Winter picnic

As I woke Monday and realized we were staring down a week of total togetherness, all the time, all day long, togetherness, I made a decision. I decided we would have to go into the wilderness for a field trip one of the days. So I called Grandpa to see if he wanted to join us. It was based on some vague plan around an article someone posted on Facebook about winter hikes in Kananaskis.

Dad agreed to my vague plan. I then had a sleepless night trying to figure out what we'd do if there was 4 feet of snow in K-country. Honestly, if I get stuck up to my waste in snow, no one in the group would be strong enough to get me out. Scary prospect.

Grandpa arrived and had managed to do a bit more research than I had. He found out that McLean Creek picnic area is open all year and you can have a fire. So he came armed with hot dogs. So with our new and improved plan we went off on our adventure. Just Mommy, kids and Grandpa. 

We had a great time. So fun. We got smoky and smelly and went for a hike, we even walked across the frozen lake and found all the ice-fishing holes. It turned out to be a perfect day. 

We decided we'd have to go again!

Merry Christmas from the Davis Family

Yet another year has passed.
And I have to admit it was my worst year as a blogger. Sorry!!

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
God bless you all in the New Year. 

Pondering how my Mom thinks about her Mom

Today my Mom told me a story. She had done something that reminded her of her own mother. She laughed and said, "I guess I am getting to be like my Mom."

It caused me to think about this phenomenon. Many women resent the idea that they might be "turning out like there mothers." Not that they think their mothers are bad, but I think we have in us a need to be our own person to not just be a continuation of someone else.

Until our mothers are gone.

Then it seems women yearn for connection with their own mothers. They see them in all the little ordinary things.

It points to this wonderful and yet complex relationship we have with our mothers. The longest running and some could argue the most influential relationship we will ever have. Sometimes these relationships go through periods of change. Times where the relationship is redefined.

For example when I went home to work after my first year of University my mother on more than one occasion poured tea and only set out two cups, even though there were clearly three of us in the house. She had adjusted to all her kids being gone and two was her new norm. I had to adjust to this new framework and learn to get my own damn cup! HA.

As my mother ages I see in her a longing for connection with her mother. A growing understanding perhaps, now that she herself is getting older. In her there seems to be a growing acceptance to the idea of the great influence her mother had in her own life.

It is, from my perspective a beautiful thing.

I hope one day that I turn out just like my mother!

Last days of fall

Well, that sounds a bit dramatic but they did forcast snow for tomorrow. We went to fish creek park to wonder around on this beautiful Friday with our neighbor and her three beautiful kids. Great fun getting wet and throwing rocks.

Mini day trip

Last Friday the kids were off school, so we decided to drive to Kanaskis for the afternoon. I love Alberta in the fall. A drive in the mountains on a glorious fall day is just this side of heaven if you ask me.

I feel very blessed to live in such a beautiful spot. Not everyone thinks Alberta is the embarrassing cousin that no one wants to talk about, ahem!! In fact, many of us are very proud of Alberta. Proud of our landscape, proud of our people and proud of the independent spirit that's make us who we are.

Don't go changing Alberta, no matter who this you should, your pretty damn good the way you are.

Enough soap box, now pictures of cute kids.

Little summer break

We have just returned from a short break to eastern BC. We had a wonderful time. Such a wonderfully beautiful spot.

A promise

I promise I'll be back in a few weeks and I'll share pictures and share all about our summer adventures. Right now we are too busy living them to take time to write.

To be continued...

Happy Canada Day

I have been rather obsessed with the party we are throwing for my Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary, and so I didn't think to get the kids dressed up for a Canada picture. And thank goodness for our good friends Mel and Scott or we wouldn't be doing anything today either. In two weeks it will be over and I can get back to focusing on life.

Looking forward to it though. The kids love parties!! Yeah!!

Happy Canada Day from the Davis house.

Planning parties can be hard

Luke 14: 16-24   Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
 "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' " 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'
"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. [24] I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "

This is what I love about the Bible. To me it is always relevant. There is always something to which I can relate. I have heard people say, as I think it is no popular, to claim that the Bible is an antiquated book that represents a different time in history and a different set of values and ideals and that it is no longer applicable.

Well, I'm planning a party and I'm frustrated and this parable hits home with me!! Jesus was speaking in parables to explain a bigger concept. But this works because the example is something to which we can relate. I love how God works in my life.

Doing the rain dance

Is it really bad that I am praying for rain? Not because my plants need it, and they do. But because my kids have soccer and I don't want to go!! Sad sad mommy!!

Common' rain!!!

Deeper thoughts

I have had some struggles lately. Little things. Lots of little bumps that make the road feel rocky. Lots of feeling sorry for myself moments.

Yesterday I got news. Tragic news. A friend from my childhood, from my past suffered a very tragic death. A shocking thing. Yet my life chugs on, bumps and all.

My children are healthy. My husband loves me. My bank account while almost empty has enough for food and shelter. The trees have buds and the grass is beginning to green.

Somewhere three young girls have to learn how to live without their mom.

All I can do is pray. Ask God to heal their hurt and pain.

Terrible blogger

I am the worst blogger these days. I don't even write blogs in my mind any more. Yikes!!

Take it to mean that we are happy well and relatively drama free.

The kids are enjoying our early spring. Bikes have been out for almost a month - they have been snowed on a few times, but still!!

Wes is busy working.

I am well, not sure what I am doing. I appear to be at a bit of a crossroads trying hard to figure out what my goals and direction in life should be. But no fear I'm sure I can put off any major decisions for at least a year or so!

Trust we are well. And if I ever think of anything interesting to say I will be sure to stop by.

Family break

We decided very last minute to take a quick break as a family. Wes found himself with a few days off and (believe it or not) it coincided with a break from school. So we packed everyone up and went to Edmonton for a couple nights and then on to Edson for two nights.

In Edmonton we did the mall, mini-golf, water park, galaxy land, visited with family. So much fun!

Then on to Edson where we stayed with my best friend Ali and her family. We had so much fun with them. The kids got on famously and it was so nice to spend a couple days getting caught up.

We came home tired and not ready for school. But the good news is it feels like spring in Calgary. So that is a plus.

Accidental Life

I hear a lot of people talk about living an "intention life." I know that, particularly the more earnest of them, mean living their life with their overarching focus always in mind. And I applaud the effort but I hate the phrase "intentional." Most people who have this view use it in their attempt to follow the will of God, which again I hugely applaud, being of a very like mind.

In the first place it is awkward and unnecessarily vague, which coming from me is saying a lot!

My far more serious objection is that it appears to be about control. If I can keep my focus on God and my divine purpose I will only do things that fit into that definition. I will make ever choice carefully and correctly. Again in theory this is excellent.

But theory and reality are two different things. Some times our missteps take us down roads we would never have taken. Some times accidents can change our trajectory for the good or the bad, but regardless change who we are and how we cope.

I for one am tired of this measured and careful approach to life, in may work for others but not for me.

Maybe if we all accepted that we don't know what tomorrow brings and that we can't control what it brings we could just embrace the moment and accept what life throws at us.

As I sit writing this my life looks nothing like what I planned. I guess its my accidental life!