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| My two week old nephew in all his sweet newborn glory |
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| Big sister Bean, my brown-eyed beauty |
Goodness gracious, I love these children.
Sunday Sweetness
Sunday, April 10, 2011 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Goodness gracious, I love these children.
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Goodness gracious, I love these children.
You Fine You Fine
Monday, March 28, 2011 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Everyone needs a Jessica.
You need someone who is completely delighted to be in the same room as you. You need someone who says "WOW" when they see you and tell you they like your fingers. And your toes. You need someone who likes your toes. You need someone who looks at you and says, "he good, he good." You need someone who cringes when they hear you cry. You need someone who says "you ok, you ok" as many times as you need to hear it. You need someone to get in your face and say, "you fine, you fine" over and over again. You need a Jessica. Everyone needs a Jessica.
I have Jessicas in my life. I have a Jessica who says "WOW!" when he sees me. I have a Jessica who likes my fingers. Another Jessica thinks my toes are pretty great. I have several Jessicas who affirm my "good"ness. I have Jessicas who cringe when I cry. I have Jessicas who will sit with me and tell me I'm ok over and over. I have Jessicas who are relentless in their efforts to assure me I am fine.
And do you know what? I AM good. I AM ok. I AM fine. And I am ridiculously thankful for all of my Jessicas.
Be someone's Jessica. Tell them they're good. Tell them they're ok. Tell them they're fine. It's really quite simple. If you don't have a Jessica in your life, this next part is for you:
You good.
You good.
You ok.
You ok.
You fine.
You fine.
Book Talk: What to Look For
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I've had people call me from the bookstore asking what I suggest they buy for their kids. It's happened on more than one occasion. My friends call me because they know I have a wee bit of a problem. My children's literature library is extensive. I don't have any children, but I have books. Oh do I have books!
It seems these days anyone can get published. It's great because we see so many new authors, but it also means there is a lot of crap out there. It's hard to sift through the world of books when you don't know what to look for. Here is a list of things that I look for when I browse picture books in the children's section.
Quirky characters. Regular characters are boring. Children love characters that are imaginative and just a little bizarre. Think of the most interesting person you know. You would want to read a book about them. Now think of someone who is average in interestingness. You probably wouldn't want to read about that person, now would you? New, fresh characters are wonderful. Reoccurring characters are like visiting old friends.
Rich language. Look for language that is above the level of the kids you are reading to. Yes, kids should have "just right" text that is easy and accessible for them to read on their own. However, when kids are being read to, the language should be beyond their level. Have you ever met a kid that sounds like he's way older than he is? I can almost guarantee his parents have been reading to him ever since he was tiny. Even if you have wee babies, start reading to them now. Kids that do well in school and in life were likely raised in literacy rich environments. It's proven, yo.
Unique illustrations. Some illustrations are like your grandma's living room furniture**. Other illustrations are like furniture from IKEA. Some illustrations are simple. Some illustrations are incredibly detailed. Each serves its purpose. Some are more pleasing than others. In this case, you are totally allowed to judge a book by its cover.
Clean layout. My inner graphic designer leaps for joy when I see a crisp, beautifully laid out text. A picture with words underneath gets boring. I look for layouts that catch my eye (I'm a huge rule of thirds nerd, but we won't get into that today), and that add to the story.
Heart Singing Stories. When you read the book, did you laugh? Did you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Did you say "Wow!"? Did you want to do something because of the book? Did you start thinking about something you did when you were a kid? Can you relate the story to aspects of your own adult life even though it is meant for kids? If you close the book and are still thinking about the story with a smile on your face, it is probably a good choice.
Those are a few guidelines to get you started. If you have to buy a gift for a child, consider buying them a book (or several). And then sit down and read it with them. It's seriously awesome.
What was your favourite book as a kid?
*I missed a family of BEARS walking across the road in front of our car because I was reading. Not just one bear. A FAMILY. Of BEARS.
**Floral and covered in plastic?
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Gems From The Basement: Marriage
Sunday, January 2, 2011 - Posted by Amanda Bast
The what?
The marriage edition.
