A star is born

I captured these after the concert in which Bethany made her singing debut. (The second verse of Away in a Manger, during the kids school Christmas concert) This was not how she looked during the solo... however after everyone had left.. Bethy went up on stage and started hamming it up.... she was doing all the dance moves, completely uninhibited, etc... it was hilarious...  her true dramatic side came out... just not in front of "the crowd" yet.... (smile)

December happenings

School, making gingerbread, moms n tots, and breakfast with a pony. 

Baby it's cold outside!

Hi all! We are enjoying a "jo jo" day today. School is cancelled due to the extreme weather. It's inhumanly cold here. Haven't seen it this cold since we moved here. First time Andy's car wouldn't start. He had to take the van which was parked in the garage. So.. we are somewhat stranded here.... no milk no eggs.. (we live a five minute walk from Sobey's and have lots of neighbours.. just wanted to talk it up a little!!)
We are planning on baking and scrapbooking and watching a lot of TV!!!
Very much concerned for the homeless today as no one would survive on the street for long. Say a prayer for the workers in the shelter...
On a little different note... to all our east coast friends.. Andy and I enjoyed a lovely evening last week with the talented Natalie McMaster... it was sooo fun! She performed with the symphony here, and even though she was seven months pregnant and sick with a cough and cold... she played and entertained with the usual east coast style and humour we have come to love... (and miss... sigh!)
Blessings, N

Santa baby!

How many more sleeps?

Hi there... I am sooo confused with this blog thing... just posted two posts on the one I wasn't going to use anymore... yikes... ok this is the one I will use... www.lovegracejoy.blogspot.com

Thanks, N

Ok, I can't believe how easy it was to still add to my original blog on my new computer... it struck me one day as I was out walking with Finn.... and then this embarassed feeling washed over me.... can you say... "majorly technically challenged!" ?

But... I did figure it out on my own.... so here it is... the other blog is now history... let's just keep it simple! 

I've been wanting to write about my fascination with pics.... and why.... and what sort of dysfunction this obsession uncovers  when truly seen in the right light... 

However... I need to go and order some pics for Christmas..... on my computer...

yes,, does anyone think this will be an easy cut and dry process? No, neither do I...

More on this topic later...

Blessings, Nicole

In September Andy and I travelled to Colorado Springs for a Compassion Board Meeting. The first pic is of a tour of the Garden of the Gods, right before travelling up Pike's Pike. The second is outside  Compassion International Headquarters. We really enjoyed our visit. There was so much to see and so many people to meet. We were most impressed with the work we heard Compassion was doing in developing countries all over the world. Their goal is to break the cycle of poverty for the child both materially and in their mind, so they can reach their God given potential. They partner with the local church and have some wonderful projects and amazing stories of children and families breaking the cycle of poverty and extending hope where there was none previously. We are so privileged to be a part of this organization. 

Another highlight for Nicole on this trip was a tour of Focus on the Family and spending three hours in the bookstore as well as visiting Whits End Soda Shop for pizza and pop. Only Odyssey fans will have any idea what I am talking about. 

A big thank you to Nana and Papa for watching our kids and doing such a good job of caring for them. I think they all had a blast and made good memories, even if they did overdose on slushies from Macs everyday!

A big  

Terry Fox Run

September in Canada is the annual Terry Fox Run. For those Canadians who might not remember all the details and for our American friends, here is the story of Terry Fox. With a bright future ahead of him and a desire to teach highschool phys-ed, Terry Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer in his late teens. A week later his leg was amputated. This remarkable young man came up with a dream... to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. HE trained and trained, always in pain, but full of hope..."Somewhere the hurting must stop...I was determined to take myself to the limit for this cause." (Terry Fox) In April of 1980 his dream "started..." in St. John's Nfld. His quest was labelled, "The Marathon of Hope." Day after day he ran, sometimes from dawn to dusk, and always in pain. He rarely complained apparently, facing the challenges with courage and determination. Things were going well, he gained a lot of media attention, and a lot of money was being raised. People met him at every town, and ran with him, and gave money, and cheered him on. Then outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, after 143 days and 3,339 miles... Terry announced to the nation that the cancer had returned. This time in his lungs. Although he returned to his home in BC, he was sure he would finish the run someday.

