Stones

SO....stones grow, or maybe you weren't told that as a child. I am blessed to have two uncles on my mom's side of the family, and as a child we spent quite a bit of time at the Schwartzentruber family farm. And I was told by one of my uncles, I cannot remember which one, that rocks grew. And for 20 years, I believed them.

It wasn't until after Wayne & I were married that I found out I had been lied to. Of course we (Wayne & I) were picking rocks from the field one day and I randomly commented that we should pick up all the little ones, so they do not grow bigger the next year and thus save ourselves time next year. Well...... first he laughed then he told me that rocks do not grow. We had a HUGE heated argument, because we both believed that we were in the right.

Now I can look back at that and laugh, but at the time I was quite upset. I really thought I was right and rocks did in fact grow.

Recently there was an article in the Rural Voice (March 2007) about stones. Here is a direct quote "Stones multiply and grow. It is not known exactly how, but it you leave a stone long enough it might become a boulder. Stones are probably male & female - the male stones would be the darker heavier ones and the female stones the sparklier pretty ones. How they mate is not known for sure."

So I show this article to my husband and declare "HA, I was right!" with a mischievous grin on my face, Wayne was disputing the article left, right & center, until he realized that I was spoofing him.

But in all sincerity, I really do like rocks. In fact I "plant" them all around in my flower beds instead of flowers. Who knows maybe next year there might be a few more!

Blessings

Family

The Kaufman grandchildren.

This photo was taken last year (2006) as our family went camping with my sister, her husband and their four boys. My mom & dad came along as well. We have SO much fun, spending time together.

My mom & dad are blessed with seven grandchildren, only 1 girl, with all those boys, but Krystle is right in there when it is time to play hockey, soccer and whatever they come up with to do. And since Gerard is able to come to family dinners it makes the teams even! LOL

My sister came up yesterday, the kids had a P.A. Day, so we were able to get together, her boys wanted to meet Ace, and of course play the X-box that we have. It was wonderful to sit and visit and get caught up on our very busy lives.

Growing up, Becky & I didn't always see eye to eye on a lot things, and I am sure many of you can agree with me, that it's not until you grow up, do you realize how important family actually is. As we chatted about this and that and probably everything else, I realized just how special it is to have a sister. I am sorry to those of you who do not have a biological sister, but you can still have a sister. Once you are in the family of God, you have many brothers & sisters in Christ.

I have been blessed to get to know so many women through the Heart to Heart program that runs for 9 weeks during the spring and Fall at our church. I think it's important to have women friendships. Our husbands are wonderful, but they do not quite fill that place in our hearts. I mean who other than another women can truly understand the myriad of emotions we go through as our kids graduate (kindergarten, GR 8, highschool, gulp college) OK I am not ready for that one yet! LOL

Life it too short not to invest the time into another's life.

Thank you to those of you who have invested in my life.......You know who you are

Young Love

Young Love!

Oh how sweet it is. Krystle and Gerard have been dating for almost 2 years. WOW! I can hardly believe that it's been that long already. way to go guys!

Gosh, am I really old enough to have a daughter who's dating? No comments from the peanut gallery either. LOL

It has been alot of fun to watch their relationship develop. I mean they kind of knew each other all their lives, going to the same church, seeing each other at Sunday school, junior youth and then into senior youth. It wasn't until the end of Krystle's senior highschool year that they started to date.

It's very exciting for me as a mom to watch our kids grow up. It's hard though too, because as they are getting older, they are becoming more their own person and not an extension of me. I guess that's a good sign. To really do our job as parents well, we put ourselves out of a job.

It's so hard to imagine that when I was Krystle's age I was married, I had her and was expecting the next one. My how times have changed. She is working on getting her Bachelors of Religious Education Professional: Human Services. One year down, three more to go. Gerard plans to do an apprenticeship with Manufacturing. I am not 100% sure what that really means, but I do know that he was able to do a placement with the highschool co-op program.

Well I've become very nostalgic with this post, but hey, it is MY blog, so I guess I can post whatever I want.

On one last note let me just say, how proud I am of who she has become. She has an unwavering faith, strong values & morals, and is confident in who she is in Christ. Love ya Krys!

Blessings

Proud Papa

Doesn't Kyle look like a proud papa?

Meet the newest member of our family. A little border collie puppy named Ace. Kyle bought him from his good buddy Gerard, whose female had a litter early January of this year.

Kyle sure was excited to get him and we've all been having a lot of fun with this little bundle of fur.

Can you imagine just how excited he will get when he really becomes a dad?

I can get excited thinking about the whole grandparenting thing. Although I can wait till my kids are married and set up in their own houses. But just think about it. You get to be the fun person, no more the disciplinarian.

