A Belated Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I know I am almost two weeks behind. In all fairness, last year it took me a month to write my first post of the year so things are looking up!

Life at our beloved zoo has been blissfully crazy to the point that sometimes I just laugh hysterically to myself instead of tearing out my hair. Our Christmas was wonderful. We had great celebrations with family and quiet moments with Jesus. Jason's brother Brandon and his girlfriend Nathalie got engaged just before Christmas in Switzerland while visiting her family. We are thrilled and so happy for them both. The kids are over the moon as they love Nathalie and have not really kept it a secret to Uncle Brandon that they wanted her to be their Aunt. We can't wait to celebrate with them.

We had a few hiccups over the holidays in that Trinity Joy is terrified of Santa Claus. We told her that he is not real and he is just a story book character but that did not seem to help. She would not even go in a mall until we convinced her that Santa was not there. She would start to get upset when other kids talked to her about Santa and told her that he comes in her house when she is asleep on Christmas Eve. Oh boy....there were a few tears over that one. She even told other kids that there was no Santa because her mommy said so! I am sure I am not the most popular mother on the block.

Our other little hiccup is that it has snowed. Now, I like the snow but Liam likes it more. He is driving us crazy to go tobogganing. I think he has forgotten all about his, not one, but two brain surgeries and that his bones are not yet healed. Almost everyday he tries to play let's make a deal! Although there are points where it gets a bit much, I have to admit that I even feel blessed to argue with him. I am constantly reminded of what a miracle God has allowed us to experience.

A few people have asked for an update on Liam. The truth is he is doing remarkably well. He is pretty much just the same as he was before the surgeries and his hair is growing like crazy. He started swimming lessons last week and tomorrow night he is off to his beloved basketball. He has been chosen to be the poster boy for the McMaster Children's Hospital Telethon and fundraising campaign. So if you live in the Hamilton area you are going to be seeing him on bus shelters soon! We are attending a kick-off dinner and dance next week on Thursday January 22nd. They will be introducing him there. It is suppose to be on the CHCH News at night so if you are up and want to see us in our finest make sure you tune in. The kids are all very excited as the girls have to wear dresses and the boys dress-shirts and ties. We don't have all of Liam's outfit yet but he wants to look spiffy. We did get the boys shoes at a second hand store here in town. Yeah! Liam's requirement was that the soles were good for dancing! It should be quite a night. I will take some photos and try to post the next day for all to see! Liam has to have another needle and MRI on February 6th. This one will determine the next course of action for treatment since they were unable to get all of the tumour. We are praying that everything looks good. Our appointment with oncology is on March 3rd.

Thank you to all who keep encouraging me to write and who keep checking this blog. I will endeavor to write as often as I can!

Endings and New Adventures

Well, September is here. It is hard to believe that summer is officially over. With the end of summer came an end to another chapter in our life. Justine who has been living with us for over a year was placed back with her birth father. We have many special memories that we have shared together and she will always be in our hearts. We have watched Justine grow and flourish over her year with us and we trust that God will continue to protect her and draw her to Himself. As a mom, you always want to protect your kids and to be able to be there for them when they need you and when you can't your heart breaks. Although Justine was not officially our child, she was in my heart. No matter what, I feel blessed that the Lord gave her to us for the time that He did. Thank-you to all of our family and friends who loved her along with us. Please keep her in your prayers. It was tough for us all to say good bye when she left so we took some time this past week to get away to the McGibbon cottage.

What a week! It was beautiful and warm and we spent most of our time in our bathing suits on the beach. The kids had a great time. We started homeschooling all the kids this summer so they were excited to have the first official week of school off. Well almost off...Jason taught Daniel, Caroline and Liam each how to build a fire and gave them lessons in the canoe. Yes, another generation of pyromaniacs has been born. Apparently, this is a tradition from Jason's mom side of the family passed down from Great Uncle Joe to Uncle Brad to Jason and now to his children. Oh well, I will just focus on the fact that if they ever get lost in the bush they can keep themselves warm. Trinity enjoyed the canoeing lessons as she got to ride in the boat while they were practicing. I sat on the beach, laughed at the kids, cried a few times, prayed lots, watched beautiful sunrises and sunsets and started to think about the new adventures this fall will bring.

We are all excited about the adventure of home schooling. We got a great start this summer and we are looking forward to continuing this Monday. Even Trinity will be going to "mommy's school" as she calls it. Although I must admit she did ask if Caroline could be her teacher instead of me! I have been learning a lot especially about what my kids like to read (and not read) and some of their own perceived strengths and weaknesses. I love spending the time with them and even teaching math and french is not so bad! With Liam's appointments that are coming up and his surgery this will help us keep the family together during a time that has been stressful. So although we have had a rough time as of late we are looking forward to the future and the new adventures that are around the corner.

Our Pastor (Jim) delivered a message today which he entitled, "Joy in the Midst of Chaos". It was a great message that hit me right where I am. So as I look to the weeks ahead and the uncertainty that it brings I also look forward to discovering the joy that only Jesus can bring in circumstances like these.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down oat the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:2

Encouraging

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

As I was getting ready for this past April retreat I was really think a lot about worship and our scripture theme verse for the conference. It was a busy time around our house and one of the things that we had to do was attend a school musical that the girls were in. It was called " Once upon a Dream." As you can imagine, the school auditorium was packed full of proud parents, teachers and friends. I had TJ on my lap and she was definitely excited about all the music.

