Monday, June 30, 2008
Pants only get in the way of Drumming
I took this video about a month ago.
Enjoy the musical stylings of pant-less Caden Stock.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
New Entertaining Angels Blog
For some reason, Jay's new blog fell off the face of the earth so he's created a new one. http://entertainingangels.myblogsite.com
If you were able to make it out to Operation PBJ, thanks so much! Make sure you leave a comment on the new blog inspiring people with your story, no matter what your experience was. Keep showing up, praying for and supporting this ministry...it's a great thing.
If you were able to make it out to Operation PBJ, thanks so much! Make sure you leave a comment on the new blog inspiring people with your story, no matter what your experience was. Keep showing up, praying for and supporting this ministry...it's a great thing.
Friday, June 27, 2008
operation pbj
Tonight my husband is heading up a compassion movement called operation pbj, where anyone who is interested can meet him at the GC.TV annex parking lot with pre-made PB&J sandwiches to give out to the homeless and hungry.
Jay has always had a practical heart for people in need and I couldn't be more proud of him and the large group of people who are going to join him this evening to be God's hands. No red tape, no questions asked, no salvation pamphlets, no ulterior motives...just mercy, grace, kindness and peanut butter. It's going to great.
Jay would be the first to tell you that over the last 3 years his faith has been tested, rediscovered, redefined and reborn. Through a church committed to relationship and discipleship, he's been supported and guided through every phase of his journey and it's been incredible to see the evolution of his soul. His heart for ministry is back, his love of outreach and compassion has returned full force and his faith/trust in God is blossoming and this time, it's more real and deeper than before. This time, we are right where we need to be.
For someone who has been praying for this for several years, I am overwhelmed by what I am seeing and experiencing. Thank you God for being faithful to your children and for not withdrawing the call on our lives even when we try to suffocate it.
Thanks to everyone who is coming tonight and who would be there if you could. I wish Caden was old enough for us to tag along, but he will be soon enough. I can't wait for him to be of an age to comprehend basic, human needs and what these acts of kindness mean to hungry, lonely people and yearn (like his daddy) to be apart of it.
Join me in support my friends in prayer at 8pm tonight as they set out to do a small yet great thing for people in need.
Faith without deeds is dead. Thank you for being the church.
Jay has always had a practical heart for people in need and I couldn't be more proud of him and the large group of people who are going to join him this evening to be God's hands. No red tape, no questions asked, no salvation pamphlets, no ulterior motives...just mercy, grace, kindness and peanut butter. It's going to great.
Jay would be the first to tell you that over the last 3 years his faith has been tested, rediscovered, redefined and reborn. Through a church committed to relationship and discipleship, he's been supported and guided through every phase of his journey and it's been incredible to see the evolution of his soul. His heart for ministry is back, his love of outreach and compassion has returned full force and his faith/trust in God is blossoming and this time, it's more real and deeper than before. This time, we are right where we need to be.
For someone who has been praying for this for several years, I am overwhelmed by what I am seeing and experiencing. Thank you God for being faithful to your children and for not withdrawing the call on our lives even when we try to suffocate it.
Thanks to everyone who is coming tonight and who would be there if you could. I wish Caden was old enough for us to tag along, but he will be soon enough. I can't wait for him to be of an age to comprehend basic, human needs and what these acts of kindness mean to hungry, lonely people and yearn (like his daddy) to be apart of it.
Join me in support my friends in prayer at 8pm tonight as they set out to do a small yet great thing for people in need.
Faith without deeds is dead. Thank you for being the church.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Bitter Sweet
The time has come to try and sell our beautiful home. I know, I know we just bought it a little over a year ago, but we really want to be back in the city. When we first moved to Crawfordville, we had several families of people we knew and were close with. Since then they have all moved away, and lately we have been feeling extremely isolated and lonely. Our work is in Tallahassee, our church is in Tallahassee and now, everyone we know is in Tallahassee...and with the cost of gas and a kid who runs short on patience during long car rides, the commute is killing us.
With the market being the way it is, selling the house may be a difficult thing to do. I'm just hoping that someone walks into it and sees what we saw....everything they are looking for in a home. I love, love, love this house, and I am very sad to think of moving out of it, but I know it's for the best. There's no purpose in having a beautiful home for entertaining when you don't know anyone to invite over. With all of the painting and work we have put into this house, it hurts to sell it, but when I think about being back in town I get super excited. Knowing on the days I am home with Caden we can visit friends or go see Daddy without having to drive 45 minutes one way, is thrilling. Jay spends alot of time at work as it is but the commute just takes more time away from all of us being together. It would be amazing to be back in Tallahassee again and our prayer is that God sends someone our way very soon who wants our house to be their home.
Please pray for that for us.
