the return to normalcy!

The new suit set from Grandma Terry! Thank you Mom!

Or close to it :)

well overdue!

It is not because I don't like blogging but...being net-less, moving about the country, and immigrating (or trying to apply in the first place) kind of makes it difficult to update here.

So, where are we? Well...we've travelled up to Canada, and currently living in Chesley for the next couple of months.

The biggest news is we sent off the application!! And we did hear some news back from them. At first we thought "oh no!" Because they want to see more documents...well, I don't know how many more documents we can come up with before mailing ourselves over to Ottawa but nevermind. :D They wanted to see 1. More evidence of our stable relationship (ie rent agreements) 2. Uhm, this is sort of a secret... and 3. An FBI criminal record check?! So...Jett called them up the next day because I thought the last one was ridiculous according to the NZ requirements (I had to live in a country for at least 5 yrs before I had to supply them with that countries criminal record check) and I was right!! So scratch the FBI thingy, and just the above two had to be supplied. Another thing that will make the waiting for these visa's longer is the Medicals (Medical Examination). They have to be sent all the way to NZ to be assessed. This takes 4-6 weeks. So still waiting but we are more hopeful.

Another issue we are currently trying to remedy is acquiring more medication for Amy in Canada. It was easy to see the doctor and pay for the visit but not so easy to get her medication...they just don't have the liquid form here. Trying to measure the same in tablet form (not to mention on trying to get a 4/5 year old to take a tablet) probably will not be very easy. We still have a couple of options so we aren't completely left without hope!

Since we have the net now, maybe I'll be able to post some pictures soon (not that I've taken many recently).

Of painting, colds, and the like

I know, I know, I haven't updated in a long time. I'm sorry. We've been dealing with awful colds (I haven't really caught it yet) that includes fevers, coughing (meaning a lot of sleepless nights, because as you know each child seems to catch the cough part of the cold at different times) and other infections too. The colds are just leaving us, and sleep is finally returning to normal. I'm also dealing with what to feed this little man pictured below! Since he is allergic to any nut product or eggs (although if it has a teeny bit of egg it doesn't seem to bother him) and now I'm worried he doesn't like Banana's... he cant eat tuna fish, and he is already a picky eater when it comes to a meat potato veg meal...so yes, now I have three picky piggies! I am glad though that Amelia is much better, and Aaron will eat especially if its roast or chicken.


These were taken awhile back (several weeks!) and I don't know if we'll be doing this again...it is too hard to keep track of three kids painting or eating paint or painting each other! No we are not natives...though the kids will have some Indian blood in them which explains a lot. ;)

And although Amelia likes to draw people and such, when it comes to paints she would rather be abstract. Jett and I like realistic art...but maybe she'll change her mind :)

In the playroom, lies a mattress, and on the mattress lies two sillies.

And around the mattress lies a mess!

Owen's favourite parent...

And Owen's favourite hat.

And for those of you who don't know, that hat comes from my brother's business... JR Construction. Owen is also talking more which is very exciting. I get excited when my children start to communicate with a known tongue.

And no I do not let my kids (those who are in diapers) run around in diapers (nappys) all day. But, it is warm enough or it was warm enough to go around like that without getting cold!! In March of all things! We also went Strawberry picking this month which is just too strange for this Canadian.

In other news which really isn't news, we are still waiting for my police certificate. If it doesn't come in in the next two weeks we will have to apply in Canada because the end of April marks the date I MUST be out of the USA. So, we're just waiting.

Random & Miscellaneous

I can't remember if I posted any of these photos, so pardon me if I'm repeating some!

Amy and her Daddy (I made the skirt/scarf thing, wasn't 100% perfect but it'll do)

Yay, Aaron likes oranges now!

And Owen likes Banana's...er, some of the time :)

And yay Amelia likes chocolate cupcakes...oh wait, they aren't healthy. :(

Looking at Amy's scrapbook (baby pictures)

I did get a birthday cake from my kids....but it wasn't edible, and you had to imagine that it was a cake...a crayon cake of course :)

No, he is not allowed to do this.

Playing on the horse...that would be Cameron in the middle.

And yet again playing on the horse, with Matthew.

