do the ends always justify the means?

Well, do they? I don't think so.

Sometimes, decisions that seem like the right thing, aren't. Sometimes, it hurts to be on the wrong side of a bad decision that someone else made. Not that the decision hurt you, per se, but that knowing someone you liked, respected and cared for made such a decision is stinky.

Sometimes, the decision that makes sense isn't the most honorable, noble or ethical decision.

May I remember this when I make choices in the future. Not only do my decisions impact those around me, but my reputation and name as well. Lord, thank you for Your mercy to us, even when we mess up badly.

other things to be glad about

Despite spring on its way (we hope!), I'm having a bit of a blah day. So I thought I would list some things that made me happy this past week

- 3 pounds in one week!
- laughing over really silly things our kids said
- all 3 kids napping at the same time on Wednesday (i'm choosing to ignore the near 3 way meltdown at the tail end of our Lenten Lunch that brought about that nap...oh wait, I remembered)
- the blessing of a church member coming by with the unexpected gift of home-sewn spring coats for my kids (the girls match, it's so cute!)
- some great meals this week, all from new to me recipes
- good phone calls
- cranberry pomegranate martinis
- getting to play outside, it's been too long

i can see concrete! i can see concrete!

Spring is coming after all!

Today, we topped out at a marvelous +3C and full-on sunshine. The snow is starting to melt during the daytime. The mornings are so much brighter, instead of our dark days of winter 9:30 am sunrise, today I walked to the pool at 7:35 am as the sun rose. The days are also stretching out on the other end, we don't always shut our front blinds before supper. It's nice. And mood-brightening.

The large puddles forming in our local streets show promise as future huge lakes to be waded through in a pair of rainboots and splash pants. As long as this snow melts at a slow pace, we won't be under a few inches of water. There is actually bare concrete in front of our house. I'm so excited. I can't wait to pull our our new wagon and go walking with the kids.

Another side effect of the warming temperatures is that we finally have wet enough snow for a snowman. Well, sort of. It doesn't roll into balls quite well, but we can smoosh it into a big pile. So that's what we did today. Playing in the yard, we smooshed snow and got very, very wet. Nice.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

It would seem that my previous post has created some strong reactions. I have currently pulled it. In reading over the post in question, it would seem as though the actual target for my frustration was a little less than clear.

One thing that frustrates me to no end as a mother is the outside pressure to 'get away from your babies'. To wean early, to 'get that kid on a bottle and get your life back'.

Maybe not everyone out there knows, remembers, or cares that I have experience in a less than good nursing relationship. I had to wean my middle child unexpectedly, and rather abruptly and introduce formula. I walked that path, I know it. I still struggle with some of the guilt over that.

And when I had to go through that process, do you know what the main comment from people was in regards to weaning my baby? "Congratulations. Now you can get your life back". No matter HOW I was feeding my baby, I still had a 7 month old child, there was no life to get back. Regardless of how my child received nourishment, I was still there for her, was still holding her close and rocking her to sleep. I didn't understand the attitude about having a break for freedom. I still don't. I don't, and I've had my bad, dark days as a mom. I have no desire to leave my children at this age for a week long trip away, a night of 'partying' at the bar, or leaving a 10 week old overnight 2 hours drive away for a rock concert. I don't understand it at all. I can't understand it.

I truly believe that the best thing we can do for our children is to be attached to them, to show them love and support and care, particularly in the first year to 18 months of life. I believe that daddies play an extremely important role in caring for babies too. I believe that taking the time to lay a strong foundation of love, trust and care is key in maintaining a strong relationship down the road. I believe that this is part of how God wants us to parent. That is the standard I hope to achieve in my home. I choose to show God's love to those around me, and believe that my primary ministry is to the little people in my home who call me "mommy". If I cannot provide my best, and what I believe God's desire is for my best to be to them, how then can I show that to others? If my children don't believe that their father and I love and value them and their needs, how well will they be able to comprehend the unconditional love of God? I know I struggle daily and wrestle mightily with some of the choices that my earthly father made and how that impacts my view of God daily. A legacy I do not ever intend to pass on.

I don't judge others in my heart and write them off for making different choices than I do. I don't. I may judge the actions, but not the person. And yes, there is a huge difference. I may not understand those choices. I don't understand those choices being the mainstream, encouraged way to parent. Why is it applauded for parents to leave their toddlers for a week for a vacation? Why is it applauded for babies to be weaned on our schedule? Why do people tell me I'm 'crazy' for not being able to leave a nursling so I can go out for a night of drinking? (actual reference) Or to hear that I'm 'lame' for doing something so 'boring' as nursing (another conversation I've had). I know judgment, I've been on the receiving end of it. I face it almost daily. I don't understand another's choices because they aren't mine! I make lots of choices other people don't understand either. Heck, I have a green stand mixer - is that everyone's first colour choice? On the other hand, I've also been on the 'other side' of some of the choices I make, and I wouldn't say the grass is any greener.

Children aren't convenient - as witnessed by the number of times I have had to throw out plans for something I wanted to do to take care of a sick child, or had to leave an event earlier than I wanted to in order to make everyone have a successful trip. They just aren't. Children are a blessing, and need to be treated as such. I also know as a mom who is parenting with precious little support outside of my own home, that their father and I are the main people who will show Christ's love to them as they grow. That is a weight I do not take lightly.

In short (or long, as the case may be), I am frustrated that there is so little value placed on motherhood, on the short time our children are babies and need us, on the importance of being the primary person in a small person's life. Don't even get me started on the USA's 6 week maternity leave. The issues I wrestled with in my now pulled post were not about breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding, it was the lack of support for mothering the way our hearts are led. I know the women I mentioned, and I know that they were encouraged to make the choices they made by their outside support, for reasons that make no sense to me. I may be making choices others can't understand, but I make the ones that God has put on my heart, and I strive to be faithful to His leading in my parenting. That is where I have been led. It is His standard for my life that I try to live up to.

almost back to 2

One of the nights I was at my mom's place, I ended up putting Ruby down on Norah's mattress. I brought N's bed mattress along (it's small-ish and foam), because she is too big for the pack and play. N was in the big bed, and I wasn't prepared to put them in bed together without me being there.

Well, got the shock of my life that she slept from 9 to 2:30. Nice!

So, we're working on the big transition out of our bed now.

Of all 3, R has been the easiest to co-sleep with. She's the least kicky and tossy-turvy of the kids, even though she is prone to spread eagle bed takeovers. We've resisted the big move out because N isn't always asleep when R conks out at night, and I don't like the idea of them waking each other up yet. Yet, if we all get more sleep, it could be a good thing.

I guess that pretty crib my dad bought before Isaac was born should at least get used a few times before R outgrows it!

woo hoo! a party last night! As snow (and a very, very long work day for Rob) kept us at my mother's for an extra night, I got to join in on my mom's Oscar party. I played bartender for her and her 3 friends. Pomegranate martinis, served with yummy appies. I was a much more successful bartender than my last attempt, years ago...

It was great meeting my mom's friends, her three pals in town. They meet at least twice a week for coffee, church, and laughs. I'm so happy she is finding a home in her new place.

Also, mildly jealous, but that's another post. I was thrilled to come home to some long distance phone messages. People *do* like me!

blah

I'm in Saskatoon. I really, really miss living in a city. I'm a town girl.

I miss having places to go, things to do, the possibility of friends...

I miss it a lot, and I'm tired and I'm sad.

Do I give off don't talk to me vibes or something? seriously? blah.

Valentine's Day

We are not terribly sentimental in our household. Which is sometimes a loss, but not a big one today.

Isaac went to preschool with homemade cookies, filled with Hershey's Hugs. Ready to distribute to the class. Rob got a home cooked meal...ok, not that shocking, since he gets one every night, but I did a balsamic/red wine glazed steak that was rather lovely. I got a card and a bunch of tulips. I'm happy. Much as I love the idea of being romanced and plied with fancy gifts, it's currently not in the budget, flowers in this town are lacking in selection, I don't really wear jewelry, and I'm not eating chocolate (except for the leftover Hugs I scarfed down today *blush*).

