apparently nobody looks there

All of last Christmas season (which, if you know me well, you know that's quite a long time) I could not find my favorite Christmas CD. I racked my brain trying to remember what I might have done with it; leant it to someone, maybe? But why would I lend out my favorite CD?

Yesterday, I was getting something that I had tucked away in the guest room closet & thought while I was at it, I'd tidy it up a bit. As I grabbed an "empty" box to put stuff into, I discovered inside it some Christmas gift bags that I had purchased over a year ago along with MY FAVORITE CD!!!! I must have missed putting it away with all the other Christmas stuff in Jan 08 & thought that would be a good place to store it.

I was pretty excited (and also glad I hadn't bought another one - I tried, but couldn't find it anywhere). I was also glad that I haven't lost my mind - just misplace it occasionally.

the ranch

Having a son in law who is the program manager at Timberline ranch gave us the opportunity of a fun family outing yesterday. Of course, Dobby & his family were excited to show us around, especially the kids, who already have their favorite horses & best loved play areas.

It was so great to see where Dobby has been working & get to explore a place that we've heard lots about but had not yet been to.

We were not disappointed - and I'd love to give you a glimpse of our day....

(click on the collages to get a closer look)

Some of us did rock climbing (in varying degrees of difficulty) while others stuck to driving tractors. Motorized vehicles are sometimes safer than dizzying heights!

The kids could hardly wait to show us the ropes - literally! We all tested our coordination & strength on the challenge course. It was great to see everyone playing like kids - I even tried a couple of things & was relieved to make it all the way (under close supervision by Olivia)

Making new friends. Personally, I found Bethany the llama a little stand-offish, however one of the calves loved me. The kids had a great time with the animals, even though it had started to rain by this time. After spreading the love, we headed for home. The calf kept calling us back as we walked away; they were pretty young & I think they missed their mommy.

Naps on the drive home; then a yummy barbecue to celebrate Greg's birthday. Such a fun day!!

(fairly) recent happenings

During spring break, which is already about a month ago, Rick & I spent a few days in Vancouver. Sometimes it's just nice to get away from the everyday & enjoy each other's undivided attention. And maybe do a little shopping. Okay, more than a little.

This was the view from our bedroom window...



...and this was my view from the doorway of the bedroom. Yay, we had sunshine and a great view from the 19th floor!

Prior to the getaway, there was a project to be done. This is a before picture of our office/computer room. Nasty carpet and blah walls.

This is how it looks now - big improvement, don't you think. I love it! My man does good work!!

birthday

I had a fun day last thursday, celebrating my (our, since it's Cindi's too) birthday with family. We started the celebrations at House of James with yummy beverages (excellent foam, Ardelle!). Becky & her boys couldn't make it due to Isaiah's cold :( but the rest of the kids loved playing & browsing in the massive kid's section.
Then we got a tour by Kathy, who showed us Steve's new recording studio - way cool!! Kathy also took this first picture - good job!
It was extra special to hang out with my sister Viv for most of the day.

Malcolm wanted to share his puffed wheat bar with Auntie Viv, but for some reason it turned into him trying to put the pieces up her nose. Where on earth would he get such an idea? Seriously!

Sabrina enjoyed her smoothie (except she didn't want to drink it too fast in case she got some whipped cream up the straw by accident). Cindi, as you can see, was very into the conversation :)

Malcolm & Olivia enjoying their smoothies before they headed off to start their playing & shopping (and adding to their wish lists). What a great store - something for everyone!!

From there, Viv took me out for lunch. Then we wanted to go to a matinee, but the silver city in Mission wasn't open. What? So we rented a movie instead (7 pounds - good show!)and watched it at home - Cindi was able to join us while the kiddies had their quiet time.

Rick got home from work & took me to Mission Springs for dinner, even though he was sick & got to enjoy his dinner twice (if you catch my drift). What a trooper!! Needless to say, we spent the rest of the evening at home (after a quick stop at the pharmacy). I watched the series finale of ER. I'm going to miss that show!

So, tomorrow is our 36th anniversary - fortunately Rick is feeling better, so we'll try that going out thing again!

Praise You in this Storm

I was sure by now
that You would have reached down
and wiped my tears away.
Stepped in and saved the day
but once again, I say "amen" and it's still raining.

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
and takes away.

I'll praise You in this storm
and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
no matter where I am.
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand.
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry.
You raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone.
How can I carry on
if I can't find You?

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
and takes away.

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth.

