The Stairs

 
 
Well the house renos are still going it is hard to do nothing but work on the house so it seems to be spread out, here are our front entrance stairs. The stair noses are a shade lighter but you can't get them to match. We even spiecial ordered them in. It's amazing to me that James can't picture a color change on the walls or how furiture will look before it is put in but he saw how he wanted to do the stairs and did them pretty much dead on. Not bad for his first try, I feel pretty spoiled for him to makes my dreams realility. Next my crazy kids are here playing in their swim suits. We fianlly are out of the minus 50 and they all think that their swim suits should be out and in them. Hummm do you think maybe winter has been a litlle to long for even the kids? It's when the weather is like this that you start to question the insane who choose to live here in wintepeg. James is among the crazy. I still think that maybe we should break free from this hole and try life out there in the big unknown with just our family and somewhere WARMER. Yes I think I would like that alot. But then I'm not James and even I don't understand his reasoning for staying here. It's not like his company is even here in Winnipeg. But here are my kids as a reminder that maybe the warm weathe will again return to us and hopefully sooner then later...............ttfn

THe Kar Rally

 
 
LAst night maks ou first cub kar rally, our house was buzzing with excitement. Greg could not wait for the races to stat. We had dance and piano to help keep us busy until the dreaded 5pm finally came. First there was a potluck dinner and anyone who knows me knows I hate potluck. I can't eat food that I don't know where it came from. So I stuck to salad and three small meatballs. I brought kfc because I am a sucker for easy, I don't want to have to haul dishes and remeber to pick them up. However I also hate kfc, so maybe I need to find an other alternative so I can acaully eat something. After dinner the much waiting came to an end the rally started. Greg and I were pretty nervous. I really did want him to do good but I was scared he would get disappointed and I wanted this to be a great first run. So his car got called and up he went, and his car did really well. He won every race he was in except one. For the finals he took second, his cousin took first,so how can you be sad when it's a cousin who you want to do good too. His buddy Nolan took first in design and that was very exciting to every one who is important that every one we love so much came out with smiles. And yes fun was had by all, even me yeah!!!!!!

An enjoyable evening

 
 
Last night was a Ticia night, I signed myself up for another glass block painting this time I painted the butterfly egg nest. I just love doing these. I am slower then molasses as it takes me the whole four hour class to do the painting. Last night's teacher was a new one for me and she was very blunt about what she liked about each of our painting technique and what she thought needed improvement. This was great for me because I want to be a great painter, she thinks you should learn the right way right away and so wouldn't let us be just satisficed with getting it done. I think is my best one so far. I signed up for another painting in March this time on a wine bottle ( don't worry she provides the bottle so there won't be any drinking going on in my house) The dragon block was my first one I did this for the boys room and they love it. They all have holes in the back that you can put lights into, so Greg and Spencer use it as a night light which is pretty cool because Geg doesn't like light and Spencer does. This one gives off a red light so it is a soft glow rather then a bight white light. I am very pleased with my new hobby but James said we are going to have to start budgeting these!! I'm not sure how I feel about this but I do love to paint. So here is to another wonderful class last night. Now all I need is a patner in crime who wants to come and join me........

My New Toy

Well I know that I am late to jump the bandwagon but I am here, I just bought myself an ipod. I have wanted one for a long time but James doesn't understand the logic of one. Anyway I used my air miles to buy one this way I won't get into trouble about spending the money. I think I am INLOVE!!!!!!!What can I download and play? Well maybe this will take up a little bit more time then James want me wasting but how can I resist the hours of play time that lay instore for me. And yes for any out there I did get the blue one, which yes does make it that much better in my opinion

My Lesson

I was asked to teach Relief Socitey on Sunday, the lesson is from Henry B. Eyring talk called O Remember, Remember. I found that it talks alot about writing down what happens every day and by doing so we will see the hand of the Lord in our lives. As I have sat and pondeed on this I thought I would go through my Blog and see what I had shared with the blogging world and see if I can see how the Lord has blessed my life and the life of my family. As you can imagine with a couple years of doing this I have lots of examples even in my life of help that we have recieved. I have looked at doing a blog book, I don't feel that I can handle doing it right now so I just formatted my blog pages and printed them off. I am going to put them in a pretty binder and presto I have a journal. I always thought of my blog as a journal but I never go back and read it. Somehow having it on paper gives me more pleasure or something and I have lost hours in reading about my life. There are lots of funny random days that I have shared. A special thanks to my dear friend Christie for sharing the blog article that she came across I am using that aswell to show that it is important to everyone to perserve memories with your loved ones, and how through blogging you tend to share more of the nity grity day to day life that is not shared in scrapbooking. I love how it is put that we don't always remeber how God has touched our lives and that the holy ghost helps us see the goodness in our life, and how through journaling we can always be learning form our past. Thanks to all you bloggers out there who share you trials and bliss with us. I think we draw stength from each other and I know that it lifts my spirit when I am having a down day and i can read something exciting happening to one of you out there. I have been overwhelemed with way to many kids the past two days and can't wait for Friday I only have two extra and they are my girl friends kids from across the street. So here comes party day for the whole day. Then I get to go and paint another glass block at Micheals for Ticia time YEAH!!!!

