Holidays

The alarm went off at 5:30.

Dan hit the snooze.

The alarm went off at 5:39.

I told Dan to hit the snooze.

Guilt hit me and I exited my warm bed at 5:41.

I made a pot of that miraculous strong black brew that seems to keep adults going.

I got 4 kids out of bed.  They pretty much opened their eyes and bounded out of bed and up the stairs.  They each grabbed their pile of clothes that were neatly folded and placed on the kitchen table and got dressed quickly.

By 5:55 I finished my first cup of coffee, handed Dan his, and had 4 kids in the van.  We were driving just before 6 am.

At 9:25 we got Seth's top pitch angry countdown.  That's right--and it sounds exactly like I described.  Seth hollered in a high pitched, angry voice:

1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10..11..12..13..14..18..90...and...ZERO!!!

Thank you son.  That was very entertaining.  Then at 9:27 we got Seth's top pitch angry countdown again.  And another at 9:34. 

We showed our kids lots of land marks on the way--like the black cow in the field, Aunt Leer's house (get it...Aunt Leer...antler...) who lived on the top of Antler Hill, Woodbend Road and all sorts of insignificant things.  we talked a lot about Uncle AJ choking on a piece of broccoli and mommy being scared because there was a spider in her boot when she was 5.  If you are utterly confused, that's OK.  It was pure, plain foolishness and we were all having a ball.

At around 10ish we were seeing signs for Head Smash Buffalo Jump.  We decided to go take a look and that's when we met Garry.  Garry was a sweet little guy.  He was short, had brown hair and obviously LOVED being outside.  He had a huge family and more friends than you can count.  We know this to be true because we saw them.  They were all hanging around outside and it sure looked like a family gathering of sorts.  Well, we stayed in our van and were driving along when this little guy, Garry, tore away from the safety of his family and went tearing across the road--right in front of our van.  KA-THUNK! KA-THUNK!  2 wheels hit Garry.  Half a second of silence in the van while everyone comprehended what had just happened.  One of the kids looked back to see the aftermath and reported, "WOW dad...there's blood all over the road!"  Cheering erupted as the van continued to barrel along, hardly slowing after the unfortunate event.  Garry the gopher was dead.  Head Smash Buffalo Jump now has a new meaning...and it has nothing to do with buffalo.

OK, moving right along now.  Once we found out we had to PAY to get in (oh yes...I am cheap) we decided to turn around and get back to the main highway.  Generally when you pay to get in somewhere it takes time to look at everything.  We didn't have a lot of spare time.  As we neared Lethbridge Lindsay was ooo ing at the cliffs and bluffs.  She saw some red rocks lining one of the bluffs and matter-of-factly informed everyone that the rocks were covered in buffalo blood.  AHEM...cough, cough...  Why must my children be so morbid.  Gopher guts, buffalo blood...

At noon we were at the Birds of Prey Center located in Coaldale Alberta.  As soon as we entered the building Eric and Lindsay were both invited to hold and endangered burrowing owl.  Eric especially was STOKED!  Since there were no other school groups there that day we received our own special tour.  The center takes birds who have been hurt, rehabilitates or fixes them, then sets then free in the wild again.  Some birds stay there because there is just no way for them to survive the wild.

One of these birds was Spirit.  This was a huge, beautiful golden eagle who was shot several times by a hunter.  She was completely blind.  Eric loved Spirit.  She was perched in a big open dome area with many other birds of prey.  each bird had a perch and a leash that was attached to their ankle.  We could visit these birds up close with no wire mesh or cage between us. 

Paul got to see a vulture up close and I must say...that is an ugly bird.  We were told that the reason his head is void of feathers is because as a scavenger, he will stick his head right into a dead animal's carcass and that way he won't get any feathers in his food.  Yummy.  Paul maintains that the vulture is still his favorite bird.

