Sunny days...once again!

Well we have settled into somewhat of a new routine once again. Mattias sleeps 12 hours from around 9 pm until 9 am. And throughout the day he's sleeping about 5-6 hours with his naptimes. Sam starts talking the moment he wakes up and stops talking when he goes to sleep at night. Every other day he seems to be testing us. Those days are long and tiring but the days in between are filled with much joy. Our summer sunshine has once again returned which is nice for Sam. We bought him an inflatable pool and a whale sprinkler. Here we are required to do backyard yard maintence and to water the lawn. So letting Sam run through the sprinkler gets two jobs done at once. Justin and I are growing restless with the routine's of our society. Work, work, work....money, money, money! It seems the more we work to make more money, the more we THINK we need more things. It's a giant cirlce that is hard to get off! But we have with only buying what is NEEDED and keeping track of absolutely everything that our money is spent on. With feeling this way about society, has only reminded us how much we would like to do mission work in third world countries. Where we can expose the boys to how the majority of the world lives. And that we need to use our earthly riches to bless others because we are able. We are able financially and physically. So when the time is right, we will be travelling to Mexico for short-term missions. We will try it out with two children and see if it's feesable and then look at the possibility of a long-term assignment. But in the meantime Justin has applied at Grant McEwan College here in Edmonton with the hopes of continuing and eventually finishing his BA. No matter where we end up, it will be beneficial to have some education under his "belt".Those are thoughts and possibilities we have been exploring as of late. We will keep you posted.

My boys snuggling before their nap

Sam insisted he didn't need a nap...

Papa put him down so he was just chillin' in the chair

The new locks

Well today I went and got my hair re-permed and cut differently. When I had gone last weekend, I told my stylist I wanted what I ended up getting today. I am super happy with the results!And now with it being shorter, the boys won't be pulling on it and it won't be tied up all of the time. And with the thickness of my hair and the length it was, we were going through the shampoo. Now it won't take as much shampoo to wash it and won't take as long to dry. I am super psyched!

My guys...aren't they cute?

Samuel Rhythm 32 & 1/2 months (2yrs & 8 Months)

Sam loves to help me in the kitchen. Here he was helping me make a teryaki marinade. He spilled some on the counter and felt it necessary to lick it up off of the counter.

Mattias Elijah at 15 & 1/2 weeks
Mattias always has smiles for his papa!

Money not well spent!

Over the past few years my hair has been getting progressively staighter and more straighter. They say your body goes through changes every seven years. So that and having two children have both contributed to my new doo. So after alot of procrastination on spending so much money on a perm, I finally made an apointment to get a perm and a new haircut for last saturday. So I arrived at the salon at 10am. After much coffee, talking and bathroom breaks I was finally finished with my new short, curly hair....well so I thought. I bought three hair care products from the salon that guaranteed my perm to last about nine months and paid for my perm and cut....ouch, financially that is! After SIX hours in the air conditioned salon, I stepped out into the heat only to see a blue parking ticket attached to my windsheild wiper. Apparently that shopping center has a 2 hour parking limit. So I marched back into the salon and asked them what was up with this ticket. The manager gave me some lame excuses and gave me the number of the landlord to get the ticket dealt with. (What was I supposed to do, in between rolls and chemicals go out and move my van....apparently!) Anyways, I drove off sort of annoyed but glad to be coming home. I walked in the door vamished from sitting for so long with no food in my tummy. Justin looked at me and said, "I thought your hair was going to be alot curlier!" I looked in the mirror and saw that my hair looked no more curlier then it had before I went to the salon and if anything, looked straighter. So after some food and packing up the boys we drove back to the salon to complain but they were already closed. So after playing phone tag, I have re-scheduled my "free" re-do for this sunday at noon. I asked the manager if it was going to take six hours again because I just don't have that kind of time to sit in a salon. I have a husband and two children who I would like to visit with and take care of. She responded that if I had a different stylist it should take 3-4 hours and no more. So I am having it done by someone else, hopefully this will be it. The whole experience has irritated me so much. It doesn't seem to matter how much we spend on things, buy the cheap or what we think the better more expensive, we always seem to have to return it. Whether it be a brand new KIA or a stroller or a perm, it doesn't seem to matter! Oh well, at least they are going to fix it for "free"! Although my time has got to be worth something.

Who's who?

Everyone keeps telling me how much Mattias and I look alike. So today I took a look at my baby photo albums and well....here's the proof. Now, I know it's obvious who's who because of the quality of pictures but it's fun looking at the similarities between Sam, Mattias, and me.
I should have used the scanner but didn't feel much like hooking it up to the computer. I would have posted a baby picture of Justin but we don't have any here with us.

