Overwhelmed

Today, I am overwhelmed by God's love. Spring is here, and although the temperatures are dropping again, the hope of the coming season invigorates me. I have so much to be thankful for and when the enemy comes in like a flood to destroy the joy, gratitude and praise are the perfect antidote.

I found myself on my knees at 3 a.m., admittedly, resisting, but urged by the Holy Spirit. Communing with the King of Kings when I don't always find the time in our busy day, is sweet when the house is quiet and my own breathing is the only distraction. It's there, He meets me and I share my requests for all of you. It's there, He reminds me that I've been discontent. It's there, He pours out strength so that I can face a new day.

There's no better way to spend the time I'd normally be sleeping, and the Lord always renews my energy.

Girl Time

An unexpected treatment at the spa, a dip in the hot tub, a curio shop, a little cafe, a long drive in the country, and sweet conversation were gifts I enjoyed immensely today. My dear friend and fellow teacher is on her March Break and planned this special getaway for us. At the end of the day, we felt like we had experienced a full weekend of rest. (gratitude #222-229!)

"Extreme-You Bowling"

On Saturday, Meghan celebrated her birthday at the Bowling Alley with a few friends and siblings.

Since the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, she had the idea of having the girls dress in odd combinations of clothing just for fun. Terry and I have participated in "Ugly Shirt Bowling" with our friends, and our daughter, being just as adventurous as her parents, suggested this silliness on the invitations.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves and especially loved the glow-in-the-dark atmosphere and loud music. Eek! Except for Oliver, who promptly told me he was going home the minute we stepped inside.

He got over it pretty quickly... :)

... and then took control of all the balls...

Happy Birthday, Meghan!

Early Exposure

Just because there's nostalgia attached to something, doesn't make it good. I learned this the hard way when I purchased the first season of The Brady Bunch. I loved that show as a child, along with Gilligan's Island, and Little House On The Prairie. My kids excitedly put the DVD in the player while I worked around the house. I can't tell you how many times I waltzed in and out of the T.V. room and caught the word, "stupid" or tried to show my distaste for the name-calling or to mention how much arguing and fighting I was hearing from the show. "We don't talk like that to each other, right, Guys?", I would suggest. Why did it take me so long to call the DVD "off-limits"? Because I think, I was hoping each minute would be the last time I would hear something "offensive" and they would be able to enjoy it as I did. That didn't happen.

I believe there's good lessons in some of the old shows but I was disappointed that the very qualities we're working on with our children, such as kindness, gentle words, controlled reactions, and no fighting, were not being taught in the show. Yes, the Brady kids always forgive and change their attitudes in the end, but I don't think we can afford the influence of their words and actions while their trying to figure it all out. When I am daily disciplining the inappropriate use of bathroom words, I don't need any more added in there! When children are still young enough to have bad dreams about the mature themes of even Little House On The Prairie, I, as a mother, have to always be a protector of their little minds.

Perhaps other families seem to be handling these influences well, but I'm learning that we must limit our exposure. How about you? Have you experienced the same issue? Do you think later exposure is better... or none at all? "There's different rules for different families", I tell my children. Any thoughts out there?

Photo by Meghan, 11 yrs.

Mommas Of Four

Moms of four know that they'd better have enough snacks in their bags to satisfy hungry little tummies no matter where they go.

Moms of four know that taking turns and sharing are some of the most important concepts they'll work on with their children.

Moms of four know that family-love must be nurtured first, in order for their children to understand how to relate to others in the world.

Moms of four know that at any given moment someone will be sick, whining, sad, talkative, excited, tired, lovable or curious and they must be ready to embrace that one.

Moms of four know that if the Lord is placed first and foremost in their day, all these things will be added unto them.
(Matthew 6:33)

Eleven Years Ago Today...

My water broke and my husband was an hour's drive from home. It was 10a.m. and the elation I felt was indescribable. After I alerted him, I called my midwife. 12 1/2 hours of natural labour, excruciating pain, fear, physical trauma and nearly breaking Terry's neck, she, whom we thought was a boy, entered our world.

