanted to cry when I got home and knew I'd have to update people on the apointment.

But I didn't. I held it in. But now I'm wondering if I made the right decision. If 175 hasn't been doing good for me for three weeks, why in the world did I agree to stay on it for two more weeks???? Why??? Why??? Why??? *sigh* Good question. It makes more sense to either go back Up or go Down according to my results. But the truth is, I'm scared to go down. My body didn't like going down from 200, why would it like to go down further? So instead of trusting medical science, I decide to stop and wait. For what? My thyroid to correct itself? For the bloodwork to suddenly show how I really feel? But what if I'm wrong? Like Jenny said, how do I know that me feeling this crummy isn't because I'm Too High??? Uhm.... I dunno. It could be. So, by staying where I am is going to get me nowhere, isn't it?

You know what the worst thing of having your thyroid out? Oh, that is, other than the depression? Yeah. I'm also not good at decision-making. Or remembering things. Or making sense. I just Can't Think Straight. At All. I'm a jumbled mess. You know what stupid thing I did today? Or actually this whole week? I screwed up my thyroid even more!!! By attempting to "self medicate" *roll eyes* Uhm, someone should remind me that I can't make proper decisions. I need adult supervision! The first day, I took two 100s. Okay. All good. Feeling better just knowing I'm on a higher happier dose. Day 2....uhm, I can't recall. But I had a strong implication yesterday when I pulled out those 100s again. As I stood looking at those two pink pills it struck me that the day prior, I didn't see two but one, and it was green. Uh-Oh! It turns out that I took one 88mg. Oops. That's a bit less than I should be taking, and it certainly didn't make my day any better. Then here comes today. I woke up "late"...and when I mean late, I mean I woke up when my alarm went off but couldn't get out of bed for another half hour, giving me only 45 minutes to get myself, and four children dressed and fed so that they could go next door while I sped over to my apt a few minutes late. So I missed taking my pills. But I told myself to take them when I got home. After I talked to my neighbour, then my Hunny, then my mom. Don't forget. Right! Lunchtime. Naptime for Rhys. Alright, let's all go out and do my errands while I feel up to it! Is it dinnertime already? Oh no!!!! Guess what I forgot? So let's just say that today is a very very crummy day indeed for me.

Why can't I remember simple tasks? Sheesh! Have you ever met someone so forgetful? I've tried to talk to friends about it, feeling surely I must not be the only one. But nope, it turns out I am! Wow! My friend informed that in the 18 years she's taken a medication, she has never once forgotten to take it!!!! I can't even go a whole week it seems! Not knowing this happened to me today, both my Hunny and my Mom suggested in two separate occassions that maybe I need to get those "daily pill reminders". You know, where the pharmacist blister packages all your pills into a calendar chart for you. On each day, you pop open the bubble, take your meds, then move on. But my issue is that I'll likely forget THAT as well!!! The problem is that I don't just forget to take one of the meds, but ALL of them!!! They're all in the same place, and I go there every day. *sigh*

*banging head on table*

To finish my question above: the hardest part of having a broken thyroid is that once it's out and you're going through a Rough Patch, it's a cycle and it's VERY hard to pull yourself out of it. And every day it just feels worse.

Monday, August 17, 2009

three weeks ago..

Sorry I've been a bit quiet lately. I pop in here every night, as a ritual, to check out my blogroll. But I haven't posted b/c my mind doesn't want me to. It's not that I don't have anything to say. I've got a list of things I want to say! I just don't have it in me.

My thyroid is "out" again. *sigh*

Three weeks ago, I was on a GOOD dose of my synthyroid meds. I was happy(er). I could handle things. I was doing Better. But then I got a phone call from the doctor's office. Turns out my doctor wants to see me. (oops, I'm not allowed to call him "my doctor". He's my friend's doctor, and since she "set me up" with him, it's still HER doctor. He just happens to be the same one I see, that's all! LOL) The results of my blood test were back and it turns out that my levels were too high and I needed to go down a bit.

