Mary.

i love the Christmas season.

i love the reason I celebrate it.

i love that i celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

i love that celebrating Christmas reminds me that Easter is why Jesus came to Earth.

I had a baby boy in August of 2007.  

my first child.

my first son.

i remember being in tears at Christmas that year.

reading and thinking about the very first Christmas eve.

thinking about Mary.

a young girl.

never even been with a man and now was to be carrying a baby.

i think about her feeling the baby growing.

the baby moving.

i think about her traveling, not by plane or car... but walking, to a distant town.

with many other people.

some she knew, some she did not.

feeling the weight of the baby.

heading to a crowded little town.

aches, pains, joy, fear.

she was going to have a baby!

i remember that thought passing through my mind quite often.  

sometimes it brought fear, sometimes excitement.

then... no bed to sleep on.

into a stable.

with the animals.

still probably better than some people got.

stinky animals.

i remember my sense of smell was do heightened.

was hers?  surrounded by the animals.

then it comes time to have the baby.

that young girl now delivering a baby.

i like to think that someone in the town was a midwife of some sort who was able to assist her.

it would have been quite scary for her.

the fear she would have had, going through it all.

and then, she got to hold her baby.

her son.

the memories of the Angel Gabriel's words probably flooded her as she admired every single inch of him.

"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."   Luke 1:31-33

she snuggled him, fed him, kissed him.  

then wrapped him in a cloths and lay him in a manger.  

an animal's feeding trough.

she would provide for her son the best she could.  

and a manger was the best at that point.

my first Christmas holding my son i thought about Mary. 

an ordinary young girl.

but used by God to carry and raise His Son.  

she would love him dearly.

she would care for him.

what she truly expected he would be like and what he was like... 

i don't know how similar they were.

maybe this is why when i first heard "Mary Did You Know?" brought tears to my eyes.

Am i nuts?!?!

Way back...

August 2010 i wrote my first post on this blog.

it was about pink eye.  

yep, that's me, always full of exciting stories.

in that same month i wrote my second post.  

read it here: Running

for those who do not want to go read another post right now here's a little of what i said.

My husband and brother just ran their first Marathons in July.  the training was crazy! I was happy to be running 1 km and Dan was running 30km.  he is a runner - I am not.  But I'll tell you, I am at least becoming someone who does enjoy going for a run for the fitness/health of it.  and I miss it when I go too long between.  i have no plans to ever do a marathon but I do want to, next year, do the 10km Terry Fox Run.

that was August 2010.

it's now December 2014.  

and i will say it.

I am a runner.

that's right.

those who have followed this blog for any length of time have noticed it has become about my kids, 

my husband and me... 

and a whole lot of running.  

so i am now here to tell you something i have thought about and planned for about half a year now.  

i was out for a run, a longer run, probably 10-15K.

and i was thinking about running.  

i was training for the Band on the Run 10K.

as well as working on my endurance for Tough Mudder.

while i was running, thinking about running, i realized how much i was enjoying it.

i was already running greater distances than i ever thought my body could do.

i was actually thinking that maybe, just maybe, i could run the half marathon at Band on the Run in 2015.  

my mind continued from there.

i'm turning 40 in 2015.  

people do crazy things when they turn 40.  

some mid-life crisis thing.

maybe i should train for a marathon on my 40th..

no, that's crazy.

haha, yes, i thought that was crazy.

but i wasn't crazy.

i wanted a significant event on my birthday.

how about 40K on my 40th.  

not a road 40K.

but a 40K trail run with my husband.

that would be so much fun.

yes, i think i was delirious on my run, 

because i honestly thought that would be fun.

even when i got home i thought about it and liked the idea.

it took me a few weeks to tell my husband about my idea. 

if i told him i would have to commit to it.

i have since then told a few others about my plan.

some think i'm nuts.

others think it's a great idea.

others say "why don't you just run a marathon...it's 42K".

my answer to that.

