Xanamacamania

We have been VERY busy.......

2010-02-06T10:27:00.005-07:00

Skating and Dancing! Lots of fun things going on these days. A couple videos of the kids skating and dancing below. I still need to do a post about Connor's birthday party and catch up on our Texas trip and Christmas. Whew!

The kids were dancing this morning and it was really cute. Connor put on Madalyn's Hannah Montana boots all by himself and started dancing around the kitchen. He is such a funny boy. He is doing this really cute thing where as soon as he gets up (really through out the whole day) he asks "Where's Sissy?" and I'll say "Downstairs" and he will say "Oh". Then he will ask about Daddy or me if it's Daddy there. It is so cute in real life but I wanted to record it here so I don't forget.

I have a cute Madalyn story too. Earlier in the day Malcolm was caling Connor and he wasn't listening so Malcolm pulled out using the middle name trick and said "Connor Michael!". This got Madalyn asking about middle names and why his middle name is Micheal and what Malcolm's middle name is and so on. Later that evening Malcolm does something that she is getting on to him for and she says, "Daddy John!". So funny!

It won't let me post any pictures so I will have to do that later.

Happy Birthday Papa!

2010-01-21T22:48:00.002-07:00

We love you Papa! Hope you had a great day!

Texas Trip - Day One - Abilene

2010-01-13T17:16:00.007-07:00

Madalyn posing in front of the hospital where she was born in Abilene, Texas
The three of us in front of the hospital. I can't believe that she is already six!
Me Madalyn, Mom and Jen - This was our stop at the group home where we worked for two and half years while Malcolm went to school. So great to see all of them again!
Jen and Madalyn were great friends when we lived at the home. Madalyn was two and dragged Jen wherever she wanted to go in the house and Jen would follow and play.
Malcolm with Greg and Sam - two of our guys.
In front of the house that used to be our home.
Malcolm with Karen a lady from one of the other homes we would do relief at before we were full time house parents
Malcolm with Kyle and Chance from one of the other houses. We went to visit all of them where they work on campus.
Me, Madalyn and Patrick
Me and cute Beth
On the plane all ready to go and see lots of family and friends!

Jen singing Wild Thing - A classic Jen moment Malcolm caught on tape! ;-)

Some Videos

2010-01-13T16:26:00.004-07:00

Some videos that I took over the Christmas holidays that I thought were pretty cute! I am going to try and catch up on some blog posts from the Fall and Christmas time. I am going to try and do better this year on keeping up with this thing. Happy 2010 so far!

Malcolm and I just went on an overnight date and it was so much fun and relaxing. We went to a Bed and Breakfast right here in Calgary and it was so nice. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get away for a night but not have to travel anywhere. It is in the Northwest and it very reasonable. We had a nice room with a hot tub on a deck right outside our room. We went to the movie and then had a great dinner at The Keg. Malcolm surprised me the next morning with a massage too. The lady who runs the B&B is a massage therapist and gives great massages. So fun but hard to come back to the real world the next day. I just wanted to record it here so That I don't forget the time we had together.

I am going to get working on my catch up posts and have them up in the next few days. I know only my Mom and sister probably still read this but I really want to document our life on here because I have found that I don't remember very well on my own.

Madalyn's Christmas Concert 2009 and Some Pictures

2009-12-18T21:34:00.004-07:00

Our Christmas tea party with our neighbor friends.

Madalyn and the set table all ready to go!

Decorating a gingerbread cookie and eating it while Connor colors. Poor Connor boy! Mommy is so mean.

Pictures with Santa. Connor had this same expression last year. He doesn't cry but is not real sure about what is going on.

A small clip of the song Madalyn's class sang. She keeps looking over to the right because there was a slide show of everyone in the classes' families going as they were singing. She told me later she was trying to see our picture. LOL

What We Have Been Up To

2009-10-17T15:11:00.003-06:00

We have been goin and blowin but I don't have pictures of a lot of it so that means no blog post. Madalyn had a field trip to the Leighton Art Center that I went on and it was a lot of fun. I am glad I went on this one and not the Zoo! Much more my speed and style. Tell me if this is weird or if it is just me. Madalyn's teacher sent home a letter telling about the field trip and at the bottom their was a place to put your name and phone number if you were available to go. I never heard anything so I thought they didn't need me to go. Just to make sure the day before I asked her teacher and she said that yes she was counting on me to go and I had a group and everything. Don't you think she should have contacted me in some way? I found it bizarre and had to scramble to get a sitter for Connor but in the end I am glad I went and I know for next time! ;-)

Malcolm and I got to go to the Chris Tomlin concert last Friday night and it was such a wonderful night of worship! I LOVED it! I don't even like to call it a concert because it is so NOT a concert but a wonderful night of worship! It was just what I needed to come before the Lord and worship and set my eyes back on Him. The Lord has truly gifted him as a worship leader. I can say this because this is my blog but I think the Lord has gifted my husband in this way as well. :-) I did not get any pictures of Chris because my camera battery was DEAD! Ugh. Oh well. I have at least recorded the experience here.

Just a quick little up date. I must go get my sweet Connor. Thanks for stopping by!

Connor Singing......

2009-09-21T14:06:00.003-06:00

......and other things! ;-) This video makes Madalyn just giggle every time she watches it which is so cute in and of itself! Enjoy!

A Few of Madalyn's Favorite Things

2009-09-16T11:37:00.002-06:00

Madalyn - Age 6

Favorite color? Black and White and Pink

Favorite sport? Swimming and Art

Favorite food? Poppyseed Chicken Casserole and nectarines

Favorite Bible story/person? Mary

Favorite place to go? Mall and sleepovers

Favorite T.V. show? Toopy and Binoo

Favorite thing in bedroom? Bunny and my bed

Favorite outfit? Polka dot skirt and white shirt

Favorite song? Best of Both Worlds

Favorite thing to do with mommy? Go shopping

Favorite thing to do with daddy? Go get treats and go to someone's house

Favorite place to sit in the house? Connor's couch (she came up w/ this question)

What do you want to be when you grow up? Play actor, Shoe maker(designer)& Teacher

Do you ever get in trouble? sometimes Why? not listening

Who loves you? Mommy, Daddy and Connor

Who is your best friend? Kimmie and Bailey and Calyn and Ryleigh

What do you like best about first grade? Snack and when we went outside because of the gas leak

Was this fun? yes

Anything else? I can always be with Mommy and Daddy and have fun in grade one.

I asked her these same questions a little over a year ago and thought it would be fun to try and do it every year. Some of her answers stayed the same but quite a few of them changed. She really likes it too. I wonder how long that will last! Ha!

How am I doing so far?!

2009-09-14T12:23:00.002-06:00

Obviously not very well! My goal is to post at least once a week. I missed last week but I am here this week so I guess that is progress since last time I went about 5 months between posts. Ha! I think the problem is that once I post my pictures to facebook I don't feel like posting them here too. I think I need to post them here first and then to facebook because over there I don't journal with it and update on the kids as much.

We had a really good weekend. We went to cousin Ronan's 4th birthday party in Medicine Hat. We have gone for the past two years and this made three so it has become a fun tradition. Bonnie and I were saying that for the past two years one of has been pregnant at his party and we are both happy not to be this year! ;-) I forgot to take my camera so I don't have any pictures. I was so sad. Nest year for his 5th I will be sure to bring it! :-)

We got home from The Hat around 8:30 Saturday night and then got up bright and early for church on Sunday morning. I loved and was so uplifted from the service. Billy wrapped up the series on Revelation and it was SO good! Malcolm sang a Jeremy Camp song called "There Will Be A Day" as a special music and did a great job. But I am not biased or anything. ;-) While he was singing Deanna danced and it was so moving to me and just made me long for Heaven. I am ready for the Not Yet! Aren't you?

I don't have any pictures for this post but maybe next time. Have a great week!

I'm Still Alive!

2009-08-31T22:32:00.002-06:00

I have not blogged since March for many different reasons but school is starting tomorrow so I thought now would be a great time to start again. New school year with new routines and this can be a part of mine so I remember these moments for years to come. I was reading some old posts and like having this journal to look back on and I am also feeling very sentimental because Madalyn is starting first grade tomorrow. I feel like it is the beginning of a new era for our family. School all day long and spending almost more time there than at home with us. I have teared up several times just thinking about it this week. I don't think anyone reads this anymore and that is fine with me! My goal is to blog about my kids and what they are up to and get one of those bound books someday. So let the back to blogging begin!

Lots Going On

2009-03-14T11:33:00.002-06:00

I am still here! The past couple of weeks have been ? there are just no words to describe it really! I don't want to blog about the whole sorted story but it has just been a brutal couple of weeks. Our family is fine it involves some close friends and our church family and impacts Malcolm's job in a HUGE way. I am still trying to process it all and probably will be for a while! God has truly been with us and has provided so much love and encouragement which has helped a great deal. A long road of healing is ahead of us and Journey Church.

I have also been away because our computer died. We have had it for about six years with no problems at all and the fan went out last week. I love Macs! PCs don't last that long! We got an I-Mac in the midst of the storm last week on Saturday and Malcolm finally had time to set it up on Monday. Malcolm usually has it out of the box and set up right away but there was too much going on to get it done. Poor guy! Say a little prayer for him if you have a moment. :)

Sweet Connor boy started taking some steps this past Wednesday. Yay! He is so proud of himself and just smiles so big and claps with us! He is too cute. Everyday he goes a little further and will probably be going, going gone in a few days. I am ready or I should say my back is ready for him to be able to walk on his own (he is a heavy little guy) but I also don't know if I am ready for this next stage of freedom for him! If he walks as fast as he crawls I am in trouble. This also means that he is getting bigger and farther away from being my little baby! My last little baby! He got another haircut yesterday and looks like a little man now. He so needed it because he was looking mighty shaggy. His new do is really cute. I will take some pictures today and post them later.

Madalyn is still my little party planner. The other day she was planning a fiesta for her friends and she made confetti by cutting up some of our straws and found all of these cups, napkins and plates and had her daddy do the place cards. Then the other day she wants to have her friends over to watch Annie with her and she got the snacks, drinks (she put their initials on the cups with these foam letters), laid out some pillows and blankets and had to have it just so. I don't know where she got this from? :) Right now she is planning a picnic out side for her friends. She says, "It is the perfect day for a picnic outside. We are going to have grapes and apples and have a lovely time." I think it is really sweet! I wish I were more that way so I would not feel like such a downer mommy all the time! She says that she wants to be a dance teacher when she grows up and her first program will be a winter production. lol She thinks of details that I would never have thought of at her age or even today! She is lots of fun and always in the mood for a party. We still do not know for sure what we are going to do for her birthday. She has so many ideas she can't decide on one. The other day she said, "I guess I will just have a reglear (how she says regular) old party because I just can't decide." Too funny! Yesterday she was consistent in wanting a Hannah Montana party so I guess I had better get on that right away.

The other day in the car Madalyn says to me, "Mommy, you and I speak Nan's language but Daddy doesn't." I am not sure what Nan's language is but it gave me a good laugh. I am thinking it is the language known has Texan! :) Just wanted to record that because it is too funny to me. Nan's says that she needs to take her to Texas every summer so she doesn't loose it and so she won't think that just Nan talks that way. I hope we can get to Texas for a visit soon!!!! I am really missing it and all of my family down there. It has been way too long. We have not been back since we moved to Calgary almost four years ago. I need me so good Mexican food and right now some HOT weather! Although, it gets might hot down there in the summer but right now it sounds divine! I hope, hope, hope we can go in June!

I better go get some laundry on get ready for my night out with Heather. I am so looking forward to it! We live in the same city and hardly get to see each other so this is long overdue. I really need a night out with my hubby too. I will have to work on that for next week. :) Thanks for stopping by!

I DO have pictures on my camera!

2009-02-25T19:24:00.002-07:00

The past few weeks I have been under the assumption that I did not have any pictures on my camera I could blog about. I looked the other day and I was so wrong! There have been Valentines Day gifts and cakes and friends over and just everyday cuteness of my kids on there all of this time. I knew I did not have pictures of the "bigger"events like Madalyn's school party so I have been neglecting the blog. So Sorry and here are some Valentines pictures of Madalyn and one of her in her butterfly dance outfit just for Auntie KK. :)

Butterfly dance outfit from Auntie KK, Uncle Lukie and Lilly

One of her V-Day presents

Cake we made together for Valentines Day since we did not make heart cookies. :( Too tempting for Mommy and Daddy who are trying to eat healthy.

Did you know that today is Ash Wednesday? I have never really fully participated in Lent before but I have decided to this year. I am not going to read any blogs for the 40 days. I have decided that I can update my own blog so I don't get so far behind but I am not going to sit in front of the computer and mindlessly read blogs for hours on end. I think this has sort of turned into an unhealthy habit for me. I am not saying reading blogs is bad at all. I love it and I think I will after Lent but I just felt lead to use this time to draw closer to God and give up something that means a lot to me right now. I am writing it on here and telling you so I can have some accountability. So, if you see or talk to me ask me how I am doing. :)

I have more cute pictures so I will update again soon.

Not So Grumpy Anymore

2009-02-02T17:28:00.004-07:00

The verdict is still out on if I like my hair. It is VERY short in places so it is going to be this way for a while. I think i like it! :)

At the movie theatre on our Mommy and Daughter date to see High School Musical 3. We loved it and can't wait for it to come out on DVD. Madalyn already knew some of the songs and was just singing along. It was really cute.
Playing The Fancy Nancy Game with Grandma. Pinkie Up Darling! Or as Madalyn says like me and Nan -"Pinkie Up Darlin"! Grandma and Grandpa came for a quick visit and it was so nice to have them here. We just wish it could have been longer! While Grandma was here Madalyn was playing school with us and she was the teacher teaching us about farm safety. She had just had someone come to her class and talk about farm safety the other day. It was so cute. She would ask us if we had any questions and so we would ask one and she would say, "that is a very good question". It made me laugh.

