After someone called to see if we were okay - "It had been a while since you had blogged" - I thought I should do a little post to update everyone.

It has been a little overwhelming over the last few weeks...we finished off the summer with a wonderful camping trip to Fintry. Met some new friends and spent some time with old friends as well as family. It was a wonderful way to end the summer. Only problem is I really didn't want the summer break to end (other than my deserate feeling to replenish my bank account) it was wonderful to be home with the girls...I'm even questioning if $ was not such an issue if I would be staying home with them and giving home school a shot. Any way no need to live in the what if's this is where God seems to want me right now..so here I am...trying to figure out what exactly I am suppose to be learning along this journey called life.

Kids are back to school...I'm back to work and the days seem to be flying by. We are preparing for Disneyland and Darren's going back to school in October...Well we are off to a pick nick trying to enjoy every last moment of the good weather before it gets to cold and dreary...

Bye for now.

Makenna's birthday. Probably the best kids party we have had yet. "Fish" was the theme. So I made the fish cake (check out the pic! pretty good huh?!). We made fish necklaces, tackle boxes, fished for money, swam, jumped on the tramp, ate cake and opened presents. The kids had fun but were not flying around all high on sugar. Everyone did what they wanted and I was okay with that. There were a few friends missing but we made it so we would see them at differnet times.

Over a week...better get to updating....

Annaliis's family is back from Europe and our family is getting back to some normalcy. I'm loving being home with the girls again! I was finding the running around between her house and ours very time consuming. Also trying to be with her downstairs and the girls upstairs was impossible.

Darren worked this morning to make up some hours he'll be missing Monday for a funeral. Sue, Vaughn's (Darren's little Brother thru Big Bro's) mom passed away after a battle with Cancer. Vaughn is now 20 but I get that this will wear on him in it's own unique way that lossing someone we love does in all of us.

Makenna and Mickala both had friends over. Shanti is staying for a sleepover. So we ventured into our first time of "streaking" the hair for the two of them. I panicked a little and Mickala's barely show so far.... Makenna has been starting all of her craft kits she got for her birthday...painting away.

I would tell you Tiggy is starting to mellow but that would just bring on a bought of "hyper cat". We tried not putting her in the basement so we could sleep but she kept insisting that lights being turned off actually means play time. That must be cat language. As you can tell I'm still in training.

Nt for now.

Is it Friday already? Where did the week go...oh ya...shopping with Diane...

Today has been nice and easy going...my friend Kathy's 3 kids, my two and
Annaliis helping where she can...I have made soap with them (using a very easy cheater kit from Michaels - now there would be my not so good place to work as I would spend all if not more than my share of my pay cheque!). Made some french toast and turkey sausage for lunch...peaches - yum! Doing laundry galore...mine plus Annaliis's as she just got back from camp.

Went to see Cat's last nt...it was a rehearsal nt and Annaliis had invited all four of us to go with her...I thought "not a bad way to spend my anniversary" after all we are currently on empty in the $ department after last weeks shopping extravaganza. Did I mention that I really had not thought out the whole picture...the part where Makenna has not been feeling 100% and that the kids attention span - although better than some kids is not that of adults yet...they wormed they kicked, they talked, they asked a million times if it was over yet...so when the first intermission hit...I tried to talk to them about their behaviour but was remprimanded by some nice woman in front of me that tried to tell me that it's okay they are just learning and they will basically grow up to be well adjusted adults who will not be mass murders. So Darren and I took about 30 seconds to discuss the fact that there was at least another 50 minutes left...and we decided that for our children to live to see the light of day it was best that we let them leave (as they were asking). Darren took them to DQ for a treat - I stayed with Annaliis thinking of how nice it would be to feel that oh so soft Gap cotton of his t-shirt (Diane - he really liked it!). Once home and in bed we decided we should try our anniversary date night another time.

So here I sit another late nt...after my Mon and Wed swims I somehow feel more inspired to post...

Diane (my girlfriend who I have known since I was 3) has been here since Friday for the big "20 year George Pringle Secondary Grad reunion"....we have been shopping, visiting, dancing, eating, shopping, more shopping, more eating and more shopping...(get the picture?)...well today we went down memory lane and visited our old stomping grounds where we hung out when we were teenagers...thought it would be fun for our kids to see what the moms did when they were growing up...so off to "Mariners Reef Waterslide" we went...you know your old when you tell the kids you used to be able to buy a season's pass for $25. bucks - now a day admission is $18....the girls refused to go down the "River Ride" which was the best part when we were teens...But that's okay because instead of getting "tube burn" I hurt my foot! (can you hear the whining in my voice?) - going down one of the kiddy slides!

The grad reunion was nice...a little bit more challenging as I was fighting a chest infection and decided I should try it sober...but nice to see everyone...some have changed others have not...everyone tells me I look exactly the same...not sure if that's a compliment or an insult but I'll take it as I still look very young (hee hee). It was an opportunity to tie up a loose end with a friend I felt I had let down years before...and to touch base with others I have often thought about.

