Well, we have been renovating our home for about 4 weeks now and I am tired of all the sheets over bookshelves and dining room cabinets and above my kitchen cabinets. 

When we purchased and moved into this house 1 year ago (Jan 19,2006) we imagined this renovation would be the first thing we did.  Well, after being here a few days we realized that closets with a rod for clothing and shelving for linens or things would be more important along with unpacking and getting somewhat organized.  We were moving from a 2400 sq ft  4 bedroom house to a 1600 3 bedroom house.  The plus was an amazingly large open concept cathedral ceiling and tons of window hugomungo living room/ kitchen area.  The only problem with tons of windows is that we have no walls for bookshelves. 

We also hadn't started because we kept changing our mind about what we really wanted in that area.  We flipped from a half wall to pickets and back again.  Well, in the end we decided on making me some storage and made a walk in closet with shelves along one side.  Then we did a half wall in the rest of the space.  We will put some small novel bookshelves (built in) on part of the wall area.

We then decided to make a window seat in the window area and then will custom make some some bookshelves and other shelving units for the space.  I am really excited about my window seat and library area as I have tons of bookshelves and books. 

We got a new piano (well an old antique) today.  Hubby went to the lumber stove and drove by a home contents sale and hubby called and said "do you want a piano?" I said "YES".  We ended up bringing it home today and JAG played it for hours.  We looked up a piano online lessons for JAG and he listened and practiced and practiced.  It should be good for his muscle tone and strength building in his hands. 

School has been going okay.  I decided to change our order of school and we do history (Mystery of History 1) and science (a human body unit study till June).  We are making lapbooks for both subjects and the boys are loving and enjoying those studies.  We then do bible, math and language (phonics for JLG).  JAG is doing Rosetta Stone french and doing well.  It amazes me how well he can converse with hubby. 

The kids have been sick this week.  JAG had a fever and has a cold...runny nose, cough, red eyes.  JLG is sick too.  He had a fever most of the week (99 ish) and then yesterday it went sky high.  By 4pm it was 105.4 yikes.  He is very allergic to motrin and had a reaction to tylenol.   We called telehealth and they wanted him brought to emerg (only problem emerg is 1 hour away).  We went and he had no infection anywhere and found out he could have an adult tylenol crushed in jam and had no reaction.  They wondered if he is allergic to the die or additive. 

Well, now that I have gone on and on its time to sign out and get on with the things I need to do.

Jodie

Well, we have been baking here some more. 

Yesterday hubby and I made Plum Pudding, Cherry Cake and Boiled Fruit Cake.  I was a bit nervous about the cherry cake and the cherries going to the bottom but my mom told me to flour them well and they are beautifully all over the cake and it tastes yummy.  It is my grandmothers recipe and she passed away in 2005.  We cut up the cherry cake and the fruit cake in 1/4's and froze them.  Then we will only take out some and the rest will stay fresh and not get eaten too fast.  We made the cherry cake with applesauce instead of butter and splenda instead of sugar (our 7 yr old is very happy and so am I as we are diabetic). 

We also made Chocolate Snowballs and unfortunately they did not work with applesauce and splenda and became squares (and not easy to cut).  They would not roll into balls and you could not roll them in coconut.  They are yummy though and JLG is very happy to eat them.  We then proceeded to make the real recipe with butter and sugar and they are yummy. 

I have all my wrapping done.  I have never had it all done this early and am quite excited.  I also have all my shopping done.  We will have to go to town to buy a few groceries though.

We (JAG and I) finished our lapbook on the symbols of Christmas.  It looks nice and we had fun and learned some while researching and making it.  It made me want to start doing some scrapbooking and to start stamping soon.  I will probably make 2 cards for the boys and give it to them Christmas morning with their suprise gift coming as soon as hubby makes them shelter.  They are getting a female goat each.  They are really cute.  It's a suprise.  SHHHHH!!  It is all they wanted for Christmas.  We really need a big barn soon.  We have 2 new pilgrim geese also.  They are beautiful and look like they have potbellies.  They almost touch the ground.  We will also be getting a Deluth goose as a mate for the other geese so they can have babies. 

