A Water Day

We sent Mark off to Toys R Us this morning to purchace a Slip & Slide that had gone on sale for only $5.00. The kids were excited to try it out on this very warm day.






















Micah got all into the sliding action, but Aslynn could only be persuaded to walk down it. Maybe next time she will try the running and sliding thing, but I doubt it as she tends to be more cautious than Micah.























Judah enjoyed watching and trying to run away down the sidewalk.




Later on this afternoon after naptime we packed a picnic supper and headed to the park to play in the water. The spash park was closed but we all enjoyed using the wading pool.

Carmen

This one's for you. Happy Birthday. I'm going to sing to you a rendition of a song you taught me as a child instead of "Happy Birthday" due to copyright infringements and so on and so forth. Ahem! Ready?

Carmen Carmen Bo Barmen Banana Fanna Fo Farmin' Me Mi Mo Marmen - Carmen!

Thank you, thank you! We love you and think you're wonderful. All the best in this your (BLANK) year. (I thought blanking out the number would protect the innocent).

- Mark

Napoleon Dynamite's Top Ten on David Letterman

I thought some of you would get a kick out of this. Especially Luke.

Micah's Monster Trucks

Micah and Daddy went to see the monster trucks while we were in Saskatoon to see little Benjamin. (We went to see Luke and Lindy, Mom & Dad Siebert, and Uncle Dan & Auntie Carol as well, but Benj was the main reason, right?). I bought Micah some 10 cent ear plugs for $2.00, as well as some exorbitantly overpriced theatre popcorn (because he's Mommy's boy). It was a lot of fun, though.

Micah was thrilled, especially when Jurassic came out, shaped like a triceratops. It was driven by a 24-year-old Canadian woman who ended up winning her first time trial and tournament. And to see a 10,000+ pound vehicle of mass destruction flip on its lid – priceless, right? He loved it. There were tough little trucks bombing around the arena, dirt bikes, and high-powered ride-on lawnmowers. Aaargh aaargh AAARGH!

I only had to take Micah to the bathroom four times. Dad, Uncle Dan, Uncle Phil, Luke, Evan, and Darrel all had a good time too. It's just a lot fun watching Micah's face light up.

Seminarian of the Week

He was too bashful to stand and receive the award, but everyone thought it was pretty cute. Micah received the award this week (it could have been anyone else in our family, I suppose). He just slouched into his chair and tried to become invisible. As soon as Jon left him, Micah took the medallion from his neck and passed it to Daddy, who passed it Aslynn, who passed it to Mommy who wore it with pride. It's nice to be recognized for actually doing something, but we laugh at how small the something really was.

It was in response to our great humanitarian efforts this week as we delivered cookies with a message to the library community. I was just glad it wasn't awarded to me personally again. I was the second recipient of the award after its inception. Yup, the guys drew my name out of a hat full of blank pieces of paper because they knew I would ham it up and pass it on. I even broke into a building to retrieve it moments before the next possessor was named. The other reason I got the award was because we had the best/worst sob story of the year and they wanted to encourage us.

Micah was afraid he would have to read a poem in front of everyone in the seminary next week because that's what everyone else does. I'll take his place - I'm getting more comfortable with making a fool out of myself. Speaking of which, read the story above...

- Mark

Hat-trick

It was enough to leave me laughing and flabbergasted. You could call what I'm doing right now 'feigned humility', but why not just laugh with me - it's so much more fun. It's funny how things people say about you as a child, or even as an adult for that matter, stay with you through life. Especially when they have commented on an area in your life that you value and care about and have worked hard on.

At age 6, I was known as the "head hunter" because I just ran into people and couldn't stop. My Grandpa called me the "sieve" because I let in so many goals the one and only game I played in net. I quit playing for a year because the ridicule and teasing I experienced from my own teammates was so bad. They begged me back to play because "we don't have enough players" (not because they valued my skills). I was never quite bad enough, or good enough, to receive the Most Improved Player award - I went through all of minor hockey without any awards, come to think of it.

I was the guy who was lucky to score one goal each season. That's right, one. One year that goal happened in the Dave Barr Arena in Grande Prairie when I shot the puck in from the red line and skated off to the bench for a line change. Apparently I deflected it off of the boards, hit the goalie in the back of the leg, and it went in the net. I was on the bench before I knew what had happened. My point is proven once again that I didn't score much because I actually remembered the venue and manner in which the puck entered the net.

