Singing too!

Ok, so I was told to update my blog...so I decided to start with(yes START...more, WAY more to blog about) the answers to my singing/song contest. Not all of you commented or emailed your mailing address to me, so those who didn't get a christmas card and a note...too bad so sad...maybe next year. Which reminds me. Happy New Year.


1)"When the dogs bite, when the bees sting..."---Sound Of Music

2)"Tale as old at time, song as old as rhyme...."---Beauty and the Beast

3)"I've got no strings to hold me down...."---Pinnochio

4)"You'll never have a friend like me!..."---Aladin

5)"Never say never whatever you do....."---American Tale

6)"If you like to talk to tomatoes, if a squash can make you smile..."Veggie Tales

7)"A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down...."---Mary Poppins

8)"Sing sweet nightingale...."---Cinderella

9)"The candy that whistles, the whistle you eat...."---Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

10)"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat, don't you think my collection's complete...."---Little Mermaid

11)"Here he comes with all his friends, they've got stories, got time to spend with you..."---Franklin

12)" Life's like a road that you travel on, when there's one day here and the next day gone..."---Cars

13)"Why would I wait for what a wish can create? why should I work so hard? I wish 'Cause wishing is great!..."---Care Bears and the Big Wish

14)"Here on my island the sea says hello, dolphins are waving where ever I go..."---Barbie as Island Princess

15)"Christmas, Christmas time is near, time for toys and time for cheer. We've been good, but we can't last. hurry, Christmas, hurry fast! ..."---Alvin and the Chipmunks

16)" Hallelujah, Hallelujah"---Hallelujah Chorus from Young Messiah



Thanks for playing.....

Good times

This past week has been so BUSY!!


Terrace on Thursday to Friday....Wonderful company, good shopping and great food! I had a blast and it was great to get 'away' for a night! And the kids were WONDERFUL for Jason....they all slept in until 10am....I wonder how much he drugged them! Hee hee!

Before we left! (Lovely Pic..thanks Jakob!:P)

On the road

The yummy chips and salsa we had before dinner. If you are in Terrace you have to look up Don Diagos(not sure how that's spelled)

They have amazing food and great service. It's a little cozy resturant close to Best western hotel. GREAT!! Check it out and enjoy!

So after that great trip,(THANKS Rob and Truus) we had a birthday dinner at the Hudson for Elaine and Brenda....Good times!

Some of the Entrees and the Appetizers that were ordered

Brian buggin' Elaine....Typical!

Bread sticks and a great husband.....:)

Explanation needed???? Nope!

We had a great time even if the babysitters didn't! :P It's great to get out without having to worry about the kids needing to be fed, keeping them quiet etc.! FUN!

And it being Wednesday, I dreaded posting today....but after all this good eating and fun 3 lbs were gained back....so this week is gonna be hard core! But less eating out and sitting around will help! Thanks all for the encouragement!

PS! I still need all your mailing addresses! Y'all gonna get something then....but not if I don't know where to send it. The email address to send it to is in a previous post.......And the song list will be posted soon....hee hee, hard? not for my kids! LOL! Have a wonderful day!

Waahooo!!!!!!!

Today is Wednesday....how's that for a brilliant thought!

I did my weigh in and ..........

5 more lbs are gone from me.... bringing the grand total to 23lbs!

And I know where they came from too! My feet, my hands, my face and my waist.
My Feet because my toe ring fell off and my shoes are getting looser,(so I put the ring back one and started wearing my sandles again!)
my face cause...well not sure why I can just see it...
my waist because my pants keep falling down (not trying to frighten anyone!)and I can zip them up out of the dryer without lying down!
And my HANDS!!!!!!!! I think that God has something special planned with this!

For the first time since before Chandler was born(except maybe a painful 1/2hr. here and there) I am wearing my wedding/engagment rings!! That alone has been worth it! I LOVE IT!!! I know that they are just symbols but to not wear them for that long( Chandler was 2 the begining of November, so 2 3/4 yrs) and then have them fit! Special and exciting! I love my husband and wearing these rings means that much more to me! God is good!