Actually, what seems even more romantic than fancy meals and gifts is the little things. A kitchen tidied up after supper. Kids bathed and readied for bed while I'm out. Plugging in my van for me while I get to stay warm. Doing all the laundry, except for folding. My husband may not be the poster boy for romance, in the traditional sense...but he is a prize I wouldn't trade for anything. No way.

I thank God for my husband daily, for the blessing he is in my life, the father he is to our children, and the wonderful friend and love that he is to me.

2 years

Just for the record - we had our 2 year anniversary of arriving here in town this past Tuesday.

It's been a really fast, yet terribly, terribly slow 2 years.

copied from a thread on GCM I wrote

took the kids to playgroup today. We were all thrilled to be (finally) out of the house. It was packed, and the room was set up differently. But that didn't stop me, oh no. The older 2 were up front for story and song time, and Boo was playing at the table area, where we do crafts after song and story. She was climbing up and down on to the chair, and up and down. I was chatting quietly to one of my mommy buddies, when Boo leaned over and fell head first towards the tile over concrete floor. There was a collective gasp from all the moms around me as my youngest dropped face down.

I simply reached down and grabbed her by the pants and managed to stop her mid-fall...with less than an inch of room between her head and the floor.

She cried for all of 10 seconds from the fright of it all.

I am Supermom. I have cat-like reflexes. She was fine.

I, however, could have used some more coffee and a new pair of underpants.

***Rob took Isaac for a haircut yesterday, and his hairstylist told him how amazed she was to watch the above take place. She was very impressed by my reflexes and how calm I was through the whole thing. :)***

my new blog

I just started up a new blog. I joined an 'underground' WW group, and decided to start a blog to post recipes and tips on. If you are a fellow WW, and want to join in, let me know. I can add you as an author and we can share recipes that are yummy and that our kids/husbands like. :)
www.renegadeww.blogspot.com

blah

I'm sick today. Went to bed last night, and realised I couldn't get warm. Used an extra blanket and my bathrobe to keep warm and was still shivering. Very achy today and nauseous. No fun. At least Rob's second service is cancelled today, so I can veg out a bit.

I had a double playdate this past week. 2 women over with their kids. We had 7 kids under age 5 in the house. Wild, but lots of fun. That was a good thing. Still not sure if I'm going to end up liking it here or not though. :/ Isaac's skating lesson wasn't as fun in the 'adult interaction' category. Blah.

So, I didn't go to church today. I think I need a nap, but I probably won't get one. I hope this being sick thing passes quickly.

I think we are going to do something fun on Friday. Rob has been working through some of his days off lately, and we just haven't had any fun Fridays in some time. So we may be road tripping somewhere this Friday. I need to get out of town. Heck, I need to get out of the house. These cold days make me want to stay inside, but the kids are getting a bit stir crazy. Don't blame them. I'm hoping it gets milder soon, so we can go sledding or play in the yard again. It's just too cold right now.

where to go...

It's not quite February, but it's time for us to be planning our vacation for this year.

We may be going back to camp for a week, but nothing is set yet. We are also going to be taking close to a week in October to go to Vernon for a wedding. That leaves us with just over 3 weeks time.

We did Vancouver last year. And we don't want to go every year, despite some family pressure to do that. I want to go east to see friends, but it would be either very a) expensive to fly and then rent a car or b) long to drive there with the kids. It would be great to do...but the actual logistics of it aren't that easy to plan. We could look into renting a cabin at the lakes near here, but that is still so close to home, I'm not sure if it would feel like a real vacation. In fact, we could totally rent a cabin for a week, and Rob could work from the cabin and come into town on Sunday. We could drive down to visit Rob's grandmother and extended family in the southern part of the province...but I can't see us spending our whole vacation in Weyburn. (yawn)

There is also the possibility of people coming here to visit. I know at least 2 people/parties have already talked about doing that. Just need to figure that out too.

I need a plan.

"Getting away from your kids"

This is an issue that comes up frequently on my "motherboard". It's also one I hear about rather frequently in my life. The *need* to get away from your kids.

I don't really agree with it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love to have my *me* time in the day. The time when the kids nap/have quiet time in the afternoon. The post-bedtime hours when I don't have to be 'mom on call'. When I'm at the pool for aquafit classes, or step out without the kids to get my haircut. I love that time, time to recharge my brain, to talk to other adults, to not negotiate who has the next turn on the trampoline or who wants their apple cut into slices. I also have a totally fantastic and competent husband who is an amazing father and is able to parent when I'm not around.

I don't get the need to leave tiny children for extended periods, or when they are in needy stages to get away. I could give specifics of people I know who have made choices that I wouldn't have made by leaving little children/babies for too long or too early for my liking...but that wouldn't be kind. They aren't my choices or my children.

Thing is, they are my children. They are my responsibility, and it's me (or Rob) that they want and need. Why deny them that when they are so little? Yes, I need *me* time, but I won't take it at the expense of my children. Not when I have a nursling who wakes at night and doesn't (by choice or by chance) take a bottle, or a toddler who is dealing with separation anxiety. I don't need to leave tiny children for a week to laze on a beach somewhere and connect with my husband to make our marriage better. I just don't. And I don't understand those who do. I don't.

I find that there are many, many opportunities to connect with my husband, without needing to rush out for weekends away. We can have romantic moments at home, with the little ones sleeping in the next room - we don't have to pass them off to extended family to care for while we do what we want to do. We can still *date* in the comfort of our own home and have it be enough to keep our marriage fires burning. Because our children are little and need us - right now. This phase is short, and it goes so quickly, I'm not willing to compromise it for my own desires.

My oldest child is almost 5, and he does weekends away at my mom's. He is ready for that. He can handle the separation and looks forward to those times. Nothing got him ready for that kind of separation but time. He wouldn't have done so well with that kind of thing at 4, 10, 18 months. Now he's happy to spend a couple of nights away, and we're happy to have him go. He isn't sad when we are separated, but we all miss each other...but we know that it isn't for long. He's old enough to understand that we will be coming back. That's a skill that our 14 month old doesn't have yet, or even our 2 year old.

I guess what I don't fully understand is the need to push our children into being 'independant' before they are ready to be. We won't produce children who are 'too attached' or 'coddled' by being there for them when they need it - quite the opposite, in fact. Tiny ones need the stability of mom (and/or dad) in those first couple of years. Nursing babies shouldn't have to 'just take a bottle' for the convienence of mom's social life. These are things I have been told I should do...often by those who don't have children. ;) I don't need to leave my children for extended periods to take care of myself. That's not something I'm willing to do. Not yet. The time will come when taking a weekend away is totally feasible. I'm not willing to push my children 'into independance' to see it happen.

After the visit

I had such a great visit with Bonnie. It was so great to finally meet the person behind the voice and typing. Ya, probably seems strange to have someone I didn't really 'know' come and stay with us...but this is the age of internet dating, so why not internet friendship? ;)

Lots of great talks, kids got along great considering there were 5 under 5 in the house, and some good laughs. Wish it was longer, but maybe next time. And there will be a next time, there has to be.

Yesterday, I hit a wall of tiredness. After being 'go go go' since last week, and 2 days of driving to Edmonton and back again, it hit me hard. I just vegged out on the couch and whined at Rob, ok, not *at* him, but in his general direction. He refilled my coffee and hugged me. That was good. My house needs a good cleaning right now, and I'm out of energy. It will happen, probably tomorrow. There is always tomorrow!

counting the hours!

woo hoo! in mere hours I'll be picking up B and her kids for a visit! Isaac is excited to meet Nathan, and Norah is confused by the mention of "the other Nora". I'm excited too. House guests!

Houseguests who I really hope don't freeze. It's a huge difference in climate from 'there' to 'here'.

