Beef Cake

Living in Brooks is expensive! Buying groceries here easily costs 20% more than Edmonton. The only place comparable in price was Brisbane. That was less expensive, though, and WAY sunnier. And beautiful. And beachy. And ocean-y. Did I say beautiful? Anyway, the point is: We live here and it is COSTLY. A friend of mine here let me in on a little secret: wholesale meat. Duchess is a little community about 15 minutes north of here. It literally has a main road and not much else. It reminds me of Magrath, but with less mormons.

We went to a place called Alberta Prairie Meats. It is just that. There was a bumper sticker by the cash register that said. "EAT BEEF. ROPE CALVES. WELCOME TO ALBERTA." I'd like to know where to get one. It classed up the joint, for sure. There was a huge freezer there that you could buy pre-packed meat. Like, if you didn't want a cut in huge wholesale amount, you can try a smaller cut. They also butcher and process wild game, like moose and elk. So, if Dustin ever gets that Elk tag out here, that is where we're going!

We bought a freezer pack of meat  I'm way excited about it. There are different packages at different prices, with different meat and different cuts. We pretty well customized our order from the Winter Freezer pack #4.
-12 lb Lean ground beef
-8 lb Combination sausage--changed to 4 lb. pure pork maple sausage, and 4 lbs. garlic combination
-5 lb Stew meat--changed to ground beef
-10 lb bnlss Cross-rib/Blade roast
-8 lb Sirloin tip roast--changed to Boston Butt for smokin'
-5 lb Beef sausage--changed to smokies
-8 lb T-bone steak
          If you're interested, check out the link.
http://albertaprairiemeats.ca/freezer-pack-and-sausage.html

Our Freezer is full, ready for winter! I'm happy that we could get the meat that we might actually use.

New Beginnings: My Life

Recently, my friend in Young Women's gave a lesson wherein she included her journaling experience. We try to inspire the girls to journal their personal progress, and she stated her favoured way to do it: by blogging. It is how she remembers! I have books and books of notes and ideas that have no rhyme or reason. Therefore, I have decided that blogging is a great way to do it. I need to be better. I don't want to miss all the sweet memories of my kids' small, sweet years. We're planning for our New Beginnings in our Young Women's this week. I'm going to blog the invites, the games, the ideas and decorations. So I can REMEMBER! While I think of that, I'll remember it is a new beginning for me and my journaling. I want to walk the talk to the girls in my young women's group for journaling, and do my very best for my kids! Who knows, maybe one day, I'll make a blog book or some crazy thing like that.

A Poem

Today I found a poem scrawled in my sweet Gram's handwriting. She continually inspires me, though she's already gone on before.

"Whatever hour God
has blessed you with,
take it with grateful hand,
nor postpone your joys
from year to year, so that
in whatsoever
place you have been, you may say that you
have lived happily"
-Horace

Adeline

SURPRISE! We had a baby girl. I told you my dream was right. I'm going to start my own business from home called "One Dream". Sounds reputable huh? Anyway, here's the story of Addy:


We went in on the 10th at 6:30 am. The doctor gave me "the gel" at 8:00 am and we were off and running. The contractions started right away and progressed right along. Dustin and I went for a walk around the hospital for about an hour, came back and I hung out on the ball which really helped for about a half hour. The nurse told me that I had dilated from 2 cm at 8 am to 3 cm at 9:30 am. She knew I wanted the epidural, and suggested that we call the Anesthesilogist as it could take a while for him to get there. Well, he was up there pretty quickly and I had the epidural around 11:30 am. I will add here he did not have the best people skills. As I was all hunched over, I looked at Dustin who seemed to be a bit shaky, and he was like a sheet. He went to sit down and I started to cry because I was scared! The dumb guy putting the needle in my spine demanded- without any emotion- "What's wrong?"

NOTHING! PUT THE NEEDLE IN THERE, I'M NOT SCARED OR ALONE OR HAVING INTENSE CONTRACTIONS. Ship shape, dummy. Anyway, he used a little ultrasound thing and poked me, I cried, Dustin didn't pass out and was able to stand by me for the worst part. All in all, it worked out alright.

I hung around on the bed for a while and my left leg became more numb as time passed. The right leg was kinda tingly, but still frozen. I couldn't get up so there we were. My mom came in the LDR, brought some magazines that my dad picked for me, (That is a funny story for another time) and some baby clothes she'd found in Utah. It was fun because she had boy and girl outfits so we could imagine what each would look like. She left and had lunch, came back, visited until about 2 pm, and left again with my dad to play with the kids at Wilson's.

We waited for my water to break. It only leaked a little, so at 4 pm the OB came and broke it for me. THAT was weird. The doc broke my water with Max, but it wasn't like that. Anyway, by then I was 4 cm and started to feel pressure. 7 cm. I called to let the parents know it wouldn't be long. Then more pressure.

