Why I love snow these days.

Every day, when there is a burst of silence around here, it is usually for one of a couple reasons.

a.) someone is sleeping, b.) tv is on, c.)or the kids are making a "nest".

What is a nest? My kids think it is hilarious to take every pillow, blanket, stuffed animal and sheet, gathered together to make a huge pile where they jump, hide, and laugh.

I usually like this concept until I have to put it all away!

Now that the snow is here, there has been far fewer nests, because snow is far more fun to jump, hide in, laugh in.

Hooray snow! Other than the puddles you leave in my house, the cold spots you leave on exposed skin, and burying my car,I welcome you....until February.

Another reason I am enamoured by snow, is from a a story I heard the other day. A friend's daughter had been learning bible verses at a group she attends, and when the first snow came down, she burst out,

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18.

Advent fail.

So it turns out this year is just like the rest. December hits and by the time I am through with the first two parties, I am worn out. That's right, it takes a lot of energy to party with a family of five.

Did I mention that is usually by December 5th?

So here we are in mid December, and I have yet to do one advent activity. On the bright side, at least the actual calendar is made. In all its tacky Christmas glory, it is done. I wanted to do it all "etsy", but it turns out I am too cheap to buy the cool fabric. I can't even say the name Amy Butler without a tear. ;)

The Jesse tree.

The first thing "TO DO" in our advent calendar is to make a JESSE TREE, a symbolic tree honouring the geneology of Jesus. It works much like an Advent calendar, everyday a story of verse is read about someone in Jesus' lineage and then you hang up a new piece on the tree, wall ,or wherever.

I really like this idea because it is not just for the kids but can benefit all in our family! I still learn so much from the "same old stories" when I really listen and stop assuming that I am familiar with it. The great thing about children is that they ask great questions that make us think about things from a different perspective.

Oh, to be a child again, but second best is to be with one.

Two sites for the devotions that go with each day.

https://www.rca.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=1628

http://www.jesse-tree.com/jesse_tree.html

Countdown to Jesus' birth.

I have a super inspirational friend who continues to keep me hopeful that Jesus can be part of any home. It takes some forethought , but it can be done, whether in teachable moments or in traditions that we establish as parents.

One idea is an advent calendar....(I know..not that new.) I was thinking to go beyond the chocolate.

My friend made one out of felt, and has a special activity for every day. Some are just fun and some are centered on Jesus, to help kids understand that Jesus is first this season, and all the other stuff is just fun. I will post a more detailed one with our own ideas.

Here are some ideas from a blog site:

http://jordanferney.blogspot.com/2009/11/advent-calendar.html

It doesn't have to be something big every night--it could just be making hot cocoa. But just doing something everyday get us excited for the holidays.

Go Ice Skating
Watch It's a Wonderful Life, make spiced cider.
Exchange gifts
Make Christmas Cookies for friends.
Find Mistletoe, hang it in our house and kiss under it.
Address and Mail Christmas Cards
Go to Borders and Pick out one new Christmas CD.
Go to The Nutcracker
Listen to Handel's Messiah
Leave out wooden shoes on December 5 (This could pay homage to our Dutch heritage)
Drive around the city for a Nativity hunt.
Make Thick Hot Chocolate and Homemade Marshmallows
Host a Christmas Sweater Party
Put up a ribbon sash for Christmas cards
Donate canned goods
Give neighbors a present
Put up a wreath
Make a Gingerbread house
Make a popcorn garland
Make hot chocolate and read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Sing (or listen) to favorite Christmas songs
Drive around to see neighborhood lights
Go out and see public light display
Read Christmas story from the Bible and the Book of Mormon
Open a gift (new stocking or pajamas or pillowcase)
Make a family traditional dessert
Eat out at a festive restaurant
Go to a seasonal movie
Tell stories of childhood Christmas around the fire
Have a romantic candlelit dinner by the Christmas tree
Make decorative sugar cookies
Sign up to purchase gifts for a needy child
Host a Christmas dessert party
Write out a Christ-centered goal to start early for the New Year
Have a movie party (classic Christmas clips)
Go to a Christmas Concert
Attend City tree lighting event
Have a full traditional breakfast while listening to Christmas music

Here are some great ideas for the calendar:

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/advent-calendar-roundup-132023

Around the corner.

Christmas. Yes, it really is just around the corner. This is usually where i make all kinds of lists, start thinking about all he presents I have to buy, start digging up the decorations...

This year, we already have our tree up...sick early... I know...I felt a bit bullied by our 5 year old, but now I am happy it is up, despite the horrified looks i get from Dec 1 traditionalists.

Over the last two years, I have been trying to figure out how to bring Jesus into this season and edge out Santa a bit. How do you work both, or just one into a home.

Option 1: Just do Jesus, never say the S word, keep them from school, malls, no traditional stuff since it all "distracts" for Jesus. I thought that Santa would never even be mentioned in our home...good luck, even my own mother ix-nayed that on day two of Matty's life. I always think that if we ignore culture there will be push-back later. My mom grew up not celebrating Christmas because it was based on "heathen traditions" and when she had her own house it was rebelliously FULL of decorations .

Option 2: Just do Santa....i don't think so. Other than the threat, "Santa is making a list...", it is not that appealing to me.

Option 2: Work with both: Can the two live in harmony? Can kids distinguish them both? I always worry that they will think that Jesus drives a sleigh with twelve little disciples, delivering candy and toys, maybe they could make a delivery to baby Santa who was born in a manger...I dunno, weird, but in the back of my head that's what will happen.

We have friends who do a St Nicholas celebration earlier in December and then put everything away and start doing Jesus stuff. I have a friend who said that would never work unless it was opposite. But I want Jesus to be associated with he "good stuff" not Santa. I guess it is the same tension with Easter Bunny and Jesus' resurrection. It really feels like a competition, and I need to soup up the Nativity team...

So these next few weeks, I am going to hunt for some cool ways to celebrate Jesus' birth. Hopefully my kids will understand the gift that He is, no matter what happens in our home.

In closing , at least I know Jesus will show himself to those who seek, so pressure is off.

chat.

Just got off chat with an old friend, a girl who grew up under the teachings of Christ, knows all the right answers, lived a righteous life . After years of misery, she has 'had it" with living the good Christian life, obeying, abstaining, etc for the sake of God.

She has had a hard life. Abused as a child in a Christian home, suffering from health problems due to it, unemployed, lost her fiance because of health problems, frustrated with not having a child of her own yet, a dream which she has had for her whole life.

She said

......i can't bank on heavenly rewards if that's what you mean. I'm not sure God even loves me IF he's even there

likely he'll send me to hell cause after all the crap he put me through I wasn't able to believe or trust him anymore

....or maybe God's a sadistic prick who hated me since I was born... or a figment of devout imaginations we've held since childhood... to be honest I sometimes think it would be easier to accept that there's no good deity in control than it is to believe there's a god in control who enjoys lavishing pain on select people and blessing select others with favourtism and good things

It broke my heart to see all hope lost. I have no specific answers to much of the stuff she has gone through, and i know that. I have no similar situations to compare to hers, my life is a garden in comparison,.

I told her that God loves her, cares for her, has hope for her. But, I can't make her believe, trust,or hope again.

God, come and find your child, hold her, love her, open her eyes to see you again. I am am leaving her in your hands, I am at a loss for words.

Once a month Cooking

Here is a dream....I REALLY want to have a deep freeze. I think I will even put it on my Christmas wish list...along with 1700 other things. The reason...so I can just excuse myself downstairs to get already prepared whatever and bring it up..stress free.

Since watching Food Inc, I have been more conscious about what I eat, but it is hard when living on a budget, living with 3 small kids, and having barely anytime to plan anything but 'what can I use in my cupboard' meals. This would be a great way to buy local meat, local grown produce in an economical way, and not have everything freezer burnt by the time you are ready to use it!

I have been talking to a few of my friends about this Once a month cooking idea or as they say on the web OAMC recipes. It is not filling my freezer, but will definitely be great back-ups for those days when I don't have time to shop, prepare,or be creative.

I have wanted to do this for so long, but this has stayed on my TO DO list.

So this month, I will organize a group that will get together (mostly moms? I dunno) to exchange meals. I figure it goes like this, one night of insane cooking in exchange for a few nights of peace.

The idea is that everyone cooks ONE meal that can be frozen, with minimal things to add so that one can take it out of the freezer in the morning and be ready by dinner.

The rules are it can be over rice or noodles, but needs to be family friendly, but not to basic.

It has to be stored in a ziplock or tupperware, have recipe and instructions attached.

Everyone has to bring 2 other recipes, just to inspire the rest of us, because when stress happens, inspiration is hard to come by!

