He is My Shepard

I shall not want! He lets me lie down in green pastures (you know I love my naps outdoors) 

The Cliffs of Insanity

Where I struggle today....... 

A case of the " Isrealites"

I remember reading through the old testement and being frustrated....first of all with God and secondly with the Isrealites. God would repeatedly show them how faithful he was in providing for them, he did amazing miracles then next thing you know, someone would be uncomfortable, or a little thirsty, or tired and they would forget everything He had done and begin whining and stressing and wanting to quit.....

This is a pattern I have noticed in my life and have been conciously trying to improve, so pray for me right now because I KNOW what God can do but that "desert wandering spirit of fear" is rearing its ugly head. I want to honour Him with my trust, I am winning the struggle at the moment but it IS a battle.

Here is a list of things that God has provided this year..for my benifit and yours :)
- a beautiful home to live in, on the lake, with room to spare
- a job that I love and am good at and has a schedule you can't beat!
- 3 healthy children, who inspite of every mistake their parents made are nice to be around, intelligent, and fun
- parents who love, admire, respect me and help out whenever I need it
- sisters who challange, encourage and protect me
- home ownership, in a town I could come to love and could definitely retire in
- new friendships in church and work, ladies who love the Lord and care about me
- old friends, who call out of the blue and take the time to find my number and address
- ..........................................there's so much more than even that, how dare I question His ability or His caring for me.............Good thing he forgives and loves me inspite of..........

Ocean and Baby Logan

This is Logan who lives downstairs (with his mom and dad of course) Mike and Megan moved in to take over mom and dad's apartment when dad retired... they are very quite and must be patient to put up with their noisy upstairs neighbours! We're glad they are here and would love to hold Logan more often! 

Brad's birthday

Once again Brad surprises us by choosing a family only birthday and lighting his own candles... each person asked Brad one question that he had to answer honestly....here are some things you may not have known about Brad....
best vacation- skiing last christmas, and England
person he would take to a dessert Island with him- David James
luxury item for survivor-watch
he'd rather have green skin than hair growing out his ears 

Early morning at the lake

This is my view as I walk Jake. This is one of the more boring skies....sometime it is too pretty to look at. 

Ethan at church

I was sitting beside Ethan a few sundays back and thought this was a perfect photo... he is kneeling at the pew reading the bible....as they say in Pirates 2...."it doesn't matter if you can read, its the Bible, you get points for trying" (not a completely precise quote) 

Alberta winter

The drive to Amy's is gorgeous and I just can never quite capture it on film...this view does nothing for my kids...they really miss trees but its almost like looking out across the sea for me...I really like it.
 

Baking day

Last weekend I went up to do some baking with Amy for a cookie exchange. My roomate Tina was kind enough to watch Jake so I could stay overnight. Journey loves to help and TASTE.
The water tower star above our house. One day I WILL climb this but I have to save for the $50/rung fine if I get caught. 

The gang

We're getting ready to head home but (I) wanted a quick photo for memory...The house looks very christmassy inside but the landlord really should put up some outdoor lights for street appeala ( I guess that's me!!) 

Midnight Madness

Three Hills Friday Night Midnight Madness.... Amanda Jon Brad Ocean Brandon and Logan drove up to enjoy some christmas festivities with the Rish Family. Their shops were open late and had some discount prices, they offered a hay ride, bonfire and carols by some of the students at Prairie....the weather was incredibly warm.
Journey was thrilled to have Ocean to walk along with and wanted to hold her hand. They did tire quickly then it was a competition as to who got to ride in the stroller
Mom and Brad

 

Endings and beginnings

When we moved out here my commitment to the boys was to provide some stability. When we found Heritage school I was excited for them that they would finally be able to stay in one school until grade 12. No more being the new student or having to learn your way around a new building. I have kept my promise to them and really feel it is important to continue keeping that promise.
Unfortunately, not all is in my control. Jon has made some choices over the past month that have resulted in his being asked to withdraw from Heritage. It was with heartbreak I watched him walk away from his friends and the familiarity and safety at that school. He will be attending Chestermere middle school this year and changing again next year to go to the Chestermere High.
I am getting a little glimpse of how God's heart breaks as he watches us make poor choices and allows us to face the consequences that follow. How he must want to reach out and change and protect us. But he wants a real relationship with us and that means respecting our choices and loving us in spite of them. Lord help me to do the same for my son.

One of those days

The last 24 hours has not been the best...without going in to detail let me just say that we are all dented and bruised physically, emotionally and mentally. I could cry at any moment yet still carry on with the mundane necessary motions in life cause....well you have to, don't you. And I know it will pass, things will get better, they are certainly not nearly as bad as they could be.... but life hurts, bad things suck.....I am tired

Bubble Therapy

This always works for me when I'm feeling out of sorts! It apparently works for boys too.
We discovered if you put a little body wash in the water then turn the jets on high the bubbles just keep growing. I have had them even higher than this(but didn't take a picture of course) 

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a house dedication, work day and Thanksgiving Dinner at the new place on Thanksgiving Monday. Dad and Brad are trying (unsuccessfully) to burn the weeds. Garron's dad came over and trimmed our wild hedge. thanks for all your help and it was great to have everyone there to celebrate with us!
Mom worked like crazy in the garden areas around the house. I have quite a few perennials that will need her touch in the spring.(i know nothing about plants). Brad helped carry hedge clippings with the promise of a football game after. They ended up going to the pool instead (right across the street)
We have a great tree in the yard but they have been unable to actually get up to the tree house.
Ocean found a friend. The lady bug is out of focus but thats whats on her finger, not a wart! 

