William Turns 5!

My big boy is officially bigger! William is now 5 years old! (and very proud to be so!)

Since his birthday was on moving day, we didn't get to celebrate much. He did get some birthday presents from us - a mini trampoline and a set of walkie-talkies.

But the real fun was the following weekend as we prepared for William's first-ever birthday party - a Pirate Party!!

There were lots of preparations to be made - so the week after we moved we ended up shopping and setting up. We got loot stuff, decorations, cake decoration stuff, craft supplies, etc. etc. We went to Value Village and found some things to use for a costume. We used our overabundant supply of cardboard to make an attempt at a pirate ship (which flopped.... so we had to remake a Plan B!)



We invited all his cousins - at least the bigger ones!
Keishon, Kayla, & Tia
Promise, Hope & Reya














When all was said and done, we had 2 bows of pirate ships in the basement - armed with black small balloons for cannonballs, complete with masts and sails. The kids played with them for a while, then we made personalized treasure chests - decorating each of them with jewels.










After a small snack involving fish crackers (trying to keep in theme!), we opened presents. William got lots of great gifts.

From the Williams: a set of laser shooters (which have been a lot of fun for the boys)

From the LaFrances: a computer game - based on Monsters vs. Aliens - the movie. Let me tell you.... this game is intended for players ages 10+. William figured it out no problem. My little game geek!

From Noani & Papa: a nice selection of workbooks - letters and dot-to-dot books. (he LOVES dot-to-dot!) and some gummibears.

From Grandma&Grandpa: a pirate book and SUPERMAN pjs!

Once the presents were finished, we crowded the kids around the kitchen table and had some cake. I'd spent a long time that morning decorating the cake.


It was all in theme: a pirate treasure map! There was a pirate ship in water, with a path to the beach which lead to a pirate treasure candle! I think it turned out pretty great. :)


















Then we headed over to the playground for a while - letting the kids wear off their cake and then wrapped up the day with a treasure hunt - complete with a map and a chest! Both of which we'd made. (I had a slight "setting the map on fire" incident with my first attempt, but the 2nd turned out great and then kids loved it!)

You should have seen them as they puzzled over the map and ran around the co-op looking for their treasure! :) They had a lot of fun!! :) Finally they found it, full of their goodie bags and everyone headed home.

It was a good first birthday party. Wonder what we'll do next year? :)

Our New Place - First Pictures

First pics of our new place!

The Office:

The Living Room:




The Landing at stairs of the kitchen/office level:









The basement:

The Eat-in Area of our Kitchen:

Catching Up: The Move. May 1st.

So, far enough behind that I haven't even shared MOVING day!! oy.

Let's see. What would be one word to describe this move? I think the perfect word would be ... chaos. Stress is a really REALLY close second.

Despite the fact that I spent over a month sorting, packing and putting things in boxes, colour-coding everything to try and make the move as easy as possible.... Despite the fact the whole garage was crammed FULL of boxes and bins and odds&ends.... When moving day hit, there was SO much left to do that I thought I would just be sick over it all.

My parents had planned to come for moving day to help with the kids and to do anything extra we needed. Unfortunately, moving day also fell on the same day as my brother Dan's final exam day, so they had to wait to get him from school before they could come to us. Life happens, but juggling 3 kids in the midst of all that chaos just was more of a challenge than I'd wish on anyone. Thankfully, Julie and Janna were able to help by taking the kids for a few hours before the move actually started (as we waited for the people who'd been in our new unit to move into THEIR new unit!). Jonathan and I used that time to keep chip chip chippin' away on the "to-do" list. I managed to get the top floor 90% finished before we got the keys! (Only room left to do was our room - which had become the dumping ground!).

We got the keys, did a complete walk-through of the new place and then the fun began. It was 4pm. At first, it was just Jonathan and I. We decided on what we would start with - and were getting things ready to fill up the van and drive the 5 units down the road to the new place. Then Tim showed up, then Jonathan's cousin Jason, and Jonathan Abraham. Between the 4 of them, them managed to take the piano out the patio door and dolly wheel it across the backyard grass to the new place. And before it started raining too! (Good thing. I might have kicked someone if they'd gotten it wet!!) lol.

