Hopefully I'll get around to telling the story behind this whole crazy house thing, but for now I'll leave you with some pics of Fred and I.
Happy anniversary Freddie! Thanks for my new house.
I love this crazy guy!
One Thing
5 weeks ago
Friday, May 20, 2011
Happy Anniversay honey! Here's your house!
Today is our 11th wedding anniversary, and we celebrated in style. Fred bought me a house (we closed last night at 8:30 pm). He also bought me a house for my birthday when I turned 28. Pretty awesome husband, eh?
Hopefully I'll get around to telling the story behind this whole crazy house thing, but for now I'll leave you with some pics of Fred and I.
Happy anniversary Freddie! Thanks for my new house.
Hopefully I'll get around to telling the story behind this whole crazy house thing, but for now I'll leave you with some pics of Fred and I.
Happy anniversary Freddie! Thanks for my new house.
Monday, May 16, 2011
He's 7... no wait, he's 8 months!
Holy growing baby, batman! Mattias is 8 months old. And I can tell my life is about to be over very soon, for this little stinker has learned to pull himself up! Noooooo!
He's not yet crawling, but that's going to happen anytime soon. Just in time for a 10 hour plane ride to Portugal. If there was ever a time it's okay to drug your baby...
(I am so not advocating giving your baby medicine just so they will sleep... that was what is known as a JOKE!)
This little boy has personality to spare and a smile to go with it. He LOVES to flirt with the ladies... it is soooooo funny to watch. Anywhere, anytime... I catch him making eyes at any female who will smile back at him.
Being the mother of a little boy is soooo different than a girl. He is my little energizer bunny, always on the go. I love when he gets sleepy though, that's the only time he'll stay still enough to snuggle. So sweet!
Hopefully the 9 month update will be more in depth. And on time.
He's not yet crawling, but that's going to happen anytime soon. Just in time for a 10 hour plane ride to Portugal. If there was ever a time it's okay to drug your baby...
(I am so not advocating giving your baby medicine just so they will sleep... that was what is known as a JOKE!)
This little boy has personality to spare and a smile to go with it. He LOVES to flirt with the ladies... it is soooooo funny to watch. Anywhere, anytime... I catch him making eyes at any female who will smile back at him.
Being the mother of a little boy is soooo different than a girl. He is my little energizer bunny, always on the go. I love when he gets sleepy though, that's the only time he'll stay still enough to snuggle. So sweet!
Hopefully the 9 month update will be more in depth. And on time.
STANDING... and playing
Happy boy!
The stink eye
Sweet smile!
Toothless grin
What did I tell you about his smile?
ohmygosh, I want to eat him up!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
My gift is a blog post, and Freddie... this one's for you
April 30th has always been a special day. It's my Mom's birthday. I have probably 5 or so friends that also celebrate the anniversary of their birth on this day.
But best of all, it's the day that my wonderful husband came into this world.
I can remember, at the ripe old age of 20 and 3 months, telling my Mom that I was going to marry Fred. We had only been dating for a short time, but I knew this was the man for me. My Mom told me that there was no way I could know such a thing, but I guess we all know how was right on that one, eh Mom? I win!
Anyway, back to Fred. This birthday happens to be a big one. I won't tell you exactly how old he is, but it sounds like 40. And since I'm such a wonderful wife, I have put together a huge surprise party, with catering, hired a band, an airplane will do a fly-over with a banner reading, "Happy Birthday to the BEST husband ever!" And at the exact moment of Fred's birth, we will release 40 doves into the air.
No... wait. None of that will be happening. Because I am the crappiest wife in the world.
I had such plans for this day. I was trying to orchestrate a surprise (not the one above) that would have been so much fun. But it didn't happen. Because if 2011 has been the year of the crap sandwich for this family, then the month of April has been the big, stinkin' pile of sauerkraut on that sandwich.
I hate sauerkraut.
And I have dropped the ball, big time. And I hate that. Because Fred deserves so much more than a crappy blog post and a failed attempt at a birthday celebration.
Fred, I am so sorry. I feel like I failed you. I know our life has been so difficult lately, but that is no excuse. You truly are the most amazing husband and father to our kids that I could ask for. I also know I haven't been the most fun person to be around, but yet you still stand beside me, picking me up when I fall.
I don't ever really write a whole lot about Fred on here, but I wish all of you could know him. I wrote a post for our anniversary a few years ago,, and wanted to include an excerpt of it, because I think it paints the perfect picture of who Fred is:
He loves me despite my many quirks. Even better, he embraces them and doesn't try to change me. He is one of the hardest workers I've ever met, and has never complained once over the last 11 years that our family relies on him, and him only as our income source. Although our senses of humour are very different, he still cracks me up on a daily basis.
