Oh happy day!!

Can you hear me singing?!

One of the hardest decisions we've made so far with renovating this house, is what kind of flooring to put in . We flipped flopped between hardwood (gorgeous but incredibly expensive for our crazy amount of square footage), laminate (nice, but a nightmare to install usually) or carpet (very nice, affordable, but not very clean after a short time. Zach puking on the old carpet here made us realize we don't want much carpet at all!).
It's funny, we didn't even think of doing Pine like we did in the Morley house until Dustin went back into it the other week with a window rep for a crack in one of their windows (we have got to know the new owners and they are taking such great care of that place! That was the hardest house to sell for me, so it's nice it's as appreciated by them too).
Anyway, he came home after and suggested it after seeing it again. I instantly agreed! The only difference is the size of the board we're doing now -it's thicker and wider, and Dustin snagged a great deal on it before his last day at the store!
Pine is a soft wood, so it tans and dents and becomes a character floor eventually. It seemed like a happy compromise, and looks gorgeous too. It's raw when it's installed, and then it needs a few coats of varnish to finish it up.

It's probably easier to say what's not going to have pine flooring than what is - what's not getting pine are the bathrooms, entrances, and the stairs. I personally would put it on the stairs (cleanliness!) but Dustin really wants the carpet for grip and cushion there - and I can totally live with that.
We'll do some big area rugs in the bedrooms and living rooms, but I love the idea of being able to wash the floors everywhere! After living with the DISGUSTING carpet that was in here (and still is in some places), I am almost anti-carpet now!

Here's a reminder of what our room looked like before we moved in.

Here's a shot of it now, with all our furniture pushed against one wall so I could varnish this morning. We'll do the other side tomorrow, and I'll post a finished pic eventually. I am in love with this flooring!

Like everything in this house - nothing is a"just do it" job. There is so much prep and "fixing" Dustin is doing before he tackles the actual project. The floors have major humps and high spots, so here's a shot of him leveling out the hall way. He took the subfloor off, plained down the joists and put the subfloor back on. He also did this in our room, and he'll have to in Brad's yet.

But doesn't it look SO good?! I am so excited to have nice flooring going in again!

The whole house will not be "re-floored" for quite a while, but my hope is that all the bedrooms and the better part of upstairs will be sooner than later. Dustin's week off between jobs ends today, so Monday it's back to the grind for him and work here will slow down - but I find it so encouraging to have some new flooring in!

I completely agree

A friend of mine had this on her Facebook - and I couldnt agree more.

_____________________________________
A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.

So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'

She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!

'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.'

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.

The crime is the same!

If you agree, please SHARE. Together we can help save precious lives!

"Love says I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion says I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself..."

Jesus sacrificed Himself for the good of sinners! That's perfect love!

Easter Weekend

Good Friday
We spent the afternoon at Dustin's parents'. I think the biggest novelty that day (for me at least) was that my niece, Bella, was cast & brace free! It was such an amazing thing to hold her again without a big chunk of plaster or plastic around her, and with her determination, I predict she'll be running again within weeks.

The afternoon was the usual kind of thing there, cousins played, Zach begged for Wii (which he got to play a lot of - he just can't figure out why I limit it!) and the food was great!

Zach and Gavin

Brad and Bella- he just adores her!
(don't they look like they could be siblings rather than cousins?!)

Bella feeding Uncle D a handful of chocolates

I used to do this with my Tante Hilda -
it was so special play around with my niece now!

Wii time with Uncle Eric

Saturday
We got up Saturday and without really deciding on it, made it a very productive day. When we moved to this house in November, it was pretty cold and miserable, so we left everything that was for the yard or kept outdoors at the farm, thinking we'd get it in the spring when we'd need it all again, and the weather was nicer.
So we borrowed a trailer and did 3 loads...and I can officially say "we're moved in!"

We also had our first bonfire of they year and roasted weiners for supper. It was quite the fun evening! The animals made it a hoot; Abby looking longingly at the hotdogs we were eating (waiting patiently for that last bite we all gave her), and Zach's kitten, Garfield, climbing all over Brad to get at the Nacho cheese chips.
Garfield (aka "The Orange One") had a close call with the fire when he fell forward into it! Lucky for him, Dustin's cat-like-reflexes are much faster than his own and he was pulled out before he got seriously hurt. A few curled and singed whiskers hopefully taught him a lesson.

After supper, we came in and the boys dyed Easter Eggs for breakfast on Sunday.

Soccer while Dustin and I unloaded the trailer

Cuddling Garfield after his "near death" experience with the fire

Brad- the kitty whisperer

"That sure does look good!"

