Saturday, 2 June 2012

Jude at 9 months

I am trying to catch up and keep better records.  I feel like, you being my last child, have been a little neglected in the recording of the milestones department, and yes even taking pictures.  I have been quite slack.  You have changed so much this past month.....

Jude at 9 months:

- weighs 20 lbs 11 oz.

- is 30 inches long.

- wears size 12 month clothing and some 12 - 18 month clothing too.

- is constantly on the go and still very much obsessed with going up the stairs (our gate isn't long enough, so we have to get a little creative----you always find the holes, or move things over so you can squeeze through)

- finally had two teeth pop through (while we were on holidays).

- now bite me during feeding all of the time and think it is funny.

- have been quite fussy with your eating lately--naturally so I guess!

- went on your first holiday and had so many firsts (camping, seeing the Enchanted Forest, seeing farm animals, the beach and the cold Okanogan lake, going to the States, seeing and feeling the ocean, the sand, touching star fish and other sea creatures, visiting cousins in Oregon, going to Aquariums)

- continues to pull yourself up on to anything and you will let go now--yikes.

- does the bear crawl a lot.

- loves to be around other children, especially your brother and sister.

- plays peek-a-boo.

- is still really happy and content.  You have no problems playing and entertaining yourself.  I forget that you are around sometimes.

- loves cuddles and snuggles.

- loves bath time, swimming and anything water related.

- is such a chatterbox. 

- still gives the best kisses.

- moved to your own room now and you hate it!

- has about two naps.

- still not sleeping through the night....it's worst than ever I feel!

- loves to be outside and go for walks in the stroller.

- has an obsession with balls.

- still love your nummies!

Thursday, 31 May 2012

1000 Gifts







533.  Getting back into Canada quick and easy (with no lines).

534.  Exploring Vancouver and the gorgeous weather we had!

535.  Taking the kids to the Aquarium.

536.  Finding a camp-site with a pool and hot tub!

537.  Exploring and walking around downtown Vancouver--such a beautiful city, especially when the sun is out!

538.  Playing silly racing games with my kids (while strangers were watching).

539.  The beach.

540.  Supper out at a restaurant and receiving compliments on how cute and well behaved my kids were.  (they caught us on a good day--lol)

541.  Spending the day in the area that my hubby was born.

542.  Watching live, huge crabs being caught for supper and seeing how excited the kids were to see this.

543.  Time in the pool and seeing how confident they are becoming.

544.  Dinner with Mike, Liana and Lexi.  Seeing their new place and watching how much my kids adored Lexi.

545.  Finding a short cut home (which would have made the trip to their place sooo much easier)!

546.  Fisherman's wharf.

547.  Talking with a 'real' fisherman--definitely the highlight of Zech's day!

548.  Crab poutine (oh my....to die for)!

549.  Time at the beach, yet again!

550.  Late night swim with daddy when they should have been sleeping (he surprised them and they were over the moon).

551.  Packing up and getting things down in a timely manner.

552.  Knowing that my kids enjoyed their vacation as they cried when we told them we were heading home.

553.  Seeing 3 bears on our way home!

554.  Arriving home safely.

555.  Sleeping in.

556.  Watching Zech at soccer for the 1st time.

557.  Meeting a new friend (to me) - someone John knew from years ago at his Young Adults group in Kelowna and finding out that our boys are on the same soccer team and that our girls are close in age.

558.  Reminiscing on all of the memories I have of my Dad and being thankful for the time I did have and these memories that will never be taken or forgotten.

