Transfers

Yesterday John had his annual meeting with the staffing rep for his detachment. Usually the meetings are short; 15 minutes of "How can we help you achieve your career goals?" etc. and then he's done until the next year.

However the meeting yesterday was about an hour and a half! 1 1/2 hours!

It sounds like the RCMP is trying to get away from the standard 5-year posts, so it is possible that we could be moving sooner than 2 years from now.

Firstly, my mind has a hard time adjusting to these new rules.

Secondly, I don't think I'm ready to leave Wynyard yet.

Thirdly, what is going to happen to these friendships I have formed here?

Fourthly, what are we going to do about preschool/Kindergarten if we get transferred mid-year?

I have lots of other questions but those are a few of my thoughts.

John is supposed to come up with a short wish list of places we would like to go next. Since we won't go very north, it looks like they would most likely put us in a larger center like Battleford or Lloydminster. The reason for this is that they wouldn't want to put John in another comparable detachment as Wynyard. They want him to have various experiences throughout his career.

So to help us decide what to put on the wishlist we were looking at housing prices in various cities throughout the province, and I have to say that it all sucks!

Right now we have a beautiful 1600+ square foot home with a great sized yard. If we were to buy this in any city, we would be spending about 3 times the price that we paid for it!

Unfortunately, when we go to sell this place, we may profit a small amount, but certainly nothing that would be very helpful in buying an expensive house elsewhere!

If we look for cheaper houses, either they will need thousands of dollars in renos, or they are in a questionable neighbourhood. Yikes.

My plan has always been to return to work part-time once Ella is in school. It's a little scary to know that we may rely on my small income to help pay the bills in a short while.

We had hoped that we would never have to increase the amortization on our mortgage and pay it off quickly. Hmm...looks like that isn't going to happen.

I know, I know. I worry too much.

But this is a big deal!

It's not like we have any date of when a transfer could come through, but if a location that is on his list has an opening, then he could be contacted at any time.

So for now we continue to look at outrageous housing costs with horror.

Ah, if only we had known to keep our house in Saskatoon for just 6-12 months longer.

If only housing costs had gone up more than 5% (or something similarly pathetic) in Wynyard.

If only we were rich.

If only.....

My Sister's Giveaway

My sister Kerrie has a giveaway on her blog for a Bible Study book called "No Other Gods" by Kelly Minter.

On Kerrie's blog there is a link to Beth Moore's, who is choosing to study this book over the summer. It is an 8-week study and you can "meet up" with other women every other Tuesday to discuss online.

It sounds like a great book, and with Beth Moore leading the study, you can be sure that there will be some excellent insights and discussion to go with it.

Anyways, check out Kerrie's blog and leave her a comment to be entered for the giveaway!

The Year Is Almost Over

Today our preschool executive met (hopefully for the second last time this year) for the third time in a week. We are all so worn out and ready to pass over the reins to someone else.

Emotions are running high.

Verbal attacks have taken place.

I was the recipient of the attacks this time.

We do not "appreciate" one member of our exec very much.

She is emotional and irrational a lot of the time.

It's not the first time she has lashed out at someone else on the exec, but it was the first time that it was directed at me.

She actually gave me the "Sorry, but...." speech today.

I just politely smiled and said that we are all stressed out.

Inside I had already said many nasty things to her in the last few days that I didn't have the anger anymore. Good thing because I could have torn a strip off of her on Thursday.

But we have successfully chosen a new teacher for the fall!

Next year will be better than this year.

I have decided to join the new Board of Directors but I WILL NOT be treasurer. If Brie doesn't end up attending the Wee Care preschool because she gets accepted into Pre-K, I won't take on a big role. I could be the church liaison for the preschool since we rent out the basement.

Next year will be better than this year.

I will just keep saying this....

Next year will be better!

I have a lot of recommendations for the upcoming Board. It is a new implementation in the preschool to hopefully avoid a lot of changes/problems that take place from year to year. It is comprised of preschool parents, a rep from the elementary school and a few parents that don't currently have preschool-aged children. I have been looking at some great resources for Board policies.

