Jonathan's TwentyFifth Blog: Maybe the least funny blog ever!

About the most exciting thing that happened today was on the bus. One of the trolley buses that was ahead of ours broke down, so we had not only the regular people, but also the people who normal take the earlier bus. Crowded would be an understated word! Other than that, there really is nothing new. I’m pining for my days off around Christmas. Not just because of the GameCube, but I haven’t had a day off (that didn’t include sickness or teeth) since the summer. This year our boss is even giving us a paid day off in lieu of boxing day. Last year I had to use a holiday day.

Boy I’m boring today….

JG

Weekday Gladness

What a weekend! I am glad that we are back to the week...(sigh!)

Friday night my friend and I went to the women's banquet at church. It was awesome. What a way to begin the Christmas season. It really put the whole season of Christmas into perspective. I think my friend really enjoyed it, too!

Saturday night service was great. My throat didn't bother me at all. I kept drinking my Throat Coat tea. It really helped. Of course after the service was over, I couldn't talk very well...But that's alright. I made it through the service. That's most important. Aidan was flirting with a whole bunch of teenage girls during the message. Everyone was like, "Way to go, Aidan!" I'm thinking, "Yeah, well all girls love all babies! Hopefully this doesn't happen when he is older." That's when I realized I am a mom. I have high expectations for the girls that Aidan will bring home. Even now just thinking about it....Anyway, it is still a long way off. (Thank goodness!)

Yesterday we went to the Festival of Trees. I was a little disappointed. I was hoping that there would be more tree displays. The best part was definitely the gingerbread house display. All of the time and effort that went into those was amazing. You would really have to have lots of patience to put something like that together. All of those minute details! Impressive!

Last night, we were all really tired. Aidan's cold is doing a lot better. He is still really flemmy in the morning and has a little cough, trying to move all that around. No runny nose, though, and that's most important to me.

Okay. So it is Christmas. I know that some of you do not enjoy Christmas, but I LOVE it. So I will most definetly be sharing some Christmas things with you. Today I just wanted to share a song. We sang it last year during the last service before Christmas. I just love the words. I still can't believe that I sang it last year as a solo because I always cry during it. Obviously God wanted me to get through it. Anyway, it is written by Chris Rice, but is on the Michael W. Smith 'Christmastime' album. As we get closer to Christmas, I hope that this song will put the meaning into perspective.

Love,
Manders

Welcome to Our World

- by Chris Rice (1995)

Tears are falling hearts are breaking

How we need to hear from God

You've been promised, we've been waiting

Welcome holy Child, welcome holy Child

Hope that You don't mind our manger

How I wish we would have known

But long awaited holy stranger

Make Yourself at home, please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence

Bid our hungry souls be filled

Word now breaking heaven's silence

Welcome to our world, Welcome to our world

Fragile fingers sent to heal us

Tender brow prepared for thorns

Tiny heart whose blood will save us

Unto us is born, unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You

Breathe our air and walk our sod

Rob our sin and make us holy

Perfect Son of God, perfect Son of God

Welcome to our world

God Goggles and Other Musings

Wow! Look at the time. With two new blogs to read in our blogging community, it seems to take me forever to get to writing my own blog. It's great, though. I am glad there is a new mom in our blogging circle so that we can share stories. There is nothing like getting together with new moms and just talking about life. (Especially when you have been up all night, or your baby is sick, or you are just frustrated...) These relationships are so important.

Aidan is still trying to get over his cold. It is only really bad in the morning and at night. Mostly it has moved to his chest, so he sounds like a motor every time he breathes in. I feel bad for him, but there is not much you can do for a cold, except let it run its course. Hopefully it will get better soon, though.

I just put on a Baby Einstein DVD for Aidan. They really are great. I mean, it really gives the baby some sensory input that they wouldn't get otherwise. And when they are really cranky, it works to calm them down. I am not saying use them all the time, but every once and a while mom needs a break. Today I need the break. We actually haven't watched it for a long time (a month or so). Anyway, he is glued to the television. This one is a whole bunch of vignettes (scenes displaying different things like lava lamps, trains, etc.) to the music of Mozart. There are puppet things in between. Aidan loves it, especially the trains and the puppets. He also loves music. (He is always trying to sing along...It is really cute!) They have DVDs like this with praise music....I have no idea what they are like because they cost at least 5-10 more dollars than these ones. Okay - I sound like a commercial, but I think it is important to share things that work with babies. How else would you know?

Tonight I am off to a woman's Christmas banquet at our church with my friend Annemarie. It should be really fun. We have to get all dressed up and they decorate elaborately. There is a speaker and some music by Angie Money (she had one CD out). They are serving turkey, and the leader of my Daybreak group is doing the MC-ing. It should be really fun. (A girl's night out!)

