Fridays

It has been awhile since I've blogged..it's something I've told myself to do only when time allows. You're thinking: "When does a mother of 4 ever have time?" Trust me, I often wonder the same thing. But this is I enjoy doing and I'll find the time to squeeze in a blog or two. For instance, right now the kids are all watching 'Dinosaur Train'..<GASP> (yes, my kids do watch TV) and my dear husband has promised to make pancakes or french toast for supper..<GASP> (yes, I do require my husband to cook breakfast for supper for me occasionally). He will also shortly receive a text message saying "bacon" and will know exactly what to do.
It's usually on Friday that these kind of outrageous things happen. I've had it up to here answering questions about what spiders and bugs eat,what's under grass and then what's under dirt, etc., washing off the latest wall scribbling (the last incident involved sidewalk chalk and my neighbours truck) and gathering up my troops from around the neighbourhood. Their latest victim has been the back neighbour, Tim. I guess his ear has fallen off already...he hasn't been out much lately and seems to taking a different route to the post office. I warned him..really, I did! Being nice to my boys is like feeding bears...they are going to come back for more and more till you've given all you have and you have to hide to save your life, or sanity, in this case. The boys call him Timbit. He is a fireman and has a cool firetrucked theme playhouse with a pole the boys could break their necks trying to get down. And they can't seem to understand why he locks his shed where all the cool man toys and boats are kept. It would now be in Tims' best interest to build a fence.
Friday can also involve lots of snacking for both myself and the boys. Lucky for me, a stash of 2 boxes of Reids chocolates was rediscovered this afternoon. The boys..uh...some cracker crumbs and some healthy looking fruity bars. The best kind of snacks for these days(or any day in fact) are 'oh henry' bars...a recipe from my mother in law. The easiest recipe to make and yet, something I always manage to screw up..and it still tastes good! I'm going to share it (hopefully my mother in law doesn't mind!) Be strong...try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting!
Bottom:
4 cups oatmeal(quick cooking kind)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup melted butter
Mix these ingredients together and pat down in a 9x13" cookie pan (the real word escapes me right now)
***OOPS! Can you tell I wrote this on a Friday!?! I was reminded that you do need to bake the bottom for 8 minutes at 350 F!****
Topping:
approx. (I say approx. b/c I usually just put in what looks good) 1.5 cups peanut butter
1.5 -2 cups chocolate chips...dark or milk chocolate
Melt these together until smooth..in the mircrowave or on the stove. (Try not to burn it on the stovetop!)
**Spread the topping over the bottom and let cool in fridge. Keep bars refrigerated or you will get a sticky mess!**

Well, my husband is home..I'm going to get my hug and some breakfast supper!

Vitamins for Haiti

In November 2009, mom and I were blessed with the opportunity to be part of a medical mission team visiting Haiti. Our team of health practitioners, organized by Coram Deo International Aid, was sent to work for the Adoration Christian Centre to not only provide care for approx. 300 people/day in medical clinics in and around Port-au-Prince and at the Adoration school, but also to demonstrate a love for Christ and a zeal to work for the glory of God. What an amazing experience this was...no longer will I take what I have in life for granted.. my family, security, home, health, and even the unimportant material things.The average Haitian income is only a $1 a day..SO poor, I don't think we can really, fully understand that while living here in Canada. We also did a few home visit and wow! their home, or shanty, was the size of your living room and it was not uncommon for large families to share this small space. And this was before the earthquake in January 2010...I can hardly imagine life in Haiti now.

Students at Adoration Christian Centre

 Honestly, I could go on and on about the trip and the great things Randy and Karen Lodderand Kim Gringhuis have been able to do for the people in Haiti..but I'll let you read about it in their blogs!

hehe...he was actually scared of us! maybe because  deep down he knew that it wasn't a good idea to stick rocks in his ears?!?

And so...once again...because it was soo much fun the first time...WE ARE GOING AGAIN!!!
We leave...oops...did I say 'we'? oh dear...so sorry. I meant to say, my mom, is going again, Lord willing, with another medical mission team! She doesn't know yet that I am going to sneak into the small crevice she left open in her suitcase and fly down with them ;) And if I'm going, then Charlie has to come with me too...hmmm..maybe not enough room in the suitcase then? yah..Charlie is getting kinda big these days...aww! shucks! Of course, I would love to go again someday.

Kim and I doing 'reception'

Anyways, without me, my mom and the rest of the team leave Thursday May 5th (next week already!) and returning home again May 13th.  Last time we ended up taking a snowboard bag filled with crutches, medicine, and school supplies. We also filled up our suitcases with donated clothes, oral care products and handmade teddy bears for the kids and $20,000 worth of medication! Unfortunately, this time around, they are unable to take that much medication with them because customs is starting to confiscate it. This is so sad, because that medication is needed so much! Another thing these people are lacking is good nutrition and we found that a few doses of vitamins could go a long way in helping the Haitians feel a little better.

