Dana and Joshie.
Bertha babysat yesterday for us and painted up Micah's face. (and hands)
Micah cried a lot this morning when we washed it all off.
Bertha did a great job on Eva's face.
Bertha with the kids.
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Showing posts with label Dana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dana. Show all posts
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Random Pictures from Saturday
We had an appointment with Dr. Flores yesterday and we were encouraged. Josh's heart sounds better, his calcium was in the right range and his blood work came back okay. God is really working!
Dana and Joshie.
Bertha babysat yesterday for us and painted up Micah's face. (and hands)
Micah cried a lot this morning when we washed it all off.
Bertha did a great job on Eva's face.
Bertha with the kids.
Dana and Joshie.
Bertha babysat yesterday for us and painted up Micah's face. (and hands)
Micah cried a lot this morning when we washed it all off.
Bertha did a great job on Eva's face.
Bertha with the kids.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Santa and a Crying Baby.
Last week we had our Palliser expat Christmas party in Saltillo. We had a great time hanging out and eating.
Here are a few shots of the kids with Santa.
Eva's first glimpse of Santa.
Even though Eva was a little shy when asked what she wanted for Christmas, she did not hesitate to go up there and sit with Santa. By the way, she asked Santa for a computer.
Micah was not shy. I had to hold him back and make him wait his turn.
I love these photos. So angry.
Here are a few shots of the kids with Santa.
Eva's first glimpse of Santa.
Even though Eva was a little shy when asked what she wanted for Christmas, she did not hesitate to go up there and sit with Santa. By the way, she asked Santa for a computer.
Micah was not shy. I had to hold him back and make him wait his turn.
I love these photos. So angry.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Cake Party
So I got pretty stressed about Eva's birthday cake. The last time I baked a cake was one year ago. Baking at high altitudes is challenging. And I can't eat wheat so I couldn't do any taste testing. Eva asked for a lemon cake so I found a layer cake recipe online and made it on Wednesday so if it was garbage I would still have a day to get one done. Things were going pretty well. I felt good about how it came together. I made a single cupcake so the kids could try and approve it. That cupcake just about did the project in! I tried to fit the muffin tin plus two 8" round pans on the same rack. And managed to push one pan right off the back of the rack!! NOOOOOooooooooooooooo!!!!
I was able to salvage about 2/3 of that batter and that was good enough for me. The beauty of the layer cake and toppings is that it doesn't matter too much what the cake underneath looks like. It's all about the taste. And the kids gave it two thumbs up (I'm sure the two cups of sugar in the recipe had nothing to do with that, ha ha).
Here is the finished product.
And finally, our FIRST FAMILY-OF-FIVE PHOTO! (Hm, the cake looks rather lopsided now that I look at it. Maybe the cake underneath does matter a little. Ah, whatever. I wasn't going for perfection, just edibility.)
I was able to salvage about 2/3 of that batter and that was good enough for me. The beauty of the layer cake and toppings is that it doesn't matter too much what the cake underneath looks like. It's all about the taste. And the kids gave it two thumbs up (I'm sure the two cups of sugar in the recipe had nothing to do with that, ha ha).
Here is the finished product.
And finally, our FIRST FAMILY-OF-FIVE PHOTO! (Hm, the cake looks rather lopsided now that I look at it. Maybe the cake underneath does matter a little. Ah, whatever. I wasn't going for perfection, just edibility.)
Monday, September 21, 2009
9 Minute Intervals
Last Thursday we had a brief power outage. Just long enough to set the clocks a-blinking.
When we went to bed that night, Andrew turned on his alarm like he does every weekday night. It didn't occur to him to check it first (wouldn't have occurred to me either. But now it will!). If he had, he would have learned that the alarm time had reverted to 12 midnight. We went to bed on the early side that night, and fell heavily asleep. When the annoying beepbeepbeep of the alarm clock roused us at midnight, our heads were packed full of cotton balls. Andrew made it stop and we both fell immediately back to sleep. For a whole nine minutes, at which point it went off again because he had SNOOZED it, not turned it off. Stuff happens, no problem. I groggily suggested he turn it off rather than snoozing it, and gladly returned to dreamland when the beepbeepbeep stopped again.
For nine minutes.
People- he did not fully turn the thing OFF until 5:30am!! We were roused every nine minutes for five and a half hours!! Why didn't I get up and turn it off myself, you ask? Well, I was paralyzed and trapped by a newborn. Why didn't I suggest somewhat more strongly that he turn it off? I did, at least twice. But remember, I was paralyzed. And we were running a noisy swamp cooler plus a fan. I was probably pointing away from him. Andrew also was apparently fighting some sort of paralysis. Of the brain variety, perhaps. ;)
Friday was a rough day. But we learned a valuable lesson and added one more page of things to look back and laugh about in the book of our marriage....
