Sick???

Yea! The Bontragers got here safely last night. We're already having fun. :)

This morning Eli woke up and heaved into the sink for awhile. Nooo!!!

I hate to think of being sick during this time or of the Bontragers being sick for their long trip home.

Pray that it stops with Eli. Or that it has already stopped.

I mentioned in an earlier post that we were painting our living room. Why, you might ask, would you do that when you're getting ready for company? Because they put new carpet in today. Well, in 2 of 4 rooms. That means that Saturday morning we tore up all the living room carpet so that I could paint before the new carpet came today. So we had a very dirty weekend of great disarray. (But the walls are beautiful.) I knew the carpet was going to be put in today and tomorrow (our overnight company coming tomorrow), but I thought, "That's okay, we'll just hang out in Kendra's apartment and I can do any food preparation over there." Wrong. Her carpet is also torn out with all her furniture in the kitchen.

So we needed to vacate the premises today. Kendall has been needing to go to Dryden sometime for something with our 4-wheeler. He wasn't working today so we decided this would be a good time to go. (It's a 2 1/2 hour drive- you know...the closest McDonald's, the closest Walmart.) Then I started thinking, "Hey...Eli has school Monday...maybe we could find a sitter for Evan and have an 8 hour date!" Woo-hoo! So we arranged it all. I was so excited.

Unfortunately, we got a late start and were so rushed during our precious time in Dryden. See, when you go to the famed Dryden, you have to do everything that you can't do in Red Lake. So we had to take the 4-wheeler to inspection, go grocery shopping (you can do that here, just for a lot more money), go to Walmart (so many things that you simply can't buy in Red Lake), go to a different store to invest in some good mitts and a hat, and go to TacoTime. We even had to cut some things out! When we had to get our date food to go, that about did me in. I was so disappointed and near tears. But I got over the worst of it and we had a good drive back.

It was so nice to talk for hours on end with no interruptions. I really don't know when the last time was that I had 8 hours away from my sons. And I was happy to see them this evening.

So we got home and most of our household possessions were piled in the kitchen. Company is coming tomorrow. The living room and most of our bedroom is done. The other 2 rooms are in disarray. Evan is sleeping on the floor in our room and Eli is in our closet on the floor. Kendall is working nightshift. I'm slightly overwhelmed.

But our living room looks so nice! Beautiful new carpet and pretty walls!

And we have dear friends coming to visit! That makes me happy!

Toy Library

We spent several hours at the toy library this morning. It was crowded (15-20 kids), therefore it was not peaceful. However, I am really enjoying some of the women that go regularly, so I had fun. Here are the boys and a couple of their friends playing dress-up. They had snack and did a snowflake craft and just played. The moms mostly drank coffee and chatted and put out fires.

This Morning

This was earlier, before Eli decided to cooperate.



Evan is proudly modeling his early-morning mohawk.

We've seen this guy out in the yard several times. So pretty. Sorry about the picture of his rear end. Maybe next time he'll hold still long enough for me to get a better picture of him. And can you see him running along the trees in the second photo?

Walking

Well, maybe it's a given that our beloved Blue Weasel will not start in this cold. See the lone figure walking in the distance? That's my husband on his way to work.

Two Things

First of all, I think I might be going crazy.

Secondly, I'm wondering why my son is so…umm…active and…umm…vocal and if it's normal.

And yes, the two things are related.

Running. Eli runs places. Like from the loveseat to the couch. And lands with a great leaping crash. And a mighty yell. He loves to catch Evan off guard with a giant roar. Evan dashes away screaming the shrillest scream. It really does hurt to be a bystander.

Noises. Sound effects. There is no end to them. Eli and Evan are playing on the floor right now and in the past 10 minutes I have heard plenty of noise (although much tamer than sometimes) but very few actual words.

They play together almost all the time. I'm mostly glad for that. But when you're playing with someone, you egg each other on and have so many more sources of conflict. And they're so loud together.

I don't like violence. I don't even let my kids watch Spiderman or Batman. They go to Sunday School, for pete's sake. And yet it is astounding how much violence comes out of their mouths.

If I were to record a small sound byte of one them playing with their Lego men, it would sound like this: "Bew! Aughhhh! Nooo! I'm gonna shoot you. Okay, ready to attack and kill? Blast off! Bew! Bew! Get him! Get him! Aughhhh! Got him! Get your sword! We will fight him! Noooo! Yeah! Bew! Bew!"

Help! That's just plain embarrassing.

They would never play with dolls, but give them their Lego men and they have families set up. Evan is usually the baby and Eli is the big brother or the dad. But sometimes in this nice boy version of "house," father and son march off together to attack some unknown (to me) enemy. What is going on!

How do we stop the violence? Is it even possible? I haven't said too much to them about the violent play thus far because I don't want to make it more intriguing than it already seems to be. But maybe now I'm too late. I'm just not sure how to tackle this issue. Ideas would be oh so welcome…

I should add that Eli can be very calm and sit with a book for a long time. He loves to be read to and really takes in the story. The excessive activity mostly comes out when he is playing or fighting or eating or bathing or folding laundry or getting boots on etc WITH EVAN. And as I've been writing he has calmly come to me for a hug and a kiss. He is such a sweetheart- it's just that the little sweetheart is currently driving me batty. (Are you allowed to say that about a precious son? I feel sorta bad…)

Of course, as I write they are curled up on the floor together being cute, cuddly puppies. Never mind, the bigger puppy just attacked.

