ATHANKFULHEART

My 2008 Picture Memories

2009-02-15T23:21:00.000-08:00

IN A NUTSHELL

2008-04-29T23:36:00.000-07:00

Well it's been another busy few months. Lily is already 5 months old and is such an amazing baby! Sometimes I can forget she's even in the room. She simply enjoys her playtime, eating time and nap time. How wonderful for me! I am very thankful! We went to Hawaii for a week with the our family and it was sooo nice to wear shorts and sandals for a week. The day we came home it snowed. Crazy or what!! I've posted a few shots of the kids.

Ryan is getting close to the end of his first year of school. Overall I think he has enjoyed it. He does fret once in awhile about the thought of going to school everyday next year though. I know he'll do fine. He catches on to things very fast and usually only needs to be shown something once and he's got it down. He loves his little sister!!

As for Jacob, well, he's mister social. He's almost always got a smile or snuggle for me at anytime of the day! Some days I need lots of those! He warms my heart. He will start preschool in the fall.

I've also been up to some quilting. I have 4 on the go. I finished Lily's crib quilt and had it quilted by a lady I know that has a long arm quilting machine. It turned out amazing. Well, I gotta get to bed. Just thought I'd do a short post so it doesn't say my last post was 3 months ago on Lovella's Blog. I was feeling a little exposed with my neglect to blog. I think maybe she did that on purpose to make me do a post!!! heehaaa!

Off to bed!

A VISIT FROM MY AUNT

2008-01-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

Hey there! I really seem to be on a roll with this bloggin thing again! It's not like I have more time to do it but I've put a few projects on the backburner for awhile. Anyway, my Aunt and Uncle from Kimberley stopped by this week to visit us. I rarely see them but they came to see us when I was 7 months pregnant and now again. They wanted to see our baby girl while they were out to see my Grandma.

I grew up just around the corner from where we live now and it seems like just yesterday that I would be standing in the bathroom watching my Aunt Fenny put in her contact lenses and put on her makeup. She always seemed to wear more than my mom. I thought she was so glamourus! Bright shimmery blue or green eyeshadow and liquid blush was the big thing then. She had a special little greeny blue suitcase that she kept all her makeup and contact lense stuff in. I remember following her to the bathroom to watch her "put her eyes in" is what I think she called it. She probably wondered what the big deal was but all the same she would humor me and tell me step by step all the stuff she would do to clean her contacts before she put them in her eyes. I was mesmerized. Watching her put on her make up was just as exciting. Funny how that it's all still so vivid in my mind 30 years later.

Anyway thanks for stopping by Aunt Fenny and Uncle Ron. Hope you got your computer set up so you can read this!!

MY LITTLE GIRL!

2008-01-17T21:14:00.000-08:00

I dreamed a long time about doing this. I love to bake with my boys but there was something about it this time that was different. The future flashes before me as I think that this was the first time of many that I will bake with my little girl. So much to teach, so little time!! We decided on banana bread with chocolate chips as this is a favourite among the men in the house. Lily was wide awake and so I thought I'd have her help me out a little bit. I had her on the counter while I was getting my ingredients together. She watched me for about 20 minutes as I mixed and blended and then decided she'd had enough. I think she figured it wasn't worth it for her to wait for it to come out of the oven anyway! So she took a nap!

MY HANDSOME LITTLE MAN!!

2008-01-09T23:15:00.001-08:00

I just love this kid! He checks with me almost daily to make sure I think he looks good. He'll pick a shirt to wear and get it on and come looking for me to see what I think. He'll come up with a huge grin on his face and say "How do I look Mom?" He'll turn around so I can see all sides. He loves it when I gush over him and tell him how handsome he his! He'll humor me and pose for a picture anytime.

RYAN LOSES HIS TOOTH!! LITERALLY!

2008-01-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

So it finally happened! Ryan lost his first tooth. It took about a week to wiggle it loose and then last Friday when Dwain was brushing his teeth Ryan went to spit the toothpaste out of his mouth and his tooth flew out and went down the drain. He was pretty upset as he was waiting all week to see what his tooth would look like. I almost cried too cuz I wanted to save it. Oh well, he's got another loose one already this week. We'll keep closer tabs on this one. He was sad he didn't have anything to put under his pillow. We told him the toothfairy would leave him a little bonus money under his pillow for pain and suffering. In the morning he came flying into our bedroom with his money totally pumped. "I got 8 coins Mom!!" "They were under my pillow!" he said.

RYAN TURNS 6 !!

2008-01-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

Wow, Ryan is 6. Here is a picture of his cake. We went simple this year. Mom was tired and couldn't get more creative than this! All's good! Ryan thought it was great! He's already planning the cake I'm supposed to make for him next year.

Here's Lily in her party dress! Only trouble is is that she wasn't around for the party! (As you probably noticed she wasn't in the above photo) This is what she did the entire time!

These are Ryan's school friends! We made our own pizza's, played and smashed a pinata in the barn. They loved that!!!

This is after the pinata smashing!! Friends from Left to Right are
Jacob, Ethan, Freddy and Cole! They are all such great boys! I am pleased with the friends he has chosen!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

2008-01-03T21:25:00.000-08:00

We had a blessed Christmas this year! We had alot to celebrate. We not only celebrated Christ's birth but our own son's birth and our new daughter. It's so amazing how each one is so unique. We are thankful for the family God has blessed us with.
Christmas Eve we attended service at our own church. It was our first Christmas in our new church building. It was nice. The kids loved it because they handed out goody bags afterwards. Even the big kids like us got one. Yehaaa!!
Afterwards we stopped in at Dwain's Mom and Dad's for a 1/2 hour and then came home to get ready for bed. The boys opened their PJ's and left out cookies and milk for Santa. They loved their Christmas pj's and were excited to get them on. (even though they tried them on umpteen times for me as I have been making them since June and had to keep measuring them because they are growing so fast!) Lily and I went a little different this year. I made her a pair of bottoms that matched mine.

Here we are Christmas morning!

Later we went to Dwain's parents for brunch and then came home for Turkey Dinner with my parents.
It was a wonderful day!

DWAIN BUILDS A HOUSE!!

2008-01-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

I must say I am very impressed with the mansion Dwain built for Sophie our dog. He slaved away out there in very cold weather to build this for her for the winter months. Just before I took this picture I laughed so hard I almost blew the stitches out of my C-section. I hadn't looked at it till then and didn't realize how big it was. His dad actually came by to check the chickens and saw him working away at it. He told him it was big enough for the dog and him if he needed it!! Hee haaa! Funny Dad! I actual was thinking the same thing when I saw it. That's why I laughed sooo hard!!! Love ya Dwainer!!

