Perfect Date, Perfect Day

Gramps and Omi came last night and we are soooo glad that they came to visit. To give them optimal time with the kids, Ben and I escaped to the city for a long-overdue date. You have to understand, we don't get out much. Besides being busy, our babysitting credits get used up for things like PREP or swimming, Worship team, work, etc. I was so excited, so much so, that I was afraid the day was going to be a total flop....but it wasn't. It was perfect.We started out by going to Prince's Island Park in the heart of Calgary. Nestled in the middle of the park is the River Cafe. I have been wanting to go there for a while, but it is out of the way, and looked expensive....Well let me tell you, it was worth every penny. Behind large wooden doors is a quaint little retreat. The smell of the wood burning fire place and Louis Armstrong greet you as you enter. Salvaged hard wood floors and rustic furniture are contrasted by an open concept kitchen.

We started out with Red Lentil Humus, followed by a Bison Burger and Roasted Beets with Dandelion and Herbed Goat Cheese.

It was innovative, beautiful and delicious. Thanks to my very handsome husband for a fantastic lunch.

After lunch we headed over to Chinook Center to check out the new wing. Oh Chinook, I love you. I came off the elevator and there it was, Kiehls.

 I have become a bit dependant on this small line of product, not only for myself but for the kids. I got hooked when we lived in Vancouver and had to get mail order since we moved. Their baby foaming cleanser is the only cleanser I have found that doesn't aggravate Jakob's eczema. (I am not getting paid to say this). It was a nice little highlight of my day.
 I think I am going to consider this our long overdue Anniversary date. Our anniversary was in September, and although you can't beat butter chicken at the Tea House I had wanted to go to the River Cafe but this year, we just couldn't get away. We have been married 6 years this year. Can you believe it?!? I am too young to have been married 6 years and have 2 kids.
Speaking of kids, after supper was pumpkin carving time. I don't think we have done this with Jakob before. He was a little wary at first of the pumpkin guts, but soon joined in the fun. He drew on the face for daddy to cut out....

I think we may have the scariest pumpkin on the block.
And as the kids get tucked into bed, I will join Gramps, Omi and a happy husband (because the Oilers won 6-3 to the Blackhawks) in front of a warm fire. Life is good...and beautiful.

Mini Wheats, Elephants and Apples

Random, I know. A little while back I did a series of posts entitled Five Days in this One Beautiful Life and they were truly five beautiful days. Autumn was in its prime, when the leaves were golden, the sun was warm and the harvest was rich. Well lately, in Alberta...and in our lives the landscape has been changing. Winter is coming....has come. Mini wheats scatter the fields, a tea cup is a permanent accessory and we start to prepare for a winter of hibernation. And although the fields are starting to blend into the grey sky there is beauty. I had to remind myself of that today and so decided it was time for another segment of This One Beautiful Life. Today is Wednesday, which means we were off early to PREP. The sun managed to come up before we had to leave but the fog left everything looking grey and cold.

Everyone was warm and ready to play at PREP though as today the theme was, of course, Halloween.

Yes, I dressed Ella up. Take it for what it is...fun.

Last week was the last week for the Fruit Truck, so I bought myself a case of apples. Why? I am not sure. I DO NOT have time to spend in the kitchen cooking up a case of apples but I couldn't resist. So after a week of feeling guilty for buying them we had an apple day.

We got four pies, some apple sauce and a strudel made. It was a full day and it was beautiful.

Nana

This was taken at the Orchard summer of 2008

Nana passed on early this morning...

Written October 2010 -
I can't say I knew my Nana all that well. She lived a little ways away but everytime I arrived she would have noodles waiting for me. I can't have a bowl of ice cream and rasberries without thinking about her and she is the source of many red envelopes. I remember going into the okanagan dessert looking for plants to dye her yarn with, playing many games of war and spending the lazy hazy days of summer around the pool at the orchard. And I remember that my Nana was BEAUTIFUL just like her name 'Isabel'. People always asked if her and my dad were brother and sister. Even without her daily regime of makeup or adorned with jade she looked young and vibrant.

