Monday Seven

just a little late:

1. Health - I am so thankful for my health, especially when I don't have it. I am thankful for the days that I feel good

2. Spring - I can feel it in the air - that means summer is near

3. Babies - I love babies and in October my sister is having her 4th. I love the smell, feel, and taste of a newborn baby. I am one excited tante!

4. I have been reading 2 fabulous books in the past week: The Shack(as mentioned in my last post) and So you don't want to go to church. What amazing books - they truly inspire.

5. My mom - she is coming to stay with me next week. Chris needs to go to Toronto so she is coming out to help me out. With me working, I love that she is flying out to do this for me. Thanx mom - I love you!

6. Chris - for keeping me calm and relaxed when I am scared and worried. He makes me see that sometimes I panic and worry needlessly.

7. Reminders - I have been so worried about my health in the past weeks, that I have forgotten who is in control of all that. I was on the Salt blog and I saw posted this verse:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.(Jeremiah 29:11-13). What a blessing to remember that I am not the one in control of my life and that whatever happens is the plans that HE has for me. I needed that today!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Amazing read!

I just finished reading the book "The Shack". Its a moving book that really made me look at my faith and my relationship with God. What a touching story of love, forgiveness and relationship through Christ. Thank you Welma for the amazing gift!

Happy Easter Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and that it was a blessed weekend for you all. We had a very busy weekend - my mil flew into town for the weekend for Easter and for Malachi's birthday. It was a busy time. I can't believe that my baby is 9 years old. He is such a wonderful child - I am definitely blessed. Remebering back to the day he was born I remember how scared I was to have a son - I didn't even have brothers. I had no idea what to do with a boy. But he taught me along the way and so far we are doing pretty good I think.

We went to see "Horton Hears a Who" for his birthday - definitely a good movie for the kids. We also saw the movie "Enchanted" this weekend - really cheesy, but cute. Kiana got it for Easter and totally loves the movie.

And since today is Monday, its time for the Monday 7:

1. Airplanes - I am so grateful for airplanes because they can fly my mil back home today!

2. Doctors - I have been sick for about a month now and I am grateful for a wonderful doctor who is able to figure out what is wrong with me so that I can stop losing weight, start eating again and start on the road back to full health.

3. My children - you never appreciate and love your children more than when someone is picking at them - especially if that someone is their grandmother.

4. My faith - Easter is always a good time for me to reflect on my faith and what I believe.

5. Coffee - I am always grateful for coffee after an 8 hour fast for bloodwork.

6. A good book - there is nothing better.

7. Weight loss - whether good or bad, I am still kinda happy that I've lost 20 lbs.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

He is Risen Indeed!!!

I want to wish you all a wonderful Easter! He is Risen - He is Risen Indeed!!!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that today was a good day for you. I had another busy day at work. We are having a "Fairy Tale Tea Party" at school so we are busy planning for that. The kids are very excited about it - they made crowns and are all princes and princesses. They all look great. The weekend was pretty good too - watched "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" with the kids. It's a very cute movie. And this weekend we are fortunate enough to have my mother in law visiting us for Easter.

Here are my 7 for today:

1. I love new babies and I am so thankful that I am an auntie again. Chris' "brother" and his wife brought a little girl into the world today. She is 9 lbs. 4 oz. and is 22 inches long. We are so excited and can't wait for pictures.

2. The warm weather has returned. I am tired of the snow so I was so grateful for the warm weather today - melting all the snow away!

3. I have so many pictures that I don't think I will ever run out of things to scrapbook. Between my kids and my nieces I can never get enough. I love my hobby and all the things it allows me to do.

4. My dear friends - it's my girl Kelsey's birthday this week, so the girls and I are all hanging out and doing stuff with Wii and food and drink. A good time will be had by all!!!

5. The generosity of friends always amazes and surprises me. I got an email from a special friend who works at a bookstore and she got 2 new books for me. I am thrilled and touched that she felt I was special enough to buy some books for. Welma, you are a loving and thoughtful woman and I am glad you are in my life

6. I am thankful for Easter and the reminder of the great gift that my Father lavished on me. My faith is the cornerstone of who I am and I am so greatful for this reminder of the gift He gave to me.

7. My beautiful baby boy turns 9 this weekend. I can't believe that he's not a baby anymore. I love his smile, his laugh, his silliness but most of all I love his spirit and his heart. He is my heart and I am grateful for every second that I have had the title "Mommy"


Well, I hope you all have a wonderful day and I would love for you to leave me a note to say hi! Love to you all and I hope you all have a blessed Easter!

