You look kind of worried, and maybe you should be. After all, Lukas is taking your picture again.

 You look a bit worried too. :)
Teasing aside, we're truly in frequent, if not constant, need of  peace.
 I know I struggle with so many concerns. And my kids are always wanting to know if so and so likes them. What security can be found in knowing who's in control and who is faithful and unchanging! But how hard it sometimes is to cling to. Help us find it and stay within it.


And another post on the same day in the same post, just totally different topic:

Today I'm to go to school and talk about you and share some fruit with your class to celebrate your upcoming birthday (six, not three). I will tell them how you loved squash and sweet potatoes, how when we couldn't find something, you would say you ate it, how you loved/love to talk, how you play make believe, and help Dad and Mom, how thankful I am for you.

 I like hanging out with you and going places too. I love Muttart Conservatory's plants and flowers in the pyramids, especially the changing feature pyramid, now sporting a Chinese New Year theme though the end of this week is March first. Liam's b-day is the first of March and he wants to hunt dragons with bows and arrows, fittingly.

 Having fun at the Nature Center where you can pretend to be a beaver in your dam or a burrowing underground animal or a bee in a hive

 prey or predator,

the fish or the fisherman
Life is an adventure full of wonder especially when I see it through your eyes.

With colorful writing and lots of quotations, Tyler Blanski relates his personal faith journey. I can identify with his struggle to find your place in the world and Christianity. Seems he's still on that quest. I do really appreciate his desire to accept Christianity as the Bible presents it with all its mysteries and seemingly unscientific improbabilities. I'm glad for his rejection of a consumer-driven approach.
As he relates stories of medieval saints, his writing still has a way of making Christian teaching not as unlike sheer fantastical ideas as I believe it to be, as if we're also open to faith in nymphs and satyrs. There is both a very rational element to faith and that which we just must accept without fully comprehending, but that's not to say that this part is irrational or magical (which he does hint at though not as much as I'd like). I'd say there are more extraneous than biblical quotes in this book which, along with its tone, take it away from serious theology. Still again, his heart and his hope are that of all believers who want a real historically-sound faith that infuses their world, though it's important to keep in mind it's not this world that we were made for (at least not this world as it is). I received a free copy of this book through booksneeze.com in order to review it.

 There are times its

really nice

to do your own thing.

 Just to have fun on your own

 But there are also times when it's grand
to be together

with your brother or sis

 and some dolls

 and a book.

 You and me. Me and you. Yes, I like that.

 Good times with Aunt Rosalynn (and Grandpa and Grandma) a few weeks back before the lovely lady returned to England.
Felicity has since written her a very lengthy letter I hesitate to send as Rosalynn may expire before she finishes it.

And lo, the contemplative one.

Isn't she sweet?

The girls are sporting their new haircuts.

The day before yesterday, for family day we went to a mall teeming with shoppers with children. We waited in a  very long line so that the kids could jump in a bouncy castle for two minutes. We went to a rather silly puppet show version of the princess and the frog at the library and we had to wait for that as well. They call this day Family Day here in Edmonton, Alberta. It's a holiday which people have off to spend time with their families but it seems more about spending time with crowds unless you stay home, of course, which maybe we should do next year.
But I am grateful for my family. Powerfully grateful for them. In this world where machines frustrate me and life seems sometimes empty, they are to me a vivid reminder that this is not everything. That beneath the veil exists breath-taking supernatural beauty that I will one day truly know. Until then, I fight to not lose track of it or succumb to the desire to just be one of the masses, which, odd as it seems, is sometimes compelling. Yet I am truly truly grateful that there is more.

I had a lovely Valentine's Day. The highlight was after I'd fixed chili and stew and made a strawberry pie, I went out to the van to go pick up the kids and found a pretty present from my dearest and best: chocolates, moisturizing lotion, and the nicest card. He'd left chocolates for the kids too.
There's just something so sweet about a marriage commitment, friendship and life-sharing in a oneness that yes sometimes really stretches you, undoubtedly at times disappoints, but still is such a source of pleasure and solace. It's more than any one aspect of marriage--certainly not just physical intimacy, though such complements the whole. It's facing the world hand in hand, helping up one when he or she stumbles, encouraging, entertaining one another, keeping each other warm. 

I finished another book by Julie Klassen, The Tutor's Daughter. I really enjoyed it, could hardly put it down. Her stories have a very Jane Austen-like setting. This book reminded me somewhat of Persuasion; the main male protagonist is even "Weston" and the hidden "crazy" person made me think of Jane Eyre while the wreckers' element brought to mind Dickens' Our Mutual Friend (I think it is). What a fun, intriguing book. Of course, I feel like you can't go wrong with a bookish female protagonist and a misunderstood male protagonist who has matured with time and responsibility (and even sorrow). He is endearing  (and  Darcy of Pride and Prejudice-ish). I'd like to read more from this author. Also, the way faith is handled is real, sincere, and not at all in your face. It couldn't be more natural, appropriate, and encouraging. The secondary romance with Lizzie and one/two of the Weston sons was a bit underdeveloped (though I kind of like how it reminded me of Jane Austen's Emma, the secondary romance there as well). It's actually hard to find much of anything I disliked about this book.

