What a day


When the sunset and the kids were tucked into bed, I was so happy to see this day end! Sausage woke up with a fever, again. So whoosh out the window flew our plans for the day and instead we were stuck in the apartment. Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely and very nice apartment, but for 3 active kids that are used to having 2 acres to run wild....and I do mean WILD....around in, it is getting a bit old hat as they say. So instead we got some jobs done. Right after breakfast (and I broke the news to them that we weren't going anywhere today-they were so good about it all) we got out our homeschooling and got down to work. Monkey was pleased to have some pages to do as well, but as seems to be a daily occurrence right now--Mummy discovered what was left at home. again. By our estimation we have left the equivalent of half a suitcase at home.

So the morning was filled with taking temperatures and re taking the same temps, and googling this odd fever that keeps coming and going and coming again. I know, I know at home I wouldn't be worried, but the nearest hospital is 30 mintues away by Metro and until this evening I had no phone.

Magoo finished his Hardy Boy book and we started reading "Little House on Rocky Ridge" together. The kids played with their minimal toys, and then after lunch we headed out to get groceries - an every two day ritual. But that's good because it will keep us going out and being busy :-) Yes I took Sausage out with a fever, it was now a low grade fever and it was either go down a couple blocks to get food or not eat until Hubby got home - and since that was likely to be after 7pm, that was not possible.

I'd like to introduce you to my new best friend, this thing is amazing. it has three wheels on the bottom of both sides you so can actually roll it up the stairs. So off we went. My new best friend, 3 hyper active "get us out of here" children and a sick baby with a stroller. The basket fit on the stroller and I held sausage and we "just" managed to squeeze into the elevator. So I sent the three brimming with energy to walk down the 6 floors - with STRICT instructions to be quiet. They have no idea that we need to be mindful that other people are living in the building - oy.

And thou shalt be amazed - we remembered our list! ha! Off we went to the cheaper shop (not monoprix), where my visa doesn't work apparently (yes I tried again for the 3rd time today and between my french and his English discovered that their machine only accepts EU visa cards). But we were prepared for that. What we weren't prepared for was the throng of hungry peoples on their lunch. But the kidlets behaved, sausage only started screaming halfway through our short shop. And Mummy managed to only forget bananas! Since Sausage was content again in her stroller, Magoo pulled the Best Friend and off we went to Office Depot. Yes, they have one, and a subway, and a kfc, and well isn't that disgusting - or am I the only one that abhors seeing all the same shops over here too!

They had notebooks for the girls journals (3.60 euros for the CHEAPEST and the ones we left at home were bigger and only $1) but the girls are happy, no stickers or craft supplies like we discovered we had left at home. But I figure we will make do and I can always google that too!

(Google is my second best friend here I am discovering!)

The afternoon was spent writing in their journals, and playing. We folded up Magoo's bed up in the loft to give them some more "hang out" space which they loved. They even got piano practice in :-) Baths followed, and anyone planning on travelling with small kids - go to the dollar store and get a package of the bath foam letters & numbers - so worth the $2.

While all that was going on and Sausage slept off some of her fever, Mummy was scrubbing socks. Remember the 4 pairs Magoo has. Well he was down to 1. So we got a system going where we filled one sink with hot soapy water, the other with clean boiling water and rolled up my sleeves and got to it. Thankfully they have those wall towel dryer thing-a-ma-bobs (useful description, no?) and so the socks and such are dry. So our plan is to to shirts tomorrow and pants Thursday at the laundry mat.

Thankfully sausage's fever has broken and we enjoyed a large snack to hold us over until Daddy was home for dinner at 7:30. The kids, Helper in particular finds the fact that we are eating our hot meal at lunch time, very amusing.

God willing, tomorrow will be better. Either we are heading to the flower market on the Island, or the insane playground at the Tuileries (which from one blogger's description is a Mother's panic attack).

Bon Nuit

Quelle Bon Jour!

Indeed, what a wonderful day! we have been enjoying our lazy mornings, with the children not rising until we wake them around 9:40.......after our first cappuchino of the day of course. Tomorrow will be a shock to the system with Hubby starting work and us being on our own for the day. But that will be the post for tomorrow, God willing.