Three weeks ago, I was doing well. Good. Better. Happier.

Now I'm grouchy, don't sleep, anxious, hormonal (just ask AF who won't pack up and leave!!!), aggitated, forgetful, and down-right Depressed. And the days are starting to feel worse. Today it took all I could from Staying OUT of bed. I got up once, ate breakfast, went back to bed, got up again, made lunch, and then decided that I'd better do something...but nothing too drastic that needed too much thinking (like driving far!) or I'd be back in bed. So I took the kids to the library! That was fun! Rhys enjoyed inch-worming his way across the carpet! (Carpet? What a luxury! We just have wood flooring in our house!) We left with 27 books an hour later... and when Abi walked out with her own pile of 10 (most chapter books, with the spine sticker label "J", signifying a Junior Novel, not a Children's anymore...but not quite a Young Adult's yet) a girl around her age said to her mother, "look how many books she has!" And her mother replied, "She must like to read!" I beamed. (to myself of course. They weren't looking at me.) I wanted to say airily, "oh, yes, all my children like to read! All the time!" *roll eyes* I only mean it in a proud way. Of course. Not in the mean-spirited bragging way it sounds.

I got my blood work done again today, and have made a followup apointment with The Doctor I See for Friday. I've got everything crossed (except my eyes b/c that makes me dizzy) that he'll see something is OFF when he sees the report. I've been dying to see him since day two of my new meds! My Old Doctor, she was of the opinion that it takes a good 6 weeks to see any results in medications. My hormones would beg to differ. Actually, all of me would!

So tomorrow, I've decided to self medicate. Which sounds dangerous and silly all at the same time. Self medicate? Is that even the right terminology? Whatever. I'm upping my dose myself. Back to the one that made me feel Better. Good. Happy. Coping. The funnier thing is that I've got a lot of people suggesting that I do just that! Shouldn't this be a concerning thing? Shouldn't we be avising others to wait for a Professional's opinion first? But then again, this is also from some people who offer me their perscription Tylenol with codeine meds when I'm in a bad pain!!! LOL I have such giving friends! *smile*

I just want to go back to the way I felt three weeks ago. That's all. Just a simple request.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tibbar

Months ago, maybe even years ago, we always talked about getting a Bunny. (I've always one. okay, maybe not always, but often or lately or for a long time, at least!) When Abi finished grade two in June, we made a deal with her. If she could keep her room clean for Two Whole Weeks (which I swear--except that I don't--was only for One Week, but her Daddy insists it was Two!!!) that we would Consider getting her a bunny of her own. (Daddys make it so tough, don't they?)

Two weeks pass and she fulfilled her end of the deal. Except by then we couldn't b/c we didn't have enough money for a bunny and all the things needed to have one. It wasn't until midway through July that Hunny surprised us all!

We were driving to go visit my parents and my brother and his family and go to a big extended-family BBQ (I'll blog about that real soon!) when Hunny decided to stop at a pet store that was closing out. He wanted to see the prices of bunny cages, and we left the store with a whole bunny kit for 50% Off! Then we made our way across the street to a small pet store to pick out a bunny. The one we chose was also cheaper than the others b/c he was a month older and "less cute". Yay! (he was 3 months old)



At first, the kids wanted to name him Fluffy. They LOVE him!!! (yes, the bunny is a "he")
We set up the large cage in my parent's front yard (it was such a nice warm day) so that he could have some nice breeze and that it wouldn't take up my parent's house (after all, this wasn't a planned thing, so none of us were expecting to need extra space! Hunny had to juggle around the double-stroller so the cage would fit in to the van!) I kept coming out to see Bryn leaning in to pet the bunny! It looked like he was going to fall in!







We ended up having to take Fluffy with us to our friend's house for a BBQ that evening, but thankfully that was okay. We sat outside in the backyard and there was plenty of space for the cage. The kids even took him out a few times, to nibble on the grass and bounce around a bit. Fluffy actually even walked! I didn't know they could move in ways other than just hopping! It was neat to watch him get up on his hind feet and then take a quick small step!





