Musings by me

BabyHalf Off

2010-10-26T13:15:00.001-07:00

http://babyhalfoff.com/blog/?p=2565&cpage=6#comment-20067

CHEAP BABY STUFF!! :)

Bumble Collection

2010-09-30T10:01:00.001-07:00

I am in love with these bags and enter every contest i can to try at get one.
Here is the link to check them out, order a bag, or find a store near you! Enjoy and fall in love! :)
http://www.thebumblecollection.com/
They have just gone out to the Babies 'R' Us stores. I'm sad we don't have one near us. but if you do. CHECK THEM OUT! :)

Moving Over

2010-09-02T21:55:00.000-07:00

So, to change things up a little i'm going to be moving this blog....
www.waterweb.ca is where you will find me from now on. And more frequently too! :)

Alive

2010-09-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

I'm still here, just a little absent. Make sense? No? Oh well!

Life is good.

Evangelene just turned 5. Wow. Where has the time gone? Her huge party was a super sucess. Almost all her kindergarten class mates and their siblings were there. Huge...lots of kids....dutch! :)

School is starting soon. But we have one more camping trip to go yet! (YAY!) I love camping!

Are you still reading this?

I love you but....

2010-02-24T23:40:00.000-08:00

My kids have been driving absolutely insane...like CRAZY!! I blame it on the weather, which, incidentally, has been beautiful.

So what else can I blame it on?

Certainly it cannot be me.

Unless my nephew is right....

"Auntie, I love you, but I don't want to live with you"

Hee hee!

Don't worry, I wouldn't want to live with me either. At least until the weather changes! ;)

Yummmmm

2010-02-17T13:50:00.000-08:00

Breadmakers rock! And make great bread while they rock! Oh my house smells good. And the nice crunchy crust is the best part. Though next time it's going to be set at light crust. Medium is almost too hard. (not for me but if the kids want to eat it...) So thanks Jason for finding such a great deal on such a great toy! :)

Grandkids

2010-02-08T23:44:00.000-08:00

So, while having a bath with my eldest, she informs me that when she is married she is going to have 5 kids.
Boy
Boy
Girl
Girl
Boy

They've been named already too.
Ryan
Percy(changed from Elijah)
Cleara
Sarah
I'll pick that one later (so she says)

at least she's waiting until she's married right? :)

In Her Words

2010-02-04T23:02:00.000-08:00

"Rejoice the Lord he dressed them up of his choice..."

A combination of 'Rejoice the Lord is King' (Hymn 35:1)
and
'Hear how the Lord on Sini's Mountain, Addressed the people of His choice.' (Hymn 7 :1)

Felicity's memory work in her words! :)

Laundry

2010-02-04T14:27:00.001-08:00

Anyone who knows me (since being married) should know that I have 2 chores that I absolutely detest.

Dishes

and

LAUNDRY!

The dishes one has been solved with a second hand dishwasher that is SO nice!!! I've had it for a year and a half and cannot begin to wonder how I ever survived without it!! :)

And the Laundry! Ugh. It's not the washing, it's not the drying, it's not even the folding. It's the putting it away! Double Ugh.
My dear husband even moved all the dressers downstairs so I could fold laundry and put it away, conveniently never leaving the laundry room to get it all done.

It didn't work!

Getting an outfit for the kids would mean digging thru the pile in the laundry room. Albeit clean, some of it folded. Most of it just dumped there. *sigh*

Then my (7yr old Maytag!!!!!) dryer died. Like REALLY died this time. Not just a flipped breaker this time.

Oh, J, I found in the instruction manual that if your dryer still turns but doesn't heat up you should check the breaker as most dryers work off of a two household breaker system. I kid you not. It's in there! I'll show you!
But I digress...

Ok, my dryer died. We bought a new one. Brought said dryer home, changed the door position and voila, another dryer broken! Ugh. (SO not our fault. Not even because J turned the door around. They gave us a broken one!) At least we hadn't put this one downstairs yet!

So back to the store, got another one and WOW!!!
I think I've always had a faulty dryer! My old one NEVER heated up like this. Done in a flash! Saweet!

And now my laundry room is clean of clean laundry! And I actually folded and PUT IT AWAY!
And I'm going to keep doing that. It looks much nicer.
DUH!

:)

Just thought I'd share the break thru of my day!
Now, on to the rest of my day!

As Promised

2010-02-03T23:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday Afternoon pictures......

Flames and Games

2010-01-31T00:32:00.000-08:00

So, with all the Olympic games hype I've been (re)thinking my stance on all of the 'games' stuff.

Spending SO MUCH money on watching people play games and slide down hills, and dash (albeit quite gracefully) across ice is, in my mind, such a waste. Kinda like the NHL salary average. (Don't get me started!!!!!)

And with me thinking all this, does it make me a hypocrite that I took (most) of my family to the flame celebration today. Not just in Houston, but in Smithers also???

Hmmm....

We did have a blast though. The kids got excited about it after watching some clips on the internet. I painted their faces and everything. They wore red and cheered like crazy. Even Peyton was dressed in Canadian spirit appropriate clothing and didn't even attend the festivities. (Thanks for watching her Justine!!)

Call me sentimental. I LOVE Canada day. So with all this Canadian spirit being advertised, I fell for it.
And it was a once in a life time thing.
And a great photo op.
And tons of fun.
And tons of free stuff.
And the kids loved it.
And it was a family thing.
And what else would we do on a Saturday afternoon in Houston??! :)

So, even though I'm not really 'for' the Olympics, we did show our community and country spirit.
And had fun doing it!

O CANADA!!!

PS. since all the pics are on the laptop, you'll have to wait till I download some from there!

Alive

2010-01-14T01:31:00.000-08:00

HELLO!

Yup, I'm still here. Busy as ever!
Stay tuned for a new (er) post soon. When I remember to sit and type one out (NOT at 1:30am)

:)

Bye again!

Holiday eating

2009-12-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Well, we all know how much fun it is to watch what we eat at Christmas! Food just seems to be such an important part of all the festivities. I found this little set of rules I thought my readers would appreciate! Enjoy!

Holiday Eating Guidelines

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet tableknows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leaveimmediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an 'eggnog-aholic' or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it! Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think.

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy.Gravy does not stand-
alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk orwhole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports carwith an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat - have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert -- Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party orget up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips: Start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember: "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO-HOO what a ride!

:P

Nov. 16

2009-11-16T12:22:00.000-08:00

Over Halfway November! And.....my Christmas music is playing! Yay!! Nothing like listening to the Young Messiah to 'pick me up'! (New London Choral) and followed by Michael W. Smith. And there's a layer of snow on the ground. Almost tempted to put up the decorations...December 1 is a LONG way off! :)
Happy November snow day!!

Chandler Bryce

2009-11-04T10:49:00.001-08:00

This past week Sunday, our little boy turned 3!!!!! It doesn't really seem that long ago that we had a huge snow storm

and brought home a little bundle of a boy! Weighing in at 7lbs 11oz, he was really little! Our lightest babe to this day! He didn't sleep very well at night like the girls did. His carseat was his bed for the first 6 weks of his life! He slept MUCH better in there! Chandler has always been a quiet(er) happy boy!! He is growing SO fast, speaking lots of sentances, wanting to talk on the phone, memorizing Felicity's songs and bible texts for school. He likes to blow tempers though, and they are doozies!! We were worried about taking his soother(me) away but it happened without any problems!! What a big boy we have! Happy birthday Chandler. We thank God everyday for you!! Love you my boy!

