Manic Monday: The Cross has said it all...

Okay. So the inlaws are visiting. We have a lot of things planned. I am also getting ready to go to San Diego this coming weekend. Also, I am babysitting Maggie a few times this week. So, you think to yourself, well, this would be a great time to get sick, right? Not so much. Yet, that is what happened. It started with Aidan, then me, then Emma. This flu thingy..just a flu, cold thinngy.

If I hear someone say that it is the Swine Flu one more time....

Anyway, we are all doing much better after a good night's sleep. I feel human again. I am still a bit stuffy and have a slight cough, but I will be okay. I am not feverish anymore, so that is good.

My inlaws are in Canmore visiting Banff and Lake Louise today. I am just the tiniest bit jealous of such a trip. The weather is lovely and the mountains...well, they are beautiful. I am in love with mountains, hence the name of this blog. (And my last blog!) They will be back tomorrow and we will do a supper together. On Wednesday we will do Heritage Park and then Thursday they leave. Time marches on...

Well, it is Monday so I thought we would do the Manic Monday thing. Today is a good day, not very manic like for me. I hope you enjoy anyway!!

What is the last song that was stuck in your head and how did you get rid of it?

"Love Story" by Taylor Swift. Basically I had to listen to anything else and NOT that song. Even just mentioning it right now is like asking for it to come back into my head and get stuck!!

If you had to say what one thing in your life best represents your freedom, what would it be? That one is easy. The Cross. It represents the only true freedom we have in this life. Well, at least what I believe anyway. Without it I would still be a slave to sin and this world. There would be nothing but this life and then death. Yet, I have the ultimate freedom in Christ to know that my life has a higher purpose and that this life will not end in death, but in life everlasting. There is nothing more important than that.

If you were invited to the White House for dinner tonight, what would you wear from your current wardrobe?
First of all, me get invited to the White House?? For what purpose?? To talk to Michelle about raising kids?? I digress...(or perhaps I am just avoiding the question) I don't think I have anything. I would end up borrowing something from my sister. Does that count? Or wearing my favorite skirt and shirt...

Inlaws!!

The inlaws arrived safely (aka Sandra of Port Hope Diaries). Today we are off to get some family portraits done. Then we will (hopefully) go to the Glenbow Museum. I say hopefully because parking downtown could be an issue. We'll see.

Hope you all have a wonderful day. I will try to blog more about our visit later. For now, though, I must go get ready and the family ready!

Manic Monday: My Circus

Hello everyone! It is quiet around here lately, but I will continue to blog. I love it and don't really care who reads. I know there are some lurkers out there that read, but do not comment. I don't mind. Do what you gotta do!!

Aidan has 2 days left of Preschool. He is very excited about it, especially graduation on Friday. I am excited for him, too. He has grown up so much in the past 2 years. We are having less temper tantrums and more grown-up responses to things. Let me say, though, that he will never lack in passion. He will probably always be sensitive, unless he grows a thick skin. He is like Jonathan in that regard, I think.

Emma, on the other hand, is turning into her own independent little person. (read: she's becoming a Terrible two!!) It's a good thing she's cute!!

Took Emma shopping today. It was nice to just have our last little bit of alone time. I will miss that part of our week. I am sure she will, too. I will have to make sure to set aside time for each of the kids when we start babysitting Maggie full time. I try to, anyways.

Tonight I am off to the Cheesecake with my Small group women. We are leaving our husbands and children at home. We haven't done this yet this year. It will be a nice change. Perhaps we will get to visit more!! That will be good.

Tomorrow night I am going out with a lady that organizes the worship/teach time at Promiseland. We tried to get together last week, but she was having some issues with car keys and shopping with her son. We are going out for supper, which will give us a lot of time to talk and visit. I am really looking forward to it.

Wow, I have a busy social calendar this week!! That's okay, though. It is nice to visit with people my own age as opposed to 2 year old and 5 year old conversations. (Although Aidan's conversing is highly intelligent!!)

Well, it is only 2 more sleeps until the in-laws arrive. My house still needs some work and I am babysitting Maggie for awhile tomorrow. No worries. Somehow everything will get done. Until then, enjoy the Manic Monday!!

If you joined the circus, what act would you most want to perform?

(Who needs to join the circus?? Don't I live in one already??) I would like to be a trapeze artist, although I am afraid of heights. So, I guess I would be a clown. It is fun to be a clown, especially when Jenny and I do it together!!

Would you generally be overdressed or underdressed at a party?
Probably over dressed. I like to dress up when I go out. As a stay-at-home mom, getting to dress up in girly, adult, non-play clothes is a lot of fun!!

Do you feel that children should be sheltered from unhappiness?
Ummm, no. Listen stuff happens. Things happen. Life happens. No point in trying to sugar coat everything. It will not help them later. (Man, I am a cruel and horrible parent!)

Sunday Reflections: Still

Today is Sunday. I have been listening to some worship tunes, drinking coffee and enjoying a quiet house. I love Sundays. It has been good to spend time with God.

Anyway, I just am in that place. Worshipping, loving and knowing that I am a Child of God, lover of the Most High, totally in-love with Him and His Will. I am at peace this morning. So, I thought I would share some of that peace with you. No matter what you do, whether you believe in God, where you are, I just want you to know that God loves you even if you do not love Him. May you be encouraged by that today. Enjoy!!


1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Interlude

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!
7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel[b] is our fortress.
Interlude


8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
Interlude

Psalm 46 (New Living Translation)

(Only 3 more sleeps until my inlaws are here!! YAY!!)