Florida... Dream Vacation??

We've bought, packed, tanned, planned, hoped, and waited... and now it's here. We leave tomorrow. Well, we're SUPPOSED to leave tomorrow! As I write, the snow is whirling around and continues to grace us with it's presence. Fargo is under a state of emergency due to flooding, and the highways from here to Minneapolis are shut down in a number of places. We decided to fly out of Minneapolis to save some major mulah, and didn't think 8 hours of driving was that bad. Now I am totally regretting that decision. Not the saving money part, but the driving part. I have no idea how we're getting down there. I guess head East until things start clearing up, then turn South and hope we're near the airport! Thankfully Jon is taking care of the getting-there-part. I actually stopped packing today because I honestly didn't see how this vacation thing would work. But Jon called within a few minutes of that, and was full of optimism. I am so glad that he sees the positive in every situation!!!
So... pray for us if you remember. We're heading out tomorrow at 2 pm,and our flight leaves Saturday morning. Florida will be a very very welcome sight...

The Things that Come Out of my Mouth...

Today, as I was picking up something from a friend's house, I made a disturbing comment. She too had the same "problem" with her daughter being small when she was Alia's age. During the course of our conversation I said "Yeah... Alia looks a little retarded when she's wearing pants that are too short." How could I say something like that about my own daughter? And ya know what? I didn't say it just once, but found myself saying it twice. When I got in the vehicle I was appalled. Ali always looks cute in my eyes... whether she's buck naked or dressed to the nines. And more so... the word "retarded" is such an insensitive word to use.
The more I thought about it the more I realized that comment was said out of what other people think... not what I think. I know... this isn't really a big deal, but for some reason it's opened my eyes a little.
I hate that I care so much about what other people think. My husband doesn't care and is himself no matter the situation. If I could just get that, then my life would be radically different. The freedom that comes from living for an audience of One...
But on a different note... Alia tried macaroni and cheese for the first time today and LOVED it! She couldn't get enough! It totally made my day...
Oh... and here's a pic of Alia's "short" pants...

Pampered

I've done it, am doing it, will be doing it... whatever! I'm a Pampered Chef consultant. I've been thinking about it for a long time and finally decided now is the time. I'm quite excited about it! Although today I've been feeling very "stay-at-home-momish" since making this decision.
I've really been needing something else. I love staying home with Alia... but I need more to my day than cleaning, laundry, peek a boo, and the ever classic "it's already 4:30 and I haven't started dinner". No, I know this won't magically complete my life, but it will at least give me goals that I can work for, time away from the house, etc.
I'm really looking forward to this!! I don't care about making money... just the little extra challenge will be welcomed!
So, wish me "luck" and let the cooking begin!

Shopping... or the lack there of

Today was possibly the most disappointing shopping day ever. Actually... now that I think about it... there have been VERY VERY few successful shopping trips since the arrival of our little Pinkster Pants. I think it's because I'm always rushed. Always... even when someone else is watching Alia and tells me to take my time... I still feel rushed. And it doesn't help that we live so far from any mentionable shopping facilities. Anyhow - I'm sad about my excursion today.
My goal was to find a new car seat (as Alia is definitely pushing the limits in hers), an umbrella stroller for Florida, and a few clothes items for me and my girl. That's not a huge daunting list. But I came home with 1 pair of pants for the kiddo and 2 gifts for other people's kiddos. I can't help but pout a little just thinking about it!
I've never been the crazy shopping type... I'm too frugal for that... but I think just the occasional non-grocery shopping adventure would be nice. For the past 7 years I have lived at LEAST 1 1/2 hours from a decent mall, and my wardrobe is showing it!
Anyhow... internet shopping here we come - again.

Vista Re-visit...

So it turns out that Vista Print didn't know I like music after all... Jen and Matt did!! Remember the "free" package that I got around my birthday? It was from Jon's sister and brother-in-law!! At any rate, I am still blessed by all the goodies and we got a good chuckle over the misunderstanding! I am amazed at Jen and Matt's thoughtfulness... they always know the perfect gift to give!