My Nana is dying. I would say that I just found out today, but I think we all have known for a while. She has Alzheimer's disease and since she "got" it, I have slowly discovered that I would never wish it on anyone and I think it is the worst possible way to die. My Nana is is stage 7, she has been sleeping 24 hours at a time, sits in a chair and may occassionally open her eyes or give a little smile but that is it. And perhaps this is a better place for her than say, stage 5 or 6 when she didn't recognize her own reflection in the mirror and thought there was a strange woman hanging out in her room, stealing money from her. But even now, one wishes she would pass away complete peace as her spirit has seemed to leave her anyway.

 

Sundays and Legacy

The Lord's Day- by G. Victor Wilbee

Oh, day of rest, oh, day of calm,
To bring mankind a healing balm,
Give to this day the rest of seven,
And usher in the breath of heaven.

The birds sing sweeter, soft subdued
With peace and quiet all endued:
And trees become cathedrals rare,
A calm tranquility is there.

The sun a little brighter glows
As mankind pauses to repose:
And man and beast alike are blest
Through this, Thy sacred Day of Rest.

In Wisdom's plan may we rejoice
And hear the great Creator's voice,
"This is My day", all else withstood,
"Oh mark it well, 'tis for thy good."

We dare not desecrate Thy day,
And throw our peace of mind away:
In reverence wonder at Thy love;
Serene assurance from above.

My Grandpapa wrote this before I was born....he died before I was even a twinkle in my mother's eye and yet there is a bond I feel with him. I always have. I don't know if I was ever told that I was like him or that we had anything in common at all but something draws me to him. Perhaps it is because I never knew him and therefore I can create him in my imagination to be whoever I want him to be. But I know that beyond being a successful entrepreneur, father and grandfather, he was an artist.
Because here is a little secret about me.....ssshhhh, don't tell anyone....I am an artist. Under my rough, rash analytical exterior, a little girl is continually creating and seeking beauty and excellence. I am moved by art and beauty, by injustice, empathy and feel deeper than many. I am not as scary as people think I am.
But rereading my Grandpapa's collection of writing I can't help think about what others will think of me when I am gone. Will people say goodbye with ill assumptions and unnecessarily hurt feelings or will they think I loved? inspired? pursued truth, beauty and authenticity? It's pretty hard to change peoples' opinion of you once you aren't around and even while I am I can't go around explaining myself all the time. I try to live authentically and yet am often misunderstood. This will be something forever under review and scrutiny.
Sunday night Borscht and Faspa however will always remain good, true and reliable.

Christmas, the Season of Advent and HOPE

I have been seriously chomping at the bit to get posting about Christmas. I am always sooooo excited and like to plan early. This year, I am going to take a little bit of a different approach so here you go.  Christmas Post number one:

If there is one thing that the Anglican Church does well, it is Advent. There is a great sense of anticipation that has been spoiled by many traditions. December first comes (sometimes sooner) and suddenly stores (and churches) are blaring Christmas Carols – Joy to the World, Come All Ye Faithful and many other such songs when in actuality, Christ, symbolically, has not yet been born.


Advent is defined as the coming or arrival of something anticipated. “(It) symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. ....Advent is (traditionally) marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance” (Dennis Bratcher-http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html).

There are four Sundays in Advent beginning with hope, followed by peace, joy and love, often symbolized by an advent wreath. And although many evangelical churches light the candles and do the readings, little further thought is giving to the meaning of the Advent season and the preparation aspect of Christmas.

A few weeks ago in Mom’s time out, we were discussing Christmas traditions and why we do what we do. The idea came forward of having a theme each year. A carefully planned out theme can bring so much more meaning to your family's holiday season and make it not quite so stressful. The wheels in my head got turning and since that conversation I have created four themes that I would like to share with you.

Starting with HOPE

Hope is symbolized by the star. You know the famous star – the star of Bethlehem acted as a compass for the Magi and it heralded the birth of the long awaited Messiah.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”

The star is a powerful symbol in scripture, not only in Matthew 2 but also in Revelation when Jesus is named the bright morning star representing a beacon of new life and hope.

So let's break it down:

Teach:

If you have small children talk about how in the beginning God created the stars. He knew even then that he would use one of those stars to lead the wise men to the baby Jesus.

You can talk about the star that led the Magi to Jesus and then talk about how Jesus is the light of the world, the bright morning star.