If you are lucky enough to call him your friend, you know how he goes the extra mile for the people he loves. If you asked for the shirt off of his back, he would give it to you. And his pants. And, if it wasn't so gross, probably his underwear too.
He doesn't get my love for Lost, but will watch it with me... mainly because it's in HD. He will sometimes show up at lunchtime during a weekday and bring me Chick-fil-a. On Sunday, he mopped the floors for me. I know he loves me and will do almost anything to make me happy. We're talking about a guy who has flown to 4 different states to see my favourite band 7 different times. Love? I think so!
Above all else, he is a wonderful, Godly man. He knows he isn't perfect, but tries his best to live his life according to God's word. He is an amazing example to our kids of what a husband should be.
Over the past 15 years (4 years dating, almost 11 married), we have gone hot air ballooning, driven through Europe, rafted 10 rivers, bought a house, hiked in Hawaii, been extras on an X-Files episode, racked up over $75,000 worth of debt, paid off over $75,000 worth of debt, skied Jackson Hole, jumped off a 30 foot cliff and made a beautiful daughter and son together.
I am so thankful for our marriage. I feel blessed beyond all measure to call Fred my best friend, father of our kids and best of all... my husband.
Happy Birthday Freddie. I love you.
But best of all, it's the day that my wonderful husband came into this world.
I can remember, at the ripe old age of 20 and 3 months, telling my Mom that I was going to marry Fred. We had only been dating for a short time, but I knew this was the man for me. My Mom told me that there was no way I could know such a thing, but I guess we all know how was right on that one, eh Mom? I win!
Anyway, back to Fred. This birthday happens to be a big one. I won't tell you exactly how old he is, but it sounds like 40. And since I'm such a wonderful wife, I have put together a huge surprise party, with catering, hired a band, an airplane will do a fly-over with a banner reading, "Happy Birthday to the BEST husband ever!" And at the exact moment of Fred's birth, we will release 40 doves into the air.
No... wait. None of that will be happening. Because I am the crappiest wife in the world.
I had such plans for this day. I was trying to orchestrate a surprise (not the one above) that would have been so much fun. But it didn't happen. Because if 2011 has been the year of the crap sandwich for this family, then the month of April has been the big, stinkin' pile of sauerkraut on that sandwich.
I hate sauerkraut.
And I have dropped the ball, big time. And I hate that. Because Fred deserves so much more than a crappy blog post and a failed attempt at a birthday celebration.
Fred, I am so sorry. I feel like I failed you. I know our life has been so difficult lately, but that is no excuse. You truly are the most amazing husband and father to our kids that I could ask for. I also know I haven't been the most fun person to be around, but yet you still stand beside me, picking me up when I fall.
I don't ever really write a whole lot about Fred on here, but I wish all of you could know him. I wrote a post for our anniversary a few years ago,, and wanted to include an excerpt of it, because I think it paints the perfect picture of who Fred is:
He loves me despite my many quirks. Even better, he embraces them and doesn't try to change me. He is one of the hardest workers I've ever met, and has never complained once over the last 11 years that our family relies on him, and him only as our income source. Although our senses of humour are very different, he still cracks me up on a daily basis.
If you are lucky enough to call him your friend, you know how he goes the extra mile for the people he loves. If you asked for the shirt off of his back, he would give it to you. And his pants. And, if it wasn't so gross, probably his underwear too.
He doesn't get my love for Lost, but will watch it with me... mainly because it's in HD. He will sometimes show up at lunchtime during a weekday and bring me Chick-fil-a. On Sunday, he mopped the floors for me. I know he loves me and will do almost anything to make me happy. We're talking about a guy who has flown to 4 different states to see my favourite band 7 different times. Love? I think so!
Above all else, he is a wonderful, Godly man. He knows he isn't perfect, but tries his best to live his life according to God's word. He is an amazing example to our kids of what a husband should be.
Over the past 15 years (4 years dating, almost 11 married), we have gone hot air ballooning, driven through Europe, rafted 10 rivers, bought a house, hiked in Hawaii, been extras on an X-Files episode, racked up over $75,000 worth of debt, paid off over $75,000 worth of debt, skied Jackson Hole, jumped off a 30 foot cliff and made a beautiful daughter and son together.
I am so thankful for our marriage. I feel blessed beyond all measure to call Fred my best friend, father of our kids and best of all... my husband.
