Love Thursday....is back

I know I haven't been doing this for a while but I am going to try and get back into it. So today's post has no picture as I forgot my camera in the front hall this morning.

But Love is spending some time with your sister, just one on one with no kids. Love is picking strawberries and remembering being kids and picking with our mom and grandma. Love is the special bond that sisters share!

I'm hurting...

Today was NOT a fun day at work. Thanks to my co-worker who shall remain nameless totally caused a incident to occur with one of the residents at work (he is about 6ft1 and weighs 240 lbs - not a small guy. Thanks to him we have 4 holes in our walls at the group home). They were yelling and name calling back and forth with each other. Finally I told my co-worker to go home. So she did. Then I had to get all the other residents safe (3 in wheelchairs and one able bodied) out the back door and loaded into the van as they were safer in there. But as one of the guys (in wheelchair and weighs 80lbs) was getting loading onto the ramp to go in the van the other guy punched him in the back twice and was going at him for more, so I put my body completely over the wheelchair where I then got punched 3 times in the back of the neck and twice in the back before he backed off. I was able to load the last guy into the van, locked all the doors and called 9-1-1. So 4 cruisers came, and pretty much did NOTHING. They wouldn't arrest him b/c the courts would just find him not responsible for their actions. blah blah blah. Although he has been arrested before for assault. ah well. They just kept telling him he was a "bad boy". Yeah he was. Now take him to jail. When the police asked him what he wanted them to do he would say "take my to jail". That's what he wanted. So now I am so sore, I can barely move my neck, my back is sore. I am freakin scared to go back into work tonight. My anxiety has been down for a while that I have not needed to take any of anxiety medication. But I did today! And I don't want to go back!

but want to know what really pisses me off? Was that I called my managers cell phone, it rang 4 times and the got the machine. I left a msg asked her to call back for advice on what to do with the police. I called her at home, left a message, got the "emergancy pager" to talk to another manager on call no one called back, I called main office to talk to some one there - no luck. Then as I was leaving I tried my manager back again on her cell and I got the answering machine on the first ring (meaning she turned it off) and her message was changed to that she is on vacation for 2 weeks. But she didn't have the decency to call me at work first. She obviously got my message! I really could have used SOME backup/advice.

Parenting for dummies

Does anyone know where I can find a manual for Chance? There has to be one where. Maybe a book? Do they have Parenting For Dummies a.k.a AMY. Now I know I am not a dummy but sometimes I just don't know how to deal with some of emotional issues Chance is dealing with right now. He has had a few meltdown lately where he'll be asked to do something simple, and it'll lead into a big crying fit that he can't seem to calm himself out of. One happened on Friday (I was late coming home from work), and Andrew asked him to do something and he just started crying for a good 10 minutes. But he managed to calm down a bit but when he saw me from the window pulling in he started again so I just came home and held him like a baby and rocked him. Then he stopped and went on to playing and when asked what was wrong he would just say "I don't know".

Then it happens again tonight. I asked Chance to turn the TV as it was time for bed (his show was done) and normally Chance never gets upset when asked to do this. But he did and started crying. Then he asked to have his cold bath, I said not tonight and the crying got louder, then I asked him to push his teeth and he just lost it. I put Joe and Manny to bed and I went in to the bathroom and I said "I know what you need Chance" and he looked at me and I said "you need a snuggle with mommy" and he's like "yeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss". He crawled into bed and I held him tight and I could just feel his tense body loosen up and he was asleep in less then 5 minutes". But even as he was sleeping it took him another 10 minutes for him to fully relax. All day he kept saying he "misses daddy".

He also keeps going back and forth saying "I want mommy to go to work and daddy stay home with me", then he'll say "I want daddy to go to work and daddy stay home with me". We are working opposite shifts so that one of us is always home with him. But I guess Chance still feels like he is missing out. He wants us both home all the time (and oh how Andrew and I would LOVE for that to be a reality".

I feel he is trying to tell us something but he is not quite able to put it into words. He asked me today at breakfast if Joe and Manny are going to go back live with Michelle (their birth mom). I wish I could give him an answer (I wish *I* knew what was happening). So I think he is finally starting to understand more what fostering means. He then told me while we were clearing the table "I don't want them to take my brothers".

I'm just so scared to deal with some of his emotional issues (us fostering, being an adoptee, losing "siblings" when they are returned home). If not dealt properly can cause life long issues.

Sex Ed

Okay, who has been teaching my three year old sex ed? Chance is always telling us that he wants to grow up to be just like Daddy. Once in awhile he'll talk about his hair getting long like Daddy, or growing big and tall But the other day while we were eating dinner he's like "when I get bigger, my penis is going to get big and long". lol, not exactly dinner topic but I did tell him "yes, your penis will get big and long". Then two nights ago at dinner time he told me that when he gets bigger like Daddy that his voice is going to change. Again, he's right. But how does he know this? We defiantly haven't sat him down yet and talked about puberty!

He also told us yesterday that he dosen't want his booster seat at the table any more since he has gotten so big he dosen't need it anymore. Even if the table comes up to his chest, he is convinced that he is too big for it.

Attachment
When packing for the cottage last week I told Chance he can bring one cuddly with him. He has a few favourites so I was a little surprised when he came back with "Pinky". You see Carrie gave Skylar Pinky for Valentines day and Skylar just loved Pinky. We didn't send it home with her b/c we figured she wouldn't have and memories of where it came from and what it meant. And it wouldn't surpised us if Skylars mom threw it out. So we kept it and gave it to Chance. Something so that he can remember Skylar by. He knows that Pinky was Skylar's, and he also knows that his birth mom gave it to her. So when he brought me Pinky to pack I asked him why he chose Pinky and he said "becuase I want Skylar to come to the cottage with me". once he left the room I cried. He remembers last year when Skylar was at the cottage with us. So Pinky came and he cuddled with it and probably thought of Skylar.


Skylar first got Pinky

The boys all tried sleeping in one bed at the cottage - didn't last long until Joe bit Chance's finger (Chance still won't say why his finger was in Joe's mouth). But Chance wanted Pinky in the picture too.

Then when we got back from the cottage Joe and Manny's worker (Rachel) was comming for a visit. (side note: Rachel was also Skylar's worker). So I told Chance that the boys worker was comming and he was fine. Then the next day he asked what the worker name that was comming and I said "Rachel" and he started screaming and yelling that he dosen't want Rachel to come. Which is NOT a normal reaction. Chance loves when the workers come as he knows he gets away a few extra things that he normal won't get away with. He likes so show off for them. So I asked him why he didn't want Rachel to come and threw his tears he said "I don't want Rachel to take my brothers away like she took Skylar away". You see, Rachel is the one that came and took Skylar away that day. We both sat on my bed and we cried together and we talked about Skylar and how much we all miss her and that there will always be a part of her that is with us. I also told her that she was not comming to take his brothers away! He was then ok with that. (Chance still talks about Skylar about 3-4 times away. Usually it's just a "I miss Skylar" and then he carries on with what he was doing).

