Yesterday - Aleana's Birthday

Aleana has this man in her life that likes to buy her flowers every now and then.

Not many boys are going to measure up to Dad!!
Grandma and Grandpa came over to eat cake.


Aleana loves to bake and decorate cakes. I told her she could not bake her own birthday cake.
She tricked me and told me she was baking cookies!!! I got to write the words on the top but the rest she did herself - the stinker!!!

I can't believe it's been 11 years already. Seems just like yesterday. Here's the story...


The Day Aleana Was Born (from my journal)

Welcome to the world Aleana Janelle!! Your Mom and Dad are very proud of you for making it safely into our arms. We are thankful to the LORD for keeping us safe through the entire experience. You are now almost 10 days old and already gaining weight on your cute chubby cheeks. We are just so thrilled with you , all of us here think you are beautiful - that includes Nana and Auntie Michelle who came from St. Albert especially for your arrival to help your Mom out (and your Dad!).

Do you want to know how you came into the world? It was the most touching moment of my life right next to marrying your Dad. It all started on the 22nd - I was scheduled to be induced with the gel. Since your Aunt Michelle was visiting with us already she came to the hospital with us. We went home after the gel was applied and the only thing that happened was that the gel really stung - really really stung. I could hardly walk. We went to Bear Creek Park to walk and it was not fun. Went we went back to the hospital, I had not even dilated yet so they sent us home :(.

The next morning, more gel was applied and thankfully it didn't sting this time (they used a different brand) - I was elated about that. We went to the mall, and just walked alot, went to subway for lunch, went home, and Dad cut the lawn. Can you believe that? Then it was back to the hospital - I was having contractions again but nothing steady and still no dilation. More gel was applied and they sent us home again :(. We were starting to get frustrated.

Contractions started up again, so it was back to the hospital - still no dilation (you just did not want to come out!!). Both of us were in tears, so a kind nurse gave me an IV so that I would have to be admitted, this relaxed me - to know that I was where I was supposed to be and now I was going to have the baby. So we got to our own room and I went straight into the shower - by this time it was 2200. I stayed in there for over an hour. It stopped the shaking and the contractions were manageable. I went back to bed but that only lasted 15minutes, so it was back into the shower and this time things were different. [ In hindsight I see that this is the point where I transitioned but I was young and unexperienced so what did I know?].

The pain intensified and I felt like I had to push. We called the nurse and we agreed that I would breathe through the urges because I had not dilated yet, pushing would hinder the cervix from opening. This was impossible to do because I really felt like pushing!!! It was a feeling that was so undeniable and automatic that my body had great difficulty ignoring this. Thinking that there was no possible way I could have gone from 0 - 10 cm in just an hour I agreed to be checked stealing myself for the possible disappointment of no progress. When the nurse checked I was 8 cm. Cause for celebration right? Well, I was shocked but had no time to rejoice as another contraction came with a pushing urge. I was asked to hold off of the pushing for awhile?!?!. This continued to be impossible for me, the urge was too great. Now, I was pushing with the most amazing grunts thath were emerging from the depths of my being.

A few more contractions and the waters broke. I remember crying because FINALLY I was going to have our baby and I was so happy to be in labor. The nurse checked again and I was fully dilated. I got ready for pushing and it was great, lots of people were cheering me on and I felt so positive about it. Since the family doctor couldn't make it on time, the OB on call came. Your heartrate was going lower so they seemed to panic about that [I know now, that it's normal in fast births] and they did an episiotomy and used this vacuum to pull you out. I don't remember it being that bad, I guess because they froze everything for the episiotomy. I remember saying "Hallelujah, Thank you God!!" and even later on I told the doctor "I would do that again any day!!" Auntie Michelle was there and was able to witness the whole miracle.

As soon as you entered the world the doctor put you on my belly - you were slimy ( sorry to say, but it's true!) but already turning pink. You were crying - upset we took you out of your warm home. I couldn't believe how big you were!! Your Dad and I both had tears running down our cheeks - Auntie Michelle too. It was the most beautiful moment when they were checking you out in the warmer and you were crying and I said "Aleana, it's your mother..." and you heard me, turned your head and stopped crying for a minute. That was so touching. You knew my voice - after nine months you'd think so wouldn't you?

You were born at 0037 and around 0300 I arrived in my own private room (because they had no other place to put me!). I didn't sleep a wink that night becuse I was just in extreme awe as to how beautiful you were and how big you were. I spoke to you off and on through the night and fed you every 2 hours or so. We took you home around 1400.

Thank you LORD for giving us the privilege of parenting our spirited, kind, creative and beautiful Aleana!!! Her independant drive (me do! me do!) and servant's heart will serve her well, as she continues to learn to enhance her God-given talents and use her gifts to His honor and glory. We love you Aleana!!!

