We CAN Make A Difference!!

While reading one of my FAVORITE blogs this morning I was directed to watch this short video. As the tears rolled down my cheeks I thought of all the many ways in which I have been served by others. Then I thought of all the way I have thought about serving but never put my thoughts into action. I feel the guilt for not doing more. Does it really take that much more effort to serve someone? I really don't think it does! When I think about service I always think about serving those who don't life with me. But why can't the service start in my home with those that I am with all the time. Would it really be that hard for me to take some extra time out of my day to play Transformers with my 4.5 year old? Would it be that hard for me to play cars or read a story to my 2.5 year old. Why does the laundry and cleaning seem to come first? Is it really that important to have a spit spot house? The more and more I think about it the more I think that it really doesn't matter. The time we have on earth is quite short when you think about eternity. Our children are only going to want us to read to them for so long. Pretty soon I won't be the apple of my son's eye, and he won't want to cuddle up with me and read a story.

I think too that it is important for us to instill a love of service in our children at a young age. Often when they get older serving others is the last thing on their list. But if we are good examples to them, and help them to serve others I think that they will develop a love for it and then they will look for ways in which they can serve. So today I am challenging myself to devote more time to serving my family. I can think of countless acts of service that Tyler shows to me, but do I reciprocate that same efforts to him. I am sad to say that I don't, but that I am going to make a very conscious effort to do so.

I challenge all who read this blog, there may not be many, but to look and watch the video on service and then put it into action. Have a VERY happy day!

The Good...then the Bad!

On Friday Tiffany and I took a spur of the moment trip to Calgary to take the kids to the zoo. We are notorious for doing things on the fly. I think those are the best trips sometimes. The day wasn't the most sunny but we decided to go anyway. Needless to say when we got there it was on 11+ degrees. A bit chilly, especially for our kiddos who were dressed so CUTE in their shorts and light jackets. Oh well they still wanted to go and so we did. It was actually a perfect day for the zoo because it wasn't too crowded. The kids enjoyed looking at all the animals. Tyson couldn't wait to see the crocodile, his favorite animal in the whole zoo. It didn't take us very long to visit each exhibit. Carson enjoyed the zoo for the first time. We have taken him before but he was too little to really "get" it. He loved the lion's and the monkeys. Here are a few pictures of the kids:

It was a great day! But I think we will visit the zoo again before the summer is over, hopefully on a sunnier day!

Now for the bad of our week. It was Saturday and we spent all morning in Lethbridge with my mom shopping. We had a really fun time. We went to the greenhouse and bought some flower and plants to put in the yard. So when we got home I started planting them and the kids were playing outside. All of a sudden Tyson comes crying and saying that he hurt himself. Sure enough he had cut open his lip on the inside, and there was a huge gash. Tiffany was over and said that he probably needed a stitch and to walk over to the hospital. So off to the hospital we went. I was surprised that it really wasn't bleeding all that badly, and he didn't act like it hurt all that bad. So when the Dr. got there he said that yes it needed a stitch. They put a bit of topical freezing on but it didn't really work all that well. Tyson has never in his life screamed like that before. We had to hold him down and it was the hardest thing ever for me to do! When the Dr. would try and open his mouth he would shout, "NEVER, " and not open up. Then we would say, "They are trying to KILL me!!" and that they were going to make it worse and not help him. It was VERY traumatic for my little 4.5 year old. I could tell he was trying to be brave but he was very scared. Then he needed ANOTHER stitch and after the 1st on Tyson knew what he was in for. So the Dr. tried to give him some local anesthetic but when Tyson saw the needle there was NO way he was going to let him put it in his mouth. So the drama started ALL over again. This time they waited a bit longer for the topical anesthetic to work, and I think it did, but Tyson still cried. Then it was over...or so we thought, and off we went home. About a few hours later though I noticed that the stitches had come out!! Yes they came untied! So of we went to the hospital again for another dose of crying. But this time he was much better. The nurse was very kind and she kept the topical anesthetic on a very long time to make sure he was good and numb. But he still remembers how it was the 1st time and it took awhile before we could convince him that he wouldn't be able to feel it. Finally the Dr. was able to stitch it again and got the gash better this time and he only needed 1 stitch. I was so proud of Tyson for how brave he was, and he was looking forward to the new Transformer he was going to get. So the ordeal was over and off we went home again. The next day at church he was so proud to show everyone his stitch and to tell them the story of how he got it. I found it so ironic though because Tyler and I were just talking with some friends about how surprised we were that Tyson had never broken anything or had to have stitches. I guess we spoke too soon!

