On the way back!

Well, we are finally on the way back from a terrible flu bug! I got it at school and passed it on to my whole family. NASTY - and of course with the fear of H1N1, work wanted to be sure that I was clear to work and that it wasn't anything terribly contagious. The kids and Chris were home and sick for a full 10 days before they were well enough to go back to work and school. Thankfully we are on the mend and other than remnants of a cough, we are all better.

But because of this illness Chris and I are trying to figure out if we are gonna get the H1N1 shot or if the kids should get it. There are so many mixed messages out there, I'm not sure what to do. How about you guys? Are you getting it? What are your thoughts on it - any help would be appreciated cuz we're not sure WHAT to do! Gimme your opinion!

Growth

wow, its been waaaay to long since I have last posted. Here is my lo for the challenget that I did for SALT today. Its about Growth - something that I have been struggling with for the last little while. Come on over and check out our blog and participate in the challenge - it would be great to see ya there.

Life has been crazy over here. I am working alot of hours and trying to get so much stuff going at school for the kids that I have been working alot of long hours and my family is complaining about it. Add to that a terrible cold I have been fighting for about 3 weeks now and you can see why I have been missing for so long.

What have you been up to? I would love to get a message from you - I am feeling so out of touch with everybody these days.

Purpose

That was the challenge for "Salt" today. Jeremiah 29:11 was the verse behind the challenge. My lo is about how my purpose in life seemed to be different than God's purpose for my life. I only see the here and now in my life whereas God sees the big picture and knows what he is doing. My purpose has changed since he has become the leader of my life and I don't need to know what He is doing, I just need to follow and trust that He does know what He is doing. Check it out and try the challenge yourself!

Success!!!!

We had a major success this summer - the kids finally learned how to ride 2-wheel bikes. Because of balance issues they were rather agitated whenever it came time to learn how to ride bikes.
They just refused to do it. But one day, they both picked up a

bike and did it on their own. They were so proud of themselves and naturally I was a proud mama too! They over came their fears and their difficulties and they just did it.

On days that weren't quite so nice and warm, we had to find things to do inside, so glow bowling was one of the fun things the kids loved to do. My sisters and spouses and all the kids got together and had alot of fun. Kiana was thrilled because she beat all 20 of us with her high score. I guess Wii Bowling does pay off!

Even though Winnipeg had rain for most of the summer, we were fortunate enough to have a couple of days of beautiful, hot weather so that we could enjoy the outdoors of Manitoba. We managed to spend one day at Birds Hill Park so the kids could go to the beach. They love being in the water and building sand

castles. But more than that, they loved spending time with their cousins. There is nothing better than splashing and chasing each other in and out of the water.

It's over!

My summer, I mean. Yep, I am finally back here after a looooong month away. But we are back from Winnipeg, my parents are leaving Edmonton as we speak and I am preparing for getting back to "real life." Its been a long summer, but a good one. Even though the weather in Winnipeg was crap for most of the summer we had fun with my nieces and nephew and did lots of family stuff. I will be posting photos later today.

I am kinda looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. I am probably going back to work this week too.

Anyway, I will be posting photos in a bit, going to check out everybody else's blogs out now. It is soooooo good to be home. Can't wait to catch up with you all!

Prayer

With the busyness of summer, I haven't had the chance to show you my new challenge lo for the Salt. This challenge was mine to choose and I chose "Prayer". There is no bigger prayer warrior than my girl. No matter how big or small the thought or concern, my little girl always brings it to the Father in prayer and she has taught me alot about that. I wish I had the prayer life that she did. Would love to see you pop by and try to work on this challenge with us - show us what you got!

Summer is going well for us and we are being kept busy with family in Winnipeg. I am hoping that I will get to post a few more los that I am working on this summer. Hope summer is well for you all and I am hoping to check out all your blogs soon. I have really been lacking and I miss keeping in touch with all of you. Talk to you soon!!!

Faithfulness

This week's challenge on Salt was the Fruits of the Spirit and I chose Faithfulness. My opa was one of most spiritual and faithful human beings I have ever met. He epitomized what a true faith in Christ really was. The Sermon on the Mount was a map for his life and he truly was a man of God. When I think of his relationship with God, I kinda think that he might have been a little like King David - a man after God's own heart.

Check out the blog - play along with the challenge. I would love to see what your take on it is.

Your grace is sufficent

So, our challenge for Salt this week was from 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficent for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

This was a good challenge for me - it reminds me that even though I'm going through a tough time right now His strength will shine thru my weakness.

Head on over to Salt - check out the work of the other girls. I'd love to see your take on this challenge!

Have a great day all!

Perseverance

Here it is, my next challenge for Salt. The journalling talks about how my kids autism is the path that God has chosen for my life and how I need to "run with perseverance the race set out for me."

In other parts of my life, I am persevering my job these days and feeling I am JUST doing that. Can't say to much, but to my friends who read this, keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I try to get through a really tough situation right now.

I am also looking forward to National Scrapbooking day this weekend - hangin out with all my girls and really looking forward to just being with the girls all day. On that topic, I did the Color me Quiz on Creating Keepsakes. Try it out - this is what colour I am and I think it talks about me to a tee:

Red Scrapbooker
You have a real passion for this hobby. Your pages are colorful, bold, lively and full of adventure. You may enjoy travel and have many vacation photos. You like your albums to reflect your zest for life and the varied experiences you enjoy.

Hope you have a wonderful week everyone! i love ya.

Sheep

that was the theme of our Salt Challenge this week. I used the verse " We like sheep have gone astray" from Isaiah 53:6. I focussed on how we are stupid like sheep and rather than follow the shepherd, follow the other sheep, which can often get us into trouble.

