Perspective

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday
Morning Commentary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here with a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife. Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.


Next confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?


I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.


But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came
from and where the America we knew went to.


In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is
a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's
intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.

She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" (She said the same thing when interviewed after 9-11)


In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW ."


Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?


Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.


Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.


Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no
one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit
back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.


My Best Regards. honestly and respectfully,



Ben Stein

Happy Birthday

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Janelle a very happy birthday! You are an amazing woman, wife, soon to be mom and, most important to me, friend. Wish we could take you out to Calories and spoil you! Love you and miss you. Have a wonderful day!

Promised Pictures

This is my niece, Nevaeh...Isn't she a sweetie?!

This is Gracie's new winter hat...I think that it is sooo cute. It's from the Gap, so we couldn't afford the matching mittens ;)

Here are the famous gingerbread houses. Ethan's is on your left (with the blue licorice) and Gracie's is the other one. I honestly didn't really help them! Ethan has so much of Tim and I in him...everything had to be very symmetrical...all is right in the world when you have symmetry!

Grace was a princess for Halloween...I think that she is gorgeous! Ethan was a.....

Black Night.

This was my table setting at an October dinner party. It was tres beautiful, if I do say so myself!

Grace and I have that all important mother-daughter moment...I am selling my dress and I wanted her to see it.

A New Look

I am quite happy with my blog's make-over. For someone that gets bored of a single hair color in 3 months, my blog appearance lasted a fairly long time. Well, the lights are on my tree and it would be decorated, but I have to find some beady-like garland stuff. I have beads, but I want to update them a little. Therefore, I must find some so that my tree can be completed. Ethan and Gracie had no school today, so I purchased 2 gingerbread house kits and they decorated...for about 2 hours, I might add. And, those of you who know me well know that this is a ginormous feat; I did not 'take over' while they decorated. The houses turned out very well and I shall post pictures soon.

Tim is at hockey and I just finished watching Videos on Trial on Much. I find them funny because the jurors (often comedians) make sarcastic comments through entire videos...I wish that I could make sarcastic comments at dumb people throughout the course of life and it be socially acceptable. I mean, I do in my head, but not out loud. And for those of you that think that I am mean, most of them are aimed at myself!

I have been so busy over the past 3 months that I have not had a lot of time to write...even my email life has suffered. My mind is constantly racing. I actually joined a yoga class in October and I have to say that I am really enjoying it! Dawn, don't tell mom...Tim and I refer to it as my 'strength and stretch' class. My mother has an issue with yoga and I am sure that she has her reasons, however, I have not participated in anything that seems weirdly spiritual thus far. Although, I do have a funny story. Last night, for the 1st time since I have started, they ended the class with humming 3 ommmmm's. The first thing that went through my mind was ommming the alto line to go with it. So, I am sitting quietly trying not to laugh and at the end of the class I tell Teesha what I was thinking and she says that she was thinking the same thing. That is what choir is doing to us! We can't get it out of our brains....but I think that it would be funny if there was 3 part ommmmming one day....maybe that would bring another level of enlightenment, or something. Hee, hee, I am sure I am breaking some sacred rule or insulting some yogi this or that, but eh, what can you jolly well do? (There R & J, I used it...)

So I do have a question that I have been wrestling with for a while (remember I said that my mind has been racing) and I am not sure how to reconcile it. You don't have to give me an answer and for the love of everything good and pure in the world, do not write down a 'pat Christian answer'. Cause if you do, I will insert a sarcastic comment aimed at dumb people here. So, here it is: People have free will, which means that man can sin against man, woman, child in whatever grotesque way his mind can muster, however, God is sovereign which means that he knows all that goes on. Does he personally approve and allow all that happens, good and bad, in this world? And if so, how does one feel truly valued and loved by God? How do you not feel like He created you, but then sometime between your birth and 8 or 9, you feel out of his line of sight? If you feel like you have some light to shed on this or want to know where the bloody 'ell (another one, R & J) I am coming from, feel free to email me and we can chat about this more. But frankly, I am not looking for the well, He died for you Jenn cause that is not answering it for me right now. Heck, maybe you'll all just form a prayer group for crazy Jenn.

Catch you later.

I realize that this is probably not what you meant, Leah :) I promise I'll blog soon...I have to get inspired first (then you won't be able to shut me up!) You should all come if you live here...and if your names are Jason and Teresa, you should just jump in the ridiculously nice ride that you own and drive here so that you can see it! You won't be disappointed, I promise. Make sure you are there early, everyone...the great seats fill up fast.

