God Loves to Celebrate

Happy 10th Anniversary to Us!!

Our Anniversary was on a Friday a couple of weeks ago, and we celebrated by dinner out at the Keg.  On the Wednesday just before, on 'date night' while Nolan was at Awana, we went ring shopping for a band to match my wedding band.  We hit the mall and didn't find one at the first jewelry store where we got the initial band; too bad, since they were going out of business and everything was on sale.  Right across the aisle was another jewelry store, but they didn't have anything similar enough either.  I guess this is why you can have three of them in one mall - the third one was the charm (and was, actually, called Charm).  They had a very similar band for a decent price, AND, while I was trying it on, I noticed that the mall system was playing the song we walked down the aisle to at our wedding. 

It's like God was saying, "I like you guys!  Anniversaries are to be celebrated, and I'm celebrating with you.  Good job!"

So awesome.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Seven years ago today...

This is what our families looked like at the time:

... and now add 3 more babies!

... and now add 6 more babies!!

Here's to the next seven, and the next seven, and the next seven...

XO

Marriage Advice

One of the things I would like to aim to do is read one marriage book and one parenting book per year.  Each year you will be facing different issues in those relationships (especially the parent-child one as they keep growing!) and you might find helpful advice or practical suggestions for those specific areas.  Getting a fresh perspective and taking the time to actually focus on how you can better those relationships is never a waste of time, even if it is not to fix a specific problem.

I just finished a book called Love Busters by Willard F Harley Jr that was recommended by my mother-in-law.  I didn't find it to be a fantastic read simply because most of what he was addressing were not issues for us, but of course good to be aware of.  What I did find interesting, because I like to think in pictures, was his idea of each person having a love account, like a bank account, with us.  As they do things that we appreciate, or that make us feel loved, they are 'depositing love units' into their account.  As they do things that annoy us or disrespect us, they are 'making withdrawals'.  The more love units, the more in love you feel, the fewer there are, the less you feel in love.  Interesting.

For your consideration today I thought I'd share just the main points of his books.  Give you something to mull over if you are so inclined.

This guy is also the author of His Needs Her Needs, which he sums up in the back chapters of this book, and which by meeting, you will be building up your account.  Everyone's mix of their top needs may be different, but these are the most common:

His Needs:

• Sexual Fulfillment
• Recreational Companionship
• Physical Attractiveness
• Domestic Support
• Admiration

Her Needs:

• Affection
• Conversation
• Honesty & Openness
• Financial Support
• Family Commitment

The top Love Busters that drain those accounts are:

• Selfish Demands
• Disrespectful Judgements
• Angry Outbursts
• Dishonesty
• Annoying Habits
• Independent Behavior

May you have a wonderful Wednesday, and may all your accounts be full.

Five Years Ago...

The Ultimate Feast... Polished Off!

... and now I look like I'm six months pregnant!  Oh, wait, maybe that's because I AM six months pregnant.  Twenty six and a half weeks, to be precise.  I remember the first weeks of being pregnant - how every week seemed like a major milestone; now they run together and I don't remember exactly how far along I am.  We're due January 18, so I'm going to call October 18 six months, November 18 (our 5th anniversary!) seven months, December 18 eight months, and January 18... don't know what I'll call January 18.  Baby's birthday, maybe? That works.

The ultimate feast was at Red Lobster.  We were heading for the Keg when Sean mentioned crab, so we turned the car around and ended up with an ultimate feast for each of us - lobster, snow crab legs and two kinds of shrimp.  Plus Caesar salad and yummy buns to start.  So good.  And I ate so much.  So happy.  The reason, if we need one, was that I wanted to take Sean out to thank him for all the good work and hard work he puts in around the house.  It might get done quicker if he wasn't such a perfectionist, but then he wouldn't get down to the studs and see the bad wiring that needs fixing... I feel safer now!  Notice all the new outlets right at my counter top level... :)  My next job is picking stain and paint colors.

Another reason to treat him to a great dinner was that this week I tried not to shop and just use up stuff in the freezer - it worked great, but there were a few not so inspiring meals in there.  I was ready for something delicious, so I guessed he might feel the same way.  Plus, M is out at the lake for a youth retreat this weekend, so we were child-free and date ready!  (The little one I'm carrying got in the way physically - not much stomach space in there! - but doesn't really cramp our dates just yet.)

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I raked the yard today - half the yard.  I like raking - being outside & doing something physical...  I'm kinda glad it started to rain, though, because it gave me another excuse to go in.  I was at my limit after half the front yard, sad to say.  Can't quite do all that I used to.  Guess M will have to finish the job tomorrow when she gets home.

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Congrats to Jess and Dave on 16 years of marriage - my sister and her husband have a great marriage and a great family and are a fantastic example to all who know them.  Thanks, you guys!!  Love you all.

I Promised Pictures

Madeline had asked her Uncle Larry if he could take her up for a plane ride for her birthday. I got a message earlier last week from him saying he had a plane booked for Friday and Saturday mornings & would she like to go? Well, Happy Canada Day to M!

Mathew went along for his 2nd time up with Dad.

The Intrepid Three!

Flygirl. She loved it.

So that was Friday morning - Friday afternoon and evening were Jenn's wedding, and Saturday was Katie's.  I didn't take any photos at Jenn's - too many people and too far away.  At Katie's though, I pulled out the camera and played around with my manual settings, getting ready for the photography class I'm taking.  I have a lot to learn!  I got a few good ones, though.

Katie & Nick - and Nick's Grandfather officiated.