I know, I know

today is Tuesday and I'm doing my Monday 7 late, but I had a terrible cold last weekend and I ended up in bed until late yesterday. It was horrible - I had streaming eyes, a stuffed head, my chest felt like I had an elephant sitting on it and my nose was running like a faucet. Oh, isn't that a pretty picture?! Anyway, I am well enough to head back to work today. My thoughts are with my dear friend Marguerite today, who's grandfather isn't doing very well. Hugs my friend - hang in there.

So, here are my 7 for yesterday:

1. I am so grateful for my health. Being sick - no matter how minor an illness, makes you appreciate the days that I am feeling good. It makes me grateful to be alive!!!

2. Guitar Hero III - there is nothing that makes my dh happier than fun, silly video games and we were able to find this game for him for the Wii!!! You should have seen his face lite up - like a kid in a candy store.

3. Safe travels - my dh was able to make it out of Toronto on Friday before the storm caused the airport to be shut down. He got home 2 1/2 hours late, but at least he's home and not still stuck there.

4. Disneyland - as I am planning our trip I am excited about a place that makes my kids faces light up as if I were offering them the moon. There is nothing that makes me happier than knowing that I am making Kiana's "Dreams come true" (her words not mine)

5. Medicine - I have two friends back home who are having babies - one in the next week and one in the fall. Thanks to the advances of medicine both are being blessed with healthy babies and I am so excited and thankful for them. They have both tried for a looooooong time to have children and it isn't always easy. Bu their dreams are coming true and I am sooooo grateful for that.

6. Friends - I am so thankful for my blogging friends this week. You have sent me messages of love and encouragement here, my email and on your blogs. I love you all and I am so thankful for you and that I in turn can encourage you. I love you all!

7. My faith - in the last couple of days I have realized how lucky I am to have everything I do and that I owe it all to my gracious and loving God. Without my Father I am nothing and I am thankful every day for every breath of life He has given me and the blessings that he has filled my life with. If you are reading this - that means you! thank you!!!

Love ya, have a good day!

It's Monday again...

and that seems to be the only time I have to update my blog. But at least it gets done once a week. We had a busy weekend around here. Because Chris was going out of town this week, we spent the weekend with the kids. Took them out for dinner, did a movie and just hung out with our kids. It was a nice weekend at home. I did take some time out to have dinner with my dear friend Marguerite - it was really nice. I am teaching another class this weekend for my friend Kelly. She wants me to do a baby shower where the women are each doing a lo page and presenting it to her when they are finished. Should be fun.

Well, since it's Monday again, here are my Monday 7:

1. I am so thankful for parents who anticipate your needs and offer to help before you even realize that you need it.

2. I am thankful for a daughter who is being difficult. Kiana is having a hard time adapting to my work schedule and she is difficult because she misses me so much.

3. Hot lemon tea - nothing is more relaxing after a long day than sitting with a good book or a good movie and a nice cup of hot tea.

4. Telephones - I am so grateful that I can communicate with Chris every day while he is gone.

5. Books - there is nothing like a good book while curled up in bed to make you feel cozy and good.

6. Glitter - Kindergarten kids and glitter always make me laugh and feel good.

7. A great job - there is nothing better than being at work and loving the kids you're with.

Have a great week all! i love you all!

Happy Monday

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We had a crazy weekend. Our car broke down and needed to be repaired - $800 later its all done. Then my computer decided it had enough of its life and gave up. There is more money out to replace it. UGH - lots of money going out of my bank account this weekend that's for sure. But all is well in the world again, and I got my first paycheque so that helped a little too.

And since it is Monday, here are my list of 7 for today:

1. Having a great job that gives me a not so bad paycheque so it doesn't hurt so much when everything goes wrong all at once.

2. Weekends - there is nothing that I love more than sleeping in

3. 3 day weeks - Teacher Convention allows me to have Thursday and Friday off this week!

4. Banana Sour Cream cake - I'm not sure what I love more - the smell in my house when its baking, or that first bite after its ready to eat.

5. Two amazing kids who drive me amazingly crazy!

6. My girlfriends - I can't wait to hang out with them on Saturday.

7. Cuddling with the kids in the bed in the morning because my dh is heading out of town for a few days.


And finally, my children chose my dear friend Rhonda's name for the RAK. Rhonda, I don't have your snail mail, so if you could email it to me that would be great!

Have a wonderful day everyone! Love ya!!!

