preschool this morning, kids are resting, post of random things in random order then I need to clean.

Kids are down for their rest, and I decided to skip a workout today.  We had preschool this morning (had a lovely time with my momma friends) and we have youth group tonight.  Chili is on the stove for dinner, I called my advisor at OC to figure some things out, and now I thought I'd write a post before jumping into housework (oh dear, there is so much).

This past week has felt very busy!  Last Thursday I dropped the kids off and went out to Bremerton to meet with my advisor.  We were able to figure out what classes I need to finish, and it looks like I should be able to get them all done by the end of Spring Quarter next year, if I pretty much take a full load every quarter (a few quarters won't be as full, which is nice).

Today I found out I do have to go in and take the math portion of the accuplacer, mainly because Renton Technical College didn't have my full score on record.  So, I'm doing that next Tuesday, and I am hoping I will be able to brush up enough that I don't have to take the algebra class.  Most of the classes I need have to be done in a specific order, so if I have to do the math class, it sets me back an entire quarter.  Which is okay, but I would like to get it all done as quickly as possible!  My financial aid came through already, so my only cost is going to be childcare.

The childcare at the school is RIDICULOUS.  I had planned on taking the shortest classes possible so the kids wouldn't have to be in daycare very long.  Turns out, they are requiring them to be there for 6 hours because of when my classes start (I don't have many options for schedules, either).  So, in some ways it's unfortunate, because it would have been very convenient to have them on campus, but in some ways it is better, because now I can go to the closer campus in Poulsbo which has better schedules and less full classes, and just have them in a chidlcare center closer to there.  There are some good options in our area with great programs, as long as they have space.  I know the kids are going to love it.  It will only be 2 or 3 times a week for a couple of hours, so basically like going to preschool.

I am getting super exicted about it though.  I was telling my friend about it this morning, and she began telling me all about her midwife who lives in the area and is super pro getting new midwives in the Kitsap area, since we don't have very many and she is always overbooked.  They are also working on opening a birth center in Silverdale (25 minutes from me), with the purpose of it having shifts instead of everyone being on call 24/7 to help with family life.  It really sounds like there is an awesome birthing community to be a part of here and she has a very professional practice and a great reputation and working relationship with the hospitals in the area.  I just received an email back from her and will be meeting up with her soon to chat.

Lately I have been baking and cooking more, and enjoying it!  I finally got back into writing out a real menu plan and prepping things before hand - meaning Jeremy is actually packing a lunch these days, and we are enjoying a little more variety than what we have when I just throw something random together.  I have been doing all gluten free cooking at home again, too, and amazingly, my husband has actually told me that what I make is "delicious"!  You don't even understand how good it is to hear that.

I have been experimenting over the past year with different flour blends, and finally found one that seems to hold up to most recipes as a wheat flour substitute.  This week I made a deep dish pizza in our new cast iron pan we found (Jeremy scrubbed the rust off with baking soda and I seasoned it - works great!) and my dough turned out almost perfect.

I also did a mass prep day and made ahead a bunch of eggplant spring roles, mason jar salads for work lunches and a cabbage salad, gluten free sandwich bread (which is actually better than the super expensive store bought stuff and I need to make more), muffins and biscuits for breakfasts which I froze, a big pot of rice, and sprouted a bunch of beans.  I made sprouted lentil "meat" balls last night, with almond meal for breadcrumbs.  We had them with pasta, and Jeremy said it was as a good as a meatball.  I reminded him that he hasn't had a meatball in a year, but HEY, he actually liked them and the kids gobbled them up too, so I was happy.

I'm glad to have found a few good recipes I can easily make a head and freeze, because I know once I start school I'm not going to have as much time in the kitchen every day.

Shea has been doing a lot better lately, but he still has his days.  I'm at least glad that they are a little farther in between.  I think maybe the bigger change has been that I have been approaching these situations that come up much calmer.  The days that go better are really because I am acting less childlike.

I have been so happy the sun has been shining the past couple of days!  I have gotten the kids out to a playground a few times this week and Jeremy has finally started working a little bit more (he barely worked the last couple of weeks with the rain) and I am so eager to get out in the garden.  Our chicken coop is halfway finished, and they will be moving out hopefully in the next week and a half, but I have to move all the rose bushes still.

