Saturday, July 28, 2007

Struggling Along....


I struggle with church and religion. The self-absorbing nature of this institution often leads its body to be inwardly focused, distracting it from the huge world outside the four walls screaming for our attention. The ongoing discussion on what church is or should be is sounding hollow and self-indulgent to me, when the world around us seems to be spiralling out of control.

Change comes slowly....I believe that it is the small victories made by individuals that ultimately create the tide of change. I have seen little things that I have done connect with others who have been quietly or not so quietly doing the same thing join forces to create major change in areas where it was needed. I have seen some amazing people who quietly go about doing good works without ever being acknowledged...though they have inspired me to do more, care more, pray more, and build my faith.

Not all of us can be movers and shakers...not all of us will receive acknowledgement or appreciation for the times when we have pushed for change when the need was presented. Not everyone will know all the quiet things we may do in our own little world...but we do need to be reminded that they do count...they do make a difference....we do touch people and society in significant ways....take comfort in that.

Friday, July 27, 2007

We are family....

I have to say that I consider myself to be very blessed when it comes to my family and friends. I have a wonderful husband and four amazing kids that I honestly enjoy hanging out with 24/7...we are all pretty compatible when it comes to our likes and dislikes. We all enjoy our quiet time as much as we enjoy visiting with people. That has worked well for us because we homeschool...if my kids needed people each and every day it would not have worked.

I just returned from visiting my sister. We are all stiff and sore (sorry Linda) from crashing on the floor or on sofas, but it was definitely worth it. I try to get down there whenever I can because I really adore my sister! Her house is amazing and the kids had so much fun swimming in her pool. There were moments when I could have pulled my hair out...but Linda and I managed to squeeze in moments late at night or when we finally sneaked away for supper late one evening.

This has been such a good year in that my brother and sister in-law returned from living out west and have settled back here with their two beautiful kids Kristen and Mathew. I adore them and consider myself lucky to have this opportunity to get to know them. We didn't realize how much we had missed them all until they came back home!

Here is a video of ella dancing at my sister's house...I think she looks lovely!

INFACT Canada Lactation Management Courses



INFACT Canada is inviting registrations for our popular
Lactation Management Courses!


***** UPCOMING COURSES *****

Toronto, ON: September 11th - 13th, 2007

Summerside, PEI: September 24th - 26th, 2007

Charlottetown, PEI: September 27th - 29th, 2007


The courses are based on the WHO / UNICEF 20-hour Lactation Management Course, and is meant for any person wishing to understand the practice of and issues surrounding breastfeeding more fully. The goal of the INFACT Canada/IBFAN North America breastfeeding course is to facilitate the need to provide those working with mothers and their families the information required to adequately support breastfeeding.

As there are limited places available, please register as soon as possible to ensure a place in any of the courses.

For registration forms and more information, please contact us at:

inge@infactcanada.ca

or visit our website: Infact Canada

Ingeborg Roorda
INFACT Canada
6 Trinity Square
Toronto, ON M5G 1B1

Phone: (416) 595-9819
Fax: (416) 591-9355
Email: inge@infactcanada.ca
Web: www.infactcanada.ca

"Protecting Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding"

Monday, July 16, 2007

Another crazy morning...sorta


Somehow, I always find myself rushing...I'm constantly wondering how do I slow down...I'll probably hate it when my life finally does slow down, so that keeps me grounded! However, yesterday I woke up a bit late....just before 8am and had to wake Ben as we had to head to the beach as he was to start his life guard lessons.

Ben can not eat when he first wakes, so I tell him, "no problem we will get you a muffin at Tims!" As I drive up to Tim's, I see the line snaking around the building...so in a moment of brilliance I suggest we zip down to McPhee's Bakery to buy some muffins or a nice cinnamon bun. I run inside and lo and behold...no muffins, no buns, no nothing...only bread!!! Back out I go...

So, we head to the next Tim's with the double drive thru lanes....I note that one line is long but the second line had only one car...yeah...I zip into it and as usual, begin my long wait....I am the person who always, always picks the wrong line! When I finally get to the window, I'm feeling my pressure build as we are now definitely going to be late...but we grab the muffin and go....naturally, only to get behind one of the world's slowest drivers! Which was a good thing, because at this point I notice my gas light is on and it is below the last line on the guage....I tell Ben not to worry...we will make it to the beach! I then had the forsight to look at my cell phone and sure enough...it was down to one bar and near death...I quickly plug it in...just in case I have to wake up Andy at home who is finally getting to have a sleep in after working 14 hour shifts for the last 6 days.

Finally we make it to beach....but wait...no cars...no people, its all locked up....I'm beginning to panic because I think to myself...where did I go wrong? I don't have the best memory...but I was sure it was at this beach, at this time...so I called the town office to inquire about the lessons, which thankfully they answered before my phone died. They tell me that it had been cancelled on Friday and woops...we forgot to call you!!!! I was so frustrated at this point...feeling teary...but no way....I still have to make it to the gas station because I wasn't even sure I had enough gas to make it that far! No time for tears, we were on a mission!

