Happy 5 Month Birthday Liam

You have GOT to be kidding me! You're pointing that camera in my face AGAIN?!

Finally!

Well after having our vehicles for sale for the past 2 months or so with no luck we have decided to change plans. Originally we wanted to sell both the Jeep & Jetta and get Keith a small car or pick up truck just to get to work.

It's not the right climate to be selling cars we have found. We have had a fair amount of interest but everyone wants a good deal. A REALLY good deal. We are not so desperate that we are going to give them away!

So we are going to keep the Jetta as Keith's commuter car. It's a great car with tons of life in it yet. It fits all of us so either car can be used to transport the family. The Jeep has gone into 'storage' and will continue to be for sale. Jeeps generally sell better in the spring/summer. We are confident it will sell eventually as there are always men looking for a hobby vehicle.

So yesterday Keith insured the Honda and this morning was it's maiden voyage to school. It's nice...I think. It took me the whole drive there to figure out what all the knobs and levers are for and my foot kept pounding the floor board looking for the clutch :) It'll take some getting used to. There is a nasty blind spot when I shoulder check that scares me so I'll have to learn how to use my mirrors a bit better. The boys were pleased with the roomy backseat and that's really what it was all about. Room for the boys!

Also, if you haven't seen the movie 'Fireproof' I would highly recommend it. It's very inspirational and encouraging! I have a copy and if anyone would like to borrow it you are more than welcome!!!

One of the Nicest People I Never Met....Yet!

I have a special blogger friend who is having her 'jubilee' birthday today! I don't even really quite recall how we got connected in blogland but I am certainly glad we did.

Lovella is quite certainly a person you want to know. She is very encouraging, supportive, generous and kind. Even though we attend the same church and have people we know in common we haven't had the chance to meet each other in person yet. Even so, she has been very encouraging to me with kind emails. I do look forward to meeting her one day....and hopefully soon! I am also inspired from reading her blog to become a better wife and mother. Lovella also initiated the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog and does a fabulous job of administering the behind the scenes work that goes along with it. I want to take this opportunity to wish the lovely and talented Lovella the most fantastic birthday today!

Saturday & Sunday

Another weekend come and gone. Keith was out investigating another fire Friday night and most of Saturday so I was on my own a fair amount this week-end. I'm getting used to it though....all a part of the job! I always told Keith that when he finally got hired at the fire department I would be so happy that I would not complain about the crazy hours. Doing my best to keep up my end of the bargain :)

I bought Liam this very cute and very Canadian looking hat. He really needed a hat with 'ears' as he as outgrown all of his winter hats so far. Great bargain at $4 on sale compared to $15 regular price!

Liam is probably as tired as I am of soccer season. It was sunny but cold!

Today we took the boys out for a walk between rain showers. Chad and Nathan took their wooden airplanes and flew them as we walked.

Yep....those walks are just plain exhausting!

My Clever Husband

I do admire creative talents in others. I think mostly because I don't have any creative talents! I am practical to the core and don't know how or actually have the desire to go beyond that.

Keith is very artistic and doesn't always get to use that in his job. Back in his drafting days he was able to draw and create but now he's in a job of rules, regulations and there isn't room for drawing or coloring :)

BUT! The guys at work know about Keith's creative side and asked him to come up with some designs as their VW Bug is getting a new paint job courteousy of a local autobody shop. The chief approved his design last night and I'm really proud that my husband's design is going to be driving all over town in a short while. So the bug that has had Sparky the fire dog on it for so long is going to be cool now. Maybe now all the guys will stop fighting over who has to drive the 'girl' car!!!

A Lifetime Ago

One year ago we were here.....

....wow! So much has happened since then!

A Weight Lifted

Nathan has had a huge and hideous Canadian history project on the go since mid-January. It's caused great stress all the way from selecting his topic to finding materials to the actual completion last night. Ugh...how I despise it when school work interferes with family life.

Chad has been beside himself with boredom without his brother to play with for the past while. I've confiscated the PlayStation so that wasn't a temptation too. It's been simply yucky.

But the project is handed in now and we're FREE from the pressure. Feels pretty darn good!

I bet you didn't know that the light bulb was actually invented by two Canadians! I didn't. They sold the patent to Thomas Edison because they didn't have the money to actually manufacture or improve their invention. Yes....things you should know.

There is completed report, backboard and display. You can't see the wooden box too well and I should have taken a photo of the inside. Nathan has about 20 samples of different things that were tried as filaments for the light bulb. I hope he gets a decent grade. The instructions of how to complete this project were sort of vague so Keith decided we would just do it our way. Oh dear!

While Keith and Nate were finishing this yesterday, I went for a nice walk with Chad, Liam and my parents. It was too gorgeous to sit inside. The sun was warm and the sky bright blue. Beautiful!

