I've named her "Jennifer"

Jennifer was my birthday present from Jon and the kids. I love her. I love how she makes yummy espresso and steams and froths my milk. I love that she lives in my home and she can make me yummy drinks whenever I want :)

Uncle Len!

Uncle Len is my brother-in-law. As he and Win married two years before I was born, he's always been in my life. Len was the first one to see me at the hospital after I was born and was the MC at our wedding. He is amazing with each of the little Gomers and they each have a special spot in their hearts for their Uncle Len...

...the one with little hair on his head, but whiskers on his top lip, a puzzling combination for baby Jordan...

...the one with the fun lawn tractor...

...the one who goes fishing with us at Papa's house...


...the one who takes the afternoon off work to build snowforts, go sliding, and eat Abby's 6th birthday cupcakes...

...the one who helps Jude make a "snow partridge" when it's clear that the snow conditions for a full-blown snowman are not ideal, but does not want to disappoint :)

...the one who cuddles up with the boys on the couch to watch Cars...again...

...the one who helps build toys...

...the one who makes bonfires and roasts "spider hot dogs"...

...the one who helps the kids play horseshoes with Papa...

...the one who loves sweet Abby Grace so much that he ...

...helped her and Auntie Win paint Tasha's toenails...

...and played Polly Pockets...

We love you Uncle Len! Thanks for all that you are to our little family :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I miss them...

Tonight, I'm sitting in front of our computer instead of snuggly in bed. I've been thinking of Josh and Jonah so much more than usual over the past little while. Tonight, I really miss them. More than usual. Maybe it's because I've recently shared our story with people who weren't aware that Abby is not our first child. Maybe it's seeing Jude and Jordan's relationship blossom, especially since becoming roommates this past week. Maybe it's because we converted our nursery, the room where we dreamed that Josh and Jonah would spend their first years together, into Abby's room. Maybe it's because we took down the shelf in the nursery that held some of their belongings. Maybe it's because 7 years ago tomorrow I sat around with friends looking through baby name books while eating birthday cake, trying to find two boys' names that sounded good together and were meaningful. Maybe it's because I recently heard a sermon about Heaven and being reunited with those who have gone before us. Maybe it's because I learned tonight that a friend from back home is expecting twin boys... that's when the dam of emotions broke. That's when I started sobbing... I miss them.

And yet, I have the hope of seeing them again. I'm so very thankful that God allowed me to be their mother even though it meant heartwrenching loss. I'm thankful for all that God has taught me through their births and deaths. I'm thankful for Abby, Jude & Jordan. I'm thankful for Jon and our marriage that God sustained. I'm thankful that God is good and faithful, always.

Sometimes blogging is more for me than for others. So, for those of you who took the time to read this post, thank you for "listening" :)

Family Day Weekend

Saturday we went to Fort William Historical Park for their annual Voyageur Winter Carnival where we joined our friends the Longs. Although we had to part company a couple times for our somewhat cranky 2-year old, it was so nice to spend time with our dear friends. Mike and Karen were the first Christian couple that we met when we moved to Thunder Bay in 2000. We've been friends for 9 1/2 years or so now.

Jordan got cold toes & fingers (and became quite displeased), but was all smiles when Mummy shared her maple syrup rolled on a stick! Jude opted for the cone and savoured it for nearly half an hour. Abby is more like me and gobbled hers quickly!

The kids loved the huge snow maze which this year had a slide out.

The kids also did crafts and Abby and I went tubing. Jude just liked sitting in his!

After the sleigh ride to the actual fort, the kids enjoyed bannock fried in bear fat (I opted out...)

Our favourite activity was taking a ride on the frozen river in a dog sled. Abby, Jude and I sat cozy in the sled pulled by 6 dogs. Four of the dogs were only a year old. Abby loved that one of the lead dogs was a female. Samantha is one of the younger dogs and is being mentored by an older and more experienced dog. Our team was only on its second run of the day. They were fresh and FAST! I've never actually had a dog sled ride before and was amazed at how well they responded to the driver's verbal commands. Jordan stayed back with Jon, but hopefully we can all get out next year!

