After an absence of five days, my wonderful husband has returned home. I didn't cope as well as some years, so he returned to a slightly messy house, but we're all still alive and well. The kids did reasonably well, as did I. A good friend of mine dropped in for a visit for lunch. We enjoyed shawarma and a good, although interrupted conversation. I was definitely encouraged by her visit and it made a long day shorter.
Next up, a meeting with the elders tomorrow. Prayer is always appreciated!
I am so glad to have Steve back!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Multitude Mondays 53-70
My man has been away four days now, coming home tomorrow. I don't need to tell you that this has been hard. He goes away every year for at least five days. Each year springs new challenges. One year there was a car accident while he was away, another I fell injuring my knees. The second year he went, both our littles had the chicken pox. This year has seemed an exception with no major challenges. However there has been much wearing at my soul, making it harder to be a good parent solo.
Today has seen its share of ups and downs. We started off with good snuggles this morning, but quickly encountered trouble as I dropped off a tearstained child at school. The day continued in the same pattern. I am thankful for the storms because without them I dismiss the good times lightly. The sleeping child is taken for granted rather than gazed on with great thankfulness of heart. Although today has been harder than I would like and I am not coping as well as I might want, I choose to give thanks.
53. A good night's sleep.
54. Skype conversations with my beloved before bed.
55. Wifi, iPhones, webcams, skype, internet, all the technology that enables communication.
56. My mother arriving safely in North Carolina.
57. Helpful airline staff. Such an answer to prayer!
58. A good group of children on the field trip.
59. Butterflies, birds, turtles, insects and fish.
60. Getting to know some of the other parents better.
61. My big camera.
62. MIL watching my youngest even though he screams like a banshee when I leave.
63. That she keeps babysitting him.
64. Quality time with Zane, something that rarely happens.
65. A sleeping Kian, cuddled up next to me.
66. Friends that help, pray and support.
67. A friend that swept my floor and let me hold her toddler(and share my food with him).
68. Picking up a much happier child from school than the one I dropped off.
69. Adult conversation.
70. That my husband will return tomorrow.
Today has seen its share of ups and downs. We started off with good snuggles this morning, but quickly encountered trouble as I dropped off a tearstained child at school. The day continued in the same pattern. I am thankful for the storms because without them I dismiss the good times lightly. The sleeping child is taken for granted rather than gazed on with great thankfulness of heart. Although today has been harder than I would like and I am not coping as well as I might want, I choose to give thanks.
53. A good night's sleep.
54. Skype conversations with my beloved before bed.
55. Wifi, iPhones, webcams, skype, internet, all the technology that enables communication.
56. My mother arriving safely in North Carolina.
57. Helpful airline staff. Such an answer to prayer!
58. A good group of children on the field trip.
59. Butterflies, birds, turtles, insects and fish.
60. Getting to know some of the other parents better.
61. My big camera.
62. MIL watching my youngest even though he screams like a banshee when I leave.
63. That she keeps babysitting him.
64. Quality time with Zane, something that rarely happens.
65. A sleeping Kian, cuddled up next to me.
66. Friends that help, pray and support.
67. A friend that swept my floor and let me hold her toddler(and share my food with him).
68. Picking up a much happier child from school than the one I dropped off.
69. Adult conversation.
70. That my husband will return tomorrow.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Peony Spider
The house is finally quiet. The boys are sleeping, after a long hard fight to get the youngest to sleep. Aris is tucked in her bed, watching a nature show on her iPod before she goes to bed. Or at least that's what she's supposed to be doing. After Kian's screaming session, I can't hear much.
My wonderful husband has been away for three days and will be gone for two more. His absence is getting easier as the kids sleep through the night now and are almost all potty-trained. Yes, you read that right. Kian has been using the potty successfully for several weeks now. He's had a couple of accidents, but he's wearing underwear fulltime. It's very exciting! But even though the kids are less labour-intensive, it's still challenging when my husband is gone. I think it's mostly the absence of a buffer when I'm at the end of my patience. Clearly I need to pray for a compassionate heart towards my children.
Even though today has been hard, we've had a great weekend. Yesterday we went exploring with my parents. During our explorations we saw a hummingbird, dragonflies the size of small birds, redwing blackbirds, Canadian geese with goslings, caterpillars(my mom loved the caterpillars since she is many years removed from having little children bring them into her house on a daily basis), wild irises, minnows, frogs, dehydrated carp, fish, deer flies, huge bumblebees and three turtles. We also found a really cool spider in my parents peonies.