My Valentine

Last night we decided to go on a hot date. A hot date in our hot tub that is. I was pretty excited because I hadn't had a dip since before Liam was born.

So Keith got it all ready and I hopped in while he was mixing us some iced tea. He came outside and asked why I had turned out the lights in the tub and turned off the jets. I hadn't.

ARG! The stupid breaker tripped again and now we are back to square one with the hot tub. Same issue that we thought we had dealt with in November has come back to haunt us.

Anyhow....we're sitting in the tub discussing the warranty and that sort of romantic thing and his phone rings. No one calls him on his work phone at 10 pm unless it's work. Sigh.....big fire and guess who's turn it is to investigate? Out of the hot tub we get.

Keith goes to sift through stinky ashes and I go to bed alone.

But it all doesn't really matter and I wasn't super disappointed. It's just ONE day on the calendar. I prefer a lots of love spread out over the year rather than a big explosion of it on the 14th :)

I hope you all celebrated in a way that made you feel special and loved!

A Very Special Day

Today we were very priveledged to witness the baptism of my mother-in-law. Keith's mom has been on a spiritual journey for a long time now and has recently come to love Jesus very much through a seminar she attended at a local church. We are so happy for her and thank the Lord that our prayers have been answered! We look forward to watching her grow in Christ and be a blessing to all those around her.

Lois is on the right and her friend is on the left. They attended the seminar together and decided to get baptized together as well!

This and That

My first attempt at Yorkshire pudding. They were absolutely delicious!!

His chubbiness in the tub. That's one big chunk 'o baby!

And my live-in help amusing Liam so I can make supper!

Liam's Got His Mom's Genes?

My dad feels there is a resemblence. What do you think?

Ten Things

I was assigned the letter 'L' from Sonya. I've been a follower of her blog for years now and even though it's private I think she's quite open to new readers. You can email me if you want to contact her for access.

1. Library ~ I go to our public library at least 1-2 times each week. I love reading and enjoy finding new 'favorites' and picking up the latest magazines to read or classic movies to watch. Libraries are the BEST!

2. Lemons ~ I love the flavor of lemons. I especially love lemon desserts. My two favorites are lemon bars and lemon loaf. Yum.

3. Lucy Maud Montgomery ~ She is definitely one of the best authors. I love her writing style and the stories she tells in all her books. She is much more than just 'Anne of Green Gables'!

4. Love Languages ~ This is a good way to be able to show your spouse/friends/kids love in a way that is extra special to them. Read the book. And if you want to know my love language is 'acts of service'.

5. Light ~ I need the blinds open in my entire house upon waking. Shut blinds/curtains in the daytime really bother me.

6. Laughing ~ I love a good laugh. The kind of laugh where your cheeks hurt and you just about pee your pants! Nothing quite like it!!!

7. Loyal ~ I am a loyal friend. I am loyal to my committments.

8. Liam ~ I'm in love with my little baby boy. He's gorgeous and sweet and chubby and loveable.....it goes on and on!

9. Lost ~ I am a fan of the TV program Lost. I wish I could just figure out what's going on and I'm getting impatient to know the answers to all the mysteries!

10. Lipstick ~ I rarely wear lipstick. I have yet to find that 'perfect' shade and I'm tired of wasting money on colors that I end up hating once I get home. A quick swipe of Vaseline on my lips is all I wear.

Last One...For Real!

1. WAS YOUR THIRD PREGNANCY PLANNED? Ummm...No. No. No. No. No. No.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes for 14 years.

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Hysteria. Not the good kind.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Not really but in my hysteria the thought did cross my mind.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 34

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I picked up a test on a whim since my period had started and then stopped which was very strange for me. I thought for sure it would be negative. I went out again and got another test because I thought it was defective.

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? I stewed and swore all day at home alone until Keith got home and then I went berserk.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes because I was not really wanting anymore surprises in my life. I needed to plan at least some portion of the pregnancy.

9. DUE DATE? Oct 5, 2008

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes, for the first 3 months. It really sucked.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Food in general :)

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? My swollen ankles/feet really bothered me. I wasn't too fond of people who were 'thrilled' for me when I was quite upset about this whole thing. I needed sympathy...not congrats for the first several months!

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? I wanted a boy!

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 45 big ones! Do you see a pattern?

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? I had three! Very blessed.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? Like I said...I was done with surprises.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Abbotsford Regional Hospital

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Planned c-section.

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Keith

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Surgical staff and Keith

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? C-Section

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Of course...post op meds are not optional!

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7lbs. 6oz....my littlest.

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? Sept 26, 2008

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Liam Michael Dyck

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 4 months

PS. For the record I'm REALLY glad Liam is here now :)

Can't Leave Out the Second Born!

1. WAS YOUR SECOND PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes, right down to the month I wanted another baby. I like to plan things!

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? I was happy things were going according to plan :)

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? No

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 27

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Missed period, took test....routine by now!