"i'm not turning 42.  i'm turning 40.  i want to run 40K trail on my 40th."

so today began my training.

i ran 3.5K as soon as the kids got on the bus.

easy peasy lemon squeazy (as my girl now says).

i am signing up for the half marathon as soon as i can.

i may even sign up for the 14K trail run at The Limberlost Challenge, 

but we'll see if it fits in my training schedule.

it's going to hurt a lot at times.

i'm going to want to quit.

the month after i turn 40 and running my 40K i will be going to do my 3rd Tough Mudder.

am i nuts?

possibly.

am i loving the life and the abilities God has blessed me with?

yes.

am i hoping i can encourage others with my story of dislike to love of running?

yes. 

am i excited that my running is encouraging my kids to run?

yes.

my son wants to run the 5K Band on the Run race with his daddy. 

when i don't run i have less energy.

less endurance.

i eat less healthy things.

when i run i want to eat better...especially grapefruits.

i feel better in the day.

i fit clothes better, that feels good.

i can play with the kids or go hiking and not be as out of breath as fast.

so, call my running 40K on my 40th a mid-life crisis if you want.

i don't see it as such.

i'm not in a panic that i'm turning 40 and that my grey hairs are becoming quite obvious.

i'm excited that at 39 i can run and i can believe i will accomplish this goal.

follow me on my journey.

Nov 11 1918 as told by a WWI Diary

Mon Nov 11, 1918

The greatest event of the year.  The Armistice terms have been accepted on the 11th day of the 11th month @ 11.0 A.M - & at the termination of the 11th relay of the WIltey party.  The Hoots & whistles in the factories hooted and shrilled out the news - guns went off - & the anti-aircraft gun boomed off 3 salutes.  Whilst Church bells rang out joyfully above everything.  The troops that were firing & the Butt party here went mad with excitement & cheered themselves hoarse.  The war lasted 1,560 days today, or 4 years, 3 months & a week.  Everybody in Farnborough & vicinity had a holiday - & all the Imperial troops - but we carried on without the holiday. - & put the Bramshott party through their final practices.  The Commandant told the troops before they came out & he was sorry he could not give them the afternoon off as the Transports had been arranged for in the conveyance of the men's blankets etc, back to Bramshott tomorrow & the men would themselves have to go back tomorrow.  Anyhow, the troops slammed through their practices & we were through about 3.15 P.M coming through the streets I met children, men & women bedecked with ribbons and flags - with much singing & shouting. D was expecting me all afternoon and was much disappointed & me not turning up - she quite expected i would have a holiday.  I was home about 1/4 to 4 P.M.  We are expecting tomorrow my friend Pte. Harper and his wife.  They are taking the flat downstairs - the 2 rooms which Mr & Mrs Hunt had.  Harper's wife is arriving in London from Scotland & he is going up to London tomorrow to meet her.  Harper is staying at the Camp & is one of the Butt party.  Other war news today speaks of the capture of Mons by Canadian troops - & the French away past Hirson - & the Americans are advancing E. of the Meuse.  The Red flag of Revolution has surged all through Germany & the flag now flies from the residence of the abdicated Crown Prince.  Many street fights have taken place in Berlin & other big towns.  Herr & Frau Krupp have both been arrested in an endeavour to escape.  The Kaiser's portraits & Ludendorf's have been taken down by the revolutionists in many places.  Officers have had the Imperial Eagles torn from their uniforms.

Tues Nov 12 (just an excerpt)
The Armistice terms are very stringent & severe which are published in this morning's paper - but not too heavy - considering the outrages and atrocities committed in these 4 terrible years of war.  The Kaiser has fled to Holland to his old friend Count Bentinck.  The Crown Prince is reported assassinated - as he was not with the Royal party.  Hindenburg was with the Kaiser.  The Kaiserin was left in Berlin with her youngest son.  The terms of the Armistice. Cologne, Coblerg and Mainy to be occupied with all Germany W. of the Rhine.  2,500 Heavy guns, 2,000 Field Guns, 30,000 Machine guns, 2,000 Teraplanes, 5,000 locomotives, 150,000 wagons, 5,000 Motor lorries.  Evacuation of France, Alsace - Lorraine & Luxemburg. 6. Battle Couriers, 10. Battle ships, 8 Cruisers, 50 Destroyers.  All submarines to be handed over.

and the days continue as he completes the happenings of the end of the war.

i haven't actually made it to 1918 yet, in my reading, 

but i had to skip over to share on this day of remembrance what happened that very first day!  

the reason we remember on Nov 11.

i sure hope you have taken a moment today.

i am hoping to go to the Remembrance day parade in town this afternoon.  

it's beautiful weather, i sure hope it stays for it.