Then a few days ago while Chance and I were doing dishes I asked him if would like mommy and daddy to take in another foster child, maybe one that is older then he is. Right away he's like "NO - I don't want them to come" and so I asked him why not and he says "b/c I don't want my brothers to go away. I don't want any others ones, just my brothers". (in the past we got Skylar onces Nathaniel left, we got Joe and Manny once Skylar left. So I am assuming he thought they would have to leave in order for more to come in). So I just dropped the topic and let it be.

Then while Chance was playing outside our neighbour mentioned something and Joe and Manny being Twins and he got all defensive saying "no, they are not twins, they are just my brothers" and our neighbour (age 8) kept trying to explain it to Chance but he just kept getting more defensive. "JUST MY BROTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!". So Andrew and I have been trying to explain to him the last few days what twins mean. (Michelle had 2 babies in her tummy, but Carrie only had 1 baby. Jessice and Julie were both in Aunty Jenn's tummy at the same time so they are twins". So now he'll say it, but he still adds "they are just my bothers".

So I know I am kind of all over the place, but that is where my thoughts are. What are we teaching Chance about attachement? He thought Nathaniel was his brother - then he's gone. Skylar was his sister - then she's gone. Now he thinks Joe and MAnny are his brother - what happens if they leave? To him what is a brother? What is a sister? We have NEVER told him that NAthaniel, Joe and Manny where his brothers. We never said Skylar was his sister. He has picked that up on his own, and calls them that himself. Is he always going to think people that get close to him are going to go? Chance finally has a friend "P" that is 6 months older then he is. He asks to play with her every day. And they play together maybe 5 times a week. Sometimes they play nice together, some times they don't. But this is Chance's first friend that is his age and they loves playing together. But, "P" is a foster child that just came to live with our friends down the street. So what does that mean? That one day I might have to explain to him that his friend is GONE! Never going to see her again. POOF - there one day and gone the next. How is that going to affect the way he makes friends when he goes to school? Afried that they will suddenly be gone? Just like his "brothers and sister"? Just like his first mom (Carrie). Is he going to grow up thinking that everything that he gets close to will one day be gone?

Strawberry Picking

I uploaded the pictures wrong. So if you can do me a favour and start looking at the pictures at the BOTTOM and work your way up! :)


What an adventure! We just let the kids go with a basket and told them to go pick strawberries and put them in their basket. Well that didn't work so good. Instead all three boys picked the strawberries, but only it didn't make it to the basket. Instead they all ended up in their tummies. We were there for an hour and 20 minutes, and at the end of that time Chance had FOUR strawberries, and Joe and Manny had NONE! Can you imagine spending over an hour just eating strawberries? I know they are good, but my goodness there is a limit! Joe is a type of person that will continue to eat until you stop putting food in front of him. I have never seen him full. But I did while strawberry picking! finally after an hour and bit we saw Joe just sitting down and playing with straw. No more food for him, he was finally full. It was just crazy how much they ate. I'm surprised they didn't ask to weigh the kids when we checked out. We got 8 qts. and it only came to $10. I'm sure the kids ate $10 worth themselves! I haven't gone strawberry picking since I was a kid and it was so much fun. I remember going with my mom and doing the same thing. Just eating the strawberries! It was also the first time that Andrew has gone too. So this is something we are going to be doing every year! In the next week or two they are coming out with Raspberries so I think we are going to be going back to some. We just won't be getting as much!



Andrew with the strawberries as well

This is at the end Chance is showing his four strawberries, and Joe and Manny basket is EMPTY

Chance and all of our strawberries

Joe and Manny spent the whole time in this position. Crunched over a bush.

Chance eating a strawberry

This is Andrew and the boys out in the field.

Cottage Trip

Last week we went up to Andrew's parents cottage for 5 days. It was a nice break for EVERYONE (well maybe everyone except Andrew's parents who didn't have any peace and quiet that they are used too - but I think they enjoyed thier grandkids anyways - even if it was loud). Both and Joe and Manny seemed to learn and thrive so much in those days saying and doing things that they haven't done before. It was nice. The highlight of the trip for Chance was FISHING! He was talking about it for weeks about how he wanted to go fishing and catch a BIG SHARK. He was so excited. We got him a diego fishing pole for Easter that he has been itching to use.


This was Chance practicing casting at the cottage before we went. There is an orange fish weight on the end of the pole that he could use to help with casting.

Here is Chance fishing hoping to catch his big Shark!

and....and.... well maybe not a shark but he did catch a fish. His very first fish. He was sooo excited. He touched it once but when Daddy yelled at his not to touch it he then became afraid of the fish which he was he dosen't have a nice look on his face. but he was happy.

Can you tell what is missing?

Look a little closer, can you see it now? There is no wheel on the tractor. Now I am sure you are just dying to find out what on earth happened to this poor tractor to lose its wheel. Well you have to wait no further. On May 30th, 2007 Chance decided to see what happens when you swallow a wheel! He was choking and he threw up, so I figured we should take him to the hospital to have him looked at to make sure he's ok. He was and he was absolutely amazing at the hospital. He let them take his temp, check his blood pressure, listen to his heart and lungs, check oxygen levels and when we did the x-rays he wanted them to take more pictures! This behaviour is the COMPLETE opposite of all of his past doctor visits where he has screamed and kicked during the whole check up. So I was pleasantly surprised that this trip went smoothly. All is good, nothing showed up on the x-ray (wheel is plastic but they were checking to see if the axel was swallowed as well), and it'll just make it's way though his system. Which Chance kept checking his poop to try and find it - which we never did, but I am assuming it came out by now. :)

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Third Fathers Day 2007

Second Fathers Day 2006

First Father's Day 2005

Yes I know I am late, but I am going to be going back and doing some "catch up posts" on things that have happened in the last little while. Starting with Father's Day.

Andrew had to work AGAIN on Fathers day this year. So he got come at 6pm where we then had some dinner and I had to go to bed as I had to leave for work in 3 hours. But we took him out Friday morning for breakfast, and again Saturday night for Chinese for dinner and to celebrate his new job. But this year we finally got a nice looking Father's day picture. lol. The last two years they didn't turn out so good.. lol My favourite one is Andrew's first Father's day with both Chance and Nathaniel. :)

My mom and Dad also came up for a few hours in the afternoon for some lunch. It was a good day thought. My dad even fixed mine and Chance's bike (b/c my dad can't come over just for a visit you know.. lol).

