Creativity Goals for 2009

I recently read this book, cover to cover, over a few days. It was a brilliant read! It so inspired me in my creative endeavors, as well as other areas in my life. I was really reminded to stop and appreciate the beauty of each day, as well as to be purposeful in creating beauty in my home and life.

I've created a list of creativity goals for 2009 in hopes of accomplishing some if not all!

- finish Quilting the blanket I'm making for Henry
- Scrapbook Henry's first year
- make home/play pants for Henry out of an old t-shirt

- finish the curtain for Henry's wardrobe and window
- Birthday Crown for Henry (hoping to make one for each babe that comes along)
- Birthday Banner for all of our Birthday Celebrations

- Plan and Make Christmas gifts

- Sew Christmas Stockings

- Put together a Church Bag for Henry (and maybe sew a simple bag)

- Knit a blanket out of the beautiful wool I have sitting in a basket (this one is a BIG maybe. . .I'm not a very patient or skilled knitter. Beginner is an overstatement).

This list doesn't include the daily creativity of making an attractive meal and table setting, the beauty in creative organization, etc.

I also plan on reopening a journal to glue/staple/tape in anything that inspires me. I hope to file things under: Home Decor - Organization - Children - Food - Hospitality -Other/Etc.

Are you purposeful in your creativity? What are your plans for 2009?

Totally Spoiled

I turned 26 years old on the 27th of January.

Rant: The purpose of this post is not to mention that I'm in my late 20's. That I'm almost 30. That next year I turn 27. 27. 27. Then 28, then. . .well I guess you know how to count. I really have no problem growing old. I think it is a wonderful thing, like a fine wine that only gets better with age. That's what I am, a fine wine.

Anyway. My Birthday celebrations began on Saturday where my Mom and Dad made me the most beautiful Birthday Supper. A fondue with Steak, Venison, Chicken, Shrimp and Mushrooms. All the meat marinating in it's own special marinade. Dipped in such delicious things as a tempura batter (and then cooked in the hot oil). There was a multitude of sauces to dip the cooked meat/seafood/veggies in. We also had a gorgeous green salad and baked potatoes. Honestly - I was all about the shrimp in tempura batter. MMMM.

I couldn't decide between Creme Carmel as a Birthday dessert (my dad makes a KILLER Creme Carmel) or chocolate fondue. This decision was particularly important because I'm trying my darnedest not to eat sugar and I was totally planning on fully indulging on my Birthday, so I had to make a very careful decision. I wisely chose Creme Carmel and it did not disappoint. But, my Dad being the kind of Dad he is ALSO made some chocolate fondue (his chocolate, icing sugar, and whipping cream recipe) to have on the side. We dipped pineapple, banana, pears and shortbread in that. Wowowow. I was so spoiled that night.

Tuesday morning, my actual Birthday, Kate called and asked if she could bring me breakfast. It was so nice to have a hot breakfast made, that I didn't have to cook! My other girlfriend, also Kate, stopped by to visit in the afternoon. So much fun!

When Cory came home that night, he ordered me to get ready for the tub, lit candles, put a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the bathroom. I proceeded to have a good, long, reeeee-lax while he fed Henry supper, got him ready for bed, and make supper!! He made me steamed mussels with a garlic butter sauce, a yummy salad and baguette! This was followed by chocolate covered cheesecake.

And I won't even mention all the generous and thoughtful gifts.

Thank You Everyone for such a wonderful and extravagant Birthday!! I felt sooooooo loved!

NOTE: to all my girls reading this post. Since we normally get together at Birthdays I plan to have a girls night, at my house, in February. The theme is Creativity. We're going to do art and eat. Sound like fun? I'll be in touch.

So Nobody Misses Out

I didn't post much over the months of November and December.

So, here are a few pics of Henry during his 7th and 8th Month.

He LOVES to watch his bathtub fill up!

Splish! Splash!

Such a Monkey in his Monkey Sleeper

Tired Boy.

Isn't this an adorable sweater/hat set????

This post was especially for my Mom.
A few good grandbaby pictures should help any grandma through her cold!

Kate and I went for a walk today. Of course, where we go our boys go too - so the four of us trekked out with strollers and back carriers in tow. We were headed for the library.

Any locals would appreciate that this is no small feat as Ottawa was hit with a decent snowfall over the past few days. I had Henry bundled in a onesie + sleeper + lined cord pants + fleece hoodie + socks on top of sleeper + winter boots + fleece ear flap hat + hood from hoodie + hood from snowsuit + down filled snowsuit. He was in his stroller covered by several blankets and I tucked his lambskin under him for coziness and warmth. He was toasty warm the whole way!

Kate and Matthew and Henry and I had a great time at the library, but decided we would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, (ever) attempt this again until the spring. We thought it would be a good workout, trudging through the snow, and it definitely worked us! It took us over an hour EACH WAY to get to the library (it normally takes us 20ish minutes). And during both of those entire hours I was pushing a rather large stroller and heavy baby through major snow drifts while Kate carried Matthew on her back attempting to move forward and remain upright. Did I mention it was up hill both ways? It really is. I'm not even lying.

Anyway - we arrived home safely. Our boys stayed warm and we have a few good books to peruse in the mean time. Reading is probably all we'll be able to do while our bodies recover.

The rest of the day went well. I made this healthy soup with some crunchy bread on the side. My son was particularly cute at the table this evening and then sat quietly over his papa's shoulder while he read to us from God's word.

Overall? A great day!

20 lbs Soaking Wet. Literally.

Yes, this is my son.

Yes, he is in the bathroom sink.

Yes, he is in his onesie and diaper.

Yes, he is soaking wet.

Henry is struggling right now. He wants to do so many things and gets very frustrated when he can not do things easily. So, when these meltdowns happen, often we'll go for a walk around the house and find the nearest mirror (mirrors are an easy distraction!).

This time we ended up at the bathroom mirror. However, the tap proved to be much more interesting. So I turned it on thinking we'd watch the water. But the water was so tempting to touch. So I thought some toe splashing in the water wouldn't be so bad - a few moments later, an enthusiastic kick landed Henry totally in the sink.

Since he was already wet I decided to let him play awhile.

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 :)