This would be the theme to discuss the origins of the Christmas Tree:

The origin of the Christmas tree is traditionally associated with St. Boniface from the town of Geismar in Germany. That is about where the similarities in various stories end. Many stories however say that a couple was about to sacrifice a baby at the bottom of a large oak tree. St. Boniface cut down the tree to prevent the sacrifice and a fir tree grew up at the base. He said that the tree was holy and a symbol of the Christ child and His promise of eternal life.

Aside from this particular story it is known that in the late Middle Ages Germans and Scandinavians would place evergreens around their doors and in their homes to show their hope for spring to come.

Many sources say however, that it was Marin Luther who is responsible for the institution of the Christmas tree. They say that he was out in the snow-covered woods and was so awestruck by the beauty of the forest that he cut down a small fir tree and took it home to decorate it.

There are further stories of Queen Victoria loving the tradition of the Christmas tree and after her marriage to Prince Albert, it becoming a wide-spread custom in Britain.

No stories seem linked although some see the Christmas tree as a pagan tradition because of the passage in Jeremiah 10:2-4 where it talks about the customs of the people being in vain. It says they cut a tree out of the forest and deck it with Silver and Gold.

That being said, apparently in 2000, the city of manager of Eugene, Oregon ordered that Christmas trees could not be displayed on city properties because they were regarded as a Christian religious symbol.

I personally see the Christmas tree as a beautiful way to decorate our living room at Christmas time and to hold up our wicker star, symbolizing the hope we have in the Advent season.

Create:

One of my favourite activities with Jakob is potato stamping. Stars are simple shapes that can be cut easily into potatos and easily recognized. Get a big roll of paper (like and end roll from a newspaper company, or IKEA even sells big rolls of drawing paper for their easels. Stamp on colourful stars and you have innovative homemade wrapping paper.

Connect:

For children that are a little bit older this is a great opportunity to go to the Planetarium. If you live in the Calgary area where we don’t have one try stargazing, Friday nights at the Telus World of Science.

Other Star Ideas:
Sing twinkle twinkle little star.
Create stars to hang from the ceiling using cardboard and tin foil, popscicle sticks or just paper.
Star gift tags

Resources on Advent:
http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html (says it so much better than I do)
A dear friend gave Jakob the Jesus Storybook Bible. While not condensing too too much this is a children friendly book that brings out the Gospel message throughout. I STRONGLY recommend it.

Think Ahead:
As I said, I LOVE Christmas. I like to be well organized so that two weeks before Christmas I can really just Enjoy the season and not be hurrying trying to get everything bought, wrapped, planned, cooked, etc. I also love connecting at Christmas time. It is a perfect time to recognize all those people in my life who have invested in me and my children. As a result I send out over 50 christmas cards. So I start now - begin compiling your mailout list to find out whose addresses you have and whose you don't. I always figure it will take sometime for them to get back to me with their correct address so you need to allow for the lag time in order to get cards all written and addressed by the first week of December (which is when I like to have mine out by- that way they have time to enjoy them before Boxing day when all the christmas decorations get put away [Another pet peave because that is actually when the Christmas season is beginning but I will get into that later].
I also start thinking about gift tags. I also like to give out trinket gifts. Gifts that cost next to nothing but recognize the people around me. Last year I did Ginger bread men. Regardless, I wrapped them nicely, so they don't show how little I spent on them with homemade tags. I like to start on them early so they are done. Just something to think about.
And one last thing, although I am sure that I have lost you. This year we are spending Christmas in BC. I don't want to have to be worrying about buying gifts when I arrive out there on the 22nd and I don't want to have to haul a suitcase for just gifts so instead I buy online and have them shipped to my Grandma's house. So far, I feel like this has worked beautifully and reduced stress tenfold.

An Ode to Grandparents

In all the world,
throughout all time,
there are few that can compare,

To the special people
in a child's life
whose memories they do share.

Who laugh and play
and dry wet tears
and when the day is done

Send them straight home to Mummy
with a very full tummy
of ice cream and bubble gum.

Ignorance Is Bliss?

Isn't West Jet great! I mean, for a reasonable price you can get a flight to almost anywhere...in North America. You get to check 2 bags for FREE, (as opposed to Air Canada). You even get a free beverage with your choice of cookies or bits and bites. The service is good, the seats are padded and you get free TV. ($3 if you want to hear it).

BUT THEN....you go on an international flight on Virgin Airlines (do they exist anymore?) And you find out that you get a free 3 course meal, TV, movies, and even a little goodie bag of anything from a toothbrush to socks. Woah, woah, woah, west jet is looking a little cheap now...

