Hey, Mrs. Wilson!

I’m watching Michael Phelps. That dude is AMAZING. Did you see his 7th gold medal win? It was even more spectacular than the 4×200m relay, and that was spectacular enough! The guy is a great source of entertainment. (And Canada isn’t exactly winning any medals, so we’re cheering for the US of A. I have an American sister-in-law and two American nieces after all.)

And if you’re wondering, no, I don’t watch it because he’s attractive. I mean, he’s alright, but tight swimwear and big muscles just don’t do it for me. At all. Seriously. But a certain perfectly sculpted man who has never (to my knowledge) worn a Speedo, he, my friends, is hot.

It serves him right for saying that my blog sucks lately. I’m so SORRY for WORKING AT 5AM and not being able to put THREE COHERENT WORDS TOGETHER AT NIGHT.

Sheesh.

Okay, so I know that blogging about work is kind of a blogger faux pas, but this is my blog, and I want to write about it. So there.

As I drove to work this morning, on my first day, I started to think of how my job was going to affect my family when school starts. The hours I work are 7 am to 3:30 pm, which means that I will not be there in the mornings for the kids. What? I’m ALWAYS there in the morning! I almost started bawling at the thought that I would not be able to do Kaylie’s hair for school or make sure that her outfit matches. I’m going to have to teach Noah how to braid.

I had an absolutely BORING morning. I sat literally for an hour while they tried to get a computer up for me to do orientation on. Woot. The orientation took an hour, and then I followed someone around for another hour because the morning manager had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. When the person I was shadowing went to ask a manager a question, I sat in the break room for, no kidding, a whole ENTIRE hour. I read the back of a computer building magazine twenty thousand times. And the vending machines. And the customer service signs on the walls. And the expired ads on the bulletin board.

Finally a different manager came out and sent me for lunch, as he probably took pity on me. I picked up bus passes for Noah and me (it’s hard to have TWO jobs and only have ONE vehicle in the city!) and dropped off the application for Kaylie’s school. I then went home to grab something cold (it’s a freakin’ SAUNA here!) and to see my family for five minutes. I left with about 20 minutes left on my lunch break and it was a 10 minute drive. Or so I thought. The power was out in the city (which happened a minute into my drive) and EVERY SINGLE STOP LIGHT was out! That is NOT good. I had to go through 10 or so intersections and they ALL had bazillions of cars in line.  It’s like going through ten 4-way stops during rush hour.

In one of the lines, before I was due back, I called Adam, the agent at the temp agency that found me the job. They are my employers, not the workplace people. Anyway, I told Adam the problem (STUCK! IN TRAFFIC A MILE LONG WITH NO END IN SIGHT!) and he said it was no problem and that he’d call the job site for me. When I finally got there, I was 10 minutes late. Pretty good for a first day, right? I think from now on I won’t leave unless I have to. But today, I had to.

The afternoon was much better, and I actually got trained.  I have to say that I think I’m going to enjoy the job very much.

God gave me peace on my drive home. I can pick out Kaylie’s outfit with her in the evening, and there are some things I can do with her hair that will last the night. I also got her a couple head bands to solve the FRIZZ problem that she has. I don’t like frizz. I’ve had it all my life (and finally learned to control it, somewhat) and I hate it. If I teach Noah to do a ponytail, all she has to do is put the headband on and she’s set.

On the drive home I also realized how blessed I was at my previous job. I knew I was already, but now I REALLY know.  I got to drop Kaylie off at school every day, got to pick her up every day, and got to go to any special school event if it was during the day.  They were very flexible with me, as I was with them.  It was probably the best work environment I’ll ever have.

As I was making Chicken Pot Pie for dinner, my children were hungry. They’re ALWAYS hungry WHILE I’m making dinner. Makes sense. I found the perfect thing to keep Kaylie quiet and Liliana occupied for hours a couple minutes so I could finish up. Frozen peas. They are God’s gift to moms. I think Liliana ate about a cup of them. That’s not an overdose, right?

