After Dan told me he was writing a blog about all the famous people he's met, I racked and racked my brain to come up with my own list. I'd already heard his criteria, but still it took me all day to come up with a few that I thought might count.

Of course, it doesn't count that I've seen both Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict at World Youth Days. It's not like I met them. In fact, I only saw them from a very great distance. It wasn't even close enough to get a recognizable picture of either of them. But still, I did see them in person (so give me a little credit!).

But at WYD in Germany I did actually meet Cardinal Francis Arinze. My group stayed in Dusseldorf during the days leading up to WYD and he gave an incredible homily at one of the Masses/sessions there. Afterwards, I approached him with a friend and briefly shook his hand. What an incredible man! And to think he could have been chosen as pope -- then I'd really have had something to brag about. 

Source

The other most famous person I've met (aside from a few on Dan's list), is Walter Gretzky. Nope, not the Great One himself, just his dad.

I'm from Brantford, home of Wayne Gretzky. I worked at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre for years as a lifeguard. Wayne was never around. The one occasion he was there I couldn't get away from work to go over and sneak a peak. I don't blame him for not hanging out in his home town much (it's a bit of a greasy town, I guess), but I wish I'd at least met him.

Seeing his dad, Walter, however, was a regular occurrence. I recall one night after work chatting with one of the front desk staff on my way out. Walter was around for the Walter Gretzky Tournament. He'd probably been smiling and signing autographs for kids the whole weekend. And as he stood there talking with us, he gave a big huff and said something to the effect that he was sick of kids. Generally, he is such a generous, kind, and joyful man, but I can well believe that after 3 days of hockey nuts, even he'd wish for a little peace and quiet. 

Source

So there's my list! Nothing to brag about, I guess. But on the other hand, at least I've met some really wonderful famous people -- after all, if I'd met Justin Bieber I might not want to admit it.

A day (or two) in the life...

Some days we take it easy, other days are full of activity. Mostly I feel like we're just taking it easy around here. We're in count down mode until baby arrives and having do-lots-of-stuff or do-nothing days. For some reason, I've never been able to really balance things out and get a reasonable amount done each day. Case in point...

Tuesday went something like this: I decided we needed to make potato soup to use up the last of my gifted garden potatoes that were getting all wrinkly and growing sprouts everywhere. Plus, we didn't really have anything for lunch. But we woke up at about 8:30am, after a good hour and a half of Joseph keeping me up around 5am (just because, you know, he was wide awake), so we had a late start to our morning because it was also my semi-weekly shower day.

We also had to bake bread because we were almost out. And needed to defrost and cook some sausage to go in the soup. And there was a whole huge package of ground beef in the fridge that I had to make into meatballs and taco filler that day. And I'd decided to make ribs for supper to celebrate the feast of St Thomas Aquinas. And laundry needed to get done because, well, it just needed to get done. At some point in the middle of my 2nd or 3rd sink load of dishes and having finished the soup and bread, I realized that all of these things took time to bake in the oven and my ribs needed to be in there for a good 4-5hrs on really low heat. And it was already almost noon.

Why or why do I take on too many tasks all in one day? This time, it just happened that way. We actually got it all done. Two loads of laundry even got folded and put away. We made it outside for a short time. We even made a trip out to mail a parcel and pick up something. And Dan did dishes after supper so I could finish up the meatballs when the oven was finally available. But at the end of the day, you come to realize it's just way too tiring to be doing that much -- or at least it is for me at nearly 34 weeks pregnant.

Wednesday, on the other hand, went something like this: No sleep for mommy after 5am. Why? Because that's when Joseph had been waking up (and usually going back to sleep again), so my body was all prepped. And when he woke up at 6:30am there was no going back to sleep after that. Then morning Mass. A lazy morning putting photos in an album. An afternoon napping and reading my gigantically enormous book that's over 1000 pages and weighs more than my baby. A walk and playing outside. That's it.