And direct potential buyers to this site: www.crawfordvillehome.blogspot.com :)
With the market being the way it is, selling the house may be a difficult thing to do. I'm just hoping that someone walks into it and sees what we saw....everything they are looking for in a home. I love, love, love this house, and I am very sad to think of moving out of it, but I know it's for the best. There's no purpose in having a beautiful home for entertaining when you don't know anyone to invite over. With all of the painting and work we have put into this house, it hurts to sell it, but when I think about being back in town I get super excited. Knowing on the days I am home with Caden we can visit friends or go see Daddy without having to drive 45 minutes one way, is thrilling. Jay spends alot of time at work as it is but the commute just takes more time away from all of us being together. It would be amazing to be back in Tallahassee again and our prayer is that God sends someone our way very soon who wants our house to be their home.
Please pray for that for us.
And direct potential buyers to this site: www.crawfordvillehome.blogspot.com :)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
A Blog I Shouldn't Have to Write
I'm sitting here at 3 am waiting for the police to come back to our house to take our statements. I'm assuming they'll be back considering they left their cars running on our lot about an hour ago in pursuit of the would-be robbers.
At about 1:30am we were awoken by Dakota (our big, scary yet wouldn't hurt a fly, husky) when she started barking like crazy at the door.
I sat up in bed, hit Jay and he jumped up and headed for the living room. I assumed it was nothing even though she never does this. Then I could hear Jay talking outside. I got up and peeked through the blinds to see his motorcycle tipped completely over on it's side. I said out loud, "No freaking way!"
So I threw on a hoody and ran outside to see Jay (in his boxers) talking to a mischievous looking teenage boy (who wasn't wearing a shirt...classic Wakulla County). He denied having anything to do with the tipped over bike and walked away. We both just stood there stunned...
So I called the sheriffs department to report it, just to see if they could drive up and down the road or something and the woman who answered told me that there have been a string of stolen motorcycles and dirt bikes in our area. She also told me that she lived right next door to us so she would be sending someone out right away.
2 cop cars showed up bearing 3 cops and they took off on foot down the dirt road in pursuit of our neighbourhood crooks. That was an hour ago and they are still not back....i'm hoping this means they caught someone...or maybe it means they got lost in the dark, dirt streets of Crawfordville...either way we're sitting here, tired and ticked off.
The bike has some minor scratches and the brake on one side has been bent pretty badly. We're hoping this doesn't make us the target house for teenage crime in our area (we've already been egged once!) but you have to exhaust all means of justice when someone violates you. It's so irritating and creepy. They were less than 10 feet from our sleeping heads trying to steal something we worked and paid for. Morons.
Anyway, I guess God loves them...for right now that will have to be enough. I'll love them later, when I feel like it. :)
Thank goodness for Dakota! She was rewarded with an elongated neck rub and a big piece of cheese.
At about 1:30am we were awoken by Dakota (our big, scary yet wouldn't hurt a fly, husky) when she started barking like crazy at the door.
I sat up in bed, hit Jay and he jumped up and headed for the living room. I assumed it was nothing even though she never does this. Then I could hear Jay talking outside. I got up and peeked through the blinds to see his motorcycle tipped completely over on it's side. I said out loud, "No freaking way!"
So I threw on a hoody and ran outside to see Jay (in his boxers) talking to a mischievous looking teenage boy (who wasn't wearing a shirt...classic Wakulla County). He denied having anything to do with the tipped over bike and walked away. We both just stood there stunned...
So I called the sheriffs department to report it, just to see if they could drive up and down the road or something and the woman who answered told me that there have been a string of stolen motorcycles and dirt bikes in our area. She also told me that she lived right next door to us so she would be sending someone out right away.
2 cop cars showed up bearing 3 cops and they took off on foot down the dirt road in pursuit of our neighbourhood crooks. That was an hour ago and they are still not back....i'm hoping this means they caught someone...or maybe it means they got lost in the dark, dirt streets of Crawfordville...either way we're sitting here, tired and ticked off.
The bike has some minor scratches and the brake on one side has been bent pretty badly. We're hoping this doesn't make us the target house for teenage crime in our area (we've already been egged once!) but you have to exhaust all means of justice when someone violates you. It's so irritating and creepy. They were less than 10 feet from our sleeping heads trying to steal something we worked and paid for. Morons.
Anyway, I guess God loves them...for right now that will have to be enough. I'll love them later, when I feel like it. :)
Thank goodness for Dakota! She was rewarded with an elongated neck rub and a big piece of cheese.
Recent Things I've Learned:
- A well organized shopping list made in the exact order of the aisles at Walmart may sound OCD but it makes for a quick, productive trip in and out of the store with a well behaved and pleasant toddler.
- 'Shout Advanced' is a miracle worker.
- 'Scrubbing bubbles automatic shower cleaner' is not.
- When my child acts out I need to ask myself 3 questions: Is he hungry? Is he sleepy? Is he bored? The answer to one of these will be 'yes'.
- I cannot control how people perceive me or my family and I can't waste my time worrying about it, even if what they think is wrong or unjustified.
- Craigslist is the best thing since sliced bread.
- Protein in the morning makes me less hungry during the day.
- Neutrogena spray tan for $8.99 at Walmart is a BAD idea...if you see me walking around in jeans while it's 100 degree outside it's because I look like I have a skin discolouration disorder.