"I still love you Mommy"

Now that is encouraging words to hear from your 3 year old son as he stands rubbing my leg while I'm puking in the toliet!

Something hit me last night and I went upstiars and I closed the door so the kids wouldn't hear me puking. But it didn't work. Chance came running upstairs and opened the bathroom door. and right away he comes over and starts rubbing my leg, my back and my face (when I wasn't puking). Then he says "that's gross mommy ... but I still love you mommy". My own husband wouldn't even stand with me in the bathroom to comfort me, but it's nice to know that my son will be there for me! :) I ended up puking 3 more times that night and each time Chance would come out of his bed and do the same thing all over again. Then he would go back and tuck me back into bed with my cuddlies. Stroke my face for a few minutes and then go back into his bed.

I HAVE SUCH AN AMAZING SON!

Things are starting to look up


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Andrew had an interview for community living almost 2 weeks ago. He didn't think he got the job b/c it had taken so long for them to get back to him. Well they called today and HE GOT THE JOB! Which is nice b/c he can now quit his job that he works at 6 days (every two weeks) and has to drive an hour one way just to get to work. So this job that is only 15 minutes away!! Plus this job is more hours (28 hrs a week), and the pay is $2 more an hour. He even gets benefits (that is if I wasn't already covered). We are really excited!

Note From Teacher

Some how I missed this note. I looked in his bag when he came home from school but I didn't see this. I guess it was burried under his lunch bag! I also found his necklace too that he's been eating! :)

Chance's first day of school
CHANCE PUTTING ON HIS BACK PACK

SHOWING JUSTIN HIS BACK PACK. JUSTIN IS HIS BUS BUDDY/FRIEND

THERE HE GOES GETTING ON THE BUS

THERE GOES MY BABY ON THE BUS!!!
Well the day has come and gone now. Andrew and I started to get some butterflies about 20 minutes before his bus came. Andrew started talking about homeschool him again. All morning Chance kept asking what time it is, and is it time to go to school yet. he kept looking out the window and talking about missing the bus. Finally we told him it was time and he went running to the front door to put his shoes and back pack on. Then went running outside where he met his friend Justin in our drive way where he showed him his new back pack and telling him that he's going to sit with him on the bus. Then we crossed the street and waited for the bus which Chance had no interest in his mommy and daddy anxiously watching him. He started getting all excited when the bus came that he didn't even want to give mommy and daddy a hug goodbye!

It was so weird watching him loading that BIG bus and watching it drive away knowing you have now lost all control of your son! (well while he's at school that is). Then we had to pick him up at 11:30 but we got there early so that we would be able to watch him play at recess. However, I didn't like what I saw. :( There was Chance off playing by himself! He kept trying to play with the other kids but they didn't want anything to do with Chance. He kept trying to play with the older kids playing soccer (maybe grade 3/4 kids). but they wouldn't wnat to play with a 3 year old! Then we saw him sitting under the slide all by himself playing in the sand. He did see us and waved at us but then kept on playing. So I guess that was a good sign that he didn't come running over to us in the van.

Then when he got home we asked him if he liked school and he said NO! How can a 3 year old NOT like kindergarden? I asked him why and he says that he missed his mommy. I asked him if he wanted to go back to school and he said no that he wants to stay home with mommy. Then while eating dinner tonight I was talking about school again and he told me that the other kids wouldn't play tag with him! Awwwh. Noone would play tag with him. But I must admit he dosen't know how to play with kids his own age. All of his "friends" are atleast 5 years older, some are like 11 years older. So it's not a big idea when he pretends to be a ghost and "woooo" in thier face as they will do it back to him. However, you do that to another 3-4 year old they will think he is strange. We have seen that reaction a few times when he goes to play ground and he tries to play with smaller kids and they just look at him weird. It just breaks my heart!

Pictures taken June 12, 2007

School....already?

I can't believe it's time! In 8 hours my little boy is going to be boarding onto a big yellow bus that will take him away for his first day of school! ACK! I'm not ready for this yet...

Actually - I am kind of excited about him going. I think he is ready and will really like it, it just means that he is no longer my little boy. As he keeps telling us this past week "I'm not little no more" and unfortunately I have to agree with him. He's not. He has turned into such a nice caring boy - that is going to school in 8 hours! He is so excited. He's been talking about it for weeks. He already knows who he is going to be sitting with (his 11 year old friend Justin that lives across the street). He helped me pack his lunch after dinner, I picked him up some special treats. I'll be posting some pictures tomorrow!

(in case you are wondering - out at his school the kids come in for a day in June to meet their teachers, other classmates, learn the school and practice getting on the bus. All kids get bussed to school since we live in the country).

and...and...and... want to know what my "little" boy did today? HE RODE A TWO WHEELER BIKE! ARGH!!! where's my baby? I want him back! I want to change his diaper, I want to bathe him and dress him and carry him into his bed and tuck him in with a lullaby. Not send him off on his own for the first time! He has only stayed a hand full time at families houses/babysitters. Now I just put him off on the bus and hope he gets there OK!

I'm not ready to be a MOM

I can still remember the first time Chance called me "mommy". I loved it and sounded so good to hear. But for some reason in the last few weeks Chance has taken to calling me mom. "thanks mom", "can I go outside mom", "good night mom". I'm not ready to be mom yet. I still want to be mommy! I tell him that he has to call me mommy untill he's 12! Maybe by then I might be ready to be a mom. Right now when he calls me mom I'll correct him and say mommy. (in a playfull manner - I don't get mad at him for calling me mom) But for some reason he is set on me being "my mom" (as he likes to refer to me as).

The stalker...

When I was comming home from work yesterday I drove past Skylar's house. I have done this twice before hoping to get a glimps of my little girl. I know I shouldn't do it, but it's so hard as she only lives a few blocks away from where I work every day. Yesterday though as I drove past she was out playing in the front. I wanted to stop the van and go running and pick her up and tell her how much I miss her. But I couldn't. I had to keep driving. I turn the corner and what comes on the radio? One more day....

The tears couldn't be stopped!

Blessing at......McDonalds?

Who would have thought that my (3) kids would be blessed at McDonalds? The first time happened two weeks ago. We just went in for a quick bite to eat so I got the 10 peice nugget meal to share with the boys. Chance was upset that there was no toy. No sooner then I finished telling Chance that there was no toy a lady came over with her 3 kids (all older around 10ish) and asked if my kids would like thier toys as her kids were too old for them. So of course I took it and all 3 boys were happy with thier toy.

