Happy Birthdays!

Enjoying the sunshine

My May post is always shorter as it is Graham's birthday today.  Happy Birthday Graham!  Yesterday, my baby and my princess turned four years old.  Impossible but true.  Lily-Anna and the boys are growing too fast.  There was no birthday dinner with the extended family but Lily-Anna still had fun.  She received a lovely card in the mail with a beautiful cupcake on the front, at which point she decided that she no longer wanted a cake (it would be for Daddy) but instead wanted cupcakes just like the one in the picture.  I think they turned out well.

I have now followed the auto-immune protocol for a month.  I can't say that it is helping with the inflammation in my body but I am going to keep going a little longer at least.  For most of this month I have also been doing the intermittent fasting by only eating between 10:00am and 6:00pm, roughly.  Again, this could supposedly help my immune system but my knees are still big with fluid.  I have not-so-great days and much better days for which I am thankful.

Fun on the Orange Berg

More fun on the Berg

First bike with pedals

For the first time this week we ordered our groceries online and picked them up at the store.  This is to limit the amount of time that I need to be on my feet and it also means that I don't need to leave all the kids with Graham while he is working (which means they are doing something on a screen).  It worked out better than I expected.

Playing catch

New technique for blood pressure

During the spring after my first year of university, I was paid to help in an elementary school for a few weeks.  I believe I worked with the special ed teacher.  It was then at the age of 19 that I learned that the word 'our' is a homophone of 'hour'.  Previously, I had thought it was a homophone of 'are' and that is how I pronounced the word.  I was quite shocked that I could have mispronounced the word that long.  Well, now at the ripe old age of 42, I was amazed to discover another thing I have never learned.  The back story is that about a week ago I saw a workbook for cursive writing so I picked it up for Isaac.  He does a letter a day.  When he came to the letter 'f', I found out that I have never written the letter f correctly.  I now know that when you get to the bottom of the f you should go to the right but I loop to the left.  Yes, this is not earth-shattering news but very interesting to me.  Isaac said he likes my 'f' better so I am tempted to tell him to do it my way as I am certainly not changing now.

Graham and I just finished watching some shows so it's time to say goodnight.  No time for photos tonight or talk about Covid-19.  Thankful for health.

This game lasted a few days

Isaac helping make dinner

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Walking on the ceiling

Snow on May 11!!!

Surprise birthday treat from a dear friend

Happy Pentecost Sunday!
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Bonus: The Princess in Style

Please let me wear pants and shorts!

She loves her Irish soccer jersey!

Thankful for His faithfulness

I'm not quite sure what to write as I am not in a great frame of mind.  I am wondering what I am going to eat for breakfast in the morning.  I would like to try to follow an anti-inflammatory protocol for my food intake for the next while to see if it could help decrease the inflammation in my body due to an arthritis flare-up.  I thought it would be good to try this last-ditch effort before reconciling myself to the necessary weekly injections of medication that decrease my immune system.  I am also always open to God's healing touch. 

Apart from this, we are healthy and I am thankful for that.  I am reading my Bible more and talking to God more and needing His help more than ever.  I'm thankful for warmer days.  I just started reading "Sensible Shoes" and I'm enjoying it.  I have parenting books on the go, searching for ideas that will help. 

At bedtime with Lily-Anna one night:

LA - Are we going to have clothes in Heaven?  Lots of clothes?
Me - Well, Jesus had clothes after he was resurrected.  Of course, Adam and Eve did not have clothes in the Garden.  I think the Bible talks about clothes; we'll look it up.  Do you like clothes?
LA - Yes, I hope we have clothes in Heaven.  We shouldn't be naked.

Lily-Anna in the washroom one day:

LA - I'm married.  We are going to have two children, a boy and a girl.
Me - What about 4 children?
LA - Three
Me - Oh, have more.  Mommy wants lots of grandchildren.
LA - I can't.  We've already been baptized and we prayed and got married.
(On a subsequent day she let me know that her children were adopted from a faraway place.)