THE CHRISTMAS QUILTS

2008-01-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

Well the quilts are on the beds and the boys are psyched! This is their first night under them and snug as bugs they are!!

INTRODUCING LILY MARIE FAITH

2007-11-24T06:20:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how fast nine months go! It seems as though we just found out we were pregnant and now here she is. Truly an unbelievable blessing! So far she is sleeping and eating well. Double blessing for mom!Here are the proud big brothers! Everyone is adjusting well and loves having her home!

Here she is in the special outfit Daddy bought to take her home in. I think Dad did a great job! I love pink and she looks good in it!

All for now!

Lori

FUN IN THE LEAVES!

2007-10-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

It seems that the leaves used to fall in late September and they'd stay crunchy for weeks. The last couple of years it seems that the wind and rain come together late October and the leaves never seem to get the crunch here that they used to. Well wet soggy leaves or not, you can't let an opportunity to jump in a pile of leaves pass you by so yesterday Dwain raked up the side yard into a pile and the boys proceeded to jump, dive and bury themselves in an enormous pile of leaves. The giggles and laughter shared by the four of us is sure to imprint a permanent memory even in our smallest little person. I managed to get a few shots of the fun. Have a great day!

THE QUILTS ARE ALMOST DONE! AND SO AM I!!

2007-10-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been a busy girl. Last Christmas I posted a picture of the fabrics I got for Christmas. Dwain bought me fabric to make the boys Christmas quilts. I wanted to do something bright and cheery! Today I got them back from the long arm quilting lady. She did an awesome job! All I have to do is put the binding on them and they're done. These are my first professionally quilted blankets and I made them for the boys to use only for the month of December each year. They will be ready for their bunkbeds December 1st. I look ahead and someday see them on my own grandchildren's beds. It was fun because the boys are actually really excited about them. They have seen them transform from a bunch of fabric, to strips, to blocks, to rows and then a top of a blanket. They each picked their own flannel for the back. Lovella was kind enough to let me use her wonderful sewing machine she got for Christmas last year to monogram a special message on the bottom corner block of each quilt. "Handmade with Love for Ryan/Jacob From Mom, December 1st, 2007." Thanks Auntie! I actually have the 3rd quilt already cut out and ready to put together as I got enough fabric to make 3 quilts.
Go figure that one! Someone knew the family was going to grow!

Today marks my 4 week 5 days to go! The countdown is on. Lastweek I became a proud auntie for the second time. Check out Sweet Abundance in my favourite blogs to see my nephew Liam! He really is a little pumpkin!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

2007-10-13T18:19:00.000-07:00

Well I survived!! My firstborn officially started school! This is Ryan on his first full day of Kindergarten. I had the same smile on my face as I took this picture but my heart was feeling a little different. I didn't have tears until I drove home by myself. The first couple of weeks were a little tough on me, yes me, but I am slowly adjusting to it. Ryan is loving it although sometimes he has had some anxiety he never complains and is doing well. I'm a proud mamma!! He is a very brave boy!

The month of September was a huge month of firsts for Ryan. He finally did it!! Ryan got on his old little bike without training wheels and rode for the first time without any help! The expression on his face was like he couldn't believe he was doing it himself. Look mom, no training wheels! "I can hardly believe it he says!" This time the smile on my face was as big on the inside as the out! Although I did almost shed a tear at the sight of him riding the bike too!

I'll see if I can upload the clip here.
I've missed alot of bloggin this summer. I wasn't feeling inspired or motivated to sit at the computer and write a post. But here I am now at the computer feeling driven to document my summer. I believe I am nesting as they call it!

We had a family holiday to Kelowna which was alot of fun as well as hosted two Japanese boys in August. They were totally awesome! They fit right in with us and the boys couldn't get enough of them. We are scheduled to host some short term students come the end of February but for now we are taking a break!

For Thanksgiving we made a thankfulness tree.

The boys each took turns saying what they were thankful for. Here's a picture of the tree! The list of thankfulness goes like this: Toy Cars (green ones), Food, Cookies, Sleepovers, my new fast flame bike, brothers, mommy, daddy, Ryan, Jacob, baby, cameras, blankies, and trees. Not a bad list. When Ryan was asked at school what he was thankful for he said BUNKBEDS!! I am so glad my boys love eachother so much! Sharing a room at 3 1/2 and 5 years old does not come without its challenges but so far it's working out to my satisfaction.

I also recently finished my fall tablerunner that I started before Jacob was born. 3 1/2 years sitting in my closet was long enough when I figured if I didn't finish it now it may well be another 3 1/2 years. So it is complete and on display!

Well I think I am caught up! That feels good! Have a great day!!

A GREAT DAY FOR A PICNIC!!

2007-07-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Lastweek we got our new camera so I've been having some fun
with it. I suprised the boys with a backyard picnic. Ryan and Jacob say it was the best picnic ever!
Our students are gone and we have the house to ourselves. How lovely to be just us again! I have posted a few pictures of the boys on their new bikes. They are mighty proud. We are hoping Ryan is brave enough to ride without the training wheels by the end of summer. He's gonna have to be cuz Jacob might be doing it himself! Have a great day!

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

2007-06-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

So here I am again feeling guilty as I read everyone elses blogs and don't do a post of my own. Thought I'd give a quick update on life in what we call the fast lane. It has been quite a ride these past several months. Bringing on board 2 chinese students for a 5 month stay, starting a new job, discovering we were going to have another baby, 6 weeks of morning sickness (I'm not complaining cuz I have a friend who is just as pregnant as me and she is still soooooo sick), celebrating the last few days of preschool and meeting Ryan's new Kindergarten teacher, celebrating Jacob's 3rd Birthday and my 35th, quitting my new job, surviving the Fraser River NOT flooding, 10 weeks of learning how to grow kids God's way (7 more to go, yeeehaaa!!). There are so many inbetween things that I can't even think about it all.

Our chinese girls will be leaving us next Thursday very early in the morning. This will be a huge load off my plate! Friday I will get my UltraSound. We are quite excited as we anticipate what the sex of our baby will be. We should know in a week or two! We have decided not to tell anyone what we are having until later in the pregnancy. I think we will let our family know before the baby arrives but we really want to keep it to ourselves so I hope we don't get bugged too much. We want to just enjoy knowing for ourselves for awhile.

Tonite I did some sewing. I have started the boys PJ's that I make them for Christmas every year. I make them 2 pairs and they wear them all year. I'm going to attempt to make a pair of maternity capri pants this weekend. I hope it's a success. I'll post a picture when I've accomplished this task. I'll try to do it for my 20 week profile shot! Heehee!

Well gotta get to bed. Have a great day everyone!

ONE WHITE SOCK!!!

