Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Red Letter Day!
This will be short, but sweet. We got the letter in the mail today informing us that Big E's second semester of school, with some living expenses, will be covered by the Alberta government in the form of a grant!!! WAHOO!! That is one major stress off the table. Big E not going to school for the second semester was never an option....how we would pay for it without the grant was what we were debating...(Hear they are hiring at the Beef Baron....lol). So, yeah us!!...actually yeah us x 2 because you don't have to pay back a grant! Anyhoo...keep coming back for more updates on our amazingly interesting lives....we're a soap opera unto ourselves!! :)
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Pantry Delight
After the elves dropped off our Christmas bounty I waited a few days (because I needed Big 'E's help unloading) to completely unpack everything. I took the opportunity to completely clear out the pantry. Big E hauled everything out and cleaned the pantry cupboard (bless his sweet soul) and categorized everything as he pulled it out. I came home to packed counters, but all the baking stuff was together, all liquids (or things that would become liquid - like hot chocolate powder), and all miscellaneous stuff were grouped together making it much easier for me to re-organize.
Big E has no illusions on my organizing abilities, he knows I need all the help I can get!! :) I even went all out and did the top of the fridge as well.
I was reading a blog and they had a "Which X-Man are you?" quiz...so I took it (I'm Storm...kinda cool). I'm a sucker for these things...I know which Harry Potter character I am, which Star Wars character I'd be (Princess Leia for those who want to know), I'm always interested in who I'd be if I lived in TV land! So, here's your chance...there's only about 8 questions so it's one of the shortest quizes on the 'net. Let me know...Which X-Man are you?
Big E has no illusions on my organizing abilities, he knows I need all the help I can get!! :) I even went all out and did the top of the fridge as well.
I was reading a blog and they had a "Which X-Man are you?" quiz...so I took it (I'm Storm...kinda cool). I'm a sucker for these things...I know which Harry Potter character I am, which Star Wars character I'd be (Princess Leia for those who want to know), I'm always interested in who I'd be if I lived in TV land! So, here's your chance...there's only about 8 questions so it's one of the shortest quizes on the 'net. Let me know...Which X-Man are you?
| You Are Storm |
 Exotic and powerful, Storm descended from a line of African priestesses. Emotions can effect your powers, but you are generally serene. Powers: controlling weather, creating winds that lift you into flight, generating lightning |
The Forgotten Carols
It seems like only a few days ago I was doing a post...wait, IT WAS! :) Well, our lives have been busy enough lately to justify another Zea update. Big 'E's Musical (The Forgotten Carols) went REALLY well. Here is a video clip of his part of the show. His was the only group singing without any kind of music in the background, not even to help lead them into their song. They did only one practice all together as a group before performing 3 times. Way to go guys! The whole performance was great, kudos to all who performed and directed and sang. Big E invited a number of people from school, but wasn't able to catch them before they had to go. He is looking forward to hearing their reactions on Monday. As enjoyable as the experience has been for him, he is grateful it is over and he can fully concentrate on his school assignments once again. His schedule lately has been quite hectic and this will be one major thing off of his plate. I too will be happy it is over because I hate to see him trying to struggle through his days on so little sleep! One of the men in the group is a dentist and so they had lots of time to talk about dentistry school, costs, schedules, costs, oh, and did I mention COSTS?! Big E couldn't fall asleep one night because rolling around in his head was the total cost of dentistry school (a mere $200,000), living expenses (he informed me calmly that we would have to sell the place we are in now and move into residence because with subsidy we would only pay $100/month), and the fact that they only accepted 33 dentists into the program this past year.
Now, I do admit that all of those things should be considered...eventually, but not yet! First steps first I reminded my dear husband. First the pre-dental program, THEN dental school. I didn't even bat an eye at the $200,000 estimate (not bad considering I was almost asleep myself and as a student's wife am pretty tight with the $$$ anyway). So, he has calmed down again and is ready to just focus on his courses right now, and has stopped worrying about the grand total. Whew. Honestly, too much dwelling on such large numbers is likely to give someone an ulcer!
