no wonder I can't see

had my eyes checked today. I have had my current glasses since before I got pregnant with Isaac, so we're talking close to 6 years here. The opt asks me why it's been so long. I tell her it's because I keep getting pregnant and asked her if she would tell my husband to leave me alone. (giggle) Well, it's about time I had them looked at. My eyes have gotten worse. Although, it's not terribly bad, at least now both eyes are pretty much equally bad. I'm hoping I can hit one of the decent eyeglass stores in BC and get a nice new pair. Maybe not plastic frames again though, these ones have held up alright, but the kids have done a number on them. Which is a bummer, I want a funkier pair. I'll probably look into new lenses for my sunglasses too, I SO was not a clip-on girl.

Does anyone remember me getting these glasses? I seem to remember having new glasses back when we lived in Surrey. Could it really be that long ago? Really? Maybe Fall '00. Because we moved out of there January 1, 2001. That's crazy. And I still have no desire to get contacts. I still get all icked out when I remember the time Leslie needed me to put eye drops in her eyes, and when Tanya had to hold me down for drops at camp the year I was pregnant with Isaac. Now I'm really icked out all over again. *shudder*

**Correction** Rob has informed me that the glasses I am currently wearing were purchased after we moved to Vancouver. I know I got them at Oakridge mall, so he must be right. I know when I had them fixed after my car accident they were still under the one year warranty. He must be right. Smart man.

what to do in Vancouver - shop and eat

- Discount Diapers for some new covers
- pair of glasses for me
- shoes for me
- pair of dress shoes for Norah
- Granville Island with the kids, get musical instruments for Sunday School
- Sunday School shopping list at real dollar stores
- IKEA for sheets for Norah's bed, and slipcover for green armchair (hmmm, wonder if I could persuade MIL to make curtains for girls room...maybe Christmas gift...)
- shoes for Rob, without going to Seattle if we're lucky
- I want to go to Meinhardts for some fun food stuff, nice vinegars and such. I miss a good exotic food place. Oh and maybe Capers for some fun healthy/organic treats.

- SUSHI!!!
- Thai House
- Rob wants to go to DeDutch for breakfast
- Earls for kung pow chicken
- Milestones! thai chicken drumettes, or brunch
- Starbucks for coffee A LOT
- if we can make it up to camp, it would be great to top the day off with a trip to Trolls for fish and chips and beer.

I want to get a hair cut with my old hairdresser. My original plan was to get a cut the day of the wedding, so I would look decent. But she's on vacation until the 15th. Bummer. So I might need a haircut this week so I don't look like a mess at the wedding...any more than I will already. Maybe I can get Jackie to take some off the back this week.

I want to learn to make sushi. That's a random aside, but something I want to learn. Maybe a trip to a decent store for some supplies...

things to do

before we head out on vacation I need to

- get my eyes checked, so I can buy glasses in Vancouver
- go to Curves, and get my travel pass, so I can work out there
- figure out what shoes I am wearing to the wedding and church
- get this wedding gift figured out
- pack
- clean the house
- finish the baby thank you cards (!! I am so slow)
- get A and S-J's birthday gifts in the mail

what I don't need to do...but keep working on.

- clean out my closets. they will still be there when we get home
- reorganize my kitchen. once again, still there when we get home
- paint the girl's name wall hangings

Why am I working on the second list and not the first one? Really.

bah!

I really hate this town. I can't seem to speak the language, or I'm missing something. I'm nice, people like me...just not here. I have friends in other places in the world...just not here. I had 2, that is *2* long distance calls today that were SO wonderful. Just makes me want to shout out my front door "hey you freaks, people actually like me enough to call me! what do you think of that??" and give a big ol' neener neener to them.

Sure beats what I almost did today. Which was to sit down on the sidewalk out front of the Co-op and cry.

from Rebecca's blog

And the King will tell them,
I assure you, when you did it to
one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,
you were doing it to me!
Matthew 25:40

And I'm curious...


How does this look in your home? How do you actively seek ways to serve the least of these?

Rebecca offered this up as a challenge recently. I've been mulling it over for a few days now.

I remember very clearly that first day Isaac was in our lives. I was out of surgery, back in our room at St. Paul's, drugged and very uncomfortable. Heck, I was in pain. I was lying on my bed wondering when this little baby's parents were coming to get him...then through my drugged out fog, remembered that he was mine. That I was responsible for this tiny, red faced, tightly swaddled little boy. The weight of that was huge. Who was *I* to have the job of taking care of this little human, perfect and tiny and not yet messed up by the outside world? What was God thinking?

