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I said, “Don’t look so grumpy….”

But he’s bbq’ing me steak in the snow- so I can’t complain too much…

 

On a totally different note- I think I can speak for both of us tonight when I say,

“We are mighty proud to be Canadian!”

End

Close your eyes if you want to. It makes little difference. Assume it’s false; what you believe won’t change the facts of it.

 

As you near the crest of the climb to the top of the longest hill on this roller coaster of time, and it seems the track ends, scream if you want to. The course is set, you’re already on board, and whether you choose to think about it or not, we will soon find the ride is over.

 

Why fear the end? You’ve been complaining about the ride the whole time anyways. One would think you would be applauding as you finally got released from what you seem to think is your cell. Why tremble at the thought of unknown? In spite of all the drug-induced self-inflicted ignorance you’ve spent your life trying to buy, you tremble at the thought of eternity because you were made to tremble at it. You should fear it. It is completely out of your power to manipulate. Take a deep breath, open your eyes, and gaze off into the black abyss of endless universe that every man sees. You are but a speck in oceans of galaxies and eons of moments. The end is not in your hands, little speck. Fear it.

 

Why must there be an end? Ask the suffering one, he will beg for it. Ask the aged ones, they prepare for it. Ask the One who sees it. He alone can time it. There must be an end of things, all things, but not, my dear reader, of you. You do not have to end.

 

Somehow, beyond the grasps of our limited mind, God has prepared everlasting life. It is not to be purchased by the efforts of the temporary, but rather handed to those who trust in the One who is eternal. The reason there must be an end is that without it, we could have no new beginning.

 

If you could simply ask, and you would never die, would you be so stupid as to not ask? Might I be so bold, my dear reader: to reject the gift of everlasting life offered by Christ, is to know just a scenario, and simply not ask. I beg you with all my soul, ask Him for His gift of everlasting life. And having done so, stare off into the unknown of everlasting with peace in your Maker. For He alone can promise life without end, and He alone has delivered it.

 

“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” – Eph 3:21

 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” – Christ (John 6:47)

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” – Christ (John 3:16-18)

 

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Grandma and the girls, at our ladies’ tea party today.

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Elijah, very proud of his chocolate chip banana bread…

He claims that he made it, and mom only helped “a little bit.”

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Ella and her “mad scientist” look.

“Can eating too much pizza kill you?”

I love Thursday nights. Almost as much as I love Friday and Saturday nights. Why? Because it is the end of my work week. :) Well, sort of. We stick to a four day a week school schedule. Which just means that all of the curriculum is kept in those four days. Tomorrow, we get to explore music, art, extra geography, and maybe even a game or two of scrabble. I’m looking forward to it.

 

Last night, when we were all coming in from church, Elijah says, “Mom, I like thinking about things.”

Sounds alot like his dad. Just on that one drive yesterday, he said the following-

 

“Can eating too much pizza kill you?”

“I’m never getting married. I’m just going to adopt kids from an orphanage.”

“Do you have to kiss if you get married?”

“Well then I’m DEFINITELY never getting married.”

“Unless she is born on the exact same day as me…”

“Why are there airplanes at night?”

“How does the moon reflect the sun’s light?”

 

Can you tell that he likes to think?!

He has been so good lately. Trying his best in school, having a good attitude, trying not to fight with his little brother…

 This picture just makes me laugh. His sisters trying to fix his outfit for church… He needs all the help he can get girls! :)

 

Ella on the other hand, has had some major attitude problems. I always say that our kids experience the terrible twos a little early. By time they’re two- not so much of a problem anymore. Today, she bit both of her brothers, and I’m pretty sure she hit all of her sisters at one point or another. Oy…. and I had to go through the clothes bins and get the next size out for her. We’re up to 3T now!

 

Oh, and did I mention that our dishwasher died today? Cause our dishwasher died today, and despite my personal opinion, a family of nine CAN survive without one. Doesn’t mean I want to! :) But it is possible. Hopefully Scott will be able to fix it this weekend. IN the mean time, I’m going out to buy the biggest dish rack that I can find!

