I love having a mini-van (except for the fact that it is junk in the snow!). I love having the space for everyone and everything! Steve was anti for quite a long time but he's coming around. What I don't love is that with more room comes more MESS! I cannot believe how quickly my van gets filled with "stuff". I cleaned it last Thursday because someone was borrowing it to take the YM down to Youth Conference. There was no way I was letting my van go in the condition it was in. It took me over an hour to clean it. I could not believe how much stuff I found. Vacuuming is a bit of a pain because you have to get into every little crevice.
I found LOADS of cheerios (my bad for giving them to Lindy as breakfast on the way to school) books, gloves, hats, money(mostly change, I was disappointed), barbies, polly pockets, scriptures (yes we are that righteous), 9 different water bottles (I'd been bugging Steve just that morning if he had any in his truck and I didn't believe him, whoops), wrappers, baggies, bits and pieces of "things", socks, hairbands, a jacket of Lindy's, shoes, hair ponies, etc...
I won't continue because I'm sure I've horrified you enough. I didn't even know my van could fit all of that stuff! I felt so happy when it was clean! Cleaning always gives me a certain feeling of pride and joy (don't tell my Mom). And then I felt a bleak realization that I had to enjoy the clean for the moment because it doesn't last long. As hard as I try, "things" miraculously end up back in the van and I'll have to do it again in a few weeks.
But for now I will enjoy that I can see the floor and enjoy the Clean in my Van!
PS. And I was so excited because I found my sunglasses which I thought I had lost under one of the seats, that was the highlight of my day!
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Thursday, 21 April 2011
The Hairstylist
So this is a little bit of catch up because this actually happened a few days ago but I still wanted to share.
Lindy came home from school last week and I noticed that her hair looked different. It took me a few minutes but then I asked her if she had cut her hair. She replied that she hadn't. I thought I was going crazy so I left it. When I went to do her hair the next day I definitely noticed that she had some bangs cut, so I asked her again and she told me that maybe the boys at school had cut it. I was confused and asked some more questions. She ended up telling me the name of the one who had done the cutting. But I was still suspicious so I talked to Mrs. Campbell (her K teacher) when we got to school. I guess during the day the students were talked to (no fingers pointed) and no one fessed up to the hair styling. Steve picked up Lindy from school that day so I didn't get to talk to Mrs. Campbell again, she told him that she didn't know who did it but that all the students were clear about NOT cutting hair with the scissors in the classroom. So Steve plays detective asking Lindy some questions on the way home and I guess something he said got her to tell him what really happened. I guess she had been cutting at the craft table and had her head bent down a little close to the scissors and she had an accident. She was too afraid to tell her teacher (thinking that she would get in trouble) and then afraid to tell us too.
This allowed for us to have some very good conversation with her about honesty. I told her that she wouldn't have gotten in trouble if she just told us the truth right away, I was obviously disappointed by her mistake in cutting her hair because her hair grows soooo slowly. I explained that lying about it and blaming someone else would get her into trouble. She felt really bad for telling us a lie and for blaming her friends for doing something that hadn't happened. She also felt bad for cutting her hair because she knew her Daddy didn't want anyone to cut her hair. (He tried telling her that her hair was like Rapunzel and would turn brown if it got cut because it is so beautiful).
I know that there will come a time when I will have to punish even if they tell us the truth about something that happened. I hope that she will remember this experience and learn from it. I hope I will too.
And really as you can see by the picture it wasn't really that bad, it could have been alot worse. I count a blessing there that she just slightly cut her bangs instead of her eyelashes like I did when I was her age. Or like my sister Dana who cut my pony tail off with the grass clippers. It could always be worse I guess.
Lindy came home from school last week and I noticed that her hair looked different. It took me a few minutes but then I asked her if she had cut her hair. She replied that she hadn't. I thought I was going crazy so I left it. When I went to do her hair the next day I definitely noticed that she had some bangs cut, so I asked her again and she told me that maybe the boys at school had cut it. I was confused and asked some more questions. She ended up telling me the name of the one who had done the cutting. But I was still suspicious so I talked to Mrs. Campbell (her K teacher) when we got to school. I guess during the day the students were talked to (no fingers pointed) and no one fessed up to the hair styling. Steve picked up Lindy from school that day so I didn't get to talk to Mrs. Campbell again, she told him that she didn't know who did it but that all the students were clear about NOT cutting hair with the scissors in the classroom. So Steve plays detective asking Lindy some questions on the way home and I guess something he said got her to tell him what really happened. I guess she had been cutting at the craft table and had her head bent down a little close to the scissors and she had an accident. She was too afraid to tell her teacher (thinking that she would get in trouble) and then afraid to tell us too.
