Goodbye 2019

What an incredible decade it's been!  All of my children were born during this decade.  During this decade we welcomed and loved and said goodbye to Josiah.  We will forever be thankful to God for those days we were blessed to have Josiah with us.

December was a whirlwind.  On this last day of the year I was addressing Christmas cards!  We did enjoy a lovely Christmas at our place with all the grandparents.  We attended our church's Christmas Eve service and then visited a local Christian Reformed Church for their service Christmas morning.  I grew up going to church on Christmas morning and Graham really wanted to go this year.  He said that so much is pointing us away from Christ that he wanted to be counter-cultural.  The music was beautiful with lots of instruments and in addition to the wonderful carols that I love to sing, there was also a glorious song at the end of the service that some of the congregation sang in Dutch.  A triumphant proclamation that Christ is Lord.  Actually, I don't remember the words but that's the feeling I was left with.  I thought about Josiah singing to Jesus at the same time as we were singing. 

Lily-Anna likes to sing: "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.  The little Lord Jesus, I love Him so much."  She loves to sing about God (and everything else mixed in) and also to pray.  She's been enjoying the microphone she received for Christmas.  Kohen loves to take photos and videos so he has had a lot of fun with the kids' camera he received.  Isaac loves to build Lego but he equally enjoys (maybe even more) playing with the Lego and inventing plots for the Star Wars ships, etc.  We are all having fun using the new foose ball and games table.

Isaac's first birthday party outside of our home was a success.  The kids enjoyed bowling and the pizza and it was definitely less exhausting for me.  I am very thankful for all the great memories of his past parties but this was a good transition for all of us.  I didn't get to bowl but it made me think that I would enjoy trying it again ... perhaps on a future date.

Graham and I have enjoyed two monthly dates now.  In December we went to the movie theatre and watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood.  I wish I had been able to watch Mr. Rogers when I was small, though I am happy we didn't grow up with cable tv.  There was more than enough junk on the three or four channels we received.

Lily-Anna writing a "letter"

We talk about making "marvelous mistakes" here.  Lily-Anna has actually caught on the fastest.  She'll do something such as dump her milk glass over accidentally and let me know, "I've just made a marvelous mistake Mommy."  The idea is that we learn from these mistakes (from the Positive Discipline course I took).  Well, I made more than one marvelous mistake in preparing my first turkey; however, I feel I learned a few important lessons (the primary one being to write down what time I put the turkey in the oven!) that will help me be successful next time.  I did like my gravy though.  It wasn't hot enough by the time my turkey was sort of ready but it was very tasty.    I am thankful for tasty gravy and not making anyone sick (and yes, I own and use a meat thermometer).  I was very excited to dry brine my fresh turkey.  My mom said that Easter might be a good time to try my next turkey.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I think the month of December is just another great chance for me to focus on trusting God each and every day.  I realized that I am a person that likes checking off every item on my list but in December my list never seems to end by the end of the day.  So, sometimes (often) I would rather go to Walmart at 10:00 PM so that I can cross another item off my list.  But, this isn't a healthy way to live of course.  I need to trust God for my daily bread and nightly sleep and know that He will provide again the following day.  I am hopeful for more positive changes in the new year and decade.

I have read a couple of grieving books this month - one written by a mother whose 12-year-old son died and another written by a father whose 33-year-old son died.  I wept in parts of each of them.  I am always thankful for the tears.  I didn't put 2 and 2 together until this month.  I forget my exact ages but certainly during elementary school I loved reading what I called "dying books."  They were fictional stories written for my age group about people dying of cancer or an accident or kids getting a disease, etc.  I cried reading those as well.

In 'Stations of the Heart,' Richard Lischer says that before his son Adam died he concurred with the theory of grief that for those who lose someone who has been sick, their grief work has already begun when the person is still alive.  I remember the same thing being said to me.  He writes, "My theory of grief proved to be untrue ... Only after he was gone did we fully appreciate the qualitative distinction between illness and absence, the chasm between terminal and terminated.  Only after Adam died did we realize we had not been grieving at all, for grief is longing for one who is absolutely unattainable.  We had been swarming like moths around a flickering candle, but it was still giving off a little light. ... In those last days we were coping with the anguish that precedes death, but we had not begun to grieve."  I can see both sides of this theory but I like his words. 

