Tuesday

This morning we went over to Sherry and Marayah's house for a play time too! Busy busy! We had a great morning playing outside and eating Sherry's very yummy Coffee Cake Blueberry Muffins! Thanks!

Here you see Sherry (only 11 weeks to go before Baby #2 comes! Hooray!) and the kids all searching for fallen hazelnuts. They collected all the ones that the squirrels have wiggled out of the tree and Elijah put them into a bag to bring home. He was pretty excited about these nuts!
And here's my Baby, my Strong Baby Girl. She loves to stand up on our legs or the table already. She can move herself already (at 6 weeks) from a different spot than where I placed her. For example, I wished I had thought to take a picture first, but I didn't realize she'd moved this much! I placed Gabi at "3:00" on this mat, looking at it like you are... she moved completely around counter-clockwise to "6:30" (shown). Isn't that nuts??? And do you see what she is doing?Yup, she found her thumb yesterday... and again today... so maybe I've got myself a first-thumb-sucker.Oh and Gabi is doing great in the sleep department. Maybe I have finally got a good sleeper! Well, I do and I hope she sticks with it. She'd done quite a few 6 hour stretches like I've mentioned before. Then last week she did three nights of 8 hours... and the last night she went from 10:00-7:00 (or as I count it from 9:00, her last feed). AND last night Samuel (and Elijah) were at Grandma's overnight so I actually got to benefit from her full night's rest!!! For the FIRST time in a LONG LONG LONG time. :) Keep it up, Baby Girl.

EDIT: oh my goodness... this whole time all three children have been asleep. Gabi, where I left her on the floor... or so I thought, until just now when I went up there... look at this. She's moved all this way now!!! Unbelievable. Ahhhhh!

7 weeks apart

Here is Erin Faith, home from the hospital and finding her place in the Family! We went over for a playtime yesterday and to put Gabriella and Erin side by side while Erin is still smaller than Gabi!!! (she'll pass her up in no time!)

having a ball

Oh my, you should've seen the kids on Saturday night after they all warmed up a bit... we had Brian and Korinne, Mercy and Koby over for dinner. They all played calmy and shyly before we ate, then after they got some ice cream in them for dessert they were chasing each other and just having a ball together! Korinne got some photos for me while I nursed Gabi on the couch. Thanks Korinne! I think a lot of the fun for them was hiding from you and laughing hysterically (spelling?) once you "found" them. Check out the fun!

Hurry, hide, here comes Mrs Korinne!Ahhh! She found us! (Mercy has an idea...)where's Mercy?Peek a Boo, there she is!Thanks for a fun evening!

Meine Bruders

(first of all bloggers, look at that there's a new button on here! 'add video', cool!)

Some pictures that are favourites that I just feel like sharing. Matt took Elijah out on Sunday afternoon on a "uncle-nephew date". They went and saw a movie (Elijah was in his glory!), went to McD's for a Shrek McFlurry, to the park and to the mall where Elijah was allowed to pick out a DVD from HMV - he chose Calliou. Thanks Matt!!!
Matt took these two on his camera and I just love them.
Then I took this one of Paul holding Gabi a couple weeks ago. I just it too! Any Family out there? Do you think Matt looks like Scott in that second photo???

Scrapbooking

I finally got the itch last week to get back to scrapbooking so I don't fall too far behind. Thankfully Gabi allows me to do this in the evenings. So this past week I have spent every evening that I was home (most of them) scrapbooking and have enjoyed every minute of it! Here's some of what I have done... although each of these pages are not complete, I tend to leave the titling and journaling til later. Not necessarily a good thing, the journaling part to leave, but thanks to this blog, I'll be able to go back and know every detail to the day-almost to the minute!! LOL. Take a peek:

<

Now back to scrapbooking before it's time for bed...

that was a waste... I put captions under each photo and I don't see any of them on the slide now. Sheesh. Sorry.

Meet Baby Erin

Here's Alexa's beautiful daughter Erin! Welcome Erin. We are so excited to have met you this afternoon! Erin arrived at 11:24am weighing 8lbs4oz. She's adorable. Samuel and Gabi were with me when we went up to the hospital and Samuel just loved Erin. It was so cute! Andy got some photos of him admiring her... so I hope to get some off of Alexa. Alexa, you are a champ, looking great! Good job! Congratulations Alexa, Andy, Danika and Luke! You've got a little Princess on your hands! Take care of her!