I had such a busy day today. I think I hit brain meltdown around 7 pm. I did get a lot of stuff done. I got a new haircut today, and I really like the way it looks all styled...so I don't want to sleep on it. I will probably never be able to replicate this look again. sigh. oh well, it looks good now.

I've hesitated to post...

Not that I belive in jinxing myself, but I really think that I've found my groove with 3 kids. A good groove. Life is happening, and it's feeling good. I'm finding balance in my days, mostly enough rest in my nights, and giggles daily. It's good. I like it.

I'm on a bit of a roll (ok, 2 times) with playgroup. I don't feel like crying when we go. In fact, I'm enjoying it as more than 'just getting out of the house already'.

I'm feeling good. It's showing in how I'm dealing with the kids too.

a few in a row

It's really been a few fantastic days in a row here, kid-wise. Yes, Norah is still having 'out of nowhere' meltdowns from time to time. I can work with that. Ruby had a small fall and got a bit of a fat lip tonight, but I can handle that. It's good. I've really been enjoying the kids a lot lately. It's nice.

cold snap, warm heart

The cold snap lingers on. This morning, it took a lot of energy and will to get out the door for church. As the temperature hovered just around the -40 mark, what I really wanted to be doing was spending a quiet morning in the house finishing off the coffee. Instead, I was herding the children out to the (pre-warmed) van to go worship our Lord.

I didn't teach a Sunday school class today, as we were having a double baptism. I kept the kids with me during the service, and they did great. I'm really impressed at how well they are able to handle a service 'from the pews' at their ages. After church, and coffee time, G and S had everyone from the family over to their house for lunch and we were invited too. Rob had to head out for his second service and I decided to brave the typical post-church delayed naptime, which could easily turn into meltdown city.

I was pleasantly surprised. My children, all 3 of them, were fantastic. Not that I expect less than 'good' behaviour in public, I just know that 1 pm is a hit or miss time for the girls. It was a hit. They were a hit, actually. G's sister R was telling me how much she was enjoying my children's presence at the event, how well they listened (I double checked to see whose children had come with me - nope, they were mine!), how polite Isaac and Norah were, and how much fun Ruby was. We had lunch, mingled and left without a meltdown, injury or any chance for mom to lose her temper. What a blessing to have such a great day, especially given my typical Sunday afternoon post-church meltdowns, as the stress of 'doing church' with the kids will often do me in. I think it helped I avoided sugar all day too. ;)

The afternoon after getting home was also good - given the late naps by the girls. Isaac and I had some fun tidying up the living room, starting supper, and 'making mail' for his homemade mailbox. He amazes me daily with his ability to spell and write, not to mention read. Rob got home just before 5, and we had a fantastic dinner - pork roast, with a nice bottle of red. We all giggled and chatted through the meal, and really enjoyed each other's company. Nice.

All in all, just a smooth, lovely day. They are all tucked in bed right now, cozy and peaceful. The space heaters run, to keep the chilly bedrooms toasty. The dinner dishes are done, the wine has *just* been finished, the house feels like home. Despite the cold outside, and the ice on the windows, it's warm in here. Warm and loving and just right. If I were Goldilocks, *this* would be where I would lie down and proclaim "just right".

Antoher day, another funeral

Or not.

We're having a snowstorm/blizzard here right now. It's been snowing since last night, and it's so, so windy. The snow is drifting in strange patterns, and it has covered our front walkway that was so nicely cleared for us by a neighbour. I'm so glad I heeded the weather warning and hit the grocery store yesterday, so we can stay indoors. brrr.

Rob, however, is waiting to hear if the funeral he is supposed to do this afternoon is still on. There is family due to come from out of town, and all the highways are closed.

In fact, all the highways in this part of the province are closed. It's a large stretch from north of here down to Saskatoon and even further south. It's actually a bit of a sober reminder of how isolated we are here. In the event of a major injury, we would have to rely on our small hospital here - which would be fine in some cases...but not all. And with these weather conditions, a medivac air transport would be impossible as well. Goodness, that makes one feel small and a touch vulnerable.

So, I'm sticking with coffee, comfy track pants and fuzzy slippers for today. Not venturing out at all. nu-uh

some days, it really freaks me out to see some of the pics on our niece's blog. DH and his brother look SO much alike in some photos. I think to myself "when did Rob shave, and why is he playing with Katie?"

my first post of 2007

I've been cleaning like a madwoman. We're hosting our Open House tomorrow - Epiphany. Finally, after putting it off after Judy's funeral. It's a lot of work, but I love hosting stuff like this - anyone remember our Open Houses back in the day?

The house has been getting completely cleaned. It's a lot harder to do with the kids around though. They tend to mess things up as soon as I clean them. I'm also working on removing fingerprints from places we never had to worry about pre-kids. I really hope we can keep things looking this nice until tomorrow afternoon. It's a lot harder to do our floors too, with these stupid gaps in between the boards. Blah.

I'm also off sugar. Yikes! All the reading I've been doing points towards it being a good idea for me to do. It's just hard. Really hard. Do you know how hard it is to find sugar free yogurt that DOESN'T have Splenda in it? I'm trying to avoid fake sugar too. It's been going better than I expected, but today I did cheat a bit. Needed to sample our punch - we are trying out a new one. Most of my good punch recipes contain citrus of some sort, which Norah can't have. Then I made some fudge, and licked the spoon afterwards. Not a lot though.

Rob has managed to wire up both our computers now, so we don't have to fight for internet use. The laptop is now wireless as well. Nice. It only took a couple of phone calls to his brother ;)

Winter is here for sure now. We have had a couple of days of temperatures near freezing, which did a fun number on the snow. Instead of soft, fluffy snow, it's now crusty. :/ Oh well. At least we had some lovely, mild days. I took the kids sledding yesterday, and am trying to get some video up on their blog but haven't had success yet.

Anyway, this is just rambly. I'll post more later.

it's my birthday

Rob and I had a date last night! First *real* date in a long, long time. I got dressed up - well, so did he - and we went out for a lovely dinner at a real restaurant, with a wine list and menus that aren't posted on the walls. Then we went a browsed in a bookstore. Lovely. Just lovely. The kids did great at my mom's place, and 2 out of 3 were sleeping when we got back.

We got home today after being at my mom's place since Wednesday. The last few days were jam-packed with shopping and activity. We had a good chunk of Christmas money to spend, and spend we did. Got some great things that the kids needed, that I wanted, and a few random things for the house. I got ice skates, and I can't wait to try them out with Isaac in the next few days. It's been a LONG time since I've skated though. This could be interesting. Although, my new skates would give my much more 'street cred' than my old white figure skates back in the day when Tracy and I used to play hockey with the boys in the neighbourhood on Friday nights back in Montreal. Ahh yes, life back in the land of outdoor skating rinks.

Norah was super cranky today. The lunch time fast food stop with a playplace too 'grown up' for her didn't help. Turns out, she's feverish. Fun. Another 'fun road story' from today - I don't think I will take Rob's word on the gas levels in my van again. I was sure we were short on gas, but he kept insisting we would be fine. At 25 kms outside of Battleford, the gas light came on. And if you have ever driven the #16...you know there isn't anything between 25 kms out of Battleford and Battleford itself. I was in minor panic mode, imagining being stuck on the side of the highway, while Rob was going to get us gas. Oh, and did I forget to mention he forgot to charge his cell phone too? So we could have been at the mercy of some strangers on the highway. Ya, fun. Next road trip, I override Rob's gas predictions. ;)

nag, nag, nag

where are everyone's Christmas updates? nudge, nudge....

for the record, the kids blog has our updates and some photos.

yeeeessss....

all the Christmas cards are in the mail, the gifts are out (Mo - I hope your girls stuff arrives before the big day, I had to wait for a package from the US to arrive before I mailed. oh I hope!) The baking is done. All I need to do is wrap gifts for Rob and the kids. And I really think that's it!

