Happy Birthday Chris!

Today I want to wish my husband, Chris, a very Happy 39th Birthday!
Love you lots!!

( This is the delicious tuxedo cake we had... )

Beautiful!

My Valentine's flowers looked too beautiful sitting on the counter in the sunshine not to share with everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Valentine's Day was just a nice, ordinary Saturday. Something I haven't had in awhile. I worked for a few hours this morning, then went to watch Kenton play soccer. It was soooo cold out there! Later on, I went for a run since it was so nice and sunny out. I definitely warmed up quickly. :) After a warm shower, I caught up on all my blogs, then it was time to make dinner. I had bought steaks earlier in the week, so I had saved them for tonight. Along with potatoes, mushrooms, yorkshire puddings and some veggies...it was the perfect dinner. Now Chris has gone to drop the kids off at friends' and get me some chocolate! I'm looking forward to a nice, quiet evening....

My sweethearts....

Third Annual Girls Ski Trip

This weekend four of us girls went on our third annual ski trip. The past two years, we have gone to Manning, but this year we went to Baker. I love Baker!

We rented a condo in Glacier, Washington, which is less than 30 minutes away from the top of the mountain and about 30 minutes away from home. How much more perfect can you get? The condo complex had a pool and hot tub too.

We left on Friday around lunch and headed down to Bellis Fair to pick up some new running shoes, then we headed back to Glacier and checked in. Later, we went for dinner at a little restaurant attached to the local corner store, then went back to sit around and chat over a few glasses of wine before turning in early for the night.

The weather on Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. What a perfect day of skiing! We even accomplished a few black diamond runs since the conditions were so great. On Sunday, two of us went skiing, while the others decided to take it easy. :) It was another great day...beautiful weather, great fellowship, and a few new undiscovered runs.

Next year's trip promises to be even better!

Ms. Independence

The last few days I've been busy learning little things that I've always wanted to know how to do by myself. My husband is the computer whiz around here, so whenever I've needed something I've just asked him to do it for me. But the last few days, I've had to learn on my own and I'm glad.
One of the projects I've been wanting to find time for is arranging all our photos from the trip with took with the kids last year and making it into a movie. It took me about a day and half to scan in a bunch of pics, arrange them, put in transitions and then set it all to music. I've already done a power point presentation, so the movie wasn't anything new, but burning it to a cd was an accomplishment.
Another thing I've never done myself, unbelievably for nowadays, is download songs to my mp3 player. It actually was really easy. I've learned a lot about limewire and where your songs get stored on your hard drive and all the rest.
So, that's what I've been up to the last few days. I love this little machine more and more each day...

A Rebel At Heart

Well, now that NaBloPoMo is finished, I was going to be rebellious and not post tonight, just because I don't have to...but I wanted to!

A few weeks back, Sonya had this on her blog and now it's time for me to make good on my part of the bargain...

Be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post, and I will send you a handmade gift! How much fun does that sound? You then need to post the Pay It Forward challenge on your own blog and make a gift also for your first 3 commenters and so on it goes. :) The gift can be in any price range you like and you have 365 days to send it.

I've always been a great fan of this movie and the entire concept, so my goal is to do a Random Act of Kindness once a month and blog about it. Sound like something the rest of you would like to get in on? Can't wait to hear all about it!

I Made It!

I've always been known as a random blogger, so I'm extremely proud of myself that I blogged everyday this month...and I've got to say that I really enjoyed it. Of course, there were nights I didn't really feel in the mood, or I was too tired, but it was a great accomplishment. I look forward to being a more consistent blogger in the future and making many more friends.

Ten Things I Like...

Ten Things I Like that Start with "D"....

1. Daisies...they are one of my favourite flowers.

2. Dawn and Dusk...and anything else that has to do with the sun.

3. Donuts...I love them way too much for my own good.

4. Dad...he's a great guy!

5. Diamonds...and any other bling.

6. Dance shows...I know...pretty corny, but I love them!

7. Dark chocolate...any kind of chocolate really...

8. Dana...she's a great friend of mine. :)

9. Decorating...interior, Christmas, etc.

10. My favourite colour ends with "D"...red!

I'm Tired!

My back is throbbing,
My head is bobbing.
My skin is bumpy,
I'm feeling kinda' lumpy.
My eyes are puffy,
My hair's lookin' scruffy.
My mind is in a fog...
so that's it for tonight's blog!

