To Do List - Dec 24th

This is for me.... I find I get more accomplished this way!

But while I'm working away here, I am listing to my friend Sara's You Tube Playlist! I am enjoying her selection of Christmas tunes! :) Some familiar, many are new to me, but are all wonderful, and point to the real reason for Christmas, the birth of Christ! Enjoy!! :)

So to do today...

• run dishwasher
• cook turkey
• peel potatos
• wrap Michael's gifts
• sweep floors
• bag up gift baskets
• wash whites
• fold and put away laundry
• have kids tidy their rooms
• do dishes
• clean up family room
• make peanut butter blossoms
• make rice krispie treats
• have a shower
• bath the kids
• make place cards if time permits
• 
  

For Today - Dec 20th

Outside my window... it's dark, and it might even be snowing, butI can't tell.

I am thankful...for my friend Lynn who is coming over to play, and for my husband who is going to babysit Lynn's boys so she can come :)

I am praying... for God to provide a job for Michael sooner than later.

I am thinking...about doing the dishes in the sink,maybe.

I am celebrating... the silence!

From the kitchen... sugar cookies, rocky road fudge, chocolate candy cane fudge, and buckeyes!

I am wearing... my comfy red sweats, white t-shirt, and pink super soft socks, and yes, I realize they don't match thankyouverymuch! LOL!

I am reading... nothing at the moment really, ok, my January Stampin' Success and Scrapbooks Etc. :)

I am hoping... for a cancellation so I can get a sooner appointment!

I am hearing...the kids trying to not make noise while they are SUPPOSED to be going to sleep!

I am creating... this really REALLY cool Christmas paper ball!! I will post photos in a day or so!

Around the house...a mess. I've been baking, and creating. I need to get tidied for Christmas!

One of my favorite things... pretty snowflakes

A few plans for the rest of the week...a little more baking, Christmas dinners, wrapping gifts, playing games with the children - we taught them DUTCH BLITZ tonight!

A Christmas Meme

1. Have you started your Christmas shopping? Yes, and am mostly done. Just want to make a couple of things, but if they don't get made, they don't :)
2. 
   
3. Tell me about one of your special traditions. We give PJs to the kids on Christmas Eve. Since my folks split up two years ago, all our family traditions will be changing. I do make cinnamon buns every year for Christmas breakfast :)
4. When do you put up your tree? Usually the 1st weekend of December.
   
5. Are you a Black Friday shopper? Since we are Canadian, that would be a no. I have often wanted to go to the USA to try it out! Gotta get passport!
   
6. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home? Just to my Mom's a nd to Michael's folks... but that's only a few minutes in the van! LOL
   
7. What is your funniest Christmas memory? Hmmm, not sure!
   
8. What is your favorite Christmas movie of all time? The Grinch, the cartoon one! OH and Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation
9. Do you do your own Christmas baking, what’s your favorite treat? Oh yeah, I bake. I LOVE to bake!! I make rocky road fudge, chocolate chip cookies, shortbread with hershey kisses on top, and am wanting to try out truffles and biscotti this year. My favourite...I love it all!!
   
10. Fake or real tree? Fake. I'm allergic to real, and I would like to enjoy the Christmas season without a nasty 'cold' like thing going on!
    
11. What day (as a mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done? I often feel panicky on Christmas Eve, wondering if we have remembered everything, and rushing about tidying things up!
    
12. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve? Sometimes, but not in a panic... might be something we saw last minute or forgot about. Michael does all the wrapping too, so that's nice for me! :)
    
13. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas? Hmmm, lots of stuff really... Christmas programs at school and church, going to see the Festival of Lights on New Year's Day with Popcorn and hotchocolate in the van :) Lots of stuff!
    
14. What Christmas craft do you like the best? For me, the stuff I make stamping... for the kids, glue snowmen!
    
15. Christmas music? I LOVE it! I would listen all year if I was allowed. Michael doesn't like turning it on before Dec 1, unless it is Trans Siberian Orchestra! I like it all, traditional, new, old, original or not!
    
16. When do you plan to finish all your shopping? Except for a few stocking stuffers, it's done :D
    

This is the man I love!

