ok, I'm thinking of going in a different direction with this blog and calling it,'The Chronicles of 430 Ambrose'. I have so many stories from this place already that I don't even know where to begin. And I've become accutely aware of the fact that this house will 'never' be done. My husband is too much of a go-getter to just sit and enjoy this house. I'm fine with that. In fact, that's one of the things that I love about that man. There are a lot of things that I love about him, but I'll save that for another post.

And, speaking of not knowing where to start. That's why I've been on a sort of blogging hiatus. I just don't know where to pick up. I have had a million things happen this summer, good, bad and all things in between. I don't know where to start. So why don't we just say that the slate has been wiped clean and I can start fresh? I'll post stories of memories of course, but as far as catching (all 12) of you up on my life, I think that it'll just have to be glimpes every once in a while as a memory will come to me.

So, onto NEW things. Finn started his first day of hockey. I KNOW! I never thought I'd be one of *those* moms. I didn't think we'd start our children in anything organized until they were a little older, or even a lot older. But, as I've gotten to know my eldest a little more. I've realized his need for preparation and interaction. So, with the thought that he'll be starting school in the near future I thought we'd dapple in a world of instruction from an unknown and making new friends while he's at it.

He did so well. We were a little nervous when they told Nik that they had enough volunteers that day and wouldn't be needing him on the ice. This was after a week of telling Finn that his dad would be with him. In the end, it was better. Finn didn't cry once even though he was the only kid (out of about 50) that couldn't stand on his skates. The gal spent the whole time teaching him how to get up if he falls. He had a huge smile on his face, which of course put a huge smile on our faces. Even Carson was proud of him; throwing his fist in the air and yelling "awwww, he fell. Yeah! He got up!" in a growly voice.

This was a nice change from what I had been expecting. I had resigned myself to the fact that Finnley would shut right down if someone new started talking to him. We'll see if he continues to love it as much. But if yesterday was any indication, this is going to be fun!

So, I'm learning all about gentility (that's a word right?). I've always admired gentle women. I've known a few. I don't consider myself to be someone that would be lumped into the 'gentle' category. I actually think 'bull in a china shop' fits the bill in my case. In high school I was the over-bearing loud one that craved attention. In college I decided that I needed to reinvent, or at least stop pretending to be OK with that stereotype. So I worked towards meekness and just getting lost in the crowd. I didn't. I don't think. I was still loud, sometimes obnoxious and always at every 'party'(or maffia game that was under the guise of said party). My 'timidity' or 'meekness' was lost in the shadows of my loud personality, to say the least.

Now that I'm a mom I'm realizing that I don't need to necessarily conform into a timid or quiet gal. Wouldn't it be a treasure to lump meekness and gentleness in amongst some of my other more dominant traits? I mean, I'm really not that loud anymore (minus the occasional maffia game, or charades...or just loud games in general) and I don't think I'm that obnoxious, though I wouldn't be the best judge of myself.
I've really lost the point to this post.

Oh, I guess all I want to say is that, I like being loud, but I love having my children and husband thinking of me as gentle...a wife who gently loves her husband, a mama who loves and disciplines with a gentle spirit. And can be loud at the occasional hockey game. Or choir concert. HA!