Sharon - my Midwife

Today we had our final visit with Sharon. This is the midwife that delivered Gabriella as well as Samuel! She's absolutely great! I will miss her...

Gabriella is now 7 weeks and today was weighed in at 10lbs exactly and her length is now 22 1/2 inches. (Sherry, like her dress?! I love it. It's still a bit big but that's okay!)

one of Jason's passions...

is his car stereo. This guy loves to work on his car stereo... every car/vehicle we've owned has had a customized system in it. This is his latest project that he worked on from scratch yesterday. He designed, built and installed his newest creation.

He went to a car show on Sunday at Audio Video while the rest of us napped after church... and so it was there he was inspired to re-do what he already had done in his new car. :) I don't mind... it's his hobby, it keeps him out of trouble ;) and it never ends up costing too much either.

On Sunday at this car show, he took place in a competition they were having. He had to hold a subwoofer out in front of him (a big one that is fairly heavy when holding it in such a position)... when the arms fell to a certain spot it was over. He was so impresed with himself for what he accomplished, over the other "car geeks" that were there (most young punks). Jason even did so well he came in First Place and came home with this red tube you see in his trunk and a black hoodie (which was an XL, so we gave it to Andy to enjoy). It was actually such an event that plays into his role of being a man... Wild at Heart and the journey in that. Anyway... very cool and we are soooooo proud of you Jason! Wish we wouldn't have all been sleeping and could've been there to cheer you on.

Copycat

I went to the library/City Hall on Monday to take some photos of my kids, like Alexa did last week. Yes, copycat! :) I didn't think it went to well b/c I was there on my own with the kids, trying to inspire them to stay put and smile...etc... but I just now transferred over the photos to my computer and there are a number of pretty good shots. Here are a few:
I wish I knew how to edit photos on my computer though. To make b/w and such. I know how to do it when I am uploading them to print... but that doesn't help me for just saving some versions edited. I have a Canon camera if anyone can give me some pointers. When I had a Kodak before this one (the one Samuel pulled into the hot tub in Anaheim) and it had it's own editing program which I loved to use.

You're Invited & a Chance to Win

Sarah is coming over on Thursday to do a Stampin Up Workshop! yea! Can't wait. If I haven't invited you personally... and you'd like to join me. Please do come. Leave me a comment so that I konw to expect you and we can be sure to have enough make/takes that night!

Party is on Thursday, August 23 at 7:30. My house!


And on Sarah's blog she is giving away some paper... click here and leave her a comment telling her your favourite meal to cook or eat! :) Mine is Hawaiian Meatballs... one of my favourites.

Make it An Adventure

Before I went to bed last night I fed Gabi to tie her over as long as possible (typically still 6 hour stretch at night) and I got to thinking about different things happening to people that I know and people that I 'know' (know what I mean?!)... people like Rosanna. Most of you probably have heard of her story... well, see this is where it begins, my thought process. One moment they are all driving to Alberta to a wedding (hope these details are right)... probably singing in the car, chatting along the way, sleeping a bit too (the 3 passengers that is) and then the next moment there is a fatal accident involving their vehicle. Rosanna has lost her husband, Nate, just like that. I just read her blog and I cry. I can't even begin to imagine being in her shoes. Rosanna, if somehow you come across this, you are one strong Woman. Not only a Woman, but a Woman of GOD. (I am crying now) I feel for you girl. I pray for you Rosanna. *deep breath*
Okay, where was I going with this? I had a post all figured out last night before hitting my pillow, now I can't seem to remember what my point is... sorry. Bear with me for a second.
Next my thoughts went out to Korinne and Mercy. Mercy took a tumble out of her bedroom window (2nd floor) on Friday... and you know I just can't help but put myself in Korinne's shoes and ask all those "what if" questions as well. Not to scare you or whatever, Korinne, I just think that by what you've written on your blog about this event, I would have felt and actually have had the same thought processes as you. I am sorry you've had to go through this. As if you 'needed' this to happen (who does?) right now, let alone ever. We are praying for you and for your little Princess Mercy. And we are very grateful of the outcome...
We have to cherish every moment. I try to, except when I am fighting with my strong-minded-almost-4-year-old. ;) We just don't know what lies around that corner or around that next hour. I know, I know, I am not living in fear or in the questions of "what if" all the time... I totally am not, but situations that happen to people you know make you think. Make you go "are you serious, that happened? To her? But things like that don't happen to people I know and people I care about. Or do they?" It makes you grateful for life, for children, for husbands and for our Families. Or me, at least.
Maybe I wanted to write this little post just to make you think... make me realize that life is short. And even when I am dealing with not-so-fun parent/child situations, I need to just remember that even my children have their days numbered and don't know how long that will be or what God already has planned... I hope that I will get to raise them to grown adults and see them accomplish goals/schooling, maybe get married, have children... but that's not what it's about. It's about the here and now. It's about showing them the Way to Jesus. Take this as a reminder... cherish them. Cherish the sibling squabbles. Cherish the diaper changes, the potty training, the homework, the running around from place to place shuttling children.... Cherish your husband or wife if you have one. CHERISH. Make your life motto what ours is "it's an adventure"... and we love it! Let's see what this week's adventures will be... Bring It On!