Tomorrow we have Aquatots in the morning, where daddy and mommy get to fight over who goes in the pool with Aidan. Then we are on worship team tomorrow night and Aidan gets to hang out with his girlfriend, Stephanie. (Our worship leader's daughter, and his babysitter.) He loves her.

Sunday, Jonathan has promised me that we can finally make it to the Festival of Trees at the Shaw Conference Center. I have always wanted to go, but have never made it. This year we are definetly going. Aidan will love it. He loves all the Christmas lights and sounds. He should sleep really good on Sunday night, as he will definetly be over stimulated.

All in all, it will be a busy weekend, but fun.

I was reminded the other day that I need to be looking at the world through God's point-of-view and not my own. (I need to put on my God goggles.) I was reading about how God can take a few loaves of bread and a few fish and feed 5000 and 4000 people. If He can do that, how much more can He accomplish with the little that I have to offer? I need to have faith and see through God's eyes to see the possibilities. Not through my own eyes, which only see my shortcomings....

May you all remember, especially during this busy time of year, to put on your God goggles and see through God's eyes. You will not be disappointed!

Love,
Manders

Jonathan's TwentyFourth Blog: Two Down, Nine To Go

I had two cavities filled yesterday. Unfortunately he did something wrong with one of them, so I have to go back on Monday and have him grind a little. When I try to bite down, two of my teeth meet before the rest of them, so I can’t chew very well. Could be a long weekend. I also let the dentist know that I wouldn’t be returning until after Christmas. He seemed disappointed. Maybe he was hoping to buy some really expensive presents.

Here at work they finally bought me a cordless phone. We have 15,000 square feet of warehouse and office space, so I’m hardly ever at my desk. Then I end up getting these “Jonathan line 4” pages in the warehouse meaning I have to run to the nearest phone. Of course the stupid thing costs $700 so I’m a little worried that I’m going to smash it against something or drop it while I’m on a ladder sometime.

What else?… Well, the poll has been extremely popular again. There’s a lot of people who watch a lot of TV. I’m trying to think of something exciting and new to put up there. Any ideas? We’ll probably move to some Christmas related questions soon.

Sorry this is so short, I’ve got lots of things to do now that the phone people wasted my time with their demonstration. Feel free to call anytime, I can even answer the phone in the bathroom!

JG

Must Apologize

Dogpile, dogpile! I feel like I should be on a rugby team.

First of all, I need to apologize to anyone I offended with my guestbook comment. It was not my intention. But I was really grumpy that day - all week actually. (Yes ladies! We all know why!) I am also tired of people thinking that all stay-at-home moms do is sit and watch soap operas and eat bon bons. Not that any of you have said anything derogatory about me and what I do with my time. (Beah, I apologize if it sounded like I was attacking your comment about our weekly poll. You're right. It is not 'weekly'.) I am truly sorry.

Secondly, I have never called Jonathan anything but 'Jonathan'. When we were on Morning Star everyone knew not to call him anything other than that. So, it stuck. (Actually, most times I call him 'honey', but that's another story.) It is just my personal preference. No one used to call me anything other than 'Amanda' until Morning Star when people started calling me 'Manders'. Then when we started going to Sherwood Park Alliance, Rita (our worship leader), started calling me 'Manders' without even knowing that people on Morning Star had called me that. So, I guess the name stuck. If anyone ever calls me 'Mandy' though.... I guess I just like 'Jonathan'...Feel free to call him whatever you want. It matters not to me!

In truth, I am just feeling like the second-rate blogger of our blog. Jonathan's blogs are just like everyone else's, which is fine. But, my blogs do not always give a retelling of what has happened in our day. I wanted my blogs to be more uplifting. This means (usually) that people do not comment on my blog entries. So, after last week where Jonathan blogged and everyone commented, I felt gipped. Now I know that there are people who never comment (the lurkers - My mom, for one :) ) and that is fine. Actually, it is fine that no one comments on my blogs. I am still going to write them...but Jonathan and I are fiercly competitive...This gets in the way a lot. (Especially playing the game 'Risk' - needless to say, we don't play that game anymore.) Anyway, I guess I was a little bitter about how many people were commenting on his blogs. Add PMS you get OVER-REACTION! (By the way, did anyone's PMS get worse after having a kid?)
(Sorry for the PMS mention - it's a fact of life!)

Phew. I am feeling much better now. I hope this helps in some way to clear the air. I really am not that mean, honest.

Thanks for continuing to read. We love our faithful bloggers. Have a great day everyone!

Love,
Manders

P.S. If you think of it, you could pray for Jonathan today at 3:30pm our time. He is going back to the dentist to get his bottom cavaties fixed. I am sure that he would appreciate the support.

