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 Jeddy and Keona with her giant stick searching for the fox…

Bubbles!

I bought some “Miracle Bubbles” on sale at the superstore a few weeks ago, and the kids LOVE them!

  

And these bubbles are seriously amazing!

We watched them float away and land all over our neighbours’ yards.

An old man was out doing some work on his porch and he was being bombarded with bubbles.

It was a windy day. What can I say…

Other than, I made the kids put the bubble away for a while. Until the old man went inside.

Best $4.00 I’ve spent in a while.

It kept the kids busy and happy for quite some time.

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Ella with a dirty mouth, from eating dirty peanuts. Nice.

I dare you…

Since we were done school early today, we decided to venture out to Lynde Shores. Unfortunately, there weren’t many birds around at that time of day and the Blue Jays that were there, wanted nothing to do with me.

 

(I may be slightly obsessed… I had a dream the other night, about a Blue Jay sitting on our fridge playing peek-a-boo with me around the corner.)

 

We walked around. The kids fed some chipmunks.

 

Jed found a toad. Jed always finds a toad.

         

 

Then, we saw a fox! It came out into the open, jumped at some birds, and then walked back into the woods. I would have taken a picture, except that I was too busy chasing after Jeddy, who was chasing after the fox because he “wants to see it!” Seriously…. will somebody teach this kid that you don’t CHASE foxes. Keona grabbed a big stick “just incase” and I decided not to go any farther on the trail. (I saw a fox that came pretty close the other day while I was there for a photo shoot!)

 

The kids were content to go back and play on the climbing tree. They found some logs, and tried to make a ladder and platform.

 

Only one of them fell out…

“Do NOT pick those!!!!”

(Me to Jed, who wanted to pick me the pretty flower….”)

 

By this time, I was hungry, it was past dinner time, and I wanted to go home. With our remaining 15 minutes of parking time, we went out on the pier to see the swans and geese.

I warned the kids not to poke at the geese.

Then, I dared them to feed the geese.

I bribed them with cookies…

Am I a horrible mother for finding this highly entertaining? And quite hilarious???

(Don’t worry… no children (or geese!) were harmed in the making of this blog post.)

Keona was a chicken. haha (She’s sitting here watching me type;) She kept throwing the peanuts at the geese when they got close. She did get bit. Three times to be exact. (She’s repeating this beside me, over and over again…)

And that was our adventure for today!

Notice Charity in the background? She kinda had to go to the bathroom…

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We were bored waiting for Keona to come out of piano lessons…

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Ella, looking awfully tiny on Papa’s water bottles.

 

Speaking of bottles- as of today, she is bottle free! She is also sleeping in a big-girl bed. That didn’t go over so well at first. But after being put back into bed once, and a little cuddle and song with Mom… she went right to sleep!

he’s done!

Everyone told us how quickly the last 4 years would pass by. In some ways, it has. But then I think about the fact that Scott started school before Jeddy was born! And suddenly, I realize how long it has been.

  

I couldn’t be more proud of Scott.

 

He held a full time job, while going to school full time, and he still always made sure that there was time for us.

 

I’ve seen him excited, tired, zealous, frustrated, exhausted, rushed, motivated, discouraged, prayerful, and through it all in the last 4 years, he kept going.

Congratulations hun!

 

Now unfortunately, I remembered to charge my camera battery Monday morning, but completely forgot about my flash batteries. And so after the … 1st picture! They died.. No good! Hopefully I’ll be able to steal some from other people who were there. :)

We went back to our place with some family and friends to celebrate after the ceremony, and enjoy some fellowship. Scott’s parents had surprised him by inviting the Streeters up from the States. Scott was definitely surprised! When everyone left, we sat down and looked at eachother. I don’t think either of us really knew what to say. We had both been waiting for this day for so long, and now that it had come and gone… I think we were both just a little overwhelmed. It was the first time I had sat down all day, and had time to think about it, and try to soak it in…

This morning, it felt like he should be going to school! Instead, we got to relax, and sleep in until 9am.

