Family

Today, I'll be taking my son, his partner, and children back to Edmonton in order for them to visit some friends before flying back to Montreal. It's been a wonderful holiday!

I miss them already. Both Evie and Noah are such unique individuals as are their parents. We call Evie the little "Who" from Dr. Seus' "Whoville". She is petite, yet strong. She has tiny features and yet a strong personality. She is such a tomboy when it comes to playing, and yet she has latched onto a baby doll that we gave her and carries her around all day. Noah is fascinated by trains; anything he can make into a train, Thomas the train, and cars. He is sensitive and funny like his dad. He is also very clever when it comes to communicating with others. Both of these grandchildren are quite unique as I said, and it's hard to say goodbye. I haven't gotten tired of their company yet.

John did go down to surprise Jordan on his birthday on the 23 down at Wrentham. Jordan is so talkative that he had to tell me on the phone that Grandpa came to visit. And when I asked him how old he was now, he said, "I one". When we tried to tell him that he was two now, he insisted, "I one". Then off he went to play with some toys. He really has a hard time sitting still and he loves playing with anything that moves. He also is fascinated by machines: tractors, trucks, quads, etc. His mother and father are quite proud of him and what he can already do at two.

We are extremely proud of our own children for producing such well-rounded children. Not only do we love all of them, we are in love with them. It's wonderful when they come for a visit and we're always sad when they leave. Before they are out the door, we are planning the next visit, whether it's us going there or them coming here. Not many families can say that! I'm glad we are close.

Christmas Baking

It's been so long since I've spent time baking for Christmas, I've almost forgotten what to make.

Today, I am making air buns, butter tarts and something chocolate for Sophie. That's what I tweeted anyway. The tarts are made and the air buns are rising. I still haven't decided what to make that's chocolate. Perhaps some double chocolate cookies. I remember making some soft drop cookies with cocoa and chocolate chips. I really don't remember where that recipe is, but it's amazing what one can find online now.

Thinking back over the years, I remember making Christmas cake. When I went back to work full time, I cut down on the baking and then we just got used to not having it. Then my dad would bake us all Christmas cake. That was great! I remember getting his big package in the mail with fruit leather, whole nuts we had to crack, and the famous Christmas cake. My friends would enjoy the cake at work as I would always take some along to the Christmas lunch. It's been a while since I've had my dad's Christmas cake or my own for that matter. I miss it.

Other things I used to bake for Christmas: hot cross buns, cinnamon buns, raisin bread, pies and cookies. One year I made jam-jams and sent my dad some. He had to call and ask what the red jam was. Thank goodness it was raspberry. He's allergic to strawberries. I do miss baking for my family. That's one thing we did really well together - bake and eat!

Merry Christmas 2011

       

John is starting to get excited about the cabin at the lake – about time! Of course, he’s been working like a dog out there. Over the summer we had a lot of help from the kids and friends building it. We started on July 8. We also had a framer who organized the beginning of the structure, a carpenter who teaches at NAIT and was home for the summer helped us put up and sheet in the roof. We also hired a couple of young men to help with the gophering and clean up. We hired out the plumbing and the electrical and John was there every step of the way assisting and pushing the hired hands and volunteers.

We now have heat, water, a working toilette, and it’s locked up tight. We are ready for gyproc. It's been quite hectic! We haven’t spent any overnights there yet, but I can see it happening one of these times. I know I sure don’t want to come home on a Sunday evening, knowing I’ll have to go to work the next day. J

Speaking of work, it’s becoming even more hectic. The school I’m principal of is down in enrolment and that means that I am teaching half time as well as being administrator. I am teaching Grade 1, 2, and 3 multi-grade classroom half time. It’s very demanding, but also satisfying at the same time. This week, I’ve been giving out lots of hugs and smiles. We combined our traditional Christmas dinner with the program or concert and had it in the evening. About 140 people from the community, parents and grandparents and students came for the evening. My class sang Christmas carols accompanied by me on the keyboard. The students were wonderful! Christmas time is quite an emotional time for the students as well as the staff. Even I am more fragile at times like this, missing family and making preparations for the holidays. Thank goodness there is only one more day before the break. This year, my holidays will run from December 17 to January 2.