Today was lovely. as I mentioned we are enjoying lazy mornings without the craziness that our usual schedule entales. Well to be honest it was a bit lazier then we reckoned it would be this morning as Mummy forgot that electric stove tops take ages longer to heat up then gas and so it took 20 min to scramble our dozen eggs! By the way, eggs are so cheap here - 24 eggs for 3.20 euros. That is about what we would pay for a dozen back home, so I now understand why the french eat so many egg dishes :-)

Once we got going, and spent about half an hour figuring out our metro routes on google maps, we packed a picnic lunch and headed out for a day of adventure. For some reason - completely unknown to us - the metro ticket computer would not let us but a day pass, so we went with the booklets of 10 and the children all enjoyed the thrill of feeding the machine and pushing their way through to the other side of the bars. 12 minutes latter and we arrived at the Iena station to exit towards the Eiffel Tower. It was a neat way to go, since you cannot see the tower at all until you are nearly at the bridge and turn the corner and then there is stands in all its man made grandeur.

By now it had started to rain (as it is want to do in Paris in the spring!) and the wind picked up so we were quite chilled and the thought of our picnic lunch on the grass was less appealing then when we had left the apartment under clear and sunny skies.

Since we had been warned ahead of time from numerous travel sites that the weather in Paris in the spring is unreliable, we were prepared with hoods and blankets for sausage. Though we are going to have to find a shop to purchase gloves for Magoo & Monkey since they have none and really - it is rather chilly outside here still.

We crossed the bridge (and passed the Iranian embassy) towards the tower and encountered the "vultures" as hubby described them yesterday. There are these men that are selling mini replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc on large rings that they shake at you and yell at you "for you only 5 euros, 2 for 10, please nice tourist you need tower?" yeah right - I'd read about you guys! Everyone recommends not even looking in their direction and walking past. Which sounds easy, but not so much! they stand right in front of you and shake these loud clang things at you and yell...well you get the picture I'm sure. Anyways we told the kids just to stare at us and follow us and there we be. They were out at the Louvre yesterday and apparently hang out at all the main tourist spots so I'm sure we will get used to them. According to the travel warnings they not only rip you off - but work in groups to also pickpocket you at the same time!

We had decided ahead of time not to ascend the Tower today, but to enjoy the park at the base instead. That was before the weather turned on us. Instead, after walking through the base (past the gun loaded guards!) we found some cement cubes they had placed to keep cars out and sat on those for our picnic lunch (honey sandwiches for the older two, ham & cheese for Monkey & Daddy, ham wrapped around cheese - yes we ran out of bread! for Mummy & sausage....with whole carrots & chips & apples) yeah I know you are thinking - WHAT they ate in front of everyone on those cubes, that incidentally were placed right in front of the one ticket poster. But you know what - we really didn't care, we were out of the wind and somewhat sheltered....and got to look at the park we had been planning on picnicking in ;-) For those interested - no there are no leaves on the tress and no buds either, still winter here too!

Our plan had been to then hop on the metro to the Arc d'Triumph...but it was now 3 and Memorial was to start at 4. Of course I forgot that daylight savings hasn't happened here (joy we get to do that all over again!) and so the time change is 5 hrs not 6. Thankfully Hubby is always on top of this sort of thing :-) So we retraced our steps through the vultures and stopped at............





The CAROUSEL. Main attraction for the girls in Paris! They all loved it, and sausage enjoyed watching. We will be back!





Figured out the Metro home and then went to see if (hope against hope) one of the grocery stores was open .....because of the bread situation. But it wasn't and we got in the door just at 4! Mad dash to change shirts and into skirts for us ladies and we all sat down at the dining room table for memorial service, dialing into our ecclesia back home to watch.

It was such a comfort to see familiar faces and listen to a good exhort by Bro Tim Bering. The point I took away was in reading the parable of the talents....substitute the word hour for talents and it is a very sobering thought - how do I spend the hours I have been given in a week?

Yes, we did have some bread - the last bit of a stale baguette (they really only last the day you buy them) but Hubby managed to break it in two and we could then use it.

