April (Snow and) Showers

I have new goggles!

This may be short as I need to continue to prep for our small group tomorrow night that I am facilitating.  It's so nice to have four of us who divide up the facilitating.  We're reading through the book of Amos right now with a study guide.

As usual, this month has flown by.   I feel like this is the first time I have realized that the beautiful picture of springtime in my head does not compare to its reality in southwestern Ontario.  Lily-Anna and Kohen wore their winter jackets again today.  I barbecued yesterday and saw some snow.  This is the season of having every type of jacket and footwear in the front hallway.  Yes, the weather does give us something to talk about.  It is lovely to see shoots coming up through the soil, promising flowers to come.

The snuggle chair

One great thing about cooler weather is that I can still enjoy the hot water bottles that keep my feet warm at night.  I used to only use one but now I've discovered the joy of having a water bottle for each foot.  The kids are all pretty good at sleeping through the night but it's also not a rare occurrence that at least one calls me for something or other at 2:00 AM.  Returning to bed, I am ever so pleased to find warmth greeting my feet. 

Watching the ducks

It was great to celebrate Easter and Jesus' death and resurrection with family.  Last Thanksgiving I made biryani, so for Easter Sunday we decided on Middle Eastern food - chicken shwarma and grilled veggies on the BBQ as well as flatbreads and majadra.  Last summer we bought a bigger barbecue as our old one was long past its prime.  It is lovely to have room for both meat and veggies on the grill.

We went out for breakfast on what would have been Josiah's 7th birthday.  We also took flowers to the grave and tried to fly a kite and enjoyed some cake.

 

Last week, Isaac played in the Kiwanis Festival for the first time.  He placed second with a gold standing.  Graham was able to watch him while I stayed with Kohen and Lily-Anna. 

Graham generously gave Kohen breakfast in bed

We will soon have new flooring and furniture in our living room.  Thus, we made our final fort with the old furniture on Sunday and Kohen slept in the fort last night.  Isaac enjoys sleeping in his own bed.

Searching for Easter eggs

A few weeks ago, Lily-Anna was happy to inform me that she's going to buy me light-up boots for my birthday.

This morning she called excitedly from the bathroom:

Lily-Anna - I can put the light on!
Me - Wow!  You're growing!  Let me see.  [I went and watched her do it.]  Don't grow too fast.
Lily-Anna - I won't.  I'll grow slow.

Fun at the park

Isaac likes to eat the pbss - peanut butter and salsa sandwich.  I haven't tried it.  Both boys are enjoying their swimming lessons and Lily-Anna and I will start in the pool next week.  This is the class in which she will transition from being with me in the pool to just being with her teacher.  I am hoping that this will mean in the summer, all three can go in with just their teacher.

Visiting the museum

It's time to work on small group and say goodnight.  Thanks for any prayers!

Friends

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Learning about life in space

Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Out like a lion ...

The kids enjoyed a visit from Cora

... well, not a very angry lion, thankfully.  Once again, snow blankets the lawn and roofs and the trees looked very pretty on the way to church this morning.  It's March 31st in southern Ontario.  However, the spring jackets were out last week in 10 degree weather, which means that Isaac wants to wear shorts outside.  He feels the heat.

Kohen's birthday party went quite well, according to me and Kohen.  Graham may have used the word chaotic.  I was a little surprised that the children were a little less attentive to the fun activities and games I had planned.  We had put out Paw Patrol toys as decorations for the party so that's what they wanted to play with.  I discovered that there's quite a big difference between a March birthday with lots of four-year-olds and a December birthday with a bunch of five-year-olds (for Isaac when he turned five).  The kids had fun and Kohen enjoyed his day and the cake was easy but looked cool - thank you to Youtube and the people who post!  

Paw Patrol - the rescue!

This Faulkner family is definitely in need of new furniture.  Thankfully it's ordered and on the way.  We were also able to pick out carpet on Saturday so things are progressing well.  We are the third owners of this furniture which is part of the reason we let the kids thoroughly enjoy them - jumping, forts, airplane rides, etc.  They know this will not be the case with the new furniture - no jumping anyway.  I keep finding bits of stuffing on the ground.  It's definitely dated but it was a huge blessing when we received it from my dad's cousins who moved back to Northern Ireland and it's been well-loved.  It even hid lots of puzzles and toys so we need a new location for the crokinole board.

