BABY +

big news

We had a baby girl september 6th at 01:33am weighing 7lbs! Her name will be Ella Jean Manghi

Photos April/August 2010

Loaves and Fishes

September is here already! Asia is starting kindergarten and my son will be in grade four! I will be walking to the school with a two year old and a new baby three times a day! If that doesn't help get some baby weight off I don't know what else will. It will be challenging but I am looking forward to it and trying to clear my plate of everything else until I can get into some kind of routine. The gradual entry program at our local school seems way too gradual for me but perhaps it will be a good thing if we don't even get there until the third week when the full days start. It seems like a minute ago it was only half way through summer! I have been feeling so fortunate to be home on maternity leave early and spend so much time with my three healthy, happy, energetic, sometimes annoying, exhausting, beautiful children! As I anticipate the birth of our fourth and final child I find myself desperately trying to get as much done as possible before we are all consumed by sleep deprivation and the wonder of a newborn baby. Some would call it nesting but that seems a little out of reach. I am almost packed to go to the hospital when it's time but so far the baby only has a hat and a blanket to go home in. Also a clean with the cover and canopy repaired carseat thanks to my mom. Finally today I was able to find my zero to three months clothes! Marvin helped me get down into the storage unit and find the right bin. I have been busy cleaning out the girls drawers, taking all the clothes that are too small out and packing them away for whoever they will fit next. I will be in big trouble or buying a lot of boxes of blue dye if this baby turns out to be a boy. Also I we have been getting all my son's warm clothes and school supplies ready, organized and labelled or repaired. Whew what a relieve! I kept imagining being in labour and Marvin going to school with ripped jeans and only a backpack and a pencil in hand on the first day. Patrick reminded me that he was perfectly capable of purchasing them and spent all day Monday running from store to store gathering what he needed and getting tons of groceries in case we wouldn't have a chance later. Also he has been baking banana and zucchini breads like a fiend and putting it in the freezer. The children say it's his new hobby and he can barely keep up with them wolfing it down baking and baking and baking. I wish I had the energy to do that! Yesterday he went to Steveston and got 5 huge salmons and spent the evening beheading and gutting and filleting and chopping them so we'll have a freezer full of fish to eat. So that is what we will be eating once the baby comes I guess, loaves and fishes.

Summer

Hello neglected blog! I'm in my 33 week now and am trying to get some rest this week while Asia has clown camp and Marvin is at the New Westminster Police Soccer camp but it's not really working. We have been spending lots of time worrying about dad and waiting for more information. A large tumour has been found behind his nose and is pressing on the nerves in his face causing all the eye pain he has been having. I thought if I wasn't working I would not be at the hospital so much. I am glad he is in good hands and we have been saying lots of prayers for him at home and on the road and with him. I am so glad it's not already in his brain so he can still function fairly normally and enjoy some family time. Anastasia has a big Clowning Around show tomorrow and is enjoying learning to juggle and balance with a pretty umbrella and ride a unicycle! Marvin's last day of soccer camp will be tomorrow too and hopefully it will be another lovely day. Today the firemen were bringing their hoses to spray the children down but it's not that sunny unfortunately. I am sure they will have fun anyway! The location of the camps are conveniently located by Amma's house in Queen's Park and it's so nice there! We enjoyed picking some raspberries on the weekend and the Fraser fest fireworks! It was nice to take the children down the road in their p.j.s since the majority of viewers were on the other side of the river at the Quay. Avalina wasn't so scared this time. I am off to try and get a nap before I lose my chance. I'm sticking to bread, applesauce and rice fighting off a bit of food poisoning from the chicken we waited too long to cook last night. I won't listen next time my husband tells me if it's marinated it can hang out in the fridge longer. What was I thinking, must have been tired...

Avalina is TWO!

I can't believe Avalina is two years old. Where did the time go? She loves to see the ducks in Queensborough and laugh and point. As soon as anyone puts on their shoes at our house I hear, "Where's my shoes?" and "Where's my jacket?" repeatedly even after said shoes and coat are on her body. Although she has a super sweet personality she can be demanding at times too. Her favorites are her Sock Monkey Book, her Knuffle Bunny, Dora pajamas, and playing with trains or babies. She is certainly different from the rest in so many ways. I hope she stays this sweet and that the terrible two's are not too difficult for her. She is full words and beans on most days and spends a lot of time singing and talking to no one in particular. She still seems so small to me until she wants to be carried, then she seems heavy! Our 4th baby is on the way so i am looking forward to being home with Avalina and the new one since Asia will be starting school in September. I think I forgot how challenging it is to be pregnant. I am not so far along right now but I know what is coming. I have often wondered if having children in my 20's would really have been any easier. I am thinking physically because during that time of my life i did have so much more energy and was able to stay up late at night and just keep going, working like a fiend and when i am feeling especially sleep deprived it makes me wonder about that....

Happy Birthday to Me!

