As you may have noticed, I've been quite busy lately. It's just too nice out to sit and blog! However, for those of you who are too far away to stop in and catch up, I thought I would begin a series of updates (way too much to fit into one post!).

A few weekends ago, we went to PEI to visit some good friends. We also stayed in a hotel and enjoyed some family time. Here are some pics from the trip:



Leaving playgrounds is never quite as much fun as arriving at them!



Here we are swimming in the hotel pool. The hot tub was a little disappointing because it was way too hot. I love hot, but this felt like serious burning so we enjoyed the pool instead.



Chris and Josiah as we were packing up:



Here are some pictures of our visit with some very amazing people!









...And that was our weekend. Many more updates to follow shortly!

For those who have been asking me/wondering, I got the results of my blood work last Thursday. My doctor said that everything is very normal, and that my problems may have something to do with a three foot tall family member. I guess that should be very good news, and it really is; however, I am left wondering what I can do to deal with the fatigue.

The past few days, I have been wondering how I can better manage being a mom and wife, working inside and outside of the home, being involved in church(or even attending these days!) and growing in my relationship with God, maintaining other important relationships, and making a little time for myself on top of it all. I think I missed a ton of things, but those were the first few that popped into my head! I'm sure there are a ton of people reading this who can relate, and it's nice to know I'm not alone.

So I may come up with some small changes, but I think I just need to get to bed earlier, lower my standards on everything, and try to make the best of each day. If I come up with anything else major I'll let you know. Oh, and I continue the caffeine deprivation even though I'm not seeing any immediate results.

Thanks to all of you who have checked in with me through this. It means a lot!

Lessons in potty training:

1) Find a friend who is big enough that he/she won't fall into the potty. Also must be someone who really has to go:



2) Get some T.P and be prepared for anything:



3) Help out, and congratulate them when they are done:



I am hoping that all of this practice will pay off soon!

These are the treats I made a couple of weeks ago for the ladies group. They are chocolate covered cheesecake squares. So good! Lots of work but worth the outcome.



I have also been baking a lot of my own bread lately. These are brown rolls and are very easy to make. Before moving to Manitoba, I had tried bread and failed many times. But my friend Jobina gave me an amazing bread making lesson and I have had success ever since! Here is the amazing dough:

Update

Just wanted to let you know how my attempts at minimizing caffeine are going. The good news is that I do not think I was addicted. The first week and half were not physically challenging as much as the habit was difficult to break (like making or ordering decaf rather than regular). I really had to think about what I was taking in. The bad news is that I don't think it has impacted my energy level either way. My follow-up appointment to get my blood work results is next week, so hopefully that will help me understand what has been happening.

On a funny note, Josiah has been closing his eyes a lot lately and experimenting by running around the room, climbing, eating, and trying to perform his regular tasks.

I was talking to Chris (who is home with Josiah today), and he told me that Josiah has had quite a naughty morning.

He thought he would try breaking many of the house rules with his eyes shut. We are pretty sure he thinks that daddy is not able to see what he is doing...what a clown!

Easter Weekend

Chris and Josiah have both been sick in the past couple of weeks, and I think they are finally feeling better. Because Chris was sick all weekend, Josiah and I ended up going to my mom's for a couple of days. Here are some pictures to catch you all up!

Chris got Josiah a major get-well treat:



Brunch at the Mealey's:



Josiah on Easter morning:



Learning about the Easter story:



Playing with play-dough:



At my mom's place, Josiah was spoiled with a ton of outdoor play time. Here he is playing with the same tricycle I used when I was younger:











We enjoyed a visit to a local playground, where we were met by my aunt, uncle, and cousin:







Josiah experienced his first cut after falling on the rocks. If you have seen him since, he has probably shown you...and pouted. We are wondering what he will do when it disappears!

Happy Easter!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter weekend! I love Easter! It is such a wonderful reminder of the gift that God has given to each of us. Every year that goes by, I appreciate His grace even more. Maybe it's because I make more mistakes, and realize that I don't have enough time left to ever make things right on my own!

We are staying home this year. I'll try to post some new pictures next week, but thought I'd leave this one. It is Josiah crashed out after the Easter service last year. He refused to nap, then didn't even make it home without falling asleep.