Nite.

Another late night rant...survived another day!!!

What does it say about your life when you go see the doctor and she's all full of sarcasm? (In the nicest of ways!) I told her I had quit my job with LES...she wanted to know what I was going to be doing...so I explained ...working for a stair manufacturer...front office type stuff...shipping, receiving, quoting customers...etc...she responds with ..."WOW that will be great!!! But do you think you can handle a job with no to little stress where you arn't saving the world?" Guess that is her way of saying she feels I made a good choice...after all no one's life depends on if the stair quote gets done at that very moment!! Oh - I'm so looking forward to the new job...even if it is low key!

It's 10:07pm Wed nt...Just got home from Aquafit...it has been a long week and it's only hump day! I hope I sleep well today!

On a more positive note...I had an awesome day (stong on the "day" word) with Mickala...Makenna spent the day with her friend and Mickala had the choice of hanging with a friend or hanging with me and she decided to hang with me...it was nice just being with her - not mediating between her and Makenna...not riding her to do this and that just being...definatly my high for the day! I so crave more one on one time with the girls...I love just hearing about their ideas, I want to know what makes their hearts sing.

Yesterday Mickala asked me about the people protesting in front of the hospital - it was a great door opener for us to talk about abortion..and hopefully she'll keep asking others for their input..that was her challenge of the week.

Dreading my 20 year reunion this weekend but so looking forward to seeing a few choice friends...

Just booked a camping spot for Sept long weekend!! Yeah!!!

Well I'm off to bed more insights and thoughts latter...nt

This is for you Jennie...she doesn't look all to happy but that is because the flash woke her up. "Sling kitty" - loves cuddling at the computer.

Finding it hard to write here when I'm not feeling 100%...don't want to come across as negative...so here's my note to say I'm not 100% and it's okay!!

Tiggy! Tiggy! Tiggy!

Feeling like the cat has taken over the family as the newest addition..still not sleeping...but working on it...Darren is trying to frantically finish the scratching post...

Life here was suppose to be a little slower...but no luck...we are doing respite with a young lady for the month, Wednesday's I have an extra 3 kids in the morning for a total of 7 under 9 yrs...good they I like all the kids! kids haircuts, grocery shopping, getting ready for camping, swimming and oh ya...I think I have a new job to start in September...I'll fill everyone in more latter.

We'll I have an early morning so I'm off to bed.
nt

Adventures with the Swabey's
Okay here is my exciting revelation/ lesson for the day...I think I learned how to link...here's my try...this is a friends link...they have just sold their home here in Canada left behind family and moved to Ireland...all for the Lord. A little crazy but that is why we love them so much! Check it out!
Rain Happens

Now if only I could figure out a few other Blogging tricks!

Oh ya - I almost forgot...went to a Passion Party last nt...the lady who did it was awesome...very proffessional yet made it very fun! Darren was so cute when I got home...he had obviously not really listened when I told him where I was going...his eyes were just a twinkeling when I got home...As he looked thru the catologue he said " I had not idea where you were going... this looks great!!!" So note to women out there when in the mood to spend $ men will never complain when you buy from this company...most women there said husbands had said buy whatever you want!!

All I will say is it was a wonderful nt with my man...even if I only really saw him after 10pm...hee hee (note: no pics will be forth comming!)

Made it thru the nt!!! Not sure where she slept or what she did all nt...all I know is I got some sleep, kids got sleep, hubby got sleep...we are all a little happier today!

I have 4 kids right now (none of which are mine...). 2 yrs, 4 yrs, and two sixes. Boy do I have alot to get ready for daycare!!!!! The two year old is into every cupboard...the 4 yr old is exploring every room and the two sixes think it is all so funny!! Tiggy? hiding under the couch!

The girls should be back soon...so I'm off to make grill cheese sandwhiches and then off swimming at the "Y" this afternoon with 4 of the six...never dull but I am really enjoying it!

Feel like we have our third child...and now I'm pretty sure...NO more kids!! hee hee...I rolled on Tiggy last nt (1 am) - really freaked me out...then I spent 45 minutes trying to convince her to sleep on the chair in the living room with the really soft towel...went back to bed only to be awoken by Mickala...as Tiggy had attacked her legs at 2am...(now been up for one hour) Tiggy is now in full "Hey - everyone is up and it's party time! - lets play" mode...took another hour to convince the cat she was not going to sleep with Mickala either...(read the cat book on ideas to get some sleep ....ended up using the waterbottle to warm the spot I wanted her to sleep in...) -back to bed at 3:45am.. woke up to 7:30 am to Makenna crying as Tiggy was now attacking her in her sleep... Tiggy then chased Makenna into my room where she decided my bed felt like a litter box and pee'd on my nice bedding...clean bedding on the way!!!
So worked on nail trimming this morning...been putting that one off...but did get 3 nails done...only a gazillion more to go...Kitty litter on my feet is now feeling pretty irrelevant!

