The Reader's Nook, an ordinary day that can become unordinary through the world of books

2008-01-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

I don't know much. I'm just getting back into the daily routine after two weeks of holidays. Spent two mornings at the office, went to sewing circle, did some sewing here at home and some scrapbooking. I'm trying to finish up 2006 so I can start 2007 when I go to the scrap booking retreat at the end of Feb.
I also got my official invitation to join the Mennonite Memorial Choir again. Rehearsals start in a month with two programs the first Sun in May. sure am looking forward to that as well.
Today I made the funniest mistake while sewing. I sewed a sweet heart neckline on my bodice, topstitched it down and put in a zipper. when I was ready to put in the sleeves I discovered I sewed the cape under the bodice. GRRRR! everything had to come apart but it is back together correctly now. at the begiining of the week I prayed, " God you know I haven't had much enthusiasm lately to get things done like sewing, scrapbooking and daily housework. Please help me to be focused and get things done. PTL! He did! I kept up with my housework, did some scrapbooking and am working on my 4th dress. The third one is half done and the first two need to be hemmed.
So I din't know much?!

I got Little People for Christmas!

2007-12-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you. Our family had a nice Christmas and fairly evenly paced which is very nice.

Yesterday we were at my parents for Christmas and when it was my turn to open my gift I got something I wanted but didn't want to spend the $ on myself. I am delighted to have a Little People's Nativit Set by Fisher Price. My sister in law had my name and when she knew that it is what I wanted she knew this is the gift for me! She loves to shop and she loves a challenge and this was it. She couldn't find it any where around here. So she roped my brother into it by getting it at Walmart in the states. Well he was never there at the right time so they enlisted the help of the couple where he delivers the load. My brother sheepishly told this guy he needs this toy for his sister. The man said he has a daughter who loves to shop and they will gladly get it. I guess this couple are grandparents and even this grandma thought it was cute and wanted one. So I don't know what I started! I am very happy with my most unusual gift that I never dreamt I would get. So thanks again Cherylanne!

Back together again

2007-12-04T04:23:00.000-08:00

This is my new floor and we are back together again. I used our snow day yesterday to clean and reorganize and get out a few of my favorite Christmas decorations. It's exciting to have something new like this just before Christmas!

2007-11-30T04:20:00.000-08:00

This is the state of my living room right now. Not much living space! After 5 years of talking about it we are finally getting new tile put in around our wood stove and taking it out to the kitchen and bathroom. So my dishwasher, fridge and stove are all sitting in my living room. So I need to use my imagination and cook with a slow cooker, microwave or BBQ. Or the very nicest option, eat out. Last night we had supper at Crossroads and for lunch I was at the very nice cafe in Conestogo, Rumble Tum. (notice the "R", to my friend who told me it was Tumble and then when I went to call 411 for a number and they said there is no such place in Conestogo!) anyway this place has awesome soup and sandwiches for a nice price. You need to try it out. I will be going back again.

So back to my floor. can I touch up 6 year old paint without taking my borders off?

Johnny on the Step!

Leakers and photographers

2007-10-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

We have two groups of people that drive down our little unknown road. I barely knew this road exsisted before we moved here. Since we have moved here there are two groups of people that will drive down our road to the school ahead sign and pull over.

The first group will get out and take a lead. I am watching this from my kitchen window! We can't figure out why they choose this particular stop. We are less then 5 minutes away from several Tim Hortons. We have a gas station just around the corner and a variety store up the road. Some people will just keep going after they have done their business and others will actually turn around and go back out to the highway. Go figure!

The second group that stops always get out their cameras. We figure it must be a dedicated spot for a photography course. So this fall I decided to see what I can see through a camera lens at this particular location just down from my place.

So what do you think? what is a photographer trying to learn from this scene? I'll have to ask my friend rose to give some tips.

Oct. 22, 2007

2007-10-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

I planted my garlic bulbs today in my barefeet with a high of 23! That is so awesome. On the other hand my husband was trying to dig up tile to day to unplug a run in the weeping bed. Anyway it was dry, dry, dry several feet down and very hard. We are also running out of water almost once a week. I can't do 6 loads of laundry in one day or I run out of water which I did today. I guess I'll have to do a little every day. But that feels like you never get done then.

They say it like it is

2007-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Our boys have had us laughing this morning.

The first one is Donovan told me I will have peace and quiet this morning while daddy takes them to have haircuts.
I replied, "that will be real nice.'
Donovan answers, " not until we slam the door!"

The boys were up at 6:00 this morning eagerly eating the cinnamon buns I said they may have. Naturally on our day off we are not getting up that early and the boys were beginning to get frustrated and telling us to get up. I tell you this to tell you the next thing.

At the breakfast table I said, "now what was I thinking of this morning that I didn't want to forget?"
Jackson says, " see I told you, you should get up!"

Renewing Old and making new acquaintances

2007-10-09T06:19:00.000-07:00

My husband and I and our 2 boys just returned from a wonderful trip to Maryland. We took Leon down to visit his girlfriend and then brought Sherri (the girlfriend) along back home with us. We stayed with Danny & Donna Miller. This sunrise is a view from their front porch. Clarence & I went to Bible School with Donna and had not seen her since so it was real interesting to see her and her family and learning to know them. We also learned to know Sherri's mother and her brother and sisters and all the extended family as they live beside each other.

Quote of the weekend (by Donovan who is 7) if Sherri doesn't stop bothering Leon while he is driving maybe she shouldn't sit beside him.

I's dotted and T's crossed

2007-06-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official now. We are the owners of Pullets Plus. This past Saturday evening we had a BBQ inviting friends and family for a thanksgiving and dedication time for both Bruce's and us. Right now we are busy setting up all the accounts, learning payroll and Quickbooks! Any tips?

A sense of responsibility

2007-04-25T04:13:00.000-07:00

On Sunday afternoon our two boys were invited to stay at a freind's place while I
sang in the concert and my husband ushered. We talked to my oldest son who is 6 and clarified with him are you sure you want to miss the concert. Mommy has bveen practising all this time and I won't be singing these songs again. Are you sure you don't want to hear mommy sing?
His reply: my mind tells me that I should but I'M NOT LISTENING TO IT!

Mennonite Memorial Choir

2007-04-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful weekend, fantastic even enchanting might be a good word. It was absolutely gorgeous outside, a high of 18 - 20 and I was inside but it was so much fun. I spent the whole weekend rehearsing for the benefit concert this past Sunday. What a delight it was to present this program to a packed house. It went well. We had such beautiful meaningful hymns. I had some musical challenges thrown at me in the last weeks but I enjoyed working on them and seeing if I could do it. My husband was a little tired of hearing the Hallujah Chorus after two weeks of hearing that on a midi file! I was part of an special ensemble with the Hallujah Chorus that was a pleasure to do. I did not get every entry right on but it was fun, stretching experience. My husband got a little more than what he bargained for when he volunteered to usher. They had to set up 300 chairs after the auditorium was filled. He had sweat running down his face!
Now am completely changing gears and throwing myself into getting ready for a garage sale that is a fundraiser for The Lighthouse. Last year we raised almost $10,000. That might give you a little bit of an idea why it takes all week to set up!
God bless You!