Our exec needs to meet with the new Board shortly to discuss the issues that came up this year, vote for new positions within the Board and be done.

Next year WILL be better!

Cinderella Story

For those of you who are familiar with Steven Curtis Chapman, his 5 year old daughter Maria just died last night. She was run over by a vehicle that her older brother was driving. He didn't see her in the yard.

What a terribly tragic story. Please remember this family in your prayers.

It's Contagious

Have you ever noticed how contagious some things are?

Everyone gets sick at the same time.

Lots of people get pregnant around the same time. (Don't think it's me...not gonna happen!!)

I keep hearing about more people joining Twitter. I have no idea what Twitter is, but it seems to be "all the craze" lately.

And blogging....

Blogging is contagious!

When I first started blogging (way back on Multiply) it was very sporadic and uninteresting. I mainly posted pictures of the girls for family and friends who don't get to see them on a regular basis. Why did I consider blogging in the first place? Because other people did, and I enjoyed reading their news and looking at their pictures.

Then I started reading more blogs on a regular basis and decided to make the switch to Blogger. I hope that it is a little more interesting, and while I am still feeling out my particular "style" I am really enjoying the fun of blogging.

Since I have already won several contests through other blogs, I have managed to get both of my sisters hooked up with their own blogs. Ha ha suckers!! I think their main purpose is for entering contests, but we'll see in time. Check them out.

Seriously though, Roxanne has already won a blog contest, and since she has the golden touch when it comes to entering contests (how many trips have you won?!?) I'm sure she will be winning many more. Kerrie has also won several contests in the past.

On second thought, maybe I shouldn't have gotten them involved with this. I am going to seriously threaten my chances of winning anything ever again!

Actually I just found out today that I won the books in the Smart Chicks mystery series. 3 books that I can read out on the deck. Excellent! I just love reading outside.

I just realized today that I still have some money sitting in an old account from over 3 years ago that I have never remembered to close. So, I think this weekend I am going to splurge a little and buy myself the patio swing from Costco. I have tried it out at a friend's and it is sooooo wonderful. It is like sitting in a little piece of heaven! Wonderful swinging goodness it is.

So hopefully Costco actually has some left. And hopefully it will fit in the van. I am really looking forward to it. Just ask John. I haven't stopped talking about the swing for about 2 weeks now. He must be getting really tired of listening to me.

Actually I thought that on our first date, when I did the majority of the talking.

But he's a good sport. He actually enjoys listening.

Most of the time.

Unless he is listening to his Ipod.

...Or reading a book.

...Or trying to sleep.

...You get the idea.

Compassion Bloggers

Some of you may know that Compassion US sent 15 bloggers to Uganda this February. They each shared their amazing experiences through their blogs. I learned so much, particularly that I need to be more involved with our own child, Ashly.

Ashly is 4 years old, like Brianna, and she lives in the Dominican Republic. One of the reasons that I chose a child from the DR is that it may be possible to visit with her someday if we ever travel there.

Right now, Compassion is sending another group of bloggers to the DR in November. I have no idea if they are accepting anyone from outside of the US, as I would absolutely love to go, but regardless of who they send, many great stories will be shared. As a result, many more children will be sponsored. How cool is that?

I just added another Compassion banner on the right side of my blog. You can click on it to get more info about Compassion Bloggers.

Summer Planning

This weekend has been a fairly eventful weekend.

Friday night was the Unload worship service.

Saturday morning I drove 30 minutes to another town's greenhouse. I went to this place last year and preferred it to Wynyard's selection and prices. I came home loaded with annuals and a few veggies. I have already planted my planter pot in the front yard, 3 planter boxes and 2 hanging baskets in the backyard. I still have more annuals to plant. I love flowers!

Unfortunately all the seeds I planted indoors have died, except for about 3 green pepper plants which are just starting to grow. Very sad. Last year I put them in the greenhouse too early and the plants weren't very big when it was time to plant them. This year I killed them all. Ugh. At least I tried.