Madalyn is always creating or fixing up something and I can barely keep up! On this day she was making her little desk so that she could do her math problems. :)
She did not want me to take a picture but I got a couple anyway! ;)

Connor's playing with his birthday present from grandma and grandpa.

It's COOOLD Outside! and I am a little grumpy :-(

2009-01-24T13:30:00.006-07:00

We have not had a whole lot going on lately so I don't have very many pictures on my camera right now. I think I have been a little depressed. I am tired of winter but I think we have many more days to go until Spring though. We had some gloriously nice days last week but as much as I loved them it was just a teaser because now it is deathly cold again. :-( I am trying to have a better attitude but I don't know how successful I have been the past couple of days. Just ask Malcolm. I would not be surprised if at these times he wonders what he has got himself into marrying a girl from Texas and Washington who is very whiny about the cold. :-{

Can has got me very irritated as well! I need/want my part-time job and they are driving me CRAZY! I am not from some remote country! Just the neighbors down below! Hello! I think I need a break from life. Sorry, I guess I am not in the best mood right now. I think you are getting a glimpse of a down, trying day. See I have them too!
I HAVE had a good day today. I got up and went to tap class and actually did pretty well. We are meeting on Saturday mornings at 8:30 in addition to our Tuesday night class and it is really helping. After tap we went to IKEA to meet some friends for breakfast and then some shopping. It was a fun morning. Now I feel better. Just needed a little perspective and typing this out helped. How about some pictures of my sweet kids to continue to end this post on a positive note. Hope you have a good weekend so far.

Last Saturday we had a mini tea party with the neighbor girls. I think Madalyn really liked it. I guess I should start planning our Valentines tea party. lol Too many parties for this Mommy.

Happy Birthday Papa

2009-01-21T10:23:00.003-07:00

Today is my Dad's birthday and I want to wish him a very special day. I wish we lived close enough that we could celebrate with him. We did have a fun (but not long enough) time when we lived in Abilene and they were living in Dallas that we could go for the weekend to celebrate with him and could see them quite often. I am glad that we had that time.

My dad is such a giving and loving person. He is always using his gifts to bless and encourage others. Whenever I call their house these days he is always out to lunch with someone being a listening ear. I have watched and learned from him what service to others is by all of the time, love and energy both of my parents have given to the youth groups in our church. Thank you for showing me how to love others and be Jesus' hands and feet!

Dad, you are such a great Papa and my kids are so blessed to have you. I am thankful for the way that you play with them and make them feel so special. I love how you notice all of the cute, funny things that they do and laugh and think that they are they cutest, smartest kids ever. Which they are! Ha! Ha! :) I have been so blessed to have you as my Dad! I love you!

Suzanne

Some Pictures and Update on my Sweet One Year Old!

2009-01-19T14:10:00.002-07:00

Sweet Connor turned one on December 28th! We had a little party with Lilly, Auntie KK, Nan and Papa had a great time. I don't think I ever put down on here that when we lit the candle on the cupcake Connor swiped his hand through it and burned it a little bit. He cried for a little while but i think it scared him more than hurt him. It never got really red or anything and he was using it pretty soon afterward. I am planning a little family party for him while Grandma and Grandpa are here so that should be fun too!

I took him for his shots last week and he did really well! I don't know why but they don't do them in the leg after they turn one. He does great when done int he leg because his thighs are so thick he does not even feel them. He did great with them in the arm too but I could tell it hurt him a little more. :( He weights 25 pounds and I can't remember his height at the moment but he is in the 50%tile. He is in the 80%tile in weight and 60%tile for head size. All in all she said he is doing well and she does not have any concerns. Connor likes to eat and he loves bananas, carrots, peas, apple sauce, yogurt, avacados, and my pancakes with no syrup. He is jabbering up a storm these days and even if he is not in his rocking chair he will just randomly start rocking back and forth singing the Rocking song. SO Sweet! He is understanding the word no when we tell him not to crawl up the stairs. He has learned to go down them backwards (which is really cute) but it makes me really nervous with our steep stairs and tile at the bottom. He will start to cry but will come down. He doesn't like it but he listens and obeys. Welcome to dealing with this for the rest of your life! :) Wow! Submitting our will happens from the very beginning! I really learn a lot as a parent about my relationship with God. He still says Daddy the most and mama sometimes. He really is just a happy, easy going little boy.

Our sweet girl is such a great big sister and it is so fun watching them kind of start playing together. She just updated Madalyn.com with a craft idea so go check it out. That's all for now.

Introducing Madalyn.com and Connor Singing Rocking

2009-01-14T20:04:00.006-07:00

Okay, so it is very embarrassing to post this video of Connor but it is the best one I have of him singing this little song. I can't seem to remember that when I am using the camera for movies that I should not turn it this way. lol Malcolm just shakes his head! :) I have tried maybe 4 or 5 times since taking this one to get a better one where I have not made this silly mistake but to no avail! The grandparents REALLY need to appreciate this one! :) I walk around singing awking, awking now. He is really starting to just jabber away all day. So sweet! Enjoy!

Now, this video I don't even know what to say! Madalyn loves her Fancy Nancy books and she also loves her Gigi books that are kind of like Fancy Nancy but she talks about being God's little princess. They are great books! I think our girl has been playing on Barbie.com a little too much lately as well. All of these together have inspired Madalyn.com. She is just so imaginative and creative and thinks that life is a party! I would say that almost everyday she wants to throw some grand tea party and invite all of her friends. This Saturday we are suppose to be having a Ba Ba Butterfly tea party and she wants to invite six of her friends. I have been trying to tell her that this Saturday it will only work to invite the neighbor girls and have a low key tea party and hopefully in February we can have a grand tea party and give out invitations to our guests. Whew! I don't want to be a downer and dampen her spirits but it is hard for a mommy to throw a grand tea party every other day. :) She is quite the little entrepreneur (like her Papa) with the whole selling her DVDs at Wal-Mart. She is so fun and I think that I need to stop "trying to get stuff done" and stop to have more fun with her in my day. She is such a blessing! We created her Madalyn.com website as a blog and the address is madalyncom.blogspot.com if you would like to check it out. :)

Christmas 2008 - My Longest Post Ever!

2009-01-07T21:44:00.015-07:00

So, you are going to have to scroll down to the bottom and read up if you want hear about our holidays in chronological order. I decided to do one massive post with my pictures so I could get it all done at once so get ready for a long one. :) We had a great time, fit lots of stuff in (including getting sick) to our two weeks and still did not get to see everyone and do everything I wanted to. Oh Well! I guess we will just have to go back this summer! :)

Connor with Brenda. We got to have lunch with our friends Kevin and Brenda. They are such a blessing and encouragement to us!

Mom and Dad at the party. These are the only pictures I took! :(

More decor

Table decorations for the anniversary party. I think the place looked really cute and western!

Nan, Madalyn and Lilly having a tea party. Guess who's idea this was and set it all up?

Connor getting frosting everywhere! He really liked his first cupcake! Surprise, Surprise!

Auntie KK and Lilly

Love them in their hats! Couldn't resist! :) They had on their hats but were in their own little world talking and catching up. It was so great seeing our friends Kirk and Nat!

Connor did not like his hat!

Me and Connor with Red Robin. I look pregnant. Thankfully, I am not but sad that it looks that way! :) I wish we had a Red Robin in Calgary!

Anutie KK and Lilly with Red Robin

Sweet one year old boy! I have decided that I each year for Connor's birthday I will have his party on Jan. 28th with his friends. It will give it a little space between Christmas and give us something to look forward to so be looking for an invitation if you live close.

Opening a present

They were singing to the birthday boy and girl

Chloe, Madalyn and Camille - These girls play so well together and Madalyn loves them!

Birthday party at Red Robin for Connor and Lilly. Nat, KK and Lilly

I have to talk about what we did on Monday after "the sickness" passed because it was one of my favorite days of the trip. My mom and dad have some really good friends, Barbara and Kerry, and Kerry works for Columbia Sportswear. Columbia has an employee store that is so much fun to go to because the prices are so great. Malcolm got a 200.00 jacket for 90.00 and it's Columbia! Employees can put some of their friends on a list to be able to go to the store and my mom and dad made the list and are able to bring some friends as well. Yay! So, Monday we all got to go on a little shopping spree at the store and then ended the day eating dinner at P.F. Chang's (my fav Chinese restaurant). It was the perfect day and I did not take one picture!

Bath time! He is just too cute!

Remember on my Thanksgiving post I talked about the horrible apple pie I made Malcolm. Well I made him one to redeem myself and I think it looks pretty good. Malcolm got to have a piece a couple of days later after "the sickness" and I did not have one bite of it and I think we threw more than half of it away! Oh well! I should confess that it was a combined effort in the making of the pie. My Mom did most of the crust and my dad peeled the apples for me! Thank you!

Before the sickness! We worked so hard all day long on this meal and in the end it was for nothing. We did not even get to have dessert before it struck!

Funny Connor boy

Malcolm's new golf bag

Connor and Papa - He wouldn't sit still for long!

Nan's present - a digital frame

A flurry of activity. I think we all got sufficiently spoiled!

Nan opening a present

Sweet Lilly girl

Auntie KK and Madalyn

Nachos anyone? I think I had too many of these so I did not have room for the great dessert below. I thought we would get to bring it home but we didn't which was probably for the best! :)

Nan and her sopapilla cheesecake for dessert. Very good and I did not get any that day!

Fiesta Dinner on Christmas day. My mom and dad have some friends who invited us over for mexican food and it was so good. I could get use to that tradition! Especially since we all got sick after our turkey dinner! :{

We finally got to be with sweet Lilly girl again! She is too precious and Madalyn LOVED her so much!

Listening to music with Nan

Madalyn and her MP3 player which she calls an ipod. :) Santa brought her a Hannah Montana one but we could not figure that one out so she ended up with a pink disney one. When we told her we had to get her a different one she could not understand how Santa brought her one that did not work.

Sweet Connor and some of his stocking stuffers

Papa, Madalyn and Connor on Christmas morning. I am glad that Santa knew where to find us!

Cookies and milk for Santa. Santa got his favorite chocolate chip made that night. Lucky guy! ;)

Beautiful drive but horrible roads!

Connor and his new front facing car seat. He loved it and smiled almost the whole way!

The cute little log hotel in Bonners Ferry that we stayed at on the way. It is so cute and at a great price too!

The gingerbread house our family made at our care group the Friday before we left. This years was the best one I think we have made since we started making them a few years ago.

Mom and Dad Anniversary Video

2009-01-02T18:09:00.002-07:00

Christmas Concert and Cookies

2008-12-18T20:04:00.004-07:00

Trying to get Connor to hold a cookie cutter for my picture. His fav thing to do while we were all making cookies - drop the cookie cutters on the floor. :)
Our Moms group (that meets every Thursday morning) made Christmas cookies together today. It was messy but fun!

We made sugar cookies one day at home when it was FREEZING outside. I love Madalyn in these pjs! She got them for Christmas last year and they were way too big but fit great this year.

I did not realize that this picture is so blurry. It is the best one we have of her performing. In the video you will see her come in late with another girl. She tells the parent volunteer like two minutes before they start that she has to go to the bathroom. She missed the whole first part of the song! lol What a girl. :)

We are heading to Portland for Christmas with my family on Monday. I will be so happy when we are in the van and on our way because that will mean that I have completed my to do list! Wow! So many activities and things to get ready for that it makes me tired but they are all really fun. The weather has made it hard for me to get stuff done away from home too. I don't like driving on the roads and being out in such cold weather dragging the kids everywhere. The other night I ventured out on my own intending to get a few things crossed off my list. The roads weren't great but okay and I was half way to my destination and had to turn around because I left my wallet at home. I just stayed home after that and Malcolm did one of my errands for me the next day. Oh well! Such is life in the great white north. :) Malcolm does not like it when I call it that because this is really not the great white north but where I am from it is! ;)

I don't know if I will blog while we are gone but I am going to try because then it won't be so overwhelming when I get back. In case you haven't noticed I basically blog about the pictures that are on my camera. I think that is a good way to update on what we have been up to and show recent pictures of the kids. Which is the main purpose of this blog. So there you go - nothing to deep or enlightening here! :) Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Photo Shoot

2008-12-12T20:56:00.004-07:00

Today we tried to do a photo shoot at home in front of our tree. I was not feeling the Christmas spirit during this process! It was quite the endeavor! I am surprised that Malcolm and I were not mad at each other at the end of it. lol We did end up with one to use on our card so all was not lost. I don't love it but it will do. In the end it is just about wishing our family and friends a wonderful holiday and giving them an updated glimpse of the kids. These are funny for me to look at now. Enjoy!

Santa Pictures

2008-12-06T12:24:00.011-07:00

We went and got our Santa pictures done yesterday. We went and had some taken at Superstore in the morning (did not go well) and then since they were all dressed and ready to go I thought we would go see Santa too. It turned out to be "just one of those days" where you feel like you can't catch a break. We had to wait in line to see Santa for a while so I took some pictures to pass the time. Madalyn was not thrilled with this idea but I took them anyway. :-) I really like the Santa picture I purchased so the day was not a total loss on the picture taking front. Plus, Madalyn really wanted to see Santa and tell him her wish list. She told him that she would like one of these three things: a Barbie boat, a princess I-pod or a game girl (other wise known as a game boy but she is not a boy!) lol We really did have a good day and I am so thankful for my two sweet kids.

The video below I put up because Connor looking up at Santa is so funny to me. He had been on his lap for a couple of minutes when I took this. He never cried just keep looking up at him trying to figure him out. He was so tired but was such a little trooper. I really like the Southcenter Santa. He is very sweet and has a real beard.

Malcolm and I are going to the Journey staff Christmas party tonight so I better go start getting everything ready for the sitter plus myself!

My Handsome big boy! He got his first haircut on Wednesday.
Sweet girl. I barely got her to look at me. I think these could have been some really great pictures. Oh well!
This one would have been good too but Connor was distracted by his cheerios.

