Goodbye Old Friend

Last weekend a old Friend who was once very dear to me passed away. During my last couple years of high school I had three very close friends who I spent the majority of my spare time with. Tanya, Michelle and Stephanie. After high school we kind of went our separate ways. It happened gradually and before we knew it, it had been years. The above picture was taken at Steph's wedding in Sep of 2000. The last time I can recall us all being together is I believe in 2004 right before Steph moved to Fort Mac. Whenever I have traveled to Medicine Hat in recent years I have a thought in the back of my mind that it would be so nice to reconnect I should really try to plan a get together with these girls - and of course it never happened. Trips are always so rushed and then the kids came along and things got busier and busier. I am sad to say I missed the opportunity. I will never have it again. Stephanie passed away on December 22 at the age of 28 after a courageous battle with Cancer. I know that we really have not been close in the last 9 years and have talked only a handful of times and really besides a brief hello over facebook I don't believe we had talked at all since 2004. But my heart is heavy. I truly believed that one day we could reconnect. I have thought of Stephanie many times throughout the years and I hold many memories.

Tomorrow I will travel back to Medicine Hat for her Funeral. It just doesn't seem real. It will be a very hard emotional couple of days. Although I wish it was over happier occasions I have been able to reconnect with Tanya and Michelle. I have had a few long conversations with them both over the last couple of weeks and it has been great to have them back. These three women hold a very special place in my heart.

Why

Over the last couple of weeks I have been struggiling with the concept of young peoples bodies being savaged by Cancer specifically. I struggle to understand why God would let this happen and struggle further to understand why the Great healer does not heal. I can't say I am any closer to a grand realization but while talking to a friend this week she said something that has stuck with me this week. She pointed out the verse John 11:35 - Jesus Wept. I have been tossing that back and forth and read the chapter to put it into context. Why did Jesus weep? My friend and her wise husband believe perhaps because suffering and illness and diesease are not in his plan. That it saddens him and he weeps. This comforts me. Not saying it takes away my questions and that it makes it okay that I have a friend who is nearly defeated from Cancer. I am sad, I want Jesus to heal. I don't see a purpose and can't fathom what good comes from a man watching his wife suffer or another young man left a widow to raise his infant alone. But it comforts me a little to know that the God who created Steph is weeping at what is happening to her.

I have had this CD for a long time but forgot about it- it caught my ear while the ipod was on shuffle in the van.

GOD WEEPS TOO by ELI

This is for the man who never learned to read or write
he worked two jobs instead of going to school
I know it hurt you as a child, please remember all the while
That God weeps too

This is for the widow who now must sleep alone
When the memory of a kiss will have to do
Every night when she lays downyou can almost hear the sound
when God weeps too

God weeps too, God weeps too
Though we question Him for all that we go through
still it helps me to beleive and my faith it does relieve
Just to think that God weeps too

For every survivor of the wickedness of man
whether a black man or a Jew
some people kill in Jesus name
He is not the one to blame
cause even God weeps too

God weeps too, God weeps too
though we question Him for all that we go through
still it helps me to beleive and my faith it does relieve
just to think that God weeps too

Cancer Sucks

I have been pretty fortunate in the fact that Cancer has not personally touched my life until the last year. I have always heard of people with Cancer - somebody always knows somebody that has had it. Infact Fred's dad is a Cancer surviver. However he had it beat before I ever came into the picture.

The last year especially I feel like everywhere I turn there is Cancer, Cancer Cancer. I have a great Aunt who had Cancer and for a while it looked pretty grim - now as far as I know things are looking good. This was soon followed by my Great uncle Ron who was feeling under the weather for a bit thought he might have Pnemonia then Finally went to the Hospital to discover he had lung cancer and died within a week.

Around the time I was attending my great uncles funeral I connected with a old friend from Highschool days, she informed me that another once dear friend Steph had had ovarian Cancer but things seem to be in the clear.

Through facebook and through another friend from long ago I heard of yet another heart-wrenching journey through Cancer. This women I have never met but my heart is saddened - there story can be found at Sadly she just passed away this week.

Also this week we learned that Fred's Grandmother now has Cancer.

And finally tonight I received a call from a old friend to tell me that the other Friend Steph was not in the clear after-all - in fact far from it. Things are pretty bad. The tumors are all over and the her body is so weak from the fight that there is nothing more the Dr.'s can do.

Cancer Sucks . My heart is Sad

Post Makeover Celebrity Look a likes

Well at least there is no men! The power of a little makeup!

Pre Make over Celebrity Look a like

Kay so it is totally exciting that my #1 match was Katie Holmes, however not so impressed that there were 3 men

Takeover Makeover Part 2

Well the Makeover is complete and now the real work begins! It was easy to look good when somebody else did the shopping and hair and makeup. I have really only went out once since the makeover and I can't believe how much longer it takes to get ready! As I joked with Fred He likes the Eye Candy but not the process!

The makeover was a incredible experience and all the people I encountered were awesome. I love my new clothes and hairdo and even the makeup! Everybody was great about showing me how to do it so heopefully I will retain some knowledge! I really like looking good! The only down side to this makeover is the amount of money I will want to spend on clothes! Oh and the fact the most of the clothes that were bought are dryclean only!

So in the end I recieved
A pair of Black Dress pants
A pair of Jeans
Short sleeve black shirt
Long sleeve black shirt
Knit black sweater
Long Black sweater
A red Coat
Geox boots
a necklace
a belt
a hat

and then as a gift the stylist also gave me
a purse and two necklaces.

Troy the Hair guy also gifted me with about $100 in hair product!

I had mentioned on a break that we couldn't get into family photos because of the Christmas rush so at the end of the show Tara McCool asked if there was any photo place that could get us in- and the very nice folks at called the studio and shuffled there schedules to get us in! Not only did they get us in they gave us about $150 of free photos! And they did a awesome job and were so great with the kids!

What a AWESOME time! I am so Lucky!

Takeover Makeover

So this is the winning Before Picture! Fred (with some help) nominated me to win Breakfast Televisions TAKEOVER MAKEOVER. It is valued at $2500. I am partnered with a Personal Stylist . First she came to my house to see what I have and do a polite What not to wear. We then hit the Core with $1000 dollars for shopping. Karen Judge the Stylist guides me in picking out new clothes. Next is hair here, followed by makeup here. On Friday the 30th of November I will be revealed live on Breakfast Television. SO FUN! I still can't believe I won. Those who know will admit that I really do need help with my lack of style and it is fun to have somebody else just tell me what to do! If left to my own devices it is acurate to say I wear nothing but T-shirts and Jeans! I have enjoyed the process so far and I am looking forward to a new haircut! Stay tuned for after shots!

Happy Birthday Big Boy

So I am really bad at posting as of late So I will try to catch up a little.

Nate turned one on November 3! He is generally such a happy boy but on his actual birthday he was really quite moody. We had quite a few people over and Nathan scored big in the Gift department!

