Please Pray!

Ok this is a really quick post.... I had a great christmas and Joshua is doing well despite a cold! We are still down in Peterborough and enjoying family! I got a digital camera for Christmas as well as some movies that I really wanted.

OK, I have applied for a full-time job as a day shift manager for a Christian bookstore down here... I am not going to get into all of the stuff on line... but please pray for the store to find the right person, and if that perosn is me, please pray that i will have the confidence to do the job and be successful as well as that we could find a siutable daycare for Joshua....

Thanks guys and girls I will post more later... Happy New Year!

Christmas Wishes

hey folks... Ithought that I would quickly post something... we leave today to head back to the Durham area then on to Peterborough/Lakefield. Weare all excited to see our friends and family - But let me tell you buying all the presents, wrapping all the presents, packing for the 3 of us, and cleaning the house so that when we come back it's not a disaster... is alot of work for one person... with 10 month old always at her heels...

We are heading to a wedding on Saturday, and Saurday also begins our travels to celebrate cHristmas.

Joshua is doing well... he JUST started sleeping through the night again... he was teething and sick for a little while. Hopefully his routine can adapt with out too much stress on him, or me. He's so cute... he has 6 teeth now. He loves my piano...he "plays" it all the way from the low regisiter to the high register and sometimes with both hands.... is there piano playing in his future? I hope so. He has also started this little dancing thing.. so cute. He kind of bends at the waist and rocks side to side slightly.

Ok, well I will likely post once we get to lakefield... until then, Have Merry Christmas ! Drive carefully!

Weird Things about me...

Well, following in Lizzie's footsteps I thought that I would let you in on a few weird secrets about me...
1) my fingers and toes go numb randomly and at the weirdest times.
2) I prefer driving standard than automatic.
3) I can recite the movie Grease, line for line.
4) I have a "brother" whose 16 months old.
5) I like showtunes.
6) The characters from Greek mythology intrigue me.

Ok, so enough! Joshua is doing well, he has been sleeping through the nights which is great. His other front tooth came through and I think that's been a huge help to his state of being. We'll see how he does tonight though, I drank a can of Pepsi... I know very bad... but I broke down.

Our brown car is in the shop, it's been more trouble than its worth I think... But Ilike having my own car, so oh well. One of the reason's I was looking forward to having two cars on the road was for this weekend... I have to be at churhc for like 3pm on Saturday night for our performance, and then again at 7am on sunday. so now that The brown car is in the shop it looks like everyone will be at church for a ling time this weekend...I was really hoping to minimize the length for Joshua.Oh Well.

Anyway this entry is very short... I am looking forward to heading home this coming week... I am looking forward to seeing family and friends at DCN.

kissing the hard wood....

Well folks I am awake early once again. Although not by choice this time. Joshua has been doing really well with going to bed for us, not crying at all... but then in the middle of the night say 3:30am, he starts crying. OK, fine, I ignore him and he generally stops in about 20min, maximum. Now before I left for Edmonton, when he cried in the night it would be for like less than 5 minutes. So I am trying to get him back in that habit. I am also trying to get out of the habit of nursing him in the middle of the night. Before I went to Edmonton, this was also a kicked habit. I loved being in Edmonton, I am just giving you the background. Because it was an upset in Joshua's routine, we have had a hard time getting back to what we were doing before. Anyway, last night(early this morning) oh, about 3:30am... Joshua's started crying - I let him cry, it was coming up on 2o minutes and he was still unhappy. At exactly 20 minutes, Joshua decided that he wanted to give the hardwood floor in his room a big full on kiss.... well it was more of a tackle... and I am sure that it wasn't as comfortable for Joshua as he thought it was going to be. Plus it gave Ray and I heart palpitations. So early this morning was the first ever time that Joshua has climbed/fallen out of his crib. He is fine, it took him a minute or two, or three to settle down and nurse from me, but he is now sleeping like a baby beside daddy and I haven't yet been able to fall back asleep. (that was 4am)!

Which brings me to the dilemma of leaving him in January... I don;t know if he will be ready or not. Or even if I will be ready. This is likely just a stage, he is crying whenever I leave the room... which I a was told at this age is normal. But not condusive to me going away in January.

Joshua also fell early yesterday evening and hit his head on the couch... which if he had hit a soft spot would have been fine... except he didn't - he hit the ledge at the bottom of the couch which is harder because the frame in under that part.. so yeah he has a red unibrow right now. My pour child. I am honestly a good parent... really. (times like tonight make me wonder...)

America's Next Top Model is....

Caridee!!! Yeah! I so wanted her to win... and she deserved it. Melrose was way too fake. The pictures of the girls are amazing... remember of course that they are air brushed. I thought that potentially Melrose would win because she did so well with the fashion show... but Caridee's pictures won out, that and her great personality.

Joshua was up crazy late last night, which made for an interesting and tiring day today. Hopefully his night tonight will be much better. I am going to start weaning him.... he's getting his 6th tooth, and he hasn't bitten me really hard yet but it hurts when he's nursing because his teeth are so sharp! I need to read up on weaning... anyway.

Well this is a short entry, until later,

Early Bird Catches the worm

Well, I went to bed early last night - so I didn't get to see if Brittany and Paris made it to the Billboard awards... ahh too bad! (whatever!)

So since I was in bed by 9:30, I am up really early - which I will likely regret later today. However, I have been productive... I have paid some bills online and updated our accounting software... now to get enough energy to pop in an excercise tape... hmmm... maybe that will come later.

I have alot on my mind this morning... which is why I am up crazy early. I am thinking about my resume, and whne I get a job when will they want me to start. Will I be able go away for the prayer retreat at "Great Wolf Lodge", or will I have to work... and if I can go then who will watch Joshua for me... and what if he doesn't handle it very well... is it too long to be away for him, and if I get some one who will watch him.... will I have to pay alot (probably)... but I feel as though I can't bring him...And if he does stay with someone... how badly will he disrupt their life...and then if I can't go(because I can't bring Joshua) and then I have to work... who will watch him then? I don't think I have the energy for this. And probably you don't either...

We missed Ray's Family christmas thing this past weekend. We are too far away now. But all the reports we hear are that it was really god this year, and the food was excellent. We hada progressive dinner on sunday night... ray calls me on friday and says... we are doing soup and salad for 35 people...ok? I'm like what? ok! So I go and buy the stuff, and spend saturday making two huge crock pots full of soup... and Istill have one left over... Ray is going to be eating this soup for the next month at least! But we had a good time. Joshua loved going... although I didn't love it when he wouldn't sleep properly during the night because he had had too much stimulation... it made for a long day yesterday.

I get a little frustrated with Ray when he cleans, he puts things in the oddest places and then can't remember wher he put it... like bills or important mail... grrr! I have to search high and low for everything if I leave him to his own devices when he's cleaning the house. Although I am not going to complain that he's cleaning...

Well, I should go and throw my laundry in the dryer. It's so much harder to do things when you have a 10month old walker and he gets aggitated when he can't see you....

hey all!

Ok so I went shopping today and returned that outfit I mentioned in my last post!

I then went to New York Fries ( I thought of you Lizzie ) and treated myself to my favorite food ever! Poutine! I could seriously kiss the person who invented that!

Anyway, I went on to pick up some gift cards I needed at the Mall, and I walked buy Laura: an expensive store that has a plus section. Well the sales lady was really nice, and although normally I would have walked right by (being that it's an expensive store) I was desparate for a pair of pinstriped pants that fit. I found a pair... and although I thought that they were a little bigg for me and would definately need to be hemmed... what the heck I will just by them! So I did. I almost ended up buying a shirt too - but the styles that they had were so not my age... that I just left with the pants.

On my way out of the mall I stop to look at the map of the stores and low and behold there is a Reitmans in the mall... I love Reitmans... So I turned myself around and thought what can it hurt to just take a look. I found a great pair of all black pin striped pants that fit really nicely and don't need to be hemmed... yeah! And I couldn't have asked for better Sales ladies, they were young and hip, and around my size! They were so helpful getting me all types of shirts.. and giving me the honest opinion. I trusted their opinion because they were my size, and unlike skinny people (who I sometimes think just tell you that your clothes look good - well - because they are afraid to offend and want the sale) know where I am coming from and understand my body. I left the store with one pair of pants and two different top options... and accessories! Crazy I know... especailly if you know me - I am not an accessorie person!

Anyway I brought the clothes home and tried them on for Ray and he was like WOW - YOU PICK THOSE? YOU LOOK GREAT! Which is totally the response I wanted.

I feel great in the clothes. One outfit is for a wedding, although its mainly black... but the shirt has a gold buckle on it and I am wearing Gold accessories. So hopefully it won't be to bad of Form. I don't know - what do you all think?

The other outfit I am going to wear Christmas eve and for any job interviews that I may get.... because I am looking for a job.... please pray that I get the right one....

We watched the movie John Tucker Must Die tonight and it was cute, and funny, and surprisingly clean. We also watched Ice Age: The Meltdown, which was great too.