Oh hockey, why do I love thee? Well, tonight I have three reasons. Regardless of whatever talent (or lack thereof) I have, the puck just wouldn't stay out of the other teams net. We still lost the game, just like my team has lost every game this year. Yup, we lost to a team that has a one-armed man. Beat that! That's a great stroke for my ego, eh? I'll talk about the moral and psychosocial implications of that later.

But I managed to score a hat-trick in a 8-7 loss. I put the puck in the net three times much to my surprise (and demise). It wasn't just the amount, but the finesse with which they were scored that amused my team and I most.

I scored the first in the first period from the blue line on a back-hand. That's right. I flipped the puck at the net and voila! Right over the goaltender's head, down his back, and in. I'm sure he was impressed by his teammate who was wildly swatting at the puck above his head - that would be comforting to me as well. Lesson: Put the puck on the net. You never know what miracle could happen.

The second goal happened in the second period. We were down low in the other team's zone and the puck squirted out of a skirmish. I lunged for it, deked a player, and fired a frightening wrist-shot that incapacitated the goalie. The frightening bit could have been the manner in which the puck flipped through the air in a rainbow-like arch and the incapacitating bit could be from the hysterical laughter of the other team, but whatever it was, it worked. I think I fooled the goalie because I missed the top corner he assumed I was aiming for and I dropped beneath his armpit. Handcuffed him.

Thirdly, the third goal was a third period clincher (how appropriate). We were down two goals and there was a 3 on 1 coming down on me. I poke-checked the puck as they crossed our blue-line and picked it up. I then passed it across and followed the play up ice. The rebound on the initial shot came back to me and I shelved it (and yes, this one actually looked impressive and like I meant to do it). Down by one goal - and we lost. But not for a valiant effort.

Faith laughed at me when I got home and told her I got a hat-trick. Then she realized I was being serious. She asked me all these silly questions, like:

"Are you sure there was nothing wrong with the other team or the goalie?"

"Aren't you supposed to be a defenseman? They don't score..."

"Are you just teasing me?"

"Okay, I don't get it. How?!" (She actually asked these.)

I kept trying to tell my team that this was a fluke too, but they didn't believe me either. I wasn't even playing that well. Perhaps it was all the ham and turkey over Christmas. Maybe it helps to have nine skaters instead of just 6 including the goalie...

We still lost. Again. But at least I had a good time. Well, except for the puck that my own player passed to me at waist height and hit me in the left wrist to match the injury to the right one. I was already disabled the month before because one of our players tried clearing the puck and hit me instead. I went in to get x-rays before Christmas for that one.

Speaking of disabled, what do you do to shut up a one-armed man who is mouthing off? I considered rubbing him out, and the other guys were talking about punching him, but - wouldn't you feel bad? I mean, the guy has one arm! Do you grab his jersey and pull it over his head, or do you just tie him up with his other sleeve flapping in the wind like his big yap? It's rather distracting. Don't get me started on figuring out how he can shoot the puck better than I can... (Please don't take me serious on that last one, or I may have to hurt you too.)

- Mark

The world as Aslynn photographs it.

Aslynn got ahold of the digital camera tonight and these are some of the pictures she took.

Rating

Curious aren't you? One of the blogs I surfed found this somewhere and so she tried rating her blog. After reading her post I got curious as well. So I clicked and tried it. It's all okay guys. Our blog is rated 'G'. Bring your whole family here to read, we're 'safe and fun for the whole family'. (Just watch Mark go and blow that rating next blog.)

Carmen

(Insert cheerful music here)

“A Happy Birthday to You. A Happy Birthday to You. May You feel Jesus near every day of the year. A Happy Birthday to You. A Happy Birthday to You. And the best year you’ve ever had.”

Don’t you just feel like you’re back in those good old Sunday School days now, Carmen?

Seriously though. I’m pretty sure we are capable of serious, aren’t we?

I hope that we can see you soon so we can deliver the incredible gift we got you – that we forgot to deliver for your super last-birthday (and may forget again because hey, we haven’t bought you anything in years, so why start now?).

We love you and think you da bomb. A super-mom. A living legend. Someone to tell stories about to our children and our children’s children because of you and your children. Being so adventurous seems to be the way we are, so we raise our glasses. Here’s to you!”

