Adorable

As biased as I am, they are still pretty adorable!

And getting big. Where oh where have the years gone?

My baby will be 3 and my oldest 7 in the coming year....yikes!
(sometimes it makes me wish for another, a 4th, a sweet little life to add to the chaos....!)

Because God is always enough

There are moments in my life where I can look back and see the hand of God leading me, guiding me, nudging me in the direction I need to go. Gently, graciously, painfully, calling me to lay down more of my life for His, for His glory, for His hope and joy and love that flows so freely to those so undeserving. That flows so freely to ME.

Me who stumbles, trips, falls clings to the darkness because it offers a twisted comfort - a familiar that I am fearful to leave behind, even knowing that there is something so much better. That when I do step out, lay down and trust, that the joy and peace and learning that comes is worth every step of pain, of struggle, of fear and darkness to better know Him who calls me to Himself. Who works through broken pieces of a life offered to Him.

Do I choose to listen? Or will I cling, tightly, to the spot I am in. Fearful of the next step, of reaching for His hand, of trusting where He leads?

Sometimes, it is with fear that I trust. That I surrender to the the One who calls me out of darkness, out of myself. But just because I follow in fear and often-times hesitation, it is still in obedience. I am learning this. That sometimes, it is alright to obey simply because I know it is the right thing to do - even though my heart may not be in the right place. For when I do obey (even out of duty), I watch the miracle of God transforming my heart, so that I follow not just out of obedience but out of love, out of desire to see God glorified, to shine the flicker of a light for Him so those who know me will see where my Hope lies.

As 2010 comes to a close I find myself looking back and thankful to God for everything He has done for me, for my family, for my friends. There has been so many blessings. At the same time, this year, is not a year I would have chosen for myself. And, if I had been given a choice - in all honesty - it is not a road I would have walked and there were days (weeks, moments) where I did not follow graciously, where I went kicking and screaming and digging in my heels. Truthfully, there are still moments, where I forget. Forget to that my God is trustworthy, forget all the He has all ready done, forget that He knows my heart, my desires, my needs, my wants and the motives that those things stem from.

Would I change it? No! Has it been easy? Not usually Has it been worth it? Yes. Has God taken my tears and turned them into hope and joy? Yes - continually! God is using (and has used already) the trials of this past year and I may not ever (at least this side of heaven) understand why those things, why now, but I don't need to. For He is God and He is sovereign in all things.

This past year has awed me with the faithfulness of God. Even when I have knowingly turned, or ignored, He is faithful (for He cannot deny Himself) and I am humbled by that.

I struggle with just what to share through this medium of words, where there is no filter, where anyone can read. Do I speak in generalities and hope that my reliance on God comes through? That my strength in all of this, is not from me, but from my heavenly Father who loves me (and has always loved me)? Or do I fight past the fear and write specifics? Those who know me well know I am not one to share, to open up, to become vulnerable. Although this past year has taught me that there is joy and encouragement in vulnerability. The stepping past that lump of fear, tends to make the fear dissipate.

So I type words, hoping that God will use them to show Himself, to shine His light and glory through them. For I don't want it to be about me, but about Him who has called me.

All Creation Worships

Skating, Skating on a Skating Rink

We've taken the kids skating two days in a row this week.

 Alexandra spent much of her time laying on the ice the first day we went, but did much better at the indoor rink yesterday.

 This was Owen's first time ever on skates, granted they are the little bob skates, but he did great and had a wonderful time.

 Anthony is great! He remembered what to do from last year and was whizzing are the ice like crazy. It was so nice to see him enjoying himself.

We are taking advantage of having everyone home this week, and the fact that the weather is beautiful (like fleece and vest beautiful, which is unusual for this time of year in Northern Ontario!) and doing tons of things outside together.

Her First Recital

Last night, Alexandra danced for the first time on stage - ever, in front of a lot of people. 

She LOVED it!!

She remembered the steps and her smile never left her face the entire night.

The Beginner's group was the last to dance and she kept leaning over to ask if it was her turn yet. It was great for her to see the senior dancers dancing too. She knows a few of the senior dancers, so she knows what she has to look forward to in a few years.

 For know, this is what they wear to dance in. At the end of January they will get the actual Ukrainian costumes so when they dance at the Folklore Festival in and and at their year end concert, they will all be in traditional dress. 

 And this would be Anthony, being Anthony, at his sister's recital! 

It was a good thing that Aunts and Uncles and Gramma were there to keep him occupied (and then Saint Nikolai came and gave all the kids bags of candy!)

I am so proud of my daughter. I danced for years and I remember my first recital (I was a blackbird in Sing a Song of Six Pence). So it was nice for me to see that Alexandra truly LOVES to dance. My social butterfly thrives. 

And you what, for only having had 10 dance classes, she's doing a GREAT job!

Melted Snowman Cookies

So, theses were a little tricky then I thought when I first attempted them. But they are SO cute!

(I should mention that I did these while 1 child was finishing dinner and the other breakfast this morning!)

Owen @ 31 Months

i heart faces -Pets

It's been awhile since I've entered a picture into an i heart faces contest, but I was playing around with my camera this morning and managed to snap this picture (in the midst of my 2 year old climbing all over me!) and thought it was perfect for this week's theme of Pet Faces! 

Mighty God!

Mighty God.

Who, more often than not, chooses to display His might through

Grace, Mercy and Compassion.

Rather than raining down fire from on high.

Today's sermon, was good (Isaiah 9: 6-7 He shall be called.....Mighty God). Although, lately, they have all been speaking (quite loudly) to my heart. Encouraging, convicting, drawing me closer to Him.

Mighty God.

In the form of a babe. 

So does that affect the way I live MY life?? Because if it doesn't, it sure should!

