Fun Meme

I saw this over at Penless Writer and Praying Karen's blogs. It originally came from an e-mail so a few of the questions don't apply. I thought I'd take a crack at it!

1. Who were you named after? No one - my mom wanted to give me and my siblings each a name that kids couldn't tease. My middle name is my mom's first name.
2. When was the last time you cried? While watching a movie on Friday night
3. Do you like your handwriting? Sometimes. I have a messy style (don't care for it) and a neater one - I prefer the neater one.
4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Probably chicken or turkey but I'm not much for lunch meat; I keep thinking about how many chemicals must be in it. I never used to think like, but with Jeremy trying to eat healthier, I tend to think of these things more.
5. Do you have kids? Yes, 1 boy & 1 girl (apparently it's called the "million dollar family"!)
6. If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself? I hope so!
7. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Who me?! (I guess I do!)
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Nope - they were taken out when I was 8 or 9 yrs old.
9. Would you bungee jump? Not a chance!
10. What is your favorite cereal? Shreddies
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Every time!
12. Do you think you are strong? Physically - not really; spiritually - it's a work in progress; mentally/emotionally - I like to think I am!
13. What is your favorite ice cream? Funny thing - when I was growing up I didn't really like it. Now I prefer vanilla loaded with everything; either that or sherbert.
14. What is the first thing you notice about people? Probably their clothes (Wow, that sounds so shallow! Guess I'll have to work on it!)
15. Red or pink? Pink, although neither one is my favorite
16. What is the least favorite thing about you? My negative attitude
17. Who do you miss the most? Hmm, probably my sister - Karen, but I also have lots of friends I miss...Leila, Pam, Danika, Susan B, Cindy & more if I thought about it longer (be sure to leave a comment if you're reading this)!
18. Do you want everyone to send this back? (One of those "doesn't apply" questions)
19. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? I'm wearing grey sweatpants because my favorite jeans are in the wash; and I don't wear shoes in the house, but I do have socks on.
20. What was the last thing you ate? Left over birthday cake last night; I have eaten breakfast yet. Although I think my tummy's getting ready to talk to me!
21. What are you listening to right now? Kids playing quietly (a rare thing - quietly! Or maybe they are into things!)
22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Definately blue!
23. Favorite smells? Fresh coffee (don't care for the taste as much but love the smell), Freesias, lilies, lilacs - any beautiful smelling flower!
24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Good question! I haven't been on the phone yet this morning; I can't remember if I was on the phone yesterday; maybe it was Saturday!
25. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Not really applicable, but I do like Susan & Karen whose blogs I saw this on!
26. Favorite sports to watch? I'm not really a sports person - they all have pretty much the same excitement level for me - not much!
27. Hair color? Brown with a touch (more than I would like) of grey!
28. Eye color? Blue
29. Do you wear contacts? Nope, but I have been wearing glasses since I was in grade three
30. Scary movies or happy endings? Definately happy endings
31. Last movie you watched? "Reign Over Me" with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle (it was pretty good by the way! There were definately some parts that were inappropriate, but it was a very touching movie - made me cry, hence the answer to Q. 2)
32. What color shirt are you wearing? My cozy grey fleece sweater
33. Summer or winter? I've always loved the summer but not my skin gets super itchy from the sun so I prefer Spring.
34. Hugs or kisses? Hugs, but when I'm hugging my husband and kids, I can't help but give a kiss with the hug. The two just seem to go together!
35. Favorite dessert? Depends what time of the month it is! I'm beginning to appreciate cheese cake more, and most chocolate things appeal to me at certain times.
36. Most likely to respond? Another "not applicable" question.
37. Least likely to respond? Another "not applicable" question.
38. What book are you reading right now? Besides reading the book of Daniel in the bible, I am slowly working through "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" by John Piper.
39. What is on your mouse pad? Don't have one - we have a laptop
40. What did you watch on TV last night? Not much - there wasn't a whole lot on; did a lot of flipping
41. Favorite sound? Silence, good worship music or good piano playing
42. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Neither
43. What is the farthest you have been from home? I guess that would be Switzerland, but France, Spain, England & almost Germany (I was about 15 mins away) would be in close second.
44. Do you have a speacial talent? I don't think so - maybe someone else knows better?
45. Where were you born? British Columbia, CANADA. I will omit the name of my hometown, but I was born at home. I guess I was coming too fast for my mom to make the 20-30 minute drive to the hospital!

If you decide to do this meme (either on your blog or via e-mail), please let me know by leaving a comment on this post so I can read yours!

Weigh-In Saturday

Jeremy weighed himself yesterday. He was a little shocked at the number he saw...248 lbs. He gained about 8lbs.