After our little tour, we watched a flying demonstration with a Harris hawk.  Then we were introduced to a great horned owl named Gordon.  He was the guy we got to hold.  Eric, Lindsay, Paul and I all held him.  He was heavy, but definitely beautiful.  that is probably what was the coolest thing about the center--they let you get close to the birds--mind you...the guides had a pretty rapt audience.  Eric impressed them several times with his knowledge about birds.  The caretakers even encouraged him to pursue a job that involved working with birds, telling him there were many opportunities to do so. 

I was so impressed with the staff.  They took time to answer all our questions.  They took time to show us their place and they let us hold the birds.  You could see they loved those birds and they wanted to pass that along to others.  They really fanned that flame inside Eric and encouraged him to continue to expand his knowledge of birds.  They assured my son that if he really wanted to work with birds in the future, there was plenty of work for him in that field.  Eric left that place on cloud nine.

We bought as little bag of food for the ducks who felt so obliged to follow us wherever we went.  There were at least 50 of them and when they saw we had food they BOOKED it over to us just as fast as they could waddle and swim. 

Well, by 2:30 we decided to head to the hotel.  The hotel was in Strathmore which meant we had at least 2 hours of driving ahead of us yet.  All 4 kids fell asleep and a few hours later we were in our hotel which boasted a pool and a water slide.  WIN!!!  the kids, energy renewed after their nap, went beserko for a good hour in the pool before we herded them out to go for supper.

After supper it was back to the hotel and I read to the kids, we prayed and we ALL went to sleep by 9.  We were all zonked.  Besides, with all of us sleeping in 1 room (2 kids on the floor, 2 kids on a queen bed and us in the other queen bed) it would be foolish to expect kids to sleep while the lights were still on and the adults chatting.  As a result, everyone had a good night sleep.

By 6:30 we were all up.  We showered and enjoyed a very good continental breakfast--bacon, eggs, sausage, cinnamon buns, yogurt, hash browns, toast...you name it.  Then off to the zoo.

I know lots of people have been to the Calgary Zoo, so really, there isn't much to tell.  i loved how the zoo was divided into continental sections--South America, North America, Africa, etc.  I still have to say that North America was my favorite section.  i was also very impressed with the displays put up around the zoo.  South America was VERY well done, with a building full of lush vegetation.  The air felt humid and hot.  i realized that by doing so, the Zoo was giving people a real feel for the climate of different areas around the world.  We were paying for more than just seeing animals...we were paying to really experience the world at large.

Anyways, we left the zoo at 1.  It was getting hot by then and the kids were getting tired.  We skipped the penguin exhibit seeing as there was an 45 minute wait.  I can't justify waiting that long just to see 1 animal.  I'm sure they're cool, but 45 minutes in the warm sun with 4 tired kids waiting in line isn't a wise choice for any parent.  I'm glad we left when we did.  We were home just after 4 and got to see Courtney (she had a sleep over at her grandparents' house).  We chilled at home and all went o bed early.

That was our trip.  I'm glad we did it.  I've got lots of great pictures and we've made lots of nice memories.  Worth it!

Odds and Ends

Here's a hodge podge of different things that have been going on lately.  I want to write them down before I forget too many of them.  As I sit here, I will share what I am hearing in the background...(1 sec...I have to pull Red Alert off the table).  Seth is berating his little sister for cutting his bath short--WAY short.  "Courtney...DON"T poop in the bath again!  It's GROSS!"  Yes, my little girl has fallen into a bad habit.  But I digress...

= Lindsay came running inside one day hollering that I had to bring Courtney in RIGHT AWAY!  Why you ask?  Well, because she saw a Nazi plane...and little black things were falling from it...they were bullets...and they hit a tree...in Spruce Grove...   I'd say that pilot was a little behind schedule!

= This past week I got an e-mail from Reformation Heritage Books...they asked me if I would be willing to write a review on a couple of books.  I don't know if this is standard or not, but it's the first time I've been asked that by this company.  I buy a lot of books from them--both for myself and for the church library.  Anyways, I wrote a review for 1 book...it's up for review now and we'll see if they use it or not. 