Spring Fashion Show

Clothes wise it has always been a bit annoying that Alia is small for her age. There are benefits in other areas... but it's frustrating to buy clothes for a certain season, just to have them be too big! For instance, I just bought a bunch of spring/summer clothes from Kohls (they had a FANTASTIC sale!), only to find that none of them will fit Alia for our Florida trip. As I was making room in her closet, I found quite a few summer 3-6 month outfits that we had been given. I thought I would be saving them for the next babe, but low and behold, they fit!! So this morning we had a fashion show of her new vacation wardrobe! She was actually a pretty good sport about the whole thing... she got her "dream" of running around in a diaper for awhile and I got to "oohh and ahhh" about how cute she is!
Ali also discovered a few of her birthday presents in the closet! I don't think she'll care, nor remember, in a few months when she unwraps them... but it was fun to see her playing with them in the boxes! In the midst of clothing all over the floor she also managed to find a dead fly, then proceeded to taste it. I almost got sick! We got it all out of her mouth, I think, and I made her drink lots of water... oh it was gross! How can these little tikes find everything they aren't supposed to?!?
This afternoon I tried on several summer dresses for our trip. Yeah... it wasn't quite as fun as the morning modeling session. I don't take after my daughter in the smallness department, and was quite disappointed to find that my favorite, favorite, favorite black dress will no longer zip up completely. *sigh* What's a girl to do?

Picky, Picky...

So... I think we might have a picky eater on our hands. I've said that a picky eater will go mighty hungry at our home and I'm sure my parents are just busting a gut about now! Ya see... I have a small reputation in our family as being a tad picky, and a bit stubborn as a child, but I've long since grown out of it!!!! The story goes (and okay, fine...I do have a few memories that I try to forget!) that I would sit hours upon hours just to avoid eating the meat on my plate. I still remember sitting under this bright "interigation" lamp in the kitchen watching the rest of my family enjoy their evening, while I sat yawning until bedtime! Anyhow...
Up to this point Alia has been such a great eater. I've actually been surprised how easy it's been for her to try new tastes! But, with a new day comes new challenges! If Ali could just eat Cheerio's, bananas, and cheese she would be a happy girl. It's everything else that she turns up her little nose at and gives you this "You want me to eat what" look.
Last night Jon tried to get just one piece of broccoli in her mouth. Alia twisted and turned, flailed her little arms, shook her head back and forth at 20 mph, spit repeatedly, and grumbled loudly in protest. Finally Jon got the broccoli in, leaned back in triumph... and Alia spit it out. She's smart ya know. She figured she would at least humor Daddy, but she has to get the last word in!
So, I too will blame this new phase on teething and hope that it will pass. Until then... each meal time is a new drama to be enjoyed!

The Ped Egg

So my feet have been really bad for awhile now. I got a pedicure this past summer and the pedicurist (?) was "in awe" of how bad my calluses and dry skin were. I like to think it was "awe" but one should probably insert "grossed out" there. Anyhow... they were bad. I have been quite embarrassed by them for awhile now, but not any more!
Jon got me a Ped Egg for my birthday (correction, I ordered it and then said it was from him for my birthday!!). It's a wonderful little contraption! It arrived in the mail yesterday... it was a little delayed thanks to good ole' Canadian customs. So last night, after Alia went to bed, I had a Ped Egg party. WOW! It took me all night just to do 1 1/2 feet... I didn't quite get the 2nd one done. But what a difference! Jon was very impressed, to say the least (although he referred to it as a cheese grater, which was a little disturbing)!
Plus, I watched Anne of Green Gables while filing away.... what a terrific evening!
All in all, I think I would gladly be on a Ped Egg infomercial if asked. It really is that great of a product. Cheap, no pain, wonderful results, voila... I'm convinced!

Late Nights

So last night Alia was up from 11:30 pm to 3 am. This is definetely not normal for her, so I feel like I'm a bit of a wuss about it... I like my 8 hours of sleep, let's just put it that way!
I have no idea what the drama was about... gas, teething, or just a Goldfish craving... only Ali knows and she's not telling. I've realized that it's not so much the being up part that is frustrating, it's the disappointment of hearing her cry, again, after being in bed for 3 minutes.
My best didn't come out last night. I was plain mad. At Jon for snoring while I'm up (although in his defence he did get up a few times too), at the computer for not turning on when browsing would have been fun about then, and at this babe for not closing those sweet eyes of hers. And yes, I was mad at myself too. Why can't I be the patient, gentle, soothing mother when the night stars blaze? Or just half the time... I would take that even!
It's mornings like this that I feel like such a bad mom... and it's not a lovely feeling. Last night, as I was complaining to God about a whole host of things, I remembered that each day is a new day. AAHHHH! That's music for my soul and for my sanity. I am so encouraged by that fact!
So instead of fuming and rocking harder by the hour, Alia and I had a little tea party. Okay... there was no tea, at all... but we whipped out the sippy cup, Goldfish, and Cheez-its. I figured we both deserved a break. So we rocked away by the glow of the night light and nibbled to our hearts content. As a result we both went to bed happier (though I was a bit guilty for eating in the middle of the night!).
This morn Alia work up with a bright smile and squeals of delight... it's amazing how quickly I can forget the frustration in the light of a beautiful smile!

