Lulu and Michael are in the same class for the 2nd year in a row, and for most of the time have been friends. Being of opposite genders, they have had their moments though. But as Michael's mom has become a dear friend of mine, we've spent a fair bit of time together, and currently the two are on good terms.
Lulu and I were driving Michael home after Wee College Wednesday night. As we drove by the local skateboard park, Michael commented that he really liked skateboarding, and had taken some lessons there. It was really scary going into the bowl for the first time, but "I liked it!"
Lulu had this to say: "My mommy says that some bad people sell drugs there." (Which is true - my skater students have said there are sometimes characters with bad intentions there.) "And we saw some girls there one day without skateboards. My mommy says they're trying to get boys' attention."
Michael: "What does that mean?"
Lulu: "I'm not sure what that means, or why they want the boys 'tention. I think it's something you shouldn't do."
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Finding peace from growing pains
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9
Tonight my precious daughter was in a lot of pain: we call them growing pains. After church we went skating for 1.5 hrs and then went on a family walk with the dog that turned into a 2 hour hike (we took a wrong turn in Minnekhada park). Lulu-belle was complaining for the last 1/2 hour that her legs hurt, and her sweet daddy gave her a shoulder ride for 10 minutes (she's 6! she's getting heavy!). Home to a hot bubble bath, and then she fell asleep, cuddled by that sweet daddy.
She woke up 2 hours later, crying in pain again: pain behind her knees, through her shinbones to her ankles. Thrashing and crying in pain. I can remember waking up with these pains as a child, and her older brother has done the same. We used to call them growing pains, but I read an article last year that suggested shoes may be the cause. Thinking back - she wore rental skates for 1.5 hours, then little sneakers going up rocky hills, and down root-exposed knolls. We jumped over mud puddles and took little detours across slippery logs in the lush-green woods (aah... January on the West coast!).
So I lay with her for an hour, hot water bottle under her knees, soothing her with every hymn and spiritual song I could think of while I rubbed her legs. I sang "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" (my hymn for her), and "Holy, Holy, Holy"; "Amazing Grace" (her brother's special hymn), and "Be thou my vision". I sang "I Surrender All" and "Joyful, joyful we adore thee". Then I moved on to "I will dwell" and "As the deer pants for the water" and "God is so good" and "Lord you are more precious than silver"... songs I hadn't sung in ages. So many of them full of scripture, I felt as though I were singing the psalms. I was teaching Lucy to "rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again, rejoice!" (Phil.4:4) - my verse I always speak into her life. Even when we are in pain and can't rest, God is there, and He is faithful and good. We will lift our hands in praise to him, no matter what the circumstance. We will choose to focus on Him who is full of love and mercy.
And in that dark stillness, in my daughter's bed, Jesus was there. Her breathing slowed, her muscles relaxed... peace came in with the Prince of Peace. I could sense Him there, speaking words of love to my beloved daughter.
I recently read a great book by Canadian author David Kitz called "Psalms Alive!", which I very much enjoyed. It has 25 chapters that each go through bringing a different portion of the psalms to life. I am currently reading Eleanor Gustafson's book, The Stones, which brings the story of King David (author of many of the psalms) to life. Though growing pains may not be much of a hardship, even pain can be a gift that brings us closer to the One who created, loves and heals.
The joys and pains of today make me want to sing the Doxology (something our late friend, pastor and former roomate of Mark's, Dale Shaw, encouraged regularly):
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9
Tonight my precious daughter was in a lot of pain: we call them growing pains. After church we went skating for 1.5 hrs and then went on a family walk with the dog that turned into a 2 hour hike (we took a wrong turn in Minnekhada park). Lulu-belle was complaining for the last 1/2 hour that her legs hurt, and her sweet daddy gave her a shoulder ride for 10 minutes (she's 6! she's getting heavy!). Home to a hot bubble bath, and then she fell asleep, cuddled by that sweet daddy.
She woke up 2 hours later, crying in pain again: pain behind her knees, through her shinbones to her ankles. Thrashing and crying in pain. I can remember waking up with these pains as a child, and her older brother has done the same. We used to call them growing pains, but I read an article last year that suggested shoes may be the cause. Thinking back - she wore rental skates for 1.5 hours, then little sneakers going up rocky hills, and down root-exposed knolls. We jumped over mud puddles and took little detours across slippery logs in the lush-green woods (aah... January on the West coast!).
So I lay with her for an hour, hot water bottle under her knees, soothing her with every hymn and spiritual song I could think of while I rubbed her legs. I sang "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" (my hymn for her), and "Holy, Holy, Holy"; "Amazing Grace" (her brother's special hymn), and "Be thou my vision". I sang "I Surrender All" and "Joyful, joyful we adore thee". Then I moved on to "I will dwell" and "As the deer pants for the water" and "God is so good" and "Lord you are more precious than silver"... songs I hadn't sung in ages. So many of them full of scripture, I felt as though I were singing the psalms. I was teaching Lucy to "rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again, rejoice!" (Phil.4:4) - my verse I always speak into her life. Even when we are in pain and can't rest, God is there, and He is faithful and good. We will lift our hands in praise to him, no matter what the circumstance. We will choose to focus on Him who is full of love and mercy.
