The Puddicombe Family

Moose's Learning Curve....

2011-08-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

I've known for a long time that my Moose has had a speech delay. I tried talking to her doctor about it at each appointment, but didn't push the concerns I had. Finally at her 3 year appointment, I asked him to refer her to speech therapy, that I was very concerned.

Yesterday was her "screening" appointment. This is where they determine whether or not the parents are just whacked out nut jobs who are overly concerned about everything.

Turns out, i'm not one of them (in this case anyway).

Unfortunately, now we wait...as with ALL things healthcare related these days. I was informed that she likely won't get into speech therapy until at least January. Emma will be 3.5 years old then, 1.5 years away from the start of Kindergarten. The therapist did however, provide us with two activities to do with her constantly in the meantime. One of them combines a bit of sign language (I want...). Emma is to do this every-time she wants something. Eventually, she will just straight out sign and ask without prompting. The second activity is the "what is it" game. Emma constantly speaks in babble, so, the "what is it" game eliminates the babble, and goes straight to the object. You need A LOT of patience for this game...something this red headed mother does NOT have.

I was told at this appointment that Emma communicates at an 18 month level. This scared me. However, she picked up on a lot of the stuff shown fairly quickly, and I was told that therapy will be wonderful for her and she will succeed in it.

I was also informed that Emma doesn't understand the words, which is why she isn't communicating. She just repeats what is being said to her, but she doesn't know what it is.

After her appointment, I was full of mixed emotions. I first started the self blame thing...I knew there was a problem, I knew it was a big one, why didn't i push it sooner? I felt like a horrible mother, because now my child suffers even more than if I had pushed it at her 1 year appointment, rather than her 3rd. I cried the entire way out to the cottage. Then, I moved on to the sensible emotions...I'm doing something now, that's what matters. I just wish I had the confidence in myself as a mother to trust my gut more and go with it.

So, for now we practice the two "games", and I start looking for more resources to help my Moose communicate better. Thankfully, the daycare Emma is at, has already informed me that they will do EVERYTHING they can to help us with her therapy, including hiring a part-time aide to work one-on-one with Emma. Plus, there is Abi's school, WMES, where Emma will be going when she is school-age...They have the resources to come along side and help Emma.

The therapist told me that it will be a long road, that Emma has a very long way to go, but that once she gets into therapy, she will 100% absorb it and do well. Unfortunately, she will likely still be in therapy while going to school.

On a funny positive side, the therapist couldn't get over how "social" moose was, how despite her communication problems, she wasn't the least bit affected by it, and seems to not even know she isn't communicating. In her brain, she is communicating, we are the ones with the problem ;) She couldn't get over how Emma made everything fun, and wasn't the least bit shy or scared. Usually kids with this sort of disorder are very introverted and shy away from any sort of interaction with strangers...not my moose!

So now I have a child with ADHD, and a child with a speech delay/communication disorder...what's next for this gene pool? Only time will tell...

Thankfully the good Lord gave me a sense of humor!

Peace,

D

Abigailism

2011-07-13T12:34:00.000-05:00

My conversations with Abi this morning have been quite entertaining. I often wonder what goes on in that brain of hers, and today she let me in for a little bit. Here are some goodies:

Abi: "I'm pretty sure Emma is going to get a divorce one day"
Me: "Why would you say that, that's not very nice"
Abi: "well, she's not exactly sweet and gentle now is she".

Abi: "how old is Lucy in Dog years?"
Me: "well, she was born June 26, 2006, so that makes her 5 human years old. Each dog year is 7 human years. What is 5 times 7?"
Abi: "Ummmmm....can I not answer that? could you just do that for me?"
Me: rolling eyes "fine, it's (showing her how to figure it out) 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 30, THIRTY FIVE! Lucy is 2 years older than me in dog years"
Abi: "LUUUCY you are OOLLLLD, you should have been married by now. Go find yourself a husband already!!"
Me: "she's not THAT old Abi. 35 is not old. it's still young"
Abi: "no it not's mom".

Is Time Flying You By?

2011-05-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

This blog post is kind of full of randomness. That's what happens when you have three kids...your brain turns to mush and your head is full of random thoughts, most of which are never completed!

75 days left. That's it. In 75 days I will be returning to work, never to be on a mat leave again. For REAL this time!! Honest. I swear. I Hope? If not, then the next baby will be one heck of a miracle baby...and some doctor will get a stern talking too about his surgical success rates!

I so enjoy being home with my babies, and I know I will miss this time. I also know that life moves forward and I will adjust. In the meantime, I am spending every second, of every one of those 75 days, taking advantage of being home with the kids. I love that I have this opportunity. I thank God everyday for the blessings He has given to me, even the ones that didn't seem to be much of a blessing at first.

Life is crazy busy, and yes, I am in denial right now and not wanting to face the craziness of life for when I go back to work. But, I will take it in stride and deal with it in laughter...because any other way will only make it worse:)

My kids are nuts, they didn't fall too far from the tree I guess. They are what makes me love life so much. Every day is new and fresh. Every day is unexpected, unpredictable. Yes, we have our horrible, rotten, want to give them away days too! But, I can't imagine what life would be like without them! Okay, so there are some moments, in some days that I do, but then I get a hug; a smile; an i love you; or even some random makes-no-sense sentence of a 2 year old, and I remember how great my kids are.

Abi is my 8 year old, going on 16 with MAJOR attitude, rock-star; Emma is my Moose wanna be princess; and Dean is my smiley faced poop machine (seriously, at least 5 poops in a day!). I worry about the "teen" years with Abi, and I really hope she is working out her attitude issues now, so that I don't have to deal with it later on (a girl can dream). That's not to say I don't worry about Emma and her teen years. I actually dread that more...I have a feeling it's gonna be trouble...I have a feeling she is going to experience life A LOT. That scares me. So, I pray that God protects them and gives me the patience and resources needed to survive it. I know I shouldn't worry about it. That I should, instead, be enjoying life in the moment now, and leave the future in the future, especially since I have NO control over what will be. But, what mother doesn't worry about their kids and their future?

Peace,

D

Thank you 2010, Hello 2011.

2010-12-31T14:55:00.000-06:00

2011. Wow. It always amazes me how fast the years go by. As a kid, they couldn't go by fast enough; as an adult, I wish they would SLOW DOWN! I always say that I wish life came with a rewind button. I would love to go back in time for a visit here and there. Don't get me wrong here. I look forward to the future, and I hope I always do...but I miss the past sometimes too.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the future. I try not too, no point in worrying about something you have absolutely no control over; but when I look at my kids, I can't help but start to think about how fast time is flying and about what they will grow into as adults.

The past year was an amazing one for me. It started off pretty scary, and had me so unsure of our future. I found out I was pregnant in December 2009, and was terrified. It wasn't planned. I spent the next five months trying to come to terms with it, well, in and out of denial as well. So many of my close family and friends kept telling me what an amazing blessing this baby was going to be, and I remember thinking, "ya, right"...then July 10 arrived and I held my special little man, and I cried. The blessings filled me that instant. I didn't think it possible to love each of your kids in their own special way as much as I do. They are certainly my everything, and I honestly cannot imagine my life without them. They are so individually unique and bring joy to me in their very own special ways... separately. It's truly amazing.

As a result of baby Dean, changes happened. One being the loss of my car and the introduction to the "mini van"...I still shudder. But, I have to admit, it's a handy thing. I still hate it. BUT, it is easy to pull the kids in and out of...but I still hate it. I've also become a bit more relaxed in life. You can't help it. With three kids, you need it to survive!! Life happens, deal with it. So, I do. I'm sure God has lots to do with that too...I can't imagine my life without my faith either!! It's so much easier to believe in God, then not too I think. I can send my worries up to Him in prayer, and forget it. It's awesome to do that. God will work it out, I might not like the way He chooses, but, in the end I know it will be for the best...He hasn't failed me yet...and I've spent many times in my life where I was pretty sure He was going too!

Our year adjusting to Abi's ADHD diagnoses has been pretty good. We've had ups and downs and lots of turn-abouts, but she has an amazing doctor and incredible school! She is now beyond her grade level in reading, which is a HUGE success for her, and she LOVES to read. The girl has more books than any kid I've ever met. To her, a great day is spent in Chapters! Although, Claires is starting to become a favorite of hers (Lord help me!). She is still struggling with eating. I can't believe I have a child whom I have to BRIBE TO EAT!!! How is she mine??? Well, when she prefers to have a piece of chocolate at 5am, then a piece of toast, I know she's mine :) She is still around the 45 lbs pound mark...and currently not on the growth chart. Her doctor keeps an amazing eye on her though, so we aren't worried. She is healthy.

Abi is an AMAZING big sister. Every single day she makes me so proud. She takes such good care of her siblings...and never complains! Okay, sometimes she complains, but only when Emma is trashing one of her toys, so it's usually a valid complaint. She loves her brother and is such a huge help to me. Just this morning, she crawled into his crib at 5:30 in the morning to feed him a bottle so I could sleep! What 8 year old does that?! I know I sure wouldn't have. She is so special, in so many ways.

Emma is a devil. Cute. Funny. BUT BAD!! Oh man! I used to think that Abi hit the terrible two's and never left them...then Emma hit the terrible two's...and I now know Abi did leave them...so, there is hope for Emma :) I joke that she will be the one who will come home one day by police escort! She is super funny though, so it's hard sometimes to get after her. She has such a devilish look and laugh to her. She's not afraid of anything. She is going to test us as parents, this I know. I don't mean any of this in a bad way either. Even though she is bad, she is so full of love, and I can see it. Her heart is huge, and she loves to love. She looks SO MUCH like her cousin Kayleen, and her personality fits Kayleen's too. Kayleen is pretty awesome, and I hope Emma does turn out like her...especially the amazing sense of humor! We are currently potty training her. It's going pretty good. I forgot how much I dislike potty training...but it's gonna be life for the next few years, so I might as well just let it flow :) Our carpets are crap anyway!

Dean is adorable. He's a baby. He's my boy. I have a BOY!! He is so different from the girls (other than the obvious) and yet, he reminds me so much of Abi as a baby. I thought I didn't remember Abi as a baby, then Dean arrived. I can remember experiencing Emma as a baby, and not remembering a thing about Abi. I felt horrible that I couldn't remember a lot of my time with her. So, Dean is a blessing in bringing back my memories of my time spent with his oldest sister as a baby! He's not as dramatic (thank goodness), but he complains like she would - in a cute, adorable baby way. It's not so cute when they are 8. We are starting him on foods now, and it's an interesting dynamic. Abi liked food when she was baby, just didn't eat much of it. Emma LOVED (and still does) her food, and ate lots of it. Both girls started rice cereal early. Dean, hates rice cereal - spits it out and shudders. He's picky. He likes the sweet potatoes, and peas...hates pears, not a fan of turkey, and custard grosses him out. He'll eat yogurt - the fattier the better - but doesn't like eating it with a spoon. See, picky.

Billy and I have had a good year together as a couple. I got to fall in love with Billy all over again when Dean was born. Not saying I ever fell OUT of love with him, but seeing him take care of me and the kids, and seeing him with a newborn again, something changed. I don't know what. But my heart grew even bigger for him. He's an amazing father and husband.

Okay, resolution time. How'd I do with my 2010 ones? Well, here we go:

#1 - Deepen my relationship with God. Set aside time each day for prayer and devotional. I pray everyday, all the time, but I don't have a designated time to just be alone with God...I could really use that.
I started a "read the bible in a year chronologically" program in May and have kept up with it. Because of this, I am growing spiritually, but it sure is making me question a lot of things. I've also joined two small groups and I love both of them very, very much. Each night, in bed - as it's the only time I really have that allows me total peace and quiet, is when I read my bible and pray. It's been a blessing to do this.

#2 - Lose the remaining 26 pounds.
HA HA HA...well, I lost it thanks to morning sickness, then put it back it on, then lost some of it...I currently have 5 pounds to lose to get me back to my pre-Emma body.

#3 - Be more patient (or, well, patient period) with my children.
Having number 3 has certainly helped in this area. I can always work on this, but I think I've improved some.

#4 - Be more trusting of God.
I wrote this knowing I was pregnant. I didn't trust Him. Thought He was crazy and hated me to be honest. BUT, as time went on, I learned to lean on him. As a result, I am more trusting - and I know this is a life long thing. Each path in life will bring new challenges and new ways to learn to trust. But in the context of why I wrote this one down, I'd say I succeeded.

#5 - Learn the meaning of SAVE $$.
I had a great year for saving!! We saved enough money to replace our fence! I am now working on saving money for a new deck...hoping to have enough saved by the Summer of 2012.

#6 - Laugh once a day.
This one has been pretty easy. Moose makes me laugh every day. My kids make my heart smile and laugh all the time.

So, what about 2011...well, I think pretty much the same as 2010.

continue building my relationship and trust with God.
build my marriage into a relationship with God.
work on being more healthy - continue my Hot Yoga, maintain my weight (or lose some), become a better example to my kids - choose smart, instead of chocolate for breakfast :)
work on my patience...especially with Abi.
continue saving $ for that dream deck.
laugh often, love more.

There we go. Resolutions made. To all of my family and friends, and well, to everyone really, have an amazing 2011 - no matter what. Make the best of what God has given you. May you find contentment. May you be filled with Love, Laughter, Joy and Peace...and of course amazing memories to last a lifetime.

Peace,

"It's better to enjoy what we have than to always want something else, because that makes no more sense than chasing the wind. Everything that happens was decided long ago. We humans know what we are like, and we can't argue with God, because he is too strong for us." Ecclesiastes 6:9-10

My Moose!

2010-10-15T09:40:00.000-05:00

She makes me smile from the inside out, and makes me laugh from my toes up...but man, she's TROUBLE!

So far this week, Moose has destroyed the house with her toys thrown all over the main floor; used a cooler as her personal step stool to get into all sorts of trouble...like getting on top of the kitchen counter to get into the cookie container and help herself to a handful; got herself trapped in the laundry basket; used our furniture as her very own jungle gym and trampoline; destroyed my dried roses leaving crumbled up rose petals all over the carpet; ripped off the "g", "a", "e" and "tab" keys off the keyboard (i'm still trying to re-attach the "a"); opened up some sort of computer writing program thingy in facebook; dressed lucy up in hair pretties on her ears and tail; used the swiffer clean & shine spray bottle to make herself "pitty" (she smells like vanilla and lavender)...all in her hair, on her face and arms); and emptied out the dvd's from the cases and hid them...still looking for a couple of those right now.

I spend my day chasing her and saying "Emma Yvonne, STOP that right now!"...then i get tired, plop myself down in the chair and just laugh...

Life is crazy, but what can u do?

to those i love, peace,

A Parent's Serenity Prayer

2010-10-08T08:09:00.000-05:00

Wow, look at me, another blog post!!

I was poking around the internet this morning and came across the below, which made me laugh uncontrollably by the way, and I immediately wanted to share it with all my parent friends!!

Parent’s Serenity Prayer

Someone, grant me the serenity
To accept that I cannot kill my children;
Courage to not scream uncontrollably;
And wisdom to know how to fix or replace things.

Living one moment at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting broken furniture as a test;
Taking, as other parents before me, this crazy environment
As it is, and not how I dream it;
Trusting that somehow things will be okay
If I surrender to parenthood;
That I may enjoy the good times
And be supremely happy once they have children of their own
Forever returning the mayhem.
AMEN

To all my parent friends out there (and those who may not have children of their own, but who surrounded by them all day long), PEACE to you!

D

*prayer copied from http://www.divinecaroline.com/22117/93779-parent-s-serenity-prayer

Life with Three

2010-09-21T15:43:00.004-05:00

As usual, I haven't blogged on a regular basis. As usual, this is gonna be a long one. So, grab a cup of Jo, get comfy and read away.

We welcomed our precious baby boy Dean William Clarence Puddicombe on July 10, 2010.

It was a crazy, scary, and fast delivery. I went in for a check on the baby, as they were set to induce me, but didn't have the room for me. After the check, the nurse noticed that I was having fairly regular contractions. This wasn't unusual for me, so I wasn't thinking that I was about to go naturally. The nurse asked if she could check me, and I hadn't changed at all since my appointment with my OB earlier on in the week. She then said for me to maybe take a walk and see if they progress any before I go home.

I didn't even last 5 minutes before I had to head back up to triage. 3.5 hours later, I was looking at my little man and crying at the site of him.

You see, Dean wasn't planned...and the pregnancy threw me for a loop and took my thoughts to places I never thought I would EVER think. Then when I laid eyes on him, it all hit me and I was instantly in love...and bawling my eyes out.

After the delivery I hemorrhaged very badly and passed out a few times. I don't remember much about this part. I hear it was pretty scary and they were prepping me for surgery when the on-call OB saved the day. The next day I did end up getting two blood transfusions, and let me tell you, NIGHT and DAY in regards to how I felt. It was amazing. I highly recommend it :) If only I could sign-up on a monthly basis for it!! The transfusion also made me realize how important it is to donate blood if you can, as often as you can. Unfortunately, I can't donate blood...never been able too because of my anemia. BUT, I encourage you to do it!!

As a result of the drama, I was in the hospital for a bit longer...but I was in the lovely hotel-like room, and was spoiled by the nurses...the first time EVER, that I actually could have stayed longer in a hospital!

Life with three has been AMAZING so far. I have LOVED the summer with all three of my children and Abi has been a huge part of the greatness of it all. She grew up so much since Dean's arrival, and has been a little miss mom to her siblings.

Currently we are in the process of potty training Emma. I can remember trying to do this with Abi. Obviously, Abi was successful in the PT stage, but I can remember thinking, "this kid is going to be 13 and in diapers!"...well, those thoughts are back, this time with Emma. "They" say that a child should be potty trained within 3-6 months from the time you start the training process (they, being so-called experts who I often wonder if they even have children). Let's just say, I will be happy if this kid is trained before kindergarten!

Emma has also entered the terrible two's with an absolute BANG! Miss Moose has her moments where I don't know who she is, or what she did with the original Emma version 1! She also doesn't seem to take to time-outs like abi did. She actually laughs! I take things away from her, and it doesn't even phase her. I tell her no, and she smiles, says "ohtay", then proceeds to do it again with an evil grin that says "come on, I dare you"...which ends in her on the stairs for a two-minute time out, where she sings, giggles and laughs at the wall. I am in SOOOOO much trouble when this girl decides to figure out where she stands in life! I'm seeing late night phone calls for help, possible police visits, lots of principle office visits, and LOTS of white hair, in my future.

Abi is doing amazing. Her treatment for her ADHD is wonderful! We have our little issues each morning before she takes her pill, and at night when the medication has worn off...but once that medication is in her system, my angel appears! She has improved so much in school, and continues to do so. Her reading level is now at par with her grade level, and her spelling and math are approaching. None of this would be happening of course if it weren't for the amazing love and support that we receive from her school. They have been understanding, patient, and have brought in extra help when/where needed.

Before the school year ended last year, I was sitting in a meeting with abi's learning resource teacher, a psychologist, and speech therapist, discussing abi's progress and future needs, and I was overwhelmed at the fact that these people were here for my child. They wanted her to succeed as much as I do. They care and love her! they took time to get to KNOW my child. She's not just some number to be lost to them. Case in point: the psychologist was removed from Abi's plan at the end of school year, but I received a phone call from her just to see how Abi was doing. She didn't have to do that. She certainly is busy enough to not do that...but she still did. When the speech therapist was asking about Abi's past, Abi's resource teacher was answering the questions EXACTLY how I would!

I have to say, it is so nice to see people actually come to realize ADHD as a disease. That a child isn't "dumb" or won't amount to anything...but that they just need extra time and care to reach their full and glorious potential. It's awesome to have such support and understanding. It's nice to see educators not use ADHD as an excuse to ignore, or as an excuse at all (well, she has ADHD, so this is as good as she is going to be, be thankful she can even finish her alphabet!)...it's nice to see Abi encouraged AND challenged!

Dean is three months old now. He is so big, and so perfect. His smile lights up the room, and he can giggle from his toes up...just like his sisters. He still isn't in his crib, but I actually think I get more sleep with him beside me than I would if he was in his crib. I don't sleep deeply, but I do get the entire night to just lay there. He is now almost 14lbs, and is 24 inches tall (2 whole feet) - all this puts him in the 90th percentile on the growth chart for his age. Like I said, big boy.

It's crazy, but life seems easier with the three. I seem to have more energy than I have ever had in my adult life. I guess you are just WAY more relaxed by the time the third arrives, that you no longer stress over small things. Plus, not having to go into work each day probably helps!

When I was pregnant with Emma, we had my parents over for dinner and we ordered in Chinese food, which came with fortune cookies. We all opened our cookies and read our fortunes out loud. Billy's fortune made us laugh, and it's been on our kitchen fridge ever since. Each day, I look at it and grin...okay, to be honest, some days I look at it, glare and say "ya, okay"...but by the end of those days, I do end up grinning.

I leave today's post with that fortune:

"Children will contribute to your cheerfulness".

For us, this fortune is times three...and I am so very thankful and grateful for each one!

To those I love, peace.

Abigailism 2010

2010-03-25T09:21:00.003-05:00

Haven't blogged an Abigailism in a while! Last night was a doozey, I couldn't pass this one up to post.

It's 10:30pm and Abi is STILL up. I tell her to come and sleep on the floor in our room (no toys in our room to keep her busy). Billy has been sleeping for a while now, since he has to leave at an hour in the morning that I don't even recognize as real time. Abi lays down and starts to pretend snore...

mommy: Abi, pretending to sleep WILL NOT make mommy think you are actually asleep!
abi: but mommy, I have a cold, I can't help it, I can't breathe!
mommy: then maybe you should put another pillow down under your head.
abi: I don't have another one mom. I have daddy's shirt though and it's under my head.
mommy: k, mommy is going to pass to you her pregnancy pillow to put under your head then okay?
abi: okay.

a few seconds go by...

abi: mom?
mom: what abigail?!
abi: this won't make me preg-a-net will it?
mom: (laughing) no sweetheart, it won't.
abi: phew!

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T23:31:00.004-06:00

Do you remember 1999? I sure do. It was the year before I got married...but also the year of the Y2K hype! Looking back now, what a laugh. The entire world in a panic over the earth stopping...planes falling out of the sky; stock market crashing; computers not working; etc...oh the overtime that was put in to ensure that January 1, 2000 went off without a hitch!! Now, here we are, January 1, 2010. Seems like a page out of some space novel, except we aren't flying in the sky with our cars, or living anything like the Jetson's did.

2009 was a good year. Every year is a good year as long as I am surrounded by my family and friends who I love! We had a few dips here and there as far as health went, but we got through it (getting through it), and God has shown us his mercy and love, time and time again. It was also a year wrapped around my darling Abi.

