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.