Brief Interlude from Holiday Pictures

Last Saturday - I spent an hour (while doing another chore too) downloading Sunday, July 25th pictures. After all that work, the computer lost it's connection to Blogger and poof! - all my hard work was gone. By then I was so fed up that I left it and haven't even looked at the pics since.

It's sorta how I felt today after I cut Ethan's hair and he demanded that I redo it. I will admit it did need to be redone but his hair is always like this. He wants it long, he grows it long and then it's time to cut it. I try to cut it so that it stays long but less so. It takes me about a half an hour because as any hairdresser knows long hair is harder. Then, it looks like I used a bowl to cut his hair or ... how did Will put it this afternoon? He looked like he had a bowl on his head. Needless to say, I end up doing another job but this time really short and yes, it looks decent now but I'm exhausted. That's four haircuts and one more to go (Will may just have to wait until Monday). Aleana is thankfully growing her hair out.

What's the good news? Well, let me see - the boys had swimming lessons this week and Peter did great. He loved it!! His teacher was quiet, calm and gentle and Peter just loved him. Makes such a difference. Matthew did not pass - he's too tense in the water and then he just sinks. He was devastated and it took 20 minutes for him to calm down :(. Ethan passed to level 5 and he is really gung ho about becoming a life guard/instructor now so I'm hoping that will be a great goal for him in the next few years.

We saw my brother, Wes, this week. All of my side of the family came to our house and we had a really nice time together. The boys were so excited (read: really really hyper) to see Uncle Wes that I don't think they really calmed down until they went to bed that night. Their first comment when they saw him was "Is he all by himself? Where are the kids?" They miss their cousins, but in the end they settled quite nicely into beating him up and hugging him "by himself".

Today, we had a pleasant drive into Vancouver to pick up Uncle Rainier and Auntie Karen from the cruise ship terminal. We drove them there last week and then picked them up again today.
It was our way of having some time to visit with them while they were here in the lower Mainland. We love them dearly and were very thankful for them that they had the opportunity to go to Alaska for the second time 15 years after Uncle Rainier was first diagnosed with cancer. The LORD has indeed blessed both of them - they have both had chemo twice now and they are still praising God for all his blessings. They inspire me and encourage me in my own walk in faith.

When we returned home we had lunch and then Aleana and I did some housework. Will went to pick up the boys and drive Grandma to work. I rested for alittle bit, then we headed to the mall to buy Aleana a few more items for school, a bike tire for Ethan and new fish for Mattie. We bought three Neon Tetras this time, hoping that at least one will survive. Their names are Rainbow 2, Bubblegum, and Roscoe. So far two are swimming side ways so we have our concerns. We shall keep you updated. Why is it so hard to buy the little guy a fish?

We got home, and I did the previously mentioned haircuts, we had a quick pizza supper and now the house is all quiet. Will took the kids swimming so I did the dishes by myself (which is almost pleasant in the quietness) and now here I sit, contemplating if I should do more housework in the nice quiet house, or... quilt or ....read the newspaper we got from Grandma today. These are tough decisions.

Before I sign off I'll give a brief baby update. Baby is growing and kicking lots. I have now officially entered into the uncomfortable (when will this be over?) stage. I was thinking today about whether I prefer this to the constantly sick, can't enjoy eating, and puking stage. Honestly, this is better. So...I won't complain. And...my back is awesome!!! I remember with other pregnancies having constant muscle tightness/spasms - not with this bambino. I attribute that to working out 2-3 times a week (Curves is the best!!) and keeping those muscles strong. And it's just plainly a gift from God. It makes such a difference in what I can do. I still have to be careful but I am not as limited as I was with Peter for example. With him, I did no housework at all!!!
Baby's head is down now but the biggest concern is ensuring he is lying on the correct side.
After two Posterior babies - obviously this is an issue for me. I can always write more about that later. I think I've rambled on enough here.
Have a blessed LORD's day everyone!!

Saturday July 24th

It's hard to see it here but this SUV is covered in quilts.

When we got to Gibson's for the day there was a parade going on.
I yelled "Go quilters go!!" and the kids all turned around and said "AHHH Mom!!".
It's official - I have reached the age of being an embarassment to our children :).

This little duckie was in the park where we ate our lunch.

I love ducks but not what they leave behind - I sat in duck poo.

Will cleaned me up real good.

Here we are walking from the park to the wharf in downtown Gibson's

We all know who this is.

The boys loved this thing because it looked like a cannon.

These two roofs were small boat houses on the wharf. One was actually for sale.

The "yards" were full of flowers.

What's a trip to Gibson's without checking out Molly's Reach?

Anyone remember watching "Beachcombers" when they were a kid? I do!!

What a friendly bear!!

He was nice to all the boys.

They didn't seem to concerned about him.

Second Day - July 23rd

Ethan and Aleana enjoying some early morning boating.

Our little "big boy".

Beach combing.

Ethan just maxing and relaxing along.

Aleana practicing her paddling skills :).

Summer Holidays - July 22, 2010

The day we left was beautiful.

This is Will and the boys watching our ferry depart from Horseshoe Bay.

We are off to Langdale and then it's a half hour drive to Porpoise Bay where we camped.