My Best Friend

On Saturday marks the nine years ago that James proposed to me. Since the theme that I'm seeing on others blogs is about their husbands as it was Valentine's I feel that it is my turn to share with the blogging world what I love about James. First we have knowen each other since we were 12 not that we hung out but I always knew that he was around case closed. When we were 18 we both started going to the young singles branch, he was the guy who always stood along the wall and listened to all us girls talk before church started. he was anice guy but I always that he was a guy of few words, since he never talked to us just put his two cents in here and there. Then came the mission, he went to madagascar not bad, he had written my brother and I a letter and I thought well I guess I can write him a letter back. Well we ended up writing each other a couple letters. Two years for me went by quick I was living in Lethbridge having a wonderful party life. It was coming up on my twenty first birthday and I had a boyfriend just leaving on a mission so I thought I could go on one two, I'd get home and have half a year to earn money waiting for him to come home. So the big move back to Winnipeg was on to get me ready for a mission. I got a good job and started saving, then James came home I was super excited for some crazy reason, I thought he could help me get ready for my mission and we could be friends after all we did write to each other. So here we are hanging out lots and we have lots in common just a little werid right? Well wouldn't you know it I start to like him and not just a little, so I write to Cliff who tells me to go on my mission adn forget about him, I apparently didn't listen. James and I started to see alot of each other and then he told me he didn't want me to go, then he told me he didn't want me to go or he wouldn't wait for me I had to write my dear John letter and then James and I got serious. He was no romantic it took him a month after we started to see each other before he even tried to kiss me in fact I made the first move. He never wanted to be at his house which was a mistake because I never got to know his family. He also never really bought me anything for our first Valentine, it broke my heart and we had one of our first fights. Well two days later we were out shopping he had a meeting with the stake president at 9pm so he needed to get me home so we get in the car to head home and he gave me my ring and told me he needed me in his life for ever. Here we are nine years later, four amazing children, a home business and we are still in love with each other. He treats me like a princess, he surprises me with presents when I least expect it. He does house project after house project when ever I ask him to. He lets me be me and really that is the most important quaility. I love the husband and father that he is and he is truely my best friend. I can tell him anything and he is always helping me to be the best that I can be. I love you James

The ear ring is gone yeah!!!!!!

Alina surgery went great, they had barely put her to sleep when the doctor had the butterfly out and we were getting her back in her room to recover. The fisrt thing she said when she came to was "my mom is taking me to mc danolds" she just layed there for them to give her her "i.v." and she was super happy the whole the day. I was a little worried how she was going to do and it was me who had the hard time. I got a hugh cold sore on my lip from the stress. Of all things to get this is my curse of curses. I always get them, sucks to be me. Alina on the other hand had a positive experiance and doesn't seem to mind that she lost 1/2 hour of her life. Now we can have the next adventure of our family!

Family Fun Night with the Northcott Crew

 

 

 

 

Here we are with a party at hand with the Northcott Crew, On friday night we had a party with ourselves. first we stopped by the hospital to visit my dad he just had surgery. The kids all made pictures for him to brighten his room. We then packed the kids up and headed for Mcphillips street on the other side of the city for a night of adventure. We found this run down vietnamese resturant for supper, you know that if it a little hole in the wall that the food is super yummy which it was. The decor in the the whole place was for sale, the table cloths where just the cheap ones from a dollar store and all the condiments where in purple plastic baskets. But the food was fantastic. Next we headed to a place called U Puttz mini golf. Glow in the dark how fun can this be we had a great time the kids all wanted necklaces and then off we went, the kids loved all the sharks and dinosaurs that were around we would feed our golf balls and pose for more pictures. 18 holes some times seems to take for forever to get through but here we were shocked when we got to the last hole. The best part of the whole evening was that on the way home not one but four pooped out kids fall asleep so James and I got to play Ticket to ride before we went to bed. Tonight is date night for just James and I so I'll let you know if it can compare to friday night with the kids.

