dang, I was tagged...

…and didn't even know it!!! *blush*

I was tagged by Korinne.

Here are the rules:1. Link to the person’s blog who tagged you. 2. Post these rules on your blog. 3. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself 4. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. 5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog. (even though Korinne didn't tell me she tagged me…lol, that's okay, I likely won't do that either, lol)

I thought this would be hard, but it was surprisingly easier than I thought.

1) I dislike going to bed. I don't know why, but I always have. I HATE going to bed at night. Not too sure if it's b/c there's so much left to do in the day, a fear of the dark and of danger, or a mixture of both. I told DH tonight that he would hate it too if every time he went to bed he didn't fall asleep! And I think that has a lot of truth to it too. I've just never been blessed with being able to fall asleep easy. I suppose it's good when you have children that wake up in the night still and you need to be able to tend to them…but it sure gets tiring. :( ….now give me a good pillow and blankie in the DAYTIME and I'm good to go! I have NO PROBLEM napping…go figure!!!!

2)I can not draw a straight line. Not on my own and not even with a ruler. It's quite sad, this inability. A bit embarrassing as well.

3)I could live off of pasta. I could eat it every day. I would if my husband would let me!!!! …of course, I'd be fat and I wouldn't be eating balanced, but that's besides the point.

4)I am growing a fear of water. I don't have a reason for it, but it grows as I age. I literally shudder whenever I am near it…which is funny. I can walk along the water's edge, that's "safe"…but put me on a bridge or a pier and I have to concentrate REAL HARD so I don't scare myself silly. I am Terrified whenever the kids go out on the boat with their dad and I actually MUST look away. The idea of them falling into the water scares me b/c then I"D have to jump in to save them!!!! The whole thing is quite silly. I have no idea what is so frightening about water to me! I can swim. I like swimming, in fact….in a pool!!!!

5)I like to be dizzy…or I used to! My favourite toy on the playground was the Tire Swing, followed by the "sickmobile" (or whatever it's called. That's what we called it!) I loved to spin and spin and spin! What fun! I would even drink enough to get to the stage of dizziness, then stop, because that's what I liked! I liked feeling intoxicated and silly without being really Drunk! Imagine how sad I was when this past summer I discovered I can't spin anymore!!!! Abi pushed me on a Tire Swing, and the world wouldn't stop moving, despite my pleas, and I had to put my head between my legs…truely sad. I have gotten OLDER!!!!!

6)I am a "homebody". If I didn't have to, I wouldn't go out anywhere! (which explains the paleness of my skin, lol) I don't like going out. I'd rather curl up on the couch and read a book, or write, or listen to music. I don't want to go shopping, or go for a walk, or anything like that. I'll go outside and lay in the sun…if I can do my "inside" things!

7) I am a worst-case scenario girl. I like to know what the details are, ALL of them, so I can make informed decisions and opinions. I am a very positive person though, which sounds strange. I just like to know the "what ifs" or "what could happen"…it makes me feel more "in control" and I can anticipate better.
So, there you have it. I hope it was "random" and "weird" enough for you!!!!…not likely, but oh well. This is what spilled out off the top of my head! Now for MY tags! I don't think I'll tag 7 (seeing as I don't think I know 7 with blogs who read mine regularly)… so I'm just going to tag Janette, Sara and Erin. We'll see who notices! ;)

why Jesus is better than Santa

WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN
SANTA CLAUS!



Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.


Santa rides in a sleigh.
JESUS rides on the wind and
walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year.
JESUS is our ever-present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies.
JESUS supplies all your needs.


Santa comes down your chimney uninvited.
JESUS stands at your door and knocks,
and then enters your heart when invited.


You have to wait in line to see Santa.
JESUS is as close as the mention
of His name.


Santa lets you sit on his lap.
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.


Santa doesn't know your name,
all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl,
what's your name?"

JESUS knew our name
even before we were born.
Not only does He know our name,
He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future.
He even knows how many hairs
are on our heads.


Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly.
JESUS has a heart full of love.


All Santa can offer is
"HO HO HO"

JESUS offers health,
help and "hope."



Santa says
"You better not cry".

JESUS says
"Cast all your cares on me
for I care for you."


Santa may make you chuckle.
JESUS gives you joy
that is your strength.


While Santa puts gifts
under your tree.
JESUS became our gift and
He died on a tree.. The cross!


We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas!
Jesus is still the Reason for the Season.

May you have a
Blessed
Celebration of Jesus'
Birth!!

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

~~Merry Christmas!!~~

what is with some people???

I don't even know what to say….but I'm sure I could rant about this for hours!!! Did anyone else see this news?

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1695735,00.html?cnn=yes

A Dutch diplomat adopted a 4 month old girl from South Korea with his wife 7 years ago. Now they have "returned" her. Last year, they put her into the care of the Social Welfare Department of Hong Kong, where he is posted.

Is anyone else incensed over this??? Does this make anyone else's heart shatter and make you cry for that little girl. She was four months old when adopted, so this is the only family she has ever known, and now at 7, she is being discarded from them, like an animal. They say that she "never adjusted" to their family. They had SEVEN YEARS!!! How is that possible when she had Nothing To Adjust to???? I am so angry at them for this!!!! How can they do this to a little orphan girl and not wrestle with their conscience? What ever happened to the idea that she was adopted and legally a part of their FAMILY now?

This breaks my heart. Please remember Jade in your prayers that she will find a family (a REAL one) who will truely LOVE her and Keep her. I have no other words about this couple. Shame on them.

six years ago...

Strange to think of, but Six Years Ago, I was laying in a hospital bed, trying to deal with incredible back pain, while my sister and my husband both read "the Hobbit" to pass time!!!!! LOL I was in labor—but not in labor. Things obviously weren't progressing much in way of contractions coming closer together, but the pain was getting intense. My back was in SO Much Pain, that by one in the morning, I had finally caved in and asked for some Demerol!!! I wasn't planning to use that pain control option as I heard how it made my friend puke and my Mom spacey, but well, I was feeling desperate! Baby was "sunny side up" and we didn't know!!! So at this time (almost 11pm) I had already sent my sister home for some sleep, and was about to send Jonathan home as well since we were all so exhausted! Man, being in constant pain and being TOTALLY out of it and in a drug haze all alone is NOT something I would recommend to anyone!!!! (it was supposed to help me sleep…..it didn't)

Strange to think that this all happened Six Years Ago. Stranger how this is all coming back to me stronger tonight than any other year. But as we prepare to celebrate Abi's Sixth birthday tomorrow, I am remembering the whole process and her arrival and just how wonderful it was in the end. Totally worth it! ;) (at least, enough to make me want to do it all over again, several times, lol. Isn't it neat and wonderful and totally smart of God to create us women to be that way? To desire to go through the whole painful process for another child, to think that it was worth it in the end, to believe that the pain wasn't "that bad afterall" LOL)

Abi still delights me. I am constantly telling her about how much we wanted her, how I prayed and prayed for her to come, and how God blessed us with her at just the perfect moment, and how special she is to us. She is becoming immune to it now, and just smiles and says things like, "I know!" hahaha. Good to know that she's confident in herself and her position in our family! I just want to make sure she doesn't wonder, doesn't feel left out, or starts to question her being. I don't know how to make a child self confident or how to make them feel strong. I don't know if it is something that can be taught or something that is just passed down in our genes, but I've noticed that my mom and I both have a sense of self conciousness and low self esteem. My sister has that a bit too. Now, of course there are times where we've all been strong and felt powerful in ourselves, our beings, our talents…but for the most I'm noticing that my selfworth isn't as high as it 'should' be. And it makes me wonder why that is. It certainly can't be blamed on my parents! My mom did everything she could to show me love! I have a lot of happy childhood memories! (or course, there are the bad ones too, the sad ones, the ones where your parents didn't get you that pony or take you for piano lessons, lol) So where does it come from? Is it something we decide on our own? Or something that is passed down in genetics? Or something altogether different? I am trying to instill in Abi a sense of not only, Being, but in knowing that she is Special to us, her family, and to God. That no matter what she does, she is important to us all. Maybe that's all I can do. Maybe the rest is up to her. I don't know. But I do know that if I could, I'd hold her all day and cuddle her and remind her! :) (funny how I want to hold her all the time NOW, yet six years ago, sortof, I was so stressed out b/c all SHE wanted was that and all I wanted was some time free to myself! LOL)

Six years ago, Abigail 'tHart entered this world, a total blessing, miracle and gift from God. I asked and asked, (actually more like begged and pleaded and cried) for an Abi, and He sent her. (so be careful what you wish for, hahaha!) I am so lucky!

shutting down

I think I took a nervous breakdown this week. Okay, maybe not in a mental-health way, but my body sure did! It was only through the strength of God that I made it. Because in my mind, I had given up! I just did NOT want to do A THING this week! But I am so proud of myself—I did manage to get Abi & Kai off to school, ballet and speech therapy. What I did not do is take Paisley to dog obedience class #3. I just didn't have it in me to stand in a freezing barn! I also didn't take Kai to his dental checkup (after his surgery)–but that's because I had forgotten. Oops! I also chose not to attend two women's group meetings this week (Wed and this morning). It's just… I need time OFF.