Christmas can now come, December does not need a pause button.

supposed to be

I'm supposed to be a Judy's funeral right now. The older two are supposed to be at the daycare drop in spot. We're not. Instead, we had a picnic lunch on the kitchen floor.

a snowstorm blew in today. It's mild, but lots of snow and bad highway conditions. Rob and I made the executive decision that I was going to stay home with the kids. Just as well, Ruby is very snotty in the nose. I don't want to attempt the roads if I don't have to, and I'm not too thrilled with Rob being on them either. But hey, it's not like he has a choice. Oh, and he's sick now too. He was feverish last night, and is stuffy headed and sore throated. Just like I had a couple of weeks ago. Poor guy.

The temps are mild today though, so I'm hoping for some good outdoor time this afternoon after naps. I need a shower though, and to run some laundry. We may end up with dinner guests, and possibly overnight guests depending on the roads this afternoon.

I'm excited though, we are going to have guests in January. There is much irony in who the guests are, given the time of year, it is US who should be going to THEM. hee hee.

sad

We are in Saskatoon. Last minute thing. Rob got a call yesterday during lunch that J, a parishoner that we really really love had been admitted to hospital for the last time in S'toon. She has been battling with a massive and rapidly growing brain tumor since September. Rob saw her in our town Saturday, when she was in our hospital for a blood transfusion. Anyhow her husband called yesterday, and Rob asked about coming down, H said that he didn't want Rob to put himself out.

However, this is H and J. He was going to put himself out. We made the decision for us all to go - so that I wasn't home with the kids, and we could be a distraction on the road and have a fun trip out of what wasn't going to be a fun trip.

We're so thankful we left when we did. Rob managed to get to the hospital by 8 and stay for a little while. H was so thankful that he was there, and was suprised too. They were waiting for their last son to arrive, somewhere between 9 and 10 pm. H phoned us back just after 11, and J had died, peacefully, with her whole family (except the 2 littlest grandchildren) present. Rob went back to the hospital to say prayers and spend time with the family.

Sigh. I can't imagine H without J. I loved her so much, she was one of my favourite people in our smaller church. She and H made us feel so welcomed and loved. I'm so thankful things moved quickly in these last couple of weeks, for everyone's sake, and that she wasn't suffering long. This will be a sad Christmas for her family though, she was a very special lady, mother and grandmother.

I'm stupidly tired

I'm so, so tired. Sleep has been minimal around here. I've messed up my days, missed a birthday or 2, and almost forgot the Christmas party the kids were going to on Thursday. Ruby is teething. Big time. And it's 'more' than either of her siblings ever threw at us. And she isn't sleeping well. And it's currently 12:07 am...and she has just pooped for the 4th time tonight. roll eyes. Ruby and Norah have colds. The snot flows like the poop.

Mom is here, and goes home tomorrow. I have baked 20 dozen chocolate cookies for various events. I have done so much to prepare for next Saturday's open house already, and there is more to do. I'm tired though. I have the rehearsal for the Christmas pagent on Sunday, and that is stressing me out.

On the bright side, Rob and I had the closest thing to a date since August 2005. We went out to the pastor's Christmas party in town tonight. ALONE. Not with a single child. Woo hoo. That was wonderful. We need to do that again soon.

I've got a whole pile of Christmas thoughts milling about in my head. Have been trying to sort through them. Have put off blogging about them.

Got outside today, it warmed up to -15C (3F) without a wind chill for the first time in a week!

my sweet munchkins

It's a picture of a picture, so the quality isn't perfect....but aren't they just adorable?

the height (or depths) of laziness

we drove the kids to the pool for swimming lessons today. In our defense, it had to be done. Despite it taking longer than walking, we had to do it. It was -25C with a wind chill of -36. No WAY were we walking the 1.5 blocks in that. Uh-huh. I was so grateful for my remote starting van.

Winter has slammed into us here. I can tell when Rob opens the door to the garage downstairs. Not because of the sound the door makes, but by the cold air that rushes up the stairs and dances around my feet. I hate our front door being open, for even a fraction of a second, because it lets in cold air. We are running space heaters in Isaac and Norah's rooms to keep them warmer at night. Our room is plenty warm, in the big bed, but the kids rooms are chilly. The sun sets too early and is rising too late. There is something odd about waking up at 8 am and thinking it's only 5.

With Christmas coming, all I can think about for gifts for the adults in our home are warm things - like more long underwear, slippers, jackets and toques. The kids get toys, but we get sexy woolens!

Now really, I don't mind winter. Overall, it's not the worst thing that could happen to us. Our house is warm enough, we have slippers (when I can convince the kids to actually not go barefoot!) and sweaters, I can always make coffee (*grin*). It just makes me realise just how house bound we can be from time to time.

Also makes me miss friends who can come over and play. Anyone feel like a board game and some yummy (from the oven, of course!) snacks?

Baby shower

Despite being as sick as I am, I managed to make a short appearance at the baby shower for Isabell. I managed to actually make a gift for it - a diaper cake! Lots of fun to do.


Oh, and it's snowing again....up to 6 inches today. I'm glad Rob got milk yesterday and we don't have to go anywhere.

well, lucky us

Guess who lives in the town that is currently the cold spot in the province? Yep. Lucky us.

Then again, we could still be in Vancouver, boiling our water day after day. Yikes. I'll take the cold thanks.

blah

I'm under the weather. My head hurts, I'm sensitive to light and noise, and I've pretty much lost my voice. If I try to talk too much, I wheeze and cough. It's yucky. My kids are watching tv right now, and have been for too long. I'm just too tired to do anything else with them. Which is a bummer, it's just above freezing right now and sunny out. I just want to go to bed, or lie on the couch and whine.

J (my new friend) called today to try to get together, but I just can't handle going out. I hate being sick. But she called (she likes me, she likes me!). I hope I feel better tomorrow, so I can go to M's baby shower for Isabell.

cross post from GCM

This week has been very busy, both girls have a tummy bug or something. I had this great ah-ha moment on Wednesday night that I wanted to share here though. My oldest is in ice skating lessons on Wednesday evenings. He was excited, but really unsure on the ice. A lot of "help me, help, help" and wanting to be held up and assisted on the ice. I was frustrated holding him up, I just wanted him to skate already. I didn't want to hold him up, he was making *me* wobbly on the ice. I just would tell him to stand up, you can do it. "help help, I can't". He had 2 big falls one night 3 weeks ago, where he actually was bleeding from his nose and mouth (bit his lip). I was so worried that skating was not going to work out, that we had wasted our money, that he was never going to skate. And then last night happened. I was tired, he was tired. I was sure we were going to have a bad night. I was wrong. He stepped out on the ice and WENT. Just started doing everything right. He wasn't fully skating, but he was 'marching', like the coaches told them to. He was stopping and turning, he was hokey pokey-ing, he was stretching and even jumping a bit. He was standing up after falling down. Without me. He wanted me there, but just to be there, not to help him. He was doing it. Even the coaches were saying "what happened with him? where did this confidence come from?" And then it hit me. I know where that confidence came from. I've seen it before. When my oldest was little, he needed my help, he needed me...all the time. I carried him around, nursed him on cue, coslept...I was there when he needed me to be. I had people tell me that he would never get out of my bed, never wean, never sleep through the night, never walk on his own. And one day, he did do all those things. On his timeframe. When he was ready. Just like the skating. When he was ready to step out on the ice without me, he did. He needed to know that I was there to literally pick him up when he couldn't. Which I did - until he was ready to do it by himself. When he didn't need me to do it. Later that night, DH and I were talking about it. About how much that experience reminded us of how he transformed from clingy and needy little baby to independant and confident toddler and preschooler. How meeting his needs then may have been hard, but worth the payoff. Just like meeting his needs on the ice was hard - ever sat on ice in jeans while holding a crying child? There are many ways that is no fun. Yet, last night, I got to watch him take off over the ice, on his own, confident and capable. I was proud of him and for him.

more random thoughts

-I'm cold. taking the kids out in the snow (pics on their blog) didn't help. I just can't get warm today

-I hate teaching Sunday school. It's NOT my gift. Or at least, it doesn't feel like my gift when I'm strugging with my own kids while trying to teach. blah.