I must go tuck in the oldest child who just finished watching her show. However, I've been delinquent in posting, so wanted to get back into the habit. Isn't my spider pretty?
My wonderful husband has been away for three days and will be gone for two more. His absence is getting easier as the kids sleep through the night now and are almost all potty-trained. Yes, you read that right. Kian has been using the potty successfully for several weeks now. He's had a couple of accidents, but he's wearing underwear fulltime. It's very exciting! But even though the kids are less labour-intensive, it's still challenging when my husband is gone. I think it's mostly the absence of a buffer when I'm at the end of my patience. Clearly I need to pray for a compassionate heart towards my children.
Even though today has been hard, we've had a great weekend. Yesterday we went exploring with my parents. During our explorations we saw a hummingbird, dragonflies the size of small birds, redwing blackbirds, Canadian geese with goslings, caterpillars(my mom loved the caterpillars since she is many years removed from having little children bring them into her house on a daily basis), wild irises, minnows, frogs, dehydrated carp, fish, deer flies, huge bumblebees and three turtles. We also found a really cool spider in my parents peonies.
I must go tuck in the oldest child who just finished watching her show. However, I've been delinquent in posting, so wanted to get back into the habit. Isn't my spider pretty?
Friday, June 3, 2011
Every Day-Five Minute Friday
Certain things are a given each day. Every morning, my youngest will crawl into my bed. With sad little eyes and in his saddest voice he will say "I haven't had any nursies yet today". As he has typically been awake for all of five minutes by this point, I don't have much sympathy. Later he will turn to me saying "I haven't pwayed any video games today." It is a given that he will utter those two phrases each and every day.
Every day my daughter will throw a fit about something and stomp upstairs. Every day my older son will tell me that he doesn't like the meal I made. There will be some complaining, arguing and just general annoyances from my children each and every day.
Every day, I have a choice to make. I'm pretty sure I make bad choices every single day, but I mostly am able to redeem them. Although the current behavioural problems we're facing are both annoying and challenging, there is a blessing in the repetition. For each day that I'm faced with the same challenge that I met yesterday, the day before and the day before that, I know that I am also given the opportunity to make improvements. Each day I learn something new, am given a chance to respond better today, to build on what I learned and put into practice yesterday. Slowly, slowly, slowly I'm moving forward.
Every new day brings with it challenges, not all of them new. But each new day also brings with it growth and victory. I like that. :)
Linking with the Gypsy Mama and her Five Minute Fridays
Every day my daughter will throw a fit about something and stomp upstairs. Every day my older son will tell me that he doesn't like the meal I made. There will be some complaining, arguing and just general annoyances from my children each and every day.
Every day, I have a choice to make. I'm pretty sure I make bad choices every single day, but I mostly am able to redeem them. Although the current behavioural problems we're facing are both annoying and challenging, there is a blessing in the repetition. For each day that I'm faced with the same challenge that I met yesterday, the day before and the day before that, I know that I am also given the opportunity to make improvements. Each day I learn something new, am given a chance to respond better today, to build on what I learned and put into practice yesterday. Slowly, slowly, slowly I'm moving forward.
Every new day brings with it challenges, not all of them new. But each new day also brings with it growth and victory. I like that. :)
Linking with the Gypsy Mama and her Five Minute Fridays
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Taking a Risk
Soft grey sky hangs over a lake greyer still. It is mid-morning, still and quiet on this grey morning. Even the bugs are stilled or at least discouraged a bit by the gently falling rain. Such a light drizzle softening the edges of the tree-covered cliffs rather than obscuring them. And in the middle of the lake, a bright red canoe glides slowly, almost soundlessly through the glass-like water.
We had gone to camp for a work weekend, leaving our children behind. It was to be a weekend of work and relaxation, an island of calm in the middle of craziness. Sunday dawned wet and overcast. After two days of using our gifts in different areas, we finally had a couple of hours to spend together. The rack of canoes had caught our attention earlier, but now it was raining.
Back and forth we went, deciding first to go and then changing our minds again. Was it wise to get chilled before a long drive back? I made up my mind, determined that we would head out into the wet slightly chilly world in just our bathing suits. My husband was less than enthusiastic, especially while wading in the icy water. I almost changed my mind as I waded out to enter the canoe. Swimming was definitely out!
