There goes my life...

It may seem as though you never see much of Taya. We don't either these days. Taya is an amazingly undemanding, easy going, fun loving, on the go, with her girlfriends, chronic sleep over, webkinz playing, bathing suit wearing kind of gal. So, for the last month she has BUSY. Makes it difficult to post a ton of pics of her. I have told her that mommy and daddy really miss her and so we are going to have "Taya Day" in the next couple of weeks. I love her role in our family. I have said often of her that God always knew Taya would be a middle child. She so fits the role. Her personality is simply lovely. I can't wait to write all about her.

This post is about Brielle aka. "Birdelle", "laylee" (Demi's version of Brielly). Over the last month I feel like every morning I wake up and she has changed. I'm not joking. I will take a picture of her and a week later I will take another and she looks more grown up. It reminds me of baby growth spurts. You put a pair of pants on them and then the following week you put on those same pair of pants and in a weeks time they have become "high waters". I'm watching this happen in every area of her life. I feel like I am not ready in so many ways.

Yesterday Erik and I took her to the mall. A brief reprieve from her grounding that she is currently on. With only a week of grounding to go, an massive attitude improvement and $80 of babysitting money in hand...she was thrilled. We picked a meeting spot and drilled every parental rule into her head in 5 minute lecture form. You know the ones like, "you don't need to spend every dime. In fact save half of your money" and "even if they are a mall employeees you aren't allowed to speak to any males between the ages of 8 and 80" or "if you step one foot outside of this mall your new grounding will be for 60 days which translates to your whole life in teenager". Once Erik felt we had all bases covered we parted ways so we could go to our movie. As she walked away Erik said this and I could have bawled instantly. "There goes my life".

When Brielle was little Kenny Chesney came out with that song and I always thought of us when I heard it and thought it would be a good fit for a wedding dance for her and her dad. All of the sudden 13 years flashed in front of my face and I realized how fast this is all going. It seems like we are in the thick of parenting her and I stay so focused on what is on my heart to teach her. But that little moment has reminded me to slow it down as much as possible and enjoy all the moments I can over the next few years.

Things we remind Brielle:
1. Honor God
2. Honor your parents
3. Honor yourself
4. Honor your body

Things I remind myself:

1. Hold your ground on things that matter
2. Hold your tongue on things that don't
3. Hold onto the moments because they pass so quickly
4. Hold her often because she is always your baby

Brielle, I wish I could bundle up all the love that daddy and I have for you so that you could feel it every moment of every day. I promise you this is the some of the hardest times of life. Keep growing...I'll hold on.

Thursday with Cher...

So, due to writer's block...like, severe. And perhaps the "lack of an interesting life", and maybe a little bit of depression. I have decided to follow Tiffiny's lead and do a Thursday post. Even if it's just for this week. But, I have no choice. Even I am sick of hearing Wham sing "wake me up before you go-go" and I picked the song! It's an awesome idea and the best part about Tiff is she encourages every one else to follow suit. So here we go:

I am thankful for:
The sun. If it were not for the sun and the warm weather this week would have been a hard one. I think this stands out as "the loneliest week thus far". Erik says he can see it on my face. I am thankful that Brielle's one month grounding has turned out to be a good thing and not horrific punishment for Erik and I. I am most thankful for Erik. He is becoming my best friend. I am thankful we have this time in our lives to build that friendship. I am thankful we live in Calgary for all the above listed reasons.

I am listening to:
The Wiggles...annoying. Demi singing...precious. Listening to her sing is enough to make every day happy around here!

I am looking forward to:
We are having friends over this weekend. Erik's friend Tyler (he was in our wedding) and his girlfriend, Lana are coming over for a BBQ. Yay for me!!! Friends!!! I didn't realize how full our lives were with people until we moved and our life got very quiet. We also have plans to go to a movie. Last weekend we went to a movie for the first time in well over a year. It was so much fun we are going to go to another.

What's for dinner tonight:
Chicken soft tacos and tater tots. It's cheap and easy. Brielle and I usually have taco salads when I make that meal...nummy!

