Don't mess with this Momma

The last couple of days have been... shall I call it... trying.  I keep telling Tristan that there are so many things that happen in our lives that we have no control over, but the thing we do have control over is how we react.  What do we do once that situation is presented.  Usually I'm giving him this talk after Lucy has taken a toy or destroyed his train track, but it does apply to bigger things in our lives.  Trying to teach him life lessons over the smaller things so when the big things hit he will be prepared.

I love my brother dearly but he can be a burden.  He's terrible with money, being organized and tying up loose ends that he thought were handled.  The re-occuring pain has been collection agencies.  And when you owe people money, they want money, and they some how know all your information.  My poor parents have been dealing with this for years, and sometimes they would get multiple phone calls a day.  I've witnessed this and have even fielded a few of those calls when at their house, but never have I had one of them track me down on my cell phone.  First of all, that pisses me off.  Who the hell do you think you are calling me on my personal line and demanding that I give you information?  Not gonna happen.  And this is a warning of anybody out there who thinks they can bully me into giving them information, because I will not be fooled.  You WILL NOT waste my time or my family's time with your demands and think I am just going to roll over because you act like you know something I don't.  Well, news flash.  I'm a frickin' ninja AND a Momma... I've got eyes not only in the back of my head but I can make you feel like the most insignificant person that dared crawl out from under their rock.

I had this 'lady' Sandra call me about my brother.  She calls my cell, and Gaetan picked up because I was getting the kids ready to head to the pool.  She starts asking him questions one right after another, not giving him a chance to answer probably hoping to fluster him.  Well, lady, when you wanna pull that bull shit on somebody, it would probably help if you weren't talking to the smartest man alive.  I overhear a little bit of his end of the conversation and I realize that it is dealing with Jon.  So, this poor unknowing woman, asks if she can talk with me.  She claims that she has legal documents that NEED to be signed by Jon ASAP and when I tell her that he is in Afghanistan serving his country she doesn't know what to say.  Of course not... its hard not to sound like a complete D Bag when the person you're trying to bully is fighting for your freedom.  Regardless.  She keeps trying to get information from me, and I personally didn't feel comfortable with it.  She kept pushing and pushing and I had had enough.  I calmly explained to her that if she left a number that I would see what I could do.  She already tells me that she's tried calling my parents house and is going to keep going down the list of people until she gets some information.  Oh, threaten me will you?  I don't think so.  I pretty much just let her know that she wasn't getting anything and if she wanted things done then she better be more forth coming with what she wanted.  It didn't happen. She leaves her name and number and that's that.

So, I go back to trying to get my kids ready for the pool so that we can hang out and enjoy our sunny afternoon.  Not 5 minutes after I hang up with this lady I get another call.  Private number again.  Who is it this time?  Her supervisor/boss.  He calls and tells me that he just got off the phone with one of his employees who was upset about a conversation she just had.  I said, "Let me guess... her name was Sandra."  And he sounded taken aback, and stammered a, "yes, yes actually."  I told him the same thing I told her.  Now, I can tell the reason why he's the supervisor and she's the minion is because he's a much better people person and smooth talker.  He is a little bit more forth coming about information, enough to where I at least feel comfortable passing the information along.

Now, the matter got settled, which is good.  But I can't stand people wasting my time, threatening to keep calling/harassing the rest of my family and think that is somehow going to put me in a sharing kind of mood.  Maybe that works on others, but I think I've watched one of many conspiracy TV shows.

So, I guess the moral of the story is I don't have time for bull shit, so don't try to bull shit me.  I think it's kind of fun every now and again to let it all out, because, well, it's just fun and it gets my quota in for being a sass machine.  :)

JVG

Zoe

Zoe.  Dear Zoe.  There is so much that can be said about my darling sister in law.  It's been about a year since she has made contact and has been apart of our lives since.  It's interesting to think back on the year... what has gone by, and all the different things that changes ones life.

I would say that having Zoe back in our lives has been good.  It's nice to finally meet and start to get to know my sister in law, and I know that Gaetan likes having his sister back.  Unfortunately, she carries a lot of baggage, understandable baggage, that she is working through, and I'm glad that we can offer her support through these tough transitions.

I would say that the thing I admire most about her is her ability to see the good in people.  In a way she still acts pretty innocent on how she views people, but I know that life circumstances has taught her anything but.  But, she still continues to chooses to see the good in people... people who most certainly don't deserve it.