March Break was quite low key.  Graham took the kids to visit with his parents and I stayed home to clear out junk (and good items to be passed along) from the laundry room/storage area.  I was a little sad to miss the fun at first but it was definitely worth it.  The boys were able to go to Grandpa's Sugar Shack and help insert spiles for the maple syrup we love.  They also enjoyed snowshoeing and warming up at Tim Hortons.  We were also sick for a couple of days of the break but it was good to be able to relax together.

First haircut!

Lily-Anna had her first haircut this past week.  I think the boys had their first cuts when they were able a year old.  She enjoyed the experience.  She must be my fourth baby as I wasn't even going to take any photos - I didn't think of it until the hairdresser reminded me.

I need to head out tonight so I will end shortly.  I did read a book for my bookclub this month but I didn't really enjoy it so I won't advertise it.  It was a Christian historical fiction and I haven't read much of that genre and unfortunately this one didn't sell me on it.  The next book to be suggested is about the theology of the resurrection so that will be both interesting and timely as Good Friday and Easter celebrations are on the way.

Our sanctuary at church has a new look - the pews are gone, replaced by comfortable chairs.  The look, atmosphere, lighting, and sound have changed as well.  The pastor who preached a great message for the dedication, reminded us that these changes were made to help those who are not already in the church to feel more comfortable there.  May these changes be used for the glory of God.

Who am I?

Actually, I think it was this last month that the idea of watching the old show Supernanny "somehow" came to both Graham and me on the same day (Thanks Lord for any wisdom through whatever means you choose!)  We have always struggled with how to discipline the kids so a few ideas from the show have helped us.  We still struggle and keep praying but I think watching the show also helped us to realize that we do a number of things well with the kids - we are very affectionate, we've always read Bible stories to them, we read to them a lot, we pray a lot, we have had early bedtimes for the kids, and they don't have a ton of screentime or a ton of treats.  There are certainly lots of other areas we can improve on but I'm thankful for this list nonetheless.

For those who know my mom - she's back in the pool and her physiotherapist is encouraged by her improvements.  PTL!

Oh, how could I forget - I made Irish Soda Bread and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was the wheaten bread from my memories of Northern Ireland and it was easy to make.  Who knew?  Sadly, no photo worthy of sharing but I impressed myself as it looked rustic to me.  I also made a Turkish dish called gozleme and my Turkish neighbours knew what it was - all the kids liked it.  Thank you again to Nagi from Recipetineats.com for making our meals tastier!!!

Superheroes / performers

One quick story:

I was heading out with Lily-Anna and the boys were going to be with Graham.  Graham said they were going to do manly things.  I asked Kohen what manly things they would do.  He replied, "Go for coffee."  :)

Thanks for any prayers!

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

 

Paw Patrol cake - Rubble on the double!

Tapping a maple tree

Out tapping maple trees

Fun with friends

Ms. Serious during her haircut

Learning to snowshoe - success on the first attempt!

Frigid February

The  clock is ticking - so I'll try to make this fast.  I have a birthday party to plan and bring to fruition - a party with eight four and five year old boys.  Kohen turns five next Tuesday but he'll celebrate with the JK boys from his class this Saturday and with extended family on Sunday.  It will be a Paw Patrol party.  Thankfully there are lots of ideas on the web and products at the dollar store.  I think it will be fun.  This is Kohen's first party with friends.  It will be interesting to see how he reacts as he often doesn't like to be the centre of attention in a group of people.

I'm going to make Kohen's cake but I remember being tempted to buy Isaac's cake when he turned 5 and had his Paw Patrol birthday.  At the time, I looked through the binder at the store but they didn't have Paw Patrol and they didn't know what I was talking about when I tried to explain it.  I'm guessing that wouldn't be the case today.   

For four weeks in a row we have cancelled our small group due to icy and snowy weather.  Graham and the boys had two ice/snow days when the university and schools were closed.  Snow days are a beautiful thrill of childhood - waking up thinking you'll be getting ready for school, only to find out that freedom (and snow shoveling) await.  All the kids want to help Graham with the snow - and they are very happy for some hot cocoa afterwards.   

