What Colour are your Eyes?

Just a quick digital layout I started a while ago....and still haven't really finished it. I want to add some journalling, but haven't quite decided where or how or what the best way to do it is. So I will let this one wait......and come back to it later.

This is the ongoing debate. .... Zech is convinced that he has blue eyes!! We tell him that he has hazel eyes just like daddy and he does not like that. We then told him that he has 'hazel green' eyes and that was ok for a while, but then tonight he told me that he has 'hazel blue' eyes.

So I thought maybe this page would help him, but unfortunately I couldn't get a really great picture of the colour of the kids eyes. Zech's look pretty dark, but they really change a lot. Genesis, well no one really knows what colour her eyes are. We get comments about her eyes all the time. First because of the long, dark naturally curling eyelashes (lucky girl) and second because everyone says she has beautiful, mysterious eyes. Mysterious---probably because you really can't pinpoint an exact colour. They look really dark, but they are kind of a dark blue with some gray and brown---yeah it's strange!

Hopefully I can get back into some more routine blogging, but for now, my sporatic posts will have to do! :o) We are still alive though.....just have a lot of adjustments and things to work out. Zech also had the 'slap face' virus. Yeah, strange name, but that is what they called it and told us it most likely was (they thought it might have been chicken pox too--but nothing has progressed). None the less, we can say that the SK hospital and health system is quite efficient and fast. We were in and out of emergency in a half hour. Zech had all of the staff absolutely in love with him---he is such a card and our social butterfly! Oh the things he says, but he is pretty stinkin cute (I know I am biased)! :o)

Simple Daybook #5

For Today . . . Thursday May 6th, 2010 (I missed a day somewhere and thought that today was the 5th--Gigi's 11 month b-day and I was shocked to learn it had already passed--where is my head!)

Outside my window... it is gray and rainy. There has been a small amount of snow on the ground for the past few mornings, but it is usually gone by the afternoon. It has been really windy, cold and gray though! The kids and us are going a little stir crazy--what's with this weather!?

I am thankful...that we have moved and that we got here all safe and sound!

I am praying... for our plans for the Compassion in Action Initiative through our church. I pray that our small group will get everything organized and that God will Bless our work and plans for HIS GLORY! Stay tuned I will be posting and sharing a lot more on this in the weeks to come!

I am also praying.... for jobs. Two weeks and my maternity leave is up and there is no way that I will get a job with the government in such a short amount of time. So things are pretty stressful here. I pray too that our landlord will give us our damage deposit back like he said he would--he legally has three more days.

I am thinking...about honesty and communication. Why can't there be more of it?

I am celebrating...some good news for my sister and my brother-in-law!

From the kitchen...Chicken, corn, perogies and veggies. I need some new recipes and ideas for supper!

I am wearing...black dress pants and a tank top.

I am reading...the Bible and this awesome book called "How Could a Loving God?" by Ken Ham. I read it a couple years after my Dad passed away and it deals with some really intense questions when faced with death or something sudden and tragic. I didn't finish it and we lent it to some friends that were going through a rough time. We just got it back and I finished it and decided to start it all over again. Also, at the end of each chapter there are group discussion questions, personal reflection questions and scripture verses to memorize, which I think is pretty cool!

I am hoping...that things will work out and come together and just get a little easier!

I am hearing...not much right now. The kids are in bed and John is reading.

I am creating...still nothing, but hopefully I can get some digi scrapping done soon!

Around the house... organizing, and trying to figure out where to put things. This place is so small. We went from 1600 sq. ft. to 915 sq.ft.! We have way too much stuff!

One of my favorite things...family time! It was a real stressful morning and then we had a bit of family 'play' time. John put on some Toby Mac and we all danced. Too funny! I love our family dance times! ;o)

A few plans for the rest of the week... unpacking, sorting, organizing, trying to send out more resumes, more job hunting and hopefully checking out a new church.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing with you...

She has been taking a few steps here and there for a couple of weeks now, but today she was so determined. She would stand up, get her balance and take 5 steps. Then fall down and start the whole process again. She just kept standing up, taking a few steps and then falling down, but she is a determined little monkey. I know it is coming soon!


Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for this great idea.

