Christmas 2014

And the dust is finally starting to settle. After a whirlwind few days, we are finally home tomorrow after 4 days of Christmases in a row! The kids haven't even been home to play with their new things!

What a crazy Christmas...a Christmas full of rain and cloudy days...(no beautiful white snow to marvel at) but it made for great driving conditions, so I'm thankful for that.

We spent our time visiting a lot of family and celebrating time and gifts and renewing our familyship together. Lots of good food and games and chats.

A and Micah, enjoyed themselves as well, despite taking turns battling a nasty cold, they seemed to be enjoying the attention and of course the gifts. They have also turned into pretty good travelers, despite hearing A ask, about every minute - "we there yet" , if you can handle that on repeat, they do pretty good. I think we've also heard the "ABCD" song by A about a million times as well...but hey, if she's happy and singing, I don't mind hearing the same song over and over.... :)

It's very interesting seeing gifts change as the kids grow. Seeing the clothes get a size larger each Christmas, seeing the kids' interests change, or level of difficulty change. This is the first Christmas that Micah has received lego or playmobile....I'm already figuring out how I'm going to have to re-organize his room to accommodate a good organization system for lego and playmobile... he is loving this stuff...I think it'll be good for his engineering brain and his imagination.

A is finally taking a small interest in dolls...mostly the brushing of their hair...she's a very tactile/learn through the senses type of girl, so she seems to love to brush/touch hair. It will be a good skill for her to learn to play with dolls, I think. She still loves to watch cooking or to pretend to cook, so I'm sure she will be pretend cooking for her dolls very soon.

To all our family near and far, thank you for a lovely Christmas time.

And as always, so important to focus on what Christmas truly is about. I've heard it said that Christmas is mostly about family and spending time with those you love...but what about those people who's loved ones have passed away? (Remembering our dear Kalyna - her ornaments are sparkling on our tree - but oh to see her lovely smiling face on our Christmas card would just warm my heart....) Who can't make it home to celebrate with loved ones? Who is all alone? That reason for Christmas would simply be painful to them. However, the real reason for Christmas can be celebrated by everyone, no matter what. Doesn't matter if you are all alone, if you can't make it home, if you are missing your loved ones, especially at this season.  No, everyone, anywhere, any age, can celebrate Jesus. We can celebrate His birthday and what this means for our lives. Jesus was born to die for our sins...that if we ask, we can be forgiven and some day live with Him in Heaven. Even Micah can tell that to you now! :) It totally melted my heart today when in KidJAM, Micah answered the question - What present would you give to Jesus - and he said "myself". So glad that Micah is starting to understand what life is all about.

I'll leave you with these verses: Our KidJAM verses from these past two weeks...

Luke 2:11

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

 

Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

 

I hope that you are having a Christmas that is full of our Saviour's love and peace.

The greatest love story

So right now we are going through a book called "The Story" which is essentially excerpts that are taken out of the Bible. They are in chronological order and they depict the love story of God from old testament to new. It puts it a little more plainly so that people who don't have Bible college classes (me being one of those people) to figure out how everything fits together in the Bible, (not that you need Bible college to understand the Bible...but I'm sure there are things that I would understand more about the intricacies of the Bible, if I had studied it academically) this allows the story about how God loves people so much and is working on getting them back. I came across this group of verses in Isaiah today after I searched "you are mine". It really brought it home for me. So since I'm on for devotions at our staff meeting this week, I thought I'd write my thoughts down and share them with all of you. Thanks for reading.

 

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.

Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’

Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

~Isaiah 43:1-7 NIV~ 

 

As I was reading this, I was wondering whether there were any comments on this passage, when I came across the same verses in the message version.

 

1-4But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,

the One who got you started, Israel:

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—

Because I am God, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you:

all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!

That’s how much you mean to me!

That’s how much I love you!

I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

5-7“So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.

I’ll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west.

I’ll send orders north and south: ‘Send them back.

Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places.

I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child

Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.’”

~Isaiah 43:1-7 MSG~

 

Read that a couple times and just let the words sink in.

 

It's not very often that I use the message translation, but I really like how they spell it out very plainly.

A few things stand out to me: I love the phrase "You're mine". God says right there "You're mine". We're His. Could it be said any more clearly than that? We belong to Him...there's not if, ands or buts about it. He created us for himself...and the sooner we realize that this means...the sooner we lose our identity issues and find our self-worth in the one who created us for His purpose and glory.