Then - this past Monday we were in town and it was getting late so we went to McDonalds again and grabbed some lunch. Once done Chance asked for some ice cream. I told him to ask Daddy b/c I wanted some too. Daddy of course said no and Chance was upset and about to start a tantrum but I stopped it and was about to explain why we were not getting an ice cream when a lady that works there comes over with 3 ice cream cones and asked if we wanted them. That someone had changed thier order and there was no point in wasting them. So we took them and the 3 boys had thier ice cream cone. Then a few minutes later I tell Andrew "too bad we got the ice cream cones, as someone changed thier order and they are giving away two butterscotch sundaes". The guy worker there pointed towards us but the lady told them that she had just given us the cones. So he went and asked a few other people if they wanted the sundae. No body did. So over to us and Andrew and I got a ice cream sundae! :)

Happy Mother's Day

Wow - it's hard to believe that this is now my second mothers day! This year was special for me as Chance had made two crafts for me. One was at his Monday play group where the teacher went around and told all the mom to stay on the floor and took all the kids over to the craft table and made a special flower for us (using thier hand). Then they put it in a bag and glued it shut and she told the kids they had to go hide it when they got home. Which Chance did. Then on Friday playgroup we made another craft which Chance did on his own (threaded the ribbon around the plate, put some stickers on it, clued the hand print poem on it, then went to the teacher who helped him put his handprint. I really enjoyed these gifts, and so did Chance. I also got some solar lights, and a solor light turtle that Chance picked out just for me. He was convinced that I wanted the turtle.

Now since I am posting this at 12:11am on Mothers day that means that I already had my mothers day (on Friday). Since Andrew has to work 12 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday he won't be around to do anything special. So he did it Friday night for me. Even made me a nice dessert. Today (as in a few hours from now after I get some sleep we will all be heading into kitchener to spend the day with my family.

So I just wanted to say Happy Mothers Day to my Mom, My Mother in Law, My sister and all my friends.

And also, a Happy Mothers day to Carrie, Coley and all other birthmom's. Today is a day for all moms regardless of where thier children live.

First picture is of me with the 3 boys. The 2nd picture is of me and Chance with the crafts he made. I'm holding the plate with his handprint and the poem. He is holding the flower made out of his hand. The 3rd picture is of me and the boys with my soloar lights and turtle.

Happy Birthmoms Day

What is birthmom day? I'm sure most people have never heard of it before. I haven't until a few months ago when my friend (and birthmom) Coley told me about it. Birthmom day was started in 1990 by a group of birthmom that wanted to be recognized at this time of year. So the Saturday before Mother's day is set aside for birthmoms. Some places hold Birthmom day events (like the one Coley just organized today - check out www.birthmombuds.com then look under birthmom day 2007), but I do not think enough people know about this day and take the time to acknowledge all the birthmom out there that are spending this weekend alone and hurting. They do have thier children with them, and yet society will not acknowledge them as being mothers.

So I just wanted to wish Carrie a happy birthmom day! She is a wonderful woman. She is also a mom to 2 little boys. (well maybe not so little but you get my point).

Also - Happy Birthmom's Day to you too Coley. You are a wonderful mom to your two little boys. N. and C. are two lucky boys to be able to call you mom and burpmom. :) I have learned so much from you, your honesty and most of all your friendship.

Picture taken Jan 2006 - you can just see the love in Carrie's face as she goes in for a kiss.

5 YEARS!!!! WoW - Today marks our 5 wedding anniversary. It is amazing how quickly time flies by you. It dosen't seem like that long ago when we first started dating (yes, I know it's been 11 years, but still). How did we celebrate it? Well on this past Tuesday Andrew's parents called and offer to watch all the boys and gave us some certificate to go out for dinner at Mongolian Grill. That meant so much for us as we do not get to go out with just the two of us. So thank you!!!!!

Today being our actual day, want to know what we did? We got up and Andrew and Chance made banana bread (mmmm), then we went outside dug out all of our patio furniture, washed them down. We went checked the mail got some buns from the bakery. I made a pasta salad and Andrew BBQ'd sasuage and we had out first meal outside in the sun on our back porch. Then Andrew left for work and I spent the evening with my boys. :) It was so nice we already got to celebrate with a nice dinner a few days earlier.

Our Newest AdditionS to our family

Wow - are we BUSY or what?!? Our latest placement are 22 month old twins Joe (on Left) and Manny (on right). They are cute little guys. They came yesterday (April 18th). At almost 2 years old they still drink from a bottle and sleep in a crib and are no where near potty training! B/c they drink from a bottle and he helped me set the cribs up he thinks they are babies and wants to hold them while they drink thier bottle. They are lagging behind developmentally but they are not sure if it's b/c bio-mom is developmental delayed, or if it's just b/c of thier enviroment.

Today was a fun experience. Chance, Andrew and I all had dentist appointments today. AND we had to take Manny and Joe too. It was quite an adventure. I'll write about that later. :)

Pictures taken April 19, 2007

Love Thursday

How can you look at this picture and NOT see love? This has been one of my favourite pictures I have ever taken of him. I love the shadow on his face, his cute little smile and his cute Elmo hat.

Plain and simple. Love = Chance

Lyrics
One More Day
DiamondRio

One More Day
Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything

I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished, for one more day with you

One more day

One more time

One more sunset,

maybe I'd be satisfied

But then again I know what it would do

Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off

x2

I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do, with one more day with you
Leave me wishing still, for one more day
Leave me wishing still, for one more day

************************************************************************************

These pictures were taken March 20th while waiting for the Social Worker to come and get her. At the time I just kept wishing they would hurry up and get here to take her. I didn't like the wait. I even cried when I found out the worker was running an hour late (we were thinking she was suppose to be here at 1:30, and they call at 1:15 to say we have to wait even longer). Now that she is gone, I just wish for one more day with her. To tell her I love her one more time, to smell her hair one more time, to give her one more bath, one more diaper change, one more kiss, one more hug. Just one more please...

All these pictures are hard to look at, but the hardest one is the last one with Chance doing up Skylars coat!

LOVE THURSDAY - Cold Feet

Love is first warm day of spring after an awful, miserable and cold winter. Love is the first time you can go outside WITHOUT A COAT! Love is sticking your feet in the snow bank! Love is being a kid and not caring that snow is COLD!

Okay Okay, before you run and call Family and Children Services on me, let me explain why my son is standing barefoot in a snowbank and I'm taking a picture and NOT putting his boots on.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day out, we went for a walk to the river and to check the mail. At the mail boxes there was a huge puddle and what kid does not love running in puddles? Luckily I have a child that will always ask before he goes in puddles. So we were there and he walked around the puddle, and then I say "Hey Chance, want to run in the puddle?". You don't have to ask him twice. So he played for about 10 minutes while I talked to someone. We came home and we were going in the house but his boots were litterly filled to the rim with water. So we took them off, and he goes running to the snow bank and puts his foot in it. At first I told him not to do that, then thought it would make a funny picture. So I ran and grabbed the camera for the picture, then told him to get in the house. lol. But I even took my shoes off and was standing on the deck as the sun made the deck really warm, it felt nice on the feet - now only if the snow would go away!

