the boy factory

C'mon over for some COOKIES!

2007-01-01T22:01:00.000-07:00

Here we are in a new year, already full of exciting new things. You wanna know what's so exciting, come check out Jon's and my new website, http://monstercookies.ca !

We're combining our blogging efforts into one family site, and hope to soon add some cool stuff (as soon as we can figure out how to use WordPress...). Anyway, change your bookmarks and c'mon over for some monster cookies!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

2006-12-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

I know I'm a little late with the wishes, but I hope you all had a MERRY CHRISTMAS, that was fantastic and full of love. Ours was great, spent surrounded by family and so much fun.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all and I hope that it is a wonderful year for you, full of special family time, health and happiness.

Lots of love,
Amber and family

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

2006-12-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(REPEAT)

by Stuart Townend

This is a song that I cannot sing. The words bring on such strong emotion, just the thought of it gets me deep down. So deep and so strong, in fact, that I can't turn those feelings away.

In my days of singing up on stage with Jon, I could always shove my emotions away and sing strong on songs that if I was in the congregation I would whisper through while fighting back tears. Somehow I had the strength to get through it without thinking about it too much. Something about being up there in front of people and my phobia of others seeing my tears, I guess.

I could do that well until I met/heard/learned/sang this song. I remember one Sunday in Nakusp when Jon and I were practicing before the service. "How deep the Father's love for us..." I couldn't go any further. I stood there trying to keep my composure while Jon continued on. I couldn't come back in at any part. I just stood there, sobbing inside, with the image of a hurting God looking away from His creation and His Son in my head and in my heart. I don't think I sang much of it during the service either...I remember just looking at Jon and shaking my head as if to say "I can't...".

The words are just so powerful here. God giving His only Son - I have THREE sons and it would shrivel up my heart to give ONE of them up, even to have two of them still with me. MY sin upon HIS shoulders; MY voice calling out among the scoffers. I will not boast in anything...why should I gain...? I DO boast, and I shouldn't gain, but I do and I have, and still - this I know with all my heart; His wounds have paid my ransom.

Christmas cards

2006-12-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

I loooooooooove receiving Christmas cards (and I love sending them out though this year I've been a little too laid back and will be doing New Year's cards instead ;o) ). I think I really like to see what people have been up to all year. I enjoy the Christmas family letters that come along with the cards, and I REALLY love to get pictures of our friends. I never really knew what to do with all these pictures though, after the cards were taken down and put away. Until this year.

This past year, I discovered scrapbooking and my first project was to scrapbook all of those fantastic pictures of our friends and their children. It turned out so wonderfully and now I'm even MORE excited to get the picture cards. I even want to do one ourselves. Jon is somewhat opposed though, so I have a bit of convincing to do before that comes about.

Anyway, as soon as I find an envelope that could contain a Christmas card in my hot little hands, I'm actually excited to open it up. Will it be a lovely homemade card? A beautiful card purchased from a store? What kind of wishes will I find inside? Who is it from?? No card disappoints. :o)

And the first place I look when I open the envelope? Before the picture, before reading the letter or the greeting...I look at the "From" section. Why? Not to see who it's from...I usually can tell that before I open it. I look there to see if there is any baby news hidden there. Lots of people who send us cards are in those childbearing years. Jon and I started and filled out our family quite young, so we have many friends that we are still anxiously awaiting that special news from, announcing baby #1, 2 or 3. I think there is no better way to announce it than at the end of the family Christmas letter. If we decide to go for #4 (which right now has been struck from our life plans, so nobody get any ideas), I think I'd like to announce it at Christmas time.

Merry Christmas everyone, and I wish you very many Christmas cards. :)

WHAT FUN!

2006-12-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

I found a really fun addictive game. Great for parents who understand and non-parents who think they can do better than their friends who are parents. LOL Click and play!

Bathtime Game

What is Christmas for you?

2006-12-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about traditions lately and what gets passed on directly and indirectly through the years.

For example, something that I think has been directly passed on to me is the pajama tradition. New pajamas, opened on Christmas Eve. I can't remember a Christmas from my childhood that didn't include new pajamas on Christmas Eve. Even now, I'm pretty sure I get new pajamas every year. Last year, I got big jammies from one of the boys that would fit my huge pregnant belly, and some normal sized jammies from the other for after my belly was baby-free. I was so very happy to get pajamas that my Christmas was made right there.

There are so many things that my mom just did at Christmas that I now have to have them at Christmas time too:

-The Dolly and Kenny Christmas Album. I just got it on CD this year and I'm sure I've listened to it way too many times for my family's liking.

-Shortbread cookies made by my mom. I just can't make them as good as her's (I think I've eaten a whole batch already, and we just baked together last week).

-Stockings full of fun little things.

-Un-decorating on New Year's Day. No sooner, no later. That is just the day it's done on.

These things have been indirectly passed on to me, and are a set part of my Christmas.

Jon has also had his share of traditions that we've continued on in our family: the pajamas on Christmas Eve; the stockings; and a new Christmas tree ornament that is marked with the child's name and the year, so he can take a collection with him when he moves out.

Together, though, we've made our own traditions that our children will hopefully make their own and pass some on to their children.

#1 - We read the Christmas story from The Bible first thing on Christmas morning. We all gather in 'Mommy and Daddy's bed' and read together and pray before heading out to the livingroom to check out the loot.

#2 - We order Chinese food on Christmas Eve for dinner for whoever is at our house.

#3 - We attend a Christmas Eve service at church (which we will actually have to search for this year since our church is not having one).

It is so important to us that our kids see past the 'glitz of x-mas' (as Jon calls it) to the real reason we are celebrating - the birth of Christ. We want them to know it's not all about getting a million presents, it's about the one gift God gave us - His Son.

So, for those reading this, what makes Christmas for you? What are your traditions? What do you NEED to have to make Christmas feel right?

My stat counter shows there are actually people visiting here, so I hope to see some responses. ;)

The JOYS of Parenting

2006-12-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

Things have been weird around here lately. The boys are not sleeping at night; there is a constant game of musical beds going on. And they are whiny and clumsy all day long.

We're all tired, we're all cold all the time.

Jon's work schedule is full, and so, therefore, is mine. I am looking forward to his vacation; and I'm counting down. Only nine more days until I can get a sanity break for myself. It seems so far, especially after the last two days, which have been especially trying. An example of 'trying'...the past hour.

I've been feeling BLAH today, so I put Andrew down for a nap and went to lay on the couch with the boys while they watch TV. I JUST get the blanket pulled up on myself and Andrew starts to cry. Then Josh starts to cry 'cause I "left Andrew upstairs all by himself". So I go to calm down Andrew, get him happy and dozy again and put him down in his crib and I hear Josh screaming at the top of his lungs because he stepped on a toy and hurt his toe. I kiss his toe better and he starts crying again because he wants to watch a movie. Of course he won't tell me WHICH movie right away, I have to guess what "awahyabyabaaaaaaaaa" means. Finally got it, found the movie, put the movie in and Daniel starts playing with the remote and plays the features instead of the movie. I told him 'no' and went back to start the movie. So now Daniel is having a temper tantrum because he isn't getting what he wants. And I've had enough of the whining. I put down the remote and tell him to watch the features then, and I'm now in a self assigned time out before I start cleaning our messy messy upstairs.

*sigh* Only five more hours until bedtime...

~~~~~
Edited to add:

Not even one minute after I posted this, Daniel came upstairs, with Josh behind him. I told them to go watch their movie and they whined they didn't want to. Josh cried until I carried him back down the stairs. And he cried as I put him on the couch with a pillow and blanket and turned the movie on. And he was rubbing his eyes and crying as I came back up here.

I need Andrew to take his nap. And I need the other boys to play on their own sometimes. And to not fight over every. little. thing. Maybe I need a nanny a couple days a week. And to win the lottery to afford said nanny. LOL

Okay, HAVE to get to the cleaning...cleaning always makes me feel better.

Parental Etiquitte

2006-12-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

Every week or so I get a newsletter from Babyzone with info on Andrew's stage of life. I got one today that contained an article entitled Parental Etiquitte. It's a great article that I couldn't agree with more. Find it here.

There is a good section on bullying, thoughts on birthdays and gifts, and even what to do when you're visiting someone in a non-childproofed home. I love the bullying notes - I've seen kids in shopping malls and public play areas that are not being watched by their parents while they are whaling on another kid. It totally gets to me when parents are not watching their children in public places.

Anyway, check it out. :)

Dear Santa...

2006-12-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple,which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.

Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,

MOM!

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

~~~~~
One of my friends emailed this to me. I think it is cute and funny and heartwarming, so I immediately thought of posting it in here. However, I then decided against it because it seems negative to me in some way, like a woman is unhappy with her life, or ungrateful for her children.

Obviously, I reconsidered again, because negative or not, it is real life. I can totally identify with a lot of what is written here, and I love my children to bits; couldn't be more thankful for them.

My waist is gone; I tell people to contact me through email, because really, I can't hear them on the phone, over my boys screaming my name. I hear "No Mommy" way more than "Yes", my kids fight all the time, and I've just *barely* started to fit into my jeans again. Well, even then, it depends on the day.

I, too, choose between brushing my teeth and combing my hair in the morning. I tend to stand at the kitchen counter and eat my meals slowly as I get the boys whatever they need.

My children don't yet demand money to help around the house...I told them if they don't clean the basement, they don't get their allowance, and that statement was met with a SHRUG.

So, you see, I could have written this letter myself. I wonder if there is a mom who can't identify with this at all. Maybe a mom with a nanny helper...

Christmas Stresslessness

2006-12-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

Every year and everywhere around me, I hear people talking about being stressed at Christmas time. I went to a brunch with my mother-in-law a few weeks ago, and the speaker's topic was just this - how to reduce stress at Christmas time.

I have to say that I have somehow avoided this whole 'stress' thing, but I have no tips to offer to others. I don't know why I'm not stressed, I'm just not.

We started early with the gift buying, and now only have 2 more things to purchase. We aren't travelling anywhere, our mothers are taking care of brunch and dinner. My mom and I got together yesterday and baked all day, and got a ton of goodies stocked up. Even though I wasn't feeling so well, we had a blast!

Our tree is up, the house decorated...nothing left to do but sit around and watch Christmas movies on TV.

Tonight Jon and the boys and I did just that. We watched Winnie the Pooh and The Santa Clause together. We sat in the basement, cuddled on the couch and enjoyed doing nothing together, which doesn't happen often.

Andrew played and giggled in my arms until he couldn't keep his eyes open, and Daniel cuddled into Jon and fought sleep hard. Josh, who napped this afternoon, was happy to run around and play, and read stories. After his brothers had both gone to bed, he got some one on one time with Mommy - we coloured and he practiced his letters. He is starting to read and write now; I'm so proud of him. Then he cuddled with Daddy and watched some Superman features before getting his jammies on and getting into bed. It was so sweet to watch Josh just soak up the attention that he doesn't usually get all at once.

I'm really enjoying the season so far, stress-free and full of family. I just don't know how we enjoyed Christmas before we had kids; they seem so instrumental in making Christmas a wonderful fabulous time full of love. I CANNOT WAIT for Christmas morning.

Sears.ca WARNING!

2006-12-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

I've been having this lovely conversation with my hubby today in his blog...as most of you know, I don't drive. So Christmas shopping is a bit of a problem if I don't want anyone to know what I am purchasing.

