What kinds of celebrations are you taking part in this holiday season?
What kinds of things do you do with your kids/families that are meaningful?
How do you remember others that are less fortunate than you?
What kind of baking are you doing?
I want to know!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thanksgiving Weekend
Okay, so it wasn't Thanksgiving here in Canada, but it was in the US. And because of that, we got the privilege of hosting Jose and Kim and my mom and dad for the long weekend! If you click on the link you can see the stuff I don't want to brag about...my cute kids and my good food. Ha ha
We had a great time of not doing too much. Just relaxing, drinking coffee (only decaf for this girl, shucks!) playing games, and of course watching the Grey Cup. I am seriously lacking in sleep, but it was worth it. :-)
Emilie is starting to sleep better since I've gone off coffee. I was hoping that wasn't the reason, but I think it may be. On the other hand, she is still very unpredictable and sometimes sleeps very restlessly (is that a word?) for a whole 24 hr stretch. Hmmmm. Right now she's sitting on my lap staring at the monitor and very relaxed. She's a cutie. Unfortunately it seems my camera may be kicking the bucket so you won't be seeing pictures for a bit.
When my parents got in last week, they took the 3 oldest girls to a hotel for the night. Of course they made sure to get one with a pool, kiddie pool, hot tub and waterslide. Did the kids ever have a blast! They came back full of stories. They made some great memories.
I think we had as much fun as they did! We tried not to party too hard without dad and mom, but... We went out for dinner (Ethiopian - mmmm) and then came back and played a game and ate truffle brownies. For some reason Jose and Daryl both had bruises on their chests the next morning, but you'll have to ask them about that if you really want to know. (Hint: It did not include me and Kim)
Tonight we were planning to decorate the Christmas tree, but Daryl had to work. The girls were quite disappointed but I let them put up a few decorations to pacify them. It quickly turned bitter though, when Olivia started twirling around with an extension cord flying in all directions, Anna-Christina crying because we weren't putting up enough decorations, Adrienne crying because she didn't get a long enough turn talking to Daddy on the phone, and crying out of sheer tiredness, and Emilie crying every time I put her down. Wow. I guess we'll try again tomorrow night. Maybe.
I'm already resigning myself to the fact that my list of Christmas baking is (sob) going to be very short this year. And the decorations may not be that great. But I am determined to be okay with that, and to spend my holidays enjoying my kids, husband and friends, my messy house (okay I don't have to actually enjoy that) and a pace of life that I probably will never have again.
We had a great time of not doing too much. Just relaxing, drinking coffee (only decaf for this girl, shucks!) playing games, and of course watching the Grey Cup. I am seriously lacking in sleep, but it was worth it. :-)
Emilie is starting to sleep better since I've gone off coffee. I was hoping that wasn't the reason, but I think it may be. On the other hand, she is still very unpredictable and sometimes sleeps very restlessly (is that a word?) for a whole 24 hr stretch. Hmmmm. Right now she's sitting on my lap staring at the monitor and very relaxed. She's a cutie. Unfortunately it seems my camera may be kicking the bucket so you won't be seeing pictures for a bit.
When my parents got in last week, they took the 3 oldest girls to a hotel for the night. Of course they made sure to get one with a pool, kiddie pool, hot tub and waterslide. Did the kids ever have a blast! They came back full of stories. They made some great memories.
I think we had as much fun as they did! We tried not to party too hard without dad and mom, but... We went out for dinner (Ethiopian - mmmm) and then came back and played a game and ate truffle brownies. For some reason Jose and Daryl both had bruises on their chests the next morning, but you'll have to ask them about that if you really want to know. (Hint: It did not include me and Kim)
Tonight we were planning to decorate the Christmas tree, but Daryl had to work. The girls were quite disappointed but I let them put up a few decorations to pacify them. It quickly turned bitter though, when Olivia started twirling around with an extension cord flying in all directions, Anna-Christina crying because we weren't putting up enough decorations, Adrienne crying because she didn't get a long enough turn talking to Daddy on the phone, and crying out of sheer tiredness, and Emilie crying every time I put her down. Wow. I guess we'll try again tomorrow night. Maybe.
I'm already resigning myself to the fact that my list of Christmas baking is (sob) going to be very short this year. And the decorations may not be that great. But I am determined to be okay with that, and to spend my holidays enjoying my kids, husband and friends, my messy house (okay I don't have to actually enjoy that) and a pace of life that I probably will never have again.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sponteneity Pays Off
Last night at 6:00 I was sitting in my chair nursing Emilie. I said to Daryl, "Oh man, Brian Doerksen is in town tonight". I had heard about the concert but didn't realize it was coming up so soon. We were both saying how we should have gotten tickets, etc. Then Daryl said, "Why don't you call a friend and go and I'll stay here with the kids?"
So that I did! (Not gonna turn down an offer like that!)
I called Jenn and we hurriedly made plans to meet at the concert. I got there first and got us tickets and pretty good seats, and we enjoyed a great evening of worship and musical talent.
