Our Blessings: April 2009

B/C let's face it, no one really knows what's going on with us since I'm such a lazy blogger! Not that I imagine hundreds of people are dying to be in the know concerning the Wagenaar family, but maybe there are 1 or 2 of you;)

I'm still having trouble with pics...they're uploading, but in writing form in the draft, so I have no idea how to move them or put them in the order I want. So please hang in there and just enjoy the pics as they are...:)

Anyhoo, Kallie and I flew to Calgary last month, for 5 days, to visit family and one of my best friends from college, Kat. It was a really great time of visiting and connecting, but I was definitely glad to be home...travelling alone with a toddler...not something I would highly recommend:) The other wonderful thing about the trip was that my dad flew out from Winnipeg before us, and met us in Calgary. So we got to spend lots of time with him too! Kallie asks for Grandpa almost every day now, she was just completely smitten:) The grandparent-grandchild bond just amazes me! Kallie only sees my parents every few months, but pretty much from the minute she was with my dad, that was the main person she wanted to be with. Every morning the first words out of her mouth after she woke up, were, "Let's go see Grandpa!"

When we got there, we got to spend the entire weekend with Kat, whom I just absolutely love and was THRILLED to see and spend time with! The visit wasn't as smooth as it possibly could have been, considering my daughter was in a new place, with new animals (which she is TERRIFIED of!), and was beyond over-tired. But Kat was amazing, and so understanding...even when she was cleaning up Kallie's puke while I rocked my sobbing baby...sounds dramatic, I know. Basically, I wasn't thinking or planning well, Kallie was beyond exhausted when she went to bed, started crying and threw up. Made a for a stellar finish to day one:)!! Thankfully, our last evening there (Tuesday), my dad took Kallie for awhile, and Kat and I were able to go out and enjoy a dinner together:) I miss you Kat, and CAN'T WAIT until our next visit!

We stayed with my aunt and uncle (my dad's brother), which was really fun and relaxing. We got to spend time just visiting and catching up, and of course, Kallie was the hit of the show! We also stayed with my great aunt and uncle (my mom's family) for one night, and it was such a wonderful time. They are in their 80's, and are so full of life, love and laughter (ah, alliteration;) and are just a joy to be around. And they too, couldn't stop singing Kallie's praises, which is always nice for a mom to hear:) And the other special person we got to spend lots of time with, was my grandma (my dad's mom). We saw her every day, and it was such a blessing to see the way Kallie just lights up her world. Her mantle pictures of her children and grandchildren have pretty much been exclusively replaced with Kallie pics (her only great-grandchild), and it was just really great to spend time with her, and watch Kallie get spoiled (ummmm....popcorn and 2 ice cream cones a day...only at great-grandmas!!!) and have tons of fun!

I also had a really great time visiting with my dad, it's a rare opportunity for the two of us to be on a trip with no other family...we spent lots of time driving around CRAZY Calgary:) and so had lots of chances to just talk and relax. And like I said before, seeing him with Kallie was just a total blessing:)

What's new with us:
I've decided to start going back to school in the fall! Something I'm very excited and also terrified about! I'm just going to be taking one course, to get my feet wet (it's been 5 years since I was in school!), and I'm going to be doing it with a really good friend, which I'm SOOOOO thankful for! The idea of walking into a massive class of 19 yr. olds....scary;) I'm going to be working on my B.A. in Psychology, with more schooling to follow.

We bought a new truck, I know I've already written about that, but it's now been on the road for a few weeks, and we're loving it. Finally, a vehicle with a backseat! Lyndon informed me that he loves his truck so much, that if we won the lottery (not that we ever could since we don't PLAY the lottery;) he wouldn't even buy a new truck. B/C really, what more could he want? Well, I wouldn't say I'm THAT smitten...but my time will come....furniture....furntiture....:)

My mom was here for a week visiting us, and it was just wonderful. She was here for a full 7 days, and was such a blessing as she totally helped me with my daycare, of course paid extra special attention to Kallie (who was in her grandma glory;), and as always, helped clean and organize my house. My microwave has never sparkled so much;)

We went to Winnipeg for Easter, and it was great! We got lots of time with family and friends, and it was very sad to leave:( I miss you all!!! I'm hoping to post some pics, but well, you know me, so I won't make any promises;)

And Kallie, she's just amazing. I'm totally blown away by the transformation that's taken place in under two years. From a sweet, practically motionless, wordless, baby...to this incredible toddler who walks, runs, laughs, talks, sings, shouts...it's just amazing! Her personality is coming out really strongly now, and we're pretty sure she's more like her daddy! She doesn't seem to have much of a serious side so far, but LOVES to make jokes, laugh, and just be an all-around goofball;) hmmmm....hardly like Lyndon at all!

So in general, things are really great with us. We're planning a couple of small trips in the next few months, and are REALLY looking forward to spring and summer! I can't wait to spend tons of time outside with Kallie, now that she's SO mobile!

Hope everyone has a great week!