In January I noticed that Abi was quite thin. She has always been slender, but this time she was all bone. I put her on the scale and she was 36 pounds (which for a 6 year old is little). I had always raised my concerns to her doctor about her weight, and about how she would go DAYS without food, and he would always shake his finger at me and tell me I was over-reacting. Well, when I saw the bones, and then saw the 36 pounds flash at me, I decided it was time to get a second opinion!

I took her to my doctor who then referred her to another pediatrician in the city. It was amazing to have a doctor actually listen to my concerns and try to put my mind at ease. One of the things that Abi had been diagnosed with was Acid Reflux. Her doctor, after talking with me for a long time, asking me about her as a baby, etc., determined that one of the reasons why Abi didn't eat, was that it was actually very painful for her to eat. He thinks that she has had A.R. since she was born, so she's had 6 years to associate pain with food. We put her on some medication for that, and for the first time in 6 years, I saw my daughter EAT! I mean ACTUALLY EAT! Not just a bite here, and there, but clean off her plate and ask for more! It was amazing, and so nice to see!

BUT, it didn't last long. After about three weeks, she went back to her old habits. Her doctor then did an x-ray of her tummy and discovered she was severely backed-up. We needed to treat the constipation before we could continue on with the Acid Reflux medication....we are STILL working on the constipation. Part of that has to do with another diagnosis...

In consultation with Abi's school, I had asked for an assessment on her concentration levels. I had noticed at home that it was getting more and more difficult to get Abi to focus on one thing for more than 2 minutes, and I wondered if she was like that at school as well. The school brought in a Psychologist who worked with abi for about 6 months. At the end of the school year, Abi had to undergo a test to make sure that she wasn't suffering from "absent seizures"...when that test came back saying that she wasn't suffering from that, she underwent further observation, and has finally, officially been diagnosed with ADHD. This is connected with the constipation because Abi can't sit still long enough to let her bowls do their thing!!

Problem with ADHD is that the medication that is out there...all of them...the #1 side effect is weight loss. Which, obviously Abi can't afford.

In September, Abi's weight had finally gotten back up to 42.5 pounds. We were thrilled. Then flu season hit, and Abi lost a pound and a half. Nothing too concerning. But, she was then diagnosed with ADHD and we decided to put her on a two-week trial. The trial ended this past week, and she has lost another 2 pounds, putting her down to 39 pounds. Her doctor however, is not concerned yet, and wanted to give the medication a month trial with the school. So, we play the waiting game.

It's hard because Abi is at that age where school can either be an enjoyable experience, or not. If you add a learning disability on top of that, it makes it even harder to enjoy. I want so much for her to enjoy learning, and I worry about the struggle she faces every day! So, now I pray and turn it over to God, and hope that this medication works wonders, and that her weight evens out.

She goes in for her monthly weigh-in on January 29th...I pray that her weight either stays the same or even goes up!

Emma spent the year turning into a little devil! Seriously. She is cute as a button, and she will make you laugh till you cry...but man, she is going to cause trouble! I thought I was in for it with Abi...Abi is sweet as punch compared to our Moose...or Bull. BUT, she really makes you smile from the inside out! Emma is always there to greet you with a smile and a "hi". I've really been blessed with two amazing daughters. I never thought it possible to love as much as I love my girls.

I have a girlfriend who would ask me, "so, who do you like more?"...and I would joke and say back, "Emma, cuz she can't talk back yet!"...but honestly, and this is something that only parents with more than one child can fully understand and grasp, I like and love them both EXACTLY the same! I never thought that possible. I always thought parents were full of crap when they said stuff like that. BUT, it's so true. Each child has their own uniqueness about them that makes you love them differently, but as far as more or less goes, that just doesn't exist. You love both the same. Make sense?

Well, enough about the kids. Last year I wrote about my resolutions that I had made the year before, and how I did with them. Well, continuing on with that little tradition, here is what I said for 2009:

#1 - Pay down the one credit card we have and then start to save.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha...save? what is the meaning of this word "save"?

#2 - Lose weight - about 50 pounds worth.
Well, by March of 2009, the amount actually went to 60 pounds to lose!!! BUT, since July 16th, I have lost 34 of those pounds. 26 more to go.

#3 - Work on my Faith and Trust in God more. Work on forgiveness, worrying, and patience...learn how to hand it over to Him.
This, I think will be a life-long resolution...a daily one. God did however answer a prayer that I had been praying for over 10 years on - regarding forgiving a particular individual in my life!!

#4 - Continue to accept what life brings and go with the flow of it.
I probably should have read this, oh, about 4 weeks ago! Life gave me a doosey, and it's taken me a while to "go with the flow" of it :)

#5 - To Reconnect with family members that I had lost connection with.
Isn't Facebook AWESOME. Thanks to Facebook, it's soooo much easier to gain and re-gain that connection. It's so nice to be a click away from family.

#6 - To make a plan on how to cope with going back to work (housework, laundry, abi's school work, family time, etc.).
Plan? what's that? There was no plan. Only worry (FAIL for #3). However, it all seems to get done and we are adjusting well...thanks of course to my amazing hubby, whom without, I would be buying us clean underwear every Sunday!!

#7 - Get my smile back.
It's back and it's great!

My resolutions for 2010?

Deepen my relationship with God. Set aside time each day for prayer and devotional. I pray everyday, all the time, but I don't have a designated time to just be alone with God...I could really use that.
Lose the remaining 26 pounds.
Be more patient (or, well, patient period) with my children.
Be more trusting of God.
Learn the meaning of SAVE $$.
Laugh once a day.

So, to those I love, I wish you a fabulous 2010 that is full of laughter, love, joy, peace and great memories. May 2010 be one that is healthy and happy!

D:)

Abilgailism...

2009-10-18T17:49:00.002-05:00

Abi: Mom, I don't like growing up anymore.
Mom: How come?
Abi: Cuz, before you know it, I will get older and older and then really old, like 16.

2009-10-13T08:48:00.002-05:00

CRAZINESS!

That's all I have to say about October! We are only half-way through, and so far I have seen snow on the ground (grrr) and am missing an organ - not the musical item, but body part!

It's a pretty long story, but summed up:

I thought I had indigestion. I ended up with a very painful arm during one of my indigestion attacks. I sought advice on how to ease the pain (still breastfeeding and Tylenol wasn't cutting it). Ended up in Emergency. Ended up without a gallbladder.

I'm on week two of recovery. TWO WEEKS!! I honestly didn't think it would be this long. I really thought that by Tuesday after surgery I would back up and running. Not so much.

I've always appreciated family. But this has once again showed me HOW important they are. Being there for one another, at the drop of a dime, is what it's about...and let me tell you, my family did just that. Dropped EVERYTHING. My sister-in-law came to our rescue to help with the kids while I was at the hospital, and my parents have been a HUGE help with the kids during recovery. My mom hasn't been to her yoga classes since this all happened...trust me, this is HUGE - she doesn't give those up for much! My in-laws took abi for the weekend - which provided a much needed rest for my hubby, who has been NON-STOP on the go being mom, dad, husband, and salesman!

The girls have been troopers. Abi is wonderful. I know ALL mothers say that about their kids. But she's just really impressed me the last few days. She has been understanding, patient and just plain adorable. Emma was pretty good too...I thought this might be the end to our breastfeeding wars, but not so much. She did AWESOME while I was in the hospital and during the week. Of course, we kept her away from me for most of the time (outta sight, outta mind), but when she did see me, it was if she knew that it wasn't the best of times to demand a boob. However, since the weekend, I've been up and around more, and this morning she was back to her usual hissy-fit when denied the boob. Honestly, I have NO IDEA how to get this kid off!

Well, that's about it for now...plus I'm pooped.

To those I love, peace.

D

Fall 2009? Where the heck did Summer go?

2009-09-11T09:52:00.003-05:00

I can't believe that it's September already. Really, I can't. It's not like we did lots over the summer to make it go by so quickly. I can remember as a child having adults tell me not to wish my life away, because one day I would see how fast life really goes...and now, here I am, older (not so much wiser), and life really does go fast!

Abi started Grade TWO on Wednesday - minus her two front teeth by the way (she looks so adorable). She kept telling me over and over and over again how excited she was about starting school, that I was positive she was more nervous than excited - just couldn't figure out that that was what she was feeling! She asked me in the morning to do devotions with her and to pray for her, so I knew she was definitely feeling a little anxious. She also had a bit of an upset tummy, but overall, did amazing.

When I got home from work and asked her all about her day, I almost regretted asking!! She talked, and talked, and talked...all through dinner and pretty much right until she conked out for the night!

A few weeks before school started, we got a letter from her teacher asking us to write her a letter answering some questions she had - like what sorts of educational things did we do with her over the summer! oops. I did give it an honest effort! I bought all sorts of books (reading and activity), even a journal was purchased for abi to write in at the end of every day telling about her day! We lost the journal about three weeks in! She did read all of her reading books - just not for the month of August! The activity books are a bit on the empty side! She had a very fun-filled summer...and busy.

Abi spent the first two weeks of summer at our church's Kid's Quest camps - an arts and drama one, then sports. She had a blast! It was a great way to kick off the summer for her. She then spent a week out at the cottage with my parents and auntie Sandy. She loves it up there, and we are so thankful to Auntie Sandy for opening up her cottage to us on so many occasions. Abi then spent the remainder of the summer playing with her friends in Wolseley and a couple of weeks with Momma Betty.

Abi also got to see my cousin Jen from Calgary this summer...and Jen got to meet ms. Emma. It was sooooo nice to see her! I haven't seen my cousin in YEARS. We were able to connect and got to add a couple of memories...including painting some pottery. ps. Jen - dad has your piece and will send it to you soon - it looks amazing!

We also got to spend some time with the ENTIRE Puddicombe clan, and meet our eldest nieces boyfriend. That was definitely a fun-filled weekend. It's always a great time when the Pudd's get together. I'm amazed that I've known this family now for 14 years. The love that this family has for everyone in it is truly amazing. Whenever we get together you can count on three things: lots of I love you's, belly aching laughter, and good-bye tears. It was harder saying goodbye this time, not sure why - again, "the older I get", the harder goodbye's are!

Emma is a very busy 15 month old! We have now taken to calling her moose (thought it sounded better than Bull). I love watching her. I could (and have) spend hours just watching her. She plays hard, thinks a lot, and just plows into everything...including her sister. I love to see abi and emma interact with one another. Sure, we have our jealousy issues here and there, but overall, the love these two have for one another is very obvious. I love that!!! I hope they continue to build their friendship over the years, and learn to depend on each other. If I've learned anything in this life, it's that at the end of the day, your family is all you have.

Going back to work has been pretty good. The whole family seems to have adjusted to it for the most part, and we've got a pretty good system going on. I wish I was a bit more attentive to the house, but I've never been one to put house work over cuddling! My house may be a mess, but you feel love when you walk in the door...that's important right?

I got a new tattoo this summer as well. I've wanted one since abi was born - but couldn't find the right idea to reflect her life. Well, i decided on butterflies and Hebrew lettering. I get lots of weird looks with the Hebrew part, it's funny actually. I chose Hebrew because it's a root in my faith (now, I'm aware many people would disagree, which is why I choose not to go any further) and it's something I associate too. I chose the butterflies because that is what I chose when I got married, so I figured it would be nice to add "kid" butterflies. I got the tattoo with one of my best friends...another life moment to add to the memory book.

I had two of my best friends leave Winnipeg this year, and it didn't really hit me until the second left two weeks ago. I said goodbye to her in my church parking lot, and spent the rest of the day in tears - thanks so much Erin O! I have learned so much over the last two years thanks to these two amazing ladies, and because of them, I've grown in my relationship with God. I pray that both Abi and Emma get to experience friendships like this in their life.

Well, that about sums it up. I'll post some pictures within the next day or two...not that it matters, cuz I'm not so sure anyone really reads this anymore. The blog is more of a "journal" for the girls to read when they get older...especially since I can't find the actual journal I started when pregnant with abi!

As always, to those I love, peace.

D:)

ABIGAILISMs...

2009-06-26T17:02:00.004-05:00

Abi had last Friday off from School. She knows her mommy well, and spent the morning downstairs, on the couch, while mommy and emma slept.

When I get up, my lovely and elegant, and sweet angel Gracie, comes to me and ever so eloquently says:

"man mom, I was farting, and farting, and farting downstairs! and they were HOT too, I thought I had lava coming out of my butt..."

No, "morning mom, love you"...

I hate the word fart. Never hated it until I had kids of my own. There is just something about it when it comes out of a kids mouth! However, I was too busy laughing to correct her.

Another sad point? When I finally stopped laughing, and told her to please say toot next time, this is what I got:

"Fart mom. Deal with it. and at least I didn't say ass"...yup, she actually said that!

I tripped over one of the girl's toys this morning and hurt myself. When I told Billy, he then tells me our abigailism #2:

Billy was watching the girls last night while I went out with friends. He stubbed his toe on one of the toys (pretty confident that some colorful words would have been used at this time). Abi's response?

"Well Dad, you should watch where you are going next time"

Abi. 7 going on 15.

Happy Birthday to my TWO beautiful girls!

2009-06-11T22:10:00.005-05:00

Dear Abigail and Emma,

I love you both so very much. I never thought it possible to love as much as I love the both of you. You both bring so much joy and life to this family, and to me, you have no idea what a gift the two of you are to us!

Time goes by way to fast (i say that a lot). Seven years ago my precious Abi Grace was born and handed to me...i've never been that scared, and that excited! I remember just staring at you and my heart filled up with more love. I fell in love with you the second I knew about you, but in that moment it became so real. Since then you have touched so many people's lives, and I know you will continue to do that as you journey through this crazy adventure called life. You have the heart of pure gold, and you love everyone...don't lose that my baby. I sing to you often "You are my Sunshine"...because you are just that, my sunshine. On days that seem to be too hard to cope with, you usually end up doing or saying something that makes the sun shine my heart.

Emma, what a little character you are! I have so enjoyed this past year with you. You've grown from my little Buddha, to my snugglebug, and I can't wait to see what's next in store for us. Your every being brings a smile to the face and a laugh to the heart. You are a gem, and just like your sister, full of love for everyone. A year ago today you came into my life, a bundle of joy, a bundle of life, a bundle of love.

So my girls, here's to you! Wishing you both a FANTASTIC year ahead of you. Wishing you many wonderful memories to add to our memory books, days and nights filled with laughter, and most of all a year full of love.

Thank you for being the best little girls a mom could ask for. Thank you for your unconditional and some days, undeserving, love. Be true to you always, and never leave God out of the picture.

I love you as big as the world, up through the sky, past the stars, around the moon, all the way back down to the north pole, and around Santa's big fat belly.

xoxo

Mommy

Back at it...

2009-06-05T12:23:00.002-05:00

My mat leave has come to an end.

Anxiety has slowly been creeping up on me this past month, as Monday, June 8th approaches. We've had a couple of Daycare visits, and I know Emma will be fine. Today, she probably wouldn't even have noticed if I wasn't there. So the only person we need to worry about is me!

When we left Daycare today (after a 40 minute visit), I felt fine. Things were good. I still have the rest of today, and the whole weekend after all! But as I got half-way home, the tears came!! Oi Vay...Monday is going to be brutal!

I love being a mom. My kids and my family come first in my life, and I make no qualms about it. I have made, and will continue to make, decisions in my life that put my family forefront. There is NO career out there wonderful enough, NO amount of money or things that can beat it, NO house, NO vehicle, NO friend that can beat it. Those who know me well, know that if faced with a decision between anything and my family...there won't even be a second of hesitation, my family will be chosen. I HATE the fact that i have to work. Absolutely, positively, HATE IT! BUT, I gotta, and thankfully God has blessed me with an amazing place to work.

The rest of the way home, between sobs, the words "I can do all things through him" kept repeating itself in my head over and over again. I've put Emma down for her afternoon nap, and I looked up that verse...then I read the entire chapter.

I felt compelled to share, and it's my hope that those of you out there, who need some reassurances in life, can gain some encouragement like I did through these words taken from Philippians 4: 4-13:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

It is sooooo much easier to be angry with the hand that you've been dealt (in my case that I have to work for living, and not be home for my kids ALL the time), but the key is to be content, and to be content you need to focus on the good things in your life, and praise God for them...then you will be content, happy, and you will be able to get through any circumstance that comes your way.

I am blessed. I know I am. I have a great job, and an amazing, patient, understanding boss. I am working 4 days a week and have been given the opportunity to work from home one of those days so that I can be home more. I need to be thankful for that...and I am.

Love and peace to you all,

D:)

Just waiting for j...

2009-04-22T14:25:00.005-05:00

I am sitting here waiting for J...I wonder if you'll bring me a latte? If not, ah well, I'll make us some yummy coffee here.

Emma is sleeping. Abi is at school. The house is a mess (as always). The laundry isn't done (as always). I've looked up some friends on facebook. Checked out TMZ and Perez Hilton and Winnipeg Free Press today. I even watched a bit of Borat...I probably should do the laundry instead. NAH!

It's been a while (as always) since my last post. It's not that I haven't had anything to post about...Abi still has her abigailism's...but I just haven't updated...like I haven't done the laundry, or cleaned the house. Spring is finally arriving, which means more sunshine, more warmth, more energy!! It also means 6 more weeks before I go BACK TO WORK!

I'm more ready this time though. It helps that I am going back to part-time, and able to work at home for one day a week. Knowing that I only have to be away from Emma for three days, makes a difference. PLUS, I'm ready to get out and enjoy a life of adults. I'm sad to not be at home, but happy to be out and about...odd really. It also helps that I love my job, AND that the daycare Emma is going to is the same one as Abi...which means she will be loved, and I don't need to worry about her while at work. HUGE RELIEF.

Emma is 10 and a half months old. She says "dad, dadda, daddeeeee, mmmom (not often though), and get. Get is what she thinks Lucy's name is! Lucy is our dog. She even points her finger at lucy and yells "Get" when she wants lucy or is looking for her. Lucy and Emma are good friends. It's funny to watch. Lucy is always watching out for Emma, and when Emma is about to do something dangerous (like explore the stairs), lucy will whine, or bark...she will even use her body as block. Emma pulls her tail, her ears, sticks her fingers in her mouth (lucy's, then her own), uses her as a stool, and tries to snuggle her often. On the VERY ODD morning, where I am actually up before the girls, Lucy is all confused and isn't sure WHICH door to go to first. Before Emma, it was always to Abi, but now there is Emma too...She runs from door to door, not sure which one to jump up at for about a minute, and I even think she takes turns! One day Emma, the next Abi. Lucy may be a pain, but she loves our family (even the ones who hate her...who shall remain nameless, but is hairy).

Emma and Abi may look a lot alike, but they are different! Emma loves food. Abi can't stand it. Emma is quiet....er. Abi is, well, Abi! Emma likes routine. Abi could care less. Emma will actually sleep. Abi, only if you drug her (kidding!). Whenever Emma is eating, all you hear is "mmm,mmm,mmm" with every single bite, and if more food isn't on her tray by the time she is done, WATCH OUT! I'm not used to that.

After Christmas, Abi lost 6 pounds. Not much for an adult, not even much for a regular kid. But when you factor in that it's abi who was only 41 pounds at 6 years old, it's a big deal. We finally got her in to see a different doctor. It was so nice to actually have a doctor who didn't ignore my concerns..and to agree with them! Turns out that Abi has likely had Acid Reflux since she was baby. So, she has had 6 years to associate pain with food...hence, why she doesn't like food! He's put her on some medication, and it had really helped. She's been eating and gained 4 pounds in a month and a half! BUT, we had a set-back at her last check-up. Abi had been suffering from some stomach aches consistently, and spending a lot of time in the bathroom. The doctor took an x-ray of her tummy, and she is severely backed up! "months worth of poop in there" (his words). So, she is off her Acid Reflux medication and on laxatives until this gets cleared up and she gets regular, then back on her medication. Here's hoping that it doesn't take 6 months, and that she doesn't lose weight!

Well, that's a good update for now. There is more, but I've already written a page!

To those I love, peace.

D:)

Welcome 2009!

2009-01-10T02:45:00.003-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wow. As usual, time has flown by! I can't believe that it's 2009 already. I would love to just be able to pause life for a moment or two! My girls are growing up too fast for me and my Mat leave is going by all too quickly.

2008 was a great year...how could it not be? My precious Emma was born!

January started out pretty rough, but it made me really focus on my family - the people who can so easily be taken advantage of. The thought of losing a family member is heart-wrenching and something I don't want to experience again for a VERY LONG TIME! You always assume that your family will just always be there, and really, they are always there, BUT there are times when something can happen to your family that makes you realize just how much you really do love them, and how much you enjoy having them in your life...when that is taken away from you or almost taken away from you, it's a wake-up call...and that's what I got. I always knew how much I loved my family, but two things this month made me realize that I was taking advantage of them...taking advantage of them always being there, and not focusing on them and their needs. I was so wrapped up in other people's lives, that I forgot about my own family. So, I refocused and wrapped myself up in my family...and it has been the best thing ever.

The winter was LOOOOONG! Winter in Winnipeg sucks. I'm not going to lie. The cold. The wind. The snow...soooooooo much freak'n snow! The fact that you are pretty much house-bound for two months solid cuz the windchill factor will make your ears fall off is enough to make a person want to move! Every winter I question our living in Winnipeg...but spring does arrive eventually, and I'm reminded how much I love this crazy place. I never imagined I would fall in love with Winnipeg. But I have. I curse at it daily during January and February, then weekly in March and April, but by May I'm back to loving the small city. In fact, I don't think I will ever leave this place, it's home. Finally, after YEARS of denial, I have made Winnipeg my home. Yes, I have lived here for 14 years, and I can't believe that it's been that long, but the place has finally won me over...besides, here's to hoping that in my retirement years I can be one of those people that move to Florida for the winter (yea, right...when I win that lottery).

Emma was born in June...same day as Abi was born. Abi said from day one that the baby would be born on her birthday...who knew she'd be right! Should make for interesting birthdays...can you imagine having to share your day with your sibling? Abi was all excited about it...I'm pretty sure that her excitement will change.

Emma has been an absolute amazing baby. So happy, all the time. Our home is so full of love and laughter because of my two girls, I couldn't be more blessed! Abi is a wonderful sister, so full of love for her little sister...something I hope never changes. I look forward to watching these two grow up together and start making their own memories. I have so many memories of my siblings and I love looking back at the times we did have together. We fought lots, but we had a lot of great times too...and I love that abi and emma will have each other!

So, resolution time. Last year, I made some resolutions, how did I do? Well, see for yourself.

