Well after my last post I should write that today was a much MUCH better day Thank you Jesus!
Last night I found I couldn’t sleep. I was wide awake. WIDE awake. I haven’t felt that wide awake since before I got pregnant with Joy!! It felt great…. the only problem was it was after bedtime. I couldn’t make any noise. I couldn’t use this wide awakeness for progress. (yes awakeness is a word in Jenn Land). We went to bed at 11pm. I stayed up wide awake until 1:30am. I made a prayer list (specifically of babies, mommies and pregnancies ~ the devil sure has been attacking). I prayed over the list as a whole and individually. I spent some time with the Lord. Then surprisingly enough I was still wide awake (you know what I mean if you’ve ever tried to pray before falling asleep, you usually fall asleep before you say Amen). So I turned my computer on in hopes mom would be online. Nope. So I emailed her. puttered around online. The girls were up a bunch of times, so they also kept me going. Finally I decided I should try going back to sleep. And I did rather quickly, and slept GREAT!
This morning the girls and I went in the back yard, hoping to play in the pool ~ ice! So we came inside. I thought I had the boys at 10am, but nope, it was 11am. So I baked bread. Today was my day to take a meal to some new parents in our Church (Baby born on Tuesday! He’s so cute!). Once the boys arrived I made lunch while baking a desert (turns out using whole grain flour doesn’t work so good in squares). I gave Sol a bunch of time outs but over all it was a good day with them.
My Dad popped over just as the boys were being picked up. So I scooped his car to drop off the meal, then returned to enjoy dinner with him and the girls. (Orlund went on a hike with buddies until 10pm). Then we enjoyed a coffee and he headed home just as I put the girls down. They went down surprisingly well. Bonus! Then I went to have a bath, and decided the tub REALLY needed a scrub, so I scrubbed it. It was draining slow, so I dug out gunk from the drain. While I was doing that my mom called on the phone! It’s always an extra special treat when she calls. We visited then decided we should Skype as it’s free. So we did that, while I enjoyed a bubble bath (I know weird to do, but whatever. I needed the bath). So after a rather short soak, and a good visit with mom I decided to watch a movie. I didn’t like any of the choices I had, but decided on “how to train your dragon”. It’s a ‘kid’ show. My kids wont watch it until they are like 13, but none the less my brother gave it to me. And I like it! It’s cute! Orlund came home, he’s looking at his hiking pics, and all in all it’s been one of those days that at the end of, you wouldn’t mind repeating tomorrow…..Tomorrow will be even better!

Random, but cute. Our little helpers.

~~ I learned a few new things this week, 1- before promising a meal to someone, make sure you have the car to deliver it. 2- not everyone can be so last minute as me (which is completely okay!). 3- it’s more work than I thought to plan the meals, but I think next time I’ll be better prepared……Wish me luck! I do truly LOVE being able to bless others in this way, it’s just been a BIG learning curve for me these past few days.

Well this past week has been a busy one. Worked everyday except Monday. Tuesday and Thursday we even walked Gabe to School…. that’s 1.7Km walk, Google say’s it should take only 21minutes(walking). I timed it. Just walking there with kids, without stopping, would take us 1hour!  We took a picnic lunch and had a leisurely time getting there. That was fine. The walk home, not so fine. I had the bike trailer as the stroller. the 3 little kids all weigh roughly 20-30lbs. It can hold 2 children with total weight at 100lbs. I figured I’d stick all 3 in there. NOPE. not going to happen. I figured I’d carry Olivia (lightest) as they were all to tired to walk. Joy refused to go in. We were outside a high school (that I might add was on it’s lunch break ~ so yeah, lots of people watching), Joy was screaming 1- she wanted to go to school with Gabe, 2- she was to tired to walk, 3- didn’t want to go in the stroller. Olivia was screaming, well, because she felt like it? NOT cool! I finally strapped Olivia back in with Solomon, told Joy to hold on or she’d be left behind and walked quickly. It worked, Joy was so busy trying to keep up (while holding on) that she couldn’t cry. Finally she said “mommy no run run. No run run mommy”. awww. Broke my heart. So I carried her. Yup. We had only gone maybe 5minutes before she was to tired to run anymore. So I carried her, once in a while she would throw a fit kicking and screaming. (once in a while is more like 3/4 of the way home). And Olivia was crying/screaming because she was tired but didn’t want to go to sleep. Lets just say I wasn’t very impressed by the time we got home. But they all slept good. Thursday I attached an umbrella stroller to the front of the bike trailer (sure I looked goofy!) but it worked. I convinced Joy to sit in it and get strapped in, and away we went. Unfortunately I didn’t drink enough on this walk, so although we made it home with less effort I was done in. Even zonked out for a couple minutes while the kids were down!