More through a WWI Journal

Tomorrow is our day of remembrance. 

today i thought i'd share a few more entries from my husband's great-great uncle 

(i finally figured out the connection)

Tues Dec 7 1915

Physical drill - examination of different positions offloading & unloading. Kneeling- lying & standing - sight tests- & finger pressure tests.

Sat Dec 25 (he is staying at the home of his girlfriend's family)

Xmas Day - wretched weather. Performed the duties of housemaid & was told that i did tolerably well. On Xmas morning in the kitchen I put the ring on D's finger - went to bed about 2.30AM

Mon Jan 10 1916

Physical drill - followed by C.O's inspection - bayonet fighting. - warned for draft.

Tues Jan 11 

List of names for draft confirmed.  E, H myself on same.  C.O's inspection. Bayonet fighting.

Thurs Feb 3

Bro H went with 26th Batt draft to the front - only 6 went out of our Company & he was one.

Fri Feb 11

My weekend pass to London cancelled owing to draft being called.  30 men for the 26th Batt & 20 for the 2nd & 4th Batts. I am one of the thirty.

Thurs Feb 24

Felt very queer (sick).  Stayed in- but no one went out on parades very much.  At night about 8:30 some of us had orders to dress in Skeleton order with rifle & await orders.  We found that all the camps around had had the same orders.  We were given 5 rounds live ammunition apiece.  When stationed on our various beats we were informed the nature of our beat.  We were to halt everybody - the idea being that German spies were expected in disguise either to obtain information of our camps or else to do material damage with bombs etc.  The night was clear & frosty & we were all pretty cold. - at reveille the next morning we were off & had the next day off.

he developed a nasty cough and ear infection after this night and was in the Medical Hut.

Wed Mar 8

Weather still cold - much snow falling.  had ear syringed again.  feel very week but eating a little.  Early this morning about 2:30AM our whole company No.2 went to the front.  They went to Southampton via Harve.  Thus I am left behind - that is with the exception of some who were too old to go - and a Sergeant who is sick here & a M.G.   I am told i have been transferred to the 32nd Batt at Risborough Barracks.

remembering... through WWI diary.

my husband, the kids and i were visiting his grandma a few weeks ago.

grandpa passed away in 2010 and now grandma was packing to make a big move from ON to BC.

she asked my husband if he'd be interested in the diaries of his...

um...

great uncle?

the diary was written by his grandpa's uncle.

9 small notebooks, recording daily his life as a soldier in WW1.

He was born in England, 

came to Canada (24yrs old) and headed back to England (31yrs old) as a soldier.

grandma and grandpa typed it all out and printed it up- to make it easier to read.

there are photos, poems, sketches, letters. 

and the original notebooks.

it is quite fascinating.

i have not read it all but i have read about a month's worth of entries so far.

the entries begin Tuesday Sept 21 1915 as he boarded the 'Troop Train' in Saskatoon, SK.  

the diaries end when he leaves England to return to Canada Dec 17, 1918.  

there is one notebook missing.

As this month is a month of remembrance i am hoping to read through this diary.  

take some time and read about this man.  

his family.  

the sacrifices.  

the honest thoughts about what was happening.

i have decided to share one part with you today.  

just a small excerpt.

Sun Oct 17 1915

We did not have to turn out till 7.0 A.M. this morning - quite a treat after the 5.0A.M turn out.  My friend thinks he'll get killed before he reaches France.  After dinner today he reposed himself for a forty winks on somebody's bed when without a warning a rifle came down from the rack over-head striking my friend on the left side of his fore-head.  Nobody heard the rifle fall, or the murmur of the complaint - but when i saw him he appeared a little dazed with his hand up to his brow.  I asked him what he was thinking about.  I was thinking what to say, he said.  What was it?  Only about the rifle that fell on my head.  the thing was really too comical. - of course we laughed.  We have had two unfortunate accidents.  Sargeant Clarke of NO.8 platoon whilst on guard fell down a manhole and hurt his spine - he has since died.  We had a grand Church parade this morning - about 4,800 men formed up on the parade ground led by two bands.  Spent rest of the day quietly.  Had a little singing with fellow who plays piano well.  Heard very good sermon at Y.M.C.A entitled "Angles at Mons".  The speaker gave us some remarkable references from some soldiers who were in that memorial retreat.  These men infer that they actually saw angels.  Some like St. Michael - others like St. George & others like a man clothed in long white robes.