-I have no motivation to do a meal plan right now. And it's showing as I hit 5 pm and think, hmmm, what should we eat. The old McGyver school of cooking (just some chewing gum and duct tape...)

-I'm drinking way too much coffee these days. But that isn't always a bad thing.

note this day

Today, something strange happened. It was around 1:30 pm. Both girls were napping, Rob and Isaac were still not home. It was just me. There was nothing to do! The kitchen was clean, even the floor mopped within 24 hours. The laundry was as caught up as it could be, with a load in each of the washer and dryer. The recently dried laundry was folded AND put away. The rooms were all tidy. The bathrooms were clean. There was nothing to do.

Short of taking on a 'project', I had nothing to do. It was lovely. For the whole hour it lasted, until Rob and Isaac got home.

a summary of the last few days

fresh snow, cold temps
Rob in the city, gone overnight, work related, took Isaac, staying at my mom's
big snow in city, they are staying an extra night
girls and I having fun
I lost the garage door opener, and Norah's mittens today
I may have a playdate tomorrow. that's a whole other post
note to self - don't leave potatoes in van in sub zero temperatures, and if you do, don't bring them into the house to thaw. Just don't.

New look

So, what do you think?

www.rebwebdesign.com

Thanks Rebecca! You rock!!

blah

It's cold and snowy today. I'm so draggy and blah. Couldn't get to aquafit this am, since Ruby wasn't being cooperative. I don't feel like playing with the kids.

I blame the halloween candy.

I have a one year old!

It is beyond shocking to me that Ruby is already a year old (as of Wednesday, for those out of the loop). This year has been really odd, some of the longest days of my life, yet the shortest year I have ever lived. Strange. Yet, she has reached the year milestone, and is growing up despite my wishes to keep her as the tiny baby I held in my arms a year ago.

There are some very crystal clear moments that I can recall from her birth and early days. The not-so-good c-section, the c-section that made me sense my own mortality. Kicking nurses out of my room, so I could have the rest they said I should be getting. The way she cried so much that first night. How loopy my post-op drugged conversation was. The strange paradox of joy over my new baby and grief for my Grandmother's death the day before. Holding her tiny, warm body, next to mine and just breathing the scent of her. The top of her head still smells a bit like that to me, even now. The softness of her cheeks and tiny toes.

Now she speeds about the house on hands and knees. Climbs everything she can while letting out squeals of joy at reaching each peak. Screeches at her siblings if they happen to cross her. She has figured out how to bait her sister, and gleefully teases her. The excitement she expresses when we open the front door or basement gate - as though she longs for adventure outside the confines of our small home. I have a sense that she will break my heart in ways I've never been prepared for. I sense adventure and boldness in her, a longing for new and exciting things, for venturing beyond. Despite her young age, there is such stregnth and determination in her.

"Where has this thing you call cake and whipped cream been all my life? I must have more!"











I wish I could see the future to know what is in store for her, for us. Instead, I prepare myself for bed, to snuggle up to my (still co-sleeping) cuddly little one. The baby that loves to cuddle close, despite her longing for new and exciting things.

She will still be my tiny baby for some time. I cherish the moments, all of them. As her name says, she is a precious thing.

Adult trick or treat!

woo hoo! I got the ultimate trick or treat yesterday. My mom and my FIL came up to stay for 2 days, FIL was in the city and they are up for Ruby's birthday. After a few hints at her lack of skill with a certain toy, mom brought it up for me to keep. Her espresso machine! Now I can make lattes again at will. How fun for Rob and I. I *so* miss my broken espresso machine in the basement, so this is SUCH a treat. Now to figure out where to store it....

new baby!

calm down, not MINE! My friend in town, Melissa, had a baby girl on Saturday night, Isabell. I went over to see them today, and got to hold the tiny newborn. Her head was so small, and her bum fit perfectly in the palm of my hand, as she lay swaddled in my arms.

And you know what? I didn't even feel the tiniest twinge, nothing, no pull for a new baby of my own. At all. I think it's further confirmation that we could very well be done. She was adorable, if smaller than any of my kids - by over a pound. My uterus didn't skip a beat at all.


Hardly.

A successful playdate! A and O came over today to play with us. Well, technically O came to play, A came to drink coffee with me. Isaac was at preschool, so it was just the girls. O is between both girls in age, so we had fun. I really enjoyed the visit with A. It was really nice to know that we have both had the same cold reaction from some of the moms here in town. Not that I wish that on anyone, but I'm glad it's not just me. *wipes brow* Hopefully today's visit will be repeated soon. A liked my coffee, so it's promising. ;)

Need to make Isaac's Halloween costume. I've never cut up a sheet before, and it sounds like an easy thing to make a ghost, but it's stressing me out. Norah has a fairy/princess costume that is too big for her, so should work for stuffing about 8 layers of clothing underneath. Ruby gets to have a turn being dressed as a dalmatian puppy, as both of her siblings did. As a kid who grew up complaining that "you can't tell what I am dressed as with my winter jacket overtop", I am very conscious of making costume choices that fit over winter gear. Somewhere there is a photo of me, around age 6, wearing an angel costume with a glitter mask...and a green parka. Nice.

it's Wednesday

We had a lovely visit with G and M. Miss them already. Time with good friends goes so fast. sigh. Lots of laughs, good talks, fun times...and we put G to work and changed a bunch of our light fixtures. Bye bye flourescent killers in the playroom! we are so thankful for a friend with electrical abilities.

After they left yesterday, I took Ruby and headed out to the town's wellness fair. I had a total light bulb moment there, while talking to one of the local health nurses. I was sharing about our issues with Ruby and poop, or lack thereof. She dropped a potential cause in my lap that just blew me away. How I didn't think of this earlier....well, I just feel like the puzzle pieces fell into place. I'll update after we get her in for some testing next week. But, if *this* is it...wow.

Took Isaac to skating tonight. Did not go well. He's getting a touch more confidence on the ice, but he took two big face-first falls. The first one involved smacking his face on the ice - wish we had a bigger helmet. I sat with him on the ice for a few minutes - my rear end is still cold! The second one, well, let's just say bleeding was going on. Both his nose and his mouth. He bit the inside of his lip. It was ugly. I was sad and really ticked that the coaches didn't really notice or seem to care. I picked him up and took him off the ice, while he was sobbing. Poor little guy. I'm hoping it doesn't bruise too badly though.

I'm off to bed now. I'm cold, and tired, and we have a playdate in the morning! woo hoo!

Baptism pics...

are on the kids blog.

We're busy, busy with our visiting guests, and having a blast...will update again soon. :)

upcoming...

Ruby's baptism is next Sunday. G&M, her godparents, are coming out. YAY! Fun!! Then Rob's dad is going to be here for 2 days at the end of the month too, just in time for Roo's birthday. More fun!

Rob wants to get a cake for the baptism. After the Co-op cake fiasco for Norah's birthday, I told him HE could go order it. Funny though, getting a cake for her that she can't even eat.

Isaac wants to be a ghost for hallowe'en. Despite my nudging towards being a firefighter - which we have a costume for, no less. Nope, ghost. Rob pointed out to me that it would make his (constantly repeated) ghost knock-knock joke accurate. The man may be on to something...

It's cold!

Seriously cold. Woke up this morning to -9, with a wind chill of -16. Oh my. AND it would be the day I chose to start aquafit. With the pool being so close, I don't feel right about driving, so I walked. It was cold.