September

2009-09-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Evangelene opening a card at her Birthday party. It was an awesome sunny day, warm enough to put the bathing suits on and run through the sprinkler.

Her Tinkerbell cake! Tasted so yummy!

Felicity getting on the bus for her first day of school. Mommy did well too! :)

September was a busy and exciting month for us. Evangelene's 4th birthday, Felicity's first day of Kindergarten, Chandler not using a soother (me) anymore, Peyton finally daring to walk! It was crazy busy, getting used to routines again, making lunches, Jason going to late shift (ugh!) bible studies and societies starting up too. Choir tonight! YAY!!

The business is now up and running! Woot! And we got Jason's new camera too. Another wedding in Oct and hopefully some family pictures too! The days are getting shorter and the furnace is on longer. Here's hoping that we can have some more nice fall days yet!

Felicity is enjoying school. She was one of the only ones not able to write her name when she started, but now can do it! (most of the time!) She's got her memory work done and knows the theme of the year already! Most nights before school days, she puts herself to bed early (some days even as early as 6pm! Crazy girl!) and bounces out of bed! She woke up the first day of school with a "is it morning mom?" When I said yes it was she jumped out of bed and whispered "YES!!!" (Peyton was still sleeping! ) She loves the bus ride. She has to be at the bus stop at 7:10am and is dropped off at 4:15-4:25pm. A long day for sure, but she is doing so well!

Evangelene has been told she is not allowed to suck her thumb anymore. It's not working so well! Chandler's soother has been taken away and he's been doing great! Still napping everyday and going to bed ok! YAY!! Peyton has finally tried to start walking and is constantly taking more steps every day! YAY!! She's my earliest walker! It's very cute!

I've been trying to sort through all the clothes from this summer and put stuff away. I have a hard time getting rid of stuff, even though I know I should. I've been baking more, and using the crock pot lots! Yumm!

So ya, September has been busy, but in a good way! Now on to housework! Good day all!

4 Years

2009-08-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

Evangelene Suzanne Onderwater
Sept 1, 2005
9lbs 1oz

Evangelene is 4!! Amazing how fast it goes. She was born in the afternoon Sept 1, after a long hard labour! She was very squished by the time the Dr. decided that she wasn't gonna come out the 'normal' way! A very happy baby she was!(and is!) She was also a great sleeper right off the bat. Under 6 weeks old and she slept throught the night.I think sucking her thumb has a BIG thing to do with that! A growing, energetic girl, with a sweet disposition. Evangelene has got such a beautiful personality, a soft heart and loving touch. She is a tough little girl and is not afraid to tell anyone what she wants! She is ALWAYS on the go! She does not stop! But do not be fooled by her happiness! Underneath is a very stuborn girl! But with the beautiful eyes that she has(and knows how use to her advantage!) it is very hard to say no! Evangelene takes good care of others around her, mostly thinking of them first. Peyton is in good hands with her around!

We LOVE you Evangelene and we know that God has great things planned for you! Happy Birthday Beauty!

Summer adventures

2009-07-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, after the last session of VBS(which went REALLY well!), I came home, packed up and left to the Kort Resort. Jason pulled the trailer there for me and then left sometime after supper.

The Girls right after they woke up Friday morning.

Peyton, in her bassinet.

Friday morning in his favorite shirt.

Opa bought a pool and the kids used it ALL the time! Yay OPA!

A content camper in her pack'n'play. (Most of the time)

Saturday afternoon at Thyee (Tyee or Tyhee) Lake

Brooke and Daniel. Best buds, worst enemies.....

Peyton's personal pool!!

Hi Brooke!

Daniel...handsome boy!
Time for play at the beach!!

This is right before she fell in head first and had to be pulled out sputtering!!

All in all it was a fun weekend. Jason came back Saturday night and we enjoyed Sunday there as well! And had a good visit with Mom and Dad! Thanks for the cheap camping facilities!!

5 Years

2009-07-22T00:46:00.000-07:00

Five years ago, we were blessed with a beautiful daughter. She is a wonderful gift given to us by God!

I look back on those first few months, the first year, and wonder at how fast time has flown! This September I will be sending her on a bus to Kindergarten, instead of keeping her at home all the time. She has such a personality! Tempers still flare, but the tantrums of earlier years are fewer! She is always smiling and asking philosophical questions, lately about death, God, heaven and husbands. Felicity is a beautiful wonderful little girl. I love her and have been blessed to be her mom for these past five years! Happy birthday Blondie!!

RCMP

2009-07-16T00:36:00.000-07:00

We went to go see the RCMP musical ride in Smithers. It's amazing at the things they can get the horses to do, how co-ordinated they are! Truely an amazing night! J took lots of pics, so I hope some end up on one of our blogs!

We took all 4 of the kidlets (guppies :P ) along with us. So did E+B, and B+E took 2. Wow, ten kids all with us, all sitting there from about 6pm. We got there early to get a good seat. And it worked! Top row! Very neat stuff!

The thing that really irked me was that they advertised the show starting at 7pm. They didn't say that they would be waiting for the traffic still coming in and filling up an hour with slow boring stuff...7pm people, not leave the house at 7 pm and make a whole areana wait as you park and walk to the stands. Sure be a few minutes off schedule. Fine. Ok. but seriously, there ARE little kids in the stands. Like duh!!

And the fillers weren't even that great. Some famous guy from Paris? Boring. A rendition of the Canadian anthem...that was ok, beautiful voice but SO S...LLLoooooooowwwwww..... and what's up with hardly anyone singing along with it? Barely a murmur in the crowd. *sigh* Sorry if I sing my country's song in public, but I'm not worried about embarrassing myself! Like come on! It's our anthem! SING PEOPLE!!

I get that the sponsers and the organizers want their little bit. Totally get that but by the time the main event came on the kids were DONE! Yes, they did see the horses, and see most of the show, but if it started oh, at 7, even 7:20, instead of 8pm (YES 8!!!!) they would have enjoyed it a lot more. I would have enjoyed it a lot more!

Now, re reading this it sounds like I didn't like it at all! Don't get me wrong. It was AMAZING! The horses were beautiful and so well behaved! (Elaine didn't even get bit tonight! :P) And I've always loved seeing the RCMP in their tradition uniforms. It was so cool. But being a family event ya think they would have put a little more thought into the program layout.... But hey at least it was here and we got to see it! :)

Nap Day

2009-07-11T00:31:00.000-07:00

I love nap days!!! Today was one. I bribed the kids with a bike ride to the park and coffee at Opa and Oma's house. We all went down at about 1ish and got up just after 3. (That's right! All 4(four)kids and myself!! ALL at the same time!! Woot Woot! Just had to brag a little! :P )

We played in the pool for a bit, the kids had a bath and supper and we headed out for our bike ride and coffee visit. The pics are from the park just across the street from Opa and Oma's house. We had a blast! It took the kids a bit to fall asleep tonight, but I'll put up with that when I've had a nap! :)

And not a day goes by without....

Everybody knows that I love my toes!

I like my eyes, ears, mouth and nose,

But everybody knows that I LOVE my toes!!!

Summer fun

2009-07-08T11:21:00.001-07:00

A wonderful time at Red Bluff for the Canada holiday! Beautiful weather and fun friends! Hoping to do it again soon!

Flowers

2009-07-07T00:20:00.000-07:00

Other then doing the flowers for both my sister's weddings, this is the first time I've done the flowers (bouquets and all) for a friend's wedding. I love how they turned out! I've never used the plastic bouquets holders before, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy they were to use! Here's hoping I'll get more chances to try this again! :)

The Bridal bouquet

The Bridesmaid and Maid of Honor bouquets.