-Casting Crowns

optimistic

I'm back. It's been a long week since my last post, during which it has been confirmed that my body doesn't like being introduced to new drugs. The good news is, I'm not likely to ever become a drug addict.
My bronchitis induced asthma symptoms are improving, so that's more good news. The bad news is, as a side effect of either the inhaler or the antibiotics, I've developed a case of the shakes/tremors which is quite unnerving! Even typing this is kinda weird, because my fingers seem to have a mind of their own. My doctor (whom I've been with for about five months & who is amazing compared to my previous doctor) assures me that the tremor will be gone by tomorrow, because I can stop taking both of the meds effective immediately. The antibiotics seem to have cleared up the infection & he switched me to a less aggressive inhaler (which I can stop using as soon as I stop coughing).
He also intoduced me to a lovely non-medicinal treatment that I can use to help clear my blocked sinuses. It consists of spraying saline solution up into my nostrils & letting it drain back out. I anticipated it feeling similar to the time a thought I was drowning as a child, but it was surprisingly non eventful. Hopefully I was doing it correctly - a few more times & I should know if it helps.
So, there you have it - a sore throat that turned into five days off work (which is the equivilant of two weeks since I only work mon - wed). I'm optimistic that I will be feeling awesome by the weekend. I better be - there's a sisters weekend in Seattle in the immediate future!

sick, sick, very sick

This is a phrase I've used often in the 30+ years that we've had kids & then kidlets - most often referring to one of them or my husband. Today I'm ssvs. I've succumbed to one or more of the myriad bugs making the rounds. It all started with a sore throat beginning of last week - no big deal. Then it progressed to a productive cough alternating with a persistent hacking cough that made my throat (and the whole rest of me) sore again. This tuesday, my boss graciously sent me home with instructions not to return until I was symptom free (something about spreading influenza germs to my coworkers & the elderly residents) Okay, I thought a day or two of rest would work wonders, but I made a doctor appointment for this morning (the first I could get), just in case I was still coughing.
So, ya, over the last couple of days & nights the cough has persisted & I've started wheezing, especially at night, loud enough to wake the deaf (not a typo). This morning the Dr. tells me I've developed asthma to go along with the bronchitis. Not sure if the bronchitis is virul or bacterial, so I get a prescription for an inhaler & also for antibiotics to fill later if the inhaler doesn't do the trick.
On my way home I head over to Safeway (gotta get the airmiles) to pick up the inhaler. I'm standing there talking to one of the pharmacists when an older man comes to the wicket next to me & is giving his prescription paper to the other pharmacist. He's told that it will be about 25 minutes til it's ready and the guy just loses it - starts swearing & saying how he moved to Mission because the other pharmacies are always so slow. Really? Anyway, I impulsively said "sir, sir" and was planning to try to talk him down but apparently he was deaf in addition to being rude. As he walked away I commented to the pharmacists that some people are so disrespectful. We carried on, and when the pharmacist had my info, he told me it would be ready in 10 minutes.

HA - goes to show you that it's wise to be kind no matter how horrible you're feeling!

10 minutes later I was heading home with a gallon of grapefruit juice & my $90.00 inhaler (thank the Lord for health benefits). Now I'm praying it's effective, cause I'm tired of being sick, sick, very sick!!

You want a new post? Really?

Seriously, the pressure has finally prompted me to update. I, however, am having trouble knowing what to share.

I could tell you that more than the usual amount of my time in the last few weeks has been spent in prayer for loved ones. That's not a bad thing, but I can't help wishing that the need wasn't so great - you know what I mean?

I could also tell you that I have had some wonderful answers to prayer & I have had my faith strengthened.

I could tell you that I'm enjoying work more again lately. That's probably because the training of my new job-share partner is feeling more complete. There's still lots to do & lots of challenges to face, but the pressure has lessened - praise the Lord!

I could tell you how grateful I am for my husband who loves me even when I'm a pain! I wouldn't want to share my life with anyone else.

I could tell you what a blessed mom & grandma I am. I have amazing children & incredible grandchildren who love me & like being with me.

I could tell you how much I appreciate our parents & the wonderful heritage they have given us.

I could tell you that I have the best sister & brothers in the world!

I could tell you how thankful I am for my friends (you know who you are!) and I could tell you that I REALLY miss singing with some of them!!

I could tell you that I love my new teeth. Seriously!!

Next is the nose - stay tuned :^)

Happy New Year!

It seems like we've been digging out from under the snow for weeks now - oh, wait, we have been!! It's so beautiful to wake up to a fresh white blanket this morning. It wasn't a surprise though, we watched it coming down last night as we "saw in" 2009 with our precious kids (the kidlets were fast asleep by then)

We were reminded of the snowstorm of 1996 when Dobby was trying to get here for Christmas from Saskatchewan to meet our family - that turned out to be quite an adventure & test of patience (with a very happy ending)

Here is one of the results of that adventure - working hard to clear the driveway this morning...