Birthday

I think I’ve reached adulthood. Instead of being completely spoiled on my birthday (which, this will sound selfish… is usually what has happened!) I spent most the day tearing out our bathroom floor, helping with installation and cleaning up from the mess. In the end I was very pleased with the results… but I have to admit, I was pretty pouty during the process! Once we were finished with the floor we all boogied to get ready, and headed into town for dinner and a little shopping! It was so fun... I just love strolling through the aisles with my little family and no agenda! For supper we went to a Mennonite buffet… YUM… so good! We sat kinda close to the serving line and Alia had a ball making faces at everyone as they passed. I honestly think she thought they were coming to see her!
Someone had written me a message earlier in the day saying “Keep your eyes and ears open, because God wants to bless you today.” I thought to myself, “Ha… I’m cleaning all day, how can He bless me in that?” Anyhow… as we were eating our supper an older gentleman, that Jon hasn’t seen in a while, came to chat with us. As they were talking he opened his wallet, pulled out a $20… completely out of the blue… and tossed it on the table. Jon asked what he was doing and he just said he felt that he should pay for our supper, or at least part of it. Jon said that he didn’t have to and all that… and finally just said “Thanks”. Jon said it was my birthday and we were out celebrating. This made the guy smile and he just said “Be blessed.” So… God has a way of spoiling us, even when we don't think it's possible! The act of paying for our supper was a simple gesture… but I was/am oh so thankful!

Escape Artist

Oh this girl… she’s a clever one! I figured, ya know what… it’s time she has some good ole’ play-by-herself time. Mind you, we don’t have a baby gate- I have never wanted one, still don’t and will try to avoid it at all costs. That being said… I think I might need to reconsider. Anyhow, I made a “gate” in the living room with her exersaucer and her bouncy chair. Kinda lame, I know… but they were the closest usuable items. Well low and behold… this smarty pants figured out that if she crawled in between the legs of the exersaucer she was home free. So, she outsmarted me… even after three adaptations!!
All day it’s been her discovering new cupboards, and “no, no” items! I thought the living room was safe… think again. She found the games/DVD cupboard. I peeked into the L.R. expecting to find a little angel playing quietly with her toys… instead I found her sorting through card games. And she was going straight to Daddy’s Dukes of Hazzard DVD’s next. He wouldn’t have been impressed! So… now we’re learning that the entertainment center is off limits!
As I write this she is upstairs “napping”. I hear her talking away and having a grand time. She has discovered she can stand up in her crib. Yes, it’s a quite cute, but what a pain! For the last 20 minutes (the whole time she would normally be napping) she stands up, I check on her, lay her back down, then she stands up, and I check on her… and the cycle continues. So I moved her to her Pac N Play (with higher sides… the crib needs to be lowered TONIGHT!) and am just letting her go!
She’s a mover and shaker I tell ya. So… I’m on my toes! And yes… it’s more work… but it’s fun!

A Quarter of a Century!

Tomorrow is the day… I’m actually really excited about turning 25! I feel like it’s such a great time in life… now 30… that might be hard for me, but for now I’m happy about being a ¼ of a century old!
As I look back over my life I am so thankful. Why God chose me, blesses me, and loves me I will never know… but I can see His hand in every area. I’ll spare you the life story… but it seems He has just given me my dreams on a platter.
My family being saved changed the course of all our lives. Maybe it’s just because I can’t remember before then… but the dreams start at that point! An incredible family (even with the quarks!), great lifelong high school friends, Wyoming (the good parts, not necessarily the bad ones!), being able to travel to so many places, marrying an amazing man (though I have to admit… Canada was never part of my plan!), having such a wonderful daughter…
The more I’ve been thinking about it, the more I’m aware that this is where I’ve always wanted to be. As I “dreamed” of being 25 (back in grade school/high school and such) I always wanted to be a wife and a mother. I never cared about a career – although I am getting closer at knowing what I want to be when I grow up! Some people scoff at that… and I feel that I have to defend myself. That gets me right ticked off, and it’s in those times that my husband reminds me of the desires of my heart.
Blessed sums up the last ¼ century of my life. I am in complete awe. The awe that makes me fall on my knees before my Maker. If the last 25 years have been this good (and most those I don’t remember... I’m realizing I have a really bad memory) than the next 25 can only get better, right? That’s what I’m believing.