That night, we put him in the bassinet that the hospital provided. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to hold him in my arms all night (first timer!). I woke up to an awful sound around 3 am. Isaac was gagging on some mucus in his lungs, coughing and sputtering. I jumped out of bed - literally jumped - to get to him. Yes, I had had major surgery less than 24 hours previously. Yes, I was still catheritized and hooked up to an IV. Yes, I was barely able to sit up straight, but I jumped. By the time I got to him and picked him up, I was sobbing. Not only was I scared, but it HURT. I knocked my catheter out of place, pulled a stitch along my incision line. Rob woke up at this point, bewildered and unsure of who to help first, the crying baby or crying wife. In that painful, somewhat scary and very REAL moment, I realized that being a parent was going to hurt. Not always physically, and not always in a bad way, but hurt nonetheless.

I realized that this tiny human was part of me, and that I would do anything for him, even despite my own pain. Then it connected in my brain, how much me looking at and admiring this little boy must be like God and us. Looking at this tiny being and seeing the beauty and perfection in them...yet knowing that it wouldn't stay that way forever, that this little boy whose presence was bringing me such joy would one day break my heart in ways I hadn't even thought of. Yet, that I would give my very life for him. Just because he was mine. Brought the gospel message home in a new way.

That short hospital stay cemented in me why treating my children with respect was important. Not only are they a part of me, they are God's children - even more than they are 'mine'. They belong to Him, and I needed to treat them that way. Not to overprotect and shelter from the world, but to take care of, nurture, love, guide and protect. Sometimes, yes, that means waking up to deal with a teething baby at 4 am when I would rather be in bed. Sometimes it means stepping back and calming myself before freaking out on the child that is happily the garbage on to the floor. Sometimes it means finding some endurance to get through the late afternoon when I am just so tired from the night before that I want everyone to go away so I can be alone. Sometimes it means having that extra minute of snuggles for the child who is feeling a little lonely for mom, or comforting a crying child who doesn't seem to have a 'good reason' to cry. Because it is how I would want to be treated. Because I believe that babies and children have needs that we may not understand, but can do our best to meet. Because I want them to be able to understand grace and selfless love because they have seen it in their lives. Because if I am doing it for the King...I want to do it right.

the screaming...

Ruby can *scream*. Seriously, it's not even human. She does it A LOT. TOO MUCH. It is insane...or I will be. Tonight, she is fighting sleep. I just put her down on the floor and told her to go away for a few minutes. My ears hurt.

It's a good thing she is so cute.

still hot

still sleeping downstairs. Right now it's not TOO bad upstairs. Our town is the hotspot for the province as of 9 am. Isaac is at VBS at the Lutheran church this week, I hope it goes well. We may be exploring the idea of partnering with them for VBS next summer. Rob was mad at me yesterday afternoon...and I just can't imagine why. He was sitting on the back deck, I was in the kitchen. He yelled into the house and asked me to please bring him some water. He never said he wanted it in a cup.... *I* thought it was funny, and the expression on his face was priceless. He got over it, and I brought him a drink after that. Although he was complaining that his underwear was still damp hours later. I am just waiting for my payback.

I'm taking the girls to the grocery store in a couple of minutes, it's air conditioned there. We don't really need groceries, but it's a trip to somewhere cool. Walking Isaac the 2 blocks to VBS this morning was really, really hot. I'm craving some really cool air, we're even using fans downstairs. Hmmm...what to make for supper.

we have hit 40 with the humidex. topped out over 100. it is unbearable. the sun beats down on our little house, heating it up even more than the outside. we are moving downstairs. Rob's office transformed into a little dorm for 2 children, and we are even running fans down there because it is still too warm. We are beyond grateful for a second tv and cable outlet in the basement. This weather is supposed to run until Wednesday. We may never come back up again...there is an old fridge down there, a bathroom, and we can cook in the clothes dryer, right?

I love, love, love living 40 minutes away from some of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen. I only wish it wasn't quite so hot today. It's in the low 30's (or 90's). On the plus side, we ate all 3 of our meals outside today! Hopefully next summer we can spend a week or 2 at a cabin at one of the lakes....

it is a hot day, Rob is off...the lake calls to us....

I will probably take that last post down in the morning.

more good news

our yard is finally going to be finished...more on the kids blog. I am so tired of the large pile of dirt, the holes from attempts to grow trees, fence that didnt connect on one side, making a huge escape route...and the general ick of our yard.

