Christmas Isn't Christmas.....

"Christmas, isn't Christmas 'til it happens in your heart. Somewhere, deep inside you, is where Christmas really starts." Next to, Mary Did You Know and Do You Hear What I Hear? this is my favourite Christmas song. Of course, you won't hear it on the majority of radio stations during the Christmas season. Well, it is the day after and I truly feel that Christmas was deep inside everyone in my family this year. Sometimes it seems as though this special day is an event to endure. Family squabbles, poor driving conditions and over tired children may compound the stress of preparing for Christmas. Not this year, not for my family. It was an amazing, joyous day and I will treasure the memories in the years to come.

Happy New Year one and all! God Bless.

The Spirit of Giving

It really is quite magical when your children ask you to take them Christmas shopping. I know what you're thinking, they wanted to wander the shops pointing out the top toys on their list. Nope, not this year. My little angels have been saving a portion of their allowance in order to finance their own purchases this year.

So, off we went to a local store, in keeping with their meager budgets, to find the perfect gifts. I was instructed to wait, without peeking, as they scoured the aisles finding treasures for their Grandparents and GG. Once the purchases were made and their money carefully tucked away, we hurried home. The wrapping began! By the time they were done the table in the basement was covered in ribbons, bows and discarded scraps of paper. Both children, laden with gifts, trekked up to their rooms to hide their parcels until Christmas.

I was amazed at their wisdom as I listened to their comments to each other: "Finally, I know what it feels like to give," said one to the other. "This is better than getting a present. I can't wait for Grandma to see this!" the younger one replied.

Little do they know, but my children have already given me the best gift. They embraced the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. God Bless.

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year.....NOT!

As back to school jingles dominate the commercials and half crazed moms play tug of war over sale priced pencil cases, I am preparing to return to work. I know many families are eagerly anticipating their young students returning to school. I am not one of them. Despite a slightly rocky start, as my youngest adapted to life outside of school, it has been an exceptional summer with my kids. I have thoroughly enjoyed day trips to local museums, conservations areas and parks. I have happy memories of picnics with friends and two successful camping trips. We play board games and card games 'til our hearts' content and read several great chapter books at bedtime.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Grade Five for my daughter and Grade Two for my son. Both are excited and anxious for 'one more sleep' to pass and for Tuesday to dawn bright and sunny. As I drop them off at the sitter's and continue on to work, my thoughts will be firmly fixed on my kids. They made this summer so much fun. I am going to miss them.

A Gentle Reminder

Wow, time flies when you are busy and can't grab a moment to reflect about what's been going on. Summer time brings a slower pace, but the lack of structure takes getting used to, for the kids, especially. I was wondering why, after only a week and a half into the summer break, I've been hearing, "I'm bored...." Between morning routines, baby-sitter's, school, homework, young people's lives are rather regimented. Don't get me wrong, the routines are necessary, but it takes a toll on children when that structure vanishes for July and August. We're settling into our groove though, and we have lots of great things planned. I can't wait to explore new Provincial Parks, browse local museums and spend lazy afternoons reading in the shade of the backyard trees.

I have to share a funny summer story. My youngest, who feels the lack of structure the most, was following me EVERYWHERE today. I tripped over him countless times, backed into him once or twice and the entire time he kept up a steady stream of chatter. While changing kitty litter in the basement, I was reaching the end of my fairly extensive supply of patience. He was nattering on and on about something so bizarre and I had just stepped on a piece of Lego that he had dropped while he was chatting; I came very close to loosing it. But, I turned around and there he was in his white undies, buzz cut, little round glasses and a bow on his head that he had plucked from the Christmas wrapping. He grins up at me and declares, "Look Mommy, I'm a gift!" Truer words have not been spoken. He is my gift, even when he breaks a window pane, interrupts continuously and sleepwalks nightly. We're going to have a great summer, my kids and I. Stay tuned for the details.

A Garage Sale.....Oh Joy!

Finally, we had a day without rain and thankfully it coincided with the date for our garage sale. I used to thoroughly enjoy garage sales and I can thank my Grandpa for that. He loved the thrill of finding a deal, shining it up and selling it for profit. He loved to barter and gab. Over the years he began to add his own wares to the sale: doll houses, deacon's benches, lawn furniture and spoon racks. Several Saturdays were spent setting up for a sale and then tucking it all away for the next time. I have great memories of those days.