Career Change

2007-04-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Clarence handed over the key of his KW to the new owner. About nine months ago, just like a pregancy, we were asked if we would be interested in buying an agricutural based business. After much prayer, research, and the doors opening one after the other and we kept going through we have decided to buy Pullets Plus. We are very excited about this opportunity for our family. As I stood at the kitchen window and watched the truck go over the hill it was with mixed emotions. Sadness that this stage in life is over but extremely excited that my husband was standing beside me as we watched it go. Both of us were very tired after the first week of adjusting to new schedules and learning new things. Clarence will be growing day old chicks to 19 weeks and then selling them. As I grow more familiar with the business I can give better details. It looks like I could have some office work and upkeep of the property such as lawn mowing etc. We are feeling are way right now.

It's winter at our house

2007-02-22T19:20:00.000-08:00

and will probably be for awhile yet.

2007-02-05T17:50:00.000-08:00

I have returned from an awesome weekend of scrapbooking with 5 other friends. I first wanted to say ladies but after this weekend I call them my friends. We had lots of laughs, jokes, delicious food, very late nights for most of these ladies that are pushing closer to 40 than 30, and lots of scrapbooking. I think I did 32 pages. One of my friends, a first timer thought she'd be getting lots done if she did 10. She told us we are serious about this. I think the funniest, or most unexpected things of the weekend was exposing one of the ladies to Johnny Cash. I never dreamt we would play Johnny Cash, I walk the line, to broaden the horizons of my friend.

Our 12th Anniversary

2007-01-15T17:57:00.000-08:00

Our 12th anniversary was yesterdayJan 14,2007. A friend of ours took this photo at Faith Mennonite church just before we gave our last German Heritage Chorale program. What an enjoyable evening. I am very pleased with the boy's outfits. My husband found them in a Walmart?. Anyway he called me and asked me if I want them. I saids if you think they are nice pick them up. We have gotten so many compliments on them and I always tell people that was my husaband's choice. I wish I had a picture of my oldest son at his school Christmas program in this outfit. He was so cute!

The Flu has arrived at our house

2007-01-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

I have a sick husband this week, too much to his embarrassment. On Tuesday eve. I was filling the dishwasher and asked him to check out the water softner because their was a film on my dishes. A few minutes later I went downstairs to put something away and their was my husband doing the classic choking signs. Hands around the neck, gasping for air. I immediately began performing the Heimlich manuever on him. Soon he was vomitting all over the place. After he caught his breathe I asked what happened. It seems he was siphoning a hose and a shot of salt water hit the back of his throat.
That night Donovan and I were both sick and were on the couch all day. Thankfully my husband was home all day to nurture and care for us. He left that evening around 5:00. By then I felt like handling the ropes a little. We thought it was something we ate because neither my husband or my youngest son were sick. My youngest son was so cute. I was lying on the couch nauseous and he wanted me to make his breakfast. I told him he has to ask his dad because my tummy hurts. My son then said you want some coffee to make your tummy better? The next morning I still had a headache and was drinking coffee and he wondered if my head still hurts. I said yes. Then a little later he asked if it still hurts. I showed him that it hurts above my eye. His prescription was to drink more coffee. So we merrily went along our day PTL because we were all feeling better when my husband beeped me around 7:30 last night. He says I've done something embarrassing. I thought what now. Here this guy stopped at a Sonny's for supper. All day he felt nauseous and diaherra. He thought if he eats something solid he'll feel better. He ordered his meal when all of a sudden he did not feel well at all so he ordered a box to go. While he was waiting on the waitress to box up his food he fainted at the table! There was an EMT and a nurse sitting at the next table so right away they call anambulance. So my poor hubby was wheeled out of the restaurant on a stretcher and taken to the hospital! Can you imagine! I would have been so embarrassed! He was too! Everything checked for him but he was ordered not to drive any further that night! A kind waiter gave his name & phone # to the ambulance driver to call him when he was ready to be picked up. So this waiter gets a call from the nurse that he is ready to be picked up. He picks dh up and brings him back to his truck and wouldn't take anything for it. Just told him to pass the favour on. I think of the song their angels amoung us. PTL he was not driving when it happened, although he assures me he had enough warning he could have pulled over and laid down. Any way that's been my week so far. Hopefully Jackson does not get sick.

2006-12-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Dec. 2006
O du frohliche, o du salige, gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!
Dear friends & family around the world,
My greeting is in German and means something about joyful and blessed at Christmas time. I (Judy) have just come home from our third German program. We have two more to give before Christmas. I signed up to sing in a German Heritage chorale. You can read about momma’s night out on my blog at http://www.judysbooks.blogspot.com./ or check out http://www.wendellglick.com/ and you might even see a picture of me if you look under events! I have had a very enjoyable time learning to sing German with about 25 other people and presenting it to the older citizens in Waterloo region. They are really enjoying it. Most of us have the challenge of not understanding what we are singing. We can say the words properly but don’t understand the meaning. When we first started rehearsing I thought I would never be able to sing this fluently but by the end I was starting to spontaneously burst out in German praise at home!
I looked in my files to see what I told you last year and see we have done some of the same things again. We had two enjoyable weekends putting Clarence’s truck in the Fergus Truck show along with some other Liberty guys and my brother Merlin and Glen Myer. Merlin & Glen both won first place for their categories which was fun. We placed second at the Special Olympics convoy. You can check that out at http://www.sosoconvoy.com/ If you look under the photo gallery you will see one photo where Clarence’s Kenworth is in 2nd place. The lead guy raised a $1000 more dollars than we did so we had to settle for second. It is a fun way to help my sisters out.
Our summer was very busy. It felt like the holidays did not start until August. Donovan conference to school until the end of June then the first two weeks of July we had summer Bible school and I taught the youngest class. That was so much fun. I enjoyed that immensely. Then after that I had two weeks of speech therapy for Jackson plus do the truck show. Then we got ready for a week at the cottage which was very enjoyable.
At the end of May Jackson had surgery to put tubes in both his ears. What an amazing difference. His vocabulary has increased so dramatically. Within the first week we noticed an improvement. We can have a conversation with him now. He also attends JK every morning which he enjoys very much. It is no problem to get him out the door and on to the bus. I volunteer every Wed. Morning in his class. This really gives me a handle on how he is doing. Jackson has been accepted into a Language Enrichment Program at Kids Ability. This program will increase his vocabulary and improve his listening skills. That would involve going to school 3 afternoons a week for 11 weeks. It will involve commitment on our part as we have to drive him there and pick him up.
Jackson has had some struggles grasping the basic letter & number concepts at school. I keep telling myself he is only 3 years old. Let’s give him a little more time. But recently their was a little incident at school that was very amusing but told us he is listening. The theme of the week was transportation. The teacher was discussing with the class what different kinds of transportation start with the letter T. I was observing all this and I could see the thought process going through the teacher’s head. She was thinking now here’s a question Jackson can answer. So she says, "Jackson what does your daddy drive?" Without hesitation he replies, "a Kenworth!" I burst out laughing and the teacher clarifies again no, Jackson what does your daddy drive and again he says Kenworth. I am still laughing as the teacher turns questioning eyes to me. I said, " he’s right, a Kenworth is the model of a truck." The teacher had to give up! She explained to the rest of the class that truck starts with T.
Donovan is doing very well in Grade 1 at Countryside. His teacher is Miss Martin who is my friend Janet. We were in the same grade at school. It felt kind of funny the first time I sat down with her for a parent teacher conference! We are very pleased with his grasp on reading and number facts. We also had some special moments when he recited Psalm 23 and John 3:14-19. It brought tears to our eyes to hear our innocent son tell us the gospel and recite one of the most comforting passages in Scripture. It made the decision to send him to a Christian school very worthwhile.
Currently my parents are spending 5 weeks in Ghana with my sister Kathryn and her family for Christmas. We look forward to having Kathryn and her family home for a 6 month furlough starting in late winter. My sister and her husband have adopted two teenage brothers Emmanuel & Ebenezer. We have not met them yet, nor have we met their youngest son who is now one. So we will have some acquaintances to make.
This past Oct. We received the disappointing news that Clarence’s dad has been diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. This is a disease that affects the muscles. There is no cure for it and is usually fatal within 3 - 5 years. They have already had to stop their main source of income because he could not handle the heavy winter clothes he needed to wear to run his outdoor market stand. He also needs a cane. This also causes a problem because he has only one arm. He lost the other arm in a farm accident years ago. So if uses the cane he really can’t doing anything with his hands even something as simple as shaking hands because he needs it for the cane. So please pray for us as we face this as a family and cope with this loss. Clarence lost his mother to breast cancer the first year I was dating him. This feels like a double blow. As time goes on and it gets to the point that he is bedridden dad and George(brother) have utmost confidence in their church, Old Order Mennonite, to help provide the care he needs.
Every year at this time I wonder what the next year will bring and ask for strength to face what lies ahead. We will be especially be doing that again. We claim the promise that "it is God who doth go before thee."
God bless You. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

