SNOW MUCH FUN!

Well, that winter storm that made travelling over Christmas terrible, did make for happy children in my house. Seeing as how they got a snowboard and sled for Christmas, right?!

Behind our bay is a baseball park that has hills by every diamond for spectators to see the whole field during a game. In winter, they become great little sledding hills! Dustin hauled out the old 'Bravo' snowmobile (the one he uses to pull the kids on their GT snow racers) and we all headed over to the park. The boys doubled up on their GT and I rode behind Dustin on the snowmobile. (Yes, even me.... Mrs. Anti-anything-outside-in-winter!) The park is definitely within walking distance, but it's not a cleared path, so we opted for the machine to avoid tiring ourselves out trudging through the snow before we even got there.


Zach flew down the hill on his new sled a few times, and then we realized someone had built some "jumps"!! He spent the rest of the time trying to hit the jumps and become air-born! (harder that it seems since the sled never went straight down the hill!) With some pretty nasty looking wipe-outs, he was laughing and giggling the entire time. Some things about boys I will never understand!



Brad worked on balance with his new snowboard, and patience too. By the time we left the park, he was managing to get all the way down the hill though, and Dustin and I cheered him on enthusiastically! Dustin likes to tease me that our kids do not get their "grace" from me ... I don't think I'm that clumsy, but I'll agree that Dustin has a lot more talent in the grace area of life.


With fingers tingling, noses frozen, but smiles on all our faces, we headed home after a while and enjoyed some hot chocolate. It was "snow much fun"... even for me, someone who hates winter:)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Dustin and I, along with our boys, wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Holiday! I know this is a little late, but it is definitely heartfelt just the same.

It's been quite busy around here in the hustle and bustle of the season, but we had a wonderful Christmas with our little family and extended families alike.

Christmas Eve was nice and relaxing. We spent the day skating on the rink Dustin made for the boys in the backyard, and watching some movies together. In the evening, we attended the early service at church (which was a beautiful hour of worship!) and had supper with my inlaws at a nice restaurant after the service. We were all impressed that there were any restaurants open still, but luckily Dustin had called ahead and made reservations.

Christmas day was a blast!! We were up around 8am, and the boys tore into their gifts with delight only kids could get away with! They were very happy with their remote control trucks, sledding helmets and goggles, and snowboard and sled.

(Opening gifts Christmas morning.)

(With their new snow gear!)

Dustin received a 'bag' accessory for his snowmobile that allows him to take more than just what's on his back along, as well as some mechanics overalls to keep him clean when he's taking all his 'toys' apart in the shop.
I received a new sewing machine! I had asked for one a few months ago when I found out how horribly expensive my old one would be to fix... it just made sense to get a new one. And Dustin bought me a very comfy Tinkerbell bathrobe that I am really enjoying my lazy mornings of the holiday in now!

After breakfast (fresh baked Cinnamon Buns courtesy of Philsbury:), Dustin came into the living room with one more package addressed to the boys. We both did our best to act as though we had no idea where this last one came from as we watched them open it.
Inside was another wrapped box, and inside that was just a simple paper I had printed out, with a cartoon and cute border that read: "We're going to DISNEY WORLD!!"
After Brad was convinced that we were serious, and Zachary stopped screaming, we told them the details of the trip we've been keeping a secret since October (it was not easy!). We are SO excited to visit Disney World FL next week, for an entire week, just the 4 of us!

(Zach screaming over the trip ~ Brad still saying "seriously?")

In the afternoon and evening on Christmas day, we went to Dustin's parents' house for his family's Christmas. There were lots of goodies, presents, and great company! It was a fun day!
I also found out this day that I was not going to miss the family gathering on my side after all (which was supposed to be happening while we were at Dustin's parents'), since the snow storm that had hit made the roads terrible. My brother and his family, and my sister, were able to join us at my parents' on the 26th instead! (It worked out so well for me!) My one brother and his wife found the roads too icy still, so it felt a little off not having everyone there - but I was glad I hadn't missed it completely. Again, it was a wonderful day of goodies, gifts and great company.
We are blessed by all our family.

