Sorry I haven't been around. I've been working on a couple of other things that have taken up a lot of my writing energy.
Things with the pregnancy are going well. I actually feel human again most of the time. Now my biggest concern is keeping my back from going crooked again. I have muscle damage from when I was a teen, and while I was pregnant with Hana I ended up with a lot of pain as the muscle seized and caused a c-curve in my spine. Thankfully physiotherapy and massage straightened me out again, but it's still something I'd rather not go through this time around.
I had my first ultrasound on Monday. Baby is VERY active, so active in fact that the tech couldn't complete all the checks and I have to go back in a couple of weeks. She was going to try and get a shot of the baby bits so I could guess, but baby wasn't cooperating with that either, so we still have a surprise. I'd like to find out. I honestly don't like surprises, I like to be able to plan and prepare. However, since this baby is being born in July a lot of white onesies should cover most of our clothing needs for the first few weeks and then we can shop afterwards.
From what my very untrained eye could tell from the scan, everything looked great. I even had proof that baby stands on my bladder - which the tech thought was hilarious- but only because she hadn't just drank a liter of water.
In other news, Ben got hired on full time doing quality control at the plant he was working at. We're excited about this. It's steady, something he enjoys, and will include a raise in the near future. We're very excited about this. If we're able to save up enough he may even be able to take some parental leave when the baby is born, which would be absolutely wonderful.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wonderful
I had the most wonderful morning with Hana.
We had blueberry muffins for breakfast, then read some stories and played a bit. Then we spent a long time in the shower which was absolutely blissful. After that we spent about an hour playing on the bed. Lots of laughs, kisses, snuggles and other wonderful things.
I love being a mom.
We had blueberry muffins for breakfast, then read some stories and played a bit. Then we spent a long time in the shower which was absolutely blissful. After that we spent about an hour playing on the bed. Lots of laughs, kisses, snuggles and other wonderful things.
I love being a mom.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Deconstruction
I was reading Glo's blog, and she posted about a speaker she had heard who was completely against postmodernism because it was so deconstructive, and it got me thinking.
What's so wrong with deconstruction? Really, how can anything change unless someone points out where things need to be changed? Now I can understand frustration if deconstruction is as far as the process goes - it should be done in order to rebuild.
Take Martin Luther for example. He pointed out what was wrong with the church of the time, and so was seen as a heretic, but also brought on reform. If the Church has gone askew of God's intent for it, then isn't getting it back on track more important than decorating sacred cows?
I honestly feel the North American Church is in crisis. Christ has given us freedom, but instead of a safe haven, a place of freedom, it is seen as a place of chains, of judgment, of sin and hypocrisy. As a whole, Christians are seen as weak, extremists, brainless, dull or judgmental. Is that how Christ intended His Bride to be seen by the world?
We are the hands and feet of Christ, our salvation isn't just for ourselves but so that we can go out and save the world. Not so we can huddle together until they come to us, conform to our standards fall into the same ruts we consider acceptable.
I think as a whole we need to spend more time listening to the complaints about the church - not in a defensive manner, but to hear the truth in them and seek to change it. No one will come to Christ if they don't want to be a Christian, and that is a very sad truth.
What's so wrong with deconstruction? Really, how can anything change unless someone points out where things need to be changed? Now I can understand frustration if deconstruction is as far as the process goes - it should be done in order to rebuild.
Take Martin Luther for example. He pointed out what was wrong with the church of the time, and so was seen as a heretic, but also brought on reform. If the Church has gone askew of God's intent for it, then isn't getting it back on track more important than decorating sacred cows?
I honestly feel the North American Church is in crisis. Christ has given us freedom, but instead of a safe haven, a place of freedom, it is seen as a place of chains, of judgment, of sin and hypocrisy. As a whole, Christians are seen as weak, extremists, brainless, dull or judgmental. Is that how Christ intended His Bride to be seen by the world?
We are the hands and feet of Christ, our salvation isn't just for ourselves but so that we can go out and save the world. Not so we can huddle together until they come to us, conform to our standards fall into the same ruts we consider acceptable.
I think as a whole we need to spend more time listening to the complaints about the church - not in a defensive manner, but to hear the truth in them and seek to change it. No one will come to Christ if they don't want to be a Christian, and that is a very sad truth.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
The story of Stuff
This is definitely worth twenty minutes of your time. We all have a responsibility to become more aware and more active in our consumer decisions.
