{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend! 

*** *** ***

Chemistry 11A Motto

I will only accept my best in chemistry

I will take Chemistry to have and to hold

Even though we struggle, we will still try to get smart.

Chemistry is beautiful from sea to shining "y"

We will listen to everything given to us.

We will use our workbooks with pride and honor

W will learn chemistry from the "H" to the "Nv"

We will learn chemistry to the best of our ability

I will be the best I can be,

Sciences at our school are three, 

But it is clear for all to see

The best of all is Chemistry. 

I am a little bit sad to say that I was able to recite this from memory with very few prompts from Erik. This was the motto our class wrote on one of the first days of chemistry (eight years ago!). We recited it at the beginning of class every day thus burning it into my mind. Oh Chemistry.

...

My niece moved in so I have been busy cleaning and organizing. The room she moved into happened to be my junk room -- a place where boxes of things that needed to be organized would go to die. My dear husband and my lovely niece have patiently tolerated said boxes being left in the living room thus giving me a bit of pressure and allowing me time to go through each of them. To make matters worse (or to add to the stuff), my parents have just moved to Kelowna and brought with them 12 boxes of my stuff from infancy to young adulthood. I have sorted through almost everything and have purged more than I could have imagined. It has been therapeutic, exhausting, and wonderful.

It has been fun to go through all of my high school notes (I was a bit of a hoarder). It has been more embarrassing than fun actually, but it is what it is. Erik and I have had many good laughs as I have read each note again before tossing them.

I even found my Grade 11 Chemistry motto along with Haiku's we wrote about Chemistry.
Some of the haikus:

Chemistry is great
It involves moles and volume
Smile for Chemistry
- Lauren H.

I do not like moles
They are very confusing
Moles are not my friends
- Ashley J.

Dan, Stewart, Joel sit
Thirsting for knowledge in chem.
Kim brings us a well
- Stewart R.

Chemistry is great
It has moles and molar mass
I love eyebrows... yay!
- Daniel B.

Moles are helping me
Calculate molarity
And make good haikus
- Elly B.

Mister Kim chem. Teach
Mister Kim no eyebrows him
(something that is hole punched out) is fun again
- Joel B.

circa 2005

Hey Lynn,

I hope you're home right now because otherwise I'd look like a fool. It is currently 11:00am on Sunday. I have been at your house since 9:10am trying to wake you up, but you are either in a very deep slumber or you aren't home. I'm hoping your having a wonderful sleep because your neighbors think I'm crazy! It won't be too embarrassing if you end up letting me in, but leaving defeated would be pretty crappy. I need to think of some new tactics that may arouse. By arouse I mean rouse as in "wake you up"... nothing sexual. The volleyball has hit your window on numerous occasions and I think I've run your doorbell more times today than it has ever been rung in its entire existence, I've banged on the back door of the kitchen and called your name, but all to no avail! You really must be in hibernation... or dead. Now that would be terrible! I don't think there's any way to break into your house though! There's always a way to get into mine... Alright so this situation is looking kind of hopeless. the only good thing that could happen would be if your neighbor came out and asked if I needed help... or a date... or a swim or maybe even marriage. The probability of any of those occurring is... well I'd say 1/1,000,000,000,000,000,000 give or take a few. At least I get to enjoy your beautiful backyard... too bad I don't have access to a camera. It is very picturesque. Ok, I'm giving you until 11:45 to wake up or show up. I will laugh so hard when you aren't actually home... that'll be terrible, but hilarious all at the same time. Oh well. At least you're getting a note out of all of this, even if it is less than entertaining.

I'm hungry now. You're MIA and I want to take pictures. Crappy. I'm leaving the house in 40 minutes.

Alright I just had a 20 minute nap and it's hot out!! I'm even in the shade! 15 minutes my dear and I think I'll head out.

Ok, I'm dying (not literally) of thirst. I'm going to head home. Email me about hanging out tomorrow... make sure you have tons of sunscreen :) I've been in a freezer every day!!

I love you, Lynn. Have a wonderful day.

Love Ashley

remember this?? where were you???

:)

I got to see all my babies today!! I worked all weekend (got off this morning) which was disappointing as our church had its annual camp out. Erik and I obviously couldn't attend, but we made it out this morning for the worship service. I have worked or been out of town every Sunday all summer so I haven't seen many people from our church family this summer.