On another note, my tree is half up....I take a long time putting it up...I have to set the tree up and look at it for a day before I decorate it to make sure that it looks perfect. Then I put the lights and decorations on and continue to re-adjust it for about, oh I'd say, 4-5 days. It is the most beautiful tree you have ever seen. I shall post pics when I get it all done....YAY!

Point form Update

Alright, alright. Due to the overwhelming questions as to why I have not blogged in ages...here it is. It will be fast, so try your best to keep up. I have found this new website that you should visit called 43things.com. You get to make a list of things that you would like to accomplish in life and join in forums with other people that are doing the same things. Lots of encouragement, I must say. I am doing the Master Cleanse right now. Day 5 for me out of 7-10. We'll see. I have black hair and I love it. My sister had a baby on Tuesday...a little girl, Nevaeh Dawn is her name (Heaven backwards). Very beautiful name, I think. I'll post pics when I go and pick them up from Walmart today-I haven't seen her yet. Going to order our kitchen today from Pristine-very exciting. I am getting baptized on Sunday, also very exciting. Love my life, friends, oh, and my new car. In the summer Tim and I purchased a 2003 Ford Focus. I really like it...no more mini van for me! It's funny, some of our friends are just getting a van and so it seems as though we are going the wrong way in vehicle upgrades. Again, pics later. I went shopping in Edmonton and I bought not one, but 2 pairs of leggings and I love them. They are tres hot with big-arse heeled boots! Oh, and I am totally into dark vamp, nearly black nailpolish. Tim loves this phase as he seems to have a thing for vampires...so we'll go with this for a while. He has nick-named me Raven. I cannot wait for Lisa's baby to come. You should see the color that she has painted the baby's room-it is stunning. Also, can't wait to actually get together as couples again (Shawn and Lisa/Jonny and Leah...that was a jab at you ) Seriously, to see them, you have to become a youth leader. My favorite 2 shows on tv? Ghost Whisperer and Medium. They aren't as bad as you may think. I find them intriguing even if I don't believe half of the stuff that is on them. That is all...pictures to come of my hair, the car and my sister's baby.

Question of the day: DO any of you that have songs as ringtones on your cell ever contemplate not picking up because you are enjoying the song too much......ie/dancing?

Quickie

I promise that I will do a complete 'summer of '06' blog once September hits and I feel like sitting downstairs in front of my computer! Seriously, I only stay inside if I have to clean or do laundry. We have spent most of the summer at the paddling pool or the spray park....lots of quality time with my kids...before Ethan...sniff, sniff...goes to school FULL TIME!

Last weekend, we all went to a benefit/fundraiser for Colleen and Graeme Swinnerton because they are going to Mexico to drill wells. Honestly, they are an amazing family! They are biking from here to Calgary and then flying out to Mexico...the biking part was so that they could canvas different neighborhoods to raise funds...Again I say...Amazing!

Colleen had asked me to put together the band entertainment. It was a tonne of fun seeing as we got to perform non church music...it is a rare opportunity...The band was super talented as were our singers...Gord on bass, Johny on acoustic, Davey M on electric, Al H on drums and me on keys...Tim and Torry sang...watch out for this guy...we have been bragging him up since we came to Elim. He is joining choir this year and I think that everyone...including Blaine, will be absolutely blown away. He is as good as any black male artist out there...honestly. Better plan to come to Christmas 2006...he will floor you.

We performed, You're Beautiful, Good People, I Belong to You, Waiting on the World to Change, Big Yellow Taxi, What a Difference a Day Made, and Moondance. Seriously people, you missed out! It was a wonderful evening with great food and a fun silent auction. There was even a doorprize...a diamond cluster ring valued at just under $1000 donated by Ben Moss Jewllers! A 18 year old boy won it...it was funny...he was soooo embarrassed.

At the end of the evening, to thank me for helping, Colleen gave me an auction item that I had been eyeing up, but did not have the funds for....the picture really doesn't do it justice...thanks Colleen...you always know how to make me all out cry! There are 5 stems of bamboo and 2 stems of lime orchids...I just love it!!

So, with that I am off to clean so that I can go to the spray park this afternoon...You'll hear more in September...I promise :)

1950

I honestly wish that I could say that this dress is vintage, but alas it is new. If it was yellowed a little, I could have said that I bought it on ebay. I have been looking, but the girls seemed to have very little waists and much larger you-know-whats back then! So, here it is. Janelle-you also get to see my blond locks. I always love being so blond...even though I know that I am going to wreck it in 5 weeks when Jilla and I get my hair ready for winter. Chocolate covered cherry is the current color of choice.

