Breaking Down, But Being Successful

This past weekend was great, but tough. It was Dave's annual golf weekend away. I knew it was coming, and emotionally prepared for it. Why? Because it is a lot of work, keeping house, watching 3 active children, and working with a pup who needs to learn right from wrong. But I was fine, Saturday morning I met with the other abandoned wives and we took the kids to St. Jacob's for a walk along the Old Mill Trail. Then we had a picnic lunch at a park. We got home all hot and sweaty and I got Joel to bed for his nap while the other two played outside and had a freezie. Once Joel awoke, we walked over to our friend's place where Christa cut Caleb and Joel's hair. Then home again for supper and a play in the sprinkler. It was a quiet night, the kids all went to bed well after a good cleaning bath. Sunday morning we headed to church and spent the morning there. Then in the afternoon after naptime, we did our grocery shopping and Daddy returned home by 5:15pm. So he wasn't gone long. But long enough! We finished the day with a campfire at a friend's place. Monday we spent doing yard work, getting our garden planted and just hanging out. But when Tuesday rolled around, I felt like I was losing a little bit of control. I just hadn't found my alone time that I require to just keep me level. Amberly's soccer started that night and then Wednesday I had so much to get done around the house, the kids weren't themselves and yuck, I laid my head on my pillow that night and cried. Thursday started to look up. I'm mid way through my two challenges with weight loss. At work I lost 12.2lbs and 6 inches in my waist! Out of 70 odd people I scored the highest points, and was 20 points ahead of second place! This gave me a proud moment. Then this morning after my morning butt kicking at the gym I weighed in there, and I'm officially down 17lbs from when I started that! This is the best mid way result I've had ever. I don't know if I can pull off another 10lbs in 3 weeks, but I'll certainly keep it up. I find that it's been easy this time around. I don't know why it feels that way, but it just does. I hope our team can pull off a win because the money would be great to go shopping with. But if not, I still win. Andy....

Joel before his hair cut.....

It was long and he loved playing with it in the bath.....

Out on the trail. It was a hot day.

I Don't Know What I'm Doing....

Partly the reason that has taken me so long to post something is apparently my browser doesn't support Blogger anymore, and therefore I had to try firefox and that didn't work so now I've run this chrome thing and yes, I don't know what I did, but it's working anyway! The other reason why I haven't posted and the biggest reason is I just have no time! Life has become crazy busy for me. There is something on every night of the week and I'm either running out the door or Dave is and it's just become a big balancing act. I've joined the contest again at the gym, why? I don't know, but that takes up at least 4 hours of my week where I have to make it to classes. It's great, I love the challenge and I love the girls I've joined with, but none the less, it's busy. Baseball started 2 weeks ago, and that takes up my Thursday evenings, Dave plays Monday nights. Next week soccer begins, so Amberly plays Tuesday nights and Caleb Thursday nights. Over the past month we've had Mother's Day, Anniversaries, a weekend get away with Norm and Dave and I got a weekend away as well. Norma and I attended a ladies retreat up north for a weekend. It was a blast, lots of laughs. She found this weekend online and thought it would be great. We were the last to arrive and when we walked in, we quickly realized that we were the youngest of the bunch. (Except maybe 3 other ladies that would be close to our age). That alone was hilarious! Dave took me to Toronto to see Needtobreathe in concert at the Phoenix. Again, a wonderful time was had and I've quickly become a super fan of theirs. They are awesome! And to top it all off, Joel had his 18mth checkup back at the beginning of March and there we discovered he had ear infections. This resulted in 4 weekly visits, 3 rounds of new antibiotics and now on Wednesday we go back again where I believe we will get a referral. He's still tugging and pulling on his ears and this morning a nice green snot began to flow yet again. My poor baby. As if the above wasn't enough, I decided that it would be a wonderful idea to add a new family member into the mix. Meet Andy....