By the way, if Clarence happens to read this, I must say I thought of you when I was listening and singing along to Light the Fire.
HOW MANY TIMES DID WE PLAY THAT SONG TO GET IT JUST RIGHT? :-)
Good memories. It sure brought them back to hear Brian's voice singing and talking, just like listening to a cd many years ago :-)
So that I did! (Not gonna turn down an offer like that!)
I called Jenn and we hurriedly made plans to meet at the concert. I got there first and got us tickets and pretty good seats, and we enjoyed a great evening of worship and musical talent.
By the way, if Clarence happens to read this, I must say I thought of you when I was listening and singing along to Light the Fire.
HOW MANY TIMES DID WE PLAY THAT SONG TO GET IT JUST RIGHT? :-)
Good memories. It sure brought them back to hear Brian's voice singing and talking, just like listening to a cd many years ago :-)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Overheard...again
Olivia to Daryl: I love you so, so much.
(Quietness while thinking)
I love you as much as Lisel loves Rolph.
(This is me groaning...)
(Quietness while thinking)
I love you as much as Lisel loves Rolph.
(This is me groaning...)
Friday, November 09, 2007
Just In Case You're Wondering...
* First of all, I want to tell you that the photographer (who shall remain nameless) missed some of the best parts of our costumes. Let me tell you, my white heels paired with my leggings were like, totally fab. And Daryl's pants were showing off his white sports socks in his black dress shoes. Anyway, glad you all got a kick out of the pics. :-)
* Secondly, and more importantly, I want to have a little honesty here.
It is very easy to write these posts, painting a pretty nice picture of what life is like for us. I even get jealous sometimes when I read other peoples' blogs because of what they did/are doing, etc. You know, it sounds so nice when that's all you hear.
Well, life has not been all peachy around here. Just for the sake of honesty, I'll tell you a few things.
My house is usually a disaster these days. I've been trying to clean my kitchen all week and it's still not clean. I yell at my kids. I cry when my husband walks out the door. This morning was the first time I read my Bible for awhile (except for at Bible study). My bedroom looks like a tornado went through it. My kids fight. They pick their noses and eat their boogers and mouth off to me. I'm tired.
I could go on and on but that's not nice. :-)I am thankful for so many things - my kids and husband included (even though I get mad at all of them). I don't write this to complain; I write this to let you know I'm human. It's been a bit of a rough week, but I think in the midst of it, God is revealing is incredible love for me. I feel it, I know it.
This is pretty scattered writing, but I just felt some honesty was needed here. Wouldn't want you to think we're perfect or anything :-) But let me also tell you, God is good and so is life...most of the time. :-)
* Secondly, and more importantly, I want to have a little honesty here.
It is very easy to write these posts, painting a pretty nice picture of what life is like for us. I even get jealous sometimes when I read other peoples' blogs because of what they did/are doing, etc. You know, it sounds so nice when that's all you hear.
Well, life has not been all peachy around here. Just for the sake of honesty, I'll tell you a few things.
My house is usually a disaster these days. I've been trying to clean my kitchen all week and it's still not clean. I yell at my kids. I cry when my husband walks out the door. This morning was the first time I read my Bible for awhile (except for at Bible study). My bedroom looks like a tornado went through it. My kids fight. They pick their noses and eat their boogers and mouth off to me. I'm tired.
I could go on and on but that's not nice. :-)I am thankful for so many things - my kids and husband included (even though I get mad at all of them). I don't write this to complain; I write this to let you know I'm human. It's been a bit of a rough week, but I think in the midst of it, God is revealing is incredible love for me. I feel it, I know it.
This is pretty scattered writing, but I just felt some honesty was needed here. Wouldn't want you to think we're perfect or anything :-) But let me also tell you, God is good and so is life...most of the time. :-)
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Daryl and his nerdy friends. They were great. Too bad he doesn't have his "nerdy" face on for the photo - he talks in the nasal voice and I was practically wetting myself laughing before we left for the party.
The 80's chics!
High Queen of the ball pool.
Minnie Mouse - she thought it was great that I piled so much mascara on her. :-)
Cinderella - check out the blue eye shadow :-)Great fun was had by all. Thank goodness we have alternatives to Halloween. This was a party at our church.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Our Life
I know pictures are worth a thousand words...but I guess I should write a few sometimes anyway.
*We are glad to have our friends C and J back in the city! I went there for coffee today and it was so nice to not have to say good-bye. Just see ya later!
*Anna-Christina is doing well in school. I was just there for a parent/teacher meeting tonight and her teacher is highly impressed with her reading and art skills. She says she's a sweet kid to have in her class and she just loves her. It helps that we are friends with her teacher and A-C knows her from church. On the home front, Anna-Christina is sure a huge help to me. I can't believe how responsible she can be when it comes to taking care of her sisters. It's so nice that she can hold Emilie and comfort her with her soother if I'm busy with someone else. We had an interesting discussion about talents tonight while she was helping me cook spaghetti sauce. I'm enjoying having more "grown up" conversations with her.
