I LOVE the HOLIDAYS

I had a WONDERFUL Christmas and I hope everyone who reads this has as well.

The kids slept until 8 am and although Zac and I were quite sick we didn't let that dampen our spirits.

We started by opening our stockings and talking. We then prayed as a family giving thanks to God for how blessed we all felt and for sending us the best gift, Jesus.

Our family observes Advent throughout the whole Christmas season, and on Christmas morning we lit all the candles, finally lit the Christ candle, and let them burn all day until they burned out. Reminding us of hope, peace, joy, love and Jesus. THEN we opened presents, had ALOT of laughs, reminisced, played, Zac and I even snuck in a nap while the kids played, got dressed, and headed over to an awesome Christmas dinner at Grandma's house with family.

WEll this is the last day of 2006, and I for one will be sad to see it go. I am completely excited for what 2007 will bring, but I can't complain about 2006. It was a good year. Infact a very good year. I had a great time with my husband and all my kids this year. Many adventures, lots of family gatherings, quiet love times, inspirations and successes. God continues to show me how faithful and loving He is, and as long as I continue to be a willing student He will teach me marvelous things.

Happy New Year everyone! May you be blessed in all that God has to offer, may you continue to follow Jesus, and may you be an example of love in all that you have and all that you do.

amen.

My favorite Christmas Movies

so I recently had the privilege of "preaching" at my church last Sunday, I got to give a "meditation" on Christmas and I was deeply honored and a bit troubled,....

I had a hard time sorting through alllllllll the things that came to mind when it comes to Christmas. ( you can read how I was inspired at http://www.theplace.ca/ )

But what I came to realize is that movies played an important part of shaping a balanced Christmas view in my life. The bible story is the best and the most important, but it's been movies that remind me that the story of Jesus is the best and most important.

Here is my list of favorite Christmas movies in order :

1. One Magic Christmas ( 1985 -Disney/hallmark, starring Mary Steenburgen)

2. Elf ( 2003 - New Line Home, starring Will Ferrell )

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 - Bill Melendez Films)

4. Joyeux Noel ( 2005 - Sony Pictures,Director Christian Carion, starring, Benno

Furman) * fantastic movie set in WWI

5. A Christmas Story ( 1983 - Warmer Bros., starring Peter Billingsley)

6.Scrooge ( 1970 - 20th century fox, starring Albert Finney )

7. Miracle on 34th Street ( 1947 - 20th century fox, starring Natalie Wood)

8.How the Grinch stole Christmas (1966 - Warner Bros.,starring Boris Karloff)

9. The Bells Of St. Mary ( 1945 - Republic Pictures, starring Bing Crosby )

10. Love Actually (2003 - Universal Studios, starring Colin Firth)

You may be wondering where your favorite is or why I haven't included some... I love ALOT of Christmas movies, I like even more.... but this is my top ten for this time in my life. There are some that will always remain in my top 10, they'll just move around. AND still others that will be replaced and move down into my top 30 :o)

Merry Christmas!

**if you have favorites tell me about them!

First Snow!- And I'm the only one with Christmas lights up!!

I know, I know
all you Easterners
don't feel sorry for us at all... oh boo hoo Victorians have to deal with a bit of snow. Well let me tell you, being a prairie girl I don't mind a bit'o'snow at all, what I do mind is a City that has NO RESOURCES to deal with it. OMG, work and school was cancelled due to 20 cms of snow, gimme a break! That is a joke everywhere else in Canada.
The good thing is I got to teach my kids the art of superior snowball making, the techniques required for successfull snowman building AND expert engineering necessary for snow forts. ALSO given that I am a Christmas freak, my house was the only house on the block with Christmas lights and decorations up! YAY!!! I must say my house was the prettiest house all lit up at night, in the snow, in November, in Victoria.

yesterday was FUN!

so I know I know....
Christian in a position of quasi leadership at church encouraging the celebrating of a heathen holiday........
but come on!.............
FREE CANDY!!!!!

we had a lot of fun yesterday! we made spiders from oreo cookies, devilled eggs made from real devils :o), frankenstein rice, blended brain punch,and bloody cows tongue for dinner!
We decorated pumpkins, hung plastic ghosts from our rose bush and hung spooky lights from our deck. Also the twins and I designed some monster candy pails to go trick or treating with.
The kids laughed all day and even our oldest (14 yr. old -after finding out all his friends wanted to do was spend all night trying to scare people ) "dressed up" and told people his costume was "his Dad" - hahahahahahahahah, the littler boys would introduce him but be sure to tell people it was a costume so he wouldn't miss out on the candy. It was hysterical!
My daughter dressed up like Kat VonKat from Miami Ink, we even sprayed her Golden blond locks BLACK. I had fun "tatooing" her with black permanent marker which turns out isn't so permanent ( thank the Lord) Wow 13 year old costumes sure have changed I remember being a gypsy......
My 8 year old was the HULK, he wore 8 shirts to bulk up under his "green" skin, and the twins were a mummy and an "atomic wrestler".
Even my husband wore all black with an orange collar to work.
I wore a pirate mask all day and was praised for being "festive".

