Here is what I am thankful for, in photo format.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Wordless Wednesday Friday - Day 30 #30daysofthanks
It can't be Wordless Wednesday because it's Friday. So what?
Here is what I am thankful for, in photo format.
So much love, so much thanks!
Here is what I am thankful for, in photo format.
Friday, 27 December 2013
Corn-y - Day 29 #30daysofthanks
Corn. The only vegetable Bear will eat at the moment. I will be thankful for this until I can add more to the list...
Swimming - Day 28 #30daysofthanks
Swimming lessons were bittersweet for me as a child. I excelled to a certain colour level and hit a wall. I couldn't pass it no matter how hard I tried. I had learned all the basics and could swim long enough to get to safety if I wasn't in life jacket territory. I could tread water for a good length of time. And I had my wits about me around water. When my daughter started swimming lessons at around a year old she LOVED them. Just like mama. Something changed around age 2 to 2 1/2 though and she hated water. Baths were war, hair washing was pure torture for everyone involved. This continued until she was about 4! Some people said it was a stage, other people couldn't believe the difficulty we were having.
Then came Spring 2012...and Paul Sadler Swimland! The only way we could think of moving forward from this fear and hatred of water was to bring in the professionals! At her FIRST lesson she splashed and floated...more than she ever did at home. I remember sending Handydan a video and asking him if this was really our daughter. She has since passed 3 levels and asks almost daily if it's swimming lesson day. We love the approach at PSS, love the staff, love the ratio of students to instructors, but mostly LOVE that Bear wants to be a swimming teacher when she grows up! What a difference, at home and in the pool. Thank you PSS for teaching my daughter to love the water again, for teaching her water skills and water smarts!
This is NOT a sponsored post! These are my unsolicited thoughts and feelings. :)
Then came Spring 2012...and Paul Sadler Swimland! The only way we could think of moving forward from this fear and hatred of water was to bring in the professionals! At her FIRST lesson she splashed and floated...more than she ever did at home. I remember sending Handydan a video and asking him if this was really our daughter. She has since passed 3 levels and asks almost daily if it's swimming lesson day. We love the approach at PSS, love the staff, love the ratio of students to instructors, but mostly LOVE that Bear wants to be a swimming teacher when she grows up! What a difference, at home and in the pool. Thank you PSS for teaching my daughter to love the water again, for teaching her water skills and water smarts!
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
ABS - Day 27 of #30daysofthanks
As I drove down the two laned road a car pulled out from the shoulder to my right, attempted to u-turn in front of me and couldn't make it in one try. So he backed up and tried again. All while my brakes were grinding with the sound of the ABS engaging. I leaned into my horn as I was not going to be able to stop on the black ice. He got the hint and I just missed hitting his left rear panel. All I got for "encouraging" him to go faster - he flipped me the bird. But in taking things positively and with thanks, I am thankful that I had ABS which I am sure kept me out of an accident today.
Nap Time - Day 26 of #30daysofthanks
Two words: nap time. Very thankful for this today as I need a recharge. Napping for MiniD, quiet time for Bear and a bit of both for me.
One Month Countdown!! - Day 25 #30daysofthanks
Anyone who has known me for any amount of time knows that Christmas is my favourite time of year. My love language is that of a gifter so there is no better time to be around me...except birthdays, Easter and any other time I can think of giving gifts! Just one month until everyone I've bought for can open their carefully chosen presents - I am so much more excited about giving than receiving.
Candles and Quiet - Day 24 #30daysofthanks
Thankful for my niece celebrating another birthday and for Handydan going to help out at the party while I stay home with MiniD who is too small to participate this time. Normally I'm the one ALL OVER the parties (that's the event planner in me) but for the activity the kids were doing today it just made way more sense for Handydan to go. It was bittersweet - the first of any of my nieces/nephews birthday parties that I completely missed, but I enjoyed my one-on-one time with my little man too.
Our Principal - Day 23 of #30daysofthanks
I grew up with a mom for a teacher. I have witnessed first hand how horrible the career of a teacher can be when they do not have the backing of a strong, engaged administration. The honest-to-god reason that I am not a teacher today is because of my moms cautioning against it due to her own personal experiences, mostly negative due to terrible administration. It wasn't all awful being a teachers kid...she taught English at a high school and junior high level so my papers were always perfectly edited. I had lots of practice before exams and it sure didn't hurt around diploma or provincial exam time...if you know what I'm saying...
I am overjoyed with the admin at Bear's school. I haven't had a lot of interaction with many of them, but seeing the principal outside every morning with her hair done, in her professional clothes stopping cars so than that the kids can safely cross at the crosswalk and the vice principal in the drop off zone where she has been hit by cars gives me hope. There are so many teachers, staff and other admin who I truly believe are looking out for our children, it gives me hope for my friends who are teachers - that they may have great administration to work with and truly enjoy their careers.
I am overjoyed with the admin at Bear's school. I haven't had a lot of interaction with many of them, but seeing the principal outside every morning with her hair done, in her professional clothes stopping cars so than that the kids can safely cross at the crosswalk and the vice principal in the drop off zone where she has been hit by cars gives me hope. There are so many teachers, staff and other admin who I truly believe are looking out for our children, it gives me hope for my friends who are teachers - that they may have great administration to work with and truly enjoy their careers.