What I am missing: I miss Kim. Everyday I miss her. I miss Lynden. I miss sitting outside at Tiff's on hot days and watching the kids play in Olivia's wading pool. I miss taking the kids for a late afternoon swim at beachwood. I miss buying the kids summer clothes at Target. I miss going through Cruisin Coffee for a "cool coffee cloud". I miss my nephews, especially when I see the pics on Ross and Taya's blog. They are growing and changing so fast and I have always wished I could see them every week. I miss my parents. That's usually magnified right after I see them. If you are reading this...you probably fall on the list of people I am missing this week...it just seems to be the theme.

Pic of the week:
I thought this would be a fun thing to add. I think you should do it too Tiff. Demi basically stalks Brielle upon her arrival home from school. She is willing to do whatever Brielle wants to do. Really, anything to be in her presence. She calls her "Birdelle" and really rolls her r's when she says it. It is so cute!




I hope this weekend finds you thankful, stopping to listen, enjoying good meals, that you have something to look forward to, that you miss and are missed. And don't forget to take a few pictures along the way. For all this will mean you have lived and loved.

"Copying is the highest form of flattery" ~UNKNOWN

Go-Go...

I just got back from a great week in Lynden. I had my pint-sized travel buddy along which alway makes for a different travel experience than previous times in my life. Demi requires packing like we are moving to wherever we headed. I never know if she will be loving being a frequent flyer or if the hour long flight will make me wish we had walked to Lynden! The flight there was rough since she doesn't do mornings and we left our house at 6 am. Our return flight was fabulous and the business man we sat next to started off looking quite perturbed at the seating arrangements and ended our flight blowing kisses to his new little friend. It was a go, go, go type of vacation. Here are some of the highlights:


1. My grandparents were in town at the same time and every little bit of time we get with them is so special.
2. I got a girl's night out with my besties..martini's and Thai food and a whole bunch of laughs...so good for the soul!
3. I was able to see Kim's gorgeous new house.
4. I had a pedicure with some of my favorite girls.
5. Demi tried fries and ketchup (she calls dip-dip) for the first time in her life and had her first lollipop, and got candy from the candy machines in Dutch Mothers!
6. I had a fabulous sleepover and shopping day with my niece Lynea...much needed and really one of the best parts of my whole trip.
7. I got to smother baby Kestin with kisses and have a lunch date with Larissa and Montana.
8. Had a hot tub with Stef. I always say I'm going to and never do.
9. Watched Survivor with Michelle and Stef, talked about weight and went on a late night run for blizzards from Dairy Queen! =)
10. Enjoyed lots of moments with my Mom and Dad. I love staying at their house!
11. Got to see Corey and quickly get caught up...have so much fun in Mexico friend!
12. Came home with full suitcases of "prizes"...I miss shopping there!!!
13. Demi got lots of one on one play time with Nana and Papa and the puppies of the neighborhood.
14. Crawling into bed with Nana and Papa.
15. The rain was gone and it was sun shiny everyday!

We had such a nice time. It's never long enough to fit it all in and I never get to see everyone I would have wanted to. So much of who and what I love is still living there. But, like any great vacation it's always wonderful to be so happy to get home. What is here...I love the most!

12 years...

Today is our anniversary. Twelve years ago on this day we were thrilled it was a beautiful sunny day, I felt like a princess, and thought he looked like the most handsome man in the world. We were surrounded with people we loved, and we started on this uncharted territory called marriage feeling very confident (and my literary audience chuckles...don't worry I am too). Oh, we were so young and foolish and so in love. We had a beautiful wedding and a beautiful day.

Twelve years has brought us beautiful babies, exotic vacations, addictions, diets, births and deaths of family members, houses bought and sold, surrounded with friends, having no friends, financial freedoms and financial devastation, the accumulation of stuff, garage sales, hospital stays, 2 separations, heartache and tears, marriage conferences, marriage counseling, precious moments I would hope to never forget and our lowest, moment most devastating ugly moments I wish I could erase from my mind.

