blessings...

One of the best sights and sounds out there has to be the children out on their bikes; their voices are carried on the breeze (read:wind!), and the spring evening light illuminates these sweet moments. I know that robins and flowers are among the first signs of spring in many places, but here, the snow has a rather un-salutory effect on flowers, and robins would be in danger of blowing away on the western winds! So for me, it's kids on bikes. They are hardier than robins and flowers. And they are mine. :)

I'm happy today that I can see signs of real improvement on the tip of Jasper's poor tail, which is about the size and color of my finger. Very few bits of scab remain, and I can only hope that the new skin will actually grow hair on it! Yikes. This is all very yucky, but really, so exciting! In a sort of yucky way. Meanwhile, he still spends all unsupervised time wearing his lampshade, which Jack has thoughtfully labeled in green permanent marker 'the cone of shame'. He is a charming boy. And this useful device is serving a dual purpose; not only does it keep Jasper from chewing the skin off the end of his tail again- it has the added advantage of wrecking our walls, especially the corners of the walls. We had often considered painting our walls a lighter shade, and now that looks more likely than ever.  :)

We have some good old friends here with us for a visit this weekend. Our children played together when they were wee little ones before we moved to England, and it's amazing how they just pick up where they left off whenever they see each other since those happy days! We took them all to Waterton today to play in the snow, and we had SO MUCH FUN! It was great... The breeze was gentle, and the sun was warm, even through the clouds that came and went. The snow was made for good times; we made some cool snowmen, and a big snowball wall which became the dividing line for a pretty intense snowball fight. We played under, on, and in, some huge drifts which were best accessed from the rooftops! I am so happy whenever I am there- the place seems to be magical to me... And the best part is the joy of seeing my children play out there; it's powerful. I am blessed to have a heart (and iphoto :) full of such delicious memories.

I don't know why it seems so hard to believe the difference they make- they're good supplements. I started taking them at Christmas, through the kind concern of my sweet mother. Now, three months later, I have accidentally tested them; I ordered too late, and ran out for about a week before the next shipment arrived. Amazingly, my joint pain was up and my energy was down... When they arrived, I wasted no time in swallowing some, and I don't think I want to let that happen again! I read a saying years ago, which I have quoted to my family a few times over the years. It says, 'Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.' I say it to encourage them to eat plenty of oranges when they are fighting a cold, and so on. Now they say it to me, because they think it's pretty funny how many pills I swallow with my meals. I wish I was a bit more robust, but I am grateful that I have medicines, both natural and pharmaceutical, that help! And I watched a co...

After all, what do we really expect? Of course there's a snowfall warning for this week! Naturally, it looks like Christmas outside! It's only late March- the first week of 'calendar' spring! I actually really enjoyed my walk this morning. The snow fell constantly, but it was neither cold nor windy. We trudged around in our snow gear, and Jasper shook off once or twice. What I am grateful for in all of this is that I am ok with this weather... When we moved to Alberta I was 10, and it was February. I recall thinking that my parents had brought us to the north pole! ;) I didn't think too much about it when I was growing up, except when my April birthday was almost always snowy... As an adult, though, I haven't fared so well. Until very recently. I found the long cold winters with extreme temperatures and conditions almost unbearable. I'd still go out walking, but I felt like curling up and waiting for winter to pass- quickly! I eventually got low moods over ...

(This is what I wrote yesterday on a word document when I couldn't access the internet because we were in the middle of switching providers. That was fun, let me tell you.)    There is just nothing like a sunny day. When the sky is bright everything seems a little better. Problems are simply challenges I can face, and cheerfully handle. Going outside to take a walk feels blissfully mandatory. Not only the curtains, but the windows have to be opened to let in the pretty light and fresh air. And the snow is melting so fast! And once again, I am so grateful for the loving and ready support of family… Some of my nearest and dearest live far away, but when I call for a little help, love, even rescuing, my family are caring and more than willing to reach out their loving hearts and hands to us. I know and feel how precious these gifts are. Plus, I think food is a real blessing. I am enjoying some steamed broccoli with butter for my lunch, and let me tell you- it’s yummy! ...

Here is what I actually did after we got ourselves off the couches this morning, instead of going back to la la land. I made the oatmeal we love best. Here is how: I boil 3 cups of water with a little sprinkle of salt, then stir in 2 cups of old-fashioned oats. (not the quick ones I use in cookies) I turn the heat down to about medium and stir it once in a while, stopping the heat when there's no more water left on the bottom of the pot when I pull back the oats with the spoon. It's so chewy (not mushy :) and filling and hot. And fast to prepare. Jack stirs a little nutmeg and cinnamon into his at the table, and adds a spoonful of brown sugar with all the rest of us. It's the perfect breakfast. No wonder it's been such a favorite for so long. Yay for oatmeal!