So why did our own sale fall short? We were well prepared, we had food, fresh coffee, prominent signage, the contents from three households, a pricing system beyond compare and yet the day did not come close to my expectations. I guess I am not a true 'garage saler' at heart. I can recognize now that it was the spending time with my Grandpa that has made his garage sales such a great memory for me. It wasn't what I was doing, it was WHO I was doing it with, that has a special place in my heart.

Did we make much money at our sale, nope. But we did make great memories. My own father enjoyed a lengthy cuddle with his snoozing grandson. Cousins played ball and follow the leader around the backyard. My daughter tried her hand at her first, and probably her last, lemonade stand. More items were donated to Goodwill than were sold, but we're clear of some clutter in our homes. I am 'cured' of my own garage sale dreams and am content to relive the glory days of my Grandpa's sales. I doubt very much there are garage sales in heaven, but you can be sure he is gabbing away with a fellow angel every chance he gets.

Four Generations

Yesterday was my Grandma's 87th birthday. Wow, what a milestone. My youngest, who is only in Grade One, made a curious observation when he learned of his GG's age on the weekend. He realized that this is also the year I turn 37 and he turns 7. No, in case you are wondering, my own mom is not something-seven this year. That would be too coincidental!

While he figured this all out, I was struck by how blessed we are to be able to compare the ages of four generations. Family is a constant for me. One thing that is always there, the firm foundation on which everything else it built. We gathered together this past Sunday to visit, laugh, and of course, eat. Everyone is comfortable. There are no awkward silences, just love. What a great thing to treasure.

Timing Is Everything

Could someone explain to me why it is that whenever I am 'knee deep' into something around the house one of my offspring chooses that moment to holler, "MOOOOOOMMMMMMM?!"

You would think there was a robber, axe murderer and a creepy crawly all attacking en masse. But no, it's just a misplaced dinky car or a lost button. Talk about frustrating!

Yesterday, while battling with my twenty four year old oven (picture my nether region protruding from the depths of the oven as I kneel at a precarious angle and attempt to remove an element) I hear that call from the wild. What could possibly be the trouble now? Guess what? Child #1 is looking at Child #2. Can you believe the audacity? Looking at another human being, let the lynching begin! I think I turned every shade of purple known to man. But, you'd be proud, I said nothing. I simply stared at my offspring and they withered under my gaze. Lesson learned? Somehow I think not, but I remain hopeful. I'll keep you posted.

What Type of Relationship Do You Have?

I have crafted this post, in my mind, several times. Until this point, I was unable to write it the way it has sounded in my thoughts. I'm still not sure I am ready, but I'll try.

At this point my parents are winging their way across the country. They are on their way to celebrate the life of my mom's dearest friend, a special person who was called Home far too soon. She would definitely argue with my description of her as one of God's greatest accomplishments, but that's fine, no one is ever comfortable hearing oneself spoke of with such high regard. Whether it was her conscious decision to live as God would ask us to live or whether this was just her nature, matters not. She showed kindness and love to all she knew on a daily basis; as there was an endless amount of goodness packed into her petite frame. It is hard to accept she has gone on. I can take comfort in knowing that God has plans for her, plans I don't even think He shared with her, until He was ready.

We all come to know God at different stages. Some are born into the church and follow the path because that is what is expected. Some stumble upon Him, waiting, when they least expect Him. Others still, have an on again, off again relationship. Then, there are ones whose eyes are opened to God's glory just as their lives on earth are drawing to a close. There are as many types of relationships with our Lord as there are people on His earth. It is not up to me to compare my relationship with Him to your relationship with Him. So when we think someone doesn't 'know' the Lord as we wish they did, or think they should; when we wonder if we'll see a friend in Heaven, we need to trust. A parent, especially a Heavenly Father, watches over His children. Just like our own children, His children are all unique and they all need varying amounts of guidance. Some, like my mom's friend, exude God's love without even realizing it. I believe God recognizes that innate goodness and rewards them in Heaven.

My Grandpa didn't believe in saying 'good-bye', he preferred 'see you soon.'

See you soon Aunt Rosemary.

The Birds Are Back in Town

At some point in every teacher's school year they will fall victim to a cold that knocks them flat. I have succumb to the inevitable. I am on day four of mine and am just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Everyday we sit in close proximity to little people with runny noses, watery eyes, rashes, coughs, flu bugs, the list goes on and on. Miraculously, teachers have built a pretty strong immunity, I think it has something to do with survival of the fittest. However, there is that day when some of those germs make it through the force field and they go for the jugular.

