Happy Birthday Brittany

Our darling youngest daughter, Brittany, celebrated her 14th birthday last week. While she was fighting the flu.

Her actual birthday was the 28th and she did not feel well that day. When she went to bed at night, she sadly told me that 'today did not feel like her birthday'. So, I decided that we would alter the calendar at our house. We would repeat the 28th the next day.

The next morning, I woke Brittany up, and greeted her with a 'Happy Birthday'. She smiled and was happy to 'play along'.

After school, I hugged her and asked her how her birthday was at school.

Once we arrived at home, I baked Brittany's favourite chocolate cake. Decorated with balloons and a banner.

We did a family supper at her favourite Chinese restaurant. And then cake and presents at home.

Meh!

My least favourite expression: 'Meh.'

I was first introduced to this expression at Youth Convention this year. Some of the teenagers were using this new slang. In answer to how they were doing, they would say "meh". Or, if you asked them a 'yes' or 'no' question - they would answer... well, you know. 'Meh'.

I've grown to strongly dislike this phrase - Okay, I really hate it. And of course since I've voiced my opinion to my two teenagers - their enthusiasm to use it has grown. They love any opportunity to answer me with "meh". And then they watch and wait...for my reaction.

Sometimes I play it up and give them the reaction they're looking for. And sometimes I decide to completely not react at all.

I guess you could say that I feel 'meh' about the word MEH.

Fall Drive in the County

Mark & I took Jonathan & Brittany for a drive in the County on Thanksgiving Weekend.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I received a forwarded email on Friday. It included a recipe that was supposedly sent because a woman had visited a large department store and had been charged a large amount of money for a recipe that she thought was only costing her a few dollars.

Whether or not the email was true, I tried the recipe and the cookies are really good.


1 cup butter
350 g chocolate chips
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1 cup Grated Cadbury chocolate
2 1/2 cups oats
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (optional)
Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add chocolate chips, grated Chocolate and nuts. Roll into balls, and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees (180 C).

Twilight

Twilight is a novel that has developed into a series, written by Stephenie Meyer. I've discovered that the Twilight series has become a controversial subject amongst Christians.

Sue over at Praise and Coffee posted some questions looking for input from fellow Christians to hear their views on this novel.

I wasn't aware of the book until the movie had come out to theatres last fall. I saw the posters and immediately decided that this movie would most likely not be something I would want my 13 year-old daughter to see.

My daughter had heard all about Twilight - most of her friends at school were reading the books. She wanted to see the movie but I wasn't sure about it.

My older teenage son, works in the office at our movie theatre. He came home and told me that the movie wasn't anything to be worried about, that it was merely just a love story.

I conceded and allowed my daughter to see Twilight at the movie theatre. She is knowledgeable enough to know what is or isn't appropriate in a PG movie. After watching the movie, she agreed with her brother's recommendation.

I then allowed her to read the novel.

As the book was continuing to gain popularity, I had adult friends tell me that they had read Twilight - and enjoyed it very much. My adult girlfriends were devouring this new series and talking about it as much as the teenage girls were.

I don't often read a lot of fiction, but now and then I crave a good fiction book. Just as I enjoy being entertained by a good movie, my love for books will include some fiction entertainment. I'm very careful, though, with what I will allow to consume my time and thoughts.

This summer, as I was getting ready to start my holidays, I began to look for a fiction novel that might grab my interest during afternoons laying by my pool or while relaxing at the beach. It was very challenging. I bought two books and subsequently returned them.

I resorted to looking through my daughter's bookshelf. On a Friday afternoon at the beach, I brought along her Twilight novel. Two days later, on the Sunday afternoon, I finished that same novel. I couldn't put it down. It was very well written. I enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's writing style and admired her creativity.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments.

Grapes on the Vine

I took this picture at a vineyard that I visited in Kelowna, BC this summer.

Do you need to change?

Sometimes it happens this way. Something causes a change. Could be something good, could be something bad. But whatever it is, it might have been necessary in order for the change to take place.

I heard a Pastor say, that you cannot stay the same. If you're not progressing and building up your faith, then you're allowing yourself to lose faith. You must be continually building up your faith.

What will cause you to Change? What will cause you to 'wake-up'?

Celebrating our Children

Two of our children recently graduated. Jonathan from grade twelve and Brittany from grade eight.

We celebrated as a family last weekend at our favourite restaurant; Lone Star. (Lone Star in the U.S. is not the the same as the one in Canada - our Canadian version is much better.)

We had a wonderful afternoon sitting on the patio, enjoying each others company and eating delicious food.

Brittany, Jonathan and Sarah

Mark and Brittany

Jonathan and me

Sarah

fixin's for fajitas (yum!)