Yeah, that is how I feel about Ella's treatment. The community of DS blogging mamas in the states is VAST to say the least. There is a tonne of them, and all connected. They have fascinating stories, attractive blogs and a tonne of information. They make me count the blessing we have in Ella - the fact that she is sooooooo healthy so far and has caused really, very little heart ache, but I also read about how their PT's, OT's, SLP's come to their houses at least once a week, if not more.
So yesterday, I brought this up with our PT. By the way, I love our Physiotherapist. She is a believer, works so well with all of the kids, knows her stuff (specifically about Down Syndrome) and invests invests invests. She takes all of my questions seriously and never makes me feel like I have invalid concerns.
She explained that funding (obviously) keeps the DS clinic at Calgary from doing that weekly model with all the kids, but they do as much as they can. And they do. If we wanted to make the drive in 5 days a week for treatment we probably could, but we don't (6 hours on the road a week is enough for us). But what about Three Hills? Is this available in Three hills? No. We initiated contact with our so-called speech therapist from Big Country Outreach in mid to late August and finally, after many messages and cancelled appointments (on their part) we finally get to meet her tomorrow. Who knows how long it will take to get another appointment. There is no PREP program or similar in Three Hills and there aren't even any private organizations that we can go through to pay the extra money for someone to INVEST in Ella. Can you tell its a sore spot? What will it take to get health care professionals to CARE, to INVEST? Isn't that their job?! The only solution I see at this point is to find a developmental aid for Ella. Someone who I will invest in and teach all I know about DS and what Ella needs and get them to help me. These aids are available through specific agencies in the city, but out here it is a different story, so I don't even know if they exist. I wish I was better at doing all of Ella's OT, Physio and speech exercises everyday but when you are into the city twice a week and running between preschool, lessons, work and everything else, there are days when the only time we have at home is used for cleaning up, cooking meals and general maintenance. Why is so important you ask? If you knew that your child, who was said to be mentally retarded and wouldn't amount to much, actually had the potential to lead an independent and fulfilling life, would you keep them from it? Ella has this potential and I want to maximize it.Thus, I am in a very large conundrum. Thoughts?

The Great Pumpkin Hunt

100th Post

August 9, 2008- Welcome to the world of blogging! This was my first post....I would say it was when the craziness began but really it was just continuing. Now just over two years later and 100 posts, here we are. A lot has happened. A big shout out to Lola and Keira who encouraged me on my endeavor and left the first two comments. Since then, the response has been overwhelmingly gracious. I remember going back and reading all the notes of comfort, affirmation and encouragement when Ella was born. It was more than I could ask for. Mock it if they will but blogging has been a more than positive experience. It has helped me to focus on the bright side, share my life with those I miss so dearly and find ways to educate and inspire. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I. Thanks for reading....

For the past month, we have found ourselves on a blind journey through God's will. We have always been on this journey, I suppose, but this chapter began in June when we were visiting Ben's family in Three Hills, Alberta. Since January, we knew that transition was inevitable - Ben would be finishing his degree at Trinity and I would be looking to go back to work. However, no doors seemed to be opening in BC for Ben and because of the high cost of living and the dark abyss of student loans we began looking elsewhere. We knew that wherever we ended up it had to be in line with our priorities - following the will of God, growing our family and developing our character. Living in BC would cause us to fall short in the second of these priorities as I would have to work full time, probably during the opposite hours to Ben, leaving Jakob in childcare 4 or 5 days a week (albeit with mostly relatives- thank you all who were willing to help us out). It would also mean that we would have only Sunday afternoons to spend as a family.


Winnipeg became an attractive possibility because of low housing costs and an established network of friends however, after much consideration, we (and by we I mean Krista) did not have a peace about it. So when, it came to our attention that the Three Hills Arts Academy may be looking for a new administrator, we welcomed the alternative. This would be a great opportunity for Ben to use his education and fuel his passion for the arts. Immediately curious about the logistics of moving, I went to the credit union to find out about interest rates and while discussing mortgages, it came out that the branch had actually been looking for another lender. We took this as an indication that this may very well be the will of God and took another step. Ben applied to the Arts Academy and I to the credit union.

