Life contines...

My goal today was to get some things done for the bazaar. I had not volunteered to help out,(Gerard had) but he has been so busy with work. It's been our first time "letting someone go" and it has not been easy. (Does it get easier with"practice"?) He had been an employee for two and a half years...it's a long storey. And his apprentice is in school right now for six weeks... and then this happened and then that happened. So back to the bazaar, that is why I feel I should be helping out more. So Friday morning off I went to hand out letters and ask (beg, plead, smile really nice) for donations. It was all going really good, (if you can keep a secret, I kinda enjoyed it) and I also had to pick up two donations. Ohhh it was hard to be honest...I picked up a really nice his and her watch set and $200 for Easy Flow Vacuum, and my vacuum cleaner died, bit the dust , is no more. (Waaa...Gerard says I am addicted to vacuum cleaning)so I could really keep both.
(It's Saturday evening now, I just figured out I can start and finish a bog later SO the most important thing I want to clarify is I am NOT going to keep any of the donations. But I am perfectly fine with anyone starting a rumor, if it keeps my husband off the elders bench.lol. But back to Friday donation collection day...I thought it would be nice to take the girls out to McDonald's for lunch (and of course drop off a letter, I never go anywhere with out a letter) What a horror story this is. Well I am just about to order, Niessa and Danielle walk up to me from looking at a display that shows the junk that goes in the kids meal, and Niessa says Danielle just threw up!. Looking past her I can see the "evidence " all over the bottom of the display case. You got to be kidding me! So I quickly paid for my order and high tailed it out the door were she proceeded to throw up all over the door and floor. Unbelievable!!So I put Sharleen with my purse, diaper bag and tray of food on the outside picnic table and ran Danielle off to the van. Niessa was still inside getting napkins and ketchup, so I am thinking she is going to be worried about were we all are since I would NEVER leave a building with out her (or at least her knowing) Thank fully there was another mom eating lunch that saw everything happen, (and was thanking her lucky stars it was not her) and pointed to Niessa that we were outside. On my way back in to alert the staff of a clean-up incident, there was a couple that were shaking off the "liquid" from there very fancy shoes. I can handle alot, but this was AW FULL. Then in the van the little ketchup container Niessa had got spilled ALL over the van, and I admit I did not handle that well, at all. I guess the stress from our whole McDonald's "experience" As you can guess Danielle is not all better. And as for my fundraising...I am all for increasing, hiking, jacking up the school tuition fees, after a day like that.
Now for something good today, Gerard fixed my vacuum cleaner, freezer light, and a toilet that wouldn't flush. I said to him "Wow thank you, what do you want?(jokingly) Niessa pipes up and says "Daddy would like a really nice supper mom" Yup! I am sure that's just what daddy was thinking.lol

Thursday

Today was ballerina class, Timothy's last time. He had alot of fun running around and copying the teacher. We thought for quite awhile about enrolling Sharleen in ballerina class as this class was very expensive (in my opinion). But I am so glad we did. The gym with all it's echo and reverberation was the perfect place for us to practice learning and using a F.M. Also since she is not in preschool it gave her more experience at following directions and listening to someone else give instructions. And she had a ton of FUN, which is the most important. One thing I have heard many times is it takes a aided person a little longer to process information. (the way the sound goes through the aid and ear and reaches the brain) and it is something I never really believed ( she can often beat the kindergartners around here in saying numbers or letters that she knows)but in ballerina class they play "freeze", when the music stops you have to stop as quick as you can, and she is ALWAYS the last one to stop .It's not a big deal but something good to know any how.

After class we had some of there ballerina friends over for lunch (they go to our church). They were gone by 1:30 as there mom had a "date" with washing machine repair man, and that is one man you just don't stand up. lol. After that I spring cleaned the playroom with Sharleen and Timothy. Washed all the tubs, went through all the toys, and threw a bag of toys out. It looks and smells nice and clean now. What a good feeling!! I cleaned out all the girls purses and my pen container is completely stocked again.(it's amazing all the things I "found") This is one of the pureses, it has all my short extension cords and a power bar in it????(probably Timothy's)

Last Cake Decorating Class

This past Tuesday was my last cake decorating class. It was fun and I learned alot, but most importantly it actually made me go out and buy the "tools" I needed to make beautiful cakes. I have not yet decided if I am going to take course two, and it starts this coming Tuesday. The course was alot of "homework" (I know come on Christina, it's cake decorating class. lol) but by the time the cake or cupcakes were made and all the icing and everything else organized it took an afternoon. I should clarify, with three children at home who always need something, it took all afternoon. And that's not a bad thing either, yesterday Timothy cut all the grass. (Yes! one less chore for me to do every week.) But he can't start it by himself and needed help with moving the trampoline and utility trailer ( yup, we store that on our front lawn due to lack of space) and I had to touch up the edges. It looks really good. Gerard just has to get him a set of ear plugs and that can be his chore, unless the excitement of pushing a running, dangerous moter wears off. (that likely wont happen for awhile)

" Mom can we have cake for breakfast again?" shhh! Don't tell anyone! That's another thing, we have way too much cake, so to take the course for another four weeks I am going to have to get shares in my dental office.

Ashley V had the yummiest (is that a word?) looking Boston Cream cake. She didn't want to trade, maybe I'll have to invite myself over for coffee...soon.

I can't believe how fast the week is going. I have spent quite a bit of time on the phone figuring things out for when Sharleen goes to school. Monday morning I had a whole list of questions for my audiologist. (while I am talking to her Danielle is throwing up, and I am trying to "catch" the rest in a bowl)( by the way she is getting better) so between the umms and hms she probably just thought I was having a space cadet mommy moment. There is often something happening when I am on the phone so don't think I am not paying attention, I AM listening, kinda. Then the school phoned for some paperwork for her funding for her F.M. system, so then I have to phone someone else to get that, and make sure it gets to school. I spent some time on the phone with a staff member from the school and I have a really good feeling that everything is going to be ok. (there were more phone calls)

I am finished what I need to do for the pro life fundraiser.( big smile) I had a list of people to call and ask if they wanted to order pizzas ( I also asked at bible study and no one ordered) and then today I finished the reminder phone calls. It's not alot of "work" in that's it's hard or even that is takes tons of time but it is something that is on the back of your mind to do, and every spare couple minutes I am trying to get the list done. It's only twice a year, but even then when I am in the midst of it I always think I should take my name off the phoning list. Then I go back and forth and think I can't be selfish with my time, and I think as Christians we should be more active in the pro-life society. Well, the next fundraiser is not till the fall...so I have a bit of time to decide what to do. By the way the Chilliwack Pro-Life society is having a garage sale and pizza fundraiser this Saturday from 9-2 at Unity Christian School.

My baby is sick...

Danielle woke up this morning (3:30) throwing up. Poor little one and she has not stopped throwing up since. Gerard got some supper in to her and I was hoping that would stay down, but I just got back from changing her, and her sheets again. If I ever designed a house I would have a garberater in my laundry tub. It would make cleaning up easier. One trick I have found is to dress sick kids in zipper sweaters or a hoodie. (anything that opens in the front) That way when they throw up you can quickly unzip and wash them, and nothing has to be pulled over the head which is so gross for them, and more work for you as it often gets in the face and hair. When all three of my oldest were sick together I would use bibs, one came off another came on, but Danielle does not like to wear them so much. (except at meals she has to) Here she is having a nap on the couch. Hope she is feeling better soon. (for me too)

A quiet Sunday

This is the dinner that the girls prepared for themselves. I thought it would be a nice centerpiece for the kitchen table.

They had fun playing after church. My mom had given us a box of "stuff" to go through so anything I didn't want they were allowed to play with. (notice all the "fancy" dishes) They always play so good when they have something new to play with. Timothy set up the umbrella and secured it with ropes and nails into the ground.

Gerard cooking dinner for me. (What a great guy!) He likes to B.Q. as one can tell, something I don't like doing. It's just that I can never get the B.Q. to start without blowing up. Gerard has even written out the step-by-step process and it still does not work or tons of flames shoot out and almost catch everything on fire.

Peer Group

I think if you could stand really close to me right now, you might be able to hear my brain humming. This past Thurs. Fri. and Sat. we (Sharleen and I) went to the Early Hearing Resource Center in Surrey. It was three days of speakers, panels, discussions, and even a "salesman". One of the best things was talking to the other parents and learning from their experiences and what they have all been through. They were really long days, as I was out the door by 8:00-8:30 and home by 4:30. My sister Melanie took my children for the first two days and my sister-in-law Adeline took the three of them on Saturday. Thanks so much, guys, I know it is always "more" when there are extra children around. (the least I could do was bring dinner) And Danielle comes with extra worries (which is why she is very seldom out of my care) which Melanie found out on Friday. She had taken all the kids to the park and then noticed that Danielle's tummy had all spots/hives on it. I had left my cell phone in the van, which looking back was probably a good thing b/c I really wouldn't have known what to say, rush to the hospital-Mel does not even have enough seats for all the kids, call 911, I'd meet you at the hospital....I would for sure of had to come and get her "just to make sure" I still don't know what it is and now she has them on her legs and arms too??? She ended up phoning Gerard and he said to give her Benedryl, which I didn't have in the diaper bag, I have that in the van since when I am out I always have the van, and the e-pi pen is the diaper bag which goes were ever she goes, even if I know I don't need the diaper bag. Kinda a pain since I don't always want to haul the diaper bag around, especially since she is toilet trained now, but if I start with just putting it in my purse for this shopping trip, and then back in the diaper bag for church, and then in my pocket for this or that I won't be able to keep track of it.

The building is amazing. Everything was designed for better acoustics and to improve hearing. A really incredible building.

This is the teacher. Noticed all the F.M.s around her neck and on her waist, she's like a pack horse. All the children there (10-12) have an F.M. so thankfully some of them can share the microphone or she would have a lot more on. She was a really busy lady for these three days. Many of the children had never been there and the boys were all pretty active. But she was really consistent in what was expected, and really insisted on proper classroom etiquette. Below she is telling someone to stop talking, as taking turns is even more important with children who are hard of hearing. Sighing is also huge, everybody who works there can sign as well as many parents and children. Sharleen came home showing us the new signs she had learned.

Here is Niessa all "dolled up" as she is going out with her friends to watch the play "The Elves and the Shoe Maker". She came home and said "It was her best day ever." I really wanted to go as my babysitter was acting and her mom made the costumes, but there is only so much someone can do. In the end,  I am glad I didn't get tickets as I was so tired that evening.

Look on the Sunny Side

Look on the Sunny Side

There are always two sides-
the good and the bad,
The dark and the light,
the sad and the glad-
But in looking back over
the good and the bad,
We're aware of the number
of good things we've had.
And in counting our blessings,
we find when we're through
We've no reason at all
to complain or be blue.
So thank God for good things
He's already done,
And be grateful to Him
for the battles you've won,
And know that the same God
who helped you before
Is ready and willing
to help once more.
Then with faith in your heart,
reach out for God's hand
And accept what he sends,
though you can't understand...
For our Father in heaven
always knows what is best,
And if you trust His wisdom,
your life will be blessed...
Always remember that
whatever betide you,
You are never alone,
For God is beside you.

Helen Steiner Rice

House cleaned up, banana loaf in the oven, and making tapioca pudding. I wanted to get the floor washed yet tonight, but don't think that is going to happen. (anyway, a friend told me this week it's not that important to wash your floors all the time, my"goal is once a week....) This morning was one of those mornings. All Mommy's know what I mean. My babe was fussy and the big kids did not want to play with her b/c she kept recking whatever they were setting up ...and it just kept on going. So we had an early lunch and everybody went down for a nap. I was hoping to get one too, but there was the ironing to finish, etc. but I got to read a bit of the book I am "in". Then this afternoon we went to a birthday party for Makayla W. who turned 5. I can still remember when Helen told me she was pregnant with her. She was sitting on my living room floor and said "Can you keep a secret" to which I replied, "I love a secret". Our oldest children are born two days apart so I was shocked that she was pregnant again, never imagining in a million years I would be pregnant myself three months later.
After that, I went to do some "errands" for the bazaar. I picked up from the Best Western a free one-night stay. Perfect for Gerard and me, a little getaway. No kids to wake us up with bad dreams, no one to wake us up at six o'clock, etc. We could go out for dinner, RELAX, light some candles hmmmm... set the fire alarms off, and burn down the Best Western...on second thought maybe I will just put the gift certificate in the auction.

Today I woke up early after a night of not sleeping very well. (hmmm wonder why) And it was Tuesday...cake decorating, and I had not even thought about doing my "homework". So before bible study, I made the cupcakes and got out the door to church. It was good to go as it had been a while due to sick kids, tired moms, or kids just playing too well. After bible study, I got invited to Irma T for lunch which absolutely thrilled my kids and me too. I had been wanting to see/ride their new 300-foot zip line, and fun it was! Now really, who has a zip line in their back yard?? The kids had tons of fun and lots of exercise pulling each other to the start. We had a lot of good talks, lots for me to think about. When we got home this is the garage door opener that Timothy made. Notice the Lego block on top of the string, that is to hold the door open. I did have to help him a bit with the cutting and problem-solving. I had a really good time working on this with him, made me think of what homeschooling would be like...hmmmm could I do it? Didn't have to think long about that. No!. lol

Now look what I made in cake decorating class today, soon I can make all your birthday, anniversary, and all party cake needs.(please get in line) The clown heads require a bit of skill....you squirt a big, big blob of icing and then put a clown head on, and it removes all doubt as to what it's supposed to be. Brilliant idea! Also, don't look too closely at the clowns, they did somersaults and cartwheels when I was trying to carry them to my car. At least they stayed in the container. The lady across the table from me in the class had her entire cake fall on the front steps of her house as she was opening the door. I would have woken up the kids, given them a fork, and said "Cake time"(just eat off the top) no way I would just dump all that hard work in the garbage. (and we all know my theory on germs)lol The roses turned out really well, if I can say so. The instructor has some edible sparkles that she sprinkles on it it makes the roses look soooo fancy. I was thinking that if I ever needed flowers I could just make my own, and they were made out of sugar what could be better than that...hmmm chocolate ones. She did say that she teaches a chocolate-making course. lol. Who is up for that with me?

And I don't want to forget about all the excitement that has hit our house, yesterday I received TWO phone calls for donations to the bazaar. I phoned Gerard at work to tell him even though I knew he was having a really rough day. Thought it might put a smile on his face after all his "hard" work on Saturday. Now I just have to go and pick them up. He joined the committee...last night I replied to his e-mail ( while he watched T.V.!!) and I have to pick the stuff up. hmmmm I think I need some real flowers on my kitchen table.

Good News????

Our elder just stopped by after the council meeting to inform us that Gerard's name is up for elder. I have an instant headache. What else can I say.

Sunday

Today was a girl's day at our house between church. We even had company over that had a baby girl. They sure had a lot of fun in outside in the warm, sunny weather. ...little girls in beautiful Sunday summer dresses always look so ...well girly, sigh!! if only it would last.

Then after church, we went to Cultus Lake for the first time this year. We took a little walk that only Mom and Dad wanted to do (everybody else wanted to go to the playground). Reminds me of my family growing up...our parents taking us places and the whole time we complained and wanted to do something else. lol. I think this is also the first picture of me on this blog...I am always the one behind the camera.

We even had a delicious supper cooked by Dad at the lake.

And afterward some pass with the soccer ball and more playing at the park. (Is it safe to go bare feet at a park nowadays?)