I just read a book by Sherry Turkle called Alone Together. It's about social technology's cheapening of our connections. First she discusses robots that people have accepted as interactive beings, tending or being tended to by them. Then she discusses social media's objectifying of humanity. Her biggest concern seems to be that we've exchanged true, quality communication and relationships for banal inauthentic comments on facebook or role playing that keeps us from knowing and improving our true selves and our friendships in the real world.
I think she has a good point, though you'd think it would have occurred to her before now as not that long ago she was far more positive about social technology. But it is interesting how I've even observed friends who were particularly enthusiastic about making a difference and having an impact through social media who've since dumped it for more reading time and real life time. Also, it seems, most or at least many, parents limit their kids' screen time, intuitively realizing that what their kids really need is to develop themselves in the real world.
The internet can be a tool that we let shape us or that we allow ourselves to be duped by into thinking something is true that isn't. It can also, however, be a tool that we use to our advantage and that we control, rather than vice versa.
But as is so often the case, what is required is that we aren't a slave to the popular or obsessed with our image over our character, our true person. And it may require divine intervention to help us differentiate between what is true and what isn't.

In adult Sunday school yesterday, one of the men wanted to share a song he said he'd heard online. It was "Give Me Jesus." He asked if he could sing it and started singing and several of us joined in. What a moment, hearing that song echo in our classroom! "You can have all this world. Give me Jesus.
And my kids have been singing songs from their Sunday school, "The wages of sin is death" and "All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved," especially my heretofore rather clueless three-year-old. She also told me this past week that she works for God, not me (and she wasn't being snippy), something her Sunday school teacher talked about last Sunday. I'm thankful for our Sunday school though Sunday school sometimes sounds a bit childish and out-dated to the modern mind and many churches no longer have it. I'll admit that I don't always want to go either (and I'm the pastor's wife, though he doesn't teach the adult class) but I do find it challenging and encouraging when I'm actually there.
I remember my mom singing "Everybody ought to go to Sunday school to learn about the Bible and the Golden Rule." I know there are those who say Sunday school makes Christianity too light, crafty, silly, small, but Sunday school can be a time of real learning. Even if the teacher isn't incredibly erudite, we still benefit from thinking through Scripture and theological concepts and sharing with each other at any age. 

Today I was driving the kids to school, trying to see out of still very frosted windows. They were arguing, fighting again. I'm so often praying in my head, praying that God will get me through the moment, sometimes thanking Him for getting me through, for bringing me joy and blessings, for being who He is. "Dear God," I prayed out loud this time,  "I'm having trouble driving and the kids are distracting me. Please help the kids to be good." And like the calming of the storm, they stopped arguing and I breathed thanks.
Last week I was scrounging around trying to fix Liam another quick lunch as he'd left his to freeze in the van and consequently didn't have anything to eat when the time came. I asked God to help me know what to fix him as we were short on groceries and what we did have just didn't seem lunch appropriate. And it was as if God guided my hands and brain as I put together a trail mix with chocolate chips and different kinds of
cereal, poured juice into a thermos, and made a quick sandwich. In these little things, does God hear me? Does He care? Yes, I believe He does. Other times I don't feel His presence. But He is still there. I know with something in me that can't deny Him even in the darkest of times. Perhaps in part because I've seen His faithfulness in the small moments. I am not alone.  

You look up to your big brothers and sister. You look up to Mom and Dad. May we reflect Jesus. May we not lead you astray. May you look up to Him.

Paint. This pic of a man from our church on a workday or work morning. Some time and sore muscles and a fresh start. The beauty of what God does every day with the dawn. Mercies anew. I'm so grateful for second chances. I'm so grateful for a new day.
There are so many things I'd like to have another chance at.

I'm thankful for my husband's patience with me. I'm thankful for the freedom in my life, the white walls. May I choose fitting paint colors. May I be willing to work hard at applying them.

Today I drove and drove. To school, to ballet class, to school again, to piano lessons, and back. Both yesterday and today I fought the vehicle that is my steed, my courser, and it fought back. It wouldn't budge from the snow, but my boys helped me dig it out. As it was iced over this morning, it took some time for me to look out, deal with the glare of day, find the way.

Yesterday, Ernie took Felicity to get her hair chopped, as we're weary of the constant battle of trying to get her to keep it combed out or let me do it for her. She looks strikingly different but still so pretty, my girl. Ern cut the boys' hair also and I started Leth's and he finished it.

I love his big gentle hands.

Today was my dad's birthday. I enjoyed visiting with him on the phone, was glad to help brighten his special day. I am thankful for him.

Do they enjoy solving problems, being relied on, these men in our lives? I know I certainly do appreciate all their work on my behalf.

Most of all, I'm thankful for my heavenly Father, my loving listening Lord, the Creator Designer God who renews, rejuvenates me, revives me, who gives me new days.  Everyone in His hands.

Sometimes I wonder where this kid came from. He seems so unlike me. He is outgoing, immediately outspoken, hyperactive, extremely inquisitive. He wears his heart on his sleeve and his anger and frustration as well. He really likes math and really doesn't like language arts. He and his dad are laboriously reading the Hobbit together as a prerequisite to watching the movie. He is passionate and cares very little about what others think of him, though he does crave their attention.
Perhaps we have more in common than I'm willing to admit. And there are aspects of his differences that I admire and appreciate. His tender heart, for example. May God grow him into a man with whom He is pleased.

He forgot his lunch today, Daddy didn't double check to make sure he'd grabbed it, and I had to run it in for him. He sat there with all those other kids, back to me, but I recognized him immediately, the shape of his head, the rounding of his back and shoulders. He's mine. I hugged him while I admonished him not to forget again.

At home, his dad is a lump in the bed with bleary eyes and warmth and heaviness about him. He never does sick well and when it hits, he crashes, as he has today, sometime mid-morning while in his office. He came home to retreat. He is mine as well.

She danced and sang for me today. Yesterday we had a tea party. And we always read so many stories. She's mine.
And I have more.
But all these precious ones of mine, there are firstly His, and I am grateful.