Our Christmas wasn't at all what we planned but was amazing none the less!
We had our first bit of Christmas on the 23rd when Celine, Jack's girlfriend, came for dinner with my parents. We opened gifts afterwards that were to and from Celine. The boys loved it! They are super excited to open their volcano set in the spring/summer.
Arnold and I got a beautiful print from IKEA. It's now on our wall and looks PERFECT there!
That night my mom was in such pain. We couldn't figure out what was wrong and ended up in the emerge room at the hospital. I have to admit... I'm not often the "extra" person. And it was nice. All in all the emergency room was fantastic! We got there around 10pm and were home by 2:30pm. It did take a bit to get her in as they were busy but I'm impressed. I understand Mom isn't but hey, it went well for Toronto
The next morning was just as if nothing had happen. We did some running around, cleaning up and the boys did some work. Then Papa and Nana took the "kids" (Kyler, Quinton, and their kid Jack) to the movies. They saw Night at the Museum 3. They had a lot of fun. Arnold and I stayed home and wrapped those last second gifts and had a shower.
When the kids got home we had some munchies and prepped for supper. We shortly turned around and went to the Candle light service at Heron Park Baptist Church, where Arnold, the boys and I have been attending. We had a wonderful time! So full!
We had supper (Tacos) as soon as we got home and the boys headed to bed around 10pm. Got to get to sleep before Santa comes!
We were all in bed by 11pm.
The next morning I got a text message at 4am from my mom saying that her and Quinton were up and that they had counted stockings and were so excited that they only had 2 more hours to wait! We were all up shortly after 6am.
We had such a "lazy" Christmas. It was fantastic! We opened our stockings, then 2 Santa gifts. Kyler got a scooter he has been longing over. And Quinton got some minecraft books and sword/pickaxe. Quinton had also received a Lego set in his stocking so he went right to work on that and Kyler went right to work on his scooter with Daddy and Papa. Jack and I started breakfast. Then everyone went out to try the scooter. It's weight goes up to 220lbs so they were all on it going up and down the road having a blast. Nana liked it so much she got her own on boxing day!
Then we came in and opened some more gifts, and had some breakfast, then more gifts, then a scooter/dog walk break, then more gifts, then cinnamon bun break, then more gifts, then play time/prep the turkey, then more gifts.. as you can see this went on for a while. We did finish the tree gifts until 2:30pm.
We had nap time/build Lego time after gifts. We even pulled up an extra table for building. We all took some walks around and then home for prepping dinner. Which I believe was served at 5:30/6pm. And it was AMAZING! If I do say so myself! Everyone got something they wanted. We had turkey for me. Ham for my brother. Mashed potatoes for Arnold. Sweet potatoes for my parents and Kyler. Stuffing for Quinton and I. Sugared Carrots for Arnold. Brussels sprouts in cheese and bacon sauce for me (and forcing my mom to eat "the green balls from hell"). Asparagus for mom. Cauliflower for Mom and Dad. and gravy!!!
Then we went on a nice walk around the neighbourhood! Who knew plus 8 would be great weather for Christmas. When we came home we cleaned up and had dessert of Pumpkin pie for Q; Apple pie for K and Arnold; Key lime pie for Jack; whipping cream for me; ice cream for Arnold and fruit tray for Mom and Dad (but I don't believe that ever came out!
Then we went to bed. Tummies full and happy.
Boxing day we did ALOT more Lego! Kyler got this amazing set from his Aunt Sasha, Uncle Jason, Kasmira, Mattea, Jorgie, Uncle Chris and Soon-to-be Auntie Ashley. He has been putting it together for 4 days now and loving every minute!
Quinton got 3 sets of Lego. He got a Minecraft set (endermen or something?) and 2 Star Wars sets from Aunt Sasha, Uncle Jason, Kasmira, Mattea, Jorgie, Uncle Chris and Soon-to-be Auntie Ashley. He loves them! So much he went out and spent his money from Grandma and Grandpa Visser to buy a little attachment set for them. He is just in awe and has been playing with them non stop since Christmas morning! They love them!
We also did some Boxing Day shopping. There was almost no one out there! I really expected way more going on but nope! Nice and easy. Mom and I went out and she got some new jeans (yeah mom for size 10!!). Then Jack and Dad went out and got the scooter for mom and a new chair for dad.
That night mom and I decluttered and cleaned and re-arranged our living room/dinning room. We are getting everything ready for a big reno for us soon. We are going to be reno'ing our little kitchen so we wanted to move some things around. It was hard work and my body is STILL sore from moving everything but it works for now! We have to make a trip to IKEA to get some baskets and then we are done!!
Papa and Nana went home on the 27th in the morning. They had a great time chilling out at our house and took the puppies home with them.
Shortly after the boys, Arnold and I went out for lunch and did some shopping at Chapters and a few electronic places and then home.
Celine came over for dinner and her and Jack headed out for the weekend.
That's when I started paper work. I now have a HUGE box to shred and my bills are organized and I'm ready for at least 2015, maybe more! I have one box of bills/papers for upstairs and one box for the basement (things that need to be kept)
I even got a few minutes to go over things and see how we are doing.
It's been a world wind Christmas but I've loved every second of it!
Now to get ready for New Years Eve Fondue, and National Tinfoil Day!!!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Solving the worlds problems... in the bathroom.
That's right ladies and gents!
I can solve the worlds problems in the bathroom!
Last week a friend texted me. You know those mommy problems? The ones when you have the moment you think you can handle EVERYTHING and then you realize you can't? That's one of those.
Yep I can solve it!
Two weeks ago the boys were yelling at each other about something trivial. Somehow, my mommy powers kicked in and I was able to solve the problem while getting in a two second break in the bathroom.
Surprised? I know right!
It's always amazes me that a simple thing as "going to the bathroom" becomes the place you fix everything. Sometimes it's the one space I can pull out my phone for a few seconds and catch up on the day. Sometimes it's the one space I can check my hair and my teeth then run out the door.
BC (Before children) the bathroom was something totally different. When I had kids then it became the place to run to in and out of nap times. Now that my babies are older, I actually get to use the bathroom like a "normal person". However it doesn't mean the same thing.
I'm still solving problems in the bathroom by yelling "wear pants! It's cold out" or "stop fighting, give it back!" or sometimes " sit down right now and I will deal with you when I get out".
So here is a mom..... solving the worlds problems in the bathroom.
I can solve the worlds problems in the bathroom!
Last week a friend texted me. You know those mommy problems? The ones when you have the moment you think you can handle EVERYTHING and then you realize you can't? That's one of those.
Yep I can solve it!
Two weeks ago the boys were yelling at each other about something trivial. Somehow, my mommy powers kicked in and I was able to solve the problem while getting in a two second break in the bathroom.
Surprised? I know right!
It's always amazes me that a simple thing as "going to the bathroom" becomes the place you fix everything. Sometimes it's the one space I can pull out my phone for a few seconds and catch up on the day. Sometimes it's the one space I can check my hair and my teeth then run out the door.
BC (Before children) the bathroom was something totally different. When I had kids then it became the place to run to in and out of nap times. Now that my babies are older, I actually get to use the bathroom like a "normal person". However it doesn't mean the same thing.
I'm still solving problems in the bathroom by yelling "wear pants! It's cold out" or "stop fighting, give it back!" or sometimes " sit down right now and I will deal with you when I get out".
So here is a mom..... solving the worlds problems in the bathroom.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
As the summer whines down.....
Today is chilly. Or at least it was at 7am when my husband, God bless his soul, went outside to check on our little campers.
It reminds me of how summer is coming to a close.... or in my house "whining" down. Seriously... whining. The kids the last few days/weeks have started to get this grating tone in their voice. Halfway between a whine and a cry. With a bit of a "I'm smarter than you are" feeling to it.
I'm done :)
I'm done with summer.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE summer time. I feel so accomplished (generally). It's like a fresh start for me. A fresh start to get myself in order. You know.. lose weight (I gained), be more active (my butt print is in the kitchen/living room chairs), go biking (nada), and spend more time with the kids (check!)
But now I'm done.
Completely over it.
I'm ready for school
Who's with me?!?
I saw a facebook post today from a friend of mine that I wanted to share:
It's just how I feel. Completely. I'm ready to get back to school before I lose my mind. And to those great teachers who take care of our kids!
As my summer comes to a close (I'm back to "work/volunteering" next week) I want to say that it has gone well. My kids have done 4 weeks or organized camps, 1 week of "Camp Heslop" and 2 weeks of chilling. Next week they hang out at home with Uncle Jack for a large portion and help me out at the school!
I'm excited to see how my planning for my program I will be running at school goes this year. I'm excited for the changes that are happening (Kyler going into grade 4 and Quinton into grade 2). I'm excited to see how the classroom I volunteer in changes. We have so much planned and so many cool ideas.
I'm just excited for a new season in our lives. My family thrives on routine and going back to school is a great one! It should be amazing!
It reminds me of how summer is coming to a close.... or in my house "whining" down. Seriously... whining. The kids the last few days/weeks have started to get this grating tone in their voice. Halfway between a whine and a cry. With a bit of a "I'm smarter than you are" feeling to it.
I'm done :)
I'm done with summer.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE summer time. I feel so accomplished (generally). It's like a fresh start for me. A fresh start to get myself in order. You know.. lose weight (I gained), be more active (my butt print is in the kitchen/living room chairs), go biking (nada), and spend more time with the kids (check!)
But now I'm done.
Completely over it.
I'm ready for school
Who's with me?!?
I saw a facebook post today from a friend of mine that I wanted to share:
There's really nothing as effective as school vacation to make me think that teachers aren't paid enough for what they do. Particularly good ones, which we have been fortunate to have here so far. Thank you, teachers!! (Now, can school start up again before I lose my mind?!)
It's just how I feel. Completely. I'm ready to get back to school before I lose my mind. And to those great teachers who take care of our kids!
As my summer comes to a close (I'm back to "work/volunteering" next week) I want to say that it has gone well. My kids have done 4 weeks or organized camps, 1 week of "Camp Heslop" and 2 weeks of chilling. Next week they hang out at home with Uncle Jack for a large portion and help me out at the school!
I'm excited to see how my planning for my program I will be running at school goes this year. I'm excited for the changes that are happening (Kyler going into grade 4 and Quinton into grade 2). I'm excited to see how the classroom I volunteer in changes. We have so much planned and so many cool ideas.
I'm just excited for a new season in our lives. My family thrives on routine and going back to school is a great one! It should be amazing!
Thursday, August 8, 2013
What a Summer!
I'm sure this is a crazy post to be putting up but I feel like our summer is over! I don't mean like our summer is actually over but it sure feels like it.
Our summer has been a world wind of adventure.
It started the day school was over! Arnold and Quinton headed to Edmonton/Calgary and went to visit family. It's a tradition for our family to go and visit Alberta family. When the boys "Graduate" they get to go. Since there is a graduation ceremony for the kids from SK to grade 1 our boys get excited to go to Alberta.
While the big and little boy were in Alberta I was in Sarnia with Kyler! We had a great few days there. Between playing in the pool, having friends over for Canada Day, going to church and visiting our vacation was packed full.
We came home in time for Kyler to get his first tooth pulled from the dentist and for me to work for a few days.
Kyler and I picked up Arnold and Quinton and our fun began!
We had 2 days as our family of 4 and then the fun arrived!
Amber and Lisa arrived and we started the fun. We did our first week at Forward Baptist Church for Kingdom Rock! It was so much fun. It was a half-day day camp. We got there at 9am and then we were home around noon. The kids had a lot of fun. And cute t-shirts to prove it!
That weekend we chilled out and played at home. Sunday brought us into a new week.
A New week of fun!
We started the Zoo camp. Zoo Camp was for everyone! All 4 of them headed out at 8:25am and I picked them up at 3:30pm. We had a lot of fun. Every day the kids came home with something new they had learned and were excited to start it all over again. They had a great time and really enjoyed the Pandas.
That Saturday morning Aunt B came and picked up the girls. So started our week alone. While it was alone things got crazy! We didn't really get any downtime but hey, that happens, right?
We headed to Sarnia on Friday. Kyler, Quinton and I went to get Arnold from work. Since he works late Monday to Thursday he gets to leave half day Fridays. We were on the road and very little traffic! It was great. We stopped in Cambridge and picked up the girls early and then we were *so* quick that we even stopped and dropped off the coats that needed to be repaired at the Columbia headquarters in London.
The 6 of us arrived in Sarnia in time to see the moving truck moving out the last of my grandparents things from my parents house. While on the way home my mom had texted me and told me they were thinking of moving.
I went into high gear that week. I worked on the basement on Saturday and Sunday and we got the rooms cleaned up, took 4 trips to Goodwill and even got some taping done to paint a few areas in the house. Monday I finished up the rest and got some painters out to work on the house. The Student Painters came out and did our house and I got a "break" on Friday.
During this week the kids were at Temple Baptist Day Camp. This year was so much fun for the 4 of them. I dropped them off around 8:50am or so and picked them up around 4-4:30pm. They had a blast! While we did have to visit the lost and found table at least 3 of the 5 days it was still a great time by all. I really loved hearing the things they had learned and how much fun they had.
By Friday we had a great pool night. The kids played in the pool ALL NIGHT! Finally, after doing glow in the dark time, I kicked them off to bed around 10:15pm or so.
Saturday morning Becca started her trip down to Sarnia. The plan was to do some shopping for the kids. You know... Back to school shopping :) Becca ended up having a tire blow on her van and no spares. We had to send backup (ie Arnold and Dad). They went out and fixed her up. All in all it took about 3 hours more than expected.
Mom had to go to work by then so Arnold, Kyler, Quinton, Becca, Amber, Lisa, and myself hit the malls. We went to Children's place, payless, Wal-Mart, Bonnie Togs, and home again. Lots of crazy times. We got almost everything. I have to say the "Do you really need that? If you buy it Auntie M is getting rid of the SAME out fit you have at home" works :) Got to love carrying the money from mom and dad :)
We got home and showed our treasures off to Nana and Papa. Then Aunt B and Arnold headed out to get our vans fixed. Ours was there but Beccas needed a new tire for it.
All of us headed out that night. It worked out well as my parents listed their house on the Sunday night.
We had a few days to chill and just veg in front of the TV or elsewhere. I think the kids really needed it. This is the first summer things have seemed so hard core. It was great for me as I really needed to get work done and having them in camps during the day was fantastic.
Monday evening (after we had a great lunch with friends) Aunt B brought the girls back over for the week.
This week they are doing Swim Camp. So far it's been a bust but hey! Tuesday they showed up and the pool had no chlorine in it. It was horrible. Wednesday it still wasn't fixed. So I had to sign a waver saying the kids could go on the bus and go elsewhere for their lessons. No big deal for me. Wednesday was ok since they were all out at the Toronto Island. They had a great time.
Lisa and I are chilling. See, she is too little to go! So instead she has hung out with Uncle Jack one day, then a babysitter (Anna) the next. And today we are going to the movies. If only Auntie M could read the right movie theater we would be set. hopefully I've got it right now.
Sunday morning everyone comes here and we do our family day at the zoo. We are pretty excited.
Oh and this week... my parents sold their house and bought a new one! Their closing date for both houses is August 30th. Our last day on the houseboat! Was an exciting week!
Because of the sale being so quick it means that Arnold and I are not getting our week alone with no kids. I have to work (I need the hours as I'm not working the last week in August). So I'm going into work on Monday and Tuesday. Thankfully there is no bulletin to be done so I'm just going to be getting those little pesky things done that need to get done. Hopefully it helps get the office in order.
Right now (which means things ALWAYS change) I'm thinking of heading out on Tuesday around noon or so. I'm hoping it gives me light traffic. I'll head to Sarnia and start packing. I'll pack Tuesday night, Wednesday and Thursday. I'm aiming to come home on Thursday night and have a half a day with Arnold and no kids. Then we will pick them up in Cambridge on Saturday, as planned.
This is where our family of 6/7 ends. Amber and Lisa get to hang out with their grandparents for a week and our boys are doing the Boys and Girls Day camp at the end of the road. I'm really excited for them. Their adventure is going to the movies!!
During the week I'm going to be working at church (hopefully getting 4 bulletins done in one week) and then, if time allows, decluttering my house!
Becca, Amber, and Lisa arrive on Thursday night! Arnold, Kyler, Quinton and I will be taking Lisa up to the boat and Becca will come on Saturday with Amber and Jack. Mom and Dad will be arriving then as well. We are out on the boat for a bit. Mom and Dad need to come back on the Wednesday. We have the boat until Friday. Then we all head down and help them finish moving.
I believe we are going to stay in Sarnia that weekend and "camp" in their new big backyard! Finally we get to camp AND use the tent we got 2 Christmases ago!! (I'm excited for this!)
We will head back to Toronto on Monday and Tuesday... School starts.
See how our summer seems a bit crazy?
Our summer has been a world wind of adventure.
It started the day school was over! Arnold and Quinton headed to Edmonton/Calgary and went to visit family. It's a tradition for our family to go and visit Alberta family. When the boys "Graduate" they get to go. Since there is a graduation ceremony for the kids from SK to grade 1 our boys get excited to go to Alberta.
While the big and little boy were in Alberta I was in Sarnia with Kyler! We had a great few days there. Between playing in the pool, having friends over for Canada Day, going to church and visiting our vacation was packed full.
We came home in time for Kyler to get his first tooth pulled from the dentist and for me to work for a few days.
Kyler and I picked up Arnold and Quinton and our fun began!
We had 2 days as our family of 4 and then the fun arrived!
Amber and Lisa arrived and we started the fun. We did our first week at Forward Baptist Church for Kingdom Rock! It was so much fun. It was a half-day day camp. We got there at 9am and then we were home around noon. The kids had a lot of fun. And cute t-shirts to prove it!
That weekend we chilled out and played at home. Sunday brought us into a new week.
A New week of fun!
We started the Zoo camp. Zoo Camp was for everyone! All 4 of them headed out at 8:25am and I picked them up at 3:30pm. We had a lot of fun. Every day the kids came home with something new they had learned and were excited to start it all over again. They had a great time and really enjoyed the Pandas.
That Saturday morning Aunt B came and picked up the girls. So started our week alone. While it was alone things got crazy! We didn't really get any downtime but hey, that happens, right?
We headed to Sarnia on Friday. Kyler, Quinton and I went to get Arnold from work. Since he works late Monday to Thursday he gets to leave half day Fridays. We were on the road and very little traffic! It was great. We stopped in Cambridge and picked up the girls early and then we were *so* quick that we even stopped and dropped off the coats that needed to be repaired at the Columbia headquarters in London.
The 6 of us arrived in Sarnia in time to see the moving truck moving out the last of my grandparents things from my parents house. While on the way home my mom had texted me and told me they were thinking of moving.
I went into high gear that week. I worked on the basement on Saturday and Sunday and we got the rooms cleaned up, took 4 trips to Goodwill and even got some taping done to paint a few areas in the house. Monday I finished up the rest and got some painters out to work on the house. The Student Painters came out and did our house and I got a "break" on Friday.
During this week the kids were at Temple Baptist Day Camp. This year was so much fun for the 4 of them. I dropped them off around 8:50am or so and picked them up around 4-4:30pm. They had a blast! While we did have to visit the lost and found table at least 3 of the 5 days it was still a great time by all. I really loved hearing the things they had learned and how much fun they had.
By Friday we had a great pool night. The kids played in the pool ALL NIGHT! Finally, after doing glow in the dark time, I kicked them off to bed around 10:15pm or so.
Saturday morning Becca started her trip down to Sarnia. The plan was to do some shopping for the kids. You know... Back to school shopping :) Becca ended up having a tire blow on her van and no spares. We had to send backup (ie Arnold and Dad). They went out and fixed her up. All in all it took about 3 hours more than expected.
Mom had to go to work by then so Arnold, Kyler, Quinton, Becca, Amber, Lisa, and myself hit the malls. We went to Children's place, payless, Wal-Mart, Bonnie Togs, and home again. Lots of crazy times. We got almost everything. I have to say the "Do you really need that? If you buy it Auntie M is getting rid of the SAME out fit you have at home" works :) Got to love carrying the money from mom and dad :)
We got home and showed our treasures off to Nana and Papa. Then Aunt B and Arnold headed out to get our vans fixed. Ours was there but Beccas needed a new tire for it.
All of us headed out that night. It worked out well as my parents listed their house on the Sunday night.
We had a few days to chill and just veg in front of the TV or elsewhere. I think the kids really needed it. This is the first summer things have seemed so hard core. It was great for me as I really needed to get work done and having them in camps during the day was fantastic.
Monday evening (after we had a great lunch with friends) Aunt B brought the girls back over for the week.
This week they are doing Swim Camp. So far it's been a bust but hey! Tuesday they showed up and the pool had no chlorine in it. It was horrible. Wednesday it still wasn't fixed. So I had to sign a waver saying the kids could go on the bus and go elsewhere for their lessons. No big deal for me. Wednesday was ok since they were all out at the Toronto Island. They had a great time.
