Merry Christmas!!

By the time you're reading this I'm probably in my parents home, with my little family, and my brother and sister and her husband. Today we're exchanging gifts, relaxing, playing games, preparing and eating Christmas Supper (my Mom and Dad are AMAZING at holiday meals. . .and all meals, in fact!), and remembering Christ's birth and sacrifice.

Merry Christmas all! May you be filled with awe and true joy at the realization of Christ's coming and works.

Love - Vanessa

Mary Did You Know
written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that youve delivered will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy youve kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know that your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM

God is my Portion: Meditations

He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep

to gain that which he cannot lose.
- Jim Elliot

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
- Be Thou My Vision, an Ancient Irish Hymn

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
- Psalm 73:25, 26

Heaven itself could not make us happy without the presence and love of our God. The world and all its glory vanishes. The body will fail by sickness, age, and death; when the flesh fails, the conduct, courage, and comfort fail. But Christ Jesus, our Lord, offers to be all in all to every poor sinner, who renounces all otherportions and confidences.
- Matthew Henry

Remember our Missionaries

I've been thinking alot this Christmas season about Sacrifice. Specifically Christ's sacrifice in coming to earth.

As we prepare to celebrate many times over with our friends and families, I've also been thinking about our missionary friends who are sacrificing their extended families in Canada/USA for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

Below is an email I sent to my missionary friends recently.
________________________________________________________________________
To my Brothers and Sisters in Sudan,

What I've been thinking:

He left behind Glory
You left behind the praise of the world and pursued God's Kingdom in a bush in Africa.

He left behind comfort
You left the familiarity of the places, people and culture you know. You left behind the wealth, the medical care, the abundance, the seemingly secure.

He left behind His Father
You left behind family. Your parents are missing your children grow up. You are missing family celebrations and meals. You are trusting God to care for and provide for your loved ones in your absence.

He left it all behind for the Glory of His Father and His love for us
And so you have left it all behind for His Glory also, your love for Him, and your love for His people.

This Christmas I've been meditating on Christ's sacrifice of leaving Heaven to come to earth. He left the glorious for the base. And all I must to is leave the base for the Glory. Thank you for helping me to understand Christ's sacrifice for me. Thank you encouraging me to be a living sacrifice for my God.

_________________________________________________________

Maybe we could take time to pray for those in ministry at home, and abroad, who sacrifice so much for God's Kingdom and Glory.

Remembrance Day

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

This is what my life looks like these days. . .

- My Brother's 19th Birthday Celebration

- Christmas Lists and Christmas Shopping (here's hoping we can be all finished by Dec. 1!)

- Cory and my first date (without Henry) in 7 months! Henry stayed with my parents and we had supper and a late night movie. We talked about our little bean but spent plenty of time enjoying each other's company. We had a great time despite the (nearly) hilariously horrible food and service and movie. Ha.

- Cleaning and Reorganizing as we prepare to cozy up for the winter. I have three closets being used super inefficiently. I haven't organized yet but it's been stewing for awhile

- Running errands: the Library, the grocery store, etc

- An accidental Fabric Shopping and Coffee with all the girls and no babies. Kate and I have been doing some grocery shopping the evenings after our babies are in bed. Last week we joined three other girlfriends for some fabric store shopping and then followed it up by too many giggles at Starbucks (if you haven't tried Starbucks new Salty Caramel Hot Chocolate drop everything you are doing right now and run to your closest Starbucks. I'm serious.)

- Aquafit with Henry on Mondays. Except for today, Henry is getting over a cold. Which brings me to my next point. . .

- Cory and Henry are getting over colds. So Chicken Noodle Soup is simmering, yet again, on my stove top.

- Cory has been successfully completing his accounting tests (and therefore has been studying A LOT) as well as a promotion at work (which has also kept him very busy).

- Organizing my digital photos on my computer. I threw in a couple of my favourite pictures of my boys just for kicks :)

God's Grace

There are some times in life when God's Grace seems so present.

