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.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
if you've ever wondered what...
...is outside my window: a grey, drizzly neighbourhood. It has been this way for the past week, with sporadic bursts of sunshine. Lots of snow last week, and then lots of sunshine for 3 days means brown, damp, squishy grass (if you want to call it that) and today it is grey and ready for rain at any time.
...I am thinking: that I cannot wait to go cuddle my new grand nephew. He is only 3 days old and I have not yet seen him or squeezed him.
...I am thankful for: Many, many things. I just have to remember to focus on those things and LOOK UP at all times rather than focusing on all that I don't have. I had a grumbly day on Friday where I wasn't grateful for a darn thing in my life and thought that everyone else was so much better off than me. It was not a good day. Thankfully it lasted for only a day.
...I'm making for dinner. I'm not - my hubby is cooking tonight be/c its the weekend, and I don't cook on weekends! That would be one item I am thankful for! He is making beer can chicken, cauliflower and left-over broccoli/rice casserole.
...I'm wearing: a better attitude (phew!), jeans and a grey sweater. I wear jeans a lot.
...what I had for lunch: Campbell's Gardenay Mushroom Soup. And some 7 Grain crackers from Kashi dipped in Chive and Onion cream cheese. I have to start making better choices SOON because I am NOT enjoying this spare tire that is growing at a rapid pace. Instead of making good food choices I choose to eat popcorn and cookies and cake. Something needs to click and soon.
...I'm creating: I have a project list a mile long and here are some of the things on it; a baby book for my niece, big giant letters for the girls' room, chore charts, bat goody bags for the girls' classmates. And it doesn't end there.
...I'm reading: Nothing right now - still haven't finished the book on Josephine B.
...what I'm hoping for: that my husband will come to the same conclusion as me regarding our house. To sell it, not to renovate it. I am done here and it is time to move on. Other than that, a bit more work, solid child care, kids that sleep and stop getting colds, more time to be creative, a flatter belly.
...is one of my favorite things: my morning chai and time to do bible study
...are my plans for the weekend: Since this weekend is gone and we had no plans (yay!) I'll tell you about next weekend - Friday I'm out for dinner w/ two Mom's from Gabrielle's school then Saturday afternoon/night 3 girlfriends are coming over to scrapbook and eat snacks. Fun!
...what Max would look like in pink sunglasses and picking his nose:
...what I learned in a PSE class:
A little photo montage of my 3 kids that I created for a key hook at our back door.
Have a lovely day!
...I am thinking: that I cannot wait to go cuddle my new grand nephew. He is only 3 days old and I have not yet seen him or squeezed him.
...I am thankful for: Many, many things. I just have to remember to focus on those things and LOOK UP at all times rather than focusing on all that I don't have. I had a grumbly day on Friday where I wasn't grateful for a darn thing in my life and thought that everyone else was so much better off than me. It was not a good day. Thankfully it lasted for only a day.
...I'm making for dinner. I'm not - my hubby is cooking tonight be/c its the weekend, and I don't cook on weekends! That would be one item I am thankful for! He is making beer can chicken, cauliflower and left-over broccoli/rice casserole.
...I'm wearing: a better attitude (phew!), jeans and a grey sweater. I wear jeans a lot.
...what I had for lunch: Campbell's Gardenay Mushroom Soup. And some 7 Grain crackers from Kashi dipped in Chive and Onion cream cheese. I have to start making better choices SOON because I am NOT enjoying this spare tire that is growing at a rapid pace. Instead of making good food choices I choose to eat popcorn and cookies and cake. Something needs to click and soon.
...I'm creating: I have a project list a mile long and here are some of the things on it; a baby book for my niece, big giant letters for the girls' room, chore charts, bat goody bags for the girls' classmates. And it doesn't end there.
...I'm reading: Nothing right now - still haven't finished the book on Josephine B.
...what I'm hoping for: that my husband will come to the same conclusion as me regarding our house. To sell it, not to renovate it. I am done here and it is time to move on. Other than that, a bit more work, solid child care, kids that sleep and stop getting colds, more time to be creative, a flatter belly.
...is one of my favorite things: my morning chai and time to do bible study
...are my plans for the weekend: Since this weekend is gone and we had no plans (yay!) I'll tell you about next weekend - Friday I'm out for dinner w/ two Mom's from Gabrielle's school then Saturday afternoon/night 3 girlfriends are coming over to scrapbook and eat snacks. Fun!
...what Max would look like in pink sunglasses and picking his nose:
...what I learned in a PSE class:
A little photo montage of my 3 kids that I created for a key hook at our back door.
Have a lovely day!
Friday, October 9, 2009
its just that kind of day...
