Jessie Tree

So we started our Jessie Tree last night. The name comes from the messianic prophecy about the messiah coming from the root of Jessie and that though it was cut down new growth will sprout. Each day from December 1 until Christmas day a decoration is added to the tree and a passage from the Bible is read. It starts with the creation of the world and moves up to Jesus birth with each story telling a bit more about the story of redemption or "God's rescue plan" as we have been calling it.
We stared this last year and the kids were excited about it this year. The strength of it is in the annual repetition as the scriptures and the larger narrative are taken in. Hopefully we will be doing this for many years and it will develop and grow over time just like our advent wreath.

Something About this Time of Year

Amazing. Somehow I decide that I need to blog at this time every year. My last two posts are November 25 2007 and 2008. Somehow I missed last year. Today is the 26th of November and just happened to think about this blog. First time in two years. I guess it has to do with Thanksgiving and the approach of Christmas. Missing family I suppose. back in a year, or two.

One year later

Well its been exactly a year so its time to give this blog another shot. Its snowy up here but not in Toronto. We live on a large ridge that ends up being slightly colder than Toronto and sometimes gets more snow or severe weather. The kids and I have been having fun in the snow the past two weeks but now its crunch time and I am really focusing on finishing up my papers. Just a few more weeks to go.

Snow!

Well we got some more snow. Theres been about 5 inches on the ground since the middle of last week. Taryn has had great fun making snow angels and sledding. Sean didn't like the snow at first and was reluctant to wear mittens. When kids are his age snow is just a nuisance. the mittens make it impossible to use your hands. They become little penguin flippers and the snow pants make walking difficult. Add to that the fact that 5 inches of snow just about reaches his knees and going outside can be more hassle than fun. He eventually got used to the snow and now he has some fun and is definitely fun to watch. It reminds me of stories my parents would tell me about my falling over in my snow suit and just lying there like a mattress unable to bend.

no news is good news right?

so, I haven't written anything on here in a long time but I don't think anyone has been on here to read anything either.
I am coming into the final stretch of the school semester. I should be working on a paper right now. i am taking 4 classes instead of 5 next semester. I like school but I and struggling to keep up.
The kids are doing great. Taryn is going to school in the afternoons and is in a soccer league. Sean is starting to talk more and more and steph is getting into her swing at her job.
Its getting cold here. We had a couple inches of snow which has since melted but we might get a couple of inches this weekend
Manchester orchestra was in town a couple of weeks ago. We went to see them and then jeremiah came over for dinner the next day. It was really good to see him and the show was ton of fun.
well, I will get back to school work now.

Gardening

Taryn has become semi obsessd with picking tomatos, green beans and peppers.

Labour Day Picnic by the pond

We made some sandwiches and headed down the trails at Grandma and Grandpas to the pond and had a picnic.