have yourself a merry little christmas....and keep warm

Its only 2 more sleeps until Santa comes to see our merry band of misfits. I think as you get older your wish list gets smaller and the only things you want aren't measured by money. My wishes for this Christmas season would be:
1. Peace on Earth, Good will to Man.
2. That whatever may come this following year, we will handle it with grace and strength. ( no nothing bad happening as far as I know).
3.That our testimony of the true meaning of Christmas centres on a young boy born in a manager and died for you and me..
4. Lastly that our young men and women who fight for other countries will one day come home.

May each of you have a wonderful holiday season filled with love, and the spirit of a christ child.

Black Friday-boon or bust?

As a Canadian I have heard many things about Black Friday. That it is much bigger and better than the Canadian version, of Boxing Day. Maybe because I only went to Grand Forks and not futher south, was where my disapointment might lie. I will however say all my shopping is done. I do need to get some gift certificates but thats painless and easy.
My best buy was glass balls to hang on the tree that have digital photo displays. $18.00 from $44.00. And will make great gifts to 2 family members.
We haven't had to much snow yet, it better be here for December 26th. We go out to my sisters house for a day outside, sledding, and tubing around their 20 acre parcel of land and then inside for a well deserved meal. Of course the men folk stay outside and stuff their faces in front of the fire my BIL has built. Shrimp, chicken wings and other snack type foods. but at the end they are full and can't eat the wonderful meal my sister has painstakely made.
Christmas at work is getting busy with various parties for the community. I currently work in the inner city at a community centre. Lots of fun and of course makes me so grateful for the things in my life.

Brrrr....winters coming people

You would think being a Winterpegger that I would be use to the change that is around the corner. And I say, NO give me a warm, sunny day anytime of the year. Although we haven't had much in the way of snow it is starting to stay cool during the daylight hours. I think the temp today will reach a balmy -5 C.
On the weekend I went out and bought Lane a new snowsuit from Please Mom. A little on the pricy side but I think worth it. I did my best to get a larger size so he can wear it for at least a couple of years.
Things that I live for in the winter are: boxing day when the family go out to my youngest sister's house for a day of FUN. She has 20 acres of land where our day is spent snowmobling and tubing. Lane of course lives for these days at Uncle Dave's. Last year he was outside most of the day running around and begging anyone who would let him, go tubing.

The Atonement

When my youngest son, Benjamim left to go on his mission in 2004 I was googling the MTC and came across a wonderful web site set up by a woman named Betty Pearson in Utah. It was called the Missionary Moms. There are different things you can sign up as: stay at home mom, early release mom,etc and she asks you questions such as where your child is going. The greatest thing about this site is moms who are registered can keep an eye on your child while he/she is out in the mission field. Because you are paire up with moms whos chidren are in your area. I was lucky that a missionary from Nevada came to the Canada Winnipeg Missiona and we were able to have him and his companion over for supper while he served in my area. His name is " Elder Harding. When Benjamin came home early, I changed to another group called early release missionaries. And thus the crux of my blog today.

We, the sisters from the US have been talking alot lately about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and what a wonderful thing that it is. When (and its usually sons, some daughters) are sent home most are because prior to leaving there were things that were left unresolved and they need to clear this up so they come home to meet with their SP or their Bishop about. The ERM find when they are either in the MTC or the field that they don't have the spirt with them and are having a diffucult time. teaching to the converted. Most at that point go and meet with their MP and are sent home to meet with their Bishop and work through the process.

The sisters have all marveled at the price that Christ payed for our sins and how through repentance we can be forgiven. Now some missionaries are able to return and complete the mission they started doing. Alot thought don't and stay home.

When talking about my son Benjamin I think the reason he came home early ( don't know the complete reason why) was I had been excommunicated when he was a baby and in 2004 was re-baptised again. I like to think he bought a lost soul back into the Gospel and that was me.
Through all of this I have seen first hand what the Atonement can do. I am living proof it works and that even though it seems like our friends, maybe even a family member have lost there way in the Gospel and life there is hope.

What I have learned from the sisters in this group is don't give up hope, pray, fast and attend the temple. I am working towards getting my endowments back and one day being able to attend a session.

Thats it, all for now. Safe trick or treating tonight.