My body feels like it's Shutting Down. I'm dizzy. Incredibly tired and weak. Achey. (my thighs are in so much pain, it's so strange. I pulled out the Tiger Balm today for them!) The very idea of having to do something makes me want to cry, "Please don't make me go!" How sad is that?

It's just that days are going by so fast and I'm not doing anything but driving here and going there. It's getting to be too much. I am sick and tired of my days being filled with Something!!! I am so thankful that it's December (oh so close!)—soon school and ballet and speech will close for the holidays. I can rest on the couch! I can waste my day on the computer! I can do dishes, clean up the house,…things that have been neglected. :(

I just need a good 20 hours of straight sleep first! :p Ugh! In two days we are having family over to celebrate Abi's birthday, and I spent literally ALL DAY cleaning up. From 8:30am until 4pm (well, off and on, I did eat lunch, lol) ….and it doesn't even look it! Oh, well, if you had seen it this morning, you'd notice a difference, but to anyone else they'd see a messy house still! :P But as I was cleaning, I was thinking, 'hmm..maybe this is as clean as it gets today!' Not to sound like my family isn't important, because that is Certainly NOT the truth, but I remind myself, 'it IS *just* family, I don't have to have a sparkling house! they all know me!" *sigh* Hopefully tomorrow I'll still feel that way, but chances are I'll feel that typical last minute stressball for not having it clean enough! (roll eyes)

I can do it. I can do it. Just two more days. Lord, thank you for the stength. Keep it coming!

look what I caught Bryn doing!

I had walked into my bedroom and found Bryn in front of my mirror, making faces with his reflection. But not only that, but he was KISSING the cute chubby baby in the mirror!!! How cute is that??? I knew I HAD to take a photo…or two!







I guess he's getting practice in! ;) Don't you love his impish grin in the last one? I don't know what made him want to kiss his own reflection, but well, he *is* rather kissable! LOL I love my Baby!!!

**ignore the dirty shirt and face, lol, but that's how he usually looks! I've given up on bibs!!!

regifting etiquette

I read this via another blog and had to share since it's funny! Maybe this will help you prepare for the holiday gift giving season!


Twelve rules for 'regifting' without fear
If you're going to do it (and it's more common than you think), please update the wrapping — and remove the old gift card.

By MP Dunleavey

November 14, 2007

There are only three reasons you might be reading this column:

1. You think "regifting" is totally tacky, but you secretly hope there might be a polite way to get rid of that hideous scarf your Aunt Edna gave you.

2. You're a chronic regifter and you need some new ideas to get you through the holidays.

3. You've never heard of regifting. Really. You're just curious.

Welcome, one and all, to a frank discussion of a grand old holiday tradition we all practice and pretend we don't. (That includes you fibbers who picked No. 3!) Even Peggy Post, etiquette advice columnist for Good Housekeeping, admits she's done it.

"I was given two copies of a book, and I gave a copy to my mother-in-law," reports the author of the new 17th edition of "Emily Post's Etiquette." "(I) just said, 'Hey, I got two copies of this book. Would you like one?'"

The fine art of regifting
Like Post (who is the granddaughter-in-law of etiquette czarina Emily), I have no qualms about regifting when done properly. Carried out carelessly, regifting is a recipe for public humiliation and long-held grudges. Done with finesse and tact, regifting can be a happy holiday experience for all — providing you follow these few do's and don'ts. Starting with: DO take out the previous gift card. Duh.

A dozen rules for regifters:

-Don't mention it, please. While Post believes that "the best approach is to be upfront" when regifting, I have to ask: Why spoil the moment? If you tell your sister-in-law, in so many words, "I have no use for this nasty vase, so I'm giving it to you," even a person in need of a vase will hate you. I say, keep your yap shut unless there's a good reason not to.

-Do update the wrapping. The next most common regifting faux pas, after leaving the previous gift card attached, is to regift in the original, now crinkled and possibly torn (hello!?) wrapping paper or box. If the phrase "Hey, it looks almost new" crosses your desperate holiday brain, remember that it's the "almost" that's a dead giveaway to the new giftee.

-Don't give hand-me-downs as regifts. Novice regifters (and those who are terminally tacky) often get these two categories confused. Don't. A hand-me-down is an item you've already used that you'd like to pass along to someone who will enjoy it and use it more than you will. For example, a sweater you've removed the tags from and worn twice. You could wrap it up and give it as a "gift" only as long as another real gift is provided. A regift should be just that: a gift you've never used that you're giving away as though it were a… real gift!

-Do keep track of who gave it to you first. In her useful article on this topic, Joyce Moseley Pierce recommends creating a stash of regifting items you can always use in a pinch. I say, OK, but keep a small notebook of who gave you what. I had a harrowing experience that involved regifting a pair of earrings to a cousin — who had given them to me two years before. I forgot. She remembered. And she let me know about it.

-Don't EVER regift these items. Certain items are a total, dead, instant giveaway that you are not only regifting, but you're too lame to put any effort into it: candles, soap, random books, mysterious CDs (unless your brother wants the hip-hop version of "Man of La Mancha"), obscure software, cheesy jewellery, scarves (do we not all own a scarf?), fruitcake, pens, cologne, boxed sets of extinct bath products (Jean Nate? No, no, no), videos or DVDs obviously acquired on a street corner, socks and any appliances or electronic gear the giftee would be puzzled to receive because they probably just got rid of it (including hot-air popcorn poppers and anything with a cassette deck in it).

-Do have the courtesy to clean your regifts. I once got a rice cooker… with a couple of kernels of rice still clinging to it. Some hand-me-downs can be passed off as regifts if the packaging is intact, like the wine glasses you've belatedly decided to share with a loved one. Just wash the lipstick off the rim, 'kay?

-Don't give partially used gift cards. As technology pushes the envelope of regifting possibilities, the chance of looking like a ninny only grows. Don't give a $25 gift card to Chapters/Indigo that only has $14.56 left on it. Would you give a pie with a slice taken out of it? We hope not.

-Do remember that regifts can be funny. A friend of mine said that when he was younger, he and his sister would jokingly regift the same two board games back and forth to each other. If you think a friend would get a good laugh out of, say, a regifted self-help book, go for it — as long as you make the prank clear.

-Don't give something you've owned for a while. Not only is this in violation of the hand-me-down rule above, the giftee can and will recognize that picture frame from your living room shelf. (And while you're at it, don't regift picture frames, either.)

-Do regift champagne. You know the joke about fruitcake: There are only two fruitcakes made each year, and we just keep foisting them off on each other. The same is true of the 11 bottles of champagne that circulate during the holidays. But there are never hard feelings from regifting a bottle of bubbly, unless it's really cheap or given to a confirmed teetotaller. Eventually it will find a happy, champagne-guzzling home.

-Don't give products from defunct companies. Someone gave to my husband and me a lovely crystal decanter from a department store that no longer exists. The decanter is a classic. It was just a little depressing to think it had been in someone's closet for that long.

-Do sell your gifts on eBay. When someone first told me that rather than regift, they sell unwanted presents on eBay — and use the proceeds to buy real gifts, I was awed. Then I realized everyone is doing it. "My father gave my brother a boxed set of Kurosawa films, which my brother promptly sold for a pretty penny on eBay," one woman told me. So THAT'S where all that stuff comes from.

Well, it's about time for you and me to start rewrapping some of last year's presents, eh? But before you go, let me add that whether you find this column cynical, shocking or brimming with useful ideas — it's just the natural next step for an over-gifted society. Ever since the term "regifting" was introduced on "Seinfeld" in 1995 (see a snippet of the script), what was once a dirty little secret has become a way of life, and not a bad way to save money.

