A Whole Lot of This...

The winter months have swiftly passed time, in our household there has been no time for any wintertime blues or boredom. The last several weeks have consisted of teething toddler tantrums, helping 'Hanna' hands, Wayne's work woes turned into Worship, and Mommy trying to make the most of  all the moments.

I have had a very busy kitchen in the last while as I've been selling home baked goods locally. It certainly adds a lot of busyness to two days of my week and a little more organization with my kiddos. I really enjoy my home filling with the smells of breads baking and using my hands to produce. Not only is it for the benefit of others it's to our advantage also as now I have baking on hand for the weekend and lunches. It feels good to walk to the freezer and not to the store for bread. Hanna of course wants to roll her own little buns but she has also been good at understanding that she can't have her little hands in all I'm doing. She is pretty cute in her little apron and princess dress though. She wore that ensemble for about three days one week until I hid it in the laundry hamper. To me it's a picture of a princess willing to serve whom I hope to teach life lessons to, that someday she may be the Queen of her home and willing to serve others.

This little boy has us running, laughing, frustrated, hugging, and everything else all at once it seems. He's so full of curiosity and antics. Teething antics that is. Four molars are coming at once and preceding has been much screaming, headbanging, fever and clinging onto mommy. It's testing for all of us in the house but I try to remind myself that God promises to not give us more than we can handle. Despite the fact that I feel like I'm losing brain cells quickly some hours, the next hours may bring hugs, happiness and peace. I'm thankful that almost always each trying day ends with a good, relaxing sleep and the best smiles and hugs any mom would want to wake up to the next morning.

He's all about feeding himself and the broom or mop is pulled out of the closet several times throughout the day.

Wayne's new best friend is his I-phone and has Hanna quite enthralled too. She's all of a sudden feeling very entitled to take photos. (and now thinks she can use my camera, but that's still a no-no). Although I'm very unsavy with phones and they don't generate much of my interest, I have to admit it's quite a genius piece of technology. I can see why it's right up Wayne's alley but maybe the novelty will wear off...or not!

I've had several topics on the go this year in my reading/listening/blogging studies. In church we are studying the chapter of Nehemiah, and it just captures my attention so far more than any chapter ever has. The topic of being a builder for God, a builder who is driven to fix the broken places, has inspired me to think daily about what breaks my heart, what job does God have for me as a builder, in what place can I have a part in building up? It would've seemed to me that to qualify as a builder for God, I should be out on the mission field in another country, volunteer regularly at a homeless shelter, or be more involved in areas where God's work take places. While God has called many people to be builders in these areas I search for what he has called me to do. I found my answer in reading through a chapter of our Study book "What's It Like Being Married to Me?" by Linda Dillow. An excerpt jumped out at me as follows

'Did you know God says a wife is a builder? "A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands" Prov.14:1'

My work has started already as a builder. Am I building properly, because it's scary to think that I can easily tear down my home with my own foolish ways. Easily done if I'm a nagging, complaining wife or a bitter,unthankful mother. It takes wisdom, God's wisdom. Nehemiah sought this out by praying, planning, pursuing and praising. (I'm stealing our Pastor's use of alliteration here). In my book I discovered this quote that parallels Nehemiah:

'There are four steps to accomplishment: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed Positively. Pursue Persistently'

I can Plan by making choices about what's really important to me, like making sure my husband never ends up on the back burner and creating a home of gratitude. I can Prepare by praying,; I feel so much more equipped to handle my day if I have started it with Holy conversation. If I give my complaints and brokenness to Him; He is the only one who can bring me relief.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Ps. 46:1.