Spaghetti

2008-12-02T13:05:00.003-07:00

I thought I needed to put up some pictures of Connor since he just turned 11 months old. Today he feed himself his spaghetti for the first time and was having such a great time that I had to video the fun. :-) He is such a happy boy. I can't get enough of him!

Last night we had our movie night and watched Miracle on 34th Street (the newer version) and Madalyn kind of liked it. She may still be a little young for it but she really liked the ending. I can't wait until our sweet Connor boy can join us for family movie night.

Have a great day!

Jingle Bells and More

2008-12-01T13:14:00.005-07:00

Wow! Where did November go? Time seems to just be flying by on me. My sweet little boy turned 11 months old last Friday! He is just growing up way too fast. He is babling all the time now and is still just so sweet and easy going. He can walk behind something while pushing it but is not very interested in doing it on his own yet. I will miss the pat, pat, pat of his little chubby hands on the floor while crawling when he starts walking. It is such a sweet little sound. :-)

So, we had a fun November. Journey had a retreat out at this camp with all kinds of fun stuff to do like pony rides and archery. It was just a 24 hour thing so it was quick but fun. I had piles of laundry to do when we got home because of all the bedding and everything we had to take for the night but it was worth it. Madalyn had a great time with her friends and cried when we got home because she missed Cheetah the pony she got to ride.

We also made a day trip to Medicine Hat with Heather to go meet baby Canyon. It was a fun day! Madalyn always has a great time with cousin Ronan and it is always a fun time at Auntie B and Uncle Todd's house. I really would like to steal their new eliptical trainer.Canyon is so tiny and sweet. Man, you forget how small they are right after birth. In the video you can see the little jingle bell jam session that we had while there. It was so cute and I am so glad that I got it on video. I think Madalyn is keeping the beat pretty well. Doesn't Auntie B look great for just having a baby a couple of weeks before?! I was not doing that well and I did not any of the complexities that she did. Wow! Way to go!

We are getting into the swing of Christmas today. Decorating our tree, house and getting the lights up outside. Madalyn is loving it! Tonight we will have a family movie night and watch Miracle on 34th Street (my favorite). I am trying to start some traditions for our family so if you would like to share some of yours with me it would be much appreciated. I love hearing what other people like to do and maybe steal some too. ;-) Happy 1st of December!

Riding Cheetah at our church retreat
First snow in November! Yay! Last year it was middle of October.
Sweetest Boy Ever
Archery with Daddy at the retreat
Friends
Sister got him again! Red is a good color for him though!
Playing blocks with Daddy

Meeting baby Canyon for the first time. He is very sweet!
My big boy in a cute little chair. I think he might be getting one of these for Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T10:33:00.003-07:00

We had a lovely Thanksgiving meal with our friends Chris and Jodi and Suzy. The turkey and everything else turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. :) I did not even attempt to make my mom's corn bread dressing! I figured we would have it a few short weeks so I have bypassed it yet another year. I do want to learn how to make it so I can pass the tradition on to my kids. Malcolm really wanted an apple pie because he had a piece of our friend Robin's on Canadian Thanksgiving and loved it! The one I made for yesterday was horrible! I am really not a pie maker and I just kind of mad this one up and it really was not good so I owe my hubby a good apple pie. He does not ask for much so I think I should try and oblige. :) I think if I put a little more effort into it I can make a good one. We had a really nice day and I am always so glad I put the effort into celebrating up here on our own because I find that If I don't I get really homesick and sad.

I kept Madalyn home from school yesterday and we had a lazy morning watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade and then somehow the dog show. Surprisingly, Malcolm did not give me a hard time about that at all. ;) (oh, yes he did!) I really should have changed the channel because there is nothing like the sound of a football game on while preparing the meal that brings back so many Thanksgiving memories to me growing up. Madalyn loved all of the dances that they showed during the parade and would join along with them as evidenced in the video below. Please excuse my little mishap in the beginning! (Something else that my funny hubby does not give me a hard time about. :) It is his way of flirting so I secretly like it!) I have been calling her my future Rockette. :)

Hope you all had a very blessed day! I have more pictures I need to post so hopefully I will get that done soon. I don't know though. I have a cookie exchange this weekend and I don't think the planner realized that people have to bring 12 dozen cookies if you invite 12 people! I have lots of cookies to go and make now! :)

We did pull Connor up to the table after this. Poor Boy! He loved the turkey.

My future Rockette

Catching Up with Lots of Pictures

2008-10-29T11:07:00.007-06:00

Madalyn lost her first tooth! I hope the going rate for a tooth is a toonie (2 dollars).

While Grandma was here she and Madalyn made a gingerbread Haunted House. I think they did a great job!

Malcolm and I got to go away for a couple of days to a church leaders conference in Kelowna. I tried to capture the beautiful drive through the car window. Does not really work! We had a wonderful time and it was SO refreshing spiritually and for our marriage.

The one time we actually stopped so I could get some pictures out of the car. What a gorgeous drive!

Foam haunted house that Madalyn made with Nan. They did a great job too! What artistic grandmas.:)

Playing on the swing set with cousin Ronan

Silly kids! We were all dressed to go take pictures at a pumpkin patch but they were all out of pumpkins!

Canadian Thanksgiving. It was a lovely day with great food thanks to Heather. I did the turkey and I don't know what I bought but it did not have very many bones. Just the two leg bones. I thought I was buying a whole turkey that was stuffed. I plan to make it up to you Heather if you will come for American Thanksgiving. :) You don't have to bring a thing! Well, maybe your buns, mashed potatoes and broccoli. Totally kidding!

Getting ready to go on a family walk. The sweat suit Connor has on says, Here I Come, on the bum and the hood looks like a dinosaur. Too cute!

Rubber Ducky your the one!

You make bath time so much fun!

Love this picture

Lunch with our friends- Martin and Roni

Disneyland Slide Show

2008-10-15T20:56:00.001-06:00

September Fun

2008-09-20T10:58:00.003-06:00

Ready for Dance class! She is taking Jazz and Tap this year. I am taking tap too but you get no pictures of me! :)
Ronan's third birthday party. It was lots of fun!
The parking lot for their bikes. Too cute
The great cake that Auntie B made. she and uncle Todd know how to throw a party!
Please! Mommy help me! She is dressing me up!

The dressing up continues in this video.

We have had a fun month with lots of new and exciting things going on and there is one more coming up this next week. Madalyn is going on a trip with her Nan and Papa. I am going to meet them in Spokane on Wednesday and then they will go home to Washington and then fly off to Disneyland. This is a big deal for a couple of reasons one being just going to Disneyland for the first time and the other is that she has never been away from us for this long before. I think she will do great because she is really excited and because of where she will be - How can you NOT have fun at Disneyland? So, I am praying that she does not get too homesick and just has a great time. I so wish I could be there to experience it with her but my mom says that she will take lots of pictures (and video, Mom?) We are hoping that when Connor is Madalyn's age we can afford to take them both and go as a family but it is not financially possible for us to go right now. My Mom and Dad are planning on taking all of their grand kids at some time and wanted Madalyn to experience the Princesses before she is totally out of that phase which we are at the tail end of now. So, all of that to say I am excited for her and thank you Nan and Papa for taking her and giving her such a fun experience. I am praying all goes well and I know she is going to LOVE it! It will be kind of weird but also nice to have one child for five days. The one that has two naps each day! :)

Our days have been filled with getting used to our new routine now that we have school every afternoon. It takes some good time management skills for Connor to get two good naps before we have to take sister to school and go pick her up. Good thing time management is one of my strengths! NOT! lol We have done pretty well and I am really loving the new schedule.

We took a family trip to Medicine Hat for Ronan's third birthday party and it was a lot of fun. Especially in our new van! :) Bonnie and Todd threw a great party with lots of fun and creative ideas and we got to see grandma and grandpa and great-grandpa Reynolds which was a nice treat too!

I better go try and get some stuff done before the day is gone!

First Day of Kindergarten

2008-09-04T20:43:00.005-06:00

Today has been a really great day! Madalyn's first day of kindergarten I would say was a roaring success! We had a good morning preparing for the big afternoon and she was the 2nd one to arrive and I am hoping we can make this a habit instead of rushing so we are not late. :) Madalyn went in and hung up her backpack and put on her inside shoes and then hugged me and said that I could go. I was shocked but started to leave (as more kids and parents start to arrive) but then she got a little nervous and would not let me go and started crying. She has a very sweet teacher who came over and talked to her and then took her to look at something so I left. I knew she would love it if she would just stay and give it a try. When I went to pick her up she is so happy and on cloud nine telling me everything about her day. She said, "I love school"! I asked her what her favorite part of the day was and she said when she got to frost, decorate and eat a bear cookie. She also told me about a puppy puppet that made her smile when she was sad and then the puppet (she said a name I can't remember) asked her at the end of the day if she liked her day at school she said yes. She said her teacher is really nice and she really likes her. I asked her if they learned any rules she said hers was listen to the teacher. She must have raised her hand and said that or something. On the way home she told me that she did not want me to leave because she did not know that her teacher was going to stay there and she did not want to be alone in the class in case her teacher went camping or something. Funny girl! Never really know what is going on in that little mind of hers. We came home and I started dinner(her fav - taco salad) and she got to play outside a little bit with her friends. Daddy came home and we had dinner and then we all went for a treat to Dairy Queen. It was a fun and memorable first day of school. Memorable too because Daddy came home with a nice (and big) surprise! See picture below.
On the front porch ready to go
New backpack
Walking big sister to school
Her very sweet teacher
Having ice cream with Daddy and Connor
Ice Cream
Our big surprise that Daddy brought home. Yay! We LOVE it!

Side note: Malcolm did not just go out and buy a van today. Getting this van has been in the works we just did not know when it would happen and I had no idea it would happen today. So it was a fun surprise!

Meeting Her Teacher

2008-09-02T13:12:00.002-06:00

We had a great morning meeting Madalyn's teacher and seeing her classroom. I really like her teacher and think it is going to be a great start to her school career. I didn't get a picture of her with her teacher but I will be sure to get one on Thursday(her first official day). I got to look at the class list and we found out that a little girl she liked to play with (and another little boy)who were on her soccer team are both in her class and then a little girl from her preschool last year. Madalyn was excited to hear that they were in her class too. I have always wanted to be really involved and a part of things when my kids started school so I bit the bullet and signed up to be the Special Event Co-ordinator. This is stepping outside of my comfort zone but I know I will be happy I did it later. I always think that some other mom could do a much better job than I could (which is probably true) but no one else had signed up yet so now they are stuck with me. When I was growing up I think I would have been called the Room Mom. I have to make sure we have enough food and things for any parties throughout the year and volunteers for field trips. I am giving myself an anxiety attack just thinking about it because sometimes I don't feel like the most organized person in the world but I know that I CAN do this! I will be praying a lot that the Lord will guide me through this and I can meet some people and make some friends along the way. I will update again on Thursday.

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Sitting in her assigned seat
She really liked the puppets and puppet show station
Out in front of her school. She really did not want me to take a picture.

Mommy-Daughter Date

2008-08-30T21:21:00.003-06:00

Today, Madalyn and I went on a Mommy-Daughter date and had a great time. It was like old times before we had our sweet Connor boy. Just tooling around town together running our errands. :) We went to the movie and saw Kit Kittridge: An American Girl. It got kind of slow for Madalyn in the middle but it picked up about the time she told me she wanted to go and we made it to the end and both really liked it! Madalyn saw one of the girls in the movie come out with her American girl doll and knew what it was and wants one for her birthday. I would love to get her one and read the book to her at night but they are a little spendy so maybe when she is a little older. After, the movie we went to McDonald's for lunch and then did a little shopping at Wal-mart. We got her a new backpack and folder (to put important papers for Mommy in) and then we went and got her haircut. I thought this would be a fun tradition for us to do before each school year and as she grows older we can talk about the year ahead and hopefully start the year off great! It would have been perfect except for the fact that I have had a horrible sinus headache all day. Why do I get these all the time?! I wish I could get rid of them! We did have fun and I love, love, love my sweet girl. She is so inquisitive and always asking questions to learn more. I think she is really going to like school and do really well. Lord, please protect my sweet girl and her sweet, tender heart. May she grow in her love for You and her daily dependence on You. Please may she be a blessing to all she encounters and may you bring sweet friends to her that can grow and be a blessing to her. Please be with her teacher as she prepares to teach the children and fill her with love, patience and excitement for the school year that will spill over to the children in her care. I love my sweet girl. Thank you for the joy in getting to be her mother and entrusting her in my care. I know you love her so much more than I ever could so I surrender her back to you and the plans you have for her (Jer 29:11) and her future. Please help me (the controlling mommy) get out of the way!

I just wanted to document this so I don't forget it one day. I always forget the small things unless I write them down and since this is the only real journal I have going these days (and some months that is debatable) and it happens to be on the world wide web you are privy to it as well. Meet the teacher and first day pictures coming soon.

I wanted to post these pictures of Madalyn's first and last day of preschool back in the Spring but never got around to it so here they are now. I thought this post was an appropriate spot for them.

Wrong Video

2008-08-29T13:21:00.004-06:00

So, in my last post I put up the wrong video. He never stands up! I think this one is much better that I took today. Hope you like it! In this other video I thought I would just try to introduce the idea of a sippy cup with water but he just likes to bang it around right now. Excuse my voice in this one. WoW! How do I not annoy everyone when I talk? I annoy myself! I think it is funny how I keep saying take a sip like he knows what that means! lol

Long Time No Post

2008-08-27T16:06:00.004-06:00

It seems the summer has come and gone so quickly. I am hoping to start blogging more frequently after school starts and we are in more of a routine because right now this is really my only journal of memories and such. Madalyn starts Kindergarten next week and she is really excited. I don't know if she really gets that she will go EVERY afternoon but I think she is going to love it! We go meet her teacher on Tuesday and then her first official day is Thursday. Time goes by so quickly! Wasn't she just a little baby girl? Sunrise, Sunset, swiftly go the years! :) Ha Ha I have been trying to think of some first day of school traditions that we can start and I have a few ideas so we will see which ones I can actually implement on Thursday. :)

Our sweet Connor boy is growing so fast and is such a good, happy baby. He is crawling and can go anywhere he wants and he can pull up and stand on pretty much anything. He really wants to walk! He is always jabbering away saying da da da da da but still no mamama. He still has very squishy big legs and cheeks. I could just eat him up! On the eating front we might have some issues because of me. I have this very irrational fear that he is going to choke and I will have to try and save him so I don't want to give him anything but pureed food. I gave him a little chunkier food today and he did not like the texture and pretty much gaged on it choking like and it freaked me out so we went back to our nice pureed food. Don't know what to do about this if anyone has any idea? He has a doctors appointment next Friday so I will as the doctor what she thinks. Maybe it is still too early to be giving him this other kind. I can't remember what I did with Madalyn so I totally feel like a first time mom with his eating. Tomorrow is his 8 month birthday!