I can't believe I am forty. It's very exciting. My birthday was Monday March 15th. I was lucky enough to be spoiled pretty much all weekend by my husband. He took me for dinner and a play and then for a walk and a hot beverage with a pedicure and facial before hand on Saturday. Lalaine was kind enough to care for the children and have them asleep in their beds when we came home even though she hasn't been feeling her best lately and on her day off too. I was totally wiped out after that day and evening being 15 weeks pregnant and still fighting off the nausea. On Sunday he let me sleep in and made waffles for breakfast! Even though I wanted so much to go to church I stayed home and enjoyed my breakfast and family's company. I feel so fortunate. He's not perfect and I growl at him sometimes when I find dirty underwear on the floor and that kind of thing, he certainly is good to me! On my actual birthday my son had an extra day off school and i took the day off work. I also totally forgot to bring Asia to preschool or even call them! How rude. I told the children they had to do everything i said because it was my birthday. Then I asked them to make their beds, something they have to do anyway and much earlier in the day normally. My eight year old said I was taking advantage of my birthday and going a bit too far. You think I would have asked him to scrub the walls, floors and clean the toilets! He did do a beautiful job of it and later watched his little sisters so I could have a 'birthday nap'. Anastasia made me some pictures and glued some of her favourite recent creations to lined paper and stapled it together to make a book and gave me that! It's beautiful.

Welcome 2010 Winter Olympics

It's finally here! The much anticipated Winter Games! Surrounded by controversy and excitement our city and surround areas is about to be turned upside down. There's a buzz around town and it's furthered by the various appearance of the torch in the communities this week. The Olympic torch came by the local school and right down our street on Tuesday and we are definitely off the beaten path in my opinion. My coworkers have been decorating the work place and started wearing red and white and getting very interested in the goings on around town. There have been so many new additions to our city in anticipation of this event. I hope we get a sudden cold snap and snow storm because it's pretty green around here and the snow on the mountains is melting fast!

2010

New Year, new job, new baby coming, been so busy, have no chance to blog!
There was a previous post I put in early January but I am still getting used to a mac and i deleted it by mistake.
My 8 year old has started cub scouts and is really enjoying it. Soccer didn't work out much to Dad's dismay but maybe Baseball will work better! He is still reading up a storm! My middle child has started at a local montessori preschool and is still adjusting to that! She is enjoying it but is not as enthusiastic as i had hoped. Our youngest is still so sweet and finally off the boob! I breastfed her the best food for 22 months and now that i am pregnant it's not only uncomfortable but I really need to sleep through the night. I just hope she will stop getting up so early! She wants to be just like her big sister and loves to get a hold of a pen or wear a tutu all day long. Our Daddy is still working as hard as ever cleaning those buildings in Whiterock. He's got some help with his cousin Gina so he can get home earlier now. I am still struggling with my new position having never before had a shift where you have to get a set amount of work done that fluctuates daily. I am so used to multitasking and dealing with things as they come adjusting my speed when necessary. It is hard for me to focus on one task at a time while still dropping everything at a moments notice to add something new. I am glad i will not be working until midnight through another pregnancy but I miss my old job, old coworkers and being so proficient and valuable like before. I work alone for 1/2 my shift and that is kind of nice. The job is tedious and i feel like i am not really using my brain. I am really struggling with morning sickness this time. Big Time!

2009 is almost finished!

Patrick took the children to Walmart to get their photo taken sans hairbrushing and ditched the matching outfits I put out but they turned out nice anyway especially the sepia ones! I don't know how the photographer got them all to sit still and look so nice but I can't seem to do it with my camera! I sure like those children even though they are exhausting, noisy and rambunctious. Youth is surely wasted on the young.

Love Sparkles

Tell someone that you love them with this Valentine’s-themed card kit. The custom designed window gable box adds a beautiful touch to this card set.

Date: January 2nd and 9th 2010
Cost: $20 or free with $65 order which includes FREE stamp set choices vary
Location: New Westminster

Please email me to sign up for this class: (stampingbetty@hotmail.com)
Supplies provided

• Stamps: A Happy Heart
• Ink: Pretty in Pink Classic, Rose Red and Soft Suede
• Paper: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Sahara Sand, Whisper White,
medium Whisper White envelopes
• Accessories: Sticky Strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals,
mini glue dots, 2-way glue pen, 1” Rose Red Double Stitched Grosgrain
ribbon, Filigree brads, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, grid paper,
paper snips, mat pack, paper-piercing tool, bone folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig,
Large Oval punch, Scallop Edge punch, Crop-A-Dile, Heart to Heart punch,
Acetate Sheet, hobby blade, cutting mat, pencil, ruler

My Grandma David was in the newspaper...

