Grateful Eight extended version

I realize that I am really behind in my posting and I missed last weeks "grateful eight" altogether, so I will make up a little this week.

Unfortunately there will be one more post after this one and I will be on a bit of a break. We have been a little busy lately and are getting ready for another transition. So hopefully I can get back into the blogging thing again soon, but for now there will have to be a brief "pause" in my bloggin!

So for the past two weeks, here are a few things I have been grateful for:

1. Nice fall weather. The weather has been gorgeous here and the colours are even more magnificent. Hopefully this weekend I can get out and capture some of the fall beauty with my camera.

2. Good health again. Zech has been sick and is slowly getting better. John has also been sick and had a bit of an eye infection. John had to see an eye specialist and it has cleared up now, but they want him to come in tomorrow to discuss the results of some of his tests that he had done. I think that he is fine, but of course he is a little stressed, so please keep him in your prayers and pray that it is nothing but good results (he still has 20/20 vision and does not wear glasses--I hope our kids inherit his eyes)! :o)

3. A chance to fly up to Edmonton by myself and see some of my family. I saw my grandparents which was quite difficult. My Grandma especially has failed and had no idea who I was!

4. Lunch with my sister, nephew and mom and then time to visit with my Aunt Laurel and the girls (thanks for the new boots too--they looked awesome with my interview outfit)!

5. An interview in Edmonton that seemed to go pretty good. Please pray that I get something soon! This is getting really frustrating!

6. Accident claims. We just settled an accident that John was in three years ago (he was hit on his motorbike) and were happy that it was finally over. However, the next day our neighbour backed into our van and did some considerable damage. We handled it extremely well, it is just a car and nobody was in it. Our neighbour wasn't too impressed, but thank goodness insurance will cover everything!

7. A wonderful scrap booking package from Mary. I entered a little contest on her blog and won! My little monkey got into it and I found him chewing on the little paper flowers she had enclosed--he told me it was his "vilo" (vitamin)!

8. My wonderful husband who is such an amazing father. He did a great job looking after Zech while I was away. It was the first time I had been away from both of them for two nights, three days! I missed them like crazy!

9. My sister, brother-in-law and nephew. They let me stay with them, chauffered me around and made some great meals for me. Plus I got Jonas all to myself and had lots of fun playing with him.

10. My in-laws! They have been so wonderful and supportive. My father-in-law just turned 68 last week, so we had a nice supper to celebrate. He is in remarkable shape for 68 as he rides his bike EVERYWHERE, every day!

11. My newfound love of BBQ shrimp. I am not a shrimp fan, but my brother and sister-in-law made shrimp skewers for the B-day supper. I thought I would give it a try as my taste buds have really changed recently and to my surprise and delight I loved them! I am still not sure about the raw shrimp, but the BBQ shrimp skewers in garlic butter--delicious!

12. Dreams and provision!

13. Good friends that I am able to stay in contact with no matter how far away we are!

14. The Bible.

15. Almost forgot about our new MAC laptop. Love MAC and don't think we will ever go back. We bought it for John as he is back at school and will be doing everything online. Our PC laptop has been plagued by viruses lately and our Desktop crashed, so we took the safe route and we are so glad that we did!

6 Random Things

Today I was checking out my friend, Melinda's blog and found out that she tagged me with this little game. So, just so she can read my responses, and any of you interested readers I've decided to play along.

The "rules" of the game are as follows:

1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post
4. If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag 

* * * * * 

1.  I don't get a chance to watch much TV, but I have to admit that I am a huge "So You Think You Can Dance" fan! I started watching in Australia and it is the one show that I "plan" to watch.  I think that I would have loved to take some dance lessons.  I started taking some latin ballroom in Mexico and loved it.  Apparently I do have some rhythm(the many years of piano, band and dancing with Dad must have helped), but I have zero flexibility and lack a bit of coordination!

2.  I love to cook and bake and actually find it relaxing.  I love to entertain and share new recipes with friends and family, but never seem to have a place big enough to do so.  One day when we buy or build a home, the most important feature would be the kitchen and the dining room.  I want a HUGE kitchen with a big eating area.  I would also like to take some cooking or baking classes, just for fun.  

3.  I love the heat and hate the cold!  I dread winter and hate feeling cold.  I think this fear or dread of the cold happened when I returned from living in Mexico.  The day I left Mexico it was a beautiful hot day with temperatures reaching in the high thirties.  I arrived in Calgary to minus 20, wind, flurries and absolutely froze to death.  I prefer the nice dry heat though, versus the super humid, sweat non-stop heat.  

4.   I have the travel bug and it is permanent.  Even with all of our moving around, I still love to travel and I get the itch all the time (I am grateful that my hubby shares the same travel bug--maybe it's contagious!!).  I would love to see more of Europe, and I would love to see South America and Central America. My dream trip is to go to the Holy Land and see all of the historical, biblical sites. I would love to see where Jesus and his disciples walked, where miracles were preformed, to see where the most well known biblical accounts took place.

