I'm baaack

Well, I've been shamefully absent from here for a year and a half now. Much has happened in that time; the greatest of which is the birth of our second daughter, to whom i will refer as "Roscoe". The reasoning behind this is that right now when she talks, she makes a rather gutteral noise, rather like Roscoe P. Coltrane from Dukes of Hazzard.

She is lovely and she is adored by all. She is now 11 months and says "mama", waves bye bye, plays peek-a-boo, and when asked "how big is roscoe?" she puts her hands over her head as we say "soooo big". She loves to be used as a back scratcher - it just makes her grin. She also adores her big sister and her dog, both of whom are particularly eager to protect her and both of whom are likely to inadvertently injure her.

I have about 3 weeks before I head back to work. I'm not as eager this time due to a combination of things. I believe I am less of a hermit this time and therefore don't need the adult stimulation that I may have needed following my first pregnancy. I think with my first pregnancy there were more people saying how much they wanted me back at work due to problems with the person who was replacing me. This time, there is a very capable lady in my position, who, I'm sure, they'll be sad to see leave.

Roo is now in Grade 1 and doing well. She and I just came home from our first weekend away from baby. We went to a Sparks/Brownie winter camp. Wow, was it amazing. It was as intense as TEC is for teenagers! The people who ran it were fabulous. I learned so much and am eager to continue! Next year I will be moving up to Brownies with Roo and hope that I have a Paddock with me! I'm getting kind of attached!

There are lots of youth things going on too - DYG continues, TEC will happen this spring, I'm on the camp committee again and I will be co-leading Teen Camp this summer. I'm happy to be involved in all this. I just hope it's not too much when I go back to work.

Well, that's the Coles Notes update. I will attempt to come to share more introspections as they enter my brain.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake....with cream cheese icing

Cream together:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup oil
1 3/4 white sugar

Add:
2 eggs, then beat

Beat in:
1/2 cup buttermilk **
1 tsp vanilla

Stir in:
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt

Fold in:
2 cup grated & patted dry zucchini (I used a bit of the rind too)
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Pour into greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake at 350F for 30 mins or until toothpick comes out clean.

** You can substitute 1/2 TBSP vinegar or lemon juice plus milk to replace 1/2 cup of buttermilk.

Icing:
Cream together:
1/2 cup butter
8 oz cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBSP cocoa powder
Add an continue creaming:
1 pound icing sugar


Now this is the important part...yooou lick the beaters from the icing....don't let the kids! It's toooo good!

It is now real....

Well, I'm pregnant. One might assume I'd have come to that conclusion long before I entered my 20th week. There's one large difference that makes it all real. I had my ultrasound today. I saw baby bean kicking and squirming. I saw the heart beat. There's nothing quite like it.

DH was trying to look for a little something between the legs to no avail. The technician did refer to baby bean aka Cletus the Second, as "he", but one never knows if that's a throwback to when people were generically referred to in the masculine. Well, we'll know for sure when we go to Winnipeg to Babymoon for a 4D ultrasound/sex determination on November 7.

I've been feeling mostly pretty good. I went to the doctor for a regular appointment and was found to have high blood pressure. He told me that I was to take it easy. I've also been getting dizzy sometimes too. When that happens, I go lie down, if at all possible.

It's really nice to be feeling those happy "it's real" baby thoughts.

Pregnancy Hormones

I'm lucky my family loves me. I've really been pretty good but every once in a while, my usual jovial "up for anything" self disappears and the horns come out. Sometimes the horns just affect what's happening on the inside (perfect example: previous post).

I'll have to be like Stuart Smalley - "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me!" (and they adore my beautiful, intelligent, funny daughter!)

No worries.

By the way, the pregnancy's going along tickety-boo. :D

Am I Irrational or Rightly Irritated?

Ok, so here it is. Roo's in Kindergarten and she loves it. She loves going to the library, gym, doing crafts, her Grade 8 buddy, and her teachers.

Here's the problem: I don't think her teacher likes her. When I pick her up, the teacher rarely smiles at me and has spoken to me once about Roo being distracted (lying on the floor, not sitting up) during story time (which we had a long talk about and the teacher said she was good after that....) and then today when I picked her up, the teacher said that Roo had squirted her juice box during snack, for which she apologised and also about which the teacher had left a note on the clipboard. The first time she spoke to me, there were at least 5 parents there, picking up their children and the second time there may have only been one.