Jonathan's TwentyThird Blog: Anyone notice I skipped #18?

First off, about today’s bus ride. I am such a creature of habit that I like to sit in the same seat every time. Well today I couldn’t do it cause some lady had taken my seat already. So I ended up at the back of the bus behind some guy and his kid. Now I don’t wear my glasses on the bus, I only wear them when I’m driving, so I had assumed incorrectly that this guy was sitting next to a child wearing a toque. Turns out that he’s sitting beside his acoustic guitar which he has a fuzzy case for. The funny thing was that he looked like he was nuzzeling it. (maybe he just likes his guitar….a lot.)

Thanks Marsha for the ideas. I’ll have to check out the Johnny Cash CD. I’m not a big fan, but seeing as its coming highly recommended… I’m hesitant to admit this but I’m positive that GBS will not be under the tree for me. I realize that some people have elevated them to super-group status but I think that has to do more with sentimental reasons then the quality of music. Not to say that they’re not a talented group of guys, but does every second song have to sound the same? (boy, as if we didn’t have enough guestbook entries already…)

Moving on… We lucky people here in Alberta just had ANOTHER election. First it was the federal one with Paul Martin and his minority government, and then a municipal one with the biggest surprise of the current mayor being beaten out by a council member. And yesterday was the provincial shoo-in for the PC’s and King Klein. Not a big surprise that he won another majority. Hopefully the Alberta Alliance Party will keep some momentum going so there’ll be a different conservative party to vote for next time.

In other news, Amanda bought a new shower curtain and non-skid pads for the bathtub. It’s a little girlie. It actually looks a lot like Aimee’s blog: Hummingbird. And now we have little feet in the bathtub. I feel much safer now.

Looks like I’m out of inspiration,

JG

Jonathan's TwentySecond Blog: Spin Control & Mending Fences

Wow, who knew that our blog was visited so frequently? First off, you should know that Amanda blogged this morning before she had her first cup of coffee. That should explain the tone of her guest book entry!

It’s a good thing my mother doesn’t visit the guestbook, because she’d be having a fit over the name brutality. I’m not a big fan of nicknames at the best of times, most likely because when I was growing up they were used by schoolmates as derogatory and demeaning devices. Now I realize most people think of them as fun in a joking way, so I’m fine with that. I just think that there’s something meaningful and valuable in using a person’s name. “Hey buddy”, isn’t as meaningful as “Hi Jonathan”. I’m sure someone with a psychology degree could explain it better than I.

Marsha, a second opinion is a good idea. It’s just that I can see most of the places that have cavities, so the gaping holes in my mouth were a pretty big red flag for the dentist. Now if I could only get that stupid “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” song out of my head.

Beah, thanks for caring. If you didn’t give a rat’s behind about us and our site you wouldn’t have taken the time to (kindly) criticize. You were right about the neglected poll. We appreciate the feedback. I will be renaming the poll shortly. (maybe the next poll question will be what to name the poll?)

To my sister (also known as “my parent’s second favourite child”) I’m not sure about what you should get me for Christmas. Amanda is getting me a Nintendo GameCube, so some free marital counselling could be good. (For some reason she’s not allowing me to take it on our weekend get away.) I’m not into the ‘Christian’ music scene at all, so I’m not sure what CD you could get me. I’m also not planning on doing a lot of reading after Christmas (see above re:GameCube). I’ll give it some thought though and get back to you. What’s your budget like?

Well, I guess that clears up that! Thanks everyone for your contributions!

I have more good news too. Today I took the car to our mechanic because it was making a squealing sound and it turns out that one of the belts that they had replaced a couple weeks ago had ‘seated’ so they fixed it and didn’t charge us anything! Whoohoo! That’s the kind of call I like getting from my mechanic. If only my dentist would have the same policy.

Later!

JG

Blogging, blogging, blogging, blogging....

I'm back!!!

Finally I feel like I can blog again. My son's cold is getting much better, and he is actually sleeping this morning. Last week I was continually bringing him into bed with me in the morning because he wanted to wake up at 6:30/7:00...I did not want him to because he had been awake off and on all night. Everyone knows how hard it is to sleep when you have a cold, stuffy nose, cough, etc. Now imagine that you have never experienced any of these things before in your life....Crazy. I feel good about him having been sick once, though. Hopefully it will toughen him up a bit!

Last week was really tough on me. I mean, Aidan is not a grumpy baby. He has a really kind spirit, a good heart and an even temper. He's really likeable. (Not all babies are. Trust me. I have met lots that are not so nice!) Anyway, it was hard to be the parent of a grumpy child, especially when you are not getting enough sleep, enough alone time, enough work done around the house, etc. All your child wants is you, or not you, or you, or not you, or you.......Really Aidan didn't know what he wanted. It was pretty crazy. I had a crash course in patience and really almost lost it one day - I think Thursday. I was so frustrated that I just had to leave the situation for a few minutes. Don't worry! I only went to the basement, shut the door and sat there just praying for wisdom and patience....It's hard work being a mom. What was really funny was the fact that at Daybreak that morning our bible study was on...patience. Yes God. Way to drive home a point.