At Lucy's birthday party we some what tricked her into going to church with us.  She had to come with us because she didn't have a car, and we weren't coming back in between church and the birthday party so she had to come.  Later, she admitted to being a bit put out on the ride there, but as soon as we got there she instantly fell in love.  So much that she has started listening to the podcasts and has even sought out a church of her own in Jersey.  That takes a pair.  To seek out something by yourself... and not only that, but go by yourself.  Not only that, but to go to something that your entire life you've hated and would even say you where against.  It gets better.  To invite your Dad... inviting strangers to things is easier in a way because you aren't really invested in them yet.  If they get offended or mad, then whatever, you'll probably never see them again.  But family?  People you care about, and you know how they feel about certain things.  I think that's amazing.

Zoe shared with us that going to church has changed her and is helping her deal with the things in her life.  It's helping her open up, and I know that's good for her.  I know it sounds silly but she even publicly changed her facebook status to being a Christian.  She has a long road ahead, and I know that God is going to be with her every step of the way... He always was, but now she is acknowledging it.  She told us that she never got it, until now.  She couldn't understand what we were so excited about all the time, but now she gets it.  Funny huh.  Don't know what you are missing until YOU want it.

The hardest part I think was getting over that idea of what a Christian was.  She told me that in her mind a Christian is what her Mom was.  Wilfreda claiming to be a Christian, (Roman Catholic) and being so hypocritcal about everything, Zoe said that was something she didn't want.  Its hard to to swallow that she is the reason she wrote off Christianity.  People really are watching.

We love Zoe dearly, and we are excited to see what the future holds for her.  She has great potential, and I know that God is opening her eyes every second.  :)  And it just goes to show that it's all in His timing and He will make the changes happen within a persons heart when it's the right time.

JVG

The Lake

About twice a year for the past few years we've been going to Grace's cottage up north.  It's this little fun tradition that happens when its time to put the dock in and out of the lake.  :)  It's a great excuse to hang out with a good friend, her family and enjoy the water.  I think the first time I met Grace's parents I was pregnant with Tristan and I ate an entire plate of bacon... I made a good first impression.  ;)

This year so far hasn't been any different.  We went up to her lake, but this time didn't have to help put the dock in.  We just hung out, and enjoyed the weather.  The past few times we've been there though it's rained/stormed pretty fierce, but we did get some good time outside in.

Dude was more about the lake then Lucy was.  He actually even caught a fish!  He just had a net and sat patiently on the dock until a fish swam into his net and he pulled it up.  I know it's not legit, but he had a lot of fun looking at it before we put it back.

On the way up north, Dude showing Hippo something on his toe

Lucy, relaxed and ready to go

Playing on the dock

This is how Dude caught his fish

After it started to storm and the kids seemed pretty tired, we took off for home.  On the way back though, since it was raining so badly, we took a pit stop at my parents.  We didn't think that we were going to see them that Saturday (for the usual pizza and beer) but it turns out we got to.  It was nice because they had been helping my Grandparents move into their new house, so they were debating on what to have for dinner, so we even got dinner out of the deal!  Double score!  We got to hear about Dad's trip to NY and heard about his food adventure.  There was an exchange student that he knew when he was in high school that apparently owns a brand of vodka and has a really swanky restaurant in NY.  The chef there is Marcus Samuelson!!!  Dad didn't know who that was, but we have heard all about him because of all the food shows we watch.  Amazing. The funny thing was, when we got to Mom and Dad's they had hardly had any adverse weather... in fact, it was really nice out.

I thought it was funny that she fell asleep with her arm up

All was going well until they hit a bump...

This is one of their favorite things to do at Grandma and Don's

She points where she wants to go and he tries to make it happen :)

The kids had so much fun during this visit.  I mean, they always do, but this visit just seemed really EXTRA good. Good times.

JVG

Gifts through a Dude's eyes

The other day we got some home schooling stuff from my sister and I just put it away on his shelf in the book case while they were out one day and didn't tell him about it.  There were some books, flash cards and some stencils.  Stencils that I had when I was a little girl... so you know they're old ;)

Anyways, while I was at capo today apparently Lucy found the stencils and walked over and gave them to Dude.  Because I didn't tell him about it he thought that Lucy was giving him a present.  He was happy about it, but he was speechless when he saw that there was one that had the entire alphabet on it.