I should add that the entire photo organization session was riddled with me telling my beloved two-year-old not to step on the photos (my fault for doing it on the living room floor?), not to throw the photos, not to play hockey with the photos as the stick, and generally to just look at them gently. This is why they are going in albums, after all, so that he can look at them without all this mess. So maybe that wasn't a lazy morning, but it certainly felt like it after the day before.

Is it nesting or craziness that makes for these spurts of activity and non-activity? Not sure. But either way, we have a bunch of food stocked up that will definitely not last until baby's arrival. Which means I'll be doing this all over again at least once or twice.

I Don't Like to Brag, But...

I don't like to brag, but... I've met some pretty famous people in my day.

Why do I bring this up? Well, my brother just posted a picture on facebook of the Pope walking right by him. It made me think of how (sorry) I really haven't met too many famous people. Being from small-town Saskatchewan is great, but it's difficult to meet the big names in the world. I spent a few years (more like 8) out in Ontario, so I rubbed elbows with a few big shots there, but ultimately my list isn't too darn impressive.

Here are the most famous people I've met. Note: met as in actually chatted with. If it was people I saw, then that honour would go to Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe, whom I once saw walking down the hall at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.

Christopher West - For one weekend I was actually his official chauffeur, breakfast provider, and pants buyer. He came to Saskatoon to be the main speaker at the Theology of the Body conference. I was in charge of driving him around (in an old '95 Dodge Stratus). Mr. West got a little confused by the static Saskatchewan time zone and he slept in that Saturday morning. So as I went to pick him up at his hotel he was looking slightly dishevelled and hungry. He hadn't had time to eat, and so I rounded up some A&W bacon and eggers. Also, he forgot to pack his good pants for the conference, and only had a pair of jeans to wear. So, while he started his morning talks, I had to go buy him a new pair of pants for his later talks (and the banquet). He's a size 34-30, by the way. He gave absolutely awesome talks. On the whole, though, I found him to be a little, hmmm, not arrogant... not rude... just, American, I guess. I'm not sure how else to describe it.

Janet Smith - Also a speaker at the conference. The main time I spent with her was actually alone in a room with Jesus. We ended up being in the adoration chapel together for at least 30 minutes. She was preparing for her upcoming talk in the best way possible. For the record, that night she gave the best talk I have ever, ever, heard.

Peter Kreeft - Met him at a talk in the basement of St. Patrick's basilica. His talk was good. However, at question period he said some things that I, well, question (such as that Protestants should be declared saints by the Catholic Church). Being in my final year at the Academy, this was quite the heresy! Anyway, he was a nice man, and good speaker.

Michael O'Brien - Hard to believe he's this famous artist and writer. He's been getting plenty of publicity on Fr. Z.'s blog lately too, which is a big deal. But I've only ever known him as the dad of one of my friends. I've tried reading a couple of his novels, but I have a hard time with long books that have no pictures. One of his shorter books though, Father at Night, is absolutely excellent. Michael O'Brien is a very soft-spoken, kind, and caring man who lives a very simple life. I don't mind adding that the real drive behind what he does is his wife Sheila, who is an incredible woman.

We'll step away from the famous Catholics for a while here.

Eddie Russ - Not the most famous Roughrider. In fact, he had a tough time getting into games this year. But of all the people on this list, he was far and away the nicest. The guy was just full of life and enthusiasm, and he's a very strong Christian. He gave a talk at our school, and afterwards visited a few classrooms (including mine, which was green from floor to ceiling).

I must give honourable mention to Rider players Chris Milo and Dan Clark whom I spoke a few words to at the last Rider game, and they responded very kindly in turn.

Wide Mouth Mason - Back in the day Wide Mouth Mason was what the Sheepdogs are now. They were the Saskatchewan band. Well I saw them perform in Tisdale (of all places) years ago. They signed a CD for me after the gig and I told them how I knew when their birthdays were, and favourite colours, and all that perfectly non-creepy stuff. Right? Or I just told them I was a big fan and all.

Incidentally, I saw a 20 minute video of the Sheepdogs playing just the other day. They were doing a CBC rooftop special. Wow, I was very amazed!