This allowed for us to have some very good conversation with her about honesty. I told her that she wouldn't have gotten in trouble if she just told us the truth right away, I was obviously disappointed by her mistake in cutting her hair because her hair grows soooo slowly. I explained that lying about it and blaming someone else would get her into trouble. She felt really bad for telling us a lie and for blaming her friends for doing something that hadn't happened. She also felt bad for cutting her hair because she knew her Daddy didn't want anyone to cut her hair. (He tried telling her that her hair was like Rapunzel and would turn brown if it got cut because it is so beautiful).
I know that there will come a time when I will have to punish even if they tell us the truth about something that happened. I hope that she will remember this experience and learn from it. I hope I will too.
And really as you can see by the picture it wasn't really that bad, it could have been alot worse. I count a blessing there that she just slightly cut her bangs instead of her eyelashes like I did when I was her age. Or like my sister Dana who cut my pony tail off with the grass clippers. It could always be worse I guess.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
3 sets of twins
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Date Night
So Steve and I went out for date night last night. My wonderful Auntie Daphne said that she would babysit for us (so nice not to have to pay someone). She and all the girls survived although I think she was pretty tired. When you don't have 3 kids all the time, a short time can be quite tiring. I live on tired so I'm used to it.
I didn't really ask Steve what he wanted to do I just told him to get changed and let's go. We went to a new (to me) restaurant in town called Smokin' Georges. I thought it was pretty good, not as good as I had heard it to be but we both enjoyed our meal.
Then I took Steve to the mall. SHOPPING!!!! One of his favorite things to do I am sure. But he quite happily came into Reitman's while I tried on jeans, he read the magazines that were there looking up when I came out. We just walked around the whole mall, going into a store if we wanted. I know it may seem like a simply luxury but we haven't been the mall just the 2 of us in a long time. When I have kids with me, we take a direct route to where we need to go and that's it! We got him some new white dress shirts (desperately needed them), we went and tried on shoes (so nice) and we just walked around talking and being together. We finished off our exciting evening with heading to Walmart to get some Easter shopping done, I am very excited for the girls :) I also made him go in the photo booth for pictures (which will be posted as soon as I figure out how to scan and post)
I really appreciate being able to go out with Steve for a few short hours. He said that him working away has been good for our relationship because we appreciate each other more. In some ways I agree but others, I am the one who gets to be a single Mom when he is gone. I love my Steve and am so grateful to be married to him. Some times I remember being a teenager at youth dances and seeing Steve sitting at the "Port Alberni" table or dancing, thinking "Oh, he is so dreamy!" (OK, I don't know if that is what I thought but you get the idea). I get butterflies in my stomach when I think that of all the girls he picked me and I got to marry Dreamy Steve Hobbs. But my friend Sarah says to me that she thinks that HE is lucky because of all the boys, I picked him and he got to marry Dreamy Leah Tyskerud. We both got lucky I guess!
I didn't really ask Steve what he wanted to do I just told him to get changed and let's go. We went to a new (to me) restaurant in town called Smokin' Georges. I thought it was pretty good, not as good as I had heard it to be but we both enjoyed our meal.
Then I took Steve to the mall. SHOPPING!!!! One of his favorite things to do I am sure. But he quite happily came into Reitman's while I tried on jeans, he read the magazines that were there looking up when I came out. We just walked around the whole mall, going into a store if we wanted. I know it may seem like a simply luxury but we haven't been the mall just the 2 of us in a long time. When I have kids with me, we take a direct route to where we need to go and that's it! We got him some new white dress shirts (desperately needed them), we went and tried on shoes (so nice) and we just walked around talking and being together. We finished off our exciting evening with heading to Walmart to get some Easter shopping done, I am very excited for the girls :) I also made him go in the photo booth for pictures (which will be posted as soon as I figure out how to scan and post)
I really appreciate being able to go out with Steve for a few short hours. He said that him working away has been good for our relationship because we appreciate each other more. In some ways I agree but others, I am the one who gets to be a single Mom when he is gone. I love my Steve and am so grateful to be married to him. Some times I remember being a teenager at youth dances and seeing Steve sitting at the "Port Alberni" table or dancing, thinking "Oh, he is so dreamy!" (OK, I don't know if that is what I thought but you get the idea). I get butterflies in my stomach when I think that of all the girls he picked me and I got to marry Dreamy Steve Hobbs. But my friend Sarah says to me that she thinks that HE is lucky because of all the boys, I picked him and he got to marry Dreamy Leah Tyskerud. We both got lucky I guess!
