Fun with a lemon peel. :-) (Daddy taught them this at Perkins!) She looked up at our server like that, but with a totally straight face. I was laughing so hard I couldn't order.
As you can see from her arm, she was busy painting...until she saw the vacuum. Then she ran to the couch and did this, waiting for it to come on. (She thinks she's plugging her ears)

Look at the pink laundry! (This was not staged!) :-) I must have a lot of girls...
Adrienne distraught and crying when I told her we had to let the pizza dough "sleep" before we could put the toppings on. It hit me very funny. She did the same thing when I let her make a little loaf of bread with me and didn't let her eat it right away.
Obviously a little thrilled to lose that first tooth!
My hugger.
I just love her in this cozy suit, ready to get in her car seat. I wish I was wearing one in this weather!

This is going to be quick, but I wanted to let you all know I'm still alive and mostly well! I feel like I'm walking around in a fog the past couple of days. I think it's just from being tired...Emilie isn't sleeping so well, since she has a bit of a cold.

- I had a wonderful weekend away with some "old" friends (old in more ways than one, I guess!) It was so nice to get away and relax and just spend lots of time doing what I do best - visiting with friends! Hopefully we will make this an annual tradition!

- We are coming to a crossroads in some decision making. All of a sudden something has kind of fallen into our lap and we need to start being more decisive! Please pray for us, and I promise I'll keep you posted.

- It is still bitterly cold here.

- I'm so tired I can't think, so I'm going to go to bed now.
Feel free to ask me questions so I have something to blog about. :-)

Good night.

Answers for Rhonda - I must really love you

1. What is your favourite scent and why?
You can't beat fresh coffee. Or the smell of bread baking on a winter day. For my body, I like the body spray called "human" from Fruits and Passion. And my husband's deoderant. :-)
2. Who is your hero? I'm not sure actually...I admire a lot of people. My cousin Delores would be pretty high at the top. I love her calmness (if that's a word) and the way her daughters are turning out. ;-)
3. When did you know you loved Daryl?
I've loved him since I was about 15, but I REALLY knew I loved him when I left for Bible school and I knew I wouldn't find anyone else that would make me happier or more complete.
4. If you could take a holiday anywhere, where would you go?
There's so many places. But if I had to go tomorrow I'd have to choose between Alaska, Chile, and Australia. I think Chile is next on our list.
5. What’s your current favourite recipe?
My mother-in-law's whole wheat flax bread. I'm going to make some this morning.
6. What’s your favourite beverage?
I'm not much for beverages. I'd have to say coffee.
7. If you have 30 kid-free minutes, what do you do?
Breathe.
Call a friend, check my sister's blogs, then my friends if I have time. Read my Bible, or the current book I'm in.
8. Do you still like sunflowers?
I love real ones growing in my yard...not so crazy about painted ones all over my house anymore.
9. What did you like best about Madagascar?
Besides being with family? (I'm assuming that doesn't count) I really enjoyed seeing another way of life besides North American. And the fresh fruit and vegetables, and the Cookie Shop. And the terrain.
10. Do you ever want to go back to school? For what?
Yes, I'd love to. I would like to take something that would let me keep records, etc. for Daryl if he ever has his own clinic. Or I would like to be a nutritionist. And I'd like to finish my ASL and get an interpreter's degree.
11. What advice do you have for moms with screaming babies?
Be patient. Get a good book, and remember they won't be doing this by the time they go to kindergarten (hopefully). :-)
12. Can you believe that we both have 4 girls? What would you have named 4 boys?
I know, hard to believe, eh? I might have named 4 boys:
Micah Ivan
Christian
Patrick
Lucas
And one of them might have had the middle name Lewis. Only Daryl and I couldn't agree on the spelling. I just couldn't have named my son Louis.
That's just off the top of my head, except for Micah. Daryl and I picked that one before I was pregnant with Anna-Christina.
13. Are you tired of my questions yet?
A little. :-) just kidding. I'm pretending we're drinking tea in your living room and eating Speculoos, or that divine lemon poppy seed cake I just saw a picture of.
14. Shall you, Karla, Kim and I go on a cruise to Alaska or Hawaii when we’re old ladies?
Most definitely. And I would pick Alaska (see #4), although if we're old ladies we might like Hawaii more.
15. If you had the time and money to take up a new hobby/leisure activity, what would it be?
I've always wanted to learn pottery. And take riding lessons. And tennis. And someday I would like to make a mosaic on a patio table out of all the broken mugs I'm saving. And I'd like to have the time, yard space and money to garden/landscape, and for someone to teach me how.

