little funny man

this morning, after his pattering feet and scared shallow breaths found their way into our bed, Elijah, now calmed and content, made a joke:

"Anders is my sister" he said slowly.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked incredulously.

"YEEAAAH!!!!" He laughed.

Later he tried the same joke again. I could see him anticipating the same big laughter response as he got the first time, and I, just like Celia (click for her post about laughing) didn't leave him hanging.

It was a joyful morning moment.

Right now

I am eating a snack, relaxing on the couch eating a snack and my daughter is scrubbing the doors of the kitchen cupboards. She's already finished the floors and the oven door. Okay, I helped a little, but we did a better job together than I would've alone. I just glanced up and she was reaching on to the counter and cleaning any nooks and crannies she could get her brush in contact with. This proves it, I guess it's time to get them helping with chores more regularly!

Got Away

So Anders and I had a little get-away. It was really good. The place was beautiful - you can just see a bit of it in the photo above. It was a good time to have some space and hopefully some of the true things I heard while I was away will settle into my heart so I can really know and believe them. My little buddy was incredible. Here are some of his over the top cute moments:








Can you even believe those smiley eyes?? And that cheery while cutting his first teeth? Yesterday I discovered one had broken through on the bottom and I think his neighbor is following close behind. He's been a little more cranky, but hardly anything. But he'll get cranky soon if I don't deal with his diaper, I heard some rumblings... better go.

aimee

Date with my girl

Eva and I went on a date to Tanglebank. Anders came too, but slept the whole time - nice. We looked around at the different plants and I told Eva she could choose one. I laughed when I saw her choice...





A red geranium.

Now there is nothing wrong with red geraniums... but Tanglebank has so many other very unique plants and Eva picks a classic run of the mill red geranium. And you can see why. Nothing (at least nothing blooming right now) tops the colour power of a red geranium. Anyways, Brenda helped Eva plant two planters, one of perennials for me, and one, with the red geranium front and centre, for Eva. Eva's favourite part was to sprinkle the plant food in. We had a good time. We also bought some little lettuce plants that Eva planted with our neighbor in the back garden yesterday.





And my favourite shot. This one is for Gramps.



Oh, and about yesteday's choice to create...We decorated a shoe box to be a bed for one of her bears and it was definitely not a "soulemama" moment. Anders, who I put in his merry muscles jumper, whimpered and cried during the whole craft. I got glue on the carpet. My scissors wouldn't cut the felt fabric. And the funniest part is that today, Eva has pretty much dismantled all the work we (I) did. But it was her craft so I guess that's her choice! It was still better than Metropolis I am sure!

Big Boys

So the big boys are back from their trip and they had a great time! These are some photos from when we dropped them off at the airport.

When we picked them up last night I told Elijah that Eva was waiting to see him. He said,

"Why Eva was waiting for me? I know, her wuvs me"

They had never been apart for that long before and were very glad to see each other. It didn't take long though for the fighting to start. I certainly didn't miss that while they were apart! Elijah was just ape about seeing Anders again and Anders just laughed and laughed at his brother's antics.

It was a joyful reunion for all of us. So fun to hear reports back from Camrose. Lance's talk went really well and so did his concert, I'm very proud of him, and really wish I could've been there. Now Lance has a massive amount of writing to do for Friday, then his school work will be done... until summer classes start!

brewing

so I have a blog post brewing - maybe entitled, " boycott body-type" or, "style sucks...the life out of me"

we'll see.

but right now I am faced with two options,

go shopping at Metropolis

or

make a craft with Eva

So I asked myself, which will make me feel better about who I am? Which will be about truth and real beauty? Which involves things I am passionate about. Which will leave me feeling fuller when I am done?

and for me, answering these questions well means I am DEFINITELY staying home and creating something. Now off to figure out what that will be.

more later.

Aimee

pancake pressure

So after reading your answers they were way better than the real reason. Funnier. Except Leah's! Yikes. Pregnant I am not and that is very good.