(Brad and me building a gingerbread house at my inlaws)

(3 little monkey's opening gifts at my parents (my neice and my boys)

Perspective

I know I'm not the best at this, but it's something I am trying to do more often. This all came up when I was complaining about the cold, because winter is just something I have to survive every year. I hate it. Plain and simple. There is no joy to me in having sub-zero temperatures, white junk on the ground, a layer of ice on the roads, and wearing 15 layers of clothes to avoid frostbite (not to keep warm, just avoid frostbite). The only good thing about winter is Dustin's work slows down enough that he feels he can take holidays - and we're finally getting to the point where we can afford to fly somewhere warm as a family to have a break from the cold some years. Nothing else is good about winter. I'm not into snowmobiling, skating, or any outdoor activities. It's literally a "stay inside as much as I can" season.......
See! Here I go again with the complaining!

Anyway, the perspective I'm talking about in my title is this;
"Man- it's ridiculously cold out!!" - Be thankful we have a warm house!

How many other areas of my life could I apply this to? Probably all if I tried. Here's a few more I came up with when I started thinking about it more.

"I hate getting into a cold car!" - Be thankful you have a car (that's mine to use whenever I want since we also have a truck!)

"My boys treat my living room like a gymnasium!" - Be grateful for healthy, active boys.

"My house seems so untidy with all the Christmas stuff out" - there's a whole bunch of needless stuff to be thankful for.

"My closet is too small and is overflowing" - that means I have a lot of clothes ... be thankful.

Are you getting the idea here? I complain about so much stuff, missing the chance to be thankful and feel blessed all the time. And yet, the blessings continue to flow in my life every day.
Even with my neck being soooo terribly sore last week, (granted I was in miserable pain), I don't think I ever really thought about how lucky I am that I could just call my chiropractor and have it fixed up without a real thought about what it would cost. We have good coverage through Dustin's work... another thing I take for granted now.

The Christmas season makes me think of these things a lot more easily, but it should be something we think of all year round. I live in a prosperous country, with decent healthcare (nothing's perfect!), I have an adoring hubby - who has a great job (nothing's perfect!), two beautiful healthy kids - with access to a good education. We live comfortably in a beautiful house, our fridge is full, and our pantry is overflowing. We have good neighbours and friends close by, and we have the freedom to attend church anywhere we want and worship our God freely.

Why am I still complaining?!

Chicken Pot Pie (FAST!)

I made this last night for supper and thought it was a really great recipe. Not only did everyone enjoy it (wow! Unheard of in my house!), but it was super quick to prepare, and an all-in-one type dish (love those!). Have a try and see if you like it:

Chicken Pot Pie

3 cups cooked Chicken
3 cups frozen mixed veggies
2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 tin condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

-Mix all of these together and spread evenly into a 9x13 pan

Roll out a tube of Philsbury Cresent Rolls over top.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown at 375 F.

When I'm overwhelmed

Ever feel like sometimes you're getting more than your share of the 'downs' in life? That's how I've felt the last few months. Between kids getting sick, dealing with some stress issues myself, and now my neck/shoulders being COMPLETEY screwed up, it just seems like too much.
Add the Christmas season's business and wow - I am overwhelmed.

I know the Word says that God will never give me more than I can handle, so I'm trying my best to take this as a compliment that He thinks I'll be cool with all this - or at least hang in there, but sometimes it's just plain hard. What keeps me going on days when it's just hard? The thought that when I am overwhelmed, God is not. God is never surprised. It's a pretty cool thought actually. So even when I feel like I'm being kicked when I'm already down, God knew it would happen and He knew I would be ok - after all, I'm not doing it alone right? He's always there to provide strength and support.

Anyway, this is just something that I've really been trying to remind myself lately. Maybe it'll help someone who reads this too. God is not surprised - and when you feel overwhelmed, He doesn't. Just think about it.

I blame Charlie

We found a new home for Barbie yesterday. I know, I know, we have a terrible track record with pets. I'll even fill in the blanks for those of you saying "how many has it been already?!" Since we've been married, Dustin and I have owned 4 dogs and 1 cat. One of the dogs only stayed with us for the total of 6 days before we had suspicions of it aggravating Bradley's asthma, but it still was not easy to give it back.
Why did we find new homes? I've always thought we've just had bad luck with pets. Barbie was great until almost a month ago. Then she started with stomach issues that have resulted in some funky stains on our carpet - and vet advice and medication wasn't helping. It was a stress trigger for me, and living paranoid that she would "explode" on the rug (and it happened!) was making me ill. Luckily, someone took her who does not have young kids, and was willing to deal with finding what works for her.