They went into full action - moving most of the big things while the kids were dropped off and I had to find something to keep them out of the way and fed. So, off I went to McDonald's playland. I felt so frustrated while I was there, watching the boys play. I wanted to be more in control of the move - and try to pack up more stuff - like from my desk and my office and my room. Instead, I was stuck watching 3 kids climb in plastic tubing! Oh well - I probably needed to take that hour to sit and relax.

By the time we'd gotten back, the guys had managed to clear out almost ALL of the heavy stuff - the beds, the office desks, the entertainment unit, etc. etc. We got the beds set up for the kids - when the second wave of helpers arrived - Josh, Joey, Joy and David. The fresh wind of energy helped get more work done! Tristan and I went to get Pizza at almost 10pm and then the kids all crashed in their new rooms. We all ate some food, sent everyone home with deepest thanks and then sat in our new room deciding how we were going to set up. Finally we crashed too.

My Dad, Mom, sister Sarah and brother Dan made it this way around 9:30pm - and hit the hay themselves at a local hotel to help us in the morning.

The next morning, we started early. At 6am, I took Samuel and Tristan with me back to our old unit and got started. We still had a lot to do - finishing up getting everything out of the unit and cleaned all up for inspection before the carpet cleaners were due at noon.

We swung into action and I've never cleaned so hard in my life. That place was spic 'n' span! I managed to drag everything out of our room and into the now empty main floor. My poor knees were in agony - having spent so much time in the previous days running up and down stairs ALL day! I finished the top floor before anyone else made it to help. Janna and Paul came first - and Janna was amazing help in the kitchen - scrubbing and polishing like a madwoman! I was SO grateful for that because, in all honesty, cleaning the kitchen was my #1 most stressful thought!! My family showed up next - taking the boys to the playground and helping me get the rest of the odds and sods done and helping to start unpack in the new place!

The rest of the gang showed up too - moving the remaining furniture and boxes out with slightly less vigor than the previous night, but we got it all done. We were still running around like chickens when the carpet guy showed up (despite Mom's attempts to delay him! lol) - but at least we could say we were ALMOST finished!

It had taken a full 24 hours from getting the keys til we passed our own in. I was really relieved to be done, but the piles of boxes and stuff everywhere were just so overwhelming. And knowing that there were many boxes of misc stuff that the guys who were helping just dumped together.... that made me disappointed. The one thing I'd been trying to avoid. Oh well.

We're in. Didn't need to paint. Didn't need to do anything other than find homes for our stuff and make our selves at home.

2 Long Months of Silence.

I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything. The last 2 months have been a blur and possibly the most stressful I've had in a long while. I think, actually, this year has had more stress than I've ever had (other than when Samuel was born and in the NICU).

Since the last time I posted the following has happened:

We packed, and moved.
William turned 5.
We had a Pirate Party for William.
We all got colds.
My sister, Sarah, passed away unexpectedly.
I spent a week with Tristan in London while Jonathan was here with the other 2.
We started homeschooling.
We've been struggling to unpack and settle in.
My friend, Sarah McMahon, stopped by while on a trip down from the Arctic.
I discovered Twilight.
We've been outside more - enjoying the nice weather, and making day trips to fun adventures!
I've been trying to get my Tupperware business back up and running. It's hard!!

I'm going to post on these as I can.

Thanks for keeping tabs on me and my little family. :)

The Decision.

Well, we had to make a decision about the upcoming future and what Jonathan would be doing in September.

It was a hard decision, mostly because it felt like a choice between a dream and security - between the known and unknown - between expectations and ideals. How do you resolve an internal argument of that magnitude?

We prayed, we researched, we weighed, we compared, we ran scenarios, we asked advice and input, we evaluated and then, we made a choice.

I know our choice isn't going to make everyone happy - but ultimately, it's US (or more importantly, Jonathan) who has to be happy with the decision.

And it's not like his choice is the be-all and end all for the rest of his life! Who knows what is going to happen in the next few years? Not me, that's for sure.

What is his choice?

He put in the paperwork to accept the payout. He's planning to quit Sobeys and work with Tim come September.

Here's why:

1. The dynamic at Sobey's is about to change. Jonathan's friend, Dan, is leaving no matter what, so other than a handful of guys he doesn't mind chatting with, Jonathan will really have no personal connection to work anymore.

