36

So it's my birthday today. I don't know who is more excited - me or Keziah :o) The other day she said, "Mom, I know what I am going to get you for your birthday but I won't tell you. It's just something you can sleep with.". Love that girl! :o)

Birthdays don't scare me. I don't mind my age. I don't fear about getting older. In fact, I find birthdays pretty special, especially as I get older. I know, I am not old really, but it just feels like such a blessing that I am now 36 years old. I have been blessed with 36 years so far. Healthy, happy, blessing-filled 36 years. 36 years of growth, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and yes, physically. And through all 36 years God has been faithful. So much to be thankful for today.

To celebrate my birthday, I figured I would list 36 things about me that you may not know. This list is teeny tiny as to what I am all about, but it is just a glimpse. So here we go and enjoy!

1. I love eating pretzels dipped in butter.

2. I believed in spaghetti trees when I was a little girl.

3. I am an extrovert. I know, this one shocks you, eh?

4. I've climbed the CN Tower. Twice. And it's not because the elevator was broken. It was for, get this, fun. All 1776 steps.

5. One of my favourite things to drink is milk - with a dropje in my mouth. MMmmm!!! (those that don't know what a dropje is, it is a very black candy, somewhat licorice except very salty).

6. I do not like coffee. At all. I will drink tea if I am really, really cold. But water is my drink of choice, preferably room temperature and with no ice. Ice hurts my teeth.

7. Speaking of drinks, I am allergic to alcohol. Poor Nathan, who would just love for me to enjoy a glass of wine with him.

8. In college, I worked at different places, one of them being Jack Fraser, a men's clothing company (like Tip Top or Moores). For one month I was the top part-time sales person in all of Canada.

9. I do not like animals. Of any kind. I'm scared of them all. The only way I can enjoy them is behind a screen, glass or cage. And that includes gerbils, hamsters, kittens and puppies. Actually, I have more tolerance for snakes and spiders than a puppy.

10. My favourite colour is purple.

11. I've had stitches 3 times (6 stitches, 3 stitches and 2 stitches) as a child, thanks to two of my cousins and my older sister. I was the innocent victim each time. Ahem.

12. I have broken most of my fingers, as well as my ankle, my wrist and cracked some ribs, popped the vertebrae in my back, and pulled ligaments in my knee, all in separate incidences but all to do with Sports.

13. I met Nathan when I was 14. I didn't see him again until 3 years later, and we started dating. Someone may have needed to grow up a bit. What? Don't look at me.....;o)

14. I am ambidextrous.

15. My favourite chocolate bar is Skor.

16. I can pass up brownies, cake, and cookies, but will polish off a 9 x 13 pan of Rice Krispies in one sitting.

17. My front tooth is mostly fake. I thought I'd try to taste the pool slide.

18. I love downhill skiing, and have had the privilege to ski in the States, Quebec and Banff.

19. I do not like ketchup, mustard or relish. But Mayo? Yummy!!! (but don't you dare substitute Miracle Whip for Mayo)

20. When I was a kid, we had a pet turtle, Snorkie. He didn't last long and so dad told us he buried Snorkie under a rock. My sister and I spent hours upturning every single rock, looking for our dearly loved pet. We never did find him back.

21. If I did not pluck my eyebrows, I would have one.

22. I love to read - but have zero tolerance for anything Sci-Fi.

23. I remember falling into a red ant home and getting bitten everywhere. I was 2.5.

24. My nickname (by my mom) is Mickey Mouse, and she will still call me "Mic". I will not share the nickname given to me by my father.

25. I tend to be opinionated, which can be fine sometimes, except my opinions are not always educated. I am working on that....

26. Growing up, I always wanted to be a mother of 6 kids. All boys. And yes, I even had names picked out at an early age

27. I don't like my food touching each other on my plate. Buffets are very dramatic for me....meaning I go up about 15 times more than the average person, just so I can eat my ceasar salad without it mixing in with my potato salad.

28. I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was very young, thanks to my Gr. 3 teacher who influenced me in such a positive way.

29. Hockey and football are my favourite sports to watch. Soccer and baseball are my favourite sports to play.

30. I am afraid of the dark. Big time.

31. I struggle with today's fashions, usually finally liking the fashion trend as they are going out

32. I moved out when I was 18 to go to college.

33. When the kids are older, I want to get my motorcycle license. I love riding!!

34. I hate fractions.

35. I had 11 years of piano lessons, but to this day, to play in front of someone scares me to death.

36. Value Village is where I go when I need a breather. I love, love, love second hand/thrift store shopping. As for the mall? I am there maybe 3 times a year. It just overwhelms me.

And there you have it! 36 little tidbits. I am sure you can relate to a few of these things, or am I really that unique?

Anyway, now you know me a little better. And we haven't even scraped the surface. Oh well. If I am blogging still at 100, maybe that'll leave a dent. All in all, I am thankful for today, to be able to celebrate this birthday with those dearest to me: my husband, daughter and son. Oh, I love them all!!

Have a good day!!

P.H.R.T.F.L.

Say what?!