By the next morning, the kids couldn't remember the name they chose, so they began to call him Thumper. I suggested Tibbar (backwards for Rabbit) but they didn't like it! Oh well! I call him both!

Bunnies are social animals and need to exercise and be with other bunnies, so we're thinking we need to get another one! However, another male with just fight with him (they're territorial) so the only option is a female. But we all know what happens when boy bunnies and girl bunnies get together.... *wink* Hunny has a good cook book which has a Bunny Stew recipe so it's all good! Plus, bunnies make great birthday gifts...don't they? Hunny has already told Kai that if he can keep his room clean for two weeks.... LOL...but he hasn't yet, so who knows when that'll happen.

It hasn't even been a full month yet, and I can already see how Thumper has grown. He's used to his cage and seems okay in our house, even getting used to us. Every day, Abi lets him out onto her bed for "exercise", and the thing hops and explores and looks to the floor, wondering if it wants to attempt the drop to the floor! He's too little for that now (thankfully) but we'll have to make an actual area for it to get out and 'stretch it's legs' a bit soon.

He's a cutie and I love snuggling with it nightly...even though I can't tell if he enjoys it as much!

Babies Everywhere!

I'm surrounded by pregnant (or formerly pregnant) ladies and it's such a strange feeling when I realize that! In June, a good friend of mine in CO, had her sixth child, a girl named Amberly (isn't that so cute? I've never heard of it before) Another friend living in TX had her second child, a girl, just recently. A friend of mine from church is having twin girls (her first and second, lol)...I'm so giddy I could squeal!! Abi's old grade 1 teacher is having twins girls as well *squeal*...{even though that means that she won't be at LCS for when Kai goes to grade 1. *sigh* Oh well. As long as she visits with her darlings. *smile* } Then last month, the most wonderful news arrived to me through FB: my BFF was pregnant!!! Yes, the one whom I visited while terribly sick with strep throat in April for her wedding!!! (a honeymoon pregnancy, perhaps? lol) *doing my happy dance*
(am I missing any preggo friends???)

Babies babies everywhere! And they're all girls...although Heather is convinced already that she's having a boy! But that's only b/c she's always wanted boys that there is no room for her to even have a girl, lol! Let's hope for her sake, she's right!!!

And I'll admit, I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me wish, dream, long, or even think of another baby. My own baby is still just that though, having only turned one year old. And really, it would be foolish of me to consider having another, not when I'm still sorting out my health (which I am happy to say is on the up side now that my thyroid meds have been played around with again, weeeee!) and I still need to lose a good 35 lbs. But this is a sickness. I'm sure it is. Some women long for new clothes, shoes or purses. Some for that dream man. But me? I dream of babies. Lots and lots of babies. Babies that turn into toddlers, that run around full speed, yelling and drawing on everything (not that I caught my son drawing on my fridge today, not at all) Toddlers that turn into school age children, who are full of learning, curiosity, insight and innocence. Children that grow into teenagers who develop their sense of being, who begin to exert their independance and build upon their character. And teenagers who...*sob* turn into adults and leave the nest. (Okay, I'm not ready for that yet!) I love EVERY stage of a child's life. They're all different and challenging and all so wonderful. I have this picture in my head of a nice farm house, and that house is full ...of love, family, memories...and there are kids everywhere! My kids, neighbour kids, cousin-kids, friend's kids...

But we're not ready. This isn't the right time. Yet. And who knows, maybe we won't even have another child. Maybe that ellusive "right time" will never come and we find out house and family full enough with the four we have. Maybe we get so busy with other things, friends and activities. And that's okay with me. I'd like to have one more girl, I've always been open about that to everyone who asks, lol. But I am also open to God's interpretation on that!

We're definitely not trying now!

Moving along... in my excitement for my BFF, I made her a congratulatory card.