Saturday night was an executive meeting for the preschool. It was a great time of food and visiting, as well as the year end discussions. We all brought our kids and they had a great time too. We are getting so excited that the year is almost finished!! I can't wait to hand over the treasurer books to someone else. I will breathe a big sigh of relief when that is done.

Sunday was church. Nothing too interesting there, but it was nice to have John there again. He should be able to come 2 out of 3 Sundays now with his new schedule, unless his Saturday nights go too long and he's exhausted.

Today we went for a little walk in the light mist this morning. Brie is finally getting excited about riding her bike and now we have to lightly jog to keep up with her.

Speaking of jogging, I have finally gotten back on the treadmill. I have jogged 3 times this past week. My motivation for jogging is to not look hideous in a bathing suit this summer to become more healthy and be a positive role model for my girls.

I don't have a large goal in mind. I would like to lose about 15 pounds and firm up all of that awful jiggly stuff. A friend of mine recently recommended something called "bio oil" to help eliminate those ugly stretch marks. While I am sceptical of any "miracle cure", she says that hers were fading after only a few days. So I plan on looking for this stuff at Walmart next weekend.

When I'm on the treadmill I get so focused on wanting to get off. I've tried praying but I get distracted. I've tried listening to music, but I try to sing(which doesn't work while jogging) or else I get distracted. Last year when we bought our portable DVD player I also bought the entire collection of Friends. This is perfect to watch a sitcom while trying to jog. It keeps me entertained and one episode is just the right amount of time for me. Right now I'm taking a break from Friends on the treadmill because John and I have been watching it together in the evenings. Instead, I have borrowed "The Office" am have just started Season 2. Very enjoyable.

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This morning John and I were online looking at hotels for our little family vacation next month. As he won't get any real vacation time this summer with the shortage of staff, we plan on taking a few smaller stints. So next month we are going to stay with my sister Kerrie and her family for a few nights. Take in the galaxyland toddler time with the girls and who knows what else. Then we are driving early one morning to Calgary where we will have a fun day at the zoo. We are then going to waterslide it and crash before we get up early and drive home the next morning. It will be rushed but hopefully it will be lots of fun, and full of memories.

Next we have to plan a couple camping trips! I love summer!!

Not Much to Say

Sorry for the lack of posts this week (who hasn't heard that one before?) but there just hasn't been much that is "blog worthy".

Last night was Wynyard's second inter-denominational worship service. It is named "Unload", which sounds very contemporary and non-threatening. Although I was disappointed with the lack of people there, it was still very refreshing and encouraging. Plus, it was nice to help lead singing again. By that, I mean singing that isn't a song that is 30-150 years old. Current songs that may or may not be on some CDs at home.

I actually got teary-eyed at one point because I was watching Brie. She was sitting close to the front and trying to sing along while reading the words on the screen! She is only 4 and she is such a great reader already!!

Yesterday was actually a discouraging day. We finally heard back from the Director of the School Board. All we got was another "No". She can't go into K this fall because her birthday is 2 days late. No exceptions. It doesn't matter if she is a bonifide genius, there are no exceptions. However, we are welcome to make an appointment with the director but the answer will still be "no. Nice.

I'm trying hard not to be bitter, but I really wish that someone would take us seriously and look at all of Brie's skills (most of which are learned in K anyways) and make a decision based on her abilities, not her birth date.

Aside from appealing to higher authorities, there is not much else we can do. There was just an announcement a couple of weeks ago about the elementary school being approved for a "pre-K" program. Mostly it is designed for at-risk, low income families, which really doesn't apply to us. However because some of these children would be considered "special needs", they also want to have some role-model children. This pre-K will be run 4 mornings a week (as opposed to the regular 2 morning preschool) and is taught by someone with a Bachelors of Education, not just a ECE/ECD diploma. A friend of mine will most likely be teaching it in 2009 but she thinks we should consider this for Brie. It is an application process (to determine who is most needy and because the program can only hold so many children) so it's not even a sure thing that she would get in.

So it's not preschool (per say) but it's also not Kindergarten. Agh! I just don't know what to do.

