Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Too Long, Too Much Information Now
Ok, well I just noticed that I have not updated since Isabella birthday in April - yikes! lol So I guess that means I have a lot of information to update on, if I can remember it all!
Lets start back in May...
I don't think a whole lot was going on in May other than we made the choice to move back to the Saskatoon area. It was a very last minute decision and in fact we never even saw the house we moved into until we got here! Because we couldn't come to the city to look at it, my mom looked at a few places for us and from what she discribed this house sounded like the best looking and the best deal...in fact the people came down in their asking price of rent because we asked if they would if we signed a lease (we couldn't afford what they were asking!). So that was a real blessing. So we packed up Lake Lenore and moved back to Warman on May 30th. Some friends of ours actually came out on Friday to help us pack, but they didn't get there till after supper, so we didn't get much done that night! haha We did a bit and then watched a movie, but in the am we were ready to go. So we spent the day packing the truck on Saturday and then we all heading back to the city - Jared drove the moving truck, Kathy and I drove in the van, Karen drove Jared's truck & Mitchell drove his and Karens car. We had quite the caravan going, but it was good to finally be "home"! We definitly looked at our time in LL as a learning experience and we were able to pay off some debt which was a definite blessing!
So I guess that brings us to June...
The move went well and we had a lot of help on this end so that was good. I can't really think of anything huge that happened in the first few months of us being here, other than just getting settled and adjusting to a new place. Oh I did do a few grads this month which I really enjoyed - it was my first experience with Grad. Ok, I guess I did remember a few other things in June! haha In the 2nd week I believe, there was the Warman parade and Rodeo, so the kids enjoyed that! We also celebrated Fathers Day with Jared..nothing fancy just went for dinner to his favorite place - Fuddruckers and then went for a little walk and photoshoot :) I had done a craft with the kids earlier where they used paint and did their foot and hand prints on a canvas and then I cut out patterned paper and stuck it on the canvas as well, where I would print a photo from our shoot and put in on the canvas. (I still have yet to print the photos...)

As well, we got to go on a littl holiday to Waskesiu with my parents, which was really nice because that was the only holiday we got together as a family. The weather wasn't the greatest, being June and all, but it was still just nice to be away! The kids really enjoyed the park, the nature center and of course the beach!

In July...
My business started to pick up which was great! I had a wedding this month (it was booked for a long time) so Jared and I did that together. For July 1st we took the kids to Ice Age 3, which was a bit scary for them just cause of the big dinasours, but the did good. Then we made it home in time for the Warman Fire Works. Later in July we also took the kids to the races! That was exciting for me because I used to go a lot as a kid with my dad, so it was nice to experience it again. Afterwards, we knew one of the racers, so the kids got to go and sit in his car which Preston was overjoyed to do!
Once August rolled around...
it was my birthday and our anniversary! For my birthday we had a bunch of people over for a bbq and cake and then that night a girlfriend surprised me by taking me out for coffee and there were a few other friends there, so that was nice! For our anniversary Jared and I got to head out to Waskesiu again for our 2nd annual anniversary trip! haha It was really nice to have that time alone - although it went way too fast! I also had a wedding this month.
In September...
I had another wedding, which was one of my favorites! We also had another bbq with just a bunch of family and friends. Kind of a house warming for those who hadn't seen it before. And THE highlight of my September was KEITH URBAN!!!!!! Seriously it was a wonderful night! lol Neither Jared or myself had been to a concert before so it was really awesome. Although I don't think I'll make a habit of spending that much money on tickets, I would really love to go to a few more of my fav concerts - a few which are coming soon...Allan Jackson and Tim McGraw. I would really like to go to Tim McGraw and Lady A. is opening for him (they also opened for Keith Urban).
I would have to say that Ocobter was another good month...
Thanksgiving weekend was going to be just another weekend, but it ended up turning into a very exciting time for us. Jared and I found out that we were expecting again!!!!!!! Sunday am before church I decided to take a test for the heck of it, and much to my dismay it was + !!!!! We had planned that we wanted to get pregnant in November-ish, but it just happened a few months earlier! Which we were totally ok with. I had wanted to keep it a secret until I was at least 12 weeks, but that was too difficult given the fact that I was sick a lot and didn't have any other reason for it! lol So since finding out, I have struggled a lot with nausia, which has been a huge challenge for me because of having 2 busy kids needing attention. I'm starting to feel better now, but I still find the nausia overwhelming some days.
So far in November...
We've already had 1 family get together - on my grandma's side, it's the whole extended family...approx. 60 ppl. It was a blast! It was my family's turn to plan it this year, so I was involved in helping quite a bit. We have about 4 more Christmas' to go, so it'll be a busy month for sure!
Well my tea is now cold and my kids are asking for lunch, so I really should go. I hope to keep this updated a little better than I have in the last few months! lol
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 9:37 AM | Permalink | 1 comments
Thursday, April 30, 2009
My Baby is 2!!!!
Well, today is a big day around here! Isabella is 2!!! Oh how fast time goes, I can't believe it's been 2 years since having her! I don't really remember what life was like before she was around. She def. adds something to our life :)
2 years ago today, our lives again changed...for the better! Isabella Ruth has been such a blessing to us.
She was born on April 30, 2007 weighing 6'9 and measuring 19 3/4. My labour with her was 5 hours in total (but I only count 3, cause I was sleeping for the first 2! lol) She was "sunny side up", making for a tough labour, but @ 5:55 am she arrived! It was said to us by a good friend...the nature of her arrival (quick and very trying on me) was significant of her personality...well, it's been true! lol She is very independant and likes to do things herself, which has caused me to grow in patience and the way I parent...but it's been a good growth. She has been nothing but a blessing for us to have!! Although, she is trying at times, what child isn't right? She is def. a sweet heart and we love her dearly :) As does her big brother!!! When he's away from her, he misses her greatly - what more could a parent ask for?


