Complete and Total Chaos

I think most days I'm lucky that I don't break my neck by running around and tripping on a toy!

Infact, I'm sure most mothers are thankful for this.

When I actually sit and think about what my normal day consists of it is rather amazing to consider all I actually do achieve. My friend Carrie tells me all the time that I don't know what it is like to not be busy and I am starting to believe her.

The fact that I get the laundry done, vaccuming, general tidying, kids off to school, lunches fed, dog fed, phone calls made, email returned and the never ending list of other tasks that mothers around the world accomplish everyday I still can find time to look back and enjoy the chaos!

The Family

So it has been a while since we have had a family picture done of all of us. In fact I'm sorry to say that since Jordyn has come along we don't have one. This summer for sure on my list of things to do. However, these are my beautiful children. Each one of them a blessing and special and loved in their own ways.

Is this my family? Is this it? Are we done? Everyone asks this question all the time. People already think we are crazy for having the amount of children we have. I also get the question on how we afford it? The thing is, you just do. I don't feel we are making huge sacrifices. Our children are in activities, we own a nice home in a nice neighborhood. (well we'll own it in another 22 years) We each have a vehicle, there is plenty of food to go around, etc...

Why should we be done? Who says that you can only have a certain amount of children? Why is it in today's society it is frowned upon to have a big family?

As you can see, I am filled with all these questions. Because of the way our society has dictated what the "average" family should look like I think in my head we are done. However, my heart tells me otherwise.

Ah the lifelong battle between head and heart. If we lived our lives by our heads I'm sure we would all be a bunch of robots running around on auto pilot. If we live by our hearts though where would the order in the world be? To find that balance is the key.

Until I find my balance though we will wait and see what the future holds. So is this the family?

Too big for the sink?

Not yet. After a long day at The Wonderful Wedding show I came home to find my little girl in not so good spirits. I had been putting off taking her to the Dr as I am not one of those moms who rush their kids in with every cold and sniffle. I realized though on this Saturday evening that this "cold" was not going away. Jayson and I discussed it and decided he would take her down to one of the only walk ins open on a Saturday night. He had her there and back within an hour which I thought was quite amazing. The diagnosis? A sinus infection and an ear infection. Poor girl.

The poor kid was covered in snot and other bodily fluids as well as some dinner that Daddy forgot to wash off and so I gave her a bath. Because I hate bending over the bathtub to bathe her I thought I would see if she still fit in the sink. Well to my delight she fit just fine. She was "happy as a lark" and my back was straight. We had a little play in the "tub" and I think she smiled for the first time that day.

Poor girl.

Wonderful Wedding Show

If anyone was lucky enough to get engaged over the holiday season the best place to be is The Wonderful Wedding Show

I'll be there with Carrie Ekosky Photography . I hope to one day have my own booth but until then I will live vacariously through her :)

I always love being there and seeing all the sights and sounds as Nicole said it is sensory overload.
It is fun though :)

Happiness Is....

"Cold Day"

With the temperatures dropping to

-49 with the windchill we decided to have a "cold day". Some places have snow days (not in good old Winnipeg however) but we are having a cold day.

Now that does not mean that my kids get to stay home and play all day.

They have work books to do for a little while.

After that they can play :)

I am just one of those wimpy people that think it is too darn cold to do anything or go anywhere.

With both of them home working so hard it makes me think I could homeschool again...

Gonna Get Crafty

This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while now. I have tried crocheting rather unsuccessfully so now I am feeling the need to move on to something bigger and better. Along with my desire for a new sewing machine is the need for ideas as to what exactly I'm supposed to do with it.
I happened across this great website http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/ with all sorts of wonderful ideas! I would like to try and make a doll for Jordyn's first birthday.
When I start that project I will update with the progress :)

Wish List

You would think with Christmas having just passed I would not have a want for anything. However it seems there is just always something for us consumers to want to spend our hard eaned money on.
As of late these are my faves...

The first thing on my list is new cloth diapes. Most people do not realize my obsession and how sad I will be once my babies are outgrown them but it is pretty severe.




First of all I was out with a group of ladies yesterday night and one of th girls was sporting these wonderful fuzzy crocs!!!

First of all I am a croc lover. I proudly own four pairs in different colours and styles. I don't have winter ones though.

There are a couple of different reasons why one would want such shoes. The first being the comfort of course. Anyone who has tried a pair of crocs on cannot deny the comfort level. Even if you think they are as ugly as sin, they are comfy. Secondly, who wouldn't want a pair of shoes that you can slip on in the winter?




Lastly I would love to have a sewing machine. I certainly do not need anything fancy but just something to start to learn on.

A sign?

A horrible thing happened this morning.... Our microwave is no longer with us. I'm not exactly sure how it happened but I have a sneaky suspicion that a spoon was put in there with the bowl of instant oatmeal.

Now at first I was feeling devastated. I mean how is one to tell the time when there are no big green lights with the numbers staring you down in the darkness of the kitchen? I fretted over heating Jordyn's bottles and cereals, and that is when it hit me!

