The HOLIDAYS?

Do "the holidays" actually feel like a holiday? NOOOOOOO . . . it's busy, tiring, mentally exhausting, fattening, stressful and well TOTALLY fun!! But definately NOT a holiday! Hope you all enjoy your holidays and actually find some down time. LOVE YOU ALL!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May you find DEEP PEACE, MUCH LOVE and ABUNTANT JOY this Christmas! We love you all and will miss those that we cannot be with!

HUGS and KISSES,

Vanessa, Colton, Levi and Madison

100 of my favorite things

(in no particular order)

1. grace
2. salvation
3. colton
4. levi
5. madison
6. smell of a new baby
7. beau
8. hudson
9. second chances
10. michael
11. sydney
12. meghan
13. mom and dad
14. grandparents
15. tim hortons coffee
16. family photos
17. my bible
18. black gospel choirs
19. laughing so hard you have to pee
20. an unexpected call from a FAVORITE friend (like HODGIE or ERIN)
21. new earrings
22. turkey dinner
23. random hugs and kisses from the kids
24. sappy movies
25. smell of my grandmas soap
26. our pets
27. online banking
28. music
29. friday evenings with michael
30. salon shampoo
31. when ryan and lacey lived in brampton
32. live theatre
33. my relationship with the sim clan
34. scrapbooking
35. christmas eve traditions
36. being a mom
37. chocolate
38. late night talks
39. holding hands
40. big purses
41. jack frost on the trees
42. twilight
43. blogging
44. email
45. mercy
46. the giggles
47. lip gloss
48. closet organizers
49. anything in sets of 3
50. black
51. surprises
52. chunky necklaces
53. mini lights
54. michael loving my kids
55. tiny god moments
56. child tax credit
57. smelly lotion
58. foot rubs
59. shoppers drug mart
60. camping
61. msn messenger
62. mom playing piano
63. mom teaching madi piano
64. ikea
65. grandma's jam jams
66. knowing all the words to a favorite song on the radio
67. clean sheets
68. long hot showers
69. monday morning with lucie
70. candles
71. advil
72. fake nails
73. when kids say the wrong words to a song
74. when mike calls me "babygirl"
75. mixed cd's
76. payday
77. summer holiday 2006 to brampton
78. holy spirit
79. worship team at krt
80. god's promises (he always keeps them!)
81. a clean house
82. a good night sleep
83. big brother nites
84. freedom
85. watching the kids help in preschool class at church
86. sleeping kids
87. colton going to youth group
88. levi winning rookie of the year in football
89. madi's smile
90. friends having babies
91. spitz
92. neopolitan mastiffs
93. mika drinking from the tap
94. drivers licence
95. quiet
96. going out for dinner
97. little treasures at winners
98. digital camera
99. hair ties
100. naps

3KIDS and 3PETS

So, I was trying to take a pic of the kids for cmas cards and of course they wanted to have the pets in too. As you can see, the kids found holding them down a funny chore as they try to smile for the camera. Mika was growling, Sassy scratching and Chloe was just stunned (her brain is small) - my crazy clan - too cute!

Christless Christmas . . . hello???

I have been hearing all kinds of controversy on the radio of cities, theatres, etc NOT showing "The Nativity Story" as it may be "offensive" to those who dont believe!!! Well quite frankly, I'm offended at their offence! (I know, lay it down Vaness, lay it down) Seriously, even if you are a non-believer, do you even care - NO - you just wont see the movie! Who are the select few that make such a stink over the most sacred, precious holidays of the year -ya, lets just stick with the Santa story - that is sooooo much more meaningful and realistic - you know, the one that you lie to your kids about for the first 6 years of their life, and then a friend drops the bomb, laughs at them cause they believe in Santa and crushes their heart. I dont hate Santa so dont get me wrong - I just thought on this spiritual journey that most believers and non believers are on, they would be looking for the beauty, the depth, the wholeness, the "spiritualality" the awe, of the CHRISTmas story.

And if you want to get political: FREEDOM of religion, FREEDOM of speech - hello people, let it go, just let it go.

I say we ALL get to The Nativity Story ASAP - go twice, go three times, thank the theatres for playing it, take your neighbour . . . go for it!!!

Oh and by the way, it's not Happy Holidays - it's MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

WE LOVE YOU HUDSON

Hudson is my newphew, Beau's son. He turned 4 in July and is a very clever, chatty, funny and lovable boy - doesnt he remind you alot of his Auntie :-) Colton, Levi, Madison and Auntie miss you so so so much - we wish you were here to have sleepovers and go to the park together. We love you Huddy!

