Joy

The weather has been pretty good so we've been able to go to the park, get out of the house and just play.  These are the days when I sit back and watch them and find myself so thankful, so completely overwhelmed in blessings.  

I was at a Christmas social this morning for the women's bible study I attend, to sit and talk with other moms is wonderful.  To come into a home with your hands full of kids and coats, shoes and bags and not be the only one is a blessing.  I get such encouragement from our church, a place where family is such a focus, where children are such blessings.

Sometimes when I'm running my errands the reactions I get for having three close is wonderful.  The small words of encouragement usually come from older couples, ones whose children are long grown-up.  They pat me on the arm and say "I remember those days, cherish them".  Other times, I get looks that aren't so nice, comments of "you must be so busy, how do you cope, are they all yours? do they have the same Dad? (yes - that one came to me when Maddie was about one).

A friend encouraged me once to react to these comments with the words "yes, it can be very busy, but its such blessing".  Kids listen closely, and this response is a good one for them to overhear as well.  The reality is some shopping trips are huge successes, where we stop and count out the apples together or the kids look at the cheeses and tell me which one is the lowest price.  When we play "I spy" in the lineup while waiting.  When we look happy. The other reality is that is not going to always happen, having kids is never picture perfect. My last grocery shopping trip was of me running around, two kids squished in a cart (one crying) and one trailing behind while I grabbed everything I needed and rushed out as fast as I could.  I looked tired, overwhelmed and not so happy.  The kids were fighting and at one point when I was paying for my groceries they started yelling at each other, and I mean YELLING.

The next day was this day, when we ran to the park and I took pictures.  Jacob became a taxi driver and I sat in the play car as he explained the rules of his taxi and he drove me to wherever I wanted to go.  We drove to the zoo, to the ocean and to the mountains.  Kaylin and I were the passengers and I listened as she described what she saw.  And to sit there and listen to the imaginations of your children is a thing of beauty.

To watch them play together, to watch them grow together is sometimes hard to express. Joy, contentment, trust and love all rolled together.

Is life busy?  yes.  Do I get overwhelmed?  absolutely.  Would I change anything? never.

And those negative comments that I sometimes get when I'm out and about?  They are (finally) beginning to not bother me as much.  This is the life that I've been called to, and though outsiders looking in may wonder, I'm learning that its up to me to show them that yes, this task of mothering, of raising children to know Him, it is beautiful, it is a calling and there is joy.  So much joy.

When the Unthinkable Happens

My sleep was far from peaceful last night.  The horrors that we heard over the radio, that we watched on tv making it impossible.  For the school in Connecticut that was under such violence yesterday.   Late yesterday afternoon Drew called me with a warning, watch the news, he said.  Its unfathomable to us that someone is able to do such a thing, and yet we know that Satan's reach is far and deep and unimaginable.  That the depravity of man is capable of such wickedness.

Drew came home from work and sat with the kids, holding them a bit tighter than normal. We mourn for those parents who dropped their kids off at school and came home tonight without them.  For the families that will be without a mother or a father.  We pray for the families and the friends of those who will be entering this Christmas very differently than they thought they would. 

We grieve, for we are reminded of how far the world has fallen, we grieve for the children that were subject to such violence, for those who survived and will have to learn to deal with the knowledge of something very beyond their years.   And yet, we have hope.  This Christmas season we celebrate the birth of the victorious Son.  And when we read the last versus in the Bible (Rev 22:20-21) "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes I AM coming soon.: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.  Amen".

And believers will be held united these weeks as their prayers will echo "Come Lord Jesus! Maranatha!" 

Decorating for the Holidays

I'm no decorator.  Its taken me awhile to get used to this fact and not convince myself that I should be, but the truth is that stuff just doesn't bother me.  I can live with crooked lines on my Christmas tree and the fact that there's still a small pumpkin sitting on my shelf.  The unfinished trim in my house doesn't bother me, we'll get to it when time and money allows.  And you know what?  Its okay.  I love enjoying the beautiful decorating of friends and family, I love sitting on the couch sipping tea and drooling over home magazines.  Its just hard for me to find time putting it together in my own home.  I'd much rather spend the afternoon cooking or baking or playing the piano.  And its okay.  

But my house?  It doesn't come naturally to me.  And so our Christmas decorating is more about Drew bringing in the tree.  The kids tearing through the $0.50 bag of decorations I picked up at a garage sale 7 years ago and the music of my childhood playing softly.  Always at one point I stand with my head tilted wondering why my tree doesn't look like it did in my head, and how in the world do people do it.

A complete mystery to me.  And so I gave up, stepped back and the let the kids take over.

Listening to Nana Mouskouri's Little Toy Trains and making hot chocolate for the kids while they proudly place as many balls as they can on one small lower branch. "See Mom, THIS is how you do and its prreeeettty".