I know, it's been awhile, eh, since I've done a P.H.R.T.F.L. post. So without further adieu, here is a glimpse of some pretty, happy, real, thankful, funny and love moments over the past weeks:

Pretty:
Watching the sunset going down:

Watching the sun go up (don't mind the blurry picture.....I may or may not have been driving....)

Happy:
Talking on the phone with anybody makes these children pretty happy.

The outdoors is ever so slowly warming up and so everyone was happy to be able to play outside, and even be able to chalk on the driveway without fingers freezing off. Good thing we enjoyed that last week as we are back in the deep freeze.

 

Real:



I no longer have a baby. For real. Not only is he toilet trained, I now think he is ready for a big boy's bed. What do you think?!

Thankful:
We are so thankful for the many friends God has placed on our paths, whether they are little or big. Er, maybe I should say whether they are young or old. Hmmm. That doesn't sound right either. Well, you know what I mean. We are thankful for friends all around!!! :o)

Funny:
We did enjoy a day here and there that was so nice and warm. But let me tell you, old habits are hard to get rid of. Here is Keziah, playing outside in 15 degree Celsius weather. Note the ear muffs AND the hat :o)

Is teaching posture one of the first things kids are taught when they start school? I sure hope so.....

Love:
I found out that somebody absolutely loves dogs!! Lincoln could not get enough of this dog. It was fun to watch, well, when I wasn't heaving. I can't stand licking dogs. Ewww!

And I just adore these pictures. I was called into the family room by darling daughter, to show me she made her brother. Out of train tracks. I love this girl's creativity!!!

And that is all, folks!

(psssst. I actually did some more unpinnings, some very yummy unpinnings. Stay tuned because you will for sure want to try them as well :o)

Just Some Random Thoughts.....

I thought I would share some of my thoughts that have been circling in my head for the last little while. I know, you feel privileged, don't you? ;) These thoughts range from very serious to random little tidbits that I just feel like sharing. Some also require answers, while others are just questions that most likely don't have an answer. But if you do have an answer, feel free to enlighten me!!

As of today, the police are upping it with the fines for distracted drivers, from $150 to $220 or something like that. The goal is for this fine to actually be $1000 and 3 demerit points. My question is this: does this mean I can no longer drive with my children in the same vehicle as me? Joking. These fines are focussed on texting and talking on cell phone while driving, but believe me, dealing with screaming (with laughter of course) kids, passing out snacks, water cups, turning on the kids' music, to reaching for that toy sure makes me a number one candidate for being a distracted driver!!

~ ~~ ~
The other morning, I decided to tackle the escarpment stairs. I used to do them all the time, but it's been almost a year since I've climbed all 300 steps. Boy, am I feeling it today!! I was a little confused as to why my upper body was so sore, but then I remembered that the third time up, the only way to get all the way to the top was to haul myself up, using the railings.

~ ~ ~
Last week, I got a glimpse into my daughter's life a little bit. She had asked me to open something up for her. I tried and tried and it would not budge. I told her I don't think I was going to be able to open it. She looked at me and stated very plainly: You can do it. You just have to try harder. Hmmmm. I wonder where she's heard that before?! And you know what? Was I ever annoyed when she said it because I *was* trying hard!! Ah, kids. They teach you so much. I shall now remember this for the next time she is trying to do something and it's not quite working.

~ ~ ~
Despite being always so excited to get the mail, I now refuse to go. I do believe a Kindergarten Registration Form is coming. I figure if I don't pick up the mail, I won't get it.

~ ~ ~
This morning we went to Sick Kids for Keziah to have her drain removed. I went with her to get put out. As she was coming to, she kept crying out "Mommy!". While this term can be overused by about 253 times in my day, boy did it ever feel pretty good that she was wanting me, calling out and looking for comfort in me. Never thought I'd hear that term for many years.

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Am I missing something here with yogurt cartons or does everyone's look like this, trying to get at it?

~ ~ ~
Why does someone else's difficult circumstances bring me thankfulness about mine? When am I going to learn to be always thankful, not needing someone else's situation to reinforce that? How would I feel knowing that *my* situation (whatever that may be) makes others feel glad about theirs?

~ ~ ~
Anyone else have a hard time continuing on in day to day activities when you know someone (or lots of someones) is struggling with a great loss? This is when I feel guilty for even blogging, when I know others right now are hurting so bad, others that are in my community, greater community and/or those abroad. It just sometimes feel so cold and callous to enjoy things when you know others are suffering and in pain

~ ~ ~
Keziah asked me this question yesterday, on the way to the hospital:
"Mom, I know there was a mommy and daddy dog on the ark, but which dog was it? There are so many different kinds of dogs!"

Hmmmmm. Maybe I *will* get the mail and fill out that Registration Form so that she goes to school. Then I can say "Go ask your teacher." :o)

Have a good day!!

March Musings

We are in the middle of March Break right now. I know what you are thinking - "you don't have any kids in school, so how are you in the middle of March Break?!"

Well, when you've been a teacher for 10 years, you still get excited for all the breaks, whether that be in March, at Christmas or for the summer. In fact, although I haven't been teaching for 4 years, I still get an exhilaration rush in the beginning of September! What can I say, it is still in me.

