Merry Christmas

It's cazy out there.....

I think I am done getting all my last minute food and gifts. Except the farmer sausage - as there was a 2 hour line up. At least. I lasted 20 minutes outside in the cold - and saw 4 numbers go by. It was still 26 numbers until my turn. So I left. Sans farmer sausage. My mom is going to try again this afternoon.

There are still many lose ends to be tied in the next day. I am excited to just be able to relax and enjoy the festivities once I am done everything on my list.

J is now done his 6 day bus stint, and was home from 3:30am-6:30am last night. Then up and off to work =(. But it is done!! And it will be nice to head off to Princeton for a couple days to wind down after all the parties.

Wishing everyone a time to enjoy family, and celebrate Jesus's birthday! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

cousins

She may not have an older sister - but she already stares at her 4 older girl cousins in awe. Here are 3 of them.

I feel so blessed to have 7.....SEVEN!!! Beautiful, healthy nieces and nephews! And for my kids to have cousins to grow up with - God is good =)

best.santa.photo.ever.

I love it.

Few words Wednesday

C's favourite Hopey jammies =)

(sorry about the grainy quality!)

It's coming....

are you ready?! I still have a bit of sewing, wrapping, Santa visiting, Christmas card shipping and shopping to do....

Another "new" blog =)

My sister in law has moved her blog over to blogger, and is now posting here. She shared a powerful testimony at church this past Sunday, and has posted it over on her blog. So, check it out =)

New Blog!!

My dad has joined the blogging world. As my sister has mentioned on her blog, he is a self-taught money expert. Has read almost every finance book created, and has a lot of life experience in the world of business and finance. Expect a lot of solid, applicable information.


www.moneyfinancesandme.blogspot.com

Christmas baking

No, I haven't started. But I have started to think about it....and what I might make. I love have a freezer stacked of wonderful baked goodies, just waiting to be thrown onto a plate for guests, or to bring along to people's houses during the season.

So what are your must have Christmas goodies? I know growing up the absolute favourite of our whole family (but especially my sister) were the ones that you melt down caramel, roll a marshmallow in it, and then roll in corn flakes. This isn't the most "traditional" Christmas goody. But my oh my. They are good. Unfortunately finding the appropriate caramel is getting almost impossible. They require the Mackintosh bars. You know these ones? Obsolete now. However you can buy them in the individually wrapped candy size. And yes - my mom and sister will go to the effort of unwrapping everyone. This I am sure of =)

I will definitely make some cookies with my Christmas Linzer cookie cutter set - which I love =) And I was also thinking of mixing it up a bit and making a few pans of Nanaimo bars. I have never actually made them, and I only like the bottom of the store bought kind. Mostly because the rest tastes SO sweet. But I remember my mom making them - and yum yum! Way better than store bought! That is for sure.

So please - tell me what your must haves are! I am curious.....

Lack of pictures

Sorry for the no photos lately. Our camera is broken. And buying a new one isn't really in the agenda - maybe for Christmas! So for now. You will just have to be bored =) (unless I upload pictures from my phone...)

Life is humming along. I had another tax test today. Only two more classes and the final, and another course will be complete! Seems like nothing when I see the looooong list of classes I still need to take, but I'll just keep pluggin' along.

Tomorrow is a big day. I am getting a pantry. Yup. I am pretty excited =)

I have mostly repainted the kitchen walls, and still need to repaint the cabinets (white) to match the new pantry. I am hoping it will look good, and offer a lot more storage which is majorly needed in this house!! Maybe baby girl will actually get a closet that isn't full of all my pantry stuff!

I am trying to get excited about pulling out my Christmas decorations. Really, I am trying. I'm just not really fellin' it though....I think it might be because, our house is so crowded as it is! Thinking about finding places for more "stuff" seems like a bit of a feat. But on the other hand - I am excited about taking the kids to get a Christmas tree! We didn't have one last year - as C would have destroyed it. So it should be fun this year as we have no crawling babies =)

There you have it - a super random post. Sorry for my lack of focus. Bedtime!