Am I wrong to think that my child's behaviour shouldn't be spoken about in front of other parents, especially? Am I wrong to think that a Kindergarten teacher should be warm and not hold grudges (my perception perhaps?)? Am I completely off base and perceiving things wrongly because I'm feeling overly hormonal these days due to the little bean squiggling around in my belly?

I now know why parents get upset when their children misbehave. They (read:I) feel like a bad parent when she misbehaves. I've always been a supporter of the "the person making a fool of themselves is only reflecting on themselves".....so what the heck???

Ah, Fall....

I love Fall. I'm not even upset that it has come a little early this year. I've got to admit, I got a little panicky when I couldn't force my winter attire to do up around my burgeoning waistline. Thank you, Lord, for Secret Fit Belly jeans from Motherhood Maternity. They are so comfy, I think I will wear them till I die!

The pregnancy's been going fairly well. I'm into my 14th week but have yet to hear the heartbeat, even after two attempts. Well, we thought we heard it last Wednesday, both the doctor and me, but we weren't sure. Hopefully we'll hear it loud 'n clear next Wednesday. I'm feeling that all is well, so that's a good thing. With this pregnancy, I tell ya, it's a little more nerve wracking. Now that I'm post-35, there are all those extra tests you can take. I've had the screening ones so I should get those results back on Wednesday too. My s-i-l had an amnio and she said it was fine, so I'm not as nervous about that one, if we opt to get it. I'm not concerned about many of the potential problems, but it'd be nice to be prepared.

Roo started Kindergarten last week, as you know. She's done very well and is making new friends. I'm very happy that it's so structured. That's exactly what she needs. She's going every morning. Our neighbour boy is in the same class. This is a very good thing!



Roo did a very cute thing the other morning. I was lying in bed and she came in. I asked for a hug and a kiss, so she did...and she said "this hug's for you and here's a little one for the baby". I love her so much. She's been being very considerate and loving....putting pillows under my feet and the like. She's going to be a most excellent big sister. Oh! she's also decided on names. If it's a girl (which she's sure it'll be) then she wants to name her Isla Rainbow. If it's a boy, it's going to be called Sammie. I think we'll have to think long and hard about that.......

Yesterday was homecoming at church. It was very nice. We had a barbeque and there were lots of people about. Everyone was very chatty afterward and I feel as though we've made some great connections there. And, what can beat a reading about the most important thing being "love". God is good!

After church a little hummingbird ran into our front window! I'm glad I hadn't yet cleaned it, otherwise, I would have blamed myself! Anyway, I went outside, followed by a swarm of kids (ok, 3) and we looked at this little birdie on the ground. It was so pretty and was gripping the grass for dear life. I righted it a bit, as it was off kilter, and noticed that the neck wasn't broken or anything. So, I did the natural thing, and got my camera phone! Here's the little guy:



We were very happy when he flew away after about 20 mins of close scrutiny by excited children! Good times!

Here are another couple random recent pics of our girlie:




I'm choosing to have a good day. :)

Blessings on Top of Blessings

It's time that I updated this blog. It's not that I haven't had anything to say, it's more that I either haven't known quite what to say or it wasn't time yet to say it. Make sense?

Summer is almost at an end. My girlie starts Kindergarten next Wednesday. She's cautiously excited. I simply can't believe she's old enough, although at times she's way beyond her years.

The last few months have been a blur of activity and thought.

In June, I had the great fortune to go to London, Ontario, for a national youth leaders conference with the Anglican Church. It was amazing. We got to go to different sessions that interested us, had all matter of worship, and got to meet great people from across the country. The Primate was there and was very encouraging to all of us. There was a general sense that what we, and the youth, must be heard, and that we're worth hearing. Many of us left this week feeling empowered, not in an excited TEC/Cursillo way, but in a pervasive constant way. I'm still not sure what it means. I'll leave that experience alone for now.

The beginning of July heralded Teen Camp. The youth and programming staff were wonderful. We had great weather and really seemed to bond. We had a number of younger youth this year, for which I'm very grateful. It's nice to see the youth of the diocese regenerating and the older youth take on more of a leadership role.

My family went on vacation for the first part of August. We got together a yard sale and went camping at Spruce Woods for a few days. I love it there. It's absolutely perfect for little ones - great swimming, bike paths and camp sites.