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Jeddy in the middle of his haircut.

Yeah, he has a hairy back- (which my sister claims he gets from me!?) but not that hairy… :)

Not Quite as Planned

I had a fun post planned out in my head this morning, but then I was too busy to take pictures of all the fun things I had planned….

 

My sister was coming over to babysit for me. Scott and I were going to get a coffee (or tea!) together and go get our taxes done while enjoying eachothers’ company. Instead, we argued on the way there. But we made up and apologized to eachother 5 mins later, and still managed to have a good time.

 

We went to a grocery store and saw (???) Healy. An ex Toronto Maple Leaf… Anyhow, Scott was apparently impressed. He invited the guy out to church, and asked him why he wasn’t at the Olympics. I was no longer the highlight of his day… :P

 

I got to eat lunch with my hubby and his friends at college for the very first time in 4 years. I thought my kids were loud around a table…. ;)

 

I made decorations with our Pastor’s wife for a ladies’ tea party we’re having at our church this Saturday. I enjoyed getting to know her a bit.

 

I love our new Pastor and his family.

 

I miss our old Pastor and his family.

 

I’m crying now….

 

I got to come home to my kids and my favourite sister. My little brother was supposed to join us for dinner, but was too sick. We watched Jeddy eat atleast 5 plates of chick-pea salad. Apparently, he just hounded my sister for food all day long. This kid had better be huge one day with the amount of food he eats. Oh, and by the way, he hasn’t stolen anything from the cupboards in over a week. Maybe the policeman that he saw the other day and he thought was “looking for little boys who steal food from their Mommy’s cupboards” solved my problem…

 

We drove my sister home. I had fun chatting with her on the drive.

 

I came home and gave all of my kids big hugs and kisses, and sent them off to bed. Poor Keona is in her room coughing like crazy. I thought she had missed it…. :(

 

I think my body may be fighting it since I have been exhausted for the last week. Which is why there are no photos for this post. Crazy, eh!? I know… Oh well, there’s a first time for everything.

 

Now, I’m going to doze on the couch while I wait for Scott to get home from work. Gnite!

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Prayer, sitting on the coffee table reading. As per usual…

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Just this morning, I thought to myself, “Wow, it’s beginning to look a bit like spring!”

Or not….

i heart faces: hands

 We’ve haven’t had much snow at all this year. Which is odd, being that we live in Canada. So today, when we had these beautiful, huge, fluffy, snowflakes falling from the sky- I took my daughters out for some pictures. I loved how this one captured the natural child-like reaction- to reach up and try to catch the snowflakes.

 

 

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Ella’s new favourite accessory and facial expression. I still don’t know if she was supposed to take this necklace from Nana’s and Papa’s house…

Home Video clips

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This is what happens when Dad says, “I want to take the 365 picture!”

Eve instructed me…. “Make sure you write on the blog that Dad took the picture so people know that you don’t take such bad pictures!” But this ones pretty good. In focus and all! :)

Field Trip!

I have wanted to take my kids to this conservation area ever since my friend Stef posted pictures of her kids from their trip.

We planned on being there at 8am. We made it there at about 9:30…

The kids had seen the pictures, and heard all of the stories from their friends- so they were incredibly excited. We were bundled up, had our bag full of bird seed, and camera on hand.

Prayer is showing them how to do it here….

We got one!

Eventually, all of the girls had them landing on their hands…

Elijah had problems staying still enough for the chickadees…

…but he still had hope!

He was waiting and watching… one landed on his head! But he didn’t even notice. He only knew because the girls told him.

Then, finally!….

I had my shutter speed down because I was taking pictures of the bridge, when he shouted for me to look. Can you tell that he was a little excited?

 

Poor Jeddy, kept trying.

 

He had a few land on him, but when they did- it scared him so bad that he dropped all of his seeds! :)

The $2 worth of seeds were definitely a better deal than the $200 admission to get into Bird Kingdom! :)

Though I don’t know that Ella enjoyed the whole experience. She kept pulling her mittens off every 10 seconds and wanting to get out of her stroller.

