Facebook Fasting

This week I'm fasting from Facebook. To keep it simple, I simply deactivated my account. That way, no messages get sent to my phone...no emails etc. And I don't feel like I'm missing any messages (because they can't be sent) I just simply disappear from Facebook for 7 days. (When you sign in again, they reactivate your account, and everything is back like it was)

I often think that if I don't update my status, people will begin to wonder what's wrong with me. lol. But I've been 'gone' for 4 days, and only 2 people actually noticed. lol. I don't say that to say "poor me", in fact...the opposite. Life doesn't fall apart when you just step away and take a break. Quite often I feel the stress of that. "I can't NOT work today....I'll let people down!" Guess what? Its okay! You can take a break...and the world WILL keep spinning. And you won't implode. Nice to know. As a natural people-pleaser, it takes the pressure off.

I didn't think I spent a lot of time on Facebook, but since going off of it, I've decluttered my entire main floor. Its something that's been building up for a couple years. Books, papers, craft supplies, kid art, school letters...all kinda getting pushed into corners. Well, after some organization...the piles are gone. It looks pretty. It feels good. Perhaps the physical speaks of the spiritual. Decluttering is good. Sometimes you just need space from the things that are evoking a feeling of chaos. I'm pulling away from the things that are not bringing life, and pressing into the One who is.

And like I tell my kids...He's a good Father. Trustworthy and safe. So letting Him declutter my life is the way to go.

Here's to saying "so-long" to random piles!

2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I know, I know.

It's been a LONG time. Sorry about that. Facebook seems to have taken over. Any updates I make are done there. But I've had this blog for over a decade...so I don't want to abandon it. It serves as documentation of SO many awesome events!

How about some puppy pictures? Cookie has grown a bit!

His hair grows SO fast. It seems like I need to trim him every 2 weeks to keep him looking like this! Below is how he looked just before the above hair-cut.

He wanted me to throw this stuffed ball. I wanted a cute photo.

He was insistant and put the ball right up against the lens. He wins. :)

And of course my children. (Yes...I still have those!! haha. But they are even less willing to have their photo taken) But here are some:

Aila's school photo

Anneka on her way to school in October

Anneka before her youth group's Christmas Banquet

Aila and Jason at her school.

Life is busy to say the least! Jason is in flux with his career right now...(will post more when there is something firm to say) and Pear Creative is still growing. God has been so good, and we enjoy having some of our family so near by.

That's all for now....

Summer

We are half-way through the summer. It is hard to believe! Last night I studied the OCTranspo (bus) routes, trying to figure out how Anneka will be getting to school. I still can't figure out if students pay or not. (If so, it could be upwards of $600 a year just to get her to school!)

We had a nice get-away in Niagara Falls, Fallsview Waterpark and the African Lion Safari. I fell in love with elephants. I got close enough to touch one. Amazing!

Here are a few pics.

Our view of Niagara Falls from our hotel room

Eating dinner at The Keg. (We had no idea we'd have this spectacular view of the Falls!)

There was a dinasaur themed mini-golf course right beside the Nigara SkyWheel (ferris wheel)

Me and my girls (Niagara on the Lake)

Jason (Niagara on the Lake)

Jason and Anneka at The Rainforest Cafe

Aila (as we begun our journey at the African Lion Safari Zoo)

It's not everyday you get to see that!

The monkeys would hop on the cars and go for a little ride.

My favourite shot I took of the elephant Jason and the girls rode.

Jason and the girls on an elephant. I offered to take photos, tho I would have done it in a second!

Me and a goat. He was 'head butting' the cup I was holding

Thankfulness

I was talking to someone on the phone yesterday who was asking about the differences between Ottawa and Winnipeg. I was honest in that I found finding deep relationships so much harder here...that people are generally not as open as in Winnipeg. The person quickly said "Oh...if I had to choose, I'd pick relationships every time! I'd NEVER move from Winnipeg!"

I had to think about that. After all, it seems the more 'Christian' thing to say, doesn't it?

I had to think about what I've lost in moving here...losing church family with a tribe of people who share the same values and style of expression. That was HARD! Often I feel like an alien here.

