Shabby Chic

Last Saturday, I was in the bathroom doing some cleaning when I saw a car pull up to our property. Not a big deal for most but since we are out in the country and not on a busy street, usually if someone pulls up to our property we know who they are or are expecting them. Totally didn't know this car or the people. Once in awhile though people will park near our place to go for a country walk.

As the first person got out and walked out to my brothers side of the property I was curious but not worried. They didn't leave though. Soon another car drove up to join the first. A couple minutes later the rest of the people piled out. First a beautiful bride and then the rest of the wedding party!

A couple minutes later, Mark came home from his errands and stopped by to see the excitement. My Dad had been working at my brother's place working on the chicken coop, so they had stopped to ask his permission first. Mark had told the photographer that he had wanted to paint the barn this summer. But the photographer and wedding party loved it just the way it was. One of the people involved answered, "It's kind of shabby chic!" They had fun for a while and then left.

That got me thinking. It would be cool to have weddings come to have their pictures done and then offer them a little picnic or homemade snacks and refreshments. Even if nothing like this never happeneds again, it was a neat experience. Some things about living in the country are just special, that wouldn't happen living in the "city", and I'm sure, vice versa too!

It was a good day to live in the country. We do live in a beautiful place, and I'm so blessed to be here.

Our Shabby Chic . . .

Playmobile II

Monday was D day! I went to House of James to get the said playmobile while Drew was in school, but they didn't carry the one he wanted. Apparently they can't order from the smaller brochure inside the catalogue. When Drew got home from school, going to get the playmobile tractor was on the top of his to-do list. However, we had a couple of errands that needed to be done first.

By the time we could go get the tractor, Mark was home from work, so we dropped off the twins with Daddy and were on our way to Langley. But we didn't get far! The highway was so backed up we couldn't get onto the highway. We made a long detour and were on the way again, with a disclaimer that if this didn't work, we'd have to try again another day. Thankfully the second route worked, although it took much longer. But we made it. (Yes, it was game day but the traffic jam was due to an accident, not the game, and Drew was okay with our outing on game day as long as we made it back for the last period!)

When we finally made it to Toys-R-Us, we were disappointed with their lack of selection and then of course they didn't have it. But one of the cashiers informed us that Toy traders has a large selection. So onto the third store we go. Drew was getting a bit worried at this point, but once their was another store with hopeful prospects, you know we were going there next. Luckily it was only a couple minutes down the road.

Once at Toy Traders, we found the playmobile section and it was much larger! (If you are looking for playmobile, I would recommend Toy Traders.) But still no yellow tractor. I asked at the front desk because they were soon closing. We soon learned that all items in the little brochure are only available through online ordering. Drew did not want to wait that long.

So the choice was to get another playmobile for the same amount of money or get something a little more money that he would need to read some more books for. Well once he found another nicer tractor, the decision was made. It ended up costing more than double. It will take Drew a little longer to earn this one, but well worth it. He is well on his way. He's already read 36 books all-together! Before he knows it he will be playing with the tractor! I can't wait to give it to him!

Playmobile

Mark had gone out with the twins to meet up with his Mom and a cousin visiting from Germany at House of James. They had a great time and even enjoyed some Gelato. The three of them came home with two playmobile catalogues. The problem was there was only two! When Drew got home from school, they couldn't figure out who the two belonged to? Sophia was currently looking at one so I guess that one belonged to her? But the other one? Drew thought he liked playmobile better than Ethan, so I guess the other one belonged to him? Oh the logics of a seven year old.

Drew studied that catalogue for the next couple days intently, and asking for something very often. Then he decided on one of the tractor trailer combinations. By the next day, Saturday, he was almost in tears, because he wanted it so badly.

I love to buy my kids things, especially something they really want. But I also don't want to buy them things just because they want them and whine about it. We also don't have a lack of toys.

For the last month Drew has been in a reading program at school. He had to read one book in the evening and then have a comprehensive test on it the next morning. He did very well. Now the program is done and he thinks he is too. With reading, anyways. He is still supposed to do their monthly reading sheet, but he is not motivated to read for that. It's hard to make a 7 year old do something he doesn't want to do.

We came up with the plan for Drew to earn the toy by reading. The toy cost $10.00, so we asked him to read 20 book. Didn't want it to take too long, but long enough for him to earn it. We thought it may take a week, which sounded pretty good. That was Saturday noon. By Sunday noon, he was done! Yes he had worked hard and read all 20 books, in less than 24 hours! Way to go Drew!!! When you put ypur mind to it, you do it amazing! You are and have always been a very determined boy!