 (yes, we still have that much snow in our backyard!)

 

As a teacher, I always looked forward to the breaks. I loved teaching, but I also loved having some time to do housework during daylight hours. Not that I did any, what, with always postponing it to the next day, only for the break to be done before I picked up a dust cloth!

And yet, these breaks were often painful. I would love my first day off, but then by the second, I would start getting restless. By the middle of the break, the topic of adoption would often come up as I became lonely, missing my students. Questions would plague our minds: Is it time to pursue? Is it for us? Are we both on the same page? Is it just because my heart feels empty? Is it wise to look into something when you are vulnerable?

Because truly, throughout the rest of the school year, adoption never really came up. I was content with all these 5 and 6 year olds around me, children that were the closest that came to being "mine" at that time.

 To help fill the void during the breaks, I would often have my "nieces/nephews" over, to spend some time with them and to give mom and dad a break. Or I would travel along with mom and dad to special outings, helping in any way I could. It was fun, and I always appreciated being included. I loved the interaction with these special little people in my life.

And yet, once the fun was had and it was time to go home, I would always leave these events. Alone. I would pass by the family I was with, driving by as I have already hopped very easily in my car. And with no one else but me to buckle in, I was even most likely arriving home before they had everyone fastened in their assigned seats, with snacks in hand and noses wiped.

While I always was so thankful to be included, it often left me with a pain in my heart, sometimes one not so sharp, and other times it would be a pain that felt like it was ripping my heart in shreds. Leaving in tears was not an uncommon conclusion.

Well, that brings me to today. Today was a gorgeous and beautiful day. Not because it was a sunny 14 degrees!!! That's right, 14 degrees CELCIUS!!! But today was a beautiful day, because this time I went to an event with not only my nephews, but also my own daughter and son.

And this time, at the end of enjoying a March Break activity, I was *not* able to just hop into the car quickly. That's because I had two of my own children to buckle in, hand out some snacks and wipe some noses.

I was *not* home by the time my sister and brother in law turned on their van. In fact, I was the last one to leave, because unlike them, I had to fold up a stroller (they are past that stage) and place in the back of the vehicle.

And I most certainly did *not* leave with a pain in my heart. While I may have shed a tear or two, they were completely different tears than years ago. Instead of my heart feeling like it was being ripped apart, it felt like it was ready to burst. With love. With gratitude.

It never ceases to amaze me that God has blessed us with two of His treasured blessings. We are always so thankful for the 11 years we had together as a family of two, and we will never cease to be thankful for the new dimension of having two more added to our family.

Tonight at supper, Keziah was asking me how much I loved her. After trying to explain to her how deep my love was for her, she was quick to respond:

"Mom, I love you so much too. And I will even love you when you are dead, even though you won't know it then.".

I almost choked on my supper! It was so hard not to laugh when she was so genuine.

And with that, the day ended and I was left with a full heart in the middle of March Break (a heart that also included a prayer that I will know my darling daughter loves me lots because, well, I am still alive!! :o)

Home!

Well, we are home now. My poor mom. Because it was going to be a noisy day of renos at home last Monday, she kindly let us come over for the day so Lincoln could get in a peaceful nap. I wonder if she would have changed her mind if she knew that a one day visit actually turned into a 6 day stay!!!

You would think I would at least have a picture of her with her grandkids. We were there for almost a week after all, but alas, I do not. I DO have a picture of what the kids drew for her as a thank you:

Keziah printed the words on the left by herself. On the right, I printed what she was thankful for: oma's peaches, whipping cream and maple walnut ice cream :o)

Lincoln also was very thankful - for the many little boxes of Smarties that Oma always seems to have.

 

While being at my mom's, I found something out about my husband that I did not know. He LOVES to do puzzles! He spent many hours at night, working on a puzzle my mom had out. It's amazing - been with him for many years and I am still finding things out about my best friend.

 

You never know how moving back home will go, especially after having been out for let's see, 17.5 years or so, but I must say, the week went quite well! It was really nice to see my children interacting with their grandmother. Oma means a lot to them and they also know they mean a lot to Oma. We are very thankful for her. Thanks so much, Mom!! (thanks, dad, for being gone this week snowmobiling - that left room for us :o)

 

We are home now and will be for a few nights. And then off we go on Tuesday for Keziah's surgery, which will keep us in the hospital for 2-3 days. By next weekend, most of our renos will be finished and so by the time we come out of the hospital, we should have our bedroom and bathroom back. We sure look forward to that!

 

Due to how busy next week will be with the hospital stay and then recovery at home for our darling girl, I have put my Unpinning on hold for a week or so. All my motivation and commitment will be towards helping her as well as not to miss my little man too much while he gets to stay at his other oma and opa's.

 

But for now, we are very excited to be back home. But being home isn't the only exciting thing around here. Have you noticed?! February has come and gone! It is now March!! Yay!!

 

P.S. Aren't you impressed that I haven't mentioned the weather once this post? I think that's the first time in quite awhile! I mean, I could have talked about it, seeing as we just experienced another very cold week, like -25. I also drove through a snow squall Tuesday night, but  hey, I figured it would be best that for once, I wouldn't blog about it. ;o)