Bishops - I've me, and served for, many bishops in my day. The most famous of these would be Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa (served for), Archbishop and former Papal Nuncio to Canada Luigi Ventura (served for), and Archbishop, Secretary of the Asian Bishop's Conference, and recently named Cardinal Orlando "Orlie" Quevedo of the Philippines.

Archbishop Ventura was neat to meet. I served for him at a year end Academy Mass and then he addressed the graduating class. But, it was the hour or so of chatting with him in the sacristy before and after Mass that I'll never forget. Here was the Papal Nuncio of Canada being very upright and honest about what he thought of liberals in the Church. Why should he hide back from the truth? He had to answer only to Pope Benedict. And we all know of how "liberal" Pope Benedict (of happy memory) is/was.

Archbishop "Orlie"

Archbishop Orlie is the bishop of the Filipino priest in Nipawin. He has come to visit twice. Once he came over to my parents house in Nipawin for supper. I sat right next to him (whoa, I'm so special) and he stayed several hours telling one awesome story after another. He is very orthodox, dynamic, and funny. Plus, I like to say his name, "Orlie." I'm sure he's also very upset these days. He was looking forward to retiring within a year, but then the Pope just made him a Cardinal. But, I'm sure Pope Francis was looking forward to retiring at this time last year, and look where he is now? In other words, don't go to Pope Francis looking for sympathy!

So there it is. Yes, I don't like to brag, but... yeah, I don't have much to brag about.

What about you?

Do you know the pant size of someone famous?

UPDATED

As Becca and I tried to sleep last night we came up with two other people:

Michael Coren and Brian Lilley, both now of Sun News TV. They both gave talks at the Academy.

      

And no, when I speak about the "man with the perfect hair" I'm not referring to Brian Lilley. Although he comes close.

Terrible Twos? or, How to discipline a two-year-old

If you actually think I'm going to lay out tactics for disciplining a two year old, think again. I feel like I still don't know the first thing about disciplining him successfully. But I'll tell you a little bit about how we try to discipline said two year old.

I was a little shocked sometime last year after Joseph turned one when I realized that the effects of Original Sin were already starting to poke their silly nose into our lives. Or is it just that no kid really needs to be taught how to get into trouble? And that somehow they just know what to say, and in just what tone, to become not just annoying, but disrespectful? Ok, really, I get it that a one year old and even a two year old usually doesn't know much better... but we're actually starting to get into the I'm-going-to-do-it-anyway territory.

Maybe I jinxed us a few weeks back when I commented to Dan that once Joseph's teeth were done coming in, he hasn't been a terrible two at all. But we had quite the time last weekend with our adorable little two year old. 

He slept well all week -- we'd been trying and succeeding in getting him on an earlier bedtime! He was well-fed and had parents to play with him, etc. So what was it?

For one thing, Joseph started this habit recently of responding "What?" to many things we told him or asked him. Not just "what?" but repeatedly, again and again, in a grating tone. "I can't stand that," Dan told me. Yep, same here. "Don't say 'what?'" was how Dan dealt with it. Meanwhile, I had been trying to get him to say "pardon?" or just telling him I'd just told him the same thing three times (because, really, I knew he'd heard). But it seems that Dan's method somehow worked better. Joseph now drives around in his little car with his teddy bear, telling the bear, "Don't say 'what?' Don't say 'what?' Don't say 'what?'" And he seems to have at least reduced the number of times he says it himself.

But another thing. The tears. "Your grandparents aren't going to recognize you when they come back from Rome," Dan told Joseph. And we didn't either. He cried at everything. Told not to say "what?" -- tears. Told we're going outside to play -- tears. Told not to stand up in his chair and reach across the table -- tears. Any kind of discipline -- tears! You get the picture. Then he would say, in the most forlorn voice, "I need a Kleenex!" Not for his nose, for his crocodile tears. A few sniffles and pouts later he would be fine again... for at maybe 3 minutes.