At some point in the decorating Drew decided that it was time to introduce the kids to new memories and cranked the song from the Grinch and then called a break in the tree makeover to watch Charlie Brown's Christmas, one of his childhood memories.  This is what makes us work.  We blend our different childhood memories, I get the first half of the night, he gets the second, and during it we blend in our own.  The tree that is quite obviously decorated by children's hands and one that doesn't bother me enough to fix it.

I had never watched a Charlie Brown Christmas, and I must say it was rather intriguing.

And this one's for my mother-in-law who mentioned to me this week that the kids always look so happy on the blog:)  How DARE mommy take away a glass ornament....

Enjoy your weekend all!

On Turning 4

I've been MIA for the last little while, thanks to the wretched cold virus that slammed into our home and latched on tight.  Just when I thought I was feeling better, one whole day wonderfully free of headaches, sore throats and several boxes of kleenex the stomach flu got me.  Such is life when Mama is busy chasing little ones, immune systems weaken when your tired so its no wonder why I got it.  Thankfully, Jacob's birthday showed up and we were all free of any illness and we celebrated with as much energy as we could for this newly turned 4 year old. 

Drew decorated with balloons and streamers the night before, I neglected to take pictures, but this boy was happy.  He was gifted with lego and playmobil, which has proven to be a huge hit. 

I'm not sure who is most intrigued by these gifts, as Drew has been quite eager to show off his building skills to the kids.

This one watches intently as they build.

 We made cake pops for his party.  Huge hit!

Gingerbread men were on the menu to decorate, it kept the little hands of many children busy for awhile.

Its hard to believe that 4 years have gone by with this one in our home.  It seems like so little time and yet they change so much in those 4 years.  He's a different little boy than he was a year ago, less quick in anger, in tempers.  It almost feels like a lifetime ago when I would stand by his bed at night praying for patience for the little boy who pushed me to my max day after day.  I remember sitting on my bed at night wondering what I was doing that was obviously so horribly wrong.  Feeling so beaten, and yet looking back, those are times that brought me to my knees.  I know that feeling won't stay away, its apart of this parenting task that we have been called to.  It will merge again, as we enter new stages and new ages and deal with new challenges.  

This 4 year old though?  He's a happy little guy, busy with trucks and colouring and anything to do with construction.  And I'm thankful for this break, for a time when the household is working well together. 

And now one birthday is behind us, Maddie's is next and from that we jump right into Christmas. 

May you all find quiet moments in this busy season!

Remembering

Sunday was Remembrance Day, this year we did not make it to a ceremony.  Church ended and there was not much time to get to one in time, and well after the morning service its usually pretty urgent to get kids home and fed and down for naps.  And so we talked about it.  Remembered in our own way.

This day is pretty important to us, to teach the kids to honour the memories of soldiers lost long ago, and to remember the soldiers that still fight.  To be reminded of war and the sacrifice so many make so that we can live free.  All of our Grandparents immigrated to Canada from Holland, post-war.  The stories that we have been given are glimpses of what they went through, but even then its hard to fathom.  And so we remember in the only way we can, we remember without fully understanding the horrors of what so many have seen and what so many have experienced, and still do experience.  And we pray for soldiers, for the men and women who gave and who give their lives in the past, and in the present. We pray for the countries that are constantly at war, we pray for the countries that are at peace. 

The fourth verse (not often sung anymore) of our anthem always gives me shivers, the words so strong and clear to the One who is in control.  Sometimes I wonder how long it will be before they change these words, for the God we sing of is the God who is also forgotten and pushed away.  On Sunday after church our congregation stood for a moment of silence and sung these words. 

O Canada!

Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all they sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,

The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,

Chorus

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,

Hold our Dominion in they loving care;

Help us to find, O God, in thee

A lasting, rich reward,

As waiting for the better Day, 

We ever stand on guard.

Chorus

And although this poem is so well known, I find myself reading it over and over every year at this time.
Its beautiful.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS POEM
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Composed at the battlefront on 
May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium

(picture taken from www.picsearch.com)

Cupcakes and Outings

We've jumped into school with both foot and have landed after a rather shaky start. No longer is it SCHOOL but simply, school.  Another part of the week.  A happy part, for which I am very thankful.  The trauma that the bus caused seems to have died down. Although I do drive in the mornings, in the afternoon the bus is used.  A win-win for us, the anxiety of going to school is removed and in the afternoon she walks with her friends and gets on the bus without a worry.  I'm finding drawings of little girls, some with straight hair, some with curly or long or short jumping on and off the bus.  With little faces squished into the windows all waving and smiling.  This picture has made its way into my Bible and makes my momma heart happy.  I'll share, I promise, once I figure out my scanner. 

We baked cupcakes last week for school, an incentive for students who met their book-reading goals.  I'm rather enjoying being a school mom.

I spent some time a few weeks ago with my newest niece, a niece whose dark dark eyes reminded me so much of Kaylin's when she was a baby.  Holding a newborn will never cease to amaze me.  Their precious little bodies, their intent gazes, the smell of baby.

