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34 Week Reflection

2016-01-27T14:40:00.001-08:00

So every so often I write, reflections, I guess you could call them. Their many times personal, and very emotionally filled. They also capture myself at my rawest and purest form as I don't typically intend for anyone to ever actually read them so I don't hold back much.

So today by chance I stumbled over something I wrote for my boys during a phase in my twin pregnancy where I had been writing a few more of these reflections. The difference with this one was that it was also written to be read, by them when they were older.

My pregnancy was filled with A LOT of emotions. Happiness, terror, excitement, nerves, worries, fears, anticipation, and so it goes with a multiple pregnancy. Today as I read through my letter to them, my words written through a stage of mental chaos, physical exhaustion, and weariness hit me. By the end of reading I was shedding tears and felt the urge to share them. I felt like I was almost reading someone else's writing, and yet felt so comfortable knowing it all so familiarly.

So without further ado, here is the letter to my boys.

____________________________________________________________

To the boys,

This journey of pregnancy, carrying the two of you, has been a roller coaster. I’m currently 33 weeks (34 weeks in 2 days), and there has been no shortage of emotions, fears, excitement, and a general sense of the unknown.

When we first thought about trying again there was a feeling of hesitation. We had had a miscarriage September 30^th, 2013 at 12 weeks, that although we felt great peace about knowing God was in control, was hard to endure and know we had lost a precious and beautiful little life. Your siblings name was Emery.

Daddy was okay with stopping at Chloe after the loss, and although I had fears of having to go through another potential loss, and the challenges that come sometimes by adding to your family I also knew in my heart that I would regret not trying again to have a 3^rd child.

God had an amazing plan in place.

When we first learned we had got pregnant I actually got very scared, even enough to think that maybe it was a mistake. That I had jumped the gun, and taken on more than I could handle. God really worked on me in the first couple of months. It was tough, frightening, and made me feel guilty as a mother. I never would want to tell you that I could possibly feel those things, but I am a mother, a human, and sometimes we take on emotions that we can’t control. But we can know God is at the centre of it all.

I felt pregnant much sooner than with any other pregnancy and even though after 9 tests were taken and maybe ½ had come back with a faint positive, I knew I was pregnant. It was running through my system. I even told the doctor that the test was wrong and that I was in fact pregnant. Now I know that was the two of you being crafted into our lovely and wonderful sons.

Daddy and I had joked a little that there could be two of you inside, and maybe all that joking was a way of God preparing us for the big news. My clothes stopped fitting me really fast. I gained about 20lbs in the first month alone. My body was getting so tired; I could barely keep up with my very messy, chaotic, ‘supermom’ status (haha…whatever that is). I could barely wrap my brain around it, but I felt different. I said it was either twins or I was much further along than I thought. Maybe about half way there, but that didn’t quite line up either. I was hoping everything was okay.

I went for my first ultrasound at 12 weeks 4days. The last visit with my midwife, I had thought of asking if there was a chance I was carrying twins but completely forgot. Daddy came with me to the ultrasound. We dropped Kylun & Chloe off at the Simpsons, and then headed off to our appointment. We actually joked on the way there and in the waiting room about there being two of you.

The appointment started as normal, in that I checked in, waited, they took me in, they did the ultrasound, and there was a little light chatting in the room between myself and the ultrasound technician. She asked about the pregnancy, if I had any other kids, their ages, and one of the last things she said before leaving the room to get daddy and write her report was well, you’ll be busy. I remember thinking into that comment a lot and wondering, then trying to think about how many people consider 3 kids a lot to handle, and very busy. I was trying to keep my head stable. Haha…

Daddy came in and asked if she had mentioned anything. I told him what she said, then made the comment of maybe it is twins. We joked about having to buy a minivan – which we had both been stubborn about for years; we would never buy a minivan, although we knew that if there was more than one baby in me we’d have to give up our pride and do it. We exchanged a few laughs, and waited.

The technician came back in. Daddy asked if everything looked okay and she said yes.

Then he jokingly asked ‘it’s not twins or anything is it?’.

The technician smiled and said ‘well, actually, yes’.

There were two of you in there.

TWO!

I was in shock. I started laughing and crying. A part of me was instantly scared, and another part of me thought it was funny – maybe even a joke and I could not wrap my brain around it. Daddy handled it well. He laughed, and looked at me, then continued to laugh and stare at the screen then back at me as the technician showed us the amazing miracle that was happening inside. Somewhere there he muttered ‘I guess we will have to buy a van’. I’ll be honest I can remember only faint images of it all as the tears coming out where so big I could’ve drowned.

I distinctly remember leaving the appointment starring at the pictures they gave us, laughing, and in complete disbelief. We sat in the car for a few moments. Then realized we were not strong enough to hold this sort of information inside and knew we’d have to tell people right away. I must’ve looked like a crazy person and my face would’ve shown every emotion, shock, and feeling. I took a picture on my phone of the ultrasound and sent it to those with phones who could receive it. Some of your aunts and uncles got it, others had no idea what they were looking at and just thought it was a picture of the ultrasound. By the time we got to the Simpsons we had called everyone except the Simpsons. And now it was time to show them the pictures and tell Kylun & Chloe.

We started showing the picture of Baby A, then the picture of Baby B, and then the one of both of you inside me. Chloe didn’t get it, Kylun seemed to try and compute it, and the Simpsons got so excited and got to be first witness to the amazing news in person.

Our journey was about to begin as parents of multiples. God was about to have some major opportunities to teach us, and our family was going from 4-6. It was almost as if God knew our pain from Emery’s loss and doubled our blessings, although I will never forget that little life.

The months since have honestly been such a rollercoaster of emotions, fears, planning, shock – a lot of shock, prep, and research as we try and figure out what this means for us in terms of change and adjustment. We have no idea what we are doing. We are figuring it out, and I’m sure we will continue to figure it out as you both grow. Heck, we’re still figuring it out with Kylun & Chloe.

The world of multiples seems foreign to us, and we pray that we will know how to parent you both, care for you, and love you as individuals. We want what’s best for you. We want you to know that we love you. We also recognize that we are completely at a loss with some things how to do things, what to do, and will mess up many times, but we will do our best to pick ourselves up, apologize, try again, and keep working towards being the best parents we can be to you.

I’m still scared some days for how life is going to change, sometimes I’m still in shock, and I wake up some days thinking that this was a dream, and that we must’ve lied to so many people and I have to remind myself that it’s true and you both are living, kicking, and growing to be our amazing sons.

I’m excited to just be bombarded by your little personalities, even though I’ve been told it will be hard and taxing on us – especially at the beginning. I’m excited to see the dynamic you guys bring to our family. The trouble, secrets, special moments and how you relate with Kylun & Chloe. Both of which love you both so much already.

They give you hugs through my belly, tell you they love you, rub my belly, and have seen more of your movements than daddy I think. Kylun in recent weeks has got more and more excited and at one point helped put your clothes away as we got things moved into your bedroom. Every item he said ‘Oh mommy this is so cute. The babies are going to love their clothes.’ He is such an amazing big brother. Chloe also has become quite fond of your cradles and although there’s a little fear there of over rocking, she talks about how it’s for the babies. She even tried to give you a drink through my belly with a bottle a couple of times. You have two amazing siblings, who love, care, and cherish you even though they don’t know who you are yet.

Some crazy kind of love let me tell you.

Kylun loves seeing the pictures after the ultrasounds and hearing how you were poking each other, kicking, snuggling, or putting your bums in each other’s faces. He thinks it’s hilarious.

Keep close to them, share with them your lives, and let them share theirs and teach you what they’ve learned or know. You all are so fortunate to have a set of siblings, and we are so blessed to be expanding our family to include you all.

I love you all so much, and look forward to what our lives hold as you come into our family and complete it.