This year I was thrilled to see that I could order from Sears.ca, no shipping charges and get great gifts! I tried to do most shopping there, but they were out of the specific stuff I needed for the kids, so I just ordered Jon's gift from there.

Well, they did GREAT on the timing...mostly. I'm pretty sure it only took a few days until it arrived at my door. The problem, JON answered the door. AND, not remembering ordering anything from Sears.ca, and not remembering me saying anything about it, he looked to make sure it really was for us.

And it is for us - for him. The package came tightly wrapped in plastic, with the INVOICE on the OUTSIDE, listing the contents of the package and the prices.

So much for all my effort of trying to remember to look/order when Jon was at work, etc. We actually weren't buying gifts for each other this year (same as most years and events LOL), but I thought the boys would notice if they didn't give their daddy a present. He is needing some stuff, etc...

I guess you can't be sneaky anywhere anymore. If you ordered something from Sears.ca, MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER THE DOOR until it arrives.

Getting to know me - Christmas edition

2006-12-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy this entire post and paste into your own blog. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. 'Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I think wrap is better, but gift bags are faster.

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial - it's BEAUTIFUL!

3. When do you put up the tree? Sometime around the first weekend in December.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Day

5. Do you like eggnog? No, but I try it every year.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Cricket

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes - a ceramic/stone type of one and a Veggie Tales Set that the boys play with

8. Hardest person to buy for? My brother in law - either one. LOL

9. Easiest person to buy for? Jon
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Probably some sort of clothing item I didn't like.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, but email is faster.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I don't really know...

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually December, but this year I started early.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's shortbread cookies

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Both, though our tree has lights built in and we can have only one or the other or both on. Love that!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Oooh, I like pretty much all of them. LOVE Christmas music!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I love staying home. I wish we had somewhere to travel to in the summers though...

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen...Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen...But do you recall...the most FAMOUS reindeer of all...? Rudolf the red nosed reindeer...

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Crowded shopping centres.

my HOUSE wishlist

2006-12-11T15:56:00.000-07:00

Well, Jon and I have taken the first step in purchasing our own house. We know what we should qualify for, and we are moving on to the next thing. We've been talking about doing this for awhile now, and finally are doing it. Amazing.

Anyway, I want us to remember that we shouldn't take any old thing just so that we own something. It will be hard to do this because of the excitement, I think. While we aren't able to afford our dream home right now, there are things that I definitely want to have in MY house. So, here they'll be so I can refer to them regularly as we search. And I know I will also be held accountable to this by my readers. :)

~~~~~

My house MUST...

1) have 2 bathrooms
2) have at least 3 bedrooms
3) have a basement or room where the toys can stay - I need most of my house to be toy-free.
4) have a fully fenced backyard
5) be in a neighbourhood where I feel safe.

Definite pluses...
1) new windows
2) no alley
3) finished basement
4) built in dishwasher
5) main floor/upstairs laundry
6) close to schools and shopping

~~~~~
All that said, we are willing to leave our comfort zone of the neighbourhood we currently live in and have lived in on and off since we attended high school. That is kind of scary, but exciting.

Please leave a comment with your thoughts on the homebuying experience. How was your first time?

Oh yeah...

2006-12-10T03:04:00.000-07:00

It really is after 3 AM (what's WRONG with me??), but I just wanted to say, stop by Jon's blog and check out the awesome videos he has there - they're really funny.

New Look

2006-12-10T03:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, tell me if the new look doesn't work on your computer. It works on mine, and I am definitely not an html pro, so I'm not sure if I've made it too wide or what. My screen is very wide.

So...

2006-12-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

nobody likes my fun math title, eh? I thought it was pretty clever. ;o)

Not much going on here. Just December, which I am sure everyone is experiencing right now.

We're thinking of trying to buy a house, though we aren't sure we'll be able to afford anything. Don't know if we should sit here and be taken advantage of with all the rent we're paying or if we should forge into the trying to be approved for something and dealing with the hurt and hassle of not being approved enough to buy anything. Sigh...decisions, decisions.

Any homebuying tips you'd like to share? Leave me a comment! :oD

FUN MATH: 4 year old(towel+lightbulb)=fire

2006-12-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

Today I had some friends over for a cookie exchange. It was fun...mostly.

My boys were not good hosts. They were not sharing their toys at all. Josh made one little boy cry by taking a toy away. Also, Daniel threw the hand towel in the bathroom up on the light and no one went in there for a long time. I went in to get Andrew's shoes and the towel was smoking...now it's all burned. That would've been great, hey? A fire in my house while I have 4 moms and 7 little boys here. How embarrassing would that be??

Anyway, D and J spent time in their room howling/screaming/yelling/crying while the other moms looked at me with that "I feel sorry for you" look on their faces. I've never felt like such a bad parent as in that moment. I know I am a good mom, but wow...definitely a 'take out' dinner night!

Who Are These Kids?

2006-12-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

Our kids have been kind of strange lately...check out Jon's blog for details... A Dad's View: Who Are These Kids?

It's a great post...any insights into this behaviour? We haven't changed their diets, bedtimes, sugar consumption, schedules, anything. Anyone know of a cure? We would PAY you! LOL

Just kidding, but wow parenting times are tough right now. :oS

And now Andrew's asking for a nap, SO this'll be my last post for today. LOL

Even more cool than the stereo...

2006-12-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

KLEENEX! After posting that last post, I looked at Andrew and found him in a sea of white paper. I guess it's fun to change the song on the stereo, but there's nothing like pulling kleenex out of the box.

AND, I just took a break from posting this post to open the baby gate so Daniel and Josh could go downstairs and found Andrew playing with the phone...somehow he had called in to our voicemailbox...

You see why I don't get here so often...LOL

Are you LY-ing, Mommy??

2006-12-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Our Christmas tree has a remote control. It is an artificial tree with the lights right on it, and you can have only the white lights on, or only the colored lights on, or you can put all of the lights on.

Of course, Daniel LOVES to be in control of the remote control for that (guy thing, right? Starts young...), and he is constantly asking WHERE the remote for the lights is. I tell him I don't know and usually he will go off and look for it on his own. Not today. Today he challenged me.

"Mommy, are you just saying that you don't know where it is so mumble mumble mumble..."

"Pardon me, Daniel?"

"You're just saying that you don't know where it is so I won't play with it. You have it hiding somewhere."

"No I'm not."

"Are you Lyyyyyyyyyyyy-ing, Mommy? Lie or truth, lie or truth?"

And then he danced around the house singing "lie or truth" over and over.

Yes, I know where the remote is. Yes, it is hidden where only Jon and I can reach it without the use of a stepstool. Yes, I guess I was lyyyyyyyyyy-ing. Am I gonna tell Daniel that? No way, jose.

Uh oh, Andrew just figured out how to use the stereo...

I "strongly dislike" winter

2006-11-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

Hate is not a word I like to use in our household (or ever), but wow, I have some strong feelings about the weather today. I can't believe I woke up two of the boys for NOTHING.

D and A were sleeping quite peacefully when, at 8:30, I woke up D to get ready for school. After 40 minutes (no exaggeration here) of dressing and bundling, we were ready to go outside - or were we??

I had peeked out the window at the thermometer, which read -28*C (-18F for my American friends). I figured with lots of outdoor clothing on, we'd be okay. Nope. We got two steps outside the fence and J and A were crying and D was looking very distressed, saying "If my face wasn't so cold, I'd be happy to go to school..."

I came in and called the school to say D would not be there today, and if it is like this tomorrow, J will be absent as well.

Just checked the weather site on here and it is 'only' -25*C, but with the windchill, it feels like -39*C (-38F). ACK! Anyone want to sponsor us to move to a warmer country?

Amazed

2006-11-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

You dance over me,
While I am unaware.
You sing all around,
But I never hear the sound.

Lord, I'm amazed by you
Lord, I'm amazed by you
Lord, I'm amazed by you
How you love me.

You paint the morning sky
With miracles in mind
My hope will always stand
For you hold me in your hand

Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
How you love me.

How wide, how deep, how great,
is your love for me.

Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
How you love me.
Lord you love me.

by Phillips Craig & Dean

This is one of those songs that is so sweet and simple and easy to just sit and be wrapped in the music, that, despite it's simplicity, means so much.

Sometimes when I don't know what to pray, I just pray song lyrics. Songs like this one give me the words and I can really make them personal and mean them. I think it is a wonderful way to focus on God rather than myself in my prayer.

I love the song! :)

Heart moments with Daniel

2006-11-21T23:03:00.000-07:00

Today Daniel asked to look up a verse from his devotional in my bible.

We did, and after we found it and read it, he found the book of Daniel, which he loves to find and read himself. I told him that there is also a book called Joshua, so we switched to that, and Daniel asked me where the battle of Jericho began. I found it and HE read the story to ME, only stumbling over a few words in the passage.

It is amazing and wonderful and awesome to hear God's word read aloud by a child. Especially when I think that WE should be reading the Bible to Daniel a lot more than we do.

Compassion

2006-11-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Josh is so sweet. Such a good brother to Daniel. After the boys are in bed, I leave the light on for 5 minutes so they can read for a bit in bed before going to sleep. Usually by the time the 5 minutes is up, Josh is way asleep, and I turn off the light and Daniel uses his little light to read until he is ready to sleep. Well, Daniel's little light is lost and I told him it's his own fault for taking it out of his bed and he'll just have to not read tonight. He put up a bit of a fuss, and Josh offered Daniel HIS light. He does that a lot, and it melts me everytime. Josh has got to be the most compassionate person I've ever met. Last weekend we were visiting family and one of them tripped and slipped down the stairs and hurt her knee. Before anyone else went to help her (everyone was kinda standing around asking if she was okay, but not helping her up), Josh ran over from the other room and asked if she was okay, and kissed and hugged her. When we were in Nakusp and Jon was so sick, Josh would stand beside him in the bathroom and rub Jon's back as he threw up. For the past year and a half or so, Josh has said that he will be a doctor when he grows up, and he hasn't wavered from that. I can really see it happening, just from the way he acts now. I'm so in love with my middle boy, and so so proud of him.

Sprained Ankle

2006-11-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

Josh has a sprained ankle.

How did this happen? Well, he was up on the top bunk with a friend (NOT ALLOWED - only one person can be up there at a time). He was climbing down when I told them they had to come down from there, and she pushed him. He fell, hurt his foot and peed his pants.

Ack.

Maybe I really DO have to lock my boys away from girls until they are of marrying age! My rough and tumble boys were hurt by girls twice in 2 days!

Stood Up

2006-11-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

Today my poor little boy was stood up by a girl for the first time.

A friend was supposed to come for a playdate at 2:00, so we got home from grocery shopping, rushed around cleaning and preparing for the fun...2:00 came and went. Then 2:15, then 2:30. I didn't say anything, hoping he would forget.

It seemed Daniel DID forget, until about 6:30 when he went to the door, opened it up and looked outside and asked...

"When is S coming over??"

:o( I had to explain that maybe she forgot...

D was crushed and set straight to work at writing his friend a letter...

Dear S,

I want you to come over and play.

From Daniel

And then he drew a picture of the two of them holding hands.

I feel so sad for him. :o(

It's here, it's here!!

2006-11-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

Andrew's first tooth, that is. It arrived late yesterday afternoon.

He is just motoring through the development now...he crawls whenever he is on carpet, is pulling up and standing a lot of the time and is starting to make sounds that sound like words (understandable by us, at least).

