sooo...

Today I found out the greatest trick ever!


no, not coloring. but james does love to 'goger.'

We've been busy the last week going here and there. I'm sick of packing a bag for a night or 2 unpacking and then doing it again. But that seems to be the trend of the last month. We did, however, stay in Cardston for almost 2 whole weeks up until last Friday. Yay for us, right?!

We went to Calgary for Sadie's birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Sadie! We had so much fun! We also went to the mall. It was great. I don't count Lethbridge as going to the mall cause it kinda sucks, so I have not been to a real mall since the beginning June. I didn't even go crazy and buy out the whole place.
Alli was the BEST shopper EVER! as usual. She has always been so good there. It was like this huge world of pretend for her going to work, folding clothes, riding escalators, running everywhere, and going in all the public bathrooms (gross I know, but she is obsessed with public bathrooms. at least she is going right?) The best is when we came out of a store and she started stretching. hehehe.

So I had a mountain of things to catch up on today. Laundry and cleaning and cooking. And one minor detail.

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY DEREK!!

I knew that the house would be a mess all day, which is fine. But around these parts, people do random stop by's. Which is great for the friend factor, but not so great in the disaster zone I most often live in. Now here is my new trick!

I wore my apron all day! (don't mind the thing on the oven. it was lunch.  and it was good) And what a cute apron it is. Then when that random stop shows up, and the kitchen is a mess, it's ok, I'm wearing an apron so I must be busy and hard at work. So you just put on a smelly candle and you're good to go for the day.



So the house is all clean now, cake is made, birthday supper is started, and we are on our way to having a backyard too! On our way, as in hopefully next summer we will be able to play in it.

Because this is what I look and see right now.  that's weeds, not grass.



Wait, if my house is clean right now, I should hurray and go take pictures to put on here!


one more thing, i miss summer.

this gal...

doesn't really struggle with the positive thing I was talking about last post.



Over the last few months she has picked up few favorite sayings.

"Oh Great!" She will say this in reply to anything from telling her "We are going to the park." or "I'm sweeping the floor." And it's in voice in such extreme happiness you would think I just told her she was going to Disneyland. (if she knew what disneyland was.)

"I'm so esited!" (excited) Again she says this for everything from me painting her toenails to helping me clean the toilet.

"Oh mom, fank you so much for the lunch." or the milk, or if I get her a spoon, ets. (no matter what we are having, she is genuinly thankful for that pbj)



She is rather entertaining these days.

James has also picked up a new favorite word.



He says "kay" whenever I tell him what we're doing or if I tell him to do something. That sounds lame when I write it, but it's the cutest thing when I say "James, time for lunch." and he says "kay" and walks over to his high chair. He has so many words he says right now I can't even count them all. It makes it easier to figure out what he is freaking out about.

We had a fun day in Waterton today. How great that we live 30 mins away from the mountains!



We met up with Brooke and Brady. These 2 boys are sheer trouble, no matter how innocent (and kind of stoned) they look in this picture.

still here

I'm not sure how to carry on.



I can't not talk about Derek's mom. But I just don't know if my emotions are ready to tell you how awesome she was, how great a mother she was, how her example was always more than enough.

(derek's mom passed away from cancer on august 29th. His Grandpa died the day before.)

Nope, I'm bawling already, guess I'm not ready.



It's been an overwhelming summer. Even more overwhelming the last few weeks.

I know one of the many things I am going to do in my life because of Peggy is to be positive. I have heard this quote by Mother Teresa before and just heard it again recently and I love it. Thanks Christal.

"People are often unreasonable and self centered
Forgive them anyway
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives
Be kind anyway
If you are honest, people may cheat you
Be honest anyway
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow
Do good anyway
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God
It never was between you and them anyway."

I got all deep last post because I had just finished reading "The Peacegiver" and "I Am a Mom." Both great books, but haven't been reading much since so I'll just say this. Being positive is something that should be on our daily list of priorities. It will literally make or break your day. And others will notice.



Derek is back at school and we are actually living in our house in Cardston and loving it. I should post pictures soon. Things are feeling rather quiet here as I was surrounded by people kids and babies all summer. The quiet and routine is nice, but I should most likely make some friends before winter. As for right now, the kids and I are enjoying any outside moments we can before winter comes. Cardston is a pretty little town with the creek and the great view out our front window. I just might take a liking to this place!



I just read that I wrote Derek is back at school. Back at school as in the TEACHER! How great is that!?

