Storm Days

Well...we have certainly made up for the snow we LACKED in December in January...oh my word. every day a little more snow finds its way down to our little Island. A winter wonderland, indeed. I love storm days, which is what most of our Island had today. I did work this morning for 4 hours, but...why not - its a minute away, and the excitement of knowing Jason didn't have to go to work at 6:00 -- was enough to NOT allow me to fall back asleep -- so, why not go to work and make a few bucks?! The REST of the day was very, very lazy -- and lovely just to be together...we had leftovers for supper, so -- i really barely laid a finger all day...besides the usual, tending to a busy little almost-3-year old!! Mercy. And my hubby made muffins that were fresh out of the oven when i walked in from work at 12:00...lovely surprise!! And...that was my day. I love a good storm day. Where you feel a little more entitled to do nothing and not feel guilty about it. nice.

Paint

Friday night. Movie night. Or so I thought. Turns out a boot-legged version of The Tourist was not enough to capture my hubby's attention tonight. He's sound asleep on the couch, but I refuse to go to bed before 11:00 on a Friday night. I'm far too cool for that. (ha! read further and you will know that is not entirely true.) So...I have been playing with Microsoft Paint - my first computer program love, back in the 90's, this program was my 'progressive' creative outlet...never imagining I'd still find it fascinating some 20 years later. Ouch. 20 years later...that makes me sound old. well...the picture above proves I haven't grown up that much. This is my 5 minute artwork from tonight. Pure. Raw. Talent. I know.

I mean, seriously. This kid. He genuinely makes me laugh. I do not want to false advertise and say he never gets on my nerves or anything, but. oh. my. word. I love him. He's getting funner and funner, honestly. And I love seeing his personality growing and getting more recognizable. He wants to be a part of everything! He's got so much life and excitement -- just game for anything. Loves interacting and playing and getting laughs! Tonight I had a quiet, sad moment on the stairs, and he walked up, kissed me and hugged me and...just made me thankful. Thankful I have such a great boy.

And, I have a good life. I do. Sometimes I still can't seem to reconcile the knowledge of how blessed I am, and the aching desire I have for "more"... I continue to be reminded of taking a day at a time. It will be my life-long struggle, I think. But, I am glad my God can hear me and understand me and love me just the same. He's good. You should hear Jonah sing "God is so Good"...it near makes me sob every time. And he sings it about 15 times a day. No joke.

Swiss Chalet

I adore Swiss Chalet. I am almost never disappointed when I eat there. If you've never experienced such delicious-ness, let me tell you: rotisserie chicken, fresh cut french fries, dipping sauce, oh. my. word. and Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupons...only makes it that much MORE delicious. So. tonight's supper is just that. With Amanda, Erin, and Jonah. And, though I am soooo hungry right now, I am trying to hold off, 'cause I will be there in 2 hours. Early supper. Late lunch. However you wanna look at it. Mmmmm. Just thought I'd share this tidbit of info, 'cause I'm sitting here at the computer thinking about it, so...why not write it down? Best. Blogger. Ever. Right here.

on my mind right now...

• how I want to become a more skilled seamstress. I just made 3 bean bags for youth group for a game we're playing this week. And I actually love sewing. I love making quick projects, and though it was just straight lines, I feel a sense of accomplishment at making something new out of something old (old jeans).
• how annoying it is that my computer shuts off anytime its 'working too hard'. Like today, for the second attempt, I was trying to watch a video that a friend was sharing with me about a 'business opportunity.' And also...how I really don't want to be an entrepreneur...so, in a small way, today it was a relief when it shut off and I don't have to make a decision about whether or not to 'join' this business venture. pheuf.
• supper. ugh. I run out of ideas and sometimes just don't feel like making supper. but, it doesn't mean I won't be thinking about it. left-overs it is, tonight.
• the message in church yesterday, and how we were challenged to be friends with people outside our Christian circle of friends. how on earth else will we be able to 'earn the right' to tell people about Jesus? so. I am feeling like I need to, in fact, get to know my neighbours better (or at all, for that matter: the ones on one side of us moved in a month or 2 ago and i STILL haven't met them. shameful.), and just that we need to be more 'intentional' about spending time with people. I am feeling better about the 'friend thing' recently...just letting go of some expectations I've had of some people, and feeling even more blessed and happy about some other friendships...I have to rant about things for awhile and then I can better let it go. thanks for listening, those of you who have. And I make no promises it won't happen again.
• my little boy, who is calling me from his nap, upstairs. And how he has been the sweetest little thing in my life, especially lately, just watching him grow and change and become more of who he is. He is such a funny little fella. And so sweet and tender-hearted, (though strong-willed at times, too!)...and I love watching him play with his Chuggington trains, and seeing how much he loves them. I love that he calls Puffer Pete, "Puffah Pait", in a British accent like on the show. And I love that lastnight when I asked him if he loved his mama, he replied "you my best friend". He's a delight. I mean that. So - I will close this blog and go get him so we can snuggle on the couch before he wakes up too much and has to be 'on the go' again.