Thanks Lori and Diane for the Kitty tips...I'm hoping that by the time she's two she'll let me (and the kids too!) sleep thru the nt.

So here is the newest addition to our family "Tiggy". Not sure where Darren will sleep tonight when he gets home from up North?! So far my biggest complaint is the kitty litter under my feet when I go to the loo...other than that - I'm in love! (and I think the girls are too!)

Read this book a long time ago...honestly didn't get a whole bunch out of it..a few key point but no lightening...but a friend e-mailed me the link for the quiz...I took it and found my results interesting...thought I would give it a go..hope this makes sense to those who have not read the book...

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Physical Touch

Complete set of results
Quality Time: 10
Physical Touch: 8
Words of Affirmation: 8
Acts of Service: 2
Receiving Gifts: 2
Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Here's the link...http://www.youthnetsouthampton.org.uk/breakout/lovelanguages.php

Found it interesting that I wanted to answer yes to the "gift" questions...but obviously need the other more...hint...I still love gifts!!

Beaches, waterparks, raspberries and cupcakes - that has been my week...not stressful at all! And I'm loving it! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted since I finished work! Never realized how heavy I had made it. I have been at the kids school twice this week and loved all of it!

Other good news...started swimming again...have shifted my brain to think in new ways...eating healthier...in my first week have lost 4 pounds...it's awesome and it's just the start! I'm realizing that once I start moving my body a little - it will get easier to move my body the in the ways it used to move...soccer fields here I come!! - okay a little ways to go yet but I'll take the baby steps.

Love'n life!!

Today is my last day of working the job that I have done off and on for the last 12 years. I am finding this challenging and emotional.

It is definatly time for change...I find my passion is not the same - I used to get excited even about the mundane but now the "everyday" is what challenges me the most. I still get all wound up about the extrodinary things...things like people doing things they never imagined. That still sets me on fire...When I talk about my friends who are doing things they never thought possible I still get all reved up!! But my energy none the less is not the same for the other parts of my days. So here I go - stepping off the plank...or at least that is what the mind picture I have today is...I just pray that the Lord will catch me and put me down gently into the ocean as I try and find my swimming arms in this new body of water.

I am freaked out and excited (okay more freaked out than excited!) - but I know that I have an amazing circle of support who will help me swim in the right direction and help me find land.

So where lays my passion? What does God have in store? What will my life look like in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 days?

I hearby release all preconcieved notions (and will continue to do so on a daily basis), live in the moment and TRUST the Lord to guide my life - as one thing I know for sure is that I have NO control over where he needs and wants me to be!

Another Monday. Only 4 more days of work left before I step off the edge into some new unkown adventures. For those who don't know two weeks ago I gave my notice with LES (after 12 years). I'm filled with mixed emotions...sad as I won't see the great group of friends (who have become like family) over the last 12 years on a daily basis...but excited about the possibilities that the future may hold. (Scared fits in there somewhere as well!)

I asked the girls what they thought I should do if I was to change jobs and neither skipped a beat...they both thought I would do well at daycare...so right now I am investigating licensing to provide daycare in our home. I'm excited but also nervous about the idea and will know more in the next 2-4 weeks.

For those of you who know me...if you have any ideas...please pass them on - I always appreciate some outside perspective.

Emotionally life is feeling like a roller coaster but I am trying to find specifically what it is that is making life feel so crazy and out of control and either slow it down or eliminate the turns alotogether.

On a completly different note...camping season is here!!! I figure the rain can't last forever -so we'll have great weather for camping! so planning we are doing.

So this post is a little disjointed but hopefully informative.

Bye for now.
Sonia

Life in a nut shell...realizations of the month...it is much easier to help people who want you help vs. people who say they want your help but really don't want it...from a relationship building experience it is much easier to build relationships with people who want relationships than people who say they do but don't ever make any effort into it...this may all sound basic and simple but some days things seem much clearer than others.

Another realization for me is what is important for me at a funeral. Having just gone to one today - which was not necessarily what I want at mine..but very nice none the less.
Here's my list...
1) God! He has to be the focus...without him in my life I am so messed up!
2) Open viewing...at first I was freaked out by this...now how amazing of an experience has this been towards reality and closure in my own life!
3) Contemporary music...none of this hymns that no one has ever heard of ...I know Darren will pick meaningful songs....your the man!
4) Go from the funeral to reception...let's celebrate! If this is happening...it's okay to be sad but hey I'm happy - I know without a doubt that I will be celebrating where I'm at! This world is way to hard of a place to be ...enjoy what there is to enjoy!
5) Use up what left of me and burn the rest...I do not want to be in a box in the cold dark earth!

I know this is probably the wierdest blog you have read lately if not the wierdest ever...but those are my realiztions of the week. I have more...the last one I'll share is if I don't go to bed soon I'm pretty much guaranteed to be really grumpy tommorrow! Nite.