Recipes

It is high time that I share a few recipes. Since things are going to get progressively more chaotic over the next couple of weeks, I am planning ahead and doing a few blog posts ahead of time! :o) Thank goodness for the 'scheduled posts'---I will be posting even when I don't have internet--ha!

1. Over Roasted Garlic Potatoes (this one is for Heather)

The first recipe I found used pounds, which is great if you have a scale, but if you don't then it is a guessing game. So yay this one tells me 'how many' potatoes to use and I don't have to guess! You would think that my family would be big potato eaters (you know with me growing up on a potato farm), but we aren't and Zech actually hates them! :o( However, these are pretty good and I did manage to get him to eat a couple!

ROASTED NEW POTATOES WITH ROSEMARY AND GARLIC

8 red skinned potatoes, about 2 inches long, unpeeled, scrubbed 1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped (1 tsp. crumbled dried) 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 tsp. salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 lg. cloves garlic, coarsely chopped Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut potatoes in quarters. Place in bowl and add 1-1/2 teaspoon rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried. Pour 2-1/2 teaspoons olive oil over them. Using a rubber spatula, toss them until they are well coated and the rosemary is well distributed. Place them in single layer on heavy baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. In small bowl, mix garlic with remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil. Add to potatoes and continue roasting for 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are crisp and browned and easily pierced with fork. Transfer to serving dish, season with fresh pepper and remaining 1-1/2 teaspoon rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried. Serves 4

2.) Greek Salad Dressing Recipe (this one is for Ruth)

Dressing:

1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. olive oil
1 Tbs. oregano
salt & pepper


3.) Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Tortilla wedges

1 mango diced
2 kiwis diced
2 cups strawberries diced
1 lemon zested (cut lemon in half and squeeze into the bowl)
1 Tbsp. Shredded Coconut

* Can add pineapple

Tortilla Chips

10 tortilla's quartered
1/4 c. butter
cinnamon
sugar

Melt 1/4c. butter and brush the wedges. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

* If you do not want to use 'butter', I simply sprayed the tortillas with a bit of water and then added the cinnamon and sugar.

Bake at 350 for 10 min. turn and then bake at 400 for 1 min.


I was sooo excited to find this recipe as it was the ONLY ONE that did not require loads of sugar! It is so TASTY and the coconut totally adds to it. I also added banana. Enjoy!

Are you called to Stay or Go?

We move and have moved around a lot. Along with all the moves we have also received A LOT of CRITICISM and will continue to receive it. WHY?? Well we know what the Bible says about that! ;o)

I have moved around since the day I left home. It is something that I do, it comes naturally, I go stir crazy, I love to explore new places and fortunately I have found (or more over God has provided me with) an incredible man who is exactly the same way! Hallelujah!!!!

We also know that we are called to move, we are called to explore and we are obligated to fulfill that calling. Some people are not called to move, but are called to stay and we may get to that place, but we may not---it is all in God's hands.

So here is the skinny of it (I could write a lot):

1. We are not done moving yet, nope moving is going to be part of our life, part of our calling and John and I KNOW that, have always KNOWN that.

2. We pray A LOT about every move we have made and will make. Sometimes we aren't listening as much as we should be (yup we too make mistakes and aren't perfect--but very humbled). God also has a reason for absolutely everything. We recognize that now and we have always known that, but sometimes it is hard to really internalize that and trust in that when you are going through a rough time in the new land or place you are in, or when the reason is not revealed to you--yet (and sometimes it never will be).

3. We don't own a house and we rent (gasp). We could own a house, but the timing is so wrong for us, so why push it--plus it is HIS timing that we really want and seek. However, because we don't own a house, this means that we are unstable, we are not successful and for some reason it is assumed that my dear husband can't provide for us! Just a little reminder----it is GOD that PROVIDES for us. What a wonderful burden lifted from us!!!!!! :o)

4. We are not the only people that have ever moved around---A LOT. Sadly, I believed this, until God slapped me in the face and got me to wake up. Since then, there have been guest speakers at church who have talked about how much they have moved, blog posts, blog friends, high school friends, new friends, pastors, missionaries...oh the list could go on. Yes Lord, I get the point, I am not alone and I am thankful for your insight! :o)

5. Moving is easy--NOT! Well we are experts at packing..haha! It gets a little more challenging and difficult each time--especially now that we have two kids (man they have a lot of stuff). It is also really hard to leave the wonderful people you meet along the way and have to come to love, respect and adore.