While he was receiving treatment, Canadians everywhere began to get involved and raise money for the marathon of hope. By Feb.1981, a total of 24 million dollars had been raised. However, Terry never got to finish his marathon, in June of 1981, he died.

Every year in Canada we honour this courageous and selfless young man, by participating in "

The Terry Fox Run". LUke and Bethy's school does this every year. These pics are of their short run around the school. They were supposed to get pledges and raise money. I'm ashamed to say, that I didn't really think about it until the week before and even then my attempts and encouraging the kids to fund raise or think of ways they could contribute were feeble at best. There is just so much going on in life... there is rarely any time taken to remember, think, pause... reflect... and then decide how to help "change the world..." I sometimes despair of ever really having any of these daily "events" make an impact on my family. We just keep moving forward... at an alarming rate and get caught up in the "daily grind.." I mean homework has to be done, sports have to be attended, friends have to be played with, meal need to be eaten... on and on... Cancer has touched our lives over and over... Andy's mom, our friends, family members, and I know it has touched almost everyone in one way or another. You would think we would be able to at least pause and remember this young man, and how hard he worked, and much he gave, and that it would inspire us to be a little less selfish, a little more caring, a lot more giving. But alas, for us... my children took some of their allowance, we matched it, I showed up to run with them, but that was about it.... Not one student at that school was alive when Terry Fox was running.... it is just isn't real for most of them.

I tell you all of this to say... I hope to do better next year.... to start planning earlier to engage the children in finding ways to raise money. It's ridiculous to just hand them a cheque. What on earth would they learn? There is an excellent scholastic book we purchased called, Terry Fox, A Story of Hope..." I highly reccomend it.

Well, don't know if anyone is really reading these blogs, but I just wanted to pay a little tribute to Terry. His story touches me deeply whenever I pause long enough to read, absorb, and remember. I pray you each have a moment in your day to pause and reflect and then go and "make a difference"...

First Day of School 2008

Our traditional first day pics..... can't believe how they are growing.... doesn't every parent think that... it's going so fast... I will miss them, so will Finn.... He keeps asking where they've gone... I tell him "to school".. and he just asks..."why?"... (This is his favourite word right now...)

Anyway the kids got off on the right foot it seems... (with a traditional reminder from their Nana...) and are in full swing now. Luke is thrilled that they are allowed to talk while they work... I give that rule about a week.. maybe....

They both like their teachers... both new to the school.

Well on with the day. I have to go make lunches!

August 31st in Banff!

Yes, it is true! It really snowed on August 31st in Banff! WE were enjoying a last hurrah at a resort in Banff and woke up Sunday morning to a foot of snow blanketing the entire area! We weren't that shocked as it can snow at anytime in Alberta, but it did make for interesting times! We enjoyed our weekend never the less. We went down more waterslides than I can remember doing in my whole life. WE also enjoyed a trip up Sulfur Mountain by Gondola. It was cold but crisp and clear and the view was absolutely amazing! AH, but now back to reality. The kids start school tomorrow. Good bye summer... we had a good one. LOts of good memories and moments together with friends and family. Thanks.

Swimming and football

A few snaps of the summer. The kids reluctantly completed a week of swimming lessons. Finn too, but I didn't get a pic of his badge!

Luke is playing football this fall for the cowboys. They have had one pre season game and their first game is on Monday. He is playing free safety. He is excited, nervous, and in awe. It is a different game then he is used to playing. He likes pick up on the school yard with his buddies. This is a whole different ball game so to speak. The equipment for one is rather tedious and cumbersome, however we are hoping he will adjust and love this season as much as he loves playing football with his friends. It's great discipline and his coach is a very good role model, while requiring much of the kids, but still not belittling or badgering. They really look up to him,literally and figuratively. He is a former Bronco and Stampeder, so his passion and knowledge of the game is pretty obvious. Go Cowboys!