Somehow, April disappeared with puzzles, games, kicking the soccer ball, walks outside, haircuts at home, reading, school at home, movies, baking (my first time making hot cross buns and cinnamon buns), Zoom calls, church on the couch in front of a screen, many trips for the boys in and out of their window, treats from family and friends, wearing masks, and lots of cuddles.  We celebrated Easter and Josiah's birthday.  For a number of days, Lily-Anna was processing Josiah's death, asking why he died, and wanting to see some of his things.  She liked hearing about the dream that Josiah's nurse had the morning he passed away. 

We saw a duck with her six ducklings earlier this week.  We watched a robin building her nest these last couple of days.  I'm thankful for God's gift of nature. 

I need to get some sleep.  Hopefully I'll have a clearer head and a new perspective in the morning.  "His mercies are new every morning."  I'll try to go to the grocery store in the morning with my mask on.  It was an emotional experience the first time I did that but I think I'm used to it now. 

Blessings to you and your family,

Elizabeth

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

Thankful for our Sovereign God

Set to run outside to find hidden surprises!

Surely it has been more than a month since February!  Something has certainly happened as not only have I joined Facebook but so has Graham, my mother, and my aunt.  Speaking of Facebook, I thoroughly enjoyed watching a wedding video tonight from my cousin's wedding two years ago.  Apparently I have lots to catch up on!  That being said, I thus far prefer Messenger for communication.

Lily-Anna on the balance bike at the cemetery

For an insecure introvert who connects better one-to-one, actually posting something on FB might be a stretch.  However, I have been reminded of late with words from Randall Goodgame (we love Slugs & Bugs songs for kids), to "remember not to take myself too seriously because taking yourself too seriously is anathema to being a disciple.  You can't do it.  You can't hold onto your own self and also follow Jesus.  You have to just give it up to the One who really knows what to do with us.  We have to give Him ourselves."  In case my meaning is unclear - perhaps my reticence to posting means I take myself too seriously?  I still have some processing to do.  It is nice to feel more "connected" and knowledgeable.  I've already sent two "Happy Birthday" greetings. :)

We opened the door and there was a duck!

This duck's partner was out our front window

The five Faulkners are social distancing due to Covid-19, the coronovirus that has spread through the world (I write that so I know what was going on when I read this when I'm older and greyer but I'm quite sure this season will never be forgotten.)  'Unprecedented' has been my word of choice for this situation.  So thankful that we serve a Sovereign God who is in control, who is good, who loves us, and whom we can trust.

The boys working on some science kits

So, what has changed?  We leave the house for groceries (Graham or I) and for walks or bike rides or kicking the soccer ball or racing remote control cars, all while making sure we stay at least six feet away from other people.  We say hi to our neighbours from afar as well as the grandparents.  The kids are learning at home and we watch our church service in our basement.  Each day I walk into our tidy bedroom and when I need a towel I look in our tidy linen closet and when I do laundry I do that in our tidier laundry room (still in progress but much improved).  Once a week, the extended Lucas family has a Zoom call and both boys do their piano lessons on Zoom.  Monday to Friday the kids learn upstairs while Graham is working from home in the basement.  I am also enjoying longer quiet times reading my Bible and praying (after the kids are asleep).  We are playing chess (and anti-chess which Graham taught us).  I actually want to learn strategy so I can get better.  Who knew I would like chess?!

My chess teacher

There are ups and downs with the learning but on the first day I certainly felt the privilege of being able to connect with my kids in a new way.  Our "school" day now starts with Bible and prayer in individual rooms.  Lily-Anna loves having her brothers home.  Our "read aloud" book is Pollyanna, just because I found it on the shelf while getting rid of some books in the basement.  I didn't think about its subject per se when I chose it but I think it's a great book for us to read - after lunch each day.     

Tea party with treats

I put up three magnetic boards in our home.  These have been in the corner of our room for months and months and months.  One now has my checklist for reading the Bible and prayer time and eating well (just started yesterday) and also my updated prayer list.  Feeling good about being more intentional.