We waited on these potential jobs for a good portion of June and July but we knew that if we were serious about moving we would need to get our condo up for sale soon because of the slowing of the real estate market. A million thoughts go through your head when faced with a major decision like this. I would have liked to act soley on the perfect scenario in my head, in that Ben would get the job at the Arts Academy, we would sell our place for asking price, buy a cute little house and I would work part time and the credit union until we popped out kid number two a year from now - all in that order. Instead, being the pessimist that I am, I kept dwelling on the worst case scenario. I get a job and work full time, we don't sell our condo and have to carry the mortgage while living at Ben's parents place while Ben searched for a job.

Here is the question that we were faced with however: "What would happen if we based all of our decisions on the worst case scenario?" Nothing, we would do nothing, and we would live in fear. We would come to the edge of the water and refuse to go in, afraid we would get eaten by a shark one limb at a time. I wish I could say that after this thought, we learned our lesson, became optimist and jumped in with both feet, eyes closed. But we are realists and I don't know if we will ever be optimists (God bless those that are), so we weighed the options. We knew that if we didn't try this, our family would suffer, Ben would not be able to move forward in his music and although I am sure we would find a way to get through it, we wondered what would become of our marriage and our son. Most members on the Board of the Arts Academy love Ben and his family, he has the qualifications and some experience. The small town credit unions rarely have applicants with experience so my job should be a shoe in, and housing in Three Hills is cheaper than condos in BC so qualifying for a mortgage would be no problem (if both Ben and I got jobs). BC just sounded better because it was FAMILIAR. Realizing this we decided with confirmation of Krista's job, we would put our condo up for sale. We did and it sold in a week. Okay, God, we'll take another step.

We had previously planned a vacation to Three Hills at the end of July for the Ewert Family Reunion. We were caught off guard, when on our way to Alberta, Ben's mom called with the news that his Grandma Ewert had passed away. We were extremely sad to see her go, but glad we had gotten to see her just a month before with Jakob and that we had already planned to be there for the reunion. She really knew how to plan it, because where most people have only a few hours of memorial, we, as a family, celebrated her life all weekend long and almost everybody was there.

Between visiting with family we were able to meet with the bank about financing, go house hunting, and Ben was able to meet with the Arts Academy Board. Disappointment came, however when it was revealed that the Academy would not know for sure about funding until mid-September, a hiring decision would not be made until October and the start date would not be until the bargaining of November. To me, this was worst than "no". It was the unknown - we could hold out until October only to have Ben not be hired. "Quel Nightmare!" I cried, took a nap and got over it. We found an alternative to facilitate financing, found a house and put in an offer.

So here we are... Pending a house inspection, we can remove subject on the 13th, pack up on the 17th, and be on our way. There have been lots of little confirmations along the way that this is God's will for our family - the fact that it would be preferable for the bank if I work part time (my own preference I brought up in my interview), the fact that, although we did not get asking price we had a better offer than anticipated considering the current market (even though our real estate agent said we were asking too much) and that the house we have bought is empty and we are able to occupy it before our possession date which is September 8th. Okay God, we will take another step.
All this to say, it is still hard to go, we are leaving lots of family, friends and dear ones. There are many dimensions of emotion, many of which I have not attempted to tap into, because crying gives me a headache, but one of these days, I will share these with you, along with the details of our continuing journey. Please stay tuned...

Sense of Smell

It has been an Indian summer in Alberta...to say the least. In the past couple of weeks the mercury has climbed up past 20 degrees Celsius on quite a few occasions. The shorts and flip flops remain a part of the daily wardrobe contrasting winter coats and boots that usually have made their way to the front of the closet by now. And although the trees are bare, the wind had been warm and my sweet peas and snap dragons stlll are vibrant with colour.

I don't like it.

I am a BC girl. I like the rain. I like crisp mornings, mild temperatures and the smell of wet pine trees. Where is the smell of Autumn? Dried leaves, northern winds, fresh rain?

Today it came. Finally. Snow aside, the cooler air was a welcomed scent. It's a rare day in the Ewert house when we don't have to rush off somewhere to or fro. So we took full advantage.

Did you know that your sense of smell is part of the limbic system which also has to do with feelings and memory. A smell can trigger stress or recollection and our psychological reaction to it. I strongly believe this. So when I have company coming over, or need a sense of peace I bake....or at the very least light a candle.
Today, we smelled autumn.

