Simple Woman #3

A picture thought to share: At 1:10pm exactly a year ago today we were blessed with Baby Luke who has grown up so much in one year and is such a ray of sunshine in our lives. We love you Little Luke and are so thankful for you not just today but each and every day. Happy Birthday!

FOR TODAY June 17

...Outside my window

shingles flying and landing in a big truck, forklift lifting shingles to the roof, sunshine, lots of men busy working on the roof. Funny the boys are sitting on the top bunk in their bunkbeds watching the men work out their bedroom window. In awe watching for almost an hour now.

...I am thinking

that I am so spoiled with love and kind words from family and friends on my birthday: emails, phone calls, mail etc.

...I am thankful for

believe it or not facebook and email, I definately hear from more people from all over the place on my birthday. Technology has it's benefits that's for sure.

...From the kitchen

tonight is leftover spagetti and meatballs and garlic bread/buns. Very easy for my birthday.

...I am wearing

jean shorts and a red tank top and flip flops

...I am going

to Ang's around 11ish with Mel and Simone. We will have lunch there and swim in her pool ALL afternoon while Simone and Luke nap. Horray for sunshine, and horray for sister in laws, and Horray for sister in laws with pools!

...I am reading

nothing, it's sad but true. If these blog posts have taught me anything it's that I need to read more. How do I find the time?

...I am hoping

to get groceries sometime in the next few days.

...I am hearing

lots of banging on the roof. And the telephone just rang, it was Step brother Jamie calling to wish me a Happy Birthday. He is very thoughtful and always seems to get in touch on my birthday. Everytime I am surprised again and again and very happy to hear from him.

...Around the house

need to bake some chocolate chip cookies for the men working on the roof and for some snacks this afternoon at Ang's. I'm actually on the ball this week, lawns mowed and whippersnipped, flowers and shrubs watered, laundry all done and put away, washrooms clean, beds made. It's a great day to celebrate my birthday.

...One of my favorite things

is icecream cake on my birthday. Mom always used to get me a cake from DQ because that's what I requested. My brother would always ask for chocolate cake with boiled frosting on top. She would also often make our favorite meal for us on our birthdays. I can't even remember what my favorite was. Probably pizza, Kevins was always shepards pie. Can you believe it?

...A few plans for the rest of the week

scrapbooking class tonight, groceries, Luke's needles tomorrow afternoon, playdate with Tracy Friday morning, Friday night having some friends over for a fire and for cake and Sunday church and then a big family get together for Father's Day, Burgers and salads and cake to celebrate mine and Luke's b'days as well as Father's Day.

Simple Woman #2

Here is a picture thought I am sharing: Andrew and Morgan (see notes below), I will be happy when Andrew starts to smile normal again!

FOR TODAY June 9. 2009

...Outside my window

Cloud's, clouds and clouds. This weather is not very appealing lately. What happened to sunny southern AB? +14 as a high today. Oh well the forecast for the rest of the week looks promising.

...I am thinking

that I have amazing sister in law's that I really connect with. I just got off the phone with Trix, it is pretty neat how we can talk and take care of six little ones between us at the same time. We can change diapers, sort out fights, push kids on the swings, wipe bums, do dishes and even vaccum while talking. Trixie actually vaccummed while we were talking today.

...I am thankful

for my friend Tracy's phone calls everyday, usually in the morning we call each other and discuss our plans for the day. It's great to know that someone cares and wants to hear about some of the mundane tasks we have before us. Laundry, cleaning windows, gardening etc. It also helps motivate me to get going in the day

...From the kitchen

tonight will be tuna melts, homemade bread and a spinich salad. something a little lighter because Ken and I will head out for a big run together later.

....I am wearing

black capri's, a white tank top and a short sleeved grey hoodie and flip flops

...I am creating

this morning we made sock puppets with buttons and yarn for hair. Andrew named his Morgan and Sam's is Tom We even took Morgan for a big bike ride this morning to show the sheep and ponies

...I am going

to make a meal plan for the rest of the month in a bit.It really helps on the budget and keeps me less frazzled around 4pm if I know what I'm making for supper.

...I am reading

lots of kids books lately, trying to help Sam learn to say words better A good one that we took out of the library last week is called "The Elephant that sneezed." It was really fun to read to the kids.

...I am hoping

that Dad and Denise can come out to visit in July. I really miss them and always have lots of fun with them when they are here.

that Mel has a great pregnancy. She is 13 weeks. Horray!

that I can reach my goal in my 8km race this Saturday.