Cow Day

We were all excited to get our two cows yesterday, especially the kids. We got out of Church, made a quick stop at our closest IGA, and headed home. Ate a quick hotdog and veggies lunch and headed outside. Drew could barely eat anyways.

Mark, Steve (my brother) and Drew headed out a little earlier to do some last minute prep before the cows came. Which left the twins and I to clean up lunch and get ready to come out. It takes a little bit to get Ethan ready these days as he is complaing about some sensory issues and is quite the home boy. He LOVES to be warm and cozy, with his binky and stuffy "donkey".

We finally got outside and into the wagon for our walk down to the barn. Within about 10 minutes our friend Brian arrived with his truck and trailer. And soon the cows were in the barn. No names yet. I asked Brian if they had names, because I thought I heard him call one Dopey. "45 and 46", he said. So we'll see. Maybe one of them is Dopey.







Waiting for the cows to come out!




They are in!

Time to bring in the hay . . .







The kids love watching the cows. They are somewhere between calf and adult. They are small, but already weigh 500 lbs each.












We are lettling them settle in and then get used to us. Maybe one day soon, we'll be able to do some hand feeding. Patience. Patience. This is a good lesson for Drew. Be patient and respectful. Even though they are animals, we have to be aware they are animals and they are big animals. I think Drew forgets this sometimes. No fear. He is confident around big animals. Don't worry. We know this and set boundaries. Maybe he'll be a cow farmer one day. He loves the work of it all too. :)





After the cows were in, and the hay was in another section of the barn, Mark and Steve built the hay trough which was partly there, but boarded up by the last owner. By that time we have been out side for hours and it was time to get warm and start supper!

I can't believe it's snowing today! At least the cows have a nice warm home. And so do we! :)

Happy New Year to you!

Well, here we are in 2011. Some new numbers to write and a day to celebrate. But what does this new year mean to you? A fresh start with a goal? A goal restarted for the 10th time? Or longer? Of course we always want to be healthier, well, most of the time. And we strive to a better person and somehow be more motivated. I'd love to start going to the gym again. And right now I am very motivated, but how long will it last? Hopefully, it will energize me and I'll love it. Not sure if the gym is right for me or if I should motivate myself to using the outdoors. It would be less expensive!

More then the latest in health and trend, where is God taking you? I'd love to hear your story. I'm not sure where God is taking me yet, but it will be an interesting journey. As always our family seems to never have a dull moment. We had a wonderful Christmas season. We (as a family group, or individuals) watched Drew make the paper when his school performed the Grinch that stole Christmas, where Drew learned that "Christmas is the joy of giving!" (also it was confirmed that Santa and Rudolf were actually alive since Drew received a letter from Santa, including tidbits of Rudolf's day and the new elf, Henry. (It was quite hilarious!) We had the twins preschool Christmas celebration where we made crafts with lots of glitter and sparkles! And then brought them home! Yay for glitter! We went to Sophia's Christmas ballet recital. She had so much fun. It totally melted my heart. She did such a good job, and we were so proud of her. She keeps asking me when she can do it again! We attended 2 Christmas banquets as date night, and one with the whole family. We got a chance to spent time with those close to us and friends we don't see very often but would love to. We sewed cushion covers for friends, watched snow fall, watched Christmas movies, fixed excavators, grouted tiles around the shower, went for rides on golf carts, had hot chocolate and baked goods, baked, organized the house (still in progress) and had fun together!

We are looking forward to what God has for us in the new year. May God bless you all as he leads you down the path of 2011. We hope that you have a year rich in blessings, renewed love, passion, and health! We also hope that we'll be seeing you soon!

Drew made it into the paper!

Students in grades kindergarten through seven took part in Mt. Lehman elementary's Christmas concert Wednesday afternoon at the school gym that included a production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, as well as festive songs and caroling.
Photograph by: Rafe Arnott, Times


Parents and students across the Fraser Valley are in Christmas high gear as the holidays rapidly approach and a slew of concerts, plays and performances begin hitting schools. With the last day of classes scheduled before the winter break as Dec. 17, the time to deck the halls is looming, and teachers are working overtime on Christmas decorations, costumes and cards for students to take home to mom and dad.

Here is a photo essay of Mt. Lehman elementary putting on a performance of How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Wednesday afternoon to a packed audience in the school’s gym.

– staff reporter

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times


Read more: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/Abbotsford+Lehman+elementary+kicks+Christmas+play+season/3940881/story.html#ixzz18JFE7Mx2

Abbotsford’s Mt. Lehman elementary kicks off Christmas play season

Abbotsford’s Mt. Lehman elementary kicks off Christmas play season