The New Car

The Waiting Game

Ugh.. I hate playing the waiting game. I have to wait until August 12th to find out if I am pregnant this month. I am trying not to get my hopes up too high but it is hard. Everyone around me seems to be pregnant. I know it is our first month of trying but it is still hard not to believe that its gonna happen. Especially since we didn't have a hard time with either of the boys and I just pray that its the same this time around.

My sister just found out that she is pregnant. She isn't sure when she is due tho. She hasn't had a period in a long time, so she is going for an ultrasound on August 12th to find out when the baby is due. Should be sometime early next year. March at the latest.

Nathan picked up his new Mini Cooper yesterday. It wasn't the one he ordered because his other car was not going to last another 5 weeks. We ended up just picking one of the ones they had on the lot. Its a fancier model, which really means more $$$ but what can you do. He's pretty proud of it. It goes back in today to get its stripes put on the hood. I will post pictures of it when he gets home. Its a blackish blue color in a metallic shade of paint. I can't wait to learn to drive it. Its a stick shift but it has something called hill assist so it doesn't roll back on hills when your getting going, which will be fantastic for learning to drive. My last experience with standard driving was not a pleasant one so lets hope this goes a little better.

Zoom Zoom Zoom

I have a couple things to post that I forgot to write about yesterday. Firstly Nathan sold his motorcycle yesterday! The guy that bought it was unbelievably strange, but he had cash and the bike is gone so that is the main thing. Nathan is pretty sure he is some kind of drug dealer and he was worried he was going to come back and murder us in our sleep. LOL! I told him that if he was that shady of a person he would have stole a bike instead of buying one. Its pretty easy to steal a motorcycle if you want to. Two of Nathan's friends have had them stolen so we know all about that.

In other news, Nathan bought a brand new Mini Cooper Classic. Well he is technically leasing it, but we are more than likely going to buy it when our 39 month lease is up. He just gets lower payments this way and then we can decide if we like it enough to buy it. Both Nathan and I have always been a fan of the Mini so its pretty exciting. Plus he has never had a new car so its big news for him. His '91 Chevy Lumina is pretty much toast and he is just praying that it survives the 8 weeks until his new Mini arrives. I will definitely post pictures of it when it gets here!!

Well it is nap time at our house so I better run and put Colin to sleep. I sure do love nap time :)

Busy Busy

We had a very busy weekend. On Saturday we went out to Nathan's parents for his Grandma's 80th Birthday party. There was about 50 people there and most of them I didn't know. It was kind of awkward but we had a good time anyways. Joel had a blast and didn't want to come home so Nathan's sister let him camp with them for the night and Nathan's dad brought him back yesterday. He was very crabby when he got home though because he didn't get much sleep and didn't nap at all on Saturday or Sunday.

Well we are actively trying for a baby now. I am pretty sure it won't happen this month as I just got off the pill. Probably next month or the one after that. Or that is the hope anyways. With the way I am feeling today you would think I was already pregnant. I am so tired and my stomach is unsettled. Its not possible though.

We bought Joel a new bunk bed on Friday night. We will probably set it up in about a month, and then Colin will move into Joel's race car bed. Then when the new baby is born the boys will share a room and Colin will get the bottom bunk. I am both excited and nervous about having them share a room but I am sure it will be fine. I am mostly scared about Colin going into a bed and not sleeping at all since he has always been such a touchy sleeper. Since he just started sleeping through the night a couple months ago you can see where my anxiety comes from.

I better go and get something accomplished before Colin wakes up from his nap.

Two Very Special Birthdays Today

Well Joel is officially 4 today! It really is hard to believe that 4 years has past already, but I think pretty much every parent on the planet would have to agree. There little lives pass so very quickly. It really makes me sad. Last night as I was laying in bed falling asleep I felt quite guilty that I have been wishing preschool to hurry up and get here. I had this huge realization that I wouldn't get him all to myself anymore and I felt overwhelmingly sad. I guess I just kept thinking that it would be nice to get a break from him and never realized that its one step closer to him being a fully grown man. I know that sounds absurd, but if 4 years has gone by in the blink of an eye, what makes the other 14 go any slower. I just wish for one minute I could slow down the hands of time, or go back in time to relive him as an infant. To hold him close and smell him. I am getting all chocked up just thinking about it.

Today is also my Papa's birthday. He turns 80 today! Its also hard for me to believe that he is that old! I hate to think that he only has a short amount of time left on this earth. Most likely less than 20 years, so that means before I turn 43 I will more than likely have to say goodbye to a man that has meant so much to me for my whole life. A great man! A man who has been a strong rock for my entire family! Who has helped raise me and care for me! I am so very lucky to have the Grandfather that I have. He has been more like my father than my own dad has. I love him dearly!

So it looks like Nathan has most likely sold his bike. He is just waiting for the guy to go to the bank and get the money. Its a bittersweet moment for Nathan and I really do hate that he has to sell it. Motorcycling has always been a huge part of his life, ever since the time he was about 5 and he rode on behind his dad, so its like selling a piece of who he is. Man this is a sappy entry. Sorry about that. I guess I feel a little sentimental and nostalgic today.

Here are a few pictures of Joel as he has grown up, and a couple of my Papa too.

2 Days Old

6 Months Old

1 Year Old

18 Months Old

2 Years Old

3 Years Old

4 Years Old

And My Papa

Video Blog

Thought it would be fun to post a video blog instead of a written one. You just need to turn down the blog music before watching. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click pause.

Blessed.. Even When I Don't See It

I'm not really sure how it happens, but just when I feel like I have had enough and I am frustrated beyond my max capacity my kids make me laugh and everything is right again. Its quite amazing really. Today was a decent day. Joel was his usual pain in the butt self for a good portion of the day. In Fact, at some point in the day I was willing to sell him to the highest bidder. Thankfully no one offered because I very well may have taken them up on the offer.