To both of you, we will do everything we can to be here for you, and love you.

Mommy!

___________________________________________________________

Thanks for reading!

First Steps On Our Homeschooling Journey

2015-08-17T13:24:00.001-07:00

Hello, and welcome back.

Our family has had quite a few changes over the past couple of years. We had a big move, Then moved again. Then we got pregnant again...with twins. Amongst the highlights. Within all those changes there has been a lot of chaos, not a lot of time, and we've been surviving through it. Some days better than others, but it gradually gets easier, and then a new stage begins. ;)

With that all said. My eldest is starting kindergarten this year. Crazy, and also fully welcomed. It will bring a change of scenery and he is eager to learn, do projects, and experience some new things. We have decided to home school. For a few reasons, which maybe I'll write a post about this at a later time.

We have been conversing about this for a few years, and more intensely, months now. We enrolled with a school, and met our teacher all by April this past spring. We are so excited that we got paired up with a teacher who by chance also has twins - hallelujah!!!

Since our meeting I've been researching curriculum, brainstorming ideas, and trying to get myself organized for this first year. There are SO many options for homeschooling, but I narrowed things down by choosing a full curriculum, and then a supplementing math and reading curriculum. I plan on trying to update our journey through them on the blog, and show some samples of what we've been doing.

The full curriculum I've gone with is My Fathers World kindergarten curriculum. We got the deluxe edition. I felt I needed something that had it all included so that I didn't have to think much about it. Just gather any extra and basic materials, and go with it. There's a youtube video here you can check out that shows the overview of what comes in the kindergarten package if you're interested.

I read quite a few reviews, and found that for many people who have used the curriculum they found the math portion of the curriculum was lacking. With that information I did some research and found Rightstart Math. I'm so excited about this curriculum as it's very interactive, and logical. Personally I never really enjoyed math and so for me I wanted to find something that made math more exciting, challenges the child in a positive way, and grows a desire for learning.

Through a lot of my research I fell in love with the Finnish way of schooling. They have recently switched over to a project based learning system, which was tested and implemented based on where and how our society is operating in the real world. It makes so much sense, and it teaches so many valuable skills and thinking tools that can be applied to our current world. Rightstart math follows that very similar approach. I also kept in mind that I am teaching a boy, and that somehow sitting and doing math only out of a workbook doesn't make sense when I know that he'd much rather 'play' and learn, and that I wanted to find something we could stick with for the year.

At the beginning of the year, somewhere around February, we also started with the All About Reading curriculum. This was a test for me to see if this was something I could do, and if it worked with our family and lifestyle. It has been super successful. I took a very laid back approach when I started to see what Kylun thought of it all. Well after 1 lesson, each morning I was begged to do school. He absolutely LOVES it, and I got an alphabet from education.com for little Sister to follow along with us. The curriculum uses a puppet as part of the lesson (big win for my kids), is hands on with a basic letter coloring and minimal craft portion, and can typically be done in about 30min.

The thing I'm most excited about is that most of the above choices can be easily done with a younger sibling around either joining in or with minimal adaptation, and on a typical day should only take about 60-90 min of actual schooling -think nap time, and the curriculum's give time also for play, and exploration.

I have also pulled some other resources to incorporate extra Bible, and supplementation options when and if we hit a wall. Some of these are Education.com, Kids of Integrity, Teachers Pay Teachers, CurrClick, and I have found Pinterest a great resource which also connects you to other great resource options.

Follow along if you're interested in our journey with these curriculum's, or considering to homeschool. If you've used any of them as well I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Until next time,

Liz

Red Chard

2013-03-18T11:01:00.002-07:00

So in our weekly box we had a bunch of chard. I have, before now, never eaten or cooked it so I was at a bit of a loss on what I would do with it. I did a little searching and found a fairly simple and great tasting recipe. You can find the original here.I was quite surprised by how it turned out, how easy it was to cook, and it made a wonderful start to our dinner.

Below I have some pictures of how mine turned out. If you've got some red chard around (or next time you're in the grocery store) I would definitely recommend trying it out.

Washing up the Chard.

Cooking up the onions, garlic, and Chard stems.

Cooking, cooking, cooking...

The cooked Red Chard. Super yummy!

Back In The Kitchen

2013-03-18T10:43:00.005-07:00

So I've been getting my hands back in the kitchen lately. I felt like I had taken quite a break from kitchen duties and so I've been working on building meal plans, and finding healthier and more cost effective options for us. Thankfully those 2 things so far have been going quite hand in hand.

Yesterday ( and I mean all day as I could barely get anything done) I worked on a meal plan. How I usually do it is I plan full meals from breakfast to dinner for one full week. As long as there is some variety my meal plan will usually last a minimum of 2 weeks (although I have been known to stretch it out for longer), taking into account left over's and the fact that most meals will inspire other meals.

Lately I've been trying to find ways to hide vegetables and fruit into foods so that we can really change up Kylun's diet as well as our own. He doesn't stray very often away from dairy, grains, and bananas and apples. It's hard to get him to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as some meats (unless their in the form of a hot dog).

I found a great site last night while I was looking for some recipes to use up our vegetables from our box (more about that below). I found a great site called Super Healthy Kids, so between that site and the book Deceptively Delicious, by Jessica Seinfeld I managed to make a meal plan that I think will incorporate a lot of our vegetables and fruit in sneaky but hopefully very tasty ways.

So this box thing.

A local farm called Thistle Farm does vegetable and fruit delivery, all local (from within Kamloops or BC), and organic. So we officially got our box this morning bright and early. It was so nice to wake up to see our box (they deliver early) and know what we would be making with all the produce. I know I sometimes struggle getting in as many vegetables and fruit into my system as I'd like so this was a great way to get organic as well as a set amount on a regular schedule. Nice thing is you're also going to get produce that's in season.

Here's some pictures of what we got this morning.

I will be posting some of my favorite tried recipes in the next couple of weeks.

Classic Margherita Pizza

2013-03-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

So this pizza is so easy to make. It takes about 10 minutes I'd say to prep plus cooking time. About another 10 minutes depending on the type of base you use. It tastes really good, and for the taste, there's very little work. If you need to whip something up quick for last minute guests or family this is it.

Ingredients:

Pizza base mix OR ready made pizza crust from the bakery (my choice when making this because I didn't have time to make a base from a mix or scratch)
Classico Basil and tomato sauce (or any other basil and tomato type sauce)
Pizza Mozzarella sliced (roughly 5 oz.)
Olive oil (about 1 tbsp)
Rock salt & Ground pepper
Oregano
Fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

1. Use about 1 tbsp of olive oil and cover the pizza base. Add a little olive oil to the crust as well & sprinkle lightly with rock salt. You don't have to do this but I found it made the crust taste extra good.

2. Spread the basil and tomato sauce across the base of the pizza.

3. Arrange the pizza mozzarella on top of the pizza. Add as much or as little as you'd like, but don't over do it too much.

4. Sprinkle Oregano, salt and pepper over the pizza.

5. Place on a pizza tray and bake according to the pizza base instructions. Usually about 10-15 minutes for ready made.

6. When the pizza is cooked remove from oven and place basil leaves on the pizza. Press in a little so as to have them stick to the pizza.

Enjoy!

As you will see on mine in the pictures above we also ended up adding some cooked ground beef the second time around as the last step before cooking. We added just a light amount and it was a great balance. Any more and it would've taken away from the flavor.

Yum, yum!!!

Layered Granola & Yogurt Breakfast

2013-03-06T13:14:00.002-08:00

Every morning our breakfast seems to be one of the following options. Granola, yogurt, & cut up fruit (usually a banana and craisins). Cereal. Waffles with jam, syrup, yogurt, or even plain with some butter. Sometimes Crepes with jam and yogurt. Basically we tend to stick with the very similar options. My all time go to seems to be the yogurt and granola. Breastfeeding I try and make sure I'm eating granola everyday if I can (it increases your supply) & drink with it raspberry leaf tea (also increases your supply).

