Blessed Family: January 2008

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Matthew 22:37 - “Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your MIND.”

I love that as Christians we don't need to leave our brains at the door, like other religions. Isn't it great to follow a God that encourages searching for truth. Here are some awesome posts about archaelogical evidences.

www.geocities.com/christiantopics/S16--TheSiloamStoneInscription.doc

Monday, January 21, 2008

Rocks

My friend Sharon has inquired about the rocks. Now I did mean to give an explaination but had forgotten until just today when reminded. Okay, the thing is that my brother in law, who we have hardly got the privaledge of seeing this trip, is in town. We were thinking he would stay here a few nights and then thought that it may be rude to have the tumbler going when he is here as it is pretty loud. I cleaned the rocks and just left them for a few more days before we start the 3rd stage in pollishing. I am praying that this does not ruin them. My brother in law only stayed one night so far so we really could have just left them in and went on with the steps. Anyway, I will update on them as soon as we go to the next step. They are looking lovely!

Thinking back in the land of blog

My friend Jenny is having a 3 year anniversary of blog soon and I was thinking about how long we have been blogging. Understanding that Jenny and I would have maybe never met if it were not for the blogs, it is interesting to see the beginning and why it was all started. We actually started to communicate more readily with Adam's brother Andrew. I was wondering how long Adam and I have been blogging. Turns out Jenny is a little older than us, but not by much. We started on May 20, 2005! So, I looked through and it was so nice to be able to see life all written out like that. How cool the blog world can be.

Congrats on 3 years Jenny, so glad you started. Can't imagine if we had never met. You bring me a smile often and I know I can trust you and that you are always there for me, good or bad. You ROCK!!!

Friday, January 18, 2008

So in Love!!!

What is true love and how do you know when you have found it?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.—I Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

This verse describes the characteristics of true love. These qualities can certainly be found in the person of Jesus Christ, and they can be found in all truly loving relationships. The problem with trying to "find" love in our dating lives, is that too often we don't look for these characteristics. Rather we look at physical appearance, popularity, or wealth. These are not the qualities that God looks at and neither should we.

But the LORD said to Samuel, '...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.—I Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

Love is best seen as devotion and action, not an emotion. Love is not exclusively based on how we feel. Certainly our emotions are involved, but they cannot be our only criteria for love. True devotion will always lead to action - true love.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and in truth. I John 3:18 (NIV)
Christ was devoted to us enough to give his own life for us (Romans 5:8), even when he didn't feel like it (Matthew 26:39).

Monday, January 14, 2008

I've been enjoying Christian history lately. The story of John Newton, who influenced William Wilberforce, is one of my favorites. He was so bad during his slave trading days he was known at "The Great Blasphemer". Before his death at 82, his memory failing him he told his friends, " My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things; That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour."

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Beauty for my day!

On this day of sickness and frustration I needed a moment of beauty. This was a year or two ago. How wonderful my beauties are!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Hmmm...

Seems a bit overwhelming but, yes, it is strep throat!

Lego creations... Christmas and birthday gifts!

Spider man robot thingy. It is awesome and shoots disks too. Pretty neat!

My spider man loving boy

The castle/ medieval thing. Really neat and you can actually catapult the boulder and stuff. Only thing we weren't too fond of was that there are some of the guys that are skeletons, but the rest is great!

Joshua and daddy working on the fire truck

Joshua was really proud of this one!

The back of the ambulance with a gurney and everything!

Joshua set up this for the picture

Cute!

The helicopter, very awesome!

Well, that is it, we have had a great time with these!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Don't read if you're queezy from stitches!!!

OKay, so here are a couple pics. I know my sisters will be interested in seeing the damage. I think it looks pretty good. The stitches are quite nice. I am hopng it heals really nice. Joel looks distressed but it is a little funny, he cried like a maniac, why? Because the bandaid pulled his hair. After all the toughness with the doc all mommy had to do is pull a couple hairs and the tears were flying! Oh well, he was a little scared there was going to be more pain.

Joel was so excited to get his new bandaid on. And he thought it was pretty cool when he looked in the mirror.

Yikes!

And the new and improved boy...

So, we installed the baby gate at the top of the stairs, no not directly at the top, that would be even more dangerous! But we have a spot where the wall to the top of the stair could be safely gatedacross to the bathroom wall so, it is up. Then yesterday, for no real reason, Joel fell down the stairs again but this time was safe and sound when he hit the bottom.
I really thought about it, if he didn't hurt his head the other time, we would have installed the gate at the bottom as we had origionally wanted and then he would have hit the gate while rolling down the stairs. Who knows how much worse it could have been. I am so thankful that my mom came up with the idea of putting the gate at the top and that we had it up there instead of the bottom. So, on to get Joshua and deal with the leaking ceiling we have, more to come on that!