My parents look like they are coming on Boxing Day.  They will be here very late that night.  JAG is very excited that they are coming.  We are also having our friends outside of Halifax come for New Years Eve and Day.  We are looking forward to their visit.  They have 4 children and it is always fun when they come.  The guys usually go four wheelin but they are not bring theirs because they do not have a trailer fto bring it (the one they borrow the guy is selling it).   

Our friends from the village are coming for Christmas Eve for supper (they are bringing a lasagne...I will make a salad and veggies and dip.  Then we will all go to Candle Light service together.  They are also coming for Christmas dinner.  They are renovating their home which makes it difficult to entertain.  Today I planned the menus for Christmas brunch and dinner.  Here they are:

Brunch:  quiche, peameal bacon, crepes and hash browns (just hubby and I and our precious boys)

Dinner: our own homegrown turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoe casserole (I can make ahead and then put in crockpot for dinner), creamed carrots, brocolli and a frozen green bean mixture, plum pudding and  sauce, rolls, sparkling fake wine.  We will have lemon pie, fruit cake, apple cake, lard cake,  shortbread, mini brownies, chocolate snow balls and whatever I have forgotten. ( us and our friends with 3 children)

Well, I should run and get the kids going on a Christmas craft.  We were planning on school but it likely won't get done.  Christmas holidays have begun.

Blessings Jodie

Auggie was born Saturday December 9th at 2:01am.  He weighed 8 lbs 1 oz.  He is doing great.   My SIL is still in hospital (Monday) and is very weak and is passing out when they get her out of bed.  Hopefully her strength will return and she will head home soon.  It is their first baby  and they are very excited.  Please pray for her and baby at this time.  She came home tonight yeah!!

This is my first niece or nephew born since our Jeremiah went to heaven.  It was a happy yet sad day for us (hubby and I) thinking that we will not be able to have anymore and desire a baby so much.  This is the closest baby to hit home for us.  It is my youngest brothers baby.  He found this pregnancy stressful because of Jeremiah and yet his wife was not in our lives or knew our Jeremiah.  I am very happy Auggie is here safe and sound and SIL is improving.  Just sad knowing he lives 2 provinces away and will not see him for some time and wishing of course we could have a another cousin for him to play with.  My other niece and nephew live in England and we only see them every yr or two. 

Blessings to all

Jodie

UPDATE:  My mom just called and SIL and baby are home tonight.  Yeah!

Blessings

Jodie 

Oh, it is so beautiful outside.  The snow is still falling and we have about 3-4 inches.  The boys are so excited because it is packing snow.  They have been outside for hours today.

They have been busy especially JAG doing his Christmas Advent Unit Study.  He has been  studying the history of cards,  ornaments, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus and the meaning behind the Advent Wreath.  We still have lots left to learn about the Nativity scene and the colours of Christmas etc.

We went to the nearest village this afternoon in the snowy weather and I picked up a gift from a dear friend (Judy)from University who visited us with her 2 boys this summer for two weeks.  She sent us a Christmas present.  She is the most thoughtful and giving person.  She remembers every special day we celebrate and it blows my mind.  If only I could remember some of the special dates of special people outside our immediate family that would be great,

On our way home we wondered if we would get up our driveway and alas after 2 attempts we are stuck about 1/2 way up.  Not a good start this winter.  We live on the side of a mountain and last winter we managed it every time.  Hubby now has to learn how to put the snow plow on the 4 wheeler.  He would rather shovel with the boys out there at the moment.  I am sure that won't last long...we have a long driveway.

Blessings Jodie

Well,

It's the start of the festive season.  The decorating is done except the tree.  My hubby has been baking some family recipes from his mom.  He is quite excited about them and JAG and him and any visitors will be sure to enjoy them.  Since JLG and I are diabetic we will not partake in most of it.  At present he is making an apple cake with splenda.  Hopefully it will work out the same as with sugar.  I have been going through the Splenda recipe book and looking for yummy alternatives.  JLG is very happy about all the Christmas preparations.  We also got 3 of my mom's favorite recipes...boiled fruit cake, cherry cake, and  Christmas pudding.  We will bake these in the coming weeks as well as shortbread and snowballs.