About two weeks after his Birthday Nathan started to walk! So he has been walking for a week and is really picking up steam! He looks like Frankenbaby with his arms out in front and walking very calculated!

Nathan is so much a Boy! He is into everything and just wants to explore - this bothers his sister at times but she does good! I never could have imagined how different boys and girls can be, it is fun to watch. Nathan brings us much love many smiles and a boatload of cuddles! I hope he doesn't grow out of that!

Halloween

Well Samantha had her first real go at trick or treating. First we went out with Nathan also but he only lasted a couple houses - Or rather his mom only lasted carrying him a couple houses. Then Samantha and I went to the end of our long street and up the other side! She never said trick or treat or thank you she just stared at the people handing Candy in her bucket! She only got really scared once and that was at a house where there was scary music and a man dressed as the grim reeper on the front porch - she wouldn't. She started crying and clinging to my knees. We skipped that house!

Samantha was Pablo from the Backyardigans and Nathan was a wise young chineese warrior. Well maybe not really but that is what we pretended. Nathan's Aunt had sent him a chineese outfit so we put that on him, and called it a costume. I have to say he did look more dressed up then a third of our trick or treaters!!

Genevieve Taylor

This week I had the privilege of being a part of something special! A good friend of My Sisters who is a truly remarkable women had a CD recording concert and we went. So Fun. I will tell you a bit of her story.

Two weeks after the birth of her fist child Hope was born, Genevieve was diagnosed and hospitalized for post partum psychosis. She was in the Hospital for over two months and at one point she did not remember she had a husband or daughter. It was a pretty severe case. Genevieve has always been very musically inclined and has been a worship leader at her church for a long time. Although she did not remember who she was at times, she remembered the songs she has always loved and she continued to sing and worship. Gen believes that it is worship that brought her through her post partum psychosis and to a complete recovery. It was thought that She would have to be on Medication for her whole life - Not so. She is completely healed.

Genevieve has written a book which was released at her live CD recording concert. CD to be released in late November. I encourage all to get both! Her books is a description of her journey though post partum psychosis. Her CD is sure to be hot! I was expecting a her music to be soft worship music but I was wrong, yes it is worship music but it was Rockin! Such a good concert! She even wrote the songs. Both her book and her music are such a encouragement!

Check out
www.genevievetaylor.ca

YAHOOO!

For the first time since July of 2004, "My Body is Nobodies Body but mine" (this is a line from a Red Cross RespectED song) For the first time in over three years I am not Growing or feeding a baby. I have now officially weened Nathan. I have not nursed him since 6:00 am on Friday. YAHOO! Fred and I should be able to go to his sleepover Christmas party in Banff. Nathan is now happily enjoying a sippy cup.

I am not a big drinker by any stretch of the imagination but I feel like I want a drink just because I can and I don't have to worry about when I will next have to feed Nate!

Welcome new Friends

Two families that we are lucky to call friends welcomed new additions in the last two days.

Congratulations to
Matt and Lynelle on the arrival of Haileys new little sister Taylor Madison born Oct 12. We can't wait to see pictures and of course meet you in person!

Also Congratulations to Cory,Crystal and Justin on the arrival of there second boy Ryan Joshua!(picture below) I feel privileged to be one of the first people to meet you! The 5:30AM call to come watch your brother was worth it!!! Such a sweet boy!

What I am most thankfull for

16 Months

16 very long months ago is when I figure I last slept more then 5 consecutive hours. I came up with this number by figuring that in the last 5 months of pregnancy I was up every 3 hours to pee or change position which was not a graceful feet. Nathan has in his 11 months of life not slept for longer then 7 and that only happened once on a day when he went o bed at 7 and I stayed up till 11 so it didn't benefit me any. Generally he sleeps for only 4 at a time. I am Tired. reaching physical exhaustion. I just want to sleep. I don't know why but my very Sweet little boy just won't let me. I feel we have tried every thing. Let him cry it out. Go in and comfort him but don't touch him, just give him his nuk. It doesn't work. None of it. I was given the suggestion to set my alarm and wake him up to feed so he will learn to sleep till I get him and gradually extend the time. Great idea and one that I had never heard of- so I try it. Setting my alarm for 3.75 hours from when he goes down - he decided to only sleep 3 hours that night. He has no consistency so I find this very challenging.

So now we have decided that is time to ween the boy, at least this way I don't have to be the one to get up with him- on the weekend Fred can have a turn. It is not going so well. He is very stubborn. Since going to bed at 8 he has been up at 12:30 - 1:40 and 4:44 till now at 6:20 and he is showing no signs of settling any time soon. He doesn't just wake up and cry nicely or talk to himself - nope my boy wails at the top of his lungs on and off. Just when you have hope he may have fallen asleep - he starts again. Not fun when we have a 2.5 year old who sleeps just down the hall. Thankfully for the most part Samantha has learned to sleep through it. I wish I could do the same. I feel like I am just dragging. My house isn't very clean, it takes me days to get the laundry done and we have been eating far more often cause I can't think of what to make, add to this I have decided I need to give up coke. I am in rough shape. I feel like Samantha is probably getting a crappy deal. I am not being very creative and fun with her. I am just so tired.

Why?

Some random questions that have crossed my mind lately...........

Why do you weigh less in the morning then at night?

Why does it always rain after I wash my Van?

Why do we call some meat we eat by the animal name and not others.....for example we call fish fish and chicken chicken but why do we call Cow beef? And Pig pork?

Why doesn't my son sleep through the night?

Why do I find it so funny when my two year old says a word wrong and it sounds like a swear?

Why do light bulbs in the same fixture burn out at different times?

Why are Karate uniforms white?

Where does dust come from? And why does it like my house so much?

Why am I the only one who knows how to drive on deer foot?

Why do trees with purple leaves not change colors?

Why won't my son take a bottle or sippy cup?

Why do I like Coca Cola so much?

Why do I like Popcorn so much?

Why can't vegetables taste more like Coke and popcorn?

Why is a dogs nose wet?

How can two siblings from the same parents look so different that you can't tell they're related?

Best's got Bite!

We are encountering a little problem at our house! Nate has decided he likes to bite! Not Cool. I don't think he knows what he is doing. I don't think he is biting to be mean, I think he is just figuring things out. The problem is - Samantha has been his victim twice. Both times on the arm. Once time left a good bruise. Samantha likes to hug nate and her arm goes in front of his mouth. He has also bit me a couple times in various locations once on the leg once on the shoulder and once on the arm. It is always when he is bury his head into me.

Nathan at 10 months has a mouth full and it hurts! His molars are just breaking through now to accompany the other 8 teeth he already has..

That brings me to a interesting thought that I thought of the other day.

I am crazy afraid of wasps, I don't recall having ever being stung but still I fear them. So much so that I run away and swat and squeal. One time in Medicine Hat while lifeguarding I even fell in the pool off a guard chair while trying to get away from a wasp that had touched my ear. So hear is my funny thought -

Why am I so afraid of such a tiny insect that is not even the size of my fingernail and that I have no recollection of ever hurting me.... yet I readily allow my son who really enjoys biting and has a razor sharp mouth full of chompers to nurse from a sensitive part of my body that I KNOW would hurt me if bitten. Just a little perspective.

