Thursday's Thoughts....

Nate finally had time last night to put the keys back on the keyboard, which made me so happy, and now I can actually type without cursing in my head. It is finally feeling fallish here, and I don't remember the leaves being so brilliant before. They are just lovely. I suppose I should update on life, for the sake of posterity....

• George is done his first workbooks in school. He was so excited to finish them. He is also more than halfway done his Sparks book. He loves being able to do as much as he wants, instead of like Cubbies last year where they only learned one verse per week. We just started reading the Chronicles of Narnia together. He is getting excited for his "Spiderman" birthday, and is continually asking me how many days left until the big day, and also how long until he loses a tooth.
• Ian is doing well. He kind of goes in cycles with his behavior and emotional stability and right now is a good time. He is taking good naps in the afternoon again as well. He has started writing his name all by himself and he and Grace both are getting interested in letter sounds and the alphabet. I think I will start teaching them together next year.
• Grace is all potty trained, even for sleeping now, which is soooooo nice. She goes in cycles a bit, too, with her attitude being cranky or rebellious, then being so sweet and nice you don't believe it's the same girl. But, for the most part, she is doing well. I took her to the chiropractor and shopping with me today, we had fun together. If I could only get her to listen to her Daddy, we'd be doing well.
• Claire finally got that tooth in and actually slept last night the entire night!!!!! I can't remember the last time I got that much continuous rest, it was amazing. She is standing up by herself, but hasn't taken any steps yet, although I think it will be soon.
• I am starting to pull my hair out realizing that I need to have the bulk of my Christmas shopping done in the next 2 weeks, since we are having our Buchan family Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving.
• We have our new shelving and desk up from Ikea (love it) but I still have to organize and put away and figure out the best place for everything. We totally reorganized our bedroom, moved everything, and now I totally love it, it is completely feng shui, and fabulous.
• I am recomitted to my fight against sugar...resisting it, that is. After fighting off a nasty and painful uti, I realized how much I have been eating unhealthfully, and not taking the time to plan and think about what I put in my mouth has not been working well for me. And now, thanks to Dr. Poli, (I resisted the urge to hug this genius man when I went to get adjusted this morning, but truly he is wonderful, for totally eliminating my pinched nerve shoulder pain and numbness) I feel I can get back into the routine of making my good bread, which will go a long way in the fight against sugar.
• I don't know the right way to say, in a considerate way, that I have been blessed through the life, example, and death of a friend. Not that her death was a blessing, it was a tragedy, a great injustice, and of the utmost bad timing-FROM AN EARTHLY PERSPECTIVE. Her life was full, her life was exemplary, her life was an incredible blessing, a needed blessing to her children, her husband, her family, her friends. Yet, God chose to take her home. From a Heavenly perspective, He folded His arms around her, and mercifully saved her from the pain she was in and took her into His perfect peace. He ended the cancer ravaging her body by taking her away from it. It was not the way any of us who loved her would have chosen her to be healed, but she is healed now, nonetheless. I went to her memorial service last Sunday, a celebration of this amazing woman's life, and a tribute to her faith, even in the valley of the shadow of death. The blessing for me personally was all the Lord has taught me through hearing of her life, of how she mothered, lived, loved, and yes, even how she chose to die- in the midst of heartache, struggle and unimaginable pain, she kept her eyes on her Saviour, and continued to praise Him. May I live each day choosing to do the same in the bounty of my comfort and peace, as she choose to do in the midst of her turmoil and pain. I am forever changed by her.
• I am working on a special project for my parents for Christmas, and hoping it all comes together well. If it does, it will be so incredible.
• I am so thankful for incredible Godly women in my life, (I am thinking of one in particular right now, who frequents a place called Espresso Lane) who are such sweet reflections to me of the quiet joy and love of the Lord. I got to spend the day with this friend a few days ago, and she is just one of the most beautiful (inside and out) people I know. I love being a friend and councellor to all the friends the Lord has placed in my life (not that I am qualified to council on much at all) but it is so nice to be with someone with whom the council, the conversation, the give and take feels more mutual. It is a relief to be myself with someone and not have to worry that they will be offended. I hope I do not take more than I give, although sometimes I am given so much, it feels all but impossible for me to give back equally what I have taken. I pray this friend knows how much I love her.