Wayne & I have been having fun keeping some friends' children. I know they must think we're nuts cause we keep asking "when can we come again to keep your kids". But it's one of those things that once you no longer have it you realize how much you miss it.

I had read my dear friend Melanie's blog about how fast kids grow up and to enjoy each season that you have with them. Try not to push them to far to fast and neither look back regretting the past. Wise words! Thanks Mel!

As my kids have gotten older and have become more and more independent from Wayne & I, I've realized how fast time has a way of slipping by. I really love the stage we're at. It's a bit of empty nest that Wayne & I can go out, have a date, with no worries about a babysitter, but we still have kids coming and going. I am not quite ready for the complete empty nest. Thank goodness each season slowly happens.

The Apprentice

On Saturday, I helped my cousin Sandra with a wedding. It is her second of a very busy season, she has 22 weddings booked so far! This is my third year helping, and I LOVE it. I remember my very first wedding that I had helped with, I was SO nervous. I am amazed at Sandra, she has a such gentle way with people. Helping them to relax, have some fun and she gets GREAT photos in the meantime.

I have become much more confident as I wander about the day with a camera around neck. Taking random & portrait photos. I usually only take side shots, but it gives the couple more selection to choose from.

We met up with Holly & Drew at Hessenland, what a beautiful couple. They had their ceremony and dinner all at the coach house. It was such a fun day. A little cool for outdoor photos, but that just meant that we had to be a little more creative with where to take the photos, so nobody would freeze.

With my work schedule I had agreed to help with one wedding a month, but after Saturday and having SO much fun, I can hardly wait till the next one.

Blessings

Routine

Well, life has gotten right back into routine. With Darcy to school, Wayne back to busing, and Kyle back to work at Ice Culture's. This is such a cool (pun intended) company. They make sculptures out of blocks if ice. They have made such unique things, like a Toyota corolla to scale, a complete bar out of ice, mazes (life size), dolphins for table centres like this one. Kyle was so fortunate to graduate from highschool last June (2006) and in the fall to walk into full-time year round work. What a blessing! He decided not to pursue further education as of yet, but to make some money. His 18th birthday was quite a milestone. He bought a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, got his G2 exit license, and landed a job. Pretty good for one week. He's becoming such an independent lad, I am so proud of him. I am very proud of all my kids. They each have their own unique qualities.

It is a very interesting time for Wayne & I as we are raising (?) our three kids. I question that because we have a 19, 18 & 16 year old. I mean how much parenting do will still do. I know we are still the parents, but it has changed SO much. No longer are we the disciplinarian, but more a confidant, someone to talk with, give advice and let them make their decisions. Some days it's alot harder to let them make their choices and allow them the consequences. Actually most days it is. After all I just want to protect my kids from harm. I thought parenting would get easier once they are older. But it's hard to let them go. Maybe you never really do as a mom, you just lengthen the strings. But I am getting better.

I would have never thought that I would be okay with my daughter living away from home for most of the year as she attends Heritage College & Seminary living in residence. This is almost the end of her second year. The first year, my dear friend Ruth & I were bemoaning the fact that our daughter's were leaving for post secondary school and living in residence. We thought for sure we would have never survived with them being gone, but now it's another year later. And I'm okay.

To everything there is a season and a time for every activity under heaven. I need to focus on the fact that this is just another season in my life. To enjoy it, embrace it and look forward to the next one.

Blessings

Their B A-A-A-CK

Yeah!!
Their home. Wayne & Kyle arrived at 5:30 AM. I was not able to wait up, but I did hear them come into the house. They were really trying to be quiet, but I was so excited to see them, that I slept very lightly. They were very tired to say the least.

I am so very thankful that they came home safe. Wayne was supposed to call while they were away, not for any particular reason, just to say hey. But when he didn't call, my over-active imagination started to get the better of me and I was imagining all the worst case scenarios. I was really trying not to get to freaked out, it was just so uncharacteristic of Wayne not to follow through with what he said he would do. I found out though, that with all the instructions in Spanish, Wayne couldn't quite figure out how to place a call.

Then yesterday in church, we sang the song "Because He Lives". One of the lines in it is 'because He lives I can face tomorrow'. Pastor Phil commented that no matter what happens in our lives the good, the bad, we can face tomorrow because Jesus lives on. Well...... then I started to get all freaked out, what if something bad were to happen to Wayne & Kyle, could I face tomorrow? I cannot imagine how people can manage through their struggles or trials without the strength of God.
Dear friends of ours lost their Dad, what an example these dear people are to me, they are living proof of the strength that God gives with how they are able to cope with this loss. Sure they are grieving, but what a peace they have around them.

So as you can imagine I was VERY happy to have my boys come home.
I left for work this morning leaving Kyle & Wayne in bed catching a few ZZZ"s, and I look forward to hearing all about their time together.