And tomorrow I leave him alone with all the kids, overnight too! What a nice way to show him how much me wearing these rings means! :P
I get a mini vacation, a night out of town with my Uncle and Aunt(oh Happy Birthday Aunt!) and a day of shopping! YEAH!!!!No kids, no worries....wait, yah, I will worry about them a little, soooo...no kids, little worries and a wonderful time of R&R and some shopping too! And because of how great I am doing...I will find a little reward for myself....Nevermind. Wearing these rings is reward enough!!!!But I am gonna do so me shopping! just cause! and other shopping and laughing and giggling , and sleeping and talking and some more laughing, and eating and wine ing, and oh well have lots of fun!

So on to another week, another day in the rest of my life! Yay me! Thank you God!

Happy Days!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday and today, the Lord has blessed two of my closest and favorite friends(sisters) another birthday. CONGRATS! It is a wonderful thing when a special person celebrates another birthday. May they both continue to be blessed by the Lord in this coming year. They do so much for others(and me!) that special mention of them is warrented. You both mean so much to me and our family. We have been blessed through you and love you both dearly. The Lord saw fit to bring us altogether and for that I am eternally grateful! May you both have wonderful days(both in expected and unexpected ways!) and may God's love continue to shine through you! I love you both!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday Lazyness

Well, after a slow weekend, and a headache, Monday is a nice way to take it easy.........except that Tuesday follows with a whole wack of work....*sigh* the vicious circle!

I thought about why I have no recent pictures on here. Well, with J's camera the pictures are too big and I hate waiting for him to develope them so I can post them. I have ordered a new camera for myself but it won't be here till next week. Hopefully then I will solve the picturelessness of this blog!

Oh, and the singing contest! Couple more days and you'll have the anwsers...
Email me with your mailing address! I have some thing for you! :)
Who needs to email me? You! :P

jlonderwater@telus.net


cheers for today! And looking forward to choir! Woot woot! (or lalallalllallllaaa!!!!)

RE: Singing.....

There will be a winner!

With a prize..........

So keep trying and NO CHEATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Singing......

Lets see if you can guess which movies my kids are singing along too........
NO GOOGLE SEARCHES!!!!!!!!!

1)"When the dogs bite, when the bees sting..."

2)"Tale as old at time, song as old as rhyme...."

3)"I've got no strings to hold me down...."

4)"You'll never have a friend like me!..."

5)"Never say never whatever you do....."

6)"If you like to talk to tomatoes, if a squash can make you smile..."

7)"A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down...."

8)"Sing sweet nightingale...."

9)"The candy that whistles, the whistle you eat...."

10)"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat, don't you think my collection's complete...."

11)"Here he comes with all his friends, they've got stories, got time to spend with you..."

12)" Life's like a road that you travel on, when there's one day here and the next day gone..."

13)"Why would I wait for what a wish can create? why should I work so hard? I wish 'Cause wishing is great!..."

14)"Here on my island the sea says hello, dolphins are waving where ever I go..."

15)"Christmas, Christmas time is near, time for toys and time for cheer. We've been good, but we can't last. hurry, Christmas, hurry fast! ..."

16)" Hallelujah, Hallelujah"

OK, so NO CHEATING (GOOGLING) I'm looking for the movie or series of movies
(one is not a movie...just a song!)


and yes my kids watch TV...too much I know, but I like the songs too, and the quiet time!

Wednesday again!

Well, scale day is here!!! I can tell that I didn't do as well this time around :( So I guess I'll have to try a little harder with way less cheating. This one is hard because we are allowed so much! I guess I need a little more selfcontrol and a little less dipping into the kids snacks! :)

That being said, I still did pretty good. I didn't gain any of the weight back, and still managed to loose 3 lbs. I had stepped on the scale earlier in the week and had lost 5 lbs. So after all the cheating, snacking and sneaking, 3 lbs is ok...not great, but ok!

So on to another week. Gonna try really hard this week. More water, less snacks, more veggies and more will power.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13

And a whole lot more prayer!!!!!

