DISCLAIMER

I am getting more readers and more hits on my blog. I used to get like maybe 20 per day or less, and now, somedays, it's over 150 unique visits! (and it's always over 20, thank you stat tracker:-). So glad to provide you all with (I hope), a small smile in your day.

Here is my feeble attempt at explaining away some of the nonsensical things I might say:

I should hope to never offend any reader. It is never my intention to do so, but I do freely express my personal opinions, on occasion. HOWEVER, please note:

1. I am not one, historically speaking, who is given credit for knowing what I am talking about. 

I am known for speaking too soon, and sharing too much information. Begging a thousand pardons. Unless I provide a trusted link to back up my point, if you think it sounds wrong, it likely is. I'm not trying to lead anyone astray. I just live in my own little world sometimes:-)

2. Of course I think my kids are the smartest, and the cutest. You don't?

I am incredibly blessed with my precious children and don't take any day for granted. I do my best to stick to the facts of our lives, and not over-promote ourselves. We are but human. And flawed. However, I also do my best not to paint anyone in a negative light. I want this blog to be, essentially, a scrapbook of life for my kids. Of the life they had, before they remembered it. And of the mother they had, before she got old and ugly wrinkly. And also an easy way for my out-of-town family to keep tabs on our daily "goings-ons". Sharing a whiny tale or two is always appropriate, as it is part of daily life around here, but I don't want to harp on the negative behaviours. It might seem like we are all sunshine and roses, all the time, and let me assure you, we are average in almost every way. We have great days, terrible days, laughter and meltdowns. But in the midst of it all, we see Jesus. We are striving to raise Godly, responsible children - who consider others more precious than themselves, have self-control, and who know what they believe, and why. We are no where near to accomplishing this task, but we are trying to get there, and we are loving the journey.

3. I love a good controversial discussion. Or not.
Any information I post, about any topic is not meant to intimidate, suggest, or offend. Just because we always wear bright red socks doesn't mean I think you should. Its not about being the same, it's about being lead...and following. We are making choices for our lives, and the lives of our children, based on how the Lord is leading us. We by no means think that anyone else should do what we do. We are quite certain that we will be, in large part, "alone" as we travel through life, and we're ok with being different! We each have our own path. And the choices we make today may change in an instant, and we will go another way. You may choose to think we are crazy, and I reserve the right to think the same about you:-) It's what makes the world go 'round.

So thanks for checking in on us! I hope you smile after each visit. We love smiles.

Name Art

I made this for Brooks (out of chipboard), it matches the colours of his room this morning, and also hits on many of his key interests. I'm really loving how it turned out. I'm going to make a 'matching' one for Grey, using the same papers, but different (more baby-ish) images. And I'm working on Kenna's next. Brooks was my first inspiration, hopefully I'll have the others done this week!

I love it! It's 12 inches by about 5.5 inches.

Playtime

Brooks - Ensuring his love of hats is passed down to the next generation:-)

They specifically changed into these clothes, in order to play their Prince and Princess game. This is exactly the reason why boys and men need mothers and wives. Otherwise, when they are dressed up, they look 'this good'.

Sleepy, after a nice long playtime.

Teriyaki Sauce & Maple Syrup - Recipe

I love these recipes. I am currently marinading chicken in this wonderful sauce for dinner tonight -

Teriyaki

1/2 C Soy sauce
1/2 C brown sugar
1 cloved minced/crushed garlic
2 t ground ginger
1/2 t pepper

Mix. Marinade meat in sauce.

And this one has come in handy a time or two...we make pancakes or waffles...and run out of syrup before we're done eating. What a bummer. Although we purchase real maple syrup, not the fake stuff, this "fake" recipe is good in a pinch, so you can finish off those waffles with some flavour & sticky sugary goodness...the kids don't mind at all! Although not quite as tasty, it sure is cheaper than real maple syrup! I suppose you just have to pay great prices for great food:-)

Maple Syrup

2 1/2 C white sugar
1 C boiling water
1 pinch salt
1 C corn syrup
1/2 t maple flavouring
1/4 t vanilla

Mix boiling water and sugar. Heat until sugar is dissolved. Add other ingredients.

um, wow, ok...

Kenna: Hey Mom, look at me!

Mom: Oh wow! How pretty! Uhhh, how is that flower sticking to your forehead?
Kenna: glue
Mom: wow....ok...welllllll...[stifling laughter]
Kenna: and I have lipgloss too
Mom: I can see that. Where is the glue?

****
I am laughing out loud as I post this. Who GLUES anything to their own body. my-oh-my-oh-my!

Dog-Sitting

The kids were VERY excited to dog sit this weekend!

Here Puppy Puppy Puppy!

WoW! You're a big one, Hatch!

The dogs are amazing around kids, and my kids don't seem intimidated by their size at all!

Brooks tried in vain to get them to chase or catch the ball. Great Danes are very lazy dogs!

Kisses!

It's Hatch (tiger striped), and Hazel (black). Hazel was a rescue dog. They are Great Danes, if you couldn't tell by their huge size. Hatch is already 6 years old, which is near the end of his life. Hazel is only 4 I believe, but she already has a gray beard.

Something really interesting outside. Lets all look together!

They love Hatch and Hazel, their massive doggy friends!

Grey was the best with the dogs! I kept trying to catch it on video, but I always missed the best moments. He would reach for them, and kinda grab at their faces when they would come near, squealing in delight the whole time. When they would lick his face, he would laugh hysterically! It was the funniest ever, we kept trying to make the dogs pay attention to him, for more laughs, but they didn't really care about our entertainment, apparently. Or maybe they didn't like little hands right in their faces!

Holidays are coming!

It's Canadian Thanksgiving this coming Monday. Not here. We still have...

7 weeks until...Thanksgiving! Isn't this the CUTEST THING EVER!!

This is how it works, you can count down anything, and put a picture or a piece of art (etc) in the little 3x3 area to the right. We have everything ready to count down...Thanksgiving, Christmas, my Birthday, Kenna's etc.