Finally! Sleeping through the night!

As I was laying in bed last night I was thinking...mmmm, I don't remember the last time Peyton has woke up during the night??
You see: Peyton has NEVER slept through the night and she is almost 4 years old. I spent our first year together out in the living room with her bassinet and me sleeping on the couch because she would only sleep 20-30 minutes at a time and Trent would have to work early in the morning. It's not even like she had her days and nights mixed up- she wouldn't even sleep during the day.
Things got a little better after her first year but she still managed to need me or something in the middle of the night. I tried every advice that people would throw my way and NOPE she still would not go through the night.
Well life really must be busy because I really don't remember when she started sleeping through the night, perhaps a month or two ago?
I remember literally praying to god some of those sleepless nights that she even sleep through 5 hours, and he did answer my prayers almost 4 years later, but looking back I had some of the most tender moments just her and I on those sleepless nights pacing the floor,soothing her, and loving her. So I assume that god knew what was best for us after all~

Domestic Goddess- or not.

Well today was a day where I really tried to be a domestic goddess- TRIED is the word of the day!

I tried to make bread... A friend from work had given me the most amazing recipe for pumpkin, sunflower bread and I said to myself " I could totally do this!" Don't get me wrong I love to cook and bake but have never really loved making bread or pastry.(maybe because my mom has already nailed down first place in that department.)

So I gather everything I need and make this bread (it looks great- it even rises!!) I divide the dough into 2 loaf pans and stick it in the oven - I ask myself "I don't remember if I have to let the bread rise again before baking? " mmmmm - thought about for a bit and then hucked it into the oven.

I turn the oven light and see my masterpiece - golden brown, smelling sooo good.... I take it out of the oven and I nearly broke my wrist! It was REALLY heavy. So maybe I should have let it rise again before baking??

My bread was cooling on the counter and I had to see if it tastes just like the loaf my friend has made for me. I spit it out! The sunflower seeds were rancid!

I really did put all my effort into making this bread... It looks really good and it smells good but unfortunately you don't want to eat it!

Lesson learned!

I have been thinking alot lately of all my "new nurse" moments. I graduated from College only one year ago so I am still fairly new at the game. I will NEVER forget the time that we were in our third semester and having to do a shift on the surgical floor in a big city hospital, by this time we had pretty much seen it all and smelled it all.... but nothing could prepare me for this.







My partner and I were working together on our patient and performing HS care, (you must picture us dressed up in our infectious disease suits- gown, gloves, mask, and booties) We were wearing all the garb because our patient had c-diff (clostridium difficile; basically bacteria of the stool) We had learned about this in School and our teacher's had prepared us but even if they had told you it was the worst smell ever you would have never thought...





So my partner and I are getting our work done and we move down to the bottom of the patient and the smell hits you... I start dry heaving in my mask while we dig in and start cleaning up the bottom. The smell got so bad I had to move my way to the washroom as I was trying to be respectful of my patients feelings, I ended up vomiting in my mask and inhailing it up my nose and oohhh it gets better.....





I WET my pants! My partner didn't know the wiser till I came back out and asked if she could tell that I peed my pants....

Lesson learned... To wear Vicks under my nose to mask the smell!

I must say 95% of that program was blood, sweat and tears but the other was pure and genuine fun that will be with me forever!

High school

This Year we have a child in HIGH SCHOOL!- yes , I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Carliegh is in grade 8 and just turned 13 this summer and growing into such a young lady (thinks so knows everything and has become somewhat mouthy!) Did this behaviour change overnight?? Or am I just seeing it now? Don't get me wrong she has always been an independent, respectful, beautiful and the most lovable little girl and still continues to have these amazing qualities, but something has changed~ Our little girl IS growing up. Just last night she was asking me " Should I take French next year too?" "Because I really want to go to College and become a Veterinarian" I said that we would have to look into it. She even said " We should look at schools near Grandma and Grandpa in Alberta so I can save on rent!" Note to self ~ Cherish every day... the day's where you want to pull your hair out and the days where you look at your child and think in amazement- SHE'S ALL MINE!

TOO quiet!

It was a quiet morning...which striked me as ODD- Peyton is NEVER quiet. I called her name- no answer. MMM I wandered down the hallway and to my surprise there was one of her babies with the most colorful face, arms and legs! She wouldn't look at me when I asked " Peyton, why would you color your baby like this?" to which she answered " It is her birthday!" Well I started to laugh and ask " Would you like mommy to color your face , arms and legs for your birthday?" She looked up (That is when I noticed that she had already indeed colored her own face) and replied "No!"

I tried to scrub the doll's face with cleaner but she had used dry eraser markers and would not come off, I then tried to scrub her face (she was not happy! That stuff is hard to get off!) By the time daddy came home Peyton's face was all clean but the evidence of the "episode "was still on the baby... so if you see us uptown with this muli-colored baby(I really try to discourage her from taking this particular doll as it raises many questions) you will know the entire story and not have to ask!

PS- Between you and I - She did a good job on her face...She kinda looks like a "kitty"- who knows maybe she could get a job face painting at the carnival!

Maddy turns 10

Well September the 9th of every year brings us to Madeleines birthday! I can not believe that she is 10 and in grade 5! Where does the time go?? It doesn't seem like 10 years ago I was holding this brand new perfect 7 lb 3 onz bundle of bliss!

