Amazed

Some things at which I am amazed:

1. I am amazed at my girls....I love being a part of their lives, watching them grow and change. Watching them evolve into the girls and (eventually) women God created them to be
2. I am amazed at what God is doing in my life. He gently prods me along, not content to let me be. Even though it's rarely comfortable, I know that it is good.
3. I am amazed at the friends God has put into our lives. Friends who love us, and care for us, and fight for us. Thanks, guys!
4. I amazed that it's STILL not really spring....yesterday it was snowing (again!)
5. I am amazed at watching the seasons (not) change. It always reminds me a bit of my journey with the Lord...how it changes, regardless of what I want.
6. I am amazed at creation. We were watching Deadliest Catch last night, and watching how those huge boats just roll around on the Bering Sea.... we are at the mercy of God, and regardless of what we may think, we are NOT in control!
7. I am amazed at my husband. I would've never thought, when we got married 10 years ago, that our lives would be this rich. Truly, it is more than I ever dreamed. I know that sounds cliche, but really, it's true! He's great, and we're great, and that's great!
8. I am amazed at how God puts together the circumstances of our lives to draw us unto Him. Really, that's his goal, right? He doesn't really care about the state of our business, or home, or anything...yet He uses these tools to show us of His love for us. Cool, right?
9. I am amazed that I am getting older...and (hopefully) wiser. I am no longer that cheeky 16 yr. old (now, I am a cheeky 31 yr. old)! I can clean my house, cook dinner for my family, and have a somewhat meaningful conversation with a friend. Don't get me wrong - I still like to have a good laugh, but there is more to life than that!
10. I am amazed that another year has come and gone, and for that matter, another month, or day even. Regardless of what I sometimes would like, time does march on, and I can't stop it. It helps me remember, sometimes I need to take things not so serious, and sometimes I need to take things more seriously...this one is kinda a double-edged sword!

So, there we have it. Some of the things I am amazed at, this Monday morning.

Portrait of the Ladies

Of course you know that we have 4 daughters. But something you may not know is the importance we place on training them to be ladies. I know, sometimes I may not be the most lady-like woman you've ever met, but this is something I want my daughters to have experience with. I want them to be ladies - well mannered, polite, kind, etc. However, saying that has this connotation that then they will be walked all over by people. I believe you can be a lady, and still be firm and tough, but do it with class.

I always say that if Art didn't open the car door for me on our first date, there wouldn't have been a second date... He doesn't like that much (he believes he would've still won me over, which is probably true!), and it's not about the actual opening of the door, but rather, the heart behind it. We are trying to teach our girls that chivalry isn't dead! Art always gives them a hand to help them out of the van (if he forgets, they will actually stand there and wait, saying "Dad.....!"), opens doors for them, and generally treats them like little ladies. And he does the same for me. We want them to learn that they can expect to be treated in a certain way - not in a stuck up, snobby way, but in a "I am worth it" kinda way. We want them to have high standards when it comes to how men will (one day) treat them. And if we aren't teaching this to them, where will they learn it? Obviously, there is more to this than just opening car doors, but I'll save that for another day.

We have been watching a show lately which I love. It's called Millionaire Matchmaker. The matchmaker, Patty, is awesome. She talks often about boundaries in dating, and is constantly telling her 'matchees' how to treat others. The quote of the day, which I absolutely love, is this: "Women want gentlemen. They don't want men who are trash talking ***holes!" So, true, Patty, so true! (I know that wasn't a very lady like thing to say, but it had to be said!)

So, here's to raising my little ladies into real ladies....and here's to you to teach your sons how to treat my ladies!

Spring in Alberta

On the weekend, we spent a ton of time outside. We went for walks, pulled down some trees around our property, got some pussy willows for the house...you know, all the fun stuff to do when Spring first hits. Then, we wake up Tuesday morning to snow. SNOW! We all know that it is probable to have one last snowfall, but we all deny it's possibility, thinking that if we don't entertain the thought, then it will not happen. Every year. And every year, it does happen. And it is on those days that I think, "Remind me again why we live here in Alberta?!" But then, the snow is gone, and Spring really is here, and I remember...."Ahhhh, yes, this is why I live here...." So, here's to no more snow, and SPRING!

Easter Weekend

Well, we had a nice, relaxing weekend here. On Friday, we got together with friends and relaxed and enjoyed the day. They just got a new puppy, so all the kids had fun playing/torturing the cute thing! It finally is spring here, so we enjoyed being outside, and watching the snow melt. We even had a thunder storm, which is highly unusual for this time of year, but we loved it! The rest of the weekend was spent outside, playing, relaxing, and spending time together as a family.

