The Next Best Thing

Funny Boy

2010-05-17T15:09:00.002-06:00

So today while getting Nate in his Car seat I notice a small wet spot on his shorts.."Did you pee a little buddy?" I ask. " Nope, it's just water" he replies. "Where did you get water?" I ask "From my penis" he replies.

2009 - A year in Review

2009-12-31T10:10:00.002-07:00

2009 seemed to have went by in a whirl. Seems like a year passed in 6 months. Time is flying. 2009 has been a pretty uneventful year for our immediate family and for that I am thankful. Kids our growing and developing so fast that I feel like I am just trying to soak in each day. In September, Samantha will start school and I just don't feel ready to share yet. Nate will be lost without her at first I am sure. Fred and I both turned 30 this year. Fred's birthday was rather uneventful. His wife wasn't kind enough to plan anything. My Birthday however was stellar. Fred along with the help of our good friend Michelle planned a Amazing party. It might have actually been Michelle with some help from Fred but alas it was awesome. Sumo wrestling inside a church lobby! Many people pitched in, and I was blown away. I have pretty amazing friends and family!

In our extended family we have seen both Happiness and Sadness. My beautiful cousin Mandy passed away suddenly at only 31. She left a Husband, two children, her parents and Brother far far two early. So hard to understand, and hard not to be angry, hard to hold onto faith in a Loving God when things like this happen. I think of her often and although I didn't see her more then a few times a year I miss her. She had the sweetest voice with her English accent still hanging on, after being in Canada for like 18 years.

2009 brought new babies to our extended family, a couple of my cousins had kids. So great to see. There was also two weddings in my Dad's family. Two of my cousins wed, sadly we missed these events but the pictures were great! And another wedding took place, This one a epic event! My Mom and Wayne have been together for 14 years and they FINALLY wed! So great that he is now officially my Step Dad!

Fred continues to work for Eecol, this year he celebrated 10 years with the company. I am pretty confident he will be there until retirement. I am still home full time and did work at a couple of pools occasional. This summer was pretty busy as I was helping a friend work Farmers markets most Saturdays. Fun times! And so exciting to be a part of a new business and watching the take off!

2009 has been a challenging year for our Church. We have been without a lead minister for the full year. We have been blessed with many great guest speakers, but it will be nice to have some consistency back. We pray 2010 will bring this. We have seen people in the Church step up to new responsibility. We have seen and experienced much growth in Relationships. Sadly we have seen people we adore and people that make Journey home to us leave our Church. All for various understandable reasons, still can't help but miss them though.

We look forward to what 2010 will bring. There is sure to be some fun times! A Disney World adventure. Fred and I will celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss. There are many babies in the works....None for us but amongst our extended family and close friends. Hopefully a new pastor. I think it will be a good year!

Christmas Is Coming

2009-12-01T16:09:00.002-07:00

SAMI it is

2009-11-30T17:20:00.002-07:00

Samantha is getting to the age where she can spell her name. The problem is her name is so long. The other problem is that we all use a shortened form of her name so we decided it was time to figure out exactly how we would spell that shortened version. We decided to let her choose herself. We gave her four options.

SAMIE
SAMMI
SAMI
SAMMIE

She chose SAMI. We tried mixing the list up and she chose the same three times is a row, so SAMI it will be.

Games Wish list

2009-11-28T23:19:00.002-07:00

We are big games fans here at the Best House. We are Big Catan players and have all the expansions and love them. Also Love the Ticket to Ride - have played both North America and Eurpoe. We would like to expand our game repertoire. There has been quite a few games we have heard of over the years that we would love to play and or acquire.

Carcazonne
Ticket to Ride Markin
Puerto Rico
Bohnanza
Phase 10 - Card game

Have any favorite games not listed that you think we might like?

Bite Me??

2009-11-16T12:32:00.002-07:00

I don't understand this phrase. It is a phrase that one says in anger to another, or in joking envy or what ever. The problem is what if they followed through? It would not at all be pleasant for the person who said the phrase, it would hurt them. Therefore this phrase is dumb.

Pumpkin Carving.

2009-10-29T14:52:00.006-06:00

Last night we had what is becoming a annual event, a pumpkin Carving Extravaganza!!! This year there was a more free hand. A couple of old school Jack o lanterns! There was also a lot of Patterns!

These are the three that came out of our House. The First is Fred and I's. I picked the pattern and gutted the Pumpkin but carving credit goes to him.

It was pretty busy around the table lastnight so The kids and I did there choices this morning.

The second is Samantha's choice and Sammie and Nate both had a hand in gutting it, and then I was left to do the carving. Under Samantha's constant supervision!

Lastly this one is Nate's choice. This time they did not want to touch the pumpkin guts again, so we cheated and used the backside of somebodies who left there pumpkin here lastnight!

I always Joke about Fred not letting me touch things that require any amount of artistic skill or steadiness of hand. Which is totally not true, it is just he is such a perfectionist and would way rather do it. SO I bug him. So it is very very rare that I do the pumpkin Carving...I would say this was a first and I think I did pretty good if I do say so myself!!

The rest of the Pumpkins done by friends of ours can be found on Flickr.

Wow

2009-10-26T10:24:00.002-06:00

It sure has been a long time since posting. I should really write about something....Hmm I will give it some thought.

Turning 30.

2009-06-19T08:33:00.003-06:00

Well the Big event has come and gone. I turned 30 12 days ago and strangely my world did not change that much. I didn't turn gray overnight, my joints didn't start creaking and I still have full bladder control.

Fred collaborated with our good friend Michelle part planner Extraordinaire and threw me the Bestest Surprise Party Ever. The original plan was a to have the party in Michelle and Tyler's AMAZING back yard. The fact that is snowed that morning put a damper on it. The Thursday before the party when the forecast looked so gloomy they decided to find a indoor location. It is a good thing they did...it rained and hailed a significant amount... So the party was in the Lobby of Oak Park Church.

The Party- Sumo Suits! How great is that? I had mentioned months ago that I thought a sumo party would be the greatest thing ever and they ran with it. It was AWESOME. So many of my close friends and family came out to enjoy it with us. And everybody was such good sports... I think almost everybody took a turn, minus pregnant folk and those with Small kids who were afraid of the wrestling. I think I myself wrestled like 6 times...defeating all except my Mama. She schooled me. So fun. There was a amazing spread of food. Some of the Guys even BBQ'd in the Hail. What great friends I have. Some people contributed food stuffs and some contributed money towards the party. Wow, I am loved! And I really really felt it that day.

The next day we went to Church and discovered that a bunch of people actually got hurt from the Sumo wrestling...Well some guys...They were brutal with each other. There was a cracked Sternum, a couple of ankle issues that seem to have heeled fast, a toenail that turned purple and a pretty good neck injury that resulted in multiple physio visits. Who knew sumo could be so dangerous. However the fun outweighed the injury and all said they would do it again.

Samantha Turns four!

2009-05-25T13:12:00.004-06:00

Saturday was a Very Special Little girls Birthday. Samantha Turned 4. Saturday was kind of a mellow day we just hung out together, Sammie had soccer in the morning and then we just played our day away. Sunday Samantha was very excited for Church because she knew they would sing to her and she would get to pick out of the Birthday Basket. Sunday Afternoon was the Big event. The weather was BEAUTIFUL!! We rented a big bouncer and a little Climbing structure and Fun was had by all. So nice to do it outside this year!

Fred outdid himself again this year and made not one but two Amazing Cakes!! This year it was a Tinkerbell cake. I can't believe I don't have more pictures- I guess I was too busy having fun!

Where's the Poo?

