crazy monday

what was in people's corn flakes this morning?? let me narrow that statement down: what did the kids in my class eat for breakfast this morning? they were just ornery...or was it me that was just off kilter? ahhh. regardless, it was a crazy day. I totally feel like I am treading water right now and that's not a great feeling. so I've been thinking that I need a schedule change! mmmm. gotta love it when the wheels start turnin'.

john & I had a talk tonight. about food & money. we struggle from the same disease: the love of eating & the love of spending. both of us have been totally guilty of over indulging and therefore, not honouring each other or ourselves. we've been lazy. and I guess, maybe lazy with our marriage. when I think of what my over spending and over eating do for our marriage, it makes me sad. I am totally guilty of not holding up my end of the bargain: to love, cherish, honour. I treat john the same way I treat myself...not a pretty sight. we had a good talk tonight though and we are committed to changing and keeping each other accountable. we are going to do a couple of things together: not enable each other as far as eating goes, be honest with our spending and spend more time talking about things. it is really easy to get complacent in relationships; neither of us wants to be in that place, therefore more work is needed. I love that he his totally committed to working on this. and that he is willing to step out of his comfort zone to keep each other accountable. there is a scripture in proverbs that comes to mind. something about sleeping a little, resting a little and weeds growing in the vineyard. I am going to see if I can find it. we'll see how my biblical detective skills are!

k. found it!
proverbs 24:30-34
"I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one lacking sense. I saw that it was overgrown with thorns. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest? and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber."

I don't want to leave our marriage in disarray due to laziness - sleep, slumber & rest [or just basic neglect]. it's done. we are off to tend to the vineyard [like the ones in solomon's OTHER book!].

saturday

nothing to share [pretty regular, boring weekend], but I did take some pics of the boys playing outside today! feeling the need to stamp tonight...we'll see what comes of that!

grrr

okay, so I wrote this great long post, went to find some lyrics & then poof! the post was gone. regardless, I was feeling a bit emotional & pms-y & generally inept with my ability to empthize with my friends [who are going through the ringer in a way that I cannot even fathom], when it came to me that really, my one big job is to pray. I believe in prayer. I believe in a God who answers prayer. so therefore, logic would tell me that my job this week must encompass a ton of prayer. THEN, I got thinking about this song that donnie mcclurkin sings and I don't know if it will help anyone, but when I think of it, it reminds me of who God is.

[What do you do] when you've done all you can
And it seems like it's never enough
And what do you say when your friends turn away
And you're all alone
Tell me what do you give when you've given your all
And it seems like you can't make it through
Well you just stand, when there's nothing left to do
You just stand, watch the Lord see you through
Yes after you've done all you can, you just stand
Tell me how do you handle the guilt of your past
Tell me how do you deal with the shame
And how can you smile while your heart has been broken
And filled with pain filled with pain
Tell me what do you give when you've given your all
And it seems like you can't make it through
Child you just stand when there's nothing left to do
You just stand watch the Lord see you through
Yes after you've done all you can, you just stand and be sure
Be not entangled in that bondage again, you just stand and endure
For God has a purpose yes God has a plan, tell me
When you've done all you can
And it seems like you can't make it through
Child you just...stand you just stand, stand

Don't you dare give up
Through the storm
Stand through the rain
Through the hurt
Yeah through the pain
Don't you bow and don't you bend
Don't give up no don't give in
Hold on, just be strong
God will step in, it won't be long no no no

After you've done all you can
After you've done all you can
After you've gone through the hurt
After you've gone through the pain oh my
After you've gone through the storm
After you've gone through the rain

Prayed and cried x 4
After you've done all you can....you just ...Stand.

mmmm...