Soon we were out on the lake, gliding through the grayness. It wasn't sad or somber, like some grey days are. Rather it was a place of peace. Looking down, I noticed a flash of white, a shell on the bottom. We paddled slowly, Steve giving his novice canoer paddling tips. There was such peace out in the middle of the lake with rain falling like mist.
As we began to head back to camp, something magical happened. Out of the mist, a loon appeared. Paddles lifted, we rested while watching the black and white bird up close. Neither of us were sure if we'd seen a loon before in the wild, certainly not that close. All too soon, it dove. We thought perhaps that we had lost it. Long moments passed before the loon reappeared and in the direction we were heading. Quietly and slowly, we began to shadow the loon. He would surface, pause for a minute or two and then dive again. Each time resurfacing in the direction we were heading. We followed the magnificent bird until finally our courses diverged. As we waved farewell, I noticed the loon's mate on our other side gliding serenely on. Words fail to describe how perfectly peaceful those moments were.
Reaching the camp, we docked the canoe and headed in slightly cold and wet, but oh so joyful. The memory of our canoe ride stayed with us as we dried off, packed up and then headed south again. Canoeing in the rain was well worth the chilled feet that stayed with me the rest of the day.
After a brief hiatus, rejoining the Imperfect Prose community:
We had gone to camp for a work weekend, leaving our children behind. It was to be a weekend of work and relaxation, an island of calm in the middle of craziness. Sunday dawned wet and overcast. After two days of using our gifts in different areas, we finally had a couple of hours to spend together. The rack of canoes had caught our attention earlier, but now it was raining.
Back and forth we went, deciding first to go and then changing our minds again. Was it wise to get chilled before a long drive back? I made up my mind, determined that we would head out into the wet slightly chilly world in just our bathing suits. My husband was less than enthusiastic, especially while wading in the icy water. I almost changed my mind as I waded out to enter the canoe. Swimming was definitely out!
Soon we were out on the lake, gliding through the grayness. It wasn't sad or somber, like some grey days are. Rather it was a place of peace. Looking down, I noticed a flash of white, a shell on the bottom. We paddled slowly, Steve giving his novice canoer paddling tips. There was such peace out in the middle of the lake with rain falling like mist.
As we began to head back to camp, something magical happened. Out of the mist, a loon appeared. Paddles lifted, we rested while watching the black and white bird up close. Neither of us were sure if we'd seen a loon before in the wild, certainly not that close. All too soon, it dove. We thought perhaps that we had lost it. Long moments passed before the loon reappeared and in the direction we were heading. Quietly and slowly, we began to shadow the loon. He would surface, pause for a minute or two and then dive again. Each time resurfacing in the direction we were heading. We followed the magnificent bird until finally our courses diverged. As we waved farewell, I noticed the loon's mate on our other side gliding serenely on. Words fail to describe how perfectly peaceful those moments were.
Reaching the camp, we docked the canoe and headed in slightly cold and wet, but oh so joyful. The memory of our canoe ride stayed with us as we dried off, packed up and then headed south again. Canoeing in the rain was well worth the chilled feet that stayed with me the rest of the day.
After a brief hiatus, rejoining the Imperfect Prose community:
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
A Collection of Today's Sayings
Zane: Wet toots sneak up on you!
Aris spiked a high fever this evening. Although it is slowly coming down, she is still rather miserable. When I suggested that she go to bed early, she balked.
Me: Sick little girls need to go to bed early.
Aris: I'm not sick, I just have a fever! (said rather indignantly).
While cuddling with my sick little girl, we read a book about Canadian insects. Kian joined us at the grasshopper section.
Me: (reading the title) Grasshopper
Kian: That not a grasshopper!
Me: Yes, it's a grasshopper.
Kian: No, it not a grasshopper.
(repeat approximately five times)
Me: Well then, what is it?
Kian: I don't know...(pointing at the picture) What is that?
Me: Those are the grasshopper wings.
Kian: It has wings? It not a bug, it a bird!!!
He pronounced "bird" as "beard" which led to some confusion but we eventually figured it out.
Aris spiked a high fever this evening. Although it is slowly coming down, she is still rather miserable. When I suggested that she go to bed early, she balked.
Me: Sick little girls need to go to bed early.
Aris: I'm not sick, I just have a fever! (said rather indignantly).
While cuddling with my sick little girl, we read a book about Canadian insects. Kian joined us at the grasshopper section.
Me: (reading the title) Grasshopper
Kian: That not a grasshopper!
Me: Yes, it's a grasshopper.