*Olivia is...Olivia! She has a great sense of humour, most of the time. Right now she likes to play jokes on people. Sometimes when I go downstairs she closes the door and blocks it with a chair. Then she runs and hides. It usually hits me funny (so far). She got to play at a friends house today and told me, "E was really really bossy. I think she must have been tired". She likes preschool, for the most part. I think she's one of the oldest in her class, so it's not exactly challenging, but I'm glad she's learning to respect teachers and other kids (it is something we're working on!).
*Adrienne is oh-so-one-and-a-half! She loves to open cupboards, dump salt and pepper, eat butter off the table, colour on napkins, stuff videos in the VCR backwards, touch my cactus, hide behind the curtains, put food in her hair, empty her dresser drawers, pull down her pants, take off her shirt, brush her teeth, eat toothpaste, carry the step stool around to get whatever she feels she might need that is out of her reach, WHEW! She is at a really fun age though, where we can make her say anything we want by asking her to repeat it. She keeps all of us laughing.
*Emilie is being a pretty "good" baby. She seems to have a lot of gas and tummy aches and I feel sorry for her (no Rhonda, she is not a good burper!). I am trying to stay away from foods that might bother her, but it's so hard. Especially since I haven't really had to do that with any of the other kids. The pictures I posted below make her head look really big but it's still so tiny. I think it's because of her male pattern baldness. (AC thinks she looks like our pastor) The poor little thing lost all her hair on top. She's a little sweetie.
As for me, well, let's see. I have been going to a Bible study once a week which I am loving. (Let's hear it for Beth Moore!) There is free childcare and free Starbucks and women studying God's Word. What more could a girl want? :-) The other day that O is in preschool I usually spend with a friend or at the mall with the 2 little girls. So I am getting out! (Just in case you were worried) The other days are usually at home, doing all the usual housekeeping and child rearing STUFF. Other than being tired I'm managing well, I think.
And Daryl...well, he's just dreaming of moose hunting. Watch for a picture of our halloween costumes coming soon to a blog near you.
*We are glad to have our friends C and J back in the city! I went there for coffee today and it was so nice to not have to say good-bye. Just see ya later!
*Anna-Christina is doing well in school. I was just there for a parent/teacher meeting tonight and her teacher is highly impressed with her reading and art skills. She says she's a sweet kid to have in her class and she just loves her. It helps that we are friends with her teacher and A-C knows her from church. On the home front, Anna-Christina is sure a huge help to me. I can't believe how responsible she can be when it comes to taking care of her sisters. It's so nice that she can hold Emilie and comfort her with her soother if I'm busy with someone else. We had an interesting discussion about talents tonight while she was helping me cook spaghetti sauce. I'm enjoying having more "grown up" conversations with her.
*Olivia is...Olivia! She has a great sense of humour, most of the time. Right now she likes to play jokes on people. Sometimes when I go downstairs she closes the door and blocks it with a chair. Then she runs and hides. It usually hits me funny (so far). She got to play at a friends house today and told me, "E was really really bossy. I think she must have been tired". She likes preschool, for the most part. I think she's one of the oldest in her class, so it's not exactly challenging, but I'm glad she's learning to respect teachers and other kids (it is something we're working on!).
*Adrienne is oh-so-one-and-a-half! She loves to open cupboards, dump salt and pepper, eat butter off the table, colour on napkins, stuff videos in the VCR backwards, touch my cactus, hide behind the curtains, put food in her hair, empty her dresser drawers, pull down her pants, take off her shirt, brush her teeth, eat toothpaste, carry the step stool around to get whatever she feels she might need that is out of her reach, WHEW! She is at a really fun age though, where we can make her say anything we want by asking her to repeat it. She keeps all of us laughing.
*Emilie is being a pretty "good" baby. She seems to have a lot of gas and tummy aches and I feel sorry for her (no Rhonda, she is not a good burper!). I am trying to stay away from foods that might bother her, but it's so hard. Especially since I haven't really had to do that with any of the other kids. The pictures I posted below make her head look really big but it's still so tiny. I think it's because of her male pattern baldness. (AC thinks she looks like our pastor) The poor little thing lost all her hair on top. She's a little sweetie.
As for me, well, let's see. I have been going to a Bible study once a week which I am loving. (Let's hear it for Beth Moore!) There is free childcare and free Starbucks and women studying God's Word. What more could a girl want? :-) The other day that O is in preschool I usually spend with a friend or at the mall with the 2 little girls. So I am getting out! (Just in case you were worried) The other days are usually at home, doing all the usual housekeeping and child rearing STUFF. Other than being tired I'm managing well, I think.
And Daryl...well, he's just dreaming of moose hunting. Watch for a picture of our halloween costumes coming soon to a blog near you.
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