2007-05-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

I had to just do a quick post tonite because Ryan made me laugh. The last several nights he's been going to bed with just 1 sock on. I wasn't aware that he was purposely doing this but lastnight again, I noticed he had just one sock on when I went to tuck him in before I went to bed. I pulled it off and covered him up. Well tonite after the boys went to sleep Dwain says to me, did you notice Ryan's been going to bed with 1 sock on at night? I said, yah, I take it off when I tuck him in a bedtime. We both chuckled. Dwain says, tonite he did it again, he says he wants to see if he can make it through the night! What a goof! Seeing as he doesn't know it's me that takes it off at night, I think I'll switch the white sock for a red sock when he's asleep tonite and see what he thinks about that in the morning!! Heeheee!

I'M WHAT?!?!

2007-04-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

Oh people! Here I am totally dedicated to reading all my friends blogs and so today I run across my name on someones link list. So I thought, wow, it's been awhile since I even looked at my own blog so I clicked on my own link only to find 5 new comments. Too funny people!! Aunt Lovella, what could you possibly be waiting for me to say! Hmmmm I wonder!!!
Well I guess I can let the cat out of the bag!
The last 3 months have been somewhat of a blur. Getting 2 new 10 year olds in the beginning of February has proven to be more than I can handle. A new job with a month of full time work in training and all the other responsibilities that go along with 4 kids is really taken a toll on me.
Obviously God thinks I can handle a little more because what I didn't know when I started my job was that I was 3 days away from becoming pregnant! Yes I said it! The big P word! I hadn't even put in 3 days work! We only found out a few weeks ago because I was feeling so sick and it wasn't going away. I still feel green around the gills but at least I know why! I am hoping it goes away within another week! Today isn't such a bad day!
This morning we decided it was time to tell our boys. They have seen me laying on the couch alot the past few weeks and have been repeatedly told they can't hop on my tummy or come jumping at me while I'm laying down. So I got Ryan up on my lap this afternoon and Dwain had Jacob. I asked Ryan if he'd noticed me layin around alot. He's says "not really" . I'm thinking oohh good! He doesn't think I'm a lazy lump! Anyway, I told him that there was something very special growing inside of me and his face lit up like a firecracker! He knew right away what I meant and he just started giggling. He immediately started rubbing my tummy and was talking to the baby and telling it he loved it. It was sooo special. For the next hour he kept tackling me with hugs of excitement and has been including the baby in our activities today. I am sooo happy he was so full of joy! Jacob on the other hand is sort of oblivious but I think he knows too cuz he's watching Ryan.
So by the end of the first week of November we will have another addition to the family.
May we ask for your prayers for a healthy baby and pregnancy. This baby has surprised us all and I was not exactly doing all the good stuff you should be doing before you get pregnant because we weren't trying to. I know that God's hand is in this all and today it really has sunk in and become more of a reality seeing how excited Ryan is about it. Please pray that I will be able to avoid or at least manage the Gestational Diabetes with my diet if it comes my way as it has with the last two pregnancies. I am getting an MP3 for my birthday in June so that I have something to listen to when I am on the treadmill but I haven't been on it more than once in the last 3 weeks because of the nausea. Please pray that subsides soon too!
So there you have it! God definitely likes to keep me on my toes. He's gotta be laughing to himself thinking, "And you thought YOU had it all figured out didn't you!!"
Yah, I guess I thought I did! I'm almost 35 years old and sometimes he still chooses to WOW me to get my attention! OK, You Got it Lord!!

WHAT WILL WE DO TODAY MOM?

2007-03-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

So this morning I wake up to my 5 year old. He climbs into bed and snuggles up real close and says "Mom, it's still really early in the morning but you can get up now. So what are you going to do with me today? What do you want do mom? I love those moments. All he wants to do with his day is be with me. So it looks like my day is already planned.
I am hoping that the sun will peak out later this afternoon. I would like to get out in the garden and do some weeding and get the kids picking up the sticks on the lawn so that Dwain can mow it. I think I'll make it a game.

I wish I could take some pictures to post but our camera doesn't work properly anymore. We are hoping to get one in the next few weeks. I definitely don't want to go into spring and not have any pictures of the kids.

Yesterday I worked at the bank. It was very busy for a Monday! I was over .01 cent at the end of the day. I quickly found my mistake and corrected it but was a little annoyed with myself. It's the perfectionist in myself. It was worse that is was only a penny and not a larger amount.

This afternoon I will be taking the girls to the bead store. We plan to spend a couple hours there making some jewelery together. Bonnie wants to buy an MP3 player so we will probably be on the hunt for one of those also. The boys and girls went to gramma and granpas yesterday while I was at work and the girls picked allot of flowers. They brought them home and decided to make a garden in the sandbox. I wish I could take a picture of it . Perfect rows of flowers planted in the sand. Primroses of all colors, daffodils and even a maple tree twig. They spent a couple hours planting all these cut flowers. Lastnight they bought some makeup in the toy section of Walmart. I had to glam them up lastnight. Today they have their hair caked with sparkly glitter. They think they are models. I'm just playin along.
Well have a nice day everyone!

MOM IN TRAINING

2007-03-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well it has nearly been a month since my last post. I'm sorry to say that blogging has just not been a priority the past few weeks. I tried to get into my blog earlier but I tried for 10 minutes and couldn't remember my own password. I don't know what the problem was cuz I had no trouble now.
It has been a long 3 weeks for me as I have been in training at my new job at the bank. By the end of this week it will have been a month since I started and I will have worked near 100 hours above and beyond my regular job as a Mom. Needless to say, I am extremely tired. Despite the fatigue, I know I am really going to enjoy being a teller when I go to 2 days a week starting next week. Codes and different kinds of transactions are really making sense to me now and I am happy to announce I have balanced at the end of every day! Yahooo!
It has been quite an adjustment for everyone, but with lots of help from Gramma, the boys fared well in the adjustment.
This past Saturday we joined an 18 week seminar called Growing Kids God's Way! We both think that this will be an eye opening and great learning experience for both of us. A definite worthwhile investment we thought. We were informed that there would be a fair bit of homework each week and practical application. Dwain's wasn't too happy about the homework part!!
Last Thursday we had a little accident on the farm. Dwain was lowering the lawn tracker from the second story of the barn and the steel forks that the tractor was sitting on folded and the lawn tractor fell from the second floor upside down on the concrete below. It made quite a mess and was very mangled. We think it is a right-off but we don't know yet. Insurance is in the process of assessing it. We are hoping so because even if it gets fixed it it will never run the same again. We're cheering for a new one. I am so thankful that Dwain wasn't hurt or that someone wasn't watching him from down below.
Well, gotta get to bed. I'm not the night owl I was a month ago. It's already past my bedtime.
Bye for now!