Bazzar Preperation

Today we sent quite a bit of time doing things for the JCS Bazaar. We did some errands together as a family and every were we went we dropped of donations letters. Then home for lunch and naps and Gerard went out again for a couple more hours. He came home with three donations from different business. (yippee) Since we were not getting any were that way we spent some time making lattices to sell there. We were all making them or...helping Gerard make them or...just getting in his way. lol. We all had a good time doing things together.(at least we did, I don't know about Gerard, I think sometimes it is easier with out all his "helpers" )

Any ideas on how much we can sell one for at the auction? It is kiln dried Cedar, and screwed together, Gerard says that is stronger then brad nails.(?)

Then Saturday night we stayed home and had a family movie night, pop corn and everything. I started doing the big girls hair in rollers,and of course Danielle had to have her hair done in rollers too. She is getting big way to quick.

here and there and everywhere....

Today Chilliwack was hosting the Child Development fair. There are a lot of booths that have anything to do with child development. I knew a lot of the people manning the booth, some of the people were there from family places, ( I used to go there very regularly) our speech pathologist, our Audiologist (she is practically extended family), and then some other moms I knew. (yup, Chilliwack is a VERY small town. ) We were there at 9:00, the first ones through the door. I have been other years and it's been crazy busy, so if I go again next year it's rise and shine early again.
Danielle loved giving the bear high fives. (ever wonder who is inside those things?)

She also loved this horse puppet. Would laugh and laugh every time the house would open and close its mouth when she put a sticker in. (total two-year-old humor, but cute neverless)

And Timothy with the tractor he built, harvester, combine??? he loves to build/make things. Then at 10:00, it was off to a double birthday party. We stayed there till 1:00, as it was time to get the kids down for a nap, yup they all napped while I cleaned out the van. (the older ones complained a bit but in lite of the options they both fell fast asleep) At 2:30 I had to wake everyone up and off to school in Yarrow to drop Timothy off, as he was on his way to a birthday party. Some of the children in kindergarten go every day, so that's how he knows someone who is not on his day. I almost sent him to school today since I just assumed when I received the invite that it would be his Friday to go to school. I was organizing all my school paperwork a couple days ago and came across the paper which showed who goes to school on alternating Fridays, and then realized it was not Timothy's Friday. (I had switched from my regular calendar to an agenda book since I needed more room to keep track of everything that goes on in a day) Looking back I should have just sent him to school and played dumb. ( would have saved me a trip and everyone could have had a long nap) We played at school on the playground and in the field for a while. It was good to hang out and watch the girls. Then off to home, gave the girls a big snack, and waited for Dad to come home and off to Costco. We haven't had a membership for a while but got one again tonight. (yes!!) I don't go a lot, but there is a couple things that I like from there that I have gotten friends to get for me, which is kind of a pain. When we go it's always when Gerard needs oil and then we have supper there so that makes it a nice family outing. We notice now that we have kids in school, and can't go during the week. Then we waited outside of Costco for Timothy and Simenon A to be dropped off. (we were going to Abbotsford and would save them a trip out to Chilliwack) Dropped off Simeon and home to unload. A day of here there and everywhere.

A well used yard...

Since spring is here that means that all the beautiful flowers are coming up, the spinach and lettuce that are in the veggie garden are sprouting and the grass in growing. Or at lest what grass we have. Since most of the yard work falls on my hands I am always trying to get grass to grow in all the bare spots in our yard. I can't even remember how many times I have raked the soil and put down grass seed. Why?? It keeps the mud off the shoes, boots, and bare feet and it looks nice when there is grass everywhere. So this afternoon after cutting the grass I got the ground ready and put down more grass seed. I am learning to appreciate all the "worn" out spots as it shows that my kids are outside playing, doing what kids should be doing (and as Gerard says not inside playing computer) but it is nice to have not so many "worn out" spots so I am going to keep working on getting this grass to grow. (I can't figure out how to turn this picture around once it's posted and I have re posted it the right way and it keeps going in flipped???)

Now the question if too spray or not to spray. ( the chemical stuff that kills the moss and weeds and makes the grass grow better) Gerard says no and I say yes and since I can't figure out how to do it and am never with out at least three children around, I don't think it is going to be done.

