Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Some Days

Some days are made for being productive.

This morning I went to the fabric store and picked up enough to make 26 more magic bags.  I have a number of covers on hand, but have completely depleted my stock of cloth for the inside bags, and have only one completed bag on hand.  Now I have (more) stuff to work on during nap times.  Nolan was an angel while we were out, and I got the car washed and bags dropped off at the Salvation Army store too.  This afternoon I wrote a batch of thank yous and made up a batch of new cards... feeling very productive today.

Some days are made for sitting at home all day, stuck under a sleeping baby.

Nolan was a bit sick over the weekend with a stuffy nose - it made it hard for him to sleep laying down at times, and I sure didn't mind holding him while he slept!  Last Thursday we had a day full of outings, which meant he had multiple short naps and kept getting woken up, then his cold set in - Friday was a wonderful day with an empty schedule, and I didn't leave the house once.  Saturday and Sunday were more of the same, with only a supper at the in laws to get us out of the house.  We even missed church on Sunday - I haven't been there in 3 weeks with a trip to Winnipeg, M's soccer tournament and sick boy!  Next week??  Hope so.

When Monday turned into another home day, I was ready for a Costco outing with the boys in the evening, and ready to hit the shops this morning.  It sure is nice when there's nothing on the to-do list as important as spending time with the baby.  I am loving my new role and every moment with this little guy.

Some days you just have to brag about your kids. 

All the French kids in M's school had to write and present speeches, and the top few from each class then had to present in front of all the french kids.  Madeline was one of the ones from her class picked, and from the all-school presentations yesterday, she got top marks and now goes on to compete against other school's students next Tuesday.  She was really hoping she wouldn't be selected, but I guess her nerves didn't do too much harm to her presentation skills.  I'm pretty proud of her.

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I'll leave you with a few shots of Nolan.  (Is this maybe the only reason I have readers lately...?!)  These are all from last month, and are all photos I took with my phone then sent to Sean.  I think he likes getting a little bit of Nolan in the middle of his day.





Monday, March 19, 2012

Two Months Old!!

Nolan is two months old today.  What a wonderful time these last two months have been - he has added so much into our family.  The highlight of the last day for me has been getting out for walks with the stroller.  So great.  We went all together yesterday, and today N and I walked up to the public health office to weigh him, since our doctor's appointments for today got bumped till next week.  I was curious about how much he was now: 14 lbs & 14 oz.  Big boy!  He falls asleep in the stroller (helps that I tend to go at nap time!), and I hope to get out for a walk now just about every day.

I had to miss M's school production last week because N was having a super fussy day, but we haven't had to miss too many of her things.  We just have a little someone to sit in the stands and cheer with us.  He was actually awake for her last basketball game and watched all the action intently in the first half before he fell asleep.  He was awake for some of her last soccer games this weekend, too.  We also went to a couple of hockey games this past week (my nephews Mathew and Josh both play) - this little one is quite the sports fan already. 

Tummy Time!

...with a smile.

All tuckered out.

Watching the camera...

...and basketball!

Meeting Jen & Jeremy's new baby girl Eden. (M took the photos.)

Dad swap!  He's 7 weeks there and she's 2 weeks & 5 lbs. 

Hanging with M's Grandpa McCall on our shared birthday.

Isn't he awesome?

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Donations Being Accepted...

Madeline has a friend who has done the MS Walk the last few years, and who this year started up a team.  Madeline joined (the only one in their class to do so), and is excited about the event.  I love that my daughter likes to do things that help people.  She is 12, so there is the fun aspect that draws her, but the fact that she can do something to help people is a legit draw, too.

She set a goal of $150 - we just sent out the first emails a couple of days ago, and I mentioned it on facebook today, and she's already up to $140 with three more who have said they will give.  I'm guessing she'll be wanting to do this again next year and will set a much higher goal!

If you wanted to donate, there are a few ways you can do that:
* her personal fundraising page is here for online donations
* she has a pledge sheet with her and can accept cash and cheques made out to 'MS Society - MS Walk'
* there is a steak night (with great door prizes) on April 19 at the Broken Rack - $25 for adults & $15 for 12 & under.