Take # 2

So last night, around 9:45 pm, Jon mentioned he had a 20 minute presentation due for his “Teaching Variations” class. Not a big deal, right? It needs to arrive in the big city by Wednesday, which means it’s crunch time. So… I whip out the camera, grumbling and cranky I must admit (I had hoped to get to bed early). We arrange the kitchen and I start videoing. We had to start over twice due to phone calls… but it turned out okay. As I was listening about “diesel engine components” I realized that Jon really does love this. He may not even realize it yet… but I think teaching is one of his gifts. He loves engines, he knows so much about them, and he is able to pass that passion on to the next generation while having fun in the process. When all was said and done he could only drag it out for 15 minutes, so tonight we’re doing a retake... making the deadline even tighter. But… I’m looking forward to holding that camera perfectly still for 20 minutes. Why? Because I’m seeing a little more of who my husband is… and I am in more in love with him because of it.

Pizza and Penelope

After M.O.M.'s on Tuesday my best friend Jen invited me over for a birthday lunch! And to my delight she ordered pizza from Pizza Hotline... my new favorite "Canadian" pizza! We shared a HUGE pizza between the two of us and visions of kids napping danced in our heads. Our goal was to watch the movie "Penelope" in peace and quiet. We tried not to make it obvious that we were rushing the kids to sleepy land... and it worked! Quietness for an hour and a half - that's a new record for us!
It was such a great afternoon! Penelope was a fun movie and a lil reminder to be happy with who we are - pig snout and all.
Jen also surprised me with a beautiful necklace and 3 episodes of "Extreme Home Makeover". So... I carried on the festivities and watched 2 of them after Ali went to bed! SO NICE! Over all it was a relaxed day that I look back on and smile!
Thanks again Jen!

Muffin Success

So, I must say, my muffins turned out quite lovely! (see previous post - Muffin Flop to avoid confusion) I even tested two just to be sure. Although, really, it was a sacrifice because only 9 will fit in the container... but there's still one lone one sitting on the cooling rack... life's dilemma's!
Well, my non-stick muffin pans are officially retired from muffin duty. I think my oven and I will have a better relationship now too... maybe not so much name calling and such!
All in all, I'm happy... maybe the touch isn't completely gone after all!

Well with my soul

Yesterday our pastor had a really good message. The main jist of it - we aren’t supposed to put all our energy, resources, and time into the life we’re living now… but to store treasures in heaven. We were challenged to be dead to this life and living for the next. Also to have friends that draw us closer to the Lord and not away from Him. But... the story that really got me was that of Horatio G. Spafford.

Horatio G. Spafford was a lawyer in Chicago that lived during the 19th century. During his life, he experienced many personal tragedies. In 1870, the Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later they were ruined financially by the Great Chicago Fire. Horatio Spafford decided that he and his family needed a break from the events that had happened recently and went to England for a break.
In 1873 when Horatio Spafford's wife and four daughters were leaving from New York to England, the ship that they were travelling on, 'Ville de Havre' struck another ship and sunk, killing his four daughters. His wife, the only survivor, sent him a telegram 9 days after the ship left the harbor of New York, with two words, "Saved alone".
Horatio Spafford, upon hearing the news, left for England to join his wife. As the ship he was on passed the place where his daughters perished, the captain called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." That night, in his cabin, Horatio penned the lyrics to one of the most famous hymns of all time.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

You know the rest of the song. Our challenge… is it well with your soul? After a week of feeling sorry for myself, wishing we had more family around, feeling cooped up and restless, and generally being just a tad bit cranky, I was very humbled. Wherever I am, whomever I’m with, and whether life is rosy or a little dim, my desire is to be able to say… it is well with my soul.

