A book fast...

Blest with sons has a challenge out to those of us who love to read but don't spend enough time reading the most precious book of all. Go check it out!

I'm going to 'dive in' and take back all my library books this week. So right now I'm going to make a cup of coffee and get my Bible out while the boys are amusing themselves this morning.

Christmas is coming...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Lights are up and decorations are out. We've had some beautiful hoar frost this past week. We don't have much snow anymore but this morning freezing rain made our drive to church a little more exciting.

This morning our message was about the difference between our possessions and our treasures. We get these things so mixed up sometimes. We act like our possessions are our treasures and in the process of getting 'more' and 'better' we can lose sight of the things we value most; like the relationships with our family and our relationship with our Creator God.

I don't think that possessions are a big deal in my life most of the time - I don't shop for much except groceries but I was reminded how I do value the things that I do have. Just the other day Rory knocked over the clock on our fireplace and broke the glass in it. Did my reaction tell Rory that the clock was more important than he is? I sure hope not but I was reminded of how easily we can get it so backwards. Our pastor said that we may work hard for our possessions but it's the treasures of our heart that we would lay down our lives for.

And guess who thinks that we are a treasure worth dying for? It's really hard to grasp just what it means for the Creator of the Universe to consider us a treasure when none of us are any great prize until and unless God gets ahold of our hearts and starts making something beautiful out of each one of us. May our Christmas celebrations be infused with a childlike wonder at the lengths God went to to reach each one of us with His love.

The crazy things chocolate milk makes me do....

I've been trying to cut down Rory's sugar intake as I've been wondering if that's contributing to some nasty behaviour. The other day Rory was at Grandma's house and he turned down her offer of chocolate milk saying, "I can only drink white milk or I'll go craaaazy!" And then he started acting crazy to prove his point.

I just couldn't believe he refused chocolate milk *grin*

It's quiet this afternoon as Ladger took Rory to his swimming lessons. And Paxton is playing with the guinea pigs - I should put him to sleep for a nap but who can resist a grin like this? Notice how he's hiding behind the chair - he really likes disappearing when it's nap time for some reason.

Time to go catch the little scalliwag!

Last night I was reading Beatrix Potter's stories to the boys and Rory seemed to enjoy the escapades of the naughty Peter. I guess he can relate...

We thought tantrums were a thing of the past with Rory but now at five he's being very difficult. Sometimes he can be the sweetest little guy and the next moment be so full of rage and hateful talk. One night he had to go to bed instead of having a bowl of pudding I was preparing for a treat. And he raged for awhile and then begged and pleaded and then raged again and then begged and pleaded and so on. I thought he'd never get around to accepting the consequences of his disobedience. And then he missed AWANA the next night - again because of his behaviour. And we had to go through the whole thing again. Yikes!

I can't believe it's winter already...

We had our first snow a week ago and I thought it would be gone by now with warmer weather for a few days afterward but it never disappeared totally and now we have some new snow. It looks like winter has decided to stay. The roads are terrible and so we cancelled our MOPS this morning. I'm just not ready for winter with all the horrible driving conditions.

So I have an unexpected morning home and I need to go take advantage of it :-)

Here's a sample of what I've been working on in my spare time (Ha!...Did I really say that?) I first tried out calligraphy when I got a set as a gift when I was still living at home. Every once in awhile I pick it up and have some fun with it.

Surprise...

The other day I received a neat surprise in the mail. My aunt gathered some autumn leaves from maple trees to send us because she remembered me saying that we have just about no maple trees in Saskatchewan. We do have Manitoba maples but they are a far cry from the beautiful maple trees in Eastern Canada. I'm thinking I'll put a collage together and frame it. Maybe you have some ideas of how I can showcase the leaves - if so, be sure to let me know.

Paxton is at such a cute stage. The problem is that when he gets attention for doing funny little cute things, Rory goes after the same attention only it isn't so cute then! It must be tough being a big chunk of a lug at five years old with a barely talking, funny little two year old brother.

One of the things Paxton will do is ask for something. When I repeat to make sure I've understood he looks at me with a big smile and says, "Sure!!".... as if it were my idea in the first place and I'm offering. And when we thank God for our meal, he has to have the last word....gibberish followed by a resounding "AMEN".

Remembrance Day

As we remember the horrors of two world wars, I find myself looking at current events like the problems in France. Islamic immigrants are acting out in violence against the Jewish community there and the government seems to feel that it's hands are tied. And then the news report went on to say that some of France's Jewish community are finding a new home in Montreal. And then I heard that the Jewish community in Winnipeg is growing as well. I hope that they may truly find a home in Canada. And may we have the courage of our veterans should we find ourselves with the need to fight the battle should hatred gain a foothold in our own communities.

Rory had a great time painting this morning.....and as you can see, his underwear came in handy!