Shred

Ok, so I am on day 3 of the 30 day shred. If you haven't heard of this - it is Jillian's (from the biggest loser) workout DVD. They are 20 minute workouts. Now you think - 20 min? What could you really accomplish in 20 min? Well hoooooly crap!! I can barely walk stairs, and am fearful every time I sit down on the toilet....because the thought of standing back up is a little daunting. My muscles are just a tad sore =)

I am actually really enjoying the video though! She is tough, and makes you want to come back for more......yelling things like "you see these abs! you don't get these for free people" and "I know you want to turn this DVD off right now..." and "When it starts to hurt - that is when it counts" lol. And I am guessing something is working by the amount of pain I am in. But I am determined to go the full 30 days - and see what happens! I'll make sure to update you =) You know, so any others out there looking for a cheap and quick workout routine can know if this one delivers results!

I'm off to do another torture session...

the only thing for certain is uncertainty....

That line from a country song seems to sum up how I feel about life right now. We are in this weird state of limbo....which makes my mind race most of the time. Not knowing how long we will live in our house - or what I should do after my mat. leave is up makes me go crazy!

It feels as though everything should just click into place. That there is something big on the horizon.....however at the same time, the horizon feels very distant at this point.

The verse that is behind me on my wall says "Be still and know that I am God". And I can not get that out of my mind.....so I am choosing to be still for a while. Accepting God's plans are bigger than mine. Living in limbo another day....

7 months

Stats: just over 19 lbs. , 27" tall, one tooth, sleeps one 8 hour stretch at night before eating and sleeping the rest of the night, is a contented, sweet girl who is constantly entertained by her wild brother. She has a ready smile and loves to say "mama" and "dada". She talks in the mornings very loudly when she wakes up. Has one morning nap, and one long afternoon nap. Eats a jar of food or a bowl of cereal every meal. Sometimes 2 jars at one sitting. She loves to eat food =) I can't believe my little baby is already 7 months old.......

The rest of the trip....

Thursday evening we headed to Outback, one of our favourite American restaurants - especially for the deep fried mushrooms appy. We order that every time =)

Then we headed to the space needle in the pouring rain. C had already had a melt down at the restaurant - the kind where I had to take him out, and into the car, and wait for John to finish his meal and pay. Fun times! We parked, and walking in the pouring rain to the needle. C had on a great rain jacket - and J was carrying him the whole time - and he was yelling "I want to go HOME". However, like great parents, we just kept heading to our destination. Waiting for the elevator inside he continued to yell his new mantra.....but once we got up to the top (the outside was closed because of the high winds) we explored then inside, and saw the city from way up - he was totally great! And of course - now the only thing he talks about over and over about out little trip is "The TALLLLL TALLLLL TOWER!!" I think he was more nervous of what was going to happen than anything!

It took him a while to settle down once we got back to the hotel - but once he fell asleep he was out - and long into the next morning. We were all awake, watching TV and getting ready around him, and he was still sleeping. Shocking for C as he is the lightest sleeper!

Friday we headed out first thing to Lauren's house! It was so much fun to see where they live - it is a super cute area with old beautiful homes, I love areas like that.....the kids played and had fun, and we got to catch up a bit!

We were then off to the zoo - which is another highly recommendable place!! We really enjoyed it - though it did start to POUR! And by the time we got back to the car, everyone was wet. I changed the kids into comfy dry clothes - changed my shirt - dried my hair, and headed back to the hotel to pick up J. The kids were both out within 20 min. and we made it all the way to Burlington before they woke up (over 2 hours later). I got to stop in at Carter's.....and shop. It was amazing - as it always is, and then we headed home!

It was a really fun getaway, and I am so glad I decided to go along with the kids. I was really debating at first - because I thought C might have a hard time sleeping, etc. but going to the museum, the space needle, seeing Lauren, and checking out the zoo was so much fun! I know this is a trip I will remember fondly for a long time to come!

