Adisee and Mimi

~ 255 ~ sitting together in the office after the kids have gone to bed; him on the computer, researching all the songs he wants to buy on iTunes, and me scrapbooking

~ 256 ~ the way he shook his head at me tonight and told me he loved me (smiling at the same time) when I realized I had forgotten to turn the dryer on (after telling him I didn't know why the sheets were still wet)

~ 257 ~ how well she plays on her own

~ 258 ~ how she craves social interaction

~ 259 ~ their mutual love for Toopy and Binoo

~ 260 ~ their new mutual love for Manon

~ 261 ~ the smell of their hair

~ 262 ~ the softness of their skin

~ 263 ~ the way she puts her hands on her head and says 'ah!' when she's about to have a melt down

~ 264 ~ the way she drops to her knees then flat onto her tummy (or back, depending) when she has a melt down

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

Do any other parents find their kids' temper tantrums hilarious, too? I mean, I know i'm going to be horrified when they do it in public, but when you're at home, and its just you, do you find it funny? I have to restrain myself from laughing because I find it so amusing!

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

~ 265 ~ discovering there IS tv even if the kids are awake

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

Do any other mama's find watching tv during the day time a waste of time? I think all the shows out there are trash, and I don't have the time for it; on the other hand, Treehouse is wearing on me quite severely these days...we need something new!!! Thats why, thank goodness!!, I'm glad I downloaded a few games for the kids to play on the computer. It gives them some variety, and they're learning at the same time. We get to spend quality time together, and rather than just staring at a screen that talks to you, they are actually using brain power! I like!!

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

~ 266 ~ freshly washed (and still warm!) bed sheets

~ 267 ~ spending time today- just the three of us girls- in the office, playing games on the computer

~ 268 ~ loving how into the games Addison seemed to be. She really liked it! (The sounds scared poor Maren at first...)

~ 269 ~ the way she calls for her 'Adisee'

~ 270 ~ the way she calls for her 'Mimi'

Look, a Cow!!

She said the cutest thing while we were waiting our turn for immunization shots this morning at the clinic at the hospital. Thankfully, daddy had the morning off from work, so he was able to help mama keep the twinlets occupied and entertained until that fateful moment occurred.

He happened to notice a deer standing in the courtyard outside one of the windows, and so he showed her. She called it a cow!! And after coming out of the public health nurses' office after receiving (and enduring) her immunization like a champ!!, the first thing she asked for after settling down, was for her 'cow' again.

My dear sweet girl!

Yesterday afternoon, while the girls were watching tv, and I was sitting on the couch taking it easy for a few minutes, she approached me with a book about barnyard animals. She climbed into my lap, and I read it to her. The animal that stuck out to her, and what she remembered, was the cow. Now she associates animals- like deer- to cows. Makes sense, right?

So. Stinking. Adorable!

What a rush this day was. We were up early for our appointment at 9 this morning, then after having a quick lunch, all three of us girls lay down for a nap and wasted the afternoon away. It was 3 when we woke up. Normally, we are accustomed to waking up at 9, not at 7:30. It was tough on mama, too!

Just before putting the kids down (and mama) for their naps, the funniest thing happened, and I can't resist not sharing. It still makes me shake my head and laugh. I could see a vehicle pull up in front of our house, but I thought nothing of it because there's often traffic on our street, and people are always parking right in front of our house, even if they are not our visitors. I mentioned to husband that we had company.

We had company because a woman was walking up our drive to the front door. I thought maybe it was the Property Management lady that helped us find our apartment (for whatever reason- and I couldn't tell you why she would even know where we moved to after moving out of the apartment; it just looked like her). She walked right up to the front door and then right on through it like she owned the place.


Sit back for a moment and just try and imagine the look of absolute. horror on her face. I honestly thought she was going to have a coronary right in my front porch. The poor lady! And, if you're reading this, I am so sorry if I glared at you when you walked in...I just couldn't figure out how something like that could happen. I know it was rude, and for that I apologize. But, looking back, I now find it hilariously funny. Forgive my ignorance at your expense.