Hot coffee and Pumpkin loaf. Homemade Turkey Soup. Vegetarian Chili and Cornbread.

 Today we played...

And today we loved

This picture was actually taken on Thanksgiving Monday. The kids got in some good Daddy time.

A side note about the new header. I have a perfect picture of the family, all smiling, all looking...its blurry. I took it as a sign that it isn't really true to who we are and this picture more accurately represents that. Take us for what we are...a little strange but a family nonetheless.

So What Is The Deal With Holloween?- A Mom's Time Out Special.

Halloween was always a deal in our community. I wouldn't go as far to say a big deal but it got enough attention to keep the economy going from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I would dress up in whatever lame costume I could come up with (there was no store bought costumes-creativity required) and go out with my friends to the richest part of town to collect our goodies. But I will never forget how one year my friend Molly (she was from the states...her mom's name was Penny....you get the picture) invited me to her party. I think it may have been a tea party or something. No costumes - I think there were big Lacy hats. We may have bobbed for apples and dipped them in caramel. It was a good time, considering I would have rather been out trick-or-treating. But it always stayed in my mind as the Christian alternative to Halloween. To be honest, I don't really know how I feel about it. We have dressed Jakob up in the passed, and let him rob Grammy and Grandpa's candy bowl and then there have been years we haven't. I know some good Christians that take their kids out trick-or-treating and I know some that turn their lights out and watch TV. But it does beg the question of is it right to celebrate/participate in Halloween activities. Well here it is - the history and a few other points of view. Decide for yourselves, but I would love to know what you think....

The History of Halloween
Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve is in any history the day before All Saints Day, which is the day that the Church (in particular, Catholic and Roman Orthodox) honour the saints. The concept of All Saints Day operates on the idea that all of God’s people, on earth and in heaven or purgatory, are in communion. This does not mean the saints are divine or omniscient, but rather through Jesus Christ our prayers are joined in the heavenly community.


Initially the calendars of saints and martyrs varied from location to location, and many times local churches honored local saints. However, gradually feast days became more universal. The first reference to a general feast celebrating all saints occurs in St Ephrem the Syrian (d. AD 373). St. John Chrysostom (d. AD 407) assigned a day to the feast, the first Sunday after Pentecost, where in the Eastern Churches the feast is celebrated to this day. In the West, this date was probably originally used, and then the feast was moved to May 13th. The current observance (November 1) probably originates from the time of Pope Gregory III (d. AD 741), and was likely first observed on November 1st in Germany. This fact makes the connection of the All Saints Feast with the pagan festival Samhain less likely, since Samhain was an Irish pagan feast, rather than German.

The vigil of the Feast (the eve) has grown up in the English speaking countries as a festival in itself, All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. While many consider Halloween pagan (and in many instances the celebrations are for many), as far as the Church is concerned the date is simply the eve of the feast of All Saints. Many customs of Halloween reflect the Christian belief that on the feast's vigils we mock evil, because as Christians, it has no real power over us. However, for some Halloween is used for evil purposes, in which many Christians dabble unknowingly.

Various customs have developed related to Halloween. In the Middle Ages, poor people in the community begged for "soul cakes," and upon receiving these doughnuts, they would agree to pray for departed souls. This is the root of our modern day "trick-or-treat." The custom of masks and costumes developed to mock evil and perhaps confuse the evil spirits by dressing as one of their own. Some Christians visit cemeteries on Halloween, not to practice evil, but to commemorate departed relatives and friends, with picnics and the last flowers of the year. The day after All Saints day is called All Soul's Day, a day to remember and offer prayers up on behalf of all of the faithful departed. In many cultures it seems the two days share many customs.

This is taken in part from http://www.churchyear.net/allsaints.html
For Further Reading take a look at Christians and Halloween - probably more catholic influenced article.
Why I Don't Celebrate Halloween-Some woman's blog...just like this one but bigger and better
Theopedia-An Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity
Matters of Opinion-Hallowing Halloween (Christianity Today)
 
On a side note, the Christian School in Town celebrates Reformation Day, which is also on October 31st. Maybe I will write about that next.

I've had better...

