April- Hallelujah!

The girls are playing nicely together, and the boys are out on an adventure this morning.  Our kids were far too snotty to take to church and put in nursery and Sunday school, so we decided to stay in this morning.  Of course you never want to pass on a cold to another family, but more selfishly, I am terrified of the kids picking up another stomach bug.  It was about a month ago that we dealt with stomach bug of doom for several weeks.  I think the kids might have picked it up from the swimming pool.  And sure enough, after another swim this past week, they seem to have developed pesky colds that have them up all hours of the night asking for help blowing their noses, requesting cough drops, and my favorite thing Jesse wails when he is a bit under the weather during the nights...”Mom, my head is shaking!”

Anyways, March was horrible, and I am trying to repress it, so I won’t spend too much time discussing that one!  Onto April, we have Jesse and Janna doing swimming together for the next couple of months, and then from June- August, Jesse will do soccer, and Janna will go back to gymnastics.  She did the winter session with Dave, and ADORED it!  Every Tuesday that has rolled around she pouts and asks why she can’t go back to gymnastics?  So, we will be signing her up for the summer session, and I know she will be just thrilled.  

Back to the present day.  The kids were a tad too under the weather to tackle church, but it was apparent a few hours into the morning that they needed a change of pace,  particularly Jesse, who has been rather sombre the past few days.  The thing that Jesse loves is one on one dates ending with a sweet treat.  So, Dave decided they’d bus to the O Train, and then after an exciting Train ride, they’d get off at Carleton U and hit up the Tim’s there for a donut and coffee.   I’m hoping he’ll be in much brighter spirits when he returns. 

The girls and I went for a walk to check out the status of the closest parks.  There are 3 that are about a 10 minute walk away (in different directions), so I set off with the girls in the double stroller, with a planned loop that should have taken about 45 minutes.  We checked out all 3 of the parks (still too snowy to navigate and entertain babies), but the path that usually cuts me across a field to get home, was covered in snow.  I should have turned around and backtracked home, but decided I’d check out where this one side street ended.  It ended VERY far away, and our walk almost doubled in length!  The girls were great though, and Robyn only fell asleep for the last 5 minutes.   I must say my hips are feeling mighty funny after such a long walk, but the fresh air and sun was refreshment for the soul.  

The weather isn’t great in Ottawa.  But, it’s certainly an improvement, and in comparison to the poor Maritimes that has been hit with horrendous storms and amounts of snow, I’ll take it!  It’s 6 and sunny today, and tomorrow is supposed to be 12 and sunny.  I’m hoping a few weeks and the parks will be playable (mind you, I’m sure muddy).  

There is so much to look forward to in April over the next few weeks that we'll survive the snow that is still on the ground.  Nana flies in from Fredericton tomorrow afternoon and stays for a week, with Poppie joining later on in the week and for the weekend.   Jesse has been counting down the sleeps since 18 days I think.  The following weekend will bring Easter celebrations, and then the following weekend Dave and I will be child free.  Tamara is taking all 3 again for the full weekend, and we couldn't be more excited.   I’ve got a spring cleaning list to keep me busy on the rainy and cool days likely in store for April, as my plan is to be outside from May-August.  Seriously, after such a LONG and COLD winter, I will be embracing the 4 months of sun and warmth with all my heart.

Well, lunch needs to be made, as Robyn is getting the hungry grumps. Thanks for reading. I’m out! 

March break, pregnancy blahs, and the end of winter

I think I preface most of my blogs with this statement lately, but I’ll say it again: It’s been a while!  I see that my last blog was right around Janna’s birthday.  This was shortly after I found out I was pregnant.  I have not dropped off the face of planet, folks.  (Although, I really wouldn’t mind re-locationg close to the equator these days)  It has just been a couple of crazy months, with little to no extra time,  I tell ya. 

When Dave and I decided to try for another baby, I figured that the end of winter would be a good time to “DO” Trimester 1.  I have never been good at Trimester one.  The nausea, the barfing, the runs, the exhaustion.  But, for me, the worst is my emotions go a bit wild.  Everything that I may have previously found a bit sad, I find TEAR INDUCING- sobbing- shaking sad.  Things that may have made me bristle a bit, make me outright ANGRY and my nostrils flare, and I go around slamming things.  I feel like a bit of a manic version of myself.  So, I figured I should get this OUT of the way while I was also hating the end of winter.   I never do so well in February, and totally understand this Canadian thing to fly south for a week in February.  I’m sure there will come a time for me to do this when I don’t have nursing babies, really little kids, and a tight budget.  For now, I just dream, and go a bit stir crazy.