But then I had to think about what I've gained. I have grown more emotionally than I ever thought possible. I'm definitely not the same person I was 5 years ago (Yes...its will be 5 years in August!) I have had to grow up in so many areas. And I'm thankful for the Lord gently bringing me into this place! Just because something is hard, doesn't mean it's not God. In fact, when it's hard, you cling more to Him. What better place to allow him to change you!

I'm so thankful for my job. Isn't it odd...that it took building a business to help me find what I feel I was meant for? I feel like ministry and worship leading was all training in walking in the spirit...that all makes me so successful in the design and marketing business. Weird huh? The ability to 'hear' a client, to 'feel' and connect with their heart...to give them something that communicates their heart visually to a buying market. It is SO much fun, and SO satisfying! I am so thankful for this amazing gift God has given. Thankful that I can do something I love, and be able to care for my family.

I was talking to my Mom (who moved with my Dad to Ottawa almost 2 years ago) and she was talking about how gorgeous this city is. I joked that it just doesn't get 'green' in the summer, but it gets 'fluffy'!! The slight humidity causes the trees to get so full and round...they all look so lush and green. The city looks like a park! There is so much beauty here. That is something we didn't have much of in Winnipeg, so we so appreciate having now.

When I moved here I was told that Ottawa has more parks than any other city. Its true. Within a 2-3 minute walk from our house, there are at least 3 parks with playgrounds, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields etc. Add a couple more minutes of walking, and there are even more parks. In Winnipeg, the only playgrounds we had access to were those in school yards. We are thankful for pretty parks to walk in, play in, bike through.

So yes, on a lovely morning as this one, I am so thankful to be here. And I wouldn't change this experience for anything. This is home now. I'm grateful for my pretty little house, my family (now close to me), for my healthy and delightfully quirky children, my job, this city and faithful & loving friends.

(ps...yesterday one of my authors referred to me as their "Cover Girl". I have to say that I very much enjoyed that title!! haha)

Summer

Ahhh...summer. I love it! I love the heat (well...mostly because we have A/C!), love the sun, love that you don't need to bundle up..(shorts and sandals!) and I love the lazy feeling. Before I die, its my dream to live in a place that has comfortable summer weather year-round. Like California....that would suit me just fine! :)

But back to summer: First, the girls are home...which means no waking up early to rush them out the door. Nice! Secondly, one of my major publishing contracts is closed for a 2 weeks summer break, so my days are much much slower. Again, nice!

We've kept Anneka busy with camps. First VBS, then an "arts" day-camp, and next week she's gone all week to sleep-away-camp at Ottawa Vally Pentecostoal Camp. This will be her second year going..but it still makes me nervous to think of her away for an entire week! She sure is growing up! And Aila, btw...refuses to attend any camps...saying "I'm away from you all day when I'm in school. When its summer...I just want to be with you!" How can you say 'no' to that?!

Last week I took Anneka to her first concert. We saw Taylor Swift, in Montreal...and it was AMAZING!! She and I drove out on Thursday to Montreal, went to the concert, stayed the night in a hotel, and then Jason and Aila joined us for the next day and night. (they took the train...which was a thrill for Aila!) Saturday was Aila's 8th birthday, so we made the trip into a birthday weekend for her.

Here are some photos!

A very happy Anneka, watches as Taylor Swift hits the stage!

Showing off her "Anneka Swift" t-shirt (Her face on TS's body!)

Aila checking out her ticket at the train station

Aila and Jason on the train

Anneka enjoying the pool!

Aila at Montreal's bio-dome. (See the alligator in the water?)

Being silly of course... hehe

Jason and I 

Aila's "Birthday Breakfast"

Anneka took this photo of me

Now we are off to see Anneka perform at her Arts Camp Finale Concert. I'm looking forward to it! She's singing a solo, is performing in a drama, and presenting some paintings she did. Then it's off to Ron and Lynne's to enjoy their pool, and have dinner.

Ahhh...summer. Love it!

book

I'm in awe of authors. Someone who can sit down, and not only create a story, but write it out in detail...developing characters, plot...page after page. Its something that takes not just weeks, but months...and sometimes years. I don't have the patience for that.