My sisinlaw Rhonda took the family pictures about a month ago. There are so so many amazing pictures from that day. Thanks Rhonda, and for all the other stuff too.

i'm a bit average

How much do I love being a mom?



I love it so much.

Don't get me wrong, I've had the moments just like every other mother out there. I'll be the first to tell you it's nothing like how I played 'house' when I was a kid.

I lose my patience on a regular basis, and my temper on occasion too. There are nights when I am counting down and I rush those kids into bed at the earliest possible second I can get away with so I can have some quiet. I've cleaned up messes that would have made me puke just thinking about it before I had kids. I have cried over spilled milk, and about a hundred other things that really don't matter at all.

My life is not perfect. I am not perfect. My kids are not perfect.

And that's ok.

Actually that's how it is supposed to be.

There are so many things in life that are important and good to do. "...never be afraid to aspire to be a mother. Get your education. Go have experiences that will broaden your mind and enrich you as a person. But don't forget what is most important." Jane Clayson Johnson



My mother in law has told me on more than one occasion that all she ever wanted to be was a mom. What a truly great aspiration. It is an aspiration for the most noble job on earth with the least recognition.
Would I be a better mother if I got a paycheck? Would I get overtime if i woke up in the night with them ? How about if I make a meal with all the food groups and they actually ate everything without a fuss, a bonus perhaps?
Of course not. Because a mom can't deny that she wants the very best for her kids and will do anything and everything to make this happen.

Creating a loving home for a family is such an important and often hard thing. But time and time again I have seen the blessings of a loving family. So I know that I will do this for my family. We cannot afford to waste our time with trivial arguments between family members. Do not waste your thoughts and words holding grudges.



Some of you may be thinking, "Well, Lindsay, you have no idea what it's like to have family problems or major disagreements in your family." Well, guess what? (and i'm sure none of you are actully thinking that, i'm just making my point here.) You're right. I don't. My mother raised me the best she could and lucky for her I listened, and so should you. (and that is the way I prefer to think about it. I have learned and grown from my experiences and there is no need to dwell on the past and the unimportant details.)

For me, my family is not that trial of my life. (ok, sometimes my kids are the trial of the day) When I have a trial, that is who I go to. I go to Derek for comfort, my parents, my siblings, my in-laws on both sides. They are who I want to be with today and forever.

So if you are ever thinking that you are not cutting it as a mom, you are most likely doing a fantastic job.



"If we stop to think about what we do, really do, we are building for the centuries. We are building character, and tradition, and values, which meander like a river into the distance and out of sight, but on and on and on." Anna Quindlen

I would venture to say my life is very average. I went to school, got married, worked for a while, had a kid, and another. No major achievements there to the unaverage person I guess. But I'm pretty sure I'm in the middle of a very major life: for me, my man and 2 little people that watch my every move. And I don't want it any other way.




Good night. By the way, the random pictures throughout are our trip to the zoo back in July. And no, I didn't dress them in the same color on purpose.

this is me for today

here's a little something from my new found friend christal. i hope we get to hang out someday!

i've had lots going on in my head these days. just about life in general. i wish i was better with words so i could share my 'profound' thoughts but i'm not great, so here's a little bit of me today.

i am: ME

i think: about my family
i know: where i came from and how blessed i am
i want: to do my very best everyday
i have: the best family ever
i wish: i had more self discipline
i dislike: stinky feet
i miss: my edmonton friends
i fear: for my kids
i feel: a roller coaster of emotions, but am content right now
i hear: quiet. love it, crazy day
i smell: everything, i have superhuman smell, this is not a good thing as a mother and nurse.
i crave: one of those homemade buns i had today
i usually: smile
i search: for a lot of things these days, my mom's house is just too big compared to the ol' apartment
i wonder: about the future
i regret: the color of green we just painted alli's room
i love: derek and all the rest
i care: about others' feelings
i always: have polish on my toenails
i worry: i'm not doing things right
i am not: easily stressed
i remember: i am surrounded everyday by amazing people who love me
i believe: i have a purpose here and i since there isn't an i hope: i hope i am fulfilling my purpose
i dance: with my kids
i sing: to my kids
i don’t always: iron things that should be ironed
i argue: on occasion
i write: here
i win: try not to keep track of that too much or i might argue more than just occasionally
i lose: my patience
i never: thought i'd be going through what i am right now..
i listen: to my ipod.
i don't understand: math
i can usually be found: crusin around with the kids in the bike
i am scared: ...

and since it's about me, how about a picture. i never put up self portraits. probably because i never take them. but here it is. this is me right now at 1 in the morning all a mess and using the camera timer.

the lake

weeeeee!