Archery

 

For Greg's eight birthday, he wanted to have an archery birthday, he invited 12 friends (here is where i have a little problem we have birthday party central my kids get invited to at least 5 parties a month) So off we went to shoot some arrows. We loved it, it was a wonderful party. I highly recommand this sport. The instructor was great with the boys kepping their attention and they got to shoot lots. What fun you have with ballons and cork animals and bows and arrows. Super fun was had by all.

He's a member of the blue six

 

 

 

Well here is one of many new posts, Greg just became a member of the blue six pack in cubs. He like many others before him was super excited to become and go to cubs. He is working hard on earing badges and has already earned his musican's badge and pretty much has his pet keepers badge he has to take care of his pet for three months I'm not sure who has taken care of him the last year but apparently that doesn't matter until he has his three months under his belt from the start of cubs. He is loving every minute of it, he just finished building his first cub car which is in the shape of a fish. It is very hard as a parent not to take over his car and make it all mine but he worked hard and the cub rally is coming up on the 23rd so I'll post pictures of the event and his work of art then.

Life On Arpin Bay

I have been trying to find time a couple times a week and update my blog. I love that it can keep people in touch and serve as my journal aswell. This past weekend can give you a little insight of my life here on Arpin bay. First every single day I have kids running all over my house this one needs that, and that one needs this it can be a little hairy here at times. On Friday I had my least favorite kids here their mom hadn't paid me yet and that always make me a little bit more cranky. So after doing my morning running of kids to and from school,I fed them some lunch cleaned up, put my young kid group to bed(which is various places in my room) and decided that I needed a 30 min breather. My big kids were down stairs playing so nice, great! here was my moment of sanitity. Well up comes this boy(name has been disclosed)hands behind his back, and he says Tricia I need help. I asked if someone said something mean to him which he replys no and then brings his hands from behind his back. You could not see the skin he was COVERED IN POOP!!!! The smell almost through me over as I gagged my heart stopped. I tried to remain calm and said where is the rest of it? He is FIVE by the way. He looks up at me and said my pants!!!! I send him to the bathroom and tell him NOT TO MOVE run downstairs and all the other kids are saying it smells bad down here I ask them where this little boy was playing and they all point I run over don't see anything. Sheepishly go into James office and tell him I need him to come up stairs with me. (He is so good to me) he comes up and we both go into the bathroom, James who is mister calm is not so calm when he see this site. We had to have him rub his hands off in the toilet (where else do you put all that?) he did it not saying a word to us. When he is finish we strip him down gagging as we go. It is down the pant legs in the socks. Yup lucky us so we get him all cleaned up throw his clothes in to bags and put them out the front door his mom and clean all the poop out of them I will not touch anymore then is needed. Then I call his mom because he is in desperate need of a shower and she was just sitting at their house anyway. She comes and takes him and his sibling home. Thank goodness!!! I think it took me all night to get rid of the smell gross!!!! Then that night Greg got to go to the Monster Jam Truck show with a little friend it was his birthday present. I wish I had friends like that so we had a quiet night James and I played a game called Ticket to Ride well we waited for our party animal to come home. Saturday it was bitterly cold Alina had a build a bear birthday party to go to so she got to skip dance. Lucky duck!! We came home from that and rushed Greg to Piano lessons and then cleaned the main floor spotless. It felt great to have a clean house. Then Greg and I got ready for his archery party. I took Alina and Spencer to birthday party #2 for the day at a gym centre. I came home we packed the party favors and food, my parents arrived to babysit and we headed out the door to pick up five of the 12 kids coming to Greg all boy party. It was a blast I highly reccommend this for a boy party they had a blast they teach them how to hold and shoot properly. THe boys all said the party rocked. We came home put our kids to bed and Greg's friend slept over. I was exhusted so barly could keep my eyes open. I would like to say this weekend is extra busy but this is how every weekend is. I finally am at the point in my life where I need Sunday to relax and get the energy to take on the coming week. I LIVE FOR SUNDAYS and we go to church for three hours how crazy that that is a break from life.
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Here is the kicker