John’s Dad has been diagnosed with cancer. This last summer, he had an operation on his colon and the doctors found out that he was in Stage 3, which means the tumour they took out was large enough to cause worry that it would spread. He has since been told that the cancer is spreading to his lymph nodes and other organs. He says he feels fine and that the doctors really don’t know what they are talking about. So, we tell him, carry on. J He still works in the woodworking shop during the day and goes about his usual business of floor curling, bowling, playing cards and visiting. As long as he feels good he is going to get on with it. The doctor told him that chemo would not help, but just make his sick, so he’s resigned himself to living as long and as good as he can. He has a great attitude! 

We decided to have Christmas at our house this year so that they can be there and not have to worry about the cooking and cleaning, etc. John’s brothers and sisters and James, Sophie and the kids will be coming for Christmas also. I am looking forward to having the house full! Noah loves his Thomas the Train and Evie loves to bug her brother. They are quite entertaining! Noah is 4 and a half and Evie will be 2 years old at the end of January. We were happy to visit them in Montreal at Thanksgiving and be witness to Evie’s baptism. It was lovely and in French. After the baptism, James and Sophie had a barbecue to celebrate at their house and Sophie’s family and friends were present. It was lots of fun! On the way home, John told me that he thinks he’s going to have to learn French. Can you imagine that? Maybe his neck is not so red anymore. That’s what grandkids will do for you! J

Penny, Jamie and Jordan were just here in November during hunting season and are planning to spend Christmas with the Dagnones this year. We will miss them, but I’m sure we’ll get together for the next long weekend after January or for Spring Break. Jordan is no longer a baby, but a little boy. He will be 2 years old here on December 23. Wow! How time flies! He is very interested in baking and big boy toys like quads, snowmobiles, and trucks.

My dad has moved back to Creston and as far as I know is doing well, in a little place close to church and downtown. He really was getting tired of the Alberta winters. This will give us added incentive to visit Creston again as we haven’t been down there in quite a while.

We do miss the grandkids and are talking more and more of retirement or at least changing jobs so that we can spend more time with them and the rest of the family. I have at least 4 and a half more years to go, and am so busy, I only stop to think about this when I’m on a break.

If you want to keep up my news you can catch me on my blog http://grandmavonline.blogspot.com/ or you can find me on twitter. I still am not on facebook, but plan to set up a professional facebook page at some point.

Anyway, have a wonderful Christmas: safe, healthy, and happy! Maybe, we’ll catch up to you in the New Year!

God’s blessings always!

John and Linda

Heaven is for real! Part 2

I could hardly put the book down. Little Colton Burpo went to heaven and now he's telling his parents all about his experiences. Of course it's in a 4-year old voice because he is almost 4 years old. Colton's appendix burst and he wasn't treated for it for 5 days. He died for a little while; three minutes he said.

Can you imagine your little son telling you that he saw Jesus and that Jesus had markers on him? His dad was floored. Here is the conversation:

"Well, what color are Jesus' markers?"

"Red, Daddy. Jesus has red markers on him."

At that moment, my throat nearly closed with tears as I suddenly understood what Colton was trying to say. Quietly, carefully, I said, "Colton, where are Jesus' markers?"

Without hesitation, he stood to his feet. He held out his right hand, palm up and pointed to the center of it with his left. Then he held out his left palm and pointed with his right hand. Finally, Colton bent over and pointed to the tops of both his feet.

"That's where Jesus' markers are, Daddy," he said.

Colton's dad had never spoken to him about these wounds and they did not have a crucifix with Jesus on it in their house or church. He had to have seen it.

Wow! This book is something else! I'd recommend it to anyone.

Heaven is for real!

Tonight at my Catholic Women's League, a fellow member and friend brought a book to share called Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. It's a book about a just about 4-year old who, after a near death experience, talks to his dad about things he saw and experienced while he was ill. Turns out, his dad being a minister compares his son's descriptions to heaven! It's a true story!

My friend, Dorothy, is using this book for her Baptism preparation course this year. Since Baptism is all about salvation, she thought she would use this book and her Bible references. She read part of the book to us and compared the boy's descriptions of heaven to Revelations. (The angels in Revelations 10:1; God shining and no night there in verse 21:23, and so on.)

I had heard about this book from another friend and thought it quite interesting, but tonight, I was further intrigued. When I went to the grocery story to get a few things, I also bought the book. I am going to start reading it tonight.

I wish

That my son would start writing again. :-)

His blog at Hudson Strait was quite unique, at least I thought so. I enjoyed his stories about the north and his life there with his partner and children. He often made me laugh and sometimes made me cry.

He is a good writer, but since he moved to Montreal, I don't get to read him.

Hey J - would you write about your life there? I'm sure you have some stories about renovating an old house, living in the city again, or taking the kids to the park. Your mom would love to read them.