I started this post on May 31st, 2009. I will continue this evening, Dec 8th, 2009.

may 31st, 2009 - Yesterday morning, we learned that a good family friend had lost his earthly battle with cancer, and was now in the presence of the Saviour! While we rejoice that he is now at home, at peace, and pain free, we also mourn the loss to his family (his wife and two young sons) and to us, his friends.

December 9th, 2009 - The above info really brought it al home for me, just how much I love Michael. How much I rely on him, and how grateful I am that God brought us together.

I want to go on and on about how much I love him, what he does for me, for our children, for our family... I want to share how it makes me cry that he takes care of my Mom. I want to share how he has a pact with JA to tickle her only on weekends, and has had it for a long long time, but I only found out recently. I love that he has that special thing with her, even though it might be silly to others. As a result of that pact with JA, Z now has his own he made up yesterday - you can only tickle me on Monday's, and Tuesday's, ok, and a little bit of Wednesday too! LOL I love that he went outside tonight to plug in the Christmas lights for me just because I wanted him to. He let me listen to Christmas music in November, and only rolled his eyes a few times! :) He compliments my cooking. He asks about my weigh ins at Tops, and genuinely cares if I've gained or lost. He gives me tickle scratches, even when he is tired. He has not complained at all about not having a job this past 13+ months, even though I have gone through seasons of complaints enough for us both. He tells me he loves me every day, many times a day! He does dishes. He puts away laundry. He teaches me how to use my MP3 player. He wraps all the Christmas gifts!! He helps out at the church. He helps the neighbours. He laughs, a lot! He calls me 'n-o-f-u-n' which makes me laugh! He encourages me to get out with my friends. He watches the kids, and takes them places all by himself. He provides. He cooks. He rubs my back. He tickles me mercilessly sometimes too! He plays with our children. He volunteers with me at church in the AWANA group. He still holds my hand in the van, at church, and any time we are out. He sets an amazing example for our chilren, esp our son. He lets me nap every Sunday afternoon. He takes care of me when I am sick. He cleans up puke because I simply cannot. He likes my scrappy and card making results. He tells me I am beautiful. He shows me I am beautiful, even when I think I am not. I could go on and on and on. I have an amazing husband. I have an amazing best friend. I have an amazing God who gave me the most wonderful man ever!

Michael - He loves God. He loves me. I can't ask for anything more. I love him more every day, I love him forever.

The Princess and Her Hair - blog giveaway!

So I follow this blog, and it has fun hairdos for little girls :) The girls love it!

Well, she is havinga blog giveaway for an amazing flat iron. I don't really want you to enter, because I'm selfish, and I want to win the flat iron for myself! LOL! Bwahahaha... no really, go ahead and enter! :) I can be happy for you too, lol.

Anyway, check this out to see the contest!

Also, check out my Stampin' and Scrappin' blog... great specials, ribbon shares, button shares... lots of fun!! :)

A yummo snack!

So I went to get a few groceries on Tuesday. I bough some triscuits. I don't really like triscuits. Too too or something, ya know?! But I bought these garlic parmesean ones... they are GOOD! But even BETTER is putting a tinch of mozza and a bit of marinara sauce on them, and heating them up a bit... Oh, the joy in my mouth!! Oh the garlic onmy breath! LOL!

SO YUMMY!

For Today Nov 6th

It's been a while since I posted one of these...

Outside my window. . . it is dark, and probably cold.

I am thankful . . . for being almost ready for the craft show tomorrw!

I am praying . . . that we will trust God to provide for us in this time of job uncertainty.

I am thinking . . . about the last minute things I need to do for tomorrow!

I am celebrating . . . nothing at the moment, but it WAS my birthday recently! :)

From the kitchen . . . homemade pizza, YUMMO!

I am wearing . . . white t-shirt, jeans, pink and white stripped fuzzy socks.

I am reading . . . Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.

I am hoping . . . for great sales tomorrow at the show.

I am hearing . . . Transformers, it's movie night!

I am creating . . . a few last minute items for the show tomorrow - are you sensing a theme?! lol

Around the house. . . a mess.

One of my favourite things . . . snuggles with the kids.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . the craft show and a trip to London tonmorrow... church on Sunday. Creating more stuff for next week's show!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . .
OK, it's TWO photos, to show you the inside and outside of this cool card! :)

Apparently I've been remiss...