Stuff

2009-06-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

(our traditional May tree pics! Cute kids hey??!!!)

Things have been moving fast around here. Too fast to keep up with the blog...my apologies! Here's the highlights...

~We now officially have a home based business in photography! Waterweb Photography! Woot woot! We had our first "clients" in June. It was an anniversary shoot with kids, parents and grandparents. It actually went VERY well! I was a little nervous about how J and I would do working together, but it was wonderful!! Anyone needing pics done?? Let me know! I'll hook y'all up!!

~ Felicity went to her kindergarten trial day...and loved it! It was so cute watching her jump on the bus without even saying bye to me! She was so excited and now cannot wait to start school. I'm looking forward to the days I can spend a little more 1 on 1 time with Evangelene, but not to the EARLY mornings!!! 6:30 we're up and she's on the bus by 7:10am....early! We've been working with her to say her "s" right. She's been improving like crazy and is getting easier to understand. And she doesn't mind doing the daily excercises with that. A bonus! She's also my little helper, always asking if she can do anything for me! I love it!

~Evangelene wants to go to preschool...she was there for Felicity's "grad" and can't wait to do it herself. Why do they grow up so fast?? So hopefully in January it will start up again and she can go! Her latest thing is telling us 'secrets', usually about a bike ride she wants to take. We've been working with her to be dry through the night, and she's been doing a great job!! Yay!! She also loves to take care of Peyton...pulling her out of the exersauser and bring her upstairs to the computer room. Yikes! She's a sweetie though!

~Chandler is talking lots now. Not always understandable, but getting there! He still has his daily nap (yay) and sleeps in a big bed. Now we just have to get that soother out of his mouth and potty train him....Yah, I've got my work cut out for me there!! He loves to be outside and can play for hours pushing his car around. His eating habits have been declining so he does skip out on dessert some nights. I think he's learning though! He's a cutie with a sweet smile!

~Peyton is almost 1!!!!!! Wow, that year went by so fast! She's crawling like crazy and is pulling herself up on everything. She wants to walk but is not too sure about it yet. She's also been throwing stuff out of the crib making me hunt for her bottle and blanket...brat! :P She's very easy and loves so be on the floor in the living room, exploring all over. Now if only she'd leave the plants alone and the other kids would leave her alone! My happy girl!

~I have library books overdue..I really should return them....

~I've started a little hobby other than photography. I'm doing the flowers for 3 weddings(so far) this year. 2 this summer, one in october. I am excited and nervous~more excited than nervous though! I love doing this kind of thing, had fun doing the flowers for my sister's weddings and hopefully will do more!!!

~We did some yard renos this past may. The fence on one side is down so that the shed could be moved to that side of the house. It was a fun experiance and now we know how to move a shed....Call the brothers over! Especially the truck owning ones. Ask the J's Dad to supervise and direct and VOILA, the shed has a differant view on life! :P Even with the women and kids inside (mostly) for the day, everything went well. So glad that we get along so well!

~The girls and I slept in the tent in the backyard this month. It was fun! We had a fire, and would've had a lake if we didn't empty the pool first! :P Now, instead of insuring the tent trailer and setting it up for a one night stay at the lake, we're thinking of taking the tent and craming us in that....I think we'll fit but who knows if it will fit in the van! :)

~Summer is here. Date wise at least. We had our hot weather in May. Any word on summer being hot? Please!! Make me smile and tell me it's coming!!

~Are we getting visitors this summmer?????!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE YESS!!!! (Hoping!!!)

~I LOVE my dishwasher!!! LOVE IT!!! (hee hee) It has almost been one year since it was installed and I'm sure that the quality of life has improved drastically since it joined the family! THANK YOU Dad and Jason!!!

~Our trip to Alberta came and went....So much fun! I love visiting the family there. We went for a week and a half and stayed with Evelyn and Marvin. The kids just loved being able to run around outside everyday and get dirty. I loved it because I didn't have to worry about the neighbours driving in too fast and hitting them! The kids traveled well, and made lots of noise in the house. They loved being around their Uncle and Aunt(who really spoiled them! :P) and can't wait to see them again! I think I might be able to find some pics......As much fun as it is to visit every once and awhile ,I wished we lived closer. *sigh*

~Our family is happy and healthy. I praise God for this! We have good friends and wonderful family. Again, blessings from the Lord. Daily I praise Him for how much HE has given to us. This stage in our lives is fun, and busy but it is also trying and full of stress. Only in HIS strength can we hope to go on! Thank you LORD!!!!

Hopefully I stay updated now.................

Thanks for stopping by! And I love getting comments! (hint hint!)

(It's pouring rain again!) (oh wait, It stopped....)

And Peyton just climbed out of her exersaucer! JOY! :S

I found Piglet in my house!!!!

2009-04-01T16:42:00.001-07:00

Thanks.....

2009-03-13T00:05:00.000-07:00

To my WONDERFUL family (mostly brotherinlawS) for the help in making this office/spare room dream a reality! It looks great! So good in fact, that I'm not sure where to start with filling it!

Oh, and Auntie Evelyn, according to your nieces, your room is done. And IF you come to visit (they don't think you are, yet they insist on calling it Auntie Evelyn's room) they would like to have a sleepover in there one night!

Pics will be forthcoming LATER....maybe I'll post a sign on the door of the room that says 'finished room' and take a picture of that..... :)

Thanks again for ALL your help. The floor is beautiful, the paint so fresh and the trim perfect! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

Full house

2009-03-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

So today is the day we are done!!! Well, done to the point of ready to move in!

My wonderful brotherinlaw is finishing up the 'spare' room today!! Yay for sisters who marry great guys!!

So now my house is ready to hold more then just our family! Yayayayayayay! Looking forward to the many days my house is full!! Come on over!

Words Cont.

2009-03-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

Today, after making my nephew say "Yes Auntie Laura" (for doing something, don't remember what...) He walked past me and said "Auntie Laura, you're cool!"
And that coming from a 2 1/2 year old!

Yay!!! I'M COOL!!!!

Words

2009-03-09T00:11:00.000-07:00

We've been discussing how the kids pick up a lot of the words we use around the house, as well as in a song. We really have to clean up our act! :S

Evangelene has been using our words LOTS! Today, while pretending she was talking on the phone it was.."horken-nelly...I'll be right there!"...Jason and I laughed loud and long over that one!

Oh, and yesterday in the van she was singing along to a Pixar Cars song, one of the first ones on there. Real Gone...of those lines, "i have a big mouth" "gotta say it" and "Uhh" (empasis on the uhh!) were the ones she really got! Hee hee! Cutie!

Vultures

2009-02-27T12:29:00.000-08:00

Jason and I are trying to set up a photography busines....slowly everything is coming together.
This week we had news that the only other 'professional photographer' in town passed away. Without disrespectin him or his family, we wanted to get in touch with his family to see what they were doing with all his stuff, and maybe (hopefully) aquire his studio/photography stuff. The only thing is how do you do that without being like a vulture???
J's dad came to the rescue with a 'I know so-and-so who knows so-and-so' ....so it is in the works! Now we're just praying everything works out!

On a completly other note, how do I get a 2+yr old to stay in his crib and not climb out and tip his sister's pack and play over while she's in it!?! We've tried the dutch sleeping bag and even pinned the zipper closed...at a loss here! Poor Peyton!

Oh, and I'm grumpy today! :( Poor kids!

Life with kids.

