Coughs, Rolls and Parades, Oh My!

Well, we are overrun with snot, coughs, fevers, chills etc. First Justus, then me, then Logan and finally ending up on Abby. Why isn't Steve in this mix you might ask??? Well, that's what I want to know too! Thankfully I seem to have it the worst, so far anyway. I don't think I could handle the kids feeling the way I do AND me feeling this way. Justus seems to be on the mend, which is wonderful. Logan's cough isn't as bad today. And Abby's nose is just plugged. But me, whew, I feel rotten.

Justus has officially gone mobile! He's rolling ALL over the place. His favourite place to stay is under the coffee table. Loves to play with the legs, LOL. I've even caught him on his hands and knees, trying to get up to rock himself forward...won't be long before life gets VERY interesting.

Last night there was a parade. We all got bundled up and watched it. It is so great living in a small community where you do this sort of thing :) I really enjoyed myself, (other than the cold aggrivating my breathing). The kids liked it too, although there were a few things that Logan didn't enjoy so much (loud firetruck sirens, a cow mooing). Abby was happy since she got not one but TWO apples during the parade. One even came from our MP, Larry Miller! Justus was happy watching everything go by.

My favourite moment last night? When all of the kids classmates started saying "hi". I was just so touched that they would reach out. We really appreciated it. Logan even waved and said hi back to a couple. That made me feel so confident that we made the right decision to send them to a regular school and have them fully integrated. :)

EXCITING THINGS

Well, there are a couple of exciting things happening in our lives...
First of all, Steve got into the Arrow Leadership Program. We've been waiting and watching the mail, and FINALLY the letter of acceptance came today. It is a 2 year program. He'll have to go to Vancouver 4 times over the course of the two years. We learned more about the program this summer at our annual denominational assembly, where Carson Pue spoke. We also know a couple of people who have gone through the arrow training, we knew it was something that Steve would benefit from. So he will start Sept of 2007.

The other exciting news: we are going on a cruise. Not just any cruise though...A MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE!!! We will be flying into Rome, taking a train to Venice where we will embark. We will have 3 stops in Italy, 3 in various parts of Greece, one in Turkey and one in Croatia. This is the trip of my lifetime. This is what I have always wanted to do :) I just can't believe we're going. Who wouldn't want to go here?!?!

Sketches

I was so amazed as he did these, how much they reflected everyones personality. It's crazy because Andy must've done at least 15 sketches And the quality was absolutely amazing. As I said yesterday, I plan on framing these and putting them up on the wall. I hope you enjoy them. I don't have the best scanner, so you'll just have to believe they are wonderful in person. :) These are definitely treasures to last a lifetime for me. I've always wanted something like this done, just never knew anyone who could do it for me. Thanks again Andy for your time and talent.

Family Day Fun

We had such a great day today. I think so anyway :) Steve was such a sport. Those kids really know how to makeover a guy! He really seemed to get into it as well. I think secretly, he's always wanted to dress this way...what do you think? I hardly recognize him with these crazy clothes on. They also painted his face :) (I think you can check that out on his blog, I dont' know how to direct you there through fancy links, but chances are, if you're reading this, you already know how to get there.)

Thanks to Audrey and Blanche in the kitchen, Terry and Gord for their BBQ'ing, Steve for his willingness to be silly, Louise for your clowning around and to Andy for the wonderful drawings. The day wouldn't have been complete without any of you!

Here is a picture of Logan and I just for good measure. We thought we'd join in the fun :) Abby enjoyed the day, she however spent most of it in the Sunday school room reading the Veggietales dictionary. It was very overwhelming for her. She did however peek her head out long enough to have a sketch done. I'll try to see if I can scan them into the computer and post them. Andy did such a wonderful job on everyone's. I plan on framing them all and hanging them in my room.

Family Fun Day

So, tomorrow is my first "event" as Family Ministries Director at the church, and boy am I totally stressed out. I know that no one will fire me (I hope) if this totally flops, but man, have I ever got myself worked up. It doesn't help that I keep forgetting things, and that everything seems to be going to the last minute, but it's ok...God is going to work through this. I fully believe that He is helping me through this. I certainly don't think that I could do this on my own...
So, the plan is regular Sunday School. Then afterwards, we are having a bbq. Our friend Louise is coming to do clown stuff like face painting, and mingling. We have a "guess how many" lollipops in the jar game AND the big happening stuff is Steve's extreme Make-Over. I sure hope we have enough stuff. The kids will get to choose whatever they want him to wear. Wacky wigs, crazy hats, and clothes that you just don't want to miss!!! He's such a sport to offer his help!
Please pray for us tomorrow.

Meet the Teacher Night

Last night was Meet the Teacher night at the kids school! WOW, talk about a LOT of kids!!! It was fun. I went early to meet with Logan's teacher. That went really well, I met both her and Logan's EA. I'm so thankful for the staff at the school. They are really working together to make this a great experience for Logan and Abby. While we were there, we found out that they ordered in a trial computer for the kids, that is all touch screen based. I was very excited to learn about it, because it wasn't expected. What a great surprise!

