The last few days

Thursday was a very full day. Steve and I attended the funeral for a close friend of my parents. He passed away very suddenly last week, and although I didn't know him well personally, he had come to our wedding, and out of love for my parents we felt compelled to go.
We were so glad we did. Bruce had a very magnetic personality and I would estimate 400 people turned out. The eulogies given, and the tribute by the minister showed just what a hole he has left in so many lives. Even at the age of 76, he was extremely involved in many organizations and had contributed to a lot of causes throughout his entire life. His dedication and hard work, even until the day he died, was very inspirational. I felt challenged to do more to reach out to those around me, and to strive to do so for as long as I possibly can. I came away reminded that people will not care how clean or organized my house is if they have never been invited in to see the dust.
I can only pray that when it's my turn for the eulogies, people will say that I made a difference somehow. I will not forget that funeral for a long time.
That afternoon, Rebekah had her fourth riding lesson. She used her new brush set to groom the horse, "Happy", whom she had ridden at her first lesson. She also wore her new half-chaps, and looked so cute in them. Her lesson went really well. The teacher was so pleased with her, and Rebekah even mastered posting without holding on! I loved watching it, and the girl at the desk behind me commented on how quickly Rebekah is learning. She's doing great. (The blue line across the picture is the tether which ties the horse to the side of the stall while it is being brushed.)
I signed her up for four more lessons, also in the Learn to Ride package, and we discussed the idea of getting her a helmet. Rebekah would like to help pay for it, so we are going to choose one together and then talk about ways she can save up for it. I'm very proud of her!
Yesterday was a good day made up mostly of laundry and lunch with a friend, followed by work at the bank. Last night I began sorting in the basement... oh it feels good to sort out boxes and get organized. Rob and Mandy gave us their old couches for the basement, and I am so inspired!
Today I'm at work, the kids are at gymnastics and we have friends coming for dinner. Life is good.
Mommy

New clothes...

for Pinkey Pie!

I'm not completely sure how it happened, but I have suddenly entered the business of knitting clothes for the kids' Webkinz. Rebekah has been knitting scarves and 'coats' for the Webkinz (the coats are just big scarves), and it occurred to me that I could knit some items too. Before Rebekah's birthday, all the clothes the kids had for their Webkinz were made of a fabric (jean jacket, angel costume, etc), but then she received a sleeveless sweater for her horse. Elizabeth received a sweater and a hat for her Webkinz on Saturday.

My first project is an imitation of the sleeveless sweater. It took me about two hours to make, and was a big hit. I already have three orders.

The original sweater is the pink one, and I made the blue one. I counted out the number of stitches (44) and copied the pattern. K2, P2, add a couple of armholes and sew up the seam.

Mommy

My dear son

Today I spent some time in one of the wonders of the modern world. Jonathan's bedroom. I cannot figure out how he does it. I probably straighten it thoroughly once per week, with him giving it some favourable attention a couple of times in between. What else goes on in there through the week is beyond me.
Now, I should start by acknowledging that I am in uncharted territory. I only have one son. I have three girls. I have never been a son. I have a brother, but can't say I remember a whole lot about his childhood except that he was always thinner than me, had tons of energy, and could stand on his head. I have no idea in what condition he kept his room. One of my daughters keeps her room in pristine condition. The other two do not. Jonathan's room is in another league altogether.

Upon entering his room, I can't help but notice the huge pile of "dirty" clothes by the door. How many outfits does he wear in one day? I collect the laundry every day! Where does all the garbage come from? There are wrappers, paper, shredded plastic bags, broken crayons, cut up elastics and pieces of string on the floor and on his dresser and his bedside table. How does he get through his room in the night with Lego all over the floor? What is that black/blue fuzz in the carpet? How did all that stuff get under the bed?

After cautiously making my way to his bed, I begin to make it for him. I instantly have some more questions: Why is the sheet off? How does he sleep with the duvet on sideways? Why are there a dozen books and an entire package of pencils between his bed and the wall? How did the foot of his bed get pulled three inches out from the wall? And the question du jour: WHY is there a hole BURNED through his duvet? A hole! Burned! Through his duvet!

I actually made the bed with said duvet, although it occured to me that maybe he should get a new duvet. But then I asked myself, Why would I get him a new one if he has already burned (!) the one he has? Burned? How? It looks suspiciously like a nightlight bulb. They are 7 watts. How does that happen? I haven't asked him yet, but I'll be very interested to hear his answer.

Mommy

Sunday!

We've had a busy day! I played the piano today at church, and Steve was running the slides, so we were all to be at church by 8:00am. The kids do so well even when they are there that early, and they had fun playing with a friend while we rehearsed.
Pastor David really outdid himself today with the message. I was rivetted and could have sat there all afternoon. He preached on the Israelites' time in the desert and had many interesting photos and maps to show us. It was like a history lesson and a spiritual kick in the pants at once. He challenged us to read Deuteronomy this week, so I'm going to give it a shot. Two services later and we were on our way by about 1:30pm.
I shovelled this afternoon and got most of the packed-down snow off the driveway. I always enjoy the days when it's a bit milder and I get a chance to clear the driveway... just in time for it to snow again on Tuesday! Back to church for AWANA tonight, and home for the night.
I'm feeling so much better now that I've got a few days of my new iron supplement in me, and I sure hope I do better at getting to the gym this week.
Elizabeth wore her new skirt and top today, but I forgot to get a picture. So cute. So big. We're off to the doctor tomorrow for all the January birthday annual visits, so we'll find out just how big they all are. No needles! Woohoo!
Hello February!
Mommy