In Jesus Name.

The other day I was emailing Jon about an email that we needed to send to a friend. I wrote, "would you like me to write the email in your name?"
It reminded me that of the classic closing to our prayers, "In Jesus name, Amen." It struck me that when I say this phrase I am saying, "God, I say all this through Christ." or " Hear my words as if it were Jesus talking to you." The whole concept of Jesus interceding at the throne has become personal and more dear to me with this insight.
Its amazing how we do and say things without realizing that they are a part of our theology. Or we do and say things out of habit even when it doesn't line up with our theology.
Food for thought.

artist at etsy

One day I'm going to spend my days looking for fabrics and then sitting at a sewing machine creating new wonderful things!
Hope you can apperciate this little video like I did

a day in the life

I'm a mother of three with what always seem to be full days, and yet when I sit down in the evening to write a blog I have a terrible time thinking of something to write.
My Moms and Tots group is doing at cookie exchange tomorrow. So today I did my best to make something for the exchange. I don't know why I had to try something new. I made Cream Cheese Swirl Blondies. All three of the kids were either crying, begging , or complaining during the mixing process. I was about to throw in the towel, but I sent to two older one's to their rooms and put the youngest down for a nap. Problem solved! The blondies didn't turn out the way I thought they would. Oh well. I'm supposed to have the recipe typed out for whoever takes my cookies...but that's not going to happen the way the day has gone.
It is so cold outside today. It seems like the past week I've either been in my house or in my van. Walking somewhere is not going to happen. This is not a particularly good thing seeing I've just had a baby, its Christmas and there are always more sweet things to eat, and when it gets cold I always want to eat things with either or both flour and sugar. What's with that? It is as predictable as the canada goose going south for the winter. The temp. starts dropping and I start baking. Hey it just hit me, that would be the good thing about living in the Kenyan heat...I wouldn't ever feel like baking. Who wants to turn on the oven when it's plus 30? Not me!
Well, wish me luck with my blondies at Moms and Tots tomorrow. Hope someone wants them.
Off to bed I go.

Christmas excitment.

The tree is up and cookies are made. Its christmas time at the Chalmers house. I'm so happy we are going to Ontario to celebrate with my family. Only 7 more sleeps until we go! Very exciting. We will be at Josh and Becky's house for 11 days and then in Hamilton for 5 days. It has been too long since Josh and I have celebrated Christmas together.
Last Christmas I was submitting to Christ as I was unable to see my family. Its amazing to me how when we give our lives completely to Christ, even what may seem like small things He often remembers us and our trust in Him. How many times have I longed for something and given it to God and He has in His own time blessed me. I want to trust my Father in heaven. He is so good. Even when I was crying last Christmas because I was not with my family, He was good then.
See you in seven sleeps

Food inc.

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This was a really interesting movie. We definitely shopped a little differently today. Jon was really into reading all the labels. It really is unbelievable how many things that corn is in. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in what they eat.

Soup, a night out and my growing boy

So this is a mix-mash of the last week.
I made some amazing soup on Monday. Cream of Pea and Spinach. I love the beautiful green color and texture was so smooth and velvety. Here's the recipie
1 small onion chopped small
5 tbsp of butter
1/4 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
1-2 cups water
2 cup frozen/fresh peas
1 bag of spinach
1/2 cup heavy cream. I use coffee cream

1.melt butter in larger pot
2. add onion and cook unto translucent don't brown them
3.add flour stirring let it start bubbling
4.add broth slowly stirring all the time
5.add water
6.bring to boil and turn down to simmer stirring ferquently. let it thicken to consistency of cream. let it simmer for 10 mins to get rid of flour taste.
7.add peas and spinach. simmer until wilted and mushy.
8.puree in blender in batches. Don't fill blender too much with each batch
9.put back in pot add cream and heat. Don't boil or you may ruin your cream.
Enjoy!!!! Try using broccoli that's good too!

On Wednesday night Jon and I were able to go the Agrobition. We had a lot of fun together. Blayne and Penny Banting offered to look after Elijah and Grace. What a blessing that was. We felt so served and loved by them. We bought tickets for the rodeo. We saw some bucking broncos, cattle roping, calf wrestling, sheep herding dogs, mutten bustin' and lots more. Its a nice crowd, its not too loud and Jon and I were able to watch and have a conversation.

I thought I throw and picture of Ian in the jolly jumper for the first time. He just loved it. I think he was in there for a half hour or more. What a cutie. He's getting so big so fast. Always smiling expect when he's hungry or tired.

I've been given so many good gifts. Thank you Lord.

my last day alone...kinda

Jon had been out of the house for the last three days in a row. I'm tired of parenting by myself. Today he went with his Dad to the Riders game. They had a blast. I'm really glad they enjoyed themselves. Jon has been wanting to do that for so long.
When I'm alone at home without another adult I end up on the internet all day. Today I became a member on www.lionbrand.com Its a yarn company. I don't know if its Canadian but they definitely had a canadian site with canadian prices. They have lots of free patterns. Some nice ones too. I hate it when free patterns are aweful looking.
The kids have watched the third Ice Age movie atleast 5 times over the past three days. They are still laughing. We borrowed from our neighbour. I think we'll give it back tomorrow so I don't have to say no to watching it for the sixth time.
Elijah was eating Cheerios this afternoon as a snack. I said to him, "I don't know if there are Cheerios in Africa" He said, "What will we eat for breakfast?" I said, "maybe eggs." He said, "you don't eat eggs at breakfast." I realize I maybe haven't given a lot of variety at breakfast for my family. :)
I'm praying Ian sleeps well tonight. I can't handle being woke after only sleeping for an hour.

I love these sites

I really wanted to share these sites with everyone. I you love beautiful things that are made by people who love their art form you love love these sites too.
www.etsy.com
This site is a host to thousands or artists and crafters. The amount of incredible treasures here is unbelievable. I'm on this site at least once a day being inspired.
www.sarahandabraham.com Sarah & Abraham is a site for those who love paper and stationary. Being a paper fanatic I feel in love with their stuff right away.
There is tunes of beautiful paper and stationary on Etsy too.
Enjoy browsing these amazing sites.

Amie

A new Chalmers

Yes, there is a new Chalmers coming. We are excited and scared and happy and nervous all at the same time. Adding another member to our family was something we really wanted to do but it being our third we were not innocent of the resposbilities and the drastic changes that a baby brings. So I've been hesitant to jump up and down for joy, not to say that I'm not very excited to meet the next member of our family and can't wait to hold him/her in my arms. Isn't life like that, so many things are hard and yet joyful all at once. I'm enjoying every minute of life right now, with out a new born. With the other two I could not wait for the day they came and all the days in between were just days waiting. This time, I'm savouring every full night sleep, every time we go out and the kids play and I can talk with my friends and I don't have a baby to feed or change or sooth. Yes, life is going to look a whole lot different...not bad different, but different. Its like the months before I got married and I was so wanting the day to come I couldn't think of anything else. Everyone said, "Amie enjoy your last days of being single." Not that they didn't want me to get married, but they knew what I didn't, that life looks very different once you are married and there's no going back.
I've been really sick this first trimester. Pretty much useless. Jon has been so patient and helpful. Its hard to explain to the kids that I'm sick because of the baby.
Anyways, for anyone who wanted to know, We're having Number 3.
blessings
AMIE