I made sure to thank workers at Walmart the last time I was there to shop.  Thank you to all the people continuing to work and serve in grocery stores, pharmacies, and all the healthcare workers.

I should have been asleep long ago so I'll say goodnight for now and I hope to post pictures tomorrow night, though I realize my record is not good when I miss.

Oh right, I forgot my little vignettes that I keep notes on during the month:

Mommy - singing to Lily-Anna, "Thank you for being a sweetie pie."
Lily-Anna - Don't thank me, thank God for making me.

***

Lily-Anna had always loved and looked forward to her literacy program two mornings a week.  One day she didn't want to attend so I spoke with her teacher and found out that a little girl had spit at her.  I chatted with Lily-Anna about this and she seemed to feel better.  The following day out of the blue she asked me if we could pray for the girl at the program who spit at her.  We prayed.

***

Lily-Anna: Is 'Lily-Anna' in the Bible?
Me: The word lily is in the Bible and the name Anna is in the Bible.
Lily-Anna: Well, I am a girl named Lily-Anna and I follow Jesus.
Me: Yes, you are.

***

I was in my room so I overheard the following.  Lily-Anna was singing in the living room and then she went into the kitchen and spoke with Isaac:

Lily-Anna: That was a Bible song.
Isaac: You did a good job.
Lily-Anna: I'm pressed.
Isaac: You are impressed?
Lily-Anna: Yes, I'm pressed with my friends.  They sang well.
(She is referring to imaginary friends, one of whom is often "Jimmy" and then an assortment of interesting names that often rhyme.  "Jimmy" had to be in the hospital but then he came and stayed with us but had to stay in his own space.")

Can you see the pillow?!

Good night and God bless you and yours!  May you draw closer to God during this time.  He is a good God and He loves you.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

John 1:14

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Happy Leap Year!

I have lived through another home birthday party.  Kohen turns six years old this week so ten of his school friends came to his party today.  He had fun and Isaac was a great help.  I'm exhausted and need sleep so this may be short but I'm very thankful to God for helping this party come together.  Home parties always involve lots of prayer.

As always, I enjoyed my Valentines' dates with each of my children.  Graham surprised me with beautiful roses and we went to see the movie Little Women on our date night. 

Looking at our calendar, I see I have written "Strike Day" on six different days in February.  Hopefully a deal will be reached soon. 

Graham fell while skating and hurt his rib.  He has been in a lot of pain, though it has improved a lot since he first fell. 

The boys playing at the cemetery

God knows I like special numbers.  He gives me gifts.  Yesterday, I parked the van outside Dollarama and noticed that our odometer was at 181818.  I then went and bought some items at the store and the bill came to $18.18.  That was God reminding me that Kohen's party was in His hands (and so was I).

We have new drapes in our front window.  We haven't had drapes there for a few years.  It feels nice to be able to close the drapes in the evening and keep the heat in. 

We have a family dinner for Kohen tomorrow and I'm helping in his Sunday School class in the morning so that means an early start.

Thank you for any prayers.  As I told someone this week, there are struggles that we are dealing with in our home but we are headed in the right direction, though it can feel very slow at times.  I finally changed the Bible verse on our black board so the new one is found below.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

Happy 2020!

Ebelskivers for New Years!

The new year has begun.  Happy New Year!  Lily-Anna started a free early literacy program two mornings a week, which she loves.  She has a friend who attends as well.  I've also registered her for Junior Kindergarten in September.  It's all going by too fast for me but I like to see her excited about learning.  I've also applied for French Immersion for Kohen so hopefully he is accepted for next year.

