Soon It Will Be Christmas Day

The trees are decorated (have been for a while, actually!), the stockings are put out (not hung...we don't really have space for them all, and they get too heavy!), presents are wrapped, baking is done, prep work and cooking is not even started (that's today's project!)... It's Christmas!

The day we look forward to all.  year.  long.  is almost here!  Today I'll spent some a lot of time prepping for Christmas Day, so it makes things not quite so crazy... we'll play games, and eat way too much food, play games, hang out as a family.  It will be fantastic!

Christmas is so much fun with kids!  Shopping, trying to find the perfect presents for them... truth be told, it's not just the kids that I love to shop for!  The anticipation for giving gifts to our loved ones...I love it!

Before all the hoopla starts, we'll take a few moments, read the Christmas story, and remember what all the excitement is about.  Jesus.  Sent to this earth, as a baby.  Sent by his Father, to take on my sin. 

And I am thankful.  Thankful for this act of amazing love.  Thankful for my family.  Thankful for the country in which I live.  Thankful for my home.  Thankful for the example of the most perfect love. 

Enjoy your Christmas, friends!  Hug your loved ones tight.  Treasure the times spent together.

In the Trees

The other morning, I looked outside my kitchen window to find this:

 A massive porcupine.  Eating our apples! (which, by the way, have fermented and we've had trees full of waxwings eating them, getting drunk on them and flying into our kitchen windows!)

 The Girls and I watched him for a while, and then I decided that we should go and chase him out of the tree.  So, I took my camera, went outside, and walked towards the tree.  He, of course, saw me, and started to waddle away.  I could only get a picture of his behind, until I followed him for quite some time over the hill and though the woods (literally....!), and then he turned around and looked at me...

...as if to say, "WHAT are you doing still following me?!" 

I only wanted a good picture!  Here it is!  This bad boy was pretty big, and it was pretty cool to see him up close.  The only porcupine I've ever seen is dead, on the side of the road!

Incidentally, did you know that porcupine's won't shoot their quills at you?  You must touch them in order to get one stuck in you....it's a common misconception. 

We've seen many things in our yard....moose, deer, foxes, coyotes, squirrels, skunks...but never a porcupine.  Until know!  Since this picture, we've seen him one more time....

Uncle Arthur

When I was a little girl, we had these books that I loved, filled with "Bedtime Stories" (by the way, what constitutes a bedtime story?  Is it just a story?  Or does it have to have something in particular?).  These books were older when I was little....

Before I was even pregnant with Hannah, I was at a thrift store, and I found these same bedtime story books.  Of course, I bought them all on the spot, because, if memory serves me correct, I asked my Mom if I could have ours, as they were still somewhere around their house, and she said, "Nope!"

Anyhow, I bought them, all 20 (I think) volumes.  And let me tell you, it was some of the best $25 I've ever spent! 

The Girls just cleaned up and organized all their books in the basement, and found these bedtime stories once again.  Tonight, Ellie Mae is home sick (again!), so I laid in bed with her, cuddling, and she had one of these beauties, so we read a few stories.  And I STILL love them!  The pictures are very retro, and the stories are great - they are deal with different morals (for example, the one we read tonight was Peter's Pockets, or something like that...).  I looked in the cover of the book tonight, and they are copyrighted in 1964, but were originally written in 1928, so I guess I must have the updated version....haha!

Anyhow, all that to say, I LOVE Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories.  Still.  Loved them when I was a kid...love reading them to my kids.  It brought warm fuzzies to my heart!

Incidentally, wanna hear something CRAZY?!  I just looked online to find a picture of one of these nostalgic books, and I stumbled across this picture....on eBay.  The whole series, just like I have.  Wanna know how much it was going for?  $1500!  Oh.  My.  Goodness.  Maybe I need to not let my Girls read these books, and sell them instead!  Or maybe not...I love them too much for them not to enjoy them as much as I did when I was a girl.

 So there you have it.  Uncle Arthur Rocks!

Another One

We had another puker yesterday.  My baby....poor thing.  I woke up to one of the Girls running into our room and saying, "Ellie Mae is puking in the sink!".  Seriously?  I suppose I should be thankful that it wasn't the middle of the night...

So, after puking, we cuddled for a while on the couch....*bliss*

I had a full day planned, but had to cancel everything... I didn't think it was fair to drag my lethargic 4 year old all over the place....and instead, while Ellie Mae slept on the couch, me and the other Girls baked.  And baked.  And baked some more.  It was truly fantastic! 