Where was I?  Yes, we decided to aim for the bad time of the pregnancy for the bad time of the year, and at a time where I was SUPER busy with extra kids to watch.  I was hoping it would distract me??? And you know, it kind of has.  The kids have so much joy, and they keep me on my toes.  They keep me listening to cheerful music, singing, reading happy books, heading outside to play, planning art activities, and eating well.  And while my days have been going well, I sort of crash on the family by supper.  The other night Janna spilled her water all over the table.  A tiny bit dripped on her, and a HUGE amount all over me.  She burst into tears, and I said, “ Janna, It’s okay.  You don’t need to cry over a bit of water spilled on you”  And then I looked down at my SOAKING jeans, and burst into tears.  I think Dave took care of bed time and the cleaning that night.  But, usually, he deals with the kids after supper, I clean up the house, and then am in bed between 7 and 8 once my work is done.   There has been no energy for anything else.  Hence the lag in blog.

I had been looking forward to March Break SOOOO much!  It was like a beautiful sliver of light in a grey sky that kept me looking up and moving ahead.  I would get a little reprieve from the hard work, and some time to do special things with just my family.  I had a list all made: pizza party, basement campout, skating at night, museum trips, one last sledding adventure, etc.   

On Friday at 5, once my 3 extra little people took off for the day, I crashed into a warm tub of water and ate pizza while Dave fed the kids supper, put Robyn to bed early, and took the older two swimming. (What a good man, I have)    It had been a rough week, particularly with Robyn who had an ear infection and was joining me in crazy world because of her meds.  I think this swim trip I recommended MAY have been a mistake.  I think this is where, perhaps the kids picked up, “the plague.”  Janna kicked it off  for us in the wee hours of the morning with intense vomit and runs, and Jesse joined the next day, and Robyn the next. 

I am both thankful and frustrated that it happened over March break.  It is great timing in that I have only a couple of working days with extra kids here, and Dave around to help and for moral support.  But, my list of fun things.......* tear* The kids have literally been laying around on the couch like zombies, and asking to go to bed at all hours of the day.  They have barely eaten a thing, and any bit of drink or food they do eat, comes out violently in one way or another L     

Dave and I have a good system going.  I am normally fine with the kid’s gross fluids, but I have found it super hard on my already nauseated self.  So, Dave has generally ran to wherever they are, stripped them and cleaned up the mess, while I run a bath and get them washed up and redressed and comforted.   Aside from the lurching, it has been SOOO quiet around here.  I miss the loudness and giggles and smiles.   Robyn and Jesse seemed to be on the up and up this morning, but are back in the pits this afternoon with Janna.   I am thankful that Dave and I have been spared so far.  I hope it stays that way!

Dave has been my super hero the past couple of months.  I feel like he just gets how to handle my emotions now (better than I do).  I guess by the fourth time around, he knows what to suggest, what to say, and not to say!   He’s definitely picked up any of my slack, and been encouraging and upbeat despite my tired daze by 5, and random emotional outbursts.  

He has also been very gracious when it comes to my pregnancy cravings.  With each kid I have found myself needing lots of milk and fruit.  With Jesse, I think it was blackberries, Janna might have been kiwi, and Robyn perhaps strawberries?  With this one, I have needed a glass of OJ when I wake up.  It’s the thing that pulls my tired butt out of bed and gets my feet down the steps.  I have also been chugging lots of milk and have a grapefruit most mornings.   It’s been easy to keep the fridge stocked with these things, and finding something for breakfast is not too bad.  But, my worst point of the day is supper.  I always feel SUPER gross at this hour, and there is ONE and ONLY ONE meal that I can possibly imagine cooking or eating that will not make me puke.  The bad thing is that it is different every day!  And I don’t really know what it’s gonna be until the kids wake up from their naps and my stomach starts churning.  So, there have been lots of runs to the grocery store for ingredients around dinner time.  My meal planning is kind of out the door right now.  I still plan, but we don’t really follow so well.    Today I needed a Greek salad.  Yesterday I needed roasted potatoes, the day before that pizza.  Last week I needed a chicken pot pie.  The week before there was spaghetti one night, and hot dogs another.  It’s just ridiculous.  Always different, always random.   But, as far as our plans go, this is the last baby and pregnancy, so I am just trying to embrace it all a bit?   