I guess the big news is that we're expecting again. I'm presently 3 months along and we're all very excited. I've been feeling ok, but tired and a little nauseous. That's to be expected though. Roo is so excited that she's going to "poop out her ears". She's really hoping it's a girl. They have a new place in Winnipeg that you can get 4-D ultrasounds done, and family is allowed in. If everything is ok, we might do that so that Mackenzie can really feel that this is her baby too.

Because of this new revelation/baby, I'm putting school on hold, which is both good and a little sad. After the youth conference in June, I was feeling called to go a little deeper with my studies but that'll have to be put on hold for now. This is the way things are meant to be. Family is first priority and I'm happy to be mom first.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Is this weird?

Ok, something I've noticed about myself: When I'm supposed to be doing something (ie: studying), and I'm actually doing something else (ie: procrastinating), I find that I will not do anything useful (ie: cleaning or knitting) because I'm supposed to be studying. ........one more month of this class....

Why is that? Firmer goals need to be put in place methinks.

So, you may ask, what do I do instead? I go on the computer (ahem - not counting now...........), call someone, do dishes, insist I be the one to put the girlie to bed, bathe said girlie, run to the grocery store, etc.

Boy - this weekend (after my exam) will be a whirlwind of activity!

BTW - awesome Diocesan Youth Group on Sunday. We made Ukranian Easter eggs. They did such a super job! I liked watching the boys especially, as they were soooo proud of their creations. Youth rocks!

A Little Bit of This.....

It's the end of February and the snow is melting. A week ago, it was -45 with the windchill....just rotten, I tell you - but it's all good now!

As an addendum to my pre-Christmas post, Christmas lights were put up downtown - I believe my source may or may not have been smoking crack.

This year, thus far, has been a whirlwind of emotions and activity. I seem to be spending it studying, knitting, hanging with my family and worrying about church stuff.

My family has decided to switch churches. This was an extremely difficult decision to make as it is the church I've been going to since I was 8, we were married here, our daughter was baptised here and I work here. There are many reasons - some very personal and some because we felt that we were no longer left any options. We have felt for some time that there were problems at this church and even after speaking to them, we were left to feel unheard. Ironically, this is mutually exclusive and has nothing to do with the problems in the wider church.

We have begun going to a new Anglican church and I love it. There is lots of singing, with a strong focus on the little people of the parish. The children are made to feel so much a part of the parish - it's wonderful! One child gets to carry a cross downstairs to Sunday School, they light candles, there is a song 'just for them', they're having special events for Good Friday and Easter. Better yet - I don't have to plan them! There are many hands to make light the work. It's very refreshing.

The other aspect I love, probably the most, is the people my age(ish)!!!! Yes, you too can have people your age at a church! We attend house church every two weeks with about a dozen adults and about 15 children. The children play and we adults sing a few songs and work through a devotional book (currently on 1 Corinthians). Last time, the children skated in the front yard then watched movies. The older children look after the younger ones. I love this so much. (Did I say that already?)

Other than that, I'm mostly studying - only two more months in this course - I can't wait for it to be over.

Everyone's healthy, happy and looking forward.

"Awaken to the new day as a gift instead of as a given"

"Some of you may not be aware of something today, some news. It seems that we have been given as much as another day by God to be alive. Perhaps as much as one more day to know God, to love God, and to serve God. Perhaps as much as one more day" (The Rev. Curtis Almquist, SSJE, Superior).

Amazing. You can see more here.

We will break dividing walls......

There have been some things running through my mind as of late that I'd like to talk about. I welcome feedback. My husband told me this morning that they're not putting up the Christmas lights downtown this year so as not to offend the new Chinese workers at Maple Leaf. Also, in the paper, it said that they are not going to have the fully optional bibles handed out in Grade 5 anymore. There are many many examples but these are the two that are in my mind at present.

We are very concerned about not offending anyone. I am beginning to be offended. Anyone who knows me will say that I am a person who endeavours to be inclusive and welcoming. I'm a person who is curious and likes to see the way other people celebrate their customs. I think a person's cultural background and religion are things to be celebrated. My religion is now under constant fire under the guise of not offending.

