Sitting Up!

Sol just decided to start sitting up. He really didn't need practise or anything. The cusions don't support him they just catch him if he falls (which is pretty rare). He loves to be able to reach and play with his toys. I think he feels more independent.

More Pig Tails

If two is good, three MUST be better!

 

A Closer Look

Popsicle Star,
Sprinkly Pinecones,
Paper Chain, and
Fruit Loop Garland 

The Finished Product

 

Making Loops

Journey and her dad making Fruit Loop garland for her little tree. She was very impressed with how fast daddy was at getting the loops on the string!


 

Sol is getting so big! I think soon we'll have to put this swing away as it is only for babies under 20 lbs. Just the other day he started sitting up on his own. He hadn't tried at all really before that but then I guesss he just decided it was time. He hardly ever falls over and is quite proficient at reaching for and getting a hold of toys that we put around him. He rocks back and forth as if he's still in the swing and I have a sneaking suspicion he'll be crawling before too long. Just can't seem to sit still anymore.

Let It Snow!

Journey Loves to eat
Snow. She's supposed
to be feeding the birds
with seeds from this
measuring cup ... but
drinking snow out of it
seems to be more fun.
 

Stairway (ladder) to Heaven?

The other night ... a day or two after our talk about heaven ... Journey was climbing the ladder to her bed. She started goofing off and I warned her to be careful. "Why careful?", she asked. So I explained again about dangerous activities and how they might leave her bleeded (hurt). "And then I might die?" she asked. But before I could really respond she announced cheerfully: "then I would be in heaven with God!"

"Well, you'll only be in heaven if you have God in your heart."
"I do!"
"Did you ask Him to come in?"
"No."
"If you don't ask Him He won't be there ... but if you ask Him to come in He will."
"Can I ask Him now?"
"Yes, if you want to."
"Dear God, please come in my heart. Amen"

We need to start going through the "Lamb" book David and Erin gave us. I want to be excited but find myself doubting that this is 'real' or that God acknowledges her invitation. There's just so much she doesn't understand! But then I think that there's a whole lot I still don't understand. And I am humbled inside because I feel God gently chiding me for being an "adult" when I should be striving to be more like a "child" in my faith. Just obediently living up to the light He has given me ... no matter how dim or bright. Welcome home Journey. I AM excited to see how God develops your understanding and your relationship with Himself. How sweet that you will know God in your youth! I hope I don't ever discourage you on your spiritual journey or cloud your faith with my own disbelief.

Go, Go, GO!!!!

This is Journey waiting NOT so paitiently for a picture to print. We were getting Christmas Cards off Fisher-Price.com for her to paint and give to her friends and Sunday School teachers. She was very excited about it.

Piggy Tails

Journey's hair is FINALLY long enough for pig tails. She didn't really want them in but I convinced (ordered) her to keep them. (: I had a pony tail too so we were kinda the same.

A Night Away

Thanks to Amy's mom, Char, (who gave us a gift certificate for a night at the Radisson in Canmore) we were able to get away for some much needed alone time. Not only did she provide for us financially in this but she also looked after the kids while we were gone! What a woman. We are deeply grateful and had a wonderful time!

The hotel was furnished with Sleep Number beds and we discovered that Garron and I have VERY different needs as far as mattresses go. He is a number 55 and I think I'm down around the 30 mark. (which basically means I like my mattress to hug me and he likes to sleep on the floor) We had a delicious supper out at The Sage restaurant ordering our favorites, lamb and steak. We slept in late (7:30) and lingered over breakfast beside the fire.

Thank you momma! We owe you big-time. Any requests?

The Perfect Christmas Gift for Andy!

Amy's dad Andy is a scarf man. And so when we found this 'scarf' (actually a blankety thing on the hotel bed) we thought immediately of him. If he could wear a scarf in the shower I think he would. And as you will see this particular scarf is very versatile. Could be worn in a variety of ways, only a few of which are demonstrated here. Cheers dad, We love ya!



















