Kings and Queens for a Night

The Christmas Party was a hoot. This year the hotel Mac hosted the fine event, and offered corporate rates to their employees, so Ade, Sam I spent a night at the most luxerious hotel in Edmonton. Sam liked lying naked on the bed this morning in the sun, and left his little trademark on the sheets... I liked the seeing the newspaper in the morning under the door, and I wondered how they got it there without me hearing with my super duper mommy ears. My smashing roomie Bonnie came and watched Sam for a couple hours, she is such a good auntie. Bonnie has been such a good friend for me. She is so consistant, loving and kind. She has such a way of sheding new light onto situations in ways that I would have never viewed them. I love her so much, it was such an answer to prayer when God brought her into my life 2 and a half years ago. Thanks Bonnie for being such a good friend to me.

The spread for supper was fantastic - complete with turkey, Yule logs and wine. It felt so stately and proper celebrating a christmas party there. I got a new dress for the event, and Ade looked amazing in his suit and silver tie. The bell boy commented on our little tag for valet parking that our truck was dirty...he said as we pulled up "Sir, just pull up behind the Jaguar" - Ade got quite a kick out of that.

Kings and Queens for a night. The room reminded me of a hostel I once stayed at in Barcelona called Rosa's place. I closed my eyes this morning and imagined myself back in that magical city. Ade and I have a huge oil painting of "La Rumba" - a famous strip in Barcelona hanging over our bed. Often I look into the picture and can smell all the smells from the street, hear all the sounds and see all the sights. Its so nice to have memories to reflect upon. I am so glad we got to make a memory last night to remember forever. It was such a special time.

Sam - the Milk Man

Well Christmas in Novemeber went well. A weekend filled with ham, presents, family, waterpark and shopping at west ed. It was so good to see the whole family. Was a fun filled weekend. Jan and Bob are staying with us right now. It is so good to have them. Ade is a spittin image of his Dad, especially the way they smile, and the things they get excited about. Cydney and Paige got to meet their little cousin Sam for the very first time. It was so interesting to watch them interact with eachother. I think I have the cutest neices on the whole planet. God has blessed our family so much with many grandkids! The legacy continues....a new generation is birthed and is growing up quickly.


I've been thinking lots lately about legacies... The dictionary definition: "Something that has been handed down from an ancestor or predecessor". What does this mean? What does it mean in my life. What kind of legacy will I leave for my little Sam? What memories will be his earliest of me. Little eyes are watching, little ears listening. It is such an honor to be given a child to raise.

Sam got dedicated this weekend. We chose the name Sam because of its meaning "The man who hears from God". I was reading from Hebrews 11 the morning he got dedicated, the faith chapter. Chance ? I don't think so. The first verse was this "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had recieved the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son..."and continues "By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child...". By faith we dedicated Sam unto the Lord, for His mightly hand to lead and guide him, and for God to do with Sam as he sees fit. I see Sam as no ordinary child - but a child that the Lord has wonderful and big plans for. I feel like Hannah so much. That God has blessed me with Sam to love and cherish, and to give back to him for the Lord's further purposes. I could only wish that Sam would be fully devoted to furthering the Lord's kingdom here on earth. It was so honoring to have our family around as we dedicated him. It was so cute, Ade carried him up to the front and held him up for the whole congregation to see, and they all cheered and clapped. He is the best Dad ever!

I pray the legacy I leave is one of grace, forgiveness, joy and unconditional love.

Well Rememberance Day. I was in Edmonton yesterday and it almost seemed sacreligious doing my christmas shopping the day before Rememberance day. See we are celebrating Christmas this weekend here in Devon with the Cheshams. Bob flies in today from Anchorage and the gang from Calgary are coming up. Will be heaps of fun - tomorrow we are going to the waterpark for the day. I can't wait. Trying to figure out what to wear 6 weeks post prego is another issue. Speaking of image, I was talking to Christine Brown this morning about sexy slinky bathing suits and I told her I got a hair cut yesterday. I explained it to her, and she thinks I have a mullet. So I told her I would post a pic of me today, taken by yours truely, so I would appreciate your comments as to if this is a true mullet or not. Kyle is my hair stylist- boy can he cut hair. I like it. But I am not one for mullets.....

We also got some pics taken by our amazing personal photographer Christine. She did our engagement, wedding, prego pics and baby pics. She just is getting into Crop photography and her career is taking off. Good job Christine. I am so proud of you.

Sam had his 6 week check up yesterday, he now weighs 10 lbs 10 oz, and Dr Gingles says he is lookin' super. He never had a nap all day yesterday, so consequently was quite grumpy by the end of the day - he went to bed at 8, and then woke up at 3:30 for a feeding. Good job little Sam. We are so proud of him. I get like that when I am tired too.

This weekend we were out in Edson, Mom threw Sam and I a baby shower/tea party, and Ade went hunting with Dad, Micah and Verdon. They got three deer. I felt like such a woodsy country girl wrapping meat. Ade was quite proud. My mom is the sweetest thing. She made all these little sandwiches with asparagus, and had little tea cups from the Antique place. There is something so special about pretty tea cups - dainty, pretty and delicate. Abby and Heidi had their own little tea table and played/ate there for hours. They had on the cutiest little dresses and I dolled them all up with lipstick, blush and perfume. They looked so proud coming down the stairs to show off their makeup. I hope they remember the tea party forever. Quite the contrast sipping red rose tea with carnation cream and half a teaspoon of sugar (thats the perfect comfort tea for me - the soul healing kind) to wrapping deer meat the next day. There were 6 mom's and babies at my baby shower. It was so cute, and loud! Babies are such a gift from God. Sam got many beautiful gifts. He is listening to a lullaby CD right now, as he sits in his swing and looks out the window. I got to dress him in a winter outfit, because today is the first official day of snow for us. I kept taking peeks out the window throughout the night, I felt like a kid at christmas. I don't know but there is something special about the first snow. I love the changing seasons. Growth. Passing of time. Maturing. God is good. A scripture that touched me today from Hebrews 8 "The point is this, we do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not man...." This is my God, who is for me and not against me. How wonderful it is to belong to the family of God. I hope there is winter and christmas and snow in heaven.

Here's a pic of our little Sam. He just finished eating so I wrapped him up all snug in a blanket and put him to bed. I am so blessed to have such a good baby. He loves to be in his crib, goes to bed awake and loves to hang out with mom and dad. Each day he gets more comfortable with his surroundings, stretches his arms and legs out a little further and faster, and makes new sounds that sometimes I think suprise himself. What a gift from God. I think I'll go wrap myself up snug in a blanket and do the same...

This pic is of Ade and I in front of our house. Its amazing how in retrospect I can see how God has orchastrated his perfect plans out in our lives. Jeremiah 29:11. Good things He has truely bestowed upon us. Our marriage, careers, family planning, and timing of it all. I remember an analogy I've heard in the past. I'm not much one for analogies, because most often I think they often sound religious and silly. But they sometimes do have their place, and create an understanding and picture that wouldn't be captured without them. SO here goes.. like a cross stitch that looks all messy and out of order in the back, but on the front it is beautiful. God sees the big picture and we see the messy back side. He is so omnipotent, we are so limited in our understanding. Thats why I'm learning I need to take time in my days to listen for his direction and guidance. Most often I've found he waits till the very last damn minute to let you know, or provide to see if you really really trust him. Funny how that is, angering almost, but how I've found it to be true time and time again. And it seems that each day I need to learn the same lesson over and over again. Thanks God for your patience with me....