Yee Haw

So as some of you may know....I grow up in Alberta until I was 12 and a half! I have always loved going back and visiting with family and friends and this year will be no exception.

As we plan to be there for July 1st fun, I can hardly believe that it's so close to our departure date! I feel like a kid at Christmas. I can hardly wait to leave, drive, and arrive in the west! (wondering about the drive home though).

My hope is that my sisters kids and my kids get along well or it could be a disaster!!! They have only been around each other once before at my youngest sisters wedding three years ago(I think that's right). I look forward to going to some of the places we would visit as kids ourselves and let my children experience the beauty of the country they are a part of and the wonderful things that God has created for us to love , appreciate and care for. I hope that we can create a beautiful memory for each of the children to remember for years to come.

I've been working at getting the house in order so that while we are gone I don't have to think about all that is waiting at home to be done when I get back too. I'm not so sure though that I should have planted a vegetable garden???? The weeds may be something to behold when we return. Well, whatever will be will be and that's all there is to it. Like I said at the beginning of the year...simplify! And so it was simple to plant and it will be simple to weed. Simple to see dead plants...flowers...houseplants...boxes of stuff without a home! It all takes time and so I will continue to use the time I have to get a little done each week! (Notice I didn't commit to a daily act?).

So I guess the lesson for today is if you fall off that horse you've been trying to break.....just holler shout Yee Haw and get back on!!!!

Ode to Me ~ self

It's a cloudy day...soon to be a rainy day and I thought I should fill all my followers in on my thoughts.

So my thought is that I've put away the going back to school idea. I've decided that I need to be doing the best I can and ALL I can with my children no matter how old they are and no matter what others think I should be doing instead of JUST being a stay at home mom. Though the challanges never cease I find that a blessing. As the children grow and learn and change that forces me to do the same. I have the opportunity to think about things differently 3 times (my kids are all individuals!) and it's a good challange for me. Not only do they learn new things through this process but so do I.
It has been nothing short of a miracle that I have the people in my life that I need in my life. Each and every person has a different outlook and opinion and I appreciated all of them and learn from each one. I sometimes think how much different I would be had these people not been around? What would I do differently than I do now? It's truly been a blessing in more ways than I could ever begin to count.
I've been able to see more clearly the plan that my Father in Heaven has put in place and I am so greatful that I have been able to follow some of it ~ of course I want to improve to the point that I can say ALL of it but in time that will come and I just need to keep that in perspective! I know that if we focus more on the positive things in life, the things we can do than life is so much more filled with joy and happiness. Who cares what others can do so well and you can't...who cares if others think a certain way....what's more important than the way we treat others is the way we treat/think of ourselves. I think the way we think about and treat ourselves is how we think and treat others.
So I've decided that I'm just going to work at being the best person I can be, teach my children what I can, learn new things myself and just be who I am and not who I think others want me to be. AND I want anyone reading this to do the same.... you are all awesome just the way you are and you can do things that others can't and need from someone who can! Keep smiling and don't keep those smiles for yourself ~ pass them on.

Adding to the family!

So we've done it again! Four more little feet running around our home! Little ones are always so much fun...so much work...so much more cleaning to be done...and yet so warm and cuddly that none of the other stuff matters!

It's now been about 3 weeks and we are all getting into some what of a routine and familiarity about this new situation. Some mornings come too early. Sarah will lay in bed saying "be quiet, be quiet, be quiet!" ....I think she'll become a great mom??!! For me it's like I don't even need an alarm any more and even the kids are getting up and wanting to help or play! It's just bringing the family together and it's been so nice to see the willingness they have to want to help.

I know for my husband though this all came as a HUGE unexpected surprise and I've got to say that he is really trying to do what he can...it's just hard when he's only home on weekends so he's not familiar with the routine and the changes that occur so quickly while he's away. I kind of feel sorry for the guy.