Little E is continuing to be a lot of fun and VERY busy. It's a good thing he won't be an only child (soon I'll get to write about a Little B!!), he's just too cute and he'd get away with way too much! Time out's are kind of funny....for him, not for me. For some reason he thinks they're a hoot. I put on my no-nonsense-face and he laughs away. Heaven help me...what do you do with a child who thinks time outs are FUN!? I don't know, I've tried doing them different ways hoping one of them will make an impression....no luck so far. Corners, floor, special chair...nada, he still laughs. I used to babysit a little boy one month older than Little E and HE understood time out's, but not Little E. :) Good thing I don't have to administer them very often...and maybe that's the root of the problem.
I'm sure many of you are wondering about our condo and the current tenants. First, may I say that Ontario has some very wacky rental laws. I am moving back to London in March. Our tenants have been given their 60 days notice and are supposed to move out at the end of January. That may happen sooner as they haven't paid rent for the last 2 months...and I'm not expecting they will pay December's rent either. What a pickle, you are thinking, and you'd be right! They've got it pretty good, living in my lovely condo, for FREE! The management company has sent the paperwork to the rental governing body (the Tribunal), and what will likely happen is they will be given a date to get paid up. If they pay up by that date, then they will be allowed to stay until the end of January. However, if they miss the date and don't pay then the sheriff (for $300) will lock the door and they will be out. After all of this stress and stress, and did I mention STRESS, I'm not sure which to wish for....that they pay the money we really need them to pay...or that they move out earlier (and end up owing less). If they're kicked out I'm waiting for the local paper to pick up the story about some poor disadvantaged family kicked out of their house so close to Christmas and in the winter....and if they do, I want a chance for rebuttal....about the disadvantaged family going crazy trying to pay their own rent ON TOP of their tenant's rent....this poor little family with a toddler and baby on the way, who's husband is in school and working at 3am trying to make ends meet...well, you can see where I'd be going with this. :) Enjoy the video clip, and until next time dear reader...enjoy life!
Now, I do admit that all of those things should be considered...eventually, but not yet! First steps first I reminded my dear husband. First the pre-dental program, THEN dental school. I didn't even bat an eye at the $200,000 estimate (not bad considering I was almost asleep myself and as a student's wife am pretty tight with the $$$ anyway). So, he has calmed down again and is ready to just focus on his courses right now, and has stopped worrying about the grand total. Whew. Honestly, too much dwelling on such large numbers is likely to give someone an ulcer!
Little E is continuing to be a lot of fun and VERY busy. It's a good thing he won't be an only child (soon I'll get to write about a Little B!!), he's just too cute and he'd get away with way too much! Time out's are kind of funny....for him, not for me. For some reason he thinks they're a hoot. I put on my no-nonsense-face and he laughs away. Heaven help me...what do you do with a child who thinks time outs are FUN!? I don't know, I've tried doing them different ways hoping one of them will make an impression....no luck so far. Corners, floor, special chair...nada, he still laughs. I used to babysit a little boy one month older than Little E and HE understood time out's, but not Little E. :) Good thing I don't have to administer them very often...and maybe that's the root of the problem.
I'm sure many of you are wondering about our condo and the current tenants. First, may I say that Ontario has some very wacky rental laws. I am moving back to London in March. Our tenants have been given their 60 days notice and are supposed to move out at the end of January. That may happen sooner as they haven't paid rent for the last 2 months...and I'm not expecting they will pay December's rent either. What a pickle, you are thinking, and you'd be right! They've got it pretty good, living in my lovely condo, for FREE! The management company has sent the paperwork to the rental governing body (the Tribunal), and what will likely happen is they will be given a date to get paid up. If they pay up by that date, then they will be allowed to stay until the end of January. However, if they miss the date and don't pay then the sheriff (for $300) will lock the door and they will be out. After all of this stress and stress, and did I mention STRESS, I'm not sure which to wish for....that they pay the money we really need them to pay...or that they move out earlier (and end up owing less). If they're kicked out I'm waiting for the local paper to pick up the story about some poor disadvantaged family kicked out of their house so close to Christmas and in the winter....and if they do, I want a chance for rebuttal....about the disadvantaged family going crazy trying to pay their own rent ON TOP of their tenant's rent....this poor little family with a toddler and baby on the way, who's husband is in school and working at 3am trying to make ends meet...well, you can see where I'd be going with this. :) Enjoy the video clip, and until next time dear reader...enjoy life!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Christmas is Coming!!