Really, though.

Too. Funny.

Late this afternoon, I sat down and began making Christmas cards for mom. Here they are:

There are 12 all together; 6 with the green paper- 3 of which are landscape form and 3 of which are vertical; and 6 are made with the red snowflake paper- 3 that are landscaped and 3 that are vertical. Super simple and super quick. I'm done them already! The best part- and the part that I just absolutely love- is the background on the burgundy card stock (the base paper): it was stamped with white ink. I think I'm in love. Its my new favourite thing to use! Here's a few other cards I made using white ink:

Oh, but I think you can also find these cards here.

Anywho. My point is that white ink rocks, even on lighter coloured card stock:

Excuse the colour in this photo, its waaayyy off. It should be lilac paper that's matted on burgundy, which is matted on lilac paper. I love the silhouette look!

(Can you tell I like white ink, just a little bit??)

"Find Joy in the Little Things"

I made some cards today

because my mind has been on her for the last few days. Actually, she's been on my mind off and on since mom told me that she's really sick.

That was four or five years ago.

And, my heart breaks for her.

Continually.

And, I keep thinking about her, wondering how she's doing, if she's getting any better, if the medication has begun working and made some positive outcomes happen in her life.

And, I wonder how it even happened.

I asked about her on Sunday; an aunt has regular contact with her, and sees her every so often at their kids' basketball games. She's gained a lot of weight; partly its due to the medication that's been prescribed; partly its due to her lack of health. Jokingly, she told my aunt to tell the family that she's away on vacation and that's why her absence is felt (not just noticed) at the annual Christmas family party. Its a sad, painful reminder of what's going on- seeing an uncle and his kids out without their wife and mother.

It makes me wonder what kind of pain they feel over their mom's circumstance. Are they confused? Are they embarrassed by it? Are they afraid of what their mother could- might do to herself? And, the aunt I spoke with has told her that she can- she will get through this and return to her old self again. She will be transformed through prayer, medical and psychological insight and good medical attention, though she feels that latter part isn't happening.

Unfortunately.

Then, I found myself awkwardly asking, 'what can I do?'

Because, what can I do for the family member that I've hardly spoken to, except for when I was young, and she was young- about to marry my uncle (or newly married) to him? How have I, in an unintentional, unforeseen way, contributed to her current state of health? How can I remedy that?

The relative I mentioned here came to our wedding nearly three years ago. As far as I'm aware, that was the first time she participated in a family function since her own wedding disintegrated years before. I had sent an email to her, stating that I'd very much like it if she came, because what happened back then was water under the bridge, and I wasn't the type to judge her for it or hold a grudge against her because its not a 'Christianly' thing to have done. Bah. I'm so sorry that some of our family has to be that way.

And, as weddings go, and because I was the bride, visiting was kept to a minimum. Actually, I didn't thank her personally for coming. I didn't let her know how happy it made me that she actually came. And, I have regretted it since. I asked her in an email if she was coming to the family party this past weekend, and she told me she was. Yes! A chance to make up for the mistake I made then. It took me a while to build up the courage to approach her and her guest, but I finally did, and I am so happy that I conquered my fear and stepped out of my comfort zone!

I've been teaching myself to step out of that comfort zone since we moved back to Alberta. I've made good friends here in town, and I am very happy. Now, its time to take it a step further, and bridge the gaps between myself and my family. And, that should include her.

I enjoy scrapbooking, and I love making cards. Naturally I thought sending her a card might cheer some part of her up. I don't have her mailing address (though it wouldn't be hard to figure out; some of our family lives on the old farmstead in Leduc; she and my uncle live in Oma's old house. Their address will be the same as another aunts, and cousins...)

