Another One Bites the Dust

When I came home from work on Friday, this is the sight that met me in our backyard.

Rod and I had deliberated for a long time about this particular tree: On the one hand, it was a mature maple, something that is not always easy to come by in the city. It gave a lot of shade in the summer, which I am sure helped to keep the whole house cooler. On the other hand, it was a Manitoba Maple, commonly referred to as "a weed" by Rod. It was extremely unhealthy: it had not been properly pruned - apparently a lot more important than we give credit to, not to mention it was rotting from the inside out. In the end, the concern of safety was the trump card, and the tree was downed.

These Boots are Made For Walking

Hair....and Then Gone

Well... I took the plunge. After weeks (months?) of some tactful suggestions, I got Gideon's hair cut. Rod loves it, as he knew he would; on my part, the jury is still out. I admit it looks tidier, but I miss my "baby" boy. I may or may not have shed a tear later that night. Why is something as simple as a haircut so hard?

Before




During

Collapsed in his Daddy's arms, while Mama S. works on the finishing touches.


After


Thanks, Mama - you did a great job.

Today...

...I was given the best compliment I have received in a long time: a student told me that I reminded him of Goldilocks, because of my hair. It didn't take much convincing on his part to get the whole class to agree.

...There was an "incident" in the school where I taught; it escalated to such a degree that the police had to be called and an eight-year old put in handcuffs.

...I was told by my daycare lady that Gideon is officially no longer a baby, but a toddler.
(Does that mean it's time for him to get a haircut?)

31

Happy birthday to my husband, family man extraordinaire (he's the one in the middle).

You are my best friend, an incredible father and husband, and a man of deep integrity.
You are loved and admired.

A Year in Rearview

I was going to title this post "In Brief" but it's actually not very brief at all.

I got this idea from my dear sister-in-law, Kt;

January
-My absolutely wonderful husband turns 30.
-After a series of mini-miracles, which, when combined create a much bigger miracle, we are able to purchase our first house!
Lots of appointments (lawyer, bank, city worker, inspection, real estate agent, etc.) ensue.
-Gideon learns to roll over.

February
-As a continuation of our house purchase, lots more appointments …until we are able to pick up the keys in an act that signifies that it is all official!
-Renovations begin in full force. Thank you to *all* who helped; special mention to Mama and Papa S.
-We have a temporary move while we housesit during the process.

March
-I am asked to be the speaker at a World Day of Prayer. Wowsers.
-Renovations continue.
-Gideon begins eating solid food and becomes increasingly mobile by doing the army crawl. He also discovers the Jolly Jumper.

April
-I have a birthday….it was spent cleaning floors, walls, cabinets and the bathroom so that...
-We move into our new home!!
-I have my annual gathering of some very dear friends – slightly postponed but amazingly worthwhile.

May
-A new niece is born.
-I begin actively thinking about and pursuing daycares.
-Gideon discovers the taste of chocolate bars. Oops.
-We have a work bee and rip down the sheds/monstrosities in our yard.

June
-I find a daycare that I am thrilled with.
-The grace and goodness of God is poured out on us as we celebrate the baptism of Gideon.
-The garden continues to grow, and grow and grow….
-We celebrate our anniversary.

July
-I have a day of strawberry jam making with Mama B.
-The month passes being filled to the brim with weddings, birthdays, and gatherings of friends and family….a great way to spend a summer month.
-Gideon is *this* close to walking.

August
-We have our annual extended family campout, this year in Algonquin Park.
-In a span of less than a week we have 15 guests.
-Gideon turns one!
-Our yard is transformed.

September
-School begins….and so does my teaching. Thankfully, it is a gradual transition for me.
-Gideon learns to walk. He also *loves* his daycare.
-I begin teaching a class at church.

October
-Teaching is in full swing.
-The B family is together for the first time in three years.

November
-The B family is together for the last time in an unknown amount of years
-Teaching on a very regular basis continues. I have my first ever classroom fight and start wondering why anyone would give me the title of “teacher.”
-Rod attends a men’s conference in Mississauga and thoroughly enjoys it and is challenged by it.

December
-A new niece is born.
-Rod is sick for 10+ days.
-We are able to celebrate Christmas with both sides of the family.

Through it all, we continue to be thoroughly blessed by the love of family and friends – new and old; the gift of celebrating and gathering together with them, whether for birthdays, weddings, baptisms, or just because; with being increasingly involved in church; with hosting and being hosted; and with the duties and joys of everyday life. It has been a year not without struggles, sorrow, and difficulty. Tears and laughter have both been companions to us.
And so we end the year by proclaiming, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Great is Your faithfulness, O God, our Father!"