I have to say that I like make & take night. it seems like [for the most part], the same girls come over to play...and it's nice just to sit and relax and create! tonight we did a schmozle of things...crayon resist [I borrowed felice's idea from her atc swap], a case from the su website and the funky trifold-y idea from scs! it was just a fun night, and for that I am thankful!

on another note, I had the first of three teeth pulled today. wow! that was way worse than I had anticipated. because the tooth had been "root canaled", there was all sorts of filler deep in the roots. yeah, FUN! usually the freezing is the rough part - not today; today, the actual work was the tough part! supposedly the next two are a piece of cake in comparison. that's what they ALL say!

my boy

so john took nate this morning to get some soccer gear [u5 season starts the last week of april!]: cleats & shin pads. I have a feeling that nate will be sleeping with them on tonight. 'cause he LOVES his "shin boots"! he is such a funny kid. last night he came up to me with a post-it note with some "writing" on it [let's clarify: some letters that looked sorta like letters!]. he wants me to put the note on the front door because it tells people to go around to the back, "just like at connie's". I nearly peed myself laughing. he is really such a wonderful kid - smart, funny, stubborn beyond belief, handsome [I am SO biased!!]. and just so like his father. I wish I knew where my camera was, because I'd take a picture of him sitting by the fireplace: jeans pulled up, eskimo jersey, shiny blue shin pads, sports socks, and the makings of a great afro. it's all good.

not a fab or fave friday

this week has not been a great one - my friend susan is experiencing something that I can't quite imagine, and I am overwhelmed with how sad I am feeling for her. if you are the praying sort, please just keep her in your prayers. and I am crying as I write this, not only because a miscarrage is a tough thing, but because my friend is really hurting and I feel completely helpless.

I am going to just keep it short for the day...mainly because most of the dribble in my head is just that. dribble.

some thoughts on a monday

I feel like I've been in a funk lately. a soul funk. like life is just too busy, too out of control, too intense. the weather hasn't helped either - this last weekend was the first nice one. so, I have to go back to the basics, yet again. I need to feed my soul. when I work to feed my soul, then I don't feed the need to shop and bigger yet, I don't feed the body. I need to just make the choice, and perhaps by just admitting it, I have made the choice. I choose to feed the right thing - my soul.

nate starts soccer in a couple of weeks. and john is the coach. we are not too sure how THAT happened, but I think he'll do okay [john, that is!!]. nate is so excited about playing; I just hope that he gets over his shyness and does okay with it.

and...I have decided to do a class. the card in the jar class with the simply scrappin' kits. they are super cool and super easy...and I think the finished product is cool!

things I found!

H&M. no more must be said. [okay, other than my fave european store is now in edmonton!!] and I like only paying $20 for a totally fab denim skirt!

and the basic grey precision file set...files chipboard in the smallest little places & down in the curves of all the letters! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! it comes with 6 shapes of files - little files that seriously work like a charm.

I am SO behind on everything - emails, SU!, websites, phone calls. if you frequent my blog and I am behind on something that I owe you...I AM SOOOOO SORRY!! and subsequently late for bed...at least for a sunday night.

don't ya love it...

when you totally can't tell the difference between the words "truck" & "stuck"?

when someone thinks they can wake up mr. sun with all his talking outside?

when it is 15 degrees in Edmonton - nice enough to actually go for a walk?

when people offer to take your kids for the day [can't wait for tomorrow!!]?

when you have a good bottle of wine & a decent movie waiting?

and there is my "better-late-than-never" fave/fab five list for the week!
yeah ~ it's been a fun saturday! walked with rae this morning, walked to iga with nate this afternoon, hung out with the boys and now I should really consider getting some work done...stamping work, that is. is it really work then? mmmm. not too sure! john & I got the departed to watch tonight, since crappy tv reigns supreme on saturday nights. fun, fun, fun!

grrr

well, the kids are better, but I have yet to catch up on my sleep! it's been a busy week at school, as well - that's what happens when there are short weeks...you have to fit it all into 4 days!

happiness though - doodle this & doodle that are having some fun tonight. I will post my creations tomorrow!!

'nite all!!

what a weekend

I am almost glad to head back to school tomorrow. nate has slept ALL day & ty has been cranky and wanting to touch me all stinkin' day. sick kids are so draining...and this is just a bug, nothing even that serious. not to sure how people with real sick kids deal with it. well, tomorrow john's mom is going to come over and stay with nate, thank goodness. this week is going to be one of THOSE weeks at school, so I really should head to bed. ahhh, but of course since I think of sleeping, I also think of all the other things that need to be done! life sure is grand!! oh, and super-sonic hearing john has just heard ty...the fun has begun!

a bit more mush...then I'll stop!