I really hope the kids get better in time to enjoy a few fun things before Dave heads back to work.  I have 2 more really busy 5 day work weeks with 2-3 extras each of those days, but then a couple of my extra kids are finished their contract, and I’ll be back to 4 day weeks with 1-2 extra per day.  I’ll be at the 14 week mark around then as well, and so my nausea and exhaustion should hopefully let up as it has in the past 3 pregnancies.  I have generally had really awesome second trimesters.   So, my new sliver of sun through the grey clouds is April 1.  And let me tell you, Mother Nature better not play some April Fool’s joke involving a snowstorm and 25 extra cms of snow.  Seriously.  I might have to run away for a week, and hijack all our savings for our east coast summer travel and fly to Hawaii for a week.   You may have been wondering if this thought came to me right now.  Nope.... it’s been brewing....

Well, on that unsettling note, I should be off and away. The kids are going on almost 3 hours of naps, and I should get a bit of work done while they are resting up.   You should SEE the laundry that the stomach flu (*3 kids) produces.  It is crazy.  Thanks one and all for reading.  And don’t worry for real about me.  April is coming, I can make it without running away I think.   I’m out!  

Janna at 3 years old!

This is a day late, but I wanted to do a quick blog on what my Janna girl is like, at 3 years old!

We celebrated yesterday, just as a family.  She was in great spirits, which was nice after her recent bout with strep throat and scarlet fever.  About 48 hours after starting her antibiotics, she was like a new girl.

Dave kicked off the morning by taking the rail off her crib!  We decided when she turned 3, she could transition towards “big girl bed.”  Dave was more pushy on this than Janna and I, so I agreed on the terms if she got out of her bed a million times or fell out or WHATEVER, Dave would be the one to deal with it in the middle of the night!  She did pretty well last night.  She didn’t try to get out of bed at all, but did keep throwing her blankets off by accident onto the floor, and dropping her sippy cup of water onto the floor.  There were a few trips in before 10 pm, but after that, we tucked her blankets SUPER tight under the mattress and around her and she was good!

 So, we had pancakes for breakfast to kick off the AM, and did her gifts and cake at supper.  We had eggs and bacon for supper (one of her favorite meals).   She felt very special all day with several different people calling on the phone to wish her happy birthday and a drop in visit from Aunt Katie who read to her for a while and picked out a few great gifts for her!

At 3 years old, Janna is super cute!  She is just 22 pounds and short.  Although she has some hair, finally, she still gets mistaken for being just 2, often.   Due to her size and wispy hair I think.  She still loves cuddles from mommy, and to wrestle with daddy.   Otherwise, though, she enjoys some space, and I will often find her curled up somewhere reading books. Robyn and Jesse do not have as much as a need for a bubble as she does, and so they like to get in her face and irritate her a bit.   

She is not a morning person, and scowls until she has had a huge breakfast and has woken up a a bit.  She comes alive as the day goes on, and is at her peak happy point after supper each night.   At which point she runs around making strange noises, dancing spinning, and attempts silly  jokes.  She likes to mock Jesse and say no to his requests to get a reaction from him.  We are working on this!

Janna loves to help, and currently empties the dishwasher and clears her place at the table.  She is a bit of a neat freak and can’t take being dirty or sticky or having wet socks or something on her face.  She is known for crying for a wet cloth, and going around cleaning things up.  She does not like to use the same spoon for different food items on her plate, and even some water on her cup can send her into a pout and an, “it’s dirty Mama!” rant.

She can talk up a storm these days, although tends to be more in her own world of thoughts.  She is a tad spaced out, and still can’t get a handle on her colors (aside from pink)  but doesn’t seem to care too much.   When asked a questions she needs a bit of time to think through it and answer (like her dad). She loves to talk on the phone, read books, sing, and do stickers.  She loves her baby dolls and takes good care of them during the day.   She likes to play kitchen and doctor and dress up.

I’ll end this blog with a good old fashioned list of likes and dislikes!

Food: Loves Eggs and Fruit, Not so much a fan of meat

Music: Obsessed with Christmas music, and baby Einstein music.  She doesn’t like the radio.