 

Scott graduating would be a great end, right? But really, we know it’s just the beginning!

The busyness won’t change. Life goes on. Now we just have more time to focus on our main purpose.

Thank you to everyone who came last night and made it special for my hubby. I can’t even explain how happy it makes me to see HIM happy. And he was beaming all night.

 

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
-Ephesians 6:13-20

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Graduating class of 2010!

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Charity being baptized

 

What an amazing day we had this Sunday! We got to see four of our children be baptized! :) The triplets have all been saved for a while, and waiting to be baptized. Elijah, accepted Christ as his Saviour last year, and we were waiting on him to ask about, and really understand “why” we get baptized. He recently started asking questions, and we were able to explain things to him from the Bible and he made his decision to get baptized this past Sunday.

 

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
-3 John 1:4

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Standing under the “Congratulations 2010 Graduates!” banner at the banquet

So many parents were standing right up front taking photos of the whole group, so I just stayed at my seat. Eventually, Scott noticed and looked over for my photo… :)

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Ella outside helping Daddy bbq…

It’s funny, cause all week while Scott’s at school, we eat really healthy around here. Unfortunately, alot of the time Scott ends up running to Timmy’s or McD’s to grab a quick bite to eat while he’s on the go. So on the weekend, the kids and I are like, “Let’s have some burgers or pizza or something!” Meanwhile, Scott just wants a healthy home cooked meal. But being the nice guy that he is, he bbq’d us some burgers and he ate something else on Friday night. :)

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Jeddy feeding a chipmunk

 

It was hilarious! Jeddy had about 10 peanuts in his hand, and this little guy cam along and stuffed ALL of them in his mouth. Jeddy thought it was so funny. Then he told me that he was going to try and pick up the next one. I explained that it may not be such a good idea. Atleast he was gentle. Ella kept trying to stab them with her walking stick…

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All the kids outside waiting to go into church.

 

I just snapped this quick while we were waiting outside tonight. I really need some ideas of where/how to pose 7 kids for a picture! Especially since they are so similar in height, I find that someone is always overlapping someone else! Maybe I’ll have to find a nice set of steps somewhere… I have the cutest matching spring outfits just begging for a picture! :)

Wordless Wednesday

 

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Cougar at the zoo

 

I have never been so close to a cougar in my life. Probably, because we have never been so crazy to walk to the back of the zoo to see them.

The kids had great fun running down all the hills to the Canadian Exhibits. Not quite so much fun running back UP them. I thought I was going to die pushing the stroller up all the hills.

And then Keona took off running, tripped over some rocks, and rolled across the dirt with her camera. I couldn’t stop laughing… She wasn’t hurt! She is just seriously, the clumsiest kid I know.

And what was the first thing she said?

 “Oh man! My camera has dust all over it!”

Definitely my girl…

Weekend Review

Saturday morning, I took my Mom out to get her hair done for her birthday. It was quite fun. We don’t very often get to spend time together without 8 kids interrupting our conversations.

 Jessica, did an amazing job! Mom’s hair looked amazing for our night out on the town!

Sorta… We planned on going to dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory, but there was an hour wait, and we were all starving. So we had a quick change of plans, and headed out to St. Hubert’s. Only it isn’t called St. Hubert’s anymore. Now it’s “The Q.” Either way- same delicious cheese sticks, and chicken!

We laughed alot. Mostly about kids and husbands. It was a fun evening.

 

Earlier that day, we had gone to the senior’s home and learned that one of our most faithful seniors had passed away.

 

Mary had been such a blessing to us. The girls adored her, and she adored our children. I remember how she always asked me to hold Ella when she was just a baby, and I was always terrified that Ella would scratch or pinch her. Last month while we were there, Ella gave her a hug and kiss for the first time… Charity cried when she went to ask a worker where Mary was and  learned of her passing. We’ll miss her!