So this morning I decided to make a layered granola and yogurt mix. It was so good. I felt compelled to share. So this is what I used.

Ingredients:

Half banana
Homemade apple sauce (you can find my recipe here)
Plain Greek yogurt
Almond & honey granola clusters
Organic local Honey
Craisins
Chocolate chips

Instructions:

You can really do this any way you like, but this is how I layered it.

Sliced bananas, apple sauce, yogurt, granola, honey drizzled, cranberries, and chocolate chips.

My plan now is using mason jars to prep breakfast's on the go. That way Pete or myself can just grab and go on those morning without as much time.

Easy Homemade Applesauce

2013-03-02T23:47:00.002-08:00

So a few weeks ago I found myself with more apples than we could eat, and of course their time was shortly coming to an end. I decided to try my hand at some homemade applesauce. A few days ago I made more and thought it was a share worthy recipe. So here it is. I have to say I was quite impressed with it. It was so good and I think the fact that the apples were a little older really helped with the flavor I think I'll also say that after making my own I don't see myself buying store bought applesauce ever again. Compared to it the store bought sauce has no flavor.

Ingredients:
4 apples
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Directions:
1. Peal, core, and cut apples into chunks
2. Place apples and all other ingredients into a saucepan or pot. Mix.
3. Cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Cook uncovered stirring every so often. I found 15 minutes was all I really needed.
4. Mash or puree mixture when apples are soft. If you like chunkier applesauce cook for less time and mash with a potato masher, and more cooking time for smoother consistency.

Substitutes & Alternatives:

The first time I made this I went by the recipe and found it to be super yummy but a little over sweet for some. You can substitute with some honey instead of sugar, use less sugar or eliminate it all together if you'd like unsweetened. the second time around I found I actually added extra apples to the recipe. I kept the quantity of the other ingredients the same, just added extra apples and that really helped with the sweetness.
You can add lemon peel to the apples while their cooking. It heightens the flavor.
Add raisins, or craisins into your sauce and the cinnamon.

And because I'm on a mason jar kick I put all our apple sauce into portion sized jars. Ready to serve. Just add a spoonful of whipped cream or yogurt or eat as is. :)

And about those jars, I mean everything lately has made it into a mason jar; apple sauce, ready to mix iced tea, and planning on yogurt and breakfast granola to go to name a few - I'll fill you in on those all at another time.

If you have other ideas of things to add post below and share. :)

Simple Thankfulness

2013-02-23T15:32:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days where I cannot do anything but be in awe of the blessings around me.

I had to take Chloe to get her shots yesterday. I sort of was dreading it a little, more so because of the craziness it was last time with Kylun. This silly waiting room to weight and measure baby is shared with every other parent bringing their kid for shots, and has 2 open entrances. Perfect for little curious people to want to leave and try and run around the building.

This time I was prepared. I took snacks, drinks, entertainment (in the form of videos on a phone), and bribery. Oh yeah... You know how McDonalds sells those booklets of treats for Valentines day? $1 a booklet. Well I snagged 2 for those days we go out and I need good behavior. Kylun gets to choose which treat he wants and if he behaves we go by and pick it up on the way home. It worked beautifully. :) Before the treats at McD's I'd bribe with a special treat from Starbucks. Kids drinks are $1. So cheap and works awesome. Other bribery in the past has been TimBits.

Either way it was much easier to manoeuvre through our appointment knowing at the slightest notion of temptation to run I just had to bring up the bribe. He did surprising well actually. I only had to bring up the treat once. The rest of the time he sat mostly well on a chair, every so often getting off and climbing another one to sit on.

After going through McD's Kylun requested chicken nuggets. So we went home he finished his ice cream and then ate chicken nuggets and fries. A little backwards and with lots of room for him to be over filled by ice cream but instead he ate all his food so well. We had a wonderful day of hanging out dancing. Chloe cuddling (as she had a few moments of moochiness - to be expected after her shots). it was such a great day. Not very productive but one of those days where I couldn't help but think 'how blessed I am'.

Kylun's vocabulary has expanded so much and the things he says are just so funny. Today for example he comes running into the living room from the kitchen and pronounces "Let's do this. Let's do this. Let's make chicken nuggets." He must've been inspired by yesterday.

He's also starting to realize the power and meaning of certain words which is such a wonderful and beautiful time. It's great to watch him make sense of what he's really saying. He's lately got into singing. Many times it's hard to understand what he's singing unless you know the songs he's been listening to, but it's so fun to watch him get into it and belt out tunes (which sometimes just sound like really loud yells). He gets so excited and happy, and we... well we can't help but smile and laugh with him at his excitement.

Then Chloe, she's developing such a sweet personality. she's the happiest baby ever. She really only fusses for good reasons. Which is such a blessing. It makes things so much easier knowing that I can just go down the 'Chloe' list and usually solve her crying by meeting her needs so easily.

I have sort of had a few days of awe it feels like. When I sit back and think of our lives right now I can't help but be thankful for so many simple things. here's some on the top of my list.

Our kids are really such great sleepers. They go to bed with little-no fuss. They sleep through the night, and even when they and if they do wake up are so easily put back to sleep. That is just gracious giving by God.
Pete is such a great, and loving husband and father, and gives so sacrificially for us. He works hard and always listens and tries to meet our needs as a family. Always ready to adjust himself.
Our kids are healthy. Kylun is super energetic and lively, and Chloe has had no issues. She's gaining weight well, and so happy. Kylun absorbs everything around him and is becoming such a fun kid.
We live in such a beautiful place and have great friends and people in our lives who love and support us.

God is so gracious with us and has given us so much. Sometimes it's so easy to overlook those things and get caught up in the business and chaos of life and forget those simple things we take for granted. What things do you take for granted everyday because you're distracted by life's everyday tasks and day to day routines? What's on your list of thankfulness?

Raising Children & All That Comes With It...

2013-02-10T21:51:00.002-08:00

When we first get pregnant or start planning a family we are filled with beautiful images of our perfect baby forming that will bring us such joy. Our baby will smile, coo, sleep soundly, and be utter joy at all times. Of course this is true to some extent, but those moments are thrown in with some not so picturesque ones as well. Over tired, exhausted, pj wearing (or yoga pant wearing for some) parents (but let's be honest mostly mama's). Between the initial long nights of feedings & comforting to the rambunctious destructive two's and beyond we see awesome, inspiring reasons in our children of why we put up with what we do everyday.

We see big wet kisses, which to others might seem like a good reason to run away, cuddles in bed with books, those sweet words first uttered of "I love you mommy", the first time they don't spit out that meal you just pulled together, the first time they say 'please' & 'thank you' on their own without any prompting, and well the list goes on. There are countless moments of joy that are like utter sunshine to our days. Those moments inspire us to keep on going, make us prouder over our little ones than anyone else. No matter what.

I write this not as a way of sharing what I've encountered or learned so far as a mother but more as a mother after a long week who is needing a reminder. Sometimes we can get so caught up in our everyday routines, attempts at making our children 'perfect' (hahahaha...) that we need a reminder that among-st all the laundry, pulled apart cupboards, disastrous messes that infiltrate every nook and cranny of our homes, our inability to keep up with every single task in the home, and that after a week of sick kids and chaos that there is a light at the end of what sometimes seems like a never-ending tunnel.

One day these moments will pass, they will be gone forever, they will be a memory of the past. The cuddles, the sweet 'I love you's.', hugs that heal scraped knees, and tickles that make even a normal everyday day suddenly ridiculously amazing...all those moments that make up my today's will be gone and I'll be starring at grown children. Scary thought to think that they'll be big and grown, and yet so exciting. They'll make their own paths, make mistakes discover their passions & dreams, start their lives and hopefully something of what I've taught them will stick in their minds, and influence their decisions and help them navigate on their own. So after a long week, and with the knowledge that many more long weeks are coming I breathe in and out and look forward to dirty floors, wiping sick noses, and snuggles...because before long these long weeks will be just a distant memory.

