Hallelujah

I came across this song on You Tube and thought it was beautiful, especially the way these guys sang it. Hope you enjoy.....

Letting go....

I am sitting in silence, thoughts are running through my head. I want to know what thoughts are appropriate to write, to share with whomever reads this thing. It almost feels like a death, yet it's not, maybe it's worse because there is no conclusion, no finality. We are all waiting, hoping and in all honesty knowing that it's over.
A tearing has taken place, and we are all feeling the effects. Saying goodbye to a friend that you've shared your life with, laughed with and confided in is hard.
I don't know what else to say, this is where I am on my journey with this situation.
I wish you well, I wish you whole. I'm letting go...

"and when we pass through stony ground I'll gladly walk upon my knees."

Pardon Me

I go through these times when I have nothing to say really. It's like that uncomfortable lull in a conversation that makes you want to make like a bee and buzz off. I'm trying to fight through it, I'm racking my brain trying to make an effort to find SOMETHING to write about. I have little idea's here and there going through my mind, nothing that I could write paragraphs about. I have decided to share those random thoughts, I cannot promise any type of a cohesive thought process, just consider this some thought flatulence. Here goes...

1. I have decided to make a concerted effort to go green. I am getting rid of the chemical in my house, being conscious of our waste, recycling and teaching my kids the importance of taking care of our beautiful earth.
2. My dirt heap of a backyard is consuming my thoughts. I am wondering how to landscape it, what flowers I want and where to put them. My mom has a nice color combo going on with purple pansy's and little pink roses- I may duplicate it.
3. We may be getting our pup at the end of June, and we have decided on the shepherd which I am fine with. I am mentally trying to prepare myself for what it will be like. I know there will be accidents, and a few rough nights and as of right now I feel OK with that. I keep telling myself it's like having a new born, it's rough and messy but I know this too shall pass and the enjoyment will far outweigh the messy times. :o)
4. To home school or not??? (whine) I don't know. Anyway that's a whole new topic.
5. Good ole weight loss... blah another topic I am feeling slapped around by.
6. Camping- we are considering doing it the old fashioned way, we would be sleeping in one of those nylon-y things, I believed pronounces t-en-t. Should be interesting.

You know I feel much better now. The gas pains in my mind have eased off after having released some much needed thoughts.
Toodles~

Passover 2008

'So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.' Exodus 12:14


We were all given different tasks to complete to facilitate our passover coming together. My mom prepared some of the traditional elements such as the charoset, the wine, and the lamb shank. My sister-in law hosted all of us at her house and prepared the main meal. I was responsible for writting the Haggadah ( a text read during the passover seder telling the story of the Exodus) and preparing a craft for the kids.
In having to write this Haggadah I believe I finally, after 4 years of celebrating Passover, understood what I was celebrating and why. It was a meaningful time with family, a time of personal reflection and new hope.
Here are a few pictures of our Passover!

Little J and I painting his goblet

How all the kids goblets turned out-beautiful.

Our Passover table

My sister-in law saying the blessing

My sweet niece

Hand washing ceremony

My hubby reading the Exodus story to the kids

Man's Best Friend.

I am longing for the pitter patter of little feet in my home. No, it's not the little feet you are thinking of. I am longing for the pitter patter of four little feet, a puppy.
My husband and I are going back and forth on the subject as to which type of dog we want. He is wanting a pure German Shepherd and the price tag for them is 'purely' ridiculous. He considers the great Shepherd to be the king of all dogs. The supreme in protection, intelligence and courage. Now I can't disagree on those points, I know that it's what their known for, my problem is I want the really pretty dog. My husband says the dog I want is like the ultimate blond chick, hair all wavy, smile on her face at all times. The popular dog. I know I am not being practical, I know this dog would probably lick an intruder as he robbed us. Even as I am writing this I know it sounds ridiculous, but whenever I see my beautiful Golden Retriever I WANT it.(stamping foot)
Oh well the debate will continue, I'm sure I'll lose this one and it's probably for the best.





I guess the shepherd is pretty cute too. :)

“We cannot create observers by saying "observe," but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and these means are procured through education of the senses” Maria Montessori~

We are saying good-bye to many things due to our move, one of which is Allegro Montessori School. It has been a true learning experience for our family, and we take many precious memories with us.

Our youngest attended for a short time so I feel like I can't comment much on his experience. I do know he enjoyed the teachers, made friends, and became a little more independent.

My oldest attended for almost 3 years and has matured in his academics way beyond his years. He has developed a love for geography, other cultures, math and french just to name a few. The curriculum has been so rich and he has been fulfilled in so many ways.

Some days I don't know who is more sad about leaving them or me. :)

Sunkissed

I was going to write about how lousy the weather is, yet it seems to be all we, or I, am talking about so I will remain silent on the subject. Sometimes talking doesn't help but music and pictures do so....... let's close the drapes, tell the kids to take it upstairs, and let's visualize. Here is some fab summer music video's. Go ahead grab a refreshment , an alcoholic beverage is my choice, and enjoy your few minutes of paradise!