I've recently been reading the blog of another LDS mother with 4 (or 5) children. Two of her children are autistic. As I read what her day is like and what kind of things she has to do because of the autism I become humble and VERY thankful for my own challenges. Because, challenging as they may be, a least they are challenges I feel up to handling. Her challenges are far and beyond mine!
One of my recent challenges is Little 'E's tendancy to wake up in the middle of the night and stay awake, WIDE awake, for several hours. This is tough on both his parents. Especially his dad. Big 'E' has been practicing for his part in a Christmas musical, going to school, going to work, and being daddy. Getting up at 3am for work and staying up late for musical practices is taking its toll. He has also been sick with a cold. Through it all he has remained remarkably cheerful, helpful, and wonderful. Thank heaven's I married him!
My most recent trip to the doctor was encouraging. He told me that my blood pressure seems to have settled down and he has no worries. (Whew!) I will see him every two weeks from now on and we'll continue to keep an eye on things, but right now it looks like a textbook pregnancy.
Little 'E' has learned 2 new signs, Eat and Milk. This is in addition to, Bye, More, Finish. He's getting a nice little sign vocabulary....the only word he says so far is Mum. :) Heehee...obviously I'm not disappointed wih that! Here's a picture of him waving hello...
Elves came last night to drop off an early Christmas present. Supplies for the pantry and deep freezer!! Maybe you don't think it's that exciting...but student budgets allow for little extras and no wiggle room. We were ecstatic about the bounty! Now we are busy finding room for it on our shelves (We had no such issues with the freezer..lol...which previously held a few loaves of bread, some homemade panzerotties, and a couple of other things....LOTS of room there!!) Needless to say we are feeling a bit rich. So, a big thanks to the Elves for their delivery...and for Mr. and Mrs. Clause for setting it all up!! Hugs and kisses all around.
Now...I do have to explain about this picture, because now that I look at it, it looks like little 'E' is standing in a mess! He brought out the hanger, and the cracker on the floor on the other side is what he was eating, but threw down so that he could wave hello. :) Behind him is a box of books to go to the library and a bag of clothes to be donated to a local charity. Whew...now that's off my chest!
We don't have big plans for Christmas. We will visit with family and friends here in the West and talk on the phone to our loved ones out East. We are looking forward to seeing them in the new year sometime. We wish you all a Merry Christmas, Health, Love, Fun, and enough challenges that life seems interesting! :) Heaven knows if you're short on that last one, I've got some I'm willing to share!! Merry Christmas all.
One of my recent challenges is Little 'E's tendancy to wake up in the middle of the night and stay awake, WIDE awake, for several hours. This is tough on both his parents. Especially his dad. Big 'E' has been practicing for his part in a Christmas musical, going to school, going to work, and being daddy. Getting up at 3am for work and staying up late for musical practices is taking its toll. He has also been sick with a cold. Through it all he has remained remarkably cheerful, helpful, and wonderful. Thank heaven's I married him!
My most recent trip to the doctor was encouraging. He told me that my blood pressure seems to have settled down and he has no worries. (Whew!) I will see him every two weeks from now on and we'll continue to keep an eye on things, but right now it looks like a textbook pregnancy.
Little 'E' has learned 2 new signs, Eat and Milk. This is in addition to, Bye, More, Finish. He's getting a nice little sign vocabulary....the only word he says so far is Mum. :) Heehee...obviously I'm not disappointed wih that! Here's a picture of him waving hello...