Point after point today, struck me. Do I ask God to rain fire from heaven when I have been offended? When I feel He has been offended? Or do I let Him display grace and mercy through my actions?

And a comment from a friend? "Waiting on the Lord isn't doing nothing. It's an action. It is not sitting passively by watching."

Truth speaking.

I am thankful and humbled that God chooses to work through our weaknesses so that His Glory and Might may be displayed. It makes me long to become more weak, so that He may be seen all the more.

A Christmas Present (that requires much praise!)

I got the only Christmas present I wanted this year.

Got it this morning actually.

Well, if you want to be technical, I didn't actually get it.

Troy was the one who got the phone call telling him that he has a FULL teaching timetable starting in February!! Math, periods 1,2 and 5 (which means he gets 4th period prep. which he LOVES) This timetable, is his dream timetable. It's what he wanted. God continues to amaze me at what He is able to do, and HOW He is able to do it. And the little things that He adds to it (like 4th period prep).

I am SO thankful for it.  God has been working lots in me, teaching me what it means to wait on Him and waiting for His timing, teaching me about trust and faith and about His Character. It has been good. Really really hard sometimes (and I wasn't always patient OR gracious) but it has been so good, and I am truly excited to see what else God has in-store for us as a family.

I am floored that we know so early that Troy is settled, that in and of itself, is completely God.

What an amazing answer to prayer!! I am so thankful to all the people who have spent months praying for this, for taking the time to lift us up before God, waiting and watching and anticipating Him answering. I love that God designed us for community and that there is strength where 2 or more are gathered in His Name.

Praise God!!

Thank You!!

I was humbled yesterday by the sweet generosity of a lady I barely know. It touched me that she was willing to reach out and help our family, gifting us the way she did. (THANK YOU!!)

I was reminded too, by how God truly does work through everyone, in every season, to teach us more and more of His truth so that it may settle like a blanket in our soul.

This season is not easy, but, as I mentioned to a friend yesterday, if it were easy I am not sure that I would give the credit and glory to God. If it were easy, I'm not sure the lessons I am learning would stick, would change my life for the better. . . my friend jokingly said that God should give us an *easy* button. And you know what? He has. Trusting Him, letting Him be in control.

Trusting that He will work it all out, in His perfect timing, in His way.

He loves us and His plans will never hurt us. It might be painful, it might be difficult, but it will never harm us.

Yesterday's surprise, was a glimpse, a reminder, of what happens when we truly surrender and trust God (instead of just voicing it with our mouths and not letting that trust work it's way to our actions and heart!)

The Tree

Sunday afternoon, after picking Troy up from hunting, we met up with my brother-in-law and headed out to cut down our tree.

I have a feeling the kids were much more interested in the fact that they could wrestle with their cousin then about choosing a tree!

But, we did find a tree, get it loaded onto the van and set up in the livingroom. Once again, I am pretty sure the kids were more concerned about the snacks I pulled out for them then hanging the decorations, but as you can see, they came around eventually!

It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday.

Slip, Sliding

Darkness still graces the sky as the kids and I climbed into the van loaded with sleds.

They were up far to early this Sunday morning and instead of getting frustrated, or plunking them in front of the t.v (which is often what happens prior to 7am in this house) I fed them and, still clothed in jammies, bundled them into their snowsuits and drove to the tobogganing hill.

We had SO much fun! It was a great way to start the morning! After an hour we came home, I warmed up some milk, cut pieces of chocolate cake and we enjoyed an after-sledding snack, then proceeded to get ready for church!

Creating

 I found this book with really cute knitting patterns in it at the library the last time I was there with the kids.
Bella Bunny is one of them!
It is incredible how simple the patterns are to follow!

A gingerbread train this year. We decorated it last week, because we tend to eat it 9or at least pick all the candy off it) the day we decorate the tree. And for us, Sunday is the day we are off to cut our tree! The kids are excited and my brother in law and nephew are going to join us as well. It should be lots of fun!

It was Humorous...

I had a meeting today, one I in which I didn't really want to talk. Now, the person I was talking to is pretty smart (and knows me well enough to know what to ask) and asked what I would say if I was the one asking questions, trying to encourage someone to open up.

NO FAIR! Is all I have to say!! (I think there should be something against turning the tables like that!)

So I sat there, and sat there and finally snickered a little and finally answered with:

"Well, I'd tell them that it's o.k to talk, to let the words come because sometimes it is easier to process emotions and struggles when they are said out loud."

And was answered with "So, then maybe we should talk?"  (Grrrr.......! but I did, eventually!)

And it's true. There are times when I will go to say something and it gets caught against that cold, fist of fear clinging. But if I can only choke out enough words, I soon realize that the sharing is what allows me to move past the point where I'm at.

It allows me to trust God and flee the lies that Satan will whisper to the secret places of my heart.

It is not the speaking of the words I have to fear. It is the remaining silent, the listening to the lies, the hiding away in hopes that maybe it will all work itself out on its own.

But God created us for community, gave us people to lean on, to trust, to lead us and lift us when we fear we are falling and stuck.

Although, sometimes the sharing gets caught because the words are not just about me, and it is hard to know what to say when there are others in the midst of the struggles and feelings with you.

Thankful, this first week of Advent, for the wonderful, amazing God. This God who changes hearts and lives, and works in ways that I cannot fathom, to prove His love for us.

Who whispers our worth to Him in the quiet, Who fills the sky with a rainbow to remind me of His promises (when it's what I needed to see right then).

He loves me (and you!) and longs for us to fall before Him in reverance, awe, worship and love.

I am thankful that I am His, that He loves me and created me and knows my heart inside and out!

It is my prayer that if you do not know that this Advent, this Christmas, that God will wow you with the most incredible gift of His Son.