It is amazing that so much is done but with the kids driving us to decorate so I do not get asked again they all went up for the course of 3-4 days.  Most of it is in cabinets or up high so the kids can't move it around and the puppy won't get at it.  The tree will go up in the loft area off the L/R and Kitchen.  That way it will be safe from the dog.  It will look nice up there.

Remembering Jeremiah:

This past week has been a little bit easier than the last 4 years. 

We had a fifth precious baby born November 28, 2002.  His name is Jeremiah Raphael.  On November 30th, 2002 he went to spend eternity with Jesus.  We live every day thinking about him and how our life would be with him but know that he is in the best place of all...in Jesus' arms.   This year his birthday and heaven day were easier than in the past years and I thank Jesus for this and the time to celebrate his life here on earth. Because of the close proximity of Jeremiah's birthday and Christmas I always have to make it a point that the children get started on Christmas stuff December 1st.   JLG (he's 7yrs old) was quite disappointed that we did not do banners and streamers for Jeremiah's birthday.  When I am totally better we will go to the beach (ocean) when the tide is out and write Jeremiah's name in the sand and take photos and then do one with the tide coming in (it should be a cool addition to his creative memory book I made).

Blessings to all

Jodie

Well, 

We are back from Ontario.  We had a great time minus the fact of missing hubby.  The drive went really well with my aunt and I pretty much sharing the driving. 

By Sunday I had lost my voice and I was exhausted.  I knew I had just started my holiday and that it was going to have to be ignored and I was the energizer bunny.  We shopped and I got some presents for Mom, and my new nephew who could be here any day now. 

I spend 1 evening and one full day (with all 5 boys)  and evening and a morning with my bestest friend D at her place and we had a blessed time.  In the morning we did errands and had NO children with us (what a treat).  I stayed at her place and my parents had my boys. 

We also spent an evening with by brother and SIL.  We had dinner there and then the boys stayed for a movie and snacks and overnight.  The kids slept 12 hours that night and when we arrived in the morning to get them they were barely up. 

I also had a fun time with (my friend) D and my SIL for lunch one day. 

We then packed and exceeding big load to bring home due to a bit of shopping and the presents for Christmas to bring home from my parents and brother and SIL. 

We stopped in at my aunt and uncle's on the way home for a quick visit.  We then headed to my MIL's and had a wonderful time.  We arrived there at around 3pm and had dinner and a great evening together.  We awakened at 5 am again and headed home.  We wanted to be back in Moncton by 6 to get dinner with my hubby out and then my aunt to the bus terminal for 7:30pm.  We accomplished all this and we home around 8:30.  After the great unload we were finally able to get sorted and get to bed.  Dad had wonderful blessings on the boys beds (a book for JAG and a Jeep for JLG and even suprised me with a welcome home nightie.  We were all thrilled.

We got back into school on Tuesday and have had an accomplishing week.  JLG is reading almost any book now (most of the words) and JAG is doing great at all his work.

I have been sick and still sick.  I have broncial pnemonia (bad spelling??) again and am on an heavy duty meds as I am maxed out on my asthma medication.  I am slowly improving.  Hopefully by Monday I will feel more normal.

Need to get some sleep. Good night.

Jodie

Hi All,

We have arrived in Ontario from NB last night with the boys.  My hubby is at home looking after the animals.  Sure missing him already.  It is the first time we have been apart in probably 6 years.  (Love you honey if you are reading this...2 days closer to heading back home to you)

The kids and I and my aunt from NS drove out here straight through.  We left our place at 3:30am and got to my parents at 10:45pm NB time.  We did great and stopped 3 times for meals and a few times to have a washroom  break.  The kids were  good and really excited to come to visit my parents.  JAG was here for 6 wks over the summer but JLG has not been here since last February.