Are you married? Are you unhappy even though you are married? Have you ever thought to yourself, "I really wish there was a way to be happy even though I'm married". Well my friend, look no further. The answer is in my basement:
"But how do I know this is truly the right book for me? How can I trust the source? Just take a look at the back cover:
How could you not trust a couple as glowing and in love as that? Look at them gaze lovingly at each other. Him and his pointy collared shirt, her and her bedazzled blouse. It's love! Even her hair screams, "I'm married! And I'm happy!" It's a safe choice, I promise. It offers very modern and up to date advice about how to keep your spouse AND yourself happy. And look, it even includes cartoons:
"I've read books like this before though! They're all the same! All they do is quote scripture and tell us to be pure."
That's where this book is different. Need to know what each part of the male and female anatomy is called? This book has it. Need to know what each part of the male and female anatomy looks like? This book has diagrams. Need to know the differences between males and females? This book includes helpful charts like this one:
Your days of boring married sex are over. No more asking, "Am I doing this right?" or "What is this little thinger called?" or "Explain that slow cooker/microwave analogy to me again?" It is all laid out very clearly in this book. With scripture!
Finally. An answer to your life's biggest question.
Stay tuned for Gems From the Basement: Happy Homemaking.
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Life Goals
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Here are my 30 before 30 (in no particular order):
- See Sufjan Stevens in concert
- Eat lobster
- Live within walking distance of a coffee shop/craft store/fancy cooking store (any would do)
- Write a song other than ones I make up on the spot every day
- See the Rocky Mountains
- Take dance lessons
- Completely gut and renovate an old house
- Land a permanent contract job
- Take voice lessons
- Talk in an accent for an evening in order to convince a stranger that it’s real
- Take a fancy cooking course (or several)
- See Ingrid Michaelson in concert
- Be a part of a show where people pay $20.00 or more to see
- Sing in front of a crowd
- See a show on Broadway
- Hit up a jazz club in downtown Montreal (must be drinking a martini when this occurs)
- Fall in love
- Teach nieces and nephews a choreographed song and dance number
- See the ocean (any one will do)
- Adopt a Greyhound dog
- Publish a children's book (or three)
- Try my hand at some stand-up comedy
- Travel to the east coast
- Make flan
- Host an unnecessarily fancy dinner party (serve flan)
- Go scuba diving
- Babies! Birth, adopt, foster – any way they choose to come to me.
- Oh, get married (that first...then babies)
- Preach a sermon
- Change someone’s life (for the better)
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Things That Most People Think Are Dumb But Amanda Thinks Are Awesome: Part 1
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Snuggies!
If you know me at all, you aren't surprised.
For those of you living under a rock, please watch the following commercial:
I received my Snuggie for Christmas last year from my brother and sister-in-law. They knew I would appreciate both the cheesiness and warmth that the Snuggie provides. Needless to say, it was my favourite gift. It is blue, it is fuzzy and it is warm. It also can fit multiple people if I so choose. I complain about being cold constantly, especially since I spend the majority of my home time in the basement. Yes, our family business specializes in fireplaces, but I can only have the Napoleon GD 70 on for so long before my housemates* complain about the heat.
The Snuggie is the perfect solution.
I can blog with my entire body covered in Snuggie. I can watch a movie while wrapped up in a Snuggie. I often play my piano in my Snuggie. I can wrap the Snuggie around me like a kimono and cook dinner. Or put the dog out. Possibly do laundry. I can knit and not get tangled in my yarn. My Snuggie has accompanied me on a winter retreat and kept me warm at night and during sessions. It has accompanied me to many movie nights. I took it to the drive-in movie theatre once. In every situation I am warm and I am oh so cuddly. What's not to love about that?
I do realize that my Snuggie isn't exactly attractive. I don't have gentlemen lined up because they think my Snuggie is sexy. My Snuggie does not bring all the boys to the yard. The Snugg is Ugg. I realize this, yet I'm ok with it. I am secure enough in myself to wear a Snuggie in public and not worry about repelling a possible mate. Maybe one day I'll meet a guy who has always wanted to try a Snuggie, and I'll be right there waiting for him with open Snuggie arms. We'll be soul mates, and we'll be warm in our little Snuggie world.
I think in some cases it even makes me more attractive as a friend. I don't know about you, but whenever I see someone doing something or wearing something that is funny or offbeat, I immediately want to know more about this person. They are either completely weird or have a great sense of humour. Either way, they'd be a delight to hang out with. My best friends are also my weirdest friends (don't worry, this is why I love you). My Snuggie wearing self is more approachable because my Snuggie says, "Not only am I warm, but I'm fun, too!" Just the other week, I wore my Snuggie to an event and had people asking to try it. One person didn't want to give it back. I know you might think it looks lame, but I know there was some jealousy. Someone was coveting my Snuggie. Don't worry, I'm good at sharing.