Cheers!!

Grateful

"Once you begin to acknowledge random acts of kindness - both the ones you have received and the ones you have given - you can no longer believe that what you do does not matter."
- Dawna Markova

At the end of this particular night I was left deflated, exhausted and a little guilt ridden at how the day had gone with my kids. My oldest son came down from his room with a surprise for me hidden behind his back. Flowers! These flowers were the best flowers any mom could get. My little boy thought up the idea by himself, designed the flowers with his two hands and hand delivered them to me with a sheepish smile on his face.
Sometimes God really knows what you need, He knows how to melt the tension, frustration and anger. He knows what will get to you and this time it came from the thoughtfulness of my 6 year old.

 

Allegro Montessori Sock Hop

Strobe lights flashing, disco ball turning, ABBA's YMCA booming over the speakers and there I am with my little 4 year old shaking it! My oldest was doing what all the 'older, cooler' kids were doing, beating each other senseless with balloons and running around.
At first I sat with the other moms and we chatted and said how cute it was seeing the parents dancing with their kids. A few minutes later little J came up to me and said he wanted to dance, so I told him to go ahead and dance. "No!", he said, "I want us to dance". My friend started laughing and said, go on. Little J and I found a spot right by the huge, loud speakers and started to dance. He was having a great time and within a few minutes I was too. I was a little conservative at first, not wanting to pull all my moves out at once, but when ABBA came on my drunk girl came out. The funny thing was most of the parents who weren't dancing came on the floor once YMCA started playing. The D.J then played some great dance music afterward, I was really tempted to do my running man move, but the oh so loving words of my husband stopped me. " You are so uncool...don't ever do that in public." Whatever, so I refrained.
Here are some pics of our Sock Hop

Realize

My dear Hubby sent me this song a few months ago and just recently downloaded it onto my ipod for me. I can't get this song out of my head. I sing it out loud and I think I sound pretty damn good. Hope you enjoy!

Lets have an Ellen moment

"So many tangles in life are ultimately hopeless that we have no appropriate sword other than laughter." - Gordon William Allport

Freedom

The windows down, no kids chattering in the backseat, driving at a speed a little above the legal limit, hopefully some scenery and a great song on the radio. Whenever I hear a song deemed road trip worthy I start to get the itch for the open road with some friends.
I used to have great road trips. Countless trips to Alberta, Eston, Swift Current and Manitoba. So many memories, Jay and I once got caught making out in his car, I don't know what made the passerby take notice, maybe the fact the windows were seamed up. I believe on that specific trip I almost killed us by falling asleep at the wheel, driving down a swift bank and almost crashing a power box. YIKES!
Trips to Alberta were the best, I went with so many friends, we listened to Caedmon's Call, sang ourselves hoarse and loved every minute of it. For some reason folk music truly suites the mountain scenery and for those who don't think folk music suites anything you will have to trust me.
My trips to Manitoba were always eventful mostly due to the person I drove up with. His name was Don and he was a card. One time we were heading back to Saskatchewan in the late night/early morning with little gas left in our tank. We pulled up into a farmer's yard hoping to get gas, Don went and knocked at the door, no answer so we decided to leave. As Don was backing out he hit a bunch of rain barrels, the farmer flew out of his house with a shotgun, not a good scene.
Ah the memories. Road trips are a right of passage, there is nothing like the open road and some good tunes. Here are a couple that I've deemed road trip worthy, hope you enjoy!







If these scenes don't inspire you to a road trip then your hopeless.



Okay maybe that one didn't end so well, but it still looked fun for a while.

 

She's funny, she dances and she's a lesbian... it's Ellen and I love her show. I never really watched her before until one day I was channel surfing and I cam across this crazy white lady dancing to LOW, I was hooked. This is one of the only shows that had me laughing out loud and wanting to dance.
The audience is full of 30 year olds and beyond and everyone is having a great time. I am going to post a few clips of the episodes that I think are post worthy. So if you want a great laugh or some motivation to get up and shake that silly A*s check her out.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Making Change

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." Darwin~

Cardboard boxes are lining the perimeter of my living room. My love seat is now where my kitchen table used to reside and my butt is too old to be sitting on a Dora the Explorer seat in order to watch the tube.
It seems everyone feels so out of whack when there is any type of disorder about the house. I have a husband who is short tempered, my oldest is feeling nervous which translates him into being very emotional, my youngest is oblivious and I am left trying to manage them all. I am handling things alright, except for the occasional row with the hubby which is becoming more the norm for the time being. Oh well, this too shall pass.
I used to enjoy change when it was just me. The thought of a new adventure, new people with a new landscape was exciting, how things have changed. Becoming a wife and a mother makes you realize the importance of stability, and routine. In those early months of having a newborn you certainly appreciate the importance of getting the baby on a routine as quickly as possible. In doing this it lets you know where you stand with a little human who can't communicate with you in any way that's understandable. So I've come to love the expected, I stroke it like it's my pet and do my darnedest to maintain it. Having said all this and looking like a complete control freak who comes unglued with the slightest amount of change, I am excited.. no really I am. Just as labour is ah... laborious and messy the outcome certainly makes it worth it. I am looking forward to birthing a new home for us even if it means tearing a bit. (sorry had to throw in, it went with the whole birthing theme, all you mommies can uncross your legs now)