I don't know about you, but for me, cold, chilly (well icy cold really) weather makes me want to snuggle under a blanket, drink some hot tea and eat home made cookies. Which meant we had to make some cookies.
Gingersnaps. My fave.
Of course I had my two helpers there by my side. It went okay. Yep, just okay. And what I mean by that is that the actual cookie making experience went okay. The cookies are fabulous, it was the making of them that was a challenge.
Do you have girls in your house? Or siblings that bicker on occasion (that is said tongue in cheek because occasionally can be NON-STOP!)? Mine have days when they play fabulously and hearing them belly laugh together is just so awesome. But then there are other days when EVERY LITTLE THING is an issue. That's how it was during the cookie making...and several other times thru the day.
"She put in more stuff than me!" Said in a totally whiny voice and followed by a complete and utter melt down (hers not mine). That was just one instance of whining and complaining from today so...my blood pressure shot through the roof, I freaked more than I should have and it went far, far downhill from there. Her freak out (I'm not naming names) was really due to the fact that she was up way past her bedtime and clearly over-tired. My melt down was due to the fact that Max was sleeping and melt downs seem so much louder than normal when a baby is sleeping! Plus, Maxwell's naps have just sucked so bad this week that I was feeling pretty desperate for him to stay sleeping. Believe me, an hour nap is not long enough for a busy Mom of three.
Anyhow, we had our blow up, we all felt like poo because of it, we said our sorry's, kissed and hugged lots and then made cookies. And they are yummy. Here's the recipe if your interested and if you have a good one for chewy Gingersnaps send it my way...(also said tongue in cheek because no one reads my blog...I so funny). I would suggest you eliminate the temper tantrums and melt downs from this recipe. Enjoy!
Gingersnaps
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening (I used butter)
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 cup white sugar
In a large mixing bowl place about HALF of the flour. Add the brown sugar, butter, molasses, egg, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Beat w/ an electric mixer on medium to high speed till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in remaining flour.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in sugar to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are set and tops are crackled. (I like mine soft and chewy so we baked for 8 minutes). Cool.
Gingersnaps. My fave.
Of course I had my two helpers there by my side. It went okay. Yep, just okay. And what I mean by that is that the actual cookie making experience went okay. The cookies are fabulous, it was the making of them that was a challenge.
Do you have girls in your house? Or siblings that bicker on occasion (that is said tongue in cheek because occasionally can be NON-STOP!)? Mine have days when they play fabulously and hearing them belly laugh together is just so awesome. But then there are other days when EVERY LITTLE THING is an issue. That's how it was during the cookie making...and several other times thru the day.
"She put in more stuff than me!" Said in a totally whiny voice and followed by a complete and utter melt down (hers not mine). That was just one instance of whining and complaining from today so...my blood pressure shot through the roof, I freaked more than I should have and it went far, far downhill from there. Her freak out (I'm not naming names) was really due to the fact that she was up way past her bedtime and clearly over-tired. My melt down was due to the fact that Max was sleeping and melt downs seem so much louder than normal when a baby is sleeping! Plus, Maxwell's naps have just sucked so bad this week that I was feeling pretty desperate for him to stay sleeping. Believe me, an hour nap is not long enough for a busy Mom of three.
Anyhow, we had our blow up, we all felt like poo because of it, we said our sorry's, kissed and hugged lots and then made cookies. And they are yummy. Here's the recipe if your interested and if you have a good one for chewy Gingersnaps send it my way...(also said tongue in cheek because no one reads my blog...I so funny). I would suggest you eliminate the temper tantrums and melt downs from this recipe. Enjoy!
Gingersnaps
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening (I used butter)
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 cup white sugar
In a large mixing bowl place about HALF of the flour. Add the brown sugar, butter, molasses, egg, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Beat w/ an electric mixer on medium to high speed till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in remaining flour.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in sugar to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are set and tops are crackled. (I like mine soft and chewy so we baked for 8 minutes). Cool.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
09.09.09
I just wanted to blog on 09.09.09! Wouldn't it be a cool day to have a baby? I kind of thought it would be neat when I was pregnant to have a baby on a day with such memorable numbers.
Can you believe how "fall-ish" it is out there? I mean, come on already! We barely had much for summer weather and now, barely into September, the temperature has really changed - especially in the mornings. I for one have felt it when I drop Gabrielle off at school - I'm in such denial, I refuse to dress accordingly!
Grade Two has gone swimmingly thus far. No issues, and so far, no homework. Pre-school for Miss Lily has also gone well - we're on day 2 tomorrow. She is such a shy little thing. She really doesn't speak much at all during school...so quiet, in fact, that when I pick her up and she's actually spoken that day, Teacher Lila is sure to point it out to me! One day, last year, she announced one day "I'm not going to be shy anymore. I'm going to talk!" And talk she did...all morning! But she really hasn't become a Chatty Cathy by any means, which I kind of hoped for. Some days I wonder if she'll be a selective mute. This year her class is significantly smaller, only 9 of them, which is the reason I chose to put her in with the three year olds again, instead of moving her on with the class from last year. Perhaps the smaller size will appeal to her.
