Just for fun!

Cause I’ve grown weary of this 365 thing. Mostly, because I’m tired. I like to take pictures when I’m inspired to- not because “I have to have one for today!” Life has gotten busy. I have photo shoots to edit, hats to make, not to mention, 6 kids to teach, and then all the housewife/mom stuff! :P

 

So, I just needed to take a break from the 365 and blog! I’ll catch up on posting this week’s pictures later.

 

Let’s see… we seem to have somewhat figured out a routine for our schoolwork. We did accidentally skip geography this week, but that isn’t the end of the world. Ella is now saying her ABC’s as well as Jeddy, and she knows all of her colours! Today the girls asked her, “What colour is Mommy’s purse?” She said, “It’s black. I don’t like it!” So they said, “Aw, you don’t like Mommy’s purse?!” To which she replied, “No. I don’t like black.”

 

Our household will never lack opinions.

Eve wrote a story today for English, about a boy named Scott who liked to brag about how good he was at baseball… Until one day, he was bragging- and then he struck out! The EMPIRE told him that maybe he shouldn’t brag anymore, and so he never bragged again…

 

She claims that it was about a fictional Scott- not her dad…

(Note: all three triplets had to write a story about Baseball, and all three of them called the umpire either “empire” or “emperor.” Just gave me a little laugh.)

 

Jeddy, has gotten over his “I don’t like school anymore” attitude, and is now having fun learning his letter sounds, and numbers. Frog stickers are his biggest motivation. He’ll do anything for just one more froggy sticker!

 

Keona is growing up. I love it when I’m out and I see something that makes me think of one of my kids, and I can grab it for them. I am not a parent who feels like I have to bring something home for everyone. I don’t show favouritism, but if I see something for someone  it’s always fun to surprise them. Keona’s purse strap broke a few weeks ago, and when I was out shopping with Scott for my birthday, I saw a turquoise purse that I wanted to get for her. He wouldn’t let me get it, and said that if she had a purse in that horrific colour- he had to know that SHE chose it. Ha! When I told her about it, she was mildly disappointed and insisted that she LOVES turquoise. SO, when I was in Payless this week grabbing shoes for some of the kids, BOGO was on and I only had 3 items. I looked around for a purse but there weren’t any turquoise ones… I grabbed her a nice purple one and as I headed to the cash I noticed a turquoise wallet on the shelf. The only one left, and it was on sale for half price! So I got the purse and the turquoise wallet both for half price, and she loved them!

 

Elijah’s new thing is, “Why?” I’m thinking that we’ve been here before…. Except now he’s asking why we say no to things. And why he isn’t allowed to do things that his sisters do and so on.

 

“Because I’m the Momma- that’s why!”

(My mom had a sign in the kitchen with that quote on it when we were growing up)

 

I don’t really say that, (my mom never did either) but after being asked “why” for the 500th time- I think I could justify it. ;) He’s a smart kid. He’s very analytical- much like myself. Scary...

 

When Scott and I did a personality test, I was Analyzer/Regulator, while he was Regulator/Energizer. My teacher told me that our relationship would never last. That was 11 years ago… Though, I will admit to butting heads more then a few times- probably due to our “regulator” tendencies. :)

 

Lastly, on the drive home from violin today, Elijah was asking Ella, “Do you love, Eve?” “Do you love, Prayer?” He got to, “Do you love Dad?” And she said, “No. I love my hunny! Dad my hunny!”

 

He says that she almost makes him want another girl…

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Our “Canadian dinner”…

 

At church on Sunday night, we had an “International Dinner.” Everyone was supposed to bring a dish representing their home country. We couldn’t figure out what would be a signature Canadian meal. Since I was at a wedding all day Saturday, and we wouldn’t be home at all on Sunday to cook- Scott decided that we’d just bring “Canadian pizza!” Hey, worked for me! We threw in the Tim Hortons as well, cause that is definitely Canadian! :)

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Hair piece..

 

From the beautiful wedding that I shot today. Definitely ready for bed…

 

Sneak peek coming soon!

