I heard on the radio *Update*

a live Amber Alert announcement for the abduction of a 12 year old boy.  My own *little* boy is 11.5 years old and so this hit close to home.  I had tears in my eyes as I listened to the description of this child.  I pray that the authorities find him and bring him safely home.

Check out the story HERE!

Young Jacob was found and his father is on his way to pick him up.  I'm so thankful he was taken care of!

Been too long

since I last blogged.  I have been so very busy with other things that posting here has taken a back burner position.  I've thought of it often and have missed updating it.  Looking back, my last post was almost 2 weeks ago so I have a lot to catch up on.  

The kids' school keeps me busy, especially the home part.  I need to spend a good 3-4 hours focusing on their education needs and helping them in areas that they need.  

I tried potty training.  I say tried because I wasn't successful.  She'd have days where I would catch her and she would have no messes and then other days where I missed her cues all the time and I spent so much of my day cleaning the floor.  It was getting to be a stress point for both of us and I felt that letting it go was for the best.  I figure, she won't go to grade one in diapers.

I've been sewing.  Lots.  I made a quilted advent calendar first and then I bought the materials to make Sarah a new quilt.  She needed a bigger one anyhow.  I actually really enjoying making it and decided to pursue my sewing abilities as a small business.  I have made three school bags, two for my girls and one is for sale and once I put the word out that I was making quilts to sell, I had lots of interest.  That really excites me.  We'll see how much success I have with that.  

The weather has taken a turn for the cold.  I don't particularly care for the nippy mornings and cool evenings but I suppose that by living in Alberta, there's no way around it... winter is coming eventually.  This was also a great time (not) to realize that not one of the older three kids have winter gear.  I lucked out by ordering jackets from Old Navy online... they were 35% off!  Now for boots, mitts and hats.  *sigh*

Well, I think that about sums up the past couple weeks.  Here's a few pictures of our recent adventures at home!

 Arianna having her first sleep over!

 Sarah learning to eat on her own!

 A small glimpse of my nativity calendar

 Andrea... costume was designed and created on her own.

 Sarah showing off her new skirt

 Andrea's school bag

 Arianna's school bag

The bag I made to sell

October 15...

Today is October 15th, WORLDWIDE, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day - Miscarriage, Stillbirth, SIDS...
Today I remember my three little ones who I never got to meet. ♥  Three tiny souls who were unable to face our world.  When I lost the third one, I had really thought it would have been a girl so I named her Hope.  I needed hope that I would have another baby and that I would continue to be held in Jesus' loving arms.  My heart was breaking for the child I wouldn't get to meet.

BUT...

As sad as I am about their loss, a very close and dear friend, who has now gone to be with the Lord, reminded me each time... had I not lost each baby that I did, I would not have Arianna and Sarah to hold and love in my arms.  And Hope did come. 

Potty Training

Looking back, I think that either my first two girls trained abnormally quick OR I have simply forgotten how time consuming this stage in a child's life can be. 
Sarah is smart and I know she can (and will) figure it out. 
I just need to remind myself that it is not a quick or immediate process. 
I need to remind myself that it may take weeks of cleaning messes off the floor.
I need to remind myself that this is just a short phase of our life.
I need to remind myself that she won't be in diapers forever.
Ah... potty training.

Blog Post #200

I have done quite well at keeping this up.  I'm very pleased with myself!

Happy 200th post!

Been waiting

for a book to arrive in the mail.  Not just any book but an autographed novel by my absolute favorite Christian author KAREN KINGSBURY. 
I was elated when it showed up yesterday afternoon and it took great restraint to wait until the kids were in bed before I cracked it open.  It's like a satisfying chocolate for my eyes and mind and well worth the wait.

See that little white marking at the bottom of the book?  That is her autograph!  I am SO lucky!!

Pettiskirts

 I recently bought the first pettiskirt for Sarah at a Farmer's Market and she looks so cute in it!

I have stumbled upon a new site and have fallen in love with many of the products from RUFFLEBUTTS  and decided that I really wanted one more so I ordered THIS skirt from the site.  It shipped out last week and I'm so excited to get it!!

Money well spent

About five years ago, Doug and I were debating whether or not we should spend almost $17.00 on a huge box of plastic wrap.  I mean it was a lot of money and the time and was a tough choice.  In the end we did it.  Hoping it would be worth our while, I wrote the date on the box once I opened it.  It lasted five years, four months and one week to be exact.  That is 1,954 days, working out to $0.008 per day that it cost us to use the plastic wrap.  Yes, I think it was money well spent.

And now that it is gone, I will be heading off to Costco this week to buy another one to last another 5 years.

Thanksgiving Dinner

This year was very different than previous ones.  My in-laws generally have a large dinner that includes most of the family.  Usually there are at least 30 people mulling about... quite the big deal!  Anyhow, since my mother in law is still on the recovering end of a serious bout of pneumonia, she had decided that a large function wouldn't be conducive to her health.  So yesterday we still had a complete dinner with Doug's parents, Doug, myself and the kids as well as Mike and Carson.  I think overall, we all enjoyed the quieter afternoon. 

Grandma had crafts for the kids

 Joshua's hands working hard

My nephew Carson

All the kids working hard!

Grandma helping Arianna out

Four of the five grandkids (Sarah was in the house!)

The sky as we headed home

Rags

So Andrea needed her hair really curly for a skit she performed at church this weekend so I just put it in hot rollers and it was fine.  My cousin suggested putting it in rags.  I didn't have time to do Andrea's hair but I did a trial on Arianna's!

The freshly cut *rags*

Long straight hair

The rags in the hair

The finished product

The back was a little straighter but I think I took the rags out a little too early and her hair was still damp.  Next time, I'll put them in at night and have her sleep in them!  I think it looks so cute and it was super easy!

FACEBOOK FAN GIVEAWAY

I would love to win an Ergo from HERE!!  I have one in pink but could totally go for a new color!  I hope I win! 
Thank you to Breastfeed. Babywear. Clothdiaper. Naturally.  for the chance to win!!

Mmmm... baking

I love to bake.  I love the aromas that are produced from the scientific combination of butter, sugars, eggs, flour, spices and other ingredients.  I also love hearing my kids tell me how good the house smells.  A few years ago, Joshua told me that Aunty Heidi made the BEST chocolate chip cookies.  So, being the good mom I am, I got the recipe from her and have now perfected them.  Today I doubled the recipe and came out with 7 dozen splendid chocolate chip cookies! 

First mix the butter

Add the white sugar

And the brown

Keep mixing until creamy, scrape once in a while

Add the eggs and vanilla

Keep mixing until smooth

Add the flour and... mix some more

Add the chocolate chips (you can't have too much of those)

Mix until well blended

Drop by the spoonful onto a cookie sheet

Bake... to perfection

Yes, they do taste as good as they look

My trick to the perfect shaped cookie-

the Pampered Chef scoop-

yup, it's that easy!