Crazy days

Well now that we are settled into our new place we are starting to notice that we have some guests that are staying with us but aren't paying any rent! We have a bit of an ant and "wood" bug problem. The wood bugs hang out in the bathroom or anywhere where there is moisture and the ants, well...they just go wherever they please. So today I came up with a "natural" ant killer consisting of cayenne pepper, baking soda, and vinegar. I made it in a spray bottle and spray them whenever I see them. It kills them instantly. We have notified our landlord so hopefully soon the exterminator will be popping by to do some serious killing of the bugs. Other then that problem we are enjoying our new home. And I am kinda surprised how much I enjoy this area of Edmonton. It is an older area but on the most well-kept and we are really close to shops, parks, and schools.Sam is really starting to catch onto things. Yesterday he was watching "CBC Kids" in the morning. He likes this one show they play called "Poko". Anyways, once Poko was finished there was a skit done by one of the hosts of CBC Kids. She was doing a magic trick with a hat and her hands while saying, "hokus-pokus, out of focus!" By the time I realized it was on, it was too late. Then moments later Sam was saying and doing exactly that, what he saw on tv moments before. Now I don't believe in magic and think it crosses over way too many "lines" that we try to stay far away from.(if you know what I mean?!) Anyways it was a clear reminder to me how impressionable my little Samwise is. His first five years are apparently the most important years of his life. During that time is when his foundation is being built. Now with the Lord's help, close family and friends and loving parent's help, I hope his foundation will be strong and secure. Justin and I can only do so much, prayerfully, but what an opportunity and responsibility. Man this parent thing is the hardest job I have ever had and ever will have. I just want to do it right!

Our two beautiful boys

Our little trooper

Mattias had his first set of shots today at 8:50am in Sherwood Park. That ment an early morning rise at 6am for the boys and I as we had to drive Justin to work in order to have the van. After an hours drive we stopped at McDonald's for some breakfast and a much needed coffee for myself. (Yes, I will admit it;I drank the coffee purely for the stimulating benefits. Drug, no?) After a rude encounter with an elderly lady volunteer and a bit of a wait, they made me hold him down while they inflicted pain on him. I think the whole experience is always harder on me then the boys. He
cried for a few minutes and that was the end of that. He was more concerned with his 9am feed then anything else. After a good bottle in the waiting room at the clinic we were off to the Sherwood Park Wal-Mart for some miscellaneous items. Then we picked Papa up some lunch, drove it to him at his work and then arrived home in time for Mattias' next feed at noon. Sam and I had lunch and snuggled and watched a little tube while Mattias rested. The day started a bit busy but is ending up being quite relaxing. Yesterday our picnic was a great success at the park near our home. And to our surprise there was also a pool sort of thing there for kiddies to play in. Sam acquired a yellow, Leon's furniture, "hot wheels" type, moving truck. We had some ant visitors during the picnic and a spider that thought he was welcome to climb on my arm. I think my sudden flick ended his short little life here in Edmonton. The last of the deep cleaning of our new suite and unpacking is almost near. We have just the living room to complete, pictures on the walls, and the "fun" decorating left to do. As of the last couple of weeks, Justin has been working really long days. He leaves before the boys and I are awake and gets home pretty much as Sam is going to bed for the night. But as we often hear, "make hay while the sunshines." But in Justin's case it's, "sell concrete while the sunshines!" It is taking some getting used to not having my sweetie around but we see light at the end of the summer tunnel. For now it's up to me to "keep my cool" with the constant care of our two boys. The pressure's on for me being a "single mom" for the time being. Not to discredit Justin's efforts once he does finally arrive home in the late evening but there are 24 hours in a day. And sometimes it's a LONG day. All in all filled with many joys and I wouldn't trade it for any job in the world.

Styles and smiles

Well Sam's luscious curls came to an end on Saturday afternoon. We have never had his hair cut short simply for the fact that we didn't want him to look like every other boy and we loved his "orange" curls. But Sam has MY thick hair and with the summer heat it was starting to get a bit annoying. In the morning he would awake with a sweaty neck from his hair. Plus we were flying through the tearless shampoo because of how much we were having to use to clean ALL of his hair. The other day when Sam and I were at Save On Foods an elderly lady came over to Sam and said, "my, my what beautiful red hair you have!" Sam responded, "no red hair lady, ORANGE hair!" Then she said,"wow you sure are pretty!" Sam forcefully said, "me not pretty! Me a cute boy!" It was so hilarious. Mattias on the other hand looks to be inheriting Justin's hair. Or lack there of I should say. You can tell by his hairline and forehead. Just as cute as his papa none the less. Today we are off to the park near our new home to have a picnic lunch with Sam, Mattias, and myself. Sam loves going for picnic's. As do I because there aren't many dishes to clean up and it is such a relaxing time for me. Mattias usually sleeps the entire time in the stroller and Sam plays in the sand. (There is always sand at the playground instead of gravel or bark mulch) I bring a blanket, Justin's shower radio, and a good book and kick back on the lawn while Sam plays in front of me. It is relaxing and a nice way to spend an afternoon. Usually not much reading gets done because I usually end up chatting with other mom's and watching Sam closely!