2009-05-09T21:35:00.002-06:00

So we have been working on Potty training Nate. It has been going really well except he won't poop in the potty. He is getting to where he will pee pretty consistently just won't attempt to poo. He is actually waiting until nap or bed,when he is wearing a diaper and unsupervised to do the deed. So Last night after the kids went to bed I went for a swim. When I come home and before I go to bed I always go in the kids rooms to check on them. So lastnight as soon as I open Nate's door I smell it. Very strongly but as I look at my boy I realize he is not wearing pants or a diaper. Uh Oh Not good. I look under all his covers no poop or diaper, under the bed, nope, under the dresser..Nope....In the closet...Nope. I call up Fred he looks in the same places, where could it be. Fred then notices that his Jammie s are on top of his dresser and he grabs them and sure enough the diaper is in them. He had taken it off post poo and put it up and went back to bed. Miraculously there was no remnant poo anywhere and he hadn't even wet the bed while he'd been sleeping without a diaper. It was a really entertaining event.

9 Years!

2009-05-08T13:08:00.002-06:00

This week Fred and I celebrated 9 years of Wedded bliss. Fred took the day off and we took the kids to go check out the new Gasoline Alley of Heritage Park. Followed by Lunch at Montana's then home for the kiddo's to Nap. That night we had care group and that was about that. Not too much in the way of celebrations but there is no better day then a day spent with our family just enjoying each other. There is talk of perhaps taking a little overnight trip to West ED at the end of the month. Time is flying by and it is hard to believe it has been 9 years. The years each get better and better!

Oh the Joys of Having a older sister!!

2009-04-27T09:07:00.002-06:00

Cute Kids

2009-04-15T16:21:00.002-06:00

So the Kids were in the Bath a couple of days ago. Sammie has this little foam Princess crown and Nate is wearing it, Sammie is swinging her little Bath magic wand and saying bippity boppity boop and then holds up a little mirror and exclaims.." Look Nate now your a princess" It was Cute.

Roles

2009-03-17T10:45:00.003-06:00

The longer Fred and I are married the more I realize how much we depend on one another. There are tasks that we completely depend on the other one to do. I was reminded of this the other night when we were trying to figure out a new game. Fred is the Instruction reader. I tried I got bored and handed it to Fred. I could read the instructions and I am confident I could actually figure out how to play, However I don't want cause I know Fred will. Even if I read them and tried to explain the game to him, he would still read the directions. Same with any type of home repair. I could change a light bulb but instead I wait for Fred, cause I know he will want to ensure it was done right. I used to Change my own oil- Now I let Fred. Painting, Construction, squeaky doors, tires that need inflating, toy putting together, All Fred.

I on the reverse side make sure the bills are paid, Make appts, make our social plans,arrange childcare when needed, meal plan, make sure we all have proper attire. I even had to set aside a time to make Fred go Shoe shopping. I am sure Fred could do these things but he would much rather leave it to me.

We are so used to the roles we play, that when we step out things get a little Chaotic. A couple weeks ago Fred took a call from a place returning my call to get our couches serviced. He set a appt and wrote it on a torn off piece of paper and put it with all my other paperwork. He briefly told me about it and I forgot. On Tuesdays I generally take one of Sammies Friends to and from preschool so I try not to book anything then. But I find out today Tuesday that the Fix it guy is coming exactly when I should be on Preschool run. I am confident this would not have happened if I had made the appt. I would have marked my calender or wrote it on the board on the fridge.

A couple of weeks ago I attempted to get out the spot bot and clean a coffee stain. I used it, and cleaned it and put it away. Somehow a rubber piece fell in the disposal and Fred discovered it later on. It has been Driving him nuts- he is sure I didn't clean it properly and if he was not so busy on the reno I am sure he would have taken it out and cleaned it.

Unloved

2009-02-18T13:12:00.003-07:00

I have my ipod on Shuffle in my van nearly all the time. So I hear a lot of older songs that I have heard a ton times. Occasionally the lyrics to a particular song catch my ear. This time it was Unloved by Micheal w Smith.

I have been unfaithful
I have been unworthy
I have been unrighteous
And I have been unmerciful

I have been unreachable
I have been unteachable
I have been unwilling
And I've been undesirable

And sometimes I have been unwise
I've been undone by what I'm unsure of
But because of you
And all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved

I have been unbroken
I have been unmended
I have been uneasy
And I've been unapprochable

I've been unemotional
I've been unexceptional
I've been undecided
And I have been unqualified

Unaware - I have been unfair
I've been unfit for blessings from above
But even I can see
The sacrifice You made for me
To show that I have never been unloved

Unaware - I have been unfair
I've been unfit for blessings from above
But even I can see
The sacrifice You made for me
To show that I have never been unloved

It's because of you
And all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved

You can Listen to it Here

The Best Care Group.

2009-02-15T14:48:00.005-07:00

So we were asked to speak at Church and tell people what our care group is all about. So we talked for about a minute saying what kind of studies we have done and stuff and then we played this video. The writing clips are the answers that each group member came up with to the Question "What does being in a care group mean to you?"

After viewing the video I ended by reading another response from a former member of our group. Here is what it said.

being in a care group meant so many things to me. It meant having a fun place to see friends (with snacks!) every week. It meant having a safe place to talk about life and faith whenever i needed. it meant having people to sit with at church and church events (potluck lunches!). it created an oasis of love and peace and laughter in the middle of my week. it created an oasis of love and peace and laughter in my life - which, at the time, very much felt like a desert. christopher and i have never experienced anything like it, and we're hard pressed to find it again. it was just a once in a lifetime thing, and i can't tell you how it strengthened my faith and gave me hope, to face the next morning, the next week, even a move to winnipeg. being in a care group transformed church from a place i went, to an activity i participated in. i know for a fact i received much more than i ever gave. care group extended far beyond the room we met in. it kept a smile on my face through some very sad days. i love you all so very much, and my gratitude is endless. i know i know, so why did we go??? i absolutely declare you all were one of the hardest parts of leaving, and we miss you more than words.

Life Lessons from my 3 yr old

2009-02-10T13:40:00.002-07:00

Samantha has recently become intrigued with the idea of winning. I tell her to get dressed and when she is done she says " Mama I winned" At meal times when she finishes she says "I winned" and when Nathan finishes "Mama Nathan winned too" We've been kind of laughing at this, but have been thinking maybe we should correct her. The other day the kids were racing and Sammie got to the destination first "I win Mama I win" then she continued to Cheer for Nate "Come on Bro you can win too" When Nate reached the destination she yelled "You did it Nate! You wined too" Besides the bad grammar I think I can learn lessons from her. It sounds cheesy but to win is to Finnish - Samantha gets it. And I love how she at this young age already knows how to support and cheer for her brother. To celebrate his successes also. I pray this is something she will continue throughout her life.

Common Terms and Phrases Part Two

2009-01-25T23:42:00.002-07:00

I did a similar post a couple of years back and always meant to do another..

Close But No Cigar
There was a time in history where the carnival was the center of entertainment. Games in particular gave out prizes to shooting marksmen or those with a keen eye. Cigars were often given as the prize. If a man (or woman) made a clean shot that came close to the target, but not exactly on target, they were praised for being close – but not actually getting the cigar.

One Red Cent
In 1852 pennies were made of a copper-nickel alloy that changed color through the passing of hands. Furthermore, the front was stamped with an Indian in headdress. We all know that the slang term for Indians was redskins. Between the slang and the worn color of the penny, they became known as red cents.

RULE OF THUMB
An old English law declared that a man could not beat his wife with a stick any larger than the diameter of his thumb.

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

"goodnight, sleep tight."
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on.

GETTING THE SHORT END OF THE STICK
Candles were expensive to make, so often reeds were dipped in tallow and burned instead. When visitors came, it was the custom for guests to make their exit by the time the lights went out. Therefore, if your host didn't want you to stay very long, he would give you a "short stick."

MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX This came from the days when smallpox was a regular disfigurement. Fine ladies would fill in the pocks with beeswax. However when the weather was very warm the wax might melt. But it was not the thing to do for one lady to tell another that her makeup needed attention. Hence the sharp rebuke to "mind your own beeswax!"

HONEYMOON It was the accepted practice in Babylonia 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer, and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the "honey month" or what we know today as the "honeymoon".

Fun Video

2009-01-05T21:56:00.002-07:00

So a while back we took the kids to Madagascar 2 and it had a video that I thought was so funny. I just found it on you tube. Watch it here

The 12 Events of Christmas.

2008-12-29T10:26:00.011-07:00

Well another Christmas come and gone. Fun was had by all and now all that remains is overflowing toy boxes and a copious amount of material to be recycled.

Christmas seemed to be a drawn out event this year. The first event that was Christmasish was our 2nd annual care group gingerbread decorating night. Fun Fun Fun and some nice looking houses.

2nd event was Fred's Christmas Party. It was fantastic! His company flew up to Phoenix for the weekend and it was great. My mom came up to stay with the kids and we were footloose and fancy free. We rented a car directly from the airport and ended up with a brand new dodge charger. Equipped with a borrowed GPS we set out to shop. It was fun to have no obligation or agenda for a weekend. No bums to change, no nap times to interrupt the day and no melt downs or sibling brawls. I will admit I missed our two blond kidlets very much and was quite anxious to return to get some great hugs. I don't know if I could go longer then 2 days without them....Not yet anyways.

3rd Christmas event was the kids party at Fred's Work. We went to playtopia in Okotoks and was great fun. Complete with a visit from a very believable santa! Samantha was over joyed after receiving a Tinkerbell doll and suddenly would talk to everyone to show it off.

4th Event. 1st Annual Care Group Christmas party. We invited others from Church to join us and had a pretty full house. What a grand time. We borrowed the idea from a good friend and had a White elephant gift exchange. People had to bring a item they already owned- no money was to be spent. Then we played one of those games when you could steal or pick new... Fun Fun Fun. Some gifts were a 50's radio, a petrified tarantula, books, Bible on tape. So Fun. The rules were nothing could remain at our house. We did however open our fridge to find a tarantula. Payback will be interesting!! Another fun thing we did was invited people to donate the money they would have spent a present for the gift exchange and donate it to our cause. We decided to pool some resources and bless a recently single mother with some Christmas surprises for her and her son.

5th Event. Our Mom's group baked and Decorated Christmas Cookies.

6th Christmas event. My mom's Company throws a kids Christmas party that they invite grandchildren too. So our family and my sisters family go down from Calgary and niece April from Medicine Hat joins us also. So we all spend the afternoon swimming at the leisure centre followed by a pizza supper and of course a visit from Santa. This santa no so believable. Very fun event and I can't believe the company buys a $30 gift for each kid and grandchild. Also swimming and pizza for everyone. So Great.

7th Christmas Event. Christmas with my Dad. While in Medicine Hat we celebrated with my Dad. We joined this with a little Birthday Party for my niece April who turns three today!! Complete with Ice Cream Cake.

8th Event. Christmas Eve at our house. My sister and family and my Mom and Buba(her long term boyfriend that our kids call Buba) and my cousin and her boyfriend and My Aunt and her kids. We had a appetizer night and all ate too much. We also made a castle Birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. We had a little mishap with the color but it still tasted great.

9th Event Christmas Morning. A grand event of blur of wrapping paper and smiles that light up my world. Followed by a time of unpackaging adult proof packaging, followed by a time of sorting disgusting amounts of cardboard and plastic to recycle.

10th Event. Opening presents at My sisters house. The kids each had a present from my Sister but mostly watched Cam and Reece open there gifts from Granmda who had slept at our house. Also got to give Grandma her gifts which I think we did good on.

11th Event. Turkey Dinner. This is its own event because it was amazing. My sister got a Fresh Turkey from Sunterra Market and they smoked it on the BBQ. It was fantastic coupled with Garlic mash potatoes that my Brother in Law makes the absolute best in the world. My brother in Law took the picture below, doesn't it look like a photo from a magazine? It is not though- that is the actual turkey we ate. Yummy!

12th Event. Off to Fred Parents. We arrived after they were done there meal and got to see our uncle and cousin before they left to feed puppies. Then had a little present exchanging there. We gave our gifts to Grandma and Grandpa that we joined with 2 of Freds siblings to buy. They seemed excited with the gifts so Yahoo!

Very exciting times. So fortunate that we have family nearby and that we got to spend time with so many of the people we treasure. We did miss not seeing my younger sister Jessie and Fred sister Jenny and her family. That would have made Christmas the best ever. We enjoyed the kids joy immensely and our so thankful for them. By far our greatest gift. We are happy that we were able to pick out gifts that our loved ones appreciated. We are thankful for the opportunity to bless a family becasue we could. We had fun times with Friends new and old. We value the reason for Christmas and what it means to our souls and try to spread that Love and Joy to others.

1 year

2008-12-22T18:39:00.003-07:00

Today marks one year since my Friend Stephanie passed away. She was 28 and she died of ovarian cancer. Although we had drifted apart and let life happen and were not close in recent years - I miss her a lot. I always thought there would be time to reconnect..... I think of her often. It just doesn't seem fair.

I was in Medicine Hat this weekend. In the recent years whenever I would go to Medicine Hat I had thoughts of calling the girls and trying to connect. This weekend I visited her grave. It seems surreal. Because I hadn't seen Steph in a couple years it just doesn't seem real.

There is a Church in Medicine Hat that is rather famous- well to Medicine Hat standards. Everybody knows it. It is St Patrick's. It is located on Riverside. This is the neighborhood I spent my first twelve years in. This Church roof line can be seen from everywhere on Riverside. It was a fixture in my Childhood. But I never went in it. I wasn't catholic. After I became a church goer myself my Friend Steph often asked me to go to mass with her. She wanted to go the Saturday evening versus having to wake up on Sunday Morning. I went at first because I wanted to learn the difference between the catholic faith and my new found faith- and I wanted to see the inside of that church. So I went with her probably half a dozen times. Then the next time I went was for her wedding and then I last went again for her funeral. I can't see the church without thinking of her. She was a pretty amazing person. She was Beautiful, Funny, Sarcastic, Kind, Blunt.- She had a particular affirmation for public flatulence. She was one of a kind and I will remember her till we meet again.

Only One Hair Cut

2008-11-15T15:23:00.003-07:00

Fred has had the same haircut for over 10 years- Since before we met. Fred has always had some variation of the Caesar cut. Short in the back and sides and a little longer on the top. And he styles this cut by making a messy look on top. This is not a haircut that is hard to do. In fact I have cut Fred's hair for at least 8 of the last 10 years. And nobody has ever commented that it was crappy - ever.

So about a year ago I was growing bored of cutting his hair and I was really wanting him to try out a new look. Don't get me wrong....Fred is Hot and I do like this cut on him but I bet he would look just as Hot in a new Style. So he started going to a barber. And the same Caesar cut he got each time. Fred is not one to speak out and ask -So a couple of months ago I went with him. We were looking through a haircut book and hadn't found anything but then it was his turn. So the guy says what are we doing and Fred of course asked me. I am sure the Barber felt sorry for Fred and his pushy wife however Fred didn't know what to say to describe what we had talked about. So I said can he have something beside the Caesar cut?? Still something short and clean but something different... His suggestion? A faux hawk that is actually not really a faux hawk but rather a little longer of a Caesar cut so that he can still do the messy look if he isn't comfortable in a faux hawk.