So today was an eventful day. It was spent doing some crafts with the kids, and peparing for our little mini-party! lol Jared's one sister & kids were able to come as well as his brother & wife & his parents. So it was a small gathering, since a lot of people weren't there! lol I made just enough cupcakes for each of us and decorated them a bit...nothing really fancy, but cute! To me, I'll wait to spend tons of money on parties until they are old and can remember and appreciate all the work that goes into it! haha I'll upload pics when I get a chance! lol (That'll be a while!) It won't be before the weekend that's for sure...we're going to Saskatoon Sunday am to celebrate with my family and friends, so we'll be busy Saturday preparing for it and Sunday having the party! lol

On a totally diff. note I booked another wedding today!!! So excited!! It's in 2 weeks...May 16...so that'll be the next time we're in.
Off to bed now...long time, soooo tired! lol

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posted by Renee Shaw at 8:48 PM | Permalink | 3 comments
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Finally a few pictures!
Ok, so I finally got this picture thing sorted out! A friend of mine suggested using Apple Safari rather than Mozilla Firefox, so I downloaded it and what do ya know...it works! lol So here we go, a mess of pictures from the last...long time!

We finally did the tiling work in the kitchen! This is the before...
This is during...notice Jared's hillbilly putty knife?? It's a scrap of a baseboard :) lol
And after...well almost after...it's been grouted here. Just needs to be caulked (it has been done, just haven't taken a picture)
My monkey's playing :)

I find this picture so funny! lol Here Preston was doing some school work and he was concentrating so hard! lol

This was my grandma making cinnamon buns last week when they were out visiting. We made them together and unfortunately didn't get an after picture, but I'll just tell you...they were delicious :)
I do have some scrap-booking pages, I will also want to post soon, but I'll do that on a different post!
Lately I have not taken many pictures...life just seems to be too busy. I do have some other interesting things to share, but I will do that in the next post...along with some Easter pictures. It's time to call it quits for me tonight!
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 4:57 PM | Permalink | 1 comments
Monday, April 06, 2009
Fruit Smoothies Recipe
1 1/4 c. whole milk or soymilk
2 tbsp. plain yogurt
1 tbsp. maple syrup
3 blackberries
3/8 c. blueberries
1/4 c. black currents

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until combined and frothy.
Pour into a tall glass and serve immedietly.

Variations:
Mango & Papaya
Same as above, but substitute 1/2 pitted, peeled & chopped mango and 1/2 seeded, peeled and chopped papaya for the berries and black currents.

Banana, Peach and Strawberry
Same as above, but substitute 1/2 peeled and sliced banana, 1/2 pitted, peeled and chopped peach and 3 hulled strawberries for the berries and black currents.

**Tried these for a mid-morning snack for the kids...they loved it!! As did I =) They will def. be on the list of future breakfast items in the future!

 
posted by Renee Shaw at 1:23 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Sunshine Toast Recipe
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 tbsp olive oil
2-3 mushrooms, sliced
1 tomato, halved
1 small egg
pepper

Using a cookie cutter, cut a hole in the center of the slice of bread, large enough to hold the egg.

Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet and cook the mushrooms and tomato, cut sides down, for 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms are beginning to brown.
Turn the tomoato over.

Make a space in the middle of the skillet and add the bread.
Crack the egg open and carfeully pour it into the hole in the bread.
Reduce heat and cook slowly until cooked through.

Season everything to taste with pepper and serve!