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Teething Babies
I am sitting here listening to Renae cry. She is teething and there isn't much else I can do for her. She will not settle down when I hold her, I've given her some medicine, a bottle, changed her pj's and diaper, so I put her in her crib. I feel so bad for them when they are teething and uncomfortable. I hope her teeth cut through quickly for her sake (and mine). Her little cheeks get all red and her nose has been running so much the last couple days. This morning when Nicole was taking a bath with Renae I hear her call out "Mom, there is too much snot!". I hear you on that one :) My Poor Baby!
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Caramel Corn and Miss Underwear
So I have a serious addiction......homemade caramel popcorn! I can't help myself, and lets be honest, it doesn't have to be homemade, the caramel corn from Kernals is super good too. I made it all the time when I was pregnant with Renae (which also contributed to the weight gain) and I haven't had it in months, then last week when Steve was gone I thought I would make it and I've made it 2 more times. Ahhhhh, I need to stop! It tastes sooo good but makes me feel so sick, when will I ever learn. It also is halting the work I've been doing on losing my baby weight. It also doesn't help that Nicole really likes it too and she asks for the "sticky popcorn" and so I justify making it for her. HA! Who am I kidding?
So I am making a resolution to NOT make it anymore. I need to get healthier again and get myself back on track and late night caramel popcorn is one of the worst things for me (although my mouth fills with saliva at the thought of it, how pathetic am I)
NEW TOPIC : So I took Lindy to her swim class tonight and Steve was home with the other girls. He told me that he was getting Renae to crawl around, playing with her and then all of a sudden Nicole comes out wearing her underwear (thankfully they were clean) on her head/face like a ski mask. Steve starts laughing, calls her Miss Underwear and Nicole starts laughing too. She still had the underwear on her head when I got home 15 minutes later and she proudly showed me. I laughed so hard cause she is SO STINKING CUTE!!!!
Renae has cut 2 new teeth this week, she has also figured out that when she bites me I yell and she thinks that is funny so she was teasing me today. She would bite me then look up smiling to get a reaction out of me. She did this like 5 times in a row and starts laughing, oh good another cheeky one!!!!!
The original Miss Underwear taken by Steve, isn't she adorable!
A couple days later, they both decided this was a funny idea so here we go again!
And then OF COURSE we needed to put the underwear on Renae's head too! She took them off pretty quick!
So I am making a resolution to NOT make it anymore. I need to get healthier again and get myself back on track and late night caramel popcorn is one of the worst things for me (although my mouth fills with saliva at the thought of it, how pathetic am I)
NEW TOPIC : So I took Lindy to her swim class tonight and Steve was home with the other girls. He told me that he was getting Renae to crawl around, playing with her and then all of a sudden Nicole comes out wearing her underwear (thankfully they were clean) on her head/face like a ski mask. Steve starts laughing, calls her Miss Underwear and Nicole starts laughing too. She still had the underwear on her head when I got home 15 minutes later and she proudly showed me. I laughed so hard cause she is SO STINKING CUTE!!!!
Renae has cut 2 new teeth this week, she has also figured out that when she bites me I yell and she thinks that is funny so she was teasing me today. She would bite me then look up smiling to get a reaction out of me. She did this like 5 times in a row and starts laughing, oh good another cheeky one!!!!!
The original Miss Underwear taken by Steve, isn't she adorable!
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Parenting 101
So this morning was rather challenging to say the least. I had one of those times when I question my decisions as a parent. Lindy was being really difficult with getting dressed and ready for the day. She started with arguing which escalated into crying and arguing, which woke Nicole up, frustrating me. She was supposed to go for a play date at a friends house after school and I told her if she didn't relax and start listening that she wouldn't be able to go. She made her choice and I had to follow through. I felt disappointed for her that she wasn't able to go to her friends house but how else will they learn if we don't allow opportunities to choose and receive consequences. It is REALLY hard following through sometimes. I told her we would try again next week if she could show me what a good listener she could be, so we'll see how she does. At one point she told me to call Daddy and ask him, which I thought was funny because I knew Steve would never have let her still go on a play date after speaking to me the way she had. I love her so much and felt sad that she felt she needed to act like that. I hope she learned from this morning and we don't have any more repeats.
On another note, Renae bum scooted (her version of crawling) all the way from her room to the kitchen. I put her in there to play and the next thing I know she has made her way down the hall and is poking her head around the corner looking for me. She was so proud of herself!
I took Nicole to Strong Start for a bit this morning. We played in the gym for part of it. We played floor hockey and she was killing herself laughing when she was hitting the puck to me. I need to play more sports with my kids. I enjoy it and they totally love it too. I loved hearing her laugh and having fun!
I learn so much about myself as I parent and teach my children. I am grateful for them as they allow me to grow and improve. I really enjoyed the talk at Conference about developing more Christlike attributes in our parenting. It made me think and re-evaluate the way I talk to and treat my children. We all have areas to improve upon and it gave me some new goals to work on.