Kian: No, it not a grasshopper.
(repeat approximately five times)
Me: Well then, what is it?
Kian: I don't know...(pointing at the picture) What is that?
Me: Those are the grasshopper wings.
Kian: It has wings? It not a bug, it a bird!!!
He pronounced "bird" as "beard" which led to some confusion but we eventually figured it out.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Prayer 101
After about a month's worth of waiting, we finally got out on a date night. We almost didn't get to go after the original babysitters cancelled due to illness. It took several attempts to find someone willing to babysit at such late notice. But find someone we did, so with a little re-arranging of our plans, off we went. Where did we go on our hot date you ask? Well, we went to a prayer gathering. :)
I know that a prayer meeting may not make most people's top ten list of date nights. In fact, that might be considered a wee bit unusual. Steve and I have each been going to a weekly prayer gathering, just not the same one. Although this works best for our schedules(and probably for our personal growth), we do both enjoy and need that spiritual time together. Incidentally, another couple also made this their date night.
Although it was a slightly eclectic choice, both Steve and I came home feeling refreshed and energized. Tonight was particularly interesting, as the minister ran the gathering almost as a Prayer 101 class. He walked us through listening to the Spirit and then praying for each other out of what we had heard. It was an unique experience, especially for my husband. Although I am accustomed to listening to the Holy Spirit, I've never been part of a group where we were actually walked through how to do it. It's hard to explain, and this may sound very strange(sorry!), but it was amazing. Steve and I were singled out to be prayed for as a couple by our friends(the other couple who were having a date night). After they prayed for a bit, others in the room were asked what they were seeing or feeling. As others shared, we were then prayed over more specifically. I left feeling deep peace.
We decided not to go straight home. Instead we went to a coffee shop with our new friends. As we ate our desserts, we shared details of our respective courtships and amusing anecdotes. After a season of pulling away from friendships within the church, it is a blessing to begin to rebuild those types of relationships again. Leaving such fun conversation was hard, but our babysitters awaited. Thankfully our children had been little angels or so they told us.(They always say this. I'm not sure I believe them though). Having gotten scared, our oldest was sleeping in the babysitter's bed. Thankfully she transfered to her own bed without any problems. Seeing Steve carrying her was very sweet. It's been a long time since he's cradled her in his arms like that. She's rather big now.
I am thankful for a lot tonight. I'm thankful for a safe place where I can heal and grow, thankful for good friends who babysit on very short notice, thankful for new friends. I'm thankful for my husband who I am growing with on so many levels. And I am thankful for a great big God, a giver of good gifts.
I know that a prayer meeting may not make most people's top ten list of date nights. In fact, that might be considered a wee bit unusual. Steve and I have each been going to a weekly prayer gathering, just not the same one. Although this works best for our schedules(and probably for our personal growth), we do both enjoy and need that spiritual time together. Incidentally, another couple also made this their date night.
Although it was a slightly eclectic choice, both Steve and I came home feeling refreshed and energized. Tonight was particularly interesting, as the minister ran the gathering almost as a Prayer 101 class. He walked us through listening to the Spirit and then praying for each other out of what we had heard. It was an unique experience, especially for my husband. Although I am accustomed to listening to the Holy Spirit, I've never been part of a group where we were actually walked through how to do it. It's hard to explain, and this may sound very strange(sorry!), but it was amazing. Steve and I were singled out to be prayed for as a couple by our friends(the other couple who were having a date night). After they prayed for a bit, others in the room were asked what they were seeing or feeling. As others shared, we were then prayed over more specifically. I left feeling deep peace.
We decided not to go straight home. Instead we went to a coffee shop with our new friends. As we ate our desserts, we shared details of our respective courtships and amusing anecdotes. After a season of pulling away from friendships within the church, it is a blessing to begin to rebuild those types of relationships again. Leaving such fun conversation was hard, but our babysitters awaited. Thankfully our children had been little angels or so they told us.(They always say this. I'm not sure I believe them though). Having gotten scared, our oldest was sleeping in the babysitter's bed. Thankfully she transfered to her own bed without any problems. Seeing Steve carrying her was very sweet. It's been a long time since he's cradled her in his arms like that. She's rather big now.
I am thankful for a lot tonight. I'm thankful for a safe place where I can heal and grow, thankful for good friends who babysit on very short notice, thankful for new friends. I'm thankful for my husband who I am growing with on so many levels. And I am thankful for a great big God, a giver of good gifts.
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