Truth Tuesday - This one speaks to me in a big way

Wow, I haven't seen a meme on Facebook that spoke so to my heart like this one has in a long time. THIS explains how I feel about the past year of my life perfectly. I feel like I have (along with my hubby) worked really hard to evaluate who I am and more importantly who I want to be in the future. 

I have worked very hard over the past year (or maybe two) to really look hard at who I am, what I bring to my relationships with people, and to the world around me. I have some pretty serious faults about me and things that I don't love, but also find hard to change too. I can be incredibly selfish at times, but also extremely giving too. It's about figuring out a balance that works for me to live the most positive life that I can, by both giving what I can without resentment and taking what I need without feeling guilt. 

I know I still have a long way to go to being the great human that I remind my kids every day that we all should be. I want to be the example of that human and I want them to be proud of who I am and who I was for them throughout their lives. I want to be a positive role model for a happy and healthy attitude and lifestyle.

I may have a long way still to go, but for now and today I'm celebrating how far I've come in my journey to being a better person than I was before. I am never going to stop working at being better. It's a new way of life for me and a focus that I plan to keep in the forefront of my mind through all of the ups and downs that come my way in life. It isn't always easy, but I am committed to staying focused, one day at a time! 

My new love of hiking the trails!

On Saturday we did something we've rarely done as a family on a weekend afternoon....we got out for a good long hike through some beautiful nature trails right in the heart of town! We did the Millenium trails near the Complex and walked for almost an hour and a half (poor KJ girl was DONE by the end of it, but such a trooper till near the very end). We definitely want to get out and explore more of the local trails so if anyone wants to get out with us, let us know cause we'd love to see some areas we haven't been to yet! We aren't the fastest hikers but we do love being outdoors and exploring! 

We were thrilled that Uncle Bill and Gunther joined us too! 

Cute little table set on the trail

Our little girlie loving playing with James's rifle stick that has been well loved since it was made last year by a special guy during a camping trip! 

Getting tired so she sucked the biggest brother into carrying her! He actually carried her for quick a long way before finally getting tired! 

Finally sitting down with Mom's gloves on her cold hands and her funny little glasses too.

A few minutes later and she had wound down and was exhausted! Poor girlie fell about 10 minutes into the hike and skinned her knee too, but was a beast and just kept on going! 

James said I was wrong

He said that my post saying that he didn't want to be in pictures wasn't true, it's just that I don't ask him as often anymore as I used to. I suppose that's probably true, and mainly because when we do things as a family or me with the kids he's usually off doing something away from me. Whether that's playing hockey while I'm with Kennedy at the playground, or far away from me at the beach, or whatever the case may be. But he wanted me to put it here on this blog that he is NOT against me taking or sharing his photo on here. So he willingly smiled for this cute start of spring break selfie with his Mama. 

Another reason why he isn't in as many photos...he is always on some sort of electronic every single chance he gets! This is a typical James pose these days. Playing on the switch :) 

Also a typical cheesy pose I get when I do ask him for a photo! 

The other thing this kid spends his time doing....EATING and DRINKING everything in sight! Lord help us when he actually hits the teen years because it's already shocking how much he can eat at not even 11 yet :)  YIKES! 

I love you my sweet Jamesy boy! Keep smiling for your photo happy Mama and remember your promise to me that you will always be nice to me, even when you hit those awful hormonal teen years! 

Fave Photo Friday - a quiet photo week in my world

So, most people maybe take a few photos a week I imagine. I usually take a ton more than that but this week has been really busy for me and I found when I sat down to do this post there just weren't nearly as many to choose from, and again none of James! I really need to get one of him soon :) Of course Kennedy is in the most because this tiny little human is attached at my hip and loves to be where I am. 

Can anyone notice something that is different about me this week between some of the photos? 

My handsome hubby and me.

Aaaawwww my new favorite spot...when it's not cold and windy especially! 

Early morning Mom hair brushing by my Jordie boy.

A random snap but she looks so natural in this photo and I love it

My new again favorite snack. Trying to avoid the chips and candy after dinner and this is helping.

My happy place...never in a million years thought that I would fall in love with yoga like I have this past year.

The kids start spring break tonight and they are all so excited that their dad is on holidays with them so I'm sure they will all get up to some fun stuff while I'm working! 

