Mother's Day

I found the following and post it in honor of Mother's Day. And to my Mom, I love you!!

1 Corinthians 13, A Mother's Version

If I read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor -- but if I don't have love,I'm as annoying as a ringing phone!

I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail. I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew.

Love is kind when my teen says, "I hate you!"

It does not envy the neighbors' swimming pool or their brand-new minivan,but trusts the Lord to provide every need.

Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.

It doesn't boast, even when I've multitasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.

Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What have you done today?"

It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in my children,but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.

Love is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around him/her.

It does not ever say "I told you so" even when I am right! (Smile.) Love rejoices in TRUTH.

Love does not give up hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It always protects our children's spirit, even while doling out discipline.

It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot.

It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps and other bodily functions,rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleep-overs.

Love never fails.

But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s), they will fade away.

Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease. (Please, Lord?)

Where there is a teenager who thinks he knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows I did my best.

For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don't end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear.(Thank you, God!)

When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us.

Now that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores, shelters us and holds us when we need to cry.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

AWANA Awards

Last night was the final awards for this years AWANA program. Shalayne received three awards: her Trek plaque, a perfect attendance award, and her Meritorious Trophy. This last award signifies that she has memorized over 900 bible verses through the AWANA program! Way to go, Shalayne! We are so proud of you! The AWANA program has been one of the best things our kids have done. I can't recommend it enough!

Belegarth

Dallas is very much into his new sport of Belegarth. Between his movie making projects he is busy fashioning new weapons and costumes. He even managed to get the paper out to write an article on his Friday group which meets from 2-4 at Nose Creek Park. Travis is also involved (though he is happy to let Dallas do the constructing; he just likes the fighting!) as well as their cousin, Michael, who joins our family every Friday (he is doing a shop class in Airdrie through his on-line schooling). Sun, rain, or snow, the boys love this medieval challenge!


Dallas

Travis

Crayfish Dissection

Travis completed his crayfish dissection today. I am pleased with how much he seems to enjoy this part of his 'hands-on science.' Shalayne tried to ignore the whole process. I didn't make her watch this time :-)

Mother of the Year?

I think I should be awarded Mother of the Year! Every Friday, my house is transformed for Dallas' Movie School. Not only are there dozens of kids squished into our tiny abode, but whole rooms take on totally new looks as they become the next 'set'! This week, I asked some of the kids if their parents (especially their moms) would allow this type of activity in their house and the reply was "No way!" This coming on the tail of the food that had just been thrown (on purpose!) in our living room, er rather, 'studio.' Well, maybe one day when Dallas has made the big one, we will all look back on his humble beginnings and smile :-). Really, I am smiling now, because it is fun and exciting to be involved with such creativity. If he can make great things happen in my lil' house, just think what he will be able to do when he has an actual studio!!Yes, this is (was?) my living room!He's really going to throw that?!Yep!

Caterpillars and Eggs

This year we are attempting to 'bring science to life' in our studies. Thus, we are observing the lifecycles of the butterfly and chickens! Here you can see Shalayne setting up her caterpillar environment.

And here she is with the two dozen eggs she is incubating.Candling an egg.

Proud of you, Dustin!

This past weekend was Commencement at Alberta Bible College, where Dustin has studied this year. Greg and I attended the Friday night banquet with Dustin. We were very proud to see our son receive the freshman Excellence in Reading Award! He was presented with a leather bound engraved bible by the Canadian Bible Society. Sunday afternoon the whole family attended the graduation ceremony and Dustin received his Certificate in Christian Foundations. This week he is off at Pine Lake Christian Camp training for his summer with Youth Alive in Christ. We are very proud of you, Dustin!