I used the Wagon Full of Fun stamp set. This one is retired (which I was so sad to see. I hadn't even used it to it's full potential yet! I still have it though, tucked away, but am sad I can't pull it out for my classes) When I saw this set, in the Spring '09 mini, I envisioned this card, and so here it finally is!
recipe: (all SU!) wagon full of fun stamps, kraft c/s, perfect plum c/s, certainly celery c/s, whisper white c/s, watercolour pencils, blender pens.

It's a fairly simple card, nothing fancy. But I loved the way it turned out! I stamped the wagon image out twice and raised the second layer on dimensionals.



I'll have to make sure I pull this set out more!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

beautiful. moving. wonderful. peaceful.

Love Song meets Viva la Vida.

I can think of a lot of adjectives to describe this music piece. No, it's not Jon Schmidt's (the one playing the piano) but he put the two songs together, and it is A.MAY.ZING.

This video has been around for a bit, but I am just posting it now. It's still one of my New Favourites! (I get those often, lol)I love Jon's intensity and how he really gets into his music, and how he builts up the song. I am in LOOOOOVE with piano and cello, so putting them together, to let them both shine, and I am one happy gal!
*swoon*



To hear the original songs he merged check these:
Love Story by Taylor Swift
Viva la Vida by Coldplay

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Up-to-date

WOW! I am up-to-date! Okay, so I'm not REEEEAAALY up to date. What I mean is that I finally painstakinly moved all my posts from my old blog to this one! WOOT! That took a while...but I also wasn't trying to do it fast! I wonder if I can even delete the old blog? I'll have to look into that.

Meanwhile, I have my handy-dandy list beside me that says I have at least 4 things to update my blog about still! Sheesh, this blogging is busy business!!! :) But I'm dedicated and I'll do it for all 4 of you....LOL!

Red sky at night....

On July 25th, we had such a fantastic thunder storm here, never before seen by the likes of me! It was AH-MAY-ZING!!!!! I, for one, love love LOVE the sound of rain...it's very contemplative, you know. And I love LOVE LOVE the thrill of the sounds of a downpour as it sounds energetic and purposeful. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE a thunderstorm...just for it's sheer power. WELL, this storm showed a power I'd never seen in a storm LIVE, that is.

We were starting our Heat Wave (which broke records...yay go us...grumble*grumble...it was HOT!) and on day two of it when the clouds overhead started to change. Not grey like a normal rainshower. And not black like a storm either. Some of the sky stayed blue and full of fluffy innocent white clouds. But then there were some patches of grey mixed in, but even they didn't cover the sky. So, as you're looking at this sky, which was WHITE mostly...no clouds, dark or blue...just white. Not bright, just...white. ..you can start to see flashes of lightening. The party is just about to begin!

I stood on our deck and watched the sky as lightening fascinates me! We could see it to our right (east-facing), then there would be a flash in front (to the north) of us. A few moments would pass, then the thunder followed. I enjoyed it immensely, and loved explaining to Abi the power of it all and the science in lightning/thunder. She stood with me on the deck and watched the sky go from blue clouds to grey clouds on the east to Whiteness above and facing north. It was so NEAT. A block over, we could still hear the cheers from the ball field (games are played there every weekend and most evenings by several teams) and I was wondering if they didn't care about the thunderstorm nearing us or if they just didn't notice, because this was coming fast and in such a way I'd never seen before!! (did I mention that yet?)

As we stood on the deck, suddenly to our right, about north-east, at about 2 o'clock (LOL), this is what I saw:



Okay, so that's not at ALL what I saw, as this picture was taken by my BIL and posted on FB by my Sister (hope she doesn't mind that I "stole" it!!! LOL) But this is ALMOST. Just like. So close. a replica of what I saw!!! (minus his view from his condo deck!!!) This AMAZING jagged bolt of lightning burst from the sky! It was AWESOME!!!! I had NEVER seen a bolt like that before IRL!!! (in real life) I was beyond giddy!!!! (see how White the sky is??? This was around 7pm the storm hit us)

For the next 20 minutes, this is what Abi & I watched on our deck. The lightning would shoot out in jagged lines and every time it floored me with it's awesomeness and it's power! Then we'd hear this low rumble of thunder which just made my skin crawl in excitement!!!