This weekend was full of lots of work. I can't wait to post before and after pictures of the exterior of our house. Fences, painting, dirt...oh my! That is pretty much what takes up our time these days. I am not that great at yard work. Sometimes I stand around because I am not sure what to do first and I am sure that Tim gets annoyed with me. Inside work-no problem. I can give you an outline and list for what you have to do first and how to be most efficient. Of well, right? The nice part about last weekend was that we had plans every night. So it was work, work, work..then play, play, play! Friday evening, we were joined be the Hundeby's and played Starfarer's. A knock-off game from Settlers of Cattan. Here is a little inside joke for you...you will only get it IF and only if you have played. We call it Sexfarer's. Funny, eh??!! Saturday night, we spent a lovely evening in the Swinnerton backyard. Fun times. Finally, Sunday night was spent in the Chapman's backyard around the firepit. It was a wonderful weekend and we look forward to a great long weekend. We are going to Estevan with some friends from Edmonton. Estevan means free babysitting which is always a treat. I'll tell you all about it next week. Have a great one everyone!

Amber Alert

This post is one of a serious nature. If you don't feel like reading it-don't. If you think that I am reacting too strongly-don't finish!

We have had our first amber alert here is Saskatchewan. A boy from Whitewood just east of Regina has been abducted by a many time convicted pedophile. This news makes me extremely sad for the family and even more so, right now, angry as hell. This man has around 8 or 9 convictions. 8 or 9...that is not a one time 'mistake'. He has had 3 years here, one year there in prison. For goodness sakes, he was arrested in BC for carrying around a home made 'rape kit' that included pictures of kids, plastic ties for handcuffs, petroleum jelly, and latex gloves. What he needs is 20 to life in a real prison...and first the other criminals need to be told what he is in for. Maybe he'd think twice before even looking at another child after that stint. I do not understand why raping or molesting a child carries such a light sentence. Psychiatric reasons???well, duh! What also makes me want to use inappropriate language is that it is very difficult to find out what predators are walking around my neighborhood. I tried today to find a searchable database and came up empty-handed. If anyone knows of one-let me know! I should be able to know if the person that lives 3 doors down has kidnapped and molested children! I know there are some of you out there saying-what about forgivness. There is forgivness under Christ. BUT it doesn't mean that I am going to let my kids go to his house! You know, if these kids ever make it home-they aren't the same. Life doesn't go back to normal. I just don't understand why it seems that the rights of criminals are more respected then the rights of the innocent. Please check out CKOM.com to see pictures of the little boy-Zachary and the abductor. There is also a description of his minivan and license plate number there. Just keep your eyes open.

Summer Lovin'

Really not meaning what the original song may or may not have been referring to...hee hee...my point? I love summer. I have this feeling that Tim and I would be so happy living in Hawaii. I love the weather, the activities, and how we all look and feel just a little more healthy. SO, if we can get just one couple to move with us-we're gone! Although, we just finished listening to the Hallelujah Chorus this evening with a couple of friends and we would have to stick around for the 10 year Christmas Musical-no worries PB.

What has been going on? you ask...Well, we have been enjoying our summer entirely. Our addition never ended up happening...mostly because there is no concrete to be had in this city and apparently you need a concrete foundation. So, we will do that part in the fall (for much cheaper, I might add) and then build next spring. So, I don't have my walk in closet complete with "Shoe Shrine" just yet. Something to look forward to, I guess. SIDENOTE: our backyard is a ridiculous mess. We have killed the grass, taken out all of the concrete pad that was there and removed any kind of shrubbery that was in the way. (hee hee...Shrubbery reminds me of Monty Python: Quest for the Holy Grail...Bring me a Shrubbery...maybe only you get that, Byron...hee hee) Tim took care of the cement and Grace did her best to help! Aren't her kid work gloves the cutest?

The weather thus far has been superb. I love that hot summer sun-one must wear sunscreen though. If you know me, I am on a 'look this way till I am 60' kick. We'll see...

We just finished a week sans kids and it was fabulous! We pretty much fit in 6 months worth of dates in one week...couldn't have afforded another week! Last Thursday, we went out with some friends and sat on the Earl's patio for 5 hours...it was so nice out and the ambiance was unbelievable. I recommend that you try the nicest patio in town! Oh yeah, the cedar plank salmon with green curry sauce is amazing. Tim and I also hit Calories. So yummy...seriously, if you haven't been there-make it your goal for the summer to get there for supper...great food and service.

