He's Two!

My baby boy is two. My very last baby. He's gone from this...



To this.



It truly is bittersweet.

Here's a shot from his family party on Sunday. Poor third baby gets no theme and a store bought cake. On Saturday we'll have the "friends" party, which is more of an adult party with their kids in tow, appies and hopefully a home made cake! Hopefully! I figure the third kid is lucky to get a party at all!



Look how big he looks blowing out his #2 candle! Sigh. Heartbreaking.

Hi, it's me!

I don't come here much. Which does not really matter AT ALL because no one else does either. However, I have been working on this.

And guess what? Its been working! I've been drumming up some business for my little toe painting business. Kind of cool if you ask me.

I've also been working on 3 scrapbooks for someone special. She went through a terrible loss about one year ago so I'm trying to get the scrapbooks done for her and her kids before the year is up. I will be close, but maybe not totally finished. Just waiting for some more info to include.

And I have a paying job...design work! After a nice break from work, four clients have landed on my lap - just the kind thing you pray will happen! One is on hold for a bit, two are small jobs and one is a nice sized reno that might grow as time goes on.

Oh and then there's this...

These four take up a good deal of my time. Then there's the house work that I have NOT been doing! I have a good layer of dust on most surfaces around here about an inch think!

That about sums it up. Nothing extraordinary or unusual. But still, its mine.

for today...

March 25th, 2010

Outside my window... It is sunny, blue but a bit chilly. It is SUPPOSED to go to +16 tomorrow.


I am thinking...that my friend is celebrating her 40th birthday today in Arizona! I wish her a lovely, happy day and a yummy birthday drink too!

I am thankful for...my neighbor and friend. She picked up my girl from school today because Maxwell decided to play and talk for most of his nap. He finally went to sleep a half hour before we'd have to go get Gabrielle.


I am wearing...Jeans and a pink sweater. I need color!

I am remembering... to iron my pants for tonight.

I am going... to do nothing this weekend! Lessons are done, we have no plans and I can't wait to just hang out at home.

I am currently reading...Water for Elephants.

I am hoping...for some warmer weather to roll in and blue skys. The grey has been depressing.

On my mind... what I should do for work. Work for myself or for a firm? I'm torn because there are things about both that are appealing. I am half wanting to stay at home with the kids but half of me wants to be designing again and to be getting a pay check!

Noticing that...it is time to do some decorating around here.

Pondering these words..."pray with expectation." I have not been expecting an answer lately to a specific prayer. Time to turn that around.

From the kitchen... soup and sandwiches tonight. A nice easy dinner before heading to bible study.

Around the house...the norm. A bit of a mess in each room. Too tired to care!

One of my favorite things: things to look forward to...like our holiday in July. So far away, but looking so forward to it.

For Today...February 24th, 2010

Outside my window... It is lovely...we've had a delightfully warm week.

I am thinking... that I better get going on dinner. We're having sticky chicken, rice and veggies. (*EDITED* - All THREE kids chowed down - that includes Max!)

I am thankful for... my one day a week without my kids. It is a nice day of quiet, but I'm also anxious for them to get home.

I am wearing... black work out pants, a grey long sleeve t-shirt and a white tank top under it.

I am remembering...to get a SIN card for Maxwell.

I am going... to a seminar on Saturday with my husband.

I am currently reading...The Power of a Praying Wife. Loving it. Next up...The Power of a Praying Parent.

I am hoping... to get away w/ my wee family during spring break. They have two weeks off! That's a lot of time to be at home w/ them.

On my mind... I need to make a treat for our BSF Fellowship tomorrow night. Banana bread I think.

Noticing that... I am enjoying walking/running on the treadmill @ the gym more than I would have imagined. But I do need new runners desperately. They wore out long ago. But new ones are SO expensive! Yikes!

Pondering these words... Psalm 33:4 "For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does."

From the kitchen...Thursday nights are officially soup and sandwich night. Love to have one easy-peasy meal during the week.