Today, Ellie Mae is on the mend, I am happy because I have the majority of my Christmas baking done, and it's Friday.  Seriously.  Can the day get any better?!

Success....in More Ways Than One!

So our Saturday shopping Day was successful! We started and finished our Christmas shopping, which is super fantastic. Now, onto the next Christmas task...baking! I was hoping to get at it sooner, but apparently that's not happening... So, I'll squeeze it in when I can...

This morning, I had to take my van in for a new fuel pump, and as I was getting ready, Art asked if he could take the older 2 girls to the office with him to spend some time cleaning up and organizing it. I believe his exact words were, "It would really help me out if the older Girls could come and clean my office.."

And then I felt quite proud of the Girls...they are growing up so fast, and they really are great little helpers who (usually) willingly work and help however they can. I also felt kinda sad...because they are growing up! They don't need me in the same way anymore, and are quite competent to do things on their own. I also felt thankful...thankful that We have our own company where the Girls can go to work with Art, and thankful that we homeschool so they can have opportunities like this.

So, here I am, sitting and the car dealership, watching my 2 little Girls play. And then? We're gonna go to Tim Horton's for donuts...because hanging out with Mom is super fun!!

Traditions

Our family is big on traditions. We love them. Some traditions we've had since before we got married, like nachos for dinner on Sunday, only to be eaten AFTER the Girls are in bed. And some traditions are newer...

For the past few years, one of our Christmas preparation traditions has for the Girls to spend a Saturday with their beloved Auntie Frieda while we take off for a day to start and finish all of our Christmas shopping. This was supposed to happen last weekend, but had to be postponed due to the flu that hit our family. So, this is the day...

Truth be told, we don't have a ton of shooping left to do, thanks to online shopping, but it's always fun to spend a day out, together, walking around, talking, dreaming, and picking up the fun stocking stuffers, imagining our families delight on Christmas Day. We'll top off the day with dinner out...let's say it's our Company Christmas Party...

So, here's to me and my hunny, off the spend a most appreciated day together,

The Best....

My Mom was here early November for a short visit (and yes, I'm way behind!).  While she was here, I asked her if she would teach me to make perogies. 

In our home, we consume many, many, MANY perogies.  However, I've never made them.  Ever.  My grandma used to make them, my Mom used to make them when we were kids, but I've never made them.  It's part of our heritage.  It's a necessity.  It's something I must know how to do. 

When we go to the coast, or have family come and visit, we stock up on cottage cheese perogies (bought at your local grocery store there!), but here, we've had to make due with potato and cheddar perogies from (gasp!) Costco.  But not any more!

 Since I didn't even have a perogie maker, my Mom popped into town to the kitchen store, and they had the greatest.  invention. ever!  Hunky Bill's perogie maker!  It was so great!  Gone are the days of making 2 perogies at a time!  With this little piece of heaven, you roll out a big piece of dough and spread it over the maker, fill it with cottage cheese, and then roll out another piece and put it on top.  Genius, I tell you!

Thank you, hunky Bill!!  You're the best!

We made perogies all afternoon one day, and then I begged to make more the next day, so I could stock pile them in my freezer (and I had an extra set of useful hands to help!)....

This is Art's most favorite meal in the whole wide world.  Needless to say, I was the best wife/Mom ever, when we had perogies and farmer sausage for dinner 2 nights in a row.... I think we made 12 dozen perogies, which will last my family about 5 meals.  And then, my Mom should be here visiting again, so maybe she'll help again?  Pretty please, Mom?!

On a side note, my Grandma once told me that to feed her family one meal, she would make about 100 perogies for them.  It would take her all.  day.  long.  And then?  They'd be gone in about 10 minutes.  If I think about that too long, it makes me want to cry....

Gifting

I received a present this week, from one of my daughters.  I think she just wanted to share with me what she was feeling.  This present was also given to one of my other daughters.  My other daughter didn't get the gift like I did - rather, just a fraction of what I received.

"What is the gift?" You may be asking.  Here's a hint.

The gift made me puke.  All.  Night.  Long.

Molly passed on her flu bug to both Hannah & I, but fortunately, Hannah didn't have the puking part of it.  Just me.  Nice.

So, what plans I had for the rest of this week went down the toilet (no pun intended!), and I slept and puked and slept and puked and then slept some more....

Thankfully, I woke up this morning feeling a bit better...stomach still a bit tender, but at least I'm not quite as miserable as yesterday!