Got home and we had breakfast. Rob asked if I was doing groceries with the kids today. I am. Asked if I could get some more cereal. I asked what he wanted. He said adult cereal. So, what would that be....porn flakes? lol

Winter is coming, and quick. Although today feels freezing cold, a day with these temps in January will have us remarking "what a lovely morning".

and back yet again

Home from clergy retreat and mom/kids retreat!

Know what makes a rainy day drive nicer? 2 sleeping kids, one chatting to himself, and a nice hot cup of coffee with a pumpkin spice donut.

this has been a long week

very long week. very long days. I'm not sleeping well. I think Ruby has food allergies/sensitivities. I'm tired. I started AF yesterday, and it's not great timing - I'm cranky and short tempered with the kids because I'm crampy and hormonal. Also, the end of our week got thrown off by the death of a parishoner. No dad's day off, extra time out of the house for him, our plans for next week thrown off. I really shouldn't complain, since my husband is alive and healthy...but I just wish I wasn't feeling so icky the week he needs me to be ok and NOT needy.

James - don't read this post!

Sorry, just a quick disclaimer to my only known male reader...if there are others out there, you probably don't want to read on either. :) This post is about girly things you probably don't want to know about.


C-sections suck reason #398 It really will limit your future underwear choices. While on vacation, I picked myself up some new and cute underwear. Including a couple of pairs of that boy cut style that is so popular. I like the lower cut in the back for those lower riding pants, but the lower cut in the front always seems to sit just along the incision line...and almost always irritates it. Grrr. I don't want to be stuck with the grannie panties forever!

And while we're on the girly subject, I hate nursing bras too. Why oh why can't someone make pretty, supportive and useful nursing bras? I know they exist, but they need to be in real sizes...not just for A, B or C cups. Come on designers, larger nursing breasts need luxury too! Just because breasts are being used for 'work' doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to dress up for 'play' either. I've been wearing nursing bras for over 4 years now, and I'm really wanting something red or hot pink or something NOT beige or white! Pretty undergarments make a girl feel good, even if she's not sharing them with the world.

happy 2nd birthday, my sunshine

Yes, she is covered in pizza. And the cake was wrong, thanks Co-op. But it was a lovely birthday.

on broken hearts

I'm feeling a little off today. Have been praying a lot. 2 families in particular. One family, young father is dealing with what looks like heart problems. So strange, I was just talking to his wife last night on the phone...and now I'm lifting them up in prayer. The other family, newborn (week old) baby is also dealing with complications from a heart murmur.

2 heart problems, 2 families worried. So hard to think about. How quickly things can change between a giggly phone call one evening, to a worried wife rushing to be with her husband at the hospital. A mom waiting expectantly for a new baby to arrive, to rushing that tiny newborn in for medical care. Life changes so quickly. Our plans aren't always ours to have. Life never quite works out the way we expect - there are curveballs all over the place. Some of those curveballs are amazing and breathtaking, others just knock the wind out of us.

So, I wait for updates, and I pray.

And I think. I think about how much I need to treasure each moment I have. With my husband, with my children, with my extended family. About how some moments break my heart, the good, the bad, the ugly - all can break my heart. We won't always be here, not like this, not like right now. Tomorrow, everything could change...or not. Not to sound like we need to live like every moment could be our last...but it could be. But we are always changing - especially children. The child that right now welcomes your hugs, may not do so tomorrow. The little hand that takes yours and leads you to the couch to read books may not reach for yours next week. The spouse that hugs you in the kitchen at breakfast may not walk in the door at suppertime as planned. The moments that suck right now...could become beautiful in time. Children grow. Life happens. Illness and death come. Enjoy the moments. They don't last.

September

Fall creeps in when you aren't looking. Mornings and evenings become cooler. Days become shorter. Forecasts hint at sub-zero temperatures to come. Yet the sunny days tease you with their warmth, but if you really look you can tell the sun is at a different angle, it's colour somewhat different. Summer sunshine is yellow and warm, fall brings a more orange tint to the atmosphere. And then the day arrives when you realise it's time to turn on the heat.

That day was yesterday. The house was so chilly last evening, even with my slippers and a sweater on. Fall is here, no matter what the calendar says. We even have a -1 predicted for next week. It would seem that I dragged out the winter things in perfect time.

Today is one of those days where I wish we had a fireplace. It's cold, damp and raining. Feels like a Vancouver January day. No coffee or tea or hot shower really shook the damp chill from me. I want to spend today wrapped up in a blanket, on the couch, absorbed in a good book while listening to Death Cab for Cutie.

you don't need to tell me that I'm fabulous

because I already know it!

Ha ha! Today, I *so* rocked. Rob hosted a deanery clergy day at our church, and I offered to prepare lunch for them. Now, granted it wasn't a large group, but still. It was wonderful! I served home made carrot ginger soup, fresh-out-of-the-oven whole wheat flax seed bread, along with veggies and cheese. Oh, and did I mention the 2 kinds of homemade muffins I had available as well? They were beyond thankful and appreciative. Made me feel great. Yay me.

It has just hit me that Nor's birthday is next Saturday. Where has that time gone? Seriously?

well...

It has come to my attention that I have effectively scared someone off of having children with some of my posts.

That is a shame, because said scared person would be missing out on so much. Yes, I often post about the rougher parts of my days, in case someone may want to read about my life and feel better about their own. However, let me touch on a few things that 'person X' would be missing out on:

- a morning wake up call from a small person with cold feet, who loves to climb on to your bed and give kisses to all
- a baby who saves their biggest smiles for their parents
- giggling over bowls of cereal at breakfast, just because
- dancing around the kitchen while emptying the dishwasher together
- going out for walks and getting to see the world through young eyes again
- being asked for extra cuddles at naptime "please don't go mom/dad, just 2 more minutes"
- getting to play video games with your child, may Ms. PacMan never die
- the sound of a young voice saying prayers with you at bedtime
- amazing questions about life, God, birds and directions
- a small hand reaching out to hold yours
- watching a pair of siblings discover the joy in being each other's friend
- the fun of trying not to laugh when your child does something inappropriate, yet hilarious
- having someone think you are the most wonderful person ever
- the excitement generated by hearing the words "is that your dad I see pulling into the driveway?"
- little feet running through your house
- kisses and hugs given freely
- checking in on sleeping children as you go to bed, they look so young and small in their beds, yet you know that these moments will last such a short time and before you know it, they will be grown

I wouldn't trade those things, and more, for anything. Besides, messes get cleaned up, temper tantrums are handled, boo boos heal...but children touch your heart in ways you never knew possible.

I would have such an empty life without them.

my day got better. was out at a registration night for activities in our town. had some good conversations. all was good, until Ruby managed to dump 2 liters of canola oil on my kitchen floor. D'oh!

and more big feelings

I just want to go back to bed today. I hate making the effort to get out. I hate trying and running into brick walls. I'm so ready to just give up. Seriously. This town is sucking my will to live, slowly suffocating me.

My morning:
take Isaac to preschool
after much preparing, and last minute nursing, take the girls grocery shopping
run home and drop off perishables
pick up Isaac from preschool (and ponder how much more I would get done if he was in a 3 hour class instead of 2)
take all 3 kids to playgroup....where I hit the wall of silence. I can't seem to engage anyone in conversation past "how old is your baby?" or "can you pass me the glue please". That's about all I get. I try, really I do. I even talked to a woman today who is practially my nieghbour, but got shut down pretty quickly. One mom there, who was with her 2 youngest of 4, said to me "I remember how hard it is getting out here with 3 little ones. I always felt like crying afterwards". my response? "yep, I feel like that a lot. 3 kids this age is very isolating" - said as I am almost in tears. "bye, see you next time" Well, that was promising, I think. At least she noticed I was there. I just hate this. I hate feeling like I'm not speaking the language here, like I cant' fit in no matter how hard I try.