Krystle and I enjoyed our time together this weekend as well. We were able to enjoy supper at Aunt Gussies' on Saturday and we shared the Easter breakfast at church on Sunday. But we didn't get any baking or card making crafts done. Oh well, maybe next time. She has a very busy social life. Which is actually a good thing. I do not begrudge her to have time to be with other friends & other's family. (wink wink)
She headed back to school today, she's become such an independent girl, I mean women. It's so hard to realize that my little girl is pretty well grown up. Where did the time go?
I was able to sneak a few treats into carry-on bag, so when she unpacks she'll know that I am thinking of her.

I'm looking forward to getting back into routine, I couldn't believe how out of sync I got with Wayne away.
But I did manage to get quite a few books read, I'm still reading through the Poison Wood Bible, & Fresh-Brewed Life and of course Queen of the Castle.

Blessings

Week's end

Whew!! The weekend, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it or not. It's seems like I've lived a lifetime in the past seven days.

Each day seemed to drag slowly by, I am sure it went by quite fast for Wayne & Kyle, they only have one more day to enjoy the warm weather. Won't they be for a shock when they come home?

Today I was able to meet up with my sister in Stratford and we spent most of the day together, chatting, and catching up with each other. After we found each other. LOL We planned to meet each other at Tim Horton's on Erie St., and so I get there and was surprised that Becky was not already there. So I got a cup of tea and waited. Well after 45 minutes, I called her husband to find out where she was, only to discover that she was waiting for me at Tim Horton's on Huron St. She too was wondering that I wasn't there yet. It would be alot easier if Stratford didn't have 4 Tim Horton's.

Once we finally found each other, we wasted no time in catching up. It has been ages since I've seen her. It was a very good day, and it sure helped pass the time. I popped over to see my mom & dad, they had just returned from Florida, it was nice to chat with them before I had to get home to take Darcy to work. I haven't seen my parents since my Dad's 65 birthday party, which was in February.

I have plans to go out for dinner with Krystle tonight, just the two of us. Darcy is working, so it will be nice to spend some time just us girls. To chat and catch up on her very busy life as a student. Like I said before, the whole cooking thing for two people just isn't fun, and I might as well enjoy going out, after all Wayne & Kyle are sure getting their share of restaurants.

Blessings

Halfway

Well, I am halfway there. Only three more days and then they come home.

They don't fly back till late, I mean LATE. Their flight from Cuba leaves late on Sunday night around 9:30pm, so they do not arrive to Toronto till 1:00 ish. Then the LONG drive home. Thank goodness it's a school holiday on Monday so Wayne does not have to be back to driving bus till Tuesday. Kyle booked an extra day off for holidays. I am sure they will be beat and probably sleep ALL day.

I've been managing pretty good on my own, but it's sure been hard with making meals. I must admit, I went out to eat with my w.h.a.t. ladies on Monday for supper. Darcy had badminton practice after school on Tuesday, so we brought Subway subs home for supper. Now last night I did make spaghetti & garlic bread, but I over-estimated how much two people actually eat. So needless to say we have leftovers.

I certainly can understand how empty nesters, like my mom & dad go out to eat on weekends. It's just not as fun cooking for only two people. In fact, Wayne and I are starting to get a taste of it. With Krystle away at school, Kyle doing his thing on weekends and Darcy works on most weekends, Wayne & I eat out at least once if not twice on weekends.

Krystle is coming home this weekend, it's been a couple of weeks since she's been home. I sure miss her!! By the end of this month she'll be moving back home for the summer, and working at two jobs Hessenland and Huron Ridge Acres. That will keep her busy. And before we know it, she'll be back at Heritage College & Seminary in the fall for another year.

But before I get to ahead of myself, I need to focus on this weekend. I'm hoping we can spend some time baking together, and making cards. It is so much more fun, to do it with someone. She has a natural creativeness to her and she gives me such inspiration.

We are not able to get together with my extended family for Easter, since Wayne & Kyle will not be back, and Darcy is scheduled to work, he's at The Little Inn of Bayfield. Just a dishwasher, but hey it's job and the pays not too shabby either. So dinner has been post-poned till the following Sunday. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. Mom & Dad, and Becky (my sister) and her family were in Florida for a holiday, so I haven't seen anyone in quite a while. Barry (my brother) lives a bit of a distance from me, so we usually only get together, when the whole family does. Plus mom is making dinner, turkey, dressing, the works mmhmm. Somehow it's always better when someone else cooks it. That doesn't seem to be fair to my mom, but..........