I made this for my kids for supper last night! They loved it!! I used a star shaped cookie cutter, and when the toast was almost done, I used the inner part I had cut out and quickly put it in the pan to toast it...that way there was no waste and they kids thought it was neat to have a star for supper :) lol

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posted by Renee Shaw at 1:11 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Souffled Baked Potatoes Recipe
Souffled Baked Potatoes:
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
2 baking potatoes, scrubbed
2 tbsp. whole milk
2 tbsp. butter
1 oz/25 g. Cheddar or Gruyere Chees, grated
1 large egg, separated
2 slices ham, cooked turkey or unsmoked bacon, chopped
2 tbsp. finely chopped Parmesan cheese
Sea Salt & Pepper

Directions:
Preheat over to 400'.
Rub the oil over the potatoes, place on baking sheet and bake in oven for 1 hour.

Remove the potatoes from the oven
Cut in half lengthwise
Scoop out the flesh into a bowl, keeping the skins intact.
Set the skins aside.

Add the milk, butter, cheese and egg yolk to the potato and mash well.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Mix in the ham, turkey or bacon.

In a seperate grease free bowl, whisk the egg white until stiff
Then fold into the potato mixture.

Pile the potato mixture back into the skins and sprinkle over the Parmesan Cheese.
Return to the oven and bake for 20 min.
Remove from oven and serve with salad.


I would add pictures, but Isabella did something to my computer, so now I can't upload pics on my blog! It's very frustrating, and hopefully I'll fix it soon!

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posted by Renee Shaw at 12:16 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Thursday, April 02, 2009
healthy cooking for your kids
I bought this recipe book last week...and man do I love it!! It has amazing recipes in it, not only for kids! They are really healthy and super good! This is what I made for lunch today...

Pasta Salad

3.5 oz/100 g. small whole wheat pasta
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. mayo
1 tbsp. plain yogurt
2 tbsp. pesto
7 oz/200 g. canned tuna in spring water, drained & flaked
7 oz/2oo g. canned no-added-sugar kernal corn, drained
2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded & chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded & chopped
1/2 avacado, pitted, peeled & chopped
sea salt & pepper

Cook pasta in a large pan of boiling water for 8-10 min. until only just tender.
Drain, return to the pan, and add half the oil.
Toss well to coat, then cover and let cool.

Whisk the mayo, yogurt & pesto together in a pitcher, adding a little oil if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Add a pinch of sald and season to taste with pepper.

Mix the cooled pasta with the tuna, corn, tomatoes, peppers & avacado.
Add the dressing & toss well to fully coat.


SO that's the recipe! It sounds a bit more complicated than it actually is too! Also I didn't have all that the recipe called for, so I subsituted some things! Instead of plain yogurt I used Yanilla/Mango cause it was the closest thing to plain! lol It doesnt' really change the flavor at all. Also, I didn't have pesto, so I just used some other seasoning mix...Epicure Herb & Garlic Mix. Also, didn't have avacado, so I used celery instead. And I was out of tuna and used flaked chicken instead. WoW, that's a lot of subsitutes! lol

I encourage you to try this, it's good for the kids but it's also good enough for us adults to eat too :)
Stay tuned for more recipes here at my cooking blog (which I haven't updated in forever!!!)



 
posted by Renee Shaw at 12:41 PM | Permalink | 2 comments
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Catch-Up
Wow, it seems that I just can not physically keep up with these blog posts, no matter how hard I try! lol Let's see what's new on the Shaw frontier lately.

My wedding a few weekends back was a huge success! I am overly pleased with how the pictures turned out! I am almost done editing them - this was a task I underestimated. I have never edited that many pics at once and when only having an hour here or there, not a lot gets done at once! But I am almost done, just going through and checking if I missed any :)

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to go Scrapbooking at the church (Christian Life Fellowship). That was a blast! I had only ever been scrapbooking with one person before, so it was a huge change to have 10 other people there to bounce ideas off of - and borrow supplies from! lol It was an all day thing - 9am-9pm & only cost $25...included all 3 meals!! Actually doing it again next weekend - on a more casual base...no cost, no meals...trying to do it for most of the day anyway...make it worth our while! lol So far it's only 4 of us, but hopefully more can come!

My dad was up last week, my mom is coming up this week! Mom will prob come on Tues or Wed and stay for 1 night, then I'll go home with her to spend some time with her. Then Jared will drive in on Sat am. So it'll be a fun, but busy week.