Last night Aidan actually slept all night. I didn't have to get out of bed once. I really needed the sleep as I have a sore throat and we are on worship team this weekend. So, I need my throat to heal so I can sing. (I love singing.)

Well, my in-laws sent me my birthday present already. They said I could open it or save it. When I was a kid, my parents would always make me save cards and presents until my birthday (Dec. 21). Up until last year, I was really anal about it, too. Since having Aidan, I have realized that there are some things in life that you just need to let go of. So, I opened it early. It was filled with lots of special treats, socks, earrings and of course a nice birthday cheque. I used the money to buy a new bible - an NLT bible. (New Living Translation) My sister has one and I was reading it when we were in Calgary for Thanksgiving. I love it. I am so excited to read all of my favorite passages and see how they are written. I mean, I have always loved reading Scripture, but this is like reading the Bible again for the first time. I know I will find some hidden gems tucked away in some bible passage that I have forgotten about. I will keep you posted of any new ones I find. Let me just leave you with a gem that I found on Friday night:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no records of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever...
(1 Cor. 13: 4-8a)

I just love the part about love not demanding its own way....what an excellent way of putting it. It hit me like a ton of bricks. So many times this weekend I have fallen short of this, especially with Jonathan. If only we could go back in time. Wouldn't that be great? Instead I apologize, Jonathan. I love you more that you could ever imagine.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Love,
Manders

P.S. My sister has started her own blog...I know one more to check out! Anyway, I have added it to our links list.... (http://uselessbutfun.blogspot.com)

Jonathan's Twentyfirst Blog: Is he going to keep these titles forever?

Aidan has his first cold, so Amanda’s day is spent wiping his nose and trying to get him to take a nap. Hence I have taken it upon myself to fill the blog gap. (And it’s not busy at all today.)
Beah has given me lots to blog about, starting with the accusation that I like to listen to the BackStreet boys. Let me say this: I do not own any albums and have not attended any concerts. On the other hand, as a drummer I do enjoy watching their live appearances. Because they’re making millions of dollars, they can afford to hire the best musicians in the world to do their live shows. I really liked N’Sync’s drummer too. And I’m not ashamed to admit that I enjoy some of Justin Timberlake’s solo music. So don’t be embarrassed about liking Bryan Adams, it’s not like you said you were addicted to country music; now that would be embarrassing.
For the record I really like Sting (the Police and his early solo stuff), Peter Gabriel, and old Phil Collins/Genesis (pre-disney). Well written, well performed. Joe Satriani is good too.

I’ve been meaning to rant about this for a while, so just so I don’t forget, what’s up with TRANS-FAT?! Had anybody even heard about this ‘life-threatening’ thing say a year ago. I told Amanda that my theory is that it was recently put in to all unhealthy foods so that it could be discovered and then everyone could have a huge marketing campaign to tell us that they have removed it from their products and we should thank them for saving our lives. Every package now has “Zero trans-fat” on the label. Should I feel better about scarfing down an entire bag of BBQ Lays, simply because it tells my they’ve removed all the trans-fat that could have killed me? And if it is true that scientist had just discovered it and how bad it is for us, what else is out there in cookies, cakes, celery, and mushrooms that HASN’T been discovered yet. I love conspiracy theories so I’m going with the “it never existed, it’s all just a scare campaign” idea. It’ll help me sleep better at night after consuming three BigMacs and a large fry!

JG

Jonathan's twentieth Blog: It's Amazing!

Yes, the Amazing Race is back for it's next season. They kicked it off on Tuesday night and it was just as good as I remembered it. CBS must be struggling a bit in the ratings department, as the Amazing Race is usually just a summer fill-in show. But it has won the Emmy for best reality show two years running, so I guess they're trying it out during sweeps. They could do it twice a year and I'd still watch. It has reached the status of : My Favourite Show presently on TV.
Speaking of TV, I have to come clean and admit something. Amanda has been threatening to blog about it so I've decided to take away her blackmail device.

*I can't watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition without crying. There, I said it. My name is Jonathan and I'm a big baby. (Hi Jonathan...) Normally I wouldn't watch that show, but marriage is all about compromise and Amanda loves that show. So needless to say we watch it on Sunday nights. It's a good show too, ABC and Sears spending a little bit of money to have a one hour commercial that helps out the less fortunate. I can usually hold back the water works, but sometimes they'll have a little kid crying happy tears and I'll just break down. Ok, time to move on or I'll get a verbal slap from Mel for being too sappy.