Of course, it's only a matter of time before someone does to regifting what eBay did with online auctions. Last year, one William Dodd obtained a patent on a new regifting technology that lets you regift something before you've even received it. (I'm not making this up!) Soon, that scarf you bought online for Jane could be virtually regifted via e-mail. ("Happy Holidays, Jane — Vera has sent you this lovely scarf"). Then Jane will either accept it or instantly regift it.

The only hitch is that a gift, unlike fruitcake, can't circulate forever. It's like the children's game Hot Potato: When time runs out, the loser has to keep the present.

http://finance.sympatico.msn.ca/savingsdebt/insight/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5710508

Oh how He loves us

"How He loves" ~ John Mark McMillan

He is jealous for me
Love’s like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

That he loves us,
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves

He loves us,
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves




I have been listening to this song all day long, loud and often, dancing and praising, lifting my arms, and it's been awesome! I just came across this song by accident on a friend's Facebook profile SuperWall. I am in LOVE with it!!!! You HAVE to listen to it and check out the link above. It is being sung by Kim Walker of Jesus Culture. (neither of which I've heard of) I love her passion and her voice. "God wants to Encounter YOU!"

"I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;…since you are Precious and Honored in my sight, and because I love you."
~ Isaiah 43:1b-4a

I don't know what else to add to this. This song stirrs my heart. I pray that your heart may be open as well.


ETA: this video here is done by the writer of the song, and gives the explanation of it. It made me BAWL!!! It is emotional and powerful and joyful all at once. Check it out as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chx6s3qXKt4&feature=related

happy hump day

saw this on another blog, had to steal it and put it here. No reason. Just think it's cute! ;)


Abi read her very first sentance ON HER OWN yesterday from one of our books: "do you want to play a game?" I was SO shocked and thrilled for her! It's so amazing when your child learns something new, something that we've all taken for granted for years. I'm so excited that Abi will be reading on her own by the end of grade one! Yay go her! I hope she develops a love for reading like I have. I'm so proud of her!


I hope the rest of your week goes by smoothly!

card class and kits

I've got two classes coming up this week and next for my Stamp-a-Stack of Christmas cards. I'm offering it in two parts. Class #1 is this Wednesday, Nov 7th, for two cards. We'll be making 10 of each design for $25. Class #2 is on Monday Nov 12 for two more styles. So you can take one class for 20 cards, or both for 40 cards!

cards for class #1


cards for class #2


Let me know if you'd like to sign up, so I can prepare properly. As an alternative to those not nearby, I am offering these cards for sale. You can get kit #1 and kit #2 for $30 each, or them both for $60, and they will be stamped and ready to go with envelopes for you. Shipping/Handling is $5. If you do live nearby but those dates don't work for you, I would love to do a class in your home with you and your friends. Email me at themadstamper @ shaw dot ca today!

30 Thoughts

So the time has come…. I turned the BIG 3-OH!!! Wow! It's funny though… when you're growing up, you think that 30 is "SOOOO OLD", but as you approach it yourself you realize it's not as old as you remember! LOL I look at my friends and think, h'mm… not too bad! But then it came time for ME to become it, and that's different. I'm not "against" being 30 (if I actually Could be!) it's just hard to imagine. Thirty. Me. Wow. When Jonathan turned 30 last year I was so excited! Yeah, that sounds strange, I know; he was just as confused! ;) But it made me excited to realize that we were both getting older and we were together and we were going to age together and the romantic in me got giddy! I liked seeing that some of his chest hair was turning grey! :) But now here I am…. looking in the mirror every day and wondering with a bit of fear "is my hair grey? should I colour it? eek!" LOL Funny. Strange. Curious.

I have nothing to be upset about. I'm where I wanted to be. I always planned, hoped, dreamed (sometimes they're all the same thing!) that I'd be married with 3 children by the time I was 30. And I am. I am surrounded by all I wanted. God has blessed me and I am one lucky girl! I have a wonderful family, great husband and children, supportive parents, loving siblings…

But seeing "30" written on my cards still makes me shudder and want to scream, "NOOOOOO! That's not right!"

I think I need to figure out what the heck is wrong! My mind makes no sense!

I've been told that "30 is the New 20" LOL Really? My friend was talking to me about her birthday three weeks before mine, and how it was a BIG one for her. She only turned 27, but that was "hard" for her b/c now she was in the "late 20's". I can empathize. 27 seems so Tame to me though, lol, but I can see where her thought process is. I'm in a whole new Decade!!!! My 30's!!!! Eep!

I don't wanna grow up!!!!!!!!

I think that's what the whole thing is about. I don't FEEL like an adult. I feel so confused and have trouble making decisions. I don't feel strong enough to raise my children or be firm with them; I swear they're not going to learn the things that I feel are important for them. I fail at so many things. Most of the time, I want to rush over to my mom's and go back to being the Daughter, not the Mother! I just don't feel prepared. I suppose this is how EVERYONE feels. I think I just show my thoughts and emotions on my sleeve too well b/c everyone else looks like they have it together, that they've settled into their adult roles just fine. *sigh* Will I ever grow up and feel mature enough for my age? Will I ever just be Satisfied and content with ME?

****btw: I wasn't actually numbering my thoughts, I just thought it sounded like a better title than "thoughts on 30!" LOL

good point

I've joined the woman's group at my church, called "her Community", and I am loving it. It's making me grow, but that's a scary thing! Sounds silly, but you get used to living in your own little box. You stay home, you try hard to raise your children, you fail miserably, you try to reach out to other moms and friends, but it's hard, but you still avoid getting TOO Deep with others. You know what I mean. We all do it. We WANT and long for and desire and NEED to be with others, but we all struggle to do it. Mostly done from fear: fear of being hurt again, fear of looking foolish or "needy", fear of exposing yourself, fear of the unknown, fear of others…. we all hold back. And this is no exception. I wanted to join to get to know other women in my church, to make some friends. After attending our other church for 10 years or so, I realized that I just did not know ANYONE!!!! And they didn't know me!!! It was truely sad. No wonder I didn't like going!!!! :( So I made a choice that if I am to change churches, I'm going to HAVE to step out of my box. And so here I am. Exposing myself. Admitting I'm Needy.

The book we are studying isn't helping, I tell ya! We're reading "Everybody's Normal til you get to know them." by John Ortberg. The first three chapters were TOUGH personally!!!! But it's getting easier…the subjects aren't as personal to me I guess! LOL

Last night, I read chapter's 6 & 7 to prepare for our get together on Friday morning. (I go after I drop Abi off at school, and the boys join the other kids in the childcare provided….although I can hear Bryn crying the whole time, the silly boy!!!!) Chapter 7 was about handling coflict and anger, and I thought Ortberg had a wonderful point I knew I HAD to share here!!!

"Another myth is that the best way to handle anger is to ventilate it. This view was popular among psychologists in the 1960s and 1970s. The idea is that unexpressed anger gets stored upin a kind of inner pshychological reservoir, so when we become angry, the main thing we must do is discharge our feelings. "Get it off your chest," "Blow off some steam." "Let it all hang out." Throw someting, hit something, scream something — ventilate.
"According to this theory, if we don't let the anger fly, it doesn't go away. It builds up like steam inside a tea kettle, and if there's not some release, we will just blow up some day when we least expect it. We become like a volcano, waiting for the "river of rage" inside to overflow.
"Why do we think that way about anger? We don't think that way about other emotions. No one says, "I've been holding in joy all these years; people tell funny jokes, and I just repress all my laughter; I haven't released it and it's been building up inside me. Now the joy dam is about to burst: I"m gonna spew joy all over everybody." Therapists don't say, "You've got to get in touch with your gratitude; for years your parents helped you and sacrificed for you, yet you never learned to verbalize your thankfulness. Now you've got all this gratitude bottled up inside of you, and it's not healthy. You're like a walking time bomb of gratitude. Someday you're going to walk up to people you don't even know — and gush gratitude all over them."

