Family Day 2020

This year we were determined to get out and enjoy Family Day together. My FB memories tell me that the last two years we’ve been home sick and haven’t done anything so this year we decided to go out to Saltery Bay for a fire, complete with hot dogs and s’mores! Our plan was almost changed due to a sick Kennedy but we decided to go anyways and hope for the best. She was certainly tired and under the weather but was a total trooper too. She was sound asleep in the truck before we even got moving! Thanks to all those that came out and joined us today as well! I have found this year that I’m more in the moment and haven’t been taking nearly as many photos as I have in the past, but here are some of my favourites.

She was so tired we were snuggling by the fire and she just about fell asleep in my arms

Sunday Self-Reflection - Part 2

Self esteem is a hard topic for so many people to talk about, myself included. I try hard to speak and think positively about myself, but it’s something I struggle with. I know I could lose weight, I know I could be a better mother/wife/daughter/friend, but I also try to always remember that deep inside of myself I am a really good person with a huge heart. I try to reinforce to my kids daily that they are good people inside and often tell myself the same thing too, especially in those moments when I am feeling down about something. Tomorrow is a new day and I love that every day gives us a new chance to grow and change. 2020 has been a positive time of reinvention for me and I’m proud of the new perspective and priorities I have gained already. 

Flashback Friday - My favorite Valentine's day photos shared on FB

One of my favorite toddler photos ever taken! I love this photo of James so much!

Jim was away working this year but I remember it being a special day with me and my boys

Me and my chubby Jordie boy!

He just made this face at me earlier today. He has not changed at all!

There's my smiling Jordie boy!

 The following year Jim was laid off work and we had an awesome V'Day today playing hockey at the school!

This was the following year and we went to Whistler with the Tassell's and Slack's.

Fast forward a few years and baby KJ is here and both Sean and Jim were working on Texada that night on afternoon shift so Ash and the kids came over for a super fun and relaxed pizza dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Last year my sweet girl wearing her pretty little heart dress.

Not shared on FB yet, but they will later today! This was my presents this morning from my loves.

Well at least Jordie was looking at the camera! Hahahahaha...this is so true to our life. Rarely are they all looking at the same time and in the same direction! 

Me and my littlest love before work this morning.

 

My middle and I while he sat in my office this morning while his dad went to a dentist appt!

Such a good boy drawing me pictures!

No pictures of me and James from today but snapped these yesterday on our mother/son date. He was so proud to take me to Starbucks and order me a steamed milk. He smiled ear to ear when he ordered for us and pulled out his own money to pay. I snapped this photo and I post it because I am noticing lately how grown up he seems these days. He is only a few short months away from being 10 years old and I just can't believe it!

CHEERS!

 

And just because this is my fave photo of us ever taken I'm sharing it again. Happy Valentines Day to this handsome fellow who still makes me smile all these years later! 

Throwback Thursday - then and now!

Almost 2 years apart! How is she almost 3 already?! She fills our life with so much love and laughter every single day. She can be a frustratingly stubborn little beast but also so incredibly loving and sweet too. She is a beautiful little mixture of all of us and I see so much of both of our personalities in her. I can’t wait to see what this next year holds for our KJ girl (or Eddy Do as her daddy calls her!)

He’s an amazing little man already

Stole this post from my FB because I wanted to always remember both the cute photo of these two, and the comments between me and Aaron 2 years later about an adorable moment she witnessed at a recent Kings game. My hope is that even if they don't end up as husband and wife as they now truly believe they will, that they just go through life side by side as friends, knowing that the other is always there for them if they need them!

Truth Tuesday - I am overwhelmed

I have a lot on my plate right now and today I didn’t want to do anything, so I didn’t except the bare minimum. I got up late, made one kids breakfast and lunch, did a yoga class at VIU before work, then worked my shift, took the long way home to get a bit of exercise, had a cup of tea and played some crib with Jim, then escaped upstairs for a bath. I have had a headache all day and even though I know there is so much I should be doing tonight, I’ve decided to go to bed instead. 

I’m feeling tired, sore and overwhelmed with all that is going on for us right now. Jim is still off work for another 12 days recovering from his hernia surgery and I’m still trying to get all the rooms in our house decluttered and put back together after the basement reno. We are almost done the playroom, and then my office and the littles bedrooms are next up. It’s been an exhausting start to 2020 and I want to be careful that I don’t get sick and worn out. We already have our Jordie boy down and out with a cold and the last thing we need is for it to spread through the house. 

