Wordless Wednesday

Some of my favorites from the past few days.

 

 

 

My In Laws

I think and believe I am the luckiest person in the world when it comes to my in-laws.  First off, they raised my husband to be the loving husband and father he is to me and our children but putting Doug aside...

They love me and my family so much, it's amazing.  It isn't about the material things in life that show love but the other things like Dad borrowing a bobcat from work, clearing his driveway and making a HUGE snow pile for his "grandbabies" to sled down.

 

It's Mom who drives to my house once a month at 8:00 in the morning to watch the little girls so I can be a parent helper at school (even when it was -35*).  And when she comes, Arianna is guaranteed a good morning because grandma always has something in her blue bag for her to do.  At Christmas time, it was mini trees to decorate.  This last time was new paints and paper.  It was with Grandma that Sarah learned how to take lids off markers.  Mom often goes the extra step.  I request childcare for a few hours and come home to vacuumed floors, folded laundry, lunch waiting and tea or coffee made and ready to share.  The generosity and love this woman showers on me is incredibly wonderful.

When we visit Grandma and Grandpa, which is usually once a week (give or take), the kids generally know what they are going to do, whether it is sledding, exploring in the "back 40", checking out the shops, looking at the old cars or hanging out in the house. I don't know if I've ever heard the kids tell me they are bored when we are there.  Two years ago Dad and Joshua began a project that Dad was waiting to do for years.  Build a honest to goodness tree house.  Waiting for Joshua to be old and big enough to really help and have respect for the space on the other side of the fence were key.  Last year, work kept Dad quite busy and the building project was at a standstill.  I know though that the two of them are planning and prepping to hopefully finish the house this summer complete with shingled roofing!  Grand times with each other!

 

 

It is my mother in law who has brought me yellow roses on the anniversary of my mom's passing away.  She remembers the day which is so important to me.  She is usually one of the first to hear when I've accomplished something, need help, have something exciting (or not) to share about the kids, or cry and complain to about whatever.  I call her when I need a recipe idea, sewing tips, relationship advice or if I'm just bored and need someone to chat with. 

Mom and Dad are wonderful people.  They are loving and generous.  They are truly two of the (many) special people in my life and I love them.

 

A Day in the Life

of me...

I actually like to get up before the kids and indulge in a hot cup of coffee before the day gets running.  By 7:00, the kids start straggling out of bed and I know that I won't have any "me" time for at least 14 hours.  Breakfast can sometimes be an hour long process as two kids like to eat as soon as they get up while another likes to wait a while.  When the eating is done, I clean the kitchen while waiting for the older two to get dressed and ready for school at home.  Meanwhile, the baby has woken up and I need to stop everything and nurse her before her day can begin.  Then she wants to eat breakfast.  So we get the food out again... in the meantime, my students have taken the opportunity to slip away while I was busy.  *sigh*  Call them back.  Arianna needs the most one on one as she is only in kindergarten so I get the older two started on their books and sit with my five year old.  This lasts all of three minutes before Sarah realizes I'm not paying any attention to her and is clawing at my legs calling "mom. mom. mom. mom." Hoping the three will stay focused, I take Sarah to play with her toys.  Until they have a question about their school.  Deep breath.  It's only 10:00.

I then remember that the laundry baskets are overflowing, the stairs need to be vacuumed most desperately, I have a sewing project that I want to complete, beds that need to be made, groceries to buy, meals to plan... I could go on and on.

Before I know it, 4:00 has rolled around and I guiltily realize that I haven't thought of supper.  I rummage through the deep freeze trying to find something that I can defrost quickly and heat up to feed my family.

Once the meal is done, there are dishes to wash, kids to bath, lunches to make.  Check. Check. Check.

Hopefully by 9:00, the last of the kids are in bed.  Sleeping?  Not likely.  One last walk through of the house ensuring the locks are tight, the dogs are settled, and I finally retreat to my bedroom.  At that point I debate running a bath or just crawling into bed and reading myself to sleep. 

Some of my last thoughts are:
- what time will Sarah wake up tonight?
- did I lock the garage?
- what will I do tomorrow?

Eventually sleep overcomes me and I drift off until someone needs me... 

Project 365

So this January I decided to work on Project 365.  It is making a record of one picture per day.  I have created a new blog specifically for it so that I can keep this one for journalling and the new one for pics.  I hope my readers here will be readers on the other one as well.  Click here to follow me.

-Picture copied and borrowed from- HERE

Sick Baby

Having a sick little one is no fun.  Unless of course, that little one happens to fall asleep in your arms.  It's been months since Sarah slept on me and I simply melted in love as I listened to her heavy breathing close to my chest.  Sarah, I'm sorry you are sick but I loved our snuggle time.