I've been tagged

so here goes the 5 faves:

5 things you cannot live without under $10
1. Rolo Chocolate
2. Tim Hortons Coffee
3. Thickers
4. Fresca
5. My favourite adhesive

5 favourite moves
1. Walk the Line
2. Memoirs of a Geisha
3. Moulin Rouge
4. Napoleon Dynamite
5. Save the Last Dance

Baby names you love(but won't use)
Girls
1. Olivia
2. Noor
3. Isabella
4. Faatema
5. Elizabeth
Boys
1. Ethan
2. Benjamin
3. Kaleb
4. Luka
5. Jake

5 songs you could listen to over and over:
1. I Come to the Garden Alone
2. You're Beautiful
3. Blessed Be Your Name
4. Your Faithfulness
5. It is Well With My Soul

5 people who influenced your life in a positive way:
1. Opa Hein
2. Ma Horsman
3. my dh Chris
4. Jesus
5. Juanita

5 things that stay in your purse all the time:
1. Wallet
2. Sunglasses
3. Keys
4. Lipgloss
5. Tampons

5 moments you knew changed you forever:
1. When Opa Hein died
2. My parents marriage problems
3. When I got married
4. When my kids were diagnosed with Autism
5. When Ma Horsman died

5 obsessions you have right now:
1. Scrapbooking
2. Photography
3. My Work
4. Our Disney Trip
5. Shopping

5 places you would really love to go:
1. Las Vegas
2. California
3. Cuba
4. Dominican Republic
5. Europe

5 people you would love to see do their top 5:
1. Sherri
2. Carmen
3. Rhonda
4. Mylene
5. Lacintha

Happy Family Day!

Its so nice to have a long weekend once in awhile. The kids actually let me sleep until 9:00 this morning. Its been a pretty great weekend actually. Kiana sang at a Family Day Festival on Sunday with 5 other students from the Conservatory. She was the hit of the performance - she was the youngest one there. She totally ate up the whole "cute factor" thing. She did very well and its was good for her. She really needs to get comfortable performing in front of an audience. And last night, dh and I watched "Knightrider" the movie. Man, I am such a dork!

Today is Family Day and we are all home. The kids are playing Wii and dh and I are doing our own things as well. Treasured Memories has a sale on, so I will probably be heading over there in the next few minutes. Then I am watching a "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" marathon - see I told you I was a dork!

And finally, here are my seven for Monday. Hope you all have a wonderful day - whether its a long weekend for you or not!

1. Sleeping in - I have really begun to appreciate this since I have been working. The weekend have become much more precious to me.

2. Slush - that means that spring is in the air. As messy and dirty as the roads are this weekend, I love the warm weather. I am hoping that spring will be here soon - and even if its not, I am enjoying the springlike weather for right now.

3. Being a dork - thanx to my dear friends for making me see its okay to be a dork and like dorky things

4. My husband - reminds me every day that not all men are assholes and jerks

5. Family Day and the realization in my child that family is important and that we need to be nice to each other ALL THE TIME!!!!

6. long hot baths - no explanation necessary.

7. chocolate.

Happy Monday Morning

So, I am starting my second week as a Teacher's Aide at school and I LOVE IT!!!! The kids are wonderful and my days just fly by. It helps that the teacher loves me too - makes working so much more enjoyable.

I had an interesting weekend too - I taught a class on Saturday night and I got some scrapping done too. I worked on my dad's heritage album this weekend. I will post more of what I did later.

And since today is Monday, its time to post my Monday seven:

1. I love kindergarten - the kids are so sweet and they still think you know everything and are the most beautiful person ever.

2. Warm weather - after the last couple of weeks that we have had, -13 seems balmy. I don't mind recess supervision in this weather.

3. Good health - thru rumours, someone thought my dad was dying of cancer. It reminded me of how thankful I am that my parents are alive and well and are of reasonably good health.

4. Our wealth - I have never considered myself wealthy, but I have the ability to give my children everything they need, as well as many things they don't.

5. Jack and Hank - some mornings there is nothing nicer than having kitty curled up next to you.

6. Coffee - always need to be thankful for my coffee.

7. First moments after you wake up - there is nothing more enjoyable for me than the first few moments after Kiana and Malachi wake up. They are full of hugs and cuddles and have that warm, sleepy feel to them.

And, finally, since Valentine's Day is this week, I want you to share something loving about someone in your life. Then my wonderful children will pick a name for a lovely RAK! Have a good day everyone!

Good Monday morning!

I had a wonderful weekend this weekend. I spent all day Saturday in Spruce Grove with my girls and we had a wonderful time. Lots of sugar, music and scrapping. What more could a girl ask for? It was alot of fun.
And today I am (hopefully) starting a substitute position at a school just a couple of blocks from my house. If they accept me, I will be working there until June which is fabulous. It's nice thinking that I will be in the same place for the next 5 months.