559.  Getting back into our routine.

560.  Hearing how some of his friends missed him.

561.  Getting to see our doctor in a timely manner.

562.  Finishing all of my purchases for her birthday.

563.  The excitement as we prepare and plan for the party.

564.  Watching how hard he tries in soccer.

565.  Volunteer coaches.

566.  Cheering, encouraging and supportive parents.

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

1000 Gifts

479. Getting on the road for our first ever 'Gooch' camping trip!

480. Hearing and seeing how excited they are for the trip.

481.  Fanny packs full of snacks.

482.  New toys and books for the trip.

483.  Celebrating all the moms and my Mom too!

484.  A bouquet of dandelions and Happy Mother's Day wishes from 2 sweethearts.

485.  The Enchanted Forest.



486.  Staying at the Kuipers farm and enjoying the beautiful view.


487.  Campfires.

488.  Watching my boy be a 'farmer' and help plant the grapes.

489.  The beach and nice, hot weather.


490.  My favourite doughnuts---a treat for mother's day.

491.  Good meals with good company.

492.  Getting on the road again.

493.  New sights along the way.

494.  Taking the 'wrong' road and turning it into quite the adventure.

495.  Getting through the border crossing and explaining to the officer 'why' we are at this border crossing!

496.  Finding a hotel after surviving some pretty crazy, windy, mountain roads and passes.

497.  Free breakfast!

498.  A cheap tire at Walmart and a very handy husband.

499.  Coastal highways.

500.  Half way to one thousand! :o)

501.  Arriving in Canon Beach, Oregon.


502.  Setting up camp.

503.  Goodwill deals (a heater/fan).

504.  A trip to Costco and seeing how much cheaper it is in the States!

505.  Watching the kids go nuts on the beach.

506.  Heavenly seafood - thanks Norma Jean (a great, cheap restaurant in Seaside).

507.  Finding and moving to a new campsite suited more towards kids (playground and pool).

508.  Going to a new beach, exploring the rocks, building sand castles and taking naps.

509.  Fun in the swimming pools.

510.  Turning in early, after a long, fun day.

511.  Hearing about how much fun they had during our cuddle time.

512.  More beach time!

513.  Seeing how awesome my hubby is at playing and interacting with our kids.

514.  A rainy day drive.

515.  Tillamook foot long jerky factory.

516.  A last seafood supper at Norma Jeans.

517.  A quick, easy drive to John's cousins place.

518.  Beautiful views.

519.  A wonderful lunch with wonderful company.

520.  An afternoon/evening out for John and I (his cousin took our older two, so that we could go into town and enjoy some time to ourselves)

521.  Just Jude and Mommy and Daddy.

522.  An awesome Mexican meal at Chevy's.

523.  That my kids listened!

524.  A wonderful breakfast.

525.  Wonderful conversations and hearing about the amazing things that God has done in their lives.

526.  19 years in the Mission field with the First Nations people here in Canada - a book to be put out soon (can't wait to read it--they have such a wealth of knowledge and Godly wisdom).

527.  Feeling so incredibly blessed by John's cousins ---too blessed.

528.  Driving back and getting through I-5 traffic.

529.  A cheap, nice, huge, hotel (timeshare) booked by John's cousin for us to spend the night in.

530.  Memories of a trip that my parents, sister and I took years ago to the exact same place.

531.  Sleeping in a King sized bed again.

532.  Watching these three and their make believe play.


533. 


 

Friday, 4 May 2012

1000 Gifts

I have been counting in my wee little book that sits beside my bed.  Even though these past few months have been so extremely challenging on so many levels, it is a break to just sit and count the simple things at the end of the day.

387.  Her first swimming lesson and seeing how excited she was.

388.  The Zoo and the perfect weather we had.

389.  Watching how excited they were to be at the zoo with their good friends.

390.  Hanging with our good friends too! Love Team B!

391.  Playing outside and enjoying some beautiful weather.

392.  First time on the trampoline for Jude and seeing the expression on his face.

393.  Going for ice cream.

394.  Listening to him read his 1st two books all on his own.

395.  A chance to vote, even though I think the 'politics' in this election were beyond ridiculous. I can not believe the lies, scandals, fear mongering, and the fact that people won't look into it---pathetic.

396.  Getting in two workouts.

397.  A new dress for me.

398.  Finding the perfect items for my girls birthday coming soon.

399.  Volunteering at his school.

400.  Listening to him as he is 'Star of the Day.'

401.  Hearing his class pray and their prayer requests and feeling so incredibly blessed that they can all openly share their faith.

402.  Watching him crawl everywhere and play so independently.

403.  Cuddles with just Zech, Mom and Daddy and seeing how happy he was for some alone time.

404.  Volunteering for his special 'Art' day.

405.  Learning about "Monet".

406.  Taching

407.  Cochrane Christian School Grand Opening and giving all the glory to God.

408.  Watching him sing his little heart out and do all of the actions.

409.  Busy bags to keep her entertained throughout the speaches.

410.  Getting a haircut (3 inches off).

411.  Passport pictures completed.

412. Accountability partners, when I need them most!

413.  Handing in our passport application.

414.  Cuddles with my two boys!

415. Reading timely blog posts.

416.  Swimming lessons for Jude and Gigi and seeing how much they love being in the water.

417.  A wonderful babysitter for Zech and knowing that we can leave our kids with someone now.

418.  Baby sales and getting shoes for a great price!

419.  Running into a friend I haven't seen in a while at the Baby Sale.

420.  Playing outside as a family on the trampoline.

421.  Beautiful weather.

422. Knowing that God is in control and has us in the palm of his hand as we pray for a friend of ours who just found out he has a brain tumour and is waiting for more results.

