Happy Halloween!

Just thought that I would get a couple of pictures of the kids in their costumes up (I coordinated them this year based on Maria's favorite movie). We had a good night. Maria really started getting the hang of things by the 4th or 5th house. It was hard to limit her to just friends and neighbors this year (but she was willing to go home when William started getting cranky). She managed a good haul anyway. I have a feeling we will have to do the whole block with her next year. Ran out of candy early (after 75 kids) so we turned out the lights and I put the kids to bed. Both of them seemed quite tired after all that fresh air. Now I will be heading to bed too. Here's hoping daylight savings doesn't have them up too early tomorrow.

So I may have officially lost my mind...

Gosh what a month, and what a week. Could I have possibly made my life any busier than it is at this moment? And when exactly am I going to give us a break from the craziness? Not anytime soon it seems, so it is no wonder that on Friday morning we got a call that Aaron was once again needed in Colorado, starting Monday, for another 7 to 10 days. He offered to say no, he couldn't leave us, but I don't feel we are in much of a position to test the waters in the current economy despite assurances that the company and owner's motto seem to be "whatever makes Aaron happy". So away to Colorado Aaron went. What do I do then? Look for ways to make life busier of course!

After an already busy previous week, William's 6-month immunizations one day, doctor appointment the next (he was a whopping 19lbs, 14oz, healthy and happy), Maria's swimming lessons Monday and Wednesday and gymnastics Thursday, I decided that this week too should be just as crazy. So, in the spirit of being medically responsible, I decided that we would get our H1N1 shots on the first day they rolled out. I braved the cold, with two kids, woefully unprepared for the 5 hour wait! Amazingly we survived sanity intact! And so, today, I am thanking God for wonderful, kind and generous people. When it was obvious we would be out in the cold for a long time, two complete strangers offered to hold my place in line so that I could take the kids in out of the cold. When Maria needed to run to the bathroom, those same people again held our spot. When it was obvious that I had forgotten to bring a stroller for my 20lb son (like I said, woefully unprepared), another stranger offered us the extra from her car. When Maria became bored with our toys, another mom offered her crayons and coloring books she had brought for her own children, and one family invited her to join them at their portal DVD player to watch the Lion King. Thank goodness I brought snacks and food - although I am now sure that someone would have offered us that as well. And guess what! We likely get to do this all again for the booster both kids need in 3 weeks. Isn't life grand?!

Thankfully our November should be a little less crazy. Maria will be continuing swimming lessons (as highly recommended by her instructor), but only one evening a week instead of 2 afternoons, and gymnastics continues until December too. We will be beginning private dog training sessions soon too, which will do wonders in reducing my stress level where the dog is concerned (we were to start those sessions last night, but the trainer's daughter came down with sudden "flu-like symptoms" and she was kind enough to think of my two little ones and what she might be carrying into our house). We are also having William baptized on the 15th of November, having finally secured a date that worked for Aaron to be present. And then, of course, December will hit and there will be Christmas preparations to think about. In some ways I think my life will be simpler when I return to work. Maybe then I will stop looking for ways to fill up my time, and just be glad to have down time at home.

Long time, No post

Okay, so I know I promised to keep the updates a bit more frequent on here, but I have a good excuse...really, I do! (Ask me how much I love PCs right now!)

Summer has come, and gone, but we did finally manage to make it out to see family in Manitoba. Well, the kids and I made it out with my Mom for company. It was great to see family again, especially those we seem to see only once every two years. William and Maria were very well-behaved and really seemed to enjoy themselves. Maria especially enjoyed her time with Mia and Izzy...it's a shame they don't live closer, Maria doesn't get the chance to play with other little girls much.

Second plane ride for Maria; first time flying for William

Meeting Great Grandma Epler; Five generations: William (and Maria), Mom, Grandma Epler, Great Grandma Klassen, and Great Great Grandma Wiens

September flew by with Aaron away for much of the month again. However, he is home now and should be working close to home for the time being. I am really looking forward to that. This, of course, also means that the "honey do list" is being pulled out again in an attempt to get more done around the home before guests descend upon us. Maybe there will be a functioning bathroom in the basement when some of you next visit us (fingers crossed). I have also decided that it is time for Maria to get involved in some activities outside of the home. She is currently enrolled in both swimming and gymnastics leaving us busy 3 of 5 weekdays. But to see how much she enjoys this time and looks forward to these activities makes it worth it. I have also taken up running 3 days a week, and if that wasn't enough to keep us busy, we decided to add a four-legged animal to our family this weekend. Okay, we have been discussing this addition for months now, it just came into being this weekend. He is a lab/retriever/border collie cross puppy (and as of right now, he is the best listener in the house). Maria is absolutely in love with him, and he is quickly settling in as one of the family (pictures to follow soon, I'm sure). Thankfully, he was already partially housetrained prior to us getting him, so initial training hasn't been that difficult. And once leash trained, I am sure he will love to accompany me on our walk/runs.

Oh yes, William updates. William has now sampled solid foods and loves it! He has shown no dislike for anything he has tried yet, and is most upset if we don't give him food at our regular meal times. He is able to maintain a sitting position now, and detests lying down. He'll be getting his official 6 month weigh in next Monday - we are currently accepting wagers on whether or not he has crossed the 20lb mark.

He is starting getting up every 3 hours to eat at night again, which has me quite tired, and his naps are short, and few and far between during the day, making it difficult to get things done around here, but he is almost always happy. He only really cries when he is REALLY hungry. So as much as I would love more sleep, I'm not complaining (too much).