It's Christmas Week!

Our family letter this year.

This has been one hell of a year. The summer started off great. We were going to go too the beach when ever possible. We were going to visit my family often. Yeah none of that happened.

The kids and I were in a car accident. Most of summer ruined fighting autopac and not having a vehicle. I made the most of it, trying to do as much as we could around the neighbourhood. We did end up getting a new 2011 dodge caravan. It is super nice and a nice bright orange color. I love it!

Then my dear friend and her family had a house fire. Trying to help her through that, not much physically that can be done. She's a trooper and is managing to deal with it, with as much grace as she can. We thought o.k we're in the clear, then her husband is in a terrible car accident. I'm thankful the car took most of the damage. They are enjoying their time together. He is finally starting back to work on a part-time bases. Their kids love having daddy home with them.

Then I got one of the worst calls a person can ever get. My mom lost her fight with colon cancer; at the tender age of 53. Having to bury her was horrible.... There is a bright side, my brothers and I got to spent some time just the three of us. We had a road trip too Nova Scotia, 20 hours of driving there and back. I saw my dad for the first time in 10 years. I know my mom would have loved us getting to reconnect.

Our kids are doing wonderful. Nathan is thriving in french school. I really don't think there are many worries with him. He needs to learn to control his temper. He's a cheeky little guy who loves to make everyone laugh. Clayton is improving in french every day. We found a website that reads the french numbers and has them from 0-100. He's been practicing and doing so well. Payton is getting better with her shyness. I've convinced her that having more then one friend is better then just having one friend. I'm still trying to get her to stick up for herself. I'm not sure what she's afraid of?? Faith is little miss attitude. She's a pre-teen and makes sure everyone knows it. She's a very caring person and mothers her siblings like crazy! I don't know what I would do without her lol.

Dustin has decided to paint the kids rooms this fall. The boys have a new jet themed room. The girls room looks lovely with yellow and blue. We have also taken out the dresser in the boys room and put in shelving. So far so good! Dustin is still loving work. He has managed to attend three winnipeg jets game this fall.

I have no children at home during the day. Yes you guessed it I'm back to work. I work at a local school as the lunch room supervisor. I enjoy talking to the kids, they always have interesting points of view on life subjects.

I'm hoping this year brings us better tidings then last year.
Merry Christmas from the Wilson's

A Bunch of Sentences

Well it's almost that time of year again... Christmas Time. It's alittle hard. I pulled out all the christmas cards I've been saving over the last years. There were ALOT of them. I threw out the ones that don't mean anything too me and kept the ones from my mom. It kinda makes me said that I'll never be called sister, sister susie or any of the other nicknames she called me. My dad has nicknames of his own for each kid. I read over the cards and started to cry :0(

Anyways, this year I'm not all that interested in getting a professional family picture taken. We've done one every year since Faith was born. But let's face it, it's a waste of money. I don't see any of Dustin's family putting those pictures up. Even the kids school pictures. I refused to pay all that money, so we only got the basic packages. I have friends who appreciate the pictures more then the family does. So we are just going to take a picture ourselves and mail it out to people.

I finally get to have my family around for christmas this year. You have no idea how much that means to me. It's been 10 years since I got to share christmas with someone (other then my kids) who actually make me feel welcome and wanted.

I don't know how well christmas is going to go this year. I'm angry over somethings that happened this summer/fall and don't know if I can or even want to keep it to myself anymore. The kids and I were in the car accident and my friends were there for me more then "family" was. I got a hug weeks later and a "we were so worried about you" which basically meant nothing to me. Even Dustin didn't drop everything and come running, cause of course I wouldn't need moral support that would be too obvious. My mom passed away and all I got is a card "sorry for your loss" Everytime there was a loss in their family I was there to support them. I know I shouldn't expect anything from them, based on past experience, but come on alittle compassion would have been something more then what I got. I know you might think I'm being selfish, but that's how I feel. My dad who hasn't been married to my mom for more then 17 years and his girlfriend dropped everything and drove 12 hours to be with us. That's kinda what most people expect from "family".

Anyways I am looking forward to christmas with a break from our daily routines. I'm hoping there will be alittle bit more snow, so the kids have something to play in and do over the holidays.

Children's Museum

We went for the first time to the children's museum in Winnipeg. The kids had so much fun. This is a picture of us leaving. We got a goody bag and some balloons.