...I am hearing

my bread machine mixing up the dough, Luke clapping his hands and Andrew and Sam playing with their toys.

...Around the house

need to vaccum and wash all the bedding, just waiting for a good day to hang it on the line.

...One of my favorite things

is listening to Luke try to talk lately. There are lots of different sounds coming out of him.

...A few plans for the rest of the week

enjoy the sunshine as much as possible, Sports Day on Friday, race Saturday and not much else is planned yet.

Welcoming Luke to the Sandbox!

So this is it. I now have three boys to shake sand off of every time they come in the house. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later but Luke finally discovered how to get himself into the sandbox with his brothers and there is no keeping him out of it ever since. His world has just broadened so much. It was really neat to watch him play with the sand and let it sift through his tiny but chubby fingers.

An adventure to the Wetlands.

Ken's class went on a fieldtrip to the Wetlands to catch bugs and observe. We decided to bake some cookies for a class snack and tag along. We didn't last too long. Sam is not the most coordinated child at the best of times but add rubber boots to the mix and rugged terrian and you are asking for a disaster. We still had lots of fun.

One and then Two little cookie monsters!

Luke and Cousin Simone at the park. They are usually happy to just eat and look around.

Brothers and Best Friends...

These guys are so silly. It is impossible to get a really good picture of them both at the same time. I think these pics really capture their bond to one another. It is going to be neat to see where Luke fits into all of this.

Simple Woman

...a picture to share my thoughts on
This was taken almost exactly a year ago. I can't believe Luke is almost one. I was anxiously awaiting his arrival.



Thanks to my friend Mel's mom (Crystal) I'm going to try out this Simple Woman journal entry. I always love reading her blog and hearing what she's up to. Hopefully you will all enjoy hearing what I'm up and what is on my mind.

FOR TODAY: June 2, 2009

...Outside my window
The sun is shining, supposed to be + 20 today. I'm listening to the birds chirping and Sam and Andrew playing in the sandbox.

...I am thinking

that I have the best life ever being able to stay home with my kids and to not feel all the pressures that I used to feel at my management job. Usually my biggest decision of the day is what to make for supper...

...I am thankful for

our new play center. It keeps the boys entertained for hours.

...From the kitchen

Lunch for me and the boys.

Luke: bottle of milk, slice of bread, veggies and fresh fruit

Sam: cheese whiz bun, yogurt, fruit salad

Andrew: peanut butter/jam bun, yogurt, fruit salad

Me: roast beef bun, fruit salad

Dinner: BBq'd pork chops, pasta salad, garlic bread

...I am wearing

jean shorts, navy tank top and flip flops. I plan on being outside lots today.

..I am going

to take the kids for a walk/bike ride after lunch. We often go for a 3-4km walk and see horsey's and sheep along the way. Andrew rides his bike and Sam and Luke sit in the bike cart. We also pick up cans/bottles that we find in the ditch.

...I am reading

Feminine Appeal (7 virtues of a Godly wife and Mother) It's a book I'm studying with my great friend Amanda. Each chapter is a different virtue. There are questions at the end of each chapter that her and I answer on our own then we get together with our kids and discuss our answers. This book has been a great journey for me and helps me focus on taking care of my husband and kids. It is excellent and I highly recommend it to everyone!

...I am hoping

that I can go for a run tonight. I have a 8km race in less than two weeks. Ken has a meeting so I might just arrange a babysitter.

...I am hearing

Sam ask for cheerios for lunch. It is not going to happen...

...Around the house

just mowed the lawn and whippersnipped, laundry hung on the line, kitchen floor freshly washed.

...One of my favorite things

is tucking the kids in at night, reading to them, saying prayers and kissing them good night

...A few plans for the rest of the week

Tomorrow morning one of our neighbors Sandra and her son and daughter are coming over for a playdate, Thursday morning a playdate with Amanda and three of her boys while we discuss a chapter in our book, Thursday afternoon Ken's class is going on afieldtrip to his parents place where there is an irrigation lake. They are studying wetlands and are going to check things out. I'm taking the boys along with their rubber boots and I'll help Ken's mom serve juice and cookies to the students. Thursday night is Ken's and my datenight when we go for a run together and get a babysitter. Saturday evening we are hosting a year end BBQ for Ken's hockey team so tehre will be 20-30 people in our back yard eating and enjoying a fire in the firepit.