GrEIGHTful!

Ever have one of those weeks you just want to forget ever happened--well that was our week. We were at our friends place yesterday for a BBQ and they asked me what I did this past week and I forgot, and when I remembered, I actually remembered why I forgot....it was a week that I just wanted to pretend never happened--make sense! :o)

We actually thought Tuesday was Wednesday (so went to our Wednesday appointments on Tuesday--imagine the frustration), found out by the cops that U-turns are illegal in Alberta (not totally true--we asked our friend who is a cop), had a horrible conversation with our landlord, who is a real slime ball and doesn't have an honest bone in his body (good thing we had already consulted the Landlord Tenant Board--he is totally in the wrong, but now we have to get Health Services involved) and then my hard drive on my computer went and yes I lost a whole bunch of pictures.  The worst part is that I had this feeling all week that I needed to back up my pictures (I am usually really good, but got behind since Genesis was born) and then it happened on Thursday and it is hooped.  The other sad part is that we bought extended warranty on the laptop and it just expired!  So I was pretty devastated---all of my pictures of Genesis are gone and all of my pregnancy pictures too!  We can take it to a data recovery place apparently, but we have been told that it could cost from anywhere between $300 - $10,000.  So that kind of put a damper on things.  So I am praying that we can find a cheap method to recover my photos, but I just felt sick and yes I was in tears!  So this is why I didn't want to remember this week......:o)  And sorry there will be no pictures posted.....

Now on a brighter note, this week I am grateful for:

1. My husbands excitement as he starts back at school!! He is so pumped and I am so happy and excited for him too (I will live vicariously through him--I loved College and University---could be a student for life if I had the money....and time)!

2. Our little boy and his nightly prayer routine.  He is so cute and we will have to video tape him.  We are teaching him the Lord's Prayer now too and he is smart and has actually said the next line when I had a brain lapse--I was shocked!  We also thank Jesus for people and things, and it is so funny to listen to the things that he comes up with and says all on his own.  Precious times and memories these are!

3.  Our little Miss Smiley.  She is such a content baby and is going through some teething issues now, but still remains quite happy.  She is also a really great sleeper during the night (not the best napper yet)!  She has started to go to bed earlier now and sleeps for a long time.  YAY!!

4.  Play dates with good friends!  Zech adores Helayna, Silas and Mrs. Heaven (that's Mrs. Heather).  He was so happy to have Helayna over this week and is constantly asking about Helayna and Silas--it's pretty cute!

5.  A great church service, which included a cupcake party!  It was a good message and we are really liking this new church!

6.  Time to explore and go on new adventures.  We love exploring and I am glad that my hubby, little boy and now little girl share the same adventurous, exploratory spirit that I have.  

7.  Great phone conversations with good friends and knowing that we can ask one another to pray and think about us when we are going through some interesting times.

8.  The Holtem family and an awesome BBQ and day spent with them.  John connected with his buddy through facebook after quite a few years and we have been enjoying spending a lot of time with this family.  The kids are older and look after Zech and play with him all the time (a much needed break for mommy and daddy) and you will have to see the BEAUTIFUL Quilt that Ang made (or is making) for Genesis.  She showed it to me yesterday and just has to sew it together and finish it.  I am so blessed and so shocked that she would make this for us.  I can't wait to get it and to post pictures of it--it is so gorgeous! She is a talented quilter (I think) and I am still so shocked that she is making a quilt for GG!   

GrEIGHTful!

I know it has been a while since I posted a grateful list, or since I have posted much of anything. Still trying to find time, I guess! :o)

This will just be a random grateful list.

So I am grateful for:

1.) A wonderful hubby who is devoted to the Lord and his family! He's the best!

2.) My challenging, yet super adorable little boy. Yes I have my days where I wonder where my child went, but he is such a little sweetie! I love him to bits and pieces. It's a fun age where you never know what he is going to say or do next!

3.) My beautiful, smiley, content little girl. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. She is such a great baby and oh so smiley and content! Love HER!