Pay it Forward

I find it interesting in this day and age, that there are actual movements in the Canada and the US about “Pay it forward”. I was doing web searches for a newspaper and I came across this http://www.chieftain.com/life/local/here-are-some-easy-ways-to-pay-it-forward/article_5932b212-04eb-11e1-b0aa-001cc4c002e0.html

Where basically they say donate blood, clean your local park and donate gently used clothing. Really?? We have to have a movement for this? Isn’t this just common sense?

To me paying it forward is paying someone’s Timmie’s bill for them, or small acts of kindness. Not simple common courtesies like holding a door for someone behind you, moving over on the sidewalk so you don’t take up the whole sidewalk, and saying thank-you when receiving Halloween candy.

Has our society really become that self involved? That common courtesies have to have a “movement”?

Favorites

So I was watching Anderson yesterday. His show was about Mom's having favorite kids. They say that every mom out there has a favorite, they just don't talk about it. I find that interesting... one mom yesterday was absolutely favoring one child over the other. She openly admitted it. How is the other child going to feel later in life??

So growing up my mom totally had a favorite. You'd think it was me cause I'm so awesome, well you'd be wrong. My older brother was totally the favorite. Then ten years later my younger brother became the favorite. Need examples, o.k I'll give you some.
- mom had pictures taken with each child when they were babies... she blew up the ones with the boys and hung them on the wall.
- mom would take Nic out of school for a "special day" these happened quite often... on a side note I did enjoy going to school and Nic didn't
- mom and dad had a plaque with Nic's birth info engraved on it.
- there were 2 times more photos of the boys then me hanging up on the walls. I actually went around one time and counted them, just to prove a point. That is when she blow up a baby picture of me and her and hung it on the wall.
- mom had a huge photo frame of Nic and then Chris of all their baby pictures.
- Nic could do no wrong and I was the one who had to take care of my younger brother when mom was working. She later told me that she was harder on me because I was the girl and she was trying to make me more of a responsible, independent person

The photo thing still bugs me to this day. That is why when I put photos together of my own kids I make sure there is equal number of each child.

I asked my kids "does mom have a favorite?" Faith said yes me, Clayton said yes me, Payton said yes Nathan, Nathan said yes me. How funny is that? I do tell them at different times that they are my favorite. You are my favorite Faith in the whole world... which is totally true they are my favorite out of the whole world. I've also whispered in their ear that they are my favorite child.

I can remember one time when a friend said to me that she always thought she was her parents favorite child, only to find out they had been saying it too both children through out their childhood. Each child grew up believing they were the favorite and not to tell the other one cause it would hurt their feelings.

So do you have a favorite child? do you let on that they are your favorite? Do I have a favorite child? yes, but it changes with how I feel about the children on any given day.

My Mom - Anna Mae Robicheau

My mom died on September 6 2011. How crazy is that? She fought a good fight but cancer kicked her ass literally and figuratively. The last picture of her was in April when her sister came for a visit. I hardly recognized her. It's sad that cancer can change someones looks so much.

Someone dieing at the age of 53 is not right. She still had years, she was still healthy, she still had grandkids she'll never meet. There was still so much I wanted to do with her.... I wasn't finished with her. My brothers weren't finished with her.

I think it says alot about a person, the amount of people who come to share at a funeral/memorial. She effected people greatly. I don't even think she knew how much she effected these people. I know for a fact if we were somewhere more central, mom's memorial would have been over flowing and not with people who felt obligated to come. These would have been people who knew her and loved or hated her.

Mom fought stage 4 colon cancer, she was diagnosed a year and half ago. I'm sure she had it longer but her being her never went and got checked. Some of it was the doctors she saw initially, some of it was her fault. I read somewhere that stage 4 you have about 2 years. She knew and never said anything..... never said anything. She wouldn't even tell me it was colon cancer it was always bowel cancer. Or this hospital doesn't do stages.

I spoke with her the night she died. She sounded in so much pain. Her words were slurred and she sounded tired. It was a 2 minute conversation. Hi mom I just wanted to check on you. How's the leg? Oh it's getting better. I feel so much better. Then she was talking to a nurse, I think she was getting changed. I'm going to stay in the hospital until I get this leg fixed. I said did Barb call you? Yes I talked with her for a bit. I have to sleep now, I'm tired bye baby. That was it the last conversation I had with my mom hours before she died. I got off the phone and told Dustin.. she's not doing well, she doesn't sound good at all. I had planned on phoning her doctor in the morning and found out what was going on. Talking with mom's friend later I found out that mom planned to be found in the morning by one of her favorite nurses. She knew.... she knew... and said nothing. I'm angry over that, things feel undone. She died by herself, I never got to say goodbye.

