Happy 8th Birthday

Wow, time has flown. Our big guy is 8. Since we just got home from Disneyland, we decided to not to do a big party. We had one special friend over for dinner, played and watched Space Buddies. It was so relaxing. In the morning, the big kids were off at a homeschool class on Tuesday. My dad had been working very hard on a new bed for Nash. We got it up and installed while they were gone. Nash came in from class and there was his new bed and Papa was hiding in the closest and Grama and my Granpa were taking pictures. He was thrilled. The little kids are not allowed up on the bed, so far they have not wanted to.

Today my Mom and Dad left for Cuba. The kids and I took my Granpa on a field trip with us to the VSO. It was great. Then Granpa took us out for lunch to the Olive Garden. I really wish he lived here...maybe one day he will. He will be going home soon. It will be hard to know he is on his own but we know he has to.

Joy in the Everyday

I have a few things to blog before the main event of today is shared. It is Nash's 8th birthday. What a special gift from God he is to our family. There will be more to come on the events of the day at a later post. They are all chillin' with Dad right now.

Just a day or two before we left for holidays Nate got into the baby powder. I walked into his room and he was in his closet with powder all over him and the floor. I screeched, "NATE!" Then I told him not to move and I grabbed the camera. I really scared him cause he knew he was busted. He was not impressed with me snapping pictures but it was pretty funny and thanfully it was only powder. We had a talk and he did say he would not do that again.

Saturday Jess had a soccer game. She scored right at the beginning off the game. She was thrilled and feeling fairly positive about the outcome. Well, needless to say there was one girl on the other team who pretty much dominated the whole game and before ya knew it, the score was 14-2 at the end. Half way through the game Jess was so bummed but by the end she had turned that frown upside down and had a great time. Thanks for the great attitude Jess..you rock!!

On another thankful note...this morning for Nash's bithday breakfast we decided to got to Tim Horton's before the kids class. I was not even out of the subdivision and the police had me pulled over. I had not come to a complete stop at the stop sign, not sure if I ever do there. She took awhile writing the ticket and then came to the window to deliver and had crossed through it 'warning'. I was so thankful. It would of been a 167 fine..ouch. So there was one of those teachable moments with all 4 kids in the truck. Mommy was wrong and I need to obey the law and that was such a kind police lady to just warn me. After that I was showing the kids what a complete stop feels like. arrrggg She lives at the corner where this happened and probably sees tons of people in the subdivision do that. Anyhow thank you to our nice police lady neighbor for the warning. So we no longer had time to go in and have breakfast we just ran in and got our treats and ate in the truck on the way to class.

Our Disneyland Trip

I have been stalling to do this cause it seems like a big project or something cause I am so out of blogging lately. Here goes anyhow. We had a wonderful time. We went 10 hour days and it didn't feel like it. We had a four day park hopper between Disney and California Adventure. Our hotel was about a 2block walk on the same side of the street. We swam at the pool in the evenings. The kids were great!! We did all the rides and lots even 2X because there were no line ups. One ride Faith did 3x it was one of her favorites, The Jumping JellyFish. We saw all the shows we could, Aladdin, HSM 3, Fantasmic, Disney Playhouse and Jess even got to talk with Crush and do Jedi Academy. Nash and I did the roller coaster first!! It was so fun. I think I said "YEE HAW about dozen times on it. I have no idea why it just kept coming out. We met all the characters except Donald Duck, who we saw but said we would come back to him. Later we heard that his apprearances are rare. Oh well, it gives us something to look forward to for our next trip. We ate alot of junk food and fast food, slushies,hot dogs, pizza, corn dogs, cotton candy, ice cream and chirros, but boy, was it good. Nate kinda lost it when he had his chance to meet Belle. He loved her dress, of course cause it was yellow (his favorite) but he got too shy or something and then when it was too late he wanted to go back. In a few years he will be braver..he was so cute and then really was not so interested in meeting Cinderella but she told him, "Nate, use your big boy words" Never expected him to be so taken back by it all, especially the princesses. Everyone made great purchases, sweatshirts, a bag, keepsakes, stuffies, baseball hats and Tinkerbell Pollys. Yes, we have already talked about going again. The week flew by like we knew it would.

Came home to a painted house. We had hired a friend to paint the stairwells while we were out of the house but my parents and my Granpa did the rest. They even cleaned and mom washed towels and cleaned bathrooms. It was such a treat to come home to!!!

So life is back to some what normal. They kids had a field trip this week. Jess is getting ready to write some test for the government. We have enjoyed being outdoors this week. Mark is on his late weekend, so the kids and I watched Madagascar 2 for our Valentines evening but we did have a special breakfast as a family.
This month seems very busy for us on top on holidays, there is alot planned and going on.

"He is a shield to those who put their trust in
the Lord" Proverbs 30:5b

Truly Great Kids

Mark and I were at a parenting course all day. It was called Raising Truly Great Kids by Dr. Tim Kimmel. It was so great! I have only read one of his books called, Grace-based Parenting. Today we learned what that really means and how to apply it. I was so thrilled that Mark was willing to do this with me. I mean we are in this together, raising these 4 blessings together. We bought a few more of his books to read. Mark has already decided what book he is going to read first..wow!

We went out for dinner last nite with friends to the Keg and then go all day today. I really missed the kids and I can tell they missed us too. Jess said tonite that she just likes to know I am home when she goes to sleep. Nash got 2 goals at soccer today, bummed we weren't there but Papa was. Thanks Pops and you too Grams.

We are on our countdown to Disneyland....9 more sleeps!!!!!

A New Year

A new year has begun! We had such a relaxing holiday! We finally got together with my brother and his family to swap some presents and celebrate his birthday. We went to visit Mark's mom on the island for a few days. It rained but we all had a great time and were able to get in abit of visiting. While we were gone my Grampa ended up in the hospital for a week. He has pneumonia and they thought for awhile it could be TB so he was in isolation. We all had to garb up to go in for a visit. Happy he is back at mom's and we will see how things go and how his health improves.

We started school this week, only on Thursday and Friday. We all have to get back into our groove. The kids would really rather play. It is amazing how we take our education so for granted. Kids in other countries would love to be learning. We will carry on and pray for better attitudes.

So Many Blessings

what a blessing it was to have my Grampa here with us this year! It is so nice to know that he is well cared for by my mom. Praying he gets stronger and starts to feel more like himself.

We had a fantastic Christmas!! We stayed at home for over a week and just enjoyed being together and vegging. My brother and his family got sick with the flu so we did not see them on Christmas this year. We plan to have some time with them in a couple of days. We surprised the kids with a trip to Disney in Febuary. The countdown is already on!! Check out the new stockings this year, so big and so fun...I think I could fit in one, well, maybe just one leg! The snow we had was a major bonus. It is so rare that we have a white Christmas!

We are on our way to friends for New Years Eve and some birthdays.
It has been a year of many blessings. God is so good!

Tradition

Oh so fun!! Mom, Dad and Grampa came for perogies tonite! Dad pulled the kids and yes, mom and I behind his truck on sleds in the back lane. What a hoot!! We have so much snow! Then the kids came in and asked if they could open their new pajamas. Nice..they know they are coming. It is tradition, my mom did it too. They were thrilled and they looked so cute!! I have to do matching while I still can.

We must go and get the stockings filled!!
Merry Christmas all and to all a good night!!