Getting there

Well we arrived in Kelowna Saturday October 28th and our household belongings and van arrived on Tuesday the 31st. We spent our first night in our new home November 1st and have been trying to settle into it ever since. On the 30th our new home got brand new flooring which we are so thankful and excited about. While staying with Mom and Dad Harnett, Sam acquired a cold from his sick Grandma. Sam's upper lip is totally raw from constantly using his sleeve to wipe his nose. Yesterday we celebrated Sam's third bithday at Mom and Dad Harnett's. There was a house full of family and wound-up kiddies. After a long day for our boys, we came home to settle into bed and get a good nights rest. Well...Sam and I rested well but Justin and Mattias were a different story. Mattias had a stuffed nose, bit of a cough and a fever and insisted that Justin snuggle with him while holding him all night long. I too have been feeling a bit under the weather and thanks to my wonderful husband I was able to sleep the night away. As much as a mother can while her baby is crying in pain in the next room. Today we are all fighting the effects of this bothering cold and have put the unpacking to the back burner. So pray that the boys especially would be on the mend and that the worst of their colds would be past and that Justin and I would have the energy and strength to care for and love our precious little guys. We are LOVING it back here in Kelowna...back home! However we do miss our friends from Edmonton and look forward to when we will meet again. We really like our new home. The landlords, our friends who live upstairs, are so kind and gracious and just such a huge blessing to us. Justin is on the lookout for a new job. But until one that pays adequate wages, Justin will be on EI and working partime at his old stomping grounds where he worked last December, Petro Canada. The job I was hoping to be getting has been taken up and I have decided for right now until something laid back comes around, I will be staying at home. On Wednesday I visited with my favourite doctor in the world, Dr.Ketch and got to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time. As of right now I am due April 17th, 2007. Meaning I am almost 17 weeks along. On the 15th I am scheduled for an ultrasound to determine the exact size and due date of the baby. Other then the effects of the cold, move, stress and constant change, I am feeling pretty good these days. My hip once again is getting worse which is extremely frustrating and debilitating. But thanks to my caring doctor, I will be going to physio what looks like to be once a week. Dr.Ketch told me that my hip and SI joint won't be getting better with physio but they shouldn't be getting worse. Which for me at this point is good news.
Anywhoooooo....Mattias is in bed trying to breath with his soother in his mouth, Sam is once again asking for more snuggles and Justin is dozing quickly on our bed. Until next time.....

Farewell Edmonton...

Well our time in Edmonton, Alberta is quickly coming to an end. Justin's last day of work is this Thursday afternoon and our van is being picked up that day. It will be taking a train ride and delivered to our door in Kelowna sometime next week. Then on Friday some movers are coming to dismantle our furniture and load up the moving truck. Friday night we are staying with our friends, Dale and Kathleen and then getting up early Saturday morning for them to drive us to the airport. We fly out at 9:50 and arrive in Kelowna at 9:50 BC time. Sam is excited and nervous about the flight. He's really excited about what's awaiting us when we arrive in Kelowna....family! Both boys are a bit out of routine with all of the packing and rearranging. They both are acting a bit different then normal. Which when Justin and I are trying to pack, organize and clean the entire house, makes it quite difficult. But thanks to Dale and Kathleen taking the boys for the day last Sunday, Justin and I were able to get a ton of packing done. They took the boys for a day of fun at West Edmonton Mall. Sam still talks about it. Packing seems to be taking forever. It's amazing how much stuff we have accumulated since we have moved out here in December of last year. We pulled a small U-Haul trailer behind our van and now we are getting a 16-foot moving truck that I am sure will be packed full. Our time out here has been a time of reliance: Reliance on our Father and reliance on eachother. Last night Justin and figured out how many dates we've had since we've been out here...TWO! And how many times we've been without the boys...FOUR! So no wonder sometimes Justin and I feel as though we are going to lose it. Having very few breaks from a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week job gets completely exhausting. Now just because we are going to be living near family and old friends doesn't mean they will be raising our children while Justin and I are living up the good life. It's just nice to know that we will have people there we care about and trust our children with to give us break every now and then. A chance for Justin and I to catch up with eachother. We have children because of our love for one another and we don't want to lose that because of our uninvolvement with eachother while we are caring for the very thing that is the product of our love. Alot of days it's alot easier said then done.