While you mock my Snuggie and say it is no different than a backwards housecoat, I will just smile. You can tell me it is dorky and pointless, but I will shrug and wrap myself tighter. I have discovered the beauty and warmth of this blue polar fleece wonder. I am patient. I will wait for you to realize the joy that lies in owning something so delightful. And until then, I will cozy up on the couch with my dear friend, Snuggie. And I will be warm.
*This is what I call my parents when I feel lame for still living at home.
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The Great Cake Experiment: The Finale
Monday, October 25, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I am also pleased to report that The Bean was quite impressed too. She was a little weirded out we all starting singing at the same time, but she got over it pretty quickly.
She also very much enjoyed her piece. She takes after her Mommy - she's a chocolate lover!
She had so much fun at her party, it makes me so excited for upcoming birthdays, when she will actually understand what is going on. All of the kids in our family will be so spoiled...but really, look how cute she is - how could you not?
Happy Birthday, my sweet little Bean! You are the best little niece I could ever have asked for!
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The Perks
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
1. You always know what your plans are. You never have to confirm with another person.
2. Lots of free time.
3. Coffee dates with members of the opposite sex are always acceptable.
4. Guys love single ladies. Ladies love single guys.
5. You can sing and dance to that Beyonce song and not feel like a fake.
6. You can answer your Grandma's "do you have a special friend?" question with "actually, I have LOTS of special friends, Grandma".
7. Your Grandma will pray that you stop leading a sinful life and settle down and become monogamous.
8. As long as you don't have a cat, you can pack up and vacation in Fiji in less than a day's notice.
9. You only have to open your own car door.
10. Eating Kraft dinner directly from the pot is considered fine dining.
11. Flirting with the bag boy at the grocery store!
12. Cell phone bills are lower.
13. Farting. And lots of it.
14. I can sleep in a race car bed? (That's the last time Dillis gets to contribute to a blog post)
Feel free to add to the list!
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Inspirational Thought of the Day
Thursday, February 25, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
"I was dating this girl, and she asked me what colour I saw when I looked at the forest. I said green, of course. She said that it wasn't just green. She saw light green, dark green, brown, purple, black, yellow - all of these different colours. She helped me to see all of these things I didn't see before. She completely changed my world. She's now my wife."
YES. Yes yes yes.
Yes.
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*We've never actually started. Minor detail.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
This is it, and it is really happening. I believe in us, and so should you. Please, help us by being our cheerleaders.
This year, 2010, my mother and I vow to quit smoking*. Please, join us in our journey. It's going to be a wild ride.
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wedding bells!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I will wear a white dress.
I will have three bridesmaids, and three groomsmen.
The bridesmaids will wear bright pink dresses.
We will carry white, pink, yellow and purple flowers.
The groomsmen will wear black suits with gray and pink striped ties.
I will walk down the aisle to either Ballerina music, or The Wheels On the Bus.
For dinner, we will eat chicken, rice, broccoli, carrots and beans.
For dessert, we will eat strawberry cupcakes and vanilla pudding.
The overall plan sounds really quite marvelous, and I was impressed by their wedding planning skills and flair. They even did my hair and make up for me. I'm totally set for my big day.
The only setback is that my groom-t0-be is three years old.
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I wish I was making this up,
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the obligatory serious post
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - Posted by Amanda Bast
This was my third year taking the trip, and I'm always amazed at how much the place changes over the course of a year. This year, the major change was the new hacienda. There was a hacienda (an old ranch-type place) about half an hour away that had been converted into an orphanage, but the previous directors had not been successful in running the place. The government, knowing how well Pan de Vida is run, handed over this site along with 20 additional kids, to the directors of Pan de Vida. All of the boys have been moved to the hacienda and are bused in every day for school and church. They eat breakfast at the hacienda, school and lunch are spent at Pan de Vida, and are sent back to the hacienda for dinner. We had a couple of opportunities to visit the boys there, and it was phenomenal. All 65 of the boys are taken care of by one couple. Just one. You would think this would spell chaos and burnout for the couple, but the opposite is true. They love it...the boys love them....it works. The older ones take care of the younger ones, and they're like one huge family. The boys seem to be so much happier there. The property is huge, so they have lots of freedom.
