Back to work!!!

What a downer to go back to work after having a fun time on the weekend. Yes, it was busy but how we enjoy being with the grandkids, seeing their imaginations go to work, reading them stories before they go to bed at night, singing with them and just chatting about things. I especially love the mornings when they all four jump into bed with us and we watch "Treehouse"!!! Watching Kalle - she is learning to walk - she falls- she picks herself up and tries again and again and then when she does get the hang of it, looks at us with a very satisfied grin on her face!!!!!! Nathan who at the moment has a favorite book called "No, David!" and I had to read it about 6 times at one sitting! It is about a little boy who gets into all kinds of trouble like 'writing on the walls, overflowing the bathtub, climbing up on a stool to put his hand in the cookie jar, running down the street "butt-naked", playing with a ball and a bat in the house, ultimately breaking a vase and having a time out in the corner, and in each situation his mommy saying, "No, David, no, no David!" but then at the end, she says, "Come here, Davey" and you turn the last page and she has him in her arms saying tenderly, "I love you, Davey!" Nathan perhaps could relate to him abit. It almost seemed like he would breath a sigh of relief when I turned to the last page - he would get a twinkle in his eye and a big smile on his face!!! How important it is for these precious little ones that their parents and grandparents love them unconditionally even when they have been naughty. To give them positive reinforcement instead of telling them how naughty they are, yes they have to have consequences too but so, so important to build their self-esteem, rather than tearing them down by our comments and even by our tone of voice or look on our face or in our eyes and we can do that so easily it seems. Dr. Dobson says it takes 9 positive comments to cancel 1 negative one when dealing with children. And sad to say we hear or read about the negative comments all too often. I just pray that God will give us wisdom, patience and Christ's love when we are dealing with our children or grandchildren.

Sleeping at last.....

Whew.....the grandkids are sleeping and I can softly sing "Blessed quietness, holy quietness". Jim and I are out in Okotoks looking after Heather and Duane's four munchkins. She left this morning with Duane (after telling him that she had an appointment in Calgary this morning and I had had to borrow the van the previous day so she had to ride with him......what tall tales, I tell you!!!!!) and he not knowing anything about anything, had a bag packed for him and her, had her neighbour Rose come over to look after the kids until I got here around 1:30 this afternoon, had two airplane tickets to Saskatoon, one reservation for a hotel tonight there and a special dinner tomorrow night with their close friends from University days, coming back Sunday night via Edmonton, all as a surprise celebration for his birthday tomorrow. I really didn't think she was going to pull it off but he did not know anything until they got to his work where she informed him that he didn't have to go in to work (She had phoned his boss a couple of weeks ago and he was in on "the plan"!!!!) They will have a good time, I'm sure. In the meantime, we get to spend time (a busy time) with the kids for the next two days, going to watch Jemma skating tomorrow morning, taking Jemma and Siri to Calgary for a playdate with their little friend Carter from Bridlewood ( their old neighbourhood) in the afternoon, then church on Sunday plus all the fun things that go along with being with the grandkids. Little Kalle is almost walking and of course, it is her first birthday this coming Monday. Nate talks constantly and is his grandpa's buddy. Siri and Jemma are both growing up too fast as is our dear ones down in Fergus. We are so looking forward to Jan. when we get to see them again plus the brand new one that is to be born. And now, I hear the kettle on, Jim is making some green tea.....and then it is off to bed for me as I worked last night and didn't have too many hours of sleep this morning......I am praying the kids sleep all night........

Quick trip!

