A new look

So...how do you like the new look? Much thanks to Niki over at coastalslingmommy for the link. Off to the Sunshine Coast with 250+ youth for the weekend...pray for me!

I'm back....

And I bet you didn't even know I was gone. Yep, I'm a jet setter. Dashing off to hot spots like Edmonton and Calgary for the day. Next month...Winnipeg for the weekend! Whoo and Hoo!

I am beginning to realize something about these "day" trips to other provinces. It's hard. Yes, it's cool to stroll through the airport, coffee in hand, carry-on bag in the other, whisking through check in, sitting down and perusing the paper at my leisure. Just worrying about myself getting on board and buckling just one seat belt. Riding in taxis from one meeting to another. Having my job pay for everything from coffee to dinner....wait a minute...where was I??? Oh yes. The hard part. Here it is:

It is exhausting! Because Pookie and Bear tend to need me a lot, I try to do a massive amount in a very short time so that they can either wake up with me there or have me tuck them in. Take my trip to Edmonton yesterday. I woke up at 4:30 AM. Showered, dressed and ate a banana. Realized that I forgot to buy ground beef for dinner like I promised my mother. (who was watching the girls at our house that afternoon). So, off I went at 4:55 AM to our local 24 hour grocery store, which, of course, did not have any ground beef in stock. Came home, got the stroller out of the van and into our house, and ate something else. By 5:30, I was headed to the airport, parked in long term parking (about a kilometer from airport) and walked in. Took a 7 am flight to Edmonton that sat on the tarmac for 1/2 hour then informed us that they were taking us to Calgary instead. Edmonton had too much fog. At the very last moment in the air, Edmonton's fog lifted and we landed. It was a little bumpy and I think the coffee and juice I consumed, along with pretzels was not such a good idea. I was running late, so I jumped into a cab. My driver was, um, enthusiastic in his driving. He also have 4 brand new 'vanilla' trees and the heat cranked. Needless to say, it didn't help the coffe/juice/pretzel thing going on in my stomach. Arrived at my first meeting at 10:30, a little green. Had to leave meeting 1/2 way through for bathroom break. Very smooth. Made it through first meeting by noon. Then got a ride to the other side of Edmonton, into Skid Row. Dropped off 45 min early. Decided to walk and find lunch in hopes that my head and stomach would settle. Had to walk 35 mins into the city to find food. In -20 degree sunshine. Had excellent meeting with inner city ministry and a guy from a camp. Got a ride to airport from camp guy, who circled in the city for 20 min before finding his way out to the airport. 3pm at airport. Bought girls a caramel/smartie apple. Crashed for 1 hour on bench. Woke up to find my morning meeting guy sitting across from me headed to Vancouver. Ate chicken noodle soup. Sat in emergency exit row with a nice guy a seat away. 10 sec before the flight was ready to take off, a man about 5' 4" demanded to sit in the middle seat because he needed the leg room. He then proceeded to take both armrests. Sweet. 6:30pm, arrive in Vancouver. Decide to offer morning meeting guy a ride to his hotel room. Home at 7:15pm to hug, kiss and tuck my girls in. 8:30pm in bed.

Here are the things I learned:

• I need to get more than 5 hours sleep
• Buy ground beef the day before
• I pack better for my kids than for myself. I had no gloves or hat in -20 degree weather
• Short men may have issues
• It is always good to offer rides to colleagues, especially when they out rank you
• It is so important to be home in time to kiss my girls and tell them that I love them

Superstar Hubby!!!

Earlier this week, Hubby and I had one of "those" conversations about our marriage. You know, the kind of conversation that makes you squirm, panic and want to throw up? Any way, we shared about those hidden expectations that we have for each other, our marriage and our family. The hidden expectations that neither of us knew about but expected the other to fulfill? I know, good relationship stuff...

So, the day before Valentines, hubby came home with flowers for all his girls. Very cute and the girls loved it. Pookie, Bear and I had spent the week crafting cards for everyone we knew, and I had also bought the girls a card and chocolate. We all worked on Daddy's candy & cookie jar. Valentine morning, we exchanged cards with the girls and I gave hubby his present...but there was nothing for me. Not a super big deal since I had gotten flowers the night before.

So, that night I came home late with the girls. We put them to bed and I went to my bedroom to change. When I came back to the living room, hubby had set up a little table with flowers, candles, champagne glasses, a bottle of 'special' juice and homemade chocolate covered strawberries. Very sweet. We had a chance to share about our day (hubby's secret expectation) and just be with each other. I love this man. He loves me and the girls enough to start awkward conversations and to try to live up to my 'secret' expectations. I am one lucky woman.

Super Saturday!

We made it through our "Super Saturday" of soccer registration, a skating birthday party, ballet class and a swimming birthday party. I had to forgo my basketball tourney because my hubby was puking all Friday and Saturday. (He is 0 for 2 this week, first missing my birthday, then making me miss my game! He has 1 more chance with Valentines!)

It was fun spending ALL that time with the girls, but we were wiped by the time we got home at 7 pm. We barely managed bathtime and the girls were asleep before they hit the pillows. I curled up on the couch to watch the hockey game with hubby and was asleep before he could ask me if I wanted a cup of tea. Exciting lives we lead!

On a different note, we are "losing our marbles" along with the Frews. We'll see if it works!

Lent and turning 34

I'm a firm believer that too many things/celebrations on one day can ruin a day. Take this coming Saturday for example, we have 2 birthday parties - 1 for each girl, a ballet class, soccer registration and my alumni basketball tournament. That is a lot for a day. We have to bring on hired help to manage this day! It is ridiculous.

This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday(the beginning of Lent), Chinese New Year and my 34th birthday. So what did I do??? Nothing. Nada. Didn't celebrate my birthday because hubby dear was away at a conference. (Although a friend made me a beautiful chocolate cake at our single moms group) Forgot Lent and didn't think of what to give up. Realized it was Chinese New Year when Pookie came home with a lucky red envelope from preschool.

Missing these events is not the end of the world, I get that. But, it did make me sit back and think about our lives and how busy they can get.

I wonder if I can give up busy-ness for Lent???...

Words of wisdom from a 4 year old

At the dinner table during a particularily rough meal...and me sitting with my head in my hands...

Bear: Mama? Whatcha doing?

Pookie: SHHH!! Mama is praising the Lord!!!!

Me: I wasn't before but I am sure am now! Along with much laughter...