Flowers and Chatter

On Saturday Jerilynn invited us over for a birthday dinner for me! It was so nice. Gramma and Grampa joined us and we had a lovely spread of food! Ham with pineapple and cherries, scalloped potatoes, homegrown beans, fresh bread, squash with cranberries and carrots, and ice cream cake for dessert. I was so blessed! Her and Joe gave me a beautiful gerbra daisy too… my favorite!
We were there until about 1:30 am and just enjoyed chatting and connecting with them again! Though Jer doesn’t know it… the simple act of having a dinner for me spoke volumns (as I write that it sounds a little self centered… but know that’s not the intention!). I felt disconnected to the “only” family we had here and I needed this evening so much. It was a small act that I'll remember for awhile.

Vista Print

So yesterday I got a package in the mail. Of course I was curious and excited to see what was inside. Vista print sent a whole bunch of stuff with my name on it!! Okay.. it's advertising... I know, but I was still blessed none the less! They sent note cards and envelopes, sticky notes with "sheet music" on them (like how did they know I love music?!?!), a keychain that says "Renee's keys" and the most exciting... a grocery list with little check boxes beside each line!! Jon kyboshed putting the keychain on the Escape keys because he said it was too cheesy, but I think the mail key will have a whole new look! So yeah... the little things that make my day!

Muffin Flop

I am so ready to toss in the apron and be done. For some reason I can no longer make moist, tender, scrumptous, gobble-em-up muffins. Since we’ve been married I have repeatedly been disappointed with the outcome. I’ve blamed it on the oven, on the little paper muffin cup brand, on my mixing ability… but never the pan. I was complaining to my best friend about my woes and she said she had the exact same problem… the muffins were always too dark on the bottom. She found it to be the non-stick pans she was using. I too have used non-stick pans everytime… so today I’m trying my silicone ones. And by golly… this better work!!

Doubting Thomas

Jon has always been a great gift giver… he comes up with funny, creative, and thoughtful gifts. So why did I think my birthday would be any different? I kind of found out where he was getting one of my birthday gifts from and started looking through the flyer. He made a comment of there being limited quantities so he really hoped he could get it. Through the process of elimination I decided it was a new ironing board. Yup. Okay – sure I would like one with a fun cover that makes me smile as I’m ironing away… just not for my birthday! I convinced myself that I would be excited and surprised when he presented it to me. But… the lady from the store phoned and said the label maker we ordered wouldn’t be here for a few weeks and asked if that was okay! A label maker! I was so humbled (for doubting) and proud! My husband knows me so well… I love organization and it will be so fun to label all my Tupperware and Rubbermaid storage containers. So… no more snooping! I'm just going to be surprised in a few days!

She Only Turns One Once

I know... you only turn any age once... but I am SO excited about Alia’s first birthday! I’ve been searching online for ideas, designing the cake, planning the menu, deciding on favors, drawing out different invitation ideas, going over the guest list… I love it! Part of me wants to share everything I’m planning, and the other part wants to keep it a surprise. So… all I’m gonna say for now is it’s a brown and pink polka dot theme. And that I’m really trying to keep it simple... Jon is doing very good at helping me with that!!

Hopeless

It has just been one of those weeks… and it doesn’t help that we’ve been cooped up in the house everyday except Tuesday. I found myself crying off and on most of Wednesday. I just felt (and still feel?) that it’s hopeless. I like living here because of the location, the community, the benefits our government offers, and the wonderful job Jon has, etc.… but having very few family and friends around is taking its toll. I know we can’t move home with the economy the way it is, but I feel we just can’t stay here either. We are depriving Alia of some of the most important family relationships... it’s not fair to her, or to them. It’s an inner struggle that I’ve yet to find peace with.

Thankfully, in times such as these, two wonderful friends are here for encouragement… and to remind me that MB isn’t all that bad! These two women are such a blessing to me!

Swimsuit Madness

ARGH! After spending hours looking online for the “perfect, quality, slimming swimsuit”, re-measuring and re-measuring to get the correct size, and agonizing over spending ridiculous amounts for something so simple… I finally ordered what I thought would be a great suit. And upon trying it on, ended up frustrated and in tears! It was too small. Jon tried to be positive… “No, hunny it looks okay, really.” “I know, but you’ve never had a baby before.” It was no use. I still felt miserable!
I’ve lost all my “baby weight” and am even less than before I got pregnant… but things are just different. So… I re-ordered the next size up and we’re giving it one more go around. If that doesn’t work then we’ll have to head to the city, I guess.