Yes, I know, I know, I'm such a dork! But, hey, I can't go on amusement park rides, and I can't watch horror or thriller movies as I'm a wimp, but this? This is what I LOVE! This gives me my thrill. And I can't even describe it to you...you'll just have to read my excitement to understand how wonderful it was.

As the storm approached, the clouds were partly white and partly grey and had opened up in a rainfall. By then, the lighning was starting to hit near our house. I could still hear the baseball game playing and I was wondering if they were planning on ignoring the rain and the lightening. (Yeah, b/c that seems smart!!!...standing in the middle of a ball field during a lightning storm!) Abi & I went inside...myself rather begrudgingly. I wanted to keep watching the lightning, but knew it wasn't safe. (not that I thought I'd get hit standing on my deck, but hey...let's not be crazy! there are kids around!) So instead, I opened up the blinds in our living room (which faces south) and sat on the seat in front of it, watching the rain,and listening to the BOOMS of the thunder. (because that's safer, lol)

Our sky would light up in this intensely bright flash, not even a light, then the thunder would clap. Abi, who was out there eagerly watching the flashes with me, now clung to my arm at the sounds! Kai, who isn't very brave concerning storms, held on for dear life to my other arm! Meanwhile, Bryn looked at me questionably whenever the thunder would sound (and I'd grin and say, "wow! isn't that neat?" LOL) and Rhys sat on the floor playing with toys only looking up every now and then when the crash would become noticeable to him!

The storm passed over our house and made it's way southward (heading towards the border to USA, which is a 20 minute drive from here!), but every now and then you'd see another flash nearby. It was like that all evening...you'd think it was gone, but then a flash here or there of a straggler, then some more thunder/lightning on the other side, showing a lesser storm following. Fascinating!

Soon after, I got the kids into bed excitedly talking about the majesty and power our Father has. He created storms; the science of how sound travels to make that splitting thunder, and the electricity to produce the sparks in the bolts. These things are powerful and dangerous and can cause lots of problems. (like many of the raging fires going on in the Interior of BC right now. Keep the families who live there, the firefighters putting their lives at risk, as well as everyone else involved...in your prayers please.) Yet, despite the power involved in this half hour show, isn't it amazing and wonderful and scary all at once to realize that God has MORE power than that? He can stop the storm with a snap of his fingers. In fact, Jesus ended a storm while He and the disciples were fishing once by commanding it to stop! (the poor men were frightened and bewildered that He could sleep through it!) Isn't it great to know that Our GOD, our Creator, can defeat something so powerful? Isn't He someone you want on Your side??

About an hour after the storm was over and I got the kids to sleep, I popped over to the grocery store for something. On my drive home, the sky was so magnificent. It was the brightest orange and red I'd ever seen! It was truely amazing!!! I had to grab my camera for a picture.




It was such a spectacle that it was discussed muchly on FB by friends afterwards! (the storm not the photo, lol. I didn't post it!) It's one that can not be properly explained.

The next night was supposed to show some more thunderstorms, but it never produced. Instead, the moon had a bright red/orange glow around it. That was neat to see, but also kind of creepy!

Days after this happened, we went full into our Heat Wave. It was unbearable for me! I was so relieved that my parents offered to have myself and the kids stay in their basement while it passed by. I am so blessed! (Hunny had to stay home and work. I felt bad for him, but thought it would be better for him to be able to have the house to himself, as he get *grumpy* in heat!!!) It was so freakin' HOT! The hottest day was 35 degrees, which is HOT...but that's not the actual level of HEAT out in Chilliwack. The Humidex is what you needed to pay attention to. That day, it climaxed at 42.5 degrees, and broke the record! It was incredible. I am thankful that it's cooled down now (about time!!!) but my chest and throat still struggle with the effects it hit on my asthma. I'm just happy that it didn't effect my Mom's or my kids' asthma the way it did mine.