Well I should be off... Ray is snoring on the couch and who knows how long Joshua will stay sleeping for. Although he has had 2 great nights this week 8pm -8 am... of course not in a row though. And he has already cried a few time tonight since we put him down... It could be a long night.

Lizzie, Happy Birthday! (I know its a day early)

santa, a visit and a dress size...

Well it's been a while. I took Joshua to see Santa on Friday, it was his first time and the Santa was realy nice, he even had a real beard! Thankfully they let me take my own picture(s) as I really didn't want to pay 10.99 for a 5x7 when I can get the same size pic at Walmart for like 1$! I also went shopping on Friday, and had a great time. I bought an outfit (which I am taking back) but it is totally cute and would probably look great on someone else. It looks OK on me, but you know when you dress up, you want to look great not just OK!

Bonnie, Dave and my mom just left today. They were up for a visit. It was nice. Although they had a long car ride, 7 hours.... I am not looking forward to the car rides at Christmas time! Dave tried to get his picture taken with Santa(and Joshua too) but this Santa had a fake beard and Joshua was scared of him.

I am a little bummed, I needa ballroom type dress for the choir that I am in, and I borrowed 7 - SEVEN - 7 dresses from a woman in our church around my age and breast size.. or so I thought. None of the 7 dresses remotely fit me, I couldn't do them up! No granted this woman is about 6 inches taller than me but I really didn;t think that would matter... it does... and so does having a baby apparently. The time draws near for this performance and I have neary a thing to wear!

Lizzie, your birthday is this week!!!! Happy birthday week!

clarification

Well, It seems I need to clarify a comment that I made from my last post. I received a bad haircut before We came for our candidation interview... a job interview for Ray (technically).

We went out to lunch with Terri howe and her family on Sunday, it was so nice to see faces from home.

Joshua is getting more and more confident in his walking, and ha now has his 2 eye teeth... which makes for a very cute smile.

I wrapped a good chunk of my christmas gifts last week, and am hoping to do more wednesday night as i want to send them back with my inlaws.

Well CSI Maimi is on... I will post again later....

there's no place like home... well maybe!

Hey folks, I am back from Alberta. I had a great time out there with the Goodman boys. We played a ton of Karoke Revoltution. The flight home was great, although I didn't get to use Joshua's seat, the seat beside me was empty. Joshua behaved himself. Even on the bus ride home, he only cried for 20 minutes. He was hungry and I couldn't feed him as the bus was like a no stop situation. I decided to take the bus from the toronto airport because that would save Ray the driving and he could take his regular day off instead of spending monday off and driving for 8 hours. So instead Joshua and I did a full day of travelling in hopes that we can spend Rays day off together. (we shall see).

So I am following America's Next Top Model, and I was so worried that Caridee was going to get the boot... she didn't thank goodness... she is my favorite. Melrose is something else and I must admit that I am not really pulling for her to win, however she has done a great job and has been very consistent, both in her pictures and challenges. It realyl paid off for her to spend the extra 2 hours studying her lines for the foreign language commercial... it's a little brown-noser, but you have to work hard for what you want. Melrose did that! As for Jaeda I am kind of glad that she's going home, she has been in the bottom 3 more times than I can count and it seems as though her outward appearance (her super short hair cut) really matters too much. Especailly in how she views herself. It's unfortunate, I think she would have made a great model. If who she was, her identity, was wrapped up in her hair, then she's got a whole other set of problems. This coming from a girl who had a meltdown abou a bad haircut before a job interview... although I have to say that I went to the Job interview and visualized myself with a great looking hair cut.. and it worked, I definately had to refocus though, and trust God that people were able to see the really me and not the awful haircut.

Anyway, I have yet to unpack... and RAy has all of his laundry waiting dowstairs for me to do.... oh and we are having 35 young adults over to our house for a games night on sunday... the busiest day of our week... thanks for the forewarning.... I hope it goes well...

bye bye....

Howdy... from Stony Plain

Well all, I have travelled to Stony Plain, to babysit - if you will- for some good friends of ours. Their kids pretty much take care of themselves... so it's not alot of work for me. And whats more, the youngest 2 are homeschooled so it gives me company during the day and entertainment for little Joshua.

We headed to Peterborough area last wedensday and spent the day on thursday with family. It was so great to see everyone... man I miss our families. We also travelled to oshawa on thursday night where I stayed with friends and ray went back to windsor. I got to go to the DCN ladies coffee time, which was nice to see familiar faces. Julie, Tony and Isaac took me to airport and hung around with me while i waited for my flight. I so needed their help b/c I couldn't manage joshua in a stroller, a suitcase on wheels and a huge carseat! Thankfully the flight wasn't that full so the nice lady at the west jet counter reserved a whole row for Joshua and I - plus she let me take JOshua's carseat on the plane so that he could sit in it- free ! IT was such a huge help as Joshua is super mobile right now, and the little while that he was out of the seat he was so busy and wanting down.... He was also looking around the airplane with the hugest grin on his face - it looked like he was trying to say to everyone on the plane "look at me, I am sooo cute... don't you realize how cute I am?" Of course who am I to disagree with him?

So I get to Stony Plain and the boys have the coolest game for their PS2, its called Karoke revolution... its so much fun! We have contests and I am getting better and better, and the selection of songs is quite vast. Plus you get to create your own character, different outfits and accessories... and when you score a certain number of points you can unlack different character and outfits. We unlocked an elvis costume, a bathrobe and a robot. I am having a blast with this game, almost enough to wish that I owned a PS2 just to get this game... this game and Dance Dance Revolution...

I have been chauffering the boys around a night all week... its been fun! We made Rice Krispies on tuesday and they turned out ! YAh! We also made Toblerone fudge... hmm hmm good! I was surprised that the fudge turned out... I was sceptical, as you would know my luck with baking if you ahve been keep up with reading my blog. But even the boys were raving about the fudge! It barely lasted a day.

Well Lizzie, less then 30 days until your birthday!

I will chat later... oh yeah - did i mention that there was a lot of snow out here? Winter driving anyone?

ok... it's been too long

I have to admit, I have waited too long to post! Things are just so busy lately, and once I have time for myself I am too tired to journal about my day...

We went to Aquire the Fire on the weekend, which was great! Too loud, but Joshua had ear plugs thankfully. IT was great to see some folks from DCN. I got to stay in a hotel room, it was nice to have a shower in the morning. Although, Joshua didn't sleep overly well.

I had Charity and Aurora visiting 2 weekends ago, it was fun... I enjoyed their company so much. Thanks girls for coming up! We need to do it agian some time soon.

This week, Wednesday night, we are heading to PTBO to spend the day with Family...Finally! I will be in Oshawa for Friday and Saturday morning, and then flying out to Edmonton for the week. Ray is going to be visited by Matthijs for the weekend, which will be nice for them. I only hope Ray doesn't work too hard and long while I am away.

Joshua got his first tooth on his upper gums today. Which explains why he wouldn't eat solids for me, and spent the last half of the day crying!

OK, since we have moved to Windsor, I have tried to take up baking again. (Because people so generously provided us with baking supplies at our pantry shower) Anyway, I have thus far tried making Peanut butter cookies (they didn't turn out), Rice Krispie squares (that were delicious - Just ask Ange), and today I tried Banana Bread, using a cake mix... it was soggy. GRRRRR! It erks me when things don't go as they should!

Ange and Scott and Maddy, Thanks for the visit. Ange I hope that your Birthday tomorrow is great! I loved seeing you and chatting, and am looking forward to seeing you at Christmas time (hopefully)! Scott, Thanks for playing with Joshua and keeping him occupied while I was making dinner. I wish we could have had more time.

Lizzie, hows the back situation? Any time off work? Wanna come out my way?

Well, Folks I hope this satifies your curiousity for now...

Caught Ya!

RAy had his first experience yesterday morning with Joshua pulling his armpit hair! What a nice way to wake up in the morning. The last few nights have been hard b/c Joshua has decided to wake up at 4:30am and not want to go back to sleep... so he gets to come into our bed, where he will fall asleep - if he is laying on top of me... not the most comfortable. he currently naps on top me right now too - which I tried to get away from today b/c I had too much house work. So I put him down in his crib and he screamed fro 40 minutes. But as soon as I picked him up and laid him on my chest he was out like a light. I also gave him a little bit of Homo milk today... I don't think he knew what to make of it. But it was cute to watch his face scrunch up, like all babies faces do when the try something new. Joshua crawled up about 4 stairs today (with me very, very close behind him). I think he would have done better if he wasn't still in his P.J's and was in bare feet. But I declared today P.J day, as I was so musy with running around on monday and tuesday that I just wanted to be lazy today. Although, I wasn't exactly lazy as I now have a clean bathroom, kitchen, livingroom and guest room. I just wasn't dressed. It never fails though that on those days that I do decide that I am not going to have a shower and get into "real" clothes, that someone must come to the door - and I must answer it, greasy hair, no bra and Joshua's messy finger prints all over my shirt. Today it was a kid next door - his ball went over the fence. Last week it was my other neighbor who wanted me to buy something from her catalogue from school. Talk about embarassing. That will teach me to get dressed. Imagine if someone from the church stopped by? Yikes!