2009-02-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

Who would've thought!???!! Not me! I imagined a fall from a bike, a trip out of a tree, even a fall while skiing....but slipping while climbing into my bed??? Nope! Didn't even cross me mind as my first trip to the ER for stitches!

And Felicity??? NO WAY!!! I totally thought Evangelene!!!

But as these things go, there is never any positive way of predicting them correctly...only that with 4 kids, it's bound to happen sooner or later! :P

So instead of a lovely quiet evening scrapbooking...
** It started out that way! Was a lot of fun! Thanks Auntie S. + B. Although that was still full of adventure and mishaps!**
....I got to spend my evening at the local ER....a mere 45min drive away!

Thankfully the roads were clear and the Lord saw fit to allow us to arrive there with no further adventures!

A talk with some nice ladies in the waiting room, half an episode of Reba, and we were on our way to seeing a Dr.

By then Felicity had started to feel better and was talking lots. She told the nurse all about valentines day and all the fun stuff she did at preschool.

The Dr. finally visited us (although I must confess...he was not that long in appearing!) and decided glue would not work, stitches were needed.

My brave little girl told me she was scared. So we prayed. And prayed. It made mommy feel better, able to be a little more confident.But the little girl wanted a hand to hold. So while we prayed, we held hands and both of us came out blessedly stronger.

With stitches comes a needle....poor girl let the whole ER(not really that big, even after the renovations) know that the needle hurt. What she didn't know was that the needle hurt her mom too! And then one stitch, then two! With each one, my heart broke a little more. With each one, the rest of the hospital(well almost the whole thing! :P) knew that a little girl was hurting.

After all was said and done, a look in the mirror confirmed it! Felicity said she was like Uncle Jakob! ( a skiing accident earlier this past month!)

A treat was in order! Timmies let us down so 7-11 came thru with a muffin and a blue/purple slurpee...Chatting all the way home,we were again blessed with an uneventful drive home.

A snuggle with daddy, a drink and bed for us all!
Thanking the Lord that all is ok and that we can rest in Him, sleep mercifully took us away, to renew us for another day!

25 Things

2009-02-03T00:23:00.000-08:00

This has been going around facebook. Thought I'd share what I wrote.

1.I am a Christian. Just saying that makes me realize how far I've come from just believing to now living and teaching the kids. Thank you Lord for the faith and strength day to day!

2.I love being a wife to J. Yes we fight, but we're still in love, and we find ways to show eachother that. Even if the store had no flowers!

3.I love being a mother. Everytime I look around the dinner table at our 4 kids, I am amazed at how much I have been blessed.

4.I am crazy. Just ask my niece Kierra and nephew Darren.

5.I was show-and-tell for my niece. And I loved it. Grade 1 kids are SO cute!

6.I don't hate all the in-law family like people think you should. I love them! And we get along...mostly!

7.There are times when I wished I lived closer to my family.

8.I LOVE camping. Even with newborns! I can't wait to camp!

9.I like shoveling the driveway. The high, neat banks look so nice! I've been letting go a little and letting the kids play in the nice snowbanks. *sigh*

10.I have a hard time keeping up with my house work. My favorite quote to motivate me is " it is possible to dissobey God by NOT doing the dishes!"

11. I love reading, have always read, but i can't spell!!!

12.I love singing. I sing in the van really loud when no one is in with me. Oh, and I sing really loud in the van with the kids too!

13.I wish I was skinny.And could shop at a 'normal' store, not a plus sized one.

14.I love to laugh. and hate that you can't see my eyes when I laugh.

15.I'm not sure if I am happy, excited, or sad that my kids are starting school in September.

16.I have a temper and sometimes can control it.

17.I am very sentimental.

18.I want to be loved, needed, helpful, a friend, hugged, accepted.

19.I do care what others think of me. And actually that surprises me.

20. I love my husband. No ifs ands or buts! 21.I am just like my mother. So much it's scary. It took me a LONG time to admit that.

22. I hate worrying about things. Especially money.

23. I don't like it when people are mad at me.

24. I own 3 or 4 pairs of heels. I'm still not sure how people wear them and walk at the same time!

25. I am still learning how to be the best person I was created to be.

Kids!

2009-01-19T15:06:00.000-08:00

The kids got to play with play-doh (killing time before supper!)

Yes it was the 'real' stuff! I HATE the smell of it but am too lazy to make it! :)

Evangelene creating on the window!

Felicity made her own snail.

Yummy Quiche!

Red cheeks from being outside!

My man! So big already!

Must've been tired.

She actually had both her hands behind her head. So cute. Peyton usually sleeps like that!

First time in awhile that she actually fell asleep on me! *sigh* they grow so quickly!

Big smiles!

Mamma Mia!!!!

2009-01-16T18:17:00.000-08:00

I DID IT!!!!

4 kids + payday shopping + Friday afternoon + 1 me = A great shopping experiance!

(well the great is overrated as it was at Houston supervalue...) but none the less, it included a trip to the bank, checking the mail, grocery shopping and then (just cause the kids were SO GREAT) dinner at A&W. All done with 4 kids 4 and under, one mom and no spankings!! Wow! I do amaze myself!

Just had to brag...and pat me on the back!

IT CAN BE DONE!

now to figure out how to get them to put the groceries away with out digging into the snacks! :)

True/False

2009-01-12T23:49:00.000-08:00

I love these true false blogs...I'm gonna try it!

1)I love pineapples. FALSE. Even the juice grosses me out! Ewww!!

2)I have three kids in diapers. FALSE!!! Well, except for the at night thing but yah, this week is the week where I have gone from 3 to 2!!! in diapers!!! Yay yay yay!!!

3)My kids sleep thru the night. TRUE. Unless they're sick..but that doesn't count.

4)I am married to a smoker. FALSE!!!! Way to go J. Awesome and so proud.

5)I am in love with my husband.TRUE. In so many ways.

6)I am addicited to food.TRUE. I mean come on, how can you not be, especially after christmas break. Cheesecake, candy canes, chocolate, chocolate oh and chocolate! :P

7)I am on facebook way to much. TRUE. I am nosey. what can I say!

8)I am not going to be on facebook too much. TRUE. FALSE. Should read...gonna try not to be on facebook too much.

9)My kids are well behaved little angels. TRUE....my kids would NEVER be anything but!

10)My goal is to become more orginized, especially with the kids' clothes. TRUE. Ok, it's a goal but where do I start to make it reality! ?

11)Being friends is easy. FALSE. It's kinda like a marriage, always learning, working, growing.

12)Being friends is worth the work. TRUE. How can we go thru life with no close friends? 'but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.' Prov. 18:24b

13)Being addicted to food is easy. FALSE. Well, the eating part is easy, but not the afterward...like the days, weeks, years......

14)I'm gonna change the way I think about food.TRUE. Not a comfort but an experiance!

15)My favorite movie is 'How to loose a guy in 10 days' TRUE!!!!! Anyone wanna play cheat...I mean bull.......:)

16)I like CSI Miami. FALSE. To quote fellow blogger "CSI Miami. (David Caruso....enough said)"

17)I like CSI (las Vegas) TRUE. And I haven't seen the latest ones...so don't give it away!!!!!

18)I love to sing.TRUE. Just ask my kids! It's a happy day in our house when mom is singing!!

19)I like visiting family.TRUE. Mostly! :)

20)I am blessed.TRUE. In so many ways. God has given me so much. So many blessings. Awesome!

Photo Tag...

2009-01-06T17:00:00.000-08:00

(Felicity out of bed, eating some of the 'Mommy and Daddy Snacks')

In response to a tag by Michelle, here is my photo and my tags....

Mrs. Bob
Lulu
Mom in the North
Marian(i'm still waiting to be 'allowed' to see your blog)
Andrew and Carrie

So now you're tagged...you have to post(pretty please!) the 5th picture in the 5th picture file on your comp. Oh, and then tag 5 more people...so TAG! You're IT!

Singing too!

2008-12-03T18:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I was told to update my blog...so I decided to start with(yes START...more, WAY more to blog about) the answers to my singing/song contest. Not all of you commented or emailed your mailing address to me, so those who didn't get a christmas card and a note...too bad so sad...maybe next year. Which reminds me. Happy New Year.

1)"When the dogs bite, when the bees sting..."---Sound Of Music

2)"Tale as old at time, song as old as rhyme...."---Beauty and the Beast

3)"I've got no strings to hold me down...."---Pinnochio

4)"You'll never have a friend like me!..."---Aladin

5)"Never say never whatever you do....."---American Tale

6)"If you like to talk to tomatoes, if a squash can make you smile..."Veggie Tales

7)"A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down...."---Mary Poppins

8)"Sing sweet nightingale...."---Cinderella

9)"The candy that whistles, the whistle you eat...."---Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

10)"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat, don't you think my collection's complete...."---Little Mermaid

11)"Here he comes with all his friends, they've got stories, got time to spend with you..."---Franklin

12)" Life's like a road that you travel on, when there's one day here and the next day gone..."---Cars

13)"Why would I wait for what a wish can create? why should I work so hard? I wish 'Cause wishing is great!..."---Care Bears and the Big Wish

14)"Here on my island the sea says hello, dolphins are waving where ever I go..."---Barbie as Island Princess

15)"Christmas, Christmas time is near, time for toys and time for cheer. We've been good, but we can't last. hurry, Christmas, hurry fast! ..."---Alvin and the Chipmunks

16)" Hallelujah, Hallelujah"---Hallelujah Chorus from Young Messiah

Thanks for playing.....

Good times

2008-12-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

This past week has been so BUSY!!

Terrace on Thursday to Friday....Wonderful company, good shopping and great food! I had a blast and it was great to get 'away' for a night! And the kids were WONDERFUL for Jason....they all slept in until 10am....I wonder how much he drugged them! Hee hee!

Before we left! (Lovely Pic..thanks Jakob!:P)

On the road

The yummy chips and salsa we had before dinner. If you are in Terrace you have to look up Don Diagos(not sure how that's spelled)

They have amazing food and great service. It's a little cozy resturant close to Best western hotel. GREAT!! Check it out and enjoy!

So after that great trip,(THANKS Rob and Truus) we had a birthday dinner at the Hudson for Elaine and Brenda....Good times!

Some of the Entrees and the Appetizers that were ordered

Brian buggin' Elaine....Typical!

Bread sticks and a great husband.....:)

Explanation needed???? Nope!

We had a great time even if the babysitters didn't! :P It's great to get out without having to worry about the kids needing to be fed, keeping them quiet etc.! FUN!

And it being Wednesday, I dreaded posting today....but after all this good eating and fun 3 lbs were gained back....so this week is gonna be hard core! But less eating out and sitting around will help! Thanks all for the encouragement!

PS! I still need all your mailing addresses! Y'all gonna get something then....but not if I don't know where to send it. The email address to send it to is in a previous post.......And the song list will be posted soon....hee hee, hard? not for my kids! LOL! Have a wonderful day!

Waahooo!!!!!!!

2008-11-26T11:57:00.000-08:00

Today is Wednesday....how's that for a brilliant thought!

I did my weigh in and ..........

5 more lbs are gone from me.... bringing the grand total to 23lbs!

And I know where they came from too! My feet, my hands, my face and my waist.
My Feet because my toe ring fell off and my shoes are getting looser,(so I put the ring back one and started wearing my sandles again!)
my face cause...well not sure why I can just see it...
my waist because my pants keep falling down (not trying to frighten anyone!)and I can zip them up out of the dryer without lying down!
And my HANDS!!!!!!!! I think that God has something special planned with this!

For the first time since before Chandler was born(except maybe a painful 1/2hr. here and there) I am wearing my wedding/engagment rings!! That alone has been worth it! I LOVE IT!!! I know that they are just symbols but to not wear them for that long( Chandler was 2 the begining of November, so 2 3/4 yrs) and then have them fit! Special and exciting! I love my husband and wearing these rings means that much more to me! God is good!

And tomorrow I leave him alone with all the kids, overnight too! What a nice way to show him how much me wearing these rings means! :P
I get a mini vacation, a night out of town with my Uncle and Aunt(oh Happy Birthday Aunt!) and a day of shopping! YEAH!!!!No kids, no worries....wait, yah, I will worry about them a little, soooo...no kids, little worries and a wonderful time of R&R and some shopping too! And because of how great I am doing...I will find a little reward for myself....Nevermind. Wearing these rings is reward enough!!!!But I am gonna do so me shopping! just cause! and other shopping and laughing and giggling , and sleeping and talking and some more laughing, and eating and wine ing, and oh well have lots of fun!

So on to another week, another day in the rest of my life! Yay me! Thank you God!

Happy Days!!!!!!!

2008-11-25T12:08:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday and today, the Lord has blessed two of my closest and favorite friends(sisters) another birthday. CONGRATS! It is a wonderful thing when a special person celebrates another birthday. May they both continue to be blessed by the Lord in this coming year. They do so much for others(and me!) that special mention of them is warrented. You both mean so much to me and our family. We have been blessed through you and love you both dearly. The Lord saw fit to bring us altogether and for that I am eternally grateful! May you both have wonderful days(both in expected and unexpected ways!) and may God's love continue to shine through you! I love you both!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday Lazyness

2008-11-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

Well, after a slow weekend, and a headache, Monday is a nice way to take it easy.........except that Tuesday follows with a whole wack of work....*sigh* the vicious circle!

I thought about why I have no recent pictures on here. Well, with J's camera the pictures are too big and I hate waiting for him to develope them so I can post them. I have ordered a new camera for myself but it won't be here till next week. Hopefully then I will solve the picturelessness of this blog!

Oh, and the singing contest! Couple more days and you'll have the anwsers...
Email me with your mailing address! I have some thing for you! :)
Who needs to email me? You! :P

jlonderwater@telus.net

cheers for today! And looking forward to choir! Woot woot! (or lalallalllallllaaa!!!!)

RE: Singing.....

2008-11-21T17:15:00.001-08:00

There will be a winner!

With a prize..........

So keep trying and NO CHEATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Singing......

2008-11-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

Lets see if you can guess which movies my kids are singing along too........
NO GOOGLE SEARCHES!!!!!!!!!

1)"When the dogs bite, when the bees sting..."

2)"Tale as old at time, song as old as rhyme...."

3)"I've got no strings to hold me down...."

4)"You'll never have a friend like me!..."

5)"Never say never whatever you do....."

6)"If you like to talk to tomatoes, if a squash can make you smile..."

7)"A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down...."

8)"Sing sweet nightingale...."

9)"The candy that whistles, the whistle you eat...."

10)"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat, don't you think my collection's complete...."

11)"Here he comes with all his friends, they've got stories, got time to spend with you..."

12)" Life's like a road that you travel on, when there's one day here and the next day gone..."

13)"Why would I wait for what a wish can create? why should I work so hard? I wish 'Cause wishing is great!..."

14)"Here on my island the sea says hello, dolphins are waving where ever I go..."