He is a beautiful golden retriever (with a little bit of boxer in him) who is named after Andy Bernard from The Office. I found him on Kijiji. He was the only pup the mom had and when I went to meet him he was 6 weeks old and just knew he was going to be the one. His parents were so quiet and reserved and he was too. Although he's coming out of his shell now and much more active, we're still get a full nights sleep, he loves his crate and we haven't had too many accidents in the house. He travels well and the kids love him. After the first 3 days I do admit, I had a bit of a meltdown, wondering what have I done, but he's just so adorable that I love him to bits. Dave has never had a dog before, and he adores Andy too. It's really great. All in all, life is super nuts in the Snyder house. I'm on week 2 of the contest, I'm not sure how I'll do this time around, but I'm working hard at it and I hope we can bring home the moula! I'm not sure how and when I'll post next. But I will try!

One will Come

It's been a very long time. It's too late now, past my bedtime to post something, but I will post something soon.... Stay tuned :)

New, Cute Song

Ben Rector opened for Needtobreathe on Saturday.  I didn't know any of his stuff.  But fell in love with this song.  It would have been a perfect wedding song :)  Listen, it's quite catchy!

What Has Been Going On...

There hasn't been much desire to get on the computer lately. We have been starting to shut the computer off more to save on energy, and I just never really reboot it unless I'm bored, which doesn't happen so often!

Happy Easter. The day where we celebrate Christ's victory over death. I love this time of year, this celebration. It stirs my heart so much and brings a renewing to my relationship with Christ. How did we "celebrate", well on Friday as we have done year after year, we headed to Orangeville and attended the service at the Baptist church with my brother's family and then spent the rest of the day at my parents. We had a fun lunch together and did a big egg hunt outside. We have managed to do this outside for the last few years, the weather has always been good to us! On Saturday we had Dave's family over for the afternoon and had dinner together. In the evening Dave's parents stayed with the kids while we attended a musical at a local church. It was wonderful. Today we spent the morning at church and then the rest of the day having a blessed quiet day.

Thankfulness. Yes, I'm thankful for April's arrival. March was a terrible month. Since my last update, we experienced another death in the family and a few more episodes of sickness (all in the last week!) I received an email from one of my dearests inviting me to go with her to a ladies retreat in April. It couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I need to get away, surround myself with old comfort and happy laughter, leave behind brokenness and remember what life really has to offer outside of pain and strife. So in two weeks I venture up north with her. Next week, Davey and I are headed to Toronto to see Needtobreathe. I'm so looking forward to this. We haven't yet decided if we'll spend the night there or not, but it's gonna be a late night, the concert doesn't start until 9pm, I don't know what 10pm looks like anymore! HA. I'm listening to them now, and ohhh how I love anticipation :)

Last week at work we had our bonus day, we got to leave early for our long weekend. So yes, with Easter weekend, and the next two with happy plans set, April is definitely a good turn around!

Caleb is doing great with his reading. We have a new home reading book each school day and I'm filled with pride when he reads to me. He's my guy, I love him to bits. Amberly makes me laugh everyday. She's my little diva I say. My princess with attitude! Joel is the cutest thing ever. I do believe this is my favourite stage, he's full of chatter, not really forming too many words yet. Although oddly we do get the random "elephant", "banana" and "apple juice" from him. Pretty big words for his firsts!

Happy April, I'm so happy you've come!

Happy Easter

What a celebration today.  He is Risen!  All we can do is Thank you.

The Small yet Big Accomplishments of a 3 Year old and her Mommy!

My daughter is obsessed with her hair, she's a huge princess fan, so every morning I'm asked to give her princess hair. To her princess hair means french braids which her baby sitter can do so easily and very well. Amberly has given me permission to practise doing these braids in her hair and lately I've become pretty good at it. She's very proud of my accomplishments!
This 3 year old has also thrown in the pull up towel. She's been potty trained for a very long time, but still wore a pull up to bed. A month ago an issued her a challenge which was if she were to go 7 nights without peeing in her pullup, I would take her to Walmart so she could pick a new pair of pajama's. She was eager with this challenge. But unfortunately for the first little while she would go one, even two nights without wetting one, but then by the third or fourth would pee. Finally this past week she was successful and went 7 nights without wetting in one. We went to Walmart where she selected a set of Barbie pj's. She's gone now 4 nights with no pull ups on and has been dry ever since! Woohoo Amberly, I'm so proud of you!

My New Favourite...