I must say, I was fairly proud of my Girls.... I was in my bed pretty much all day yesterday, and Hannah was sacked out on the couch, and Abby stepped it up and got the little Girls breakfast and lunch, they did their school and played all day... didn't come up to my room once to wake me up.  Abby even tucked in the little Girls for their naps.  I was impressed!

I think I was awake for a total of 6 hrs. yesterday, so I'm definitely caught up on my sleep! 

Unfortunately, Art & I were supposed to do our Christmas shopping today, sans kids (his sister always takes them for a Saturday in December so we can all our shopping), but that has been postponed until next weekend...Hopefully no one else receives this gift!

Sicko

As much as I dislike having a sick child in my home, there are a few benefits:

1. A valid excuse to stay in my jammies all day (not that I need an excuse, but well, you know...)
2. A valid excuse to cuddle on the couch or in my bed all day, watching movies or cartoons, in my jammies
3. Lots and lots of cuddling
4. I don't have to cook, because I've been cuddling and watching tv all day.  Priorities, people!
5. Another valid excuse to have a nap 
6. Ginger Ale.  Canada Dry (the only ginger ale made with real ginger!).  Yummy!
7. A valid excuse to sleep in, because I've been up with a puking kid for hours at night

So Molly was up, puking Saturday night (why does it always have to be at night, I ask?!), so Sunday, her and I stayed home and cuddled, slept, watched tv, and read books.  It was glorious, because the puking was over, and she was just running a fever, not feeling quite up to snuff.  So as much as having a sicko around isn't cool, some of the benefits are.  Here's hoping she doesn't pass it around.... I know, I know, good luck with that!

A New Collection

I've started a(nother) new collection.  It's a collection I've been wanting to start for a while, but this summer, finally had the opportunity to act on.  The start of my collection cost me $9.00, plus a can of clear varathane spray.

  

The great thing about it is it takes up lots of wall space, and frankly, just looks cool!

I love the character of these old tractor seats!  And the sad thing (to me), is that I bought each of these seats at farm auctions, from the scrap metal piles!  The would've been recycled or melted down and lost forever.  So, I've made it my personal mission to rescue every single seat that I come across.  Eventually, I'd love to make a few of them into cool stools like these:

Something Old....

Irene, this one's for you....!

I recently, by way of default, I inherited Art's Grandmother's dishes.  I saw by way of default because Art's aunt had them, who then gave them to his sister, who then gave them to me.  But that's ok...I'm not complaining!

They've been living in our new kitchen island, so I get to look and them everyday, and enjoy their beauty (that, and they match my kitchen!!)

Well, the Girls asked if we could please use them for Thanksgiving Dinner, which I of course said, "Most definitely, Yes!"....and it didn't hurt that I knew my sister-in-law would be here for dinner and most likely wash the dishes, since they don't go in the dishwasher....

So, the Girls set the table beautifully....

 And then we ate beautiful food....

And it was good.  I love taking something old, especially something with as much sentimental value as dishes, and passing down the tradition to my Girls.  Seeing how we have 4 Girls, I've been given 2 sets of dishes - one set that Art's family used when he was a wee boy, and one from his Grandmother.  2 more sets to go, and then each of my Girls will be covered!

Ruined for Life

This past week was a busy week for us.  It started out by attending Farm Fair on Tuesday.  We spent the day looking at livestock, watching a horse show and sale, walking around and looking at different booths at the trade show, and finally, attending the stock dog finals and Ranch Rodeo finals.  The ranch rodeo was something we'd never been to before, but have wanted to go for a few years.  We were sitting in the second row (yay!), so we were very up close and personal to watch the penning, wild cow milking, team doctoring and branding, as well as other events that many cowboys do every day on a ranch. 

 While we were at Farm Fair, we ran into a lady whom we've known for years, and she asked if we wanted tickets to attend the CFR....in her box....for 3 different performances. Umm, yes please!!

 So our kids got to attend the Canadian Finals Rodeo for 2 of those performances, and we adults went to one alone. It was great fun, and they loved the box which included pizza for them, snacks, drinks, popcorn, a private bathroom and even a visit from the rodeo mascot, Bull Jangles.


 We were very blessed by the generosity of this wonderful woman!!

 It was a great experience for all of us, but unfortunately, they are ruined for life. They said they wanted to go every year in the box, instead of "with everyone else"!  I must admit, I've got to agree with them!

Oh, For the Love....