Sunday we visited Sunnyslope for church!  We haven't been there in nearly 3 years, since we stepped down.  It is pretty much exactly the same, but a couple less people, since some have passed away.  Everyone was happy to see us though, and the kids enjoyed being there.  It was nice to finally reconnect.  We went to visit my family for a little bit before heading home.  After dinner we went up and watched the season finale of Downton Abbey with Jeremy's parents.

Ok.  Gotta get moving.  And then I need to start working on math again...I stopped doing it for a little while, because my advisor thought he might be able to get around it with my compass scores.  Not the case.

Life Lately

I feel like I have said this every post lately, but mom life is exactly what I have dreamed about for years. I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be, and I love every minute of the day. When he is grumpy I am glad I am the one to soothe him, when he is sleeping I am glad to be the one cleaning the house and doing other household duties, when he is cooing I am glad I am the one taking and sending pictures to friends and family instead of being on the receiving end of pictures from a babysitter. I absolutely love being a mom with every ounce of my being and I can't imagine life any differently. 

On Saturday Paul had a work class down in Olympia from 9-11 so we packed up and left by 7:55 and Eli slept the whole car trip.  I met a friend for coffee and Eli slept in her arms the entire time. We then packed up and drove to Tulalip (an hour and 45 min away) where Paul had a class for turkey hunting which he will be doing in April.  Paul went to Cabellas for his class and Eli and I drove a mile down the road to the outlets. I fed and changed Eli in the car (he slept the whole way to Tulalip) and then put him in the Ergo and we went about our trip.  I was at the outlets for a little over an hour and a half and he slept in the carrier like a champ.  Then we went to pick up Paul at Cabellas and Eli got his first experience in that crazy store! 

Oh and at the outlets I got Eli a Columbia polar fleece super nice jacket originally $40 for $10, I am pretty excited. :) 

Eli and his buddy Isaac.  Isaac was Eli's due date buddy, born 11 days later and he weighs 14lbs and is 23 inches long now, holy moly! Eli was 12lb 5oz with clothes on at the midwife appt just a few days before that, baby is growing quick and makes Eli look small!  

I stopped drinking coffee in the mornings quite a while ago but Paul got me an Aeropress for Valentines day, I think I mentioned it before, but I LOVE it.  I make myself a decaff latte every morning. 

I dressed Eli in a super goofy outfit for our walk the other day. It was 40 degrees out and he was going to be laying in the stroller for an hour so I had to make sure he was warm enough! 

Eli hates his afternoon naps, in fact he is way happier when we are out and about and can catch a bunch of 30-45 minute naps instead. Maybe that is what he needs, but seems like a crazy schedule. Anyway, if he doesnt get an afternoon nap by 4:30 in the evening we are in for a loooong evening till 8pm bedtime. Look how peaceful I got him to sleep, even if I did have to use a pacifier for a minute....yeah that lasted 10 minutes. I am just thankful he is usually super happy and sleeps quite well at night. 

Speaking of night sleeping little man slept for 7 hours straight last night!!! Our first long stretch (before he had gone 5 hours). I never knew I could be so proud of a baby for sleeping. :)  Then he slept another 3ish till his morning wake up.  One wake up during the night is amazingly better than two, I love it! 

I had blocks my dad made me when I was growing up and they were a much loved toy.  They weren't made out of the best wood and you could get splinters from them, but I loved them.  I have fond memories of building towers with my dad.  He made new blocks for Eli and I can't wait to spend time building awesome stuff with Eli as my dad did with me.  Though my dad is an engineer and Eli and I probably need some lessons in how to build this amazing of towers.  I got this picture in a text last night. :) 

Eli has rolled over 7 times now, someday I will forget the count when he does it daily. ;)  He loves doing tummy time while laying on Paul and me as well.  Also he LOVES lights, look at that fist bump action as he sees the lights in the mirror! 

Yesterday was awesome.  Gabe came over at 11:30 and we were out of the house by 11:40. Eli had napped all morning (with a few wake ups for mommy snuggles) and so I was hoping he would be good, but he far exceeded my expectations.  We went to Costco to grab a few things and eat lunch then headed to the mall to get our hair cut. I fed Eli in the car and then I got my hair cut at 1pm and Gabe at 1:45 so we could pass Eli to each other. We then shopped at the mall, and went to get a mani/pedi together at 4pm.  I fed Eli in the car before the mani/pedi (I seriously love breastfeeding, its automatic warm milk carried everywhere with me!) and then Eli chilled in my lap happily while Gabe and I got our toes and nails done for an hour and a half. I am still in awe of how easy of a baby I have. 