I can Proceed by being positive. By changing my attitude!If I want to build a house of Gratitude, I must cultivate a  thankful spirit. This is where my third source come in. I follow the blog of Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience. She is the author of 'A Thousand Gifts'.  She challenges her readers to give Thanks, seek Grace and find Joy each day, in all that is around us. Her words are such a testimony to me, for I so easily fall prey to ingratitude and negative thinking. I've dared to count to a Thousand Gifts in my journals, and though it doesn't always come easily, I find that is seeps into my everyday thinking. These verses drive me to proceed:

"He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors ME, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." (Ps. 50:23)

"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble;i will deliver you and you will honor me." (Ps.50:14-15)

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, o Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night." (Ps. 92:1-2)

I want Thankfulness to become our language in our home.
The fourth step I can take is to Pursue with persistence. Persistence is the hard part, on my own I'm much more prone to give in. In my notes on Nehemiah I wrote that 'a builder relies on God's hand, with reference to Ps.127:1 which reads: 'Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.' Last night Wayne and I talked about going through difficulties and this quote popped into my head 'If God calls me to it, He Will bring me through it.' Our strength to carry on in building will come from Him, sometimes it may take making tough decisions, taking a break to regain strength, facing outside opposition to bring out the best in us or being called to be part of a team of builders as Nehemiah was. Building my home certainly isn't a one man show, I have very key teammate in my husband. My team mate, my leader. We are in this building project together but this is where it can quickly veer off course as found in our marriage study book. The HOME is my building project, not my HUSBAND. God didn't put us together to have us focus on changing each other but work together through acceptance, communication, understanding and appreciation of one another that God may bring about the change in us. As the wife team member, I have a divine calling to be a 'suitable helper' (Gen.2:18) to my man. A responsibility to respect and reverence the man who has been called to love me sacrificially. We have very important roles to play in the Marriage building project. Christ's perspective on being in a team is "I came not to be served but to serve" (Matt 20:28, paraphrased). We receive instruction on building attitude in 1 Thess.5:11: ''Encourage one another and build up one another". We have had to put this teamwork attitude into action a lot over the past several months through relationship difficulties, continuous truck repairs, and parenting struggles. I have seen the rewards already as God as called us right back to the beginning to start laying a more solid foundation in him. As I write this my mind goes back to the song that Hanna often sings of the 'wise man building his house upon the Rock' and I'm reassured that despite the opposition we will stand firm in the end. This building project will never be completely finished as we are continuously building up here on earth only to someday take part in the greatest building project ever with the Ultimate teammate, our Highest Helper, Jesus.

These thoughts have been brewing for a long time as God as shown me the connection between Sunday morning services on the builder Nehemiah, my job description as a builder through our Ladies Study and giving Thanks and receiving Joy through the motivation of Ann. As I pull knowledge from the sources of books and Bible around me I just can't help but feel excitement and renewed purpose for what I'm called to do each day. To take my hammer and nail, and fasten my life upon Christ.

Christina

Leaving a Legacy

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

This past week I attended the funeral service of a cousin; a loved wife, mother and grandmother. She was in her early fifties and God brought her Home after a tiring battle with cancer. It's difficult seeing the grieving family at the front, so young and so many firsts to face without their loved one. There was preparation and acceptance of saying goodbye but still a whole new world to begin after the funeral is over. The grieving process still has to be faced and worked through. I was really struck by the pastor's prayer for the family to go from the moments of memories that will ignite sorrow and pain to coming to the times that memories will bring laugher and warmth to the heart. I know that place can be reached because I experience those times now with my family; the aching pain has healed over into laughing and reminiscing at recollections of our father. There will always be a bittersweet pang but God really does bind up our wounds when we mourn in His comfort.

'Biblical mourning is the embracing of pain/and or sorrow for the purpose of renewal'

I came away from the funeral knowing that this blessed woman was a woman who left a legacy of love and sincere faith behind for her family. She died with prayers for her family and a longing to see her Jesus. The pictures displayed depicted a beautiful young woman as a gem for her husband, a nurturing heart to her children, a cancer patient treasuring times with her grandchildren, a faith that could not be severed by her disease. What a blessed heritage to leave behind.

This week I also think of a special Uncle we said good bye to nine years ago this time, the legacy he left behind through the ministry of his music. Today I see him shining through the voices and musical talents of his children. I think of my Grandpa, who will be ninety five soon and is recovering in the hospital from a very close encounter with death. God has given him continued time to enrichen his legacy, a chance to put away the former things, choose love and celebrate what is left of life.