Baptism

This summer another grandchild was baptised into the Catholic Church. This was an important day for me in that I am Catholic and I believe that the Catholic Church is Jesus' church, the one He began here on earth as our way to become one with Him again after we die. I believe that Baptism not only cleanses us, but is an inclusion rite. We are welcomed into a community of believers. We are no longer alone, out in the cold.

It makes me sad when I think of all of the people who do not have a relationship with Jesus. Who would I give over my burdens to? Who would give me the grace to carry on when I'm feeling overwhelmed? Who would I pray to for guidance in my decision making? Who would take care of my family? Who would love me when no one else will? etc. etc.

Baptism is the beginning of being Catholic, of believing in Jesus. Even Jesus, Himself, was baptized at the beginning of His ministry. Jesus models for us what it means to be welcomed into the community of believers. And to have a baby baptised not only means this baby is being welcomed into the community, but the parents of that baby are promising to bring that baby up in the faith in Jesus Christ.

How wonderful! :-)

Summer highlights!

What a wonderful summer holiday! A surprise birthday present! My family was around me, I got to hug grandchildren and visit with grownups. We began to build our retreat at the lake. We had a baptism! And a family reunion/birthday party for my dad!

Let's begin with the best birthday ever! My birthday falls in the middle of July and usually everyone is off doing their own thing. I usually have a few friends over to celebrate and John orders a cake for the celebration. This year began like most others, although our daughter and son-in-law and grandbaby Jordan were with us to celebrate. We had a plan to have a BBQ out at the lake and invite the supper club friends. Then it began to rain again. John said that the people we had invited may not come, preparing me for a let down. I didn't care, as at least one of the grandchildren was there to hug me. And we were beginning to get along just fine. I had so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to - the other half of the family was coming in from Montreal next week!

I've always been thankful for family and when my immediate family can't be around, I gather others in. My husband and I belong to a supper club; we befriend other families; we try to get involved with our co-workers; we belong to clubs. Paul Pearsall wrote The Power of the Family in an effort to show people how important the family is. He states that through his research, he found what he knew to be true on a personal level - the power of "family" can save your life. I know that when I am feeling down, I only need to experience the closeness of family and I feel better. That said, we also need to have the right attitude about family. If we believe we are alone in this world, we won't experience the healing of family.

The entire cycle of life is contained, experienced and explained within the family, and those persons who are able to stay family throughout their lives, to call one another, to remember one another, to gather at emergencies and remember the family at times of crises, and to extend their sense of family to their everyday life, were the healthiest and happiest persons I ever saw. Being family seemed to be causing psychological and physical hardiness, not pathology. It was not independence, but family dependence and the mutual personal responsibility viewpoint throughout life, that was the ultimate measure of wellness.

I have read and re-read this book a few times since I first came across it probably 15 years ago, in order to continue to confirm and affirm the motivation for becoming and staying family.

Back to the birthday party - it was getting close to 7:00pm and I was gathering those around that had arrived and getting ready to serve supper. John and friends were encouraging me to just sit and relax for a few minutes, when a strange vehicle pulled up. Out comes the other half of the family - well, you could have knocked me over with a feather! I didn't get it at first! Then it dawned - they wanted to surprise me on my birthday by showing up a week earlier than planned. What a present - the best birthday present ever - to have the whole family there for supper! And on my birthday!

What a summer!

We've been very busy!

It's all about building a cottage for ourselves and our family. We are to the point where we have the structure up and the roof shingled. Our next step is getting it ready for soffits and eaves troughs. Then we'd like to get the windows and doors in. Wow! It is a lot of work, but so much better than sitting at home and watching TV.

We would not have been able to get this far without the help of our son and daughter and their families. It was so wonderful to have them with us for the beginning of this project and I hope that they will come and enjoy the finished product with us also.

Today, when we sat for a few minutes on the deck looking out over the lake and planning our next steps, it felt wonderful. I told John that once we have it completed, I won't want to go home. I might have to figure a way to retire early. :-)

This project is also a way to get in shape for both of us. I am in the midst of menopause and the hot flashes are driving me nuts. I'm not too cranky yet, but the project is giving me something to do. I went online to find out what I could do to prevent/deal with this mess and it's just like everything else: drink plenty of water, get lots of exercise, cut down on the caffeine and the alcohol and try not to get too stressed out. Common sense. You'd think. It is much harder to do. I would like to add - pray for inner peace. That seems to keep me calm when I'm sweating like a pig. :-)

Essential Questions

Last Friday, my staff and I were involved in a professional development that would help us focus on the essential questions in the four core subjects for grades 9, 6, and 3. We began with looking at our own lives and what is the essential question that we would like answered personally. As I listened to my colleagues, I suddenly came to the conclusion that my question was so personal that I wondered if I should share.