I also love the part about how He is always with us: "When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place,it won’t be a dead end—" I need this so much. This assurance. This promise. That when life seems like it's too much to handle, that I'm not alone and the road doesn't end. That road will end in Heaven...so I'm never stuck. If this earth crumbles and life ends...Heaven awaits...

Also, the part of "that's how much I love you" and it goes into detail of just how much God loves us. We have the advantage of knowing that He did go to extreme lengths to get us back...with His son. Jesus died for us, for all our tendencies to go our own way, just because God desires us so much. As Pastor Deve put in His sermon...we are the bride that God desires. He wants us to want His love, just as a man wants his girlfriend to love Him and commit to Him...(but on a much bigger scale as God's love surpasses the love of a guy for his girlfriend). We can't compete with that kind of love, we have to simply fall into it and accept the love He lavishes upon us.

And lastly, "I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child

Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one" --God won't just let us go our own way, He will pursue us. Remind us of His love for us at every turn. Through creation, through other people, through circumstances....He will use so many ways to remind us of His love. Wow. You can't push Him away. You can't lose Him. (You can walk away, push Him away, but He will always be there.....calling out to you). God wants us. He wants everyone that He has created, because He created each one of us for His glory. This also reminds me that we should also have this passion too....a passion to share this love of God with all people - God wants everyone of them to turn to Him. He created them. He loves them. That should be our passion too.

 

Just a few thoughts from me. Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

Our little A is 3!

What a great day today was! It was just a really really nice day.
I so enjoyed spending the afternoon with my little girl. It's crazy. I felt like my heart exploded inside of me today. I have known that I loved her...but I think maybe today was the first time that I loved her as my own.
She's three now! Now we have celebrated 2 birthdays with Ava! It feels really awesome that we've been apart of two of them now. As I look back over the past year of firsts, I'm really loving the seconds...things seem to be so much easier the second time around. I have decided that I like seconds. Ava's second birthday party, it will be her second Thanksgiving, her second Christmas, etc. Looking forward to experiencing all these seconds with Ava...seconds seem much sweeter and I am so thankful for these!

Well, here's to my smart, funny, ambitious, creative, music loving, full of energy, strong-willed, vivacious, energetic, emotional, empathetic, loving, curious, entertaining, beautiful daughter. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and are looking forward sharing many thirds and fourths and fifths and so on with you! Love you!

I shall leave you with Ava's life verse:

For the Lord himself goes before you.

He will be with you.

He will never leave you or forsake you.

Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.

~Deuteronomy 31:8~

A new season

It is definitely amazing how life takes over and there is no longer time to write very often. Then the thoughts just go round and round in my head till sometimes I think my head is going to pop! Here are a few musings from the past month...

Well we have finished week 4 of the new routine....of this new life that is called "the school years". And by the fact that I know it's only been four weeks, probably lets you know that it's been a long four weeks. It's definitely been a transition time for sure. I get up earlier now, so I get tired sooner...definitely a change I've noticed...my body does not like to get up in the morning...I used to think I was a morning person....apparently not so much....it just looked like I was compared to the rest of my family...
Anyways, Micah has been in school 4 weeks and is doing well! He comes home singing French songs and saying random French words that I know I haven't taught him. It really looks like they have a great program for JK/SK -very effective in learning French for sure! I figured that Micah would do well with that...he seems to really enjoy learning and things stick easily for him (definitely gets that from his father!). He has had some issues with the toilet at school though. It mortifies me, but there really isn't anything I can do about it. It seems that he gets so engaged at school and focused on something that he must block everything out and then has accidents. It's so terribly embarrassing to me. I don't think he really finds it a big deal though....he still talks about friends he plays with, so it doesn't seem to affect his socialness I think/I hope. He is blessed with a really great teacher this year who is so kind and understanding and helps him clean himself up every time...and hasn't banned him from coming yet either so that is great too. It hasn't been a lot (too much for me to handle) but really there have been maybe 4 days where he's had accidents...so I guess that's not too bad out of 4 weeks. Just one of those things I guess...(sorry for the total honesty here...)

On a more positive note, our dear little A, trained in 2 weeks and hasn't had an accident since. :) So whoever said girls were easier...or that second kids are easier...definitely has a point.