...in posting about my children! LOL!

There's not much going on with us, just the same old same old. I should have posted about birthday's, and I forgot. I coul do that now I suppose.

JA turned NINE - um, not sure how that happened, but all Mother's say that! I will say that when she's fifty I'm sure! LOL She chose to have an unsleep-over party. All the girlies came in their jammies and brought their pillows.



We played musical pillows, and pin the blankie on the bed. We had pizza, pop, chips and carrots with dip for supper. The girls watched "17 Again" whichin hindsight was NOT the best movie, but c'est la vie. She was spoiled rotten!! Lots of money, which she is spending pretty carefully :)



I made a cake shaped like a bed... and it was SO delish!! I got the recipe from my friend Bernadette and it was fabulous!



I had fun making it, but I think any aspirations to be a cake lady have vanished! If I had a better kitchen, and kids who didn't want to always HELP.... but no, I'm doing the paper crafting thing, and that is fine with me :)

Happy Birthday Baby girl!! :)

AND it's my birthday on Wednesday... so maybe I will post then too :D

One week down

...two to go!

Michael signed up for the Job Finders Club through EI. It started this week. It's insane the schedule I am keeping! With all the stress going on, with a friends Mom passing away suddenly on Sunday, and then Brian and Stephanie's baby Dean not living past birth, it's just been awful.

However, I thought that today I would post 7 things I am thankful for, in spite of all that is going on.

1. There are no children or parents sick in our house, despite all kinds of our friends being sick!
2. I had a GREAT hostess club get together last night!
3. I have been spending a lot of time, b/c Michael is 'letting me', making cards and other paper crafting things to put in the craft shows I am in during November.
4. For a supportive school during our time of unemployment, and the breakfast club they started up three weeks ago!
   
5. For the little job I have with the school board, that will help keep us afloat until God provides us with a job.
6. The furnace. It's cold outside today!
7. Pizza night... which has moved to tomorrow! Every Friday is family movie/homemade pizza night :) Gotta love it!
8. Ok, I said 7, but really, there ar emore, but I had to share this last one. For Michael. Because he loves me. Because he loves our children. Even when we drive him around the bend!
   

Word of God Speak - Mercy Me

This song... it is just speaking to my heart right now.

My heart is breaking, and it hurts so very very much

My brother-in-law and his wife were expecting their first baby last week. Baby was late, as babies tend to be. Dean Aiden Beaudry was born this morning, but he lived only a couple of hours. My heart hurts. My heart hurts for Brian and Stephanie, for the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins... it just hurts.

It is ripping open some fresh wounds in my own heart of the babies we lost. It does not compare, I know that... but I do find a wee bit consolation that Dean is now playing in heaven with his three cousins!

The chilren are sad. I'm not sure the totally get it, as they didn't see her growing belly, or get to see and hold the new baby. I told them today about the babies that we lost, and that seemed to console them a bit that there were four Beaudry cousins playing in Heaven together. I don't think they get it that the other three cousins would have been their siblings - no, we would NOT have had 6 children!! Just you know, ya know.

So that's al I have to say about that. I'm shedding lots of tears... and hope to get a good nights sleep and waken refreshed tomorrow in spite of the sadness.

Tom the Turkey in trouble with the law!

Indeed it is true, I saw Tom in serious trouble this morning!

In the spring, we had a flock of turkey's living on our street. We had Tom and his harem. I never did get a photo of his women, but we got some photos of Tom. He would roam the streets, zip into our front and back yards, fly up to our roof tops, etc. The neighbours would comment, take photos, watch for the turkey.

Me?! Scared spitless! I would quake with fear every time Tom ventured into our yard or driveway. I would panic that he'd come up to the porch, ortrap me somewhere - at the bus, on the porch and I would miss the kids getting off the bus, you name it!! LOL! Yes, I am terrified of birds of all kinds, and Tom is BIG!!!

Fast forward to today. Tom is bigger still!! He and his harem have left our neighbourhood b/c one of the neighbours chased him with a big stick. Other neighbours were not so happy to have him go... but secretly I cheered for the big stick weilding neighbour! LOL! :) So Tom has been hanging out near Geneva and Lakeshore, two main roads that are quite busy. I pass by those streets M-F on my way to school. I have seen Tom wandering from yard to yard.

