the local paper

If you've ever watched "Corner Gas", you may have noticed the gentle ribbing at local newspapers. Ha! Well deserved, I say. Our local paper has picked up the quality lately, ever since the new editor took over. The old one, who wasn't there long, was French-Canadian, and often really mixed up her English phrases (collapsing like a deck of cards was one...um, I think you mean a house of cards because a deck of cards is already collapsed). However, there are a couple of local 'news' bits that seem to be immune from editing...of any sorts.

Take the Local News paragraphs, written by the wife of the late mayor. She often refers to herself as "me" in her column. So if you don't know who "me" is...like I didn't for a few months...you are lost. Anyhow, her column is really just an update on who is where in town. Who has taken trips and who is visiting and such. I just have to include a summary of this weeks "news"

"W and A. M went on a cruise. They went to St. Luke Mazatland and Port of Varta. They then made a circle in the ocean and ended up in Los Angeles. They had a very good time"
(good thing they had a good time, since it sounds like a shock to have ended up in L.A. And I'm assuming she meant they stopped in Cabo San Lucan, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta)

"I went to Lloydminster to help my mother celebrate her 90th birthday. A come and go tea was held in her honor." (so...who's your mom? apparently, we all know...and we spell honour with a *U* in Canada)

Those are just a couple of gems. I haven't even READ the whole paper yet....can't wait to add more.

things to think about/pray about

We got the call the other day that we have been anticipating. Camp.

We were approached and asked to direct a week of camp already, but we turned it down. Just wouldn't work for us this year. Or really at all. Not easy to do camp, at this camp, with the kids in a directing position. Artaban was way easier for being able to juggle the kids and the site layout. So, Rob has been asked to be chaplain for a week. We expected that to come, and the camp week may actually be a good fit for our family. Apparently, despite us trying to keep our camp background on the 'down low', word is out! lol Our camp here just gets such icky bugs. Seriously ugly bugs. Need to discuss this more and pray over it. The going to camp part, not so much the bugs part ;)

We've (and I say we, because it was both of us) have been asked to consider another opportunity. I would love to do it, and am really honoured to be asked...but not sure if Rob is on board. It's more in my area of comfort and knowledge than it is his...but it could really be a good thing. So that also will take some discussion and prayer.

Right now, in order to get to church today, I need to run and shower, while Dora is entertaining 2 of the kids.

Happy Sunday!

Earning it's keep

My much wanted, desired and hoped for Kitchen Aid stand mixer is a wonderful thing. It's getting used almost every day. We haven't bought any bread since the mixer came home, I've been making it all myself. I need to get my hands on some more flax seed soon, it's been such a nice addition to the whole wheat bread I've been making. Then there is the ice cream. That's tasty. I want to see if I can get vanilla beans in this town though, I think that would be richer than just vanilla extract. When I make ice cream, we also end up with me having to make merangues afterwards, as we use so many egg yolks for the mix. Lots of yumminess (is that a word? I don't really care, I'm using it anyway!) I can pretty much prep the bread dough in 5 minutes, without looking at the recipe now. Woo hoo for me!

Ruby is going through a mom-only phase. That is a little tough. And being in the sling walking around with me doesn't always cut it. I think we may be at the start of teething, as I remember that mom-clinginess preceeding her siblings dental arrivals. She's too young for teeth!!!

It's with each subsequent child that I realise just how fast the baby phases go. I'm one of those crazy women who loves newborns, and Ruby has just moved through all of this too fast. Add to that the fact that she may be our last baby, and I get kind of sad. :(

Another Easter has come and gone

Finally. Easter is over. Last week was LONG. Rob didn't have a day off, and the kids were wound up. I was stressed about life in general. Day trip to PA with Rob and Ruby. Mom was up for a couple of days. Saw the doctor. He frustrated me, I think he was projecting his wife's issues on to me (long story). But Easter Sunday came, we celebrated our Lord's victory over the grave and we had a lovely dinner. Mildred came and joined us for supper, as she did last year.

Isaac left with my mom yesterday for a couple of days at Nanny's house. The house is really quiet without him. :( I miss him, but he's having a blast. Norah is missing him too. We played in the backyard today, no jackets required it's so mild. I need to take the girls for groceries, but not until after naps now. I had my blood tests done today, I have a follow up appointment next Thursday. *sigh*

I'm rambling here, and not making sense. Off to have some lunch!

the best yet

Apparently, tonight's bread baking was my best ever, according to Rob. Woo hoo! Whole wheat flax seed bread. Very yummy if I do say so myself.

I will reserve comment on my doc appointment until later.

going to the doctor

Tomorrow, I'm going to finally see a doctor. First time since I had that renegade staple removed after Ruby's birth (that was, er, fun in itself). I've got something going on with me. Not sure what it is, but it's not normal. I was writing out my list of complaints the last few days. It's long. This can't be normal, and I can't ignore things hoping it will get better, because it's not. My mom is coming up to watch the kids for me, which will be nice. Rob is really tied up with work this week, and I need to get seen, I've been ignoring this too long. I don't think it's anything dire or serious, but it's there. Prayers would be nice if you think of me!

there are some new shots of the kids up on their blog

Romance? Yes indeed!