2. The shifts at Sobey's are about to change. This whole job cut is causing a shift bid. Any of the top level senority who have been in grocery are going to be moving locations (since the grocery dept is closing.). That means that all the jobs are going to be changed around. We did some work and Jonathan figured out there would be a fairly good chance that he would lose his position as receiver AND his position in the freezer (which means he would lose that extra bonus income as well) AND likely his shift as well - probably being moved to a Thursday to Monday shift. How appealing is that? .... Being pulled off a job you don't mind and transferred to a job/area/shift that you really don't. Yes, sounds like something you'd be happy doing til you retire, right?

3. Tim told us that last year when his assistant quit, he told God that he would wait until the right person would come along. He's been waiting a year. No one has even applied for the job. Tim felt like God was asking for Jonathan to be in that spot. Tim and Jonathan have very similar interests but excel in different areas. For example, where Tim might be weak in Math, Jonathan is skilled and vice versa. It would match their strengths well and counter their weaknesses. PLUS, the timing is right for Tim. He's already hired his staff for the year - would have to fire someone if it was right now! In the fall, he will lose the summer kids who have to go back to work, and will be slowing down, so he will have more time for training and explaining things.

4. The more and more we thought about security, the more and more we wondered about how REAL security is. I mean, sure... he could stay at Sobeys. But who's to say that in a year, Sobeys doesn't go belly up and he's out of a job anyway? Or that in 6 months, the building doesn't burn down and there's no work to go to anymore? I was given this quote:

"Security is mostly a superstition.
It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
(Helen Keller) "

It made me think. What is security anyway? Our security is supposed to be in knowing God - that He has everything under control and that He will take care of us, as long as we are following and trusting Him. THAT is security.

5. The idea of staying at a job just because it has benefits, even if you hate it, just seems so.... conflicting to me. How can you toil through work just because it has something that you *might* need? Seriously.

We understand the validity of medical coverage and have researched out places that we can apply for independent insurance, if we decide we need it. This is something we are going to have to look at in more details once the chaos of the move is over and we can think again without having some things in boxes! lol.

6. Sobey's offers no growth, no development, no aspirations, no recognition, no bettering and no extended training. The job that Jonathan does now would, in essence, be the same job he'd be doing in 20 years. Working with Tim will allow him to learn, grow, be challenged, and even lead to some future success. Who knows? Maybe in 10 years, Jonathan will be the superintendent at another course, or in 15 years - we have our own busy, active and successful course? Who knows? (other than God, of course). The idea that he is EXCITED to learn new things, is willing to get training in different areas, and the idea of that unknown future is really exciting!

7. This doesn't have to be set in stone. If it's not working out - either with him and Tim, or with our finances or whatever.... he's not stuck there forever. He can always look for another job. (ok, so maybe not right NOW, but at some point, if needed). And, maybe, by doing this job it will open his eyes to find something else he's passionate about that he can work towards.

8. We checked out all the financial stuff and did our homework. He gets to keep his pension. The amount from his buyout would cover the expense of the van payments totally, and by paying it all now, we'd save a LOT of the interest (which was crazy high). The difference in the monthly costs caused by the van would be the difference in the lower income he'd make. AND he can work towards a pay increase too - through various trainings that will certify him and basically make him more valuable. It may not ever been the same amount as his per hour Sobey's pay, but he also won't have to pay Union fees, etc!

The next step will be getting advice for how to best take the payout so we don't get taxed to death! I have 2-3 financial advising friends/family (this counts you in Dad! hehe) with whom I will consult for their knowledge and suggestions. Again, since this isn't happening until September, I've postponed this discussion until we're resettled.

8. We need a change in our lives. We have grown stagnant in the everyday routine of our family/lives/relationship. I'm holding onto hope that this new adventure, and our new house is the change that God is giving us to shake things up and help us refind ourselves and refire ourselves!

9. There's a lot of good things from this job too! Outside time, a chance to play golf (which he's been sad he hasn't been able to do in a long while) and I fully believe that working with Tim would provide Jonathan with the chance to include the kids more (as they grow) - which they could have NEVER done with him at Sobey's. Add to that the possibility that I can probably have more chances to do my Tupperware business.

10. What is the point of having dreams if you never go for them? Would Jonathan regret it later that he never even TRIED!?

Now... we're leaving it up to God. Jonathan has put in for it and we're waiting to hear. If 15 people ahead of him in senority take the payout, then he will be staying at Sobey's. IF that happens, then Jonathan would bump up in senority himself and would more than likely have a better chance at a more appealing shift/position and would at least be able to know that he's doing what God wants (although I'm sure he would still be a bit sad about not working with Tim).