A also started preschool and gymnastics. Preschool is proving to be a bit of a challenge for A as she has a lot of random impulses and she needs to be taught what is appropriate behaviour for preschool and what isn't....(dumping sand on another child's head...isn't.) But she is starting to get it. She will even sit with the class 2 out of the 3 times they have sit down time. She loves doing the craft! And she is proud of herself every time she shares with a friend and doesn't put playdough in her mouth...that is a huge accomplishment for her. She goes two mornings a week and I think she improves every time she goes.  She is also enjoying her gymnastics...lots of swinging on bars, jumping, bouncing, somersaults...she enjoys it all. It requires a lot of self-control on her part to stay with her group and coach instead of running to other equipment around the gym. She is figuring it out though and doing better every time.  I'm so proud of her.

Well despite all the craziness, it is a new and exciting era. I'm so excited for all the things that both kids are learning! They are growing and learning and changing everyday. It's very thrilling to see.

I'm thankful for this season we are in, even if I have to drink 4 cups of coffee every day...just to keep up. I just need to figure out a little more balance for myself...figuring out where in the day to carve out my devotion time and prayer time...that is definitely needed and so important and can't be overlooked despite the busyness.
Just this past Friday, A and I had a quiet day at home and I was able to find this verse that really spoke to me:

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord ’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” ~Lamentations 3:21-24~

 

Every day God's mercies are new. There is something new each day. I am so thankful for this. The days I mess up, over-react, flip out, lose it...etc. are gone with the passing day and each day God forgives me and encourages me and I can start over. I am ever so thankful for my Saviour's compassion, mercy, faithfulness, strength and love.



Micah turns 4

My little first-born. The one who made us parents for the first time. I don't think it was very long after he was born that we figured out that parenting was not going to be easy....heheehee.

But out he came, all 8 pounds 2 ounces. He was laid on my chest and I remember thinking, is it a boy or a girl? Albert checked and sure enough it was a boy. A very cute little boy.

Now here we are 4 years later and he will be off to school come September! That seems pretty crazy, although I'm so excited for him to go to school. I think/hope that he will really enjoy it. I hope that he will enjoy the added challenge of learning French. My parents gave me the gift of learning another language while I was growing up and I really want to pass that gift onto my children too. Micah will be the first to head off to school to learn French and experience all that school has to offer. I won't continue on to defend my choice of school...I know that there are so many opinions out there on what type of school kids should go to (public school, private school, Christian school, homeschool). I personally believe that we need all these different types of schools as all kids are different and what works for one child, doesn't necessarily work for another. Every parent's job is to decide which form of school they feel is best suited for their child. There is no need to judge each other on which school we use, but support each other in our decisions....(my opinion anyway :) I know that in sending my kids to public school that it is my job and responsibility to know what is going on at school, to be in constant communication with the teachers and to talk to my children about what God says is right and what behaviours/words/actions they see at school might not be what God wants for them. To have that open discussion with my kids about how to be responsible, trustworthy kids. About how God loves them so much and loves their teachers and all the kids at school. They need to know that since God put their teacher in charge, that they need to respect their authority. Also, since God created all the kids in their class, that they need to treat them as loved children of God. We'll see how all this goes as the crazy adventure of school is just about to begin. Who knows how it will go...these are my thoughts as of now...but I'm willing to adapt/change should my children require it (the public school idea anyways). Enough about school though...

Micah was able to celebrate his birthday in a variety of ways...we had an afternoon swim and dinner at my dad's home as well as a trip to visit Thomas the train in St. Thomas. That was a fun experience for the kids. They seemed to have an awesome time and they made some good memories with their Opa and Memere Lise. That was a cool birthday trip for sure!
Micah also got to celebrate his birthday with a trip to the African Lion Safari with his Oma, Aunt, Uncle and Uncle's GF. It was a really great trip too...many wonderful memories made and exciting experiences were had.
Micah also got to celebrate his birthday with a trip to the farm - tractor rides with Poppers and playing ball with Aunt and Uncle...and then his whole birth day he spent lots of quality time with his Grannie. So many memories with people that he loves.
I love it. People are so valuable...building relationships, learning from and making memories with those that are important to Micah and who love him. These things hopefully he will remember for the rest of his life...through his memories and through photos. Remembering just how many people love him and some day when they are gone, he will have many fond memories to look back on.
Anyways, I'll leave you with my Micah's life verse...one he can now say all on his own!