I never took my kids or husband with me to the funeral. With where she lived and what we had to do, we cleaned out her apartment. We traveled 20 hours to NS to bury her with her father. Something I know she would have wanted. She loved him even though she's spent more of her life without him then with him. I want my kids to be able to say goodbye. I want the feeling that she knew how much we cared for her.

If you have cancer or some other disease where you know the diagnose is not good. Please tell your family. Yes you have the right to die how you want. But your family needs to know, they need time to prepare... they need to be able to say goodbye. You can't go along and say everything is fine, I'm getting better, I'm doing o.k. when you know you're not. When you die yes it will be a shock but maybe your family will be alittle prepared. Maybe they will be able to wrap their heads around how it could happen.

I'm hoping there is a heaven where every now and then mom; you'll look down on us and smile.

Photo Challenge Day 6 - Childhood Memory

So my favorite childhood memory is roasting marshmallows on a fire. We didn't do it very often only when we went camping and we only camped once or twice during the summer. I don't have any pictures cause my parents have the albums. So I thought I would share my friends and my kids doing what I love to do. I forgot how much I loved roasted marshmallows until we started doing it again.

I'm going to be away for a few days. But I'll catch up with the photos when I get back.

Photo Challenge Day 5-Someone I love

Well this is a hard post. Do I focus on just one individual? Do I do a group? Do I do just my small family? It's hard to just pick one.

So I picked them all. This is my family about 2 years ago. The only person missing is my dad. I love them; all some more then others, but the love is still there. This is my husband and my kids, my brothers family and his kids, my mom and my younger brother.

It's just to hard to pick....

Photo Challenge Day 4-Favorite Color

My favorite color is yellow. Although I don't wear it often. I do really like it. The kids all have yellow clothes. I took this picture last night of Payton after our friends wedding.

I love this yellow dress; although this is the first time she's worn it and she's had it for over a year now. I don't think her favorite color is yellow.

Photo Challenge Day 3-Clouds

I took these pictures last night. There were a ton of clouds in the sky. I was playing with the different setting on my camera so the clouds look more menacing then what they really were. I think they look good. What do you think?





I used other setting on the camera other then the manual one. We had a huge rainstorm last night, so yesterday after supper was the perfect time to get a cloud picture.

Tune in tomorrow to see what the picture is going to be!

Photo Challenge Day 2-What I Wore

So this is it.... Me; this is what I've worn almost every day this summer. Tank top and shorts. It's been so hot this summer, that the last time I wore a t-shirt was Canada day. Can't you tell I got one of the children to take the picture lol.

Photo Challenge Day 1-self portrait

I took this picture at christmas time. I'm the one always behind the camera. I almost NEVER get my picture taken. Not because I don't want too, mostly because Dustin doesn't care about pictures so he doesn't want to take pictures. If and when he does, they are out of focus or why in the hell would you take that picture, picture. You all know what I mean. So I'm either left with taking my own picture; or getting my daughter to do one and they turn out like this

not that this is horrible, she's getting alot better. I learned early on to sit when she's taking pictures or else I get the up the body look. But this isn't really a picture of myself that I would show to everyone. You can see everything (all the mess) in the back ground.

Come back tomorrow to see photo challenge day 2.

Photo Challenge

So a friend on another blog did a photo challenge last month and I really enjoyed seeing what photos she came up with and what she had to say about each one. So I thought hey I want to do that too. So this month I'm doing the photo challenge. Here is the list of things:

Wordless Wednesday

My Little Man

My little man is growing up. He's going to be 5 in november which means he's going to be in school for 5 days aweek. He's my last baby and this is the start of when they pull away. He's not going to be around me 24/7; he's not going to be asking me for help; or looking at me for comfort every time he needs it. Faith was going to school I thought YES! When the twins went to school I thought YES! When Nathan goes to school I think NO! This really is an end of one chapter in my life and the start of a new one. Dustin's hounding me about a job, which won't be easy to come by, because of the holidays, inservice and sick days the kids will have once school starts. Not to mention summer holidays. YUCKS! see what I mean about opening a new chapter. Things are a-changing and not always for the better.