I'm looking at my calendar to remember what happened this month.  That reminded me that I had pneumonia.  The doctor thought it was walking pneumonia as I seemed quite fine except for my cough.  When he listened to me he said my lungs sounded terrible.  I think I'm almost back to normal.  I still have a productive cough from time to time.  For that reason, I haven't given myself my weekly needle the last four weeks.  I think I'll probably take it this weekend.  I have noticed some aches and pains returning this last week.

Our church sanctuary is being renovated so we've met at a hotel the last two weeks.  The pews at church have left the building.  Comfy chairs, here we come.

I used my mom's 50-year-old sewing machine and sewed a cover for a bench cushion.  I had checked out what it would cost to buy a replacement cover and thus decided that I could watch a youtube video, buy a new thicker cushion and figure out how to sew it for much less.  Thankfully, my mom remembered how to thread the machine.  I only broke one needle.

My mom is still recovering from her hip surgery but her physiotherapist told her she had improved quite a lot in the week between her visits there.  It's slow and steady.

Lily-Anna is blessed with two doting brothers (most of the time).  One night before supper, Kohen helped Lily-Anna put her bib on:

Lily-Anna: Kohen is helping put my bib on.
Me: That's so nice of him.
Lily-Anna: [to Kohen] You're a good brother.
Kohen: No, you're a good sister.
Lily-Anna: No, you're a good brother.
Kohen: No, you're a good sister.
Lily-Anna: You're the best.
Kohen: No, you're the best. ...

I love my Valentine's dates with my children.  They all enjoyed their cake pops!  

I thank the Lord for great sales I found on snowsuits and gloves for the boys!

I read more of The Read Aloud Family and I'm inspired to read more myself and to my children.

There is a funeral tomorrow for a lovely man from our church.  Graham sat beside him at church his last Sunday.  He commented to Graham about the great sermon after the service.  He was a godly man.  I will miss seeing him and his smile in the foyer.

Thank you for any prayers,

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 34:10
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

It's Cold!

I checked the weather sometime in the middle of the night last night (I had one child with a fever and another with growing pains - thankfully they each took turns needing me) and it said it felt like -39 degrees!  I wore snow pants to pick up the boys from school and that helped.  I am very happy for my in-laws who are currently enjoying sunny California with family.

Lily-Anna has an ear infection as well as a cold but she remains in pretty good form.  Kohen is over his cold but my cough is hanging on.  Thankfully we were all well enough last Friday to go to Legoland at the Vaughan Mills Mall.   The boys had a PD Day so Graham took the day off.  The tickets were a Christmas gift from Graham's brother and family.  It wasn't very busy and we had a great time.  As an added bonus, I was even able to find new bedding at the mall for the boys' room that all of us actually like.  Kohen had been using a comforter from my childhood and Isaac was not sad to say goodbye to his Thomas the Tank Engine comforter. 

The biggest news this month is that my mother had hip replacement surgery on her left hip.  This was a total answer to prayer.  She was told that she would have it done in June so a number of people were praying that she would get a cancellation in January.  We celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, January 5th and the call came Monday morning to be at St. Michael's Hospital by 2:00 that afternoon to be admitted for pre-op as the surgery would be the next day.  She was back home after lunch on Wednesday, 24 hours after surgery.  She still has a lot of pain but she's making progress.

I didn't mention it in my last short post but Isaac enjoyed his science birthday party with friends in December.  I've let Isaac know that I would like to try to do his birthday party at the end of November next year as I find fitting everything into December is quite challenging for me.  We'd still have an extended family birthday meal in December as well as celebrate on his actual birthday.  Now, I need to start thinking about Kohen's birthday party in early March.

Here are a few conversations that occurred in December and January:

Isaac runs to me in the morning after reading his daily Bible chapter.  I forget the exact verse he read.  He said, "Mommy, it says that women are not in authority over men.  So, you are not in authority over me."  Wrong!  We had a little chat.

**

I was putting Lily-Anna into her car seat.

Lily-Anna: We can't give Josiah hugs.
Me: We can ask Jesus to give him a hug for us.  Would you like me to do that now?
Lily-Anna: Yes.
Me: [I asked]
Lily-Anna: Josiah can't give us hugs.
Me: No.  But, one day ...