Today, I am driving down Lakeshore, and Isee blue flashing lights. I think to myself that it must be an accident. Nope. As I approached the cruiser, I see another car, and think "phew, not me getting a speeding ticket!" Btw, I don't *usually* speed, so no worries. I get closer, nope, not a speeder, another cruiser! They are both ont he side of the road, BLOCKING IN TOM!! I laughed so hard!! I could see one cruiser door open... I'm not sure what they thought they would accomplish... arrest him? I think they have tried to move him before, but he ALWAYS comes back! LOL So I expect to see him on the Most Wanted list soon!! LOL

Blog Candy at my paper crafting blog!

I hit a milestone lastweek, so I'm offering some blog candy at my other blog! Check it out to win a great fun prize! :) Here's a hint...

For Today - Oct 6th

Outside my window. . . it is a bit overcast, trying to be blue!

I am thankful . . . that Michael has a little job to do this week.

I am praying . . . for Lynn M. as she heads to work for her first day back since Andrew went to be with Jesus.

I am thinking . . . that I need to get on my bike!

I am celebrating . . . JA's 7th birthday tomorrow:)

From the kitchen . . . um, chicken ring for supper... yummo!(recipe to come if you want it!)

I am wearing . . . black hoodie shirt, work out pants(see, I am going to bike!)

I am reading . . . Best Friends Forever (Jennifer Weiner), The Ezekiel Option (Joel C. Rosenberg), The Choice is Mine(Tops), Crazy Love is on the list, but I have not started :(

I am hoping . . . to get a lot accomplished today!

I am hearing . . . the garbage truck backing up!. . .

I am creating. . . lots of great cards for the craft shows!

Around the house. . . I need to do some laundry, and dishes...

One of my favourite things . . . hugs from my children :)

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . make brownies for JA to take to school for her birthday tomorrow, make the 'bed cake' for the 'unsleepover' party on Friday, get loot bag treats, work, cards, etc...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . it is romSophia's brirthday 3 weeks ago!:)

It's magazine time again!

It's that time of year again!! Magazines are ready to be ordered and/or renewed! Lots of great magazines to choose from- crafty, sports, cars, cooking, healthy living, news, etc... :)

Please go to www.qsp.ca to check out the selections. Our school number is 8089(Port Weller Public School). Please choose one of the children to sponsor:
Julie-Anna (Mrs.Nesbitt)
Zachary (Mrs.McCann)
Sophia (Mrs. Crowther)

If you place your order before midnight on Oct 7th, the children will recieve DOUBLE POINTS towards their individual rewards! :)

Thanks for considering us!!
Kristi-Anna (for the kids!)

Birthday Party Madness!

Ok, so it had to be coming... and it has come. All three children have a birthday party this weekend!! YIKES!

Sophia is heading to Lily's party tonightat 6, at the community centre. The other two will stay home with us and have a movie and homemade pizza :)

Tomorrow afternoon Zachary's is heading to Ethan's for his party at 2:30. Ethan's birthday is really in August, but his wise Mother put off the party until they were all established in school and friends were determined! :) Great idea Tammy!!

Tomorrow at 5 I am hosting JA's friend here for her birthday party. Again, Emily's birthday is really at the begining of September, but her wise mother also puts it off till school is in routine and friendships are established. So I'm hosting the party you ask?! Yes! Emily wanted a crafty party, so I'm doing my first one as a 'job'! We are making hangingbulletin boards, and a cute little purse :) Should be loads of fun. Stay tuned for photos!!

Another Cool Do!

JA had her pictures today at school (well,so did Zachary, but he just had spiked hair, nothing fancy!).

I'm loving this blog for the neat hair ideas for girls :)

Without further ado, here's today's creation :)

Cool Hair-Do's!

I found this blog quite a while ago, but never attempted any of the cool hairstyles. Tonight I went back to visit,and tried one out 9on the girls! I took photos (Ok, Michael took photos!) and will upload them in a bit to show you my creations :)

For now, check out the cool things you can do with girls hair!

