Holidays in Victoria and Washington

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!

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

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

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!

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!

More Pictures and Stories

Way up high on Daddy!!!
She put on one of my aprons and her ballet skirt and a hankerchief on her head! For some reason she is always topless in the outfits she creates.
She fell asleep on Mommy! Sweet Girl!


I have a few new stories!

The other night Malcolm was home with Madalyn and while they were playing he tooted. Madalyn then tells her Daddy, "Be sure to tell me if you need to go poop!" I wonder if she has heard that a lot here lately! :)

One other night Malcolm and Madalyn went to the store and he asked her if she was ready to get out and go in to the store and she says, "Absolutely!"

Madalyn has this book called "Where Do Kisses Come From?" and one part of it says, "Kisses come from chocolate covered noses". The other night I made some chocolate covered strawberries and Madalyn had a couple. The next day she kept asking for chocolate covered noses!

We are trying to get ready for our move but it has been slow going so far! I have some sweet friends who have offered to keep Madalyn for the day so I can do some major packing! It will help Soooo much! This Monday through Wednesday aftenoon we are going to a minister's retreat and I am really looking forward to the time away even though I will be behind even more when I get back! Malcolm asked me to sing with him, Troy and Debbie at this retreat and for some reason I said yes! It will be fun for the four of us to sing together but I am still not real comfortable with it yet so I pray I can be in the right place spiritually so it is no big deal. It used to be I didn't want to sing in front of people because they would be hearing my voice but now that is hardly the issue. It is the standing up there leading people into worship with our wonderful Savior thing that gets me. I don't want to be performing or it to not be authentic but I don't want to just be standing up there just singing. I don't know how Malcolm does it!!! He is very encouraging and I love being up there with him!!! I am glad that he wants me! ;) I have the BEST husband EVER!!!!!!

I hope everyone has a good rest of the weekend and Mother's Day!

Fun with Auntie B and Cousin Ronan

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

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

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!

Pictures

Some stories to come later but I have to leave for my Pilates class or I will be late! I think now that I know how to put pictures on that my blogging will be more consistent. I'll be back later!

We Bought A House!!!

Hi! Some exciting news for us this week! We bought a house and I LOVE it!!!! It is in what they call a "bedroom" community outside of Calgary called Langdon. It is not where we thought we would end up but I really think that it is going to work out okay! We take possession on May 26th so I have lots of cleaning and packing to do but I can't wait to get all moved in because it still does not seem real and that it is really ours. I NEVER thought we would get a new house so I feel VERY blessed! Some features I really love are that the laundry room is upstairs (YAY!), it has nine foot ceilings and I actually have a pantry and a garage! All of the furniture that you see in the pictures is the stuff they were going to decorate it with because it was originally going to be a showhome. I wouldn't be upset if they just forgot to come get it before the 26th! ;) I hope everyone has a great weekend! Here are some pictures!



Front









Back of house has a really big yard that will be great for Madalyn!











View from front door















Kitchen

It's obvious!

A couple of weeks ago Madalyn slept in her "Big Girl" bed for the first time! She is doing really well staying in bed and going to sleep although she has had her moments of getting up to play a little bit. One time Malcolm went by and saw the light in her room turning off and on and found her standing in her rocker flipping the switch with her eyes wide knowing she had been caught! She really is so much fun! Don't you just love the bright blue beach towel we are using as a curtain in her room?! Country come to town in my opinion! ;) We will hopefully be moving soon and right now it helps keep Madalyn in bed for a little longer in the mornings. I guess all fashion sense goes out the window for the chance at a little more sleep!



A funny thing Madalyn said today. First of all she was in one of her new tutus with butterfly wings on her back while being completely naked underneath! Like in the picture above. She got something caught in her hair and said to me "Tangles in my hair! It's obvious!" Where she learned how to use that word we have no idea!

Excited about her presents!
Madalyn's new princess bike she got from mommy and daddy!
Blowing out the candles! The birthday theme was pink!!!
Easter egg hunt at the Zorn's ranch


Easter morning on her way to church

Todd Tagged Me so here it is...

FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD

1. Cleaning a dentist office
2. Cashier at Target
3. Adoption Caseworker
4. House Manager at Disability Resources

FOUR MOVIES I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER

1. Finding Nemo ( I have done this with Madalyn and still can't watch when Coral dies)
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. Sound of Music (I don't own it but would like to have it!)
4. Pride and Prejudice (The A&E production. I own it!)

FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED

1. San Antonio, Texas
2. Vancouver, Washington
3. Searcy, Arkansas
4. Victoria, British Columbia

FOUR T.V. SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH

1. Amazing Race
2. American Idol
3. CSI Las Vegas
4. Dancing with the Stars ( I really liked this last one!)
5. I LOVE watching 24 and Alias on DVD with my husband!

FOUR PLACES I HAVE GONE ON VACATION

1. All over Europe
2. New York City (Thanks Mom & Dad! One of our best Christmas before Malcolm & Madalyn)
3. San Francisco ( that spelling does not look right to me?)
4. Cruise to Catalina Island and Mexico

FOUR FAVORITE DISHES

1. Guacamole with chips or really anything!
2. Italian pasta dishes
3. Tex-Mex (Enchiladas, beans and rice and good queso)
4.A good Cheeseburger

FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY

1. Hotmail
2. Lots of blogs
3. Weather Network
4. MLS - SE Homes

FOUR BLOGGERS TAGGED

1. Bonnie
2. Kara
3. That's all because no one else knows about my blog!

I'm going to try this again! I should not have told anyone about this because as soon as I did I stopped blogging! I have not blogged since I told so it must be psychological for me to know that someone I know might read what I have written. Weird! I know! I really need to learn how to post pictures because I have some cute ones of Madalyn I could put up. Speaking of Madalyn she is as SWEET as ever! She is kind of sick right now. It feels like she has a low grade fever and she has a very runny nose. She has been really tired today too but other than that she was still in pretty good spirits. She has this game she likes to play right now that just cracks me up. My mom gave her some panties with the days of the week written on them and some different things like butterflies, flowers, kittens, etc. On each one. Well, she likes to take all of them out of her drawer and sit on my lap and go through all of them while I tell her the day of the week and she names all of the things she sees on it. She will yell, "Lets play the panty game!". So funny!

We had a good weekend at our Journey Launch Team Retreat last weekend. Madalyn had fun with everyone and on Sunday danced in the middle of the floor while her daddy was singing. She is not very shy anymore! She loved being with everyone and when she woke up in the mornings she would say, "I want to go see my friends". She is growing up so fast and I can't believe that she is about to be three!

I guess I will end here. Hopefully I will be back soon!