Then, it was kind of like they had an understanding that since she gave him something he was supposed to do something nice her for... so she walked over to his shoes and pointed.  He said, "Lucy want to wear Dude's shoes?  Oh yes, Dude will help Lucy put them on."  So, he helped his little sister put on his sandals which she was apparently thrilled about.  She walked around in them like she was a big girl.  :)

Goose sporting Dude's shoes

This is a pic of them picking their noses at each other in the car...

I'm glad that the kids can do nice things for each other, and that they have an understanding of what meaningful things are.  I would like to think that Dude knows that she is all about his shoes (because she's always playing with them) and he would see that it would mean something to her.  And I would like to think that Lucy understand his love of letters (because, let's be real, it doesn't take a genius to see that).  That gifts are nice, but gifts that actually mean something to the other one is much more thoughtful, even if it is a hand-me-down or just letting your sister wear something of yours.

JVG

Garden

For the past few summers my parents have had a garden.  They started small at first, but they are expanding little by little each year.  I think my parents like having something to do outside... at least I know my Dad does.  And I think secretly my Mom does too, although she wouldn't admit to it.  This summer has been the first summer that the kids have been interested in being outside this much and 'helping'.  Last year, Lucy was only a few months old, so she was really only interested in sleeping, eating and pooping.  And Dude never was a huge fan of the outdoors... until now.

I think, for him, he sees Grandma and Don outside and wants to be with them, doing what they do.  Dad was pulling weeds and Tristan was all about wanting to help.  Dad said once, "We're getting rid of these stinking weeds!"  And ever since that Dude points to weeds and says, 'stinkin' weeds.'  Then he smiles and laughs.  The kids most favorite part is watering.  They LOVE the water.  My parents put on a sprinkler that moves, and that's Lucy's favorite part.  She likes to put her hands in it, and then run away before it gets her.

Lucy wanted to help water the flowers, but she mostly watered herself.

Dudes favorite part is actual watering.  They fill up a bucket, and then he has this little toy watering can that he waters parts of their flowers with.  It's real cute. :)  I'm really glad that they like being outside and that they can learn about things like this!  I hope that they have an appreciation for mother earth, and this awesome time with family.

Dude and the pals filling up the bucket

Grandpa showing him where to go

Big time waterer!

I hope to have a garden when we have a house, and a compost pile too.  :)  There is a lot of learning that can be done, and I hope to share it with the kids!

I thought that this was a sweet picture of Dad teaching Lucy about leaves.

JVG

Pool and Poop

We finally took the kids to the pool at our complex.  They opened it up, but the weather wasn't that conducive to trying it out, but it finally got warmer so we thought we'd see how they liked it.

Well, like isn't the right word... they LOVED it.  The first time we went they were just 'testing the waters' but after a few minutes they were all about it.  Dude is much more cautious about things than Lucy, so it took him a little bit to get used to the idea.  Lucy isn't careless, but she was more about sitting on the steps in the water and just relaxing.

All was good until I realized that Lucy had pooped out her diaper and it was streaming down her leg.  Good thing that we were out of the pool, but that meant it was on the cement now.  It was EVERYWHERE.  We tried to get her out of the pool area as fast as possible, but we had to make sure that Tristan was safe too.  We eventually had to strip her out of her bathing suit and just hose her down.  It was a bit of a mess...

Well, the kids loved the pool so much that we went back a few days later.  We tried out this inflatable thing that Tristan had when he was littler and Lucy LOVED it.  Dude loves it too, but really its more for Lucy.  They were having all sorts of fun and because he had been so cautious the first time he wasn't so much this time.  :)  But again, Lucy frickin' pooped at the pool!  Now, the type of swimming diaper we have for her is a re-useable one.  It's one that holds poo but doesn't soak up pee... more cloth diapering stuff.  This time the poop stayed in but that meant there was still poop that we had to take care of.  Unbelievable.  And I think we all know how hard it is to get wet bathing suits on ourselves, but a squirmy one year old?!  It is quite an adventure.

Now, because it's been 2 for 2 with pooping at the pool, I was kind of dreading going to the pool again.  I was really hoping that this wasn't going to be an every time thing, so we tried it again.  Success!  No poop!  (Oh and let me just say that we didn't think that she was going to the first two times because she had already gone multiple times previous to that...)  So, I hope that her pooping days at the pool are over!