I won a gift basket from a Children's store. Which is cool b/c I normally never win anything. It is apparently the best gift basket. Who knows.

Well I am off, Ray is probably sleeping on the couch right now and I am bone tried too so we should get sleep while Joshua is still down for the count. Bye

1, 2, 3, 4 - Hi-5!

"hide your eyes and count to ten, Ready or not I'm going to find you again!"

This is part of a song from the t.v show Hi-5, Joshua will eat when I sing this too him... he also smiles really big. I think that I should learn the rest of the song. I also tried something, Bonnie, my mother-in-law, suggested... I gave Joshua a drink. It worked so well... and I am sure that I was given the advice from other sources as well, but Bonnie told me the most recent - So I will give her the credit. Anyway, Joshua was so eager to continue eating once he had a drink, and it worked to keep his fingers out of his mouth!

Joshua and I played the piano tonight together. It has been a while since I plugged my piano in, and played and I enjoyed it. I think that I am going to move it upstairs, instead of leaving it in the basement. Joshua liked watching the keys light up, and he was plunking out some notes, although they didn't really go with the songs I was playing... he'll learn.

I have been watching "What not to Wear" - I seriously need to go on that show. Some of these women have so many clothes... I barely have any... at least any that fit, or go with my body type. Granted they can be a little cutting with their comments, but when you need help - you just need help! I need help!!!!!! Ray's answer is for me to just go to the gym... that will help in like six months (if I went religously)what I need is help NOW! (Remember the lady who said I was too pretty for their make over show?)

Well, I am off to practice my reading music piano playing for the Christmas thing that I am invovled in... catch you on the flip side.

It's been too long...

Well folks, eveey time I went to post this week Ray had turned the computer off and I was just too lazy to turn it back on and wait for everything to load. But here I am - ready to Blog... Let's hope so anyway.

I am addicted to popsicles... and have been contacted to attend a doula and childbirth educator training seminars, I have asked for more info. We'll see.

Joshua is doing well. He had his first experience with the toilet bowl water the other morning. Ray was letting my get some more sleep, so he kindly took Joshua downstairs. About an hour later I hear Joshua playing with the drawers in the bathroom, and then I hear this "splash, splash"... I wait, thinking that I will give Ray a chance to get to Joshua first - as he is the one "on duty", and I hear it again, another "splash, splash" -knowing that Kids can drown easily, plus the grossness of Joshua playing in the toilet (even though it was flushed)I run down the stairs and pull him away, as ray finally gets off the couch to see what's happening. Joshua is so fast on his hands and knees, he takes off and can be in the kitchen one minute and in the bathroom the next. He is also understanding the concept of "come here". I can call him and he will follow me, and come to me. (He also likes popsicles).

The other night I was on the phone with my mom, and she wanted to talk to Joshua, which she always does when she calls - I put the phone to his ear and she sings and talks to him, anyway Joshua responds by getting quiet, smiling and this last time, he pulled the phone away from his ear and gave it a kiss. It was so precious.

We miss our family!

Well, as far as I know that's all for now. I will try to blog more often as I find that I can't keep intersting information in my brain longer than a day or two...

comments...

Apparently some of you ahve been commenting andI haven't been posting your comments... I haven't been getting them! I have since changed my email back to the orginal one, and hopefully it will work, could you comment and let me know - this way maybe i can monitor if I am getting the comments.

Thanks everyone...

germy money stained hands and a fantasic pheat

These photos are of a Rose that is outside of our place, the first photo was taken thursday, and the second, today. It's amazing how quickly it bloomed! Some of our flowers that we inherited with the purchase of our new home have been blooming for 47 years or more!

I went to the mall today and a few things happen that you may find interesting... 1st I went to New York fries, my favorite frie place... and I ordered poutine, from a girl who was obviously in training. Anyway, I order from her, and then she switches from till to making the food, which really wouldn't have been that big of an issue, if she had washed her hands and not touched the cheese that was on my poutine with her germy money stained fingers! I tried to be as polite as possible, when I said, "I don't want to complain, but she didn't wash her hands after touching money, and then she touched my food... could I have another one?" The mangaer, was polite, but tossed the tainted poutine in the garbage with gusto and it makes me wonder if I was the subject of conversation in a not so nice way after I left the counter.... However it was my right to ask for a new one, because in the food business you are always supposed to wash your hands after handling money and before preparing food.... !

Second, I saw a lady walking while breast feeding... that's correct, you read right - WALKING while BREASTFEEDING! What an accomplishment! I could never do that.

Third, Old Navy is having a huge sale right now, an additional 50% off already marked down clothes. Only women's and maternity... though. I would have indulged more had I been able to manuver my stroller around the mini-aisles pasked with people.

There was a few other things that Iwanted to tell you that happened earlier in the week, however I can't remember. Oh well. The weather is gorgeous here today! Joshua is growing so quickly. I will ask him where "dada" is and he looks at Ray, which is so special. Also, if he's crying he will sometimes say "mummum" which just make my heart melt.

We think we are going to join the gym, which would be nice - if we can figure out a way for me to get there, and Ray to stay home and watch Joshua. One class I want to take is called 'excotic', maybe that's too much info?

If I can think of those other things I will be back, if not, well who knows.

Say Mike do you still read this?

quick up date

Hey folks.... I wanted to wish my friend Julie a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Her birthday was yesterday!

I haven't got anything exciting to tell you - I was supposed to go to the states yesterday, but that fell through. And its been raining like crazy here, so Joshua and I have been stuck inside. Today is Ray's day off and we are going out, he has some work meetings, so he gets part of tomorrow off too... which is nice. Today he;s going to Applebee's for lunch, and I am going with him - not for lunch but to wander around the outlet stores. I am tempted to eat at applebee's any, because I like it there! We'll see.

I got a phone call from Christine last night, which was so nice to talk to someone from home.

I am so excited to finish my Christmas shopping... yeah... I am not finshed yet, but hope to be very soon.

Well I have nothing else of interest to say... We are all fine, and settling in. Until next time...

pictures

Well I haven't much to say tonight... I started the choir for the christmas thing yesterday, I am 1 of 2 sopranos, and I am a little unsure of my self as I haven't sung in a choir in ages! Hopefully all will go well.

I have already started my chirstmas shopping, but I am hoping to add to the pile tomorrow and wednesday when I am going to the states. Maybe I will save some shopping for when I go out west? Who knows.

I hope you enojy the pictures of Joshua. He didn't sleep very well last night, but set backs are normal... and hopefully the situation was fixed for tonight... (he had a nap too late in the day yesterday).

Kathy, have you gotten my card yet?

Well I am off... Lizzie I have thought a a great gift for you gfor your birhtday... at least it's something that I would like. ...

Don't Touch...

I am amazed at how much Joshua is understanding these days! It's funny really, he's crawling around our living room - exploring - and then mommy pipes up from across the room and says "Don't touch!" Joshua turns, sitts on his bum, and looks at me with this look on his face that says "do you have to ruin all of my fun?" Sometimes he'll even start crying, but I know it's because I have a stern look on my face and the tone of voice that I used. He is going to bed so well for us now -in fact he slept until 8:20 this morning... nice! Also, his cold is clearing up, I almost don't want to take him to church tomorrow - nursery with kids all sucking on the same toys, with germs.... beside the fact that I am not feeling well, it would be nice to just stay home. But then there's the whole thing about the fact that Church gets me out of the house, and gives me social interaction. Also, tomorrow is the first Choir practice for the Christmas thing. I will likely go.

I am in serious need of a hair cut! But am trying to wait as long as possible - so my hair will be as long as possible - that I could maybe get a style that I like! I am fighting off the urge to go to some cheap place to get it trimmed, but it's all I can think of when I look in the mirror! We'll see how long I can wait!

Lizzie, I thought of you today... I had Baskin Robins! I had Gold medal ribbon.... it was sooo good! I even bought a tub of Pralines and Cream! It was kind of crazy, I have a cold, it was rainy today and I was sitting in my car eating ice cream... I am quirky!

I went to a huge yard sale today, with a woman that I met from church, Sarah, and she has a daughter, Annabelle, ( I totally love the name)It was crowded... but I got a costume for joshua for $3. They had a ton of stuff. I even ran into (not literally) another woman who is in my discussion group for MOPS, Lacey, and she is invovled in Doula work. I am so interested in Doula work, I gave my number to the Woman running the booth, and hopefully she will contact me about it. We'll see. It would be a viable option instead of going back to work. I need to be praying about this stuff. I guess I get frustrated with $, because there are plently of things that I would love to do - we just don't have the $ for me to get trained, or the equipment that I would need to get setup in any area. Anyway, enough of that complaint. I mean really, what do I have to complain about? I have a family, and house, food, and I am not lacking anything that I need.

Well, I am off to enjoy some junk food... will it be chips and dip or Pralines and cream Icecream?

Pic of me...