But, the place I will start is with an email. She told me not to expect a response, because most likely there won't be one; but at least she'll know someone is thinking of her and missing her. Maybe one day, after some time, I will venture out and send her a card. A response isn't needed. Maybe I'll just send a card anyways. That's just me.

I just want to help in some small way.

(And, by the way, the sentiment on the cards at the top of the post says 'find joy in the little things')

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

~ 251 ~ babies- pardon me- toddlers that come hobbling up to you because they are exhausted and fall asleep in their mama's arms

~ 252 ~ courage

~ 253 ~ new phrases that we've picked up: 'good morning' and 'good night'

~ 254 ~ their new favourite place to hide things: the drawer at the bottom of the stove

Baby Kisses

 Bath night is a big to do in our household. The girls ask for it frequently- along with brushing their teeth. And, normally bath time is the only time of day that they can handle each other in a small, confined space for any length of time.

For the most part. When we moved into the apartment, I decided that maybe bathing the kids together would be a good way to introduce them to playing with each other, and hopefully it would translate into other areas of their day, too. That hasn't happened to the scale I'd like it to just yet, but they do have their moments. And, when they do, it warms this mama's heart.

Things like this, when they occur, warm this mama's heart, too:

Just after this photo was taken, the arch enemies returned. Fighting, then crying for a few brief moments followed, and once again playing near each other, but not with each other. The best part was that daddy got to see them kissing each other, too. In person, not second hand. It was priceless!

Oma made both girls a new set of tuque's and mittens to go along with their snow suits, and while we were in the city this weekend, they tried them on for us. As you can tell, Miss Addison thoroughly enjoyed hers, but Miss Maren didn't one bit. And, like we've done since the kids came home from the hospital, they're in their colours- Addison in purple and Maren in pink.

Think they'll grow up loving those colours?

Our trip into the city was rushed. Two days to get all that we needed done done was challenging, but we did it! The only thing that is still left on our to do list is visit great Oma. Maybe we'll get to do that over Christmas, since our plans have changed, and we'll be celebrating with my parents and sis and BIL in the city rather than here.

My biggest item on our agenda while we were there was to get some Christmas shopping done, and buy the girls bigger clothes. I can't believe they've moved out of 2T already and are fitting into 3T. They're only 2! They're tall, though; especially Maren. She'll be tall like her daddy. Husbands MUST DO item was accomplished: find and buy his wife's Christmas present. At first, it was without whiff knowing about it, then it became, I have a confession. I knew what it was; I had seen typed into the google search bar on our lap top apple. 


Huh.

And, yes, I am now typing on my new Mac. I love it! And, I love that rather than having to order Christmas post cards from my favourite store Walmart, I can actually make them, order them, and have them shipped to me from Apple instead- and they're the same price! AND, a person can utilize both sides of the post card, not just the front. It was $40 that was well spent, in my humble opinion!!

Now that I'm done bragging, I won't have any surprises left for Christmas day, when we plan to celebrate with just the four of us. But, that's ok. I've been spoiled. I'm so lucky!

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

~ 245 ~ my husband

~ 246 ~ a new computer that won't frustrate us anymore

~ 247 ~ the means necessary to purchase new clothes and Christmas gifts for the ones we love

~ 248 ~ spending time with extended family

~ 249 ~ connecting and catching up with a cousin that some of our family considers a 'black sheep'

~ 250 ~ the tea he made me

Movember

I continually draw blanks when it comes to blogging, which doesn't really make any sense to me, because I enjoy jotting down my thoughts and feelings and what our crazy family does and goes through; I like the idea of the kids one day flipping through my journal entries and laughing at the goofy things we've done (or that have happened), crying through the difficult posts, and understanding some situations that they maybe didn't understand at a specific time. I like the idea of them learning who their mother is through reading through her most intimate thoughts.

Because of that, I am going to try- diligently- to post every day this month; if I'm successful, I'll try it again for another month. It doesn't matter if its little things that I post about; I want to record and savor memories for my children to cherish when they're older :) (In addition to my newfound personal endeavor to scrapbook again, too).