Monday, February 04, 2008
15 months
Hana is 15 months old, and amazes me daily.
She communicates so well for someone so small, always trying to pick up new words or signs, always "talking" to the cat, or her toys, or us. She wants us to be part of her world, and wants to be part of ours, and that is such a wonderful thing.
She's almost walking. I should say she's able to walk - has taken a few steps here and there, stands unassisted, has all the skills necessary to walk, and that's good enough for her - she sees no need to walk, and that's fine. It's the same with everything else she's learned in life, there is no use trying to push her, she'll do it all in her own time.
She's always learning new things, trying to figure things out. This morning we were playing on the bed and she was on her hands and feet with her bum up in the air, head down. So I grabbed her hips and flipped her over. Our new game delayed breakfast for a while as she tried to do it herself and then would look at me for help.
She can climb stairs, get off the bed and the couch, can almost use a spoon on her own and knows almost 20 words and 10 signs. She loves books and music and being with people. She's always exploring, observing, trying, moving, doing. She's an amazing child, such a blessing. I'm so thankful to be her mother.
She communicates so well for someone so small, always trying to pick up new words or signs, always "talking" to the cat, or her toys, or us. She wants us to be part of her world, and wants to be part of ours, and that is such a wonderful thing.
She's almost walking. I should say she's able to walk - has taken a few steps here and there, stands unassisted, has all the skills necessary to walk, and that's good enough for her - she sees no need to walk, and that's fine. It's the same with everything else she's learned in life, there is no use trying to push her, she'll do it all in her own time.
She's always learning new things, trying to figure things out. This morning we were playing on the bed and she was on her hands and feet with her bum up in the air, head down. So I grabbed her hips and flipped her over. Our new game delayed breakfast for a while as she tried to do it herself and then would look at me for help.
She can climb stairs, get off the bed and the couch, can almost use a spoon on her own and knows almost 20 words and 10 signs. She loves books and music and being with people. She's always exploring, observing, trying, moving, doing. She's an amazing child, such a blessing. I'm so thankful to be her mother.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
About Tantrums
*Note - this is mostly just a reminder for me...it's been a rough week.
I've been reading a book called "Raising your Spirited Child". It's wonderful and had helped me to better understand my daughter (and myself).
One of the things it's helped me change perspective on is tantrums. Hana began throwing fits at about 10 months of age, and since then she's become an expert. She gets so intense, her face gets red, she screams, lays down on the floor crying, moans. It's quite a site. Usually I'm left wondering what it is I'm supposed to do.
I could give her what it is she wants, but there is always a reason she shouldn't have it (like when the phone rings and she wants to answer it). I could get mad at her, but that isn't productive. I could ignore it, but ignoring things doesn't really make them go away.
Instead I try to understand it. The disappointment, the frustration, the inability to communicate, the sense of injustice, of misunderstanding. Those are a lot of really big things for a very young child to have to deal with. Heck, those are things that I still have trouble dealing with now and then, let alone having to deal with them all together. When she throws a fit it's not because she's "bad" or somehow wanting to ruin my day. It's because she feels a lot and just doesn't know what to do with it.
I don't want Hana to hold in her emotions. I don't want her to feel ashamed or somehow "bad" because she has a need to cry to express how she feels. I don't want her to be one of those kids (or one of those adults) who is unable to handle their emotions and so instead ignores them.
I want her to learn how to express those feeling and work through them in a healthy way. I name them for her, telling her I understand she's frustrated and confused, that it doesn't seem fair, but it really is for her safety. I hold her while she cries, or take her up to our bed and let her have her soother for a few minutes while she calms down. When she gets frustrated because of her inability in some area I help her accomplish whatever task she's set her mind to. When she wants something that is not allowed I do my best to show her other options. I want her to be able to problem solve, to express herself, to work out her emotions.
And I need to remember that. Especially while she's getting in four molars at the same time, when sleep is being interrupted, and the constant pressure and pain in her mouth cut down her tolerance level, when we're both stuck in the house too much and need some more stimulation. When it seems like the only things she wants are things she knows she's not allowed to have.
I've been reading a book called "Raising your Spirited Child". It's wonderful and had helped me to better understand my daughter (and myself).
One of the things it's helped me change perspective on is tantrums. Hana began throwing fits at about 10 months of age, and since then she's become an expert. She gets so intense, her face gets red, she screams, lays down on the floor crying, moans. It's quite a site. Usually I'm left wondering what it is I'm supposed to do.