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? I think Keith....probably...yes.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? No, but I hoped for another boy.

9. DUE DATE? April 24, 2001

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes...until 14 weeks.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? I don't remember....sorry!

12. WHO/WHAT RRITATED YOU THE MOST? People trying to convince me to try a VBAC

13. WHAT WAS YOUR SECOND CHILD'S SEX? Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Not at all

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? another 45!

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, from my co-workers.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? No, I knew.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? It was smooth sailing

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? MSA Hospital

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Zero...a beautiful and calm planned c-section. There was no way on God's green earth I was ever trying labour again!

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Keith

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Surgical staff and Keith

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? C-Section

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? I learned about the magic of Tylenol and Advil post-op.

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8 lbs. 8oz.

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? April 18, 2001

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Chad Alexander

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR SECOND BORN TODAY? 7

All About My Firstborn

I grabbed this off of Sonya's blog :)

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes...very much so.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes for three years.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Happiness since we had experienced a miscarriage a few months before.
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? No
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 24
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Missed period, took test....rather routine!
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Keith of course!

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? No. Besides, that wasn't really an option back then.
9. DUE DATE? March 5, 1998

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes, for the first 3 months
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Slushies and anything cold and refreshing

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? The smell of toast made me raving mad and sick to my stomach.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? I didn't care either way.

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 45 big ones!

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yep, a few
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I am difficult to surprise.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? MSA Hospital, Abbotsford
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 22 hours of induced labour and then a C-section

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Keith

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? I have no idea...I was so delirious.

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? C-Section

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes anything I could have....demoral, laughing gas....and finally a blessed spinal.

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8lbs. 2oz.
28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? March 18, 1998...13 days late.
30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Nathan Joshua Dyck
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 10

He...I Mean 'We' Made It

Liam's shots went really well. I'm pretty sure he wasn't too impressed but was quickly comforted after each of the three jabs. He's been a bit cranky but there hasn't been any fever or other reactions so far. Phew!

He's weighing in at 17 lbs 12 oz (clothes) which puts him in the 90th percentile. He's a robust lad!

I Need Calm

Liam is getting his first set of shots tomorrow. We have delayed it but not giving up on immunizations altogether. I researched them the best I could and we have a plan that we think we can live with.

That being said I am nervous.

Please pray that Liam doesn't have any adverse reactions and that his body can handle them with minimal pain and fever.

Thank-you.

Sushi!

It tasted so good! Nathan even tried a few bites with a willing attitude. Wonders never cease around here.

I made cream puffs for dessert because no birthday should pass without a sweet treat!

Another Year of Living!

Yahoo...today is my birthday. I am healthy, loved and have so many blessings in my life! What a reason to celebrate.
Last year was quite intense and went by in a flash. All the way from the 'two pink lines on a stick' revelation right up until the last day of '35' it has been quite the ride. God does give us challenges but also the strength to get through them. It's been a lesson to learn!
This year will bring more adventures and I plan to enjoy all the days that are planned out for me by God who holds me in his hand.
I have been busy these past few days. It's going to be a marathon post.....take a look!

Last Friday we went out with the gang to Abbotsford's newest eating establishment. What a beautiful pub! The building is gorgeous. The atmosphere was great and as always...it was a real treat to have a night out.

Keri & Dave

Kori & Roger

I got this great plate and very yummy chocolate and the necklace I am wearing from K & K. They have quite the knack for chosing perfect presents!

My dinner was good. Not fantastic or amazing but good. The garlic aioli for the yam fries was lethal....oh the stink!
My complimentary dessert of sticky toffee pudding. Keith and I shared...it was huge!


Last night we went to my parents for supper. My mom usually makes us special requests at our birthdays and I wanted her 'Scrumptious Chicken'. It's quite possibly the most delicious food she's ever made! Along with her orange/strawberry winter salad with candied pecans...I was in gastric heaven.

Me and my boys.

Andrew brought me back this great t-shirt from Hawaii....just as I ordered!

My mom bought me a new fancy salad spinner. My cheapo version broke a few months back and I have been desperate to spin dry my lettuce once again!
Oh and a picture or two of my little sweetheart who by the way has forgotten how to sleep more than four hours in a row at night. Grrrr.....

Keith bought me tickets to see Third Day for my birthday! I'm really excited as I can't remember the last time I went to a concert of any sort. Tonight Chad is treating me to sushi for dinner. He's such a little sweetie. He wants to pay for it out of his own money.

I can never get tired of looking at Mt Baker. This was the view on my walk this morning. It's always stunning!

Oh...and a little piece of exciting news! We purchased our flights to Ireland! We have been planning this trip of a lifetime forever now and it's finally all coming together. We never dreamed we'd be able to visit our friends at their home but it's all worked out (thanks ICBC :)) and we're beyond excited!!!!!!!!