Bus ride today: nothing comes to mind. On my short jog to get my transfer I saw an accident. Actually I didn't see it until after it happened, just a horn, a squeal of tires and a crash. I decided there were enough witnesses who might have actually seen the before and after that I continued on my merry way. It sure made me a little more cautious in the pedestrian crossings though.

My time is slipping away, have a great Thursday!

JG

Jonathan's nineteenth Blog: Good News and Bad News

That's one of my favourite phrases. Here at work I'm famous for saying "Well, I've got some good news and some bad news." Of course everyone always says that I only give bad news and not good news, but I think their just pessimistic.

First the good news: Amanda found my ring! Yes, the lost wedding band has been found. She was cleaning out the diaper bag and guess what was at the bottom? My ring. Now I have two rings, one with emotional attachment and one that I really like the look of. Any suggestions?

And today we both went to the dentist for a regular cleaning and to play: How many cavities do we have. That's the bad news. I have 11 cavities! Yes eleven! That means I have more teeth with fillings or cavities than I have without. It's a good thing we have a benefits plan now. And guess how many cavities Amanda had? Zero. Natta. Zip. Niet. None. Zilch. So starting next week and continuing for what looks like forever will be a trip to the dentist to begin filling in my mouth.
So now I'm at work, supposed to be eating lunch, getting ready for the afternoon but my mouth hurts so much that I'm avoiding eating for as long as my stomach will allow me.
Maybe I should get some of those gold fillings like the rappers do. To go with my bling-bling ring. My life has turned into bus rides and dentist trips.

JG

My Christmas Conundrum

Thanks to all those who gave Jonathan ideas about Christmas presents for me. Mel, Jonathan did get me a spa thing once....except they lost my appointment. So, I woke up early, on a day off, went to the spa place only to be told that what I had been looking forward to was not going to happen. I was quite upset about it. I called Jonathan when I got home. He was outraged. He called the spa place and they offered to give me a free pedicure and manicure. So, Jonathan got off early from work to drive me to the place, I had the manicure and pedicure, and then he picked me up. (I ruined one of my nails getting dressed after the treatments.) The lady that was doing my treatment kept saying how horrible it was for them to have done that to me....Anyway, I found the whole experience less than relaxing, which is what I signed up for. (It was Spasation, in case you are wondering.) Needless to say, I would not go back there again. Plus, it really is something you should do with a girlfriend or two. And I would want a pedicure, but right now I am having some ingrown issues, so I don't want anyone touching/looking/painting/massaging my feet right now.

The truth is that I found it quite hard this year to find anything I wanted. I mean, I have pretty much what I have always wanted in life - a great husband, a place to live, clothes, food, car that runs, a son...So basically I feel pretty complete. The only thing missing is a teaching job, but no one can buy me that. I have to do that for myself. It doesn't fit in a box.

(Mom said she found it hard to decide on something once she became a mom, too! Your priorities change, I guess....Mothers, ever the martyrs!)

Finally, I decided that Beah has a point. Extravagant is the way to go. But, I wanted to share it with someone special - my hubby. So, Jonathan and I are going to take a weekend away together. It is really hard to find time alone together, so this is a perfect gift for me. I am looking forward to it. It should be such a peaceful time together.

I hope that you are all having a good day today. I think Aidan might have a bit of a cold or a runny/stuffy nose from teething. He's a little grumpy. Well, I better go and tend to the wee one. Have a wonderful day everyone.

Love,
Manders

Jonathan's Seventeenth Blog: Deleted Christmas Rant

Well, it's amazing how many different ways I can find to accidently delete my blogs. Yesterday I was highlighting all the text in order to save it as a Word file, but I pressed the back arrow too many times and poof! everything disappeared. And I must have pressed another key because I tried the UNDO key and nothing happened. If only there was an UNDO key in my life. There's a litany of things I'd like to say or do differently.

As for yesterday's Christmas rant, it doesn't seem as important today. I was just wondering if people's feelings about this holiday has more to do with their past experiences than the actual holiday itself. For instance, if a kid got beat up every Christmas by their cousin that they only saw during the holidays, then he obviously wouldn't enjoy that time, and probably even as an adult he would have something mentally telling him that Christmas was bad. Or a poor person who felt like they had to buy everyone expensive gifts and go into debt cause they were trying to hide their poverty would hate it when December rolled around cause of the guilt and shame. Or people who fill their social calenders to the brim and then complain about how busy the season is and how stressed they're feeling. It's not the season or what it represents, it's just their inability to say no.
Ok, enough.

