This blog is a mash-up of stories, photos, and random ramblings about our new blended family. With 5 children between my husband and I, our life can definitely be described as a circus! We have appointed God as our Ring Master, and are doing our best to follow His leading in our lives. Thank you for stopping in...hope you enjoy the show! :)
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Monday, 28 October 2013
Out Of The Archives
Our daughter Alyssa is a very vivid dreamer, much like her mother. This morning I recalled a post from my old blog about a dream she'd had, and I dug it up to share it with all of you. This post is written word for word how Alyssa described her dream to me, which she had when she was 7 years old.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008
The following is a dream that Alyssa had last night. We decided to turn it into a story. Enjoy!!
The Suit Eh Moi - by Alyssa
The Suit Eh Moi - by Alyssa
I was walking into the living room, and then Auntie Shannon came
in. She turned a Christmas tree into a table. And she called it a
"suit eh moi". I had to make it upside down to defeat it. She said
there would be secret toys under it. So I did make it upside down away
from the place where it was. And I found Tarzan toys. Then I started
playing with them.
And then I went out of the living room. I looked for my Mom, but I could not find her. So I just had to look for Auntie Shannon, maybe she would know what to do, for she knew where my Mom's place was. But I couldn't find her neither!! Because there were such a big crowd, and the hallway crowd was big enough to fit an army!! Well, I thought I saw a ponytail in the front, and it looked like Auntie Shannon's. She always wears a ponytail. I tried pushing through, but everything was so crowded. Then I finally got to the front. And there was Auntie Shannon with a ponytail. I asked her where Mom was, but it was too loud for her to hear all because there were too many people behind her. Well, that wasn't a good thing.
Then I backed up and I landed in the garbage can!! Then I had to use the bathroom so I ran to the toilet, but the toilet wasn't even in the bathroom. What?? There were wires there! And the funny part is, then I got out, and I actually peed in my pants, and I didn't even notice that I had peed on the wires.
Then I saw Phoenix. But I didn't see Chewy. I think she was outside but I never knew. And then I found out that Grandma was right in the middle of the crowd in the dining room. She knew lots of things. I tried to get through to her, but then everyone started to turn into pirates!! But I said, "It's all over!! I'm going home!!!"
The bad news is, when I got outside it was already Christmas. And when we got to Grandma's house it was already Spring. Now, why does it get to be Christmas so fast? We never know what it's like to be in a odd house!! And then when I looked back inside, the bad news was that there was popsicle juice everywhere on the floor!! And that's the end.
And then I went out of the living room. I looked for my Mom, but I could not find her. So I just had to look for Auntie Shannon, maybe she would know what to do, for she knew where my Mom's place was. But I couldn't find her neither!! Because there were such a big crowd, and the hallway crowd was big enough to fit an army!! Well, I thought I saw a ponytail in the front, and it looked like Auntie Shannon's. She always wears a ponytail. I tried pushing through, but everything was so crowded. Then I finally got to the front. And there was Auntie Shannon with a ponytail. I asked her where Mom was, but it was too loud for her to hear all because there were too many people behind her. Well, that wasn't a good thing.
Then I backed up and I landed in the garbage can!! Then I had to use the bathroom so I ran to the toilet, but the toilet wasn't even in the bathroom. What?? There were wires there! And the funny part is, then I got out, and I actually peed in my pants, and I didn't even notice that I had peed on the wires.
Then I saw Phoenix. But I didn't see Chewy. I think she was outside but I never knew. And then I found out that Grandma was right in the middle of the crowd in the dining room. She knew lots of things. I tried to get through to her, but then everyone started to turn into pirates!! But I said, "It's all over!! I'm going home!!!"
The bad news is, when I got outside it was already Christmas. And when we got to Grandma's house it was already Spring. Now, why does it get to be Christmas so fast? We never know what it's like to be in a odd house!! And then when I looked back inside, the bad news was that there was popsicle juice everywhere on the floor!! And that's the end.
Sunday, 27 October 2013
5 Things I Have Learned
I've been thinking about our kids a lot today. As a parent, I tend to focus a lot of my attention on instructing our children. I try to impart some wisdom, little nuggets of useful knowledge that they'll hopefully retain in their memory banks, and recall someday when they need it.
Today however, my focus shifted, and I began to think about the things that I have learned from each of our children. I am so thankful for each wonderfully unique personality in our blended family. I would like to share with you some things that our kids have taught me.
1. Bryce is a highly intelligent girl, who is very good at looking at things from different perspectives. She understands that there are two sides to every story, and she doesn't just jump to conclusions about people. From Bryce I have learned that it's important to try to understand where people are coming from, and to look at things from another person's point of view.
2. Alyssa has an incredibly soft and caring heart. There is a gentleness in everything she does, and she wants the people (and animals) around her to feel healthy, happy and loved. She is always very open and honest about her feelings. From Alyssa I have learned that it's important to let people know that you care about them, with a hug, an "I love you", or simply a smile.
3. Elliot is so accepting of others. He sees value in those who perhaps are viewed as outcasts by the majority of people. He often mentions that we should bring a sick elderly person flowers, or we need to invite a person who doesn't have a lot of friends over for supper. From Elliot I have learned that I need to look to the needs of others, and do something about it.