Liz

Dream Board

2013-02-04T16:01:00.002-08:00

Today has been one of those days where the time flies by. Silently, almost as if it doesn't want you to know it was ever there. I thought I had a good start to the day when I woke up at 7am feeling for the first time in days almost like I may have had enough sleep. I thought to myself that it was going to be productive, and a really good day. I quickly ended up trying to nap on Kylun's bedroom floor with Chloe. My energy seemed to diminish as quickly as I had got up. However it's still been a good day, but just more about spending time together, and enjoying being home.

Yesterday, while the husband had to go work for a few hours, I spent some good time putting together a 'future dreams' board, & making a poster of our goals for 2013. We've had lots of conversations in the past month about what we want for this year, changes we want to see in our everyday lives, as well as what we'd love to do one day or have. I took the framed dry erase board idea from Pinterest. That way we can always add to it or take away if need be. Also planning on using it as a tool whenever we have to make life decisions, or financial planning.

Super simple Dream board. Used an old frame with glass still in it. Cut a sheet of paper to fit the size. Doodled a little on the paper. Put into the frame and there you go, done! Now just add your inspirational dreams and place in a spot you will see it daily. :)

Today as I went into our bedroom and saw the frame, and it inspired me knowing we have a goal of where we want to end up one day. It could be next year, or in 30 years, but the point is we have some strong goals to strive for.

This afternoon I was able to get moving on one of my personal goals, which is to read more books. I started a book called "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian. What an encouragement. It sort of felt like she was speaking right to me in many of her sentences. It was a great conviction and wonderful reminder of where my focus should be. I've only just started the book, and it was suggested to me by a friend, but already I'll say I think it's going to be a very worth read. It left me thinking about many things. Too many to write or even narrow in on.

We've been putting our Thankfulness Jar to use. Still finding I really need to remember to write things down when they happen so I don't forget the things I'm thankful for. Right now I seem to sit down and write a bunch of things down at once, then mentally accumulate and do the same thing.

Well, that's all for now.

Revving Up...

2013-01-17T14:21:00.001-08:00

So this weeks project was to start going through and deep cleaning (and I mean DEEP cleaning) our house. I thought that maybe doing it room by room initially would be the way to go, but soon I found out that I just couldn't focus all my attention on one room and rotate that way. Plus by the time I finished with the house the first room would probably not be up to standard.

So I did what I might regret, but we'll see. I made a plan to basically work on whatever room of the house I was in with Kylun and Chloe throughout the day. For example while Kylun had a shower I would work on clearing out the bathroom drawers. Or while in the kitchen I would focus on a little extra cleaning by sorting out a shelf of a cupboard. First couple of days it felt GOOD. Now I am a little overwhelmed by all the craziness it seems I've made in my house with pulling things out, sorting, throwing away, donate piles, etc...

Overwhelmed in a good way. In the way that says someday (hopefully soon) I will have my house in the shape I want, or at least close.

However I have also made a plan for those days I feel overwhelmed by the chaos in my home to resort to a list I made of each day of the week. Each day gets a room or area of the house. On those days where I just don't know where to start I go to that room or area and tackle something there. That way I always have something to do to keep my focus.

Our weekend/next weeks project to keep me motivated will be to start painting the house. The walls desperately need it, and I'm tired of the butter yellow color in my living room (yellow is not my favorite color, and definitely not all over my walls). It's inspiring to me to think of newly painted walls. Sort of like a blank canvas to make matching throw pillows, curtains for our dining room, and make our place feel a little warmer and more welcoming.

I'm super excited, although I know it will be the craziness of the challenge of getting it all done with tiny hands and feet running around. But that's what evenings are for.One room or wall at a time.

So this is my beginning of my year trying to get things moving in the right direction on the home front. More to come.

When the Lying Starts...

2013-01-10T00:52:00.002-08:00

So two morning's ago I wake up to Kylun crying and whining (which is my absolute LEAST favorite way to wake up - he has this horrible high pitched whine which sends shiver's down your spine). I'd rather the sound of him playing and then his sweet voice calling my name - nicely!.

A mom can dream can't she???

So I went into his room and left Chloe in our bedroom fast asleep, curled up on his bed with him and we cuddled. Then he decided it was time to get up, but I wasn't ready so I lay on his bed while he got up and started playing with his toys. A few minutes passed and he came up to me asking me to get out of bed and pulling the blanket off of me. When that only got me as far as telling him to continue to play so I could lye motionless on his bed and pretend I was sleeping, he didn't think that was a good idea. Nope, instead he turned on the bedside lamp that shone directly into my eyes to try and get me out of his bed. I lay there asking him to come back and cuddle - even read some books in his bed.

No such luck.

The little rascal instead walked to the door, then looked at me and with a voice of sincerity said "Chloe. Crying." repeatedly. I thought I was just not hearing her because we still had his white noise waves blaring in the room.

Nope it wasn't because of that at all...

I got up opened the door to his room, and entered our room expecting to see Chloe awake and crying. But alas as I entered the room in a quick manner woke her up. She hadn't been crying at all. Of course since I was up, Chloe now awake and Kylun managed to get out of his room to roam free through the house there was no going back into his room to play and hang out.

Was this Kylun's 1st lie?

I gave him the benefit of the doubt and assumed he must've heard something that sounded like a cry, and got confused. But I was wrong. Yesterday morning the same thing and today as well.Lied to my face but with a little glimmer of a smile trying to break through. He totally knew what he was doing. And since it worked before, why not try it again right?

I'm somewhat stunned, and yet not surprised all at the same time. One of those parenting steps you get flung into and hope you do alright in I guess, but you never know when this stage will hit exactly.

Have any good ideas how to deter lying, and teach him that it's wrong? Today he lied to me a couple more times too on other things, and started accusing his sister (who is 4 months) that she was kicking his trains. I wanted to laugh but didn't - don't want to encourage that.

Oh the life of a toddler. :)

Liz

Welcome 2013!!!

2013-01-07T00:44:00.001-08:00

I have re started the first blog post of the year multiple times. Each time I get about as far as barely a line not sure where to go from there, or I find myself having written and entire blog post but when I re read it it makes no sense or I get confused by my own ramble of words. So this one I am just going to go at with no expectations of perfection, but rather just raw, somewhat uninhibited writing.

I have spent much of the last month really reflecting on the last year. It has brought many experiences (some more than a typical person might experience in the span of a year), challenges, moments of victory, excitement accomplishment, sense of failure, loss, and well it seems the last year has been a blend of experience from every end of the spectrum.

We started the year off with about 6 weeks of atrocious nausea from all the morning sickness of being pregnant, then proceeded to the planning and submersion of looking into and acquiring a business, being nudged every so gently and then skyrocketing right into toddler-ville which came with it's own set of challenges and learning curves. Then proceeded into a summer filled with some amazing moments from great visits from family and friends to rough patches of handling a new store, and undertaking a temporary live in guest for a month, to suddenly arriving at September wondering where all the months prior had disappeared to.

Chloe was born, Christmas was fast approaching, store life got more and more hectic, and many, many, MANY factors came into play in our own personal lives which then brought us to our final spike on the chart of deciding to sell the store and then of course completing that sale. Wow, what a year!

2012 was a year of much growth. It showed us our limitations, challenged us to know ourselves more, taught me a lot more about that famous Proverbs 31 woman, reminded me of priorities, made me realize my ambition (which although a good quality to have may not always be the best to act on at all times), and well expanded me, crushed me, and grew me in exponential ways.