OK, here's the photos :)

I did JA's hair first...it didn't turn out exactly the way I had envisioned, but it's still cool lookin',and she liked it :)


Then Sophia sat and jiggled and wiggled mostly still to get her hair done. It turned out more like I had envisioned :)


And the two girls together... I just hope the hairdos survive the nights sleep!! They both promised not to jiggle in their sleep LOL!! :)

For Today!

FOR TODAY
August 24th, 2009

Outside my window...the sun is shining and it's a lovely morning.

I am thinking...that I should get off here and continue working in the kitchen.

I am thankful for... yummy local peaches and a husband who is willing to be 'bossed' in order to pick up the slack while I do peaches :)

From the kitchen...peaches, peaches, and more peaches! I bought 22 litres to peel, cut, cook and can! YUMMY!

I am wearing... navy grubby shorts, Stampin' Up! blue t-shirt, and my light denim blue apron (ya know, cuz I'm canning today)

I am creating... a big mess!

I am going... swimming this afternoon, and then eating at a family from church's home.

I am reading... The Secret Life of Bees; The Prince; just finished Anne of Avonlea

I am hoping...that I will have lost a tinch of weight this week at TOPS

I am hearing... z88.3 on the computer (a Christian music radio station from Florida)

Around the house... it's about 10 mins from tidy in every room (except ours!)

One of my favorite things... Michael.

A few plans for the rest of the week... pack up to head to the trailer for a week! YAY!!

For Today...

FOR TODAY
August 18th, 2009

Outside my window...it is storming something wicked! Lots of rain, lightning, and thunder. I LOVE IT!

I am thinking...about the VBS stuff that needs doing tomorrow morning, and about heading to bed for The Unit and the end of the great date night :)

I am thankful for...the fact that Michael made the time to take me on a REAL date tonite.

From the kitchen...nothing, nobody ate at home for supper :)

I am wearing...a girly blue blousy thing, brown skirt... but soon to be some kind of jammie type thing.

I am creating...rice krispie squares with blue M&M's in them!

I am going...to bed soon.

I am reading...a few books - the Complete Cancer Cleanse; Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times Tough People; The Secret Life of Bees that I just picked up today from the library.

I am hoping...that I sleep all night tonight, without waking up (like last night!)

I am hearing...silence in the house as all kids are sleeping, and the storm outside.

Around the house...every room is about 10 mins from tidy.

One of my favorite things...the smell of the rain!

A few plans for the rest of the week...finishing up VBS tomorrow, the Carb banquet for Piranhas tomorrow night, the Regional swim meet on Saturday for JA, soccer banquet day for Sophia and Zachary and Michael, the church picnic on Sunday... and I'm looking forward to MONDAY because there is nothing planned!

Have a fabulous weekend :)

VBS starts tomorrow!

I am getting up at the crack of stupid tomorrow morning. I'm in charge of snacks for VBS, and I forgot to go buy the juice yesterday. Since we don't shop on Sunday ever (unless there is an emergency of the medical kind!)... I have to get up and go to A&P before 7:30, in order to leave by 8 to get to church early too.

Our theme is Wildwood Forest. Michael is in charge of games, and I am doing registraton and snacks. The snacks are fun!! :) I will have photos later this week.

If you want to join us the details follow.

Location: Bethel Baptist Church, 10 Arlington Ave, St. Catharines
Time: 8:45-11:30am
Cost: FREE!

Last Swim Meet of the Summer

Er, rather, last REGULAR swim meet, as we still have the big deal one at Brock next Saturday. :)

So JA was so good today!! I finally have photos to share :)


JA and her friend K. They swam together all summer. Both girls have improved a great deal!

Getting ready to launch off the wall for the backstroke, 25 m.

Freestyle, her best stroke.











The Fly (butterfly), man, I don't know how these kids do it! That one kills me!

Things to do

This post is all for me... when I make a list of things to do, I often accomplish more! :)

So here's today's to do list (in no particular order)

• wash sheets on our bed and Zachary's bed
• put sheets on the two beds
  
• put away clean clothes
• empty dishwasher
• make lunch
• tidy kitchen
• clean upstairs bathroom
• sweep floors
• get kids to dust the house with Fairy Duster
• figure out a new project for my Hostess Club
• drink water
• go swimming
  

For today

I'm borrwing this idea from a few blogs I read... thought it was a good thing to do.