When Chinese New Years celebrations take place, I enjoy seeing and/or taking part in what this cultural event has to offer. When i see a menorrah, I rejoice that this family is celebrating Hannukah. When I hear that Ramadan is beginning, I take time to think of all the people who are fasting all day and enjoying family celebrations in the evening. When I hear that there's a pow wow or Sun Dance happening, I revel in its deep roots (and actually wish I could be a part). I'm not offended in the least. Why can't we have the same, as Christians.

Let us celebrate one another's differences and maybe learn more of cultures and faiths that vary from our own. This is the path to peace - ignorance and walls are not....on all sides.

Youth truly does rock!

I'm fresh off a youth weekend at our church camp. I have been, for about two years, feeling really uninspired in my faith. After this weekend, I'm a mile high. The group, which was 10 young'uns and about the equal number of staff were all amazing.

The smaller group allowed for less pretense, meaning the kids didn't have to act all cool and none were trying to impress anyone. The guys especially floored me. They were chatty and really into talks and whatnot. The girls were great too...we got to spend some girl time, which was fun.

What stands out for me from the weekend was how well everyone gelled, especially my co-director and I. We just really seemed to be in sync this weekend. Another favourite thing was singing everything we could think of, the bonfire, playing Mission Impossible and genuinely hanging with the kids and my friends. I asked them if they wanted to have a diocesan youth group once a month, run by me and my youth partner and they said "YES!" so we've started up a Facebook group to see where this leads....to check out interest.

They are a blessing, without question.

Hide 'n Seek

Do you ever just feel like running away and hiding, perhaps with a book or your knitting? I'm kinda feeling like that right now. Tomorrow I start filling in for my friend, running the Sunday School. One might think that after having run the Youth Group (well, I might add) for about 4-5 years and helping with the SS prior to that, that this should be a snap. Well, I'm nervous. I THINK I have everything ready. I'm pretty sure I'll still be alive after tomorrow's class is over, as will the majority of the children... so, I don't know what it is.

I worry about the youth group too. I don't even know if someone's going to be teaching tomorrow. I can't let it get to me. I have to step back and "let God".

Maybe I'll teach them "here is the church, here is the steeple....". My daughter LOVES that one right now. LOL. Good work, you. Tangent complete.

Ahhhhh, routine....

It's fall. Ok, well, it doesn't officially start until September 21, but the activities begin somewhat before that. My office renos are pretty much complete, I'm done vacation, it's Homecoming at church this Sunday (when all good Anglicans come back from vacation), and I'm back in university. Oh! Roo is starting up swimming and gymnastics right away. I'm also running the Sunday School while the regular superintendent is taking a mini-mat leave....beautiful baby boy!! There sure is a lot going on right now.

I had my first class yesterday. I think it's going to be veeeeery interesting and applicable to daily life. It's a fundamentals of research in psychology course. It's going to partly be how to analyse and organize data. The lab is going to be all statistics. I have never taken statistics and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I'm just going to have to work my butt off, and get help. No room for pride here.

Wish me luck!

Necrobiosis Lipoidica

Get this... 60 needles in my left leg. About a month ago, I had about 60 needles in my elbows and knees. It's a weird condition that makes me have red patches or rings and are really quite ugly but not contagious at all. I'm not sure if it's a vanity thing that I go through this torture (oh, and believe me! it is torture!), but I don't like the thought of people thinking I'm diseased and contagious, even though those thoughts are most likely all in my head. I think I've only had one person ask.

Time to expose myself...

Ok, I've been trying to hide it, but I just can't anymore. I'm a knitter, with a fetish for socks. I've done maybe 8 projects - 4 of which have been socks. That doesn't even count the 3 Christmas stockings! I've attached photos here. The pair below were my first ones, and probably my favourites. They are wool and I feel snazzy (heehee) when I wear them, which is as often as I can in the winter.





These ones are made from Opal Feelings self-striping yarn. Here's where you can get it. AAAAAAand....if one ball can make a pair for me (size 12), one ball should do anyone. The pattern for this was taken from my sock bible. If you have a sock fetish, as I do, you need this book. It makes socks in so many patterns and in any size and on any type of needles. Really....get it.



This is my official foray into snob yarn. For those of you who are not yet familiar with the term, let me enlighten you. Snob yarn is expensive and has some special element to it, such as it is hand-dyed or, like this one, has Aloe Vera right in the fibers. Yes, you heard me right. It's supposed to last for about 40 washes. They are sooooo soft. This is the start of them. I am making them for my friend, Teresa. Talk about self-sacrifice. Also, it's a toe-up pattern: the first I've ever done. I've also pooched the pattern. Six frogs so far (cuz I had to "ribbit" back - har).