a soul searching week

2006-11-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

It's been a week now since we had our first service to prepare ourselves to nominate and ordain a youth pastor/deacon in our church. It was a very difficult time as we earnestly tried to discern the Spirit's leading and not let our own personal feelings get in the way. After the the names were released of the 5 couples who were willing to be used of God in this way we had several days of praying for each couple. Some of the couples were our peers so you felt even more inadequate if you tried to put yourself in their shoes. We were truly blessed by seeing our friends willing to give themselves up and be open to God's leading by way of the lot in this way to serve the church. Our new deacon/youth pastor is Wendall Glick along with his wife Janelle. He gives a very awesome testimony on his blog www.wendellglick.com
about his willingness to follow God's call. Our memory verse from our SS lesson this past Sun. was this "Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We are also with you. Be of good courage and do it." Ezra 10:4. This verse had been on my mind a lot this past week. It is also my prayer, desire & goal for our new pastoral leader in our church.

Part two of article submitted to Midwest Focus

2006-11-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

Thirty five years later I came across the article my dad wrote when going through a box of my mom’s things looking for things to make a scrap book for her 60th birthday. And now I want to continue the story.
My parents did not have continual sunshine after that. They had 7 more children, 5 girls and 2 boys after me. I have 4 mentally challenged sisters and my very youngest brother was like my 2 older brothers.
As a child I did not realize anything was different about my sisters until they started attending school. They were unable to function in a normal classroom setting. At the time we a had a lady living with us who took an interest in the education of my sisters. She became the special ed teacher for them for several years. She taught 3 of them how to read & write. After she quit teaching all 4 of my sisters were enrolled in a Special ed class at the local public school.
One Sunday afternoon when I was around 11 years old my parents called my brother, my sister next to me and myself into the bedroom and told us we were going to have another brother or sister. We were very excited about this and could hardly wait for the new baby.
On Feb. 3, 1981 my youngest brother Rodney Dale was born. We were excited about a baby boy in the family. One of my first memories is getting down on my knees beside my bed at night begging , and imploring to God that Rodney would be normal.
I do not remember the Sunday we had baby visitors. But at 3 weeks old my mom was changing Rodney and he had a seizure. My mom was heart broken. She kept the seizure to herself until the company left. That following week Rodney was taken to the doctor. Then the journey of hospital stays began. We children often went to other families in the church after school until our parents came home from the hospital to pick us up. Sometimes we children had no warning and were picked up by someone else because Rodney was admitted to the hospital again.
One of the ways that I helped my mom care for Rodney was to feed him the bottle. He was a very slow drinker so it took a long time. After school my sisters and I would gather all our dolls together and line up our chairs in a row and play church. This is when I held Rodney and gave him a bottle.
As a child I often wondered why us and felt that we were different. I also had to deal with the curious looks and questions as some inquisitive child asked their mommy what was wrong with those two boys as my parents carried there two handicapped boys into the nursery at church.
In the fall of ‘83 Rodney developed pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital. The night that Rodney passed away my mom was at home in bed with a severe headache. My dad was with him when they took the respirator off and he died 3 hours later.
This was a very sad time for our family. My mom’s work load was relieved slightly but she still had her second oldest son to take care of. I was 13 and was able to help care for Keith somewhat. I was able to hold him and feed him his meals.
After Rodney’s funeral my parents decided to visit their friends in Parry Sound. So one freezing rain Sun. Morning we started creeping up to Parry Sound. Several times we almost turned around but we begged dad to keep going. The weather finally cleared a bit and we made it to church. This was a very enjoyable weekend sharing with friends.
As we look back now that trip was a blessing because we focused on something else other than our loss. Because the following Sat. morning my parents woke up to hear nothing. They could not hear Keith breathing. He had passed away in his sleep 3 weeks after Rodney did. He was 14 years old. So we laid another brother to rest. Now my mom had break in caring for handicapped sons. She told me she washed diapers for 15 years.
Caring for these handicapped boys was hard physical work. They did not respond to any stimuli. They were either in bed or in wheelchairs.
Caring for my sisters is a little different. They are physically able to care for themselves. They do not have the cognitive skills that a normal functioning adult does.
As a teenager I struggled with meeting the needs of my sisters, yet having my needs met. I wanted them to be accepted as part of the group yet sometimes I was embarrassed that they were my sisters. I longed to have a sister I could have heart to heart chats with like my friends. My second youngest sister, who is 8 years younger than me is now my heart -to -heart sister. She was blessed with perfect health too. She is married, has a family, and is serving the Lord in Africa.
When I attended Bible School one winter I was given the assignment of explaining how my childhood shaped my life. This was an easy assignment for me. I remember discussing this assignment with another individual who was frustrated with that assignment. I said, just tell about your childhood and then proceeded to explain my point my telling my story. This only frustrated this person more. "See, nothing like that happened to me. My life was normal." That discussion has stuck with me because it showed me that my life was different then most people and yet it was normal for me.
My 4 sisters have all graduated from the Life skills program at high school. They all hold jobs in the community. About 4 years ago they went together and purchased a house. They have a measure of independence. Two of them own a car.
While they have their independence it still takes tremendous patience, grace and mercy on our part as a family.
The issue I struggle the most with in relating to my sisters is taking the time to listen.
It means answering the phone at inconvenient times to assure them or answer a question, having them pop in without notice to show you something they bought when it really does not work to have them there. I found this particularly challenging when I am looking after my own two little boys. They need my attention and yet the girls were demanding my attention.
It seems rude and unkind but at times we just have to say now is not a good time. We will have to talk about this later or something of that nature.
I did not know until the day of my wedding when my dad was giving his father of the bride speech that my parents had anointing of oil when they were expecting me.
Since then a verse and a phrase go through my mind, there but for the grace (and mercy) of God go I and unto whom much is given much is required. Luke 12:48 These are the two things I try to live by when I am challenged by the emotional issues I face when I am with my sisters.
Often if we just take the time to stop and listen to hear what the mentally challenged have to say or show they will be satisfied. A relationship with a mentally challenged person is often nurturing, giving but not receiving. This is where it is vital for we as care givers to have friends who can give us the encouragement we need to have the stamina to face the next situation.
When I am tempted to cut my sisters off because I think I don’t have time for this right now I have to think how would I feel if was treated like that. What if God had blessed my sister with a sound mind and I was like her, would I want to be treated like that?
Some rewards, blessings of having mentally and physically challenged individuals in your family is it makes you sensitive to the needs around you and other handicapped people. You develop empathy. You are kept humble! Nobody is a stranger and nothing is kept private. Another blessing you receive is the unconditional love they lavish on you.
I think the biggest gift you can give a mentally challenged person is the gift of your undivided time and attention. Some ways you can do that are taking time to talk to them when you meet them, remembering them on their birthday, inviting them into your home for a meal. These are all things we enjoy but it takes special effort to do this with the mentally challenged.
My mom does a very good job of this. She always answers the phone cheerfully. She usually has them at her place for Sun. dinner and is often helping them with something at their house. I admire my parents for fulfilling the role God has called them to. I feel they have faithfully followed God’s purpose for their lives. They have also done it with acceptance and thanksgiving.