I could give her what it is she wants, but there is always a reason she shouldn't have it (like when the phone rings and she wants to answer it). I could get mad at her, but that isn't productive. I could ignore it, but ignoring things doesn't really make them go away.
Instead I try to understand it. The disappointment, the frustration, the inability to communicate, the sense of injustice, of misunderstanding. Those are a lot of really big things for a very young child to have to deal with. Heck, those are things that I still have trouble dealing with now and then, let alone having to deal with them all together. When she throws a fit it's not because she's "bad" or somehow wanting to ruin my day. It's because she feels a lot and just doesn't know what to do with it.
I don't want Hana to hold in her emotions. I don't want her to feel ashamed or somehow "bad" because she has a need to cry to express how she feels. I don't want her to be one of those kids (or one of those adults) who is unable to handle their emotions and so instead ignores them.
I want her to learn how to express those feeling and work through them in a healthy way. I name them for her, telling her I understand she's frustrated and confused, that it doesn't seem fair, but it really is for her safety. I hold her while she cries, or take her up to our bed and let her have her soother for a few minutes while she calms down. When she gets frustrated because of her inability in some area I help her accomplish whatever task she's set her mind to. When she wants something that is not allowed I do my best to show her other options. I want her to be able to problem solve, to express herself, to work out her emotions.
And I need to remember that. Especially while she's getting in four molars at the same time, when sleep is being interrupted, and the constant pressure and pain in her mouth cut down her tolerance level, when we're both stuck in the house too much and need some more stimulation. When it seems like the only things she wants are things she knows she's not allowed to have.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Unreal
Please read this.
Alright, I know a lot of you won't read it. It talks about how parents and caregivers who murder autistic children and adults are given lighter prison sentences compared to other murderers.
It makes me sick, makes me ashamed to be human. And at the same time I'm not entirely surprised that it's happening. We've gotten so good at dehumanizing others (through propaganda, media, racial slurs, comments about mental/physical/social functioning, war etc.) that it becomes justifiable to rid ourselves of anyone that doesn't fit our human standards.
We justify it - of course, these parents are in a tough situation, it got to them, you can't really blame them for giving into the pressure.
That's just sick.
This is something people should be outraged by. This is where laws need to change. We rally to save the unborn (even to the cost of the mother) and yet ignore the lives - lived lives, enjoyed lives, lives that may not be "normal" but are still enjoyed - that are taken away unjustly.
Please, if any of these cases have happened in your state or country, contact a local politician an express your outrage. It will only happen as long as we allow it.
Alright, I know a lot of you won't read it. It talks about how parents and caregivers who murder autistic children and adults are given lighter prison sentences compared to other murderers.
It makes me sick, makes me ashamed to be human. And at the same time I'm not entirely surprised that it's happening. We've gotten so good at dehumanizing others (through propaganda, media, racial slurs, comments about mental/physical/social functioning, war etc.) that it becomes justifiable to rid ourselves of anyone that doesn't fit our human standards.
We justify it - of course, these parents are in a tough situation, it got to them, you can't really blame them for giving into the pressure.
That's just sick.
This is something people should be outraged by. This is where laws need to change. We rally to save the unborn (even to the cost of the mother) and yet ignore the lives - lived lives, enjoyed lives, lives that may not be "normal" but are still enjoyed - that are taken away unjustly.
Please, if any of these cases have happened in your state or country, contact a local politician an express your outrage. It will only happen as long as we allow it.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Ministry
While attending Bethany I was appalled by the stats on how many (few?) grads remained in ministry 5 or 10 years after graduation. I thought, honestly, that there must have been something wrong. Maybe they didn't understand their calls. Maybe there was some sort of moral failing. Maybe they just had the wrong attitude, something.
And now, I am a Bethany grad who is no longer in ministry. Heck I'm not even a member of a church right now (tho I am still a regular attender).
I was in ministry. I was passionate about what I did. I had plans, I had a vision, I had dreams. I prayed and wept and worked and was kept up at night by a burning passion.
And now I'm not sure if I'll ever do full time church ministry again.
It puts me in an awkward position. I know my call - to serve God and draw others towards Him. I know my gifts. I know my passions, my strengths and weaknesses. And I can't see any of those things fitting together in a church.