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On a completely different note...

Ella has been such a cutie lately. She just coined my new favorite term "cheek munchkin". Essentially it is a kiss on the cheek, but doesn't cheek munchkin sound so much sweeter? I just love having sweet kids!

With the nice warm weather we have finally been getting, we pulled out the sprinklers yesterday. The girls had a great time. John had fun squeezing the hose the then releasing it to try to squirt them both. Ahh...the squeals of delight could be heard from blocks away I'm sure!

It's Here!

It's here!

It's really really here!

I am as giddy as a school girl right now.

Although yesterday after the piano was delivered, I had a sad moment of "I don't have a clue how to play this thing" and "we don't have any music books".

At least not yet.

But I pulled out my music books from Music Pups. I know enough to find "C" and fiddle my way around from there. So I can play songs with one or two sharps/flats but it may take a while to get the correct notes.

I will though. Eventually I will.

My plan this fall is to learn along with Brie. Once we are part way through the year we can assess my "skills" (or lack thereof) and know where to start my lessons.

Oh I am so very excited!

I finally have my piano!!

Backyardigans High Flying Adventures Giveaway

Props and Pans (which I have won from before) is giving away a new DVD of the Backyardigans. High Flying Adventures is sure to keep my girls entertained so that I can get some stuff done around the house. The girls love watching the Backyardigans. Ella even mimics the dance at the beginning while the song is playing. I think the favorite character between the two is probably Uniqua. She is a girl and she is different, so she appeals to both of my girls!

Anyone can enter with an email address, although an extra entry is given for blogging about it.

Cupcake Courier Giveaway # 5

As I mentioned in a previous post, Mommies United is giving away one Cupcake Courier a week for 12 weeks. My friend from college, Amanda, already has won one of these. They look fabulous.



This week is week 5 so there are still lots of chances to win.

Here is what you need to do this week to win your very own carrier...
Post your favorite cupcake recipe on your blog and tell your readers about the contest.
Don't forget to tell us about the toppings or frosting also. YUMMMMMY!
If you do not have a blog, then email us your recipe and copy at least two friends on the recipe with a quick blurb about our contest.
We will randomly select a winner next Friday evening. GOOD LUCK!





There is a really sweet cookbook that I have seen called "Hello Cupcakes" that I would like for more decorating ideas, but my very favorite creation of mine has to be this one.

I made these for Ella's 2nd birthday. Having 2 girls birthdays in the same week I wanted to give them each their own creations, yet I didn't want to spend 36 hours in the kitchen trying to decorate both at the same time. I found this on the Martha Stewart website and loved it. Ella's birthday is in January so snowmen seemed like a good idea.

To simplify life, I used a cake mix and made it with plain yogurt instead of yucky oil. Then I iced with white icing. Marshmallows make up the body, with the top one cut to make smaller than the bottom. I had fun looking at decorations for the head. Icing was used for the face. I found gummy hats and licorice pull-aparts for the scarves.

This was a big hit with kids and grownups alike. I will definitely make these again sometime. But not now, because I'm currently trying to forget winter ever existed!

I Thought Mother's Day Was Supposed To Be Relaxing

I woke up this morning with grand thoughts of having idealistic children all day today. Children who wouldn't fight or scream, children who would quietly sit still in church the entire time, children who would not cry or whine and children who would entertain themselves all day while I relaxed with a good book and a cup of tea.

Not even 5 minutes after getting out of bed I was already yelling at the girls to stop yelling. (Why is it that we think yelling at them will teach them to stop yelling?!?)

Ella sat still for all of 5 minutes at church.

The girls are both exhausted and miserable after being at a fun 3 1/2 hour birthday party yesterday. This has led to runny noses and coughs and multiple reasons for whining and crying.

Brie broke into tears in the foyer of the church because she was "thirsty". I'm not too sure why that required tears but there you have it.

Ella has peed on the floor multiple times today and I have lots of wet stinky laundry to do. Again.

A bumblebee made its way into my house. I bravely opened the door and waited for its exit.