Micah's Ponderings & Aslynn-ese

There were a couple of recent cute-isms of note that I thought may tickle you. Of course, our kids would never say or do anything to embarrass us. Speaking of 'embareassing', on Sunday after church Micah felt a desire to relieve some pressure by the front doors of the school we meet in. Instead of hiding around the corner, he did so next to the sidewalk with onlookers gawking. To increase the effect, he whipped-down completely with his perfectly sculpted hind-end facing the world. Yes, he mooned the parking lot and anyone next to him got a pretty good show as well. See, he's black, and yes, well, he gets some good distance. Anyone for an ornamental fountain?

Boy was my face red! It didn't help that I had already burned it skiing at Sunshine the day before. Here are some quips to keep you alive and healthy...

Aslynn just wants a 'hangamer' and 'fa-fies' at 'Adonods'. At least we know what she means.

"Daddy, I want my cheese to be naked." Micah saw me putting cheese on something, but all he wanted was the cheese - all by its lonesome self. Naked, apparently.

Aslynn wants to be a 'bellebina'. She has been spinning and twirling, swishing and swaying, dancing and prancing - not gracefully, but having a good time doing it. She would make a great ballerina.

We asked Micah if he was okay with three 'childrens', or if we needed another. He of course told us that he wanted more 'childrens'. We've always considered going back to the States so Micah wouldn't be the only one in the family with fabulous hair. So, when we asked him if he wanted another chocolate brother or sister, he answered us, "A brother. Aslynn would look funny if she was black." We aren't seriously contemplating another adoption right now, but the conversation is always good for a laugh or two.

Aslynn has convinced us that she isn't ready for toilet-training yet. She tells us that she wants to go to the bathroom once in a black moon, but for now she'd prefer to stick with her appropriately coined 'dumper'. For those of you who didn't get it, there's still hope.

Sorry. I just snorted. There was a commercial on for new and improved 'diamond-shaped' Shreddies. Have a good week!

- Mark

A Schmoz

That's right. It sounds like what it is - I think. A big mess.

We 'wanted' to do some spring cleaning, but weren't sure where to start. Faith was out with Micah and Judah for preschool and was wandering around in MalWart when she spotted the paint section. Now instead of wiping down the walls in the house, we're removing baseboards, patching holes, and painting! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it. We've wanted to paint since we moved in two years ago. And the colors are great! I'll post before and afters here sometime. Maybe when I get around to scanning all the other pictures we want in here...

So, we were in and out yesterday getting paint from WalMart and enjoying McDonalds (in the only way one does enjoy McDonalds) and kept the kids out until past their bedtimes. Judah's bottle was overdue and kids were ornery by the time we arrived home, so we shoved some food into them, bathed them, and rolled them into bed lickety-split.

In an aside, the paint took longer than expected to match to the colours presented on the colour chart in our hands. These were the right charts and the right paint-type, but apparently the computer didn't know what it was talking about. We re-mixed the one type three times. Of course, we didn't ask the lady who was mixing it to write down the changes so we could make more the same way. Then we ended up in a line with the slowest cashier ever. Ever had that happen? We watched everyone else go by, and by the time you realize your folly, you are hemmed in on every side by anxious shoppers also waiting at the same snail-paced checkout. Faith was sure she had been in this lady's line before, so we vowed to avoid her next time we darkened the doors of WalMart.

As it happens, I was out today to get more of the paint we required that was so impossibly difficult to match. I got smart this time though, and asked for the exact formula. That was, after the guy botched it twice as well. I also found the dark base primer that I pointed out to the lady who was there the day before and ignored me and told me it was out of stock. I then went to the checkout and only four long lines were open. By the time I could make out the face of my cashier, it was already too late. I waited in line for 25-30 minutes for 3 people to go before me. I'm not kidding! And the person directly in front of me only had a DVD player they had purchased. One item! The poky old lady stopped and stretched her back a few times, double-bagged a few more things, moved back and forth with the grace and ease of a sloth, and then smiled with her bright red circus-ringed lipstick teeth. Yes, she was kindly and gracious, but in the wrong career. Next time I'll get the right line. Maybe God is trying to teach me patience, grace, and respect for the elderly...

So, we now have our living room and hallway half painted with all of our furniture in the kitchen. It's kinda cozy in there. But the color is all wrong. It's next.