Also in Liliana news, she’s saying new words. She’s been doing the “mama” and “dada” thing for a while now, but now she calls me “momom”. She’s been saying “uh oh” for a while, and now she’s saying “ba” (ball), “kee” (keys), “bobow” (bottle), and “nononono”. She waves when saying goodbye, and she puts her hands in the “I don’t know” position for saying “all done”. Occasionally, she signs “please”. Also, we might soon be in the market for a potty. Noah read recently on Chelsey’s Facebook profile that Maya had gone pee on the potty (or something to that effect - way to go Maya!!). He said that if other babies Liliana’s age are peeing on the potty, then so should she. I told him that if he wanted to potty train her, he can go right ahead. I’m alright waiting. Potty training is WORK. Maybe at Christmas …

I was going to be nice to you and show you a schwak of pictures for being so patient as to listen to my ramblings, but I have to be up at FIVE O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING to catch the bus tomorrow, so you’ll have to wait until tomorrow’s post.  Sorry.  If you’re up at 5 am, you can think of me having a cold shower to wake myself from my slumber five hours earlier than I usually get up.

A belated Happy Birthday to Noah! His birthday was kind of put to the sidelines due to the fact that his sister got married on that day (the 21st). So now, today, I will say a public HAPPY BELATED 25th BIRTHDAY NOAH!

I’m pretty sure he’s the cutest baby boy I ever did see.

And now, he’s the hottest 25-year-old I know. I mean the hottest guy I know. Awkward …

Also celebrating a birthday, yesterday, is my sweet baby girl, Kaylie Jaqueline.

Tied for the cutest baby girl I ever did see. (More proof and Kaylie background here, on her 6th birthday)

I can’t believe that she’s seven years old already. Seriously. I remember the day she was born, and even though it feels like an eternity ago, it also feels like just yesterday. (Corny, I know, but apparently when you’re older you say things you say you’d never say, like When I was your age …)

For her birthday, Noah took her out for lunch to her favorite place, McDonalds and I took her to Prince Caspian. She totally loved her day and was so thankful to us for making her day special.

Today Noah’s parents and sister came to spend the day with us. Kaylie and I made her birthday cake (with only a few minor incidents) and after Noah got back from the corner store with the matches we sang Happy Birthday to her and cut into the cake. The kid LOVES cake.

Happy 7th Birthday Kaylie. I’ve loved every day with you and I love being your Mommy. I hope and pray that you have an amazing 8th year of life!

***

In other news, I start work tomorrow. For real this time. Third time’s a charm, right? I am excited about it, except for the fact that I can no longer sleep until 10 am. Life has to get back to reality some time, right?

Noah had an interview on Friday and expects to hear back tomorrow. Apparently his potential boss was really impressed with him, so he’s almost sure the job is his, barring some unforseen circumstances. God is awesome. He has totally taken care of us.

I was talking to a Terrace friend of mine recently about my frustration about us not having jobs at that point, and she encouraged me to seek God and that He knows our needs and will take care of us, in His timing, not ours. We sought God, obeyed what He led us to do, and the next day Noah had an interview and I had two job offers. Two! God is awesome!

Our only problem now is that we’re looking for childcare. It’s a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. But, I know that God has this covered too so I’m trying my best not to worry about it. I’ve had a lot help from my blog-friend-turned-real-life-friend Laurie. She has been SUCH a huge blessing to me in the short time that I’ve known her. I also made a connection with a lady when I was looking to get a fingerprint criminal record check for my new job and went to the wrong place. Not only did she lead me in the right direction, she gave me her home number and email and said to call her because she’s got a child in care and may know of someone for me.

We’ve been totally blessed in our short time here, and I look forward to what else God has in store for us. But now, Noah is insisting that I go to bed, since I have to get up at normal-person time tomorrow.  I know!  Before 10 am!  Waaaay before 10 am.

I firmly believe that it is my duty in life to drive my husband insane. I’m not kidding you. If you ask him, he’ll tell you I’m doing a pretty good job at it.

But you know what? It’s a two way street.

