March

The month began with Welsh cakes and daffodils for St. David's Day.  My mom's dad was from Wales.  I had the kids watch a couple of videos about Wales while enjoying their Welsh cakes.  I was going to have my mom tell them first-hand about Wales but she was out when I called so the kids instead told her what they had learned.  I remember visiting Hay-on-Wye with my family when I was young.  It's a Welsh town famous for its number of bookstores.  

Kohen's last day being 7

Kohen's 8th birthday was next on the agenda.  He was able to celebrate at SkyZone with a few of his friends.  He had a great time.  

Kohen likes Andy Griffith and candy

We've been experiencing typical March weather which means the kids were outside in their shorts and t-shirts playing at the park when it felt like 18 degrees C and more often wrapped up with neck warmers and snow pants when it felt like -18 degrees C or under the umbrellas for the freezing rain.  

I have fond memories of my dad letting me return to school after lunch wearing shorts on one fine March day.  I loved going home for lunch.  My dad made toasted tuna sandwiches to our exact specifications (I liked mayo spread on the toast, one brother liked no mayo and the other liked it mixed in with the tuna).  And by mayo, I mean Miracle Whip.  I enjoyed that toasted tuna sandwich while watching the end of The Andy Griffith Show (if I ran or biked home quickly) as well as Leave it to Beaver.  

It was great to see more family this month.  My brother's family visited during March Break and Graham's brother flew out to Ontario last week.  The kids loved playing with their cousins and also with Ginger, another cousin's hamster which we looked after for a week.  It's nice to watch the kids enjoy the hamster.  She's very cute.  

We visited the Treetop Village just outside of Hamilton during the break.  I wish we had known how muddy it would have been as the kids would have worn their snowpants and been able to slide down the filthy slides but thankfully they had boots on (a last minutes decision - PTL).  They all had a really good time and had lots of exercise and fresh air.

March also means we get to celebrate Grandma Faulkner's birthday.  We enjoyed our visit and some yummy Indian food.

Lily-Anna and I finished our skating lessons this month.  I don't think either of us were sad to end them.  My feet always hurt.  Hopefully Lily-Anna will enjoy it more as she gets older.

After ten years, Graham will end his time at the U of W library doing web development and will become a Software Developer at Geotab in Kitchener.  When he was hired at the library, it was God's perfect provision in so many ways, especially as it related to Josiah who was born a few months after he started there.  While he is thankful for his time there and will miss his coworkers, he is very excited about this new opportunity.       

There were five beautiful blooms!

The mask mandate has lifted as have most other restrictions.  I had wished they would have waited until two weeks after March Break.  I currently know quite a few people with Covid and the last two weeks my kids have been off different days due to symptoms on the assessment list.  I'm thankful my kids aren't the only ones still wearing masks.  It's not just about trying to keep them free of Covid, it's that every time they get a symptom on the list, at least one of them has to stay home and they have missed so much school.  One day at a time.  I enjoyed playing Carcassonne with Kohen today and 'hospital' with Lily-Anna (she "broke" her wrist and needed it x-rayed).  I just this moment realized that she's pretending to be her aunt, though Lily-Anna pretended she fell off her bicycle.  

It's time for some sleep.  Morning shall come when I will finish making their lunches, hoping they each wake up symptom-free and are not tempted to tell me otherwise.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

I'll miss picking her up at lunch next year

February

I think I must have blinked!  What happened to February?!  

Today is a special day though.  It is the 85th birthday of a wonderful man from our church who used to be part of a Bible study that took place in our home a few years ago.  We serenaded him with the Happy Birthday song on FaceTime and then the kids had a little piano recital for him.  He hadn't realized that Lily-Anna had started playing the piano so that was a nice surprise for him and the boys have both improved since he last heard them play.  He told the kids that they had made an old man very happy.  

Making fresh lemonade

Lily-Anna and I have had four weekly skating lessons and will have three more in March.  We both seem to be slowly improving.  I had my first fall this past week and I am certainly thankful for helmets or I wouldn't have been able to keep skating the way my head hit the ice.   After I fell, my instructor gave me some tips to prevent a backwards fall next time.  When I mentioned the tips to Lily-Anna, she said she already knew what to do as they taught her the first week.  Perhaps I missed those instructions as I do find it hard to hear on the ice as there is a lot of background noise.  

I am attempting to knit a tea cosy with a kit I have had for many years, probably prior to Isaac being born.  It's meant to be knit and then felted by putting it in the washing machine.  It took me three tries to start it without having to undue the stitches but things are going smoothly now.  I just finished the first ball and need to figure out how to attach the next ball.  Thankfully my mother doesn't live far away. 

 

I pre-ordered the new Ann Voskamp book, Waymaker.  I was interested in the goodies that come with the pre-order, especially the videos.  I also quickly read the first three chapters and look forward to reading the rest when it arrives in March.  There are also audio devotionals for all of Lent so I am looking forward to that as well.  