That isn’t all that happened this week, but that was the part that took the most effort! It was a long week, as they all are when I have the boys until 5:30pm. This next week I have 2 days off (in a row!) and they happen to be the days that Orlund is in Vancouver for training. So I have the car. I have WAY to much I want to do. lol. Got a project (or two, or three) at home to do and some much needed shopping (grocery/needs) that I need to do out. Going to have to pick and choose I guess!  (I have a few pics of my stroller contraption, I will add later tonight ~ hopefully).

Wow, the weekend is over! I got a bunch of stuff accomplished that I hadn’t planned to. And a bunch of stuff NOT done that I had wanted to. I had Friday off work, so I decided to go through the girls dressers and closet. I re-boxed all their clothing (had put in those vacuum bags, however they didn’t stay vacuumed, so had to put back into boxes). A Big job and I did it spontaneously! Hadn’t planned on doing that (although it needed to be done). That was the ‘big’ job I did Friday and I don’t remember most the rest of the day…. although it was productive.
Saturday we went to the Wildlife park. That was a lot of fun! There was a puppet play going on and Olivia thought it was the funniest thing she’d ever seen! She kept looking back at Orlund and I (she was sitting on Orlund’s lap) with a huge grin and would giggle! SO CUTE. Joy found it entertaining, but she just stared. That took up most the day, and I honestly don’t know what I did the rest of the day (geez I’m forgetful).
Sunday we went to Church (1hour early as Orlund was ushering). After Church we headed straight out to Orlund’s Brother’s house to celebrate his birthday. *Happy Birthday Virden*. Enjoyed a fabulous lunch and a good visit. Missed the hockey game (except for a few times we checked the score). I LOVE hockey right now, never really have before. We headed home after a good visit, the girls slept the drive home… as did I. We got home Olivia went for a nap and Joy refused to. I put a movie on for her and decided to take a nap of my own….. well that didn’t last long and I got up and decided to declutter my bedroom. I went through all my dresser drawers, the closet, and even the bin under my bed. I have a laundry basket full of clothes for ‘Sally-Ann’. It felt good to purge all the stuff. (Orlund was working on repairing our fence~ Thanks Honey!).
Today, Monday, I dropped Orlund off at his Dad’s place and went grocery shopping with the girls. Orlund and his dad got more wood for the fence and used their van to haul it. After grocery shopping Olivia took a nap, Joy and I put the groceries away then visited Orlund and Hugh when they arrived at the house. Joy played while I made lunch for us all, and Olivia woke just in time to eat. After lunch I put Joy down for her nap and took Olivia downstairs with me. First I went through the upstairs toys and hauled the unnecessary ones downstairs. Then I went through all the downstairs and crawlspace toys. I gathered some for a garage sale I’m helping out at, in June, and tossed a few others. Then I switched the toys around so the ones from the crawlspace are now out to play with, and vise versa. I also moved the ‘baby’ toys downstairs ~ exersaucer, baby swing etc. Oh I see another toy I forgot to move down, I’ll do it tomorrow.

Well I need to head to bed. It’s after 10pm and I have the boys arriving at 7am tomorrow! yikes. That’s early… I’m usually awake at that time, but not with rambunctious boys! ~Side story, the boys were at Joy’s birthday party and one of the mom’s that was also there asked me the other day “are the boys always like that?” (high energy, rambunctious) “YUP” I replied…. “Wow” she said “that’s a lot of work!”. it sure is.