Seattle

We arrived in Seattle yesterday evening around 10pm. We are here on a quick little trip - John had a seminar all day today and tomorrow at the Marriott hotel here, and we decided to come along!

The kids were amazing last night, we left just before 7pm, and they were asleep just after we went through the border! (about 10 min. into the trip...) They then both slept all the way to Seattle, and quickly went to sleep once we carried them into our room. The room is very nice, but the standard size....but it has a desk, so C has a really cool little fort like bed under it! It is just the perfect fit. We brought his foamy that he sleeps on at home (it is on top of his mattress) and all of his blankets, so it is a very comfy, cozy spot for him. And he slept the whole night through! So I guess he thinks it is pretty good too =)

This morning we were all up early, John was off just after 7, and the kids and I went for breakfast, and then drove downtown to check out the Children's museum. It was an absolute blast! It was so perfect for C. Everything was totally age appropriate for him - and there was so much hands on stuff. It was so nice to be able to just let him do whatever he wanted - and let him take as much time as he wanted at each thing. I didn't have to rush him along, or stay with a group. It was a really fun day!

Both kids fell asleep on the way back to the hotel (it is about a 20-30min. drive) I knew as soon as I stopped, and had to transfer them into the hotel - they would wake up, so I thought maybe, just maybe, if I happened to run into a mall - I might try to transfer them into the stroller, and have a little shopping time!! Well wouldn't you know (gotta love the states....) there was an exit sign for a mall! I thought that was a sign (well, it was, but you know what I mean =) and so I went to the mall and of course, they both woke up, and we didn't last at the mall very long. But it was a very very nice mall. And it is super close, so I might have to check it out later!

Tomorrow we are going to meet my friend Lauren (see side bar) for coffee in the morning - and then maybe go to the zoo (unless it is pouring). Then maybe the aquarium instead!

If you know me at all, you probably know that I like to save money here and there....well it is just amazing if you look online before you go on a trip for coupons! I printed off a "free adult" coupon for the Children's museum (so it was only $7.50 for all of us). And a few dollars off the zoo pass as well - so it will be around $10 for that!! I love a deal.....and will now always go online before a vacation to look for deals like this.....

Sometimes, you just gotta laugh...

Like when you are taking your son to preschool - with baby girl, and toddler niece in tow. And after you have unbelievably managed to buckle 3 children under 3, in their car seats, in the back seat of your SUV - and then managed to unbuckle them, and put two babies in double stroller, and grab your young sons hand (picture boy in unfortunately too small Monkey costume - Halloween party day) - and then just as the teachers open the door of the preschool room to let the children in, you smell something awful. Praying it is your sweet 1 year old niece, who you are now holding (strollers are not a place a one-year-old new walker really want to be!), you discover - it is indeed the 2 year old.....oh crap. (pun intended). One year old niece gets plopped back into stroller. You wheel the stroller down the two stairs to the entrance of the school, and tell the teacher the situation. Leaving babies in the stroller just outside the door, and running boy off to bathroom. Monkey costume off, and down to the dirty business (that wasn't very dirty.) Good thing - because you don't have wipes. Oh, and just a size 3 diaper. That tore when frantically trying to be placed on crazy 2.5 year old boy. It wasn't a really bad tear - so it managed to stay on.


Boy is dealt with, off to his party, and you back to the babies - wheel them back up the stairs, unbuckled, re-buckled into car seats, stroller put away.....


KEYS?? (you gave them to your one-year old niece in a desperate moment - did I leave that part out?) And then you remember her cutely saying "uh oh" all the way back to the car....you retrace the steps, at least 3 times. The teacher comes out and asks if you have lost something, "yes. my keys" (and marbles...). She finds them inside the classroom, and you run back to the car, and drive the not-so-happy babies home.



Thank goodness once home, little baby goes to sleep - and adorable little niece plays, and dances and claps.



Yup. I'm still laughing....

How was your morning?

Wordless Wednesday.