Thankfully Sausage napped for half for Memorial and through making dinner, so the children played upstairs in the loft (where Magoo is sleeping) while I had the kitchen to myself. I love cooking, and find it so therapeutic after a busy day :-) Roast chicken, sliced carrots tossed in butter, mashed fingerling potatoes (I added garlic cream cheese to mine) and Brussels sprouts was a feast for sure.

We polished off the chocolate covered cookies for dessert. I really must remember that these packages are European sizes, only 12 cookies in a box doesn't last very long in a family of 6! That is what happened with the bread.....bought a loaf thinking it would last us a day, and since there were only 14 slices it barely covered breakfast & lunch!

Well I should sign off. Homeschooling must be organized and all found! before tomorrow morning. We have forgotten some of the craft supplies so off to Office Depot will be a stop to pick some up and journals for the girls.

Until tomorrow then,

So apparently people in Paris like to party Friday nights!

Yup, until 4 am. In the apartment across the road from us. Positive spin - 5 of us slept.

Our day today started with Sausage with a fever, a high one at that. So we hung out at the apartment and the children played with the toys and such that we brought. We unpacked the suitcases while Daddy was out on his run (to across the river from the Eiffel Tower) and all the little ones enjoyed finding drawers and such in the built in wardrobes to put their clothes away. Unpacking yielded some surprises.....Magoo only has 4 pairs of socks and undergarments. Opps, guess I forgot to finish there. And Mummy has 14 shirts and 5 blouses.....so that's where they were! While I was packing I couldn't find my fav ones and dug out some old ones to bring and voila, they were prepacked. But this is good since we don't have a washing machine (!!!!!)

After lunch we remembered that tomorrow is Sunday (feels like we lost a day) so Magoo and I headed out to buy a few more groceries..........since we forgot to make a list yesterday, so we made a list today, but then we forgot the list............I digress. We thought we went the right way for the butchers (and yes I had been practicing how to ask for a leg of lamb before we left with google translate) and though it WAS the correct street, we didn't go down it far enough. Then we went right to go down the next street to get back to our street...........forgetting that this doesn't work in Paris - not at all - and had to take another zig zag and then travel through "les passages" shopping mall thing, and then recognised la Bourse so headed that way to get to our street. All in all, a fun adventure :-)

MonPrix we know is the more expensive grocery store, but it is down the road from us and has everything we need...so that is fine for right now. picked up everything (and yes we remembered everything) plus some Astrix & Obolix kinder eggs for a treat for the children's dessert and headed home.

And for those that know us in "real life" yes, we felt safe the whole time and though I knew we were turned around a bit I wasn't worried.

After getting home and waking up the girls we set off for our daily trot. we headed down a nearby street and walked the 1km to the Louvre :-), ignored the pests tying to sell Eiffel Tower junk, went inside to ask about the family rate (50% off for kids) and a boo in the children's museum shop so I could pick out some things that they could choose from on a latter date (for example the pencils and erasers were only a euro each) We have found that helpful, especially with Monkey as she has no concept of what things cost. So when we go, I can now tell them that they can pick out either a pencil or eraser when we are done.

Peaked at la Seine and offered to take the kids through the Tulleries but they were hungry and so we walked home. Late dinner of Quiche Lorraine (SO CREAMY), salad & Brussels sprouts around 7, Bible readings and now they are tucked up in their Parisian beds :-)



Bon Soir

Salut mes amies!

In an answer to prayer our traveling day is done and it all went well. Chaos had ensued in our house the day before our due departure as sickness was discovered and bleaching of the house begun! But thankfully Hubby was able to take off Thursday morning and so even though we were literally packing up to (actually a few past) the minute that the airport shuttle pulled into our driveway - we have arrived in Paris.

What a day full of prayer. I am a very anxious traveller, especially to Europe, and with four wee ones in our care it was simply heightened. |There were a couple annoyances at the airport but not the children's fault at all - silly airport issues that couldn't really be helped.

We had been hoping that by travelling on the Thursday we would have an empty plane, but no such luck - it was full to bursting! So we were seated myself and Helper on one side (with a man at the window), Daddy and Monkey across the aisle from us with Sausage on his lap for take off, and Magoo behind them. Not the best, but we made it work. Even with the crazy man seated behind us! This guy had his earphones blasted so we could hear the heavy metal (yuck!) and using our seats as a drum kit. At one point I decided that if he woke up Sausage - he could get her back to sleep! oy!