Well folks, here is a picture of me that was taken the weekend we moved into our new place. I figured out how to darken the rest of the picture by using a lighting effect on our computer program. At first I thought that I had to use a gradient, and I couldn't get it to work, I was frustrated, then today when I was playing around with things voila! There it was! Yipee!

My life is not that exciting right now. We have cable, at least until they come and turn it off - which should be anyday now. Boo Hoo! Joshua is getting over his cold and I now have it! Yuck! Joshua wieghs 21 pounds 12 ounces and has been sleeping through the night for about a week now.

I am beginning to think more about Christmas and gifts that need to be bought or made. I wrote out a list of people that I should be giving to, it really grows every year! Thankfully I am redeeming my airmiles (i think) for some gifts. I am having a hard time deciding about the airmiles thing, because really, I could save my miles for something that I want... but then the practical side of me kicks in and reminds me that it will likely take me years to save up airmiles for something of value, so why not redeem them for Gift Cards this year for others?

Lizzie you still need to tell me what you would like for your birthday... I will not forget this year!

I am off to a yard sale tomorrow its all baby stuff... who knows maybe I will find a reasonably priced halloween costume for Joshua... I am returning the pumkin costume because it doesn;t fit. I am excited about going to the outlet plaza- they have a body shop depot there and a Reitmans - my favorite store (even If I spelled it wrong).

I am addicted to Popcicles. I like them a lot, a whole lot. Anyone share my affliction?

bye!

stuffy nose, costume and a job...

hey all well tonight I have the beginnings of a cold... errr! I am feeling kind of sucky!

I got joshua a halloween costume tonight... it was a pumpkin - I tried it on him, and well it doesn't fit that great, but Itook some pictures anyway. Plus I kept the tags becasue I am going to return it to get a different size. It's getting so hard to take photos right now because he wants to move around so much. Grrr!

I am beginning to think of where I want to work come February... I do not want to return to my previous place of employment... However, Ray thinks I should head for a job thats a "step up". I am really at an impasse, I don't have any college education, so unless someone wants to take a chance on me - where am I going to get a job in a field? Plus all that I have is retail experience, and thats better than nothing, but not the right kind of experience, if I want to work in an office. Also, theres the fact that I have Joshua, and really don't want to be working so much that Imiss out on his growing. Besides, Ray's schedule is not as flexible now as it was at our previous location. So, he would not be able to be here all the time when I might need to work - which leaves me with the problem of working just to pay the babysitter... which doesn't put us a head any. Then, there;s the fact that i want to be invovled in Ray's ministry at Heritage Park, so that limits my availability for shifts. So thats' my dilemma, I am praying and trusting that God will work it out, showing Ay and I what the course of action should be and what steps to take.

Anyway, i am bagged, and should go to bed. Hey, Julie, Kathy, Charity, and Lizzie - and Mike!

Quirky....

So saturday was our House warming party, meet and greet thingy. Which was totally fun... It was a sticky day, and we did not have our air on, and there were about 10 people in our living room. So it was hot! But we recieve some great stuff... looks like I will be getting back into baking (so muich for losing weight right now) as I have enough flour and sugar to last for a few years.
We had a crazy busy weekend, asde from the house warming thing, we had church on sunday; then lunch with a family in the church and then the staff dinner... lets just say that we left our place at 8:15 am and didn't return until 11pm. Thankfully Joshua slept through the transfer to and from the car and slept the whole night through! Yee HAw!
I had myself a little adventure sunday, not wanting to sit through another service I decided that I was going to drive to find the house that we were going to be having dinner at that night... off I went, I got Gas, got a sandwich from Burger King, Joshua was sleeping in the back seat, all was great... I even found my way to the place I was going to. Satisfide that I could get us there that night, I turned around and headed for the church, only to get frazzled and take a wrong turn. I thought that I was heading in the general direction of the church eventually - but as I kept driving I realized -nope this ain't it! I drove around for at least an hour trying to find my way back to the church.... praise God for the fact that I remember crazy details and I passed a street I knew turned into another - and could get me back on familiar ground...! Adventures in Driving!
Well at the dinner last night we played this game where you get cards and on your cards are adjectives, and you have a certain amount of time to to trade them with the people sitting at the table to get ones that describe you... I got Serious, generous, trustworthy, reserved, and quirky... and anyone who knows me - I am quirky. It was a cool game. I think it would have been fun for the couples to have traded cards and described their mate with the cards that they chose for themselves... I was fun. I think that I am going to go an buy another game called "Catch phrase" it's a cross between hot potato and taboo... really fun!
I went to Giant Tiger today and battled my way through the slim aisles with my huge stroller... and I think that I found a pair of jeans that will fit me. I got some shirts as well... They have agreat refund/exchange policy, any time no matter what! I wasn;t going to take the time to try the clothes on there!

Anyway thats the update on my life... sorry I don't have any pictures... Ray took the camera to the office - I asked him to being it home, or buy me a new one... I think he will bring it home tonight!

A birthday slide show.. hopefully!

OK here's the Rest of it!

Soory about the second post - I had issues trying to move the curser and get the picture to stay where I put it.

So I went for a walk up the street to Giant Tiger on Wednesday, it was beautiful out so I thought "What the Hey..." I explored the stores at the end of the street. Giant Tiger is so jammed with stuff that I could barely move around with the strollwe- which to be honest prevented me from buying anything. It felt so crammed in there. Then I went to Subway and thought to myself..."All i have been eating is junk this week, maybe I should have real food." So I sat down and ate my sub, when the Lady who served me - the one who was taking the money- came over to talk with Joshua (he draws people whenever he is)! Anyway, she took Joshua's soother out of his mouth and put it down - but then picked it up - and not by the little holder thingy - by the edges that touch his face and put it back in his mouth! I am thinking to myself... "ewww! People have no idea how disgusting their hands are after touching money and you just put your dirty hands on something that goes INSIDE my kids mouth! Eww"

Yesterday was Ray's day off, so we went out shopping to get him some pants sans paint, and some shoes. We started at Value village, but Ray doesn't like the smell in there, so we ended up at Walmart. We found some great pants for him to wear. We were wondering the baby section and ther was a young mom there (maybe 18-20) and she was yelling at her daughter who was 3 maybe? She didn't even start in a normal tone, she just blasted off. We saw her again as we were heading to our car and she was dragging her daughter by the arm through the parking lot - still yelling. Granted I don't know the whole of the situation, butI don;t think that any child deserves that kind of treatment. I told Ray - i don't want to be like that with Joshua.

OK I havea bit of a beef with Walmart... Their clothes are either to young or too old for me. I can never find anything that fits me properly there. So when we left the other day Iwas pooped becasue I would have like to have gotten a new outfit! But nothing I found was appropriate for a new mom, who is also a demure Pastor's wife... oh well!

I found a camera that I want... but it around 1500$ after taxes! Too much- I know but I still want it!

Well Ray came home just now so I should probably get dinner going - I will write more later.

Long Over Due

I had to post this pic of Joshua taken at Joseph's 1st birthday party... ahh adorable!

Today is Joshua's uncles 1st birthday - thats right I said Joshua's Uncle. My dad got remarried and they had a baby -Noah. Which makes him my step sister and Joshua's uncle... just another confusing branch in the family tree. But he's super cute!

This is Noah with Joshua a while back!

Happy Birthday Noah!

Having my Cake... and eating it too!

Well folks, today marks the first day that Ray began his ministry at Heritage Park... which is referred to as the HPAC. Hmmm, not so sure on the name but I am sure that it will grow on me.

We said goodbye to our families yesterday afternoon as they travelled back to their lives in Peterborough. It was a little emotional for me, as I think that it will be an adjustment; not having our parents close by - or any friends to hangout with just yet. But God has called and he will meet all of our needs, and he has been so faithful to provide for us that I am sure that he has some new friends for me here.

I am excited about a ministry that I am going to be getting invovled in, Dance ministry!!! And those of you who know me, know I love to dance. I may not have the lithe body for it, but God will know my heart. Ok I don't know if Lithe is a word... in case its not, I mean taute and slim.

You know as I sit here and think about the things I am going to wirte I am so thankful that God has thought me to excercise tact! It's lile I have my own comment moderation genie in my head saying "remember who reads this Trina... how would they take your comments?" Not that I have anything nasy to say, but sometimes the way that I think about things comes across in a sarcastic manor. So woo-hoo for the Holy Spirit and his influence on my life.

My hair is in this weird stage where it needs to be cut.. but I am too nervous to cut it. Although its not doing anything for me....

Here are some long awaited, updated pictures of Joshua.

Well I Am off.. Joshua bellows.

early morning...I guess not too early

Well It seems as though the moring will be the best time to Blogg- at least for now! Joshua is an early riser, so I am up and at 'em... well not quite - but I am at least up!

This pic is of my nephew Joseph. He is doing this whole thing about playing shy... its totally cute! He is also shaking his head "no", although frustrating for his mom Gail, is certainly cute for the rest of us to watch!

I promise to take pictures of my brand new house for all to see... but you;ll need to be patient.