Justus is a bit down and out with a cold right now. I feel so bad listening to him rasping away. But there is no fever or anything, so I'm not overly concerned. He's still so very happy, we just can't complain much about it! He still loves his sleep, and is enjoying his food. He's rolling over a lot now, becoming quite mobile. Today I even saw him trying to get up on his hands and knees! Won't be long before things get interesting in our house, I think he'll be VERY active once he starts. It'll be running only.

That's all for now folks.

WHY OH WHY

So, here we are on Monday morning, school day no less, and Logan is up at 4 AM?!?! What is up with that?? Not to mention that he woke up Justus in the process. 2 out of 3 kids are awake, and neither of them Abby???? Some mornings just make you go hmmph.

The weekend was fun. My parents and Steves mom were up for a visit. Dad worked like a madman to get our back deck built. They will be up on Thanksgiving weekend to get it finished. We are moving our outside set of stairs over to the other deck since it currently goes right up onto the garage!? Thankfully dad is handy, and is able to help us with that. We'd lose our insurance if we didn't at least change the stairs up a bit...and we figured if we were going to invest money, we might as well do it the way it should be done rather than fix up something that we weren't all that fond of.

The kids seemed really tickled to see everyone on Saturday morning, it was a surprise to them since we've learned NOT to tell them anything exciting the night before since they'd be up before dawn. The kids showed off their new skills, enjoyed birthday cake, and had a fun time with everybody.

Today Justus sees his infant development worker. Just to make sure everything is still on track. Hopefully the early morning doesn't mess his schedule up too much and he's in fine form for Linda. Other than his hip problems, I'm pretty happy with the way he is developing. I hope she feels the same way. I find it so intriguing to watch him grow and develop. We see things in him that we never saw in our own kids. It's fun to be a part of this, and to be able to treasure it all the more.

I hope for a nap sometime today. I just wish Steve could too. He's off to Hamilton to meet with Stan Porter about his thesis and then to Niagara to do some running around for me. He's so great :) Wouldn't change him for anything.

Well, I survived

Abby got on the bus today like a trooper. She was so excited to go to school. All morning she was smiling and giggling. I'm so proud of her. I know she'll do well. I hope her first day goes as well as Logan's did. I'm so nerve-wracked right now, but I'm sure it's all for nothing.

I managed to get through getting her on the bus with no tears. Not sure I'll make it the whole day. It's an odd feeling with the house so quiet. I think Justus is struggling too! But it sure is nice to have the house to myself for awhile. I have TWO kids going to school...I just can't believe it!

BIG DAY TOMORROW

Tomorrow is the big day for Abby! Boy am I ever nervous. I sometimes wonder why I chose to send both kids to school in the same year, but then I remember that she's ready, I may not be, but Abby is. I think she is going to be pretty excited to get on that bus tomorrow. She sure loved riding it on our "test run" a couple weeks ago.

I think Logan is really starting to feel the stress from starting something new. He seems a bit out of sorts, but he is entitled to it. I know that Steve and I feel the same way. It is a new adventure, and I believe it'll take awhile to get used to the pace of school and therapy, and everything else that is going on.

Justus is such a treasure. I love how he smiles at Logan and Abby and how much of a people person he is. He loves to be in the thick of things. We really see some great things happening with him. It makes me realize how different Logan and Abby's development was. I definitely don't take anything he does for granted. That little boy has such a fighting spirit, it sure is a joy to watch him. He's rolling over quite a bit now, and just loving his toys.

That's all for my update.

What a Week!!

This has been quite the week, and will continue to be until the end!

Yesterday was Logan's first day of school. He really did great, and looked all grown up getting on the bus. He seemed very happy when he got home, glad to see everyone. I sure was glad he had a good day. I can't believe he's 5 years old, and in Senior Kindergarten already. I remember so vividly the day he was born, and it's a surreal feeling sending him off to school. It's all good, a passage of life. One that both mother and son need to go through I think.

Today is my girl's 4th birthday. Abby really is a gem, and I love her to peices. I'm feeling quite reminicent today. Four years ago, I was one happy lady. After my accident in June, I was more than ready to give birth. The added weight on the front of me sure didn't help my neck pain. But more than that, I knew this little girl would be a treasure in my life and that God had great things in store for her life. How else could she survive such a horrible accident? Today Abby is a vibrant girl, who spreads so much joy to those around her. I'm so proud of her and how much she has overcome in her life. I thank God everyday that He spared her life that day in June, that He had his hand on her brain that the cysts turned out to be nothing. I wait expectantly to see what else He has in store for her.

Abby was so happy this morning opening up her presents. Why wouldn't she be? She got the nursery addition to her Dora Dollhouse! It was amazing to watch her play. I didn't realize how much she watched Steve and I with Justus, but she was a natural with those twins! She put them in the swing and off they go swinging, onto the change table for a diaper change. It really was great to see her playskills emerging!!! I nearly cried.

Thankfully Justus is on an even slope right now. Nothing major going on with him, just the status quo. Well, status quo for a 5 month old anyway. But no major life events, so that's good. Couldn't handle much more than what we have going on anyway.