This year we had 7 girls come over afterschool for a PARTY. The girls played hot potato, unwrap the present game, listened to Miley Cyrus CD and played some outside games as well.

We had ordered a Dairy Queen cake from Prince George and "Yummy" it was a hit with all! Maddy received so many gifts; webkins, i-pod, i-pod docking station, games, Cd's and a pile of money (to which we are opening up a bank account for). All of the children left by around 5:30 with their Hello Kitty loot bags filled with girlie things and candy! By this time I am EXHAUSTED, Trent has heard enough screams and girlie shrieks, Peyton is crying because all her new found "friends are leaving" and Maddy is just plain overwhelmed!

Maddy received many phone calls throughout the day to wish her a Happy Birthday from family that loves her dearly but live far away-

Every year I say "No more birthday party's- next year maybe just a sleep over with a few girls" but when I take a minute and reflect on the entire day I can see her smile and the excitement of hosting the "party" and I think...OK maybe one more!

A trip to remember.

This summer my mom, my daughters Carliegh and Peyton and myself drove to Nelson, BC to have a visit with family. My children had never actually met most of my mothers side of the family, so it was far overdue!

It was a LOOONG drive , almost 1000km from where I live, not too sure if my mom will travel with me again ( She thinks I drive too fast!) But I assure you I am SAFE. The drive was beautiful, Carliegh listened to her i-pod and Peyton watched some DVD's and we were training her to say "Potlicker" (a name my uncle had used most of my childhood instead of my name!) My mom and I had plenty of time to talk which was nice.

We arrive in Nelson the first day and my dad had reserved the room for us to stay in for 5 nights... well it was a roof over our heads and it was clean but I should have clued in when my mom had said before we left " Your dad has reserved a room for us and it is the same hotel that we had our honeymoon in!"

My Grandfather had just moved into an assisted living complex and we went up the hill (my Aunt gave us wrong directions so we went up and down ALOT of hills) to see him. To my surprise he had not changed a bit! He was a little hard to understand (thick Polish accent) but other than that he looked really good and was super happy about his new living arrangements... Even befriending the local squirrels!

We spent the next few days visiting with my auntie and Uncles . The weather was horrible- rained most of the trip, but we managed to keep busy... Yes I did manage to shop!

On the second to last day we were invited to my Uncle's farm outside of Nelson and WOW- we had a blast... First off , my Uncle is a little..well shall we say CRAZY! As a child I remember him being the fun one, the one that would let us do almost anything and let me tell you he hasn't changed! Although he may have settled somewhat as he FINALLY got married to a wonderful gal last summer, he is still Uncle Chuck the "Pot Licker!" We had a blast feeding his pet cow "Jamie" apples, guessing how many piglets the neighbors sow would have, trying to pet his Lama and just good times had by all!

While I was there my cousin Diana had a birthday and asked if I wanted to cross the border to the States for some shopping- well I couldn't pass up on that, so my mom graciously offered to take the girls for the day and off we went. Although before we left my mom had warned my cousin that I LOVE to shop....

So she picks me up in this "little" car, and I am thinkin "how am I going to get my loot home?" I guess I would have to pace myself and not shop till I drop. So we stop at Target and she meets me at the till- the look on her face was priceless!! I had a cart that was overflowing!!! She is freakin "How are you going to get that in my car??" let me tell ya it is not the first time I have had to cram my purchases into a tight spot!

We went on to have a nice lunch at the "purple onion?" I think it was, all I remember is the onion rings were the size of my head!

I must say thanks to Diana for a great day and for letting me share in her day and draggin all my loot into the hotel room!

We had an amazing trip, spent time with loved ones and reminisced about old times! I am looking forward to another visit next year!

ADDICTED

" Enough is Enough!" I hear it all the time... from my husband, my children and even my friends and family. Those who know me know I LOVE to shop and it is a "hobby" shall we say. Well I was cleaning out my closet and it hit me... how many necklaces do you really have?? Well I counted and before long I was past 70! Yes that is not a misprint...SEVENTY + ! Holy cow! And I know that there are probably more in the jewelry boxes. I really think that in this case my husband was right saying on a recent trip to the City " Do you really need that?" although I responded with "Of course, I don't have one like this, or it would look great with that new shirt I bought!" Of course I bought it anyway and really between wearing scrubs to work and being a mom to 3 girls, when do I really get dressed up? So I think either a) I grow another neck or b)put a halt to the addiction!

Don't know what you have till it's gone??

You ever heard the saying " You don't know what you have till it's gone?" Well... My husband has his own logging business and yes he works very long hours but he does come home each and every night until... He took this temporary little camp job. He has been gone for only 3 days (2 nights) and I am lost! The power went out last night and I wanted to cry, me and the girls sat on the couch with candles burning all saying we missed him and then the three year old gets all teary and starts saying with a trembling voice "I miss my daddy" . Our dog Hunter even misses him, he has these big droopy eyes and looks so sad! He has not even touched his food he misses Trent so much. When the power went out Trent knows where all the flashlights are and lights the candles, he is not afraid of going to the basement if he has too but me on the other hand...I made the girls sleep in my room. It made me feel better plus they didn't complain either!
It is the little things that I take for granted, I miss his smile when he walks through the door and sees us after a long day, it is his warm body cuddling me and keeping me warm at night, I miss hearing his truck pull in the drive way and being so excited he is home. Well, he will hopefully be home tomorrow evening and we will have to tell just how much we missed him!