2.5

We are halfway through the 2 year mark with C. He continues to be a super energetic, mostly happy, sometimes stubborn, very loving, and fun kid! His talking just continues to improve, and almost everyday I am shocked and amazed by some phrase or word that he uses!

Earlier this month we were going through lots of "growing pains". C was having lots of tantrums - including ones in the middle of the night that would sometimes last over an hour. Screaming - throwing - completely irrational tantrums. At 3am. It was hard - but after he told me that "tigers were coming to take him away"....I realized we were definitely dealing with nightmares. And since he told me, and we promoted some positive thoughts at night time, and reassure him that tigers only live at the zoo - he has not been waking up! (well, barely) I am so happy he can now communicate!

He is now settled into his new routine at preschool, and enjoying it very much! It seems as though we are past the worst of these growing pains - and my fairly typical 2.5 year old is back. finally.

There it is - an update on my always running, usually talking, sometimes singing, very affectionate 2.5 year old. I love him!

Hotsling

Sorry for my lack of blogging....

So yesterday in the mail came my.....HOTSLING! It is super cute, very girly, feminine fabric, and I love it! And more importantly, baby girl LOVES it! I have taken her out in it two times to some big box stores, and she was happy as a clam. (not sure where that expression came from?!). She kept looking up at me like "wow! this is so wonderful! My mommy is holding me this whole time!" because it really does give the feeling of being held on your hip - but, most importantly hands free. This means big boy is in the top of cart, groceries are in the big part of cart, and baby N is having the time of her life cuddling up to me. Yup. It was pretty awesome.

Now I know you are thinking - what about your BabyHawk? Wasn't that the same idea? Well you see - kind of, not really....it was also a baby carrier - but it had to be tied up. What I love about the hotsling, is it takes approx. 2 min. to get it on, and baby in it. No fussing with ties, straps, or adjustments. You buy it in your size.

I found the only time I really needed a baby carrier was for preschool pick-up and drop-off. Dilemma was I had to carry this huge baby seat with me, and try to hold on to my 2.5 year olds hand at the same time, also find a place to set down huge baby seat! OR I would take her out of her seat and carry her, but this made me useless in the shoes off, coat off, slippers on procedures. So I am super excited to give the hotsling its trial run on Tuesday morning. Maybe I'll let you know how it goes! Or, maybe not =) (not beacuse I won't want to, just because, I'm horrible at the follow up.....)

Until next time.

Bookshelves

I love these wood bookshelves. Doesn't this remind you of elementary school? Having books displayed like this definitely gets kids more enticed to pick up a book - the covers all out!

Well - they don't give these away for free =)

So I found a pretty cool & afforadable alternative.....

Can you guess what these display shelves are made of?

How about now??

Check it out! Definitely want to make these for the kids playroom!!

cute?!

lets go fly a kite.....

We had fun kite flying (well the kids and John did) on the windiest, coldest day this year! Up on the mountain....burrr......but they loved it!

....and now I have had that song stuck in my head ever since........"and send it soaring...."

Two of the reasons I am so thankful
Life is good...

another new blog....

My friend Teresa (hello) sent me a link for a new (to me) blog! Thought I would share with you - it is a good one =)

Lots of babywearing, and drool over photography of her 4 boys...and 2twin girls!!

Enjoy =)

Just for fun.....

N around 5months

C around 5-6 months.....

They look soooooo different =)

movin'

The day is actually coming, and soon, that we will be moving. And the house that we have (almost) bought will have a ...................drum roll please...................... PLAYROOM.

Can you tell I am just a little excited?? So now my thoughts are consumed in decorating ideas. Here are a few pieces of inspirational prints I just found on etsy.

I love etsy.


Love the birds.....

baby girl

6 months old! (tomorrow). She has been with us for half a year already..... and she is such a blessing to our family. Smiley, cute, and sweet. Those are the words I would use to describe baby Nana. She is so loved by her big brother, it is so much fun to see them "interact" more and more.

She is getting very adjusted to her crib - and pulled a 7 hour stretch in there last night =) I ran in checking at about 5 hours though....