Cottage

Our cottage is coming along so well. Dustin is doing an awesome job. I finally got the kids up there to see it. Clayton kept saying "I want to go back tomorrow" I'm like "I'm not driving all this way home just to turn around again". He was not happy with me about that lol.

The kids had so much fun, frog, snakes, and sand; what more can they ask for? We roasted marshmallows on the fire and had some s'mores. The boys of course got foam insulation all over their hands... boys will be boys. I can't wait to stay up there and take the kids for a boat ride.

It's so quiet and peaceful, except for the kid across the street how was riding their mini quad up and down the street. The dogs were covered with flies and barked alot cause they weren't near me.
All in all it was a good day and can't wait for many more.

Selkirk Dodge Dealership: My New Van!

So as most of you know I got into a car accident just over a month ago. Through no fault of my own a Bison semi changed lanes and altered our summer and not for the better. We were without a family vehicle for 1 month. Which let me tell you SUCKS! No more beach, no more summer activities until we settled with MPI. MPI is a whole nuther discussion which I won't get into cause it still makes me angry. Anyways we finally settled for less then what we wanted but at least it was more then they offered.

So I got a new dodge caravan. I actually got the color I wanted... mango-tango. Which I'm so pleased with. I haven't picked a color of vehicle since two vehicles ago when the only color was red or white. This color was super hard to find with all the options we wanted. We could have found one with less options, but Dustin wasn't willing to do that. He kept telling me "I found a grey one, I found a blue one." He's like "what alternative color do you want?" I was like "if we've exhausted our search then I'll tell you, otherwise I'm not saying because you'll be like well this is the only color I can find." I'm so happy I stuck to my guns and got the color I wanted.
I've had it about a week and I went to a parking lot and I could pick out my van from all the other ones. You have no idea how many times I've tried to get into other people vehicles.

So my new van has a gps, usb, and blue tooth, mind you I don't have a usb port to plug in, nor a cell phone lol, but the options are there lol. I've already plunked in a few of our favorite hot spots into the gps, just cause it's fun lol.

If you are ever in need of a vehicle don't use the city dealers, go to Selkirk dodge dealer. We bought a few vehicles from him and he couldn't be nicer. He was willing to search and work with us and not make us pay a non-refundable down payment. He actually found my van and had it shipped to him before we even agreed to buy from him. But as soon as he did, we dropped everything to go and get it. He remembered us from 7 years ago when we bought our other van. How awesome is that?

Anyways I know your all waiting to see a picture of it so here it is:






Isn't it pretty?

Saturday

Today was a kinda busy kinda lazy day. With being home with the kids yet again all by myself, while Dustin goes to the cottage to finish building it.

I got the kids up this morning and told them to wear something nice. We went to the local green space and I snapped a couple pictures of them. Faith is getting to be good at ideas for pictures and of course she's super helpful with getting the kids to do what I want them too.

There were a few yells, a couple of tears, some bribing, but lots of smiles in the end. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Manitoba Families of Multiples

FALL Used Clothing & Toy Sale 2011

Our biggest event and we are inviting the public!!!

Our Fall Venue is...

Charles Barber Arena
(500 Nathanial Street)
on

SATURDAY AUGUST 27TH

General Public is invited to shop starting at 10:30a.m.

Come early & bring a bin to use as a cart.

Be prepared to save $$$ on gently used baby & children's clothing
as well as toys and equipment!

Cash sales only!!!
No admission fee!

Don't miss out on this one!

Please remember that the doors close at 1:30pm

Wordless Wednesday

Van vs Bison semi

We were all ready to go visit Dustin at our halfway made cabin this past Sunday. We didn't make it very far only about 2 km's from home. It's true when they say "most accidents happen within sight of home".

Needles to say we were sideswiped by a Bison semi with two trailers. I have no idea what he was doing... not paying attention obviously but other then that???? He kept driving while my life flashed before my eyes. Three of the kids were on that side of the van... it could have been worse.... a lot worse. No one was hurt, just shaken, scared, and angry; but no physical injuries.

Dustin was talking to Payton afterwards and she was like "the trailer was right beside me really close". She's the one who if you ask will say "we were almost killed!"