Meanwhile, back at the main site, it is super quiet. The girls tend to hang out in their rooms because there are no boys to impress. The walls and roof are on the auditorium, the second floor of the school is completed, as well as the soccer field and a new playground. We were also working on apartments for the volunteers above the main dining area.
Even though the girls are scarce, I still managed to seek out my dear Ana Bella, who everyone referred to as my shadow. She is hilarious and sweet. I want to keep writing about how all of the kids are so sweet and lovely (because they are) but I don't know if my fingers will let me type that much. Instead you call look at my pictures on Facebook (and some other account thing, coming soon).
We visited downtown Queretaro, saw some mariachi bands, saw a guy serenading his valentine and did some shopping. We also went to the tiny community of El Publito (fondly referred to as "ill Pepito!") and stumbled across a crazy huge valentine's festival. We ate hamburgers in Los Angeles and sketchy gorditas in Bernal.
The only really awful parts of the trip for me were Tuna Tuesday (tuna...all three meals...I wish I was joking) and Sick Sunday (I was sick...on Sunday).
On our second Saturday, I climbed a mountain (this one). Yes, this is the same mountain from two years ago, but it didn't make it any less of an accomplishment. There may or may not have been yells of "Screw you, disability!" flung from the summit.
I also climbed a metaphorical mountain. This is where I get very vague and unclear. When I shared my testimony, there were tears, then words of encouragement (accompanied by more tears) from a team member. When said team member gave his own testimony, something clicked for me. More tears (wow, lots of tears) and then lots of indepth discussion with this team member. Before more discussion, we climbed down the mountain together. It was all very metaphorical and awesome. I'm pretty sure God speaks to me in metaphors because he knows exactly how things "click" in my twisty brain.
Now I'm home and was sort of rudely flung back into school work. I'm glad to be back in Canada because I did miss people a ton, but I also wish I could be back with those kids again. If you have any questions, fire them my way!
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move over Chris, it's time for Cute with Mandie
Monday, October 27, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I would like you to meet Marwyn's Sweet Sassafras (here she is with Kirk, waving hello):
M.S.S. (or Sassie, as we call her) is a 10 week old Miniature Schnauzer puppy, weighing in at a whopping four pounds. At first, Miss Sassie-frass was quite shy and timid (Kristi can attest to this) and didn't want to do anything besides cuddle, thus earning her the nickname, SQUEEZY BABY (thanks, Annie). Over the weekend, she's gotten used to her new home, and her true colours are beginning to show through, and I'm happy to report she is one spunky little puppy.
She's also very talented. Here she is doing her bunny impression:
Here she is being a wonderfully fantastic obstacle between me and my studies.
She's also really good at being impossibly cute.
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milestone
Thursday, January 31, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
See? Scary. There are eight points of possible injury when you knit like this. Since I like an arts and crafts challenge, I decided to try it anyway. At first, all the needles are like siblings, and they get in each others way and push and shove and are generally not very laid back about not being the centre of attention. It's frustrating. But after awhile, things start to happen, and things start to take shape. Then it becomes really enjoyable.Then your knitting becomes like a security blanket and you take it everywhere, even though you know you won't have the opportunity to knit, but YOU NEVER KNOW, because if you didn't take it with you everywhere you go, then a stranger might get a hold of it and rip out all your stitches - your beautiful, even stitches - and you would have to start all over again, but it wouldn't be the same because you know that if you had your knitting with you, a stranger wouldn't have gotten a hold of it and ripped stitches out and then you would be half a mitten ahead of where you are now, so it is absolutely necessary that your knitting become like your child because hey, you wouldn't want a stranger ripping out your child's hair now, would you? I didn't think so.
Ahem.
Behold, the beauty of knitting in the round with double pointed needles:
Now, when I look at them I can find all the flaws, but they're still pretty rad. There were many hours of Gilmore Girls put into those mitts, including three episodes late last night. I also learned my knitting late at night when overtired is a bad idea lesson once I got to the thumb (I was knitting inside-out and backwards (that takes talent, folks), but I fixed it, but then I dropped stitches on the VERY LAST ROW and had to sew up some gaps..it was eventful), but alas, they are done two weeks ahead of schedule.p.s. the red knitting above is the start of my next pair!
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hear ye, hear ye!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
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Amanda is Thankful For...
Monday, October 8, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
...her brother whom, at 26 years of age, still needs to be told, "No honey, you aren't a wrestler," when he picks up a chair in a threatening manner.