Joshua is moving around like crazy, and he's so quicK I can barely keep up with all of the things that he's getting into... no pointy pencils... is paper another food group?... no playing with the curtain rods. He's is also puuling himself to a stand on everything that lokks like it might be leverage... which has made for a few interesting plops to the ground.

We could not have had our place ready for the company thats coming this weekend if it weren't for my mom... she has been so great. Touching things up, washing my floor, helping Ray hang pictures... it has been great to have her around. I am going to miss her when she goes home - who knows maybe she'll move up here like I asked her too.

We decided not to get cable here for the first little while, which is always a good choice, when trying to save money - btu maybe not sanity. I can watch tv and watch joshua at the same time... it's hard to read a book and watch joshua. So we'll see how long not having tv lasts. I just need to figure out how to watch tv over the internet and I would be set... anyone have any ideas? I know it's possible but I don't know how to make it work.

Well I'm off... joshua is trying to make a phone call.... Hello... is this China?

sorry for the wait!

Well I know how frustrating it is to visit someones blog and them not to have updated it- I am sorry that was the case for the last week or so....

We are moved up to Windsor now and are moved in... we spent all day monday, tuesday and wednesday painting (every room in the house....) and it was thanks to the Ketteringhams, Blaine, Steve, Ray's Dad (dave) and my mom (jane) that we were successful. We spent our first official night in our place last night...

People must like our Red car... well thats wat it seems as we keep getting honked at, even when we didn't just cut some one off. We are finding our way around thet city, so far so good. It's confusing though because In Toronto, if your heading south your heading towards the River - not so in Windsor North is the Detroit River... that can throw you off when you forget.

Joshua is Crawling and pulling himself to a stand all the time now. He started tuesday. So I will certainly be more on the go with him now... and he says "mum", although Ray doesn't think that he understands what he's saying. Give the boy some credit!

We are celebrating Joshua's cousin, Joesph's first birthday on Sunday. He doesn't turn 1 until october 13th - but are celebrating early because this is when everyone will be together. I am so excited!

It feels almost like we are visiting in Windsor... it will probably sink in once Ray starts work on monday, and my mom and Ray's family leave.

Well I hope you like this update... I'm off to eat some Captain crunch!

fear and trepidation

Well avid readers today is our last day in the Durham/ Kawartha Lakes Region. Although I am very excited about heading to windsor tonight - I am nervous and unsure of my own self - but positive that God has called us and will equip us for the next stage of our lives.

We are in the midst of picking colors for our first home and I am having fun, man do we like blues and browns! I am ex ited about being able to entertain all of our company from Durham... that's a very big hint for all of my friends reading. I will be dissappointed if you didn't come to see us... I love you all and you have all had an impact on my life.

I scrapbooked last night, with Gail, and man it was much more fun doing it with someone then by my lonesome. We completed a 20 page book... it looks so good.

Well I will not likely be able to blogg after today for a few days... I will talk soon...

Crying baby/ Crying Mommy

Well, to be quite honest this has been a trying few nights as Joshua has not settled for a disinct nights sleep in well.... forever! I am starting to get seriously frustrated and fed up with his constant nursing through the night and taking up all of the bed! Although tehniqually it's my fault because I started him on this trend of sleeping with us.

It's been like Christmas today as Ray and Ihave gone through our stuff and found out that we no longer need to get a bunch of stuff. We are heading to Ikea on thrusday. Tomorrow I am heading to our apartment to finish packing our kitchen. Oh what fun!

well this is a short entry as our parents are wanting to get to bed and they are currently letting us have their room and are sleeping in the basement on the new pull out, which is not that comfortable - how can a poullout couch be comfortable?

Bye bye

ahhh vacation... almost!

Well I thought that I would up date my page today as it is the first day of our vacation... well almost. We still havea bunch of stuff happening and packing that needs to get done... but we are in Lakefield for the week.

Happy Birthday to you,
happy birthday to you,
happy birthday dear Kathy -
Happy birthday to you.

I love you Kathy, I hope you have a great day today - I miss you already.

I'm so excited - Joshua's cousin, aunt and uncle come home today for good. I am lookingforward to how they (the boys) will react to each other... babies love babies. It should be fun.

Well I am off as my son is calling me,
ciao

testing testing

nothing against blogging...

Lizzie, I have nothing against blogging I have just been extremely busy and falling into bed each night exhausted. I love blogging, although I am always editing my thoughts and words... you never know who reads !

Joshua pulled himself to standing yesterday... which was cool. He is always wanting to get up and go - gonna get thin just by making sure he's not getting into trouble.

My mom and her mom came up today to help me pack. Say farewell to the majority of my kitchen... thanks mom. Great grandma watched joshua for us. I can' t believe in 2 weeks we are moving... I get butterflies in my belly when I think about how big of a life change this is. I had an interestingly frusrating experience with an insurance company this week. Each person I talked to wanted different information, making me call back 4 times! Plus, they were not always the friendliest. Really, you think that they would be more helpful when you tell them that you are new home owners -as in "I have never done this before"! Anyway, I have since called another insurance company and they were great, and cheaper - so we are going to go with them.

I have to say, that God has been providing for us as we look to furnish our new place. I am so thankful for all of the help that our church family, and our family are giving us. We were given a farewell party, and it was amazing- the support and love expressed for us. Thanks Kathy and mike for hosting and preparing - it was awesome. At the party Ray was honored to baptize 2 children, 1 jr. high, and 1 adult - and it was all spur of the moment. Praise God for his timing. There was an open mike time... and for the most part it was all good comments. All good about Ray anyway! I am still seen as the heavy, and I was, but I have over the years relaxed a lot. Thanks Katherine, for your comment. I was only heavy - because I care and love the youth. So I guess I have mixed feelings about what the youth shared (in love) about me. Over all, I was so touched by the comments and feelings shared - thank you for loving us, and allowing us to grow and become the people that God wants us to be. Also, thank you for releasing us to go and follow God's path for us.

Well, I will be off for now... I will try to post a new entry before friday.. but as of friday we may not be connected to the net. So be patient - I will be back.

Lil' Prince

I got this outfit from my friend Amanda, and although it's a little big, I thought that I would wear it on him anyway, because at the rate he's growing who knows if it will fit in a month? It's so cute it comes with a hat and bib. I took a bunch of pics, and he was so good. I love taking his picture.

So on another note, Ray and I decided to go to a store called "Surefit" to get slip covers for our "in good condition, but not our style of fabric" couch and chair. We left the store with a slipcover for both couch and chair; and I returned it not an hour later! It didn't fit. So I got another type, that's strechy... it's currently on our furniture... but I am not sure that I like it - it fits (kindof) and I am afraid that I am going to end up "tucking" the slip cover in all day. Good thing that we have 14 days to get a full refund.

My mom came up with my grandparents this afternoon... it was a nice visit. Joshua is always so entertaining - I think we could just sit and watch him. He's smiling and clapping, chewng his hands, talking and making eye contact. He is just so animated, and livly - and he knows it... and loves it when all the attention is on him.

Well, I haven't had anything to comlain about today, so - i will leave you with another pic.. and good wishes for your evening.

Posting Manners...

Well folks, you may notice that I deleted my posting of pictures. I made the mistake of posting them without asking for permission! Yikes! My most sincerest apologies to my good friends. I guess because I have no problem posting pictures of Joshua, as he is just a baby, I didn't think it would matter. It's just second nature to me. But seeing how blogs are open to anyone on the net, it would be smart to be wise with my picture postings. That doesn't mean that I won't post pics of Joshua, or our immediate family (Ray, and Myself).. but I will try to ask permission before I post pics of anyone else. It's funny, because I was going to post pictures of drama camp, the campers in their costumes - and then I thought "wait, should I get permission first?" and then this issue was brought ot my attention. Which just reinforces the "no posting with out asking" rule.

Anyway, on to other things. Ray went into warp mode today with packing. He tends to do that. Oh and my mom's coming up tomorrow and bringing my grandparents (at least that was the plan) . they just got back from a trip to Vegas and a short cruise. Very cool, although having just watched the movie Posidion I am not so sure about a cruise any more. I don't think I could be that resourceful in a sinking ship. Also, I get to visit my in-laws on Friday morning as they are coming up. They also just returned from a vacation out east. I am looking forward to visiting, especailly because soon we will be in Windsor, and won't be able to just pop down to Peterborough to visit. I am really looking forward to seeing my sister in law, Gail, her husband, Eric, and my nephew Joseph... they have been in Regina for the last few months selling their house and getting ready to move back here to live with my in-laws. They get here on the 4th of September, and we leave on like the 11th. We are also heading out to dinner with my dad and Michelle... man all of the visiting, it's going to be a huge adjustment for us not to be right down the highway from our families, and I haven't even mentioned our friends yet...

Well, I should go, I never know just how long Joshua will sleep for... and he's been sleeping for a few hours now, which means in a couple of hours he's going to wake up... and root around for me, well not me, but the food supply that I carry with me (a.k.a the walking refridgerator). Who knows maybe he'll surprise me and sleep all night... one can only hope.

ahh a breathe...