Part one

2006-11-15T13:23:00.000-08:00

After the Rain Comes the Sunshine
by Delfred Weber
It was a wet rainy day Wednesday, September 27, 1967; the day that Doris and I had long waited and planned and prayed about. I t was the day of our wedding. We were united in holy matrimony. We knew not what the future held but we knew that God holds the future.
We had bought a farm and looked forward to settling down in our new home and begin life together. On our first wedding anniversary the Lord saw fit to bless us with a little son. How happy we were with little Timothy Wayne.
I still remember how I used to press against that big glass window longing to pick him up and cuddle him. It was a joy to take care of this little fellow. We started to take him to church and we noticed then that Timmy was not progressing like other babies his age. And as parents, we became concerned and made an appointment with our doctor. He told us not to become alarmed because he was smaller when he was born. It would just take a little more time. So we went home and prayed that God would help us be satisfied with the way He saw to have Timmy grow.
But as time went on Timmy grew more and more upset. Sometimes he cried for hours at a time and even had seizures. The doctor advised us to try different formulas, but all to no avail. The doctor then said that he is puzzled, and he made an appointment on a very near date with a baby specialist.
We were not prepared for what the doctor told us because Timmy looked like a normal child. The doctor told us that he is not sure whether Timmy and see or hear, and that he might have a brain tumor and must go to the hospital right away.
Then we took him to the hospital in Kitchener and left our loved one in the care of strange people. It caused a lot of tears to go out of that room and leave him there. It was a very trying time for us while we were there every day, and he cried nearly all the time. It just seemed they were not doing anything for him.
We then we talked with our family doctor about it. He arranged to have him moved to the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto, about 75 miles from our home. The doctor said we could take him down if we wanted because if Timmy had a tumor he would die even though he was in an ambulance. So we took him to Toronto hospital, feeling he was under better care.
Timmy was in the hospital for 7 weeks, going through test after test. His different doctors came to take different tests to try to see what was wrong. They found a drug that could quiet him down and control his seizures.
As time went on we began to question, "Why us?" Then we had to ask, "Why somebody else?" We needed to realize what a great god we have and that He is a God of purpose and does not do things without a purpose. I believe that one purpose was to draw us closer to Him. In 1 Thess. 5:18 we also found comfort: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God concerning you." How can we give thanks for an abnormal child? First of all, we have to accept it as the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. Then we can give thanks. It does not have to be an abnormal child, but in any way the Lord has chosen to chasten us. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. As Doris & I together accepted this as the will of God in our lives, we prayed that God might give us the strength and patience and love that we would need to take care of this child for Him. We could also feel the many prayers that were offered in our behalf. Yes, when one member suffers, we all should suffer. Perhaps this often is not as it should be.
As time went on Timmy grew and we spent many happy hours with him. The Lord then blessed us with another little son. We named him Keith Lamar. We were thankful for this little boy. WE had prayed for a long time that God would grant us a healthy child if it was His will, but he saw fit to do otherwise. Keith was the same as Timmy.
God will not give us a greater burden than we can bear but will give abundance of grace to bear it.
At 3 months of age, Keith was taken to the Toronto hospital for tests and 2 operations. He was there 9 weeks, and during these 9 weeks Timmy also became sick and had to be taken into the hospital for oxygen and treatment. Our house seemed very empty at this time. WE used to take turns. One of us would go to Toronto and one to Kitchener. How thankful we were for friends who offered to take us to the hospitals! Those who could not drive would help with the work at home. It was a time that we truly learned to appreciate one another.
Timmy seemed to improve so we took him home again. Then Keith was able to come home from Toronto after 9 weeks. It was nice to have the family together at home again. But this did not last long. Keith got a hernia, so he was rushed to the hospital for another operation. But his stay was not long this time, for the Lord granted quick healing.
We were expecting another child in the near future, so you can realize that we were very concerned about this one. The doctors had told us after Timmy was in the hospital that we would not have worry because they did not think we would have more children like this. But then we had Keith he was the same.
Then one morning in our devotions we read James 5:14. It was just seemed to be the answer to our prayers. WE had an anointing service. While we do not feel this is a commandment, it is a divine provision and privilege. We must let the Lord do this and have faith that He is able to heal.
Timmy was losing weight quite fast the last few weeks. Then on May 31, 1970 Timmy went to a better home. This again was a time we felt the prayers of the saints.
Then on August 29, 1970 we were blessed with a little girl, and most of all answered prayer. We named her Judy Lynn. She is now 4 months old and a picture of health. Praise God for this.
So let us remember that God is till the Almighty One, and that the doctors are limited only to what God will allow. So as Christians let us pray for one another that we may remain faithful until Jesus comes again for those who are faithful to His very appearing or till our journey here is over. Again, let us pray for each other, for this is a Christian’s vital breath.
Christian Example, Sept. 17, 1971
Submitted by Judy Martin with permission from her dad

Out of the mouths of babes

2006-11-08T03:58:00.000-08:00

I have two incidents going through my mind that i want to tell you about. Do I do serious or cute first? I'll do cute. The other evening my husband and I and the boys wnt out for supper. The waitress asked my 3 yr old osn what he wants to drink. He says, I want orange juice and then pointing at us he says and my mom and my dad they will have coffees! After we closed our mouths we burst out laughing. I had to call the speech therapist on that one because she likes to know how many word sentences he speaks. PTL for Jackson's improved and increasing speech.
The second thing was my oldest son's memory work. His teacher sent a note home from school telling us he said his memory work perfect and that he should say it to us. At supper the other evening this dear, sweet innocent boy started repeating the gospel in a nutshell to us. John 3:14 -19. This time my husband and I had to wipe the tears from our eyes. What a priceless memory!

Changed settings

2006-10-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

I changed some of my settings so that friends who are not on blogspot can leave comments more easily.