#1: to accept what life brings...all of it

I needed to be reminded a few times during the year, but for the most part I did pretty good at this one. Focusing on the fact that I have a wonderful hubby and now TWO amazing girls, a roof over my head and food on the table made me very appreciative of what came our way.

#2: to really work at finally forgiving and forgetting the hurt that was brought on by a person who I mistakenly held on a very high pedestal for way too long, 10 years ago...especially when they don't even know how much and how they hurt me.

As usual, this was and still is a struggle. I have forgiven...I just keep reminding myself that I have forgiven...so the forgetting part is the struggle. It's something that I have turned over to God, but I can't seem to let go of. So, I need to work on my faith a bit here and trust that God will help me move on from this pain...I just have to let him do that for me!

#3: to focus on my family here in Winnipeg, who have been here for me in so many ways and who I love deeply.

Done...and continue to do so. I love my family. Sure, we piss each other off from time and time, and have had our blow ups...BUT I love them, deeply.

#4: to put the past in the past and not care anymore about it. They live their lives and I need to live mine.

same as #2!!! STILL WORK IN PROGRESS!!

#5: to do more housework...yikes did I just actually write that down??? and I'm not even drunk!

ha! I've done okay with this one! I have certainly done more than I did last year. For my birthday, my gift from my parents was a HUGE clean up and out of my house! They were amazing! they spent an entire weekend cleaning this place. I'm talking about all those "other" jobs that you put off...washing the windows, cleaning out closets, cleaning out the boxes in the basement, cleaning out the toys!! Washing the floorboards! This set me on the right path and we've kept it up. I've already told them that for this years birthday they can wash all the walls in my house for me!

#6: to work on my lack of patience...I said WORK ON IT.

STILL WORKING ON IT! Another thing to hand over to God. It's one thing to pray it, another to give it to Him.

#7: to save some money

ha.ha.ha. This one is funny. I put money aside each and every single month...BUT I've had to withdraw money from the saving account each and every single month since June!! Oy.

My resolutions this year?

Pay down the one credit card we have...then start to save.
Lose weight...I'm embarrassed to say that I've put it ALL back on, so now I gotta work hard at taking it ALL off again!! I hate that I struggle with my weight. I have to lose about 50 pounds, and this will likely take me two years or more...but I will start at it.
Work on my Faith and trust in God more. I need to work on my forgiveness, worry wart syndrome, and patience issues. I need to pass this over to God and leave it with him!
To continue accepting what life brings and go with the flow of it.
To reconnect with the family members that I lost connection with.
To make a plan on how to cope with going back to work! Housework, laundry, abi's school work, family time and all that fun stuff!
Get my smile back.

So, to those I love, I wish you nothing but love, joy, laughter, peace, health, and wonderful memories for 2009!

Peace,

D:)

Another One

2008-12-17T23:39:00.002-06:00

This is thanks to Jamie...a new Christmas Card wish for all of you from THE ENTIRE PUDDICOMBE CLAN!!

Enjoy!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/uJu92lCDR1zAUlFc

Christmas Card for YOU!

2008-12-16T16:23:00.004-06:00

I don't do Christmas Cards. I barely get my Christmas shopping done on time, let alone writing and mailing out cards.

A friend of mine did this...and made me LAUGH so hard my gut hurt, something I haven't done in a while. SOOO, I figured, hey, why the heck not do one myself and blog it.

So, if you feel like you're missing out on getting a card from me this year, just click on this link.

http://www.dancingsantacard.com/?santa=612919

Have a Blessed Christmas and here's to a season of fun memories.

Love and Peace to you all!

D:)

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14

Just a thought....

2008-11-27T13:51:00.006-06:00

I Kissed A Girl (Remix) feat. Flo Rida - Katy Perry

Seriously, is it a bad thing that my daughter LOVES Katy Perry's "I kissed a girl" AND knows ALL THE WORDS TO IT???

How about the fact that she sings lil' wayne's lollipop....

Just a thought.

to those i love, and even the ones I don't...

peace.

It's That Time Again!!!

2008-11-12T08:10:00.003-06:00

chingedy ching...eeh awe, eeh awe...

Dominick The Donkey - Lou Monte

Some Advice...

2008-10-21T10:08:00.002-05:00

Dear Citifinancial,

For the past nine months you have been borderline harassing me with phone calls and letters to try and get me to transfer my loan over to your winnipeg branch. For nine months, I have listened to your voicemails, read your letters, and even applied "over the phone"...only to be told that I also have to come into your branch. For nine months I read and heard about the "GREAT opportunity" you have to offer me, and how you could "significantly" lower my monthly payments...and how your loans are "affordable" and how they can make me "realize my dreams"...NINE BLINKING MONTHS!!

Well, Citifinanicial, today I gave you a shot...and today you lost it. I put up with the personality of a slug loan officer, just shaking it off as a guy who is a tad slow and who you so nicely gave him a opportunity for a job...how nice of you (please note sarcasm). I even put up with the fact that I didn't even get a "good morning", and the fact that printing a piece of paper apparently is a two person, 10 minute job. I even considered switching from the 29% interest currently being charged on my $2000 loan, to the HUGE SAVING 27.5% interest...I even considered it a good thing that my monthly payments be HIGHER (by $60 - $90, depending on WHICH insurance I chose), because "at least I would have it paid off in 4 years, rather than five"...for $2000. Do you see my problem here? just wondering.

However, the moment that I walked out the door with a nod and a thought of "you HAVE GOT TO be freaking well kidding me"...was when your slug officer took a look at my child, who was dressed head to toe in purple, and surrounded in her car seat by a PINK with VERY large FlOWERs on it cover, and asked me how old was "he"...granted, this is a common mistake on babies, he may be color blind...but to then comment after I tell him she is four months, "oh, fresh outta da box eh?"...that was were you lost me. Sure, he likely meant like a CARDBOARD box, but lets face it, not appropriate.

So, citifinancial, thank you for wasting my time and killing over 1000 much needed trees over the last NINE MONTHS, but I am NOT interested in realizing my dreams with you!

Sincerely,

Danielle Puddicombe.

ps - look up the slang term for box.

Lessons Learned

2008-10-16T10:14:00.010-05:00

When I was a kid and teenager, i thought the following about parents:

1. My parents were hard on me
2. My parents were old-fashioned
3. My parents were stupid
4. My parents think they know everything and actually don't
5. I won't be like my parents.

Then I grew up. As an adult, i thought the following about parents:

1. My parents are alright...and they are a great grocery store.
2. My parents are old-fashioned
3. My parents are pretty smart
4. My parents might actually know a thing or two about this thing called life...but not everything.
5. I won't be like my parents.

Since becoming a parent, I have learned LOTS. For example:

1. My parents were awesome...and still a great grocery store!
2. My parents were brave...not old-fashioned
3. My parents may have been a bit stupid - only because of the crap they let me get away with...if abi or emma even comes close to trying to pull off some of that crap their ass will be grass!
4. My parents know EVERYTHING.
5. I would give ANYTHING to be like my parents.

Being a parent is hard work. It takes a LOT of patience...something I don't have; a calmness about you...something I don't have; knowledge and wisdom...something I like to say I have, but actually don't; and most importantly, A LOT of love...which thankfully I do have.

It's been a tough couple of weeks with abi, and I'm starting to weaken. I mean, this girl is EXACTLY like me!! How on earth did my parents put up with me? She talks back ALL THE TIME and doesn't listen to a word I say...of course I ALWAYS listened...well, to my mom anyway.

It's really getting annoying, and at the end of the day I feel like a complete failure as a parent...as a mom. I remember always thinking so much of my mom, and if I ever hurt her (which I did twice...maybe three times...or four), I hurt more. Now, here I am a mom myself, with a child that seems to hate me. I know she doesn't, but it seems like she couldn't be more disrespectful...and all I seem to do is yell at her! I don't blame her for not liking me...I don't like me!

Each night I say, tomorrow will be different, tomorrow I won't yell...and then I tell her 20 times to hurry up and brush her teeth already, then ask her another 40 times to "just get dressed", then I remind her that her bus will be here in "15 mins...10 mins...FIVE MINUTES..." then OUT THE WINDOW goes my promise to not yell. Then she leaves for school, and I slump in my chair crying..."what a waste of perfectly good morning!" WHEN WILL I LEARN? I make another promise that when she gets home it will be different.

THEN, she walks in the door.

I ask her 20 times to take off her shoes.
I ask her another 20 times to hang up her jacket, and not leave it on the floor.
I ask her to put her lunch bag in the kitchen....after about 20 minutes I grunt and take it in myself!
I ask her about her day, and I get "eh"
She complains that the snack I have for her isn't what she wants.
She complains that she wanted water, NOT milk.
She complains that I'm not letting her eat chocolate
I ask her 20 times to pick up the clothes in her bedroom...they are still on the floor!
She then complains that Emily (or Noah, or Gavin, or Tristan, or Grace) has the new .... whatever is new and exciting that day that she doesn't own...and GONE IS THE PROMISE not to yell!

I'm hoping that my parents had the same struggles, and I just don't remember them. I hope that one day, Abi will remember her mom as a loving, kind and caring woman, who did all she could for her, and raised her right...not as the "mean step-mother" as she is so inclined to call me these days.

So, today, I'm not making any promises...but I will be praying.

To those I love,
Peace.

D:)

Abigailisms

2008-10-06T13:43:00.005-05:00

Abi has been on a roll recently!

Abigailism #1

Abi has been learning her 'smartie words' since she started Grade One. She receives 5 words a week that she has to learn (know to look at them, spell them, and what their meaning is). Every night we go over her smartie words, and it can get a bit taxing and frustrating for both abi and mommy. SOOOO, we've been trying ways to make it fun...whatever abi thinks would be fun that day. Well, she decided it would be fun for me to guess what she is posing as, and if I guess right, then she will type out a smartie word on the computer; if I guess wrong then she types "X".

For this abigailism, I have to use pictures for you to get the full effect...

abi: what am I mom?

mom: ummm, a rock?

abi: nope, a seed!

mom: oh, i see.

abi: a big fat X for you!

abi: what am I know mom?

mom: a tree.

abi: nope. a growing seed!

mom: couldn't that technically be a tree.

abi: NO...big fat X for you again!

abi: and now mommy, what am I?

mommy: a lightpost?

abi: NOPE, wrong again mommy...I'm a flower now!! Sheesh, i'm gonna fail my smartie words if you keep this up!

mommy: then how about we try something else.

abi: no way, this way funner.

Abigailism #2

This one requires you to know my hubby. Well, not necessarily KNOW him, but understand that he is a hairy man...ape like almost (I LOVE YOU)...

My hubby sells RedBull for a living. There are two other guys that he works with, that are attached, and who we hang out with quite a bit. Abi has grown quite fond of the redbull gang - Derek (Garek) and Erin, Russ (Russell) and Katie. Abi was going through some of the pictures on my camera and spotted a picture of Erin and told me that she looked like a Bratz doll. The following conversation then took place:

mom: ha ha

abi: I think that's why erin and me are bestest of friends.

mom: why?

abi: cuz she likests Bratz like me and so we are bestest friends.

mom: oh? what about Katie?

abi: yup, her too. and Becca (another friend of the redbull widow club). Becca is fun.

mom: That's sweet. I'm glad you like mommies friends.

abi: and I love Garek (derek) (she has a HUGE crush on him, but don't tell her I told you).

mom: you do? what about Russ?

abi: yup, Russell is good too. But you know what mommy?

mom: what abs?

abi: I like daddy the bestest.

mom: that's nice, daddy sure does love you.

abi: you know why I like daddy the bestest?

mom: why?

abi: cuz he snuggles me...he so warm and cuddly, he's like a bear!

mom: in more ways than one!

Abigailism #3

We went out to Roland, Manitoba this weekend for their annual pumpkin fair with my parents and my mom (aka momma peggy) was stuck in the very back of the van with abi. Abi of course talked, and talked and TALKED all the way there and all the way back. We got a few chuckles from her here and there, but NOTHING topped abi's response when my mom told us one of abi's "secrets":

abi: momma isn't very good at keeping secrets. momma, you're an OOLLLLLD lady!

To those we love, peace.

D

Abigailisms

2008-09-26T16:20:00.002-05:00

Today Abi had the Terry Fox Run at her "sister" school, which her little friend Caleb goes to. When Abi walked in from school today, the below conversation took place:

mommy: how was the run today?

abi: good.

mommy: did you have fun at bedson?

abi: yup. I got to see caleb! he kissed me and hugged me twice! I think he has a crush on me.

mommy: I think the two of you are just really good friends (note: caleb is the son of abi's godparents and the two have been friends since caleb was born).

abi: no. he wants to marry me.

mommy: we'll see about that.

abi: mommy?

mommy: yup.

abi: Terry Fox has a metal leg. but he died, so now he is just a statue and his parents are very sad. they cry. alot. I saw it in the movie.

mommy: I know.

abi: YOU DO? you weren't there today mommy, you didn't see the movie!

mommy: I used to do terry fox runs at my school as a kid.

abi: YOU DID?

mommy: yup.

abi: wow, terry fox must be old! oh wait, he's dead...that's why we run.

To those I love, peace.

D:)

What a Difference a Year Makes!

2008-09-03T10:51:00.006-05:00

Abi off to Kindergarten - September 2007

Abi off to Grade One - September 2008

What a Difference a Year makes...

GRADE ONE!

Today is Abi's first day of Grade one! I can't believe it. I'm amazed at how fast time goes by. A year ago today, it was cloudy, rainy (or perhaps that was just my mood) and I was a mess. I cried on and off all day long, I felt lost.

NOW, I've spent that last month itching for school to start! The weather is sunny and beautiful (a bit cold, but nice enough), and I was excited to see abi off to grade one.

Abi was pretty excited too. She was also very nervous. Her tummy was upset and she was up from about 3am on...poor girl is gonna be WIPED! I can remember the feeling of going back to school - excited to see your friends, nervous about what the year will bring, nervous about liking your teacher (or the teacher liking you), nervous about what you would be learning and if you would catch on! Then, before you knew it, it was June and you were anxiously waiting for summer!

Time just goes by WAY TOO FAST. My baby is in grade one...and my other baby is already three months old! I am trying to enjoy and soak in every day that I have with my kids, because I am betting that one day I'll be writing about their graduation days from university, their weddings...and GASP...me becoming a grandmother...and today will only seem like "yesterday".

What a blessing it is to be a mom. I love every single second of it (yes, even the days when abi is screaming at me that I'm a terrible mom because I've made her clean her room). The end of the day is my favorite time with abi...i look at her sound asleep and all i see is peace. An angel sleeping. The beginning of the day is my favorite with Emma...she can be screaming for food, or for her diaper to be changed, but the second her eyes hit yours, she grins from ear to ear! The rush of emotion and love that you feel in those moments make everything in this life worth it! You can be having the crapiest day of your life, feeling like you just aren't going to survive another second, and then boom - I see abi sleeping and my whole body calms - or I see Emma smile and my heart lights up. These girls are my everything...and I love that.

So, hold tight to your kids and make sure you never miss a moment to say that you love them.

To those I love, peace.
D:)

Two months

2008-08-20T11:41:00.005-05:00

Emma is now two and a half months old (10 weeks today) and is such a great baby! I have totally enjoyed every second of the last 10 weeks. Of course, the first month and a half are a blur, but now that I am finally feeling human again, I can say that the whole process has been pretty good.

She is now 10 lbs and 13 oz...she absolutely loves to eat! I go from one extreme to the other I guess when it comes to my kids! My KIDS...hard to believe I can say that now!! Abi hates to eat. Every year I get the lecture from her doctor that I need to stop worrying about her not eating: "you Westerners! Kids will eat WHEN they are hungry, STOP trying to feed them when YOU think they should be fed and how often YOU think they should be!!"...NOW, with Emma, he tells me : "when are you going to learn Danielle? She will eat when she is hungry, so she is hungry, which is why she is eating"...so, here's to eating when hungry! I will try and not worry about the fact that one child will go a day or two without eating, and one child who won't go an hour without (except of course at night...yes, she loves to sleep too! - I told you she was good).

I love being home again. It is going to be so hard to go back to work, but at least I won't have to worry about Daycare this time around. This time, I KNOW the daycare well, and the workers and know that Emma will be loved and cared for...that helps A LOT. I just really enjoy having time to do laundry and take care of my home and my family properly. When I work during the day, it is so hard to keep up with the house stuff, and family seems to be left behind. If only we could win the lottery!!

Abi starts Grade One in two weeks! What a difference a year makes. Last year I was dreading her starting school...this year, I can't wait!! Her attitude has gotten ridiculously bad the last two weeks, a sign that she is VERY bored. I am hopeful that school will help out in this area. Her attitude I'm sure also has to do with the adjustment of no longer being the only child...something that we are working on with her. I try very hard to make sure she knows that we love her just as much as before. We also try to make sure that we spend quality time with her on a one-to-one basis too. I've had a mom and abi night, and plan to do this once a month with her. I miss just her and I too, so this gives us both something to look forward to.

We've had a really nice Summer and can't get over how fast it is going by! We bought Abi a new pool this year - a big one - for her anyway (8' x 2') and she loves it! Last weekend she spent the entire weekend in it...yes, the ENTIRE weekend...we are talking 8 hours each day give or take. It's helped with her swimming too...she has actually started to swim, you know, feet off the ground swimming! I'm sure she will have her usual panic attacks when it comes to her swim lessons in the fall, but hopefully this will help her see that she isn't going to drown (not with the instructor beside her and her parents watching).

We've gotten a couple of stays in at Sandy's cottage this year, and we are hoping/planning to go for a week again in September like we did last year. It is so beautiful up there, and so relaxing! We are so blessed to have Sandy let us stay there and visit!

Well, I should run here...Emma is screeching to be fed! Before I leave though, here is an abigailism for you:

Last month I fought tooth and nail with abi to clean up her playcorner. I mean screaming and hollering, door slamming, and "you're an aweful mommy", fight. Finally, after taking away a bag of toys, her TV, and DS...she gave in and cleaned up. After cleaning she was so proud of herself and told me the trick to cleaning up when you don't feel like it:

Abi: "mommy, guess what? I know what to do when you don't want to clean up"

Mommy: "really, what is that?"

Abi: "well, you just get your imaginary friends to help you. When you stop cleaning, your friends can start to tell you that you need to keep cleaning or else mommy will take EVERYTHING away from you and you'll have nothing to do but sit and stare at walls"

Mommy: "whatever gets you to clean abi is perfectly fine with me"

Abi: "so, does this mean I get my stuff back?"

Mommy: "no, not until you show me that you will listen...doing this once doesn't prove that to me abigail"

Abi: "so, tomorrow then?"

Mommy: "no"

Abi: "hmmm, okay you win."

Damn straight.

To those I love, peace.

D:)

The Best Day of the Year....

2008-06-17T21:28:00.006-05:00

June 11...who would of guessed? well, besides abi...

June 11th, 2002

Abigail Grace.

June 11th, 2008

Emma Yvonne.

Confusion of Emotion

2008-06-03T14:55:00.003-05:00

Five more days. That's five more days until the due date arrives.

Confusion of emotions ride over me. It's crazy! I want this baby out so bad, and yet at the same time, I want the baby to stay inside for a little longer.

I sit here and I think that those five days will come and go and I will still be pregnant...and that thought makes my body just go "ugh". But, as anxious as I am to NOT be pregnant anymore, I am sadden by the fact that I will never get to experience this again.

Pregnancy is not fun...but it's special and unique and so weird! A baby growing inside of you...hard to even think or grasp the entire details that go along with that. Your body goes through SO MUCH, and a lot of it makes most people squirm if they knew all the details (mucous plug anyone?)...yet, to the women who actually get to experience this, it's absolutely amazing. I love looking at my belly and seeing baby move about, and at the same time HATE IT because it hurts so much now (the belly just cannot stretch anymore). I look at my belly button and am amazed at how this hole is about to pop out...and yet, squirm at the thought of how this part of my body can just "pop".

I see women out and about with their newborns and I get all excited about being able to finally hold mine in my arms...and then I start to get worried about the newborn, and I start thinking about how I don't know if I am ready for another baby. Yes, I know...a little late to be thinking that..but I am!!

I am so nervous about how this is going to affect our family. I am nervous about what kind of a mother will I be to TWO kids. I often think I suck at being mom to just abi, now I've added another kid to the mix? I worry about handling the stress of no sleep, plus having to care for the 6 year old...with a smile on my face...and the baby. I worry about how Abi will cope with this new addition. Sure, now it's all exciting, but when reality hits, how will she cope? How will I help her cope? I want more than anything for Abi and this baby to have a special bond, to love each other and to connect in ways that I never really did with my siblings. I worry about the age difference. I worry about the finances...mat leave this year, daycare next year, plus trying to keep abi in at her school. I worry about Billy and I...will our relationship suffer? I worry about friendships and how having another child will affect some of those friendships.

Then the baby will punch me and my anxieties of what kind of mom I will be, and the worries I have, leaves me and I start to pray that this baby will come out sooner rather than later!

To those I love, peace.

Adventures in PuddiLand

2008-05-26T15:39:00.004-05:00

It's official. I am done work at Red River for just over a year. It's hard to believe that May 26th has arrived. I've been waiting for May 26th FOREVER, and now, here it is. So, what did I do to celebrate? First, put abi on the bus to school. Then, sat on the couch had breakfast, read the paper on-line, had a nap.

I'm 38 weeks and one day pregnant today.

May 26th has been my "do nothing and don't feel guilty about it" day...and I've done just that. Hopefully baby gives me the rest of the week to get everything ready for her arrival. I still don't have the crib picked up; abi's baby clothes are still down in the crawl-space in garbage bags; I still haven't searched/found the receiving blankets (I'm pretty sure we gave them all away); the room does have a bassinet (thank you Dawn), and the change table...it's just still full of my clothes and the spare bed.

The laundry pile is up to ears and the house is a mess...yes, still a mess even though I finally found a cleaning crew...who are going to be fired after the baby arrives and I get one more vacuum and bathroom cleaning for $90, done! So, do you know anyone who has some spare time on their hands, AND actually likes to clean houses, and doesn't steal or snoop? If so, send them my way...maybe I could fire the cleaning crew earlier and get a better job done.

The emotions are running high. I think in a span of 10 minutes I went from laughing with Billy, to getting severely pissed off at him, to crying my eyes out and apologizing for being such a lousy wife!! I have NO patience at all...and if you thought I didn't have any before, then you've seen nothing honey! Poor Abi and Billy...the mess they have for a mom/wife right now ;) Of course, in about an hour I won't feel the least bit sorry for them because of some hormonal mood swing. The longer this baby waits, the better it is for me to get ready, but the worse it gets for everyone else as my moods and emotions fly in every direction without warning!!