Mo-vember is over. At first, many years ago, I didn't think I would like it, and I thought he should lose it. Now, I'm sad to see its gone, and can hardly wait for it to grow back!

Husband with handle bars

Baby faced husband sans handle bars

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

~ 240 ~ having a little bit of adult time last night- before the hurricane hit!

~ 241 ~ a new outfit that fits like a glove

~ 242 ~ the kids seem to be feeling better; no accidents since last night

~ 243 ~ the gingerbread house candle holder from a dear friend, and how much she *adores* the way it looks lit up with no lights on

~ 244 ~ enjoying a long over due visit with great Oma this coming weekend



Big Mouth

Oookay, so I spoke too soon. I have a nasty habit of doing that...

Poor little one threw up just after her bath last night, just after being put in a fresh, clean pair of pyjama's, just after she found herself some milk and gulped it down. It could have been the yogurt the kids ate earlier in the day, too, but it forced itself out onto the kitchen floor just in the nick of time- for bed time.

You know, I'd rather that than on any of the carpet in the house. The only problem is, the house is 95% carpet!! Clean up is so much easier!!!

And, earlier in the evening, poor little lady had a poo that she didn't even realize was happening until it was making its way out, too; kind of like her mama, when she was feeling icky just a day earlier. She awoke this morning covered in it from head to toe; into the bath she went for another cleaning...

That was the only one she's had today. I'm finally taking the advice she gave me (dear mom- and the box of Immodium that husband bought from the drug store), and I'm keeping the kids, husband and myself away from milk, fruit, alcohol (not that any of us makes it a habit of drinking it), fatty foods, spicy foods, sweetened juices...we've only eaten foods that are clear in nature or that doesn't have fatty items on them, like butter on toast. Just the dry stuff for us.

Its put a damper on our plans for the weekend, but they haven't totally flown out the window yet. Because the kids have had such a good day- we even ventured out for a few minutes to meet up with grandpa K as he passed through town- we may still head to the city on Saturday.

And, I think that will be a good thing; Maren has been asking for auntie all day long.

We'll keep our fingers and toes crossed!

Together

Whew, the last month has flown by and its just been incredible!

Its found our family growing as a whole unit- growing closer- working on our differences and making some positive changes; its found us sick- incredibly sick- a few times since the end of October; not just one of us, but all of us together.

Even though I am not always the bravest *voicing* my problems or concerns, I did find it in me to be brave enough to write down my feelings, imploring change.

Changing it is. And, its slow, but its sure and steady. I am so thankful for that!

As for our health, I've become slightly worried for Maren; of all of us, she's been sick the most- and the most severely of us all. What began with an ear infection/flu bug on Halloween, turned into a cold the middle of this month, and has now turned back to the flu. What concerns me is the amount she's thrown up this last month. Last Sunday, she threw up just for the heck of it. We were gearing up to go to a craft sale, and after she was all dressed up for the cold weather, she lost her breakfast and juice she'd drank. No fever, no tummy ache (though I found it odd that she wasn't too interested in breakfast...), and nothing again after that. And, the poor girl suffered so much through this most recent flu to afflict our home. Husband and I just had it coming from the south end; she had it coming from both ends. I thought she was over it, but apparently not. Its still coming from her south end. :(

Just strange.

Either, she's inherited her daddy's weak tummy or its something else.

At the very least, I've concluded that she has a weak immune system, if nothing else.

And, now that I'm beginning to feel more like myself, its just in time to pack us up and prepare for a trip into Edmonton for the weekend. Since we're leaving Friday, I've only got tomorrow to pack and straighten up two days' worth of mess before leaving.

I think I can, I think I can...get it all done, that is :)

So, even though we've had differences and we're working on changing it- changing things so we're on the same page- together- the first thing we did together, as a family: get sick!