Outside my window...it's calm, and overcast, and probably hot and humid, I haven't checked.

I am thinking...about Michael and his appointments today

I am thankful for...food on the table, a reliable vehicle, and a roof over our heads, and mostly for praying friends.

From the kitchen...banana bread, and raisin bread

I am wearing...chocolate brown comfy shorts, and a red t-shirt

I am creating... something with paper for my hostess club

I am going... to go to the wading pool with the children this afternoon

I am reading... Chicken Soup for the Soul, Tough Times Tough People

I am hoping... that Michael is successful today!

I am hearing...Zachary and Sophia playing house together, and NOT fighting in the living room!

Around the house... there is a hurrican to clean up... and I will do it.

One of my favorite things... is spontaneous kisses from my family

A few plans for the rest of the week...creating some cards and some scrapbook pages, cleaning the house, doing laundry... soccer and swimming!

Finding the Joy!!

I've been thinking. Dangerous, I know! LOL But seriously, I've been thinking, and reading my Bible (the book of James and can't get past the first chapter, so much good stuff in there!)... and wondering, and sometimes griping quietly about the season of life we are in right now. Michael is still jobless. It's frustrating to think that we might have to take a job that is not in his field nor is it productive in promoting him to a new career.

I always talk and think "God is providing, he knows what he's doing, etc" all the cliche things Christians tend to say and do in times of big or little crisis. I'm not denying that God is in fact providing for us in this time of financial unsteadiness, for sure and beyond all I can imagine He has taken care of us. However, the unemployement train is pulling into the final station soon, and I find myself worrying about what we will do next. It's like we've gotten used to this new lifestyle, and it too can be ripped right out from under us. I don't like that feeling. Not. One. Bit. I dont. I don't know anyone who does. It's times like these that I find myself saying the above statements out loud, but in my heart of hearts I fret and worry and wonder and consider things I should not consider (like selling our home, or moving across the country or other such things). I become inflexible... after a life of relative leisure, where we had no worries about anything, I am unwilling to change that... I don't want to have to give up stuff (not that we have lots to give up, but ya know, we all have vices and desires and wants), or convenience, or time together as a family. I don't want to give up my sanity, or at least the little bit I have left LOL.

In the past few days I have been reading a few blogs of folks who are in similar situations that we are in. They have had some profound things to say.

MckMama is the mom to 4 children, the youngest of whom has heart problems. He's not even one yet. The trials. I can't even imagine. She said "Perhaps having a good life, one that we are satisfied or joyful in, is not measured by how much subjective good there actually is in our lives, but simply in if we look for satisfaction and joy." Who can argue with that? So today I will go to bed and look for the joy in things... I will not see the joblessness, I will see all the extra family time we have had this year that we would not have had otherwise. I will not see the mess that is my home right now, I will instead see the wonderful family that I have been blessed with who made the mess. I will not see the bills coming in, I will rejoice that we have not yet had any ulitilies cut off! I will not see the rising cost of gas, but be grateful that we still have a van to drive, and places to go and people to see. I will not see the glass is half empty, but is waiting to be filled!!

God is good, and there is nothing more I can say but that.

So if you are still reading... kudos! :)

We went camping...

....and it rained. A lot. But that's OK!

So Tuesday we spent the majority of the day packing up the van. We had the car top carrier on, all sleeping gear loaded, clothes, etc. We intended to get to bed by 9:30, but did make it by 10. That in itself is amazing! LOL! We also aimed to get up and going by 4:30... which meant 5, and we were gone by 5:30. Not bad. We were aiming to avoid rush hour traffic, as we were heading north, through Toronto. We were only 20 mins from home, and we came accross a tractor trailer accident. It was crazy, the thing had crashed thru the cement median, and was at this crazy angle. I got an OK picture of it with the kids looking on in amazement.






So we got there in good time, and JA's friend K met us at the gate. I guess she had been looking for us all morning! :) We were camping with her family, altho a few camp blocks from them. WOW, they have quite the set up with their trailer and trenches and tarps. Envy did not begin to describe how we felt when it started to rain on Thursday! LOL We were camping at Mikisew Provincial Park in South River, ON. It's half way between North Bay and Huntsville. Here's JA and her friend K.