Yet, in my head, I've always wanted to write a book. About what? I don't know....something funny though. Something about my life. Maybe call it "How hard could it be?" Maybe I should just compile 11 years of this blog...take the funniest posts....about raising kids...being a Mom, losing weight, moving...stuff in my head. But who would read it if it's free on the internet? *lol* I mean....the book cover would be awesome right? haha. And I think I could even find a publisher :)

But do I have anything to say? Or rather, anything people would wanna read? Perhaps not. And yet, wouldn't it be fun?

Its definately something I'd like to do someday. I just need to figure out what to say. And then be dedicated and diciplined enough to see it through.

Good Days, Bad Days

So today is a tough day. What's that they say? "When it rains, it pours". Why is that? Why do all relational stress and drama happen on the same day?

To top it off...it's a slow work week. That leaves me with much-too-much free time on my hands to think. And there's only so many games of Bejewelled you can play before your hand cramps up. :)

My Mom and I were chatting earlier...and we were laughing saying "Life would be so much easier without all these people!!" Relationships are such a balance...we need them...desire them...and yet they take so much work! And then there are some that you are just confused by. Those that you don't really choose...but they are in your life anyway through association (like people you work with, friends of friends, or people in your children's lives etc)

So I'm tired today. Tired in my head, that is. It's cloudy too. That makes me even more 'blah' feeling.

Anneka is being teased at school. It really bothers me. She's being teased because of a friend she has. The friend isn't very popular. A little odd...not 'cool looking', nerdy etc. When I ask Anneka, she says "I just think B is a really nice person! We have alot in common....and I don't really care that other kids don't like B....I think he's nice"

I'm proud of her. That's my girl...not giving a rip what anyone else thinks. Not being swayed by the crowd. Except that now, kids are teasing Anneka. I finally called her teacher today...and the teacher confirmed that B is a sweet sweet kid....and that she will put an end to the bullying.

As a Mom...your kids' stresses become your stresses. Lord help me...not to pummel the bullies at school. (Tho I did make Anneka smile by offering to kick the living crap out of someone, if she wanted.)

She smiled and gave me a huge hug "*Um...no...but..thanks for the offer Mommy...."

New Office!

Well, after 5 years of running my own graphic design business, I finally have an office!

We took our guest room (sorry guests!) and made that space my office. (I used to work from a small corner desk in our master bedroom...blech!) So it was high time that I had a suitable work space.

I was able to buy all new furniture for it....and design it as I wished. It was so much fun! I always loved my job, but now I just wanna hang out in my office all the time...so I'm sad when I have no emails! I find myself wandering in, checking email after hours and on weekends on the off chance there is something that would warrant me getting to spend some time in there! Since my job is to be creative...I'm so happy to finally have a space that feeds my creativity.

Pictures:

Updates

Hello in here?

*eyes darting side to side*

I doubt anyone is still here, as I've been so neglectful with updating my blog. Darn Facebook. Those simple one-liner status updates have made us bloggers soooo lazy!

So where was I last time...

Oh yes. The invasion.

The invasion is complete. My parents moved here earlier this month, and are happy as they can be in their new place. My Mom is exploring the city, different stores, malls...and dragging a scooter-bound Ted along with her. Happy as clams, they are! They are acclimating in a way that I never thought possible. I am so very impressed! It's really something...they grow up so fast! So independent...hardly needing me anymore! (haha)

Jason's brother and his awesome wife moved here also...arriving last week. Nice house, cute couple, good BBQ skillz.

Ron and Lynne should be pulling into Ottawa with their herd of children anytime now. They're at a hotel downtown until their moving truck arrives. Hopefully it will take its time getting here, so they have some time to relax!

So there it is. I went from zero family to 9 family members in less than 3 weeks. Wowzers! Did I mention that my MIL (mother-in-law) is getting married in October, and moving to BC? Yup! Huge changes all-around!

Work is still growing, and I love love LOVE it! Business has gone up by 55% this year, for the second year in a row! God has been so good...so faithful! I'm in awe of His love for us...

I was just telling my MIL how when I was little, I used to carry a little black-patent briefcase that held my various 'fashion' drawings. I would design dresses and outfits, and then sign them with my imaginary "company name" The name? "Compute Designs"

Now, you must realize that back then, a computer was a lame machine that allowed you to play "Pong", or make simple pixelated programs. I remember someone telling me that it was impossible to design clothes on a computer....and I could see from the "pong" game on the screen that they were right...but I just had this thought that someday I would be able to do that. Design on a computer.