I've put on a lovely 46 pounds...four of which were put on last week...four pounds in ONE WEEK...AND apparently babies don't really grow much from this point on...so I PUT ON FOUR POUNDS..me and me alone!! I guess that chocolate bar a day thing wasn't the smartest idea huh? Or the bowl of ice-cream a day....or the milkshakes...or candy feasts...Man, I'm gonna have a hard time taking this weight off!

Abi is doing wonderful. Wonderful for her that is! She has started to act up a bit, and I've been too stressed and worn out to deal with it appropriately! Instead I just yell and she just slams doors!! I see my future here already for when she is 13 and wanting to go out with boys to a movie (movie my ass, I was 13 once too!!)...

Now for the latest Abi story:

She lost her firt tooth on Thursday, and is still really excited about it. Of course she thinks that once her adult teeth come in, that means she's an adult and can do what she wants...wait till she finally figures out that a) you aren't an adult at 12 and b) it sucks being an adult. She lookes really cute though! I would of course take a picture and post it, but the batteries were taken out of the camera to work the toy that she bought with the money she got from the "toothfairy"...me and the toothfairy have had a little chat about the amount of money left behind:)

Do you remember how much your toothfairy left you? I was always given a quater. I would then take that quater and put it in my piggy bank. I knew that a quater per tooth wasn't going to get me much, but added to my allowance, over time, I would be able to buy that red mountain bike!! Then there is abi...and her daddy:

Abi lost her tooth at school, which is what she wanted because you get a really cool tooth holder! A week before she lost her tooth, Ethan (one of her at the moment best-buds as long as he does what she says friends) lost his. He got a toy from the toothfairy. Abi wanted a toy. Mommy, daddy and abi talked about what the toothfairy brings over dinner. Mommy told her that more than likely all she would get would be a looney...which she could add to her piggy bank and save. But abi wanted a toy.

Mommy and abi had their usual "get your butt to bed" argument that night and mommy was way tooooo tired to stay up, so as soon as abi's eyes closed, mommy's eyes closed. Then, at 6am abi comes storming into the room with a FIVE DOLLAR BILL!!! Mommy had a conversation with the "toothfairy" about leaving five dollars. But, it doesn't end here...no, see abi wanted a toy...so daddy took her shopping after school...abi ended up with a toy that cost $11...so basically, abi's first tooth cost us $11. Thank goodness for friends who told abi that you get $5 aka $11 for the first tooth only...after that, it's a buck.

Winter BLAHS!

2008-02-16T18:13:00.003-06:00

I'm hoping that when I am on mat leave that I will be able to post more often! Although, with a (will be) six year old and a newborn, my life is likely going to become even more chaotic than it is now!

We've had a usual Puddicombe Clan month and a half. It started with an emergency trip to the Children's Hospital and kinda went nutso from there.

I was out with some girlfriends one evening. Actually, I was at a friends house, having dinner with some long-time friends, eating and chatting like we love to do. I got home around 12:30am to hear my daughter weeping and sounding like she was sick. I ran up to our room to see her naked, hot and crying and her dad looking worried. Her head was hurting. After tylenol, two throw-ups on Mommy, a bath, and inability to walk, we called health-links. I was pretty calm and just wanted to know if we could give her something else to help ease the pain and nausea...my calmness turned into FREAK-OUTness, when the nurse started asking me about heart disease in my 5 year-olds life! What does heart disease have to do with a five year old? Of course, those who know us, know that Billy's dad's side of the family ALL have heart disease. I told her that and she then asked me if Abi was having problems walking...which she was. She then tells me to get her to the children's hospital right away. I went from thinking about giving my child gravol, to thinking she was going to die...for those of you who know me, know that this is my typical state of mind when in a panic. I over-react.

When we got the hospital at 2am, they saw her right away, where I was informed they thought she might have mennigitis. After some tests and questions for abi, they told us she suffers from migraines. I thought migrains were stress-related...what kind of stress is my child going through? Aparently though, this is hereditary. Abi has an aunt, two nephews, and a great-grandma who suffer from them. So now we are on to watching her sodium levels and paying close attention to possible triggers.

Then Billy turned 38...and on the same weekend got bad news about some family members. One of which was a cousin who killed himself. So now, Billy is off for a 20 hour road trip to a town outside of Chicago, IL for a funeral. Five days without my husband. Five days of being alone with abi. Five days of trying to make the five year old understand why daddy had to go, and why he was sad. It was difficult for everyone, and we were so happy to see him come home.

On top of this, it's budget time at work. I hate numbers. Always have, always will. Although I do enjoy the puzzle aspect of a budget, it gets mind-numbing after a while. Add the fact that I'm HUGE and can't walk, you get a woman who is completely useless after about a week of non-stop , on the go.

Abi started swimming lessons. We had skipped a year of swimming with her last year when she was in ballet, and I had no idea how much difference one year can make! She was never afraid of the water until this time around. BUT, true to abi style, she puts on her brave face (which breaks her mom's heart) and jumped right in. She is doing pretty good now. She's still afraid to let go of the teacher when floating on her back, and doesn't like not having her feet on the ground, but she is coming around. I don't think I will skip another year with her.

Abi also had her first cavity...GASP. I know, I know, shame on me. BUT I would like to remind you that I only did dental assisting for two years...then got out of there fast! Her experience getting the filling wasn't a great one, so she has the fear in her and brushes and flosses her teeth VERY WELL now.

The baby is growing and kicking and punching. It's nice to feel the baby move, it's very reassuring and I am now starting to enjoy being pregnant. We got the results of the ultra-sound and may have to go for another one later on. The ultra sound showed that the baby is doing well, but that the placenta is lying low. Usually this corrects itself in the third trimester. They will have to check that it has, and if not, then I will likely have to go for a C-section....do you think they would do a free tummy-tuck for me? I JOKE...I know it wouldn't be free :)

Well, that about sums it up. See ya in about a month or two!!!

To those I love, peace.

D

Happy New Year

2008-01-04T17:10:00.000-06:00

Wow, two months since the last post! Abi goes to school and WHAM I'm busy! Who knew? I guess everyone who has had kids go to school...

It's not that Abi being at school has made me busy, it's just with my new schedule at work, and trying to find the time to spend with abi has quashed a lot of our free time...plus facebook ;)

This time last year, I resolved not to resolve, and I have to say, it worked! This year though, I am back at the old tradition...minus the lose weight part...I'm fat and loving it ;)

So, what did 2007 bring? besides a truckload of shit? Well, I guess lessons learned...which is always a valuable thing and makes a person who they are...so worth the shit? Maybe, but not entirely.

2007's Moments:

The hubby got a nose job of sorts...course a year later it hasn't helped much in the snoring department.
I survived the threat of a union strike...and didn't have to freeze the nipples off!
Had yet another dearly loved family member pass away...who we are still mourning and missing very much.
A year supply of abigailism's which will never be forgotten!! That kid is the joy of my heart and makes me laugh SO MUCH!
Had my first annual St. Patty's day family celebration...even had a few leprechauns visit!
Got abi registered and accepted into a great school
Had my HUSBAND correct my spelling...ouch.
Found out I was pregnant, and spent three days in shock.
Lost the baby, and spent the entire summer questioning God.
Got in a great number of fires and bottles of wine over the summer with wonderful friends.
AGAIN had the reality check of life, spent many nights and days in tears and wondering if God was listening at all, while we almost lost an amazing, wonderful and true friend.
Spent a month in shock watching my 'baby' get on a school bus!
Got to spend ringing in 2008 with that true friend at the Keg...and actually at the restaurant, not in the hospital with take out boxes like originally planned!
Thanked God for the miracles of this life, His love for us, and most of all, for answered prayer.

So here's to kissing off 2007 and hoping 2008 brings in more giggles, and gut-wrenching laughs, and truly amazing, wonderful, and awesome memories!

The resolutions? Well:

to accept what life brings...all of it
to really work at finally forgiving and forgetting the hurt that was brought on by a person who I mistakenly held on a very high pedestal for way too long, 10 years ago...especially when they don't even know how much and how they hurt me.
to focus on my family here in Winnipeg, who have been here for me in so many ways and who I love deeply.
to put the past in the past and not care anymore about it. They live their lives and I need to live mine.
to do more housework...yikes did I just actually write that down??? and I'm not even drunk!
to work on my lack of patience...I said WORK ON IT.
to save some money

tune in next year to see how this all turned out! HA.

Well, to those I love and hold dear to my heart, I wish you all the very best 2008 has to bring you, happy memories to add and share, GREAT HEALTH, and happiness, true happiness.

Peace,

MY BABY...NOT MY BABY!!!!!!

2007-10-26T20:08:00.000-05:00

It's Friday. It's been awhile since I have felt this relieved to see a week come to an end.

Thanks to my lovely little driving infraction(s) back in July, I had to take the "Responsible Driver Workshop" today, or have my license suspended. It was a day that I was dreading..."hi, my name is Danielle, and I'm a speeder who was stupid enough to get caught speeding without a valid driver's license or registration...I am here to make amends..."

Needless to say that when today finished, I wanted to GO OUT!

As a side note here, abi attends a christian school. They don't acknowledge Halloween AT ALL. Instead of a Halloween party, they had a "Dress up like a farmer day" today...they get the party, they get the games, the candy, etc...they just dress like farmers and don't mention Halloween...

Now, back to my story...

So, as a family we decided to head out for super, go to the dollar store for snacks, head home and watch a movie. It was a date...and I was really looking forward to it.

We went out, had our meal, picked up our snacks and we were heading home having a great chat with abi, laughing, giggling...just having a great family time with our CHILD...WHO IS FIVE...FIVE!!!!

This is the conversation that rendered me absolutely speechless, with thoughts in my head of "OH DEAR GOD, HELP ME, WHAT DO I DO HERE???"...I don't know if God answered that thought or not:

Abi: "we had a contest today"

Mommy: "ya, what was it?"
Abi: "you had to put these stuffs in the pumpkins and whoever won got candy"

Daddy: "Did you win?"

Abi: "No, I didn't play that game, only Chantal and....and....and...um...hmmm...who was that guy I kissed?"

Daddy & Mommy: "WHAT?"

Abi: "oh, ya, Tristan"

Mommy: "hmldpll.....when...where....you WHAT?"

Daddy: "ABIGAIL...I a...um..."

Mommy: deep breaths, deep breaths.

I have no idea what happened between arriving at the house and getting into the house...it's a blur. I think we told her that she can't be kissing boys at school, not without mommy and daddy's permission. AND I think I may have told her she's not allowed to kiss until she is 30...NOT AT ALL EXTREME!!

When I calmed down, I asked her HOW she kissed the boy...dreading the answer, I was relieved when she gave a peck. I then asked her WHERE she kissed the boy...to which she replied "in the hole"...to which I replied "not allowed in the hole anymore"...I think I did, I know I thought it...I also know I thought that I will be calling her school on Monday morning to discuss this.

OI VAY! SHE IS FIVE! FIVE...NOT FIFTEEN...FIVE!!!!

Quickies...

2007-10-03T09:15:00.000-05:00

I am sooooo excited!! So is abi.

Abi has tomorrow and Friday and Monday off from school this week, and we are going to go visit daycare tomorrow!!!!

Abi has lots to tell them and can't wait to see all her friends and show everyone how much she's grown! She thinks that because she now goes to school that she is taller...I don't have the heart to say that ain't so.

We spent last week at the cottage and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was so nice to get away from EVERYTHING...no phone calls, no email, no facebook (yes, i survived)...just the three of us and the lake...it was amazing.

Abi has a new teacher already. No, she wasn't the reason behind her teacher leaving. Her teacher is pregnant and is considered high risk, so she left. This is the first week with the new teacher, and no note has arrived...yet. Haven't had the chance to meet her yet, so I am hoping that Mrs. Wiese informed Mrs. Wiebe about Allison....

How can you tell abi attends a Mennonite school?

The applesauce drama continued...but abi's okay with it...we've moved on to yogurt :)

The Puddicombe Fam is coming in on Thursday and Friday for our annual Thanksgiving FEAST. I can't wait! I love THANKSGIVING...it is becoming my favorite - even over Christmas! I am so happy that Rob and Anne and the kids are coming and will be staying with us. Rob just lights up any room and you can't help but feel giddy and happy. He's promised to cook the turkey, and my alarm company thanks him for that! Birds and me don't mix so well and the alarm company usually hears about it!

Lucy will have a friend this time around too! Rob and Anne are bringing their new puppy with them...it will be absolute CHAOS at our house...Four goofy adults, three CRAZY kids, two nutso dogs and two pissed off cats! I CAN'T WAIT!! I LOVE IT!

Sherri and Harv and the girls are also coming and it's about frigging time too! Billy is Afro man right now and is in desperate need of a cut from his sissy-poo. I too may change the color of my hair back...the roots are getting pretty scary! But, we will see.

Soooo, as always, if you are bumm'n around on Saturday night with no Thanksgiving feasts headed your way, you know where to find us, our door will be open, and the noise level will be high.

to those I love, peace.

D:)

Good Morning....YOU'RE LATE!!!!

2007-09-20T10:49:00.000-05:00

Nine days in.

That's how long it took for me to sleep in and ALMOST make abi miss her bus. NINE DAYS...can you believe it? Never mind, don't bother answering...I can hear it now:

"congratulations, you made it to day nine, I figured for sure by day 2".... You people have no faith in me!!

Her bus originally was to arrive at our home at 8:12, but lately has been more like 8:05am...so, what time did I wake up on Wednesday morning you ask?

7:58am!!!!

Reminded me of my grade 12 year, trying to get my ass off to English class!!

I'm laying in bed, with abi snuggled into me. The window is open and the sun is starting to shine in and the birds are singing, and there is a nice cool breeze coming in. I hear soft, lovely music in the background and then all of sudden I hear:

"GOOD MORNING, it's 7:58 am and...."

and I freak...HOLY CRAP that would be my alarm that I am listening too!!

Abi has never moved so bloody fast before in her life! She was literally running like a chicken with it's head chopped off. She would run to the window and scream "oh my, oh my, I can't believe this is happening, I can't believe this is happening" to which I would then get after her to hurry up and put on her socks!!

The bus driver - Gord - was kind enough to wait for us....although I don't think he was overly pleased...I didn't get a wave good-bye :(

This morning though, we made up for it! We were outside waiting at 7:55am...so, I figure I am good now until, oh....November? I have a feeling that abi won't be busing much in January and February...dark, cold...blah...it should be illegal having to get up before 10am.

To those I love, peace.

D:)

Applesauceless

2007-09-16T12:24:00.000-05:00

For those you taking bets, abi lasted a total of FIVE days before getting a note sent home...she's not allowed to bring applesauce to school anymore. Small thing, but I've got issues with it.

It's hard you know. I've gone from open-communication with daycare to this? I am so used to having that 'end-of-the-day' chat with abi's daycare, and i like it that way!! Now, I get a letter telling me that abi's not allowed to bring applesauce to school anymore because she spills it and laughs! What happened to letting the parents deal with this? What happened to consulting with the parent, working with the parent???

I'd hate to be a teacher. Dealing with 17 kids and at least 34 parents (who all believe their little darling is the sweetest thing EVER, and could do no harm). I'm trying to not make a big deal out of it, but it's hard. I mean, abi's not the biggest eater, and making her a lunch everyday and trying to find things that she will eat is a huge undertaking! So, when I get a note saying "find something else"...I get a little steamed...do you know how HARD it is to FIND SOMETHING ELSE???

So, we've responded to the letter with another letter (and I was polite in it...my mom told me so!) asking for another shot at it. I mean, COME ON, you've got to let the parents deal with the issue.

It broke my heart too. Abi NEVER came home from daycare in tears, and NEVER once told me she was a bad girl (or gril as she says)...but on Friday, I opened up her take-home folder and she BAWLED...

"I'm not allowed to bring applesauce to school anymore...I'm a bad gril"...

and sure enough, when I opened up her lunch bag, there was the apple sauce we sent with her for lunch, un-opened.

I totally sound like an overly defensive parent here...I know, cuz I am!! AND DAMN PROUD OF IT TOO!

So, another week approaches us, apple-sauce-less.

Wish us and her teacher good luck!!

To those I love, peace.

D:)

We SURVIVED...okay, so MOM survived!!

2007-09-07T17:29:00.000-05:00

Warning: LONG BLOG due to babbling idiot called mommy!!

So, today was abi's first day at school. She started Kindergarten today!!!! She was SUPER excited and couldn't wait to begin her day...mommy wasn't sure how she felt!

The bus came and picked her up right on the dot, and as soon as my little girl sat down in the bus, and all I could see were her eyes...I started to tear up. The bus pulled away and I literally fell into Billy's arms and bawled. I tried hard not too, honest...I don't enjoy the fact that I am "that mom", but when you've only got one (and possibly only ever will have one), these moments are hard!

I quickly hopped into the car and tried to follow the bus...but I lost the bus!!! Can you believe it?

I met up with abi at her school and saw her come off the bus with the HUGEST smile on her face.

Abi: "MOMMY, did you see me? are you proud of me? I went on the bus ALL BY MYSELF without you! Are you proud?"

Mommy: "I am SOOOO proud of you abi!"

Abi: "and you know what? I wasn't even scared"

I said my good-byes to her outside of her classroom and left.

Alcoholics turn to alcohol in the times that are hard to face and where they think they couldn't possibly get through...I, turn to Starbucks.

I didn't go to my usual place (as it's located at the other end of the city by my work), but I have to say THANK YOU to the Pembina Starbucks! AMAZING ladies there! My usual Starbucks is great too...I think they have to hire people who are able to deal with lunatic moms!! I walk in trying desperately to hide the fact that I've been crying (you just can't cover up the bright red nose). When I order my coffee and am paying, the cashier made the mistake of asking me how I was. I looked up and tried to get the words out, but cried! (I'm embarrassed just thinking about it now). Her mouth dropped and she apologized to me! I then apologized to her and explained that I am a mom to an only child who I just happened to JUST say good-bye to as she starts her VERY first day at school.

The cashier then starts to tear up and tell me that she went through it last year, except she her child on a bus, and she followed the bus to her school. I smiled and told her that I was doing the same thing, except I LOST THE BUS!! We chatted about our girls and then I mentioned about how abi looked so little on the bus and how all I could see were her eyes over the seat, and the girl making my coffee started to cry!

By the time I left, the three of us had cried, hugged and they had done their best in assuring me that it gets easier.

I know, I know...only me would do that sort of thing! Like I've said before, when I am upset, I am a blabbering fool!

I should have gone into work today, but I didn't. Instead, I spent the day worried sick over abi. I didn't even get my nap in as all I could do was think about what she was doing right that very minute.

4pm took forever to arrive!

Momma Peggy, Poppa Dean and Poppa Bill were all at the house to welcome abi home from her first day at school.

I tell you, I have never been more relieved and more happy then I was when I saw her come down the stairs from the bus!!

She of course had a fabulous day and can't wait to go back!

"Mommy, I get TWO RECESSES!!"

I leave you with the video Billy took with our camera when she came home. You can also follow the below link to view more photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13985&l=cc915&amp;amp;id=594211836

Danielle is...

2007-09-04T15:28:00.000-05:00

On Facebook. Yes, I joined the “social utility network” back in May, and have found myself quickly addicted to the comings and goings of my “friends”. I love how connected I can feel to everyone, with just a quick click of the mouse. Facebook is also a dangerous tool, as it can, and has, certainly monopolized my time…hence, the lack of a blog update!!

September. The month I have been dreading for about a year now. Abi starts school on Friday…the entire day.

Abi will now be at school, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day (including the bus ride)…my baby.

It hit me on Wednesday last week. We had gotten her “official” back to school package in the mail and it hit me…I have to let my baby go! I cried the rest of the week, but by the weekend I thought I had pulled myself together…then today hit, and I cried again.

You see, I am “THAT MOM”…you know the one…the mom who is overly possessive of her child? Yup, me. The mom who drives behind the school bus for oh, let’s say a week (could be a month)…yup, me. The mom who wants to beat the living crap out of the “other kid” that hurts her child…yup, me. So you see, this is a hard time for me.

One of the difficulties I am facing is saying good-bye to abi’s daycare. How do you say good-bye to the people who for the past four years have moved into mine and abi’s hearts and made impacts that they (nor I) can ever understand? How do you say good-bye to the women, who have loved, cared for, taught and nurtured your child in your absence? They have meant the world to abi for the last four years, have become her second family…and as a result, mine as well. They are who I have turned to for advice, who I have leaned on in troubled times…and now? Now I have to say good-bye. Words cannot express the amount of gratitude I feel for these women…and no gift can show appreciation.

These women, these wonderfully made women (who are worth more than gold)…they have hugged abi, just for the sake of hugging her. They have wiped her tears away. They have laughed with, and at her. They have cried for her. They have kissed her boo-boo’s and supplied the very important band-aid. They have fed her. They have snuggled her. They have cuddled her to sleep. They have listened to her every word…and her every scream (or most of them…she’s tough to ignore, but there are days where I am sure they just needed to in order to get on with the day!). They have embraced her spirit. They have nurtured her creativity. They have taught her SO MUCH. They have enabled her. They have provided her with the necessary tools to succeed in this life. These women, they are kind, caring, loving, and selfless. They are called “care-givers”, but they are so much more than that! They are teachers, healers, doctors, magicians, clowns, artists, counselors, sleeping dust fairies, waitresses, cooks, negotiators, mediators…the list goes on!

Cindy, Jan, Karen, Crystal, Irene, all of daycare…thank you for the love and support through the years. Thank you for loving abi the way you have. Thank you for being such an amazing and integral part of our family. We love you, we will miss you, we wish you the very best!

Lessons Learned, combined with more Abigailism's...

2007-07-16T12:56:00.000-05:00

She is a doll isn't she?

I have decided that Abi is one of my best friends. A best friend to me, is someone who is always there for you no matter what; someone who loves you deeper than her own skin; someone who's heart is attached to you; and someone who can piss you off, drive you insane, and at the end of the day still be attached to your soul!

I have been blessed with a number of (3) best friends...and I love them all, and each one is special in her own unique way, but abi is obviously the best of the best. She brings so much joy, so much laughter (and tears), so much love and life to my life...I don't deserve her, but I've got her and I thank God for her every single day.

LESSON's LEARNED...

Since my last blog entry, I've learned some valuable lessons...thanks in part (okay, 100%) to my abi and her "ism's". As a parent, your job is to love, embrace, mould and teach your children. You have SO MANY things that you have to teach them, and in teaching them, they in turn, teach you! That was my Lesson #1.