The one wonderful thing was that Sausage had a bassinet to lay in - even though she choose to sleep ONLY on Mummy....she played in it for an hour before landing. And Air France is very good with children....special meals and special FREE kits in a bag with toys (puppets, cards, etc) and colouring and postcards and everything!

After we landed. We had a bit of a blurp. We had decided to stay on the plane until everyone was off and then get ready to get off....only to be told that they were about to shut the door!!! panic! so off we got when Monkey realised she had left her carry on bag on the plane....so I ran back (with Baby) and got to use my french "arretz s-v-p, mes enfant a lassies sa bagage" got it and off we went. Well I nearly had a heart attack. And then Daddy & the girls were stuck on the other side of the locked door. Oy.

All that sorted and bags picked up. We enjoyed our first taste of France for breakfast with "pain du chocolate" (chocolate stuffed croissants) and cappuchinos for the parents and just for the chidlren. Yes the cappuchinos were a rip off at 3.60 euros each but at that point we were both going on no (well I had slept for 30 min) sleep and it was the beginning of the day here in France.

Taxi van picked us up and hauled us into the center of the city to our apartment....it is a dream apartment. A loft room fro Magoo & use as a play room in the day time. 2 bedrooms.....but we thought it had a washer.............it has a DISHWASHER> huge difference. Though maybe I'll try running the jeans through the pot cycle....think it'll work?!?

But since it is in a lovely part - SAFE part of the city and we feel comfortable here we are staying and figuring washing clothing will get sorted - worse comes to worse there is always the bath tub and elbow grease ;-)

After naps and an hour walking around getting our barrings and keeping ourselves awake. We discovered 2 grocery stores on our road, an office depot AND the grocery store sells almond milk! wonders never cease!

there were interesting moments, like when I opened up the meatballs in the middle of making dinner and discovered that there were only 10 inside.....but all in all it was an amazing day, all thanks to our Heavenly Father.

Until tomorrow....
Bon soir

France

Yup, this is our first official post about our family trip to France :-)

And before any of you lovelies freak out that I'm going to post that we are leaving next week - stop the freak out, someone is house-sitting so ha! no new breaking stories about our place being burglarized because of this post!

Back to the post....

Truth be told, when this all came up about 3 weeks ago I lost it. I mean completely fell apart with "oh my goodness what am I going to...how am I going to......but I don't barely speak any...there are four of them....."teary mess. Everyone else was all twittery with excitement over my "chance of a lifetime" and "what a wonderful opportunity for the children" and "Oh I wish I could do that" and on the other had there I was with visions of news headlines dancing in my head.

"Mother of Four losses all children on Metro"
"Child found left on train in France travelled all the way to Hungry"
"Canadian children kidnapped in France"
"Mother of four losses mind at the Louvre"

lovely thoughts aren't they? YES I was having full out panic attacks.

So after prayer and prayer and taking some safety measures I feel a lot better about this.

What safety measures you ask? "J'ai perdu ma mere, je suis Canadian" so they get taken to the embassy and a pickpocket slash proof travel bag. Yup I'm a freak :-)

So the packing has begun. By which I mean, the re packing since four helpers are determined to help and make their mark on this trip. So I put some things in and Helper re-organizes them in the bag, and Magoo asks why we need to pack more then 2 shirts and then Baby unpacks them and then Monkeys gives Baby the toy that I was keeping for the plane to Baby to keep her occupied.

someone get me coffee!

So after 2 days we have 1 suitcase packed. Of course it is the suitcase with the three oldest's clothing - baby doesn't have enough for me to pack her and leave her to wear the leftovers. She'd be hanging out in her diaper for a few days and even though it got up to 8C today, its still a bit nippy to do that!

maybe next time I'll post the crazy list that I'm using for packing for 6 weeks.

-WHAT- did you read that right SIX WEEKS

yes my friends - I need to figure out some way to keep everyone happy and not bored for 6 weeks and get this all they really want to take are their books......the entire Billy Bookcase amount of books. Books are very heavy....so we are weaning the down to 10 each.

which equals 40 books

and I really would like to fit in my Quest by bro. L Ritmyer....just a wee thing of 2 in.

well off I go to attempt to pack myself before sleep.