=I had to run errands last Thursday.  I took all the kids with me, telling them we had to go to Superstore, the bank, the gas station and the liquor store (for boxes).  Seth immediately pipes up, "I LOVE the licorice store!"

= Tomorrow we head out to go to Coaldale for our year end field trip.  Why Coaldale you say?  My eldest son absolutely loves birds of prey and the Alberta Birds of Prey Sanctuary is located there.  On Tuesday we will go to the Calgary Zoo.

= Today Courtney threw a fit because I would not let her walk down the stairs by herself.  I hope one she reads this post and realizes the complete absurdity of the situation, cause today she took it awfully serious.

= Lately I have been enjoying a series of lectures delivered by Joel Beeke on Child Rearing/Marriage/Family Living.  It's all so practical!  I've also been enjoying listening to Dr. David Murray on the catechism.

= I've been reading to the kids about Corrie ten Boom while sitting in the crawl space--their idea, not mine.  I must say...reading there brings the book to a whole new light.  I do wonder if the content of the book may be a little too heavy for them.  It sure brings on a lot of discussion.

= I know there is more I wanted to write, but I can't remember and my brain is fried.  I will leave this post as is, taking comfort in the fact that at least I've written a few tidbits of life that's been happening around here.  In 40 years from now I won't remember this little stuff and oddly enough, will probably enjoy reading it. 

The next post will, Lord willing, talk about our trip.

Nail Polish and Beer

I needed to make a quick trip to the grocery store.  Since Dan was home (napping because he had started work at 4) I decided to take the 3 noisy younger ones and leave the 2 older ones.  As I was pulling on shoes, washing faces, etc, I noticed that Paul was sitting ever so quietly, hands splayed on the table while Lindsay was meticulously applying a vibrant shade of blue on her brother's finger nails.

With a cry of alarm I grabbed Paul and tried in vain to scrub off the polish.  All the while I was telling him that it is NOT OK for a boy to wear nail polish.  Paul didn't seem to mind--he said he liked the blue!  And of course, try as I may, I could not get it off.  Unfortunately for him, blue nails did not keep him from getting hauled to the grocery store.  5 minutes later, we're on the road.

En route, Paul pipes up from the back seat, "I found a can of pop mom!"  Since we had just brought the bottles to the bottle depot a few days earlier I assumed he must have found a stray can.  The crucial piece of information that I had forgotten was that my brother had put 4 cans of beer in the back of my van to bring home to my hubby 2 days prior. 

All at once I hear that familiar fssst when a can of pop gets opened.  Paul hollers out, "UGGGHHH!  that's disgusting!"  ....then.... "MOM!  I spilled it!"  All of a sudden a smell assaults my nostrils--beer! 

At this point we've arrived in the grocery store parking lot.  Trying to stay positive I open the sliding door to survey the damage.  My 5 year old's shirt and shorts have large wet splotches of beer on them.  His nails are bright blue.  He reeks of alcohol.

I haul them all out of the van anyways and shut the door quickly--hoping the overpowering, disgusting smell of beer radiating out of a family vehicle full of car seats stays our little secret.  We blast through the store, avoiding people and run through the self checkout.  No one, thankfully asks any questions.

On the way home I ensure I drive 5km/h below the speed limit.  I'm doing all the proper shoulder checks and correctly stopping in front of all the thick white stop lines.  I really don't want to be pulled over right now.  We get home without incident and after supper I happily offer Dan 2/3's of a can of beer.

Saved!

God never gave the devil a second chance.  He never offered the fallen angels forgiveness either.  But me, a descendant of the fallen Adam; me, a sinner who just can't stop transgressing; He chose to offer salvation to me.

He didn't need my adoration or thanksgiving.  He didn't have to reveal Himself to me.  He could have made me like an animal or a tree and delighted in me as I stood tall and majestic or wandered about grazing the plains.  I would have had no understanding of Him and simply ceased to exist when life left me.  But He gave me a soul made to last an eternity.  And then He saved that soul.  He chose to tell me who He was.  He chose to have a relationship with me--the Creator with a creature.  He opened my understanding, He showed me I'm a sinner and then he showed me His provision for me.  He showed me His Christ.