I just want to leave. Move with the kids to a city. Seriously. I can't handle this isolation. I'm so freaking lonely. My kids don't really have friends either. Norah has a birthday in 2 weeks, and I can barely think of anyone I could invite to a party. I'm just sad. Sad.

big feelings

I'm having big feelings today. Can't really express myself well with words. hmmm

A wonderful, lovely woman from our smaller church is really ill. She has a fast growing tumor that is an agressive form of cancer. She has had surgery on it, but they can't get it all out. It's not looking good. Her and her husband are 2 of the nicest, most warm people we have ever met. They have been the most welcoming to us since we moved here. They have shown us and our children so much love. I just feel so helpless and sad. They are the backbone of our smaller parish, and I can't imagine what will happen.

Praying for miracle, but still preparing for God's will not to be mine. Just sad. Sad.

this is the funniest alcoholic beverage ad I've ever seen

soooo tired!

Ruby hasn't been sleeping well since we got home from vacation. The last few nights have been the worst. I don't know if some food is bugging her tummy, but she's gassy. Last night was also the start of a cold. She has been up every 45 minutes or so, and isn't sleeping well during the day. I am tired. If only I could nap during the day it would be easier...but I can't. I am also having trouble falling asleep at night, so I'm not getting much sleep at all. Makes it hard to keep things good around the house, and work with the kids too.

On the good news front, I have just become a moderator at GCM. Apparently, I must have something to offer there, and haven't been quite as invisible as I thought I was. Kind of exciting.

I have to get a bunch of stuff ready for Sunday school in the next few days. I have kind of been putting things off, but I can't anymore. I'm hoping I can get out this afternoon so I can get the supplies organized, and work on the bulletin board too. I think this is going to take more work than I was hoping to do...

saturday

Today, I feel the full effects of the fall down our front stairs. I am having huge back spasms. At the risk of sounding dramatic, they are unbearable. I'm hopped up on Advil and using the heating pad when I have a free minute. Isaac will be home later, which will be nice. House feels a little empty with him away. Making up some carrot ginger soup, hope it turns out well.

so...who is the klutz?

apparently, it's me.

spent yesterday baking up a bunch of rhubarb cake. It is very delicious. 4 cakes have been baked. Had fun with my girls, even though naps were short again. Icky day outside, rain falling. After supper, Rob couldn't remember if he left the garage door open, so I go to check for him.

And fall down our front stairs. Hard landing. These steps are, like a Bon Jovi album, slippery when wet. ouch. After I have a good cry about it, and walk around our kitchen muttering under our breath about 'stupid rectory...dumb cedar boards hiding out as steps...stupid town...hate this place...want a hottub...can't move my hand properly...what if I had a kid in my arms...dumb stairs...' and so on, I manage to breathe again. I'm bruised across my back and left hand, and really stiff too. ouch...I should really be more careful.

another not so great sleep with Ruby. Her top teeth have (finally) broken though, so I hope that will help tonight. Norah was up an hour ahead of her usual time this morning, and that girl has *NO* inside voice, so I begged Rob to get up with her. She wanted to cuddle in our bed, but I really couldn't handle her waking Ruby up, since she had only *just* fallen back to sleep. Then I promptly fell back asleep until 8:45 and woke up to Rob making hash browns, ham and eggs. Coffee was brewed (I must have been tired to sleep through the coffee grinder). Woo hoo! Well, not the eggs part. The house was cold this morning. Apparently, it got down to 1.1 last night - oh my.

Rob, the girls and I went 'to town' today. Ran some errands, and chatted to a couple of the people we know who are in the farmers market. I bought a necklace and we were given a nice jar of jam. Got home in time to put the girls down for naps. Then M came by for a surprise visit. M is one of my only friends in town, although she won't be living here that much longer. She is due with a baby in early November, and will be moving to the city where her boyfriend (not a fan of that word once we're past 30) lives. We spent most of the afternoon together, and went out for a bit with Ruby. Then I went over to D and N's house tonight for veggies from the garden and tea. Nice. A very social day for me, and since it was Rob's day off, he didn't have to be that social. Good recharging for us both.

Now Ruby is asleep, Norah is too. We're hoping to watch a movie...but only after I get this next batch of rhubarb cake in!

fyi

I posted pics of the girls new room stuff on the kids blog. It's still a work in progress, but it's looking more like their room.

busy as a bee

Apparently, only having 2 kids in the house allows me to be very busy. Ruby is dealing with some tummy issues that we are still figuring out, and I had very little sleep, yet still managed to:

-get both girls and myself looking nice this morning (that included a shower for me!)
-go to the hardware and stationery store for some odds and ends
-make lunch, including a double batch of my weight watchers veggie soup
-clean Isaac's room, almost completely - couldn't run the vaccum because Norah was napping, and hung his name painting
-fold and put away 2 loads of laundry
-make labels for new organizing baskets in bathroom and girls room (but they didn't stick well, need to get that label maker after all)
-go out for walk with both girls, including a trip to the grocery store for some odds and ends
-made a double batch of pasta sauce from scratch, including peeling the skins from the tomatoes (and it's really, really nice - fresh tomatoes make all the difference)
-made a rhubarb crisp for dessert
-made supper
-hung Norah's new lamp, which included drilling the holes with the drill.

That's it for now. However, I'm hoping to get started on slicing up rhubarb for some rhubarb cake. This is the time of year where people bring us garden produce, and we are currently loaded up on cucumbers, carrots, rhubarb and green beans. We ate the potatoes that were dropped of yesterday, I bbq'ed them in foil with butter and seasoning. yum. Then I'm planning to make a bunch of carrot ginger soup with all the fresh carrots. Those are tomorrow's projects. I feel like such a farm wife, 'putting up' my produce for the winter.

one gone

Isaac has left the building. He is at my mom's. She decided (mainly because he kept talking about it) to take him to her place for a couple of days. Fun for him. Break for me. He is driving my crazy. Probably because he has become the king of the "why".
Me - "Isaac, wash your hands before dinner"
I - "why"
me - "so your hands will be clean when you eat"
I - "why"
me - "so you won't get sick from the germs that are on your hands after playing outside"
I - "why"
and so on, until he just does what I have asked him to...or until I yell "because I'm the mommy, that's why"

Ok, so I don't say that every time. But I have said it. Because, really, why else should he stop making annoying noise/telling knock knock jokes without a punchline/jumping on his bed/dancing wildly in the shower/pushing his sister too hard on the swing...insert any other behaviour here. Sometimes he just has to do stuff because *I* say so. Stinks to be a kid.

I miss him already.

working, working

I'm just wiped out. My mom arrived yesterday, and I have been taking advantage of the extra pair of hands to do some organizing. Got the girls' room almost complete, will post before and after pics soon. Only issue there was that the slipcover I bought for their (dark green) armchair at IKEA doesn't fit. They changed the seat size. bummer. But it looks good anyhow. Thanks to Tammi for helping me pick the bed linens. :)

Hung pictures, and other decorative stuff. Tidied out under our bathroom and kitchen sink. Went for a big grocery shop, which was frustrating because of this town's lack of service. Ran stuff up and down the stairs. Cooked some meals, made some bread, nursed a baby, played in the yard, blew bubbles. You know, the usual.

Mom is here until tomorrow (unless I convince her I need to get more done...), so I'm using up as much of my time as I can getting things done. As Randy Bachman would say, taking care of business. ;)

the view from the van as we headed into Jasper park

We really didn't take enough photos on this trip. However, I did stop the van to take this shot of Mt. Robson, just before it started raining on us. I wish I had taken pics as we drove through Jasper park on the way west, it was so beautiful and we drove through as the sun was coming up over the mountains. The problem with stopping the van was that each time we stopped, we had a chorus of "I want out" from the older 2 kids.
We did get to see some wildlife in and around Jasper. 4 moose, 2 deer and a black bear!

where to start...

The last few weeks have just flown by. Our vacation was wonderful, exciting, fun...yet somewhat bittersweet. I can't even begin to process it all right now, so here is the short version.