HUgs

Slow down!

About a month ago my mom made the comment out of the blue that I should slow down and not rush so much and see if it had any impact on the children.

Well, I haven't noticed any huge change with them, but man alive (should I say woman alive?!?) Huge changes with me.

Our society glorifys busy. Really it does. If we are constantly rushing about doing busy things then it is assumed that what you are doing is important and that you are an important person. But really - really - I don't think that is always true.

In order to slow down in life you have to do two things. Prioritize. Waste less time. That simple. So do I get enough done? the old me would be throwing a hissy fit around about now- you know the kind, the screaming thrashing about on the floor, kicking kinda fit.

So is the house spotless - ha no. Well it never was but I used to spend so much time on it. Purge the junk. Prioritize (in other words - bathrooms and kitchen!) and voila.

Are we eating gourmet meals - ha no. (again). Prioritize (healthy, heavy on the veggies). Waste less time (stick with what you know how to cook during the school week - also cook enough meat to use for two meals at once)

Am I looking like a stylish model. HA NO. (yet again). Prioritize (reading the book to the kids - yes) waste less time (purge the closet makes getting ready so much faster)

A few more things we've found helpful...

-Allow an hour per errand. Even if it is just "running" out for a stamp - with a 1 & 4 & 7 & 9 yr olds this could actually take an hour!
-Less "keeping everyone busy" outings. Library once a week - perfect, feeling like inorder to be "mom of the year" you have to have fun stuff planned for every second of every day - nah!
-Weekly Meal Plan
-less wired time
-more reading to the kids less reading for yourself (okay how about nearly none)

the result-a much calmer mom (I was going to write calm but that would be stretching it a wee bit thin) and hence a much calmer and well run home enviroment :-)
Hugs

Count your blessings, Name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done!

Well the oldest blessing is a diligent hard worker. Willing to spend hours on math and spelling homework. He has a tender heart that is easily bruised - but most often is bruised in the concern for others. A protective big brother who doesn't mind playing Strawberry shortcake when wee sisters ask. His love for the Truth and God's word is seen through out the day.

The next down the line is a little lady. Kind hearted yet prim and proper is this blessing. Reading to her sisters brings her joy, making tea parties and including her younger sister when baking with her easy bake oven puts a smile on her face. Her love of God's way shows in her tears when she or another goes astray....and her trust in God is above all - chasing away any fears at all

Monkey follows close behind her older sister....she loves her so much and wants to be big just like her, yet 2 different sisters one could never find. However what binds these two together is the Word of Light and the working out of God's commands in daily life. She has embraced the responsibility of now being a BIG sister, looking out for Baby and playing with her. Stickers, Sparkles, Play dough and l-o-n-g cuddles with good books paint a smile on her face.

Baby is no longer a babe, over a year old already! Scrunchy noses, tea parties with a singing tea pot, books and following the monkeys makes her laugh all day long. Sausage (as she is lovingly called) simply adores to colour, and colour she would all day long....so far on paper but Mummy knows that the wall is calling for some decoration in the near future, whenever eyes are not focused on her she will no doubt try it out. Giggles, laughing, cuddles and fun.

Such marvelous blessings we have been blessed with!

First Decision Made

Well, not really, the first decision was to keep the monkeys at home when the school moves and embrace homeschooling.

The second was to decide to stop being angry and bitter about it all and except it all.

The third was to start seeing and actively looking for the positives in this new change that is coming.

So I guess, its actually the fourth ! ha!

Anyways, we have ordered our science curriculm...."Answers in Genesis" had all 4 years worth on sale for the price of just over 2 so we decided (wow, we're doing a lot of that around here) to order all four years because even if we only homeschool for a year and call it quits, we are planning on it when they are older and we can use it then.

So excited! I was gleefully laughing and grinning like some crazy lady, so Magoo kindly commented "Mum, I think you are too excited" but I can understand his comment, after all he sees it as WORK and I see it as a great exploration into the amazing and sometimes wacky world of science.

And you know what (you total of 4 peoples that even read this) the peace that we have felt since clicking that order button has been incredible. And - no- it was not "retail therapy" peace!