I will admit I finished off the year with my arms thrown in the air grateful to be done, and excited to move onto new and better bigger things, but coming back to the basics. God, family, friends, self & health. I know that although I seemed to want to fit in everything under the sun into a year that it wasn't the right time in my life to try and get it ALL done. I also finished off the year sad. Sad I couldn't be everything to everyone. Sad I couldn't accomplish EVERYTHING I set out to accomplish perfectly and with the final outcome as planned. Sad I finally got defeated in ways I could never have imagined by my ambition, and life. There are a lot of mixed emotions. Some I know will take me months to unwrap and process.

There are a lot of feeling towards 2012. Heck, my most beautiful daughter was born during the midst of it in a labor and birth I thought was just in my dreams. My son turned the wonderful age of 2, that although it might come with it's challenges, also comes with an overflowing amount of joy. Pete and I grew together in ways that I think would take years to happen in typical couples, only because of everything we experienced in this one year alone. Our family experienced many walls, some we climbed over like no big deal, others kept growing every time we climbed a foot. But we made it. We all made it.

We got to 2013!!!

Now we just need to recover

This year is a fresh start for me. I feel like a big of a shambled mess in many ways and know it will take me months to recover from everything. I know there are many layers in me which will feel exposed and so fragile as I process through them and try to make sense of myself and the last year. I also know this next year will be the year I focus on my family, my home, creative therapy, my health & self, and of course my relationship with God. I cannot say I have come up with a list of New Years resolutions because to be quite frank I'm not sure where to start. I have a list of ideas that keeps growing, and growing.

I know I'd like to chronicle this next year, and have a way to share it with people, and a place to just open up and so I will return to my blogging, and sharing of my experiences and hopefully inspire someone this year.

One thing we are starting as a family is a "Thankful Jar". I'm hoping the idea lasts and that we might be diligent in keeping to it. How it works is every time something happens that you're thankful for you write it down on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. Next year on New Years Eve (or day really) you take them all out and read through them as a way to reflect all the great things that happened and you were thankful for. I got the idea off of Pinterest (my new re found love - almost forgot about that wonderful site).

I'm excited to see what this year brings and how things develop and how I grow and our family grows God knows what we need this year and excited to know that He is that great that He will provide exactly what we need during every crazy stage and time of our lives.

Welcome 2013...let's do this!

The Update...

2012-07-10T13:13:00.003-07:00

It's been almost 3 months since my last post. I feel like I have been starting all my posts with the same thing. 'It's been a while since the last one....' but that's the truth of my life right now. Everything seems to be changing continually, and I just don't get to blogging as frequently.

I am now 30 weeks pregnant, Kylun is almost 20 months old and so that means baby is due to arrive VERY soon. The store has been an adventure for sure since taking over. I have learned a lot about myself, being an entrepreneur in terms of an adventure this big, balancing mommy hood + pregnancy + wife + me +++...which all equals chaos, fun, excitement, exhaustion, challenge, moments of fear, moments of complete calmness, and all in all pushing myself to the limits which is what I like to do. I know when I don't push myself I don't achieve as much (obviously), I also know I then will tend to feel unfulfilled on a personal level. I cannot just sit back and not feel involved on some level.

So the things I've been learning lately...

Through the store - investing in people's lives, ministry, and career all CAN fall into one category. I have had some of the most amazing conversations with women, families, husbands, and grandparents through the past 3 months. I have heard stories of devastation, pain, hurt, excitement, adventure, and been able to be a part of it in a very neat way.

I have been challenged in conversation and acts to step up to the challenge of being a Christian woman in a business environment. What does that look like? Where are the boundaries between working towards being a sustainable business owner, and yet use the store as an opportunity to be a part of community and invest into people's lives in tangible and relational ways. Still a lot to learn, hey I'm new at this particular balancing act, but something I am sure I will continue to learn over the course of the next few years.

Through Mommyhood - I have a limit. I have a limit of patience and what that looks like right now through the midst of hormones and the daily grind is different everyday. I am learning more and more that being a mom is not a cookie cutter scenario. I felt I had a strong grasp on this before, but now I know it that much more. I am not every other mom, I do not need to conform to what works for other moms or what the books are saying because frankly they don't know me or my kid or my life well enough to make me feel guilty that I do not fit into the mould. I do things my own way in terms to what works for my family.

I've also learned that despite wanting to keep up a home, store, and family in good 'condition', family ALWAYS takes priority and that means even over dirty laundry, tidy home, and an extra hour of merchandising at the store. I would rather have a macaroni and cheese dinner in a messy home investing with my family than try to attain a perfect home, and immaculate store merchandising techniques. What I'll leave behind is in the relationships I invest in not how quick I was to turn on the washing machine (which is currently about 5 loads behind.).

Through Pregnancy - I never realized how much I went through with Kylun being pregnant as well as how strong we are as women and don't even realize it. One of the biggest things that has hit me this pregnancy. By this point I was about almost double the size with Kylun and yet I pushed myself. I worked A LOT, also doing things at work that I maybe didn't have to do or maybe should've taken a step back from, Pete and I were involved in youth, Bible Study, and were constantly in and out of the house. We didn't stay still much at all. I made it through Kylun's pregnancy and thought that everything that was happening to my body and how I felt was so normal. Not at all.

I had polyhydramnios, was very monitored at the end of the pregnancy, was basically 1 day shy of being 2 weeks overdue, and not until recently did I really realize that Kylun was considered a high risk pregnancy. My labor ended up being on and off having gone into labor 4 times prior to actually staying in labor (which also decided to stop mid way), and ended up with an emergency C-Section after pushing for 4 hours. Craziness it felt like anyway. All of it showed me I was much stronger than I thought, and through various conversations with my midwife I realized that going through all the labor just with laughing gas after having my labor re started with oxytocin, was apparently a rarity as your contractions tend to be stronger and more painful. Who knew?

This pregnancy has shown me the difference. Besides a rough morning sickness start to baby my pregnancy has been pretty drama free, with obvious pregnancy discomforts but nothing bad, and I`m considerably smaller and in a better physical place than with Kylun - a blessing in disguise considering the amount of running I do after that child. He does NOT stop. I could not have done that if I was in the same place I was with Kylun.

Now I just have to stop and realize I`m almost at the end and have been so blessed with such a smoother pregnancy. Now to get through labor again. ;)

Through wifely duties - What are those anyway? I've never been a very consistent 'typical' wife. I'm more of a go with the flow of the day sort of person. Adjust as you get there. I don't have 3 meals a day planned, ready to go, perfect laundry room, or tidy rooms all the time. I might meal plan, but not for specific days just to know I have a plan if I need one. hahahaa....

I have moments, don't get me wrong, I do get inspired to keep a perfect home every so often, or do it maybe when people come to visit just so I can relax while other people are in our space, but I accept that I have a toddler who converts a room from pleasant to disorderly in milli-seconds and keeping my wifely duties to that level right now is just not an option.

Pete's great too though, and he knows what he can and can't expect me to do. I don't conform very well to traditional wife style but that works for us, not just me. It's great because through it I've learned to invest more in the relationship of Pete and I and yes there are times when I just have to tidy areas and have things ready but really it's a joint effort and it keeps us working together, and honestly we do a much better job when we share the load than when one of us does it all or we split it up (and it's not just me saying it - ask Pete). Plus when you can't keep up with it all it makes you happier when you get one area completed. :)

And in General... - Trust is a good thing to learn, and hard all at the same time. I have found in all these areas trusting in God, my ability, and sometimes everyday situations turning out for the better or that they have a purpose or a plan is hard. I never was a person to struggle with trust. It has usually always come quite easily but since the store has been a part of the picture and little baby awaiting the moment of changing our home and making it more cozy I've definitely had moments with a lack of trust. Where trust has been a struggle at various points of the month. I have already seen a difference in my personal approach to those moments but still have a little ways to go.