Lucky Charms

When we getting ready for breakfast Chance got out the Lucky Charms and was looking at the marshmellows on the box and asked me which one was my favourite. I told him that I like the purple ones. I then poured our cereal put them on the table and went back to the kitchen to get a drink. When I came back to the dining room I noticed that Chance picked through his ceral and put all the purple marshmellows in my bowl. When I said something about how nice that was for him to do that, he responded with "I love you mommy"...

I Love you too Chance - thank you for your purple marshmellows.

That Time of year

Everytime at this time of year our basement floods! It's such a pain in the butt (more for Andrew then me since I'm not able to do all the lifting and stuff he has to carry pails and pails and pails and pails of water up the stairs). So today we thought we would let Chance do the work. He put on his rubber boots and he sucked the water up (oh, and he also liked just running in the 2 inches of water - he thought it was fun). We then had to go to Kids Club tonight but he didn't want to go back he wanted to stay and suck the water up with Daddy. Man, I hope in 5 years he still has the same willingness to help with the basement! Since I doubt Andrew will be calling someone in to fix it anytime soon.. lol :) I finally got Chance to come, but he kept yelling at Andrew "save the water for my daddy" It was cute. I also threw an old juice container that Chance called his "beach toy".

Pictures taken March 26th.

Our family of FOUR... ...is now a family of THREE

This past Tuesday (March 20) we lost our baby girl. She was returned to her mothers care. This has been a hard week for EVERYONE invovled. This one has hit us a lot harder then we were prepared for. Andrew was doing laundry the other day and mentioned that he is still comming across peices of her clothing. Her favourite toys are laying around, her smell is still in her bed, you can still hear her laughter ringing through out the house. But other times, the slience is so pronounced that you can't help but cry. sigh.

both pictures taken Nov 2006

Bad Dream

I'm still having a hard time sleeping. I'm having dreams of the actual accident that took place, to the accident being worse and the car won't stop rolling, to being an air plane crash and being (or Chance being) being stuck in flames. I'm assuming this is normal post accident? But a lot of dreams have Chance (and/or) Skylar in them some how being stuck and I can't get to them. So it didn't surprise me last night when I heard "mommy, mommy, mommy" and I thought once again I was dreaming, but this time I wasn't. It took me awhile to realize that Chance was actually calling me. So I ran to his room and asked him what was wrong and he was crying and all he could say was "mommy accident, mommy hurt". He just clung to my neck crying and I just kept whispering "mommy ok, mommy safe, mommy here now" and he didn't want me to leave. So I just kept repeating that until he fell asleep. Then 2 hours later it was repeated again! Being woken up to hear my son crying my name is just heartbreaking! He is really taking this hard. I'm glad that I am taking next week off work that I can spend that time with Chance so that he knows mommy is ok and mommy is here. Not only am I not ready to go back to work, I don't think Chance is ready to be separated from me. He has been really clingy with me since we went to look at the car yesterday. Normally Chance can be on his own, but now he just wants to sit with me, cuddle with me, and giving me lots of hugs and kisses - more than normal. I think the reality really set in for him (and ME!!) once he saw the car. I was also in a bit of denial about the severity of the accident as well until I saw it.

Hopefully this blog will get back to the happy, upbeat blog like it used to be. But it's a little gray over here and so that is reflected in this blog!

Child's Play
We went to look at the car today - and lets just say it was a tad emotional for me! I had no idea it was that bad! I thought the side and maybe the roof would be damaged, but I never expected it at that degree. I'm not surpised it was a write off no more. The windshield was smashed, the whole driver side, window were smashed, the roof dented in quite a bit (enough that you could even see the dent when looking INSIDE the car), the hood of car was dented and looked like it was almost folded like an accordion. The guy who towed my car said that he thinks I hit the snow bank with the BACK of the car first, then flipped to the side, then flipped to the roof. I never realized I had 3 points of impact. Looking at the car was hard, but what was really hard was seeing all the snow in the front seat! Instant flashback of the snow packed against my face and not being able to move. I think we were able to get everything. I found my $35 in cash, debit card and health card (that were actually STUCK on the ROOF), Walmart gift cards, and other little nick nacks. However I was not able to get my CD that Andrew made me for Christmas 2 years ago. :( I really liked that CD and now it's gone! (it was in the cd player)

But this post wasn't suppose to be about that (the car) - but anyways. The title is called Child's play, and the reason being is that since everything that has happened with Skylar (stitches, rabbit bite, leaving for visits) Chance has been "playing" these scenerio out with his toys. He got a vet kit from his Aunt Ruth for Christmas. And it comes with tweezers, and those he only uses to taking stitches out of the dogs lip (or mommy, daddy or Skylars lip depends who he is playing with), it comes with a needle with a red sponge (why must they choose red?) - anyways that represents blood to him. The carrier that the dog comes in Chance will use to put the dog in and "take away" and talk about how he misses the dog (see where missing Lucky comes into play?)

Now we have more "child's play" is crashing his cars! Now he's a boy, who has been to many demolition derbies so this is nothing new. He would play it once in awhile. Even more so in the last week, but no where near the amount he's been playing today! Boy, everything is smashing. He has a ride on lion that he'll smash and then put it upside down, then be sad that it's broken and has to go to the garbage, but we need to go and buy a new one. (sound familiar?). He keeps talking about the car smashing, rolling over, bending over, window smashing, door broken, hole in roof. Yeah, he saw it all and now he can't stop talking about it. Tonight we praying and his prayer goes like this "thank you mommy car all smash up, thank you mommy roll over and bend her car, thank you car in garbage and get new one - Amen"... Hmm, not excatly the prayer I was looking for, but that is how it is working out in his brain. And yes, it is really hard to hear him talk, play and almost make fun of it. But I have to look at it this way - he is processing it! I remember when Nathaniel went home and he wouldn't talk about him or say his name and I was concerned, but we were able to "bring him out of it", to a point where he could talk. Now he is talking and playing the situation out so I think that is good. Everything with Skylar and me are pretty major events for such a young child to understand, and no he does not understand, but at least he is talking. Play therapy any one? I think I might sign up too!