My naked house

Finished taking the Christmas decorations down today (except the stockings, 'cause Jonah kept hanging them back up), and...I kinda like having my home back to normal, except: I have about HALF as many 'normal' decorations as I do Christmas decorations, so....my house seems bare. Everyone says that after they take their decorations down, but...the thing is: I have barely bought any items for decorating for my house. Like, ever. So...I feel it is time for me to 'grow up' and start buying things for my home. So...this is my year to really become a 'home-maker'...I'm gonna give 'er a whirl, anyways. Bread. Home decorating. Sewing. Did I mention that I have started sewing?! I made myself an apron this fall, and it turned out pretty good. So, I decided to make a 'rag quilt' for Jason for Christmas. And...I did not finish it. ugh. But -- I am going to. And - he did open it, and he did say it was his favorite gift, but...poor fella: its really only half done. Anyways. Can't do it all, right?!

And. My computer battery is about to die, so...I'll take that as a sign that I've been on here long enough and need to plug it in and get ready for bed. 'Nighty night.

Happy New Year!!

Well -- its officially 2011 - can you believe it?! Me neither. Crazy. What a year -- I always love the beginning of a new year -- just the chance to 'start over', and look forward to what will happen that we have no way of predicting...its exciting! I have a good feeling about this year - just that it will bring some unexpected blessings and good things. Every year does, though, if we're honest, doesn't it?! We have a terrible ability to see the bad things in life sometimes, don't you think?! To focus on the difficult things, and to feel sorry for ourselves and neglect the world around us - the blessings around us. And this is a very pertinent conversation right now, just spending time with family and friends, and talking about the difficult things happening in the lives of people we love. It can be discouraging. And it is a great weight sometimes, caring for others. When there are so many needs and things that cause pain. But. I believe we are to care for each other - to give ourselves to each other, and speak truth when we need to - even when its hard, even when its hurtful...in love, of course. That's the hard thing. Our feelings and opinions get in the way, and we become arrogant and self-centered, and then don't love the way we are meant to at all. I hate that about myself at times. I want to love like Christ - to correct and encourage and discipline and rebuke and empathize and comfort and love like He does. I don't know how. Or - sometimes I do, but I do things the way I think they should be done. But...I am reminded over and over that I need to trust Him. To let Him have His way in me, so my life and my heart are filled with Him. And His love oozes out of me. So I can be the best wife, mama, sister, daughter, friend, neighbour, and person I can be. I don't have a New Year's resolution to 'be a better person', and to 'love God more' or anything. Just some thoughts I've been thinking about. I want to be a loving person. Even when I feel I am not 'loved back' the way I want to be or have expected to be. I can get so disappointed in people, in not having my expectations met. But that's not really the way God loves. If He did, we'd have no hope at all. So. I want to know Jesus better, so I can learn how He loves and let Him love through me. So, I will try to stop being so stinkin' critical of people. Myself included. I can be so hard on myself sometimes. But, what does that prove? Only that I am thinking more of myself than I should be. Its incredibly frustrating, this 'flesh' of ours.

anyways. Not what I was intending to write when I opened up my blog to post tonight.

I did, indeed, have an awesome New Year's Eve lastnight. Celebrating with Jason, Erin, Amanda, Silas, and Jonah...some of my very favorite people in the world. Eating delish food, played Dutch Blitz (i'm seriously awesome, speaking of my 'flesh' - how arrogant!) - and watching Wipe Out and other TV. And spent some more time with family today, and going to tomorrow, too. I have definetely spent a TON of time with family in the last couple weeks. And I love it.

Well, I'm all written out. Goodnight.