Mama's Night Out

2006-10-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

This past week I took a night off, left the kids with a babysitter and went for a choir practise. Now don't you think mama must need time out if she chooses to sing in a choir where she cannot read or speak the language! She must be pretty desparate! Well, I signed up to sing Christmas carols in High German. I can understand PA dutch but don't speak it. My husband does not want me to sound like a certain someone in our area who mixes his English & PA Dutch very badly!
So there are about 25 of us in the choir. Some can speak PA Dutch, some were raised on the German music in their churches, some know only English, some can't read music or understand the basic fundamentals of music such as what is a measure, and some men didn't know what part they sing and said soprano. We even have a few children. The organizer & the director were well pleasedw ith our beginning rehearsal. We did stat with a very familiar carol. I'll have to get my music to make sure I spell this right! Stille Nacht was our first song. I think I'll have to get out my John Schmid CD!

My Maternity Leave is Over

2006-09-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

About a month ago we as a church were strongly encouraged to pray for the Sunday School Superindents as they planned for new Sunday school teachers. we were also strongly encouraged to accept any new responsibilites given to us. So after church my heart skipped a beat when I saw a white slip of paper in our mailbox. My heart skipped even more beats. The note read something like this. Judy Martin you have been asked and we wish to prayerfully consider being the regular teacher for the ladies class ages 36- 41. May God bless you as you serve the Lord and the church in this way. I was not surprised to see a note in my mailbox but I did not expect my own class in which I am the youngest. I was hoping to get in this slowly after my maternity leave, not with two feet into a cold lake. This coming Sunday is a little difficult as it is on our baptismal covenant. And that was a very difficult time for me as I was denied baptism the first time I requested it. I'm talking to God wondering if I should share this part of my testimony in class as very few people in my class know this. would it benefit the class to know this? Prayers please!

2006-09-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

we placed 2nd for the special olympics convoy last weekend by raising over $2000.00. the first truck raised over 3 grand. the event was very successful with over 100 trucks in the convoy compared to some states that had 11 0r 25. We do this as a way to support my 2 sisters who are involved in http://soco.comSpecial olympics.

2006-09-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

Jackson's first day of JK today

Six Years Ago

2006-09-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

on sept.10th,2000 I was rushed to the hospital an hour away by ambulance with flashers going & sirens wailing. Try convincing your husband on the cell phone, who is in Chicago at the time that everything is fine when he hears that in the background. My husband was in st. Paul's MN when he heard the first cry of his first born son. I went to see the Dr. in the a.m. and 12 hours later I had a baby.
I was in the hospital for a week recovering from HELP and Donovan was transferred to our local hospital for two more weeks. He was born 7 weeks early at 4lbs. 8 Oz. Our baby was 5 days old before my husband made it home to see him.
then a year later I went with my best friend to look for fabric for wedding dress and bride's maid dresses. The next day I was peeling pears when I heard about the twin towers.
so needless to say this week is a week of mixed emotions when it comes to reminiscing.

2006-09-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

Six Years Old

The Cubicle Next Door

2006-09-12T15:49:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading a delighful book by Siri L. Mitchell. It was light, a hint of mystery, of course romance wich I enjoy and it featured blogging. I had to think of the movie You've Got Mail when I started reading it. Check it out at www.sirimitchell.com

2006-07-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

After three very busy weeks I am checking in again. I had a wonderful time teaching summer Bible school to a class of 12 -15 four year olds. what sweet innocent, teachable souls. After that was over I started two weeks of speech therapy with my youngest son every morning for an hour and we have one more session to go.
Last weekend was the Fergus truck show so we spent the week cleaning up the truck and getting food ready for the weekend and then hanging out there.
On Friday I am taking the boys to see Thomas the Tank Engine. They are really looking forward to that!
Then the next week we get ready for a week at the cottage with my family. Are any of you going camping this summer?

I Won!

2006-06-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago I mentioned that I am entering a Dutch Oven cook off contest and I am very excited to say that I won 2nd place in the beginners catergory. This was only the 3rd time I used my Dutch Oven. I found this awesome recipe on http://papadutch.home.comcast.net and I win with that recipe every time. I submitted a dish called Cheesy Chicken Italiono. One of the contestants said it's better than East Side Mario's. I said don't tell my husband that because that is one of my favorite Italian restaurants and I want to go more often! My prize was a lifter for the dutch oven. I am very pleased with that.
Please keep me in your prayers for the next few weeks as I volunteered to teach the youngest class in summer bible School. I have not gone away for 5 nights in a row for two weeks since my oldest son was born 5 1/2 years ago. So this is a big stepping out into another world other then one of toddlers.

Martin family update

2006-06-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

I was informed in church this past sun. a.m. that I have not updated for awhile and it's true I haven't.
We just finished a 5 day stretch that Clarence was home! Imagine that! In that time frame my oldest son won a trophy at a bike rodeo and my youngest had tubes put in his ears yesterday. Both boys also got a buzz cut. Jackson's surgery went very well and it remains to be seen yet how this will affect his speech.
We also have been very busy with outdoor work.

Dutch Oven cook off contest

2006-05-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

Last night the phone rang and an acquaitance of mine asked if I would be interested in entering a dish for the dutch oven contest that is part of a fund raiser for Crane Lake Boys' camp near Parry Sound. Anyway I said yes I would. Now I need recipes. You see last year I entered a dish, having never cooked with my dutch oven that I had for about 3 years, and won 4th place. I was amazed and hope to do better this year. Why I want to enter a cooking contest is beyond me but I had fun so I'm doing it again. Does anyone have any prize winning recipes they would like to share?

2006-05-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

Last week my 5 year old son related this to me:
Mom, Ken's apple truck has windows that go down real easy. All you have to do is turn something!
This is coming from someone who has only known power windows!
It reminds me of the joke of a boy who went running to his dad all excited because he discovered that if you turn the bill hats around the bill shades your eyes!

2006-04-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

It will be a busy week for me. This weekend is the annual fundraiser for my sister's orphange in Ghana, West Africa. We have a huge garage sale, bake sale, BBQ & book table. This event runs Fri & Sat. So every minute I can spare I will be over at my mom's setting up or running around picking up donations. So please pray for two beautiful days weatherwise. We have lots of stuff! Lots of kids clothes & toys. The last two years it has been wet, cold & miserable on Sat. Hardly any one comes. That is not nice. Also pray that the boys & I will work things out together that we are connecting even if I am busy with this sale. Hopefully my hubby will get home in time to help me a little. Have a great week!

He Is Risen

2006-04-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

the collective group response is....

The Finishing Touch

2006-04-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I told you I went to a ladies scrapbooking wknd and I was making an album for my mom's 60th birthday. Horray! I am down to the last pages and putting the final touch on it. On Saturday evening we are taking her out for supper and giving her the book. She is suspicious a scrap book is coming because some photo albums were missing. My mom cleans weekly! Then she noticed some baby books were missing because she wanted to look up thyphoid fever because her grand daughter had a case of it. Guess where the baby books are! On top of the medical book on the top shelf of her closet! GRRR! She says she is not like her two children Judy & Merlin who need to figure everything out! I laugh at this because the other weekend she went into her fruit cellar to put some groceries away. There she sees a big white cake box. Surely they wouldn't put my cake in my own house she thinks. She is curious enough to check and sees that it was a cake for her niece that is turning 16 and lives next door to her. My aunt was hiding the cake so it would not be found. Now just where do you think we inherited our curiosity and intuitiveness from?