Giggles - Day 22 #30daysofthanks
Both of my children have contagious laughter. Even when Bear is in time out and giggling about something I am unaware of, it is hard not to crack a smile. And MiniD...just thinking about his gut busting laugh makes me smile. When I am away from them but hear that familiar sound it warms my heart. When they are playing with just Handydan I like to be close so I can hear it. Both kids are finally reaching a stage where they are able to make each other laugh...be it somewhat violent tickling or silly faces, the two of them laughing together is the sound of my heart overflowing.
Whole Hearts - Day 21 #30daysofthanks
My mom was born with a hole in her heart. No one knew until she was in her forties and started having fainting spells. When I was 15 she had open heart surgery and a very painful recovery. She goes back for tests every few years but her heart is whole again.
In April 2012, a beautiful baby named Hope was born. She was born with only half a heart and her story didn't end happily like my moms. After many surgeries, complications, good days, bad days and everything in between, Hope passed away at the innocent age of 13 months. I have been following Hope and her families journey here and now I am following the journey of her family as they are expecting a new baby. A baby who had an ultrasound today and it was found that she has a whole, perfect heart.
I am thankful for the heart health of both my mom and this new baby...and so thankful for the impact that Hope's short life on earth has had on so many people. <3
In April 2012, a beautiful baby named Hope was born. She was born with only half a heart and her story didn't end happily like my moms. After many surgeries, complications, good days, bad days and everything in between, Hope passed away at the innocent age of 13 months. I have been following Hope and her families journey here and now I am following the journey of her family as they are expecting a new baby. A baby who had an ultrasound today and it was found that she has a whole, perfect heart.
I am thankful for the heart health of both my mom and this new baby...and so thankful for the impact that Hope's short life on earth has had on so many people. <3
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Crockpots and snow pants! - Day 20 #30daysofthanks
Foreword: I apologize for being so thankful for snow on Day 17. I think I might have jinxed us. We definitely have A LOT to be thankful for in that regard...
At a chilly -34 degrees Celsius today, I am thankful for crockpots full of spaghetti sauce cooking away and making the house smell delicious. Dropping off and picking up kids after school for work today...I am thankful for my snow pants and all the winter gear that makes this bearable. I have seen the social media requests today for anything that will help the homeless get through this cold snap and I am again reminded of how much we have.
At a chilly -34 degrees Celsius today, I am thankful for crockpots full of spaghetti sauce cooking away and making the house smell delicious. Dropping off and picking up kids after school for work today...I am thankful for my snow pants and all the winter gear that makes this bearable. I have seen the social media requests today for anything that will help the homeless get through this cold snap and I am again reminded of how much we have.
Work - Day 19 #30daysofthanks
Jobs. Love 'em or hate 'em...I'm a lover!! So thankful today for work for others which provides work for me in return. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to have found my "calling", doing what I love AND being able to be at home with my kids. Some days are challenges, others are a breeze. But nothing compares to completely LOVING what you do!
Side note: out of school care is FULL as of January 1, 2013. ;)
Side note: out of school care is FULL as of January 1, 2013. ;)
Husbands - #30daysofthanks
So overwhelmingly thankful for Handydan today. For all he puts up with, for following his dreams, for all he does, and for shoveling. After a big dump of snow, a long day of work in said snow and equally long drive home from work he still took care of shoveling the sidewalk and driveway. Love and thanks...
Monday, 18 November 2013
Day 17 - Givin' Thanks!
I'm not going to complain about the weather. I'm going to be thankful for mounds of deep, white, powdery snow. I'm not a skier (it's been years since I was on a hill) but I know what this beautiful white stuff means to them...and I want to jump on board.
Side note: I might have complained once or twice this summer about the weather. I really do like it hot. High 20's, even low 30's is wonderful. It is the humidity that I cannot handle. Side note to this side note: I honestly didn't know about DEhumidifiers until recently. I though that Handydan was just saying "humidifier" wrong, or he had learned the word wrong as a child (just like Bear calls lasagna "pasagna" and we don't correct her - how was that for a side note, side note, side note?). When I saw the dehumidifier setting on our air conditioner this summer I had to admit to my lack of knowledge and learn about this whole new world! Next summer will be a lot better and there will be NO complaining here!
Okay - back to enjoying snow! Last night was absolutely wonderful, laying in bed listening to the wind and what sounded like something much heavier than light snow (we may have told Bear that Santa and his reindeer were out practicing to keep her in her bed and calm her down to go to sleep). I knew we would wake up to lots of deep, white, untouched drifts and that would lead to tobogganing and lots of great outdoor play! What a treat it was to wake up to!! We can FINALLY use our unlandscaped backyard for outdoor play - including snow painting, snow angels, forts, snowball fights and eleventy billion Pinterest suggestions. The temperature is supposed to stay warm and we are going to make the most of this great situation. I hope to have pictures up of all the fun outdoor snow activities I have planned...stay tuned!
#30daysofthanks
Side note: I might have complained once or twice this summer about the weather. I really do like it hot. High 20's, even low 30's is wonderful. It is the humidity that I cannot handle. Side note to this side note: I honestly didn't know about DEhumidifiers until recently. I though that Handydan was just saying "humidifier" wrong, or he had learned the word wrong as a child (just like Bear calls lasagna "pasagna" and we don't correct her - how was that for a side note, side note, side note?). When I saw the dehumidifier setting on our air conditioner this summer I had to admit to my lack of knowledge and learn about this whole new world! Next summer will be a lot better and there will be NO complaining here!