Our 'pharmacy' at one of the clinics

So....what I was thinking (and ran by my mom who thought it would be a great idea)...is to ask all of you who are reading this to buy a pack of vitamins. While you are grocery shopping this weekend, just swing by the vitamin aisle and pick out 1 bottle of vitamins of any kind, any brand. Multivitamins for kids, men, women and maternity are all needed. My mom is leaving on Thursday so if you could pass them on to her, or myself or anyone you know who will see her before she goes, that would be AWESOME! Whatever you can do to help out is greatly appreciated..not only by CDIA, the team members, but especially by the Haitians who have so little and could use a little extra vitamin C to brighten their day :)

"If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."  ~ 1 Peter 4:11

mrs. january

If you haven't been introduced to mrs. january yet, please allow me the opportunity! If you like finding great deals, couponing and freebies..you're gonna REALLY like this! mrs. january helped me find pants for Dave on oldnavy.ca for only $2.47 each. Plus an extra 15% off and free shipping. Does it get much better than that? Not really...but go ahead and share with me your story. mrs. january keeps us updated on when stores are having their sales...thanks to her I was able to get the twins cords from the Gap outlet for only $3.48 each. With the money I saved there I bought myself a new pair of jeans..teehee :) My husband asks..."so did you really save money?" I like to think so.
Click here to go to her website..browse a little and find out where you can get the coupons and freebies (I wonder what the mailman is going to think of all these interesting looking packages?). Also, you can follow her on facebook to be kept updated.
If you're already doing the couponing..please help me! How do I keep all these coupons organized..and then remember to use them? I hate coming home with a box of cereal for the third week in a row and finding out I had a $2 coupon on the counter. and you know how expensive cheerios are these days. RIDICULOUS! I think the boxes are getting smaller too.
Someday, sadly, it will be: Sorry kids..but it's just cheaper to eat dry cat food for breakfast. and mommy finally used her cat food coupons so we got lots...eet smakelijk!

Could it be??

                    Spring is here and just look at my garden grow!

Haha! Gotcha!
I know most of you are way too smart to actually think that this was my garden. I'll give 98% of you the benefit of the doubt, but for the other 2%...the thought that you were green with envy over my supposed green thumb(even if it was for 3 milliseconds only) brings a smile to my face.
But seriously...this IS blooming in my garden now:

Lots of tulips and little purple flowers popping out of the ground...which is actually really a big surprise because I did not plant any bulbs last year. Thank you previous owners! Maybe this will negate the fact you left moldy cat poop in the basement. Oh yah..I was supposed to forget about that...oops.

This the mess I cleaned up out of the frontyard gardens so far:

 Last week was so nice I couldn't resist getting out to prune my rosebushes. I've now learned that this is not really a job high on the list of fun things to do in the garden. It would have probably helped if I used long handle shears like suggested...not as many scratches and thorn pricks maybe? oh well...they look much better now and hopefully they still grow and bloom this summer. I used a youtube video on how to prune rosebushes..the guy looked like he knew what he was talking about at least!
Before:

After:

Every gardener needs a pair of rubber boots, right? Well...I have not yet acquired these so off I went in search of rubber boots and found these:

Value Village. $12. Italian leather Gommus boots? Yes, please :)

A Tale of Two Sons

It's 4am. All is quiet. All are sleeping. Until..
Caleb: "MOM! MOMMMMYY! MOM!"
Mommy is sleeping. Never does she awake for these kind of occasions.
Daddy gets up. "what's wrong Caleb?"
Caleb: "I need to talk to mommy"
Daddy: "mommy is sleeping, you can talk to me"
Caleb: "I need to ask mommy a question"
Daddy: "ask me"
Caleb: "ah, umm..ah..does milk come out of cows bums?"
Poor Daddy..the son of a dairy farmer..his son has to ask about the basic facts of life at 4am.
Once again, it's 4am..another day, another son. Peace, quiet, lots of snoring. Until..
Oliver: "DAADD! DAD! DADDY!"
He has a way of making it sound like a life or death situation so Mommy does manage to wake up out of her sleep coma to hear Daddy run like a, uh.umm....nothing really to describe Daddy running at 4am so let's just say..he shot out of bed and staggered down the hall as quick as his 4am legs would allow him.
Daddy: "what's wrong Oliver?"
Oliver: "I just wanted to tell you that when you put me to bed it was light and now it is dark outside"

Poor Daddy...he has to wonder if this is some kind of sick joke, but it's not. It is another important fact  needed to be clarified at 4am by a 3yr old.