I began thinking it would have something to do with my kids and grandkids. I've always been worried that my children would not follow Jesus. Then as the grandchildren started coming, I worried that they would not come to know God unless I was personally involved. I bought them gifts that hinted at bedtime prayers; I prayed for their parents to baptize them and take them to church, etc.

Therefore, originally I thought my question would be something like "will my children come back to the church?"

Imagine my surprise when it was my turn to share and I blurted out, "I think my essential question is "am I the parent God wants me to be?" I choked up and found that I had to explain that this revelation just happened. I do worry about the kids and the grandkids, yes, but I know that they will do what's right.

My question is "Am I doing things right?"

Goals update!

A few posts back, I put my goals in and at least promised myself that I would hold myself accountable by updating my blog with how things are going. My short term goal to get organized for balance - much more so. I have sorted my home office, updated some technology, and put my favorite hobbies in convenient positions. I can work from home easily. I can also paint, read, and do scrapbooking in my office with a minimum of disruption.

I am still reading several books: Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss by Kara Davis, MD, Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly, and Ken Follett's Fall of Giants, to name the 3 most being read as of now. My work resources are within easy reach as are my writing resources. I still have work to do in the area of reading more and watching TV less.

Since January 1, I have sent out birthday cards to my family, even including a few homemade ones. We celebrated my father-in-law's 90th on Jan 27 - his birthday was Jan 31. Our little granddaughter, Evie had her birthday on the same day. I had made her a knitted sweater and slippers and put in a toy telephone and sent it off to her early in January. She received it well in advance of her birthday party.

I've even painted some flowers. These are sitting out waiting for me to complete them.

On the getting healthy front, I have joined weight watchers online, began exercising regularly again, and have cut down on the unhealthy choices for food. There are some friends at work who are also working on getting healthier, so I have a support group there too.

With regards to my writing, I have been keeping my journal and blogs updated at least weekly or bi-weekly. The novel and the non-fiction book have not seen me yet this year. I think that I will review my short term goals again at the end of February.

I can say, I am much happier. I am finding time to do fun things at work and at home. I am also deliberately planning times for working on my hobbies. This helps.

Rediscovering Catholicism

What books to read? I often have questions with regards to the Catholic faith and I have several books that I have gathered over the years, either in theology courses, at conferences, or as a result of my curiosity. So, what books should one read?

I am attracted to books that answer my questions, but at the same time, I feel that the ones I have read cover to cover have been ones that have attracted my heart as well as my head.

In November, there was a team of Redemptorists that came to our parish and conducted a retreat at the church. They brought a book, entitled "Rediscovering Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly. The book began with a fictional story about a 'flu that was killing people all over the world. There was a child discovered that had blood that would save the world and the parents had to decide if they would allow their son to save the world at the cost of his own life. Well, immediately, my heart and my head were engaged.

This is the type of book that I prefer to read, cover to cover. I will be making some comments with regards to this book as I read it. In the meantime, I still have Karl Keating's book on the shelf for when I want to find the answer to misconceptions about the Catholic faith.

Mass - to go or not to go

As you can see by my previous post, I have been doing some reading on the subject of the Catholic mass. I am trying to grow and develop spiritually as well as mentally and physically and socially, etc.

While cleaning up my office, I rediscovered several books on Catholicism, including What Catholics Really Believe by Karl Keating. It is a question and answer book that seeks to address common misconceptions about the Catholic Faith. I try to do some reading in this area on Sundays and to reflect on those readings for two reasons: I need reminding and uplifting, and I wish to convey my principles to my children. They do read my blog from time to time. I would hope that they would ask me questions or make comments when there is something they wish to discuss further.

Another misconception regarding the mass and the Sacraments - Vatican II emphasized the spirit instead of the letter of the law, so we are not obliged to attend Sunday Mass anymore. Not so - one of the six precepts of the Church is that Catholics must attend Mass on Sundays and holy days, unless a proportionate reason, such as illness, prevents their attendance.