Wed. Oct 20 1915

Physical exercise.  Officers inspection. Company drill.  Bayonet exercise.  Route marching and trench digging.

Fri Oct 22 1915

Parade in full marching order for route march & field day.  We had a hard day.  Being the forces attacked we had to retreat & at the same time keep our company intact.  We must have done well - because we received excellent compliments from our Captain.  Have just arrived home from march & had a very great surprise- Dear Bro. A.  R.N (Royal Navy) was there to meet me whom i hadn't seen for 10 years.  Tonight is all bustle & excitement - & my two brothers H & E together with A are all ready to go on leave- five days.  Have arrived in London - it's been 6 1/2 years since i saw dear old London.  Stayed at Berkley Square, Maple Leaf CLub.

These are a few of the entries as he is still in training.  

as i read i may share more of his story with you.

the men and women who gave their lives in the wars were men and women like me and you.

they had brothers, sisters, moms, dads, children, wives, husbands...

many lost lives. 

many lost loved ones.

these notebook entries remind me of that.

let's remember the sacrifices given.

being brave is standing strong even when you want to turn and run.

Lamb

last night i woke from my dream. 

"MOMMY!  MOMMY!"

down i went to my little girl.

she had a bad dream.

i found lammie for her as she moved over.

"mommy could you pray and sing 'mazing grace?"

i lay down with her.

"did you see i gave you lots of space so i could cuddle back in?"

i hugged her and began praying.

then it was time for 'mazing grace.

after, she whispered

"mommy, can you sing redeemer?"

There is a Redeemer

Jesus, God's own son...

"mommy, is it saying Jesus is a redeemer?"

'yes, because he is. when he died on the cross so we could one day live with him & God.'

"mommy, i hope...do you think when Jesus is all done making my house that he'll make me another lammie...so i don't miss lammie... but with big ears?"

**She has chewed lammie's ears right off**

'I don't think you'll need him to, but that would be cool, eh.'

she then asked if i would pray to ask God if he could ask Jesus to do that for her.

I did.

"ok, you can finish redeemer now."

There is a redeemer

Jesus, God's own son, 

precious lamb of God, Messiah...

"did you say lamb?"

"oh yeah, that's right, for The Lion and the Lamb."

i explained briefly why he is the lamb 

then as she cuddled closer i asked her:

'if Jesus is a lamb, couldn't you cuddle with him?'

she nodded.

i finished singing. 

we lay cuddled a little longer then 

'Mommy, i think i can fall asleep now."

i headed back up to my bed.

what a sweetheart.

her theology may not be spot on...

in fact my explaining may not be spot on.

but the conversations are there.

her mind is working it out as a 5 year old mind does.  

she surprises me with questions and comments regularly, 

and i love these moments.

 lammie (and bear) with big ears.

unfortunately she called me back down 15 minutes later.

i cuddled in, prayed and this time the request was Jesus loves me.

i sang it twice.  

we lay together for a bit, then i kissed her nose and she mumbled 

'i love you, see you in the morning."

39 & 7

my birthday was a week ago.

it was a great day.

i was helping at the VBS at our church and had fun morning with the kids.

my parents came up for the afternoon and then dinner at Boston Pizza.

on the way home we stopped at High Falls, a waterfall not too far from our house.

family photo at the falls.  

we spent some time there, exploring.

then we checked the mail before we got to the house.my gift from my husband was there in the mailbox.

it was a slackline just like i had been hoping for.

so excited.

we got the kids to bed and set it up to try it out.

even more excited.

the next day we had friends over to hang out and try it.

so much fun!

had a great 39th birthday.

enjoying my new slackline.