Here are my Monday seven:

1. The phone woke me at 6:00 a.m this morning. Normally I would be complaining but not today, because it was the school board. I am grateful for my new job. Its such a great feeling being able to help kids who need a little extra help.

2. The warm weather - I never thought that I would think -20 is warm, but after the frigidly cold temperatures last week, I really love this weather.

3. Music - nothing makes me happier or puts me in a better mood.

4. Friends - hanging out, singing, eating, laughing and scrapping. I can't imagine my weekends without these amazing women.

5. My sweet little girl - I woke up this morning to a note that said: "Dear mom, I love you soooooooooooooooooooooooooo muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Love Kiana!

6. I love being able to express myself through my scrapbooking. I have been given a gift that allows me to show my emotions and creative side through my pages.

7. Coffee - I can't imagine my life without coffee. Monday morning isn't my favourite day of the week at the best of times and now that I am working, getting up at 6 is tough. Thank goodness for that first cup of coffee in the morning.

I am teaching on Saturday and so I am really excited about that. Here is a photo of the Bo-Bunny book we'll be working on:
I have always wanted to try this book so I am excited about it.
Have a great Monday everyone!

A looooong week!

Man has this been a long week. I got hired by Edmonton Public Schools and I get to start work tomorrow. In the meanwhile I have been back and forth to the School board, police station and child and family services to get all the paperwork done that I need to do to get started. I am very excited though - I haven't worked in 10 years so it will be great to work again.

I am also pretty excited to be teaching my first class next week. I will post pictures of the book I am doing after I finish taking photos of it. I think it will be alot of fun. I am also heading to a crop in Spruce Grove this weekend with all the girls. Looking forward to that too.

Sorry that I haven't posted much this week. I only hope that my blog doesn't suffer to much with me going back to work. Kisses to you all!!! LOVE YA!!!

Good Monday morning

and how are you all doing today? Start of a new week and I am actually excited about the week ahead. I am headed to Stoney Plain to visit my girl Kelly tomorrow. She is a wonderful friend who I love to pieces. I am also hoping to hear from EPS this week - the waiting is killing me. I can't believe how quickly the government works(didja note the sarcasm?)

Well, since today is Monday, I am listing my seven thanx again today:

1. There is nothing better than a movie with the kids. The kids and I went with a friend to see "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" The kids totally loved it - especially the "Rock Monster" video at the end(spoof on "Rock Lobster" by the B-52s). I am so thankful that I had my kids to enjoy it with

2. I am thankful that I have the ability to work out every day. I am healthy enough to do it and I love the way I feel after I have done it.

3. The faith of my friends - they believe in me and I am grateful for that every day. They believe in me and my abilities even when I don't.

4. I am thankful for childlike enthusiasm. My kids get excited about the littlest things and they have such excitement for it. I am giggling like a little kid when they are like that.

5. Playing the game "Sorry" with my kids. I can honestly say I have NEVER EVER won this game against my children and they joy they get from beating me every single time is hilarious. I have not laughed that hard in a very long time.

6. My faith. I am learning about myself and my relationship with God more every day. I am figuring out who I am in Christ and prioritizing what the important things are to me. Without God I am nothing.

7. My amazing Chris. I am thankful every day for finding a man who loves me as deeply and wholly and unconditionally as he does.

Hope you have a wonderful day! I love you all!

Happy Monday!

Well, its the start of another week - how is yours shaping up to be? I am up to my eyeballs in laundry today. I am trying to stay on top of the housework just in case I get a job in the next couple of weeks. Its a quiet week so thats kinda nice too. Looking forward to cropping on the weekend with the girls at Urban. That's always alot of fun.

Here are my Monday Seven:

1. Coffee - especially after my sweet child woke up, got dressed and had breakfast at 3:00 a.m. It's a great way to keep me awake and functioning today.

2. Clean laundry - there is nothing I like better than the smell of clean laundry coming out of the dryer. I think it might be the OCD side of me.

3. Being married - watching friends and family date and meet their "possible" mate reminds me of how wonderful it is to be married and how I am so glad that I never have to date again.

4. Dinner with my kids - its amazing how big a thing this is when you have autistic kids. I actually have 3-4 meals I can make that the kids will eat. I don't have to make 3 different meals and we can have a stress free dinner time.

5. Chocolate - I am convinced many problems could be solved if we did it over chocolate. Nothing makes you feel better.

6. Singing in the shower - nothing makes me smile like listening to my son sing in the shower. He sings at the top of his lungs with happiness in his voice. Its a beautiful sound.