Thankfully Nathan has never tried to bite while eating and I hope I will get through the next little bit before he is weaned without incident.

Fred likes me Gross

So further to my last post we then went shopping to find Fred a new pair of Work shoes. We went and found a shoe similar in style - a skater shoe that is wide so that they will be easy to pull on and off. We found just the ticket at Zeller's on sale. They are brown Airwalks. The color is great cause they won't look so nasty. $29.99. Fred is quite happy with them and has been wearing them all weekend so they can get worn in so they will soon be able to slip in and out. So today I said to Fred "Aren't you glad I spit in your shoes?" And he said "yes! They were pretty bad and I really needed new ones" So in the End I am Happy the old are gone and Fred is very happy to have new ones! If all it takes is me spitting in things that need to go to make Fred part with them, I am up for it. He has a horrible pair of PJ bottoms that I would love to see go...but I think he would just put those in the washer for only spit...I may need to get creative!

It's true..I am GROSS also

So Fred has this completely tattered pair of old shoes. They are probably 6 years old and they are so beaten up and truly need to be hucked. I have been telling Fred for years now that they need to go. About 4 years ago one of our dogs completely chewed the heel off. So these are like skater style shoes but they have no heels so they are like slip ins. Fred keeps them around because he claims they are great work shoes because he doesn't care if they get wrecked they are already so bad. As work shoes I have seen his shoe come off a couple of times- once his shoe came off and he fell flat on his bottom. So I have been threatening to do things like rub a dirty diaper on them. So today after I tripped on them AGAIN I decided that was it. I picked them up and I was taking them to the garbage we have in the yard. I thought to myself He is going to try and stop me, what could I do to make him not want to where them ever again. So I walked into the kitchen where Fred was and I got his attention so he could watch me. I then Spit in each shoe. Truthfully I have no idea what prompted me to do this - It was all I could think of at that moment. Kind of sick I know and really not lady like. But in the End it worked I guess. Fred certainly was grossed out and then the shoes went to the garbage.

GROSS

So Samantha does some pretty gross stuff. Yesterday was Samantha's first exposure to drinking out of a plastic bottle. I let her have the last bit of my water. She had been eating popcorn and wanted water. I give her the water bottle and watch as she figures out how to use it. She of course put the whole bottle opening in her mouth, right down to the neck of the bottle. She takes a swig. When the bottle comes out there is so muh popcorn in it- looks gross. Samantha thought this was great. When she took her next drink she was delighted when she got some popcorn and chewed and swalloed it.

The next thing we coaught her doing that we found pretty gross was at supper. We had pepperoni pizza. Samantha like to take it apart and eat it it like that. Pepperoni first. So she was happily eating her pizza and Fred and I were talking and then Fred noticed Samantha putting the pepperoni between her toes! She must have liked the feel of it or something. Fred of course told her to stop and went to grab the meat from her but she popped it in her mouth too fast. Yuck! She had pretty dirty feet casue it had been a couple of days since the last bath and we had been in a playground wearing only crocs. YUCK. Kids are certainly entertaining!

Just the Ticket!

So as many know I have been quite worked up for sometime about the reality of having to go back to work. For a while I was obsessing over it. I would wake up at night to feed Nate and then instead of returning to bed I would stay up late and scour the Internet in hopes of finding something I could do from home.

I found there were a lot of adds offering at home opportunities but was finding that they were all scams. I had a form email that I sent to numerous different adds and when the reply came they virtually all had some price attached to them.

Just for pure curiosity I paid the fee once. I found one that was only $10 and they would sent training materials so I figured I could lose 10 bucks- I will give it a try to see what it was.

I kid you not- I received a email --- so called training materials. The email gave me a sample add- the same one I responded to and told me too place that add in as many free sites as I could find and just watch the money roll in. Then just forward this same email to the people who sign up. That is the work from home. What a crock. I can't believe people can live with themselves.

After replying to probably 25 adds and all of them requiring payment, I stumbled across something very different. At home data entry/bookkeeping. I emailed back and forth a couple of time before talking to them directly. After talking for a hour and half we then met for coffee to discuss more.

The idea is the company looks after acquiring clients in need of bookkeeping services and they figure out all the specifics of the job. They set up time frames and such and they also set up a spreadsheet that meets the clients needs. The company then bring the paperwork- receipts and such as well as the spreadsheet to me and I go to town entering everything.

So I did my first project in the beginning of July. It started off really slow and I was doubting it would work. However August has been a different story altogether. Because the Company itself is just getting going- it took a bit to create the databases and process and stuff. They have been getting more and more clients weekly, and my workload has become steady. I am very limited as to what I can make while on Maternity leave so the slow start up has been perfect for me. I really feel like I may not have to go back to work. I think I could make what I need to make to keep up with our bills. What a answer to prayer!

I actually really enjoy the work itself. Date sorting receipts and entering data and I feel like the money is good for the work being done. A fair rate. The Company is ran by a Father/daughter team, and they are both fantastic! The dad is the spreadsheet whiz along with numerous years as a business leader. The daughter is brains behind the bookkeeping side of things. I have interacted with both of them and I have no complaints. They really have a passion for what they are doing and they really have a high value of family and they really focus on that in there business planning. They have great deadlines that are easily attainable even with 2 small children at home. The arrange to drop off work or pick it up in the evening when the kids are in bed. This truly feels like the perfect fit for my life.

Samantha

Scrolling through my Posts I realize there has been a lot of Nathan lately. I in no way meant to leave Samantha out. This week I have got to spend some awesome time with Sammie. On Tuesday we went to Callaway park with my Sister and her boys as well as my friend Crystal and her son Justin. Samantha and the boys had a great time. It is so fun to watch Samantha discover new things. This was her first time on a ride. She doesn't get really excited right away but rather she just takes it in. She checks out what is going on around her and gages others reactions. Then she realizes she likes it and has a great old time.



One night Just Sammie and I went to Costco. Normally we all go together so this was a new. I realized how much Samantha can talk. She can carry on a whole conversation. She sometimes has some miss pronunciations that are pretty cute. She says "Take it off" and I kid you not it sounds like "kick your ass" We even have a video of this but I have no idea how to post it. After going through the till Samantha and I shared a ice cream. She is such a cutie!

9 Months

Our Beautiful Baby boy is now 9 months old. Time is going way to fast. Nathan is crwaling like mad. He is a fast little guy so our lives have become a lot busier. The last two days he has also figured out how to pull himself up on furniture. Juest lastnight we pulled himself up on the couched and shimmied sideways. Fred and I are curious to see if he walks at 10 months like Samantha did.

Nate still has the most beuatiful smile but he makes you work for it a little more these days. He has developed this funny almost scowl that I haven't been able to catch on camera yet. We it looks really close to the one with Dirt on his face in the picture below.

