Last Weekend

Last weekend, my sister and I went to Quebec City.

Here are some highlights from the trip:

I was sent off at the airport at 5:30 on Friday morning by Chris and Josiah.



I flew into Montreal and met up with Andrea there. We arrived at the hotel around 10:30 and we took a quick break before starting the day.



Since Friday was the longest day we had to tour, shop, etc...we wanted to make the most of it. Being the highly organized person she is, Andrea had a walking map already plotted. It was so beautiful walking around downtown. The buildings are so old, and it does have a European flair.





There was a little difficulty reading some of the signs...and everything there is French. Although I do not speak French well at all, reading and understanding came alright to me.



We asked one of the locals where we could find authentic poutine, and this was the spot! A very unassuming and BUSY little spot.



It was all decked out for Christmas and looked so beautiful, especially in the evenings when everything was lit up.





The market was one of my favorite places to visit. It featured hundreds of local products. I liked it so much, that I went back the next day.



The streets in the lower part of the city looked like sidewalks. People walked right up the middle of the streets until cars came. Here is a picture that we took, as a car swerved around us!



These are some random pictures of downtown:















On Saturday, I did some shopping and sight seeing in the morning by myself, because Andrea attended a work conference for the day. I did not bring my camera, because it was very wet and snowy. I relaxed for a while in the afternoon, before getting ready to go out that evening. When Andrea got off at 5, we headed out to do some more shopping and then met her co-workers at a beautiful Italian restaurant.

Sunday morning, we set out in search of crepes. We found them!



We did a little more sight seeing before we headed to the airport. Then, we flew into Montreal together before getting on our own flights.



Thoughts about the weekend:
- I love shopping!
- It was so great to only think about myself for three whole days.
- I have a wonderful husband who not only encourages me to go away, but gives me extra spending money :).
- Quebec is a beautiful city with so much heritage. We are definitely lacking that kind of architectural integrity in other parts of the country.
- The food, although expensive, was amazing. I loved not having to cook or meal plan.
- The quality of air travel has declined since the last time I flew, and I'm glad I don't have to fly very often.
- I love spending time with my sister, and wish that we still lived in the same city.
- Although the break was amazing, I missed my guys and was very thankful to have them both to come home to. Josiah ran to greet me at the airport, and yelled, "Mommy!" He dragged my little suitcase all the way from the luggage belt to the truck.
- I need to plan more times like this!

Self-Esteem

I read this article
(http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=234437) today, and found it to be quite interesting. As a professional who worked with troubled kids in school, I always had difficulty rewarding for behavior that every other kid was doing, or giving special privileges to the undisciplined kids.

The other night, I was talking with a friend who teaches high school. It was the first that I have heard of a 'no-zero' policy, which prohibits teachers from giving out zeros. I was astounded by the extra work this has placed on teachers, and the lack of character and responsibility it is instilling in kids. It connects with what the author of this article is saying too, that it is unacceptable for a kid to feel like their work is sub-par even when it is.

As I parent, I am searching for the best way to raise my child. I know that I don't want him to end up like the kids mentioned in the article; however, I also know from experience what it is like to grow up in a house that offered little praise and too much comparison. So I am trying to find a balance...so hard. Anyway, just some thoughts!

This Week...

- I am getting ready for my trip! So excited!

- I had a whole morning to myself, when my sister-in-law offered to take Josiah so I could do some Christmas shopping. This was such a nice gift! I had a very enjoyable and productive morning. It is amazing how clear and efficient one can be without kids.

- Josiah has been fighting something. He slept until 7:40 this morning. Those of you who know him understand what a big deal this is! He's pale and quiet and just not himself. (Really hoping we don't get sick before my trip and that he is able to get rid of this soon too!)

- I found a pretty Christmas centerpiece for the table. I had been looking for the right thing for a while...something simple. I will try to post a picture of it after my decorating is done.

- I prepared my advent calendar. It was fun to find verses for each day, pick special candies to fit behind the doors, and include some fun activities/challenges.

- Chris has been in a sorting mood. Several garbage bags have left our house. It feels great to have reduced our clutter, especially before trying to decorate for Christmas.

- In lieu of coffee/tea, I have been enjoying chai and apple cider.

- I participated in a cookie exchange this week, so my freezer is ready for holiday company!

- I still don't have Christmas cards done! If you don't get one this year, you'll know why!

- We went to the Christmas parade on the weekend. Josiah was in awe. It was all of his favorite things...thousands of people, action, lights, and snow. What a beautiful night! It was cute to watch his expressions. He waved frantically at the people on the floats. The only things he wasn't crazy about was one of the marching bands (very loud) and a Sponge Bob float- I don't think he's ever seen this character before, but he didn't look impressed.

- We are going to try out a new teen babysitter for some of our Christmas parties/activities. Hoping that goes well, and that it can possibly lead to more outings in the future! It would be very exciting to think that Chris and I might be able to go shopping for Josiah together instead of alone as we have always had to do!

- We went bed shopping for Josiah this week, just to get some prices, etc...I can't believe it is almost time for my baby to leave his crib! I can't believe how much twin beds and bedding cost!

- I have not been cleaning...

- I've been wanting to move.

- Have I mentioned that I leave tomorrow for my trip:)! I'll post some pics next week when I get back!

'Christmas Offering'

This is such an amazing song! Our worship team did this one today, and it was such a great reminder at the start of this season to make everything I do be filtered through the grid of His sacrifice.

Today, I am feeling tired and frustrated. I can't remember the last time I felt rested, that my house felt clean, that I didn't feel overwhelmed and underwhelmed all at the same time. Please understand, I love being a mom. It is a huge blessing and privilege that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. It's just that lately I feel pushed beyond my limit, my reserves are so low, and I'm not sure how to change any of that right now.

In the last month, I have read a book about strong-willed children. I cried when I read it, especially the intro, because I felt for the first time since becoming a parent that someone had written what I am experiencing. Everything feels so hard all the time. Josiah is an amazing child, and I wouldn't change a thing about him. It is just sometimes hard to know how to parent him in a way that works for all of us. I feel like I am always saying no to the same things, disciplining for the same things, and it sometimes feels like the message is not getting through.

Probably part of the problem is the lack of care I have been able to give myself in this process. I can't remember the last time I just went out and did something purely fun for myself that did not involve kids. I don't remember the last outing that did not involve doing errands or getting groceries. I really need to change this. It's just hard. Time is always an issue. Childcare is always an issue. And energy at the end of a day is often a problem too. Chris encourages me to go out when he gets home, but after putting in a 12-14 hour work day, I just don't feel like it a lot of the time.

Sorry for the long vent. I just felt like writing all of this might help me to process it and try to change something. Just having one of those long days...Tuesday and Thursdays are super-long shifts!

This morning, Josiah marched over to the fridge, swung it open (this is a problem), and said, "Uuuummmmm, eggs...and pancakes please." Apparently the short-order chef is on vacation, because he had to settle for cereal, raisins, and an apple!

First Snow

Apprehensive at first...



Making snow balls...



Sticky...



Helping...



A little snack...



Still eating...


And 'first' hot chocolate to warm up...



Bedtime prayer: "Thanks for snow...it's fun...I'm going play in snow tomorrow...more hot chocolate mommy!"