I will have first day of school pictures for sure next week!

Sweet Kids!

2008-07-29T19:09:00.006-06:00

Jumping in the pantry

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Almost Crawling

Video

2008-07-03T16:13:00.004-06:00

This is a video I took back in May of Madalyn feeding Connor for the first time. I don't think she has done it since because I never think of it until after I have already fed him. She really liked it and is a great big sister. The reason I am just now getting it on here is because we had to update our software to even get our videos on iphoto much less on here. Enjoy!

Still Here

2008-07-02T10:25:00.003-06:00

Hi! Yes, we are still alive and kicking! :) I just have not been able to get back into the blogging groove at all. Kara this one is for you and hopefully it will get me back on track! I really do like having these to go back and read. So here we go!

Last Saturday, Connor turned 6 months old and I really can't believe it! It really has gone fast with him and it seems like we are just flying through the different stages. He had a doctor appointment a couple of weeks ago and is doing great! He weighs 18 pounds (75th percentile) and is 26.8 inches long (5oth percentile) and his head circumference is 16.9 inches (50th percentile). He really likes his bottles and a lot of that weight I would say is in his thighs! They are so squeezable and squishy. He is rolling around everywhere and gets up on his knees and rocks back and forth really wanting to go somewhere. I am not ready for him to go anywhere just yet! He is doing great and LOVES his sister. She still gets the best laughs and smiles out of him. The video below is not one where he is laughing that much (I will do that one later) but you can see him up on his knees trying to crawl.

We have been busy with some fun summer time activities with some wonderful warm, sunny weather! I love it! I will not complain about the heat because I was longing for it so much during the winter and especially when it was suppose to be Spring and there was snow everywhere! We are getting ready for Journey Day Camp next week so that will keep us really busy. Madalyn is going to be in with the big kids for the first time and I think she is going to love it! The thing she is most excited about is going on some of the field trips for the first time on a school bus. Not the field trips but the school bus ride! :) I will be going on the afternoon field trips too as the snack lady. My mom is coming and is going to stay with Connor and she said, "have dinner ready for us when we get home". How nice is that! It should be lots of fun and I am really looking forward to it! Lots to get done this week so I had better get to it while the boy is sleeping.

How was that Kakes? Am I out of the dog house? She may not read this till next week because she has her VBS this week but it will be a nice surprise. She might even have a couple to read. :)

Sweet Connor Boy

2008-05-24T16:22:00.003-06:00

My sweet little boy will be five months old on Wednesday. He is growing up way too fast! We waited for him for a couple of years and then when I thought we were probably just going to have one sweet girl - he appears! We can't imagine life without him! :)

He is such a sweet and easy going baby. The only time he really cries is when he is hungry or we haven't gotten him out of his crib fast enough.

He loves his sister! He will follow her all around the room with his head and she gets the biggest laughs and smiles out of him. She is so sweet with him and it is just precious. I am glad that she has a sibling. I think it has been really good for her and I pray they always have a good relationship.

Connor just found his feet the other day. I think it is the cutest thing when they are on their back and grab their feet and play with them. I think it took him a while to find his because his thighs are so big! :) They are squishy cute though!

Connor loves his bottles! He does not like to stop in the middle for a burp and just lets out this pathetic, mad cry. When he is finished with the whole thing he will look at the empty bottle longingly while crying. He is so sad it is over. lol

He has always loved his swing. We now have him sitting up in it instead of laying back because he was always trying to sit up and look around. We have this butterfly toy attached to it that he really likes and when it falls over the side he looks over like , "where'd it go?".

I think he might be trying to get a tooth because he is always drooling and loves for you to massage his gums with your finger. He is also making this gargling noise whenever he is"talking".

We have a very sweet boy and we are SO thankful for him! His smile just lights up the room and our hearts. Cheesey but true! :)

We are leaving for our holiday so I will update when I get back!

Long Weekend Activities

2008-05-21T13:35:00.004-06:00

We had a good and busy weekend that started off on Friday meeting Auntie B and Ronan at the mall for shopping and then to Chuck E. Cheese. I think the kids had a good time and I had a fun time shopping with a friend! :)

On Sunday we had all of the Calgary McMillans (plus the Baxters from The Hat) over for a bbq. I did not take one picture! We had a great time and I think we should do it more often. The kids entertained us with some great "shows" that were fabulously directed by Karlie. In one of the shows Malcolm was an evil fairy. I obviously did not get a picture but Rebecca got a great one! The picture below is of Uncle Todd playing with Madalyn and Ronan in the backyard before everyone arrived. That Uncle Todd is a great fella! He held and gave Connor his bottle why I got things ready for the bbq and then entertained R and M until everyone got here! Thanks Uncle T!
On Saturday we went to Heritage Park with our friends Mark and Ruth and their two little girls Emma and Sophia. Madalyn was not in to having her picture taken as you can see from the first picture! lol Emma has a cute smile going on.

Connor on his first train ride with Daddy
Sweet Boy! I got some cute close ups of him that I really like.
Taking a rest in front of the saloon

It was a fun weekend with gorgeous weather! I love the sun! We also got our back patio and garage cleaned up and a little more organized so that feels good. I have more pictures and some videos that I am going to try and figure out how to get on here in the next few days. Blessings to you on this cool, rainy day in Calgary. I love the rain too!

Creamy Chicken Salad

2008-05-14T17:06:00.002-06:00

When I read other blogs I love it when they share a new recipe they have found and like so I made (a new to me) chicken salad the other day that is very yummy and thought I would share it with you.

Creamy Chicken Salad

2 cups cooked chicken breast
1 cup cooked ring pasta
1 cup halved seedless red grapes
1 can (11 ounce) mandarin oranges, drained
3 celery ribs, chopped
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon grated onion
1 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
1 cup light whipped topping
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a bowl, combine the chicken, pasta, grapes, oranges, celery, almonds and onion.

In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, whipped topping and salt. Add to chicken mixture; stir to coat. Serve in a lettuce-lined bowl if desired.

Yield: 6 servings
1 cup equals 261 calories

We bought a new camera so I have some soccer pictures to post when I figure out how to load them onto our computer. It should be the same I just have not taken the time to do it! :) Tonight Madalyn has another soccer game that Malcolm will coach before he has to rush off to worship team practice while Connor and I will be at a kindergarten meeting at the school. So it begins the busyness that comes with having school aged kids. It seems for us that all of our activities (the few we are in) seem to fall on the same night. I am excited to hear what they have to tell us about what kindergarten will be like for Madalyn next year. A part of me doesn't want her to go but I mostly am excited for her.

I better go! Crying baby!

This and That

2008-05-09T10:40:00.004-06:00

So, yesterday was Malcolm's birthday and I think it is safe to say that he has had better ones! I forgot about it until around 11:00am and we had had a little tiff in the morning. Poor guy! Madalyn and I spent the rest of the day trying to make the evening special. We decorated with a birthday banner and streamers (she was quite sad we didn't have any balloons) and then I found the recipe for the Olive Garden's Chicken Scampi. Malcolm really likes it and always orders it when we go there for dinner (usually for my birthday). It was really easy to make and tasted pretty close to the real thing. Madalyn was the waitress and had a fun time serving her daddy. She made him a basketball card (well a drawing of Daddy with lots of basketballs around him) that turned out pretty cute. I think the evening of his birthday was better than the beginning at least I hope it was! I don't know what has been wrong with me lately. I have been kind of irritable and on edge. I could blame it on PMS but I don't know if that is really it! I think I need to get more sleep. Malcolm and I are going out tonight (just the two of us) and I am really looking forward to the evening. We are way overdue for a date! I think we need a whole weekend! I know that time together as a couple is so important (I can tell when we haven't) but I find it hard to actually do it. One reason is that I am horrible at asking others to babysit for us. Even if they have offered I feel like I am so imposing on them. I have issues! We don't really have a teenager out here that could just come to our house and be here while they are sleeping. Connor is still a little young for me to be comfortable with that anyways but in the future that is what we need! It is at these times (and others) that I wish we lived by grandparents. Any thinking-outside-of-the box ideas on how to have some couple time without it being a big production? We do have part of the evening when they are both asleep that we could use more productively but I need to get out of the house sometimes. I know this is not a new problem and many couples have the babysitting problem. I hope I will remember this when we are empty nesters or have teenagers and will call a mom with young kids and offer (and make her pick a date right then because she might have issues like me) to keep their kids while they go on a date. :) I think it is so important and they also wouldn't have to pay me because that can also be a deterrent to actually going too. I did not mean to ramble on so much about this but for me I need that time and investment into my marriage. All of that to say, I am really looking forward to going out tonight! :)

Madalyn has not played in a soccer game since I last posted about it last Monday. Monday of this week she was sick with a horrible cough and cold so I did not think it would be wise to let her play out in the cold. Then on Wednesday it was cancelled because it was raining and the fields were wet. Hopefully, we can get some nice weather and enjoy some soccer games next week!

Last weekend we had a garage sale and it went amazingly well. We got rid of a lot of our junk and I am so happy. We definetly priced to sale because we only made about $60 but we got rid of a lot. We even shut down early to go to a wedding. Malcolm took the rest to Goodwill so we are getting closer and closer to getting more organized around here. Yeah! Now, to get the carpet laid in the basement and then we can really get some things done!

The wedding we went to was Bruno and Laurie's and it was just lovely. They invited kids to come to the wedding and reception which is so Laurie. All the kids at Journey love her so much. Madalyn had a great time! Before we went Madalyn said that she thought Laurie would probably wave to her when she went down the aisle. I told her that she would probably be looking at Bruno but Madalyn could give her a hug at the reception and talk to her. Madalyn followed her around at the reception and kept giving her hugs. Laurie told Malcolm that Madalyn had told her that when she (Madalyn) gets married she is going to where a beautiful dress like Laurie's but that her daddy is going to pick out her husband. Woo Hoo! Now, if we can get her to keep saying this until she is about 25 years old! :)

I must go and start getting everything ready for tonight! Have a great weekend!

A Few of Madalyn's Favorite Things

2008-05-07T23:20:00.003-06:00

I thought it would be fun to ask Madalyn some questions of some of her favorite things as a five year old. I wish I would have done this when she was younger but unfortunately you can't go back and at least I will have some from now on until she starts rolling her eyes at me. Can't wait for that! ;)

Favorite Color? Pink (Shocker :)
Fav. Sport? Playing Simon Says
Fav. Food? Grilled Cheese
What do you want to be when you grow up? Ballerina Teacher
Fav Bible Story/Person? Baby Moses in the river because the princess finds him.
Fav place to go? Chuck E. Cheese because there are lots of rides
Fav T.V. Show? Toopy and Binoo and Dora
Fav thing in bedroom? My toys
Do you ever get in trouble? Sometimes Why? Not listening
Who loves you? Daddy and Mommy
Fav outfit? Skirts and pretty shirts
Who are your best friends? Kimmie and Bailey
Fav Song? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star; You Are My Sunshine; Jesus Loves Me
Fav thing to do with Mommy? Play Go Fish
Fav thing to do with Daddy? Play Hide and Seek and play doctor
Was this fun? Yes!
Anything else? Yes, I like spoons with little mouse holes in them. I like toenail polish and vans. Oh, one more thing! I like chalk and hula hoops!

Malcolm and I were asking her the questions and after she was finished she wanted her Daddy to answer them so here are Malcolm's favorite things at 33 (almost 34! We are only TWO months apart in age despite what he might say!).

Fav. Color? Blue
Fav Sport? To play: Golf To watch: Basketball
Fav Food? Pizza
What do you want to be when you grow up? Kind
Fav Bible story/person? Jesus Why? He saved my soul
Fav place to go? Kananaskis (sp?)
Fav T.V. show? The Office
Fav thing in bedroom? Bed
Do you ever get in trouble? Yes, for not listening (Ha Ha!)
Who loves you? My wife
Fav outfit? Jeans and T-shirt
Who are your best friends? Suzanne
Fav Song? Mighty to Save
Fav thing to do with Madalyn? Snuggle with a bedtime story
Fav thing to do with Connor? Make him laugh and smile
Fav thing to do with Mommy? Play cards
Was this fun? Scale of 1-10? 6

Now you know a little bit about Madalyn and her Daddy! I updated my play list! It is fun looking for songs to add to it. I love, love, love the first song! I even had a whole post written about it (in my head) a while back but I could not figure out how to get the song on here for you to listen to it. Maybe I will try to do another one some day! Tomorrow is Malcolm's birthday!

Soccer

2008-04-30T23:02:00.003-06:00

Madalyn had her first soccer game tonight. It was so cute to watch although I feel like I missed half of it because I was trying to get organized and find all of the other parents. Malcolm is the coach and I am his administrative assistant. We are rookies and it kind of shows but it has been fun and we are meeting/getting to know people in our community which is a good thing. :) Madalyn did really well for her first game. On the way to the game I was trying to tell her some of the basics of the game ( I realized she knew nothing) telling her that she wanted to try and kick the ball into the other teams net and that if the other team had the ball she wanted to try and take the ball away from them to which she replied, "that's not very nice"! :) So, tonight Malcolm tells me that when the other coach was asking the team some of the rules of the game some of the other kids said things like don't touch the ball, don't kick the ball out of bounds, kick the ball in the net, etc. Madalyn raises her hand, pauses for a few seconds (I guess trying to think of something) and says, "take the ball away from the other team"! I think I will leave the coaching/advice giving to her Daddy! lol I don't have any pictures because our camera is broken! Hopefully, we can use some of our tax return to get a new one! Next soccer game on Monday and I can't wait!