Domestic Day

Today, I had the day off and spent it doing domestic chores. (I did sneak in a quick lunch with my mom though) Actually, every once in awhile I really enjoy being able to play the "stay-at-home mom" role. I turned on "Regis and Kelly" and "The View", although I didn't actually watch much, and proceeded to do a bunch of laundry, vacuum, bake banana bread and make an old favourite for dinner.

My dad used to make goulash after church on Sundays...goulash being shredded potatoes and onions with eggs cracked over top. I hadn't had it for years, so decided to make it with italian sausage added in and cheese melted on top. I thought it turned out pretty good.

Now I'm going to go finish off my day by watching some TV and sampling my yummy banana bread. I've been told my recipe is a good one, so I'm going to share it with you.

Banana Bread

1 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 egg

dash of salt

splash of vanilla

3 medium bananas

1/2 cup margarine

Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Enjoy!

Sebastian

Our new kitty, Sebastian, has definitely been making himself at home. The first few days we got him, he was scared of us. Now he searches us out to pet and cuddle him, and we're usually happy to oblige! He has also become very playful...

Handy Girl

Today I finally bought a bookshelf that I've had my eye on for a few weeks now. I'm so excited because I don't think I've ever had a bookshelf since we've been married. I fell in love with it instantly. As soon as I got home, I set to work putting it together...all by myself. All the books on my bedside table inspired me to set it up in the corner of my bedroom.

Love Is...

Love is very patient and kind,
never jealous or envious,
never boastful or proud,
never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable or touchy.
It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice
when others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice,
but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost.
You will always believe in him,
always expect the best of him,
and always stand your ground in defending him.
All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end,
but love goes on forever.

I Corinthians 13:4-8
The Living Bible

Where The Sidewalk Ends

When I was in elementary school, one of my favourite books was "Where The Sidewalk Ends", a collection of poetry by Shel Silverstein. A few years back, I noticed it in one of the boys' Scholastic Book Orders, so I bought it for myself. Here's a favourite...

Sick

"I cannot go to school today,"

Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

"I have the measles and the mumps,

A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,

I'm going blind in my right eye.

My tonsils are as big as rocks,

I've counted sixteen chicken pox

And there's one more-that's seventeen,

And don't you think my face looks green?

My leg is cut, my eyes are blue-

It might be instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,

I'm sure that my left leg is broke-

My hip hurts when I move my chin,

My bellybutton's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,

My 'pendix pains each time it rains.

My nose is cold, my toes are numb,

I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,

I hardly whisper when I speak.

My tongue is filling up my mouth,

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,

My temperature is one-o-eight.

My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,

There is a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is-what?

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is....Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Thank you!

I just wanted to say "thank you" to a fellow blogger. You inspired me to do the NaBloPoMo challenge, you've passed along many insightful posts and tonight I watched a wonderful movie that you suggested a few weeks ago. This evening I watched "The Ultimate Gift" with a friend. We both agreed that it was one of the best movies we have seen in a long time.
I'm really thankful for the opportunities this blog has given to me...growing friendships and sharing and affirming thoughts with other women. I've discovered that this blogging thing is really something special and worthwhile! Thank you. :)

Deep Thoughts

As a teenager, we used to love to watch Saturday Night Live. For some reason, the other day Jack Handey and his "Deep Thoughts" came to mind. I recently decided to google this topic and discovered that Jack Handey is a real person. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 25, 1949. He is a humorist known for his one-liners. He worked for a newspaper, but was fired for offending someone. He then went to work with Steve Martin, which led to him working on SNL. This past April, he published his first collection. Here is are a few samples of Jack Handey's "Deep Thoughts"....

"Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind."

"Instead of a trap door, what about a trap window? The guy looks out it, and if he leans too far, he falls out. Wait. I guess that's like a regular window."

"Instead of having 'answers' on a math test, they should just call them 'impressions' and it you got a different 'impression' so what, can't we all be brothers?"

"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people. "

"I wish I would have a real tragic love affair and get so bummed out that I'd just quit my job and become a bum for a few years, because I was thinking about doing that anyway."

"If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason."

"Better not take a dog on the space shuttle, because if he sticks his head out when you're coming home his face might burn up."

"One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to Disneyland, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said. "Disneyland burned down." He cried and cried, but I think that deep down, he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real Disneyland, but it was getting pretty late."

