Goals Update and Latest Projects

I set some goals or "New Years Resolutions" to work on during 2011.  

Here is an update:

1.  Blog more.  I try to blog every 7-10 days.  Goal in progress.

2.  Do more scrapbooking and card making.  Goal in progress.  See below.

3.  Read more.  I am currently reading All You Need to Know About Raising Girls by Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff.  I was really struggling with disciplining Jaelyn and Ava and pulled out this book.  A lot of the things I have read really makes sense.  I have the latest Sophie Kinsella book, Mini Shopaholic but every time I pull this book out to read, I fall asleep.  Any book really will make me sleep as my mind shuts down.  Goal needs more improvement.

4.  Less internet surfing and online shopping.  Goal has not been reached.  I can not resist.  I did find that previewing the website before actually shopping makes it quicker in the store because I know what I am looking for.  

5.  Photography goal has not been reached either.  I am taking pictures but need to use my new camera more with the manual functions.  New timeline for this is the summer break.

6.  Fitness goal is in progress.  I have started weight training with my class.  I even fitness tested with my classes this semester.  I have set up a plan as well and if all goes well will train Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with them.  I am also playing volleyball and indoor soccer on Monday nights.
7.  My communication goal is a big failure.  I continue to struggle personally in all levels.  I keep putting my foot in my mouth and say things I don't mean too.  Then I stress about it after.  I loss my temper easily with the girls and feel bad after.  My self-esteem level is an issue at this time of year and I would love to hide in my basement and not face reality.  It is something I need to continue to work on and strive for improvement.
I will continue to work at all my goals!!


On a more positive note,  my latest scrapbook projects. Thanks to Michelle at the Pickle for great layout ideas and kits.

Jaelyn's snow adventure in January 2010.

Ava's adventures made her hate snow.

These last 2 pages will go in Jaelyn and Ava's book as well.  They are the same layout but have different pictures.  Photos are from September 2010. 

Reflections of Birthdays and Viruses

The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy with the celebration of Jaelyn and Ava's birthdays followed by one of the viruses that have been going around.

Jaelyn and Ava turned three on the 9th of this month.  I took them to my last week of league play volleyball.  A special thank you to my junior girls volleyball team on the bench for watching them while I coached.  After supper the girls opened the gifts from us and had the chance to play with their new toys.

On Saturday, February 12th, we had a busy day. 

It started by taking the girls to Memorial Arena for Public skating.  This was quite the challenge.  Holding a 3 year old up while they attempted to skate is really hard on the back.

Skating….


We then headed to the Blenheim Pool for a Swimming Party.  We had lots of family and friends present. 

Swimming...

Supper…

Instead of going out for dinner, we used the church hall and had a potluck soup and bun supper.  Dessert was cake.  

Jaelyn's Dora cake on the left and Ava's Barbie cake on the right.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us.  Another big thank you to everyone who brought food for the supper.  Jaelyn and Ava would also like to thank those who brought gifts.  This was totally unexpected and unnecessary.    Most of all, we would like to give thanks to God for giving us our greatest blessings in Jaelyn and Ava.

God's power was reaffirmed this week when things don't always go how we want them too.  Both girls got "the virus".  It started on Sunday with Ava and it is still plaguing Jaelyn.  They have been struggling with fever, coughing, and runny noses.  It has taken its toll on everyone.  We are all a little sleep deprived.  I have one less sick day banked and Brian took a half day off to stay with our precious little babes.   

You definitely know that Jaelyn & Ava are ill when there is NO FIGHTING!  Yes, it is hard to believe.  Hopefully, the girls are on the road to recovery and Brian and I avoid getting "the virus".  

As I am ending this post, we are getting hit with another winter snow storm.  Maybe that will be my next post…..  LATER until next time

Its Hard to Believe but...

Jaelyn and Ava will be 3 tomorrow.

Where has the time gone??
It only seems like yesterday that I was taken by ambulance to the Chatham Kent Health Alliance, assessed by Dr. Singh, transferred to Windsor MET, given an emergency Caesarean, and delivered my miraculous baby girls.  Jaelyn Daniella arrived at 10:20 AM weighing in at 2 lbs 15 oz. Ava Brianna also at 10:20 AM at a mer 2 lbs 4.5 oz.

Jaelyn playing peek-a-boo in her first week

Ava having Kangaroo time and sucking her hands

Many things (monitors, alarms, ultrasounds, blood work, IV's, Pic Lines, to name a few) transpired over the next 6.5 weeks that included daily trips to Windsor.

The night before the girls went home.

When I think back to the many challenges we faced in those first weeks.  I am amazed at the strength God gave us to endure everything.  I was never in my normal "anxious" state.  I had a calm and peace I can only attribute to God's love and protection.  We were also surrounded by the many prayers of family and friends.

Coming home we were faced with feeding challenges, sleep deprivation, and countless doctors' appointments.   Thankfully, both Jaelyn and Ava have been very healthy babies and toddlers.  

Jaelyn and Ava's first birthday photos.

Jaelyn and Ava's 2nd birthday photos

NOW…

This is their 3rd year photos.  

So as you can see, my little miracles have come a long way in the past three years.  I thank God everyday for the precious gifts her gave me.  


Yes, even after a stressful day of bickering and fighting between the 2, once they are sleeping, that sweet innocences returns and I can't express enough how much I love my baby girls.  I just love watching them sleep.  


So that is what I am off to do.  I will check on that sweet innocence, cover them in their blankets, smile, thank God for my children, and head to dreamland myself.


Tomorrow shall be a new adventure again.

Snow Day

Well today ended up being a snow day.  The schools were closed!  That meant I could stay in bed and not report to work.  I have to say I slept terrible all night and was up by 6:15 M.  I did not fall back asleep until after 7:30.  
I spend the day at home with Jaelyn and Ava.  We attempted to potty train today which ended up being a big negative :(  I finally did some crafting.

I started the morning by framing photos that Denise Blommestyn took back in the fall into an old window frame.  A friend actually gave me the idea over a year ago and I finally acted on it.  This frame is now in my front hall.






So then the re-arranging began.  I had to move the wooden shelf with the Willow Tree Angels from the front hall.  They are now in the basement.  


I also moved the canvas art from my bedroom to the basement.  I added more brown distress to it to make it match my decor.

Once I put Jaelyn and Ava down for a nap, I started to colour and make some birthday cards.  I realized I have several February birthdays!

I used my Bella Stamps and my Copic markers to make my creations.  Well except for the last stamp.  It is not a Bella.


Ava decided not to nap and wanted to help me colour.  Not sure how much help she was.

Well I am off to bed now.  Morning will be here sooner than I will want it to be.  Until next time.  Cheers!!