"I need a muffin." "I need a Kleenex." "I need some l'eau." This was another manners/discipline area we found ourselves needing to attack. What happened to our little angel who used to say "peas" and then finally learned "please"? Maybe I'm to blame for his relapse, since I still struggle to remember to say please. So once again we were following up everything with, "How do you ask?" or "What do you say when you want something?" At first I tried, "Say, 'Can I have a muffin, please?'" but eventually Dan convinced me that if he just said please we were going in the right direction. Never fail, though, after a very demanding "I need!" Joseph would always take his cue and say oh-so-sweetly "please".

So there you have it... don't learn from us, just laugh at us!

Somewhere Far Away From Here

My mom, dad, littlest sister, and oldest brother are currently on a pilgrimage to Rome and other Italian places. They were told by the tour guide to be prepared for the cold. Considering it was about 40 below the morning they left, I don't know how they will survive out there.

Poor Becca has been reminding me frequently of how jealous she is of them. It doesn't help that my brother has been posting daily pictures on facebook of their trip thus far. I've taken the liberty of snagging a few from facebook.

This is from Sienna:

And Assisi:

And some Florence:

And they haven't even hit up Rome yet.

Poor Becca.

But, I must point out, does Italy have a Mose?

So there.

"Yes, I am jealous of them..."

The Holy Martyr

Today the Church honours two early martyrs, St. Fabian and St. Sebastian. Martyrdom is one of those subjects that, at least to me, sometimes is given over to the realm of folklore. I mean, it's tough to image getting pierced with arrows (what a 'holy' guy...), yet garnering the strength to go tell the corrupt emperor that you won't back down for proclaiming Christ, all before getting clubbed to death. Stories like that are legendary. Yet if one reads the actual martyrdom account, and not a simplified version, it takes on new meaning.

Some of my greatest most vivid memories come from our good ole Academy pilgrimages to the Canadian Martyr's Shrine (before the pilgrimage became a bus tour). Near the end of the trip the man with the perfect hair would lead us on a long snowy walk to the site where St. Jean de Brebeuf and St. Gabriel Lalemant were captured by the Iroquois. Remarkably we always seemed to arrive at this area just before 3pm in the afternoon. From there we would hear an account of the capture of these two saints, and then pray a chaplet. From that point we would trek back to our vehicles and drive to an out of the way location which is believed to be the spot where these two men were killed. The man with the perfect hair would then read the chilling account of their deaths. Trust me, it's no fairy tale when you hear the torture endured by these men. Burnt skin. Ripped out eyes and tongues. Blows that defy all sense of humanity. To hear this account, on the very anniversary of the day these events happened, at the exact spot where they occurred, essentially puts you in the very midst of the story. It unfolds right before your very faith-filled eyes. But what inevitable pulls the whole story together is that we would then have Mass said on the very site, in the winter cold, immediately following this experience. Thus, the ultimate sacrifice of Christ would be brought to us, as we attempted to understand the true significance of martyrdom and sacrifice. Of love and the cross.

And then life would go on, and as the days and months (and now years) go by we would, or me rather, inevitably lose touch of what martyrdom is truly about.

Martyrom is a difficult reality for me to wrap my head around. I remember once serving Mass in Barry's Bay and, as I probably drifted in and out during a homily (some days I was just, you know, tired and worn out) a thought came into my mind concerning martyrdom. I pictured a madman walking up the aisle of the church while Father said Mass. The man was carrying a long sharp knife, and walking directly towards the priest who was at the altar. What would I do? Would I jump in front of the guy and try to tackle him? Maybe I would grab a couple of hymnals and toss them at him first before tackling him? What about if he was bigger? Would that help? Oh the thoughts that come into an altar boy's head during Mass! I ended up deciding that I would jump over my pew with a hymnal and try to use it as a shield as I tackled the man. There. Problem solved.

But then God gave me a little special grace intended to bring me some humility. Suddenly the situation felt real! Suddenly I felt like I had to make this decision as if it might be the end. What if the guy killed me? It would probably happen. Him with a knife! Me with a CBWII. I wouldn't stand a chance! Fear took over me. "Oh help me God! I'm so weak," I thought. "I don't know if I can do it!" "What about everyone I know?" "Is this really how it would all end?"