So after all that, guess what?

Yup you guessed it!

WE ARE MOVING!!! :o)

John has been accepted into Briercrest to finish up his Degree and will then be pursuing his Masters. I have put in for a transfer and will hopefully get something in Regina--God willing (I am struggling with this a bit---that's for another post perhaps). We feel pretty darn good about this move (we feel at peace and that I am told is a good sign), but we are also really, really sad to leave the awesome community we have found and established here, the great church and the close proximity to the mountains. :o)

So with that being said, keep us in your prayers. As for what inspired this post--check out this post from the InCourage blog. I needed to hear this, and while I really didn't want to tell everyone that we are moving again, yes for fear of what people are going to say this time about us, I realize that I am living my life for God, and nobody else and He is the only one I have to answer to!

At the Park..

One of my goals (which has been a goal for a long time now) is to learn how to use my camera better and to take better pictures. I am trying to shoot in Manual mode as much as possible and with natural light, but sometimes my pictures just look plain 'crappy' and are really fuzzy! Erghh--frustrating.

We went to the park a few weeks ago and I decided that I was going to take my camera and try and take a whole bunch of pictures and shoot in Manual mode and just plain experiment, have fun and try out different settings, etc. You know, no pressure, no one looking if I am taking pictures in weird angles, just moi and the kids.

I like the way they turned out---and I also like this new action that I downloaded (I can't remember for where now) to help me edit the photos!

Here's a few favourites:
He hurt his nose going down the slide. I thought I could get a nice picture of the two of them on the bench, but he wouldn't stop crying and then she had to start because he was! They look alike when they cry! :o)

2010 Digital Scrapbooking Survey

Check out this Survey from Jessica Sprague. It's quick, easy and best of all you get a FREE Mini Kit for taking the time to complete it (and it is a pretty nice kit).

2010 Digital Scrapbooking Survey

Simple Woman Daybook #4

For Today . . . April 22nd, 2009

Outside my window... it is gray and rainy. The last few days have been wonderful! The temperature has been in the 20's and we have been outside every minute we possibly can. I even got a bit of a sun burn and my little Gigi got a touch of sun on her little nose (we have a constant battle to keep the hat on--she's a stubborn one).

I am thankful...for living where we do, for an amazing, loving and merciful God that loves and provides for us, even when we don't deserve it!

I am praying...for the 147,000,000 orphans in the world, that have nobody, that go hungry, that live in some pretty horrible conditions, that experience horrible, brutal things that no child should ever have to experience.

I am also praying... that God will speak to us and lead us to where He wants us to be, what He wants us to do for the Compassion in Action Initiative through our church and about some other really important issues that He has been really hammering John and I with lately...well for a long time now...but lately it is every week and it is the same thing over and over again. Our biggest hang up, is how on earth God will or can use 'us' to do what He wants us to do.

I am thinking... about this amazing blog (scroll down to the Feb. 11th post--POWERFUL!) that I discovered last night that absolutely inspires me, makes me cry like I have never cried before and speaks to me deeply and profoundly.

I am celebrating...that there are more boxes packed!

From the kitchen...ravioli (not from a can), salad, mixed veggies, green beans. We are cleaning out the fridge and freezer!

I am wearing...my p.j.'s!

I am reading...the Bible and trying to keep up on emails.

I am hoping...that John will do well on his exam tomorrow and on Saturday--then there is only one left.

I am hearing...sweet nothing, but the sound of the rain pounding on my window.

I am creating...nada.

Around the house... cleaning, sorting and more packing.

One of my favorite things...hearing my son talk so openly, boldly and loudly about Jesus out in Public. We had quite the discussion about Jesus dying on the cross and the fact that He's alive at H&M of all places! :o)

A few plans for the rest of the week... packing, cleaning and packing some more. Hopefully getting to see a few people before we take off and going to church!

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing with you...

John took this picture when we were at Starbucks on Sunday with the Lee family and my Mom and Bill. I LOVE IT!! It really struck me as these two were sitting up at the 'big' chairs talking away, that they are not little babies anymore, they are little boys. They talked about cars, trucks and about the people walking by. It was such a priceless moment. They really love seeing each other and had such a great time together. I can't believe our boys are growing up--so fast!

Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for this great idea.