When I was younger, on the day of my Birthday everything seemed to be magical and special. My mom would always wake me up at the time I was born (around 7:15am), and the magic would begin. Now that I’m a mom, I realize it’s the Mom’s who make the day special and magical for the kids.
I still wake waiting for my mom’s call (she’s in Thailand so it’s not so doable, but I hope anyway). Then I rise and get the girls going with breakfast and getting dressed. There are so many chores always that even on my birthday I can’t stop. I watched the boys on my Birthday. It felt like there should be something special happening just around the corner. Nothing did. At one point I was laying on the floor and told Gabe I wanted to take a nap too
“No you can’t!” he exclaimed
“Why not?” I asked
“Because you have to put the girls down for their naps and do the dishes” guess he’s learned my routines
“But why do I have to? It’s my Birthday”
“Because you are the grown up”
Sigh. Remind me again why kids want to grow up? I mean really, you have to DO DISHES on your birthday!
Solomon had the runniest nose I’ve ever seen. By the time I’d wipe it, throw the tissue out, wash my hands and return to the kids it would be about ready to drip off his chin!! SO GROSS! One thing I hate is boogers and runny noses!! So yippee just another fun thing to do on my grown up birthday. My birthday’s over the years have just become ‘sadder and sadder’, this year I came to the realization that it’s probably due to the fact that I’m expecting the same Childhood magic I used to receive. I’m still young, only 27years old, however it’s time for me to move on from birthday magic to providing it to my kids.
I did get to chat with my mom in the afternoon, that always brightens my day.
Orlund came home, I made the girls dinner and got myself ready. Orlund was upset at me for not getting ready fast enough (as in me and the girls ready), and I was upset at him for not helping me get us ready…. good way to start the evening eh? It was very nice that our friends volunteered to take the girls, Joy is in love with their daughter so it worked out perfect that Joy got her ‘KyKy” fix.
We went to Storms restaurant, it was their crab and Lobster fest.. Yummy food and we had a good time.
We went and picked the kids up, Joy screamed the entire pick up and drive home… we finally got her calmed down in time for bed.
The rest of the evening…. well… it’s not worth typing about.
Sunday’s party was awesome and a lot of fun. I was spoiled as was Olivia.
Next year I think I’ll, just think of my birthday as the day before Olivia’s magical birthday. The preparation day.

It’s been a couple of crazy days, and I hope tomorrow to fill you in some on them…
However today something happened and I just wanted to share it ~ if you are in need of a laugh…

I was laying on the floor with Olivia giving her tickles and looking at how big she’s gotten. “Wow, where did the time go? I swear you were just in my belly, weren’t you?” I was talking to her, but mostly just thinking out loud to myself. “Did you know” I asked ” that this time last year Mommy had a big tummy, because you were in it?” I motioned the big tummy with my hands. Gabe then jumping into the conversation stated “Well, it looks like you are getting another big tummy”… GASP… kids say the silliest things. I tried to explain to him that that isn’t a good thing since there isn’t a baby in there, he told me it was a good thing because there will be a baby in there.
Due to a previous conversation Gabe is now praying that God puts a baby in my tummy. A baby boy. So that I’ll buy boy toys for him to play with….. LOL… don’t really know what other boy toys I could buy (as we wouldn’t buy guns etc). And we already have trains and cars etc. But it’s cute.

So we have decided to try potty training…. The thing with Potty Training, once you start you can’t (shouldn’t) stop! And well I hadn’t really thought about that… I had purchased two ‘panties’ for Joy (the padded ones). Found out we needed more than that, thankfully a friend had given me some previously. Day one was great! I kept reminding her, and asking her, and she only had one oops (and one poop oops). But other than that she was good! We even made a “Joy’s Potty chart” for her to put stickers on every time she’s successful.
Day 2~ Not so good. I had the boys and she’s running a fever. We were only successful twice. sigh.
Day 3~ Today. Again not so good. Again I had the boys and she’s still running that fever. I think we were again only successful two or three times. But I’m sticking to it. She knows what’s what, it’s just a matter of her doing what she’s supposed to do. I kept asking her if she had to go, figured if I asked her then it would get her thinking about it. At one point when I was asking if she had to go, she came over to me, put her hands on my cheeks ~ holding my head so I had to look at her and said “No pee” then went on to explain in her own language that I’m bugging her and she’ll tell me when she needs to pee……..Okay dokay. She didn’t but it was cute that she held my head still to tell me what’s what.
Wish me/her luck for day 4!
Oh and one other thing I just want to share. When Olivia and I were in the hospital Joy started calling Orlund’s mom Didda. Then she called my mom Didda. So we figured that was her word for Grandma, she calls both our dad’s Poppa (although we call my dad Poppa and Orlund’s Grandpa). Then however one night Virden and Kerry were over and Joy called Kerry Didda….hmmm, perhaps it’s a way of talking to a lady…. Now however she calls Solomon Didda on a regular basis and occasionally calls Gabe Didda as well… I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean, someday perhaps she can tell us. Right now however whenever I ask her what Didda means she just starts laughing hysterically!