Our little man is off to his Opa and Oma's for a few days, and little N is not sure what to do with the silence around here. She is used to constant entertainment/talking/wining/crying/laughing, etc. with him around. And as soon as he's gone....she gets loud!!

We keep letting her know that growing a little hair wouldn't be a bad thing - so I think she might try to work on that this fall.....you know, for winter.

Well, guess we should go buy some rice cereal to celebrate the big event =)

Photos

UPDATE: photos are up =)

Kids had photos done today! In the next few days they should be up on the Stacey Malleck photography blog..... =)

Goals.

Ok - so I have a few goals.....like, finish my degree before I'm 30.....and pay off our mortgage in the next 10-15 years....go on a week long vacation with my husband sans children in the next few years....but I have a new goal. Not quite as, well responsible =)

My goal - fit into my wedding dress by my 5 year wedding anniversary (10 months away) and do a trash the dress photo shoot. I love the trash the dress thing. Every since my SIL blogged about it, probably about a year ago? I forget...but it is becoming quite popular (you can see over at Revival Arts Study blog, they just did a shoot).

SO - what do I have to do to realize this goal?? Hmmm.....I currently weigh 14 lbs. more than I did at my wedding. So I guess I know what I need to do....lol.....A pound a month doesn't sound too bad...right? Oh but that last 10 lbs. just never wants to come off!! ......thank goodness I took the zipper out of my dress and made it lace up........

New Blogs

Tangled and True - which I have been snooping from my SIL blog for a while now. Love all the baby/kid/house ideas over there!

Stacey Malleck Photography - I met Stacey through my work at Quantum Properties, and she is going to be doing photos of my kids soon, so keep an eye out for that =)

(there is another new post under the last one - just kinda got hidden in there =)

Rainy day fun?

I was browsing the Internet for fun playroom ideas - and I came across this....can you imagine?! Amazing...

(click on the photo for the big view)

September sickness

I thought we might fly through the fall without getting sick - but I was being far too optimistic =) Luckily so far it is just a bit of sniffles and sore throats around here. Echinacea cough lozenges in sucker form are just a wonderful invention...

Baby N is doing well. She is a delight all day - and has put herself on quite the perfect little schedule, but is currently struggling getting used to her crib in her own room =( She much prefers being tucked in snug by my side...and really, who can blame her? Snuggled up to mom is just such a nice spot to be =) So, we are making baby steps on the crib front so far.

C is loving loving Toy Story night now. Tonight at the local big box store, he found Woody. John and I were obsessed with Buzz and all the flashy button - but not our little man. He would pull Woody's little string, and listen so intently for the next phrase. It took all of his concentration to then remember and repeat every phrase to the very best of his ability. It took every ounce of our willpower to then put the toy away - and telling him that would be a great present for Christmas! He was very fine with that scenario. So at least we already have a few good ideas!

That is all for tonight...just a little update. More to come on us moving, and house searching =)

Just another proud mom....

What is it about that first "art" your child brings home? It doesn't matter what it is, or what it looks like - as a mother your heart just beams with pride. I'm sure in time I will be cursing said art, when it piles up and up and I don't know what to do with it all anymore, but for now, I'm just another proud momma.

Growing

I have heard many people say their kids grow a lot over summer - maybe it's something about the sun, or maybe the long days of playing....whatever it is, I decided to measure my growing boy at the end of June. He was 36" tall. Exactly 3 feet. Today we measured him again....over 38"! Over 2 inches this summer. He looks bigger and he is really growing in every way!

Especially his vocabulary. I'm trying to remember and hold onto the cute names he had come up for things, because it seems every day he drops a few of them for the right word.

Hoohoo haahaa is now Monkey.

Awff is now Dog.

Moo is now Cow.

Yup. The list goes on and on....

I was sent an email about "Your 2 year old!" today. And there was a link to do a height estimation. How tall will your child be when he is 18?

