things I haven't told you

1. Anders can say a few words. Most notably: More, Mama and Papa. Papa was his first - months ago, but he uses it rarely and always with a bit of coaxing a little smile. More he uses daily along with the sign, requesting his favorite drink, mama's milk. And mama he says quite a bit, like when he is in bed and wants me to come get him out - MAAAAMAAAA! MAAAAMAAA! MAAAMAAA!

2. We've had a quick and yucky household battle with the flu. We are all on the upswing now. I am marveling how my bout really was a 24 hr bug. Glad to be rising to full strength again.

3. Auntie Jane's wedding is just around the corner (Feb 14) and we are all getting excited and prepared for that. Trying on dresses, finding shoes... Talking about the party and being fancy - a little girl at this house is very into being fancy! I think she will just ooh and ahh when she sees Jane in her dress!!!

4. Next week I'm going to San Diego. (how did I not tell you that until now? I don't know. Keeping the delightful secret to myself I guess) A dear friend offered to bring me on her winter getaway. Can you even believe it - a week holiday? It will be surreal and wonderful. A big thanks to Melanie, Lance and my folks for making this possible. And to God the giver of all good things.

5. My and Lance's computers have been spending days in the shop getting repairs (glad for warranties!). Sometimes they were both in together and other days we've had one between the two of us, which means whatever computer is home from the shop is off to school with Lance. I have been enjoying how the absence of my favorite escape mechanism makes me be more present in my days. I do really miss having the internet at my fingertips. I use it a ton for cooking - finding recipes, substitution suggestions etc. And also just for random fact finding. You know, like the weather forecast in San Diego!

Well I better get going. I likely won't write till after the trip. There is a lot to get ready before I go.

I hope you are well.

Aimee

words for me. and you too?

Grace fills empty spaces. But it can only enter where there is a void to receive it. And it is grace itself which makes this void.
Simone Weil

rest time

everyday the older kids have rest time where they play quietly alone in their rooms. This time is especially helpful for our introverted Elijah to recharge his batteries and face the rest of the day with siblings that encroach on his personal space - constantly. On this day Eva was working on a craft in her room - she told me this was her "working hard" face. Elijah didn't want Anders to leave during rest time so they stayed together for the first bit. Aren't they cute?!

Milestone

Here's a little video of Elijah. Showcasing his latest milestone. Can you tell what it is?

lost and found

head over to Anno's blog - it will be worth your while - there are some very good thoughts there today (as usual!) click here

quick thoughts

"The clear witness of Scripture is that something beyond good intentions and willpower is needed to transform our ego-centric, greed-captivated personalities into an all-inclusive community of loving sharing persons" Richard Foster

I just started a book called, "Parent Trek: nurturing creativity and caring in our children" by Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi. This Foster quote caught my eye - and heart - and seemed just right for the season of New Years resolutions or fresh starts. I need something beyond good intentions. So grateful for the Holy Spirit.

Aimee

ps. I highly recommend the book, check it out on MCC's website: click here

while you're at the site, look around and be encouraged by the stories of God's work in the world. I just loved this story about sewing: click here The slideshow/interview is worth watching. I was inspired hearing about this elderly couple's dedication, by way of a simple sewing project, to serving God and loving the people he has created.

mornings

Every once in awhile this is what our bed will look like in the morning - plus papa who is not pictured. Elijah has been crawling in at all hours. We usually return him to his bed unless it's past 6 or so, then we just lift the blankets and he crawls in and goes back to sleep. The other night I woke up around two and felt someone's leg or arm across my back, I turned over and found Elijah between Lance and I. I figured Lance had let him in and felt a little grumpy about that, he should have brought him back to his bed! In the morning I checked with Lance and found out he had been thinking I'd let him in. I asked Elijah how he got there. He said,

"I was scawed so I came to your woom. I cwawed wight in da middow. And you didn't wake up"

sneaky little guy.

grammy and gramps were here...

Lance's flew in on Christmas morning. After sleeping over in Abbotsford and enjoying breakfast with some of my family, we drove to the airport and picked them up. We came back to our place for lunch - crackers, cheese, meat, veggies, hummous (my kind of lunch!!). We enjoyed so many different experiences while they were here. The kids were SO sad when they had to leave. It was a good week. Take a look:

Christmas day lunch. Lance is wearing my dad's shirt - we packed so quickly for our overnight that neither of us packed anything for ourselves. A sneeze did in Lance's only shirt and dad came to the rescue (Lance picked this one himself after mom came out with a tropical print option!)


Lance and I at VanDusen gardens festival of lights. It was spectacular and we all enjoyed it a lot. Maybe me the most. I was delighted most of the time as we walked through the incredible displays. Lance is wearing his new shirt and coat and I think he looks handsome very handsome, I like those whiskers too.


Grandparents and grandchildren, minus Anders who was securely strapped into our little stroller (little needs to be said, it was our single umbrella stroller I picked up at a garage sale this summer, my first single stroller ever! The triple would have been a disaster with all the crowds!)



Bernell and Linda slept in the living room on the airbed. The kids loved running out in the morning and snuggling with them - we tried to catch them if it was too early, but sometimes they snuck by us. The kids, all of them as you can see, enjoyed the airbed daily before it was, "blown down" as Elijah said.



Anders enjoys an imaginary chat on the iphone.


Elijah sporting the goalie pads that gramps made for him out of a duplo box. I passed that request on to gramps - who did a way better job than I would have. Elijah was very happy.


Gramps true to form, brought activities. Anders napped, the older two gave frosty more snow, and Lance gave his mom a tutorial about itunes.




A Christmas gift from Lance was a one night getaway in Bellingham. I can't believe it actually happened. I'd never been away from Anders that long before! Lance and I had a lovely lovely time. It was so great to get away a little. Our hotel was perfect - this was the view from our window seat:


No pictures from the used bookstores we browsed (and bought plenty) in or the incredible consignment shop where I got lots of new clothes from (thanks Bernell and Linda!).

Here each we are at the Boundary Bay Brewery restaurant. It is one of our favorites. I order the yam enchiladas everytime. So good. This time for dessert Lance had the beer float. Can you believe it?! And the craziest part was that it actually tasted good. The bitterness of the beer (Oatmeal Stout - if you care to know the type of beer) and the sweetness of the icecream was quite a nice combination - and I don't even like beer.



Anders started doing this face a lot while they were here. Don't know what he is up to but isn't he cute?


Our last meal together. We went out for Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) on Main street. Delicious. Lance figured he could get all of us in by taking the photo towards the mirror, the rest of us didn't get much of a heads up. Except Elijah who is bursting with joy in his perfect handmedown argyle vest.


Lance has a few more days off before school starts. Trying to savor the moments and fill up on good family time. December was unbelievably busy. It is good to be together again.

Many more things to write, but not now. And maybe not for awhile. The blog may take a bit of a backseat while I try to establish new daily priorities - ones that include a drastic downsizing of internet time for the adults in the house. I think it will be good. Don't worry though. I anticipate being back here after I get my new routine (whatever it will be, don't know yet) going.

Aimee