During our Scrabble game tonight (yes we play Scrabble, you got a problem with that?), Noah said the following to me:

What’s wrong with you? Besides the obvious.

Have you ever loved me a day in your life?

You ruin my life.

I wonder what it would be like if I had a wife who loved me.

You’re retarded.

You’re the most frustrating person ever.

What’s wrong with you? Have you been drinking?

You’re a weirdo.

Nerd.

Why did I get married?

This is the worst game ever.

(Don’t worry. I get him back worse. Way worse. And I usually start it anyway.)

All the while, I’m scribbling down his sarcastic comments with the score-keeping pen, which is driving him insane because he always has to ask for it back.

While all of the above were meant sarcastically, we know exactly how to push each other’s buttons when we’re actually annoyed with each other. During the Worst Five Days of My Life while we were moving out of the big house, Noah folded the laundry just because he knows that I hate it when he folds the socks. (Stop laughing. He admitted to doing it just to make me angry.)  And also?  I may or may not have thrown out one of his favorite hats.  Maybe.

But you know what? I haven’t regretted one day with him. There was never a day that I wished I had not married him and not a day that I have not loved him (except maybe when he tried to drown me in the pool earlier today).

He’s the best man I could ever imagine myself being married to. And you want to know what else? He let me sleep in until 9:40 this morning. That’s TWENTY TO TEN! I’m almost certain that is the latest I’ve slept in since Grade 11. I don’t sleep well at night and apparently get my best sleep after 6 am.

We have an extremely sarcastic relationship, but it is also extremely loving and I would not trade it for the world. I want my kids to grow up seeing that their parents love each other and would do anything for each other. I want them to know that a sense of humor is essential to enjoy life. I want them to not take things too seriously when they are not meant to be.

My baby girl turns seven tomorrow. SEVEN! Time has gone by so quickly, but at the same time so slowly. I can’t imagine life without her, but I can also clearly remember when she was born. And yes, tomorrow will be a Kaylie post!

And if you have to know, he beat me by almost 300.

Before I get to that, I’m going to show you a couple pictures from our little pool party yesterday. Liliana has stopped hating the water and is now loving it. We put her in her little floaty thing but didn’t put her legs through. It was like she was in her own little dingy.

We let her just float around free for about an hour.

Kidding. We’re good parents. Most of the time.

We took her out of her floaty and put her right in the water and she loved it! Quite a change from a couple days ago.

Noah’s always so nice to smile nice for pictures for me. Such a dear.

Kaylie is still LOVING the pool. She’d live in there all day long if we let her.

You know, I rarely post pictures of myself on this blog. That is mostly due to the fact that I’m always the one behind the camera and therefore am never in front of it. And due to the fact that I pretty much hate all pictures of me. Well here’s on for you. From behind.

When I jumped into the pool, my back stung a little bit, but I figured it was the impact of my sweet cannon ball. When we got back inside, Noah and Kaylie kindly informed me that my back was bright red. When we left for our play date earlier yesterday, I had put sunscreen on my burnt-last-week shoulders, but had neglected my back. Brilliant, I am. These tan burn lines are perfect for the halter backless dress I plan to wear to the wedding on Monday. Awesome.

After the pool, I bathed the chlorinated kids. While we were waiting for Liliana to fall asleep, I decided to blow-dry Kaylie’s hair and see how straight I could get her curls.

I think I did alright, especially since I used just a blow-dryer with no brush, products, or straightener.

She totally loved it and kept saying, “I can’t believe how STRAIGHT my hair is!”

Gorgeous, in my humble non-biased opinion.

On to the trip!

We originally planned to leave at 6:00 this morning, but since we were up until almost 1:30 this morning, I wanted a bit more sleep so I could be at least half awake when I drove the 860 km.

We stopped at Peters’ Drive-In in Calgary for dinner. It’s our FAVORITE burger place and we stop at it (a couple times) every time we’re in or around Calgary.

Meet Tali. She’s Noah’s baby (19-year-old) sister. She sat in the back of the van with Kaylie the whole trip and we REALLY appreciated having her with us.