So I will look to the Lord, I'll put my trust in God my Saviour. He will hear me.

~Micah 7:7~

Kalyna turns 2

Friday July 11, 2014 - My darling Kalyna turned two. I don't know if they keep track of age in Heaven...I'm not really sure how time works up there. But here on earth we keep time, so it feels ok to remember Kalyna's birthday and the age she would be.

I was so thankful on Friday to be able to spend some time alone at my daughter's grave. A caring friend watched the kids for the morning to allow me to spend some quiet time there.
It was a really crazy thing to go through all the stages of grief in a mere two hours. I went back to the day she was born. Holding her for the first time, my beautiful little baby girl - her dark curly hair, her overly red lips and her cute button nose. She was perfect in so many ways, except the way that counted. No breath came through her nose, no sound of crying from her lips. An unusual silence from a normally noisy birthing room. But she was there. There for me to hold, to kiss, to clean, to dress. I loved her instantly and a part of me was lost that day too. A part of my heart that will never heal until I get to hold her again.
As I moved through my thoughts, I thought about the legacy that she had left behind. Her being gone so soon, led to our adoption of A, which wouldn't have happened had she been here. Her legacy is that we can provide a loving home for A who needed one too. I wrote a letter to Kalyna telling her about her new sister. I can't wait for the two of them to meet one day.
I prayed for anger to go away, prayed for peace and for strength to be the best example I can be to my kids. I had felt very weighted and heavy as this day drew closer, and after spilling all my emotions and pain, I felt a renewed sense of peace and strength to continue on in this difficult life. To face it with some joy. To know that I'm not alone and that God is with me every day...that I need to make sure that I stay connected to Him - especially when I don't think I have the time -that's often when I need to make time.
I bought a little happy birthday candle and a 2 and put them by her grave to mark the significant day. Not much of a birthday celebration compared to what Micah is having soon...but hopefully it helped mark the significant day.
Lately I have been listening to a song by Third Day - one of their older songs, but a good one none the less...there is a line in the song that goes like this:
"It's alright, it's ok, I won't worry about tomorrow, for it brings me one more day closer than I was to you"
-I know that they are speaking about Jesus which I love....and I agree. It's taken on a bit of a double meaning lately, because it too means that I am a day closer to seeing my Kalyna again too (and my Jaimie). I am thankful for this promise.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death

or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

~Revelation 21:3-7~

Life

Well time just keeps passing on. Life continues on. We passed Father's day...a day where we celebrated Albert. I feel he likely didn't get enough celebrating for the great dad that he is, but he never complained because of course he is so awesome. I appreciate him so much. Something I've said before, but it never hurts to say it again. I am so thankful for my husband. He is committed to me and Micah and A. He gives of himself so much. He helps in the morning, goes to work, then comes home and plays with the kids and then helps with bedtimes. He is generally the bath-giver every night. What a blessing it is to have him in my life as my partner through life. Through the ups and downs he is there. It's really funny because we do work so well together. We are a great team. We recently had a Saturday to "ourselves" thanks to my mom who watched the kids. We had a booth at Kid's Fun Fest to promote Upward Basketball ....such a great day. I think we saw over 300 kids to whom we gave Upward Basketball info....so it will be interesting to see if some of them join us for this upcoming season. We were quite hot and worn after that, so we went to see our very first 3D movie! Crazy. It was so fun! Then we had a nice dinner out at East Side Marios....which was so yummy! :) It was an enjoyable day, just enjoying each other.

Recently as well, we hit June 19 - A's "gotcha" day! The anniversary of when A came to stay with us! One year ago a blond haired, blue eyed little girl was dropped off and slowly began to weave her way into our family and our hearts. She is such a cherished part of our family now. It took a lot of prayers and a lot of patience but I think we won her over. :) I think she has bonded with us and confidently knows that we are her family. I write this as I watch her and Micah climb all over Albert with big smiles and laughter. I've decided that a good word to describe her is vivacious. One year makes so much of a difference. I feel like I've learned so much over the year, and then sometimes I feel like I haven't learned anything. Regardless...our lives are richer and full of more joy than they were a year ago. We are a family of 4 on earth, navigating through this adventure and journey called life.

We are looking forward to a summer of daytrips and hopefully no drama or big changes. Just enjoying our family of four and making some memories together. :)

Thanks for reading.

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
~Nehemiah 8:10~