Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you all survived this year's holiday season. I know I did. To make a long story short, I over baked the pies (by 1 hour). No, there was no smoke and in fact they still look pretty good. I forgot to plug in the crock pot with the ham. We survived one of Nicole's freak outs (she did lose tv previleges for the week). However, all being said, dinner was esquisite; the children hauled it in; and nobody was murdered.

This Christmas has taught me a lot about control. I don't have any. I need to rely on God for control and let his will be done. I need to relax and not sweat the small stuff. I will remember this for New Year's Eve......we will be at the in-laws.

A friend sent this to me today, I wanted to share it with everyone. Happy Mother's Day!!


Being a Mother

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby
....somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal is history

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct
.... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring
.... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good"
...somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices
....somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother
....somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first
....somebody doesn't have two children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books
....somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery
....somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the
first day of kindergarten
.... or on a plane headed for military "boot camp".

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back
...somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell
cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married
....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home
....somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her
....somebody isn't a mother.

Have you watched the View lately? Are you as tired as I am with hearing Rosie, on a daily basis, complaining about Bush and the War in Iraq? I know I am. WE GET THE POINT ROSIE YOU DON'T LIKE BUSH AND HATE THE WAR!. Every time I watch the View there is a 15 minute tirade on this one subject alone. I'm surprised they have time to interview anybody on that show. A Hot Topic to me is - millions dieing in Africa of AIDS or what about the situation with poor in North America or something new in the daily news. I agree I'm not a big Fan of Bush. I disagreed with going into Iraq. But do I need to hear about it on a daily basis.

I know most of you will say then don't watch the View. Yes, I have stopped. I've been watching more CNN/CTV News World. No, I don't watch the CBC news (can't stand one sided point of view).

Let me know what you're hot topics are. I'm interested.

I can't believe how one year can go buy so quickly. Last year this time, I was dreading going back to work as a day home provider, enjoying my new baby and little girl. I loved my house, loved my neighbours and thought we'd live in Okotoks until retirement.

Fast Fwd 1 year- I have a spoilt/jealous 4 year old and a 1 year old who will not wean. We now live in Saskatoon. I'm not sure about my neighbours or neighbourhood (we have officially realized that we live in the "Hood"). I am impatient about moving into my new house in Osler. We are all frustrated with our cramped living quarters. I know that I should be grateful for what I have, when 90% of the Planet would love to live in my shoes. However, I am a sinful person who wants more.

I am trusting that God has a purpose and a plan for the Slomps in Saskatoon/Osler. I feel that there is something that he is leading me to, I just haven't found it yet. I know that God wants us to be here. I also know that Satan is around in the crooks and crannies reminding us what we used to have and what we don't have now. When we are weak and vulnerable (especially with 2 nightly feedings) we are susceptible to those lies. Trust........a word I struggle with, yet I know once I let go there is peace.

By the way, I made the cake. See what is possible with a cake mix, some icing and 5 ding dongs.

So, we have arrived in Saskatoon and within 1 month have purchased a house in Osler (20 minutes from town). Moving day is June 25, 2007. I'm excited and scared. Leroy is apprehensive about the house as he was not here when I put in the offer. However, I trust in God that this is the house he wants for us as I prayed quite heavily over the listing agreement and the MLS site. For those who don't know, the house was already conditionally sold when I viewed it, but the condition was the sale of the buyers home. Yet again, the Slomps bump someone else's offer. We are getting quite good at that.

The house is 4 bdrm, 2 bath. It is 1138 sq ft with the lot being 100 x 104. The backyard is quite large and has a swing set and a playhouse. I know that Nic is going to love it. Thomas is the only one who will know no other house but the one we are buying.

The move to Saskatoon is turning out to be great. The people out here are very friendly and helpful. I have joined a moms group at the local Alliance church. We are studying 10 Things Women Should Know. We attend story time at the main branch and Nicole is thrilled by it.

After trying out a few churches, we have finally made it to the local CRC. It was really weird but we both agreed it was like coming home. We met a couple immediately who will only be living 5 minutes from our new house. As well, the congregation here is moving to 5 minutes south from our house. I really want to jump right in and get involved, but Leroy is holding me back. Which is a good thing. I really want God to lead me to the ministries he sees me in, not ones I think I should be involved in.

Anyway, hopefully now that we are settling in, I will be able to keep up my blog on a regular basis.

I know it has been a while since I have "blogged" or as my husband would say "whined." We have finally sold our home (isn't it nice) and are moving to Saskatchewan in a few weeks.

I'm nervous and excited, sad and happy, all at the same time. I am a true Gemini. We do not have a house to move into yet. My dh is looking for one this week. I hope that we can get a good deal on a house. If not we will be living in a "van down by the river." Who knew when that saying became popular that minivans would be almost like home anyway (built in a/c, dvd, surround sound, etc...)

I have a tonne of work to do to get ready for the move. I don't know where to start. I need boxes, cleaners and cheap labour. My friends are ready to lend a hand, however, my dh asked me when did they become our slaves.

Oh well, everything will turn out.......at least that's what everyone is telling me!