Lesson 2
More often than not (when the child is a girl, and the girl is a daddy's girl), sending the dad to put child to sleep, is going to work in the child's favor and not yours! And someone usually ends up hurt! In my family anyway.

Abi doesn't sleep. I'm convinced of this. She is up when we go to bed, and awake when I wake up! We have tried EVERYTHING to get this girl to sleep (aside from drugging her, which apparently is WRONG...I kid, I kid...not really, but I have to say that before someone calls child and family on me!). We have tried the "letting her cry it out"...we've been trying it since she was 9 months old...I think it's safe to say that this is NOT working for us!

We've tried the hot milk, running around the block, calm baths, reading, singing, movies, no movies, light, no light, etc., etc... Nothing works except of course, wrapping her tight and rocking her to sleep...which her dad doesn't do so well. Now, his way does work, it just takes a few hours! yes HOURS...he lays down with her, and more often than not, he falls asleep and she comes out to me!

The Abigailism within the Lesson...
I've given up on trying to put her to bed. Billy isn't ready to give up yet. So, he lays down with her every night. On one of those nights, after about an hour, Billy gave up and started to play with her, abi ended up punching him in the nose! It didn't hurt him that much, but he thought it would be a great idea to play it up a bit, so he pretended she really, really hurt him...she starts to cry and is leaving the room when Billy stops pretending and asks her why she is crying and leaving. Her response:

"I have to leave you daddy, I can't be around you, I am too dangerous for you"

Billy tells her he is sorry and that she didn't hurt him and to come back. She laughs, runs to him, continues their play...and kicks him in the nuts!! That's my girl!

Lesson 3
No matter what mood you are in, no matter the circumstance, no matter how you feel at that moment, when an opportunity arises to teach/correct your child...MAKE SURE YOU DO!!

As you read in the last entry, my daughter said "ass" and we didn't correct her. We weren't much into the whole parent mode...and it was funny.

Well, the other day Billy and I are talking and abi comes into the conversation and tells us:

"I'm gonna kick yer ass"

We are now in the parenting mode and correct her, to which a reply comes:

"but you say it all the time"

She is right here. SO, I figure I should try and be a fair parent, which leads to Lesson #4

Lesson #4
You are a parent. Parent's aren't fair. Never try to be...it's not your job.

In trying to be fair to the child who has a mother that says ass all the time (I've been trying to curb this, but I figure after 5 years, all hope is totally lost!), and who is always stuck in the car with her mother during rush hour traffic (and who's mom is known to have a tad bit of a potty mouth while in rush hour traffic), I came up with a brilliant-turned-not-so-brilliant idea:

Mom: "abi, I know you hear mommy say that a lot, but it's not nice to say that"
abi: "then why do you say it all the time, how come you get too?"
Mom: "cuz I'm the mom"
abi: "that's not fair"
Mom: "I tell you what, just don't say it around other people, if you say it around mommy and daddy, that's one thing, but to say it to others - especially at school or church - it's not a nice thing, okay?"
abi: "okay"

Fair enough right? If you said yes, read the first sentence to Lesson #4!! Why? well, fast-forward to Saturday. Billy and Abi are at the church, Billy is cleaning, abi is riding her bike....

Billy: "abi, be careful of what you are doing" (or something along those lines, I wasn't there)
Abi: "daddy, I'll kick yer ass"
Billy: "ABI, YOU ARE NOT TO SAY THAT WORD"
Abi: "but mommy said I can say it around you guys"

This is where I roll my eyes, slap my forehead and say "oi vay"...

To Those I Love, peace

D

Abigailism's

2007-06-26T19:57:00.001-05:00

We are desperately trying to get back to the normal swing of things. Trying to spend more time together as a family and just be.

With all the pain, tears, and questions, abi hasn't failed us! Even when I thought I would never smile again, my daughter made me crack up...and so I share:

Abigailism 1

The day of my surgery, we were driving home...so you can imagine what our moods were like. Abi, however, was in fine form and her usual gabby self. A few months back she met a new friend of poppa dean's street, her name is Francis. Francis apparently has a brother, and apparently wasn't nice to her at first...here's the conversation...

Abi: "Francis' brother was mean to me, but now he's not, now he's nice to me, but he's still not nice to Fran."

Mommy: "oh, brothers are like that"

Abi: "Well, someone should tell him to be nice and kind"

Mommy: "you go right ahead"

Abi: "No, cuz then he'll be mean to me again"

At this point, abi continues on and on, irritating both myself and her father about Francis' brother and how mean he was, SOOOO in typical Billy fashion, he responds:

Daddy: "Well, then you'll just have to kick his ass"

Nice eh? Well, the kicker is abi's response. She said it plain as day, as if it's a normal thing to say:

Abi: "NOOOO, Cuz then he'll just kick my ass!"

I laughed so hard it hurt. No we didn't correct her. We weren't exactly in the "quality parenting" mood.

Abigailism 2

Abi and I were having a snuggle and chatting yesterday. I don't know HOW we got on the topic of church, but apparently God has an office at ours!

Abi: "When we were at church and Pastor Angie was there...guess what?"

Mommy: "what?"

Abi: "I saw God's office"

Mommy: "huh? you what?"

Abi: "I saw GOD'S OFFICE!! God's office is at our church you know, just ours"

Mommy: "oh really, and where exactly is his office?"

Abi: "where the money is. God's office has money. Remember when I went to church (she's only missed two weeks) and I would listen to Pastor Angie? She says that we have to give God money. What happens if we don't give God money? Mommy, you have to make sure you give me money to give to God, cuz if I don't give God money...well, I dunno, but you gotta make sure you do that"

Mommy: This is where I try to explain the importance of Tithing to my daughter...and explain to her that Mommy has a horrible time at remembering to write out the cheque, and remembering her cheque book...oh and yes I can do automatic withdrawal, but I haven't gotten around to actually going to our bank...of course it went right over her head and she left to go play and I was left feeling guilty for not tithing! The pastor can give as many sermons as he wants on this topic...all he really has to do is sick the kids on us!! Talk about guilt trip!

To those I love, peace.

Trying to Keep the Faith

2007-06-22T22:01:00.000-05:00

I used to think I had a strong faith in Christ.

I used to think that I've been through SO MUCH in this life, and through it all, I was able to rely on my faith, and the Father in heaven.

I even had a tattoo put on my back based on 1 Corinthians 13 (verse 13 in particular), "faith, hope and love"...to remind me of the three gifts God has provided to get us through life. I got the tattoo with my best friend Julie (we got matching ones). Julie and I had searched for months for something to symbolize our faith, and our friendship...something God gave us, and that we were truly thankful for.

The major point in my life where I learned to trust in God and rely on Him, was when my father was facing some serious legal charges. That was YEARS ago now (9 going on 40), and looking back I remember not even being able to breath...it was so hard watching my father slip away and my mother trying so desperately to keep him. God worked wonders in my dad then. He worked wonders in my relationship with my father then as well.

Since then, my dad has become my very best friend.

Looking at THAT time in my life, I can say that God did good. It was difficult, but I would go through it again and again, because the outcome brought me closer to my father than I had ever been. Up to that point in my life, I wasn't aware of my father. I didn't think much of him, as I didn't think he really thought that much of me. Through that harsh time, God showed me how much I truly loved my father, and how much we needed each other.

Every hour for five months, I prayed. I prayed that God would get my dad through another hour, get all of us through another hour. God literally carried my dad, mom and I through it all. He breathed for us, He held us up as we walked, He spoke for us, He was very present. I had never in my life felt that close to God...it was as if he was right beside me, holding my hand, my dad's hand, my mom's hand, the entire time. I could almost feel his breath...that close.

That point in my life was where I began my journey with God. His Word was my oxygen; prayer was my peace; I had life in me.

Two years ago, I came face to face with depression. Even through the darkness, God was still my oasis. I prayed long, and I prayed hard. I still believed in the good of God. I still believed in faith and hope. God carried me through that too. I didn't think so during it, in fact I thought God was punishing me for something I had done. I thought he was done with me, that I had just become worthless to him. BUT, I still prayed...and my faith was still present...a little tarnished... but there. I relied on the little pieces of it that I had, because without it, I knew I wouldn't get through any of it. God sent me angels who fought the long hard battle with me, and with them I was always able to pray and able to see the light at the end.

Then this happened.

I didn't think I had wanted the pregnancy to begin with. I was scared out of my mind. Mostly due to my depression. Terrified of another bout of postpartum...terrified that this time I wouldn't survive...that I wouldn't turn back and come home like I did the first time. I forgot about God in it all. I mean, I knew He was there, and I knew, deep down somewhere, that God would take care of me, but I was still terrified. I am only human after all.

I found out at 4 weeks and was miserable. I cried for two weeks. At 10 weeks I was totally in love. Scared still, but in love and happy...so happy. At 13 weeks (and one day), the baby was removed. Actually, the doctors tell us that the baby died at 5 weeks and four days....so, when I was in shock, mad at myself for being so stupid with the birth control pills, before I fell in love, I had already lost the baby...but my body kept up with the pregnancy...I had morning sickness up to week 9, my belly was even showing a bit...but the baby was already dead. I feel like I've been scammed...by God.

Why would he give me life, take that life away from me, but not let me know it until I was already in love with it? This is where my faith is gone. This is where my belief is gone. This is where I blame God...yell at him...if he was in front of me, I would be giving him the finger! I try so desperately to not fall into this trap. Trying to keep my faith alive. I try to remind myself of all the other struggles, how in the end, God made it all better...but it's not working. I tell myself everything that everyone who doesn't know what else to say would say:

"God has a purpose, we don't know what it is, and we may never know, but trust in him"

"God is crying with me"

"God didn't do this"

"We don't know what is best for us, God does, so trust in that".

Let's also not forget how in the last three days I have seen more pregnant women than I care for. That as I sat in my OB's office on Wednesday, losing my child, I had to sit there with a dozen happy pregnant women, and two idiot sets of parents. That on Thursday as I sat waiting for my operation, I got to watch one woman leave her 3 month old alone in a not-so-safe area, while she went off looking for her boyfriend...outside; got to watch another pregnant woman go out for a smoke in between her contractions; and another "child" talk about that "hot guy" on the phone to her friend...while she was waiting to be induced. I also got to run into a woman in the midst of her contractions as I was walking out of the hospital after having my child taken from me. God likes to kick us in the ass...that was all I could think about. Not "God is Good", God is kicking me in the ass and kicking me hard.

In all the other "hard" times, I was able to pray. Prayer is what got me through it. The difference is that during this time, I can't pray. I've tried, but my mind wonders off into the "why" zone, and before I know it, I am too pissed off to pray. For the first time in my life, I feel like prayer isn't going to do it this time. I can't bring myself to my knees. I can't even think about it really...I just get mad. If God really answered prayer, then why was I at my prenatal appointment on Wednesday confirming my D&C instead of hearing my baby's heartbeat? If God really answered prayer, then why do I hurt SO MUCH? If God really answered prayer, then why am I MORE confused now about adding to my family then I was three months ago? If God really answered prayer, then why isn't my friend holding a baby of her own tonight, and why am I crying that I can actually understand her pain?

I don't think I have that strong of a faith anymore.

Goodnight Angel, Sweet Dreams

2007-06-18T23:03:00.000-05:00

I'm usually not at a loss for words, and the way I cope with this life is to write. I write a lot. It helps put things into perspective for me.

Tonight, I have no words. I have nothing in me to write.

I've lost my baby. He's gone to heaven to be with Jesus.

I'm numb. empty. tired. sad. confused and angry.

And so grateful. Grateful for the child I do have. The one who really puts sunshine in every day for me. Today was a hard day for the entire family, yet she still brought laughter to the house, and laughter to the hearts.

Thank you abi. Thank you for your UNCONDITIONAL love, for your smile, for your sweetness. You are my sunshine, always and forever. Today is a day that you won't forget, and it's a day that will help shape who you become. I'm sorry that you've had to feel this, I'm sorry for the pain and the hurt.

To my baby:

Goodnight my angel. Tonight you sleep in the arms of Jesus. Safe from harm. Far from hurt.
Tonight and tomorrow and the rest of forever, you will be our heavenly angel. We won't forget you, we won't stop loving you. We will think of you often and wonder what could have been. In our lives for such a short time, never being held, never being kissed or hugged or tucked into bed goodnight, but forever in our hearts.

Goodnight my angel. Tonight you sleep in the arms of Jesus, tomorrow you sleep on the clouds.

She's 5!

2007-06-11T23:10:00.000-05:00

Five years ago tonight, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, excited and scared out of my wits! Nothing has changed much I guess!!

It seems like yesterday...staring at her squished up nose and pitch black hair and tiny hands and feet, thinking how today would take forever to come! NOW, here I am missing that night in the hospital with my baby!!! Missing the quite of the night...missing those special first few moments of staring at one another, being content, filled with love and so many questions, yet totally at peace...missing that time of just her and I and not a single other sole in the entire universe. That night was very special, one I obviously (and for obvious reasons) will never forget, and one that will hold such a big chunk of my heart.

She has grown up so much and way too fast. I know she is "only" five...but five years really flew right by me! It terrifies me to think how fast the time really does go by, and how before I know it these years with her will be gone...forever.

As much as it frustrates the heck out of me that she won't go to sleep and comes crying to me to sleep with her...I think about how in 10 years from now she won't want me anywhere near her and I will be the one crying at night wanting her to snuggle with me!!

How come no one ever tells you how hard it is to watch your kids grow up? How hard it is to let them grow up? When you talk about "starting a family", no one says how much your heart will ache!!! It's all worth it, I know this. Trust me, I wouldn't change a single thing about my life (okay, maybe I would add a couple hundred thousand dollars every year or two). Having Abi was the best thing to have ever happened to me. She really, truly is, my sunshine in my every single day. Not a day goes by where she doesn't make me laugh at least once...there has never been anyone or anything who could do that for me. Not a day goes by where my heart doesn't feel like it's going to burst with so much joy...all because of my angel. I thank God for her every day...even on the days where she is really pushing my buttons...because life without her is unfathomable and no amount of pushing me to edge could make me want any other life than what I have with her RIGHT NOW!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEATPEA!! I love you as big as the world, up to the sky, ALLLLLL the way to the moon, around the moon and stars, down to the North Pole, and around Santa's fat belly...and then some...that is how much I love you.

Mommy, always and forever.

Drum Roll Please...I can't believe I figured out how to post this!! Here is the Video of today's recital. I am so proud of her!

2007-06-10T23:04:00.000-05:00

Killing Monsters One Day, Dancing The Next

2007-06-08T17:37:00.000-05:00

Abi has spent the last month learning about David and Goliath in her sunday school class.

This week, on the one day that we weren't too sick to go to daycare/work, abi informs me that now that she is going to be a big sister, she can "kill" monsters all by herself.

abi: "I know how to kill them now"
mommy: "you do?"

abi: "yup, you just need something big to smash them with!"

mommy: "really?"

abi: "yup. ORRRRRR, a rock"

mommy: "a rock eh?"

abi: "like David. He took a rock, put it in his thinger and shot the giant dead...BUT, David had God to help him with that...sooo, I guess God can teach me how to kill monsters too"

mommy: "glad that's what you've taken with you from your Sunday School lessons"

abi: " me too, thems monsters can be scary!!"

=================================================================== Today. June 10. One day before my "baby" turns 5.

Well, my hormones are WHACKED! I spent the entire morning and most of the afternoon in tears. EVERYTHING made me cry! From saying good-bye to abi this morning before she went off to dance, to having lunch with family and being "overwhelmed" by the love my daughter has around her! Yup, just call me mushy!

The recital was today. Abi did amazing...for a four (practically five) year old. We did take a video, and I am hoping to post it shortly...if not here, then on my facebook page. We will also post some pictures of the monkey in her outfit, as Billy had MAJOR shaking issues with the camera...really...I'm nauseous from watching it!!

I will post tomorrow as well to mark the fifth birthday. WARNING: I'm pregnant and my hormones are twisted, so I'll likely be all over the place and crying as I type it.

Peace,

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH??? No, No, No, No...I can't be!!!

2007-05-24T18:28:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's true...I'm preggers. The baby is due on December 27th. That alone should answer your "was it planned?" questions...and if it doesn't, I'm not spelling it out for you.

Yes, we've always said, "just one"...Sex happens....and yes, I just said sex...

We are starting to get over the shock...but panic has certainly set its way back in...I was so content with the life of no more bottles, no more diapers, no more 3am feedings, no more mysterious fits of whatever because the kid can't talk yet.

But "content" and me apparently don't mix well for long...always gotta rock the boat somehow right?

Peace out.

Spell Check

2007-05-22T14:27:00.000-05:00

My husband should be a comedian...or so he thinks.

I've decided that I need to become a little bit more reliant on Spell Check.

We are sitting in the living room last night, I'm tired and nauseous and trying to figure out what on earth I can have to eat, when my FRIGGING HILARIOUS hubby starts the following conversation:

Comedian wanna be: "Hun, how do you spell church?"

Me: "are you serious?"

Comedian wanna be: "yes"

Me: "really, you don't know how to spell church?"

Comedian wanna be - shrugs the shoulders

Me: "C-H-U-R-C-H"

Comedian wanna be: "so, not C-H-U-C-H?"

Me - rolling the eyes as if to say, okay dork "NO, that would spell chuch"

Comedian wanna be: "hmmm, well, perhaps you should check your blog out...sidebar...the chuch we attend?"

Me: "go fug yourself"

don't bother checking the sidebar now, I've changed it.

NOW, fast forward to today. I am at work, preparing an announcement going out to all staff and I am about to hit the "send" button, when I notice that the first sentence just doesn't look right. So I re-read it.

I was trying to say "global" and had typed "globowl"....go figure!

So, I have now checked off that little box on my email options that says "check spelling before sending"...and I am going to spell check this little piece prior to hitting the "publish post" button...gotta love technology!!!

Peace out.

D:)

My Little Sunshine...

2007-05-18T22:35:00.000-05:00

Do you daddy take your abi to be your abi forever?

and do you abi take your daddy to be your daddy forever?

I know pronounce you daddy and daughter always and forever!

My Abi...I am so blessed to have her in my life...I didn't (and don't) deserve such an amazing daughter. She is my sunshine in EVERY SINGLE DAY. Life has changed SO much since her arrival...but for the better...I now have a purpose, my life feels full...all because of this little 30 pound (almost) package of love.

She can make me scream and yell and want to pull my hair out! She can also make my heart feel like it is going to explode with love. She can make me frown in two seconds, and then make me smile and laugh the very next second. My life is far from boring with her in it. It's nice to get to be a kid again...with mine.

I was working on the computer...or well, searching through facebook and my child comes up to me with the most beautiful face and asks me where her daddy is. She is wearing the most hilarious outfit imaginable. She has a blue summer dress on, her toque over her baby blanket on her head, a large stuffed flower, my silver bracelet, her Cinderella light-up necklace, and my white sandals on!!

Billy had just come home only moments before, but had to go....do some business.

My daughter had this beautiful smile on her face and says:

"but he is my daddy and I need to get marriaged...to him"

She runs up the stairs and brings down my bible and tells me that I will have to "marriage" them.

She then runs over to the CD player and pushes play. I had my Louis Armstrong in there and the song that starts to play is "what a wonderful world".

My life flashed before me, and I was at a church watching my daughter getting married...I bawled. My baby comes over and wipes the tears from my eyes and tells me: "it's okay mommy, I have to grow up, but I will always be your child"

I cried more.

Here are some more pictures...sorry about the side way one...blogger turned it on me and I can't figure out how to change it back.

Too Smart for Me!!

2007-05-09T20:48:00.000-05:00

So, I posted the above ticker to keep me on par with my blogging. You see, I tend to be a bit of a slacker.

I know it says 9 days until next post, and I will post again within those 9 days, but I just couldn't pass up on abi's recent "abigailisms".

Abigailism #1

Abi has been nothing short of a brat this week. She is driving her parents insane and billy is now bald (kidding there...but close). Me thinks the child will be trouble in the teen years...and perhaps may end up with poppa dean until she is 18....or 30 at the rate she is going!!!

Anyhoo, last night I had asked her to put on her PJ's and blow her nose. It's allergy season you see, and the girl's nose runs like Niagara falls. WELL, you would have thought I had asked her to go clean her room or something! The cry, the scream, the yelling, the kicking...and of course this red-head remained absolutely calm through it all.....

ya, right.

So, I hollered, she hollered a lot louder, I hollered even louder and sent her to her room...actually pretty close to dragging her since she wasn't going on her own. I told her when she had gotten rid of the attitude and was ready to cooperate with mommy, she could come out.

Well, she kicked the door a few times, punch a wall or two, screamed bloody murder...then came out with PJ's on and a "I'm sorry mommy".

We made up. I told her I loved her, she told me she loved me...and was about to give mommy a great big kiss when the following took place:

mommy: "abi, please go blow your nose"

abi: "I don't want to blow my nose"

mommy: "abigail, we are not about to go through this all over again, go blow your nose"

abi: "but mommy, your job is done now, you're fired"

Ohhhh, if only that could be the case...

Abigailism #2

Go back a week. Billy has sore feet and finally succumbs to the idea of needing to soak his feet. So, he goes to have a bath. Abi, being the loving child she is to her father, tells her dad that she wants to take care of him and will wash his back and hair for him (for those of you who have seen Billy, washing his hair doesn't necessarily mean on his head). So, being to tired to argue, daddy wore shorts for his bath while abi sat and washed his back and hair.

Fast forward to today. Neighbours across the road had dirt delivered to their house this morning. Abi excitedly watched as the "mighty machine" dumped "a whole heck of a lot of mud" on the lawn. Now its time to leave for daycare and work. We get in the car, it's hot out and abi wants all the windows down...and well, so did mommy...it's fricking hot today! Well, the neighbour is outside shoveling his dirt to his garden...without a shirt on when the following takes place (remember, the windows are down, and my child has a VERY VERY loud voice):

Abi: "peeeeuuuuuuuuuuu, that man stinks with hims shirt off"

Mommy: Well, I don't say anything here, I pretty much just speed away with a face the color of my car (red).

Ohhhh, but this abigailism doesn't end here, nooooo, it gets WAY better.