Martyrdom never seems so heroic when actually faced with the possibility, does it? It seems more like a decision based only on the way one lives. A split second decision takes a lifetime of preparation.

So, that poor little altar boy struggled with that thought during Mass. I guess he wasn't as holy as he appeared, what with that wrinkle-free soutane and perfectly folded hands. The soutane and folded hands merely covered a heart that was shaking inside.

Martyrdom is serious business. St. Sebastian and St. Fabian can attest to that. Surely most of us will not be called to it. But we're all called to be ready for it.

It gives a new meaning to the word "holiness."

Ten Years Later and Still...

"Oh it's ten years later and still... I haven't a clue."

That line is from a haunting little song by Collective Soul (the greatest band of all time). I remember it being in my head, some ten years ago.

You see, ten years ago at this time I was in the Commerce program at the University of Saskatchewan. Just think of where I'd be right now had I stayed! I think I would have eventually gone into marketing and, hopefully, made some serious do-re-mi. What kind of vehicle would I drive? How many different sports season tickets would I buy each year? Where would I go for vacation? What exciting place would I live?

The reality is that I didn't stay in the Commerce program. Exactly ten years ago I got the nudge. That unmistakable nudge by a gentle yet persistent God saying that there was another plan for me, though I would have to be patient in discovering it. So for a week I wandered aimlessly around the University. Eventually I dropped out. I applied at some school in Ontario that gave you no job prospects whatsoever, but had this interesting guy with a perfect head of hair on all the black and white promotional covers. Within a few weeks I actually talked with this guy on the phone as he in a somewhat choppy, soft, yet confident voice told me I was accepted to the school.

I looked for work around Saskatoon in the meantime, and eventually got a job washing dishes and prepping food at an expensive French restaurant. The qualifications that got me hired? I told the owners that I come from a family of 7 children, and all I knew was how to wash dishes.

So I worked, and prayed, and had a great time attending the Latin Mass and spending time with young people who were serious about studying the faith, and not simply their feelings. Eventually I flew out East and made it to a town called Barry's Bay.

I was picked up by the man with the perfect hair, and another man by the name of Michael O'Brien. I knew he was famous, but I was terrified that his decrepit old van wouldn't make the drive. Well, we pulled in very late at night to an old convent and I was brought to a dark little room. I spent the night with no pillow or blankets, and not even knowing where the bathroom was.

Welcome to the Academy.

So the years have passed since then. I now drive a dented grey minivan. I market the importance of music and phys ed. to elementary school children. I have season tickets to watching little Joseph perform his antics each and every night (that little goofball). And for vacation, it's always Southern Ontario. Brantford area to be specific. Not exactly the mountains, or the Vatican, but very welcoming nonetheless. And now I live in the bustling town of Tisdale, SK: Land of Rape and Honey. It doesn't get much more exciting than that. I'm pretty sure you don't live in a place as exciting as the land of rape and honey.

It's ten years later and still... I haven't a clue. But from time to time I still get that persistent little nudge from that gentle and persistent God leading towards another path.

I wonder will the next ten years will lead?



I haven't a clue.

3 Up, 3 Down - Turn Around, Bright Eyes

The (n)ever popular 3 up 3 down.


1 Down - Recycling

I know, what kind of a monster puts recycling as a downer? Next thing you know I'll be slamming Development and Peace! It's not the recycling... more specifically it's the town of Tisdale's recycling. We only get a recycling pick up once a month. Yesterday was that day. Well, there was a terrible windstorm that was blowing bins all over the place (and papers). What a mess! Needless to say the recycling truck never showed up. Everyone dragged their bins back in. But, low and behold, the truck started making the rounds in the evening. Probably to pick up a grand total of nothing. So now we have to wait another month for a pickup.
Dumb.



1 Up - Total Eclipse of the Heart

Seriously, is there a better song in the history of the world? Becca and I just had to put it on the other night while doing dishes. It turned into a very dramatic dish-washing session. Even Joseph had to join in on the display of pure emotion and 80s-ness. I mean, just think about this line:

"forever's gonna start tonight."