Been in the Valley

Well, it's been a long while since I've posted. Life has been a little unfair these past few weeks. (can I even say that really?) The past week has been so consuming that I don't even really remember what happened prior to that. It all started with Joel waking up one morning with a rash all over his torso. He had a fever also, and when I called telehealth, they told me to go to emerg. So I took him and the doctor there didn't really look at him, just touched his rash and listened to his heart and then found a book, flipped through the pictures and decided that Joel had Fifths disease. So I went home and looked that up, and from what I read, I was not convinced this is what he had. So the next morning I called our doctor's office and spoke to the n.p. and she said that she would just have to go on what the doctor said and she told me more about the disease and what to look for. By day 4, Joel still was running a fairly high temperature, so on day 5, I called the doctor again and took him in. (It was on this day also where Amberly woke with a fever and sore tummy) As soon as the doctor saw Joel, she said it was not fifths disease but scarlet fever. Along with that, he had 2 ear infections and a throat infection. She prescribed amoxicillan. I left there feeling much better, finally having answers and knowing he'll be better. Well the next day we noticed that Joel seemed to be having a reaction to the meds. He would get blotchy and sunburned looking shortly after a dose. But I left that for a day. On this day also, Amberly seemed to be suffering still with a fever, and in the tub that night she said her ear hurt. Early the next morning I called the doctor's office again and told them what Joel was looking like and they said unfortunately I was going to have to come back. So I also made an appt. for Amberly at the same time. We got new medication for Joel and turns out Amberly was suffering with a pretty bad ear infection herself. So we got meds for her too. Again after leaving I felt better, knowing that a corner was soon to be turned. The next day things were looking up, but by afternoon I was sick. I developed a fever and a tight chest cough. That night I was so sick. The next morning Caleb woke up and was fevered. I cried. Dave stayed home to look after us that day. Tuesday Caleb stayed home from school and I from work, finally by Wednesday, we all turned a corner and were feeling better. We're still working on feeling 100%, but I think we're almost there, and I'm done complaining about it. Joel still has his rash from the fever, may have that for awhile, Amberly, Caleb and I still don't have our appetites back, but like I said. We are done complaining.
I will blame this crazy weather though.
I have also been going through a lot of things emotionally in relationships with friends. I wish I could eloborate on this, but the situation has left me with some kind of fear. My heart is broken for people and I feel alone when it comes to standing up for what I believe in. I feel God's leading, and His tugging on my heart, but then wonder why am I the only one to feel this way? I wonder if I've missed something, or completely misunderstand something? But I know this, grace has not been shown, it may be preached, but words mean nothing. Grace is something to be given with no limits, if Christ put a limit on grace, then he would have stepped down from the cross when he felt enough was enough. He didn't. Christ is all about grace, and forgiveness, 7 times 70. Shame on those who are replacing grace with self preservation. Christians should not expect higher standards from one another and when one doesn't reach our expectations, cut them down. Even though we have a relationship with Christ, doesn't make us perfect. If one can't find acceptance from a church for whoever they are or whatever they have done, then where do you expect them to find acceptance? Satan will make sure they find their acceptance, I'm certain of that.
Wow, just getting that out here makes me emotional.

Family Day Fun

For an experience, Dave and I took the Friday before the long weekend off to take the kids to the zoo. We booked a hotel package as well so we could spend the night after the day at the zoo. It was a great idea. We had a blast!


These jellyfish I think were my favourite!

Caleb's favourite were the cheetahs.


This aquarium is always a hit!

At the hotel....


The pool there had this small little frog slide, it also had a big one, but our kids were too small to use it. But good to keep in mind for a future destination!



It was a neat couple of days. It's nice to get out and do something completely different for a change with the kids!

Lost: Motivation, have you seen it?

Since the beginning of 2012 I have not been able to find that motivation I once had. Motivation to eat right, exercise and continue on the path of a healthier lifestyle. It's gone. Every morning I wake up feeling the presence inside, and then by lunch it's gone completely missing. When evening hits, I tell myself tomorrow is a new day. But it seems to be a cycle now.

Joining the gym is good for me, I haven't gone back on my commitment on that, I've been to 2 classes every week (that was my goal) and then back to just use the equipment here and there. It's really hard to find the time to make it to the gym 5-6 times a week, I'm proud for making it there twice a week.