Music

I caved............Christmas sounds are now a feature of my home...childhood memories revisited, new ones being made.
What am I talking about??? I am listening to the Young Messiah, by the New London Choral and the Michael W. Smith christmas(his first one). A childhood staple of the Christmas season. It used to be on an old tape that Mom held hostage, being the only copy we had(and cannot find another in the North) but because of tecnological advances, my wonderful husband managed to make cds for all us kids! Wahoo! I love this music!
I caved because of the snow. Yah, sure blame it on the weather! But it does look so beautiful with all this white stuff on the ground, beautiful enough to play my Christmas music 1/2 a month early. Even decorating the house is getting tempting. Especially with a 4 year old who says" No, Mom, We'll go outside, you stay in and set up Christmas!" LOL! I think she likes the lights across the street!
Have a great snow day! I am, Play-doh(yucky smelly stuff), Oatmeal cookies and a tea party with my girls!

WOW!!!

So, I restrained myself from checking the scale everyday. Today is the end of week one and start of week 2. And the results are in.....

I'll let you know in a minute!

We started with the Atkins Induction last week. It was an effort for sure; the early morning breakfasts, no carbs at all( 20g, mostly from veggies though.) But we did it. Until I noticed Peyton was not doing so well on this. I was starting to loose my milk supply on this diet. No fun! I am so NOT ready to give up nursing her. (although we did give her a bottle a few times to help her catch up, and leaving her home with J is a lot easier!) So we looked at the diet, said, this is not working for us right now, we need to change it. Back to square one.

A lovely lady gave me a wonderful book. Based on the Canada Food Guide. Basically it's about portion control and consitantly eating from all the food groups at everymeal. No, I don't need two sandwiches when one is loaded with tomatoes and lettuce. No I don't really need that second cup of milk with supper, water will be just fine! And yes, a little sweet now and then are fine, perfect timing for the halloween candy, ONLY ONE chocolate bar! Small and yummy, no need for more!

This book also comes with meal plans(I'm adjusting the ones I had planned already for this week!) It is a little more complicated to figure out but as we learn more about it it will get easier! And I am so motivated to keep going, especially after stepping on the scale this morning!!!

Oh yeah, back to the scale.....

I hope I can continue to do this well every week (not a realisitic goal I know!) So, I hope this one works just as well!


So the results are in!!!!!!!!!!

15lbs!!!!!!!!!


Yup! SO HAPPY!!!

Gonna keep this up!

PS

oh, I found a use for my butter! Yup, it's unsalted so I've been using it to fry my omeletes in! Hee hee. who would've known!

Sleepy Saturday!

Well, so far so good. Had a mini breakdown yesterday. I was overwhelmed with the work of the new diet. (Or as Jason labled it...Jason's gonna die-yet!) But after my supportive husband gave me a pep talk...(I think my sister-in-law tried but was interupted by her kids:P Still helped though) we've made it to day 4...no cheating during the day so far...the halloween candy is still here.

During the day? You ask? Well, last night was a fun murder mystery night at a friends house. Jason did SO well. I did not. But I did not do too bad, not bad enough to fall off the wagon completly. Yes I ate a little of what I should not have, no I don't feel that guilty because it only was a little! Yes, I do have self-control!!! (my kids tell me that's a fruit of the Spirirt!)

So yay me yay us! We're doing it! (thanks to a wonderful new to me frying pan! My first brand name nonstick! I can make a mean omelete!)

So some funny stories:

Felicity, what would you like for breakfast..?....
'um, some fruit of the Spirit please Mom!'

Dressed up as a bag lady last night for our murder mystery (FUN!!) I was called crazy.
My niece overheard that and piped up
'Well, THAT'S why she's Crazy Auntie Laura!'

I love kids! So cute!

On to another weekend. Early night for us tonight I think. It's been a long half week, especially getting up everymorning to make a yummy breaky for my hubby. Yes I love him, but I miss my bed :( Maybe he'll treat me to a nap one of the next 3 days while he's off of work. Yay for holidays that make long weekends!

Remember remembrance day. One of my favorite Stat holidays. I hope to take the kids to the ceremony on Tuesday. I remember that growing up. I want my kids to have the same respect of this day that I was taught.

Thank you for your wonderful comments last post. I do reread them to be reminded of the support we have doing this! So thank you and don't stop!

Have a great weekend!

A new life...kinda.....

