Thank You For the People in My Life

I am so blessed to have the most wonderful people in my life. Through Mary Kay I have met the most amazing women and Cheryl Gordon is one of them. She is full of humour, love and kindness. She has opened her house and farm up to us more than once, but this weekend was one of the best days I have had in a long time.  We arrived and then had lunch for us, we got to play with their kids old toys, ride tractors, see brand new kittens, play on the swings, dig in the garden, ride on the ATV, ride horses, and milk the cows. 

Her husband is the sweetest man even Everett thought so, he kept running to him and giving him huge hugs. Him and Ryan spent most of the day together. They had us stay for a nice family meal as well.  We were all tired at the end of the day but our cups were full. 

This is Everett on our way to the farm, even wearing his farm shirt. 

 Rawley picked onions for Cheryl for her dip and he had so much fun doing it that he asked if he could pull more of them. By the end he had pulled all her onions and potatoes. Trying to get him to do chores at home is like pulling teeth, but take him to the farm and he begs to do chores. Say what?

I was so excited to go horse back riding, and even though there was only one horse to ride, they borrowed a neighbours horse so that Chantel and I could ride together. I don't think they even know how happy they made me.  I would say that horse back riding may be one of my favorite things to do in the whole world. Everett was excited to get on and was so unhappy to get off. He absolutely loved the horse ride.  He is so my kid!

We also have made a wonderful group of friends through Ryan's parents and have been able to spend a few weekends with them all at the camp ground where his parents stay.  This is at the year end wind-up. Everett and Rawley played so nice together as well as with another girl. I am so proud of my boys.

 A few weeks ago to were able to go out to Uncle Al's farm. It was such a great evening for both the boys. Everett was in love with the swather, which as not being used at the time, but he was able to play in it.  The Uncle Al took him out on the combine. He cried for a few seconds because it was pretty loud, but once we got moving he was so happy.  Rawley went for a ride in the combine as well. I think if he had it hid way he would spend every weekend with Uncle Al.

First Day of School

The first day of school was today and I think I am more nervous than Rawley is.  He had so many struggles last year at school and even through the summer and camp and with neighbour boys. I am worried that he will face bullying and the feeling of not fitting in.

We talked this morning about the fact that God gave us 2 ears and only 1 mouth and that we are to use them accordingly.  I told him he looked great, made sure his teeth were brushed, his back pack was cool all things that can illuminate teasing. I told him that he was going to have a great day seeing all his friends again, but as he ran out the door I wonder...Did I do enough?

Have I given my child enough wisdom and love that he can go to school with confidence to ignore bullying and the common sense to not bully?

Have we loved him enough? Have we taught him by example? Have we shown him how to treat people and how to look the other way when someone is being awful to us?

Have we taught him to even treat our enemies with respect?

Oh my goodness I am so nervous about how today will go, but I have faith that we will survive.

summer fun

We went with Ryan to Winnipeg on Sunday so that we could spend a day at the zoo. Ryan has to stay in Winnipeg for a week to do some WCB training, it was a great day at the zoo, it had rained in the morning so there were not many people there at all. The kids just loved it.

They are donating money to help the zoo here.

 Rawley is hatching from an egg, Everett would not get in.

 The boys and i climbed the rock.

 The gophers there are really friendly, and we probably should not have, but we fed this one pieces of cookies. He came right up to our hands.

 Everett had a bath in daddy's hotel room before we hit the road to come home. After his bath he crawled up into daddy's king size bed and made himself comfortable. 

 Everett loves to vacuum (and sweep and mop too)

 Signing rawley into camp fr the second time this summer, he is at Camp Wanna Kum Bac this time. It is u at clear lake and i am really jealous.

 Cuddles with my little guy this morning.  What a cutie.

No Words

Just photos and captions today, i am too tired for a full life update. Here's my cute kids for now.

Rawley in action at soccer

Everett think mommy needs a pink cadillac

Everett playing with shving cream. At first he did not want it on his hands, but after 10 minutes he was totally into it.  If you need to get  2 year old to sit still for 45 minutes, give them shaving cream and a table.

 Everett has always been brave

 The very small ladder to Rawley's bed was not going to stop him.

 Since we discovered he can get into Rawley bed we had to buy door handle locks so he cannot get in there and up on the bed when n one is looking. 

The night before I left for Toronto I took all my boys to Tutty Frutty for Frozen Yogurt.  These two are just too cute together.

Off To Camp

Rawley is at camp for the very first time. He has been to day camps before but never away for a whole week. I am not sure who was more nervous about my departure.  I am really scared for him, silly me. I know he is going to have fun and make a bunch of friends but he has never been away like this before.  I put on my brave face though for him. 

Waiting at the parking lot for the tractor train to pick us up to take us to Western Town. he is such a cutie!

 This face says it all, happy little man.

 Picked a top bunk of course

Rawley's wagon. Sleep 7 campers and their counselor.

 And what boy would not think this was cool, the showers and washrooms for the boys are in the county jail.

Opps

This is the picture I actually meant to post of Rawley in the boat. The picture from the last post made him look scared, when if fact he was having a great time.

Canada Day @ Clear Lake

We went up to Riding Mountain National Park for Canada Day. It is so beautiful up there and clear lake is my favorite place to be. The lake is deep and a beautiful colour. The beach was crazy busy but it didn't matter.  We packed a picnic for lunch and spent the afternoon in the sun.

I am pretty sure that Everett ate his weight in watermelon.

 Rawley faced his fears and went out in the peddle boat through the waves

 So beautiful, view from our peddle boat

 After supper the beach was almost empty so we stayed a while and played int he sand.

 Cut elittle sandy feet

 Rawley is always building or inventing something. 

Just the day to day

Everett just being cute.