Marking a century
The Royal City Record
Published: Saturday, December 12, 2009
Melva Halliday celebrated a pivotal birthday at Queen's Park Care Centre on Wednesday.She turned 100 on Dec. 9, and, to mark the special occasion, family and friends held a party for the centenarian. "She's a very tenacious and very independent woman," daughter-in-law Doreen Anderson says about Melva. Melva had been living on her own at her home in Sapperton up until three weeks ago. She loved her garden in Sapperton, where she grew flowers, vegetables and fruit - once even growing a kiwi vine that produced 400 kiwis. She also enjoys canning fruit and is an avid knitter. Today, Melva is staying at the care centre until she can move to a long-term facility. Melva has lived in New Westminster for 80 years. She was born on the North Shore, moving with her family to the Royal City when she was 15 in 1924.
The family settled in Sapperton, where Melva lived until she married her first husband, Harry Anderson. They raised their three sons in Queensborough. Harry was a First and Second World War veteran, who passed away in 1959. Melva returned to Sapperton when she married her second husband, David Halliday, in the 1970s.
Anderson says her mother-in-law, who has seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, isn't surprised she's lived to 100. "I think she expected it," says Anderson. © The Record (New Westminster) 2009

It's almost done....

Shortly after the ground breaking my middle child and fiestiest daughter came home and said, "Mommy can we sing the secret duty song?" It took me a few minutes to figure out what she meant and it makes my heart almost leap out of my chest to hear her sing, "I love to see the temple." Now you can understand every word when she sings it since she's four now. Listen to the song here! We have visited the site every chance we get and have only been to Langley once without stopping by to see how the construction is going. Check out the street view on Google maps too! Love it! Vancouver Temple Public House will be Fri Apr 9 - 24, 2010 (Except Sundays) Cultural Celebration: Saturday May 1, 2010
Dedication: Sun May 2, 2010, three sessions (9am, 12 noon, 3pm)
You are invited!



{Thoughtfully}
I love to see the temple.
I’m going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I’ll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.
I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father;
I’ll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:
A fam’ly is forever.

© 1980 by Janice Kapp Perry.
Doctrine and Covenants 124:39–41

Manghi Burger

I tried to capture the totem pole thing the children have been doing lately and giggling wildly. Marvin is the bottom bun and Asia is the meat. Avalina is supposed to be the cheese but she wouldn't cooperate for the photo of course. That is their version of a burger on the couch. It looks really cute when they are all horizontal one on top of the other. It makes me forget completely that a mere two minutes ago someone was screaming, someone was crying and someone was pushing and calling names and I remember to loosen my grip around their scrawny little necks that i sometimes want to snap like a twig, oops another inner though leaked out. My mother always said, "God makes them so cute so you won't kill them." I must have been very naughty.

Baja Breeze I miss you...

Here's part of a set I did at the Saturday Crop-A-Lot last weekend in Langley. I love these colours and was delighted to use up the rest of my Frosty Day papers even though I will miss them. Here is what you can do with one sheet of double sided patterned paper and a few hours. I cannot seem to turn these photos because my computer is acting strange but i will post them anyhow. Cock your head to the left hand side when looking at the first two images! Thanks to Lisa for teaching me about the Snow Writer. Thanks to Jessica for showing me how to use the Peel offs. This set was a big hit and so was Roland's carrot cake and pork tenderloin. I used the Snowflake Sizzix Die and Stampin'Up!'s famous Top Note die as well with my Big Shot! On top of the snowflake is white Shimmer Paint. I was delighted to finally find my ribbon box and a roll full almost of Baja Breeze striped thick grosgrain! I am officially out of Real Red grosgrain ribbon. Thanks Karina for using your own on your card! I love the look of the Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon and it's on the Clearance Rack right now! The new Stampin'Up! ornament punch makes quick cards a snap especially when combined with the Delightful Decorations set used in two cards here. The patterned paper I chose for this set has Baja Breeze and White swirly snowflakes on one side and Stripes as you can see on the other. Thanks for looking!

Calendar Countdown with Chris

Look what I made at Cherish the Thought with Chris! Don't you just love it! I do and it's on my refrigerator at this very moment. I plan to make a few more but not quite as fancy. I better do it quick like before time runs out. I can't believe it's only 26 more sleeps until December 25th! This project has a lot of sparkle and glitter but i couldn't get it to shop up in the photos. Too bad, it's what made me go, "WoW!" when i first saw it and signed up on the spot.

Dunja's Dasher Class

Quick, Easy and Elegant is the name of the game with this Dasher stamp for only $10.95! These cards use Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Stampin'Up! designer series paper called Merry Moments! Love them!

Easy 5 flower punch Christmas Card

I used my Priceless Stamp Set and some clear embossing powder plus my Stampin'Up! bone folder and some green Rhinestone brads to jazz up this paper pointsettia.

Alex Waterhouse-Hayward photo

You can see his blog here!

hmmmm Film Library

I started a new position with slightly better hours. I miss my coworkers and the job i was good at. I miss being the know it all and hearing familiar voices and dealing with familiar problems. I don't like the stale environment with the tedious work i am hoping to become better at with smaller margins for error and the people who smile and say yes even when they don't understand you. I am having some trouble keeping up. The children love having me come home and are eagerly waiting with stories in hand, teeth brushed, pajama clad under the covers at least until they hear my key in the lock. It is easier to get up in the morning not working so late in the evening. If one more person from ER x-ray hugs me i might cry AT WORK. They have weird snacks in the film library and lots of demands. No time for Facebook, boo hoo. Get used to it. At least i am not far away and I don't miss Jean! 90 days to change my mind if i need to.