Well, today is day one of our 'changing the way we eat=changing the way we look!'
(Diet sounds worse!)
I actually got up with Jason to make us breakfast. WOW. Early morning!
So far so good. I didn't even cheat. Although stepping on the scale this morning vs. this afternoon did not reveal any amazing changes.......non actually! But it is only day one, and I only should be stepping on the scale once a week so no changes in one day is good....It didn't go up!! :P
115lbs to go....a lot???!!!!

YUPPERS!!!

Can I do it???!!!!!

YUPPERS!!!
*that's me being enthusiastic still*

seems like a long way to go but if I think I can I know I can...got it?

Been praying a lot today. God will give me the strength each day to pull through. Even to stay away for my favorite foods. I know I can do this with His help. I will be a better person because of this.( not 'cause I'm not a better person right now......) But because I'll be able to do so much MORE!! Like run after the kids, live heathier, breath easier, feel better. And all this because I AM a child of God and HE is to be praised through me. If I can't praise Him for me, then I have to change the way I think about me. If I change the way I think about me, I change the way I deal with me. If I change the way I deal with me, I change the way I live and that leads to changing me all over. Thoughts, Looks, inside and out.

So now I am able to Praise Him for me...

I am beautiful!!!

My eating habits are not!


Thus the change!

Encouragement and comments are appreciated!

who knew....

While making a cake for my son's 2nd birthday...(I made 3 all together! Spoiled boy!) I whipped cream in the hopes of making whipping cream...*sigh* anyone want butter? :P

I have a two year old again! Oh what fun! We shall see what this terrible twos shall bring...but I really do love this age. They learn so much, so fast and it is a blessing to see that happen.


Time change tonight........sleeping in! :)


Happy Lord's Day all!.....


What was your Lord's Day like? Really a day of rest? How much did you keep your ears open to recieve? Please share your thoughts of your sermons and what you'll be chewing on for this week......and keep me motivated to do my devotions!
Cheers all and have a good week!

Thank you

What would we do with out close friends or family in our lives. We all (I hope) have at least one person to whom we can turn to no matter what. What a blessing it is to have these people in our lives to encourage and build each other up. Too often we forget to say thank you or I appreciate you. So if you are one of these friends THANK YOU....you know who you are!! :P

Change

Change is so hard. The adjusting. The learning. The fighting the change.
*sigh*
I do like change, really I do. Most of the time. But it is just so hard to let it happen!



Tomorrow (today rather!) is Lord's Supper. The self-examination is always so hard, so depressing. Once again I know I have come up short, failed my Lord, failed my husband, failed my kids, failed my friends. Once again I see with true clarity how far I have stumbled,

slipped,

and fallen.

I see again that I need the body and the blood of Jesus. I want it. O how much hope it gives me. The Holy Spirit convicts me and through Jesus I can start anew. What a blessing we have.

Times like these make me wonder about the life to come. No more tears, no more hurt. Praising God all day everyday, not just when I "remember" to praise Him. I look forward to that!!

So have a blessed Sunday. May you be fed and uplifted. Solid in the knowledge that His body and blood is sufficient for all! May your faith be strengthened by His Spirit. And may your life reflect His love.

August autumn

Fall usually happens in September. Not so this year. As we head out for the final camping trip of the year, the rain is falling, the leaves are turning colors and the earwigs are out! Yuck.

My kitchen seems to be getting smaller even though it is actually getting bigger! A new pantry is in the process of being finished! Yay! Thank you Dad O. Now with a dishwasher and a HUGE pantry I have nothing to complain about in my kitchen! Hopefully we will start on the spare room/office later this fall and then my dining room area will expand considerably! THEN maybe someone will buy it! :P

It doesn't sound like there will be preschool happening for Felicity this year. Not sure what I will do instead. I may just have to suck it up, pay my library fines, and take her there....although paying for a daycare/preschool idea thingy may be cheaper! ;)

So off we go for another camping trip. Tyee this time. I know there's still no pics up from last time but you'll have to bug Jason for them. He's the picture guy! Enjoy the rainy long weekend. Hope it's not too cold! ;)

Misc.

So, camping was a blast. Interesting to go with the (almost) whole In-Law family. Love them to bits and had a great time. We could not ask for better weather and the campground (tenting area in an rv resort) was perfect for all the kids (10 under the age of 6 1/2, 1 13yr old.) I'm waiting for Jason to finish editing the pics so I'll post later.