To much blogging?!

So, Adam tells me no one is going to want to read our blog because I blog too much and the comments we will start getting will be "OKay okay, enough posting already!" and "Can you please post less, I can't keep up!" Hmm, I let it bug me for a minute or so and then I thought, well, I am not posting for any reason except that I have stuff to post and I am feeling good about life so, if people don't want to read, they don't have to. For those of yu who like to read it, I will probably carry on posting! Have a great day!

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Joshua

Well, it really is awfully hard to believe that this little guy, I had the privilege of carrying inside of me, and giving birth to this very day, 6 years ago. What a blessing it has been to see him grow from this cute little guy...

To my little goof ball...

To my artist...

And my baby bumblebee...

Into this, oh so handsome little man. I look forward to every year to come. They just keep getting better and better!

THAT'S MY KING!!!

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Watch this! It is beautiful!

My mom told me and Adam about this song and video the other day and I watched it and it is so beautiful I cried. Thought that I would share. Have a great night!

A view of the finished product

No gross and gory ones. Here is a handsome little dude all bandaged up after the mishap below. He has been great. No problem and sleeping well. Thank God.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Stairs, Gates and Stitches

Hello all!

Today has been a day and a half! Let me start with yesterday. A lovely day, no real stressful points except that the kids were pretty crabby so I packed them up and went to do some errands. One errand that I wanted to do was get a baby gate. Some may think, a baby gate now? There are no more babies. True true. But there is a dog. For the life of me I can't figure out how to fully house break him. Now, this is all fine and dandy if you live in a house with lino or laminate but a house with wall to wall carpet, a little tougher situation. So, my mom has a little machine called a Little Green. It is a handy little thing for usually cleaning small areas on rugs or furniture but because of the situation and wanting the carpet to be really clean I decided that scrubbing on my hands and knees would ensure the job was done right. So, needless to say, this has been a lot of work. But finally I have the kids rooms done and the hallway done. So, I decided that after all that, I don't want the dog up there anymore as under beds seems like the perfect bathroom spot. Hence the baby gate. I brought the gate home and Adam and I agreed that after a long day we would just lean it against the wall and install it tomorrow. It is a wood gate that you attach to the wall so that it swings open and closed.

Okay, so today I was leisurely chatting on the phone with my friend Jenny. Ahhh, so nice! We were catching up on our Christmas info and such. Joel came down the stairs, bouncing down on his bum, in a box. Okay, so I said to him, "Joel, that is dangerous, don't do it anymore!" And went on chatting as he took the box back up stairs. Next thing I see it Joel coming head over heels with the box tumbling after. The conversation ended something like this, "Jenny, I've got to go right now!!!" click. I ran to Joel who had hit his head on the leaning gate, right on the metal hinge. Blood was dripping off his head by now and I ran him into the kitchen. I got a damp cloth and blotted the blood away. As I puled the cloth away, I realized that this was much worse than I thought. It was really deep and I started shaking really bad. I must have gone into shock, although Joel didn't. I grabbed a cold pack from my freezer and put it on the wet cloth and got Joshua to grab the phone. Adam had the van so I called my mom to come. She came in a flash and I was off to the hospital.

So glad I went as Joel was in need of 5 stitches. No pictures as it is bandaged now and there was a little too much going on. So, the doc came and I could not believe how brave Joel was when they put in the freezing. He never screamed one and sucked back as much tears as he could. I held his hands and a nurse held his head and they put in a couple or so needles. So stressful. Afterward I just lay my head on his little tummy and cried. I couldn't help thinking about all these things...

-if only I didn't wash the carpet then the box wouldn't have been out there on the floor.
-if only I didn't want this dog, the carpets wouldn't have needed cleaned.
-if only I hadn't bought that gate yesterday, he would have been fine.
-if only if only if only. And then the Lord said...
-remember it could have been much worse a child falling down the stairs and
-I kept him safe

Right Lord, You are always keeping us safe. Thank You!