We made a quick trip to Saskatoon this last weekend to see how my oldest sister was doing after losing her husband in October. We started out on Friday, going as far as Swift Current and staying with a very good friend who has just moved there. Then after breakfast, we drove up through very familiar territory, past the small town where my husband grew up and then to my other sister's farm. There she had homemade chicken soup for us with dumplings like our mom used to make. Yummy!!! After visiting with them, we were on our way to Viv's. She, of course had coffee waiting and what a nice time we had. She is doing so well and looks so rested. I am so glad she is living where she is cause in the years that they have lived at that Senior's apartment, they made so many friends. We took her out for supper to Grainfields and then just spent time visiting Sat. evening. We got up early Sunday morning, Jim went to visit his Uncle Jim and then we got ready for church. It was great to see the congregation in their new (to them)facility and then to meet old friends there. Then Viv took us out to a Sunday brunch and we were on our way back to Calgary. Roads were excellant so we were so happy we had gone as we weren't able to attend the funeral. We were able to see for ourselves how she was doing. I admire her.

I like Saturdays.........

I like Saturdays...no, I can honestly say that I love Saturdays (I don't have to brave the coooold to go out and start the car for work....Yippee) ....with my coffee cup in my hand.....a fire in the fireplace........all curled up in the big chair......my husband sitting over there on the recliner and reading ....yup... you guessed it.....flyers!!!!! How exciting is that!!!!! Now before you roll your eyes, it almost reminds me of my childhood when the Christmas catalog would come and we would drool over the toys for days on end only now it is drooling over the price of "Hey honey, the price of coffee has gone down" or "look here, you can actually get two roasts for the price of one!!!!" I think more than anything, it is the coziness of being together with a loved one and perhaps just being thankful that we are still in relatively good health and woke up this morning....breathing!!!
"Thank you Lord for the gift of life. Help me to appreciate every precious moment here on this earth! Most of all, Lord help me to have a song and laughter in my heart, and love and compassion for my fellowman!"

New blogger!!!

The oldest daughter of the Archie Crew has just joined the blogging world. Check out her site at
www.dazeofwonder.blogspot.com She has Naomi to thank for showing her how just today so thank you Naomi!!! It is fun to have you on board, Heetee!!!

One of these days.......

One of these days, I am going to be able to put pictures on my blog. I have all the instructions but I have to get someone in to help me delete a whole bunch of things on my computer. Either that or buy more memory. We need a new computer I guess because this one is already 6 years old and it boggles this old brain at all the new technology that is out now!!! No that is not right, I talk like I know the new technology......let's just say....the whole computer world boggles my brain!!!!! If I do go that route, should I get a laptop or a desk, should it be Dell or some other kind? I think of people that are computer smart like Wayne or Jeff or Darryl or Kevin or Diane or Erin or Derek and maybe if I bribed them with a home-cooked meal and pie, do you think they might help me out? Of course, Wayne and Jeff are 18 hrs. away so sorry guys, you are out!!!! But the rest of the above are here.......mmmmm.......maybe, just maybe.......

Can it get any better???

Yesterday my little grandson Nate and I had a talk.......not just 2 minutes, not just 5 minutes but 3/4 of an hour talk, him sitting on my knee with his favorite blanket, (He was really supposed to be resting but who cares....this was so much better!!!!) and yes he talked......told me about Noah's Ark at the church Tuesday night (Halloween party), told me what he had dressed as...a "owboy", and what his three sisters were, two "rincesses and a "umpkin, he told me he "elped astor Anthony" put away a table and then Pastor Anthony picked him up and he shut the light of!!!! He told me about his "riend" Miles who came over and got the computer "orking" He was just full of stories. He kept saying he wanted the brown bears......well....I think I found every brown stuffed bear in the house and brought them up to him.......turns out he meant the little bear animal crackers I have up in the pantry!!!!!! that he can eat....he gets so excited about that. I didn't have his mom there to interpret so I would say "Oh that's nice" when I really didn't know what he was saying!!!!! He told me "amma's ouse is bootiful" ...... He sure knows how to get on the good side of his gramma!!!! Anyway, it ended up with Gramma telling him the story of THE THREE BEARS.......and papa bear said "WHO'S BEEN EATING MY PORRIDGE?" He giggles and looks up at me with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile on his face and gramma's heart melts............It never ceases to amaze me, the love that bubbles up in my heart for these precious grandchildren.....thank you, Lord for these gifts.......