Eli this morning when he woke up, he just woke up because he was awake not for any other reason. We bathed (Eleanor always keeps a close eye on him) and then we wiggled in the bathtub with the fire on in my room and Paul got to hang out with us while he got ready for work, then we nursed and he went down for a nap by 7:15am and he is still sleeping and it is 10:30, love it. 

Now I am working on emailing my manager about per diem position and the details of making that happen and doing some online learning for work. Hopefully she can put it in and I get paid for it. We can do up to 3 hours of modules at home a pay period if needed. I have no idea how people would spend that long on them as I can do like 5 in an hour and they only come out every week or two. I usually do them at work but that wont be happening anymore! I am actually excited to return to work a day here or there and have Paul watch Eli. :) I still can't fathom leaving him with anyone else tho. 

Love you girls, hope all is well! Candice I am still smiling and super happy about the fact that you are pregnant, I can't wait to follow along in this journey with you! 

Just emailed my work...

Saying I only want to return per diem, meaning I only have to work when I request to work. I am pretty excited! 

Also, I just figured out how to change Eli's name. I don't know if I mentioned this on here before but apparently my handwriting was crap when I filled out his paperwork because we got his social security card and it said Gli. My poor kid is not named Gli!  I had been waiting for his birth certificate which I thought was ordered when we did his original paperwork but apparently it wasn't!  Not knowing this actually saved me $20 though because I would have just had to pay for a new one once the name was changed. So my ignorance paid off and we are on the way to getting his name corrected, phew! 

The other day when Paul was off we went up to Greenwater so Paul could practice shooting his gun and turkey targets. Oh yes, we are going turkey hunting in April.  And by we I mean Eli and I and another guys wife will be hanging out in the cabin while the boys hunt! My goofy boy and I stayed in the car while his daddy shot the gun so our ears wouldn't ring.  I got to nurse him a lot, change a poopy diaper, and cuddle all in the drivers seat, lucky me! 

It was so good having Becca, Shea, and Hailey over for a bit!  Shea was so so sweet holding Eli. Becca if you decide to have another kiddo I think you will have two little extra mamas in the house to help you out. :) 

Eli holds his finger the same way he did in the womb, melt my heart!

I love how Eli's arms either go limp while he is nursing or he is deperately patting my chest like the milk isn't coming fast enough when he is starving! I can't help but stare at his little tootsies as well. Oh man, babies are the best. 

My mom sent us date money for valentines day and we went out to our favorite authentic Mexican Place in Federal way and got burritos as big as the baby, and then went to our favorite ice cream place where they make it from whatever base and flavors you pick and freeze it with nitrous oxide. So cool! 

I went on a marathon visiting spree one day with Eli and he did great. He took a long nap in the morning then we went to visit Heather, Amber, then Steve and Kathy. He was awake for 5 hours straight and I thought he would sleep great. Well he slept better than most babies but still woke up quite a few times to nurse in the middle of the night. 

The day after we visited everyone we went on a marathon shopping spree!  We went out to Paul's safeway and shopped, and I forgot the pot roast (since I didn't want to put it on my list because it is linked to Pauls list and it was going to be our valentines day dinner) so we went to another safeway after that, fred meyer, and costco!  Little man slept through most of it! 

For Valentines day we decided to stay in this year. We try to eat out once a month and had already done that, and we are trying to spend less money now that I won't be working very much, so I made pot roast and cheesecake and Paul was thrilled.  It was delicious, easy, and fun! 

Eli and I have pretty awesome mornings together. We just switched his baths to morning time so Paul can have a more chill evening with him, and it is working out great. Eli wakes up at 7am, nurses, bathes, wiggles in front of the fire, then nurses again and is back down for a nap at 8am.  He is currently taking his long 3-4 hour nap but I think he may be transitioning to a shorter nap, then wake up for a few hours, then take a long nap after that. We shall see though!

Eli and I made it to church on our own, and I even showered and everything.  I shower every morning but I wasn't sure how I would be able to get myself up, showered, fed, dressed then get him up, fed, dressed and to church by 8:15, turns out we made it there 10 minutes early even with me waking up at 7:15!