Our new "love shack"

Our new kitchen

Mattias' new room

Sam's new room

Organic meat

The other day I broke down and finally bought organic meat. I got a chicken breast and some ground beef. For starters they looked totally different then normal meat. And taste....well, they were both so full of flavor and little fat. The skin on the breast was actually hard to remove because it was so tightly fitted to the flesh. I have put off buying organic meat only for the cost. It is double and sometimes three times the cost of regular meat. But the more and more I learn what feed these animals are being fed and the conditions they live in makes me see why we are all dying of cancer and other such deseases and all in all not healthy. I have been trying to buy only the purest, most natural ingredients while still staying within our monthly food budget. Not an easy task when the most popular items are those that are often on sale consisting of white bread, white pasta, processed canned vegetables and so on. So in order to be able to eat the entire month, we will be having alot more vegetarian dishes and organic meat and fish less. I want what foods build my children's body's to be contributing to their well-being and overall health. Not having negative effects that last them the rest of their lives. And Justin and I too want that for our "aging" bodies. If anyone has any suggestions on how to eat the best foods at the best cost, I am all ears. Any recipes anyone has my boys and I would greatly appriciate as well.
Now so many other issues are wandering my mind these days; what is the cost of saving a few minutes by using the microwave? would cloth diapers really be that much more of a hassle? what are the lasting effects of having a scum-free shower cleaned with ingredients that are known to cause cancer? It seems so often that I keep hearing that someone else has cancer or a form of alzeimers (sp?) or arthritis or MS or any other number of diseases. What really is the cost of convinence? I am not writing this to push my thoughts on anyone. This is just one of those random blogs that is just purely my mind in motion. Opinions are greatly wanted.

My boys

Sam once again has been testing us (me mostly) from the moment he awakes til the moment his head hits his pillow. And even then there is a constant battle of wills. And for whatever reason I have been inconsistant when it comes to threats. These days time-outs are useless. He knows the drill and then continues on doing what he wants. I think the mix of moving, Justin working long hours, settling into a new home, Mattias taking up alot of my time, and Sam just being 32 months old is all contributing to this annoying stage/behaviour. But I think today we are coming out of the annoyance. Sam has been really kissy, huggy, giggly, and has wanted to partake in what I am doing. He normally loves helping out and dancing and drawing and playing with me. Lately if he doesn't initiate it or if he's not in charge of it he doesn't want to have anything to do with it. And what is with toddlers being so fussy when it comes to food? Sam has always eaten any and everything that was put in front of him. Now he changes his mind constantly what he likes and doesn't like. He likes cheese pizza and toast but doesn't like in his sandwich. Hmmm....? I guess he's just trying to have some control in his life.
Mattias on the other hand seems to keep getting easier and easier. He just goes with the flow and LOVES to sleep. I now know for sure that the Lord answered my prayer for a good sleeper! Mattias is also starting to giggle and talks pretty much the entire time he's awake. He loves to eat and is really starting to love the water. He kicks and splashes the whole time. He's also a HUGE fan of Sam's. Everytime I change Mattias' diaper on the change table Sam comes over and kisses him and talks to him. Mattias just stares right at him and smiles. And me being an only child has had to get used to saying, "watch out for your BROTHER!" and other comments refering to Mattias as Sam's BROTHER. Last night Mattias was crying for his last feed before bed and Sam was in and out of his bed well after his bedtime. Justin and I were feeling a little flustered and I looked at him and said, "I think two is plenty!" We just laughed.

A "long" weekend

Thursday we packed up our old home and came to our new one. We delivered the boys to our friend Kendra's parents house to be watched while the loading and unloading of the UHAUL took place. We picked up the boys around 10:30pm and did some last minute cleaning at the old place in the "Park". As I was cleaning the windows, I realized I had over done it and could no longer move my neck and my lower back was bothering me so much. So as we left there, Justin suggested that he take me to the hospital because I was hurting bad! We arrived at the hospital only to see a full parking lot. I went into the emergency room to see what kind of wait it would be and saw a packed waiting room. I stood in line and soon left because there was a woman puking constantly. I was in pain but soon I was going to be puking if I stayed. So we stopped by a gas station that was actually open at 1am and bought some advil. We came to our new home found some sheets and crashed. I awoke to no pain and alot of work ahead of me. Justin stayed home from work to get the rest of our stuff and give our previous landlord our keys. We spent the rest of the weekend unpacking and trying to reastablish some normality and make our new house a home. We had intended on taking in some Canada day festivities but ended up leaving the house at 10pm just in time to catch the capital city fireworks. I would have to say they ranked up there with the "Symphony of Fire". They were the best Canada Day fireworks I had ever seen. Sam watched them from atop Justin's shoulders and I fed Mattias his 11 o'clock feed while watching the fireworks from the ground. It wasn't the most eventful weekend ever but it was nice to spend some quality time together and it was nice for Justy and I to spend some good time catching up.