Finally excepting, through prayer, the path that God is leading us down - well man alive kicking against the pricks wasn't bringing no peace now then wasn't it!

Peace, such a powerful and wonderful feeling :-)

Information overload!

Since we are considering schooling our chidlren at home in the next year to 2 years....the great "information Search" has begun.

oy

Do you have any idea how much information there is on homeschooling kids! wowzers, I had no idea. There are so many different teaching techniques, curriculum, schools of thought, fantastic homeschooling blogs, support groups...the list really does go on and on.

The exciting thing is that I found out that there is a local convention only an hour away in April.....so Mummy is going solo and trying to find some more info.

yeah, like we need more info...ha

actually we do. So far we have ordered (yes Naomi I need to get them to you) the Jonathan Park CDs from Vision Forum..........and we love them. Though I have found that they are a bit older then they suggest. But that probably has a lot to do with the fact that ours watch minimal tv (only the odd thing like the Duggar's on YouTube and documentaries) and Magoo is very cautious........probably because he is so accident prone!

Now before those who know us in real life jump up and down and freak out about the school. There are many different reasons for this.......and once the school moving came up, we prayed a lot, and this is our plan.

So we have either a year & a half, or 6 mths to try to wrap our heads around that. Which may also involve drywalling a room in the basement to become the "homeschooling" room. Exciting :-)

so don't be surprised if this now turns a bit into "the wild and wacky but totally true freak outs of homeschooling!"

lol

What's a girl to do when she has a bust back and isn't supposed to do anything? finally blog! ha!

You know you're a Mummy of four kidlets when

1)you vacume everyday, and 30 min later or less it looks as if you've never cleaned the flour this side of  the B.C. A.D. divide

2) You NEVER ever EVER bake 1 single solitary loaf of bread on its own. Seriously!

3) nursing while sorting laundry and reading the headlines from Israel at the same time, no problem.

4) when less then 2 people are talking at the same time in the house, your first thought is that someone must be sick!

5) Timbits must be bought in large packs, the mini one don't work no more!

6) One of your closest friend sees chocolate covered espresso beans and thinks of you!

7) you are bored if going less then 2 things at once. Seriously

8) you use seriously a lot

9) you feel like an amazing Mom if you get the kid's name right by the second guess!

10) just look at our house, you'll understand the rest!

Silence...........

Can often times be golden. It has taken an awful lot of time to get our handle on four monkeys racing around the house. There has simply not been any time for showers let alone blogs! but finally we are under the false, I'm sure, impression that life is into a routine we call insanity, but we're getting by, with the strength only God can give us.

I've been wondering if it was worth blogging, after all nearly no one follows my rambles, which I think is a very good thing some days! Okay, most days! But more important, how this could be a force for good and not selfishness or selfcenteredness, which blogs seem to turn into.

So here's a new idea. We'll see how it goes. At least it will help me in a new goal. Our exhortation today was very pricking, which is just what I needed. Miss Fussy Pots now sits in her chair for the service so I can get most of the exhort and today I got all of it (I know, wonders never cease!). Anyways it was on the amazing fact that Manasseh repented at the end of his life. Wow, if he can, why aren't we! From there my mind wondered to the fact that I do have an idol (we all have them, so so true!)I need to get rid of in my life. Too often I escape the reality of the stress of life into a book, and have started taking out SO many on our weekly library visits. While it's true that I usually start and don't finish half of them because I discover they are garbage....still I really don't need useless books. Seriously!

So this Month my goal is to read "The Life of Jesus" by bro. Melva Purkis. I've always enjoyed bits, but haven't read it cover to cover in a while. So now is the perfect time to do so.

I love reading, those who know me in "real life" know that. So instead of fiction I'm going to find a non-fiction book each week that looks good. This week it is one I found called "Fleeing Hitler" which is a record of the evacuation of Paris during the invasion.

My question is....does anyone want to join me? Anyone want to read the book?
http://www.thechristadelphian.com/books/reviews/alifeofjesus.html

Well. Daddy story time with Magoo is over, and the girlies (all three!) are asleep in their warm beds, so off to get ready for tomorrow I go.