I am really enjoying these challenges - they are making me think outside the box and yet try and figure out a way to instill the Biblical challenges into every part of my life. It is giving me a new look at my life and my relationship with God and taking it to a different level. Check out the challenge and try it - see where it takes you!

Big day!

Today is my daughter Kiana's big day!!! She is competing at the Conservatory of Music's Scholarship Competition. I am very excited for her, especially because of the song she is singing. The song she is singing is about a child's love for her Lord and Saviour - and she is passionate about the song. She is feeling kinda pressured this year because she won "The Most Promising Student" last year. She competed and won against 14 year olds and she was only 10. Don't know who's more nervous - Kiana or me. Oh, well, it will be fun and she will do great.

If you have a moment, please pray for her at 2:30 this afternoon. Pray that her heart is calm and she does the best she can and not stress about her performance.

Don't forget that tomorrow is the new Challenge at Salt!!!

Salt Challenge

The Challenge this week is a layout for Easter. The photo that I used is one of a plant called the "Crown of Thorns" that blooms in the spring around Eastertime. It is called that because it's the plant that is believed to have been used for the crown Christ wore on the cross. TFL!

To My Family

You work so hard every day and don't care what the world thinks. You fight for everything and try to get people to understand you and accept you for who you are. You love each other in a way that most siblings don't. You have taught me so much in this life - much more than I could EVER teach you. You accept the world for what it is, not recognizing color, religion or disability. You take everyone at face value and accept them for who and what they are.

Autism is a family member that we have accepted and have made a part of our lives. Today I pray that others will learn and accept what we have spent the last 10 years working and doing.

Kiana, Malachi and Chris, I love you for what you are. Thank you for showing me a different view of life!

World Autism Day

Spring Break is here

I am so glad that Spring Break is finally here. I am so in need of a break I am truly enjoying it. My heart has been worrisome for my dear friend Kelsey and her husband Jason. Jason has been in the hospital since late Thursday night and they aren't quite sure what's wrong with him but he is really sick. Prayers are needed as the doctors try and figure out what is going on with him.


On a more positive note, this is what I have spent the last few days doing. I am trying to get our Disney trip finished and I think I am getting a pretty good start on it this week. Hope you all have a great spring break. Can't wait to post more layouts as they get finished!

Be Still and Know

Here is the lo for my first Challenge "Be Still and Know that I am God." My understanding of the verse was a little different than everyone else's. In the chaos and wildness of life's trials and tribulations, I hear God's still, small voice saying "Hey, quiet down. I'm here and I'm in control. Don't worry so much." I did enjoy my first challenge. Please head over to SALT and check out the other los. The ladies are talented and did quite a good job I must say!

My first Challenge!

So, my first challenge lo is up at Salt. The challenge was "Friendship" based on Proverbs 18:24 "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Come check out Salt - we'd love to see you there!

I'm a Saltine!

I am so pleased that I can finally share the exciting news. I am officially a Saltine - a member of the Salt faith challenge blog. Come by and check it out. We have challenges every other week based on Scripture. I hope you come by and check out some of our challenges. We also have a special challenge happening on Saturday - come and see what's up over there.

Perspective of an Autistic

Sometimes, as time goes ticking by
I wait for someone to see me
Don’t get me wrong, people see me
Just not the way I feel.
I don’t really wish to talk to anyone,
I just wish I could talk with someone
I live my life just as any other would do
But my home seems to be unoccupied.
The little girl you see sitting in the corner
Lines her popsicle sticks in rows
And sometimes appears to ignore the fact that you have brought her something
She’s just not aware that you are at her side
A the picnic, she slops the sauce all over the table,
“Why” you wonder, “How does a butterfly cause her to lose control?”
The movies lead to passers-by staring
For the five year old covers her eyes
The light is so bright
And holds her hears because its too loud
Her mother cries behind closed doors
Her little girl isn’t like the child she dreamed of having
Her daughter won’t even bake with her
“Please don’t cry mommy, the mittens just hurt my hands too much.”
“I’ll help you stir” your little girl screams and cries
Socks and shoes traumatize her, so barefoot you take her out the door to ease her pain
People stare back at you “ That parent has no control over her child”,
I want to speak “Please please be kind to my mommy, you don’t understand”,
You’re walking through a grocery store, once again she blocked the aisle
Throwing her body down to the ground because she wants to feel the cold floor
She hides between the clothes racks and blankets in the mall
Once again the clerks as you to leave
The parade causes too much movement
This time moving her fingers in front of her eyes and making a screeching sound
“Why, Oh Lord” the mother asks, “do you leave her heart like this?”
I dream that my daughter can fly high in the sky
I wish she could eat carrots and apples like her brother, but she gags
She views the world in a different way
“I can’t go into her eyes and see what the world looks like to her” says the mother
She catches a bubble and screams
She even hugs the construction man she doesn’t know
Because he is wearing a good feeling coat
Her memory so sensitive she can repeat whole movies after seeing them only once
“My dear child, how can I show you that I love you so very much?”
“Dear Lord,” the mother says “I no longer ask why you let her be this way.
Instead, I now know that you picked her to be my little lamb.
Thank you Jesus for giving her to me!”

Wonderful weekend!

Well, this was definitely a fabulous weekend. I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend at a retailer's event this weekend. I met some wonderful people and made some great new friends. I loved hanging out with Julie Comstock and Lindsay Moore from Cosmo Cricket; Erin and Laura from Glitz Design, Lance from Rusty Pickle and Janelle from 7 gypsies. They were fun to hang out with and their classes were great. Didn't get NEARLY enough time to finish all our projects, but they were fun.

Gonna post my projects as soon as I get photos taken of em, but for now I'm off! TTYL!