Arg! I am exhausted. It sucks to spend Mother's Day with my husband at work and leaving me to deal with the crabby children by myself all day.

Here are some good things about today:

The carnation I got from church.

The beautiful picture Brie drew for me of us 3 girls.

The chocolates from my girls.

Ella was bouncing everywhere after I finally let her have 1 chocolate after supper. She certainly gets her love of chocolate from me!

The gift certificate from John for a massage in town. I will be booking an appointment very shortly!

The gift certificate from John for a pedicure at Spa Ahava.

I have never been for a pedicure and I am absolutely THRILLED!

It is a "Raspberry Chocolate Spa Pedicure". It sounds delicious.

Soak in a raspberry parfait foot soak, a raspberry chocolate exfoliation and finish with a very berry sundae massage. Sealed with a chocolate paraffin treatment.

I have a feeling I may want to eat chocolate after that is done. Too bad these ones I got today won't last.

I think after my day today I definitely deserve the massage and pedicure. I may have to plan a "Me" day in the city without children.

Oh yes, I will have to plan it soon! Pedicure, friends, relaxation....ahhhhh.

The Tuthillo

Momsviews has another giveaway for a Tuthillo (prounced tooth-illo).

I have no idea when Brie will start to lose her baby teeth, maybe not for another year or two, but I would like to be prepared for whenever it happens. It looks like a great way to hold her teeth until the "tooth fairy" aka me or John comes to collect them.

The contest runs from May 5th - May 16th and a winner will be announced on May 17th.

One of the Reasons I Love Being a Mom

Just before lunch today I went out for a few minutes.

When I returned, Brie said that she had a secret but couldn't tell me.

I didn't really think much of that, as she is often quite secretive.

Actually she is very secretive. Whenever she comes home from preschool or dance we ask her about her time there. Most of her responses are something like "I don't want to tell you about it".

Need I remind you that she is only 4 years old?

She shouldn't be lacking in the communication area.

I think we are in trouble with her in the years to come.

Yikes.

Anyways, back to today...

So we all sit down to eat lunch.

Ella starts talking, like she always does. She is talking in a "whisper" voice for this entire conversation.

Ella: Mom, we're gonna have chocolate!
Me: We are?
Ella: Yes, it's for you!
Me: It is? (WOO HOO!)
Ella: Yes, but it's a secret
(John meanwhile is staring her down, willing her to stop talking)
Me: Oh. (Really, what else was I supposed to say at this point?)
Ella: So don't tell anyone.

What sweet kids I have. Brie knows to keep the secret, but she can't help herself to tell me that there is a secret. Ella, well....she just lets the whole cat out of the bag. It was quite adorable.

I guess I know that I'm getting chocolate for Mother's Day, but I'm okay with it. Part of the joy of kids is watching their joy as they tell someone a secret.

I hope all of you mothers out there can enjoy and appreciate those moments with your kids this weekend too. Happy Mother's Day!

Empty Spaces

I anxiously woke up way too early this morning awaiting its arrival!

I couldn't get back to sleep so I finally gave up and went out to the dining room to see this empty space for the last time.

I ended up pacing back and forth while the clock slowly ticked by.

Eventually the clock struck 11:00 am so I paced some more by the front window.

At 11:10 the phone rang.

I excitedly answered the phone, expecting it to be my delivery.

It was the delivery man.

He had bad news.

His stupid truck lost its starter.

How on earth does a starter get lost? Shouldn't it be attached quite well to the truck?

Now he can't come back until Monday afternoon.

After 22 years of waiting, I now have to wait another 4 days.

I WANT MY PIANO NOW!!!

Dancing Princess

Lately Brianna has been repeating everything I say.
Lately Brianna has been repeating everything I say.

It still makes me kinda giggle.
It still makes me kinda giggle.

But as you can imagine, it gets old pretty quick!
But as you can imagine, it gets old pretty quick!

Oh to be 4 years old again.

This weekend is her dance recital.

Up until this week I have really had no idea the dates or times for the recital. It has been driving me crazy not knowing anything.