So I guess you are all wondering about "Name"? Well our precious little Shi-Poo is called Lucky! Yes that's right we are once again dog owners! For a whole week the kids were able to talked to Daddy on the phone and not tell him we got a dog! I never thought they'd be able to do it. Sarah though nearly broke, well kind of did but thankfully Daddy didn't hear her! We picked him up and then took Daddy out for dinner before going home. Just at the end of dinner she said "Daddy we got a doggie!"...I was just glad Tanner and McKalyn were talking to him and didn't hear her.

I had left the puppy in his crate and all his toys were put away so there was no evidence (except for a bag of doggie treats that I left on the table....not sure how my husband didn't notice them) when we walked in the house. Anyhow, the kids got in the house first and I told them don't say anything just go play the Wii! I knew eventually Lucky would whimper and want out so I just stood by my husband while he talked about his week and what he wanted to do on the weekend. It took a few minutes and a couple of whimpers for him to notice. He just turned around slowly with this look in his eyes and a half a smirk on his face...."you didn't?"... "I did!" I said with an unsure smile and Sarah just ran to the crate and pulled him out to show daddy! I think she was the most excited about keeping the secret. All she said to Daddy was but Daddy I really wanted a dog and you said after Easter! (So it was a little before Easter, close enough!)
Though I do wish the addition was more of the human kind, I do think that it's good for kids to see the work and care that is needed in caring for living things. There are so many things in life that are so terrible and I just want to provide my children with as many positive things as possible!

Now I just have to figure out what to do about the dog when I'm away in the summer visiting my sister and her family! (Kind of didn't think that through).

In A Nut Shell

The sense of things settling down came and went. With Dennis now driving for a different company that requires him to be on the road I find myself to be a married/ single parent. He worked for this company when McKalyn was just a baby and I'm not so sure that it's been any easier just because the children are older. His first "trip" out sent him to Florida, Tennesse, Ohio and a few other places that I don't recall. He left on the 21st of January and arrived back to the house the 30th. Boy oh boy ...the kids did NOT like that.
The challanges of me trying to maintain the balance of sanity, patience, happiness and overall well being I must say is hard. I know I told him that I'd supprot his decision to do this but does it mean I have to like it??? NO, would be the correct answer, but I do have to figure out how to make it work.
So I have purchased him a calendar that he is to record things in to help me with the bookkeeping and which I too have put a few things in there for him to remember...important dates that he needs to be home for. This way he is able to inform his work that he is unavailable...so we'll see if it works.
Next has been the thought of me going back to school. I guess I've always had a love for children and teaching them...they just excite me so much. I love watching their little faces when they realize they understand the concept being introduced. It truly is a miracle to watch them learn. I think that there's just no time to waste and there's always more that can be done...it's just finding those things that are THE MOST IMPORTANT. Almost ten years since the begins of caring for my own chldren and I could only hope that I can touch other children in need too. So with a prayer and some questions I will move forward with this possibilty of going back to school. Let's get crackin'!!!

So here it is...a New Year!!! Just thought I'd update you and let you know that I am definitely doing much better. In fact so much so that I've been doing some drywall work for Dennis' Aunt. The mudding is now done and my shoulder/neck haven't even been overly sore. I am recovering!!! Now I guess this means that I'll need to get to work on my laundry room reno.. Dennis has the closet (4x8)up and drywalled so maybe I should mud it now too! I can hardly wait for it to be complete, though I'm sure what I am envisioning is not going to become the total reality but it's nice to dream! Actually over time I'm sure I can do it. Kids are settling back into routine and Dennis is trying to figure out this new job he's started...things are slow so he's still home more than working and that frustrates him. Poor guy!
Well I'm going to keep this short and hopefully be able to do more posts this year. My plan is to simplify, organize and just let it go if I feel overwhelmed. "Life is climb" (thanks Hannah Montana aka...Mylie Cyrus). And as you all know I seem to be one who takes on the challenges! (no offense Dennis!!! LOL)
God bless you all.