5.    I miss living in the country and hope that one day my kids can grow up in the country and be free to explore, and enjoy the great outdoors like I did as a child.  There was a time in my life where I couldn't wait to get off the farm and into the big cities.  I did enjoy my time in the city life when I was young and single, but now that I am married and have a little one, I would love the simplicity, the peacefulness and the serenity of living in the country again!

6.  My favourite movies and books are those that are based on true stories.  I am not into fantasy, fiction, any of that stuff (I never liked cartoons growing up either--I know I'm weird).  I like bibliographies, historical accounts, archaeological findings, stories that are based on true events and movies that are based on true stories. They are easier to relate to and I love hearing about other people's lives, struggles, fears, likes, passions, etc. Unfortunately I do not have as much time as I would like to sit and read a great book, but one that I have read recently and couldn't put down was "Save me from Myself" by Brian "Head" Welsh (he was the guitar player for the extremely heavy metal band Korn and became a Christian---his testimony is remarkable.

You've been tagged:

1. Aunty Elaine - I know that you would have lots of random things to share and that I would thoroughly enjoy reading what you had to share!

2. Melanie - You need to update your blog, so this is a little push to do so! :o)

I don't really have anyone else to tag.  Melinda has tagged Heather, Crystal and Deanna and those are the blogs that I frequent too.  So you are double tagged in a sense! :o) 

Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia Part 2

Part Two.

How true, God does have a way of making the most miserable thing beautiful! God is in control! In the midst of all the pain, hurt, and suffering in this world, it is so reassuring, so wonderful to know that our Father is in control!

Another challenge Gianna offers is to put aside our desire to be Politically correct (PC) and stand up and be morally correct (MC). I love my country, but I am so sick and tired of seeing stupid laws passed because we are more concerned about being PC rather than MC! I am tired of everyone getting this uncomfortable look and start shifting about as they look for the closest exit because they do not want to address these horrific realities! We need to stand up in Canada and we need to defend the weak, the unborn, the defenseless!

Why is it that a little boy's puppy that was shot to death makes more headlines than the hundreds, the thousands, upon millions of babies that die each and every day, each and every year? It makes me so sad to think that we value an adorable little puppy more than our precious unborn babies!

Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia Part 1

This was posted on our friends blog and I had to post it on my blog.

Gianna Jessen is a remarkable woman. After watching her share her compelling story and speak out on the atrocity of abortion, I really do not understand how ANYONE could continue to think that abortion is a "personal choice" and/or a "woman's right"! I still fail to understand how some Christians and churches will not take a stance on abortion.

I like Gianna, will chose to be hated to declare life.

She poses a good challenge for myself and I think for all of us: how much are you willing to stand up and speak the truth in love and graciousness and at least be willing to be hated in the process?

Or in the end is all about you or me and living in our comfort zone? Wow, what an inspirational woman!

Grateful Eight

This week went really fast for some reason! Maybe because we have been so busy!

I am grateful for:

1. More subbing time! This time I was with the older kids, well namely the adults. Only had two 16 year olds (who gave a lot of attitude), and the rest were a lot older. It was a fun day!

2. The opportunity to go and see my assessment results for that horrible interview I did. Yup, I swallowed a lot of pride and did not want to go, but felt it was important. I am so glad that I did (still don't have a job, but I don't feel as bad about myself and now know where I need to improve)!

3. "Major Trouble"!! What a fitting name, especially this week (after the surprise he left in the bathtub, the countless glasses of juice, milk and water he dumped all over, not to mention the temper tantrums--yes the terrible two's are upon us)!!

4. My boys! These two love to play all of the time! Zech is such a Daddy's boy and I can see why!

5. Possible job opportunities. I have been applying all over and to lots of different jobs. Please pray that I get something and that God will direct and lead us to where ever it is He would like us to be.

6. My Aunty Elaine! She is a wonderful, passionate person! She loves to talk and interact with people, listen to all sorts of wonderful music, and shop, shop, shop! :o) We found out that she has breast cancer, so please keep her in your prayers!

7. Family time! I love spending time with my wonderful husband and my beautiful little boy! I am so grateful for the wonderful moments we have together and feel so blessed that they are in my life!

8. The newest addition to the Moll family! Silas Jonathan Moll arrived on Thursday, Sept. 4! We are so happy that he is here safe and sound and that his mommy, daddy and big sister are doing well! You can check out some pictures here and go to his Grandma's blog here for more pictures and a really sweet video!

Grateful Eight

I can't believe that today is the last day of August! Where did the summer go!! :o(

This week I am grateful for:

1. A week of subbing!

2. That the week is over! I was exhausted come Friday!

3. John, Mom and Dad Gooch, Jason and Missy and the kids! Thanks for baby-sitting!!

4. Friends and their wonderful emails!

5. Athabasca University! John starts in October and can get all the courses he needs and get credit for all of his previous courses--even his ones from Taylor Seminary!