Hugs
The Insane One

Outside my window...24C and only 7 am! Oy its gonna be a HOT day!

I am thinking...Forget the chores, its playtime all day!

I am thankful for...
My amazing husband and 4 stellar kids

From the Kitchen....COFFEE

I am wearing....pjs................yes I'm still in my pjs!

I am creating....DVD case colouring books for the drive this summer

I am going...take all the kids to an indoor playground today :-)

I am reading..."you can let go of stress" - HA

I am hoping....
for some sleep tonight

I am hearing..."extreme heat alert" report on the radio

Around the house...books, so many books - its summer time

One of my favorite things...Starbucks iced coffee

Surviving Husband Business Trips

(also titled, surviving on a diet of cappuchinos and chocolate!)

Hubby usually has 2 or so long trips in the year over to the head office in France. While I would one day love to go, we try to make the most of our week solo and really enjoy the times with the kidlets. Back when we had 2 wee ones it was a lot more difficult then now with 4, the difference being that the older 3 are a lot of help with things around the house and when we go on outings. I used to have to goal of the week without Daddy being FUN but found that it ended up with him coming home to exhausted children and stressed out wife. Not the way to go! So now our goal for the week he is away is SIMPLIFICATION!

First off Meals.

When Hubby is away we eat very simply. Healthy, but simply. Even more simply then usual, which for those who know us in Reality we already eat pretty simply anyways. This means Peanut butter & homemade jam sandwiches on whole wheat bread with veggie sticks and dip. Healthy but simple. Its made healthy by using homemade freezer jam (almost no sugar), whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter. I will also splurge on precooked diced chicken which easily converts into wraps for dinner. Eggs is also an easy dinner! breakfast is usually the same as usual, cold oats with fruit or yogurt and fruit. Lunch is always sandwiches :-)

Planning.

We will have 1 thing planned for each day. SIMPLE outings of things to do at home. Library visit. Grocery shopping. Watermelon cookies.  Painting. Splash Pad. See,.....simple fun. No major driving to Toronto to the zoo or science center like I used to.

Sleeping.

While they are in school or on vacation when he is away I find extra sleep is essential. So instead of going to bed at 7:30-8 I aim to have them in bed by 7-7:30. That extra half hour to myself with baby is good on the nerves and I find that there is less arguing among themselves when they have loads of sleep :-) and then they also are rested for any extra fun that they get into with Mummy the nest day.

HELP....

yep. Except that offer of help. Mum & Dad B will usually have the children and I over after meeting for lunch on the Sunday and over for dinner in the week. Popping over to a SIL for a few hours in a day can be a sanity saver and count as their fun item for the day. Tea, chocolate and chats for Mum go a long way.

COFFEE........

nothing to add. Just a very important word.

Housework.

Forget about it. Seriously. If you or the kidlets need laundry done then do it. But other then a quick wipe up of the kitchen after they are in bed and disinfecting the bathrooms, just leave it. Set aside the morning of his return to whip the house into shape with the kids helping (my I suggest fun music and a treat for lunch that day) and it'll all be good. Worst comes to worst he won't care what the house looks like when he comes home anyways, he will be thrilled to home with you and the kids and after that you can all get caught up :-)

So if you find yourself having to do the single Mum thing for a week. Don't stress, just plan ahead and you'll be fine.

Hugs
L

Monday Menus

Monday: Quesadillas

Tuesday: BBQ veggies & chicken

Wednesday: Cheese & veggie sandwiches

Thursday: BBQ sausages & veggies

Friday: Roast chicken, brown & wild rice & BBQ veggies

Saturday: BBQ steak wrapped in bacon, loaded baked spuds, garden salad, Strawberry shortcake for dessert :-)

Sunday: Whole wheat vegetable pasta with stir fried veggies & leftover chicken (from fri)

Monday Menu

whoops, wee bit late!

Monday: Poached eggs, stirfry (tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, green pepper), roasted potatoes
Tuesday: BBQ Salmon (tin foil packets), rice, BBQ veggies
Wednesday: Garden salad with boiled eggs & cut up chicken
Thursday: Roast chicken with brown rice & garden salad
Friday: Cheese & Veggie sandwhiches
Saturday: BBQ Hotdogs/hamburgers & BBQ mixed veg
Sunday: Crackers, kielbasa, cheese, veggies & dip

Five Minute Friday: Expectation

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready? Please give me your best five minutes on:

...