By the time I get this posted, we'll have the kitchen done and realize we need to paint the stairwell and haven't got a ladder tall enough, and the mantle needs black paint. And when I got that - I made sure I avoided 'her' till at WalMart...

Postponing Valentines

I realize that Valentine's Day is more than a month gone, but things were a little crazy for us during that time. Right, I know, tell us something we don't know already! Being as how restaurants everywhere in North America are overflowing on this special day we waited until the 15th to do anything. We got a last-minute babysitter that I drove out to Airdrie to get and gave her the house rules and instructions on the way back to Calgary. She's one of my youth group kids so I konw her pretty well. And if you were wondering if we would leave a kid with a heart condition with a teenager, the answer is a resounding "No". We have yet to figure out how to explain to a high school babysitter how to take Judah's heart rate and give him medication. I guess the kid is stuck with Faith for awhile.

We went with Faith's parents and Brian & Joy (with our two infants) to Japanese Village. Is the commercial saying "Awe-some" or "Ah-so"? We debated about what it is for awhile.I haven't seen the commercials for years and I remember how cheesy they were, and yet how cool the place looked. I'd never been there. We were very excited. Unfortunately we didn't ask an incredible Japanese Canadian we know what to order. Where's a good Yuiya Inaba when you need him?

Well, let's just say we ordered every type of meat we could. It was awesome! The hosts were cooking in front of us and making wise cracks throughout. "Green butter from green cow" "We bring special for you Salmon all a way from BC" "Steak from Superstore" "Vegetables from Safeway" and stuff like that that. Definitely cheesy. The guy even took out a bottle of Teriyaki Sauce and squirted it at Faith who dodged it - it was a fake bottle with a balloon or something in it that jumped out. The guy was making fancy cuts with his knives, frying things all over the grill, flipping things onto people's plates, and juggling some weird wooden things. He only threw his knife around a few times. With his adept skills, we were grateful it was only a few times.

It was fun. I'd recommend it. And Faith's parents paid. No going Dutch here even if we'd tried! On top of that, THEY bought flowers for the girls. I feel like I was upstaged a little. I guess that I'll have to do something pretty cool for our anniversary, right honey? When is that again? (JUST KIDDING: June 19, 1999).

- Mark

Wardrobe Club

Years ago the ladies in our church started what they refer to as 'Wardrobe Club'. It's a very elite group in the church as it can only ever consist of twelve people. Over the years ladies have come and gone and the group has changed a lot. What happens is that every month each of the twelve ladies writes a cheque for $25. Then they all get together and have a fun night out without husbands or children. At this time names are drawn and whoever gets picked wins the pot of $300. to spend on clothes, trips to the spa, basically whatever that lady wants to do just for herself.

This fall the group found themselves in a position where they had lost some members and so there were only ten of them. The group decided together that they wanted to bless two ladies in the church. So they each started putting in $30 a month and asked two ladies to join the group at no cost, just to bless them with the wonderful gift. I was one of those two ladies asked to join.

What a huge and wonderful blessing this has been to me. My name was drawn last month and I have been able to spend the last four weeks shopping. (because really what else have I had to do the last few weeks.) So on Wednesday night the ladies were all here to visit and see what I had got. Let's just clear up the fact that I don't remember the last time I had $300 in a year to spend on clothes, never mind one month. I went all out. I got 2 pairs of jeans, black dress pants, brown dress pants, a belt, two long tank tops, a sweater, 5 shirts, one sweater, a $1.00 skirt, a jean jacket, and underwear.

So much fun!!! Thank you to all the ladies who blessed me in this way and may God bless you too for the gift you gave to me.

-Faith

Switchfoot Rocks Cowtown

"Switchfoot," a surfing term meaning to shift your feet on the board to take a new stance facing the opposite direction. It's also a band if you've been in Africa and haven't been up on pop-culture for the past 10 years. They’re from San Diego, you know... take it for what it’s worth. They played a great sold-out show in Calgary that I was privileged enough to attend.

The concert was phenomenal. One weird thing, however – Switchfoot played upstairs while Jars of Clay played downstairs. Their tours crossed in Calgary, and they played the same night in the same venue. Both concerts were with different labels, advertisers, sponsors, radio stations, and all in all, different people. Not to say that there weren’t some fans that were torn! Switchfoot had the better venue this time, hands down. I've been downstairs for a concert before. Relient K AND Switchfoot have both played there on previous occasions.