What a week!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

SU! August 2009 newsletter

Stampin’ Up! August 2009 newsletter





Join us as we celebrate Kids (or rediscover the kid in you) with these great August Promotions:

*Spend $45 on stamp sets from the Growing Up section in the new IBAC (pages 74-90) and receive a FREE package of De­signer Buttons (a $10.95 value). Choose from the New Play­ground Designer buttons, the Sherbet Designer buttons, and the Button Latte Designer buttons on page 181.

*Purchase the brand-new Décor Elements Growth Chart ($33.95) only available Aug 1-Sept 30, and as an added bonus, receive a FREE Applicator tool with your purchase


Have you seen the new catalogue yet? Check it online HERE

Would you like your own copy for FREE to hold and see whenever you want? You can receive one from me by *joining a club *placing a $75 order *becoming a hostess of a workshop or card class






Pick up the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit for $19.75 this month. 40% OFF!!! With plenty of summer left to celebrate, it's a great time to take advantage of this huge discount! Offer only available until Aug 31 or until supplies last.



If you love the new In Colours and plan on purchasing the new cardstock and pads, then you should consider purchasing the Mini Starter Kit. It contains: all 6 of the new In Colours inkpads, pkg of Whisper White c/s, pkg of new In Colours c/s, For All You Do stamp set, and all business supplies needed and until August 31, 2009, it is available for only $105!!! Not only will you have all the In Colours and a stamp set, you will also enjoy the benefits of new demonstrators....Ask for more details, b/c there are a LOT!!! PLUS....If you join my team, I’ll also include another ink pad and pkg of DSP of your choice!






Our new Definitely Decorative brochure is available to order from now. Many of you already have your copy (which you get for FREE when you get your new IBAC!) and have seen the wonderful new projects and home décor ideas, but for those who have missed out, click HERE (which I love! I want that bedspread!!!) In it, you will note there are three Hostess Décor Elements to choose from, which are Exclusive to club members or those who hostess., as well as our Décor Ele­ments sheets in 4 colours, so that you can make your own decora­tions using the Big Shot. And check out the cute All In The Family décor elements! Have you ever seen those stick families on the backs of mini vans? Now you can make your own! Too cute! Start­ing at page 28, you’ll see how SU has expanded their line of sten­cils. (I’m in love with the Adornment one!) I can’t wait to play around with these!





I’m changing things up for now regarding my classes. Instead of holding card classes, I am offer­ing KITS in two ways. You will see two different cards kits above.; the one on the left is called In Colour Craze, and features 6 cards, all using the brand-new In Colours. The one on the right is Many Thoughts and a set of 4.

These Kits are available in two different ways.
1) hostess a class and make either one of these kits with your friends. You choose which set, invite your friends, and I’ll provide the rest!
2) Purchase the kit to make them on your own!

In Colour Craze (6) $25 kit (includes everything: c/s, stamped images, embellishments, instruc­tions, etc. You just need the adhesive to attach it all.)
$20/ea. personal class

Many Thoughts (4) $15 kit (see above for what it includes!)
$12/ea. personal class

I have a few dates available still this month, so call me to book your day of stamping! It’s a great way to reconnect with friends and to show your artistic side! (or see creativity you didn’t know your friends had!)
Contact me soon! These kits are only available for this month, then new ones come out!

email me at Themadstamper @ shaw dot ca if you'd like to place an order, or if you like a KIT (or both) or if you live in the Cloverdale area and would like to become a Hostess and earn FREE stuff!!! (who doesn't like free??) Email also if you'd like to be added to my newsletter list to receive all the monthly news. The newsletter has more info and more photos than what I post here. (switching all my work from newsletter to blog is not easy, and it doesn't look any where near GOOD as it does in your email inbox, lol)