Ministry is a hard vocation. It's hard to measure success. We talk about deep spiritual things, about bringing people one step closer to God, about the importance of authentic community. And still at the end there is a need for numbers, for measurable growth, for something tangible beyond receipts from a coffee house.
In the time since going to Bethany I've seen the harm that the church can cause in a person's life. I've heard stories and witnessed things that made me not want to identify myself as a Christian so that I would not be grouped with the people who had caused such unnecessary pain. The problem with being Christ's hands is that we are seen as such more when we hit than when we heal.
The last year or so has lead me down an interesting path. Not a crisis of faith really, my faith in God, my dependence on Him, my security through Christ has never been clearer in my mind. It's more a crisis of church, of belonging. I feel I don't fit anywhere.
Still, at the same time, in this past year I feel I have done more, learned more, and reached more than I have in years. There has been no agenda, no reports, no requirements, nothing to prove to anyone. There was no time wasted avoiding the judgment of people who know better instead of serving people who don't. There was an understanding, a surprising realization that no one really expects my perfection. That in my weakness He truly is strong.
So I'm one of "those" - the ones who for some reason just didn't cut it, didn't make it in ministry. But that doesn't mean that I am not doing the work of the Kindgom, or that I have failed in the task that God has given me.
And now, I am a Bethany grad who is no longer in ministry. Heck I'm not even a member of a church right now (tho I am still a regular attender).
I was in ministry. I was passionate about what I did. I had plans, I had a vision, I had dreams. I prayed and wept and worked and was kept up at night by a burning passion.
And now I'm not sure if I'll ever do full time church ministry again.
It puts me in an awkward position. I know my call - to serve God and draw others towards Him. I know my gifts. I know my passions, my strengths and weaknesses. And I can't see any of those things fitting together in a church.
Ministry is a hard vocation. It's hard to measure success. We talk about deep spiritual things, about bringing people one step closer to God, about the importance of authentic community. And still at the end there is a need for numbers, for measurable growth, for something tangible beyond receipts from a coffee house.
In the time since going to Bethany I've seen the harm that the church can cause in a person's life. I've heard stories and witnessed things that made me not want to identify myself as a Christian so that I would not be grouped with the people who had caused such unnecessary pain. The problem with being Christ's hands is that we are seen as such more when we hit than when we heal.
The last year or so has lead me down an interesting path. Not a crisis of faith really, my faith in God, my dependence on Him, my security through Christ has never been clearer in my mind. It's more a crisis of church, of belonging. I feel I don't fit anywhere.
Still, at the same time, in this past year I feel I have done more, learned more, and reached more than I have in years. There has been no agenda, no reports, no requirements, nothing to prove to anyone. There was no time wasted avoiding the judgment of people who know better instead of serving people who don't. There was an understanding, a surprising realization that no one really expects my perfection. That in my weakness He truly is strong.
So I'm one of "those" - the ones who for some reason just didn't cut it, didn't make it in ministry. But that doesn't mean that I am not doing the work of the Kindgom, or that I have failed in the task that God has given me.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
OB appointment
Aside from being horrendously long (2.5 hours!) things went great! Baby's heart rate was 155-160, I'm measuring right where I should be, and everything looks great. I also got my blood work done and got a ton of info to look over for the next month until my next appointment.
The best thing is that a repeat c-section wasn't even mentioned! They just need to get my surgery notes from Calgary to make sure the closure was done properly (it was) and it should be no problem for me to deliver vaginally. This is a HUGE answer to prayer - I do not want to go through surgery again, I want to labour and birth my baby. I also didn't want to have to fight in order to get what I wanted.
The best thing is that a repeat c-section wasn't even mentioned! They just need to get my surgery notes from Calgary to make sure the closure was done properly (it was) and it should be no problem for me to deliver vaginally. This is a HUGE answer to prayer - I do not want to go through surgery again, I want to labour and birth my baby. I also didn't want to have to fight in order to get what I wanted.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Intersting
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
This is such a beautiful passage. So concise, so simple, so straight forward. It almost seems to simple, too easy.
There is nothing there about repentance. Nothing about works and good deeds. No stipulation on tithing or daily Bible reading. Just confession and belief, public and private.
All the rest, the changes, the actions, the lifestyle, it all comes afterward. It comes as a result of the belief, not as a prerequisite to it.