Blessings

Two down

Two down and five to go.....
But I am managing on my own quite well.
Today went even better than yesterday, with Heart to Heart at church it made the morning just fly by. I am able to take some time out of my day and visit during the coffee time with the other ladies that come to church. It is such a wonderful program that is offered.
During the first hour is the study time, then a half hour break for refreshments and fellowship. The second hour is creative or craft time. The committee comes up with great books to study and amazing craft centres. They average anywhere from 50-65 ladies each day. That does not even count for the children that are there.
It was wonderful to catch up with a few friends.
One in particular is Sandra my cousin whom I have had the opportunity to "help" her with her photography business. Last year I helped her with about a dozen weddings. I first started with just carrying the bags and running (literally) to & from the vehicle to get whatever she needed. But as I continued, I was entrusted with her camera and started to take pictures, not the important ones mind you, but back shots, shots of the side when everyone was focused on her. I was so excited when I found out one of the couples bought one of my shots for their album. Not bad for the apprentice. I had so much fun last year, I asked Sandra if I can help out again this year. I am so looking forward to it.
Blessings

Day One

One down and seven to go.
I was surprized actually at how today has gone so quickly. I knew that once I got off to work and was able to get my mind off of them being gone, it wouldn't be so bad.

Last night though...... I made the mistake of watching a sad movie, which I didn't know was sad until the end. It's "The Guardian" with Kevin Costner & Ashton Kutcher. WOW!! Very good story.
It's about the United States Coast Guard rescue swimmers and the training process to become one. Unfortunately one of them dies (won't spoil it for you) hence the title the guardian.
It made me real sad, and then of course I started to think what if something happened to Wayne & Kyle and that started me crying. Then there is the whole HUGE bed thing. I am sure there are those of you who would love to have the whole bed to yourself some night, but not me. After 20 years I am very used to being bed with him.
ok, ok new topic

I was able to finish reading Black Ice, and have started False Witness, it's another fiction book, fairly easy to read, so I should be done in a couple days.
Since it turned out so nice yesterday I was able to go for a walk, it was so warm I felt like walking forever, I did however walk 4 miles. With the nice weather it makes it easier to walk farther, than in the midst of winter. Plus I have convinced Lorraine to become my walking partner. It makes the time go by so much faster if you have someone to walk with. Plus it's a good way for us to catch up with other. I am so excited that the warmer weather is coming, some days not fast enough.

Tonight our w.h.a.t group is meeting for supper, we're heading off to Aunt Gussie's in Grand Bend, if you've never been there it is a definite must try. Very good food, nice atmosphere.
The w.h.a.t. group is an acronym (Women's Hearts Always Together) and it is for any women at any age at any stage in her life to get together with other women and just develop friendships and support each other through prayer and helping where needed.
It's something that God laid on my heart last summer for women who cannot come to Heart to Heart which is another ladies group at our church held during the day.
Right now the group is full, the book (Queen of the Castle) we're doing is a year long, so after that we'll see where God takes us. A couple of options are starting another group to coincide with this one, or divide this group into 2 or 3 groups and start multiplying. We'll just have to wait and see.
Blessings

They're off!!

Wayne & Kyle left around 10:30 am to head off to Toronto for their trip to Cuba. Talk about excited!! Neither one of them usually get too excited about anything, but today.....
At first Wayne thought they would leave around noon, that would give them plenty of time to get there. But the excitment won over and they left around 10:30, this way they could grab a McD's before leaving Canada and still have oodles of time to sit & wait in the airport.
Their flight leaves at 5:30 pm, they arrive in Cuba around 10:30 ish I think. It's going to be a long day of travelling for them.
It was a very bittersweet good-bye.

So, now it's just me & Darcy. It'll be mostly movie watching today since the weather is not the nicest for walking. Hopefully the day will pass quickly.

Plus I plan to get back to some reading that I've gotten away from. I have a few books on the go......Fresh-Brewed Life, Poison Wood Bible, Shape, Queen of the Castle & Black Ice.
It's only 5, and since they are not all fiction it's quite easy to keep it all straight.

Fresh-Brewed Life I have read once before and it's definitely one of those to read again, I am sure I'll even more out it the second time around.

Poison Wood Bible is not an actual bible but a fictional account of missionaries over in Afica before the world war, it's a thick book and a heavier read, so I am slowly working at that.

Shape is non-fiction book that talks about the shape you are made, not your physical shape but your spiritual shape and how God has created you and made you for His purpose, This book helps you figure it all out.

Queen of the Castle is the book our w.h.a.t group has chosen to read. It's one chapter a week so not a heavy read and we get together once a week to discuss it and enjoy the friendship of our group,

Black Ice is a fiction read that I am doing for pure relaxation.

As you can tell I love to read, and since I cannot walk today, I guess I'll enjoy finishing a few of these before I start a whole new set.
I usually have anywhere form 3-5 books on the go. You know how it is, somedays I need to be inspired and other days I just want to fantasize away. So it's a nice mix.
Blessings