Okay - back to enjoying snow! Last night was absolutely wonderful, laying in bed listening to the wind and what sounded like something much heavier than light snow (we may have told Bear that Santa and his reindeer were out practicing to keep her in her bed and calm her down to go to sleep). I knew we would wake up to lots of deep, white, untouched drifts and that would lead to tobogganing and lots of great outdoor play! What a treat it was to wake up to!! We can FINALLY use our unlandscaped backyard for outdoor play - including snow painting, snow angels, forts, snowball fights and eleventy billion Pinterest suggestions. The temperature is supposed to stay warm and we are going to make the most of this great situation. I hope to have pictures up of all the fun outdoor snow activities I have planned...stay tuned!
#30daysofthanks
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Thankful - Day 16
This quote showed up in my Facebook newsfeed a couple of days ago:
There is some history behind this quote and the friend who posted it. You know those tear-jerking commercials on tv with the children who have no food, have distended bellies, flies buzzing everywhere? The ones that I frequently turn away from because they break my heart? The ones that are coming on more and more now with the Christmas season coming up...and with the background music of John Lennon's "So This is Xmas (War is Over)"? Well, I know a number of families who have sponsor children and TWO of these families have had the AMAZING opportunity to travel to meet their sponsor children over the last couple of years!! I had the privileged of reading a summary of all that they were privy to when visiting the now young man who they have been sponsoring for the last 11 years or so. What an amazing experience for them, and I am so thankful that they shared with me the details.
And now for a bit of a confession. I have a really hard time donating money to any sort of charity. It stems from my dad and his frugalness, and some of the information I have heard about how much of the actual money gets to the child, child's family, etc. When I know of a person who is personally visiting an area that needs help I will absolutely send money, basic necessities, whatever they want/ need/request because I trust that it will get there and a majority will go where I think it should go. I absolutely understand that there are administrative costs, and other expenses to these organizations but I have heard just too many bizarre horror stories of the salaries of the CEOs of these companies and that holds me back. I have done SOME research and, for example, on the Red Cross' own website they state that their president and CEO makes $500,000 annually. They compare this to other large corporations, and no where does it state how much she gives back to the organization. So here I sit. I know that it's not yet time for New Years resolutions, but I am making one. I want to sit down and research a few of these organizations and find out as much as I possibly can on the nitty-gritty of who makes what, where my actual money goes and then choose to sponsor. Whether it's a child, an orphanage, a well for clean drinking water, or some farm animals to help a community grow, I am committing to this now. I already have the basic necessities that so many are without - and I take them for granted, rarely making mention of my gratitude for them. It is time to help others out. Please help hold me responsible for this - I am definitely reserving a future blog post for this revelation!
#30daysofthanks
"If you and I have running water, shelter over our heads, clothes to wear, food to eat, and some means of transportation (even if it's public transportation), then we are in the top 15 percent of the world's people for wealth." - "Radical" by David PlattIt's pretty obvious what I'm thankful for today - basic necessities that are so often taken for granted. Food. Shelter. Water. Clothing. And even transportation. I am truly wealthy in all that I take for granted. (Now someone please tell the bank to stop calling me about late payments...)
There is some history behind this quote and the friend who posted it. You know those tear-jerking commercials on tv with the children who have no food, have distended bellies, flies buzzing everywhere? The ones that I frequently turn away from because they break my heart? The ones that are coming on more and more now with the Christmas season coming up...and with the background music of John Lennon's "So This is Xmas (War is Over)"? Well, I know a number of families who have sponsor children and TWO of these families have had the AMAZING opportunity to travel to meet their sponsor children over the last couple of years!! I had the privileged of reading a summary of all that they were privy to when visiting the now young man who they have been sponsoring for the last 11 years or so. What an amazing experience for them, and I am so thankful that they shared with me the details.
And now for a bit of a confession. I have a really hard time donating money to any sort of charity. It stems from my dad and his frugalness, and some of the information I have heard about how much of the actual money gets to the child, child's family, etc. When I know of a person who is personally visiting an area that needs help I will absolutely send money, basic necessities, whatever they want/ need/request because I trust that it will get there and a majority will go where I think it should go. I absolutely understand that there are administrative costs, and other expenses to these organizations but I have heard just too many bizarre horror stories of the salaries of the CEOs of these companies and that holds me back. I have done SOME research and, for example, on the Red Cross' own website they state that their president and CEO makes $500,000 annually. They compare this to other large corporations, and no where does it state how much she gives back to the organization. So here I sit. I know that it's not yet time for New Years resolutions, but I am making one. I want to sit down and research a few of these organizations and find out as much as I possibly can on the nitty-gritty of who makes what, where my actual money goes and then choose to sponsor. Whether it's a child, an orphanage, a well for clean drinking water, or some farm animals to help a community grow, I am committing to this now. I already have the basic necessities that so many are without - and I take them for granted, rarely making mention of my gratitude for them. It is time to help others out. Please help hold me responsible for this - I am definitely reserving a future blog post for this revelation!