Blast Ball...

Tonight we had Blast ball with Tyson. So far he hasn't really enjoyed it. He keeps saying that it is boring, and way to long. I kind of have to agree with him on how long it is. 90 minutes is VERY long for a 4 year old to do any structured activity and still have attention by the end. But tonight was different, he actually had a BLAST! I helped play catch with him, and the kid can throw pretty good. It is fun to see him progress and try his best. Tonight though we did have to have a little chat on how to be a good sport. He was getting frustrated cause the other kids would beat him to the ball when the other team was up to bat. So we had to chat about how we need to just have fun and not worry about always being first. Also I heard him say that one child wasn't very good, so yet again we had to have a chat about always speaking kindly about others and to be positive. I have always tried to say positive things when Tyson is involved in an extra curricular activity. I focus on what he is doing well and not on what he isn't. I think that helps boost their self esteem and makes them think positively them self. But even though he may never be a Babe Ruth, these activities help him learn how to treat others and most important how to work as a team and have good sportsmanship. Over all I think he is having a fun time. His friends from school and church are there as well and that helps.

The Faith of a Little Child...

I found this on Sophia's blog and thought I would do it just for fun. Here it goes:

Two Names I Go by: Mom & Jodes

Two Things I am Wearing Right Now: 1. new Jean Capris 2. Black stretchy shirt

Two Things I Want (or have) in a Relationship: 1. A very patient husband 2. Lots of LOVE and AFFECTION!

Two of My Favorite Things to do: 1. Go camping with my family 2. Have friends over for supper & play RISK.

Two Things I Want Very Badly At The Moment: 1. Our car to be SOLD! 2. A subway sandwich lol.

Two pets I have: We only have 1, a dog named Maggie. But I am hoping to get the boys a lop eatred bunny very soon!

Two things I did last night: 1. Watched BONES, never watched it before but it was good. 2. Got the boys ready for bed.

Two things I ate today: 1. Lay's plain chips 2. Peanut Butter & jam sandwich

Two people I just talked to last: 1. Jana 2. Sharla

Two Things I'm doing tomorrow: 1. Going to our last day of Parent Pre-School 2. Picking up my Mom's mother's day present.

Two Favorite Holidays: 1. Christmas 2. Summer vacation!

Two favorite beverages: 1. Hmmm seeing how I don't drink diet coke anymore (well only if I go to a restaurant) I really don't have a favorite drink. I guess I would have to say water.

Okay now that was fun. Now I need some advice. My 2.5 year old has learned how to climb out of his crib and open door in the last week. And now I can't get him to stay in his bed for a nap, or even at bedtime. I have put him back countless times, and still he gets back out. I think it was like 10 p.m. before he finally settled down and went to sleep. Then he was up at 6:30 a.m. and was SO cranky! So he went for a nap at 12 and luckily he didn't attempt to get out of his room. I remember with Tyson we had to tie the door shut so he would stay in there. I felt like a terrible mother doing that! But after about 4 nights he gave in a realized that we weren't giving in and that he had to stay in bed. I might just have to start doing that again with Carson. The challenges of raising kids, it can be rough sometimes. But most days I find it very rewarding. I love the fact that Tyson is a TOTAL momma's boy and that he always wants to be where I am. Every night before he goes to be he tells me that I am the BEST mom in the whole world and that he loves me. That just melts my heart. Speaking of Tyson that reminds me of something he did the other day. Not sure if I mentioned this yet or not. Lately he has been addicted to catching lady bugs. He has spent countless hours in our back year searching for them. He did manage to find 3 and put them in their "habitat." He was thrilled to be able to take them to school and show them to his classmates and teachers. So one day he accidentally tipped over the "habitat" and came running in with a dead lady bug in his had. He was very upset and said that it was ALL his fault. I told him that accidents happen and that it was okay and to go look for more lady bugs. He then said, "But mom, God can heal him and he will come alive again." He was speaking of the dead lady bug! The faith of a little child. I believe that he really thought that God would make the lady bug whole again. It was just a tender moment, and one that I never want to forget. Kids...they sure make life worth living!