...her sister-in-law, who has the patience to deal with her wannabe wrestler brother.
...her other brother whom, at 22 years of age, still thinks the words "penis" and "vagina" are hilarious.
...her best friends who never fail to make her laugh and support her when she's not at her best.
...her legs and feet - however dysfunctional they may be - that keep her walking.
...her sense of humour - what would life be without laughter?
...her kindergarten kids who constantly put things into perspective.
...the roof over her head, the food on her plate, the clothes on her body.
...the opportunities she has only because she lives in Canada.
...her Saviour - to Him she owes everything.
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uptown boy
Monday, June 25, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
A little black Nissan had pulled up to the curb ahead of us, but we continued our slow meandering down the sidewalk. I was digging through my purse for who knows what, and I look up in time to see him.
HIM.
Black pants, white dress shirt, collar open, with sleeves rolled up. He was walking towards us. He stared me down and I think my jaw dropped. So. Unbelievabley. Attractive. I think he stepped directly out of GQ onto King Street. It's possible that time slowed down, and the bow chicka wah wah song played as he walked by. I turned and watched him walk into a store. He walked out, a minute later, and I stared some more.
It was only after he had walked by again and I got a second look, that I realized that I recognized him. It was (drumroll please) Kyle Christie, from CKCO News. Yes, THE Kyle Christie. The sole reason I watch the news. I am happy to announce that he is better looking in person than on camera, and he lived up to every one of my expectations. Yes, this is pretty pathetic, but it probably made my year.
Oh, and after leaving the bookstore, he crossed the street and went to Starbucks. We all know how I feel about Starbucks. Quality.
June 25, 2007: The day I saw Kyle Christie in Uptown Waterloo. Hot diggity dog.
p.s. the CD is kind of sucky
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the Lake, the Lovelies, the Labels
Monday, May 21, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
-metal music on the way up - complete with bandanas
-devil sticks. Oh gosh. Never again.
-Swings
-NEW ROOF ON THE REC HALL!!! (this means no bats!)
-talking and giggling until early in the morning
-garage sale - Caleb bought a label maker and consequently everything in my cottage is accurately labeled (my favourite being "gluten-free microwave/heat up yo gluten somewhere else sucka")
-dock party! whooo!
-Cardboard Kerry showed up in many a picture. He had more fun than real Kerry would have.
-"Luuuke, would you like to play a game, Luuuke?"
-Girl Talk
-calling real Kerry at 1am and making him angry :o)
-talking until early hours of the morning again
-huuge long nice lovely wonderful sleep in
-went to Tobermory to tour the harbour (with Cardboard Kerry) and to the lighthouse for a nice little photoshoot
-extended games of bump
-campfire, stargazing
-"this is for the lovers, strictly for the lovers...if you've got someone to get close to, get close to this UNHHH/like a flower to a treeeeee that's how close I wanna be, (bop bop booo) baby to your heart (your heart ooohhh)"
-SUNRISE! (so cold, sooo very cold)
-an apology serenade (awww)
-slushies on the way home
more pictures later, but here's a few to hold you over:
Me, Cardboard Kerry, Micah, Caleb, Kristi in the Tob!
Cardboard Kerry, Kristi, the Beav, and I in the Tobermory Harbour
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Mommies, Musings and Marigolds
Sunday, May 13, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I went to two church services and saw a total of ten families (including my surrogate children) dedicating their kids to Christ. That was a giant warm and fuzzy.
On a completely different note, I love when youth events go from piles of "junk" (PVC pipe, cardboard, tubes) to crazy indoor mini putt holes and an outdoor one. And people walking around on the roof. I love how creative everyone gets with stuff like that. And I also love when creativity takes a wrong turn and what began as a completely innocent endeavour, ends up being completely ridiculous. Like that one time the guys at youth baked and decorated a cake. Well, it WAS the boy's team cake. I guess it was only natural. Ask Goo to see a picture of the..."camel".
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hoolabaloo
Sunday, May 6, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Today I got to hold my newest cousin. Four weeks old and very very cuddley. I don't think there is anything quite as lovely and joyful as baby snuggles. I really don't know what to compare it to. Babies have such a lovely smell and they're so soft and wow, babies make me really happy. Now to convince my brother to start having kids....
I also won two games at the baby shower (Baby Bingo and the baby food guessing game). Great Aunt Irmgarde and great Aunt Dorothy didn't know what hit them. Hah!