This is my favorite age, and I am loving it! Oh the things Andrew will learn to do over the next 9 months...I'm so excited for all of it. :o)

In Christ Alone

2006-11-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

Today at church we sang Townend/Getty's In Christ Alone. From the first time I heard this song, it touched my heart very deeply. I just can't help but personalize the words, and everytime it comes up I get choked up and have to just listen (rather than sing along and turn into a blubbering mess in the front pew of the church). Here are the lyrics:

In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

I can imagine myself just being showered in God's love and I can feel His calming presence as I sing those words. And I don't usually make it past 'here in the love of Christ I stand' part before I lose my voice.

The next part brings me to think of my own children as newborns, and Jesus' tiny body just full of God. It's just awesome; too much to comprehend. After that part, I can usually recompose myself enough to sing again. But that only lasts until I reach the 'then bursting forth in glorious day' part, where I am again overcome with the amazement and wonderfulness of it all.

I love the power this song carries, in simple words that carry so much meaning. The tune is comforting; I could compare the first bits of the verses to a lullaby that would be sung to rock a baby to sleep. But the second half of each verse just wells up with emotion and (dare I say it again) power. Greatness.

So much to blog...so little time.

2006-11-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

I have much to blog about. Recent happenings and decisions around home, today's church service, and other stuff. I'm going to try to catch up today. ;o)

Posting slump

2006-11-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the posting slump lately. I think about my blog everyday, but honestly I've been going back and forth between grumpy and busy for the last few months.

I wish I had the strength to cut out all computer time completely (believe me, I've TRIED!), but I have responsibilities on the 'net and an uncontrollable urge to know what other people are up to/saying/feeling/etc.

So...nothing really to say...Happy November everyone and have a great weekend. :)

Thoughtfulness...

2006-11-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday as I walked Daniel to school, I noticed it was a bit cooler out than I thought it was. I hadn't put mittens on him, so I took mine out of my pockets and offered them to Daniel. He told me "Yes, mommy, I would like to put them on, but then what will you wear?"

I had to hug him at his sweetness and thoughtfulness. Especially after he put them on and thanked me. :o)

It's Important!

2006-11-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

Please make sure everyone you know is using their carseats correctly. People make fun of me for being so picky about how my kids are strapped into the car...I DON'T feel bad about it. And this backs up my reasoning even further: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

2006-10-31T01:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.GraffitiGen.com/ - Graffiti - Graffiti Creator

9 months

2006-10-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Andrew is already 9 months old! He is such a cutie and easygoing baby, as long as he doesn't have a diaper rash. He had his first doozy of a diaper rash this past weekend and it was TERRIBLE!! And the pain it caused him for us to change him is forever etched into his brain now...I know because anytime we lay him on the floor to change his diaper now, he tries to roll away and he starts screaming as loud as he possibly can. Poor little guy...traumatized by a diaper rash. However, his brother can sit on his head and he doesn't bat an eyelash. Third kid syndrome, I guess. LOL

Anyway, yes, Andrew is 9 months old. He just figured out how to get on his belly from a sitting position so he can crawl away as fast as he can. He 'knows' lots of words, and the flicker of recognition in his eyes when we say them is awesome. His favorite things are baths, bottles and balls, not necessarily in that order.

I am in shock that the time has gone so fast this time...I seem to recall that with the other 2 boys, the time didn't fly along as fast. When Daniel was 9 months old, we were living in Winnipeg, and I was 3 months pregnant with Josh. When Josh was 9 months old, we were living in Calgary, about to move in with family, and making plans to purchase our first house (we still haven't done that...). And now here we are, with baby #3 nine months old, comfortable with the wonderful life that we have, and really just living it up. :)

Another thing I wanted to write about is (YAY ME!) I am 100% back into my regular clothes now. They say 9 months up and 9 months down, and I guess that's true. I still have days that I prefer my bigger, more comfy clothes (and since they are still out, I figure I might as well wear them...), but for the most part, I am back to feeling (and hopefully looking) like the trim momma that I used to be. LOL

Hi

2006-10-27T09:10:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to pop in and say hello since it's been a few days. I have been terrible at updating this month, even the sidebar. Busy busy busy!

Something good...we're almost done our Christmas shopping! YAY!! Anyone else close??

Danny and Mr. Cucumber

2006-10-23T12:38:00.000-06:00

My children have decided to give themselves (each other??) new names. They now refer to each other as Danny and Mr. Cucumber. And only they can use those names when speaking to each other. If Jon or I call them that, a tempertantrum ensues.

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby Josh

2006-10-16T12:17:00.000-06:00

When Josh was born we called him baby Josh. He hasn't been called that for quite some time now - 2.5 years! About 1.5 hours ago, Josh turned 3. Already. Finally.

So much has happened in the last 3 years, but I still can remember Josh's birth day so clearly. How Jon got zero sleep the night before my c/s. How I cried as I put Daniel to bed knowing our family would change forever the next day.

I remember our wonderful friend showing up at 5:30 am to stay with Daniel so we could head to the hospital. And I remember waiting waiting waiting, full of fear, excitement, impatience...for my turn in the operating room.

I was so thrilled to hold Josh in my arms that first time, to have him cuddle in and nurse so successfully right from the start. I was awake for that entire day - I had gotten a great rest the night before and I was able to stay alert for the whole surgery, recovery and transfer to my room.

In the past 3 years, Josh has grown into a smart, cute and funny little boy. He can do impressions of his favorite Veggie Tales characters and he has an amazing memory. He has eyes that will suck you right in. He is full of compassion and is known to walk up to kids he has never seen before and introduce himself and his whole family, then ask them if they want to play. I LOVE that about him!!

So happy third birthday to my second-born little man. One million hugs and kisses to you, Josh, and I hope the next year is a wonderful time full of excitement, discovery and love. XO

Friday morning misadventures

2006-10-13T10:12:00.000-06:00

wowwhatamorning :oO

Today is one of those days that takes lots of time to get on track, and something challenging happens at every turn.

I woke up late (Andrew slept through - YAY!!), but REALLY needed a shower before I could go out anywhere. Jon had to get to work so I fed the boys and jumped into the shower after he left.

Got out and tried to get the boys motivated to dress themselves. Nope. Laid their clothes out on the bed and went downstairs, turned off the TV and the lights so they would follow me upstairs. I got myself dressed, dressed Josh (Daniel dressed himself thank goodness!) and told them to put on their shoes and coat while I put on antiperspirant. They just started fighting and pinching each other. *sigh* My antiperspirant broke all over when I put it on so I had to clean that up and get a new one.

I got all of our shoes and coats on and brought the stroller upstairs and set it up outside. Daniel was running around the backyard while I put Andrew into the stroller and I hear him start screaming. I guess he tripped on the slide and fell on his face into it. So now he has a fat lip and his gum is bleeding above his tooth. It wasn't loose, but I'm afraid he damaged the root and now it will turn black. I'm so sad 'cause he has beautiful teeth. Anyway, he still wanted to go to school so I gave him some Tylenol and got Andrew back in the stroller, and D's shoes and coat on again (Josh still hadn't taken his off) and off we went to school! PHEW!

Once at the school, I wanted to tell the teacher about D's accident and to call me if she needs me and so I let D and J into the classroom and went back out to get A out of the stroller. Josh FREAKED OUT so I had to let him back out before getting A, then we all went back in.

We got home and Andrew was nodding off, but I wanted to take his coat and hat off and change his diaper before putting him down for a nap. I set J up on the computer and started changing A's poopy diaper. Well, A wasn't done pooping, so I sat there with his diaper open waiting for him to be done and when he stopped, I started to clean him up with wipes. Just as I lifted his bum off the floor he let more go. Right onto the carpet. Of course this is not the hard, pick it up easy sort of variety of poop. BLECH! I put a diaper on him so he can finish as he wants to.

So I clean up and go to throw out the diaper and million wipes I have already used and I hear Josh saying "no Andrew, no!" Why? Because Andrew has crawled across his room to the computer power bar (which I think is well hidden, might I add?) and hit the lighted on/off switch. LOL I guess I'll have to hide that better.

So here I am with all that and it is only 10:00 am! Oh what will the rest of the day bring?? I honestly don't need anymore stress right now...I am anxious about Josh's party and all that still needs to be done.

Oh, and one other thing...you know in the Little Critter books where there is always something little you can find on every page, like a spider or cricket or mouse or something? Well if someone was looking at a book of our morning, they would see Andrew's bottle...
on his tray in the dining room,
then on the floor, leaking all over,
then on the half wall in the living room,
next in the canopy of the stroller (leaking),
then on the couch in the living room,
then in his hands in the stroller,
next in my hand as I push the stroller,
then in the basket of the stroller,
on the couch in the living room again,
and finally on the floor in Andrew's room, likely leaking.

Do you think he doesn't want it? LOL

You know it's time to put away the swing...

2006-10-07T23:08:00.000-06:00

when you see your baby doing this:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

2006-10-05T13:40:00.000-06:00

It's been an interesting day so far. And I'll write more later, since I don't really have time to be here now, for the same reasons I haven't been able to be here for awhile. LOL But I just had to publicly wish myself a happy birthday. :D

One of THOSE days...

2006-09-27T21:36:00.000-06:00

You know it's 'one of those days' when...

Your baby wakes up at 5:30am and won't go back to sleep for 2 hours and you have to get up half an hour after he finally falls back to sleep but you are dead tired anyway because you couldn't fall asleep until after 2:00am...

Your middle son, who is completely toilet trained (day and night), wakes up wet then proceeds to pee in 3 more pairs of underwear/pants through the day until (for the first time in 2 months) you finally force a pull-up on him.

Your favorite venting tool (the internet) is out of commission for the entire afternoon and evening and you can't post to message boards, email friends or blog to let off some steam.

There are so many tempertantrums going on through the day, you wonder when someone will knock on your door wondering why there is so much screaming and crying going on.

Your eldest son seems to have forgotten every rule you've ever laid out and has become deaf to your reminding him.

You give your kids WAY TOO MANY CHANCES to have a special movie and popcorn night with you and they keep misbehaving despite your warnings to cancel it.

You want to crawl back under the covers, go to sleep and try again tomorrow.

You give your baby homemade chicken noodle soup, ichiban noodles and baby mum-mums for dinner 'cause that's pretty much what the rest of you are having and you don't have the energy to put babyfood in a bowl and microwave it.

You put a double dose of the 'calming baby bath' into the bathwater, hoping that it really IS calming.

You have your kids in bed 10 minutes early because you have just had enough for today.

!!!!!

Yes, that is the day we've had here today. Thankfully, my wonderful hubby folded laundry, swept the floor, unloaded/reloaded the dishwasher and made lunch before he went to work so the house isn't a pile of mess like it usually is at the end of the day.

And I just have to add...

And you know you have a mommy's heart when, after all that 'one of THOSE days' has brought, you watch your children eating (and playing) with their dinner and think about how beautiful they all are and actually feel sad for them that they won't have that movie night you offered earlier... :oS

Today's EXCITING news!

2006-09-23T21:29:00.000-06:00

First of all, I caught Andrew doing something new. I sat him in his crib, went to the closet to get him a clean shirt, turned around and saw him on his way to this:

Guess it's time to move the mattress down!

And the other thing...I've been so pampered this week - birthday showers from my mom and Jon - and it's not even my birthday yet! I spent a fabulous day with my mom on Monday, getting fitted for a bra (never done that before), shopping, and lunch. We are planning a pedicure for sometime in the near future. One of our shopping stops was Walmart (I know it's Walmart, but I love it anyway!), where my mom and I were approached to do a 1/2 hour survey on women's clothing. And we each got a $20 gift card for participating! Score!!