 I sit here with thoughts of the legacy I wish to leave behind, the words that I wish to have said after I die.  At our Ladies Bible Study we are reading 'What's It Like Being Married to Me' by Linda Dillow. The first chapter challenged with a scenario of attending a funeral and coming face to face with yourself in the casket, sitting down in shock as your husband stands up to read your eulogy. The author intends to have us think hard about what we would wish for our spouse to say about his experience in marriage to us. To take what we would want to have said about us on our final day and apply it today and live with "the end in view". A quote from her book says ' we are 'daily' people, not lifetime people, but God wants us to be eternal people.' To daily store up the treasures of our hearts in Heaven. 

 That on the day our loved ones say good bye they will say we have been:

Wives 'worth far more than rubies.' Prov.31:10

Husbands who have loved and honored their wives. Ephesians 5:25

Children who ave honored our fathers and mothers. Ephesians 6:2

Father's who have not embittered their children. Colossians 3:21

Women who have put on the fruits of the spirit:compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

That in suffering we have been strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 5:10

And simply that we have 'lived a life of love, just as Christ loved us' Ephesians 5:2

In our own strength it's difficult to live out these holy attributes, and often our own weaknesses take power. No matter how close in view the end is, if it hasn't come yet we can always call upon Jesus who longs to forgive and renew.To fill us with the desire to fight the good fight, finish the course and keep the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7. A legacy worthy striving for.

                                                                                       

Christina

Butchering and Birthdays

It's Monday morning and I'm thinking that my week shouldn't be quite so busy as the last two were. We had butchering days four days out of the last two weeks and that seems to make the whole week seem tied up and busy, and sick children in there too also creates the crazy effect. Despite how much work its is we look forward to our family butchering days each winter, although judging by the amount of meat in  my freezer we may not even need to butcher next year. It's a long time tradition, definitely a Mennonite thing, to carry on a work day like this that feels more like a social gathering with all the hands that take part. My Brother-in-law and Sister set up their garage with the equipment and they graciously take care of most of the prepwork. The equipment has been kept in the family from all the past butchering on the farm with a new addition of a mechanical meat mixer. (so handy, no more cold hands from mixing) The men come handy with their knives and begin the process of making the cuts of meat. We grind the sausage meat, mix the spices, mix the sausage and spices, grind the fat to render the lard and cracklings. A lot of this stuff is done by the ladies, although you can see in this classic photo below, mom is the one who joins the men at the meat table, making sure things are done right! ( these pics are actually from a few years ago as I forgot my camera at home this time around, same idea each year though)

So  here are we novice butchering ladies, learning the tricks from the older ones. I think after the past three years we have earned titles as qualified meat grinders and mixers, although still known to have to start over and recount our pails of meat once in a while.

Thanks to our efficient men the men is generally cut up by lunch and this year we even had most of the sausage mixed and ready to be stuffed into casings. Lunch time first though, this years menu was roast chicken dinner, bubbat and pies. The second day was fresh sausage, noodles and shmaunt fat, third day was sloppy joes and pizza and the fourth one I didn't make it to because of sick kiddos. The food is always as important as the rest of the proceedings and more than enough to go around. Of course my sis opens up her kitchen to us, we bring in messes and more work for her. But the day is not about that but rather hospitality and community. A time of laughter and sharing of ideas, stories and sometimes strong opinions.(that's inevitable in my family :)

The afternoon is the hours of stuffing the casings, this is wear the teamwork comes into play while the guys arrange the sausage on rods to go into the smokehouse. This is also about the time we make sure the schnapps is sipped in moderation, so that the clock is watched and we don't end up with pepperettes in the smokehouse. Always an ongoing joke, due to my Dad coming out out of the smokhouse one year with sausages that were on the overdone side. That's the fun part about traditions likes this event. Each year we reminisce, the stories of old come out, new ideas brought in, the little ones learn (Hanna became quite a adept with the vacuum sealer) It's a passing on of history and culture.