And in that dark stillness, in my daughter's bed, Jesus was there. Her breathing slowed, her muscles relaxed... peace came in with the Prince of Peace. I could sense Him there, speaking words of love to my beloved daughter.
I recently read a great book by Canadian author David Kitz called "Psalms Alive!", which I very much enjoyed. It has 25 chapters that each go through bringing a different portion of the psalms to life. I am currently reading Eleanor Gustafson's book, The Stones, which brings the story of King David (author of many of the psalms) to life. Though growing pains may not be much of a hardship, even pain can be a gift that brings us closer to the One who created, loves and heals.
The joys and pains of today make me want to sing the Doxology (something our late friend, pastor and former roomate of Mark's, Dale Shaw, encouraged regularly):
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above the Heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen
Friday, January 1, 2010
Classic Movies for the New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope you had a happy celebration! We enjoyed a family party at a friends' home - much food, laughter, games and fun until one am. Our kids did great, and the girl is still thrilled about blowing her party horn (note to self: throw away party horn when girl is distracted...)
2 nights ago we had friends over, and Mike mentioned that his last year's resolution had kind of fizzled. This year he and Rachel were thinking of watching classical movies as a goal, as they hadn't seen a lot. I immediately lent them "White Christmas" to watch before this holiday season slips away.
I LOVE old movies... which got me thinking about making a list of my top 12 list of favourite old movies. (1 old movie/month). The first is my favourite, the rest are in chronological order. There are more movies from the 70's, 80's and 90's I love - but "old" means from before I was born!
I hope you had a happy celebration! We enjoyed a family party at a friends' home - much food, laughter, games and fun until one am. Our kids did great, and the girl is still thrilled about blowing her party horn (note to self: throw away party horn when girl is distracted...)
2 nights ago we had friends over, and Mike mentioned that his last year's resolution had kind of fizzled. This year he and Rachel were thinking of watching classical movies as a goal, as they hadn't seen a lot. I immediately lent them "White Christmas" to watch before this holiday season slips away.
I LOVE old movies... which got me thinking about making a list of my top 12 list of favourite old movies. (1 old movie/month). The first is my favourite, the rest are in chronological order. There are more movies from the 70's, 80's and 90's I love - but "old" means from before I was born!
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - it's not Christmas if I don't watch this one, my all-time favourite.
- The Wizard of Oz (1939) - my husband still has not seen this in it's entirety - but we loved the Broadway musical "Wicked" which is a side story about the witches of Oz.
- A Philadelphia Story (1940) Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart AND Katherine Hepburn. Almost as good is the remake with Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra in 1956 musical called "High Society".
- Casablanca (1942) Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman... tragic romance.
- Harvey (1950), okay I admit, Jimmy Stewart is one of my favourites. This one is great about a man with an imaginary friend!
- Scrooge (1951), better known as "A Christmas Carol" - this is the best version with Alastair Sim. Every Christmas my uncles would gather around the tv to watch it.
- Rear Window (1954), Hitchcock directed with Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart.
- To Catch a Thief (1955), Hitchcock again, with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. I think the words "Suave" and "debonair" were created while watching this one.
- Rebel Without a Cause (1955), James Dean, Natalie Wood - tragic teen angst.
- North by Northwest (1959), my favourite Hitchcock movie with Cary Grant.
- The Sound of Music (1965), Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer
- Where Eagles Dare (1968) with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood - gripping war-time thriller!
Christmas is... about enjoying family
Then we stayed for 3 days and nights. Our agenda was pretty much as follows:
- wake up
- eat
- play games
- eat
- play more games
- eat
- get dressed
- eat again
- play games until the wee hours of the morning
Now, as for the 6 adults of the 2nd generation, our very favourite game is Settlers of Catan, and Seafarers of Catan. Miss Lou-Anne was declared "Queen of the Seafarers" as she won the most games over the course of our 3 days (I'm guessing we played 12 rounds).
We also enjoyed a night out at the movies. Grandma and Grandpa, bless their souls, took 5 kids to see "Alvin and the chipmunks, the Squeakquel". 4 of us saw "The Blind Side" which is excellent! The 3rd movie seen was "It's Complicated" - which was apparently funny, yet a wee bit depressing.
(By the way - I am sitting on an ottoman, not my mother-in-law's lap).
Our final evening saw all the men and children head out to an Everett Silvertips Hockey game while the ladies enjoyed a dinner out and quiet conversation.
We very much enjoyed our "Caldwell Christmas". I hope yours was enjoyable and restful too!
And Tobi - the wonder-puppy!
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