I never dreamt that it would be books, logos, marketing materials and company branding I would be designing. In fact, I didn't even know those things existed. (All I knew was clothing!) But I think that little dream I had as an eight-year-old was pretty prophetic. Somewhere in my head, I knew even then, that this would be something I'd love.

I went to Los Angeles in July to teach a 'book cover design' workshop! It was alot of fun, and they invited me to teach the workshop again in October, this time in San Diego! So exciting! Its my dream job....design, travel, and actual PEOPLE! (working from home, I never get to actually work with real live people. To meet new colleagues to talk 'shop' with, if just for a couple days...was so much fun!)

Jason won his fourth Presidents Cup Top Sales award at Friesens. I'm so proud of him! He has quite a collection of awards growing! He has also made huge healthy changes in his diet and fitness. He started running, and is now doing a 9-minute mile. So impressive! He also does yoga, strength training, and keeps snacks to a minimum. He's lost 20 pounds...and is still losing!

I'm running every day too. I had to stop for a long time, because I kept getting injuries. But we got a treadmill, and since then, I haven't had even ONE problem! So I'm able to run 30 minutes everyday again. I don't enjoy it, but I know it's good for me...and it's a commitment Jason and I have made. So we do it!

We still find Ottawa a challenging city to live in. Church, relationships...it hasn't been easy. And it continues to take alot of emotional effort to stay positive. But we know from the blessings, that God meant for us to be here...and we just have to keep that in mind as we learn what we can in the harder bits.

Okay...that was a long blog. But now you are caught up...

Flood

Not rain.
People!

It's official...

My entire family from Winnipeg is moving to Ottawa this summer!

My brother Ron was offered a job here, and accepted it! So they are in the process of selling their house. That would mean that 2 of us sibling are in Ottawa (Paul still being in North Carolina). That leaves my parents along in Winnipeg...with no kids, grand-kids, or care. It made sense to them to also make the move.

Its a weird feeling...to know that they will all be here. I was just adjusting to life away from family. Be it bad, or good...I was adjusting. Now they are all coming! It will mean a life change for me, since I will be the only person they know...and that will mean they will be dependent on me for alot. I feel the weight of that responsibility, but also the Lord's grace that He is just moving us all into a place of support in my parents' last years.

My parents are in their early and late 70's, and they'd have to look at selling their big 5 (+1) bedroom house soon enough...so this was a natural exit for them.

I took the job of looking at apartments for them here. My Mom had her heart set on a high-rise. If she was going to have to give up her garden, she wanted a nice view! Most of the apartments in their price range..no wait...ALL of the apartments in their price range were dumps. My heart would just sink when I went to look. I couldn't put my parents in a place like that. It was heart wrenching.

Then I had the idea that they'd get a nicer looking place if they rented a high-rise condo. Now, there aren't too many of those available...and many were also outdated, grungy, or just too pricey.

One day I found a listing for a place that had just been purchased by a couple, and totally renovated! New kitchen, appliances, flooring, fixtures...you name it. And the price? The same as some of the dumps I saw! I JUMPED on it! I went to see it, and almost cried at how lovely it was. And a VIEW!! Twenty-first floor...overlooking the river! It was a real fit for us (and the owner!)

The only downside is that they'll have to go a floor down to do laundry...and its 20 minutes away from us (actually, I did the drive in 17 min...but that's my driving. hehe)

So....anyone wanna buy a gorgeous house in Winnipeg?

Good Things

This has been a really good week.

Gosh...I wish I could talk more about my job! So much excitement! I have a couple very large new clients, and a possible lead that could mean some more steady work. That's all I can say. Darn!

I wake up every morning excited to work. Its been 5 years, and it hasn't diminished a bit! How amazing is that?? The reason this brings me so much joy, is that I remember when I taught music...how I'd wake up on days I had to teach...with a knot in my stomach. I dreaded it. I really disliked it. Now, I think I was good at it...but it didn't bring me joy. I didn't feel creative...I didn't feel like I was accomplishing anything in my day. It was all routine...always the same...and every Sunday night I knew that the next day I'd have to start again...and it physically made my stomach hurt.