While we were deciding what time to schedule our dog sled ride, we were approached by a reporter from Thunder Bay Newswatch. Jon bailed so I chatted with the reporter. His story about the carnival is here.

Despite some tears from our littlest Gomer, the carnival was more of a success than last year!

Some cookie with that icing, Jordan?

This kid loves his icing... the cookie is optional :)

Happy 35th Jon!

Jon turned 35 on Saturday and we spent the day celebrating with our little family. The kids decided that Daddy needed Lucky Charms for breakfast, so that's what we had along with fruit smoothies. I'm pretty sure I slept on some Lucky Charms Saturday night!

After pizza for lunch, we ate yummy caramel pecan ice cream cake :) They didn't have a "3" at Walmart (where I bought the "5" candle), so we had to improvise with the "3" candle from Jude's party last May.

After a rest, we all went to the hill behind our house for a little family sliding party! Even Jordan enjoyed sliding, but only with his Daddy! Jude preferred to just slide down on his snowpants at first, but then slid with both Mummy & Daddy. Abby was content to slide on her own, but did let me slide with her a few times. She was very disappointed when our tube suffered a nasty tear when Jude and I slid over a stick (oops!).

We had an easy supper, then got ready for a movie night with the kids. While I went out to pick up the movie, our furnace stopped working. Plan B was for me to watch the movie with the kids while Jon worked at the furnace. Shortly after popping the popcorn and arranging sour gummy worms in bowls, Jude announced that his tummy hurt. The annoucement was followed by vomit. A lot of vomit.

After cleaning all infected surfaces and changing clothing, we started the movie. Jude felt better. After watching about half, I decided that it was time for bed. The big kids headed upstairs while Jordy and I searched for his favourite cars (Doc & King) to take to bed. As I bent over to retrieve the cars from the floor, with Jordy in my arms, he too began to throw up. Again, lots of vomit. This time I was directly in the line of fire. I can handle cleaning up vomit, better than Jon at least, but even I gagged when I was covered in it... While I contemplated my clean-up options, I heard Jude throwing up again. He's usually pretty good at getting to the toilet, but this time he was sitting on it and didn't have time to get off and turn around. I had to call Jon up from his furnace fixing for back-up. What do you when you have two vomit-covered little boys at the same time!?

Meanwhile, the furnace was still not working and our house was getting chilly. We had invited friends over to play games so tried to call them before they left to tell them about our evening's adventures. They had already left. By the time they arrived, we had managed to get everyone cleaned up and tucked snugly into their beds. Although we gave them the option of bailing, they ended up staying, Jon got the furnace running (at least temporarily) and we had a fun evening eating chips, drinking coffee (except Jon... we still have yet to "convert" him) and playing games. With the exception of the vomit & furnace woes, it was a fun day.

Happy Birthday, Jon! You're the best :)

This fall...

...Jude will be standing with Abby to have his picture taken... for his first day of school too!

...they will play at the bus stop before they both get on the bus.

...Jude won't be sad to see his big sister leaving on the bus, because he'll be with her!

...it'll just be Jordy, standing on the sidewalk with Mummy, waving as the bus takes Abbs and Jude to school.

Although we attended the JK information night for Abby, I wanted to go again for Jude. I didn't tear up... right away anyway. I just thought about him at school, so little and yet so grown up. I thought about how he wouldn't be at home with me everyday anymore. Another adult would be spending his/her day with our sweet Jude. I pray they will get to know him and learn how funny, sensitive and caring he is.

He's such an amazing big brother, very patient and kind with Jordan. He's also a great little brother, but he can be a typical little brother and make noises or chew in a way to annoy his sister to the point of yelling, with a little smile on his face. I find it kind of funny actually... until Abby's yelling reaches our tolerance level.

I registered Jude on Monday. He will officially be a JK student in September :) Abby will be in Grade 1. This picture, taken the day Jude was born after we arrived home from the hospital, doesn't seem that long ago...