I think its good news

No, it is good news. Mostly. I had my appointment with the specialist today. She thinks my levels seem to be balancing out and that I seem to be on the road to *normal* again. However, her *normal* and what the current definition of normal is are not quite aligned. Meaning, I am on the high side of normal, or slightly above normal. She said that taking myself off the meds, which were seriously making me mental and unable to function, was a good move. I am going back for yet more bloodwork, but it seems like things are on the way to good. So why is this weight being so stubborn...

I had a nice visit with mom, and it was almost like a vacation to have only Ruby with me. She was a peach on the drive, both ways, sleeping for most of it. Mom took her walking while I was in the docs office. Afterwards, we walked over to the Taste Of Saskatchewan, which opened today. What a fun festival! A whole bunch of restaurants had booths and you could buy tickets and get different foods from them. Mom got some funky mango avacado salad thing, from her next door neighbours place ~ he is the head chef. I got a really nice, if spicy, black bean and lime chipolte chicken wrap. Then we had cheesecake, triple dipped in chocolate, on a stick. Cheesecake on a stick... After that, we walked over to a really lovely toy store and browsed. Mom bought a couple of things for the kids, some colour changing ducks for Norah, and a watch thing for Isaac. She also got some fun birthday ideas. Then home again. Where the kids were great, Rob was tired, but good. He forgot to start dinner in the crock pot though. It is good to be home, with everyone, and thinking I may be on the road to recovery...I hope. So take that Dr. G, I am NOT crazy. It was just the crazy pills you put me on.

it would be worth it, right?

I am thinking that I want to upgrade our long distance plan. For an extra $10 a month, we can get unlimited long distance across North America. A big step up from our cross Canada evenings and weekends plan. Then I won't have to think about making my calls only on Saturday, because evenings just don't always work out, between time zones and bedtimes. AND I could call all 50 states, as well as all the provinces. Sounds good to me...think it would be worth it? Plus, we are now going to be getting some extra $$ each month, thanks to the Conservatives, and I dont want to just get beer and pretzels with that cash. hee hee.

today's random thoughts

- my keyboard is working properly again! Woo hoo!! Full use of letters and punctuation again.

- I have my appointment with the specialist on Tuesday morning. I am trying to not get ahead of myself, worry-wise. I am a little nervous though, I am going to have to go to Saskatoon the night before. I am only taking Ruby with me, the older 2 are staying home with Rob. I have not been that far away from Norah before, yes I was in the hospital 3 nights after Ruby was born, but that was across the street. Really, pretty much across the street, if you have been here, you know I'm not making that up. Yes, they will be in great hands, no worries there, but Norah is going through a bit of a mommy phase. It is only 24 hours or so though, and so much easier than making the kids sit through another drive like the one we did yesterday.

- We had a thunderstorm blow into town tonight. Just as I was bbq'ing dinner. Really strong winds. Blew the bbq out. That was annoying, so I finished dinner off in the oven.

- My husband is amazing. He has us almost 100% caught up on the laundry already. He is so wonderful at getting the laundry downstairs, washed and dried, and back up again. I fold it though, so it's not all him. I have NO issues with folding if he washes. ;)

- It is really hard to wash dead, dried up bugs off of a white minivan.

home from camp

Lately, it feels like all we do is come and go from home! Camp is over, it went well. I updated the kids blog, so if you want pics and stuff, check there. I'm too tired to do a big update here.

I was reminded by many of the older women on staff (cooks, nurse and drama leader to be precise) how fast childhood goes. Our girls were mobbed and loved by many campers, but these older women were really loving and uplifting to *me*. Sharing lovely stories of nursing their little ones, cuddling with their babies, carrying their tiny ones in a snuggly, of kissing tiny toes and singing during bathtime. A lovely reminder to cherish the moments, as they pass too quickly. Just as Rob and I felt that Norah really grew up a lot on us this week, before we know it they will be old enough to be campers at camp, instead of staff kids. Too often, I just want the day to be over and done with, and quiet to return to the house...but every moment with them is such a blessing and a gift. Now I want to go and give them all a cuddle.

camp starts tomorrow afternoon. will be back afterwards.

B, hope all is going well with your move prep

And for the person I said I would be praying for...praying for you *heart* hoping to hear a good update soon.

August 13th at St. C. That is the baptism service for Katie. Rob will be doing both the 8 and the 1o am services that day.