However, Tristan is quite the opposite.  He is so against the idea of even thinking of peeing in the pool. He'll be playing hard (on the ladder, that's his favorite) and then he'll just shoot out of the pool and yell, "Pee pee!"  It's pretty funny.  He does that with the tub too (which is a good thing, for sure!)

Goose just sitting back and enjoying life.  We float her from person to person and she loves it.

At his favorite place to play at the pool.  He likes being able to climb up and down and almost touch the bottom.

JVG

Children's Museum playdate

It's always nice when the kids can play with other kids their own age, and when we know the parents!  It's OK when we go to the library and the kids start playing with somebody else, but it can be awkward then when you have to talk to the parents, or if you don't know how uptight they are about certain things.

We got to have a playdate with Max.  Max's mother, Meg, and I went to high school together.  Her little sister was in my grade (Kate) and we were pretty good friends.  Meg is a few years older than I am.  Max was born the day after Lucy, so I got to visit his Momma because we were on the same floor!  We went to the children's museum in GR because I knew they would have a lot of fun.  Max isn't as mobile as Lucy so she literally was running circles around him, but they had a lot of fun together.  And Dude ALWAYS has fun at the CM.

They were having a moment at the table.

Drumming fiends!

Lu wanted me to drum

Dude at the 'vets'

Max was sorting bones

Happy with the Papa

Dude was mailing Dog some bones.

JVG

A trip down memory lane

I got a bit nostalgic the other day and started reading the beginning of my blog.  I was curious when I started it, and how much has changed since then!  I started it right about a month before Tristan turned 1 (prolly around the time I got pregnant with Lucy but didn't know it yet).  It's been funny to read about how life was so different, yet so much the same.  But my favorite part is reading about the kids.  Obviously, in the beginning most of my blog was about Tristan so we have a lot of documentation on what he was doing at what age!

The fun part about it is Lucy is doing seriously about the same stuff that Dude was doing at that age.  She's really getting good at signing, and she's learning so quickly!  It was about 14-15 months that Dude just started taking off on learning different signs.  Another thing they do similarly is they take you by the hand now and lead you places they want to go.  :)  It's very sweet.  The next thing is all the kisses and hugs, and what Momma doesn't look forward to that.  They started walking around the same time, but Lucy is WAY more vocal than Tristan ever was.  I mean, she was as a baby too, but she's speaking a lot more now too.

They are so similar it's crazy!  But, I like looking back and seeing how they are the same, but oh so very different and their own person.  :)

JVG

Our sorta will...

Last night I was trying to get the kiddos some health insurance.  We had some but apparently Gaetan makes to much (which is ridiculous) and we've saved to much money so they took away the kids health insurance.  ugh.  So, I was online last night to see if they qualified for anything else, and I think that they do.  We will have to pay a monthly fee but it is quite do able... and seeing how active they are, we're gonna need it!

But that got me to thinking... I know that Gaetan and I have discussed what are wishes are regarding if the other one can't make decisions, and we've talked with a few other people (like my parents) but I thought that it would be a good idea to write it down.  Now, I know it isn't an official document, but at least we have something in writing just in case.

It's was a bit morbid and made me feel a bit uneasy writing instructions down on what we would like to happen with the kids if we should both die, but it's something that needs to be done.  We've also talked about what we want done with our bodies, and how we feel about life support etc.  They are hard conversations to have, but we both realized that we would rather know what the other person wanted, than be left guessing after the tragedy had already occurred.

It just gives you a perspective on how quickly things can change and, of course, you are never ready.  But, I figured we could try and be as prepared as possible for something like that.  I don't think that there would be any problems with who got custody of the kids, because, like I said before, we've discussed with all parties involved what we would want to happen, and even a back up plan.  Just makes you think.  Are you living your days to the fullest?  Are you loving like Jesus would love?  What are you pouring into the people around you?  Garbage?  or Life?  Just something to think upon.

JVG

Moving

It's been just over half a year since we've moved to Portage.  We are big fans of this area and we actually really like our complex quite a bit... but about a month ago we got new neighbors.  We met them... they're this nice older retired couple that just downsized from a house just down the street.  All was going well until, we realized that the guy was a smoker.  Not just an occasional smoker, like a smoker that I have never seen him without a cigarette in his mouth.  And it wouldn't be as bad if he just smoked outside, but he smokes inside their place and it permeates into ours.  Its awful.  Our place smells like an old sock that was left in a bar and what's worse is the kids rooms smell the worst.  We get physically sick, headaches and not feeling well.  :(  Bummer.  I can tell when he gets up because our places starts smelling like smoke.  We can't even be on our couch because it sticks so badly.  If we keep all the windows open then it airs it out and is more tolerable, but it's been 90+ lately so we've tried to keep the air off as much as possible so that we could air it out... but it was getting to be to much.