AI, DWTS & Connor's Shots

2008-04-30T14:04:00.005-06:00

I finally figured out how to load my playlist to my blog! Can you tell that I watched AI last night by some of my selections? :) I was reminded of Neil Diamond songs that I like! I really like Brooke and David Cook on American Idol but I am not all that into like I have been some previous seasons. I am really into Dancing with the Stars! I really like Kristi, Marissa and Jason. I am glad that Shannon was eliminated last night. She was hard for me to watch because she just looked really awkward at times and the whole shomance thing was weird! I thought she was in her early twenties by the way she acted sometimes but I heard that she is 34! Anyways, I really like watching this show and try not to miss it. Malcolm's basketball games always seemed to end up on one of the nights that it is on but they lost last night and are out of the playoffs so I don't have to share anymore. ;) No, really it is sad for him and I wish they(I am talking about the Phoenix Suns) could have gone all the way! We could of had a party to celebrate!

I took Connor to get his shots yesterday. They were a little overdue because I don't know what to think about all of this controversey over shots. I talked to our family doctor about it and she was very helpful and then the nurse who gave him the shots gave me more info and I feel it was the right decision for us. Connor did of course cry but it wasn't too bad! He gave the nurse the funniest look afterwards. Like "what did I ever do to you" mad furrowed brow look. It was really funny. He is average (50%ile) in height, weight, and head. He looks like he would be in the upper %ile for weight but he's not! She called him a little pork chop because he gets a full dropper full of Tylenol based on his weight. Nothing else to really report. He is growing and doing great!

We are in our community garage sale on Saturday so I really should be getting ready for that but it seems I am addicted to blogging these days. :) I will leave you with a little something from my Beth Moore book "Praying God's Word - Day by Day".

Every day can bring trouble, but we have a blessed troubleshooter. We must daily set our face on the face of Christ.

You, O God, do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless ( Ps. 10:14).

Happy Wednesday!

Madalyn turns 5

2008-04-28T10:24:00.003-06:00

Update - I wrote this last weekend but wanted to go ahead and post it with the pictures. The weather here has improved greatly! The sun is shining and it is a little cool. Just how Spring should be!

My sweet baby girl turned five on Friday. I can't believe that she will go to Kindergarten in the Fall. I don't think I am ready! :) We had her party yesterday and everyone seemed to have a good time. I don't think this one was as good as some of her other parties that I have planned. I just did not feel as prepared and we had like twenty minutes at the end to fill up with something because I did not have everything I needed for the craft. I was planning to pick it up on Friday or Saturday morning BUT who knew the weather was going to be so horrible. It feels and looks like winter in the middle of April! Where are we living? I was tired of winter and snow in January so this is WAY beyond what I can take! We got up super early to go in to church with Malcolm so I would not have to drive on the roads but Malcolm turned around not too far out of Langdon to take us back home. He of course still had to go but I was (and Madalyn after a little crying) happy to put my PJs back on and watch Bee Movie snuggled up on the couch. :)

Here are some pictures from the party. In some of the pictures you can see all of the snow outside!

We played some dance freeze
Madalyn came up with a game - Toss the bracelet in the bucket.
Opening presents

Look at all of the snow we have in the middle of April!
I painted all of their fingernails a light pink
Showing off their nails
Time for cake!
I could not find my tips to help me write with the icing. I don't really like that part of the cake but the rest turned out pretty cute. Thanks to my mom for her ideas! I found my tips after I did this! I think everyone had a good time and Madalyn said she did and that is all that really matters in the end I guess.

Blog Schizophrenia

2008-04-28T10:03:00.003-06:00

I have been trying to rename my blog for a couple of days and I think I finally have one I like. :) You have probably noticed because I have had a different title almost everyday! My witty and funny husband had mercy on me and helped me. All of the ones I kept coming up with were SO corny and he came up with this one just off the top of his head. He made a joke and added the nut on the end and it makes me laugh so I added it on here for you to laugh too. ;) He could probably do even better but this is just what I wanted so I am happy. Just thought I would let all five of you know and give credit where credit is due.

Vancouver Trip to See Sweet Lilly

2008-04-27T00:50:00.005-06:00

Papa and his girls
Uncle Hersh helping Madalyn find Hannah Montana songs on the computer. Very Sweet!
My sweet friend Natalie with Connor
Madalyn playing with one of Camille and Chloe's dress up hats. She had a great time playing with them!
I think this is the sweetest picture!
Twin Cousins! They were born five days apart. Lilly is so petite that Connor look like such a bruiser! :) He likes his bottles! It was lots of fun having them together for a couple of days.
I forgot to turn this picture around. I hope they will have a fun relationship too!
Connor and Auntie KK getting to know each other. I did not get a picture of me and Lilly! This will have to be rectified at Christmas!!!
Nan and Papa with their grandkids! They don't look happy at all! ;) In all of the pictures we took here Connor is checking Lilly out! :)

Madalyn's Recital and Some Fun News

2008-04-20T12:56:00.011-06:00

So, I post my blog and see that the Beauty and the Beast pictures have loaded on here twice! (Read Below) Weird! My Mom and Dad got Madalyn tickets to go to the theater to see Beauty and the Beast for her birthday and I got to go too. Just the girls went and the boys stayed home because Connor is not quite ready for the theater yet. :) It was a really well done show! Belle sounded like the Belle in the movie. I was worried on how Madalyn would do but she did great and towards the end when she got a little antsy I would tell her that Belle was about to come out in her beautiful princess dress which seemed to work. When asked what her favorite part was she said, "when chip became a little boy again". Who knew that would be her fav part? :)

I am really frustrated with blogger right now! It is not loading pictures on here for me. I have been trying since Sunday to get something on her and this is all I have so far. I even made one of those slide shows and lost it somehow after spending too much time on it AND then nothing to show for it! Anyway, these from Madalyn's recital will have to do for now. They performed their tap dance to the song Going to the Chapel. It was really cute!

I like this picture with Connor looking at her in the background. She might have on too much blush! I did not put on her half of the stuff that her teacher wanted me to. Just enough to not be washed out on stage.

Madalyn just said something that made me laugh so I thought I would go ahead and record it here. She was going on and on about everything she loves. She said, "I love Connor, I love Mommy, I love Daddy (even though he doesn't have any hair), I love my house, I love my friends, I love everything in the universe!" :) I am glad she loves her Daddy without hair! lol

My mom called me the other day and gave me some fun news that I thought I would share. When my sister and I were in Vancouver we went and had Lilly and Connor's picture taken together and they turned out really cute. While we were there I went ahead and got some taken of Madalyn and Connor together. They turned out really cute too and it was so hard to pick one to buy but I did and LOVE the one I got. When we bought our pictures they had us sign a release form in case they wanted to display them in the store. You always think that your kids pictures are worthy of this but for some reason beyond what any mother can understand they don't pick them. Well, my mom goes back to the store because she wants to buy some more and what does she see but my two sweet kids picture up in frames on display! So, for anyone who reads this blog and lives in Vancouver, Washington go to the Picture People in the mall and you will see Madalyn and Connor. The pictures did turn out really good with some unique poses of them together. My mom is so funny. She said that she is going to go back and have her friend take her picture in front of them. :)

I will hopefully have birthday pictures soon!

Madalyn Stories

2008-04-17T15:32:00.002-06:00

I have pictures and updates that I will do in another post but I wanted to get some Madalyn stories written down somewhere so that I don't forget them.

- The other day she was in the car with Malcolm and they were playing a game Who AM I? and it's Madalyn's turn. She had just watched The Little Mermaid. :)

Mad: Who Am I?
Daddy: Give me a clue!
Mad: I have red hair and seashells on my boobies.
Daddy: Pardon Me?
Mad: You know above my tummy, on the top part, my chest.

Too funny! I don't know what to think about this! :)

- We were in the car the other day with my Mom and Dad and Madalyn was talking about some of the songs she sang when she went to Children's worship at my Mom and Dad's church. She said let's sing the cherry song. We all said we didn't know that song. Madalyn says," you know, we will stop and pick them up". It was too cute! Roll that Gospel "Cherry"iot along! Made me laugh.

- While tucking her in:

Daddy: I don't think you better turn 5, Maybe you should just stay 4 forever.

Madalyn: But I have to turn 5.

Daddy: You do? Why?

Madalyn: Because my invitations are already sent out!

- Today as she was getting set to watch The Sound of Music, she says, "I love this movie. Except I don't like the part where the grandma lady (the mother superior) sings. It's boring."

Our girl is getting so big and I can't believe she is turning 5 tomorrow. She is a sweet, precious girl. Party pictures to come soon!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-03-04T21:38:00.001-07:00

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-02-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day (A Day Late)

2008-02-14T09:10:00.003-07:00

** I was writing this post off and on all day yesterday but just could not get it finished so here it is today! **

Sorry it has been so long since I have been on here to update! We are doing really well now. The first couple of weeks were kind of hairy and I was crying all the time but it is amazing how quickly things can change! Thank you Lord for bringing me through to the other side. He was (and is) my comfort and strength. PTL that we only had several weeks of crying throughout the night! I think I may have been beginning to understand when the Lord says, "A day is like a thousand years" but NOT in a good way. I have heard some stories of parents who endured from three to six months! I know with Him by my side I can make it through anything but I am very thankful to be through with that part of having a new baby.

Connor really is a good baby! My heart just melts when he smiles and he cuddles up close right under my chin. He really likes his swing and is not very fond of tummy time. His neck is really strong and when I am burping him on my shoulder he can hold his head up and try to head back down to my arms so he can eat again. When he cries he can really get mad and quick! I don't remember Madalyn crying quite like he does so our sleep training has been harder this time because he seems to have a stubborn streak. I don't know where he gets it from? Madalyn is really adjusting well. She is so helpful and loving towards him and is ready for him to play with her. She did need some extra attention in the beginning but for the major change she has had to her world she has done great!

Hope you like the pictures below. I need to be taking more pictures but I am happy to at least have these! Do you like the song I picked? I really like this song because it has that wave your hands in the air, like you just don't care beat to it. Malcolm finds my love for Pop music quite humorous but I really like some of it so sorry to subject you if you are not a fan. :) Hope everyone had a great day full of love for your family and friends. Malcolm and I are going to go out next weekend for both my birthday and Valentines day. Such is life when you have little ones but really our pocket book is a factor too! Gotta Run! I'll be back when the mood to make a slide show or write comes again! :)

Welcome Sweet Baby Boy!

2007-12-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

It has taken me a few days to get this on here but I know you understand why! :)

Connor Michael McMillan was born on December 28 at 8:44 pm. He weighed 6 pounds and 11 oz and was 20 in long. He is doing just great and is such a good baby. He looks so much like Madalyn did when she was a baby except he has a full head of dark hair. My labor experience this time was totally different than with Madalyn (which I knew it would be) and let's just say I am glad this was my second child because we would only be having one after what I just went through! I will tell my story another time but right now I must go feed my sweet boy! I made a slide show of pictures for you to enjoy! Thanks for all of your love and prayers!

Waiting, Waiting and more Waiting

2007-12-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

I know the waiting has been self inflicted because I have not even reached my due date yet but Madalyn was early so I thought baby boy might be too! Plus, I think I have been wanting to win the race with my sister and have mine first since my parents are here and it would be so much easier for us and Madalyn when the time comes for us to go to the hospital. I am hopeful it will be today!

We have been having a great time with Nan and Papa while they have been here. It has been so nice for me (and Madalyn) to be spoiled and to have so much help in these last days of pregnancy! What a blessing they have been fixing meals, playing with Madalyn, getting some activities done with her that would have been a lot harder for me had they not been here. I could have done them but I might have been grumpy and lost all of my Fruits! :) This has been a different and memorable Christmas and probably only the beginning of many more! Hope you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. Next time I post it will be a slide show with pictures of Baby Bubba (as my family likes to call him)!

Is It December Already?!

2007-12-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

**I wrote this post a while ago but I want to remember some of this so I am going to go ahead and post it now. I will be back with a more current update soon! Still waiting for baby!**

Well November has come and gone and I did not post once as you are well aware! I don't know where the month went but I guess we had lots of things keeping us busy. I have been trying to figure out how to download a new template but it has not been going so well. Maybe someday I will figure out how to get something new on here but until then I guess I am stuck with this one! :)
I guess I will start this post with a baby update. My pregnancy has been relatively smooth and uneventful where baby is concerned but it seems like I have had more issues and discomfort this time around. I had a horrible cough and cold for about three weeks which effected my sleeping and everything else! I was so happy to be healthy, able to breath again, and not coughing! The coughing brought some other issues along with it that I won't go into detail about but it was all around not fun! Then a couple of weeks later I literally could not walk or even move without being in extreme pain. It felt like the baby moved onto some of my nerves in my back and pelvic area and there were a couple of days where I could not even drive. I don't know what happened but before i could even go to the Chiropractor I could walk again without pain. ( I am still going to go to the Chiropractor though!) I hope that for the rest of this pregnancy my only issue will be the normal can't get comfortable, getting up to go to the bathroom 10 times a night while trying to sleep problem. I know that their are lots of women who have lots more to deal with in their pregnancies so I am thankful for my minor little issues! Baby Bubba (as my family likes to call him) is doing great and moving around lots. I was concerned at my 34 week check up when I was measuring at 32 weeks but at my last appointment I was measuring at 36 weeks which is the week I am. I am going to get an ultrasound on Tuesday because she wants to make sure he is head down and she couldn't tell for sure at my last appointment. I am so ready for him to be here, have the labor and delivery all behind me and to not be pregnant anymore. I wish I could know when he is going to make his arrival! My poor parents and sister wish they could know too! My sister has been on bed rest and next week when she is full term she could have hers right away or go until her due date the beginning of January. My parents don't know where to go! Anyways, this is turning out to be an interesting Christmas for all of us!