423.  Words of encouragement and knowing that others see and understand what we have been going through.

424.  Having good friends over for supper.

425.  New recipes that were a hit.

426.  A new playground to let them run wild on.

427.  a picnic in the mountians.

428.  How God puts certain people in our lives at timely occasions.

429.  Watching our kids run, play, scream, and laugh with their older kids.

430.  Going for ice cream together.

431.  Hearing our friends preach a good message and a timely one too.

432.  Hearing our kids talk about how much fun they had and sharing how thankful they are for the fun day.

433.  A hubby who gets up, gets him ready for school, takes him to school and lets me sleep in after a rough night.

434.  This phase and trying to enjoy it, take in all He wants me to learn from it - even when it is so hard.

435. watching him explore everything with his new found freedom that he has crawling.

436.  Hearing all about his first day at soccer adn seeing how excited he was.

437.  Discussing our 'favourites'.

438.  A new month.

439.  Unexpected cheques.

440.  Knowing that summer is just around the corner.

441.  My 1st Zumba class.

442.  Celebrating 8 months.

443.  Watching him pull himself up and walk around the furniture for the first time today.



444.  Getting errands done with my hubby helping me out.

445.  New books for him to read.

446.  Excitement over dandelions that remind me of how excited I was as a kid to see the 1st 'yellow flowers'.

447. Watching our friends boy and seeing how much fun they all have together.

448.  making it through another eventful week.

449.  Helping him prepare for 'Fear Factor' night (worms, crickets, cow tongue).

450.  Hearing how successful it went (and wishing I could have been there to see it).

451.  Hanging out with Daddy where he works and watching them go crazy over the worship music.

452.  Another fun day at swimming lessons!

453.  A new Farmers market and a beautiful bouquet of flowers--free.

454.  The trade show and running into friends.

455.  Exploring new roads - very scenic.



456.  An early Mother's Day celebration (Korean BBQ)

457.  letting all 3 explore the beaches at Lake Minnewanka.

458.  Our little family picture.



459.  A new to us tent trailer.

460.  him scoring his 1st goal at soccer (and the funny story behind it).

461.  A daddy that helps him and treats him afterwards.

462.  Alone time and prayer time with Zech and hearing how much he loves soccer.

463.  His excitement over the tent trailer.

464.  Making plans and getting the kids input (Gigi asked if we could see Lions and Elephants at the beach).

465.  Meeting friends at the mall whom we have not seen for a very long time.

466.  Watching our kids interact together.

467.  Watching our baby boys who are only a couple days apart.

468.  A 'quiet' day for John.

469.  His excitement to get ready and go play soccer.

470.  Jude's first tooth! (finally)

471.  Finding our keys.

472.  A great meeting with our new found Financial Advisors - love how open, informative and transparent they are.

473.  Meeting with his teacher and the discussions we have.

474.  Friends that can help him out with the electrical.

475.  Finishing packing.

476.  New, yummy cookies.

477.  Their beautiful, sensitive hearts (watching Godtube and seeing them cry and pray for the kids owies).

478.  Hearing their conversations:

Z - Gigi, I made you a card (which he really did and even asked me how to spell her name)

G - Oh, is it for my birthday?

Z - No, it's just because I love you.

G - Oh thank you, that is very kind!



 

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Jude at 8 months

Time sure does fly and here we are at 8 months.  Only 4 more months and you will already be a year old, my little monkey.

Jude at 8 months:

- weighs ___

- is ___inches tall.

- still wears size 4 diapers.

- wears size 12 month clothing.

- is crawling everywhere.  Just started a week before he turned 8 months.

- is standing up and pulls himself up onto any piece of furniture he can (he just decided to do this today--on his 8 months birthday).

- Has become a vacume and puts absolutely everything and anything in his mouth.  He is really going after the little lint pieces on the carpet--yuck!

- Started swimming lessons and loves them.
 
- Is obsessed with the stairs---that is the only place you want to crawl.  You have even fallen down them, because you go too fast and mommy can't keep up.

- Loves to give kisses.  It is so sweet and cute.

- You are such a cuddle bug.  You love to cuddle and snuggle and I LOVE it!

- You still eat a tonne.  You are moving away from the mushy food though and really like to eat finger foods all by yourself.

- Love playing with your brother and sister.

- Have become quite vocal and will go after your brother and sister crying when they take away your toys. They are lucky you don't have any teeth yet.

- Love to be outside and in the trampoline, especially.

- Love puppies!

- Still do not sleep through the night and I am exhausted!