Elves came last night to drop off an early Christmas present. Supplies for the pantry and deep freezer!! Maybe you don't think it's that exciting...but student budgets allow for little extras and no wiggle room. We were ecstatic about the bounty! Now we are busy finding room for it on our shelves (We had no such issues with the freezer..lol...which previously held a few loaves of bread, some homemade panzerotties, and a couple of other things....LOTS of room there!!) Needless to say we are feeling a bit rich. So, a big thanks to the Elves for their delivery...and for Mr. and Mrs. Clause for setting it all up!! Hugs and kisses all around.
Now...I do have to explain about this picture, because now that I look at it, it looks like little 'E' is standing in a mess! He brought out the hanger, and the cracker on the floor on the other side is what he was eating, but threw down so that he could wave hello. :) Behind him is a box of books to go to the library and a bag of clothes to be donated to a local charity. Whew...now that's off my chest!
We don't have big plans for Christmas. We will visit with family and friends here in the West and talk on the phone to our loved ones out East. We are looking forward to seeing them in the new year sometime. We wish you all a Merry Christmas, Health, Love, Fun, and enough challenges that life seems interesting! :) Heaven knows if you're short on that last one, I've got some I'm willing to share!! Merry Christmas all.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
November Blues
Well, it's almost 11:30pm on November 17th and I thought I'd catch up. Sorry, no pictures this time folks! This weekend has been crazy, with Eden sick (sore throat, headache, listlessness) and Ephraim sick (fever, throwing up), I have been playing doctor. We did get our grocery shopping done, but that's about it. Ephraim seemed better today, but Eden is still under the weather. Hopefully a good night's sleep will help.
I will be returning to London in March to live in our condo once again. I'm hoping that the current tenants haven't done too much damage. We know they had a fair number of animals and so I'm hoping the carpet is ok. I'm hoping all it really needs is some cleaning and painting and airing out. They are to move at the end of January, so hopefully all of those things can get done before I get there as I'll have Ephraim with me and the new little one. I don't really fancy trying to paint and do all of that with babes in tow....I suppose if that happens I may have to bunk down at Zea senior's or the Boyd farm until the condo is fixed up again. It will be nice to be there...I miss our condo! :)
Eden has applied for a grant to finish his schooling this year. We keep his nose to the grindstone between family, school, work, church, and extra curricular activities. He is in a musical this weekend called "The Forgotten Carols"...he is first tenor for the song, "Homeless". They are singing acappela (I don't think I've spelled that correctly) and I'm looking forward to hearing them. I'll be taking a picture of his beard that he's been growing...so he'd look more 'homeless'...and I'll post it before he shaves it all off. (IF he shaves...lol)
I've been enjoying work. It is so nice to be in charge of only 1 student. He is coming along nicely considering how young he is. Everyone keeps asking me what's going to happen when I leave on maternity. I feel a bit badly about leaving him hanging...I tell them that I'll just try to cram as much in during the time I have and hope they are able to find someone with some signing background to pick up where I leave off. I've been told twice in one week how unfortunate my family is expanding...at this particular time. Lol...oh well. I leave for my maternity leave at the end of January...and then I'll have a few months here before driving back East. I'm not sure yet exactly how that will work, my brother may come with me for company and to help drive..or there may be other options. I have to admit I'm not much looking forward to driving across country with a toddler and an infant. Oh well.
All in all, we're doing all right for now. Challenges are good...helps us to notice our blessings...the big ones and small ones. We are greatful we have somewhere to live here, and somewhere for me to live in London, for cars that run, stoves that work, families that help, friends that support, and each other to love.