Keating says that the Church made this rule because we are creatures with free will. All our sins arise from an abuse of free will and if we didn't have this rule, we would not see the importance of getting to church. Keating says that going to church honours God, gives us the opportunity to be with like minded believers. He also says that we should want to be obedient to the Church because we love God, not because we could get into trouble if we do not follow the law.

This is the way with a lot of rules. I tell my students that they should follow the rules even when no one is looking. That is what being responsible is all about.

That said, there are some rules made by man with regards to the church. Which rules do you think are man-made? And not God inspired? Please comment.

Communion - what do Catholics believe?

According to Karl Keating (1992), who uses church documents, Vatican publications, the Catholic Catechism, and the Bible, in his book, What Catholics Really Believe, "only baptized Catholics in a state of grace can receive communion at mass.

"Being in a state of grace means that in order to be disposed properly to receive Communion, communicants should not be conscious of grave sin, have fasted for an hour, and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors.

"Grave sin is the same thing as a serious sin or a mortal sin. We call such a sin mortal because it mortally wounds the soul by driving out sanctifying grace. A person guilty of a mortal sin is disqualified from heaven and is said to lose justification. Mortal sins include any serious infractions of the "Seven Deadlies" (pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, sloth). The most popular sins in our culture are among those which disqualify one from receiving Communion: abortion, contraception, adultery, fornication. A mortal sin is any sin which fulfills three conditions: 1) it involves a serious matter, 2) you give your full consent to it, and 3) you have time for sufficient reflection on its seriousness--even a few seconds may be enough. If any of these conditions is absent, your act is either a venial sin or no sin at all."

Confession is the way to receive absolution of one's sins.

Going to communion is the main reason I go to church. I seek to be in communion with God and with my fellow believers. That said, I am not the judge of others who come to church. I do not worry over whether or not they are in a state of grace. That is between them and God. I only pray that I can take the grace God gives me in Communion and use it for His purpose until I can again receive that nourishment. Amen.

Goals Short List

I usually keep my goals a secret. That way, if I don't make it, no one else knows but me. Isn't that silly?!

I think I read some where or maybe it's just common sense. If I put it out there among my family and friends, I might be motivated enough to accomplish these goals. Or if it fails, acknowledge it, change the goal and move on.

Anyway, here goes:

Short term goal (next few weeks) - get organized to include balance in my life: mental, spiritual, physical, and social. Mostly - clean my office and my work out room so I can feel comfortable in there again. :-)

Mid range goal (next year or 2) - get healthy again: eat right and get an exercise routine going again.

Long range goal (by the time I'm 60) - have a book ready to go to publisher (bet you didn't see that one coming :-).

That wasn't so hard. I just thought of something else: if I don't have anything else to write about - I can always update this blog on how I'm coming along with my goals. :-)

Goals vs Resolutions

I've decided to review my short term, mid range and long term goals instead of coming up with new year's resolutions. I find that this lends focus to what I'm doing and it feels better to accomplish a goal than it is to stick to a resolution. :-)

When reviewing my goals, I usually dig out my copy of Steven Covey's First Things First as I appreciate this way of thinking. I'd rather be living and working in Quadrant II than anywhere else, that is, doing what is important vs doing what is emergent or wasting time. I also go back to an old Guidance Book entitled, Holistic Learning: Success in the Classroom and in Life. It has a section on goal setting that employs a technique whereby a person uses three sheets of paper, brainstorming short term, mid-range, and long term goals, leaving them for a day or two, going back and short-listing the goals to three each. After that, you short list your goals to three. Once you arrive at your final three goals, you do something each day that will advance you towards your goals. Now these goals can be reviewed and changed periodically as goals are met and/or things change, but it is important to remain focused on what is important to you.

Steven Covey also cautions us that we need to meet our physical, social, mental and spiritual needs, not forgetting our mission as human beings: to live, to love, to learn, and to leave a legacy. I think I need to go back and add a few goals to my lists before doing any short listing. :-)

Happy New Year!

A new year - 2011! It seems different somehow to be writing a new year again. The time seems to slip by so fast.

My colleagues and I were discussing this very topic in the staff room some weeks back. I told them that I had found a way to make the days, weeks, hours slow down somewhat. Intrigued they listened, but I could tell there was some skepticism in the room. :-)

"It's like this," I said, "I live in the present, in the now, that is how I do it. I try to be present to those around me, and not to dwell on the next deadline or the next big date on the calendar."

Well, we all went about our business when the bell rang to call the students back to class. However, I meant it. I also acknowledge that this is very hard to do. Sometimes impossible.

What do you think? Can it be done?