Nathan is eating really well but will not take a bottle at all. He has even started eating cheerios. Since he has a mouthfull of teeth already(7 with more on way) I think he is ready for more texture besides baby goop.

Nathan and Samantha are both so happy and so fun to be with. They light up our lives. It is hard to fathom that we didn't even know them 2.5 years ago. We knew we would love our Children no matter what but we had no idea how much. We are so blessed.

ooops

Appalling

So recently I had a discussion with somebody that truly disgusted me. As most of you would know my son Nathan has a birthmark on his lip, it is a hemangioma. We are very accustom to getting comments on it. We get asked all the time what happened?, if he fell, what did he bonk on? One person even went so far as to ask if I dropped him. Now I really have come to expect people to ask, if you are looking from a distance it could look like a fat lip. I am okay with those questions well most of them....the did you drop him one I admit made me crazy mad.

So recently we were with some people and a discussion started about Nates birthmark. A lady (we know but are not direct friends but know them through association) started to talk about the birthmark and asked if we had seen anyone about it, I assured her we had and she continued on why don't they remove it? I sure wouldn't want to live with it....I am getting pretty ticked by this point but doing good at explaining it too her. I was relaying exactly what the specialist had told me. She then asked "well was it a plastic surgeon, I am sure a plastic surgeon would take it off they do amazing things" Yes it was a plastic surgeon and one that specifically deals with vascular malformations on children. She then decided to change topics and started in on Cleft lips and here is what she said.."I seen a lady with a child at the mall last week and the kid had such a horrible cleft lip, I am surprised she even had this kid out in public, I sure wouldn't leave the house if my child looked like that" My Jaw dropped, I didn't know what I could possibly say to this women...thankfully Samantha needed me right at that moment. I don't know that I have it in me to be nice after hearing something like that....I think I would have said some not very nice things if Samantha hadn't needed me.

It shocks me that people have these attitudes, It truly saddens me and makes me want to cry. Do you think that it is the parents fault? Do you think they don't weep for there child? Do you think they don't wish and pray that it wasn't there? Do you honestly think that person has not sought medical attention yet? Furthermore do you think just because they do not look what the world would classifie as "normal" does that mean they should have to be holed up in a basement never to be in public? Some people are mean. Do people think that about Nathan? Are people appalled when I take him out in public with a birthmark on his face? Nathan is truly one of the happiest babies I have ever encountered..his smile which he so readily gives lights up my life and makes my heart smile. I pray for his sake that it does go away like the Dr's are saying it will. Not because it looks funny or Ugly, but because people are mean. I don't think that Nathan's birthmark makes him any less cute - he is adorable with or without it. If anyone reading this does not agree then please KEEP IT TOO YOURSELF

Oh so Loney

Well we have found great homes for our Dogs. Meggie our Lab went to join the Bray family (Fred Sister and Fam) where she has another dog to play with as well as our niece who I hear is quite fond of Meggie! And Buddy went to live with a family from our Church. The have two absolutely amazing girls who really were excited to have a dog and they were able to talk there parents into it. Both dogs seem to be adjusting to there new surroundings and I have a feeling are being loved to pieces! So I am happy to know where they are and to be able to check in on them and see how they are doing.

We here are very much missing there presence. I truly can not believe what a messy eater Samantha is, normally after we are done eating the dogs come to do the floor clean up. meal time clean up is a lot slower without them.

The other time I especially feel the dogs absence is when we come home. It doesn't matter if we were only gone 5 Min's or for the whole day, the dogs were always at the door so excited to see us, I really miss that. It is sad to walk through the door now.

Another area where I really miss the dogs which surprised me is the feeling of security I have when they are here. Meggie is truly a suck and completely harmless but her Bark sounds vicious. Somebody would have to be really really brave to try and get in our house when Meggie doesn't know them. I really liked how safe they made us feel. Fred thinks I am kind of goofy, he thinks we are just as safe as we have always been. Maybe I am just a scared girl with irrational fears I don't know, but I do know the dogs made me feel safer.

I really miss them but I know it is what we had to do. They both are in fantastic homes. On the positive side Nathan is really doing great, the couch is almost completely gone and we are reducing the use of the inhaler.

Suckey Situation

Well Nathan had a Dr's apt last weekend and the Dr feels confident that Nathan does in fact have asthma which is being triggered by some allergy. Being that he is too Young to actually be tested we can only guess. The most obvious guess is the dogs so I took the kids to Medicine Hat for a few days, to my mothers dog free home. My mom is allergic to dogs so there has never ever been pets in her house at all as she has had it since new. We took Nate off his inhaler to see what would happen. Nate didn't cough at all. He was completely clear. As soon as we got home the coughing started again, along with a stuffy nose and a lot of sneezing. So it is a pretty safe to say the dogs are causing this. So they have to find a new home for them. Meggie our 6 yr old lab cross is having a trail run with Fred's sister and brother in law. Hopefully there dog will take to Meggie! We have a couple possibilities for Buddy but haven't made any decisions yet. THIS SUCKS. I wasn't allowed to have pets growing up so I have been very attached to the dogs it is so hard to let them go. We are really hoping to have them with people we know so that we can still see them.

First Boating Trip

Our Family is fortunate enough too live in a Lake Community. Nathan is now big enough to wear a PFD so we went for our first Family boat ride. Samantha loved it and would have stayed out longer, but little Nate was not the biggest fan of the PFD so we were only in the boat for like 20 mins. Fun!

Asthma

Well We went to our Family Dr for a follow up appt for Nate. And the news ain't great. The Dr thinks Nathan probably has asthma and that our dogs are probably the trigger. Since at Nathans age they can not specifically test for either it is more of a guess. The Dr prescribed him a puffer and we are supposed to use that for a week and if it clears up his cough then we have our answer.....asthma it is. The idea is that the Ventolin will not hurt him if he doesn't need it but if he does need it, it will really help. He has been taking it since Wednesday night and we feel his barking cough has significantly lessened. As for the trigger there is no way to be 100% that it is the dogs but it is the most evident. If in a week the Dr feels Asthma is the answer then myself and the kids will probably go to stay with my mom in Medicine Hat(dog free home) for a couple of days. We would take him off the inhaler and see if his cough returns,if it does then it probably isn't the dogs. But if the cough stays away and comes back when we come home we will have a more educated guess that it is the dogs.

Either way it sucks, either we know it is the dogs and they have to go, or its not the dogs but Nathan still has asthma and there is a unknown trigger. Not cool

The Specialist appt

So we went to a Specialist for Nathan's birthmark last week. We met with a Pediatrician and a Plastic Surgen. The verdict is that his birthmark is nothing to be of concern. THe Dr said that its growth is minimal and that is will dissapear compleatly on its own. It goes through a growth stage then it stops and then it shrinks. 50% are gone by age 5 and 80% by age 8. And it could always go away before that as well. It was reassuring to hear this! We are so happy that we won't have to get it removed. We are hopefull that it will be gone by the time he reaches school. Everybody already asks us what happened to him, I can't imagine what other kids would say. While at the appt we did find out some other stuff. Nathan was born with a heart murmer but we had thought that it went away. Not so. The pesiatrician heard it clearly so she sent us for a EKG. She is confident that it is nothing to worry about but thought we should check it out. So we will know more about that when we go to our Dr.