Now, an update for the Month of November with pictures in my new slide show! We spent the long weekend (first part of Nov.) in Billings, Montana visiting Malcolm's grandparents with Malcolm's mom. It is a trip we had been wanting to take for long time and we felt like we should make it happen before the baby comes. Great Grandma Reynolds is not doing very well and living in a nursing home and we really wanted to go see her and to also visit Grandpa and encourage him. He is such a sweet man and watching him lovingly feed and care for grandma is a site I will never forget and am thankful I got to witness. I tried to take a picture of it but it just can't be captured in a picture. My good friend Paula lives in Billings with her family and we had lunch with her a couple of times and the two of us went shopping together on Sunday afternoon. She is such a sweet friend and we have some fun memories of high school together. It was a fun treat to be able to see and spend time with her as well. She is pregnant with her second child too and is due in February.

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T15:36:00.000-06:00

Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Madalyn was excited all morning to put on her Tinker Bell costume and go to her preschool party. I took some pictures on our front porch and some of her friends at school. Tonight Malcolm is taking her out trick or treating and I will stay home and hand out candy. Last year there was snow on the ground and very cold outside but this year it looks like it is going to be a really nice for trick or treating. I might get away with just some layers under Tinker Bell and no jacket! :) Have a great evening!

Tinker Bell threw a little fit in the middle of taking pictures. She had a long day yesterday and got to bed late. She just fell asleep on the couch so hopefully a little nap will help get her through the night.
She did recover nicely for this picture!

The pictures above are from when Grandma and Grandpa and cousin Javyn came to see us for the night. Madalyn loved Javyn and has been talking about her ever since. Javyn was so sweet to her and they had a fun time together. It was a short but sweet visit.

Update

2007-10-24T19:55:00.000-06:00

We have had a pretty full month so far. It feels like the weeks are just flying by which is good since I am ready to not be pregnant anymore! :) The past couple of weeks I have had a horrible cold and cough and since I couldn't take anything to help me breath at night it was really hard to sleep. Thankfully, I am feeling much better but I gave it to Madalyn. Ugh! :( I think she is on the mend but the little space between her nose and mouth is all raw and red. Poor girl but she can take medicine so she has been having some good sleeps at night. Is it wrong that I was sad I had this cough when I can't take medicine because I love this cough medicine my doctor gives me that gives me the best nights sleep ever? Malcolm would say yes! :)

Malcolm has been using all of his spare time to work on our fence and yard. It is finally all done and it looks great! We are so thankful for all of our friends who helped us (Malcolm) get it all done! I am excited for Spring when Madalyn can run and play back there with her friends. We have never had a back yard for her and it will be great for baby brother too! The beginning of this month was Canadian Thanksgiving and Malcolm's sister and her family came to celebrate with us. I bought the feast size turkey (serves 16+ people) for 4 adults and two kids. I just picked a turkey and didn't read that part on the back! LOL This was really my first turkey to cook without my mom and Bonnie actually did this one so I still don't think I can actually say I have done it. I feel so bad because our dinner didn't turn out how I wanted it to because for some reason I was really wiped out before they came and then made a bad decision and stayed up too late talking with Bonnie (surprise, surprise!) I was going to make a pumpkin cheesecake that never got made and then spent too much time on a chocolate pie that really wasn't worth the effort which made me neglect the mashed potatoes so we didn't have those either! I promise a better more organized meal next time! Our was good but I feel like I was in a daze the whole time and Bonnie had to do lots and didn't get to take any leftovers home. In the middle of everything I broke my crock pot that we needed to make the stuffing so we had to go borrow one real quick! It was memorable that's for sure! I am so glad that Auntie B, Uncle Todd and sweet Ronan came to celebrate with us. Now I need to find some friends to celebrate American Thanksgiving with this year.

This month I also got to go on an overnight trip to Kananaskis with some friends. My sweet husband with everything he has going on right now gave me this night away with friends and it was so relaxing and fun. It was SO beautiful up there! The weather was perfect Fall weather and just so....perfect! :) We had a nice dinner, leisurely shopped and talked, gave ourselves a pedicure and went on a beautiful walk in the perfect weather. :) On the way up we saw a grizzly bear! It had just crossed the road and was walking up the hill so we pulled over to look and I got a picture. It ended up being a much needed weekend for me and probably one of my last for a while.

I will post again after Halloween so you can see pictures of our sweet Tinker Bell! When we were at the store getting her costume Madalyn was playing with these little princess cell phones where you could push different buttons and talk to the different princesses. I heard her call each one and say, "I am coming to see you after Christmas with my Nan and Papa!" I think she is a little excited but I keep trying to tell her that it is still several months after Christmas that she gets to go and see them. I just thought it was cute and wanted to remember it. Back with more later!

View from our room
My artistic picture. :)

Laying our sod. A friend's neighbor brought his four wheeler and attachment which made things go so much faster. He gave all the kids a ride too. What a blessing!
Malcolm's fence looks GREAT! Thanks Fred!
Thanksgiving dinner. They are holding their place card pumpkins that Madalyn and I made.
Grizzly Bear!

Nice Toes!

Baby Update

2007-09-27T10:48:00.001-06:00

I went to the doctor yesterday so the doctor could check my blood pressure again and everything was normal. My blood pressure was down (despite my rushing to get there on time through construction traffic) and my blood work was normal. My iron is a point below where it should be but has dropped quite a bit from the blood work taken from early in my pregnancy. Since you lose blood during delivery she wants to get it back up now. The final thing that I was happy to find out is that I don't have gestational diabetes. Everything is going great if I could just start sleeping better. :) This post is kind of boring for some but an easy way for me to update the family.

I have a Madalyn story to share. The other day in the car she saw the jet stream of a plane and was saying it was a rocket and then changed her mind and said, "a short range land missile!" I guess she has been watching The Incredibles a little too much lately! It is amazing what they pick up because that is one short little line in the movie.

I guess I had better go do something productive with my day!

A Prayer

2007-09-25T14:55:00.000-06:00

I found this prayer today and it really touched me. What do you think of it?

O Lord My God,
Teach my heart this day where and how to see you,
where and how to find you.
You have made me and remade me,
and you have bestowed on me all the things I possess,
and still I do not know you.
I have not yet done that for which I was made.
Teach me to seek you, for I cannot seek you unless you teach me,
or find you unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire,
let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you,
let me love you when I find you.

Saint Anselim (1003-1109)

September Update

2007-09-22T22:06:00.001-06:00

I know I should update more often and then it would not take me forever to catch up on everything but sometimes I am just not in the mood. :) I think I will try and update once a month and then anything beyond that is bonus for me and my readers (whoever you are?). We have had some fun times the last couple of months so I thought I would share and show some pictures. First, I will give a quick baby update. I have been feeling great and I am so thankful! I went to the doctor last week and everything seems to be going great with the baby as far as how I am measuring and such but my blood pressure was a little high so I have to go back this week after some blood work and my gestational diabetes test. I am not swollen anywhere and don't have any other symptoms that I am concerned about but my doctor just wants to make sure everything is okay which is fine by me! I was thinking that it could be that before my appointment I had a tuna fish sandwich and some Lay's potato chips for lunch. I'm sure all that sodium would make your blood pressure go up just a tad! :) Oh well! We still don't really have a name picked out so we just call him baby brother. Next on my list is to get his room all ready but some of that I will need my Malcolm's help with and he has a LOT on his plate right now so I can wait. I can't believe I am already six months along! He will be here before I know it and I hope I am ready!

Now for my update with pictures!

Nan and Papa came for a visit and we went to Heritage Park one day.
Madalyn decided that she wanted to ride the BIG ferris wheel so Daddy (the one who doesn't like rides) was the elected one to go with her. She did great and liked it when it went slow as they were letting everyone on but when it started going fast she did NOT like it and started crying. I was thankful the guy working the ride noticed right away and stopped it so they could get off. Malcolm was ready to get off too!
We went on the little stern wheel boat cruise they have which was fun. The best part was that we had a great view of these dragon boat races they were having on the reservoir. I had never seen it before but they were rowing in these long boats to the beat of a drum. It was so cool! I am sad I didn't take a picture.
Uncle Lukie and Auntie KK came to visit too!!!!!! Madalyn and Auntie KK on the train. I love this picture!

Papa and Madalyn playing on the stairs.

My sister and I are both pregnant and our due dates are 4 days apart! These are the only pictures we will have together with our pregnant bellies. Here we are about 5 months along.
We found some neat statues in downtown Calgary that made for some fun photo ops.

1 Canadian and 2 Texas beavers. This could have a great caption I just can't think of one. Any ideas?
I really love this picture! We had a great time with Auntie KK , Uncle Lukie and Nan & Papa when they came even though we had to have our party in shifts. Due to circumstances beyond anyones control Malcolm had to be away for part of the time they were all here. So, first we (Mac, Mad and Suz) spent time with Nan and Papa and Papa and Malcolm played golf. Malcolm had to leave the day Luke and Kara got here so Papa & Luke play golf and we all have a great time. Then we have one evening with ALL of us together and the next day Nan and Papa have to leave. So, then we have a couple of days with just Luke and Kara and Malcolm and Luke play a round of golf together. The guys got to play more golf with it this way but they were all suppose to play together. Sometime in the spring we are going to Amarillo to see Luke and Kara with Nan and Papa so hopefully it will all work out great! We will have two new babies by then so it should be lots of fun!

Look below for more pictures.

More pictures from September

2007-09-22T21:19:00.000-06:00

Showing off our tummies 5 moths pregnant.
We got to see our good friends and Nan & Papa's good friends - Randy and Vicki when they came up to see some other friends of theirs who just moved to Calgary from Houston. Madalyn and Randy became instant friends. She was his little shadow the rest of the afternoon. It was so great to see them.
We went to Medicine Hat this month for cousin Ronan's 2nd Birthday. It was so much fun. Auntie B throws a great party and we got to see their great new house!
This month was also Madalyn's first day back to preschool. She is in a new school this year that is out in the little town that we live. She is in a class with all girls her age and has already made some friends. We might even have a play date with one this next week! I am praying that we can both make some good friends out here.

Reading a book with Daddy! So sweet!
Malcolm has been working to try and get our fence up and today Troy and Kelly came out to help him. Madalyn was helping too! :) It makes me nostalgic for the Victoria days. I was only there when Malcolm and Kelly were still working at Shelbourne Street but at one time all three of these guys were there together and it was fun seeing them work together to put up our fence today.

We had a beautiful rainbow the other night and Malcolm took this picture to try and capture it! It was a complete one but we could only get half of it with our camera.
This was in August but I haven't blogged in a while to tell about the 70th anniversary reunion with Malcolm's family. It was a great week and ended with a lovely tea (in the picture above) that about 300 people came to honor grandma and grandpa McMillan.
The whole family singing some hyms.

It's a BOY!

2007-08-04T15:30:00.000-06:00

Hi! We went and had our ultrasound a few weeks ago and everything is going great and we found out we are having a little boy! We are really excited and it is going to be a whole new adventure having a little boy running around. :) Madalyn was so sweet and said, "I am going to be the BEST big sister ever!" She got to go in and see but was more intrigued with the gooey stuff on my stomach and what was rolling around on it than looking at the baby. It is hard for me to make it out sometimes much less a four year old! The baby gave us a thumbs up and she liked that and has remembered it since and brings it up. It was a fun family experience. We were at the park the other day and she made a new friend and told her that she is going to have a new baby brother after Christmas. I guess she is getting that is will be a while before he makes his appearance. :) i have been feeling SO much better! i even got Madalyn's room totally organized and clean. I just have a few pictures to put on the walls and hang some curtains that Nan is going to bring from Target!

We are getting ready right now to head out for some holidays to be with Malcolm's family for several days. His grandparents are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary! We are having a big reunion from Wed. to Sun. with a nice Tea/Party for them on the Sunday for the community and friends to come and honor them. It should be lots of fun! I married into a great family and feel so blessed! I should go get some baking done since we are leaving on Monday and there is lots of other stuff to do as well. I will post some pictures when we get back.

p.s. Malcolm changed the colors on here for me and I really like the blue! In honor of our sweet little boy on the way! :)

June and Early July Happenings

2007-07-11T21:56:00.000-06:00

I guess I should start off by announcing our good news. Madalyn is going to be a big sister sometime around December 31st! We are very excited! I think most of you know already but if you didn't now your in the loop. :)

The pictures below are not in the right order. The ones at the top are from the beginning of this month and the ones at the bottom are from June.

Fun at the spray park on the 4th of July!

Madalyn's new goggles! Too Cute!
Cute cowgirl all ready for our Stampede Breakfast. (Outfit provided by Nan and Papa! Who else? Thank You!)
Malcolm and his Stampede Band. My handsome cowboy for a day! I'll take what I can get! :)
Swimming in the wading pool at Mt. Kidd in Kananaskis on our camping trip.

Our Campsite. It is a beautiful place to camp!
Riding the swings with Daddy at Heritage Park
Riding the The Whip with Daddy who really doesn't like rides. I like to go on the rides but can't since I am pregnant so Daddy is the chosen one for now.
First day of preschool last fall with her teacher.
Last day of preschool
They had a little program where they sang us their favorite songs from the year. Afterwards, Madalyn told me that she and the little girl beside her "were SO nervous".
Eating popsicles with friends from her class.

Holiday Pictures

2007-06-14T21:50:00.001-06:00

At the Mariners game. It was a great game and they won!
The four wheeler that Papa bought for Madalyn and future grandkids. Madalyn did great on it but if she has any boy cousins I think it will be used quite differently! :)

Playing at Chuck E. Cheese with her friend Chloe. Camille was there I just didn't get a picture.
Madalyn had a whole week of swimming lessons and it was amazing to see how much she progressed thoughout the week. She is our little swimmer girl now. She looked SO cute in her goggles!
Posing on the ferry!
Taking a little snooze with Nan on the way to the Mariner game.
Everyone happy in our great seats.
Nan and Madalyn ready for some fun at the baseball game.