Alrighty, then

Okay Rhonda, here you go. You may now officially ask me any question you want. I won't guarantee I'll answer them, but it will be fun.

In other news, it's COLD COLD COLD here. Like 50 km/hr wind and with the windchill the temp is -43.

We enjoyed a short visit from my parents and their friends they brought along. It's always fun to have them here.

We are praying a lot and thinking A LOT about what to do next in life. Any unbiased wisdom is appreciated. :-) So far God hasn't written on the wall for us, but maybe He still will! The other night in home group I was asking for prayer that D and my hearts and minds would be on the same page for what we should be doing/considering. My friend, R, had a word for me that spoke straight to my heart. She said that even though Mary had a visit from an angel when she was to be pregnant with Jesus, God still gave her the confirmation of John leaping in Elizabeth's womb when they saw each other. (It was more detailed than that, but you get the idea) She said she really believes God will give me definite confirmation when we make the right decision. We just have to pray for that.

Life...

Oh where do I begin?
I don't know how far back to go, since I haven't done a real update in awhile. I'll try and do it in points form (like my sister who is Very Smart).

*We had a really nice weekend. We took the kids skating on Saturday and we could hardly get them off the ice. It was so fun to see them out there, doing their best to stay on their feet. Anna-Christina is going to be skating for phys-ed at school and I'm glad about that. We hope to get them out a lot more this winter.

*We got invited to some friends' for dinner the other night. I think anyone is brave to invite us over. :-) I got to take apple dumplings and vanilla bean ice cream. Score.

*In less than 2 weeks I get to go away on a girls' only weekend!!! Score again.

*Recent things Adrienne has said:
"Adie fawt" (fart)
"I naughty"
"I poopy again"
"No pick up Emilie!"
...and a lot of crying because she has a cold and FOUR eye teeth coming in.

*Olivia woke me up this morning around 3am, to tell me that night time is boring and she is ready for morning to come. Maddening.

*Anna-Christina lost her first tooth today, and number 2 isn't far behind. She is having an ongoing argument at school because she and 2 others are the only ones who do not believe in the tooth fairy or Santa Clause (crazy, eh?). She told me that she wants to check for sure if the tooth fairy is real so I'm not allowed to put any money under her pillow because she wants to prove it for herself. She made me promise. Then she called me back into her room and told me it's okay if I put some money there; just don't throw her tooth in the garbage.

*Emilie is getting to be a lot of fun. Olivia especially has a lot of patience for her. She loves to hold her and talk to her and get her "talking" back. It's cute. Her evening fits of screaming seem to be lessening a lot - thank God. She's just fussy now, but that I can handle.

*I made some goals for myself, after hearing our pastor's sermon yesterday. It's not something I do often, but if felt really good and I posted them on the fridge and I'm going to look at them and try and reach them all. I tried to be realistic and not too hard on myself, while also trying to challenge myself a bit.
I want to always have vision for my life (physical, spiritual, emotional, etc.) and have an idea of where I want to be in all those areas (also in my relationships as mom and wife) a year from now. So help me, God.

*Daryl has grown his goatee back, and added a small beard. I don't know if you're interested in that or not, but I'm glad to be married to a 30 yr old and not a teenager anymore.

*I get to go to Bible study tomorrow.

Good night.

A Few More...

All the grandkids with Grandpa and Grandma
Just remembered I did have a picture of Randy too! Marcia wasn't there so she is the only sibling I don't have a picture of. There you go Rhonda, now you can see him too.

Good Times.

Daryl and his mom. She was such a great sport to go skiing with us! I think she even had fun!

Aren't they cute?


And for those of you who want to know who Rhonda brought along..since she never updates her blog (ahem!).

Getting to know Grandma...
...and Grandpa!
Anna-Christina and her cousins - the threesome!
Uncle Kenton helping Olivia eat her spaghetti so she can have ice cream!