Dad and Jakob will be home tomorrow. So excited to see them again! Yay! Their adventure was so neat to follow on their blog and now, slowly, pictures are appearing on Facebook. I am really looking forward to hearing all the other stories they didn't write about.

I finally caved and let my daughter sleep on her tummy. Funny, as a mother of 4 you would think that I would come to terms with the fact that some babies are belly sleepers. Chandler was. But I still have that little twinge of uncertainty when I realize that my baby is going to sleep better but be at a higher risk of SIDS. Still, God will take care of her, she is a strong healthy baby and mom and baby always do better with more sleep! So for the last 2 nights a belly sleeper she has been, and it's been a good sleep! Now to bite the bullet and put her in Chandler's room.... and put my nights of good sleep at risk :P

We're off to Irrigation lake today for the afternoon. A beautiful day to spend on the beach. So glad I have a bathing suit that hides all(or I think does) the baby fat, and is easy to nurse in! If only it were always that easy to feel good in clothes in public. I console myself that my husband and kids love me this way anyway so I'll suck it up(and in :P) and have some fun! See you at the beach!

PS. We're host family tomorrow, so if you're in town, come for church and some lunch!

Update

Ok, so I have been getting harrassed by my faithful readers (yes Jason and Rose that's YOU!) :P So here is the update you've been waiting for!
Peyton Breanne Onderwater made her entrance into this world at 8:25am Thursday July 3. After being in the hospital since the Saturday before, on bed rest due to high blood pressure, her arrival was nothing short of a blessing. I mean it is so BORING sitting in a hospital bed with no baby to take care of or for visitors to ooohh and awe over! She was schedualed to be born on the 8th of July but the doctors bumped up the day. Thanking God for watching over us and letting every thing turn out for the best.
Peyton is a very good little girl. She eat, sleeps, and man does she poop! She even puts up with the loving brother and sisters quite well, with little complaint. Peyton has changed our family, making us realize that we are very blessed to have these beautiful children even though we are not quite sure how to handle all of them at the same time! (Especially during trips to town!)
Next week is camping week! Jason managed to get more time off ( another week) and this time instead of spending it in the hospital we will spend it with the Onderwater clan(most of them) at Sandy's Marina on Francois Lake. I am so excited!!!! Here's hoping for good weather! YAY! The kids are quite happy to go too! They are behaving with the threat that if they don't we won't go camping!(Little do they know we have absolutly no intention of following thru with this particular threat!Great parenting!) As of now, the tent trailer is packed and ready to be hauled to the lake. Only a few things need to be pack yet and they with be put in the van. I am amazed at how organize I am (or have to be) this year! Hopefully this organization thing continues long after the camping season!
So now it is off to bed. Camping shopping tomorrow and hopefully a soccer game or two in Smithers for the Can Ref soccer tourney. And Auntie Evelyn and Uncle Marvin will be here, oh and Ashley too! Yay yay and double yay! Lets go CAMPING( told you I was excited!)
So if I don't update for awhile, just think of me relaxing on a grassy beach letting Jason chase after Chandler while I enjoy a cold one! At least that's what I'm looking forward too! :P Enjoy this week and pics will be up later ...maybe if I get around to it after all the camping laundry...(not even gonna think about that all week!) Happy BC day and enjoy my week off!

Almost there!!!!

Last night was a baby shower for our minister's wife, Kristin and her son George. What a beautiful little boy. Holding him was a shocker for me as well. He was sooooo small...and he's four weeks already!! It really hit home that our little one is not so far away!(Especially when he/she kicked George as I was holding him....I can only assume that this little one does not want to be forgotten already!) The girls room is nearly completed painting, and the baby laundry is almost done. It seems like everything is falling into place, which is nice as I was getting a little worried about that. The OR is booked as of this morning, instructions are written down and I am still a little nervous about the whole ordeal! But, I do remind myself that it is all in God's hands and no amount of worrying is going to change anything.....still the date looms ahead, and it just keeps getting closer..........

Playing....

We kind of have names picked out for the baby....Felicity does know them but has strict instructions not to tell and if anyone asks her...and they have....to tell them the name is Penelope! She thinks it's a great game!