Joining the contest at work hasn't helped any. In fact my last weigh in I was up a pound, which I was o.k. with because I feared I would be up like 5lbs! So I'll take 1. This month's challenge is to walk 10000 steps a day, and so I'm up for that. I didn't find out about the challenge until noon yesterday and I managed to pull off 8505 by bed time. But I'm really hoping to be down this month. Do I set a goal? I'm afraid to, but I think I could manage 5lbs. We'll see. Now that I've put it out there, maybe that will kick motivation into gear!

Ultimately I know what is wrong, and it's my eating habits, I love carbs too much. Bagels, bread, cereal, muffins, cookies and the ultimate destruction to any day is chocolate. Once I start, I can't stop! On the flip side, I don't love vegetables....I don't love eggs.....I don't love fish or steak. So finding the balance is difficult. Perhaps I'll learn to enjoy them, but they are definitely something that I currently have to force myself to eat.

In the end, it's not the number on the scale that matters, it's how you physically feel. I know when I've done bad by the way my body moves. If I can't feel good during a workout, and if I feel like I'm dragging my butt just to make it to the end, I know I've done bad with what I put in my mouth that day. So to know that and consider that before eating something, I think I've done good. And even though the number on the scale shouldn't matter, for this year, and this contest, I guess to me, it matters a little, because this is how I can win things!

So lets see how February pans out, how my challenge for 10000 steps goes and see if I'm 5 lbs lighter?

The Cinnamon Challenge ...

This is the best laugh ever!! For those who know me, you can probably hear me laughing....

Monter Jam

We headed to Toronto to see Monster Jam. The whole day before Caleb talked about it, wondering when it's time to go, and how we'll get there. Then the day actually arrives and I think he got overwhelmed. With the crowds and the fact that he was actually seeing these trucks up close and personal. He spent most of his time watching the big screen instead of watching them live. He didn't really seem excited about anything really. Well except when the pick up truck would come around shooting free t-shirts into the crowd. On our way home we stopped at a Walmart to have a quick bit of McD's for dinner and I asked him what he was going to tell Daddy was his favourite part of today, and he responded with "having supper at McD's" I was a little disappointed with this response, I could have saved a lot of money if that was all it was going to take. But then he quickly plugged on the end, "oh and the monster trucks too mom"

Oh well, we may wait a few more years before heading back, but the next day that's all that Caleb talked about, I knew he loved it, it was just hard to tell at the time!

Days Like Today

There is and will always be that ever pondering question....Do I stay at home or go to work? Most days I tell myself that I have the best of both worlds. I work part time only 3 days a week and the rest of the time I'm home with the kids. I believe it's the best balance for me, it gets me out of the house, into an adult social setting, brings in some money. But there is always that sense, is it all really worth it?
This morning Caleb woke up and went right into the bathroom. After a few seconds he ashamedly called me in to help as he had a little accident. What appeared to be a tiny amount of diarrhea in his pj's and on the toilet. I quickly cleaned him up and assured him that nothing is wrong, everyone has an accident. It's from here that I don't know if his embarrassment made him feel this way or if he honestly felt this way but he told me he was sick and he couldn't go to school. I continued to encourage him and got him ready like I normally do. All the while I worried for him, of course I would hate for him to have an accident at school. But his behaviour seemed normal so I continued with routine and got the kids all ready before I headed off to work. As I left, I asked Dave to call me to let me know if anything changes, I would then come home. Well at 7:55am he called to say that Caleb was lying in bed after going to the bathroom again. So I came home. Dave then left with the other 2 as I talked to Caleb. I reminded him that it was a pizza day at school, this made him perk up a bit. He then went to the bathroom again. After this time, he came out saying he felt fine and that he thought he could go to school. So I think I'll take him.
But if I was a stay at home mom, I might have kept him home. Because I would have the freedom to do so. But as it is, I'm missing work, only fretting about how I would make this time up? I'm blessed to have a very understanding boss who is very flexible and has been in the same boat I'm sure.
I want to live a life without regrets. You know?

Well 2012, What Have You Got For US??

We're a solid week into the new year. I'm not the type to make resolutions. I'm not even one to celebrate ringing in the new year. I made it to 11:30pm and even though I was so close, I decided to go to bed. I know, it's a sign of aging.