It's all fun! I love making "holidays" memorable. Making stuff with the kids, encouraging my kids (and adults) to participate, it's a good lesson no matter what the holiday.

BLOGGING ANNIVERSARY

YAY!!! EXACTLY 1 year ago I started bloggin'
People said this relationship wouldn't last
that the honey moon period would be over
and I'd lose interest
but here I am
still blogging away
I made it
:)

happy CANADIAN gobble gobble

sitting here feeling QUITE stuffed from mom's turkey dinner....
thought I would pass a few moments on the good ole PC........

My mom cooked a fabulous meal as always!,
and I just get to show up with my hubby, all my kids, a couple bottles of wine and some vodka, what more is there to be thankful for :o)

so tonight's menu had; meatballs, sweet and sour meatballs, cabbage rolls, coleslaw, snow peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, TURKEY, all the little pickly hor d'ourves and pie!
BUT NOT PUMPKIN!!!

my mom made a peach pie which was awesome...
a concorde grape pie, which was also (surprisingly) awesome...
and an apple pie, which was ok.....

BUT NO PUMPKIN PIE ON THANKS GIVING
WHAT WAS SHE THINKING!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have to make ANOTHER thanksgiving dinner, because it just feels like I ate a big meal.
I've come to realize that I need the pumpkin pie for it to feel like a true thanksgiving dinner. Am I crazy?

Don't get me wrong I am totally thankful to my mom for dinner tonight,
it was totally fabulous.....
but I have to admit I'm left feeling a little wanting.
I don't even love pumpkin pie that much, like take it out of context eating it in May or something and I probably wouldn't even touch it,
but I never thought I would miss it as much as I did tonight.

it's the most wonderful time of the year....

now don't get me wrong, I totally LOVE my kids but..........................
I'm very happy for school to start!
When school ends and summer starts I am so excited for no routines, carefree days, beach excursions, sleeping in, camping, and backyard parties...
but I gotta tell you by the middle of August I can hardly WAIT for September.

I can hardly wait for routine, for getting the kids off to school and morning cups of coffee when you really NEED it. I am tired of being the main source of entertainment for 5 kids, tired of screaming at them to turn off the TV and go play outside, tired of hearing how bored they are while I'm packing up or unpacking camping equipment. It's time for new haircuts, school clothes, and the distinct smell of a school binder fresh from the store. ALL of my kids go to school this year, (the twins start kindergarten) and the scent of momentous change is in the air.

My Anniversary

{So many people think that February is the month that celebrates "love" and until recently I was one of them.....
but then I started to think about my Anniversary (which was aug.2 :)
and I realized that more than HALF the married people I know are married in August,.......( a few GETTING married this month too)
which to ME means that August MUST be the loviest month in the year.}

Everyday I'm glad I said "I do" so many years ago.
Thank you Zac for how much you love me.
I am blessed to be your wife.
And as forever draws closer may we draw closer to God.

xo
Launa

summer hair

half way through summer "vacation" and I find my hair is so sun/wind/ocean/pool damaged that I can barely put a comb through it....
so I thought I'm gonna put a few tips on my blog to help anyone else with their stressed out tresses....

there are a couple of home remedies that are a must for my blond hair that I'm sure some of you may appreciate too.

- add some moisture to your brittle hair by mashing one banana and blending it with a tblsp of olive oil. Apply the mask to DRY hair, cover with a plastic bag and wait for 15-30 minutes. Rinse out and lightly shampoo then condition as usual.
Bananas are rich in tryptophan (amino acid) which helps to strengthen damaged hair PLUS they are rich in potassium which helps maintain a healthy pH balance.
(...if your hair is thin try a blend of milk and honey instead because it won't weigh your hair down * warm 1- 2 cups WHOLE milk, melt in 2 teaspoons honey pour over DRY hair , cover and wait for 20 mintues then rinse, shampoo and condition as usual)

- to add some shine and body to dull, limp, flat, lifeless hair
dissolve 2-3 tblsp of sea salt or kosher salt in a cup of warm-hot water, then pour it over wet or dry hair leave it in for 5 minutes, massage it around your scalp and then rinse and follow with a mild shampoo and moisterizing conditioner. The salt strips away excess oil and product buildup PLUS it deposits itself between the layers of the cuticle, which gives the appearance of more body. ( don't do this treatment more than once a month, because it could irrate your scalp or dry out your hair )