Today Jon brought home my birthday gift. And his birthday gift. And, well, we should be covered for gifts for Christmas and our anniversary as well. It is something that I can carry from room to room with me and post in my blog from. Any guesses? LOL

I am pumped that I will be able to keep up with my online stuff and not wake up Andrew with my typing (the office and nursery are the same room, as I think I have mentioned before).

I even got a birthday card already, from my step-grandma. I guess I get to celebrate for a couple weeks! :oD

Extreme Makeover

2006-09-23T21:00:00.000-06:00

From the time the show began, I have flipped past it, not stopping to look, and usually scoffing at the vanity of the people who went on the show, not really needing a makeover at all. That is, until recently.

Almost every night now, I check to see which episode is on (it is on at midnight here) and though I should be falling asleep, I just have to watch the transformations. I have made fun of the show for people going on there and being put through surgeries and the like and I always thought to myself that the pain could never be worth it to me to look better. And that I would NEVER do that!

However, I could see myself doing it a little more now. Maybe it is the 4 surgeries I've had in the last 4.5 years that make another surgery seem not so bad. Maybe I am just getting older and unhappy with my appearance. Maybe I am just lazy and want to make life simpler for myself. In any case, here's what the voiceover at the end would list that I had done...

Something to get rid of the deep wrinkle in my forehead. LOL
Lasik eye surgery
Extensive dental work
Breast reduction
MAYBE a tummy tuck, just to get rid of the rest of my post-pregnancy flab. I already have a scar there, so why not? LOL

Really, I am happy with my appearance for the most part; it just takes time to put myself together in the morning, and it would be nice to just get up and run out the door if I ever had to.

Readers, leave me a comment! Would YOU go on Extreme Makeover? What would you have done?

Boy update

2006-09-21T20:01:00.000-06:00

Well, the boys are exciting. I was leaving it up to Jon to do the preschool news since he accompanied both boys to their first days, but I still don't see it there, in his blog, so here's a debriefing from me, as I heard it from a couple of preschoolers. LOL

Daniel is going 3 times per week. He likes his new class but misses his friends from his class last year. He doesn't comment much, but seems to be doing well and enjoying it. Not much to report.

Josh is going twice a week. He is also enjoying it, as he REALLY wanted to go all last year. His favorite part is the goodbye song, and likes to accompany whichever parent who picks up Daniel just so that he can sing along every day of the week. He is the youngest in his class, and it is so cute to see him there playing with all the kids so much bigger than he is.

There are pictures of each of them on their first day in my film loop...they are the ones where they have backpacks, and I believe there is also one of Josh holding some artwork.

A cute conversation with Daniel; today when Josh was at school, Daniel and I were playing tic tac toe. After I won the first game, he said, "Let's play again, Mom, and this time you can go first and I can win." LOL This after he won one game of Go Fish and one game of Memory. I see he has already learned what is REALLY important in game playing. Taking turns, not winning! ;o) Daniel is so interesting right now; becoming his very own person right before our eyes...seems like he's already trying to be an adult...

Andrew has taken a huge step with the eating this week; he is now eating a lot of what we are, thanks to Jon (I am a bit paranoid when it comes to starting on 'real' food). Andrew is absolutely LOVING it. This week, in addition to the regular baby slop, er, I mean puréed foods, he has had meatballs, mac n cheese, ichiban soup, Greek french fries, real peas, blueberry waffle and I think some chicken mcnuggets. He is also down to nursing once a day and is loving his bottles. Last night he slept all the way through the night, from 8:15 until 7:30 this morning, and didn't cry when he woke up. I wish every night could be just the same (though I know by posting that here, I have totally jinxed it from ever happening again).

Joshua is just amazing in the words he is saying and is surprising me everyday! The other day I was getting them to guess which movie I was talking about and I said, "There is a BIG cat in the movie." And Josh, with a twinkle in his eye, asked, "A MISCHEVIOUS cat, mommy??" Big word for an almost-three year old. He also entertains us on a regular basis by imitating voices of movie characters (he's REALLY good at it!!), singing and dancing. This kid is totally fit for a career in acting, but he insists he will become a doctor. I guess we'll just wait and see. :o)

So glad THAT's over!!

2006-09-19T23:20:00.000-06:00

We had a pretty good day today...preschool this morning, grocery shopping, a visit and dinner with family...a nice day, until this evening. YIKES!

I'll tell you about it, but first a proud moment for me...I drove to Okotoks today (just south of Calgary), Deerfoot Trail (freeway) and all! This is part of my plan to drive a bit every day for the next 2 weeks as a 'refresher' sort of course for me, then book my driving test. For those who read here and don't know, I don't have my driver's license yet (and really have no desire to drive, but that's another story...), and have decided that it is time for me to get it.

People who know the Calgary area will appreciate this story the most, but if you like "WHAT will happen NEXT??" stories, you'll appreciate it too.

So, anyway, the drive to Okotoks is about 30-40 minutes. We had planned to go there for dinner, then, on our way home, around 7:00pm, we'd pick something up in South Calgary, on our way back up to the North.

Dinner ran a little late, and we didn't get away until 8:45pm, expecting that it would take us about 20 minutes to get to the place we had to go. Well, it didn't take 20 minutes. Upon reaching the Calgary city limits, we saw a blinking sign that read "Northbound Deerfoot closed at Barlow, use alternate route". Why oh WHY didn't we obey?!? We decided to take Deerfoot Trail as far as we could, which ended up being Barlow Trail South, but first we had to deal with it being closed down to one lane, backed up traffic and numerous emergency vehicles trying to break through the crowd. Honestly, I think it was just closed for construction, but who knows?

We took the Barlow Tr exit, hoping to find some road that we recognized so we could get to Elbow Drive, where we wanted to be. Ummmm...after trying 2 roads and turning around a few times, we found a road that didn't end at a field. So we took it. And drove as it became Douglasdale something-or-other. And drove as it became Mackenzie something-or-other. We tried turning down a side road, but it also ended up at a field and resulted in turning around, going back to the 'something-or-other' road until it ended at a field. We turned right onto another road that had 'boulevard' in it's title, thinking it looked promising. And it was promising...it took us right back to the road that we had seen the sign warning us about the closure of Deerfoot Trail - highway 22x. *sigh*

Once on 22x, we bypassed the construction there and found Macleod Trail. Jon decided he would be able to find what he was looking for if we stayed on there, and we did. Found Heritage Drive and Elbow Drive and FINALLY arrived at the pick up place around 9:45pm, way later than we said we'd be there. Got our things, and Jon decided he needed a slurpee, so we found a 7-11. I got out of the van and ran into the store to get the slurpee and saw a guy with Freddy Krueger hands. I QUICKLY walked back to the van and locked the door and we were on our way to find our house. LOL

Jon thought we'd take Glenmore back to Deerfoot Trail, which would likely be open at this point of the city. However, Glenmore was closed down to one lane due to construction. Didn't want to go there. Jon thought he'd try Macleod, but the ramp onto it was closed, due to construction. So we stayed on Elbow Drive, planning to go through downtown Calgary. After a few weird detours and some tiny dark (scary) roads, we ended up on Macleod Trail, downtown. And what did we see there?? TRAFFIC! Why? Because there was a Flames hockey game tonight!! Sheesh. It was at about this point that Jon noticed a 'smell' in the van. He commented "One of your boys has made an odor...at least I HOPE it's one of your boys..." Ha ha so funny (and if you must know, Andrew took a super-poop in his diaper, and needed to be completely changed upon arriving home).

Made it slowly through the crowd and finally got onto Memorial Drive, back to Deerfoot Trail. Yay! Except other drivers, likely as annoyed by the detours as we were, were driving way too fast for the dark and for the speed limit; I'd say most were going about 20 km/h over! At this point my nerves were frazzled, and I was only the passenger! You see why I don't want to drive?? I am SO glad I didn't try to drive home.

We finally arrived home just before 11:00pm. We carried our sleeping boys inside (Daniel didn't even wake up enough to climb up to his top bunk), changed Andrew and calmed him down, and got him into bed too. We realized that we forgot a blanket in Okotoks, and that we could've driven home, back there to get it and back home in the time that it took us to just get here tonight, with all this craziness. I honestly don't want to get back into the van for days. Jon joked that THIS is the EXACT reason people from the North don't like going to the South. LOL I can't argue with that!

New Stuff

2006-09-18T22:39:00.000-06:00

Just a quick post tonight...I'm tired and have to get to bed.

I added new pictures to the filmloop today, so check them out! :)

I also started up a new blog, Stuff I Made. I'm hoping to inspire others and get their creative juices flowing to make stuff too! I'd love comments and opinions from all who read there. I'm just starting it up and have many more things to put in there, so keep looking to see what's new!

Sweet dreams to all. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz...

Reminiscing about Winnipeg...

2006-09-17T15:45:00.000-06:00

Today on one of the message boards where I hang out, I wrote about how much I miss life in Winnipeg and someone asked me why I missed it when she'd heard that Calgary is 'the place to be'. I wrote the following response...

Well, when I first moved to Winnipeg in 1999 with my hubby I hated it. We moved there for him to go to University. I cried for months to move back "home" to Calgary.

However, I got used to it, found a church and friends, had my babies there and made even more friends and just felt right at home there. We moved back to Calgary in 2003 when my hubby's work contract ended. We thought it would be a good move to be here, in Calgary, where our entire families live.

Well, it is very nice having family around at last (I LOVE it that our boys can hang out with their grandparents so much), but living in Calgary is a pain in the butt. It is too big.

We just passed a million people. As for jobs, every single company is hiring here, they can't keep people, and there are (somehow!) not enough people in Calgary to fill all the open jobs. The housing market has gone bezerk...for awhile the housing prices were climbing in ridiculous amonts of money per day.

I always felt that Winnipeg was a 'small' city, with a cozy feel. I loved my obstetrician and pediatrician there. I loved the parks and easy-going life, not rush rush rush, like here.

I cried the day I took my 2 sons and boarded a plane to move to Calgary (my hubby was coming too, just had to pack up the house and stuff) and I missed all my friends for months after.

My parents talk about moving back to Winnipeg, 'cause they are from there as well. If I could pack up Jon's job, our family and all of our parents, I would do it in a heartbeat and unpack us all in Winnipeg.

Who woulda thought I'd ever miss Winnipeg, hey?? LOL

And so it begins...

2006-09-15T11:43:00.000-06:00

Today was the first day that I had full preschool drop off and pick up duty, which means bundle up 3 boys in the -1C weather, walk to preschool, leave Daniel there and walk back home with Josh and Andrew, clean for a bit, bundle up Josh and Andrew and walk back to the preschool, then come back home with all 3.

It really isn't too bad, but it is so much work to get everyone all dressed up, especially when it is just all of a sudden cold enough for winter clothing.

Plus, we are in the "routine transition" phase, which is not going at all smoothly. Both of my boys have been moody and violent since starting preschool last week; to the point that I am seriously doubting that it was a good idea to put them in. They are mouthy, hitting each other and Jon and I, and it seems they are *always* in tears.

An example of this moodiness...Today Daniel freaked out because Josh pushed the down button for the elevator. We aren't talking just tears here, but a full-blown angry temper tantrum where he cried hard and started pounding on the elevator button with his fist. I am sure he was scaring the other children and maybe some of the parents too.

Also, both boys woke up crying this morning, which is very unusual for them. Not really a nice start to the day.