Madi the Poet

Thinking of Michael

This has been a really hard couple weeks for Mike. On Friday November 17th he buried his Opa, Walter Wittkowski. Then, only a couple days later on Monday the 20th his father, Ron Tachuk, passed away. It has been a strange time. Opa was 90, a strong baptist, left a legacy of faith, and an assurance that he would be in heaven with his Lord. Mike's dad Ron, was not a religious person, he had many addictions and left this earth at only 60 years old. In either situation, I saw how much Mike loved them both so much - they were both honored for the good that was seen in them and Mike gave beautiful reflections at both funerals. If you have a moment, pray for Mike and his family, this has been a time of great loss.

The picture attached is of Mike's dad in his younger days, doesnt he look like a movie star!

My babies aren't really babies anymore!

Colton Grade 7 ~ Levi Grade 6 ~ Madison Grade 4

worship

Have I told all of you before how much i love worship/worship music/personal worship/corporate worship/and anything involving the music side of "worship"? Well I DO! I was thinking about the time i spent at KRT, my church in Brampton, and how much I LOVED those years there. It opened a new world to me of expression to God and what that looked like for me. There is something about those moments in worship where it really DOES NOT matter what kind of a week you have had, it doenst matter that life totally sucks right now, it is just this place of purity, safety and joy - it the most perfect place. I snotted on that carpet more times than I can count and met God there in such a overwhelmingly rich way . . . I am not trying to "relive the past", or "werent those the good old days" cause we all move forward and circumstances take us elsewhere but TODAY, I longed for that . . . I longed for Saturday night worship at my house with my girlfriends and Hodgie just strumming on her guitar . . . i longed for a Pastor Jeremy worship service, . . . i longed for the freedom to dance again, . . . i longed for release of the gifts of the spirit . . . and i longed to just be in my most favorite spot on the planet . . . just hangin out with Jesus in worship .

I hope through my journey that I can worship regardless of where I am, who i am with or if the songs are right or not, so . . . i think tonight i will take some needed "worship time" . . . allow God to speak to me. To be totally honest, I feel i havent heard him for a while . . . and its NOT HIM, its me, busy, running, and filling time with stuff that isnt quite as important as my time with HIM. Ok, so I will stop writing now and well . . . stop . . . stop and listen and worship.

Pumpkin Carving

Sunday afternoons have become a ritual for Mike's clan and mine to hang out - this past Sunday we carved pumpkins. Everyone was so unique and it was really fun AND MESSY!!

Blessed Beyond

How to say thank you to someone when it just feels like those 2 words are not enough???

I was blessed today by someone - and I mean blessed BIG TIME - today is was with money (yes!), sometimes its by a card, sometimes its by a phone call, etc etc. But whatever the means, I am truly blessed! I guess what I would want that person to know beyond the THANK YOU which seems so lame . . . is that the blessing runs deep. I prayed this morning that God would take care of us this month. My car is having some major issues and is in the shop, the rent needs to be paid tomorrow, Levi deperately wants his football teams hoody, Madison and Levi need winter boots and snow pants, Colton needs a new winter coat, and the list goes on. The kids have never gone "without" but as a mom, you want them to have the best.

God made me a promise when I first moved back to Edmonton, I mean the "clear, loud, no doubt it was God speaking" kinda promise and that was "I PROMISE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU"! I have doubted that many times and He has fulfilled that promise many many times . . . how cool is that.

THANK YOU to the person(s) who blessed me today, YOU ARE LOVED and may you be blessed abundantly for your kindness!

THANK YOU to my FATHER for always keeping your promises, and giving me more than I ever deserve, I LOVE YOU!

Pain is Beauty . . .

My good friend Ryan passed on a saying to me several years ago . . . "pain is beauty". It generally refers to pointy toed shoes that look great but that litterally alter the structure of your feet, or your daughter crying as you brush through the tangles in her hair, or eyebrow, lip, and bikini waxing (yowza) . . . are you gettin' my drift? In those tense moments where you need or want to look good, just remember to say "pain is beauty".

Ok, as i was chuckling to myself today thinking of that silly saying, it made me think seriously about life, or perhaps Holy Spirit was just speaking quietly to me on my way home from work. The pain that I have been through, or what each of us has journeyed, is to make us beautiful . . . it is what refines us and sands down the rough corners (ouch).

So the next time you vainly say to yourself, pain is beauty, pain is beauty, as those perfect new earring cause your earlobes to redden and swell . . . think of a painful moment in your life that has given you strength of character, that has helped you relate to someone else hurting, and that has enabled you to see someone so unlike you as someone created in God's image and only because "you've been there". What Satan has wanted for evil, for pain, and for hurt . . . God totally wants to turn that into something completely beautiful!!

