A Relaxing Blog

I'm rather enjoying the fact that this blog isn't public yet. There's no pressure to blog any more than I feel like doing, or have time for:). The past couple of weeks have been extremely busy. First it was lots of baking, delivering cookies, cleaning for the expected company and planning what to do for the Christmas Eve Service. The kids were up and down more than usual emotionally, but doing okay behavior-wise. Some days are harder than others trying to find ways to meet each child's needs and desires through out the day when they're so diverse and they all want my attention at the same time. I was definitely looking forward to the extra hands of family coming at Christmas. My Father-in-law, mother-in-law and Brother in law, Preston arrived at lunch time and Kirk arrived at dinner time on Christmas Eve. We packed up the kids around 6 and headed to town for the special service. It was about -32 C and I wasn't sure there were going to be many out. Surprise, surprise, the Lord blessed. There were 38!!! 8 first time visitors:). Some from out of town, some regulars, some family, but all appreciated. After the service we went downstairs for snacks and fellowship. Most stayed and we ended up leaving around 10! Garrison fell asleep on the way to church and slept the whole time, and even went to bed when we got home. Our church people surprised us with a love offering, which was a huge blessing considering that Scott's unemployed carpentry wise for the winter. The Lord has been providing in many ways like this and we're SOOO thankful. Getting extra time with him isn't so bad either:).
Christmas morning started a little early, but we told the kids no presents til 7. Elyssia updated us about every 10 minutes what time it was. Can anybody tell that she was excited:). There were books, clothes, homemade marshmallow guns, ornaments, canned jams, homemade candy, toy cars, an electric blanket, walking sticks, explorer hats, homemade chess board, jelly bellys, pink tool sets, and much more under that tree. Very fun seeing the kids opening things and being surprised by our own gifts. I think the best surprise was when Scott was given a 22 by his parents!!! He's been wanting one for a couple years, but has been very patient since we didn't have the money for it. What a blessing to see the Lord use his parents to give him the desire of his heart. On a sad note, we received a call telling us that Scott's child hood pastor, Gordon Ironside had passed away. His funeral was set for Jan 4th and he requested that Scott preach at it. So, Bro. Dave Webster offered to pick him up at the Kindersely Airport and fly him to Hanna, Alberta, so long as the weather is cooperative. Much prayers for any at the funeral that may be lost. The rest of the family time was spent reading, playing, cooking and building a snow fort outside. I enjoyed a bit of a break as the brother in laws showed off their cooking skills. We had homemade pizza, potato/bacon chowder, empanadas, chicken fajitas and sopapillas(sp?), refried beans, rice, ginger beef and sorbet, plus a white chocolate mousse. Mmmm, I think I'm gaining weight just thinking about it:) It was good and there are many leftovers in the freezer too. Double mmmm. On New Years Eve we had roast beef and potatoes. The family all left on New Year's Day and made it safely back home, despite the -30 weather. Caleb learned a couple new words while they were here, including eggs, jelly beans, grandad, and a few other phrases became discernable. He seems to have stopped saying, "bad dada" which did make us laugh, but seemed to come out at the oddest times. A couple times at Church:). He also changed it to bad nana, but would use those two phrases on anyone whenever he was not getting his way:)
Elyssia's reading just keeps getting better and better. She's also into sewing and made nana a little purse for Christmas. She received lots of craft, sewing, knitting and cross stitching supplies for Christmas too. For those Looooong winter days:). Scott is doing science experiments with them. The other day it included making bubbles. Caleb turned the lid while we weren't watching and drank some of it. Yuck!!! He didn't like that taste, but wouldn't drink anything to wash it down, so he was wiping at his tongue for quite awhile. Doesn't seem to have curbed his curiosity any.
We've found that Garrison is really good at memorizing things and repeating. Including an entire Dr. Seuss book!!! Surprise, surprise:) He's doing better staying dry through the night now, which is another big blessing. There's definitely enough laundry without adding bedding every night or 2.
Kiersten is growing like a weed. She got a bit spoiled with all the people to hold her, but is starting to settle down again. She's my smiley girl and we all love to hug and kiss her while she kicks and coos:). Too bad baby days are so short:(.
I gave both boys a haircut yesterday. A little cold for the buzz cut, but what else do you do when they squirm and fuss. Caleb did pretty good, but I found that I was cutting a bit unevenly, so ended up taking it all off. He's still our cute, mischievous Calebee. Garrison's is a bit longer on top, but has some uneven shades, since he insisted that I use scissors. At least it's done with for at least a month or so:)
On a sad note, a dear friend of mine passed away this morning. She was a member of the church my dad pastored. They were one of the first members and she always sat behind us and requested hymn 44. She was very funny and loved to hug and kiss us. As I got older she was my primary Sunday School teacher and then a close friend once I became a young adult. She will be greatly missed, but I'm thankful that she won't have to suffer with cancer anymore. She's also up in Heaven and I wonder if she'll give my dad a hard time for getting there before her:) Many prayers for her family right now. It's NEVER easy to lose a loved one, even when you know they're in Heaven.
Well, I really should finish up this novel for now. I wrote a Christmas letter this year. Our first one:) I might post it on here sometime if I remember. Not sure if anyone is reading this. Sorry for the lack of pics. It takes a bit more to load them here, so it won't be the main focus of the blog. Happy New Year Everyone!!!