Visitors!

Next week at this time we plan to be sitting around the living room full of turkey, alongside some very good friends. We can't wait for the Bontragers to get here!

Evan is getting into the spirit too. We were talking about seeing them and Evan said, "I would be crazy for them! If Jesse does a crazy dance for me, then I'd do a crazy dance for him!"

Eli added a bit of what he envisions for our time together: "I hope Jesse says Holy Moly!"

So, Jesse, no pressure, but apparently Eli and Evan have some expectations of you!

Hope

I'm choosing to put my hope in God. The 2 biggest things that have been stressing me out lately are parenting issues and finances. Oh, I try to pray about it- "God, give us wisdom…blah, blah, blah..."

But then I try and try to come up with the perfect solution. Parenting-wise, is it in a book setting on my shelf? If I just disciplined myself to read those books. Surely the answer is there. Then if Kendall and I would sit down and brainstorm, armed with those ideas, surely we would come up with the correct equation: Do this and this and the boys' behavior will equal this. Surely the solution is there, if I just take time to find it.

And financially, I look over current bill, future bills, current and future paychecks. Okay, if we do it this way, we'll get it right. Or maybe it's time to sell the truck. Surely there's a solution waiting to be found. We can work this out.

Well, these things aren't wrong. I (maybe) need to read parenting books. Kendall and I need to have intentional discussions about parenting strategies. (But remembering that our boys are individuals with their own wills and minds. I don't want to just work voodoo equations on them to equal the correct behavior. Well, maybe I do, but I know that's not right. Sigh.) We do need to think seriously and intentionally about our finances.

But those aren't the places to put my hope.

This morning I'm choosing to put my hope in God. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

A Late-Night Panic

So the other night I nearly had a panic attack and had to stay up late to reckon with God. It started when I was trying to order photos online. A simple matter, right? Well, I was in a hurry, but the computer was not. Then several things went wrong and we'll just say it ended up taking a very long and frustrating time. That always makes me all tense.

While I sat there waiting, I opened a bill and saw that it was due the next day. Oops. So at 11:00 pm I was on the phone trying to take care of that and on the phone with Walgreens trying to fix my photo order. When I looked at my bill I also went online to look at our Canadian and US bank accounts. I won't go into gory detail here, but what I saw was quite disconcerting. (To say the least…the very least.)

It had been a rough day with the boys. I was feeling very overwhelmed by the chaos that sometimes seems to reign in this house. Earlier in the evening I had almost started crying while talking to Kendra about my frustration with my children. And I'm not really blaming it on them- at least I know I shouldn't. I know that I need to change something in myself. But sometimes it feels too chaotic to even think clearly. Sort of like I'm running around putting out fires and can't ever quite get around to taking care of the arsonist.

And I was sitting in a disorganized living room. (I'm in the middle of a painting project.) My setting really affects my feelings of calm or chaos.

I was quite aware that these are common issues. Probably most of the people I know have faced or are facing these same issues. (Except those that still do good old fashioned film developing.) I was also aware that these are minor issues compared to what most of the world faces. So, while I feel a bit wimpy, indulge me for a moment.

By the time my "tasks" were taken care of I was so tight and tense and panicky, that I knew it would never do to go to bed and try to sleep. I decided that I needed to talk with God. Even more, I desperately needed to hear from him.

Here's what I read (along with my inner commentary):

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Did they have any idea what they were following him to? That a storm was waiting for them? Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. That's how I feel right now. Chaos. Like waves are sweeping over me so fast that I can't hardly catch my breath. But Jesus was sleeping. Really? You're sleeping? Thanks, man. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Yes, I feel a bit like I'm drowning…financially…as a mom. Save us! He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" I hear some affection here. And a sigh. Haven't we always seen God provide financially? We've seen these storms before. And parenting? I think he can help us there too. Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm. Yes, he has the power to do this. I'm not sure he will do it, at least in the way I want, but I believe he can. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

So I was able to reaffirm within myself that God is in control. He may have been sleeping in the boat- I don't quite get that one- but I think he was aware too. I do trust God. At least I want to.

My Sweet Little Couch Potatoes

Okay, I admit it...I'm letting my kids watch TV all morning. It's just that it's so cozy in here and Kendall's not here and it's Saturday and we're so relaxed and it's Veggie Tales...

Anyway, a bit ago Evan started whining. He was lying on the couch and exclaimed, "My toes hurt!"

"Your toes hurt?" I said.

"Yeah, cause I was laying so long here!"