I wish I had more pictures to post, but sadly I just don't take pics really anymore! It's such a pain to haul out the big camera and normally if I do, the moment I was trying to catch is over by the time I get it out! I would really like to invest in a small purse camera or something...something that can just sit on the counter and fits in my purse or something! But my 30d/40d is more important first! lol

Well I think my few minutes of silence while the kids eat is over...my bagel is almost done and hands are needing to be wiped. Have a great day everyone!!!!
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 8:22 AM | Permalink | 2 comments
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sick Day
Today turned out to be a crappy day. Last night I started to feel slightly odd, a little achy. This am was way worse, Jared let me sleep until about 12:30 - although he had a paining job he was supposed to do. He had to leave for work @ 2, then his mom came to get the kids @ 2:30 so I could sleep. At first I couldn't sleep, so I just watched Oceans 13. After that, I was in a lot of pain so I finally took some Tylenol then headed to bed. I slept for a good 2.5 hours when Jared's mom called to see if I was readt to have the kids back - it was close to 7:30. I did feel a lot better after waking up - but not 100% yet.
Right now I'm just watching Bringing Down the House & waiting until I can take 1 more dose of Tylenol then I'm heading to bed.
The other day I found some photos that I forgot I had, so I'll share them now :)


 
posted by Renee Shaw at 10:51 PM | Permalink | 1 comments
Sunday, February 08, 2009
101 Random Things About Me :)
1.) My favorite color is Red.
2.) I love the stage my kids are at! Although it's busy and stressful at times, they are a lot of fun.
3.) I have been to Hawaii twice as a teenager.
4.) I went on a bus trip throughout the states in my gr. 12 year.
5.) I played Volleyball in high school.
6.) I have always had a hard time making friends.
7.) I went to Bible School for 1.5 years then dropped out.
8.) I met Jared on the internet.
9.) I drive a 2001 White Grand Caravan Sport.
10.) I really want to have twins :)

11.) Jared and I got married in August '05 after knowing each other for 5 months
12.) I LOVE to scrapbook
13.) Jared and I never got to go on a honeymoon.
14.) I dream of going on an all-inclusive vacation with Jared someday - he's never been on a plane :)
15.) I am kind of an oppinionated person :) :) - and have just recently met someone who is just the same :)
16.) I believe that you have different kinds of friends - some for life, some for a season, some where you meet them and it's an instant connection and you feel you have known them forever.
17.) At this moment, I have a lot of aquaintances, but not a lot of TRUE friends.
18.) I live in Lake Lenore, Sk.
19.) I grew up in Saskatoon most of my life
20.) I am starting to get into the field of photography.

21.) I dream of buying a home soon and raising my family in it.
22.) Jared and I have moved 6 times since we have known each other
23.) I want to have 4-5 kids.
24.) I want to grow my hair long again :)
25.) I love the Lord and desire to have a relationship with Him daily.
It was supposed to be 25 things about me, but I can't keep it to just that! lol
26.) I technically have 2 tattoos - My kids birthdays on my right shoulder blade - I LOVE LOVE them!
27.) I have at least 3 more tattoos planned :)
28.) For all my life I have desired to have "grow old with" friends - the kind you take vacations with and your kids grow up together.
29.) I am realizing that I NEED to have a schedule in order to get stuff done and not be misurable! lol
30.) I am feeling the effects of the lack of intimate time with the Lord - and HATE it!

31.) I would love to go on missions one day
32.) I can't wait for the day to come where we take the whole brood of kids to Disney World or Disney Land.
33.) I think it would be the coolest thing ever to go to Isreal and walk where Jesus walked
34.) I have witnessed people being healed and coming out of their wheelchairs at a Benny Hinn Crusade while in Hawaii.
35.) When I was younger I never wanted to have kids because I thought that sex was so gross - I wanted the kids but I didn't want to have sex! lol (cant believe I said that!)
36.) I LOVE the show FRIENDS - only I didn't watch it while it was on tv, I got addicted afterwards watching re-runs and went out and bought all the seasons :)
37.) I'M ADDICTED TO SURVIVOR!!!!!
38.) I love the name Emma, but probably will never use it because it's become so popular - I like very unique, uncommon names.
39.) I'm really bad at making my bed - it hardly ever gets done :(
40.) My biggest weakness is that I set out goals for myself and never complete them - I'm going
to try and work on that this year because it's one of the things I hate most about myself.

41.) I am fairly insecure about myself.
42.) When I am done having kids, I desire to take training and become a labour coach.
43.) I want badly to have another baby - but I know I'm not ready :) I need to lose weight first :)
44.) I will be homeschooling the kids.
45.) I dream of Jared & I renewing our vows on a beach somewhere - barefoot - with only a few close family & friends.
46.) I used to love pickles - A LOT!!
47.) I love playing games.
48.) I have never been to a dance other than at a wedding - even at that, 2.
49.) I have never been to a concert.
50.) I would love to take formal dance lessons some day.