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Apple picking

 

She was a little more content than she was last year. I will have to post some more pictures from today, and share all the interesting events that took place. Like losing my keys in the orchard. I suggested that we all hold hands and “comb the field” the kids decided to play follow the leader and walk in my footsteps instead. Or how Eve caused a stampede in the petting zoo… Or how about Ella taunting Jeddy cause he was afraid of the goats?.. Ah yes, more pictures and stories to come. Eventually…

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The fly…

 

The kids let a fly in the house today. It was one of those really slow moving, about-to-die flies. Except that it wouldn’t die! I even sent Elijah on a mission to “eliminate” the fly. He was unsuccessful. All night it flew at our faces, tried to land on our food, sat beside me on the couch… but somehow managed to avoid every single swat. Miss. Vicki, used to be my bug hunter. If it had more than 4 legs- she would kill it. Tonight, all she did was lay there on the couch and hiss at the fly. She didn’t even bat at it with her paw. She let out a pathetic little growl, and hissed… I think this may be a sign of old age?

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My newest Shutterfly photobook

Which I once again, received for FREE! Have I mentioned that I love Shutterfly lately? Cause I do.

 

I mean, it’s always exciting to get packages in the mail, right?

 

Especially when you’re having a crabby day feeling sick. This was the perfect pick-me-up for my afternoon!

 

Thank you Shutterfly!

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It’s that time of year again…

 

Back in the hat-making business!

 

New colours and a giveaway coming up soon!

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Working together on geography…

 

Our kids are all pretty competitive. (I wonder where they get THAT from?…) So naturally, they turn everything into a competition. Which I don’t mind. As long as they’re good sports about it- they can be as competitive as they want to be. Scott and I actually encourage it. Last year, we had simple prizes for the best grades. A weekly prize would be something like a chocolate bar or a sundae. Since it worked so well last year, we decided to step it up a notch this year! For the highest weekly grade I was going to do a dollar store prize, but then I figured that they’d probably want to pick their own. Then, I thought that I probably won’t be able to make a trip to the dollar store every single Friday. So I thought, “Well, I’ll just give them the dollar.” Then, I remembered that nothing is really a dollar anymore- so I made it two. They were pleased with that. The quarterly prize it a breakfast at Sunset, and the semester prize is lunch at the CN tower!

I’m counting on some really competitive grades this year… ;)

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Eating a sourball…

 

Remember those!?

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Happy 4th Birthday, Jeddy!

 

After making a roast beef dinner for a friend, making food for our ladies’ meeting, dropping off food, and going to the ladies’ meeting with the girls- we stopped at Walmart for an impromptu “Chocolate airplane cake” at Jed’s request. I did plan to make something extravagant for him- but time passed by too quickly. So we bought a $9.99 fudge cake and stuck a green model airplane that we bought for him on top. He was just as pleased with this as he would have been with my 8hr, marshmallow fondant, airplane cake. I realize that sometimes the things that I think are so important to do for my kids, are actually more for ME then for THEM… I’m learning. Although, I still owe him a giant chocolate chip cookie! ;)

 

He was given money from his great grandma and from his great grandpa, and now not only does he think that he is rich, he also expects to see money in every card that he opens…

What does he plan to spend all of this money on?

Three alarm clocks.

 

Happy 4th birthday to my adorably, dimpled, little, kindergarten buddy!

 

Did I mention how excited he was to start kindergarten?

Cause two days in, he declared that he doesn’t want to “do school” anymore. Ha…

Love you, Jeddy.

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Jeddy’s “mote contwol car”

 

This morning, Scott decided to take Jeddy out for his birthday breakfast with Dad. It’s always a special treat for the kids on their birthdays, to go out to Sunset Grill and have a big breakfast alone with Dad. Except this time, Jeddy wanted to bring Elijah. So Elijah got to go out for pancake and bacon as well! After that, Scott took him to Toys R’ Us to pick out his remote control car that he has been asking for. Then the boys (including Scott of course) came home and drove it around outside for an hour. I love watching the three of them together.