 

She wouldn't eat all day until mid afternoon when I indulged her in a peanut butter cookie.

Winter Days

The kids went out to play this afternoon and I managed to grab the camera and take a few shots of them playing.  I'm sure they are part monkey...

Things I Love Today

 1. My house.  My kids have friends over all the time and we love the space!
2. Sarah is wearing a new fuzzy fleece sleeper.  So sweet and soft.
3. Kijiji.  I just sold my jolly jumper, dining room table and chairs.
4. My husband who loves me unconditionally.
5. My children who love me so much.
6. My family.  I don't know how I'd manage without my sister or in laws.
7. Blogging.  I'm no writer by any means but it's fun.
8. My country with amazing health care services and benefits.

Happy New Year Mom

Arianna made me tea in bed this morning.  What a wonderful way to wake up.  She has such a big and sweet heart, I just can't help but love her to bits.

Last Post of 2009

The "Free Dictionary" defines resolution as:

1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.

2. A resolving to do something.

3. A course of action determined or decided on.

Around this time every year, people start thinking about New Year's Resolutions.  Promising themselves and others that they will change how they do something, bad habits, lose weight, that sort of thing.  I tend to avoid making them simply to fail at committing to my own promises.  This year is no different and yet I know there are things I would like to change about myself and family that would certainly be for the better.  I am going to set some goals that hopefully in a year, I can re-read this blog post and say to myself "I have succeeded".

So, my goal list includes:

- reading daily to my children 
- saving all my receipts so I can return things to a store if necessary
- growing closer to God through personal prayer time and digging more into HIS Word
- committing to a healthier lifestyle that includes better food choices and a more active lifestyle

I think these are reasonable goals.  Nothing too outrageous or impossible... just small changes that can make a big difference.

Daddy's Little Helper

Doug was doing some rewiring with our stereo system and Sarah was watching him carefully.

Checking out Dad's work!

Final check up...

 "I think it's good Daddy!"

Holes

I had bought Joshua a pair of jeans for Christmas.  I saw that the ones he was wearing had holes in them so I gave him the new pair early so he could wear them on Christmas Eve.  Fast forward three days and I notice that that the knees have holes in them.  THREE DAYS!!  I understand that they were on clearance but they WERE from the Gap and I really expected them to last at least a few weeks.  Looking through Joshua's clothing drawers, I saw that all of his jeans had holes in the knees!  I mentioned this to him and asked what he is doing that would cause such harm to his clothing.  "Oh that's easy", he responds.  And then proceeds to show me the run and slide on his knees move that would certainly be the culprit.  Denim is no match for concrete I suppose!

 

Anyhow, Joshua had plans to go to a friend's house this afternoon and I didn't feel right about the 'holey' pants so we headed to Edmonton and bought [more] jeans for him.  I really hope these ones last a little longer than three days.

Why I love Alberta

I know we suffer through long winters with snow that seems to linger for 7 months of the year, there is a true beauty that shines when the conditions are "just right".

 

 

 

 

 

Aunty Fancy

You have to admit that "Aunty Stephanie" is a mouthful for any two year old.  Quite a few months ago now, my sister was telling her son, Benjamin that they were going to Aunty Stephanie's house.  His interpretation came out as "Aunty Fancy-Car".  Now, we have no idea where the "car" part came from but it stuck.  That meant each time I saw him, he'd say "Hi Aunty Fancy-Car" and of course I'd reply with "Hi Benjamin-Car".  We've tried to encourage him to call me Aunty Tess (which is my nickname) but Fancy is sticking for now.  I love how my nephew and I have added a personal touch to each other's name- makes us seem extra close!

Joshua and Me

I love building with Lego.  I think I'm fascinated that all those little pieces can build cars, bikes, houses, spaceships and anything else that people (much more creative than me) can design.  For as long as I can remember, Joshua has been a huge fan of Lego sets.  And for just as long, I have been the one who has built the sets with him.  In the beginning it was because the sets were a bit too advanced for him and he needed my help and now we do it because we are Lego buddies.  It is great to sit at the table with my oldest and shoot the breeze while we search for the RIGHT piece to finish the project.  I look forward to his birthday and Christmas time when I can count on the one on one time that we'll have!

Christmas Pictures

 

 

 

The Last Day

of school before Christmas vacation.  I know the kids will be wiggling in their seats this morning as they wait for the traditional craft afternoon that their school does.  As a treat, I'll probably pick them up after school so we can be home early today.  I look forward to two weeks of sleeping in, pyjama days, and baking with my four kiddos!

I wish...

I could talk to my mom right about now.  I'm missing her lots and would really like her insight on some things.