People have told me about mayonnaise and vinegar and stuff but those things actually make your hair SMELL...

so if you've got damaged hair from the summer exposure give these a try and save your tresses!!!

the times they are a changin...

so in in just 4 sleeps my husband will have worked his LAST shift EVER at the Jail..... he will no longer be a "peace officer" he has moved on to bigger and (hopefully) better things.... he will be the new Project Manager for the Attourney General in Strategic Human resources. Very cool promotion!
We are very happy, HE is especially happy almost 10 years working in a prison is a heavy load to bear on a daily basis. On to a more positive environment :o)
So things are changin' for this family...
this will be my last summer without a fulltime job - the twins start school in the fall and that means mom is no longer needed at home and can move on in life.
I have to admit I'm a little scared with the up coming transitions... not like fearful scared or worried scared more like trying a new food scared. Uneasy might be a better way to put it....
(I have friends that are getting married and moving across the country within a month of eachother now THAT would make me barf!) , so keeping things in perspective keeps me from getting over anxious about what may or may not come along in the next couple of months. I just want to REALLY enjoy this summer with my kids and my love and adjust slowly.
I'm just in love with my life and my family. In love with my husband and just so excited for him!
Love trumps Scared every time!

what's your favorite summer tune?

ahhhhh
the end of may, the end of spring.... the beginning of summertime!!! Camping!!!! beaches!!!! picnics!!!! backyard pools!!!!

I've pulled out all my favorite summertime tunes and have them blastin' in my NEW honda odyssey !! woo hoo!!! love my new sweet ride!!!!

list of my favorite all time summertime tunes:

1. "Summertime" - fresh prince himself Will Smith

the rest in no particular order :
( I have a varied taste in music )

Bizarre love triangle - New order
Patio Lanterns - Kim Mitchell
Shoop - Salt N Pepa
Summer In The City - The Lovin' Spoonful
Good Day Sunshine - the Beatles
Sittin' on the dock of the bay - Otis Redding
Higher Ground - The Red Hot Chili Peppers
No woman, no cry - Bob Marley
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet
Hotel California - the Eagles
Gin and juice - Snoop Dog
Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2
Raspberry Beret - Prince
Boys of Summer - Don Henley
Under the boardwalk - the Drifters
Life in a northern town - Dream Academy
Groovin' - the Young Rascals
It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - REM
Run-around - Blues Traveler

Easter- the red pill

"You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.
You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. " - Morpheus

So this morning didn't go as planned...

the gate was locked.... but we were met with an offering of hot chocolate.

the music wasn't stellar, waves were loud, tide was up, drowns out the guitar...

the meditation was wonderful..... for those that could hear it........

.....the most amazing thing about the sunrise service is the people that show up.

Almost 300 people this morning in biting cold, harsh winds, suffering through smoke inhalation and frozen toes.

Christ has risen.

I looked out into the crowd of people, people that I love,
people that were there because they have taken the red pill .....
and joy overflowed in my heart.

every year,
no matter what,
I love the Easter sunrise service.

for Holy Weekend

Triumphal Entry - (by my friend Errol Nadeau)

As God’s people, let’s prepare our hearts in prayer for the coming holy week.

Lord Jesus,

We are your people and we proclaim your coming.

Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!

We throw down our cloaks and palm branches before you.

See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Son of David, riding on a donkey, royal procession, royal coronation.

Riding on a donkey, not on a white horse. Mission of peace, not of war or conquest.

This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee,

“Hosanna in the Highest!” “Crucify him!”

“Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“We have no king but Caesar!”

We lay down garments of praise. A crown of thorns.

Naked and scourged, despised and rejected. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”
Lord Jesus,

We are your people.

With one breath we praise you, with another, we condemn you.

By our actions we glorify you, and by our actions we betray you.

Lord Jesus, forgive us.

Make us your people.

Make us one, as You are One, to glorify your Name.

Amen

Bent on Lent

SO I've been "celebrating" Lent.... I don't even know if that's what you'd say...
I think it's I've been "observing" Lent....
well participating anyways....
I don't even really know why...
Its a time of 'fasting' to recognize the sacrifice Christ made for you ....

not necessarily food fasting but just giving up something in your life for 40 days before Easter.

I've heard people pick really dumb things like not eating popsicles, or chewing gum,.. especially by my young Catholic friends in Elementary who were forced to do this by their parents....

now that I'm older and actually DO appreciate what Jesus went through for me I thought I'd better pick something 'real'.

So I prayed and thought, and talked to people around me. I was inspired to choose to give up wearing make-up for Lent. I know, sounds almost as dumb as the popsicles but it really isn't.