We so often get our expectations so mixed up - for ourselves, for others, for God. We expect others to act as saints when they are sinners, we expect to be able to fix ourselves to gain access to the presence of God, we expect God, at times, to do nothing.
The changes that happen in the life of a believer happen through love - God's love of us and our love towards Him. He empowers the changes, we see them through. They are not a requirement for our salvation, but evidence of it.
This is such a beautiful passage. So concise, so simple, so straight forward. It almost seems to simple, too easy.
There is nothing there about repentance. Nothing about works and good deeds. No stipulation on tithing or daily Bible reading. Just confession and belief, public and private.
All the rest, the changes, the actions, the lifestyle, it all comes afterward. It comes as a result of the belief, not as a prerequisite to it.
We so often get our expectations so mixed up - for ourselves, for others, for God. We expect others to act as saints when they are sinners, we expect to be able to fix ourselves to gain access to the presence of God, we expect God, at times, to do nothing.
The changes that happen in the life of a believer happen through love - God's love of us and our love towards Him. He empowers the changes, we see them through. They are not a requirement for our salvation, but evidence of it.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Update
How is it that life seems so busy, while at the same time I feel like I get nothing done?
The pregnancy is going well, I'm assuming. My chronic tiredness is starting to lift, but I'm still feeling pretty sick most of the time. I'm 12 weeks in and have my first OB appointment next Monday. Honestly I'm getting nervous. I know many woman have gone through healthy pregnancies without ultrasounds or hearing the baby's heartbeat. Still, I'm nervous. Such a precious little life and no way to know how it's doing. I know most likely everything is fine, but Ben's taking Monday off work to come with me to my appointment, just in case.
Hana's doing well. Well, right now she's screaming because I won't let her play with the keyboard, but other than right this moment she's a happy, energetic, curious toddler.
Alright, now that she's happy and calm again...
Otherwise in life, things are good. Ben's looking for a new job - something more stable. He's working great hours right now, but once the contract with this company is done, who knows what he could be doing. That's the problem with placement agencies. We're hoping the job search doesn't take long.
Things with the house are good. We still need to paint and such, but are waiting until Spring. I can't wait to be able to have our patio doors open all day and have the fresh air come in!
The pregnancy is going well, I'm assuming. My chronic tiredness is starting to lift, but I'm still feeling pretty sick most of the time. I'm 12 weeks in and have my first OB appointment next Monday. Honestly I'm getting nervous. I know many woman have gone through healthy pregnancies without ultrasounds or hearing the baby's heartbeat. Still, I'm nervous. Such a precious little life and no way to know how it's doing. I know most likely everything is fine, but Ben's taking Monday off work to come with me to my appointment, just in case.
Hana's doing well. Well, right now she's screaming because I won't let her play with the keyboard, but other than right this moment she's a happy, energetic, curious toddler.
Alright, now that she's happy and calm again...
Otherwise in life, things are good. Ben's looking for a new job - something more stable. He's working great hours right now, but once the contract with this company is done, who knows what he could be doing. That's the problem with placement agencies. We're hoping the job search doesn't take long.
Things with the house are good. We still need to paint and such, but are waiting until Spring. I can't wait to be able to have our patio doors open all day and have the fresh air come in!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
14 months
My baby is 14 months old.
She loves to sing, dance, chase the cat, read books, snuggle and play with her blocks. She's learning how to communicate. Right now she knows 5 signs and 7 words. When you ask her to say dog, she says "woof woof".
She's almost walking. She stands for a few seconds at a time before she sits down (sits, not falls) and she is learning to climb up and down stairs. She's going to be in a toddler bed in the very near future.
While we were home over Christmas I found my old baby doll. It still smells like baby powder like it did in all of my memories. When Hana saw it, she said "maymay!" and that's been it's name since. Every time she sees it she reaches for maymay and gives her a hug. It's more precious than I can express.
She doesn't look so much like a baby anymore, but there are still times when all she wants is her soother and to snuggle up in mama or daddy's arms. She's growing so fast, those moments are a precious reminder that she is still my baby.
She loves to sing, dance, chase the cat, read books, snuggle and play with her blocks. She's learning how to communicate. Right now she knows 5 signs and 7 words. When you ask her to say dog, she says "woof woof".
She's almost walking. She stands for a few seconds at a time before she sits down (sits, not falls) and she is learning to climb up and down stairs. She's going to be in a toddler bed in the very near future.