4. Emma loves to chat and laugh with people, and she tries to make sure that everybody's having a good time. She is very funny, and loves to talk, however she is also an exceptional listener. I always feel that the words I'm saying are extremely important to Emma. From Emma I have learned that it's important to have fun in life, and that I need to be attentive when someone's speaking to me.
5. Griffin definitely knows how to live in the moment. He seems to have an endless supply of energy, and his immense enthusiasm is highly contagious. He is so easy going, and can walk up to anybody and effortlessly strike up a conversation with them. From Griffin I have learned that I need to be enthusiastic about the things that I busy myself with, and to express a genuine interest in the people around me.
Today however, my focus shifted, and I began to think about the things that I have learned from each of our children. I am so thankful for each wonderfully unique personality in our blended family. I would like to share with you some things that our kids have taught me.
1. Bryce is a highly intelligent girl, who is very good at looking at things from different perspectives. She understands that there are two sides to every story, and she doesn't just jump to conclusions about people. From Bryce I have learned that it's important to try to understand where people are coming from, and to look at things from another person's point of view.
2. Alyssa has an incredibly soft and caring heart. There is a gentleness in everything she does, and she wants the people (and animals) around her to feel healthy, happy and loved. She is always very open and honest about her feelings. From Alyssa I have learned that it's important to let people know that you care about them, with a hug, an "I love you", or simply a smile.
3. Elliot is so accepting of others. He sees value in those who perhaps are viewed as outcasts by the majority of people. He often mentions that we should bring a sick elderly person flowers, or we need to invite a person who doesn't have a lot of friends over for supper. From Elliot I have learned that I need to look to the needs of others, and do something about it.
4. Emma loves to chat and laugh with people, and she tries to make sure that everybody's having a good time. She is very funny, and loves to talk, however she is also an exceptional listener. I always feel that the words I'm saying are extremely important to Emma. From Emma I have learned that it's important to have fun in life, and that I need to be attentive when someone's speaking to me.
5. Griffin definitely knows how to live in the moment. He seems to have an endless supply of energy, and his immense enthusiasm is highly contagious. He is so easy going, and can walk up to anybody and effortlessly strike up a conversation with them. From Griffin I have learned that I need to be enthusiastic about the things that I busy myself with, and to express a genuine interest in the people around me.
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Nom Nom Nom
If you like peanut butter cookies, you should definitely try the following recipe sometime. It is sooo easy, and they are soooooo good. I made some and brought them with us when we went camping to Spruce Woods this summer, and this is what we did with them: we made s'mores and used these peanut butter cookies instead of graham crackers. Oh yes, toasted golden marshmallows and melting Hershey's chocolate sandwiched between 2 soft & chewy peanut butter cookies is indeed the bee's knees. Mmm, mmm, mmmmm.
1-2-3 Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
1
cup peanut butter
1
can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
2
cups Original Bisquick® mix
1
teaspoon vanilla
2
tablespoons sugar
- Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, mix peanut butter and milk until smooth. Stir in Bisquick mix and vanilla until blended.
- Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll tops in sugar. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls, sugar sides up, 2 inches apart. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped in additional sugar.
- Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until centers are set and bottoms are light golden brown. Do not overbake. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool 15 minutes.
Makes
4 dozen cookies
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
We're In This Together
God, I come to You today seeking humbleness. Please help me to see others the way You see them - for every human being on this planet is made in Your image. God, You love every single one of us perfectly, in Your eyes not one of us is seen as a hopeless case. Not one. Please open up my closed mind God, and make me ever mindful of the fact that I am every bit as lost as the individuals that I'm tempted to judge every day. Every person struggles with sin, not just the people that commit the so-called "big sins" and get caught. Forgive me God, and help me to love and support others through their struggles. Humble my heart, and help me to keep from thinking that I'm in any way above anybody else. We're all in this together, and we all need You desperately. Thank You God, for forgiving our sins, and for offering each one of us hope in You for the future.
Monday, 21 October 2013
Southland Mall Craft Show October 18-19, 2013
I set up a table at the Southland Mall craft show last weekend. I have been folk art painting for over 10 years, have painted many gifts for people and sold a few items to friends, but this was the first time entering a craft show for me. It went over very well, I was pleased with the amount of sales I had, and I'm going to have a table set up at the 2'nd Annual Christmas Craft & Vendor Sale at the VFC Church on November 23'rd.
YIKES!!!!!!
I'm probably the queen of excuses, so I should live up to my reputation and give you mine: I have been painting like a crazy person for the past month, getting ready for the craft show I was in this past weekend. It literally became my obsession. I would collapse into bed at midnight with light mocha paint streaks covering my hands, close my eyes, and see snowmen. Hundreds and hundreds of snowmen all lined up in a row, smiling hideously at me with their charcoal grins. Have you ever seen the movie Julie & Julia? I felt sort of like Julie, except instead of cooking, painting has rather overtaken my life. And there's another craft show coming up on November 23'rd...so this is only the beginning!! It's madness, sheer madness!!!
Okay, maybe it isn't QUITE that dramatic, but I am desperately seeking balance. I need to learn to relax, set the paint brush down once in a while, and, well, live a little!!! Not to mention catching up on the laundry that never ceases to pile up with 7 people living in this house.
So anyway, there's my piece. My 2 cents worth for the day. I will do my utmost to blog at least twice a week, 'cause I've missed it like crazy. Have a splendid day everybody! And lets all remember to live a little!! :o)
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