Friday Nights

Last night we attended a home group that we were invited to. From what I've picked up, it's church for some of the people that go. I loved it. It was hosted by the family that now live in the house that Kendall grew up in. Just being in the Hochstedler's old house helped to make it seem like a safe, comfortable environment. The boys had fun with the other kids and we enjoyed meeting people. We already knew some of them. I think it was a bit more relaxed than sometimes, although I doubt it's ever too formal. The adults all sat around the table and chatted and shared snacks. After awhile the kids and the teenagers in the house came and someone gave an object lesson that included smashing eggs. It was neat to see some of the discussion that came out of that. The people there seem to be from various backgrounds and at various places right now.

We don't at all plan to leave the Mennonite church where we're attending. But Kendall and I have talked about not putting all our eggs in one basket- in other words, not having our whole social world be built around our church. I'm really looking forward to getting involved here. It felt so good to be in a small group setting in someone's home. Ahh...

Pristine

These photos don't even do the world I am seeing justice. It is beautiful. One thing the pictures don't show is the tiny glittering snowflakes that are filling the air. I love it.

Of course, I feel content inside right now. I don't always love it when I have to get 2 boys into their snow gear, out the door, stuffed into their carseats, the car cleaned off, make it out of the drive without getting stuck, and get to wherever I'm going on time. (And I say my ideal family size includes 4 or 5 kids!)

Snickerdoodles with Daddy

Mathematician

Evan is getting good at counting. Well, sort of...

Tonight he enthusiastically counted this way: 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10..fifteen...eleventeen...sixteen!

Eli was listening and this was his comment: "You count really crooked!"

Snow

They're loving it.

I'll Just Let the Photo Speak for Itself

This is a photo of my scary husband approximately 6 months ago. He had it on facebook for awhile. One of Kendall's facebook friends is a guy he grew up with in Red Lake. Buster was one of the 3 amigos, including Kendall and Keith. He is now a cop in Pikangikum, the reserve he is originally from. I just want to quote for you a bit of an online conversation between Kendall and Buster regarding this photo.

Buster: u look like someone i threw in the bucket awhile back

Kendall: Ha, i'm clean now. If I come up to visit you have to promise to leave me alone. :)

Buster: LOL, handle bar mustache, u look mean. When do you think of coming, this winter? Winter road. We'll have a moose dinner roast when u get, let me now


So, looks like we might have some interesting travelling coming up this winter. And for those of you that don't know- winter road means a road across the frozen lakes. When the lakes aren't frozen, you fly to Pikangikum or take a long boat ride. It's much easier in the winter.

Little Solomon

I just got back from my first soup kitchen lunch. I mostly enjoyed it. But the boys were ROWDY. I was very frustrated with them. When we got back, I had a talk with Eli. We talked about being obedient and how their rowdiness and not listening to me or Kendra or Henry affects people. Eli was resolving to do better next week. He commented that he was smart.

"Yes," I agreed, "You are smart and you need to use it for good things. You need to be wise- "

I was going to go on about how he should be wise about obeying, but he cut me off: "I wanna be rich. I like being rich better."

I don't even know how to comment on that one... That pretty much ended the conversation about obedience and wisdom.

A Snowy Afternoon

This afternoon Kendall and I snatched up an opportunity for some time away just the two of us. Eli was at school and we took Evan to the toy library where they do respite care Monday afternoons. He got to stay and play and we headed out for the bush. It was a nice time and fun to be out in the snow. We built a fire and drank hot cocoa. Then we came home and Kendall went to bed. He will sleep until supper, then he goes in to work at 8 pm.

Good News for the Holiday Budget!

With the recent downturn in the economy, we know that many US residents are strapped for cash. Well, with the holidays coming up, Kendall and I have come up with a way to relieve some of the financial pressure. We have discovered a hidden stash of FREE CHRISTMAS TREES! This stash is tucked away in the area of Red Lake, Ontario. We will be more than happy to show you where the best Christmas trees are. One is yours for free. You only have to stop by to pick it up.

Evan and Goliath

Today before Evan's nap we read a book about David and Goliath. When we finished I made a little personal application for Evan. I told him, "God can help you do big things too, even if you're not very big."

Evan agreed, "I can fight bears!" Then it got even better, "I can shoot giants with my bow and arrow!"

Well, not exactly what I had in mind for God to help him with. :)

Last time out?

Probably the last time out on the lake until next spring. Yesterday was a beautiful day. I took the boys to church in the morning while Kendall slept. (He was between 2 night shifts.) He got up mid-afternoon so that we could go out on the lake before dark which is an hour earlier now.

It felt good to get out on the lake again. It has been quite an adjustment since Kendall started working long shifts. As we headed out in the boat I felt like I could breathe. I really felt like I was finally out in the fresh air instead of in a stuffy cabin. I guess that's why they call it "cabin fever." And I can hear the sighs as people think, "Oh, Karen. If you have cabin fever already, you are in trouble." Well, I'm going to attribute some of this cabin fever to the adjustment to different working hours. So, even though winter has not even begun and even though it may not be this warm again for another 6 months, I have hope. (Wow. 6 months?! Wow. I shouldn't have counted that up. Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong.) As I was saying, I do have some brand of cabin fever right now, but I have hope. We'll adjust.




eEli saw this rock pile and was intrigued. He said, "I think that's God's Ebenezer!"