The reason is, our friends had given us a big jar of milk from their cow and the last of it was just starting to sour, making it the perfect candidate for buttermilk pancakes. But not if I left it till I came back. I could've made them this morning, but making a huge batch of pancakes on the morning you're driving your husband and son to the airport doesn't exactly make sense.

So now we have pancakes in the freezer ready for toasting and eating at a moments notice. And that good creamy milk didn't go to waste.

Elijah just ran in here exclaiming, "I'm growin whiskers. I'm growin whiskers" Someone was watching Papa shave. Then he told me he was done, handed me a piece of his breakfast and said, "Now I can go on the airplane". Yes, I did say he needed to have breakfast first. And I guess the faster breakfast is done the faster he can get on the plane. Yesterday after having a short nap in the van he excitedly told papa that he has slept in the van and so now he was, "Ready for go!" (a classic Elijahism). Lance had told him that after he slept (meaning night) then they would go to the airport, so he was hoping that a little car nap counted. Poor disappointed guy. But he is sure excited today.

okay better get ready.

bye.
aimee

pancakes?

It's 10:25pm and I just finished making 3 dozen buttermilk pancakes.
any guesses as to why?

alberta bound

not me.

Lance and Elijah are off to Camrose tomorrow. Lance has been asked to speak at CLBI grad on Saturday. He'll also be playing as part of the year end coffeehouse tomorrow night.

I am jealous.

Well, not that I want to speak at grad or play at the coffeehouse. But he will see our dear friends and family, be a part of the school wrap-up and just be in Camrose.

I'm not letting the jealousy get the best of me... I am looking forward to time with my girl and baby, doing things I'd do if I only had one toddler to wrangle. I think we'll head to Tanglebank and make a planter together. Maybe have some tea together. Thrift store shop?

Also mom is watching Eva for a night so I'm having a mini-break with Anders at the Mark Centre in Abbotsford.

That's all for now.

Aimee

intoxicating

I don't remember spring being like this. The air is so sweet, alive with blossoms. I love it here.

Yesterday it felt like summer. A long sleeved shirt was too hot. The kids and I packed a snack and headed to Vancouver to meet papa. He found us at a park and we hung out for a while and then ate supper at White Spot. Hurray for pirate packs. Anders slept through most of the meal and the older kids did really well. I turned to Lance and said, "this has been a really fun family supper out" As opposed to desperately trying to keep kids occupied while waiting for food, yanking them out from under the table where they're finding treasures of pre-chewed gum and old fries, or cleaning up endless spills. They loved their food - though Eva preferred my sweet potato fries to her regular ones. We came home and ran around our little yard for a while. One of the neighbors from our building was gardening. She exuberantly shared gardening wisdom with the kids. Eva stood rapt, just taking it all in and responding, "Yeah me too" at appropriate times. Annette (the neighbor) also invited the kids to cut some daffodils that they had been a part of planting in the fall. They were very excited, me too! She gave us some hyacinth too - which are beautiful but sooo fragrant, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by them this morning.

well, I better get back to mothering.

have a lovely day, whatever spring looks like in your neck of the woods.

aimee

twice in one week and eva

I've made blueberry scones - Anneliese's, that's Kristal's mom - from the recipe on Lovella's site. Delicious.

The second time they turned out better... same recipe... but strangely enough as I was making them this morning there were a couple things on the recipe that weren't there before. That could explain the improvement this time around.

This makes sense considering the first time I made them I had to walk from the living room (where the laptop was charging) to the kitchen for each ingredient and measurement, weaving my way around hungry excited children and clothes drying on racks (the sun and rain keep taking turns around here). It was a little hectic.

I also added a little bit of extra butter this time...that could be partly it too.

Anyways they are delicious. My slight adjustments were: using half wholewheat flour, choosing lemon over orange zest, and replacing the 1/4 cup sugar with 1/8 cup xylitol (a non-sugar sweetener that mom bought and we have tried out as a treat). But if sugar and you get a long fine I'd use the real deal, it's not very much anyway.

