Monopoly

Riley begs us all day long to play with him. Can you play hockey mom?? Can you play hacky sack? Please mom? Play lego??
Liam isn't the best at playing along. If the two of them could only realize that they could have fun together, they could have someone to play with all day long!! Unfortunately they are ultra competitive and don't always enjoy the same games.
I gave in today and played Monopoly with Riley. You all know that Monopoly is a LONG game. I don't mind the game...I just don't like playing it all day. I say "no" to games a lot because not only does it take a lot of time, but we have a certain little Shea man who likes to stick his nose into everything and cause it to be less than enjoyable for all!! Anyway, today it worked...we got Shea set up doing something. Liam left with dad for town and Riley and I played...
For t w o and a h a l f HOURS.
On hour two...out came the camera...(what can I say, I was getting bored)

I built nine hotels and creamed him. Poor kid shed some tears. He hates losing. I think we'll be done playing monopoly for awhile. At least a few days anyway.

Awana Grand Prix

Riley was the right age to enter the grand prix this year! We had fun. We ordered our block of wood...Riley and Greg worked on the design. Luke helped them cut it out. We all sanded it. I painted it. Greg put the wheels on. Riley put the stickers on. And away we roared.
Riley was in four heats, placing 4th, 1st, 2nd and 2nd. He went on to the finals and lost in the first heat. Shea loved watching the race.
We ended up winning 3rd for parent/clubber design. Yay!!
Greg and I had both been in the Awana grand prix when we were kids, so this was fun to relive it with our kids.

Look who's almost 2 ??!!

Darling cousins.

In da HOOF

Hi everyone....reporting from the great white north. It is -30 C up here, but it is sunny and gorgeous. My sister lives in a tiny but cute little house and we are huddled around the wood stove, keeping warm by playing Dance Revolution.
Our drive up was uneventful...Shea did awesome.
I guess my blog is having issues where you have to have a blog account to leave a comment. Is that true?? Try leaving me a comment and let me know. I didn't change any settings, so I'm not sure why it is doing that.
Well...my mom, sis and I are headed out for lunch soon so I'll catch you later...

Hitting' the road!!

Shea and I are taking a spontaneous trip up north with my parents to visit my sister and her family!! It should be fun!!
So much to do before then!

Dressed up

Also just wanted to send out a big hug to some of my blog friends, Royden and Ruth who said goodbye to their dad last night. We know their family personally as they went to church with us during our teen years, and we got to know some of what a great dad he was. I always love reading their blog and thought I should send you over there to send them your well wishes. So thankful for their hope in God and His promises to us.
Last night was rather strange actually, as we had a massive wind storm and the power was out for a few hours. My Liam had just gone to bed, and when the power went out, he got a little scared and so I had him come join me on the couch with a few candles glowing and we watched the trees swaying out the window. It is rare for the power to be out here, so it was quite the little adventure for him. It was during this unusually quiet time with no lights, Tv's, computers, distractions...that the angels had come down to grab Mr. Lepp and take him off to heaven. I am curious how that evening played out at their place and trust that though it must have been awful to let him go, that they knew he had finished his race here on earth.

Check this out....

I admit...still haven't found the perfect color, fabric etc. etc. for my bedroom.
Check out this laundry room!!! Of course, she MADE up the color...
I want to move in.

Cindy has a knack for mixing paint, that's for sure!!

Lately I've been considering wallpaper! I know. Sounds old school. And didn't I just spend 50 hours removing the wallpaper that was up there? Yes, true. I love pretty paper though, and wouldn't necessarily want to do the whole wall, but one feature wall, or even a sheet of plywood that I would put up on the wall behind the bed like a sheet of artwork.
Anyway...still working on it. Bear with me.

Thanks for listening

Thanks ladies....for listening...whether you had the choice or not to listen to me whine and vent again!! It isn't as responsive when I write in my diary, and somehow it is nice to just lay things out there and admit it when you feel crappy and then you just can be free to MOVE ON! So I feel like I got it out of my system and am moving on folks. Hallelujah. And heck, maybe I just need some SUN! That's why I made my blog page yellow today.
Today I got the opportunity to go to a women's conference at our church to hear about mentoring. It was five hours of listening to two women share some of their wisdom, and specifically of the values of being a mentor to someone, and how to be a better one. The two ladies wrote a book together on the subject. It really was applicable to life in general as the main topic was on LISTENING and how to be a better listener. We are all mentors, whether we realize it or not...especially as mothers. Our kids are watching our every move. I am extremely sensitive to that, and sometimes wonder if I am almost trying TOO hard to ensure my kids will NEVER fight, NEVER be let down, NEVER disobey, NEVER say things they shouldn't....to the point that I think I am exasperating them...and exhausting myself!! I need to work on that.
While I struggled slightly in wishing I had someone in this stage of my life to be mentoring me, I also realized that I should be more intentional in looking for ways to mentor others. So it is a goal for sure.
And I'd love to hear if you have someone in your life that is filling that "mentor" role for you.

Debbie downer

My blog has been quiet, I know. To people who find pictures boring, it must be a really sad waste of time.
I did end up getting sick. A miserable head cold, complete with a fever and headache. Thankfully it was fast and furious and I felt much better 3 days later. Today I actually ventured out to bootcamp and did not too bad for how weak I had felt the few days earlier.
The boys have been so challenging (as usual). I really could use prayers for endurance. I hate being disappointed in my children, and worst of all, hate that they don't care when I'm disappointed. I have yet to figure out what motivates them. What will work to make them understand that we need to work together, not fight the entire day. So obviously, that is frustrating and I'm embarrassed to even write it down, as I'd sure love to have you think I've got this parenting thing mastered.
Anyhow, that is pretty much my life right now. Along with two other highly stressful situations to make life just so much easier (not).
I am enjoying my workouts with friends 3x a week which is good for my state of mind for sure, and a release of pent up anger!! I still go knitting once a week (also very therapeutic). We also started going to a care group, which has been nice to connect to people and also to have one night a week we don't have to put the kids to bed! So ya, I don't want to sound like a complete downer and have you think my life is a wreck. We're doing what we can!! Pray for endurance for me please!!