Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Dogs and birthdays

We went over to Mark, my bro in law's place the other night as it was his birthday. I won't say how old 'cause it is just plain OLD!!! hahaha
So anyway, I finally took out the camera after all the birthday festivities were over, just because I had forgotten that I brought it before that. So here are some pics of dogs and stuff.
Cheech and his sister. So cute but after their visit, Jen renamed Cheech, Sir Humps-a-lot! What a dog!
Tia, the sister of the most cool dog in the world.
This is Oliver, he is kinda like the big brother who suffered much abuse by the hands of the other little dogs. He was so good about it. But was not impressed by Sir Humps-a-lot's tactics! Hahaha
Annabelle on the trampoline. Lov'in every minute of it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!!!


Thursday, July 26, 2007

Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man




I just finished a fascinating book, "The True History of the Elephant Man", by Michael Howell & Peter Ford. If you're feeling sorry for yourself, which I think everyone does from time to time, perhaps it would be good to reflect on Joseph Merrick. Usually called John Merrick, from a mistake made by Sir Frederick Treves, Joseph likely suffered from neurofibromatosis type I and Proteus syndrome not elephantiasis. Here are some parts of the book which really touched my heart and I hope yours too.

A favorite of Joseph's
"False Greatness", by IsaacWatts

Tis true my form is something odd,
But blaming me is blaming God;
Could I create myself anew
I would not fail in pleasing you.

If I could reach from pole to pole
Or grasp the ocean with a span,
I would be measured by the soul;
The mind's the standard of the man.

At last, Treves said, he asked a friend, "a young and pretty widow, if she thought she could enter Merrick's room with a smile, wish him good morning and shake him by the hand." It was essential that she should betray no trace of revulsion or embarrassment. The young widow whom Treves approached was Mrs. Leila Maturin, whose husband, Dr. Leslie Maturin, had died in 1883 within only two months of their marriage. She listened to Treve's proposal and his description of the Elephant Man, and without hesitation accepted the role in which he was casting her: an introduction of beauty to the beast, if with strict limits on the hopes of a transformation.
Treves accompanied Leila Maturin as she was taken to the little basement room to meet Joseph. She entered his room with an easy grace, smiling as she approached him, reaching out and taking his hand as Treves presented him to her.
It was all too much, Jospeh could not speak. Slowly he released her hand and slowly he bend his great head forward to his knees as he broke into heart-rending sobs and wept uncontrollably. The meeting ended as quickly as it had begun.
Afterwards Joseph confided to a rather shaken Treves that this was the first time any strange woman had smiled at him, let alone taken his hand in greeting. The event itself was, however, a landmark, ushering in a wholly new phase in the life of the Elephant Man.


As a specimen of humanity, Merrick was ignoble and repulsive; but the spirit of Merrick, if it could be seen in the form of the living, would assume the figure of an upstanding and heroic man, smooth browed and clean of limb, and with eyes that flashed undaunted courage.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Bad hair day!!!

Annabelle has some difficult hair. Cowlicks, crowns, and curls that are out of control. The other day she woke up and had a lovely dreadlock in her hair on one side. I started brushing it out from bottom to top. She has very fine hair, just beautiful and soft, but not very strong when ripping out knots so, consiquently her hair just ripped out. Not from the root of course but a patch that looks like we took the buzzer to her head. Also many chunks that were a long bang length and this has made it impossible to make her hair look pretty anymore. She looks ragged all the time. Look at that pile of hair. I was pretty concerned as it was coming out but we had to geet this chunk of matted hair out or it would have looked even worse.
So today, her and I went out and I checked at Hairwaves to see if they had an opening for an appointment. No prob getting in and so this is the new hair cut. It will still look funny growing out the really short parts (about a 1inch diameter circle on her head) but at least she can look like I take care of her again! I think it is cute. She loves it!

Alive!

I always wanted to be free
‘Til I was bound and then
I always wanted my own way
‘Til I saw that I find my life when
I lose it

You make me come alive
You make me come alive
I found the secret
It’s only when I let go of what I want in this life
You make me come alive

I used to think that me, myself and I were all that mattered
But You’ve shown me all this world can give
Cannot compare to the joy that comes from
Giving away
And as I follow after You
Now I need to
Leave my past, myself behind
This I will do

I always wanted to be free
‘Til I was bound and then
I always wanted my own way
‘Til I saw You‘Til I saw You


Written by Rebecca St. James and Matt Bronleewe

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Biking fun, a great night out!

Although many kids are very great bike riders by 4 and 5 years old, I have not allowed my kids much practise time in the past. The main reason is that, having them so close together it was very hard to get out with them because each one would need help in their own ways. So, tonight I thought, hey, we have not even been out on the bikes this year so, as Adam was home and we declined our camping trip due to some dark clouds in the sky, we decided to take the kids out. It started slow. Joshua is great this year and I would say, is almost ready to have his training wheels taken off. He loves it! He was especailly excited when I told him that he will be able to ride his bike to school this year and that I will get him a back pack that is big enough to keep his helmet and gear in and buy him a lock. Boy did that ever spur a smile. Annabelle is good, too but forgets to look up and then runs into things often. She fell off a couple times though and it didn't even scare her. She is well on her way to being a great little biker. Joel only has his trike and gets a little frustrated because it is difficult to pick up speed. Once he gets going he is good though.
What a nice night out. I love to see the kids experiencing new things and loving them. Now it will get less and less nerve racking taking them out for rides.
Daddy helping his little lady learn the ropes
Joshua just motoring around
Joel getting help from Daddy. We went to a big parking lot to let them practice in safety
Proud as can be!
Joel going for it!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Happy 4th Birthday Annabelle!!!


Just what I've always wanted, thanks. (Before Annabelle's gives stylish haircut)

Family came over later, you rock dudes!!!

Added bonus of honoring your sister's birthday, sweets.

MMM Cupcakes!!! Cheers!!!

Annabelle had a few wonderful friends over for her party.

Pin the nose on the clown and coin drop. Party classics!!!

My beautiful baby girl turned 4!!!!!! Boy do I feel old.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

As you can see, it has been a while since our last update. Not because we don't want to but simply because we are so stinking busy, in a great way though! So, updates and pics to come when I am not quite so tired!

Jenny, thanks so much for the gift for Belle, she absolutely loved it andkept mentioning that Gavin had got it for her. Cute! And, we did go to Red Sand and camped but by the time we left I forgot to phone. Sorry. I had told someone else that we would call them too and I forgot. Had a great time though and wished when we were out there that I had a cell phone. Oh well. And we caught a Spring on the copper tonight but I was not practised at using the net and we lost it. It sucked but it was a beautiful fish so we will be out again soon. God bless!

And everyone, keep checking in as you never know when I will add 10 posts all at once to make up for lost time!

Night night