*Chills*



2 Down - Co-op Grocery Store

Ok Co-op, you're killing us with your prices and crappy food! But they're the only grocery store in town! I wonder how long it would take for them the go out of business if they had some serious competition. Hmmmm... Danny's No Frills... Not bad. But I'm not ready for something like that. Nothing you can do, a total eclipse of the heart.



2 Up - Hand Eye Coordination

Joseph loves going to Grandpa's house to play tennis/baseball with him. Grandpa throws a ball at Joseph, and joseph smacks it with a mini tennis racket. Last trip out we were sent home with our own mini-racket and ball. Actually, Joseph insisted that we not leave the house without it, and even watched carefully as I put it in the van. You should see Joseph now! He can smack that ball around the house like it's no one's business! If we put this kid on PEDs he'll be in big leagues in no time!



3 Down - Dressless in Regina

That's right, Weston Dressler, EVERYBODY'S favourite Roughrider, has been doing workouts in the NFL. In other words, there's a great chance he won't be back. You know how you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone? Well, we've always loved and appreciated Dressler. And yet, life without him still feels like we didn't appreciate him enough. What a great guy, and a heck of a player. All the best to the little number 7 with the big heart!

But if you don't make it down south, pleeeeease come back!



3 Up - ipads

So the school division got every teacher at my school ipads. Why, we don't know (though I sense a sinister reason that has yet to be released). It's not like there's money for anything else around here. Anyway, what exactly I'm supposed to do with mine I have no idea. I've discovered that with the exception of a few apps (namely i-breviary), free apps kind of suck. But, I did discover one educational use for the ipad! I downloaded a timer! Now, when I time the 90 second floor hockey shifts at recess, I bring the ipad! Yeah, that's an expensive timer, but only the best for my students!

Also, Becca and I watched Ma and Pa Kettle while in bed last night. Can you imagine! Pretty cool (though we won't do this too often).


That's all the time I have for today. I have to go teach in 30 minutes you know. Maybe I should plan something first too. Forever's gonna start today.

And Remember... Jesus Loves You!

Well it's been over a week now since I got back at the old grind. I probably should have done some work over the Christmas break to avoid such a busy first rush at school, but hey, sometimes it's best just to enjoy the rest (i.e. be lazy). My latest project at school has involved setting up a recess floor hockey league. Needless to say, I've had a very large number of students sign up. Who wouldn't want to play floor hockey during recess?

Another project that unfortunately will be taking up my time is teaching catechism at the local church. I say unfortunately because though I had volunteered to teach it back in September, apparently it's just starting up now. I've also just found out that it involves me teaching sacramental prep (Confession, Confirmation, 1st Communion). As it stands right now, the set up is a total joke and seems destined for failure. The kids whom I am supposed to teach never, ever, go to Mass (incidentally, I teach them at school). And why this has waited until January I have no idea. I get the feeling I am being set up to fail. I mean, yes, the Holy Spirit can do amazing things and all. But does not grace perfect nature? In other words, God expects us to use our heads too.

But the real kicker in all of this is my position as a "volunteer" with the parish, and thus with the let's-buy-all-the-red-tape-we-can-find-because-it-makes-us-feel-so-special diocese of Prince Albert. So we all know that there are many abuse cases that have seriously hurt the Church in Canada. Well apparently I'm not allowed to volunteer to teach catechism until I complete 20 or so pages of documents for the diocese. These documents include having not just 3 references, but 3 reference letters from people whom I've known for over 3 years. They must fill out documents too, and fax them in. I almost cried as I started looking through this volunteer package. I didn't even get through half of it. I threw it on the counter and left it there. Oh yeah, and apparently I have to watch a 2 hour DVD as well regarding being a volunteer for the vulnerable.

I'm not sure what phrase best describes all of this. Heavy-handed? Cruel? Obsessive? Moronic? Yes, I am sure that insurance is difficult to get for church employees and volunteers. I do know, in reading through half of the application, that much of what was written has nothing to do with insurance. At least I don't think insurance companies need a half of a page describing what hobbies I am interested in. Now I've completed numerous applications in the past 5 years. I've applied for teacher's college, a Master's program, and eight or so different school boards. Most of these applications involve being with the vulnerable. None of the applications I have done even compare to this volunteer application.