To be honest with you, one thing that I have liked this summer is that we have no weddings to attend, organize or be in...YAY! I just love the mom's paddling pool/spray park thing. I suppose one exciting thing is that we are pretty close to having our kitchen re-done. We have our quotes and are going to decide in the next week or two...so, I suppose it won't actually get done till Septmeber, but exciting none the less. We are planning on going with black stain on maple. Were you aware that granite counter top for my little kitchen would be around 10 grand??!! That is ridiculous....honestly, I can't drive it, swim in it, or wear it...what the heck do I need that for?? Anyway, when it is all done, I will post a picture of the entire area along with our kitchen table and black chandelier. It's pretty classy looking, if I do say so myself. I am also planning on changing the paint color in the house-appletini green-'nuf said. It will all be very '40's meets goth (in a good way)...I have a little obsession with un-nerving pieces of art...you know-the usual-gargoyles, dead trees, headless angels and the like...

On that note, I am finding that I am more and more attracted to the style of the '40's and '50's...the only reason I am telling you this is because I found a new dress for cheap and it is white and yellow and I could almost say it is vintage off of ebay..if only it didn't look so new. Useless info, I know...but exciting in my life. And yes, Janelle, I will have Tim take a picture and I will post it for you :)

Till next time...enjoy the summer heat!

Graduating (the main theme)

Well, so much has happened in the last month or so, but none of it is really that interesting! Grace has graduated from her first year of preschool and Ethan has graduated from kindergarten. Grace gets to go back for 3 mornings a week next year and my little Ethan, who was just born yesterday, is going into grade 1! Next year Ethan is transferring to Cardinal Leger because that is the French immersion school in our bussing area. I couldn't imagine driving him for the next 8 years. His teacher next year will be a man...I think that will be so great for Ethan.

A couple of weeks ago we got our new table and buffet from Ashley Furniture. It is so nice. Big and black with 6 chairs. We are having our kitchen re-done in the fall and we have decided (right now Tim is reading this thinking, we??) Alright, alright, I decided and he agreed to go with stained black maple cabinets...they are pretty nice. I have ordered a black chandelier from Germany and cannot wait to hang it. It is so unique and amazing. I will post a pic once it is up.

A couple of weekends ago, I went to the students grad from PIMT. It was so great to see all of them. I sure missed them! There was a lovely ceremony, yummy dinner and then a very fun dance. I think that dancing is one of my favorite past times and I wish that there were more, how do I say it, appropriate dances for those of us that don't frequent the bar. Honestly, I went to Beily's with some of the girls after-mainly to drive them home-and I was so out of my element. It was not the Beily's I know from Wednesday night after choir! Maybe, we should have a big dance party at your house, Peter...hint, hint.

This weekend, Tim has to jackhammer the cement patio out of our backyard...he is excited to use one of those? And then next week, our foundation for our addition gets poured. Thankfully, it looks like the rain is going to stop for the next week...honestly-if I can complain about one thing-it would be the last 2.5 weeks of rain. Yesterday on the news, the forecast for today changed 2 times in an hour! They should have said, "and for tomorrow, we don't know what the frick is going on, so let's all be surprised together!" I hope that the weather holds up because Tim and I are going to the jazz festival tonight with Gord and Tracy to see Jesse Cook and Kyle Riabko (YAY). I am fairly excited and hoping that Kyle maybe has a new disc coming out soon.

Well, that is about it for today. Oh, yeah-just wanted to say that Jilla is the best hairdresser ever. She did my hair last night and gave me a wicked cut, however, when I woke up this morning, I felt that it was not the right color. I called her and she fixed it, well, as soon as I could get over there. How great is that?? She's so great!

Bye for now.

This and That

Most of what I have to say today revolves around my kiddies. First of all, I would like to complain about the weather that we have had this last week...it's like we are paying for one stinking day that was 30 degrees!! It was however a very nice day that was spent completely outside. Perhaps some pictures of that day are in order: This first one is of Grace. She is very much into drawing. The thing that resembles a strange alien to your right is in fact a human...she is a very detailed and quite anatomically correct artist and therefore you will notice, if you look closely, that that human is a male. We had to have a chat about the public drawings of hidden body parts...Here I had thought, for the longest time, that her people just had three legs...it wasn't until I asked that I found out that that was his peekee. Hmmm, you don't think about these moments when they are little babies! I suppose things like this keep us on our toes and life interesting??!!

Back to our beautiful day...we spent some time at the park; played some frisbee, Tim pushed the kids on the swings, ate some sunflower seeds and oh yeah, I stepped in some dog crap...my loving husband took a picture of me trying to clean it off. It was so warm outside that we decided to go buy a slip and slide...they are much shorter than when we were kids, but none the less, the kids loved it. Some friends joined us for a bbq and by the end of the day, we were all played out!