When we went to bed that night, Andrew turned on his alarm like he does every weekday night. It didn't occur to him to check it first (wouldn't have occurred to me either. But now it will!). If he had, he would have learned that the alarm time had reverted to 12 midnight. We went to bed on the early side that night, and fell heavily asleep. When the annoying beepbeepbeep of the alarm clock roused us at midnight, our heads were packed full of cotton balls. Andrew made it stop and we both fell immediately back to sleep. For a whole nine minutes, at which point it went off again because he had SNOOZED it, not turned it off. Stuff happens, no problem. I groggily suggested he turn it off rather than snoozing it, and gladly returned to dreamland when the beepbeepbeep stopped again.
For nine minutes.
People- he did not fully turn the thing OFF until 5:30am!! We were roused every nine minutes for five and a half hours!! Why didn't I get up and turn it off myself, you ask? Well, I was paralyzed and trapped by a newborn. Why didn't I suggest somewhat more strongly that he turn it off? I did, at least twice. But remember, I was paralyzed. And we were running a noisy swamp cooler plus a fan. I was probably pointing away from him. Andrew also was apparently fighting some sort of paralysis. Of the brain variety, perhaps. ;)
Friday was a rough day. But we learned a valuable lesson and added one more page of things to look back and laugh about in the book of our marriage....
Friday, May 29, 2009
Messy and Dressuppy
I'm feeling a little tired and frustrated today. Yesterday Eva woke up with the sniffles. In light of the current health climate around here, her school has asked us not to send children with signs of illness. So she has been home even though she's really not feeling that bad. Also, our helper Claudia got a full time job, which is great for her. She offered to come help me on her lunch break (2 hours long) this week and on her day off going forward. I gratefully accepted. But she didn't show up yesterday or today! I haven't been able to keep up with the dishes, let alone the rest of the house. Our two munchkins seem to have taken everything we own out of its place and left it elsewhere. It's impressive. So, our house is a disaster and my trip-preparation plans are not moving ahead as smoothly as I'd hoped. AND, of course I'm so frustrated with Claudia's no shows not only because of the state of the house, but because a decision to say adios to her would mean coming home from vacation to a dirty messy house. Even if Andrew and I managed to get all the housecleaning done, the amount of dust that would build up...! And my poor ficus tree, which I've somehow managed to keep alive for 6 months! I can't hire someone new a few days before leaving on vacation! So I'm kind of stuck relying on her despite her unreliability. Augh.
In more fun news, yesterday the kids and I got haircuts. They were amazing at the salon. Eva did awesome covering her mouth for every cough and sneeze. While I was getting my cut, they installed themselves at a station and so quietly played and coloured. I have mixed feelings about my hair. I really like it on the one hand. But on the other hand I told him I was growing it and he cut quite a bit off. I have been trying to grow my hair out forever! Eva got the full salon treatment, including wash, dry and straightening. She looked so cute. She wouldn't let me take her photo though. Micah was great as usual getting his hair cut and proudly posed for a shot.
Micah wore that bandaid for two days. He originally insisted he had a boo-boo on his hand, then later installed it on his face. He wore his long sleeved Superman pjs for most of the day yesterday which was cute but I don't know how he stood the heat. Right now he's wearing a pair of Eva's green fuzzy socks. That guy is a little character.
In more fun news, yesterday the kids and I got haircuts. They were amazing at the salon. Eva did awesome covering her mouth for every cough and sneeze. While I was getting my cut, they installed themselves at a station and so quietly played and coloured. I have mixed feelings about my hair. I really like it on the one hand. But on the other hand I told him I was growing it and he cut quite a bit off. I have been trying to grow my hair out forever! Eva got the full salon treatment, including wash, dry and straightening. She looked so cute. She wouldn't let me take her photo though. Micah was great as usual getting his hair cut and proudly posed for a shot.
Micah wore that bandaid for two days. He originally insisted he had a boo-boo on his hand, then later installed it on his face. He wore his long sleeved Superman pjs for most of the day yesterday which was cute but I don't know how he stood the heat. Right now he's wearing a pair of Eva's green fuzzy socks. That guy is a little character.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Health Focus Weekend
We had a long weekend here. It was perfect timing for me who had come down with a nasty cold. Unfortunately for the rest of the family we didn't do anything exciting all together. I slept and rested a lot while Andrew took care of kids and meals (and therefore me! Thanks so much sweetie!). As you may have seen over on the Willms Photog Blog, he even took them to a tea party.
This morning, Andrew and Micah dropped Eva off at school (she had her long weekend a couple of weeks ago) and then ran some errands together. Micah was in his glory doing stuff 'just the boys'. He didn't even want me to buckle him into his carseat because he wanted "Daddy help me". So I had the house to myself for the entire morning! I'm not sure that has ever happened since Eva was born. It was glorious and relaxing. After lunch Micah and I had a long nap together. Also very glorious, as I didn't sleep very well last night.
Andrew made a delicious supper and though I still couldn't fully appreciate it on the taste end, my appetite is definitely returning as well. We had a fun family walk after supper.