So, when the doc came back to do the stitches I confirmed with him that Joel wouldn't feel a thing of pain because of the freezing and he assured me so I told Joel all about it and that it wouldn't hurt. But as the doctor started the third stitch of 5 it was obvious that Joel was feeling something. He started to cry. Again he was trying to suck it back but it was obvious that there was pain. The doctor said that he had probably pulled a hair or something and went on to the fourth. Then Joel couldn't hold it back. He was really tense and squeezing my hands really tight. And the tears were coming down his face. He was quietly crying and the doctor realized that this one he was feeling. He apologized but there was really no point in putting in more freezing at this point so I told him not to worry about it, just to finish. I told Joel it was the last one and just to be brave and then he could have a Popsicle. He was awesome. Cried but recovered well, and quickly. I was so proud of him. He got his Popsicle and then I stood up to get our stuff and was suddenly really weak. So I told the nurse I didn't feel too well. "Time for Mommy to lay down" and I did. Just a few minutes and an apple juice and muffin later and we were ready to go. We went to the vending machine where Joel wanted peanuts and we left. Of course before going he thanked the doctor who looked a little surprised after all the pain but Joel was back to his old self... 5 stitched, 2 butterfly stitches, and a cool Spider man bandage later! Pictures when it has healed a bit. Doctor was awesome, Nurses were awesome. I felt so taken care off.

Hope all of you are safe and happy today.

God bless!

Friday, January 04, 2008

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day... A little late.

We were blessed and very happy, content and loved. What a wonderful Christmas! Christmas Eve I made supper for my family. There were 2 Uncles, a cousin and her boyfriend, my grandpa, mom and us 5. So the house was full! I love that feeling. I did have a little miss hap with the turkey. I put it is at 2:00pm and figured that would be plenty of time to eat at 6:00. To top it off I had it in my roaster oven that normally cooks a turkey in half the time. So I felt very safe about it. Had everything on the table and looking lovely by 6:00 and everyone had arrived. It looked great! So, out comes the turkey and... not done. I must say, my family was extremely gracious. And it is a great thing that they all really love the veggies. We have salad, buns and veggies. Then I made coffee and we had the pie and then at 9:00pm, the turkey was ready to eat! So then we have turkey, stuffing and gravy. Not quite the best order but everyone was happy and left stuffed!

Our first time meeting Derek, my cousin Lexine's boyfriend of about 3 or 4 years. They were great to spend time with. I have missed Lexine.

Everyone waiting patiently for supper.

My Uncle Roy as he is greeted by Lexine. They hadn't seen each other in over 3 years.

Just relaxing and watching Frosty the Snowman with the kids while we wait for the turkey.

Almost bath time so the kids are opening their Christmas Eve jammies for after their bath. They were so cute in them!

The gift pile. Understand this is gifts for my whole family, not just the kids and us. Also my mom brought over all her gifts to the family too so it is a large pile, but not that large!

Christmas morning after Adam got off the phone with his twin brother we started the usual Christmas morning traditions. First we read the Christmas story and we pray together and then...

The stockings. After Joel opened his he was happy and figured he was done. It was so cute. He just wanted to play with his trucks from the stocking. We did get him to move on though and then after each gift he figured he could just sit down and play with it. I love how he was so grateful for each and everything he was given. The other two were, too.

From Nanny. She didn't turn these off in the packages so now the parrots batteries are dead and I am surprised that Adam didn't throw it out. Every time we would walk past it it would say "Hello" and then play an annoying little song. Well, at first it was cool, then very annoying but all the kids loved these toys so much. Joel sleeps with his and makes sure it has it's bottle. Cute!

From our friends Leah and Ryan. They really spoiled us! The kids just loved these gifts and they also gave Adam and I a knife block which is beautiful!

From Papa and Deb. Awesome! The kids love these too.

The cat with his new treats, just basking in the moment of not having the dog attacking him to an inch of his life. Ahhhh... life is good!

My mom made these for the kids. I haven't got them to use them yet but very soon when Joshua and I make his birthday cake. This was the perfect gift for a baking family! Thanks mom. BTW- Joel is saying "Cheese" not upset.

Gifts are done, happy kids!

Well, this was the only pose I could get Joel to give me. So happy and... whatever!

New magnetics. I had bought these with insurance money to replace some toys that got wrecked in our flooding last year. Worked out awesome to be able to give as we have not much money to spend at Christmas time. The kids play with these things everyday so I thought that they could probably use more.

And again, with insurance money I had bought a few sets of Lego. Lego is one of the kids favourite things so this was so fun to do some kits. Adam and Joshua mostly did them over the week after Christmas. This is Spongebob's workplace, the Crusty Krab. Not sure how they spell that.