BOWLING AND A NEW JOB FOR MOM!

2007-02-20T17:42:00.000-08:00

Well I thought I'd give you a little update on the whole bowling experience with Ryan's preschool. I thought it was fun although I didn't get to play. Ryan on the other hand, along with many other kids wanted to quit after 6 turns. We went 5 pin bowling and most of the kids couldn't really throw it. Despite the fact that my video camera had a dead battery after a full night of charging and my camera kept turning off on me after every picture, I managed to get these. Nobody focused on the score but I had to get a few shots cuz Ryan was winning up until close to the end. He quit trying and started to basically just drop it. I didn't tell him he was winning but I was feeling just a little competitive when I saw him get the pins down.

We all enjoyed some pizza afterwards and then headed home.

Tuesday was my first day of work at the bank. I think it's going to be great. The ladies there are so nice. The boys dropped me off this morning and it felt sort of weird. They rolled down the windows in the truck and were waving goodbye as I walked to the door. A few I Love You Mom's and I was off to work. It was different this time for me. When I went back to work after Ryan was born it was horrible. I cried in the morning and was sort of a mess. This time I was so okay with the whole thing. I was ready for this and really enjoyed learning today! I was thinking throughout the day that it was feeling like the beginning of a new phase in my life. A little tiny bit of something for myself. I have to say that I have a very thankful heart today. Thanks Lord for my new job!
My Supervisor seems to like me. She called me a nut a few times while we were laughing and figured I'd fit right in with my sense of humor. She said that I think like her. We'll see if that's a good or bad thing!!heehee. Well gotta run.

MY WORD PUZZLE

2007-02-18T18:44:00.000-08:00

Here's my word puzzle. If you want to make one using words most frequently used in your blog click here http://www.snapshirts.com.

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE!!

2007-02-17T13:31:00.000-08:00

So here I am again! It's been two weeks since our family grew. And I am wasted! Sunny and Bonnie have proven themselves to be very energetic young girls. Overall I think the next 5 months should move along fairly smoothly. But please pray that I can keep my patience!
Sorry about the leaving a comment glitch! I chose to moderate my comments for awhile because I was getting some weird ones from people I didn't know. I forgot I did that and didn't check my dashboard to see if I had any. I assumed I didn't. Blonde moment!! Thanks for all the nice comments you left. You should now be able to read them all. So here's my life update in a nutshell.

I got a job! Yes, a job!! What am I thinking? Am I nuts! Well, sometimes I am but in this case I was pretty level headed. I wasn't looking for a job it just fell into my lap. Aren't those the best kind. I know that this is what God wants me to do because he made it fit into my schedule so perfectly and handed it to me with not really any effort on my part. I will be working Saturday and Monday at the Aldergrove Credit Union, Matsqui Branch as a bank teller. I am quite excited. It is extremely close to home also a big bonus. I start this week.

This week Ryan and Jacob got sick with a cold and then croup set in in the night. Not fun at all! Now I have a bad cold as well. I've been a mess the last 2 weeks with a bladder infection and 2 weeks of antibiotics cuz the first prescription didn't work. So if that wasn't enough already, my womanly monthly hit me hard for 5 days. Aycarumba!! I probably haven't been that fun to live with!

On a positive note, while I was at the doctor I happened to mention I was feeling a little tense in the neck and back! I wonder why??? so she referred me to a massage therapist. Thank you Lord!! I enjoyed a 45 min massage on Thursday! I already can't remember how it felt anymore but I know I want to go again!!!!Heehaa!

This Wednesday I took the girls to Kids Club at church. I was doing the craft so I hung around for the evening. We made a beaded cross necklace on leather rope. It was a hit! Tonite the girls are having 2 friends over for the evening and they are watching Princess Diaries. That will keep them busy for awhile.

On Monday Ryan and I are going bowling with his preschool class. He's quite thrilled. He thinks he's gonna beat me! Maybe I'll let him! Well, gotta have a shower and start getting dinner ready. Got 4 loads of laundry waiting and a dishwasher that needs to be unloaded and filled.

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER

2007-02-06T21:28:00.000-08:00

Poor Dwain, he's wishing I was sitting in the living room watching Criminal Minds with him but since he got me set up in this great sewing room with a TV well, this is my hideout. I"ll have to find a nice chair for him so that he can watch TV while I sew and cut out appliques. Here's one I did today.

I got out of the house for 2 hours of me time this afternoon to run some errands before I picked up my girls. It was a nice breath of fresh air. The girls had a great day today! Dwain made breakfast for dinner tonite. That's his specialty. The girls thought it was kind of weird but cool. They had never had a pancake before. They were surprised that it was soft. I don't know what they really expected!

Tomorrow Ryan has pajama day at school. He loves that. He's quite excited to wear his blue sleeper with feet. I wish I had PJ's with feet and a quick flap for nighttime bathroom breaks! I think I should sew myself a pair of those. I wonder if I can find a pattern for adult PJ's with feet.

Well I better checkout! I'm still getting used to being a sudden mom of 4 and I haven't got into a good routine yet. Have a great day!

RAINY DAY SUNDAY

2007-02-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those rainy day Sundays ! One of those kinda days when you feel a short nap is needed. So I had one. Dwain went out this afternoon so the boys and I crashed and the girls stayed up and played cards. A quick pizza for supper so as not to make a huge mess in the kitchen and here I am. Sunny and Bonnie are busy with their next project. We stopped off at Michaels Craft Store on the way home from church and they bought some yarn. They are intensley knitting for the first time making a hat for themselves on a round loom. These girls are brilliant. Lastnight I had them playing the memory game. The one where you lay out 30 pairs of the same picture upside down and mix them up and then each player takes a turn and flips two over and tries to find the matching card. They had about 50 cards on the floor and I was watching them and once they saw where one card was they never forgot it. They would count how many spaces in the row the picture of the duck was and the next time someone flipped the other duck card over they new they'd go back to the other row and count in how many spaces flip it over and it was the duck. I was awestruck! Most of the time I couldn't remember that another duck card had even been flipped. I guess I'm getting OLD!!
Today was the last Sunday for me to teach Sunday school in the CBC Chapel. Next week will be our first Church service in our new building. We are all quite excited and looking forward to what God has in store for our new church.
Well gotta go!

A NEW ROOM AND A VISIT FROM CHINA

2007-02-03T21:02:00.000-08:00

Surprise it's a new post!!! Wow we've had a busy month but it's been fun. Dwain and I have been getting our guestroom ready for our girls that were coming from China. The guestroom had turned into my sewing room and so I had alot of things on the go in there and no where to put them. Dwain said he would make the office into sewing room for me and he did just that. I am so psyched to actually use it but I can't seem to find the time to work on any of my projects. I have posted a few pics of my new pad! It's not too shabby if I do say so myself. Note the really cool bookshelf for all my Fat Quarters of fabric.

