Hello, again!

I don't usually respond to challenges to answer questions about myself , but I couldn't turn down my favorite Canadian daughter-in-law.

1. What's your favourite day of the week and why?
Sunday would be my favorite day. Since we make it a practice not to work on the Sabbath I have a legitimate reason to not do any housework and laundry.  And then a lot of our family come over after church for dinner and discussions and fun!  Today Matt and Mir made supper (so delicious!) and Emme made an incredible cake (Wow!).  It was delicious and we all had such fun just talking and joking around.  Hayley surprised everyone by coming into town early so that made it extra special.  After all the dishes were done and the kitchen clean, Matt and Mir left to put their kids to bed.  Mike and Emme stayed and after scripture study we played a game.  It was a great day!


2. Recount an embarassing moment.
There are SOOOO many to choose from.  My favorite one takes too long to tell.  So, I'll just choose the three times I've asked someone when their baby was due only to have them tell me they weren't pregnant.  I don't ask now even if they are in labor.

3. What was your favourite toy or game as a child?
My parents, in fact my whole family, roller skated when I was a child.  We went to a skating rink every week and I loved that. I started skating when I was eighteen months old and my mother said I could skate better than I could walk.  But I remember when I was really little that I liked to sit on my dad's skate at home and roll around in the house.  I was so little and his skate seemed so big and it was like a little scooter.


4. What does your name mean?
Well, Courtney, Elaine is Greek and a variant of Helen, or French and it means "light" or "shining light". And, though you didn't ask, I've always liked my name a lot. Thanks, Mom.

5. If you could have any occupation (and you had no limitations of obtaining that occupation), what would it be?
Hmmm.  This one took a while.  I think when I was younger my secret dream was to be a country/western back-up singer.  I would love to speak multiple languages fluently and be a translator.  Anything that took me traveling around the world.  But, honestly, I'm just happy doing what I'm doing: nurturing, loving my family and trying to make our home a beautiful, clean, safe, loving environment for the most important people in the world.  I feel lucky.


6. What is your guilty pleasure?

Candy, specifically: chocolate caramel pecan candy, pralines, divinity, and fudge.  I don't get to satisfy that pleasure too often anymore. I've been dreaming of making pecan pralines.  Maybe Christmas.

7. If you could change anything about your appearance what would it be?
I would love to change my teeth and hope to do so in the next year or so.


8. If you could raise awareness about one topic (education, poverty, AIDS, etc.) what would it be?
Child abuse.  Every child is so innocent and vunerable and deserve all the love and tenderness their parents can give them.  It breaks my heart to see children treated unkindly or to hear of abuse in any form.  Parents need more support and training.

Another milestone in our lives

Yesterday our oldest daughter turned 18. All week as I have thought about her birthday, I have also been thinking how quickly she will be leaving. Another few months and she will be away at college. That, and maybe the new medicine I'm on, has made me a little melancholy. I can actually feel the apron strings in my heart being pulled to the breaking point.

I guess I got used to boys leaving, but now our first girl will soon leave the nest. I almost can't bear to think about when the girls were little. It was such a precious time. I think girls are easier than boys when they are young and having four young daughters was magical. Now, all but the youngest are teenagers and I can see her growing up right before my eyes.

Of course, I 'm glad that they are maturing and progressing. I wouldn't have it any other way. Only it's bittersweet.