All this is soooooooooooooo frustrating. Of course we've tried talking to them and asking what is wrong, giving them extra attention...but to no avail. *sigh* I hope this doesn't last long. :oS

Andrew is on the move!

2006-09-13T23:38:00.000-06:00

Andrew's second nap of the day is during the 'Quiet time' section of our day, where I allow the boys to do stuff on their own and of their own choosing. Some things on the choice list are computer time, read to themselves, watch a movie, or even just hang out in their bed (you can guess how popular that choice is LOL). Since playing on the computer IS a popular choice and Andrew's room and the office are the same room, I have been putting Andrew down for his nap in Jon's and my bed. No longer, my friends.

Today I put Andrew down on my bed, in a darkened room. He was very drowsy and fell asleep seconds after I put him down. I went to clean up the lunch mess and came back to check on him about 2 minutes later because Josh had made a loud noise and I wanted to make sure Andrew was still asleep (and not rolling off the bed).

Well, I found him on the edge of the bed, seemingly asleep, but one more roll would have had him on the floor. He wouldn't have fallen far, as our boxspring and mattress are on the floor right now, but PHEW I'm so glad I checked when I did. It seems he can now roll over in quick succession AND scootch himself along on his belly, drowsy or not.

I see a babygate purchase in our near future. YAY! I'm so excited for him to start crawling. :o)

Can I talk to your mommy?

2006-09-13T23:19:00.000-06:00

I get asked this question on the phone at least twice per month. Telemarketers call, give me their spiel (schpiel??) and when I say "no, I'm not interested," I get back "Oh, sorry honey, can I talk to your parents?" Blech.

I then go on to explain that I AM the parent, which leads the telemarketer to continue on with doubt in their voice that I am telling the truth. I bet they then make a note on the file to try back again 'cause they talked to a kid. I wouldn't be suprised if that is happening with the number of those calls we get here. I have to say, I am SO glad to have call display!

I used to feel bad for telemarketers and all the negativity they must get in their daily work, and I could never just hang up on them despite their insistence that I really do need the product they are selling. I would listen to the whole thing, not wanting to interrupt. However, I find that now that I am the mommy, trying to keep kids quiet/doing things/happy/safe/etc. while I am on the phone wasting my time not listening to someone babble at me about something I am not interested in is virtually impossible.

For the first time today, I interrupted a telemarketer. Twice. Then hung up really fast when he started to thank me "anyways". No time for nice when you are desperately trying to prepare dinner for 3 hungry children while one is crying in his chair and the other two are "helping"* with the preparations (*I DO appreciate this help when I am able to focus my whole attention on it). I think it was pretty polite of me to stay on the call to tell him I wasn't interested when he had already asked to speak to my parents twice and clarified that my parents would be interested in this deal. Ugh.

And AS IF(!) I have time to read the National Post everyday. Ha!

Confidence

2006-09-12T08:24:00.000-06:00

Last week after Daniel said something too smart for his age (again), Jon said to him, "You're amazing, Daniel."

And Daniel replied, "Yes...I am."

When I think that Josh needs to smile, I'll tell him "Joshie, you're CUTE!" and normally he smiles really big and says "Nooooooooooooo." Today, he answered "Yeah." and continued on with his coloring.

I think it is so important to build children up by complimenting them and letting them know how great they are and how important they are to us. I watched an episode of Nanny 911 this week where the mother was constantly nagging her children (aged 10ish, 6 and 3, I think). They were not happy children. They yelled at their parents, disobeyed and were outright defiant. It took an extremely short time of the parents complimenting the children, listening to them and just having normal (not yelling) conversations with them until the kids were happy children willing to listen to what their parents had to say, and to obey the rules that their parents set out for them.

So, have you complimented your children today? Told them that you love them? Build up their self esteem and confidence by telling them how great they are and just see what happens. :o)

Let it shine

2006-09-09T22:39:00.000-06:00

Today we were in the van driving out of town to the Millarville Farmer's Market. We were listening to some Veggie Tales tunes and talking about God. Daniel has so so many questions all of a sudden and is starting to put together all the Sunday school lessons he's had over the past few years.

The old song "This Little Light of Mine" (I'm gonna let it shine...) came on. We listened and it came to the verse "Let it shine 'til Jesus comes, I'm gonna let it shine," and Daniel with his child-like excitement and adult-like knowledge and vocabulary says "I want to shine my Light Emitting Diode until Jesus comes."

Yup, LED. Grandma and Grandpa Y gave him a light to read by at night, and Grandpa explained to him what LED meant. Daniel hasn't forgotten, and it is adorable how and when he chooses to apply the things he learns. :o)

My new pet

2006-09-07T20:44:00.000-06:00

Apparently I have a new pet. It is a fly. It follows me around from room to room and when I swat at it, I can hear it laughing at me.

This has been going on for the last week or so and it is driving me nuts because I just can't get it. Today I thought I had it. I smacked it with a coloring book and it fell into the dishwater and drowned. I took it out, squished it in a napkin and threw it in the garbage. Then I rushed out to a meeting.

And just now, I saw a fly flying around and I know that it is a decoy that I killed earlier and my real pet is still here and laughing 'cause it tricked me. Okay, I can't really hear it laughing - I'm not that crazy. But I bet it gets some sort of happy feeling knowing that it is a cause of frustration to me. Not just 'cause it is flying around bugging me, but also because I used to be the one-shot fly killer and now I just can't do it. That is more frustrating than just having the fly here.

And an aside to this story...I was telling Jon earlier today that I still have about half a bottle of the shampoo and conditioner that I bought with our tax refund money; I have been able to make it last a long time and I think it was a good purchase. "However," I added, "maybe it is a sign that I am not showering enough..."

Jon's reply?

"I think the fly that is following you all over the house is a sign of that!"

Ba-boom CHING! Funny guy I have, hey? :oP

Everybody Hurts

2006-09-06T22:57:00.000-06:00

So, I ALWAYS have a song in my head and I am pretty much ALWAYS singing, humming, whistling or even THINKING of a song. And music is so deep and touching to me that there is always something sentimental to me about the song I'm 'in'. The tiniest things remind me of a song, then I have that song in my head until the next thing that makes me think of a different song.

Are you with me here? LOL

Anyway, right now I have the song 'Everybody Hurts' by REM in my head. This likely dates me a bit, but I don't care 'cause I still think I am young. ;o) The lyrics...

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
When you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go, 'cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes

Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go, (hold on)
When you think you've had too much of this life, well hang on

'Cause everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts. Don't throw your hand. Oh, no. Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If you're on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on

Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts. You are not alone

Everybody Hurts, REM

This is one of those 'depressed teenager' songs from my youth. I LOVED the sound of it, and once I saw the video, I was hooked. It is like there is a city in gridlock; no one can go anywhere and they all just start getting out of their cars and just being together.

I got this song in my head tonight when Jon was watching a video set to song (not this song, but it sounded kinda like it) of a guy who took a picture of his face everyday for 6 years and set it up like a slideshow. Not as interesting as it sounds; he really didn't look much different at the end from how he looked at the beginning. ;o)

Crying it out

2006-09-06T22:20:00.000-06:00

Well, we're back at that stage again...the point in our son's life where we have to let him cry until he goes back to sleep. It seems to get harder with each child, but luckily Andrew is going the same path as Daniel did with this...the first time we did it, he cried for 3 minutes. The second time was about 5 minutes. So, it is bearable.

Josh did not go for the whole cry-it-out thing. We are talking he would scream for 45 minutes straight before we gave up and brought him to bed with us. At 14 months old we FINALLY got him down to waking only twice a night, rather than 4 times (HUGE thanks to 'The No-Cry Sleep Solution' by Elizabeth Pantley). Yikes...I am so not up for that again.

The last couple of nights Andrew has been very upset for about 2 hours or so starting around midnight. I can't express how frustrating it is to go to bed at 11:50 only to have to get up and tend to a hysterical baby 5 minutes later. It's like once you decide to go to bed, you are ready to sleep, not get up again.

Anyway, I gave Andrew a little extra to eat before bed tonight and I am praying that this is the night that he starts sleeping through again. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Those BEAUTIFUL baby blues...

2006-09-03T22:48:00.000-06:00

Just LOOK at those eyes!! :) (click on it to see it bigger)

Looking back...

2006-09-03T13:10:00.000-06:00

I think that Jon and I have led exciting lives, apart and together. But the past year has been a doozie. I was looking back over the blogging and journalling I did last September and the contrast between then and now is so very amazing.

Click here to read my September 3rd post full of the excitment and wonder and hope of living in a new place.

Only 16 days later, I wrote this in my journal:

September 19, 2005
Well, today sucks. I think I am at one of the saddest points I've been at in a really long time. There is just too much.

The day started off with hope - Jon got up and went to work; the boys slept in late (Josh until 9, Daniel until 10). But then stuff happened.

Josh was low energy and sluggish.
Daniel didn't want to get dressed.
It was a gloomy rainy day so I decided not to go out.

I checked out our money situation and all the savings we've worked so hard to build up in the past 2 years is spoken for. I've tried so hard to not touch it, but we can't put it off any longer. This includes the boys' savings accounts and ours. We have overdue bills.

We had a late messy lunch, which led to midday baths.
Josh went down for a nap and Daniel hogged the computer all afternoon.
I didn't get through to any of the places I had to call.
There is the stink bug problem which gave me anxiety attacks all afternoon.

Jon seemed better than ever when he got home from work, but then he started coughing.
And he coughed and coughed worse than ever until he threw up worse than ever.
Jon told me he wishes he could turn the clock back 2 months and not go into all this.
And the boys acted their worst through it all.

I wanted to pick up a pizza to cook for dinner, but our oven doesn't work.

I broke into tears and spent 10 minutes in the bathroom trying to compose myself. I was sobbing and trying not to let anyone hear. I never get that worked up.

We went for a walk and saw 2 people we know who didn't really seem to care how Jon is or that I'm on the verge of tears. Picked up milk, bread and microwave pizzas, and no mail. Decided we should've driven 'cause neither of us had energy to walk.
Stopped at the drivein restaurant to pick up cheeseburgers and fries that we can't afford. We'll need the pizzas for tomorrow.

Jon said he's never seen me like this - that it's like all my joy is completely gone.

We ate supper which the boys ran around all through, and then Jon coughed until he threw it all up.

Now he's at the hospital again.

I think the reason it hurts so much is that I thought we were walking into a dream. The dream place to live, dream job that pays more for less hours and more family time. The dream lifestyle that is laid-back and easy-going.

This is a nightmare.

It breaks my heart to read it now. I can barely even remember it, only one year later. And I'm sooooooooooo thankful that we had our family, friends, church and God to help us keep our focus and make life good again. Our family who helped us move back 'home' and our church and bible study group who welcomed us back with open arms. All of them who made the first few months back, including Christmas, extra wonderful for us. Phew.

Are you a MOMMY in CALGARY??

2006-09-01T22:57:00.000-06:00

My friend, Britt has started up a new podcast/talk radio site! Definitely check it out at http://www.calgarymomstalkradio.com/. She's just starting out, but it looks like it will be fun and informative for Calgary mommies.

And also, I'm still pushing it...http://www.calgarymoms.com is the BEST site in Calgary to meet other mommies! There you will find playdates (in many areas of the city on a variety of days each week), moms' nights out, clubs for things like walking, scrapbooking, reading, etc., and so much more. Pretty much anything you can imagine is there, including TONS of support from other mommies like you who are going through the same things as you are.