Good point! That analogy made me laugh in the bathtub! Gush Gratitude all over strangers!!! Eep! Imagine the thought!!!! LMBO! *wink* But he has a good point. I mean, how many of us have followed that line of thinking? That you NEED to release your anger, get it out. I know I have. But I also do know the truth of it too: "…aggressive behaviour leads to more, not less, anger and aggression." In this chapter, Ortberg was talking about God's guide to releasing anger. (Matthew 18:15) I won't tell you what else he said, you'll have to get the book yourself. I just wanted to mention the visuals he gave on keeping Other emotions inside!

Don't keep that laughter in!!!! Let those smiles out!!! Be thankful and kind! Wouldn't want it to suddenly spill out at inapropriate times!!!!!

Have a good day!

(Everybody's Normal Til You Get To Know Them. John Ortberg. 2003. Zondervan.)

new words and adjusting

Kai has said new words over this past weekend that just made me SOOOO happy. He said, "I Luff You." AWWWWW! isn't that wonderful? :) He said it to Daddy, then to Abi, while we were in the van driving. I was waiting for him to say it to me, but he didn't. *sniff* I'm being patient though. This morning, he told me, "I WIKE you, Mommy." AWWWW! Just as cute! I'll accept it! :) He also said, "Grampa" for the first time. He wanted to go sit with my Dad at dinner on Saturday night. Until then, he had only called him "Ga-ga", so that was big. Then yesterday, he actually said his name!!! WOW!!! He had only spelled his name without actually naming himself, so I was so pleased! He is growing in vocabulary so fast! It's exciting. His ST says it's his speech delayment, which is what he ALSO has on top of his Apraxia! (I didn't know that) I love hearing him speak. It makes me smile.

I'm adjusting to the whole Apraxia thing. I was given a few handouts from Linda last week on it that really helped. It helped me learn some things and be able to understand more of it. Apraxia is only NOW being recognized as an actual real "disorder". (if that's the right word), so there isn't a lot of information out there. These papers, written by Penelope K. Hall, were talking about the aspects of it, understanding it, and how this is a lifetime thing, something Kai will have to learn to deal with. He may also have struggles with written word and spelling and reading, as well as math. :( (oh well, so did I!!!… well, aside from spelling and reading!)

What really got me was where it said how we'll have a team" to discuss and learn from. This team will be with him throughout his schooling. "Many children who exhibit DAS (developmental apraxia of speech) receive special academic support through their schools. In these cases, the school speech-language pathologist, along with the classroom teacher and other educational specialists, will become members of your child's educational planning team." ("Part III: Other Problems Often Associated With the Disorder" by Penelope K. Hall. The University of Iowa, Iowa City. April 2000 ~ I"m not likely citing the bibliography properly, but bear with me, it's been many many years since I've had to cite info and write papers! And this was a photocopy!) This paragraph really stood out for me and got me to think about this whole disorder. It actually makes me a bit sad. :( It's also made it more REAL to me. This suddenly appears to be more "special needs", and that's frightening. What kind of help are we looking at here for school? Are we talking about a regular learning assistance alongside him in class? Or him leaving the classroom for several hours a day for remedial help? *sigh* I know, I know. I'm looking way too far into the future with these worries. I do't mean to be, but I like to know what to expect.

Linda gave me a website for parents, family and therapists of apraxia, which I'll be looking into and getting to know other parents to talk with. I'm looking forwards to learning more. But more excited to watch Kai pass my own expectations and limitations!

WSC

On Beate's blog, she posted a Weekend Sketch Challenge (like every weekend) on Friday. I don't normally participate in these… mostly because I hadn't thought of it before! But this time she is offering a stamp set for the winner (chosen randomly)! I had started this one card, but hadn't decided on the front, so I thought I'd just use her simple sketch! And I LOVE the way it turned out!




I actually made this as a gift card holder….the bottom part, with the chocolate chip c/s is held with two brads, and you can tuck a gift inside it. I got the idea off of Kristina's blog! This is going to be a card for Brad for Pastor Appreciation Month (which is all of October…so if you haven't yet, make sure to let your pastor know how much you appreciate all the work he's done, all the praying, all the time, effort..and the family time he must sacrifice to do it.) **SHH! Don't tell him!!!!** It's going to have a Starbuck's gift card inside (you can see that the card lifts up at the green), since he is addicted to their coffee! :) (funny, our old pastor was addicted to Tim Horton's coffee!)

recipe: (all SU!)
Simply Sent "simple delights" stamps, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip c/s, Fall Flowers DS paper, Chocolate Chip ink, silver brads, slit punch

I'm an Auntie!!! (again)

My sister-in-law, Jenn, and her hubby, James, finally were blessed with their own little bundle! Little Amelia Rose was born October 9, 2007 weighing 7lbs 11oz, and was 20" in length. She is so amazing and beautiful! And such a gift from God, as they had been trying for 4 long and difficult years for her! What a God we have!





Isn't she so beautiful??? I am IN LOVE with her! She's so tiny and perfect and wonderful. She has these LONG fingers and feet too, which is so adorable to see.

Here is a picture of Baby Girl Mia having her first bath at the hospital. Look at all her hair!!!! SQUEAL!!!!!!



I've had people ask me several times if seeing Mia makes me want to have another baby, and I'm happy to admit that it doesn't! Now, don't get me wrong, I still desire to have another baby girl of my own, but having Mia here doesn't make me feel it's the Right Time. …one day…. maybe…. hopefully… :) I'm just happy to cuddle Mia and plant kisses on her soft skin for now.

Congratulations, Jenn & James. I am so happy beyond proper words that your dreams finally came true. I am so happy also that she is a happy baby and a quiet one, and not because you live below us (LOL) but b/c it's nice to have a baby that isn't too much trouble! Of course, I am also jealous, but mostly happy for you! *wink* She is precious, and I can't wait to spoil her and for her to get bigger so she can play with my kids! Abi has been waiting for another girl for a long time!!!

welcome Paisley

We got a puppy!!! I know, we must be crazy, but it was a sudden decision and I didn't really know what to say! Jono saw a sign for puppies for sale at this house we pass on our way home from church, so he went to check them out with his mom. I get a phone call from him, and his Exact words were: They are SOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!

OMGosh, is he a GIRL????? LMBO!!!! It's just that he NEVER reacted that way to any of our children!!!!! LMBO! (roll eyes)

So, the kids and I went over to the house with him for a peek. I KNEW we'd come home with a dog. Even though he said it was My final decision, I felt it was already figured out as soon as he said he was checking them out! ;) How am I to say No when he's obviously giddy?

There were 9 puppies to choose from (yes NINE!!! The mother actually had 10, but one died after birth, how sad. But TEN???? Good golly!!!!) but Jono had his eye on the runt of the litter. She was cute, seemed "calm" enough… the kids seemed fine with the idea….. It's funny, the only one who was the most excited was Jono! The rest of us weren't bothered either way, it seemed! LOL

So we went home with our new puppy! Her name is Paisley (I came up with that!) and she is 9 1/2 weeks old. Her mother is a Shepard/Ridgeback cross. We were told that her father was Brindal, which we had never heard of, until we were told later at the vet's that brindal is a COLOUR type! *blush* We did hear that the father is most likely the Mastif that lives two doors down, and I'd concur based on her face.

Welcome, Paisley!


She is such a great addition to our family. I'm happy we have her….even though she is a LOT of work and troublesome! LOL After she had been home for a few hours, Jono said to me that he felt that our family was "complete"! (whatever that means, hahaha) She really does fit in great, and already loves us all. She is attached to myself (I held her and comforted her in the car as we left her birth home), and Jono (she can likely sense that he 'knows' dogs and loves her), and Bryn (we think she thinks he's another puppy! LOL She's forever climbing all over him, licking his face, nibbling his ears, lol) **our cat, Nakita, is still getting used to her though. She hisses and growls at her! lol



This is my first time owning a dog, so this is a bit strange for me. Day 5 and I'm already sick of her pooping on everything!!!!! *grr* …we're working on the potty training, but seeing as I"m STILL working on my first son in that area, I don't have high hopes in my ability!!! :p

Isn't she a cutie? :)

name game

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Sugar Voyager …rock on!


2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Spamoni Chocolate Chip ….oooh, so 'gansta'!!!

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) LWOO ….I wonder how one would pronounce that?

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Yellow Cat….seems more silly than detective-y!

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Ada Stratford….not bad!

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Woolo ….hahaha, I love it!

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The" at the beginning) The Orange Iced Tea …wonder what I do!