Graham asked for a poem book by Malcolm Guite.  I chose one called, 'Love Remember: 40 Poems of loss, lament and hope.'  I would love to quote the whole introduction.  He does a wonderful job of not simply highlighting our hope as Christians but also the reality and intensity of grief when a loved one dies.  I am looking forward to reading the compilation of poems.  I know people struggling now and I know others in full grief.  My prayers are with you. 

Graham and Isaac are watching Chicken Run.  It looks like Isaac might stay up until midnight for the first time.  I want to go and spend some time with them so I'll say goodnight and hopefully add some photos tomorrow or the next day.

Happy New Year!  Happy 2020!  May the grace, mercy, love, joy, and peace of Jesus Christ be yours in abundance.  May this next decade be full of new life in different ways, for the glory of God.  Thank You Lord for Your incredible blessings. 

Blessings,
Elizabeth

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

  

Growing Up

My baby is three and a half years old today.  She has reached another milestone, which means that I have as well.  I no longer have children who call me to get them out of bed in the morning.  Until recently, Lily-Anna has loudly called out, "Mommy," or "Daddy" upon awaking in the morning.  I would go to her and get her out of bed and perhaps cuddle on her chair.  Now she comes out on her own, unless it's still during the night, in which case I am awoken when she yells my name.  After I help her with something such as fixing covers, she'll ask, "Is it wake up time yet?"  She'll go back to sleep if it's not time.  When she does wake up in the morning she'll find me and give me a hug.

During the first major snow this year when the kids woke up and snow covered everything, they were outside in their pajamas (and coats and boots, etc) before 6:30 in the morning.  It was dark out.  We then had hot chocolate to celebrate.  The boys have been excited to shovel some snow and earn some money.   

First snow early in the morning

I realized tonight that in ten years Isaac will be 19 (almost)!  Wow - it's definitely going by too quickly.  His birthday will soon be here and for the first time he will not be having a friends birthday party in our home.  We're going bowling.  His first choice was a home birthday but I didn't think we had room for 10+ boys running around and this was also the first year that I couldn't come up with a theme.  While we have great memories of the last four birthday parties, I must say that there is a lot less work for a party outside the home.  We are actually going to put up our Christmas tree tomorrow afternoon (we've never been able to do that before Isaac's party before due to space).  It is a nice blessing to be able to focus on Christmas earlier.  Isaac has always wanted that too so it's a win-win.

I think I've mentioned that I've been going to a parenting class each week.  Last week was the last class.  We have a ways to go but Graham and I are both trying to improve our parenting and we are seeing some positive results.  I am excited about our weekly family meetings.  We have had four meetings now.  We start with everyone giving everyone else a compliment or a thank-you.  Last week Kohen couldn't wait to start and told Graham how patient he had been at something.  We also plan a fun family activity which meant we were all at the skating rink last week during which Lily-Anna skated for the first time.  I thought she did well for her first time, though she doesn't want to return any time soon.  We also come up with a proposed solution to some issue going on and we enjoy some ice cream together. 

First skate

Hot chocolate and goodies and Grandma and Grandpa Lucas' home

One night I could hear that Kohen wasn't happy after lights out.  I went to see what the problem was:
Mommy: What's the matter?
Kohen: I want to have kids but I don't want to get married.
Mommy: Why don't you want to get married?
Kohen: I don't want to get separated.
Mommy: Why would you be separated?
Kohen: Daddy said we won't stay married in heaven.

**

Kohen is in Isaac's locker

From the washroom one day I could hear Kohen and Lily-Anna.  They were under the kitchen table apparently having a secret prayer meeting.  I heard Kohen thanking Jesus for dying for them.

**

Lily-Anna made up a game trying to land hangers on the stairs

Lily-Anna and I were walking back to the van after dropping the boys off at school and waving goodbye.
Lily-Anna: Mommy, can I have a piece of pretend gum?
Mommy: Sure.  Here you go.
Lily-Anna: Thank you Mommy.

**

Lily-Anna likes to send emojis to Graham at work.  We took at photo of her lunch plate which looked like a face and was made out of vegetables.  We were sending it to Graham.
Mommy: Is there something you want to say to Daddy?
Lily-Anna: I like crowns.
Mommy: Is there something you want to say about daddy?
Lily-Anna: Daddy, you love me.
Mommy: Anything else you'd like to say about Daddy?
Lily-Anna: Daddy, I hope you are having a great meeting.