But Switchfoot rocked the house. They're a fan's band if you ever get to see them live. They made you realize why the opening band was still an opening band. Copeland didn't have a chance - and if you've seen the show 'Criminal Minds', the lead singer looks and acts like Reid, the socially inept super-nerd geek who is kinda likeable. Spitting image of him. Whether he's inept socially or just acted that way like Reid, I don't know if the verdict has come in on that one yet.

The energy and flare Switchfoot exuded was incredible, their musicianship was great, and they even 'bootlegged' the first 7 songs of the concert for the fans. Since the fans got to pick what they played prior to the concert, it was a lot of older material mixed in with the new and blended together as a cohesive musical masterpiece. The mosh pit was a little tame, but the intimacy and closeness with the band was impressive. The lead singer even walked through the crowd to the back, sang at the sound board for a while, and walked back through the crowd. He was up on the drums, on the keyboard, on the speaker towers, and leaning out over the crowd when he wasn't playing his guitar. He even gave a guitar away that night to a group who had followed them for the last 3 cities!

The messages of reality and salvation were definitely there, and they generated a lot of good questions for seekers even though they don't have blatantly Christian lyrics or 'preach' to the crowd. Sometimes its about the music, sometimes its message, sometimes its theraputic, sometimes its everything. Coming from a songwriter and musician, I know the pressure is there to make something other people like instead of loving who you are and are becoming. In the end you find out that people love you for you, not for what you think they want you to be.

This is your life, are you who you want to be?

Flying By The Seat Of Our Pants

Our van is a blessing. But Phoebe (FBE) failed us this once. The brakes began making an awful sound before we left Red Deer on Monday night after visiting our kids' birthmom. I thought we had caught something under the van at first and was dragging it, but it turned out to be my front right brake. I thought it was road salt, so I dismissed it and was going to take it to the car wash as soon as possible. Well, ASAP turned out to be too late.

We ended up having to go to Innisfail and Red Deer again that week for some odd reason, and the grinding noise continued. I left Faith there overnight so only one of us would get killed on the way home instead of both of us (yes, this is sarcasm) and returned again with clothes and stuff. I got to washing the brakes out, but it didn't make a difference by this point.

So, when we were about to leave for Red Deer on Monday, I did a brake test. Rev it up and let 'er fly. Vroom! Grind... clink! Yes, the brakes had disintegrated. So we did the logical thing - dropped the van off at the mechanics and I drove Flintstone-style all the way there. Just kidding. I had 4 good brakes, 4 gears, and 1 E-brake. I was fine. Faith's dad followed in Old Blue, his Mazda which might be older than I am. We dropped him off for the few hours he had left at home before travelling again, and took Blue to the hospital that day. The front brakes were replaced in under two hours, in which a rear light and idiot light were also fixed. How's that for efficient!

Now, Old Blue probably needs to go to the hospital for more reasons than one, but I like him. He's got tons of character. I'm not sure if the speedometer works quite right, which is to your benefit when the police ask (right Carmen?). And the heater blows, sometimes. And it feels like wind is coming in from all over, especially at highway speeds in high winds. But Old Blue, we love you, all 5 standard gears of gutless wonder and a face only a mother could love. Old Blue got us there and back in style.

We got the van back that evening, but we kept Old Blue around because Dad was away on business, and we weren't sure how to work things all the time. So, every once in a while, Blue and I went for a stroll in Calgary's playground of streets. Old dogs need exercise, you know. No word of a lie, I tried to stop a nosebleed, shifted, and answered my cell phone on Deerfoot. I won't be trying that again any time soon!

With Blue, you don't just feel potholes - you experience them in a way you never thought possible. Leaf springs and manual steering are only a few of the options you'll love about this bad boy. Fuel-injection? Who needs it? And I even left the lights on and killed the battery in sub-zero weather. Right on. I got it started with a boost kit from the parkade attendant. Then stalled it on my way to the first traffic lights I came to without letting it run long enough. No matter! I just hit the clutch and threw it into a lower gear while we were still moving and he started like a charm! Then I had to give him back. Thanks for the memories.

Ol' Blue, what would we do without you?

- Mark

Bond. James Bond...