When we finally did let her out, she was only semi-pleased.

Until she saw the bridge/pier thing…

Then, she tried to convince Jeddy to take her there.

 

I still can not get over how fearless these birds were. Next time, the kids want to make sure we bring Dad along!

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“The ‘Haven of Rest’ is my Lord”

Early morning snow and forgotten piano books…

I love snow. Cold… not so much. But if we have to endure the cold either way- bring on the snow!

Unfortunately, we haven’t had much of it this winter at all, and when we have, it hasn’t lasted. I’ve tried several times to do photos of the kids in the snow, but it always dies down by the time we finally get outside. So this morning before school, when it was snowing big heavy snowflakes, and there was still fog in the air, I rushed Keona out for a few quick photos…

Then, I went back in and got the kids started on their school work for the day, and decided to try and get a few pictures of Ella while the big kids were working quietly…

  She still has that, I-can’t-breathe-out-of-my-nose-because-it’s-so-stuffed-up face… We’ll have to try again soon.

The, Jed decided to join us…

…in a t-shirt.

Atleast he’s wearing boots!

 

When, I sent him back inside, he stood at the screen door, kicking it over and over again.

So, Ella decided to show off for him, and found it even funnier when I told her to stop…

Oh man, the joys of having two older brothers!

 

School is going well. Our new schedule is working like a charm! The girls are enjoying it. Everyone aced their tests two weeks in a row, and we have some variety going! We’ve added “creative writing” in more than once a month, as all of the girls enjoy it, and I can get them to use their vocabulary words and have fun doing it! I had to look up one of Keona’s in the dictionary last week! Ha… Today, we wrote limericks during creative writing time. Some of them made snse but didn’t “flow”- others flowed really well but made no sense! We got them all worked out in the end, and laughed alot while doing it! Brought back memories of “Buffalo Chippy!” (Sarah… haha!)

 

Keona forgot all of her piano books for piano lessons today, but is doing well other than that. She has an entire song memorized already. Hopefully, she’ll finish grade 1 before the summer. If not, that’s OK too. As long as she improves.

 

I am so thankful for a country where we have the freedom to educate our children how we see fit. I love seeing their individual strengths and weaknesses, and being able to help them excel in their own areas. Elijah has decided that he wants to be 4 things when he grows up: a preacher, an explorer, a missionary, and a dad. I had to smile at the thought, that he could actually be all four of those things! I love having the privilege of being there to encourage those dreams on a daily basis. God’s grace amazes me!

 

To finish off, here’s something that I read and wanted to share:

 

 

Mothers, please don't let the world rob you of the incredible joy of a life invested in your children.

They are your mark on the world.

They are your legacy, your testimony, and your contribution to mankind.

Don't let some other woman steal your influence.

Remember, 'The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.'

That saying didn't just show up one day.

That proverb is the result of centuries of observation.

A mother's influence is unmatched."

-Voddie Bauchaum, Family Driven Faith

 

When I read that, it once again reminded me of the huge responsibility that God has given me, as a mother to His children. I pray that by God’s grace- my children will grow up wanting to do something amazing for Him.

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She pretends not to like having her picture taken… but deep down- I think she’s a total ham.

Couples’ Retreat

This past weekend, Scott and I were at our church’s annual Marriage Retreat. I look forward to this every year. A break away from our everyday routine, friends, fellowship, good food (that I didn’t have to cook!) and a hotel room with my hubby! What more could I ask for!?

 

We are reminded of Biblical truths in a practical way, to help us keep our homes the way God intended.

(I am listening to the boys try to kill eachother with lightsabers as I type this… one moment please…)

 

OK. So this year, it was held at a new location, a Hilton hotel in Markham. It was gorgeous! Unfortunately, though I brought my camera, I forgot to take pictures! We ate a delicious dinner, and then had 2 other couples over to watch the opening Ceremony for the Olympics and play a game of Scrabble.