When His Hand is clearly on you or a loved one.

I have been blessed to know God's Grace many times in my life.

Below is one such occasion.

I have footnoted some points to bring special attention so that God may get the Glory

and you may also rejoice with me in His Goodness and Grace.

So that I will remember.

_________________________________________________________

Henry (1) was 4 weeks old. I had just been on a big walk with my sisters and mother in law (2). I had a quick errand to do and my mother in law offered to watch Henry for the 20 minutes it would take me to run this errand.

I came home to find an ambulance in front of my house and a stretcher on the front porch (3).


Henry had stopped breathing (4) and my mother-in law quickly called 911. By the time I arrived home Henry was breathing fine (5) and was ok other then a little bit nervous around the paramedics and their equipment.

My Mom and I (6) had already long self-diagnosed him with laryngomalacia. Within a few days of birth Henry began to make a funny noise which we soon learned was called a stridor (also self-diagnosed). This stridor became much more pronounced and worrisome as each week of his new life passed. When we finally got a referral to a specialist we were disappointed to be told that we had several months to wait. Didn't they know my son sounded like he was struggling to breathe almost 24 hours a day?

Well, after the ambulance incident Henry quickly became a priority (7) and we were seen by the pediatric ENT specialist (8) immediately upon arrival at the Hospital (9).


He had a laryngoscopy, our diagnoses was confirmed. The Doctor had us spend the night while Henry's oxygen was monitored. The ENT felt that Henry's oxygen results were abnormal and surgery could be required. A respirologist reviewed Henry's results (10) and found them normal for an infant and suggested anti-reflux medication (reflux is a common symptom of laryngomalacia) while we went home and watched to see how his condition progressed, and would come back 6 weeks later (11).


In that 6 weeks Henry's sleeping and eating habits VASTLY improved (12). His stridor remained the same (13) but that was to be expected. It was now just a waiting game -Laryngomalacia is a condition children grow out of. (14)


Several months later I find myself again in the specialist's office. I have a follow up appointment. Over the past few months I have miraculously watched as his stridor decreased. Yesterday I was told I didn't have to come back. Henry was through it. (15) Only because of God's Grace.

__________________________________________

Footnotes:

(1) - Henry, one of God's most precious gifts to me
(2) - Wonderful in-laws
(3) - Truly amazing and caring paramedics.
(4) - If Henry hadn't stopped breathing we would have waited months to see a specialist.
(5) - Henry started breathing again. Praise God.
(6) - A Mom/Grandma who researched incessantly. She correctly diagnosed his breathing sounds and condition.
(7) - We had an appointment immediately
(8) - The student Doctor recognized Henry. She just happened to be at the hospital where he was born, and while I recovered from my c-section, she was the doctor who had Henry's case. Therefore she was very familiar with Henry's history (he had some trouble after birth).
(9) - We live 8 minutes away from an incredible Children's Hospital. We have publicly funded Health Care system.
(10) - The ENT wasn't too proud to seek out another opinion. Had we sought his opinion we could have had to wait for an appointment. Instead we had to very gifted doctors debating over my son's medical case.
(11) - A mild medication seemed like a MUCH BETTER option than surgery
(12) - Henry had been a slow to gain weight previously. I was now getting much more sleep.
(13) - It didn't get worse
(14) - While a worrisome condition, it would not be a life long battle.
(15) - Hallelujah!

______________________________________________________________

I realize that many people go through situations much more trying then my own.

This was just intended to remind myself of God's Grace in this case.

No matter the trial may I always remember:

We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

My New Mantra

Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away

Should I put it down? No! Put it Away!!

My mom has said my whole life that I leave a trail wherever I go. This isn't intentional laziness. I was never intentionally inconsiderate for the person who would have to pick up after me. I just never ever ever never realize that I do this. When I leave the living room to go to the kitchen I don't look behind me to see what else I could bring. This kind of innate organization doesn't come naturally to me.