So here I am writing yet again another entry about missionary #2 Elder turner got transfered on me to? Hummm I'm thinking about going in to inactivity over this. This was Elder Purcell's companion It was hard losing one but now I lost them both. I Know that this super stupid on my part but I just love how dedicated they were to the gospel and I know I get more missionaries in my area but they just had such a great relationship with my kids They loved it when they came over. elder turner and Spencer really hit it off. Spencer loved him alot. So here I am with another chapter of mission life closed, and await the new batch.
As a side note it was so nice that I was able to have the kids out for an hour this morning how great was that? I think we are getting another cold spell coming but come on all ready. Let just say I AM SO THANKFUL they could go out and run around out there instead of running inside. I think we were all getting a little shack fever. Yeah to a very sunny day and -10 I think I can handle this...... I presonally can't wait for the summer I know it gets super hot here but I think I could use a shot of that.
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I know it werid

I'm not sure if anyone out there has ever loved a missionary serving in their area. Well I am one who get a soft heart towards many!! Well this time is no exception, I have thank goodness never cried when they leave except this last time. We were so lucky to have a young man by the name of Elder Purcell, he was here for six months and had such a strong testimony of the gospel I loved the peace that he left my home in all the time. I loved him so much I feed them every tuesday he came and worked on the house with James over Christmas. He loved my kids and had a way of teaching them the gospel they all loved him. He was the type of missionary that never boosted about how great he was. In fact I knew he was one of my favorites when he told Greg that he was scared of the water until he was 16 years old. What 20 hot shot would have ever said that out loud and in front of his companion? Greg has been the type that has do everything in his own time but with the help of Elder Purcell Greg has had many heart changing experiences. Anyway last night was the last time I got to feed him and I could barely talk and anyone who knows me knows that is hard, very hard. SO when I shook his hand good bye I wanted to leap and hug him but I didn't. I said goodbye and then the water works came. So here is to a missionary who entered into the hearts of my family. We will miss him lots. I'll find a picture and put it up.
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Greg's Baptism

 

 

At last here we have it on Saturday afternoon Greg was baptized. What a great day, what a experience. So many thoughts and emotions ran through my mind as I watched my little boy suddenly not look so little and turn into a little man. For a long time Greg was scared of be being baptized so decided that it wasn't for him. Well after many lessons and a compromise of letting him wear goggles during it he agreed. SO I didn't really want the goggles so after more discussion he was ready without any aids. Wonderful but somehow it was a emotional ordeal for me I couldn't sit down and make all the plans for it, but dragging my heels just left more work for me to do the week of. After all is said and done we are proud parents of an excepional son. He was so high on excitment and told me after that he knew what he did was the right thing and that heavenly father was proud of him. I just feel differnet mom. Well my Greg you are you have a special gift with you now that wasn't there before. He wanted to be baptized again he loved how he felt so much. I sat there and pondered on his life so far what he has become and who he will be when he is grown up. What a awsome responsibility I have as a mother. Just look at Pres. Hinkcley and the man he was and what he was able to do because of his knowledge. I want that same determination for my children to become the greatest people that they can and have the knowledge of who they are and why they are here at this time on earth.
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The earring

 

So here is another story that must be told. Two years ago Alina got her ears pirced. It was a hugh ordeal, but in the end she had pretty earring. No big deal right? Wrong for the first few months they wouldn't heal, Alina would cry when I cleaned them and we were about to give up when i finally decided that hoops would help. Well they did, her ears cleared up great and everyone was happy. So for christmas we got her cute little ladybug earring thinking that by now she should be good to wear them. Well one month later after dance class I was quizzing her on why she was playing with her ears and how unladylike it was to do so........ When I took a look at her ears I was in complete shock. I could not see the butteryfly backing that holds the earring on. It was inside her ear Yes you read it right inside the ear. So James being James decided that he could just cut the earring off and pull the whole thing out......That being said didn't happen. THe rod of the earring went into her ear aswell. So here we have a crying Alina and the earring stuck even more then before. So he dug around a couple of times and fished out the rod got hold and pulled it out. Well the butterfly stayed in. SO then I've had enough we can't hurt her anymore so I demand that we go to the hospital and have a doctor look at it. So off we go well we were there for five hours and no they could not retrive the backing they froze her ear which didn't work, made three cuts in the back of the ear and still nothing happened so we came home with an appointment to see the surgen. Yes so now we are waitingfor our appointment for Alina to go and get this backing out how crazy. But really if it was going to happen to anyone why not us right? So Alina's ear will grow over and hopefully will never get her ears done again.

Greg's birthday morning

 

 

 

Here we are with Greg's birthday, It's great to have him around. The only thing he wanted was a Manitoba Moose Hockey Jesery. So here he is with his shirt, new suit and new scriptures. He was one lucky little man!!