Thanks for your support - both for the great cause of funding MS research, and for encouraging my daughter in her desire to help others.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Truly Thankful

I often find myself writing thank you notes in my head.

So many things that we have for Nolan were gifts, and as we use them I find myself appreciating the person who gave it to us.  Honestly, if thoughts were known (and we're all glad they're not, right?) you'd already know how much I appreciate you.

But I do have to get those thoughts down on paper and into your hands, and it's a job I don't mind doing.  The reason it's not already finished (besides the fact that my list is pages long), is that I have to make them before I can write them.  It is more meaningful for me to give a card I've made, so my thank you's must be homemade to convey the sincerity of my thanks.

While they are not complex designs, sometimes finding time is an issue, so forgive me if it takes a while.  It is on its way.


Starts with plain white cut-in-half cardstock, then a hand drawn line around the outside, and a strip of blue ribbon.  Some I had, some more I picked up for this.


Then the stamped onesie, 'thank you' written in, stapled on with blue staples to blue scraps for mats, bottoms torn.


Then ready to be written with the thanks and thoughts in my head, and off to your hands.

I am truly grateful.  So many gifts filling my boy's room, and so many gifts in my friendships with you.  So much to be thankful for.

Monday, March 05, 2012

Waiting for Compassion

I learned something new the other day.  We sponsor children with Compassion Canada, and I read something last week that I didn't realize before about when children start to benefit from Compassion's programs.  I guess I had assumed that when a child gets sponsored, that's when they begin to get benefits like:
  • educational opportunities
  • health care and health-related instruction
  • nutrition
  • life-skills training
  • and opportunities to hear about and respond to the gospel.
In fact, it works like this:

"Let's say you're a child growing up in poverty. A church nearby your home announces that they have partnered with Compassion and because of this partnership, if you are registered in the program, you will receive benefits that were never before available to you.

It's all very exciting so your parents take you and register you at the local church. The church volunteers gather information about you and your family and take your picture. You're officially registered!


You now have all the financial benefits of this program but there's more! You are going to be connected to one sponsor. You just have to wait for someone to sponsor you.

And for some children, they wait and wait and wait..."

So when you browse the Compassion site, and see all the kids you could sponsor, it isn't that they are waiting to begin the program - they are already a part of it.  They are just waiting for someone to say yes to being theirs.  Someone to say, "yes, I will pay for those benefits you are receiving, yes, I will pray for you and love you and send you letters and photos so you know you are loved, and so you can see a real experience of how Jesus loves you, too."

Would you consider taking a few minutes to go here and play with the search area?  Look for children with your birthday, or in a country that interests you.  Search for the ones that have been waiting longest - think about how overjoyed they would be if someone picked them, finally...

And may you know this week that you are loved, and that Someone has picked you.

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Somebody's Having a Birthday!

I bet if you took a few minutes out of your day today and made me a little card, I might have a great mail day on Thursday...

But enough about me!  Here are photos of my kids!

He's smiling!
Nolan is smiling at us, chattering, and even imitating us when we stick out our tongues.  He's so much fun.

We don't forget about the big one.

Nolan posing with a new blanket he got today.
 That is what he wore to church today - cool plaid shirt and jeans.  So stylish.  And this is what he wore last week:






Bath time is a new highlight.  He's been in the big tub for a few days now; we usually do this each night before bed, and it's one of dad's favorite times of the day.  Even if he's fussy in the evening, he's pretty calm for this.  The best part is when he's on his front and kicks his legs like a frog.

We had the baby photographer come this week - interesting to see his set up and get a few ideas, but lots of cheesy stuff.  Don't think I'll be ordering much, if anything.  I did book us a shoot with a great photographer for this summer, for when M is 13 and N is 6 months.  I hope those turn out awesome.

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What I'm Reading - this is my 10th month of recording what I've been reading.  I began to do it partly because I like finding lists of books that others are reading, to get new ideas of what to look for, and thought some of my readers might appreciate the same.  I'm not much of a reviewer, but try to give you some idea if it's something you might want to pick up.