The privacy of a newly married couple, the dreaming, the oblivious thoughts of what lay outside of themselves could not have been more interrupted--nor more graced that day. From that moment, Meghan Grace, our firstborn, birthed from our mingled love, has forever changed who we were. Could we possibly remain "Terry and Heather" when this tiny being forced us to lie awake listening to her breathe? When she stole our hearts with that first smile or unknowingly demanded we stay home from events just so we could let her nap? This one who caused us to proudly draw the attention of countless unsuspecting strangers to photos of her? Terry and I often asked each other in those first few weeks where her real parents were. Wasn't someone supposed to come pick up their baby, the one we were looking after for them? We were truly astounded she was really ours.

At twenty-three months, this gentle, contented girl began her journey to independence and took us for a wild ride. She taught us how to be parents and in doing so, she paved the way for her siblings. She grew and surprised us. She exhibited so many obvious traits that were inherited and yet, amazed us with unique qualities we wish we had. She matured in wisdom and keeping up with her endless questions and fervour for life has been a challenge--a fantastic one.

Today she turned eleven. That small package that the nurse allowed us to take home in our car that day sleeps tonight with long legs peeking out from under her quilt. She's traded soothers and bottles for nail polish and an mp3. I still stare at her and listen to her breathing from time to time, but I've learned to trust that God will sustain her without my sleepless vigil. Eleven years has taken us from an inexperienced young couple to parents who, through many trials and joys, still must daily reassess their course. Life would not be the same without Meghan, for her very presence commands attention. Her spirited, goofy (not sure where that comes from!) personality, love for her family and for Jesus are things I ponder in my heart daily. That the Lord gifted her to my care, overwhelms me still.

Happy Birthday, Meggie-Mouse. May God bless your year abundantly and may you grow in wisdom and faith this year.

Little Scientist

If it's messy, slimy, dirty, or mushy Molly loves it. That's why science experiments are such a hit here at our house. Today, she learned about liquids and solids and what happens with the combination of oil and water. She thoroughly enjoyed the scientific process and came up with her own variations when we were done.

While Molly's mud pies and crazy food concoctions might be a point of exasperation at times, I remind myself that these activities are where knowledge is gained and ideas take flight. I love her uniqueness and praise God for this special girl who opens my eyes to new possibilities.

Cheap Entertainment

There were many very cool things at the Home Show like hot tubs, boats, landscape supplies, roofing, furniture, etc., but Terry and I came home with this $12 popcorn maker. It has been cheap entertainment for my three youngest. They giggle as they watch the seeds break into white, fluffy goodness and are especially thrilled when the popcorn flies out and doesn't quite make it into the bowl! Who needs video games when you've got such a fantastic invention at your fingertips? A very good investment indeed :)

A Joyful Welcome

What a joyful welcome I received when I came home yesterday. I was photographing Creation on a little walk and I was so thankful I had my camera in hand when I saw her beautiful face. (211.)

Other bits of gratitude today...

212. Grace for a new start... twice today

213. art supplies

214. a little boy who "makes" our snack while we do schoolwork :)

215. my favourite teachers who are on March break and can get together!

216. forgiveness (have I mentioned that one before? maybe 3 or 4 times?)

217. a new friend in India (may God bless you)

218. wrestling... oh, the wrestling in this house!

219. dripping icicles, melting in the sun

220. puddles (for the kids, not in parking lots!)

221. waiting for Easter... the indescribable gift!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

(2 Corinthians 9:15)

Flutterbies

There's something so beautiful about the intricate, delicate, grace of butterflies. When I was a little girl, we used to call them "flutterbies". On Friday, my sisters and I packed up our ten kids, along with our cousin and headed to the Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory. I literally marveled the moment we walked in the door. I had never been there before so it amazed me that these tiny creatures would alight on our arms, necks, backs, and legs! Getting up close and personal to tropical insects that we aren't accustomed to seeing was a special experience.

The warm "rain forest" environment also had birds, including a parrot and turtles and fish. I believe that we can only benefit when we take time to study God's creation in a real and tangible way. A great time, if you don't count Oliver whining because he was too hot or his twin two year-old cousins pushing the automatic wheelchair button by the door and trying to escape... the joys of homeschooling :)

Eden's t-shirt was a big attraction for many butterflies. Poor Emily wanted to have one land on her so badly.