4.) For finally getting out for my first run in I have no idea how many months!! It was supposed to be a short one (you know to break in the legs--hee), but we got a little lost and it ended up taking over an hour, and we were (ok my husband was) chased by swarms of mosquitos--and they got him (I don't get mosquito bites--never have--lucky me) and it was an adventure! Surprisingly enough I am not that sore today--maybe tomorrow!

5.) A visit with my grandma--or Zech's gweat gwandma! She is such a sweet, wonderful, kind granny! I will have to tell more later--she just makes us laugh and we love her so much!

6.) A chance to spend more time with Heather and her family! Also for all of the clothes and toys that they gave to us for little miss GG!! Thanks, thanks, thanks!!!!

7.) Weekend picnics with my wonderful family!

8.) Visits with good friends and my sis and her family!

9.) Fresh garden produce from Crystal (and Bob's) garden! There is nothing better than garden fresh veggies and raspberries. WE have been so thoroughly enjoying them! THANK YOU!!

Roll Your Burden

The house is a mess, the dishes need to be done, lots of unpacking and sorting and cleaning that needs to be done, but I sit and I am trying to get my devotions back on track.  The kids are both napping at the same time (how rare)--so this is the perfect time to get everything done, but yet I do nothing but try and replenish my soul, because I am so thirsty and so tired and so confused.

I am trying to get a schedule going so that I can do my devotions and still keep up with the everyday tasks of running a household and being a mother, wife, woman of God, but it is so hard. This morning I started and woke up a half hour later than what I wanted but nonetheless, the kids slept and I could read the Bible and talk to the Lord in peace and quiet.  John was also up and took the time to read as well and then spent some time with his little girl.  John immediately came to me and asked me what I read.  He has been studying the book of Luke, but decided to read something different today.  He kept feeling like he needed to go back to the book of Luke and read where he really was supposed to read and lone behold the verses were all on casting our anxieties, our burdens to the Lord.  I have these verses written on little cue cards and they are usually posted to the fridge.  I am a worry wart and I have not mastered the art of casting my anxieties onto the Lord.  We have been through a few tough weeks (ahh what am I saying I mean years!) and sometimes we just wonder why and where do we go next.  What a wake up call.

So now I sit here in silence and I am reflecting on the Lord and where he wants to lead me.  So why am I blogging now, well I was going to do a two month post for Genesis (one of the many things I am behind on), but I felt the need to check out my new favourite blog that has been a huge blessing in my life lately.   I was looking for resources on prayer and this is what I came upon:  (I think maybe the Lord is speaking to me about this matter---I really have a tough time with this, but it is something that I will be fervent in prayer on!)---and no I am not sure why I felt the need to post this on my blog, but perhaps you too may find this encouraging??

For over ten years I’ve had this verse and comments by Charles Spurgeon on a scrap of paper taped to my computer monitor at work or pinned to my bulletin board at home. If your soul is burdened today (especially you battle-weary moms) I pray these words encourage you to rest in God.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:5-6

“Commit your way” literally means to “roll your burden” and so Mr. Spurgeon urges us to:

"Roll the whole burden of life upon the Lord. Leave with Jehovah not thy present fretfulness merely, but all thy cares; in fact, submit the whole tenor of thy way to him. Cast away anxiety, resign thy will, submit thy judgment, leave all with the God of all....The ploughman sows and harrows, and then leaves the harvest to God. What can he do else? He cannot cover the heavens with clouds, or command the rain, or bring forth the sun or create the dew. He does well to leave the whole matter with God; and so to all of us it is truest wisdom, having obediently trusted in God, to leave results in his hands and expect a blessed issue."

Genesis at 2 months!

This is not the normal photo I wanted to take. I was trying to test the lighting and then I never did get a chance to do a proper 2 month shot--so here it is imperfect at all, but she is a little doll none the less!

Wow, time flies! I can't believe my little girl is 2 months old. I am sure I will be saying this each time I post another monthly update! :o)

Genesis at 2 months:

- Weighs 14 lbs. 6 oz. and is 24 1/2 inches long.

- Wears size two diapers

- Is wearing 3-6 month clothing and some 6 month clothing, although with the summer heat a diaper is all she needs!