Proud as can be when that was all finished!

Christmas evening at my Grandpa and Uncle's house. Awesome supper and great visiting. Again the turkey was late but it was just so enjoyable to spend more time with the family. Adam's family did their Christmas dinner on the 27th so we went up there but I was in such a rush when I left, I forgot my camera. It was great anyway.

My mom and her brothers.

Grandpa, Uncle Roy, Mom, and Uncle Lloyd.

Pretty much sums it all up!

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Update on the rocks

The joy of checking rocks portrayed in a child's smile. I love it. After the first day tumbling we forgot to check the rocks till Joshua was asleep so I checked them on my own. The manual says to check them every day as they are in between the steps. After the second day, I didn't forget! I got Joshua down there just before bed and we just pulled out one rock. It was slightly smoother but not a notable difference yet.

After the third day the whole family went down and took out a few rocks, 4 to be exact and we checked them out. They were looking shinier for sure.

Adam was trying to hold the camera still to get a clear shot of the rocks close up but if your hand shakes even a little bit, the camera will take a blurry shot, hence the blurriness of this picture. But the best one we have of the rocks that night.

The water just from cleaning off 4 rocks! Gross. And the manual says that you never dump the water in a household drain. I guess it hardens like cement. So the water all had to be dumped outside.

Now, this was tonight. The night that we get to move to the next step. 4 nights in the first step, 7 nights in the second. Joshua was so excited!

The lovely water. Many trips to dump outside before we got it clean. We just kept transferring the rocks from dirty to clean, dumping dirty and doing it again.

One of the final transfers from bucket to bucket.

Yes, this is the clean water!

Joshua's favourite rock tonight.

Some of the rocks

Have you ever picked up a shiny, smooth pebble on the beach or along a riverbank? Mother nature polished that stone by gently washing it in water and sand or gravel until all the rough edges were smoothed away. The the inner colors and unique composition of the stone were uncovered! You can do the same in your Rock Tumbler; it s faster than nature, but still takes time and patience. you can expect to have beautiful polished rocks in 2-4 weeks.

This is what the manual says. First of all, nature and mother nature were actually capitalized in the manual. I believe it was a MISS PRINT. It should say, GOD the Creator of the earth, the One who thought up every wonderful method of bringing out beauty. Just had to add that in.

The kinds of rocks Joshua has in here are Tiger eye (they are the most shiny and easiest to spot, lovely already!), Green Aventurine (they almost look like just a lighter coloured jade, gorgeous!), Brazil Agate, Red Agate, carnelian.

One of the tiger eye, but because of the flash you can't see the true beauty of it. It shines so nice! I am amazed!

Getting ready for the final rinse of the rocks before they go back in the tumbler.

Rinsing away!

Back in the tumbler

After they are all in the tumbler

Adding the sand. He looks a little unimpressed here but he was not at all.

With the sand

Joshua setting the timer for 7 days

The blurry pose before we finished up!

Well, I have to admit, I am enjoying this way more than I thought that I would and it truly is amazing how much variety God has made. Just imagine if there were only one kind of rock. How boring! But we would never have known what we were missing. God just filled the earth with His beauty so we could be in awe, time and time again. You do amaze me my Lord and my God!

Psa 104:1 Bless Jehovah, O my soul. O Jehovah my God, thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty:
Psa 104:2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
Psa 104:3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind;
Psa 104:4 Who maketh winds his messengers; Flames of fire his ministers;
Psa 104:5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved for ever.
Psa 104:6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture; The waters stood above the mountains.
Psa 104:7 At thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away
Psa 104:8 (The mountains rose, the valleys sank down) Unto the place which thou hadst founded for them.
Psa 104:9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth.
Psa 104:10 He sendeth forth springs into the valleys; They run among the mountains;
Psa 104:11 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild asses quench their thirst.
Psa 104:12 By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.
Psa 104:13 He watereth the mountains from his chambers: The earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.
Psa 104:14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man; That he may bring forth food out of the earth,
Psa 104:15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man's heart.
Psa 104:16 The trees of Jehovah are filled with moisture, The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
Psa 104:17 Where the birds make their nests: As for the stork, the fir-trees are her house.
Psa 104:18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; The rocks are a refuge for the conies.
Psa 104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons: The sun knoweth his going down.
Psa 104:20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night, Wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
Psa 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.
Psa 104:22 The sun ariseth, they get them away, And lay them down in their dens.
Psa 104:23 Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labor until the evening.
Psa 104:24 O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches.