Sandy ~ There she blows!

So Sandy gave us a little wind, rain and miscellaneous items that flew around in the wind. Thankfully none of it doing any damage to our property, with the exception to the loss of our rain barrel-it was cracked at the bottom and will no longer hold water. I was able to secure the items I was worried about. And those I didn't secure I guess if they were still here when it was all said and done I didn't notice either way, after all stuff can be replaced. So I had a video that I took showing the damage around us but it's not cooperating (it was too big for facebook so maybe it's too big for here too), so you'll just have to make due with some of the pictures I took in the neighborhood.

 

                                        So this one, once removed, did damage to the roof.

                                           
                                            This was one of many fences that were down.

 

                         This one was Lucky...car wasn't damaged and neither was the roof!

The neighbor to our north lost 1/2 of their big Willow tree and part of their olive tree (because the willow landed on it). To the south the neighbors fence that seperates our backyards lost 2 sections. Every once and a while I find their dog in our backyard...just hope he doesn't leave any presents for us!!! Unfortunately it's not a shared fence so we just have to be patient and hope the weather holds out long enough for them to have someone come and fix it for them.

 

So there it is...now we'll wait for the snow and see what fun things I can capture with our next weather system that comes this way.

God bless all those on the Eastern part of the USA who've suffered major losses and those who are helping with the clean up efforts, may you all find comfort, peace and safety as you rebuild.

Summer of 2011 ~ Cousins

Welcome cousins. After a long drive it's good to get out and scooter! I know that they were happy to be out of the van knowing that they wouldn't have to get back in right away.


(Abby, Brayden & Tanner)

Funny how Tanner never wanted a scooter...until after his cousins came...we even sold one in a yard sale because he never even took it out of the box.

So once we all got settled, figured out sleeping arrangements and hugged and all that good, mushy family stuff we made some plans. A day at the beach was underway and the following is an account of that adventure.


So here we are at Mitchell's Bay...I blogged about the "event" that occurred upon our arrival and the slight miscommunication. The picture doesn't give a good idea of the distance that they actually could go out...and did!



The next few pictures are also from our day there!


(Little Joe finding shells)

(Abby)



Next you'll see that boys will be boys!! These two made me laugh so hard and it took me back in time to a day on the beach with Mishel and I and some really cool and smooth wet clay! It was so fun to watch them and see how much fun they were having...it's when instead of it going on their heads and was being flung threw the air to unsuspecting targets that it wasn't as fun to watch anymore.
I do absolutely LOVE this picture of these two...it totally captured the moment!




(Brayden and Tanner)


(Brayden ~ I love the sign behind him...totally not intended)



(Brayden and Tanner ~ I think they were discussing their next move?!)

Now I know Mishel isn't going to like me for this next picture but it was the only one I had of her (sorry sis)



So this was our day at the beach...for whatever reason I didn't get many pictures (could have been the fact that I had to be in the water as lifeguard for a bit and then I was tired). We had a wonderful KFC picnic lunch with all kinds of other snacks that all enjoyed. Even little baby Lauren was in the water for a bit with Mishel. All said and done I think it was a good memory making day!Goal accomplished. Bonus was the kids were tired after their day of fun:)

My Baby is 8!

I knew that this day would come, but I tried to not think about it! It's sad and wonderful all at once and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. So many new things that Sarah is going to expereince. I'm so excited for her but at the same time because of the challenges that she has (and hides very well), I'm nervous for her also.

She is my girl that LOVES life.
LOVES her family.
LOVES church.
LOVES that she's now 8 and preparing for her baptism.
LOVES people (especially babies).
LOVES trying to figure out how things are done.
LOVES to try what others are doing.
LOVES to help.
LOVES to be wild and crazy (which is fun to watch).
LOVES paper.
LOVES creating.
LOVES to dance.
LOVES to sing.
LOVES music.
LOVES to cuddle(still).
LOVES to be outside.
LOVES to go on adventures.
LOVES her relatives.
LOVES talking on the phone.
LOVES school.
LOVES to do things in the kitchen.
Loves letters in the mail.
LOVES things in order/organized.
LOVES washing her hands.

I guess I could say she's my girl who LOVES the most the best! I LOVE her and don't know why I've been so blessed with such an angel! I'm so happy that she is a part of our family. She brings a smile to my face daily and is always so warm and caring to those around her....I LOVE HER!

Coming Soon......

(picture in Drumheller Alberta...summer of 2010)


Believe it or not there will soon be pictures to accompany my blogs (when appropriate)....I am so very excited that one of my wonderful sisters were able to walk me through the steps for my computer to do this as any attempts on my own left me picture less and beyond words. So I truly think that I will be able to do this unaided from here on in and any followers I have (be they few) will now be able to see visually the things I speak of! I'm excited and nervous all at once (I wish not to fail you my faithful followers).

Now that being said don't expect anything too soon as I have over 6000 pictures to organize first and then find the time to tell you about them!

Filling in the Gap

So here we go again....I know, I KNOW it's been a while since updating but that's my life. Where do I start? The last entry was about Dennis and his kidney's, the gardens and summer coming. And now it's fall, kids are back to school and life continues to whiz by with no concern for the fact that I'd like things to SLOW DOWN.
Well, so, summer! The kids all attended some summer camps at the local YMCA. They enjoyed it and I tried to do it so they weren't all gone at once so I could (selfishly)spend some time with them doing something special. Throw into the mix now that Mishel decided to drive out for a visit with her five in August and I'm not sure where that month went! It was great fun having her here and seeing the eight cousins enjoying each others company. We had great fun at the beach (Mitchell's Bay) one day,only one minor problem when we told them they had to stick together...nobody in the water alone...next thing we know we see this group out further than anyone else (including adults). As I attempted to run/swim/yell at them to come in a short moment of panic when I realized the #'s didn't add up to kids in the water and WHERE are the two missing ones? Brief scan of swimmers closer pin pointed the two with greeat relief that I would not have to scan under water looking for bodies! (I think this might have been where Mishel's kids got to see me at my finest moment of calm and love as they all...my kids included...got a minor speach about water safety and using their brians) Or where once again there was miscommunication....telling them all to get in. They all reached the shoreline and waited as I helped drag in the last one (who did have a lifejacket on)until I got there and then clarified that they didn't have to get out but that we had to set boundaries for how far out they were permitted to go. All went well after that! They enjoyed the mud fight they had, the clay application some of them gave themselves and of course collecting shells.
Now in the mix too we were having a deck installed which was supposed to be ready for Tanners Birthday party...well lets just say we were rained out anyhow so I guess having it completted 4 weeks later was okay! NOT. His birthday was still good, he loved that his cousins were here and I have to say so did I.
September brought school, new teachers, and routine! We also started to reno our main bath (the only shower/bath we have) and just as we had that underway we took in a teenage nephew for a week (no wait that turned into two weeks). Poor guy not able to shower daily and having to be taken to a strangers house to shower every other day. It took a bit but now that we're into Oct. things are going pretty well. Now we just have to add into the mix Tanner's hockey practices and games. McKalyn is doing ballet twice a week and LOVES it! Miss Sarah is taking piano lessons and so far says she likes it.
As for the bathroom reno. well it's just about there. We had issues with the plumbing (leaks) and the guy that did the tile missed cutting the hole for the shower head pipe in the right place so we aren't able to attatch the shower head yet (hope he can fix it). They broke too many tiles cutting the ones for the shower so I've had to order more. So there's one missing in the shower that they have to some back and do. Then when we went to install the vanity countertop we opened it to find it was cracked right in half on the one side (it's a marble sink/countertop all in one) SO we had to exchange that...then when we went to install the drain for the sink, the new vanity is taller so we didn't have a long enough piece of pipe! That's okay though because I can see what it will look like once it's done and I love it. Once it's all together I'll attempt to get pictures for you all.
I'm hoping now that I'll be able to find some tile to finally do the kitchen backsplash. I kind of want to try and do it myself and surprise Dennis. Other than that there's painting that I'd like to do to freshen up the house since we haven't done anything to it since we did the work to move in over 3 years ago. Actually the next major project will be the family room...I want that ugly panelling GONE.
So now that I've filled the gap between then and now I hope you're happy to know that I'm still alive and well and looking forward to being able to complete the few tasks still at hand so I have more time to update more often.(with pictures).

Rare? Different ...yep!

Short and sweet! My husband is a "rare" case! This is what the Dr. told him after his latest test. Apparently his problem, (with his kidneys) he's had since birth! hee hee hee...we always knew he was a little different! They aren't going to do surgery due to the fact that it may make things worse and because it doesn't seem to bother him and he's in no pain they're going to leave well enough alone. Not so sure how I feel about that but Dennis doesn't want to go for a second opinion so that's that! Between the two kidneys he has the equivalent of one fully functioning kidney so I guess that'll do.

As for the rest of life...well the veggie garden is 90% planted, flowerbeds 75% done and thoughts of summer fun are there!

So I'll leave you with a random thought: why is it that male and female Blue Jays aren't so easy to tell apart? (We have a nest in our lilac bush)

Something Different about SPRING

Spring has finally arrived and the sun is a welcome friend. I have to say that I love spring and the things that it brings. Flowers, gardening, fresh rain and more outdoor time.

I was able to spend 2 weeks this year in Florida, with my family, in March and I have to admit that it was so uplifting to be able to have warm sunny days everyday we were there. It was just what I needed after such a long winter this year. Before we left I felt so tired and depressed of the constant gray sky and white snow that most mornings I didn't even want to look outside, let alone get out of bed! So with Spring in the air now and what spring means (at least to me), I am thrilled to be out and about. Gardening, walking/running, reorganizing and just plain old getting things done.

Now I'm sure you're wondering why I'm writing such a BORING blog....well truth be told I'm just not that good at telling funny stories or posting fun pictures(gotta take the fun pictures first). So as I see from my followers, my blog is more or less a way for me to just be. I can write whatever and nobody is going to be to excited or disappointed! Does that make it right? Shouldn't I want to make this blog better? Shouldn't I want to do more, be more and contribute more to others? Well spring into action if you can and let me know. I'm up for something new...a CHALLENGE! And maybe this is what it'll be. A fabulous blog about things that others what to know....you ask the question and I'll research and post my findings!

To be honest I think I need a bit of a distraction something else to think about. My husband has been going through some medical testing because they've found that he only has one working kidney right now and they are trying to figure out why. The Dr. would like to see if they can't get the kidney that has shrunken back to working order but aren't sure yet if that is possible....hence the testing. It's also possible that it's a genetic thing and if so they'll be wanting to test the kids. I try not to think about it too much because we are doing what we can and the Doctor has been very good at getting this done quickly. So we just keep praying. Of course this all came as a shock and that's just the way life is. So we do our best and hope for the best and know that it'll all be okay. The sun is shining and we are blessed.

WELCOME SPRING!