The production of the Wizard of Oz went really well, so very well. I was entirely pleased. I though that it might not go so well, but the kids pulled it together and they did such a great job, it was the best drama camp yet (in my humble opinion). I would have put some pics on - but they were taken with someone elses camera and didn't get loaded on my computer.

Ray is heading to Windsor tomorrow to meet with the home inspector, prayerfully he doesn't run into complications on the drive there or back, and everything goes well.

Joshua is amazing, he was at camp every day last week, and stayed as long as Ray needed to almost every night. He is so comtent to be held by anyone, he is a people person for sure. He takes after his papa. And he loves music, infact he likes to sing and talk when we are ... I felt so bad the other night he was way over tired but refusing to go to sleep and we were at a friends house. I put him on the floor, on his hands and knees, and he was fine for a little bit and then went "smack"... and started really crying. He had a big red mark just above his top lip where he made contact with the floor. Oh, well... he's a boy and gonna get hurt worse in his life just playing.

Well I am off, Ray in snoring on the couch, and Joshua is in bed - which means I should be there too. ( Sleep when the baby sleeps... and all that jazz)

See you.

Update, update, update

Well folks... I have been crazy busy with drama camp and the closing details with our house. yikes!

today was the first day at Drama camp that we did a full run through... and it went well, I was a little nervous about it. As things have been kind of rough with the kids remembering their lines and when to go on or off stage... but it always happens this way; with everything coming together at the end of the week. We have some really talented kids this year... some girls who are going to be serious "triple threats". They sing so well... that has been a highlight for me, listening to these young girls sing, all I can say is WOW!The performance is tomorrow night at 6pm I am really hoping that things go well.

Joshua has been fairing better these last few days.. which is nice. I took him to the Doctor's today. He weighs 19lbs 12 ounces, and is 27 1/2 inches long. Which the doctor informs me is big for his age.

I got a call from the Fraud department with the bank that I use and they have blocked my card b/c I let ray use it and I couldn't tell them all of the transactions on my account today. Just another thing to eat up my time tomorrow morning! Errr!

Well I need to comment on the fact that Benji won "america's favorite dancer" on So You think You Can Dance. I totally thought that it would be between Donyelle and Travis, as their style seems like the Celine dion style. But Benji's cute and I totally loved the dance that him and Travis did to gyrate... the geek routine. Very funny. The tour of the top 10 is at the hummingbird centre in October, man would I love to go. There is also a show in Detroit... I couldn't order tickets online though. Serious fun!

Well that's it for now folks... until then "I'm off.... to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz."

quickie

I am at drama camp so i won't be able to write much. i Will look to havea detailed entry on wednesday night after the finally of my fov show So you think you can dance!

Thanks for the comment mike....

Talk to you all later.

Love ya's and could use your prayers for drama camp and joshua this week... day one is over but Joshua is not happy tonight... over stimulated and crying all the time.

Trina

Up, Up, and Away...

OK Mike if your so faithful to read my blog as you claim "everyday", then I challenge you to comment!!!

I am home from Church, and though I didn't want to come right home - I figured it would be alot easier to nurse Joshua at home then while pushing him in the grocery cart. Then it hits me as I go to prepare my lunch that someone has to clean up the mess I refer to as the Kitchen and seeing as how the "dish washing fairy" didn't keep her apointment today while I was at church... it looks like I get the pleasure of doing the dishes. Oh Joy! Infact, the dishes are the main reason I am writing this entry right now... anything to avoid the dishes. But Ray likes to come home to a tidy house when he has been away for the weekend (I learned this early in our marriage), so I better give the dishes my full attention. Too bad I couldn't just snap my fingers and voila! Kitchen is clean (as would be the rest if my house).

Anyway, I should go... 3 ninjas kick back is on YTv now... just another excuse to not do the dishes...

It's been too long...

Well folks so much has happened since the last time I blogged...

I went to a family BBQ, which is always an interesting time. It was in honor of my great Uncle Jim who died last year. My Great aunt susie and her husband Butch were there, it was nice to see them. It's likely the last time that I will see my Great uncles before Ray, Joshua and I move. They have a tradition at this BBq they play RINGO. Which is basically tossing a metal ring into the hole, and you get points. When I was younger they used to play lawn darts. I guess RINGO is safer, nobody will be attacked by a lawn dart launched down the yard by one of their relatives that has inbibed in a little too much alcohol, distracted by their other relative who, when alcohol kicks in and the music is playing can't seem to keep their clothes on ... "hey mister DJ put a record on... I want to dance to the music..." Yeah, family get togethers... they are NEVER dull.

This picture is of my great uncles and aunt... my grandfather and my mom. My great uncles/aunt are my grandfather's brothers, and my mom was raised by her grandmother (deceased) and so was raised calling her uncles( my great uncles) brothers. Did you follow that?

Then the day after the bbq, we went on a church picnic thingy to Cobourg beach. The beach was packed... and I didn't think that we would find our group, but just when I was about to give up - there they were. Yippee! Joshua got to play with Daddy on the splash pad and then in the lake. I was a little nervous about letting Ray take him in LAke Ontario... he's just new... what if he came out with a sixth toe or something? Joshua loves the water. And I got some great pics.

(left) This one is Joshua and Daddy getting out of the cold lake ontario, I applied the poster effect to this pic, and I think it looks great.

(right)This one is Joshua on the splash pad...

My thanks goes to Kathy and Mike who graciously treated me to my favorite dessert... Ice cream! Thank you, you made my day!

From the beach we travelled to our friends house. Ange and Scott had us for dinner and we had so much fun taking wacky pics of our kids... They have little girl Madison. We had these Sausages with cheese in them... where did you buy those? They were great. And then Ange fed me more ice cream, yum yum, and on Scott's suggestion I put corn syrup over it - it was so good. I tried to add a pic, but I think maybe 3 is the max... I will add a post of just pics.

Anyway, we travelled to Windsor last week and found a house that we want to buy... Yeah! We have put an offer in on it and are just waiting to here back.

Ok I am going to make a new entry with just some pics... my kid is too cute, and so is Madison.

Death and a Birthday!

Well, folks I am another day older! I celebrated my 26th birthday last night. Friends babysat Joshua and Ray and I went out for dinner, and then to the movies. We saw You, Me, and Dupree. Some parts were funny, but over all it was a stupid movie I would say. We were coming out of the theater and were walking/running like everyone else - b.c of the rain - and this girl totally ran into me! Grrrr! At least she didn't knock me down.

The storm last night was awesome! We were driving on the 401 and there were all these bolts of lightening! Fascinating!

Joshua was so good for our friends. He took a bottle and everything. They gave him celery to chew on... which he liked. Their dog absolutely loves Joshua, and is so concerned if Joshua is crying; sits near Joshua; comes over to whoever is holding joshua. They tell me that their dog doesn't act that way with other babies. Weird.

I recieved news that my cat, Psyche, died the other day. We got Psyche when we first married - She was Ray's birthday gift to me. We only just gave her away, to my mom's friend who lives on a farm; we are away alot, and didn't think that was fair to her. She apparently was living the high life at the farm, and they were even keeping her in doors - until she found a hole in the window screen. But even then she would get out and come back. Well, the other day she got out and the coyote's got her, she made it backt othe farm's front door - but was already dead when she was found. Sad. I would have posted a pic but the button's not working.

Well, we gave notice at our current apartment, so I should go and do some household chores(boring) - just in case the lady calls and wants to show it. Ta Ta!

Great Grandma's-Journey's- Partylite-Airmiles...

Hmmm, there are many things on my mind tonight. But some things are better left unsaid. At least for now.

We had a visit today from Joshua's great grandma who lives in B.C. We have not seen her in a while, so it was nice to visit. This was Joshua and Great Grandma Doris's 1st meeting. I am so blessed to have a baby who doesn't make strange with people - at least not yet. I cheated tonight when I put him to bed, I put him in bed with me and let him fall asleep beside me - then moved him to his crib. Not that he'll last the night in his own bed... but we try. Joshua also got to cool down in sink tonight, which he really enjoyed. And apparently a cold wash cloth does wonders for a teething baby. Who knew?

We made the annoucement in church on the weekend that Ray and I have accepted a Job in Windsor. Over all it was well recieved, I think. They are hoping to have us start there the middle of Septemeber, which puts us in a frenzy to wrap things up, pack, find another place to live, move, and say our goodbyes. That will be the hardest part. I feel as though I have grown from teenager to woman under the friendship/leadership of some really great women at Durham Church Network. That's the hardest part: leaving the close proximinty of friends and family. Knowing that the relationships will continue, but just transform into something different. All relationships are a journey, sometimes you journey side by side and other times your farther apart, the point is that you journey together.

Have you ever been to a Party Lite party? Ange, you did a great job hosting, and the food and treats were fantastic! I love the product, but have to admit that it's pricey. I am totally excited about what I bought though... which is nice. Ray is the candle person though, not me. He is also our home decorator, which he likes to do. I am not really into the decorating thing, because until we get a place that is our own... (sigh) I just don't see the point of spending our own money to decorate someone elses property, it's not like paint comes off the walls, and can travel to your new location! hey - they need to invent peel and stick paint. Paint that is transportable, just peel it off. Kind of like the new nail polish manicure stuff from avon that's peel and stick.