Below is what we call the 'meagraupen' where the lard is rendered, with cracklings and pieces of spareribs cooking. My dad, inventive man that he was, hooked up a washing machine adjitater to the pot so that we no longer have to stand there and stir the cracklings. New inventions make for some ease to the job, so much so that sometimes theres nothing for us to to but sit on a chair, relaxing and generally snacking on more food. The kids did so well, I think a playpen has to be a bout the best baby invention. Jake was happy to play in there with the other kids jumping in too. They were generally just happy to be around and watch the proceedings although I had one little nephew who was so sad that the piggys were getting cut, I'm not sure how he will deal with eating sausage at home :)

At the end, the tables are filled with smoked sausage, red and pungent with smoke and spices. There's usually analyzing going on about why this meat is redder than that, this looks more pepperish than that, should've done it this way rather than that and so on. But in the end we are all happy with the outcome and ready to sit and relax  and gear up for the next day for a day of wrapping and clean up. And that's the gist of it. The freezer is full and ready for another year of cooking with our home made meat. It's a good time.

So during the busyness of these proceedings, we celebrated the birthdays of my sister Katherine and brother Micheal. Of course when I announced birthday greetings to my bro in front of everyone he gave me the 'why'd you have to say anything' grin. But we couldn't let him get away without a loud, sappy rendition of birthday singing. Kathy couldn't join us for butchering this year so we celebrated at her home over coffee and pecan caramel cheesecake.

Had to throw in a glimpse of these two before my time.

I'm so thankful for the family life I share with these two siblings. Kathy is my oldest sister, as a child I didn't really have a sister relationship with her as her daughter is only six months younger than I. It was Cara, her daughter, who I shared the sister (twin like) love with. Growing into my late teenage years was the time I developed a connection to my sister. It began with similar interests in vintage items, country living magazines, gardening, fashion(our own non-trendy sense of it), love of reading, frugal living, sewing,  food and cultural history. Kathy has an incredible sense of creativity and that kind of old soul with timeless character. I have oohed and aahed countless times over her home decor, flower arrangements and plantings, and the charming little summer kitchen in her back yard. Thanks to her I managed to have decor at my wedding. My heart swells at the many times she has brought gifts of love to my doorstep, from vegetable and flower arrangements, cartons of eggs, to vintagey treasures and plant seedlings. Ultimately what I share with my sister is a mutual love of the simple things in life, finding joy and gratitude in not what we strive for but what has already been gifted to us. The best of that is simply being sisters.

My brother Mike is a man of few words, there is a depth that isn't shown too easily. The privilege of being his sister is sharing moments where I see the heart and soul beneath the surface. There aren't many thoughts and feelings shared between us but there is an understanding, a love that just isn't expressed so easily. He was the sibling that I actually kind of got to grow up with even with a twelve year difference. I sometimes felt like an only child but at least I got to be the teasing, bratty baby sister to Mike. He was the brother I watched while he went through some tumultous teenage years, the brother I prayed for and looked up to. We had a practical relationship, he took me along to the coffee shop or ice rink, I cleaned his truck, room and later his house, that kind of thing. I was able to share with him the joy of finding his life partner, we shared the pain and sorrow of losing our Dad, we shared the opportunity to be baptised in our home church, and today we share the privilege of raising children close in age. Mike is the only male to fill Dad's shoes, and I see more of my dad in Mike all the time, in the way he walks, talks, thinks, farms and the way that I see the softer, deeper man coming to light. I love my brother.

So between butchering and birthdays, I'd say it's worth it to have a busy two weeks.

