2 Good Nights Sleep

So my bed is all set up and I have slept on it 2 nights in a row. Not like I sleep anywhere else than in my bed at home. Anyways, I really like it. You know what the best part of having this bed is? Jonny and I are pretty much just starting out our marriage and before we got married we both lived with our parents. Getting this bed is like the first substantial piece of furniture that we've gotten that isn't second hand. I know most of you can probably understand my appreciation for new things. It isn't that I don't like my used/old furniture it just makes me feel like we are getting somewhere.

Well this weekend I am supposed to be in youth training all weekend but I'm not entirely sure if I'll make it or not. This morning I injured my back peeing. It's a complicated situation and not entirely appropriate for my blog. So I might have to get a massage or something, any recommendations on where to go (ha ha). Jenn I tried phoning you today but I can wait until after the weekend.

Have a good weekend all. Here is a picture that I posted earlier but in regular format. Emerie looks just like her daddy, except for those blue eyes and fair skin, of course.

The Gig is Up

So October 12 was my 25th birthday. It was a great day. I had my Epicure party on that day and there was so much food. I love food. Lots of appy type stuff - makes my mouth water just thinking about it. And then a surprise from Jonny - he walks in with a HUGE birthday cake. I really truly was surprised. And let me tell you - since I've known Jonny it has almost become a joke between us - he has now only been able to surprise me twice. When he asked me to marry him and with this birthday cake. And truthfully and honestly it's not that I am sneaky and trying to find things out - I just find out.

So all week people have been asking me what I got for my birthday and I keep telling everyone the truth. Jonny and I don't exchange presents for birthdays, anniversaries or even Valentine's Day. We just haven't - and it's okay. Some people were shocked and appalled that we wouldn't exchange presents. I don't think it's a big deal but that's just me.

Anyways - like a month ago Jonny is working out the budget and I notice that he's really pinching pennies and I ask him what's up with that. He just says that he wants this birthday of mine to be extra special. Okay - so the only thing that I REALLY want and have been talking aobut for months now is this bed frame that I saw at Sleepers. So, duh, that's what he's got up his sleeve. As the month goes on Jonny buys me a John Mayer CD which is really great and I wanted and he says Happy Birthday. He tells me that he's sorry but this month is just really tight for money and he was planning on giving me the bed frame but we just can't do it right now. That's totally cool and I understand completely. It's not like we ever exchange presents anyway, right.

I had even talked to people that said "Jonny said he was getting you a bed frame for your birthday". And I still didn't clue in. I just wrote it off that Jonny had talked to them about it when he still though it was financially possible.

THEN - I am cleaning the bedroom and what, what is this? A receipt for a queen size cecilia "nv" bedstead, sienna in color from Sleeper's Mattress Factory. EEEEEEK!!!!!! So now I NEED to know when this thing is coming. So I phone Jonny and ask him "if I do laundry do you promise you'll put the clothes away (because he's really bad at not putting folded laundry away). And he says "today I absolutely promise". By the time Jonny came home I was so crazy with excitement I had to just come right out and say that I know about it. HOORAY!! It's coming today.

Jonny was disappointed because he thought that he finally pulled a really big surprise on me. But he laughed about it with me.

I'll post pictures when I can. I'm so excited I could pee.

Oh yeah - today I totally pulled a Jonny when changing a poopy diaper that did not belong to my own child.

Parenting 101

I know it's been less than 24 hours since my last blog. But because I am home alone I apparently feel the need to comment on everything I see on tv.

Firstly, I need to say that everyone has their own way of parenting, and one way is no better than the other. It really is whatever works best for you and your kids. BUT, this is how I feel.

I watched some talk show today and they talked about all aspects of parenting. First of all they had a panel of celebrity parents and then they had a child development crazy lady on. Spanking was the first topic and mostly everyone said that spanking was definitly the way to go. But then crazy lady voiced her opinion and she said that it's too much of a hassle to spank your kids. I personally find it quite conveniant but whatever. She said it was a hassle because if you spank your kid then your kid can go to school and tell someone that their parent spanked them and then you could get called in for a meeting with your school or social services or something. I don't think that you should be worried about your kid "telling on you" unless you are beating the crap out of them in which case they should be telling on you.