I thought this was a great picture of my dad and Malcolm.

There is my phto blog of our trip. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures in Victoria! I guess I was having too much fun catching up with everyone. I'll be back soon!

Ballet Recital Pictures

2007-06-14T21:31:00.000-06:00

I am a bad blogger! I repent of my bad blogger ways! :) So here are the ballet pictures that was at the end of April. She did a great job! Malcolm is going to try and get the video we took on to YouTube so I can post it on here for you to see. Some of the pictures are out of focus because I wasn't able to use my flash. Hope you like them and I will try to get the video on here soon!

We just got home from our trip to the West Coast. We went to Victoria and saw our friends there and then went to Washington to see my mom and dad. I guess Madalyn and I just got home . Malcolm has been home working for the past week and half bachin it! Poor guy! He is sweet to share us for so long. We had a great time but it is nice to be home. I have pictures to post but I think I will start a new post for those because I can never get them where I want them. Sorry, I have been away for so long. I will do better!

Madalyn's 4th Birthday

2007-04-28T22:25:00.000-06:00

For family and friends who could not be here for the party here are some pictures for you to enjoy! They did not post on here in the order I wanted but hopefully you will get the idea. We had a fun princess party and then a BBQ afterwards with friends and fam.

I searched online for a cake I thought I could make and found this castle one which I think turned out pretty cute. It was super easy! It is just two rectangle cakes with a square and five cupcakes on top with sugar cones on top of the cupcakes. We had a lot of cake leftover! :)
Daddy and Papa did a great job of putting up the decorations! Their feminine decorating side came out! I was quite impressed!
This is where the pictures are out of order. This was earlier in the week at preschool where they sang to her and I brought some cupcakes made in cones. They looked cute but the kids probably would have rather had just regular, plain old cupcakes!

We played Kiss the Prince at her party! Like Pin the Tail on the Donkey but with bright pink lipstick and their lips! :) This was the favorite game. No more kissing princes until they get married!

When the girls came in we put a little blush and lipstick on them and painted their nails light pink! I hope all the parents didn't mind that we put on makeup and tried to kiss a prince! :)
Nan and Madalyn waiting for her friends to come to her party. We had a little time to rest before the party started after all the rushing around trying to get ready!

Two pretty princesses playing outside in their beautiful dresses and runners. :) I thought it was cute!
Madalyn got a dress just like Sydney's as one of her presents and she HAD to put it on right away! She was SO happy! They were cute playing Freeze Dance together!
They made princess wands for a little craft.
Beautiful girls!
Playing Hot Slipper. Like Hot Potato but with Cinderella's glass slipper. I think all the girls had a fun time and I know that Madalyn did! I had lots of fun planning it with some great ideas from different websites! The Internet is a lovely thing for people like me who need lots of help with ideas for things like this! I will be posting more soon because we have had a busy week and topped it all off with her ballet recital today!

Easter Weekend

2007-04-11T12:26:00.000-06:00

They had an Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning in the big park of our little town so we thought we would go and start taking part in some of our community events. It was not your typical egg hunt. There was this lady in the back of her truck cursing about the cold telling everyone to go find poker chips that were hidden in the play area and then she would give you your two Kinder eggs which was the limit. It was quite comical really! Madalyn got three eggs because she was cute and one of the youngest there so at least we got a bonus egg! :) Granted it was very cold outside but I think they would have done it the same way had it been really nice. I guess I like the old fashioned kind.
Sunday morning with her Easter basket treats.
Pretty Easter dress and also her birthday dress
This is a Nan pose for sure! I have many pictures with my head like this from my mom posing me. Too funny!
We had Heather, Steve & Rebecca and Billy & Deista over for an Easter lunch on Monday. This is the only picture I took despite having my camera on the counter the whole day! It was Heather's idea for us to all get together and I am so glad that we did! Heather made a great ham (with her mom's sauce) and the buns which I think are the major parts of the meal. It was all delicious! i like doing stuff like this but I don't often think of it until after the moment or event has passed. I don't know why and it drives me crazy sometimes! So, Heather our house is always open to one of your good ideas for a fun family gathering or any party. :)

Speaking of parties it is Madalyn's 4th birthday on the 18th and I have been trying to figure out what I am going to do for her party. I think I have decided to have her friend party on the 21st in the afternoon and (copying Rebecca) have the parents and other family over for a BBQ that evening. So, if you want to come to a BBQ the evening of Saturday the 21st the more the merrier. Just let me know so I will have enough burgers!

I should go see what Madalyn is up to because it is eerily quiet in the house which usually spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e!

Random Pictures

2007-04-03T20:09:00.000-06:00

Our Easter cookie creations. They were quite fun to make!

Time for bed!
Taking her dolly Peggy for a walk.
This picture makes me laugh!
Madalyn had us play wedding. I was the bride (if you couldn't tell) and

Daddy was the groom. Madalyn was the ballerina flower girl! She has quite the imagination! She always gets upset that she wasn't at our wedding so I guess she thought we should have another one with her as the flower girl. I keep telling her it is a good thing that she wasn't at our wedding! :) If you know anyone who needs a flower girl for their up coming wedding I know a sweet girl who would love to be one!

Just some random pictures I wanted to share. Have a good week!

Fun Family Friday

2007-04-01T21:30:00.000-06:00

Uncle Malcolm and Ronan checking their e-mail
Madalyn loves her b-day present from Auntie B and fam.
Sweet Siena
What more could you want? Starbucks and a nice pedicure! Thanks Taralee!

Auntie B and Madalyn having a tea party

We had a great time with two of Malcolm's siblings and their families this weekend. We left after Malcolm got home from work on Thursday and came home Saturday afternoon. It was short and sweet but we had lots of fun! I stayed up way too late both nights (shocking I know) and I am paying the price now. Will I ever learn? Probably not, if genetics has anything to do with it because everyone in my family is a night owl. I can stay up with my mom and sister talking or doing nothing into the wee hours of the morning. What does it say about me that some of the best conversations and sharing I have had have taken place late at night? I probably should have told Malcolm this before we got married because usually if something is bothering me I tend to bring it up in bed at about 11:00. :) Poor guy! Anyhoo, we had a fun family weekend and I am tired so I think I will go to bed! Thanks B, T, & R and S, T, & S for the fun memories!

Go Flames!

2007-03-20T21:12:00.000-06:00

Our sweet friends Wayne and Annemarie took us to a Flames game on Saturday night. This was my first NHL hockey game and it was lots of fun! When my family first moved to the Portland, OR area My friends took me to a Winterhawks game and I thought we were at an NHL game! I thought the guys playing looked SO young! It makes me laugh now that I am living in Hockey country. I never would have guessed that this girl who grew up in San Antonio, TX, went to a junior hockey game and thought it was the Big League would be becoming a hockey fan for the BEST hockey team! ;) Go Flames! We did not win this game but I have hopes to go to more games and cheer them on to victory! The game was fun but Annemarie said the crowd was pretty tame and not into it as much as normal. Annemarie and I were talking (which we did almost the whole time) when the Flames scored the first goal and I missed it so I quickly learned how to talk and watch the game. :) I had a good laugh at the scantily clad girls who would come out and shovel the ice. PLEEEASE!! Give me a break! I guess it is at almost all major sporting events now. I don't think I have seen any at a MLB game though. The cute little bat boys better watch out or they might not have a job soon! :) It was a great first time experience. Thanks Annemarie and Wayne!

NEW PICTURES

2007-03-12T21:27:00.000-06:00

Looking in an ambulance at the Home and Garden Show. We were looking for deck ideas but didn't really find anything. I still had fun! I don't know about Malcolm. :)

Madalyn got the camera and took a picture of herslf. Please excuse the boogers!

Ballerina Girl! She dressed herself in her ballet clothes and fairy wings. She got this ballet bar with some DVD and mats for Christmas and wanted to use them today. The music is funny. I finally got some family pictures on the wall and we finally put a picture up over our couch but Ifeel like it needs something else. I really have not known what to do with this space! The picture reminds me of an Italian villa. I really like the picture. It doesn't look as small on the wall as it does in this picture. I had some more pictures so I thought I would blog again! Let me see if I could use the word picture anymore in this blog. I am annoyed because when I post it doesn't look like it does when I preview it. I was just writing by the pictures and explaining them but now they are all clumped together. You get the idea so I am not going to try and get it perfect! :)

Pictures

2007-03-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

I am back with some pictures. Malcolm was making fun of the new look of my blog. I know hard to believe! :) He said the font is so big his grandma could read it no problem. I like it and want my blog to be friendly to the visually impaired. ;)

These pictures are from last month. Malcolm and I went to a BNL concert. I don't know if I should write out the name because I might get some weird comments. Hopefully, you know what group it is and what you would do if you had a million dollars. (hint hint) Kori and Lisa invited us and we had a great time! We had not been to a concert in a forever so it was lots of fun.

Here are some Valentine's Day pictures of Madalyn. We made cookies for her class and some friends. In two of the pictures she is showing her V-Day cards from Nan and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa. One of the pictures is of some Daddy and daughter guitar playing and singing. So cute!

Still Here!

2007-03-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

Hi! Long time no post! I hope I still have some readers! We are just plugging along with life right now and things are good. I feel totally blessed everyday! Thank you Lord! He is just amazing and is revealing himself to me in ways I have not let Him in a long while!

I will post some pictures later but just thought I should get back to blogging and posting pictures of Madalyn because if I don't our family doesn't get to see her. They haven't seen her since Christmas so I am going to try and start blogging regularly. I have been able to do better at some other stuff like this in my life recently so I think I should be able to manage this! I switched to new blogger and experimented with some new colors and that was fun! I don't know if I am completely happy with my new look but it is fun to play! Thanks for reading and I will be back soon with pictures.

Christmas in Pictures

2007-01-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

I'm a Bad Blogger! My sister told me to blog before I left my parent's house and that was a week ago Friday! I know it's late but I still wanted to post about our Christmas holidays.

Papa and Madalyn
Auntie KK your so funny!
80's dance girl!

Excited about her Dora Talking House

Christmas morning is so fun with a three year old!
Happy Birthday Great Grandpa Reynolds!
"Making cookies" with great grandpa

Madalyn took the pictures of Grandpa and Great Grandpa

Presents from Grandma and Grandpa

Helping Daddy put up the lights

Update

2006-12-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update and some pictures of what we have been up to lately.

Madalyn got a gingerbread decorating kit yesterday as a present so we put it together today. It was really quite fun and I think Malcolm and I got into it just as much as Madalyn did! It was a fun family activity. I think it turned out pretty cute! In this present she also got an advent calendar with a little book of fun ways you can do an activity as a family to remember and celebrate each day of advent. I am looking forward to using it!

Daddy and Madalyn decorating the gingerbread house

All done!

We celebrated American Thanksgiving with just the three of us and it turned out to be a really great day! Madalyn and I stayed home all day while I did all of the cooking and watched the Macy's parade. It was fun watching it with her and showing her all the big floats. She loved watching the singers and dancers from the different musicals on Broadway they had perform and watching the Rockettes. She actually was trying to do their routine with them! It was so cute! Trying to kick her legs and moving her arms aound like them. :)

Mommy and Madalyn ready to eat a good Thanksgiving dinner
Daddy and Madalyn eating our Thanksgiving Dinner
Having some pumpkin pie

Our Journey Care Group started meeting in November and we really love it! We have a great group and it has been a great way to connect and share life with other families. A week ago we made cookies and some other treats for the staff at the school where we meet every Sunday. I am excited to see how we can come up with (and just have our eyes open) to how we can serve others. That's what it's ALL about! Clap! Clap! :)

Making cookies with our Care Group
Madalyn and her friend Rachel-They love to dress up as princesses!

Thanks for reading (lurking)!

Funny

2006-11-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

I thought this video was great! This guy has some really good stuff! Hope you like it! I don't know how to get the actual video on here! Sorry!

http://www.whiteboydj.com/babygotbook.html

I don't know how to get the above to actually be a link that you just click on to get to the video! Help me PLEASE!

Pictures

2006-11-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

These aren't the retirement pictures but just some I wanted to post and one I promised to show Bonnie.

Madalyn dressed herself today! You can't really tell but the pants are way above her ankle.
Madalyn took this picture of Daddy playing for us!
Madalyn got the camera and took some pictures. This is one of them. I think it is kind of artistic. :)
Here you go Bonnie! These are the curtains in the kitchen. Silly Girl in the picture!

Better Late than Never Halloween Pictures

2006-11-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

Winter Princess
Trick or Treating in the snow!
Performing her Halloween songs at preschool
Cute Halloween outfit
Putting on a puppet show

It has taken me a while to get these pictures up here but Finally here they are for your enjoyment. I think I tried three times to get them on here and blogger was not cooperating so I gave up for a little while.

Madalyn was sick the Saturday night and Sunday (and Heather might say Monday :) before Halloween and then Malcolm and I were sick on Halloween. Yuck! We tag teamed it to get Madalyn to her preschool party and out trick or treating. Malcolm was able to get her to preschool. There was NO WAY I would have been able to do that the way I was feeling. I did feel better in the evening and took her out to get some candy. It was pretty cold! It was my first time trick or treating in the snow! I doubt it will be my last. Madalyn did great and would shout "Trick or Treat" at every door. Since then she has talked about when it's Halloween tomorrow and we can go get some more candy! I think she liked it!