Today was one of those days. The kind where you need a big bottle of happy pills in order to keep you from smashing your fist into your computer that will not create PDF's....okay, so that was my struggle today.  I knew it this morning on our hour and a half drive into the city for Ella's PREP class. And then again on the way out when CBC just wasn't cutting it (it's pretty hard to get annoyed at PREP-Ella has a blast and I don't have to run or plan it).  Maybe it was too much Wolfgang and not enough Rachmoninoff but regardless, I was tired and uninspired. Usually, at any given time I have 500 ideas swarming around in my head, getting me excited and ready to go. Not today, and my state weakened as the afternoon progressed.
I am pretty sure it is just the beauty of womanly things but part of me wonders if it is because of severed relationship. I had a fight with someone yesterday...in my head - meaning I never verbally...or physically duked it out with this person but things were just not right and then I worked it up in my head to the point where the relationship is not where it should be. I am however, the best type of person to get in a fight with though because I don't hold grudges, I just forget so I am sure it will soon fade. But the point is, I wonder if this severed relationship can have that much affect on my overall spirit.
The other aspect of this grumpy day that I found interesting was my reaction to ill-feelings. As soon as I had a free moment, I tidied the house and washed the floor. Cleaning gives the illusion of control. Nothing can break down while cleaning - watch now my vacuum will die. But in reality, my mop is pretty straight forward and it has nothing to do with my internet connection. And although children can undo what I am doing and often do, when evening comes and silence becomes them, aaaaahhhhhhhhh. Quiet, clean, calm.
Its in moments like these that I feel like I can gain a little perspective as I surf through my blogroll and read as parents try to make sense of those things that are out of their control. I don't know what that is like. I am always reminded of a little 18 month old baby in our town that died last year. She needed a new liver. I try not to question the why but find myself thankful that I don't have to think about how I would cope without God. I wouldn't even know how to begin reasoning though the why's and the how's and the what if's. God knows, and he has a plan. Right now I don't curse the extra chromosome and pray I never have to. But I know that if it did come to that point God would give me the grace that I need in the moment I need it. And for this, I am thankful.

Thanksgiving

Think back....to a place a little warmer...a little wetter....a little younger..... A place with a few more trees, bigger hills and a certain salty smell. During seasons like Thanksgiving, I can't help but go back there. Back to my family sitting around a pingpong table or any hard surface that will seat all 25 plus of us. Turkey, wine and Wayne's marshmellow salad. Grandpa's prayer, "for what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly grateful.

My family is just getting into the next generation. I have 2 of 3 great grandchildren but the last time we spent Thanksgiving in BC it was just Jakob. And although it is very different than our family here in Three Hills, both are given by God's grace and I am so thankful.
Thankful for a table big enough too keep those dear... near, thankful for turkeys to feed us, thankful for cousins for my children, cousins for me, thankful for in-laws, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandmas, papa's, grammy's, grandpa's, Omi's, Gramps', great-grandpa's grandmama's grandpapa's, and friends that join us at our table. Thankful for Ben and thankful for my two precious children.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Two Sick Little Monkeys

I posted a little while ago about being thankful for the not-so-obvious things. Here are two of them -my two sick little monkeys. One with the flu of sorts and one with an ear infection, both- miserable. It makes me wonder if it is something that God brought into our lives for a lesson to be learned in this Thanksgiving season or if it is just one of those life things. And although it may just be one of those life things, there are still things to be taken away.

This morning, after Jakob had returned all of his milk to me, in a less than graceful way, he was cuddling on my lap and asked me to pray. Now you have to understand that this kid does not like to pray. He likes mommy to pray, and it is a little game everynight at bed when he says, "I don't want to pray." So I say, "Okay, I will pray for you when I go to bed," and turn to leave. Then he immediately says, "no, we gotta pray first." But if I ask him if he wants to pray, he always says, "No, you." And although, he, himself did not pray, I feel that in asking for prayer, Jakob is beginning to understand and God is at work in his little heart...and for this, I am thankful.

Potato Stampers, Place cards and Powerpoint

I didn't plan my evening in advance, but I do love alliteration. Are you still looking for Thanksgiving table ideas. Well, here are a few more....

Potato Stamped Table Runner - finished product picture to follow.

I was thinking this would be a great addition to any Thanksgiving table as I was creating potato stampers for our little Artful Child session tomorrow. At most craft stores...or IKEA you can buy rolls of plain craft paper, or even better, natural or brown coloured packaging paper. Make yourself some cheap potato stampers, roll out your table runner canvas, pour out some paint and you're set.
I find potato stampers easiest to make with cookie cutters, or if you are creative just do it free-hand.