Registration is free, which will get you into a few sections of the forum so you can preview how much fun it is. AND if you love it - which I'm sure you will - you can become a Premier Member for only $20 per year. Very much worth the money.

So if you are a mommy and you live in Calgary, sign up and introduce yourself - I'd love to see you there!

Missing a body...

2006-09-01T12:55:00.000-06:00

Where is the body section of my blog? Maybe I shouldn't have spoken so soon on the greatness of this...

Sweet Google Suite

2006-08-30T08:45:00.000-06:00

Alrighty - I have a new love. Jon has been trying to convince me of the greatness of Google for a long time, and now, well, I'm finally sold! I am now a user of many super Google products and I'm here to tell you to use them too!! LOL Here's the breakdown:

Google - just a great search engine http://www.google.ca/

Gmail - Very efficient at managing email. Groups all messages with the same subject together, and has pretty much unlimited space. Exceptional at filtering out spam so you don't even have to look at it. One of their taglines is 'never delete anything!'. You need to be invited to Gmail to get an account. If you'd like an invitation, contact me.

Blogger - super easy blogging, especially with their new beta system going on. Sign up here: https://beta.blogger.com/start

Hello - a chat and share pics instantly program. Very user friendly. I've only been using it for one day, but I love it already, more than MSNMessenger. Get it at http://www.hello.com/.

Picasa2 - the BEST free photo everything softare I've found, EVER! We are talking, better than my Creative Memories $40 photo organizing program!

You can edit pictures to your heart's content with this - change colors, straighten pics, focus on one part of the photo, and much more. And the best part about it is when you download the software, it AUTOMATICALLY will scan your computer and pull all the pictures on your computer into the program. AND it puts it into groups by timeline. Make slideshows and CDs...this is truly great. Also you can easily send your pictures to Blogger or Hello by using the buttons for those things. Get it here - http://picasa.google.com/ - you won't be sorry!

I don't think I've forgotten anything. If there is more Google out there to be had, let me know - I am very interested!

Oh, and if you sign up with Hello, also let me know so that I can add you to my friends list. :)

Fantastic news!!

2006-08-29T19:53:00.000-06:00

Got this in my email today...

VeggieTales: On TV!
Series to Launch on NBC and Telemundo September 9 and and i Network September 15

Get ready VeggieTales fans -- have we got a TV show for you! After 13 years, VeggieTales will make its debut in living rooms all across America thanks to the wonderful world of broadcast television. Beginning September 9, Big Idea will introduce their host of animated veggies to the viewers of NBC, i Network and to the Spanish-speaking audience of the Telemundo Network.

The Saturday morning block will begin on September 9 on NBC, beginning at 10:00 a.m. EST followed by a 3-2-1 Penguins! or LarryBoy Adventures show at 11:00 a.m. Telemundo will carry the same blocks in Spanish beginning on September 9 at 8:00 a.m., while the i Network will air the blocks beginning on Friday, September 15 at 3:00 p.m. EST.

Big Idea has an amazing opportunity to bring "Sunday Morning Values, Saturday Morning Fun" to television and reach a huge audience which may have never heard of Bob, Larry, Silly-Songs or The Pirates who Don't do Anything. Along with the ever-adorable VeggieTales crew, 3-2-1 Penguins! and the LarryBoy Adventures 2-D series will also be featured in the Saturday morning and Friday afternoon time-block.

Join Big Idea and Veggie-fans everywhere as we tune in to celebrate this momentous occasion.

To read more about VeggieTales coming to TV, visit bigidea.com.

Grumpy and Sicky

2006-08-29T11:24:00.000-06:00

Nope, not Snow White's dwarves...ME!

I woke up (kind of...don't know if I can say I'm truly awake yet...) this morning with some sort of icky headcold where it feels like my head will explode at any second. Very nice. Lucky for me, the boys were banned from TV for the last few days and were very willing and able to sit and watch a movie quietly this morning.

The grumpy part...last night we found out our rent will soon increase by 23%. We saw it coming but it was still a shocker. The amount was more than we thought it would be, and we have no choice but to pay it. Sucks sucks sucks. This whole Calgary boom thing is getting old and my loyalty/emotional ties/pride of living in Calgary is quickly dwindling.

And that said, I'm going to play with my boys who are oblivious to all this. Maybe I can stop thinking about it too.

Andrew's Appointment

2006-08-29T11:19:00.000-06:00

Andrew saw the dr. yesterday. At 7 months old, he is a healthy 20lb 8oz baby boy. He is now 27.25" tall - 75th percentile for height and weight. Way to go, Andrew!!

It's funny because it's true!

2006-08-28T15:15:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I was reading an oldie-but-goodie book the other night and came across this paragraph that I just had to post about, because, well, Jon and I have had this conversation before.

During our child's first few months, my wife and I both thought we were going deaf.We literally could not hear half of every sentence spoken. It turns out we were just out of steam, too weak to speak audibly.

"I spoke to fhmwlmmn..."

"What?"

"Yesterday. I spoke to fhmlawhlawhmn..."

"Okay, stop right there, look me in the face and say that again slowly."

"I SPOKE TO THE PHARMACIST. THE PHARMACIST. What's the MATTER with you?"

~from babyhood by Paul Reiser

(I 100% recommend this book to ALL parents!! Simply hilarious!)

We have even had people outside our family comment that we mumble. Well, now we know why! We don't mean to mumble...we're just TIRED! LOL

Trying something new...

2006-08-23T22:32:00.000-06:00

So, I switched over to the new beta blogger. Much easier to manage,and very interesting so far. We'll see how I feel about it as time goes on.

Speaking (typing??) of trying something new, my father-in-law has started up a new blog and podcast. Check it out at Everyday Action to see what it's all about.

Also, I just wanted to ask all my lurkers here...HAVE YOU DONE SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF THIS WEEK?? Leave a comment and tell me what you did.

I bought myself some new scrapbooking stuff and spent an evening scrapbooking with my mom. :o)

Our Summer Vacation

2006-08-23T21:00:00.000-06:00

We actually took a couple short trips for our vacation(s) this year. Since it is Jon's first year at his job, he didn't really get in on time to get a solid 3 weeks off, so we are taking little trips here and there, whittling away at the vacation time he has.

We first went to Lethbridge and Coaldale, AB in July. It was a great 2.5-day relaxing trip with a stay in a nice hotel and a fabulous visit with some old friends whom we haven't seen in a long time.

This month, we decided to join my parents, 2 aunts, 2 uncles, grandparents and 2 cousins for a very short camping trip - we only stayed one night - and then move on to Medicine Hat to see what kinds of exciting things we could do there.

The camping trip was okay. While it was nice to see everyone and it was actually way better than I expected 'roughing it' (I must admit I am a 'city princess' who has avoided camping for about 12 years...), Andrew made the night just awful. It was too cold to get up and go outside, so, in a the tent trailer that we shared with 5 other people, he screamed and I nursed him for most of the night. We are talking screaming every 5 mins. Even other people in other campers heard us. Wow, I felt bad. :oS

Daniel and Josh had fun though, playing in the beach volleyball court (they called it the sandbox) with my 4 year old cousin, Kyle. They also played at the park, roasted marshmallows over a huge fire that Jon built, and slept well in the tent trailer.

After one day of camping, we continued on to Medicine Hat to see what we could do for fun there, and found out that other than $20/person waterslides, and Echo Dale Park beach, there isn't really anything at all (the movie theatre wasn't even open). Didn't brave the waterslides, but the beach was very nice! We probably won't go back unless we one day return to Winnipeg (but we don't expect that in our future either). It WAS a nice break from life in Calgary though, so I am certainly not complaining. :o)

We came back to Calgary and visited family in Okotoks, went to a birthday party and a barbecue, and hung out around home a bit. It was really nice to have a chunk of time where Jon didn't have to go to work.

I have been trying for about a week now to put pictures of the vacation in this post and it just isn't working for me. So, I'm just gonna post it. Email me if you really want to see pictures and I haven't sent them to you already. ;o)

hucking soothers

2006-08-23T20:41:00.000-06:00

Well, it has begun. Andrew has finally figured out the 'if I throw my soother out of my crib, then I'll cry hysterically and that will make my mommy come' thing. I put him to bed tonight awake, with his soother. He will never settle down for me unless I nurse him but then I end up putting him into bed asleep, which is apparently a no-no if I ever want him to sleep through the night again. He is almost seven months old and I WOULD like for him to sleep through. Starting tonight, if possible!

Tonight he had a bottle at storytime, then was acting tired, so I figured I'd just put him to bed. But NO, he won't sleep and is very upset right now. I'm letting him cry for a few minutes here, but it doesn't seem to be letting up. Jon can always just put him into his crib awake and he'll drift off without a peep. Huh.

Well, now Andrew is stomping his feet, so I guess I might as well nurse him so he'll actually go to bed. What's one more night, right? LOL

Stuff

2006-08-21T15:19:00.000-06:00

Lots of random thoughts today - I've been writing down my thoughts all day just so I can see how many times I actually think 'oh, I should blog that!' I tend to think that a lot, but never get around to typing about it - I have no time to do it when I think of it, then when I do have time, the thought has escaped my brain. Anyway, here's the stuff...

Sirens
There have been sirens sounding around here almost constantly for the last little while. Fire trucks and ambulances more often than police cars, but also car alarms. There is a car parked across the street whose alarm sounds EVERY time a bus or motorcycle passes by. If my kids' toys hadn't already taught me to tolerate annoying sounds, I think I'd be going crazy about now. Reminds me of the girl in the movie Failure to Launch who has a problem with a mocking bird...*sigh* An added bonus to the sirens is our neighbour's dog, Kudo, who likes to sing along with them. Beautiful. Arooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Andrew
...has been unusually happy today. He started swimming lessons and had a blast. The only thing other than that that has been different is the only solids he's had today was cereal for breakfast. Otherwise, just breastmilk and one bottle of formula. Oh, and his 'normal nap routine' that he followed religiously before starting solids...SIGH...I can't stop now - he is almost seven months and needs to be eating this stuff (cereal, veggies, fruits).

Josh
CRAN-KY!!! He spent the night with my parents last night and shortly after he got home today he became feverish and whiny. I asked if something hurts and he says his mouth is sore. I counted his top teeth, then Daniel's for comparison. Sure enough, my almost-three-year-old is teething! Who woulda thought? As I write this, he is napping (his own choice and decision...I found him asleep on the couch). I am proud that I found out what was wrong all on my own, and I hope he feels better soon.

The house
With two boys sleeping and D playing on the computer, the dishwasher is running, the living room is tidy and the dining room is good enough. I've finished my book for my book club this month and my correspondence is pretty much up to date. I made seven or eight appointments with various professionals (medical and other) this morning and checked when preschool begins. Hmmmm...I guess the only thing left to do is to SCRAPBOOK!! :o)

Outside
It is 31*C outside today! Wowzers! And only 26.5 inside...wonder if we'll get any sleep tonight...

BAAPFPFPFPFPFF!!

2006-08-19T20:48:00.000-06:00

This is Andrew's first word-like word. Well, actually, I guess "hungee" was (see A Dad's View: Andrew speaks), but this one is amazing to me. Can you guess what it means? LOL

I'll give you a clue...he does it while he is laying on the floor in the bathroom as the water is running and his brothers are getting into the tub. Yup, it's 'bath'! He has done it 2 nights in a row now, with no encouragement from me.

I am thoroughly amazed.

Peek-a-Blocks

2006-08-19T12:45:00.000-06:00

Today we got Andrew some Peek-a-Blocks. I have been looking at these things ever since they came out - I LOVE the idea. Wanted to get some for Josh but he was already too old for them when they came out.