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Piet Lesley

9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Jessica Chocolate

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) Alida Mark …has a good ring to it.

card contest

I'm being very brave and am going to enter a card contest! I came across this contest a while ago, and well, sure enough, the day snuck up on me and nearly passed! Eep! The deadline for entry is Tonight…in 1/2 hour to be exact! Good thing I sent mine in already! *smile*

The rules were to make an Original Christmas Card for Stampinsars, another SU! demonstrator in Abbotsford. I love seeing how other demonstrators work and they creations they come up with.

This is the card I came up with. I don't know how "Original" it is, I'm sure it's been done before, but hopefully she'll think it's Original in design! It's a three-column tag card that stands up on it's own. I made one similar with my sidelines in August, and then redesigned it for my Stamp Club. We made this last month, and it took forever!!!! The snowman is actually a shaker box filled with micro beads. FUN! My first time actually making one…and I had to show a group how to do it as well! (Or how NOT to, lol!)





(all items are SU! except for the ribbon on the top of the tags. They are unknown from the dollar store. The glitter is Stickles.)

I'll let you know the results of the contest. Sarah will post all the entries on her site too. I'm looking forwards to seeing all the ones she (and the judges) had to choose from! I'm sure it won't be easy!

so thankful

This past weekend was Thanksgiving in Canada, and in trying to keep my mind focused on Being Thankful, I made a list of all the things I can thank God for. (I couldn't sleep, so I got out of bed and made quite a list!) **in no particular order**

*Thankful for my children. They are amazing. I get absolutely giddy when I think of them and their personalities! I love them and want to squeeze them all day long! Sometimes I think, 'man, they can't get any better than this!' but I know it will. There will be more things to discover, more events to go through, and new things to learn. They excite me!

*Thankful for a van to be able to take the kids to school, to visit friends, get errands done, to offer carpooling… I love the freedom it gives me.

*Thankful for my family & friends who keep me sane, who love me despite my short-comings and foot-in-mouth syndrome; who care for me, who encourage me, and give me Joy.

*Thankful for my husband who loves me unconditionally. He amazes me and I am floored by him. He is so smart and kind and wonderful. He cares for me, loves me, encourages me, helps and supports me, and makes me laugh. I absolutely love him and am giddy at growing old with him. I hope I never lose my excitement & amazement for him. He is my Joy.

*thankful for my neighbours who care for me. We have been blessed with having Jenny & Steve next door. My friendship has grown this year with her and I am so pleased. We are alike in many ways, so our conversations have uplifted me, grounded me, brightened me, changed me, and made me feel "Normal".

*Thankful for my church. I love Jericho Ridge! I love Pastor Brad. And I love Meg, and I love everyone we meet! I feel At Home there. The kids love it and we've made friends. God is Good and we are so happy to be a part of a church who thrives to change and grow as a community. Love. Love. Love this place!!!

*Thankful for friends who call unexpectedly. I love being pleasantly surprised. It makes my day knowing that someone cares for me and is thinking and wants to connect with me.

*Thankful that I am still learning things about myself and being surprised. I love that!

*Thankful for Nathan, for being such a good "half brother". He holds a special part in my heart, having grown up with him. Having him become a good friend to Jono has been so wonderful; a little strange at first, as I never would've predicted it, but I am so grateful. He has been such a wonderful addition to Jonathan's life and I love seeing how it has effected him. It's good to see him be able to not only share his talents and interests with someone else, but to be able to build up in areas he's needed encouragement in. It's wonderful to see him have a positive male model—even if he sometimes deals in grey! (lol) I love that Jono has someone who he can spend time with.

*Thankful for the opportunity to join SU! I may be only breaking even, but I am able to support a (healthy) habit and have fun! I love SU! and stamping and have gained confidence and direction and a happiness.

*thankful for LCS and my parents for the chance that my children can attend there. LCS has been such an amazing experience and I am happy to be a part of the school. I am giddy that Abi is surrounded by godly things. I know I can't protect her, and am very aware that attending a Christian school doesn't stop you from being badly hurt, but I know that I can trust this school. The teachers are wonderful. I lvoe knowing that Abi will get a great education and learn how God fits into Everything in our lives, and I am so excited to watch her grow. I can't wait until the boys can go there too!

*Thankful for Teacher Michelle! She has been a great friend to me and make me laugh. I have loved her from the beginning when Abi was in preschool 3 years ago. (wow, that long ago?) I love that she's teaching Kai now. She is so understanding, caring, patient, fun, creative and I have learned so much from her.

*Thankful for our ST Linda (didn't think I'd ever say that!) for spending time with Kai, for showing an interest, for her suggestions, and for teaching me as well. She is bridging the gap between us and our communication barriers with Kai. I am grateful Kai is where he is; that we are able to get the therapy.

*Thankful for FB. Sounds silly, it's true, but I am SO HAPPY and Giddy to have reconnected with much of my family. I have waited YEARS for something like this! I LOVE LOVE LOVE everyone of my friends & love getting know family members I haven't seen in over 10 years. I am so happy and want to hug everyone right through the scren! Facebook was made for people like me. (so was some medication, though, too, LOL!)

*Thankful for MWP for all the girls who have supported, encouraged, loved, prayed, and cheered for/with me over the year. They mean so much to me and are very much a part of my extended family. I am grateful for their friendship. They've kept me sane as well!

*Thankful that despite the feeling like my body is failing me, I have a well-abled body to complain about. That I am able to see my children accomplish things. That I can hear the music that moves my body and connects me to God. That I can touch the soft skin of my babies and the roughness of my hardworking husband. That I can smell the food that I cook (or buy!) and can eat it. I am thankful for my freedoms and for the land I live in, the generation that I am a part of, and that I have the ability to be active. May my complacency break me.

*thankful that my heart is still able to recognize the MANY MANY Blessings God has given me even when I endure my very common "EHH!" days. Thankful that God doesn't NEED me to do a thing, but LOVES me enough to WANT me to. Thankful that He blesses me abundantly. Thankful that sometimes, in my mind, I can not JUST Fly, but I SOAR.

I asked the kids what they were thankful for, and these are their contributions:

*Thankful for my Mom & Dad because I love them. ~ Abi

*Thankful for Abi because she plays with me. ~Kai

<3

Awesome Video

I came across this YouTube video today that I just have to share with you. It is awesome and powerful and brings tears to my eyes. I can't help but feel encouraged and joyous watching it, even though I know how it will end. Jesus is our ultimate lover. He will go through anything to save us, reach us, bring us to His arms. Even die. I LOVE how the character Jesus stands in front of all the temptations that were shielding the girl, and takes the abuse. And how he triumphs over them.

Have a watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

here are the lyrics:

Everything
Artist: Lifehouse

Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.

You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose…you're everything.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Cause you're all I want, You're all I need
You're everything,everything
You're all I want your all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?



may you be blessed by this and may His love be made more real.

Happy WCMD!

Today is the First Annual World Card Making Day…and I didn't get to create much. *pout* Oh, but I did make 12 birth announcements for my SIL, who is having her baby in 3 days, so that counts. I've told her I'll make 50 and I've done 22, with 12 ready to put together and 16 to go… phew! I'll post a photo of them soon…once I get one taken! I read on Beate's blog on how she takes her amazing photos, so maybe mine will start to look more professional. Can't promise anything, but well, I've been surprising myself lately!

I was so excited about WCMD since I first heard of it through Stampin' Up! (one of the major supporters of the event) and was planning on hosting a stamp event at my house, and even wrote the date on the calendar so that my DH couldn't complain. But as the date grew nearer, I became less prepared (I really don't like things at the beginning of the month as moving from one to the next is not easy. I see one calendar month and only that month and forget to connect that the next months' things need to be prepared when the current one is drawing an end as to make a smooth transition to the next. *sigh* I never learn! lol) Then DH claimed the day we're having dinner at the ILs that day! It was obviously an American who came up with October 6th as WCMD, as no Canadian would chose such an event to fall on their Thanksgiving Weekend! (roll eyes) So in the end, I had to cancel my event. phooey. *pout* But maybe I'll be able to plan something else soon…

If you are interested in learning more about WCMD, check out the official site. Click under the header "create" for some cards you can CASE (copy and share everything) made by sponsors. Then stop over under "share" for cards that were uploaded by many talented cardmakers who participated in the event. Inspiring!