15)"Christmas, Christmas time is near, time for toys and time for cheer. We've been good, but we can't last. hurry, Christmas, hurry fast! ..."

16)" Hallelujah, Hallelujah"

OK, so NO CHEATING (GOOGLING) I'm looking for the movie or series of movies
(one is not a movie...just a song!)

and yes my kids watch TV...too much I know, but I like the songs too, and the quiet time!

Wednesday again!

2008-11-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Well, scale day is here!!! I can tell that I didn't do as well this time around :( So I guess I'll have to try a little harder with way less cheating. This one is hard because we are allowed so much! I guess I need a little more selfcontrol and a little less dipping into the kids snacks! :)

That being said, I still did pretty good. I didn't gain any of the weight back, and still managed to loose 3 lbs. I had stepped on the scale earlier in the week and had lost 5 lbs. So after all the cheating, snacking and sneaking, 3 lbs is ok...not great, but ok!

So on to another week. Gonna try really hard this week. More water, less snacks, more veggies and more will power.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13

And a whole lot more prayer!!!!!

Music

2008-11-17T13:33:00.000-08:00

I caved............Christmas sounds are now a feature of my home...childhood memories revisited, new ones being made.
What am I talking about??? I am listening to the Young Messiah, by the New London Choral and the Michael W. Smith christmas(his first one). A childhood staple of the Christmas season. It used to be on an old tape that Mom held hostage, being the only copy we had(and cannot find another in the North) but because of tecnological advances, my wonderful husband managed to make cds for all us kids! Wahoo! I love this music!
I caved because of the snow. Yah, sure blame it on the weather! But it does look so beautiful with all this white stuff on the ground, beautiful enough to play my Christmas music 1/2 a month early. Even decorating the house is getting tempting. Especially with a 4 year old who says" No, Mom, We'll go outside, you stay in and set up Christmas!" LOL! I think she likes the lights across the street!
Have a great snow day! I am, Play-doh(yucky smelly stuff), Oatmeal cookies and a tea party with my girls!

WOW!!!

2008-11-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

So, I restrained myself from checking the scale everyday. Today is the end of week one and start of week 2. And the results are in.....

I'll let you know in a minute!

We started with the Atkins Induction last week. It was an effort for sure; the early morning breakfasts, no carbs at all( 20g, mostly from veggies though.) But we did it. Until I noticed Peyton was not doing so well on this. I was starting to loose my milk supply on this diet. No fun! I am so NOT ready to give up nursing her. (although we did give her a bottle a few times to help her catch up, and leaving her home with J is a lot easier!) So we looked at the diet, said, this is not working for us right now, we need to change it. Back to square one.

A lovely lady gave me a wonderful book. Based on the Canada Food Guide. Basically it's about portion control and consitantly eating from all the food groups at everymeal. No, I don't need two sandwiches when one is loaded with tomatoes and lettuce. No I don't really need that second cup of milk with supper, water will be just fine! And yes, a little sweet now and then are fine, perfect timing for the halloween candy, ONLY ONE chocolate bar! Small and yummy, no need for more!

This book also comes with meal plans(I'm adjusting the ones I had planned already for this week!) It is a little more complicated to figure out but as we learn more about it it will get easier! And I am so motivated to keep going, especially after stepping on the scale this morning!!!

Oh yeah, back to the scale.....

I hope I can continue to do this well every week (not a realisitic goal I know!) So, I hope this one works just as well!

So the results are in!!!!!!!!!!

15lbs!!!!!!!!!

Yup! SO HAPPY!!!

Gonna keep this up!

PS

2008-11-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

oh, I found a use for my butter! Yup, it's unsalted so I've been using it to fry my omeletes in! Hee hee. who would've known!

Sleepy Saturday!

2008-11-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well, so far so good. Had a mini breakdown yesterday. I was overwhelmed with the work of the new diet. (Or as Jason labled it...Jason's gonna die-yet!) But after my supportive husband gave me a pep talk...(I think my sister-in-law tried but was interupted by her kids:P Still helped though) we've made it to day 4...no cheating during the day so far...the halloween candy is still here.

During the day? You ask? Well, last night was a fun murder mystery night at a friends house. Jason did SO well. I did not. But I did not do too bad, not bad enough to fall off the wagon completly. Yes I ate a little of what I should not have, no I don't feel that guilty because it only was a little! Yes, I do have self-control!!! (my kids tell me that's a fruit of the Spirirt!)

So yay me yay us! We're doing it! (thanks to a wonderful new to me frying pan! My first brand name nonstick! I can make a mean omelete!)

So some funny stories:

Felicity, what would you like for breakfast..?....
'um, some fruit of the Spirit please Mom!'

Dressed up as a bag lady last night for our murder mystery (FUN!!) I was called crazy.
My niece overheard that and piped up
'Well, THAT'S why she's Crazy Auntie Laura!'

I love kids! So cute!

On to another weekend. Early night for us tonight I think. It's been a long half week, especially getting up everymorning to make a yummy breaky for my hubby. Yes I love him, but I miss my bed :( Maybe he'll treat me to a nap one of the next 3 days while he's off of work. Yay for holidays that make long weekends!

Remember remembrance day. One of my favorite Stat holidays. I hope to take the kids to the ceremony on Tuesday. I remember that growing up. I want my kids to have the same respect of this day that I was taught.

Thank you for your wonderful comments last post. I do reread them to be reminded of the support we have doing this! So thank you and don't stop!

Have a great weekend!

A new life...kinda.....

2008-11-05T15:46:00.000-08:00

Well, today is day one of our 'changing the way we eat=changing the way we look!'
(Diet sounds worse!)
I actually got up with Jason to make us breakfast. WOW. Early morning!
So far so good. I didn't even cheat. Although stepping on the scale this morning vs. this afternoon did not reveal any amazing changes.......non actually! But it is only day one, and I only should be stepping on the scale once a week so no changes in one day is good....It didn't go up!! :P
115lbs to go....a lot???!!!!

YUPPERS!!!

Can I do it???!!!!!

YUPPERS!!!
*that's me being enthusiastic still*

seems like a long way to go but if I think I can I know I can...got it?

Been praying a lot today. God will give me the strength each day to pull through. Even to stay away for my favorite foods. I know I can do this with His help. I will be a better person because of this.( not 'cause I'm not a better person right now......) But because I'll be able to do so much MORE!! Like run after the kids, live heathier, breath easier, feel better. And all this because I AM a child of God and HE is to be praised through me. If I can't praise Him for me, then I have to change the way I think about me. If I change the way I think about me, I change the way I deal with me. If I change the way I deal with me, I change the way I live and that leads to changing me all over. Thoughts, Looks, inside and out.

So now I am able to Praise Him for me...

I am beautiful!!!

My eating habits are not!

Thus the change!

Encouragement and comments are appreciated!

who knew....

2008-11-02T01:03:00.000-07:00

While making a cake for my son's 2nd birthday...(I made 3 all together! Spoiled boy!) I whipped cream in the hopes of making whipping cream...*sigh* anyone want butter? :P

I have a two year old again! Oh what fun! We shall see what this terrible twos shall bring...but I really do love this age. They learn so much, so fast and it is a blessing to see that happen.

Time change tonight........sleeping in! :)

Happy Lord's Day all!.....

What was your Lord's Day like? Really a day of rest? How much did you keep your ears open to recieve? Please share your thoughts of your sermons and what you'll be chewing on for this week......and keep me motivated to do my devotions!
Cheers all and have a good week!