First day at her literacy program

Registering for JK

Sadly, the year started off with the passing of an important man to me.  This man and his wife generously offered to take me into their home before they met me, when I was expecting Josiah, as I needed to live near Mt. Sinai Hospital.  Before I knew that this place was an option, I was looking at Bed and Breakfasts near Mt. Sinai Hospital and pictured myself going into labour and walking to the hospital.  God had a much better plan that involved the Rev. Canon Dr. Walter Bryce Vipperman (a.k.a. "Duke") and his lovely wife Deborah driving me to the hospital during Toronto rush hour.  Deborah waited with me until Graham arrived from Kitchener with plenty of time before Josiah entered the world.  They were the perfect people for me to be with at that time.  After I bemoaned the fact that I couldn't find marzipan chocolate to have during labour, Deborah went and found some, unbeknownst to me.  I loved listening to their prayers.  They attended Josiah's dedication and Duke prayed at Josiah's funeral.

My parents and I attended the packed funeral in Toronto.  It's the only funeral I have attended in which there was no eulogy.  Duke was able to plan the entire service himself.  It was so evident that this service was to focus on Jesus Christ and bring Him glory.  It did.

I recently finished reading Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology and the Director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley.  My dad sent me a link to a Youtube video and then I signed out the book from the library.   Wow!  I wish I knew this information in high school!  I have been incredibly ignorant about sleep and the amazing things our brains do while we sleep.  I will gladly sacrifice my sleep for my children when they need me but I have started to try to give myself the opportunity to sleep eight hours.  This is a huge change for me.  I feel like I have permission to sleep for the first time.  It is amazing how God has created our bodies and all that happens during sleep.  Fascinating.  Which means ... I need to get to sleep soon.

My mother-in-law also passed on a song to us by the group CityAlight.  Graham and I have been enjoying listening to their music.

While I'm recommending things ... if you have trouble opening jars, I highly recommend the Lee Valley jar opener (one piece of metal).  We bought two recently for people we love, after trying it out ourselves.  This purchase came after I asked a neighbour to open a jar of pasta sauce for me.  So, this is for using if your neighbours are away.

Lily-Anna and I were in the van heading to Canadian Tire.  I told her that we needed to buy a scraper for the van (to remove ice) as our other one had broken.  (Thankfully we don't need this very often as we park in the garage.)  Our conversation:

Lily-Anna: If this one breaks too, you can just buy another one.
Me: Well, we want to be good stewards of our money and we want to take good care of our things.  We don't want to spend all our money on scrapers.
Lily-Anna: I have lots of money.  If you or Daddy need any money, you can have it.  

Gingerbread in January

I think for the first time ever, our whole family became sick, one after another.  Kohen started throwing up on a Thursday, Isaac on Friday, Lily-Anna on Saturday, Graham on Sunday, and then I felt sick late Monday into Tuesday.  I was feeling pretty good about our team effort as parents (one of us comforting and the other cleaning) ... until Graham became sick ... and then I was angry.  Really, I was scared but it comes out as anger.  I remember this happening when Graham had pneumonia a few years ago.  Yes, I was angry at him for getting pneumonia (scared because I had a baby and a small child who were high-risk if they caught pneumonia).  However, this time it didn't take me too long before I confessed and apologized.  So, I'd love to get to the point of skipping the anger/fear and just trusting God right away but I'm thankful for small steps of progress in the right direction.  And, I am very thankful for only one person throwing up at a time.  Lord, please bless the single parents who must deal with sick children by themselves.

The boys have missed two days of school so far due to strikes and there are three more days scheduled next week.  The kids find this exciting.  Thankfully the bus strike is over.  My dad has blessed us tremendously by taking Graham to and from work.  Our lovely neighbour also offered to help with driving.  God provides.

I'm back swimming at the pool after a couple of years break.  Thankfully everything has come back.  It feels good to be in the water.

Thank you for any prayers!  I'll see if I can add some photos quickly, otherwise it will have to wait as I need sleep.  I will add them this time though. (I just checked the time - sleep wins and there will be no photos tonight but they will be added ... or I'll be in trouble with my mother!  I am teaching Kohen's Sunday School class this Sunday for the first time (usually I just help) so I have more prep for that.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Philippians 2:4

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Psalm 127:2

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.