The highlight of February is Valentine's Day.  This is the one time of year that my kids know they will be going on a date with Mommy.  The last few years they have always chosen Starbucks for a hot chocolate and a cake pop.  As you can see, I sat at the same table each time!  Graham blessed me with flowers and the two of us were able to go out for Indian food.  

  

A woman whom I knew when we were girls in elementary school connected with me through FaceBook.  She asked about my parents and said that she always liked my mom as a teacher and said that my dad is a good man.  She remembers playing baseball at our church out in the country.  My dad built a number of baseball diamonds on our church's country property so that there could be a church baseball league in the community.  I have never been good at baseball but I do remember my dad doing lots of work to make it happen.     

I am very sad about what is happening in Ukraine.  This seems to have shaken me more than other events in the past.  It just seems shocking and reading some of the stories, I imagine my own family going through things like getting drafted or begging a stranger to take my kids across the border.  It is encouraging to see so many people praying about the situation, asking for God's intervention.  May God bring real peace.  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Happy 2022!

Happy 2022!

Once again, the year started out with ebelskivers ... and more restrictions.  The ebelskivers were yummy!  Favourite fillings were Nutella or cheese with jam or red pepper jelly.

School started online a few days late but thankfully they returned in person on the 17th.  The daily Covid assessment for school has also changed.  I'm amazed that we haven't needed to isolate as all it takes is one runny or stuffy nose to keep all five of us home but we could then use rapid tests I think (I'll look it up when I need to know).

I'm going to blame the restrictions for the lack of excitement this month: buying boots; fixing a dryer, washer, and muffler; picture day for the kids; signing up for bank accounts and skating lessons; seeing the Stratford lights; and going sledding.  I almost forgot that they made an outdoor oven (I think there's a different name) with Grandpa Ray.

In searching for boots, I discovered that CBC Marketplace investigated how well boot soles were able to grip on icy surfaces.  It turns out that most just slip.  The KITE Research Institute in Toronto has the results of all the boots they have tested.  I was able to find a pair that are good on ice and are warm.  They are not beautiful but I am neither a fan of cold feet nor of slipping, both of which have been a problem with my old boots.  They were even on sale.  Thank You Lord!

We were a little late this year!

Our dryer had been making a loud squealing sound.  Unfortunately our regular repairman is not currently working so I found a company that appeared to have an overall good rating online.  First mistake - not enough research and too trusting.  They came to our home for what I thought would be a repair but it was only a diagnosis.  I knew the cost of the service call would be credited to the repair so I wasn't too worried until we received the expensive quotation and dug deeper, finding numerous complaints about the company.  Thankfully my wise husband decided to cut ties before we lost more money or time.  He asked for a recommendation on FaceBook neighbours.  We received a name of a company around the corner from us.  I couldn't find any ratings at all online but we thought we'd support local.  He was wonderful!  He came and fixed the dryer as well as our leaky washer in under an hour for much less money than the other company quoted us for just the dryer.  We will certainly call him for any further repairs.  Thank You Lord!

Excited to have painted nails!

We had a little excitement on the way to church yesterday morning.  A car pulled up beside our van while Graham was driving and honked.  We recognized a family from our church and Graham put his window down.  They told us that our muffler was about to fall off.  We made it to church and then Graham called for a tow truck.  My parents were heading to church but instead they picked up the kids and took them home.  Graham waited for the tow truck and took a bus home.  Today we became the proud owners of a new muffler and whatever holds that muffler on.  

Last week, Lily-Anna had her first picture day at school as they didn't have one last year.  We've never had a picture day during the Winter for good reasons.  I sent a brush with each of the kids.  I'm looking forward to seeing how they turn out.  

Kohen and Lily-Anna finally have bank accounts.  Isaac has had his for a few years.  They were excited to go to the bank and deposit their money and receive their bank card.  

I was able to sign up Lily-Anna and I for skating lessons that start next week.  We'll each have our own class.  Graham fell and bruised his rib when he took lessons a couple of years ago so I am praying that doesn't happen to me.  Lily-Anna is looking forward to it.  

I introduced my kids to Bonkers

Lily-Anna has graduated to a booster seat in the van!  None of us are missing the car seat.  My eleven years of doing up five-point harnesses have ended!

We were able to enjoy some sledding this month with all the snow.  

Most sadly, my Uncle Peter died last week.  He was my only uncle in Canada.  He was kind and generous to me and I miss him.  My prayers are for my aunt and cousin.  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 113:3

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!

Goodbye 2021!

Happy New Year!!!

This may be short as I want to get back to the festivities (movie and snacks in the basement with Graham and the boys).  Lily-Anna just said a sleepy goodnight, though she wished she could stay up until midnight.  Maybe next year.  We were actually able to watch a movie together as a family, which is quite rare: Paper Planes.  We looked through a lot of reviews to find one.  

