*SNOW*

In lieu of the recent dump of snow, I have dug up a song to reflect on:

First Snowfall
Words and music by Sonya Braun

Verse 1

Sky’s a blue-grey
Funny how rain gives way
To snow
Mysterious, exciting, depressing, inviting
Oh…
Snow falling slowly, evenly
Soft frosting on the grass
Big, wet flakes changing everything…
Will it last?

Chorus 1

What does God see
When he sends the first snowfall?
What does he think,
Am I thankful at all?
How do I feel
When the seasons are changing?
It’s part of life—
It’s God’s rearranging. (2nd time to bridge)

Verse 2

Thick snow weighs down the branches
Drooping, a sorrowful sight
Leaves fall, their bright color
Boldly defies winter white
Like laughter of children
Enthralled with it all
Anticipate snowmen and sledding
And having a ball
What am I dreading?
Oh…Oh…

(Chorus)

Bridge

Where is the snow now?
Where has it gone?
Seems that it left
Come the warm, warm sun
How in the world
Can it change so fast?
All I see is
The green, green grass
Suddenly it’s summer
I feel so free
I smile and I laugh
And I kick up my feet
Just when I think
Winter’s here to stay
God blows his warm winds
As if to say:

Chorus 2

I am the God
Of all creation
I’m in control
Of the clouds and the sun
Seasons may change
But you’ve nothing to fear
Trust in me child
I’ll always be near (Repeat Chorus 2)

(2nd time tag) Always be near

First Snowfall was written in 1998 as an assignment for a composition class. My teacher challenged my view that songs only came to me when suddenly inspired…that I couldn’t just decide to write one. One evening, as I watched huge flakes of snow falling outside, I began to write.

A few days later, I returned to the page and started processing my thoughts on the change of season. I love winter, but there are always those mixed feelings as the beautiful trees become bare, the temperatures drop, and the joys of bundling up begin. So I began to wonder what God thinks when I’m feeling rather ungrateful for the cold weather.

Just as I was beginning to accept that winter was here, a Chinook blew in and the snow all melted. And thus the bridge was born. I really questioned the direction it took my song (and so did my teacher), but it just kind of stuck. I was reminded that circumstances can change suddenly, but God’s in control of it all.

As the seasons in your life change, I pray that the constancy of the Father will draw you to trust in him.

Baby, she's got it!

My daughter that is. She just completed her intensive potty training and after despairing much that it was not effective, she is trained. She has even passed diarrhea 101 quite handily (after a day of trial and error).

Happily, J's diarrhea seems to be calming down now (we had an uneventful night last night!!!) Hopefully all will be well soon.

For those who are not mothers that read this, I apologize. Just be thankful your life doesn't revolve around these things.

"Precious" Moments

We head out (much too late) for Zellers and Superstore. Take forever in Zellers getting underwear, socks, scissors and things. It's way past lunch. J seems to be fading, the granola bar long gone. We try to go to Dollarama. It's too crowded and I can't find what Jacob wanted to get. We leave. I'm despairing. If we don't pick up groceries now, we likely won't be able to. R should be going down for a nap and we haven't even had lunch. I call Rod. He confirms that we need to shop now or never for he needs the car later. We head to the car to pick up the kids' juices. Maybe that will pick them up while we wait for our DQ. Both kids are uncooperative and we make a scene that causes people to wonder if I'm fit for motherhood. We walk back and order our food. J has complained that his tummy hurts. This sounds reminiscent of R last night. I look at him and wonder whether it's the fluorescents or the tone of his skin. We sit down and wait for our food. It soon comes. The kids each take a big sip of the iced tea and we wait for the fries to cool off. I'm just about to ask J if he feels like throwing up when he walks over to me and immediately answers my question on my leg and at my feet and down his jacket. Poor fella. I get some napkins and start wiping his face, his jacket, and my pants. Get some more and continue with his hand and the table. Then I have to tell the staff the grim news. We wait a full five minutes. A few patrons look at our mess. I can't tell whether it's mild disgust or pity. A staff member whom I think is a Mom (thankfully for usually they're teenagers) does her job with such grace, she eases my emotional state. I try to finish my food and the kids pick at theirs. Then we head back to Zellers to pick up a few more things as I feel we won't be getting to Superstore. Kids fall asleep on the way home and I pick up a few diapers at the convenience store. Neither stays asleep, but R eventually gets back down for a nap and I try to encourage J to rest. I just hope it passes quickly with not too much spreading around.

Naptime Noodlings

I really should be lying down for my daily rest, but I slept fairly well last night and my sheets are off getting washed and well, the computer lives in our bedroom currently...

Just enjoyed checking up on my blog list. I can see across my street. The sun is shining on the houses making them look a little more glorious than they really are. There are big patches of bright blue sky with the funnest clouds hanging about (like the one's on the Simpson's...of which I'm not a fan but I remember someone from Vancouver Island travelling in the prairies and commenting that there actually are clouds like on the Simpson's). The big old trees have lost their leaves, but still retain their grandeur. Kids are either sleeping or contentedly playing. I love my house. It's always two steps forward and one step back as we continue to bring over more stuff...I guess we just have too much stuff.

So many things I'm behind on. All I really want to do is enjoy life. But the undone can crash in and wreak havoc (i.e. bills, accounting, lack of groceries etc.). So I really must get a list and a plan. Sigh.

Maybe I will lay down for a bit...

Birthday!!!

It's my daughter's second birthday today. We had a birthday breakfast before Daddy went to work. Too bad the muffins didn't quite turn out. New recipe and new oven not a good combination. Got home from Sask last night, zipped over to the Forks, picked up Calico Critters for the birthday girl, stopped by Dollarama for some wrapping paper, plates and cups. Unpacked, put the kids to bed around 10:00 (they napped from 3-6 in the car). Realized why putting kids to bed early is so much better (exhaustion!), wrapped presents and blew up balloons, checked emails, invoiced someone. Crashed. Got up before kids (luckily they were sleeping in a bit) and started the muffins, pulled them out at various points only to discover they were still gooey, managed to put candles in one before hubby left. Kids never did eat muffins. We'll see how the rest turned out.

I'm tired and my house is a mess. Have I said that before?

Giving Thanks

Well, our house situation is finally resolved. We have some great renters coming in mid-month to take care of our monthly expenses. Maybe we could've sold our house this month, but I feel like maybe we didn't sell because God had these other ideas. It will be so nice to have some income pouring in. Things were getting very tight.

Going to enjoy some travel time and time with family. Happy Thanksgiving!