The last thing we found out is that Nathan is very possibly allergic to Dogs. Nate has had a very deep rough cough for some time, it kind of sounds like he is barking. It has been getting gradually worse and worse. So when I asked my Dr he said it sounded like there was a little phlem build up and gave us some medication. THe medication did nothing. So when we were at the specialist we asked the pediatrition we met with and she asked us a few questions and feels it could quite possibly be the dogs. Tasha's mom has a strong reaction to dogs also. So we will go back to our Dr and talk more about it with him. I don't know if they can specifically test him for this or how they would go about it so I guess we will see. As you can imagine this would be a very bad thing for us. We have two dogs - Meggie a 5 year old black lad cross and Buddy a 5 year old Shiba Inu. If the root of Nate's cough is the dogs then we have a bit of a predicament on our hands.

Diaper Dilema

So Little miss Samantha has a new favourite hobby. Taking off her diaper. She now takes it off all the time. It doesn't matter what pants she is wearing, skirts, shorts, pj pants, jeans- she can get them all off, and once she does then her diaper is instanly off too. So now she can't be out of our sight for a minute before she takes it off. The first time it was kind of cute when she walked up to us and handed over her dirty diaper. Then she started to pee on the floor, no so cute anymore. Then to put the icing on the cake today - she pooped on the floor. GROSS. Thank goodness she is a rather solid kid. As soon as I hear her peep on the moniter I am in there, but too late today, I really have no idea how to curb this problem, but something needs to change and fast.

It's like riding a bike?

They say once you know how you never forget....is the same true of swimming? I haven't done any real swimming since before I was pregnant with Samantha. Now I am going to "Try" to recert my NLS(lifeguard award) Am I crazy???? I am going to the pool tonight to practice with Stacey and I am hoping she doesn't get to practice on a real "non swimmer"(me) Here is hoping I don't drown.

Father thy will be done

Now that I have a ipod, I have virtually every cd I have ever bought on it and it is set to shuffle ramdomly. It has kind of been neat to rediscover some older favourites. This song really cought my attention this week. This is my prayer or rather this is what I want my prayer to be - I want it all to be about my Father's Kingdom. Whatever is going on in my life, weather I am walking closly with Jesus or weather I am doubting his presence in my life I do want his Kingdom to come and His will to be done. Whatever that means for me, I'm in. I want His will to be done more that I want my life to be comfortable.


By Carolyn Arends

When I cannot ask for more - Father, thy will be done
When I rail at heaven's door - Father, thy will be done
When my faith in you is strong - Father, thy will be done
When my strength is almost gone - Father, thy will be done

Chorus:
Father, thy will be done
Father, thy will be done
I want to see your kingdom come
Thy will be done

When I cry to you in prayer - Father, thy will be done
When I don't believe you're there - Father, thy will be done
When I feel your gentle hand - Father, thy will be done
When I just don't understand - Father, thy will be done

Repeat chorus

When I'm walking in the light - Father, thy will be done
When my heart is black as night - Father, thy will be done
When you give what I desire - Father, thy will be done
When you take me through the fire - Father, thy will be done

OUCH

*******warning explicit detail of my injury*******
So today the kids had a DR's appt. So as we were sitting in the Dr's office and the Dr had just gave Nathan back to me and he was sitting on my lap. The Dr then tried to get Samantha to come to him and she of course was playing shy so she snuggled up real close to me, head against my chest. I am hugging her telling her it is Okay, when she BITES me. And she bit me hard, right on the nipple. I screamed. It hurt so bad. I was concerened it was going to bleed. The Dr couldn't help but laugh and then went to get her a lolli pop so she could bite on something else, but I think that she thinks she just got a treat for bitting. So this is Samantha's first ever bitting incident and why in the boob? I quit nursing her when she was 10 months old, so it was not like she is used to being there. I sure hope this does not continue.

Cost to Rent a Rototiller and lawn roller $128

Cost of 3 truckloads of loam to level out the yard $92.00

Cost of Sod $0.27 a Sq FT

No Longer the neighbourhood eyesore - PRICELESS

A near perfect day!

Yesterday was a great day! It was my Birthday - the big 28! Closer to 30 then to 25. We had a awesome day! Fred took the day off work so first we slept in, Samantha slept in also, so we didn't wake up till my mom phoned at 8:45. We then got ready and went for Breakfast.

Breakfast is by far my favourite meal to eat out for but it is the one we do the least. After a great breakfast at ABC country restaurant we then went to Bowness to go to Bow cycle to find some new Biking sandals, because my old biking shoes are now a little snug, and the ones Fred and the kids bought me for Mothers day were too small also. We found a pair that are super comfy and in my size. We then went to the bay in search of a new watch for my birthday. We found and bought a really nice Roots watch. My last two were fossil - 1 I gave to my sister and the other has been broke since Samantha was 1 month old. So it was time for a new one. So I am hoping the quality is good and that I can keep this one for a long time.

Then we came home to let the kids nap and Fred and I got to squeeze in a round of golf (on the wii) and a couple games of tennis.

Then for supper, we ordered in Chinese food from Bills and ate birthday cake - a snickerdoodle cake from the marble slab - Can life get any better then that?

After supper we loaded up the kids and went for a bike ride! Nathan's 1st one ever and our fist one where all four of us went. Sooo Fun and the kids are sooo cute in there helmets in the bike trailer - sad I didn't take a picture.

After that the kids went to bed and Fred and I played some more wii - pool and air hockey. Fun

What a spoiled lady I am ! I can't think of a better way to spend my day. I love my family! Also I received more birthday wishes this year then ever before in my whole life. The power of facebook! Seriously I got a birthday greeting from somebody I haven't seen since the sixth grade. Recieved lots of phone calls and the cutest phone message from my nephew. Also got a very nice card and a wicked lighthouse to add to our nautical display from my good friend Stacey and our children's pastor and friend stopped by with a card filled with very kind words! I am surrounded by kind loving people who I adore! I am blessed!

Yikes

Calgary had some pretty wild weather tonight.......check out Jill's blog for what happened just down from her house. Pictures were taked from her stairwell window. The link to her blog is on the right....for some reason I can't link it.

Welcome to the world Baby Evan

Our Good friends Kim and Anthony were blessed this weekend with the arrival of there Baby Boy. Evan Bruce Heiraas was Born at 8:17 on Saturday June 2. He weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 6 oz and 23 inches long. I got to meet him today- what a sweet boy!

Congratulations Anthony and Kim!

A Family Picture- Finally

Our Friend Cheryl was nice enough to take a photo of our family yesterday! Turned out good, everyone looking in the same direction and looking pretty happy!

Need Sleep!