So, all the way back to town, driving slowly and coasting down the hills, Ben tells me all about friction and some other heavy duty science/physics stuff that makes my brain curl....but in my mind I'm thinking how wonderful this is, listening to him and seeing him so animated about this subject. We discussed how we might still manage for him to take his life guard program in town. He immediately said not to worry...driving to Saint John everyday is expensive and time consuming...he was just so darn thoughtful! When we got to the gas station...and yes, I coasted on by the local Irving taking the chance I would make it to the next gas station...Ben then filled the van, paid and we were on our way back home!

So, I came back home, and made bacon, homemade pancakes and eggs for everyone. Then I headed to the park with Ella and her two little cousins and ended up visiting two parks and stopping at the beach to have a swim in our clothes because it was so hot! We ate hotdogs and headed home to get changed!

So what is my point...none really except it reminded me of how great my kids are...how precious this time is with them...I see the hints of the men they are to become and I feel good! They are so different from one another and so much fun...in between the bickering! I was touched this week when I finally had to tell them why I was such a basket case waiting to go to the doctor for test results....they each pitched in to help, showing their love and concern in ways unique to them! When I came home, my kitchen was spotless, kitty litter cleaned...thanks Sam! Ella, was cared for, played with, taken outside to the swing set and bedroom tidied...thanks Ben & Jack!

I'm so proud of each of my children, they are my life! I don't mean that in the way that without them I am nothing...or that they define who I am, but they are my focus! I look forward to seeing them grow into adults....having a beer with them, hanging out, whatever unfolds.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Believing in yourself....

This video gives me goosebumps and tears everytime I watch it...it is a good reminder to not lose hope, we are all here for a purpose, for some it just takes longer to figure it out or achieve it...

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Our new Kitty....

Here is a quick video of our new kitty we called Callum...after Jack's cousin Callum who also named a kitten he got last year after....can you guess.... my Jack!





We love him!

A funny....

George Bush is visiting the Queen of England.
He asks her, "Your Majesty, how do you run such an efficient government? Are
there any tips you can give me?"
"Well," says the Queen, "the most important thing is to surround yourself
with intelligent people."
Bush frowns. "But how do I know the people around me are really
intelligent?"
The Queen takes a sip of tea.
"Oh, that's easy. You just ask them to answer an intelligence riddle.
The Queen pushes a button on her intercom. "Please send The Prime Minister
in here, would you?"
Tony Blair walks into the room. "Your Majesty..."
The Queen smiles. "Answer me this, please, Tony. Your mother and father have
a child. It is not your brother and it is not your sister. Who is it?"
Without pausing for a moment, Blair answers, "That would be me!"
"Yes! Very good!" says the Queen.
Back at the White House, Bush calls in his vice president, Dick Cheney.
"Dick, answer this for me. Your mother and your father have a child. It's
not your brother and it's not your sister. Who is it?"
"I'm not sure," says the vice president. "Let me get back to you on that
one."
Dick Cheney goes to his advisers and asks every one, but none can give him
an answer.
Finally, he ends up in the men's room and recognizes Colin Powell's shoes in
the next stall.
Dick shouts, "Colin! Can you answer this for me? Your mother and father have
a child and it's not your brother or your sister. Who is it?"
Colin Powell yells back, "That's easy. It's me!"
Dick Cheney smiles. "Thanks!"
Cheney goes back to the Oval Office and asks to speak with Bush.
"Say, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle. It's Colin
Powell."
Bush gets up, stomps over to Dick Cheney, and angrily yells into his face,
"No, you idiot! It's Tony Blair!"

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Canada Day....the fun side....

So, if you took the time to read through the history on Canada Day...give yourself a pat on the back! This evening I'm heading to my brother & sil's house to have a bbq. We are all bringing fire crackers, food, and drink....chocolate milk in case your curious!

The kids will swim since he is living on a lake, enjoy their trampoline and the "grownups" will drink something a bit better than chocolate milk. Happy Canada Day everyone!





































Canada Day...some history.....

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.

The next celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. It was highlighted by the laying of the cornerstone by the Governor General of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.

Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination. The format provided for a Trooping the Colours ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill in the afternoon, a sunset ceremony in the evening followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display.

Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

The format changed in 1968 with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show. Up until 1975, the focus of the celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", was held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations. The celebration was cancelled in 1976 but was reactivated in 1977.

A new formula was developed in 1980 whereby the National Committee (the federal government organization charged with planning Canada's Birthday celebrations) stressed and sponsored the development of local celebrations all across Canada. "Seed money" was distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. The same approach was also followed for the 1981 celebrations with the addition of fireworks displays in 15 major cities across the nation.

On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".

Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally. Grants are provided by the Department to those committees.