So I am thinking about Christmas gifts already and am trying to weigh out the cost of using my airmiles to get gift certificates for people. Now try and follow my logic... hopefully you can. $20 = 1 airmile right? So I can get a $20 gift card for Chapters by redeeming 185 airmiles great deal right? at least until I do the math and figure out that for that $20 giftcard I spent $3700.00... ah what...? (185 airmiles x $20 (1 airmile for every $20) = 3700.00) Am I crazy? Or I could just go spend the $20 and get a gift card... do you see where I am coming from? When you look at it that way, it;s not a "free" gift card. Granted I would have needed those groceries that I collected the airmiles for anyway, but still! It's the principle. I mean at least up the airmiles for every $20 - help a body out! The more free stuff the better.

Well folks, I will leave you pondering just how many airmiles you have and how much $ you spent getting them - this entry is the late night musings of a new mom.... take from it what you will and leave the crap ( although - there is no crap tonight) Good night folks ... happy grocery shopping!

sickly sippy cup

So, RAy was sick earlier this week... and normally what he catches, I do not. However this week is an entirely different story. I have had stomach cramps, and I vomitted and just about passed out - which isn't that bad except that I was alone with our son Joshua and wasn't sure he would be safe. It took me 3 tries to get Ray on his cell phone, and when I told him I puked he's like" your serious?" - Ah nope, in the words of Joey Ferreira "I just jokin'". Whatever! Thankfully he understood the gravity of the situation and came home, and proceeded to take our son with him to his evening meetings; where I am told Joshua actually drank from a bottle (no small feat) and wasn't fussy at all. I love my son, but I was glad that Ray took him... aside from not feeling well - I needed the break.

I went yesterday to Walmart to pick up the pictures that I wrote about in my previous entry, they turned out great! I am so happy that the effect worked. I also went looking for a cup for Joshua... do you know there are like 30 different cups to choose. I was baffled... I mean really how hard is it to find a cup? I wish there was a sign that said "1st time mom's recommend (brand name)". And some don't even tell you how old your child should be before using said cup... Anyway I bought one, a heinz one, and I am still not sure if Joshua likes it - if not I still have at least 29 more brands to choose from!

Cool Effects...

This picture is a picture that I took of Joshua the other day, and I was playing around on the computer with a program that we have and you can make your pictures have all of these neat effects... this is the poster effect. I have sent this picture to be developed, and will let you know if it works or not.

Joshua has been super fussy today, but thats to be expected when babies teethe... or so I am told.

I am going for a walk with the lady across the street tomorrow. Which is exciting, her baby is about 2 weeks younger than Joshua. We have been living in this place for about 8 months, and we just met last month... turns out shes a christian as well. There are some huge similarities between us. We have been married coming up on 5 years, as have they; he plays guitar and sings, as does Ray; she sings, as do I; they have a 6 month old, as do we; and we are all believers. Crazy!
I went out for walk tonight, thinking that So you think you can dance was on tonight at 8pm, but I missed it (fox showed it at 8 but it was a rerun). Oh well, I will just check the website, as I won't be able to watch the results tomorrow night either...! I am hooked, sorry folks.

A co-worker of mine taped the last season of Alias for me, so I am watching that as well... I loved Alias, and am sad that it is finished. I think Jennifer Gardner is talented and beautiful. I thought she did a great job as Electra, and in 13 going on 30.

As it turns out I didn't miss the newest episode of So you think you can dance.... it's on right now! YEAH!

Always a pleasure to share my life with you folks....

Poop For Thought

The farting is heard from across the room, Joshua is playing in his excersaucer and mommy is on the computer, daddy is on his way out... and another loud fart. Mommy comes over to see what's happening, picks up Joshua and thinks "those were just farts... there's nothing up his back!" Until she sees the yellow-brown goo running down Joshua's leg... "Help Ray!" Joshua gets cleaned up... the saucer gets cleaned up, Daddy leaves... mommy notices that the Saucer needed more cleaning as there was a puddle of poop in the bottom of it! The power of Poop!

Yes this is a disgusting pic, but I just had to post it! Aside from the graphic poop, my ankles look really skinny!

Thank you for all of the comments regarding the passing of my aunt. There was no funeral, but there was a lucheon. My mom is doing well.

Joshua cut a tooth on friday and has another on the way! The cute as a button boy has rediscovered the art of biting! But I took some advice from my Sister-in-law, Gail, and flicked his cheek when he bit me... he screamed the first time I did that; now he bites me, I flick him, he just looks up at me - then leans in for a hug. Cute as a button, and knows how to push mommy's button.
Like I said earlier, CUTE AS A BUTTON! Am I right? I love this hat! I got it at the Gap... for $5! He looks so adorable in it! Joshua visited his great grandparents today and they have a rocking horse ( as you can see) and it made the cutest picture. You can see Daddy's hand and feet in the pic because although Joshua can sit up on his own now... we didn't want to take any chances with the wooden horse... or floor.

Man I love taking pictures... I am hoping that Ray gets the hint and we can get a new fancier camera (different modes, bigger zoom). This camera has been great though, and better this camera then no camera. I received a compliment regarding my picture taking yesterday. I took photos at a friends wedding, and they turned out really nicely; the couple compared my photos of their wedding to the photos a professional took at another wedding that they were at! That was super encouraging! I would love to take a course and begin taking pictures on the side. I find so much enjoyment out of it.

An update on So You Think You Can Dance; America totally voted off the right person when it came to Martha. Her solo was not very entertaining, moves were very small, and her face was hidden. Yikes. Natalie on the other hand was great, emotional, beautiful movement - I really like her though, so I could be a bit partial.

Well folks, Joshua has stopped crying (I put him to sleep), so I should go. Thanks for reading... don't forget to comment...

In Memory of Sheila Reid

My aunt Sheila died today. I wanted to post this tonight in her honour. I remember her as a person full of life. I am thankfull that my son Joshua was able to meet his great aunt. This is a picture of him with his grandma and great aunt Sheila taken just last week. We thought that Sheila would have more time with us, but God had other plans, and took her home today. Thankfully her children, Leta and Tyrone, were with her as well as her husband, Reg and her siblings, my mom Jane and uncle John. My mom had been spending alot of time with Aunt Sheila since she was admitted to the hospital. My heart goes out to my mom, and Sheila's family. I would have liked to get to know Aunt Sheila better, and it makes me sad that she suffered the way she did, but she is no longer in pain. I will miss her, as I know her family will miss her.

I love you mom, I know you are sad, I wish I could be there with you right now. I am sending you plenty of hugs. You are so caring and loving, and the way that you spent time brushing Aunt Sheila's hair, helping her with her teeth, and other everyday things makes me realize what an amazing woman you are, full of love. I love you, I love you, I love you.

A Night of Blissful Sleep... Well Almost

So we've been trying this whole "let your kid cry it out" thing when it comes to getting Joshua to go to sleep. The first night, Joshua cried for almost an hour then fell asleep... only to wake up around 4 in the morning ( at that time I decided to break the rule and bring him back in bed with us). Yesterday, (and today) he seems to be the crankiest baby... fussy gussy, is what his grandma Jane calls him. He would not nap in the daytime in his crib, errgh! Last night I was out so Ray put Joshua to bed and when I cam home Joshua was of course crying... no big deal. I asked Ray if he gave him cereal, "yes", how long has he been crying "about 30min". I deduced that Joshua was probably wanting a drink after the cereal, as that is what I normally do. So I nursed him, read him a book, prayed with him, gave him hugs and kisses, and put him back in the crib. He cried for 7 minutes and then slept the whole night through! Praise God! I however kept getting up to check on him... that and to change my shirt and get a towel as I had soaked my side of the bed in breast milk! I was wondering why I felt so cold (we have an airconditioner now) and I felt my shirt and it was sopping wet! Leaky Refridgerator! Joshua even woke up in a happy mood. Which is the norm for my cute morning baby, full of laughter and conversation. I think that is what I will miss the most with Joshua sleeping in his crib now, waking up to him talking, laughing and having that morning cuddle before the day gets going.

The picture in this post is of Kirk, Linda, Jake, Tim and Josh Goodman. The Goodman's are the friends that we stayed with while and Edmonton. Kirk was the pastor who performed our wedding, and his son Josh was our ring barer(sp?). Kirk and his oldest son Jake return home today from a missions trip with their church to Gautemala.

Well I should shove off, and do a Lynette the Clown 10 second tidy, so that I can keep on top of all our stuff, "HEY WHO MADE THIS BIG MESS?"... Ta Ta!

This is Joshua with his bear Jr. Jones! This is bear we created at the West Edmonton Mall.

We are now home from a great week of holidays, and I am sitting here boiling hot, not haveing anyone to comiserate with, other than my son who is currently only speaking gibberish. (although I am sure that it makes sense to him)

So back to the real world, and after staying at someone's house where there was always someone around I find I am missing the company! Ray's away, so I am suffering in our overheated apartment with our son. I have a ton of things to be doing (like all of our laundry from our vacation), planning my drama camp, etc... but absolutely no energy to do anything...that and no desire.