But feeling this… blah… has got me thinking. Jon and Mark (his teaching buddy) are running a relay marathon in early summer. They asked if I wanted to join them and I just laughed! But ya know what… I think it would be really good. I would have a goal and a purpose behind running. And since I hate running so much… a purpose is needed! I think my leg of the race would only be 6 miles. Ha... “only 6 miles”...easier said than done. But I really think this is something I want to do, although I'm quite nervous! So… it looks like I need to dust my runners off. And pray for warm weather, I’m not dedicated enough to run in this brutal ness!

He Loves Me!

Valentine’s day has never been a big deal to me. As a kid my parents would spoil us with sweet cards, heart shaped chocolates, red candies, and delicious sugar cookies… so that’s kind of what Valentine’s day means to me. Whether Jon or I do something special isn’t a big deal, really. This year we planned on seeing “Fireproof” (which is quite good by the way… I recommend it!) and I thought that was the extent of it. But Jon surprised me with Lindt chocolate (my favorite!), flowers, and he even made me a heart shaped pizza! It was just so sweet...

And She's Off

It’s official. Alia has figured out the whole crawling thing. Once she got it down there was no stopping her… by suppertime she was motoring around the house! It’s so cute! But I have to admit… my job has just gotten a little more complex! I actually locked her out of the office the other day… I know, what a bad mom! I just wanted to quickly finish up something without her getting into stuff. The poor girl had her face pressed against the French door making the saddest face she could muster! I can’t help but stick my lip out now as I think about it!

With crawling comes a whole new realm of safety precautions. Before I was pregnant I bought a whole whack load of baby safety stuff on clearance. After a few attempts to stick her fingers in the light socket I figured it was time to take action! When all was said and done… out of 2 big boxes of safety devices… I used 2 things. The light socket plugs (which Jon still thinks is ridiculous!) and this little cupboard lock thing for under the sink. Really now… why would I need to lock the refrigerator and the dishwasher (which we don’t have), shorten all the cords, cover the VCR slot, and bolt every cupboard closed?! Maybe I’m too laid back, but are parents just leaving their children alone for days on end? It’s crazy. So the new plan is to teach Alia what she’s allowed to touch and what she isn’t. Makes sense to me. I’m new at this whole game… so time will tell how my method works!

Excuses, Excuses

Sorry… it’s been a really long time since I’ve blogged. But I have 2 good excuses! 1. Our laptop just randomly shuts down. Blink, and it’s gone. So it’s been a little frustrating lately, but I’m thankful we even have a computer! 2. Nothing really exciting has happened. With that being said… I have decided to blog regardless of excitement level. It’s a way of staying connected and getting out my thoughts. So… yeah.

Pearly Whites

Now that Alia has her first (and second) tooth I realize I have nothing to blame her crankiness on. I mean... it was easy to just smile and say "She's teething..." whenever her behavior wasn't quite like the little darling we know she can be! But... these last two teething weeks have been anything but unpleasant. Hopefully this trend will continue and if not well, we've got the line down pat!

Warmth... at last!

Today was so glorious! The temps were just below freezing, the sun was shining, and the wind was basically non existant. Oh, so nice! Alia and I bundled up, along with a friend and her two kids, and went for a walk. It felt wonderful to get outside again! I'm now realizing why Manitobians spend so much time outside in the summer... they're soaking up as much warmth as they can! The count down until spring is officially on for me...although I really have no idea when that starts up here! I have hope that winter is almost over... and that Florida is just around the corner!

25 Random Things About Me

I've had fun learning new things about people so I figured I would do this as well.

1.I’m afraid of the dark... my mind just starts playing tricks on me.

2.My husband always opens the car door for me. He has since we’ve been dating and I can’t remember a time he hasn’t since we’ve been married!

3.In high school I worked on a corn wagon, at a Victorian tea house and at a frozen custard shop at one time.

4.I enjoy traveling and have been to Turkey, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Lesotho, South Africa, 30 States and 6 Provinces.

5.I have only kissed one man, my husband... and I’m the only one he’s ever kissed!

6.I loved the smell of pipe smoke when I was pregnant and really want to smoke a pipe now!

7.I have lots of dreams; two things are to fly in a hot air balloon and pet a giraffe.