In other news, my massage room is complete...I will post some pics in a couple of days. It is awesome...very spa like. So, I look forward to growing a home business over the next few years. Very exciting...oh, yeah, I just got my business cards today and so I'll probably be handing them out left, right and centre. I received a palm pilot and am expecting the battery any day now...all the more easy to make appointments with me! I am actually quite excited to embark on this business...and in the near future, I am going to get hot stone massage certified.

Not much more...oh yeah, I had to show you a picture. Last Sunday night we had some friends over after the Greg Sczebel concert-more on that in a second-and the kids practically tucked themselves into bed...but not without having a night-night prayer meeting first...honestly, it was just so cute and pretty touching too!

I can't believe that I almost forgot...Greg Sczebel...what an artist!! He's got the vocals, the talent and the song writing ability! He also won a Juno this year. If you like Maroon 5, you'll love him. He is 21 and writes his own stuff, with lyrics that in my opinion are mature beyond his years. Check him out...he's fabulous. And, with that...I'm outta here.

Christian Radio????

I am irritated. I know that this will seem very 'complainy' to some of you, but it has been bugging me enough that I need to write about it! The new Christian radio station ticks me off. It just seems so typical. The station logo song is just ridiculous and so 1982 Christian. The reception is terrible! One cannot even listen to it for more than 10 minutes without wanting to drive into someone. You couldn't listen to it at work without annoying everyone. I was just so excited about the whole thing...I would never tell anyone to listen to it...especially non-Christians. I wish that it could have been slightly trendier...not stupid trendy, but just a little more. I also wish that the reception was on par with all of the other radio stations in town. Why advertise and put it on the air when half of the time, one can't hear it? It sounds like when I used to try to pick up the Minot, ND station when I lived in Estevan. Why do endeavors like this seem to make the Christian community look so dull and way behind the times? I think that it would be so cool if there was a Friday night urban/hip hop show (I could host?!) that would give C95's live transistor radio some competition. There is some really great urban Christian music out there! Who knows, maybe it'll get better...

Also, I miss Ronnie and Janelle...I wish they could come home...Ronnie said to take that up with God...I did....Apparently, we have to go visit there...

One last thing...let's vote on whether Tim is a psyco...I found this picture on our camera...apparently it is normal to take pictures of sleeping people??!! (just so you know, that speckled thing is Bill, my body pillow-everyone should have one!)

Edmonton, Song lyrics and Rock Stars

Well, not a lot to report these days...however we did go on a family holiday to Edmonton last weekend and had loads of fun. The kids travel exceptionally well, as you can see! Grace and Ethan loved Galaxy Land. I did not shop lots because as was mentioned earlier...it was a FAMILY holiday...I think that I shall go in August sometime...any girls interested...come with!! We went to Ice Age 2 one night and then we stayed after to see the dragon that breathes fire (in the West Ed mall theatres)...it is so awesome...you even feel the heat from the fire! Ethan started to cry...and as the good mom that I am, could not help laughing at him...behind his back, of course...It was kind of cute, I guess!

In other news, here are some song phrases that you never really think that you will hear coming out of your 3 year old daughter's mouth, and are mortified, yet you cannot contain your laughter: "So, tell me what you want, what you really, really want...I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want, I wanna, I wanna"....and so on; "I'm coming up so you better get this party started"; "I like big butts and I cannot lie"...you know that all of these are NOT my fault...I will take full responsibility for the Pink song and also for the "My Humps" by the BEP's fiasco in Old Navy last year...HOWEVER...the others are not mine! I have Shrek and Chicken Little to thank for those!! Honestly, were they not thinking that there would be little kids walking around malls singing, "if you wanna be my lover (lober, if you are Gracie)...". Just not appropriate!....but oh, so funny!

Another funny story...as we all know, Tim is an engineer. Now, for all intents and purposes of my story, usually the older ones lack for anything that remotely resembles style. Tim, on the other hand, likes to shop at Le Chateau. We could refer to him as 'metro'. Anyway, he has been at a 'Hazmat safety response training thing' (blah, blah , blah) for the last couple of days. No one at work ever sees him dressed in normal clothes or with his hair done, as he has to wear a hard hat at work. So there are people there from other companies that he doesn't know and everyone has to introduce themselves. After he does...one of the lead guys tells him he is a ROCK STAR. Funny eh? So the whole day-that is his name. One of the older guys in his group (that he didn't know) even said, "oh just leave this equation to us, rock star"...inferring that Tim couldn't get it. Ya, right...this is Tim, the guy who gets 99's in his math and science classes!! Tim was so mad and I just thought that it was hilarious!! However, between us (and until Monday when he is at his desk and reads this) I think that he liked it because when he left the house today...he was in full rockstar gear...hmmm, maybe I am rubbing off on him!?