51.) I would love to get all dressed up and go out to a fancy dinner and then go to the opera or orchestra or something.
52.) I love IKEA.
53.) I used to go to Waskesui every summer as a kid.
54.) I was 5 months pregnant when I got married.
55.) I have been to a Six Flags
56.) I went camping for a weekend to Pike Lake, when I was 15 & 16, with my friends Celine, Celeste, Liz & Becky.
57.) I only had 2 boyfriends before I met Jared.
58.) I attended Christian Center Academy from K-Gr. 4, then from Gr. 9-12, then went to the Bible School.
59.) I have never been in detention.
60.) The lowest I ever got on a test in school was 24% and it was in Social Studies - Gr. 5 or 6.

61.) I graduated with a 80-something average.
62.) I make awesome Potatoe Skins.
63.) I love the times when Jared and I just lay on the floor or lay in bed and just chat about life, future kids, God.
64.) For the most part I really dislike CATS - very strongly DISLIKE!
65.) I'd love to go to New York, Italy, Prince Edward Island & Hollywood.
66.) Other than being a bride once, the only thing I have ever done in a wedding is flower girl - twice.
67.) I have been to the hospital twice because my jaw locked open - so painful!
68.) Other than that, I have never been hospitalized - other than having my babies.
69.) I have never broken a bone in my body - lots of sprained ankles though :)
70.) I have wanted a dog my whole life - never got a pet as a kid - even though I constantly asked for a puppy :)

71.) I love Pineapple.
72.) My favorite birthday was my sweet 16th - My mom planned a surprise party for me. I went shopping with my grandma and then when we got home my friends were waiting for me in the backyard. We had supper, cake, played some games then 3 friends slept over in a tent in the backyard.
73.) A close second to that was my 17th b-day. Most of my class went roller skating, then went home for pizza and we hung out in the basement - lame but fun at 17 :)
74.) I normally can't keep a room in my house the same for very long - I love re-organizing things :) I like change
75.) I never got to surf while in Hawaii, and would love to go back with Jared and try surfing.
76.) I got married the day after I turned 20
77.) I am photographing my first official wedding on Feb. 21 :) I did my sister-in-laws wedding this past summer, but it was a very small informal outside wedding, so I didn't get a feel for indoor lighting or working in churches.
78.) I love that my kids are able to enjoy my Grandma & Grandpa Ens - they were such a big part of my life growing up and I'm glad my kids can experience that too.
79.) I have trouble setting goals and keeping them.
80.) I have many pictures that need to be organized!

81.) I am an only child.
82.) I'm a huge movie fan - comedy, drama, romance or suspense, none of that gorey or sick crap.
83.) I own the full set of Full House - my favorite show as a kid.
84.) I love music
85.) I love singing while doing chores - the kids love to get involved too.
86.) The first night I met Jared he picked me up and I went to meet his family.
87.) I have only ever been to 2 bars - Crackers & The Pat
88.) I once drove with my feet :)
89.) I don't like any nintendo but the Original NES and Wii :)
90.) I have 6 body piercings - 3 in 1 ear, 2 in the other & my nose - I used to also have my belly pierced, but took it out when I was pregnant with Preston.

91.) My wedding ring is from Wal-Mart
92.) I dream of the day they bring Olive Garden to Saskatoon - unlimited salad and breadsticks, what more could you ask for?
93.) I desire to give my children more than I had growing up - and to teach them so they can do better than I have done.
94.) My living room furniture went through a natural disaster...it was once at my parents cabin, they had a huge storm, blew in the front window and threw glass everywhere - they got insurance, so they bought new stuff and gave the old stuff to us - it's very nice, and in good condition, it only needed a good vaccum :)
95.) It touched my heart so deeply when Preston asked Jared to pray for him when he was sick a few weeks back
96.) I so deeply desire to teach my kids about the goodness of God and have them WANT to live for him, rather than feeling like they HAVE to.
97.) I once stepped on a garder snake and it scared the crap out of me :)
98.) I forgot to put on deoderant today :)
99.) I love camping - I do like tenting, but not with small kids, we've tried it the last 2 years - I prefer getting a cabin.
100.) Since meeting Jared I have addopted his love for Pepsi - I rarely drank pop before I met him.

101.) A very special time for me was in my graduating year, my mom took me to Edmonton to go Grad Dress Shopping - the first night we stayed in the Travelodge hotel and it was pretty gross, so we packed up and were going to find a diff. hotel. What I didn't know is that she had booked us 2 nights in the Waterpark Room at the Fantasy Land Hotel! Although, at the time I maybe didn't cherish it, I certainly look back on that being an awesome time with just me & my mommy :)

Thanks so much for reading! Hope you learned more about me :) If you care to make a similar list, then leave me a comment with the link to your post so I can take a look!
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 4:02 PM | Permalink | 1 comments
Pregnancy Details Questionaire
Here's a great questionnaire about how we became moms! If you have the time (haha), do a copy on your blog then link it to me in a comment!