Time to push.

"Wait for the doctor. He's almost here."

Remember when I told you about my right side feeling a little numb? Well, by that point it was a lot less numb. The left side- totally frozen. I felt pain on one side coming from my back all the way forward, rolling under and over me for about 3 contractions.

"Dr. Browne is here." The table still needed to be taken apart and I heard him say, "Hold off for a minute." Oh. I'm sorry, this baby wants to come, but you have another plan? By all means, take your time and put your gown on and find your rolling chair. I'll wait. I'm sure Dustin's hand hurt quite badly for a day or two after.

Well, the resident ended up delivering her. The nurse told me when to push and suggested I reach down to feel the head. I felt like if I moved I would lose it and die. I didn't open my eyes at all or move my hands. I was in my survival place! Luckily, after only 4 pushes, she was out. On my tummy. Not breathing and messy. I opened my eyes to look at her and moved my hands to touch her. It was awesome. I couldn't breathe, either. She was amazing.

They measured her and weighed her and gave her some oxygen. Asked us about our toes- she has mine, by the way. The resident told us her cord was tied in "a true knot" which is rare. She was doing some acrobatics in there. She was healthy and that's all that mattered.

Here are some pictures. Our little Adeline. The missing piece to our family puzzle.

I don't know what's up with blogspot, but the pictures are now all out of order. Bear with me.

Maybe an hour old

On my way to the maternity ward

BRAND NEW!

HAPPY!

Grandma and Grandpa Wilson

Grandma Wilde in LDR

First time holding Adeline

Max's first time

Sam's first holding

If you need Dustin, he'll be wrapped around these little girls' fingers

Grandma and Grandpa Wilde

Let's go home!

At Wilson's for bed

Yes, I know. But what do YOU look like at 8 am in Labor?

BRAND NEW!

Last Chance

"...The Time Has Come.' The walrus said, 'To Talk of Other Things: of Shoes, and Ships, and Sealing Wax, and Whether Pigs Have Wings..."

Well, the time has come- it's like down to the wire. This baby is coming in 2 days. The induction is booked. The diapers are purchased. The bags are packed. The meals are made in the freezer. Only one thing left: bring home a baby.

I have to say I'm a little 'p.o-ed' (said in a Kip voice) because all my other kids came on their own at 13 days to 11 days early. Apparently, this one has decided that it will stay in until it is made to come out. Sounds a little sketchy to me, like Elle, only worse. --shudder-- Conversely, I feel like this whole pregnancy went by way too fast. Almost like I should have had more time until my body expels another body.--double shudder--

So- this is our last chance to guess what this baby will be: a bow, or beau? I kind of think it's a girl, only because I have had one dream confirming it. And that is the kind of person I am. I know everything I need to know by dreaming a dream. ONE dream...

Sammy has his bases covered with names. If it is a boy the name will be Josh. If it is a girl the name will be Melissa. Sometimes he changes his mind. Yesterday, he asked me if we could name it Han Solo- boy or girl. So, I mean really, we've got lots of good options.

Max is over the moon excited. Elle has only grasped in the last week that there is a baby in my tummy. I'm sure she has no idea that there is a PERSON in there, more like a baby dolly? We shall see.

To Talk of Other Things:

Sammy turned 5 on the 5th. I could not be happier because I have had 3 glorious days of not being asked, "When is my birthday?" or "When do I turn 5?" He has been asking me about his birthday for the last six months at least. He is very happy to be  5. He's a big boy, for sure.

Best Cake...EVER??? Debatable.

Funny Faces

All of Sam's besties

I asked him where he wanted to have his party this year and he said without hesitation, "A&W".

OK? We've eaten there one time. ONE time. (If you can dream one dream, you can eat fast food one time and want to have your party there. It's destiny.)

What the heck do you do at A&W for a fifth birthday party? I told him there wasn't anywhere to play. He didn't care. I asked who he wanted to invite. "Brandt, Kyan, Marlan, Tessa, Charlie..." Sounds normal enough, right? Well, Marlan isn't exactly 5. Or 6. She's a child at heart, but her kids are all grown up and out of the house. I have a feeling Sam has a secret crush on her, she owns the A&W here in Brooks, and it just so happens he wants her at his party... at A&W? Suspect. OR Adorable. I choose the latter.

Sam and Elle with Marlan

Long story short, Sam's party was a raging success. Marlan had a cute birthday tablecloth on the tables, and helium balloons set up on the chairs. Who wouldn't love her? We made up nine treat bags- Marlan got one, too- whipped up a Star Wars cake, played tape the light sabre on the Yoda, and button button who's got the button? The kids chose their meal and drinks, ate what they wanted as slow as they wanted, and opened presents. We cleaned up and left. It was gloriously low key and not hard.

Dustin and his dad ripped up our old carpets upstairs last weekend. The floors beneath were horrendous. However, our new carpet is GLORIOUS!