- Tater Tots work as a great substitute for mashed potatoes in a shepherds pie.
- When work says your time sheet has to be submitted by 12 on Friday, don't submit it 12:21 or you won't get paid.
- Running a business is really hard and I am glad I don't have to do it.
- When Caden says, "Day Days" he is asking for cereal bars. I'm really glad I figured that out.
- Bangs are AWESOME.
- Finding a babysitter is one of the hardest tasks on the planet.
- Bathing the cat is best left to a professional animal groomer.
- Myspace, facebook, blogger, typepad, wordpress and whatever else is out there is NOT a mature way of letting someone know you're upset with them.
- Although the grass may be mostly weeds, when it's mowed you really can't tell!
- Bugs are evil...I would like to say that I am sad about the world wide decrease of the honey bee population, but I'm not.
- If you're not careful, no matter how many times you get away with it, you will eventually get a speeding ticket. (I learned this on Wednesday)
- 'Shout Advanced' is a miracle worker.
- 'Scrubbing bubbles automatic shower cleaner' is not.
- When my child acts out I need to ask myself 3 questions: Is he hungry? Is he sleepy? Is he bored? The answer to one of these will be 'yes'.
- I cannot control how people perceive me or my family and I can't waste my time worrying about it, even if what they think is wrong or unjustified.
- Craigslist is the best thing since sliced bread.
- Protein in the morning makes me less hungry during the day.
- Neutrogena spray tan for $8.99 at Walmart is a BAD idea...if you see me walking around in jeans while it's 100 degree outside it's because I look like I have a skin discolouration disorder.
- Tater Tots work as a great substitute for mashed potatoes in a shepherds pie.
- When work says your time sheet has to be submitted by 12 on Friday, don't submit it 12:21 or you won't get paid.
- Running a business is really hard and I am glad I don't have to do it.
- When Caden says, "Day Days" he is asking for cereal bars. I'm really glad I figured that out.
- Bangs are AWESOME.
- Finding a babysitter is one of the hardest tasks on the planet.
- Bathing the cat is best left to a professional animal groomer.
- Myspace, facebook, blogger, typepad, wordpress and whatever else is out there is NOT a mature way of letting someone know you're upset with them.
- Although the grass may be mostly weeds, when it's mowed you really can't tell!
- Bugs are evil...I would like to say that I am sad about the world wide decrease of the honey bee population, but I'm not.
- If you're not careful, no matter how many times you get away with it, you will eventually get a speeding ticket. (I learned this on Wednesday)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Finger Nails on a Chalk Board
That is what whining is like to my brain. Caden has embraced this new form of communication and uses it on a regular basis. It literally drains every ounce of mental energy I have. I've been reading many different books and online forums as to what to do about it and I'm seriously at a loss....some people say completely ignore it, some say to look at your child every time he/she whines and say, "Sounds like you need a hug" and embrace them...some say get dolls and roll play a whiny toddler and an exhausted mommy...seriously?
I've tried ignoring...i try saying, 'Stop whining and use your words' but I don't think he even gets what whining is or that he's doing it.
My problem is not knowing exactly what Caden understands and what he doesn't. When I ignore his whining, he resorts to screaming and screaming lands his butt in time out which leads to hyper-ventilation and severe bouts of crying all the while moaning "MAMA!" and rocking back and forth like a mental patient. I could leave him there until he finishes but he would be there all day...literally...until he literally fell asleep screaming...and I don't think he understands 'Time out doesn't start till you're done screaming.'
I think this tactic is great for older kids or kids with the verbal capability of understanding and communicating back, but Caden is a fine line between baby and kid...you'd never put a baby in time out for crying, but you certainly have to put a kid in time out for acting out...who knows...
All i know is that the terrible 2's don't last forever, otherwise people would never have more than one kid...unless their toddler induced post-traumatic stress disorder blocks this period of time from their memory...
On a lighter note, Caden is grasping the concept of potty and pee-pee. He's peed in the potty many times now and even when he doesn't make it, he usually tells me when he just pee-peed in his diaper. I'm impressed with his interest and understanding being such a young boy.
Guess I need to start researching potty training....do I get a masters degree when I'm finished with this parenting thing? Because I've never studied so much in my life!
I've tried ignoring...i try saying, 'Stop whining and use your words' but I don't think he even gets what whining is or that he's doing it.
My problem is not knowing exactly what Caden understands and what he doesn't. When I ignore his whining, he resorts to screaming and screaming lands his butt in time out which leads to hyper-ventilation and severe bouts of crying all the while moaning "MAMA!" and rocking back and forth like a mental patient. I could leave him there until he finishes but he would be there all day...literally...until he literally fell asleep screaming...and I don't think he understands 'Time out doesn't start till you're done screaming.'
I think this tactic is great for older kids or kids with the verbal capability of understanding and communicating back, but Caden is a fine line between baby and kid...you'd never put a baby in time out for crying, but you certainly have to put a kid in time out for acting out...who knows...