I must say that this dance "organization" is certainly not organized! All of us "first time" moms feel so clueless and stressed out because we have absolutely NO IDEA what was going on for anything.

We are thinking of starting a support group for next years "first timers".

Seriously!

It was not fun trying to figure out stuff last minute. Even our group's assigned mom didn't have a clue. She was in charge of costumes and figured that she would go to a meeting or something to find out more info. Nope. Apparently dance is a "throw you to the wolves" type of organization. Yikes.

Well, now we know. The other moms must have been laughing at us...knowing that we were clueless, and that they too, had been there before. Thanks for nothing ladies!

The good thing about this all was watching Brie. At the dress rehearsal last night she was absolutely in awe of the older dancers. Her eyes barely left the stage. When we finally came home (after 2 1/2 hours and they had barely even started!! This is an entirely different complaint) she was twirling and dancing in the dining room for quite a while.

She just loves dancing! I am so glad that we have this activity for her. Usually if you ask her for a favorite of anything (food, book, friend...etc) her answer is always "all of them". She doesn't pick favorites. Except for color, which is red. And dance. She loves to dance.

Her little group of 6 kids carried little shovels and danced to "Hi Ho" from Snow White. It was absolutely adorable. Some were extra energetic and some were looking backstage to see what to do next. I wish I could have brought our camcorder but we have to buy the stupid DVD of the entire recital. It irks me that they sucker you in to buy the whole thing, but really what choice do we have? I want the video of her because it is so cute. Her age group is definitely the crowd favorite.

Now I'm also suckered in for next year. I can't wait to see what she'll be doing then.

Hopefully it won't be so stressful.

Live in Sask? Get a Free Tree!

On May 7 and 8, Sask Power customers can get a Free Eastern Red Cedar seedling by visiting any of their 29 customer service offices.



The Shand Greenhouse seedling programs play a significant role in reinforcing SaskPower’s commitment to encourage conservation as part of the corporation’s efforts to offset the impact of fossil fuel-fired electricity generation.

Vote For Tara

A friend of mine from college is a finalist for a $1000 Mother's Day prize! I love the picture that she entered of her son giving her a hug. It speaks volumes!

Take a second to vote for her! I know she would really appreciate it.

Good and Bad

Bleck! I am sick again.

I was sick earlier this week with horrible stomach cramps and related stuff.

Now I feel like a train wreck with the fevers and runny nose.

Agh! This sucks.

Wasn't it just last month that I dealt with the worst illness ever?

I am a miserable sick person.

Sorry that you have to "listen" to my whining.


Now that this is out of my system, here is some good news!

Last week while we were in Saskatoon I decided to buy some panties for Ella. She first started showing signs of being ready for potty training around 18 months.

I'm not talking about the signs that people from our parent's generation talk about. My mom, bless her, says that all kids can be trained by 18 months. Unfortunately this was back in the day of yucky cloth diapers that didn't absorb anything. Today's diapers are sometimes too good at absorbing so the kids never know or care about it.

Before Christmas, Ella was actually telling us when she had to go. I'm not sure what happened, if we got reliant on her telling us, or what, but we actually did some backsliding.

Yet she often wakes up in the morning completely dry. Very good sign!

The thing that worked best back when we trained Brie was to get rid of the pullups. Let's face it, they are no better than diapers anyways. The only difference is that they "pull up" instead. I remember finally getting to a place where I couldn't take the diapers anymore. So they got pushed into the closet and out came the panties. Best decision ever! She was fully trained in a couple of weeks!

Now I don't expect it to be this easy again with Ella, but it sure would be nice! She is a little more stubborn (okay she is a LOT more stubborn) but she really wants to be a big girl.

We are on day 3 of panties and today was great. We only had one accident the entire day. Very successful I would say. She still isn't telling us when she needs to go, but it will happen soon. And can I just say....without this being interpreted as perverted....that her little bum looks so darling in those tiny pairs of underwear.

Ahhh...I am just imagining our future days of being completely diaper free. What a wonderful time that will be!!