[M.M.23] patriotism and paternity.

Welcome back to Monday Mamalogues,

'linking up to share the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood'.

"Not only am I cute, I'm Canadian too"

 It's Canada Day on Monday... a holiday for all, to celebrate who we are as a nation.

None of us get to request which country we are born in... but I do feel privileged to live in this country (most days).  We're a funny lot, us Canadians... and I think the notion of 'patriotism' is probably lost on most of us around here.  If you cut us, we won't bleed 'red + white'... but we may just ooze out maple syrup and Tim Horton's coffee.

Now, I'm not a fan of hockey or hunting,

nor do I like Molson beer or deep fried 'beaver tails'.

But I love that our nation is growing more multi-cultural each year.
And most of us can trace back just a few generations to discover our descendants came from various lands across the pond.  I'm Scottish-based myself. ;o)

Now, I've always been more partial to people from other cultures... and feel more 'at home' amongst them.

I hope our kids are also raised to see people from all walks of life and feel a sense of brotherhood with them.

No matter what corner of the globe we hail from.

Or the colour of our eyes, skin, hair.

Regardless of the way we speak, or language we use.

We all share the same Maker.

We are one.

So to you fellow Canadians.. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday monday!
The rest of you lovelies... stay well out there.

mama Mel ;o)

*Do you ever wish you could raise you kids in different culture?  If so, where?
*What's your background?
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P.S..  today is the FINAL day for google reader to work... if you follow through that format you'll likely want to hop over to my BlogLovin' account or add my Facebook to stay tuned!  Thanks. 

A.musing.mama! 1.9

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Seriously, this girl could have the Ebola virus and she would still want to visit somebody, anybody.

In fact, every.single.morning (and after every nap) she'll stumble out of bed and before the fog of sleep has even fully lifted she'll blurt: "Who are we going to visit today?".

It's a bit ridiculous, monotonous hilarious.

Now, I always have to be guarded in my response to her, too.

IF I know we're seeing her top choice (Grandparents)... I can't tell her too early, for fear of having the incessant "are they here yet?!!" peppering my ear canals for hours.

But if I haven't planned an outing, play date or visit for the day.. that also causes a torturous whine of desperation from this girl, saying "but Mom, we NEEEEED to visit somebody!!".

She refuses to let me be introverted for even a day.  Ha.

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In light of today's comic, I'm also curious - which camp do you parent from:

1) If the kids are sick do you keep them locked away for everyone elses' benefit?

2) Or do you share the 'love' with any/all who are around to help build their immune systems?

I fall more on the 'quarantine' side of things, myself.

But here's hoping laughter is still the best medicine!

Happy (long) weekend friends!

Mel ;o)

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You can catch the previous series of mama comics here.

berry sweet...

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Oh, the sweet satisfying sip and slurp of strawberry summer!

Do you go berry picking at this time of year?

merry berry mama,

Mel ;o)

here + there.

birds of a feather.

beach baby.

day-dreamer daughter.

laundry + leaf holder.

splashing toes.

picking a painting.

summer solstice

aahhhhhhdorable.

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So here's another week, another peek at the moments that filled our nest.

Yes, the summer solstice ushered in a sticky humid heatwave to these parts.

Many a hissy fit has been had (even by the kids too)!  Did you know that one of the first places to start sweating on me is my nose..?!  If that place is a-glistening, my temper gets a-bristling.

Yeah, I'm not a real *heat* lover.

So, it's been lots of hiding in the shade, or kiddie pools, or beaches around here.

In other news, the cafe art show ended up being a fun success, so wooo!  I told Azriel she could pick out a favourite from the 'leftovers' for the kids room.  She grabbed the one right under her nose saying "pink and brown is my favourite, so I want this one".  Cutie.

Oh, and guess what?  Today after work yesterdat... I got to see our big boy take his first real steps!!

He's been free-standing a lot lately - with much applause.  Now he's a junkie for the ovations.. so he waddled across the room last night and delighted us all!  It only took him 16 months to get off his cute bottom!

Oh, he also loves to haul himself up into the brown chair there.. and sit like a king surveying his domain.  The cats have some cute competition for the throne now.