All i know is that the terrible 2's don't last forever, otherwise people would never have more than one kid...unless their toddler induced post-traumatic stress disorder blocks this period of time from their memory...
On a lighter note, Caden is grasping the concept of potty and pee-pee. He's peed in the potty many times now and even when he doesn't make it, he usually tells me when he just pee-peed in his diaper. I'm impressed with his interest and understanding being such a young boy.
Guess I need to start researching potty training....do I get a masters degree when I'm finished with this parenting thing? Because I've never studied so much in my life!
Monday, June 16, 2008
It's Monday
I've never been one to suffer with allergies, but I think the evil sinus attacker is upon me. I feel blah. It's not quite a cold but it's more than just sleepiness...I guess the only way to be sure is to take allergy medicine and see if it works.
I think breathing clean, cold, Newfoundland air for a week made my lungs and nose clear again but when I came back to Florida, the pollen mixed with humidity attacked my lungs, throat and nose. Caden too. He's been over flowing with nasal grossness ever since we got back. Darn you nature!
Today marks the beginning of healthy eating. I ate like I was on vacation when I was on vacation...unfortunately I found it hard to stop long after we were home. After a 4pound weight gain, I'm nipping it in the bud before my pants go from overly snug to ripping at the seams. Darn you non-stretch pants!
I think if I cut out the daily plain bagels w/peanut butter, pop tarts, cookies, brownies and ice cream, that'll be a good start. Sometimes I wish I was an actress who needed to gain 40 pounds for a movie role. I could do it in a weekend.
I attempted to give myself a spray tan Friday...it was very uneven so Saturday and Sunday were spent trying to rectify the situation by (of course!) adding more spray. Today my legs look like tony the tiger. Time for some serious exfoliation before I can wear shorts again. Darn you Neutrogena and your false advertising!
I'm at work right now, bored out of my skull. I like my job but some days I wish I had someone here to play thumb war with or something...I find that on the days I'm busy I am SUPER busy and on the days I'm not...I can barely keep my eyes open.
Then I start thinking about going to the mall and getting a double doozie from The Great American Cookie store...Darn you sweet tooth!
I think breathing clean, cold, Newfoundland air for a week made my lungs and nose clear again but when I came back to Florida, the pollen mixed with humidity attacked my lungs, throat and nose. Caden too. He's been over flowing with nasal grossness ever since we got back. Darn you nature!
Today marks the beginning of healthy eating. I ate like I was on vacation when I was on vacation...unfortunately I found it hard to stop long after we were home. After a 4pound weight gain, I'm nipping it in the bud before my pants go from overly snug to ripping at the seams. Darn you non-stretch pants!
I think if I cut out the daily plain bagels w/peanut butter, pop tarts, cookies, brownies and ice cream, that'll be a good start. Sometimes I wish I was an actress who needed to gain 40 pounds for a movie role. I could do it in a weekend.
I attempted to give myself a spray tan Friday...it was very uneven so Saturday and Sunday were spent trying to rectify the situation by (of course!) adding more spray. Today my legs look like tony the tiger. Time for some serious exfoliation before I can wear shorts again. Darn you Neutrogena and your false advertising!
I'm at work right now, bored out of my skull. I like my job but some days I wish I had someone here to play thumb war with or something...I find that on the days I'm busy I am SUPER busy and on the days I'm not...I can barely keep my eyes open.
Then I start thinking about going to the mall and getting a double doozie from The Great American Cookie store...Darn you sweet tooth!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Father Awareness Day
I wrote a blog yesterday about how hard it is to be a parent. At some point my child went from being a baby to a kid and I somehow missed that transition. The blog, which I saved as a draft, is a collaboration of random thoughts and revelations I've been having in recent days about how I parent, how I am teaching my child to treat me and what I need to change. It's a bit depressing, so I won't post it today...maybe Monday :)
What I will focus on is that I've gained a deeper appreciation for Fathers this week. I've been getting some eye opening advice lately, mostly from men. Thursday was a hard day for me and the guys at worship team (none of which are dads yet) jumped at the chance to give me parenting advice, and their advice opened my eyes and helped me in a huge way.
At work on Friday I began talking to a co-worker of mine who has an 8 year old daughter and he was relating to my problems by saying, 'My wife goes through the same thing.'
More and more fathers heard us in passing and joined in on the conversation. At one point I had about 6 men I hardly know giving me parenting advice and honestly, it was way better than any mom's forum or lame-o, new-age parenting website I've found.
I'm not knocking moms...no one knows more about being a mom than a mom, but it dawned on me...Fathers are awesome!
My husband is an awesome father and the more time he spends with Caden, the more I want to parent like him. Parenting seems to come so much more naturally to him then it does to me and he is so much wiser and instinctual than I am. He doesn't play 'duck duck goose' or finger paint, but he seems to hold the perfect balance of love, respect, boundaries, freedom and discipline. I had a great mom so I assumed I'd be one but I'm figuring out that it takes alot of trial, error, tears and research to learn how to be a good mom. Sometimes I think if I were more like Jay I wouldn't have to work as hard...because he is SO good at this. I'm blessed to have him. So is Caden.