More pictures from when we went out to Mexcian. And Eli in the Asian grocery store chillin while his daddy picked out some meat to use in pho.  

Yesterday we had our last midwife appt, I am going to miss seeing these ladies on a regular basis!  They are so wonderful and instilled so much confidence in me throughout my pregnancy, labor, and after.  They told me they tell others about us often (without using our names of course) and how well we did through the whole pregnancy and labor process. How confident and in control we seemed. Made my day!

And I leave you with this, finding joy and documenting the mundane.  My son who always is throwing a fist up, my crazy bedhead, morning baths, naked babies, and a kitty always staring at me! 

a break from math and a little update

I have been doing refresher algebra courses all afternoon.  Oh how I wish I had taken a math class in college!  I passed the math section on my placement test originally, but now those test scores aren't valid since it was so long ago, and so I have to take it again.  It's all coming back to me, but my brain is hurting.

So to take a break, I thought I would post a few pictures from the last week, since I got all of them off my phone yesterday.

This was the snow we got last sunday.  The top picture was my view out of our big windows from our bed when I woke up.  Beautiful!  We walked to church in the snow for fun, and Shea was absolutely determined to bring that snowball all the way up (1 mile walk).  Yeah, that didn't last long.  Hailey didn't like the snow at all.  She took one step into it and then started crying that it was on her boot!  Silly girl.

Earlier this week, Jeremy came home early and it was so sunny out that we went to play Disc Golf.  It was such a nice walk and the kids did great!  It's a lot of walking, and Shea didn't complain once.  He is getting better at throwing his disc too, so it was more fun for him.  Pretty sure he is going to be better than me soon! Hailey just enjoyed looking at the trees and being outside, but soon I won't be able to get away with her just sitting in the stroller.  I love that we have something free to do that we all enjoy!

After disc golf, we went and grabbed a few things for a picnic and headed to a park.  here is Hailey getting so darn big (and yet, she is just so tiny still!)

One of my friends bought a headband and a flower clip from my store, so I packaged that up and sent it out once I got home.  I also picked up some discounted fabric that I am excited about - some blue leather/pleather and other sturdier fabric which is great for bag making (and usually so expensive!)

I finished all my admissions paperwork and got my credits transferred to Olympic College.  Thursday I am going into see an advisor and if everything goes through, I should be able to register for spring quarter classes!  So crazy!  I will just be glad when I am done with all this math prep ha ha, but I really want to pass it so I don't have to take extra math classes.

Hailey just woke up.  We are going to go up to Jeremy's parents to catch up on Downton Abbey tonight.  Jeremy doesn't work tomorrow, so we will probably stay late and watch something else, too.  Hope you are all having a nice Sunday!  I can't believe how stormy and rainy it is here today.

feeling sluggish this morning

good morning!

I finally caved in and made myself a cup of coffee this morning.  I am just too tired from the weekend!  We went to a friends house for dinner on Saturday night, and when it started to snow, we stayed late and let the kids play outside before heading home.  Sunday we had to go out do a big grocery shopping trip and we were up late moving the chickens out to the garage (I cannot even tell you how immensely happy I am that they are not in the house anymore!  And they seem happier without the kids in their faces all the time, too!).
Monday the kids and I left a little after 8am to catch the Kingston ferry.  We went and visited my sister and then headed down to see Angela and Eli and Amber.  The kids really did great with all that driving - there was just a little bickering between the two of them on the way home, but not too bad.  But packing them up and moving them from place to place to place gets tiring.  I was so happy to be home!

I had such a nice visit with everyone!  I had not seen my sister since Christmas, so we had a nice time chatting about all the random things we talk about.  And Angela - Eli looks sweet and adorable in his pictures, but he is absolutely perfect!!  I had such a nice relaxed time there - I love that my kids are so comfortable there, and I don't feel like I have to worry about them too much.  And AMBER I want to know how that crazy weird hip thing I made works!!  ha ha.