**

I was passing by the baby section at the grocery store.  I asked Lily-Anna if she wanted to see what we used to buy for Josiah.  I showed her the food Josiah liked and she said, "I want a hug from him."

**

I heard Kohen talking to Lily-Anna in the kitchen.

Kohen: [In a slightly angry voice] I only gave you one candy because you grabbed it.  And that's grace Lily-Anna!

**

I could hear that things weren't smooth sailing in the living room.  Lily-Anna ran to see me in the kitchen:

Lily-Anna: Kohen said he's not making water for me.
Me: I know.  Were you being kind?
Lily-Anna: No.
Me: People don't want to play with you when you're unkind.
Lily-Anna: I'm going to go and say sorry. [She runs to the living room.]

Lily-Anna returns quickly saying, "Kohen kicked me."

**

Lily-Anna talking with me before she went to sleep:

Lily-Anna: Where Josiah is?
Me: With Jesus.
Lily-Anna: I want a hug from him.

I'm thankful that Lily-Anna likes hugs. 

**

This month I enjoyed read Lysa Terkeurst's new book It's Not Supposed to be This Way as well as Bob Goff's book, Everybody Always.  I started to read Everybody Always (love everybody all the time) to Graham but it was due back at the library so I'm waiting to get it out again.  I also browsed through The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie and tried to get a number of the books she suggested from the library.  I've finally joined the Waterloo Public Library (I'm already a member of the Kitchener Public Library) so that I could access some of the books on the recommended lists.  The first one I started reading to Isaac was "Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat."  We loved it but I couldn't resist reading ahead so then Isaac also finished the book himself.  I think it would have been more fun to read the whole thing together but I am finding it challenging to find the time for read-alouds, especially if it is one for only Isaac.

Our small group Bible study started up again this month.  We are studying the books of Jonah, Joel, and Amos.  I was reminded again how great The Bible Project videos are.

It's time to post and then try to add some photos.

Thank you for any prayers, especially for my mom, that her pain would be alleviated and that she would have increased mobility.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Happy New Year!

We have made it to the end of the year!  We enjoyed a lovely Christmas with Graham's parents and we'll celebrate with my side of the family this Friday.  My parents have now been married for 50 years.  Congratulations!!! 

While this seems like an appropriate opportunity to review the year, or at least the month of December, I'd much rather spend the last couple of hours of 2018 with Graham.  He's picking out a movie now.

We stopped by Josiah's gravesite on the way home from visiting with friends tonight.  We actually saw one or two coyotes running in the cemetery.  We sang our 'Josiah song' and asked God to give him our hugs and kisses.  Lily-Anna has told me a couple of times recently that she would like a hug from Josiah.  Me too.

We are so thankful to God for His bountiful provisions in our lives.  May our whole family grow closer to Jesus and look more like him throughout 2019.

Thank you for any prayers!  Happy New Year!

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

December, here we come!

Yes, it is officially the busiest time of the year in my home and I am nursing a cold so this may not be long.  We have Isaac's extended-family birthday dinner this Sunday after his piano recital and then his birthday party with friends next Saturday followed by his real birthday the next Tuesday.  So, there's a party to plan and gifts to buy and a wonderful Christmas to anticipate.  We now always put up the Christmas tree after Isaac's party as we don't have room for a tree and ten boys running around - in this case, doing some science experiments.   

Lily-Anna is now on antibiotics for a respiratory infection but she's kept in good form with lots of smiles and laughter.

Graham and I enjoyed a lovely night away this week.  I had a late-afternoon appointment with my rheumatologist in Toronto.  Graham's parents stayed with the kids which meant that we were able to go to a hotel without them!  I had forgotten what it's like to just enter and leave a hotel once rather than multiple trips with lots of bags.  We enjoyed delicious Thai food for dinner and were able to go for a swim at the hotel.  We were missing the kids at breakfast; I noted the foods that they would have chosen.       

My weekly injections are going well.  I was able to stop taking my other medication after about eight weeks of injections and I'm not having morning stiffness.  My bloodwork has confirmed that the inflammation in my body has decreased.  I told my doctor this week that he was right and I was wrong as I've been putting off changing to this drug.  I'm very thankful I'm not having side effects.  It's never going to be my favourite thing to do but it seems to be working.  I also don't need to go back to the doctor for six months and I only need bloodwork every three months.  Thank You Lord!    