On the move

Well as of today I am 13 weeks pregnant and into the second trimester and Mattias turns six months old today...already! He isn't crawling or sitting yet but on the verge of both very soon. Sam is a sponge soaking up all that is said and done around him and then repeating the words and actions with precision. And if life wasn't busy enough, we have decided to move back to Kelowna. We received an offer from some friends in Kelowna who own a home close to Mom and Dad Harnett and have a three bedroom suite for rent. We have been toiling with the idea of moving back to be with family for a few months now. Everytime we plan a trip back for a visit something gets in the way. It has been ten long months since we have seen most family. Far too long when you have children you want to share with people who love and care for them. Everyday Sam asks if we are going to go visit "Gama and Gampa" or Nanny. It's hard to explain to him that we aren't and that we don't know when we will see them. The decision came down to what is more important-staying out here without family but having a good paying job? Or move back to Kelowna and be with family and friends and have a so-so job and not as much money? With two children and a third on the way the latter option makes the most sense and fitting to more of the lifestyle we want our children to be raised in. Meaning that as much as you think it's true, money DOESN'T buy happiness!
"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1JOHN 2:17
Reading this verse and this book in the bible is helping me to be reminded what is important to me and my marriage and what we want for our children. So we are heading back at the end of this month. We, with the help of Mom and Dad Harnett, are hiring movers to move our stuff to Kelowna. We had planned on driving our van back to Kelowna but with some recent serious mechanic problems, it looks like we are flying back to Kelowna. Our friend here in Edmonton said he would try to sell it for us. We first had problems that were going to cost $1200 to repair. Now it seems the whole electrical system has lost its' brain and isn't working properly. The main concern is actually getting it safely to Kelowna with us and the boys. So it looks like for the first couple of months back in Kelowna we are going to be without a vehicle until we are able to get enough money together to buy something else. Something I am not looking forward to but it is the only option right now. So pray for us when you think of us. Pray we are stressfree and that all of the moving stuff gets dealt with with no problems and that we stay safe and healthy. And that the car situation would work out for the best.

Autumn

This saturday we finally had a nice, warm, sunny first day of Autumn. We had planned on going to this harvest thing with pumpkins, crafts and all the rest but it was full to capacity. So we decided we were still going to go out and enjoy this beautiful place we call home. So we drove north of here and ended up in a small "town" called Vellenuvue. We played some soccer, Sam's favourite, took some pictures, and took time to smell, blow, and pick some flowers. From there we drove east of the city to find "Big Lake". We found it easily enough but found no access directly to get in. So we drove downtown to this really great little park overlooking the river and some of the city. Some more soccer and more pictures and then we were off home for some much needed dinner. It was a nice day spent with each other just relaxing and just going with the flow. Both boys were just great enjoying their van ride through the prairies.


For more photos check our website harnett.ca

Apples everywhere

Our friends gave us a bag of apples from their backyard. So yesterday Sam and I set out to make some much needed apple sauce for Mattias. The apples were small but there were alot of them. Sam peeled just over half of the bag all by himself. He is such a great little helper. He brought his chair from his room to the kitchen to help me...."mama, me help make apple sauce for Tias?" I tried the apple sauce and thought it was quite sour. But I wasn't going to let all of our hardwork go to waste. I strained it for Mattias to try and low and behold he LOVED it! Sam and I weren't so sure but at least someone likes it. After our hardwork, we got ready and drove to Sherwood Park for the boys to have their shots. Sam had missed some between the moves between cities and such. Mattias went first and was a trooper with his three shots in his thighs, being weighed and measured. He now weighs 17 lbs 2 oz. Sam went next weighing in at 31 lbs. I thought it would be a good idea for Sam to bring his doctors kit so he would be able to give the nurse a shot first. While the nurse was getting all FIVE needles ready Sam gave us all our shots. Sam did superb! A little fuss but no tears. Few, that's over with for a while! Mattias has to wait until the end of Novemeber for his next shots and Sam isn't until the spring of going into kindergarten. Today both boys are little "under the weather" but nothing a little Tylenol can't fix. And last night Mattias slept 13 1/2 hours. So he's been a little more tired then usual and Sam is more snuggly. I can more then happily accomidate both!