Unfortunately, if we break our lease then we have to pay out the rest of it unless there is another potential mover.  Then we just break it and they take over, so biggie... so we've been looking into places around Portage and Kalamazoo.  We really like the location of this place, how it's so close to the library and it has a lot of running around room in the back.  But it's just the darn smoke...

However, there might be an answer to prayer!  Since we frequent the library so often we've really gotten to know the staff quite well.  There is a librarian that is actually looking to rent out her condo because he husband is doing his PhD program at IU and he's there and she's here with her son.  They thought they had a renter but it fell through so they are paying on two places... ouch.  We are going by tomorrow to look at it, but I think that we are both really excited about it.  We've been praying about this and it just goes to show how much God is in control and His timing is perfect.  So, keep praying and let's hope this works out!

This does mean that we would be paying double rent for (the longest) 4 or 5 months, depending on when we can get into this other place.  I usually don't get excited or my hopes up for things like this, but I'm feeling really pumped.  Sandy (the landlady here) did say that there was somebody who called today interested in a two bedroom, so we might not have to pay double rent after all!  Again, keep the good thoughts and prayers coming our way!

JVG

A Duder post

Our sweet little Dude is so amazing.  He is growing up so quickly, and does so many hilarious things!  He is currently learning how to write.  He does really well when he can use his finger (like painting, or on a touch screen) but he's getting the handle on how to wield a writing stick.  :)  He can do O, D, T, L, Q, S and is very close on many others.  He's so very quick.

Hard at work learning his letters

At the library they started a reading program and for every 5 hours you read (or in Lucy's case) get read to you get a prize.  Dude reads probably more than an hour a day.  His nap times consist at least of 'relaxing' time.  He's at the weird stage where he still should sleep, but if he sleeps to long then he's impossible to get down at night... so we usually put him to bed with a few books and then he can read, relax and recoup.  Well, lately, we've been catching him trying to sneak books into bed with him at night time.  He thinks he's being so sneaky too... he's very cute.

Dude with his books and pals during nap time

He is also eating a TON.  Recently at night time he's been telling us that he's always so hungry and so tired... so Gaetan tells me that we'll have a big breakfast the next morning.  And he always requests M and M pancakes... haha.  Well, he's been eating like 3 waffles and an scrambled egg amount of food each morning.  It's unreal how much he can eat!  Must be a growing boy... I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he's a teenager.

We were giving dude a treat and he was only supposed to have a bite, but then he grabbed the whole thing and ran off to his hiding place...

This isn't a guilty face at all...

The other day when we had a playdate with a friend who's baby's name is Max he said, "Max, I'll eat you up, I love you so!"  Which, for those of you who don't know, is from Where the Wild Things Are. He's been reading that a lot lately, and it's funny that he made that correlation and that he remembers!

He is our littler talker too.  Especially in the car.  He's amazing.  Right now he's working on listening right away, and that there are consequences to not listening or throwing fits.  We have found that the thing that gets him to pay attention the fastest is the threatening of his pals being taken away.  First with Chaz, then Dog and the worst is Hippo.  He has never gotten Hippo taken away, but it's been close.  One particular night when he was being extra stubborn (and he got everything taken away and had to bargain to get Hippo back) he was upset, so we asked him why.  We like to ask him why he is upset or sad or scared or whatever, so then he has to think about it.   This time he said he was upset because he was afraid that we were going to take his best pal of all away... Lucy.  He didn't want her to get taken away because he loves her so much.  ::heart melting::  His little sister is his best pal... I love it.  For the most part he's really good about not throwing fits, but of course, he is two and every now and again there is a bit of a flare up.  So he is learning about consistency... :)

