Our Journey Through Lent

Lent is the time in the church year from Ash Wednesday to Easter - 40 days, not including Sundays - where we reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Special Lenten services on Wednesday evenings are offered at church that are more somber in mood and content that the joyfulness we experience on Sundays. We prepare our hearts for the ultimate joyfulness of Easter Sunday when we rejoice knowing our sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus!
This year the kids and I planted our first "Lenten Garden". In it we find a pool of shells reminding us of our baptism when we were adopted into God's family and received saving faith in Jesus while we were still infants - what a miracle! The pool is shaded by a "prayer plant" (that's the name - I found it at Home Depot!). On a hill we have the cross made from sticks the kids found on our nature walk. A path of rocks lead from the cross to a tomb Will and friend made from modeling clay complete with the rock to be rolled away on Easter morning.
Three candles (the Trinity) cover the perimeter of the garden that will be extinguished on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday the rock will be rolled away and replaced with a beautiful butterfly symbolizing new hope in Christ!

But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

Everyone needs a Break

The month of March brings a much needed break from the routine, aptly named March Break. As I write this on our last day of March Break still in my bathrobe, I'll reflect on the events of the last week.

The week started off rocky. I forgot my early morning hair appointment (gasp!) that I needed desperately. I drove like a bat out of you know where to get there late though she did manage to get me "done". In my absence, Wayne took the kids for a neighborhood walk and managed to lock himself out of the house. Not a lot I could do about this as I was a good half hour drive away and my roots covered in sticky hair colour. I left with a wet head and drove still like that bat to find my family shuffling listlessly around the neighborhood - not really, they were at the park. Needless to say, not an ideal start to our lovely week off. Well, Wayne didn't get the week off except for his confirmation class but whatever... I also had a grand idea on this day for a small home project for Wayne. Honestly, I thought this would be no big deal. But as home improvement projects usually tend to go in unexpected directions, this one was no exception. I just wanted an extra shelf in our front hall closet. That's it. There was a lot of wasted space up near the top and there was room for a shelf to store our out of season hats, mittens, cleaning supplies, you get the idea. It turned into an exercise in frustration as Wayne came to the conclusion that the builder of our home wasn't too particular on making the walls straight. It went downhill from there. However, I did get my shelf. :)

The week could only go up from there, right? And it did! We went for a lovely nature walk with some friends and fed the birds. On another day we went 5 pin bowling.
We also had some visitors - friends we know who attend my parent's church and were in town visiting a relative. We met them at the Museum of Civilization where I walked them through the history of Canada display (just don't ask me dates) and we hung out at the Children's museum inside the same building. We had them over to our house afterward for taco night

and visiting.

Will had a friend over one evening this week for a sleepover.

And because the weather was great this week the kids spent a lot of time outside riding bikes and scooters and playing street hockey. And climbing roofs. What? Oh, that? Well, that was an unexpected lesson in teaching our son the challenges of peer pressure and decision making skills. It was also an opportunity for his guardian angels to work a little overtime. We assured him this would not be the last time an "I dare you to..." by friends would come his way that might not be in his best interest. Ah, the joys of parenting a boy.....

I'm starting to think I need a break from March break. Hmmmmm

A Purple Princess Party

Let the fun begin! On Feb 21st, Hosanna turned 4. I can hardly believe it. She had her first friend party on Saturday with 4 little girls all dressed as princesses. They were adorable! Mom and Dad, once again, helped me pull this off with dear husband as the picture taker who roams in and out of the room attempting to get some work done in between (what can I say, he works a lot on the weekends!). The next day was her actual birthday and so we had church in the morning. After service, the congregation sung happy birthday to her and another girl who shared the day. Quite funny, she was on a chair in the back of the church at the time on a time out. She didn't know how to react to being sung to! That afternoon, godparents Skip and Karen came over for cake and Chinese takeout. It was a special day for a special girl!!
We had a short but nice visit with my parents. The kids especially enjoyed time with their Oma and Opa!

Other moments in the month included my first -and hopefully my last - root canal. Not fun.

We had a great Chinese new year celebration with our Chinese friends from church complete with homemade dumplings.
After living here for almost 8 years, the boys finally got to see a Senators hockey game. Someone from church had tickets he couldn't use and passed them to Wayne. They had a great time and Will was thrilled to stay up later than Mom!

Gotta go for now - karate time!

2010 - My year to LISTEN

The start of a new year and in this case a new decade - so much hope, promise and expectations. When we look back on what the last decade brought us - all the changes, heartbreak, joy - I wonder what will happen to me, my family, friends, church in this decade. Through it all the Lord has shone His faithfulness to me, his child. Oh, I had plenty of moments when I doubted that He knew best. But it's during those times of dark, difficult moments (some longer than others) that His glory is made perfect in my weakness. This is what I long for - to bring him glory in whatever circumstances I am faced with. I know I can't do it alone - I need His help desperately. Too often I have failed to do this - I've thrown Him under the bus instead. By His grace alone He forgives me and strengthens me. And this is my inspiration to make 2010 - my year to LISTEN. I can't hear Him if I'm busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I can't hear Him if I've always got my radio/Ipod/Itunes on. I can't hear Him with the TV blaring in the background. I can't hear Him if I'm busy talking! I need to stop, turn the things around me off (do kids have an off button?) and listen to Him speak to me in His Word. My faith is doomed if I don't shut up long enough for Him to strengthen me and grow my faith through time spent reading what He inspired humble human beings to write down for me. The picture of Zanna at the top is of her gazing up at Daddy as he installs a new window blind. She adores him! It inspires me to feel that way about my heavenly Father and He really can do anything!