8.I have never liked eating chicken that has bones in it…only chicken breasts.

9.I had a midwife and delivered my daughter in a big pool of water. It was such a wonderful labor experience! I would really like to deliver a baby at home someday.

10.I'm a jack of all trades, master of none - I can work on cars, cook, drywall/mud, make furniture, sew, do stained glass, etc… I just love learning new things!

11.I have pierced my nose twice (once by a professional and once involving a sterilized needle, a leatherman, and a carrot) and would like to pierce it again.

12.I love bonfires (and roasting hotdogs, YUM!) but we don’t have a bonfire pit at our house yet. We can’t decide where to put it!

13.I would really really like to become a real estate agent.

14.My new thing is making pies. It’s just so fun!

15.I’m terribly afraid of mice. I have to pick my feet up just thinking about them! One time I stayed upstairs the whole day (until my husband got home) because I thought there was a mouse downstairs… and our bathroom is on the 1st floor. But I’m really trying to get better because I don’t want to teach my daughter to be so afraid of them!

16.I love playing instruments but only get to play like a ¼ of what I used to. It’s discouraging how much worse I’ve gotten!

17.I like things neat and organized and thankfully my husband does too!

18.I really really really miss my family and friends in Ohio. I cry probably once a week because I miss them so much…. but I’m not sure I would be happy if I moved back…

19.I love Manitoba (except that it’s so bitterly cold!!!) but still don’t feel at home here.

20.I am way more in love with my husband now than on our wedding day. I can not believe God brought us together and that Jon chose me as his bride… it brings tears to my eyes.

21.We have been renovating out house since we got married. We’ve redone everything. Everything! We are almost done with the main house (it takes SO much longer when we can only work on it in the evenings and weekends!) and we’re going to start on the basement in the late spring. Then we’ll probably sell! Go figure!

22.I LOVE being a mom (most days)!! I didn’t think I could possibly love another child more but I’m starting to want another one!

23.I can’t do laundry or wash dishes right now because we ran out of water. We have to haul water but we’ll be getting water hook up in a few months! I’m very glad about that!

24.Cheez-its are one of my favorite things and I’m so sad they don’t have them in Canada!!!

25.I’m going to go play “picnic” with my daughter now!

A glimpse of what's to come...

As most of you know I’m quite a tidy person… I like to have everything in its place and can get stressed easily when things are disorganized! Well, God (with Alia's help) is teaching me that messes are not only okay, but a part of life.

Today I came around the corner to see Alia pulling out dish towels one by one from the cupboard! She’s been opening and closing that drawer for weeks now but never bothered to check what was inside. Really I could care less about refolding a few towels (and she’s just so cute as she takes them out!) but it’s a glimpse of what’s ahead. My world is about to get a little dirtier and a little more cluttered perhaps … but I love it! There will always be nap time when I can run around the house picking stuff up, just so I can pick it up again later… but it’s a job I’m definitely glad I signed up for!

... but it's got a lifetime warranty!

Alia had the pleasure of attending her 1st Tupperware party last Wednesday night. She got a little too excited and did a nose dive into the coffee table, thus also experiencing her 1st fat lip! Due to the traumatic events of the evening I decided I would just bring the catalog home to take a better look. It ended up being a costly mistake! I figured on just buying a thing or two, nope… Jon is secretly a Tupperware fan (his mother trained him well!). Since modular mates were on sale and they “have a lifetime warranty” (Jon's big selling point) our kitchen will be well organized!

Sun Dogs and Sleigh Rides

Upon moving to MB I have discovered what “sun dogs” are. They are bright rings on either side of the sun that only come out when it’s really, really cold!! Since we don’t own a thermometer (we have just never really felt the need for one, I guess) I have learned to gage whether I’m going outside or not based upon what the dogs are doing!

The past two weeks have been a little warmer so last weekend we enjoyed Alia's first sleigh ride! She couldn’t stop smiling, or put her arms down, thanks to the many many layers that Mommy put her in! It was so much fun!

Officially a blogger

2009 is the year of relationships for me. I want to not just maintain them, but go deeper. Go deeper with God, family, friends, and maybe even the cashier at Co-Op. I want to make relationships more of a priority and not something I take for granted. So… this blog is a way of doing that. It will hopefully keep you more connected to our family, and in turn keep us more connected to you. I’m so excited, and a little nervous, about giving you an inside look at our lives… but here we go!