Just for Fun...

You know, I was reading through my blog and I realized that I have let a little bit of the fun part of my personality slip through my fingers. (Except for the fun we had at Pete's housewarming...Cordell-you are nuts!!) Not that I want to be the person that I was a year ago, but I miss my silly side. I saw my blog on drinking a monster energy drink and then writing whatever came to mind...honestly...did I have nothing better to do-like making Easter dinner...which I am in the middle of right now! Anyway, I was thinking, it would be fun if we came up with some appropriate dares for me to accomplish and then I will post the story and the pictures for all to see. Anyone interested? I know that I usually make my own fun, but I have had a hard time getting that part of my brain going- so if you could all help me...that would be great!! Some of my most fun is when I get to act like I would to make my parents say "Oh, Jenn..." This picture is courtesy of Cordell and a tart. And the one below is all because of a late night run to Mac Donalds...and the bottom one, well, a big thank-you goes out to Teesh, San Francisco and Christmas. To Teesh-her willingness to let me be a goof around her, to San Francisco-for selling dumb seasonal costumes, and To Christmas-because everything is just a little more fun during that time of the year!!! So, can you rise to the challenge? Post a silly thing/dare for me and I shall accomplish it with proof...maybe this could be a weekly thing...HOWEVER, I cannot stress enough that the ideas must, I repeat must, be APPROPRIATE!!
See ya lata skatas,

Jenn

Melancholy meets Sanguine

Ya, I know...I hate those stupid personality types too...honestly, the people that walk around and say such things as, "well, you know, it's just the choleric coming out in me". Sheesh, like it is some defense for poor judgment...Anywho...

These last few weeks have been interesting...I think that the medical term that I mean when I say 'interesting' is depressed. I don't remember ever feeling this way except back when I was a kid when some fairly crappy life stuff took place. I guess what resurfaced it was the "dealing with it now phase". I honestly looked through all of the ringtones on my cell to find the song 'Bad Day' so that it could be my theme song. You know..."So you've had a bad day, you're taken one down, you sing a sad song just to turn it around"...and so on. At this point, I have tried my best to stay home and sleep as much as possible. I have no desire to do the things that I love and I find myself pulling away from them, except cooking...I still love to cook...you can all drop by whenever you want and I'll cook for you!? And to top it all off...I detest the thought of being in social situations...So, I make myself do things. Like last night, for example, I made myself go over to some friend's house. I just wanted to stay at home, but I thought that if I keep up with this, things will only get worse. So we went and wouldn't you know, I had a fabulous time. I think that the desires and personality that God gave me win out even when I 'feel' differently. I suppose there is a life lesson in that...I'll approach that later.

However, I have had some good times over the last few weeks. We celebrated Teesha and my birthdays...We had Peter's housewarming party...tonnes of laughs...did I mention the 'Round the world table tennis championship'??? Always fun, always fun!! We also had a going away party for Ronnie and Janelle...also fun (hot tubbing rules!) and sad all at the same time! I am glad that they are following God's call on their lives, but it does leave a hole in ours...Miss you both so much!!






Anyway, that is kind of the reason that I haven't blogged much or called any of you..(sorry Alison, I'll do that this week!! :)

Jenn

The Weekend

So, to update my list...

1. I still have no desire to go to my highschool reunion...
2. Still need a truck...
3. Would never sell my piano...or shoes for that matter (what was I thinking??)
4. I am re-painting the house...that is a story unto itself...
5. Oxygen cover model?? That's alot of work...we'll see how it goes...
6. I am fairly certain now that God has some sort of "let's shift the seasons" humour...
7. I will not be cutting my hair...sorry Tan!...but that one was a 'I'm mad at Tim-and that will upset him' comment!

I have to say that we had a most fabulous weekend! Friday night, Tim and Maury played tennis at the dome and Marla and I visited for a couple of hours. As you will re-call, they are our friends that now live in Calgary. I just love them!! After they left, Tim and I put the kids to bed and watched Arrested Development while eating some chocolate bars. I say some because I beleive that I had 3. You should really try the new Aero Yogurt, people! AD is a pretty entertaining show...quite quirky. I really enjoy it! Saturday was family day and as always, lunch was at Burger King at Preston Crossing as there is a play center there. Tim finally finished our entryway. I should really post a picture. We have had new carpet, tile, an exterior door and mirrored sliding doors for the coat closet added since January. It is finally part of the room! I love it.