1.HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU HAVE?
2
2. HOW OLD?
3 & 21 months
3. NAME(S):
Preston Charles & Isabella Ruth
4. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED OR A SURPISE?
Both were a surprpise :)
5. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Preston - I was scared & a bit upset at first but Jared was excited all along - I got excited after the initial shock wore off.
Isabella - surprised but very excited.
6. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
19 & 21
7. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
Both times took a home pregancy test followed by a confirmation at the doctors office.
8. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
Preston - Jareds parents.
Isabella - Matt & Crystal.
9. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
Yes, both times.
10. DUE DATE?
Preston - January 18, 05.
Isabella - May 5, 06.
11. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
Preston - yes for the first 3-4 months. I was not just sick in the am, I was sick all day long :) Isabella - I had a few days of feeling crappy, but no vomiting.
12. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
Preston - Big Macs.
Isabella - Ice, Slurpies
13. WHAT IRRITATED YOU? Nothing out of the ordinary with either.
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
No. In my heart I knew Preston was a boy before we found out - same with Isabella.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN DURING PREGNANCY?
Like 40-50 with Preston - yikes!
25 with Isabella - gained after I had her! Still workin' on it.
16. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Nope.
17. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
At RUH (Royal University Hospital) in Saskatoon.
18. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
18 in total with Preston - no epidural - text book labour.
Isabella - 5 in total, slept for the first 2 - no epidural - she was sunny side up, so not the most plesant thing in the world but I did it!
19. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Jared
20. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Preston - Jared, Jude (labour coach), Mom, Doc & nurses.
Isabella - Jared, Doc & 2 nurses - Jude would have been there, but didn't make it in time - I was only at the hosp for a little over an hour before she was born.
21. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
Natural - use of nitrous gas with both to take the edge off - I wanted to push before I could.
22. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
Like I said, I took nitrous at the very end until I could push.
23. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
Preston - 7 pounds 9 ounces.
Isabella - 6 pounds 9 ounces.24.
WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?
Preston - January 15, 05 (3 days early).
Isabella - April 30, 06 (5 days early
25. DID YOU NAME THEM AFTER ANYONE?
Preston - We liked Preston and decided on it long before he was born, Charles we chose because it was Jared's middle name.
Isabella - Again, fell in love with it long before she was born, Ruth we chose after my mom's middle name.

**Hope to learn more about all my readers :)
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 2:34 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Friday, February 06, 2009
Woman of Many Names :)
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Molly Grand Caravan
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Oreo Chocolate Chip
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)R-Sha
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Red Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Nicole Saskatoon
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Share
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Pink Pepsi
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
John Peter
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)Ammor Ammor Fuzzy Peach
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Ruth Jerome
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Prieb Paris
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Summer Gerbra Daisy
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Strawberry Jeanie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Nothing Birch
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Scrapbooking Lightning Tour
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 6:52 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Thursday, February 05, 2009
This is what nice weather does :)



 
posted by Renee Shaw at 3:45 PM | Permalink | 2 comments
My Biggest Secret...
Well I guess it's time to let the cat out of the bag. For the last few months I have been keeping a secret - hence why the lack of posting, cause really I have nothing else interesting to talk about! lol

I know at this point I know that all of you will be thinking I'm going to tell you that I'm pregnant - but I'm not :)

The last few months I have been planning a surprise party for my mom. Not just a normal surprise, but a HUGE 80's SURPRISE PARTY! I was working with my aunt and we were going to surprise her husband, Darss, & my mom, Joanne. Darss was 40 in January & my Mom will be 45 in March. So we decided to do something in-between, so it would catch them both off guard.

I will try and keep the story short, and only include the important details! lol

At the end of November when Teena & I got together to make the invitations, there was a problem with Darss & Teena's printer, so long and short of it is that Darss found out. It was a hugely upsetting moment for us. Because we had been thinking of this for months before the planning actually started! Seriously, there was crying involved. So once we got past that, we got excited about it again.

Anyway, catching up to the last few weeks. I was so busy baking, making punch and getting the last minute details in order. We were doing everything ourselves - baking, meat trays, cheese trays, salads.

We went into the city this past weekend Friday am. My mom had just gotten back from a 2 week vacation in the Dominican, so we surprised her and showed up and spent part of the day with her. Although it wasn't the best time, it was nice to see mom again.