He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads other astray. (Proverbs 10:17)
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. (Proverbs 13:24)
Although I don't think I'd use a rod I think my man Solomon was pretty wise in his words.

Another topic that was brought up was spying on your children. Everyone agreed (including crazy lady) that spying on your children (ie. reading diaries, etc) was a good idea but the celebrities did not know how to do it while maintaining the kids trust. Then crazy lady said the best thing. She explains to her kids that they do not have the right to privacy until they are 18 and/or move out of the house. I am SO telling my kids that. I wouldn't tell my kids that I was reading their diary unless I found something really bad that needed intervention immediately. I would have been absolutely devastated if my parents read my diary. However, let's say, heaven forbid, your kid committed suicide and then when you are going through their things you find a diary that says all kinds of things about them being depressed, etc. Would you be able for forgive yourself for not reading the diary in the first place? I wouldn't.

THEN there was crazy lady #2 who was giving tips on potty training babies at 2 months. Give me a break - let your baby be a baby. Don't kids grow up too fast as it is?

I will tell another funny story about my comedic daughter, Alanna. Firstly, I will say that we are not a racist family whatsoever. For crying out loud supper at our house is like a UN meeting. However, this is a funny story.

Alanna went through a phase about two years ago where she really like coyboy and Indian movies. And truly believed that these types movies still existed in current day true life. (She still thinks that current day London is like Mary Poppins). Anyway we were in Walmart trying jeans on her in the change room and she looked up on saw that there was a grid like roof to the little room. She was why ceiling was like that and the first thing that popped to my mind was so that bad people didn't jump out and steal something. And she says, in her very loud five year old voice, "like Indians?". Well, was my face red. But I tell you, she is now one of the biggest advocates for First Nations equality.

Why did God make it so that kids embarass you at the worst time? Do you think Jesus ever acted up when he was 4? The Bible doesn't really talk about Jesus as a child. Do you think he ever had a temper tantrum, screaming "your not my father" at Jospeh in the middle of the market because he skipped a nap? Probably not. Although I suppose God still knows what it feels like to have your kids be mad at you and even turn against you completely. We do it all the time. Maybe we should think of our kids the next time we decide to blame God for something or deny knowing him. How would you feel if your children did that to you?

Number 20

This is post number 20. How exciting is that? I hope that I have been entertaining you all thus far (or at the very least keep you from absolute boredom).

I hope everyone had an excellent Thanksgiving weekend. Friday night was a typical night for us. That means we were at youth group. Shawn was playing hooky so Jonny lead things. Okay, Shawn wasn't really playing hooky - he has a new baby - but honestly it's not like HE had the baby. ;)

Saturday night Jenna and Kyle came over with their kids. I have so say Kayden was such a sweety, he played so nicely by himself (Alanna was gone for the night). For that matter there wasn't a peep out of Haylie either. It was really nice having them over. It was a long time coming.

Sunday night my cousin Sarah (who is now in the final eight of the Icon thingy at Beily's) was singing. So my whole family (except for Jonny and I) went and watched. It was actually okay that we didn't go because my cousin Taylor (who is under age) came over for a sleepover and a movie night.

We had our feast on Monday and it was great. We had it in Mom and Ron's newly renovated kitchen. My mom is sending me before and after pics so that I can post them once it is 100% finished. The furniture has not yet arrived so Jonny and I borrowed tables and chairs from the church. It was great that all thirteen of us were able to eat at one long table. Oh, and the food, ah the food. I love Thanksgiving. I give thanks for Thanksgiving.

Monday evening we went to Chapman's and hung out for a while. Jonny is absolutely addicted to a card game called Bugger Your Neighbor, so we played that with the Chapmans (Shawn, Lisa and Shawn's parents).

And now it's Tuesday. WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON! No, Tuesday morning coffee throws off my whole week. However, I did go shopping and found some amazing deals on kids clothing. For all those moms out there - a new sale just started at The Children's Place today. Everything that is on sale has an additional 50% off. I got some knit long sleeve diaper shirts for only $4. I love a good deal.

Well, that's all for my 20th blog. I hope you all enjoyed the recap of my weekend.