Happy Birthday Freddie. I love you.
And you can tell everybody this is your blog post
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
Thursday, April 21, 2011
You can label me ticked off
Dear speech therapist who was so determined to slap a label on my son,
On Tuesday, I brought my 7-month old son to see you because he seemed to have some feeding issues. Within about 10 minutes of meeting him, you had decided that he has Sensory Integration Disorder.
Your basis for this diagnosis? First off, he didn't like it when you donned those bright blue gloves and started touching his face.
I'm guessing that to a baby, having your face touched by some crazy blue hands that belong to a complete stranger is the equivalent of someone I just met giving me a pap smear. Please... say hello, introduce yourself and shake my hand before sticking that speculum up my bajingo.
You were also concerned that he didn't like to have his face wiped. How about I hold YOU down in a chair and proceed to wipe a towel repeatedly over your mouth and see how happy it makes you.
What nailed it for you is when he refused to eat your jar of nasty, no-name carrots. Well crap... I can't say that I blame him. If you had told me, I could have brought him something halfway decent. Perhaps he's a bit of a food snob.
Isn't 7 months a little young to be labeling someone? And what of these labels, anyway? Why does everyone have to be something. Why can't my son just be an adorably quirky guy who doesn't like to eat some days? You're saying that anyone who doesn't fit the standard (read: boring) mold, must have something wrong with them. What a crock. Take me for example:
I don't like the feel of corduroy or velvet
I can't stand shirts with only one pocket.
Crowds bother me.
I don't like people I don't know standing too close to me.
High pitched noises are like nails on a blackboard to me. So are nails on a blackboard.
I hate the smell of fish, I think football is boring, and I abhor it when people pee on the toilet seat and don't clean up after themselves.
I also don't suffer fools.
Gee, if you were recommending 60-90 minute therapy sessions, 3 days a week for a baby that didn't want to be touched by you, I can only imagine that you would have me institutionalized.
You know what, despite my many issues... I turned out pretty okay. Without intensive therapy.
I respect that you went to school and received your degree in this, but my gut, mom-tuition, and bullshit detector trump those letters after your name any day.
Yours very sincerely (and quirkily),
Joanne
On Tuesday, I brought my 7-month old son to see you because he seemed to have some feeding issues. Within about 10 minutes of meeting him, you had decided that he has Sensory Integration Disorder.
Your basis for this diagnosis? First off, he didn't like it when you donned those bright blue gloves and started touching his face.
I'm guessing that to a baby, having your face touched by some crazy blue hands that belong to a complete stranger is the equivalent of someone I just met giving me a pap smear. Please... say hello, introduce yourself and shake my hand before sticking that speculum up my bajingo.
You were also concerned that he didn't like to have his face wiped. How about I hold YOU down in a chair and proceed to wipe a towel repeatedly over your mouth and see how happy it makes you.
What nailed it for you is when he refused to eat your jar of nasty, no-name carrots. Well crap... I can't say that I blame him. If you had told me, I could have brought him something halfway decent. Perhaps he's a bit of a food snob.
Isn't 7 months a little young to be labeling someone? And what of these labels, anyway? Why does everyone have to be something. Why can't my son just be an adorably quirky guy who doesn't like to eat some days? You're saying that anyone who doesn't fit the standard (read: boring) mold, must have something wrong with them. What a crock. Take me for example:
I don't like the feel of corduroy or velvet
I can't stand shirts with only one pocket.
Crowds bother me.
I don't like people I don't know standing too close to me.
High pitched noises are like nails on a blackboard to me. So are nails on a blackboard.
I hate the smell of fish, I think football is boring, and I abhor it when people pee on the toilet seat and don't clean up after themselves.
I also don't suffer fools.
Gee, if you were recommending 60-90 minute therapy sessions, 3 days a week for a baby that didn't want to be touched by you, I can only imagine that you would have me institutionalized.
You know what, despite my many issues... I turned out pretty okay. Without intensive therapy.
I respect that you went to school and received your degree in this, but my gut, mom-tuition, and bullshit detector trump those letters after your name any day.
Yours very sincerely (and quirkily),
Joanne
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Take me out to the ball game
On Wednesday we decided to take our kiddos to see the (then) undefeated Texas Rangers. I was a little bit leery because three years later, the memories of Elise's first game still haunt me. There was much screaming. And home runs by the Rangers. That second part is important because every time the Rangers would hit a homer, the fireworks would go off and the screaming would start anew. I think we left after the 3rd inning.