I highly recommend any of the recipes on Lovella's site and Anneliese's too. They both also blog at Mennonite Girls Can Cook

And a couple photos of a girl I love. On this day she really reminded me of someone (clbi alumni) any guesses?






I'm off to enjoy another scone.

aimee

discontent?

Anders crawled past no less than thirteen appropriate, interesting, brightly coloured baby toys to grasp a forbidden too small easter egg. After being repositioned in front of the proper toys he immediately proceeded to again crawl past the toys, this time discovering and reaching to grasp a clothes pin.

Two parts to the moral...

Discontent begins early

and

mama needs to keep a cleaner house.

now should I read the novel I just started, or do something about this house?
you'll never know what I choose, unless you stop by my house tomorrow morning!

have a good night.
pictures uploading as we speak.
more later

aimee

We have been living on these - ***updated

Elijah sometimes calls these "Peanut butter meat balls" If he doesn't correct himself quick enough Eva is sure to!

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls - from what to eat when you're expecting

1/2 cup peanut butter (I use natural, no sugar)
1/4 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup plus 1/3 cup prepared unsweetened or homemade granola
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup apple juice concentrate

I don't actually measure. I just eyeball it and then add more peanut butter if they're not sticking together. You don't need to use granola (what are the chances you have homemade/unsweetened granola on hand?). I just toss in oats, wheat germ, flax seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, coconut - whatever you have on hand, it is nice to toast these ingredients in the oven first, but totally not necessary. I also add chopped raisins for extra sweetness.

***Just mix the ingredients and form into balls. Then enjoy. Store in refrigerator.

The kids and I LOVE them and Lance will eat them if there's nothing else to snack on. They actually have all the food groups!
I am a firm believer in the cookie as a vehicle for nutrients and this cookie meets that criteria with flying colours.

So if those are too healthy for you maybe add some honey and I'm sure you'll love them!

Off to bed.

Aimee

ps. I haven't forgotten about New York, but there has been so much to post about between now and then. Also there will be photos from the CD release soon. I just got my camera battery and charger back.

On the day after Anders' six month birthday he took it upon himself to add something to his diet. Apparently breastmilk alone wasn't cutting it anymore. We put the big kids to bed and Anders was playing/army crawling around the living room. When we returned to the living room Anders was content...and very quiet...and just staying in one spot. As I walked towards him to see what he was doing it dawned on me... the cake!!!! The older kids had eaten some raspberry cake/loaf for their snack...their bowls were still on the floor. As I saw his face my stomach turned. His first food was cake! And then I ran for the camera.

Here he is in all his cakey glory, caught crumby handed. His breath smelling like raspberries.




So today, a week and a half later, he had his first parent sanctioned food. Bananas. I feel better about that. At the same time I think this is totally a third child kind of story. The first two kids got organic bananas and avocados first. Third kids gets cake... But at least I still got a picture of his first food.

All three are asleep now, so I will too. Good night.

aimee

does eating your kids' easter candy make you a bad parent?

If you're me, the answer is yes. Today the kids were eating some candy from a little hunt we did at our house. I asked Elijah what he was going to share with me. A couple bites of sugar laden chocolate wouldn't really be too bad for this hypoglycemic mama right? Well the little lindt bunny was delicious... and about an hour later had transformed me into a headachy, grouchy bear. And after being short with both the kids and the papa I had a confession and promise to make...

"I promise I won't eat any more of the easter candy"

Why do I keep choosing to forget how badly sugar and I get along?

You're invited

The church that Lance is apprenticing at, and that we attend, is having a big community egg hunt this Saturday. There are age category hunting areas, carnival games in the gym (we meet in a school) and some pretty cool prizes (bike, toys, movies tickets and of course candy...) And you are invited to come and join the fun. If you have friends/neighbors who might like to come, invite them too. Check out Reality Vancouver's site for more info.