We had a lovely turkey dinner with salt beef and cabbage.  It was awesome!!!  We had my brother and his very pregnant wife here to join us and had a great visit.  I am really hoping that she has the baby while we are here.  She is due Dec 2nd.  I can only hope and pray so I will see him before I go.  It will be my 2nd nephew.  I already have a niece also. 

Tommorrow we will go to my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary.  The kids are going to my BIL and SIL to visit when we are there.  It will be fun for them. 

I must head to bed.  I am very sleepy. 

Blessings to all

Jodie

We have had an interesting week here.  Hubby had 2 fire calls on the weekend and he is at one tonight.  Busy busy...it seems to go like that in spits and starts.

Today we went to visit a fellow homeschooler and blogger Jennifer and her family and had a great time.  Hubby got off work early and was even able to come and visit with her hubby.  My boys loved playing at their house.  JLG is rejoicing that he got to play "Need for Speed"  which he has played before with his much older cousin.  JAG had fun with all 3 of the older children and was amazed how her daughter would guess lots of hymn names just from him humming them.  Before we left there three of us tested our sugars (2 on insulin, 1 close to type 2) and I lost... I was an 8 and they were less, both under 7...not good for me considering I had my insulin at lunch. 

When we left there we went to McDonalds my least favorite spot to eat but the kids wanted to play in the playground and we did not want to be home until after 8:30pm as the village had a curfew for the night it being Oct 31st.

I picked up a paper tonight and on the front page an article on "Halloween marks Wiccan new year".  Hopefully the Christians in this neck of the woods will read it and realize what they are celebrating.  Thank you Lord that we have not done it with our kids and God has shown us what this holiday is about.  I was suprised all the Christians down here in NB that celebrate and let their kids go out.  Even one friend said she should read but never has and knows that would stop them celebrating this day.  Enlighten them Lord and help us to teach your children about this day.

In about a week and a day I will be heading to ON with the boys for a week holiday.  We are driving with my aunt (actually she is coming with us) and we are getting excited.  Only sad thing is that hubby is not coming with us...can't leave our animals.  I wish someone was able to come and look after them for us.  I will miss him and probably be a sap when I leave here because he will not be with us.  It has been a very long time since he went away on business and that really is probably the only time we were ever apart for any nights.  Needless to say my drive home will be extra special knowing he is here awaiting our return.  I hope my foot will not be too heavy coming home.  I am very excited to see my bestest friend D as I have not seen her since we moved here to NB in January.  I have seen my parents and brother and his wife in the summer which was great.  JLG said the other night that he is looking forward to going with Poppa on the 4 wheeler (funny we have one here and he is still pumped to go on Poppa's with him and spend time in the bush with him) and seeing D's boys.  He is getting really excited.  Other son spent 6 weeks in the summer with my parents and is also excited to have an early Christmas decorating party and seeing his friends (he is my social butterfly).

Best be getting to bed

Jodie

Well today was a good day.  The kids got their school work done early and wanted outside to build a fort and ended up cleaning up some brush and cut some alders down.  They were happy as the hens and ducks and the kitten liked their new paths in the brush they made.  Hubby came home from work early 5:30 and that was a nice suprise. 

I had a relaxing day reading a book and looking online for some info on the new insulin regime I am on called "Intensive Therapy Regime".  I take insulin 4X per day instead of 2 and should be able to tighten up my numbers.  I read some articles on carb counting and will have to learn more and learn how to calculate how to tell the amount of insulin I require at certain meals. 

Molly (our 22 wk old Lab/Boxer mix broke her chain today and thank the Lord she did not realize it or we would have had ducks flying into the marsh and her trying to corral them and getting frustrated and taking chase and trying to pull "angel wing" by her sticking out wing off the road or wherever Molly has chased her.  Poor thing she does not seem to fly. 

They (the ducks) are getting quite friendly and seem to follow us in a row when we head to the shed where the food is.  Last night when we were out they were awaiting our return on the front steps and doorstep.  Unfortunately the gifts they leave us are not so pleasant and must be shoveled at once.  We may need to fence or gate in the decks.  The ducks and hens seem to like them.