ONE of the three different Lino patterns in three rooms. Classy

Whether Pigs Have Wings:

So the chance of me blogging again anytime soon is about as likely as swine flying. I just wanted to let you know so you're not holding your breath, waiting to find out what is happening with our family.

Token Valentine Post.

This is not your average valentine's day post. Here at our crazy house, we tend to think outside the box a little. I hope not to make you uncomfortable, but this is how we roll.

I put up a themed wreath for the 14th. "X-O". Do I do it willingly? Yes. But I still think that Valentine's Day is a made-up day. We all know it is a way for greedy companies to make an extra dollar selling garbage disguised as love-in-a-package. This is the part I hate. I, as a loving wife am expecting a six dollar card that states how my husband loves me and counts the ways. This proves I can read, yes? Does it prove that he loves me? No. Maybe that he took the time to think of me, I
I'll give you that. If not a card, then a box of chocolates? Flowers? Do I tell him what I want? Do I wait in silence, hoping he'll read my mind and do what I think he should because the 14th is a day of magical romance where unspoken expectations cease to exist?

This is the part of Valentine's day that I think is dumb.

Here are the reasons I think Valentine's day is fun: Max. Sam. Elle.
They LOVED filling out the cards for their friends for FHE this week. They LOVED sending Gramas and Grampas their Valentines in the mail. They LOVED rolling out cookie dough for Max's classmates. They LOVED helping me make heart shaped french toast for Dustin's breakfast. I feel like my kids teach me something everyday. This week, they taught me about love. Real love. Not boxed- up- bought- in- a- store- love. I know all the things around a holiday like Valentines day are fun, because they break up the monotony of everyday. However, I also know that kids have a purity in their hearts and want to show kindness and love. This is why I think our kids love Valentines. My kids are the reason I will keep putting up the wreath, baking sugar cookies, and filling out Valentines.

Instead of buying, spending, worrying each February, Dustin and I do things differently. In John 13:34 it reads, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also have love unto another." We show each other every day that we love one another (or try to, at least). I made Dustin's favourite supper, and he did the dishes. That was it. I know he loves me because he shows me. I hope my kids see that in him. I hope my kids see that in me. I hope my kids will love because He commanded us to love one another.

X-O.

To Catch Up-

Hello faithful followers numbering 9:

I realize I have some catching up to do. Now I can actually do it because I'm not in school this semester. I decided getting ready for baby was kind of paramount since the other three might want to see their mother less insane than their worst nightmare. Here we go.

Dustin's cupcake tower that he made for the party. Each cupcake has a letter made from lego candy bricks that spells HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX!

Max turned 7- what? Only one more year until he's baptized! I can't even believe that as I was buying his baby book (from birth to baptism) thinking that eight years would go by so slowly. I was wrong. Sometimes when I feel this baby move, I try to remember that first pregnancy with Max. It's hard to think that big boy was once so little and dependent on me. Here are some things that Max can do:
-Make his own toast/ sandwiches/ concoctions. Sometimes in the morning I ask him to make his lunch and he loves getting everything out that he wants on his sandwich. (Don't worry, no sharp knives allowed)
-Read in French and English. Seriously. So. Smart. He loves to read the books at story time at night, "I haven't read it yet today". Dustin sometimes finds "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" slightly...ummm... dragging. Max does really well, though, using intonation and proper rhyme timing. (did you catch that one?)
-Walk to school and friends' houses on his own. He loves to be independent.
-Floss. ( Which is AWESOME because I HATE flossing the kids' teeth.)
-Vacuum and unload the dishwasher and all sorts of chores. He's an awesome helper.
-Create. He still blows me away with his imagination!

This is Max's "Mr. Raisin Bran", Potato Head's only friend. Poor Potato Head.

Max also lost his first tooth (Sept 27th). Then his second (October 18th). We're waiting for the third.


Second item of business: Elle is potty trained. Well, mostly. She knows when she needs to go so she only wears a diaper at night and naps. So much better! She spent most of the Christmas holiday in the nude so that wasn't too bad to endure. She would occasionally ask for her "underwears". Now she says "Where's my panties?"-I'm sure all of you know how I detest that word.

Sam has started Club De Jeux (Play Group) at the school again. He's been very busy pretending to be Super Heroes, and learning letters with the sounds they make. He's been such a good helper with Elle. Sam loves to play with her and show her things like, how to eat (even yucky suppers), how to play in the toy room, and play puppies. He's a very sensitive little guy, and wants to play all the time.

Lemonade stand at G&G Wilde's in the summer. When he saw the kids across the street, he stated, "Those guys might be my friends over there", and skipped over to introduce himself.

Spidey. All. The. Time.





April 2012. Number four. Another one to blog about. Because I'm so awesome at blogging. We're excited to be surprised with this one, because it's our last chance! So what do you think? Boy or girl?