Transitions and thankfulness

Jon goes back to work a week from tomorrow. He's been on parental leave and vacation since the beginning of August. It's been an incredible blessing for him to be home with the kids while I've been at my internship. He's been able to spend quality time with the boys while Abby's been at school and been able to pick her up from her bus stop. When not with the kids, he's been working long hours on the addition so that we can soon (ish) move into the additional space. I know that I groan and complain too much. Jon has spent little time for himself since we started the addition 2 1/2 years ago. I know that I don't tell him enough... thanks for all that you've done and that you're doing for our family, Jon. I love you.

Next week will be a transition for our family. Jon will return to work, Abby will return to school and the boys will be with a new sitter. January will be the beginning of the 8 months that I have to complete my doctorate. As much as I enjoy practicing clinically, I miss being a full-time stay-at-home mum. The plan is for me to spend the next 8 months cramming a dissertation and science comp into our home life while working at my internship 20 hours/week. Then, I'll be "Dr. Lezlie, stay-at-home mum" until Jordan starts school. Only 8 months to go!! So, if the blog is neglected, it's hopefully because I've stopped procrastinating (New Year's resolution?) and am busily writing when not doing laundry or dishes or dancing, singing, cuddling, tickling, reading stories, playing playdoh, blocks, cars, trains, kitties... :)

My Christmas Gift

Although Jon and I agreed that we would only fill stockings for each other, he surprised me by making me a beautiful, rustic headboard to go in our new suite. It's made from posts and boards from our old shed. We're not officially living in our suite yet, but we're getting there.

A photo begging for a caption...

More Christmas pictures...

We went to the Schmidt's for Christmas dinner... this is their kitty. The kids were thrilled that she didn't run away like our Bij.

Merry Christmas from the Gomers...

We had a great Christmas yesterday. The kids woke up shortly after 7 am and cuddled in with Jon and I and opened their stockings. We then made our way downstairs where we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and shared the Christmas story.
We went to the candle light Christmas Eve service at our church. The kids were up later than usual, but the morning didn't reflect their lack of sufficient sleep. Even Abby, who had been vibrating with excitment for several days leading up to Christmas, was able to take her time and enjoy each present, giving thank yous and cuddles.
Daddy opening presents the kids had made for him.
A surprising (non-kitty) request on Abby's Christmas wish list was a princess costume. Playing princess means having Mummy or Daddy dancing with her. Watching Abby dance with her Daddy, giggling as he spun and "dipped" her, nearly brought tears to my eyes.

We bought Jude some Diego unders and a potty book & DVD. We explained to him that he could wear his new unders when he could stay dry and use the potty. He decided that wearing his unders OVER his diaper (and his jammies) would be easier :)

After most of the presents were opened, we had a yummy breakfast (Jordan particularly enjoyed the cool whip from the waffles).

Although we were away from our biological families this year we celebrated our Saviour's birth and created new traditions and memories.

Preparing for Christmas

"Seriously Mum, these lights are a mess! How did I get stuck with this job?!"
Jude working on presents for Daddy and Abby. One of our new traditions is to make an ornament for each other each year. Abby and Jude exchanged homemade ornaments this year. Hopefully next year we can all do it for each other.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas friends! May you each experience the wonder of Christmas in your lives.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men"

Luke 2: 11-14

Jude at Gymnastics

Jude was a "Busy Bee" in gymnastics this fall for the first time. He was very busy and needed redirection at times, but he really loved learning to use his body in new ways. Abby took her class at the same time, so I could watch her (when not helping or chasing Jude)


Doing the "bear walk"
Balance beam... I had to convince him to be a car (the beam has a dotted line like a street) so he would go on the beam. He moved very slowly, but did it!
Doing the monkey bars with "Coach Mike". Jude really loved Mike. He would often mention him through the week and want to "go see Mike now?" We had to tell him that Mike was eating supper, sleeping, finishing his breakfast, etc.
Climbing over the ladder.

Keeping us busy...

Standing on the stool to play the keyboard.
Sitting on top of the desk.
Standing on top of the play garage, looking pretty proud of himself.
Um... digging in the garbage... I know... it's disgusting! The garbage can has since been moved where little fingers can't go digging!

Brothers & Sister

Morning cuddles (or tackles...)

Groovin' in the living room to Christmas tunes... (Jude is sporting both Abby's life jacket and dress shoes)

Our baby boy turned 1!

We had a bit of a crazy busy weekend, but I managed to get a Pooh cake made for Jordan's first birthday. The first picture is how it looked when I first finished it. Shortly before Jordan's guests arrived I glanced at the cake to see that the top of Pooh's head had fallen from the face between his eyes & eye brows... I needed shims... I used mum mums (rice rusks). It worked fine until I realized that "shimming" one end cause the other end to crack as well. More shims?

So we decided to take a picture of Jordan with his cake before it fell apart completely! Ummm, I'm actually holding the side of the Pooh's collar for the picture :)


Jude quite enjoyed the cake and had at least 2 pieces...maybe 3...

Jordan has been sick with a head cold so was not himself... he was a little cranky and kept swiping his birth buddy Myah's water. Myah was surprisingly understanding... what a good friend :)

More birthday fun