New Year Again...January 2007

As the New Year approaches AGAIN..(for some reason that keeps happening..faster every year)..It is time to reflect on the blessings and difficulties which have occured over the last year....
I like to do this once a year at least to be reminded of all the blessings God has given us, but also to just reflect on the changes in our lives...and this year was pretty full...LOL!

As January approached in 2007, I found myself looking at a whole new chapter of my life...
Previously Kendal and I had decided to not have any children ourselves since I had three girls, but with the loss of close friend Jeremy Nelson among others the year before...we felt that maybe it was important for us to have children from our marriage, and so Jan. 10th 2007 Jeremy joined us 5 weeks early. This meant that I went to being a SAHM after working outside of the home for many years...a much bigger change then you would imagine.
Especially as anyone who knows us would testify...we had told EVERYone...that we were done with having babies...and that there were definately NO babies in our future....God must have changed our hearts...
I also had problems with the pregnancy...he almost joined us at 28 weeks...but God is good.

Never would I have guessed in a million years how much the addition of that little man to my family, would add so much joy....I can't even imagine life without him now..The night my water broke isn't something I am likely to forget about any time soon...We went to our friends Jason and Brenda for dinner...and didn't get home till about 11...I like to tease her that her Tandori chicken was responsible for what happened next...
Talon was awake, and so Kendal was getting him ready for a bath before bed when my water broke...everywhere
Quite calmly I told Kendal...you should bath Talon now...my water has broken....(and then it was all pandamonia as the poor boy barely touched the water, and both my girls were running right left and center following my orders...i just literally walked in circles....
I insisted on driving my self to the hospital...."what is up with that" Control issues or what??LOL kendal agreed on the terms that if I started to get any contractions I would pull over....Harold and Judy came to the hospital after a while and picked up Talon...and we thought we were going to have a baby...but as luck would have it...ALL that happened was my water broke, and it was Wednesday before they could induce me..I had to stay there...nothing like sleeping in a puddle of water every two hours...

Labor was relatively easy, as far as labors go...except that at one point I thought God was talking to me...LOL! (but that is a whole other story...) He weighed in at a whole 6 lbs even at birth. Much of that first month was spent in the hospital, as he had severe jaundice, and had to be under the heat lamp and monitered for his weight...(he lost over 10% of his body weight at birth, and was refusing to nurse. ) He is now a healthy little monkey..who is about the size of a 6 month old but has a much larger personality!

To add to the business of this month, we also had my grandson, Talon living with us...He had moved in with us in November, and was three months old when Jeremy was born...Let me tell you folks...There is no greater challenge then trying to care for a two month old when you are ready to pop...WOW. I won't be doing that again any time soon...LOL!

However we love Talon like he is our own, and really did enjoy the time we had with him....Even today, now that Talon has gone home with his mom...there is still a connection that is special and the boys love to see each other...

Talon and Jeremy

Talon

Somehow, we made it through the first month sucesfully, with the help of people who visited us in the hospital, and people who took care of Talon....Kendal was also able to take a couple of weeks off of work, and that was really nice as well....It was one of the most positive experiences of my life...and then somehow...we did make it too Feb....

Merry Christmas...

Ok, so...it isn't actually Christmas today...but Merry Christmas anyways! We had a pretty quiet Christmas this year...My oldest daughter is in Winnipeg, with my grandson, and Kendal's brother came earlier, while his sister wasn't able to come at all...We still had fun though with our three kids who were at home.

We even were able to get all the presents wrapped up and under the tree......

We went to our Christmas service at the church first...and then came home to warm up (not kidding...I don't know what was wrong with me but I was super chilled....) and fulfill our family Christmas eve traditions...

Jeremy surprised me. Not only did he not go after the ones under the tree, but he actually tried really hard to open the ones I gave him...Not bad for an 11 month old. With help he did pretty good.