So, there's our decision. Yes, finances might be tighter, but we can learn to budget, I can work Tupperware or whatever else I need to do - even if I have to take in a kid to look after, I can. I trust that God will help us.

It's amazing though. The moment the decison was made, my stress level completely fell. I went from feeling so stressed I was going to throw up all day, to feeling like I was wrapped and cozy in a blanket. I've been thinking.... would I feel like that if Jonathan had told me he was going to stay at Sobey's? I'm not sure... because I totally felt like this was the answer that God was leading towards.

Last week, I sat down in a moment of silence (gasp!) and prayed that God would speak to me through His Word, and then I opened my Bible. First thing that caught my eye:

"It is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace" - Psalm 133:1. (I looked it up in another Bible later to see that relatives is "brothers" in other translations.)

That was closely followed by Psalm 127:1-2 :
"Without the help of the Lord, it is useless to build a home or to guard a city. It is useless to get up early and stay late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they are asleep."

I believe that was God's voice for us.

I'm excited to see the path we are on. It's nice to see some light in my husband's eyes again.

Stress. As if moving wasn't enough...

ADVANCED WARNING: This post may contain a lot of rambling - I guess as a way to help me try and sort out my chaos!

My house has SO much going on right now, I'm surprised I'm not curled up in bed asleep ALL the time. (My reaction to stress is to get very sleepy!)

We are moving on May1st. So, here I am, trying to figure out what to pack now and chip away at - with 3 energetic boys on my heels... "helping", rearranging clothes into bins, moving things into the garage and trying to get ready.

As if that wasn't enough stress, last week, Jonathan's work finally decided to pull everyone into a meeting to let them know what the company is up to. He works at the Sobey's warehouse. We've known for a year+ that they were planning to do some major job cuts (like 300+ jobs) since they are moving the entire grocery dept to a new automated facility in Vaughan. But we didn't really know when it was going to happen or all the details.

So, they did the meeting last week. Jonathan's position is safe - he's like #50 in senority and has been there for like 10 years. That's not the trouble. The stress and major decision comes to the fact that this could be a HUGE opportunity for Jonathan, who has a very good chance to start something new and work doing something he loves, instead of something he's settled to.
His brother works as a superintendent at a area golf course and has offered Jonathan a job as his assistant. Sobey's is offering 15 people payouts - which would be worth approx a year's salary. So, here's our dilemma... does he take the payout and go work with his brother? Or does he stay at Sobeys?

I'd love to sit and pray and think about the pros and cons in full detail and make our choice after some time to talk about it more. But, the company has to know in a WEEK if he's going to take the payout! a WEEK! We have a bloody WEEK to make a decision that could directly effect every day for the rest of our lives.

I just can't even think about it without my brain wanting to shutdown - which means I'm basically just putting the onus on Jonathan to decide. That's not really fair either.... since it's too big a decision to make on his own. idk....

Does he take a job that will make him happy, get him out more, connect him with his big brother every day, challenge him to learn new things and better himself? Or does he stay where he is - even though it's unsatisfying and stagnant just because it has some sense of security, pays better, and has benefits?

idk ....

Maybe we will have to have a night out this week on our own to sit and talk about everything.

Trying to hear God's voice above the sounds of screaming kids, packing tape and PBSKids...

Update.

Well, many thanks to Julie, Janna and Joy for dropping everything and coming to help me chip away at my to-do list on Thursday last week before our inspection on Friday. It was SUCH a blessing and made it possible for me not to have a meltdown! lol.

Despite the fact that there was a slight mix up with the times, the ladies who did the inspection came Friday afternoon and wandered through the place, taking notes and making some interesting discoveries. Apparently, someone before us put in a plug in the basement that wasn't there originally, and the floor in the front hallway is still the original co-op floor.

All in all, it went really well. Looks like we passed - with condition to clean the carpet and finish patching up some holes we'd made (ok, that *I* made) hanging things up. I can't believe how amazing the place looked - it's been so chaotic for so long. The boys were terrific too - they held off making a mess for so long!

Of course, that's been well taken care of by now.... LOL.

Now, we're waiting for the news of *when* we're moving [could be May1st!] and starting to take a look at our stuff and what we can sell/give away before we start packing.

Here's hoping that it's an easy move!