Liliana totally loved the the milkshakes. She kept trading off on the three that we had.

Right after this picture was taken, Liliana wasn’t getting anything out of the straw so she tipped it, spilling Oreo milkshake all over her sleeper. Poor kid! I guess it makes sense though, she has to tip her bottle and sippy cup to get stuff out, so why not a milkshake?

I went to the van to clean her up and change her while the others finished up their dinner. She was kind of a wreck (maybe due to the fact that she only napped 25 minutes of her usual FOUR HOURS) and did not want anything to do with the milkshakes that the others brought back with them.

We then traveled the last hour to Noah’s Alberta hometown, where he lived for 11 of his growing up years.

I was HOT and I wanted to be COOL so I put one foot out the window of our air-conditioning-deficient van to try to cool off. Noah was concerned that one of his old friends would see him in his MINI VAN with his wife’s FOOT OUT THE WINDOW. The poor guy. As his dad would say, Dat’s a wuff wun!

Is it just me, or does my leg look like a cankle in this picture? It looks humongous! I guess it’s because it’s resting oh so ladylike on my window frame …

Anyway.

We checked in to our hotel, went to see Nick, Teresa, Eva, and Kaitlyn for about half an hour and then came home and put the kids to bed. Then I got ditched, for the second night in a row by Noah and Tali. I love that he loves his sisters, but seriously, I EXIST TOO! Sheesh.

(note: I might be a little sarcastic sometimes. Don’t take anything I write seriously.)

The nomads are back now and we’ve got to find something to do tomorrow while we’re homeless. We have to check out by 11:00 am and we can’t get into the condo that we’re sharing with Noah’s family until 6:00 pm. We also get to hang out with the Braam Fam tomorrow, which I am totally looking forward to. I miss not seeing them and absolutely love the time we get to spend with them.

And I have to figure out how to meld tan lines and burn lines and try to make them look at least half natural. Wish me luck.

My kids have been driving me absolutely mental the last couple days. Especially yesterday. I think it’s mostly due to the fact that I’ve spent every waking moment with them for two solid weeks. And due to the fact that I’m naturally moody and irritable, but let’s not go there. I’m used to having 25 hours per week away from them (aka being at work) and I kind of miss it. I’m not saying that I don’t love being around my kids, it’s just that breaks are wonderful. I truly believe that breaks make you a better parent. Maybe it’s just me.

The last couple nights, or I guess for the last week, Noah and I have had a ritual in the evening that has been totally calming. The kids are in bed and asleep by 9:00 pm. We put Liliana down between 7:30 and 8:00 and we wait until she is good and asleep before we put Kaylie down since they share a room and Liliana thinks it’s a party if they go to bed at the same time. And it’s summer, so we’re letting Kaylie stay up a little later. She doesn’t get into the cupboards and try to drink almond flavoring like some other kid that lives here.

Anyway, after the kids are in bed, we each spend a bit of time on the computer (we’re nerdy like that) and then at about 10:00 we grab a snack and sit and watch a movie together. This ritual started because we did not have the internet or cable and we cannot go out due to the fact we do not know anyone and the fact that we have not yet found a babysitter (due to the not knowing anyone).

This is my favorite time of the day. Watching a movie with a hot guy beside me and a bowl of dill pickle flavored popcorn on my lap with no kids around. It’s peaceful and quiet and absolutely wonderful. Right now we’re in the middle of the Mission Impossible trilogy. We’ve been staying up late and sleeping in due to the fact that we do not work. Yet. One day (hopefully REALLY soon) reality will set in and I’ll have a job to go to in the morning and will no longer sleep in until 9:00 am. (This morning it was 9:17. It was niiiiiice.)

Another great break we had recently was the visit of our friend ODB Bethany. It was so wonderful to see and visit with her. Besides earlier this week, I hadn’t seen her since her wedding in November, and Noah hadn’t seen her since our wedding, two and a half years ago.