Let's see how it goes!

Loni

Heat.

What a week....one of those weeks where nothing got done as gar as housework, but a lot of running around, errands, busy-ness, and if I may, stress.

The whole week started out with a possibility of my dad coming to fix our radiators, which were moved last spring during a floor renovation. So last spring we had no heat, and with every chilly morning when I saw our breath while sitting in the living room, I would say,

'It WILL get warmer. Summer is almost here.'

Now that a sweltering summer has passed, one that made us forget about those 10 foot snow banks and wet-hair-freezing days are over, it started to get chilly again.

A little panic over came us, we needed our heat back.

I am especially fond of heat. I often say that I am living in the wrong country, as I love the look of snow but hate being cold...I mean REALLY hate it.

So when it started to get cold, I called my dad everyday, hoping he could get on a bus to remedy the situation. This is a big feat since my dad does not answer the phone, and does not drive.

He finally came, with my bro, with all their tools, fixing pipes, me, running around Montreal finding rare pieces to plug and finish the sequences of plumbing...

and finally...HEAT!!!

It is great to have heat, but after this week of stress and running, I realized that this male-side of my 'almost never seen' family are not good communicators and their love language is service. My dad was saying that 'he is not one to sit and chat' which is true, but I realized that if it were not for this old house, it would probably be another half year before I heard from my dad or brother.

As I waved goodbye, and packed up their last tools, it was bittersweet. Yes, it was a finished repair, but may be a while until I see them again even though there were promises of coming back to finish one last thing....

so.......maybe I will have to start another 'reno' at Christmas so that Granpa & Uncle J can come back to Montreal. :)

http://www.mygazines.com/issue/17113/7

http://www.mygazines.com/issue/17113/7

Found a really cute wreath via another blog....Looks super easy, and would look great in my house!

Furious.

It was Sporty's first day of school. I have been thinking about it sinec he was born, since he is from and Anglophone home, his french is definitely lacking. Not an easy start when you are in a french only public school. I am not like other families who have disciplined themselves to only speak french and the other english. I am filled with regret as he looked a bit stunned the entire time, not having a clue what was going on, immersed in french with peers and adults he cannot communicate with.

Since now, I have had the idealistic idea that by Christmas he will be fluent or at least at ease in french, but it a lot harder than I thought. Tomorrow is the first day without me and I just want to hold his hand the whole time.

His teacher came to greet him after explaining the schedules, rules to parents. I was furious that the teacher just wrote him off as 'shy' and continued to speak as if he were not there. I was so sad when he almost cried after she spoke to him, and he asked many times if he could leave.

I am passionate about 'changing the world', about being where real people are, being open to new people and helping where I can, but I admit that today I feel overwhelmed and not up for battle at all.

I am struggling with being a 'bad parent' for not seeking out 'the best school', or even a private school instead of the local public school. Change seems impossible when I am frustrated.

Another parent, confided in me that she is not sure that she made the right decision, that she is not impressed with the school, the teacher, or the welcome.

Great, I thought. My one friend who thinks like I do, thinks like I do.

Day one, I am furious. My heart wants to yell at this teacher for such a poor try. But deep down, I still know that God can change anything with prayer, with action, with faith.

Watch out school, you are being prayed for. Sporty, you can do it, you can learn and be a great man of God as you grow and mature. Heart, lets start the roller coaster of watching your first born start the education system. Jesus, you are in control, take the reins, cause I will be homeschooling in a cave in two seconds if you don't.

What can I make with stuff in my fridge.

Tried a new recipe that I loved. I had one of those moments where I hadn't planned dinner and scoured the bottom of the freezer for some inspiration.

Google rescued me with this idea, which I modified to suit the ingredients. Sporty would not touch it, but Blue Eyes inhaled it. Go figure, they are complete opposites in taste and personality. I recommend making 'too much' sauce, but definitely a keeper.

I love breaking down a recipe to how much it would cost. The trouble is I buy almost everything I eat on sale and then freeze it or store it. It would get pricey if you had to buy everything, but when it is already in the house, it seems like a steal.

Garlic and White Wine Pasta Toss

Enough pasta for 4 1/4 cup butter about 1/2 cup white wine 3 cloves garlic, minced One Chopped red pepper Spinach, I used frozen, thawed, drained. 1/2 bunch chopped fresh parsley salt and pepper to taste 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined +couple big spoonfuls grated Parmesan cheese Instructions. Get your pasta going...You want to take a big handful, to feed about 4. Get teh chopped garlic and butter, heating up in the pan. Add peppers and shrimp, and then after they have cooked, add spinach. Add the drained pasta oce ready and add to the pan with the parmesan. Serve.

$1-2 dollars for a bag 3 - 4$ per 2 cups $8 dollars for a cheap bottle $o.50 guess for a head $ 2 per pepper? frozen spinach bag is about 3$ fresh parsley is abou1.50 per bunch 7$ Shrimp, no idea..this was a special and frozen. 5$ for a jar.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Made a new pizza last night. I had a craving for pizza and I almost always have Hawaiian. Hey, I know what I like. Unfortunately, Andy made the face that said, 'Really? Again with the same old pizza?' We found this recipe, and we had almost everything in the house!

I thought this was comparable to some restaurant pizzas I have had.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Crusts: 1 1/2 cups white flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 tsp salt, and 2 TBsps Olive oil.

2 1/2 tsps yeast dissolved in 1 cup warm water and a spoon of sugar.

mix it all together and let it sit for 30 minutes, punch it down, then shape it into 2 thin crusts.

2- 3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (cooked and cubed) 1 bottle hot sauce (we used Frank's Buffalo Chicken sauce) 1 bottle blue cheese dressing or ranch (we used triple cheese ranch from Kraft) 1 (8 ounce) bag shredded mozzarella cheese (use a good one... it does make a difference.)

Cook your pizza crust so it is firm, @425 degrees.

Cook your chicken cubes in the sauce,

spread with the dressing, add toppings of choice and cheese.

Bake for 10-20 minutes, until cheese is bubbling.

Great for a Super bowl gathering or just a night when you want a chance!

even more...yes, it was a good day!

Seriously, not a normal day to get so much 'created'.

This is for a friend that lent me 6 boxes of clothes for my daughter.

I will use this one for the next move away.

Cards are not customary for trips, but maybe a mission trip?

And, of course, you can never have enough of these..

More cards...

Here are some more cards that happened today...

Matt cut this one out and was excited to craft. He practiced a lot to get the legs and eyes just right.

I made this one from Dahlia's request..I think it needs more black or some sequins...

Of course, after making some of these cards, I realized that i forgot about the envelope.

Making this style worked great since it is customized to the size of the card.

Tuck all the ends, like you would a cardboard box and voila! Done!

Handmade Cards...practical and fun.

I have a wedding to go to this weekend and needed a card. I had bought a pad of scrapbooking cardboard and found that as i got going, more ideas came together than I thought. Thanks to a pillow that I made recently, I was more confident to mix patterns and colours. And thanks to my DH, i was able to indulge in straight hour of creativity.

attempt 1: Love birds

attempt 2: Another set of love birds for the wedding

Putting it together, thanks to double sided paper, the matching belly was easy.

Add a little black pen for details.

Doesn't look like much, but is part of the process!

Thoughts after another week without Andy.

I am sitting at Andy's parents house, thinking about this week.

This week was crazy,

lots of people time, josée at the pool

not enough fun sewing time,

started making an owl pillow

could Not see floor,counter, sink, only mess

got to do fun shopping (Bummis, Walmart, Fabricland, Boomerang)

Liv crawls now, likes to eat paper

won't let me put her down = screaming

ate rice for most meals,

didn't get any parking tickets,

yelled a lot, I was an angry mom!

passed on some used clothes,

missed hubby,

never painted toenails,

cleaned and cleaned the house,

laughed with friends,

prayed for a premie and my brother,

made paper shades to avert burglars,

felt like an outsider,

gave a birthday present

missed a birthday party

texted A like crazy by holding the phone up for reception in the window..

did a small rescue,

half listened to a sermon,

packed and loaded for more camping,

and kissed the kids at every chance I could.

Last post..almost a month ago.

Wow, time flies these days and it is not slowing down anytime soon. :)

Lately , I have been in survival mode with the kids which is not a place I would like to stay. Ideally, I love to be outside, visiting with other moms or great friends or hubby, or creating something (I have a million little-big projects I would love to conquer!)

My friend had a great post on not wanting to be pregnant and she did not want to go back to 'Baby Prison' and I kinda feel like i am in it lately. Locked to this 3rd child, who always wants to be held, always needs to be nursed or fed, sleeping in a heavy carseat, stroller or crib.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love babies, and I think I am ok with them. I love their baby ways, chubbiness, their coos, their 'firsts', their unconditional love. If I found out I was prego right now, I would cry. I think that is because I am feeling the weight of motherhood, which is lovely but hard. I still remember not being able to sleep because of a huge baby belly and sleep has never really returned as all mothers know. It is a sweet luxury to just be by myself and have everything done. It is a constant mental fight when we are asked to go somewhere because I have a constant mental packing list and moving plan t how to get kids where and what to do with them in process. Yes, it really is all consuming, but at the same time wonderful.

The beauty of this time, is that I am so completely sure of my need of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I am literally desperate for them on a daily basis.

As my devotions shorten, because I can hardly keep my eyes open or there are just too many interruptions, I feel like I know Him better.

Moments spent laying down with kids who are scared of the dark, I can pray for our needs and those of others.

During the rush of getting out the door, I can feel Him saying 'Be Still and know that I am God.' When I read and sing to the kids, this is all part of God using me to redeem another life and teach of His goodness.

God, thanks for knowing me and meeting me where I am at.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Last night I got to hang out with some moms. We snook away while most of our husbands were busy studying for finals, writing exams, or just recooperating from a busy week.

It ended up just being a small group of three, which I actually preferred to the larger group the previous week. We ended up going to Krispy Kream and chatting about babies, kids, being on staff, health care (Canada vs. US), and inspiring your kids to love God.

I just LOVE talking with moms who have kids who are a little older than my own since they have had experience, usually have great ideas, great resources, great passion.

It is inspiring me to have a better walk with God, encouraging me to put reading great books ahead of entertaining them with just 'educational' preschool programming, to seek out answers to tough questions that will come up.

I have been praying that my kids can handle being influencers together with our family in Quebec, in the public school system, a place where 'good parents' don't send their kids. It inspires me to pray for my kids that they will love God and have a contagious faith that has every kid wanting more of this Jesus that they see in them.

I am also praying for discipline for myself not to take 'the easy way out' and leave it up to church, books and the school to teach truth to our kids. This is an investment of a lifetime, money, time, social rejection and prayer.

I really DO believe that I am called as a Christian to be in the school system, to be a light in ark places, to go where Jesus would have gone.

Maybe, I am a socialist, but it gets me upset to see a two tiered system where your finances distinguish what kind of education you will have, that some families are written off because of the colour of their skin, or their country of origin.

I may eat all these words soon enough, God give me the wisdom to fight when I have to fight and let go when the time comes.

Thanks to all the great inspiring women and moms...I may need you again sooner than I thought!

The doors.

So right before we left Andyhad a huge job to finish. He had ben working at refinishing new doorsfor our entrancefor about two weeks. This job seemedeasy enough but actually took over two weeks tocomplete. He got the doors at a place called 'Urban Recovery' which sells old doors for cheap. He took these doors and re-veneered them, varnished them, and customized them, made the frame, and installed them.

The whole thing was an experiment to make the hallway brighter and more spacious and most obviously, to replace some really ugly doors.

It was a good time to start this project since Andy has had some time to work on this but would not be doable during the school year! Cost wise, it was far cheaper to do it ourselves and a much nicer end result than the prefab doors bought at home depot.

Love our new doors, great job, honey!

The play kitchen.

So this

is my obsession for the week. Play kitchens. I am in the US and LOVING the shopping.

I pop my little head in little shops and browse through cute things, expensive things, if I only had room in the car things..etc.

It was D's birthday last week and we postponed it until this week so that we could get ready and not have her third birthday in the car. Yes, we really did tell her that she couldn't turn 3 until we were ready.

I bought an adorable little set of plastic cookies, since she loves to play 'kitchen' and prepare us all imaginary treats.

In my searching, I also came across an adorable play kitchen via craigslist for a fraction of the cost with lots of accessories. I think she will love it, and assuming Livvie is not a huge tomboy, she will love it, too!

Here a few of the ones I have been looking at: 1.craigslist 2.retro pink target 3.retro pink target 4. ikea

Yay, to living vicariously through my daughters!

Found this magazing clipping when we were unpacking the other day. I laughed because my dear husband always laughs at my mantra, 'I could make that.' Well, I could and will.

Can't have it all.

Here I am in sunny florida, loving everything and had a perfect trip down. We got here despite a broken van, a break in to the van, a stolen purse, the door project which took far more tim ethan expected, buying a new van, 2 young kids and a baby!