It's One of a Kind

Being the creative wanna-be that I am, the spring 2011 'One of a Kind Show and Sale' seemed like the place to be! Gather a few sisters and voila!..girls trip to Toronto. If you've ever organized any sort of occasion - small or large - you would know how much work organizing actually is. Insane. Really. And since nowadays the in-thing is not to actually talk in person, but to email or text, it leaves a certain "I'm going to take technology and spank it' feeling. It can be frustrating at times, yet on the other hand, how did we live without it?? Texting managed to get 6 girls in 6 different locations at one spot at almost the same time. It also left me on the side of the road with a cellphone on the verge of going up in flames.
After braving Toronto traffic, getting lost in a parking garage and finding the first available bathroom and something to fill our stomachs, we finally got to see 450 artisans exhibiting their handiwork..anything from body care, clothing, and food to jewellery, home decor, art, children's apparel, and woodwork. Amazing work..left me in awe of the talent that God has given people.
Of course, some of my favourite things were in the children's clothing and accessories department. Check out Mally Bibs for some SUPER cute leather bibs...I almost needed one for the all the drooling I was doing. If you want one...you can save$5 on your order by using the code 'Spring2011' until April 30/11.
Got an t-shirt that you love but it just doesn't seem to fit right? Take inspiration from necKnots. I think I might try making my own sometime!
Need a unique and beautiful Mother's Day gift? I couldn't help but stopping at almost every ceramics/pottery stands - which was kind of scary - almost cost me a couple hundred for just looking..and breaking...almost. Some artists have taken pottery to a whole new level..no more grandma looking bowls and cups - there are some GORGEOUS looking stuff out there. Dotti Potts was just one a few that caught my eye. Feel free to send me a gift from her ;)
Unfortunately I did NOT go home with any cool finds...$60 for a headband? Um..sorry, but no thank you! I completely understand that they need to make a living off what they are making, but seriously?? I'd have to sell my kidney to afford most of the things I awed and oohed over.

  Jenni,  however, did find some YUMMY hummus dips and spreads! It's one of those booths you keep going back to because you don't want to pay another $5 for a slice of pizza



I did get a chance to use the Sleepy Wrap borrowed from a friend and I am so glad I finally did use it. It's magic! If you are one to carry your baby around in a sling or snuggli...definitely try one of these. It is so comfy to wear...I can hardly use the snuggli anymore because the straps hurt my shoulders and my back is dying after 10 minutes. This wrap is just 1 long piece of fabric you wrap around yourself (which is actually easier to do than it looks). It doesn't hurt anywhere and it's true to its name...the baby will fall asleep in it. At first, Charlie just smiles and thinks its really funny but after a few minutes, he's nuzzling in and making the 'I'm gonna fall asleep any second' growl. Definitely going to be using this more often!

Good news is if you missed the Spring show there is a Christmas Show and Sale Nov 24th-Dec 4th 2011. Apparently, it's even better than the spring show..and cheaper, I hope!

Next stop: Creativfestival April 15th! Anyone want to come?!?

Go Fish

When was the last time you played 'go fish'? This card game brings back memories of sitting on the grass boulevard in front of a Canadian Tire in some northern Ontario small town. The van had broken down on the way to camping. Again. So imagine this: a big, ugly brown 8-seater(but we had to fit 9 in) gas guzzling beast, 7 kids, 2 adults, a dog, a homemade plywood trailer filled with 9 bikes and camping paraphernalia and a bright red canoe strapped on top, or were there 2 canoes? Can't remember for this particular time, but I'm sure that's another time. Anyways, picture that stranded on the side of the road! Wouldn't you feel like starting up a "feed these children, buy this family a new van, and send these kids to camp' fundraiser? What? No?!? well, no worries..apparently, no one else did either. I was just hoping. This is where 'go fish' comes into play. We had to entertain ourselves somehow..with rounds and rounds of 'go fish'.Of course, there was always lots of arguing involved:
 "LIAR! You had the number 5"
"No, I didn't!"
"Yes, you did!"
Yah...good memories...
 Our boys go through game phases. 'Chutes and Ladders', 'Guess Who?', the memory game, games we have but don't know how to play(like 'Arthur goes to the Libary') and now 'go fish'. Once they have a game they really like, they ask if we want to play it only, I dunno, a thousand times a day. The best was the 'Guess who?'phase. They could play without the actual game.
In Zehrs: "Hey, that man has a moustache! Hey man, do you have a moustache?"
To the bakery lady with a tanning bed addiction: "Why do you have orange skin?"
To the lady at the local cafe: "I like your black skin and white teeth!"
Thankfully, that phase ended just seconds before I died of embarrassment. One of the twins ATE a person. Nope, can't blame the cat, or a mouse, or an imaginary pet dog, it was OUR kid that ate it, a couple people actually. sigh..not even sure who it was..

No matter what game is being played, Jonah wins. Honestly, 99% of the time, he wins! Either he's really good at games, or we just really suck at games. I almost resigned myself to the latter, but then I remembered: I have beat Dan O. and Rick at Settlers. (sorry guys, but that point did have to be mentioned). Sometimes it's a close game and other times, he annihilates the opponent. Either way, it's a fun and educative game to play with them. The twins are learning their numbers and  the always winning factor is boosting Jonahs' confidence. 

Go ahead, pick up those cards and play some "Go Fish'  If Jonah is not around you might even win...