Dude pushing Lucy around in the stroller around WMU

Something else that really impresses me about him is his ability to know where we are.  When we get in the car he can tell us if we turn this way where we'll be, or that way or the general direction of some of his favorite places.  For example he knows how to get to the cookie store (Meijer), the library, soccer, where Momma runs (the gym I used to go to) and then there's the freeway... when we're on the freeway he always asks if we're either going to see Grandma and Don or go to church.  There was a stretch of a few days when we were letting Gaetan sleep in so we would run some errands and there was a Biggby that just opened up so they were running a lot of promos/free drinks to get their workers ready and now everytime we drive past a Biggby Dude tells us that's where Papa gets drinks.  Haha.  And once, we got him chicken nuggets from a McDonalds and now when he sees the golden arches he says that it's the nuggest place... Then while we're on the freeway he'll point things out... different billboards that we've pointed out to be him, which I think is impressive.  There was this inflatable dinosaur in front of a business that he loved to see, but then they took it down because the sale is over, and every time we pass by the spot it used to be he'll ask us where it went.  I feel like that's pretty good and good at focusing for a 2.5 yr old, not to mention we don't drive past those places all the time.

Hippo dancing in the wind

He was having a blast

Happiest when he has his pals

What I think is the most remarkable is how mature he really is.  After Wilfreda left yesterday Gaetan had a pretty serious conversation with him about her.  Tristan always says night prayers and always prays for his favorite people... and then Gaetan asked him about Oma (since we had just seen her) and Tristan said that he didn't really like her.  That he knew that she was OK to be around when she we here but that he knew that she was not very good.  He called her a baby because she whined a lot and that's not good... he said that it was OK that Lucy was a baby, because she was his baby, but Oma was a whiner.  I think it's interesting that that can pick up on people who are good as acquaintances or people who really care about him and will be there for him when he needs it.  I hope that we can continue to have such open communication with him about such things so that he can have an understanding about life.

Our sweet sweet boy is growing up so quickly.  :)  Dude, Momma and Papa are so incredibly proud of you every day and we love you more than we could ever express.  May you continue to be passionate and love God as much as He loves you.

JVG

Full Blast

I have to say our time at the water park was a lot of fun.  I have to tell you I am BURNED.  Since I got a new suit I have new areas of my body that hasn't seen sunlight in years... and then today they got a few hours of it!

This place was actually the place we had our Senior all Nighter for high school, but everything was inside.  We spent the majority of the time in the outdoor water park but we started on the indoor.  It seemed all right and the kids were having fun, but they had more fun outdoors.

Dude was not a huge fan of the splashing.  It actually took him a little while to get used it and warm up to the idea of being outdoors.  Lucy on the other hand went straight for it.  There was this little water slide that both kids went down, but Lucy was the only one that really liked it.  It was fast for as little as the slide was!

We were going to go back inside to get a little break from the sun, but just as we were they closed it because apparently somebody pooped in one of the pools... awesome.  haha.  Kids will be kids I suppose.

Here are some pics of our fun day!

Lucy loved turning the wheel because it made water go on and off in different places

She liked going under the mushroom fall

Exploring the play ground there

Dude loved the jets.  It's what got him to be comfortable with the whole water everywhere thing 

Goose enjoyed the jets too... she was getting tired

Momma and Duder inner tubing it up!

Dude loves playing on the ladder

Walking in Papa's shoes as we were getting ready to leave

JVG

Wilfreda has struck again...

Today Ingrid came for a visit, but really, we got Wilfreda instead.  The last visit was so good and so promising, but this visit was right back to the same old shit we are accustomed too.  She wanted to come earlier in the morning and we told her that was fine but the kids were going to have to go down for naps.  Well, the kids did, and then we were left there with her not really knowing what to do.  If we would've gotten Ingrid instead of Wilfreda it wouldn't have been an issue, but she was right back at being everything that we pretty much hate.

I knew we had to have some sort of activity to do to keep us all busy, or else I'd kill her by the end of the hour.  We decided to go to a water park which was a lot of fun, and I'll tell you about that later.

It really started with the 'texting'.  She was texting with Zoe and her ring was on high volume, which was annoying but it was worse... she had it programmed to read the text messages outloud to her in the most obnoxious voice ever.  Then, as she was rudely answering her text messages and ignoring everybody there she would say what she was texting as she did it... slowly and painfully because she isn't the world's fastest typer.  After awhile we finally asked her to at least turn her ringer down so that it wasn't going off every two seconds.  Seriously.  How. Rude.

