Sunday always feels like it is going in fast forward when we take the whole family out to church. Rush rush rush but at least all 4 kids looked more than presentable. Though I was unable to get a good picture of Trinity in her new dress from Grandma – that paper bag had cereal in it and she was very reticent about letting it go!

Cereal in Tow (had no other small container in the van to take into the church lol)

Gavin far right

The twins are one week away from their Palm Sunday service where they are VERY excited about the chance to sing the special song they have learned for the service. Then the following Sunday we are off to Grandma’s for Easter service (at the church all 3 boys were baptized at and Ken and I were married in). I have plans to dye Easter eggs both here at home and at my mom’s. We are trying to decide if we want to do an Easter egg candy hunt or a treasure hunt here at home. Last year we hid candy in the basement for the kids to find (with the den Otter two) but with Alan’s LAN party next weekend there is no time to plan anything with them so it will just be our family. Last year we had to do it in the basement but with the snow melting and the weather turning quite nice we may be able to have our event in the backyard! To keep costs down I am hoping to get the candy or the special toy at Dollarama. So this week we have to make a trip over there to make the final decision.

The upcoming week is a rather boring one really. I would like to get the whole family out to the local nature centre and maybe take a nice walk to a gas station a few blocks away, but the majority of our  time will be spent with the print outs for Spring, crafts, and giving Ken the time he needs to get his stuff done. OH and contacting BANK in regards to the fixing of THEIR mistakes. (fun fun)

Yesterday we had a special treat – one the boys had been waiting an age to have – the Meatball store for lunch! We took Sean with us this time and everyone had their fill. Of course we had to go through the store to get out again and picked up the usual batteries and this time a new plant. One I am going to have to re-pot soon I am sure. We also stopped in at Michaels so I could replace my markers. I use them to make signs and things for the boys for their schooling and my box were well over 3 years old and drying out.

Big girl at Ikea!

I am very excited with the way things are going…  I plan on calling Walmart to order new contacts – I made my goal with commissions and working on surveys! That is just such a confidence boost! So keep checking back, soon we should have the new patterns up as well!!

Baby bump!

The wonderful result of solving ONE major issue – a serenity in the moment that is coupled with feelings of thanks and minor peace (well as peaceful as a house full of active kids can be!). That does not mean (by any means) that our issues are 100% resolved… BUT we are working on it and I am personally working hard to not only spread the word about Ken’s programming skills (seriously he is GOOD at what he does! so if you need a website set up please send me an email or message here and I will pass your information along to Ken) but to get my own patterns and commission work noticed. Ken is going to get more of my patterns up for purchase in the following weeks which is exciting after the dry spell we have had due to excessive time spent on the phone.

Beyond that I spent the weekend in a constant state of motion. Friday found the whole family at my mom’s for the first time in 3 weeks!! The kids were in HEAVEN. We visited the store she works at, then went to my doctor’s appointment where everything checked out fine, though my blood pressure is a little low. The baby’s heartbeat was in the slower “boy” (according to wives tales) range this time. I have to check back on Trinity and Emanuel’s pregnancy books to see what I recorded there! Since I have my OBGYN appointment here in the city it will be my last time seeing this doctor for my pregnancy.

Playing at the dr's

After the appointment we drove by Christine’s (she was out) and then headed to mom’s where Christine called me back and we had her come over to introduce Bella to Harley. Surprisingly enough BELLA was the naughty one. We didn’t get to the point of having her on the floor with Harley but we did get them using their “dog manners” to some extent!

Mom and Harley, Christine and Bella

We stayed the night, had HOMEMADE waffles for breakfast and stayed long enough for Ken to help Mike move in the new bedroom pieces that he and mom had saved up for. We made sure to leave BEFORE Harley got home from the vet – she was fixed on Saturday. The kids had a blast – including a playdate with a little boy right around Emanuel’s age. (a co-worker of mom’s child). And we are back again on Tuesday – taxes to be done and then another overnighter at mom’s so that Ken can help Mike move in the last piece of furniture oh and the boys get their hair cut by their favourite hairdresser – GRANDMA!

With their new buddy Matt (Zander blue)

Sunday was spent with company as well – Chris and Chris came over after Ken left with the twins for Sunday School (Palm Sunday practice which the boys are learning a new song for and having a BLAST). They brought some of their cooking supplies and tools and a sweet gift – a hand blender! We had our very first baking party. It was great fun – we made a bunch of different treats and then they took half home. Let’s see… brownies, applesauce muffins, ginger snaps, sugar cookies and a raspberry cake we have yet to try.

OH here is the new raspberry recipe!

Raspberry Cake

Of course I made up our slowcooker full of brown beans and Chris and Chris brought over bratwurst and we had a delicious supper! Then Ken and I took our movie passes that expire today and went off to see Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. A little predictable but some good jokes and funny moments.

What a weekend, then today we started the argument with BANK over the fees that should never have occurred. This time Ken REFUSES to sit on hold, leave a message and if they ignore us we demand to talk to someone further up! So keep a positive thought for us. He spent a couple hours in the bank today making it clear that any investigation the bank plans on doing had better NOT take too long.

We did our painting of coffee filters in preparation for making butterflies to go with our Hungry Caterpillar story. All part of our spring focus. Painting is a favourite in this house – up there with Play doh in fact.

Busy Painters (Zander left)

So for a Monday it has not been half bad… we have a battle plan for BANK and for life in general, we are sticking to a meal plan and trying to think in advance about what we are going to need for ourselves and the kids – no impulse shopping! Oh and faith in Ken!

Stepping Out into the New Week!

BANK screwed us. So finally a “somewhat” conclusion – apparently as soon as  the baliff took our van there was NOTHING they could do… our only option – pay, reclaim and ask for the fees back later… gee would have been nice to know almost  THREE WEEKS AGO… before the parking fees and added costs. Tomorrow we take the amount we were quoted (thank you to those who know who they are – our angels!!) AND get this – all by the 25th… if we had known 2 weeks ago the cost would be less and we would have time… now we have rush rush rush. The 3rd party these taken vehicles files are sent to was SUPER helpful, and said he hears it all the time, that promises were made and then a supervisor sends it to collections and the nightmare starts. Funny enough – this does not warrant a phone call to the person it affects the most. So basically we were screwed the moment we took the employee up on the suggestion that we take this agreement. I am numb right now but I figured I would give people a head’s up on how it is going. And to say a great big public THANK YOU to each and every person who has helped in any way!! No matter what we are definitely rich in FRIENDS!!! Love you all!!!

Our Newest Little Friend Bella