Christina

Quiltin' Craze

Sewing fever has taken over this month and I'm loving it! For the first time I don't want winter to end and I've been quite content to stay at home, snug in my crafty corner in the basement. I've spent the past few weeks challenging myself with the art of quilting, choosing colors, oohing over patterns, cutting blocks, triangles and strips and feeling a sense of accomplishment as it begins to come together. The best part of it is that my sisters are in on it too. My mom relented and let us invade her fabric stash and there is A LOT to work with. So my oldest sis and I found a simple pattern and a few coordinating fabrics to begin a family made quilt.  This led to a few 'quilting bee' days in my basement and the fun began. My other sis lept into the world of quilting by buying gorgeous new fabric and challenging herself to a so-pretty lap quilt. So on quilting bee day she kind of ditched the family quilting for her own project (haha, had to throw that in, Trud) I hope she posts a pic of it on facebook because the quilt top she made is truly beautiful. I'm so proud of her since she didn't think quilting and working with tiny pieces was something she was capable of.

So quilting bee day becomes sort of a reminiscent Mennonite sort of day for us. Of course the usual is the ladies coming with goodies to eat and soup and buns for lunch. It's certainly is not Mennonite if there isn't food there. I love sitting back and listening to my sisters reminisce about their childhood days, days that I never was a part of. Someone gets the idea that we are going to speak in German for the day and the laughter begins as we mix German and English phrases together sounding like kids learning to talk (that would be me, as I'm the most rusty with my Plautdeutsch) Storytelling is at it's finest in low German, and I've come to realize that my oldest Sister is a natural story teller. She surprised us with a tape recorder and recorded our entire day of quilting and conversation. Not only that we listened to her self recorded quilting time she had in her outdoor kitchen, sewing by the wood stove. While she was pressing her pieces she told stories of how it used to be. She also recorded about a previous day at my house and the antics we have (all in German) I was laughing and almost in tears at the same time.  I know I will want to listen to those tapes again. (Tapes, that's almost an antique word).  So together we sew strips and make memories, excited as our quilt top comes together. I finished the top last night, the quilt with the purple border and we are now ready for the real job of the actual quilting. My mom plans to make a frame where we can hand stitch our quilt. That will be a learning curve for me. We are all learning through these projects so flaws are there, points don't match up but I say it adds character to the quilt.

The colorful quilt top below is the 'DickandJane' quilt I'm making for my kids. I bought the material quite some time ago and posted about it. Well I never finished it for my goal date of a year ago, so this week I finally finished the top and is also ready to be quilted. Crazy things is I can hardly finish one project and I'm already thinking up the next one. The other night I kept dreaming about fabric and patterns. I'm sure there is such a thing as quilting addiction. It sooths, relaxes, challenges the brain, frustrating when you sew the wrong sides together, and overall a wonderful experience. Isn't there something timeless about a quilt. Passed on through generations and cherished by those who find comfort in wrapping themselves in a cozy quilt.  I've herd of a group that make quilts for cancer patients and the testimonies of comfort that are found in those quilts that brighten a hospital room. I have dreams of doing something like that myself, maybe starting a quilting guild or charity project. Using my hands to create is a very rewarding task. It's also a time when I can pray, the world turns a little slower when your quilting, allowing for self reflection; a therapy session with God. I often need that and am thankful for the opportunity and desires He gives me to take up a past time like this.

Dick and Jane quilt

Family made quilt

It works fairly well with the kiddos too, mostly during nap time. We are all in the basement, an open area of crafting, toys and TV. Of course, Jake is right there when I spread a top on the floor. He get right in there and spins circles on top. He's a climber now and look out cause he's into everything. I'm kind of glad he's not walking yet because it keeps some of the busyness down to ground level. Every now and then Hanna sits on the bench beside me while I'm sewing. She keeps talking about getting a little sewing machine and I just say 'someday'. I love our days in the basement and could quite easily forget about the kitchen, like the quote "I'd rather be stitchin, than be in the kitchen". But I'm trying to balance it all and find my days quite filled up with no time to be bored. Old man winter can stay for a while!

 he's thinking, "what can I get into next?"

Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.

- Christina

Jake Turns One

Happy Birthday to Jake!