On a more positive note, I have visited Baskin Robbins 2 times in the last two days. They had the flavor Hokey Pokey - which I was told that the discontinued! A piece of Heaven! Lizzie, I am sure that you can apprecaite my love for Baskin Robbins! I also visited the Peterborough Zoo yesterday, it was packed and extremely hot, and I was wearing Jeans! Duh!

Well, hopefully I will have something more interesting to share with you all later... until then

Build a Bear

Well folks, my good friend Lizzie has never heard of Build a bear... its a store where you build a bear (go figure!) You walk through it a pick the stuffed animal that you want, then you can put a sound box in it, you get it stuffed and put a heart in it and then give it a bath, dress it and then create a birth certificate for it. It is quite an experience! I love it! I got a pair of tighty whiteys for Jr. Jones (the bears name). I also took pics at every stage of the bears creation, for the photo album that I am going to put together.

Bye Folks.

New Face

well I have changed the template on my blog. I am having a hard time figuring out how to change things around. For instance I would like to add links to my friends blogs, but I can't seem to figure it out. Grrrr. Oh well I will figure it out when I get home and can fart around on my own computer for a while, instead of when I am visiting.

It's absolutely a sauna here at the Goodman residence. I am swetting just sitting here. I fell like I am in Ontario! It's unusual(sp?) weather for Edmonton. Figures!

Something that you should understand about Ray and I is that we are not sports people. I watch the odd hockey game but thats about it. So we are really hoping that Joshua is not interested in sports seriously when he gets older. I am not against getting him invovled in like soccer, tee ball or swimming but hockey or baseball is - well not so much! It's a good thing that he seems so interested in Ray's guitar, and loves it when we sing to him. Although that could change and we could spend the bulk of his childhood getting hemroids, sitting in a freezing cold rink, on cement benches, shelling out tons of money for equipment, and never seeing him "make it" to the NHL... wouldn't that be a practical joke on us....

I am so used to Ray being here, that when he went into the conference this afternoon, I missed him. He is still not back yet, but thats not a surprise...Ray is a talker - especailly when you get him with people that he hasn't seen in a while. I really enjoy spending time with my husband... I guess thats a good thing considering i will be spending the rest of my life with him.

Well i must sign off, i want to go check out the Build-a-Bear website, I am going to build Joshua a bear tomorrow - How exciting!!!!

The s sMiddle of the Night

Folks, it's way too late for a nursing mother with a co-sleeping infant to be up. But I am! It's that darn Coke that I drank a few hours ago kicking in. I guess thats what happens when you don't normaly drink caffeine(sp?).
So, we start our second week away... I won't say holidays because Ray is actually working. Yuck! But I get to hang out with Linda, Sue and Amanda and go shopping... so I guess it's a fair trade.
I was nursing in the West Edmonton Mall the other night, and normally I am not paying much attention to what is going on around me while Joshua and I are bonding. But at this particular time I looked up to take in the people walking by when an older lady walking with a friend of hers gave me the side long leer accompanied by the shake of her head, that translates as "look at the girl, nursing in public, what is the world coming to? Doesn't she have any self respect? How rude of her. Blah Blah Blah - I'm a old snob." I am assuming that her look is supposed to shame me - but really all it does is make me what to pull my son off of my breast and follow her to give her a piece (or two, or four) of my mind. I mean really, I was covered, and my breast was serving a non sexual purpose... what's the big deal? errr! I guess reacting to her negativity with my own would not have made the situation any better... I need a hazard sign that reads something like "bare breasts when nursing" instead of "slippery when wet". Can you think of a better one?
I am thinking that it would be wise to take a infant/child CPR course... we were at Denny's today with Matthijs, Sue and Noah; when Noah proceded to choke on his food. I had no idea what to do. Thank God that through his coughing he was able to dislodge the food in his throat. It was a scary experience for me... I have no idea how to help someone should they choke. Scary.

I haven't uploaded any photos b/c the cord I need is at home. But i look forward to you seeing just how cute Joshua is getting day by day. We are co-sleeping right now, as I mentioned earlier. They are arguments for and against this practice. But right now it is the best working solution that I have. I can nurse him in bed and he's right there, I don't need to get up. But I am finding that sleeping 3 to a bed is not the most comfortable situation. Besides the fact that Joshua won't stay down long when he can't sense me near to him. We have put him in a play pen while we are out here and he will not stay asleep. And his soother won't do to calm him; he wants my nipple! Although I like the closeness, and the bonding time, I am really hoping to break this habit and soon. It will mean letting Joshua cry it out though, and I am not great at that. The boy is almost 20 lbs, he doesn't need to be nursing through the night!
Well I should go, and try to sleep... before Joshua realizes that we moved him from the bed to the play pen... and the bed then gets cramped again.!

Vacation

Well, well, well! We made it to Edmonton with no problems! Joshua was exceptional on the plane, even the people around us made comments. However, the little girl across from us was screaming her lungs out... and her mom was preggers! Her dad just kept reading his magazine and she was screaming "now! now! now!" and kicking the seat in front of her... much to the chagrin of the 20 something guy sitting in front of her! We are hoping that Joshua has a great return flight.

So we are having a great time with Kirk and Linda, eating so much food and loving it! We saw Matthijs and sue last night... good times had by all!
I went swimsuit shopping yesterday, and was so discouraged about it. And Ray wanted to go to the Water park today! First, I am not a water person, second , I have and infant, and third I didn't have a swimsuit that i would feel comfortable in. But I percervered(sp?)... and we (linda and I) went swimsuit shopping... I found a great one at the BAy... it's made of a really strong bathing suit material that holds everything together. Which is what i need now that I have had a baby. That and support for by HUGE breasts...
I had a great time by the way, at the water park. I loved the wave pool! Although, I got squished and forced under the water by another person who was enjoying the big waves. Joshua enjoyed the wave pool too. Ray was great with him. I took some pictures and am looking forward to putting a page together for Joshua's scrapbook. Man I have a ton of pictures of ray and joshua...
I also indulged in Baskin Robins icecream - lizzie, you will appreciate the good taste and great memories that Baskin Robins procures for us!

I went on a realy motorbike yesterday. It was great fun. A little nerve racking at first. I had to decide that I trusted the guy driving... and if you've ever seen Kirk goof around you understand my reservations. But I must say he was a great driver and took it very seriously. Everything out here is in a square patch and flat. Which can make for a little boring. But the ride was very peaceful.

Well I must go, its rude to be on the computer when your at someone elses house. Sorry Linda.

The walking refridgerator!

Well folks, its been a few days!
I thought I would brighten your day with this adorable picture of Joshua, courtesy of my good friend Julie! joshua is currently sitting on my lap as I write this... which makes typing interesting!
We are off to Edmonton this afternoon, so i thought I would write now while my hubby, Ray, is out. Besides I may not be able to write for a while... and even taking a break these last few days, I am amazed that I missed writing... I guess blogging is addictive.
I had an intersting experience the other day. We were driving, and it was a fairly lengthly drive, and Joshua decided that he was hungry... not being able to stop or pull over, I decided that I would try nursing Joshua while he was in his car seat and I was still buckled in my seat belt. Nursing while driving, a feat that I had heard about - but never even thought of trying. It seemed impossible! While uncomfortable, for both mom and infant, is still quite possible. Infact I found it quite amusing to see Joshua rooting for me, and only being able to get the tip of my nipple. Just as I am sure Ray found it amusing to watch me try and contort my body so as to try and satisfy Joshua's hunger! Never mind Ray though... what about those people passing us in the highway? My life as a dairy cow, or in the words of a good friend "a walking refridgerator".

So you think you can DANCE!

Hey all!

I love so you think you can dance! Natalie and Mousa are my favorite couple right now. I so wish I could really dance!
I want to give a quick "hello" to my sister-in-law, Gail and her son, my nephew, Joseph! I miss you guys, I miss watching Joseph grow up... and they grow so fast don't they? I miss you too Eric! I am praying for you guys, as you pack up to move out here, and as you finish off at your job Eric...

Anybody watching Canada's Next Top Model? I know, I know, reality tv, yuck... and a waste of time... but I must admit, addictive! Who thinks of these shows... now make over shows they are another story altogether! I like the transformation process, and the fact that often these women come on to the shows without confidence, or at least that is what they convey with the way that they are dressing, and these shows help them to express on the outside what they need to have on the inside. Also, I think that alot of women have problems understanding clothes. They don't teach "what clothes to wear for your body type" in highschool. Man I wish they did! I am just learning about what to wear, and still don't feel overly confident going shopping without someone else to bounce things off of! However, I was in the mall about a month ago and saw a sign up for a new makeover show, so I went over and started talking to the lady casting the show, and began filling out the forms. She went on to say that she didn't think that I would get cast on the show because......I was too pretty for them! Talk about an esteem builder, considering I was in my grubby clothes, hadn't showered or put any make up on! Too pretty! OK, I'll take that...