Jay's step dad is another amazing person. He married my mother-in-law when Jay was just a tiny child but he stepped in and took on the roll of father without thinking twice. He didn't have to do that, but he chose to and I am eternally grateful for him. It isn't blood or genes that makes a man a Dad...it's his heart...and when a 20 something year old man can walk into a young boys life and take on the most important role in it, that kind of love and courage has to be recognized. Thank you Bob for providing love, stability and guidance for Jay. He is a good man and you should be proud of being a part of that.
I've written many letters of dedication to my father, who I'm sure has printed them out and highlighted his favourite portions :) but I'm sitting here at a complete loss of what to write for him because my words can't do my heart justice. When I think about my father I become very emotional which is not something I like to admit or show...but i'd be lying if I said I didn't have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat right now....because I miss him alot...because I can't express how thankful I am for his example any other way. I've never met or known of anyone with such a heart, passion and understanding of God and Christ-likeness. Those who know him, trust him, completely. Those who have met him are better for it. When I think of the person I want to be for my Son and for my God I think of my Dad. I wish I had as much passion and commitment to the word in my whole heart as my dad does in his little finger. I often think about how much better the planet would be if it were filled with people like him. People who wake at 5am to pray fervently and honestly every morning. People who do the right thing even when it's not popular. People who teach themselves just in an effort to be better people...he literally studies for hours everyday for the soul purpose of learning and changing and growing.
Most parents get to watch their children grow up and transform but I, as my father's child, have also had the opportunity to watch him grow and change and develop into a deeper, stronger more balanced human being and it's really incredible. The man my father was 25 years ago is vastly different than the man he was 5 years later. And the man who fathered me in my childhood years is vastly different from the man he is today...constantly evolving and changing and bettering himself through self-discipline and hard work. If I could only be like him...i'd be in good shape. This last visit home was one of the best times I've ever had with my dad because we just hung out like friends. We went on a whale watching boat tour (minus the whales), we played with Caden together, we made great memories together...it was wonderful, and I know next time will be even better.
My dad and I are alot alike. We both have puppy dog eyes, we both love sweets, we are both naturally musical and we're ridiculously good-looking (wink!). Another area where we are the same is we both have very sensitive spirits...so Dad, I'm going to say this one time, publicly for all to read and all to see:
You did a great job. You have NOTHING to be sorry for and you have nothing to regret. Melissa and I are strong women because of, not in spite of, your example. You done good.
So as much as we women mock the men around us...as much as TV, movies and magazines make them out to be senseless losers with one thing on the brain, they aren't. They are strong, they are good husbands, fathers and people. They may not brush their kids teeth but they care about the men and women they will become, and I think they might even have a better handle on things then we do half the time....at least that's the case with me :) Thanks guys.
Happy Father's Day.
What I will focus on is that I've gained a deeper appreciation for Fathers this week. I've been getting some eye opening advice lately, mostly from men. Thursday was a hard day for me and the guys at worship team (none of which are dads yet) jumped at the chance to give me parenting advice, and their advice opened my eyes and helped me in a huge way.
At work on Friday I began talking to a co-worker of mine who has an 8 year old daughter and he was relating to my problems by saying, 'My wife goes through the same thing.'
More and more fathers heard us in passing and joined in on the conversation. At one point I had about 6 men I hardly know giving me parenting advice and honestly, it was way better than any mom's forum or lame-o, new-age parenting website I've found.
I'm not knocking moms...no one knows more about being a mom than a mom, but it dawned on me...Fathers are awesome!
My husband is an awesome father and the more time he spends with Caden, the more I want to parent like him. Parenting seems to come so much more naturally to him then it does to me and he is so much wiser and instinctual than I am. He doesn't play 'duck duck goose' or finger paint, but he seems to hold the perfect balance of love, respect, boundaries, freedom and discipline. I had a great mom so I assumed I'd be one but I'm figuring out that it takes alot of trial, error, tears and research to learn how to be a good mom. Sometimes I think if I were more like Jay I wouldn't have to work as hard...because he is SO good at this. I'm blessed to have him. So is Caden.
Jay's step dad is another amazing person. He married my mother-in-law when Jay was just a tiny child but he stepped in and took on the roll of father without thinking twice. He didn't have to do that, but he chose to and I am eternally grateful for him. It isn't blood or genes that makes a man a Dad...it's his heart...and when a 20 something year old man can walk into a young boys life and take on the most important role in it, that kind of love and courage has to be recognized. Thank you Bob for providing love, stability and guidance for Jay. He is a good man and you should be proud of being a part of that.