So Fred has since been growing his hair thinking that if it were longer then they might have more to work with. So we go to a different shop today and were told- "So I just shorten it up for ya eh?" So Fred says well I would like something different- and he says "okay I shorten the sides and back and leave the top a bit longer ya?" This is when I interject and say - He has had some version of the Caesar cut for the last decade can he have something different? "Okay okay" he says - so he then spends approx 5-7 mins on Fred hair giving him a Caesar cut once again and only he says well the sides are tapered in so you won't have stick outs - ask Fred if he likes it, Fred shyly says its okay and then says to me- " See it looks good eh?" I say well good yes but also the same as the last 10 years. Then Fred pays his $19 and we leave. Fred comments that he has never had such a fast haircut in his life.

I see lots of men out there that there hair doesn't look the same as Freds so I know it is possible....But seriously why can't they just do what we ask? Do barbers only know how to follow the lines of what was there before? I don't get it. I imagine anyone reading this thinks I am crazy pushy and Fred should be able to have his hair the way he wants it...I just want to make it clear he is ready for a change, he wants something new also. He just wont ask for it...That is just Fred.

Nate Turns Two!

2008-11-05T08:59:00.006-07:00

Well our Little Baby is not so Little Anymore. Monday Nathan turned two. Nathan is such a Happy Boy who brings so much Happiness in our Home. In Crowds he tends to be a little bit of a Mama's Boy. But this Mom will admit she doesn't mind. There is something so rewarding about being the only one he wants! I admit when I need both hands it can be a slight inconvenience.

On Sunday we had his Party and had a bunch of friends over. We rented a bouncy castle from our Church and were estatic to have such nice weather to be able to use it outside in November. It was a great hit and the kids had a blast. Fred made a amazing cake decorate like wall-E. Nate Loved it!

His actual birthday was Monday and Fred took the day off. We have a little family tradition of Fred taking the day off on every bodies Birthday and we go for Breakfast and spend the day together. We went to ABC then after we went to toys r us and let the kids explore the toy isles for nearly a hour. Then we went to our Uncles new house to take Before pictures as they are going to do a massive reno. The kids had fun running around a empty house and playing with the leaves in the Massive back yard. We stopped in at Grandma's work and the kids had fun checking out the school. On our way home the kids fell asleep and so Fred and I drove through some of the very uppity neighborhoods on our way home to look at all the massive homes. I can't believe the size of some of these places.

Then we came home and gave Nate his gift from us! We gave him a tool bench and so far it is a great hit with both kids. It was a great day spent just enjoying our family. I love days when we have no agenda per say and can just slow down and enjoy the Joy to seep in. It is fun to spend a hour in a toy store letting the kids go from toy to toy checking them all out. It is fun to play in the leaves and just watch there joy. We are blessed!

One Day to Do

2008-10-21T11:14:00.004-06:00

I was going to call this Post the Bucket List - like the movie but decided against it. These are just things I have thought about in Passing - If I die tomorrow I would not regret that I didn't get to do them.

Learn to Sew
Learn to Scuba Dive
Drive a convertible
Take a afternoon exploring 17th Ave
Take a afternoon exploring Inglewood
Get a motorbike license
Talk my way out of a ticket
Learn to not be a picky eater
Be a guest on the Ellen Show
Pay for Everyones meal in a Restaurant
Get over my fear of Homeless people
Write Down the Story of How Fred and I met and Fell in Love. - For our Children and Grandchildren to one day read.
Learn to make fun home Movies
Make slide shows of each year of my kids life's.
Learn to Play Guitar
Go through the Paramedic Program
Help my Children Buy a house'
Take up Camping
Whisk my Husband away on a Surprise trip
Coach my kids sports team
Be a block Parent
Get to know my neighbors
Have a Cruzin Cooler race with my Dad
Play on a Basketball team again
Learn a second Language - NOT FRENCH
Learn the rules of Football
Scan my negatives onto my Computer
Be a youth Leader
Throw a costume Party
Learn more about my Grandparents that died to Early
Write more Thank you notes to the people who make a difference in my Life
Finnish my Thanks you cards from my wedding - Can you imagine getting a card 9 years later? I really did not appreciate the way in which we were blessed at the time.
Play paint ball
Try snowboarding
Acquire a sense of Style
Have a dog again
Keep updated pictures of my 4 nieces and 2 nephews.
Send out Christmas Cards
Take a cooking course

Just a few- I may add to it later

A New Love

2008-09-28T22:20:00.003-06:00

Fred finally gave in and agreed to the purchase of a PVR- Personal Video recorder. It is amazing! Fred and I admit to being tv addicts. There are many shows we follow, Prison Break, One Tree Hill, CSI, Criminal Minds, House, and there is more but I will quit my list before people decide it is time for a intervention. We have found ourselves staying up a lot later now that shows have made there return for the season. We don't watch the shows at the earlier time as we are busy enjoying our children and then after we put them to bed we are free to watch, but have to wait for the show times. Monday is like the best TV night and there is 3 of our fav hour long shows and 3 would like to catch 1/2 hour sitcoms. There is no way we ever get them all. Tuesday there is only one show and Wednesday only one and soon one on Thursday. Nothing Fri-Sun. Now with a PVR we can set it to record the shows we want and now we can watch them at our leisure. Spread them out over the week. The machine is so great that you can set it to record only the new episodes of a series. LOVE IT! It also holds up to 125 hours of digital tv. And it lets us skip commercials.

I just proof read this - We sure like tv - maybe we do need a intervention!

I miss Fred

2008-09-28T13:51:00.003-06:00

I feel like Fred and I haven't really got much time together as of late. I started working at the end of July and generally work 2 nights a week and all day Sat. Over The summer Fred took on a side project developing a room in my aunts basement. It ended up taking a little more time then anticipated. So on nights I wasn't working and the day of the weekend I wasn't working Fred would be up at her house. She lives across the city! There were quite a few times we went with him, so at least we spent the travel time together.
The immediately after he finished the basement job, his parents needed his help on there deck. So now he has been trying to go over there as much as he can. He has been going on nights/Saturdays when I work and taking the kids but also on Sundays after Church. He is very glad to be able to help and is enjoying spending time with his dad, however he is tired. He doesn't complain though-doesn't say a word. It is me that is starting to grow weary of this. I want to spend more time the four of us, I would also like to have some one on one with Fred. This Friday we are going with a couple of our friends to a comedy night. I am really looking forward to it. Perhaps we will be able to go for supper before or for dessert after.

I guess I am really starting to feel the impact of what my working has on our family. All of a sudden time is a commodity. I don't know how people with kids manage when both parents work full time. I guess most of the time the kids are in Child care of some fashion, I don't think it would be possible if not. I know Staying home with our children is the right decision for us and I wouldn't want it any other way. Working nights and weekends around Fred's work schedule is the only Way to make that possible. And I feel very fortunate to have that option - it's just a adjustment for us.

Falling Apart

2008-09-09T09:58:00.002-06:00

Seriously I am only 29 years old- I can't imagine life at 65. My body is falling apart.
For over a year now I have had a permanent spot of tenderness on my forehead. I have had a xray and two ct scans and they can't find anything. It went away for 2 days and I was so excited and then it came back.
This summer I broke out into a full body rash twice and so I went for allergy testing last week. Turns out I am allergic to a lot more then I thought. Mold, Dust, Horses, a handfull of trees- theses are the more serious ones but I am allergic to a ton of other stuff just not as bad.
My arm that I broke this summer is not healed as good as I would like - I still get a lot of pain. If I am crawling around with the kids, or pushing them on the swing there is a fair amount of pain.
I have had tonsillitis 3 times in the last two months and now the Dr says I need to have my tonsils out. He has referred my to a throat and nose specialist and I am waiting for a call.
I have had a fairly bad jaw for quite sometime. When I was 15 I received a kick to the jaw while playing soccer and it has been bad ever since. It used to only bother me when I got bonked in the jaw or when I opened really really big while yawning or at the Dentist. Well it has been getting worse and I have been trying to ignore it but I am afraid it is time to get it checked out. It is now clicking all the time. Whenever I chew..click click click. Time to get it looked after...