I will be returning to London in March to live in our condo once again. I'm hoping that the current tenants haven't done too much damage. We know they had a fair number of animals and so I'm hoping the carpet is ok. I'm hoping all it really needs is some cleaning and painting and airing out. They are to move at the end of January, so hopefully all of those things can get done before I get there as I'll have Ephraim with me and the new little one. I don't really fancy trying to paint and do all of that with babes in tow....I suppose if that happens I may have to bunk down at Zea senior's or the Boyd farm until the condo is fixed up again. It will be nice to be there...I miss our condo! :)
Eden has applied for a grant to finish his schooling this year. We keep his nose to the grindstone between family, school, work, church, and extra curricular activities. He is in a musical this weekend called "The Forgotten Carols"...he is first tenor for the song, "Homeless". They are singing acappela (I don't think I've spelled that correctly) and I'm looking forward to hearing them. I'll be taking a picture of his beard that he's been growing...so he'd look more 'homeless'...and I'll post it before he shaves it all off. (IF he shaves...lol)
I've been enjoying work. It is so nice to be in charge of only 1 student. He is coming along nicely considering how young he is. Everyone keeps asking me what's going to happen when I leave on maternity. I feel a bit badly about leaving him hanging...I tell them that I'll just try to cram as much in during the time I have and hope they are able to find someone with some signing background to pick up where I leave off. I've been told twice in one week how unfortunate my family is expanding...at this particular time. Lol...oh well. I leave for my maternity leave at the end of January...and then I'll have a few months here before driving back East. I'm not sure yet exactly how that will work, my brother may come with me for company and to help drive..or there may be other options. I have to admit I'm not much looking forward to driving across country with a toddler and an infant. Oh well.
All in all, we're doing all right for now. Challenges are good...helps us to notice our blessings...the big ones and small ones. We are greatful we have somewhere to live here, and somewhere for me to live in London, for cars that run, stoves that work, families that help, friends that support, and each other to love.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Halloween 2007
A week ago Eden got up Saturday morning and went to start some work on the computer. He looked on the chair and thought, "Did Mary leave a doll on the chair?" He looked closer and realized it was Ephraim! He'd climbed out of his crib in the middle of the night and gone to the livingroom and then fallen asleep on the computer chair! We've moved the crib (once we realized how he'd gotten out), and he's back in his own bed...but whew...he'll be into a real bed in no time at all if that keeps up!
The weather for Halloween was great. Cool, but no wind, snow, rain or sleet. :) Ephraim and I went with a family we 
know in town while Eden stayed home to hand out candy. He'd hurt his foot and so wasn't up to doing too much walking anyway. Ephraim did about 5 houses, and then he'd had enough. He liked the whole candy concept, but wasn't keen on the costumes, strange doorways, and the hood of his own costume (a frog). Here are a few shots from that night...
We finished the night off by going through his "haul" and getting into the bath to get all the face paint off. He didn't have too much paint, he had trouble staying still while I tried to paint him. In fact, I tried to paint a tongue sticking out of his bottom lip, but because he was moving so much it just looks like I slugged him one in the chops! Lol!! He slept well that night.
Eden took another pregnant shot of me. T
ried a different angle and tighter pants to see if that made a difference...it helps a little...still looks more like chub than baby. Oh well. Next doctor appointment is the following week. At some point down the road I have the opportunity for another ultrasound...we'll look forward to those pictures as they are likely to be even clearer than the ones I posted last time. :)
We hope you are all having a wonderful Halloween week. And remember, if you know anyone looking for a condo in London Ontario...send them our way!!
The weather for Halloween was great. Cool, but no wind, snow, rain or sleet. :) Ephraim and I went with a family we 
know in town while Eden stayed home to hand out candy. He'd hurt his foot and so wasn't up to doing too much walking anyway. Ephraim did about 5 houses, and then he'd had enough. He liked the whole candy concept, but wasn't keen on the costumes, strange doorways, and the hood of his own costume (a frog). Here are a few shots from that night...
We finished the night off by going through his "haul" and getting into the bath to get all the face paint off. He didn't have too much paint, he had trouble staying still while I tried to paint him. In fact, I tried to paint a tongue sticking out of his bottom lip, but because he was moving so much it just looks like I slugged him one in the chops! Lol!! He slept well that night.
Eden took another pregnant shot of me. T
ried a different angle and tighter pants to see if that made a difference...it helps a little...still looks more like chub than baby. Oh well. Next doctor appointment is the following week. At some point down the road I have the opportunity for another ultrasound...we'll look forward to those pictures as they are likely to be even clearer than the ones I posted last time. :)We hope you are all having a wonderful Halloween week. And remember, if you know anyone looking for a condo in London Ontario...send them our way!!
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