Question.

Do you think she'll ever have time to write anything worthwhile again?

She's having a writing slump.

For one thing, she's up to her eyebrows in youth practice and Christmas program and buying gifts and planning meals. It's just life, she know, but... it's exhausting.

Yesterday they took out the program for the first time and the very first person she talked to at St. Joseph's had tears in her eyes and shook her hand so gratefully and told her "Thank you for the message!" Well, that is why she's chosen to be a youth-leaders wife. She doesn't have many options but it does pay off! Just one person can make it feel worth the wear and tear and sweat and tears.

And yesterday they farmed out all three boys and went home for a quick lunch before leaving for Saskatoon with everyone. And one hour by ones self is truly amazing.

In the evening they listened to everyone's inspirations about conference.

Their revivals start tomorrow.

Maybe in the new year... she said hopefully. Maybe someday she will write some coherent thoughts again.

??

Conference Week

Ladies and gentlemen, the time has arrived! We are currently partaking of conference week! I just got a text from my sis that they were waiting at the Saskatoon Airport, tiny little place that it is, with no less than TEN other Mennonites heading to the big town of Tupelo! Let the fun begin!

I wonder if everyone got the news clip about Tupelo preparing for conference?!? Maybe only six times??

I really wish we could go.

But we're planning on having a whale of a time at home. My mother is here, flew in last Saturday, and she's babysitting Rennie's family while they're gone.  We're hoping to see them a bit amidst it all.

Today is another gorgeous day; no snow, temps between -5C and +10C and sunshine. We've had some luscious florescent sunrises too and with the days getting shorter we can enjoy the sunrises and sunsets without arising and retiring at unearthly hours!

I've been thinking a lot about the verse "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31) and that's my hope and prayer for us ALL this week, whether we're at home doing chores or babysitting or leading songs at conference or just sitting in the huge auditorium with ten thousand believers.

Let's have a little bit of heaven and rest a while at His feet.

Blessings.

Potty Training

Well, I too for one can say that I've had a seriously poopy week.

I started potty training Wyatt last Monday and this Monday I rejoiced with great joy and many cups of chai and coffee and such that it was not last Monday. There is always something grand to be thankful for!!

I also put on my new running shoes and walked my two miles on my treadmill with springy steps and bouncing boobs and jiggly hips. But I rejoice that I can walk! And new shoes are underrated!!

I ventured out of my house last Thursday afternoon to Linda's for tea with a dozen ladies. All sudden Bren said, "Jo-Jo, Wyatt's on the potty and the door is open, just in case you want to know!" It was a defining moment. His shorts were all wet but only because he didn't get on quick enough. He knows!!! Cheers!!

On Friday Pat & I took him to town, potty-chair stowed neatly beside the car-seat. I had all of five pairs of jeans, six shorts, two pullups and a whole roll of toilet paper along. And do you know I didn't use any?!? He happily went potty in every store I took him in, in the toilet even.

We bought a backhoe as a #2 reward. It worked. The first two times, anyway. Today I'm discouraged.

Yesterday we had Bob & Chris Goodnough, Alvin & Arlene Klassen and Greg & Liz Klassen over for dinner. I felt very Proverbs 31-ish. Until Wyatt came shuffling into the kitchen where we were doing dishes, needing help with getting his shorts and pants up. I trust that you won't judge.

Other than this all-consuming life change we've been keeping quite well.

I just finished reading Strawberry Girl aloud to my boys. I have two beautiful new Christmas pieces of fabric that are begging for attention. My mither-mother is flying out here on Saturday to keep Rennie's children next week while they go to conference. We are blessed, blessed, blessed!