Where did all the Mom's go?

2008-08-26T10:56:00.003-06:00

A friend Mentioned to me that in all the big Disney Movies there is no Mom. There is always a dad but no Mom. Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Finding Nemo. There is lots of Movies I have not seen in a long time so don't know - Snow white, Sleeping Beuaty do these have Moms? I can't say. Even in Bambi the mom dies. Why is this? Is there any movies that it is just the Character and the mom? I don't understand the reasoning.....

*****I am wrong***I am at my Aunts watching Lion King for the first time in years and years and the Mom is in it.

Coping, dealing, grieving.

2008-08-16T10:49:00.002-06:00

After finding myself crying on a daily basis I have come to the conclusion that I do not deal with death well. Well Young death to be specific.

I lost a good friend Tyler Wrachowski right after high school. This was the first time where someone I personally knew had died at a young age. At the time he died Tyler and I had drifted apart and only seen each other a couple times a year. Tyler was a really good friend at one of the hardest times in my young life - my parents divorce. He lived so close that if I needed to chat it was a two minute walk. His death was very sad but I don't think the impact fully hit at the time. I don't think his death effected my life all that much.

The second person we knew to die young, was our Friend Tim. Tim was engaged to a very close friend of ours and we really were just getting to know him - but he was the kind of guy that made you feel you were friends for a long time. When it was two months before the wedding he died in a work accident. I think this is when Death fully hit me. I sat by helpless as my good friend dealt with this horrible event, it amazes me how she was so strong in her faith through this. All her hopes and plans for the future gone. Her best friend, the person who knew her the best taken. This is when death truly impacted me and still does. It made me realize the gift of Fred that I have. But it also made me afraid. Afraid to lose him. About a month after Fred and I had a really fun morning, just hanging out we made breakfast and were flirting. I then had to go to Sundre to take pictures for a friend. As I am leaving Calgary I get this thought - something is going to happen to one of us. That we had a fun morning so that the other one would have a great last memory. Not a fun way to live. In fear. But every time I leave town with out Fred I cry - something is going to happen.

Then we had kids and the stakes went up again. I very clearly remember leaving town the First time without Samantha. We went to Banff for our anniversary. I tried not to worry but there was constant thoughts..something will happen....

Death seemed to stay away for a bit, about four years. Then this past December it came back. A very good friend from Highschool lost a battle with Ovarian Cancer. She was 28. As long as I was friends with Steph she had always been in Love with Jerimy. High school sweethearts who married the year after Fred and I. Steph and I had lost contact, in fact I hadn't seen her in at least two years. I caught up with her on facebook and had high hopes of reconnecting. There was four of us who were really close and every time I went to Med Hat I had thoughts of trying to arrange a get together - but the weekends always went so fast and it never happened. When Stephanie died I realized how sad the word "someday" is. I will now never have that opportunity . After her service the three of us remaining went out for coffee and it was great. There of course was a sadness and we very much felt the absence of Steph, but it was so nice to spend time with these ladies and share memories of Steph and grieve together. We have gotten together one time since and went and shot pool. So I am greatfull to have the opportunity to reconnect with these ladies but I can't help but miss Steph when we are together. I think of her Husband daily and all he has lost.

Now Just recently we have lost Fred's aunt. She lost a sudden and brief battle with Brain Cancer. Fred's aunt was a great women. I remember feeling a part of the family when She asked us to babysit her kids before Fred and I were even engaged. She was a loving mother to 3 kids and her and Frank had been married for 22 years. It seems to me that she was close and had a unique relationship with each of her siblings. Wendy and Frank helped Fred to buy his first car by allowing him to buy a car from them for a good price by paying $200 a month with no intrest. We paid it off early and it felt good to have there respect. After us having kids Wendy has always given them Christmas and Birthday presents. The kids have books from her bath ducks and Sammie has a purse she loves that was given to her by Wendy. Whenever we talked she was eager to hear of there recent developments. She was a very involved parent and her and Frank have such a close relationship with there kids. We hope to develop that closeness with our kids. It is just heartbreaking to think of Frank and the kids have lost in Wendy.

To me it just doesn't feel fair. I know I am not owed a explanation but I feel like I want one. Why does God choose to Heal some and not others? Wouldn't a miraculous recovery speak more of a loving God then Death? It shakes me. It makes me doubt. I don't know why a loving all powerful God can't or won't heal. It make me sad and even angry that young people with so much living left to do, people who did good and were a light in this world were taken. It breaks my heart to think of the children and spouces and everything they have lost. I don't know how to cope with these feelings. I try praying and end up crying. I try reading and I cry. I go to church and I cry. We sing songs of how glorious God is and powerfull and how he cares for us so much but yet it doesn't really feel like it. I don't know - I don't know how to deal, cope. I feel like I know I have to take it to God but yet I feel a wall and I just can't. Then it makes me feel guilty cause my faith should be stronger.

I am toooo Lazy

2008-08-12T08:08:00.002-06:00

So the truth is that I have had a few blog post over the last month. In fact I have 4 in my draft file that have gone unfinished I just don't feel like blogging. I am to lazy.

The Van Traps only Cuter!

2008-08-08T11:38:00.002-06:00

Grandma made Samantha and Nate some new Clothes. Samantha adores her new dress and would wear it everyday if we allowed it! Nate got two shirts - One with Micky mouse and Pluto and One with Winnie the Pooh. He favors the Mickey Mouse and "puppy" one.

Work

2008-08-01T09:49:00.002-06:00

So I have now completed my second shift at Okotoks Pool. I forgot how much I love working at a pool. I really like to interact with the people. The staff here is really young and I am for sure among the oldest if not the oldest. Yikes. Seems like a great pool and that it under good Management. I also forgot how much cleaning is involved in working at a pool.....that I don't love so much but it could be worse. They have a super cool floor machine. It is like a mini Zamboni and that is how we clean the change rooms. Awesome! So far it looks like I will be working Thur-Sat. Which is okay. Next Sat I work a 10 hour shift- that will be a long day! I am excited to start receiving a regular paycheck!

Wendy Graffunder

2008-07-07T15:18:00.002-06:00

It has been a very hard week for our Family. We have lost a very special women. Wendy is Fred's aunt and she passed away on Friday night. Wendy was a vibrant person who will be missed greatly. She was kind, funny, caring, giving, and a million other great things. She was a loving mom to three awesome kids, and her and her husband Frank have the kind of relationship with there kids that we hope to develop with ours. She was involved with her nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephew. There really is not enough words to accuratly explain who Wendy was and how she will be missed by so many.

Below is her obituary that was in the Calgary Herald.

GRAFFUNDER _ Wendy Hedwig October 9, 1964 - July 4, 2008 Wendy Graffunder, beloved wife of Frank Wolever of Calgary, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2008 at the age of 43 years. Wendy was born in Kamloops, B.C. She grew up on the family ranch with mom Solveig, dad Alfred, Linda, Bernie, Hilda, and her twin brother George. Wendy came to Calgary from Vavenby, B.C. to attend the Alberta Bible College, and met her husband Frank in 1986. She attended the University of Calgary and graduated from McGill University in Montreal with her teaching degree. She loved the mountains and travels, with an engagement proposal at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and trips to Asia, India, Turkey and other exotic places. She was a full life and business partner to Frank, with fun and adventures for twenty-two years. Her life's greatest accomplishment is the raising of three wonderful children - daughter Cayla, and twins, Brinton and Riley. She attended Oak Park Church, worked as a part-time teacher and administrator at Menno Simons School, where her children attended for five years. She left us peacefully, surrounded by friends and family after a sudden and brief battle with brain cancer, an enemy that could not be overcome. Our family has a new guardian angel, and her work is not finished. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

S.H.I.T - word origin

2008-06-25T21:29:00.001-06:00

Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!

Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term 'Ship High In Transit' on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.

Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ' , (Ship High In Transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.

Funny! I had not idea! My dad forwarded this email to me and I thought it was post worthy.

Facebook Groups

2008-06-25T11:45:00.005-06:00

Can anyone tell me what the point of a facebook group? I am member of a few facebook groups but it appears to me there is absolutely no point. Things are never updated on the groups - nobody writes on walls. I am in a group from my elementary school, my grad class. I am in two groups in memory of old friends that have passed. I am in a group of band of guy I went to high school with. I have unjoined this group twice now but he keeps sending me new invitations so I fell compelled and I finally joined a group about gas prices after 11 invites to it. I check these groups occasionally to see if anything is happening in them but to no avail there is nothing.

Happenings as of Late

2008-06-23T14:48:00.002-06:00

Well I don't know that I really have much to report on. Life is busy at home with two toddler. Nathan is starting to talk quite a bit. His little voice is so cute! He is becoming very stubborn and likes to hit and kick his mom. His mom doesn't like it. Samantha too is growing and developing at lite speed. Her vocabulary exploded overnight and now she has whole conversations. They are both such sweet kids. They keep us entertained and busy and our hearts smiling.

Fred and I are in the Midst of Ball season. We really like the weekly gathering and love to see how well our team interacts with each other. Most don't keep in contact outside of ball season but it is great to see how well everyone gets along. And everybody is so supportive of one another that we really feel it is a safe place to develop skill at the game.

I am needing to go find a part time job as finances are really tight. I applied at a couple pools but didn't hear anything. Until today! I have interview tomorrow! I don't know how many hours they will have or if it would be instructing or guarding..I guess I find out tomorrow. If it isn't what I want- I think Will go apply at Safeway. I would like to work at a place that is open till 11:00 or later. If I am going to be away from my family for a night it might as well be a late night.

There is no exciting trips planned this summer. We will be staying home. My Aunt is going to Ireland for two weeks and we will be having her girls stay with us. Will be a busy couple of weeks. Samantha will be going to a daycamp for a week that our Church is putting on - but Nate is too Young.

Well that is our happenings in a nutshell.

The Party!

2008-05-27T10:08:00.003-06:00

Samantha's Party had a princess and pirates theme. The little girls all wore princess dresses and the boys received eye patches and mustaches in there goody bags. The original plan was to rent a big castle bounce but with the rain that was a no go. So instead we did a craft. The girls decorated foam crowns and the boys decorated foam visers that we flipped upside down in hopes of them looking like pirate hats. Overall I think the party was a big success and the kids had fun. Fred and I are quite proud of Samantha's cake! We made her a Castle cake made of Rice Krispie squares. It was my idea and I made all the rice krispies - 7 batches and Fred designed and constructed it!

Happy Birthday to My Princess

2008-05-23T14:10:00.002-06:00

Hard to believe she is three already! Samantha over the last year has changed so much. At times he can be Shy like Daddy and at times she is a social bug more like Mom. She is really starting to have a strong personality and she knows what she likes and what she doesn't.

She has a great personality and can sure make us laugh! For the most part she adores her brother and they are starting to play together really well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sweet Princess- We Love you beyond words!

All better now

2008-05-21T14:46:00.003-06:00

well further to the last post, When I went for Nate's rescheduled appt, I talked to the really nice receptionist and she took the charge off our account! Yahoo! She really is nice and not just because she took away the charge but because she really is nice.

TICK me Off

2008-05-14T12:54:00.002-06:00

So today I go to My mailbox and I was greeted with a bill for $37 for a missed DR appointment for Nate. So here is the tick off point. I had a the appointment booked for last Wednesday at 1:10. Yes I was not there, I fully admit that. I was on the phone with a friend who was asking if I could watch there kid, Sure I can and I just have to check my calender to make sure I am clear. Upon checking my Calender at about 2:30 I discover the missed apt. I immediately call the Dr and apologize and rebook. Then today I get a bill. The aggravating part is that whenever we go to the DR we end up waiting at minimum of a hour and half before leaving and that is on a good day. So it just irks me that I called before I ever would have seen the Dr and I was still billed. I should have just taken the kids as soon as I noticed. A part of me want to argue - I mean I am NEVER late and I never ever complain about the amount of time it takes, I am pleasant with all the staff. But I do know that it was my fault and lets face it in Calgary we are very fortunate to have a family DR so I don't want to do anything that would have them consider dropping us as patients.

Another year

2008-05-06T22:00:00.002-06:00

Well today Fred and I celebrated 8 years! Hard to believe we have been married that long. In someways it has went fast and I can't believe it has been that long - In other ways it seems it should have been longer..Like I can't remember a time when he wasn't there - it seems I have been in Love with Fred my whole life.

Fred and I were lucky to have two anniversary celebrations without the kids. On Friday we went to Jubilations Dinner theater with some Friends of ours that were also celebrating there anniversary. When Fred got home from work he surprised me with two beautiful roses. Then off to the show. The food was good, the show was good and the company was top notch. My Amazing sister took both of our kids for a sleepover even though her husband was out of town and her 1 year old was throwing up. So she had a busy night with 4 kids on her own. So Fred was very excited about sleeping in on Saturday morning. We then were able to enjoy a midmorning round of Mario Kart before heading to a wedding of a sweet couple we go to Church with.

Today last minute I dropped my kids off at our Aunts who lives in Chaparral, and went to surprise Fred for a lunch date! We went to phoenix grill and it was yummy! Then I came home and was surprised by a delivery of beautiful bouquet of Gerber daises. This was shock for me - I can truly count the number of times Fred has given me Flowers over the years on one hand and to get some twice in one week. I have only ever had them delivered once and that was when we lived in different cities. So I was SHOCKED! They are a nice treat!

We are looking forward to our 10 year anniversary - it has been decided we will go on a family beach vacation! Hawaii perhaps? Or maybe a all inclusive in Mexico or Cuba? The more the merrier - anybody want to join us??

Nate's New Room

2008-04-27T22:51:00.002-06:00

So it is time to move Nate to the big boy bed. To celebrate this occasion Fred decided to redo his room and we think it turned out great! Nate hasn't even seen it yet!

First Trip to the Dentist

2008-04-27T20:49:00.002-06:00

Super Mom

2008-04-17T14:31:00.003-06:00

We have a friend who is Super Mom. She has two young kids one is 3 and one is 8 months, and she is go go go go. I like to fancy myself quite an active mom trying to have daily outings - if not daily then every other day. The outings may not be big - perhaps a run to costco or a walk to a friends but I try to make sure we get out of the house. When I talk to this friend I feel inferior. She is constantly on the go. She goes to the gym everyday and takes her kids to the babysitting. I am drawing a blank on what else she does but honest it sounds as though she is never home. And when she is home her older child does tons of crafts. She is always in the know of community things like toddler craft time at Michaels and the cookie decorating at Christmas at Shouthland.
Today we went to the zoo and in my mind that was a big outing. We even went through the Canadian north section to see the otters which is a fair amount of walking. We had to go home to sleep...all 3 of us. Not my friend, after the zoo she ran into Costco quick before hitting the gym. WOW! I wish I had more get up and go....but I really don't

Maybe I meant to be a couch potatoe

2008-04-16T21:46:00.003-06:00

So for the last week I have really been trying to get active. I have been rollerblading almost everyday but have been having some issues. My left foot hurts really bad in the arch area. So I thought maybe I should get some insoles. This worked for about three blocks and then my foot cramped up like crazy. I tried to tough it our but it hurts so bad. So I tried again the next day and It instantly cramped up in like 1 min. So I took the insoles out and have tried again. But my arch hurts like mad..... I think it may be time to get new Rollerblades - these ones are nearly 10 years old but sadly they have hardly been used.