It has also been really hard with harding working all this week. I am still sore, achy, tired (still can't sleep), sick and don't want to do anything but lay down and rest my head. But instead I have to take care of the kids. Chance has been a great help! I can't lift Skylar yet so Chance will get me the diaper and wipes and I change her on the floor, Chance will help Skylar climb into her high chair and will buckle her. Chance will hold her hand and help her climb down. I can't bathe the kids, play on the floor with them. I'm limited to reading LOTS of books and movies. I wish Andrew didn't have to work this week. I am in no shape to be caring for myself, nevermind the kids. But I guess life goes on. The kids basic needs are taken care of. Mine and Andrew's are not! But isn't that how things are when you have kids anyways? They always come first and you get what is left over?

Good News....Bad News....

Which one do you want to hear first?
Lets start with the BAD:
Our car is a complete write off. (they say there is about $20,000 in damage to the car - we only paid $24,000)

Now the GOOD:
I'm NOT!!!! :) :) :) :) :)


Andrew drove out with me to the interview as for 1. I don't have my license so I can't drive, and 2. Even if I did have it there is no way I am driving!!! But my goodness, you have no idea how many time I talked myself out of panic attacks! In university I used to get them regularly, I've been good lately, but today I was so scared. I freaked out each time Andrew looked back at the kids, if he was going too fast, and esp. When he was driving with ONE hand and had to quickly grab the wheel with both hands when he hit a snow drift or something. I can't sleep! I keep having nightmares that my car just keeps rolling and it won't stop or, the kids are in the car and flips and they are buried and I can't get to them, that I'm dead but I am fighting to stay alive. That I hear the kids screaming in the back seat to save them, and I can't. I just cannot stay asleep very long without a nightmare waking me up. Also, I can't seem to keep my legs warm! It feels like I am always cold. In the hospital they had brought me 12 heated blankets and it didn't matter, I could not warm up,. That feeling is engraved in my head. I'm cold, scared, nervous and thankfully!

More things to add to my thankfully list
1. That people found me, I heard cars drive past me and didn't stop
2. While enroute to the hospital they closed the roads and wouldn't reopen for 24 hours. What if the roads were closed and noone came? The people that stopped had actually stopped and while they were doing a 3-point turn to go back home they saw the car and thought they would check it out
3. That I only rolled once - I could have kept going
4. That I didn't get hyperthermia - although I do have a cold know! I can't stop sneezing, my eyes keep watering and my nose is runny/stuffed. But I can deal with that
5. That I am here writing this post!

Well..... I have my interview today!

And it ROCKED!!! This is the best interview that I have EVER done. I think I answered all the questions correctly, I kept getting confirmation from them like "yup, that's how we do it", "good answer", "most definatly". So I feel good - now granted I don't know how I feel as I know there are probably quite a few other ppl they interviewed, so I should know by next Wednesday. When I first applied I knew it was for only 35 hours a week so I thought that was an excuse so they could pay me less so I won't be considered full time. Well, I was wrong. Not only do I work 5 hours less a week, I also get paid MORE!! Also, currently with my job for my pension plan my employerer puts 3% in (and I match it), here they put in 5%!!!!!!!!!! I get benefits (medical but not dental) AND I START at 4 weeks vacation. Currently you start at 2 weeks (once you work a year), then you wait until you work there 2 years before you get 3 weeks, and 6 years before you get 4 weeks. Here I'd start at 4 weeks which is nice. So I am excited, the job sounds good and I hope I get it!

We got there early so Andrew and I were just talking and as I was leaving he said "don't be scared, they are just people like you". Then I went back to kiss Chance and he said in his cute little voice "don't be scared mommy, they are just little people". I couldn't stop laughing. A little pep talk from my 3 year old. And yes they were LITTLE people, I was taller then them both, and I had to get my own water from the top shelf because they couldn't reach it. LOL

Wednesday Lyrics

Let them be little - Billy Dean

I can remember when
You fit in the palm of my hand
You felt so good in it
No bigger then a minute
How it amazes me
You're changing with every blink
Faster then a flower blooms
They grow up all to soon, so

Chorus:
Let them be little
Cause they're only that way for awhile
Give them hope
Give them praise
Give them love everyday
Let them cry
Let them giggle
Let them sleep in the middle
Oh but let them be little

I never felt so much
In one little tender touch
I live for those kisses
Your prays and your wishes
And now you're teaching me
How only a child can see
Tonight while we're on knees
All I ask is please

Chorus
Let them be little
Cause they're only that way for awhile
Give them hopeGive them praise
Give them love everyday
Let them cry
Let them giggle
Let them sleep in the middle
Oh but let them be little

So innocent
Precious soul
Turn around and it's time to let them go, so

Chorus
Let them be little
Cause they're only that way for awhile
Give them hope
Give them praise
Give them love everyday
Let them cry
Let them giggle
Let them sleep in the middle
Oh but let them be little
let them be little

God is Awesome!!
Wow - where do I even begin? I was coming home from work on Monday morning, it had taken me about an hour and a half to get to a point that would only take 45-50 minutes. But since the roads were really bad I was going slow and taking it easy. I was 10 minutes from home, on my street, when I hit a snow drift on the road. Now the snow drift was only partly on the road so my right wheels hit the drift and stopped immediately, but the left side of the car that didn't hit just kept on going. I started going sideways, flipped to my drivers side, then landed on my roof.

I am ok (physically), but to me the most scary part was when I fell to the driver side my window smashed and the whole car (well the driver side) was filled with snow. It was so packed around my face that I was not able to open my eyes, move my head, or move my hands to dig myself out of the snow. So I remember watching a snow on avalanche's that stated you won't suffocate in the snow if you build a little bubble around your face. Well how do you do that when you can't move your head or use your hands? Well I ate snow! I just keep eating as much as I could until I had an opening around my mouth and nose (I was still not able to use my hands yet). Once that was done I could breath again I was able to calm down a bit and was able to use my hands to start digging and after a few minutes I was able to dig around my face so that I was able to see what exactly was going on.

It was at this point I took my seatbelt off and feel to the roof of the car, but I was not able to get out. There was too much snow and the seats were in the way. At this point I did not know if I was in a ditch or what, so I spent the rest of the time pounding on the horn with my foot! Finally someone (2 cars) stopped and one couple came running down to the car to see if I was ok, I told them I would be able to get out if they put the driver seat down flat, they did that, and helped my dig some more and they were able to pull me out and brought me to their car. The other car that stopped had called 9-1-1. (side note: only out here when the first firefighter/emergency worker to show up to the scene comes riding in on a TRACTOR!!! Yup, I see the tractor coming and then out jumps a firefighter in full gear, with his emerg. bag running to the car. All I could do was LAUGH!!!!!. What a sight...)