Exciting Week!

Lots has been happening around the Pilling home the past week. Last Wednesday (May 1st) we had a Parent Pre-School Field Trip. We didn't actually go anywhere but someone came to us! Petland (a local pet shop) came to the family hub and brought a variety of animals to show the kids. They LOVED it! Both Tyson and Carson were fascinated with all the different animals. I was amazed at how unafraid both the kids were. Carson was a little apprehensive when it was his turn to touch the hedgehog. I think he was expecting it to be soft and cuddly, but when he touched it he realized that it was prickly. It was cute to see his reaction. Tyson is fearless when it came to the animals. It wasn't even one bit scared to touch the milk snake. YUCK is all I had to say! Here is a picture of Carson with a gerbil. And here is a picture of Tyson with the milk snake. Overall the kids had a GREAT time!

Another exciting thing this week is that we bought a new camping trailer. We really weren't planning on it, but we couldn't pass up this great deal. The new trailer (Shirley, Tyler always has to name our vehicles, LOL) is a bit smaller than Aleda (the old trailer) but it is in better shape and has WAY more storage. The kids even have their own bedroom at the back with 3 bunk beds. They are both SO excited, and mom and dad are getting excited too. We love camping, it has become our family tradition in the summer. Instead of taking fancy trips every few years we have decided to take the boys camping to some of our favorite spots. It is wonderful the memories we have made and we look forward to making more this year. We have 2 weeks booked in August and we are counting down the days till we can pack up the trailer and hit the highway in search of our next destination. I think this year though we are going to try somewhere new. We are probably going to go to Idaho to Silverwood Theme park. They have a huge amusement park and water park, so we think the kids will enjoy that. We feel very blessed to be able to have a new trailer, one that is in better shape and will last us for many years.

The weather here has been SO nice the past few days. The kids have spend many hours outside playing in the sandbox. We have also enjoyed riding bikes and playing at the park. I finally feel like Spring is here and that Summer is just around the corner. I sure hope we don't get any of those freak snow storms in the middle of May! This is what it looked like a last week though. Carson and I braved the downpour to walk to the school to pick Tyson up. Needless to say we were soaked when we got home. But there doesn't look like rain is in the forcast for the next few days so that is good :)

Last night Tyson and I went on his Mystery Bus Field Trip. We took a tour of Coaldale on a school bus. We stopped and saw the Fire Station, Bakery, Library and the Birds of Prey Center. The kids were able to get out at the Birds of Prey and look around at the Canada Geese. We tried to look for some nests but we only saw one that may have been used last year by some geese. We did see an abandoned egg floating in the water. And the kids also got to see an Otter swimming in the lake. They were very excited to see that. Tyson was happy that he was able to sit by his friend Karlin on the bus, and they had fun walking around together. I can't believe how Tyson is growing. Before we know it he will be in Kindergarten! Wow how time flies. He truly is a momma's boy though, and I love that!

Busy, Crazy, Life!!

Life for me has been SO crazy busy. I have done a trade show every weekend in April. That was just insane on my part, but it was good to get some more exposure for the candles. They were well received in all the places I visited. So hopefully there will be lots of parties booked, and even better yet would be some distributors being set up in those areas.

I am finally starting to believe that SPRING is here! Yipee. I love the nice warm weather and seeing the grass and trees turn green. The tulips and daffodils are starting to bloom and it just makes everything look so alive and fresh, after a long winter, and CRAZY weather. The kids have been enjoying the nice weather too, and are so happy to be able to go outside and play. Carson just loves being outside and playing in the sand box. Although today I think he brought more of the sand inside with him! He was covered in sand, but he had a great time.

Sorry this entry wasn't more exciting. Like I mentioned life has been to hectic to really fit anything "fun" into it. But the next few weeks look like they are a bit slower so hopefully I can fill our days with some fun outings and maybe even take some pictures. Until next time...have a GREAT DAY!