To fill those of you in who don't know...We open our gifts at Christmas Eve at midnight, like I did when I was at home. We actually put the kids to bed, and then wake them up when Santa comes...although this year we did a modified version....Bree wasn't feeling well so she went to bed...Brandy is a little too old for that, so she watched tv..and we actually kept Jeremy up...Once he went to sleep, I wasn't sure he would wake up again.

He did pretty good...he managed to open 5 presents before he was just too tired. I gave him his little bear, which was one of the presents...and he reached over...gave it a hug, smiled and went to sleep....It was the cutest thing I have ever seen....

Unfortunately, the picture quality isn't great...because there is a great big finger print on the lens and I didn't realize it until after.....



Jeremy fell asleep around one...the rest of us were up till 2am...

Brandy and Bree both got ipod nanos this year, but not much else...
they seem pretty happy with them though....

Kendal and I didn't do presents for each other this year...We decided instead that at some point in the near future...we would get a new computer instead....

I hope everyone else was able to have a good Christmas this year...I look forward to hearing about your good times....

The search for presents is not going really well....
First of all...we barely had any yet...and the ones I did have, I am now having to ship off to Winnipeg...as Krystal ended up moving a month before planned..
and I hadn't done ANY shopping for her sisters yet....
Last night, we were going to go and look...but Kendal's aunt and uncle were in town, and we hadn't seen them for a long time, and so we decided to go with them for supper.
I thought that the malls would be open late...after all it is about 4 days till the big one...
BUT NO! The mall actually closed at 9pm.
Good thing we live in a city....

Fortunately Walmart is open 24 hours right now, so we did get some done.
However, not as much as I wanted...and so I am going to have to bring a sick baby shopping today again. (that should be fun...)
Every year I say I am going to shop all year and save myself the hassle...
I used to be really organized when the kids were small and by Christmas, usually had all that done...
Somehow the older they are...the less organized I am....
I'm not sure what that means...
How many of you are ready by the big day...and how many of you are last minute shoppers??

Jeremy swinging himself??

Colin...just for you....

meme (mm)

n.

A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.

#7...Nope..I don't have any room for the inn....have you seen my house lately????

#14....Maybe I do stink, but I dare you come and tell me.....LOL!

Merry Christmas to you too.....

Julie over at Keepin the Faith
posted this fun little meme this morning, and so I thought I would join in the fun!
If you want to take part...just copy and paste..and please link back to me!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Definately wrapping paper...I don't think I would get much out of opening a gift bag..and it is too easy to peak...

2. Real tree or artificial?

I have always had real trees up until the last two years, but they are harder to find and put up...and messier...and I left one up till June one year...(it was a really long time ago..) so I thought maybe artificial trees were safer...
Did I ever get teased about that....

3. When do you put up the tree?

December 1st...it is one of our family day traditions...

4. When do you take the tree down?

mmmwhenever I can find the time....

5. Do you like eggnog?

Love it..it is my favorite!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

a blue dinasaur...but I don't actually know if I got it as a Christmas gift. The other one was some water toy....you squeezed it, and this dumbell thing went and picked up stuff off the bottom..I don't even know what you would call it, but I played with that thing forever...and I don't know what ever happened to it...

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

nope...no room

8. Hardest person to buy for?

My 20 year old...we are never sure what she likes anymore.

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Jeremy...he is too young to care, and will just be excited to crawl in boxes and rip paper...

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I can't say for sure...

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?

mail....for sure.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

The Grinch who stole Christmas...hands down...we all get together and watch it, and sing all the songs. (although technically it isn't a movie...) Next to that it would have to be White Christmas...Love the dancing...

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I am a procrastinator...so whenever I get around to it?

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

no...but if I get anymore bath stuff this year, I will think about it...(I love bath stuff..but I am only so dirty folks....I can't cram anymore into my cupboard...)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Turkey...and cinnamon buns..and I used to really like my moms pulla(sp?) finnish coffee bread.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

blue and white.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Silent night, hands down.