As I peel away from the street the following conversation continues:

abi: "mommy, does daddy take his shirt off outside?"

mommy: "no abi he doesn't, daddy doesn't like that. He will take his shirt off when he is inside or in our backyard, but he doesn't really do that in public"

abi: "yah, he walks around the house naked"

mommy: "no he does not abi, he is always wearing shorts"

abi: "mommy, why does daddy wear underpants in the bath?"

mommy: thinking, oh boy, here we go. "well abi, boys have different, um, body parts than girls, and well, it's not really appropriate for little girls to see their daddy's...err any boys...body parts"

abi: "mommy, when I am a big gril can I see it?"

mommy: "no. that's even more of a no than with little girls"

abi: "mommy, when I was at my new daycare..."

mommy: "mommy's work?"

abi: "yup. I was in the bathroom and this boy came in...do you remember hims name? anyway, he came in and showed me his bum. I tried not to look, but I couldn't stop"

mommy: "his bum, or pee pee"

abi: "you know, that thing that sticks out and then flops down..."

I laughed all the way into work.

She is no dummy.

To those I love, peace.

D:)

So, it's May 1...do you have your taxes filed?

2007-05-01T12:39:00.000-05:00

Revenue Canada

May 1st...the day that I officially get to relax...yup that's right folks, the taxes have been filed...and we are getting a refund...unless of course Mr. Harper decides to punish me for being a procrastinator.

Actually, the hubby did it this year. He knew full well that if it were up to me, we would either be in a rush tonight so as not to get a lovely fine, or we would be waiting until next year...I knew I married him for more than his money ;)

We've traded in the Santa Fe. My baby. I say goodbye to her tonight at 5 and am supposed to welcome evil car. It's a nice car...very nice actually...but not my girl...ah well, I'm sure it'll win me over one day....picture to come...when I decide I do in fact like driving a (gasp) car...at least it's not a minivan right?

Peace out.

D:)

Yo, Yo, Yo, WASSSSSUUUUUUP?

2007-04-23T10:52:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it's been awhile.

the latest "abigailism" for this month:

abi was having a hard time listening the other night...I know, SHOCKING...so, her dad sent her to her room to find her ears. She found them, came to dinner, and continued to not listen. Her mom then asks:

"abi....abi....ABIGAIL"

"what"

"what happened to your 'I'll listen now'?"

"oh, ya, they died, the batteries need to be charged"

What do you say to THAT?

Here's an update on our clan since March:

Had a GREAT St. Patty's day dinner with the family! A little leprechaun even sneaked in and made a huge mess. Good thing for Jess and Abi that he couldn't find his gold stash - they got to find the coins instead. The girls had tons of fun, and were amazed at their green milk - and then water because they didn't want milk...go figure! It was really nice to get together and chat, laugh and watch the girls have fun.

Carson and Donna Lee had their baby...NUMBER 2...Claire...who is such a cutie...and a girl...and now I get to laugh at them as they learn what it's like having a girl and notice how VERY different it is from boys! Vocal chords...girls use theirs LOTS MORE!!!

I had my birthday. I am now 29 for the rest of my life...don't bother trying to tell me otherwise, as of this year, I will no longer have birthdays, as I will no longer age...FOREVER 29...GOT IT?

Abi had her "interview" with the school. Yes, she mentioned Alison, her sister. Yes, her parents shook their heads. Yes, the principle got confused. Abi was showing her how to put a pattern together, and the principle asked abi who had taught her that. Abi replies: "My sister Alison". At this point, the principle starts frantically flipping through the application papers, looks at me, then the papers, then with a very confused looking face, says: "you have on the application that abi doesn't have any siblings?". I respond: "because she doesn't". The principle: "oh, so Alison is a very good friend then?"...I reply: "Yes, in her head"...the principle's response to that: "ohhhh, she's a creative one isn't she then?"...

Abi got accepted into the Kindergarten program. THANK GOODNESS.

Easter...the bunny came to the house, and to church...an exciting time for the child.

The child, who while in a five minute time out, found her mom's white-out and decided to paint the spare bedroom walls...now we have a lovely abi picture right on our wall...aren't we LUCKY? By the way, for those of you who don't know this...THERE IS NOTHING OUT THERE TO TAKE WHITE-OUT OFF...NOT EVEN MR. CLEAN MAGIC ERASER CAN TOUCH THE STUFF!

Spring arrived...FINALLY FRIG.

We had +22 weather last week...ahhhh...heat...so nice...

added a new LINK to the blog...River City Harold...check it out...HILARIOUS...if you have a sense of humor relatively close to mine.

and well, I guess that brings us to today...a Monday. not much else to say 'bout that one.

AND NOW....TAX TIME..UGH...can't delay it any further, or well, who are we kidding, this is the girl who is often driving, err, racing her way down to Revenue Canada just before midnight on April 30th, to put her papers in the mail slot....

It's the end of tax time...we officially have nine days to file. I know, I know, y0u are all SHOCKED that I haven't filed ours yet...but you know, nine days is still nine days...and besides, while all of you have received your refunds and have likely already spent it and then some...come July...I'll be the one smiling as my money finally comes in...yup, you'll be envious...

To those I love, Peace out.

D:)

ps - I am going to try and post some pics soon!

What makes up 100%

2007-03-05T14:50:00.000-06:00

My clever sister sent this to me today, and I loved it so much that I wanted to share it with the world. With the last month that my hubby has had, I'd have to say we know of one 118% (you'll soon understand)...and on the same note, I think I know way too many 103%'s (myself included on occasion).

So, after reading this, what would you say makes 100%? What would you say you are?

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint it goes like this:

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

And,

B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%

AND, look how far ass kissing will take you.

A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that, while Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bullshit and Ass kissing that will put you over the top.

Warning: Bad Mommy Alert...the dog and child have bath TOGETHER!

2007-02-27T23:37:00.000-06:00

It's been a while, so I thought I would post some pics of the child and dog. Abi is her regular drama queen self, while lucy just can't handle not being part of EVERYTHING Abi does.

On Friday, I was giving abi a bath and lucy kept sneaking her paws and nose into the tub with abi. I would shoo her away, and she go off into the bedroom...but then, the last "shoo" happened and lucy decided to jump on in the tub with abi grace. Abi loved it, mom laughed and hollered to daddy for the camera, daddy wasn't so amused. Oh well. Makes a great "wedding" shot.

Not much for updates. No word on our contract with work...and still no show on the back-pay...too bad, we could really use it!

I'm planning on having the Whitbread clan over for a St. Patty's Day dinner...sorry Darrin and Joy, wish you could be here! I'm normally not one to get into the whole St. Patrick's Day thing, and for the last two years, I haven't been in much of a mood to host ANYONE...but this year things are good, and I am really looking forward to treating my family to a nice night out...sort of, they are eating at my place, and I'm the cook!

Work is still going great. I still have a wonderful, incredible boss, and I am enjoying the almost full-time bit. It's strange to actually look forward to doing my work!

Billy's work is going strong too. Red Bull has been good to him for the most part, and has really brought out his confidence. I noticed how much he has changed on Saturday. I had two of my co-workers and their spouses over for dinner, normally this would scare the heck out of Billy, and he would say maybe two words the entire evening. Well, he talked more than I did!! At the end of the night, I thought to myself, how different my husband is...for the good. I love to see him, see himself in the same light as I've always seen him in (if that makes sense).

We think we've got abi's school worked out for the fall...yes, she is going to school in September...I will be a complete mess for the entire month of September, so plan on it being a complete write-off...I will not be responsible for any of my emotions, words, expressions, etc. that month.

After a few months of going back and forth between our school division and mom and dad's school division, I finally found a private school that has FULL-TIME, all day, monday-friday, kindergarten...WITH BUS SERVICE! So, we've put in abi's application and are waiting to hear. The cost of sending her to Winnipeg Mennonite is actually less than what we are paying now for childcare, and that includes the bus fee! So, even though I was really looking forward to the extra $450 a month come September...it's worth the peace of mind. Grade one will hopefully be at the school by our house. Billy wants her to stay at the private school, but I really want her to get a french immersion education. We shall see.

Well, that's about it for now.

To those I love, peace.

D:)

UGH! I hope this doesn't mean another vote!!

2007-02-14T21:16:00.000-06:00

WEB EXTRA: Mystery challenge endangers college pact

Wed Feb 14 2007
By Nick Martin

A labour deal that narrowly avoided a strike at Red River College late last month has been thrown into jeopardy by a mysterious legal challenge.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union said Tuesday it has learned the Manitoba Labour Board has been asked to toss out the results of a Jan. 26 vote.
But the union does not know who filed the complaint, and the labour board isn't talking.
About 1,200 employees voted 52 per cent in favour of accepting a new three-year deal from the college.

That avoided the first strike in Red River College's history.

The deal, retroactive to July 1, 2006, would see salaries of teaching staff increase 11.5 per cent over three years and wages of support workers rise 7.5 per cent.

The challenge filed with the labour board asks that the tribunal nullify the Jan. 26 vote and conduct another vote among the membership.

An unsigned copy of the complaint, obtained by the Winnipeg Free Press, alleges the ballots' wording was confusing and could lead members to misunderstand that they were voting separately on strike action, and if they did not want to strike, voting again on the college's last offer.

The challenge claims that secret balloting was not provided, that some members were deterred from voting by long lineups and delays, and that the union did not accurately present the college's final offer.

"It came as a surprise to us," MGEU spokesman John Baert said Tuesday. "I don't know who it was signed by. We do have to wait until the (labour board) ruling until we can sign the final documents."

Labour board registrar Janet Duff would not disclose who filed the complaint, saying it is board policy not to even confirm there is a complaint until all parties have been informed and have had time to file a response.

College spokeswoman Twylla Krueger said Red River was unaware of the challenge and had delivered the final wording of the new contract to the union for signatures.

Sources within the faculty said Tuesday that instructors were surprised to hear there is a challenge and had no idea who filed it.

An instructor said to be e-mailing unsigned copies of the complaint to other faculty members
could not be reached Tuesday. Meanwhile, Baert said employees at University College of the North are still in contract talks, and Assiniboine Community College staff have asked for conciliation.

Marriage"D"

2007-02-01T14:42:00.000-06:00

I think I have said this before, but my daughter makes me laugh at least once a day.

Today was no exception.

We walk into the college, and in the doorway there is a couple smooching. Abi stops dead in her tracks and stares at them. I tell her "let's go abigail"...to which she replies, "look mommy, they are in love".

We then proceed down the hallway, where this conversation continues like so:

abi: "mommy, I think they are marriaged"

mommy: "marriaged?"

abi: "yup, marriaged"

mommy: "I think they are likely just dating sweetheart"

abi: "nope, they were kissing, they are marriaged"

mommy: "you mean to say married my babe"

abi: "whatever"

Thought I would share my "abigailism" for the day.

To those I love, Peace.

D:)

Mommy's Beating up Daddy again!

2007-01-31T15:24:00.000-06:00

The husband was nasally challenged, and on Monday, he went in for surgery to fix that issue. Since we would have to get up and get Billy to the hospital at an hour that should not exist, abi slept over at momma Betty's. This meant that she would miss going to daycare on Monday. After his surgery, and once he got home, it was decided that perhaps it would be best for abi to stay another night...which meant she would miss Tuesday at daycare as well.

Today, she went to her daycare. Upon her arrival, she was asked why she missed BOTH Monday and Tuesday. She informed everyone within ear-shot, and beyond, that daddy had surgery on his nose, and she stayed at momma Betty's. When asked WHY did daddy have surgery on his nose...my lovely daughter replied:

"cuz mommy pushed him out of bed again"

Ohhh, to be in her head for a day!

To those I love, peace.

D:)

Eventually Your lies will haunt you!

2007-01-28T21:53:00.000-06:00

STRIKE DIVERTED!!! YAAAAH!!

The union and the college was very surprised. But members were given the agreement to look over and saw for themselves how they were being deceived by the union...and the polls spoke!

Thank you for your prayers! What a relief!

Now we just have Billy's surgery tomorrow, and we can breathe again.

To those I love, peace.

D:)

Auntie Marion

2007-01-22T13:14:00.000-06:00

She had a smile that would glow across any room, and a laugh that would bounce off the walls. Her heart was big, her arms always ready for a hug. She had a great life.

We miss you so much already Auntie! Though we know you are smiling in heaven, at peace...being reunited with your brother, and your father whom we just said good-bye to.

hugs and kisses always.

Auntie Marion passed away last night. This is the third death in the Puddicombe family in a year and a half. Billy's dad has lost a brother, father and now a sister.

We are so greatful to have been able to share Christmas eve with auntie...

To those I love...never forget how important your loved ones are...you never know when you'll lose them.

Peace.

D

Union...friend or foe....

2007-01-17T21:33:00.000-06:00

We've just survived a BRUTAL week weather wise here...-48 with the windchill last Friday...and my union thinks it's a GOOD idea to strike?

I have to say, for a bunch of supposedly educated people, jumping to conclusions WITHOUT seeing or hearing the facts, is pretty STOOOPID. Taking the word of some guy who is paid (a hell of a lot more than anyone working at RRC mind you) to cause rifts.

Can you tell my opinion yet?

I won't be at the picket line. I won't be the dumb ass freezing my nipples off.

Yup, that's right folks...if you live in Winterpeg, you've likely heard. RRC could very well be on strike on January 31. We go to vote next Friday.

Keep us in your prayers. and by us, I mean Billy and Abi mostly...since when mommy is stressed...NOBODY's happy!!

To those I love...peace.

D:)

Auld Lang Syne

2007-01-02T15:28:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year...

To those I love, and hold dear to my heart:

Wishing you a wonderful year to come in 2007. Wishing you happy memories to add and share, Health, and of course HAPPINESS. Most of all, I wish you a year filled with laughter...belly hurt'n laughter.

Each year, we tune into some tv station and countdown to the New Year, and each year, the song that they play I would think they were singing "old lang side"...and couldn't for the life of me figure why such a song would be sung...

Well, this year, I looked it up...I educated myself...and I am sure a few of you out there are laughing and swearing I should have been a blond right now...but I had NO clue they were actually saying "Auld Lang Syne". Once I found that out, I then moved on too "WHAT THE HELL IS AULD LANG SYNE????

Well here is what I found:

http://www.newyearfavors.com/newyearseve.html

The link has the words of the song, and the translation for those like myself couldn't figure out what the heck it's about.

Apparently, the song reminisces about friendship of long ago, how the friendship shouldn't be forgotten. The very last verse of the song talks about getting together for the sake of the friendship...extending of the hands, to forget the bad and remember the good.

Interesting stuff. Perhaps I should add that to my "resolutions" list...to try and be better at connecting (or re-connecting) with old friends. Although it might be hard, considering that this year, I resolved not to resolve.

Every year I usually make some sort of resolution...usually to lose the weight that I've been trying to lose my entire life. This year though, I didn't...or well, I kinda made a joke about the "Running Room" again, but my partner in crime didn't find it to be that great of an idea...I don't understand, I mean, we LOVED it so much that we swore all the time...how is that not good, clean fun?

At this point, I'd like to mention my sis-in-laws resolution (one of them)..."to think before I speak and to realize that not everyone gets sarcasm"...

2006 was a great year! I can actually say, that for the first time in a REALLY long time, Billy and I had an entire year of no major life altering events!!! We had some hiccups...but we dealt with them, and moved on, and we are still loving life...it's all good.

We moved into our new home
Renovated the new home without getting divorced
Took abi skating for the first time
Went to Vancouver, abi touched the ocean for the first time ever
Abi cut her hair
Celebrated 6 years of marriage
I got to see my brother, and meet my new nephew
My parents celebrated 40 YEARS OF MARRIAGE!!!
We (okay I) added "Lucy Lu" who at this moment is in her "naughty corner"...
Cooked a Turkey for the first time...okay, so I watched as my brother in law did all the work...I did turn the oven on...I tried again at Christmas, but the mother in law decided to do it instead...hmm, I'm starting catch on here...do you think my in-law's think I can't cook a turkey?????
Got to see one of my best friends get married...and see the sparkle back in his eye!!
Cross-stitched for the first time in my life.
Made abi a blanket...something I have been wanting to do since I was pregnant with her!
Said "good-bye" to a grandfather...and saw some healing take place.
Met my best friend Julie's son...who is so gorgeous!
Went back to Full-time...sort - of.
Was reminded how hard life is, but saw (again) how my husband is in it for the long haul, and is my shining star...and that he is my ultimate best friend.
Realized how rare a true friendship is...and learned how to let go.
Spent two Friday nights at the MRI clinic...a highlight only because of who I spent it with, and the irony of "favors" ;)
Shopped at a Wal-Mart until 1:30am, two days before Christmas...an experience all should endure once...with a good friend who you can spend the time laughing with as you make fun of each other.
Took abi tobogganing in our back-yard...yes, we have the much snow already!!
Saw my husband drunk...and got mad at him for a few days.
Scratched the side of our truck...and blamed it on the husband for being drunk and making me so mad that I didn't pay attention to where the garage door actually was...
Forgave my husband for getting drunk...but continue to bring it up.

So here's to 2007...

To those I love, Peace.

D:)

Merry Christmas . . .

2006-12-27T22:15:00.000-06:00

What a day! What a week!

I was crazy enough to 'host' Christmas this year in an effort to give the mom-in-law and mom, a break...the mom-in-law had a VERY HARD TIME STAYING OUT OF THE KITCHEN...I think I even had to kick her once!

Christmas eve was wonderful! I have to give Billy credit, he went all out this year for family, and we actually had a great time...I just have to say that I can't believe with all the Puddicombe's in the house that only ONE gag gift was purchased for the gift exchange...and it was the "Graham" of the family who thought of it!

Anyway, here are some pics...oh and your Christmas cards are in the mail...if you don't get one, then I either don't like you, or I was just too damn lazy to include you...and well, I know you'll forgive me, cuz you know how much I HATE doing Christmas cards!!

To those I love, peace be with you...always...love you

D:)

Ready for it?

2006-12-23T20:30:00.000-06:00

Are you ready for Christmas?

I'm not.

Far from it in fact!

I forgot about working full-time and how it digs into your time for getting ready for Christmas. As of 5pm yesterday, I had only two gifts purchased, no baking done, the house is a disaster, laundry up to my ears, oh, and Lucy was at the vet getting "the procedure"....

Thank goodness the malls extended their hours last night...and of course thanks for Wal-Mart being open 24hours. I got home at 1:30am this morning...shopped out!

I am also now officially on holidays!! WOO HOO. I don't go back to work until the 8th of January...and I am very much looking forward to the time off.

It's now 8:30pm, December 23. The shopping is done...but not a spec of wrapping; the baking is done...though not as much as in years past; the house is partially clean...thanks solely to the work of my husband; the laundry is still piled up to my ears!!!

Lucy is home now. Tired and sleeping A LOT, which for a Jack Russell is pretty rare...she is sore, but it didn't keep her from trying to chase after the cats.

This time tomorrow, our house will be full of family and friends...I can't wait!

To those I love, enjoy the peace of Christmas eve...and remember what it's truly about.

Love ya,

D:)

She's our little Princess

2006-12-18T22:25:00.000-06:00

14 years ago, I met one of my best friends this life would ever hand me. For the past 14 years, I have laughed till I cried with him, loved him, hated him, loved him again. I've also spent the last 14 years wanting the very best for him, wishing him all the happiness in the world. When I met and fell in love with Billy, I started to pray that Terrance would meet a girl that would bring the light from his soul shine through...he met that girl last year, and on December 16th, he married her. The smile on his face will forever be in my memory...to see him so in love, and so complete...it's the best thing to see in your best friend.

I am so honored that Terrance and Jill asked abi to be a part of their wedding day. She was an absolute doll and made mommy and daddy very proud! She instantly fell in love with Jill and was in awe of Jill the entire day.

To those I love, peace.

D:)

ps - the first picture is of "big Kaleb"...she met him two years ago, and since then has been saying that he is her prince and will marry him...just look at the way she is looking at him!!

I want a Hippo for Christmas synced to lights

2006-12-13T15:24:00.001-06:00

And ANOTHER Christmas song for you! Abi and I LOVE this one! Peace to those I love. D:)

We're Off!

2006-12-13T15:15:00.000-06:00

We are heading off to Saskatoon tomorrow! Should be a fun weekend. Abi is set to be the flower girl at Terrance's wedding, and she is coming down with the cold that I've been dealing with for a week! She'll have kleenx up her sleeves, red runny nose, watery eyes...let's just hope she still stays happy!!

I appologize in advance Terrance if she is sick!!

Peace to those I love.

D:)

Dominick the Donkey

2006-12-05T11:05:00.001-06:00

Bet ya this will be in your head for DAYS after you listen!!!! It's played CONSTANTLY on the radio...I have this song in my head for the entire month of December. And so...here I share...

I HATE WINTER...

2006-11-29T15:04:00.000-06:00

I hate Winter.
I hate Winter.
I hate Winter.
I hate Winter.
I hate Winter.

I know, yes, I am living in WINTERPEG...and that yes, I am living in the wrong city....that doesn't however mean that I can't say that I HATE WINTER!!!! In fact, since I do live in Winterpeg, it gives me more of a right to complain...doesn't it?

I hate Winter.
It's cold.

I hate Winter.

I don't think I will be able to survive this Winter...

Why?

Because it's ONLY -18 with the windchill today...yesterday was -27...and the norm for this time is usually around -35 or worse...SO THIS ALL MEANS THAT FOR TODAY:

It's fricking BALMY!!

I hate Winter.

WE SURVIVED...and stayed happy!

2006-11-28T13:37:00.000-06:00

Well, I got to shower on Thursday AND FRIDAY, and abi got to wear her princess barbie skirt. Things turned out Fantabulous!

When I got to work on Thursday and took abi to her new daycare, I figured I would be spending close to an hour settling her in...I even talked to my boss to tell him that the next few weeks may be a little hard.

WELL, she walks in, I introduce her to all the workers, and within 10 minutes my daughter is asking me to leave so she could go play! Happy and sad, I left only to return to take her out for lunch. When I come see her at lunch she is upset and I start to think, uh-oh, here it goes...but she was mad AT ME! She was mad that I didn't pack her a lunch so she could eat with her friends! I told her that I thought for her first day she would like it if her and mommy went out for lunch...she wasn't impressed.

I took her to one of the cafeteria's and bought her chicken fingers and fries, then back up to my office to eat. After all of five minutes of shoveling her food down, she wanted to call her regular daycare and tell them all about her morning...she didn't want to talk to her mommy about it, but had to give Cindy and Jan a call!

By the end of the day, I wasn't even out of my parking stall and abi was SOUND asleep. Here I thought that I would at least get some mommy and abi time on our 45 minute drive home...NOPE...just a whole lotta snores.

Friday morning, as we are getting ready to leave, abi informs me that I had better make her a lunch...after a brief "discussion" over her providing mommy with orders, I made her some noodles and off we went. When we get to the centre, she doesn't even want me to come in with her!!! SHE IS ONLY 4 and she doesn't WANT ME?...I asked her if she wanted me to come get her for lunch, to which she replied: "NOOOOOOO". I then ask her if she wants me to come and visit her later on, to which she replied: "NOOOOOO, Mommy" and rolled her eyes and then tells me "I am a big girl mommy, and I am going to be just fine, now go to work"....so I left, and cried all the way to my office.