I've written many letters of dedication to my father, who I'm sure has printed them out and highlighted his favourite portions :) but I'm sitting here at a complete loss of what to write for him because my words can't do my heart justice. When I think about my father I become very emotional which is not something I like to admit or show...but i'd be lying if I said I didn't have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat right now....because I miss him alot...because I can't express how thankful I am for his example any other way. I've never met or known of anyone with such a heart, passion and understanding of God and Christ-likeness. Those who know him, trust him, completely. Those who have met him are better for it. When I think of the person I want to be for my Son and for my God I think of my Dad. I wish I had as much passion and commitment to the word in my whole heart as my dad does in his little finger. I often think about how much better the planet would be if it were filled with people like him. People who wake at 5am to pray fervently and honestly every morning. People who do the right thing even when it's not popular. People who teach themselves just in an effort to be better people...he literally studies for hours everyday for the soul purpose of learning and changing and growing.
Most parents get to watch their children grow up and transform but I, as my father's child, have also had the opportunity to watch him grow and change and develop into a deeper, stronger more balanced human being and it's really incredible. The man my father was 25 years ago is vastly different than the man he was 5 years later. And the man who fathered me in my childhood years is vastly different from the man he is today...constantly evolving and changing and bettering himself through self-discipline and hard work. If I could only be like him...i'd be in good shape. This last visit home was one of the best times I've ever had with my dad because we just hung out like friends. We went on a whale watching boat tour (minus the whales), we played with Caden together, we made great memories together...it was wonderful, and I know next time will be even better.
My dad and I are alot alike. We both have puppy dog eyes, we both love sweets, we are both naturally musical and we're ridiculously good-looking (wink!). Another area where we are the same is we both have very sensitive spirits...so Dad, I'm going to say this one time, publicly for all to read and all to see:
You did a great job. You have NOTHING to be sorry for and you have nothing to regret. Melissa and I are strong women because of, not in spite of, your example. You done good.
So as much as we women mock the men around us...as much as TV, movies and magazines make them out to be senseless losers with one thing on the brain, they aren't. They are strong, they are good husbands, fathers and people. They may not brush their kids teeth but they care about the men and women they will become, and I think they might even have a better handle on things then we do half the time....at least that's the case with me :) Thanks guys.
Happy Father's Day.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Family Band
Yes, this is a blow-in keyboard belonging to Jon. I had the chance to play this little beauty at our beach fire in NL.
Caden's new accordian from Jon
Jay's new tin whistle from Jon...i'm sensing a trend here...Jon seems to be our supplier of maritime instruments.
This may look cute, but it sounds much different...
Caden's new accordian from Jon
Jay's new tin whistle from Jon...i'm sensing a trend here...Jon seems to be our supplier of maritime instruments.
This may look cute, but it sounds much different...
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Chill
Going to Newfoundland opened my eyes to how wonderful it would be to live there again...to raise Caden in such a safe, beautiful and culturally rich place, to be surrounded by friends and family and to have that support while raising a little one. It's hard raising a child with no family around. It's also hard living somewhere that is so vastly different from where I grew up. Being away from Canada for almost 5 years now, I think I forget about how different it is where I grew up until I go home for a visit...then I start wondering how life would be if we lived in the far north instead of the far south.
Taking off from St. John's was hard. We flew over the rugged cliffs and the scenery was stunning. You could see the ocean filled with icebergs as we flew away and I couldn't help but cry and feel really homesick for the first time in many years.
When we got back to Florida and started driving up from Orlando I was looking around and thinking, "Gosh it's really pretty here too!"
The trees are so tall and lush, the palm trees and the warmth is really relaxing and unique. We came home to our pretty little house and were greeted by voice mails and messages from friends here who had missed us very much while we were gone and wanted to get together asap. I spent the next couple of days confused and disoriented. Where are we suppose to live? I was literally weighing the pros and cons in my head while driving from place to place...right down to how bad Chinese food and cell phone service is in Canada and how much I hate huge southern bugs and the oppressive heat of the Florida summer. Nothing was making sense.
We went to church on Sunday and it felt great to be there. As much as they mock me, I missed my band of brothers :) and when the service started I felt God's presence telling me to chill out. It dawned on me that it's possible to be content in more than one place and that I should be thankful for that. Some people are miserable no matter where they live so to have 2 places where I feel happy, loved and secure is nothing to complain about. I felt God say that where you live isn't important...it's how you live...but in the same breath I believe God can sometimes call you to specific places and specific positions in order to accomplish His will and I truly feel like he isn't finished with us here.
I felt this flood of possibilities wash over me while we sang...like something exciting is about to happen if we just hang tight and trust. I was probably smiling like a turd during worship but I couldn't help it. I was really happy. Jay felt it/heard it too which affirms to me that God's up to something and I'm pumped about it. That night several things happened to try and bring us down...our mortgage came out of the bank account twice instead of once, the baby was cranky, I was stressed about 50 different things and I realized that this was happening to shift our focus from positive to negative so we stopped and took the advice God had given us earlier to chill out. There's been an awesome attitude adjustment in the Stock house as we wait for good things to happen. We just know there's something around the corner.
About 6 months ago several people prophesied over me that the call on my life hasn't changed, that God is preparing me for something that is to come. Lately, in the midst of me trying to figure out my own life, He reminded me of that not only for myself, but for Jay and it gives me such confidence and peace about our future.