Once again, this next week will be another attempt at trying to decrease the number on the scale. Jeremy has realized that over the past couple weeks he has been looking at the week as a whole rather than taking his weight loss one day at a time. He is hoping that with refocusing on the current meal for that day that he can get back on track.

Losing weight isn't easy! Especially when things around you are stressful and make you not care about eating healthy. Maybe this week...!

Newest Addition to our Family!

Announcing...





Our newest addition to our family!

A new-to-us dryer!

Our old dryer (I'm not sure how old it was but if harvest gold says anything...!) has made it's way to the garage as it waits for it's final trip...to the dump. The dryer has been acting up for the past couple years and we've known that it will eventually have to be replaced. But, never seeming to have the money, I would start to pray when it would make more weird noises and the noises would stop! I love how God cares about our every need!


When I cleaned out the lint trapper yesterday and discovered silver sparkles in all the lint I knew the inevitable was upon us. Our dryer has been making horrible sounds lately. Almost like metal scraping metal but without the high-pitched screech. When I saw the silver sparkley dust I figured it must be from the metal sounds we've been hearing. The last thing I wanted to do was to put my nice clean white laundry into this dead dryer. The conclusion - time to look for a new dryer.


I found a guy who has been in the business for 20+ years and works out of his home selling new & barely used major home appliances. He was very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. So today after Becca's party, we decided to give him a try and ended up buying a almost new dryer. It is only about 2-3 months old and looks to be in perfect condition (although it think it sustained a small dent and tiny scratch from us transporting it home & installing it). The best part is that because we've been saving up for a dryer, we didn't have to go into debt for it!


I've already used my new dryer and it works like a charm!

Birthday Party Fun!

We celebrated Rebecca's birthday today with her friends. She had 3 little friends from church come to help her celebrate.

I won the "You're the Best Mom Award" by finding matching plastic tablecloth, plates & cups that have the Disney princesses on them! Becca enjoys pretty much any of the girly stuff out there, but if it has princesses on it - BONUS!

The sun was shining and quite warm today so we just let the kids play outside or in Becca's bedroom rather than any organized games. They had fun jumping on the trampoline, playing on the tire swing and playing "house" inside with the dolls.

We had the party over lunch time so sat them down to a kid-friendly mac 'n cheese lunch with a fruit tray. The kids loved all of it and actually ate better than I expected.

After they ate, we set up bowls of icing and sprinkles on the table for the kids to decorate their own mini cupcakes. This was a combined idea of mine & Becca's. After they gobbled those down (they decorated two each because time was running out!), I lit the candles and brought out Becca's cake.

Funny thing - all week Becca just talked about being able to decorate the mini cupcakes with her friends. She never at all mentioned about having a regular cake. So I figured I'd let the kids decorate the minis, display them nicely, put 4 candles in them and that would be the "cake". But last night Becca kept saying that we forgot about her cake (yesterday was her actual birthday). So, 9pm last night - after a quick trip to Michael's - I was baking a heart-shaped cake and this morning while Jeremy took the kids to the chiropractor, I decorated the cake! It wasn't anything fancy but it seemed to do the trick. Whew!

After washing up from the cake, Becca opened up her gifts - just in time for the parents to pick up their children. Perfect timing! All in all, it was a good party! Now to get used to the fact that my little girl, my youngest is 4!

Happy Birthday, Rebecca!

Four years ago today, we welcomed our little girl into our lives. Getting to know her over these past four years has been fun.

As the months go by, her personality develops more and more. "She's all Girl!" That's how I often describe Rebecca. Becca is a lot like me: doesn't like change, stubborn, sometimes shy, loves babies and little kids...! And the way that she is often quick to forgive or give comfort to someone makes me proud to be her Mommy.

I remember when Becca was quite little (I'm guessing about 12-18mths), she would walk around gently bouncing her "baby" on her shoulder, pat it's back and say, "Shh! Shh! Shh!" I don't know where she learned it from but that mothering instinct is definately a strong part of who she is.

Rebecca has a great sense of humor and sometimes, when she's not intending to be funny, we end up enjoying a great laugh. Her facial and hand expressions are just priceless!

Our time together has not been without it's challenges (health, stubbornness, etc), but that is also what causes us to love you more!

I thought I would share some pictures of her life so far!

April 4, 2004

Minutes after being born with a very proud Daddy!

Daniel & Richard (our former foster-son) visiting at the hospital

(Becca was born on Richard's birthday!)

Daniel holding Becca

This picture reminds me of one of my baby pictures!

(Approx. 2-3mths)

Mommy & Becca at her first Canada Day parade (July 1/04)

Grandma & Becca (July '04)

Getting into the pancake mix!