Ordinary Lives

There was an ordinary family...

Who in their spare time practised archery,



Practiced the art of quilting and sewing,


Practised their Christianity in subtle,

not always noticeable ways,

Who loved to read and study books (of certain subjects, not others),

Who were also disciplined at certain times in their lives because

they didn't listen, didn't obey or decided to do things

their own way :(.

Who could also enjoy a sense of humor that brought much laughter.

Who practiced the art of science by doing many spontaneous experiments.

Who practiced the art of gardening and reaped the rewards of such work.

Who had an unwavering leader, who was strong but in a cool way,

Not the cool, you would expect from the clothes he wears,

A family who practices co-sleeping,

but not from a conscious decision to do so but rather accidentally...

A family who sticks together, plays together, prays together

laughs together, and works together. Ever together, even in their sleep.

Ethan's Cadet BBQ and Cub Car Racing

Peter checking out the ramp with Dad
Ethan waiting for his turn. The first round was a test for him because his wheel almost fell off. One of the counsellors noticed so he got to do that round again. We could tell he was disappointed at first (because his car was dragging), but he held it together. He was thrilled he could go again and his car did very well after that.

Ethan is on the far left. This is his whole troop. They are a good bunch.

Oh Ethan if only you could give us a real smile!! Good job - I like your car by the way - very colorful.

20 Things I Never Thought I Would Say

I got this idea from another blog I was reading so I have to give credit to where credit is due. Thanks Janet T.!

1) Why did you put toothpaste in your brother's hair?

2) Why did you put toothpaste in your hair?

3) Don't shoot your weapons (bow and arrow) in the house!!!

4) No, I don't think Narwhal's are born with their tusks so that they can break out of their eggs.?!?!

5) No bad words allowed when you're playing scrabble!!!

6) Yes, it is funny that you tricked your brother into eating that garlic clove (he sure does stink!!) but quit being a stinker yourself!!!

7) Why do I hear water running (never a good thing) ?

8) Do I even want to ask why you boys are digging into the dry wall with a bread knife?

9) Why do I smell burning dust?

10) Why is it so stinking hot in here (no menopause yet, just the thermostat set high - phew!!)?

11) Why does it smell like baby powder down here?

12) Why is this fish food container so empty?

13) What are you boys trying to do with those sticks, magnifying glass, and paper?

14) Don't yell "Mom, come watch me set off my bomb!" outside where the neighbors can hear - Do you want social services at our door?

15) No, you can't marry me if your father dies mysteriously and I have no husband!

16) Stay off the trampoline, I still have to spray off your brother's poop!!!

17) It's not bleeding - you'll be just fine.

18) Yes, it's bleeding. No, you don't have to go to the hospital but let me just call Dad to be sure. No, no, no, it's really fine, I just need to talk to Dad, but you're just fine.

19) No, you don't have a huge hole in your head, just a really teeny tiny one. No, no, no, it's really not that big. Hush, it's alright. It's barely big enough for large amounts of blood to come out. No, no, no there's hardly any blood. No, YOU WON'T BLEED TO DEATH.

20) Monsters, Mommy is here and Mommy means business. RRRRRRARRRR

Precious Moments

Precious Moments

Oh Lord, how do I exalt thee,

Let me count the ways..

For a baby,

turning toddler,

creating beside me

in a conscience state.

For evening ramblings that

reflect my subconscious state.

For an interuptting garage door that

signals a returning husband.

For a house full of snorings,

tossings and turnings.

For a tired body that is ready for

sleep, at the end of an eventful day.

For the cool, refreshing breeze that

whafs in from the not-too-far ocean.

For reminders in the flowers that babies bring

that YOU are there and

YOU love me.

As I do

what I do

because I love YOU.

Welcome to Beauty World!!!

This was just two days later!!!

Matthew - was very adament about showing me the peonies as they were blooming.

He said to me "Mom, you have to come see Beauty World". Then, when I arrived, he exclaimed very excitedly "Welcome to Beauty World". Indeed it is Matthew, indeed it is.

This is What I Love About Summer (not quite there yet but we have the weather!)

Thank you Lord!!!

Matthew hard at work - he was determined to find them all.

Dad said " The water will be too cold, none of you will want to go in".

Why do we always have to go out of our way to prove our parents wrong?

Collecting shells was Matthew's mission

Digging a hole deep enough for Peter to sit in was Aleana and Ethan's goal.

Floating Shelf Turned into a Mantle

Will received this from work - they didn't need it anymore.

Doesn't it fit in nicely?