Yes, pain IS beauty . . . if we allow it to be.

ONE word about my friends . . .

So my friend Brandi gave me an idea for a blog, she says . . . "list all your close friends and use one word to describe what you love about them...and you can't use the same character trait more than once!" So Brandi, here goes . . .

Michael: loving, smart, confident, accepting, real (oops, just one word, sorry :-)
Colton: unique, Levi: sensitive, Madison: joyful, Meghan: innocent, Sydney: emotional, Sandy: learned, Audralee: diva, Ryan: loyal, Jessica: tender, Erin: shopper, Brandi: caregiver, Kelly: driven, Devon: passionate, Meaghan: funny, Ian: abstract, Jeff: mellow, Andrea: organized, Blake: real, Beau: loving, Maria: informative, Carolanne: growing, Melisa: chatty, Michelle: content, Monique: sweet, Victoria: lovie, Caleb: kissable, and so on and so on - I LOVE ALL OF YOU and I know that there are many more I could mention . . .

Levi is playing PeeWee Football this year - he is a defensive-half-back, and on the punt return/kickoff return special teams and has also played running back a few times - he actually made a 90yd run in Calgary - woohoo - good job Lee!! He is enjoying playing very much and has done great for a Rookie. Playoffs start this week . . . GO CHARGERS GO!!

Answer to Mike's Comment

So, Michael indicated that he would like me to tell you my thoughts on life, love, the pursuit of happiness, X-men 3 and when I am planning to get married . . . so here goes . . .

Life . . . I love my life (for the most part :-), I love being a mom, I love being 35 and am excited for the future and all the surprises that God has in store!
Love . . . it's too big of a word . . . how I love Mike and how I love my kids are such a different thing, or how I "love" a certain movie, or "love" good food - perhaps I have mis-used love, over-used love and haven't given enough love . . .
Pursuit of Happiness . . . just sounds plain cheesy - sorry Mike!
X-men 3 . . . havent seen it yet.
Getting Married . . . hmmmmm, yes I plan to get married, yes I believe in marriage, yes hunny . . . just be patient!!

The Random Blog

Well . . . you see I havn't posted for a while and really could not think of something worthwhile blogging - that is really pathetic I know. So, I am just shouting out a hello to my friends and my dedicated group of readers - love you all and hoping to have something profound to say in the next day or two!

Maybe someone could give me some blog topics, maybe things you would like to know my opinion on (or perhaps you really dont care about my opinion :-), or something about me or the kids . . . lets try it out!

Ciao for now . . .

PS. since this is a random blog, I've included a random pic of our buddy Cameron in Ontario - the picture totally makes me laugh!!

Do you know where YOUR children are?

Well, we all know that I live in the ghetto - I love my place but it is so strange sometimes. Those that have hung out here at all know that there are ALWAYS extra kids around. Not even necessarily friends of my children, just kids that hang out and I dont know who their parents are. At one point in my day there were 7 children IN my house, Colton, Levi, Madison, Brandon, Mitchelle, Savannah and Autumn. THEN, if you looked onto my deck outside, there was 5 more children under the age of 5: CJ, Trevian, Colby, Trinity and Sara. Yes, that would be a total of 12 children. At 8:00pm Madison informed me that the little ones, CJ, Colby, Sara and Trinity needed to come inside cause they were cold and their parents wont let them come in the house until someone came to get them cause they had something "PRIVATE" to do!! My issue is not with the poor little kids being here - its the lets say "parents" of the kids. Like, hello, is that an option to "get it on" while the neighbour you have never met is watching the children . . . it overwhelms me with sadness and frustration . . . and compassion.

I dont need God to help me see the needs around me, I SEE THEM, help me to be wise, patient and full of your love.

I love the rain!

This week has been a bit dreary, the weather that is, however, I love the RAIN! I love the smell through my window during the night, I love the soothing sound it makes that lulls me to sleep, I love the car splashing in the puddles (I like to go through them, not around them). I love how cute Levi looked after football practise all drenched and rosie-cheeked. I love that its the perfect day crawl up on the couch with a blanket and watch a sappy movie.

I love the words that describe rain; like refreshing, cleansing, washing away, fresh, and clean. It reminds me of my Father, who wants to pour out His refreshing love over us. He gives us a fresh start time and time again, He cleanses away our ugliness and exposes the beauty He created.

(sigh) I love the rain . . .