As you can see, you definitely need a different sense of humour to enjoy "Deep Thoughts", but I hope at least one or two of these made you smile!

LOST is Back!

After a long wait, LOST is back tonight! If you haven't been following, here is a cute 5 minute trailer to get you all caught up. Enjoy!

My Best Friend

Yesterday, I received a gift in the mail from my BFF, Sonya. She sent me a beautiful necklace that she brought back from her cruise vacation. Along with it, was a great card.

This is what it read...

How to be an amazing friend...

listen

hang out

laugh when it's funny

cry when it's sad

remember the good stuff

share dreams

stay true...

be you!

I just want to take this time and tell everyone what an amazing friend Sonya is to me...she is everything the card says, and more! I can always be "me" around her, which is one of the things I love most about her. Here are a few pics of us together throughout the years.

Thanks for the special gift Sonya. I love it! You're the best friend a girl could ever have!

Love As A Way of Life

I got this new book for Christmas and I can't wait to read it! It was one of the books in my pile of must-reads from an earlier blog. This is what the front jacket cover reads:

What does a love-driven life look like-not just at home, but in friendships, at work, in the church, and in business relationships? And how does the pursuit of authentic love change not only your relationships, but also your life?

In "Love As A Way of Life", Gary Chapman shows how the seven traits of love work together to transform the way you live. Over time, you will learn how to allow love to direct the way you respond to others in every situation. Your interactions with other people-from your spouse or best friend to business associates and casual acquaintances-can have an eternal impact on their lives.

Embark on the daily adventure of loving others. As you do, you will discover new meaning in every aspect of life.

New Easter Candy

This weekend I was introduced to a new Easter treat...Cadbury Popping Mini Eggs. Now I've seen it all! A mini egg with pop rocks mixed in with the chocolate. The chocolate and the pop rocks get stuck in your teeth and keep popping and crackling for a few seconds after you're done your chocolate treat. I guess it's the treat that keeps on giving!

Mental Health Day

Today, Dana, Christopher and I went to Mt. Baker to do a little skiing. The weather was absolutely perfect. The conditions weren't perfect...it was really icy in spots and a little slushy in others, but it was just so beautiful being out there in the mountains. When you're out there in the snow with the sun shining all around, feeling the wind in your hair as you go flying down the mountain, it just does something for your mental health.

Organization Update

The way Chris and I (mostly Chris) have been cleaning house this week, you'd think we were retiring and moving across the country. Chris can not stand clutter and gets rid of absolutely everything...even if it's something brand new and in perfect condition. I've been doing a pretty good job of getting rid of stuff too. We've made a few trips to MCC and the local dump. Closets, cupboards, behind the fridge...nowhere has gone untouched. I must say it feels really good to know that everything has it's place.

This evening I even finished up a sewing project. I had a duvet cover that I had put snaps on years ago and just finally put on a zipper instead. It took me forever, but it's done!

I guess now I can go shopping and make way for some new stuff! ;)

Happy Birthday Peyton!

Three years ago today, the person I had been waiting years for came into my life...my first little niece, Peyton. She is such a doll and I just LOVE being an Aunty. One of our special things to do together is to go down to the pool. We play for about an hour, sit in the hot tub for a few minutes, and then it's off to McDonald's for a treat. She knows the whole routine off by heart. I look forward to the many more special times we will spend together.

It's Back!

My mom and I have a tradition of watching certain shows together during the week. At any given time during the year, you will find me on my parents' couch once or twice a week. There are so many good shows coming up, that I will have to be choosy...or else I'll be there every night! For now, we've been watching American Idol, which just started up again last night. Some of our other favourites are Grey's Anatomy, Lost, and So You Think You Can Dance. Luckily, a few of these are on the same night, so we just make a whole evening of it. Our TV nights are starting to get quite the reputation...so I just wanted to thank my Dad for giving up his spot on the couch to his daughter every so often.

Name That Spot

This week, our family has been playing the "Name That Spot" game. A few days ago, Chris noticed a few spots on his arm. Then the boys discovered that they too have spots. I, did not...until yesterday. We all went to separate walk-in clinics over the last week, and all got different diagnoses. We've been researching our spots online and thought perhaps we had impetigo, but have since come to the conclusion that we are all suffering from....ringworm. I guess our new little Christmas kitty came with more that we bargained for.


Impetigo...