Stake Conference---awesome

What a awesome weekend! Friday I picked Lane up from daycare and had him for the weekend. we spent some quality time together. Saturday after saying goodbye to granddad, Lane and headed out for an adventure. First stop was Fort Whyte Centre to see the geese, for those of you who haven't been, its a large pond/lake for geese and other fowl heading south for the winter. There is an interpretive centre and bison in a field. Alos lots of trails which Lane loved to explore and thus our adventure. After that we went to the cheap cinima to see Kung Foo Panda.
Sunday was Stake Conference, Lane and I arrived early to get a seat in the front. For those with little ones the front is the best, less distractions. Lane started getting sick, which at the time I didn't realize, (bad grandma) and he slept for an hour and half. Conference was inspiring!! 4 speakers --2 talked about their conversion to the Gospel and 1 talked about her friend and how easy it is for us with Prayer to talk to friends about the church and then the Mission President--Brother and Sister Morgan.
Like I said it was great and made me go home and ponder the things that I should be doing, and how we never know who might be watching us. I left wanting to do better.
If during the day we can just mention the Gospel or ask questions of our friends and see where it takes us. Like Brother Morgan said we'd be helping out the missionaries.

turkey day

well everyone finally left. and i mean finally as one of the kids. I should say adults was running around 15 minutes before he needed to have left our house to make it to the airport. I thought for sure that peter would be bringing him back.
Peter took the rest of the family later in the day down to Minniapolis as they fly out tomorrow morning early. Also everyone wanted to do some last minute shopping.
Thanksgiving wasn't the same we had roast pork as some of our guests don't like turkey. they weren't to keen on the pumpkin pie either. The nice thing was we didn't eat our selfs into nothingness. You know where afterwards you're so tired all you do is sleep.
Stake conference this week. One of the sisters in our ward is speaking so I am looking forward to hear what Danille Street has to say.
I hope everyone had a wonderful turkey day.

visitors leaving

I don't know if I should be happy or not. Next week the visitors who invaded our house some 6 weeks ago leave to go back home to England. I go with the yes, and I will be very excited to reclaim my independance and my space. The hope was that the boys would have finished the basement, but considering they don't get up til almost 11:00 am that didn't happen. I think that hubby will take a couple extra days off when he come back from Minneapolis and do some work downstairs. Sadly there isn't much left to do, it just getting to it. Then we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labour. Me I just provided cups of tea to keep him going.
Shannon and Lane have been away this week in Lethbridge visiting her dad. Sorry Angela she didn't get a chance to see you. We were unsure about Lane and his first airplane ride. But he did better than grandma would have done.

1 week and counting!

I'd like to say that I was a good LDS mother and woman and went to all the conferences this past week, but I'd be lieing. With non-LDS visitors here for 6 weeks the only time I can spend with them is the weekend. Something had to give. Unfortunally it was conference. Thank goodness I can listen to it this week online. Boy can Peter's family shop. They have one week left and then everyone goes back home to England and we get the house to ourselves.
Saturday we went to the Forks, to see a friend of Peter's who was doing a cooking demo using honey and of course shop--- for aborginal jewerly. Then off to my parents house for supper with all the family. Sunday we came back into the city to find suitcases needed to take all the newly aquired stuff, that has been purchased while here. And then off to my youngest sisters house for supper and dirt biking. I never thought I'd be so happy to have Monday come and be back at work, but I am.

cloning of ones self? Is it possible?

Do you ever wish there were 2 or more of you? Between trying to take care of hubby's needs, no I mean washing clothes, ironing said clothes, cleaning the house and of course taking care of the little ones in your family. And lastly being a bread winner. Sorry dear, you work too.
This week said hubby is away with his family, who are here visiting from jolly ol England. Plymouth to be exact. So here I am; home alone with 3 delightful dogs to keep me warm at night. You'd think I would have ample time on my hands to do the things I enjoy doing, read the lastest Ensign, winterize the garden before the dreaded snowfall. Which for you southerners happens usually on October 31st. And trying to catch up on some much needed rest before everyone comes back from their mini vacation in Texas.
Well no I haven't had time to enjoy myself. Tuesday- baby shower for the newest addition to our ward, welcome baby Matthew De Guzman! Wednesday- Enrichment night--don't forget to bring your purses ladies. Thursday--Youth activities---Yeah its a joint activity with the young men planning. Friday---- visit with a dear sister Hi Carole Ladd, watch a couple teary movies and stuff our faces!! Saturday-- get ready for Sunday.
Well as you can see my week is full. Anyone know how I can clone 2 of me?

why life in the fast lane?

When deciding to blog the first thing I needed to do was come up with a name. I could have used the weiner society, or life in a gated community. but really what do I talk most about. well that would be my daughter and grandson, Lane. So Life in the fast Lane...and as any parent...grandparent know that is how 3 years old live their life. In the fast lane.
I have read my blogs and only hope I do do justice. Take care and I hope to hear from all of you.