When I was home a bunch of us were talking about the Holy Spirit and emotionalism...how to know when what you feel is God or your emotions...I'll get into this more later but my friend Jon said something to the effect of how God wired use to be emotional beings so it makes sense that He would use our emotions to speak to us. I believe that the deeper we connect with God through prayer and His word, the more capable we are of determining what's just us being emotional and what is emotion brought on by God moving, speaking and leading.
I really believe that the anxiety and excitement and joy that I feel in my guts is directly connected to what God has for me because I know he has placed it there...and I think it's awesome when God gives the entire family a vision and a 'feeling' of things to come because then it's affirmed in my eyes.
This is probably all over the place but so are my thoughts...in a good way...I'm just excited...a week ago I was stressed about money, jobs and impossible situations and now I see possibility everywhere I look.
As for the homesickness, I still am missing Newfoundland very much but when I start to feel sad I remember sitting on the beach starring out upon the gulf of Mexico, soaking up the sun in March, while the people of Newfoundland were shovelling snow, worrying about frost bite and popping anti-depressants...then I don't feel so bad :)
In the words of Pumba from the Lion King, "Home is where your rump rests."
Taking off from St. John's was hard. We flew over the rugged cliffs and the scenery was stunning. You could see the ocean filled with icebergs as we flew away and I couldn't help but cry and feel really homesick for the first time in many years.
When we got back to Florida and started driving up from Orlando I was looking around and thinking, "Gosh it's really pretty here too!"
The trees are so tall and lush, the palm trees and the warmth is really relaxing and unique. We came home to our pretty little house and were greeted by voice mails and messages from friends here who had missed us very much while we were gone and wanted to get together asap. I spent the next couple of days confused and disoriented. Where are we suppose to live? I was literally weighing the pros and cons in my head while driving from place to place...right down to how bad Chinese food and cell phone service is in Canada and how much I hate huge southern bugs and the oppressive heat of the Florida summer. Nothing was making sense.
We went to church on Sunday and it felt great to be there. As much as they mock me, I missed my band of brothers :) and when the service started I felt God's presence telling me to chill out. It dawned on me that it's possible to be content in more than one place and that I should be thankful for that. Some people are miserable no matter where they live so to have 2 places where I feel happy, loved and secure is nothing to complain about. I felt God say that where you live isn't important...it's how you live...but in the same breath I believe God can sometimes call you to specific places and specific positions in order to accomplish His will and I truly feel like he isn't finished with us here.
I felt this flood of possibilities wash over me while we sang...like something exciting is about to happen if we just hang tight and trust. I was probably smiling like a turd during worship but I couldn't help it. I was really happy. Jay felt it/heard it too which affirms to me that God's up to something and I'm pumped about it. That night several things happened to try and bring us down...our mortgage came out of the bank account twice instead of once, the baby was cranky, I was stressed about 50 different things and I realized that this was happening to shift our focus from positive to negative so we stopped and took the advice God had given us earlier to chill out. There's been an awesome attitude adjustment in the Stock house as we wait for good things to happen. We just know there's something around the corner.
About 6 months ago several people prophesied over me that the call on my life hasn't changed, that God is preparing me for something that is to come. Lately, in the midst of me trying to figure out my own life, He reminded me of that not only for myself, but for Jay and it gives me such confidence and peace about our future.
When I was home a bunch of us were talking about the Holy Spirit and emotionalism...how to know when what you feel is God or your emotions...I'll get into this more later but my friend Jon said something to the effect of how God wired use to be emotional beings so it makes sense that He would use our emotions to speak to us. I believe that the deeper we connect with God through prayer and His word, the more capable we are of determining what's just us being emotional and what is emotion brought on by God moving, speaking and leading.
I really believe that the anxiety and excitement and joy that I feel in my guts is directly connected to what God has for me because I know he has placed it there...and I think it's awesome when God gives the entire family a vision and a 'feeling' of things to come because then it's affirmed in my eyes.
This is probably all over the place but so are my thoughts...in a good way...I'm just excited...a week ago I was stressed about money, jobs and impossible situations and now I see possibility everywhere I look.
As for the homesickness, I still am missing Newfoundland very much but when I start to feel sad I remember sitting on the beach starring out upon the gulf of Mexico, soaking up the sun in March, while the people of Newfoundland were shovelling snow, worrying about frost bite and popping anti-depressants...then I don't feel so bad :)
In the words of Pumba from the Lion King, "Home is where your rump rests."
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Laying Low
Today Caden and I are not leaving the house. He usually has a few meltdowns on days when we stay home, where he goes to the door and whines, "Go?" over and over until we go somewhere...not today though. I think he is just as sick of 'going' as I am.
We've been non-stop going for the past few weeks and today is a good day to stay home and do nothing. Well, I unpacked, cleaned up and did laundry so I guess that's not 'nothing' but I haven't washed my face or brushed my hair yet today and I feel good about it.