Then tonight I decided to go for a bike ride, thinking that I can't use my Rollerblades as a excuse for not being active. So I went out - even by myself as there was nobody to stay with the kids so Fred could come. So I was enjoying my bike ride - I even biked longer then I thought I would. Then on my way home when my legs were feeling a little wobbly I tried to shift to a easier gear only to discover my bike is Broken! It will not shift gears at all. So I have come to the conclusion that maybe I am not meant to get fit. I will not give up though- I am hoping Fred can fix my bike without too much hassle. And I am going Rollerblade shopping with some of our tax return.

My Apologies

2008-04-09T21:06:00.002-06:00

I am not a "hoverer"- I brave the germs and sit directly on the seat. I am not coordinated enough to hover either that or my knees are not strong enough to support my body weight. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people who do hover hit the seat. Sometimes I am in such a hurray to go that I don't take the time to do a wipe down of the seat and sure enough the seat is wet. GROSS. I will admit to cursing out the "hoverer" that occupied the stall before me (in my head of course - I promise I am not the crazy lady swearing in the stall next to you) In the last couple of days I have made a shocking discovery. For the last couple of days my pet peeve has been hitting home or rather at home. Imagine my surprise to sit on a wet seat at home. Then it came to me - perhaps it is not people that hover after all - perhaps it is small children. So I apologize to all I have falsely accused in my head, I know now that I may have been wrong. Sometimes I know was right - like at my former place of work where there are no children ever....

I'm a Big Girl Now

2008-04-08T13:18:00.002-06:00

Well actually I am too Big of a girl now. It is time to get serious about weight loss. I did not try to lose weight in between my kids at all. What came off did so by itself. So now I have two pregnancies worth of weight that needs to go. Recently Fred and I found out that we both have elevated Cholesterol, that we need to get down. So Fred and I met with a nutritionist to get started. We know that we don't eat nearly enough Fruit and Vegetables, but I don't think we realized how much we ate. Canada food guide portions are so small. I think Fred and I will be permanently hungry. We also learned what kind of things to stay away from and portion sizes. So although we have a long way to go we are starting! So Yeah for us!

BESTWAY SAFETY

2008-03-30T21:11:00.004-06:00

Well as most know I have been teaching First Aid on the side for quite a few years now. Well I have decided to go at it a little more aggresively. The Bookkeeping I was doing on the side has really sort of fizzled out and really can not be depended on. So since I really do love teaching First aid and there is such a demand out there I have decided to sort of "Relaunch" my business.

So Fred and I are in the midst of designing brochures and creating a website. I plan to market my services to Businesses and Churches. I am looking to train private groups in First Aid at there location. I have done a few courses already this year and hopefully will be able to get a little more business. I have done the research and can confidently say that I have one of the best prices in the City. I also plan to offer discounts to non-profit groups such as churches. So if you know of any groups needing some training send them my way!

Toys Toys Toys

2008-03-30T21:04:00.003-06:00

I am wondering how people with Kids avoid having toys in every area of the house? We try to keep the toys in the Bonus room and Sammie's room but it never fails somehow I am stepping over toys in our bathroom and tripping over toys in the Kitchen. Maybe our kids just have too many toys.....and sadly I don't think they really play with them so much as relocate them.

Update!

2008-03-13T10:36:00.003-06:00

Well I am not a very good blogger as of late and I don't know why. It kind of feels like nothing is really happening and I don't have much to say but I know there must be something....

The Kids- Samantha is dare I say potty trained!! This is exciting and she has been really reliable. THere have been no accidents in a at least a week. She still wears a diaper at night of course but she has even been dry overnight about half the time. On a different not Samantha is really learning to push limits. She is consistently being a bully to Nate and she is not so good at listening these days. We have been going through a lot of time outs lately but they don't seem to do much good. So a coulple of days ago we had a reverse time out where Nate and I went to go play in my room and we locked the door so Samantha couldn't come in- She really didn't like that one and boy was she mad, but she did listen a lot better for the rest of the day! Samantha is so cute in the things she says and does. Yesterday she got a little spank and she cries for a bit then says Mommy kiss my Bum better. She is really hard to stay mad at! Her outlook on things bring many smiles to me.

Nate- Well I would like to say he is growing a ton but really he is not. He is a bit of a small Fry. When we last went to the Health nurse he was only in the 10th percentile for height and weight. Developmentally however he is changing fast. He has great comprehension and he is quite the talker. So many new words all the time. I am surprised at how much I understand! This week he started saying Samantha "mantha" So fun. He still has the worlds cutest smile that melts my heart!

Fred- Is really busy at work these days and still loves his Job. On the home front he is finnishing up the mudding and taping in the garage so hopefully it will be painted and put back together soon. He also has been going to town on making me a brochure so I can start advertising to hopefully to teach more First Aid. All the while spending ample time with the kids and I. I am very often reminded of how blessed I am to be sharing my life with such a incredible man. The "Best" some would say! Tee Hee

Me- Well not a whole lot. I have been getting back into First Aid a bit. Had a couple of courses in Medicine Hat in Feb and a couple of courses this Month for Fred's Company. I really enjoy teaching it so it has been great! So nice to bring in a little money! As for the bookkeeping stuff I have been doing- it seems to be fizzling out a little. I still have some work but there does not seem to be any new stuff and lots of the stuff we did have was a one time thing. So I am still doing it but I am sure not bringing in much money off it. Hence why we are going to start advertising the First Aid. So far we have been okay financially- but our line of credit has been slowly rising. We are so greatfull that I am able to stay home with the kids, but we know that we really have to watch our money and I need to bring in a certain amount. Budgeting and making cuts is however a small sacrifice to be able to stay home and raise our kids.

Well that is the happenings in our world. We are very much looking forward to starting another ball season. This will be the 3rd year Fred and I have run the team and we have a really high rate of returning players so that is really encouraging to us. Ball season is always a great time with great people, and this yearly will surely not dissapoint.

Funny Kid moment

2008-02-21T14:05:00.003-07:00

Samantha is in the midst of potty training and yesterday was sitting on the potty. She was quite gassy and had been letting out a lot of toots! So she gets this excited look on her face and says "Mommy I make music on the potty!!!" Too Funny!!

Our Trip Part 2

2008-01-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

So I have been told I need to finnish blogging about our trip. Really just haven't felt like sitting down long enough to do it.

So I left off on Tuesday Jan 15 - our home day. I ended up taking the kids to the theatre and we took our own popcorn and drinks and it was great! The rest of the day we hung around the house and swam and then Fred and I went shopping for a bit at night.

Wednesday the 16. We went to Animal Kingdom. This is the park we heard great reviews from- like if you have any extra days spend another day at animal kingdom. Fred and I didn't reallty agree with this. There was a cool safarri ride but you go so fast and don't really get ner any of the animals. We have zoo memberships here in Calgay and we felt that you got to see the animals a lot closer at the zoo. There was only a couple of rides that the kids were big enough to go on. The highlight of our animal kingdom experience was all the characters we met. We split up this day and this is how the bests spent most of there day. We met Micky, Minnie, Donald, goofy, pluto, Tigger, piglet pooh and tigger and eyore.