Here's our new favorite footwear.....

All the Girls are now riding, which is great (but pricey!!). The teacher they originally had when they started riding is no longer at the barn where we ride, so guess who's teaching them now? You guessed it....mother dearest! I must admit, it's not my first choice, but for now, it'll do. I must say, I am thankful for the years of lessons and training that I had (thanks, Mom & Dad), so that I can pass some of it on to them. We are currently looking for a new trainer for them, but for now, this works....and is lots cheaper!!  One of the problems is that they are undecided (and probably slightly uneducated) about what they want to be doing...they want to do it all....jumping, barrel racing, cutting, reining.... anything and everything!

Ellie Mae has declared that she wants to be a trick rider, so every time we're at the barn, she practices her tricks....

Being a part of the barn that the Girls are riding at has also afforded us some other great opportunities.  We got to help this fall with haying (I think we helped stack about 7000 bales...a whole barn full), I got to go and help groom at a warmblood sale for a weekend....it's been a great experience for all of us.  And you want to know what the Girls LOVE doing when they go to the barn?  Help...with anything...feeding, cleaning out stalls, cleaning tack....anything!  I'm sure that once the novelty wears off they won't be quite so eager, but until then, we're taking full advantage of slave labor...!

Abby's 9!

This little lady turned 9 the other day.  Halloween, actually.  9!!  I can hardly believe it!  It doesn't seem so long ago that she was forced into this world...with a room full of doctor's and specialists.  This little lady is a miracle!  She was only supposed to be 3 lbs. when she was born (according to an ultrasound that was done the week before she was born), but she came out weighing a whopping 4 lbs. 10 oz.  The doctors didn't know if she would be breathing on her own, but she was.  After only a day in the incubator, she was taken out, and after 10 days in the hospital, she came home.  Screaming.  For 4 months.  Every.  Single.  Day.  It was purgatory!  However, after she outgrew that (thank the Lord!!), she has been a joyful, cheerful, sensitive girl.  And oh, how I love her! 

When Hannah turned 9, I cried and cried.  Because I thought, "Her time at home is half over!  In another 9 years, she'll be in university, living her life...."  

When Abby turned 9, I cried and cried. Because I thought, "Her time at home is half over! In another 9 years, she'll be in university, living her life...."

And although it is my job as a mother to prepare these daughters to go and live their life, I must admit, I feel a bit panicked about the whole thing.... Am I doing well by them?  Am I really preparing them to live their lives?  WHAT am I going to do when they are gone?! 

And I find myself panicking.... the time is going by SO quickly.  If I could just make it slow down a little bit.  Does everyone feel this way?  Because I sure don't remember this feeling before I had kids....

Anyhow, enough of this....I'll just go and lay in a fetal position on my bed and cry if I continue down this road any further this morning....

So, here's my birthday girl.  Abigail Grace.  Who is now 9.

Busy

You know how sometimes, you ask someone how they are doing, and they reply, "Busy!".  I cannot stand that reply!  I think, "Busy is a choice!"  This, however, has been my reply for the last little while.  And I detest it!

However, there's not much I can do about it.  It is, unfortunately, our lives right now.  So, I am trying my best to retain my sanity, enjoy this season of life, and pour myself into the commitments that we've made.

Even this post....I started it over a week ago, and today is the first chance that I've had to come back to it.  We've had company, conferences, work stuff, kid stuff, a birthday to celebrate....anyone with kids knows the drill.  And it's...busy.  But good. 

So, although I enjoy this blogging thing, it's not my first priority (I know, crazy, right?!), so when I can get to it, I will.  I am hoping it will become a bit more regular again, but we'll see!

Anyhow, hope you are all doing well....and hopefully not to be too "busy"!

What I’m Thankful For

Here’s what I’m most thankful for today….a family, who loves each other, the Lord, and having a good time together!

Breakfast in Bed

The day after we arrived home from Montana, everyone slept in pretty late, since we'd been partying the nights away.  Ellie Mae was the last one to get up, and she came down at about 10:30 am!  I love Girls who sleep!!  Anyhow, while she was eating breakfast, she announced to us that she had been up for a while, and was waiting to be served breakfast in bed.  Hmmm....High maintenance, maybe?  Since it was too late for breakfast in bed that morning because she was already eating, her sisters told her that the next morning they would bring her breakfast, and she should stay in her bed.  (Note to self:  that would be a great way to make all of them stay in their beds indefinitely!)  Sure enough, true to their word, the next morning, the little princess was served breakfast....in bed.  I must admit, it was pretty fun watching her experience this for the first time.  Her sisters thought of everything - even a spill proof cup for her milk, to be poured into her cereal!  What great sisters....!