Our House

Here are the pictures of our new (old) house. I finally got to a computer that works. This is the front of the house. The large window is the living room. The front entrance is actually being used as an extra little room/office? The back has a large mud room entrance. Garron has already made the inside look incredible. Painting and patching and fixing. We will post before and after photos soon. I was there today and it felt great to look around and know that it is MINE! 

Jonathan

Butting heads, rolling eyes,
mother's tears and tired sighs.

You were my baby, first one of my own
I hadn't imagined how strong the feelings would be
I had never felt that connected to anyone
You were mine, I was yours, heart and soul


Every new thing you did was amazing, and newsworthy
each smile, burp and coo

Then school, off you went on the bus, all alone in
your too big blue jacket.
Did you hate it? Were you scared? I didn't ask,
you didn't say.

You hate it now. I see it in your face, you aren't afraid to tell me
But you are so smart
Your teachers see it
your friends are drawn to you, even the older ones,
there is something about you, in you, just you
A gift
A gift for what? For what purpose? To what end?

You don't see the gift. What do you see?

I see a young man, I see my baby grown
I see hurt, fear of failure, fear of rejection and ridicule

I see strength and gentleness, together and at war
hope, joy and optimism together with
depression, fear and failure.

Who are you really?
Wonderfully and creatively made, a child of the King
precious, irreplaceable and incredible

Jonathan means gift from God
that's why we chose your name
You are my gift and I will do all I can to protect you
encourage you and provide opportunity for you to become the gift
God intends for you to be.

He has a plan, he gave you your abilities and interests, he sees your
pain and struggles and loves you completely
Where you are, as you are and
as you can be

My heart breaks with you and for you,
when I see you struggle, when I see you hurt

I love you, I am praying for you
Jonathan, my gift

My Mom

I wish I had the words and ability to tell you how much my mom means to me and how much I admire and respect her.

Unique, real, genuine
family is first
my champion, defender, cheerleader
encourager

sees my potential, knows my faults
and weaknesses but loves fully
hurts for me and with me
loves to see me succeed and acheive
(for my sake, not hers)

there is no agenda
there are no strings
just freedom to be, to try, to fail
and to keep going

there was no judgement when I reached the end
just an arm and a shoulder to cry on
and the words "I think you're amazing"

I think you are amazing, mom
Thank you.

Home Owner!!!

Well its official. I now own my own home. I got the keys on Friday and Jon and I spent some time wandering through, talking about possibilities, making lists and picking apples off my trees. I made a delicious apple crumble with them today. If anyone has good crab apple recipes. I have a ton of those to pick as well.

It has been an interesting journey this summer as I applied for and gathered all the necessary information for my first mortage. God has been very gracious. This is something I've wanted and dreamed of for many years now and it has happened way earlier than I ever imagined!

I will be posting some pictures soon but Brad had my camera for school and I forgot to get it back from him! Next weekend the kids and I are going to spend 3 days working in the yard and ripping up brown shag carpeting. Amy discovered that the carpet was covering hard wood floors, yeah! The "jungle" bathroom will be gutted and redone first. Then Garron has free reign to renovate to his hearts content. He'll never be bored! Mark and Mae want to come visit for a few weeks and give some advice? Blog at you all soon.

Ocean's first day of School

The school now has all three Keatley kids attending! nothing like when all James or Pawluks take over a place but we make an impression! Ocean's first day was great. The face she has on in the first photo is how she looks whenever she sees me in the hall. But her teacher assures me that in class she is great and doesn't even ask about me.

I am in the very next classroom and try to keep out of sight. 

Jake

Jon's dog, my loyal companion. He loves to walk, I love to walk. He's quiet and a good listener. He keeps my feet warm in bed. Last night we watched the northern lights together on the balcony. Jake is a good friend!

His only fault is his week stomach which presents me with very smelly, yucky piles to clean up once in a while.
 

Giuseppe

These are some self portraits. Giuseppe was using the camera on the way home from Calaway. As you can see he is not as shy as Jon! For those of you who didn't get a chance to meet him, this is a fellow bin builder and friend of Jon and Sara's. He's a great teacher, fun to be around and great with the kids. Ocean and Sierra are fighting over who gets to marry him in 15 years. Doubt he'll still be available!

We are looking forward to hearing about his skate boarding adventures in Ecuador and wherever else he may travel. He has been adopted into my family as an honorary son.

for those that keep up with the Dorion rumours, maybe this is the boy I gave birth to in England?!! Doesn't really look like Rick but.....

for those out of the loop...just kidding!

Calaway Park

Amy, Journey,Solomon,Myself, Jon K. and Giuseppe all went to Calaway on Labour Day. It was gorgeous and sunny. Amy and I took turns on this ride(called the Storm)this car spins around in the air and upside down..no seat belts! But it is surprisingly gentle and relaxing (if you close your eyes. The highlight for Journey was the flavoured ice and even Solomon had a good time (until the end) Jon and Giuseppe got me up on the roller coaster and I loved it. Would have gone again but the line was soooo long. Sorry I didn't get pictures of them but they were off on their own most of the time. My Jon is elusive. 

Fire and smoke

That's a lot of candles! They managed to get all 36 on there. Next year I'll need a bigger cake!

I love living near my two sisters. They have been my saving graces during these past 3 years. They are my sounding boards, champions, court jesters and voices of sanity when I need it most. Thank you Sara and Amy. I love you guys.