I see light at the end of the tunnel

This past week has been tough because we have all taken turns being sick. But as far as child raring, this week has been the best it has in a very, very long time. Sam has hardly needed to be disciplined and hasn't pushed the usual buttons he likes to push. He has been more helpful then usual and is listening and obeying pretty much right away. It has been a nice, refreshing week as a mom. There are times when I feel like pulling my hair out of my head and question if I know anything about raising three children. I know what I've read in the Bible and parenting books; I know what I observe from family, friends, and out in the public; I know the good and bad from when I (and Justy) was raised. I am amazed with all of that, I still don't "know it all"! I am constantly reassessing myself as their parent. The only way I will be able to do the best that I am capable is to be constantly on my knees....giving my days to the Lord and asking for forgiveness. But these days of "light" are so great and a constant reminder why I love being a mom and so thankful the Lord has granted me these precious children.

Our baby is four!

Nine days overdue, high blood pressure, been on bed rest for two weeks and finally I am being induced....
Next day he's still in there face up and not coming down so they vacuum him and finally at 2:14pm November 8th, 2003 our little "hoover" was born in Kelowna. Some complications arose and I wasn't able to see him until 7:30 that night. From that moment on he has been in my care. Sure there's been the odd babysitter, "quiet" time for myself, or a marriage retreat for Justin and me. But since his birth, he has been apart of every single one of my days. That's about 1460 days of loving, laughing, teaching, crying, disciplining, YAWNING, praying, wondering, reading, playing, walking, rocking, climbing, SNUGGLING, cleaning, changing, touching, worrying, feeding, imagining, negotiating, listening and rubbing my hands through his beautiful "copper" hair. He has brought so much joy to us. His tenderness and sensitivity warms my heart and reminds me to be more tender and more sensitive. I pray his stubborness and determination will be used for God's glory and the kingdom of Heaven. Though these days it is mostly resulting in time-outs and me sprouting gray hairs. He is very truthful and must know every detail. He is a great helper and loves to get dirty. He LOVES to dance and listen to all kinds of music. He loves splashing in the water and uses lots of caution when trying new things. He has NEVER slept well and rarely goes to bed without a fuss. He prefers to pray at mealtime and bedtime. He is really good with electronics and has his own imac. He plays with his blocks and Hot Wheels every single day. He likes playing pretend with Mattias and dressing up. He loves meeting and greeting new people. He loves story time. He loves his Nanny and Grandma and often asks to pray for them. He can be particular about his fashion, his outfits. He doesn't like cheese but will pretty much eat anything else. He's not much of a breakfast guy but prefers a second helping at dinner. He is quite content to play by himself with one thing for a while. Once he likes something, it lasts. After more then two years, "Thomas" is still a loyal companion. He loves to hold his baby sister and tell his brother Mattias what to do. He likes shopping and going for drives. He does NOT like bugs. He does like animals. He can dress and UNdress himself. He likes watching and reading "Berenstain Bears". He is learning his alphabet and starting to read. He is often interested in the weather and what the forecast is.
He is RHTHYM.
He is fair skinned.
He has thick, corse, "copper" hair.
He has big, blue eyes.
He has several birthmarks.
He is our first born.
He is loved by many.
He is four years old!

Longtime no see!

Well I have decided to once again blog and keep you all up to date with us. So here goes....
Life is good but busy. Justin is working five days a week at Focus on the Family. The children and I drive Justin to work on Tuesday's and Thursdays so we can have the van. We drop him off and then go to our church, Cloverdale Baptist Church. Tuesdays I have a mom's Bible study (Which I am really, really enjoying!) and Thursday's there's a mom and tot's thing called "Busy Bees" that we go to. Each thing is about two hours but there's alot more driving and rushing around early in the morning in order to get there on time. But its worth it. The children and I really like going, visiting and meeting new people, and just getting out of the house makes things smoother and the week go quicker. Speaking of the house, we are still here in Surrey housesitting Justin's grandma's place. We are enjoying it here very much. It looks like as of late that we'll be here until April '08. Then we are praying to find a townhouse near either our church in Cloverdale or Justin's work in Langley. That way one of us can walk and the other have the van. Also I am praying that it will be close to a Sam's future school so Tias, Saffron, and myself can walk him to it. And then maybe I'll take in some school kids who also need to be walked and picked up and looked after til dinner just to make some extra cash. We'll see though, three children keeps my arms full and patience maxed out. Speaking of children, they are all getting so old. Well not really but it seems like yesterday Sam was just a little guy and a week today he's going to be four. I can't believe how time is flying. In some ways it seems like forever ago and in other's it seems like yesterday. He's grown like a weed these last few months. In one month he grew too tall for all of his pants. He's doing really good at his alphabet and counting. And he's learning how to read and write. It's so fascinating watching him learn how to read words for the very first time. I've never experienced learning in such a raw and fresh way. Mattias is 18 months old and trying really hard to say everything. He says hi, bye, ball, p-ees(please), mo(more), mama, papa, and his words for everything else. Lately he has taken to Sam's stuffed Monkey named "Flap Jack". Tias calls him "fap fap" and doesn't go anywhere without him. He takes him to bed, church, playroom, in the van, everywhere. It's really cute. He's still a great sleeper having his two-three hour nap after lunch and going to sleep by 7:30pm. He's up earlier these days though, about 7:30am. Saffron is 6 months old and is starting to eat solids. She's had vegetables, fruit and cereal. Nothing too complex but seems to like it all. She really saviour's every bit. It's actually quite hilarious how she sucks her lips in and makes funny noises with every bite. She's sort of "crawling" around. She lays on her back, looks upside down and scooches with her head and feet. She loves her jolly jumper and exersaucer. She's quite easy going but has her opinion about things too. She jibber jabber's constantly and often sounds like "ET" or "Darth Vader". She's quite the character and the boys love her to bits. Lots of hugs and kisses and scrape and bruises. Tias likes to swap soother's with her which she's not too keen on having a bigger soother shoved in her mouth by an 18 month old. Her and Tias are both in size 3 diaper and not far off in length. Saffron is quite long and lean. Just enough chub to be cute and to fit her pants properly. Tias is a bit of a picky eater and is thinning out quite a bit. Not that we don't try to feed him, he's just not that interested in food these days. Well that's the up to dates on us as of now. I will be blogging more often from now on.