Saturday morning came and it was crunch time! We had to get groceries and had a few other stops to make - drop off the balloons and weights to get filled with helium, V&V for some last minute changes to Preston's costume. We finally got out to Teena's around 1:30 or so. We had soo much to do! All of the pictures I have posted are from that day of prep work. We had a photgrapher for the event, so I don't have my own pictures yet for that - I am waiting to get the disc so then I will for sure post more pics! Darss & Jared also did kareoke while Teena and I worked all evening! lol We made like 7 trips to the church with different stuff - they had a walk in fridge there, so we did all the prep work at Teena's and then brought it over to the church.

So come to Sunday, February 1 : D-Day.
We were at the church at 12noon bringing all the decorations and stuff. We had exactly 4 hours until the party was said to start. Man did we have work to do! We had some help - otherwise we wouldn't have been able to pull it off!
When it came time, it was an awesome surprise for mom! She didn't believe it at first, she thought it was for Darss, we had to point up to the banner that said happy birthday to both of them, before she realized that it was for her too. She was totally taken by surprise - which is exactly what we wanted!! It's hard to explain without the pics, so I won't try! I'll explain better when I get the pics.



{this is us at the end of our evening - roughly 1am!}
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 12:08 AM | Permalink | 1 comments
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Something Fun :)
A friend of mine, Casey from Randomness, had this on her blog, so I thought it would be fun to do as well!
Here's what you do - You go to the 4th photo in your 4th folder and post it.

This picture is of Preston from my cousin Ethan's birthday party back in October. Just fun to look back on pics some times :)

Enjoy your day :)

 
posted by Renee Shaw at 4:32 PM | Permalink | 4 comments
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
1st Day of Potty Training - Ginther Family Day - A Lot of Updates
Well, I almost feel like I need to re-introduce myself here! lol I have had such issues keeping up with this lately :) My name is Renee...just kidding :)
I'll start with my Christmas updates! lol Our first Christmas this year was with the Shaws & it was on the 20th of December. I won't upload all the pics, but they are here posted on FB if you want to look.

Then our Christmas celebrations took a bit of a break until Christmas Eve when my dad came our for the night. He arrived around 3ish - and it couldn't have been better timing for Preston since he was waiting for the last half hour by the windwo watching for Papa Pete :) So that evening we had our "fancy" supper of Ham, Potatoes & Veggies. Once we got that cleaned up, we let the kids open up a few presents - a joint one from us & 1 each that my mom had sent along for them to open. From us they got a Dora & Diego Pirate Ship - it's Little Tykes and it's the large plastic play structure type. When they opened it, they weren't sure what to think until we set it up! Then they were very excited about it! So after they played for a bit, we put Izzy to bed and watched Christmas with the Kranks with my dad & Preston - One of my favorite Christmas movies...I know it's not a classic, but I love it!
Christmas morning came and we made coffee/tea and settled on the couch while Jared read the Christmas story from the Bible. Then we ripped into the presents! lol It was awesome to share this with my dad for the 3rd year in a row! I also posted pictures here on FB if you want to see.
Dad left shortly after lunch so the kids could nap and we could pack and get ready to go to the city for our next Christmas celebration!

We left for Saskatoon after the kids napped, to head to my moms for our Christmas with her. She had also invited my Grandparents. We had a nice dinner with them and then opened presents - again! By this time the kids were a lot tired and kind of sick of opening gifts! lol They were definitly blessed and overloaded!

On Boxing Day we headed over to Dolly & Brians (aunt & uncle) for our Ens Family get together. Again, a fun but tiring day :) They had a new hot tub, so the guys headed out there after we did gifts and all that. Jared and I also scooted out for a bit and headed to the mall - and a SB for me - just to have a bit of a breather! Things can get overwhelming sometimes with family :) We got back and played some Dutch Blitz and chatted. When we had gone to the mall we dropped Preston off at my mom's with Tony so he could take Preston sledding, then when my mom left Dolly's she took Izzy home with her. So we ended up staying until after midnight chatting my Dolly & Brian! It was nice and refreshing :)
So overall, we had such a busy Christmas again, but it was fun. :)
Since then, I have been busy getting the house back in order. We also just had Preston's birthday last week! I can't believe that my big man is 3 now!! I find myself thinking about what he's going to learn that day or what it's going to be like doing school with him - it seems like just a month ago I was thinking of what size of sleepers he'll be going into next! lol His birthday was on Thursday, so that day we had yummy pancakes, with whip cream and sprikles for breakfast, then opened presents. After the kids had played for a bit we watched CARS with him, as he had never seen it before! After that he watched it like 4 times! haha We did our celebration with Jareds family just this past Saturday.