I planned on making a quick dinner and getting the kids right to bed when we got home, but Jeremy's parents happened to be watching Tim's (Jeremy's brother) kids, so we piggybacked on the babysitting and ended up going out on a date!  Totally unexpected and wonderful, even if the kids have been tired and cranky the last few days.  We went out for Pho, which I have not had in a super long time, since I always just make it at home now.  We also got a thai coffee, a very guilty pleasure.  Some long time family friends were finishing up their meal as we got there.  Later, our waiter told us they paid for our dinner!  I was so surprised.  Not only did we get to go out for dinner, but it was free! ha.  After that, we went to central market and got a tiny carton of ice cream to share.  I haven't bought ice cream since summer either, since we try to only eat organic dairy with no additives...and that stuff is sooo expensive normally.  so another yummy treat!

It's funny, because normally when we go out, we don't tend to have a lot to talk about.  We are just happy to enjoy being with each other and have some quiet!  But this evening, we had a lot to talk about.

One thing that is sort of exciting is that I may be going back to school.  I have talked for a while about  going to Bastyr University to do their three year midwife program some time down the road (like 10 years)...but Jeremy thought now would be a good time to start pursuing it, since we are able to live so simply and he has a lot of time in the fall and winter to be home and help with things anyway, I would have time for homework. Since it's a bachelors program, I have to go back and finish my AA first.  I already have quite a few college credits toward it and the midwife program only has 8 pre-reqs, most of which I would have to do to finish my degree anyway, so it shouldn't take me too long.  Since I would be working on a degree and have never taken financial aid before, it looks like I will easily get approved for it now, but we're worried if I waited another 5 years or so, it might be a little harder to get that aid.  I would have to work on quite a few scholarships to be able to afford Bastyr, but it looks very feasible.  The class schedule is really reasonable also, because you only do intensives once a week each month, and the rest is local practicums and online work.  So...in 2 years I could be transfering to Bastyr to start working toward my midwifery license!!  It may take longer than that, and that is fine, but it is really crazy to me, because I never really thought about it as something that could become a reality, and especially not this soon.

Its all in the dream and still looking into it stage right now.  I am hoping to meet with a counselor this week and finish my application...I'm just so excited about the possibility, I had to share it! :)

Anyway.

The house is kind of a mess right now.  This morning I got to deal with an all out screaming tantrum from Shea.  He was going to get to play Wii today, but he lied to me this morning, so I took it away.  Of course, in his 4 year old brain, if he screams at the top of his lungs, he thinks I will cave and let him play again.  Yeah, nice try.  So he sat in time out and thankfully decided to obey in time for breakfast, because I love to have everyone around the table at breakfast time.  The rest of the morning has gone much better.  The kids both colored and worked on mazes and letter pages at the table (I had to tell them no more, because Shea kept asking for more!) while I did dishes and made some granola.

My morning and the mess that is my house.  Actually, I have cleaned the kitchen since I took this, but still have unfolded laundry and a cluttered counter.  Just keeping it real.  Oh and the family picture is because Angela made me that framed art with our names!  Love it!)

Now Shea is listening to a Magic Tree House story on CD, Hailey is looking at books, and I am taking a coffee break!  I am trying to get motivated to complete my to-do list for the day.  I have some new bags, headbands, and mini hand warmers to take pictures of and list on my store and I just need to catch up on the chores around the house.  We also have youth group tonight.

Happy Wednesday!

Completed my first week with Paul back at work

Eli and I miss Paul so much while he is away at work, and I know he misses being home equally as much.  I send Paul pictures and videos all day long, I can't help it and I know he appreciates it. :)  I have spent my first week doing sooo much laundry, vacuuming the house while wearing my kiddo and putting him to sleep and getting him out of his fussy funk, making dinner every night, hosting a friend at our house for 2 nights, and much more I am sure. ;)   I have lots of stuff (linen closet, craft closet, eli's closet, eli's dresser and shelves and so forth) that I want to organize and/or  purge a bunch of stuff too.  I kept the house pretty clean while pregnant but small piles of random stuff built up in hidden places and my goal is to get that all taken care of in the first few weeks.  I still need to make the rest of Eli's birth announcements and mail them to everyone, this week was just so busy figuring out our groove! I absolutely love being a mama and I cherish every day at home. I feel like this is what I was meant to do and can't imagine life any other way. 

