You're the Best

These past few weeks have been hazy. I would love to have a reason to write, and though I know I do, I can't put my finger on anything. I sit down, open my page and get frustrated because I just don't know where to start.

But today, I want to give a tribute to my Nik.

He lets me sleep in every morning, even on his days off. Seriously ladies in the world, I know how big of a treat this is, and I hope I never take it for granted. He makes suppers when I've been too lazy to and dang good ones at that. He understands when I'm feeling, totally non-understandable. He loves me unconditionally. Because if conditions had anything to do with it, he wouldn't love me. Trust me, I can be hard. He's the best dad to our boys that I could ever ask for. I see the twinkle in his eye when Chip cries at 11, just as we've snuggled down for the night because it's *his* chance to sit with him in the rocking chair and just be together. He came home from work at lunch to bring me the stroller and decided to take the middle son back with him. How's that for husband of the year. Oh, but I'm not done. He's chalk FULL of integrity. I'm so blessed that my kids have the kind of man to look up to that they do. He's the most gentle and patient man I've ever known. And if I can count on one hand the amount of times he's actually been mad at me in the almost 8 years since we've been an item, I'd be surprised.

Now, I know that you all have wonderful husband too, so why not? Tell us all about them too! And for anyone who's still looking for that someone, why not write about what you're dreaming for? Love. It's March...and I'm full into spring fling.

A month?!

Well, I guess it's better than nothing.

I wish I would have heard of this sooner. But go here if you want to end the spread of the word. The derogatory word that has been used for harm and I fear that it has become a slang for way too many things.

I have an aunt who is 45. She functions at about the same age as a 3 year old. She was born completely healthy and had a polio vaccination when she was about 11 months old which went awry and left her almost completely brain dead. She's made some progress in her 40 + years. I have fond memories of playing with Auntie Lisa as a little girl. Her favourite thing is to put on makeup and colour. I know she used to like beading too. I haven't seen her in probably close to 10 years because she lives in a home and my grandparents can't have her as much as they used to. I do miss her though. I think of her often. In fact, any time this word is said, I think of her. She doesn't belong to this word...and this word doesn't belong to her.

So again, go to the link above if you want to pledge to rid this world of such a distasteful and crass word.

To catch a mouse *EDIT*

Twas the night before today and all through the house
The only creature that was stirring, was our pesky little mouse

....named, Fargo.

Fargo showed himself a few weeks ago, and made a little nest...which we vacuumed up. This sent us immediately to the store to buy some traps. My darling husband bought two kinds just to be sure. But, it seems as if Fargo has been around the block and knows what a trap looks like. We have the sticky stuff and the traditional mouse trap.

Well, last night I was sitting at the computer hearing Fargo in the ceiling above me (he goes from the ceiling to behind the walls and into a very warm spot under our banquette). He scurried down the back wall and then there was nothing. I figured he was bringing more insulation to his warm zone to make another nest. But then.....SNAP....SQUEAK! I immediately got out of my chair and, being the brave soul that I am, called for help from the hubs. However, I soon discovered that my manly man, isn't so manly when a dead mouse is involved (it's ok, dear). So, in the end I ended up looking for the trap which was turned over, but I could still hear Fargo making some noise. So I closed the little door to let him get all his post traumatic squirmies out. After about 2 minutes (I figured that was long enough) I opened it up again to find the trap in the same position but upon closer inspection I could see that their was no mouse.

I grabbed the closest (and least needed for future use) thing that I could find that would be useful as a club and started pushing things around (we use it for storage). And then for a brief second, I saw him. He was a streak of blackness that went as fast as any really fast thing. So, now I'm convinced that Fargo is actually a RAT and that he's hobbling around with a broken leg and might die in our walls and then start rotting and then....maggots. My biggest fear in the world....so sell house, sell!


*Nik came home for lunch and lo and behold, Fargo has been caught! If only we thought of peanut butter from the beginning*

It's in the butter.

I'm trying to maximize our grocery budget. We have 5 people and have budgeted 500/month on food. We have been averaging about 400-450, but I'm trying to whittle it down even less. I've been newly inspired by the grocery cart lady (on my side bar) who feeds her family of 6 for $60/week! She also lives in the US, so groceries are definitely cheaper, but none the less.

I think the key is to go to multiple stores and make your menus based on what is on sale. Shopper's Drug Mart carries the cheapest milk in town ($3.88 for 4 L (2%, we like it rich ;)))) But, everything else there is pretty expensive, so am I going to make a special stop just for milk? Is it going to be worth the extra gas for the $.50 I'll save? Maybe, seeing as we go through about 10 L/week. Which seems like a lot considering we only drink one glass per day (other than Chip, who also drinks homo). bla, milk. I love milk.

I'd also love some new recipes. I try to go to www.allrecipes.com and often try one or two, but everything seems to have exotic (aka expensive) ingredients.

Is it too late to drown?

Do weekends feel the same to you as they do to me? A new start?

This has been a week. A week that has followed a very dark week. I've learned that we will have bad weeks. Weeks that seem to swallow us whole. Weeks that eventually will spit you out into the next. The trick is to rise above the stench of the week that precedes the present week. They say bad things come in three's and last week that three was doubled.

And while the pain of last week seems unbearable to think about, I look at my blessings. My living, breathing children. Who are thriving and full of joy. My home that has running water that is so clean, I can actually drink straight from the tap. (seriously how many people in our world don't have clean water, even a mile away??) For my supportive husband who has tears in his eyes as he tells me how happy he is and who I can't imagine living without. And for my King, who has saved me. Me, an undeserving sloth.

So, with my eyes turned upward, I will look ahead, not behind...

EDIT

Go to this to help in a really cool way, of course you can always help by donating to whatever organization you already deal with. Compassion, world vision, Kiva. Thanks Ashleigh for the last one.

I also wanted to add that this is an orphanage in Haiti that needs help. I've heard of a family in Duncan whose three children are waiting for their visas. The Canadian government is matching any donations, dollar for dollar. You can evven pay with paypal, so it's super easy!

Happy Birthday

It seems like from the beginning of December to about the middle of February, the Fiorito house is a jumble of presents, birthday celebrations and happy parties. It's so much fun that we thought we'd add another par-tay into the mix this year. My good friend Jenni turned 29 and we wanted her to feel extra special so we had a little surprise planned. She loved it. Though, once or twice she let me know that her real birthday wasn't until the next day. Jenni, you are a truly beautiful girl full of God's grace and we, the Fiorito's, love you very much. PS next year I'll get you something Chuck Norris-ish.