*Edit: I'm not sure this is what I wanted to say or not. But I feel that I will post it none the less. Maybe it will speak to you, maybe you can't see a point in this post... whatever, it doesn't matter... I just wrote what was on my heart and if more comes to me I'll share again. Thanks! :)

***EDIT #2: Jamie just emailed me with sad news of someone she knows in Ontario. This couple has lost their babe... and it's a perfect example, again, of cherishing every moment, even 10 hours of a Baby's life and that's it. Click here to read this Mother's post.

Curls

I gave Gabi a bath today, her first bath in the baby tub, before going out for the day. Elijah was a great helper and Samuel removed his own shorts and diaper because he thought he'd join Gabi for a bath. Such a disappointment to not get to...
I got Jason to take a picture of Gabi so you could see her curly hair after her bath. Well the boys joined me on the floor here too so here's an unexpected shot of me and my three lovely children:


Gabriella is smiling now which is so much fun! I haven't caught it on camera yet, but I better keep it near me so I can. She talks too which catches Elijah by surprise and just loves that she is more interactive. Just wait buddy... it only progresses from here!

Six Weeks

No way! Can't be! My Baby Girl is 6 weeks old already. Man oh man. It's sad in a way... with the boys I was like "yea, I made it to 6 weeks, the 6 week milestone" and now for her I am hoping or wishing she'd stay small and teeny tiny. Oh well. We're enjoying her every minute... here she is last night at the park:



And some more gifts to say THANK YOU for!! Thanks to Charlotte (Alexa's Mom) for the Love n Cuddles Sleeper... it sure does feel like love and cuddles to me! And to Marlene for dropping off a meal to us with these two gifts from Starbucks... Tic Tac Toe travel version (is flannel with velcro animal shapes for the pieces) and Gabriella's first mug! We love them! Elijah loves to play Tic Tac Toe with me with this one... we're working on learning how it works now. :) And to Josie, Jason's big sister... we picked up the gift card from Sears and got this Monitor! Thank you all for your generousity and your love!

Summary of Seaside

We are home now from our little weekend trip down to Seaside, Oregon. It was wonderful. It didn't even rain a drop til Sunday morning when we were packing up to go. Not bad for the Coast. Here is a summary of our time away...

Happy Birthday Carla!

Happy Birthday to my sister!!! You are such a treasure. Thanks for being such a wonderful Auntie espeically to Elijah, Samuel and Gabriella. The boys adore you... and lately Samuel has been saying "please, Carda" when he is asked to say "what do you say?" Too funny!
Happy Birthday little sister!

Snug-as-a-Bug

Last week I bought a friend of mine's, Satu, Baby Sling since she emailed offering it to me first before placing it on Craigslist. It's a Hug-a-Bub... and it's GREAT! I love it. I have used every day but one in the past week since receiving it. Mind you, we've done a lot of out and about trips in that time too which is why. I didn't have anything with the boys until they were older and could go into a backpack. Thanks Satu!