Funny how your idea of romance changes after kids.

- quick kisses while the kids giggle over breakfast
- Rob getting up with the kids so I can stay longer in bed
- a hug while passing in the hall...and a small pair of arms around the knees joins in
- snuggling on the couch while nursing the baby
- deep conversations in the van while kids snooze in the back
- collapsing onto the couch together after kids are in bed
- sharing the day's highlights in bed at the end of the day, but whispering in order not to wake the sleeping baby next to you
- subtle conversation hints that go way over the kids heads

Sure it's not all candlelit dinners and walks along the beach - those aren't safe anymore with kids around! But it brings out a whole new dimension to the love you have with your spouse.

my biggest flaw?

According to my mom, one of my biggest flaws as a mother is that I "have it too together". scratch head. I don't get that. The reason I'm having a hard time living in a new town is that I appear to have things so well put together that I don't need friends? What???

Seriously, has she not seen me with my kids? I know she's seen me on some off days, where I am upset that my kids are upset because *I* want to be the one having a temper tantrum. The days where I just want to scream, but don't so I don't wake someone up? The days where I complain about not being able to get anything done at all, despite having a husband that pulls more than his fair share of parenting and housework duties? The days where *my* needs take over Rob's time for working? If anything NOW is when I have had it the least together, where I have been the most dependant on others. Sure, I'm lousy at asking for help - especially when the people who have offered help with my kids are out to spank them *for me*...how nice.

I don't know. I don't think I look like I have things together, even though it's often way easier to deal with stuff in front of people, because I have to hold myself together (nobody wants to see a grownup have a temper tantrum...I think) But is that really why I haven't really been able to make friends and develop a support system here? I doubt it. Let's review. We moved here in February, it was snowy and hard to get out. One car, that Rob took with him. Then found out I was pregnant. Sick. Then spring came. Few places to take kids. The summer, everyone goes away. Then fall, very pregnant, 2 cars, but nowhere to go. Then new baby, and winter hits, darn near impossible to get out period. Combine that with a very close knit community that doesn't do well with outsiders, especially those who don't work with their husbands. Maybe *that's* why I'm having a hard time meeting people. I know my mom means well, but it really didn't help me at all.

could be TMI - you've been warned

There are a couple of threads going on on GCM about birth control. Then again, there usually are a few on the go. But that's beside the point.

Birth control. What to do about it. I've got lots of opinions and convictions...but no answers. We have a rule in this house, in theory, that we make no major decisions about fertility while pregnant or in the first 6 months post-partum. I say in theory, because we've been trumped before. And the 6 month mark is coming up soon. We both feel too young to say 'that's it, we're done' and take drastic action. However, I need to get some things worked out before we could ever consider the pregnancy route again. Mainly heath - I am going to finally see a doctor this week, after far too long. Also, I just cannot endure another c-section in the near future. I am still dealing with the last one emotionally. I have had more than one panic attack while watching surgery go bad on Grey's Anatomy, and cannot watch ER at all. I freak out.

So that brings up the question of birth control. I refuse all hormonal methods, on the principle of the potential abortificient properties. You know, the information on the pill that you really, really have to read the small print of the package information on. Back in the day, before I went and looked things up, I blindly swallowed that little pill and thought all was well. But it wasn't. I could dwell on the possible babies that may have been conceived and not allowed to grow. I could freak out over the hormal junk I poured into my body. Instead, I will acknowledge that I didn't do all the research, have since been convicted otherwise and move forwards. So, that rules out the shot and the pill. We have also come to the conclusion that we have no desire to mess around with my body's chemistry just because. Too many risks.

Then there is the IUD. An option that has been pushed on me in the past. That's simply a no-go here. The ONLY time I can recall Rob starting a sentence with "no wife of mine..." was a statement in relation to the IUD. I understand that. He had a bad experience with one, apparently they don't make good room (or womb) mates. So that's out.

What's left. No much. The barriers. You know the usual suspects. Pros and cons all over. And depending on ecological breastfeeding? Meet my third child. I'm waiting for my copy of TCOYF to arrive from Amazon so I can get all brushed up on charting and temping while breastfeeding. Apparently abstinance works too, but that is *NO* option (see, I said TMI *grin*)

Well, we will just have to wait and see...

bah!

CBC radio is saying that we may get flurries overnight and into tomorrow. I don't believe it. They also said that our high today would be 5. It's 11 and sunny. Take that CBC. The Weather Network isn't calling for any precipiation at all. I like them better.

Wednesday

I've accomplished some things today. That's good.
- got the girls out and dressed in time to pick Isaac up from preschool
- went to the newly started walking group at the track. did 3/4 mile before Isaac was done...he was wet and muddy from falling in the huge puddle in the middle of the track. doh! At least it was really warm out.
- dealt with all 3 kids pooping in a 15 minute span
- made grilled cheese for 2, reheated some casserole for my lunch, cleaned up afterwards
- got one girl down for a nap, Rob came home and got the other one sleeping
- read the next chapter of Charlotte's Web with Isaac, and got in some great cuddle time
- folded 2 loads of laundry
- ran the dishwasher
Not bad for someone who feels really sick.

what I didn't do:
- groceries. That was a big one. Was going to get them before Isaac was done at preschool, but we ran out of time

At least Rob will do a quick run for me today. We are making ice cream tonight with the stand mixer...needed some ingredients for that. I'm now simmering up some apple cider for myself. I sure hope I'm feeling better soon.