" . . . it is like first light at daybreak without a cloud in the sky, like green grass carpeting the earth, glistening under fresh rain." 2 Samuel 23:4

wahhhh , , ,

It is said that "absense makes the heart grow fonder", hmmmmm, I am not convinced that is true. The last couple weeks I feel that Mike and I havent really connected well due to the once again busyness of Fall. New schedules and back to the routine is a great thing, however, it doesnt leave much room for just hanging out and connecting with each other. This absence is not making my heart grow fonder, it makes me cranky, grumpy, sad and needing a MIKEY FIX!! Hope to have some ALONE time with you on the weekend baby - PLEASE! :-)

Dilema solved!

I PROMISE this will be the last cat blog in a long while :-) We have solved our cat dilema, here goes. Mike's mom is going to take his cat Princess (she likes Princess alot and she doesnt do well with other cats, should be in a 1 cat house). Then, Mike and the girls are adopting Zoe, the kitten. I will keep Mika AND Sassy (or Lola, Gracie, Sophie, Bella - whatever we decide to rename her). Yes, I know you are thinking that poor little Zoe will be so lonely without her friends . . . don't panic yet. Zoe will come spend the weekends with me and her feline friends as Mike's kids are at their moms most weekends. It will kinda be like Mike and I have shared custody of Zoe - isnt that so cute! We just need to work out the spaying/shots, etc logistics and other than that - it seems as though this story has a happy ending!

Meow for now my dear cat loving friends!

And then there was THREE . . . again!

Yes, I am nuts! (as I am sure most of you already know) . . . the Sim's feline saga continues . . .

I gave ZOE, the kitten, to Mike for the last week to watch (his mom is thinking of adopting her). However, Mike's cat PRINCESS has not done so well (ok, let's just say she's nuts! - sorry Princess). She has been hissing and swatting at Zoe all week. SASSY is still at my house because I have such guilt in giving her up because she is really really sweet. Anyways, I decided to give Zoe a break from the craziness at Mike's house and let her come play with Mika and Sassy today - well, she came in, they were all kissing and licking each other and haven't stopped running around and playing together since - it is SO CUTE! I AM A SUCKER!! Help me . . . I need help! I guess the saying is true that things do come in 3's (or was that bad things)??? 3 kids, 3 cats, and 3 swift kicks to reality for me!!! WHAT TO DO - WHAT TO DO!!!

PS. IF, just IF, we kept Sassy . . . I dont like her name. Is it ok to rename a cat? Any suggestions for cat names (she has kind of a refined/sophisticated type personality). I like Sophia or Sophie. Let me know what you think?

Have a PURRRRfectly wonderful day! (i know, so lame)

Why am I soooo tired?

I just can't seem to shake it these days - the tiredness that is. It has been a good summer, more fun and restful than most but I feel exceptionally tired, body aching, eye twitching, vein popping when you yawn kinda tired. I do know I need to make some lifestyle changes, AGAIN. Like the obvious . . . losing weight, exercising, taking vitamins, sleeping better, etc. I guess when I look at that list I probably shouldn't complain as most of this is my own fault.

ARGHHHH, I HATE THAT! Isnt there pill or something I can take?? NO? FINE. So what you are trying to say is . . . get your butt in gear Vaness!

OK OK OK I hear you - stop yelling!! Sheesh - just trying to be real.

Around and around we go . . .

Oi vey . . . just the thought of school starting in a week makes me cringe. Of course it will be great to be back to a routine . . . BUT . . . September to June is a VERY long season FOR ME! Homework, sports and church events, out pretty much every evening, taxi-ing, and all the other stuff that comes with the fiscal year of parents. Colton is heading to a new school for Jr. High, and Levi and Madi's school will have a new principle - lots of change all over.

There are alot of things to look forward to I know, but I have REALLY REALLY enjoyed the summer with them. They are a such a great age and I dont have to schedule activities for them the whole summer and they can hang out at home some days - it really has been great.

In a short week's time, I will turn from the easy going, funloving, "sure go ahead and have doritos and pepsi for breakfast" mom, to the "hurry up and pack lunch, hurry up and finish your homework, hurry up - we are leaving in 5 minutes, hurry up and get to bed and on and on and on . . . . (BIG SIGH) where has the summer gone . . .

MADISTEN

Our friends Maria and Anisten are down visiting from Toronto. Madison and Anisten have been friends since they were 5 months old and Maria and I have known each other for about 20 years. The girls have always been very different from each other in personality yet seem to do really well together - the name MADISTEN came into play for them when they were very young - I guess we were pretty trendy even before Bennifer, Brangelina and Tomkat. They really are cute together and I am glad that after 3 years being apart they have been able to connect in Toronto and now in Edmonton this summer!!