I'm not going into details yet... because Dustin wants me to wait until everything is done first. But I still have nightmares of what could have happened. The side of the van was open like a soup can. Faith could have been hurt lot worse. Most of the damage is done to the passenger side door where she was sitting.

I'm going to be thankful instead of angry.
I'm thankful it's only the van that's broken.
I'm thankful I didn't have the dogs with me.
I'm thankful Dustin just happened to answer his phone.
I'm thankful when I said to my friend please just come, she dropped everything to come get us.
I'm thankful that same friend lent me her cell phone to use to make those calls.
I'm thankful a police officer just happened to be driving by and stopped to see if we were alright.
I'm thankful I didn't *lose it* until after the accident was over.
I'm thankful someone was watching over us.

I'm going to be thankful when we're done dealing with MPI.
I'm going to be thankful when we have a new vehicle to drive.

Strawberry Picking at Grenkow's

We were there the first day right at 8:00. The kids love picking berries and it only took just under an hour to pick 4-4L pails of heaping berries. This year Payton had the strawberries all over her mouth. I love going to Grenkow's they are always so nice, and it's really close to the house. If the kids pick berries in other rows (so far) nobody has yelled at them. I'm so glad that a few years ago I just decided that's it I'm just going to go. Although that was the year my mom visited so I did have help just in case the kids wouldn't listen. We've eaten 2 buckets so far and glad we froze the other two.

Exercise Plan week 5

So I've noticed a difference in my body, more specifically my belly this week.
Last summer I had lost a ton of weight because of my kidney stones and not eating for about a week once a month. Then when I finally got that resolved I gained back that weight. Which is why I'm on this eating right plan. So after 5 weeks of cutting crap out (more or less) I've noticed a difference. Yeah me! I can't go by what my scale says because it's broken and doesn't give accurate readings (although I do like those readings better lol).
So Monday was a good day, but I had ice cream at night
Tuesday was a good day
Wednesday was an o.k day but I was super grumpy
Thursday I ate a donut. I know...
Friday I did have chips
So that was my week. Thank god movie night and snack night was on saturday so I don't feel obligated to tell you about the baked tortilla cheesecake I ate, or the half bag of chips I had on sunday. Although you will be proud of me I did NOT have pop at the restaurant on saturday. I stuck with water and a lemon. I'm super proud of myself. I normally get pop and then have horrible gas pains that night and into the morning ( a bit of an over share, but there it is).

I've thought for awhile now that I'm allergic to dark pop. But have never gotten it confirmed or talked to my doctor about it. Dark pop ie coke, pepsi, dr pepper and root beer, is the root of all things gas pained related for me. I've noticed that I don't have those horrible pains now that I've (more or less) cut pop out of my daily life.

That's my over share for the day. Hope you enjoyed it!

Schools?? Who Needs Them???

Seriously do we really need schools? It's just been a pain in my ass all this year. The twins are not the most cooperative children around. They feel if they want to do something they should be able to do it. I would much prefer them to be in separate classrooms. They rely to much on each other. It might not be obvious; but they are aware of what each other are doing at all times.

They are in french school not french immersion. The teacher feels that Payton does not understand what is going on. When the teacher gives directions, Payton will come up to her afterwards and ask for confirmation on the instructions. I don't see that as a bad thing. When I was a customer service representative, I always had to repeat what the person said so I know and they know that I heard them correctly. When you go to restaurant, they repeat what you say as well. I just don't understand why the teacher is saying that's a bad thing.

I don't really care if she doesn't stand up in front of the group and talk. She's self-conscious, a perfectionist, and doesn't like to be wrong. Yes I do think she needs to be pushed into doing things that make her uncomfortable, but can I *make* her do things? No not really. It's very frustrating when the teacher has it in her head that they are this way and won't or can't adjust her teaching style to suit all the kids in the class. Basically this year was a waste because the teacher couldn't teach them in the way they needed.

So if your child doesn't fit into the *box* is school really necessary for them, or is it just a type of torch-er? I really hope their teacher next year can teach them not judge them.

Life is way to stressful with kids in your life!

Cottage

So the cottage is coming along. Dustin is happy with progress so far. They have cement the piles and put up a cement wall around the garage area. I guess the gravel didn't make it there till sunday. So they spent most of the weekend cleaning up some of the trees and brush that was piled up. I think by late August early September we'll be able to go up there for a weekend. It will be so much fun to have somewheres to get away too. So just about every other weekend Dustin will be away this summer. Not that it really makes much difference to me as we almost never have plans on the weekends.

length of the cottage

the garage

the driveway

Exercise Plan week 4

Alittle late posting this.