TV:  Loves Barney and Paw Patrol.  She does not like anything remotely “scary”

Clothing:  She loves colors and patterns, tights and dresses.  She grumps at me when I put her in blue

Books: She loves her alphablock letter book, and our classic collection of Eloise Wilken little golden books.   Go Dog Go is another favorite, and Goodnight moon.  She likes all books.

Friends:  She is pretty fond of little Japheth who comes over, and any older girls who cross her path.

Color:  She loves pink, and calls brown, “dirty.”

Toys:  She loves stuffed animals and dolls and dress up things.  She also likes playing trains and with her kitchen.  She is not a fan of playing with Robyn these days, who likes to try and wrestle her or “do her hair”

Activity:  She goes to gymnastics once a week, and LOVES it.  She does NOT like playing outdoors in this cold winter weather, and often sits on the front step pouting while the other kids play.

Well, I hope that was a good representation of our wonderful daughter who brightens our days with her funny cackle, and even with her dramatic pouts. 

Thanks for reading.  Lots of kids here today, and they are almost done doing some art work, so I’m out! 

TGIF

We’ve been 2 weeks back at ‘er, and the meaning of TGIF, has never rung truer.

Things have, actually, been going really well with my new kiddos, and 5 day weeks with lots of extra little people around.   But, I’m tired by 8 pm most nights, and the weekends feel SO incredibly needed.  In fact, last night, I was asleep by 8 pm, and out cold until near 6 am.  

I am so glad I put together my crazy excel spreadsheet.  It feels very necessary and helpful.  I feel like I can be a better and more attentive wife and mom because I know all the “work” has a place and time to get done.  If I feel panicked because my floors are beginning to grow things, or my cupboards are streaky and slimy, I can just look at my chart, and see that they will get done tomorrow morning, and I need not worry about it.   I can get back to playing with the kids, or spending some quality time with Dave, and not ditch them for housework.   So, it’s been freeing in a strange way.   One of my goals for the new year was  to be really present in the moment, and get in good quality time with the kids, hubs, and friends. When I have a plan for how all the OTHER necessities (but less important things) will get done, I can just breathe a bit easier and enjoy the moment I’m in.

Another big goal Dave and I have had is, sticking firmly to the budget!  One step has been to have a weekly check in together to make sure we’ve been good and keep each other accountable.  For me, the biggest struggle is sticking to my grocery budget.  I have always done well with picking meals based around sale items, and sticking to my budget on my weekly grocery shop.  However, where I always fail, is in that mid-week run to the grocery store to grab milk.  I can never just grab milk.  I see some good sales on this or that, and end up with a half cart full!   So, my rules to stick to it goes like this.

Make a weekly menu based on sale items using 95% of the grocery budget, and saving 5% for SUPER emergency needs such as wipes, milk, or laundry detergent.  I have been cutting back on expenses by doing one vegetarian meal per week, and one SUPER CHEAP supper per week.

NO MID WEEK GROCERY VISITS!   I REPEAT, NO GOING BACK TO THE GROCERY STORE!!!  This has been sort of fun.  Making do with what we have.  I had no 5% buffer this week, and so this morning, I did actually use wet paper towels as wipes.  And this morning our fridge was super bare.  I really had nothing for breakfast as Friday morning or evening is my shopping day, and we were down to the bare bones.  But, I found a pack of bacon.  So, I fried up a huge pack of bacon for breakfast, and divied up the 2 last eggs and slices of bread between everyone.

Dave came down after dressing for work, and said, “This is certainly what heaven smells like.”  I proceeded with an argument about how we would certainly all be vegetarians in heaven, and he looked genuinely distraught and after a moment of quiet reflection replied with, “ I think I need to go and sit down.”  Ha Ha Ha

Dave is in super duper crunch mode right now with the semester ending.  He has so much marking to finish, exams to prep, and then a whole new set of exams to mark, plus a whole new semester to review for.  He was so sweet, yesterday, though.  I was in a bit of a frenzy after an overwhelming day.  Tears started trickling down my face at supper, and so I quietly picked up my plate, apologized,  and went to finish my meal upstairs in silence.  He encouraged me to take a rest, have a bath, and put the kids to bed on his own, AND cleaned up the disaster of a playroom.  What a man.