Kaylie and Bethany haven’t seen each other in just over two years when we made a trek down south. When Bethany lived with us, Kaylie was only three, but she remembered all our trips to Wal*mart.

Liliana, as usual, had no intention of hanging out with anyone, but went and did her own thing.

My goodness I married a hottie.

Any time Liliana is snuggling with Noah or me, Kaylie has to join in. I think she’s still getting used to the idea that she has to share us with some other kid.

Liliana had enough after a while and tried with no avail to get into the building herself.

After we brought Bethany to the airport yesterday, I decided to try to catch up on some blogs. My Google Reader was still over 300, so the task was large. I started with some of my favorites.

As I was reading Dutch Blitz, I ran into this post. It blew out of the water anything I’d heard about photographing in sunlight. Amazing.

Noah wanted to take the kids to the park and he dragged me with him I decided to go too. He encouraged me to bring my camera, so this was my perfect opportunity to try out what I’d learned.

Unfortunately, the slide was not at an appropriate angle, so there are shadows on most of the following pictures. Oh well, they tell the story anyway!

Liliana is our little dare devil. She does not have any concept of danger. At all.

She decided it was a good idea to just walk down the slide. Yea, good one kid.

She also wanted to walk up the slide.

And go down any way that Kaylie did.

Tomorrow I’m back to the internet job boards. I’m hoping that by the time we get back from Laura-Mae’s wedding in 10 days, I’ll be going to work right away. Apparently it’s hard to live when you don’t have any income. I’ve applied to quite a few in the last couple days, so hopefully something comes of them.

We went and checked out a church near our house today. It started at 11:00 am, so I could still sleep in until just after 9:00 while Noah hung out with the kids. It’s a great system. While there, I got to meet a blog friend who’d told me about the church. We talked with Laurie and met her husband and adorable baby boy and we’re planning a play date later this week.

While we were talking after the service, Liliana took a face plant into a stair and now has a rug burn/big gash between her eyes. We’re hoping it heals before next Monday when she has to be in wedding pictures.

Liliana has been learning some new words in the last couple days. She’s been getting into the cupboards since we moved in and yesterday I put latches on them. Since we’ve been saying “no” to her when she got into the cupboards, she now tries unsuccessfully to open them, all the while saying “nonononono”. It’s quite hilarious. She’s also learned to sign please. I’ve half-heartedly been trying this one for a while, and tonight at dinner she finally did it. She wanted some salad, and after the first “please”, she signed please for every bite. What a polite little kid.

Kaylie and I went shopping today for something to wear to Noah’s sister’s wedding next week. I got dressed up a bit to do it but still the sales people ignored me so I should have just went in the big white t-shirt and cut-off grey sweats that I was wearing while cleaning the house before I left. Then at least I would have been comfortable while the sales people ignored me. Maybe it’s just that mall, or maybe I had a big red flashing light on my forehead saying “I CAN’T AFFORD THIS PLACE”. Unfortunately, even in the stores I couldn’t afford, I still didn’t find a dress I even remotely liked.

I did eventually find a dress, but I don’t think I’m going to keep it. It’s a bit too cleavagey for me. Although Noah doesn’t mind this fact, it makes me a little uncomfortable. I’m not a big fan of the whole dress thing. I can remember the last two times I wore one. My wedding and my prom. That’s it. But, since this is a very special occasion, I figured I’d put a little effort into it.

In addition to the play date with Laurie, Kaylie and I have one tomorrow with another blog friend we haven’t met in real life yet, Jen and Abby. Kaylie is quite stoked for us to hang out with people with kids. She’s doesn’t care the age of the children, as long as there are other little people around. Let’s just say she’s looking forward to tomorrow just a little bit, as am I.

Alright, I think you’re caught up now. There’s been a lot going on around here lately. Apparently there’s a lot that’s involved in moving halfway across the country. Noah and I got our Saskatchewan licenses on Friday, and tomorrow I’m applying for Saskatchewan health cards. Noah said it was his most embarrassing moment when he had to tell the insurance guy that he drove a mini-van. Poor guy. It’s almost as bad as his dad constantly reminding him that the only other person who drove a mini-van in their family was his grandfather.