Lisa and I are chilling. See, she is too little to go! So instead she has hung out with Uncle Jack one day, then a babysitter (Anna) the next. And today we are going to the movies. If only Auntie M could read the right movie theater we would be set. hopefully I've got it right now.
Sunday morning everyone comes here and we do our family day at the zoo. We are pretty excited.
Oh and this week... my parents sold their house and bought a new one! Their closing date for both houses is August 30th. Our last day on the houseboat! Was an exciting week!
Because of the sale being so quick it means that Arnold and I are not getting our week alone with no kids. I have to work (I need the hours as I'm not working the last week in August). So I'm going into work on Monday and Tuesday. Thankfully there is no bulletin to be done so I'm just going to be getting those little pesky things done that need to get done. Hopefully it helps get the office in order.
Right now (which means things ALWAYS change) I'm thinking of heading out on Tuesday around noon or so. I'm hoping it gives me light traffic. I'll head to Sarnia and start packing. I'll pack Tuesday night, Wednesday and Thursday. I'm aiming to come home on Thursday night and have a half a day with Arnold and no kids. Then we will pick them up in Cambridge on Saturday, as planned.
This is where our family of 6/7 ends. Amber and Lisa get to hang out with their grandparents for a week and our boys are doing the Boys and Girls Day camp at the end of the road. I'm really excited for them. Their adventure is going to the movies!!
During the week I'm going to be working at church (hopefully getting 4 bulletins done in one week) and then, if time allows, decluttering my house!
Becca, Amber, and Lisa arrive on Thursday night! Arnold, Kyler, Quinton and I will be taking Lisa up to the boat and Becca will come on Saturday with Amber and Jack. Mom and Dad will be arriving then as well. We are out on the boat for a bit. Mom and Dad need to come back on the Wednesday. We have the boat until Friday. Then we all head down and help them finish moving.
I believe we are going to stay in Sarnia that weekend and "camp" in their new big backyard! Finally we get to camp AND use the tent we got 2 Christmases ago!! (I'm excited for this!)
We will head back to Toronto on Monday and Tuesday... School starts.
See how our summer seems a bit crazy?
Friday, June 7, 2013
My 6 Month Check Up
Yesterday I had my 6 month PP Check up with my Blood Pressure Dr.
I'll fully admit this one scared me more than anything. I was so worried things would go wrong, I'd get bad test results and it would just be horrible. I voiced my concern to Arnold and he booked the day off. Everyone, except Quinton, had some kind of appointment yesterday.
First off our day was crazy. We were up, fed and out the door with Kyler by 6:45am. That in itself is a HUGE deal as K is our "teenager" as far as sleeping and eating go. He would rather be sleeping than getting up so early.
The boys (Arnold and K) dropped me off at work and headed to their dentist appointment. Kyler's tooth needs to be polished down (as his jaw is still working a bit lopsided) or just pulled (as his Adult tooth is there already).
They went home and Arnold walked them to school and did some talking to people for his accountant duties for the Parent Council.
While I was still at work Arnold had his physical to do and then came to my work. I left around noon and we went to Subway for lunch. (thankfully Jack had the day off so he went and got Q from school) While Arnold and I were at lunch the boys school called and Kyler hurt himself. He has a tiny split on his knee and she wanted us to come and look at it if we could decide what to do. The school board can't do anything but rinse it with water and put a band aid on it. So we brought our "on the go" polysporn spray and stopped by to look at it. A tiny split but not too worried. Kyler let me spray it on (with a few tears) and then we put a butterfly band aid on it and another one on top just to keep it in place and then we were off to race to the hospital.
I went up to the 7th floor (silly maternity floor) and Arnold stopped by the lab to double check his recs from his appointment and what he needs to do. I was sitting there blogging on my fitness blog and I realized... I didn't take my BP meds that morning! How could I have done that! And on such an important day!
Thankfully my BP was only 139/92. Truly not that bad considering no drugs and on my least favourite floor in the hospital.
So we went in and talked with her. I fessed up that I had forgotten to take my meds that morning and she wasn't too worried. She said I'm on the boarder of not taking them or taking them. While I'm on them my BP is *PERFECT* so now it's more of lifestyle changes than anything. I'm staying on the drugs until we know for sure.
As far as lifestyle changes that includes, cutting back on my salt (little to none), watching my calories, and exercising. Also getting my BMI to a reasonable number. Right now my BMI is horrible. I need to weight 118 - 155 lbs to be in the proper BMI number.
My dr told me to lose about 1 pound per week. From what I weighted June 1st (which was the number we were going off - 239lbs). I need to lose 84 pounds to get me right at 155. So one pound a week... that's over 1 year of losing weight.
Right now I go back and see her in September. It's 18 weeks away. So my goal is to be down to 220lbs by then.
So my tests results:
I was tested for anything and everything and we even added a few. I was reading more about BP and I noticed one common thing was diabetes and I was scared about that. I also wanted my thyroid to get tested. So I did my blood work and was sent home with a 24 hour urine collection container. I did that and brought it back to them.
EVERYTHING came back A-OK!!! Negative for diabetes, negative for thyroid issues, negative for Lupus (something that is a big reason for BP issues), negative for protein in my urine. Kidney function normal; liver function normal. Everything was wonderful! I was told the only thing that was "up" was uric acid (sp) in my urine. She said it comes when you may have a higher chance of getting kidney stones. I told her I had already had kidney stones when I was in university and she said "oh well that's it!".
So everything is ok.
I have the choice of taking myself of my own meds but I'm a little worried about that. So instead I'm going to go back and see her in September. Partly so I can get a script refilled (I could at my family dr if I needed) and partly to have that motivation to get down my 18 pounds before I see her.
All in All, I'm happy with how things are going.
I'll fully admit this one scared me more than anything. I was so worried things would go wrong, I'd get bad test results and it would just be horrible. I voiced my concern to Arnold and he booked the day off. Everyone, except Quinton, had some kind of appointment yesterday.
First off our day was crazy. We were up, fed and out the door with Kyler by 6:45am. That in itself is a HUGE deal as K is our "teenager" as far as sleeping and eating go. He would rather be sleeping than getting up so early.
The boys (Arnold and K) dropped me off at work and headed to their dentist appointment. Kyler's tooth needs to be polished down (as his jaw is still working a bit lopsided) or just pulled (as his Adult tooth is there already).
They went home and Arnold walked them to school and did some talking to people for his accountant duties for the Parent Council.
While I was still at work Arnold had his physical to do and then came to my work. I left around noon and we went to Subway for lunch. (thankfully Jack had the day off so he went and got Q from school) While Arnold and I were at lunch the boys school called and Kyler hurt himself. He has a tiny split on his knee and she wanted us to come and look at it if we could decide what to do. The school board can't do anything but rinse it with water and put a band aid on it. So we brought our "on the go" polysporn spray and stopped by to look at it. A tiny split but not too worried. Kyler let me spray it on (with a few tears) and then we put a butterfly band aid on it and another one on top just to keep it in place and then we were off to race to the hospital.
I went up to the 7th floor (silly maternity floor) and Arnold stopped by the lab to double check his recs from his appointment and what he needs to do. I was sitting there blogging on my fitness blog and I realized... I didn't take my BP meds that morning! How could I have done that! And on such an important day!
Thankfully my BP was only 139/92. Truly not that bad considering no drugs and on my least favourite floor in the hospital.
So we went in and talked with her. I fessed up that I had forgotten to take my meds that morning and she wasn't too worried. She said I'm on the boarder of not taking them or taking them. While I'm on them my BP is *PERFECT* so now it's more of lifestyle changes than anything. I'm staying on the drugs until we know for sure.
As far as lifestyle changes that includes, cutting back on my salt (little to none), watching my calories, and exercising. Also getting my BMI to a reasonable number. Right now my BMI is horrible. I need to weight 118 - 155 lbs to be in the proper BMI number.
My dr told me to lose about 1 pound per week. From what I weighted June 1st (which was the number we were going off - 239lbs). I need to lose 84 pounds to get me right at 155. So one pound a week... that's over 1 year of losing weight.
Right now I go back and see her in September. It's 18 weeks away. So my goal is to be down to 220lbs by then.
So my tests results:
I was tested for anything and everything and we even added a few. I was reading more about BP and I noticed one common thing was diabetes and I was scared about that. I also wanted my thyroid to get tested. So I did my blood work and was sent home with a 24 hour urine collection container. I did that and brought it back to them.
EVERYTHING came back A-OK!!! Negative for diabetes, negative for thyroid issues, negative for Lupus (something that is a big reason for BP issues), negative for protein in my urine. Kidney function normal; liver function normal. Everything was wonderful! I was told the only thing that was "up" was uric acid (sp) in my urine. She said it comes when you may have a higher chance of getting kidney stones. I told her I had already had kidney stones when I was in university and she said "oh well that's it!".
So everything is ok.
I have the choice of taking myself of my own meds but I'm a little worried about that. So instead I'm going to go back and see her in September. Partly so I can get a script refilled (I could at my family dr if I needed) and partly to have that motivation to get down my 18 pounds before I see her.
All in All, I'm happy with how things are going.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Marriage Mondays ~ Happy Easter!!
Lets just say this past weekend has been CRAZY! I never got a chance to write up my Marriage Monday post. I normally write them up a few days (maybe even a week) in advance and then spend some time praying about it. Sometimes I change them, other times I leave them, and other still, I scrap the whole post. It's just not what needs to be posted at this time.
This weekend was crazy with Easter time. And instead of having time to post things I visited with family, friends, and had some naps! Who doesn't love nap time?
Anyway... Instead of a Marriage Monday post.. you get to see my "bunnies" from this weekend!
This weekend was crazy with Easter time. And instead of having time to post things I visited with family, friends, and had some naps! Who doesn't love nap time?
Anyway... Instead of a Marriage Monday post.. you get to see my "bunnies" from this weekend!
Quinton, Grayson and Kyler
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monthly Review ~ Februrary
I was hoping to start one of these every month but January was just a bit insane for this.
Lets see.. Our February went something like this:
We had our service for our son, Otis, on Feb 1st. It was hard to do but so wonderful to have so many friends and family around. Arnold's family came from Alberta, and some of our friends came from Toronto, and our family came from everywhere. We are so blessed to have support from so many people.
Arnold's parents and brother left on Sunday and we headed back to Toronto on the Monday. The little boy who I did daycare for, his grandfather passed away. So we went to the visitation to show our support to his mom and dad, and meet their sweet little girl!
That week I tried hard to "jump" back into things. I wanted to get life as normal as we could. Not only did we have a short week but we went right into Chinese New Year at school.
We found out a few things about Kyler and school. He had a grade 8 bullying him at school and Kyler fought back... by punching him. So we had to address this. As well as anything going on since losing Otis. We decided to seek some help and were able to get into a "Crisis Event Therapy" waiting list. (We just got the call a few days ago booking K in for a session with them March 6th).
I helped out in Quinton's class as much as possible. Q's teacher, Mr. B., had jury duty and we had subs all week. Different ones almost each time and was hard on the kids to not have a regular person. I was there every day for most of Feb. I would help with the subs, and what needed to be done, and help with the work that needed to get done. It was an adventure. Even more so as February is one of the "busiest" months for a teacher. There is Groundhog Day, Chinese New Year, 100's Day of School, Valentine's Day and finally a bit of calm!
On Family Day Weekend Arnold had asked for a day to himself. So we made sure to buy everything he wanted and try to have a day off for him. But plans changed when the boys attitudes got bad. Instead of going to visit our friends the boys had nap times. VERY much needed for them.
We did get to do something fun. We built a ladder for the boys bunk bed. They have never had one (and we have had this bunk bed since before Q was born) so this was a new request. We got the wood, measured it out and went to work. The boys had alot of fun:
The boys were back to school on the Tuesday and back into the swing of things. We had Church Photos, a friend's birthday and some serious clothing shopping that weekend. And Sunday was a nice church day and some relaxing.
In all this time we have also had eye appointments for me and the little boys (and my brother); dentist appointments for the Visser family; a blood pressure appointment for me; a doctors appointment for Arnold; and a hospital visit. It's been a busy month!
I've really enjoyed being our "family". Slowly, I am learning to enjoy my family the way it is. With my 2 incredible, helpful, amazing boys here on earth to drive me crazy and knowing we have 2 wonderful babies in heaven watching over us.
Every month things will get easier, become more adventurous and begin to thrill me more. For now, it's learning our new norm.
Lets see.. Our February went something like this:
We had our service for our son, Otis, on Feb 1st. It was hard to do but so wonderful to have so many friends and family around. Arnold's family came from Alberta, and some of our friends came from Toronto, and our family came from everywhere. We are so blessed to have support from so many people.
Arnold's parents and brother left on Sunday and we headed back to Toronto on the Monday. The little boy who I did daycare for, his grandfather passed away. So we went to the visitation to show our support to his mom and dad, and meet their sweet little girl!
That week I tried hard to "jump" back into things. I wanted to get life as normal as we could. Not only did we have a short week but we went right into Chinese New Year at school.
We found out a few things about Kyler and school. He had a grade 8 bullying him at school and Kyler fought back... by punching him. So we had to address this. As well as anything going on since losing Otis. We decided to seek some help and were able to get into a "Crisis Event Therapy" waiting list. (We just got the call a few days ago booking K in for a session with them March 6th).
I helped out in Quinton's class as much as possible. Q's teacher, Mr. B., had jury duty and we had subs all week. Different ones almost each time and was hard on the kids to not have a regular person. I was there every day for most of Feb. I would help with the subs, and what needed to be done, and help with the work that needed to get done. It was an adventure. Even more so as February is one of the "busiest" months for a teacher. There is Groundhog Day, Chinese New Year, 100's Day of School, Valentine's Day and finally a bit of calm!
On Family Day Weekend Arnold had asked for a day to himself. So we made sure to buy everything he wanted and try to have a day off for him. But plans changed when the boys attitudes got bad. Instead of going to visit our friends the boys had nap times. VERY much needed for them.
We did get to do something fun. We built a ladder for the boys bunk bed. They have never had one (and we have had this bunk bed since before Q was born) so this was a new request. We got the wood, measured it out and went to work. The boys had alot of fun:
The boys were back to school on the Tuesday and back into the swing of things. We had Church Photos, a friend's birthday and some serious clothing shopping that weekend. And Sunday was a nice church day and some relaxing.
In all this time we have also had eye appointments for me and the little boys (and my brother); dentist appointments for the Visser family; a blood pressure appointment for me; a doctors appointment for Arnold; and a hospital visit. It's been a busy month!
I've really enjoyed being our "family". Slowly, I am learning to enjoy my family the way it is. With my 2 incredible, helpful, amazing boys here on earth to drive me crazy and knowing we have 2 wonderful babies in heaven watching over us.
Every month things will get easier, become more adventurous and begin to thrill me more. For now, it's learning our new norm.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
First Times
I have been experiencing alot of "first times" lately.
There was the 1st time seeing the OB on Monday and not being pregnant
The 1st time going to the BP dr on Thursday with no one but my trusty man Q
The 1st time my meds have changed alot
The 1st time going to swimming lessons with the boys and seeing my friend who is having her baby this weekend
The 1st time going to my own swimming lessons and having to tell everyone that we lost the baby (it was known that we were pregnant)
The 1st time having to seriously explain to someone that if I did get pregnant again I could die
The 1st time going clothes shopping and actually knowing this was my size, no more "pre-post" baby body. This is it (and getting better!)
The 1st time leaving the boys home with their uncle for a whole weekend!
The 1st time going on a couples retreat
The 1st time telling people we have "2 boys at home and 2 babies in heaven".
Alot of "1st times".
And I have to say, I may not have enjoyed every single one of them, but I'm slowly growing through them all.
There was the 1st time seeing the OB on Monday and not being pregnant
The 1st time going to the BP dr on Thursday with no one but my trusty man Q
The 1st time my meds have changed alot
The 1st time going to swimming lessons with the boys and seeing my friend who is having her baby this weekend
The 1st time going to my own swimming lessons and having to tell everyone that we lost the baby (it was known that we were pregnant)
The 1st time having to seriously explain to someone that if I did get pregnant again I could die
The 1st time going clothes shopping and actually knowing this was my size, no more "pre-post" baby body. This is it (and getting better!)
The 1st time leaving the boys home with their uncle for a whole weekend!
The 1st time going on a couples retreat
The 1st time telling people we have "2 boys at home and 2 babies in heaven".
Alot of "1st times".
And I have to say, I may not have enjoyed every single one of them, but I'm slowly growing through them all.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Life
Life is hard sometimes. It's wonderful sometimes. And still others... I go crazy!
For now an "information" post is best. November was a hard month.
I had an ultrasound on Nov 14th and on the 15th I got a call saying the baby was small and had a lack of fluid. I made an appointment with an OB for Nov 21st and waited.
We saw her and went over my history. We did a quick talk about the past ultrasound and tried to find babys heartbeat. We couldn't. I was sent for an ultrasound, blood work, and back to the office. My blood pressure was high, very high.
We were sent to L&D at the hospital. They couldn't get my 202/120 BP down. We ended up in ICU doing drugs to get my BP under control. After spending Wednesday to Monday there I met with the baby specialist about how small our little one was. He suggested we transfer to Mount Siani(sp) hospital. We did Monday afternoon.
We were admitted and drugged some more! My BP dropped lower than I've ever seen and I was sick. We ended up waiting overnight to get into the ultrasound to see the baby. God granted us with not having to make the choice about our baby. My severe pre-ecclampia was so bad that we knew the only way to get better was to deliver our baby early. But at the ultrasound we found out our little one had already passed away a few days before.
I was induced and delivered our sweet baby Otis Gus Gilbert Visser on Wednesday, Nov 28th around 4am.
We spent the next few days in the hospital working on my Blood pressure. I was released on Friday and I'm home now.
I'm still on meds for my bp and I'm working to keep it under control. I take one med at 6am and 6pm and then another med at 10am and 10pm. It's hard to keep on track but I need to do this.
Now I'm grieving. My baby boy. My sweet baby boy is gone and I can't do anything about it. Some days are good, some days are bad and some are both. Some nights I can sleep, some nights I can't and some nights I don't know what to do.
The boys are getting by. Every once and a while we get questions from my boys about it. Tonight Quinton prayed for baby and asked God to keep him safe and I started crying. Every day is different.
So for now, bare with me while I work through this. I'm having a hard time sometimes. Others... I'm ready to take on the world, for a few hours.
I'll be back, I promise.
For now an "information" post is best. November was a hard month.
I had an ultrasound on Nov 14th and on the 15th I got a call saying the baby was small and had a lack of fluid. I made an appointment with an OB for Nov 21st and waited.
We saw her and went over my history. We did a quick talk about the past ultrasound and tried to find babys heartbeat. We couldn't. I was sent for an ultrasound, blood work, and back to the office. My blood pressure was high, very high.
We were sent to L&D at the hospital. They couldn't get my 202/120 BP down. We ended up in ICU doing drugs to get my BP under control. After spending Wednesday to Monday there I met with the baby specialist about how small our little one was. He suggested we transfer to Mount Siani(sp) hospital. We did Monday afternoon.
We were admitted and drugged some more! My BP dropped lower than I've ever seen and I was sick. We ended up waiting overnight to get into the ultrasound to see the baby. God granted us with not having to make the choice about our baby. My severe pre-ecclampia was so bad that we knew the only way to get better was to deliver our baby early. But at the ultrasound we found out our little one had already passed away a few days before.
I was induced and delivered our sweet baby Otis Gus Gilbert Visser on Wednesday, Nov 28th around 4am.
We spent the next few days in the hospital working on my Blood pressure. I was released on Friday and I'm home now.
I'm still on meds for my bp and I'm working to keep it under control. I take one med at 6am and 6pm and then another med at 10am and 10pm. It's hard to keep on track but I need to do this.
Now I'm grieving. My baby boy. My sweet baby boy is gone and I can't do anything about it. Some days are good, some days are bad and some are both. Some nights I can sleep, some nights I can't and some nights I don't know what to do.
The boys are getting by. Every once and a while we get questions from my boys about it. Tonight Quinton prayed for baby and asked God to keep him safe and I started crying. Every day is different.
So for now, bare with me while I work through this. I'm having a hard time sometimes. Others... I'm ready to take on the world, for a few hours.
I'll be back, I promise.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Wait, what's that? Right... quiet!
Our lives are slowly getting into pace. And I'm so thankful to God for that.
The first week in September Kyler and Quinton announced our "family secret".
We are expecting.
And we are worried, scared, and frightened that after telling the boys, and our family, that something bad will happen. I think it's something you never get past after a miscarriage. I mean we SAW Baby Casey's "sac and egg". There was no denying that there was a baby growing in there and every day, every hour, every minute past the miscarriage date we praise God.
We thank him for our blessing growing inside me. We are excited, blessed, and so happy for this little one. Every morning and every night our little bean gets more kisses and hugs than I do! She/He is so loved by Kyler and Quinton (not to mention mom, dad, Nana, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, and everyone else!).
We told family and friend at the beginning of the month about this blessing from God. We even got to show off a little photo of our bean! My ultrasound tech was AMAZING and let me have a picture of our little one early (9 weeks and 4 days) so I could show the boys where this little one was. And what does Quinton do with the photo? Runs back to his teacher and goes "Look what's in my mommy's belly!! And it's my Birthday Present!"
After that it was a free for all. I told the girls at youth group, my friends(family) online, Arnold told his work, we told the people who we talk with all the time and everyone is excited. We are surrounded in prayers for this little bean. And I know, more than anything, that we are blessed.
Kyler started school with Mrs. J. He loves her! He loves his class, his teacher, his friends, and the fact that things aren't *too* different from Mrs. B from last year (I will post pictures soon).
Quinton is an SK and he isn't learning much this week. He's informed all of us after school that this first bit of school is for the JK's and not the SK's. They aren't learning anything (haha). He loves that he has Mr. Brown again and that his friends are with him in school. I don't have the heart to tell him that one of his best friends will be leaving for 4 months + in a few weeks. I'm so worried about him and how he will react. But so far so good.
Arnold's doing alright at work. Still getting into the grove after being gone for vacation for a week and a bit he isn't happy all the time. But that's ok. September seems to do this to everyone. This weekend Arnold has headed up north with some friends from Church and is going to a men's conference at MBC. He is excited to be going and really enjoys the speaker.
Which brings me to me :) I'm doing ok. So far no morning sickness, however I do have some times where I'm *sure* I'm throwing up but nope :) Q and I had the flu last weekends so we are getting over that. I'm enjoying my days. I've got energy again (thank goodness) and I'm loving it. I've volunteered in Q's class about 4 times so far this year. It's alot of fun. On the days I don't have Ian or Dr's appointments/ultrasounds, I'm in Mr. B's class. I've also got an invite to help out the music teacher/librarian as well. It's nice. I'm enjoying helping out in the school. I've labeled all the workbooks, the bell work, anything that goes home, stuffed mailers, got the reading folders ready for the SK's, helped with snacks, the paint centre, backed bags and unpacked bags, as well as getting anything and everything I can to make Mr. Brown's job easier. Thankfully, it has been nice and easy and chilling out around the school. It's fun. Really.
Our typical day looks like this:
6am - up to pee, I swear sometimes it's earlier!
6:30am - Arnold's alarm goes off
6:45am - out of bed and upstairs
7am - News time! and breakfast
7:30am - on days that Ian comes, he shows up around this time
8:15am - Sophia comes over
8:35am - out the door and off to school
8:50am - everyone in school (volunteering if no Ian, if Ian, come home)
11:10am - head to school to get Q and Sophia
11:30am - home and time to clean up and have lunch
12:45pm - nap time for Ian (depending on pickup times)
1pm - TV/Movie off and kids outside or downstairs to play while Ian naps
2pm - back upstairs/inside and colour/read book time
3pm - off to school to get Kyler
3:30pm - home from school and Sophia picked up
4:30pm - time to make supper!
5:30pm - Ian picked up
6pm - eat! (earlier if we can)
7:30pm - bed time!
Mondays (in October) are Aqua fit
Tuesdays (first of the month) are the C&C/Young Adult dinners
Wednesdays are youth/mens bible study/school council meetings (oh yeah, Arnold got nominated for Treasurer:P)
Thursdays are swimming (in October) or Arnold's running around day
Friday we travel (if going somewhere) or we seem to have some plans that day. It keeps us very very busy!
Today the boys and I are home alone (as I said before Arnold is up north) so we have done some running around, cleaning, gardening, more cleaning, and had lots of fun...
Can you believe it... it's quiet! NO WAY! Yep... it's quiet in my house (hence the blog post). My boys are napping. Thank you Lord for little mercies like naps :)
My turn! Have a great weekend!
The first week in September Kyler and Quinton announced our "family secret".
We are expecting.
And we are worried, scared, and frightened that after telling the boys, and our family, that something bad will happen. I think it's something you never get past after a miscarriage. I mean we SAW Baby Casey's "sac and egg". There was no denying that there was a baby growing in there and every day, every hour, every minute past the miscarriage date we praise God.
We thank him for our blessing growing inside me. We are excited, blessed, and so happy for this little one. Every morning and every night our little bean gets more kisses and hugs than I do! She/He is so loved by Kyler and Quinton (not to mention mom, dad, Nana, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, and everyone else!).
We told family and friend at the beginning of the month about this blessing from God. We even got to show off a little photo of our bean! My ultrasound tech was AMAZING and let me have a picture of our little one early (9 weeks and 4 days) so I could show the boys where this little one was. And what does Quinton do with the photo? Runs back to his teacher and goes "Look what's in my mommy's belly!! And it's my Birthday Present!"
After that it was a free for all. I told the girls at youth group, my friends(family) online, Arnold told his work, we told the people who we talk with all the time and everyone is excited. We are surrounded in prayers for this little bean. And I know, more than anything, that we are blessed.
Kyler started school with Mrs. J. He loves her! He loves his class, his teacher, his friends, and the fact that things aren't *too* different from Mrs. B from last year (I will post pictures soon).
Quinton is an SK and he isn't learning much this week. He's informed all of us after school that this first bit of school is for the JK's and not the SK's. They aren't learning anything (haha). He loves that he has Mr. Brown again and that his friends are with him in school. I don't have the heart to tell him that one of his best friends will be leaving for 4 months + in a few weeks. I'm so worried about him and how he will react. But so far so good.
Arnold's doing alright at work. Still getting into the grove after being gone for vacation for a week and a bit he isn't happy all the time. But that's ok. September seems to do this to everyone. This weekend Arnold has headed up north with some friends from Church and is going to a men's conference at MBC. He is excited to be going and really enjoys the speaker.
Which brings me to me :) I'm doing ok. So far no morning sickness, however I do have some times where I'm *sure* I'm throwing up but nope :) Q and I had the flu last weekends so we are getting over that. I'm enjoying my days. I've got energy again (thank goodness) and I'm loving it. I've volunteered in Q's class about 4 times so far this year. It's alot of fun. On the days I don't have Ian or Dr's appointments/ultrasounds, I'm in Mr. B's class. I've also got an invite to help out the music teacher/librarian as well. It's nice. I'm enjoying helping out in the school. I've labeled all the workbooks, the bell work, anything that goes home, stuffed mailers, got the reading folders ready for the SK's, helped with snacks, the paint centre, backed bags and unpacked bags, as well as getting anything and everything I can to make Mr. Brown's job easier. Thankfully, it has been nice and easy and chilling out around the school. It's fun. Really.
Our typical day looks like this:
6am - up to pee, I swear sometimes it's earlier!
6:30am - Arnold's alarm goes off
6:45am - out of bed and upstairs
7am - News time! and breakfast
7:30am - on days that Ian comes, he shows up around this time
8:15am - Sophia comes over
8:35am - out the door and off to school
8:50am - everyone in school (volunteering if no Ian, if Ian, come home)
11:10am - head to school to get Q and Sophia
11:30am - home and time to clean up and have lunch
12:45pm - nap time for Ian (depending on pickup times)
1pm - TV/Movie off and kids outside or downstairs to play while Ian naps
2pm - back upstairs/inside and colour/read book time
3pm - off to school to get Kyler
3:30pm - home from school and Sophia picked up
4:30pm - time to make supper!
5:30pm - Ian picked up
6pm - eat! (earlier if we can)
7:30pm - bed time!
Mondays (in October) are Aqua fit
Tuesdays (first of the month) are the C&C/Young Adult dinners
Wednesdays are youth/mens bible study/school council meetings (oh yeah, Arnold got nominated for Treasurer:P)
Thursdays are swimming (in October) or Arnold's running around day
Friday we travel (if going somewhere) or we seem to have some plans that day. It keeps us very very busy!
Today the boys and I are home alone (as I said before Arnold is up north) so we have done some running around, cleaning, gardening, more cleaning, and had lots of fun...
Can you believe it... it's quiet! NO WAY! Yep... it's quiet in my house (hence the blog post). My boys are napping. Thank you Lord for little mercies like naps :)
My turn! Have a great weekend!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
You Can't Make Me!
You Can't Make Me go back to reality, not yet at least :)
I'm writing my blog post from my parents house in Sarnia. Last Saturday we headed out from Toronto, 4 little kids in tow and drove to Amhurstburg Ontario. We left the house around 10:30am or so and arrived at our "cottage" around 4:15pm. What a trip! We had lunch, and 2 potty/walking breaks. And when we arrived we loved it!
This place was a castle! It had 1 master bedroom with a king size bed, a view of the beach and an ensuite bathroom/shower/walkin-closet. The room next to it was a queen size bed. Then a bathroom, which could be closed between the sink and the shower/toilet side. Then another room with a double bed and finally the room Arnold and I had. A King size bed with a beautiful view of the beach.
The main level had a family room/dinning room. A large kitchen with a mini eating area there (table with 4 chairs) and then another area for sitting and watching TV (number 2) and a few sitting chairs. Sliding doors to the deck and then a mudroom/laundry room with a door outside and a bathroom. And still another bathroom and a den with a pull out couch.
WOW what a house!
Outside was a deck off the sliding glass doors/mudroom door and then 2 steps down. You walked to the back yard and another deck with a picnic table and umbrella and 4 chairs to sit on. Then a few steps down to the beach and you had wonderful sand to play on, a mini layer of seaweed that had washed up on the shore then the wonderfully warm water (which got cooler as the week went on). It was a beautiful beach, beautiful cottage, just beautiful!
We spent time on the beach, in the house playing games, a trip or 2 into walmart, out on the fishing boat we borrowed, sleeping/napping, and 1 day out at a little play area/animal farm/greenhouse.
All in all a wonderful vacation. I managed to read 3 books, nap, take some pictures, nap, never cook (THANK YOU BECCA!!), nap, play on the beach, nap, and just enjoy myself!
This will be the last vacation like this!
Now we are at my parents house. We head out tomorrow morning after breakfast and drive up to Owen Sound to deliver the boat we borrowed. Arnold and Lisa LOVED the boat, so much. It was well worth it.
Our plan is to get home to Toronto Sunday night and use Monday to prepare for school.
Our life will be changing this September. K and Q are back in school, we have a new daycare girl for before and after school care and we have Ian, until December when his mom goes on mat leave. I'm hoping to work at the school at least 1 day a week and help out in Mr. Browns class.
I hope to update with some pictures soon. For now... You Can't Make Me go back to reality :)
I'm writing my blog post from my parents house in Sarnia. Last Saturday we headed out from Toronto, 4 little kids in tow and drove to Amhurstburg Ontario. We left the house around 10:30am or so and arrived at our "cottage" around 4:15pm. What a trip! We had lunch, and 2 potty/walking breaks. And when we arrived we loved it!
This place was a castle! It had 1 master bedroom with a king size bed, a view of the beach and an ensuite bathroom/shower/walkin-closet. The room next to it was a queen size bed. Then a bathroom, which could be closed between the sink and the shower/toilet side. Then another room with a double bed and finally the room Arnold and I had. A King size bed with a beautiful view of the beach.
The main level had a family room/dinning room. A large kitchen with a mini eating area there (table with 4 chairs) and then another area for sitting and watching TV (number 2) and a few sitting chairs. Sliding doors to the deck and then a mudroom/laundry room with a door outside and a bathroom. And still another bathroom and a den with a pull out couch.
WOW what a house!
Outside was a deck off the sliding glass doors/mudroom door and then 2 steps down. You walked to the back yard and another deck with a picnic table and umbrella and 4 chairs to sit on. Then a few steps down to the beach and you had wonderful sand to play on, a mini layer of seaweed that had washed up on the shore then the wonderfully warm water (which got cooler as the week went on). It was a beautiful beach, beautiful cottage, just beautiful!
We spent time on the beach, in the house playing games, a trip or 2 into walmart, out on the fishing boat we borrowed, sleeping/napping, and 1 day out at a little play area/animal farm/greenhouse.
All in all a wonderful vacation. I managed to read 3 books, nap, take some pictures, nap, never cook (THANK YOU BECCA!!), nap, play on the beach, nap, and just enjoy myself!
This will be the last vacation like this!
Now we are at my parents house. We head out tomorrow morning after breakfast and drive up to Owen Sound to deliver the boat we borrowed. Arnold and Lisa LOVED the boat, so much. It was well worth it.
Our plan is to get home to Toronto Sunday night and use Monday to prepare for school.
Our life will be changing this September. K and Q are back in school, we have a new daycare girl for before and after school care and we have Ian, until December when his mom goes on mat leave. I'm hoping to work at the school at least 1 day a week and help out in Mr. Browns class.
I hope to update with some pictures soon. For now... You Can't Make Me go back to reality :)
Friday, August 24, 2012
Money, Money, Money MOOOOONey, MONEY!
Got to love Money, right? WRONG!
I hate how money runs our lives. But it's still there and we still have to make it work every month.
My husband works. Alot. And makes good money for us. I'm always so thankful when he gets paid. Not because I know our bills our paid but because I know he is supporting our family. I make a point of saying thank you to him every 2 weeks when we get his pay cheque.
The government gives us money for the boys. We have money from Q, for being under 6 years old. We get $100.00 a month from them for child care costs and then a bit more for having kids under 18.
I make money as well. I provide daycare for a few children. Currently it's one child. I have a little boy who comes on random days. His mom is a nurse so I don't have him 5 days a week. For example, this week I had him 2 days.
My family has been working on budgets for a while. This is the year of the budgeting in our extended family. We need to budget and make it work for our own families.
Well this month I took a hard look at our budget and I took out any income I had. The little boy I have for daycare, his mom is having another baby in January. I will lose my income in December, or maybe before. I am bringing in a new little girl for after and before school care but nothing compared to what I was bringing in before. But with my income being so random we have taken it out of the budget and will be using it for certain repayment sections.
We may not be able to save as much for things that we wanted to before but we have a very realistic view of where our money is going. For example, we have to get our Christmas/Birthday budget back up. After the boys birthdays in April we somehow manage to "forget" to take that money out, or spend it elsewhere. This year we need to keep it going. SO now our budget that would have been spread over 11 months is being crammed into 3 months. Since our budget couldn't possibly make that work normally we will be using some of our budget money and some of my income to make it topped up. Say hello to the mason jar with Christmas ribbon on it! That's how we are saving this time around.
Every 2 years we have a big "vacation" in our family. Last year, Arnold and Kyler went to Alberta for a week. They got to visit family out there and really have a great time. It was Kylers graduation gift from going from SK to Grade 1. And Kyler got to remember being on an airplane.
Next summer (2013) Quinton and Arnold will be going. You never realize how much tickets cost until you are buying them yourself! So our budget is $2000.00 for the tickets and spending money. This means we have to save alot and have it saved up in time to get a good deal on tickets. Quinton is SO excited to go on an airplane and to see his family. This time around he wants to go and see some dinosaurs. They are his new love.
So not only do we have Christmas/Birthday budget to fill and our Trip fund to fill but we have our normal expenses. We have to stay current on all our bill payments and make sure we have everything under control.
This is easier said than done. I always used to joke that I would love to get all our money for the year at the beginning and let me spend it as I need but I know it would never be able to do it all like that.
So this year (as my life revolves around school years) we are going to be super careful how our budget goes and where our income is placed. So for now we are under strict budgets. Hopefully we can make this work :) As always, only if God allows us to use the money He has given us in the places He wants.
I hate how money runs our lives. But it's still there and we still have to make it work every month.
My husband works. Alot. And makes good money for us. I'm always so thankful when he gets paid. Not because I know our bills our paid but because I know he is supporting our family. I make a point of saying thank you to him every 2 weeks when we get his pay cheque.
The government gives us money for the boys. We have money from Q, for being under 6 years old. We get $100.00 a month from them for child care costs and then a bit more for having kids under 18.
I make money as well. I provide daycare for a few children. Currently it's one child. I have a little boy who comes on random days. His mom is a nurse so I don't have him 5 days a week. For example, this week I had him 2 days.
My family has been working on budgets for a while. This is the year of the budgeting in our extended family. We need to budget and make it work for our own families.
Well this month I took a hard look at our budget and I took out any income I had. The little boy I have for daycare, his mom is having another baby in January. I will lose my income in December, or maybe before. I am bringing in a new little girl for after and before school care but nothing compared to what I was bringing in before. But with my income being so random we have taken it out of the budget and will be using it for certain repayment sections.
We may not be able to save as much for things that we wanted to before but we have a very realistic view of where our money is going. For example, we have to get our Christmas/Birthday budget back up. After the boys birthdays in April we somehow manage to "forget" to take that money out, or spend it elsewhere. This year we need to keep it going. SO now our budget that would have been spread over 11 months is being crammed into 3 months. Since our budget couldn't possibly make that work normally we will be using some of our budget money and some of my income to make it topped up. Say hello to the mason jar with Christmas ribbon on it! That's how we are saving this time around.
Every 2 years we have a big "vacation" in our family. Last year, Arnold and Kyler went to Alberta for a week. They got to visit family out there and really have a great time. It was Kylers graduation gift from going from SK to Grade 1. And Kyler got to remember being on an airplane.
Next summer (2013) Quinton and Arnold will be going. You never realize how much tickets cost until you are buying them yourself! So our budget is $2000.00 for the tickets and spending money. This means we have to save alot and have it saved up in time to get a good deal on tickets. Quinton is SO excited to go on an airplane and to see his family. This time around he wants to go and see some dinosaurs. They are his new love.
So not only do we have Christmas/Birthday budget to fill and our Trip fund to fill but we have our normal expenses. We have to stay current on all our bill payments and make sure we have everything under control.
This is easier said than done. I always used to joke that I would love to get all our money for the year at the beginning and let me spend it as I need but I know it would never be able to do it all like that.
So this year (as my life revolves around school years) we are going to be super careful how our budget goes and where our income is placed. So for now we are under strict budgets. Hopefully we can make this work :) As always, only if God allows us to use the money He has given us in the places He wants.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Baby Casey
Our family now consists of a new baby. Baby Casey.
We found out that we were expecting a new baby into our family in March. It was a shock. We have been trying to have baby #3 for years. And I do mean years. In fact this cycle made it 2 years and 7 months of "planned" trying. As Arnold and I absorbed the idea of having a new baby we were overjoyed to have finally succeeded with making another child.
For those of you who don't know this baby was a long time coming. Not only have we been officially trying for so long but we have also started to do follow ups with a fertility doctor. I got a referral in September for Arnold and I to go and see a fertility specialist. We did. She was great. We did a cycle observation which included blood test, internal and abdominal ultrasounds every 2 days after CD (Cycle Day) #3. This went on until I ovulated and then we came back to see her the next cycle. I also had a biopsy and another test. Arnold went through some tests as well.
Once our cycle was done we knew how to progress from there. It took alot of prayer and thought and we chose a course of action. Not only did that take some time but it was a lot of worry and prayer to figure out what to do and what to sacrifice. So this positive pregnancy test was so incredible! I was in shock! I couldn't believe it. It took me a bit to handle and then to realize this was true! WOW! A baby!! We were due in November. What a great birthday gift for Arnold!
We went through a few weeks of not telling anyone. I did my best to be quiet to those who we see/know in real life (in other words the news was out to my online family). I did, however, tell a few people. The girl leaders of youth group since we were on a weekend away and I wasn't feeling 100%, the youth pastor as he is trying to find a possible new youth leader, the Sr. pastor so that he could think of someone else to help out in the nursery and one of the children's education leaders to let her know what was going to happen in the nursery.
The last Wednesday in March I was at youth group. I started to spot and freaked out. I went home. I told one of the leaders and she assured me that they would be praying for me. We called TelaHealth and was told to basically sit at home and wait it out. If there was any pain, problems or major concerns to call them back and they would call ahead to the hospital and get me in.
By Thursday afternoon the spotting stopped. I did alot of praying while laying on my back. I know that spotting happens. Heck! It happen with me when I was pregnant with Quinton. Still it was concerning a bit. I trusted that everything was ok and did my best to do pretty much nothing for the rest of the week, with what I could re-arrange.
Sunday morning I told the children's education leader at church and began to set up people to take over the nursery for me. I really just need to "plan". I'm a total planner! On the way home from church I knew something was wrong. I just could feel it. I went into the house and while I was going to the washroom Arnold was getting the boys prepped to be left with Uncle Jack while Arnold and I planned on going to Costco. About an hour, hour and a half round trip. I got out of the washroom and Arnold could see the panicked look on my face. We got in the car and I told him I was bleeding. Not spotting but full out bleeding. It was horrible.
I was so worried and so scared that I asked him to bring me to the hospital. So he did. Arnold dropped me off at emerg and went to Costco in hopes that if we could get 2 different things done at the same time and be home then we wouldn't have to tell my brother what was going on.
After 2 hours in emerg I texted Jack and told him I wasn't feeling well so we went to the hospital. Since Jack didn't have to work he was ok watching the boys. We waited, and waited, and waited. In fact 6 hours later we finally saw a doctor. She said my blood work was a bit behind where it should be but generally seemed ok. And since I was so early in the pregnancy (I would have been 6 weeks and 3 days) that she didn't expect to see anything on the cart ultrasound kit the have in the hospital. And she couldn't. She set me up with an ultrasound for 2 days from then to go to their clinic upstairs and get a better look. 2 days. I had to wait 2 days! Arnold and I picked up pizza and went home. I had 2 days to wait.
I woke up in the morning bleeding more than I thought and I freaked. I started crying telling Arnold I didn't want to move. If laying on the couch could save this baby I wasn't going to get up for anything, at all. Arnold called into work and told his boss what was going on. They wouldn't expect him until Wednesday and hoped things would go ok for us. We told Jack that we were pregnant so he knew what was going on.
I called our fertility doctor and they got us in for an ultrasound at 11:30am. Arnold and I picked up Q quickly from school. Mrs. F, his teachers aid, packed him a snack and some extra cookies and sent us on our way. We went to the appointment. I had an ultrasound (drank enough for that before we went) and then blood work and saw the dr. She told us that there was a sac and a yoke! We were so happy. A baby was in there. She did say that the baby was measuring 5 weeks. By then we should have been 6 weeks and 4 days. But a week behind isn't out of the ordinary for us. And with my crazy cycles this could be ok. We were just happy. I was sent home to rest, take a progestrone(sp) drug, and come back in a week to see her again and do blood work and an ultrasound. We got home and I took my position on the couch.
Arnold got Kyler from school and everyone was ok with "Mommy's tummy ache" and me being on the couch alot. On Tuesday Arnold went back to work. I talked to Jack about how things were going and that he didn't have to worry about moving out before the baby came. We have such a huge room in the basement that we can fit the baby in there for a while and not have any problems with that. I did alot of resting on the couch and chilled out.
When I went to get the boys from school I stopped and talked to a girl who lives on our street. I got her to walk Kyler home for me the next day since I knew it might be a bit crazy to walk down and back if I was to be on bedrest'ish.
Wednesday morning I woke up cramping and bleeding badly. I was so scared. I called the office and they got me in with the dr at 11:15am. Arnold stayed home with me. We went and picked up Q early (Mrs. F also packed another great snack for Q) and we headed off to the office. I did an ultrasound, blood work and talked to her. I was alot calmer then. I asked questions about what was going on with the baby (the sac was slowly moving down the wall, not always a bad thing but generally not a good thing) and I asked what would happen if the numbers were lower. What happens for a miscarriage and what do we do next.
We went home and Arnold booked it out of there quickly. He had his review at work at 2pm and had to get there fast. Q and I chilled at home. The Fertility clinic called the house around 2:30pm and told me we were losing the baby. My betas went from over 7000 on Monday to 5800 on Wednesday.
I cried and cried and cried. I called my mom. And instead of being able to tell her on the weekend like we had planned I told her on the phone. She knew I was upset so she said she would call back in an hour or so. When she did I was still upset and she had made arrangements in the mean time to come to Toronto. At the time I wasn't sure I could handle it but once she told me I was so relieved.
Arnold came home as soon as his review was over. He just held me and we cried. It's so hard to realize that you are attached to something, so quickly, so completely in such a short time. The bond that God has created between Mother and Child is just amazing.
Needless to say it was a rough few days. With having what felt like contractions and bleeding and just not feeling 100% I was ready for things to be done. I remember telling Arnold there was no way I could do this. There was no way I could ever do this again. I can't lose a baby. My heart is broken and there is nothing that can fix it. Sometime between then and now I feel like my heart is beginning to heal.
Knowing it's ok to cry, it's ok to be upset, and most importantly it's ok to show your emotions has helped to make this better. I do not know what kind of baby Casey would have been. I don't know if this would have been another energetic, incredible boy like my other two. Or if this child would have been our only girl. What I do know is this baby, even though their short time here with us, was loved. Oh SO much.
I have a few pictures I would like to share. However they are still on my camera so I will post them in a few days. While this post may be a "too much information" for those of you out there. I didn't write it for you. I wrote it for me. For my heart and to remember. And I wrote it for those out there who may be going through the same thing. The more you talk about a miscarriage with someone the more you find out other people had the same thing.
We found out that we were expecting a new baby into our family in March. It was a shock. We have been trying to have baby #3 for years. And I do mean years. In fact this cycle made it 2 years and 7 months of "planned" trying. As Arnold and I absorbed the idea of having a new baby we were overjoyed to have finally succeeded with making another child.
For those of you who don't know this baby was a long time coming. Not only have we been officially trying for so long but we have also started to do follow ups with a fertility doctor. I got a referral in September for Arnold and I to go and see a fertility specialist. We did. She was great. We did a cycle observation which included blood test, internal and abdominal ultrasounds every 2 days after CD (Cycle Day) #3. This went on until I ovulated and then we came back to see her the next cycle. I also had a biopsy and another test. Arnold went through some tests as well.
Once our cycle was done we knew how to progress from there. It took alot of prayer and thought and we chose a course of action. Not only did that take some time but it was a lot of worry and prayer to figure out what to do and what to sacrifice. So this positive pregnancy test was so incredible! I was in shock! I couldn't believe it. It took me a bit to handle and then to realize this was true! WOW! A baby!! We were due in November. What a great birthday gift for Arnold!
We went through a few weeks of not telling anyone. I did my best to be quiet to those who we see/know in real life (in other words the news was out to my online family). I did, however, tell a few people. The girl leaders of youth group since we were on a weekend away and I wasn't feeling 100%, the youth pastor as he is trying to find a possible new youth leader, the Sr. pastor so that he could think of someone else to help out in the nursery and one of the children's education leaders to let her know what was going to happen in the nursery.
The last Wednesday in March I was at youth group. I started to spot and freaked out. I went home. I told one of the leaders and she assured me that they would be praying for me. We called TelaHealth and was told to basically sit at home and wait it out. If there was any pain, problems or major concerns to call them back and they would call ahead to the hospital and get me in.
By Thursday afternoon the spotting stopped. I did alot of praying while laying on my back. I know that spotting happens. Heck! It happen with me when I was pregnant with Quinton. Still it was concerning a bit. I trusted that everything was ok and did my best to do pretty much nothing for the rest of the week, with what I could re-arrange.
Sunday morning I told the children's education leader at church and began to set up people to take over the nursery for me. I really just need to "plan". I'm a total planner! On the way home from church I knew something was wrong. I just could feel it. I went into the house and while I was going to the washroom Arnold was getting the boys prepped to be left with Uncle Jack while Arnold and I planned on going to Costco. About an hour, hour and a half round trip. I got out of the washroom and Arnold could see the panicked look on my face. We got in the car and I told him I was bleeding. Not spotting but full out bleeding. It was horrible.
I was so worried and so scared that I asked him to bring me to the hospital. So he did. Arnold dropped me off at emerg and went to Costco in hopes that if we could get 2 different things done at the same time and be home then we wouldn't have to tell my brother what was going on.
After 2 hours in emerg I texted Jack and told him I wasn't feeling well so we went to the hospital. Since Jack didn't have to work he was ok watching the boys. We waited, and waited, and waited. In fact 6 hours later we finally saw a doctor. She said my blood work was a bit behind where it should be but generally seemed ok. And since I was so early in the pregnancy (I would have been 6 weeks and 3 days) that she didn't expect to see anything on the cart ultrasound kit the have in the hospital. And she couldn't. She set me up with an ultrasound for 2 days from then to go to their clinic upstairs and get a better look. 2 days. I had to wait 2 days! Arnold and I picked up pizza and went home. I had 2 days to wait.
I woke up in the morning bleeding more than I thought and I freaked. I started crying telling Arnold I didn't want to move. If laying on the couch could save this baby I wasn't going to get up for anything, at all. Arnold called into work and told his boss what was going on. They wouldn't expect him until Wednesday and hoped things would go ok for us. We told Jack that we were pregnant so he knew what was going on.
I called our fertility doctor and they got us in for an ultrasound at 11:30am. Arnold and I picked up Q quickly from school. Mrs. F, his teachers aid, packed him a snack and some extra cookies and sent us on our way. We went to the appointment. I had an ultrasound (drank enough for that before we went) and then blood work and saw the dr. She told us that there was a sac and a yoke! We were so happy. A baby was in there. She did say that the baby was measuring 5 weeks. By then we should have been 6 weeks and 4 days. But a week behind isn't out of the ordinary for us. And with my crazy cycles this could be ok. We were just happy. I was sent home to rest, take a progestrone(sp) drug, and come back in a week to see her again and do blood work and an ultrasound. We got home and I took my position on the couch.
Arnold got Kyler from school and everyone was ok with "Mommy's tummy ache" and me being on the couch alot. On Tuesday Arnold went back to work. I talked to Jack about how things were going and that he didn't have to worry about moving out before the baby came. We have such a huge room in the basement that we can fit the baby in there for a while and not have any problems with that. I did alot of resting on the couch and chilled out.
When I went to get the boys from school I stopped and talked to a girl who lives on our street. I got her to walk Kyler home for me the next day since I knew it might be a bit crazy to walk down and back if I was to be on bedrest'ish.
Wednesday morning I woke up cramping and bleeding badly. I was so scared. I called the office and they got me in with the dr at 11:15am. Arnold stayed home with me. We went and picked up Q early (Mrs. F also packed another great snack for Q) and we headed off to the office. I did an ultrasound, blood work and talked to her. I was alot calmer then. I asked questions about what was going on with the baby (the sac was slowly moving down the wall, not always a bad thing but generally not a good thing) and I asked what would happen if the numbers were lower. What happens for a miscarriage and what do we do next.
We went home and Arnold booked it out of there quickly. He had his review at work at 2pm and had to get there fast. Q and I chilled at home. The Fertility clinic called the house around 2:30pm and told me we were losing the baby. My betas went from over 7000 on Monday to 5800 on Wednesday.
I cried and cried and cried. I called my mom. And instead of being able to tell her on the weekend like we had planned I told her on the phone. She knew I was upset so she said she would call back in an hour or so. When she did I was still upset and she had made arrangements in the mean time to come to Toronto. At the time I wasn't sure I could handle it but once she told me I was so relieved.
Arnold came home as soon as his review was over. He just held me and we cried. It's so hard to realize that you are attached to something, so quickly, so completely in such a short time. The bond that God has created between Mother and Child is just amazing.