**

This was news to me but Isaac told us this week that when he eats coloured candies such as Smarties or Skittles he organizes them and eats them in the order of ROYGBIV.

**

Kohen was excited to give Lily-Anna his old pajamas

It's time to say goodnight to November.  Thanks for any prayers.  May you and yours enjoy a wonderful Advent and Christmas season, celebrating the birth of Jesus our Saviour and anticipating a future glorious. 

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Thankful for Fall

What a beautiful fall we have had!  It's a wet goodbye to October but we've enjoyed lots of sunshine.

Lily-Anna's farm program has finished but swimming has started for all of the kids.  I often try to make a nicer family breakfast on Saturdays (waffles, pancakes, or crepes are top of the list) but that will change for the next number of weeks as swimming starts early.  Thankfully, the pool is close so we can walk.

Two of my nieces turned 13 this month.  It was very special to be part of a time of blessing for them along with a number of other women in their lives.

We had a fun Thanksgiving weekend with my brother and his family near Ottawa.  We even enjoyed a walk through a forest and the men and boys went on a bike ride. 

I am missing being in a small group for this season but we are glad that I am going to a parenting course on Wednesday nights.  We may even have our first family meeting this next week.  That reminds me that Graham and I have decided to start having monthly dates out of the house.  We've booked our lovely babysitters for November and December. 

Fun with walkie talkies in the forest

We went to our friends' church tonight for a fun time with games, an obstacle course, and lots of goodies.  Afterward, we walked around our crescent with our neighbour and his daughter for their first Hallowe'en outing.  Friends down the street were handing out hot chocolate to parents.

I have enjoyed listening to a couple of episodes of the Read Aloud Revival Podcasts.  I was excited to hear of more books to pick up to read to the kids.  Thankfully, the library has most of them.  The challenge is finding the time.  Isaac and I are working through The Hobbit before bed.  Books are a key tool to help all three kids calm down.

Kohen on two wheels

I keep yawning so I need to head to bed.  Thanks for any prayers.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Standing on eggs

1 Corinthians 15:20-21
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  for as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  

P.S. I was just looking back at the camera roll for the month and was reminded of my gratitude for Youtube.  I changed the air filter and the cabin filter for our van one afternoon, with Lily-Anna rooting me on.  We're talking about using the ratchet set!  I came close to calling my dad to get the cover of the air filter back on but eventually it went back to its proper place.  Good times!  I even took photos of my dirty hands to send to Graham at work.  He was duly impressed. 

Do you see what's missing?!

Sunny September

What a beautiful September this has been!  It's nice to be back into the school routine.  The boys both enjoy their classes and Lily-Anna and I enjoy our treks to the school where Lily-Anna often plays with a friend. 

Isaac graduated from Music for Young Children and passed his level one exam in June so he started with a new piano teacher this month (his cousin's teacher) and is doing well.  Kohen started Music for Young Children and is really enjoying it.  I had forgotten how much time and effort the practicing is (for the parents) in the early years but he is getting his five weekly practices checked off. 

Lily-Anna and I love participating in the farm program each week.  I was so thankful we were able to register as I did the program with both of the boys. 

We are taking a break from leading a small group this year.  We may join one in January, but for the present I am taking a parenting workshop each week and starting to implement some positive changes at home (many more are needed).  I am also attempting to do a better job at planning meals.  The kids have yet to fully embrace "Meatless Mondays" but I'm sold and Graham and I have enjoyed the meals. 

The highlight of this month was celebrating Graham's parents' 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends.  All the B.C. family flew in for the weekend so it was wonderful to be together again.  We were even able to get family photos taken. 

I watched a great Youtube video about sleep this month that I wish I had seen when I was in my teens.  Anyway, it has inspired me to try to get more sleep.  I'm also doing a better job watching what I'm eating and I'm thankful for these small successes.

First day of Grade 4 and SK

Speaking of sleep, I'd better keep moving here so I'll say goodnight.  Thanks for any prayers.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Richard Scarry appeals to all

Proverbs 1:33
"But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."   