 

I learned that when I wake up in the middle of the night, forgetting that I’m at a hotel- the city lights look like a fire on my bedroom wall, and that I actually DO like Starbucks!

 

When Scott and I were dating I used to pretend to like Starbucks, just so that I could go for a walk with him in between church services to the coffee shop. I don’t know if I ever actually finished one of those 5 dollar drinks. For the last 10 years or so, he has known that I don’t drink coffee. ;) Saturday morning, he convinced me to go for a Starbucks run with him, and my friend suggested the “Chai Tea Latte” I caved and got him to order me one… this was after our hilarious drive there, where he was being a goof in the van exaggerating his shivering, and we saw the people in the car next to us cracking up while they watched him. Then, they pulled up beside us at the next stop light and watched again, I think they were expecting him to have a seizure or something. We laughed so hard! At Scott’s expense of course! All this to say, I quite enjoyed my tall Chai Tea Latte. I can’t believe I’m saying that… Totally feel like I’m cheating on Tim Hortons!

 

I sometimes forget how much fun it is to “date” my husband. Out of the last (almost) 10 years, he has spent 4 of them working full time while going to school full time, and I have spent 101 out of 120 months either pregnant or nursing! Every once in a while, these little breaks are needed.

 

Scott isn’t the card and gift type. He surprises me with little things all the time, but he also hands me my birthday presents in the bag he brought them home from the store in. Which is fine with me, as I’m also horrible at remembering cards!  On Valentine’s Day, I must say that (in my own selfish way) I was a little disappointed when he didn’t give me a card that morning, but then, I saw this on my facebook…

He may not be a “traditional romantic” but he always knows just what to say and when to say it.

We have had our good days and bad days, but there is no one else on this earth that I would have rather spent the last 13 Valentine’s Days with. No one else I would rather go through each and every one of those days with. No one else I would pretend to like Starbucks for…

 

Love you Scott. Just the same- but so much more than I did 12 years ago.

  OK so I did take this one picture of us in the mirror before we went down for dinner.

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Jeddy helping me cook dinner.

Choice

 

You have a choice. Denying that choice is a choice.

You have a choice to make when deciding whom you will serve. There is only one master in your life. Though your master may change, you serve one master at all times. Is your Master Christ? If so, serve Him at all times. Is your master yourself? If so, consider the end of your sin, the fruits of your choice. Yet whether mastered by Christ, or yourself, no man can serve two masters. Ignoring the choice, will not excuse you from making it.

 

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve…no man can serve two masters” – Joshua 24:15, Matt 6:24

 

You have a choice to make with your destiny. There is only one destination for every man. Though you may choose whether it be Heaven or Hell, you may only have one. Ignoring the choice is a choice. Every day you spend in rejection of Christ’s salvation He paid for on the cross is a day spent choosing everlasting death. There is no escaping the choice. So choose life everlasting.

 

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” – John 3:18

 

Choice is the gift of God. Free will was God’s divine design. We all have it. In our generation billions upon billions are spent to wilfully ignore our need to choose. Amusing the mind to keep from choosing a future is the theme song of the day. So stop, take a quiet moment, and consider thy ways. And be so wise, oh chooser, to consider God’s ways, that they are the ways of life.

 

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” – Prov 27:12

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 Almost all of his girls…

4 out of 6 isn’t bad!

Family Day

Today, is Family Day.

 

A holiday created in between Christmas and Easter, for families to be able to stay home and spend time together.

Brilliant!

More pictures to come tomorrow, because I’m too tired tonight. Mostly, from beating Scott at our Wii fit competition…. :)

 

Yesterday’s 365 picture (that I forgot to post until today) was of the triplets getting ready to sing in church on Sunday night.