So this past week Dwain and I had a little getaway in Vancouver. We had such a great time. Gramma and Grandpa took the boys for us and we were off. 2 days away and it seemed like a week! In a good way! What an awesome break. We did a little shoppin. We both got a new pair of runners. Here's a pic of those! Dwain got 3 shirts and a pair of jeans at Old Navy for $25. That's crazy! So we came home Wednesday and finished getting ready for the girls to arrive. Thursday they came. I am so pleased with them. They are very fun girls. They are both 10 years old. Their names are Sunny and Bonnie. I took them to the dollar store in Mission lastnight and they had soo much fun. They came home with a whack of craft stuff. They have literally been busy all day painting, beading and one is trying to crosstitch. I showed them my quilts and now they want to make one. They are very enthusiastic. I think the next several months hold alot of fun for all of us. Here's a pic. Sunny is in the orange and Bonnie in the pink. Welcome to Canada Sunny and Bonnie!!

HE WAS A JOLLY HAPPY SOUL!!!

2007-01-19T01:49:00.000-08:00

With the emphasis on WAS a happy soul! I've gotta be nuts to be sitting at my computer at 2 am in the morning writing a blog. I know I won't sleep now unless I write you all just a short note. I was on my way to bed when I looked out the window and saw this poor ole white man sitting slouched in my front lawn. This time I am not kidding you! I saw this man the other day and he was looking pretty happy. Every time I looked out my window he was there with a big smile on his face to warm my heart. Well, tonite when I looked at him sittin there on my lawn, well my heart went out to him and I thought I'd make him famous for a day on the worldwide web.
I'm not too worried about him though, I am sure he'll be back

Goodnite!!

JUST FOR MY BLOGSTALKERS!!!

2007-01-16T23:56:00.000-08:00

Ok, to all you blogstalkers out there!! Although it is very late already, I felt I should leave just a little something for those of you who check to see if I've posted anything daily. I've been a busy girl and there is sooo much in my head right now that I can't sort it out to even blog about it! So I thought I'd fill you in on just one little incident I had the other day.

I was in WalMart buying a large bag of Purina Cat Chow for our barn cat and was in line to check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a cat........ Duh! I was feeling a bit crabby so on impulse, I told her no, I was starting the Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care unit with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms.
Her eyes about bugged out of her head. I went on and on with the bogus diet story and she was totally buying it. I told her that it was an easy, inexpensive diet and that the way it works is to load your pockets or purse with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The package said the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again. I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a tall guy behind her. Horrified, she asked if something in the cat food had poisoned me and was that why I ended up in the hospital. I said no.....I'd been sitting in the street licking my butt when a car hit me. I thought the tall guy was going to have to be carried out the door.

Gotcha!!
Ok, it didn't really happen but I got you laughing right??
Have a great day!!

BEST FRIENDS!!

2007-01-10T21:52:00.000-08:00

I remember so well what it was like growing up an only child. I so badly wanted to have someone to play with. All my friends had siblings and it almost would make me feel like I wasn't normal. (no comments from the peanut gallery on that one!) I did OK though. I had close cousins and they would come over often. My mom would make a huge meal and everyone would come over for a feast. And of course, dessert would always be cream puffs! She's famous in our family for those.
My cousin Christine was my age. She's the one beside me. She had a younger sister Diane. She's the one front and center. Jeanette is the cutie in the picture on the right in the middle. She came along after they had moved away so I never got to know her as well. But I love her just the same. I was always a little envious of Christine for having 2 sisters. I remember one day when we were about 10 years old we were talking about being auntie's. We soon figured out that I would never really be one unless I married someone who had siblings. I was very upset about this! Despite the fact that we were cousins, Christine told me that if she ever had kids she promised that they would call me Auntie Lori. This really made me feel special. She doesn't know this but I thought about that promise all the time. Literally a decade passed and it was still just as fresh in my brain as it was the day she promised me. I never knew if she would remember that promise but hoped she would. Today Christine has 2 amazing boys, Jordan and Dylan(with help from a great husband named Dan of course). She never forgot her promise to me, for when Jordan was born, I was immediately honored with the title. Thanks Christine for always sharing your sisters with me and for giving me the honor of being an Auntie.

I thought of this story today as I watched my own boys look out the window together at the falling snow. I could feel their excitement and was so thankful they had eachother to share it with. I pray that they will always be close like they are in this picture. Best Friends! I love you guys!

IT'S BEEN AWHILE

2007-01-09T19:02:00.000-08:00

Hello once again to all my faithful readers! Do I have any of those! I'd love it if you'd leave me a comment sometime. Keeps me inspired to keep on bloggin. Call me crazy but it's quite exciting when I see that someone has left me a comment.
So what to blog about today! Well, we are finished our first week in 2007 and I was thinking about how old I was and it hit me. This year will mark the year that I have officially been out of school as long as I was in. I feel like I just graduated. I mean I totally feel that way! (But then, I look at some old photos and I am quickly brought back to reality!
Well, it looks like another crazy storm is coming in to greet us. We are expected to get 15cm of snow tonite. The boys are excited so I hope it's still here when we wake up in morning.
This morning the boys went for one of their immunization shots. Ryan chose Jacob to go first. Smart for 5 years old hey!! Well, I expected a little more drama from Jacob but he didn't even move. The nurse said it's just gonna be a little poke Ok Jacob?! He says OK! and it was done. Ryan on the other hand wasn't as calm. I am convinced all the crying out was all drama because when the needle went in he didn't even flinch and when we told him it was done he just stopped and looked like he felt a little silly. He didn't even know he had already gotten the poke. All in all they were brave. How bad is it when your kinda glad you yourself didn't have to get one!!

So we had a nice afternoon this week and Dwain's brother came by to burn his Christmas tree and a few things and decided to stick around for awhile and play with Ryan. Ryan got some sidewalk chalk for Christmas and was eager to try it out. So was Uncle Ken. They drew a race track on the pavement to ride bikes on and Uncle Ken continued to add a few artistic touches while Ryan rode around. Here is a picture

Well if you've read my previous blog entries you will remember that I started a quilting club as well as started teaching on the side. Well so far I have had 2 students and really look forward to getting more. My first student was my friend Fiona. I haven't been able to show her masterpiece because it was a Christmas present and I had to let her post it on her blog first so as not to spoil the surprise. I really enjoyed this project as it was my first time working with photos in a quilt. It turned out amazing. Well done Fi! You did the old "Friday night" quilters proud!! Here's a picture of the proud new owners and one of the creator! Fiona made this a rag quilt on one side as seen to the left and like a regular scrappy quilt on the right. Here's a close up of what the ragged side looks like.