Monday was a good day
Tuesday Dustin was in Fort Frances, which typically means we eat out. But not this week.
Wednesday was a good day
Thursday was a good day
Friday I ate some ice cream.

The weekends I don't have any restrictions but I find I'm still eating pretty well. We did have chips on saturday and sunday. I also had to have a pop because Dustin was away and the kids were driving me nuts on sunday.

Curly Hair Solutions

So as most of you can see from my profile picture I have curly hair. I have a love hate relationship with my curly hair.

As a child I hated it. There were no products (or I should say no affordable products), I always had the afro look. My hair was big and fizzy and just plain crazy. I would wear hats in the house just to get the puffiness down. I would wear it in a ponytail. I was always really good at *doing* my hair. I've had it everywhere from really short to shoulder length. My dad always told me I just didn't have the type of hair to be able to have it long. Hair dressers never knew what to do with it. They would layer it, thin it or just sit there confused. I would always have this bell look, if you have curly hair you know what I mean. And of course I would explain to them what I wanted and they just didn't get it. Some would straighten my hair and then cut it, some would put a comb through it; those were so painful. Good thing I had a hard scalp. It wasn't until high school when I even considered letting it go curly and wear it down. They started coming out with affordable products. Although some claimed to be able to do things and it just didn't work.
I finally got feedup with my hair and started doing research on the internet. I only wanted Canadian products because I did not want to spend a ton of money.
Then a couple of years ago so almost into my thirties I found this website. Curly Hair Solutions http://www.frizzoff.com/. Let me tell you this site was a life saver! Not only does it have products that work, they are not alcohol based so safe to use. Plus if you don't wash your hair ever day (which your not suppose too with curly hair) this product can be reactivated with water. So most days I can just spray (with a spray bottle) water on my hair, fluff it back up and off I go. How amazing is that???
Now of course I love my hair and wouldn't consider straightening it; which I was very temped to do. I love volume in my hair the more the merrier lol. I finally broke down and bought their bone comb which if you do research you will find that it is the best type of comb for curly hair. I just used it today for the first time... omg I should take a picture of my hair, it curled so nice and no frizzy. I love it.

This product also works on my daughters hair; which she's 6 and has told me many times "Mom you have ugly hair" She hates curls, and yes she will be the one to have curly hair like me. My oldest daughter of course can't be left out and I let her use the leave -in conditioner it actually makes her straight hair look and feel healthier.

I encourage you to check out the website and have a look around. I bought the big bottle 1 liter which is a bit expensive but I've had it for almost a year now.

I love my curly hair now, it just took 30 years to find the right product.

TLC'S Show Operation Homecoming

Seriously this new show made me teary eyed. How crazy is that??

If you don't know what I'm talking about TLC has a new show operation homecoming where Billy Ray Cyrus helps US soldiers surprise their loved ones after they come home from a military tour over in Iraq. If you haven't seen it you should the kids faces alone are priceless.

So I was watching it and I got alittle choked up. The moms and kids were so surprised. I can remember being that kid waiting for my dad. I can remember one where we were at a train station (mind you my dad never went to Iraq or Afghanistan) and my brother and I and a few other kids would put our ears on the train rails and listen for the train to come. I think I remember it because a film crew was there and my mom recorded it off the tv later. I think she still has it. It got choked up about that because I can remember being in that position.

So it airs Monday nights on TLC, if you haven't watched it you should, it will give you alittle insight to what the families of these military Canadian and US go through when their loved ones are away for 12 months or longer.

Exercise Plan week 3

So let's be honest it was my birthday last week so there was some spoiling going on.

Monday followed the plan but had ice cream after supper
Tuesday of course eat cake and ice cream 1 500ml of pop
Wednesday ate some more cake and ice cream
Thursday I was out running around and took the kids to McD's
Friday had ice cream after supper

All in all really not a bad week, but still could do better. I find on the weekends when I can or am "allowed" treats I find I'm not that interested in eating them. I have gone to the superstore a few times and none of those times did I come out with a case of pop. How wonderful is that? Cause I know if it's in the house I will drink it. I was at walmart with Nathan this week and he saw the pop refrigerator right by the cashiers and he says "mom aren't you going to get your pop". I was like "no not today". Just alittle pat on my back for that one.