Anyways, back to my story. I waited for the ambulance to come, I didn't think I need to go to the hosp. but they said they can't force me, but they highly recommend I go as roll over are really serious and there could be more injuries that they can't see. So I went. HOWEVER, there was another accident and they didn't have time to take me to the hospital so we went to another scene where we picked up 2 more people. Which was no big deal, they were involved in a 5 car pile up and were stuck in vehicle, I was able to crawl out and walk. I understand. However, I was in WET clothes! From the time of the accident to the time I got to the hospital it was an hour and 20 minutes. That's a long time in soaked clothes. As soon as I got to my room I asked the nurse for a gown as I was taking my clothes off (I have never been so happy to wear a gown as I was at that time!). They kept bringing me heated blankets to warm me up (which after 2 hours, and 12 blankets later was NOT successful).

When it was time to release me I had to put my wet clothes back on, I called a friend in town and told her what happened and she came and got me (she lives around the corner). She took me to get my prescription (as I had no money, in the car SOMEWHERE - either that on the side of the country road, who knows?). She took me home, I had a HOT bubble bath, she put my clothes in the dryer. And when I was done I still felt cold! I could not get the feeling of being cold out of my head, even though I was warm, nothing that could be done made me warm. I stayed there the night as all the roads where closed (they closed the roads at some point while I was in the ambulance). THEY brought me home the next morning and I was so happy to be home. Even if Andrew tried to give me a big hug (umm, accident - whip lash? sore? = be careful. lol - that's ok, I wanted/needed that hug more then anything!!!) We are suppose to get our rental car this morning (Wednesday), who knows what is happening with our car (it's only a 2004 sunfire, still a "new" car) but we were told that most cars involved in a roll over are a write off. but I don't know, the snow seemed to cushion me/car, the car was still running (even when they took me in the ambulance - keys stuck in the snow), and it didn't "look" bad. But we'll see.

So now that it is all over - here are what I am thankful for:
1 - first and far most THE KIDS WHERE NOT WITH ME!!!!!!!! (as I was laying on the roof my head was underneath their car seats so I was looking up seeing thier car seats hanging upside down and that was all I could think about). At first when the snow buried my face for a split second I was scared for the kids, thinking they were stuck in the car as I didn't hear them cry then I realized they were not there!
2 - That Andrew was not with me. I can handle the accident, but I am thankful I was ALONE
3 - That when the window smashed the glass didn't hit me in the face (or elsewhere)
4 - That someone stopped (after 15-20 minutes I think I was there. I heard 4 songs on the radio) . The people that stopped had just pulled over to turn around to go back home when the saw my car up the road a little bit more.
5 - That they were able to get my out and I would not be stuck in the car.
6 - That I was wearing a seatbelt
7 - That as scary as the snow burying me, it also protected me!
8 - That I was smart enough to know to get that opening around my face by eating the snow.
9 - That I didn't panic! Things always get worse when you panic
10 -That no other cars were involved
11- That I am "ok". Sure I'm a little sore and bruised, but I am so thankful that I am ok.
12 -That I didn't get hypothermia (yes once realized I was ok, the next fear while waiting for help what that I was going to get hyperthermia and die)
13-That I have great friends that were able to care for me, and take care of me. Thank you Jenn And Andrew!!
14 - That I watched the show the on avalanche and knew what to do
15 - That I was only going 55 kmh. Who knows what could have happened if I was going the speed limit of 90kmh!!!!!
16-And the last point - God was with me 100% of the way! When I knew I was sliding all I was able to scream was "God protect me", and that he did! I was in an accident 5 years ago in February (yes - I FINALLY get that accident off my record and now I am going to have another 5 years on me). but anyways, the people I hit in that car was my sister (and her 5 kids, ages 13 months old, 2 year old twins, 3 year old and 5 year old). All I could said as I knew I was going to hit them (black ice) was "God protect them" and he did. Jessica had a bruise on her shoulder from the car seat, but their little van (protected by fibreglass) protected those little kids against my dad but steal ford explorer!
so yes - GOD IS AWESOME!

There will be a post comming up in a bit about post tramutic stress!

Learning to sit

My MIL gave me this comic and I just thought it was too cute NOT to share. lol

I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy. The job I applied for finally called yesterday and told me I have an interview. It's on Tuesday at 10:50-11:30 and I am soooo nervous! There will be 2 people interviewing me (man I hate those type). And I SUCK at interviews. My last 2 interviews my employer told me after the fact that I need to work on my interview skills as I did really bad. But my first one (the one that me in my current agancy told me she just had a good feeling about me, in spite of my interview). My last interview that got my into my night position told me that I did really bad as well, but she hired me b/c she knew I was in a contract position (at her other house) that was expiring and she knew my work ethic and knew I was a good worker.

Nothing like building up my self confidence eh?

Love Thursday

Love is comming home from work and having your kids so anxious to see you!

Andrew was at work all day and as soon as he walked in the door both Chance and Skylar started yelling "Daddy home, Daddy home, Daddy home" and both were all over them that Andrew had no choice but to sit on the floor and let them crawl all over him giving him lots of hugs and kisses. You can even see his lunch pail sitting in the middle of the floor. :)

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar

PART 2

Some reason I can't upload the pic of Chance's craft so I had to do it in a different post.

Who Stole The Cookie From The Cookie Jar?

I took Chance to play group on Friday for the first time since I went back to work (can you believe that next week it'll be 3 months already? I don't think I enjoyed a single day of it!) Anyways, Andrew hasn't taken them at all so since Friday was a snow day for me (yay snow days!) that I would take him. And the change in Chance was phenomenal!!! Before we went almost every week for 9 months and not once when they sing the song "hickory dickory bumble bee, can you say your name for me?" and the child is suppose to say their name and Chance has NEVER done it (although we play it at home ALL THE TIME and he says it). The first time at play group and they did the song Chance kicked the teacher b/c she touched his leg HAHA (she has never touched his leg again.. :)). But today he said his name!!!! AND that's not all, it was the first time that Chance didn't sit on my lap the whole time, AND the first time that he actually went and sat around the teacher during story time with the other kids, AND the first time he actually talked to Deb (the teacher), AND the first time that he did all the actions for songs on his own WITHOUT me holding his hands to do them, AND the first time that as soon as it was craft time he went running to the craft table and didn't even wait for me! Oh, and when we were leaving he even told Deb that we were going to go and buy him a new booster seat (like I said before he has never even talked to her before in 9 months previous!) LOL I guess he IS ready for school!

The theme at the library was cookies and we sang a bunch of songs about cookies, and read a story about cookie, so of course the craft would have to be cookie related. So here is his craft of a cookie jar and Chance drew all of the cookies in the cookie jar, even the BIG one that takes up the whole jar. Deb mentioned that there was a BIG change in Chance since she last saw him, his personality is different, and he cooperated, and she even told me that he shocked her (and ME!) when he said his name. lol. she also mentioned that for his age he did really good with his craft (the way he drew his circles, and the fact that he knew circles = the shape of cookies, good cognitive skills).