Last week I was able to see my cousin who is visiting from England as well as my aunt and uncle who live an hour away.  It is always lovely to see them and catch up.

On the PD Day this month, the kids and I went sledding with some friends.  Lily-Anna loved it!  We were on a very small hill so it was the perfect size for her little legs to walk up.  The boys ended up playing soccer on the pavement while we kept sledding. 

I enjoyed this brief conversation with Lily-Anna after she asked me to write a note for her:

Lily-Anna: Kohen and Isaac.
Me: To Kohen and Isaac?
Lily-Anna: Yes.
Me: What do you want to say?
Lily-Anna: I love you.
Me: To Kohen and Isaac - I love you.
Lily-Anna: And Moses.
Me: To Kohen, Isaac, and Moses?
Lily-Anna: Yes.

The only Moses we know is from the Bible.

I am reading Bob Goff's book, Love Does, which Graham bought for me in D.C. in October.  It's a fun and inspirational read.  I hope to read his second book, Everybody Always.

I need to either sleep or get to something else on my list.  Isaac wants me to make crepes in the morning so I think I'll mix up the batter tonight.  I made flat breads this month to go with our shawarma chicken.  Yummy.

A friend of the family surprised and blessed us by sending an electronics kit that the boys will work on with Graham.  They were excited.  Another friend has blessed the kids with a Christmas puzzle and videos.   

Thanks for any prayers.  We are praying for Graham's cousin's child who recently had surgery and is waiting on next steps.  We're praying for great news.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Hebrews 13:20-21

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  

Lily-Anna's quiet time

Thankfully it broke down in our driveway!  It's fixed.

October is over

October was a lovely jam-packed month.  It was wonderful to celebrate Thanksgiving with all of my family and the addition of two of my aunts and uncles on my mom's side.  It was so nice to all be together.

That same weekend, we celebrated my nieces' birthday and had family photos taken.  Thankfully, the weather turned out great for the photos.  I accidentally let Lily-Anna fall asleep in the van on the way to the photo session but the cookies my sister-in-law packed helped keep her going.

Both Kohen and Isaac had pneumonia this month.  Both sets of lungs sound clear again.  Isaac just

has a lingering cough.  Kohen's lungs sounded either "terrible" or "horrible" according to our doctor and his cough wasn't good but it didn't keep him down and he was happy enough.  It was harder to hear the fluid in Isaac's lungs but he experienced more of the symptoms.  I am very thankful for antibiotics.  They seemed to start working right away for both boys.

Graham and his dad went to Washington D.C. for an extra-long weekend.  Graham has wanted to go there for ages.  They were able to visit the Museum of the Bible along with a number of the typical tourist sites along with the National Air and Space Museum.  The Saturday before they left, Graham took each of the children out for a 'Daddy date'.

Isaac joined the Running Club at school and participated in a running meet at another school.  I took Kohen and Lily-Anna to see him run.  I was surprised that I became quite emotional.  I can't remember but I think I was probably able to hold back tears. 

I was thinking a lot about Josiah.  This is the first time that I've ever gone to watch Isaac do something like this.  I think perhaps it hit me that I would never get the chance to go anywhere to see Josiah compete.  I have zero interest in running so I'm happy Isaac enjoys that.  He also signed up to participate in math contests but unfortunately he was off school with pneumonia the two days of the first contests.

After being off school for a week and a half due to the pneumonia, Kohen said he didn't want to go to school for the whole day.  For a couple of weeks I picked him up early but now he's back to full time.

I have been enjoying trying new recipes from Recipetineats.com.  I felt pretty cool buying saffron for my biryani.  I was even brave enough to buy chicken thighs with skin and bones.  I'm usually a boneless, skinless girl.  I also liked making chicken pot pie.  All the kids liked the pot pie and another honey garlic chicken recipe and the baked penne.  Is it obvious that I no longer have a baby at home and that two boys are at school all day?  We enjoyed the biryani with my in-laws on Thanksgiving Day but we ended the meal with pumpkin pie.

It's time to head to bed.  Thanks for any prayers.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

My ninja, tiger, and chicken

I'm 2!