It rained ALL day on Thursday. We spent the day under the Klassen's tent, reading, kids playing, and attemping to keep a small fire going. We ended up eating supper out, as we were just desperate to be warm and dry! LOL!

We did get in several trips to the beach (Eagle Lake), which was nice. It was nice and sandy, and the water was clear and shallow. The kids had a blast! We built sandcastles, made new friends, and swam around. Every year the Klassens build a 'sand shark' in 3D, and it's very cool, but I got no photos :( They invited JA to help this year, and they made a hammer head. Love the beach! :)







We didn't get any photos of our site, but we had Lake Beaudry twice. It was nasty, but thankfully stayed away from the tent. :) The tent did leak a teeny bit, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. Thankfully, the dining tent had no problems until the last night, at which point it rained so hard that it came in thru the seams. Michael dug lots of trenches to drain water away, and they mostly worked :)

The kids had a blast. They loved biking around and using the walkie talkies to tell us where they were etc :) We went to a little program about tadpoles that the park staff put on, and it was pretty fun and informative.

On our way home, we were privy to a double rainbow that lasted at least half an hour. It was amazing and brilliant! I was reminded how God promised not to destroy the earth by flood again... and how he keeps his promises. My heart was encouraged.

We stopped at Webers for supper on the way home. It's a unique place that has the best hamburgers going! We ate in the train car since it was still raining. The kids LOVED it!! It has been a while since we have been there, so it was a great treat :)




It was nice to come home though... to dry and warm/cool air!! I'm still up to my ears in laundry, as I have to wash all the sleeping bags, plus our clothes, and beach stuff and whatnot. Michael has the tent set up outside, hosed down, and drying out.

One last photo of Sophia hanging out at the bathroom, waiting for the girls to come out.

I really am still here!

I have lots to write about, but nothing to say. So much has been going on in our lives, and still no job.

We just went camping at the IL's trailer, and had a great time! I will post more on all that later... end of school, soccer, swim team, camping... and job hunting. Are you hiring?!

Destination Create!

Ok, so Destination Create was awesome! The first weekend of May (which also is National Scrapbook Day weekend!) I packed up my gear (ok, so I spent the better part of the previous week packing up!) and headed out to the Four Points Sheraton in Thorold. I went last year and had such a good time, and got lots done. This year was no different. We had fabulous meals, great goodie bags, I took an awesome class with Caroline of Maya Road fame, and had some great roommates.

The event started on Friday at 11am, but b/c I had to do lunch duty, I decided to wait until JA was home from school to go. So we all went in and dropped my gear off. No tears this year from anyone!! YAY! I found my table, dropped my stuff, and took a look around, did some visiting, and went to supper.  I was sitting with Cathy B., Vanessa I., and Karen T. Behind me were Sherry P. and Cathy M. I didn’t know the other two ladies at the table.

On Saturday morning Vanessa let me borrow her SUV to head to the Fairview Mall for bowling awards for JA. I missed it last year, and didn’t want to miss it again. More on bowling awards later.

Saturday afternoon I took the best class ever!! Honestly, I have taken other classes before, and have never been 100% satisfied. I have enjoyed them, but WOW this class was AMAZING! Caroline , the co-creator of Maya Road flew in from Texas to teach some fabulous classes. I wasn’t going to take any due to the cost, and the no job thing still... but I am oh so glad I took the plunge and got the last seat available! We made a butterfly book made of chipboard and acrylic pages. We had different techniques on several pages – using Maya Mist (similar to Glimmer Mist only better!), painting on chipboard, rubbing stickles on (wow, it gives a totally different effect!), stamping on patterned paper, embossing the acrylic with Tim Holtz distress embossing powder, and using ribbons and lots of chipboard embellishments! After the class time flew by, I went back and started working on my book. On Saturday night I had it completed! I do want to add a teensy bit of journaling to it, and some ribbons to the jump ring to make it totally complete... but that will come. I will post photos soon! The product we got in that pkg was also beyond amazing!! We needed 5 chipboard letters, she gave us the whole tin, we needed a few little bling flowers, again, the whole tin! We got yards and yards of ribbons, several patterned papers from Pink Paislee, whole packages of chipboard scrolls, and then some!! It was certainly worth the price, as the value of the product was beyond wow!! So glad Karen talked me into the class (you know, twisting my slightly rubbery arm LOL).
Friday night we went up to the hospitality suite and had a little surprise 40th birthday party for Patti. Several of the ladies from the Nook/Nook boards made a 4x4 chipboard coaster for her, and it turned out so beautiful!! Everyone put such efforts and each one was a work of art. She cried. Mission accomplished ;) LOL
I stayed up WAY too late both nights, and suffered for it for the next few days, but it was all so worth it!! I got started on my ‘secret project’ , did a page in our Florida album, and did a page in the Port Weller School album as well.