After the Girls brought her breakfast, they all left, and I stayed to hang out with my baby for a little bit while she ate.  After all, it's no fun to have breakfast in bed with no one to share it with!

A Big Day

Today's a big day here.  A first, that's for sure.  Wanna hear it? 

Ok.  Well.....we got 10 eggs today.  Yup!  10!  We've been getting 5 consistently now for a while, so we knew that at least one of the "chicks" was laying.  But today, we got 10!  I was pretty excited!

And one of our crazy chickens keeps going missing, and then turning up.  We'll count 12 for a few days, and then, we'll count 13!  And don't say that I can't count....because I probably count four times just to make sure that I'm not miscounting.... so one of my little ladies is having a chicken adventure, that's for sure!

I am happy to report that the Girls (the chicken girls, that is) are doing well....they're (mostly) still alive, and doing well.  It'll be interesting to see how they do over the winter, but today?  Today, I got 10 eggs!

UPDATE:  I just went to tuck the (chicken) Girls into bed and there were 2 MORE eggs!!  That makes a full dozen, friends!  We're in the money now! :-)

Warm Fuzzies

We've been working on a new project lately that has made our lives a little bit hairy!  Between that, and summer (when I try to cook/bake as little as possible!), I don't think that I've turned on my oven for a couple of months!  Last night, after the Girls were all tucked in, the house was cleaned up, and my work was done, I decided that I needed to change that.... so, I turned on the oven, uncovered my favorite brownie recipe beneath layer of dust, and baked away. 

It was the perfect night!  Fall has arrived, so the furnace was on, the candles were lit, I had some good music playing, it was quiet....perfection!

Let me tell you something that I've learned about myself over the years, friends.  I have learned that baking (not to be confused with cooking!!) is my therapy.  It's my happy place, where all is well in my world, where I can relax and just be.  It's much cheaper than therapy, and I have something tangible to show for my more relaxed state of mind!

So tonight, when we were eating our dessert, I thought to myself, "The baking drought is over!  My sanity is back!"  And it gave me warm fuzzies....and I'm sure my family will appreciate it too!

A(nother) Road Trip

Last weekend, we headed out for a little road trip!  We packed up the kids, the van, and some friends, and headed down to Montana for a long weekend....

 We drove about 10 hrs. south and ended up in Great Falls.  We stayed at a great hotel which included a full breakfast, which we all loved!

They had pancake machine at the hotel. A pancake machine, people. A machine which made pancakes. In a minute. And they were pretty tasty.  I decided that I needed one for at home...

 

After breakfast, we headed out to the Malstom Air Force base for a tour of their museum.  We learned lots about the Minuteman III missile, which is what this Air Force Base deals with, which was pretty interesting.  We also got to look at planes.... 

 Ejector seats, and all sorts of uniforms used at the base over the years.

 Next, we headed over to the First People's Buffalo Jump, which was fascinating!  This is the longest buffalo jump in North America.  They had an interpretive centre, where we learned lots about the uses of Buffalo, as well as a tee pee and many other exhibits set up.

 The little Girls loved the buffalo calf....

 ...and Art loved the ancient tools that they had, along with a teacher who taught him how to throw this arrow

 He got the hang of it pretty quickly!

 They also had a 3 mile hike that we took which we walked up to the top of the jump, as well as along the top (which is a mile long)

 Art and the older Girls saw a live rattlesnake, which Art then proceeded to throw rocks at.  He's smart!!  That was Hannah's favorite part of the trip!

 Here we are....we made it to the top of the jump!  As you can see, it was incredibly beautiful!!  The view from up top was magnificent!

 And a little windy.  I'm not gonna lie!

 We had some Sonic burgers....

 ....and oh so yummy milkshakes,

 saw some more interesting things....

 ....went to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Centre....

 which was also very interesting!

 We did some family bonding....

 ....some shopping (Big R.  My new most favorite store in the whole.  wide.  world!!)...

 .....and drove....relaxing....watching movies.....

.....and enjoying the beautiful scenery.  Big Sky, beautiful weather, good friends....it was a good time had by all!  And now, we are home! 

We've been working on a new project, which I will be blogging about in the upcoming weeks, but it's taken up ALOT of our time!  Sorry about the negligence, friends!