7. Cropping Fridays - what a great way to relax with my friends, hang out and enjoy doing what I love.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

A productive week

I have been on a roll the last few days - the juices are just flowing. I have been playing "Telephone Tag" on ScrapFan for the last few days and its been alot of fun. Its neat to see what everyone comes up with when you are lifting the person before you. I think I've been able to come up with so much stuff because I know that I am going back to work soon so I won't have the time to scrap that I do now. Gotta enjoy the time of scrapping while I have it!

Goodbye, my friend

You were such a special woman. You always had a smile on your face and were always laughing. You looked at the positive side of everything. You always made the person you spoke to feel like the most important person in the room. You were so excited that you had graduated from Nursing and were proud of your accomplishments. You loved your work. And you loved your friends and family more. I loved sharing my birthdays with you. The Olive Garden was always our place - how many hours we sat and caught up on life over "Soup, salad and stix". Hanging out at your place, visiting me in Edmonton, bonfires, shopping - whatever it was, it was always fun. Even when you had rough days and you just sat and cried, even then you managed to find something to smile about. Lydia, you were a dear friend and I will always love you. You made my world a better place because you were in it. I am grateful every day for the time I had with you because I am a better person because of you. You accepted me and helped me to accept myself. Life won't be the same without you. I love you and wil truly miss you! Goodbye, my friend!

It's Monday again

Hold your loved ones close today. Tell them how much you love them. Don't let another minute go by without calling your friend/family member/significant other up and tell them how much they mean to you because in a nanosecond that could be gone. On Saturday morning, while working as a nurse at the hospital, my dear friend Lydia dropped dead of a heart attack. One minute she was here and the next she was gone. She was only 41 years old - tooo young. And so suddenly. So my dear friends, please appreciate every second you have on this planet for it may be the last one you have.

And since it is Monday, here is my list of 7 for today:

1. My dear friend Lydia - I am thankful for 20 years of friendship, laughing, shopping, sharing, caring and just being. Thank you for you and for sharing yourself with the world

2. Today - I am thankful to wake up and have another day with Chris and the kids.

3. Sherry, Dawn, Renee, Marguerite, Andrea, Kelly, Tammy etc. - I am thankful for my friends. They make me laugh and feel good every day!

4. My kids - I am so thankful that they have soft, caring hearts and know just how to make mom feel better.

5. A new year - I am thankful to have the opportunity to make this year better than the last. I can right the wrongs and be a better person than I have been

6. Scrapbooking - I am thankful that I have a creative venue that I can share with others and get my feelings out on paper.

7. School - I am so thankful the kids are going back to school today!


Have a good day!

Happy New Year!

So, are you making any New Year's Resolutions this year? I usually make the same one every year - eat better, exercise more and lose weight. I think I have a head start on the 3rd one tho - this is the first Christmas where I started out 20 lbs. lighter than I did a month ago. Hopefully I can keep it up.

Christmas was nice - it was good to be home with family again. I missed my beautiful nieces - I love spending time with them. The weather driving down and coming back could have been better. The highways were clear(thankfully) but the visibility was crummy. And then poor Kiana came down with a stomach bug halfway thru Saskatchewan. There can't be anything worse than being sick on the road. Oh well, we are home again.

Seeing as today is Monday, I am posting my 7 things today again:


1. I am so grateful for good health - we have colds and stomach bugs at our house and you really appreciate feeling good when you don't!

2. Wealth - we got alot of wonderful gifts from family and I am so grateful for everything we have. I so often take what I have for granted and only want more. I forget to thank God for what I already have

3. Family - I got to meet some of Chris' family for the first time this holiday season. Chris hadn't seen his cousin in 26 years and I had never met her. It is great to meet and get to know his family - and they are so wonderful.

4. Chris - my wonderful husband is so patient with me - some days I drive him to the brink but he still waits my tantrums out and listens to me rant and rave.

5. Snow - I really don't like the winter or the snow, but the past few days has been so beautiful. While we were driving through Manitoba and Saskatchewan it was really foggy. The fog had put a layer of hoar frost on everything and it was just magnificent. It was the most beautiful drive I have ever experienced.

6. A new year - its a time for new beginnings and fixing old mistakes. Its like I've got a clean slate and I get to try to make it better this year - to be a better person this year. One of these days I'll get it right. Until then I keep trying and am continually thankful for the forgiveness of the Father.

7. Friends - I always post this one, I know, but this is consistantly true. I have been blessed with so many wonderful people who love me and bless me in so many ways. I cannot imagine a day of my life without all of them in it. I am a truly rich woman!!!


Well, I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Eve. Don't party too hard - have a drink for me! Cheers all - I love ya and look forward to seeing you in 2008!!!