Well he is almost 7 months old, and Nathan still is not sleeping through the night. I think he has only slept 8 hours for like 5 days.......... months ago. Right now he seems to be very content with 6 maybe 7 never longer. Samantha at this age was sleeping a min of 9 but more like 10. Nathan also hates napping. It is very hard to get him to nap and generally requires a bit of "cry it out" On the plus side even though he doesn't like to sleep he is still the Smiliest boy in town! And he still loves to cuddle!

Anyone Surprised?

You Are Coke

A true original and classic, you represent the best of everything you can offer. Just the right amount of sweet, just the right amount of energy... you're the life of the party. Your best soda match: Mountain Dew Stay away from:Dr Pepper

What Kind of Soda Are You?

So I don't know what they say about Coke is me - but could I be any other kind of Pop? The funny part is they say to stay away from Dr Pepper - I don't know what they describe the Dr Pepper personality but I do know that Fred's favourite beverage is Dr Pepper. Funny

My Season

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Happy Birthday my Beautifull Girl

Samantha is two today. We had her party on the weekend! It was lots of fun, with lots of good folks! We are blessed to have so many friends with young children, and are equally thankful for are friends with no kids that Love are children abundantly. Today we went for breakfast together and then to walmart to let Sammie spend her money she was given. She picked out some backyardigan stuff(no surprise)

Samantha is a such a great kid and she enriches our lives in so many ways. We can't remember what our lives were like before we had her. We do know that we didn't laugh nearly as much. Developmentally she is in such a great stage. She is learning so much and she really holds us accountable to what we say cause she is such a parrot. I love that Samantha does not hide any of her emotions. If she is Happy- you can't help but be happy too she has a great smile and a contagious laugh. When she is mad watch out- or rather plug your ears and when she is sad - my heart aches with her - she has the most heart wrenching sad face.

We are so thankful that God chose to entrust us with such a sweet little girl!

Happy Birthday Samantha!

Rain Rain Go AWAY

Well rain is not what we had planned! Fred has taken the whole week off work. The plan was to re sod our Yard. The rain is not helping us. We had planned what we wanted to do each day this week and not we are behind before we even start. I guess it shows you, that you can plan and plan till your hearts content but God may have other plans. I guess maybe we were supposed to have a nice relaxed day as a family instead of go-go-go.

My Anxiety

Time is going too fast..I have just over five months before I have to return to work. I am already filled with such dread at the thought of it. Every time I am in any little bit of traffic, I start to think about how bad it will be to drive to work everyday. I work for the city- in there 311 call centre. The office is in Whitehorn, I live in Chaparral. Yikes that is a long commute.

It is not the Job itself I dread - I actually enjoy the job. It is the rotating shift work, there is like 8 different start times ranging between 6:00 Am and 9:00PM they are open 24/7 and 365 days a year. The shifts are 10 hours so at least we only work 4 days a week. The six months that I went back to work between maternity leaves I found so stress full, and generally speaking I don't stress much. I find the rotating shifts really hard, especially with young children. It was hard enough then I knew it was only for six months.

Also the thought of having to leave my Children with a stranger again makes me feel kind of sick. It is not that our day home was bad - it wasn't otherwise I would not let Samantha continue, but there was things (especially the last month) that I did not like. It is the little things like diaper rashes and colds missing socks that I could do without. Also Samantha especially is so impressionable right now and I kind of like knowing what is being said/watched/listened to around her. As much as you think you can trust your day home provider - (unless you know them from before) how well do you really know them? Do they swear when they are frustrated? Do they talk on the phone a lot? Do they play favourites? Do they make kids wash there hands before eating and so on...

I have been searching the Internet everyday for any type of work I could do from home....so far no luck. There seems to be a lot of things advertised but they all seem like a scam to me. I don't think you should have to pay a start up fee to work from home. I don't want to start my own business, I would just like to work for somebody else. Some type of clerical work perhaps. I feel I have time in the day in which I could work but it is just a matter of finding it.

Anyways theses are my thoughts and what is giving me anxiety these days

Side Effects of Pregnancy

I came across yet another side effect of having been pregnant twice. Not only do I have a crazy amount of weight to lose, a belly that looks like a street map with the amount of streth marks. I have now discovered my feet have grown. I couldn't really tell before as most of my shoes were quite roomie before. Having recently dragged my bike out, I have discovered my bike shoes are too small. Since I have the kind of bike shoes that actually clip right into the pedels - I need to buy a new pair. I have been trying to grin and bear it hoping somehow the shoes would maybe stretch? No such luck - my toes just hurt like crazy. So I guess I need to go shopping!j

Romance Defined

So I have been thinking a lot about romance lately, perhaps because it is our Anniversary. As I have been thinking about it, my immediate thought was...well Fred is not that Romantic, but I could not be more wrong. I think romance could be defined as a unexpected act or gesture of love. I don't think flowers,gift, poetry or candlelit dinners define romance, I think those can be romantic things, but they don't define romance. Here are some "romantic" things Fred has done lately.

He fills my water cup every night
He changes diapers without being asked
He tiled our bathroom floor
He put air in my tires
He put in a new light fixture.
He bought a bbq set, cause I mentioned ours had seen better days.
He installed my ipod in the van
He locks up every night
He emails me throughout the day
He always changes the big water bottle
He changes in the closet in the morning with the door closed so I don't wake up with the light.
He puts the laundry away cause he knows I hate that job
He doesn't get mad when I volunteer him for things

This list could go on and on, there is so many things that Fred does to show me he loves me each and every day, and I don't think I recognize them nearly enough. He doesn't have to do these things, but he wants to. I don't nag him to do them, he just does them. He is thoughtful in so many ways, he takes care of us in so many ways. He is my best friend in the whole world, and I am so thank full that we get to do life together. I love you more today then when we married 7 years ago. I love you deeper and for more reasons. I love you more then I know how to communicate. Happy Anniversary Freddie!

6 months

Our Beautiful boy is 6 months old already. Time goes so fast. Nathan is still a very happy baby, always has smiles for everybody. He absolutely adores his sister and just laughs at her. He to his mothers delight is still a cuddle bug. He is sleeping pretty good and is just starting solids which he so far hates. He is rolling really good front to back and back to front. He is getting really good at sitting up by himself. He brings so much joy!

We Drink too much

I think Fred and I drink far too much - to be honest I think it is me more than Fred. I really can't seem to keep glasses clean. We have a whole cupboard full and somehow it is almost always empty- hence why I think we drink too much. In my defence I have for the most part cut out pop so instead of nursing a bottle all day I now go through many glasses. Water, ice tea, chocolate milk. I can run that dishwasher everyday and still I run out of glasses. Maybe I should go back to pop.

Introducing solids

So far he really doesn't like it!

Finger painting fun

It's like riding a bike

For the first time in a very long time I was able to go for a bike ride. The last two nights I went out by myself for a little jaunt. I haven't rode my bike in forever and a half. Between being pregnant or having just had a baby or it being winter I have not ridden in like 3 years. And lets be honest I didn't ride it much before that - too lazy. So Today I have a sore bottom - I think I need a gel seat. Now if only Fred and I could get out together minus the little ones....Actually we do have a bike trailer that they can both fit in. By the end of summer Nathan should be big enough to wear a helmet so he can come.