God has challenged me with scenarios which have strengthened me and pushed me in numerous ways.

What have you been learning lately, or have you been challenged with?

Thanks for reading.

Liz

Maybe I'm a Dreamer...

2012-04-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

Wow has the last few months flown by. Since New Years we have since found out I'm pregnant with little Monkey #2, and bought a retail store: Lizzie Bits Baby Co.

This year is proving to be a great year for change, and new experiences. My goals this year, besides to survive and succeed in it, are to find a strong work/life/family balance as a new business owner, continue working on Minikin Monkeys on the side, even though it has definitely been put on the back burner the last few months with my mind consumed by other things, and manage to ease into being a mom of 2 while still in my 1st year with the store. Gah! :)

I am so excited for the adventure that we have been on, and what is to come. I'm excited to grow the store, be a part of a community, and also use the store as a great opportunity to bless and impact peoples lives. How and what that looks like right now is still taking shape, but I believe we were given this opportunity by God to use for His glory and my desire is that people see the passion I have to make it a community involved store and that the impact I make is valuable to peoples lives. This is not only through the products we sell, but also through whatever community involvement I can get myself into.

I am almost through my first full month of ownership and have learned a lot, observed a lot and been so amazed by how much I have learned in my retail and schooling past that has helped me, and gained me the opportunity to know what and how to handle certain situations.

I woke up this morning amazed as I thought of all the titles I have. Wife, mother, daughter, entrepreneur, aunt, daughter in law, sister in law, business owner (which comes with it's own crazy set of titles - buyer, manager, merchandiser, human resource manager, etc...).

It made me think back in time to school days. I'm a dreamer and always will be. I remember always thinking who would I become, what will I do, where will my career take me, how will I handle it, who will be by my side, who will support me, what will my life look like? All of course dreaming of the perfect scenario's. Maybe my life hasn't been perfect or followed in my ideal life image, however when you picture who you want to become and you actually become, or are close to being that person it is amazing. It's such a wonderful moment and realization.

I have had many things I think could've or maybe should've held me back in progressing forward, following my dreams, or attaining my goals, but somehow when I look back at those obstacles, they are mere little bumps in the road. Small stepping stones to reach greater things. Challenges to mould me and make me who I am today.

I still have a ways to go, and many more dreams to follow. I don't think dreaming for me will ever end, but for now I am content with where God has allowed me to get to. The challenges he's placed in my life which have all proven at some point to teach me, guide me, and make me wiser and stronger in all my 'Titles'.

I hope through this adventure of life, and especially this year that I may grow, be challenged more, and stretched to see my abilities and strengths get stronger, and more developed. To show myself and be an inspiration to my little family to follow dreams and never give up trying to move forward, to take steps towards excellence and seeing every moment and opportunity as stepping stones to better and greater things.

Those are my thoughts for today. Thanks for reading.

Liz

The Days of the Sick = Days of Inspiration

2012-03-06T14:27:00.001-08:00

What a beautiful day. The sun is shining, clear skies except for the odd happy little white cloud, and it's 1 degree outside, which to me sounds cold enough but all other signs outside yell and tempt me to emerge from my box and join in the sunshine.

I should be out for a walk or sitting in the sunshine outside with Kylun, but instead I sit on my couch for the 3rd or 4th day in a row sick as a dog with a cold I'm sure my little man passed onto me. I am dreadfully fighting through it as I can't take anything being pregnant.

I drink water, the odd cup of tea as I'm feeling quite dehydrated right now, frequent the chap-stick, and curl up with a blanket and my laptop filled with opportunities to waste the day, and relax. I try not to waste the whole day. I have responded to emails, looked up other fellow bloggers, found opportunities to research amazing fabric sites and research current and future spring and summer trends, have been inspired by creativity beautifully expanded on, prowled through Kijiji looking for my next projects and spent some time looking at recipes or feeling the urge to post some of the most recent recipes I've tried and LOVED. Some for simplicity and others for their amazing taste, or freezable ability.

Some sites, ideas, or blogs I've come across...for your own internet perusing.

1. The Handmade Home - blog

This blog blew me away. Such great ideas and inspirations. I found it searching for additional fabric sources on-line, preferably tried and true. My next few fabric purchases will definitely be on-line orders as the selection is phenomenal, and I spent about 2 hours perusing each site, until I was kindly asked to get off the computer and join the other living in the house.

Here is the blog post with the fabric sources for those of you interested or looking for variety and even to save money. Some of the sites, even though some American, had very reasonable or low shipping costs for us in Canada. Really a creative person's dream come true. I know what's going on my list for my birthday, Christmas, and any other excuse I can possibly find to indulge in beautiful fabrics. :)

2. Paper Thread Fabrics

This site is in addition to the list above. It's a great little site for fabric finds and a few other sewing and crafting tools, like patterns, and notions. I would say their selection sometimes does overlap some other sites, like many do, and is not as vast but still has some great fabric bundles, and choices available.

3. Purl Soho

Now this site is included in the Handmade Home list of fabric sites, however I really enjoyed it seeing as they don't just do fabric, but knitting, sewing, ideas, patterns, paper....giving you a variety of options and inspiration at your fingertips.

4. I Can Teach My Child

This website I only found out about because a fellow Facebook friend posted it today. What a great resource and site for your kids. It has lots of tools, articles, ideas, and wonderful ways to engage and teach your child at their level life skills, prepare them for kindergarten, and other life challenges and milestones. Now I'm not that far along on the teaching 'grid' however it really helps that I can have goals and a better focus of what I should be working on with Kylun.

I've always tried to encourage and challenge him with toys and tasks, and this site gives some good direction as to what I should be focusing on and what direction I'm to be headed. Great tools for parents.

5. Joyfolie

Okay so I might be a little obsessed, but these shoes are just to die for. Every season the styles get cuter, and they are just so trendy, fun, child friendly, and so much of my inspiration for my own moccasins and little shoes I make. I know I've mentioned them before, so I won't carry on much more, but really worth a look every season for all the amazing things this woman creates and new products, designs, and even just to look through the super cute marketing.

Okay, so those are just 5 of the latest/top picks of my sick-at-home perusing I've kept some of my time busy with.

Thanks for reading along.

The News

2012-03-01T19:02:00.000-08:00

Okay so the past few weeks, and couple of months seem like a blur but we've made it. Life has thrown us a lot and we look back happily. We were in Vancouver over Christmas, and then I had a very exhausting, sick, and what felt like the longest January EVER! February started turning up and there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel. We've been stretched in different directions, all for the good of the outcome, so good in the end, and well one thing got me through it all. There is an end. It comes around September 14th.

The end does leave a new beginning so that's also very exciting. Have you figured it out yet?

Yes, yes, yes....we are pregnant!!!

January Pete was away most of it, and I spent my days sick, and ridiculously exhausted laying on the couch, just doing the bare minimum, and let me tell you it was the bare minimum - my house was unrecognisable, my child left to play on his own, or in PJ's all day as we lazed around, and I 'survived' the early weeks. Take out or ordering in was my BEST friend through most of it. Buy dinner and have lunch for the next day too. :)

Maybe it was a good thing Pete was away because I was not a very good home maker. The house was in intense disarray when he did get home and I think it may have been a little overwhelming. :) That's life though and it has improved considerably at least as my energy levels have improved and I am reaching the hopefully better time of the pregnancy.

Well, there's some news for you all.

Thanks for reading along.

BUMP IT!

2012-03-01T18:29:00.000-08:00

So this past Sunday Minikin Monkey's (aka Me!) took part in the 2nd annual BUMP IT! Baby Shower trade show. The show focused on products, resources, and education for New parents or soon to be parents. There was a lot to take in. Booths with toys, breastfeeding area, cloth diapering 101, photography, clothes, and more.

