Girly Girl

Give this girl some necklaces and she is as happy as a clam (painting her fingernails is an added bonus for her!) Notice the dress she is wearing in the first picture? She saw me putting it away and just HAD to put it on!

I'm not sure...I think it's her *cheese* face

(attractive, I know!)

Scratching my Head

Things that make you go "hmmmm":

So we got *snow* here last night, just over 30cm. There are roads that are closed, there are roads that still haven't been plowed, people are still trying to dig their way out. (Out of snow that is knee deep)

ALL the school bus routes (city and rural) are cancelled. Rural schools are closed BUT the city schools? They are still open....go firgure.

The winter storm warning is STILL in effect, the wind is gusting to 60 km/h and the wind chill is -33 (ish). But those schools....they are still open.

If it was a school day for Anthony, he would be staying home.....there is NO way I would load my three kids into a car, to drive (what is normally 5 but would probably tatke close to 20 mins) to a school where there are going to be very few kids cuz there are no buses running. Why would I chance driving on roads taht haven't been cleared?

I don't get it. :)

That being said, I had thought that this much snow at this point in March would frustrate me. But looking out the window this morning, I am thankful. I am thankful for the wonderful coating of white that has fallen and covered the half melted, sand-filled, dirty snow. I am thankfull that once this *nasty* wind stops, the kids will be able to play in fresh snow (instead of the icy pelts of stuff that is normally left on the ground at this time of year).

And spring will come, I will see the grass and there will be a day when I will not have to wrestle with snowpants and hats and mitts and boots and jackets before the kids go out. And that day will come sooner then I think. God gives us seasons, and despite the fact that this season of winter seems to last forever in Northern Ontario, it is only a season and there is an end. I lose perspective when the dark days seems endless but spring will be here before we know it.

Now off to dig out!! :)

Good Book

Friends of mine gave me a book for my birthday called "Photographing Children: Photo Workshop" and I am LOVING it. It is a wealth of information that I will be lucky if I can take all in! One of the best things about the book (at least right now seeing as I STILL haven't had a chance to do more then skim it) is that all the pictures are labelled with the shutter speed, f-stop value and the ISO #. It is helpful. Becuase there are times when I check out a blog or a website on photography and I think "Self, I really like that picture. But what settings/lens etc. did the photographer use to acheive that look" And now, at least in this book, I know.
And, the bonus....there is even a *small* section geared towards lenses (cuz that's the next purchase on my list of camera gear).

I'm hoping, maybe, possibly, I can dream, in about 12 to 18 months to be *good* enough that I can hopefully open up a portrait studio geared to kids and families. But you know, it's just a dream and if it takes longer or doesn't happen.... well, I'm allowed to dream.

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Owen had a dr's appointment today, I was hoping he had hit the 20lbs mark and could sit forward facing in the car. No such luck. He's tall but still only *just* 19lbs. The kid keeps sprouting up without filling out. He is, by far, the tallest of all my kids at this age. Ah well, no big deal.

As I sit here and type this, I can see the clouds starting to block out the snow. We are supposed to get a pretty major snow storm here this afternoon in to the evening. About 30ish cm( 10ish inches). At least the snow will make everything white and pretty again....trying to think positive here! I keep hoping that it's not going to come but the clouds keep getting thicker.

Tomorrow is going to be a nice relaxing home day. Maybe let the older two run off some energy in the freshly fallen snow while Owen naps in the morning. Troy needs to take the van in (yay for engine lights....) and I don't feel like trying to work my schedual around that so home we will stay. And that's a good thing.

Untitled

I find it so incredibly encouraging the way God works. Sunday we had a really good sermon at church...at least, it was really good for me. It was convicting and required me to search my heart in a way that I haven't in a while. (I am thankful for the friends who, even though I wasn't able to give words to the tears, came along side to offer hugs and prayers. Sweet fellowship and caring.)

I came home from church Sunday and spent time just journaling and reading. I decided I would just continue on in the Psalms and the next Psalm waiting for me to read it was Psalm 94. I was reading along and verse 14 jumps out at me, I keep going and am truly floored by verses 17 to 19. I keep reading, and the next four Psalms are all about PRAISING God.

God knew what I needed to hear yesterday and even though I am still processing I am awed that He would take time to speak to me. It blows me away and I am beyond grateful.

And again tonight, Psalm 101 and 102. Completely speaking to my heart after a long day.

I am sharing this tonight, more than I would normally share, because I need to lift my praises up to God. Because sometimes, it is good to be reminded of the little ways God works in my life.

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On a completely unrealted note. Anthony walked 2.9kms today WITHOUT whinning or fussing or asking to be picked up. We walked to MOPS this morning and I pushed (oldest and youngest) or backpacked (the girl) all the kids (that would be 90lbs of kid), but there was no way I was able to do it on the way home so Anthony walked and we had so much fun.

The ice along the sidewalks have gotten to the point where it is white and flakey so if you step on it, it makes a really loud crunch. We would take turns crunching the ice and *skating* on the patches of ice that were slippery. I was so proud of Anthony today.