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home?

stay home...we can't really afford to travel. Plus Kendal never is able to get time off from his job...

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Fraid not.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

A star which I have had for 20 years...

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas Eve..It is more romantic.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

People's lack of Christmas spirit when driving down town or shopping..."Come on folks...lighten up..it is Christmas for crying out loud...."l

23. What I love most about Christmas?

I love reading the story of Jesus' birth and celebrating his birthday. I love being with family and sharing special memories. Our gift opening is usually pretty fun...but I am not going to tell you why...LOL!

Happy Birthday Krystal!

Happy 20th birthday Krystal Dawn~

It is the end of the teen years, and the beginning of a new adult life.
I'm sure that soon you will be as mature as me....

(To turn off the music at the side so you can watch the video, hit the little button with two lines and the music will stop...)

Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen Things I am Thankful for....

It is a good time of year to be thankful...

1. God. Self explanatory...and sorry... I don't have a picture of Him yet....(LOL)

2. My wonderful little boy....He is such a happy guy to have around, and so much fun....
Kendal and I had decided previously not to have any more children, as I had the three girls already...until all of a sudden after 10 years of marriage....and the loss of several close friends...
All of a sudden, it seemed the thing to do...and a year and a half later this little man entered our lives......

3. My husband Kendal...(most days anyways....LOL!) We have been married almost 12 years now.. He is my best friend, and we almost always have a good time at whatever we are doing...have the same sense of humor (that is a scary thought...) Unfortunatly, we are also both stubborn...so we butt heads quite often....LOL!-We have lots of headaches....

4. My girls...Krystal is turning 20 this year and gave me a wonderful grandson...Talon...Brandy is 17 and graduating this year...and Bree is 15 and in grade 10....

5. My Grandson Talon...We have had so much fun with him since he has been born...and he is always a source of entertainment...being such a character...



6. Our house....I LOVE where we are living right now..It is smaller then where we were before, but we have worked ways around it, and we have actually gotten rid of a lot of stuff we didn't need anyways...We have a huge backyard, and the neighborhood is really quiet...(and very festive..I can't believe how many of our neighbors go all out on the decorating...) One of our neighbors even raked our lawn when we moved in!!

7. Our Church..Avonhurst
We have been going there now for two and a half years and still love it, and have made many friends in our time there.



8. Our friends....we feel very blessed by the friends we have made here since we moved to Regina.

9. Our Health...again ....self explanatory.....

10. Regina...and behind that Saskatchewan.....(Man...I can just hear some of you saying "what are you even talking about....) but we love it here and have ever since we arrived almost six years ago....There is tons to do here, and lots of it is free. There are beautiful parks, and lots of other things to brag about...but I won't waste your time right now...:)



11. That I have been able to spend Jeremy's first year at home with him, with some relatively stress free months, and that I will be able to stay with him now. (provided I am able to find some more daycare kids of course...)




12. Kind of gos along with the staying at home thing...but I am also thankful for the opportunity to stay home and do daycare...I can't imagine having to send Jeremy away...and right now I have a great guy named Mathew. He is fun to have around, and generally a very well behaved felllow, so we have fun.



and finally last. but not least

13. THE INTERNET! Which helps me stay connected to other adults (otherwise I would lose my mind) and also allows me to stay in touch with family and friends out of province and saves on evil phone bills.....




Oh yeah, and I will tag Tammy
Sandi
and Heather

Have fun guys!


Oh...and if you would like to see more 13 Thursday posts... click here.

MMMMMCHocolate.....

Welcome to the Thursday Edition of Wordless Wednesday...

Here is a post to go with yesterdays "sleeping in the highchair" post....hehehe...
Jeremy wasn't even on solids yet, and I turned around to do something at the sink...and he managed to get his hands on a chocolate muffin on the table....LOL!
He ate half of it before I could stop him...and seemed to be doing just fine..Thank you very much!

If you would like to visit more Thursday edition blogs...click here!

Caught on video....