6. EBAY! You can really get some awesome deals on ebay! I just picked up a pair of $150-$200 jeans for $40 including shipping! (I already knew what style and size I needed, so it was quite easy!) I can't wait to get them!

7. God's love, grace and mercy!

8. Canoe trips and time to enjoy the great outdoors. I love that Zech is such a nature lover and loves to be outside and explore as much as John and I do!

Love how he says "eese" as soon as I pull out the camera! I sure did train him well!! :o)

My pathetic attempt at a self portrait with my boy! Ha! :o)

A favourite house of mine! The property is huge (there are two houses on it) and it is really nice and private!
I need to clean the lens. We are actually using our small, little Fuji to take these pictures. Didn't want to risk taking the Rebel on the boat! I am quite impressed at how well these pictures turned out, considering!These next two pictures are John's place that he grew up in . His Dad bought this property in the 70's for really cheap and there was just a little cabin on it. John and his Dad added on to the cabin considerably. It is really hard to see in the pictures, but it is quite nice. John gets really upset when he comes down here as the people that are in it (renters) have just let it go. John's parents are REALLY particular about the house, landscaping, you name it! So for them to see it looking like this is well kind of a shock. There was also a huge dock, but it is gone now. The whole family really misses this place, but the taxes are just too high now and his parents were pretty much forced to sell quite a few years ago. What a great place to grow up at though!Last but not least, our chauffeur! John paddles while Zech and I play, eat snacks and enjoy. I do help him out a bit too, but I have to watch our little monkey so he doesn't try and jump in the water.

TGIF

Thank Goodness it Is Friday!!! I haven't used this little saying for a long time, but today I am thankful the week is done and that it is FRIDAY!!

Working and coming home and working has been challenging to say the least. Before when I was working I could come home and just sit back, put my feet up and veg! Now, with an extremely active two year old, who has been right ticked off at me, things are a little, well ......different.

I thoroughly enjoyed my week of substitute teaching. Usually I am really nervous, have to plan absolutely everything and even write out bits and pieces of an introduction about myself, the grammar, the activity, etc. But this week I felt comfortable, really comfortable. I planned all of my lessons and even had to abort some of my plans as it was just too hard for the kids. Winged a few activities and made up games and things to keep them occupied when my time managment skills were lacking to say the least. Surprisingly I was not stressed or freaked out. I am not sure why it was so different this time, maybe it was because I have a bit of experience teaching ESL now, maybe it is because I am older and hopefully a little wiser or maybe it is because I have to entertain a two year old all the time now and I have just had to learn to go with the flow and not worry so much if plans didn't go as they were 'planned'! None the less it felt good, I loved teaching and I will really miss my students (they all fly home on Sunday).

I have often said that I need to record the funny things that kids say. I remember my Mom telling stories of some of the sayings the Grade two's would come up with and of course when teaching ESL there are some pretty funny little mix ups with words, meanings, etc. That is all part of learning another language. I remember learning Spanish and one night I was feeling rather brave and proud of my new found language training, so I boldly said good night to some friends in spanish. They all started laughing hysterically and I didn't understand how saying goodnight in Spanish would be so outrageously funny. Well it turns out, I mispronounced the one word and it completely turned my attempt of saying "good night" into "good buns" (to put it nicely). So the guy that I thought I was saying good night too, got a "good buns" instead! I worked very hard on my pronunciation after that! :o)

This week, one little boy had to stay behind (as punishment) and work on grammar. He wasn't understanding the grammar worksheets I had left behind for him, so one of the other teachers asked him where his dictionary was. The boy replied that it was with God. A little confused as to what he meant, the teacher kept prying a little and finally by the end of the conversation realized that he had left his dictionnary at church. The little boy couldn't remember the name of the building (church), so just told him that it was with God! :o)

We had another older student that told his teacher that he was "so engine"! He kept repeating; "teacher I am so engine today!" A little confused, the teacher asked him what he meant by engine and proceeded to explain what an engine was. The student thought that engine was the word for angry! We all had a good chuckle over that and everytime we see the student we ask him if he is "engine" today!! :o)

I am sad that this week is over, but glad too. I missed my little boy and he has been a little ticked off at me. Daddy was off a couple of days this week and got to spend time with him. He is such a Daddy's boy and they did all sorts of fun stuff together. He doesn't seem to miss me much (or at least that is what I think) and likes to ignore me when I come home or go to pick him up from my inlaws ( I didn't get the same response that John always gets when he comes home from work). However, every night this week, when things are winding down and I tell him how much I love him, he has always responded and told me that he loves me too (I "low") and gives me a nice hug and an "oh nice momma, nice momma"! That just melts my heart. He has said "I love you" before, but never as frequently!

I hope you all had a great week and are glad that it is FRIDAY!!!