 

Sunday, was our last official day at Faithway, and our first day at Gospel Light. I posted a picture on the 3665 but I had to share another one… It was cold and windy out while we were taking pictures, and I suppose after the 10th one or so, Elijah started to feel it a bit…

This kid makes me laugh…

 

Yesterday, we had a fun-filled day of schooling, and then we went outside for some fresh air.

Our neighbour Georgina, was teaching Eve how to garden. She’s going back to Romania for the summer, and I’m already wondering how my garden will survive without her!

I forgot to mention how we also went for a car wash on Sunday. Remember Ella in the carwash last year???

She’s still terrified. As our van started to roll in, she yelled, “Hand!!!!!!!”

She grabbed both of her brother’s hands, and held on for dear life.

Every time they tried to let go, she started screaming. Must be nice to have two older brothers to look out for you! :)

 

Today, we went to the zoo, Elijah spun around with my cat and made it walk into walls, we had 3 skinned knees, and there are only 3 days left of school!!!

 

But this post is getting long, so I will continue tomorrow.

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Blossoms on our ornamental pear tree.

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Our first Sunday at Gospel Light.

 

It was an emotional night for me. Not quite sure why. I’m excited about our family serving the Lord here. I know that this is where God has led us. And yet, I still cried the entire drive there- using the air-conditioning vents to try and dry my eyes so I wouldn’t look like a total mess.

 

Seriously, it’s not like we’re moving to Malta or something… ;)

We still live only 15 minutes away from my mom, and most of our friends.

Thankfully, I know that God is always good. I know that we are in His will right now, and because of that, I can claim Romans 8:28.

 

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

 

In the meantime, no more tears. :)

i heart faces: photo collage

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Mom and her girls.

 

We had a wonderful girl’s night out for Mom’s birthday.

How I have missed St. Hubert’s cheese sticks…

Happy Birthday Mom!

Love you.

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Repainted the stairway, and am currently working on a new picture wall.

 

I asked Scott to grab a few more of the “frameless” frames… 

He came home with 32.

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We had doughnuts…

 

The kids all wanted Boston Cream, except for Jeddy and Ella who wanted “Sprinkles.”

I ordered a mix of Boston Cream, Maple (my fave), and sprinkles, with whatever else.

All those children who wanted Boston Cream… decided they wanted Maple instead.

I ate a Boston Cream…

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Shot through the screen door.

 

She was not pleased when I sent her back inside today for not listening.

I tell her to take her coat off- she attempts to button it up.

I say, ‘Come here.’- she goes the opposite direction.

Then, she pretends that she doesn’t hear me.

What she fails to realize, is that I’ve been through this “terrible twos” stage six times before…

and it really doesn’t even faze me anymore. :)

Because he loves to bug me…

Whenever I give him my camera, he just snaps pictures continuously until I get annoyed and take it back from him…

 

See what I mean!?

He did manage to get one where we were all looking.

Ugh… even Jeddy looks a little bit annoyed. Though that may be because I had just awoken him from his deep-sleeping, drooling state… And my necklace kind of looks like it’s choking me doesn’t it? Scott bought it for me on our anniversary. I love beaded necklaces! I usually only wrap it around twice, but it kept getting tangled when I picked up Ella.

Anyways, I still love him. But now you know why I take all the pictures. :)

 

A week and half left of college!!!!!!!!!! Those exclamation points don’t really do my excitement justice. Two weeks from now, I will be posting about Scott’s graduation.

 

Can’t. Wait.

 

We just finished up our Bible Conference at church last night. It was such a blessing, and challenge to us, as usual. The preaching was hard, the music was soul-stirring, and the spirit was wonderful. It’s always nice to see some old friends again. Now, we’re looking forward to this weekend when we go to join our new church! Still bittersweet. But it’s exciting. It’s always exciting when you know God is working!

 

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Completely off topic, but while the girls were using stickers to make pictures- here’s what Jeddy was doing with them…

 

He walked around like that for quite some time.

 

And just because he’s so sweet- a picture of my handsome little man..