I was feeling very discouraged yesterday morning because I still felt rotten, but I think I'm on the mend now. The pressure in my head and ears has decreased. Planning to wake up tomorrow feeling great!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
25 Random Things About Me
This has been going around Facebook. I resisted making my list for a while, then I realized how much I enjoyed reading other people's lists. So I thought maybe other people would enjoy mine. I am posting it on the blog for my own records (I plan to print and bind my blog entries each year) and for those readers who don't have a Facebook account.
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. I was once part of a waterski pyramid.
2. I have travelled through much of northern and central Mexico on motorcycle, as a member of a Mexican motorcycle club. For a while I had a 600cc crotch rocket, then I rode an 1100cc cruiser.
3. My Mom now owns that 1100cc cruiser. I sold it to her when I got pregnant with Eva. I think I still have my chaps. (Both my parents own leather chaps, too!)
4. I love being a Mom. It is really challenging and tiring, but I love it.
5. I played the electronic organ for many years. One day I'd like to have a piano, and learn to play it well.
6. I have a French Immersion high school diploma. Never really felt fully bilingual, though. I can still understand French reasonably well, but if I try to speak it, it comes out as Spanish.
7. I have been fascinated by pregnancy and childbirth for as long as I can remember... it wasn't until a couple of years ago that it dawned on me I could make a career out of that fascination (thanks Erin for the inspiration). I'm now studying to be a Certified Childbirth Educator. I want to spread the word that childbirth isn't inevitably a horrible, excruciating experience!
8. I enjoy the slow pace and relative simplicity of life here in Mexico. But I miss our friends and family. And resources like a public library and the Y and Old Navy.
9. Because I am a reserved person it takes me a long time to develop new relationships. And sometimes I am socially awkward.
10. I played ringette for many years. Gave it up to play hockey instead. I am looking forward to lacing up again sometime in the future. There is actually an ice rink here and opportunity to play a little, but I didn't bring my equipment down.
11. I LOVE to read. I used to read only fiction. Now I read books on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, natural family planning, parenting, nutrition/food, and the Bible. I don't remember the last time I read a novel. I do fit in Reader's Digest once a month, though.
12. I have read the Bible cover to cover in the space of one year. Twice.
13. Andrew is the perfect man for me. There is no doubt in my mind that God planned us for each other. I am so blessed to have him as my husband.
14. I used to be a horrible cook. If you could call my meals "cooking". Now I'm pretty good, and getting better.
15. I have a love/hate relationship with cooking. I enjoy it a lot until the point in the week when I run out of recipe ideas that make my whole family happy. Then I dread it. I hope the kids get less picky as they grow!
16. I was a vegetarian for a decade or so. The first time I ate poultry again was at Christmas dinner a few years back. "Psst, Andrew! Slip me some turkey from your plate!" No one noticed. Not even his smirk. The first time I ate beef again was at a Brazilian restaurant. I ate a lot. Mmm.
17. Over the past year or so I have been trying to conquer my sweet tooth. Refined sugar does terrible things to the body. My family is getting dragged along on my quest, like it or not.
18. I have never broken a bone. Here's hoping I never do.
19. I can't walk past my computer without checking for new email or new posts on the numerous blogs I follow.
20. I trust God to direct the path of my life. I don't worry too much about tomorrow. His plans for me are way cooler than anything I could ever come up with.
21. I wish I could sing.
22. I love to travel. The return on investment is fantastic.
23. I never pass on "forward this or else" emails. So far, I haven't been cursed.
24. I love to play cards and board games. Unfortunately, it's challenging to sit down to a game at this juncture of life.
25. I long to eat locally grown organic food. Easier said than done here in Torreon, to my knowledge. In the meantime I content myself with the tiny organics section at the supermarket. Where the carrots actually taste like carrots. Takes me back to eating them, still garnished with dirt, straight from our garden at the lake.
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. I was once part of a waterski pyramid.
2. I have travelled through much of northern and central Mexico on motorcycle, as a member of a Mexican motorcycle club. For a while I had a 600cc crotch rocket, then I rode an 1100cc cruiser.
3. My Mom now owns that 1100cc cruiser. I sold it to her when I got pregnant with Eva. I think I still have my chaps. (Both my parents own leather chaps, too!)
4. I love being a Mom. It is really challenging and tiring, but I love it.
5. I played the electronic organ for many years. One day I'd like to have a piano, and learn to play it well.
6. I have a French Immersion high school diploma. Never really felt fully bilingual, though. I can still understand French reasonably well, but if I try to speak it, it comes out as Spanish.
7. I have been fascinated by pregnancy and childbirth for as long as I can remember... it wasn't until a couple of years ago that it dawned on me I could make a career out of that fascination (thanks Erin for the inspiration). I'm now studying to be a Certified Childbirth Educator. I want to spread the word that childbirth isn't inevitably a horrible, excruciating experience!
8. I enjoy the slow pace and relative simplicity of life here in Mexico. But I miss our friends and family. And resources like a public library and the Y and Old Navy.
9. Because I am a reserved person it takes me a long time to develop new relationships. And sometimes I am socially awkward.