I may even have some pictures sometime soon...we just a new camera, so Art experimented with it, which was fun for him!

Hope you all had a great weekend, and enjoyed celebrating what was accomplished on the cross for us. Amazing, really, when you think about it! I can't imagine sending one of my girls, totally innocent, to die for someone else's sins.....yup, amazing!

Something new

Here is a picture of something new....for me. Something I've never had new before, but rather, had everyone's hand-me-down's. It's fun and pink (well, pomagranate, really....isn't that fitting?)and pretty. I can text with it, which I don't really do, but who knows....maybe I will start....because I can! It's a phone on the outside, and then you open it and it's a keyboard on the inside. I love it! It's cool and I feel like I am 'at one' with technology....

Let's try this...

Many of you have told me that you are having problems commenting on my blog. So, I've changed the settings, (hopefully) making it easier for you to leave a comment. So, give it a try, and let me know if it works....

Aaaaah, Sunday!

So...Sunday. Supposed to be great.... not so much! This morning, Molly and Ellie Mae decided that they didn't really want to go to Sunday school. I don't think that they actually thought about it, or talked about it, but they decided. The first time I went to take them, they were off, running to their class. They got in, and there was no one there, so they couldn't stay. So, off we went, back to the sanctuary. We sat in the service for a little while, and I let Ellie Mae play with my iTouch (that was probably my first mistake!), and then, when it was time to go back, she REALLY didn't want to go. She wanted to stay. And play...with me and my iTouch. Molly was fine to go to the class, but Ellie Mae, not so much. I left her, and she screamed bloody murder for about 10 minutes, until I went to check on her, and she just couldn't pull it together. I would like to tell you that I persevered, and didn't give in to her pitching a fit, and made her stay, but I didn't. I decided to give in, and take her into church with me. If I was working in the nursery, I wouldn't have wanted someone else's screaming kid in there, so off we went, into church. Then, when I was leaving, Molly decided she didn't want to stay, so she decided to FREAK OUT when I tried to leave. So, after numerous spankings, she decided it was in her best interests to stay in her class...fairly happily (as happy as she could be after having a sore bum!).

As I was thinking about why I was so frustrated, I realized it was because of my own selfishness. I wanted a couple of hours to myself, to be able to engage in worship, and listen to the sermon. I didn't want a squirmy 2 year old sitting on my lap the whole time! That was not the right attitude to have. I shouldn't see my children as a distraction from church, but rather, a time of teaching and training for them as well...if for nothing else, a training time for sitting still and quiet (you can't really expect that much more from a 2 yr. old!). I am sure a lot of their issues this morning were also my fault in that we were out late last night (I don't think they were in bed, asleep, until about 10 pm). So, what can I really expect from two little people? Sure, they were pitching a fit, and didn't want to go to Sunday school, but I don't think that I really helped the issue with my impatience with them, and having them up late the night before.

Often times, when I am frustrated with my Girls, I need to stop and examine my own heart. Why am I frustrated? Because I was put out, or had to do more than I wanted to, or something didn't go my way? Because I was being selfish, or pitching a fit, in my own adult way? Those attitudes I can easily spot in my Girls, but how often do I really spot them in myself? Or want to spot them..... I am often amazed at how God entrusted us with these children, and yes, we are to train them and bring them up to love the Lord, but what is He using THEM to do in our lives? It's kind of a two way street, if you ask me....

A Good Flick....or Two

My mom is here visiting, and we've taken the opportunity to watch a couple of flicks....and I have a recommendation. The other night, we ordered The Secret Life of Bees on pay per view, and I must say, friends, it was a good one! I would definitely recommend it to you! I cried like a baby, and it inspired me. It made me think about how I see people, and if I really see them. It made me want to be discerning and wise, grace-giving and kind. I would definitely watch it again!

Last night was a first for us. We took all the Girls (and Mom) to the theatre, and saw Monsters vs. Aliens. I wasn`t expecting it to be so great, but it was very entertaining. The Girls thought that the theatre was pretty exciting....and Ellie Mae actually sat happily through the entire movie (good thing she LOVES TV....and we bribed her with popcorn!). It was a great night out with the family. We sat in the second row from the front (there were no other seats!), so the monsters were ginormous! The only downer was that when we got out of the theatre, we looked outside and it was like a BLIZZARD outside....snowing like crazy. Happy Spring, people! I love Alberta....