This is where you find us twelve years later...STILL TOGETHER! It is by the grace of God, it is amazing, it is a miracle, it was so hard, it was everything we said we wanted and promised each other we would do twelve years ago on this day. We didn't have a clue!

Erik, it is easy for me to say with all conviction...you are the love of my life. I would go to the ends of the world (and feel like we have) to find us here. I'm so thankful because I absolutely know you would too. I'm so glad we didn't "quit" each other. Happy Anniversary, Love.

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. - Mignon Mclaughlin

ABC's

You will need to turn off my music down on the right hand side of the screen for this one. I just had to share this. Right now Demi and I are in Lynden. Yesterday morning, mom and I woke up and put on shows for Demi and the singing started. We marveled at how she is too little to say the words but already has an amazing little voice. I just had to share. She melts our hearts.

Mama's Day

There are certain days in one's life you hope that a corner of your heart and mind will never forget. Something about each of my girls captured my attention today. Brielle is seeming so grown up. I watch her scoop up Demi and take charge, she is very nuturing and so good with babies. How I would love to stop the hands of time, and hold her on my lap (which she would never allow in public). I feel like I will blink and she will be a mother...she will be a great mom. Taya's gentle and easy going nature...pure loveable that kid! She is the first of my children to say Happy Mother's Day and the one to give me the most hugs, hoping each one is better than the last. Demi's curls and the way they look in the sunlight, her chubby cheeks and baby giggles. Her big wet kisses and little hands that hold my face while she gives mama "loves". Of all of the things I have been so far in my life...being their mom has been the best of me.

This is an emotional day for me. This is the first Mother's Day I have not been with my mom in my whole life. There is this ache to be with her. To give her a hug in person, on this day and say how much I love her. Thank you for teaching me how to be a mom. Thank you for loving me every day of 33 years, even when I didn't deserve it. Thanks for being the one to recognize, "the naughty one is the one who really needs your attention"...so thanks for spending all that extra time with me mom! Thanks for being the person who was by my side when I brought each one of my girls into the world...Mom, there is no one in this world like you.

Today was a special day. I felt so loved and appreciated by Erik and the girls. We went to church, got KFC, had a picnic...it was so much fun. I got a beautiful homemade card (my favorite) and a coffee gift certificate (also my fave). I was showered with compliments, hugs and kisses. This is one I will remember. I am so thankful for these little lives that God entrusted to me (us) to raise. What a huge honor and priveledge. I hope they grow into amazing women. I think they will. I pray their faith is big, their pride is small, that their inward beauty outshines the outward, and that they are always secure in who they are, and that they always know just how much I love them...just as they are. And I pray that they will know with all clarity...for all their life...God's unfailing love for them that so surpasses mine! Today was precious to me...one I will never forget!

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

The Desk!

So this is where all the magic happens!!! This was the desk that I have wanted since my friend Tiffiny got hers years ago (I offered to buy hers at least 10 times). Mom and Dad got it for my birthday gift (that was in January), then I had to wait until this month to find someone who was coming out to Calgary to deliver it. Then my sweet hubby had the 7 hour assembly task. I should mention Erik did so with no naughty words...I was so impressed! So, thank you dad and mom, Mark for delivering it, and Erik for putting it together!

I love, lOvE, LOVE it...every little thing about it! It is exactly my taste and was soooo worth the wait. For the last 5 years we have used any table like item to be a make shift desk. Even if I saw something else that I liked, I would still like mine more. My favorite part is the hutch and that it can be decorated for the seasons. I can't wait to buy baskets, I can't wait to be organized and get all my filing done. I am hoping to add an overstuffed chair and ottoman to the room and maybe a bookshelf in the next couple months. I already have the cutest little wrought iron side table picked out. This is the room that people walk into when entering our house from the front door. I am so thankful to have this space a whole lot cuter. It's a room that is quickly becoming my favorite in the house! This will be where I am sitting when I kick all your butts at bejeweled!!