Strangely enough, the Rangers were playing the same team as Elise's inaugural game... the Seattle Mariners. I hoped that wasn't going to be a sign. Thankfully, despite arriving a few innings late, we had a great time. Elise LOVES going to the ballpark, and Mattias did amazing, falling asleep towards the end. And the Rangers won, so.. Woo-hoo!
Strangely enough, the Rangers were playing the same team as Elise's inaugural game... the Seattle Mariners. I hoped that wasn't going to be a sign. Thankfully, despite arriving a few innings late, we had a great time. Elise LOVES going to the ballpark, and Mattias did amazing, falling asleep towards the end. And the Rangers won, so.. Woo-hoo!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Shots of joy
If you read my other blog, you know that life has been rough lately. Actually, rough is a bit of an understatement.
The other day, as I was sitting around bemoaning my situation, it dawned on me that maybe the reason joy was lacking in my life was due to the fact that I was sitting around, waiting for joy to come to me.
So I packed up the kids, headed to a local park, and went looking for joy. And you know what?
I found it.
I found joy in his beautiful baby blues
In her fearlessness
In the fact that she actually let me put jeans on her today, and declared, "you know, I don't really mind wearing jeans."
The other day, as I was sitting around bemoaning my situation, it dawned on me that maybe the reason joy was lacking in my life was due to the fact that I was sitting around, waiting for joy to come to me.
So I packed up the kids, headed to a local park, and went looking for joy. And you know what?
I found it.
I found joy in his beautiful baby blues
In her fearlessness
In the fact that she actually let me put jeans on her today, and declared, "you know, I don't really mind wearing jeans."
In his adorably, crazy hair
In open-mouthed looks of wonder (a fire truck was driving by with lights and sirens)
In her smile
In trying new things, and liking it!
In seeing just how big she really is
In swinging...
Swinging...
Swinging! And loving it!
Even in trying new things and hating it (not a big fan of the grass)
In seeing beauty, everywhere.
In seeing beauty, everywhere.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Elise-isms
I've been calling these posts, "Things Elise Says", but I think I'll steal Jade's idea and call them "Elise-isms".I'm from Canadian (for some reason she thinks the U.S. is called Canadian. I'm from Canada, but she's from Canadian. Love it!)
Hey Mattias, what's up with your bad self? - I overheard her say this to Mattias the other day.
Me: Where do you want to go for dinner, Elise?
Elise: The place with the cooker and the choo-choo train
Translation: Benihana... that girl has some expensive tastes!
You make my heart happy - she said this to me the other day.
Me: Hey Elise, what is you're favourite thing about skating?
Elise: Falling down
Oh, that's so lovely! - her response to me telling her that the quilt we were using was made and given to her by Liz, one of her favourite people.
Mom, I'm going on an airplane to visit God in heaven, okay? - I went downstairs to find her sitting on the sofa with her backpack, and children's bible.
Me: Elise, it's time to stop whispering and go to sleep!
Elise: I'm not whispering, Mom... I'm talking to God.
How am I supposed to argue with that?
Friday, March 18, 2011
Yeah... they're pretty cute
These videos were shot almost three years apart...
(there's sound in both of them, so have your speakers on)
(there's sound in both of them, so have your speakers on)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
6 of one...
Dear Mattias,Just 6 short months ago, you made your appearance into our lives, yet I cannot remember a time that you were not a part of this family. Life with you these days is so much fun, albeit busier than I ever thought possible.
It is a gross understatement to say that you are THE happiest baby in the world. And it's not just your biased Mom saying this. It is everyone who comes into contact with you. You are quick to smile and laugh, and your little boy "chortle" makes my heart super happy (sorry, your sister has damaged my brain).
For some reason, you are wary of men. If one even approaches you, your eyes get ever-so-watchful, and your mouth starts to twitch; ready to scream lest someone without breasts (who isn't your Poppa) try to wrest you from my grasp. But oh my... you love the ladies, charming them with your baby blues and gummy grins.
You love your sister, who has taken to calling you Teeus. She entertains you daily with her singing and dancing routines. In return, you grab onto her hair and pull, squealing with great delight at your prize. Thankfully, she finds this funny. I pray that you grow up being great friends and remain close throughout your life.
You have discovered your "man bits", and like to grab and twist your junk at every opportunity. Now granted, I do not own this particular piece of equipment, but it is my understanding that doing that should hurt. Not so with you. You are a very strange little guy. I love you for that.
You are rockin' the "ba ba ba ba" and "ma ma ma ma". In fact, you are very vocal, and make many wonderful sounds. I just wish you wouldn't wake up 3 or 4 times a night and make them.