Little man loves to hold his hands in the cutest position while he nurses.  Speaking of nursing he has been on a crazy growth spurt these last few days (friday-sunday so far) and he has been nursing every hour to hour and a half while awake (he usually goes 3 hours). Until last night he had been sleeping his normal 3-4 hour stretches but last night he woke up every 2 hours to nurse which made for one tired mama.  I was reading babies go through a growth spurt at 6 weeks and they last 1-4 days then baby sleeps a ton extra because growth spurts are exhausting for both mama and baby.  Thing is between eating all he has been doing is sleeping (today he was up for 3 hours though) so we have crazy days that involve baby napping more than this mama can count. 

All these pictures were taken in the course of a minute, this boy loves to stretch when he is waking up from naps.  He doesn't usually get held for naps but maybe this was a special day.  He now takes nearly every nap in his crib as well as sleeping there all night long.  Don't you worry though, I still make sure I get hours and hours of snuggles every day, he just sleeps longer and sounder when in his crib. 

We took our little bear out on a walk on the rainiest day we had.  We had to try out our awesome "new" stroller.  It rolled so nicely on the sidewalk, I can't wait to use it more.  I also love wearing him though so the stroller hasn't gotten used since.  

Paul went back to work on Superbowl Sunday so on Friday he shaved his beard and we cut his hair.  I had forgotten what my husband looked like!  

We do naked in front of the fire wiggles almost every night and it helps him not get a diaper rash.  I am loving cloth diapers but have still been doing disposable at night so I don't have to change him but once. 

Eli has been holding up his head like a champ and loves to stand while we hold his hands or slightly around his waist.  How is he old enough to do these things?! 

I love wearing Eli and going on walks!  I miss having Paul home to walk together but I have been getting together with a friend and we have gone on a few, so much better than walking alone!  

Eli wore his Seahawks gear to church on Sunday and everyone was a fan.  He was "thumbs up" during the service.  I was wearing him in the wrap but he got figity when he got way too hot.  I usually just have him in a onesie in the wrap but he needed to sport his Seahawks uniform to help them win! 

On Saturday before the superbowl we went to Seattle to celebrate my brothers birthday with him at an Italian restaraunt.  It was called Bizzaros Italian Cafe and had amazing yelp reviews, it was AMAZING.  They make all their own pasta and I had sweet potato ravioli and it was so so good.  We got there when they opened at 5 (we got there before the doors were open actually) and they were full by 5:10, it was insane! 

On Thursday Eli and I went to visit Paul at work, of course Eli had to wear clothes to match his daddy.  He was so tired when we got home he napped for hours! 

My man and I sitting on the couch today (right before he decided he was STARVING again).  I my college buddy (and roommate of 2 years) over for the weekend and it was so fun.  Paul knows her as well as we used to hang out with her long before I was even dating Paul. We sat around and watched a bunch of Olympics, watched Netflix, and did a lot of baby snuggling.  Today (Sunday) another college friend stopped by and we hung out for a few hours as well.  I love that having a baby makes it so all the get togethers I have been wanting to have are actually happening! 

Paul and I are watching the Olympics now while our little man naps the evening away.  He went down at 9pm after nursing half an hour, taking a quick bath and nursing another half an hour!  I love our nursing snuggles but I was much less tired when he nursed for 10-15 minutes every 3 hours! 

Happy Happy

I'm so excited to share with you all my exciting news.  I'm pregnant!!!! :)  

I'm ten weeks along and we are feeling so blessed and excited.  We've been trying since July and had a couple times where we thought we were, but didn't end up pregnant.  On our 5th anniversary (Dec. 20) we found out we were pregnant.  We almost couldn't believe it.  We weren't sure about the date, so we had a dating ultrasound at 6 weeks and we felt so relieved to see that there was actually a baby in there! 

Right away I applied for a midwife.  Because of the public health care system in Ontario you have to apply and if they have room you'll get a midwife.  Since I applied pretty early I got one no problem.  I have my first appointment on Friday, and I'm so excited to get the process going.  I have the day off from work because the appointment is in the middle of the day so it doesn't make sense to travel two hours into Toronto for two hours of work.  

I've been feeling pretty good.  No morning sickness so far.  I've felt really tired and have had some heart burn in the evening.  Early in my pregnancy I almost fainted on the train into Toronto.  There was only standing room and after 45 minutes I started to get overheated in all my winter gear and began blacking out.  I took off my coat and crouched down on the floor and was able to keep from fainting.  I realized then that my body is acting differently and so I've been trying not to overdo it when I feel tired.

