Welcome Company Girls!

Hubby and I went on our first cruise last night. We are still at our trailer and good friends that are also camping suggested that we go on this dinner cruise coming out of a city nearby.

Our friends Anne and Dave...

Here's me looking a little pensive, being that it's my very first cruise....but I loved it!

Well, since eldest daughter was here to hold down the fort (so to speak) ...we left! It was a wonderful time because it was the one and only mild , clear summer evening that we've had this summer yet! As we boarded we were asked how we wanted our steak cooked, and then we head up to the top deck to grab the only table left on the side that our friends assured us would have the very best view of all the mini mansions...

along the shore and then of the magnificent sunset!

They were right!

Holidays........the good and the bad....

It's been an upsetting week....even though we're on holidays.

Last week, we went to visit Ryan and Jennifer who were camping about a half an hour away from us. It was a very nice visit...even though I really don't care for camping at all....(we don't camp, my brother-in-law says...we trailer....okay...so, I like my bathroom inside my trailer, so that in the middle of the night I don't have to walk three blocks in the cool, damp darkness just to relieve my bladder!) Anyways, the day after, I got a call from Ryan saying that their 10 year old, Old English sheepdog was sick.....we tried to figure out what it could be and what to do.....the next few days she was up and down and not really herself. By Saturday, they went home and to the dog to the vet...the vet said that she was pretty sure it was a urinary track infection, charged them over $200 and sent them on their way with some antibiotics. The dog perked up Saturday evening and they thought she was on the mend. By Sunday, the dog was poorly again and Ryan called me in the afternoon.....we thought that maybe she had more going on then a UTI but before very much of anything could be done.....she died.....right in their arms....so unexpected, such a shock.

We received the anguished call shortly afterward. We quickly threw some things together and left for home, and they gathered up their best friend and brought her home.

It was an extremely difficult time.....not only did you feel their pain...it dredged up all my pain that hasn't been far from the surface since my beloved lab, Tucker, died in January of this year. There were a lot of tears on everyones part....a lot of hugging....a lot of anguish.

My daughter in law, Jennifer, has her own blog, and she's written about their friend and she has some lovely pictures that show the love between them all. You might like to read it at http://juniper23.blogspot.com/


So, Leslie and her children have come back to the trailer with us.....some people would call it crowded whereas, some would say it's cosy........11 people in a 29' trailer......the local store nearby had tents on sale so I picked up a small 7' x 9'.....the grandgirlies slept in it last night, which really made a big difference...then tonight, grandson decided he wanted to give it a whirl....so three of them are sleeping in it tonight. We're not quite brave enough to have them too far away, so papa brought the tent up onto the deck, the tent door way about 2' from the trailer doorway.....we leave the outside door wide open...just in case.....they love it...they were excited...it doesn't take much when you're 4, 5 and 8 yrs old!

The Beach........

Do I look impressed or what?

Ryan and Emma and Jennifer (and Baby W)

Ryan got this neat beach tent, at Canadian Tire (his very favourite store) ...he said brother Paul bought it for them although Paul doesn't know it yet,...he gave them a gift card for Christmas...

There we all are....a memorable day on the beach.....Maya, Ryan, Emma, Jenn and me, in front Megan and Ben....of course, hubby is taking the pic but that's his blue umbrella beside me...ya we're just a couple of old geasers!

We went to the beach yesterday....now, I know some are saying...so......a beach...big deal....well, if you know hubby and I you'd know it was a big deal....we're stick in-the-muds, we don't do beaches...we're....old......see, I have the pics to prove it......sun and I don't get along....I love seeing the sun out...I just don't like sitting in it......when I was younger I used to lay out on the beach, til your body felt like it was burning all over and then you ran to the water, to plunge in and cool off....to get out and lay down and do it all over again...that's when I was young......

Oldest son and his wife, who is expecting newest grandbaby in November, we're camping about a half an hour away from us, and invited us for a visit...so we went.......the mosquitoes at their lovely campsite were so intense that we stayed down at the beach......the kids enjoyed the water and we did have a very lovely visit but I must admit that I felt like the old ladies that I used to watch when I was little,......oh dear.....

whoops!...sorry, copied two of the same and don't know how to delete.......

That's me...under the umbrella...pathetic, eh? My kids were funny because as we left the camping place....(you can tell that they're spoiled w/all the activities and friends at FairHavens, because they said...'but what do you do all day....do you just sit on the beach?'

As a mom ~

As a mom of nine children......I cling to these words....As a mom of nine, I store these words in my heart........As a mom of nine, this is my cry.......


No guilt in life, no fear in death—This is the pow'r of Christ in me;From life's first cry to final breath,Jesus commands my destiny.No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,Can ever pluck me from His hand;Till He returns or calls me home—Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.



Amen.

Trailering!...the joys....