Yesterday he turned one and my mind drifted back over his first year of life. Hard to believe that a year ago I gave birth to him, a tiny bundle of sleepiness and a constant hunger. We were elated to have a baby boy join our family, wondering what a world with him would be like. My elation gave way to many tiring, teary eyed nights as Jake tested me for seven months with waking every two hours, it felt like it would never end at the time. I tried so many different things with him and Googled every baby sleeping issue possible.  Great days of cuddles, rocking and cooing gave way to too many crazy nights until desperately one night I put him in his play pen in the basement.  He slept through the entire night and life with him took a way better turn. Hallelujah! we have slept through the night since then other than some teething interuptions. That made a world of a difference for my attitude, energy and role as a mom. And, yes, he is still sleeping by himself in the basement. I've received many surpised, questionable looks from people but I just laugh it off, because it's working for us! 

The stages following those months have been so fun and fullfilling to watch.

 He's turned into such a fun loving boy who's also the biggest sucky baby ever.

His big, dimpled smile and mischevious eyes turn into a fit of body slamming onto the floor with big crocodile tears falling.

He loves following Hanna around and giggling at her antics. He does not aprreciate her mothering techniques.

He loves his soother and it's in use way too much. Something to work on in the new year.

He crawls like a race car and doesn't seem to be in a hurry to start walking. Hanna walked a week after her first birthday but I don't think that will be the case with him.

Loves to hold anything that is not a toy and he shouldn't be having.

Thinks he can go down the stairs with hands and head first just like going up, so I'm always on stair alert.

Still a pretty good shopper but that's bound to change soon.

Makes a game of throwing all food off his tray and acts totally proud about it by thrusting his chin in the air like a horse. He's totally a male. :)

Said his first word last week when he watched the cats, it's not a perfect word but sounds like 'kitty'

I have to wrangle him when I change his diaper and have learned to attach the tabs while he's standing. Poops often end up with me tossing him in the tub so the mess stays contained.

So many more things I could say, he drives me crazy, makes me laugh, my heart warms, keeps me running, whines at the most inopportune times,  and sends his charming smile my way to make the best of times.

I love watching his daddy and sister interact with him

I love seeing his grand parents and family members light up when they see him.

I wish my dad was here to give Jake 'horsey rides'

I'm thankful that God has gifted me with the role of being his mommy and pray that I will better mom to both of my children this year.

 I love this kid. sigh.

Christina

Christmas Cares

Christmas came and went so quickly, maybe it feels that way because of the main holidays falling on the weekend this year. I was so busy the two weeks before Christmas tying up last minute stuff, there were no thoughts of finding time to blog. This week I find the rush to have passed, remnants of Christmas wrap and cardboard boxes cleaned up, gifts organized and ready for use and wondering how long I should leave up the decorations. It feels so good to take some down time this week: puzzling, eating left overs, reading, watching the kids play with their Christmas toys and drinking coffee with Wayne.

We had an slightly different Christmas this year, for one our gatherings were spaced and allowed us to not feel so rushed from place to place. We enjoyed our first Christmas Day at home with our little family with nowhere to go. It was good timing to be home because we were feeling a little under the weather over Christmas. A very welcoming Christmas gift was Mom and Dad coming over with chicken noodle soup and spending time with us. Our family gatherings went well with games, chatter, tons of good food and good times. Hanna was so excitedto take part in all the Christmas events and Jake was pretty merry along the way despite the colds and sniffles that we're still fighting.