It's been hard to exercise in winter, but I walk 2.5 miles a day, so I'm glad that I have that at least.  I've also done pilates a couple times a week and it's made a difference in my energy levels.  

It's been fun to have a "secret" at work and at church, but I'm excited to let everyone know soon.  I told the head teacher at work, and I'm glad I did because the other week our director made a comment about how there seems to be something up with me.  

Last night I had a dream that I gave birth.  It was so awesome, in my dream when I started going into labour, all of you; Amber, Becca and Angela showed up on a speedboat with a bunch of supplies and helped me deliver!  :)

In other news, we found out that Justin didn't get the jobs he interviewed for.  We were a bit disappointed, but also a bit relieved because now we can focus on living here and now we know that we are going to have the baby here so I don't have to switch midwives.  

We got 9 inches of snow today!  It was so slippery walking to work.  The snow is beautiful, but I can't wait to see some green! 

I'll leave you ladies with my favorite picture. 

freezing, but happy!

Today I am posting just one picture.

I got this on Saturday.

We have not had any sort of piano in our house our entire married lives. This is partly because we just moved too much to have a real piano, and for a little while I had a keyboard when I was leading worship at Sunnyslope, so I didn't need to buy one at that point. I have been waiting years to finally buy a nice, weighted keyboard, and we decided that this year, I could! I got this for $500 (originally $1200) from a very sweet family in Kingston (only a 10 minute drive from our home) off of craigslist. Such a deal! And it fit in our hatchback, ha. I haven't actually gotten to play it a great deal yet, but a couple of evenings I sat down and got out my old classical books and played while the kids were sleeping. It is a very nice keyboard. I think about how I used to always want a real piano, because my parents only ever had a weighted keyboard (which is what I learned on), and now, all I want is a keyboard so I can play at night and not have to keep it in tune. Besides, there is a grand piano at the church if I ever really want to play one. Shea has been enjoying it too, and THAT really makes me pleased. I want him to be free to tinker with a piano at any time of the day. I don't want to force it on him, but of course I would love for him to also love playing music.  Mostly he just turns on the demo music and dances around - something I totally remember doing when I was little.

Right now, I am sipping an afternoon cup of coffee (probably should have had tea, but its one of those days), and I just finished taking pictures of most of my new items for my shop. I just uploaded them onto the computer to edit them, but unfortunately, I ran out of sun too soon and only a few of them are usable. Hopefully I'll be able to get some better ones tomorrow and get these things listed! I have close to ten new items to list, plus my warmers. I also received a request for a custom child's backpack on my etsy shop! She is still trying to decide between mine and someone elses, so maybe it won't come to anything, but I have been spending more time doing networking within the Etsy website, and it seems to be directing more traffic to my page. Jeremy helped me design some disc golf bags also, which I am going to be adding (there are practically none on etsy, so it will be fun to see how they do) probably next month because we have to order some waterproof fabric for that.  Fun to have him helping me with it a little bit.

I had preschool this morning, and it was a FUN laid back day. Every one made it, the lesson went well, and I actually got to sit and chat with the moms for a while. Yesterday, it snowed, so we all got bundled up and walked down to the dock. Even Hailey – I am amazed at how far she can walk! She is just this tiny little girl but she walked over a mile! I would upload the pictures, but they are on my phone and I don't feel like it right now.  It started snowing a lot when were down on the dock, so much fun, but I can't believe how cold it is out right now! Glad for our toasty house, even with just our woodstove going.

Tonight is our first official night of weekly youth group.  It will only be for an hour and fifteen minutes.  I just remembered I'm supposed to pick out some songs so I better go do that, plus Hailey is awake.  She has just been sitting in her bed reading her book.

Oh yes.

The book.

Shea has this toy story 2 book, and Hailey found it and I think it has somehow turned into her "lovey".  She HAS to have it to go to bed.  She'll cry, "Book Buzz!" over and over and even when she wakes up in the middle of the night - its not her binky that she wants, its the book.  And once you give it to her, she grabs it tight and lays on top of it!  Seriously, kinda weird.

So now I have two children obsessed with Toy Story.  Wonderful.

At least Shea is learning to share through all of this.  And he thinks its hilarious that she calls the "LGM" alien guy "elmo".