And yes, the drive home was full of snores yet again...I guess she played hard.

So, was this the right decision? Looking so. Lesson learned? My daughter isn't as vulnerable as I thought...she is growing up, she is becoming her own person, and she is DEFINITELY turning into a strong willed woman....all this at the age of 4...no body told me that watching them grow up this fast was going to be this hard.

So, now for the most recent abi funny:

This morning abi woke up a bit earlier than I would have liked, so I sent her down to her play corner to watch her morning shows. I turned off my alarm thinking that she would be back up soon anyway. I was wrong. Billy actually came home for a bit...and woke me...good thing too or I would have been late!

Anyway, as I haul my butt out of bed, Billy goes downstairs to see abi. This is what I hear:

abi: Daddy why are you home?
daddy: because I was in the area, what are you doing abi?
abi: I peed.
daddy: you what?
abi: I peed.
daddy: DANIELLE YOUR DAUGHTER PEED.
daddy again: Why didn't you go to the toilette abi?
abi: cuz
daddy: abi, you know better. get out of your clothes, why are you still in your clothes?
You don't sit in the clothes that you've just peed in!
abi: But you do!
daddy: I what?
abi: You do!
daddy: I do not!
abi: Yes you do
daddy: NO I DON'T

at this point I am on the stairs laughing like a good and responsible mother would of course.

You see, last week abi walked in on her daddy going pee...we didn't really realize then, what exactly she saw or how it would affect her, so it was ignored.

I call to abi and ask her to come and see me:

abi: what
mommy: why did you pee on the floor abigail?
abi: because I didn't want to miss my tv show, and if I went potty the show would be over
by the time I get back...I tried to stop it mommy, but it kept coming and coming and
coming!
mommy: Why did you say that daddy pees on the floor?
abi: I didn't say he peed on the floor, I said he pees in his clothes
mommy: Why would you say that?
abi: Because I saw him
mommy: Saw him doing what?
abi: going pee in the bathroom with his clothes on
mommy: abi, I think I need to explain something to you.....

And this is where the explanation of Boy's and Girl's have different body parts comes in...you can imagine her choice word for the day!

"Boys have a penis"

Yup, that's my girl!!!!

and you dare ask why we only want one?

Peace,

D:)

Those Lazy, Hazy, PJ days . . .I'm Gonna Miss Them!

2006-11-16T12:49:00.000-06:00

This time next week, I will be at the office, I will have showered, and my daughter will be meeting new friends. I won't be in my PJ's...that's what I am really gonna miss about my Thursdays! Okay, so I will miss abi the most.

Today we are going to paint some dinosaur bones...I have NO CLUE where she came up with that idea, but it's what she wants to do.

Funny thing is, we don't have paint (or dinosaur bones). When I asked her how we are going to paint without any paint...here is her response:

abi: with water.

me: how are we going to paint with water and no color?

abi: well, hmmm, think think (she is tapping her cheek at this moment with her index finger)...we can mix my chocolate milk for brown!

Yup, she's a smart one!

Chow for now!

D:)

It's Time...i think?

2006-11-07T22:13:00.000-06:00

The week of November 20th will be a strange one for me.

I will be starting 0.8 FTE.

Meaning, I will be working not quite full-time, but enough of full-time for me, work...in a job I love may I add.

For those who are regulars, you will note the blog a while back about a job offer I got, which I turned down...this resulted in the thought process of my current job and extending the hours. Everything came into place last week, and it was made official today.

I am excited about this, and sad. I am pretty sure that it's time...for both abi and I, but at the same time, I am sad that it's time...I miss my baby.

The fun part of it all is that abi gets to come to work with me on the Thursdays and the Fridays...at the daycare centre on campus. She is pretty excited about it now...I'll keep you posted.

It'll be nice to be able to take her out for lunch, and check in on her whenever...nice for the adjustment period for her...and well, okay, more for me.

Well, that's it on the news front. I know, SUCH exciting stuff, you just can't stop coming back ;)

To those I love...peace.

Halloween

2006-11-06T19:34:00.000-06:00

Abi went out on Halloween night...her and daddy outlasted mommy...mommy froze. We were ankle deep in snow, and should have been wearing some skates/snow shoes combination!

Daddy had fun all day too! He drove around the city of Winnipeg in the Red Bull truck wearing the Scary Movie mask.

Anyway, here are some pics of our cat witch princess...also known as "scary" abi grace.

Peace out!

D:)

Abi Funny - HALF A COW?

2006-10-30T16:35:00.000-06:00

I think I've said this a lot...but my daughter cracks me up every single day! Oh to be in her head even for a few minutes!

Here's the latest funnies:

Yesterday was a busy day and we didn't get home until later on in the evening. We had done some grocery shopping before arriving at the house. When we got there, we sent abi to the dining room (aka - her craft table) to do some coloring, and Billy and I got busy (get your mind out of the gutter) putting away the food.

Billy then notices that we have some messages, he continues putting the food away as I go to check who called us (not very many people do, so it's always exciting to see who has!)...

It's a message from Billy's sister who was asking us if we would be interested in splitting the cost of some meat...her exact words "do you want half a cow?". So, I then proceed to tell Billy that his sister called, to which this conversation unfolds (remember, abi is sitting at the table in her own little world, looking like she is not paying much attention to us at all).

Me: "hun, that was your sister"

Husband: "which one?"

Me: "D"

Husband: "what she want?"

Me: "she want's to know if we want to go halfers on a cow"

At this point abi pops her head up wide eyed and says: "We CAN'T get a COW, we already have a dog!"

NEXT ONE:

One of my greatest friends of all time is getting married Dec. 16th. I have a long history with Terrance, and love him deeply. His family has gone through one hell of a year, one that not very many people could get through. I am very happy for Terrance, giddy actually...he deserves the happiness that he is feeling and the love he is getting (get your mind out of the gutter!!)

Anyway, Terrence calls last night and wanted to ask if Abi would be a flower girl at the wedding. Of course, being a girly girl myself, I was SO honored that Terrance would want MY devil daughter in his wedding (did I say devil, I mean angel). I hand abi the phone and tell her that uncle Terrance wants to talk to her...this is the one sided conversation:

Me: "abs, uncle terrance wants to talk to you"

Abi: "why?"

Me: "just talk to him"

Abi: "hi"

Terrance: don't know what he is saying

Abi: "um, well, I can't, I'm only a child"

Terrance: don't know what he is saying

Abi: "I guess I could give you one of my dolls, but they don't talk (laughter here)

Terrance: again, no clue what he is saying

Abi: "well, I guess so, if that's what you want...okay, sure..."

Terrance: who knows what he is saying here

Abi: "well, I can where my pink dress, it'll do"

As the saying goes...

2006-10-28T13:48:00.000-05:00

As the saying goes, "do unto others what you would have done to you", here is my question:

Would you?

If you were in a situation, would you stop and think about how you would like to be treated? AND, would you then treat the other person that way?

OR

Would you change your thinking to justify the way you treated another human being?

They are very few people who actually do treat others, at all times, the way they would like to be treated. It's sad really. What a great place this would be, if all treated each other with the same respect and dignity as we expect to be given. Then again, I guess that's why this is earth and why we look forward to entering the gates to heaven.

Do you Ponder?

2006-10-24T16:11:00.000-05:00

Here are some thoughts to ponder:

my favorites are in bold and highlighted...

A true friend walks in when the world walks out.

Be careful of your thoughts, they may become words at any moment.

Character is what you are. Reputation is what people think you are

Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm

God gave us two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we talk.

He who laughs last didn't get the joke.

It is easy to be flexible when one is spineless.

It is hard to stumble when you're on your knees.

It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.

Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

On the road of life, there are windshields and there are bugsplats.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.

Who gossips to you will gossip of you.

I don't question YOUR existence. Â God

A dyslexic, agnostic insomniac - one who lies awake at night wondering if there really is a dog...

And on the 8th day God said: "Ok Murphy, you take over."

Religion is for those who fear hell, Spirituality is for those who have been there...

A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.

Everytime I think I've hit the bottom, someone lends me a shovel.

I have no axe to grind, but I have an ivory letter opener that could use some sharpening.

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of the people I had to kill because they pissed me off.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that the maximum safe load capacity on my butt is two persons at a time, unless I install handrails or safety straps. Since you have arrived sixth in line to RIDE MY ASS today, please take a number and WAIT YOUR TURN!

The only problem with mornings is that they happen too early in the day.

Usually I try to take it one day at a time, but lately several have attacked me at once...

Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.

Laugh and the world laughs with you... Cry, and the world looks sheepish and suddenly remembers it had other plans.

Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.

Life is a test, and I didn't take very good notes.

One good turn gets most of the blankets.

The trouble with learning from experience is that the test comes first and the lesson afterwards.

The trouble with life is, you're half way through it before you realize it's a 'do it yourself' thing.

The world doesn't just disappear when you close your eyes, does it?

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend. - Albert Camus

Friends are like four leaf clovers, hard to find, lucky to have.

Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar. I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.

My love, forgive me for who I was, what I did, and what I cannot change. Love me now for who I can be, and what I plan to accomplish. If you can't, then just love me because my heart loves you, unconditionally.

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

If life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a watergun and shoot other people in the eyes.

If someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head.

People Suck

2006-10-21T23:25:00.000-05:00

Yup, that's right, I said it...people suck.

I guess you can sort of tell where my mood has been lately. I haven't blogged because:

a) there is nothing to blog about; and
b) every time I tried to write something out, I ended up typing something I knew I would regret.

I am tired. I have been for a few weeks now...so tired that I don't really give a damn about anything anymore.

Like every human on the planet, I have been hurt...but in the past two years, it just seems like I keep getting kicked in the ass time and time again by people who I thought would always be there. And as always, I get to be proven wrong when my ass is kicked and they disappear. Funny how you bend over backwards time and time again for people, and when it's your turn to have them help you...well, you get kicked in the ass. So, I am done with people. I have come to that stage in my life where right now, I just don't want to feel like this anymore...and in order to prevent my feeling like absolute crap, I will avoid people.

I've come to appreciate "the dog" a lot more over the last month. She is always happy to see me; she is loyal; she has seen me at my worst, and still gives me kisses; she'll never be able to kick me in the ass; and she makes me laugh...at least I can count on "the dog" and "the child" to make me laugh at least once a day...and they do it well.

Speaking of dogs...I don't understand the big stink over Belinda being called a dog...quite frankly, she could've been called a heck of a lot worse - I mean COME ON, this IS the woman who dedicates an ENTIRE chapter on her sex life in her biography...yup, that'll show the world how you got on top! Does anyone actually take Canadian politics seriously out there? Personally, I think lately our political world has become more entertaining than functional.

Back to "the dog" comment...you could spin it as compliment...then again, loyal isn't exactly a word that comes to mind when talking about Belinda. A different word comes to my mind, one that is FOUR letters, not three.

So, that's what I've been up to the last little while...aren't you glad you asked me to update Evey?

Chow for now...I'll be back...and I promise, I will try and be less cynical;)

D

Nothing Much Happen' in WPG

2006-10-03T23:47:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a fairly quiet week. Lucy is doing well adjusting to her new home, and even though Billy won't admit it, I think she has made it into his heart. We've had a few "accidents" here and there; by the door, in the living room, and almost in the dining room (thanks to my speedy reaction, the dining room was spared - today, anyway), and a few incidents, including one that involved a certain husband's laptop computer and the cable that goes with it...but Billy is over it now, so no need to go into detail and bring back the bad, bad memories...

Feeling a little blue these days, maybe it's the weather and the fact that Fall has certainly arrived...but I do have Thanksgiving to look forward too! Speaking of which, for my family out there, we are having dinner at our place Saturday night - 5:30pm - don't wait for the invite, just show up! I know for some it's a bit of drive, but our door is always open and we would love to see you...HINT HINT. If I wasn't cooking a turkey, and baking the pumpkin pies, I'd be on my way to your place.

I love Thanksgiving...and hate it. Love it for the food, hate it for the food. Around noon Monday, after an ENTIRE weekend of turkey grazing, I usually feel so ill that I swear I will never eat another morsel of food again...this usually lasts until Tuesday, noon. I love it for the time we get to spend together as a family and with friends, and just be aware of how blessed we truly are.

So, back on the feeling blue thing...feel free to leave a comment or two, or perhaps some jokes...I could use a laugh or two.

On that note, I will leave you today with this joke:

What do you call cheese that isn't yours?....

wait for it... wait for it...no, okay, scroll down...

"NACHO cheese"

Get it.. Not Cho (your)...cheese...

Yup, I know, pure genius.

D:)

It's a ZOO in here!

2006-09-25T13:40:00.000-05:00

Yup, my home is a zoo...and I LOVE IT! I guess two cats, a four year old, and a 36 year old just wasn't crazy enough for me!

Meet Lucy:

She turned three months old yesterday, and is a Jack Russel Terrier...and a VERY GOOD PUPPY!! She is actually surprising me with how good she is. She has already learned the "sit" command, knows her name, goes potty in the SAME spot in our yard each time...but loves to chase the cats! Which actually is a funny thing to watch...not for Boots or Booger, but for the rest of us.

She adds even more love and laughter to our home...hope you get a chance to meet her soon.

Good Night Prayer

2006-09-19T23:04:00.000-05:00

I have a friend in pain tonight. I have a friend who is hurting. I have a friend who understood me when I needed to be understood, and tonight I understand my friend. This post is for that friend.

You are loved. Loved by so many.

You are not alone. Never alone. You have family and friends here on earth to be with you, guide you, give you strength and courage...but don't forget the most important one you have...Jesus.

Jesus walks beside you. Jesus is with you today and every day. He may be silent tonight, tomorrow and the next day. He may be silent even longer. BUT, my friend, don't lose hope, He hasn't forgotten you, He hasn't stopped loving you, He is still in your heart, aiding you in your battle.

Love you with all my heart.

My Prayer to you:

May the Lord bless you and keep you tonight and all the nights in the days ahead. May his presence be felt and known. May you find that inner-strength you have inside you. May the Holy Spirit be with you and guide you through this time. I pray your hope is not lost, that you will lean on your Lord and your amazing faith in him to pull you through. May you feel the love around you and draw into it. I pray the battle will be won, and we can claim victory in Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He RESTORES my soul. He GUIDES me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, for YOU ARE WITH ME; Your rod and Your staff, they COMFORT me. You PREPARE a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER."

God is the blessed controller of all things, the King over all king and the Master of all masters.
1 Timothy 6:15

The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:8

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10

Max the Moose...

2006-09-19T22:13:00.000-05:00

Hey, it looks like my pics are gonna be posted...so here are a few from our trip out to Dryden. If you are wanting explanations, see the previous post...

Max the Moose, with Billy and Abi

Making play-doh with anutie ann

Drug-induced stupor

Gone Fish'n

At last,........it's quiet....ahhhhhh!

The Moose is Loose

2006-09-18T21:35:00.000-05:00

I would have a picture here...but I ALWAYS have problems posting pics through blogger...it's always a hit or miss and tonight was a miss....anybody else have problems here???

To sum up my weekend: Amazing, peaceful, relaxing, fun, and Good eat'n!!

We laughed, played, and chatted until WAY PAST OUR BEDTIME!!

The kids laughed, played, fished and tried out karaoke, and abi chatted to anyone who would listen until way past her bedtime.

My brother in law showed up my hubby...he actually drove to DQ and brought me back a Blizzard...hey Rob, does it look like snow anytime soon??? Just remember 312 Wales!!!

Abi was amazed at the fact that auntie ann can actually make play-doh AND that abi could play with it whenever she wanted. You see the poor child has parents who can't stand play-doh, the smell, and touch! So, when auntie ann asked if she wanted to play...well, it was a highlight to her weekend.

My wonderful nephew made me sugar cookies. THE most yummiest tasting cookies ever, which aided in my weekend long snacking.

Oh, and Billy? He enjoyed himself too...in between his drug induced stupor he actually got in a visit or two.

My favorite abi conversation from the weekend:

"mommy?"

"yes abi?"

"are we gonna live here?"

"no sweetie, just visiting"

"mommy?"

"yes, abi?"

"did you know that animals eat people?"

"no they don't honey, sometimes they feel like they need to protect
themselves and their families, so they will hurt people, and sometimes pretty badly...but they don't eat them." ...give me a break would ya, it was 3 in the morning!!!

"yes they do"

"no they don't"

"mommy?"

"WHAT ABI!"

"uncle rob is pretty silly eh?"

"yes, honey he is. and he is full of love too."

"yup...I'm pretty lucky aren't I?"

"yes you are abi, blessed...now go to sleep!"

"okay."

"mommy?"

"abigail grace..."

"I love my uncle"

"me too...goodnight"

"and auntie..."

"abi, bedtime"

"and marissa and nathanial...but nathanial is a boy and me and
marissa and you are grils (girls)"

"yes, abi...we love our family"

"yup....goodnight mommy"

Have a great week.

Oh, to explain the picture that should have been posted, but isn't. Max the Moose is Dryden's "official" mascot. While Billy's grandfather was alive and well, he painted the moose every summer. Billy was very close to his grandfather, and enjoys talking about him. Sooo, one of the things Billy wanted to make sure we did while in Dryden was to get a picture of the moose and his daughter...and we did, and it's really hard to tell that it's abi and billy in the pic because the Moose is so huge.

Drama House

2006-09-14T11:19:00.000-05:00

A mom FINALLY falling asleep at 2am, only to be back up at 3am with child, only to again go to bed at 5am to be woken up by husband in pain....AND this mom has yet to drive to Dryden today (four hour drive) to spend time with the crazy fun brother-in-law!

Yup, my home is full of drama today. Yesterday was so peaceful. Then my husband informs me that his tooth has been bugging him all week and is in pain...at which point I notice his face has swollen up. I then tell him he has an abscessed tooth...to which the much more knowledgeable man (notice the sarcasm please) informs me that it's not.

I go to bed at 11am...only to toss and turn until 2am. You see, Billy wants to go visit his brother Rob in dryden this weekend. I love Rob, and we've been meaning to go see them for years now in Dryden. The issue is that Billy had to work today IN KENORA, so I was to drive ALONE with abi and meet Billy in Kenora. I am okay driving by myself in the city, even okay driving on a highway I've driven before, but go on a stretch of unfamiliar territory with a very active four year old in the back seat and no other adult company??? I was a little nervous.

At 3 am, abi, who is so excited to go see her uncle rob, auntie anne and cousins, decided that we should go NOW. In trying to be nice to the husband, I took abi out of our room, so he could get some rest (cuz you know he has to work and drive to kenora)...it took me an hour to get her to fall back asleep.

Problem now is, I AM AWAKE...so I start to cross-stitch. Hubby wakes up, asks what I am doing up, goes into shower...I go to bed. I JUST start to drift off, when the following takes place:

Hubby: "can I turn the light on for a sec?"
Wife: "hmflup"
Hubby: "can you look at this?"
Wife: "hmflup"
Hubby: "no, seriously"

I open my eyes to my husband leaning over my face with his mouth stretched wide-open, and a very large...we are talking golf ball size, nasty, purple, pussy abscess staring me in the face. What a Fan-tab-ulous morning!

Wife: "you have an abscess"
Husband: dumbfounded look, like now what?
wife: "looks like we aren't going to go to dryden"
Husband: dumbfounded, hurt look
Wife: "fine, I'll call the dentist"

I used to be a dental assistant...well, graduated, worked for a year and decided that looking into people's mouths for a living, just wasn't my thing...BUT at times like these, calling up the old boss comes in handy.

So, it's now 11:30am and my hubby is sitting in a chair waiting...very patiently (ya right) for me to finish my blogging session and get my ass in gear and pack. Nice how he can ignore my advise to book his frigging appointment to get his teeth fixed in the first place, ignore my statement of "you have an abscess", and then wake me up to confirm my comment...have me CALL the dentist to make the arrangements for him to get his tooth pulled TODAY...and yet, he can sit there impatiently, loudly mind you, to get packing!!!!!! MEN!

I am going to go pack now, then load my suitcase...cuz it's the only thing left to be done...then drive to my hubby's work (to drop off his van and pick him up), take him to the dentist, then pick him up when he is done, then off to dryden for a fun-filled weekend...can't wait.

D:)

Abi the Ballerina

2006-09-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

Saturday, September 9th proved to be the day that abi's lack of height is confirmed...not that it wasn't before, but shove her in a room full of four year old girls starting ballet class and it becomes obvious - she is tiny...and so cute in pink!!! Personally I thought she was the prettiest...but then again, I am the mommy. Her ballet outfit was the smallest size they had, and it's still too big on her ;) Ballet goes until the end of June, where they will then have a recital. Exciting times!

She loved her first class as they went through being a catapillar to a butterfly to a bubble...don't ask me how the bubble fit in!!

Here are some pics:

Yes, that is abi...last in line...

That's her in the centre...being a butterfly

Abi and her friend leia...leia is four as well...only 4 months older...

Precious Days

2006-09-07T22:54:00.000-05:00

This time last week, I had spent the entire day crying.

On Wednesday last week I was offered another P/T job in addition to the one I already have. I had the weekend to think about it.

Although the extra money is always nice, and I know I would have loved the job...I just couldn't face the decision of having to work full time. I didn't know how I was going to make the decision...I didn't know what God was telling me. I didn't apply for this job. I am totally happy and content with what I have. I wasn't even thinking of working full time - EVER! But I get into work Wednesday morning, didn't even get a chance to sit down at my desk before I was offered this job! Was God telling me I needed this?

In asking for help in the decision process, all I got was "it's up to you honey", and "good for you", "well, money is always a good thing"...is it really? Yah, so, things are tight...always have been. BUT I am the happiest I have EVER been. I have a great relationship with my family, and my house is FULL of laughter...constant laughter...to me, that's more important then the big house, fancy cars, and "up-to-date" clothing.

I didn't sleep much last Wednesday night.

On the Thursday, during abi's nap, I held her and bawled. She is going to start school NEXT YEAR...I only have one more year at home with her. It was in this moment that I decided "no". I'm just not ready for it...I've chosen my child and my family above money...I hope it doesn't come to kick me in the ass!!

D:)

August is gone!!

2006-08-31T18:40:00.000-05:00

Ya, so, I completely missed the month of August!

I spend my winters looking forward to the summer...living in Winnipeg, it's kind of a given that MOST people look forward to summer as you run to your car in -40 degree weather (yes, that's MINUS 40), which by the way, when you include the "wind chill factor" it's more like -52!!!