Jonathan's steak sandwich

Jonathan's Grade Twelve Graduation

Our son Jonathan graduated from high school last night. He received an Arts Specialist certificate along with his Ontario Scholar certificate. We are so very proud of him.

Jonathan and Mark

Jonathan and I

Jonathan and his sisters.

The whole family.

Jonathan and his buddies that he graduated with.

The boys and their moms.

Brittany's Paparazzi

I wanted to be sure to get LOTS of pictures of Brittany at her graduation. Eventually, however, she didn't really like the fact that her own personal paparazzi wouldn't leave her alone. But she was a good sport, and decided to play along and just ham it up for the camera.

Brittany's Grade 8 Graduation

Our school system here consists of elementary school ( junior & senior kindergarten, grades one thru eight) and secondary school (grades nine thru twelve).  We have two graduation ceremonies, one from grade 8 before students enter high school and another from grade twelve, when they receive their high school diploma.

This weekend our youngest child, Brittany graduated from grade eight.  It was a very exciting day preparing and a fun evening of celebrating.

Brittany's grade eight graduation was the same day as Jonathan's grade twelve prom. So, we were able to get some great pictures with both of them all dressed up.

The whole family.

Jonathan & Brittany

Our three children all together.

Brittany enjoying the attention.

Mark & I with our baby girl.

It's official - she has the certificate to prove it!

Daddy - Daughter dance.

The up-do. 

I knew she'd want a picture of the back, even if she said she didn't.

Brittany & Sarah

I captured another shot of the up-do.  After spending the money, lots of pictures were in order.

She's thinking her paparazzi mother is a little much.

Waving good-bye as the students are bused off to their grad dance.

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day to my husband!  Wonderful Father to our three children.  

I love you!

Mark & Sarah

Mark & Jonathan

Mark & Brittany

Jonathan's Prom

My 17 year old son, Jonathan, attended his grade twelve prom last evening.

Jonathan along with Mark & I.

Jonathan and his prom date, Kelsey.

Monday Night with Jonathan

I had a very enjoyable evening with my son.

We went to the men's store and ordered his tuxedo for prom and then he took me to the movies.

Tonight was the night that we saw Wolverine. It was a really great movie. (I felt bad that my husband didn't come, because I know he'd love it. But not bad enough to give up one-on-one time with Jonathan.)

I have so much fun with my son. He makes me laugh so hard. Sometimes too hard. Sometimes my stomach hurts. But it's worth it. He's such a great kid. I love you Jonathan. Thanks for tonight. Thanks for all the one-on-one times.

X Men

Last weekend when we were at Youth Convention we had a really great speaker, Robert Madu. One of the best speakers we've had.

In his last message he referenced Super Heroes and stated that his favourite Super Hero is Wolverine; one of the X Men.



When we came home Sunday night, Mark & Jonathan headed out to the movies. While I was home I decided to watch X Men. I wanted to know what Robert was talking about and how this compared to Christianity. I found one of our dvds; X Men The Last Stand. Without realizing it I watched the third movie first. The men in my home shook their heads and rolled their eyes when I told them what I had done.

Jonathan took it upon himself to educate me. He went out and purchased the first two movies in the series. We've watched the first one and tonight we'll be watching the second. Then I'll be all caught up.

He is planning to take me to the movies tomorrow evening so that we can see Wolverine together. My friend Juls thinks that Wolverine is the greatest. I'll soon know for myself.

If you're educated on X Men let me know what you think about the parallels to Christianity. Soon I'll be able to make an informed opinion. But, at the very least I'm enjoying some bonding time with my son. Something I always welcome!

Girls Night

Time spent with girlfriends is so very important.

A little while back when we were out bowling with our Youth Group, one of our leaders suggested that we have a bowling night with some ladies-only. And we did. Tonight.

We had so very much fun. Thanks Juls for the wonderful idea!

First Sign of Summer

My first sign of summer...the opening of the pool!




And if this summer is anything like last year....at least we have this:

Love Dare Banquet

As I mentioned on a previous post here, our church did the book The Love Dare. Many couples participated and at the end of the 40 day Love-Dare we celebrated with a banquet followed with a renewal of vows.

Here are some of the pictures from our evening:

Tonight is Jack's Night

I have a date tonight with 'another man'. I see him once a week. Every Monday night to be precise. His name is Jack. Jack Bauer. You might have a weekly date with him too.

Tonight is the season finale of 24. A two-hour episode and I'm looking forward to it. I have mixed emotions. I want to see everything come together, however, I will once again miss seeing Jack each week and will have to wait until next season to see him again. Which is most likely not until January 2010.

My husband got me hooked and we watch 24 together every week. We have friends that usually come over as well to watch with us.

Cutipitootie (Brittany)

Our youngest daughter, Brittany, got a new haircut the other day.

I found some pictures that she took of herself to show of her new 'do'.