The estimation: 6 ft. 2". Taller than John. It is so unbelievable to think about him that tall.

My baby boy.

Wordless Wednesday (it is Wednesday.....right?!)

Off he went...

My handsome little dude. He was so excited to go to preschool this morning! And off he went - ready as ever. "Bye Mom!!" he said as I left. And I was excited to, because I know he is going to just love it.

The first day is just a short hour, and though he was very happy to see me return, well lets just say after trying just about anything and everything (including bribery) to get him to come with me to the car - it ended in my carrying him (in one arm, baby in the other) all the way to the car....kicking and screaming. I guess he thought the hour was a little short as well, considering all the talk and anticipation.

The teachers said he did just great, and I am looking forward to bringing him back on Thursday =)

And tomorrow - I'm back in school. Nervous.

Hope school returns went smoothly for everyone today!

sister

I thought of posting a poem, or maybe a cute quote....

But nothing seemed to sum up the feelings I have for my sister.

My forever friend, my encourager, teacher, mentor, and closest friend.

She is generous and kind, loving and caring.

I never knew life without my sister...

I have been blessed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Need A Lift?

Have you seen this phone book booster? It is actually made of foam, and has butt imprints for more comfortable sitting for a little toddler. Unfortunately, the reviews for it aren't that great (quality of material wise). It really is too bad though....because it is so cute!

"Wook"

You know...where daddy goes during the day. Well we got to visit a few weeks back. Our sweet boy has never been before because it is over an hour away, but we were just up the street at my SIL house - so a visit to dad was a special treat.

You see, just outside dads office is a door, and it leads to....

A hanger with airplanes....needless to say, the visit was a hit. He got to roam the planes, and turn the propellers all he wanted.

So when I went to Manitoba last month on an airplane, C would always ask that "mom go bye on an airpane" again because he wanted to go back and have fun at "OpaOma's houf"

Well now its "Mom go bye on Dad's airpane." I guess he thinks his dad owns those planes at "wook".

We are heading into FALL. My favourite season...

The little man is starting Montessori preschool. Actually, it's called "toddler time" because it is for 2-3 year olds. Two mornings a week, two hours. 4 hours a week I am looking forward to =) Probably just end up doing errands with only one babe in tow. Sounds relaxing.

I am going back to school as well. 2 courses. 6 hours a week. Wow - I'm up to 10 hours now of kind of "me" time. If you can count going to school "me" time? But I really do LOVE going to school. Like, really love it. Even if I am taking Income Tax II and Intermediate Accounting. I would have a year and a half left if I was going full time. Wow. That would be quick....my goal is to be done in the next 5 years!

I other news, little missy got her 4 month shots today. She was again, devastated...still she is upset, almost 12 hours later. She did have a nice loooong nap this afternoon, but when she is awake, so is grumpy. Very out of character for her. Poor girl.

And if you are interested in stats, at about 10 days shy of 5 months she is an ounce under 17 lbs. and 26"long. Yup...that means BIG. Still over 95%tile for the 5 month chart.

we're back

We are home from a few days on Mayne...the bags are unpacked, laundry is going, grocery list is made, and life is back to its usual pace.

The kids are napping, and I am catching up on all things Internet. I will post some pictures soon of our time and some of the highlights - including my first time kayaking, and some fun ocean beach exploration!

Hope everyone had a good weekend...

here we are

The first post on the new blog. Thanks for following me over here.

Today I am preparing for our small trip away. My parents have a cabin on Mayne Island. It is a wonderfully relaxing place, and I am saddened that I have not been there in over 2 years! And I have no one to blame but myself for that.

John has 3 days off because of all the extra time he has been putting in this summer. It has been really hectic at his work lately, and he has been taking on a lot. It is a bit surprising, because we thought it might get really slow because of the tough economic times. (probably the most overused phrase of the year.)

Laundry is done, kids bag is packed, dad's favourite cookies are made, John's favourite cookies are ready to be baked....and I am excited for a little R&R. But first up - baby shower tonight!

Until my return....