The start of a decade - that's a whole other can of worms. As I think back on the dawn of the last decade, I was pregnant with Will. The world was in a panic of Y2K and I just wanted to have my baby! We were just starting our family. The last decade was focused on growing our family - and what a ride that turned out to be! By the end of this decade, Will will be 19 going on 20 - probably in university. Zanna will be a teenager possibly preparing to go to Prep. By the end of this decade, my children will not be under my influence as much or in Will's case even under my roof. Wow! This is it! This is our time to be with our kids. To teach them, love them, enjoy them - LISTEN to them! Last decade flew by as this one probably will too. But if I've learned anything from the last one - you only get one chance. I want to be more purposeful of this one. Realizing that the time we have is now - I'm excited for the memories we'll make as a family, the places we'll go, the people we'll meet - and yes, the challenges we'll face.
Well, onto our updates! Will most recently earned his purple belt in karate. He's also teaching the lower belts and has earned the name "Sempai Will". We're so proud of him - he's worked very hard for his accomplishments! He and Wayne have also hit the slopes for some downhill skiing this month. They got a season pass that allows them to go on weekdays and nights which is perfect for our schedule.
Hosanna has her own share of accomplishments! She recently started to color in the lines and use her scissors to cut along the lines too. She passed her swimming level and is ready to attack the next. She continues to enjoy gymnastics and can't wait for Opa and Oma to come next month and watch her in action. She soaks up the time I take with her to teach her the sounds of the letters and read our Before Five in a Row books that we make coordinating lapbooks to some of them.

We celebrated our 3rd Forever Family Day this month. She enjoyed looking at the pictures from our trip to China and we went out for some Asian food. We also had our China travel group families that live in the area over to our house for a reunion and potluck. All the girls are doing great and growing into such lovely young ladies! How blessed we are!!

My Angel

I think his halo is a bit off!

Wii wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hard to believe another new year has arrived. Time goes to fast! Here's a picture of Zanna and her baby Rou Rou totally exhausted by all the festivities. For Christmas both her dolls Rou Rou and Mei Mei received new outfits so everyone is happy - ha!
And this is the year of the Wii for our family. We're stressing this fact to Will so he's not mistaken this as his Wii. Honestly, I didn't think I'd have much use for such a machine but I have to admit it's sort of fun. After playing it for awhile one afternoon I'm sheepish to admit my right arm is quite sore!!! But aside from having another toy to play with it is also my new "leverage". Wii time will be limited to weekends and must be earned - this gives the mama new power!!
Jake and Fran flew in from Calgary to spend Christmas with us. We had a lovely time having them in our home and visiting some local museums, shopping, etc. They were able to see Will and Zanna in our church's Christmas Eve pageant. Will was Joseph and Zanna was an angel. They were both adorable (of course) and did a fantastic job with their lines and songs. At home we celebrated Jesus' Birthday as we traditionally do - singing the Happy Birthday song before diving into birthday cake and tearing into our presents. Through the season as I was reading the Christmas books we have to the children, I thought of how some of these stories and pictures make the stable seem sweeter and cozier than it surely was. It romances the idea of dear baby Jesus being born among sweet smelling hay and the soft breathing sounds of the cattle in the barn. I don't know about you but I've been in a barn and it's not like that. My hair stinks to high heaven after spending any significant time in one and the noises those animals make is anything but soft. A baby - not any baby but the Son of God and son of man - humbled himself to be born in such poor accommodations and to such unassuming parents - for me! To take a quote from one of my favorite Christmas books The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, "Hey! Unto you a Child is born!"

Happy Advent!

Now that we are in the full swing of Advent - having lit our 3rd candle yesterday - we've been doing some special things to celebrate the season.

I took the kids to see a performance of the Nutcracker ballet. Also joining us was a family friend. The four of us had a lovely time although I'm not sure Will is too interested from here on out. He put up with it but he'll probably stay home with Dad from now on.

Most recently we went to spend the afternoon with a group of fellow homeschoolers at a local estate museum where we celebrated an old - fashioned Christmas. The kids rolled their own
beeswax candle and stuck cloves in apples rolled in cinnamon. They also made gingerbread cookies - yummy! To end the trip we assembled outside for some chestnuts roasting on an open fire and hot apple cider.
Of course we've set up our tree and all the Christmas decorations. After putting up with our live tree falling over the past two years and making a wet mess all over our hard wood floors, we purchased a fake one. I'm not thrilled about it but at least I don't have to water it and clean up after it.
We got together with another homeschool family last week for a "Christmas around the world". I taught the children some ways they celebrate Christmas in Mexican complete with a pinata and the other mom taught the kids about Christmas in India which included learning some Christmas words and eating some Indian treats!

The bottom picture is of Zanna at her last gymnastics session. We'll resume in the new year but as you can see she's enjoying "hanging around"!

We've managed to make it through our first snow storm of the season where I spent most of my day driving around for no particular reason (don't ask!). And I'm already tired of trying to get Zanna in and out of the carseat with her winter jacket on. Is it spring yet?

Yesterday Will had his violin Christmas concert. He played "What Child is This" and "O, Little Town of Bethlehem" - the first to play of 13 students. He did a lovely job - I was very proud and made sure to video tape the performance for Daddy who had to work. Zanna was his biggest cheerleader, jumping up and down and giving him two thumbs up.