Since Facebook

I think almost everybody I know is now on facebook. I think that facebook has casued people to avoid there own blogs. I think facebook is so addicting that people are spending there online time on that rather then in the blogworld.

My own thoughts on facebook....it is kind of neat but yet I am not convinced I love it. It seems kind of like a race to see how many friends you can get. Then once you get them that is it. And how weird is it that peoole make plans and stuff on a wall to wall so that everybody can see it?

I can say this- I wish I could have bought stock in facebook

Uncle Ronnie

Last Thursday I received word that my Great Uncle Ronnie had Cancer, quite progressed and aggressive, It sounded pretty bad my mom said. I just seen my Uncle Ronnie on the 14th at my Grandma J's memorial. He seemed fine - a little mellow perhaps but I didn't give it a second thought- we were at a memorial after all.

Uncle Ronnie is a Tall Robust man. Dark hair and Dark beard. I don't know why but he has always reminded me of a lumberjack. He has always appeared so gruff but he has always been a big softy. He just turned 60 last August.


This morning my mom called to say that the Doctor gave him two days and they had moved him to palliative care. He didn't last that long and died this evening at 7:30. I guess he had been feeling under the weather for a couple month's. He thought he had pneumonia. He finally went to the Dr on Tuesday and was admitted to the hospital right away.

I feel very sad for his family. His youngest grandchildren are twins and they just turned one this month. His youngest daughter didn't get there in time. She lives in Fort St john and had to fly to Calgary then rent a car to drive to Medicine Hat - she was about 1/2 hour away. They were all together last weekend and they had no idea that would be the last time.

I am realising more and more that Life on earth is so short, and so out of our control.

Like a Child

Sometimes I wish I could express how I feel like a child does. Samantha is a open book, she tells you or rather shows you exactly what she thinks. When Fred walks in the Door at lunch Samantha stops what she is doing and runs to him...huge smile, eyes beaming shouting "daddy daddy daddy!" Sometimes when we are upstairs playing and it is about time for Fred to be home - I let her stand on her toy box and watch for Fred's truck. Same thing "daddy truck, daddy truck when she sees him pull up - she is so loud that Fred can hear her once he opens his door.

On the other side when Samantha is not so happy we also know it. When we are driving in the van and the sun gets is her eyes she just screams....I wish I could do that sometimes when I have a physical discomfort I wish it was acceptable for me to just scream..for example right now I have a very annoying piece of popcorn caught in my gums, I wish it was acceptable for me to just scream...imagine the tension relief.

Sometimes when Samantha is playing with others she is not the best sharer. Younger girls especially seem to bring out the bully in her. And the one she is the absolute worst with is her cousin Elizabeth. If Elizabeth has anything that Samantha wants she crosses the room and takes it. Sometimes if she doesn't think I am watching she will cross the room and just push Elizabeth down and then take the toy. Of course we are right there and don't let her get away with it. I admit sometimes I wish I could do the same thing. When somebody annoys you, don't you kind of wish you could push them down, or sometimes don't you wish you could just take there toy? Shopping in walmart during the Christmas season is so aggravating to me, I always tell Fred I wish I could just flick people in the back of the head - that would make them get out of my way. Of course I don't do this and I never would. But Samantha does.

Also when does burping, tooting become socially unacceptable? When Samantha has a toot she pats her bum and says "mantha stinky" I figure at least she is warning people isn't that better then being horribly embarrassed if one slips out? Or isn't it good that she take responsibility for it rather then being in a room full of people and everyone wondering who made the bad smell.

It's a Sad Day

It is a Sad day in the Best household. We have just moved Nathan to the Big Car seat. No more Baby bucket. Being that we are only planning on having two kids it is time to pass it on to some Friends expecting there first baby. He is growing so fast. This also will be a bit of a adjustment for me when it is time to go out...How Do I hold Nathan while putting in Samantha or how do I hold Samantha's hand in a parking lot while I buckle up Nathan....I guess we will figure it out soon enough. Time is going so fast. We are going to be empty nesters before we know it.

Spring has Sprung!

Want to know how I know? It is not because I didn't have to wear a coat today. It is not because I hear the birds in the morning, and it is not because there is absolutely no more snow.... The reason I know it is spring is from the amount of gophers I have seen, - both dead and alive. On my drive to Medicine Hat today they were everywher on the 22x from Calgary to Gliechen. I personally hit two. The road looked like a masacre had occured.

Oh How she missed him

I am creating a slide show to have playing at my Grandma's memorial this weekend. So one of my cousins sent me a whole bunch of photos. This was among them. It is Grandma standing at her husbands gravestone. My Great Grandparents married in 1931 and they had 49 years together before he died in 1980. She was left missing him for 27 years - nearly my whole life. Until the day she died I never seen Grandma without her rings. My cousin told me she once asked Grandma why she never made a new "friend" and she replied "After having a love like your Grandpa and I had, nothing could compare" Wow! While doing this slide show and seeing pictures of Grams throughout her life I can't help but think of all the things she wasn't able to share with him. I think of all the happy times that would have been better if she could have rejoiced with him. And the sad times that might have been a little easier if she could have grieved with him. I don't think there was a day that went by that she didn't think of him, long for him. Grandma died almost six weeks ago and I bet you she is still catching him up on the happenings of the last 27 years. What a Reunion that would have been!

Reece Allen MacDougall

So in the previos post I held mispelled his name. It is Reece Allen MacDougall.

A new Nephew

Reese Allan MacDougall joined our family today. Weighing 8lbs 8oz and 21 inches long. I totally called girl and was totally wrong. Nadine and Darren originally went to the Hospital this morning only to have Labour stop on the way there, so they went out for breakfast and then walked the mall. Nothing happened so they decided to drive back to Langdon to have a nap. They left for the Hospital again at 4:00 PM and he came at 7:30. Pictures will follow just as soon as I get some. We are so excited to meet the little guy! Our Family is growing! Fred's parents had 5 grandchildren within 22 months and my parents had 5 grandchildren within 27 months.

Oh the Anticipation

My Older Sister Nadine is now in Labour. I got the call at 6:00 AM to go pick up my nephew Camden because it was Hospital time. So we anxiously await the call saying if Cam has a sister or brother. The great part about taking Cam, is that we will be the first to get the call! So Exciting. I have been calling girl all the way through her pregnancy so we shall find out today. Oh the suspence. I am glad we found out both times what we were having, I think I would have drove myself crazy with wondering.