There was a girls night squished in there somewhere.  Where Drew came home and took charge of the dinner hour and I went out.  Lingering over a dinner with good conversation and no interruptions.  My favorite part of going out, the way the kids run to me before I leave for just "one more hug".  I was reminded that even though it can be difficult to arrange, it really is important to get away, even for just a few hours.  And that it had been far to long since I have done so.

The girls night was nothing fancy, just a simple dinner, followed by browsing through a book shop and then ending with coffee.  And in its simplicity it was perfectly wonderful.

Jacob asked me yesterday why Maddie had blue eyes when we were "obviously a brown family". It took me a moment to explain and before I had a chance he peered in my eyes and shouted, "hey!  you have blue eyes too".  And unlike him, this little one notices everything and everybody.

And with that I must go and tend to the children that are tumbling out of their rooms.  I'm being reminded that I can only stretch this quiet time so long, and so,

Adios!

Lindsey

Monday Randoms

I have a few moments squished between my daycare baby napping and the other two playing with trains.  Trains that were handed over to me by a sweet friend in our church, a bag full of wooden tracks, bridges and wooden trees and buildings.  The gift of handing over precious toys that are no longer being used is such a blessing.  And fun, and has kept a normally grumpy monday into a nice morning of quiet play.  

My camera was left behind two weeks ago at my sister-in law's and while I just got it back today is going to be a morning of randoms, pictures that have been sitting on my computer. 

I have finally completely my kid's table project.  Which took me oh, 6 months+.  It is now a cheerful yellow and cream and makes me happy every time I walk past Kaylin's room.

An empty laundry baskets make us all smile, I'm sure.

From last year's pumpkin carving extravaganza. This year the Halloween was low-key but a happy fairy, a tough fireman and a fierce tiger made their way to our neighbors houses.  Hard to believe that just a year ago Maddie was crawling and chomping on every pumpkin she could find.  And Drew and I are overdoing our parental duty by making sure some of the halloween treats disappear over night, such a rough job we have:)

Me and two of mine and 3 nieces.  Family time is always fun.

This only from September, my little girl is growing fast!

Linking up with Lowercase Letters this morning. 

The morning that started over 2x

At one point this morning, long before my coffee was even made, I threw up my hands and shouted "back to your rooms EVERYONE!".  In this house that means exactly that, we all head to our rooms, myself included.  Then quietly one door opens, usually Jacob first for Kaylin is much too cautious, and he says smiling "morning mommy".  Then Kaylin pokes her head out and seeing the coast is clear joins us. 

I've learned that bad days when you have little ones at home, and its raining outside, usually continue on that cycle until it breaks.  And in our case, its me who needs to intentionally get that cycle to stop.  And we start over.  Wipe the slate clean. Think yelling children badly in need of a Kleenex if you need a visual.

And as a Mom I need to be intentional about what I do.  No, not every moment is spent with me entertaining my children, I encourage lots of individual play time.  I like that the kids see me busy with other things, but there are days when my focus, my attention needs to be directed on them.  In our home its the day after a day-care day, after a school day.

And this morning, after start-over #2, it helped.  I made a big show of shutting down the computer and declared the much needed us day.  Which in our house means the stack of library books comes out, we play-doh and colour, we bake cookies.  No phone conversations or computer time and the morning is ours.  By carving out some intentional one on one time the mood is quick to shift.

Today we had two little friends join us and it was fun, loud and chaotic.  The sugar cookie dough was brought to the table and the kids happily stamped their hearts out.  And now they are napping, except Kaylin who is engaging Strawberry Shortcake and Lemon Meringue in a game.  And the computer can make its presence known as I'm in sore need of a break and there is no fighting for my attention.  Its exhausting this intentional mothering.

So, carpe diem, even if that simply means colouring and listening to Steve Green's Hide 'em in your Heart cd.

Giving Thanks - Part 2

Its a cold rainy Tuesday.  Tuesdays are a bit of a highlight for me these days, there is no school for Kaylin, no extra day-care kids.  Its our library day, our morning to go out with just the 4 of us and explore piles of books.  Jacob and Maddie nap well on Tuesdays and Kaylin plays quietly in her room during nap time.  And that means I have time to show you pictures of our 4 day escape into the forest.

A place were fashion became non-existent and in its place was "wear whatever and as many clothes as you can so you don't freeze".  We hiked and walked and warmed our hands by the fire.  It wasn't all wonderful, there was tears and some sibling rivalry over small things, like who gathered the most acorns, who had the bigger bowl of chips, normal day-to-day stuff.  The difference was Drew and I were there, together with no distractions.  The day-time parenting was split between the both of us and for me this is always a break.  We hiked and walked and explored most of the time. 

*****
You'll probably have noticed that I've been working on the blog design, bare with me as I fiddle around with it over the next week.  Hubby suggested the name "Dumptrucks and Pigtails" randomly one night when I was lamenting over the fact that I couldn't think of anything.  After rolling it over in my head for a bit I realized I liked it and decided to give it a try.  For those of you who follow me, if I change my url/domain I'll be sure to send you a note to update your links.

Happy rainy, foggy and cozy Tuesday!