Is this a sign that we should be getting rid of it anyways? It was something I contemplated before, knowing that it cannot be good for you. I mean for one they basically destroy the food that you are heating up and cause it to lose all nutritional value, microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths [tumors]. This may explain the rapidly increased rate of colon cancer. Of course there was the big BPA scare as well and well now I'm leery of putting any kind of plastic in the microwave oven.

I don't know if this will be the end of the microwave for us but seeing as how I will at least be without one for the day maybe this will be a good trial.

Love/Hate

1. My puppy Lacey
2. snow
3. Shopping
4. Work
5. Money
6. My House
7. Food
8. Sleep
9. My Body
10. Society as a whole

But out of all these things I think love wins out :)

A Picture Post

I suppose I have rambled on enough as of late so it is time to post some pics. The only problem is that I can get very carried away with pics. I will try and restrain myself ;)

Extreme Parenting

I was watching 20/20 tonight and the whole show was about "extreme parenting". Some of the stories I thought were outright craziness however, some of them I totally thought were right on track.
Home birthing for instance. I think with the right planning and back up plans and a midwife this is a total possibility and probably a really empowering experience. Looking back on my birth experiences it makes me wish I had done things differently.
"Extended" breastfeeding. This is another topic that I feel quite strongly about. I believe in child led weaning. Now personally I think my limit would be three-four years of age but that is just me personally. If you really feel the nutritional benefits are important then I would pump but that is just me. I personally question the whole value of the cows milk we drink anyways. I find it odd that we are the only species that drinks another species milk. That is a whole nother post though ;)
I know some people think that I am a little bit hippie in the fact that I cloth diaper and "wear my babies" but I just think I am going back to a simpler life and maybe if I had the chance to do it again I would save my money on buying formula and try and have a more natural birthing experience.

Back to Normal?

well not quite. At least Jay went back to work today though. Don't get me wrong, I love having him around but it is just so weird to have him home all day. I don't get the things done I normally would. One thing I noticed today though is how much help he gives me with the kids when he is home. It seemed like complete chaos today. Matthew was just unruly maybe he was missing his dad?
Now I just need to get through the weekend and the kids will be back at school on Monday. As much as a pain in the butt it is to get them up and out in the mornings it will still be nice to have a little more peace and quiet in the house.
I got my schedule for Kids Spot and it looks like it will keep me busy over the next couple of months. I enjoy going to meet other moms and my kids have a blast. It also forces me to leave the house even in this miserable cold. http://www.mywaverley.com/kidsspot
So basically now that the rush of Christmas and New Years is coming to an end things can slowly go back to "normal".

Not a great start

Today sucked. Other than the fact that I did pretty well with my "diet" I had a pretty crappy day.
I think it was my ex husband who really put a damper on things. I really shouldn't let him ruin my day but I am so tired of him poisoning my kids thoughts about me.
I had all these wonderful family plans for New Years day and nothing happened.
Now, I know the mature thing to do would be to just move on and continue about my day but it was totally spoiled. At least the weekend is right around the corner.
We are going to go to the Forks this weekend with our skates and Matthew's little sled and have some good old family fun!!! I'm totally looking forward to it. I hope the weather cooperates.
I took down all the Christmas decorations and as I was almost done, Jayson proceeds to tell me that Ukrainian Christmas isn't until the 7th! I was almost tempted to put them back up! ;)
I'm not Ukrainian but Jay is and I like the fact that I can keep all those decorations up just a wee bit longer. I was quite sad today as I removed my wreath from the door.
I think next year I will decorate earlier. As long as the actual Christmas tree isn't up before Corey's birthday then I think it is safe.
I want to post some pics in the next couple of days to spice up my blog a little. I looked at it just now and it is a little boring. Of course it doesn't help that I have nothing interesting to say and simply ramble on about nothingness. I am enjoying sitting her typing away though. I've heard some people say it can be therapeutic and perhaps they have a point. I'll just have to figure out interesting things to actually write about.
Well, I am done for this evening. The big kids are in bed reading, and the babies are tucked in with the vacuum running so I guess that means it is time for some relaxation.
Happy New Year again and good night...

Times Like These

A new year means new beginnings. I for one am always greatful for the new year and the opportunity it provides to make those new year resolutions and a chance to start over again.
Now, with that being said it also means I have one less year of life to accomplish all that I want. (sorry, just being a realist there ;) )
So as for new beginnings I thought I would create my own personal blog. I have my business blog which I have posted family stuff there but I thought I would like a place that was a little more dedicated to my life as a wife and mom of four!!!
Another new beginning for me is it is high time to take off the extra weight I have been carrying. I'm not following any elaborate diet plan however I have called on the wonderful website http://www.sparkpeople.com It is an amazing tool. I will also be eating my meals on a side plate rather than a large dinner plate. As for exercise.... well, I haven't quite figured that one out.
I used to really enjoy running maybe I will get my butt in gear this year!!! See look, new year means new beginnings!!!