Ella loves art but she kept trying to eat the Potatos so she got demoted to a paint brush.
I also spoke earlier of place cards, I got a good start on mine tonight and I have to say, I am pretty happy with the end product. I embossed gold leaves on burnt orange paper, which I will hole punch and tie to the napkins with raffia.

Remeber these? I decided to send them postcard style....Here's hoping they get to our special people.
And as far as the power point, well its a boring tedious job so I this is as much attention as I am going to give it. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Thanks For The Not-So-Obvious Things

When thanksgiving comes it is so easy to be thankful for family, friends and health but sometimes we forget to be thankful for the not so obvious things...depression that leads us to complete emotional dependence on God, disabilities that cause us to cry out everyday for strength and circumstances that  bring us into community with people we wouldn't normally commune with. I am in that place. I did a little blog surfing tonight and came across this one. No more than a glance at her adorable little girl and tears begin to form. This is a blog like many others and that is just it. The community of Downs is so unique and saturated with believers who chose life, because it is God given. They recognize that they children are not dispensable but gifts from God. I am blessed.

Thanksgiving...a Mom's Time Out Special

I mentioned a while back that I wanted to make this blog my one-stop-shop. What this implies is that posts could be anything about what I ate for breakfast to my view on postmodernity to motherhood.


So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

This new series of posts are going to be specifically for all you mother’s out there. I meet with a wonderful group of women on Tuesday mornings. We talk about being a wife, being a mother and being an individual. So much wisdom is brought to the table and is definitely worth sharing. As Thanksgiving is just a few days away, I thought I would share some of the ideas that came up a few weeks ago....



Connect:

Here is a great way to connect with your family during this fall Season. Go to the pumpkin patch!

We just bought our tickets for the Great Pumpkin Hunt out at Butterfield Acres in Calgary. Off we go on the tractor-pulled hay wagon, rolling through the crunchy fall leaves just hoping to find some... kid-sized pumpkins! Once we find some, we'll bring them back and decorate them into creative pumpkin-head masterpieces! While the glue sets up, everyone can have a visit with their favorite animal friends in the farmyard. It's harvest fun at it's best!

Check it out....

Create:

Leaves don’t stay around very long in Alberta but while they are here they are good reminders to be thankful. With each leaf you collect say something that you are thankful for and create an Autumn Nature collage using Modge Podge.

Or

Create leafy garlands using paper leaves. On each paper leaf cut-out write something that you are thankful for. String them all together and you have a colourful thanksgiving garland.

Or

Are you hosting thanksgiving? I am - I love it. Try jazzing up your place cards by writing the name of your guest on the front, and a reason why you are thankful for them on the back.

Teach:

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.
The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did not succeed but he did establish a settlement in Northern America. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving. Other settlers arrived and continued these ceremonies. He was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him - Frobisher Bay.
At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.
After the Seven Year's War ended in 1763, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving.
During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. There are many similarities between the two Thanksgivings such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.
Eventually in 1879, Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October. After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.
Finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed...
"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.
http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/thanksgiving/canada/

five days in this one beautiful life-day five...and a bit extra

You know when you go away and it is soooooo relaxing, but then you get back and have a whole lot of catching up to do on top of unpacking and cleaning out the car, the cooler, your kid's ears. Yeah, that is how I feel. So this will be true photographic documentary style and I will let the pictures do most of the talking. We lucked out on the weather and set off Friday afternoon in hopes to get to Kananaskis by late afternoon. We realized after about 2 1/2 hours of driving however, that we may be going the wrong way...

So let me explain...actually I will let the map explain. Let just say, 20 minutes out of the way is nothing. Try more like an hour and half. Jakob didn't seem to mind too much though.

 At last we arrived at William Watson Lodge in Peter Loughead park in Kananskis country. It was beautiful.

 It was the perfect place for the boys. It is all paved for optimum performance in a wheel chair or on a bike.

Have you ever noticed how boys can throw rocks into water all day long?

 I think water is one of my love languages...along with planning.

And of course it was a Soren's paradise. So there you have it. A beautiful weekend to end of five days in this one beautiful life. Thanks for sharing them with me.