Anyway, we got Andrew a set that has various trucks, boats and airplanes. He LOVES them. I am thrilled because 1) they will (and have already) keep him busy on the floor for a while so I don't have to carry him around, and 2) he needed some toys since all my *baby* toys were lent out and are unreturned. A good reason to finally buy some Peek-a-Blocks. LOL

There are balls like them out now too, but I know those would be lost in no time flat here with my preschoolers who think that balls should always be thrown and rolled under the couch. ;o)

Maybe they ARE twins...

2006-08-15T22:15:00.000-06:00

...

As I'm sure Jon and I have both mentioned before, people are ALWAYS asking if Daniel and Josh are twins. How can we keep saying no after seeing them like this (in pic) time and time again? Maybe they ARE twins and WE are the ones that are delusional thinking they are 15.5 mos apart...

Anyway, vacation was good...more pics and stories to follow another day. Jon already has one posted if you need to read a vaca story RIGHT NOW. :oP

Later dudes and dudettes.

It's 1:26 AM

2006-08-11T01:22:00.000-06:00

...and I'm still up. I don't know why. I don't even know why I'm here since I can't remember what I was going to post. LOL

I got 3 pages done scrapbooking today, AND did my yoga workout AND my walking workout AND Jon got me a slurpee. What a wonderful relaxing day.

The boys were happy and pleasant and I got some cleaning done...it's so nice to have a clutter-free house. And the kind of clutter free that comes about because I cleaned it; not because I packed everything up. Which reminds me...I've been in a cleaning mood lately, because the clutter is getting to me.

We tend to move every 6 months or so, so things don't really have time to gather and pile up. BUT since we've been here awhile (can I call 9 months a long time??), stuff IS piling and stressing me out and I've been decluttering. Jon thinks it's funny to send Daniel to me asking things like "Are you nesting, mommy?" and "Are you expecting?" and "Are you P-G (what does P-G mean, mommy?)?" Ha ha ha, with a 6 month old baby who doesn't like to sleep? NO WAY!! But I guess SOMEone is noticing and appreciating my cleaning efforts.

Now I am going to bed because I am tired and I want to lay down and fall asleep just minutes before Andrew cries. Keeps the night exciting, like it's daytime or something. ;o)

Soooooooo tired...

2006-08-09T09:34:00.000-06:00

and bordering grumpy.

It was hot here yesterday (33*C) so I thought we'd all sleep in the basement last night and get a good, cool rest. Well, bedtime with the boys went well, and Jon thought it was a good idea...BUT around midnight Andrew woke up very upset. I brought him upstairs to my hot bedroom and cuddled and nursed him, hoping he would fall back asleep and enjoy all the space in the bed. Um, no. He woke up again at 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:30 and 5:30. And then we got up at 7:30. He is now happily napping at 9:30 and I am beat and grumpy.

The other 3 boys are chipper and well rested, thank goodness. Wouldn't do for all of us to be grumpy...

...and tonight...

2006-08-08T21:21:00.000-06:00

A little update on the soother thing...Josh didn't even ask for it at bedtime. What a big boy! :o)

It's JOSH week! ;)

2006-08-08T19:15:00.000-06:00

Last night, for the first time since he was a teeny tiny baby, Josh slept without a soother!! We've been trying the 'cut a little off at a time method' and he wasn't even flinching at it. But last night I couldn't find the soother at bedtime, so I told Josh that his daddy would look for it when he got home. So Jon came home, looked and also couldn't find the soother. And Josh slept without it. Yay! I gave him a chocolate when he woke up this morning. :)

Walk for Heart

2006-08-06T20:39:00.000-06:00

I am thinking of doing the Cheerios Heart and Stroke Walk for Heart this year with my friends at CalgaryMoms.com. I have been considering it for a long time now, but I just can't commit! And I don't know why...it is driving me crazy. I really have to get on to just registering for it already!!

I think it's time...

2006-08-06T20:35:00.000-06:00

for the teeth!

Andrew has been crying all all all all day. I wish I could set him down somewhere. He won't even nap. And he is not happy with his swing, bouncy chair, crib, playpen, bug (exersaucer thing), or even the floor. I held him while I made dinner, even. He seems to be happy in his booster seat, but I think that's 'cause he is eating. Thank goodness Jon will be home soon, hopefully with a slurpee to calm my nerves that are starting to frazzle from crying baby!

Daniel got his first tooth the day he turned 4 months old. I think Josh's teeth came in right around that age too. Andrew still doesn't have a speck of white in his mouth, BUT he has been chewing and drooling since he was 2.5 or 3 months old! I don't get it! Poor little boy if he's been uncomfortable for that long!

Today...

2006-08-05T22:23:00.000-06:00

I did 3 loads of laundry, 2 sinkfuls of dishes (and ran the dishwasher twice - we're a bit behind in dishes...), cooked a good dinner, bathed the kids, started sorting through clothes that Andrew has grown out of, and replied to most of the emails sitting in my inbox. That in addition to playing with the boys, feeding them all the meals they like to have in a day, chatting with Jon a bit on the computer during his breaks, showering, and reading a bit of my book for the book clubs I am in. And guess how much of it you can tell I did. LOL If you said you can't tell I did anything, you are RIGHT! The life of a SAHM, eh?

We also tried out a new church tonight. We figured since Jon is working tomorrow and we won't be able to make it to our church, we might as well go somewhere else. Good music - I knew all the songs - cool kids stuff, a nice air conditioned building with comfy seats, and we got to see some old friends, which was fantastic! We'll likely go again when we can't make it to our church on a Sunday, but have the Saturday evening free. A funny thing...this is the church that we took the boys to see "Veggie Tales Rockin' Tour Live" at, so Daniel thinks they should take down the name from the front of the church and put up "The Veggie Tales Church". LOL 4 year olds! :oD

Josh wrote his name!!

2006-08-04T21:37:00.000-06:00

Josh wrote his name! I'm so proud of him! He is 2 years, 9.5 mos old. :D

Remembering...

2006-08-04T12:18:00.000-06:00

In a forum I frequent, these questions about how we met our hubbies came up and I responded and thought I'd post my answers here too; it is great to look back and remember where we've been...and how we got to where we are. :)

Where did you meet? In the Bahamas on a band trip we were on (I was in grade 10, he was grade 11) in April 1994.

How did you meet? One of my friends had a crush on one of Jon's friends, so while they hung out, we all ended up hanging out in a big group, playing games in one of the hotel rooms, etc.

Did you approach/Did he approach? Well, I guess I approached him, but as friends...we needed a trumpet player for our church Christmas production and Jon was the best in the school band, so I invited him to come and play. He was dating someone else who didn't go to our school. Jon and I hung out a lot, with and without our group of friends, and he ended up breaking up with his g/f to date me in January 1995. One of our friends asked Jon and I if we were dating, and we looked at each other and said "are we?" and decided that we guessed we were. LOL

When did you know he was the one? Two weeks after we started dating, I wrote in my journal that I could imagine us getting married and spending our lives together. Two years after we started dating, we 'took the summer off' because I did not think he was giving me the attention I deserved (he was at Bible college and I was at U of C and both of us were working and we didn't have much time to spend together). He begged me all summer to get back together. When he told me he couldn't live without me, I knew 100% for sure he was the one.

Did you doubt he was the one? I didn't doubt it at all; it killed me for us to be apart the summer I broke it off (he was actually away counselling at camp). I'm SO GLAD it all turned out the way it did. We are now 7.5 years into our marriage and I still have never doubted that we are meant to be together.

Yesterday's Adventure: A jam packed day!

2006-08-02T11:18:00.000-06:00

Okay, who am I kidding with that title...every day is jam packed! But yesterday we wanted to spoil our boys a little, so we did some fun stuff. :o) Unfortunately there are no pictures, but it's okay since my last few posts were ONLY pictures, right? :oD

Anyway, we started the day by going to our local Christian Publications store to pick up the long-awaited Larry Boy and the Bad Apple DVD. Seriously, Daniel and Josh have been counting down to the day it would be released, and even learned the months in the process. I now have a 2yr old and 4yr old that both know the order of the months in the year. The next one comes out in November...yes, they are counting down again already!

After we spent some time at CP, we walked to Mountain Equipment Co-op to spend a gift card that we received shortly after Andrew's birth (thanks, K, JM and M!). The boys had a blast running through the store, sitting in the canoes (tsk tsk) and playing in the tent, trying on hats, etc. We bought them each their own little backpack (SO CUTE!) and Andrew got some clothing. We walked back to the van, answering little boy questions regarding downtown life (D: WHAT is that SMELL?? Me: It's pee, don't touch the wall, hold my hand. Jon: Sometimes people who don't have a house have to pee outside...).

Next we went to our favorite 'treat the boys' spot, MovieDome. Jon and the boys had gone last week to see Ice Age 2, but it was sold out, so we decided to try it again. We got our tickets and a mountain of food and went into the theatre. Unfortunately we were a tad early for the show, so sitting still wasn't really an option. Jon took Andrew for a walk then came back and took Daniel and Josh for a walk and finally the movie began. Good boys, entertaining movie. Andrew only tried to cry a few times, which I quickly responded to by giving him something to put in his mouth...soother, cracker, bottle, breast...worked wonderfully. He was very interested in spilling my pop though, which he did once and almost did twice. He may be moving into that age where he is too old and too young to go to the movie theatre.

After the movie we came home with sleepy boys who were excited to watch their new DVD. Jon went and picked up Daniel's favorite dinner (Chinese food) and my favorite drink to go along with it (do I have to say what it is or can you guess? LOL Slurpee, of course!). We ate dinner, played, and put the boys to bed. I think they had a good day. Today is a mellow pajama day. It's been quite nice too. :o)

sweetness

2006-07-30T00:17:00.000-06:00

This is one of my most favorite pictures, ever. <3

Our trip to Lethbridge

2006-07-30T00:12:00.000-06:00

Just some pictures.

2006-07-30T00:08:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile...

2006-07-30T00:01:00.000-06:00

Some people are reminding me that I haven't been here in awhile. Life is so busy!! So, I've decided to do some picture posting here just to show off some adventures, and I'll write something soon. LOL

Andrew is half a year old!!

2006-07-29T13:08:00.000-06:00

Where has the time gone?? Holy cow, I can't believe we've already had him for 6 months. The past year has just flown by for us here...will the time ever slow down again?? :oS

And speaking of 6 months...I think Andrew knows about the 6 month growth spurt...he woke up at 12:02 this morning and nursed almost constantly for the rest of the night. And lots today too...in addition to his 3 meals per day of cereal and veggies and his bottle of formula before bedtime, he's been nursing like crazy and sleeping a lot. I thought he ALREADY had his 6 month growth spurt 'cause he is so big already. LOL We'll see the change from this week to next; I'm really curious!

Popping in to post something fun...

2006-07-12T22:30:00.000-06:00

11 LAYERS OF YOU

LAYER ONE: ON THE OUTSIDE
Name: Amber
Birth date: October 5
Current Location: Calgary
Eye Color: blue-grey
Hair Color: brown
Righty or Lefty: righty
Zodiac Sign: Libra

LAYER TWO: ON THE INSIDE
Your heritage: Scottish, English, German, Scandinavian
Your fears: fire, knives, being alone
Your weakness: slurpee
Your perfect pizza: extra sauce and lots of cheese
Goal you'd like to achieve: get my driver's license...