Thank you

2008-09-18T22:44:00.001-07:00

What would we do with out close friends or family in our lives. We all (I hope) have at least one person to whom we can turn to no matter what. What a blessing it is to have these people in our lives to encourage and build each other up. Too often we forget to say thank you or I appreciate you. So if you are one of these friends THANK YOU....you know who you are!! :P

Change

2008-09-14T00:16:00.000-07:00

Change is so hard. The adjusting. The learning. The fighting the change.
*sigh*
I do like change, really I do. Most of the time. But it is just so hard to let it happen!

Tomorrow (today rather!) is Lord's Supper. The self-examination is always so hard, so depressing. Once again I know I have come up short, failed my Lord, failed my husband, failed my kids, failed my friends. Once again I see with true clarity how far I have stumbled,

slipped,

and fallen.

I see again that I need the body and the blood of Jesus. I want it. O how much hope it gives me. The Holy Spirit convicts me and through Jesus I can start anew. What a blessing we have.

Times like these make me wonder about the life to come. No more tears, no more hurt. Praising God all day everyday, not just when I "remember" to praise Him. I look forward to that!!

So have a blessed Sunday. May you be fed and uplifted. Solid in the knowledge that His body and blood is sufficient for all! May your faith be strengthened by His Spirit. And may your life reflect His love.

August autumn

2008-08-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

Fall usually happens in September. Not so this year. As we head out for the final camping trip of the year, the rain is falling, the leaves are turning colors and the earwigs are out! Yuck.

My kitchen seems to be getting smaller even though it is actually getting bigger! A new pantry is in the process of being finished! Yay! Thank you Dad O. Now with a dishwasher and a HUGE pantry I have nothing to complain about in my kitchen! Hopefully we will start on the spare room/office later this fall and then my dining room area will expand considerably! THEN maybe someone will buy it! :P

It doesn't sound like there will be preschool happening for Felicity this year. Not sure what I will do instead. I may just have to suck it up, pay my library fines, and take her there....although paying for a daycare/preschool idea thingy may be cheaper! ;)

So off we go for another camping trip. Tyee this time. I know there's still no pics up from last time but you'll have to bug Jason for them. He's the picture guy! Enjoy the rainy long weekend. Hope it's not too cold! ;)

Misc.

2008-08-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

So, camping was a blast. Interesting to go with the (almost) whole In-Law family. Love them to bits and had a great time. We could not ask for better weather and the campground (tenting area in an rv resort) was perfect for all the kids (10 under the age of 6 1/2, 1 13yr old.) I'm waiting for Jason to finish editing the pics so I'll post later.

Dad and Jakob will be home tomorrow. So excited to see them again! Yay! Their adventure was so neat to follow on their blog and now, slowly, pictures are appearing on Facebook. I am really looking forward to hearing all the other stories they didn't write about.

I finally caved and let my daughter sleep on her tummy. Funny, as a mother of 4 you would think that I would come to terms with the fact that some babies are belly sleepers. Chandler was. But I still have that little twinge of uncertainty when I realize that my baby is going to sleep better but be at a higher risk of SIDS. Still, God will take care of her, she is a strong healthy baby and mom and baby always do better with more sleep! So for the last 2 nights a belly sleeper she has been, and it's been a good sleep! Now to bite the bullet and put her in Chandler's room.... and put my nights of good sleep at risk :P

We're off to Irrigation lake today for the afternoon. A beautiful day to spend on the beach. So glad I have a bathing suit that hides all(or I think does) the baby fat, and is easy to nurse in! If only it were always that easy to feel good in clothes in public. I console myself that my husband and kids love me this way anyway so I'll suck it up(and in :P) and have some fun! See you at the beach!

PS. We're host family tomorrow, so if you're in town, come for church and some lunch!

Update

2008-08-01T23:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have been getting harrassed by my faithful readers (yes Jason and Rose that's YOU!) :P So here is the update you've been waiting for!
Peyton Breanne Onderwater made her entrance into this world at 8:25am Thursday July 3. After being in the hospital since the Saturday before, on bed rest due to high blood pressure, her arrival was nothing short of a blessing. I mean it is so BORING sitting in a hospital bed with no baby to take care of or for visitors to ooohh and awe over! She was schedualed to be born on the 8th of July but the doctors bumped up the day. Thanking God for watching over us and letting every thing turn out for the best.
Peyton is a very good little girl. She eat, sleeps, and man does she poop! She even puts up with the loving brother and sisters quite well, with little complaint. Peyton has changed our family, making us realize that we are very blessed to have these beautiful children even though we are not quite sure how to handle all of them at the same time! (Especially during trips to town!)
Next week is camping week! Jason managed to get more time off ( another week) and this time instead of spending it in the hospital we will spend it with the Onderwater clan(most of them) at Sandy's Marina on Francois Lake. I am so excited!!!! Here's hoping for good weather! YAY! The kids are quite happy to go too! They are behaving with the threat that if they don't we won't go camping!(Little do they know we have absolutly no intention of following thru with this particular threat!Great parenting!) As of now, the tent trailer is packed and ready to be hauled to the lake. Only a few things need to be pack yet and they with be put in the van. I am amazed at how organize I am (or have to be) this year! Hopefully this organization thing continues long after the camping season!
So now it is off to bed. Camping shopping tomorrow and hopefully a soccer game or two in Smithers for the Can Ref soccer tourney. And Auntie Evelyn and Uncle Marvin will be here, oh and Ashley too! Yay yay and double yay! Lets go CAMPING( told you I was excited!)
So if I don't update for awhile, just think of me relaxing on a grassy beach letting Jason chase after Chandler while I enjoy a cold one! At least that's what I'm looking forward too! :P Enjoy this week and pics will be up later ...maybe if I get around to it after all the camping laundry...(not even gonna think about that all week!) Happy BC day and enjoy my week off!

Almost there!!!!

2008-06-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Last night was a baby shower for our minister's wife, Kristin and her son George. What a beautiful little boy. Holding him was a shocker for me as well. He was sooooo small...and he's four weeks already!! It really hit home that our little one is not so far away!(Especially when he/she kicked George as I was holding him....I can only assume that this little one does not want to be forgotten already!) The girls room is nearly completed painting, and the baby laundry is almost done. It seems like everything is falling into place, which is nice as I was getting a little worried about that. The OR is booked as of this morning, instructions are written down and I am still a little nervous about the whole ordeal! But, I do remind myself that it is all in God's hands and no amount of worrying is going to change anything.....still the date looms ahead, and it just keeps getting closer..........

Playing....

2008-06-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

We kind of have names picked out for the baby....Felicity does know them but has strict instructions not to tell and if anyone asks her...and they have....to tell them the name is Penelope! She thinks it's a great game!

So we spent the afternoon outside. Beautiful sunny day around/in the kiddie pool. Chandler joined us after his nap, and dove right in without hesitation.Oh the fun we shall have at the lake this year with my water rats! The kids love being outside especially in the pool. Never mind that it doesn't fill up more than 4 inches, and the top ring deflates as soon as its inflated! They just love the change in playing and so does Mom...Happy kids = Happy Mom= Happy kids!! :)

May

2008-05-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

I finally updated my photo frame last night. All pictures of the kids in front of the May tree. Beautiful really. I can't believe that May is pretty much over; so much done, yet so much to do! Our first camping trip of the year was a sucess...if you count camping in Dad and Mom's backyard! Slowly the laundry is getting done...now only if I could get a routine where it magically folds and puts itself away! The sunny weather means more time outside with the kids. And better moods ( I think!) Although being tired is always there, the need to get stuff done kinda trumps that! Naps still happen though! Yay for kids that let mom nap! Hopefully tomorrow it is nice. Felicity needs her garage-saleing fix and we have the Church picnic...all fun!