- Is so SMILEY and content, we love it!

- Coos and tries to talk all the time!

- Just started to giggle. It is so stinkin cute!!

- Is so strong and holds her head up all on her own.

- Tries to sit up when we lie her down and she wants to see all of the action still. She pulls her head up and lifts her legs up and does the "V" sit--she's gonna have abs of steel! :o)

- Loves her beach time gym mat--especially the chunky monkey.

- Wants to be where all of the action is. If we are eating and she is lying on her mat, she will start to whine and once you pick her up and sit with her, she is fine.

- Still doesn't like her car seat much.

- Loves her big brother, but gets a little tense when he is around (she never knows what to expect from him--and neither do we---the latest thing is him trying to pick her up----ahhh)

- Goes to bed at 10:00 pm and usually only wakes up once for a feeding.

- Is almost solely breastfed, and gets the odd bottle when I need a break.

- Has been swimming and slept the entire time, while Isabel and Ruby played and splashed non-stop.

- Met Ruby and Aunty Mari for the first time and can't wait to see Ruby again so that they can play more!

- Loves to be cuddled and is so cuddly. Even Zech is always asking to give her hugs.

Here and there

I will eventually be on a schedule and get back to some regular blogging, but for now at 5:00 am after a rough night of no sleep, I thought I would write a bit of randomness--and bore you all with what's on my mind (okay not everything, but a little)

I am thinking about all of my family and friends in Kelowna right now.  My in-laws both live in West Kelowna and are on evacuation alert.  It has been pretty scary and the fire that affects them is only 20% contained.  Our good friends Ron and Laura (who took us in and have become wonderful friends of ours when we moved back to Kelowna) have been evacuated and we have some other friends that live close to them who have also been evacuated.  It is pretty scary and we are really praying for all these people and that the fire fighters can get these fires contained!

I am cherishing all of the moments I have with my baby and trying to just enjoy every phase as this will probably be the last time we will have an infant.  It is hard when you are exhausted and haven't had any sleep, but when you look down and see this tiny little gift from God smiling up at you, it really melts your heart and you suddenly don't feel so tired!

I am pondering  some scripture I read today about loving your enemies.  It is really a hard thing to do!  

I am going through some serious withdrawal.  I want to travel and go somewhere exotic, but will have to wait for a while!

Genesis at 1 month

This is a tad late, soon it will be time for a two month post, but it is better late than never!

Genesis at one month:

- weighs about 12 lbs. and is __ in length.

- wears size two disposable diapers (size small G diapers)

- wears 3 month clothing and some 3-6 month clothing.

- has slept through the night a couple of times

- is not on a schedule yet.....

- eats, eats, eats and eats!

- loves to suck but will not take a soother----erghh!

- gave us her first smiles!

- loves naked time on her mat.

- hates to be burped and does not burp that much.

- has really loud toots! :o)

- gets lots of "cuggles" and kisses from her big brother.

- took her first holiday to the Okanagan and did awesome!

- had her first days at the beach.

- met her relatives in B.C. who absolutely adored her.

- spends quite a bit of time in the Bjorn.

- is very alert and wants to see all the action.

- takes naps and sleeps quite a bit (this to us is a shock as Zech never slept much as a newborn)!

GrEIGHTful extended version....

I know it has been a while once again since I have kept up with my Grateful list. Our little Prince is at the dayhome today and our Pincess is sleeping, so I am trying to do a bit of catching up and cleaning up around the house.

Lots to be grateful for, lots to be thankful for, so for the extended version here we go:

1. My husband. I do not know how we would have made it these past few weeks if it weren't for him. He is so amazing and so completely and utterly dedicated to his family. I am so, so, so BLESSED.

2. My little boy and his caring, sensitive little heart. It has not been an easy transistion for him, but he really loves his little sister and wants to help out so much. He loves to cuddle with her and feed her and demands that she plays with him. He laughs hysterically when she plays on her mat and kicks her feet and tells us how funny she is. He is still learning the idea of being really gentle. He seems to think that he can pick her up and bop her on the head, or squeeze her real tight. She lets him know though! :o) Oh and his name for his baby sister is "Baby G G". SO that is her nickname--something that we thought about before hand too.