Thursday 17. Everybody but the Best's went back to Nasa. We had another home day. We didn't really want another home day so soon but because it was a cooler day the other decided it was a good day to do day two of Nasa as it is mostly inside. Fred and I took the kids and drove clear across orlando in search of a woodworking shop Fred wanted a tool from. We found it- Fred got his tool then we came back to out end of the city and ate at FRIDAYS for lunch. Came home and let the kids nap - went swimming again and made supper. After Supper we left Samantha at home and we took Nate out in search of a BestBUy. We had a little bit of a adventure which involved us almost running out of gas in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. We went through two ditches to avoid toll roads and then got a little lost. All ended up okay.

Friday 18. MGM. This park is more for older kids I think. We went on a back stage tour of some special effects, we got to meet Tow-mater and lightning McQueen. Buzz lightyear and woody. We went to a stunt show and watched a few shows. Muppets, beuaty and the beast and Fantasmic. The beuty and the beast show something pretty cool happened. A worker comes up to us and tells us how cute our daughter is and that she looks like a princess, then he asks if she would like to be a princess in the show. We of course agree and they escort us to our VIP seats in the first row. At the end of the show someone escorted Samantha to the Front of the stage where the prince gave her a rose.

Saturday 19.UNIVERSAL take 2. This time we took the kids and Camden our nephew as well. THe adventure Island park has a pretty cool area based entirely on the cat and the hat. The kids really enjoyed it and cot to meet the cat in the hat and thing 1 and thing 2. We took Cam and Sam and a roller coaster and then buzzed over to Universal where we took in the 3D shrek show and then went home for a early day. My sister and I then went shopping for a few hours.

Sunday 20 Seaworld Day 2. We needed to go back to seaworld because when we went the first time we skipped the Shamu show. So we went to the shamu show and fed the dolphins again. Which is such a cool thing. I could spend all day doing that. For $6 you buy a little tray of food and you hand feed it to the dolphins. The kids love seeing them that close and Samantha got to touch one but Nates little arms weren't long enough.

Monday 21. Fred and I and the kids went out shopping again. We went in search of that Bestbuy. This time we found it and secured a wireless mouse that is 30 cheaper then at home. We went a scenic way and got to see a lot of Orlando. Also stopped in at Costco just to check it out(Tasha
is slightly addicted) Then went home to pack.

Tues 22. Travel day. This time smoother flights and a short layover. We left the vacation house at 3:45 Am and got into Calgary at 4:30 PM. A long day. The last day Fred and the kids got a nasty cold that is still holding on and they were nice enough to share with me.

It was a fantastic Trip with lots of memories and surprisingly few family feuds. Our biggest frustration about our trip was our stupid Camera. I was so frustrated with it that Fred ended up being trip photographer. When you turned our Camera off for the most part it would choose not to turn back on. It wouldn't turn back on for the whole day - you would have to let it sit overnight and hoped it turned on in the morning. SO FRUSTRATING. It also started shifting the centering of photos. SO you could have a shot lined up perfectly and then it would come out to the way left of the screen. So send it in, get it fixed you might say but the problem is that it is a minolta. Minolta sold it product line to Sony and minoltas are no longer serviced in Canada at all. And sony will only fix certain problems, so it is like a lottery if they will fix it or not and fromn what I can gather it costs almost as much as the Camera if they will even fix it. So Fred and I are on the hunt for a new Camera. We are trying to decide if we should stay with Sony so we can use all of our lenses (5) or if we should cut our losses and switch brands. We are leaning towards Sony and there new camera has amazing reviews but it is pretty costly. They are supposed to be releasing a more intermediate model at the end of Febuary so we will probably wait to check that out.

Our Trip thus far!!!

2008-01-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

Well today has been our first down day! So let me give you a brief rundown of events so far.

Wednesday the 9th. We leave our house at 4:15 AM to drive to north Calgary where we leave our Van and take a taxi to the airport. We then checked in and were very fortunate to be on a flight that wasn't too full so Nate could have his own seat. The first leg of our trip took us from Calgary to Toronto. We had a very bad decent and Fred got really sick. Not just I feel gross kind of sick, but the its is a good thing they put those white bags in the seat in front of you kind of sick.

We then had a crazy long layover. Just over 7 hours. Yikes! Entertaining kids with no toys or TV that have been up since 4 am with a sick husband who got sick again in a garbage can is a GONG SHOW. Not a experience I would like to repeat. We then had a great flight to Florida where Nathan again got his own seat. Everybody slept and the landing was smooth!

We arrived and got our rental car and made our way to the vacation home arriving at 12:30 there time. What a long day.

The next day all we did was hit the pool- Grocery shopped, took the kids to the park and hit the pool again.

Friday- We spent the entire day at EPCOT.
Saturday- Magic Kingdom
Sunday- Universal Studios-Adventure Island. Only Fred and I- the kids stayed with Auntie NADINE
Monday- Sea World
Tuesday- A much needed home day. We kept the kids here and my nephew as well well the others went to NASA. We are staying in a gated community and the clubhouse has a movie theatre so this afternoon I took Cam and Sammie to a show.
Tomorrow- The plan is Animal Kingdom.

Well that is it in a nutshell. We have had a fantastic time and I can't even give highlights cause there are too many, and I don't feel like being on the Computer that long.

Head Case

2008-01-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

I am a headcase. "your just realizing this now" snickers those who know me. Tee hee well maybe Headcase is not the correct term but I did recently have my head examined. I have had a troubling spot on my head for months. It is a permanent spot of tenderness. It almost feels like it is bruised but there is no mark and it doesn't go away. I am not exaggerating at all when I say months at least 4 but I would say closer to 6. I have also been getting a lot of headaches but I don't know for sure that they are related.

When I first asked my Dr about it there was some miscommunication and he thought I was complaining of a dry skin issue and he advised me to use hydrocortizone cream. At a later appt I brought it up again and he sent me for a xray which revealed something possible a fluid build up indicating a sinus issue. He wanted to be thorough so he sent me for a CT Scan and got me in with a week, which is abnormal for Calgary. So I went to the DR again this week for the results. It is nothing serious and just a sinus infection and I am on antibiotics. I have 6 days worth of pill and I am on day 3 and so far no improvement. Hopefully they will start to kick in and it will go away and I tired of having a hurting forehead.

Goodbye Old Friend

2007-12-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

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

2007-12-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

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

2007-12-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

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

2007-12-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

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

Pre Make over Celebrity Look a like

2007-12-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

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

2007-12-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

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

2007-11-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

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

2007-11-25T15:13:00.000-07:00

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

2007-11-04T19:09:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-29T07:51:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-10-14T20:27:00.000-06:00

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

2007-10-13T14:36:00.000-06:00

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

2007-10-08T21:32:00.002-06:00

16 Months

2007-10-03T06:01:00.000-06:00

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?

2007-09-25T15:44:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-09-15T15:15:00.000-06:00

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

2007-09-03T16:09:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-30T21:25:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-20T10:57:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-08-17T22:28:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-04T08:49:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-04T08:35:00.001-06:00

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

2007-07-26T13:06:00.000-06:00

Appalling

2007-07-23T11:31:00.000-06:00

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

2007-07-23T10:40:00.000-06:00

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

2007-07-10T14:24:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-30T13:48:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-29T23:35:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-26T21:52:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-20T15:03:00.000-06:00

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?

2007-06-19T19:33:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-17T21:36:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-13T14:21:00.000-06:00

*******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.

2007-06-11T10:12:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-06-09T11:04:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-05T21:54:00.000-06:00

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

2007-06-05T19:44:00.001-06:00

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

2007-06-04T16:19:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-05-30T05:19:00.000-06:00

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?

2007-05-28T10:48:00.001-06:00

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

2007-05-28T10:36:00.000-06:00

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

2007-05-23T15:11:00.000-06:00

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

2007-05-21T11:17:00.000-06:00

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

2007-05-18T14:26:00.000-06:00

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

2007-05-10T13:22:00.000-06:00

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