Our Beautiful Blessing

It gives me great joy to announce to you tonight that as of yesterday afternoon -- the 45 inch waistline is no longer in existence! At approximately 5:25 pm CST we welcomed a most amazing little person into our world. Our family of 3 is no more -- we have suddenly become a family of 4. God gave us a beautiful little daughter, and we are over the moon with joy. Especially a certain 2 year old that we happen to know.... :)




Her name is Eliora
Language/ Cultural Orgin: Hebrew
Inherent meaning: My God Is Light
Spiritual Connotation: Beloved

Hope
Language/Cultural Orgin: Old English
Inherent Meaning: Trust In The Future
Spiritual Connotation: Understanding Heart

She weighed in at a perfect 7 lbs 14 oz. and is 21 inches of the most edible newborn loveliness ever. We are positively smitten. Aren't you?

Happiness Is...

...brave, little cousins and squishy, little froggies.

Happiness is....

...a 45 inch waistline! :)

The Deal On Real

One of the things I really admire about children is their ability to simply be who they are.

They don't try to hide behind weak masks and silly facades. What you see is usually what you will get -- they wear their emotions and sometimes their thoughts on their sleeve. And if they truly believe in something, they just say it without the worry of who they are offending or if what they are saying is "politically correct".


Oh to stay young forever. And I'm not talking about maintaining a wrinkle-less existence either. I'm speaking about capturing forever that childlike innocence of heart. And faith.

My dear cousin was speaking at church last Sunday. And I was deeply stirred by what he said. Especially when he started talking about Daniel. I'm inspired by that story. How he (Daniel) was taken into slavery and forced to live in a foreign land, surrounded by foreign customs, foreign foods and foreign Gods. And yet, in the midst of all the upheaval and craziness that had become his existence, Daniel kept his heart pure and maintained his relationship to God. He was totally real with where he was at.

Because Daniel walked in such integrity, it didn't take long for the King to take note and begin to honor him. Pretty soon Daniel was among the top dawgs leaders of the land. Some people didn't like this and so they plotted on how to trip ole' Danny boy up.

They tried and tried and they failed. They soon realised that the only way to snare Daniel was if a rule was put into place in which Daniel would have to choose between disobeying the king or obeying his God.

Preying on the Kings ego, they went to him and asked that a edict be made whereas people in the land could only be allowed to pray to the King. If anyone was found praying to anyone but the King then they would be thrown into the lions den. A hungry lions den. The King thought this idea was brilliant and immediately signed the deal.


Now Daniel was known to pray to God 3 times a day. Openly. This was something that he always did and now that he could risk death by doing what he always did -- what do you think he decided to do?

"10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help." (Daniel 6)

I love that he didn't try to hide what he was doing. Or who he was. Daniel didn't crawl into a dark closet and whisper a quick S.O.S. prayer to God. But instead, and even though surrounded by grave circumstance -- even death, he continued to walk the way God had called him to go. Nothing, not even a lions den was enough to steer him away from that path.

In the world that we live in it's easy to buy into the "tone it down and make like a chameleon" form of existence. But what about when we feel God leading us down another path? What about when we are asked to be red in a world that chooses to be green?

I'm all for the "keeping it real" philosophy that seems to be the current trend of thought except... what exactly are we being real about? And are we being real with the where's and what's and whys God has called us to or placed in the hidden areas of our heart? I hope so because life is far too short to waste living for something that we don't really believe in. Or want.

Baby Button

Shiloh: "Mommy haz-a baby in ha tummy!"

Mommy: "Shiloh, does Daddy have a baby in his tummy?"

Shiloh: "No! Daddy haz-a bey butta." (belly button)

Mommy: "Oh. Does Mommy have a belly button?"

Shiloh: "No! Mommy haz-a baby!"

And you know what? She's RIGHT. The baby in my "tummy" has long ago replaced the area formerly known as my belly button. Proving Shiloh's theory -- that you can have a baby or belly button, but you can't have both. ;)

A Spa Experience

It is amazing what the human will is able to accomplish if determined enough. Or in my case -- absolutely obsessed.

Last week when the nasty, fire breathing mosquito's drove us indoors, Shiloh and I decided to make lemonade out of lemons and give each other a pedicure. It was a good plan, a great one -- except for the itsy bitsy fact that I somehow happened to overlook. And that being that the painting of ones own toes is not as simple as it might seem, particularly when 9 months pregnant. :)

I am happy to be able to report to you that after contorting my body into all sorts of awkward angles, a mostly successful paint job was accomplished. And as for the not so perfect parts about it -- who cares -- I can't really see my toes anymore anyway.



Then it was Shiloh's turn...

And lastly, even baby doll got red toes before the day was complete...
(The dolls pedicure wasn't a perfect one either but like me, I don't think she cared.)

Stylin' Shi-lin'

A few months ago I wrote a post about my daughters keen sense of style.

This past week her creative flair popped its fascinating head once more. This time it was a princess dress and pink rain boots were her choice of attire before we attended an outdoor play date.


I'm no fashionista but I thought her choice was flawless.

Parenting Isn't For Cowards

At the start of this week, I came across an online news article that was talking about the Canadian government program entitled "parental leave". Have you heard of it? Basically, this is a program that will allow either a mother or a father to take time off from their job -- after the birth of their new baby -- to spend focused time together as a new family.