Michelangelos in the making...

Easter Sunday
I had a sweet surprise when I came downstairs Sunday morning; Dustin had pre-set the table for breakfast and got everything ready for after the boys looked for their baskets, complete with orange juice and presliced Easter bread. It was a very thoughtful start to the day!
The boys got dressed while "the Easter bunny" hid their stuff outside - only we didn't tell them it was outside until they exhausted the living room, which is usally where the Easter bunny hides stuff - tee hee! We just couldnt tell them they were outside- that would be too easy!
Plus, once they started looking outdoors, they found them within minutes!

Zach finding his basket

Brad's was behind the evergreen

We were ready to head off to my parents around 1pm later in the day. We had driven a couple of miles with the windows down to air-out the hot stuffy air, when we realized Zach's window wouldn't go back up.
So Dustin turned around and went back home to hopefully fix it quickly.
"Quickly" turned into about an hour and a half. The kids went inside and played while they waited, and I foolishly stayed outside thinking I could be some help to Dustin. Of course, I was useless, as usual. Other than shooing a few kittens away and handing him a screwdriver that was already by his foot- I just stood there.
Eventually, after taking 3 doors apart and trying to connect different window switches, checking fuses etc etc. He taped some poly over the open window and we took the truck.
I guess we'll have to get that looked at this week yet.

Anyway, the time at my parents was great - the Easter bunny left Nerf Guns for the boys there, hidden in the yard as well.
Zach lucked out, he was having trouble finding it when a gust of wind blew it out of the tree and it landed right by him!
Great Oma Peters had treats for them as well- she always spoils them when we see her:)

So, that was our Easter - how was yours? I hope it was blessed with love, friends and family, and above all, God's amazing grace.

At Oma and Opa's later

With Great Oma

It's bike season!

Zach could not be happier! FINALLY, after hand-me-downs his 'entire life' -his words (7 whole years!) he got to pick out a new bike!
Brad won one from a charity at school a few years ago, so he went from the bike Zach was riding, to one that will fit him for a looong time - which leaves nothing for Zach to ride now that his is too small.

Picking out a bike was pretty fun. Dustin and I found the ones in our price range and let him choose. He went from one to the next examining each tire's tread, how it brakes, and of course, that paint pattern on the bars.
It was no surprise to me that he picked the one that had a dirtbike theme, although a black and gold one with trick pegs on the front wheel was a close second.

As soon as we got home, he "helped" Dustin put it together (Dustin could not convince the good people at Toys R Us to sell him the display model), and was racing up and down the driveway testing it out.
He's pretty happy - "It's totally faster than my old one!" he said.

Bubble Boy

Well, if this isn't love, I don't know what is! Just kidding.

Dustin got the jet tub installed loooooong before my birthday, which was his goal, but we were stuck waiting for the faucet we wanted. Not that it was anything fancy, just the opposite, it was considerably cheaper than the ones the store stocked.
If finally arrived last Monday, and Dustin got it installed Thursday-ish. I had planned on soaking in the tub all weekend, but Zach's little runs to the ER changed that. So, being Mom-of-the-Year, I let him use the tub first, thinking that he would feel really special.. (somehow we make a big deal out of being the first to use a new plumbing fixture. It's always a competition to get to "christen" a toilet first too).

Anyway, he was pretty lethargic all day yesterday, but he said a nice warm bath was exactly that. Nice. Some day he'll look back on this and realize using it first was a bigger deal than he thinks now. .... Or maybe he wont. Maybe he'll just think Mom is a little loopy for thinking it is.

What a weekend!

Gosh, am I glad that weekend is over! As I'm sure Zachary is too!

We spent the better part of it in the ER with him. I'll tell you now, he's fine. It was a severe case of constipation - which he still has pains from and we're working on.
But because the symptoms presented much like an Appendicitis, or the less common Ladd's Band that I had a couple of years ago, the Dr in Steinbach was very thorough, and even sent us to the Children's hospital in the evening on Saturday. We didn't get home until nearly 2am.

It all started on Friday; Zach had been at a birthday party so we attributed the tummy ache he woke up with at 12:30am to indigestion (gotta love hotdogs and cake, right?). However, it didn't go away after several bowel movements and it really hurt for him to lay down.
I was up with him until 6am, when I think exhaustion finally gave him a break and we caught a few hours sleep.
He woke up in even more pain, so I took him to the ER. They did blood tests to check for infection, and took a urine sample - it was all fine, so they sent us home.