December was a full month up until the 26th when we relaxed.  We began the month by going to the Coping Centre's Memorial to remember Josiah and hang an ornament with his name on an outside tree.  There was an extra surprise for Lily-Anna.  A boy who lost someone this year arranged for a number of stuffed animals to be given to kids who were attending the memorial - all those five years of age and under.  Lily-Anna chose a beautiful soft wolf pup and named him Wolfie.  He is keeping her warm as I type.  

On the 8th, the kids were able to get their Covid vaccines.  I took all of them together and Kohen and Lily-Anna both wanted to go first but Lily-Anna called it first.  When we walked into the main room, we could easily hear some small kids screaming and the person taking our information was apologizing to me but thankfully my kids took it in stride and were fine.  All the staff and volunteers did a great job.  

The next big event was Isaac's 11th birthday and party on the same day as Kohen and Lily-Anna's piano recital.  I was praying that everyone would stay healthy so these events could happen and they did.  Isaac and his friends had a great time at SkyZone.  I'm so thankful they were able to have fun together as kids.  We also celebrated Isaac with some extended family the following night.

Both Kohen and Lily-Anna did a great job at their recital and both enjoyed playing.  This was Lily-Anna's first recital and Kohen's second in-person recital as he has had online recitals since Covid began.  Kohen played Little Drummer Boy and Lily-Anna played Go Tell It On the Mountain.  Isaac recorded and submitted We Three Kings for an online show of sorts and all three took part in playing their songs for a spontaneous family concert.

We were able to be with Graham's parents when they were honoured at their church for their 50 years of ministry with the PAOC - a great achievement.  It was special to be there.  

Our new stove was delivered on the 14th and I am very happy with it.  It's so nice to have burners that fit my large pans and a glass-top that cleans easier than my coils.  I did think to buy one of those silicone "lids" that stop saucepans from boiling over (as I am an expert).  In fact I was reminded to use it the first time on Christmas when I watched the potatoes boil over.  It worked really well ... now to remember to use it from the start!

Okay, I have sort of redeemed my horrible turkey-cooking-experience from two years ago with a tasty turkey this year.  I had actually decided to just make a roast beef as we had already had turkey when celebrating with my side of the family but when shopping I could not find yorkshire pudding so I was definitely not willing to have roast beef (I know I could make my own yorkshire pudding but it's been a very long while and I wasn't willing to gamble).  That worked out well because the turkey and gravy were great (I now know to write down the weight of my bird and the time I put it in the oven) and I was able to make lots of turkey soup with the broth.  My food thermometer did decide to die while I was checking the temperature but the two Grandmas were able to advise successfully.  Next year's meal should be even better as I should have time to practice keeping food warm.  That's not my forte yet but I can improve.  Next goal: a delicious HOT turkey meal. :)  I also have a new super-duper thermometer which even came with an extra battery.

We were able to celebrate Christmas with both sides of the family and we had a lovely time.  I was on for making chili and was able to find a yummy recipe which called for some cocoa powder.  I made it again tonight.  I'm used to making vegetarian chili but I think this will become our new go-to recipe.  Actually, I heard an idea on an episode of Adventures in Odyssey (which we listen to during breakfast six mornings a week as it is on the radio): corn chips in chili.  So good.  New norm.  I love the added crunch.  Yum yum!  Even my mother thought they were a good addition.  I usually make corn bread in my cast iron pan but tonight it was just corn chips.

I thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas.  Stockings in the morning with the kids.  Cinnamon Rolls while listening to the birth of Christ from the Bible.  Opening a few gifts followed by bacon and eggs and fruit.  More gift opening and then kids playing while preparing for our turkey meal.  Snacking all day and then enjoying our meal.  Cleaning up and having dessert.  Saying goodbye to the grandparents and putting the kids to bed.  Good family time.  Thank You Lord!

Graham and I have both had our booster shots.  It sounds like school is starting in person just two days late, next Wednesday.  We'll see where these Omicron numbers are.     

One exciting piece of information I learned on Christmas Day - Graham does not like his napkins folded in a triangle, which is my preferred shape over the rectangle when it comes to napkins.  I shall endeavour to please.  Yes, we have been married for 17-and-a-half years. 

Shortly before Christmas, a neighbour came to our door with a big basket of goodies from Hickory Farms.  He told Graham he should just consider it as a gift from the whole neighbourhood as everyone sees what he does to make it a good neighbourhood and to help out.  That's my man!  He does lots of driveways and lawns.  

Graham and I watched The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of CS Lewis last night and enjoyed it.  I think it's only available to rent until January 2 and it's certainly not cheap for a rental but we enjoyed it (you wouldn't call it action-packed!)

We visited Josiah's grave this afternoon and took flowers.  We love you and miss you Josiah!  Thank You Jesus for Your birth, for coming to us, for saving us, loving us, dying and rising for us and sending Your Holy Spirit to live in us.  Amazing.  Incroyable.  Thank You.  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.