While we were home over Christmas I found my old baby doll. It still smells like baby powder like it did in all of my memories. When Hana saw it, she said "maymay!" and that's been it's name since. Every time she sees it she reaches for maymay and gives her a hug. It's more precious than I can express.
She doesn't look so much like a baby anymore, but there are still times when all she wants is her soother and to snuggle up in mama or daddy's arms. She's growing so fast, those moments are a precious reminder that she is still my baby.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christmas Past
We've had two christmases this year, and both were wonderful fun. Now it's over and I'm sleepy.
Things with the pregnancy are going well. At least I'm assuming they are. I'm 11 weeks now. At 6 weeks I saw my Dr. He said "Oh No!" and sent me for bloodwork. I firgured instead of paying out of pocket it would be best to wait for my medicare card (which I had applied for in October). Unfortunately it took until Dec. 15 for it to arrive. I tried twice to get the blood drawn (I was told to come back a week after I had the test done), and had even booked the appointment, but sadly things just didn't work out. In all that time I was calling my Dr office about once a week to find out if I could just get a referral to an OB (since my Dr wouln't be delivering the baby anyway) and talked with a midwife about my options. Still, nothing happened.
Then when I called to cancel the (useless) follow up appointment, the receptionist informed me there was a clinic I could go to that didn't require a refferal! YAY!
Only problem - no open appointments for the next month. Grr.
So we're praying for a cancelation and really getting anxious to get everything in motion. Not showing yet, still feeling a bit sick and exhausted, and having a slight feeling it's a boy.
I had bloodwork done about a month and a half before getting pregnant and was given a perfect bill of health, haven't had any odd pains of bleeding, so I'm assuming all is going as it should be. Be praying that is true and we get confirmation of it soon.
Things with the pregnancy are going well. At least I'm assuming they are. I'm 11 weeks now. At 6 weeks I saw my Dr. He said "Oh No!" and sent me for bloodwork. I firgured instead of paying out of pocket it would be best to wait for my medicare card (which I had applied for in October). Unfortunately it took until Dec. 15 for it to arrive. I tried twice to get the blood drawn (I was told to come back a week after I had the test done), and had even booked the appointment, but sadly things just didn't work out. In all that time I was calling my Dr office about once a week to find out if I could just get a referral to an OB (since my Dr wouln't be delivering the baby anyway) and talked with a midwife about my options. Still, nothing happened.
Then when I called to cancel the (useless) follow up appointment, the receptionist informed me there was a clinic I could go to that didn't require a refferal! YAY!
Only problem - no open appointments for the next month. Grr.
So we're praying for a cancelation and really getting anxious to get everything in motion. Not showing yet, still feeling a bit sick and exhausted, and having a slight feeling it's a boy.
I had bloodwork done about a month and a half before getting pregnant and was given a perfect bill of health, haven't had any odd pains of bleeding, so I'm assuming all is going as it should be. Be praying that is true and we get confirmation of it soon.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tis the Season
I love Christmas time.
I love the snow. I love the lights and decorations. I love visiting with family. I love Christmas music. I even love the malls being full.
This has always been my favorite holiday. I have only good memories of Christmas (even the year my Dad was bit by a dog and was almost in the hospital for Christmas). I can't wait for the weekend - Liz is visiting, then we're heading to Woodstock and then next week going to my parents.
We don't have a tree or many decorations this year. We did have some lights up, but between the baby and the cat they didn't stay up very long. Since we're going to be away for a couple weeks, a tree didn't really make much sense for us either.
But even without all the decorations, it still feels like Christmas. THe joy, the excitement. I can't wait to see Hana with all the lights and everything, and on Christmas morning. It's so wonderful to be able to make new wonderful memories for her.
I love the snow. I love the lights and decorations. I love visiting with family. I love Christmas music. I even love the malls being full.
This has always been my favorite holiday. I have only good memories of Christmas (even the year my Dad was bit by a dog and was almost in the hospital for Christmas). I can't wait for the weekend - Liz is visiting, then we're heading to Woodstock and then next week going to my parents.
We don't have a tree or many decorations this year. We did have some lights up, but between the baby and the cat they didn't stay up very long. Since we're going to be away for a couple weeks, a tree didn't really make much sense for us either.
But even without all the decorations, it still feels like Christmas. THe joy, the excitement. I can't wait to see Hana with all the lights and everything, and on Christmas morning. It's so wonderful to be able to make new wonderful memories for her.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Golden Compass
Is getting a lot of hype. It reminds me of the Harry Potter and DaVinci Code hysteria. I've heard people say that movies like this (promoting atheistic ideas) should not be made.