P.S. Our adventure on the last day of August was our 7th annual trip to Toronto Island.  Great times had by all and so lovely to be joined by our friends again.

On the log ride

On the ferry

August Adventures: Lots of firsts!

We have made some wonderful memories this past month.  We started off with a Faulkner Family Pig Roast / Reunion (Graham's dad's siblings and their kids and their kids.)  I think I heard that there were about 70 of us.  It was great to see everyone. 

A few days later, the kids flew on a plane for the first time (except for Isaac but he was too young to remember flying to Ireland).  Graham and I had the fun of flying with three children for the first time.  I'm not sure why I was worried as the kids had no trouble finding something to do on the plane!

I fought to limit "screen time" on the way out west but decided to just enjoy a book on the way home while Kohen made the most of unlimited cartoons on the screen in front of his chair and Isaac enjoyed a couple of animated features.  Lily-Anna divided her time between activities and The Berenstain Bears.

I had a lot of activities for them in their individual bags as well as numerous snacks, all of which helped the time pass quickly.   We had a great view of the Rocky Mountains going out there and Isaac appreciated that.  We had a clear view of the plane's wing on our way home.    

We had a wonderful time with Graham's two brothers and sisters-in-law as well as cousins.  We enjoyed relaxing by the pool and also going on day trips.  Graham's parents flew out on the same plane so it was great to have the whole family together.

For three nights we camped on Vancouver Island, which meant the first time on a drive-on ferry for the kids in addition to camping for the first time.  The weather was perfect and Graham said he didn't see one mosquito.

The kids found a structure made of driftwood on the beach so they were all over that (literally), trying to make it sturdier.  We saw a bald eagle and two deer while they were fixing it.  Our campsite was right beside a large wooded area where the kids could run and play.  I loved walking on the beach looking for rocks and sand dollars and also going to Cathedral Grove where the trees are huge and old.   Conveniently, they serve ice cream out west so we sampled that more than once in addition to some Korean Bingsu, Thai food, fish and chips, an amazing melon salad, and homemade pasta that Lily-Anna helped to cut by turning the crank.

One of Isaac's favourite memories from the trip is playing soccer and one of Kohen's is flying a kite the highest.  I forgot to ask Lily-Anna.

This week has been low-key.  I would have had them do another week of swimming lessons if the boys had agreed but thankfully they were against it as it has been nice to have a more relaxing pace (in other words, I'm not saying what time I changed out of my pajamas each day).

We have new neighbours who are originally from Peru and who have two children who seem to like to play with our kids (and vice versa).  Isaac is always on the lookout for someone to play soccer with him.  He is ready to head back to school.    

Our last August adventure is planned for tomorrow so I am writing this a night early.  Happy long weekend!

Thanks for any prayers.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Deuteronomy 4:29
But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Fun in the Sun

It's been a good month and a nice change of pace and schedule.  We started the summer holidays making slime and rice krispy squares (separately) and today we went to the cemetery and had fun on the Orange Berg Buddy.  When either of the boys were driving the Berg, the other stood on the back for the ride.  There are great long smooth paths in the newer section of the cemetery with no other people or vehicles to avoid.

The boys enjoyed a week of VBS at our church and then the following two weeks, all three kids were able to go for swimming lessons at the same time.  There have also been trips to parks, playdates with friends, and two overnight sleeps in the Glendale at Raybeth.

For the first time, Isaac swam in the pond at Raybeth (thankfully none of the huge leeches found him) and we also saw a turtle swimming in the water while we were on a raft.  This was actually the first time that I went on the raft according to my recollection.  This was also the first time that I tried s'mores with chocolate covered cookies  - what a great idea!  We will certainly miss visiting Raybeth (the property has been sold) but we have lots of great memories of our adventures there including all of the Martin get-togethers.  The place has been a blessing to so many and will continue to be so for others.

We took flowers to Josiah's grave on the 6th along with all the grandparents.  It was a very hot day so we weren't there long.  We then went back to my parents' home where we ate pizza and watched Women's World Cup.  Seven years ago this morning, I rushed Josiah to the hospital, the beginning of our stint at SickKids and Ronald McDonald House. 

My mom is recovering from her hip replacement.  It's a slow process but she's making progress.

We are looking forward to a great August together!

Thanks for any prayers.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ...