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.