Oregon

We are here and having fun! We're just doing naps now and I have internet, so I thought I'd quickly do a post.
While I fed Gabi yesterday afternoon, Jason headed to the beach with the boys and I was going to catch up with him. The sun wasn't out at the time he left (common for the Oregon Coast), so we thought he and the boys would walk to the water, look around...etc. Well, no. The sun came out and warm with no wind, so in the water they all ventured. Sweatpants, hoodies n' all. Oh well. I was surprised when I came awalking down the beach to see them IN the water. The coooooolllld Pacific Ocean, not a 'warm' lake. I'm quite impressed. Even Jason only goes into the water for boogy boarding...etc, WITH a wet suit on.there was a little 'pool' of water on the water-edge, which was nice for them to splash in and throw sand around and on them. I have more photos and may blog more when we get back as a finale trip post, but for now...
We we checked in to our hotel there was a bit of a mix-up. But it all works out in our favour including a free Family Pass to the Aquarium about 500 feet from our hotel. We went this morning. This is super tiny; I'd never pay $ to go to it, but for free it was a nice way to spend 45 minutes this morning (LOL).

We're back to the beach this afternoon, when it warms up here.

Alexa: I'm waiting for the hotel phone to ring...

Agrifair

Yesterday we went to the Fair for the day. It was Hiroki's last day with us. There was lots to do and we didn't even do one Midway Ride. Check it out:

Then we went to the rodeo... so much fun! Cowgirls, Cowboys, barrel-racing, bull-riding, bunking bronco.... The kids did wonderful again that we decided to go back today, as mentioned in the "Lions" post. Here are a few rodeo pictures:

At tonight's rodeo the clown "potato-gunned" a t-shirt into the audience (lots of them) and Jason caught one for Elijah, while almost squishing Gabi and me! It's a beer T-shirt though, and adult size... which will quickly become a work shirt or PJ or smock for art!

We began our busy day by bringing Hiroki to see him off at 8:30am.

This week we are off to Oregon...well, not until Thursday for a short trip. Can't wait!

Special Post for Bryan in Saskatchewan

We are home for naps on our second Fair day... so I have to post this one for Bryan. This morning two very cool organizations or what shall I call them, Ministries is a better description, put on a free pancake breakfast: Psalm 23 and Love Abbotsford. There were 5 special guests helping serve our Community breakfast... Bryan, I can bet you wished you were here enjoying some blueberry pancakes too with us, or at least in the line up to receive them!
The 5 just arrived below and went into a little huddle to get the scoop on the morning, so I didn't want to interrupt them:I intentionally got a guy to get this picture of us with two of the Lions for YOU, BRYAN!! Enjoy. I don't even know who they are, LOL, but you can tell me!Bryan is a HUGE (understatement) BC Lions Fan living in Saskatchewan. He's got his Entertainment Room dedicated to the lions... painted and decorataed in BC Lions colours and memorbelia. I think that is SO cool. Bryan also has a blog, Right Between the Lions. Check it out. Although I have never met Bryan (he is married to a one of my very first friends in life, Jamie)... the fact that he is so dedicated to something BC is proud of makes me believe he is pretty cool himself! Here go you, Bryan, enjoy! And hey, have a SPECTACULAR trip out here for a game in September. That is sooo cool... you rock!

One Month Old

Gabriella is a month old! Unreal. Here she is at the Fair yesterday... We are 'at' the Fair today too, so I will wait to blog our two days there afterwards.
(isn't her outfit so cute?! Thanks Jen and Girls for lending it to us! We love this little Tennis Skirt!)

Arigato. Danke. Gracios.

Pamela, thanks! When I got home last night, there in my door was a gift from her. Your Mom must've stopped by when we were at Luke's party. The dress is adorable! I just love it and couldn't wait to get it onto her today! So first thing this morning I washed it up and got it on my precious Gabi. See! It's so cute! I'm so loving dresses for her especially little summer ones like this. Thanks Pam! (my friend from high school, now and for a long time now, working at YWAM in Wyoming)
And the seat Gabi is in is new too. From Jason's co-workers! Thanks MTB!

Oh and of course, we went to the Midwife today for Gabi's 4 week check up. She weighed in (to me, it's all about the weigh-in, since everything else is perfect-o). And my little girl has gained over 2lbs now, weighing 9lbs 6oz. Good girl!

Elijah and Jason went back out to the lake this afternoon...while we did the midwife thing. How fun!