The hardest part about her visits is when she tries to give parenting advice.  Not to just me, but to parents in general... and I by no means think I should be winning the parent of the year award, but it's just kinda ironic that she would give up so much advice about something she knows nothing about.  Yes, she is a Mother, but no, she absolutely did not do any mothering.  The annoyance started with her telling us all the things that she's been doing around the house... things I kinda figured everybody who owned a home did.  Like vaccuuming... doing dishes, gardening (since they have a garden) and she was so proud that she made something from scratch.  Food that is.  She was also really excited about getting a new microwave because she then made it seem like they could cook food... right.  And then this statement came, "Can you imagine what it would be like to not see your children for 14 days, and send them away with strangers... people you don't even know?"  Usually when she says something like that she has some story that she's heard on the news, or some parent of the kids that she does PT with tells her.. but no, what does she say next?  "Because that's what I did with Gaetan and Zoe.  Even at this age"  Referring to how old Tristan and Lucy are now.  SERIOUSLY?!  Are you kidding me?  It's like she's almost proud of all the eff ups she's done.  I kinda just stared at her in disbelief... and was glad for the distraction of one of the kids before I said something snarky.  Then she said that she would advice against it, and I told her that even if she told me that it was a great idea I wouldn't do it.  I just plain. don't. understand.

At the water park what does she come out wearing?  A pretty skimpy bikini... yes, we know that she's petite, and I don't even mind bikinis... when I'm by myself, not in public.  I don't know... I just don't think that its very appropriate for her to be wearing that, maybe I'm a prude.  Well, it gets worse... because it was so skimpy her top didn't really cover like it should've and she made our PG water park date into something rated R.  Gross.

After the water park we went out to dinner and I missed a call from Zoe.  She was calling to let me know how her admissions to Cornish (This fine arts college in Seattle) is going.  She was really excited because all of her paper work got sent in and she just has a few finishing touches.  I can empathize of what a relief it is when you know that all your stuff is in (because that means other people were responsible).  So she ended up calling Ingrid/Wilfreda instead so we got to hear that story about  6 times in the span of 15 minutes.  Eventually, when she started up with it again I hinted that we already knew that she was so proud of her and that we were happy for her too.  She didn't get the hint.  Gaetan actually had to spell out the fact that she had already told us half a dozen times before.  It gets better.

The part that annoyed me about the whole thing about Zoe is she treats Zoe like she's still 14... which happens to be the age that Zoe moved out.  She kept going on and on about how proud of her she is that she could do this on her own (like she hasn't been living her life on her own without guidance since 14) and when we tried to tell her that we understand because we went through the same application process she pretty much told us that we didn't.  That we couldn't understand what it would be like because Zoe is the only person that could get through this process... ugh.  It's like she's trying to play her up for everything she does but at the same time she is cutting her down because her expectations of her are so low that it MUST be a miracle that she can put one foot in front of the other while breathing.

Again, she never tells Gaetan that he does a good job at getting through college and applying all by himself.  I'm not exactly sure why she does the things that she does, or says the things that she says, but when I called her out on it she got really pissy really fast. She stopped looking at me for the rest of the meal and wouldn't acknowledge me unless it dealt specifically with one of the kids.  It's like she is the only one that can be happy for Zoe or understand what it must be like.

I'm gonna say that its probably going to be Aug the next time we see her.  That's when Oma Oma is in town and we would love to see Oma Oma.  She tells us stories about her past and growing up and life with Oma Oma and I don't know what to believe because her view of reality is so twisted... so its nice hearing it from Oma Oma herself.  She has even told Ingrid before that that's not how it happened or that it wasn't true.  Interesting.

Well, the kids are asleep and I am looking forward to some hanging out with Gaetan.  We survived a brush with Wilfreda... Lord helped us.

JVG

What is a Christian?

That is such a loaded question isn't it?  I mean, I guess, the most simple definition of that would be somebody who is a follower of Christ.  That they believe in God and that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose again three days later.  I would say that is the most stripped down version one could possibly offer of what a Christian is.  But then, why do Christians look so different than each other?  I believe that there are many different ways that one can worship and be a Christ follower... and that not everybody's ways of doing so will be the same.

For instance, I love my sister dearly, but I know that we have very different views on what it means to be a Christian, and how we lives our lives.  There is a lot of history and stuff between the two of us, and I'm not going to get into it, but it is always an ongoing discussion between the two of us.  We both profess to love Jesus and want to learn more about Him and walk in His ways... but we do it so differently... so who is right?  Is there a right way?

