ours at last

Well, we got our house on Friday. Everything seemed to happen at the last minute with this house. We got financing an hour before the deadline, the mortgage insurance wasn't sent to the lawyer until after we were there to sign the papers, and the other law office made a mistake so it took until just before closing time for the lawyer to get everything registered. Well, we are in, and on our way to fixing things up so we can move in. I do believe that it pays to be a full tithe payer. There is another couple in our branch who bought a house and got possession the same day. They are gutting their kitchen, and we get all the cupboards and sink. We also get their dishwasher. They have a gas stove, which some friends of ours want (so we get their stove), andthe church is getting a new fridge, so we get the old one if there is not a greater need. It all just seems to be falling into place.

The North Pole

I had a little boy, who had a winter birthday. He wanted to play in the snow, but we had none. I thought and I thought, and got an idea. I covered the furniture with white sheets, and decorated with shiny snowflakes. After making scarves of scrap pieces of fleece (you have to bundle up to play in the snow), we flew to the North Pole to have a snow ball fight. We used white balloons that I had blown up previously. This was the favourite game of the day, and the kids kept coming back to it throughout the party. He had a white cake, upon which Ihad built an igloo and a snowman outof marshmallows. It was a great way to turn six, and was enjoyed greatly by all.

YEAH!!!!!!

I know I am WAY over due to write, but it has been crazy around here. Most of you know we were looking into a house earlier this month. Our offer was accepted, and then the stress of finding financing began. Our Dealine was 11:59 pm yesterday, but really 4:00 pm yesterday as the bank is the seller (apparently they go home then, too). We got the call yesterday at 3:00pm that the broker had found us the money. On January 19, 2007, we will be taking possesion of a 150 year old stone house. The work just begins then, as we have to put a kitchen in before we can live there (it was completely gutted). That is alright though, because Ontario Law requires us to give Two months notice to our Landlord. I will post pictures when I get some.

FINALLY!!!

For those who didn't know it was happening, John's mom went to the temple yesterday. She recieved her endowments, was sealed to her parents, was sealed to Don and John and Jason were sealed to their parents. John's brother Don will be recieving the priesthood on Christmas Eve, so we will probably be going to the temple again before the end of 2007. We have certainly had some trials before going...I started losing my voice on Monday night, the thermostat went on my car, and John has been having back trouble since she decided to set a date. My voice came mostly back at the temple (I still can't sing), John is less stiff, so, I am hoping that the thermostat is an easy fix, and things settle down until after Christmas. Now we just have to get John's oldest two brothers to join the church.

Braces

Kierstan got her braces on today. She got green elastics on the top, and red elastics on the bottom. (The orthodontist said he couldn't alternate them this time.) She goes back on January 3 for her second appointment. He said that she is still faily crowded, even with the expansion, and he may have to look at extraction, too. He also said that she may need head gear, as he needs to align vertically too. Kierstan is annoid by this, but we will just have to wait and see.

WATCH OUT!!!

Well, he did it! Zac went for his driving test today and he got his G2! Now he is free to drive on his own, so count this as fair warning. Just kidding! He's pretty good. How did mom and dad survive the first time we took the cars out on our own???

pondering

I sit and think of the ways that we let ourselves go. We quit doing some things, or caring about things we used to find important, and wonder what happened. I look back at how I was, and then I guess I got lazy in everything. The physical is what everyone sees, but how do we change back? What is the defining moment that kicks us in the but, and makes us CARE again? I saw a photo, of what I had become, and it hit me hard. I guess that if it is just in the mirror, we can pretend it isn't true. Between that, and someone not believing the picture on the wall was me at 19, I knew it was time. I have worked hard to change the physical aspect, and found myself beginning to care about the other aspects too. My interests became important again, and so did my house and family. As I become more aware of myself, I wonder if I am becoming vain, but realize that I am learning to respect myself. I think trhat is the key. If we respected ourselves in the first place, would we let ourselves go? I am thrilled to report that, while I was 217lbs a year and a half ago, I have managed to lose much of my excess weight. I am now 159lbs, and have only 4lbs to go to reach my goal (Family pictures being taken tomorrow, and anxious to compare with the one from two years ago). It has been a journey of self discovery. I am finding that some interests have resurfaced, and some are completely gone. The neat thing is the ones that I never knew existed. I have also found out what a strong and determined person I can be. It leaves me to ponder the kind of person I may yet become.