Good Morning Company Girls! Well, it's been one doozey of a week! Here I've been at Trailerland...with four hormonal, bickering teens......it's been fabulous! :0(

Actually, I've been at our trailer, which is permanently parked at a place called FairHavens Bible Conference grounds (Fairhavens.org)......we've been coming here for 30 years...so it's very familiar. They keep your kids occupied w/programming in the morning and evening and free time the rest....but there are a kazillion things to do in their free time....unfortunately that isn't sufficient to prevent all the whining and bickering when they are together! I've heard it all people.....ALL! They're laughing at my hair, chew w/your mouth closed, it's my turn in the bathroom (one teeny, tiny trailer bathroom is just way to little for 4 teens trying to get out of the trailer for program, all at the same time!), he has all the sharing (GameBoy ) games, he has my game, she wrecked the tent, she touched me, she looked at me, she took the last of the favourite cereal, no water bottles left!!!!!, why can't I have money for the cafe for a treat, just because I pulled my sister to the floor, left scratch marks on her throat and ripped her good jacket....that's not fair!.......and on and on.....

Hubby is suppose to be coming up today...for the next two weeks....Hallelujah and Praise the Lord! I was concerned when he was talking about doing all the laundry, tidying up the house, looking after the dog, and packing everything and then driving up here after a long day.....then I thought...hey wait a minute...that's what I do everytime we have to come here! Except for loading the vehicle.....that's always his job because he's most excellent at it.....

We've had a very good pastor/speaker here this week for us adults...just a young fellow but he's very well spoken....knows the Word very well.....he's really stirred your thoughts and convicted your heart and soul at times.

I've been able to get a lot of grandaughter's quilt handstitched..everytime I get tired and want to quit, I think of the sad face she had when she asked if hers was done yet, before I left home. It's been almost a year since I started the two quilts and I'm ready for them to be done.....new projects are waiting, the smiles on grandaughters faces are waiting......my back and arm muscles are waiting...for a little rest.....

Son that was in jail (he's out now), texted me yesterday to complain about another sibling.....he was ticked off,...I tried to encourage him to focus on his getting his own life on the right track....he said...'figured you say that, she's always been your pet'......now I'm the first one to say that I don't treat my children all the same.....equally, but not the same...it's impossible when you have nine kids who are ALL very different ........to treat them all the same, plus we usually give the most attention to the child that needs it the most at that time.....I'm pretty sure we've heard that line from pretty well all of them at one time or another....it still does put you slightly on the defensive.....like saying to the one that complained yesterday that of all the kids, he's had the most time and money spent on him, , just trying to help him get his life in order.......yes, you get a little defensive because those words hurt.....and put a little despair in your heart, that even though you've tried your best that maybe it wasn't enough......

So, it's a lovely, sunny day here in the mid north of Ontario...kids have left for program and I must get ready for chapel...so, I hope you all have a great weekend. I'm looking forward to being a little spoiled by my hubby....cause he always does....and after this week, quite frankly I feel I need it....

Take care!

Holidays ~....

Oh my Lord, Company Girls!...what a week it's been!

We were suppose to come up here to our trailer on Tuesday, but my van went into the shop for an extremely expensive air conditioning repair that took all day ....by the time I got it home it was 6 p.m., and I was tired from all the cleaning, laundry and packing throughout the day. Hubby convinced me to stay home one more night and he would load the van for me. That turned out to be an excellent suggestion cause hubby is the very best packer of vehicles!!! I could never have gotten everything in. We arrived up her around noon on Wednesday......my new fridge that hubby and eldest son installed looks amazing!

So the last few days have been quiet...just the sounds of swatting mosquitoes...they're really bad this year....I think I'm keeping those Off Candle lantern things in business! Hubby is suppose to be coming up today...later, cause he had to take his vehicle into the shop for a very expensive repair....the catalytic converter...whatever that does.....it better do a lot since it cost a humongous amount of money to fix it.....
I will be extremely glad to see him....it never seems the same when he's not here.

My son, the one in jail,was suppose to have his hearing today and be released with time served but I think his lawyer didn't get paid by the birth family cause when one of my daughters went to court this morning, his name wasn't on the list.....I'm actually fine with that cause when I went to visit him earlier this week, I got the distinct impression that the little stint he had had so far wasn't much of a deterrent to it happening again....I continue to pray for him, as I do all my kids. He's still my kid.

So the plan for our time at the trailer is this....hubby comes up for the weekend and then comes home for next week and I stay up here on my own with four teens......whether I'll be sane by this time next week is still to be determined. Then hubby comes up for two whole weeks!!!!!!!!!! I'm hanging on for that time period. :0)

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Long Day....very long.

Well it's been a verrrrrrrrrrrry long day and I'm pooped!

One of the things I had to do today was go to our city jail to see our son.

