I can't believe I've been blogging for over 4 years. It was just before that I had no idea what a blog was or a podcast or even an i-Pod. Blogging started with a way to communicate home from the other side of the world about how the 2 week stay in China to adopt our daughter was going. We chose not to take Will and he was at home with my parents. I'm so glad I started "a journey to Hosanna" because I recorded so many otherwise forgotten memories of China and was able to let our friends and family from wherever be in on it!
And now, four years later here we are! I continue to record our family memories, traditions and random thoughts for - yikes, what for? For me? That sounds selfish. I guess it's still a way to keep those that wonder what we're up to well, what we're up to! And I suppose that by sharing some of our traditions I can inspire others to make up some of their own? Like any diary, my blog continues to be something I hope my family can look back on and fondly remember things in a way unique to blogging. I love to share things like books, ideas, movies we've discovered that others might enjoy too (notice the new feature "books we're reading"?) But my ultimate goal and motive is to continue to glorify God in all I do recognizing that (Christian Worship 111, vs 1 & 5) Sweet the moments, rich in blessing, Which before the cross we spend. Life and health and peace possessing From the sinner's dying friend. Lord, in loving contemplation Fix our hearts and eyes on you. Till we taste your full salvation And your unveiled glory view.
I checked my blog to see if there was a recent update apparently expecting my alter ego to do it? and realized that a. I am losing my mind and b. It's time for an update. In my defense, it seems that things have been busier than normal around here - Lent in a pastor's house? - and I'm ready for a break from the craziness!
But the busyness has included some fun stuff including several field trips. Will had a program at the Agricultural Museum on food groups and Zanna had one at the same place but made cheese and a mouse puppet. Your jealous, right? We also attended a concert at the National Arts Centre and listened to the orchestra play Vivaldi.
We had great seats on the mezzanine level off to the side in one of those "private" boxes. All four of us went and we had a lot of fun!
Will is back in SHEP (Science and History Enrichment Program) Spring session. This session's theme for Science is Animals and their classifications and for history a continuation of Canadian History. He has projects to do for both and lots of homework in between the once a week class. But he really enjoys it and he's learning a lot - including how to stay focused for lectures (3 hrs with a 15 min break in between) and take notes. Good for when he goes to Prep!
Zanna continues to be enthralled with the alphabet and their sounds and has recently started reading the Bob books. Her current favorite word is "precisely". She likes to stick it in the course of conversation.
Messy I know, but the point of it is that she makes her food into letters. Here we have the letter E in what I believe to be spaghetti sauce.
I've been busy studying for my Ontario hairstylist license and managed to pass - hooray! I've been doing haircuts for friends and their kids and a foil on my friend (don't worry, that's OK) and my whole family is getting shaggy so I guess that means their next.
Last weekend was our local homeschool conference - small compared to some of the really big ones in huge cities but still a good day for professional development, encouragement and an opportunity to shop! I usually manage to walk out with some items I didn't count on and this year was no different. So fun! One of my favorite times of the year - homeschool catalogs come in the mail I pour over for HOURS! I love to plan what we'll do the following school year and consider what I'd like the kids to learn - often, what we'll learn together!! I'm currently rereading "For the Children's Sake"- my hands down favorite book on education, regardless of the type of education involved. Such a beautiful book!!!!
Our church hosted the NAD (North Atlantic District) pastors' conference two weeks ago. Lots of work but lots of fun! We had invited the pastor's son from Toronto who's Will's age to come and stay with us while his Dad was in meetings. The boys had so much fun and they are so similar in their likes (ie LEGO).
Now it's Holy Week - busy with flower orders and pick up to decorate the church on Easter morning - so pretty. Plan on playing violin (say a little prayer that the nightmare of Thanksgiving doesn't return on Easter) so practicing for that. Trying to get a church newsletter together that seems to be down the list of things I need to get done. Maybe sometime in May? Having guests for Easter Dinner - planning menu, table arrangements, etc. Which leads me to ......
I adore my new dishes!!!!!! Aren't they the cutest? For those of you unaware of my fetish for dishes, maybe this comes as a surprise. I was looking for napkins and instead walked out with dishes. With birds on them. The bowl looks like a little birds nest. I love Homesense! A dangerous but very fun place. There may not be Target here YET (look out, Zellers) but I like this store a lot.
And as far as my not decorating for Lent - I gave that up. About 2 1/2 weeks ago. I couldn't take it anymore and attacked my mantle with Spring.
And I didn't stop there -
I downloaded that subway art picture off the Internet (people come up with these things and encourage you to use it) and I can't for the life of me found where I got it or I'd tell you. So sorry - but cute, huh?
Now I haven't put up anything specifically Easter (that comes tomorrow). And I've got plenty to do between now and the next few days, but at least I've updated the blog. My floors, however still need to be cleaned.