#30daysofthanks
Giving Thanks - Day 15
Today I cannot help but be thankful for organizations like the "Make A Wish"
foundation. If you have been following along on social media, you will
have seen how some amazing people, the city of San Francisco and the "Make A Wish"
foundation in southern California granted a 5 year old boy his wish to
be his favorite superhero for a day. Cancer survivor Miles, who is also
known as "Batkid" or #SFBatkid has spent the day rescuing all sorts of
people from the traditional Batman villains and their pranks. I've seen
Penguin and the Riddler and even Robin (Miles' little brother) along
with the San Francisco Giants, San Fransisco Police Department and even
President Obama be involved in this amazing day of granting Miles'
wish. What a dream come true for this little guy - and also all of the
people involved as Miles took his role very seriously and kept "Gotham
City" very safe today. To all of you who made this little boys day,
week, year - heck, even LIFE - thank you!
A little closer to home, the "Make A Wish" foundation touched our family when a close family friend was granted her wish to visit Disneyland and the Disney studios where she could learn about animation in hopes of one day becoming an animator. And that she is!
And just a couple of years ago, the same foundation granted a wish for a young boy living with cancer who resides just outside Edmonton. Nathan received a giant skate park with every "feature" (insert a lot of skater lingo here) in his backyard - something every young boy would drool over.
To organizations like "Make A Wish", thank you for
what you do. You have helped so many families with children struggling
with serious illnesses. And today you helped me to smile. I smiled A
LOT and shared today's amazing story with so many people. Thank you.
A little closer to home, the "Make A Wish" foundation touched our family when a close family friend was granted her wish to visit Disneyland and the Disney studios where she could learn about animation in hopes of one day becoming an animator. And that she is!
And just a couple of years ago, the same foundation granted a wish for a young boy living with cancer who resides just outside Edmonton. Nathan received a giant skate park with every "feature" (insert a lot of skater lingo here) in his backyard - something every young boy would drool over.
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| Photo courtesy of Devon Dispatch |
Friday, 15 November 2013
Days 13 and 14 of 30 Days of Thanks
Day 13: Today I am thankful for my daughter. She is so much like me, and yet so much herself. I see her potential and on dreary days, she is my hope for all that is to come. For the times when she is just like me - say tonight, in her rhythmic gymnastics class - my heart is so full. On days when she is nothing like me - when she is quiet, introspective and patient - I am thankful that she is herself. Amazing girl, that Bear is!
Day 14: I am doubling up on this one because my mom deserves another shout out. On a day when sickness invaded our home and both Handydan and I were unable to function, mom came to the rescue. Getting Bear to school, feeding MiniD, picking Bear up, playing with both kids with Handydan and I rested...I am so thankful for my mom. I do not know how I would have gotten through this day without her. For family that lives close by and literally drops everything to help out - thank you!
Day 14: I am doubling up on this one because my mom deserves another shout out. On a day when sickness invaded our home and both Handydan and I were unable to function, mom came to the rescue. Getting Bear to school, feeding MiniD, picking Bear up, playing with both kids with Handydan and I rested...I am so thankful for my mom. I do not know how I would have gotten through this day without her. For family that lives close by and literally drops everything to help out - thank you!
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Day 12 of 30 Days of Thanks
Day 12 - I didn't want to jinx it by posting earlier, but I am so thankful for sleep...full nights of uninterrupted sleep!! After pregnancy insomnia and over a year of feeding on demand, Mini D has finally started sleeping through the night. I have always been able to nap - pretty much anywhere, on anything for just about any length of time. But these last 5 or 6 nights are a different kind of sleep. I feel like a new woman...a well-rested ready-to-take-on-the-day woman!! But don't wake me if you catch me catnapping...
Days 8 - 11 of 30 Days of Thanks
Day 8: Without getting political, I am thankful for our healthcare system. For being able to get needed treatments when necessary and to be able to access testing to see if treatments are necessary. Thankfully, a clean bill of health for a close family member and no more tests for a few years!!
Day 9: Today I am thankful for friends. I am blessed to have friends that even the sun, moon and stars can't outshine! xoxox
Day 10: Thankful today for medicine. Western, naturopathic, natural...it all has a place and right now it is keeping me going! That and lots of sleep...
Day 11: Today I am thankful for peace, for brave soldiers and for our history. I am thankful that we can learn from war. I am thankful for poppies, for veterans, for Flanders Fields and for the hope of tomorrow.
Day 9: Today I am thankful for friends. I am blessed to have friends that even the sun, moon and stars can't outshine! xoxox
Day 10: Thankful today for medicine. Western, naturopathic, natural...it all has a place and right now it is keeping me going! That and lots of sleep...
Day 11: Today I am thankful for peace, for brave soldiers and for our history. I am thankful that we can learn from war. I am thankful for poppies, for veterans, for Flanders Fields and for the hope of tomorrow.
Thursday, 7 November 2013
Days 5 - 7 of 30 Days of Thanks
Believe me or not, I haven't been neglecting #30daysofthanks. Day 5 was a pretty big day for us and I wanted to make sure we had all bases covered before I posted. So...here it is!
Day 5: We are so thankful for our realtor who closed the deal for us. Bittersweet though, we loved our little yellow house and the amazing renters that we have in it right now. In the bigger picture we are thankful for having a roof over our heads!
Day 6: I am thankful for my job. Before I left my last job I had an epiphany of sorts. While I could never be a dayhome mom (stay tuned for another post on this - I have so much respect for women who can run dayhomes, but I am not one of them!) providing before and afterschool care was something that I could definitely do! Years of working with children, coaching, teaching dance, leading daycamps, working at summer camps and so much more reminded me that I love kids...in short bursts! So, working from home allows me to be with my kids as much as possible, lets me volunteer at Bear's school, and save money on childcare! Bringing in a few extra kids before and after school as a "job" has been perfect for me. I'm sure Handydan would love the house to be cleaner and tidier, but having a job that I love this much is really not like having a "job" at all!