My next student was a friend of my sister Tammy. Karen also made a beautiful rag quilt. She went with a woven cotton so it feels soft like flannel. Very beautiful! I'd like to have this one for my own! Karen got a new sewing machine for Christmas so I hope I'll get to make another one with her sometime. Well done Karen!!

This week we had a new addition to my extended family. Little Eligh Benjamin was born on January 7th in Texas. Congratulations to the proud new parents Ben and Romay! You have just received one of God's greatest gifts! May God bless you as parents as you raise this little man!

So that's what kind of week it's been. I hope you all had a fun New Years and pray that it will bring you all good health and happiness. My New Years challenge for myself this year is to remember to make more time and a solid effort to nurture the friendships I have with my loved ones and to try to create as many new ones as I can. I think I've got my work cut out for me!!

I love you all! TTYL!

CHRISTMAS DAY 2006!!

2006-12-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

Well another Christmas Day has past! Overall I'd say it was a very relaxing day! We woke up around 8:00am. Dwain lit a fire in the living room and we sat down to open gifts. The kids were really excited this year. Ryan figured that Christmas didn't come when he woke up cuz there wasn't any snow on the ground. A little disappointment to start the day but seeing he had some presents to open all was forgotten quickly. I got fabric to make the boys Christmas quilts for next year. I have got a really neat idea for these quilts and I will share it with you when I start the process. Here's a photo of Christmas morning and my fabric.

Christmas Gift from Dwain

We went over to Dwain's parents place in the late morning where mom made us all a wonderful brunch. We then preceeded to the living room where we opened our gifts. I got fabric for my next years Christmas Quilt for our bed and a few other quilting supplies and gift certificates from my favourite quilt store. Here's a picture of my Christmas Fabric.

We went home mid-afternoon to prepare a turkey dinner for my side of the family. I put the turkey in the oven and had a short nap with the kids. My parents came over around 5:00pm and we ate just after six. It was a delicious meal if I do say so myself. The whole family was here so we took a family photo. Josh is in the red shirt. He's my cousins son but he's considered one of the family. After dinner we opened gifts and guess what I got!! That's right MORE FABRIC!!! YEEEEHAA! Here it is!! This will be for a Fall Quilt for our bed.

Yesterday Dwain's parents came over for lunch. My friend Michelle made me a quiche and so Dad and Dwain went out to do chores and then came in for lunch. It was very tasty Michelle. You're a good cook! Thanks! Tonite we are going out for dinner with my extended family. My grandfather takes us all out for turkey dinner to a local restaurant. It's nice to see all my cousins and aunts and uncles. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME...

2006-12-24T16:29:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house,
Not a creature was praying not one in the house.
There Bibles were lain on the shelf without care,
In hope that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom in her rocker and baby in her lap,
Was watching the late show while I took a nap.

When out of the east there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But an angel proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment this must be the day.

The light of his face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus returning just like he had said.
And though I posessed wordly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which he held in his hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,
When he said "It's not here", my head hung in shame.

The people who's names had been written with love,
he gathered to take to his father above.
With those who were ready he rose without sound,
While all of the rest were left standing around.

I fell to me knees but it was too late,
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
OH! if only I had been ready tonite.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear,
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There is only one life and when comes the last call,
We'll find that the Bible was true afterall.

Author Unknown

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS PART 2

2006-12-19T22:03:00.000-08:00

Six more sleeps till Christmas!!! I'm still sewin my little heart out! I don't have my gifts done yet and the pressure is starting to mount. I know I'll get them done I just can't seem to get myself started into sewing mode till around 9:00pm every night. Then I sew till close to 1:00am. Call me crazy!

Well this is part 2 of My Favourite Things. As you can see, it is a Nativity Scene. Dwain and I received this as a gift from his Grandma and Grandpa the first Christmas we were married. (1994). It has sentimental value to us because the day we got it was the last time we saw Grandma. She unexpectedly passed away 5 days later. She was so excited for us as a newly married couple. I didn't know Grandma very long but she was a special lady. Every year when I put it out I can't help but smile and I think of her. Grandpa has since passed on as well. Dwain was very close with Grandpa as he chicken farmed with him for many years as a young boy and then as a young man. Fond memories of just hangin out with Grandpa in the barns can't help but flood the mind when we take out our Nativity Scene. They had a great love for their family, but most important they had a love for Jesus that shone through them like a light in the darkness. Many grand kids today will never know what it's like to have grandparents like we had. I know they prayed for us all regularly and were passionate about it. Even though they aren't with us anymore we will be forever thankful for the spiritual commitment they had to our entire family. They passed on a great legacy, one that Dwain and I feel blessed to continue.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS PART 1

2006-12-16T22:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas is always such a fun time of year for me. Not only because I get to shop for gifts or make things for the people I love but it's a time to look back on some of the things that mean allot to me also.

Over the years I have received allot of gifts. Our families on both sides bless us incredibly with very generous gifts every Christmas. But sometimes there's that one gift that you never forget because it has sentimental value. One of those gifts that bring memories flooding back in an instant. See this little teapot? This is one of those gifts. This is one of my favourite things. This little teapot is jam packed with memories. My mother-in-law aquired this teapot a very long time ago. Back when colored lights were the only thing you put on your tree and the kids put the decorations all in one place (they still do this at my house. It's obviously something you outgrow.) I think that's about when she got this teapot. Years past and this little teapot was always front and center on the tree. It was a favourite ornament back then too.

Right about the time I came into the family, mom had started to use white lights on the tree and had a color theme with the decorations. If I remember correctly, it was peach. It's simply stunning the decorating mom can do. When you saw her decorated Christmas tree you'd think you stepped into Christmas Tree Heaven. Peach was in back then. But now what were they to do with this little red teapot. Because of tradition, the little red teapot had to go on the tree but it didn't match anything and stuck out like a sore thumb. They agreed it could go at the back of the tree so at least it would be on it. Well, that may have been the consensus but Dwain just wasn't satisfied. Dwain made it his Christmas mission to sneak that little teapot back front and center on the tree whenever he had the chance. Mom would put it back and when she wasn't looking he'd sneak it back in the front again. I can only imagine the silliness that was going on. That inside sort of laughter that's hard to contain because you're being such a brat. Mom must have had her share of laughs about it too.

About six years ago, mom past this ornament down to Dwain and I. When she gave it to us, I remember we all reminisced about the good old days with that little teapot. Today this little teapot is back front and center on our tree every Christmas! It's the last ornament to go on the tree and Dwain is the one that puts it on. We keep it in a real mini treasure box lined with velvet. About the second year we had it I surprised Dwain with one of those rotating light sockets. When he put the Teapot on the turning hook we just sat back and laughed ourselves silly as we watched it turn on the tree. It really wasn't that funny but it sure was to us! Oh Little Teapot!! You bring a Happiness!!