Had to share these pictures of her - after her big fall, this past weekend. She was watching two big girls jump off the swing and land on their feet quite easily, so she figured she was up for the challenge. She face planted instead.
These are taken on Day 3 of recovery. After a trip to the Children's Hospital to see if the inside of her mouth needed to be stitched up (thankfully it didn't), she's healing quite nicely. The first picture there is an attempt to photograph the inside of her mouth - which is now white with new skin - because the gash or chunk she took out of it w/ her teeth was unbelievable! Her mouth was gushing blood and when I discovered why, Greg and I quickly got her to the hospital for possible stitching. Yuck! This poor kid is on injury number FOUR to her face! Let's run through them for fun...
#1. She ran full bore into a chair while Nanny (great grandma) was watching her one afternoon and split her chin open, under her lip. Don't tell Nanny, but she still has a scar.
#2. She slipped and fell on Candy's tile floor during Madelyn's birthday party and spit her chin open. I was 9 months and 12 days pregnant so I phone Greg to meet me at the clinic because the wound is not closing up. The doctor stitches her chin WITHOUT freezing it. Crap. We had to pin her down at her head and her legs. The doctor figured it would be better to just give it one quick stitch instead of 2 needles (one for freezing, one for the stitch). I'm not sure I agree anymore. She still talks about getting the stich. Traumatic, if you ask me.
#3. While jumping on the couch, she bashes her face on a shelf behind the couch. She cuts her face just beside her eye. I call my Mom be/c I'm not sure if this needs a stitch...luckily it did not.
#4. See photos above.
Honestly, we're done with facial injuries, thanks! Poor kid...still has a huge swollen lip. But she's still so darn cute, even with the scrapes and fat lip!
Can you believe how "fall-ish" it is out there? I mean, come on already! We barely had much for summer weather and now, barely into September, the temperature has really changed - especially in the mornings. I for one have felt it when I drop Gabrielle off at school - I'm in such denial, I refuse to dress accordingly!
Grade Two has gone swimmingly thus far. No issues, and so far, no homework. Pre-school for Miss Lily has also gone well - we're on day 2 tomorrow. She is such a shy little thing. She really doesn't speak much at all during school...so quiet, in fact, that when I pick her up and she's actually spoken that day, Teacher Lila is sure to point it out to me! One day, last year, she announced one day "I'm not going to be shy anymore. I'm going to talk!" And talk she did...all morning! But she really hasn't become a Chatty Cathy by any means, which I kind of hoped for. Some days I wonder if she'll be a selective mute. This year her class is significantly smaller, only 9 of them, which is the reason I chose to put her in with the three year olds again, instead of moving her on with the class from last year. Perhaps the smaller size will appeal to her.
Had to share these pictures of her - after her big fall, this past weekend. She was watching two big girls jump off the swing and land on their feet quite easily, so she figured she was up for the challenge. She face planted instead.
These are taken on Day 3 of recovery. After a trip to the Children's Hospital to see if the inside of her mouth needed to be stitched up (thankfully it didn't), she's healing quite nicely. The first picture there is an attempt to photograph the inside of her mouth - which is now white with new skin - because the gash or chunk she took out of it w/ her teeth was unbelievable! Her mouth was gushing blood and when I discovered why, Greg and I quickly got her to the hospital for possible stitching. Yuck! This poor kid is on injury number FOUR to her face! Let's run through them for fun...
#1. She ran full bore into a chair while Nanny (great grandma) was watching her one afternoon and split her chin open, under her lip. Don't tell Nanny, but she still has a scar.
#2. She slipped and fell on Candy's tile floor during Madelyn's birthday party and spit her chin open. I was 9 months and 12 days pregnant so I phone Greg to meet me at the clinic because the wound is not closing up. The doctor stitches her chin WITHOUT freezing it. Crap. We had to pin her down at her head and her legs. The doctor figured it would be better to just give it one quick stitch instead of 2 needles (one for freezing, one for the stitch). I'm not sure I agree anymore. She still talks about getting the stich. Traumatic, if you ask me.
#3. While jumping on the couch, she bashes her face on a shelf behind the couch. She cuts her face just beside her eye. I call my Mom be/c I'm not sure if this needs a stitch...luckily it did not.
#4. See photos above.
Honestly, we're done with facial injuries, thanks! Poor kid...still has a huge swollen lip. But she's still so darn cute, even with the scrapes and fat lip!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)