Spring

2008-05-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

So this week has been absolutely beautiful. The wind is still a little chilly, but we have been spending some time outside! A new bucket of chalk( a good find at the garage sale!) was a big hit with the kids even though Chandler thought they were meant to be thrown and broken! Other then the dread of cleaning up the dog poop in the yard,(we don't have a dog!!!) I love this time of year...now if only we could get that fence done so that the girls could play outside by themselves!!...they are always asking to go outside but it is not always possible. No wonder they like playing at Eric+Brenda's house...a fully fenced yard, they can go out whenever they like. and cause Mom loves the company:) We've also been spending time outside at Opa and Gramma's house (Kort) Felicity was the only one that enjoyed the tractor ride. Evangelene would only go near it if it was turned off and Chandler just screamed anytime it got closer than 20ft to him! He also did not like the bike ride in the seat on Grammma's new bike...a little history there; Opa and Oma Kort bought the seat for Mom and Dad when they were expecting me...and now Gramma(mom) uses it for the grandkids...so neat!
So enjoy this weather...I know I am!

Renos

2008-04-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever tried to do-it-your-self can relate. We started renovating the basement bedroom....oh years ago actually! But now, with #4's arrival fast approaching the bedroom is nearing completion! Yay for family willing to help! A big thank you to Dad O. and Eric for putting in the flooring...almost the last thing needed to be done...on to trim, and touch up paint, hanging curtains and closet stuff. And then on to the girls room. Hopefully #4 will be as happy as Mom is with all the changes! :P Ahh, the light at the end of the tunnel. Here's looking forward to more room...ps. anyone want to buy a house? :P

Mothering

2008-04-20T23:10:00.000-07:00

So I got spoiled this weekend. My husband had Saturday off and there was a women's retreat. What timing! I left with my mom before supper Friday night and did not get home until Saturday, after the kids were in bed(J picked me up in Smithers...we had a b-sitter!) Only one night away from the kids but still a wonderful time with women from our churches! What a weekend!

The topic for the retreat was Spiritual Mothering. Not something that I really thought about before. Kristen Kottlenburg(sp?) was the invited speaker. Friday night was settling in and bible study and pampering (my hands were so soft!) and games! After a good laugh at our text...addicted to too much wine...:P we had a very good group bible study.

Our text was Titus 2:1,3-5..... You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

In our first bible study we briefly discussed who Titus was, what was sound doctrine and if it had changed since this letter was written. We also slightly touched on each part of the command in the text.

Saturday was more indepth with the text. Kristen gave an execellent speech on the whole aspect of Spiritual Mothering. A lot to think about.
The definition as she found in Susan Hunt's book (Spiritual Mothering) helped focus the text on what it really meant for us as women of God."..is when a woman possessing faith and spiritual maturity enters into a nurturing relationship with a younger woman in order to encourage and equip her to live for God's glory."
The whole point...for God's glory. Everything we do.

Kristen pointed out that the older and younger did not really have to do with age, but more with life experience. We are called to accept, love, and care like God, with grace those who are also called into the covenant. And to train others and to be trained in godliness. Our own life does not need to be perfect in order to mother another, only your sight set true on the end goal...for God's glory. Training others also means that we are willing to share and grow ourselves. Seeking a lasting relationship with another women either to mother or to be mothered was what we were challenged with. The key to this command working was the point of having a relationship with another women for this purpose. We were encouraged to be available for others and open ourselves up to begin these types of relationships.

We were also instructed in a few of the points of these relationships. We have to remember not to be judgemental but encouraging and approving. We also have to be accepting of errors with love and patience, and to move past mistakes and challenges to live for God. We have to accept rebukes but also give rebukes in love. We aslo have to be approachable, being open and willing to listen. We have to challenge and be challenged in living obedient lives in accord to God's word. We need to guide and admonish and be filled with the truth of God's word to equip and advise others. Personal and public bible studies are to be completed in order to be filled with this truth. We also should be able to offer to pray together and do devotions togethers as well as remebering others in our personal prayer.We also have to be able to have fun together!

So after this speech we had another group bible study where we talked about how to put this into action. Needless to say we came home with a new perspective on how to live in and with eachother in our church.

I have thought a lot about this topic since coming home so this may not be the last blog on it!:P Where to start, how to continue....all running thru my brain. All in all the weekend was worth going to. The fellowship with other sisters in Christ a real blessing and being taught to nuture and be nutured is definatly food for thought right now!

It is great to be home and hopefully putting these thoughts in order will be the first step in putting them into practice.

Signs

2008-04-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

And after telling me that I whine, this is not a whine! I 'stole' these pictures from Jason...I thought if he won't put them up one his blog, I will on mine! These are two of the few signs that Mom has hanging up at the entrance to her house. Only Trish!
The gun is fake(just in case you were wondering!)

So yah, my Mom has a sense of humour...but who didn't know that!

Sick kids

2008-04-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

Wow! And I thought that we had been passed over! Our kids got sick last night on the way home from Smithers. Not what I thought I would be blogging about today! I had so much other stuff to write about...like the ultrasound and all but now sick kids and cleaning up after sick kids is all that I can think about. I mean have you ever had to clean a carseat? Not my idea of a fun job. Especially the built in one! Oh the joys of motherhood. And I was thinking of tackling the potty training again with Evangelene! Maybe that will have to wait until after the baby is here! Fun fun!

Speaking of the baby; we got to see him(I'm guessing it's a him....only guessing!) yesterday! What a miracle! We saw him move his hand toward his mouth as if he wanted to suck his thumb and he also showed us his foot...we could count all 5 toes on that foot! It was amazing to have an ultrasound this late. There was so much more detail. What a blessing we have recieved from the Lord!

So back to sick kids. 2 are asleep...1 is watching a movie. No quiet time or nap for me today :( Going out to clean the carseats! I am so glad I have a washing machine. I could not imagine not being able to do this at home and taking it to the laundry mat. No fun! So hopefully the kids feel better this afternoon as we have a babysitter booked and are looking forward to an evening of fellowship, dessert and games with other adults from the church.! Off cleaning! (Oh the joys!)

Kids

2008-04-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Listening to the kids nicely playing is one of the things I love about being a mother! It is a joy to see them getting along and playing so well.

Listening to them whine and cry is another story. How can you tell that they need more sleep or that they need a nap! Even when it is one out of three crying it still makes for a stressful day. It is tempting to just say ' let me deal with customers all day...they're easier than kids!' Yet those spontaneous hugs, smiles and I love yous make up for it!

On a different note, after listening to Steve Green-Hide it in Your Heart- all morning, my computer is now playing Young Messiah Christmas music...I love it...although it almost makes me want the Christmas season again...I said almost...I like this no snow spring bit of the year better! I guess listening to Christmas music in the spring is the best of both worlds! A thought!

First time...

2008-04-08T13:05:00.001-07:00

Ok, so after reading a number of other blogs, I thought I should start my own....not sure how that's going to go yet.

Interestingly, Felicity is standing here beside me, asking what I am doing and if she can do it too. Not only do I think she will eventually have a blog herself, ( 3yrs is a little young!) she will most likely be doing things with a computer/phone/camera that we haven't even dreamed of yet! What a thought!

So the other kids are quiet now(hopefully sleeping) so our quiet time is begining. Maybe a nap, maybe another rendition of Little Mermaid..we'll see who wins!