Quiet Moments

So I sit in my house with all my kids home and husband as well and yet not a peep to be heard....(no they are not drugged) Thank heavens for bribery... no hockey game tonight if you don't nap (yes Dennis that includes you)!!! Friends have invited us to join them in the BOX so it's a free night out! This is a first and I just hope he doesn't regret inviting us all!!! Especially because they will all be well rested and ready to party!
That being said I've had a moment to just hear myself think and ponder on the events of the past few weeks. It's always such a hectic time in December and it seems hard to take a moment for ones self to even just take a breath. I know for me I'm always thinking what can I do for ???? or what can I make and hand out to friends and neighbours to show the spirit of Christmas. On a personal note I've really been feeling like I need a project or that there's something just waiting for me to discover that I should be doing. So far anything that I have done just haven't filled that! So I'll wait, and I'll pray that I will know it when it comes my way. I have been released from my calling as primary chorister (which was my all time favorite calling EVER) ... still a little sad about that. My kids are all in school, Sarah still only part time. So here I am pondering my next move. I don't feel that it's a job outside of the home that is needed?! I'd love to be able to be an adopted aunt to little ones who's mothers maybe just need an hour or two of their own quiet moments.
Next month is January and the start of a new year! How completely great is that. I know that I will be busy with the girls figure skating club as I have agreed to be the skating mom for a group and will be sewing costumes for whom ever needs them. So I know that will be helpful for those who don't sew or know anyone who sews. I'm actually looking forward to that and to the end results of seeing the girls on the ice in the Carnival in March. They have both done so well for the first year.


When I stop and think of just how many blessings have been given to us this year I can hardly comprehend it. Through out the struggles of unemployment and odd jobs...to the property and getting things organized in order for it to be sold I know that I cannot deny the fact that Heavenly Father was watching out for us and as we did our part he has carried us through and we have been okay...actually more than okay and that is awesome. I cannot deny the fact that there is a God and that his son came to earth to show us the way to return to him IF WE CHOOSE TO. And that is what really makes me think when I have a quiet moment to myself.

Pity Party!!!

Ok so here it is.... or maybe isn't. I so don't like the fact that I'm about to say poor me because my sister Mishel certainly has more reason to be throwing this party. But in my last post I informed all(3) of my readers about my lovely incounter with the floor!!! I don't recommend it. Since the "incident" I have struggled! Meds/no meds...some meds/physio? I have been so confused and so unsure as to what I should be doing. So then I think to myself well, mind over matter, lets try and do some of the normal things a mom does with some modification. As I continue to learn about the oppoasite sex I've realized they seem so much more like children(sorry if this offends anyone) but because I've been up and trying to do things, you know just trying to keep our home some what "normal" it's like he thinks there is nothing wrong. I guess though too in all fairness I haven't told him about the pain that comes and goes but that's because of comments that have already been made about me "milking this one for all it's worth." So poor me! I just think really that it's all come on at a big fat sad time... Not only do I fall on my head, but I get released (but not officially yet?confusing) from my all time favorite calling ever and my sister loses her baby. SIDE NOTE: I was just informed my daughter has no clothes for school tomorrow! Thanks honey... I better get one that?! Or hello honey but the machine is downstairs and you know how it works too!!!! AAAHHHH! Sorry moment of weakness!

Truly I do know how blessed I am!!! My sister in law stopped by to see the christmas tree...(still not up) it's usually up the 25th of November because I love Christmas so much! I have really found it hard to get into the spirit! I have a few decorations up and the lights are up outside so obviouosly this year things are going a little bit different. Change is good and sometimes nessesary for that is how we see things in a different light and appreciate the things we have failed to see before. Any how it was nice though she and her hubby ended up coming with us to figure skating because we were just on our way out the door and that was a lot of fun! Santa made an appearance and the girls were just thrilled!

Well, I want to wish you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas and hope that your holidays are filled with Love, Laughter and Food ( you know all that great stuff that relatives make that we all look forward to each year!) God bless. And thank you all for coming to the party!(I've been sitting to long and need to get up!). Love you all!