This has been REALLY hard. I feel really insecure, and ugly. I look pale and tired all the time. It has forced me to look at issues of vanity and unhealthy habits in my life. Me HAVING to wear make-up or "hide" behind it on a daily basis.

I've cried, fought with my husband, and have chosen not to go out to certain things because I don't want people to see me without make-up on. By now you must be thinking, "what? does she look like the elephant man or something?"

No I don't, but I certainly feel like I do.

I haven't had any great insights or revelations from God through all this, infact I can't really say I've learned anything. But I have gotten used to seeing my own face.

Being able to look in the mirror and like what I see, weird I know. But nice.

end of February...

Two magor things have happened since my last post...
1. VALENTINES DAY which was an awesome lovey day spent with my hubby...
went to the park....
lounged about the house....
played with our kids....
( the night before we stayed up TOGETHER making them heart shaped chocolate chip cookies and Valentines day cards expressing our admiration and love of each one of them)
We had a beautiful dinner out ( by oursleves)...
then went to go see the "Blind Boys of Alabama" in concert
(The tickets were my present from him and I got him those video game 'plug into the TV' systems that have old atari games on them, pacman, galactica etc..)
2. On February 22nd my twin babies turned FIVE years old. OHMYGOSH I cried my eyes out the night before their birthday, I can't believe I don't have babies anymore. I lied in my bed realizing that I don't mind getting older but watching my kids get older is really painful. A whole chapter of my life is over, and of theirs too.....
'They are too cute to grow up', my 12 year old daughter says, and I agree.
The problem is...... I would just keep having babies, I love little kids!
Then they get older and they don't cuddle with you anymore, they argue, they don't kiss you in public, it's a different relationship, and I guess I just wasn't ready to make that shift....
but alas Father time is forcing me to.
The cutest and worst thing about it is they wanted to be and look like "little men" now that they were turning five.
Next thing you know they want the keys to your car......
I'll adjust......
I suppose.

pizza making with my boy

Tonight my eldest son and I made pizza together.
He's almost 14.
It was his idea.
I LOVED hanging out with him, laughing together,
teaching him about the mysteries of good dough......

I think being a young parent ( 33) with five kids I automatically put myself in the "cool" category. I'm still cool,.... aren't I? Well maybe I'm not, BUT I am both a mom and a friend to my kids. (mom first) And my kids are pretty good about wanting to include me in what they do, or ask my advice, or reveal/confess their latest thoughts or crushes, so that makes me feel/think I'm still a bit 'cool'.
As I was pressing out the dough tonight listening to my son tell me about his cooking class at school, I suddenly got frightened that these might be the last days of this kind of rapport with him, that soon he will be shutting me out, sneaking around, and being silent about his life...... I started to mourn what I anticipated was the very near future. I love my boy, not only that but I LIKE him too. He's a good kid, with a warm heart, cool hair, great smile and awesome sense of humour.... and (surprisingly) both great athletic abilility AND fashion sense. ( a ladies man in the making I'm sure :o) I don't want to "lose" him to the indifference/aloofness of teenagehood. I started to wonder if that has to happen. What can I do to avoid it?

Well as we were sprinkling on the cheese together I said thanks for making dinner with me, and bringing home the recipe from school. He gave me this HUGE smile and said, " you're welcome for hanging out with you Mom."
cheeky monkey!
But it was nice to know that he knew it was important to me to hang out with him. That he's important to me.
I said a little prayer after, and asked God to give me the wisdon to not drive him away, to love him and be the mother and friend that he needs. To be honest and approachable always.

January is over

I often hear people talk about having "january blues" or feeling "gloomy", or seasonal depression and stuff.....
I've never experienced that, so sometimes ( ok most of the time) I have no grace when I hear people using that as some sort of excuse for indifferent behavior, or lack of enthusiasm or committment. We have become a culture that has an excuse or "medical" condition for everything.
My favorite one out there is "general anxiety disorder",... doesn't that cover just about anything?
Well the good news is January is over.
We can all go back to 'normal', with our usual excuses like, " I don't have enough time", or "I thought someone else was doing that". ....

I'm looking forward to February. My favorite holiday is Valentines day. I love anything to do with love stuff. I especially like celebrating LOVE with my husband, children, family and friends.

(The thing is I like celebrating love all year long,
which is I guess why I resent 'January blues'
and all that crap.)

2006

ok, I'm a little late but
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
it's late and I must go to bed, but I felt I was neglecting my leeetle blog page.
So I figure I better post SOMETHING!
My 2005 was wonderful and full of adventure, excitement, romance,
blessings, trials you name it. BUT I loved it! As I reflected with my husband and children I was only more and more amazed at how blessed I truly am.
Thank you God for being my captain, guide, rudder, wheel, hull, sail and mast.
May 2006 bless all who read this.
It's going to be a beautfiul year!