Well, January had a sluggish pace to it. And the begining part of February hasn’t fared much better. However, I’m getting back on track. Whenever my mom heads home I automatically go into a gloomy phase. It’s not fun and I really get bogged down. This lasted for the last week she was here, I find I just have no motivation except when it comes to doing things with her. However she is safely home in Thailand now (with my dad). I miss my morning phone call with her ~ yup, we talk everyday as soon as I get up when she’s in Canada~ but I’m pressing onward. I mentioned to my mom about my sluggishness and she helped me pick out some vitamins that should help me out some.
The boys are back from their vacation, today was the first day back to work. Now that the sun is shining I just want to play outside. It’s still to cold to just throw their jackets on though…and well to get 4 kids and myself into snowsuits to go outside but not play in snow isn’t what I call fun! As we played downstairs this morning, I realized I was bored… It’s hard to find things to entertain the age group, no correction, it’s hard to entertain Gabe. He doesn’t do ‘girly’ things or anything he can pretend is girly, and just wants my undivided attention. Today when all the kids were up from their naps and Gabe was at preschool I realized just how easy it is to entertain the 10month, almost 2year and almost 3year olds. I have a bunch of idea’s for summer, but not for this time…. gotta get creative!
I find it is easier to keep on top of the house when I’m busier. I’m even getting some of my “to-do list” checked off! I’m still feeling sluggish, but the sun is definitely helping, And if I just keep going then it seems to help too.
I know I’ve been posting a lot about me, and my laziness sluggishness lately, but I’ll post some new stuff about the girls next time ~ promise! Now it’s off to bed for me. Good night all!

Olivia is done her Antibiotics ~ YIPEE! Her poor bum rash is just about all better too (rash was in turn due to the Antibiotics), My mom told me an old remedy I would have never thought of ~ Corn starch. Olivia is feeling good and back to her old self.

Joy is fighting a cold. I tried to get her into the doctors today or tomorrow, however they are booked full. She has a real rattle when she coughs, but I think it’s loosening up.

I don’t know what days or times I work next week. I just know it’ll be a lot and I hope they call me so I can plan ahead. I like being organized and planned out. Orlund is working like crazy, lots of overtime and by the sounds of it he’ll be working every weekend for the rest of the month…guess I might get some stuff done on the weekends.

My mom and dad are flying back home tomorrow (as in Thailand home). Mom wont be back until around Christmas… I can’t think of it. I know tomorrow will be a long day.

I’m thinking of starting my own business…. It’s not one that would bring in tons of money (or I don’t think it would), but it’s a few crafty things I like to do, and figure why not sell them? I’m not going to reveal them just yet…I need my mom’s help with a little bit so we are doing that tomorrow (nothing like the last minute eh?). I enjoy making the crafts and look forward to experimenting and seeing what all I can create.

I have enough crafts on the go that I shouldn’t be doing this business yet. But then when wont I have crafts on the go? I’m sewing aprons (one for my niece’s birthday next month), still working on Joy’s scrapbook (ugh), Still working on my mom’s cross stitch, I have to start (and then finish) a scrapbook and a cross stitch for Olivia. But all I can think about is the business stuff. I really need to sit down and just get it all done.

My house needs a good cleaning. Mostly just the dusting, vacuuming and removing of fingerprints. But non the less it needs doing. And Orlund’s brother and sister-in-law are hoping to stop in tomorrow, so I really need to get my butt in gear! Wish me luck! I rather play than clean, but we all know ~ the sooner you clean and get it done the sooner you can play… My mom used to always use that line on us when we were kids, never figured it’d be true when you are an adult too!
God bless you all and hope you have a good night!

Well I should be in bed. However I read a few blog updates from my favorite blogs and decided, who needs sleep ~ when you can blog….right? lol.
Anyway, Gabe the 4 year old I watch always informs me that the rules at our house aren’t the same as at his house (of course). So I thought I’d list out and see what the basic rules are, lets take a look;

1) Please respect my house ~ No jumping, standing, hanging or climbing on the couch, glass coffee table or any other furniture that is located upstairs.
2) Be nice to one another ~ no spitting, hitting, pulling, biting, pushing, pulling, ramming, shoving, punching, kicking, slapping (shall I continue?).
3) Table manners ~ No talking with mouth full. Once done eating they must remain at the table (for an understandable amount of time) until everyone is done eating. (and one day I’m sure I’ll have to add No food fights).
4) Common sense ~ If you are not siting at the table then you are to drink/eat in the kitchen.
5) Wash your hands with soap and water after going pee (and before meals).
6) Boogers are to be wiped with Kleenex NOT shirts or hands (I despise boogers).
7) If you harass the cat and she scratches you, it’s your own fault. Leave her ALONE.
8 ) ~ Added just for the boys~ No Kung Fu while the girls are up, and Girls are more fragile than boys so be EXTRA gentle.
9) Outdoor activities are to be done Outside not inside ~ Like throwing balls, kicking balls, playing tag etc…

