Saturday, July 31, 2010

Day trip....

On Thursday, Doug and I decided at the spur of the moment to take the kids to Fort Edmonton Park.  We quickly scrambled and got the five kids (ours plus a friend of Joshua's) loaded into the van.  I was excited and happy to be heading out with the family!  It was a great experience to relive and visit the eras that the Fort showed us.  The four main eras were the original Fort which was the hub of the fur trade, 1885, 1905, and 1920.  The kids loved seeing how people lived over 100 years ago and it was great to see them really think about how previous generations lived.

We may not realize it but we take something as simple as running water for granted.  Today Joshua, Andrea, Arianna and Bryce learned that it wasn't always as easy as unreeling a garden hose to water the plants.
Pumping the well
Hauling water to the front to give the plants a drink.

I wish in retrospect that we had bought the two day pass.  One day didn't seem to be nearly enough time to go through it all and get the full experience.

The back side of the main house in the original Fort.
A wall of supplies in the fur trading house.
A sod roof... great insulation for our extreme summers and winters.
The kids looking over a wall into the sheep pen.
The ol' steam engine.
Pretty ladies waiting for the train.
Two very hot boys!!
We had ice cream in an ice cream parlour, walked along seemingly endless boardwalks (very thankful for a good stroller), relived the "olden days" and rode a good old fashioned carousel.  The kids spend some time at the shooting range in the Penny Arcade and Andrea was later reprimanded (in fun of course) by the fine ladies at Rutherford House that ladies shouldn't take part in those types of activities.  

It was hot and mosquito-y.  My poor Sarah's head feels like a ball of braille when I feel her head.  They attacked her arms, legs and back as well!  By the next morning, she was rubbing and scratching all over.  

But, heat and bugs aside, it was a wonderful day.  The kids were well behaved, we all learned a lot and had a great time as a family.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Two

Sarah is now two. 
Two means lots of "no" from both of us.
Two is defiant in a way that helps her express her feelings.
Two is exciting as she learns so many new things.
She's conquered the stairs, up and down.  Pleased as can be about it too.
Two is scared of loud noises like lawn mowers, machines, thunder or dogs barking.
Two requires discipline.  Redirecting, a scolding or a tap on the hand.  
Some parts of being two are tougher than others. 
Two is full of hugs and kisses on demand.
Two is loving and sweet.
Two wants independence and yet is still so dependent.
I love two.  Learning and absorbing things like a sponge.
Trying new challenges and conquering their world.


Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Just one...

at home this week.  The older three kids are at an all day performing arts camp put on by the church.  One is easy.  One is quiet.  One is peaceful.  Getting groceries is easy and even enjoyable. 

Now... what will I do tomorrow?

Monday, July 12, 2010

Sad day today...

~Shirley Van Neck~
March 23, 1955 - July 13, 1999

I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side...
I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!
I can only imagine. I can only imagine.
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!
I can only imagine, when that day comes,
when I find myself standing in the Son!
I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine! I can only imagine!
Yeah! I can only imagine!! Only imagine!!!I can only imagine.
I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine.

I don't know what I'll do when I get to Heaven to meet Jesus but I am sure looking forward to being reunited with my Mom. It's been 11 years and it's by the grace of God that I get through some days. I think about her daily and although the pain of missing her is duller than it used to be, I still feel sad when I think about her.
I think she would be a wonderful Oma to Joshua, Andrea, Arianna, Sarah, Benjamin and Lucy. She would have doted on them and loved them so much.
When I have a cup of tea, I'm reminded of how much she enjoyed a few cups during the day. My sister and I even drink it the way she did hers... sweet with milk.
Mom had kept a journal and in it she had written some of her fears about the heart surgery and leaving her family. His answer to her was "I love you and I love your family and no matter what the outcome, I will take care of all of you." I have truly felt His hands around me during the last 11 years. She wanted us to keep our faith strong and to keep trusting in Jesus. I hope I'm doing a good job of that.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Losing...

I feel like I'm losing many of the friends I used to have. 
I don't know if I am to blame or not but the network of people that I used to hang out just isn't the same. 
I miss them.
I'm lonely for real people.
I feel alone.

*sigh*

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

This is why I don't like dentists...

I went in yesterday for a cleaning and check up.  I knew I had some problems.
I was told I needed numerous fillings plus three root canals.
Today was the first appointment.  Root canal turned out to be an extraction. 
The freezing is wearing off and I feel miserable.

But I'm going to have nice teeth when all is said and done.

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