Being Canadian and patriotic??? eh?

I am Canadian. You hear it on the beer commercials all the time, claiming our victories over fresh air, good times and beer, of course. I don't drink anymore however, but enjoy the commercials none the less. It's the patriotism in them that get me. I never used to be a land lover, however there are many times I've stood up for my country. I have had close relatives in Iraq fighting over there and thank God they have all come home safe, but ironically it has been the Olympics that has made me feel North Strong and True.
To know me this news would be astounding because I hate, and have always hated watching sports on T.V. It was never my thing before this year. I kinda fell into it too, My eldest wanted to watch the speed skating and I figured no reason to crush her Canada pride, she could watch the one event, then I'd rapidly change the channel to something worthy of my attention. But something happened... I watched it with her, I paid attention and didn't burst into flames in a blaze of boredom! Nay I enjoyed it!!
Suddenly I was recording those 'more interesting' shows so I could watch more Olympics. First speed skating, then snow boarding, skiing, ice dancing, and to be honest... curling! Now I shutter to admit the curling part as I have NEVER given it more attention than to recognize it's curling and change the channel, but suddenly it was interesting! How they curved that rock to get around the other one, the frantic brushing of the ice to gain speed, blah blah blah. I have got Olympic fever! Canada is renowned for our Hockey, no no, it's true. And to be fair, out of all sports shown on T.V. That was the only one I ever watched growing up, not fanatically, but watched my home team. (back when we had a home team, sniffle) So hockey was OK. I have found myself responding to the Canada Hockey games as if in a commercial! Arms jutting to the sky with a hearty "score" ripping out of my lungs the moment the puck touches the net! I feel a little silly admitting this but I teared up a few times, just so happy for Canada! So now my heart is aflutter at the thought of the Canada - USA game. (knock on wood) The woman's team won the Gold against them yesterday 2-0. (for those of you currently residing underneath a rock) and despite the rude celebratory issues of the after game, we deserved it. The USA team has ritual where in they all take turns stomping on the Canadian flag prior to their face off with us.... so the fact that we rubbed it in a little with the beer and cigars on ice after the gold was handed out??? I'd say a little more than understandable, not agreeable - but understandable. The men's USA team however will retaliate for it I'm sure. So us friendly Canadians are used to these tactics from them. The high sticking, interference and unsportsmanlike conduct is to be expected. Canada can take it, we're used to people not taking us seriously, and that will be their downfall, Cause Canada is going to wipe the podium with their jerseys and washing their feet with USAs tears! Let just hope the USA men's team can hope their eye faucets better than the woman's hockey team!
GO CANADA GO!!!
And that's all I have to say right now eh.

Ahhh Family.

As I stated before, I am quite new to the whole blogging thing and to be honest, technology in general, but I press on. My brother, elder brother has a christian based blog that I only recently became aware of and decided to check it out as (a) I'm christian (b) I'm curious. So off I go to read his blog. Extremely well written and informative, he is a deacon after all and has always been ridiculously intelligent, scarily so. But then I see his Testimony and history or autobiographic... blah blah, so again, my curiosity is peeked.
I find the different perspectives astounding. We both grew up with the same parents, in the same house yet apparently lived completely different lives!! To be fair, he is several years my senior and male, so life for him was radically different than my own. Yet the parents he portrayed were not the parents I remember, again to be fair I was not a boy so lived a different life than he did. When he spoke of his sisters, he described me (although gratefully never said my name) as a prostitute and stripper. I thought... wow, harsh words from a man of God, let alone my brother!
Admittedly, I led a rather promiscuous lifestyle in my youth, and his gathering of facts, although exaggerated, were mostly accurate, yet when you read his perception of me, you don't think that it was in past tense, rather that I actively choose to live my life in sin and perversion.
This hurt me more than I thought it would have because I have tried mending the relationships of my siblings, and in particular, my brother and was under the impression things were coming along. To be fair, this blog was written in 2006, yet even at that time I had abandoned my wicked, evil ways long before then. I had been married five years already with all four children already born by the time this was written.
I understand it was his testimony and how he found his way to the Lord, but to depict my life to present day as sinful and perverse? I find that to be hurtful and cruel.
Again, to be fair, he probably doesn't even realize his words have caused pain to me. He is a true christian in every sense, meaning he lives his beliefs, not just talks the talk. I would like to believe were I to bring this to his attention, he would recant or at least update his testimony so as not to give such an impression, yet I'm unsure how to approach the subject with him.
Here in lies my quandary. I do respect him highly and admire his passion of good and gospel, yet I still see him as the older imposing brother, rather than a man of God first. With our rather shaky bond to begin with, I'm fearful of his reaction. I will have to ponder this more. I will keep you posted on what I decide to do.
Till then I guess.

What Happened??

As my profile states, I am a mother of four. My youngest just turned 8 a little while ago. He is the baby of the family and I do tend to coddle him above the other three. ( by coddle I mean 'baby' not favor.) He has always been a very sensitive boy. Caring and compassionate, nice to others, never causes trouble... that kind of keeps-to-himself boy. I was called about an hour ago from his principal that he and two other boys had roughed up and bullied a couple much younger kids at recess. I am stunned!
Bullying has never been something I tolerate, even in strangers I am the type to step in and intervene so this news has floored me! How could my little man, who is so sweet all the time, suddenly behave so terribly?
Now I know some people will think, well open your eyes a bit more mom, it's probably been going on awhile... but trust me when I say it hasn't. I keep a very close eye on these things, my husband works at the school they all attend, and I monitor their movements closely. The principal called me because he knows my children personally and was as stunned as I was. Gratefully he was not suspended, but will be having indoor recess all next week with his principal to be taught more on the effects of bullying.
I am at a bit of a loss over how I should approach this. I am most certainly angry and hurt that he was capable of it, but what would be the best form of discipline??
I am currently searching my heart for some Godly advice on this. He needs to understand my passion on this, the because I said so- just doesn't fly sometimes. There is nothing beneficial to it, not to the victim or the bully. But he's 8 so having a lecture drone on about it makes no real sense either.
I'm just so injured by this. I shouldn't be taking it as personally as I am, I know this. I'm not concerned with how my parenting may look to others either. My soul concern is he realize the gravity of the situation.
I had to get this out. I feel a little calmer now. He'll be home soon so I need to go pray and find some guidance for this. I'll let you know what I decided in time.

The first of Many...

I am brand new at this but I'm also quite oppinionated so this is as good a venue as any to speak randomly into the void and see what bounces back. Today is my daughters 14th birthday. I feel rather mixed about it. On the one hand I couldn't be prouder of my girl. She's always been a good kid, thoughtful, good in school, obedient etc. But on the other, I feel worse than scum because as a Mom, I want to give her nice things, new techno stuff, and whatever. Yet I find myself rather lacking in the funds department. I was, what you might say, the example parents give their young ones to "stay in school". I didn't truly grow up until it was far too late and now I struggle endlessly for money to keep my family from squaller.
I blame nobody but myself for this, yet feel very empathetic towards my children who, unfortunately have to endure the consequences of said stupidity. I pray she has a wonderful day today, and truly wish I had something to give her (other than Love etc.)
Children shouldn't grow up poor. I try hard to enrich them with knowledge, love and compassion. I am doing all that I can to rectify my financial future for their sakes, but on days like today, it just doesn't seem to be coming fast enough.
Thats all I have to say at present.