Blessings big and small

Ok, I'm still trying to figure out how to get those darn pictures and video up on the last posting. I have not given up and indeed may have found the solution. I'll try it out tomorrow.

I have to share some recent blessings that have popped up in our lives here. Last night I tried to put Little E to bed to no avail. I gave up and with it the dream of some cleaning up and household repairs I was planning to do while he slept. Depressed, I eventually crashed with him in our bed. I figured Big E would finish his game and then come to bed because he is generally unconcerned by unfinished household-ish stuff. When I got up in the middle of the night to nurse Little B, I was not tripping over blocks..I looked around and he had cleaned the livingroom (and vacuumed it), done the kitchen and cleared the computer desk. I almost ran back to bed to kiss that man within an inch of his life I was that happy. Honestly, I married one of the most amazing guys I know. (I figure I get points just for choosing him...what does he get you ask?...my mood swings!! lol.)

Then the next morning I went to Olds. I travel there on Sundays to do some ASL interpreting for a mother and two children who are learning about the church. It was a good day. She REALLY enjoyed the R.S. lesson. Then I had lunch at a member's house before the missionaries came over and taught her a discussion. I told her all about my trials with Canadian Tire and the car and she told me about her truck breaking down. Driving home I realized that having only one car this week was going to be tricky as the boys had some appointments in town during the day. So...it's do-able, but involves Big E taking time off work, driving to get us, driving us in, driving us back, etc. Well, he had a ride home from a member at church...a generous man who when he found out our car died told Big E to drop him off at home and take his vehicle for the month. NO KIDDING! Ok, this is selflessness on a whole other level, one I'm not sure I could reach even standing on a stool! But it certainly gives me something to shoot for in the future. This is SO beyond awesome I don't even know how to explain how grateful, shocked and amazed I am. This must be what it means to have the windows of heaven opened, there is no other explanation. I am trying to think of a special way to express our thankfulness, if any of you have ideas, please send them on! (My best idea at this point is shaping the word THANKYOU out of rice crispie squares....they are a family with some little kids who would enjoy the treat.)

Small blessing?...Little B does not fuss with anyone in Olds. He will fuss later, he will fuss with some family members, but while I am interpreting he does not. What a cute, adorable, blessed little babe. We continue to feel lucky he joined us.

Little Boy days have arrived, gone are baby days

Hello again! What an eventful few days we've had. (And they've been rainy days as you can tell by Little E's outfit!) I hardly know where to begin. So, I'll begin with our car. Our lovely yellow Mazda. Two weeks ago we took it in to have our brakes and all things brake related checked/changed in preparation for driving to Ontario. (And because they were starting to squeak.) We went to Canadian Tire...well, I went under duress. I have not had good experiences there, neither have my parents. But I had never been to this particular Canadian Tire, so I was somewhat willing to give them a chance. They did their work and we went on our merry way. Fast forward 2 weeks and we are having some problems with the car. The gas mileage isn't so good and it starts to vibrate at a certain speed. Hmmm. We took it to a dealership who said the problem was the calipers, brakes and rotors. WHAT!?! They told us to take it back to the guys who had worked on it the first time as they should have changed the calipers and obviously hadn't. So, we did that. Back Big E headed back (this is now his second day of missing work over this) to Canadian Tire. The Manager there told him they would switch out the brake pads and rotors for free and also cover the labor for that (how NICE of him-inject extreme sarcasm), and he would give him a small discount on the labor to take out and replace the calipers. Hmm. I am not happy with that. So, I call to speak to him myself. He gives me the line about how they checked the calipers and they were fine 2 weeks ago. I questioned him on that, and pointed out that the mechanic at the dealership didn't agree with him. He wouldn't budge. Well...my mother and Oprah agree, "Never accept a no from someone not qualified to give you a yes." So, I asked to speak to a district manager. Well, I got all the labor free, and only have to pay for parts. Whew! It's unfortunate that I had to go up to a district manager to get this resolved in a satisfactory way, but at least he was willing to resolve things. Personally I'm glad it's done.

Benjamin is still a lovely baby, though having a tough time with teething lately. Out with the Ambesol and away we go. He chews on anything he get his hands on...usually me! He loves to smile and watch what's going on. Here's a video of him and Little E...I apologize for the white bits I went outside a couple of times and you really can't see anything in the bright sun. This clip also shows Little E doing some signs.


This second clip shows how Little E is with Little B most of the time. Which is really good. He's going to be a great big brother.

Last night Little E was bouncing around being goofy and bounced his head right into the corner of the couch. It resulted in a rather magnificent cut that bled, and bled. And Little E cried and cried. It's a horizontal cut right above his eye brow. Here are a couple of pictures, they aren't amazing but you'll get the gist. He's also had quite a rash the last little bit. Some kind of reaction to something he's come into contact with (what?..we have NO idea!) and it is slowly going away. I was thinking of doing a family photo this weekend...we'll see what my little wounded/rash covered soldier looks like by Saturday!


I have an old high school friend (well, SHE'S not old, just the friendship is) coming to visit this month. She had a baby girl about a month before I had Little B. I'm looking forward to getting together with her and catching up. Also looking forward to seeing her adorable little girl, I've seen the pictures on Facebook and she's a cutie. I'm curious to see what (if any) difference in size there is between them. Little B is getting big and strong. He does stomach crunches WAY better than I do! In fact he can nearly pull himself up to a sitting position! And boy does he like to make noise. He babbles away sometimes and really makes me laugh. I keep reminding him that he's only 3 months old and should slow down. Already he's ignoring me.

I've had the opportunity lately to do some interpreting (ASL) for a woman in Olds. It's been a blast, I've completely enjoyed being able to sign with someone who uses full sentences. It's quite a drive, but the visits are fun so I can't complain much. :) I've also been checking out plans for making $$ once my maternity leave is done. A new opportunity may come up to teach a sign for educational settings course through a local school who wants to offer ECE diploma courses. We'll see what happens, but the principal of the school is willing to work around Eden's school schedule.

Big E is getting down to crunch time with his school work. Math, Physics, Chemistry - what a combination. His finals are at the end of this month and so he has been busy studying and getting ready. He's nearly done his class work and then only need concentrate on the studying aspect.

Our house will be sold at the end of this month. With the check we will be paying off bills, but are thinking it may be worth the $$ to buy a Tom-Tom like device for our drive back to Ontario. Big E worries that I will get us lost while he is snoozing in the passenger seat! I don't think I'd be that bad, but agree that such a technological help would be nice.

That's about all the amazing/traumatizing stuff happening here. Those of you in Ontario, we are looking forward to seeing as many of you as we can!