So...what is everyone wearing to Sean and Leslies wedding...I need help picking an outift!

working vacation

As we prepare to head to the coast next month, it would seem that Rob will be working while we are there. His brother and wife are wanting to have our niece baptized...and who better to do it than the family priest! So, not only are we going to be godparents, but Rob will actually be doing the service. It had to get cleared on their priests end, etiquette wise, but all is good. In fact, their priest is on vacation for half of August, so he asked Rob to take both of the a.m. services that Sunday. Which he will get an paid for, which is nice. Although a little strange, he will be doing the services in the church he grew up in.

more random thoughts

*Norah is talking up a storm, but we really need to work on how well she pronounces the word fork

* it would appear that our laptop keyboard is kind of toast. I may never really use the p properly again. I really miss my punctuation marks.

* I forgot to renew my car insurance last month...so glad we do automatic withdrawal, otherwise I would be in serious trouble. As it is, I can still get a ticket for out of date stickers.

* Ruby is starting to talk. Seriously. She says Mamma, and Dadda. For us. She woke up the other night and Rob went to her, she looked at him and started crying Mamma and stretched towards the door.

* I am really done with heat and humidity and no air conditioning. Done.

* After the water boil fiasco, this town is digging itself out of the hole I see it in. They have finally started construction on the toddler park. The park that is practically across the street. The park that will hopefully not be the toddler death trap that most of the other parks in town are. Although, I am not so sure about their idea of spring...

* Why do people feel the need or right to comment on someone elses family status. You know, why would you ever want 3 children, your hands look full you better be done, or you arent thinking about starting a family NOW are you, or when are you going to have another child. Is it your body, your family, your wallet...didnt think so.

* We are going to camp next week, and I am really not looking forward to it. I miss Artaban, at least there I knew what I would be getting into. Here...well, I dont even know what the building we will be staying in is like. Do you know how hard that makes it to pack! Also, I am worried about Norah and bug bites. Although, benadryl will help her sleep.

* TMI warning.
After 2.5 years, it looks like my body is having a visitor return. I forgot how icky cramps were. sigh. It was a nice run though...

Happy Birthday to my hubby!

Today is Robs birthday. Yay!! We let him sleep in a bit, and Isaac and I made him an ice cream cake. Crushed Oreos in vanilla, with oreo topping and gummy worms. The worms were Isaacs idea. We are planning to BBQ again tonight, steak and potatoes with salad and corn. If we get more propane that is. Right now it is almost 3, and it is 37, aka 1oo degrees. Stinking hot. I do not want to do anything but sit with my kids, who are NOT napping, and do nothing. Too hot to go outside, too hot to stay in. I really wish we had central air.

Last night, just as we were going to be, we had a thunderstorm. That was neat. But loud. And bright. And long. At least it cooled down so we could sleep upstairs.

well, that kind of defeated the purpose. It is stinky hot again, with more heat predicted for tomorrow. Rob bought some Corona today, and we threw 4 in the freezer. We had 2 with dinner...just pulled the other 2 out. Beer slurpees anyone...

*for the record, we are not currently affected by the bad forest fires in our area. The affected area is north and east of here. Just in case you were worried or wondering if it was local to us. Although, we can smell smoke some mornings, the big fires are not really close to here*

Mom has central air conditioning. We do not. I did not want to leave today. However, at midnight last night, I remembered that today was the playgroup windup party. At 11. There was no way we would make it, unless we left at 7 am. We woke up at 8. Yet again, another chance to get to know moms in town down the drain. Oh well, I got to meet Candice and her girls in Saskatoon! That was wonderful. Her girls are so lovely, and holding her 8 week old did not even give me a twinge to have another baby. So what if most of my friends live, oh, hours away!

Ok, funny story from Candice and I meeting up. We took the kids to the Fun Factory, an indoor playground, with air conditioning. With our admission yesterday, we got free popcorn bags. Well, we ended up taking pictures of us eating popcorn, so we can use them as our new *popcorn smilies* when we are posting. Although, the pics are on her camera, so I do not know how well they turned out, we were both laughing as we did it. Well, we thought it was funny.

8 months today

My sweet Ruby is 8 months old today. Time goes too fast. Such a big girl...














And here are all 3, for the record, Norah and Isaac chose their own clothing today.

The scale has moved! Just a touch in the downward direction, but still it is finally DOWN. woo hoo for me. I guess Rob and I being sick last week has paid off a bit.

We are heading to Saskatoon tomorrow after church. I am meeting up with an online buddy who is in town with her 2 little girls. I am so excited. Then we get ready for a week at camp and then it is all about getting ready for the Vancouver trip. Lots to plan there, working out who we are going to try to see, what we are going to do...I am really excited about that trip. We get to see Les and Sean get married too. We have also all been invited to the wedding Rob is doing at the end of August, so I have to think about what the kids will need to wear. About what I will need to wear!