(Approx. 18mths old)

Auntie Karen & Becca (Jan. '06)
Cute Becca! (Almost 2yrs old)Becca & Daniel on the ferry (Summer '06)

Becca (June '07)

Mommy & Becca after our haircuts! (Summer '07)

Spring Break (March '08)

The Birthday Girl - today!

Joy???

I don't have joy in my life right now.

That is the conclusion I came to today. Jeremy and I are in the midst of some potentially major changes in our church. The processing within the leadership has been going on for close to four months now. We are tired of the processing, yet at the same time know that it is a very important step in the decision making.

Because I am on our church board, I have had a number of extra meetings to attend over the past few months. Each of these meetings brings with it a big weight of consideration, prayer, seeking God and discernement. That can get tiring after awhile!

Today as I sat down to do my devotions, I opened up a book I started reading awhile back, "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" by John Piper. I picked up where I had left off and wouldn't you know it, the chapter is called "The Indestructible Joy"! How fitting! To be honest though, when I started reading the chapter, I had to re-read several sections over and over again because my mind just wasn't connecting - until I got to a verse that Piper quoted:

John 15:11
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

Suddenly, my wandering thoughts came to a hault. "Joy. I don't have joy in my life right now." I am almost at the point where I just don't care anymore. I know that apathy is NOT from God, so that means it's from Satan. Suddenly I am wanting to run as far away from apathy as fast as I can.

How can a person have joy in the midst of struggles?

Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Philippians 3:13b,14
"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6,7
"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I am seeking God for His joy.

A Perfect Weekend

We began this weekend without any major plans. I had a breakfast meeting Saturday and we had church Saturday night. Other than that our schedule was clear. But in the end, we had a fun, full weekend!

I got home from my breakfast meeting and found out that Jeremy had taken Daniel, Becca and Taleigh - one of my daycare kids - for breakfast at Rickies. After a bit of chit chatting, I remembered that I was supposed to take Daniel for his follow-up blood work for the mumps that he apparently didn't have! And Jeremy was supposed to have blood work done too (just his annual check-up for his thyroid levels).

After a bit of figuring things out, we all hopped in the van, went to the pharmacy to pick up some Emla for Jeremy (saying he is scared of needles is an understatement!). By the time he got through the line up to pay, there wasn't enough time for him to apply it and wait the minimum one hour needed before the lab closed. So we just had Daniel's blood work done. Daniel was very brave again. This time he knew what was going to happen so he was more nervous and told me he didn't want the needle but when they put it in, he didn't even flinch! I'm so proud of my boy! We've been very careful not to put Jeremy's fear of needles (and dentists) onto our kids. So far, so good!

After that, we dropped Taliegh off at her house and went to do some shopping. On a whim, we ended up taking the kids to a matinee to see "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who" (or click here for a review from Plugged In Online). It was pretty good; a couple scarier parts (one of them made Becca cry because she was sad for Horton) but soon there was something funny and they both laughed. We probably won't show it to our kids again anytime soon, but the moral of the story is good, "Even though you can't see them or hear them at all, a person's a person, no matter how small!"

After that, we finished up our shopping and headed home for a bit of R&R before Jeremy and Daniel headed off to church for Crosswalk (our children's ministry for kids in Kindergarten through grade 7). Becca and I joined them later for church. After church, we had some friends over. They are the couple we bought our house with 3 1/2yrs ago. We bought their 40% of the house from them in the fall and they bought a townhouse. It was nice having them over and catching up with them. (You can check out their blog here).

Sunday morning Jeremy & I woke up with a start! "What time is it? What time to we need to be there?!" We quickly jumped out of bed and got ready to go to some other friends' for brunch. The kids had a great time playing with their daughter.

After a wonderful brunch, we all jumped into the vehicles (us ladies were quicker so we left the men to bring the kids!) and got to the river in time to see Christine, a friend from church, paddle up in her kayak. She was participating in a Paddle-a-thon for our church conference camp - Camp Squeah. There were a few of us from church there to cheer her on. It is a two-day paddle trip on the Fraser River from Hope to Fort Langley. This time, consideration was given to postponing the trip because we had snow on Friday! But they were troopers, braved the cold and elements (it didn't snow for Saturday or Sunday but it was sure cold & windy) and made the trip. Where we met them, it was their lunch break. Here is a picture of a few of us shortly after Christine arrived for lunch. (I'm on the right in the brown coat and sunglasses. Jeremy & the kids were off playing somewhere!)

After we said our good-byes to Christine, we took our friend Marlene home (the lady in the red coat) and ended up staying and visiting with them. Her husband, Ron, had to leave early to help their neighbors with installing some new fencing. By the time we were about to leave, it was supper time so we all headed off to Wendy's.

We arrived home, tired yet feeling rejuvinated, just in time to put the kids to bed.

For not having much on our schedule, we ended up having a full weekend, lots of family time and visiting with friends.