I watched Casino Royale with Len just before Christmas. I'd have to say that it was hands-down the best Bond flick they've ever made. And I do believe they picked the best man to play Bond. It'd be incredibly stupid if something like this happened...

Shopping For Fun

They say nothing cheers a women up like a good shopping trip, and this is very true for me. We had planned to spend some time at the zoo for our family day today. With the wind blowing at almost 100km an hour in some places down here though it was too cold to go see any animals. They were probably all inside hiding anyways. So we tried to console the kids by going shopping. Aslynn looked up at us with her big blue eyes wide open and took a deep breath: "Shopping shopping shopping!" Aslynn & I love this past-time, as long as it doesn't get too close to nap time. Micah didn't really mind either. The boys get to tag along for fun.

First we went stroller hunting because ours is gimped. Mark said, "Look, it fits!" one too many times when we were camping. Thanks for the van, God. After only two stores and a few stray kids we headed to WalMart. Post-Christmas shopping at WalMart is great. No lines. After a quick lunch and play time for the kids & I and a meeting for Mark we headed to Sears for a few things. I had a gift card from when Aslynn was a baby. It was about to expire. She'll be two in March. (I just don't get out shopping enough - that and I've received some awesome hand-me-downs! Thanks!)


So, Sears. I guess I forgot how to spend money. Apparently it was their big warehouse sale. Micah and Aslynn ran around with a suitcase and push-popper toy (I think the whole store heard them). We picked out a bunch of clothes for them and weeded it down to the necessities for the next year. It was fun! I got to the till, and after some slight aggravation with receipts and returns and what-not, they rang in the bill and POOF! There was more money to spend!! (Sounds like a VISA commercial.) Seriously. Everything was on sale but one item. So I left the kids with Mark, picked out some more clothes and brought them to the counter. Presto! More money left!! More sales! SO I sent Mark to pick out a couple of items to top it off so we could get out of there (I told him we'd only be a few minutes before we went in). He got a couple of things and then took the kids to the bathroom. I rang the clothes through and ... again, they were on sale! The person at the till finally grabbed some pants that had just been returned and topped off the gift card. Cha-ching! It was almost like that IKEA commercial where the woman comes running out of the store shouting "Honey, start the car! START THE CAR! WOHOOOOO!" It was so much fun!

- Faith

I guess y'all see how God provides for pastors sometimes. It was free money to begin with, and it just kept stretching and stretching - anyone for some loaves and fish?

- Mark

The Christmas Letter

Don't worry! I'm not writing one here. I write too much stuff here as it is. If you want to read ours, mail us with a really nice card with the good stuff in it and we might let you read it. Or you could just be close family and friends. That would work too.

We always debate back and forth who should all receive Christmas cards, letters, and pictures. Consider this: Faith and I both have large extended families, we have lived a few other places with people we actually like, went to Bible School, have been at multiple jobs & churches, etc. If you haven't received any of the afore mentioned, DO NOT PANIC! We can't afford to hand out too many usually. If you think you should've received them, maybe were not as close as you might think (LOL). OR we just haven't done it in a long time. We've been a little busy. Don't think you're in the bad books if you haven't gotten anything. Besides, there's probably more information here than there is in our Christmas letter. Not many people received invitations to read this blog either. Consider yourself fortunate. I'm sure we'll scan some pictures for you soon. Or not. If you want pictures, you could buy us a digital camera for Christmas. Mine is dead.

I believe Santa got an invitation to this site. I hope he can read between the lines when I say 'digital camera'. Oops! Was that too obvious? I meant 'scanner'. Rather, maybe a new computer altogether with an all-in-one printer/scanner/copier that plays dead only when you ask it to. Micah wants a dog, but that's not happening. He's getting stuff he likes from us anyway. He's really been enjoying Lego and Playmobil stuff recently. Any kind of plastic animal OR thing that can be thrown or driven works for him. Aslynn on the other hand likes phones, shoes, and purses. She's just beginning to get into dolls. The ones she likes are usually smaller than she is. Micah needs clothes because he's so tall and wears things out almost as quickly as I do. He's a size 5T. Aslynn needs size 5 shoes, I think.

Getting clothes for Christmas was never my favorite thing. I also remember getting an electric shaver one year and being disappointed. This year I would actually be excited to get one. I also remember receiving baby food, a pair of socks (thrice), and a DVD I'll never watch. Watch. Watch. Oh, and a bling watch that doesn't work. I don't know what I think about re-gifting yet or the moral implications of such a venture... (By the way, please take no offense if you got me these items - I'll get you back another year).