...and here are the other two - supervising the operation. You gotta have quality control, right?

We wish you all a very blessed & hope-filled new year! We have a God who knows what's ahead & He loves us more than we could possibly imagine. His grace is enough!!

puzzling

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Rick was working on a project for the kidlets. He got them done & presented them to our little angels on Sunday. I don't know if you can tell from the pictures, but each piece of the jungle scene is a puzzle of it's own & they are all interchangeable on the stand. A very ingenious, intricate wood craft which they were very happy to receive & immediately try out!
You do good work, Grandpa!

for Gord, Bev, Ger, Shirley & families

We know that you would have loved to be with us yesterday, so I just want to show you a bit of what happened. We were a little late to think of pictures of the actual dinner (what with getting it on the table & eating) but it was all very tasty as usual. In the first pictures you see us enjoying the yummy cheesecakes that Cindi & Christine made.
After dinner we did a bit of carol singing; so enjoyable with the kids all gathered around to sing the songs that are becoming familiar to them! I think you can see the delight in the faces of the adults too.
Olivia read the Christmas story from her children's bible - we've found that's the best way to keep the kids from being bored.
We had fun giving & receiving gifts - the picture of Mom & Dad shows them opening the gift that we all went together on - they were pleased with what we had done!
It was fun to host the family festivities for the first time at our house. Wonder who's place we'll be at next year?
Merry Christmas, dear family!

Christmas Concert

This past sunday, three of our five beautiful grandchildren were involved in our church's morning services. As you can see, their daddy was leading worship as well - great photo op!
Malcolm was a little distracted by the paparazzi, but he came through when it was time to perform. He is our constant entertainer.
Sabrina sang her heart out! I was videoing her & she sang right to me the whole time. She is truly our little singer; always a song on her lips & in her heart.
Olivia sang with the big kids choir & was very focused - what a beautiful little lady she is! With her years of dancing, she is becoming our seasoned performer.
I am truly a blessed grandma (& wife, mother, sister, daughter)

gettin' ready for Christmas

The hands of the master craftsman at work on a project for the kidlets. I'd love to show the finished product to you, but that's going to have to wait until later.

We made alot of yummy treats this afternoon - shortbread, peanutbutter balls, & jam jams. Here are the girls hard at work putting the baby jams together...

...and while the big kids are busy & the mommies are distracted with other projects, Isaiah spots an opportunity too good to pass up!

That little cookie didn't stand a chance. Doesn't he look pleased with himself? And Grandma was cheering him on all the way!!!
If you look closely, you can see the jam on his forehead - I'm guessing this wasn't his first encounter with those little cookies. :)

trick or treat

We had alot of visitors tonight, but these five were our favorites...

...can you see why?

Blessed

What a faithful God have I

What a faithful God!

What a faithful God have I

You are faithful in every way!

!

Counting my many blessings this morning...

and thanking God for each one!!!

Comforted to comfort

"There is a comfort, born in other's prayers, that always lifts the spirit, strengthens the will, and sets the heart on fire for God."

This is what I read this morning, and it is so timely & appropriate to my life today. Yesterday was Rick's 18 month checkup at the Cancer Clinic. 6 months ago, at his last checkup, the news was not what we had expected and consequently yesterday's appointment had been looming in our apprehensive minds. We knew people were praying & that, with God's help, we would handle whatever the news was, but I have to admit that I was not very spiritual in my worry.

I'm so relieved & grateful to be able to report that yesterdays appointment revealed the news that PSA level is down (that's good) & where it should be at this point in his treatment. There was much rejoicing - and tears, definitely alot of tears on my part.

This journey of cancer is not one we would have chosen, but perhaps because of it we will be able to have a better ministry of encouragement to others needing comfort. My heart has been softened. It's always been soft, so it must be bordering on mushy. :)

"It's hard to think beyond our own needs when trouble hits home, but the comfort we receive from God will be just the comfort others are waiting for."

I want you, our friends & family, to know that I have been reminded of my need to uphold you in prayer, particularly those of you who have special concerns or deep burdens. I pray God comforts you in a very tangible way.

Autumn has always been my least favorite season. I'm starting to kind of like it. It's like the wind is blowing fresh life. Go figure!

Sand Castles

Last week I had to take a bus load of kids to Harrison so they could look at the sand castles. I had to spend 3 "tough" hours waiting around for them. It was a beautiful warm sunny day so I took a few pictures of some of the amazing sand castles.