 

A typical morning scene. Cuddling on the couch while watching kids' shows.

ponderings

Last night as Journey and I walked home from the pool we got to talking about why we have to be so careful when crossing the street. It went something like this:

Journey: "Why so dangerous momma?"
Me: "If a car is coming and doesn't see you it will run into you and you will either 'get bleeded' or die."
Journey: "Or get bleeded AND die".
Me: "That's right".

Journey: "Why die?"
Me: "If you die it means you can't live on earth anymore. It means you won't get to be with momma and daddy but will have to go to heaven. And we would miss you so much."

Journey: "Why not on earth?"
Me: "Well, when you die you don't get to stay on the earth ... you have to go see God. Then if you have Jesus in your heart you get to stay in heaven".

Journey: (rather upset) "But I won't be with God!"
Me: "But heaven is where God lives! If you have Jesus in your heart you get to stay in heaven and be with God for ever and ever."

Journey: "Oh!" (very relieved)

By this time we had safely crossed the street and reached our house. As we went through the front door she turned to me and said, "That was a really good day, momma."
Then as we were taking off our boots she said, "I need to thank God." So I said, "You can thank God anytime for any thing!" Then she ran into the living room and excitedly told Garron all about how if we get hit by a car we will die and go to heaven and be with God for ever and ever! So to press the point about needing Jesus I asked her what we would need in our hearts if we wanted to be able to stay in heaven and she said "God".

I was really impressed with the level of sobriety she demonstrated while discussing this issue. I could tell she didn't understand it all completely but that she was very intrigued and definitely took it seriously. A very precious moment for me.

Saturday afternoon was perftect for sledding. It was warm and sunny. So we piled into the truck, drove down to the hardware store, bought a sled and hit the slopes. Being from the town of Three Hills you'd think there'd be ample places to sled (or at least three!) but in fact things are quite flat ... it was all we could do to find this bump. But we made the best of it and had a lot of laughs.

 

Can we Daddy?

While shopping in Red Deer last Wednesday Journey picked out a gingerbread house kit to do with her dad. Every day since she has been asking "Can we do it today daddy?" So finally on Saturday (three days seems like an eternity when waiting for candy!!) she and Garron sat down and put it together. She did very well following daddy's instructions and managed to get most of the candy on the house instead of in her tummy. This year we're gonna eat it before it goes stale! 

Yummy?

Here's Sol eating some prunes. He actually DOES like them. But then, he has liked everything we've tried to feed him. I haven't had him to the doctor for a while but I am sure he's over 20 pounds by now! I'm tempted to get him a Santa suit for Christmas cause I think he'd do it justice between his jolly disposition and his ever expanding waistline. (:  

Amy

my head hurts with thoughts and questions
my heart aches with joys and pains
my soul longs for light (and at times darkness)

my days are crammed with the profound and tedius
actions are driven by need and want
I'm dizzy with trying to pick a direction
and weary of finding yet another dead end

The Lamby Technique

The other day while snuggling with Journey she stopped sucking her thumb just long enough to give me a brief tutorial on the art of 'sniffing lamby's ear'. She showed me how it was proper to put the pointer finger deep into his ear while using the middle finger to fold his ear over the rest of the pointer finger; at the same time pulling the whole ear up to the nose and taking a deep 'sniff'. Once satisfied that I understood the process she resumed sucking her thumb and no more was said about it.

Sol During Our Tree Excursion

 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

 

A Tree of Her Own

It may look like Garron is cutting down this tree but really Journey did most of the work herself. This one is going in her bedroom and will be decorated soley by her with ornaments we will make together between now and Christmas.

Just Kidding

Isn't it lovely? This is the first tree we saw and thought ... 'why not'? Then we came to our senses and kept looking.

I think I just figured out how to change the layout of my pictures and words. Thank you to Erin for all your help and thank you to Amanda who finally got me to the right place.