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“Charlie”

 

He now sits on our doorstep, waiting for the kids to come out and feed him crackers. What a spoiled little squirrel!

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Mangoes…

 

I LOVE mangoes.

My grandma, since I was a child, has always had a supply of them ready for when I visit.

 

The only problem?

All 7 of my children are equally in love with mangoes.

Therefore, I only got to eat one of them.

And I honestly think that the only reason they didn’t ask for that one- is because I told them “the baby wanted it…” :)

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“Nostalgic” – for some reason that word makes me feel old…

 

I referred to someone as “a kid” the other day- and then realized that when I was their age, I was married, owned my own house, and had 4 kids…

 

Scott and I got to go out shopping on a date for my birthday. I desperately needed a new pair of everyday shoes. My toe was about to poke out the front of my old ones at any given moment. We went to Aldo, Town, Spring, some other trendy place where they say “buy one get two free” but really they just charge you the price of three pairs for the first one… I’ve always had big feet, I accept that. Size 9’s, size 10’s after several pregnancies- but this time I had to ask for an ELEVEN!?!?

 

“I’m sorry, we don’t carry shoes that big.”

 

Back to Payless I went- where my feet still fit into a good ole size 10…

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I had a better one of all three of them- but I love my grandpa’s and Ella’s face in this one.

 

I’ve been blessed by the influence of several amazingly beautiful, and unbelievably strong women. Though, I know if you asked any of them- they’d tell you that is wasn’t by their own strength they survived things, but by God’s grace. My grandma Joy is one of them.

 

As we all arrived to visit her on Labour Day, and she hugged all my kids, then my sister and I- I could see the tears in her eyes. She lost her oldest son (my dad) 22 years ago and I can only imagine what goes through her mind as she sees us all. As she must imagine what it would be like for her son to be there- with us all. She calls me from her restaurant, and tells me that she longs to see my kids. She asks me if I ever think about my dad. She tells the kids about their grandpa. She’s special.

 

My grandpa in the picture above- isn’t actually my biological grandpa. Though he has been and is, my grandpa. My grandma had my dad at a very young age and was a single mom. When my dad was a baby, he used to crawl over to my grandpa’s house, and my grandpa would sit on his porch and tell him stories. My grandpa loves to play with the kids. He asks the girls if he can braid their hair. He tells them that he has a tiny nose. He’s special.

 

I adore my family.

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Keona’s first pair of heels

 

This child grew 3 shoe sizes this summer. In one season! Craziness… I have a feeling that she’s heading for size 10’s like her mom… Poor girl.

 

So I took her to Payless to look for some new shoes, and there were so many nice black ones on sale! (Must be the back to school time) There were some for $12 and some for $15… Then, Keona pointed out these ones. They were on sale too… for $27.

 

When we got home, Scott asked why I bought her those ones. I explained that she was willing to take the $12 pair- but I could see that she really liked the heels. That didn’t make sense to him. So, I just reminded him of the time that he bought her a $50 rock for her fish tank. A fifty dollar rock. As in 5-0. Because she was so cute when she asked him. He didn’t say anything else… 

 

Now she just has to learn how to walk in them without spraining her ankle…

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Playing in the rain…

 

I’ve always loved the rain. When I was a kid, I would look for excuses to go out in it. So when Jeddy looks up at me and says, “Mom, can I go run in the rain? Please!?”

 

How could I say no?

 

Ella went out too, but she barely ventured off the front porch! :)

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Daddy and his Ellie

 

I was walking in from the van with Ella the other day, and everyone else had gone on ahead. She looked up at me and said, “Where’s my sisters? Where’s ‘Lijah and Jeddy? Where’s my hunny???”

 

She calls Scott “her hunny.”

 

No wonder she melts his heart…

Heritage

 

 

Though it’s mine, it’s not. I did nothing to earn my heritage, and I had no hand in its provision. And yet, its dynamic power of influence could die with me. I inherited it, yet it is not mine to spend. It was not given to me, but rather, invested in me. It cost me nothing, yet its value is beyond calculation. I am what I am because of what heritage has provided.