A trip down memory lane . . .

This past Tuesday an old friend of mine, Stuart Sabatier, came by for a visit (his girlfriend Terri came as well). My other friend Maria, who knows Stu, was also in town from Toronto and we thought if it worked out, it would be a great chance to connect with an old friend. We had not seen Stuart in about 15 years. I lived in Bonneyville for a time with Stuart and Maria knows him from Moose Lake Bible Camp that we used to attend together. It was really fun just reminicing about old times, fun memories, our lives now and how we have changed . . . or perhaps NOT grown up as much as we thougth we might have :-) Stuart is still the sweet, very kind, funny guy that he always was . . . despite the minor breakdown he had in character many many years ago when he put a FISH HEAD down my back . . . bratt.

Thanks Stuart for coming over and hangin', it was really great to catch up! Let's not wait another 15 years!!

Feline Frenzy!!

Yes my life is a zoo . . . LITERALLY! I have THREE cats staying at my house right now and 1 rabitt. My neighbor needed a place to have her 2 cats stay for "a night or two" while she was moving . . .well, it has been 2 weeks since I last heard from her. The LITTER BOX . . . well that is a whole issue in itself so, let's talk about the positive :-) They are totally sweet and are all getting along well but 3 is 2-too many for my life! If you are a cat lover, want a cat, or know someone who is looking for a cat . . . PLEASE let me know! Zoe is about 6 months old and really fun, curious and sweet and has a really loud purrrr. Sassy is part Hymalayan (ish), she is shy, quiet and very gentle and possible about 1 and a half. And of course my lovies Mika and Chloe are NOT up for grabs - sorry!

Meow for now . . .

Vaness

Jasper Campout

We have the greatest Summer Program for kids ever at our church and of course the best SUMMER STAFF!! Ian, Jeff, and Meaghan with some other volunteers took 10 of the kids from our church to Jasper last weekend. My kids had a blast!! What fun memories for them, what great role models they have in their lives, and what a great way for them to experience God in a tangable way!!

Hudsons' Here!

This is my nephew Hudson - is he the cutest or what!! He just turned 4, he talks all the time, knows everything of course and loves Colton, Levi and Madison and they love their little cousin Hudson. We are blessed to have Beau, Christina and Hudson down for the week - it has been fun just hanging out together. We love you all!!

Friendship

I love the kind of friendships that no matter how much time or distance is between you that when you are together, you just pick up where you left off. My time in Brampton was just that. I love you Audralee, Erin, Kelly, Maria, Carolanne, Jessica, Danielle, and all the others I was able to spend time with. Thank you for welcoming us so freely into your homes, loving on me and the kids - it was truly refreshing and wonderful. We miss you all dearly!

Hodgie and Cameron

This is my most wonderful friend Audralee (aka Hodgie) and her son Cameron. We are staying here for most of our Brampton stay - it has been fun and good to just hang out. It will be hard for us to say goodbye. We had fun taking some pics today so I needed to post them - here they are!!!

Half Over Already

Well I can't believe that our time here in Brampton is half over already. The kids have been at their dads and just got back today - they had a great time going to the drive-in, swimming, watching movies, and the like. We still have ALOT of people to see now that the kids are back with me so next week will be very busy and fly by.

Michael . . . I MISS YOU! Thank you Mike, Meghan and Sydney for watching Mika and Chloe while we are away - please give them some cheekie rubs from us and some treats too! We are excited to go camping with you when we get back - it will be really fun. Love, hugs and kisses to you all!

Avah Jordan Flewelling

I finally met AVAH after 9 LONGGGG months. My dear friend Erin came down from Texas for the week and I got to spend some time with her and Avah or Miss Avah as they call her in Texas. She is simply . . . a delicious apple with an angelic face and the most delightful disposition. A little princess who was created simply perfect. I feel so blessed to have had a chance to smooch her little face, squish her most cute legs and see her beautiful smile. Thanks Erin for making the trip down and allowing me to share in the joy you feel every day with such a precious baby. Auntie loves you Avah!!

Little House on the Prairie??

Is it true? I am in URBAN Brampton and I am actually outside hanging clothes on the line - is this the twilight zone?? I am on holidays and doing like HOUSEWORK and worse housework than when I am at home?? what is going on!!!

Ok, just being drama, Audralee loves hanging the clothes outside, cause they smell nice and saves on the power bill - so ok.

Thought you all should know that is has not been ALL play!