On Sunday, we had brunch at our house with Gord and Tracy and Maury and Marla. We sat chatting till 6pm! My face hurt by the end because of all of the laughing. Maury and Marla decided not to go back to Calgary till today, so we chatted and watched a couple of episodes of Arrested Development. It was a wonderful day. Tim and I will remember it for a long time....thanks guys!!

That was my weekend in a nutshell...hope you are all well!

List of things that have passed through my mind this week

1. I really have no interest in my high school reunion this summer (although a friend of mine and I will be in Estevan during it...so we are going to walk around in disguise...pictures will be sure to follow :)

2. Buy a truck so that I could haul all of the junk in our house to the dump...I am spring cleaning like a crazy person...and no, I am not pregnant or nesting.

3. Sell my piano?

4. Sell my shoes?

5. Re-paint the entire house...inside and out.

6. Be an Oxygen cover model?

7. Has God mistaken March for January...again??

8. Cut my hair into a short shag?

Not very life changing, was it? These days, I've got nothing but my thoughts, strange as they are...they are mine...I'll keep you updated on which of these thing I actually carry out.

I'm Just a Sinner Saved by Grace....

...and other Christian Myths. That is the title of a sermon that I just listened to...twice. This is a phrase that I have heard thrown around in Christian circles for years and it has always kind of bothered me, however I wasn't sure why. The problem with the phrase, you see, is it is not overly biblical.

Let me back up a little...the series of sermons that Tim and I have are from Ronnie and Janelle...they picked them up in England. There are a few others with equally interesting and though provoking titles such as, "God is so big and so strong, He can't be hurt; The Lord gives and the Lord takes away...always ending with,'and other Christian Myths'. The pastor is Pete Read and he is quite funny and has this wonderful english accent that is positively entertaining to listen to! Back to my point. He begins the sermon with multiple scriptures frankly stating that the word 'sinner' refers to those that are pre-God, outside of relationship with God or independent of God. (Genesis 13, Psalm 1, 25, 51, Proverbs 11, 13, Matthew 9, Luke 5, Romans 5, 1 Timothy 1:5) Biblically speaking, all those that are in relationship with God are called Saints. We, His people, are His saints. Our inheritance is in heaven (Eph 1) and God's inheritance is in the saints. We are His treasure. No wonder He protects and looks after us! It seems to me that it would be offensive to God to keep calling ourselves sinners if God sees us as HIS saints and HIS inheritance! He calls us His holy and righteous ones, we are sacred and set apart. So then, what is the relationship between saints and sin? Acts 3 says that once I have turned to God, my sins are blotted out. But that doesn't mean I don't struggle with sin. When I put my faith in God, I am not still in my sin-I am free. We are freed from the guilt and shame, but also the power of sin over us.

However, there is an important 'tension' to keep in check; the tightrope between justification and sanctification.

1. Justification: having right standing before God. Christ makes this possible through His death and resurrection. It can be a slippery concept on it's own without sanctification-Is it right that someone has terrible things hidden in their heart and keeps sinning because they know that they are 'just a sinner' and God's grace will cover them? NO! It's like having a rich relative of a murderer pay to have that person released...How many of you or how many people do you know that live this out daily? I once had a friend who was involved in perpetual sin and they used to say, "I don't doubt God's grace...and maybe that's my problem." You see, they believed that God would always forgive and cover them if they said sorry, but there was never a true change...

2. Sanctification- cleansing of my inner life, Christ's character being formed in me, being made holy. God does a work in our life to make us clean. Not just to deal with the past, but to give us a power for the future to deal with sin. When we repent, we have to be sure that we allow sanctification, true change, or we are doomed for failure or a life spent trying to live out 'rules' without the heart behind it.

So then, how do I live? Eph 4:24-"Display a new nature, because you are a new person created in God's likeness: righteous, holy and true." We should think of ourselves as ex-sinners, saints who might occasionally sin. If I live like a sinner (saved by grace), I live with a certain inevitability hanging over me. We live up to who we believe we are. If I believe I am a sinner grasping to the grace of God...but know I will still make it to heaven one day...I will live it out. I will always struggle...I am just a sinner. Chances are: I will crash.