Vancouver doesn't feel like home anymore. The traffic is worse than I remembered. It just didn't feel like a 'fit' anymore.
However, Jen and Joe's place felt like home to us. Rob's sister and her hubby were so gracious to have us stay with them for our whole trip. It was so great to be at their place. In fact, the time we spent with them was a highlight of the trip. The kids got to play with their cousins (not to mention how great a 6 and 8 year old can be at 'babysitting' while the grown ups drink coffee in peace!!). The backyard had lots of fun things to do for our older 2, including a trampoline and swing set. Fun toys in the playroom, and a cousin who loved to dress up her younger cousins. We stayed up too late talking almost every night, and Jen watched the older kids a few times so we could get out more too. What a blessing they are!!

We attended Sean and Leslie's wedding. Beautiful day. It was so wonderful to share in their day, especially since both of us have known and loved them for so long. Leslie was a gorgeous bride, and Sean looks great in a kilt!

Rob baptised our niece, Katie. Despite the rumour mill working overtime, we did NOT baptise Ruby at the same time. Rob did a great job with the services on Sunday, especially given that he was doing so in the church he grew up in. As he put it, "it was really strange administering communion to people who just see 'little Robbie' when they look at me". Then a huge bbq in my MIL's backyard. So many people came out, it was good to see them...even though we didn't get as much time with everyone as we may have wanted. There were so many kids there too, things have really changed in our group of friends in the last 10 years or so.

Granville Island with the kids and my dad. That was nice, and I also got some great birthday and Christmas ideas for my kids. Met up with my sister, and her dogs. Her puppies aren't used to kids, my kids aren't used to dogs. We stayed for 15 minutes then went for supper. Not the most successful pairing.

Had a nice visit with T and baby L. He is just full of life! I really don't know of another baby who is quite so engaging with people at his age. Little extrovert. It was so neat to spend time with such an old friend, but now both of us as mothers.

Went to Science World with Katie and her family. That was fun. My kids seemed to really like her boys a lot. All of the kids seemed to handle the day well, despite us parents keeping them out way past naptime. :) Great to finally meet you, Katie!

Shopping was done too. I got my new glasses, found a lovely outfit for the wedding (on sale no less, I haven't lost my touch!), picked up some things on our buy list. IKEA with Jen and all 5 of our kids, and we all survived. Found some great options for the girls bedroom. Got Norah her shoes for fall.

Dinner with P and T, and got to see their new home. Spent some days with Rob's parents. Visited J and V's new home, and got to spend a chunk of time with Katie, the youngest of all the grandkids on Rob's side. Went to our previous church, where I was thrilled to hang out with the kids in Sunday school, because some of Isaac's old buddies were there. Rob got dragged in to the youth study and really enjoyed seeing some of his 'old kids'. Lunch with M and M, then supper out at my aunt and uncles, along with my 2 cousins and their hubbies - and their kids! K's little R and my Ruby are only 2 weeks apart, but hadn't met yet.

More visiting, including a day at camp. More on that to come. It just felt like we did so much, yet not enough. I wish we had more time to see more people, to spend more one-on-one time with them. 2.5 weeks goes too fast...

home

home. safe. tired. downloading over 100 pics. lots to unpack. wish house was somewhere near as tidy as SILs. back later.

from the vacation

checking in. have been super busy, especially if you count having wonderful chats with my SIL and BIL as busy. :) We're all alive, doing great. Kids were amazing on the trip here, just amazing. We drove through Jasper park as the sun rose over the mountains. Stunning. Did it in the 2 days Rob was aiming for. Wedding was wonderful, baptism was great, bbq party at inlaws was bittersweet. Got to cuddle with friend's kids I hadn't met yet, and see kids I hadn't seen in almost 2 years. Vancouver no longer really feels like home. There is just so much I want to say, but can't squeeze in right now. Some of my linked-to blogs have some photos up already. I'm just here for a moment, need to run soon. I'll catch it all up soon.

heading out

well, we go in the morning. not sure when I'll be back up and running here.

Isaac didn't break his arm after all, which is good. He had a fall in the backyard, and was favoring his left arm severely. But a Saturday night trip to the hospital is never fun when we are getting ready to go on a trip.

Van is packed. Coffee is ready for the morning. We're going. See you later!

grr, when things don't go right

ordered a package of stuff that was going to be a great helper on the road trip. it didn't arrive. went to the post office to see about re-routing the package. would cost $30. Denice at the post office, who is my new hero, suggested I call the company and have them resend it to BC, and she would have the p.o. refuse the shipment. woo hoo! that worked. so, it's being sent to my inlaws.

then, ran out to the Co-op for some 'last minute food'. They were SO busy, long weekend friday and all. Got home, and tripped up our front stairs and pretty much tore off the big toenail on my left foot. There is a lot of blood. It's icky. Looks like that will influence my shoe choice on our trip.

I like my new haircut, which is good, but picked up a box of dye to cover the grey that was popping though. didn't go with my usual colour. it's a touch more orange than I was hoping for. I'll give it a couple of days to see what I think for sure. I did get a compliment on it today though.

Came within inches (seriously!) of a major car accident yesterday. Some (looked drunk, really he did) moron tried to turn right into me. As though my BIG WHITE VAN was invisible. grrr.

Baked up a loaf of banana bran bread for breakfast on Sunday. Came home from an errand yesterday afternoon to find Rob and the kids ate half of it. now, to be fair, I didn't tell them what it was for, but still.

Oh, and I'm trying really hard to clean my house before we go...but the little cyclones I call my beloved children keep thwarting my efforts. Maybe if I keep them out of a cleaned room...then I guess they will be sleeping on the stair landing tomorrow night! Need a visual giggle to keep from banging my head into a wall.

Does this mean my trip will go well? I sure hope so!

more plans, but these aren't trip related

I've got this plan. Rob doesn't get it, but I think it would be great. I want to work with our garage and make it not only clean and organized, but turn it into a play space for the kids. Because the garage isn't insulated or heated, we couldn't use it like an indoor space, but it would be a good spot for wind/rain/snow/mud/sun free play. I was thinking of just putting up some boards along the walls, then building in some basic cupboards on one wall. The cupboards could contain all our garage junk, lawnmower, out of season tires, bbq in winter, random stuff, recycling. Nothing fancy at all, but it would give the kids a nice spot to get out some big energy. Our playroom in the basement just isn't that large, and it's feeling a touch small with all 3 of them now playing there. It would be nice to be able to put the little tykes basketball net out there, and not have to worry about hitting Ruby on the head while we try to shoot baskets. It would be so nice to have more playspace. I'm trying to convince Rob, so I added in that it would be a perfect size for a ping pong table in a couple of years :) Wonder what that would cost.

Our kitchen is making me mental again. I think we need new appliances. Our fridge is sounding sad, old and whiney. Our stove is tempermental. The big burner works when it feels like it, which means it will often conk out mid-cooking job. nice and frustrating. Can't replace it though, because we don't want to buy appliances and have to move them in a few years or 'donate' them to the church. Also, the church is talking about kitchen renos...but who knows what that will look like, or when it will happen. Or if when it does happen, if I'll get any input into it. Ah, the joys of rectory life

plans, plans

Things are coming together for our trip out west (I keep starting to type home, but it's not really home anymore). We decided today to take the northern route there, as in Jasper. I managed to find a hotel that wasn't too $$, like the Fairmont Jasper, a slight $590 a night! Rob is still determined to do it in two days, and I was right there with him...until I realised it's a holiday weekend. The drive from Kamloops to the Lower Mainland, well, could be slow. I remember what the #1 can look like once you hit Hope. Mary, we may be knocking on your door Monday night...are you home? The holiday Monday parking lot is not quite what I had in mind. May be an overnight in Kamloops. Think it will be that bad?

If I can get us organized like I want to be, we'll be hitting the road around 6:30 am on Sunday. We're looking at a 8 hour day in the van, plus stops. Woo hoo.

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.