Around the house...so many projects I wish to get started on. Entertainment unit, kitchen table, play room storage. One day.

One of my favorite things: Celebrating my birthday. I decided a few years ago that not just the kids birthdays would get celebrated but ours as well. So, this year, like last, I organized a night out w/ my girlfriends and it was fantastic. I am so lucky to have wonderful friends. My family also made me feel very special. 37 ain't so bad afterall.

S.A.H.M.

Who knew I'd be THIS busy now that I'm "not working"? It is 1:32 pm and I've just sat down for the first time today. I'm pooped! I've made a school lunch for Gabrielle, dressed three kids, driven one to school, picked up a friend for a playdate, dropped Greg's lunch off to him at work, cleaned the kitchen (12 times it seems), unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, made lunch, put in and folded some laundry, made banana bread, gotten snacks and lunch for 3 kids, cleaned up again and here I am...finally! I'm thinking it is far easier to go to work!

Am I crazy? To be not working? When I did that, I did the school lunch and school drop off, then I drove the youngest two up to the day home. I came home, made a cup of tea and SAT DOWN. It was easy. It was quiet. I got paid for it.

But for some reason, the desire to be at home was strong and could not be denied. After much prayer, it seems the answer was clear. Be at home with your kids right now. Now, that might change at some point. I might want to find work in a month, or two or six or by next year. But right now I'm loving it. I love spending my days at home with my kids. They are so little and when I see Maxwell, toddling around in nothing by his diaper, I am struck by the fact that he is my LAST baby. My last little person at that age to live in this house. And I want to enjoy these moments with them and soak up every last detail of their "little person-ness"...



*EDITED* After posting this, Lily spilled her entire glass of milk on the carpet. I did not respond very well. So although I want to be at home right now, I will not and do no always excel at this job!

Today...

Outside my window… it is chilly. There is ice fog. But it sure is pretty.

I am thinking...that our toy room is in desperate need of some attention.

I am thankful for... my new role as a stay at home Mom. Loving it!

I am wearing… my jeans and a long sleeve white t-shirt.

I am remembering...that I have quite a few things to get in the mail.

I am going...to pick up Lily from pre-school soon.

I am currently reading...the Love Dare.

I am hoping...to take a hot vacation soon with my husband and kids.

On my mind...how fortunate we are to live in a place that doesn't have earthquakes. They Haitians need our prayers AND our money. Go here to donate.

Noticing that...I haven't been taking very many pictures lately.

Pondering these words..."Instead of continuing in this negative first reaction, Martha moved forward in faith. When you think such thoughts in a similar situation, will you like Martha, move forward in faith? Will you say, "God has some new blessing for us that will give Him glory"? Will you expect this blessing and, like Martha, cooperate in faith with God for whatever He wants to do for you in and through this disaster?"

From the kitchen...promised Lily we'd make chocolate chip cookies together today.

Around the house...we got a new front load washer and dryer. Love them.

One of my favorite things...snuggles with my kids.

Snapshot...

This turkey thought he was hilarious dunking his nose into the whipcream on his pancakes.

Oh for CUTE!

See this?


I made it. What is it? It's an advent calendar. Super easy, fast and did I mention CUTE? I'm pretty pleased with it! Actually, I'm darn excited!

It's little match boxes covered in Christmas-y paper, numbers glued on top and notes or candy inside. The notes include special things we'll do in December, like make sugar cookies, go bowling, tour the Christmas lights, have a camp-out under the Christmas tree.

I'm super excited for the kids to start on this and love that I now have family activities planned out for the next three weeks. It will make the season a bit more special I think and hopefully make us adults in the house stop and enjoy this time with our kids. We keep reminding each other how they won't be young forever and won't want to hang out with us for long either. This will hopefully be something they always remember and look forward to every year.

In other, un-related new...my husbands at the Grey Cup today. For free!!! Friends of ours had an extra ticket and invited him. He was on top of the world! I'm super excited for him...how fun!