I just need to remind myself that ultimately I AM A GOOD MOM even when my children tell me differently. I love them and want them to be happy!
On another note, Renae bum scooted (her version of crawling) all the way from her room to the kitchen. I put her in there to play and the next thing I know she has made her way down the hall and is poking her head around the corner looking for me. She was so proud of herself!
I took Nicole to Strong Start for a bit this morning. We played in the gym for part of it. We played floor hockey and she was killing herself laughing when she was hitting the puck to me. I need to play more sports with my kids. I enjoy it and they totally love it too. I loved hearing her laugh and having fun!
I learn so much about myself as I parent and teach my children. I am grateful for them as they allow me to grow and improve. I really enjoyed the talk at Conference about developing more Christlike attributes in our parenting. It made me think and re-evaluate the way I talk to and treat my children. We all have areas to improve upon and it gave me some new goals to work on.
I just need to remind myself that ultimately I AM A GOOD MOM even when my children tell me differently. I love them and want them to be happy!
Monday, 11 April 2011
Night Shift
So Steve has been working away in Campbell River for the last 5 weeks, leaves Sunday afternoon and back early Thursday morning. I was really nervous about him being gone so much and me being alone with the kids but it has gone by pretty fast. This is his last week (hopefully) and we are all miraculously still alive!
It has been hard, especially bedtime, but I think it has been good for my relationship with my kids. I'm kinda soft with them and they are learning to listen better. Some may disagree but I feel that things have been better. Bedtime is soooo much better now. I started a Reward Chart for staying in bed, doing extra chores, and special acts of kindness. Lindy and Nicole have LOVED that. They are constantly counting their stickers to see how many they have and how many more they need.
I think we always appreciate things more when we don't have them all the time and these past few weeks has totally made me appreciate Steve more. Parenting is alot easier with 2 people. I have had some wonderful friends who have helped me out a few times. I crazily signed them up for swim lesson, ballet and soccer, so some days have been pretty busy.
Nicole said to me in the car when we were driving "Mom, when we are in a time out we are in a time and we are in a time out right?!". "Yes Nicole that is right". So I guess something is working.
I am so happy for this week to be over!
My delightful little girls posing for me, I just love them sooooo much!
It has been hard, especially bedtime, but I think it has been good for my relationship with my kids. I'm kinda soft with them and they are learning to listen better. Some may disagree but I feel that things have been better. Bedtime is soooo much better now. I started a Reward Chart for staying in bed, doing extra chores, and special acts of kindness. Lindy and Nicole have LOVED that. They are constantly counting their stickers to see how many they have and how many more they need.
I think we always appreciate things more when we don't have them all the time and these past few weeks has totally made me appreciate Steve more. Parenting is alot easier with 2 people. I have had some wonderful friends who have helped me out a few times. I crazily signed them up for swim lesson, ballet and soccer, so some days have been pretty busy.
Nicole said to me in the car when we were driving "Mom, when we are in a time out we are in a time and we are in a time out right?!". "Yes Nicole that is right". So I guess something is working.
I am so happy for this week to be over!
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Blogger Virgin
So, after ALOT of peer pressure I decided to set up my own blog. I have no idea what I will share with the blogging world or how to even do this. It took me a few tries just to set up a page, I am still alittle confused. Whoever said it was easy needs to come over and help me :)
I just want you to know that I love my family, I think my children are hilariously challenging and I enjoy my job as a Mom. But lets be honest, sometimes we would enjoy a break and that is what I got a little of this weekend. I turned 30 on Friday and I got to go out for 2 meals and then again on Saturday night with some girlfriends.I also had my Aunt come over to do some Spa treatments, which was heavenly. I definitely got some "Leah" time this weekend. I hate feeling lost in the busyness of our life, so it's nice to take of the Mom/Wife hat and be me for a while. I had so much fun with my family and friends. I laughed a lot and I really needed that! So thanks for all those who came out.
Steve got me a balloon bouquet, the first time ever since we've been married. No prompting from my Mom either!
The girls insisted on helping me blow out my candles, of course
Me and my Steve. Note: This was like Take 5 because he thinks making funny faces is helpful
Me and my girls, really turning 30 wasn't too bad!
I just want you to know that I love my family, I think my children are hilariously challenging and I enjoy my job as a Mom. But lets be honest, sometimes we would enjoy a break and that is what I got a little of this weekend. I turned 30 on Friday and I got to go out for 2 meals and then again on Saturday night with some girlfriends.I also had my Aunt come over to do some Spa treatments, which was heavenly. I definitely got some "Leah" time this weekend. I hate feeling lost in the busyness of our life, so it's nice to take of the Mom/Wife hat and be me for a while. I had so much fun with my family and friends. I laughed a lot and I really needed that! So thanks for all those who came out.
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