Yada Yada Series

2006-04-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Have any of you read this series by Neta Jackson? I have read the first three. I think there is one more. Often an argument or discussion is raised wether or not you can reach a nonbeliever through Christian fiction. I think this set of books does.
A group of ladies meet at a Chicago Women's Seminar through an assigned prayer group. These ladies do not know each other and decide to continue meeting together after the conference. The three books then detail the lives of these ladies over the next year and their struggles with their walk with the Lord. One lady in this group is not a believer, several different races mingle, some of been Christians all their lives and know all the right answers but do they really know, really know what the Bible teaches? others accepted Christ recently and all have different personal issues in their lives that all comes out. By the third book the socks on the front cover have come off! They are getting real! This series of books always challenges me on my daily walk with the Lord. I hope you can enjoy them too!

A special moment in time

2006-04-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

My boys cheered when they heard they do not have to go to church this a.m. I did something I have never done before. I stayed with my Grandma who lives with my parents so they could go to church. My grandma is over 80 and has had a rough winter so she was not going to church. It is also not safe to leave her alone. My boys went downstairs and watched Barney while I sat with Grandma at the dining room table singing with her out of the Christian Hymnal. What a blessing and priviledge. We do not attend the same church so I rarely ever sing with her. We must have sang for about 2 hours minus interupptions! She wanted to sing familiar hymns but also wanted to hear ones that she didn't know so sometimes I was singing solos! After some hymns she would share how meaningful that song was or that song brings back memories. I was wishing I had a way of recording that moment. It will go down as a special memory for me of time with Grandma. I wonder how I could scrapbook that moment?
After that I stayed for dinner and enjoyed my mom's good cooking. She cooks simple, but delicious.
The next special moment of the day was a phone call from my sister Kathryn who is running an orphanage with her husband Galen in Ghana, West Africa. I have not seen her in over a year now. She called to talk to mom, then mom graciously shared some of that time with me so we were able to catch up.
Just got a phone call from hubby who is sitting in a Flying J truck stop waiting for a tornado to pass through. He is on his way to Little Rock, AK

2006-03-27T18:51:00.000-08:00

After a fun filled March break it took me a week to get back into the routine of things. Last weekend my husband went with 2 of his friends to the Louisville Truck Show. That took a little organzing to have everything ready for him. This truck show is an annual business trip for him. So we always know what we are doing the 3rd weekend in March. We ladies went out for supper one night while they were gone. This too is becoming an annual event.

March Break

2006-03-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

So what are you all doing for March break?
Monday: stayed at home & cleaned my house for company on Tues.
Tuesday: my friend Rose & her children came over. Rose & I did some scrap booking.
Wednesday: I plan to take lunch for 5 ladies who are painting my friends' house. we also have small group in the evening.
Thurday: We are getting together with Donovan's friend Christopher and going to an indoor playground.
Friday: We are getting together with the truck drivers' wife club for a day of sewing. There are about six of us ladies who get together about every 6 weeks to sew and relate as wives of truckers. A real spirit lifter.
Saturday: We plan to attend an auction sale that my husband's uncle & aunt are having.
Sunday: No plans yet, except to attend church.
Monday: back to the regular routine.
I warned my husband that I do not plan on housekeeping being my focus this week but rather socializing!
I also have some books on the go too. What are some of your favorite authors? Can you get into someone like Beverly Lewis? Karen Kingsbury? Dee Henderson? Currently I am reading River Rising by Athol Dickson. I am also looking forward to the third book in the Yada Yada series by Neta Jackson. I'll let you know about River Rising when I am done. Maybe you like books with more depth to them. Right now it is hard for me to read a book with a lot of depth because I get interrupted so often. So I like to read stuff that doesn't really matter where I left off.

Bad Scare

2006-03-09T20:02:00.000-08:00

This a.m. I was sitting at my computer enjoying my coffee and checking messages when I smelt something hot. I thought it was the wood stove or the toaster. Next the smoke alarm went off. Donovan (5) came running downstairs yelling mom and made one beeline for the front door. I commended Donovan for following the rule (if you hear the smoke alarm tell a grown up and get outside fast). I told him he doesn't have to go outside but just wait by the door. Then I started looking for the reason for the smoke alarm. I didn't find anything downstairs so I went upstairs and as I came to the top of the steps I saw an orange glow. Here the basket of books beside my bed was on fire! I ran for the fire extinguisher and some water. I panicked too much too figure out the extinguisher so I threw two big bowls of water on it and got it out. Praise the Lord my bedding did not catch fire or else I would have way more damage than a big black spot beside my bed and several books damaged. I figure the fire started with piece of baler twine that Donovan had been playing with and it got too hot when he hung over a light above my bed. All this time I was putting out the fire Donovan was standing by the front door with his cup in hand and his boots on. He even got his younger brother to put his boots on too! He was scared but he knew what he was going to do. I was very proud of his clear thinking. Now I have to go make my bed yet. I had to wash all my bedding.

Our Practices At the time of a loss of a loved one

2006-03-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

Tonight I am going to church to discuss this issue. We split up in groups of 6 or 8 and discuss the issue of the evening. The one question is:
How should the ministry respond to a family's request to have no funeral home visitation prior to the memorial service?
Does any one care to give their opinion?
I'll let you know what was discussed after church tonight.

Signs of Spring

2006-03-06T18:01:00.000-08:00

I have been reading some of your blogs and you are talking about spring cleaning, planting your planters. Well this week I hope we have our first sign of spring, tapping trees for maple syrup. It is finally warm enough during the day yet cold enough at night so that it freezes. And it is the month of March now. Horray! Once people start tapping trees then we can start thinking about spring! We still need our winter coats & boots, hats & mittens! My husband's brother and his wife have a bush they tap and every spring they invite us up for a maple syrup meal. This usually consists of a one dish casserole for the main dish and then maple butter on fresh homemade bread. Then for dessert we have fresh homemade donuts to dip into maple syrup. Delicious! the male section in my household will drink maple syrup right out of the jug if allowed. Of course their dad does nothing to change that! Where do you think they learned it? Another very good dessert with maple syrup is baked custard.
How many people know what egg cheese is? I am interested in hearing what comments you have about it.

2006-03-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Kathryn’s Reliquary
I was tagged by Kathryn to do this kitchen questionnaire and thought it looked really fun...