Day 7: I am thankful for quiet moments. Snuggling with Bear this morning before the alarm went off...listening to the older kids read to the younger kids after school today...small reminders that being still, quiet and in the moment are still so important. I need more quiet moments in my life...
Day 6: I am thankful for my job. Before I left my last job I had an epiphany of sorts. While I could never be a dayhome mom (stay tuned for another post on this - I have so much respect for women who can run dayhomes, but I am not one of them!) providing before and afterschool care was something that I could definitely do! Years of working with children, coaching, teaching dance, leading daycamps, working at summer camps and so much more reminded me that I love kids...in short bursts! So, working from home allows me to be with my kids as much as possible, lets me volunteer at Bear's school, and save money on childcare! Bringing in a few extra kids before and after school as a "job" has been perfect for me. I'm sure Handydan would love the house to be cleaner and tidier, but having a job that I love this much is really not like having a "job" at all!
Day 7: I am thankful for quiet moments. Snuggling with Bear this morning before the alarm went off...listening to the older kids read to the younger kids after school today...small reminders that being still, quiet and in the moment are still so important. I need more quiet moments in my life...
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
So much to be thankful for!!
Late to the party yet again!! But that shouldn't surprise anyone. I'm joining 30 Days Of Giving Thanks. I have a pretty amazing life and want to take time to just be grateful each day this month.
Day 1: I am thankful for the amazing teacher that Bear has! After watching Mrs. R in action on Halloween with 24 wired kids...wow. I don't know how she does it, but I am so thankful she has the patience, energy and love to do it!!
Day 2: I am thankful for our amazing family photographer who has captured our family's growth for the last 5 years. How she gets some of the pictures that she does I honestly do not know. But wow! Here are just a few of our favourites...
Day 3: I am thankful for my nieces and nephews! They love my children like their own siblings and sometimes more! I am thankful that they were all born so close in age and that they will grow up being best friends.
Day 4: I am so so so thankful for my mom. Besides giving birth to me (sans epideral, which it enough to be thankful for in itself!), and raising me, she is my best friend. I can count on her to be honest with me about anything and everything. She listens to my crazy rants, I listen to hers. When my kids are participating in pukefest, she is only a phone call away. And when that isn't close enough she rescues me for sanity breaks. And still manages to bring baking over. Words are not enough to describe this thankfulness.
#30daysofthanks
Day 1: I am thankful for the amazing teacher that Bear has! After watching Mrs. R in action on Halloween with 24 wired kids...wow. I don't know how she does it, but I am so thankful she has the patience, energy and love to do it!!
Day 2: I am thankful for our amazing family photographer who has captured our family's growth for the last 5 years. How she gets some of the pictures that she does I honestly do not know. But wow! Here are just a few of our favourites...
Day 3: I am thankful for my nieces and nephews! They love my children like their own siblings and sometimes more! I am thankful that they were all born so close in age and that they will grow up being best friends.
Day 4: I am so so so thankful for my mom. Besides giving birth to me (sans epideral, which it enough to be thankful for in itself!), and raising me, she is my best friend. I can count on her to be honest with me about anything and everything. She listens to my crazy rants, I listen to hers. When my kids are participating in pukefest, she is only a phone call away. And when that isn't close enough she rescues me for sanity breaks. And still manages to bring baking over. Words are not enough to describe this thankfulness.
#30daysofthanks
Monday, 23 September 2013
Damn those gender lines!
For the first time in her 5 short years, Bear started talking about "boy" colors and "girl" colors. Then "boy" toys and "girl" toys. My heart broke a little. Actually, a lot. We have tried so so so hard to raise her in a world where colors don't matter, she can do anything she wants, be anything she wants and not let anyone or anything make those choices for her. For the longest time her favorite color was blue. Try finding all blue clothes for girls in a regular store!! Handydan and I have gone out of our way to make sure she has plenty of gender neutral (ironically, most in stereotypical "boy" colors) toys with her dolls. We own literally close to one hundred Thomas the train engines and cars. Even more Matchbox cars between her collection and Handydan's. She plays with her wall-mounted race car track more than she does with her princess dolls. Her first dress up clothes were construction workers. She has princess dresses now too, but often wears them with a hard hat. It was only a month or so ago that she really noticed that Mini-D has a penis. We don't treat them differently or give them different gender based options so why should she notice except for the pure physical difference? But it seems that this might be coming to an end. So what has changed?
The one massive change in her life is school. I MUST preface this all by clearly stating I do NOT in any way think any of her teachers or classroom assistants bear any responsibility in encouraging gender stereotyping. Just the opposite, actually! Last year, she was in preschool and we had just one incident. The kids were learning about occupations and when it was Bear's turn to share, she told the class that she wanted to be both a mommy and a worker. My heart overflowed. Until that moment when another girl told her she couldn't be both a mommy and a worker. WHAT?!? Age 4 people. The world should be her oyster and if she wants to be a dinosaur-puppy-doctor-mommy-worker-astronaut-swim instructor we need to encourage it. With kindergarten this year she comes home every day with new questions about the world, stories (both true and make believe) about her life, characters in stories, her teacher and other classmates. And now much more clearly defined gender roles it seems. Even looking in the Sears Wishbook for Christmas present ideas, she would skip whole sections because they were "boys toys". Like...Lego. Not Friends Lego, just regular primary coloured Lego.