Needless to say it was a rough few days. With having what felt like contractions and bleeding and just not feeling 100% I was ready for things to be done. I remember telling Arnold there was no way I could do this. There was no way I could ever do this again. I can't lose a baby. My heart is broken and there is nothing that can fix it. Sometime between then and now I feel like my heart is beginning to heal.
Knowing it's ok to cry, it's ok to be upset, and most importantly it's ok to show your emotions has helped to make this better. I do not know what kind of baby Casey would have been. I don't know if this would have been another energetic, incredible boy like my other two. Or if this child would have been our only girl. What I do know is this baby, even though their short time here with us, was loved. Oh SO much.
I have a few pictures I would like to share. However they are still on my camera so I will post them in a few days. While this post may be a "too much information" for those of you out there. I didn't write it for you. I wrote it for me. For my heart and to remember. And I wrote it for those out there who may be going through the same thing. The more you talk about a miscarriage with someone the more you find out other people had the same thing.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Happy Easter!
Last weekend was Easter. We were having a rough week to begin with but it was even tougher when Q started to throw up and with him puking and then Arnold feeling poorly it was a long weekend.
However... by Sunday morning Q was back to his normal self and Arnold was down for the count. We had already cancelled Easter plans with the family. Once we had breakfast, did Q's gifts and some Easter gifts my mom and dad headed back to Sarnia.
I had the kids rest up and then out they went to find what the Easter bunny had left them:
Friday, January 20, 2012
What a sick month!
I would never, and I mean EVER wish this past month on anyone. From Quinton having the flu the first few days into Jan and now everyone sick with a cold. This is not fun, at all. EVER.
I hate every minute of it.
Lets just say, right now it's 10:45pm and I'm sitting up with Quinton who has a cold, watching a movie after putting Vicks VapoRub on his chest, neck, back and feet. Yes feet. I don't know why but it works.
It's going to be a rough weekend while he fights this one off. I hate it when my little man is sick. It's so hard. I hate it when any of my men are sick.
Kyler had a sick day this week where he stayed home and did nothing all day just so we could help him get better. It seems to have worked.
And as Jack would say, they are getting their appetite back! These kids ate me out of house and home today! Even after 2+ servings of a pasta dish they were still hungry.
Anyway... if you can spare a prayer for our kids we would really enjoy it. It would help them out so much. And if you don't mind including me that would be great. I'm sick as well and I'm not sure how they deal with all this "pain" in my head/throat.
Happy January! I can't wait until February, we *must* get better by then!
I hate every minute of it.
Lets just say, right now it's 10:45pm and I'm sitting up with Quinton who has a cold, watching a movie after putting Vicks VapoRub on his chest, neck, back and feet. Yes feet. I don't know why but it works.
It's going to be a rough weekend while he fights this one off. I hate it when my little man is sick. It's so hard. I hate it when any of my men are sick.
Kyler had a sick day this week where he stayed home and did nothing all day just so we could help him get better. It seems to have worked.
And as Jack would say, they are getting their appetite back! These kids ate me out of house and home today! Even after 2+ servings of a pasta dish they were still hungry.
Anyway... if you can spare a prayer for our kids we would really enjoy it. It would help them out so much. And if you don't mind including me that would be great. I'm sick as well and I'm not sure how they deal with all this "pain" in my head/throat.
Happy January! I can't wait until February, we *must* get better by then!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy National Tinfoil Day!!
Happy National Tinfoil Day! Well, a late Tinfoil day! However I am 1 day earlier than last years post!
On Jan 1st it is National Tinfoil Day in our house, and my parents. Here's the link to last year's National Tinfoil Day if you want to read more about it:
2011's National Tinfoil Day
This year we didn't quite get it on Jan 1st. We had to get the kids back into a routine of going to bed EARLY. So instead we did it last night at supper time. The kids were very excited. Check out the photos:
On Jan 1st it is National Tinfoil Day in our house, and my parents. Here's the link to last year's National Tinfoil Day if you want to read more about it:
2011's National Tinfoil Day
This year we didn't quite get it on Jan 1st. We had to get the kids back into a routine of going to bed EARLY. So instead we did it last night at supper time. The kids were very excited. Check out the photos:
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Good Bye 2011 and Welcome 2012
Happy New Year Readers!
I'm very excited to be starting a new year of blogging. This past November we "celebrated" this blog being open for 2 years now!
This year our family is changing. We are excited to see how God makes our lives different every day and how we adapt to it. It's one of the most wonderful things we can do, change and be more like how Christ wants us to.
Last year was commonly known as "The year from Hell" as my parents say. Along with health issues, losses of jobs, changes in life situations and just the wonderful day to day stress it really felt like it.
This year we have new things coming on, new changes and so much to look forward too.
Right now I have to remind myself that even though the wii is going on in the basement at the same time as Lego is being played with it is not my kids. Arnold is playing on the wii and Jack is playing with Lego. Ahhh the joys of having kids toys out again.
As for plans this year. I have a few personal ones, losing 30 pounds by the time I turn 30, being to stick to our budget better, eat dinner at the table every night, plan out about 104 to 110 new meals next year, do one new picture a week for my blog, get passports ready for the whole family and keep exercising. I also plan on getting us on a few vacations/stay-cations, being more active as a family, and keeping the house clean!
Who knows of any of that will happen, but as most people say, when a new year comes it's full of possibilities!
I'm very excited to be starting a new year of blogging. This past November we "celebrated" this blog being open for 2 years now!
This year our family is changing. We are excited to see how God makes our lives different every day and how we adapt to it. It's one of the most wonderful things we can do, change and be more like how Christ wants us to.
Last year was commonly known as "The year from Hell" as my parents say. Along with health issues, losses of jobs, changes in life situations and just the wonderful day to day stress it really felt like it.
This year we have new things coming on, new changes and so much to look forward too.
Right now I have to remind myself that even though the wii is going on in the basement at the same time as Lego is being played with it is not my kids. Arnold is playing on the wii and Jack is playing with Lego. Ahhh the joys of having kids toys out again.
As for plans this year. I have a few personal ones, losing 30 pounds by the time I turn 30, being to stick to our budget better, eat dinner at the table every night, plan out about 104 to 110 new meals next year, do one new picture a week for my blog, get passports ready for the whole family and keep exercising. I also plan on getting us on a few vacations/stay-cations, being more active as a family, and keeping the house clean!
Who knows of any of that will happen, but as most people say, when a new year comes it's full of possibilities!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Merry Christmas!!
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas this year. We were so blessed and spoiled it was nuts! I kept feeling like we needed to load it all in the car and go as fast as possible. You know that commercial for IKEA where the wife is leaving the store yelling to her husband "star the car! Start the CAR!" like she robbed the place? That's how it felt. I can't get over the wonderful gifts and love shared to us from family and friends. Thanks!
We are now in recovery mode for a week or so. We have to re-find our house, get the stuff organized that we were given and figure out what we want to bless others with when the Canadian Diabetes association comes by to pick up our donations.
Anyway... if I miss you guys this year before this weekend. Have a FANTASTIC new years! We are very excited to see what it brings for our family and friends.
We are now in recovery mode for a week or so. We have to re-find our house, get the stuff organized that we were given and figure out what we want to bless others with when the Canadian Diabetes association comes by to pick up our donations.
Anyway... if I miss you guys this year before this weekend. Have a FANTASTIC new years! We are very excited to see what it brings for our family and friends.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
December!!
Finally!! I'm updated to December. November was a fun but busy month, and I can see December is shaping up the same way.
These past 3 days we have already:
*said Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to my little daycare boy. His parents are off on 2 week rotations for a bit and he is done visiting us.
*had our Christmas gifts arrive in BC and Alberta for our friends/family out there.
*gone on a date with the boys to get Daddy's Christmas gifts (the boys picked them out themselves - hehe )
*made my first batch of Christmas exchange cookies (and have now eaten about half of them - I'm making more tomorrow)
*boys had their last men's breakfast of the year at church today
*gone to see Santa at the mall
*saw Santa at the zoo and got to play some games there.
*updated and change all the calendars in the house
*updated our budgets
WOW we have done alot! and still more to do. I did manage to get some Christmas Gifts wrapped up this morning so that helps me out a bit. Just a few more to go and I'm all done for now. I do need to finish making some gifts as well.
So on our December plate is:
Dutch Christmas
Doctors appointments for myself and for Kyler
2 more Wednesday Night Youth Groups before the end of the year
Girls from across the road coming over for another 4 times before school is out
Going to Home Depot to make something
Going to see the Nutcracker (first year with both boys!)
Nursery schedule at church
Arnold's Christmas party
Sound checks/dress rehearsals for the Church's Christmas production
Youth's "Disney Themed" Christmas party
Boys both have their own school productions
Last day of school
Traveling to Sarnia for Christmas
Kyler's Skating daycamp
Pre-New years all night-er for the youth
New Years at the Zoo
Wow are we busy! Thankfully it slows down a bit in January! So please forgive me if I'm not posting alot/at all. We are busy!
These past 3 days we have already:
*said Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to my little daycare boy. His parents are off on 2 week rotations for a bit and he is done visiting us.
*had our Christmas gifts arrive in BC and Alberta for our friends/family out there.
*gone on a date with the boys to get Daddy's Christmas gifts (the boys picked them out themselves - hehe )
*made my first batch of Christmas exchange cookies (and have now eaten about half of them - I'm making more tomorrow)
*boys had their last men's breakfast of the year at church today
*gone to see Santa at the mall
*saw Santa at the zoo and got to play some games there.
*updated and change all the calendars in the house
*updated our budgets
WOW we have done alot! and still more to do. I did manage to get some Christmas Gifts wrapped up this morning so that helps me out a bit. Just a few more to go and I'm all done for now. I do need to finish making some gifts as well.
So on our December plate is:
Dutch Christmas
Doctors appointments for myself and for Kyler
2 more Wednesday Night Youth Groups before the end of the year
Girls from across the road coming over for another 4 times before school is out
Going to Home Depot to make something
Going to see the Nutcracker (first year with both boys!)
Nursery schedule at church
Arnold's Christmas party
Sound checks/dress rehearsals for the Church's Christmas production
Youth's "Disney Themed" Christmas party
Boys both have their own school productions
Last day of school
Traveling to Sarnia for Christmas
Kyler's Skating daycamp
Pre-New years all night-er for the youth
New Years at the Zoo
Wow are we busy! Thankfully it slows down a bit in January! So please forgive me if I'm not posting alot/at all. We are busy!
Christmas Tree Cutting!
Last weekend we went to my parents house. We stayed the night on Saturday and headed out in the morning and got our Christmas trees. IT's always something exciting for us. Here's a photo idea of how it went:
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