This is the Stuff

This Is The Stuff
words and music by Carolyn Arends and Connie Harrington

Riding along on a big yellow school bus
Elmer’s glue and a brand new lunch box
Writing my name for the very first time
With a pencil that was bigger than me
From jumping rope and skipping school
To doing things that grown-ups do
Life goes by like that big old bus
If you miss it, it’s history

Paper dolls and paper weights
Scraped up knees and hearts that break
Dreams to dream and plans to make
Love to give and love to take

Chorus:
This is the stuff
The smallest moments
This is the stuff
I need to notice
This is the stuff
Life is made of

Walking along as my life unravels
Looking back at the road I’ve travelled
All the things that matter most
Have caught me by surprise
Misty eyes and silent prayers
Promises and secrets shared
Friends that keep you up all night
Laughing till you cry

Life’s made up of little things
Ties that bind and apron strings
New beginnings, old routines
Love and heartache in between

Repeat chorus

I have always liked this song and lately I have been thinking about it a lot. The part I love most is the chorus

This is the stuff
The smallest moments
This is the stuff
I need to notice
This is the stuff
Life is made of.

Lately I have had a lot of moments with my Kids that I catch myself thinking "This is Why I love my life- I need to remember this" Just Yesterday we went for ice cream and Samantha had her first ice cream in a cone - it was great. We were trying to teach her how to lick the cone - she would stick out her tongue to copy me but wasn't really picking anything up. It was so fun to watch her learn.

I have a really small pocket size digital camera, that I need to start carrying with me- well rather I need to make sure it is charged all the time- it is always in my purse. It doesn't take the best pictures ever but I think I'll take my chances and try to catch some of these moments

5 months

Our sweet little Baby Boy is growing so fast. Nathan was 5 months yesterday, and he is growing and developing so quickly. He has been rolling over for about two weeks now. He has two teeth and we have a sneaking suspicion he is working on some more. He is truthfully one of the most happy babies I have ever seen, I know I am a little partial but I still think it is true. He absolutely adores his sister and loves to watch her play. He loves it when she lays on top of him- he just giggles. He doesn't like sleep as much as his sister did, but we still can't complain. Only one more month till he can start eating solids - well mush, a part of me is kind of sad for that. There is something so special about his utmost dependence on his mom. We thank God everyday for blessing us with two amazing children and we pray for guidance as we try to raise them in a way that is glorifying to him.

Silly Girl

Happy Birthday Anthony

Happy Birthday Anthony! We have only known Anthony for a little over a year, but it sure feels like a lot longer. Anthony is the kind of guy you instantly feel comfortable around. We feel blessed to have friends like Kim and Anthony and look forward to celebrating many more happy occasions with you guys in years to come!

Recyclemania

So Fred and I have signed up for Residential recycling. I was getting so tired of our infrequent trips to the recycling depot. We would wait until our bin was full- well overflowing if we are being honest. Also because we didn't go that often we were throwing out things like milk jugs rather then recycling. We had never looked into recycling service before because we assumed it would be too expensive. So not the case. We went with Recycle blue after a recommendation from Fred's coworker. They charge $130 a year with weekly pick up. That works out to $2.50 a week. So worth it! Plus they take things that the city recycling depots don't accept - hard plastics like shampoo bottles, yogurt containers etc. So far we are in week two and it has almost been a game to see all the stuff we can recycle-today I figured out I can recycle our wipes containers and the bag from Shake & Bake. Yahoo (that speaks to our lack of adult entertainment around our house!) We are excited to see how much it reduces our weekly garbage.

Kind of Sad really

So Fred and I bought eachother our anniversary gift early- ipods. Guess what the first thing that went on mine is? Backajardigans! Yep that's right- Backjardigans for Samantha, mission to Mars to be exact. Boinga Boinga.

Shoes on shoes off

Why do Americans wear shoes in the house and why do Canadians not? To come to Canada and walk all over somebodies house and not take your shoes off is so rude and to go to the states and take your shoes off at somebodies house- you are looked at funny and thought to be making yourself quite at home. I don't get the difference? How often do americans have to replace there carpet? Being that we have cream carpet I know how dirty it gets even when I don't where shoes.

Growing up

When did things like the Federal Budget and Health Care issues and Church AGM's become interesting to me? Since I have started mat leave again I somehow have become very intrigued in the news and what is going on around me and I don't know why..I think I may finally be a grown up.

Taxes Done!

YAHOOO we are done are taxes for the year! We even get a bit of a return! Glad to be done for another year. We are big fans of the Quick Tax program, it is sooooooooo easy.

Happy St.Pattys Day

Ok so we are a day late in Posting this, but it is still cute!

About 80%

I would say Samantha is about 80% back to normal. She definitely is feeling better and has now been able to eat a couple of meals so is starting to get her energy back. She still is not nearly as smiley as normal and today she preferred to be in the stroller at church rather then run around the gym with the big kids. After church she didn't want to eat but just said "nap" and went to her room. Slowly we are getting there, hopefully not much longer till our happy energetic little girl is back to normal.

A New Niece!

Welcome to the world Piper Emma-Lina Donner! Fred's Sister Jenny and her husband Mark had there 2nd child today. There 1st child Aurora is 5 days younger then Samantha. Word is she was born around 7:30pm EST and weighs 9lbs 2 oz and 20.5 inches. We are excited for them and can't wait to meet our newest family member!

Still Sick

Samantha is still feeling pretty lousy, she spent the better part of Yesterday sleeping. She continued to throw up and added a pretty good fever to the mix. Last night Fred and I moved her Bed into our room with us, because she was waking up crying a lot and she had really rapid shallow breathing. Since she hadn't thrown up in a couple hours and was feeling really hot we tried to give her some Motrin- it came up almost immediately. So we continued to push the pedialite, waking her up every 15 Min's to give her some for a couple hours, Then she really wanted to cuddle for a while- really I think she wanted to be held as she threw up some more- mainly all over me. She now hasn't thrown up since about 4:00 Am and Fred gave her a couple Cheerios this morning, so far so good she has had 6 cheerios since 7:00 that have not come up, and her breathing is back to normal and the fever is a little lower. The poor thing must be starving- this is the most she has kept in since 6:00PM on TUESDAY. I hate seeing her so sick- I feel so helpless. We miss her smile, we pray this passes soon.

1st Hospital Visit

Well we got to experience the new children's hospital last night. Samantha continued to get sick all day long so I called into the Health Link and they suggested we take her in. They are pretty sure she has a viral infection of some sort and she was starting to get quite dehydrated, so they tried to put a IV in but it didn't work. One nurse tried to put it in her hands, but the vein burst both times and then a different nurse tried in each of her feet- again they burst. So instead we had to wake her every 10 Min's to give her a syringe of pedialite. She has not thrown up since about 3:00Am and we left the Hospital about 4:00. We are hopeful we have seen the worst and she will get back to her regular bubbly self. They said it is crazy contagious so not to be surprised if we all get it! FUN. Hopefully it will skip us. I just got a email from a friend that we were with on Sunday and she said her little girl is pretty sick too so maybe they caught it together?

So the children's hospital is very nice and the staff is fantastic. We did however wait for quite a long time. Fred and I have come to the conclusion We would rather a long wait then a serious sickness that made her a priority.

We are thankfull she is okay.