What does this all mean for us? A lot of careful planning, love and boundary breaking. She will still be a dinosaur for Halloween, even though I had to buys the costume from the boys section. And a dinosaur birthday party next year, where I will throw out all the packaging that shows boys only playing the games. Noah will play with the few pink coloured toys we have (mostly bought to support breast cancer rather than for their color), with dolls and we will encourage him to be his best self rather than pushing him towards male stereotypical roles. In my heart of hearts, I hope that nothing has to change. But it seems that outside influences are playing a strong role in my precious daugther's life now. I want to shelter her but I see that as a hindrance in the long run. For now, we will educate her on equality and fairness, being strong and true to herself. Only time will tell how she stands up to the world around her...and we will cheer her on, whatever she chooses.
The one massive change in her life is school. I MUST preface this all by clearly stating I do NOT in any way think any of her teachers or classroom assistants bear any responsibility in encouraging gender stereotyping. Just the opposite, actually! Last year, she was in preschool and we had just one incident. The kids were learning about occupations and when it was Bear's turn to share, she told the class that she wanted to be both a mommy and a worker. My heart overflowed. Until that moment when another girl told her she couldn't be both a mommy and a worker. WHAT?!? Age 4 people. The world should be her oyster and if she wants to be a dinosaur-puppy-doctor-mommy-worker-astronaut-swim instructor we need to encourage it. With kindergarten this year she comes home every day with new questions about the world, stories (both true and make believe) about her life, characters in stories, her teacher and other classmates. And now much more clearly defined gender roles it seems. Even looking in the Sears Wishbook for Christmas present ideas, she would skip whole sections because they were "boys toys". Like...Lego. Not Friends Lego, just regular primary coloured Lego.
What does this all mean for us? A lot of careful planning, love and boundary breaking. She will still be a dinosaur for Halloween, even though I had to buys the costume from the boys section. And a dinosaur birthday party next year, where I will throw out all the packaging that shows boys only playing the games. Noah will play with the few pink coloured toys we have (mostly bought to support breast cancer rather than for their color), with dolls and we will encourage him to be his best self rather than pushing him towards male stereotypical roles. In my heart of hearts, I hope that nothing has to change. But it seems that outside influences are playing a strong role in my precious daugther's life now. I want to shelter her but I see that as a hindrance in the long run. For now, we will educate her on equality and fairness, being strong and true to herself. Only time will tell how she stands up to the world around her...and we will cheer her on, whatever she chooses.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Bowing out gracefully or failing miserably?
Needless to say, I have had to abort the Summer Blog Challenge. With the start of our first school year, my new business and just simply life with two small kids my blogging is sporadic at best. I wish you could see my "draft" list...so much potential but so little time. I HAVE really enjoyed getting back to writing, so I will continue but on my schedule (which really is my kids' schedule). And I need to learn how to make time for me and my hobbies. I will be back next year with new ideas and move some of my drafts into the "published" list. Until then, check out how the rest of the SBC crew is doing with their blogging!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam,Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam,Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
SBC Day 12: Let her soar on wings like an eagle!
Today my baby bird stood on the edge of her nest and jumped off. She didn't stumble, she didn't falter. She took off soaring. Just like her mama, she loves school and cannot wait to get back. May she always have such a love for learning!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam,Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam,Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
Monday, 2 September 2013
SBC Day 11: T'was the night before Kindergarten...
Twas the night before kindergarten and as they prepared,
kids were excited and a little bit scared.
They tossed and they turned about in their beds,
while visions of school supplies danced in their heads.
Erasers and crayons and pencils galore
were stuffed in their backpacks and set by the door.
Outfits were hung in closets with care,
knowing that kindergarten soon would be there.
In the morning it came, school starts today!
Would the teacher be nice? Would they still get to play?
Faces were washed, and teeth were brushed white;
Kids posed for pictures with eyes sparkling bright.
Parents packed snacks and kids hopped in cars
As if they were boarding a spaceship to Mars.
Some kids brought blankets or their favorite stuffed bear;
in hopes they could nap like they did in day care.
Their parents exclaimed: "You're big kids. WOW!
Let us hold your bears and blankies for now."
The parents were worried their children would cry
if they left them at school with just a good-bye.
So they told their darlings, "If you want, we can stay
and make sure that everything will be A-okay."
The teacher then greeted each one with a smile,
and invited the students to stay for a while.
The room was all filled with toys, books, and maps,
but where were the beds for midmorning naps?
They colored and painted and played Simon Says,
then tumbled and skipped and stood on their heads.
They sang silly songs from beginning to end.
Within just a minute, each kid had a friend.
The children were happy. They loved Mrs Roux
It was she who would show them a great deal of care.
When what to her wondering eyes should appear
but sad moms and dads who were holding back tears!
Their noses so sniffly! Their eyes red and wet!
This was the saddest good-bye Miss Clare had seen yet!
She gathered the grown-ups on the magical rug,
then sent them away after one final hug.
The children all waved from the door of the school.
"Don't cry Mom and Dad; kindergarten is cool!"
~author unknown
kids were excited and a little bit scared.
They tossed and they turned about in their beds,
while visions of school supplies danced in their heads.
Erasers and crayons and pencils galore
were stuffed in their backpacks and set by the door.
Outfits were hung in closets with care,
knowing that kindergarten soon would be there.
In the morning it came, school starts today!