Even when out at walmart with Faith this weekend I didn't buy a chocolate bar and eat it in the van on the way home like normal. That right there is a huge step for me. Dustin is always saying you shouldn't eat that or drink that. Which let's be honest just makes me want to eat or drink that more, cause who are you to tell me what I can or can't do. Who is that really hurting? me that's right I'm the one who feels like crap or hates how I look in clothes.

So here's to turning over a new leaf. Slow and steady wins the race.... right? Making huge changes doesn't work for me but making the changes I can make and keeping to them is something I'll be working on. Does that sentence make sense???

Anyways that was my week.

Canada Post Contest

Most of you are on my facebook page but I thought I would put this here anyways. I'd love to win the trip with VIA RAIL. I think it will be the only way my kids would actually get to meet my dad who's in Nova Scotia. So If you have a couple of minutes click on the links and help me win.
Thanks so much




http://maphotoducanada.ca/canadian-goose
http://mycanadaphoto.ca/node/837
http://maphotoducanada.ca/park

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Thank you, thank you, thank you
Tenille

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I know, I know you guys are all every excited. 34 years ago I was a chubby, crying baby.... well not much has changed today I'm a chubby, crying adult lol. Here is a family picture of when I was probably 3 or 4. Faith says that if you take the ponytails out it could be Nathan. Today is a good day, I won $20.00 on a scratch ticket! I'm super happy about that. I made and Faith decorated my birthday cake. She is actually becoming a good decorator. Soon I'll be getting her to do all the decorating.


That's it have a great day everyone.

Exercise Plan week 2

This week was not a good week.
Monday I had a cookie and half a glass of pop @ a club meeting. But I did snack on some veggies there was well
Tuesday I had one cookie
Wednesday I had 1 bowl of chips
Thursday 1 500ml of pop and 1 cookie
Friday I had to have cookies and snacks @ my mom's group's last day. Although I was full for most of the day, so it doesn't count right? lol

So all in all not bad, but it could have been worse. There are many ups and downs to eating right and losing weight.

Exercise Plan

Monday
did all I planned to do, only snack was an apple
Tuesday
night out at smitty's had pop
Wednesday
ate taco's at home, but didn't over eat during the day
Thursday
1 1/2 donuts but felt like crap the rest of the night
Friday
had a cupcake at y-n's

As you can see I'm starting to keep track of what I eat and drink. Hopefully this will keep me accountable for the stuff I put into my body. I'm going to write this down here once a week. Hopefully this will help me in my weight loss goals.

For My Mom on Mother's Day

I'm writing this note to tell you how much I love you. I don't say it often enough and I'm sure you don't hear it enough. I love you for being my mom.
I love you for your laughter. You could always laugh freely and openly.
I love you for being tougher on me when I was growing up. Now that I have my own kids I see the benefit of it.
I love you for always being on my side, even though sometimes I was in the wrong.
I love you for the crazy things you did.
When you made Nic and I eat out on the balcaney and you pretended to be the waiter,
For making Sundays and not realizing that was the cup you kept our baby teeth in,
For spraying your face with whipped cream and pretending you were a mad dog,
only to realize after it was shaving cream.
I love you for the care you took with me when I was sick; be it from the flu or running nose.
I love you for always embarrassing me in public, no matter who was near.
I love you for who you are and I wouldn't be the person....wife....or mother am I without you.
I wish you lived closer so my kids could have a grandmother near them as fun as you.
Love you mom

Dog Bites

On Easter Monday we went for a walk. My 4 kids and I live close to the park and we were on our way for a little treat (slurpee's at the local coop). We got to the top of our street and crossed the main street to the sidewalk. A neighbour a few doors down was walking towards us with her dog. It's a small shih'tzu and he's ALWAYS jumping up on people. He's on one of those retractable leashes so he can go as far as he wants and she doesn't do anything to stop him.