The van is a dream a and made the trip so relaxing having to not worry about break downs or being packed to the brim. The apartment I have is so great as well. Air conditioned, clean, very large...I tried to push the limit!

This morning I tried to audit a class. Church history. I wanted to take this class last summer as well, but because of circumstances, it just didn't work. I thought it would work this time since it is during Livie's nap. She screamed during the introduction and I bolted. I don't want to be THAT lady. ;)

So realizing that this was not working as she screamed every time I got close to the classroom, I decided that these mornings should be spent in having my own class at home, reading, praying and building up my own relationship with the LORD. It is actually a blessing mixed with the disappointment. Thanks God, I needed that was my prayer today. i do have a great life, great kids, everything great, but even I know that you can't have it all. And thats ok..Thanks God for another great lesson.

The Banner & Bunting

After my ‘practice' on learning to sew bunting for R’s wedding, I decided to use my scraps to make a banner & re-usable bunting for parties and birthdays which I am

always very unprepared for! This second time around, I knew what size to cut the pennants and even used easier material to cut. I learned last time that only cottons cut easily, and sheer fabric is nightmare. Now to think how to make re-usable party hats that has an elastic that doesn’t snap after using it for three seconds…

The gift of paint.

This weekend we had a painting party, meaning our AMAZING friends gave up a day to help us paint our new house. It is always a huge stress for me to pick colors since I know I will have to look at it for a long while…

The one armed woman.

Going to the library was a bit of a fiasco. I get in these moods of ‘lets just get this done.’ where I decide to go and that’s it, no turning back. The library is one of my fallback places to go when the kids are driving me bananas, but today the car was out, the good stroller was in the car,and it looked like it was about the pour rain. Andy was looking at me, trying to assure me that the van would be returned soon, but I decided I needed to go, and that was that.

3 to 1. 3 adults to 1 child sounds awesome, the other way around it sounds looney. Matt is on his bike, Dahlia in her stroller, Olivia strapped around me in a sling. It all sounds very ‘contained’ until you try it. First of all, slings are great except when you have other kids, because it inhibits one arm…and nothing happens quickly if you are short one arm…so really the ratio is 1/2 to 3.

We finally get there. 20 lbs of books tied on the arms of the umbrella stroller, 3 kids in St henri. We get there and I get about 25 minutes of peace where the kids are looking at books. Whew. Then the chaos starts again. This means go time.

I shove 10 books in the bag, solve 2 fights over which DVD’s we will pick and explain why that demonic looking cartoon book is not appropriate, try and nurse a screaming four month old without flashing the family that just walked in, tell Dahlia for the 29th time to whisper, try to find library cards, and keep the umbrella stroller from falling over because of the weight of the books strapped on the back.

Done. We all get out of there, Matthew loses a training wheel, an old neighbour tries to catch up while the kids play in a phone booth, dahlia finds a dirty grocery bag which she insists on keeping, and then the baby falls asleep two steps from getting home.

This is a usual trip to get out of the house. Until you’ve been through it, you’d wonder why ever do that to yourself. If you can believe it, I actually like the craziness despite the sounds of it. I feel like by the third child I have realized that having only one arm only lasts a short while, since soon it will be free because Olivia will be crawling and then running. See you shortly arm…Olivia rolled over today! :)

2 Quotes

Quote:

Dahlia: Mom, what are our hands made of?

Mom: Skin, blood,muscles, and tha hard parts underneath are bones.

Dahlia: No, really…what are our hands made of?

(never understood what she expected!:)

Quote of the day:

Mom: Did you know that I picked

out your name,Matt?

Matt: Yeah, and you also picked

out our birthdays.

Spit up Queen

Olivia is the queen of spitting up. In fact most of our friends have gotten used to wearing full blankets to shield themselves. Others, have gotten used to yelling, ‘CHEESE!’ and running to get a burp cloth when I hold her because of the lumpy spits she does.

Matt is quite accustomed and will yell, “Mom she did a ‘pit up!” . Today he got it bad. I was reading a story to the the kids when all of the sudden a huge surge of white milky vomit came up all over him. He screamed for 10 minutes because he was so grossed out. I am pretty dulled to this whole experience since I change my outfit 3 times a day for this reason. Jess, a good friend, onc egot it all down and in the front of her shirt, but still kisses that baby’s cheeks non-stop.