I think it's a bunch of crap. The story is fantasy. Yes, there are ideas that are presented that go against Christian teachings, but how is that any different from most other movies that are made, especially in this genre?
It frustrates me when I see Christians so afraid of ideas. Ideas are powerful things, yes, but they only have the power that we give them. I think it's important to know and understand what others believe. How else can we expose the Truth if we aren't aware of what lies they believe? How can we be like Paul in Acts 17, using the culture, the beliefs, the Truth around us to bring people to God if we ignore all of those things and just pretend they don't exist?
I plan on seeing the movie. It looks interesting. I've heard it's a bit violent for young kids, but that doesn't really apply to me. I might read the books too (if the movie interests me enough in the story). I am not threatened by ideas that I know are wrong.
I think it's a bunch of crap. The story is fantasy. Yes, there are ideas that are presented that go against Christian teachings, but how is that any different from most other movies that are made, especially in this genre?
It frustrates me when I see Christians so afraid of ideas. Ideas are powerful things, yes, but they only have the power that we give them. I think it's important to know and understand what others believe. How else can we expose the Truth if we aren't aware of what lies they believe? How can we be like Paul in Acts 17, using the culture, the beliefs, the Truth around us to bring people to God if we ignore all of those things and just pretend they don't exist?
I plan on seeing the movie. It looks interesting. I've heard it's a bit violent for young kids, but that doesn't really apply to me. I might read the books too (if the movie interests me enough in the story). I am not threatened by ideas that I know are wrong.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Winter Wonderland
Yesterday Hana and I went for a walk. We had been in the house for two days straight because of the snow, and we needed some fresh air. I figured I could put her in her new snowsuit and walk down to the store with her in the stroller.
Have you ever tried to take a toddler for a walk after a snowstorm?
First, you get the child dressed and put them in the snowsuit. I got Hana in the pants and had her boots on, then put her int he stroller before I put on her mitts (er...a pair of my thick socks....but it worked...) and coat on. I don't know how I came up with this idea, but I'm so glad I did.
Apparently putting mitts and a coat on a toddler is the equivalent of the marshmellow man on steroids - fluffy, strong and angry. Hana tried as hard as she could to kick and arch out of her stroller. It was awful. I almost took a picture, but figured the neighbours might be wondering what all the noise was, so instead we headed out.
(one plus of the mitts, she wasn't able to take her hat off for once!!)
So we head out and once we're moving Hana settles down and even seems to be enjoying herself. We get to the main road and I'm so excited to see the sidewalk is plowed. Er, sorta. Apparently they plowed the sidewalk before some of the streets for some reason, so at the beginning of every block there's this huge pile of snow. Have you ever tried to push a stroller through a huge pile of snow? It doesn't work so well. So I would pick her up and carry the stroller a few feet. Then we turn the corner and half of the snowbank caused by plowing the sidewalk has fallen in. There was a lot of stroller carrying to be done.
We came home by the side roads and just walked on the street.
Have you ever tried to take a toddler for a walk after a snowstorm?
First, you get the child dressed and put them in the snowsuit. I got Hana in the pants and had her boots on, then put her int he stroller before I put on her mitts (er...a pair of my thick socks....but it worked...) and coat on. I don't know how I came up with this idea, but I'm so glad I did.
Apparently putting mitts and a coat on a toddler is the equivalent of the marshmellow man on steroids - fluffy, strong and angry. Hana tried as hard as she could to kick and arch out of her stroller. It was awful. I almost took a picture, but figured the neighbours might be wondering what all the noise was, so instead we headed out.
(one plus of the mitts, she wasn't able to take her hat off for once!!)
So we head out and once we're moving Hana settles down and even seems to be enjoying herself. We get to the main road and I'm so excited to see the sidewalk is plowed. Er, sorta. Apparently they plowed the sidewalk before some of the streets for some reason, so at the beginning of every block there's this huge pile of snow. Have you ever tried to push a stroller through a huge pile of snow? It doesn't work so well. So I would pick her up and carry the stroller a few feet. Then we turn the corner and half of the snowbank caused by plowing the sidewalk has fallen in. There was a lot of stroller carrying to be done.
We came home by the side roads and just walked on the street.
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