March Break 2009

So, it has only taken me a week to get to posting about March Break. Guess that's not too bad. The boys and I spent the week with my younger sister Jyll and her family in Alliston.

......WHAT WAS I THINKING?

What logic was I using that would make me think that taking my two LOUD boys and adding them to her 3 girls...who can be just as loud, would make for a good, quiet, relaxing VACATION?!!

It is only because of faces like this....

LOL, you have got to love her!!! This is Piper. She is one of my precious nieces, and is 7 months younger than Zach. There were only a few struggles between the two of them...mostly resulting from both wanting the same toy at the same time. But, give them some chocolate milk and the Backyardigans, and moments like this happen.

Only once during the whole week did we manage to get all five sitting on the couch quietly watching something on the tv. I had to get a picture to prove that it did happen....


....and no, they weren't drugged!! (not even bribed!!) Now, I don't think it lasted for more than 10 minutes, but hey, with 5 kids in the house you take any 10 minutes you can get.

I am going to pause here and give a "Shout Out" to a girlfriend of mine who....God Bless Her....has 7 children. She is my hero, and after this March Break week, I have an even greater respect for her. She also homeschools them all! She is a shining example of the kind of Mom you can be if you give it all to God. I am blessed to call her friend.

Now, back to the chaos.

Truthfully, it really was a good week. They all...for the most part...got along.
All of them, except Piper, slept in the same room every night, which was awesome for me!
Delaney, my 10 year old neice was a HUGE help. She even took all the kids downstairs most of the mornings and kept them occupied to let her mom and I catch a few extra winks. She did crack me up the one morning when I overheard her ask the group of them if they were ready for Dance class. Should have snuck in for a picture, but alas, resting in bed was worth more to me at that particular moment. It did give me quite the chuckle though.

Gabe, Aubree, and Delaney went to Gymnastics Camp one of the days. Some of the highlights were the grasshoppers they made and Gabe and Delaney won a game of Hide and Seek. Jyll and I enjoyed a nap with the younger ones that day.

Here are some pictures of all five doing some Finger painting. They all did a great job. I was impressed with how clean they stayed. I wasn't so impressed with the colours of the Crayola finger paints though. They were so dull. The kids didn't seem to notice or care, but I am definitely going to try and get some better paints for next time.





We did manage to get them outside once or twice. Not the warmest/driest weather, but they did enjoy some basketball with Auntie Jyllie/Mom.

Now, just before I end this post, I had to add these last two pictures. Zach loves to put things on his head. Doesn't matter if it is a hat, a bucket, a bowl, a pencil case....


or even a polka dot headband....thanks Delaney...LOL

Uncle Gord was very impressed.

Gratitude Journal

What are you grateful for?

A couple weeks ago I came to realize that I was letting the negativeness of my circumstances colour everything else that was happening in my life.
I decided to start a second blog. A place to write down five things that I am grateful for in every day.
Some days are it is easier to come up with the five than others, but i am doing it.
It is a daily journey, but one that I am becoming increasingly grateful for.
So take some time today to think about what you are grateful for. If you want to check out my other blog, here is the link http://www.doseofgratitude.blogspot.com

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Baby Pics

After four ultrasounds, baby Melville finally cooperated enough to get a couple more pictures. Up until this last ultrasound all we had was this picture of his arm. While it is a nice clear shot of his arm and little clenched fist, I was really hoping that we might be able to get a profile picture. I have a good profile shot of both the other boys, but this little guy is being a little shy.

If you look at this picture, you can make out the eyes, and nose as well as a hand up by the face. I will have to be happy with that, cause I think the doctors finally got what they wanted from the ultrasounds, so no more tries.

We do have a great shot of his spine though :)We are still trying to come up with some names for this little guy. Any suggestions?

May I Sit Awhile?

More and more often lately i find myself longing for some quiet time. A few moments in the day where I can be alone, with no kids pulling at me, or yelling, no phone ringing, no "noise". Some time when I can just relax, talk with God, maybe read a little, just be able to hear myself think, and sort out some of the endless "stuff" that is always running through my head.

Usually by the time I get the boys into bed at night I am too tired. To try and read at that point is futile, I am almost always falling asleep before I even have a page read.

My sleep during the night is always interrupted, by either my bladder, the baby kicking, or one of my boys calling for me because their blankets are off, or a nuk can't be found or some other such thing. Lack of sleep is something I know I am going to need to get used to with another baby coming, but I just don't know how to find more energy.

I need some help. If you have found yourself reading this blog, please let me know how you find time for yourself in a hectic day. Where do you find the energy to do all that you need to do?

A Perfect Life

What do you want out of life? What would make you happy? When you picture your "perfect" life, what do you see?

I once thought that my perfect life would mean that I had a wonderful husband, a couple great kids, a nice big house, good jobs, the kids in whatever they wanted to be in, vacations every year, etc, etc. As we try to find our way through our current circumstances I am coming to realize more and more how much that missed the mark. That version of my life dealt more with what I would have, then who I am or what I stand for and believe.

So what is my view of my life in this moment?

All too often I focus on the negative parts of it. The unpaid bills, my lack of housekeeping ability, the overwhelming list of this that I should be doing,my feelings of immense inadequacy as a wife and mom, and Christian. All of these negative thoughts cloud what is important, and make me forget who I am.

God made me. God loves me just as I am. He looks past my sins and shortcomings and sees the real me, the one that has been made perfect by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He has given me much to be thankful for.

Today I will look at my life with different eyes. Eyes that are not clouded by my negative circumstances, and open to what is beautiful and good.

I would like to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. To raise my children to know who they are in Christ, that they can be anything they want to be, and that they are loved beyond measure. To have a strong marriage that is full of love, and rooted in Christ. To nuture and build our family with love, respect, and hope. To inspire them and others. To give. Give our time, our love, our hope in Christ, whatever is needed. To live, not just exist.

Do I have any of that figured out? Nope, but if I continue to seek God, I believe that He will put all of the pieces together.