Sooooo, I’m in bed at 8pm and hoping to be asleep by 9 and hopeful that the toddler sleeps through the night tonight and that Jordie’s coughing doesn’t keep me awake all night like it did last night!! 

Sunday Self-Reflections - Part 1

Happy Sunday everyone! 

Considering I've only been up for half an hour and all I've accomplished so far is drinking a cup of yummy tea made by my Jordie boy...all I can really thank my body for so far today is getting up and walking down the stairs! 

On a daily basis my body does a lot for me and even though I have the aches and pains of getting older, and I live with a chronic disease (which thankfully is mostly in remission), I'm overall a pretty healthy person. I know I could lose a few pounds but at this point in my life I'm more concerned with just getting moving and getting more active than I've been in the past 10 years since having kids. I've always struggled to make the time for me and have lived a pretty sedentary life. But that's all changed in the last month and I'm committed to a new life. 

I'm proud of my body (and mind) for allowing me to start practicing yoga. For years I've wanted to try it but was always afraid I wouldn't be able to do it. What I've learned is that it's all about my own practice and doing what I can do, and trying hard not to worry about what others around me in the class can do that I can't do....yet! I'm in it and ready for it to be a forever thing for me. Whether that's classes at Coast, or home practice from YouTube, I'm committed and devoted to it. I'd love to add in walking more and maybe eventually some sort of weight lifting classes too but for now I have to start with what feels manageable for where I'm at in my life, and for now this is it. 

When I read this quote below the one thing I am most proud that my body has done for me is to create the lives of my three tiny humans. I' won't say I loved all parts of pregnancy but I was honored and blessed to be able to do it 3 times, with some bumps along the way, and a very scary complication the last time that made me fear for my life every day for the last 4 months of my pregnancy. I have always felt for those woman that couldn't have children and without a doubt if we had decided to stop at 2 kids, I would have pursued surrogacy in order to give someone the blessing of being a parent. It is truly the best and most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life and when I look back on my experiences and what I was able to accomplish I'm proud of myself for getting through 27 months of growing tiny humans!

As for today....today my body is going to be very busy! After I hit publish on this post I'm getting going for the day. First up is breakfast, strata office work, then house cleaning, then making family Sunday dinner! Oh and the piles of laundry I have to get through too! I'd love to sneak in a quick walk too but we'll see how that goes for me with the craziness that lies ahead :) 

Saturday Smiles - Horizon Business Awards

This beautiful lady and I have been friends since we were 12 years old! We've had years along the way that we weren't super close, but we've always been connected in some way or the other. She means the world to me and whenever we do get together and get caught up we never lack in things to talk about.

Tonight we worked the ticket table at the Horizon Business Awards and spent the night chatting away the hours like no time had passed! Thanks for the quick photo snap at the end of the night my friend!

Maybe I should sneak down to my office tomorrow and see if I can find an old picture of us to go side by side to this one and see how well we've both aged!   :) 

Favourite Photo Friday

I'm exhausted today so these photos are not in date order, but all are cute photos nonetheless! 

Starting off the week with last weekend's Kings game, and a rare selfie with this fuzzy faced guy. I can't wait till he shaves this beast of a beard off, although he keeps threatening to keep it forever....which I know him well enough to know that as soon as it gets warm again he'll be too hot to keep it :) 

James living his best life enjoying the hockey game...and hot chocolate!

We LOVE Rocco!

Aaaawww I love this little guy! Baby Owyn has been such a wonderful addition to our whole extended family, and this great auntie is completely in love with him.

Yup...Grandpa still has the touch! Sunday dinner snuggles with the little guy

Another day and more snuggles

I see these two sharing a really special bond in the years to come.

Sassy girl ready for dance class

Sunday dinner outfit....a dress....with a skirt underneath it...with no tights or panties on apparently....finished off with a hoodie and snow boots. This was a not worth the fight outfit right here! 

Another day and another snuggle! I had hoped we'd get to see this little guy lots and thankfully we have! His awesome Mama brings him over often and lets me watch him for her when she goes to work out class...which PS: GO TANA! When I had a 2 month old I did nothing but sit on the couch and watch TV all day everyday...I certainly didn't go and workout! I'm so proud of this girl....she's killing this first time Mama thing!