New Finds for Project 2012

Yesterday we got back from a two-day trip to Fargo to do a little shopping for new house stuff while catching up, relaxing, talking, etc. I thought I would show you our newest treasures! First off, we bought our front door! It is so very exciting to know that this is the pretty door everyone will see upon entering our home! It is a beautiful steel door with an oval window and zinc accents. And at $199? What a steal! This picture is not the exact one but so very close!

Won't it look so fabulous with this entrance set I bought a long time ago? I am in love!

Secondly, we were able to pick up the faucets for the kids' bathroom. This "Porter" style by Delta was on sale so we couldn't pass it up.

Remember the sinks that are going with these faucets? Oh, it will look so beautiful!

The sink faucets were $49 and the tub/shower faucet? Only $99!

We are good bargain hunters, wouldn't you say? We also picked up 3 of our interior doors since they were only $28.88 prehung! If they had more in the size and style we needed, we would have bought more! Needless to say, the trip was completely worth it and we look forward to more excursions in the future!

A Little Shopping

Every year, Jay and I try to take a couple of days and head out somewhere without the kids. This is a treat, to say the very least, and it is in no small part due to the very generous hearts of our family who willingly takes all 5 kids for a couple of days/nights. Usually on these short excursions, Jay and I try to take some time to reconnect. Refocus. Evaluate. Plan. Relax. Just be. Sometimes we go somewhere more secluded so there is little to do but connect. With no TV or shopping to distract, we spend many hours together just talking. Or walking. Or hiking. These are treasured times and we look forward to them each year. Sometimes, though, we do something a little more urban and head to the states to reconnect, refocus, evaluate but also shop! That is the route we are going this year. Soon we are going to Fargo for 2 days and 2 nights! We are so excited. As the time draws nearer to house building, scouting out deals and bargains is at the top of our list. We will certainly check out hardware stores and price compare. Being so close to the American border, with the added incentive of getting all the taxes back we spend in ND, shopping in the US is a sensible option for us. Don't get me started on the whole "stay local" jargon - a lot of the stuff sold there is made here in Canada then shipped down there and sold for a cheaper price. I will go where the savings are! Anyhow, part of the appeal of shopping in the states is finding those treasures that aren't sold here in Canada (well, if they are, certainly not anywhere around here!).

First off, Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Herb Tea! Oh, my goodness! That stuff is FANTASTIC! It is a full flavored caffeine free tea that requires no sweeteners due to the natural sweetness it contains. I tasted some a little while ago and am now hooked!

Secondly, Hershey's Dark Cocoa, if I can find it. Another luxury not available in Canada!

Any other treats you buy in the states since they are not available here? I am not so interested in the candies (though Hershey's Symphony bar with toffee and almonds is heavenly) or the pop but other goodies? Do tell!!

Happy Birthday, My Dear Son!

It is so hard to believe my mothering journey started 8 years ago today! When Jay and I were first married (or probably before) we talked about waiting 5 years to have kids. After 3 years, I was just itching to be a mom! Now, you must know that being a mom was my biggest dream - it was everything I aspired to be! So waiting three years was a long time! :) I didn't want to force Jay into anything that he wasn't ready for so, though I told him I was ready at that point, I didn't force the issue. Then, bless his kind and sweet and gracious spirit, a little while later he told me I didn't need to renew my birthcontrol pills - his way of saying we could start to try having a baby. And, to top it off, he didn't even make me finish the unopened package I already paid for, a big surprise for my very money-conscious hubby! Anyhow, shortly after we were pregnant! I had suspicions I was with child so I bought a home pregnancy test and used it in the bathroom of the mall! Classy, isn't it! When I saw the two lines indicating my dreams had come true, I couldn't stop smiling! I went to my inlaws house (that's where Jay was) and he came out to the car to see me. I told him "1 means 'no', 2 means 'yes'." He had no clue what I was talking about. I said it again and then held up the stick! He clued in fairly quickly and was just thrilled with the idea! He knew that his first reaction would be remembered by me so he made sure it was positive! So, that was the beginning of the mothering journey for me. 8ish months later, I delivered our son into the hands of my husband in the warmth and coziness of our bedroom. Besides his initial cry, my dear son was sooooo quiet. He was absolutely content to be held by his daddy while the midwives finished up with me. He had the largest brown eyes and such a quiet spirit. I remember him really crying for the first time that night (he was born in the morning) and I was confused as to who was crying - until I remembered I was a mom and that was my son!

When I held him in my arms for the first time, I had this overwhelming sense that this . . . THIS was what I was created for. This was my purpose! It was a fulfillment of my dreams and it was even better than I could have imagined. I still, 8 years later, wonder when the reality of being a mom will sink in. I am surprised and overwhelmed over and over at the blessing of these children and it all started with my not-so-little-anymore son, Pepe! He has such a gentle spirit (he is still boy and can roughhouse like one!), loves his siblings and shows great tenderness towards them, is responsible, smart, a huge helper, a fantastic reader, is loving and has a love for Jesus that is wonderful to see. He is methodical in his choices, taking much time to think things through, he is hesitant in new surroundings, checking it all out to make sure it is safe. He has such a special place in my heart (as do each of his siblings) and I cannot imagine this family without him.

Pepe, I love you, my sweet 8-year old son, and I am humbled that the Lord allowed me to be your mother. I look forward to the next 8 years and many, many more beyond that! Happy Birthday, son!