It was SO nice to be able to catch up with some of them this morning and early afternoon. Seeing Little Miss, Sawybean, and Gus Gus were an added bonus.

After hanging out at the camp Erik and I went to my sisters house to visit the littlest babies. They aren't so little anymore as Peyton is 7lb 15 oz and Avery's weighing in at 9lb 2 oz. Those little girlies are well over their birth weight and contently thriving. I just have to say that my sister is amazing! Two little babies cannot be easy and I think she is doing a fabulous job caring for her daughters. Two babies. I still can't believe it.

I have been up since yesterday so I should really be getting to bed. I feel like I have much to share, but nothing really to say. Seems as though that's often the case.

Goodnight!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend! 

*** *** ***

never posted

I didn't realize I never posted this. These pictures, taken when the girls were less than 24 hours old, make me laugh. I love doing this to babies.

 Super Squishy Avery.

Not so Squishy Peyton.

the six of 'em

These are my six adorable nieces. I can't believe there are six of 'em and that three are actually smiling for the photo. The two boy-ohs were off gallivanting so we just took a picture of the girl cousins.

My little auntie heart just bursts with pride and love for these four little tots and these two beautiful ladies -- I am so very blessed.

Is it really September?

Is it really September???

I don't think I would have realized it if I wasn't at work last night. I had to call a doctor for orders at 0130 and was a little bit sad when it was brought to my attention that it was September 1st.

I kind of wish it was August 32nd because I love love love Summer, but I must admit that Fall isn't so shabby and we still have a bit of summer left.

September though. Wow.

That means we're going traveling in four months. I keep saying we're going traveling next year, but next year is actually only four months away. Gah!

We haven't even looked into flights yet because, as I said, we aren't going traveling until next year. But next year is fast approaching and I'd better get on it! We are going to be looking into world tickets as we're going to South America, Scotland, and South East Asia (at least that's the loose plan... we are planning on doing a lot of it by the seat of our pants. We're cool like that). But it may be cheaper to just look for cheap flights to each place individually. Lots of research to do... it may be cheapest to go through a travel agency. It will definitely be easiest and will save us a lot of time.

I've never had to book overseas flights. Any suggestions?

I'm not going to lie, I did just get a little bit stressed out writing this. Four months!!

Really, suggestions re: flights would be much appreciated. And, if any of you have traveled to any of the places mentioned then let me know what your favourite places were. 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

*** *** ***

sweet baby cap

July's Knitting Project. Nearly done. All I really have to do is weave in two ends and create i-cord ties for the little cap. This little sucker didn't take long to knit, but I did have to restart it because I read the pattern wrong.

I still don't know what I'm going to knit for August or September, but I'm hoping to figure it out soon. Any suggestions??

of knitting.

I am almost done my July
knitting project.
Yes, July.

I haven't knit anything
for August yet...

I would like to draw
your attention to
how busy August has been.

And to the fact that I
don't know what I want
to knit.

Well, I kind of
have an idea,
but I can't
find a pattern that I
like.

I want to knit a sweater
for myself.

A semi-fitted,
not too thick
everyday sweater.

I want it
to be no fuss,
and without embellishments.

Just a
Plain Jane
sweater.

Patterns for those
are surprisingly hard
to come by.

I have been looking
for a couple months.

And I think I am
going to have
to amalgamate
(right word?)
three or four patterns.

Which,
in a short phrase,
means
"Uh Oh".

But if I were
an optimist, which
I am usually
not,
I would say something
more along the
lines of
"Wheeeeeeee".

But as I said,
not an optimist.

So I sit,
perusing the vast
interwebs,
searching for something --
anything,
that inspires me.

It doesn't even need
to be my
beloved sweater.

It could be
anything, but nothing
has had that spark.

I had better make up
for my lack of knitting
in September.

Or October.

Colder weather
is more conducive to
knitting anyway.

For now, I search. 

been a while.

I know it's been a while. I know. I know. I know. We went to the coast for the weekend and now I'm back to work. We've been a bit busy.

Why a trip to the coast? There was a 30th birthday party for my brother and my niece did her profession of faith. Both of these were fabulous reasons to venture down for a visit.

