Mom's Visit Part 2

This is the second and final installment of pictures from my Mom's trip. We did so many things, had so much fun, and made so many memories! Mom and I both share a love for quilting. We looked at several quilt blogs together, dreamed and planned for quilts to come, shopped for fabric (for my birthday gift Mom and Dad gave me money that could only be used at the fabric store! I bought some gorgeous fabric in colors that I've never used before. I love it! I'll post pics soon) and we even worked on a quilt together! But, this quilt is a secret gift until a certain wonderful person's birthday. It's going to be beautiful, I know!

Mom and Silas enjoying a fruit cup on our front porch. I know I said this before, but the weather was absolutely gorgeous and we spent a lot of time outdoors.

Our landlord bought us a firepit (is that what they are called?) We roasted marshmellows and hot dogs one night. Josh lit the fire with his flint and steel. He worked very hard at that!

Mom took lots of family pictures of us and I love how they turned out. I'm so glad my friend Estelle took this picture of us with Mom.

Of course, we took Mom to Old Quebec to see Chateau Frontenac.

It was so hot that day. We bought McDonalds for lunch, but there were no available seats that had room for 2 strollers in the restaurant. We walked up a huge steep hill and found a shady grassy spot for a picnic. It was great!

Mom brought a pattern for the girls to learn to sew their own purse. It turned out so cute!

Mom has my kids officially hooked on Sleepy Time Tea. When she left we only had a couple of bags left. Josh made sure I bought some more at the store when I went grocery shopping. In fact, this morning Brenna wanted a cup. I told her we'll keep sleepy time tea reserved for nighttime! They enjoyed their nightly tea and tea parties with their Grandma. They acted pretty goofy sometimes!

Getting ready for a PBJ picnic!

Josh and Brenna had a contest to see who could find the longest Dandelion.

I think Silas won! He is such a copy-cat now!

Picnic by the river.

Another Tea Party! Even Patrick participated with English accent and all!

On Mom's last night we put her dinner on the Special Plate. She did so much for all of us and we all enjoyed her visit. It flew by!

The original plan was for Mom to make it to see her 18th grandchild born, but Miss Callie Grace decided to come early. When my waterbroke I called Mom right away and cried that she wasn't going to make it. But, looking back, I know the Lord was in control. It was so nice to have Mom here when I still needed to recuperate. But, I was also rested enough to do some things and show her around. It was a great trip and I love my Mom so much. She makes all of us feel like we are the most important people on earth. She gives us individual attention, something my children especially needed. Thanks, Mom, for your love and care, your meals and cleaning, your fun spirit that's full of ideas of what we can do next, for your Godly example, thanks for being my Mom! I love you and miss you already!

Mom's Visit Part 1

We had such a wonderful time while my Mom was here. There are LOTS OF PICTURES that Mom and I took. I'll post a few in this post, and then the rest in the next post.

My sister, Taylin, organized a "Party by Post" to welcome baby Callie. (It's like a Baby Shower, but by mail) The ladies of my home church and my sisters and Mom and Dad gave me so many gifts! It was so nice to be showered with love from my homechurch. They are so good to us and we miss them all very much. I love Winkler Road Baptist Church! So, on the first night of Mom's visit she had a baby shower for me and Callie! There were lots of pink balloons and we played some fun games, too.

We took Mom to Hall Fleur de Lys. It's a neat market type mall. We stopped for a snack of some sweet Cantaloupe.

Mom had a good time keeping nursery while she was here. Silas is the only one in our nursery and he loved his time with Grandma!

My Mom is a wonderful Grandmother and truly cherishes her time with her grandchildren. Even changing diapers! She took care of so much while she was here. Silas woke her up early early early every morning, sometimes as early as 4:30. Poor Mom, but she didn't seem to mind, she cherished every minute she had with my kiddos. Thanks, Mom. They sure do know that you love them.

Mom and Brenna reading their Bibles ont he swing one morning. This was something Brenna had been really looking forward to doing with her Grandma.

We took Mom to the Mall here and the kids rode the roller coaster. We found this horse (It's not a penny like at Meijer, it was a dollar!) and Silas rode it for the first time. He sort of liked it, but not really.

Then, we had a great lunch at the mall. I think Mom is a Poutine lover, now!

We took Silas on the train and he liked it. Mom said it reminds her so much of when my baby sister Taylin was born. It's like having 5 parents!

Mom took care of the kids, but took great care of me, too. She made sure I had my rest. It was hard though, because I wanted to be with Mom as much as possible, but the naps were pretty sweet, I have to admit!

We took Mom to the huge Catholic Chruch in Beaupre. It's huge! We took the kids inside and showed them how ornate everything is inside, but Patrick also explained to them the truth of the Catholic religion. It's very sad to see so many statues and to see the people pay to light candles. They are trusting in the works that they are doing to get them to heaven. The Bible says that all our works are as filthy rags, they will never get us to heaven. I'm thankful we can trust in Christ, He paid the price for us and we can trust in Him!

Then, we toured the Island in the middle of the Saint Lawrence river. We found a great picnic spot by the water and enjoyed the gorgeous weather.

Mom and the kids found many treasures out by the water. It was fun reading the history that in the 20's this spot was used to dock boats in the winter.

Giving Miss Callie Grace a sponge bath.

Taking Silas for a walk. The weather was so gorgeous while Mom was here!

Mom, Elisabeth, and Brenna planted some flowers in our flower box. They are already starting to sprout!

Josh wanted to take his Giga ball down the hill in the "Valley". It didn't exactly roll like he wanted.

But, he had fun trying!

Then, we walked down to the river.

Josh tryed his giga ball in the water and it floated downstream...sort of.

Silas loved playing in the water and throwing rocks in.

The walk back felt a lot longer than the walk to the park, but it was a great day. Mom is so much fun!

3 Weeks Old

Today Miss Callie Grace turned 3 weeks old. My sweet little baby has started to have a little bit of fussy time every evening. Since I didn't take her picture earlier in the day, this was the only time for her 3 week picture, so I got many shots of her crying.

Other than a little bit of fussiness in the evening, she is an excellent baby. She sleeps well at night and only wakes up at 2 or 3 to nurse, then again at 6. Her eyes are so adorable and wide when she's awake, but she still sleeps a good bit of the time.

Mom snapped this picture of Callie while I was holding her so we could get a picture of her not crying. She loves to be held!

On a sad note: Mom leaves Saturday :( I have loved every minute I have had with her and dread the day that she leaves. We've had so much fun and laughed so much. The children have gotten so much attention and have done so many things! Be ready for lots of pictures next week from Mom's visit!