Once and awhile I let Peter have the camara...

This is already at our campsite and we are walking to the beach.

Aleana and Ethan bought a little dinghy before we left.

Look at those biceps as she is carrying it!!

At the park that evening.

I am almost six months pregnant in this picture.

This is Aleana and I walking back from the park.

She still likes to hold my hand sometimes - can't beat that :).
I'm still one inch taller!! (and alot rounder all about)

Thanks for the Help!!!

With some help from my blogger friends - I have given my blog a make-over. It's almost as good a feeling as getting a haircut!!

Thanks blogger friends for your help!!! And Will too - my loyal techie.

Stay tuned for holiday shots.

Blogging Problems

Does anyone else see the problems with my blog right now? If you do - do you know what's wrong with it? We've had several viruses in the past month that we have been fighting and I'm wondering if one's blog can have one too.
All these problems make me leary about posting our holiday photos (ie: lots of work for nothing). I am considering closing my blog down for good but my daughter is trying to convince me to at least wait until baby is born. So... if anyone can give me some ideas on how to fix this wierdness that has descended please leave a message - thanks!!!

The Late Rainbow - Siamese Fighter Fish

This is Rainbow before he died - I know it is really sad.

I loved him. My Dad was crying, because it is sad.

We buried him on Sunday and now he will turn into dirt.

We tried to save him but we couldn't - it was too late.

I hope I will see him in heaven.

~Matthew Faber~

Ever Tried to Sleep This Way?

I don't think it's that comfortable.

So...we are back from our holidays but I am slightly overwhelmed with all the pictures that we took - 350. I think I will blog them according to dates and that way I can be better organized - I just wish that I had the get up and go to get around to it!!

We had a great time. Half sun, and half cloudy (with bits of rain). I have learned to accept the rain (much better than in past years) - and I must admit we always stay dry, thanks to Will and his tarp set-up so it's just a matter of finding things for everyone to do. I won't write anymore because I hope to down load the pics soon.

This past week was busy with unpacking, making freezer jam, cleaning up the gardens and today I even did a bit of sewing. Another memorable event of this week is that Matthew received a fish whom he named "Rainbow". He is so excited about this little guy. Sadly, today I found Rainbow hanging out upside down in the tank. I quickly informed the fish expert (Will) who deftly put him in a special bowl with medicine and warmer water. Matthew was literally sobbing. He is my sensitive one. Will, then drove with Matthew to PetSmart to buy a heater and now - Matthew is calmly going to bed hoping his fish will make it through the night. Actually he is quite confident that he will make it because Dad is so reassuring but I am not so sure by the looks of him - such an unbeliever!! Before, he kissed me good night he said "Mom it was VERY VERY sad tonight that Rainbow almost died - wasn't it Mom?"

"Yes, Matthew it was sad."

"No, Mom, it was VERY VERY sad."
What will happen if he were to actually die? It will be VERY VERY VERY sad - won't it?

One more thing I just have to share about is my new favorite store. Yesterday, on the advice of my neighbor who also has three boys - I checked out the Children's Place Outlet store at 24th Ave and about 164th St. (Morgan's Crossing). I was able to buy shirts for the boys at 2.99 each which is the same I would buy second hand!! Not everything there is that cheap but if you go to the right racks you will do well. There is also a Please Mum in this outdoor mall but I had all the kids with me so then it's just get what you came for and good-bye!! Even without kids I find shopping exhausting - someone could become a professional shopper and I would hire them because I would really rather not waste my time that way - but hay it's gotta get done.

Lastest update on Rainbow (told me in sobbing chokes) "He is dying again!!". Next post may have to be a eulogy. I must go and comfort my VERY VERY VERY sad son.

HUGS to all,

Gloria

Eavesdropping

Today, I overheard Matthew playing nicely by himself and I wanted to record what I heard. These moments are so precious and when something makes you smile it's a good thing to remember it!!

All of this is said in a deep, gruff playing voice.

"This is Matthew Faber, Marine Rescuer. He has saved all these animals from death but he couldn't have done it without his crew. This crown is for all the work he has done! Yah!!!"

Advice to Myself

Tonight I am going to meditate on a spotting phrase that I love.

• You can't control your outer environment but you can control your inner environment.
• When you are in a situation that later bothers you, there are things you can do to reduce the amount of time you waste thinking about the bothersome situation.
• Remember: You can't control another person and their behaviour, attitudes, actions, words etc..
• When you remember that you release alot of the anger that you have about the problem.
• Thinking about it for 2-3 hours or even days will not change the person, it will only make you more upset and waste your time.
• Remember: If this person is a brother/sister in the LORD - remember and meditate on the fact that Jesus died for them too and God loves this person even when you don't. (I find doing this is the most calming - I then realize I am not any better - it's all grace)
• Remember: To think of three statements that will clear your mind of the issue. For example:

1. That is a problem between so and so, I can not fix it - it's not my issue.
2. I will pray for this person because of all the bitterness involved.
3. I will pray to the LORD that words like that will never come out of my own mouth or into my own heart and that I may show grace to everyone.

This is a very basic outline of how to implement this phrase - find your own ways to use it in your life :). Have a blessed week!!