Blessings to all

Jodie

I did this when I read some blogs some time ago and decided to do my own as familiar thoughts creeped into my read as I read the others.  Thanks everyone. 

Here it is...

Where I’m From

I am from the peaceful country near Grammy and Pop’s and Uncle Bill’s and Auntie Bride’s; from homemade bread, toast and Cheese Whiz and homemade jam.

I am from the bungalow Mom and Dad built on Highway 7 between Georgetown and Acton.

I am from the ponds to skate on with cousin Pamela and the wildflowers to smell, the Hibiscus and roses my grandparents grew.

I am from PJ’s Christmas Eve and family gatherings, from lots and lots of Aunties and Uncles and cousins from Murphy’s and Kent’s all from Bell Island Newfoundland.

I am from longevity and strength beyond all measures, dealing with loss and grief and blessings of many tomorrows with the love of an ocean.

I am from two of the best of Bell Islands families and children with wit, music and hard work from the core.

I am from Roman Catholic background.  From exploring of God’s World I am now saved by grace, born again and standing on God’s promises.  I am from Cambridge Christian Centre, Cambridge Vineyard, TACF, Bramalea Baptist and Brampton West Alliance and presently serving our Lord in Albert Baptist Church.

I’m from Esquesting Township also know as Georgetown (Ontario), Calgary, Cambridge (Preston, Hespeler and Galt), Guelph, Brampton, and Beaver brook Albert County the best of them all; apple crisp, roasted potatoes, homegrown chickens and fresh Rhode Island Red eggs.

From the little brother Jeff going to England 11 years ago now married to Gaynor with children Megan and Owen with cute little accents to love and to cherish.  From littlest brother Curtis with his jet-black hair who looks like my Jordan.  Who married Tanya recently who compliments him well and is bringing a new addition to the family so well.  His name is after my father Augustine (Gus) they will call him Auggie.

I am from the Grondin’s now too.  Benoit my fabulous husband with 3 precious boys to love.  Two, Jordan and Jacob are here with us to grow and Jeremiah in heaven waiting with Jesus till our life here on earth comes to a close.

I am from all my boxes, baskets, Rubbermaid totes and started Creative Memories with those memories to cherish of loved ones and friends who I don’t see so often and some who I treasure their time here on earth and remember in photographs and memories so dear.  Of Poppy Murphy, Uncle Ed and Uncle June, Grammy and Pop, Grant, Aunt Pauline and our precious son Jeremiah who is waiting for us in heaven.

Well, I am excited about this.  I need a place to keep records, share (outside my head), and hopefully a place to have fun and talk about my day (whether it be school, life or living on this funny farm near the ocean.

We have 3 precious sons.  One is in heaven (who would be 4 the 28th of November).  The first two are 11 and 7 years old.  My oldest (JAG) is doing grade 6 and the other grade 2(JLG).   We do an eclectic type of schooling.  JAG uses Saxon math 7/6, LLAL (tan), MoH Volume 1, Studying God's Word,  Rosetta Stone French,  Human Body, plus some other stuff added in.  JLG is doing MUS Foundations and Sing, Spell, Read and Write, as well as MoH, Studying God's Word, and our Human Body study.  We also use Charlotte Mason narrations and love reading aloud with my boys.

We live in the country in the Bay of Fundy area of New Brunswick about 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean.  We moved here in January from the Toronto area in Ontario.  We have 53 acres and have a farm of sorts.  We have 6 Muscovy Ducks, 14 Rhode Island Red Hens(like the one on the top of the page) and 9 Banty Hens for eggs we sell.  We also have 6 turkeys and had 29 chickens we recently butchered.  We got a puppy in July who is 22 weeks soon and is a cross Boxer and Lab.  Her name is Molly.  Our most recent addition is a kitten and his name is Henry (sometimes Sir Henry and some times Henry Higgins).

Well must head to bed and share more later.

Jodie