I have to leave for work in three minutes so I will write about all that later. For now I just needed to show you this picture of Hailey with her baby cousins. She was thrilled when I asked if she wanted to hold them (her mama, however, was a little bit nervous). Hailey loved and proudly held Peyton and Avery in her arms and went back and forth whispering, "shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh" to them, alternating babies on shhh's.

She is clearly a Jansen, eh?

I've Made It.

Have you ever felt like "you made it"?

For example:

• You graduated (high school or university).       I've made it!
• You started your career.      I've made it!
• You didn't strangle your spouse in the first four years of your marriage.      I've made it (or maybe he made it)!
•  You finished the dishes and maybe picked up the living room before said spouse came home from work.      I've made it!

You know, the usual.

Well now I have made it... again.

I was at Art of Yarn (my favourite yarn shop in town) and one of the employees, Cathy, who I have seen many many times over the last three years and chatted with on many of those occasions, said the following:

"Remember that little dress you made a while back? You've made a couple of them. A few from the bamboo and a few from the Madelinetosh. Remember???? With the buttons? I think it is beautiful and I would love it if you could show me where to find the pattern. My daughter is having a baby and I want to knit one for her".

An employee not only complimenting my work, but also requesting a pattern that I picked out and adored. She even asked me how I came across it. Truth be told, I don't remember, but I did direct her to the site where I found the pattern and she squealed with glee as she printed it off.

Seasoned knitters wanting to knit things I've made....  Yup, I've made it!

three weeks!

The girls are three weeks old today! They were weighed on Monday and they were both exactly a pound heavier than they were at birth. Peyton was 7lb 2oz and Avery was 7lb 15oz. I try to visit as much as I can, but it's never quite enough.

This is Peyton in her "leisure suit". We like to call her little pants "loosies" because they are anything but tight on her little self.

Travel plans are no further than they were before. We are hoping to go to South America (mainly Peru and Brazil), Scotland to visit friends of ours who are living there for a few years, and then to South East Asia. I'm trying to convince Erik to let me go to Australia when he comes home to go to Alaska, but he isn't going for it yet. Something about wanting to come along... We are hoping to leave in January and to come back in June so E can go fishing again.

We're heading to the coast this weekend. My niece is doing her Profession of Faith and Lindsey is bringing the babies to meet their aunties and uncles and greats. There's a shower for Lindsey and the girls on Monday night, but I'm back to work Tuesday morning so I will be missing those festivities. Oh well, sharing my nieces with thirty+ women isn't my idea of fun anyway.

Well, I'm off to work. Have a good night!

Lynn = The Best

Lynn is the best. Yup, I said it. And I meant it. I love the rest of you, but Lynn is the best. I have missed that girl something fierce. The minute she came up the driveway it was as though she had never left and we instantly fell into easy conversation and relaxed into being together. Well, I wouldn't say it happened instantly.... I did squeal and give her a gigantic hug, but we had the most pleasant visit once that was out of the way. 

It was wonderful having Lynn over. She is so easy-going and delightful and we just enjoyed spending time together. We caught up and chatted about life, work, and marriage. Conversation was easy and yet we had comfortable silence that didn't need to be filled.

Do you have friends that you feel you need to entertain? The ones that sap your energy because you feel as though you always need to be doing something??? Lynn isn't like that. I'm so glad she's not like that. We spent time at the beach, at Erik's baseball game, at my sister's house babysitting Avery, reading, chatting, and going to bed relatively early (thank you, Lynn!!). And it was grand. 

We even went to a winery for dinner one night, which is something Erik and I have never done. The wine was good (I don't like wine), the food was great, and the dessert was delicious!

I wish Lynn still lived in Canada. I missed her a lot, but didn't realize quite how much until she was back here with me, but that's probably a good thing. We've been friends for... I actually don't remember meeting her... over ten years though.  I love her to pieces and thoroughly enjoyed seeing her. I especially enjoyed her being at my house because I got her all.to.myself.

Lynn, I love you. Come again.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a splendid weekend!   

*** *** ***

More Reunion.

Well, Lynn told me to not bother cleaning my house before she comes so I'm going to show you some more pictures. She may regret her cleaning kibosh, but it's too late now.

I thought I'd share a little bit more of our reunion. A few specifics, if'n you don't mind.