All in all I think they are pretty basic right? All day everyday I have to remind them of some… #1+2 are the most commonly reminded. Today I had to inform Gabe (hence rule #6) that if he’s a big enough boy to stand to go pee then he’s a big enough boy to use Kleenex not his shirt. OR if he rather he can sit to pee then I’ll allow him to use his shirt instead of Kleenex………He agreed that he’s old enough to start using Kleenex. (mission accomplished!).
Good night all! God bless you!

Well… Today was just one of those days…. You know, we all have them. Everything and anything gets under your skin. You’re (or rather I was) moody, grumpy, sluggish, and just want to be alone. That was my day. The problem? I have two kids. One toddler who is only 2.5 years old however by her sass as of late I’d say she’s going on 13. A baby who is not only teething (painfully I might add), crawling, but also just wanting snuggles. Oh, then of course I worked today on top of it all. And a longer day too! So The oldest Gabe, was, well….. Gabe. Talkative, energetic, rather rude (today anyway), Gabe. Sol, was back to his old self ~ pulling hair, hitting, and just generally being a pest (as of late he’s been real good, today however not so much).

I pulled myself through the day relying heavily on prayer. We made it. Don’t know how, but we did. THANK YOU JESUS! However, during this painstaking day a few cute stories developed ~

Olivia was having some major issues napping today. So after administering her ‘nap time’ dose of Tylenol I decided she could get up. Gabe and Sol were both napping in my room (one Victory!). The Tylenol took affect and after a poop Olivia was ready to go back down. I knew I’d find Joy still awake, however I assumed she’d be her usual self and be in bed playing with whatever toy she could reach without climbing out. Boy was I wrong! Upon entering their bedroom I noticed the rocking chair was pulled out away from the wall. The blanket was pulled off the back of it, piled high on the seat. I threw the blanket and seat pillow off the seat, pushed the rocker back to it’s place, took a seat and started nursing Olivia. Joy climbed out of bed and came over to me, she walked to the far side of the rocker and picked something up. She handed me a play cup and mumbled something. I took the cup and told her to go to bed. I figured she wanted me to play with her and pretend to drink from it. That’s when I noticed something strange….. The cup was sticky. It didn’t take but a split second for me to reach down to my ‘baby is teething’ stash. I keep a bucket on the floor next to the rocker, on the lid I have Olivia’s teething gel and baby Tylenol. Sure enough the brand new (just used this once) Tylenol bottle was tipped over, lid off and spilling out onto the bucket lid. I gasped. Please Lord don’t let her have drank any. I asked Joy if she’d taken any, she said no (don’t know how true or not that is). Joy then asked me to wipe her hands, they were sticky. The armrests on the rocking chair I noticed were sticky. YUCK!
After tucking Olivia in, I wiped up Joy’s hands with some baby wipes and told her to go to sleep. I left the room with the Tylenol, bucket and teething gel. Wont be making that mistake again! Later when I went into their bedroom I found all the girls stuffies in Joy’s bed with a baby wipe placed gently over each and everyone as if they were little blankets… Very cute, but very wasteful.

After the boys were picked up, dinner was eaten and the house was calm enough for me to relax the second cute thing happened. Joy and Orlund were playing Hide and seek. Joy would come to me to help her count “One, Two, One” or “Two, One, Two”. While she looked for him she’d call out “Daddy” and he’d answer “Joy”. Then he started counting and she started hiding. He always had a hard time finding her in the same place (what a good daddy!). However while he looked for her if he called out “Joy” she’d answer “hiding”. LOL. it was VERY cute!

Last story; Olivia has learned a new talent today. She did it for the first time today during her ‘nap’. She stood up all on her own in her crib! Wow, she’s just ready to go! Tonight I found her standing 2 times already. I think she’s excited that she can do it so keeps doing it then getting stuck! Kids always do that. She’s cute! Guess I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow, lowering the crib.. She’s just so tall! Olivia at (almost) 9months is the same height and one pound lighter than Joy was at 12months! (guess while I lower the crib might as well go through all those boxes that are under there and pull out the next size of clothing).