LAYER THREE: YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW:
Your thoughts first waking up: Andrew's hungry
Your best physical feature: my skin
Your bedtime: depends on Jon's work schedule
Your most missed memory: Winnipeg after Daniel was born

LAYER FOUR: YOUR PICK:
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
McDonald's or Burger King: McDonald's
Single or group dates: single
Adidas or Nike: whichever
Lipton Tea or Nestea: Nestea
Chocolate or vanilla: chocolate
Cappuccino or coffee: yucky to both

LAYER FIVE: DO YOU?
Cuss: sometimes
Take a shower: yes
Have a crush: yup
Think you've been in love: yup
Like(d) school: sometimes
Want to get married: LOVE being married
Believe in yourself: yes
Think you're a health freak: way NO

LAYER SIX: IN THE PAST MONTH
Drank alcohol: no
Gone to the mall: yup
Been on stage: yes
Eaten Sushi: never
Been dumped: no
Gone skating: no
Dyed your hair: no, not since January 2005

LAYER SEVEN: HAVE YOU EVER
Played a stripping game: no
Gotten beaten up: no
Changed who you were to fit in: no

LAYER EIGHT: GETTING OLD
Age your hoping to be married: I was 20.

LAYER NINE: IN A GIRL/GUY
Best eye color: deep brown
Best hair color: dirty blonde/brown
Short or long hair: short

LAYER TEN: WHAT WERE YOU DOING
1 MINUTE AGO: this
1 HOUR AGO: putting Andrew to bed
1 WEEK AGO: awaiting RSVPs for D's party
1 YEAR AGO: awaiting news about a job in Nakusp, purchasing a family van and dying to tell our families that we were expecting!

LAYER 11:FINISH THE SENTENCE
I LOVE: my family so very deeply
I FEEL: exhausted
I HATE: potty training children
I HIDE: in the bathroom when I cry
I MISS: wearing my regular clothes (still in maternity clothes)
I NEED: nothing more than I have

Adventure Express

2006-07-06T20:24:00.000-06:00

This week...

Daniel has had swimming lessons every morning. It is his first experience like this. He is not loving swimming as much as I had hoped he would...but he can't get enough of jumping in off the side or going down the slide. LOL Josh is next week.

Jon and I took the boys shopping at a mall without a cart, stroller or baby trekker (carrier). Yikes.

I came out to the living room from putting Andrew down for a nap and heard some clinking. I saw Josh sitting on the couch with a broken glass in a plastic cup. He was CHEWING on a piece of the broken glass!! Holy cow, mommy heart attack moment.

Andrew is a space heater. Both of us get so hot in this weather with me carrying him around all the time. He is very clingy and very perceptive. When I am holding him and go to spread the blanket on the floor to put him down, he holds on to me super tight as if to say don't put me down! He does the same thing, but with crying when I walk by the swing and hold him in the certain way I need to to get him in there.

I have completed my first scrapbook. I have 2 others in the making. I have also made about 20 cards. Hoping to sell them at a Christmas bazaar...I just don't know where else I'd sell them. I have to put my Creative Memories stuff to use in some way to make back the money I spent on buying the consultant's kit. ;)

OH! And before I forget. If anyone needs scrapbooking albums, there is a very good deal on right now. Leave me a note in the comments section or email me and I'll set you up. :oD

That's all I have time for now. Need to plan a birthday party (D's 4th on Saturday) and tend to crying Andrew.

To my blog...

2006-07-06T00:34:00.000-06:00

I'm not ignoring you, I'm just busy. I'll be back soon to update you on all the wonderful adventures we are having.

And to my lurkers...no, I am not crazy. ;)

Weekend Adventures

2006-06-26T21:13:00.000-06:00

Saturday
9:30 - Superstore, 10:30 - McDonalds, 11:00 - birthday party, 12:00 - Jon and I leave bday party, drop A off at grandparents' place and go to...1:00 - wedding. 2:00 home to take seats out of van and change, drive to IKEA, buy bunkbed for D's birthday gift, 4:00 get home and unload bunkbed, rest until 4:30, re-dress and redo hair/makeup for wedding reception. 5:00 to parents' place to breastfeed Andrew, leave for reception at 5:30, stop for gas, get to reception in time for 6:30 start, have a great dinner and good conversation until 10:00, drive back home and arrive just after 10:30 and go to bed! PHEW!

Sunday
Not as bad, but still...make a breakfast that takes some time, put seats back in van, at church by 10:00, teach the 2-year-old Sunday school class, rush out at 11:45 to get home in time for Jon to leave for work just after 12:00. The rest of the church was rushing out to get to the church picnic, which I am kind of sad that we had to miss. This is the first time that I have been sad about Jon's work schedule since we moved back to Calgary. I'm actually quite happy that there are so many things we can do together and with the boys especially with Jon's work schedule the way it is. I guess I'll just have to suck it up when we can't make it to things. LOL

Potty Training Success!

2006-06-23T17:39:00.000-06:00

Josh is potty-trained!! Well, TOILET trained. He will not sit on the potty, he prefers the toilet, the big boy that he is. :o) He woke up dry this morning and has not had an accident yet today - all pee has landed in the toilet!! I am so proud of him and in such disbelief that we could be back to only one in diapers...that hasn't happened since before Josh was born! YAY!

And I will post a couple pictures just 'cause I have them. :)

Today's Adventure - Last Day Celebration

2006-06-22T17:23:00.000-06:00

Today was Daniel's last day of preschool. The teachers invited the families of the children to come and see a magic show put on by a local magician. It was so so good, and all the kids loved it!

After the magic show, there was a small awards ceremony where each child received a medal, a special book of their year, a certificate and some bubbles. The teachers called them up one by one and they got to walk across the 'stage' and pose for pictures. Absolutely adorable! Daniel was so proud. :)

Adventure catch up

2006-06-21T22:58:00.000-06:00

I have a few I need to mention, even though I've missed the days.

On Monday June 19, my mom and I had a girls morning out, bloodwork at the lab, grocery shopping, then shopping for plants at the nursery. We brought them home and Daniel and Jon planted away. It was so cute to see them working togther. Jon has been wanting a vegetable garden forever and this year we are doing a trial run for next year. If it works out, we'll make a plan for next summer and get a good garden going. If not, this is a good project.

Tuesday, yesterday, was a low-key day in itself, where all we had on the calendar was Daniel's school time. It was nice to do pretty much nothing. And the coolest thing about the day - the storms! And how they occurred perfectly timed...really bad while D was in school but gorgeous sunny weather in time for me to pick him up, then more storming after we got home. I loved that! Unfortunately the rest of the day after was stressful because the boys were definitely getting sick of being cooped up inside when they'd rather be outside in the muddy backyard playing. Andrew wanted to chime in with his displeasure, so he cried all afternoon and evening. Tuesday's Adventure was staying patient with them all.

Today we had a wonderful playdate with some good friends, and then a nice family evening. Jon was not feeling well, so he didn't go in to work and we got to have a relaxing day together and Chinese takeout for dinner. We all ate by the window in the dining room and watched the storm out the window. There was a river on our street for a good half hour - it was really neat.

Father's Day Adventure

2006-06-21T16:39:00.000-06:00

Okay, I know that I am very late on this, but it's been one of those weeks, so I'm allowing myself to be a few days behind. ;)

First off, I need to send out happy father's day wishes to the wonderful caring fathers in my life. To my stepfather, Bill, my father-in-law, Bob and of course to my sweet hubby who is a great father to our three boys who will likely be fathers themselves one day. I hope that they treat their children with as much love as Jon treats them.

Now, on to what we did. We started the day with a quick special breakfast, then church, as almost every Sunday starts, but Jon was on the worship team so we arrived 2 hours before the service. I spent that time changing Andrew while the older boys played roughly in the nursery.

It was not a good morning to hang out in a small room with the three of them - due to a couple of messy bodily functions that Andrew's body performed all over his clothes...I had him out of his jammies, into clothes and back into his jammies in a matter of 30 minutes.

Daniel spent a lengthy 15 minutes on the couch for time out after throwing toys, going places he was not allowed to and just generally being disobedient.

I watched the clock praying that Jon would come rescue me soon so I could have a potty break. LOL

After a good service, Jon and I took the boys to Boston Pizza for lunch. We sat on the patio and the boys were fantastic! It was a great meal, which should have been the note to end the day on...

Next we went to IKEA to check out some furniture we are thinking of purchasing. Bad idea. After a short nap in the van, the boys were filled with energy to run about the store, touching things, pushing things and hiding in places that were not intended for children. By the end of the IKEA path, each child had had a meltdown, including Jon and I was ready to get OUT of there! Andrew had again peed on his clothing (maybe I need to invest in a different brand of diapers??) and since I was carrying him, we were both wet. Ick. Note to self and others: that's why there is an IKEA playplace. ;)

Despite the bad behaviour on everyone's part, we stopped at DQ for ice cream and enjoyed it in the cold backyard, all got to be friends again, and everyone was happy.

All my readers...I hope your father's day was a great one, shared with the ones you love. :o)

My hungry boy

2006-06-20T13:40:00.000-06:00

Today Andrew was sitting on my lap as I ate my lunch. He had just nursed on both sides, so should have been full and content. Well, he grabbed a piece of steak off my plate. I took it away from him and he stuck his saucy fingers in his mouth before I could wash them.

So after we were finished lunch, I mixed him up some rice cereal. He gobbled it - it was probably 2 tablespoons or a bit more, mixed with formula. After that, he was still not satisfied, so he had about 5 oz of formula.

Now he's full, burped, and has a dry diaper and what a happy boy I have! Makes me wonder if I've been starving him all this time...he even had rice cereal at breakfast time and has not missed a breastfeed today! Can we say growthspurt??

Today's Adventure - Muffins, Mechanics and Pizza

2006-06-17T23:10:00.000-06:00

Today Jon took D to help him and my stepdad with the tires on the van.

Meanwhile, Josh and I made blueberry muffins. Jon had the camera, so I have no pics of that, but it was interesting; my first baking experience with Josh. LOL For dinner, we each made our own pizza too. It was a very adventurous day!

Hernia

2006-06-17T11:47:00.000-06:00

I've been diagnosed with a hernia. Any lurkers here have information on them, tips, tricks, advice, cures?? Surgery or no surgery? Leave me a comment or email me - I'd really appreciate your knowledge on this. Thanks!

Today's Adventure - Mastermind and a Bus Ride

2006-06-16T22:59:00.000-06:00

Today the boys decided they wanted to learn to play Mastermind (the game). So I taught them. Daniel is already good at it.

We also went for a ride on the good ol' Calgary Transit to a friend's place for a playdate! I took NO STROLLER, Andrew was in the baby trekker and the other boys walked. They were all so good! :o)

Today's Adventure - Beach Day

2006-06-15T21:48:00.000-06:00

Today it was beach day at D's school. We dressed him up all beachy, despite the gloomy day and pouring down rain. Josh wanted to go too...LOL

Today's Adventure - SOLIDS!

2006-06-14T13:00:00.000-06:00

Last night Andrew sat on my lap as I ate dinner. He was VERY interested in my food and kept trying to intercept my fork, then spoon at dessert. After I was done, I gave him a bit of ice cream off my spoon and he chewed it!! It was so funny, so I gave him the spoon and he worked on maneuvering it into his mouth on his own. So today we started rice cereal. He loves it and loves holding the spoon. The only thing he is not happy with is that the food does not come in a continuous flow, but only one spoonful at a time. LOL