THANKFUL, FRAZZLED, HOPEFUL

As I have probably mentioned several times, I find myself blogging at moments of extreme emotion.  Tonight, I am feeling an interesting trio of extremes.  Gratitude, Fluster, and Optimism.

Gratitude

I am feeling very thankful for my Christian brothers and sisters, who never cease to amaze me with their generosity.  This thankful feeling has been warming my heart all week,  on account of 2 big things that happened early on. 

First, the wonderful Guindon family, once again, stole our children to give us a weekend of freedom!  The Guindons went to Dave’s church on PEI where he grew up and were family friends. Tamara and Marcel had 4 kids under the age of 5, and know how precious the gift of some time off, is.  They have lived outside of Ottawa for quite some time now, and their kids are all wonderful and kind teenagers.

So, we dropped all 3 kidlets off last Friday around supper along with a van full of pack and plays and booster seats and diapers and clothes and bottles.  The amount of gear was sort of embarrassing, but necessary.   Jesse and Janna were very excited, and Robyn was totally oblivious.  The baby was a bit under the weather, but Tamara was good to go with that.  I think her words were, “bring it on.”  We were sent home to our FREEDOM 48 weekend (that was my name for the much anticipated weekend) with a spring in our step, and a gift card for the movies, some chocolate and drinks!

Well, we had such a relaxing and refreshing and recharging weekend!  We did lots of normal stuff, that we don’t normally get to do.  Slept in, went out for lunch one day, went out for supper another (thank you Jake and Kat for the early Christmas gift- it was perfect timing)  and to see the hunger games.  We leisurely read magazines in a quiet house.   We made loud noises and ran around the house acting like fools after hours.  Sunday night, came quick, but I was ready to see the kids again.  I really loved the break from all the mess, whine, diapers, cooking, cleaning.  But, all that work and mess is worth having 3 little kids fill the house with their laughter and love.  

Tamara dropped them off before bed, not only alive, but very happy and with ALL their laundry done!  Major bonus.  They had a great weekend hanging out with such a happy and energetic family.   We were told Robyn was a bit cool and unsure at first, but really attached to Marcel and the youngest daughter, Sarah, so that was nice to hear.  Jesse had tons of stories about the weekend.  Nicholas taking him to the park, Marcel pushing him around in the big snow shovel, Tamara giving him a very important job of cleaning the car windows.  Janna said she had fun, and spent the next couple of days, saying, “want go back to Sarah’s house.” 

It was a perfect break before this last week before Christmas break.  Things are CRAZY with the school demands right now, and I have extras on top of my extra kids all week long.   Monday went pretty well, and I was feeling warm and loved and ready to face the relentless demands of watching 5 little ones under the age of 4 all day, all week long.  

Bright and early Monday morning, however, as I was getting ready in the bathroom, a piece of paper slid under the door.  It was a fancy invitation that requested the presence of Mrs. Vance at a fine dining experience that night.  I needed to dress up and be ready to leave at 6:40.  Well, Mondays are small group night, and I knew something was in the works with all our small group members.

Upon checking my email, a few of the other girls had emailed to bail on small group on account of their husbands giving them mystery date invitations.  Well, we put 2 and 2 together, and figured the guys were arranging some sort of surprise group date.   A few weeks back, at our Christmas party, we had played a guys VS girls game done by the Friends show.  At the start of the game, we got to propose a prize for winning.  So, the guys talked and if they won they were asking for a man date out for dinner and to see the hobbit WHILE the kids were awake.   Us girls, came up with wanting a formal dinner made and served by the men.... Now we LOST!!! So, this was obviously out the window, but with these invitations that thought was in the back of everyone's mind.

So, Dave got home from work that night, and after supper sent me upstairs to fancy up and he was going to get the kids all to bed and the house cleaned up.  I put on a dress and tights and added some extra punch to my eye make-up.  I was fully expecting to see Dave throwing on a suit and getting ready for the 6:40 hour.  But, when I came downstairs, he had his jeans on, his feet kicked up, and was just chilling.  I sort of freaked out a bit, asking why he wasn’t dressed, was a babysitter coming, etc?  He wouldn’t give away too much, but told me that the night wasn’t about  him, but about us girls.  I felt sad, thinking that he wasn’t able to find a babysitter and I was on my way to a mystery dinner with all my girlfriends and THEIR husbands.  I kept watching the clock, and waiting for Dave to jump up and throw on his suit, or warm up the van....but he just sat on the couch...doing NOTHING.

