where bottles go when they die

Hey, has anyone checked out www.marriedtothesea.com yet? Drew and Natalie Dee do a daily, one-panel comic strip on this site, setting their own captions to vintage, clip-art-type illustrations. Funny stuff.

enjoy the chips

the UP series

Wee me, dressed up as Aunt Jemima for Halloween.

For Christmas this year, it was Hugh who got me my favourite gift, something I had been wanting for a long time- Michael Apted's UP documentary series. It began in 1964, when Apted approached a group of seven year old children from diverse backgrounds in England to ask them some basic questions about life. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"...."What do you like about school?", etc., etc. What started out as a cute little documentary about the inner lives of children grew into a lifelong assignment (and passion) for Apted, for every seven years since then, he has revisited the group. The most recent film, done last year, found them at the age of 49.

I would highly recommend the UP series to anyone....it's a fascinating look at the extra ordinariness that can be found in the ordinary life. By the time we finished watching the seven films, we felt as if these people were family. You see them go through the pains of parenthood, the challenges that come with marriage, the difficulty of watching your own parents get older, and, in some cases, die. The most interesting story is that of Neil, who grew up in the upper middle-class home of two schoolteachers. At the age of seven, he is the cutest, most bubbly kid on the program, but, by the age of fourteen, you can see that he is troubled. He ends up battling mental illness, which leaves him, on most occasions, homeless. His journey in life is inspiring to see, for eventually, he becomes a Christian and his life does an-almost complete turnaround. I don't want to give too much away here, but I will say that some of his comments on life and human behavior are so insightful....it'll give you lots to think about and discuss with whomever you're watching the film with.

The UP series made me realize the importance of providing a child with a stable, nurturing environment to grow up in. It's Hugh and I's desire to give this, and so much more, to Sofia in the years to come. The most important thing for us is that she comes to know Jesus Christ as we have come to know Him. It is the foundation on which we stand as a couple, and, now, as a family. I don't know what I would do without Him in my life, for He has given me life, a new life, which I thank Him for every day. I want Sofia to know the love and grace that only He can give.

Love,

Stacey.

P.S. Happy (7-month) Birthday, Sofia! :o)

what a shame

bad angel!

husbands

GRRRR!!!!

I have to admit, these last few weeks have not been easy. I've been in a good mood and all and am very thankful for the things going on in my life, but I have been totally sleep deprived....Grrrr!!!! Sofia gets up during the night, every hour on the hour. Once in a blue moon, I get a night where she'll sleep a three-hour stretch, but most of the time it's just awful. I've tried everything, I even read that book, The No-Cry Sleep Solution, and tried some of the suggestions there. I'm still open to suggestions, though, if there are any mothers out there reading this! I'll try anything!

I have these fantasies of going off to a quiet, secluded cabin in the woods....to sleep for days and days until I am caught up with all the sleep I have missed for the last six months. I also have these fantasies of sitting down to a delicious, all-you-can-eat, East-Indian meal, UNINTERRUPTED and with the use of BOTH OF MY HANDS, thank you very much! Yes....that would be sweet.

I feel like I'm running on empty most days. I'm happy (see?....:o), just....exhausted. It's times like these that I really feel the Lord in my life. I mean, how am I even functioning right now?! The Lord is carrying me through all this, giving me strength, day by day. I give Him the glory, 'cause, technically, folks, I should not have any strength right now! I'm just chuggin' along....chugchug.

On a more positive note....despite the sleepless nights, etc., I absolutely *love* being a mother! :o) It is such a blessing to be given a child to raise....God has given us the gift of Sofia, and trusts us (of all people- haha) to take care of her- I couldn't think of a more meaningful lifetime job to take on! I keep thinking to the years ahead, of all the memories to be made....I never knew I could love someone so much....Now I know what people were talking about when they talked about their children....it's a love that goes so deep that it hurts. I would do anything for that little girl, I would even give my life for her. I guess to anyone reading this who doesn't have children, this will sound weird. But to the mothers out there....I'm sure you understand. It's a love that just can't be defined. It's unconditional and just utterly beautiful, even with all it's flaws and sleepless nights. I imagine this is how the Lord Jesus Christ loves us....Sometimes I don't know how He could love us, because of the way we are sometimes, but I do know that He does love us....there is such a comfort in that, and in knowing that I can trust Him in all things, including raising Sofia!

By the way, Sofia can stand now- and she's not even seven months old, yet! She pulls herself up to stand every morning in her crib....I think she's going to be an early walker! Look out, world, here she comes!

Love, Stacey.

P.S. Hey, who reads my blog?....It would be nice to know who reads my blog, so feel free to e-mail me at: staceyvanhecke@yahoo.ca I don't get out much anymore, so if you e-mail me, that will probably be my human contact for the day....haha (sad, but true).

Have a great weekend, everybody! :o)

xoxox the day of loooove xoxox

xoxox HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, HUGH! xoxox

xoxox WE LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH! xoxox

xoxox LOVE, STACEY AND SOFIA xoxox

BIG news! (this will make me feel *important* for about....oh....five seconds)

Last November, one of my photographs (shown here) took part in a photography exhibit in Tehran, Iran (of all places!). For those interested in viewing the photos from the gallery opening, as well as the other photographers who participated, please click on the following link: www.MasoudSoheili.com/News/TehranCPC2006/00-TehranCPC2006.html

I received word a few weeks ago that they have decided to make this a travelling exhibit, the next one being in Isfahan, Iran. It will be at the Contemporary Art Museum in Isfahan from February 3-23. As part of my "payment", I got a nice package in the mail two days ago- a huge book of photographs by Jassem Ghazbanpour, a little book from the art gallery, plus an invitation card and booklet.

It's exciting to think that my photography is getting known a little bit. Kind of weird, though, that it's in Iran....a little far for me to travel at the moment, with a child and all. Although I think it would be an interesting place to visit, I don't know if I would really want to go there, the reasons being pretty obvious. The whole experience, though, has put me in touch with some interesting people. There is a whole arts culture in Iran that is thriving, a lot of young people, especially women, who are finding their "voice" through their art. We get kind of a warped view on Iran, sometimes...."the CNN version". What it all boils down to, though, is that people are the same all over, with the same concerns, hopes, dreams, etc. People just trying to make sense of it all. I'm so thankful to have the Lord in my life and to live in a country that gives me so much freedom, especially the freedom to worship.

recipe for homemade baby wipes....yum! :o)

Hey, do you like changing poopy diapers as much as I do? Well, then, today is your lucky day, 'cause I've got a recipe just for you! Thanks, Beth, for finding this recipe on the net and making me and Sofia some for Christmas! :o)

HOMEMADE BABY WIPES

2 cups of boiled and cooled water

2 tablespoons of baby wash/shampoo

1 tablespoon of baby oil

1 roll of Bounty paper towels

1 airtight plastic container

(1) Cut roll of paper towels in half with a bread knife and remove the cardboard.

(2) Put in container.

(3) Mix water, baby wash, and baby oil together in a bowl.

(4) Pour mixture into the container and seal.

(5) Soak paper towels with mixture by flipping the container several times.

Voila! You've got yourself your very own, homemade baby wipes! :o) This will save you a few dollars in the long run, plus you can use the wipes for other things besides baby butts....for instance, I use a warm one on Sofia's head/hair every morning, as a way of washing her hair.

married to the sea