My wish for you sweet girl

To my sweet Kennedy girl - I hope you always love the beach and outdoors like you do now! Even on a cold and windy day you are always up for a beach hour with your Mama. You are happy to build your sand castle or pick special rocks while I quietly decompress and sit behind you and search for beach glass (our recent new shared love) or swing on the beach fort swings. 

I spent most of my pre-Kennedy parenting days at playgrounds and baseball fields with your brothers and dad as no one was particularly fond of the beach (in fact, that middle brother of yours as a toddler despised the feeling of sand on his feet). 

Once you were old enough to walk we started to venture out to beaches to just try something different that you all could maybe enjoy together (it's not easy finding common interests for a 9 and 2 year old). 

From almost the very beginning you fell in love with the beach; you love getting covered in sand and running and playing in the water, just loving the fresh air and quiet time. Over the past almost 3 years years I have grown to love the beach in ways that I never did before you came along, and I thank you for sharing your passion and love with me sweet girl. I look forward to many more beach days together, even if we do have to sometimes drag the pesky non-beach-loving boys along with us too :) 

Memory Monday - just about two years apart!

March 12, 2019 vs February 19, 2021

WOWZERS! I knew her hair had grown a lot and she had changed a lot but this picture sure shows it well. Still such a cute little girl and her hair is just gorgeous! I get teary eyed thinking of the day coming where she wants to cut it (just like most little girls want to at some point!) When the time comes I will probably have her Daddy or her Nana take her to that hair appointment with Auntie Ra :)

Sunday Smiles

Jordie boy - I hope you always want to snuggle up with your mama for a visit and a silly little selfie.  

And always want to snuggle up with your Daddy at bedtime too. 

Windy Sunday afternoon and we tried to find some beach glass at Airplane park beach but no such luck! 

ooohhh my handsome hubby shaved off his beard this weekend! And we snuck out on Sunday morning for an awesome 45 minute walk through the neighbourhood near our house! 

And just like that...another year of hockey is DONE!! 

Didn't get to snap a picture of James on his last of hockey day yesterday as he didn't actually go on the ice and when he got his puck from his coach I was busy helping hand out donuts :) I'll have to snap one of him though to share. When I looked through my photos from the weekend he didn't appear in any except this one at the park playing catch with his brother. He is much more resistant to having his photo taken and I understand and appreciate that. My kids always have a say in what I post about them on social media and this blog. 

I look forward to so many more beach and park outings in our future. The winter flew by this year and we are all looking forward to sunshine and baseball season coming up! 

Sappy Saturday

This amazing Daddy took his kids skating on Saturday so that I could hike the trails around the Complex for an hour. No photos of James because he was gone like a shot onto the ice when he saw his buddy there! We figured we'd better get our skating in cause the ice is coming out this week I've heard. 

Can you say Happy Mama?! I love my kids and my hubby, but I also love me now too and both Jim and I realize how much happier I am now that I am making a small effort to take a bit of time for me. I love being in the trails with my family, but I love throwing on my headphones and just walking alone a lot too. Tons of time to think and reflect and grow as person. I am working on being the great human that I remind my kids each day to become. 

Photo Friday - a new me

I have not stepped foot in a gym since before I had kids but I knew it was something I wanted to try and see what I thought. 

Yesterday when the boys were doing skateboarding at the complex I booked in for the gym for an hour and I loved it! I did the bike and the treadmill and really enjoyed my quiet time with my music blaring and time to think. I see many more hours in my future spent there and looking forward to feeling my best self. I really don't give a damn about the number on the scale anymore, I care way more about how it makes me feel, and that's a hell of a long way for me to have come over the last decade. 

Slow and steady for this girl. I'm not out to win a race or anything, just out to get my body moving more consistently.

Thankful Thursday - a new fun hobby for the Barrows family!

For years our friends have been beach glass searchers and I never understood the fun of it until 2 days ago and NOW I GET IT! I actually find it extremely relaxing and like a fun treasure hunt! The past two days me and the kids have gone to Beach Gardens beach and spent an hour in the beautiful spring sunshine laying on the rocks picking up beach glass and talking about life. It makes my heart so happy to be able to do something that we are all enjoying! I see many more trips in our future ❤️😄

How does she look so grown up already?! Just weeks away now from the big 4th birthday and she just seems so much older than that.

Our haul after only about a half hour! 

My handsome Jordie boy!