Mikayla's 3!

Happy Birthday Mikayla!!

We all had *LOTS* of fun celebrating you this afternoon! There was....

fun toys balloon bouncing cake and presents for the birthday girl. We love you sweet girl!

May this next year be filled with laughter and joy!

Celebrating

Last night, Sabrina and I went out nordic skiing. It has been years (about 11) since I have been on skis (was on my highschool nordic team but haven't skied since then). We both had a blast. Kamveiw Nordic Centre has $5 friday nights from 5 to 10 so we headed out after dinner and skiied for an hour, we would have gone longer but a wipeout left me legs a little shakey. It was warm and getting dark and the moon was out. It was a perfect evening in God's creation. I loved it and am DEFINATELY doing it again.

I had thought about bringing my camera, cuz you know, it would be nice to have some pictures of me and my friends (not just my kids and their friends!) but at the last mintue decided that it probably wasn't the best idea I had ever had. So, sadly, the camera stayed home. That being said when I went FLYING around a corner, lost the track my skis were in, nearly did the splits and ended up going head over tail, I was VERY thankful not to have had the camera around my neck! It was a funny sight though and would have made a hysterical video (I was screaming like a girl and praying I didn't break something!) Gotta love the icy snow that forms after a day of +8 :P

But it was AWESOME. I felt so alive and happy and filled with energy. I'm a little sore in the legs today (they aren't meant to do the splits anymore...or ever for that matter).



This morning, I had two very excited children jump on my bed at 7:30 to wake me up with kisses and cuddles and a present (consisting of chocolate, a book and a stuffed pink and white kitty (Anthony thought I needed one) They made me some very yummy strawberry shortcakes with lots of whipped cream, chocolate chips and strawberries.

I am one very happy momma today.

This afternoon (in about an hour) we are all headed over to one of Alexandra's friend's (Mikayla) birthday party. There is just a little bit of excitement around our house today!

Busy day, busy weekend. But those are the best. The sun is out, the snow is still slowly melting and I am enjoying this wonderful day.

Guess What!?!?

Alexandra spent ALL morning in underwear. At someone else's house cuz we were at a playdate. NO accidents!!!!! SOOOOO PROUD of her! So bye bye diapers during the day!!!!!

SO...we are off to buy more underwear later today....Dora and Strawberry Shortcake and maybe, just maybe some princess ones :)

I am thankful, very very thankful. I know we are not *there* yet but this is a HUGE step. My strong-willed child has decided to sit on the potty when I ask her too, I thought this day would (seriously) NEVER come.

There is a smile on my face today.

Books, Cars and Rice

Today was wonderful! SO thankful. I started out dreading it just a little. It was going to be busy, but with just enough space between things to make going home inbetween difficult. There was storytime at the library which all my kids adore, so there was NO WAY I was staying home from that (which would have been the logical solution to my timing issues). Left the library at 11:40 and spent close to the next 2 hours driving around our city.

I had a planning meeting for MOPS at 1:30 and I knew that Owen was going to fall asleep in the car on the way home (and then wake up before I could get him into bed and not go back to sleep before I had to leave for the meeting) so I grabbed the Tim Horton's gift cards my parents gave the kids for valentines, bought lunch for us and then just drove. Owen slept. I listened to the same song (what felt like 100 times) cuz the big kids wanted to hear it "Again Mom, again!". Got lost at one point, but figured if I just kept taking left turns and then right turns I would eventually find my way back to a road I recognized and thankfully, it worked!

We got home at 3ish and played outside for awhile cuz it was +2 today (YAY!!) had dinner (cereal cuz Troy was working and I seriously didn't see the need to make a dinner my kids were going to complain about eating), watched the movie we got from the library (Mickey Mouse), read stories and put VERY sleepy children to bed (and not a one of them has made a noise since I tucked them in)

Today was filled with blessings and moments of grace and I am thrilled!
Yesterday, I let Alexandra *feed* her baby. I wanted to wash some dishes and clean out my baking cupboard (there were things in there that expired in 2005...oops) so I gave her some rice, coconut, cinnamon hearts and some hazelnuts in their shells and she had a blast! Yes, it was ALL over my floor but I needed to clean it anyway and she spent 2 hours playing. It was WELL worth the price of stepping on rice and coconut flakes with every step I took. (Have I mentioned I am L.O.V.I.N.G my camera?)

This week has been so good for me. I am filled with joy and it is so welcome in my life right now.

Feeding Time at the Zoo

This is what happens when Owen gets bored of being spoon fed. He tries to do it all by himself! Green beans...yummy!

i heart faces - Beginners

This week, i heart faces has a beginners category.It's a category set up so that those of us who are just starting out, can get feed back on our pictures from others, I am looking forward to it. I want to learn more, as at this point, everything I know, I've learned by fiddling and I don't know if it looks good to anyone else but me!

The theme is still *messy* but you can only enter one photo (either adult or kid). I'm entering this one of Owen.

If you haven't checked out their website yet, head on over and look through all the entries...maybe even join in on the fun!