I have spent the last two days home sick, which is particularly unusual for me. While dozing in a cough syrup stupor I noticed something. The birds are back! As sun streamed through the patio doors this morning, I saw them. Little brown bundles of joy hopping over the bare branches of the black walnut tree which dominates our backyard. I could hear them chirping to one another. As Finnigan and I jockeyed for space in the sunbeam we watched as they flitted to and fro, both of us fascinated with their antics, albeit for widely different reasons. Finnigan is my cat. We have four wooden bird houses positioned around our yard. The sparrows were in and out of them, spring cleaning and calling 'dibs.' There were many heated arguments over the prime real estate in our yard. Out with the old twigs, papers, grasses and such as the busy birds worked tirelessly to empty the houses in preparation. Piles of old nesting materials litter the snow covered yard. If the birds are spring cleaning, could this mean spring really is just around the corner?

Yes, today was a sick day, but it was a sick day with a silver lining. It brings to mind that Sunday School favourite, His Eye is On The Sparrow. My eyes were on the sparrows today and they brought me more joy and relief than any cold remedy I have tried to date!

It's Snowing Again......

You know your emotions are too close to the surface when a Saturday morning snowstorm make you cry. There I stood, tears flowing, blood boiling, cursing the snow.

In reflection, I couldn't chalk my outburst up to my dreading more shoveling, that chore falls to my husband. Although the untouched depths are approaching eighteen inches (sorry, I have not yet adopted centimetres) and the snowbanks are over my head, it was not the accumulation that had me down.

I couldn't even rationalize away the tears because I would be delayed in getting out to get the carload of groceries we needed. Nope, my neighbourhood store is open twenty-four hours if I were so inclined.

After the tears dried, after the red eyes cleared I acknowledged that I was craving spring. This year, more than any other, I NEED spring. My disappointment this morning was all linked to my anticipation of the freshness, the renewal, the hope that comes as the snow melts away.

I am unable to pinpoint the exact moment when I equated spring with hope and new life, but I do. That hope seemed so far out of my grasp this morning as the flakes fell silently, blanketing the earth. After my reflection, my mint tea and hugs from my family I was humbly reminded that I am in no position to question. There is a season for everything and the miracle of spring cannot be rushed.

Did I Hear That Correctly?

Whether I am working with a class of Grade One students or just sitting at the dinner table with my own kiddos, I find myself amazed by what children say. In the split second before I crack up laughing after a priceless, off-hand comment I ask myself, "did I hear that correctly?"

Last night I had the pleasure of a quiet dinner with my parents. As my dad prepared to make hot chocolate for my children my daughter informed him, in her most serious voice, that he could ask her mom for the precise temperature to make the water! Despite my dad's good natured personality, even he struggled to suppress an eye-roll.

Today, while working with a unique bunch of first graders, I was teaching features of non-fiction texts (index, headings, diagrams etc.) One little angel interrupted the flow of my teaching with a rather loud emission of gas. With no trace of embarrassment, he excused himself amid the giggles of his classmates. Eager to get past the moment, I quietly explained that gas happens to everyone and that we appreciated his apology. Another little angel was determined to keep our attention focused on bodily functions and told me, with absolute certainty, that I was wrong, "toots don't happen to everybody Mrs. H! Girls never toot!" Before I could interject a red head with pigtails turned to him and declared, "We (girls) toot all the time, it's just that you (boys) never pay attention to us!" Before I knew it, we had a full-blown debate on our hands! Thankfully, there was another adult in the room or I don't think anyone would have believed me. I got them back on track eventually, but we were completely finished with non-fiction texts for the remainder of the day.

It is a good thing that I record these special moments. There have been a number of unforgettable quotes from my children and my students over the years. Whenever I need a 'pick-me-up' I leaf through my journals and revisit some of those great memories.

One Miracle Down, One To Go

"Ask and you shall receive, knock and the door shall be open unto you..."

I asked, well to be honest I pleaded and begged, but He answered. When you put your faith in our Creator you must accept that He will do what is best. I am so grateful that what I prayed for was part of His ultimate plan. So as I bow my head in praise and thankfulness I also find myself asking for the miracle of healing once more.

In a previous post I shared the story of two special members of my family in need of miracles. My 'person' has received hers. I cannot express to you the total relief I feel and I want that feeling for my mom. Her 'person' is battling cancer and we are praying for God's mercy.

Our Lord's power is infinite and I encourage you to lift up your prayers to Him. He is miraculous. Put your trust and faith in Him. I do.

God Bless!