This should be another busy weekend for the Grant clan. Tonight we head to Sears to get our pictures taken. I'm taking bets on whether or not we make it to the studio before Aidan spits up on himself. And tomorrow morning is Aqua-tots, which Aidan seems to like a lot. Maybe he won't grow up hating the water like his father. I'm sure my terror of water has nothing to do with me falling into a lake at W.T.'s cottage as a young child and having to be rescued by my father. Saturday afternoon and evening will be filled with worship team practice and the actual service. Sunday involves grocery shopping/ laundry/football/ cleaning up the house a bit so it doesn't look like a dump. Will the excitement ever end?

Well, time to get back to work so I can afford all those expensive gifts I'm getting everyone!

JG

Jonathan's Sixteenth Blog: www.platinumblonde.blogspot.com

Well, first I spent all my lunch writing in the guestbook at the above blog, and then what little I did write here was accidently deleted. Maybe I'll fill you in on what you missed tomorrow.

JG

At the Manger

Okay, I'll admit that I love Christmas....(read Mel's guestbook to find out about my love for Christmas) www.platinumblonde.blogspot.com. I just love everything about it.

Most importantly is my love for God and the fact that He would send His son down to earth to save us. That in itself is amazing, but more amazing to me is the way God did it. I mean, Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Lamb. So, you would think that God would want a triumphant entry into the world....Right? We give parties for new babies being born all the time. (Baby showers) When someone wins a hockey game, we give them parades and a silver cup/trophy. When it was the Queen's birthday, they threw a huge party in which anyone who is anyone came, and people lined the streets for miles....

Instead of huge trumpets blowing, fire works, thunder and lightning, God sends a star. His son is born in a stable with animals, unclean, cold, in a strange place. Can you imagine what it must have been like for God to watch as His son was born in such a place? Let's forget about the fact that he is the Son of God for a second. Just the fact that anyone's child would be born like that seems....sad. I wouldn't have wanted Aidan to be born in a barn. Now, think about being God. You have the power to have Jesus born wherever You choose and You choose a stable? We have no ordinary God!

And then add to the fact that the only people who were there to meet him were shephards...low lifes of society...dirty, sweaty, unclean, 'poopy mouths'....I mean, can you picture the faces of Mary and Joseph when they arrived? The three kings from afar came as well- the magi - kings from a foreign land. Jesus' own king wanted to kill him, remember?

Then there are his parents. Mary, young, 16, pregnant but not by Joseph...Scandalous. Yet, Joseph, to the surprise of everyone, still marries her! They must have been shunned something horrible.....To be so young, to be shunned, to not have any help with a small baby....

This baby, this Son of God. It baffles the mind. It makes it real for me. It helps me to celebrate his birth, his death and sheds light on the miracle of Jesus.....

May you all find Jesus this Christmas. Spend some time in the manger. Bring him the only gift he really wants from you, the only gift that matters: your heart.

Love,
Manders

John 1
The Word Became Flesh

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Jonathan's Fifteenth Blog: extravagant versus Practical

Well, my wife was very nice to me today and decided she would take the bus to go to her new mom get together so I don't have any stories from the trip to work.

Beah keeps mentioning how her Christmas shopping is going, which just reminds me that I need to get my act together....soon. Which is funny because the only person that I have to shop solo for is my wife. Which brings up the obvious question: Something practical or something frivolous and extravagant? If you are a male you would probably say the former, while the female gender would say the latter. To make things even more complicated is the fact that her birthday is December 21. And no, one gift with two cards is not an option, unless I want to sleep on the balcony. And so I'm left with few ideas, flipping through catalogues and flyers for inspiration. Suggestions can be e-mailed to:
jgrant@martechmarketing.com

In other news, there is no other news. Life is boring and split between work, church and Aqua-tots. Hopefully my bus will catch fire on Thursday so I'll have something to say.

JG

Autobiographical Statement

Okay...I have been working on my applications and my portfolio for teaching. I put an autobiographical statement together a long time ago. Of course a few things have happened since then. Anyway, it really is a pain in the butt to change all the time, ya know? Plus our computer is really slow...We need a new one. (A thing to put on my Christmas wishlist, okay family?) So, I have decided to share this wil you. I hope you all enjoy learning a little bit about moi! (I did take French for 6 years. Aren't you glad it paid off, Mom and Dad?) I hope you all have a great day. Enjoy!

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Autobiographical Statement

I was born at the old Calgary General Hospital on December 21, 1978. I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, with my parents and my younger sister. I took the French Immersion program from Grade 7 to Grade 12 and attended high school at William Aberhart. I graduated with an Advanced Diploma in 1996.

I took a year off of school to tour across Canada with a Christian ministry band called Morning Star. I was one of the vocalists and helped with of the finances. We toured for ten months going everywhere except the territories, Newfoundland and P.E.I.