I BELIEVE

2006-12-14T18:43:00.000-08:00

I received this the other day and it really made me think. I hope that someday when I am gone that the people who knew me will say "She lived what she beleived"

I Believe...
that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save the world from sin.

I Believe …
that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe …
That life is more precious than money will ever be able to be.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe …
That just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to, doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I Believe …
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe …
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe …
That you can keep going, long after you think you can’t.

I Believe …
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe …
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe …
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe …
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe …
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe …
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe …
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I Believe …
That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe …
That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief, but God does.

I Believe …
That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I Believe …
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I Believe …
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe …
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I Believe …
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I Believe …
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe …
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you much too soon.

I Believe …
That life is more precious than money will ever be able to be.

I Believe …
That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

O' CHRISTMAS TREE!!

2006-12-08T00:50:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how fast December is passing by! On any given year you can count on me having my Christmas tree up by the second week of November. Yes, I know that it is early, but I like to spread out my decorating. The third weekend in November the tree simply gets fluffed up. Then the last weekend in November I put all the lights on. Then the first weekend in December is when the tree gets fully decorated. Well we are now coming up on the second weekend of December and I am happy to announce that my tree is finally done! I don't know why it took me so long this year. But now that it's done I feel like I can get on with other things. Here are a few other things that have been keeping me busy lately.

November 25th we celebrated Ryan's 5th birthday!! Although his birthday isn't really till the end of December, we decided that we would set November 25 as the day we celebrate his day with his friends. It gets so busy at Christmas time, most families don't have time to fit in a kids birthday party! So he decided he wanted a Lightning McQueen birthday! You know the race car from the Disney Movie CARS. So off to the store I went in search of a cake pan in the shape of a car. I was quite excited when I saw a cake pan that actually was Lightning McQueen. I like to make the birthday cakes for my kids. My mom always made mine and my friends would always say Wow, your mom made that for you? They were pretty cool cakes! I want to do the same for my boys! They already love it when I make them. The effort is always worth it when their faces light up cuz they can recognize what I am making the cake to look like. So here is what the finished product looked like. I couldn't exactly go pro with my cake decorating skills but the kids think it's great and that's what counts!

So the birthday party is over and there is still so much on my list of things to do. All things I enjoy of course but yet it still makes for a busy life. As you all know, I love to craft. I seem to go in phases with my hobbies. I only seem to be interested in one thing at a time. Right now it's quilting.

In November I started a quilting club with my extended family. A few of us have finished our quilts already but some of us chose to make larger ones so they aren't quite as far ahead. Other that some loose threads and hand stitching, mine is finished. Here is a picture of my sister Natalie's and a picture of mine. Once the others have completed their projects, I'll be posting all of them. They are all going to be sooo amazing.

I decided to sew most of my Christmas presents this year so I hope they will be a success. It's always risky making something for someone cuz you don't know how it's going to turn out till it's done. I figured I'd give it a shot. My sewing machine has just had a service so this week it's going to get a good workout. Please pray that I don't have to haul the seam ripper out too often.

Well, once again it's 12:41am and it's time for me to get some of those precious zzzz's like you are all getting right about now! Tomorrow is Friday! Well actually today is!! Whatever, I love Friday!! Blog ya later!!

A DAY OF REFLECTION!!

2006-12-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those reflection days! One of those days when you go back to a certain point in your life and say WOW! look how I've grown! In my case that would be on the inside and out! It's ok to LOL at that one!!

I was sitting here today thinking back to when Dwain and I were first married. I remember how rich we suddenly felt when we officially became a couple and had two incomes. We had so much fun. We went on two great vacations. Once to Disneyworld and the other to Hawaii. We had some really great times but soon we found ourselves seeking riches of another kind. We wanted a baby!

It seems like only yesterday that I found out that I was pregnant with Ryan. We had waited so long to have a baby and now it was finally going to happen. It was a long road and a huge faith builder for us waiting on the Lord to prepare us and bless us with a child. It took so long that we started to think that maybe God had something else in store for us. This was hard for us to accept. I remember the very moment when I knew I'd accept anything God had in store for me. Dwain and I were talking about having a baby once again and Dwain could sense my discouragement. I knew how badly he wanted to have a baby and I knew how great of a Dad he would be. You all know that Dwain doesn't talk alot but that day he said something to me that changed my life. He said, Lori, if the only family of our own we ever have consists of just you and me, I would be content with that! WOW! I mean, I knew this guy loved me but....WOW!!! That changed me. I knew that the love God gave us for eachother was enough and so did he. It really took the pressure off of me as we knew that it was my body that wasn't functioning properly. I look back on that time and realize that I think there was more to the story of us not getting pregnant right when we wanted it. I think that God was developing our love for eachother, deepening it and strengthening it for the future. About five months later I was pregnant. We embraced our pregnancy with such a strong faith. We felt that we had literally received a miracle. We had.

Ryan was due to arrive December 31st, 2001. I often talked to God during the day about the baby growing inside of me. I remember one day in particular, it was mid October. I was feeling somewhat emotional, sentimental, and goofy. What a crazy combination! I was soon to be finished my work and on maternity leave and I was anticipating Ryan's birth. I was reflecting on how deeply I felt God's hand in my pregnancy and thought how fitting it was to have a child born so close to the date we celebrate Christ's birth. As I talked to God, my thoughts went to ask him if he would give me our baby on Christmas Day! I told him how symbolic that would be to me. Although he knew he was already very real to me and I didn't need any validation that he was responsible for this entire miracle , I told him in my thoughts in a playful sort of way that that would be the ultimate if I had my baby on his own son's birthday. I giggled to myself and wondered if he shared my humour in the whole conversation I was having with him. The weeks passed and I forgot about that conversation until closer to the birth. I have never known anyone who would ask for their child to be born on Christmas Day!! But that was my heart's desire. I now know without a doubt that God really does have a sense of humour. December 24th in the early morning I went into labour. By 6pm I was at the hospital and the nurses figured that I would have the baby before midnight. I thought to myself, is this for real? I'm not due for another week and this is my first baby. This would mean we'd have a Christmas Eve baby and I thought, I guess that's close enough, I mean an hour or 2 before Christmas day is pretty unbelievable considering my prayer request. Well to make a long labour, I mean story short, Ryan was born at 4:29pm on Christmas Day! My prayer was answered. Not only that, he gave me a son! One thing I'll never understand though is why he put me through 34 hours of labour first! He could have just let him be born at 12:01am Christmas day!! I guess its his sense of humor kickin in again! Haaha Lord!! Real funny!!