10. I played ringette for many years. Gave it up to play hockey instead. I am looking forward to lacing up again sometime in the future. There is actually an ice rink here and opportunity to play a little, but I didn't bring my equipment down.
11. I LOVE to read. I used to read only fiction. Now I read books on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, natural family planning, parenting, nutrition/food, and the Bible. I don't remember the last time I read a novel. I do fit in Reader's Digest once a month, though.
12. I have read the Bible cover to cover in the space of one year. Twice.
13. Andrew is the perfect man for me. There is no doubt in my mind that God planned us for each other. I am so blessed to have him as my husband.
14. I used to be a horrible cook. If you could call my meals "cooking". Now I'm pretty good, and getting better.
15. I have a love/hate relationship with cooking. I enjoy it a lot until the point in the week when I run out of recipe ideas that make my whole family happy. Then I dread it. I hope the kids get less picky as they grow!
16. I was a vegetarian for a decade or so. The first time I ate poultry again was at Christmas dinner a few years back. "Psst, Andrew! Slip me some turkey from your plate!" No one noticed. Not even his smirk. The first time I ate beef again was at a Brazilian restaurant. I ate a lot. Mmm.
17. Over the past year or so I have been trying to conquer my sweet tooth. Refined sugar does terrible things to the body. My family is getting dragged along on my quest, like it or not.
18. I have never broken a bone. Here's hoping I never do.
19. I can't walk past my computer without checking for new email or new posts on the numerous blogs I follow.
20. I trust God to direct the path of my life. I don't worry too much about tomorrow. His plans for me are way cooler than anything I could ever come up with.
21. I wish I could sing.
22. I love to travel. The return on investment is fantastic.
23. I never pass on "forward this or else" emails. So far, I haven't been cursed.
24. I love to play cards and board games. Unfortunately, it's challenging to sit down to a game at this juncture of life.
25. I long to eat locally grown organic food. Easier said than done here in Torreon, to my knowledge. In the meantime I content myself with the tiny organics section at the supermarket. Where the carrots actually taste like carrots. Takes me back to eating them, still garnished with dirt, straight from our garden at the lake.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Good Energy Today
Today has been good. Micah is finally sleeping pretty much through the night! I think he might have woken up at 4am, but I don't really remember. I slept hard and felt good today.
I hosted Bible Study- there were only two of us. We watched the U.S. Presidential inauguration and ended with prayer. Not a usual Bible Study format, but it felt right on this historic day.
I tried to get Micah to sleep before going to pick up Eva from school, but there wasn't enough time. I tried again after we got home, but I guess he had rested enough during the first try to sabotage another effort.
Eva has the sniffles again. She's lasted a whole two weeks. She has been feeling a little stressed about school again- she says she's lonely- so I'm sure that's a contributing factor. I hope that this passes quickly and that it remains mild.
I am making pizza from scratch. The kids always enjoy using the rolling pin, dressing up their own little pizza, and eating copious amounts of raw dough. Often Micah doesn't have any dough left for his personal pizza. ;) I enjoy making pizza, but it is quite time consuming, so I am pleased that I have enough energy for it today. And that the kids were very accomodating. It wasn't so long ago that I had to fight for every productive moment in the kitchen!
I hosted Bible Study- there were only two of us. We watched the U.S. Presidential inauguration and ended with prayer. Not a usual Bible Study format, but it felt right on this historic day.
I tried to get Micah to sleep before going to pick up Eva from school, but there wasn't enough time. I tried again after we got home, but I guess he had rested enough during the first try to sabotage another effort.
Eva has the sniffles again. She's lasted a whole two weeks. She has been feeling a little stressed about school again- she says she's lonely- so I'm sure that's a contributing factor. I hope that this passes quickly and that it remains mild.
I am making pizza from scratch. The kids always enjoy using the rolling pin, dressing up their own little pizza, and eating copious amounts of raw dough. Often Micah doesn't have any dough left for his personal pizza. ;) I enjoy making pizza, but it is quite time consuming, so I am pleased that I have enough energy for it today. And that the kids were very accomodating. It wasn't so long ago that I had to fight for every productive moment in the kitchen!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Weekend in Saltillo
text by Dana, photos by Andrew
This weekend we headed out to Saltillo for a (delicious!) Christmas dinner at Jim and Lorraine's with some other Palliser folks.
Crafting it up. Incidentally, they just moved into our favorite of the houses we looked at. We enjoyed seeing it with furniture and getting a chance to 'live' there.
Lorraine had all kinds of crafts ready for the kids... cookies to decorate and glue and paper and sparkles and scissors... a preschooler's dream! I think in this photo Micah is actually eating one of three yogurts he had in quick succession that morning.
Sunday morning we headed up to the town of Arteaga before going home. It's about 15 minutes from Saltillo and they have a market every Sunday. Very nice Sunday outing. The kids loved holding the 4 week old puppies and we loved seeing them enjoying themselves so much.
<
The kids having a pony ride. They liked it but Micah was too ready for a nap to thoroughly get into it.