It was my first show as a vendor and so the experience was good to have from a different angle. All in all it was great! I was able to make some good connections, meet people, and make personal sales. It was nice to see who my customers were in person and observe reactions, get feedback, and gain some great insight into bettering and growing Minikin Monkeys.

Here are some pictures of the day. I was able to take them fortunately reminded by someone else there taking pictures. I almost forgot.

Minikin Monkey's - not a lot of stock right now of shoes, but they ARE coming.

My 360 degree view.

Thanks for reading.

Chicken Salad Bundles

2012-02-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

So it's been a while since I've posted about food. Mostly because I was back in Vancouver over December and then have been less than inspired this past January. Now I also haven't been doing a lot of meal planning which helps with my inspiration but have got back into it. Partially out of lack of imagination and also because the last few times I have gone grocery shopping I walk out with food, but once I get home I realize I'm missing lots of things or bought necessities but none that work together, or can't make a good or quick meal (unless I include pasta).

So a couple of days ago I meal planned for the first time in about 2 months. I decided last night would be doing the simplest but really yummy Chicken Salad Bundles. A recipe I took from Life Made Delicious website. The are so easy to make and super quick, and perfect for those days when you have no time, or don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Throw together with a salad and you're done. Their also good I think for lunch or dinner, and you can always just dress it up with a variety of sides for a more elaborate dinner menu. These bundles work as a great follow up meal to chicken left overs.

So here they are.

Chicken Salad Bundles

Ingredients:

1 cup (250ml) diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup (125ml) grated Swiss or Cheddar cheese (I used mozzarella, really almost any kind of good grating cheese works well)
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup (50ml) mayonnaise (Olive oil mayonnaise is a personal favourite)
1 can (235g) Pillsbury Crescents (obviously you could also make your own dough if you prefer, but buying the can is definitely a time saver)

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 F (190 C)
Combine chicken, cheese, green onion and mayonnaise
Unroll dough and separate into 4 rectangles, pinching perforations to seal. Divide chicken mixture into 4 equal parts, placing in centre of rectangles. Pull 4 corners of dough to top centre of filling, twist firmly to seal.
Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes. Serve warm.

I haven't tried it yet but I'm sure you could adjust or add in other ingredients as you experiment with this recipe. I'd try peppers, ham or turkey, etc..

Hope you get a chance to try them. Their delicious and simple. Plus they make your house smell great. :) Pete loves them and there's never leftovers when I make them so definitely worth a try.

Thanks for following.

Series of Bumps and Bruises

2012-02-21T13:35:00.000-08:00

So last week Thursday Kylun decided to get some stitches. He was just by the window in our living room, which also happens to be next to the TV. I had just gone into the kitchen because Kylun had finished breakfast, but in the midst of getting breakfast done for him and then cleaning him up after he has scarfed down all his food I had not even managed to get my breakfast done, except for a cup of tea which was slowly getting colder. So I popped in there after getting him all cleaned up to make myself a bagel. I literally put the bagel into the toaster and pushed down when 2 seconds after I heard a big bang. Usually a bang of that volume means something has gone wrong.

Yup!

Kylun had slipped and smacked his head on the base of the TV stand. I still can't figure out exactly what he slipped on. There was nothing around him to slip on, so maybe his PJ pants? All I know is I came running out of the kitchen to find him scream-crying and blood just pouring down his face.

If there's one thing about me you should know in this scenario is that I do not do well with blood. A scratch maybe, a small cut perhaps, but gushing blood and an open wound that could practically talk I cannot handle very well.

When I first saw it I immediately went over and picked him up, blood dripping onto the floor and all over his clothes and well. As I said his face was covered in blood. I could not even process the blood. I sort of was just in the moment and then sort of panicked as I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do. I called Pete who came to my rescue luckily, because by that time I was feeling pretty light headed with all the blood.

What a great team we are. Pete came home and helped but seeing the open wound got him nauseas and he ended up puking, and I could barely look at poor Kylun. By this time Kylun had stopped crying but was definitely uncomfortable. We did manage to get a steri-strip and band-aid on his wound and go to the hospital.

The bloody face after we managed to get a bit of the blood cleaned off. Before Pete puked. :)

The had to sedate Kylun to get the stitches done. Again I was confronted with facing another queasy 'topic' of needles. I cannot deal very well with needles. I had to hold him down while they put an IV in his hand. Pete was finding parking so I got to do the honours. :) Gah, talk about a day of facing your most avoided tummy 'swirlers'.

It was funny to watch Kylun come out from being sedated. The kid was so drugged. He was such a trooper though, and the visit to the hospital from arrival to back at home was 2 hours. I was pretty happy with that, especially when we had to stay an hour to let the sedation wear off.

Here are some pictures of the poor kid coming out of his sedation.

Well since the stitches it's been a collection of bumps and bruises accumulating on my poor boys body as he trips and bails it seems every 5 minutes these days. Growth spurt I'm sure, as some of his pants have suddenly started to veer on the edge of to wear or to throw on the too-small pile?

Yesterday was another round of blood as he fell backwards (again, my guess would be he tripped on his feet or the carpet in his room), and knocked his head against his little wooden toy cart we use to store some books. I was in there sorting some toys and putting things away and literally turned around as he was falling giving no time to even try and catch him.

He was not impressed with the fall to say the least. just came to me crying, and I rubbed his head and took a look but just seemed like he took a bad hit until I looked him in the face again. And there was more blood. not as much as on Thursday but blood all around his mouth. It looks like he bit his top lip and cut a bit of his gum by his top teeth. Frozen yogurt to the rescue and it would've been impossible to get any ice in there. I could barely open his mouth because he wouldn't let me.

The joys of having a boy.

A friend shared a post from another blog called 'Why Boys Need Mothers' and let me tell you it made me smile seeing the pictures of what could be to come. I look forward to some fun, crazy, and heart stopping moments and memories. I just remind myself that this is what they do, this is what makes them grow up, build character, and become men. It's in their composition. I just have to embrace it and work with it as Kylun challenges and pushes himself (and those around him) to the boyish limits.

He'll survive, they always do.

Thanks for reading.

Bare With Me!

2012-02-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

If you've been checking out my blog the last few hours you may have noticed some inconsistencies with the blog backgrounds, and overall esthetics.

I'm experimenting with the look so please bare with me as I attempt my un-technical savvy hand at trying some blogging changes.

I should have made up my mind (at least for now) by the end of the day.

Thanks again!

Liz

XLR8! Kids Music

2012-02-13T17:43:00.000-08:00

The last 4 weeks Pete has been away for work, which ultimately has left me being a stand in single Mom. Not something I enjoyed at all. I don't know how single parents do it, but after the last few weeks I've got to say I commend you.

One of the things that got us through the days most of the time was music. Now in our house our music selection right now is limited due to boredom after listening to the same CD's or music on our computer over and over again. However there is one CD of Kylun's, well let's not lie, it was really mine first and I secretly listened to it every time I was in the car, at home, or wherever I could, that I never seem to tire of. Having Kylun just made it more legit to listen to since hey it's for him right? ;)

The Cd is XLR8!

Andrew Holliday Photography

I might seem a little biased because I know the people in the group, and Megan is my sister in law, however they are great. The best part about this CD is that it teaches kids about Christian values, is fun, and seriously you can listen to over and over without wanting to throw something at the CD player. Fun upbeat music you can dance to, solid lyrics, fun, and easy on the ears.

If you're looking for some good Christian kids music (or really just want some fun music even for yourself) you should check them out on iTunes and definitely check out their website at http://www.xlr8kids.net/. You can check out group updates, learn about all the groups members, and even BOOK them for your own show or event. Worth a peek.

Hope you check them out, and at least give them a listen.

Thanks for reading along.