1. How many meals does most of your family eat at home each week? How many are in your family? We eat at home practically all the time. My husband is gone by the week so I only have to cook 2 or 3 meals for him at the most in a 7 day period. I have 2 boys and one who is very picky so my menu choices are limited.
2. How many cookbooks do you own? Not more than 20.
3. How often do you refer to a cookbook each week? Probably several times a week. My menu choices are very basic right now. The kids are very happy with a basic roast with potatoes & veggies, or wieners and Kraft Dinner, sausage or meatballs & mashed potatoes, or spaghetti & hamburger. This is all stuff that is in the house so I don't need a recipe book unless I disregard the boys' taste and make what I like!
4. Do you collect recipes from other sources? If so, what are some of your favorite sources (relatives, friends, magazines, advertisements, packages, the internet, etc.)? I will collect recipes from my friends, the newspaper,& Taste of Home.
5. How do you store those recipes? I have a 3 ring binder where I store the recipes from my friends or the newspaper. I usually keep the whole TOH magazine on a stack in my cupboard.
6. When you cook, do you follow the recipe pretty closely, or do you use recipes primarily to give you ideas? I will follow a new recipe quite closely, but like
Kathryn there are some things I know just won’t work and I will adjust it. But I don’t use recipes to give me ideas. I use that method when I scrapbook!
7. Is there a particular ethnic style or flavor that predominates in your cooking? If so, what is it? We stick with the basic Mennonite cooking. Although I can throw in some Italian. We really enjoy BBQ in the summer.
8. What’s your favorite kitchen task related to meal planning and preparation? (eating the finished product does not count) Everything about meal planning & preparation is work. I don’t hate it but it is something that I have to force myself to do. When I get a meal together though it does taste good if I do say so myself!
9. What’s your least favorite part? It’s a toss up between planning and clean up. The actual cooking is not so bad. I think meal time comes around way too soon!
10. Do you plan menus before you shop? I have a basic idea in mind. Most of my main ingredients are in the house anyway such as meat & vegetables in the freezer so I don’t have to buy that kind of stuff. I just need to have the ingredients to go with it.
11. What are your three favorite kitchen tools or appliances? I love my blue glazed stoneware pan I received as a gift. I use it for strombolli all the time. I am also very thankful for my Quik chef from Tupperware.. I also like my cookware set.
12. If you could buy one new thing for your kitchen, money was no object, and space not an issue, what would you most like to have? We want to take a bulldozer to our house. I would like a whole new kitchen, especially nice and lots of cupboards, particularly a pantry.
13. Since money and space are probably objects, what are you most likely to buy next? I would love a full sized stove with the flat range.
14. Do you have a separate freezer for storage? Yes. I have two.
15. Grocery shop alone or with others? Almost always with my two kids.
16. How many meatless main dish meals do you fix in a week? None.
17. If you have a decorating theme in your kitchen, what is it? Favorite kitchen colors?
My whole house is done in a seafoam green with white trim and pink or lavender as an accent colour. So I have border in my kitchen with the country cottage look, lots of flowers and birds. Even my Sunday dishes match my kitchen. That just happened. When I picked my colours for my kitchen I was not thinking about my dishes but now it is fun to set the table and everything matches.
18. What’s the first thing you ever learned to cook, and how old were you? I think it was icing for cream buns or maybe meatloaf. I also mixed puddings for supper too. I would have been around10 when I started doing that and making lunches for school in the morning.
19. How did you learn to cook? My mom would have started me off but she was very busy with 9 children and two of them completely handicapped. She did not have more time than the very basics for meals. I learned the most from a man that I had to work for who was a quadriplegic. He loved to watch cooking shows and then I had to do the work! I learned to cook with Emeril spices because of him. I also enjoy reading recipe books.
20. Tagging…

Back from an awesome weekend

2006-03-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

My hubby and I had a wonderul weekend with 12 other couples from church. This retreat center was run by a Christian family so the atmosphere was very pleasant. Also they cooked awesome food so we ladies had a wonderful break. One husband told his wife "now, no complaining for a week!" We had no cooking or cleanup so the weeknd was very relaxing. We went tubing down a "cardiac" hill, cross country skiing and some skating plus of games inside. My favorite game was Apples to Apples and my least favorite is rook or anything in that family. we had a signature hunt and one of the questions was someone who does not like to play Rook. I had to sign quite a few of those. Our theme for the weekend was Sacrifical Living from Romans 12. We left with lots of things to ponder from that too. so now its back to the daily schedule again and filling out that tag I received:(

We are off for the weekend

2006-03-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

My hubby and I are taking off for the weekend and going to a retreat center in northern ON with some other couples from our church. We found a place for the children to stay for the weekend. So pray for safe travels to & from the center so that we can be back together with our children again. Also my oldest son is getting to the age where he recognizes and has fear of new and strange situations so this looks a little big to him. So I hope & pray he will be OK. Talk to you when I get back.

Fruit dip

2006-02-28T13:12:00.000-08:00

I think this will be the last post on my scrap booing weekend but I wanted to share this recipe for an awesome fruit dip we had. I think it was the hit of the weekend when it came to food. Some ladies might argue with me because we all left the school to walk up the street to a friends' house to eat a peanut butter cheesecake because the school was nut free and we didn't know that. I liked the cheesecake but this fruit dip won hands down for me. I've made it twice since I came home.
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
1 pkg. Skor bits
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
vanilla
Mix together.
Enjoy!

Creative Correction

2006-02-25T13:11:00.000-08:00

Is your tank running dry when it comes to ideas on displining or training your kids? I think I have just the book for you. Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel. The first time I read the book I sat down and read it like a novel. It was that interesting! Now I want to go through and use a highlighter for the ideas that work for me. One of the most interesting features of this book is the index of crimes. Your child has commited a crime and you don't know how to deal with it. Fine. Look it up in the index and follow the suggestions listed there! One of my friends kiddingly said that we will tell our kids to go there room until I read what this book says on how I should deal with the issue. Then once they get older they will start looking up the punishment for the crime before they commit it to see if it is worth the effort.
I hope to post more often on books that I have read. I am a Living books Distributor and we are based out of Saskechewan. Check us out at www. livingbooks.ca If you are interested in this book I can always get it for you.

Scrap booking Memoirs

2006-02-24T14:44:00.000-08:00

This past weekend while I was scrapbooking with my friends I often burst out laughing over comments that were said out of the blue. They amused me so much I started to write them down as I heard them. I thought I would share some of them with you.

This page is just not happening!

Should I let something dangle here?

Put on something right beaty! I wanna tap my toe! (this was said with a PA Dutch accent)

Oh! I hate this page!

Oh crap! I missed a letter.

Rosie can you think of a better caption for this page? always said by the same person.

OK, who took my pencil? Check Rhonda's stuff. She said she hopes to walk out with a few more things than what she came with!

Marilyn, that page is beautiful!

Why won't this eyelet flatten? Are you using the big head?

Stop that hammering! Well, it (eyelet) went flatter.

Sandi, you win the best page award this weekend.

Those were just a few of things that made the weekend fun, along with late nights and girl talk.
Not too mention trying to hop one - legged across the gym floor at 2 in the morning.

2006-02-22T16:39:00.000-08:00

I did it! After about an hour with some interuupptions I figured out how to add links to my page. If I overstepped my bounds by adding your page to my list please let me know. Thanks. Kathryn, you were right> Once you know how it is very easy but until then...

Were we hard up ?

2006-02-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was the annual scrap booking weekend. Well on Fri. morning it was stormy. The day before it was pouring rain. It dropped from +7 to -9 overnight so we had ice. Roads were closed & hydro was out in the area where we had our cottage booked. So we changed our plans and found a local school that would let us camp out for the weekend. We ladies wanted to scrap book badly enough that we were willing to sleep on a gym floor for two nights! Aren't we crazy? And to top that off there were no showers. I was not prepared for that. I thought that school had showers. I was so ready for a shower by the time the weekend was over. I was working on an album for my mother to celebrate her 60th birthday in April. I am trying to do an overview of her life. Using pictures that old was a struggle. At first I thought I bit off more than I could chew but by Sat. evening I had everything in place as much as I could. On Sunday after the worship hour I was able to work on my family album. The worship hour that I was in charge of was a success. We even went over time! How's that for a first time leader! I give God the glory! It's not about me. I am just so glad it was something interesting and the ladies were willing to share. I came home and my husband was waiting for me so we went to pick up the kids and spent yesterday and today together. So I think it was an awesome weekend, a little bit of lady time and family time. It couldn't get better than that.