Here we go again

Well for those of you who don't know, we are eight weeks pregnant again. And from my calculations the baby is due April 19th. Yes, that's eight days after Mattias' first birthday. Crazy, I know! I phoned to make a doctor's appointment and the earliest they could "squeeze" me in was October 30th. I can't believe how ridiculous that is. I will already be in my second trimester at that point. So, needless to say I am on the lookout for a new doctor. With this pregnancy not planned and so close after the birth of Mattias, I have been worried of the chance of another miscarriage. I know worry doesn't do a thing but easier said then done. I think anyone who has had miscarriages, completely understands. I was hoping to get in to see the doctor sooner to request an early ultrasound to see how the baby was developing and the exact due date. But by the time I get to the doctor and request the ultrasound it will be around the time I normally would have had the ultrasound. So for those of you reading this, please pray that the baby is developing properly and healthy and that God would take this burden I have put on my shoulders. In turn it has sort of made me cut off any emotional attachment. I think I did it subconsciously so that if we did lose the baby, I wouldn't get hurt again! Well so I think anyways. Justin and I are excited about this crazy journey we are embarking and I won't have to buy many maternity clothes considering I am pregnant at the exact same time I was last year. And thinking of the future I have already been thinking of what to do with the crib situation and so on. Remember Mattias will only be a year, maybe not even. Sam was nine days overdue and Mattias was fifteen days early so who knows when this baby will come. As far as how I have been feeling let's just say the thought of any food other then fruits and veg's makes me nauseous. I haven't thown-up yet but if I let myself get hungry, I feel as though I will at any moment. I am extremely thankful for two of the best children anyone could ask for. Sam is more then happy to entertain himself by playing in his room or colouring if I need to settle my tummy by laying down and Mattias...well he still sleeps though the night and naps about seven hours a day. Awesome I know! I will keep you posted how the pregnancy progresses and so on.

Day to Day

Well as of late we have many options going through our mind as to what direction we want our family to be heading. Justin has been persuing the idea of returning back to school in the fall. With that in mind the position of his job at Lafarge is in question also. He recently asked for a raise but isn't sure if he would work part time there and do studies at the college or get a job with less of a commute to be able to spend more time on his studies and with us. Then the thought of no school and just working as much as he can at Lafarge to make as much money as possible. With that, we as a family, would travel to Mexico in the new year for a short term missions trip to see if that's what we would like to persue longtime and if it is do-able with little children. Then the thought of moving back to BC has been lingering in our minds. Having two children and no family to share them with has taken it's toll on us all. But living in Kelowna is out of the question strictly for the reason that it is TOO expensive. Living on the coast might be an option as long as Justin could get a good enough job for the time being. But the pace of life and allergies are what have driven us out of there in the past. So with the best option for us being to continue to live in Edmonton brings more questions of uncertainty: Our van is going on 15 years old and is starting to show it's age and 300, 000 km's. As of right now we need a new rad, breaks, tires, air conditioning needs replacing and the heating system in the back of the van also needs replacing. So do we put money into it and hope it will keep going but not drive it out of town because we wouldn't trust it? Or do we save for something newer that's reliable and really good on fuel? That we would be able to drive to Kelowna or the coast of BC for very little money. The latter option seems to make more sense but that means more money right now and a longer commitment on Justin's part working long hours at Lafarge or another well paying job.
For myself these days have been a time of unknowing and unsettleness but also a time of prayer and getting into the WORD. We don't want to rush in any direction without the doors being clearly opened.
Mattias is growing like a weed everyday. He is rolling over from his tummy to his back and is trying to crawl. Sam doesn't let a single thing go unnoticed. He is VERY perceptive with what's going on and being said around him. I will spell something out or just say one unobvious word to Justin and Sam will pick-up on what we are talking about. His words are getting more and more precise. The things that he comes up with just make me chuckle. The other day I had explained to him that Mama and Papa were married and that we sleep in the same bed and that Papa was my husband and I was Papa's wife. He looked at one of our wedding pictures and said, "Mama wife? Mama Papa wedding picture?" I said, "Yep, that is a picture of when we got married and became husband and wife." Sam looked at me with his shoulder's slouched and said in a sad tone, "Sam needs a wife!" It was hilarious! And then the other day Justin took Sam to see the Stanley Cup in Sherwood Park and while waiting in the line, Sam got to know a little girl. They held hands, hugged, and Sam kissed her on the cheek. When Justin told me this I wasn't sure what to think. I just laughed and thought, "well here we go, this is the beginning I guess" He is such a character with so much love to give and brings us such great JOY! Mattias too is such a character. He is real "go-getter". He is constantly trying to do things himself. When I give him his bottle he insists on holding it; he tries to stand and crawl and sit. It's like he's trying to catch-up to Sam. And he is always smiling. He'll have the soother in his mouth and he'll start smiling at me and I can see it in his eyes. His whole face lights up and he has the cutest little dimple on the right side of his mouth. He's a boy who definately knows what he wants. If he's hungry, cold, bored, tired or any other baby irritant, he immediately starts to cry. And every cry is very obvious with what the problem is. And once you've fed him or put him to bed he is quiet. A complete opposite of Sam. It is so fascinating to see how two children can come from the exact same parents and be sooooo completely different.

Jolly Mattias

Our dear Rhythm

How cute!

Mattias (4 months) and Sam playing in Sam's room on a cloudy, rainy day.
(if you have notice not as many picture's of Sam it's because he doesn't like getting his picture taken these days...who knows? Him just expressing his almost 3 years old self I guess)

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.