It Takes A Village . . .

I have come to realize that my girls need so much more than just Mom & Dad.

Sadie lights up when Grandpa Murchison comes to play. She can't get enough of him. I am able to sneak away for a bit & she is thrilled I let her have Grandpa all to herself. She adores him & I am pretty sure he adores her just as much.

Skylar loves to go to Baba Lussiers to play. Baba gives her 100% of her attention & will do anything Skylar asks her to play. She comes home so happy to have had time with Baba - all to herself. And Grandma & Grandpa Siemens - they are Skylar's world. She loves them more than life itself & I am so happy she has them to love her & spoil her. She feels so special when she is with them & that is exactly how she should feel!

The girls also love their cousins. I love seeing Sadie & Kylee chase each other & giggle. Jayden follow Skylar around to see what she is up to. Fin feeling all important because he is no longer the baby - Sadie is. And Chloe, Owen & Skylar running around & playing video games. I love that they have this family connection. I fondly remember my cousins & still love them all.

We are blessed to have so many who love our girls so much. Our girls are blessed to have so many play mates & grandparents who love them & care for them.

It truly does take a village - and I love the village I am a part of!

Steven Curtis Chapman

My best friend Melissa let me know earlier this week that one of our favourite artists - Steven Curtis Chapman was coming to Winnipeg. Just last year at a concert we had talked about who we would love to come to Winnipeg & my request was Steven. So to say I am thrilled is putting it mildly.

While ordering the tickets today I visited his website to check out his blog & peek at some of his new songs. I downloaded his new album & have been listening to it all afternoon. Might I add crying as well. A few years ago Steven lost his daughter and this album is all about the journey his family and him have taken with God. His blog & music allow his fans into his inner most thoughts. I am now even more excited to see him in March.

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/music.htm

Way too Long!

I know it has been way too long since my last post. Unfortunately we have had a long run of the stomach flu around here & I have been living in BARF central. We all know how that is for me. Let's just say when Skylar was sick if I had to be with her I had a bowl for me too. Not good. Poor D'Arcy. Not only was he caring for a sick child but a wife that threw up each time his daughter did. Then I got the stomach flu on New Years Eve. Happy 2011!

D'Arcy & I were discussing how neither of us could remember having the stomach flu & I had never seen D'Arcy throw up until this last week. Ahhhhhh - the memories. Those little ones carry alot of germs!

Life is somewhat back to normal & I was all too happy to tear down the Christmas decorations & get back some much needed space in the house. Thankfully my girls helped purge their rooms before we put away their new toys. I want them to learn early that "stuff" is just "stuff" and it is good to give to others when you get too many.

Here is an updated pic of the girls - I am blessed.

Barf

Well a new portion of my Mommy Training has begun. The "Barf" training. I must say that I am failing miserably in this course!

Skylar was not herself on Friday when she came home from school. Feeling a bit rough. But she desperately wanted to play outside with her friends so we dressed her up in her Winterpeg attire & off she went. I had plans with my best friend Melissa Friday night & came home to a very sick little girl. She was running a fever & was not feeling good to her tummy. I got out the 7Up and the cold cloth & tylenol and worked at getting her fever down. Thankfully her tummy calmed & she was able to sleep for a bit.

Saturday morning Skylar wakes at 6am & is not feeling good. I move her into the living room & get her a bowl & within seconds my girl gets sick. Well I did my very her best to keep Sky's hair out of her face, rubbed her back - BUT - I was gagging like a mad woman & it was not good. Thankfully she had nothing in her tummy except 7Up so things stopped quickly. I excused myself to empty the bowl & spent some time in the bathroom "gathering" myself. She didn't seem to notice me "gagging" behind her back thankfully but still . . . .

I thought that as a Mommy I was suppose to have a stomach of steel when it comes to my girls? I can handle (somewhat) diapers although out of the ordinary accidents (spillage, change in texture, etc) not good. I gag, my eyes water - it is quite sad.

I think of all the times my Mom cared for me when I was sick & I have a whole new respect & love for her. I remember her wiping my face with the cold cloth, rubbing my back as I was sick, and taking care of my every need. Oh and did I mention she never gagged? She had a stomach of steel!

I pray that my girls feel the heartfelt care I work my best to give (despite the gags) and don't notice my shortcomings as much as I do. I may not have a stomach of steel but I will shower my sick little girls with love & pampering just like my Mom did. Cuz that is what I loved when I was little!

Sleep . . . .

As I turn the alarm off at 7:30am I think to myself "tonight - I have to get to bed before midnight." Once I am up & my first cup of coffee has been consumed - my desire to run back into the bedroom & jump under those warm & cozy blankets begins to fade.

Shortly after supper the need for my cozy bed begins again. I can hear her calling once all the dishes are in the dishwasher - Sadie is bathed & I sit for a moment to collect my thoughts. But then moments later it is time to fold laundry, put Sadie to bed, get Skylar in the shower, read with Skylar & get Skylar to bed. As I read with Skylar I can hardly keep my eyes open - Come to bed with me Mommy - you look so tired. Oooooooohhhhhhhhhhh it is so tempting!

I get Skylar off to sleep & move to making lunches & suddenly I have energy & want to watch all my taped shows, read my book, play my DS, check out face book, chat on the phone, and the list goes on & on.

Dang it - here we go again - it is Midnight!

I guess the draw of "me" time takes precedence over sleeping. The moment the house is quiet & no little bodies are following me around the house or crawling on me I get a new wave of energy. I love these few hours when all is quiet - the girls are snug & safe in bed & I can do my thing without interruption.

But oh boy - tomorrow morning I will start things all over again with "Tonight I am definitely going to get to bed before midnight!" Mmmmhmmmm sure.

Halloween!

After a delightful dinner of hotdogs & carrot sticks the Halloween Fun began!

Skylar & Sadie suited up in their Fairy & Lady Bug costumes & ventured out. After a quick trip to Pa Pere & Baba's D'Arcy dropped off Sadie so that Skylar & him could effectively cover the neighbourhood. They had a plan!

Sadie absolutely loved all the visitors we got & came to the door with me each time. Saying goodbye to all the cuties that came to the door. Although she wasn't as fond of closing the door once they left. I think she thought it would be better to just stand in the doorway & wait.

Skylar & D'Arcy came & went, came & went, and then came & went. When Skylar was thoroughly exhausted they returned to assess their candy stash. I think Daddy loved going out as much as Skylar - both had such huge smiles when they came in. Rosy, Rosy cheeks but huge smiles.

After many treats & sorting Skylar was off to bed. I love our new life with Skylar & Sadie. Each moment is a memory I cherish. Today was awesome.

Halloween Fun! Saturday - Decorating

Skylar & D'Arcy have been planning the Halloween decorating for weeks now. They have spent Saturday mornings drawing out plans on where everything will go on the lawn & window. And spent hours shopping for decorations. It has been a great project for them!

Saturday the plan got put into reality & Skylar could not have been more excited to spend the day decorating & prepping for Halloween. Baba & Pa Pere came over to help out too.

Sadie spent the whole time following Skylar around & mimicking her every move. She thoroughly enjoyed rolling around on the grass too & absolutely loved it when Skylar joined her for some fun too.