Stromboli, Donovan's favorite main dish

2006-02-14T14:53:00.000-08:00

Donovan requests this dish at least once a week. I find that whenever I take this dish anywhere I get compliments and the pan is always empty. It is very simple & easy to make.

1 pkg. frozen pizza dough or make your own
cold cuts of your choice, we use ham & thuringer summer sausage
grated cheddar & mozeralla cheese
mustard
Roll out pizza dough in an oblong shape.
Slather with mustard.
Layer cold cuts on top, then cover with grated cheese.
Fold oblong edges into the middle, then fold up ends.
Flip folded side down into a greased pan.
Brush olive oil on top and sprinkle with oregeno.
Cover & bake at 400 for about a half hour or until dough is golden.
Slice & serve.
When I have company then I add a caesar salad. Sliced tomatoes are a good side dish too.

2006-02-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

Mommy it's cold out here!

A trucker's wife's Psalm

2006-02-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

The Lord is my protector. I shall not feel afraid when alone.
He leads my trucker safely down the highways.
He holds us in the palm of His mighty hand.
He keeps us close, though the distance divides;
He ignites our love and strengthens our marriage for His name's sake.
Yea, though I pass through many a lonely night
I will not be depressed or in doubt for you are the Alpha and Omega, the Bridegroom, your banner over us is love, you sustain us.
Your Holy Spirit comforts and encourages us.
You organize his loads so we can be together in good time.
Your mercies are new every morning.
Surely your presence binds us together in spirit
And we will enthrone you in our home forever. Amen.

Author unknown

2006-02-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

Is this a good reason to Scrapbook?
Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 2Peter 1:15

100 day celebration

2006-02-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

Yeah! Tomorrow is the 100th day of school so we are celebrating! For homework my 5 yr. old is to bring 100 things to school. He chose his dad's hats. So this evening we climbed up into the attic and found 100 hats and counting! I do not have a list of 100 things like one of my friends but this was fun! We are also celebrating daddy coming home late tonight, early morning after a 2 1/2 week trip. YEAH!

2006-02-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

Well I did something wrong! That was to be a little discreet picture of me! One where you had to strain your eyes to make out the features! Well I'll try another time! Anyway you know what my life revolves around anyway!

2006-02-05T19:04:00.000-08:00

Kenworth is the World's Best

How many steps did you walk today?

2006-02-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

this morning when I put on my pedometer I wondered how hard it would be to get the 10,000 steps in. when i took it off before I went to Bible Study I had logged in over 15,000! I felt great! all day I have been mulling over another thought that came to me this a.m. how many steps will I put on for the Lord today?
What kind of steps would those be?
1. Spend time with God through prayer and reading His Word.
2. A kind word to someone, especially my children
3. Not to get angry & yell at my kids. (they each broke a glass jar in their helpfulness to help mommy carry them upstairs)
4. to refrain from gossip
5.share God with someone, encouraging, praying for someone
6. to not get frustrated when the day is not going like I think it should be going
These are a few thoughts that came to my mind today.
They might be the seeds for a worship hour I need to lead on our ladies' scrapbooking weekend!
Do you think I could get an hour out of that? a good starting song might be Each Step I Take. give me some feed back.
Put some steps on for the Lord!

My week in a nutshell

2006-01-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

At the close of this week I would say Jackson's first week of nursery school was a success. Next week I add a group session into the mix of the week. He will be with 3 other kids and 2 teachers. I am assumming they will be agressively working on the speech.
My husband just informed me this afternoon it will be another long trip. After CA it will be Vancouver then back to San Fransico and then hopefully home. Too bad I didn't ride along, maybe I could have seen some old friends! I tried to find some one to go out to supper with. But all my "truck driver's wife" friends had their husbands home tonight. So I had salsa & chips instead of Swiss Chalet like I was hoping.
Today I bought a scrapbook to do for my mother's 60th birthday this spring. I want to do a lifestory if I can with help from family & friends. I hope to get most of it done on my scrapbooking weekend in Feb. Now I need to sneak into mom's house and find the photos.

Election Coverage

2006-01-24T19:45:00.000-08:00

Well we now have a conservative minority in power after 12 years of Liberals in power. Hopefully we will not have to go through another election in 18 months. It doesn't sound like it because The Liberal candidate resigned from his party after he didn't win the election. So that party needs to find a new leader. We hope and pray this government will continue to allow us to have freedom of religion. What a blessing we have. I think we are all taking a deep breath and ready to move on.

a quiet weekend

2006-01-23T18:57:00.000-08:00

We just finished a weekend together as a family. My husband was home for Sat. & Sun. We went to church together and he had the boys so I had a nice chance to participate in the service whole heartedly without interruptions. Then we had a dinner invitation, lovely chicken dinner, delicious. It's difficult to go away as a family on Sun. because my husband is either gone or going. So this was a real treat. In the rush of getting lunch on the table and children ready for school Clarence found out he was leaving for CA. So its going to be another 8-9 days before I see him again. So I quickly gathered more lunch together for him too. That's the life of a trucker's wife. One of my other friends popped in this a.m. to drop something off and she was kind of frustated because she just started her laundry and then had to pack up her 3 kids and take her husband's overnight bag to work because he was going to be gone for awhile and needed his stuff.
I have had to run those errands too, usually it' s the wallet!

I'm finally back!

2006-01-19T18:03:00.000-08:00

I am finally back. Lots of things have happened since the last post. We had a very enjoyable NewYear's Eve party that we hosted in our tiny house. We has 12 adults and 13 kids in our little house. We assigned a specific spot for every age group to play in and the adults played a game Apples to Apples around the kitchen table. What fun! Then on New Year's Day at my mom's family gathering we had to call the ambulance for my grandma who is 84. She had a slight stroke. Then the next day we got a call saying that Clarence's uncle who was 64 passed away very suddenly. So we had a funeral to attend. Then the next Sunday we had a family get to gether on my Dad's side and we had to call the ambulance again for my Grandma. This time it was an angina attack. So we can't leave her alone anymore.
Next I had to research the issue of nursery school and JK for my youngest son, Jackson because he has an expressive language delay. We also got his hearing tested and he has fluid on his ears. So I also have to see an Ear, nose & throat specialist to correct that problem.
Finally every time I tried to add another post something or other was disabled. So today I picked up a new computer we had ordered and now everything works.
Oh, yes in the midst of all this my my dear husband surprised me last week by coming home at noon and having arrangements all made to take me out for supper to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary. We went to the Outback. Delicious!
I hope to talk more about books I' ve read in future posts.

I felt like I was being nosy!

2005-12-29T17:24:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the exposure from Kathryn's Requilary I found this to be very interesting and decided to try it out. I felt like I was being nosy by seeing into your lives but not letting you into mine. I am interested in staying in touch with my friends.