We stopped for supper at Tio Taco, right by our house. Yummy! Though the kids and I maybe indulged in a few too many cookies on the ride home. And chip appetizers. Our plates weren't exactly clean, though the food was very good.
This weekend we headed out to Saltillo for a (delicious!) Christmas dinner at Jim and Lorraine's with some other Palliser folks.
Crafting it up. Incidentally, they just moved into our favorite of the houses we looked at. We enjoyed seeing it with furniture and getting a chance to 'live' there.
Lorraine had all kinds of crafts ready for the kids... cookies to decorate and glue and paper and sparkles and scissors... a preschooler's dream! I think in this photo Micah is actually eating one of three yogurts he had in quick succession that morning.
Sunday morning we headed up to the town of Arteaga before going home. It's about 15 minutes from Saltillo and they have a market every Sunday. Very nice Sunday outing. The kids loved holding the 4 week old puppies and we loved seeing them enjoying themselves so much.
<
The kids having a pony ride. They liked it but Micah was too ready for a nap to thoroughly get into it.
We stopped for supper at Tio Taco, right by our house. Yummy! Though the kids and I maybe indulged in a few too many cookies on the ride home. And chip appetizers. Our plates weren't exactly clean, though the food was very good.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Yoga Fun
We decided to replicate this yoga pose from the cover of the most recent issue of The Reader's Digest (thanks Ma for the subscription!):
I'm in the zone....
Here is Andrew assuming the pose with signature ease:
The final products:
I'm in the zone....
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Updates
Eva has been doing super great at school this last week! Late last week I sent a note with her to her teacher, and she just hopped right out of the car and dashed to class. So now I send a note with her every day (today she told me to write "I love you very much"). That sense of purpose, a mission, really drives her. Awesome!
She has been sniffly since she started school. No surprise, given the germ exposure and stress factors. The last few days she's developed a cough and is obviously not at 100%. I suggested that she could stay home from school. She didn't want to!!
Eva's teacher told me this morning that Eva is starting to interact with her classmates in spanish! She is really starting to understand, and to communicate. I'm super excited for her!
Update on me: thanks for your prayers! I have been feeling quite calm and patient lately, and the high volume verbal outbursts have really fallen off. I am feeling energetic and filled with purpose and achievement! :)
She has been sniffly since she started school. No surprise, given the germ exposure and stress factors. The last few days she's developed a cough and is obviously not at 100%. I suggested that she could stay home from school. She didn't want to!!
Eva's teacher told me this morning that Eva is starting to interact with her classmates in spanish! She is really starting to understand, and to communicate. I'm super excited for her!
Update on me: thanks for your prayers! I have been feeling quite calm and patient lately, and the high volume verbal outbursts have really fallen off. I am feeling energetic and filled with purpose and achievement! :)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
What's Up With Me
Time to write and reflect a little on where I'm at.
A big goal of mine is to create a sustainable and balanced routine. This is a struggle. I never know what quality of sleep I'll get, and sleep deprivation really rocks my boat. I let it throw off my whole day, and use it for an excuse to be lazy. Yes, I legitimately need sleep, but if I'm up anyway I can certainly do more than avoid doing stuff all day long. Eva going to school has really helped with the routine, but I'd like to get all the way to the point where I have a meal plan for the week, a routine for laundry, guilt-free time blocked off for myself and for playing with the kids, for our marriage... that sort of thing.
Yesterday I talked to a friend in Winnipeg with little ones the same age as mine... and realized that even though she is in a city where she has good friends and family, she has feelings of isolation as well! I felt so much better knowing I'm not the only one. She also encouraged me to get more exercise and I know she is right. That conversation really perked me up and inspired me. Came at just the right time. Thanks God!
The unfinished and undone things in my life weigh on me and make me grumpy. Some of it can be resolved through self-discipline. Some of it I just have to learn to deal with.
Here are the things that have been on my mind:
- Physical Fitness: I don't get enough exercise. Plain and simple. When I was pushing a stroller, it was easy. Especially when I was pushing both kids in the double! But now that they both walk, I need to find alternatives. I can think of lots of excuses, but if I'm honest with myself, they don't hold water. We have a trampoline and the kids love it. All I have to do is jump with them whenever they want and I will get fit in a flash. Also I bought a balance ball and resistance bands in summer- surely I can find 20 minutes a few times a week to do a little toning in my living room!