 

Here’s a video of them singing. (For the grandparents! :)

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

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At the couples’ retreat- via Scott’s laptop webcam. :)

Outtakes…

Those of you who have never attempted to corral several children, who are close in age… well, lets just say that I wouldn’t recommend it! I have gone against all of my own rules and principles to get a simple smile. Bribery, empty threats… you name it! There was a time when I only had 5 children and I was attempting to get a nice picture of them for Father’s Day, little did I know that the entire time, my Mom was behind me video taping it! Ha… wonder if she still has that… (Mom? :)

 

Speaking of videos…. today, we watched a home movie of when I was pregnant with the triplets. I cannot believe how HUGE my stomach was! I mean, I believe it… but WOW- I had forgotten. Funny thing is, I gained the same 70lbs with each of my pregnancies. I remember people asking me if I was due “any day now” when I was 20 weeks along… I can only imagine how much larger I would have gotten if I had gone full term!

 

OK. Back to the kids and pictures thing… the “we heart kisses” theme was interesting to try and get.

Just for fun- a few outtakes…

That’s more like it. Then along came the bribery of dessert after dinner…. :) He is actually punching her in that last one. He was not impressed at all!

 

In other news, Ella is better, the boys are coughing, Keona is losing her voice, and we’re going to the couples’ retreat this weekend! I am looking forward to- no laundry, no dishes, no cooking, no picking up after the kids, no waking up to the boys lightsaber fighting in their bedroom…. one night away, sounds just right!

 

The kids are also looking forward to partying it up with Nana and Papa tomorrow night! Late night with movies, popcorn, and xbox….

Mom and Dad who???

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Check out that belly.

Bet you can’t tell that it’s Jed’s chore to feed the cats…

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My poor, sick, little El- trying to show off her karate moves…. lol

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Race home

i heart kisses

 

 

My two boys are never very impressed by the kisses of their sisters.

Random Thoughts

Because this is how my brain works on Monday night….

 

- Last week, Elijah turned off our alarm clock because “it wouldn’t stop beeping and he didn’t want it to wake us up”

- Ella has learned how to box. She punched me in the eye today.

- I miss Scott, and wish he were home with me every night. Then, I think about what that would really mean and am thankful for his job.

- I could really go for a tea right about now.

- We woke up at 5am this morning to find the boys in their room with a pile of chocolate chips on the floor. They actually get up that early to raid the fridge!? Good thing we’re completely out of junk food now!

-I’m really looking forward to the couples’ retreat this weekend.

- I hope I don’t wake up to Jed with a spoon in the sugar bowl.

-The boys have also taught Ella how to karate chop. (Probably at 5am with chocolate chips as rewards) It’s quite hilarious.

- While Scott was lightsaber fighting with the kids this weekend, Eve decided that her foot was a better weapon and kicked him… it wasn’t pretty. I just about died laughing though.

- I can’t wait for spring!

- I wonder if it’s OK to think that someone is a total idiot? As long as I don’t say it out loud?

- I want to finish the book I’m reading.

- I’m behind on my Bible reading schedule.

- I need to sleep.

- The girls were such a big help today. When Jed came into my room dressed in a full 3 piece suit with his pants tucked into his socks, and his tie on top of his collar, I said, “Oh Jed….” and Prayer said, “Mom, he tried! He looks so handsome. Come on Jed, I’ll help you fix it!” They are going to make way better moms than me one day.

- This is getting long. I’m rambling….

- I want to dream about something relaxing tonight. Like… well, I can’t think of anything at the moment…. but NOT being trapped out in the rain with my camera and lenses.

- I should really practice piano more often.

- Jeddy can write his own name now. As well as “Dad” and “Eve”

- I should really start exercising again…. Especially since Scott said he “could tell” that I haven’t been…

- I am totally craving a chocolate bar or something. Forget exercise- maybe I should just be like Jed and take a handful of chocolate chips…

- Ella has become afraid of the dark. She hides under her blanky and yells, “Light! Light!” It’s funny but sad.

- I’m going to bed now.

- Scratch that. I’m making a tea and going to read in bed now. :)

P.S. Sweater inside out and zipped up! My son has talent I tell ya!

P.P.S. Scott took that picture…

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If you only knew the amount of shots it took to get ONE with his eyes open…

Love my “little man” :)