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Monday, August 3, 2009

kitten mittens

I've never heard of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (nor have I ever been there to dispute that statement) but I was sent this video and I LAUGHED AND LAUGHED!!! And being the evil family we are, I let my kids watch it and they LAUGHED AND LAUGHED...especially at the end where the cat falls off the table!!!! HAHAHA!!!! *wipe tears* I knew I had to share it with you, all my lovely followers (all three of you, lol)

my own MckNuggey

If you've been following MckMama's blog, like I've told you many many times, you'll get to know her 4 MSC (many small children). Her second-born, C, is such a cutie...actually they ALL are!...but it's C that I am particularly talking about here. On MckMama's blog, he is referred to as MckNugget. (teehee) He sports this awesome faux hawk, and I love it! He just only turned 3!!!! Check the future heartbreaker here. but his best look is on the right hand side, if you scroll down a bit, in his own description.

How does this connect with me? Well, we've been needing to give Kai a haircut for the longest time, and well, Hunny wouldn't let me grow it out ("but, Hunny, all the cool kids in our church have long hair nowadays!!!"...which is oddly true!) So we've been joking about him getting it buzzed short like his Daddy's, which Kai (nor I really) would agree to. So we suggested a mohawk! Suddenly out of the blue, he actually consented to it!!! I showed him pictures of what it would look like...of course, turning right to MckMama's site...and he got pretty excited! (he also wanted to meet the MckFamily and play with the boys, but well, they live in the Frozen Tundra, which is so not where we live right now with this heat!)

Not wanting to lose his new-found sense of braveness, I told Hunny to quickly grab his clippers! (this from the mother who would not even let her Hunny discuss pulling out that scary contraption anywhere near her wee bairns a few weeks earlier! 'tis true.) Within 10 minutes, my Little Man..oh wait, he doesn't like to be called that. He insists he isn't a Baby or Little, which is true, and he's also not a Man, which is also true. He doesn't get it....but that aside... my Hunny had Bud sitting in a chair, with his eyes squeezed tight (as to not have hair drop into them, having been caught in his long tenticle eyelashes that my boys all seem to have) and the clippers buzzing by his ears. We should declare ourselves fortunate that Kai didn't lose an ear or an eyebrow or a clump of hair where he wasn't supposed to, since the silly boy just would NOT sit still! It's also a wonder that Hunny still cuts his hair since he NEVER sits still for them!!!







After the process was over, he had to jump into the bathtub to wash the stray strands of blonde off himself, and so that Hunny could colour his fauxhawk! With Canada Day approaching (yes, this is old news, lol! This occurred on June 30th) I convinced Kai that it would be cool to have red hair to celebrate Canada's Birthday the next day, so we pulled out a package of Koolaid. Now, I've never done this before, but I have heard that you can dye hair with koolaid. Hunny suggested it, but I learned later that he hadn't a clue how to do it either! Our process included adding the koolaid crystals to Kai's wet hair while he was still in the tub.



That turned out to be the shortest colouring I'd ever witnessed! He only had the crystals on his hair not even 2 mintues and he started to complain that it was stinging him! We quickly washed it out, but his scalp was pretty itchy for a bit. I felt terrible! I'd never heard of having a reaction to Koolaid crystals...but why not? They do contain a lot of dyes, and I've heard that Red and Yellow dyes are terrible for children. :( That made me sad, but thankfully it didn't seem to effect him much afterwards. I managed to get one great pic of his hawk (before the washout)



He's my handsome little Canuck! (who looks an awful lot like his Uncle Mark!!!)

His red dye job faded pretty fast, but for the most parts lasted a good week! He spiked his hair every day during that week too, but now has grown bored of doing that. (I even ran out to the grocery store at 8pm for a gel to spike it up too that night! I never pictured myself doing that for my son anytime soon, that's for certain!) I don't mind the look of it when it's down, and neither does he. I wonder if he'll want to buzz it again this month, now that most of it is growing out. Maybe start Grade One with a fauxhawk? I thought it was interesting that MIL didn't like the look, but my parents thought it was neat on him! (not that I had a specific response in mind; I just found it interesting.)

I'm proud of Kai for trying something new and for being nonchalont about it as well. He surprised me! He's growing up. *sigh*
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