Christmas Treats

Christmas is when there are traditions in every family. Some traditions revolve around treats. I love Nuts and Bolts. My mom has always made a gingerbread house with us for as long as I can remember. I must say though, the year we made the chocolate one was my favorite year. Anyways, this year was my first year without my mom here to make it with me. Even though I have been away from her these last two years, she comes just in time to assist me. This year my creation was not as elaborate without her. Mark was very much apart of the whole process which was fun. From the making the dough, cutting of shapes to even deciding on the scene, all the way to choosing the candies and the decorating with the icing. It was fun. The first roof collapsed as the angel on top fell and took part of the roof with her but we fixed it. I would be ashamed to show you all a picture of it, but since it was Mark's creation too, I must be a proud mom.

Some of my other favorite traditional treats are peanut butter fingers, vanilla dipped sugar cookies and poppycock. Why is it that we put all the good treats all at one time of the year? We should spread it out during the year so we don't all get a sugar high at the same time of the year. Just a thought.

There are many traditions in every family. Some having to do with food, some with gifts, or when they're opened, some with celebrations. I love it all. Even family tension could be considered a tradition - think about it...what would a holiday be with a family gathering if someone didn't cause tension at least at some point. Not to be taken the wrong way, nor saying anything about either family I'm involved it, just a thought.

Symphony

This last weekend Ray and I went to Vancouver. It was nice to get away (so thankful for Gramma and Grandpa for watching the kids). It was however not all vacation as I was in a course the whole weekend. It was full of information, great networking, and very practical for my work environment. Some of you know already the home I've been working in will be shut down in the new year, but it was still great to go. I learnt a lot and my supervisor was actually in the course with me and took me to my clients new home which was great for some closure. The course is apart of 10 that I am working on completing for my DeafBlind Studies. I think I am 1/2 done now.

I was hoping to see some of my extended family but as it turned out we didn't get in touch with them. It's hard to fit everything in but hopefully we'll see them next time. We stayed with Ray's sister (and brother-in-law) and did take Saturday night for some fun. The four of us went to the Vancouver Symphony. It was amazing!!! I highly recommend a "Broadway Rocks" symphony, especially to anyone who hasn't been to one before. I think it was one of my favorites so far. It was nice to add something special to a weekend of studies. It's always fun to get dressed up - we looked good too!!!

Take a Break

As Christmas comes closer many things come to an end for the season. This fall I have been very involved in a Ladies morning out called "Take-A-Break". The committee has been a blessing of new friends, supporters and spiritual leaders. Last summer I went back to our church in Winnipeg and was sadden to know that even though I have lived here for two years I still felt like Riverwood was my home church. After prayer and discussion I realized it was my own personal involvement that makes a church feel more like "home". I was asked to be on this committee and knew that was God's calling. I knew very few of them before starting and now it feels like we've known each other a lot longer. There are around 70 ladies that come out every Thursday and my role has been the speaker coordinator. That alone has been fun and a challenge not knowing many people. I meet with the speakers before hand, and again for coffee the week before and the morning of their talk for prayer. The ladies are all in small groups around tables and that also was good this year. My table went for coffee the other night to get to know each other better outside of the Thursday morning discussion time.
Another part of the morning has been blessing a local women's shelter. Each week the ladies are asked to bring one item (toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, pads, socks...). For our final week we brought gift bags and the ladies brought small items to fill the bags. I was blown away by the variety of small gifts and the number of bags that were filled.
This last session has been on "Doors" and I'm looking forward to January as we dive into the "Be Attitudes for Women".

Getting ready for Christmas

We went to get our tree from a Christmas tree farm. The whole decision of fake or real trees is all around us. I know a fake tree would save the enviroment, but it somehow seems ok to get a tree from a farm grown lot specifically for Christmas. Anyways, we did it and loved the experience. Mark got to ride on a sled down to the mini, mini forest while Kyla slept through the whole experience in Ray's arms. She woke up as the tree was being put into our trunk. The family provides hot apple juice around a fire to all of us. There are sheep there as well which Mark got to feed.