I have my head in a better place this morning.  Even though the kids are a bit whiney and testing, the snow is falling gently, the sun is shining, and tomorrow is Saturday! That is all for now.  The kids are finishing up playing with play-doh and so off I go! Thanks for reading. I’m out.  

2014

It’s a quiet night, and I finally finished my TO DO list to end off the day and week.  Craziness will be commencing on Monday, and tomorrow will be one last day of rest before jumping back into life.  

I have had just a lovely 2 week holiday.  Dave took the first week off ENTIRELY from school marking and prep, and I haven’t had any extra kids here.  On top of that, we flew solo as a family this Christmas season, so no travel, and no visitors.  While we certainly would have loved to celebrate with extended family, it did make for a very relaxing week.

Of course, the couple of days leading up to Christmas were pretty full with cooking and baking, and services and such.   But, having half the kids and double the help, the days felt breezy.  Dave took the kids out to various museums with a year long family pass we were given SEVERAL times over the course of the break, and it was so great to have a few hours here and there of a quiet and still house.

The kids were fantastic on Christmas day, even despite colds and some mild fevers.   We opened gifts in the late morning, had a walk in the freezing cold after lunch before naps, and then enjoyed a feast at 4.  Aunt Katie was in Ottawa for the day, and so joined us all for dinner.  She was pretty terrified of getting sick, with memories of being sick last year still sharp, and travel plans for the next day.  Last year, we all got a wicked FLU that just about killed us all and left Katie with a severe double ear infection that lingered for weeks.

 I have come to accept that boogers and constant bugs will plague our family while the kids are so little and we have other little ones in and out of our house on a regular basis.  This acceptance is just a recent thing, and has been good for me.  I have spent way too much time feeling like I was doing something wrong as a mother.  Not cleaning well enough, not shoving enough vegetables down my kids throats, going out too often, not going out enough.....  But I am just letting go of it all.  I am just accepting that this is a part of having tons of little people and lots of friends in the house for good parts of the day. And trying to look at the bright side, that they are developing such a magnificent spectrum of immunities.  I used to feel so panicked when one of the kids would start sniffling or get warm as I envisioned it blowing into some huge stomach flu and passing through all of us slowly and surely.   But, for now, I am just saying,  “Bring it on.  We’ll deal.”

So, we all have had a few days under the weather over the break with colds and body aches.   But, it hasn’t been too bad.   I have been pretty relaxed.  I even started a thousand piece puzzle on Boxing day, and finished it a few days later.   Dave and I have also been enjoying sleeping in until 7 most mornings, drinking lots of tea ( we have started in on green tea)  taking a nap here and there, and playing games in the evening or watching an episode from the Bible Series that aired last year.  I bought Dave the DVD set for Christmas, and I think we have 2 episodes left of 10.

 This week has certainly been busier.  Dave has been putting in full days marking, and I have been hanging with the kids and doing some spring cleaning:  walls, baseboards, curtains, that sort of thing.  I have also been gearing up for the New Year.  I am pretty big into resolutions and routines, and so when I jotted down some goals for 2014, I was a bit overwhelmed with my list of, like, 21 things I wanted to improve on or incorporate into my life.  The goals were all across the board from deep relational and spiritual ones,  to very practical financial ideas, to simple but important, “Make sure I give Cooper a bath each week and keep the dog treats stocked.”  So, the list was tremendous, and I had to prioritize and think lots.  I probably cut that in half, but with so many things STILL on my list, I spent a few days brainstorming how to pick or work all of these ideas into my life.  In the end, good old excel helped me out, and I came up with a spreadsheet allotting out the minutes in my day.  It was pretty fun trying to work goals into my already FULL day with the kids. But, I think I was creative enough, and left enough down time in my schedule that it will be a schedule that enables and guides and assists, without choking and demanding and discouraging.  If that made any sense?  We will give it a go starting on Monday and see how it feels.

Also, this coming week, I have 2 new boys starting up with me a couple of days a week.   It’s gonna make my week pretty crazy, but I think it will be a good crazy.   This was one of the reasons for my super intense spreadsheet.   To not just keep on top of life, but thrive and improve in certain things, I am just at this point where I need to make sure I have everything written down and a plan for when and how I will accomplish it.  Everything from bathing the dog, getting a walk in every week, keeping in better touch with friends, having better prep time for Jesse’s homeschooling, spending quality time with Dave, etc.   Oh...it’s ALL On the spreadsheet......oh spreadsheets....  