Monday begins a week of healthy eating. Travelling caused me to go a little overboard with the eating and it's starting to catch up with me. I've gotta nip it in the bud now before I start busting out of my clothes :)
I feel so much better about Caden and his ability to adjust to new situations. This was our first major trip since he was 7 months old and he did great. Now I'm super psyched to go to New York in the middle of July! This is a great year for visits.
I have however decided to go to Saskatchewan alone in mid August. As well as Caden did, I couldn't have remained sain without Jay and one thing we learned about Caden is that when he travels and meets new people he turns into a circus monkey, leaping from tall furniture and screaming at the top of his lungs to impress his new friends. I'm excited to go to SK and focus my attention on Melissa and my new niece or newphew instead of having to defend the newborn against my 2 year olds crazy antics. Plus Caden will not enjoy the new baby getting any attention from Nanny or Aunt Sisa so I think we'll wait and have the cousins meet a little bit later.
Lots of jobs, lots of travelling, a few weddings to sing/play at over the summer/fall, and a little one that keeps me on my toes 24/7 makes for an insanely busy Kathy...that's why I enjoy Saturdays where we get to lay low...even if I do smell like a dirty farm animal from lack of showering :)
We've been non-stop going for the past few weeks and today is a good day to stay home and do nothing. Well, I unpacked, cleaned up and did laundry so I guess that's not 'nothing' but I haven't washed my face or brushed my hair yet today and I feel good about it.
Monday begins a week of healthy eating. Travelling caused me to go a little overboard with the eating and it's starting to catch up with me. I've gotta nip it in the bud now before I start busting out of my clothes :)
I feel so much better about Caden and his ability to adjust to new situations. This was our first major trip since he was 7 months old and he did great. Now I'm super psyched to go to New York in the middle of July! This is a great year for visits.
I have however decided to go to Saskatchewan alone in mid August. As well as Caden did, I couldn't have remained sain without Jay and one thing we learned about Caden is that when he travels and meets new people he turns into a circus monkey, leaping from tall furniture and screaming at the top of his lungs to impress his new friends. I'm excited to go to SK and focus my attention on Melissa and my new niece or newphew instead of having to defend the newborn against my 2 year olds crazy antics. Plus Caden will not enjoy the new baby getting any attention from Nanny or Aunt Sisa so I think we'll wait and have the cousins meet a little bit later.
Lots of jobs, lots of travelling, a few weddings to sing/play at over the summer/fall, and a little one that keeps me on my toes 24/7 makes for an insanely busy Kathy...that's why I enjoy Saturdays where we get to lay low...even if I do smell like a dirty farm animal from lack of showering :)
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Back in the USA
Our trip to Newfoundland was incredible. The best visit ever. We had great times with amazing family and friends. I was pretty bummed yesterday when I had to leave but now that we're in our own house it's good to be back.
My thoughts are kind of swirling around my head now...I'm homesick but I am glad to be 'home' here in Florida. I'm learning that it's possible to be perfectly content in two completely different places and this makes decision making very difficult.
I just wish I could teleport whenever I wanted, but this has not been invented yet.
Travelling yesterday was crazy. I didn't sleep at all Tuesday night and we left our hotel in St. John's at 3:30am yesterday morning, getting into our house in Crawfordville at 8:00pm last night. I wanted to watch the Stanley Cup Finals and upload my photos to facebook/myspace so I stayed up until midnight doing that.
Detroit won the cup, The first Newfoundlander to ever win the cup was on the winning team, I posted all 400 of my pics to facebook and myspace, and then I went to bed. Before going to bed i checked my email and I had a message from the owner of the boutique where I freelance, asking me to come in today. I love working there and want to be as available as I can be whenever they call me, so I decided to not take a day to relax and unpack.
This morning we left the house at 9. Caden went to school where every child in his class ran and greeted him at the door with hugs. He was missed apparantly.
After working at the boutique, getting Caden from school and going back into town for worship team practice, we just got home at 9:30pm. I'm so wiped. I need a vacation from being on vacation :)
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Awesomeness
I am having the best visit home EVER. Having Jay here with me for the first time in 4years has been an incredible experience, and seeing Caden playing with, loving on and wearing out my parents has been a joy. I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such great family and friends. The kind of relationships that pick up where they left off, as deep and as real as they were the last time you saw eachother regardless of how long its been.
It's easy to forget what you're missing until you see it up close. This trip has been filled with intense joy because of the people, the scenery and the experiences but it is starting to make me sad because we have to leave soon.
But in the spirit of positivity, I'm going to focus on the joy, because we've been having some amazing times. Adding pictures to the blog can be annoying so I'll put them on my facebook. If you don't have access to that, don't worry...i'll add some here later.
For right now I am going to go back to soaking up the memories.
It's easy to forget what you're missing until you see it up close. This trip has been filled with intense joy because of the people, the scenery and the experiences but it is starting to make me sad because we have to leave soon.
But in the spirit of positivity, I'm going to focus on the joy, because we've been having some amazing times. Adding pictures to the blog can be annoying so I'll put them on my facebook. If you don't have access to that, don't worry...i'll add some here later.
For right now I am going to go back to soaking up the memories.
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