September Stories

It's the end of September ... and I am tired.  I need to put another alarm on my phone that reminds me to do laundry.  The following happens far too often: I am getting ready for bed when I realize that I need to do laundry as one or more of us need something in the morning.  I hang up a number of things to dry so I usually need to wait until the wash is finished so that I can hang items before I go to sleep. 

I've also just switched this past week from taking my medication by injection to taking it orally.  It's the same medication but I don't know yet if it will work for me or not.  I thought it was worth a try to get away from the needles that Graham kindly administers.  This change could also make me more tired.  

It feels good to be back into a fall routine and this is the most organized I've been yet, at least in terms of the kids.  They each have lists to check off each day.  

All of the kids are enjoying being back at school and seeing their friends.  Isaac likes being in high school and has joined the band.  Thankfully there is only one early morning band practice at 7:00 a.m. and the other practice is after school.  I drive him and it reminds me of my dad driving me to band practice, though that started at 7:30 a.m. and I thought that was early.  

Kohen is one of two grade 5 boys in the grade 5/6 class.  Thankfully he is good friends with the other boy.  He goes with him to his church to a kids' program during the week.  We all went to watch Kohen play lacrosse tonight.  It's a short season with just five sessions but it's been fun to see him learn a new sport that I have never before watched.  His final practice and game are next week.  

Lily-Anna has been to two birthday parties this month.  I always like finding out who she plays with at recess and what they do.  She is so creative and has lots of ideas.  

It's been so nice to see my dad's cousin and his wife who are visiting from Northern Ireland.  It's also been fun to meet the children of one of Graham's coworkers.  We went to the park together where I realized it's been a long time since I chased after a two-year-old.  They are fast!  

I forgot to mention that we started the month with a trip to Toronto Island with friends.  Our family took the bus and train again and we managed to meet our friends on the ferry so we could eat lunch together and the kids went on some rides together.  It was a fun day.  We then saw another family from church at Union Station and another couple at a different station on the way home.  Good times!

We made some changes to our bedroom which is why I am sitting on a Lazyboy chair typing this in my room.  We were able to find a tall dresser on Marketplace so we said goodbye to our big long dresser which we were given when we married which has enabled us to have a chair in our room.  I found a little round table that can hold a hot drink and it has shelves to hold our Bibles.  

It has definitely made me want to hang out in our room more and I've found Graham sitting on the chair reading a number of times.  I didn't realize this was a needed change until it happened.  I'm thankful Graham mentioned that he'd like to have a chair in the room.  We are using one that was in the boys' room and they have one that was in our basement which also means that our basement has more available space.        

We've been able to declutter a little but there is so much more that needs to happen.  

We've been listening to lots of Vanderbeeker and now Penderwick audiobooks.  It's so nice to listen to stories of people whose company you love ... even when they are characters in a book.  I even love the pets in these books.  

Graham and I are going to co-lead a Bible study with friends from our church.  It starts this week.  It's the first time we have been part of one with children so it will be interesting to see how it works.  The idea is that the children play in one area while the parents are meeting in another room.  We'll see how it goes.  

It's time to end this and see if I can figure out how to post some photos before I fall asleep.  

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

August

Summer and School Vacation are not over yet but we've said goodbye to August, a wonderful month. We began it in Kincardine where we were ending a lovely week at our neighbour's trailer. We enjoyed a night in Listowel with my dear in-laws on our way home. 

After celebrating the Civic Holiday with my side of the family, Isaac began volunteering at our local community centre with the Building Youth Leadership Development Program (BYLD) offered free from the City of Kitchener. Isaac was provided with a day and a half of training in June as well as feedback and mentoring during his seven days of volunteering. Most youth volunteer for ten days but Isaac's supervisor kindly allowed him to take off two days for camping with his family. Isaac received lots of positive feedback and he enjoyed being with the children. 

This is the first year that Isaac has been able to join the camping trip. He went with Graham, Kohen, Lily-Anna, two of his uncles, and two of his cousins. It used to be a Daddy-Daughter trip for Lily-Anna and my four nieces but nephews have been allowed last year and this year as some of my nieces were unable to get time off work. They rented three canoes and paddled for hours, portaging three times. They made some lifelong memories. I enjoyed meeting with three friends while they were away and I appreciated the break from cooking. 

Kohen and Lily-Anna have both had lots of swimming lessons this summer. They both passed a number of levels, making lots of progress. Kohen is now a good swimmer and Lily-Anna is comfortable in the water, enjoys jumping in, and can swim 10 meters on her front and back. One huge highlight of the month was seeing my niece get baptized in the river. I love watching any baptisms but they mean even more when someone I know and love is getting baptized. 

Last week I noticed that there was some water coming from our hot water heater. Thankfully it had an 8-year warranty that ended this coming November.  I emailed the company that installed it and they came and replaced it the next day. We just paid for the installation. PTL!!! 

I have been to the St. Jacobs Market three times this month. The first time I went with Kohen who wanted to buy Jibbitz for his Crocs. The second time, we went as a family and enjoyed delicious cinnamon buns. None of my kids seem to remember being there before so I guess they were too little to remember.  The third time, Kohen and Lily-Anna were with me after we bought Lily-Anna a pair of Crocs and she wanted to buy Jibbitz. 

Lily-Anna also decided to change her hair this month. She had over ten inches cut off and she's enjoying her short hair, though she's thankful it's just long enough to pull back into a ponytail when she wants. 

My two local nieces have left for university. It will be different not having them close by or seeing them on Sundays. I'm happy and excited for them but I'll miss them. 

We reduced screen time this summer and it was helpful (one of my children may disagree). The kids read more and played more outside and were more creative.  We also enjoyed listening to a number of audiobooks. We recently had a family meeting to come up with some ideas for a healthy schedule for screen time. We'll try it for a couple of weeks and then discuss what changes are needed. I'm hopeful. 

Kohen decided that he wants to try playing lacrosse. We were able to find a program that will help him learn to play in September. It will end with a tournament in early October so it's a short season. Thankfully, we were able to find all the necessary padding on MarketPlace as well as some balls and sticks (in addition to one new stick). We now have three lacrosse sticks and Isaac and Kohen played with a friend tonight. 

Isaac and I need to volunteer at church in the morning so I'll say goodnight. 

I'll have to skip photos now but given that the kids go back to school next week, I will soon have a little more time.  I hope everyone is having a great long weekend.  

Blessings, 

Elizabeth 

Psalm 119:105 ESV 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.