Little man... there is just so much to love about you. The way you pull back when I'm holding you so you can look at my face and smile. The way as soon as anything comes within your reach, your tiny hand shoots out to grab at it. Your crazy red-ish hair that never lays quite right. Your eyes. Your grin. The way you smell.
You are wonderful and I love you. Happy 6 months Teeus!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
400!
Posts, that is. Actually, this one is number 402.
So, because I can, here are some more seemingly random facts about lil ol' me. Because it's my blog and I'll post meaningless drivel if I want to.
1. I have now had 8 surgeries (femur x3, jaw x2, knee and c-section x2). That's a whole lotta slicing and dicing. At one point I had 2 plates, 9 screws, and 2 pins inside of me.
2. When I was a kid, I used to find money. A lot. The best was when I found $10 at the age of 8 or so. People used to think I was lucky, but I just walked with my head down a lot.
6. Both my babies were born the day after labour day.
7. I think Conan O'Brien is (was? still is?) the absolute funniest late night host. Leno is okay (although my opinion of him went downhill after the whole Conan thing), and Letterman is nothing but a creepy old man who stares at the chests of his female guests. And he's not funny at all. And he's gross.
8. My 30th birthday (on which I turned 30 on the 30th - isn't that your golden birthday or something?) was pretty much the BEST birthday EVER! We were in NYC, and I got to see a taping of Conan. Plus My favourite band, the Hothouse Flowers were performing on a boat that cruised around the Statue of Liberty that night and they had the whole boat sing me Happy Birthday. Gush, gush, gush! Oh... I just happen to have a picture from that night... don't I look rested and happy?
9. Actually, 2006 was the best year ever. White water rafting in Idaho (no, you da ho), NYC trip, Hawaii, and we found out we were pregnant with Elise... on Christmas Eve, no less.
10. I just cut off 8 inches of hair. Because I have so much hair, it was enough to donate two ponytails... except in all the ensuing chaos of trying to get the house ready for showing, I can't find the baggie of hair I was supposed to mail. Hopefully a potential buyer won't stumble across it as they walk through our house. That would be a little weird.
So tah-da. Ten things about me! Plus one uber-cute picture of my kiddos.
So, because I can, here are some more seemingly random facts about lil ol' me. Because it's my blog and I'll post meaningless drivel if I want to.
1. I have now had 8 surgeries (femur x3, jaw x2, knee and c-section x2). That's a whole lotta slicing and dicing. At one point I had 2 plates, 9 screws, and 2 pins inside of me.
2. When I was a kid, I used to find money. A lot. The best was when I found $10 at the age of 8 or so. People used to think I was lucky, but I just walked with my head down a lot.
3. I don't like Disney World/Land. Adults who go without kids strike me as a wee bit creepy.
4. I am the mother of a boy who is almost 6 months old, and I haven't been peed on yet. Although now that I've said it, I'm expecting it to happen any diaper change now.
5. If I ever won the lottery (or came into a lot of money somehow), I would donate a good chunk of it to diabetes research for a cure, pay off our house, and then invest what is left over. No crazy splurges for me. I'm boring like that. Mmmm, wait. My one splurge would be to get all my D-Peeps (fellow parents of diabetics, and persons with diabetes) together for a weekend of fun.
6. Both my babies were born the day after labour day.
7. I think Conan O'Brien is (was? still is?) the absolute funniest late night host. Leno is okay (although my opinion of him went downhill after the whole Conan thing), and Letterman is nothing but a creepy old man who stares at the chests of his female guests. And he's not funny at all. And he's gross.
8. My 30th birthday (on which I turned 30 on the 30th - isn't that your golden birthday or something?) was pretty much the BEST birthday EVER! We were in NYC, and I got to see a taping of Conan. Plus My favourite band, the Hothouse Flowers were performing on a boat that cruised around the Statue of Liberty that night and they had the whole boat sing me Happy Birthday. Gush, gush, gush! Oh... I just happen to have a picture from that night... don't I look rested and happy?
9. Actually, 2006 was the best year ever. White water rafting in Idaho (no, you da ho), NYC trip, Hawaii, and we found out we were pregnant with Elise... on Christmas Eve, no less.
10. I just cut off 8 inches of hair. Because I have so much hair, it was enough to donate two ponytails... except in all the ensuing chaos of trying to get the house ready for showing, I can't find the baggie of hair I was supposed to mail. Hopefully a potential buyer won't stumble across it as they walk through our house. That would be a little weird.
So tah-da. Ten things about me! Plus one uber-cute picture of my kiddos.
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