I went to sleep sometime after midnight last night. And the alarm went off at 5 o'clock this morning. I was grateful that it was a mistake, and we could snuggle in and go back to sleep for a while. Once I accomplished this (no small feat :) I fell into a strange dream. All scrambled and mixed up. I woke up Kirby and myself by crying out in fear of a huge bug that had bitten me (in the dream!)... Kirby was telling me that it's ok because I am in my real life now. Thank Heaven we live someplace too cold for most big bugs! We only have to consider cougars and bears, of which there are relatively few, really! Thankfully the chapter we were reading in the scriptures with the children this morning was a short one, because we had overslept a bit by then, and were all ready to head back to bed when we were finished reading together! Yikes. I am going to have to get a little more strict about bedtimes for my girls. It's hard to tear myself away from their cuddles and chats and book...

Japan. Lybia. My heart aches for these, and so many other people who suffer things I cannot even really imagine. This world holds so much anguish. And then there is an outpouring of compassionate support. It's always there. A good friend of mine recently suffered a stroke. She has six children, and some of them are just little. She is facing her recovery with courage. Another recently suffered a traumatic miscarriage, during which she lost copious quantities of blood, and almost died. She is strong and still full of love and gratitude. Someone I love very dearly is enduring lingering pain from a failing romance. She remains caring and holds on to her integrity. And the mountains are so beautiful. And spring is coming. These small and simple things bring me a renewed sense of God's constant and powerful care. On their own, the rainbows wouldn't be enough to soothe the clouds and storms with their rain of tears. It's our faith that one day, some way, all the suffering ca...

Yesterday afternoon I had the joyous experience of opening windows to let in a bit of fresh air, as we were finding that even with the thermostat down to 19, it was 24 in here! And when I opened the front door, I heard the beautiful sound of snow melt dripping water everywhere! Yay! Meanwhile, Jack was skiing in the mountains with his school, where he had plenty of snow to enjoy... And I feel nervously blessed by a serendipitous turn of events, which has me taking on a big challenge. With my piano lessons. I will tell you this- I am definitely going to need the increased practice time I was planning on!! And I am excited. Really. The other good thing that springs to mind this morning is that we've had yet another good Baden Powell night with the cubs and their families. Lots of chili, and the best ever homemade buns. Brought by a talented friend who luckily has a boy in our cub pack! ;)

Since we have lived here Kirby has taken our children skiing several times, and they also do school ski days. I, however, have never gotten any closer to these slopes than the lodge. Or maybe just outside when I take pictures. The point is that I have been quite happy to find any reason I could- not to go skiing. I don't like to be cold... It costs a lot... I sit in the front windows with lunches... I haven't been for about 20 years... Excuses have been easy to come by. Until today! It was so beautiful up there. Lots of gorgeous snow, and not too cold. I walked the dog, looking up at these incredible peaks and fell in love with it all. So I will have the opportunity to find out how well my body remembers how to downhill ski. I hope this will bring more pleasure than pain! I feel so blessed to live here with the rocky mountains just down the road. Wish me well in my attempts to make the most of it. :)

Kirby has really been encouraging me to take more time for playing the piano... It can be hard for me to carve out time for my personal enjoyment when there is always so much to do. But now we have spread around more of the responsibility for house and home- to make time for me to practise as much as I really should. The children can be a little more responsible, and that may be a good thing for everyone. I am so happy that things keep changing. Even though Jack is six feet tall, and not nearly as cuddly as he once was, good things keep happening... Little people with rolls on their knees are now big and sometimes a bit mouthy. On the other hand, they can help out- so I will be more able to pursue another passion which will help fill my mind and hands with something fulfilling while they are doing big kid things like going to school. I feel like a cross between Peter Pan and Tevya! Still, there is nothing like a sweet squishy little baby.

It's been a while since I have written here, and I am happy for a few moments tonight... I'll give the abridged version before I go to bed; I feel grateful for time off from school when I enjoy my family, visits with old friends, great books for my children to love reading, gorgeous sun on deep snow on a mountain lake, my fingernails growing a bit at last, forgiveness that mends broken hearts, good medicine, creative children who daily amaze and delight me, the dog's tail hair starting to grow back!!, delicious food to cook and eat, houseplants, jeans that fit, a cold but sweet walk around the temple grounds with my son and daughters, roadside assistance for locked-in keys, good conversation, and constant daily learning- from what I read, people I know, films I watch, and sheer beautiful inspiration. Plus, my dear little sister and her dear little daughters who are here to visit. Little Grace fell asleep cuddled with me this evening- simply adorable. Life is good.