Would the teacher be nice? Would they still get to play?
Faces were washed, and teeth were brushed white;
Kids posed for pictures with eyes sparkling bright.
Parents packed snacks and kids hopped in cars
As if they were boarding a spaceship to Mars.
Some kids brought blankets or their favorite stuffed bear;
in hopes they could nap like they did in day care.
Their parents exclaimed: "You're big kids. WOW!
Let us hold your bears and blankies for now."
The parents were worried their children would cry
if they left them at school with just a good-bye.
So they told their darlings, "If you want, we can stay
and make sure that everything will be A-okay."
The teacher then greeted each one with a smile,
and invited the students to stay for a while.
The room was all filled with toys, books, and maps,
but where were the beds for midmorning naps?
They colored and painted and played Simon Says,
then tumbled and skipped and stood on their heads.
They sang silly songs from beginning to end.
Within just a minute, each kid had a friend.
The children were happy. They loved Mrs Roux
It was she who would show them a great deal of care.
When what to her wondering eyes should appear
but sad moms and dads who were holding back tears!
Their noses so sniffly! Their eyes red and wet!
This was the saddest good-bye Miss Clare had seen yet!
She gathered the grown-ups on the magical rug,
then sent them away after one final hug.
The children all waved from the door of the school.
"Don't cry Mom and Dad; kindergarten is cool!"
~author unknown
PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE. PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
SBC Day 10: Lost: my marbles
Today's post is brought to you by my ingenious 5 year old. Technically, she composed this and I was just lucky enough to put it in writing for future giggles. So, introducing my first guest blogger: MBear.
Me: "Maren, please stop. I'm going to lose it."
MBear: "Lose what?"
Me: "My marbles."
MBear: "Where do you keep your marbles?"
Me: "In my head."
MBear: "Can I see the ones you have left?"
Saturday, 31 August 2013
SBC Day 9: Be still my hoop-spinning, ribbon-twirling, ball-bouncing, rope-jumping heart!!
With Kindergarten starting this year we are limiting MBear's extra curricular activities. If I could have it my way she would be in:
With her not being able to get into the dance class she needs to be in, me not loving the long drive to the gymnastics centre that I like best, her fear of falling at skating lessons and also a lack of money to do a zillion activities I threw the idea out to her.
Earlier that morning, we had watched this video together. We watch a lot of rhythmic videos together. Earlier this summer we watched a very good friend of mine perform for her mom's retirement. MBear was in AWE of what she saw. Even better was when I took her behind the competitive curtain and she saw all the girls practicing. She was speechless (and that means A LOT if you know the girl!). A while later, after dancing around pretending to be that gymnast, she asked when she would be old enough to "dance like those girls in the videos". My heart stopped. My baby girl, wanting to follow in her mummy's footsteps (even though I never competed and never, ever was a fraction as good as the girls in the videos we watch), a dream come true!
Paperwork is filled out, cheques postdated, envelope addressed and stamped. This year MBear will try her hand at rhythmic gymnastics. I could not be more excited, thrilled, happy and the teensiest bit terrified that she might just love it as much as I do!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam,Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
- artistic gymnastics
- rhythmic gymnastics
- dance
- swimming
- skating
- art classes
- piano lessons
- and probably more.
With her not being able to get into the dance class she needs to be in, me not loving the long drive to the gymnastics centre that I like best, her fear of falling at skating lessons and also a lack of money to do a zillion activities I threw the idea out to her.
Earlier that morning, we had watched this video together. We watch a lot of rhythmic videos together. Earlier this summer we watched a very good friend of mine perform for her mom's retirement. MBear was in AWE of what she saw. Even better was when I took her behind the competitive curtain and she saw all the girls practicing. She was speechless (and that means A LOT if you know the girl!). A while later, after dancing around pretending to be that gymnast, she asked when she would be old enough to "dance like those girls in the videos". My heart stopped. My baby girl, wanting to follow in her mummy's footsteps (even though I never competed and never, ever was a fraction as good as the girls in the videos we watch), a dream come true!
Paperwork is filled out, cheques postdated, envelope addressed and stamped. This year MBear will try her hand at rhythmic gymnastics. I could not be more excited, thrilled, happy and the teensiest bit terrified that she might just love it as much as I do!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam,Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
Friday, 30 August 2013
SBC Day 6: (Almost) Wordless Wednesday
My sister lives in Montreal and our visits are few and far between. We need to fix that. She is currently visiting and we are loving every minute! Today, MBear got a surprise trip to Fort Edmonton - just MBear and my sister. My heart is full.
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
On the train
With so much adoration
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
SBC Day 8: Sleep, by accident
Maybe it was all the excitement from yesterday, or maybe simply just from lack of sleep, I forgot to bring MiniD's monitor into our room last night. Just a few days ago I blogged about how badly I needed some deep, quality sleep. Well, I got it!
MBear slept like a log after staying up way past her bedtime and all the outdoor time we had yesterday. And me, I didn't wake up until after 4am when my body wondered why I hadn't heard crying in what *seemed* like an awfully long time. I looked over to the dresser where the monitor sits and it was bare. I sat up, looking again. And then I remembered. I had taken it out of our room and moved it to the playroom for my mom so that she would hear him when he woke from yesterday's nap. (My sister and I had some kid-free time, shopping yesterday and just being us.) I jumped up from bed and went to the playroom, of course finding it where I left it many hours earlier. I plugged it in and...silence. MiniD was sleeping. Who am I to wake a sleeping baby??? I actually went back to sleep! At around 6am he woke and cried and I went and fed him. We had both survived this awful/wonderful event.