If there's one thing I can count on with having so many children is new experiences....some very good, very nice....some of them just freak you out ...like today. I arrived at the jail...early..I was advised to do that because they start a line up to get in about a half an hour before they let you in. When they finally let me in I had to go through a metal detector and then show my I.D....two pieces. Then we all waited some more. After awhile, they told everyone to follow this guy....we went through this doorway after the barred door rolled to the side...then we had to wait for it to close before they opened the next one. It was quite impactful when the first door closed and we were waiting for the next one. Then we all moved on after the second door opened and I watched more experienced visitors grab clean wipes from a dispenser on the wall...that was to wipe down the 'booth' you were assigned to.....the stool, the metal counter and the phone that you used to communicate. Oh my.......then we waited some more because they don't call the prisoners down until their visitors are in the visitation room, waiting.


Corey came in, dressed in an orange jump suit.....he looked fine.....he said he's been spending a lot of time playing poker with the other guys.....he was concerned that they wouldn't let him out on Friday if he didn't pay the lawyer ahead of time. I really don't know...all new world to me but I don't think that the one has to do with the other. The allotted 20 minute phone call went quickly....I tried to encourage him to stay away from drinking when he got out, he just grinned. I had my answer.....I suggested that maybe he wouldn't want to go back to the girl that he had gotten in all this trouble with but he assured me that she was sorry for calling the police, that she wanted him back.

I came out of there very discouraged because I don't think that the time he's spent in jail has made a difference. He will go right back to the same thing, and he'll probably be back in there again. He has chosen a very bleak life.

On to much, much, much better news! My oldest son called me this afternoon, he had wonderful news! The child they're expecting in November is a boy!!!!!!! That will give us 3 grandsons and 3 grandaughters! The very best part is that the baby looks good, very healthy looking....that is a huge relief! Now we just have to be patient for the next 4-1/2 months til we meet the little guy! Yea!

So, ya,....a long day...good and bad....tomorrow is packing day so that the kids and I can get up to the trailer...when the van gets back from getting it's Air Conditioning fixed...(and we take out a small loan to pay for it :0) )

A long day.

Have A Good Holiday!

Good Morning Company Girls!

Well, I've just spent part of the morning transferring my quilt fabric stash upstairs from my 'quilt room'....which is really Paul's (army guy) bedroom. I wasn't going to do anything about it...but....he neglected to tell me that he just wasn't coming home for the weekend...he was indeed coming home for a month! ....and he brought his humongous flat screen t.v. home with him...so..there wasn't room for my fabrics...sigh.....but it is nice to have him home...even if he's already teased the heck out of Emma...his favourite sibling to tease. He just loves to hear her holler...and she accommodates him....it's a love-hate relationship.

Hubby got today off for Canada day so he's on the way up for the trailer to install our new wee fridge in the trailer,...the kids and I are suppose to go up next week and pretty well stay there for the rest of the month. I guess I should start thinking about packing....I admit that over the years I've become kind of lackadaisical about packing....I used to make copious lists...checking everything off....now it's kind of a grab and run scenario.....

If any of you reading this are the praying sort....second oldest son got himself into trouble...again....he's now in jail. I'm praying that this will at least have a lasting impact on him so that he will have the desire to turn his life around. His birth mother was a drinker, he was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, thus, his poor choices in life. He's also become an alcoholic himself, and this is the basis usually for his legal problems...we would covet your prayers.

So, off to do more cutting out of quilt material....it's been so long that I've been working on the granddaughters quilts that a day and a half of cutting has resulted in extremely painful arm and chest muscles...but I have to persevere, or it wont get done.

Have a wonderful weekend and for all the Americans...Happy 4th!

Lists.....

There are seventy-odd more days before the kids go back to school.....(I'm trying to avoid getting the calendar out and actually counting every one...) and I decided, while reading other blogs this morning that I'm going to start making a list of the things I want to do when that happens! Now, you might be saying..'Marie, what about summer...the best time of the year?' Pshaw! Don't let that lovely weather and lazy days fool you.....there is an office supply store ad that starts playing, I believe it's Johnny Mathis' Christmas song near the end of August about "It's the most wonderful time of the year".....they say every parent is singing it about that time and I totally agree!

So,...my list.......

1. Take some quilting lessons....I've been quilting for a couple of years now but I know a quilter that's been quilting for about 30 years and she still takes classes so I figure I could use some extra instruction too!

2. A few years ago, I said I wanted to learn Spanish....I even purchased one of those home learning courses....I was determined....that's as far as I got......:0( .....so, I would like to give that a try....

3. Memorizing scripture...now this will be a true stretch of my brain cells cause this brain is like a sieve......it'll be good for it, right?

4. Get back to Bible Study class.....gave it up last year when it didn't work with homeschooling Megan...

5. Being able to stop, whenever I want.....for a milkshake, a Subway sandwich, a Tim Horton's.......without having to think about having to buy for two...do I have enough money in my purse...(and when the answer's no, then I don't have to continue on, disgruntled......no, no, no,....I am NOT resentful....just a little disgruntled....and if I say that 50 more times, I may believe it!

That's my list, so far...but I'm really just getting started.....ah yes....com'on September 8th!