Ringworm....

Kenton's back....

FYI....just so no one is creeped out by us...we're all undergoing treatment and are no longer considered contagious. The boys can go back to school tomorrow and the doc says I can go to work.

Book Club

It's been about two years now that I've been a part of a book club. My neighbour lady invited me and it seemed like a great way to meet new people and read books that I wouldn't normally read. I haven't been disappointed. It's a great bunch of ladies, some of whom I ended up already knowing from work.

We meet once a month and each take a turn picking a book and hosting at our house. We bring appies and usually have a glass of wine while catching up on each other's kids and new events in our lives.

Our book for December was Dean Koontz's "The Good Guy". It was like reading a movie. It was action packed and I could totally envision it in a theatre near you.


This month's book is "Behind the Scenes at the Museum" by Kate Atkinson. She is a British author, so it should be an interesting read.
I'm also trying to get through this stack of books sitting on my nightstand table. I've already started most of them at some time or another and need to finish them. Some I look forward to reading in the future, perhaps this summer when we take a break from book club. You will notice quite the variety...self-help books, dramatic novels, mysteries and children's novels adapted to the big screen.

If you see anything of interest to you...sit down and have a read and let me know what you think!

God's Creation

I'm happy to say that I'm in much better spirits today! This evening, after our wonderful Sunday Night Dinner, we decided to pop in a Planet Earth DVD. We bought the series for Chris's dad for Christmas and he made us a copy. I've got to say...I'm a huge fan! I love watching all of God's miracles that he created. It's just not possible to watch Planet Earth and not believe in a Lord of Creation!

I also love the conversations it starts with the kids. During one section, the narrator was explaining how over time this one particular species that lives in caves lost it's eyes because of the dark. Of course we explained that God made the animal this way because it did not need eyes in a dark cave.

This is another great tradition for our family. I definitely recommend a family night of Planet Earth for everyone!

Not In The Mood

Hey folks...Just got to be honest with you all...I'm just not in the mood to blog tonight, but I'm way too stubborn to not succeed at this month's challenge. This day has just gotten away with me. Work, the gym, the fam...
Tomorrow is a new day, just waiting to be blogged about!

Meet the Fam

Dad and Mom with their two grand-daughters...

My brother Scott, his wife Krystie and their two little girls.

My two bros, Scott and Matthew...

My three boys!

Guilt

Ahhh....guilt...that awful feeling that sneaks it's way in to every decision I make. Now, it's not true guilt I struggle with, it's false guilt. A few weeks ago, while locked in my bedroom wrapping presents, I happened to have the radio tuned in to Focus on the Family. Not something I usually listen to, but I was just too lazy to find another station and in a hurry to get lots done. The guest on was R.T. Kendall and he was speaking on Total Forgiveness and the subject of "pseudo" guilt came up. He was totally describing me and, I venture to say, many other moms. Just one example for myself is...when I'm at work I feel guilty that I'm not spending enough time and energy with the kids and Chris and when I'm at home, I feel guilty that I'm not working and contributing financially.
Since hearing the broadcast, I've done some research on the subject. Someone with false guilt has an overactive conscience and as a result is in a constant state of uncertainty. A person driven by false guilt is afraid to let their mind rest for fear they may let their guard down and possibly offend someone. They need to be considered an assest or worthy, a ''good person'', instead of letting someone down and becoming a liability. This guilt is a way of feeling in control.
Now here's the part that impacted me the most...true guilt is easy to deal with...the sin is obvious, we confess it and we are forgiven. False guilt is sinful because it is not from God, it is an idol...we dwell on it and obsess over it, because pride won't accept us being weak. We then suffer from the "martyr syndrome". When we won't forgive ourselves we're doing the devil's work for him.
Dealing with my false guilt is definitely one of the things at the top of my resolutions list for this upcoming year. With a little more time reading and praying I know this is possible.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God,
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ."
Phillipians 4:6-7

Lunch Out With the Girls

Today, I worked until noon and then met up with my mom , her four sisters and my grandma for lunch. It was my grandpa's birthday, but sadly, he's been gone for just over a year now. We thought we would all meet for lunch to brighten up grandma's day. It's not too often all the girls get together and it was interesting observing how sisters interact, seeing as I grew up with brothers, not sisters. It was definitely a treat and I captured the moment on camera. :)

Keeping in the spirit of blogging about food, here is my lunch...the mega melt...yummy!