One of the comments at the end of this article quickly caught my eye. A guy that went by the name of "Joe" had this to say, (and I quote), "What awful news. Now those who choose not to have children must pay even more in taxes to support those selfish enough to further overpopulate our planet."

Wow. Can I just say that one more time? WOW.

Although I cannot comment on the heart motives held by each person that chooses to take on the responsibility of raising a family, I know that I can speak from my own experience and from that which was modelled to me by my own parents. And that opinion being that the walk of true parenting is the furthest thing from a selfish one. There is nothing in this world that will more quickly reveal the self centered areas of your heart then becoming a mom or a dad. Kids don't lie. And their actions can quickly reveal the areas that we try so hard to hide.

A few days ago, Brian was sitting on the couch in our living room. (I was in another part of the house) The time was approximately 6 pm when he looked out our front window, noticing a large group of young kids congregating on our driveway.

It was not 2 seconds later when we heard a loud, crashing BANG as a stone hit our front living room window. Brian jumped up and bolted outside, the kids quickly yelling, "Look out! He's coming..." as they dropped the rest of their stones and scattered like the wind.

Our dramatic evening ended well. We met some new people. Even the young, daring, star himself paid us a short visit that included a mumbled apology. And Brian was left with a smile on his face as he sat reminiscing of bygone days of his own fool hearted youth. Apparently, he could relate to our evenings bold little visitor.

Parenting isn't only not selfish -- it's also not recommended for the faint of heart.

What it is (however) is a bit like embarking on a journey -- one without a map. (which I never knew how to use anyway) There will be laughter, tears, joy and pain as you carefully meander your way upon unknown or unchosen frontiers. The road may take strange twists and turns. You may at times feel like you are going in the exact opposite direction then you had intended.

That's OK.

True parenting is not about control. It's about realising how little control we actually carry. And especially when we discover our little angels throwing rocks at the neighbors living room window.

There are many parenting books to be found that are chock full of good advice -- even wisdom. But each journey is as unique as the fingerprint found on the child. I have watched my own parents travel this road while raising 4 children and adopting several others along the way. They began the journey 36 years ago and they continue to re-discover it today.

I've seen mom and dad take unpopular stands. I've watched them serve their last piece of bread. I've carefully observed them for many, many years. My dad is often known to say that it is his prayer that my generation is that we go further then his own has been able to walk. That statement blesses me, strengthens me and, if I am honest, it frightens me as well.

I say, "frightens" because, I really don't want to walk this path without Dad. Even now. Even ever.

But that is the way of a true parent, isn't it? As parents we are called to cover and protect while at the same time, release and unleash. And my heart is grateful. Humbled. Thankful. And broken as I recall the humility and gentle love that I have frequently experienced from the hands of my mom and dad. I didn't deserve any of it. And yet they continued to pour it out on me with seemingly unending grace and nurturing support.

I can say with great certainty that it is their actions that have quietly pointed me in the direction that I ought to live. And their daily act of laying down their lives to serve their home that has painted for me a clear picture of true freedom.

That's ironic. And incredibly beautiful, all at once.

Happiness (Also) Is...

....a slumber party with Da-dee! :)

Happiness Is...

...A sucker and a pool on a hot summer day!

Opportunities Await In The Midst Of A Crisis

"Live simply that others may simply life."

~Taken from the book, The Irresistible Revolution

Last week I wrote a post regarding The Global Food Crisis currently affecting our world. I can't stop thinking about this stuff and the great need there is in this area -- an effort that will take many parts of the body connecting and working together in order to bring the relief that is longed for.

And yet, where do I even begin? I get overwhelmed when I try looking at the big picture. I feel paralyzed and insignificant, wondering what my role could possibly be and how can I do anything that could make any difference at all.

Last year I read a Shane Claiborn book and as bad as my memory is these days, I've managed to hold on to one quote that I picked up while reading it. I can't remember the exact quotation but the spirit of what I read went something like this, "The problem is not lack of money in the world -- the problem is that the money is not distributed evenly." Or as Gandhi put it, "There is enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed."

So! Very! True!

I previously shared about the assistance Compassion Canada is providing to those most deeply affected by the Food Crisis. But recently, I've also become aware of another effort that's situated a little closer to home. As in right-around-the-corner-from-my-house.

They call themselves a growing project whose purpose is about growing canola that's solely to be used for donation towards the Canadian Food Grains Bank. My own community has a specific project dedicated towards this endeavour as do many other communities that stretch across Canada. If you live near me and are interested in getting involved or learning more, let me know. I know they are looking for cash donations or donations of machinery, time and supplies. This can all be made through our local town Credit Union.

Isn't that flippin' fantastic?

It makes me smile to think that a plot of land situated at the edge of my town is being used solely to serve the Worlds Hungry. It blesses my heart that there are people around me that care enough about the big picture to actually do something about it. Even if it means breaking a nail. Or a sweat.

A seed can never be multiplied by just thinking about it. Good intentions never saved the day. To be effective, the seed must be planted into the ground. And only God knows the harvest that is possible if each one of us is bold enough to act on the little bit of something that we've been given. As well as the great boundless joy of being linked to a picture that is so much bigger then ourselves.