Me--a wretched hell deserving sinner...given grace.  I shall never understand it.

She's LITERALLY that Fast!

BEFORE.....

DURING.....

AFTER.....

Thoughts on the School Year

I'm reading the biography of Hudson Taylor--missionary and founder of the China Inland Mission, by Jim Cromarty.  (Actually, a little later I'd like to share a piece that I read that I found ever so helpful to daily Christian walk).  I was very much aware of how important and instrumental his upbringing was in shaping him.  Little Hudson Taylor was also homeschooled and it is rather amazing how much time both of his parents invested into his education.  They also, especially his mother, prayed ceaselessly over him and for him.  They constantly showed and prayed with great faith in God's covenant faithfulness.  As a result, Hudson Taylor grew up and was blessed greatly by the Lord--not in material gains, for Hudson denied himself much luxury, but in a close relationship with the Lord.  It is thrilling and humbling to read of his personal times with the Lord 

I may live in a different century but worldly influences nor God's covenant promises change.  I too, am fortunate to homeschool and feel compelled to teach them the ways of God.  I am shamed, however, at the lack of vigour I have had this past school year and realize that I need to be more disciplined.  I need to pray more, I need to be more scheduled.  I must display more effort towards my children.  I need to ask God for repentance more regularly and plead for His help more consistently.

One of the greatest blessings in homeschooling is impressing the greatness and goodness of God in everything.  It is to teach them our rich heritage and show how that looks in real life.  It is to teach certain qualities such as diligence, compassion, etc. in everyday life.

Upon hindsight, I did not enjoy teaching last year, and I think I know why.  This past year I lost focus of the main goal of homeschooling.  School got compressed into a "TO DO" list.  Math - check.  Reading - check.  Social - check.  Ok, now a bit of laundry - check.  Lunch - check.  Now let's read - check.  Science - check.  Ok, it's 3:00 and I'm tired.  Play outside while I tidy up and start up supper.  That is SO not the way I want to teach.

This summer I want to prepare for a more Christ-infused school year.  I want to work toward building my children up spiritually.  This starts with preparing myself.  This summer I'm going to be doing a lot of summer reading -- Charlotte Mason, a bit of Beeke, Cromarty's biography which i mentioned earlier, a little Goodwin and a bunch of Flavel.  I'm also going to scale back some of the more time intensive subjects (Language Arts and Math can not be altered, but Social and Science can!) and buy curriculum that tailors this.  Then it is my plan to put together a few character studies starting with John Bunyan and his life -- how he spent 12 years in Bedford Prison and to read and discuss his famous work, Pilgrim's Progress.  I want to get my hands on a copy of Isaac Watts' book "Divine and Moral Songs for Children" and memorize a few.  I'd like to study the lives of a few missionaries as well.

Oh Lord, bless my efforts.  I need your blessing to make this work.  More than anyone else, it is my children who deserve the bulk of my efforts and energy.  Lord, I will do the work, with your constant, daily help, but I need you to do the heart work.

That Didn't Take Long!

Alright, I admit I was pretty uptight about putting our house on the market and trying to sell it.  I had visions of struggling to keep the house 'show ready' for weeks and weeks and weeks.  I wondered how many times we'd get chased out of the house--with 5 kids and a dog...at any time...without a van.  Yeah, I was a little stressed.

On Saturday the house officially went on the market.  Our realtors, 2 young guys, wanted to put a 15 foot flag in our front yard to catch people's attention.  So that was done.  Sunday was quiet (we requested no showings or any contact on Sundays which they did abide by).  Monday we had 5 showings, some of them double showings.  Tuesday none.  Then Wednesday another one.  By Wednesday night we had an offer.





9 days later the flag got changed, and I've been cheering ever since!

So in a nutshell, 3 days, 6 showings, 8 different realtors in our house, 1 inspection, and SOLD!