That's my boy!

Prayers Please

I applied for a job today that is 15 minutes from our home (verses an hour), it's day shift (with few evening), weekends off, and it's in my field! I really really want this job - so if could send some prayers this way it would GREAT! :)

Love Thursday

Love is helping you sister when it's time to bandaged up her finger AGAIN! And doing it so lovingly.

With Skylar's injury to her finger it was a lot of work daily to keep it clean, bandaged, cream on, antibiotics etc,. Sometimes Andrew was not home when it was time to bandaged her finger, and as a 16 month old she doesn't like to sit still. So what do you? you bring in her big brother! Chance has been such a big help and has gotten used to sitting on the couch to hold Skylar finger while I did the work. And surprisingly Skylar had no problem sitting still for him and we got this job done quickly!

CLASS OF 2021

When trying to sleep last night I was fiddling around with some numbers. Now it already seems weird that Chance will be starting JK in September when he is ONLY 3 years old. But what is even more scarrier is that when I started doing LONG TERM numbers and realized that I will be sending my 13 year old off to high school. 13 YEARS OLD and in high school, oh my. Then it gets even better, I'll be sending him off to University at 17!!! He's not even old enough to buy a lottery ticket, but I am suppose to just drop him off on his own in the big scary world? Maybe I'll wait and let him start JK when he is 6. Then he can start highschool at 16, and start University at 20. That sounds better. Hmmm.... Something to think about. :)

Some of the downsides of starting JK early is he'll probably always be the youngest in his class unless there is someone born in the 35 days after his birthday, which also means he'll probably be on of the shortest in his class (unless he takes after his dad and grows up to be a bean pole as our Family Doctor called Andrew.. lol), all the other kids gets to experience things first, while all of his friends will be getting their license when they are in grade 10, Chance will have to wait until grade 11 (unless they change the age).

Sorry All...

Sorry for the no post for a week. This week has been very busy. Since we have dial up (yes, the only ppl in the world left on dial up) uploading pictures take about 20 mins PER PICTURE and normally I don't mind the wait, but for the last 2 days I've been working on posts for the last week with lots of pics so it has taken awhile for me to finish, and I wanted to upload them all at the same time so you can see the sequence of the last week. So here we go... :)

P.S. I decided last week I was going to do "Wednesday Lyrics" every other Wednesday instead. So I was suppose to do one this week ,but I figure I've just overloaded your brain enough that I'll wait until next Wednesday. :)

Love Thursday

Love is having your son's b.mom not only think about her son when buying gifts, but will also think about his sister and get her a Valentine's gift as well.

When we (Carrie and I) were shopping to get Chance his Valentine's gift she also got Skylar a bear (who we named "Pinkie") and some chocolate's. As Carrie said "I can't get something for Chance and not his sister". Now THAT is love!

Visit to London

On Wednesday Feb 14th we went out to London to meet with the plastic surgeon to take a look at Skylar finger and he said that it looks really well. The healing is comming along really good as the wound is almost completly healed.

After her appointment we went to "Adventures on Wonderland" which is the bigest indoor playground (in London) for the kids and we spent over 2 hours there and we all had a blast! Even Andrew and I got to play around and crawl through the tunnels and stuff. It was fun!

After that we went to the mall and Andrew told me I could pick out anything that I wanted for Valentine's Day. We walked around for 3 hours before we were done and I got some clothes. It was hard to find clothes that fit and looked nice on me. but I was happy with what we got. By the time we got home it was 8:30pm and I had to leave for work in 2 hours! That was NOT fun, but the whole day was with the kid.

Happy 26th Birthday to ME!!!

Yay, I'm finally 26. A day with mixed emotions as this year marked the point in my life when I can now say I'm closer to 30 then 20! Man, life is going way to quickly, but I have been enjoying it. I did have a good birthday, even if the ONLY person that called to wish me a happy birthday was my mother-n-law! :)
I worked 12-8am, came home and slept till 5:00 when Chance came and woke me up and told me my pie was melting to come quick. lol (Chance and Andrew made a cherry delight pie for me, but Andrew forgot the whip cream so he used ice cream instead, so infact my pie was melting). We ate, had some dinner (chicken stir fry), then we did pie, and presents. From Chance I got "The mother of all parenting books" (I love this series - I have "the mother of all pregnancy books", "the mother of all baby books" and "the mother of all toddler books" . From Andrew I got an ice cream maker! I can't wait to try it out. Never had homemade ice cream before.
After presents Chance and I went to kids Klub at church where as soon as we walk into the building Chance informs them that it is mommy's birthday - so they all sing to me there. Then I came home and went to bed again! :)

Valentines Day with the kids
On Sunday we had valentines with the kids. We did this because 1) Chance got a suitcase and I wanted him to use it on Tuesday when we were going for a sleepover at Andrew's parents. 2) we were going to be in London on Valentines Day and I was going to come home and sleep til 8:00 then have a Valentines Dinner with Andrew alone.
How we do Valentines is that Chance is going to be Valentines Day until he gets married. (Just like my sister and I were my dads Valentines until we got married). So Skylar was suspose to be Andrew's Valentines.
Andrew worked until 5:00 so he got home at 6:00 and I had made a nice Valentine's dinner for us, and had Andrew's present from Skylar wrapped, and Chance present from mommy waiting. Only to have Andrew forget and got nothing for me from Chance and nothing from Skylar from him. So he had some scrambling to do! He got a little pink mouse that used to be his when he was a kid to give to her, and I got some noname ferrio rocher chocolates. Chance got a Diego suitcase, 3 cups for when he starts school to take his drinks in, some chocolates, and a bear that has a place to put a picture in it, so I put mine and Andrew's picture in it. The only time he can play/sleep with it is when he goes on sleepovers as he's been having a hard time with seperation. At my sisters he carries around our 8x10 family picture and sleeps with it at night time. Andrew from Skylar Andrew got a frog garden statues. "see no evil, hear no evil and do no eveil"
v

My Darling Sister

On Friday February 2nd I had to take our car in for some regular matienence and I had 3 and half hours to kill so I called my sister to see if she was free to hang out. We did some shopping and then went to King's Buffet for lunch. Where my darling sister told them it was birthday! So you all know what's coming next! After we were done they came out with a small piece of cake (you can see the candle in the corner), singing happy birthday to me and gave me a balloon. I think they give you a red balloon so that your face can match it! But it was a fun time and really enjoyed the morning with my sister - even if she embarrassed me to death! :)