Anyways; he passed 3 of us before he passed Payton. I always get my kids to move over because I don't like it when people take up the whole sidewalk it's a real pet peeve of mine. So we were over on the right hand side of the sidewalk, she was on the left hand side. He bite Payton on her left leg. He had to turn back to bite Payton on the leg. She screamed in pain, I mean screamed. I turned around and bent down to Payton. The neighbour says oh he just jumps. I said a few naughty words but basically it was "well something happened" I pulled up her pant leg and you could see each individual tooth from canine to canine on the top and the 4 main teeth on the bottom. The neighbour said to me "He doesn't bite, he's 5 years old" What are you kidding me?? I don't care if he's 50, he obviously does. She didn't say she's sorry, she just walked away.
Long story short, I took Payton to the walk-in, got a hold of animal services. We fined the neighbour and animal services took the dog for 10 day quarantine. The neighbour told animal services that she's going to take US to court. Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy? Can she fine us for something we didn't do???

Anyways so now I'm recording everything that happens and hopefully she is just blowing off steam.

Easter Is Just Around The Corner

Easter one of my kids favorite times of the year. I've been baking like crazy, have to send treats to my hubby's work, plus those little people are always asking for handouts lol. Here are some pictures of the treats I made.

Easter baskets

Easter bunnies look simple but are hard to bake just right.

Would You Date Yourself?

So I like to watch "The Talk" I find it interesting when they have their discussion sessions in the beginning of the show.

So the other day they had a section on there where they ask the question "Would you date yourself?"

The things I like about myself, I don't think I would necessarily like them in someone else. I can be rather annoying (you're shocked I know lol), I like things in their place, and I hate cooking, but love baking. So we'd all be fat, grouchy, and cleaning freaks. I don't know that's a hard question, but I really think I wouldn't date myself.

So the question for you is "would you date yourself?"

St. Norbert Y-Neighbours Sale

Tables are still available! Need to do some spring cleaning?

Always looking for a great deal? Come find a great deal on gently used toy and clothing.

Used Toy and Clothing Sale
Saturday April 9th 9 am -12pm
Eagles Club 3459 Pembina Hwy
Admission is $1.00 kids under 12 are free

To rent a table e-mail stnyneighbours@hotmail.com

Report Cards

I hate report cards, as a parent they are not very insighful. The teacher puts my son down as having difficulty in communication both in nov and now, yet in the little write up at the bottom she writes you are improving so well keep up the good work. Then wouldn't you put him down as good??? Is it just me???

She phones me and says he has trouble sitting still. I'm like and.... he's a boy IN SCHOOL! Come on you've never had a child like this before? He has trouble sitting still at home. He'd rather be outside playing. He'd rather be doing something, anything else. Work with him, it's not that hard.

Because the twins are in the same class I'll ask her about one of the children and she moves on and talks about the other one. Well I didn't ask you about that child and really do you need to compare them??? Come on already.

As a kid you'd always worry about report cards, as a parent you worry more about report cards. Is my child going to be traumatized by this?, are they doing to struggle through school?, are they making friends? are they shy? it's very stressful.

I hate report cards, but am thankful it's not me getting them.

February

February is just one of those months. At one point it was starting to warm up then it was -40 with the wind chill, then it's "normal" february weather. Make up your mind already

I'm ready for warm temps and no hat, mitts and boots season already. Come on summer!

The Big C

Well it has finally hit my family, isn't that nice? I've never known anyone to actually have cancer. You always hear of someone or other but it's always "over there" type of thing.

It's scary... just to let you know it's not me or my kids or my husband... but it's someone close to me. Of course I'm not allowed to say anything "they are going to treat me different" "well yes they are going to treat you like you have cancer, COME ON!" Sometimes you just want to smack them lol. But yeah I know they are going to kick it, it's just in their nature, it's treatable, it's a common type. While doing research on this type of cancer I came across a site where you can rent a 40 foot wide by 8 feet high colon. That's a nice welcome home present, don't you think?

I've seen some documentary where these ladies laughed at cancer. I can't remember how it turned out but I think it was a positive. So hopefully my person can do the same.

We're going to kick Cancer's ass!!!!

Winter 2010

Well it's that time of year again. Although I must say winter this year hasn't been bad. We haven't had terrible snowstorms or freezing cold weather for weeks on end.

Christmas was a success. With it just being the 6 of us 8 if you include the dogs. No drama, no shouting, no fights it was so nice. Santa brought the kids each their own sledds and Dustin actually came out with us. I got some really good pictures. It was a full busy 2 weeks off, but I know the kids are happy to be back in school. There weren't too many days when the kids changed out of their jammies lol.

It's a new year, looking forward to seeing what this year brings.