After Morning Star I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in English at The King’s University College in Edmonton, AB. I started in January 1998 and graduated in April 2001. This degree helped me to develop a passion for literature, reading and writing that I hope to pass on to my students.

After I graduated, I transferred to the University of Alberta to obtain my Bachelor of Education After Degree. I graduated in June 2003 with my degree.

During my Education Degree, I worked at Meadowlark Elementary in the After School care program from August 2002 – January 30, 2004. I worked as a childcare provider and programmer, creating educational programs for the children on a weekly basis. During the summer of 2003, I worked with a child who had Asperger’s Syndrome. I made sure that he was involved in the activities and had good relations with his peers. I found it very challenging, but a wonderful experience.

Many of the volunteer activities and hobbies I have done have been working with children. I have babysat, taught Sunday School, been a camp counselor, and have been involved with Girl Guides. I love working with children and find that each day with a child brings a new challenge.

Since I was a little girl one of my passions has been music, especially singing. I have taken music lessons, been in bands and choirs, and have participated in various concerts. I am currently singing on worship team at Sherwood Park Alliance Church on Saturday nights. I believe that music can touch people in ways that words cannot.

I met my husband while touring with Morning Star. We have been married for 5 ½ years. I have not taught since graduating, as we recently had a son, Aidan, on March 2004. I love my new role as a mother and using this experience to help me in my teaching. I am eager to get back to teaching and to follow the calling God has given me.

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl. I used to come home from school and teach my sister (and my stuffed animals) what I had learned during the day. It is the only career that I have had a passion for and a willingness to put in the time and effort. I love children and enjoy working with them. I love learning and want to pass this along to my students. I know that I will continually learn more and more throughout my career, as you never stop learning. I find the idea of having my own classroom challenging and I am excited about the opportunities that lay ahead.

Love,
Manders

Ray and Proverbial Gems

Hey all! As promised by Jonathan, I will provide you with a review of 'Ray'. So, without furthur ado...

'Ray': (Staring Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles) Okay. So, let's start with a little background....I know nothing about Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson, to be specific). Okay, I know a few things. I know that he was blind. I know that he played jazz, R&B, soul, gospel combos. I really know nothing about his life. So, going into this movie, I really had no expectations of what I would see. I only knew that I would find out about Ray Charles and his life. I love learning about other people's lives, so this movie was right up my alley. It was great from beginning to end. I know that everyone is talking about Jamie Foxx getting an Oscar for his portrayal, and I hate to jump on the band wagon, but he was phenomenal. I forgot that someone was playing Ray. At times I actually had to remind myself that Jamie Foxx is not Ray and is not blind. For the movie, though, Jamie actually glued his eyes shut. Amazing. He also had to audition for Ray himself. Ray asked him to play some jazz on the piano together. He did fine until Ray started to play some Phelonius Monk & Jamie hit a wrong note. Ray said, "all the notes are right below your fingers, you just have to play them." They tried again and Jamie played perfectly. Ray stood up and said, "He's got the part!" and then walked out of the room. Anyway, Jamie said that he used that advice about the notes throughout the movie, and you could tell that it was inspired. There is hardly any swears, no sex and no violence. There are references to sex and Ray was a heroin addict for the first part of his life. They show the part of him detoxing from heroin, which is a little intense. (I even worried about Aidan seeing it.) Overall, I think it is good. Anyone over the age of 12-13 could see it with an adult to explain about drugs, etc. In the end, he does quit heroin, and I believe drug use is portrayed in such a way as to make it seem bad, in the end. He does have extramarital affairs, etc, but I think that some of this has to be there since it is a biography. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I give it a 5 out of 5. Best line: "The only thing in life that's free is Jesus." (by Ray's mother in a flashback)

I have been doing a little study of Proverbs and I have forgotten the wisdom and frankness that I find there. Examples:

• As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Pr. 27:17)
• As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. (Pr. 27:19)
• An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. (Pr. 24:26)

I think that everyone should definetly spend some time reading proverbs. It is amazing what you find in there.

I hope that you all have a good weekend. May God hold you close in His arms of love.

Love,
Manders

Jonathan's Forteenth Blog: Deja Vote Again

Ok, so it feels like I've already done this blog, oh wait, I did. There must be a ton of people blogging their novels on Blogger, cause something bad happened yesterday. Engineers were advised of my problem and advised me that my post was gone forever.

So, the election. Bush wins again, and wins the popular vote (in your face Michael Moore). I'm a little suprised, because every poll (including ours) had them neck and neck or Kerry ahead. It seems like for every celebrity endorsement and liberal news outlet, their are 10,000 normal Joes who like Bush. I mean come on people, Brad Pitt said to vote for Kerry, why didn't you! Ahh, democracy in action.

Sorry, no exciting bus stories to tell you about. Maybe next week.

In sporting news, the new basketball season is upon us. Very nice. And between basketball and football I should be able to deal with the void of that other winter sport that is definitely not going to have a season this year. What was it again? Oh right hockey. Oh right, nobody cares!
And if those two sports aren't enough to make me the laziest person in the world, there's always Texas Hold 'Em poker on just about every cable channel. I must admit I find the game fascinating due to the high intelligence and math skills needed to do well. Not that I'm condoning gambling, I think it's wrong for Ma and Pa minimum wage worker to go out and blow their rent money trying to win the big one. But these are people who are already rich, playing the best poker in the world. It's amazing how they are able to figure out the odds in their head about who might have the best cards and what the chances are of the card they need coming to them. And it looks so easy on TV when they have little cameras that show the viewers at home what cards everybody has. Sometimes you just want to scream "HE'S BLUFFING!" at the screen.

Aidan and Amanda got their flu shots yesterday, and it went so well they decided to take in a movie as well. She said it was really good so stay tuned tomorrow for a review of "Ray".

JG

Jonathan's Thirteenth Blog: Deja Vote

So, Blogger decided to delete my post today; nothing more frustrating than spending half an hour writing and getting nothing to show for it.

Tune in tomorrow for my thoughts on the following topics:

American Politics, Hockey, Basketball, Gambling, Poker and flu shots.

JG

A Song for 007 (Champion of the rocket paintball wars)

Groovy Kind Of Love

-by phil collins

When I'm feeling blue

All I have to do

Is take a look at you

Then I'm not so blue

When you're close to me

I can feel your heartbeat

I can hear your breathing in my ear

Wouldn't you agree

Baby you and me

Got a groovy kind of love

Anytime you want to

You can turn me onto

Anything you want to

Anytime at all

When you're close to me

I can feel your heartbeat

I can hear your breathing in my ear

When I taste your lips

Ooh I start to shiver

Can't control the quivering inside

Wouldn't you agree

Baby you and me

Got a groovy kind of love

When I'm in your arms

Nothing seems to matter

If the world would shatter

I don't care

Wouldn't you agree

Baby you and me

Got a groovy kind of love

We've got a groovy kind of love

I love you so much. Thank-you for loving me and letting me be who I am. I know I am not always easy to love (especially when I forget that I have your bank card, which you need to pay for the car), but you still love me anyway. I am so amazed by you always. God has blessed me so much through you. I pray for you everyday and I thank God for giving me the privilege of loving you everyday. You are an amazing father, an amazing husband & lover, and an amazing best friend. I love you more than you could ever know!

Love Always and Forever,

No Matter What,

Amanda

XXXOOOXXXOOO

Aidan's Brag Day - No. 3

I haven't done an Aidan Brag Day in a while, so I figure it is time again.

He just had his 7 month birthday on Saturday! I know, I can't believe it either. Jonathan and I were saying that it sort of snuck up on us. When he was smaller, I always thought it would take him forever to reach this age, but it goes by so quickly. They do so much growing and changing in the first few months. It is crazy.

He is not crawling yet. Instead he is sort of creeping around on his belly (a combo of rolling and pushing himself with his feet). It suits me just fine because once they are mobile all heck breaks loose. We have so much baby proofing to do. I will really be a lot of work - gates, plug protectors, cupboard thingys, etc. I am not looking forward to it!

He is getting his second tooth on the bottom front. I saw it coming beneath the gum before it even broke through the gum layer. He was grumpy for this one. The first one just sort of appeared, but this one we all knew was coming. Generally he is a pretty even tempered baby, but not when that tooth was about to pop out. I see the impression of a 3rd tooth on the bottom beside the one that is coming in. I think we are no into the long haul of teething. (And his cheeks are all rough like sandpaper!!!Quick, lube him!)

I believe he said his first word, but no one else was around to hear it. (He said 'bug'!) Of course this was just a fluke. He was eating cereal at the time. No one believes me. It's fine. I know the truth. My boy is a genius! (Okay, so every mom thinks there son is a genius. It's a mom's privilege & duty!)

I think that is it. We are going to get flu shots on Wednesday. They are now giving them out for free to babies over 6 months and parents/care givers who are around babies over 6 months. We all know how he likes needles....NOT! At least it is only one needle, as opposed to 3. He doesn't need any more regular immunizations until he is 12 months. So, hopefully he will forget what happens at the health center by then!

I hope that you all have a good day. I love being a mom. It is the greatest thing in the world. I am so glad that Jonathan chose me to be the mother of his children. (I chose him to be the father, to be sure)But I feel so privileged to be doing this with him! (I love you honey!)

Love,
Manders