*****

AUG 1.

it's my boy's birthday.  

he turns 7.

wow.

he was so tiny when he was born.

Aug 1 2007

still as cute as can be.

just yesterday he came into the kitchen.

he looked a little lost so i asked him what he was thinking.

"I wanted some cuddles with you."

*melt my heart*

we had some cuddles on the couch reading a book.

2008

He is still so sensitive to others.

cries at movies when someone is getting hurt.

he is sweet and caring.

he is a superb big brother to his little sister.

2009

he now bikes as much as he can.

he tries new things without much hesitation.

he is determined to run a 5K race next year.

he snowboards.

he slacklines.

he rock climbs.

he will skateboard as soon as we buy it for him.

he draws.

he sings

he dances.

he shoots arrows.

he builds LEGO.

he still sleeps with Bear.

2010

he still bites his shirt collar when nervous.

he still loves hugs.

he still tells me he doesn't like to get kisses, but will give me one.

he likes to camp.

to canoe.

to swim.

he wants to see the ocean.

he wants to go to Great Wolf Lodge.

he wants to live in Toronto one day.

2011

he loves God.

loves to pray.

loves to ask questions if he doesn't know the answer.

loves jokes.

loves to make others laugh.

loves to laugh.

loves to use his imagination.

he loves his mommy, his daddy and his sister.  

(and Jack Jack, Cliver, Bear & Ducky)

2012

he is my boy.

my first born.

he turns 7.

2013

Happy Birthday.

i love you so much.

and i am excited watching you grow and challenge yourself.

i am so thankful for you.

2014.  

School Days round two: JK edition *part 2

the last time i wrote to you about my current Junior Kindergartener was HERE.

well.  

there are only 23 days left of school in this year.

i figured i should fill you in on her year so far.

My girl.

she could not wait to be 5 so she could by in JK.

she loves school.

two weeks ago, or so, her teacher and i were talking.

"it is so great to see how energetic and confident she is now."

my girl now walks into class excited to be there.

it didn't start out that way.

she used to miss me and lammie .

every day.  

every single day. 

i would receive a picture or card or gift that she made me.

because she missed me.

she became very good at spelling mommy.

she wrote i miss you mommy...or i love you mommy...

or would draw a picture of me and her.

then they became all about lammie.

(lammie is her stuffie that she has had since birth)

there would be tears in her eyes as the bus pulled up.

i would give her a huge hug and try to encourage her brother to let her have the window on the way to school...

he liked the window, she usually had to lean over him.

waving and near tears.

blowing kisses.

sometimes getting off the bus and crying because she missed me.

i was only sending her 3 days a week.

monday.

wednesday.

friday.

now.

she comes home and shares about her friends.

she tells me stories that happened at school.

but.

each morning.

as the bus is pulling up.

she runs to me.

"mommy...pray!"

I help her with her bag and thank God for this new day

and ask Him...

"please help my girl to remember that when she is afraid..."

she then finishes off the verse and prayer.

"i can trust in YOU!"

points high into the sky.

we hug.

and give kisses.

then she walks to the bus.

we still wave at each other as the bus drives away.

and blow kisses.

i do know she loves her teacher.

she loves to learn.

she is making friends.

my little girl is almost finished her first year of school.

23 days left in the school year...

but she will be going to 14 of them.

haha, this was us entertaining ourselves during a wedding reception recently.

my silly girl.

my big girl.

my 5 year old.

soon to be JK-no-more.

***

running selfies:

such a variety of temperatures in the month of april.

got to run the hunters bay trail with my hubby.

i hadn't eaten much that day, so didn't have a great run - but loved running with him.

we did some Tough Mudder training running through some flooded areas of the trail.

School Days: Gr 1 *part 2*

This morning i sent my boy off to school.

another day.

same routine.

 i last wrote about his school days on Sept 3.  

the first day of school.

*see post HERE*

wow.  

tomorrow is the last day of April.

May... June...