Blues & Greens - the decorating was fabulous.

Holly & David, our traveling buddies!

Dancing with Dad.

The girls we went to see!

Wild Wedding Whirlwind Weekend!

Just like last year, our only two weddings of the year fell on the same weekend.  Only this time, they were in two different provinces!

Jenn Brace (now Armstrong) married Craig on Friday in a beautiful (and purple!) extravaganza.  We ducked out of the reception at 10:30 along with Holly and David to hit the road to Alberta.  Making it to Medicine Hat in the middle of the night, we got about 4 hours sleep, then drove the rest of the way to Airdrie in the morning.  We got there in enough time for lunch and a change in BP's restrooms into our wedding duds.  Katie McIntyre (now Kadun) married Nick in another great day.

Tomorrow I'll have more for you, and pictures, but we need some sleep after all that driving!  Here's one to leave you with:

Storm Fail

Yesterday was our anniversary - I'm sure glad the weather four years ago was not like the weather we had this year on November 18th!

Yes, the craft sale was on our anniversary, and because of all the wind and snow, there was a very poor turnout - only 3 sales at our table.  The table was free, so I did turn a profit, but a very small one!  I sold one magic bag and 3 little snowmen.  We've got plans to try again, though.  They're both going to join me at the WH Ford sale on December 4.  (10 - 4 Come on out!)

True Blue Fan in Green

Today is my brother's birthday - Happy Birthday, Clayton!

It's also Grey Cup Sunday, and I have a photo for you:

Madeline is a Winnipeg born, Regina raised girl. It's a mixed marriage, where Manitoba blue and Saskatchewan green would be more hotly debated if we actually cared any about football. I don't. Sorry. Sean watches the last few games of the season (but he's doing it with the laptop on his lap, on the motorsports forums or playing poker.) Madeline is pretty into it today, though. Her favorite team is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and I think that's partly because she watches a lot of sports with Grandpa, and she cheers for whoever is playing against the team he's cheering for. It's developed a competitiveness and Bomber loyalty in her. She does say, though, that the Saskatchewan Roughriders are her second favorite team. And while this is only the first or second time she's worn that shirt she got for Christmas last year, she's cheering hardcore for the Riders today.


(That's her new Winnie the Pooh bear she's been saving up for and bought just today.)

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Sean cooked supper tonight. I started getting it out and he came in and took over, saying, "I haven't cooked for you yet this weekend."
"Do you cook for me every weekend?" I asked.
"I try to. I know you appreciate it when I do." What a sweetheart, hey? He's never said it's something he's wanting to do for me - he just does it. One more reason I love him.

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It's been a creative and productive day today.  I did a bunch of work on my paper - I still have a ways to go tonight on that, but I've made a big dent.  I also sewed some magic bag insides and finished a little book I was making.  Madeline had her cousin Mataya over this afternoon for a few hours - Mataya brought her scrapbooking stuff along and they disappeared into my 'studio' and each made a page.  With their own stuff.  And no parental supervision.  That's crazy.  And pretty cool.

Here are some shots of that little book.  I found the idea and tutorial at this site, if you want to make your own.  

 

I'm going to give it away as a birthday present to our 'adopted' youth.  We've got an Adopt A Youth program at church this year, and Jada-Rae is our youth.  She turns 15 tomorrow and of course I wasn't on the ball enough to have something ready to give her at church today, but taking this over tomorrow should be pretty special, I'm hoping.  We haven't done too much together yet, but she's coming to babysit M while we go to Sean's work Christmas party on Thursday, and then I think Friday we'll do something all together.

If Money was Unlimited...

...this is the date I'd take Sean on.

I would find somewhere for M to stay, make a few arrangements with his work, and pack a bag or two. When he got home from work, I'd tell him to jump in the shower because I was taking him out for dinner. I'd have a limo pick us up and take us somewhere for a nice steak dinner, and then have the limo take us to the airport, where we'd hop on a plane to Vancouver, and then straight to a fancy hotel, because it would be late. The next day we'd sleep in, go out for brunch, then do some sightseeing, I would plan it around some awesome concert or maybe a pro sports game, and we'd take that in. The next day, when he's expecting to head back to the airport, we'd pick up our rental Hummer and drive up to Whistler for 4 days on the snow (because I would have packed our boards on the sly...). We'd of course have a sweet condo rented there, with a hot tub. Then we'd hum along back to Vancouver and fly back home.

Yep. If I wasn't limited to my bank account, that's what I'd do.

Good Idea...

I found this little something on (in)courage the other day and thought I'd share:

Fall in Love in Four Minutes A Day
It only takes four minutes a day to move into a deeper heart place. It only takes four minutes a day to connect in soul intimacy; to breathe in oxygen for the other half of my heart. Don’t and I too begin to suffocate, the death heave. I wish someone had told me in the beginning.
Four Fixations
Four times a day think on love. When I leave the marriage bed, leave the front door, when I return to front door, return to marriage bed. These are the four critical archways of time in our day. Touch or whisper a sweet nothing when passing through these gate points, and we walk into hours of closeness. Forever love fixates like fresh love.
Four Embraces
Four times a day, wrap up in husband. Embrace fully and hold each other's eyes. That’s all. Repeat four times daily. The one flesh breathes best when the skin pores are close; connected.
Four Affirmations
Four times during the day, thank him. For working faithfully to provide, for hanging up his towel, for putting gas in the van, for making this heart skip a wild beat. Look for the ways to thank him and watch how moves closer.