A Good Day

First things first, Gerard went to the walk-in-clinic last night and found out he has a sinus infection as well as a throat infection. Since being really sick since since Thursday I am so glad he is now on antibiotics and should be feeling better soon. I told him on Sat he had till Tuesday to get to the doctor (he tends to never "have the time") and after that all TLC would be stop ed and he would be expected to have full work load duties. (I was hoping that he would find the time to go)but he couldn't get in to the doctor till Wednesday, which is why he went to the walk-in-clinic. It's amazing what drugs can do (the legal ones), it really didn't slow down our weekend too much. We were out Sat.(earlier post ) and had Irma and Jason T. over on Sunday evening. He looked a little pale but I don't even think anyone could tell. I stayed home from bible study today, the kids were playing so good together, and we are busy every morning this week with something. I am so happy that the twins go to school on different days. Who ever is home always plays so good with Sharleen. Today Timothy was home and it was a little Lego morning. The blue blanket is the water, in the middle is the light house, and Sharleen made the bigger house boat. In the "mountains" is a trailer and if you look closely you can see the benches and fire. (I wonder who wants to go camping?)

In the afternoon Caleb F. come over. Timothy LOVED having a boy to play soccer and hockey with. His mom came to pick him up when she was done the music lessons, but they were having such a good time she went and did her errands ( I can't really say that I was babysitting). They even made this fort in my garage. Pretty creative!

And then cake decorating class in the evening. It's a pretty fast paced class but alot of fun. Ashley V. has started it too, and made her sons birthday cake tonight (we will eat it tomorrow.) I made a teddy bear cake that all the kids are so excited to see (eat) tomorrow. It's definitely not any work of art but the kids won't care, it was made by mom.

Painting Day

A while back we had a lot of nice weather and I wanted to get some of the painting done. So I scraped and cleaned the birdhouse and sandbox lid but never got the painting done because then the rains came, and in B.C. it takes a while to get a couple dry days in a row. But I had some time this afternoon and the wood seemed dry enough, so I put on my old clothes (well all of my clothes are old, but these are my really old clothes, so old that they are in fact originally from my sister) and went to work painting. I wish I had before pictures because it is amazing what a coat of paint can do. Looks good, if I can say so myself.This birdhouse is incredibly special to me. It was my first Mother's Day gift. Gerard made it for me, and it has hung from my apple tree in view of our kitchen table ever since (except when it has come down to be cleaned, there are hinges on the roof so it can be opened, and it has had at least three coats of paint). There is a family of birds that make it their home every spring and the kids and I have gotten so much enjoyment from watching them go in and out. It's been such a good reminder to me and to teach the kids, that God takes care of the birds and He will always take care of us too.

The fresh coat of paint on the sandbox lid. White was what we had around years ago when I first painted it, not really the color I would have picked if I were to start over, but it works for now.

And the playhouse that is finally finished being stained. Gerard started staining it with the kids about two years ago and never finished (I think he said he was too hot and would do it later...two years later ...lol) He made the playhouse out of scraps from here and stuff picked up from there. The whole family worked on it together...it was a good time building it together. The kids have also used it a lot. Most recently for sitting on the roof or jumping off of it. (onto the trampoline) Figures that would be my kids ...why use a door when there is a roof. lol

my safari trip...

After the second service on Sunday, we went on a "safari trip". My driver was not the safest...she had a hard time keeping her eyes on the road (as the picture shows). She enlisted the help of her sister in driving but she couldn't keep her eyes on the road either.

We got to where we needed to go and saw many wild animals. The scary green dinosaur was charmed by all the beautiful smiles, and even let us climb all over his body and take our pictures with him.

Niessa spun around really fast trying to make the animals dizzy...only Mommy got dizzy watching her.

We dug a big hole to hide from the rest of the animals lurking about.

And we climbed up really high so they couldn't reach us. Thankfully we all got away from the animals and continued on our safari. We got really hungry and were served pancakes and spinach salad for dinner. What a fun Sunday afternoon!!!