- Naps twice a day.




Friday, 20 April 2012

1000 Gifts

These past few weeks have been one heck of a Roller Coaster. I am still trying to process and deal with all that has went on. I can't talk or even write about it as I would not have very 'Christian' or Christ centered words to say. Never have I been so angry, so hurt, so completely and utterly done. However, I will still count. I know that we live in such a broken, sinful, fallen world and the only one that truly understands what I am going through is HIM. As I reflect on the extreme sacrifice He made for my pathetic, sinful life, I am so grateful and humbled. I am also comforted because He knows, He gets it, He understands.

There is a lot of healing that will need to take place, mainly me having to hand it over to Him and trust Him and know that He does vindicate. I have heard it so much these past few weeks, "oh God has big things planned for you guys, just hang in there". Seriously I don't want 'big' things, I just want 'any' thing, 'some' thing, and yes preferably 'His' thing.

273. Celebrating 7 years and anticipating many more to come!

274. Busy bag exchange. I now have 20 busy bags to keep my kids entertained---love them, thanks ladies!

275. Getting passports pictures taken. We were in and out within 10 min. --- not even. We only had to take 3 pictures of Jude--yay!

276. Letting the kids run wild in the mall on a cold day (yes people were thinking that we just let them run wild, but they needed to release some pent up energy--so whatever)

277. Sweet Potatoe Sushi---soo delicious!

278. Friends that keep in touch and always make the effort to call us even when we live far apart.

279. Rocky Mountain Soap Company and their Breakout buster! Our friends in the east called and asked us to send them some. We had to try it and it works awesome!

280. Bill delivering more stuff for us!

281. Talks with my boy, I love that he is so open and honest with me.

282. Last day of school in an incredibly long week.

283. Praying for and with friends going through a difficult situation.

284. Jolly Jumper!
 


285. Watching my kids 'pretend' to play, sing and dance to their own worship music.

286. Lazy mornings and days at home.

287. Running errands quickly.

288. The hunger and desire the Youth have to hear truth.

289. Seeing how God is working.

290. Trying new foods at a European deli.

291. That our kids love to try worldly, ethnic dishes and share our love of travel (or pretending to travel).

292. 2 parks to play and explore.

293. Watching my kids play 'church'.

294. Knowing that God cares and loves me, when I really, truly need to know and hear this most.

295. Lunch with my beautiful family.

296. A much needed 3 hour nap (yes I put the older two in front of the computer with a movie).

297. Words of wisdom, and encouragement from my hubby.

298. Friends that watched our kids for us when we desperately needed someone to watch them.

299. Leaving my baby for the first time---we all survived! :o)

300. An interesting interview and knowing that whether or not we get the position, we are learning so much and God is revealing things that we really needed to hear and see.

301. Supper with friends.

302. Interesting phone conversations.

303. He knows our hearts.

304. Timely conversations and the assurance that there are people that know truth.

305. An involved Daddy who is there for his kids and volunteers at school.

306. His excitement over gymnastics.

307. Parent/teacher interviews and knowing that we are so blessed that he has such an amazing teacher who gets him and sees what an amazing heart he has. She is so focused on the heart---love that!

308. Seeing how far he has come and how much progress he has made.

309. Supper and fellowship with some new friends who are going through exactly what we are. It is so amazing how God puts these people in our lives in such a timely fashion!

310. Sleeping in---it is so rare in this household.

311. Incredibly blessed to have friends that pray for us, with us and that truly care about us.

312. Knowing that He is big enough to handle my yelling, screaming, tears and pure frustration.

313. Watching my kids play together (without fighting).

314. Celebrating a 2 year old's birthday.

315. Seeing them play with their friends.

316. A week off from school.

317. Playing soccer in the park.

318. Feeling blessed that I am physically able to play with my kids, run, jump, etc.

319. Racing them---they are so competitive ( I wonder where they get that from)!

320. Talking to good friends and allowing myself to just cry and let it all out.

321. Resurrection buns and discussing what the ingredients signify.


322. Making Easter cookies.

323. Watching my boys play swords.

324. German deli's and a picnic lunch.

325. Driving to the mountains to get away.


326. That the most beautiful scenery is only an hour away.

327. Family pictures.



328. The trading post.

329. New trinkets at the trading post and thinking why the heck did we buy them that seconds later. (we bought them wooden flutes--and guess what they did the entire way home)

330. HE IS ALIVE!!!!

331. Amazing, heartfelt, worship music.

332. Letting the tears fall and knowing that He really is for us.

333. Exploring China-town.

334. Eating an amazing lunch.

335. That they are so willing and eager to try new foods.

336. Questions - on some of the most difficult topics (my 5 year old has been asking these amazing, difficult, spiritual questions---I feel like he has such an old soul and I am not ready to discuss some of these things with him).