San Diego

Had a wonderful week with my family in San Diego at the Welk Resort in Escondido. We'd been planning this for months to celebrate my mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary and my dad's retirement from General Motors. Thanks to my sister in laws astute planning, we all managed to be together at one really nice resort for a week. The cousins had sooo much fun... they swam, played golf, fished, went to Sea world, watched the Disney channel (we don't have that!), played, ate a lot, watched the Disney channel, swam, etc... it really is a kids life... but they made great memories and laughed a lot, and enjoyed their extended family. My parents were thrilled to have their whole family together for one week, and my mom didn't have to cook (much) or clean... it was great. The only bummer was that it ended. WE hope we don't wait until their 50th to do this again.

Football starts!

So now that baseball is over (see a few posts down!), football has begun in earnest! Luke has had a busy summer with two football camps and baseball, but now he is starting tryouts for the local football team. It is too bad that they have to try out, but there are 100 kids and 45 spots. I think they should split he division and let everyone play,, but no one asked me... anyhoo, Luke has been through one week of tryouts, and we shall see... He is hoping to play "free safety." I didn't know what that was either! (For all you moms!) But it is a defensive position that tries to tackle the runner and possibly intercept!) LUke has an absolute passion for football, which is neat. I have a few reservations about broken bones and concussions and things... but I am praying about that! Will keep you posted if he makes or doesn't make the team. It is quite a commitment, but LUke would really like to play, so I hope he does make it.

Look what's in the driveway mom!

Our neighbour's ripped up their backyard, and used the bobcat to do it! Yeah for Finn! As soon as he heard the beeping, he was flying out the door! The neighbour finally gave him a ride after we sat on the curbside (treats and all!) watching him work for over an hour!! I told him he could have charged admission! He was very excited and it was in the driveway for days, so mommy got to spend all her time watching Finn climb the bobcat and walk around it lovingly and excitedly examing it, and talking all about it! We learned about hydraulics and how many wheels there are, etc...
It's unreal how into "diggers" Finn is... we have another bobcat by the park and we spend all our time there too! Fun!

The final game!

This is Luke right before the championship all star game. (I didn't go, I get to nervous!!) They held the other team neck and neck until the 6th inning, and then the other team got a bunch of runs, and our guys couldn't get the bats going the last inning. They had a great season, and learned lots! Luke played an awesome second last game, where he was sent in to pitch the final inning. The score was tied and the other team got last bat! (I was up to high doh!) He was cool as a cucumber and they managed to hold them,, so it went to overtime.. actually two innings of overtime. They held them and won the game!! It was very exciting, and Luke pitched the best I've seen him! He had other games where his pitching wasn't right on, so this was a nice way for him to end the season.

An American GIrl at the movies

This is a pic of Bethany before we went to see the movie, "Kit, An American Girl..." Bethy and I just love reading all the American girl books. They are so well written and teach sooo much history. I love them! (Even LUke is pretty interested in them, but wouldn't be too excited to know I had posted them,,, the point is they are very interesting..) We have been learning lots about the depression. The movie was quite different from the book, but still maintained the excellent interest and quality I have come to expect from the other movies. We watch them all the time.
Bethy went with some friends from school, who also brought their American Girl dolls, and when we walked in there was another pocket of girls carrying their dolls. Of course everyone had to ask which doll they had,, etc.. It was cute! Bethy was the only one dressed like her doll. Bethy's is a look a like (except for the freckles!) and the matching dresses are from Winners!