Faith and I are giving ourselves a romantic date in the new year and getting little stuff for each other. She keeps dropping hints for what she wants for her birthday and I keep watching them hit the floor. Spa? Pedicure? English, please! I know where I could find a cool family-sized waffle iron...

Deep Thought: Guys honestly don't realize that gifts they get for 'her' are often for 'him'.

- Mark

Disasters and delights

Last night the kids were in a pretty good mood. They couldn't get enough of supper. If you can get Micah to say he likes something, let alone is his 'favit!' (favorite), you've done well. He also got after Aslynn for singing at the table tonight. Usually Micah is the 'singing at the table' police and I'm the one in trouble.

After supper, Micah tells me, "I love you Daddy." Again, this doesn't happen too often. He's scarily enough used the 'hate' word before (but not in recent days). Unscripted and unprompted pleases and thank-yous and I love yous are like music to a young parent's ears.

Another cute thing that happened was after we left the table. Aslynn was saying something to Micah in her oriental-style gibberish and he looks at her, pauses, and says, "Puh-lease!" I don't know where he got that one. Sort of like when he says things like "bee-utiful" or words like scrumptious. It's hilarious just to listen sometimes. His latest phrase is, "That was totally wicked!!" If you watch The Incredibles, it's one of the last lines in the movie. Sounds just like that kid, too.

After a week like last (catching Aslynn in the flour twice more, catching Micah toothpaste-handed again, a few torn books, some wet underwear and a few lost teddies and soothers later), you wonder about your parenting skills and discipline and methods and a whole lot of other things. To be encouraged, to laugh, and to enjoy your kids is a blessing from God. Having a day like yesterday puts things back into perspective. You are only you. They are who they are. God is who He says He is.

Knowing that your kids are in God's hands, knowing who they are going to become is more dependant on Him than you makes a parent want to pray more often. Sure, we have influence on them right now, but that becomes less and less over time. Micah is in preschool now and has friends and teachers outside of our home and church. That's great! Hopefully he can be more of an influence on them than they are on him. Time will only tell.

It's nice to rest in the comfort of knowing God loves the kids and Faith more than I ever could. He has a better plan for their lives than I could lay out. And when I allow God to lead me, He is faithful. When I depend on Him, He provides more than I ever need. Maybe not in the ways I expect, but He is faithful.

- Mark

You did WHAT this weekend?

We did, and it was awesome.

Yup, American Thanksgiving rocks. I mean, I'm always looking for an excuse to eat some good food and get together with people. And since we are upholding the history, heritage and cultural background of our Yankee son, it would be a travesty not to celebrate this! So...

We got together with good friends from church and ate turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberries, stuffing, green bean casserole, salad, gravy, and washed it all down with some punch and coffee. To top it all off, there was pumpkin and pecan pie. It was great, huh? The casserole made from all the leftovers is in the oven as we speak. I'm looking forward to it all over again.

And we get permission to say crazy American words like "Huh?" and "Y'all" and "The crik done gone and warshed away my dawg, my teevee, an' lef' me stranded on the ruf fer three days!" Okay, we just slip into a bit of a Southern drawl, but that's alright. Just imagine that's how you're reading this here right now.

Sports and Thanksgiving in the States go hand in hand, so the Flames games was on in the background (not that I paid any mind to it). The day after Thanksgiving is also the largest shopping day in the U.S. of A., so my buddies went on E-Bay to check out a few ways to make or break a few bucks.

Micah also ended up with some toothpaste in his already dough-encrusted hair. Don't ask, I don't know if I could explain it all properly. All I know is, "I didn't do it." I actually believed him this time - but it isn't the first time he's wound up lathered in toothpaste. Aslynn was getting a little grumpy from missing her nap, so we decided to go home early.

All in all, it was a fine day.

Of course, after all that American-ese I had to go and redeem myself by playing some hockey with some smelly, home-grown canucks. And because of that the turkey and other such delicacies started making their way back to the surface - so I took it easy. At that point I wasn't looking forward to the leftovers. I'm over that now. Bring on the turkey! Bring on the stuffing! I'll deal with the heartburn later...

- Mark