 Everett just having a blast in his little pool in our little yard

 Blowing mommy smooches

 Static from the trampoline. 

It Happened

Rawley has had a bit of a rough go lately. I am not sure exactly what we are going to do at the moment.  Last week he was suspended from school. I get repeated notes home about how he is out of control. Last weekend he scrubbed the bathroom (toilet, tub, floor, sink) He swept and washed the floor, he vacuumed, he did laundry. I thought that might teach him a lesson.  He didn't change so now he has no tv privileges, no game privileges, then he lost his books, then his Lego, then everything he owns. He does not get anything back until his attitude changes. At that point he will earn everything back slowly one by one

 Nothing in his room but clothes, fan, radio, bible,  mattress and blankets. 

Over the past few days Rawley has done a lot of writing, this is something he hates doing.  He has had to write a page about each of the following
-how i treat my mom and dad
-how i should treat my mom and dad
-why i act the way i do, do the things i do
-how i feel before i do things, and then how i feel after i have done something.
We are waiting to hear back from Rawley's counselor because we have a lot to talk about. Hope something we do helps.

Track & Field

Rawley may not have won any of the events at city but he was good enough at school to make it to City's to represent his school in three different events. I am proud.

To make matters worse he was teased so much at the starting line of the relays. One boy called him midget. The other told him he was just a slow small little loser.

he is my little trooper.

waiting nicely (so unusual)

 Long Jump

 Nice jump for those little legs

 Relay Race

After his events we sat in the stands together and cheered on the rest of his school. I wish all days could be that nice with him. 90% trial and frustration 10% fun happy time.  Parenting is such a hard jib, but in the end it is worth it.

Happy Birthday Everett and Rawley

So it is a little late, but here are some pictures of the boys birthdays back here in Manitoba.  Since they each had a party in BC, they had to share their party here.

 Rawley received money for his birthday from his Papa, Grandma & Grandpa Jenkins and a few friends so he bought himself this bike.  It should fit him for a few years yet.

 Everett also got a bike for his birthday. this is a balance bike (or run bike). It has no pedals and trains them mostly to balance on it, so they never need training wheels. Unfortunately Everett is still on the small side and even with the seat all the way down, he cannot reach the ground. he still loves it though.

 Everett wearing Uncle Al's glasses. Both boys love Uncle Al because he is kind of like a big kid. He will always play with them. I love him to because I usually get a bit of a break hen he is around.

 Blowing out the candles on his cake. I cannot believe they are 10 and 2. Where has the time gone?

 And this picture i am just adding for good measure. Just to show off the cuteness of my boy.

BC Trip 2012

It has been brought to my attention by a few friends that I have not blogged in a while. 
I guess that means it is about time to post.
Bonnie, these pictures of the Jenkins clan are for you.
Rachel, the update on my crazy life is for you.
Everyone else, please enjoy what you like and skip what you do not.

In May we flew home to BC to visit many friends and family. I think it is the best trip we have made so far. The plane rides were tolerable. the visits were amazing and the stress level was low.

We stayed at My grandma & Grandpa's place which worked out so well, it is clean, we all had our own bed and bathroom and the fridge always had food in it. A little different than trying to stay with my bachelor dad. Love you dad, but your a house is not very accommodating to a family of four.

We went for dinner and to the park with my very best friend, Lindsay, from the theatre (where Ryan and I met) . I had not seen her since before we had moved. It was such a pleasure to spent time with her and Everett instantly fell in love with her. As you see below.

We got to spend a few days with My brother, his wife and our niece and nephew. The pictures are truly worth a 1000 words. It is sad that we do not get to spend more time with them but i certainly cherish the time we had. Owyn & Rawley were so happy to see each other again and they played hard.  Everett and Maisie played as well, Everett was so kind and gentle and made sure to share with her.  Sweet little kids.

Rawley met up with all his old friends from his elementary school. He even got to spend a lunch hour with them. He got lots of hugs and many kids were happy to see him. It almost made me cry.  Rawley had his 10th birthday with his bc friends. Nine 10 year old boys at the bowling alley during glow bowl was about all i could handle. The energy in our corner was overwhelming. Rawley had the best night ever though so it was all worth it.

 We held Everett's 2nd birthday at my grandparents house and many many family and friends came. I think there was 40 in total there.  I was so proud so show off my tough little guy. Last time most people saw him he was a very sick little boy and now he is a happy healthy boy full of energy and love. It made me so proud for everyone to see how far he had come.  And we left loved to have so many family members and friends with us.

 We also took the boys to Vancouver for the day. We rode the SkyTrain, the City Bus and the SeaBus. We took them to the Aquarium and to the market. The boys had so much fun.

I think spending time with My Grandma & Grandpa was the very very best part of the whole trip. I know that I may not have them in my life for much longer, and I really soaked up all the love I could. There was many hugs, kisses, and kind words exchanged.  I actually did a little mini interview with them. I asked all about how they met, when they started going together, got married, moved, had kids... Grandma told me about going to War and how hard it was to leave grandma.  They are have a pretty cute story, I am glad I got to hear all about it.

 Grandma & I played crib.

  Grandma Gardened.

 How can you not love these two people. 

 Below is by far my favorite picture of all. My cousins and I always tease that saying "good-bye" in the Jenkins family is always a 20min process. First you decide to leave, then you talk some more, then you go put on your shoes and Grandma & Grandpa come to the door, so you talk some more. Then they follow you out to the drive way and talk some more, then you get in your car, roll down the window to say "good-bye", but you talk some more. Then you finally pull out of the drive way and wave good bye. (and usually honk to). This is just the way it has been since i can ever remember.  It is funny, but it is love, and I will sure miss it when they are gone. :)