- Food: The more I learn about nutrition, the more convicted I am about the way I feed my family. [Right now I'm reading 'In Defense of Food' by Michael Pollan and working my way through the videos of the Food For Thought discussions from the Slow Food Nation 2008 event, http://slowfoodnation.org/videos/] If I could, I'd eliminate all refined, highly-processed, GM, pesticide-ridden foods. But the reality is that is MUCH easier said than done, for a variety of reasons including availability, knowledge and time. I have to accept that this may be a long slow road, and appreciate the positive changes we've made already. But these things don't stop me from remembering that our favorite fruit, apples, are in the 'dirty dozen' of pesticide-sucking produce. Or wondering if the refined, processed, extruded, refined-sugar-containing breakfast cereal that is so tasty and convenient actually has any real nutritional value. (And we eat the 'healthy' breakfast cereals!). Or wondering what our meat and poultry was fed and how it was raised. Or thinking about how little resemblance the milk we buy at the store has to milk straight from a grass-fed cow. All this knowledge and these types of thoughts have narrowed our pantry selection considerably. Which leads me to start worrying about variety in our diet! I have eliminated faster than I have learned to adapt and cultivate my cooking skills. I have to get better at preparing snacks ahead of time and develop a nice weekly rotation of delicious and nutritious meals. But at this time I often feel stuck in a rut, constrained by my kids' limited preferences and my own laziness. I really need to find some kind of peace here because the tension is tiring.
- Acts of Green: When I first moved to Mexico, I was somewhat shocked that garbage pickup happens three days a week. The more time I spend out here in the desert, the more I realize that it really is quite necessary. Rottable items + heat + time + roaming dogs and possums and large ant populations = bad news. I am embarrassed to admit that I actually did have a full bag of garbage to put out every two days. Good news: Eva's school has a recycling program (there is no municipal program, yet). So now our garbage output has decreased dramatically! I feel good about this one.
I have some reusable grocery bags which I fully intend to start using. As soon as I can remember to bring them into the store!! The volume of plastic grocery bags we collect is astonishing.
I am considering worm composting. But I have no idea where to find red wriggler worms!! The idea of a compost pile is extremely daunting to me, and I'm pretty sure it's even more work in a dry climate, so I figure worm composting is the way to go. Don't know if this will get done while we're living here, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled.
This is probably Too Much Information for some of you, but I'm going to put it out there anyway because it is relevant to many of you readers (almost all, probably, since this post is long and has no photos ;) ). Reusable menstrual products. Those bleached, plastic-backed pads have an environmental impact and can also impact our health and comfort. And consider the chemicals used in the production of tampons and their potential effects on our bodies. Check out these sites for more information about reusable options, and shoot me an email if you want to know more:
http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/
http://menstrualcups.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/cup-images/
http://www.gladrags.com/index.php
- Self-control: I want to be patient, positive, and calm. This is hard to do consistently! I sometimes get so frustrated with the demands and the destruction and the defiance and then I let loose with the, um, raised voice. I have noticed that if I give those feelings an inch, they take a mile. As I yell, I can feel the feelings swell and escalate. That's scary. And damaging. And ineffective. And a poor example. I have seen my behaviour in Eva already. I need to continue to work on my self-control.
- Mom's Group: I am thinking of starting a Mom's Group in the new year. I think it would be a good way to combat the isolation, trade parenting ideas, and to deepen relationships. It would be small and in our home.
I'd appreciate prayer for the development of this idea, for my self-control, self-discipline. And for encouragement when I don't feel like I'm doing or being enough.
I'm glad for the opportunity to blog about this. It will be so interesting to look back on this a few months or years from now!!
A big goal of mine is to create a sustainable and balanced routine. This is a struggle. I never know what quality of sleep I'll get, and sleep deprivation really rocks my boat. I let it throw off my whole day, and use it for an excuse to be lazy. Yes, I legitimately need sleep, but if I'm up anyway I can certainly do more than avoid doing stuff all day long. Eva going to school has really helped with the routine, but I'd like to get all the way to the point where I have a meal plan for the week, a routine for laundry, guilt-free time blocked off for myself and for playing with the kids, for our marriage... that sort of thing.
Yesterday I talked to a friend in Winnipeg with little ones the same age as mine... and realized that even though she is in a city where she has good friends and family, she has feelings of isolation as well! I felt so much better knowing I'm not the only one. She also encouraged me to get more exercise and I know she is right. That conversation really perked me up and inspired me. Came at just the right time. Thanks God!
The unfinished and undone things in my life weigh on me and make me grumpy. Some of it can be resolved through self-discipline. Some of it I just have to learn to deal with.
Here are the things that have been on my mind:
- Physical Fitness: I don't get enough exercise. Plain and simple. When I was pushing a stroller, it was easy. Especially when I was pushing both kids in the double! But now that they both walk, I need to find alternatives. I can think of lots of excuses, but if I'm honest with myself, they don't hold water. We have a trampoline and the kids love it. All I have to do is jump with them whenever they want and I will get fit in a flash. Also I bought a balance ball and resistance bands in summer- surely I can find 20 minutes a few times a week to do a little toning in my living room!