Till next time... :)

lack of blogging

I haven't been blogging lately because well, life has been taking quite the twist and turn. We got our visa application back unactioned...they require more documents, more this and more that...well, that causes lets just say, a whole lot of unwanted stress. It was extremely trying when they said something about seeing a "alien registration card" for me...most of you know the history of me and the US immigration services and of course the CBP who don't want you in the country (or so they appear). It is a little better even though we are still getting the required documents together and I'm nervous about the date that I must be out of the country by...but not as bad as I was at the first. :)

I thought that the police certificates were going to be the worse bit but I think the medicals (physicals) are by far the worst. Thankfully the kids do NOT have to undergo blood work...that would've been too much for me to bare, and I think Amelia remembers what needles are for, poor thing. And of course everything costs a whole lot if you dont have insurance over here...I'm missing Britain for this!! I feel like we are getting no where this week because we've been searching, registering and such like but haven't gotten anything started for our physicals yet, (the kids are being done next wednesday). I need a lot of patience right now and faith I think, that these things will work out for our good. "...but we glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

So now you know the reason why I haven't been blogging, and won't be in the near future unless for some reason I get a lot of time on my hands... :D I do have an update about Aaron's nice little birthday gathering, and lots of cousins playing with Uncle Jett photos.

And this is just a random note, but for my birthday my husband bought a kettle so that he can make me tea in the morning for the next two weeks... now that is sweet. :)

Aaron's Bday present

Our family photoshoot - Galveston, Dec 2010

Yes these are overdue aren't they? I suppose a lot of you saw these on Facebook thanks to Sam, but here we are again doing it the proper way. :) We had a lovely time there, and managed to get good pictures of the kids and ourselves, we were pleased especially since this was our second time trying just in a different country!

Our 2010 or 2011 (?) Family Photo...



A cute one of Amelia

Us walking into the sunset somewhat

Yes...uhm, we kind of had to put him in the stroller for probably 75% of the time if not more...or else he would have run into the ocean...he was very daring.

Brothers & friends.

Father and not-so-happy son

My lovely daughter

A trio of cousins who are related in two ways!

Cheeky Aaron :D

I believe this is Owen finally "out" of the stroller!

Octavius Winslow...

...is my favourite author (as some of you know!) I have both his Morning and his Evening thoughts just in separate countries... :D I just recently decided to buy a couple more written by him, the one is sermons on Psalm 130, and the other is Help Heavenward (I got a taste thanks to Nome!) and decided this is a must have. So I'm awaiting my birthday presents which were on sale too! :) [If I am rambling and not making sense, please remember I have three kids, and I am trying to get out of the house just now but wanted to post this!]

So here is wednesday's morning thought. Very applicable to all!

JANUARY 26.

"My times are in your hand." Psalm 31:15.

Let this precious truth divest your mind of all needless, anxious care for the present or the future. Exercising simple faith in God, "Do not be anxious about anything." Learn to be content with your present lot, with God's dealings with, and His disposal of, you. You are just where His providence has, in its inscrutable but all-wise and righteous decision, placed you. It may be a position painful, irksome, trying, but it is right. Oh, yes! it is right. Only aim to glorify Him in it. Wherever you are placed, God has a work for you to do, a purpose through you to be accomplished, in which He blends your happiness with His glory. And, when you have learned the lessons of His love, He will transfer you to another and a wider sphere, for whose nobler duties and higher responsibilities the present is, perhaps, but disciplining and preparing you. Covet, then, to live a life of daily dependence upon God. Oh, it is a sweet and holy life! It saves from many a desponding feeling, from many a corroding care, from many an anxious thought, from many a sleepless night, from many a tearful eye, and from many an imprudent and sinful scheme. Repairing to the "covenant ordered in all things and sure," you may confide children, friends, calling, yourself, to the Lord's care, in the fullest assurance that all their 'times' and yours are in His hand.

papers n' such

This picture sums up our current life just now... :D notice the little grump in the corner? I think he wanted attention and food. :DBut we are nearing the end. Just waiting for the arrival of a few more documents, basically and then we hopefully can apply.

While I take care of house and kids, I'm also reading up on NZ itself. Funny enough the book I have is written by a Canadian who immigrated there. :)

Priorities and other things

I was thinking to myself that I am probably due for another blog post and yet I'm stumped as to what to write. I could write about our goings again but then I might just as well repost the last post.

