Brotherly love

I have to admit I kind of feel bad for Corey. I mean he cannot do anything anymore without Matthew following him around and asking him a million thousand questions about everything. Is it bad I'm glad it's Corey and not me? ;)
I will never really experience what Corey and Matthew have just like I'll never understand the relationship that I hope Kianne and Jordyn will have one day. While I had a brother, he was four years younger that me and that is a pretty large gap plus he was a boy :p
Not much point to my post just a simple observation.

Time Flies When you're Crazy Busy!

Well tons has happened since I last updated. We have decided to homeschool and you can read all about that here

That is an experience in itself. Going better than expected with the typical hiccups one could predict.

Halloween has come and gone and of course it is always brings sugar highs and lows that personally I could do without ;)

Just recently we took in the Santa Clause parade and that was fun! Crazy crowded but so much fun. I had a session right before then this year and so we got there just in the nick of time.
Next year we will have to plan better. Jordyn had so much fun though and the wonder in her little eyes was precious and amazing!

Argh Totally Lost and Confused

The panic and axiety have set in full force in regards to the kids schooling. I go between feeling wonderful and confident with our choice to homeschool this year to a full on anxiety and panic attack.
I have such strong issues with the school they have been attending that I swore up and down they were not returning this year. But with fall and back to school quickly approaching I am losing confidence and wondering if I can handle this adventure.
I have contacted some other public school that are out of "catchment" but they are far from helpful and make me feel horrible for even considering switching schools.
There is another private school we have looked at but it is really far, really expensive and Jay and I both don't feel like blowing another $100 bucks on application fees to get a "no" answer.
So, here I am in tears again with my stomach in knots trying to make the best choice for the kids and our family.
Do we talk to the current school before school starts and explain our expectations and issues firmly so there are no issues or do I just keep them home? Do I send them and pull them if there are nonsensical issues?
I know I've said it before but I really never though this would be so hard....

"I Love Being a Kid!"

These were the words out of my nine year old Corey this morning downstairs playing with the rest of the kids with bubble wrap! They were all so excited and having so much fun. This simple sentence, "I love being a kid" made me smile and fill with joy. I totally remember the simplicity of being a kid and he obviously appreciates it as well.
I find that more often than not it is these simple sentences or the kids all playing nicely together that inspire me to write a blog post.
I have to be honest though and admit I don't have much to write about but I do have an awful lot of pics to post. That seems to be a common theme with my blog ;)
Michael has come and gone and it was a good visit but also presents it challenges as well. It must be hard for him to come here away from his home and mom and sister and jump into our crazy life. It was a good visit though and we are hoping to go to Edmonton in the new year to visit him there. Hopefully Jay can make a trip out there before that though for a couple of days.
Here are some pics of what we've been up to this summer so far.

Meanest Mom in the World

I must be the meanest Mom in the world as I plopped my baby girl on top of a pony at last weekends church picnic family day. Poor Jordyn was devestated and poor Corey was of course allergic ;)



Wow, I feel like I have so much to blog about lately and I'm days behind in my "online journal."



On a happy note. Michael's flight arrived yesterday morning on Canada Day and we spent a great day at the beach followed by dinner at Applebees!
Wish us luck with 5 kids in the house :)

So Sad and Dissapointed

We just got the call from Linden Christian and our kids were not accepted for next year :( I couldn't get off the phone fast enough for fear of crying but I am so, so sad.
I have been praying so hard for this and really felt after the interviews that this was the place for our kids and family.
Now we are back to square one :(

I think I'm starting to "get it"

Corey has been playing baseball this year. It has been an adventurous season so far with lots of rain and cold weather but here we are in the play-offs. There were days I sat out in my winter coat and mitts in June and other evenings it was so hot we were getting sunburnt.
Two months ago they started practicing in their little red jerseys and gray baseball pants. We have the youngest team in our league so when I say little I really do mean it ;)
It was painful to watch as the kids stumbled around and could barely catch the ball, forget about connecting it with a bat to hit it. Now though it is like watching the big leagues! I am so proud of these boys who have learned so many new skills and are shining out there on that diamond.
Like I said they are in the play offs and next will be the city play offs! I see how parents get all caught up in their kids sporting events. It is so exciting to see them do well and they are so proud of themselves. I hope Corey plays next year now that he is understanding the game and having a good time. I still will not pressure my kids to play and push them to the max but I do think it is important to be involved.
Here are some pics of my guy :)

My Little Princess

I was 10 when I got my ears pierced. Kianne got hers done at 9. Jordyn got hers done on Saturday June 19th at the tender age of 27 months.
I was always one of those mothers that insisted you don't pierce babies ears and wait until they are old enough to decide on their own. Well that went out the window.
I'm not really sure why....I guess Jordyn really is the little princess who needs to be all girl all. the. time.
I will admit that I felt like a horrible mother at the time as she cried and looked so sad and scared :( But the lady gave her a sucker after and all seemed to be well in her world again :)
I bought some special numbing cream that I think was useless and a waste of $15. So if anyone is considering getting it done I wouldn't waste your money on the cream.

Easier to not Care

Sometimes I wish I could be one of those parents that had no care in the world what my kids were up to or learning or exposed to. I think it must be so easy. To just roll along and really be clueless.
Maybe it is because our values are different from a lot of society that I have to question everything.
It is such a fine line between letting your kids develop and explore and learn on their own and "helicoptering" over top of their every move.
I do not want to be the helicopter parent but find that in some cases it is absolutely neccesary. As they get older I suppose I'll need to start my descent and let them find their wings. In the meantime though I will continue to question and observe and sometimes make choices for my kids that go against the grain.
As a parent I have a job to do and I must take that seriously.

So Proud of My Girl

For the second year in a row Kianne made it to the divisional meet for track and field. She is a great little runner and I am so proud of her :)
The weather was a little risky but it held off. Although it was much colder than I suspected. Matthew, Jordyn and I had a great time cheering her on and it was a shame we couldn't stay the whole day but we had to get home for Corey for lunch.









And although she didn't come in first, second or even third she was great out there :)