- Food: The more I learn about nutrition, the more convicted I am about the way I feed my family. [Right now I'm reading 'In Defense of Food' by Michael Pollan and working my way through the videos of the Food For Thought discussions from the Slow Food Nation 2008 event, http://slowfoodnation.org/videos/] If I could, I'd eliminate all refined, highly-processed, GM, pesticide-ridden foods. But the reality is that is MUCH easier said than done, for a variety of reasons including availability, knowledge and time. I have to accept that this may be a long slow road, and appreciate the positive changes we've made already. But these things don't stop me from remembering that our favorite fruit, apples, are in the 'dirty dozen' of pesticide-sucking produce. Or wondering if the refined, processed, extruded, refined-sugar-containing breakfast cereal that is so tasty and convenient actually has any real nutritional value. (And we eat the 'healthy' breakfast cereals!). Or wondering what our meat and poultry was fed and how it was raised. Or thinking about how little resemblance the milk we buy at the store has to milk straight from a grass-fed cow. All this knowledge and these types of thoughts have narrowed our pantry selection considerably. Which leads me to start worrying about variety in our diet! I have eliminated faster than I have learned to adapt and cultivate my cooking skills. I have to get better at preparing snacks ahead of time and develop a nice weekly rotation of delicious and nutritious meals. But at this time I often feel stuck in a rut, constrained by my kids' limited preferences and my own laziness. I really need to find some kind of peace here because the tension is tiring.
- Acts of Green: When I first moved to Mexico, I was somewhat shocked that garbage pickup happens three days a week. The more time I spend out here in the desert, the more I realize that it really is quite necessary. Rottable items + heat + time + roaming dogs and possums and large ant populations = bad news. I am embarrassed to admit that I actually did have a full bag of garbage to put out every two days. Good news: Eva's school has a recycling program (there is no municipal program, yet). So now our garbage output has decreased dramatically! I feel good about this one.
I have some reusable grocery bags which I fully intend to start using. As soon as I can remember to bring them into the store!! The volume of plastic grocery bags we collect is astonishing.
I am considering worm composting. But I have no idea where to find red wriggler worms!! The idea of a compost pile is extremely daunting to me, and I'm pretty sure it's even more work in a dry climate, so I figure worm composting is the way to go. Don't know if this will get done while we're living here, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled.
This is probably Too Much Information for some of you, but I'm going to put it out there anyway because it is relevant to many of you readers (almost all, probably, since this post is long and has no photos ;) ). Reusable menstrual products. Those bleached, plastic-backed pads have an environmental impact and can also impact our health and comfort. And consider the chemicals used in the production of tampons and their potential effects on our bodies. Check out these sites for more information about reusable options, and shoot me an email if you want to know more:
http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/
http://menstrualcups.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/cup-images/
http://www.gladrags.com/index.php
- Self-control: I want to be patient, positive, and calm. This is hard to do consistently! I sometimes get so frustrated with the demands and the destruction and the defiance and then I let loose with the, um, raised voice. I have noticed that if I give those feelings an inch, they take a mile. As I yell, I can feel the feelings swell and escalate. That's scary. And damaging. And ineffective. And a poor example. I have seen my behaviour in Eva already. I need to continue to work on my self-control.
- Mom's Group: I am thinking of starting a Mom's Group in the new year. I think it would be a good way to combat the isolation, trade parenting ideas, and to deepen relationships. It would be small and in our home.
I'd appreciate prayer for the development of this idea, for my self-control, self-discipline. And for encouragement when I don't feel like I'm doing or being enough.
I'm glad for the opportunity to blog about this. It will be so interesting to look back on this a few months or years from now!!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Donkey and Princess
We were preparing for Eva's 4th birthday today. So this morning we went piñata shopping. This was the scene at the parking lot...two donkeys. I said hi to Dad and Colin then went inside.
Eva loves Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Ariel from Little Mermaid. However, she chose Aurora (i learned Aurora is Sleeping Beauty....who knew). She told us she liked her crown so that is why she chose her. Interesting. We were thinking of getting Micah a piñata but he was too distracted in the store to choose one. (i wonder where he gets that from).
Eva loves Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Ariel from Little Mermaid. However, she chose Aurora (i learned Aurora is Sleeping Beauty....who knew). She told us she liked her crown so that is why she chose her. Interesting. We were thinking of getting Micah a piñata but he was too distracted in the store to choose one. (i wonder where he gets that from).
Friday, September 12, 2008
Colouring Obsession
The colouring obsession has become decidedly less printer-ink intensive, but much more labour- and time-intensive.
Now it is my responsibility to reproduce the outlines of various princesses, for Eva to colour in. It's a bit like Thanksgiving Dinner: you spend all afternoon on it, and then it's finished in a matter of minutes.
That said, I do kind of enjoy it.
That said, I do kind of enjoy it.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
It's Home!!!!!!
The iPod finally found its way back to us!!! This is now its third day in my possession.
My own smile looks an awful lot like Eva's. I am VERY excited.
My own smile looks an awful lot like Eva's. I am VERY excited.
This and That
Eva the Princess Bride 
The kids with Claudia after a face painting session I think I might be getting better. I had a great nap yesterday afternoon and slept hard last night. Until 7:30am! With a couple of short interruptions, but that's late! I'm feeling a little more perky and I'm glad for that.