So then, what am I going to tell you about? Well, I've been thinking of starting school with Amelia (I mean purchasing textbooks and starting a real everyday thing). According to my NZ calendar, school term 1 starts sometime in Feb, and although I haven't completely figured out how there system works, I might try to start around that time or afterwards...wow, all of that sounds very ambitious and believe me I feel far from it! But she is ready. She is reading already, and has been for a while. So yes, this will be something new for me who is used to starting school in September till May or June! Starting Feb? :D Yes, a lot to get used to, but I am looking forward to learning, I need more patience to wait for things to work out first, D.V. Anyways, this is my thought, but we'll see. :)

Another big note, Mercy & Mark have a new baby now: Charlotte Phoebe! Click on her name to see a picture of the pretty baby.

I've been trying to keep my priorities straight...and that can be difficult with me. Because I might see dishes, and a dirty house, laundry etc as a major priority when certain things such as renewing passports, reading up on immigration etc can be just as or perhaps more important depending on the circumstances. So, let go I must and try to catch up on a later time with the household tasks. Another priority I have to keep in front of my mind is the disciplining and training of my children. Obviously it is more important to discipline a child when they are doing wrong...but if I'm washing dishes the temptation is to finish what I'm doing and then deal with the child. Yes, that is NOT what I should do...I know, its just hard for me to keep things straight.

I have purchased a few books lately, some dealing on motherhood and wifey-like things, and another on New Zealand (Jett bought this one). I was laughing at a few comments in the NZ book when it dealt with NZ immigration versus American immigration, and it helped to ease the stress a bit. Nicer to know that a country would rather keep you in than throw you out (circumstances depending I'm sure). :D

This is what my kids were busy with this morning...

And on to another priority...training my child not to whine... :S Suggestions welcome!!

doings of the Smith household

Busy! Stressful! :) That sums up life lately. There has just been too much going on lately. Lots of get-togethers/gatherings, and too much cake. Too many late nights = not enough sleep. Babysitting. The communion season (which we enjoyed very much). And then, add reading up on requirements for certain visas, immigration stuff, the stressful bit I'm afraid! Oh well, I am enjoying seeing family, and getting to know my nephews and nieces (currently we are waiting for a niece to arrive...poor mother is quite overdue and ready just now). And I'm enjoying the warmer weather. The kids are thoroughly enjoying their cousins. But, we aren't home just yet, hopefully we will be sometime in the new year, Lord willing.

On another note, Amy is feeding me crackers while I type this out. :) Aaron is taking good care of his Kiwi bird which drinks milk apparently and he eats food just like Aaron. It also has nap times and bed times of course. :D

We looked through Jett's drawings and are so pleased that there is a copy of Mom's picture (that Jett drew) we can frame and hang in our new home someday! You can also see a bit of another drawing in here of Joseph (Jett's brother).

We went out to the park which was quite nice for the kids.

Sorry this wasn't supposed to be here...but heres the 3 kids in the back of the truck.

Jett on the phone.

More park.

same

Amelia wants to do lots of things...so I let her try this out.

Aunt Hayley and a not happy looking Alex.

Cameron. :)

And so ends 2010. Happy New Year everyone!

when Auntie babysits you can expect...

...a very messy living room or playroom :D and happy children!


I babysat Care's two eldest and I was beginning to fear about what Julia could do especially with our limited craft items, and toys!! Sooo, I thought hmm, how about a huge massive fort/house?


Lets just say Julia spent well over an hour just building it!!

Complete with a dining area...

and kitchen. :)

You know, I want my nieces and nephews to remember me as a fun & loving Aunt...so who cares about housework for the day! I enjoyed helping Julia find items to use as carpets, sink, seats etc, and it made me remember the huge fort my brother and I built when we were kids.

a few NZ pictures & from thanksgiving etc.

These are just a taste of Jett's trip to New Zealand...


At Waitakere Ranges National Park
Uhm...not entirely sure where this one was taken...anyone?

View of Auckland, NZAnd again, well part of I suppose!

These are all out of order sorry!

Here your seeing some of the Bay of Plenty on the right

On the way to Gisborne.

Jett has a whole lot more, but there are just too many to post up here, so I'm just giving a few scenic photos for now. :)

I again did not take very many photos at the Thanksgiving dinner, :( but I did use somebody elses camera which is 100 times better than mine... here the owner sits with 5 of his neices/nephews...L-R Owen, Jenna, Calvin, Amelia and Aaron.

Miss Photogenic J, Sam and Miss Oh-so-not-photogenic A.

Off to heat up leftovers for dinner!