March 9 2017 Looking Back "Pondering"

March 9, 2017 at 6:02pm · 

This week has been an adjustment to say the least. A new work schedule, another working body in the family and overtime .... LOTS of overtime for both of us. There have been moments. Moments where Ginny swears the neighbours are moving because we fight too much! Today though, I can't help but just sit and watch ... and listen. Watch as our three teenagers chase each other around the house, watch as they do dishes together. Watch as they play games together. Listen to the sounds of their laughter, their teasing, their encouragement to each other. Watch as the oldest gets so excited about his new job that he treats the family to a case of pop, and tells me he will pay for my popcorn. Watch as the middle child floats from task to task, keeping everyone on schedule, and loving all of us. Watch how even in the midst of tears the youngest is learning to stop his anger, and call on Jesus to help him through. Watch ... as they face the struggles of alcohol, smoking, drugs, and pornography at school but still stay strong in what they believe. Today I take note of the good kids they are. The adults they are becoming. We have our moments. LOTS of moments but today I cherish the good ones.

My serenity .... My escape

My dad stumbled upon this road. It was the back road we took when the regular route became too mundane. It no longer serves its first purpose, although now it has become my serenity ... my escape route. When Fall hits, my favourite route comes to life. It is then when I take the curves slow and leisurely, breathing in every smell, taking in every colour. I have made it a habit to take my motorcycle on this route. Pushing myself to lean harder, or go a little faster. Occasionally .... I pull over to the side of the road and let my mind fill my heart with childhood memories, soaking it all in until the next season when I can enjoy it again.

Happy Sweet 16 our Beautiful Girl

My sweet Ginny!  I can't believe it was only 2 months ago that we celebrated your 16th birthday.  I look back at that chubby cheeked angel and my heart aches to hold her little hand again.  To hear her squeaky voice just one more time.  You were such a joy.  You still are.  The beautiful woman of God that you are growing into inspires me.  You are strong, and compassionate, always helpful.  You are an amazing friend.  Never change my girl.  Always keep God close to your side and listen to your heart.  Don't let others take advantage of your sincerity.  Don't grow up to fast.  There will always be time to "adult".  For now, take the time to enjoy life.  TRAVEL.  You are so fun and spirited, get out there and see the world my girl.  LOVE!  Keep on loving, as you always have.  Continue to give out those wonderful hugs, and share your heart.  It's ok to cry.  You will suffer many broken hearts, especially with being the special girl that you are, but don't harden your heart because of it.  Love deeper.  LEARN!! You are so smart.  Life has so many lessons to teach us.  Never stop learning.  GROW!  Keep reading the bible.  No one is going to be closer to you than your Jesus.  He knows your heart and what is always in it.  He knows how you feel, and what you are going through.  He may not always seem close but he will never leave you nor forsake you.  You must not leave him.  Most of all.  PROTECT yourself.  Don't give everything away until you find that special someone.  You will know when you do.  God will tell you. I LOVE YOU my girl.  I am so thankful for how helpful you are.  I love going on errands and shopping trips with you.  I love snuggling up on the couch and watching our chick flicks together.  Thank you for being even more special to me than I was to Nanna, and that is pretty special.  :D

EVERYTHING is possible when you release your fears and find the COURAGE to FLY!  Keep flying my girl! Can't wait to see where you go!

Trick or Treat!! 2017

A recent trip to Universal Studio's led to our sweet Ginny wanting to be Ginny Weasley for Halloween.  How does one create Harry Potter costumes?  For starters, one starts in July.  Yes!  You read that right.  You find an adopted Grandpa and ask him to make a wand, you go to Value Village and search high and low for some school looking uniforms and One asks Grandma to come shopping for material and unleash her many talents.  One costume turned into 5! We had a Ginny Weasley, a Ron Weasley, a Cedric Diggory, a Professor Trelawney, and a Professor Moody.  They turned out so great.  

Just Breathe!

Sometimes you just have to take time to listen ... This was our afternoon yesterday.  We didn't spend lots of time here but it was enough to break down the day, put a smile on our face and reboot our hearts.

Laughter is the best medicine

Last April our world took a slight tweak when we discovered that our daughter had wheat, dairy, and egg sensitivities.  What an adjustment!! It has changed our "on the run" lifestyle quite significantly.  We don't eat out as much anymore, and when we do it is at far more costly restaurants that cater to dietary needs.  We are all learning  to check labels constantly though and her poor daddy has occasionally "poisoned" her as she would say.  She has missed chocolates, and sweets the most, along with cheese.  She was a true cheese girl.  When she was first diagnosed my husband joked about it and said "G ... I have a new nick name for you.  From now on, you will always me my Wheatard."  She laughed and joined in.  "Don't forget dad, I am also a Dart!"  That is just like us ... We often laugh our way through a lot of difficulties and sorrows.  It's not like we don't take life serious.  It's because life is TOO serious.  Laughter helps us to keep going.  In this house someone is always playing a prank, teasing, and loving through laughter.  Our meal time is often filled with humour.  The interesting part ... I take after my Dad.  I love to laugh, and I will admit, I can crack a good joke  but too much silliness tends to irritate me.  My husband is the exact opposite.  He LOVES to joke, laugh and be silly.  It balances our family well.  I admit, there are times where I give him the look, or announce "enough" when I have had just that.  At times it's like having 4 kids.  But there are also times when he teases me and says "Oh Mrs. Fun police is in the house."  That is my cue to join in and have fun.  All of this came to mind when sweet G announced that at work last night she was given 3 candy canes.  She was so excited to share with her daddy and myself.  She loves to give.  When she handed me mine I looked at her in shock and said ... "G!  You can't have candy canes.  They have wheat in them."  Her look was horror.  "No they don't" She exclaimed.  "It's pure sugar!"  I continued on with a straight face and a look of concern.  "Awe hun, how many have you had?" I asked.  The look on her face told me she had fallen for it and she was concerned.  "None!" She said.  "But I really wanted one."  Poor girl!  I couldn't take it any further.  I began to laugh as I announced that indeed she was allowed to have a simple candy cane.  She burst out into a laughter of relief and hugged me. You may think it was mean of me but it was all in fun and we had a good laugh.

Proverbs 15:15
A miserable heart means a miserable life;
A cheerful heart fills the day with song.

Forgiveness and Humility

Today I was taught a huge lesson on Forgiveness and Humility.  A few days ago, I was at work and I checked my emails (something I frequently do when bored).  The homework NHI letter did not surprise me.  The fact that it had to do with our youngest was even less surprising.  Our biggest challenge when it comes to school is responsibility in homework.  We can preach till we are blue in the face about responsibility of assignments but two out of three haven't had the A-HA! moment themselves yet and it is wasted air.  Unfortunately the timing of said email was horrible.  I have literally felt the weight on my shoulders lately and this was the last anvil to drop.  I snapped.  I became angry and in the heat of the moment I typed out a quick and spiteful email back.   I felt the need to defend our child.  I wasn't entirely wrong.  The education system is muddy these days, fundings are cut, curriculum has been changed, and sometimes our children need an advocate.  I should not have went about it in the manor that I did though.  I think for the time being, my message made it clear to the one at stake.  He spent 3+ hours sitting at the table, trying to play catch up.  It was the call from the principle this morning that made me question my actions.  I knew they were poor, and I knew they were only because I responded in a heated moment but that is no excuse.  I need to apologize, I know that what I did was wrong and there are other ways to defend my child than in anger.  I literally skipped the "come into my office" meeting and got the one on one conversation instead.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.