There are some great pictures from the big retirement party that I need to post. I know you don't believe me but it will happen soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-10-10T10:02:00.000-06:00

Well, yesterday was Canadian Thanksgiving and we had a great time at Steve and Rebecca's. We had a wonderful meal and fun visiting with friends and family. I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures to post! :( I like celebrating two Thanksgivings. We get three turkey dinners for three consecutive months (including Christmas) and it is always good to be thankful so I highly recommend it! It is probably not good for the waistline but oh well! ;) I am hoping to have a big dinner to celebrate American Thanksgiving with some american friends here but anyone is invited. The more the merrier! I have never really cooked a turkey before (without my mom helping me) so it should be an adventure! I am thankful I am in a mixed marriage! :)

I have a cute Madalyn story to share. Yesterday, Madalyn found some of Malcolm's mints on his bedside table and she asked me if she could have one. I couldn't really see them so I asked her what they were and she said, " a Tic-Toc". It took me a minute to figure out what she meant. They were Tic-Tacs. It made me laugh!

I had better go and try and get everything done that I need to today. We are leaving on Thursday to go to Regina for Malcolm's Dad's retirement party. It should be lots of fun and I am really excited! Next time I blog I will post some pictures!

Fall Pictures

2006-10-05T21:51:00.000-06:00

Today it was a beautiful Fall day so I thought I would take some pictures of my sweet girl! I think some of them turned out pretty well. I am hoping to find a pumpkin patch to go and take her picture at sometime soon as well. I just love the Fall! The crisp, cool air, the leaves falling, football, apple cider, wearing new boots (I just got some!), a holiday that reminds us to always be thankful and the list could go on.

We have had a pretty busy couple of weeks with lots of company and the launch of Journey Church. It was all pretty exciting! I will post pictures of some of those fun times later but for now just enjoy these of my beautiful girl!

Ballerina Girl

2006-09-13T11:53:00.000-06:00

This picture was taken so Nan can see that mommy did a good job on my bun! :)

Today was the first day of ballet! Madalyn did not want to leave and threw a fit because she wanted to go back in and ask her teacher something. I think it was to make sure she could come back again next week! I would have let her go ask but she was already teaching her next class. She came home and showed me what she learned. I then had to do it too and she would correct me if I did it wrong! Too funny! We might have created a ballerina monster!

Preschool went okay today. I can't figure out why but she was not that excited to go and even said she didn't want to. She did not cry or anything but she wanted me to stay with her. I did for a little bit and and then left and she was fine. Her teacher said she did great so I don't know what is up. I guess we will just take it week by week. I did get a picture of her with her teacher who seems really nice. Hopefully tomorrow will go better!

Fun Pictures

2006-09-09T20:18:00.000-06:00

This is the funny picture I was talking about in an earlier post that I think is so hysterical! Madalyn did not like me holding Siena and would Not smile. We got this picture that just says it all! Too Funny!

The next day we got some great shots of Madalyn and Siena! She loves her cousin whom she calls Baby Siena.

What a sweet baby girl!

Fun in the sun!!

I LOVE this picture! Madalyn still talks about Great Grandma, Grandpa & Auntie Lo and wants to pray for them every night.

Malcolm and Grandpa Reynolds

It was so great to see Grandpa R and visit with him a little bit. What a sweet man! Madalyn prays for him too!

This is the day they planted our tree before we got our grass. I thought it would be fun to take Madalyn's picture by it every year so we can see how much they both grow. That is if our tree survives! It is looking kind of sick. Do you like Madalyn's outfit? This was her day to pick if you couldn't already tell! :)

First Day of Preschool

2006-09-08T09:12:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was the first day of preschool for Madalyn and she did GREAT! She already knows her teacher's name (Mrs. Patterson) and she said that she learned about trains and that they go in a circle. :) Her teacher said that she did very well and had fun playing dress up with some of the other girls. I am excited she is in preschool too! I get to sign up to go and help and bring snacks a couple of times and they have some really neat activities planned throughout the year. It was kind of hard to leave her but she did so well and just went in and started playing after giving me a hug. I think it is because she is just getting so big! I went to the gym and had a good workout and it felt really good so I think this is going to be really good for both of us!

We got her swimming pool out the other day and she had a great time swimming in the fron yard!

I better go! More later!

Still Here!

2006-09-05T22:29:00.000-06:00

I have tried to update and post some pictures a couple of times but I couldn't get blogger to load my pictures. I seem to think that I can't post if I don't have pictures! ;) What to say? What to say?

Madalyn is as sweet as ever! She starts preschool on Thursday and I think she is going to love it! Today we were at this children's store and she was playing with one of the dressed up manequin and she says, "Mommy meet my new friend". I think she is really going to love having some new friends to play with two days a week. Next Tuesday evening she starts ballet and she is going to be in HEAVEN!!! I am really excited for her too! I have to say I have always wanted to have a little girl to take to ballet class. it must come from when I was a little girl and my favorite book to read was "Little Mommy" about this lttle girl who took care of her dolls like a mommy. It was a Little Golden Book and I can't find it anywhere so if anyone has it or has seen it let me know. Fun childhood memory!

I have a show I like to watch - Rockstar: Supernova and it makes me laugh how into it I am! I think next week is the final show and tomorrow night we find out who the final four will be. I really like Toby! I thought Storm did well tonight and liked her original song plus she is from Portland. Just a fun mindless way to relax in the evening. Malcolm watches it too! It is a fun thing we do together.

I have such random blogs when I don't use pictures to guide me. I will try and post some soon with some Madalyn stories because this blog is suppose to be about her and I think it is much better that way! Later gators!

Holidays in Victoria and Washington

2006-08-10T09:39:00.000-06:00

We left for our holidays about two and half weeks after we moved into our new house. We flew to Victoria and spent the weekend with friends and then rode the ferry to Vancouver, B.C. so we could drive down to Vancouver, WA. Thanks so much again to Bonnie and Todd for letting us use their car for the week! You guys are great! And of course, here are some pictures!

Our fun friend Elise had us take girls and guys pictures at the party on Sat. night
The Guys! Madalyn had a great time with Graham (the one who is holding her)
Taking a nap
The ferry ride is just Beautiful! And so are they!

I love the West coast but for some reason I always have to move away! I think heaven is going to be the Pacific Northwest for me so I can enjoy it for all eternity and not have to leave! ;)

This is when we met up with Auntie B and Uncle T and Baby R to gt their car. Cute picture of Madalyn holding Ronan.
Uncle Todd and Ronan wearing their matching shirts Bonnie Made. I thought this was a cute picture! I forgot to turn this picture around but you get the idea!

Here we are in Washington at my parents house playing with good friends!

Madalyn and the girls petting Deer Darlin
Yummy cupcakes (or pupcakes as Madalyn calls them)!
Malcolm having fun playing with Kirk and Matt!

Well, that is the first part of our trip in Washington. More pictures tomorrow!

I'm Back!

2006-08-08T21:02:00.000-06:00

I don't even know where to begin it has been so long since I have blogged! We are all moved into our new house, have gone on vacation to see my family in Washington, have had our Journey Stampede breakfast and Day Camp, and we just got back from our vacation to see Malcolm's family. It has all been very memorable and fun but also very busy and I have not taken the time to blog about it all. It didn't help that we didn't have internet access the first month and half in our new house! Anyways, I thought I would just back track a bit update and share pictures as it all happened because I don't have anything too exciting going on now. :)

I will start with our new house. A picture tour of the downstairs.

Front Door

Our house is perfect for us and we are so blessed! I need to find some curtains (and money to get them with) for our living room because in the evening you can't sit on the couch because the sun is blazing throught the window! I also need some help hanging pictures! I feel like it is such a commitment once you put the nail in the wall. Too much pressure!!! Anyone want to come over and help? I have a sample of pink paint that I am going to try out in Madalyn's room so hopefully I can get going on that soon. I will post pictures when her room is all finished. I am praying for a project friend to move in on our street. I like to do big house projects with a friend to bounce ideas off of and also to make it more fun! I have lots to do!!! :)

I have the funniest picture of Madalyn that I can't wait to post but it is from the vacation we just took so it won't be for a while but it will help motivate me to keep blogging. Thanks for reading and commenting while I was gone! I want to be a better commenter! I really can't believe how addicted I am to reading blogs! It is just so fun keeping up with everyone! I really am going to go now! Next time I will try not to use so many exclamation marks! LOL (Lordy O' Lordy) That is what my mom thought LOL stood for and THAT makes me Laugh Out Loud! She is a funny lady! Enough!!! BYE!BYE!

Madalyn and Daddy

2006-05-22T21:35:00.000-06:00

Madalyn did really well while we were away which makes it SO much easier for me to leave. The couple of days after we got back she did seem like she was a little more grumpy and kind of mad that we left her for two nights but she just didn't know how to express it. I might just be reading too much into it and she was just overly tired or something. She is fine now and back to her old self. The day we got home we were playing outside with some of the kids who live around us. They started playing hokey in the parking lot so Malcolm got his stick and joined them and then Madalyn had to get in there and play too! So she helped Daddy and had a great time! Malcolm had fun too and was excited that she was loving hockey so much until she said she wanted to get a princess hockey stick! That's my girl! ;) I think you can play sports and still be girly! The two CAN coexist! Here are some pictures.
Sweet little girl with a Big hockey stick. She needs a little princess one!;)
Cute hockey girl!
Getting a lesson

Mountain Retreat

2006-05-22T21:05:00.000-06:00

Last week Malcolm and I went to a Minister's and spouses retreat in Canmore, Alberta (really close to Banff!). The retreat itself was really good and it was wonderful to be in the mountains again but it wasn't what I thought it would be for us as a couple. :) Lets just say it was a growing experience and I learned some things about myself and our relationship so in that respect it was good! We will have to go back for an anniversary sometime! There is something about getting away from the city and being in such beauty that is relaxing and reminds you of the majesty of God. We went on a walk with Troy, Debbie and Jackie. Mark had to work (we missed him) but we still managed to have some fun! ;) We laughed and shared and I was reminded once again that I am so glad that we are on this "journey" with them. I have posted a few pictures below.

Thr river we were walking by with a spectacular view!
It was a beautiful day and I wanted to capture this image I saw when looking up!

Happy Mother's Day!

2006-05-14T19:04:00.000-06:00

I have the BEST Mom!!! I think the word that describes my mom is FUN!!! She is so much fun to laugh, walk and talk with and she comes up with the greatest ideas for anything you might want to do or plan. I know that I would be pretty boring if I did not have the influence of my mom thinking out of the box to come up with fun things and to be a little spontaneous! I think it is very telling that I pretty much married the male version of my mom! ;) I Love that she is my best girlfriend and I don't know what I would ever do without her to just call up and chat about anything! She is also the Best Nan and I love to watch her and Madalyn play and have a good time together! She has touched many with her love, acceptance and servant heart! I love you Mom and hope you have a great day!

Fun with Auntie B and Cousin Ronan

2006-05-06T20:50:00.000-06:00

Today Madalyn's Auntie B and Cousin Ronan had a two hour layover in Calgary on their way to Regina. We went to the airport to see them for a little bit! Madalyn had a great time and we had a nice visit with them. Uncle Todd's dad, sister and nephew were there too. Madalyn started calling Todd's dad "Grandpa". I thought it was really cute! This morning I was reminding Madalyn (Auntie B had told her yesterday) that we were going to the airport to see Auntie B and Baby Ronan. Madalyn then goes on to tell me, "Uncle Todd has to work - too bad!" I think she really wanted to see Uncle Todd too!

We have had a really good weekend so far. Tomorrow will be busy because in the morning we are going to visit another church plant called The Lantern and then tomorrow afternoon we have our Journey launch team gathering. I haven't done ANY packing yet! I think I need someone to kick me in the rear to get movin or we won't be ready!!!! :) Have a great rest of the weekend!

Auntie Xana and mini-Todd
Uncle Malcolm with his sister and sweet Ronan
Sweet! Madalyn loves her cousin

Madalyn and Auntie B

More Pictures

2006-05-06T20:41:00.000-06:00

Precious Girl!
Cute in her yellow dress with Bunny!
A cute little face she likes to give me when I ask her to smile these days.
Miss Hollywood!

Cute Madalyn Stories

2006-04-30T16:21:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share some cute things ( at least we think they are cute!) Madalyn has said in the past couple of days.

I'll start with today and you might have to see the picture to actually understand but I will try and tell you anyways. :) We were at Bow Valley sitting in their fireside room and they have this picture of Jesus over the fireplace and it kind of looks like he has his head laying on a table with his arm up on top of his head. It is an interesting looking picture. Well, Madalyn looks at it and says, "Is that Jesus?" "Did he hurt his head?" It made me laugh! I might try to take a picture of it and post it so you really get the idea.

The other night we went to Steve and Rebecca's for dinner and then took the kids to Wendy's to get dessert. Madalyn says to Sydney, "We're going to Wendy's house for chocolate ice cream"! While we were there the three of them (Aiden,Sydney, & Madalyn) were doing some great knock knock jokes that they would just make up. It reminded me of our "folks" we used to live with in Abilene. :)

The other day while I was gone to the gym. Madalyn and Malcolm were home together and he was fixing her some lunch and asked her what she wanted to have and she said," Strawberries"! Malcolm told her that we didn't have any strawberries (mostly because he wanted her to eat a sandwich or something first) and Madalyn goes ripping over to the fridge while yelling "YES WE DO!" while pulling and yanking to get the fridge door open. Malcolm distracts her and starts to make her a bagel. A bit later he opens the fridge to get the butter and she runs into the kitchen and looks in the open fridge, and with her hands over her head while looking at the strawberries she says, "Tah Dah"!!!!!!

We have had a good and relaxing weekend so far! I got a lot of cleaning done on Friday and should try and finish up today but I have not started packing yet! My goal is by tomorrow evening to go through all of Madalyn's clothes pack up and store all of her winter clothes and go through all of her toys to get rid of the ones we don't want or we need to store for the next baby. Lots of work to do to get ready!!! I hope this is my last move for a while! Since I left home for college I have not lived in one place for more than three years! It is time to feel some what settled. I know, I know we rarely know what is going to happen to where we have to move or something but for me just going into this new house without having plans to move in the distant future feels great!!!!

It is cold and rainy here. I think I will go take a nap!