My sister and her family just got back from a two week holiday in Greece ( I know I want her life) She sent me pictures just to make me a little more jealous and I'm sharing them with the world because I have the cutest nieces and nephews EVER!
I have writers block and have had for quite a few weeks now. Whenever I sit down to write a blog entry I go blank and have no idea what to write aout. It's not that things don't happen in our lives but I never really think that other people want to read about them. Usually when I have nothing to say I'd just post random photos but alas my camera needs charging and the charger is somewhere in the midst of our storage unit. Plus more and more I'm aware of Craig's feelings about what I choose to write about, he can get kinda grumpy if I share too much.
Last night was my introduction to the wonderful world of inline skating. We dutifully packed up the van and drove down to the beach (which smelt really bad last night by the way). After putting on my skates I stood up and just stood there! I couldn't work up the nerve to try and move until Craig held my hands and skated backwards to show me how it was done. We had so much fun and I'm proud to say I didn't fall over once. It was slightly disconcerting when a bus containing a youth group pulled up next to us and they all filed out. Needless to say I felt every snigger and look pointed in my direction as I gracefully (not!) glided up and down the car park. Oh well I'm sure it'll get easier with practice. The best bit though was Craig showing off to try and impress me (which he did) with his little jumps and tricks, it felt like we were teenagers again back when he did stupid stuff to impress me and I was daft enough to be impressed.
It's over! No not my life just Grey's Anatomy and not to give it away but what an ending. In a way I'm glad it's over for a little while, I can't take the emotional rollercoaster plus now I have noe excuse to stay inside on Sunday evenings. Rollerblading here I come!
Craig and Matt went to pick up our new home yesterday and set it up at the Dykstras. I'm actually really excited to get it all set up and move in, it'll be nice to have our own little place, even if it is just a trailer. I'm not sure Matt and Angella know what they're letting themselves in for having us out in Faulder with them, I get the feeling that Craig will never want to leave, he's already talking about a lot in Faulder that's up for sale. It's going to be so great getting to spend so much time with the kids and to have some outside space, it drove me crazy last summer not having a garden. I'll have to give you a photo tour when I go up there and see it, I've yet to see the home I'll be living in for the next few months.
1) Don’t miss the boat
2) Remember we are all in the same boat
3) Plan ahead (it wasn’t raining when he started)
4) Stay fit! (when your 600 someone may ask you to do something big!)
5) Don’t listen to critics. Get on with it.
6) Build your future on high ground
7) Travel in pairs
8) Speed isn’t always an advantage the snails were on board with the cheetahs
9) When stressed float a while
10) The Arc was built by amateurs and the Titanic by professionals
I just wanted to share this with everyone as it really touched me.
"On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee What he said to the national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript: "Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain Their blood cries out for answers. "The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart."In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accuser s themselves. " I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today: Your laws ignore our deepest needs,Your words are empty air.You've stripped away our heritage,You've outlawed simple prayer.Now gunshots fill our classrooms,And precious children die.You seek for answers everywhere,And ask the question "Why?"You regulate restrictive laws,Through legislative creed.And yet you fail to understand,That God is what we need! "Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. "Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts."As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999 , at Columbine High Sc hool prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your f inger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"
I thought that his dignity and refusal to blame the tragedy on groups such as the NRA was very moving.
I have to admit I'm a real big stereotyper and I know it's really bad of me, for example my comments about trailer trash ( I was only joking by the way) Why do I do that? I realised just how many of my decisions are based on superficial and often erroneous assumptions about people. I do it at work, I have ideas about the people who come through the door the inute I see them, based solely on the way that they look. I like to think that I change my mind once I get to know them but I shouldn't be doing it in the first place.
On a completely different note I hears a quote that said "Friends are God's way of looking after us" I though it was really sweet and so thought I'd share it with you guys. Have a great day
Lately Craig and I have been on the lookout for a trailer to call our home for the next few months. the Dykstras have very kindly offered to let us stay with them until our own house is liveable so we're going to officially be trailer trash. I can honestly say that I never thought I would live in a rented place or in a trailer and I'll have done both since moving to Canada. Hopefully I won't be required to bleach my hair blonde and drink in the middle of the day, but you never know!
Coming here has truly been the best thing we've ever done and I'm so thankful for the wonderful friends we've made who have offered to open up their homes to us. Thanks you guys!