So poor Father when he finds out that I'm not going to bother doing the application. I suppose he can take it or leave it. It's not that I'm giving up. Heck, I can just call up the parents if need be and arrange to teach catechism unofficially. Sort of like a private school for catechism. You know, to go against the system. Sadly, though, this "system" happens to be our Catholic Church. I can just see Pope Francis' face if I were to show him the application package to teach catechism. Here our Holy Father has been going on and on about living out our identity as a missionary Church. Prudence is one thing. Astringent formality is quite another.

That's my rant for the day.

And remember...

"D$#% right he does!"

My Baby You'll Be

The other night, Joseph and I were reading Robert Munsch's Love You Forever. It's one of his favourites, and after I'd sung our way through the story and left the room, he got Dan to read it all over again. 

Normally, I'm not a huge fan of Munsch.  Sometimes his funny stories seem to be more instructive to kids on how to get themselves into mischief and, now that I have a toddler who seems to figure this out well for himself, I don't believe kids need any help in that area. But I make exception for Love You Forever. Not that the book doesn't have its quirks. I am at a loss to imagine a mother who would risk reawakening a newborn or toddler to rock them and sing a little song. Let sleeping children lie! And what mother would drive across town to climb in through her grown son's bedroom window and rock him in her arms? That's just weird.

But it's the sentiment of the thing that captures a reader, old or young. As I read the story to Joseph, I rock him back and forth and sing that I love him forever. He gives me a little shove and lets me know to get on with the book and stop the rocking. But his little smile lets me know that he likes to know I love him forever and likes to imagine himself as the little two year old who is rocked by his mother.

I'm cherishing these cuddle moments, just the two of us, more and more these days. Not only do I realize that things around here are going to change a little in about two months or so, but I know he won't want to cuddle with me pretty soon. 

Last week at 30 weeks!

It's surprising that he's a cuddler at all given his early stages of life. As a baby and throughout at least the first year of his life, Joseph wanted nothing to do with cuddles. But now we often enjoy a good long cuddle after he gets up from his nap because, you know, waking up from naps is sooo hard. So we just sit there on the couch and he straddles his legs around my big belly and lays his sleepy head on my shoulder or chest. Sometimes we talk, sometimes he drifts back to sleep, and sometimes it doesn't last very long because he sees some toy of interest and realizes he's wide awake. While part of me used to get a little bit tired when these cuddles went on longer than I thought necessary or when I was already mentally on to the next thing I had to do, lately I just sit and enjoy my sweet little man.

The same goes for our nap times. Although I had planned by this time to have him just falling asleep in the afternoons all by himself, my pregnancy tiredness has made me let go and just relax and pray while I wait for Joseph to drift off, often hoping I'll do the same. He likes to tell me, "I need your arm," and curl up to sleep on my seasoned arm that no longer instantly falls asleep. 

After he's gotten out all his chit chat and once that sleep overtakes him, I can relate to the mother in Love You Forever. I gaze at his peaceful little body, feeling all the love in the world for this little boy I couldn't imagine life without, and marvel at how he's grown or what an incredible gift God has given us or... all the things a mother feels for her children.

And like Munsch's storybook mother, I can forgive the messy life, the interrupted bathroom time, the sleepless nights... everything that life with a little one involves, because 

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living,

My baby you'll be.

Visitors from Edmonton

Today (note: never finished this blog yesterday :S) we wrap up our Christmas holidays. Dan returns to work tomorrow and life goes on. I make it sound so dramatic, but in reality we looked forward to those two weeks of holidays for a couple months in advance. After such a busy fall and December, it was great to have Dan home all the time for the Christmas break. Ahh, the life of a teacher!

Most of our holidays were spent visiting or having visitors. After our Millette family gathering in Nipawin, we came home to a few hours of unpacking, cleaning up, and preparation for the arrival of Pat and Madelaine later that day.