337. Hearing them chat away with Grandma on the phone (they miss Grandma).

338. The 'rubber' park.

339. Watching my social butterflies make new friends at the park and have them introduce me to them!

340. Attempting to go 'poo' less.

241. Long phone conversations with a good friend and the openness and willingness to share really deep, personal things. Once again we are blessed.

342. Seeing how excited he was to go back to school.

343. Getting our routine back.

344. My little workout partner.

345. Schedules.

346. Long talks with my husband.

347. Clean bathrooms.

348. Yummy suppers and leftovers to freeze for two more meals.

349. Playing at the park.

350. Watching brothers play together.



351. Bill dropping off stuff for us yet again.

352. Easter treats, books and games.

353. My Loretta doll.

354. Play dates---that were spontaneous.

355. These 2 playing 'family' all day long.

356. Watching God tube with my kids and having some great conversations.

357. His questions, which had me and him laughing uncontrollably. I didn't really know how to respond, so I made him ask Daddy the next morning---after we shared a great laugh. (His question was 'why did God created us?' .....innocent enough, but then he asks 'and why did he make our wee wee's?'----didn't quite know how to handle that one).

358. Cuddles with my sick girl.

359. That we have a washer and dryer, especially when there is a sick little one.

360. Daddy sleeping with his girl when she is sick and seeing how excited she was.

361. A day of rest--truly what it is supposed to be.

362. Going for a drive.

363. Homeoprophylaxis.

364. Xerion (thanks Heather for the recommendation--they have been fantastic)

365. New deli's and bakeries (yes we like to try different deli's and bakeries)

366. German doughnuts---best doughnut I have ever had!

367. Talking on the phone with my cousin.

368. A better sleep.

369. Good, new recipes.

370. Seeing him crawl everywhere.

371. 'New to us' furniture---some of it free.

372. Reading 'history' books with my boy and being completely amazed that he picked it out from the library and sat and listened (it doesn't really have pictures).

373. A new reading plan from his school.

374. Cuddling my sick baby boy.

375. Seeing how worried his siblings get when they see that their baby brother is sick.

376. Watching them pray for him.

377. Listening to my 5 year old's long prayers (and them breaking my heart).

378. Play dates and seeing how well they get along and play together.

379. That my husband is so amazingly, awesome with kids and gets right on the trampoline and just plays with them.

380. Fellow-shipping with the mamas.

381. Knowing how blessed I am that i have such an amazing husband to parent with and that I am not alone.

382. Beautiful twin girls and seeing how God is working in their family's lives.

383. That he is not afraid to stand up for God's word, the truth, the bread, the foundation of our lives.

384. Finishing our taxes finally (it was my first year doing it by myself--or with the help of Turbo tax).

385. Planning meals.

386. That we can afford to go grocery shopping and stock our fridge and freezer, when so many have nothing.



Monday, 2 April 2012

Jude at 7 months..

My baby boy is growing. John and I were just talking the other night at how much he has grown and even though he will always be 'the baby', he has changed so much and is becoming so independent and 'grown' up. I think it will really hit us when he starts walking.

Jude at 7 months:

- weighs

- is __ tall

- wears size 4 diapers.

- wears size 12 month clothing. (Yes I had to put away the 6 month stuff).

- Is an eating machine. I can not believe how much this kid eats! Three meals a day, not to mention the snacks and the milkies!

- Has tried all sorts of food (apples, bananas, apricots, peaches, mango, pears, prunes, dates, beans, peas, avocado, carrots, sweet potaotes, chicken noodle soup, mum mum crackers, bread and cereal) . I had to look back at what my other two preferred, Zech loved his fruit and Gigi loved her veggies. Jude just loves food, he really has no preference. He will make funny faces at certain foods, but he just keeps eating.

- Is by far my messiest eater. I can not believe how messy he is!

- Loves the Jolly Jumper.

- Army crawls, does the bridge backward crawl (weirdest thing I have seen yet---I need to get a video of it) and rolls everywhere.

- Loves to sit up and has sit up on his own a few times now.

- Has some favourite toys.......his stuffed bear, books, his star teether,

- Has two naps, one in the morning at around 10:00 am and then after lunch.

- Does not sleep through the night--he's a horrible sleeper. I am up at least 5 times a night with him.

- Still such a happy, content, smiley, little boy.