So far I do have a few plans set for 2012. One is going to happen on the 22nd. Monster Jam in Toronto. I think I'm just as excited if not more than Caleb. It's a pretty neat show to see! I also have tickets on their way to see Coldplay in Toronto in July.

On the 2nd, I walked over to the rec centre and bought a 6 month membership to the gym. I'm still not sure what I was thinking HA! But I love the zumba classes (looking forward to one tonight!) and I love swimming! I figure if I get there twice a week I'll get my money worth! I also joined the Biggest Winner Lifestyle challenge at work. It didn't cost much and it's for the entire year, there will be monthly challenges, and accountability and in the end the one with the most percentage lost wins. I haven't set goals yet, I haven't even found the inspiration to get back at eating properly again, but it will come. We'll see where I end up in this!

As far as health goes, my kiddies have all had the flu or some kind of bug. Joel has had it the worse, he seems to get over it and then catch it again. We've had him vomit since last Wednesday, at least once a day. Here's hoping there isn't any more puke in the next 24 hours so we can resume our normal schedule tomorrow.

2012 will also bring my very first nephew! With in the next two weeks that is! I'm so excited to meet this new little guy.

I love anticipation!

So Long 2011

This year was a rollercoaster. Some great moments and some not so great moments. I'll be honest, I've had some pretty difficult times this past year and I'm ready to learn from these moments and see how I can make 2012 better.

It all begins with prayer....

Happy New Year to all.

O Holy Night

Merry Christmas. May you find a moment for yourself today to reflect on the most amazing gift ever given. As a mother, I'm reminded of how impossible it would be for me to give a child...but His love is something beyond my comprehension.....

Boo

We didn't move from the midpoint, we finished in 3rd place. I admit, I'm being a sore loser. Mostly because I need new clothes and was really hoping to win the money so I could spend it on myself without guilt or regrets. But no, now I have to be very careful on what I buy, I have to analyze every dollar I spend, why? Because that is just how I am, I get into the store and I'm flooded with the thoughts of those people in India who spend their days in the dump in hopes of finding something they can sell to make money to feed themselves. Or I think that I don't really need those jeans, I have one pair that are fine with no holes. I can get a belt for my dress pants, I guess it doesn't really matter that someone told me I looked like I was wearing drapes....
3rd place was awarded a free massage, a foot detox thingy or 30 mins. with a trainer, we can choose 2 out of those 3. I'm definately doing the massage, but I don't know what else I'll choose.

(oh and by the way, there would have been no way to catch 1st place, the guy apparently lost 33lbs and he wasn't so big so his percentage was like 17%, I think he cheated some how! Or that is what I'm going to tell myself anyway!)

It's Coming.....So Exciting!

Christmas is literally just around the corner. I think I finally turned the corner too finding that patience which disappeared, finding the joy in the craziness and finding those moments of happiness.

Finishing the Biggest Winner contest was the beginning. I got to enjoy a pasta lunch, and was able to finally have dessert! I could stop worrying about how to avoid situations where I would have to turn down food. I successfully lost 26.2 pounds and I'm proud of that. I set a goal to reach 26.5 or greater and I maybe fell short of that a bit, but I'm so happy with my outcome, no regrets! As for the contest results and whether or not my 26.2 is good enough, we'll see.....I'll keep you posted!

This past weekend our choir performed it's cantata. As much as I enjoyed being apart of this, I'm glad it's over also.

My shopping is done, my baking is well on it's way and I can slow down a little and enjoy, take the moments in.

Celebrating Love coming down to earth.....

Hi Santa

This morning while running some errands in the mall. Amberly requested we visit with Santa. Our morning was going well, I was enjoying the opportunity to browse a bit and just take in some "Christmas" spirit, so we waited. While in line I thought it would be a wonderful picture, having all 3 of them with Santa this year. Once we got up there, Caleb and Amberly hopped on the seat beside him, and Joel was happy until my hands left his sides, he quickly realized that some stranger had him and not mommy. He was beside himself, he had that cry, the one where I have to tell him to breathe. So this is why my baby isn't in the shot. That's o.k. There's always next year.....Ho Ho HO.