Winter Nights

Now that the holidays are over, and most everything is back to normal, I've discovered I have quite a bit of spare time in the evenings. I know this is a rarity, so I do not take it for granted. Soon, soccer will start up again and then one thing will lead to another and I will be busy all the time again, but for now I'm enjoying having nothing on my "to do" list...nothing to do but have a hot bath, get into my pj's early, read a book, play a DS game, maybe watch a TV show or update my blog. Some nights, I even do all of the above! I'm sure with all our nasty weather lately, more than a few people are looking forward to spring time, and usually I'm one of them, but for now I'm quite content with my winter nights...in fact, I can hear my bed calling me now...

My Bucket List

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've always kinda had a bucket list in my mind, only it wasn't called that...it was more like "Things I Want to Do in My Lifetime". Some of the things on my list are realistic goals that I can accomplish and a few are just lofty dreams...a good combination, don't you think?

1. Learn Spanish.
2. Take a photography course.
3. Take a dance class.
4. Take piano lessons.
5. Go on a missions trip.
6. Travel to Europe.
7. Go back to school.
8. Live on a hobby farm.
9. Have a house by the lake.
10. Invent something.
11. Write a book.
12. Be in a movie.
13. Build a dream deck around my hot tub.
14. Learn to fly a plane.

I think this list is a good start, and a few of them I might even try to accomplish this year...This year is all about change and challenges for me, so I challenge each one of you to think of your own bucket list, and perhaps at this time next year we can look back and see all that we have achieved!

Sunday Night Dinner

For the past few months, we've started a tradition with a dear member of our family. Dana is a mother, grandmother and friend to us all. We decided awhile back to keep these family ties close by having Sunday night dinner together. We've only missed maybe a couple of dinners together since. I'm really thankful for the relationship Dana and I have. She is a wonderful friend and mentor, in every way.

We've discussed getting creative this year by adding more people to the group once in awhile, and maybe even having theme nights. Tonight it was just the five of us, but we did have a bit of a mexican theme going. We enjoyed fajitas, nachos, refried beans, guacamole and all the other great fixings.

Here's to many more Sunday night dinners...

Happy 80th Birthday Grandpa and Grandma!

This evening, the Klassen family gathered to celebrate both Grandpa and Grandma's 80th birthdays. Grandpa's was on December 29th and Grandma's is on January 14th. It was an evening of great fellowship and wonderful memories. The common theme for everyone was my grandparent's commitment to the Lord and their family. The highlights of the evening were the slide show my cousin prepared, and the surprise copies he made for everyone, and when all of us gathered around my grandparents and prayed over them.

Here are a few pics for you to enjoy...

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for instilling a love of God and family in your children and grandchildren...Have a very happy 80th Birthday!! We love you lots!

January's Goals

I suppose goals and resolutions are pretty much the same thing, but I just prefer the word goals. One of them I started on today. I'm glad to have finished the task of cleaning up my tree and Christmas decorations. After cleaning up the aftermath, I got started on going through a bunch of my drawers and cabinets. This leads to my first goal of the new year...

Organization: I'm determined that this year is the year that I am going to declutter my life and my surroundings, even if it means spending some hard earned money on rubbermaids, baskets and anything else helpful.

My next few goals are of a more personal nature.
Things such as to be more patient, more attentive to others, to use my voice to praise people and to just be more positive in general. This will all be accomplished through goal number three...

My number one goal this year is to grow in my relationship with the Lord. He is always on my mind with everything I do, but I need to pray more, read the bible more and just spend more quiet time with God.

This year's trials have made me realize that the relationships you have with others are what life is all about. Happiness, positivity, and fulfillment all come from how you interact with others. This is something I am excited to delve into in a future blog, so stay tuned!

I wish everyone much success as they pursue their goals for the upcoming new year. :)

Happy New Year!

The first day of a brand new year...a day of reflection on the year past and resolutions for the new year ahead. I'll go into a bit more detail in future blogs, but for now, I just want to ease myself into my first resolution gently...I've decided to participate in NaBloPoMo. Now, I know this will shock some of you, but I figure I've accomplished much bigger goals and there's no rule that says every one of my entries must be witty and long drawn out. So, with that in mind, I'm going to wrap this up for today and make you all wait until tomorrow (and maybe even the next day too) to read all about my reflections and resolutions...