November

Well, according to the calendar, it's been a busy November but it's all a bit of a blur. We managed to get the Winter tires put on the van in time for the latest snow.  (That is, Canadian Tire managed to get the tires changed.)  We think the van may be on it's last legs but it would be great if could last a few more months at least.  There are some new noises and rattles so we'll see what the mechanic says.

The kids enjoyed seeing the grass covered by snow.  It was pretty. 

I'm so thankful that God helped us to fix our kitchen faucet so we could save some money.  The same faucet came on sale so I picked it up as insurance but thankfully I was able to return it.  I looked online and used a drill and then a chisel to remove a plastic nut that was stuck (clearly this is a known problem based on what I read online).  It took a good while but eventually it came out.  

I was a little too full of myself and an ignoramus and didn't put two and two together to realize that water would come out when I managed to remove this.  Of course it came spraying out when my dad was there observing my work. 😏   The water that sprayed out while I tried to turn off the water under the sink managed to get into my dishwasher and cause it to stop working but thankfully I knew that was an easy fix (though not something I wanted added to my plate that day).  Yes, pride goeth before a fall.  

After I removed the offending nut, I wasn't able to screw in the new one and figured it was a lost cause ... but I still prayed that God would intercede.  He did so using Graham's muscles.  He was able to screw in the one.  This fixed some issues but it was disappointing to see that our cold water pressure was still low after all of that.  The handle was fixed though.  However, after a couple of weeks, the cold pressure is now high.  It's been a long time since we've had that and it certainly is a blessing to fill up the Brita quickly.  Lily-Anna was excited to be a plumber too.

Isaac is starting to think about what high school to attend next year.  He's been able to visit some of the schools.  At the moment he's hoping to attend the closest school which is a short walk away.  I'm getting ready to be a mom to a teenager next month.  How did this happen so quickly?

I just remembered that we all had a stomach bug in November.  Thankfully we each took turns, one after the other and there wasn't too much extra laundry.  

December will be a fun whirlwind.  Lily-Anna is looking forward to playing the piano in a recital and singing in a performance at school.  We'll go to the Christmas Memorial again at the Coping Centre.  I think this will be our 10th year going there and possibly our last.  It seems to be most important to our youngest children to attend.  It is fun to put Josiah's ornament on the tree outside.  

PD Day crepes for breakfast

I need to take my needle tonight and get bloodwork in the morning so I need to get to sleep.  I'm hoping my inflammatory markers in my blood look better than last month.  I'd rather not start another medication but I suspect my doctor will recommend that when I see him next week.  Physically I have felt quite good so I am thankful for that.  

We were blessed to see a deer

The kids each have a day of the week when they help make the supper.  Isaac chose to make Swedish Meatballs one of his days and Kohen chose Chicken Enchiladas which he and Isaac made together (with some guidance from me).  Lily-Anna and I pounded and rolled chicken breasts filled with a dill and parmesan mixture.  At the moment this system depends on me having my act together to ask them ahead of time what they'd like to make and then make sure we have all the ingredients.  I think they are starting to learn that some recipes take a lot of time and cause a lot of mess ... and are worth it.  And some recipes sound better than they taste.  

Each December we try to have Advent readings and a candle lighting each night and this year I have some new wooden tree ornaments that go along with the readings so I am excited to surprise the kids with those tomorrow.  We need to put our tree up soon - hopefully this Saturday.  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.”