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What's happening in your corner of the world this week?

Have a beauty day,

mel ;o)

confessions [of a Mel] part.15.

Sometimes I just want to give my head a shake.

You know, to look at things from a new perspective.

It's easy to get in to a pattern of thinking... like a well worn path that keeps taking you to the same part of the pond.

Or... swamp, in this analogy.

Because lately I've been battling that all-too-natural state of mind that wants to criticise others.

I'm convicted by this knee-jerk impulse to instantly look for the worst in others.

Complete strangers even.

Now, before you think I'm a total jerk (hey, stop judging me! ha.)... let's role play:

We're out driving, come to a red light, some people are walking by, we look, we comment:

"wow, look at that ridiculous outfit!"

"could that skirt get any shorter?!"

"take your time there buddy, we have alllll day to wait for you".

Those are the tame examples, right?

 mmmmm-hmmm.  We can spit out even more venomous thoughts that don't get uttered.

A mind marinated in malice.

This issue is deep-rooted I fear.

Born from our impulses to separate ourselves from others we don't 'understand'

The safety zone of 'us' vs. 'them'.
Cultivated in a culture that bases so much of it's *entertainment* on who is richer, smarter, prettier, cooler, and thinner.  Just look at our media.
Compounded by the all-too-common form of 'conversation' amongst friends/co-workers:
called gossip.

 It gets so easy to judge, doesn't it?

We can slap a label on anyone just to stroke our own ego.

Which, is really gross.
Which is why I want this area of my heart to become more sensitive in the right way again.
Sensitive to hateful, hurtful assumptions and judgements of others.
Convicted by participation in any gossip.
 I want to be more kind to human.kind.

I want to live out LOVE to friend and stranger.

I've been catching myself more often lately.

When I would naturally see someone and start to make a judgement.. I check myself.

"Wait, they're a person. a soul. a story.  a subject..  I wonder what it is?"

They are not just an object, or one dimensional caricature to be mocked.

 Maybe we could all challenge our hearts to get a fresh perspective.

So, next time you're out people watching.. see where your thoughts go.

Let's see others through a filter of love.

It's not always easy, but most good things worth striving for aren't.

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"Every time you speak, your mind is on parade" - unknown.

 "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" Luke 6:45

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heart matters,

Mel ;o)

[M.M.22] double blessing.

Welcome back to Monday Mamalogues:

'linking up to share the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood'.

Our computer has been running slower than molasses lately,

my husband thinks it may have something to do with the 8 gazillion photos/videos I have crammed in here...  hmmm..  maybe so smarty-pants.

So in an effort to sort/shuffle/ween the pile I went perusing down memory lane.

Instead of a cleaner computer 'picture file'... I made a collage! 

It's always so bittersweet looking back.

Seeing these two and how they are growing.

I really hope they savour the unique bond they have as they grow up.

Sure they'll wrestle, tease and taunt.

But they'll also comfort, support and embrace each other.

This week I had my first glimpse of that sweet moment... when the older sister was having a dramatic *meltdown* about her toy being stolen by little brother, he pushed the toy aside, crawled over to her and stroked (then whacked) her hair and clapped to make her stop crying.

She snuffled, looked up at him, heaved a sigh, and then dragged him in for a big hug (choker hold style).

Sure, it's like watching a miniature Of Mice and Men: where even in their attempts to show affection, they abuse each other... but it's still adorable.

Maybe that's why I'm always so eager to capture a picture of these two... a double exposure of blessing to look back on.

A full computer of memory overload.

A full heart of memories too!

Maybe I should get my act together and create another one of those online scrapbooks!

How do you organize your memories?!

mama Mel ;o)

A.musing.mama! 1.8

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Yes, true stories.

So, to the neighbour washing his car,

and the girls in their short shorts,

and the lovely lady with beautiful freckles..

...I'm sorry!

Seriously, my blood pressure rises every time this little *out-loud* observer lifts her pointy finger!

 I know kids say the 'darndest things'...but when it's your kid, well, then you're in a pickle.

Did you ever blurt something out as a kid,

or did your own offspring shout a wild one lately?

blushing mama,

Mel ;o)

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You can catch up on previous comics right here!