One day, this girl will smell better but until then, we will still love you cuz your cute, Liv.

Le Musée des Enfants!!!

Went to a great place in Laval this morning! This museum is more like a theme park with lots of things to touch, and do. Every room was set up in careers or businesses: vet, grocery, cafeteria, grocery store, ambulance, police car, fishing boat, rocket ship, movie theatre, stage, caves, etc. It got a bit crazy when two school buses of kids showed up, and of course holding Olivia throughout made it challenging as well.

When we got home, there was full of tantrums, since M & D were exhausted. I really hate doing cool things with the kids and then paying for it!!! Oh well, still worth it.

Happy Birthday Dorrie!

We celebrated Dorrie’s birthday with her today..the day was spent cleaning the house top to bottom, which is exhausting but needed! We LOVE having people over and having people over to our house is a pleasure! Dorrie made us laugh when she said, ‘I am going have the party at your place, that way I can be sure that you guys can make it!’ So true, when you have three kids. No need to look for a sitter, no need to get all frazzled trying to get out the door. There was also more pressure that there was a couple coming who we didn’t know…and no pressure, this girl is an actual princess from Mumbai….great..lol. We actually love the external pressure of wanting the house to look good. Andy got his bookshelf done, shelves put up, I got paintings up, got bake with my new kitchen aid!

Two desserts later, a tidy house, and the scented candles on, we had a great party, watching the Canadians lose, eating two BBq’d salmons and catching up with friends…pure joy!

Mango Salmon: Smother a salmon in mango chutney or a mango spread (or combo)

Add a little mustard, bbq on a soaked cedar plank....delish!

'I'm not pretty!'

...is one of the things that Dahlia says almost daily now.. It all started one day when she declared it, put her head down, and turned her face downcast. Her Daddy rushed to her, picked her up and declared, "Yes, you are pretty! You are beautiful!" He spoke it to her as a gospel message, good news to awaken her! But she continued on.It breaks my heart to hear her say it, but secretly wondering if she just loves the attention that she gets from it because we always try and convince her otherwise.This is all very shocking either way, since this is a girl obsessed with princesses, can wear a pair of play high heels like nobody else. What's so wrong with pretty? Good or bad, I think the answer we are all happy to hear lately is..."I am not pretty.I am cute."

Black thumb.

Gardening Idea: Topsy-Turvy Tomatoes | Garden Crafts | Family Fun I mourned my tomato seedlings today when I saw the snow coming down (IN MAY!) I really want to grow tomatoes, but I don't think I have enough sun..This may work so I could have the best crop possible.

On anotther note, my mom came down and ripped up my garden to transform it into a thing of beauty!

Emiline & Annabelle

Checked out a new fabric store in Montreal…great to see that I could get my fabric fix satisfied and support local as well. They were so friendly and helpful. With a cup of coffee in one hand and a bolt of fabric in the other I could browse, shop, and take my time choosing without feeling rushed! Love it! The hardest part is choosing!!! I realized I had picked out the same fabric as my decorating savvy friend, E! I love her enough not to steal her inspiration!!

I am still trying to make up my mind about what colour scheme I should do. I have been very non committal with anything like this…I feel like I don’t want to rush into anything because I have to live with it for a while.

http://www.emelineandannabelle.com/studio-boutique/

The day that kept on giving.

Mom came for the second time this month and gave one of the best helps she could...a garden! She filled her trunk with perennials from her garden, brought her own tools, a tree trimmer and some elbow grease and together we tackled the garden in front and back. Now although my parents how green hands (not just thumbs) and I wasliterally raised in greenhouse

s, I have very little clue about how to grow anything. It looks amazing...I wish I had taken better before pictures since there was nothing but weeds, garbage, and cigarette butts. The inly ones who had profited from the neglect was the worms who were as big as snakes..feasting on the rotten,

buried, and neglected..Sorry guys, party is over, now you just have a regular garden to eat! (Triumph!!) Ok..As if that wasn't good enough...my friend took the kids while we were up to our arms in weeds and dirt... THEN..Yes there is a then...Poppy brought me a gift from angels...I would have never ever gotten for myself because a.)expensive b.)takes up a lot of space c.)I usually believe in getting your hands dirty. d.) it is a super indulgence. A NEW MIXER!!! I am a spoiled rotten child! I have almost wept even thinking about all the luxuries I have in my life right now...Thank you LORD for your goodness.

I can hardly express how grateful I am for all these things...