Strong Genes

I remember being a little girl in my parents' hometown. Wherever my brother or I went most people would come up to us and say, "Oh, you're Davey and Diane's kids!" Now this was a fairly small town where everybody was "in each other's business" and almost all were related somehow. When I look at pictures of my folks as teenagers and young adults I can see similarities between them and my brother and I.
The other day my parents had my two boys at Walmart in the Pharmacy section. A student Pharmacist, who my parents and children had never met prior, came up to my folks and asked if the kids were "J's kids". (FYI- my hubby is a student in pharmacy with this person.) When Mom and Dad told us what had happened I couldn't believe it.... are their genes that strong???? Must be. Hopefully one day some of MY genes might surface in them!
Years ago in Calgary I had to take my oldest son to the doctor. She asked me if I was his mommy, and I said yes. She then went on to point out how different we were in looks.... thanx a lot lady! I decided from that point on to refer to myself as the white nanny. It seems to make more sense to people. :)

Is anyone else feeling the fever??

Spring fever has officially hit our house. I have been hanging freshly washed blankets outside to get that wonderful spring smell, which I have achieved. :) The kids have been spending hours outside playing which has given me some sanity back. My hubby has been outside grilling, making fires in the fire pit, getting the lawn chairs out( no we have no lawn showing yet). I love Spring! Yesturday was 4 degrees, we all sat outside, Jay and I drinking coffee, looking at home decorating books. The fire crackled and smelled so good, it reminded me of camping so we discussed possibley getting a camper. Spring just gets you dreaming!

Making snow forts




Making Fire, or trying :)

Things that make you go Hmmmm....

I remember growing up beside a a young East Indian family. This family had all sorts of relatives who lived with them. I became friends with the two oldest daughters, Hosheila and Pretti. We played together all the time, mostly in their basement with a big cardboard box. We would line it with blankets and one of us would hop in while the other two would flip the box this way and that. It was a great time and we all took turns getting a 'ride.'
We spent a lot of time together, I especially enjoyed eating with them. Obviously I had never been exposed to this kid of rich, spicy, savory food. It looked different then my kind of food, definitely smelled different and that's why I think I liked it so much. I would always stay as long as I could at their house, hoping to be invited for supper, which I always was. If I ever couldn't stay they would send me home with a little. I remember my family always saying what are you eating now?? I really developed a palate for this exotic food.

Skip ahead 25 years, I am married to a West Indian man, I can out do his family, and extended family, with my tolerance for the hot and spicy. When I look back on my early years, spending all my time at Horsheila and Pretti's house I wonder if it maybe was a little foreshadow of my future.

I have been going to a mom's group once a week that I feel in some ways has been my saving grace. I look forward to our meeting throughout the whole week. It's an excuse to once a week get dressed up, if we so choose, our kids are well taken care of by some lovely people and we are served a wonderful breakfast. As we come together around our table we have all catch up on our week, we laugh, sometimes cry, but most of all we relax.
I am challenged by the many speakers that come. They talk on so many topics, but this past week was really inspiring. Her name is Marilynn and she has travelled the globe as a missionary. She related some very touching, funny stories to us, all with the theme of extravgant giving.
It's so easy, with our lives being so busy, to forget how to be generous. To be conscious of others needs, the world's needs. Keeping up with the Jones', having your house be a masterpiece, our wardrobes filled with the latest fashions. I'm guilty.

Little FYI

Did you know Cotton Ginny clothing is 80% organic cotton in most of their clothes?? Now this is not a store I have usually frequented, not admittedly anyway. I went in their once for the boxing day sale and purchased a pair of super comfortable pants. I only went in because of the huge sale banners.
I used to shop at Cotton Ginny when I was about 14 years old, back then it was the thin cotton pants, or the hammer time pants. The sweatshirts were oversized with a giant Cotton Ginny logo on it. I actually think I worked at the store for seasonal relief at one point. Anyway back to the point, the clothes were hidiousley out of date, shapeless and very uncool. But that may have been stinkin thinkin. My mom-in-law sent me a bunch of clothes from Cotton Ginny and you know what....? I really like them. They are perfect active wear, they fit wonderfully, they look nice and the quality is really good. But what put me over the edge is that they are 80% organic cotton. SO ladies next time you turn your nose up at the Cotton Ginny in your mall take a chance, cover your face so no one will recognize you, and go in.. it may surprise you. This is a pic of me in my new, neon green??, hoodie. Okay I may not be thrilled with the color, but let me reassure you, it's great quality and feels soooo good on. P.S.. no comments on the messy house in the background all you OCDer's out there.