At 6:50, the doorbell rang, and there stood a tall dark guy with a suit and tie.  He said he was here for Chrissy and escorted me outside.  And there, backed into my very tricky court driveway, was a LIMOUSINE!!!!  He opened the back door, and I slid in to see my friend, Kim sitting there beaming.  I screamed!!!!  One by one, the driver picked up each of the ladies, and we all tried to piece together what was happening.  Most of the husbands were back at home.  Some dressed up, others not.  One was madly cleaning.  One was in and out all day and stole a shower curtain.   The driver spun around barrhaven for quite some time, and then eventually, drove right back to one of the girls house.  The one whose husband had been madly cleaning! 

Well, we were greeted by all our handsome gentleman dressed up in formal service attire.  They took our coats and boots,  escorted us into the front room where candles were flickering, jazz music playing, and the smell of food wafting out of the kitchen, which had been sectioned off.  We were seated on cozy leather couches and served appetizers and drink orders taken.  Once we were done the intro, the poetry began!   A poem honoring us and our character as wives, but also witty and introducing the next part of the night, a 5 course meal.  

We were then moved into the dining room where red roses and chocolate adorned a table decked out with candles, and drinks were being chilled in large crystal bowls filled with fresh snow.   The menu was printed and there for all of us to view. 

Soup

Butternut Squash Soup topped with Bacon

Salad

Spinach walnut with roasted pear and a maple vinaigrette dressing

Main

Stuffed Chicken Breast

Oven Roasted baby potatos

Choice of fresh vegetable (asparagus was even one of them)

Pallet Cleanser

Lime Sorbet

Dessert

Chocolate mouse with choice of raspberries or strawberries

Now, don’t be afraid.  Dave wasn’t in charge of the food!  He actually, had written all the poetry that was recited in between each course by different guys.  But, the cooks did a GREAT job!  We learned later, that they had “practiced” the meal to make sure it would be amazing and timely earlier in the day.  All the guys took turns filling up our drinks, bringing out food, and clearing the table.   They all chipped in back in the kitchen assisting the cooks and cleaning up as they went.  And, I think they they did some eating of their own too!  It was too yummy to resist. 

Back at the table, us girls just enjoyed an AMAZING meal, lots of laughs, and the odd spontaneous smooch from the servers as they popped in and out.   At the end of our fun and wonderful dinner, we all realized we hadn’t taken ANY pictures of the food.  And the guys had worked so hard making sure the presentation and serving ware was fancy and perfect.   We were all a tad sad about that.   

The boys sent us back to the front room to continue with our conversation, offering tea and coffee, and the 7 of them, worked hard cleaning up, before joining us for the last 20 minutes of the evening.

What a great night!  I had trouble falling asleep thinking back on all the preparations and work they must had all done to bring this thing together.   Feeling so thankful for such a wonderful husband with a a great group of guy friends.  And, so  giddy I got to ride in a limo with 6 of my best girlfriends.  WE joked that we would like to do this again next year.  How on earth would they top that?

The next morning, my grandma called me to touch base, and started off by lecturing me about where was I last night, she’d been trying to call me several times.... And I was just like, “ WHooa Grandma....Do you know what I was doing last night?!  Let me tell you”  Her response was, “One in million, Chrissy.”

So, that concludes my feelings of thankfulness and warmth. 

The week, has also provided a good share of exhaustion and deep breaths.  AS I mentioned, I got tons of kids here all week, and Dave has lots of evening things with school, and I have some other commitments in the works as well.  So, I’m feeling pulled, strained, stretched.  I am THANKFUL that my shopping and wrapping and baking were done weeks ago.   I am also REJOICING that all my kids are currently healthy.  

Poor Robyn, was having WEEKS of the runs, and then a trio of shots which made her miserable for several, STILL with diarrhea.  But, the doc recommended eliminating dairy, and today was the first day in ages she had a normal poo.  She was also happy today and not taking anger fits.  My sweet little Robyn, has discovered her will and temper since she turned one.  It can get pretty bad.  If she gets angry enough, she just starts BEATING on me.  She pulls my hair and screams at me, and slaps me in the face, and goes all CRAZY on me.  It is not something I am used to.  And while it is absolutely fine for her to be angry and have emotion and frustration her reaction is UNACCEPTABLE!  Even in a 1 year old.  So, I’ve  been trying a few different things  over the past couple of weeks to nip this in the bud, and today was the first day that she hasn’t taken a smacking fit at me.  Yay.    These extreme displays of rage have, perhaps, been adding to that frazzled feeling?

Ok, so I’ll end my little, BIG blog with my last prominent feeling, and that is HOPE.

Tomorrow is Dave’s last day of school before a much needed break

It’s my last day of having extras for a few weeks

And the most hopeful event of these, and of all time, is that Christmas is coming!

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this

Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV

Thanks for Reading. I'm out!