We are super excited that they've moved to Edmonton, even though it's still an 8hr trip between our two houses. They were happy to make the longish drive here after spending their first Christmas alone and away from family. And Joseph was more than happy for some new people to play "Megos" with. 

Uncle Pat obligingly built cars and planes and forts, while Aunty Maddy tackled the houses. Apparently, it's not just every little boy who would like Lego for Christmas, as Pat told Maddy she should get him some next year.

And while we did play some Boggle and Sequence with them -- you know, grown up games -- we seemed to spend an awful lot of time during Joseph's naps playing Lego. Note Boggle and Sequence on the couch, ignored when Legos abound. Lego takes the day!

Tisdale doesn't have much going on during the winter, or so it seems. So we took them to the Melfort pool to go water sliding and soak up some warmth in the hot tub. It was a great afternoon! After a few turns on the water slide, Pat announced it was his first time ever on a water slide. Needless to say, we were all shocked! Looks like we'll have to take a trip to Edmonton in the Spring or Summer to introduce him to the World Water Park at the West Edmonton Mall. 

We also took Pat and Maddy to Nipawin to hang out with the exciting folks at the Millette household. Laughter ensued over games of Apples to Apples, the drawing game, and debuts on instruments. Maddy was brave enough to try out Dan's old Saxophone...

Must be that some people in the family get all the talent! She was able to honk out a few recognizable notes, something I've never been able to do. Her laughter disrupted the playing a little, but I must say we were all duly impressed.

We've affectionately dubbed Pat and Maddy the D.I.N.K.s (Double Income No Kids) -- don't worry, they are quite aware! -- and like to stick it to them whenever we have something to complain about that we can attribute to having a toddler. Take, for instance, that we had Joseph sleeping in our room while they were visiting and joining us in our bed partway through each night, to kick or bonk heads as he desired, then waking up much earlier than his aunt and uncle and forcing his parents into breakfast mode. Then we tried to keep Joseph a little quieter while his aunt and uncle slept. Meanwhile, Pat and Madd enjoy long, uninterrupted nights of sleeping and wake blissfully at 10am. So we complain and tell them their glory days aren't going to last forever! And secretly we can't wait until some little one joins their life to wreak havoc on their easy lifestyle.

See, kids look good on them! They love to encourage Joseph's crazy side and he's happy to oblige. They'll make excellent parents!

We loved their visit and were sad to see them go. Come again when our baby arrives and we'll leave Joseph to sleep with you all night!

Christmas 2013 in Photos

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

We have had a wonderful, fun-filled, very busy week celebrating Christmas. We have been very, very blessed to share this Christmas with so many relatives. 

With all the Millette kids and grandkids home for Christmas this year we made 19. We were very thankful to have a nearby neighbour offer their empty home so that we all had beds to sleep in. But even with such a full house, Grandma Millette still went all out and invited some more friends to share Christmas supper with us. 

Just picture this: a huge game of Apples to Apples at the big dinning table, 7 crazy grandchildren running and yelling in the attached kitchen, and a number of us attempting to pray Vespers in the living room directly off the kitchen. Craziness!

After Christmas we had a great visit with the nearest of the Mombourquette relatives when Maddy and Pat drove from Edmonton to spend a few days with us -- but don't worry, that's going to be a whole different post!

For now, here are some pictures of all the fun we had! Enjoy!

Decorating gingerbread houses at Grandma's on Christmas Eve day

All the Millettes busy at filling their houses with candy

Our family Christmas picture

These two were so excited to sing "Happy Birthday" to baby Jesus and eat birthday cupcakes

The 7 Millette grandchildren had a blast playing together

Claire, Joseph, and Marie take a break

First time on skates!

Didn't take long for him to demand a hockey stick

Pushing a chair gave Daddy's back a little break

Joseph thought he could join right in with the big guys' hockey game

We're number 1!

Joseph and Sophia having a little ride

Ring around the Rosy (or Rosary, as Joseph says)

Playing with Grandpa

They ran and yelled and ran and yelled for 3 days straight

Jamming

Playing "piano" with Grandpa

Emma wants to play too

Big happy Millette family - with two more babies on the way for 2014!