I will also share with you my "big" project. It is called Sahara and I'm really nervous about it. Again, it's made with snob yarn - Pima Silk. Seriously, it feels like someone scrunched up some little kittens and made them into yarn....or harvested their fur -- whichever. I'm making it in 5137 and it's so soft and shiny, but not in a pleather way. Here's the progression thus far:



You can really see the silken shimmer. And this is what Sahara will look like when finished.......in theory (I'm doing the long-sleeved). I will endeavour to have less cleavages than suggested showing.

So there you have it. I think it's official - I'm an addict. Thanks Jen! ;)

Met a girl, cute as can be.....

My girls...one I've had for 3 and a half years and another who's a mere 9 weeks old. Here are the photos:




The picture of Roo is at Kitchee Manitou in Sprucewoods Provincial Park. It's a really great place for little kids. The water stays so shallow for so long. There're also some really nice camping spaces we may have to try out too!

The other pics are of our newest little girl, Mabel. She's a Collie/Lab/Shepherd cross and she's really easy-going. Our older dog, Murphy, isn't too keen on her yet but at least he is no longer threatening to eat her. He's not all that fond of other dogs. If anyone has any special tips, I'd be happy to hear 'em. I like watching the reaction of people when they find out her name....overall - not too fond of it. We think it's cute. I'm taking her to camp with me next week. Roo's going to go nuts without her puppy and her mom around. Awwh.

Fabric self-confidence...

I just got a bathing suit I ordered and it's the first one I've felt confident in in years! It is a Miracle Suit and here it is! I have to say that it cost a bit of money but I think I'll have it for a very long time. It's made for bigger ladies who don't want to look like their grandmas did in the big flowered bathing suits with pointy boobs....OH AND THOSE BATHING CAPS! Remember those? The ones with the big honkin flowers on them? We used to tease my aunt mercilessly. Hmmm...I wonder what ever happened to that...lol. I'll have to ask her.

I also got some bedroom attire, ahem, that I won't describe in any detail except to say that they came with G-strings! Well, that's just laughable on a plus-size girl -- one shaped as I presently am anyway. Needless to say, I didn't buy those garments for the g-strings. I'll save those to give as a gag gift to someone perhaps. Hey, maybe my auntie!!

"What God really cares about is whether we love him."

I took the following from this blog I've just recently found and it really touched me.

The Archbishop of Cape Town preached in June at Westminster Abbey and offered this perspective on the touchstone of Orthodox faith. I loved this:

If anyone wants to pick a fight with me about my faith, let it be on the grounds of my relationship with Jesus, and my belief in who he is: the belief to which Scripture attests and the creeds affirm.

Jesus remains the eternal Word made flesh.

Jesus remains the second person of the Trinity, pre-existent from before all time, taking on human form.

Jesus remains fully God and fully human – the double homoousios to which the Nicene creed affirms.

Jesus remains the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, who breaks the chains of death. No-one else can do this.

Jesus remains the crucified one who was raised to new life. In twenty-first century scientific terms, we do not know how to describe his risen body – but we do know he was raised, and we do know he ascended, and we do know he sits at the Father's right hand, where he ever makes intercession for us.

Jesus Christ remains the same, yesterday, today and for ever!

So, even though some of the church is in turmoil over issues of human sexuality, that should never become the touchstone of orthodox belief.

Rather, let the heart of your faith be your love for God, responding to God's love in Christ for you.

And if anyone asks you where you stand, be confident in saying with Paul

'I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I how live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life that I live now in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.'

Amen.

Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane

You can read the whole sermon here.

Amazing. It's what our faith is all about and a much much MUCH more eloquent way of explaining what I often say "I just want everyone to play nice."

I feel my spirit returning...

Your Power Color Is Red-Orange

At Your Highest: You are warm, sensitive, and focused on your personal growth. At Your Lowest: You become defensive and critical if you feel attacked. In Love: You are loyal - but you demand the respect you deserve. How You're Attractive: You are very affectionate and inspire trust. Your Eternal Question: "Am I Respected?"

What's Your Power Color?