Every now and again I get these emails from my sister about such broad topics and what they think it means to be a Christian.  I'm not a huge fan, not gonna lie.  I don't like the way they present things, (they being the people who write the articles that she sends me) and sometimes there are things I flat out disagree with.  Its hard to have these discussions with her because I know her heart is in the right place and she is wanting to 'look out for me' in that older sister type of way, but there are times that it's just offensive.  I think I'm a little to liberal for her... but, it is also good when I get them because it makes me reassess what I think, why I think them, and if there is room for change.  There is always room for growth, I'm not to ignorant to think that...

I guess this is where I stand currently.  My ideas about Christianity, about people who profess to love Jesus and show His ways to others would be by His love and grace.  Yes, there are hard truths in the bible that people will debate, but wasn't the whole basis and idea of Jesus love and forgiveness?  I mean, God KNEW the world would turn their backs on Him, and yet, here He sends His SON to atone for everybody.  That means the people who deny Him, the people who hate Him, and then the people who don't even know about Him.

And of course there are different walks along ones journey of faith.  And I believe that one's ability to see where the other person is and meet them there is the greatest tool.  From there you can push them without scaring them off, and show them how much God loves them.

It can be such a complex topic... full of lots of emotion, history and baggage... but I guess I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't have to be.

"....That the greatest of these is love."  1 Corin. 13:13  (yup, I'm that person that quoted the bible to prove my point)

There is a verse of a song I heard that has been stuck in my head and I thought I would share:

Here is Love by Matt Redman

"Grace and Love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
And Heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love."

JVG

Weaning

Lucy has been weaning from nursing for about a month now and she's almost completely weaned!  She is down to one time a day (usually before nap time) and then if she wakes up at night, which she hasn't been the last few nights!

Pretty much it's a blessing and a curse.  A blessing because this will make it easier for when Gaetan has to put her down... no heating up bottles, no having to make sure I pumped enough... but it's a curse because I like our time together.  As much as I love getting a full nights sleep (uninterrupted!) I never really minded getting up in the middle of the night so that we could snug and have some QT.  Tristan weaned himself around 14 months, but I think that was because I was pregnant already and the hormones might've changed the way it tasted.  But this time, I'm not pregnant so I didn't know how Lu was going to take it.  Also, she loves to eat.... anything and everything. :)

I know this is blurry, but it's so hard to get a picture of her standing still.  She's SO FAST!

This is after she climbed downstairs, (silently) and got up on the chair for some cereal snacks.  I love the face... "what? I  wasn't doing anything here..."

But ever since we have started doing this she has been doing things leaps and bounds more like a big girl. Even today after nap time we found her in her crib without a diaper on... So she is I think shedding all of her baby tendencies and really wanting to be a big girl.

I think that she will most likely be 100% weaned by the end of this month.  So, here is to you my big girl... may you continue to grow!!

JVG

The Flacks

Yesterday somebody Gaetan went to high school with got married!  There are only a handful of people that Gaetan kept in contact with from high school, so it was pretty exciting and special to see them on their big day.

I met Krista before she was with Kyle.  She's very sweet... she wouldn't look like it but she's a great rugby player!  We where both pretty happy when she broke up with her boyfriend that she had from high school... he seemed to be lacking in motivation in life.  Kyle is a real nice guy too.  It's always really nice hanging out with them.  And I really couldn't think of anybody who is more maternal than Krista.  She was even gracious enough to come and visit in the hospital after Tristan was born.  :)

We had a lot of fun at the wedding.  Mom was gracious enough to watch the kids while we had our night out.  I am really glad that I can rely on my parents to help out in times like this, and its reassuring that the kids love being there.

Lu playing outside, helping to 'water' their flowers

Grandpa and Lu loving the sprinkler, while Duder cheers them on!

We didn't really know anybody else there so that was kinda awkward at times, but we still had a good time together.  I like getting dressed up all fancy with him and just having us time.

All dressed up and ready to go!

Hanging out downtown in between the wedding and the reception

At the end of the night, ready to go get our kiddos.  BTW, this is the dress that I got when I went shopping with Ratty!  :)

The food was actually really good, which I can't say with certainty about all the weddings I've been too.  I even had a few martinis... ;)  I wish Kyle and Krista the very best in their marriage and we hope to be apart of their lives for many many more years.



JVG