Really? Right now? sleep.

period

listening to Baby try to put herself to sleep by herself

its only been a minute and a half

yes I'm COUNTING!

and the expectation of that silence is so taunt I can feel my head crouch down into my shoulders and tense up and breath holding...

wait. That's it! are..........................you..................................serious! I've been waiting SIX months and she is asleep. Wow. okay Husband was right (he really honestly always is)

That was too easy. So now? I'm looking at the sky and expecting rain. we;'re in drought in Ontario in June so this is a desperate expectation.

but just hold on a second. What am I really expecting. Every day.

Other then chocolate people!

The return of Christ. Really that is all I should be expecting and should be longing for. Only he can make everything right again. Heal our hearts. Stop the pain and then take it all away.

Peace. That aching longing for peace that you feel pulsing through every single microscopic cell of your being, long for that serenity that is completely filling and whole.

and that expectation is all that matters. More then sleep. More then chocolate. More then acceptance. More then well anything.

Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Tuesday Contemplations

Outside my window...
Mock Orange bush in blossom

I am thinking...
Life needs to sssssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwww down

I am thankful for...
Food on the table & Laundry in the wash

From the Kitchen....Chocolate chip banana bread

I am wearing....Comfy denim skirt & black polo

I am creating....nothing :-(

I am reading....
The Duet (not sure if I like it yet)

I am listening to...
Monkey waking up

I am hoping for.....
A feeling of peace throughout the day

MONDAY MENUS

Monday: BBQ veggies (zucchini, onion, garlic, broccoli, tomatoes) brushed with olive oil & Romano cheese served with 20min french bread

Tuesday: Tossed garden salad BBQ steak & potatoes

Wednesday: Fahijas (leftover steak from night before, peppers, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber) & hummus

Thursday: Chicken sandwiches & pickles & veggies with hummus

Friday: BBQ Burgers & BBQ veggies

Saturday: (Pot luck dinner) crock pot Kraft sausage macaroni stew

Sunday: Roast Chicken with potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onions, peas & Rhubarb strawberry pie

The Return!
Cue the full orchestral music...........

We're back! and the comments concern is fixed...............

and we're back.

It really does feel good to be able to write that. What have we been up too? Colic Baby for 4 months. Ending of this school year. Topsy-turvy discussions about said school moving location. The idea of it moving locations, after we'd asked about the possibility and been told "no" 2 years ago has really upset us but that's how life goes sometimes!This year had been a tough one for our family and there are still momments that "I want to move" feelings from last summer come back. There have been moments I've been thinking missionary work in Nunavut....................okay not that seriously.....but occasionally you may hear that stated in my exasperated "I've had it with politics and gunk" voice. It's been a really REALLY hard year. Seriously! Without my wonderful Husband & four insane children.................and most importantly our Heavenly Father.............there is no way I would have survived the last 12 or so months.

So. "The Return" also means we're changing things up. I've been hunting the web for good stuff on raising a big family. Okay, not those with 18 kids but with 4+ (and no don't get any ideas, we are perfectly happy with our 4 blessings "thank you very much" and are not expecting ANYMORE) and I've discovered...................................drumroll>

THERE ARE HARDLY ANY

and most are old and haven't been updated in a bizzillion years. Okay not quite that long...but you get the picture.

so me thinkest we MAY open up our struggles and trials or what works and doesn't for our family as we stumble along this road called life.

Which we sometimes refer to as insanity....

at the ZOO

you will NOT be seeing anything remotely resembling Martha Stewart. Nor will you be seeing clean floors. They only stay clean around here RIGHT after I steam them and only for approximately 5 minutes..................IF I'm lucky! After all what is more important a happy home or a clean home......

the answer is chocolate...........

whoops that wasn't an option. Obviously the happy home people!

& I don't want this to be one of those "look at me I do everything right" blogs. Crumbs some of you poor dears actually know and have to deal with me in REALITY and know that is far from the truth! ha!

So Until tomorrow :-)
Welcome BACK!