Just Venting - I'm Sorry

I came here with this big long shpeal in mind. Wanting to blog about how old I feel lately. In the last year and a half I've become a wife and had another baby. It's really hitting home just now that I am 25 years (in a week) and I am a wife and mother of TWO. I'm not in the best shape, although that's not really my problem and I'm not doing anything to fix it so I can't really complain about it. I've gotten my hair done, what, three times in the past four months? And it always ends up looking the same. I started to think that maybe I just needed a few cocktails because I remember feeling pretty sexy when I used to do that every night. (ha)

Then last night I was reading Psalms before bed and I came across Psalms 147:10-11.

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man, the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Okay, so God doesn't care what I look like, I suppose that would make sense. And I'm pretty sure that my friends and family aren't horrified to be seen with me in public (I'm sure that I would have heard about it). So why do I care so much? I'm pretty sure the Bible says a bunch of stuff about being vain and what not. I'm trying to take the Christian approach and so I've been sticking with my Bible, secretly hoping that it contains the secret to eternal gorgeousness. I have a woman's Bible where different women have written their opinions on different topics. There is like 8 different authors touching on beauty, all of them saying stuff like your true beauty is within, blah, blah, blah. If I was only interested in internal beauty with myself I would be a stinkin runway model (ha ha). If I keep checking I'll probably end up finding something somewhere that tells me to get off my lazy ars and actually do something about it instead of sitting on my computer blogging about it.

I blame the media entirely. If there wasn't soooo much on tv about how to look younger, thinner, hipper, etc, etc I'm sure every woman in the world would be a little bit happier, except for those who seem to continually pull it off, I wish I was one of them.

Ah. You must know that despite my recent obsession with my less than perfect hair cuts that I have been receiving lately I am not depressed about it or anything, it's just what I've been thinking alot about lately. I think I need a new stylist because I believe that my current salon is not quite getting my issue. There is the possibility that I'm not getting my issue, it just occurred to me that it may not be the haircut that is the problem at all maybe I need a stylist that can show me how to style my hair.

I know, this is the most boring blog ever. I'm really just venting to myself. Hey, is anyone up for just a day of pampering? Marvel or Marca does manicures and pedicures for pretty cheap. That reminds me - formula test day #3 - wish me luck!

Well I should put at least one brief tale narrating an interesting or amusing biographical incident. (I looked up the correct spelling for anecdote) Here's one about Alanna.

Setting: I'm getting ready to go out to clothing club and I am assisting Jonny in making supper for Alanna before I go. Alanna is playing but apparently eavesdropping.

Leah: So, I'm not sure how late I'm going to be tonight.
Jonny: If I'm sleeping when you come home wake me up.
Leah: OOOO, I wonder how I could do that. (wink, wink)
Alanna: Spit in his ear!

Holy Babies Batman!

Hooray! The babies are here.

Congratulations to Lisa, Shawn and Jachin for welcoming Anaya into their family. She was born on Saturday and is now healthy and at home. I went and saw her yesterday and she is so round. I have never seen a baby with a perfectly round head before. She is so pretty with her rosey cheeks and her strawberry blonde hair.

Congratulations to Jenna, Kyle and Kayden for welcoming Haylie (I hope I spelled her name correctly) into their family. She was also born on Saturday just hours before Anaya. I haven't seen her in person yet but by her pictures she looks soooo much like her big brother.

Also, when I was on my way to see the babies in the hospital I discovered that Mel and Carl (they lived across the hall from us in the apartment) had their baby on Friday. I hope I'm getting this right, I'm pretty sure they named their baby girl Daysia - isn't that cool? She is sooo tiny. It's not very often you see babies under 7lbs anymore.

I went to the doctor yesterday so I could be put on birth control (I know, more info than you probably needed but it is vital for my story). He won't prescribe me any because he can't confirm that I'm not pregnant right now. Doesn't that sound fun? I hope you noted the sarcasm in my typing. I've decided that if I am, that's cool. But I have also decided that if I'm not, I am soooo done having babies. I do not make a good pregnant person. Anyways, I'll keep you all posted on that. My gut feeling is that I am not, so lets not get silly about it.

For those of you who are interested in finding different supper ideas, or just want to come and hang out and eat yummy food- I am having an Epicure party on October 12. For those of you who haven't tried Epicure I warn you - come with an empty tummy.