He’ll get over it.

Today is a great day. My former college roommate, and my and Noah’s mutual friend ODB is visiting for a couple days. ODB = Old Dirty Bethany, who is neither old nor dirty, but Noah dubbed her “ODB” back in his early Briercrest years. She is, however, named Bethany.

Noah and Bethany went to rent a movie for the three of us and they rented Little Miss Sunshine. It is the most hilarious and disturbing movie ever. We’re really enjoying our time with her.

In really cool news, Noah was going to go to see Jimmy Eat World in Saskatoon earlier this week, but decided to go to Warped Tour later this summer instead. So it wasn’t cool that he couldn’t go, but when his sister Tali got off work the afternoon of the show, she ran into the lead singer, Jim Adkins on the street outside the mall she works at. She was quite star-struck, as well she should be. Noah was hardcore jealous, and was even sadder that he missed the show, but he survived.

So, I got a job the other day, and today I lost it. We even ordered pizza the other day to celebrate, but I guess it was in vain. Oh well, the pizza was great! Apparently the company had a family friend who needed a job. Oh well. To be honest, I wasn’t really excited about the job, so I guess it’s good that it fell through. I’ve been applying like mad though to other jobs.

So, while neither of us are working, we’re spending a lot of time at the pool. It’s right beside our building and it’s quite well maintained, so we’ve been taking advantage of it. Noah and the girls went in yesterday.

Liliana was excited about being by the pool, but had no interest in actually being in the pool. She cried bloody murder when Noah jumped in. I think she thought he was hurt or something.

Noah tried to coax her in and actually got her to come in a couple times.

She started screeching right away though and promptly tried to get out.

She’s her own little person though and knows what she wants and when she wants it.

Lemme go!!

She was getting a little cold, so I tried to put a towel on her. She was having none of it. When she had the towel on, she could not play with the keys. So, the towel had to go.

Kaylie, on the other hand, loves the pool. She’s asked to go in it every single day since we moved in. We’ve usually given in, but we’ve had some colder weather today so she missed out.

Hey mom! Take a picture of me!

Take another one!!

Noah decided to try out his skillz while Liliana freaked out.

Kaylie wanted him to jump in on his back, and he complied. Unfortunately, his back was bright red after that one.

After watching Noah jump in, Kaylie wanted to do it too but was kind of scared.

She gained a little courage, and some tough love.

Noah also tried to explain to Liliana that the pool isn’t actually a scary place to be.

It worked with Kaylie, she gained some confidence and started jumping in herself.

Over and over.

And over.

Liliana was not so much a fan. Hopefully we’ll win her over during the summer.

Oh yea, and sorry that I haven’t been commenting on any blogs. I’m a bit overwhelmed and behind in reading, but I’ll get there!

Have a good night y’all. I’m off to hang out with ODB.

No, I’m not giving away a free XBOX. Sorry. BUT, Noah got one today. An XBOX 360. For free. I didn’t even have to steal it. It was a gift. He said it was the greatest day of his life, besides the day his daughter was born. What I want to know is What about our wedding day? Where does that rate? In third place after the day he got the XBOX 360?

We went to Wally World today to see if we could find some cheap games, but there were none (no interesting ones anyway) to be found. Our Wally World kind of sucks. Nine more days until we leave to live in a real city. Woot. I did see Rock Band there though. I love that game. Seriously, so much fun. I told Noah he could get it for me with his birthday money. He wasn’t too stoked about that idea.

I went back to work today. Apparently yesterday was more of a food poisoning problem than a flu problem, or so says my nutritionist friend. Whatever it was, I’m just glad it’s 95% gone. While being in bed all day watching the original Star Wars movies is relaxing between bathroom breaks and stomach convulsions, I’d rather be at work.

After dinner, Ann called me and asked me to go for a walk with her and Tam. I’m pretty much always up for a walk. I also wanted an opportunity to take some last photos of my home town.