This summer has gone by so fast. It was a hot and dry one, but man, it's gone by so fast.

The students are back, my boss is back...well for this week anyway...then off to Japan for the month, the instructors are back full swing...and my email inbox is getting FULL at work. All signs that my luxury life of 10am mornings and 3pm quitting time is over.

I love the fall too though. The winter for me is a blah time, then the spring hits and I seem to be running until July...then July and August hit and we are so busy trying to jam pack the summer, that Fall is my "get my life back in order and organized" time. It's also the time that lose the most weight, get my finances back on track, and seem to find my brain!

Here is my abi funny:

I have been weight watchering if for about two years now...trying to get to goal, but more or less just maintaining where I am at. I'd lost a total of 50 pounds and was 20 pounds away from goal...then the month of May hit, and a week long trip to Vancouver where restaurant food and Mocha cappuccino's were my best friends. Then June, July and August came...Summer is never good for losing weight for me..it's too hot to cook, and my laziness kicks in full gear - so eating out becomes our means for meals...needless to say, the losing weight factor became a "gaining" weight factor and now I have to spend the ENTIRE fall trying to lose what I gained over the summer.

Wednesdays are the days I weigh in. The past two weeks I've been working really hard at getting back on track. I went and weighed in expecting to have stayed the same, as I did eat out a few times that week - one of which was at the Keg. I stepped on the scale and up TWO FRIGGING POUNDS! When looking back at the week, I really shouldn't have been this surprised...but it's disappointing that it takes so much frigging hard work to lose the weight but one chocolate bar adds a pound! Why can't one carrot take off a pound? Why can't it work that way? Why do you have to starve for a week and sweat until your clothes stick to you in order to lose that one pound?

Anyway, needless to say I was a tad bit disappointed when I got home. Upon my stating that I was never going to go back, that I had officially given up and am fat; abi said:

"you have to go back to weight watchers"
"why do I have to go back abi?"

"because, when you are fat, you have
to go to weight watchers"
So, there you have it...I guess I'm back at it!!

D:)

Abi Funny

2006-07-30T20:32:00.000-05:00

So, here is today's abi funny!

When talking about "pee breaks" during our Flin Flon trip, and the fact that there aren't too many "pee stops" along the way, daddy made the suggestion that we can always take her outside and let her pee there....

"Pee? OUTSIDE??? Daddy, I'm NOT a puppy!"

Have a great week!

D:)

July? What July? Did you have a July?

2006-07-27T22:04:00.000-05:00

Ya...so, I suck at blogging...or you could say that I have such a busy life, that I don't have time for such things...of course that would be nothing short of BS...but hey! I will do my best here in updating you on our month of July...without taking up too much space.

In case you've been wondering, I have the best husband a girl could ask for. It was our 6 year anniversary on the 15th, and he gave me the best anniversary EVER! It started in the morning, where he had breakfast and coffee waiting for me. Then he gave me my first gift...a BEAUTIFUL ring!!!! However, it was the next gift that took my breath away and made me cry.

When we got engaged, we won a photoshoot. Our engagement photo was taken at the Bridge-Drive-In in Winnipeg (it's a great ice cream place over looking the river). Anyhow, Billy took abi one Saturday, a few weeks ago, and let me sleep in. While I was sleeping, he was out with Uncle Carson, taking photos...the exact same spot...with abi. He then developed a beautiful photo of the two of them! It's absolutely amazing! I cried, and cried, and cried...

But that wasn't the end of it. The morning before, he had told me to pack my bags....but he didn't tell me what for...I assumed we were going to go to our usual place...but that wasn't the case. Instead, Billy took me to the Fairmont hotel, and we had an amazing night out...and we both slept..yes, slept...that's what happens when you have kids...your nights of passion, turn in to nights of REALLY GREAT....sleep.

On Tuesday, July 18th, Grandpa Fred Puddicombe passed away at the amazingly fabulous age of 92! Even though his age would reflect a time for the family to expect his death, it was an utter shock to everyone. He had been in and out of the hospital all of July and the weekend prior to his death Doctors were amazed to find that his body was full of cancer.

On Thursday morning, Billy, Abi, myself, moma and popa puddicombe, uncle mike, auntie sherrie, uncle harvey, and auntie tracey, hauled off to Medicine Hat. Although the circumstances for our visit with family was a sad one, it was great to get together and laugh...and a lot of laughing we did. It was good to laugh, because there were a fair share of tears that weekend as well.

Next weekend we are off to Flin Flon Manitoba for the Whitbread family reunion! I can't wait to take abi there! Flin Flon was such a special and fun place for me as a kid, and I can't wait to share that with my daughter. I think popa dean is excited about it too! Right now the issue is whether we will travel together, or in two vehicles....and I am losing this fight. Nine hours, in one car, cramped mind you, with popa dean driving? I think not. Stay tuned to see if I win it or not.

Love to you all, hope you are having a safe, wonderful, happy holiday!

D:)

Happy Canada Day...two days late

2006-07-03T21:09:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful weekend. Fishing, swimming, eating, laughing, drinking, laughing some more, and friends...what more could you ask for?

We got to be totally relaxed and lazy, got to sleep lots, got to laugh even more...laugh until your gut hurt and your eyes watered like a waterfall.

It's been a good weekend. Hope you got to enjoy yours just as much.

Love being surrounded by such wonderful friends...true friends...be yourself around kind of friends.

Thanks for the great time!

Lots of love,

D:)

Hey there World

2006-06-26T12:46:00.000-05:00

So, in copying my sister-in-law's fabulous blogging, my abi quote for the day...

"MOMMY! I'm MAGIC!! LOOK, I spit on strawberry shortcake and she turns red!!"

This was in discovering a birthday present. You know, those coloring books that have the paint brush and all you need is water for your child to be an "artist"...yup, now she thinks her spit has paint in it.

Should be a fun next few days!!

Happy Birthday Abi

2006-06-11T22:21:00.000-05:00

Abi turned four today.

She's had quite the exciting weekend. We stayed at a hotel last night in a kids theme room...the Galaxy with glow in the dark everything! She had her very own shower, complete with animal shower head and red toilette seat! She had her cousins from Fort Frances in as well as her Winnipeg cousins over for a b-day bash. She had a blast!!

We started her party last night with pizza, presents and cake, and then headed off to the pool for some waterslide fun. Then Patrick and Melanie stayed over in the room with abi and they watched a movie and fell fast asleep!

In the morning, the kids got up and went swimming AGAIN, and then back to get dressed and ready for a family brunch.

Abi was exhausted and in a desperate need of a nap by the end of our brunching...so home we went where mommy and abi napped the afternoon away!

Around 7pm Momma Peggy, Poppa Dean, Auntie Sandi, Brenda Smith and the girls came over for another cake and happy birthday sing song! This was the exciting part to her birthday, where she got her "big" birthday gift...a scooter...she was really exciting and couldn't wait to hop on and take it on a test run. Her, Poppa Dean and Daddy went to the Forest to test drive it, and had a blast.

We love you Abi Grace! Happy 4th Angel, my "Beauty"....

xoxo

Mommy and Daddy.

Where does the time go?

2006-06-09T11:37:00.000-05:00

I can't get over how crazy life gets! It's amazing how one day you are young, and the next you realize you've gotten older, and that there are kids out there looking at you and calling you "ma'am"!!!

Life slips by you so fast. I can't believe that it's been over a week since my last blog...yes I can, but I had hoped I would've gotten better at posting by now.

At the end of the week I am exhausted. My house still needs to be cleaned, the laundry hasn't been done, the chances that I actually had a full-out shower BY MYSELF likely hasn't happened in a few DAYS, and that's all have to show for my exhaustion...rough looking face, frizzy hair, and smelly feet! Oh, did I mention, I haven't cooked an actual meal in a REALLY LONG TIME!

I don't know where my life has gone! I have no clue what happened to the month of May and here I am looking at the last half of June! I went out to our church's ladies night out last night. We were saying goodbye to our Pastor as this was going to be her last night out with the women of Southlands.

At the end of the evening, Phyllis got up to do a devotional. I've had a pretty crazy day, my brain has left me and I don't think I am ever going to get it back, Abi's been sick, and needless to say, I wasn't exactly concentrating on all of her words. However, one thing did stick out.

She asked if we were the same as we were 10 years ago, 5 years ago, or even one year ago. It was then that I started to think...I am certainly not the same person as I was one year ago, and not the same as I was two years ago either...life has changed me.

5 years ago, I was able to get a shower in before heading out for work in the morning. Last year, I was in the midst of a personality change. This year, I am trying to figure out who I am again. 10 years ago, I was calling people "ma'am" thinking I was being polite...now I realize that those women I called "ma'am" likely felt like slapping me. I know I certainly feel like hitting the kids over the head when they call me that...and I'm only 28!!!

Thing is, 10 years from now, I won't be the same as I am today. I like to think that life will seem easier, but I doubt it. I'd like to think that I'll finally be able to manage my day in such a way that I won't be brain-numb anymore...but I doubt it.

I do know that I will be older, I will be going through the TEENAGE YEARS with abi, and that I will be sitting on the couch at midnight wondering where on earth the time has gone!!!

Life is never guaranteed, and what happens during your time isn't guaranteed to be satisfactory, but one thing is guaranteed...besides taxes...time will FLY by!!!

My daughter is turning 4 on Sunday. I can remember when she was born, I had gotten a gift from a family friend (our new pastor actually), a pair of pink pj's. I can remember looking at those pj's and thinking she'd never fit into them, that she'd be talking and walking before she would be able to wear them...and that that day was SOOO far away! Today, abi dressed her doll in them...and in thirty years from now when she is dressing her own child in them, I will remember today as if it were only yesterday.

Friendships

2006-05-30T13:16:00.000-05:00

I have truly been blessed with amazing, wonderful, inspirational friends thoughout my entire life.

However, it was during a recent difficult time in my life that my shining stars, or Angels of Hope, I call them, came through. I can't thank God enough for them. Without these wonderful women, I don't know where I would be today. They gathered around me, supported and loved me through it ALL...they cared enough to call, they cared enough to pray, and most of all, they cared enough to notice when the times were just too difficult.

It's so important to remember your friends, love them unconditionally, and most of all, to NOT take them for granted. These women in my life are my support system, the women who I can count on to make me laugh, laugh at me, speak nothing buy honesty, cry with me, cry for me, tell me when the outfit I am wearing makes me look fat, or just plain ridiculous, and who can get away with saying "ouch" when i tell them I've gained 7 pounds over three weeks!! I cannot imagine my life without them...and frankly, I don't want to.

I may end up going to hell with one of them, but at least we won't be alone ;) - for those of you freaking out at the fact that I just wrote this sentence...relax, it's an inside joke.

DL - You are the most generous, fun loving, kind spirited person I have ever met. I cherish our history together and I look forward to the many future memories that our families will share.

Pissy Pants - you know who you are - who else could I swear with out there!! You are an amazing woman, I wish you could see what everyone else sees! thanks for the laughs, the tears, and for being my prayer partner.

ABC - your warm hugs, kind smile, and unspoken words have helped me through some very difficult days. Thank you.

To my dear friends, I love you more than you could ever imagine and I thank you so much for all you have done, said, and not said over the last year. You are true inspirations!

Well, the mushy blog is done now. Chat later.

D:)

Loving Abi...

2006-05-25T11:48:00.000-05:00

Loving Abi...

I love my child. I do. Some days, like today, though, I have to remind myself of that little fact.

For those of you out there who have children under the age of two and think that once you get through the "so-called" (the quotation marks will be self explanatory shortly), then the rest is smooth sailing...you've sadly been misinformed...terribly, wrongly, misinformed. Kind of like when the women told you that you giving birth is the most "magical experience ever"...they lied...probably to get you through it, but they still lied...or they had some sort of "magic" drug.

Abi got through the two's, in fact, she is on her way to the fours...and with a bang...in fact, it's been with a bang since she turned two, and each year we think and say to ourselves, we've made it, this year is going to be better....and yet, here we are, heading into the fourth year, and saying it again.

I recently asked her daycare if she was as miserable as she has been with me. They laughed. Not a good sign. Then I was told that this "stage" lasts until they are about 20....20!!!! Ugh.

So, what's causing this lovely little blog entry you ask? Well, here's a clue. Last Wednesday night, we went out to dinner at a local restaurant with her poppa dean...a tradition to say the least. She was miserable, I was tired, which ='s a recipe for disaster. She is one of the loudest kids out there I am sure. She was doing everything I told her not to do. Blowing bubbles in her milk, not eating, singing at the top of her lungs, yakking to no end, not letting poppa eat, when, next thing I know, she is standing on the booth, pants around her ankles, shaking her arss and singing at the top of her lungs, and causing her mom's blood pressure to hit the roof!

Fast forward a week. Another restaurant (minus poppa who is traveling the Saskatchewan prairies), another deadly combination = abi is miserable, mommy is tired and tired of child. Abi causes the biggest seen by yelling and crying "YOU DON'T LOVE ME???" Which of course causes the old farts to sit and glare at me, the mommy.

THEN let's go to this morning shall we? She hasn't stopped talking...I don't even think she has taken a breath yet...since 7:30 this morning. She's crying, I'm crying...she's telling me that I don't love her, I'm trying to tell her that I do...but that I'm not liking the attitude she's got. She's chasing the cats, yelling at her imaginary friends, telling me that "allison" (the mean imaginary friend, who mommy thought had gotten rid of by throwing her out of the car last month...) is calling her "stupid"...which is a bad word in our house, and saying over and over again "holy crap mom". She's changed outfits 7 times now, and all of the clothes are on the floor in her room...which she lied to me telling me that she did put them away, but that allison keeps taking them out! She's eaten two pieces of gum, which are now stuck to my kitchen floor, and has "lost" a pair of my shoes. I still have four more hours before daddy gets home...he's in for a real treat when he walks through the front door today!!!

Kids. Love them more than anything that can ever be imagined....but today is a very difficult day.

I love abi. I do.

D

Abi the Hairdresser

2006-05-23T17:58:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

Well, we all knew it was going to happen eventually. Abi found a pair of scissors that actually cut stuff other than paper and playdoh. It took her five minutes, and filled a ziplock baggy of hair. Her comment "don't I look beautiful now mommy?"....we took her to her actual real hairdresser last weekend and got it trimmed! It took some time getting used to for me...but the cut is actually growing on me. Billy loves it as does poppa Dean. I just keep telling myself that it will grow. Here are some pics of the adventure...before, during and after (checking her 'email').

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend! We sure enjoyed it. We had planned for a low key weekend, that turned out with us busy and doing something each night/day. We had Donna, Brendan and the kids (khaki, melanie) over for a fire on Friday...we roasted marshmallows and hot dogs until 11:30 pm! Then Saturday Billy cleaned out our crawl space, I started the pile of laundry...billy finished - what a great guy! Then we had the future in-laws (The Samson's) over for a BBQ. Abi and Caleb played hard and ended the night with hugs and kisses. Sunday we went to the Revolving restaurant for brunch and then shopped and Monday we went to the Canad Inn Carnival with the in-laws again. Abi and Caleb had a blast together on the rides, and the mommies realized that perhaps the Ex this year with the kids won't be such a bad thing ;)

With that said, for those of you who know Donna Lee Samson, and those of you who don't...she is taking part in the Winnipeg Weekend to End Breast Cancer June9-11.

This is a two day, 60 KM walk through the neighborhoods in Winnipeg. She is my inspiration! She needs to raise $2,000 for this event and is very close (98%) to reaching her goal.

Take a peak at her website http://www.endcancer.ca/site/TR?px=1325259&pg=personal&fr_id=1150 if you wish to support Donna lee in her quest to help find a cure. You can donate on-line and you will get a tax receipt! It's a "win-win" situation! Any amount helps.

One in Nine Canadian women will get Breast Cancer...we CAN find a cure!

Good luck DL...you know I'll be cheering you on!

Been Some Time I Know....

2006-05-11T13:18:00.000-05:00

WOW, time sure does fly by! I can't believe that our last post was in February...It's now May. We just got back from Vancouver yesterday and are adjusting back into regular life. We had a great time out in Roberts Creek with Auntie Gwen, Uncle Ron, Great Momma, and of course, can't forget Kelly! Kelly is Jackie's dog...abi fell in love with him. Everywhere she went, Kelly was sure to be right beside her. The only time the two didn't get along was when abi was driving the Barbie car, and Kelly had to chase after those pesky wheels.

Abi also got to see (and feel) the ocean for the very first time. She kept calling it a river...good ole prairie girl! She also got to go on her first ferry ride...which was so nice. Jennifer and Sue picked us up at the airport and abi took to Jennifer right away...it was Jennifer this, Jennifer that...ALL DAY LONG!

The city was amazing. I could get used to that place. It was so nice to go to bed at night looking out at the mountains and the ocean, and getting up in the morning with the sun rising up behind the mountains.

We got to see Sarah as well, who is 6 months pregnant with her first child...a boy! She let us in to the Capilano Suspension Bridge...my legs have never felt so much like jello before! Scary, but very beautiful scenery!

Abi and Billy toured all over the downtown area during the day, while I attended my conference. They walked all the way from our hotel, through Stanley Park and back...quite a distance. They got to see whales, dolphins, sharks and all kinds of different fish.

Billy is happy to be back and as far away as possible from "Robson Street" as he can get...he's decided he doesn't like his Wife anywhere near that street!! Me, I love it...SOOO much shopping, soooo little time.

Now, for news on the house...IT'S ALL DONE!!! Everything is complete. The kitchen is done, the father-daughter project complete...well, it actually was the father, while daughter supervised project. We are happy and settled...FINALLY. As always, go to our on-line photo album to check out the before and after pics of the kitchen...HUGE accomplishment...no divorce, and in fact, there was no fighting (okay, so maybe a scrap or two, but nothing earth shattering).

well, check back later!

D:)

2006-02-22T21:38:00.000-06:00

Well, we are finally settled in the new house...and Billy and I are still married!! For those who were around us the last month, you know what a huge accomplishment this is...joking aside, the stuff from storage is here, the pictures are up...most of the new furniture has arrived, with the rest coming this week...and we are one very happy, content family who are now enjoying a brief moment of relaxation. The only things left are the kitchen - which hopefully will be completed by March 16th, and the fireplace ledge...a dad/daughter project...stay tuned to see if Dean and Danielle can do this without killing each other. AND if Dean and Danielle don't kill each other, stay tuned to see if Billy and Danielle can demolish a kitchen without a single scrap...impossible? We will see.

It feels so nice to be here and I love coming home! Abi misses Poppa Dean lots, but she has coped with the whole move nicely. I thought the drive into work would be a nightmare, but it actually is a very smooth drive in. I usually get to abi's daycare in about 20 mins at the most, and then at work 10 mins after that...which is great, considering I work at the other end of the city.

Stayed tuned for pictures of the house...especially once the kitchen is done.

Love to you all,

D:)

Happy New Year!

2006-01-02T19:41:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year everyone! Here's to a great 2006 full of love, laughter and memories for everyone.

Abi spent New Year's eve with momma Peggy and popa Dean while mommy and daddy went out with auntie Gail and uncle Sean. All had lots of fun ringing in the New Year...well, those of us who stayed awake! popa Dean rang in the New Year alone as abi and momma went to bed early.

Abi tried skating for the first time today. She had a blast, but after about 30 minutes told us she was done. She "skated" by herself hanging on to the side wall, the rest of the time she had to hold on, while popa Dean or Mommy pulled her along.

Well, we all go back to work full swing tomorrow! The time off was wonderful and lots of fun...mommy especially enjoyed sleeping in after telling abi to go wake up popa...something mommy is going to miss when we move into our own house.

Two weeks today will be our possession date for our home. We are very excited and nervous all at the same time. We have some work to do before we move in, but we hope to be moved in by February 1st. We are gutting the kitchen though, so we may be moving back in with moma and popa when the time comes.

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful Christmas and for all the gifts and well wishes.

Take care and lots of love always.

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T13:47:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

For more Christmas pics, check out http://www.fotki.com/daniabi

Abi woke at 8:30am, sat up in bed and whispered "Santa came!"...she then jumped out of bed and ran to see Tin Tin to tell her to come downstairs and see! She was shaking in her boots with excitement and didn't know what to do first. She would start to open one gift and then jump to another....her little hands just shaking.

Abi would open up the boxes with clothes in them and throw the clothes to the side looking in the box for a toy! Typical toddler! ALL THE CLOTHES mommy bought are WAY TO BIG!! My child is 3 years old...size 2 pants don't fit her!! The 18 and 24 month stuff fit her though!! Little short stuff.

Watching Abi open her gifts was great fun...she provided the entertainment this morning. She would say "just what I wanted"...before the gift was open and she would look up to the sky and say "thank you momma and poppa"...she is at the best age!

Merry Christmas Everyone...Lots of Love.

D:)

Excitement in the House!

2005-12-25T01:33:00.000-06:00

Today was a busy day! Abi and Daddy started the day off by doing some last minute grocery shopping, while Mommy started to ice the gingerbread Christmas cookies. Abi came home just in time to help Mommy decorate the cookies with her own special touch...LOTS OF SPRINKLES! Abi then had a nap...despite her best efforts to try to stay awake.

We then went off to see Dina, Abi's favorite hairdresser, so Abi could be made to look like "cinderelly". Abi had everyone in the salon in stitches, and had everyone's attention. She got a new pair of Christmas earrings and a bracelet to match her Christmas dress and a "princess crown"...she is such a girlie girl!

The candle light service at our church was amazing and so beautiful! It was the best service we had been too in a really LONG time. It was nice to sit with our family and friends and focus our attention to the birth of our Lord. You get so busy with the commercialization of Christmas, that it is so nice and peaceful on Christmas Eve to reflect on Jesus.

We had a fabulous party afterwards with family and some friends. We ate, joked, laughed, shared our past memories and got to add some new ones.

Abi was SUPER HYPER and ALL over the place...I didn't think we were ever going to get her to sleep! She put out her special Christmas cookie for Santa and carrots for Rudolph and hung up her stocking. It's neat to see her so excited for Christmas. Tomorrow is going to be a hoot.

Well, to all of you out there, have a blessed Christmas. Take time out of the chaos to enjoy the family and friends that surround you and to remember those who aren't.

Merry Christmas!

D:)

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."
Luke 2:14

Getting Started!

2005-12-19T10:41:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the fast paced world called Technology Folks!

In an effort to keep the many members of the Puddicombe/Whitbread clan up-to-date on the precious Abigail Grace, we thought a family blog would be a great way to stay in touch...and save money!

We will do our best in updating all of you...especially with Christmas around the corner!

Take care,

D:)

p.s. - for more photos, go to http://www.fotki.com/daniabi