One of my favourite things was playing softball with the family. I have never actually played a game of softball and I was less than impressive, but we had such a good time! Many of my aunties and uncles played and most of the mid to older cousins. Hailey tried to join in the fun donning a glove and coming onto the field saying, "Daddy, I ready!"

We ventured out onto the lake and found this giant rope swing. It was so high and I was nervous watching my dear husband leap off of it. Some of the cousins went off it too, but not with the same gusto and momentum that Erik did... he was so high in the air!!! He described it as being something along the lines of "barely on the fun side of terrifying". Not my cup of tea.

This doesn't come with a story, but look at how cute Jordyn is.

My motto for the weekend and for life in general is "why be cold when you can be warm?" I don't usually swim in the lake unless it is over 40 degrees celcius. And I love love love being warm. My cousins tried to convince me to go swimming on many an occasion, but I politely refused. Like I said, why be cold when you can be warm?

One day they had enough and they valiantly tried to toss me in the water. I held my own and they were unsuccessful until Erik stepped in and lent them a hand. I can be feisty and am not beyond diving over someone's back to avoid being thrown in the water but, my husband was a wrestler and no amount of feistiness, flailing, wiggling, twisting or resisting can defeat him. I went swimming. 

And lastly, see that little bandaid on Hailey's forehead?? There's a story behind it. I was down by the lake playing volleyball with the cousins when one of my aunts came and asked for my assistance. I was going to ask if I could finish the game, but one look at her told me I should probably follow her now. She told me that it was Hailey and she needed help.

Hailey decided to fall off the picnic table and had a piece of gravel embedded in her forehead. When I say embedded I mean that this little piece of rock was stuck in her forehead flush with her skin. We took little Hales into my parent's trailer and Anthony (my brother and her daddy) snuggled her/held her down while I tried to pry said piece of gravel out of her head. I tried squeezing it like a zit to pop it out and then I tried using tweezers while squeezing it but nothing was working. I ended up using the tweezer to extend the hole a bit (sorry baby girl!) and then I was able to pop the piece of gravel out. Yes, I did have to cut my niece's forehead to get the gravel out.

So I sliced the tiniest bit I could, popped the gravel out, stuck a bandaid on squeezing the little hole shut, and then I cried.

I couldn't help it! A. I'm a Jansen lady and B. I had to hurt my poor little niece. I was in "nurse mode" while attempting to get the rock out, but once it was out and she went back to being my little hurt niece I couldn't take it and so I cried. Oh dear.

But it was still a wonderful weekend. I just love my family and I can't wait for next year!

Reunited

My dear friend, Lynn, is currently Kelowna bound. I am so very excited to see her!! I wanted to quickly post this before she gets here because I don't anticipate much time for the computer during her visit.

I have been busy snuggling two of the sweetest babes lately. It is delightful, as only a new baby can be. And I have two to love on -- double delight.

But that's not why I'm here. I'm sure you're tired of hearing about children that aren't mine so I thought I would share something else with you. This weekend, as I mentioned, we had a reunion with my mother's family.

It. Was. Awesome.

We went up to Timothy Lake, just passed 100 Mile House and barely outside of Lac La Hache. We stayed in a combination of cabins, tents, and trailers and had a wonderful time. A truly wonderful time. Most of the family wasn't there (only one of my siblings was), but those of us that were thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I certainly did, at the very least. 

It was a relaxed, no-fuss event and we just had fun together. Nothing was really planned. There were no expectations. And we just go to be together -- away from the regular stresses (and non-stresses) of life. It was awesome.

We laughed, we cried, we laughed some more. We played baseball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, card games, and board games. We fished, rowed, boated, swam, jumped, slept, and passed around small children for cuddles. We stoked fires and then sat chatting around those same fires late into the night. We basked in the goodness that is family.

I love my mama's family. I love my dad's family too, but I have spent much more of my time with the Siebring clan and I think they're pretty special. I loved catching up with my aunties, uncles, and cousins. I think I managed to have a one-on-a-couple conversation with everyone. One-on-one's are next to impossible with such a large group so I settle for what I can get.