So here we are, dog-less again, and I think "Man, we have the worst luck". And what in the world has made me want to try again and again to have a dog?? What is it in me that thinks having an animal in the house will somehow make my life more enjoyable?!

I blame Charlie. Yep, good old Charlie. He's the reason I want a dog for my boys so badly. Think Lassie- but an old Golden Lab mix. I loved that dog and he wasn't even mine. Charlie was the dog Dustin's family had when we started dating. He smelt to the high heavens of dirt and "farm", he barked like crazy at coyotes all night (we heard him 1/4 mile away!), but he was the sweetest, most gentle big dog I've ever met, with a human like personality.

I love the pictures I have of Charlie meeting baby Bradley for the first time. I pushed the mosquito net back on the stroller and Charlie peered inside... his tail wagged a little harder when he saw Bradley.


When Bradley was learning to walk, I remember Charlie walking slowly along side him on the driveway, as though he could prevent Bradley's little knees from hitting the gravel if he fell. He never touched Bradley though; a quiet respect of the balancing act.
Charlie loved truck rides, but only if he got to sit in the cab with you, in the middle, and you put your arm around him. It was the funniest sight to see my father-in-law, or Dustin drive up to the house as though on a date with the dog.
Charlie is definitely the reason I want a dog, for me, and for my boys. Charlie died when Bradley was about 2 years old and there hasn't been another one like him, in any of our families since.

Will we try again? No idea... I can't say I want to. But who knows, maybe we'll move to the country some day and a big outdoor dog will work and we'll find our 'Charlie'.
In the meantime, I am content to let my kids cuddle Oma and Opa's, and Gramma and Grampa's dogs and get their fill of "puppy love" that way.

Judo Dudes

My boys both started Judo classes this fall, and I've joked that soon they'll really be able to beat each other up! Seriously, I doubt they would because then they know I'd stop letting them go to the classes. Judo has a strict rule of respect and partnership for it's students, and it's a great lesson for my boys.
Aside from looking adorable in their uniforms, they are actually learning quite a lot! Even some Japanese since the names of the hold-downs and throws are being taught to them in that language.

Tuesday evenings are the highlight of the week for them, and then seeing Opa to show him what they've learnt since the last time he's "fought" them, is pretty special too. My dad has always had a love of martial arts and it's pretty special that the boys can share this with him too.


Brad is the oldest child in the class, which makes him a little frustrated at times when he's partnered up with younger ones who goof off a lot (although when he's paired with Zach, they do well together), but being the oldest child also makes him a bit of a teacher's pet. He's using this to his advantage, soaking up the one on one demonstrations with the instructor. He's also the student the instructor uses to teach new holds and throws with, so Brad gets taught first hand often and seems to get a better idea of how to do things right away.

I must confess...

Well, I must confess- since it seems that's what my blog title suggests - that this is my first time "blogging". Honestly, I never thought I'd become a 'blogger'. It just sounded like something you want to avoid, keep a tissue handy- you know?! But after enjoying a few friends blogs, and them convincing me that I really could do it too; here I am today.
What's the point? Hmmm, not too sure. A lot like many things these days, maybe it's just a time filler? Maybe it'll replace my Facebook addiction? (not likely).
Or maybe it'll just be a place to post some fun comments with family and friends.
Most likely, it'll be a place where I can brag on the three most amazing and precious people in my life: my husband and sons.
So what do you need to know about me - nothing really. I am a "normal" woman, with a "normal" life. I adore photography, and I hope that shows on here. I like to bake, and I like to cook, but only when I feel like it. So that "Mom, what's for supper?!" is not a question I like still.
I love to read and am trying my hand at writing... who know's, maybe some day I'll even send something in in the hope of getting published. Right now, it's just for me though.

So that's it - you'll get to know me more through this blog, feel free to leave comments, I'd love to hear feedback!