So we spent the afternoon outside. Beautiful sunny day around/in the kiddie pool. Chandler joined us after his nap, and dove right in without hesitation.Oh the fun we shall have at the lake this year with my water rats! The kids love being outside especially in the pool. Never mind that it doesn't fill up more than 4 inches, and the top ring deflates as soon as its inflated! They just love the change in playing and so does Mom...Happy kids = Happy Mom= Happy kids!! :)

May

I finally updated my photo frame last night. All pictures of the kids in front of the May tree. Beautiful really. I can't believe that May is pretty much over; so much done, yet so much to do! Our first camping trip of the year was a sucess...if you count camping in Dad and Mom's backyard! Slowly the laundry is getting done...now only if I could get a routine where it magically folds and puts itself away! The sunny weather means more time outside with the kids. And better moods ( I think!) Although being tired is always there, the need to get stuff done kinda trumps that! Naps still happen though! Yay for kids that let mom nap! Hopefully tomorrow it is nice. Felicity needs her garage-saleing fix and we have the Church picnic...all fun!

Spring

So this week has been absolutely beautiful. The wind is still a little chilly, but we have been spending some time outside! A new bucket of chalk( a good find at the garage sale!) was a big hit with the kids even though Chandler thought they were meant to be thrown and broken! Other then the dread of cleaning up the dog poop in the yard,(we don't have a dog!!!) I love this time of year...now if only we could get that fence done so that the girls could play outside by themselves!!...they are always asking to go outside but it is not always possible. No wonder they like playing at Eric+Brenda's house...a fully fenced yard, they can go out whenever they like. and cause Mom loves the company:) We've also been spending time outside at Opa and Gramma's house (Kort) Felicity was the only one that enjoyed the tractor ride. Evangelene would only go near it if it was turned off and Chandler just screamed anytime it got closer than 20ft to him! He also did not like the bike ride in the seat on Grammma's new bike...a little history there; Opa and Oma Kort bought the seat for Mom and Dad when they were expecting me...and now Gramma(mom) uses it for the grandkids...so neat!
So enjoy this weather...I know I am!

Renos

Anyone who has ever tried to do-it-your-self can relate. We started renovating the basement bedroom....oh years ago actually! But now, with #4's arrival fast approaching the bedroom is nearing completion! Yay for family willing to help! A big thank you to Dad O. and Eric for putting in the flooring...almost the last thing needed to be done...on to trim, and touch up paint, hanging curtains and closet stuff. And then on to the girls room. Hopefully #4 will be as happy as Mom is with all the changes! :P Ahh, the light at the end of the tunnel. Here's looking forward to more room...ps. anyone want to buy a house? :P

Mothering

So I got spoiled this weekend. My husband had Saturday off and there was a women's retreat. What timing! I left with my mom before supper Friday night and did not get home until Saturday, after the kids were in bed(J picked me up in Smithers...we had a b-sitter!) Only one night away from the kids but still a wonderful time with women from our churches! What a weekend!

The topic for the retreat was Spiritual Mothering. Not something that I really thought about before. Kristen Kottlenburg(sp?) was the invited speaker. Friday night was settling in and bible study and pampering (my hands were so soft!) and games! After a good laugh at our text...addicted to too much wine...:P we had a very good group bible study.

Our text was Titus 2:1,3-5..... You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

In our first bible study we briefly discussed who Titus was, what was sound doctrine and if it had changed since this letter was written. We also slightly touched on each part of the command in the text.

Saturday was more indepth with the text. Kristen gave an execellent speech on the whole aspect of Spiritual Mothering. A lot to think about.
The definition as she found in Susan Hunt's book (Spiritual Mothering) helped focus the text on what it really meant for us as women of God."..is when a woman possessing faith and spiritual maturity enters into a nurturing relationship with a younger woman in order to encourage and equip her to live for God's glory."
The whole point...for God's glory. Everything we do.