Micah managed to crack the tank on our bathroom toilet. I'm not happy about having to replace it. He lifted the lid on it and then let it drop. Took a big chunk out of the lip and made a crack down the back all the way to the bottom. I do have to admit I am somewhat impressed with the amount of destruction he accomplished.
Eva is a colouring maniac! She has been getting me to print off colouring sheets one after the other after the other. She didn't want to go to bed last night because she wanted "just one more". Sometimes she asks me to cut out the characters. We have a lot of cut out coloured characters and animals. Anyone have an idea for what to do with them or how to store them?
Andrew was in Saltillo yesterday and he saw three more houses. I am encouraged. None of them were absolutely perfect, but they all had many of the characteristics we want, and they were all at our price point. Unfortunately I have no photos. He took a camera but the batteries were dead. We also heard back from the beautiful house and they came down a bit from their 'lowest price'. It's still way too high for us but gives us hope as they don't seem to have any other prospects and they have moved quite a bit from the original price.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Illness Update
I'm still sick. Possibly less sick, but not appreciably so. The top of my head felt wonky most of today; when I moved it felt like painful jello. I'm coughing and my voice comes and goes. I take this as a good sign, that my sinuses are beginning to clear.
Eva has been sick now for over a week.
We have to figure out how to heal like Andrew. When he gets sick it is for a day or so. (This time it was only a matter of hours.) It's like after the breach in defenses, his body rallies the troops and quickly regains the lost ground. I tend to hold off illness pretty well, but when I do get sick my white cells seem to go into complete surrender. They just plain roll over.
Any tips to getting over a cold? We have been keeping a low profile, drinking lots of fluids, eating well otherwise, getting plenty of sleep. Also I made my best yet batch of homemade chicken noodle soup. I thought that would be the magic elixir.
Eva has been sick now for over a week.
We have to figure out how to heal like Andrew. When he gets sick it is for a day or so. (This time it was only a matter of hours.) It's like after the breach in defenses, his body rallies the troops and quickly regains the lost ground. I tend to hold off illness pretty well, but when I do get sick my white cells seem to go into complete surrender. They just plain roll over.
Any tips to getting over a cold? We have been keeping a low profile, drinking lots of fluids, eating well otherwise, getting plenty of sleep. Also I made my best yet batch of homemade chicken noodle soup. I thought that would be the magic elixir.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Sick!
Ugh. It was inevitable. I came down with the kids' cold. I felt it coming on, minute by minute, Thursday afternoon. By this morning I couldn't sleep because my whole face hurt from the sinus pressure. Including my teeth! (That was a nasty surprise.)
I'm so glad that it's a weekend, and so with Andrew home I get a chance to rest up. I went back to bed this morning and also napped in the afternoon. I feel a little less clogged in the face but my hearing is starting to suffer. I'm pooped.
The kids' noses are still running but they're coping really quite well. If they feel anything like I do I give them a ton of credit.
Hopefully we can all get a good night's sleep and wake up on the mend!
I'm so glad that it's a weekend, and so with Andrew home I get a chance to rest up. I went back to bed this morning and also napped in the afternoon. I feel a little less clogged in the face but my hearing is starting to suffer. I'm pooped.
The kids' noses are still running but they're coping really quite well. If they feel anything like I do I give them a ton of credit.
Hopefully we can all get a good night's sleep and wake up on the mend!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Fun Day With Great Friends
The kids and I spent the day at DebnRobnAshe's place today. Fun times!!
Micah getting a ride on Ashley's 50cc motorbike. He wasn't so sure about it at the beginning, but warmed up quickly and absolutely loved it.
Eva getting her ride. The smile says it all!
Eva enjoying some time with her Auntie Deb.
Eva wearing Ashley's feathery bird mask
With my best friend Deb.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Fillings
I just got back from having two fillings done. I feel great! Folks, consider talking to your dentist about doing fillings without anesthetic. I don't know about you, but I was always miserable for hours afterward. The drooling, the slurring, the general feeling of grossness... blech.
I had never considered that there might be another way, until my mom mentioned that she doesn't get anesthetic with fillings. I've had three or four done this way now and as long as the cavity isn't too extensive it is totally the way to go. Through most of the drilling I had no discomfort at all. Once he got through the enamel I started to sweat and tense a bit, not because of actual pain but because I could tell there was potential. On one tooth today I got a bit of a jolt once, and a couple of times I stiffened in anticipation. But that was it! Once the drilling was done, it was DONE. The filling itself is no big deal, and then I walked out of the office and into the rest of my day as though nothing had happened.
I had never considered that there might be another way, until my mom mentioned that she doesn't get anesthetic with fillings. I've had three or four done this way now and as long as the cavity isn't too extensive it is totally the way to go. Through most of the drilling I had no discomfort at all. Once he got through the enamel I started to sweat and tense a bit, not because of actual pain but because I could tell there was potential. On one tooth today I got a bit of a jolt once, and a couple of times I stiffened in anticipation. But that was it! Once the drilling was done, it was DONE. The filling itself is no big deal, and then I walked out of the office and into the rest of my day as though nothing had happened.
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