Meghan was a little surprised when the parrot started pulling at her hair!

Jacob wondered why his neck felt ticklish.

Beautiful camouflage.

Drying out their wings just after emerging from their chrysalises.

Just like caterpillars, we are new creatures in Him!

Love this bird's little squeak-toy sound.

Finally, she got to hold one!

Oliver, studying the wings of butterflies who have "passed away".

Fearlessly hanging out with humans.

My two sisters with their cameras. This is what we look like wherever we go!

Hockey and Recipes

Is anyone else's husband watching hockey right now? Does this title seem a little odd? Do hockey and recipes go together? Well they do when your husband is fully engaged in the "big game" and you're surfing for great recipes :) I found this one and it's making my mouth water... Sweet Potato, Caramelized Onion and Feta Pizza!

(I do realize this comes directly after the post on fasting :)

Also, this photo has nothing to do with pizza or hockey but I just love how the girls are so intently focused on Auntie Annie's i-Phone game together.

Hungering For God

Most days, I fill my belly and I go on without thinking. Well, I do think, but only of myself and my next snack or meal. Comfort is what I desire. Safety. Protection. Blessing. How then, do I ever truly know hunger? Hunger for food, for change, for answers, for God?

Fasting is an act of obedience it's not a popular practice, but Jesus said, "When you fast..." I've studied it's benefits, it's requirements and it wasn't until I actually began the practice that I realized why God invites us to experience Him in this way. I have found that it's only in meeting with the King in such a personal and focused way that we can grasp His will and His heart. Prayers are answered, yes, but it's this deep communion that He knows the invitation holds.

I want to live a fast, that is, to live in a daily communion so that I'm not guilty of the "one day fast" that Jesus talks about in Isaiah 58--one in which we resume our regular living in sin shortly after our fasting. I want to be obsessed with Jesus. I want to show my children a crazy love for a God who demonstrates an amazing love for me. I like how Francis Chan describes it in his book, Crazy Love: "People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress".

Hungering for God is the first step toward this communion and also the way in which I hunger for more. It's a beautiful cycle. Deliberate hunger--this fasting thing--along with the benefit of answers to prayer, it draws me closer to Him, and satisfies my famished soul.

Waiting For Your Arrival

In dormant slumber they wait, tagged for adoption.

In coming days, these once-seedlings will stand straight and proud, thickening limbs and bustling leaves to allure you.

Come sweet springtime, come, they whisper as icicles crack from frozen branches and bare twigs assert early their buds.

Be ready, new parent, for they eagerly await your arrival.

196. Thankful for the beauty of our nursery in winter

197. the sound of the kettle boiling

198. the smell of early hyacinth bulbs in my kitchen

199. purging clothing

200. hoodies

201. painted toenails in the sand

202. snowflakes as big as loonies

203. children making a game out of cleaning together

204. Canada winning the most gold medals in the Olympics!

205. mint oreos that I'm NOT eating because I'm de-sugaring... again

206. people who willingly share their expertise on their websites

207. homemade pizza

208. second-hand store finds

209. praying friends

210. a husband who reads the Word daily

By the way, come by and pick out your new babies at http://www.connon.ca/

Newlyweds

Yesterday, we renewed our vows... along with thousands of other couples at the Focus on the Family Marriage Simulcast--not extremely romantic, but powerful, nonetheless. When your husband cries while holding your hands in the pew, repeating after the Pastor on the screen simultaneously with other men all around, you know it meant something :)

We were impacted in a forever way by the speakers who proclaimed the truth about marriage.

Francis Chan, pastor and author of a book we're reading called Crazy Love, was intense and passionate--just what we prefer. He reminded us that marriage is a picture of Christ and His Bride and that focus must be first and foremost in our minds. The world and our issues in life and marriage that seem so large are a vapour compared to eternity. We must view our marriages as a means to advance God's kingdom. He said his mission in his marriage is to help his wife be able to hear the words when she stands before the Lord, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Babe, I'm looking forward to what God has in store for us as we help build His kingdom together.

Photos by Meghan, 10 yrs. old