He lasted at home until about 5pm when he was doubled over holding his stomach. So back we went. Another blood test (totally traumatic for him) and an xray this time. The xray showed a lot of stool in his intestines.
I have to admit, I was pretty surprised. He eats well - lots of veggies, fruit, and high fiber foods. He also has a BM daily.
What Dustin and I did think, is that he isn't getting enough liquid. That's the only way I can figure how he could get like this.

Watching him in the pain he was in, was probably one of the worst experiences of my life. I was begging God to let me do it for him - to put the pain on me instead. He shook and thrashed against the cramps as we waited for test results. I had to physically sit on my hands to keep from reaching out to stroke his hair or feet even because every time I touched him he asked me to stop. At one point, he asked me if he was dying, which I assured him he wasnt. An enema finally relieved some of the pressure, though again, it was pretty traumatic for him.
The Dr gave him a strong anti-nauseant, that I think combined with how exhausted he was from lack of sleep and physically from dealing with the cramps, made him calm down enough to sleep. But by this point, I had called in Dustin (who dropped Brad off at my inlaws for night) because I couldn't take watching Zachary in so much pain and was ready to fall apart. We'd been there for hours already and there was only so much I could take.
As soon as Dustin showed up, I went to the washroom and had myself a good cry. I also experienced one of the first full fledged panick attacks I've had in probably over a year. Not fun.

The Dr in Steinbach was pretty sure it was constipation, but felt compelled to send us to Winnipeg Children's Hospital for a second opinon - mainly because of what I had a few years ago, which she didn't know much about.
Zachary slept the whole way there, and through most of the waiting. I got to see his xrays at this hospital, and there is no mistaking that he is definitely full of stool. The peditatrican knew more about Ladd's Band and assured us it was not that.

So we came home, Zachary still asleep in the backseat. We all slept until nearly noon the next day, and with the help of some laxatives, Zach is starting to feel better. I kept him home from school today, and he asked me if he could nap, so he's not totally back to himself yet. We're still working with some gentle laxatives.

The moral of this story - fiber alone doesn't do anything to keep someone regular - water (or liquid) is just as important! I knew that, honest I did - but i didn't realize that Zach wasn't drinking enough. He takes a water bottle with him nearly everywhere we go, I just assumed he was drinking it! I feel like such a terrible parent...

Strike!

I'm debating on going on strike. Dustin thinks I'm over reacting, but I think a good strike would solidify my case.

I really dont enjoy cooking. At least, not lately. No matter what I make, someone complains that he doesn't like at least 2 ingredients in it. And if I try and please that someone, then it's the next guy who complains. I seriously cant win.

Today, despite feeling not nearly my best, I made a pot of soup. Vegetable Beef. You would think it's a pretty safe bet - my kids will eat most veggies if they're in soups, and Dustin swears if he had to live off one food forever he'd pick soup. Sounds safe, right?
Nope. Not one of my 3 actually finished the bowl in front of them. Zachary outright complained that he was starving 5 minutes after he told me he was full (to get out of finishing the soup) and Brad, who's a little wiser, did what Dustin did and just quietly put a half full bowl on the counter to be dumped.
Nice. All that work for nothing.

So what did I do?? I jarred up the rest and took it to a friend who would appreciate my efforts. I kept a few jars for me too since I thought it was really good soup. I mean seriously, who doesn't love a good beef vegetable soup?!
My household apparently.

My thinking with going on strike is after a few weeks a)I would have a glorious time off from cooking b)them fending for themselves come supper time will not go over well c)eating zoodles and mac n cheese for more than 3 days in a row would mean I could make just about anything and not have a single complaint.

I know, I know.... you're all telling me I'm dreaming. Well, a girl can dream can't she??

Kittens!

We promised the boys kittens in Spring, and today was the day we took them home! :)

Originally, we picked out two from the litter, but we just couldn't leave the only one who didn't have a home behind, so we ended up taking the little runt and Brad absolutely fell in love with him, and named him Shadow. Zach named his little orange guy Garfield, and I got to name the girl after all! I chose Sophie.

Abby (our dog) is waaaay too thrilled with the idea of these little guys as chew toys, so we're going to have to get them used to each other slowly. At first we were worried Abby would just grab them and chomp, but it's actually the kittens that hiss and swipe when she's in sight and are making a "friendship" harder to create. Abby then reacts by swiping back - and given her advantage in size and weight ... yeah, not hard to guess how it would end if we left them alone! So we'll keep them separated until they all get along.

This could be interesting yet....

Zach and Garfield

Brad and Shadow

Me with Sophie

They loved the window well

Abby, out nut-case wonderful dog. We just love her- silly pooch!