1 John 1: 5: "This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you, God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him, yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the Truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

God doesn't expect us to sin, yet so often we expect it! We live in a state of just waiting to slip and fall. I want to encourage you with what has encouraged me:

Become what God says you are: A SAINT, A HOLY ONE, SET APART for HIM...

...if you do sin: confess, repent, be cleansed and restored.

Mexico 2006

As requested by the lovely Kristin, I shall finally sit down and write about our trip to Mexico. First of all, I have to say that our flight times definitely were a bonus when factoring in how much time you actually get to spend at your resort. We traveled at night 1:30 am flight from Edmonton (which actually left at 2:30). We were at our resort by noonish as the drive was about an hour and a half. The highways are much better than ours here in Saskatchewan....and they have some very nice charter buses, so there was no nervousness on our travels for me...plus I slept some of the way. And when we left Mexico, our flight wasn't until 11:20 pm, so we didn't have to leave the resort until 6:30 pm...We had a whole extra day there!

It is a massive resort that is actually 3 in one, all created by the Gran Bahia Principe group. Ours, the Coba resort, just opened in November of 2005. It is behind one of the others-so not beachfront, but only a ten minute walk. Or if we preferred, we could catch one of the little buses that went straight to the beach. Our room was beautiful and after looking around, I have decided that ceramic tile and marble tile must be inexpensive in Mexico as it was everywhere! The foliage was gorgeous...there were 'Birds of Paradise' flowers everywhere I looked. They are one of my favorite flowers!

Saturday the 11th was my birthday. It was a gorgeous sunny day, about 27 degrees, and not a lot of wind. Tim and I had breakfast, which let me tell you...I have to rave about the food after I tell you about this day...and then we grabbed our snorkel gear and headed for the beach. At this particular location, there is a very large reef right off of the beach. You pretty much walk six feet into the water, put on your gear, put your face in the water-and fish everywhere! I found it so neat that the water is so clear and that there are lots of little (some big) colored fish swimming all around me. That was pretty much the most fun thing I have ever done on my birthday. We had lunch and then chose a spot by the pool and layed in the sun and read. It was so nice...and the pools are beautiful! We had a lovely supper that night at one of the a la cartes. We were allowed four of these during our stay and there were about 11 different restaurants to choose from. I'd have to say that at all of them, the food was equal or better than any place in Saskatoon. Heck, ever the buffet blew us away. At breakfast, you could have made to order omelets, waffles, pancakes, fruit, cereal (Tim loves Cocoa Crispies...basically chocolate rice crispies...and they aren't sold here!) They had milkshakes and basically any kind of breakfast meat you might want. I do not think that a buffet really exists in this town that would match the "Kukulcan" Very nice....it's a wonder we both didn't gain 20 pounds?!

Valentine's day began with a 30 minute massage outside on the deck at the spa...pretty nice! Another great day by the pool and a wonderful steak dinner...couldn't have been more perfect! On one of these nights...can't quite remember which one, we went to one of the shows. They were pretty well done...things like 'Broadway', 'Cats', 'Illusion'...on this particular night, It was Michael Jackson. All of the singing was Michael Jackson recordings and then they lip synched, but the costuming and the dancing were spectacular...honestly, the guy impersonating Michael was perfect...it was like being at a concert (back in 1996 when he wasn't quite so weird...)

We did have some cooler weather for about 3 of the days...kind of depressing until we found out that it was -40 degrees here...OUCH!! I think that we would go in March next time as many of the locals said that March is usually perfect. It was quite windy while we were there which made ocean playing not an option most days....but it still looked really nice!

On Thursday, it rained...so we took a cab into Playa Del Carmen and shopped the famous 5th avenue. There were some amazing little stores...lots of jewelry stores with things that I have only seen in In Style magazine. I know that I should have bought something, especially as you could basically offer them thirty percent of the price and as long as you took out your cash, it would be sold...but unfortunately, I wasn't in a buying mood. Next time...

Playa Del Carmen is right on the beach. Tim and I decided next time we go to Mexico, we will fly to Cancun and then stay at a hotel in Playa and go on adventures everyday. There is some amazing snorkeling close by and pyramid ruins that we would like to see. By the end of the trip,we were ready to come home and see the kiddies. We also found that we got a little bored by the end as we both like to 'do' things. But, this time, this was exactly what we needed. We spent lots of time laying in the sun, or sitting in the lobby drinking coffee just talking. It was a fabulous holiday that was perfect...It was the honeymoon we had never been on...

Now...some random pictures...

Tim at the beach... 

...and Jenn 

ice sculpture at the buffet 

Michael Jackson!?

inside Lobby Coba 

walk to Lobby Coba 

one of many iguanas