Jared has also been working the evening shift at work, so we've had to trasition into that - it hasn't really been hard, just different. His shift is now 2:45-1am, Mon-Thurs...so he gets a long weekend every weekend, which is really nice :)
So with that, I have had a lot of free time on my hands and I've been finding myself very bored! lol Also, I've been tying up some of that time with baking - ya know cause it's always good to have some extra in the freezer :)

This past Sunday *the 18th*, my dads family had a Winter Family Fun Day at my Aunt Marge's House. It was a blast! There was ice fishing - unfortunately the fish weren't bitting - snow mobiling, sledding & a weiner roast on the lake :)

Man, to see Preston with my dad is just so funny...he follows him everywhere, and does exactly what he does! My dad was fixing something on our van, so they had the van jacked up on blocks on one side. My dad went under on his back and before he knew it, Preston was scooted under the van right next to him on his tummy! This was their conversation:

Preston: What you doing Papa Pete?
Dad: Fixing the van
Preston: Why, Papa Pete?
Dad: Because it's broken
Preston: Why, Papa?

Dad took Preston down the hill on a sled - meanwhile he still had a hotdog in his hand, because Preston wanted to go sledding before he was done! Man he'll drop anything for these kids:)
He also took Preston on the snow mobile...that I didn't get pic's of. But Preston wanted to go again, so Jared took him, then took Izzy :) All in all it was a fun day!

I posted more pics here...


So today was Izzy's first official day of Potty Training. It went well - we had 3 successes (1 being poop) and 2 accidents. Man can she hold it though! I was pumping her with juice and stuff thinking she would need to go all the time...nope! lol I think overall she'll be easy to train, but I guess I shouldn't speak too soon :)
So tonight, I decided that enough is enough, I needed to finally update my blog, so that's what I have been doing while I had a batch of cookies in the oven.

I have also gotten in kind of a slump when it comes to photography. I haven't had any business since being here and it's gotten me discouraged. Also, I find it such a chore to haul out the camera to take pics of the kids, so I just haven't done it, so I'm kind of lacking in that area right now. I will part on these final thoughts - now that I am caught up on life, I'll try and post more often :)
G'Night :)
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 8:27 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Princess Isabella







 
posted by Renee Shaw at 10:22 PM | Permalink | 1 comments
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Carpet is in!


Labels:

 
posted by Renee Shaw at 8:51 AM | Permalink | 1 comments
Monday, December 22, 2008
Updates on my day, cookies & reno's
So, while I type this I have my second load of dishes drying (that's right, NO dishwasher!), the last of the carpet being installed and my OREO cookies cooling on the table! I think that is a fairly productive evening if you ask me! lol I do have picture of the downstairs, but I'm too tired to upload them! lol There are just a few finishing touches yet for the basement, but those will just wait for a bit. Now that the carpet is in, we will take a break from the stress! lol We can just put in all the toys down there and start getting organized, which I'm excited about!

This is all just in time too, for my dad to come on Wednesday. I pushed for this to be done before he came, because I knew that the kids would want to set up all the new toys and they needed a place to do that! We are thinking Christmas Eve night we are going to let the kids open 1 joint gift...it's a Dora & Diego pirate ship play structure! That way we can all set it up and the kids will enjoy playing in it with Papa Pete!

On a cuter note, Preston prays that Papa Pete will come every night! lol It's so cute to hear in his own words how he asks Jesus to bring Papa Pete to our new house! So touching! :)

Off to have tea/hot chocolate with Jared's parents.
 
posted by Renee Shaw at 8:22 PM | Permalink | 0 comments
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Start of the Madness!
Since I haven't really taken any recent pictures, I thought I would just post this one for a month ago...don't think I ever posted it on here!

So this is the start of the Christmas craziness! haha It's always a fun time, but it's definitly not relaxing! haha

Since our last few days haven't gone as planned, I think we'll go tonight around 4 or so. We have so much to do in the basement, and I'm sure it's a long shot to hope that it could still get done, but at least it's worth a try cause it's so close to being done! The kids will need to nap around 1:30 anyway, so we'll just let them sleep and then get them ready. My neice, Brittney, is coming @ 1pm today...she phoned me last night and asked me to do her hair for today! So of course, being the "cool auntie", I said yes! lol

So I need to be showered and hair dryed for when she gets here, so I can do her hair, nap the kids, then get myself ready! And all the while, Jared will be working downstairs! Oh and of course, keeping up with regular house duties...ya know...laundry, dishes, floors...the whole nine yards :)

I am so not one to like leaving my house undone when we walk out the door, cause then when we get home, we come home to a mess! lol So I'm gonna try and get it all done! :)

I also have a few other things that I'm working on craft wise...I can expand on those in a few months once they are done :)

Oh and by the way, this is not a complaint...just mearly saying what I have to do :)

Have a good day and Merry Christmas to all families that read my blog! I wish you the best Christmas Season and a VERY Happy New Year!!

 
posted by Renee Shaw at 10:02 AM | Permalink | 1 comments