Tuesday, May 26, 2009

From the mouthes of babes...

Little Grace has really been into the prayers lately. She is such a cutie as she explores communication with God. It is such a privilege to be part of it.

At meal times we'll ask Grace to pray and give thanks. Sometimes she protests. Other times she utters a little 'thank you Jesus' along with us. We never push her, she is free to pray or not to pray. We had a visitor from out of town one night and we asked her to say grace. She didn't want to. So the grown ups bowed our heads and uttered a little prayer. Then Grace bowed her head and started to thank God for the food, mommy, daddy, sister, and so on... Melts me!

The other night we were in bed and I asked her who she wanted to pray for. She wanted to pray for 'the lady'. She was refering to the interior decorator who came to visit us that day. Then she prayed for a friend from out of town, and then the list began, mommy, daddy, various relatives, her polka dots, light, and other objects in her eye sight.

Yesterday I was out for the morning. She must have wondered what was taking me so long and concluded that I was lost. She told her daddy that 'mommy is lost we need to find her'. Daddy told her to pray to Jesus for me. So she did. Just as she did, I rolled into the driveway. When I was greeted at the door she said 'mommy you not lost, I found you!' Then she was saying how she 'saved me', daddy corrected her and said that Jesus saved me! So sweet. But I hope now she doesn't think that if she wants something all she has to do is pray and it will appear, as I did! I guess we'll have to teach her that sometimes prayers take time to be answered, or are not always answered in a way we thought best. I am thankful that God worked it out to answer her prayer immediately yesterday.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Sunday Ponderings

Today was an early morning at our house. Grace crawled into bed at 5am!!! So early. We managed to snuggle until 6:30. Although, baby was bright eyed and Grace really wanted some stories so it was about an hour of convincing them that it wasn't morning time before we actually got out of bed. Then finally at 6 or so, I said "ok I think it's morning now." Grace ran to the window and on her tippy toes reached up pulling the blinds away and explaimed (which I think are probably her 2 most favourtie words besides 'no way') "Morinng time!" "You wanna see mommy?"

Now the girls are busy playing, eating, and I can sit and enjoy some goodness....yummy coffee, and a scone bought at the farmer's market yesterday and cathcing up on some blog reading. It's a good morning! Here are some things I am excited about...

The book of Romans. Some very cool stuff in there. I have been reading the NRSV translation, and like it a lot.



Health! I just read a friend's blog at "Heart of Flesh". Claire and I have had some great discussions about health and our fave topic, vegetarianism! I think there is something to springtime that makes us crave green goodness. After months of digging through the wilted produce at the grocery store I was delighted to find fresh spinach, romaine, and lots of herbs at the farmer's market. Above is a picture of my blueberry eater! Every morning she has a few handfuls of frozen blueberries from last year's pick. I can't wait for some fresh ones. Below is our baren garden. Underneath the soil are seeds just waiting to emerge with a sprout. Everyday I go out and see if there's anything yet!



Today we've got church, then a ballgame with our church family, meeting up with an out of town friend, and then enjoying a Sunday night with my girls probably playing with our new puppy! It's a new day! I love spring. As I look out on my yard I notice that the leaves have opened up some...yay!!! Enjoy the day.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

"I Not a Princess"

Oh I have to share this story for all you moms out there. My 2 yr old has been really into wearing these high heeled shoes, sun glasses, and carrying around her baby doll. The other day out of no where she says "I not a princess mommy, I Grace, I a mommy!" To which I responded, "A mommy, well a mommy is much better than being a princess isn't it?" She said, "Yah!"

Speaking of princesses, I had a little fit yesterday. After a long day on my own with the kids my power turned off due to a wind storm. Since my phone bases are powered by electricity, I also had no phone, and yes, you guessed it the cell phone was dead! I could run through the wind storm to the garage and call from a really old rotary dial phone. I did this to try and locate my husband and then again to try and call the electrical company (that call lead nowhere!). They had to be quick because the kids were still in the house playing, I didn't want to bring them out in the storm.

I really did have a fit! This princess...was going to head to town to rent a hotel room for the night. After I calmed down, I took out the cards, and made some guacemole and chips and made the most of it. Then a short while later the power was restored. I could now make supper and resume my evening activities. Anyone else have trouble reacting when face to face with a tough situation? I had to laugh at myself afterwards because my first instinct was to comsume when my consumption was cut off!

By the way, for those who don't really understand what a power outage means, we live in a rural area, all our heating is electric (except the fire place which I have yet to start myself)...to top it off EVERYONE in my family was out of town for the long weekend. My husband was at a cabin only accessible by boat or a long hike! Besides I was already a little upset to be left alone with the kids so he could fish. I know he needs a break, but I'm a little jealous, since presently I could not do that without at least the baby latched on! Ahhh the joys of motherhood. Needless to say, as soon as daddy is home he is 'managing' the children, and maybe he should show me how to make a fire and possibly find a phone that doesn't rely on the power to be working.

Now that I think of it, the power may have been out for 2 hours. Maybe shorter...

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Still Frames

Yesterday I finally uploaded the pictures on my husband's camera. He's got some great shots. They make me smile, I hope you enjoy them too!


Grace wearing her dad's work hat.


Joy's 6 month pic.


My girls!


Hanging out in the livingroom.


Me and Joy.

Don't you wish you could hold all life's sweetest moments in a still frame, including the image, emotion, smell, and touches? Today I had one such moment. They always happen when you are least expecting them. Grace and I were playing with her magnetic alphabet on the fridge, Joy was napping, and in my heart I had such a warm feeling. A knowing. What that exactly is I don't know...my calling, love, peace, joy, contentment... Sigh. I wish I could hold that perspective all the time. But I can recall them when things get tough, when I get derailed or side tracked into thinking something else is more important, more exciting. A friend told me never to disregard those moments of stillness. In those moments God is whispering. He's assuring me, this is what I made you for, this is where I want you to be, there is treasure in your midst, such precious treasure!

I needed such a moment today.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Consumption - It's Everywhere!

I've been thinking about my week of being a 'non consumer'. It's going to be tougher than I thought. At first I was thinking that I just wouldn't purchase 'stuff'. But being a consumer is much deeper than that. I am consuming everytime I turn on my computer, my tv, a light, a water tap or flush the toilet. Excluding this type of consumption in it's entirety is not going to happen with 2 babies at home. I may as well set up a tent in the middle of the bush! Oh and the biggest oversight...using my car! I live in a rural setting, so not comsuming gasoline means STAYING HOME for a whole week.

So here are my thoughts...

1. I could limit my consumption of electricity at home but choosing activities that don't need to be plugged in! Ie. limit/eliminate tv, limit internet/computer time.
2. As for gasoline consumption, I could limit my trips to town and plan them precicely as to use the minimal amount of gas.
3. As for groceries, I am fine with making my own bread, meals from scratch, but items like tofu, or soy milk will be a problem. I can live without soy milk for one week, but I'll need to make an exception for the milk since my toddler drinks it.

I am sure there will be more thoughts. At first I was pretty excited to do this, now I am thinking it's so much bigger. But I am up for a challenge, and a little experiment is all it is, so no need for guilt about the concessions I'll need to make. As a society we're pretty entrenched in this consumerism game, so there has got to be a balance somewhere.