Summer vacation.

the first year of his school career i wrote consistently.

filling you in on his and my adventure.

the next year was less.

this year.

wow.

i've ignored you all.

he has had a great year.

i LOVE his teacher.

she is super-amazing.

he adores her.

she encourages him.

she loves him.

she teaches him as i would.

we had a chat yesterday when i was done at the library.

i have loved getting to know her this year and being a part of his school life.

i have been so thankful for both my kids' teachers this year.

each time i speak with them i love them more.  

too bad they didn't change the grade they taught as my kids grew up through the grades.

although i'm sure there are other teachers i will love too.

so.

my boy.

my first born. 

he has grown this year.

he began to grow in his confidence in SK.

he has grown even more in confidence this year in grade 1.

he still loves school.

he loves math.

he loves reading...

wow does he love reading.

he talks about friends.

he shares about his day (most days).

*he drew the top picture to match my SK artwork (below)*

my boy, the one who was always nervous going into something new, 

came home one day and asked to sign up for an intro to lacrosse course.

he didn't know of any friends going, but he wanted to learn it.

WHAT?

i was dumbfounded.

yes.

yes, my boy, we can sign you up for that.

he absolutely loved those 5 weeks.

then he wanted to go to ball hockey at our church.

WHAT?

he wants to sign up for a team...

again, not knowing anything about the sport, or if friends would be with him.

we were able to sign him up for that.

and he is loving it!

*he knew no one on his team, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying himself.*

we just signed him up for a week at camp this summer.

i will cry when i drop him off...i just know it.

he has gained so much confidence this school year.

i have loved watching and experiencing his growth.

his ability to read words that i thought for sure he wouldn't know.

he plays games on the computer and solves problems, 

and isn't as afraid to try again and again until it's solved.

(he used to cry and give up if his character died...because he thought he couldn't do it.)

  

i reread the blog entry i wrote in September:

"he would be grade 1 in a 1, 2 split class.

what will the scary grade twos be like?"

They don't scare him, and they're not so scary.

"he will be in recess with the rest of the school.

what will the scary grade 2-8s be like in the yard?"  

He's not with the rest of the school yet.  

"i haven't met his teacher..

Love her.

i haven't seen his class..

have been there lots now, looks great.

will he know where to go when he gets off the bus?  

unsure at first but he's an old pro now.

will he like his teacher? 

he loves her.

will she encourage him, love him?  

she does, and it shows.

will he be confident this year with older kids in the class, or will he be shy and nervous again?  

confident.  definitely confident.

will i like his teacher?  

already told you i do.

will he stand up for kids who are picked on? 

will he be picked on?  

will he pick on others?"

he loves the kids in his class.  he has made lots of friends.

i have rambled on here. 

i don't apologize for that.

it's how i blog.

i don't prepare, i just write what comes to my mind.

and this morning it's my boy.

he is so excited to be in grade 2 next year.  

ok, my boy, you're allowed to go to grade 2...

but please don't grow up too fast.

it's a snow day.

today's date is Tuesday April 15.

and the kids had a snow day!

that's right buses were cancelled.

that's right.

cancelled.

i woke up to fresh fallen snow outside.

another 5cm expected for the day.

whatever, 

i'm fine with a cancellation.

my husband told me the roads were quite slippery on the way to work this morn, 

so cancelled buses are fine.

yesterday it was raining.

snow was melting.

flooding was imminent in the area.

today it's covered with a beautiful white covering.

i guess i slept through the rest of spring, the whole of summer and fall.  

it's winter again.

Merry Christmas!

no, i don't have a photo of the snow.

i just didn't want to take a photo.

for real.

as i posted on facebook

my kids are very different in some of their likes and dislikes.

we had some prayer time this morning as they finished breakfast.

the girls prayer was something to the effect of 

"dear God, please help it be spring, soon!"

then there's our boy.

"dear God, thank you that there's more snow than yesterday."

he loves winter.

he was sad it began melting - - yet quite happy to play with boats in the large puddles.

our girl has been wearing shorts for over a month now.

*whenever we let her get away with it*

happy snow day.

see ya when it's spring again.

****

running selfies that have been waiting to be posted.

 

my little girl came out to greet me when i came home.  

my boy came out to greet me this time.

actually both did, but i got a photo with him since i had one with my girl the previous run day.

Last night i finally registered us for the Band on the Run.

Husband: half-marathon.

Me: 10K

the boy: 1K

my girl is a little too little still.   

next year.