We headed into our regular Wednesday mom's group. It was really nice. Two of the ladies that attend recently had new babies, the one being so recent that she wasn't even here today. The other one was there though and I had a good snuggle. There is absolutely nothing like the smell and feel of a brand new baby. I can barely wait to have another one of my very own. Though the talk of sleepless nights made me reconsider my plan :). Its always a great time on Wednesdays though. The boys and I really look forward to it. It is our one guaranteed day out of the house and that is always something to celebrate.

After Nathan got home, the four of us headed over to Wal-Mart to pick up some poker chips. I am hoping that I can create a reward system for Joel in order to curb some of the negative behavior he has been having lately. I found a site online that suggested using poker chips. For all good deeds they randomly get rewarded a certain number of chips and at the end of the week can use them to "purchase" certain rewards. Joel absolutely LOVES hot wheels cars, so hopefully that will entice him to listen better. Plus they get chips taken away when they are not listening. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I am really hoping this helps.

I wanted to share a special place that I stumbled upon with all of you that read this. It is a journal of a woman who at 20 weeks pregnant learned that her baby was not going to survive. She had many medical conditions that just would not let her little body handle the harshness of our world. It doesn't sound like it would be a very uplifting story but it really is. I have very rarely witnessed a woman with such strength and faith faced with the most devastating situation. I promise that you will not be disappointed if you take the time to read it. I just ask you start at the very beginning of the story and work your way to present day.. Bring The Rain is the name of it.

Well I am off to watch the baby borrowers. Hopefully it will be as entertaining as the last couple episodes.

Kendra

Doing My Best

Everyday I strive to be the very best mommy I can be. I guess that is kind of a funny statement. I suppose most parents strive to do their best, and those that don't probably shouldn't be parents after-all. With that being said, I really struggled today. It is always a challenge on days that Nathan is gone longer than his average 7:30 to 4:00 shift. Tonight he went to "Bike Night" to see if he could get any interest on his motorcycle. He should be home soon.

The boys can be a real challenge for me on a day to day basis. Joel is at the age now where his listening skills are not that great. Its very frustrating. It feels like pulling teeth just to get him to follow simple instructions. I know it is normal for his age group, but it really is hard. I miss my sweet little boy who was always eager to please. I know its all a part of him becoming a grown man, but I just wish I had the manual on parenting so that I knew how to curb some of this behavior in the long run.

I took the boys to the park this afternoon. We had the whole place to ourselves which was nice for a change. I was able to sit back and watch the boys play. It was quite windy though so it was hard to know how to dress. One minute it was too hot and then the wind would pick up and you'd be freezing. It was really nice to get out of the house for a bit and cure some of the cabin fever I obtain being a stay at home mom. It can be really challenging to keep yourself from being bored when everyday is the same. I am really looking forward to September, when Joel goes to preschool and I can get a bit of a break from him. I love him but I think we will both benefit from having some time apart.

I have been trying to get closer to God lately. I am trying to read my bible and pray on a more regular basis. Today while the boys were napping I went into my room, closed the door and read a few chapters of Matthew. Then I prayed about it and fell asleep. I have been letting my faith slip lately and I want to pick it back up. Its a very important part of who I am and I have been so apathetic about it lately.

Striving to do my very best
Kendra

A Weekend Away

This weekend I got away from home for 2 days with my mom and sisters. We drove up to Drumheller and went to see the passion play. It was incredible! It was so nice to get away for a little while and just recharge. I think every parent needs to do this occasionally. It was so great to hang out with just the girls for a little while.  I love my boys more than life but I find I love them even more when I can just have some me time for a little while.

So we drove down to Drumheller on Friday afternoon. We left about 1 and got there at about 4. We first went to the hotel to check in, only to find out that they had over booked and we ended up having to stay at a much more rustic place. It was alright though because we didn't end up spending much time at all at the hotel, but still irritating since they didn't even compensate us in the least bit. From there we went for dinner and then headed over to the play. It was a gorgeously beautiful day and we couldn't have asked for anything better. Some years it is so hot that people are passing out left and right and they have medics standing by, so we were very lucky. 

The play was fantastic. What a faith boost. Being able to physically see the recreation of the last few years of Jesus was awesome, and very sad and heartbreaking all at the same time. Overall though it was amazing and very spiritually inspiring!

After the play went over to a friend of my mom's. My mom grew up in Drumheller and a couple of the girls she grew up with still live there so we visited with one of them on Friday night and then after breakfast on Saturday we went to visit the other one. Then my mom, 2 of my sisters and I went shopping and bought a few things for our kids. Then we headed back home. I thought we were staying until Sunday, so Nathan had planned to be at his parents the whole weekend. Because of this my mom and I decided to go out for dinner to The Keg and then we rented "Definitely Maybe". It was alright.. a little odd but not the worst movie I have ever seen. Plus it was nice to spend time with just my mom and I.

This morning my mom and I headed to church. I haven't been in a while but have recently decided that I would like to make it a regular habit for our family. I really want to raise the kids in a faith based environment and would love for them to have a foundation in the church. It was a really empty service. It might be just that its summer and a lot of people are away. I'm not really too sure. After the service I came home and Nathan and the boys had gotten home. It was nice to see them and give them their gifts. They were happy to see me too.

So I'm not really sure what we plan to do for the rest of today. Probably just hang around home since it is kind of rainy outside. Spend some time with Nathan before he has to go back to work tomorrow. Thats the worst part about being away this weekend is that I don't get very much time to spend with him now, but it was an awesome weekend and well worth it.

I guess that is long enough today. Gonna go play with the boys and spend some time with my man.

Kendra