It was interesting this year because there was no one "our age". There were the aunties and uncles, teenagers and rugrats. We were kind of in limbo and, if I were to be completely honest, I'd have to admit that I liked this. There was no pressure to go up or down in age group and I took advantage of both. You ever get where to feel obligated to chat with the people the same age or at the same stage of life as you?? There was none of that. I played volleyball with the teenagers, chatted with the parents and played with the kiddies.

We have already booked the location for the same weekend next year! I like the no-fuss come-if-you-can mentality. Erik and I will definitely be carving out time in our schedules to make it as often as possible.

We just got back from our family reunion.
It was wonderful!
But now I am tired.
Very tired.

Goodnight.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a fabulous weekend!  

*** *** ***

snuggling sisters/baby bits

I am so tired. I don't have much to say today, but then I never really do so it doesn't matter. I am sure you have already prepared to be inundated with photos of Peyton and Avery, but in case you aren't, be warned. I couldn't resist putting these girls together to snuggle yesterday. They're just too cute! And they loved it... or at least they slept through it.

Today we gave them tummy time and they crawled their way off the blanket they were on. It was adorable and hilarious. And they didn't seem to mind being on their bellies. These little girlies were very awake today. For a bit, at least. I enjoyed seeing something other than the stink eye from them.

Miss Peyton is an old soul. She is a little grumpy grandpa and she always looks like she has you figured out. She scowls and peers through a barely open eye and is oh-so-sweet. So very sweet. She is so petite and hates nursing, but loves drinking her mama's milk from a bottle. Her little mouth is so tiny! Peyt's hair is darker than Avery's and she has more... angular features. She is 100% Jansen and, therefore, 100% adorable.

And Little Avery is nearly a pound bigger than her older sister. She is so round all over -- her face, cheeks, body, everything. She is often more alert than Peyton and she is pinker than her. She looks like the perfect little gerber baby. She has blond eyebrows and eyelashes and her hair is lighter than Peyton's. Avery has an adorable birthmark on her inner leg right above her ankle. I actually adore this birthmark of hers. She is 100% Neale and, strangely enough, manages to be 100% adorable as well.

I couldn't be more in love with these girls. They are delightful.

bliss

My day has been full of rubbing my face against soft baby cheeks, changing cute little bums, cooing, burping, and admiring Lindsey's perfect little girls. I have enjoyed watching my sister as a mother, as well. She is a rockin' mama -- so calm and loving. Patient, encouraging, gentle, relaxed, attentive and wonderful.

The ladies. 

The girls -- in little onesies!

Enjoying every moment. 

My favourite picture of the happy family. 

I have to work tonight so I am home briefly. I tried to nap (no chance) and am now contemplating what to eat before going back to the hospital. Lindsey and Ade are right across the hall from my ward so I am planning on visiting on one of my breaks if it happens to be snack time for Peyton and Avery. That will get my sleep-deprived self through tonight.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!  

*** *** ***

P+A

I have started this entry fifteen times over and no words seem quite right. I am speechless and crying (always crying) so I will just say this:

My sister, Lindsey, is amazing! I am more proud of her than I could ever say. She rocks my world and I am in awe of what she is capable of. Yesterday, on August 1, 2012, she delivered two of the most beautiful girls into the world -- one head first and one feet first. We (my mother and other sister) were with her while she laboured and then she was whisked off to the OR to push them on out (standard precaution). The girls are healthy and got to stay with their ma and pa.

We gave the new family some time to adjust to each other and went and met the girlies just today. Sharlene and I arrived this morning and Lindsey introduced us to her daughters, Peyton Ashley and Avery Sharlene -- named after their two favourite and best aunties.

There were many tears, as you can imagine. Many hugs and kisses. Snuggles. Sniffs. Then some more tears. So, without further ado, here are the ladies of the hour (day, month, year, decade):

 Peyton Ashley                    Avery Sharlene

Born at 1950                       Born at 1957

6lbs 2oz.                             6lbs 15oz.

19.00 inches long                19.25 inches long

Head First                            Feet First

 Proud Mama.

 Proud Aunties.

 Love my baby girls.

 Big E came for a visit. 

 Words cannot even begin to describe how this feels. Amazing.

 Love. Them.

 Mama admiring her handiwork. Who can blame her?

 

So happy. So very happy.

We are all over the moon in love with these little people. We are thrilled that they have arrived... thankful they are healthy... and excited to show them just how loved they are.