Kristen pointed out that the older and younger did not really have to do with age, but more with life experience. We are called to accept, love, and care like God, with grace those who are also called into the covenant. And to train others and to be trained in godliness. Our own life does not need to be perfect in order to mother another, only your sight set true on the end goal...for God's glory. Training others also means that we are willing to share and grow ourselves. Seeking a lasting relationship with another women either to mother or to be mothered was what we were challenged with. The key to this command working was the point of having a relationship with another women for this purpose. We were encouraged to be available for others and open ourselves up to begin these types of relationships.

We were also instructed in a few of the points of these relationships. We have to remember not to be judgemental but encouraging and approving. We also have to be accepting of errors with love and patience, and to move past mistakes and challenges to live for God. We have to accept rebukes but also give rebukes in love. We aslo have to be approachable, being open and willing to listen. We have to challenge and be challenged in living obedient lives in accord to God's word. We need to guide and admonish and be filled with the truth of God's word to equip and advise others. Personal and public bible studies are to be completed in order to be filled with this truth. We also should be able to offer to pray together and do devotions togethers as well as remebering others in our personal prayer.We also have to be able to have fun together!

So after this speech we had another group bible study where we talked about how to put this into action. Needless to say we came home with a new perspective on how to live in and with eachother in our church.

I have thought a lot about this topic since coming home so this may not be the last blog on it!:P Where to start, how to continue....all running thru my brain. All in all the weekend was worth going to. The fellowship with other sisters in Christ a real blessing and being taught to nuture and be nutured is definatly food for thought right now!

It is great to be home and hopefully putting these thoughts in order will be the first step in putting them into practice.

Signs

And after telling me that I whine, this is not a whine! I 'stole' these pictures from Jason...I thought if he won't put them up one his blog, I will on mine! These are two of the few signs that Mom has hanging up at the entrance to her house. Only Trish!
The gun is fake(just in case you were wondering!)

So yah, my Mom has a sense of humour...but who didn't know that!

Sick kids

Wow! And I thought that we had been passed over! Our kids got sick last night on the way home from Smithers. Not what I thought I would be blogging about today! I had so much other stuff to write about...like the ultrasound and all but now sick kids and cleaning up after sick kids is all that I can think about. I mean have you ever had to clean a carseat? Not my idea of a fun job. Especially the built in one! Oh the joys of motherhood. And I was thinking of tackling the potty training again with Evangelene! Maybe that will have to wait until after the baby is here! Fun fun!

Speaking of the baby; we got to see him(I'm guessing it's a him....only guessing!) yesterday! What a miracle! We saw him move his hand toward his mouth as if he wanted to suck his thumb and he also showed us his foot...we could count all 5 toes on that foot! It was amazing to have an ultrasound this late. There was so much more detail. What a blessing we have recieved from the Lord!

So back to sick kids. 2 are asleep...1 is watching a movie. No quiet time or nap for me today :( Going out to clean the carseats! I am so glad I have a washing machine. I could not imagine not being able to do this at home and taking it to the laundry mat. No fun! So hopefully the kids feel better this afternoon as we have a babysitter booked and are looking forward to an evening of fellowship, dessert and games with other adults from the church.! Off cleaning! (Oh the joys!)

Kids

Listening to the kids nicely playing is one of the things I love about being a mother! It is a joy to see them getting along and playing so well.

Listening to them whine and cry is another story. How can you tell that they need more sleep or that they need a nap! Even when it is one out of three crying it still makes for a stressful day. It is tempting to just say ' let me deal with customers all day...they're easier than kids!' Yet those spontaneous hugs, smiles and I love yous make up for it!

On a different note, after listening to Steve Green-Hide it in Your Heart- all morning, my computer is now playing Young Messiah Christmas music...I love it...although it almost makes me want the Christmas season again...I said almost...I like this no snow spring bit of the year better! I guess listening to Christmas music in the spring is the best of both worlds! A thought!

First time...

Ok, so after reading a number of other blogs, I thought I should start my own....not sure how that's going to go yet.

Interestingly, Felicity is standing here beside me, asking what I am doing and if she can do it too. Not only do I think she will eventually have a blog herself, ( 3yrs is a little young!) she will most likely be doing things with a computer/phone/camera that we haven't even dreamed of yet! What a thought!

So the other kids are quiet now(hopefully sleeping) so our quiet time is begining. Maybe a nap, maybe another rendition of Little Mermaid..we'll see who wins!