okay, so I have the best husband EVAH! we've had sick kids this week - lots of stuff from both ends...ICKY! ty was tough because he's still so little, but that was over and done with mainly by friday. then saturday morning hits. yeah, nate gets it full force. grrr. seems like we're over the hump. this morning, I went to church with ty [nate stayed home with john]. well, when I got home, john had cleaned the house: vacuumed and washed floors, cleaned up all the toys, cleaned the bathroom. since his mom is coming over for easter dinner, I was feeling a bit stressed about the state of the house, especially since the sickness hit. but nope, all I get to do this afternoon is bake a chicken, mash some potatoes and make a triffle! it's all good [and nate seems to be on the mend...the puking has officially ended!].

ain't they perdy??

I have the BEST husband!

fave fab five friday...or whatever I call it!

and, in honour of good friday, perhaps five things I am thankful for:

1. that there is reason to celebrate good friday & easter.
2. family that I adore - and not just john & the boys, but I really am thankful for the rest of my family too: my parents, sibs, and the extended family.
3. a body that is healthy and strong - and yes, not that I always love it, but it is a good one that doesn't break down very often...it birthed great children, it doesn't get the flu, it likes chocolate - I really shouldn't ever complain.
4. a good job - one that I really enjoy overall. challenging, yes. rewarding, totally. making a difference, I believe so.
5. mmmm...what to put for #5. it's not that I can't think of anything, but now that I'm thinking, there's too much: good friends, good country, good, creative brain, warm house, full cupboards...so maybe #5 is really "everything else".

I will post some more "things" later - I have pictures to share!!

4 whole years!

yes, 4 years ago today. hard to believe that we've been married for that long! and then yesterday, john tells me that he is training a new person and he'll be home late. yeah, big fat liar. he came home with a dozen roses. I cried. he has NEVER bought me a dozen roses...he's brought flowers, but never roses. needless to say, I am feeling a little reminiscent. and just happy that I married such a great guy. 4 years and I love him more today than I did that day. gotta love how that works!!

enough smooshy-ness! tomorrow is weigh-in day. I will let you know how THAT goes [keeping in mind I had a piece of anniversary cake tonight, but I also worked out - do they cancel each other out???]

holding nothing back

yup - it's in my hot little hands...I am on the first listen & loving every minute of it! I tried downloading it on itunes this morning, but it wasn't available in the canadian store ~ what's up with THAT???? just wrong. anyways, as a brand-spankin' new release, it was on sale at christian publications today only...so, it's been in my hands for just under 3hrs! I am such a dork, I know. seriously though, if you have never listened to tim hughes [and if you are into that kind of music!!], you totally need to check him out. www.myspace.com/timhughesmusic he is definately the most influential worship leader/song writer of my world. I remember the first time I heard the song "here I am to worship" - it was a bit of a cut on worshiptogether with the chords. I played that song [not sang, just played!] that sunday, which came with a great response; I ended up teaching it and it is still my fave to lead, sing & play. it seems lately, whenever I am listening to new songs to teach, tim has written. needless to say, I have nothing but great things to say about him & his music!! I wish I still played in a band. good thing God is out looking for me!

and for those of you who do not like/listen to or even have a clue about christian music...you too, may be wowed! :o)

well, it's sunday night

and where did the week go?

I am watching the second hour of amazing race right now and the teams are at auschwitz. just makes me think of the time I spent in germany and although we never went to the actual camp, we spent a lot of time at historical sites that honoured the memories and journeys of victims of the holocaust. berlin is so full of history - layers upon layers of stories. topography of terror. the jewish museum. these two places alone will tell a story that will have a permanent impact.

they are also climbing towers in the show tonight - yeah, towers in europe are a TON of fun! the siegessaule. st peters. [on the st peters link, you need to find pictures of the dome. yes, even I climbed to the top!] bottom line, I love europe! and I love it when amazing race is there! [okay, so I am hedging on too many exclamation marks in one little post.]

I have digressed. I can't believe we are heading into the tail end of the school year - the last 12 weeks! john and I decided that we are going to work our butts off to lose 2lbs a week for the next 12 weeks. I feel like I've been a bit derailed as of late, but lunch is planned for tomorrow and I am thankful that it is a brand new day and a brand new week!