Bay of Fundy and Acadia

Here we are on the last day of our vacation. I know this blog thing is published backward to the actual events of our vacation. If I was smart, I would have entered everything from the last day to the first,, anyhoo,, no comment. We enjoyed seeing many friends on our two days in Halifax. It was so neat to connect with them and share a few hours getting caught up, and seeing their lovely families. We were so blessed during our time living there to have so many wonderful friends.
On our last day we headed to the Anapolis Valley, to check out the low tides on the Bay of Fundy and the museum at Grand Pre. This again was quite a history lesson, that tied in with another "Our Canadian Girl" book, I just happened to bring along for reading to the kids. This one is about the resettlement of the lands by "planters" after the British explusion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia, around 1755. Another sad chapter of the treatment of a minority group, in the history of Nova Scotia.
It rained the whole time and Finn was in fine form, but nevertheless, we saw a neat film on the history of the Acadian explusion, and many other well done exhibits.
On our way home, we stopped at the Fort that the "planters" would have landed near and used, and which housed the Acadians who were trying to return to their homeland. The fort is mostly just a hill now with a look out and a few cannons, but we had a beautiful view of the Bay of Fundy which of course boasts the lowest tides in the world. Luke was particularly impressed and wanted to "walk" the ocean floor. We opted against this, but were glad the timing was right for him to see that!

What a Bluenoser eats for Lunch!

Luke had been looking forward to eating lobster on this trip. We talked it up real good before we left. "Oh yeah, we'll eat seafood every night,,, yada yada..." Well, lobster isn't cheaper there just because it is caught real close by. So... we finally broke down our second last day there, and took luke for a big lobster lunch right on the Halifax Harbour waterfront. It was the perfect day, we ate outside, Finn slept through the meal (smile)and Luke wrestled with a lobster! He enjoyed the claws, but basically gave up after that. Wasn't interested in the tail or all the work it took to get a tiny piece from the little leg parts! It was fun watching him though!

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

On our trip from the South shore to Halifax, we stopped at our favourite place in Nova Scotia, Lunenburg. When we lived there this was our favourite haunt! It is such a pretty town, and just loaded with character and history. It's very colourful and so much to see and do. This time we enjoyed the Maritime Museum. All the time we lived there, we never went in. It was really good. The kids toured a tall ship, a navy ship, and saw a ton of boat memorabilia, as well as local marine life. Luke has a thing for crabs, so he was engaged with a discussion with one of the museum operators about the crabs they had contained there. He learned a bit, but mostly was sharing his knowledge with them. They were impressed and I think they learned something too.

While there we went to our favourite ice cream shop, (Bethany's only request for hours!!) shopp[ed in my favourite sovenir shop, got our pic in the same spot we always did before, when anyone came to visit. Some of you might recognize it. Although the lady we stopped to take our pic, cut off the golf course across the Bay.

Oh yeah, the one pic is of Bethany, who was chosen to "launch" a replica of a tall ship!

These are just some beach pics of our vacation. One day we had a retriever follow us for hours on the beach. He just sallied on over and plopped himself down as if he belonged to us... and everyone there thought he did! He followed the kids when they played in the waves, or ran on the beach. It was hilarious. The kids were getting attached, and I was getting worried that the dog wasn't going to go home, wherver that might be. However we packed up and got in the car without the dog and he sallied on over to another family, not his, and that was that! Made me wish Lukey could have a dog like that. I know he really liked him. Luke has a very tender heart too. He was a bit worried for the dog. We assured him, he would go home when he was hungry. (He didn't have a collar, but looked well fed!)

The other pic of Liam and I was on our trip out to Bruce's Island. This was an island in front of our beach house, which was accessible during low tide. We enjoyed exploring that island, but it was tough going with Finn. Very rocky and a bit perilous trying to carry him over everything. At one point we exchanged carrying Finn, he protested and threw a hissy, and down both Finn and Nicole went. Ouch! Right on the rocks! Anyhoo, the older kids enjoyed the exploring and still swear they saw a cute little otter in amongst the kelp!