It's because I've known that feeling that I can enjoy THIS feeling. Now...it doesn't mean I don't sometimes feel stress. I do! I actually get over-stressed quite easily...which is a good reason to be your own boss. I can take or not take as many clients as I wish....however, I think it's good to deal with the tough clients (instead of firing them!) because it develops good character. It's something that self-employed people easily skirt....not dealing with tough situations. As our own boss, we have the ability to simply leave the situation, and move on. But Jason has really taught me to stick it out, and learn to healthily manage stress. So some days are tough....you don't always make everyone happy. But I still love the work! (now...if I could do the work, without having to deal with the cranky PEOPLE....heh heh)

I've been asked to teach a design workshop in Los Angeles in July! Its very exciting, and at the same time makes my stomach flip with nerves. I know how to teach....i spent 12 years teaching complicated music theory to kids. To do that, you need to know how to break down concepts. So that's not what I worry about. What I worry about is WHAT to teach! I mean....I'm not trained in design. Never took a class, don't have a degree. I just 'feel' it. I feel what looks right, and feel what looks wrong. How on earth do you teach that?? Hmmm. I'll have to figure this out!

Anyway....good week. Love my job. Thanks Jesus!

Y

Hurray for Jay!

Jason was in Winnipeg on business last week. He took Anneka with him since we had some airmiles, and while he was in Altona for Friesens sales meetings, Anneka hung out with Oma! Aila and I stayed home in Ottawa, and had some fun of our own, just the two of us!

Since Jason was in Winnipeg, he took the opportunity to talk about Exodus Cry as well. He shared at Winnipeg Centre Vineyard on Sunday morning, at Sanctuary House of Prayer on Sunday evening, and even appeared on God Talk Radio. Monday night he held a seminar where he taught about Human Trafficking, and how the ministry of Exodus Cry is involved in the issue. He was a busy guy!

In business news, Jason called me Friday night to inform me that he had won the Presidents Cup award for the third time! (Most New Accounts) He actually won TWO awards that night. I couldn't be more proud of him! Not just for winning the award (which he loves, because now it's become a little 'collection' on the shelf in his office, that he can't wait to add to) but for how he is following God, and his passion to see justice in the area of slavery.

I'm a lucky girl :)

The Beach Down the Street

I've had a fun couple days with Aila.

Anneka and Jason are in Winnipeg for a week right now. Jason is there for business meetings, and to do an Exodus Cry info night. Anneka is hanging out with Oma and Opa, and her cousins!

Anyway, Aila and I went to the beach today. In fact, we're going tomorrow, and we went on Monday. My friend Vikki has mentioned "Petrie Island" to me a number of times over the last 2 years we've lived here, but I never knew what she meant. She'd talk about "the beach" and "just right down there" (we live on top of a hill, and the beach is 'down the hill') ...or she'd say "on the Island"...but I wondered what she could mean. How could you have a beach in the city, and on the Ottawa River? And how the heck is there an island? I pictured a bunch of gravel beside the smelly Red River. Ewe. Yuck.

But when my Mom was here, I thought we'd go for a drive and check it out. Holy Moley!! It's a beach! It's huge...and with gorgeous well-groomed sand. It's literally a 12 minute drive from our house (I timed it!)....just 3 minutes past the mall here. The water isn't like Grand Beach...but it isn't as gross as Rock Lake, MB either (I can't believe I ever swam in that!)! In fact, it's pretty clear considering its a river, and the only rivers I've ever known were the colour of sludge.See all the sand on the bottom right corner of the photo? That's the beach. Here's a pic I took with my phone:

When a beach is that close to home, it's not a big deal to throw on a bathingsuit, grab a towel, and go for a couple hours. Its as easy as taking the girls to the park. But nicer, because there is something so relaxing about laying on the sand.

So yeah...Aila and I at the beach. I was worried that she'd be bored without Anneka...but I was wrong. She had her life jacket on, and splish-splashed in the water a bit, but mostly sat in the sand dumping water, filling buckets, and playing with other kids. I'd open one eye to see where she was at, but other than that, it was kind like being there alone. I just sat...read my book, talked to Rhonda on my cell, and enjoyed the sun. Aila would come for a snack every 30 minutes, sit quietly on the blanket munching, and then scamper off again. I love this age!!

So yeah...good day. AND my house is clean. (Amazing how easy it is to keep it looking nice when there are 2 fewer people in the house!)