 

Imagine the thousands of generations a field has yielded. In some parts of the world, the same plot of land has been producing the same crop for longer than history holds record of its existence. Season after season, the land yields its owners a heritage of fruits. You are that heritage. Much like those fields were once cleared and settled, fences of stone placed about without breach or break, and the first crop sowed into that fresh black soil, you have been given the opportunity to yield a return on the investment. Yours is the gift of a goodly heritage. The past has planted you a name of success. When people pass your field they expect the same, or perhaps even better then the yielding of the ones gone on before. What will you yield to yield?

 

Think of your vine. Truly, you know not the source of its fuel, yet its provisions power each day you enjoy. Constantly yielding the fruit of blessing, what you are is an extension of the heritage you enjoy. Though it may not be genetic, blood heritage, what you are you owe to those who have fed you since the day you were born, and prepared for you long before even that.

Yet it can end with you. A heritage is only as good as those who pass it on. What you are for a lifetime can often be summed up into a single tiny phrase. What will your phrase be? What is the heritage you leave to those in the field when you’ve passed? Will it be, “sold it all for a dollar”, or perhaps, “never got started, but always intended to”? Maybe your phrase is that of regret, or it could be that no one will even know your phrase at all. For all those who knew you, they know that you were simply for yourself, and by yourself. Might I ask you what heritage you are leaving those who come behind?

Decades ago people left their lifestyle to invest in my heritage. Their desire to invest in my people gave me the chance to hope in truth. Without their investment in this field, the generations before me would have turned a much different direction, and the fruit this small branch might yield for eternity would never have even been dreamt. The lines have fallen to me in good places, and my heritage has provided me such light.

 

I dare not waste it. For which is the greater sin, one who never knew to give what he was made to give, or the one who simply never knew he was made to give? How dare you tread down the good name of your eternal heritage for the pleasure of the moment? Give justice to your heritage, and provide the fruits those before you gave you chance to show. Treasure the history provided you in honour, and demand nothing less of yourself to provide those that follow you. Plant yourself in your heritage, and bring forth just as you should.

 

To the sons of God, those who take Christ as their own, there is no less an heritage. For you is given the gift of being heir of all things. Everlasting dwelling and living, and priceless treasure, handed to you by simple request, accounts us worthy of nothing, but in gain of everything. Consider to truth about your life, and the way it will soon end. And in light of such brevity, give your all today to the One who holds tomorrow, for He is your heritage and bright inheritance.

 

Therefore leave it well, and passed it on to those who come behind. They deserve nothing less of hope for the future then you began with. Who are we to take such a gift of heritage and destroy it for a day’s pleasure? Who could be so bold as to take Lord’s heritage and burn it for naught? Not I. I must be fair to my heritage, I must yield its design: and so must you.

 

 

“The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.’ – Psalm 16:5-11

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Cutie pie Carson…

 

I am in love with his puppy dog eyes. Even if he did try to beat up on my kids all afternoon! He tackled them, and slapped them- there were a few hugs and kisses in there… Ella was laying on the ground and Carson leaned over to give a big kiss, but when she got up- she was crying! We said, “Awwww… did Carson kiss you?” She looked at me and said, “No him didn’t! He bite me!” She was OK. Though she wasn’t interested in playing with him again! I’m sure they’ll make great sparring buddies in a few years. Or atleast when she no longer refers to him (who is almost the same size as she is! And probably weighs more!) as baby…

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It doesn’t even look like that many kids in front of our huge van…

 

It was one of those days today. I was emotional. Everything seemed to be going wrong. The laptop is having issues, my dryer died, the kids woke me up fighting… And I cried. Scott asked me what was wrong, and I said “nothing.” He said, “Oh yes, except in woman talk- nothing means something, and something- usually means nothing…”

How true.

 

Well, by the afternoon, my kids were getting along and helping me around the house- my dryer was fixed (and didn’t cost half as much as I thought it would!) and my hormonal imbalance had passed.

 

And what I said was “nothing” while really believing it was “everything” or atleast “something”- turned out to be nothing.

 

Thanks for putting up with me, Scott!