Raw Reflections of Youth Ministry

2012-02-01T00:28:00.000-08:00

I don`t know if it`s the fact that I am moved every time I see kids I youth sponsored years back moving forward with their lives (especially if their moving forward in awesome directions), the fact that I was reminded this past week how much I miss hanging with youth especially when I know my old youth group is in dire need for leaders, or the fact that I am listening to Amazing Grace online by a young 7 year old that gives me hope, and encouragement for the future of the next generations ability and faith to carry on His will and plans.

I have been reflecting much on my time the past 9 years having done youth ministry. I miss it, and crave the ability to spend time with some of the most amazing people of our society. This year we chose not to take part in ministry, at least not on a consistent basis. I think to think that as a Christian you can `get away` without serving is crazy to me. As Christians service and ministry should be an automatic action. How that looks in different peoples lives might differ. For us this year we choose this year as a time to refresh and commit to ministry on small and personal levels. One-on-one, or temporary comittments as opposed to year long youth, or ministry areas. Diversify, refresh and refuel, and get prepped for another year of ministry to come.

I am encouraged when I see youth following Christ in an active way, especially if they went through struggling years with their faith or life wise. I am reminded that even though their progress, accomplishments, and choices are not directly linked to me that I may have had something to do with God`s plan in their lives. I may have been an impact, but most of all they have all impacted me beyond measure. Many of whom don`t even know it. I have learned more through my youth girls in the past than I have on my own at times.

Ability to grow, change, and adapt without fear or hesitation. An ability to overcome, fight, and persevere without judgement or popularity in the way of their choices. To make it through messes, chaos, and close to natural disasters and come out on top. This is some of what I have witnessed in my years in ministry.

I remember every time I saw youth getting baptised the tears that would well up or burst out. Even for those kids I may not have had the opportunity to bond with 100%. These kids making life long public commitments to their faith and not being held back by fear, but encouraged through their strength in Christ to walk them through.

One thing I always tried to maintain was an open channel of communication with my youth girls. I always told them whatever they needed, at whatever time it was, if they needed they could call me. I chose to allow them to have access to me as their leader any time they needed. I remember one night being woken up at about 3 or 4 in the morning by a phone call. I saw the name of one of my youth girls and was woken quickly with excitement that they felt comfortable calling no matter the time. `Hello` I said excited to be able to help, and overjoyed again that they had called. The phone call was some of my girls having a sleep over and testing out my `policy`.

I could`ve reacted in terrible ways and scolded them for calling so late without a real reason, or emergency. I could`ve given them all a hard time or told their parents, but instead I stopped myself. I chose to live up to my word. I chatted with them for a little while asked them what they were doing at their sleep over at such a late time in the night. They told me straight out that they were seeing if it was true that if they called that I wouldn`t get mad and actually be there for them. Now, aren`t I glad I didn`t get mad. :)

Those moments are amazing. How many people have or have had someone they can literally call at any time of the night to talk - no strings attached, no issue or question. I know I didn`t have that person growing up.Sure we have our parents, and maybe siblings, but are any of them going to pick up the phone and allow you to test their `policy` without giving you heckÉ Some maybe, but in general probably not. I love the insanity of this ministry. The fun, the excitement, the opportunity.

One of my die hard favourite things about ministry is seeing kids develop and grow into who they are, seeing them make decisions with thought - from their own abilities and minds, and ultimately seeing their faith unravel into something beautiful. Some kids get lost along the way, but even in those instances knowing God has this amazing `above us` plan for their lives, and we just got to see a glimpse of that magnificent plan. Who knows what impact we may have had on them anyway. Someday down the road of life something clicks, and maybe they are brought back to their youth days.

I am just so overjoyed that we had the opportunity to grow and serve some of the most amazing people living today. Not the next generation, or the slowly emerging generation but TODAY`S generation.

Those are my reflections of youth ministry for you. Thanks for reading.

The January Update

2012-01-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here with Kylun asleep in the quiet of my home at my kitchen table. Tea should be by my side, but I have not got up to make myself a cup yet.

The snow outside is everywhere. It has snowed over the past week or so over a foot (probably about a foot and a half actually). I am not a person who really enjoys, likes, or feels excited about venturing out in this sort of weather, so for the past week except in 'an absolute must' I have stayed in, worked on projects at home, like my collection for Spring of Minikin Monkeys, and solved home issues, like our pipes freezing and leaving us with no water. I was not so excited about that one, but luckily we were able to find a plumber that could come and fix the problem, about 8 hours after I called, but better than most of the other companies where the wait time was 2-3 days for a plumber.

Kylun has decided over the past week or so not to sleep well through the night, and that has not helped me. We did have one night that went well, but in general poor sleep for both of us. He was teething again so that has been 'fun'.

I have to say my new years challenges have gone so so. I still have some things I need to work on such as the creative everyday or doing something for me or a friend each week. But alas we have all year to get it right, right?

Well today marks some fun to get done. I am very behind in laundry partially due to our pipe situation which knocked me back a bit in progress, and partially because I have been unmotivated. Let's be honest who really enjoys laundry? I tend to end up washing a load when I really run out of clothes or necessities, and so then I do what I think I want to wear that week and put off the rest till later. Well not all the time, I do have some good laundry days where I complete a lot of the laundry but this week has just been terrible for that. I always seem to get Kylun's and Pete's laundry done, but I guess by the time I get to mine I'm just tired of laundry.

I also want to try and finish cutting and putting together some of the Spring items for Minikin Monkeys. I have a slew of blankets to get done, bibs to finish, and then a whole bunch of moccasins and shoes to get done. I am taking part in the 2nd annual BUMP It! Baby shower trade show in Kamloops, and still have a lot of work left to do for it. I'm excited as it will be my first show, and I'm excited to see how it does and get one on one feedback or customer observation to get a better feel for what sells and what entices. I am working on a small part of the collection which is all organic fabrics, so I am especially excited to see how those do, and what sells from that.

Well there's a little update. Thanks for reading.

Liz

Not Resolutions

2012-01-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

So with every year that passes people always tend to make resolutions and then fail on them within a few months, or two, or mere days. At least that's the sense I get from everyone I know who makes resolutions. Since I can remember, besides when I was forced to write resolutions at school for projects, I have always waited until late January or February to really find a few things that I want to challenge myself with. I don't like the idea of resolutions as I find them too frustrating, and I will fail at them, however I do like and very much enjoy the idea of creating goals that I have the year to attain - hopefully.

I have recently been reading through various blogs, some of friends, and some of just blogs I like to follow where most people have stated the same thing. Instead of resolutions they've put out a list of things they want to get done this year. I really like that idea, because it gives you a goal yet allows you the flexibility to pick and choose, and not stress over it. Plus if some goals are not met this year, you can always carry them on into next. :)

So here's my current list of 10 - although knowing me I'm sure this list will expand expedentially like I tend to like to do, adding projects, and new challenges.

Spend more time with God by being in the Word more regularly & making active decisions to memorize, and apply scripture daily. Discipline!
Make or do something creative every week for myself, family, home, or friends.
Try a new recipe every1-2 weeks minimum
Spend more time on photography - 'real' photography with film.
Be more intentional about meeting with friends, listening better, and going out of my way for people. Try and make this something I do every week in some way.
Read through my many books. Would like to say I can commit to a book a month, but not sure that's realistic, so a book every 2 months.
Spend more intentional one on one time with Kylun this year - Mommy & son dates. All about him!
Be consistent in prioritizing a date night every 2 weeks, or month with Pete.
Try and find an exercise routine that works for me to be more active and that can work on any given day. With that, find a way to be motivated somehow. :)
Try and remember all family birthdays this year. Last year I remembered exactly 4 out of my side of the family, out of 33. Not too impressive really.

So that's my list of goals for this year. What are your goals?

Thanks for reading along.