Now I really should do some dishes...

vacation day

Tuesday was like a vacation day for me. Celia watched the big kids so I could go to chapel at Regent. What a treat. Hopefully I will get a chance to post more on that later. I came back from Regent enjoyed some lunch and then we walked to the beach all together - with Adam who gladly abandoned earlier plans in order to hang out and later cook an incredible indian spread for us - Lance joined us after a day of studying. I was so exhausted when we got home - that sun was something else. Here are a few photos (thanks to the Kinneys).





These wildly summerish photos are not meant to send my Alberta friends spiraling into despair - but to encourage frequent visits to this land of cherry blossoms and daffodils. Any takers?

In other news I'm very excited about a craigslist find. Remember our demolished IKEA tent? Well I found another one on craigslist for $4! It was near Kinney's place, so after leaving there we picked it up. It is an older version of the tent we had - only better, sturdier, bigger, and with a water proof floor (great for the fraser valley!). The kids practically tore it apart yesterday, we are learning to be more gentle so this one lasts awhile!

Thanks for your comments from yesterday. I am going to try to listen, and hear that voice, and to believe it is calling me softly and tenderly.

bye for now.

Aimee

after a long day...

i find myself trolling the cupboards for junk food. and the bulk bag of dried chick peas only reminds me that cooking beans has been on my list for months... another unfinished task. and i hope that the salt from the few half triscuits i fished out of the virtually empty box will fill my craving. it is a good thing there isn't any real junk food around here tonight. but it never really works anyways. cause tonight's craving is deeper than that... if i were to sit in the quiet and really know it. but I'm pretty sure I won't sit in quiet - not just because there isn't much quiet around here - but because to sit in quiet is to be with two people. myself and God. and I don't know who either of them truly are. beneath the habitual assumptions, endless excuses, and frail confidence... even in - through - this fog the Spirit moves, breathing. and it seems a cliche, but sitting just now i think, what if I opened the door just a crack, if I were quiet enough to hear a knock. and would supper be so bad? i can partly imagine, and faintly hope - something more than triscuit crumbs. Bread?

breathing

my Grandma W has pneumonia. She is very weak and having a hard time breathing. The following hymn is our prayer for her.

a hymn for grandma

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Blend all my soul with Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

oops

so the sun was a little stronger than I thought. I may have got a slight sunburn!!! It could've been the light in the bathroom - but I KNOW I got new freckles.

The kids are "resting". We'll see what happens.

I just read a post at Soulemama that you might want to check out. It was good and honest - a good perspective. It was written by Amanda's husband (soulepapa). Check it out

I'm in such a summery feeling - and this - from Shannon's blog - helped:

" I think children need to experience cold cereal on a picnic table wearing the same smokey and dirty clothes from the day before. "

Reading that evoked such strong memories and feelings in me. I can't wait to find myself there this summer! That said, who knows what camping will be like with my little ones - but we're going to try it!

okay bye.
Here's hoping I get a little rest too.

aimee

6

Today Anders is six months old. I knew it would go fast...but this is WAY faster than I anticipated. My camera battery is dead and I left the charger at the hall where the CD release was...so, no fresh pictures. But that will come.

We are in an intense stretch on the school front. The next two weeks are going to be non-stop work for Lance. On Monday he said that he finally feels he can focus on school... and the semester is almost done. yikes. I don't think we'll be doing any mid-semester trips to New York or Cd releases for the rest of grad school...

The concerts were awesome! I loved Friday night, getting to take photos, Anders content in the ergo, soaking in the music. I was so proud of Lance. And grateful to the friends and family who supported us to make the nights happen. Lance's mom and sister surprised us by flying out for the sunday show! What fun!

Well the weather is stunning today (a contrast to Tuesdays biting wind and Wednesdays SNOW) and we need to get out! So this little blog is all you get.

bye.

I hope the sun is shining on you today. I'm going to drink it in.

Aimee