It really is spring.

Now I don't want to get too ahead of myself, but spring is really, really here. Today it is 15 degrees (or 60 for my US readers). The lake in the backyard is drying up, but of course the lowest, wettest part of the yard is where the swing set sits.

I've baked my second batch of bread - honey oatmeal. We ate almost a whole loaf at breakfast, lightly toasted with raspberry jam. Rebecca, I would send you a loaf if it wouldn't get hard in the mail ;)

Tonight is our small group, so I'm off to tidy the house up before we eat supper.

do you smell that?

The fresh baked bread in my kitchen AND the fresh spring air outside?

Spring is here! The snow is almost all gone, except for those places where it's all crusty. Our front lawn is a muddy mess, our backyard a lake of goo. Fun. The sidewalks are mostly dry, and it's warm today. In fact, we have been one of the province's hotspots the last few days. Yay! Even the wind feels warm today.

Then there is the bread. My first time baking bread and it turned out great! I did a basic white loaf recipe, and we ate almost all of one of the loaves with lunch. Fresh hot bread with butter. Delicious. I wonder what I'm going to make next....

home again

ahhhh, a break from town. A lovely visit with my mom. Conversation over wine, no cooking, new (and nice) home for the kids to play in, shopping,even a great trip to the portrait studio at Sears. I got a fantastic deal on my anniversary gift from Rob, even though I bought it myself. I am now the proud owner of a stand mixer. The very one I have been wanting for a few years now. Pistashio. 5 quart, 325 watt AND I got the ice cream maker attachment so I can make ice cream for Rob. I'm thrilled. A great trip. Aside from the head colds the girls and I have now. I feel awful. This would explain the crankiness they had. But they did sleep well most of the way home in the van!

that's sexy

Right now, Rob is outside, checking out my van. He's trying to see if he can fix the driver's side wiper before my road trip tomorrow. As Paris Hilton would say "that's so hot".

I wonder what else I can get him to do around the house if I tell him it's sexy....hmmm

Oh, and Isaac slept in until 9:50. He must be working that cold out.

***EDIT***

He fixed it. 6 months of a non-working drivers side wiper, and he fixed it in 10 minutes. I love him so much!

I am mom

and I wipe noses. Another round of illness - this time colds. They seem to be fast moving, which is nice. Isaac has mastered blowing his nose (finally!), and Norah is very good at identifying that she needs a wipe. That helps. All 3 kids napped on Sunday afternoon, which was beautiful, especially the half hour of overlap between them all.

Isaac and I have started reading Charlotte's Web at the start of his rest time. A chapter a day. So far so good. He was sad that the Avery in the book is not a little girl, like the Avery who comes to our small group on Tuesday nights. Tonight, he begged for more spinach salad during dinner. We went for a walk today as a family, and he managed to find the deepest puddles in town to wade in. He actually was able to dump water out of his boots when we got home!

2 more sleeps until Saskatoon! To see mom's new place. I'm going shopping! Please Mum, Old Navy, pics of the kids at Sears, Starbucks. I'm so excited. Seriously excited. I haven't had a Starbucks bar drink since...July. Can you believe that? Me. Since JULY??? Shocking, I know. I really wish my espresso machine worked. Wait, maybe I can get it fixed in Saskatoon! They have a place there....I'm calling in the morning.

and it's snowing again. Rob reminded me that it did snow last year at the end of April. But come on already....spring needs to come! I am looking forward to the mud pit that will be our yards. At least, I think I am.

I really need to stop...

...thinking I'm getting ahead. Then something always jumps in my way.

Like this morning. I managed to get 2 kids fully dressed, one partially dressed, have breakfast, get all my Sunday School lesson stuff ready to go and get dinner in the crockpot. By 9:30. Woo hoo, right? Nope. Then I got in the shower. And fell out. Yes, I fell out of the shower. Not quite sure how it happened. But it did. And it hurt. I landed on the toilet, in two places. I am getting more and more sore as I type this. I also took the shower curtain liner down with me. I hope we have another one downstairs. Took some extra strength Motrin. Hope it kicks in soon. Really soon. I can't wait to see how this one bruises up.

Long distance phone calls are nice. I like them.

Last night I had a strange one. From someone Rob and I had worked in youth ministry with years ago, but had to ask to step down. Who was now calling me for advice on some things. That's 2 things in one day where someone else thinks I'm wise! ;)

Anyhow, it got me to thinking how much I have changed in the last 7 years or so. How much my views on life and on God and faith have changed. And all for the better I think. Despite my bad days, I think I like myself better now. I think I'm really becoming who I'm supposed to be.

My online friend Rebecca is blogging now. She really has some wonderful, but hard to read, things to say on discipline. I like her blog's look (wonder why, hee hee)