3. My sister-in-law who flew up to help us while I was in the hospital. Not sure how we would have managed if she was not able to help out. Zech and her had a blast together and he wants to go on the airplane to see his Aunty Missy now!

4. Good friends and hand-me-downs. Trish gave us some of Isabelle's hand-me-downs and Mari has been sending us some hand-me-downs from Ruby! Thanks so much, I haven't really had to go out and buy much and this little monkey of ours is already out of the 0-3 month clothing.

5. My sis, brother-in-law and nephew. They have been a big help. They were able to help me when John had to work and I was with the kids by myself. The first week after my c-section was a little rough and I am not supposed to lift Zech, so my the Lee family helped me out and helped me get Zech bathed and into bed. They have also blessed us with meals (from the Big Cook, that I really wanted to do before I had Genesis), lots of clothes and goodies for both Genesis and Zech. Thanks!

6. For Photo Shop. I designed our birth announcements (which will finally be sent out today) before hand on Photoshop. I have to give credit for the design idea to my friend Heather. I loved the birth announcements she sent out for her son Silas, and looked every where to find one that was similar. I didn't like any of them and then it dawned on me to design my own. SO I did, but because I was in my daze like, sleepless state, I didn't compress the layers and adjust the resolution like I should have and now they all printed out blurry and well not the way they actually look in Photoshop. I was really disappointed, but not about to print them again. SO everyone will just have to get blurry, low resolution copies! :o(

7. The Stollery Children's Hospital. Yes we have been there already with Genesis. This past week we were in the doctor's office or hospital every second day it seemed with Zech getting an ear infection, me having a few complications with my c-section incision (having to go a few times to a doctor) and Genesis having diarrhea for days. I must say it is a true blessing to go to the Stollery as we are priority and never have to wait (the waiting room was full) and the doctor's and nurses are so NICE there and compassionate!

8. A formula that works--finally! We are actually making out own formula (oh how the doctor's and nurses are going to love this!!) and as soon as we switched Genesis to the new homemade formula her diarrhea cleared up and was gone the next day. Did you know that the first two ingredients in most formulas are corn syrup and sucrose! I questioned the nurse about this, and she didn't know this and had never ever looked at the ingredients before! How nice that we are pumping our kids full of corn syrup and sucrose from a very early age! This is why we decided to make our own.

9. Zech's dayhome. He loves going and it really has given us a much needed break!

10. A precious little girl who is a descent sleeper. She has given us a couple of nights where she has slept through the night, but that really scared me and I woke up with a start and tried to get her up to feed. Now she usually goes from 10:30 pm until 3:00 am and then feeds and goes back down until between 7:00 am and 8:00 am. Pretty good I think! Still don't have her on a schedule yet, but it will come!

11. A great church and a good message. The message on Sunday was about Death. Yeah I know sounds really uplifting, but it really was a good message and made you think about a few things. The message was built around R, Maximizing and Prioritizing your life. How true that we sometimes get so caught up in the wordly things of life and forget about what is most important. There were so many people that I think really needed to hear this message, including myself. Money, work, living a selfish life has become a priority and we are missing out on some of the greatest parts of life and living how God instructs us to live to ensure eternity.

12. That John is finally done is course tomorrow. He writes his final and then he gets a bit of a breather, before it is full speed ahead in the fall. I know he is stressed and hasn't had the time to study as much as he hoped, so I pray that God will help him get through this tough exam!

13. My first new bike ever! We cashed out our airmiles and I got a new bike. I know I can't ride it for a bit yet, but I am so excited to have a bike. It is really pretty and looks pretty fancy--I will have to figure out how to work the gearing. We love biking and can't wait to take the kids out biking!

14. God. Somedays I think we have both felt so overwhelmed and have wondered how on earth we are ever going to make it through. We have felt so alone, so isolated and so desperate for help, but just don't have it, so thank the Lord that He is always with us and able to get us through some really difficult times and sleepless nights. We now know what it is like to have two kids waking up in the middle of the night crying and needing attention. :o)