Our Daughter's Sense of Style

Libby has always had an interesting sense of style. Or maybe what I have found to be interesting is that she has a sense of style. Something I don't think I cared about when I was her age. It's always fun to see what she will come up with next. This past weekend my mom gave me a box of clothes that she had saved from when I was Libby's age. Yikes...it's like an 1980's awakening around here! Libby has been sporting her mother's "interesting sense of style" (but really I can't take credit for it and will now blame it all on my loving parents) all week and I thought I would share some pictures. The plaid dress and the exercise outfit used to be mine. The Wisconsin Badgers is a Libby original but I thought it was cute as Libby added some of her own flare. Enjoy!

What we've been up to lately

What does a typical week at the Andersons look like. Thought I'd give you a visual of this last week.


One day Lindsay went along with Liam and his Kindergarten class to the rink for skating. After that they went to DQ for lunch. Libby and I got back from Moms 'n Tots that morning and thought that we should have a special lunch as well. Libby proceeded to set the table in her room while I warmed up our spaghetti leftovers. She informed me that I was Belle and she was Cinderella. The two of us "princesses" had a wonderful time together. I, yes the "football loving, please don't make me wear a dress or high heels for too long" mommy thought that the spaghetti tasted even better on a pink table cloth while sitting across from a precious little lady.



Lindsay and I had a late evening supper after Sparks and Soccer on Tuesday for Valentines Day. Earlier in the day when it was time for the kids to eat I had some fun with pancakes. The kids thought it was great.


This morning I caught this picture of Linds and Liam walking to work and the bus. My two favourite men!


While the guys were at work and school this morning Libby and I did something we do every day...the Princess Puzzle! She is wearing her current favourite dress that she got from a good friend at Moms 'n Tots. I don't think Cinderella has anything on this cutie but then again, I'm biased.

I'd like to tell you that our week was all blissfully full of patience, kindness and birds and mice singing like on Cinderella, but we did have some ugly step sister moments for which I am not proud but am excited that I am learning and that (more importantly) God is gracious and his mercies are new every morning... GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS!

Wisconsin Part V - Opa & Oma

My mother grew up in Wisconsin...hence our frequent trips there. She travelled to the bald prairie of Southern Saskatchewan in 1973 to go to Bible school at Briercrest in Caronport and met my Dad there. Her family stayed in Wisconsin and when her and my Dad married in 1975 she moved to Saskatoon and they been living there ever since. She is a dual citizen and we have always enjoyed heading down to visit our family there. My Opa and Oma are very special and we have so many great memories of visiting them. This last time was no different. These pics were taken the night before we left to travel back home to Nipawin. They took the four of us out to eat for supper at B.J. Clancy's (a traditional favourite with my family and trip to WI would not be the same without it) and then we went back to their apartment for dessert. My Opa can dish up a sweet bowl of ice cream...he is where I get my sweet tooth from. Dessert is not just his specialty. Opa is great in the kitchen. Oma loves to knit, spend time with the ladies in their building and watch all things WI...from the college team sports to the NFL! They both swim at the YMCA three times a week. They are generous, loving and full of love for their Saviour.

I found it harder to say goodbye to them this time because the older I get the more I realize that life is fragile. When I was younger I thought they would be around forever. Just before we left that night I sat down with Opa on the couch while the others where in the TV room watching a game. We don't typically have this one on one time together but he made use of it well. I can't remember his exact words but he reminded me that he is getting older and that is body is not always working like he'd want. BUT, he said, he's ready to go be with Jesus whenever the Lord calls him home. He told me that we never know when we will see someone for the last time. He said all of this with a joy and peace and I didn't feel like it was a downer. He was stating facts and I think, preparing me. I left there that evening with a lot on my mind and it made a lot more sense a couple months later when my mom called and told me that Opa had been diagnosed with bone cancer. Just like my Grandpa Skeldon, Opa's prostate cancer had turned to a much more aggressive type of cancer.



So far he is doing well but I know what it was like for Grandpa Skeldon and when it started getting bad it was very painful and it did not take very long. We continue to pray for Opa but it brings me great hope to know that he is willing to accept whatever God has for him. It is an attitude that I want to also have whether I am staring down a tough decision, a bad day with the kids, or something more life altering like cancer.



We have been blessed to be taught, whether directly or indirectly, by the example of faithful grandparents. Thank you Jesus for these gifts!

Wisconsin Part IV...TobyMac

Wow...was it August the last time I got on here? I can almost hear an audible "YES" from a few of my friends that are way more faithful bloggers than myself. I thought I would finally carry on with my posts about our trip to wisconsin. And then after that I may be rethinking my commitment (or lack thereof) to the world of blogging. I've been trying to scale down my responsiblities and although I don't get on here very much...okay, almost never, it is a source of guilt for me and something that I might just give up entirely. We'll see.

The other day we were listening to TobyMac and Liam decided he would write a letter to him because we went to his concert this summer. That's what reminded me that I should finish this series of posts.



Back in July while in Wisconsin, Linds and I got to enjoy a TobyMac concert together as a part of the Lifest weekend. Liam was a little unsure when we surprised him with the tickets but was very excited when he was told he could stay up way past his bedtime AND that Libby was going to be there! To give you a little background...a couple years ago Liam started listening to TobyMac's first solo CD. It was one that we had bought well before he was born but it struck a chord with him. He now has all his CDs and would want the new Christmas one too if he knew about it.



The concert was very loud and it got pretty late but there was some groovy and some excitement on Liam's part. During the first two songs he was trying to take it all in and then he yelled out, "hey mom, he's singing number 3!!" We had a lot of fun and the cool part was that we were able to sit in the VIP section because of a friend of my Aunt's who helps organize the festival. We ony had three VIP lanyards so my aunt and uncle sat farther back...and had better hearing the next day! :) When we were waiting for the concert to start we noticed on the corner of our section there was a little stage. Later we found out what it was for. TobyMac and two others from the band came running to our section and sang a few songs from there. About four rows ahead of us! Liam and Linds got to stand right at the base of the mini stage. Liam and Linds thought that was great.


All in all it was a great concert. So thankful that we could have an opportunity like this with Liam.