4th of July

We had a great 4th of July, despite the rain, cooped up hotel room, and missing daddy. Poor Greta is so confused, she keeps trying to touch Braden when he's on the screen. We miss him terribly. 

The Charm of PEI

When we first arrived, we were like fish out of water. We left a busy busy busy area and lifestyle, and were placed into the epitome of the simple slow life. It was a bit of an adjustment, but we've learned to love it. The kids get so excited when we drive by fields with cows, sheep, lamas, etc. and we have started enjoying the great out doors more, we love the space! The slow pace, although I could do without tractors on the roads. 

I love grabbing a snack at a local diner, an hearing the people all talk to each other, they all know each other, an are the friendliest people. I love that we can drive 5 mins and buy the freshest seafood that just came in off the boats, and have te fishermen there tell me all about "today's catch" and the experiences they've been having on the water. I find it so comforting here, and helps restore my faith in humanity. It's a very peaceful, charming place. 

Canada day 2014

We had a great canada day! Greta was starting to feel better, weather was wonderful, and we found a nice low key barbecue at a rec center not too far away. Burgers, hotdogs, ice cream and a raffle. It was perfect. I had just finished explaining to Eve how lots of people want to win, but rarely ever do win these things. How it's important to not be disappointed, but happy for those that win. Then, it happened. the look on Eve's face was PRICELESS when she was the first name drawn out for a raffle prize. We are a picnic blanket richer, and this little girl will never forget how "she winned"! 

Beach!!

We are beach people. That's all there is to it, we love the beach. Eve can't get enough of the water, and Graham just loves getting dirty haha

Poor Greta, so sick

Greta had some bad stomach bug. It started the night before we left, am lasted for 7 days! I came very close to taking her into the ER for fluids, but she would show me small signs of improved hydration, so we managed to avoid it. With a lot of constant monitoring, fluid pushing, pedialyte and coconut water, we were able to keep her somewhat hydrated. I would set alarms and sneak a bottle into her mouth as she was sleeping, to help her keep them down. She was constantly throwing up. I mean, multiple times a day, projectile vomiting, and 100% of the time it was on me. Honestly, it became comical it was so gross. But poor Greta, was so miserable, the only thing that seemed to bring her a little comfort was snuggles from mommy and a warm bath.  This whole week we were staying at a hotel with my parents, and luckily they had laundry facilities! It was so nice to have them right there in the building. Both the kids and my parents were so accommodating and understanding, the kids were trilled at any possibility to watch more tv. 

While Greta would sleep, the kids and I would go to the hallways and play, we'd play ball, play with airplanes we found at the dollar store, and FaceTime with daddy. 

Nothing is more distressing for a mother than having a helpless sick baby. I just hurt for her when she's so sick like that, as I do all my children. My dad was kind enough to offer a priesthood blessing for both gret and I, and after that I just knew she would be ok. That there was something to learn from this, and we would eventually be back to normal. I had so much comfort, it was so nice. The end of day 5 Greta was so dehydrated, I knew if he didn't have a wet diaper by morning we were off to the ER. So we were fortunate to have the missionaries come by and give her another blessing. It was such a faith building experience for all of us, by day 6 morning she ha a wet diaper. And she started taking fluids slowly. Only threw up once, and by day 7, she started showing signs if improvement. She started smiling, and showin interest in food. It was so wonderful to get our Greta back. I know my Heavenly Father loves us and is looking out for us. 

The trek up to PEI

The night before Greta lost her dinner, but I didn't think much of it. No fever, no real behavioral changes, maybe the banana just didn't work with her little tummy. Well shortly after we departed (at 4:00 am) Greta threw up her bottle in the backseat. Awesome...so I pulled over, changed her onesie, and decided to trek on and let her rest. She was a great sleeper in the car, but she was sicker than a dog! She couldn't keep anything down, and I needed to keep her hydrated, so I just kept giving her bottles, hoping some of it would stay down. 

The older two were so amazing, they were so content in the car. A few minor whines and fusses, but thanks to our dear friends the iPad, snacks and DVD player, they were happy. Well, as happy as they can be on an all day excursion. 

Well, after 13 hours, 769 miles, 6 throw up clean ups, and wardrobe changes for Greta, we finally made it. All in one piece, and all so relieved to get out of the car! 

Our crazy summer...from the beginning

This is about as organized as the first few weeks of our summer was. After Braden drove off with the moving truck, it all hit the fan. Tonnes of little odds and ends came up, several trips to Home Depot, sea car battery, etc. but as a silver lining I learned how I change my own car battery all by myself. our saving grace was the hospitality. Our good friends the Francia family. They were leaving town and allowed us to stay at their house instead of us shacking up in our furniture less appartment. It was so great! We could actually eat real food, and enjoy a backyard an soft beds. It was so nice! 

After almost a week of enjoying their house, and saying way too many sad goodbyes. We made our trek to Prince Edward Island.

Eve and her "boyfriend" Gabe. 

Graham's Birthday

This lucky boy got to have 2 birthday parties! And even luckier, both were amidst boxes, chaos, and in between moves. One, the first, was about a month ago when the Edwards family came together at pur place, we were in the middle of us moving and preparing to move to Charlotte. It was great, simple, and heart felt.

The next, was while we are moving my parents into their new house in PEI, canada. Surrounded by boxes, chaos, and packin materials. But, we had a great little party anyway. Simple, no fuss, no fluff, no stress. We wrapped his gifts in packing paper, had some balloons and cake. It was great, he enjoyed it about as much as if I had slaved over a perfect cake, theme, and decorations. We even it to FaceTime with Dad during his party so he didn't miss any of the festivities. 

His favorite part of the day was definitely the 3foot balloon, grandpa even turned it into a punch balloon! Poor Greta was happily trapped in his crossfire for most of the evening. It was nice, very low key, and just what we needed. Happy birthday little G, we love you to pieces!

G-man turns 2

Mr. G turns 2. Where did the time go? It's just slipping between my fingers. This little guy is the funniest thing around, he is always trying to make you laugh. He isn't the most verbal 2 year old, he's got a few jumbled phrases, enough to get by. His cute little facial expressions makes up for the rest. He can say: thank you, mom, dad, there it is, uh oh, car, ball, balloon, color, choo choo

He looooves trains. He can spot a train, or a train station from a mile away. and he just shouts "choo choo!" and "diddle dee" which translates "there it is". 

He is still obsessed with the movie Monsters University. He sleeps every night with his stuffed toy Sully, a character from the movie. He is so excited any time he sees anything from that movie. He also still roars, a lot. The movie is about scaring, and that is where he learned to roar. He's been doing it ever since. When he sees strangers, "roar!". When he sees a friend, "roar!" When you get him from his crib after bed/nap, you're graciously greeted with a loud "roar!". etc. You know how happy he is by the volume and gusto behind the roar.

He is so much fun. He has more energy than 5 children combined. He has one speed, run. He runs everywhere, and is into everything all the time. He will do anything for a sippy cup of milk. I mean anything, he gets so excited when you get out the milk jug, he starts running on the spot and squealing with excitement. But he's a sweet boy, hands out lots of hugs and kisses. He's such a blessing to our family, and we love him more and more each day. He brings such light and love to our home, he's amazing.