Holidays 2011

Loved it that everyone (except you know who Jarvis and Alyson:) ) came our way for the holidays!!!! We never get to go far as a family because Phil WORKS ALL THE TIME so that everyone else gets time off for Christmas. Did I complain about that last year? Sorry if it is a repeat. BUT, this year our one and only high school student asked Phil on December 23rd if Phil could cover his shift for December 24 ... because "he had plans". Seriously?!! Of course Phil never has plans, so he worked until 9:30pm. I need to get off that topic ... so, the holidays were over too quickly but it was fun while it lasted! The kids enjoyed opening their few little presents and the adults enjoyed eating caramel popcorn and eat more bar!! I just LOVE holiday food :) And it loves me right back - and hangs on tight! About the whole present thing ... I've got mixed feelings on the issue that I'm still trying to sort out. I will agree that it is fun for any kid to get gifts at ANY time of the year! As far as writing letters to a fictional character and asking for the moon (or in I-pad)??? Seems bizarre to me ... especially in the name of Jesus! Anyway, thanks for listening to me ramble and I truly hope I haven't offended anyone.

Moving on to other holiday memories from 2011: Grandpa had 2 very interested guitar students so my guitar was dug out of storage. (It is still on my list of things to learn but I think the kids will beat me to it!) Gavin had ALL of us on high alert - he was a going concern getting into cupboards, pulling out cook books and whatever else he could pull out. He also learned to walk at "auntie's house" so I'll take some credit for that!!!! He also made the living room messier (with baby toys) than it has been in years, so that was fun!! Oh, I almost forgot the BIG EXCITEMENT. Carla sliced her thumb open while opening a tin of salmon. Luckily it didn't need stitches, but it was a nasty gash. Which reminds me, I need to restock some of my medical supplies!

Gavin on the move: maybe the "too long pants" helped him walk! Wouldn't it develop good core strength walking on slippery ground?!! Just a theory because he walked before he was 1 and my kids all waited until AFTER their birthday. I just didn't have long enough pants for them!! Sorry, I'm laughing at my own jokes so it must be time to shut things down and go to bed. Love you Gavin!!!

December 2011

December started of with Special Meetings, special company and a special birthday treat for a certain boy who turned 6. As you can see, Rhett still does not like attention drawn to himself (unless he WANTS it) and therefore smiling for the camera is now almost a 6 year old struggle! He's not stubborn .. but persistent and determined! I can't wait until he channels that in the right direction!!! Anyway, back to the special company, we enjoyed June and Nancy's visit very much. At supper time Rhett mentioned he wanted pancakes for his birthday breakfast. Since it was a school morning, I suggested something simpler so that he wouldn't miss the bus if we were rushed in the morning (he LOVES to be the first one out the door and first in line at the bus stop)! BUT, Auntie June asked if she could help with this birthday request ... so we had pancakes for breakfast. He WAS happy with his stack of pancakes and a candle ... you just wouldn't know it from the photos!

Later on in the day I took some cupcakes to his Kindergarten class and we all sang Bonne Fete one more time! Then on the weekend we had his "party" party, with some friends and neighbors. A guy only turns 6 once so you might as well live it up!! I think he's one of the older ones in his class so he'll be a veteran 6 year old!!
He wanted a Batman cake ... and I tried to deliver! He wasn't as excited about his cake as his brothers were! I guess he had something more complicated in mind (like the actual Batman character) :) Too bad I'm not Martha Stewart ... or any kind of cake decorator for that matter!!

November 2011 (take 2)

So, I did eventually think what we did (but thanks for the reminder Jessica)! At the end of the month the kids and I visited some very good friends in Edmonton, and went swimming with the Campbells! Then we were at Devon Special meetings for the morning meeting. As fun as that weekend was, I didn't take even one photo. I also spent most of the month coughing - first just an irritating tickle then it turned into the most horrible cough and I had to struggle to keep my lungs from ejecting! But, maybe some brain cells left at the time :) Seriously though I thought I broke a rib at the beginning of December from the constant coughing!

November 2011

Um, unless I'm missing a memory card, I cannot seem to find any pictures from November. I just realized I have no idea what we did in November, but I'm sure we were there! I'll keep you posted.

October 2011

Events of the month (if I can remember!!!)
Saskatoon Friends

Mikayla's Party

Costumes and Company

looking ahead

I hardly know where to begin after two months of not posting anything! I'm sorry to those who kept checking and checking ... and checking. I wish I could say I'm going to change my act in this new year, but I'm not making any promises! I've been very sobered (not in the literal sense!) the last couple months with so much sadness and reminders of how short this life is. We know and have faith that the best things are ahead, but letting go of what is behind is quite a process I'm sure. My thoughts go from Uncle Keith, to Lanita to Uncle Harvey and back again. I love this hymn that Uncle Keith shared with us on our last visit.

Light after darkness,
Gain after loss,
Strength after weakness,
Crown after cross;
Sweet after bitter,
Hope after fears,
Home after wandering,
Praise after tears.

Sheaves after sowing,
Sun after rain,
Sight after mystery,
Peace after pain;
Joy after sorrow,
Calm after blast,
Rest after weariness,
Sweet rest at last.

Near after distant,
Gleam after gloom,
Love after loneliness,
Life after tomb;
After long agony,
Rapture of bliss,
Right was the pathway
Leading to this.