I LOVE this card for it's simple and beautiful design made by KJ0915



And just because I want to get one of Mine in….here is one I did for my Mom's birthday back in April using Petals & Paisley DS paper, Doodle This stamp set, Double Line Doodles stamp set, Vintage Violet c/s (retired) all from SU! Oh, and the magnets, I made those too!



Other news for the day is that I went to the clinic b/c I am so SICK of being dizzy!!! I've been dizzy every single day, feeling crappy, for over a week! I was so determined it was something drastic. Not too sure if that's b/c I hate to think of it being something simple or b/c I am paranoid or a hypochondriac or something, but c'mon, why shrug something off as a common cold when you can hypothesize on whether or not you need to go to the ER!!!! LOL *wink* I had seen my own doctor on Tuesday and she just shrugged off the dizziness (as well as my other plaguing symptoms) with a caution to not "stand up too fast!" (roll eyes) Suddenly last night it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, this was only a Simple Thing!!!! And I recalled having sore ears and a sore throat about 2 weeks ago….. h'mmm….. *blush* Sure enough, this new clinic doctor has told me I have an Inner Ear Infection! Yay!!!! :p She actually looked into my ears, nose and throat and got me to follow her pen light with my eyes, and MAN! that made me dizzy!!!! ugh! So I'm on gravol for that, and need to pick up some antibiotics for the infection. I am SO glad to have this figured out. I was really starting to wonder about me!!! Especially after my doctor told me that my thyroid came back as normal and regulated and my iron looks fine, and she even said my pee is normal (dang, I shouldn't have drank so much water and peed so often before my apt, I think I sqwered the results!!!! OF COURSE it looked normal! I was at the doctor's! Grr!!!!!) But yeah…. I'm rambling, aren't I? It's the infection talking. I'm sure of it! Why else would an exhausted sick girl climb OUT of bed to go on the internet??? LOL

Other GREAT news: My wee baby took some steps on his own today!!! He has learned to stand on his own in the past few weeks, but isn't confident all the time. He is desperate to be on the GO though, so he'll attempt some steps now! *GLEE!!!!!* Laying on the couch at MILs, I saw Bryn take 4 hesitant steps and I was watching him with large doe eyes, wondering if he was actually going to make it all the way to his Auntie Jenn!!!! She was wondering the same thing! We were watching him in excitment and silence encouragement. (we didn't want to say anything and break the moment!!!) But he plunked to the floor after his 4th step! How exciting! I'll have to make sure to have my camera ready tomorrow in case he tries a repeat!

WOW! It's midnight! Eep! Where did the time go? I must head back to bed. My ears are itchy and I'm getting dizzy and I hear that Bryn has woken up, looking for his bottle. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

oh yeah, he's a boy!

My sweet darling adventurous boy has changed. Oh, he's still sweet and darling, but his advernturous side has taken a strange turn. This week he has discovered….WORMS. Yeah, the creepy, slithery things that come out after a rainstorm to litter my sidewalk. UGH! Now, on a regular day I have nothing against this little things (are they considered insects???) but Kai has taken a sudden interest in them. He has come into the house several times this week, showing off his newest discovery!!! What makes this all so shocking is that this is the Same Boy who just a month ago, could not STAND to have his hands dirty and gross!!!! And now, here he is, digging in the muck in the yard and pulling out wiggly creatures!!! And worst of all, he wants to bring them inside!!!! Eep! I'm not too sure why and what he plans to do with them, but I am so terrified that he'll leave them in his room or his bed, or worse... mine! And I'll come across petrified worm casings. {{{shudder}}} So I've been trying to remind him gently that the worms need to stay inside, and in my garden (well, whatever you call those planter boxes with carcasses of withered plants) where they can help things grow. (although I know nothing will save those flowers…) So far he's listening….

*sigh* So I guess this is where it begins. Where my son starts to do more and more "BOY" things. Creepy things. Gross things. Annoying things. (*roll eyes* he already likes to show me his "wee-wee" as often as he can, with a wiggle and a giggle.) Oh wonderful! :p My heart goes out to Abi, who must endure TWO brothers!!!!!

surviving BTS

Well, it's been two weeks plus a day and Abi is settled into school, and Kai is back in preschool and my house is much quieter and more enjoyable! I don't think I'm getting any more done, lol, as I spend most of my time on FaceBook or catching up on sleep, but well, I'm sure that will come!

I can't believe that Abi is in Grade One! She is SO BIG!!! She even acts it! Tonight, she came into the kitchen (for the third time since she was sent to bed!) for some kleenex' for her snuffly nose. I mentioned how I was happy she had finally learned to blow her nose, as she had been claiming for years that she just "didn't know how to"! (roll eyes) She responded that now she's in Grade One and has learned so much, "even how to blow my nose!" Oh!! Wow! What a smart teacher she has! LOL *wink*

Kai is back with Teacher Michelle at the local preschool and I am so happy. As soon as I walked into the classroom and saw all the other children, I Just Knew that it was going to be a Good Year for him! I'm so happy! These kids are all just three, so he's a year older, but he is the same height and seems to be at the same level speaking. He fits in great, even Michelle noticed, which makes me happy. I don't know if he'll be ready for Kindergarten next year, but that doesn't need to be decided until Spring. As for now, he'll likely be going to Pre-K, which is just fine with me. **on a side note, he starts Speech Therapy again next week. He'll be seeing Linda weekly like we did in Summer. He's been growing and gaining in vocabulary so much over summer, so I am sure that he will just excell this year! …of course, not before we start getting the government suppliment cheques though! *wink* lol!

Abi's First day of Grade One: (she's so beautiful)



Kai's first day of preschool (I love his smile)

saved by grace

I was just about to publish my last post when Bryn intervened. He was this tendancy to crawl under my feet and play with the cords, which frightens me as well as annoys me! He loves to turn off the power bar when I'm in the middle of something VERRRY Important!!! (roll eyes) Maybe that's his way of saying that it's time for Mommy to get off the computer! *grumble*grumble* Now his latest thing is to pull out the plug for the internet! grr!

I was just finishing up my last statement, when I get the message that a "local connection has been disconnected". (roll eyes) BRYYYYN!!! Then the screen goes black! EEP! A moment later and it is restored. H'mm… Then I smell something burning!

I crawled under the table so fast, and there is Bryn sitting on the floor all happy and oblivious! Beside him is one of our chop sticks with a blackened tip!!!!! I guess when he was playing his favourite game of "wave-the-stick-around-and-see-what-we-can-whack", it connected with the electical socket, which I may add wasn't even completely exposed!!! So now our chop stick doesn't match it's partner! Of course, they are wooden, but the end has an aluminum tip for decoration. One now has a burn mark and two small holes in it!!! Gleeps!

Now, I don't know much about electricity and power and what can and can not happen, but it sure is a scary thought! I can't help but immediately thank my God for protecting my baby from harm and saving our house from a possible fire. He is Good! We are saved by grace in more ways than one.

class list

Yesterday I got to pack up the kids in the rain and drive over in rush hour to Abi's school just to get her class listing. What fun! I only had to slam my breaks once, screeching my tires! But it was all worth it because the two boys slept! :) But next time, I'll just check online. (roll eyes) After all my hard work (and believe me, it was hard work!), I come home and my dear husband informs me who Abi's teacher is!!!!!! >:( I wasn't impressed! (he checked online, which I didn't know you could do! grr!)

Abi is in grade 1J, with Mrs. Jobs as her teacher. Rumour is that she's a good one too, so that's nice to know. The only sad part is that she isn't in a class with her friends!!! I was so upset about that! Not only did we find out a few weeks ago that her best friend, Megan, is being transferred to a new school, but now her other best friend, Katie, is in another class! Now, there are two other girls from her kindergarten class with her (Tia and Robin) and she played with them and likes them (I'm proud of my girl, she's a friend to everyone) but still…. *sigh* I felt like crying on the drive home!

It's funny how *I'm* more sensitive to this than Abi is!!! She didn't even notice who wasn't in her class…but I also did my best to point out the positives. I KNOW that she will have a wonderful year and that she will make new friends, I was just a bit sad for her. You always want the Best for your child, and you certainly want to sheild them from the pains you had, so my Mothering Bear Claws were sharpening!

Just two 1/2 more days until school begins!!! I'm so excited! Not because I want to have my children gone (although that's nice too, lol) but because I just love the back-to-school newness. New teachers. New classroom. New friends. New books. New clothes…. It's a love and joy my Mom passed on to me and I'm sure to pass on to my children. (or Abi at least!)

Have a wonderful Labour Day weekend!

gonna lose it!

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!


OMGosh, I am going CRAZY! Kai is driving me to the deep end. I just don't know what to do with him. He REFUSES to listen to me, and he doesn't behave. He is CONSTANTLY doing something else….


So far he has shoved Bryn, has dumped out all the markers/pencil crayons, pushed over my planter box, poked his fork into my window screen (his USED fork…he was sitting outside eating lunch), sctached Bryn, taken Abi's things, cut up some of my cardstock, painted the chair (good thing it's just acrylic paint and washable)………..I have yelled at him, conjoled him, spanked him, put him in for two Time Outs and now I'm just giving up. This ALWAYS happens.


I have asked him to clean up his mess…he didn't…. I have asked him to take off his shoes …. he hasn't….. Right now, he is in a poopy pull up (and it's obviously stinky) and yet he will NOT change. Not only will he not acknowledge it, but he won't even help me out. He wants me to do it all….take off his shoes, his pants, clean him, get him dressed again. But I figure he is 3 1/2 so I shouldn't have to do all that. So I told him to at least take off his shoes…of course, he hasn't. ….


When I went down to switch over the laundry, Abi came crying to me that Kai had bit (biten (yes BITTEN) Abi "for no reason"…so I sent him to his room….. Bryn was playing in there, so of course, I hear some screeching from him and then he comes crawling out and he's covered in marker on his back!!!!!


I am SERIOUSLY going to lose it today with him. I have had to stop myself from hitting him several times. I just do not know what to do for him. How do I get him to listen? to obey? to be respectful? to show kindness and love to his siblings?


I seriously need help.

***************************

It has been several hours since I first wrote that, and now I am here to finish this after a nice bath. I love long hot baths; they're relaxing. I love reading in the bathtub too (usually scrapbooking magazines for ideas) and find that I get out all rejuvinated and full of ideas.

An hour or so after I had typed the above part, I had put Kai into yet ANOTHER Time Out. And again he had come out on his own, not caring, not noticing, without any worry. And yet again I was too defeated to do anything about it. Kai does this EVERY day, this is not something that happens occassionally. However, Kai is also my Sweet Monkey, and I love him dearly. He causes Great Consternation for me, but it all gets wiped away in an instant when he acts sweet…or when I have a nap, lol! I would never never never want my Boy to go away or to cause harm on him. But he sure does test me. *sigh* And I keep losing, don't I?

When Jonathan came home, he had a talk with Kai, but it didn't seem to change anything. Within 10 minutes, Kai was in trouble again. He got angry about something a friend did, I can't even remember what it was, but Kai picked up one of my cooling racks for baking (which he had pulled out of the kitchen and dragged around the living room for no reason) and threw it!!! I was shocked! Jonathan had enough! He took a hold of Kai, gave his bare bum a quick smack (since he had pulled off his pullup and refused to put on another) and sent him to his room! ARRRGH!!!! What was WRONG with this boy today???? Kai cried and whined about being punished, but we were two tired parents and just could not deal with him any longer. Actually, I remember thinking a thought when I was SOOO angry with him. I remember thinking, "I can understand why some parents beat…" and then I stopped. I can UNDERSTAND??? AM I SERIOUS??? I couldn't even finish my own sentance b/c I suddenly realized just what I was saying, and it horrified me. I can't understand why parents beat their children! I can't sympathize with those who lose control and can't handle their temper! What am I saying??? And then I felt God speak to me….. 'that's what you're doing. You're losing control. You're not keeping your temper in check.' And it was a strange feeling. Convicted.

Jonathan and I were talking over dinner (by then, Abi had run over to the neighbours to play and Kai had fallen asleep during his Time Out, and Bryn was eating himself to sleep in his highchair!) and we were saying how Kai's anger and frustration is a problem and we didn't know how to deal with it. But then we both recognized how WE ourselves struggle with the same things. I am certainly NOT patient! And I don't handle my temper very well when I've "had enough!" Jonathan is the same way. No wonder our children have tantrums—-they've likely seen US have them!!!!!

So I'm in the bathtub tonight reading a book called "A Love Worth Giving" by Max Lucado. I've never read his books, but I know that he's a great writer. (I have read his children's stories though to my kids!) I actually bought this book when it came out through Crossings Book Club, thinking that it may make a good gift for someone! Well, I found it on my dusty bookshelf and decided to read it this week. Guess what I read about tonight? … I'm sure you must have a clue: Anger!!! (think God is still trying to tell me something???)

In this chapter ("the headwaters of anger" chapter 8), Max Lucado was saying how anger and rejection go hand in hand, how when we feel rejected, we start to feel angry, and that is the first step to a fire. His first example was of Cain and Abel. The brothers in Genesis. One a farmer, one a hunter, both at their alters offering to God. But Cain was rejected by God b/c he was disobedient in his offering, so he became angry, which is why he killed Abel. As I was reading this (and the other good examples) I was wondering how this connected with me, and it struck me how *I* felt rejected by Kai when he didn't respond to me, when he was disobedient, when he was outright naughty. That's why I was so angry…..not that I didn't have a reason to be. Not that I should've just thought, "oh well, there he goes again! I'm not going to let it bother me!" But I recognize how MY response wasn't correct. My anger was not only lashed out on Kai, but also on Abi, and she was such a wonderful girl today. She was well-behaved and polite (mostly…when she wasn't egging on Kai, lol) and I was short with her and frustrated and impolite in my response to her, and that's just as tragic.

Max Lucado goes on to add the kickers…."If rejection causes anger, wouldn't acceptance cure it?" I had to read that one a couple of times. H'mm… Acceptance? What exactly does that mean? When we accept Christ and His gift, we not only become different, but we are accepted and viewed differently too. "When God looks at you, he doesn't see you; he sees Jesus.."

"He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

The other kicker? "You can not keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you."

So what is the point of this added part? The reason I got out of the tub and had to get onto the computer at 11:30pm? To be honest, I'm not too sure. I just know that God is speaking to me on my attitude. I have an anger issue. And a selfish one. And a patience one. I have a LOT of issues. Today was a rough day for me. My Boy misbehaved a lot and it was tough, but through it I have been able to really look at myself. I need to curb my own issues as well as tackle my son's. *sigh* It's hard being put in your place, but sometimes it's so necessary.

hilarious eBay auction

There is this eBay auction that has been getting some HUGE attention lately that I felt I should share too. It is well written. As a mother of 3, I can understand what she's talking about….but not to the grande scale she's at! Enjoy:


I'm selling a bunch of Pokemon cards. Why? Because my kids sneaked them into my shopping cart while at the grocery store and I ended up buying them because I didn't notice they were there until we got home. How could I have possibly not noticed they were in my cart, you ask? Let me explain.

You haven’t lived until you’ve gone grocery shopping with six kids in tow. I would rather swim, covered in bait, through the English Channel, be a contestant on Fear Factor when they’re having pig brains for lunch, or do fourth grade math than to take my six kids to the grocery store. Because I absolutely detest grocery shopping, I tend to put it off as long as possible. There comes a time, however, when you’re peering into your fridge and thinking, ‘Hmmm, what can I make with ketchup, Italian dressing, and half an onion,’ that you decide you cannot avoid going to the grocery store any longer. Before beginning this most treacherous mission, I gather all the kids together and give them “The Lecture“.

“The Lecture“ goes like this…

MOM: “We have to go to the grocery store.”

KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine.“

MOM: “Hey, I don’t want to go either, but it’s either that or we’re eating cream of onion-ketchup soup and drinking Italian dressing for dinner tonight.”

KIDS: “Whine whine whine whine whine.“

MOM: “Now here are the rules: do not ask me for anything, do not poke the packages of meat in the butcher section, do not test the laws of physics and try to take out the bottom can in the pyramid shaped display, do not play baseball with oranges in the produce section, and most importantly, do not try to leave your brother at the store. Again.”

OK, the kids have been briefed. Time to go.

Once at the store, we grab not one, but two shopping carts. I wear the baby in a sling and the two little children sit in the carts while I push one cart and my oldest son pushes the other one. My oldest daughter is not allowed to push a cart. Ever. Why? Because the last time I let her push the cart, she smashed into my ankles so many times, my feet had to be amputated by the end of our shopping trip. This is not a good thing. You try running after a toddler with no feet sometime.

At this point, a woman looks at our two carts and asks me, “Are they all yours?” I answer good naturedly, “Yep!

“Oh my, you have your hands full.”

“Yes, I do, but it‘s fun!” I say smiling. I’ve heard all this before. In fact, I hear it every time I go anywhere with my brood.

We begin in the produce section where all these wonderfully, artistically arranged pyramids of fruit stand. There is something so irresistibly appealing about the apple on the bottom of the pile, that a child cannot help but try to touch it. Much like a bug to a zapper, the child is drawn to this piece of fruit. I turn around to the sounds of apples cascading down the display and onto the floor. Like Indiana Jones, there stands my son holding the all-consuming treasure that he just HAD to get and gazing at me with this dumbfounded look as if to say, “Did you see that??? Wow! I never thought that would happen!”

I give the offending child an exasperated sigh and say, “Didn’t I tell you, before we left, that I didn’t want you taking stuff from the bottom of the pile???”

“No. You said that you didn’t want us to take a can from the bottom of the pile. You didn’t say anything about apples.”

With superhuman effort, I resist the urge to send my child to the moon and instead focus on the positive - my child actually listened to me and remembered what I said!!! I make a mental note to be a little more specific the next time I give the kids The Grocery Store Lecture.

A little old man looks at all of us and says, “Are all of those your kids?”

Thinking about the apple incident, I reply, “Nope. They just started following me. I’ve never seen them before in my life.”

OK, now onto the bakery section where everything smells so good, I’m tempted to fill my cart with cookies and call it a day. Being on a perpetual diet, I try to hurry past the assortment of pies, cakes, breads, and pastries that have my children drooling. At this point the chorus of “Can we gets” begins.

“Can we get donuts?”

“No.”

“Can we get cupcakes?”

“No.”

“Can we get muffins?”

“No.”

“Can we get pie?”

“No.”

You’d think they’d catch on by this point, but no, they’re just getting started.

In the bakery, they’re giving away free samples of coffee cake and of course, my kids all take one. The toddler decides he doesn’t like it and proceeds to spit it out in my hand. (That’s what moms do. We put our hands in front of our children’s mouths so they can spit stuff into them. We’d rather carry around a handful of chewed up coffee cake, than to have the child spit it out onto the floor. I’m not sure why this is, but ask any mom and she’ll tell you the same.) Of course, there’s no garbage can around, so I continue shopping one-handed while searching for someplace to dispose of the regurgitated mess in my hand.

In the meat department, a mother with one small baby asks me, “Wow! Are all six yours?”

I answer her, “Yes, but I’m thinking of selling a couple of them.”

(Still searching for a garbage can at this point.)

Ok, after the meat department, my kids’ attention spans are spent. They’re done shopping at this point, but we aren’t even halfway through the store. This is about the time they like to start having shopping cart races. And who may I thank for teaching them this fun pastime? My seventh “child”, also known as my husband. While I’m picking out loaves of bread, the kids are running down the aisle behind the carts in an effort to get us kicked out of the store. I put to stop to that just as my son is about to crash head on into a giant cardboard cut-out of a Keebler elf stacked with packages of cookies.

Ah! Yes! I find a small trash can by the coffee machine in the cereal aisle and finally dump out the squishy contents of my hand. After standing in the cereal aisle for an hour and a half while the kids perused the various cereals, comparing the marshmallow and cheap, plastic toy content of each box, I broke down and let them each pick out a box. At any given time, we have twenty open boxes of cereal in my house.

As this is going on, my toddler is playing Houdini and maneuvering his little body out of the seat belt in an attempt to stand up in the cart. I’m amazed the kid made it to his second birthday without suffering a brain damaging head injury. In between trying to flip himself out of the cart, he sucks on the metal bars of the shopping cart. Mmmm, can you say “influenza”?

The shopping trip continues much like this. I break up fights between the kids now and then and stoop down to pick up items that the toddler has flung out of the cart. I desperately try to get everything on my list without adding too many other goodies to the carts.

Somehow I manage to complete my shopping in under four hours and head for the check-outs where my kids start in on a chorus of, “Can we have candy?” What evil minded person decided it would be a good idea to put a display of candy in the check-out lanes, right at a child’s eye level? Obviously someone who has never been shopping with children.

As I unload the carts, I notice many extra items that my kids have sneaked in the carts unbeknownst to me. I remove a box of Twinkies, a package of cupcakes, a bag of candy, and a can of cat food (we don’t even have a cat!). I somehow missed the box of Pokemon cards however and ended up purchasing them unbeknownst to me. As I pay for my purchases, the clerk looks at me, indicates my kids, and asks, “Are they all yours?”

Frustrated, exhausted from my trip, sick to my stomach from writing out a check for $289.53, dreading unloading all the groceries and putting them away and tired of hearing that question, I look at the clerk and answer her in my most sarcastic voice, “No. They’re not mine. I just go around the neighborhood gathering up kids to take to the grocery store because it’s so much more fun that way.”

So, up for auction is an opened (they ripped open the box on the way home from the store) package of Pokemon cards. There are 44 cards total. They're in perfect condition, as I took them away from the kiddos as soon as we got home from the store. Many of them say "Energy". I tried carrying them around with me, but they didn't work. I definitely didn't have any more energy than usual. One of them is shiny. There are a few creature-like things on many of them. One is called Pupitar. Hee hee hee Pupitar! (Oh no! My kids' sense of humor is rubbing off on me!) Anyway, I don't there's anything special about any of these cards, but I'm very much not an authority on Pokemon cards. I just know that I'm not letting my kids keep these as a reward for their sneakiness.

Shipping is FREE on this item. Insurance is optional, but once I drop the package at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility. For example, if my son decides to pour a bottle of glue into the envelope, or my daughter spills a glass of juice on the package, that’s my responsibility and I will fully refund your money. If, however, I take the envelope to the post office and a disgruntled mail carrier sets fire to it, a pack of wild dogs rip into it, or a mail sorting machine shreds it, it’s out of my hands, so you may want to add insurance. I will leave feedback for you as soon as I’ve received your payment. I will be happy to combine shipping on multiple items won within three days. This comes from a smoke-free, pet-free, child-filled home. Please ask me any questions before placing your bid. Happy bidding!

She ended up getting $142.51 USD for them!!!! LMBO!!! She also has a blog! www.mom2my6pack.blogspot.com

my new favourite

So there's this reality show on tv and I guess it's going to start it's third season that my cousin has inadvertently introduced me to. "So you think you can dance". I've heard of it, but I don't watch much tv, much less any reality tv, it's just not my "thing". How wrong I am!!!! Has anyone else watched this show? Oh My Gosh!!! I spent all day yesterday on You Tube checking out all the dance routines these young dancers did and I am a new "best fan" of the show! …now just to find out when it's on!

My cousin posted two You Tube clips on her FaceBook profile of her fave dances and I must agree with her! This one dance is the Contemporary routine between Lacey & Kameron (from season 3), and OMGoodness! Beautiful!!! (If I could dance–and my heart is still there– I would love to do contemporary. It's so expressive and artistic and free.) The dance has my "new favourite" song on it, or a part of it, that is.

Dancing ~ Elisa
Time is gonna take my mind
and carry it far away where I can fly
The depth of life will dim my temptation to live for you
If I were to be alone silence would rock my tears
'cause it's all about love and I know better
How life is a waving feather

So I put my arms around you around you
And I know that I'll be leaving soon

My eyes are on you they're on you
And you see that I can't stop shaking
No, I won't step back but I'll look down to hide from your eyes
'cause what I feel is so sweet and I'm scared that even my own breath
Oh could burst it if it were a bubble
And I'd better dream if I have to struggle

So I put my arms around you around you
And I hope that I will do no wrong
My eyes are on you they're on you
And I hope that you won't hurt me

I'm dancing in the room as if I was in the woods with you
No need for anything but music
Music's the reason why I know time still exists
Time still exists
Time still exists
Time still exists

So I put my arms around you around you
And I hope that I will do no wrong
My eyes are on you they're on you
And I hope that you won't hurt me
So I put my arms around you around you
And I hope that I will do no wrong
My eyes are on you they're on you
And I hope that you won't hurt me


Lacey/Kameron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxx6auZixKk

Elisa live at the Vatican
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi6_41G63ck