This is the view off our back deck. The neighbors behind us were having a barbeque on their deck and probably thought I was shooting them instead of the mountains.

It’s always awkward when some stranger has a camera pointed at you.

The lovely Ann. I made her push Liliana in the stroller so I could go on with my photography addiction.

The girls. Kaylie, Michaela, Kendra. They’ve been three peas in a pod lately.

Liliana absolutely loves animals. She was loving on Riley, but was also guarding her soother with her life. Tam took it for safe-keeping.

“Oooooo. What big paws you have, Riley!”

Liliana just wanted to be one of the big girls. I let her chase after them for a bit.

They totally ignored her, as you can tell.

We left the girls (except Liliana) with Tam’s husband at the soccer fields and went for a nice stroll up the hill. It was anything but a nice stroll, it was more like back-breaking labor, but we made it half way up.

And eventually we made it to the top. You can see the soccer fields way down below.

I wish it wasn’t so cloudy so you could take in the greatness of the mountains, which was the whole point of these pictures. Alas, I may have to trek up this hill again and shoot them on a nicer, less cloudy day.

Can you see Kaylie?

My home town.

I’m sure going to miss it.

Today is a list day.

1. Blog friends are AWESOME!

A little while ago, I participated in one of OMSH’s Color Me Happy Swaparoonis. It was an organizing swap. I received a sweet gift from Citystreams and put it to good use. BUT THEN! She decided that wasn’t enough and she sent me a WHOLE BOX of goodies for the WHOLE family! She wrapped each gift in tissue paper and had a note on each one. It was incredibly sweet!

Liliana got a totally sweet pop-up book that she loved instantly.

Kaylie got a gift as well, but she was on a play date when I opened the package, and then I was doing dishes when she came home and Noah put her to bed, so she’ll have to open her gift tomorrow.

Noah usually thinks my whole blogging world is quite nerdy. He totally supports the blogging thing, and likes reading what I have to write, but still thinks it’s nerdy. When he found out that I swapped gifts with my blog friends, he though I was even nerdier. AND THEN! He got a gift!

He received a John Grisham novel (he LOVES reading) and this insulated beverage holder thingy. We’re quite sarcastically witty with each other (in a loving way), so it fit perfectly!

She sent me some sweet note pads

including a magnetic grocery list. I was giddy with excitement when I saw this. It annoys me to no end when I can’t find a scrap piece of paper to write my grocery list on, and I hate forgetting things. So, this can stay on the fridge so I can’t lose it!

Thank you so much Citystreams!

2. Noah is on a liquid diet

Yesterday, my darling husband had both his wisdom teeth pulled on the right side. He’s a little swollen still and hasn’t been able to eat anything besides yogurt and frozen yogurt. Tonight he had some tomato soup to take a break from the sweets, and we went to Wal*mart to try and find some inventive non-lumpy things for him to eat. As soon as he heals, he’s going in to get the other two pulled (on the 23rd).

I am totally not envious. I got all four of mine taken out at the same time, so I’m not sure why they’re not doing that to him. It’s bad enough getting it done once, but going in again? Pure torture.

3. Weekend packing party

While we were at Wal*mart this evening, I picked up some disposable plates, bowls, and utensils for our last week(s) here. This weekend is my last weekend for packing, since next weekend is my grandma’s 80th birthday and I have a whole schwak of family coming into town and the weekend after that, we’re gone!

4. We FINALLY made it to the beach!

Kaylie’s only been asking to go since December. Since I assumed (rightly so) that Noah would need some time to rest after having his teeth extracted, I took the girls on a trip to the beach. I have many more pictures to share with you, but I’m simply too exhausted to edit them at the moment. I’ll post them tomorrow.

We don’t go to the lake all that often, but I’m still going to miss it. It’s totally gorgeous and the lake bottom is pure sand, no sea weed (at this particular site).

Also, I’d better enjoy the mountains while I can, as it’s going to be quite a while before I see them again. It’s a good thing I’m not one of those BC people who hates non-mountainous areas, because Saskatchewan is flatter than a pancake.

I love it.