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!

Weekly Dinner Menu

Monday: Mince & root veggies
Tuesday: Chick-pea Tacos
Wednesday: Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwhiches
Thursday: Falafal & Ratitoui
Friday: BBQ Chicken & BBQ veggies
Saturday: Roast
Sunday: Canadiana Chicken for Pot Luck (one of Grandma's original recipes!)

I've been thinking of participating in a thing called

"5 minute fridays"

Yeah, I know it's Sunday but hey, I need a bit of a break, Baby finally settled and we've been trying to settle her all weekend! (actually in truth all 3.5 months!)

Basically gypsymama tells us the word we'll write about and we are only aloud to write for five minutes.....on your mark, get set, go!

LOUD

Monkey announcing that she found a worm, not just any old worm but a "wiggly slimmy lovely worm". Her words, I promise! Yelled across the back yard for the neighbours and kids at the school behind us to hear, 2 acres away.

Helper's first words (most of the time) when they come inside from playtime outside "Hot Chocolate PLEASE!!!"

Mr. Magoo's "Girls you are so annoying" yup, we've reached that lovely boyhood stage - argh!

Baby's "I'm awake and how dare you not be here hovering over me at every single momment incase I happen to open my eyes!" demands

But you know what I've found the loudest this week? The birds.

The Canada geese are flying North, the Killdeer are back laying in the most pathetic places, the Gold Finches at the feeder fighting over the seed, the Ravens demanding respect (as if), they are all day long announcing in such amazing loud tones that spring is finally here and back and the silence of winter is gone!

The Blue Huron's wings. Flapping. Flying over our house. While we sat outside on the front porch in t-shirts with mugs of hot pipping tea.

THAT was the loudest most magnificent sound of all to me..............this week.

And it is a memory that has imprinted itself on my mind forever.

STOP!

WARNING: Apparently there is hacker software that has attached itself to many blog comment sections, including ours :-(

we'll let you know when it is fixed!

MARCH BREAK

It was such a wodnerful week with all the Monkeys at home :-) On friday they each wrote a list of what they wanted to do over their week off school. Funnily enough it did not include: 7 & 8 multipication tables, spelling words or memorization!

It did include, visits to the library, lunch out, play time with a cousin, sleepovers with 2 friends, easy bake oven afternoon, outside crazy mud covered clothing play time, bike rides, story time, Oreo cookies...............

Well the sleepovers didn't happen. But we made up for it by letting all.........well not the baby..............the Monkeys sleep over in the girls room and they had a riot!

There was a very special morning when a very dear friend & sister in the Truth came over for tea and to say good-bye. Her & her husband are mocing to Alberta. There were tears and poor Helper was so upset because it had been one of her teachers this year. So we went to Wendy's for lunch that day (Helper's choice) and picked out Helper's new runners and Mummy got new everyday shoes as well :-)

we have been so blessed by the beautiful 20C weather the past week and it continues today, picnics outside are so much more fun then on the living room floor. Even though colds and allergies threaten we are planning to spend most of the day outside playing and gardening and doing odd jobs.

Now Mummy is longing for summer break when all the Monkeys are at home every day!

Until next time
Hugs