I am so weird.   

Well, that is all for now.  Just wanted to touch base and say HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  Hope all is well.  Thanks for reading.  I’m out. 

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!

FA la-la-la-la la-la la-la and PEACE OUT for a while

It’s December 1^st!  And I must say I am feeling pretty slick.  My goal was to have all my presents and cards purchased, wrapped, and set to go for the start of the month.  And, aside from a couple of costume pieces left to make for Jesse, I got ‘er all done!   I wanted to be able to take December to just enjoy the season! No running around to do, just festivities and fun.  So, the house is decorated, the gifts are set, and I have all my baking supplies purchased and ready to tackle this week.

I’m doing 5 different sweets this year.  Four tried and trues from the past years, and one new one.   You just never know with these gluten free recipes, so my new cookie attempt will be an icing topped sugar melt away.  Jesse is going to be helping me bake everything this year.  I am committed to having all of my kids trained in the kitchen!  They don’t have to love it, or be amazing at it, but they WILL learn how to do some cooking and baking.  I do hope they progress beyond mere competence, and enjoy it.  We’ll see.   If genetics play any factor in this, they have a 50/50 chance as Dave despises all things kitchen related.

I’m not sure if all this baking was the best idea.?  We did our first batch on Friday night, and it was a simple-straight forward 5 minute fudge recipe I have made several times.  I let Jesse help with the measuring and stirring, and I was also watching Robyn at the same time... And I wonder if he tossed in a little extra of something while I wasn’t looking.  Because, they fudge didn’t set!  This morning, while Jesse is at Sunday school,  I poured the goo back into the pot, and tried again – thinking maybe letting him do some of the stirring was what threw it off.    So, it’s back in the freezer now, and we’ll see how if it works!  Poor Jesse keeps asking when it will be ready, and I haven’t had the heart to tell him it flopped!  Hoping it will work itself out in the next few hours.

I’m also not sure about all this baking, for the sake of the waistline.  One month ago, after hearing some good reviews, by a few people, of a free AP called fitnesspal, I started on my goal to lose 15-20 pounds. Robyn is a year now, and NO I am not pregnant again yet, and so I just felt ready to shed this baby weight.  The program just tracks your food intake (it even scans barcodes of packaged foods!)  and it tracks your cardio and strength activities over the day.  Based on your age and gender and activity level, it gives you a calorie intake goal each day, based on how quick and how much weight you want to lose.  It recommends one pound per week, and that is what I am working on.

  I have really liked it, because I haven’t had to change much of what I do or eat!  The biggest thing has been my supper portion has been a bit smaller than usual, and I usually only have healthy snacks in the evening with the calories I have left.   So, I still have my huge breakfasts, and snacks with the kids, and coffee and tea and chocolate treat every afternoon.   I haven’t altered the sort of meals I make or anything like that.   I have, also, found myself exercising a couple of times a week: usually just a brisk walk to balance out the numbers.  Which is good!  The first week felt hard in the evenings when I usually like to snack, but now I don’t miss it at all.  Anyways, I have lost 8 pounds in a month of doing this!  It only takes me about 15 minutes a day to enter all my data, and my organized heart has fun with that part.   Anyways, back to the baking.... Hokey calories!  My pan of fudge was 6000 cals!  I think my December goal, with all the treats and parties, will simply be to maintain my current weight, and then I’ll hope to start losing again in the new year.  I know the first 5 or 10 pounds are usually the easiest.  So, we’ll see.

Speaking of parties, we had our FIRST Christmas party last night with our small groups.  It was a big potluck, with games and songs and a gift exchange, and a lot of fun.  Dave and I felt so strange getting to bed after midnight.    I didn’t think the excitement of the Christmas season could ever be trumped from being a child, but now, having kids, I think I am even more excited!

The reason for being such a keener on all of the prep, is so that I can just enjoy this lovely month with my family, and better focus on the reason for the season.  With that, I am taking a break from social media for a while.  SO, if you are wondering if I am dead or depressed or angry because of my lack of blog or FB posts, fear not.  I am, likely, alive and VERY well.  Give me a call if you want to touch base!

Thanks for reading.  I’m out!

Chrissy