In a few weeks Ryan will be 5. I wanted to share this story because it really shows how God is real in a very real way to us if we let him. He's not just there for us to pray to when we have a problem and we need him. He's there for us to talk to right in the middle of our greatest day ever! December 25, 2001 will forever go down in my books as the most profound spiritual experience of my life! I am sure I will have more, but for now, this one holds the record! Thank you God for the gift of my son! I Love you Ryan...4-ever!!

There is nothing we really need know

or try to understand

If we refuse to be discouraged

and trust God's guiding hand...

So take heart and meet each minute

with faith in God's great love,

Aware that every day of life

is controlled by God above...

And never dread tomorrow

or what the future brings,

Just pray for strength and courage

and trust God in all things...

And never grow discouraged

be patient and just wait

For God never comes too early

and He never comes too late!

by Helen Steiner Rice

CLEANIN,CRAFTIN & PIGGYBACK RACIN!!!

2006-11-17T23:19:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a busy week. There hasn't been much time to write. I have been very busy working on getting our house ready to decorate for Christmas. Ready to decorate you might ask!?! Well, yes, I seemed to have developed this querk about me that makes me feel that I need to have all those fall cleaning chores done. Such as cleaning out the storage room, reorganizing the bookshelves, major dusting and soo on! The dusting always really gets me. Living on a chicken farm it never looks like I even dust. It's almost pointless to even bother! Hey, maybe I'm onto something there!
Well the weather was pretty crazy around here this week. The power was out in many places all around us. Our generator was raring to go but we didn't need it. We've had so many bad experiences with power failure this past year and a half that we think the Lord spared us. It seems that whenever we get the extreme weather, hot,cold or windy, we always seem to be a day or so before shipping when the power decides to fail. We were thankful that we didn't have to worry about it this time.
This week I met with my Essential Six. This is a quilting club that I started with some of my relatives on the Peters' side. Everyone is off to a great start. I think next time I am going to take some pictures to post so you can see what everyone's project is looking like. The quilts are all going to be fab! I look forward to this time with my family! Here's a pic of how mine is developing.

Tonight I made farmer sausage and perogies for dinner. That's one of Dwain's favorites. We were going to go into town this evening but we decided to put up the small Christmas tree in our family room instead. I know, I know, I know, It's only November 17th!!! I say who cares, I love this season and it gets me into a festive mood.

This is the kids tree. They decorate it with what they like and they can sort of play with it and re-decorate it over and over (and they do!). I am curious to see what other things get put on the tree this year. Last year, I would regularly notice new things on the tree. Ryan would find something that he thought was a treasure and it would immediately go on or in the tree. We also made foamy snowflake ornaments tonight with sequins and foamy stickers. I think Dwain and I had the most fun. When we were finished, the boys very enthusiastically put the snowflakes on the tree. Then we had a few piggyback races around the familyroom (probably not enough to burn off the sausage and perogies though) and then we watched Frosty the Snowman. All in all I'd say it was a pretty great day for all of us!

Well, once again I am typing and you're all sleeping (and I don't mean because you've just read my blog.) It's 1am so I think I'll try and catch some of those zzzz's myself! Ya'll come back now ya hear :)

GOOD INTENTIONS AND HOCKEY PUCK BISCUITS

2006-11-11T23:07:00.000-08:00

Today was supposed to be a clean the house all day kinda day! My intentions are always good when I go to bed the night before when I tell myself, tomorrow I'm gonna get all that stuff done I've been putting off. Well, another day went by and I only got my bedroom half cleaned and 3 loads of laundry done. I am so far behind in my laundry that when I was sorting it this afternoon I found a shirt that I didn't even remember I had! I guess that's kind of a bonus but at the same time it's pretty pathetic.
The boys seemed to need something different to do this afternoon so I decided that I would bake some biscuits with them. I'm generally a pretty good baker, but today was an exception! Our intention was to make Sky High Biscuits. Instead we made hockey pucks! I pre measured all the ingredients in containers for the boys before we started but they were so eager, everything got dumped in all at once. The boys didn't seem to care, they inhaled their masterpieces smothered with peanut butter and honey!!
We also got a little crafty this afternoon and made some foamy 3D Christmas trees. I found them at Micheals Craft store and they came with miniature foam candy, and other decorative stickers. We had fun doing that!
Lastnight, really spur of the moment, I got invited to go to a movie with my friend Fiona and some of her friends. We went to go see Stranger than Fiction! I'm not quite sure how I would even rate it but just the going out with some gals was a 10!! Thanks for taking me out Fi!
So that's the kind of day it has been! Till next time...

" To be capable of steady friendship and lasting love are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind".
William Hazlitt

A BLESSING X6

2006-11-08T23:24:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally decided to start a blog. And here it is. A work in progress! (Just like me!). This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Women of Faith Conference with some of my friends. I had a great time and was very encouraged. Not to mention refreshed just having my thoughts to myself for nearly 2 days. One of the keynote speakers reminded us to not focus so much on life's little inconveniences, instead, focus on spreading contagious joy to others!! What a great message!
Recently I have been very blessed. And A Thankful Heart I have!! For quite awhile now I have been praying every once in awhile that the Lord would send someone my way that I could share my hobbies with. I am always busy making something. In a nutshell, here's how it came about. Just a couple of months ago I became an Auntie for the very first time. And I must say that I am a very proud one to say the least. I can still remember the squeal that came out of me when Dad said It's a Girl!! It was one of those moments when you think to yourself, "Did I just do that?!?" Most of you know that I can be one crazy chick sometimes but I think I really took Dad by surprise with the squeal and modest boogie I did in the back of his John Deere Gator. Let's just say I'm very expressive and leave it at that!! Well my niece had arrived and I wanted to make her a keepsake so I chose to make her a quilt. I gave it to her at her babyshower and several of my cousins said that they would love to be able to make something like that. At the time, I didn't think that it was something that they would all actually do. A few days past and I thought, why not email them and see if anyone wants to actually do it. To my surprise, they all did. So not only did my prayer get answered. It got answered 6 times!! Thanks Lord! Lastnight was our first get together. It was fun for sure! So far there are six of us. My sister-in-law Natalie (which in future entries will be identified as "my sister"), my aunt Lovella(which in future entries by request of the auntie herself be addressed as"Lovella"), cousin's Bea, Colleen and Tania. I wish my other sister-in-law (sister) Tammy could have been there but she lives in Barry, ON. I think I'll try praying her back here! Along with my niece! and Tammy's other half!!
Well I am pretty sure I will be writing most of my posts at insane hours. Right now it's 12:45am. I enjoy it late at night when all is quiet in the house. I'm signing off now, leaving you with this thought.

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves"

James Matthew Barrie