All in all, a fabulous retreat, and I cannot wait for next year!!!

HUGE thanks to Barb, Patti and Elia for putting on a fabulous weekend!

All about Awards

Bowling awards and Awana awards, all in the same week. April 29th saw Zachary and Sophia finishing their school year bowling league. After lunch duty I met up with Grampa, kids and Michael at the bowling alley. The kids got a snack of hotdogs, chips and a drink, oh and their two tim bits! LOL! Each team got a trophy for participating, and they had awards for high single for a girl and for a boy. I’ll have to go back and look at the pictures and trophy’s to see who won what! The kids have such a good time at bowling, and *I* love it b/c it gives me an hour or so after lunch duty to come home and rest or get things done that I can’t do while the kids are underfoot.







That same night we had our Awana awards potluck. It was extremely well attended!! We ended up having to set up extra tables, as more folks than we thought came! Lots of good food, and fellowship was had. Reid’s family came, Heather’s Family, Kendra’s family (all families we introduced to AWANA). Each group sang a song or two, and said some Scripture.

Here are the Cubbies and Sparks singing "Peter, James and John in A Sailboat" and "My God is So Big!"





Sophia graduated from Cubbies this year, getting her 2nd book award ribbon, attendance award, Sunday school award, and she was the Clubber of the Year!! Way to go Sophia! She is beyond excited to be moving on to Sparks in September!



Zachary finished his first year of Sparks. He got his first year book award, Sunday school, and attendance awards. I am SO impressed with my son this year!! He learned to read, and read well, in school (and at home!) and that helped immensely with the learning of his verses. He has a great memory, which was proven when he could remember verses from months previous! Way to go Zachary!! (sorry, no good photos of Zachary!)

JA finished her first year of T&T (Truth & Training). After much prodding, she also finished her book. I think she did the last 2 full discoveries in 3 weeks time!! Maybe she’ll remember that for next year and work a little every week... there is more in the 2nd year book, so I may start to remind her in September of that! LOL She got her first book award ribbon, Sunday School and attendance stickers. Way to go JA!!





JA’s friend Kendra also put the push on at the end of the year and got her book done! Way to go Kendra! Reid also worked hard this year, but did not complete his book. He can continue to work on it next year. HOWEVER... he did get two awards the other girls didn’t get – perfect attendance, and Clubber of the Year!! Way to go Reid!

We are so pleased to be involved in the Awana program. I did it as a child (Sparks on up to the end of grade 8). I have my awards still! LOL The club has changed quite a bit since my day, but it has only improved and stayed relevant to the kids. Michael and I are both Sparks leaders, and will continue in that roll next year.  It’s nice to have a break, and for the first time in YEARS we have NOTHING to do on Wednesday nights!! Since before we got married we have had youth, or Awana, or soccer or something going on Wed nights... it’s almost weird... almost. We are enjoying the midweek break.

On Saturday, May 2nd, JA had her bowling awards. I zipped in from the retreat to attend. I know that next year I will not come right away for 10am!! They bowled glow in the dark bowling for an hour or so before they moved on to eating and awards. It was loud. I hadn’t had much sleep the night before. LOL She enjoyed the glow bowling a lot! After that, they had pizza and then awards. JA’s team came in 4th place overall, which isn’t too bad considering two of her team were new to ten pin bowling this year. Julie-Anna was the bowler of the year for her division, as she bowled 106 pins over her average at the tournament! Way to go JA!! The girls all did well this year and had oodles of fun. However, we are also enjoying the break of NOTHING happening on Saturday mornings... leaving us free for camping and visits to Muskoka! 