This poses a challenge because disorganization and messiness can make me feel depressed. I feel most joy and satisfaction in a beautiful and functional home. I will work SO HARD to clean my entire house only to have it looking a shambles the very next day, or even after supper on the same day.

I first heard "Don't put it down, put it away" while listening to this series online. I will often listen to sermons or books on tape while I go about my daily doings. It really resonated with me. I started thinking - so that's how people can clean their homes and just 'spot treat' the rest of the week? So that's how I can avoid piles of stuff on my desk? So that's how I can keep the house comfortable for a surprise visitor?


Do any of you have a saying/mantra that keeps you motivated? All this to say, next time you see me - please, remind me: Don't Put It Down, PUT IT AWAY!

Catching Up

I haven't posted much as of late. Is it two posts in the past two weeks? Sheesh. . .that's not a very good start in my attempt to capture and record some of our daily happenings during this season. Life has been so full that I sometimes have to choose between good things - and my blog is often the good thing left by the wayside.

Over the past few weeks I have been busy with a teething babe, a hard working husband, keeping my home, and my family and friends.

Henry has his first tooth. Bottom left. I am sure he is now working on the bottom right tooth as my well sleeping baby is no longer sleeping so well.

With the fall comes a busy season for my husband. His work correlates with the public school schedule so the office has been buzzing since labour day. He is also still in school himself, working towards his accounting designation, and that started up again in September. He works all day, then arrives home and has supper with us, and then studies until late into the night. Henry and and I miss him but appreciate all the hard work and many hours that he is putting in for us.

This past Sunday Cory, Henry and I spent some time meandering through one of our most favourite spots: Ottawa's Arboretum. The photos in this post are from our walk that afternoon.

We had a very beautiful and refreshing day.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face
John Donne

Homemade Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Last Saturday I hosted a baby shower for my friend Katelyn and her son Luca. Before Henry was born she crocheted an afghan for him - this was a true act of love as she is NOT a crafter let alone and crocheter. I decided I wanted to make a few special items for her, as well.

The above picture is a Memory Jar, given to me by Henry's Great Aunt (although she's only a few years older then me - I thought you'd appreciate me mentioning that Angela :)). I keep it in the living room and whenever Henry gets to that next milestone, does something cute or memorable, or I have a story/moment that I want to remember I jot it down on a note and place it in this jar. Then, when I have some time, I can easily fill in his baby album with the important information and dates.

This was an easy and extremely useful gift for a new mom. I bought the jar from Ikea and used scrapbook stickers and card stock paper for the notes. I attached a label similar to the one shown on which is written:

Baby books are great ideas,
but sometimes you’re too busy.
Living with a little one
can put you in a tizzy.
Milestones pass too fast at times
to find the proper page.
So, jot a note of each event
with date and baby’s age
(like “took 3 steps on March 1st or
teething-5th of December),
then drop it in this memory jar
to help you remember.

Above is a photo of the receiving blankets I made for Katelyn (as well as some other gifts). Receiving blankets are also a super easy gift to make and look pretty as gift wrap!

I simply purchased some cute flannelette's and using the blind hem foot (MY FAVOURITE!) on my sewing machine hemmed the fabric. I like to make my receiving blankets about a metre squared. This is larger then most receiving blankets, but the extra length and width is very practical. Anybody with a sewing machine, or a needle and thread, can do this.

Song of My Heart

Quietly humming along
like a sweet sparrow's song
the Song of My Heart.

Every moment of every day
while She is away
I look to the sky and wonder why
it should ever be this way.

I close my eyes and make a wish
exhale softly and let my thoughts adrift
to sail across the warm breeze
carrying to you a wish from my lips.

I sent this necklace to my little sister.

The sparrow delivers the Song of My Heart to my her, while we are apart.

I Miss You, Sister. XOXO