As Caroline came to centre stage to do her song with her friends, TJ was straining to see every moment of her sister's musical debut. When the song was over and the applause was starting to die down and Caroline was making her way back to the side of the stage a young voice could be heard throughout the auditorium. "Caroline, You are sooo beautiful!" Trinity shouted as she clapped with all her might. For a moment I flinched as I knew everyone in the entire room had heard the outburst from the little audience member. Then I saw the glowing smile on Caroline's face. She was absolutely beaming. Trinity had made her night.

Later, as I reflected with Jason, he reminded me that we had witnessed the scripture being lived out by the youngest member of our family. Trinity encouraged Caroline in moment that we will not forget. Thank-you TJ for inspiring us.

I also like the Message translation of these verses.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (The Message)

"So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."

Fun Things Kids Say

Sometimes kids say the funniest things when they are hanging out with each other. I thought I would pass on this little story. It will give you a bit of a giggle!

This past weekend I was at my Mom's for a bridal shower. While we were there TJ got into a disagreement with her five year old cousin Fiona. As I helped them to work it out I encouraged TJ to say she was sorry and to give her big cousin a hug. They were both hugging and saying they were sorry. It was so sweet. The next thing you know TJ was trying to hold Fiona's hand because she wants to thank Jesus that they are friends again. Her cousin has no idea what TJ s trying to do and she is trying to go back to playing and TJ is saying, "No Fiona, let's pray, right now." Fiona said, "We don't need to pray we already ate!"

Dance to the Music

I had a chance last week to spend some time with Liam. Liam is almost 8 years old and he is a passionate kid. He loves basketball, biking, music and hanging out with his family. The other thing about Liam is that he is always making noise. He really can not be quiet. Even at the dinner table he is constantly humming or singing or reciting a rhyme or poem. As you can imagine in a house of seven people, constant noise can be overwhelming. I have to admit it is usually me that gets overwhelmed first. I can't think when the noise level is over a 100 decibels! So over the past few months poor Liam is constantly hearing the words, "Liam please turn your volume down." or "Liam you have to be quieter." or sometimes "Liam, enough! I can't hear myself think."


I have always said that Liam is the kind of kid who is very secure in our love but as I look back I think I have concentrated more in the last little while on the noise that drives me crazy instead of encouraging the boy who wants some attention. He was having a particularly loud day last weekend when I said, "Please Liam, tone it down. You are going to drive me crazy." The next thing I knew Liam was in tears. "You don't like anything I do." was all he could say. I quickly realized that my constant criticism of his volume was being seen as a removal of my love for him. We needed some one on one time together.

Jason took the rest of the kids out for a walk, and I asked Liam if he wanted to stay home with me. "So what do you want to do?" I asked him. "He responded immediately, "Let's dance." Well, the next thing you know there is my son teaching me how to hip hop to the blasting music of "Can I get a Witness?" by Nicolle C. Mullen. (http://www.nicolecmullen.com/ )

Let's just say it was a good thing that the blinds were closed or the neighbours would have gotten quite a show. After he had played the song a few times I finally had to say that I needed to rest. If the truth be told I thought I might pass out! We laughed some more as we lay on the floor looking up at the ceiling and listening the Newsboys. Once I caught my breath and the oxygen started returning to my brain I realized this was one of those moments with Liam that I would remember forever. How blessed I am that God would allow me to raise such an amazing kid. Now I just need to remember to always be showering him with copious amounts of love as well as encouraging him to adjust his volume. Who knows one day Liam might even be able to teach me how to dance!

Mothers of Nobility

I have been thinking a lot lately about being a Mom and about how God has brought our family together. Maybe it is because Mother's Day was last Sunday. Maybe it is because it is this time of year that all my kids have birthdays and I have been thinking that they are growing up too fast. Maybe it is because Pastor Jim spoke a great message on "Being a Mother of Nobility" this past Sunday. Maybe it is because at the end of his message I (along with some other moms) received the greatest gift from my kids that I could have ever gotten. Honestly, I am not sure if there was a dry eye in the room. (If you have a minute and want to listen to a great sermon check it out at http://www.thesanctuarymilton.com/. You can download the MP3 or listen to it from the website. Go to the Current Message Series tab.) Maybe it is because the follow-up questions at our homechurch last night were really hitting home with how God has created our family. Or maybe it is because God is trying to get my attention and He wants me to listen and respond to what He has to say.

I am so blessed to have the privilege of raising my children. God has taught me many things through each of them. He has expanded my concept of unconditional love. He enables me to parent them. He helps me to teach them about Him and His redeeming plan for their lives. He reminds me about things He has said to me through them. And He guides me in making choices for them.

Last night at home church, we talked about how many kids there are in Ontario and even in our region of Halton that do not have parents that are able to raise them safely. Over the last five years alone Halton CAS reports a 50% increase in referral rates to Children's Aid. These children are lost. They are a lost generation of kids. They live in our neighborhoods, they go to our schools, we see them playing at the park but do we really recognize how lost they are?

We as a society try to care for their physical and emotional needs. We take them out of unhealthy situations, we offer them counselling and place them with people that will care for them. The problem is that hearts can only be mended by the one who made them. Jesus is the only one who can save this generation of lost kids. Only the Lord knows that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139. He alone formed their inward parts and wove them in their mother's womb. He alone is intimately acquainted with all their ways. Psalm 139 also says, "Wonderful are your works and my soul knows it very well" (v14b). How will they know this if no one tells them?

A mother of nobility prays for her children. Who will pray for these children? Who will pray for these lost broken hearts? Who will pray that God changes our hearts to call us to parent them and tell them about the one who will love them with a love that they have never known? Please consider praying with me.