Hanna took so much delight in her gifts, especially the red night stand Wayne built her. She was so proud when we moved it beside her bed and has arranged all of her special things in the drawers. I also received a handmade gift from Wayne that he crafted in his woodshop. He's been so crafty in that little shop lately and he's full of ideas for future projects. His delving into woodworking again reminds of our first Christmas together when we dated and his gift to me was a pine hope chest that built for me. I knew then we were on a road to a life together and I'm so thankful to be spending my Christmases with this man who shares his love, laughter, and talents with me. Wayne had some Christmas holidays this year that weren't by choice but rather because of big repairs to our semi truck. The time off was certainly costly but we invested that time into much more important matters of the heart and family. I heard somewhere in last while that Christmas time is when we feel the Lord so close at hand and heart because of it being the time he came to Earth. Christmas brings about a focus on relationships and brotherly love and bringing about a new perspective for the new year ahead. That semi truck certainly takes much of our focus as it brings about our provision but along with that it's brought much stress for Wayne this last year. This last week has taught us though that God has pulled us through a year of this venture, it still seems an uncertain furture, but what is true and faithful each day is that God has provided us with each other, our children and our home and hearts where He is showing us His will. One of my ultimate gifts this Christmas was the strength He gave us to put aside the anxiety and worries that followed us all year. In the time of test we worked it out together, felt God close at hand and were able to fully find the reason for the season.

I never did take time to wish my online friends Christmas greetings. So I just pray that you all had a very merry Christmas and that you experienced much joy, love and peace.

Christina

Happenings Here at Home

I can't believe it already the 1st of December!  A busy month ahead of me as Christmas activities and preparations come into full swing. A busy month behind me as I've (almost) fall cleaned my house from top to bottom and have begun many activities. With fall cleaning I've gotten back into my groove of simplifying and organizing my home. A lot of things made their way to the MCC store or to the landfill. Pictures and frames waiting by the wayside are finally appearing on the walls thanks to me finally acknowledging that I do have some handywoman skills. I've done some rearranging that my back is suffering for now however I'm quite enjoying my new crafting area. Thanks to my mom we have her old dated floral couch set in our basement and it's looking not so 'tacky' as they completely compliment the colors on the walls. So now Wayne and I are sitting in comfort while we watch Jets games. Did you catch that? Yes, I'm watching hockey on TV. Something I thought I would never do. Not only that, I can now attach names to faces and am actually paying attention to the game. Shocking, I know. He hasn't said it out right but I quite certain Wayne is enjoying me taking part in game night dates.  

The kids have had quite the month too. Jake is in high gear in this house and I find myself placing things higher and forever checking to see of the stair gate is closed. He's already managed to have a second black eye after a nasty encounter with the corner of the dishwasher. The tough little guy was back to his dimpled smile only a half minute later. He's screeching a lot and had been driving us a little wild in the evenings as those eye teeth are taking their sweet old time in coming out. He's finally starting to get a little more cuddly but whips away so fast when those diaper tabs come undone and he's free. He's a workout alright trying to wrestle him back into clothing. Hanna has taken it upon herself to become very 'bossy' over her brother and tries her best(or worst) to undermine my authority. She's changed a lot in the last couple of weeks, a bigger girl attitude and just bit of growing up I think. She's been playing so much and using quite the imagination. Her latest gig is 'packing up' she fills every suitcase, bag, and purse to the max(but quite organized) and carries them around and then 'unpacks'. Pretend makeup has her quite busy to  thanks to a two dollar Dollarama buy. Much time has also been spent riding her bike in Wayne's woodworking shop while he's working.

So basically that alot of what we've been up to. At the moment I spend too much time on Pinterest, have taken up crocheting, am making lists to keep organized, reading books that have been stacking up for a while, enjoying the snow landscape, and sipping on a lot of coffee and hot chocolate. A lot of what's going on now is gearing up for Christmas and waiting like Hanna is, for "Jesus' birthday party"

The pics below are moments that have made me smile and brightened my days.

Jake finds himself stuck in a window frame while I'm fall cleaning, it was quite dramatic. 

Crocheting a scarf after a lovely visit with a friend who gave me the how-to lesson. So rewarding to see it take shape.

Our simple country Christmas tree.

This pumpkin is quite settled in for the winter I'd say.

Those lights were only a novelty until he got all tangled up. Kind of  an attempted photo shoot that you just give up on and can't help but sit and laugh.

And who could resist all that love and affection. He looks just smitten; and got about a dozen kisses.

Here's to more love and laughs.

God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen!

Christina