With MBear, I was all for crying it out. It didn't bother me one bit. With MiniD, I was completely against it. So much changes in a few years! However, with MBear spending the night at grandma's tonight, I am tempted to leave the monitor out again. No one will come running to our room when she hears her brother crying. And he will be fine. AND I really need some sleep for my sanity. But at the same time, I am torn because I know when he cries he needs me. Oh, the life of a mom. Simple decisions with so much controversy behind them. I guess I'll update you tomorrow on what I actually end up doing tonight! Either way, I am overjoyed with the amount of sleep I got last night, how amazing I feel today and everyone will survive tonight, no matter what the decision is!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
MBear slept like a log after staying up way past her bedtime and all the outdoor time we had yesterday. And me, I didn't wake up until after 4am when my body wondered why I hadn't heard crying in what *seemed* like an awfully long time. I looked over to the dresser where the monitor sits and it was bare. I sat up, looking again. And then I remembered. I had taken it out of our room and moved it to the playroom for my mom so that she would hear him when he woke from yesterday's nap. (My sister and I had some kid-free time, shopping yesterday and just being us.) I jumped up from bed and went to the playroom, of course finding it where I left it many hours earlier. I plugged it in and...silence. MiniD was sleeping. Who am I to wake a sleeping baby??? I actually went back to sleep! At around 6am he woke and cried and I went and fed him. We had both survived this awful/wonderful event.
With MBear, I was all for crying it out. It didn't bother me one bit. With MiniD, I was completely against it. So much changes in a few years! However, with MBear spending the night at grandma's tonight, I am tempted to leave the monitor out again. No one will come running to our room when she hears her brother crying. And he will be fine. AND I really need some sleep for my sanity. But at the same time, I am torn because I know when he cries he needs me. Oh, the life of a mom. Simple decisions with so much controversy behind them. I guess I'll update you tomorrow on what I actually end up doing tonight! Either way, I am overjoyed with the amount of sleep I got last night, how amazing I feel today and everyone will survive tonight, no matter what the decision is!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
SBC Day 7: A surreal step back in time
My sister is visiting from Montreal and my dad tends to like to do memorable family outings with her. The last time she was here (Sept 2009) we went out to the area where my Grandma grew up and said our final farewell to her. She chose not to have a formal funeral, so we did a small family gathering for her. This time, after doing a ton of online research, my dad found out that HIS grandma had been a teacher at the Hampton School just outside of Camrose so last night we headed out there. Ironically (if you do the irony thing. I personally believe everything happens for a reason), this was the SAME spot that we held the family gathering at!
Dad had done the research and found the family who had the keys to this very old, original building. The woman was a such a kind lady, opening it up for us and letting us just BE in the space. Not to mention rifle through the closets, pull out years of books, tax records, land plots, and so so so much more.
It was a surreal feeling. I stood at the front of the classroom where Florence Wagner stood in 1913 and later years as well. 100 years later to be in the same spot that my great-grandma was, and that my children's great-great-grandma had been - I was without words. The school celebrated it's centennial in 2004 and many, many articles, photos and other items had been posted on the school walls. We were celebrating our families centennial last night, unknowingly. It wasn't until we were in the school as saw the list of teacher's names up on the wall (along with their salaries - Florence Wagner made $90 a month back in 1913) that we knew she had really been there and exactly when.
The lectern still stood at the front of the room, along with a few remaining desks, the original chalkboard and other small treasures. A picture of Queen Victoria and Prince Philip was still hanging up at the front of the classroom. Baseball gloves, bats and even old balls were at the back of the classroom. We found outdated maps in one of the closets and rolled them out on the floor to see all the changes that have occurred, finding the map of Europe to be the one of most interest. We flipped through the school's handwritten library sign out books, read the teaching contracts, looked at class photos from as far back as 1910. We found maps of the land with the quarter-sections all drawn out, and read through the tax records. The kids sat in the old wooden desks. My heart was full.
There is an old well and water pump outside the school - the school has basic electricity now but no running water. We pumped water for the kids to splash in, knowing that my great grandmother had done the same. The outhouses were still there, and explaining to my 5 year old that even in the winter the kids had to go outside to use the washroom was difficult to say the least! She will be entering a "smart school" in just a few days and wow, was this a foreign concept to her. The stable where the kids who came to school via horse kept their horses during the day was no longer there, but we were shown where it used to be. So much history and so little time but so much love and so surreal.
More photos will come as they are made available to me!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
Dad had done the research and found the family who had the keys to this very old, original building. The woman was a such a kind lady, opening it up for us and letting us just BE in the space. Not to mention rifle through the closets, pull out years of books, tax records, land plots, and so so so much more.
It was a surreal feeling. I stood at the front of the classroom where Florence Wagner stood in 1913 and later years as well. 100 years later to be in the same spot that my great-grandma was, and that my children's great-great-grandma had been - I was without words. The school celebrated it's centennial in 2004 and many, many articles, photos and other items had been posted on the school walls. We were celebrating our families centennial last night, unknowingly. It wasn't until we were in the school as saw the list of teacher's names up on the wall (along with their salaries - Florence Wagner made $90 a month back in 1913) that we knew she had really been there and exactly when.
The lectern still stood at the front of the room, along with a few remaining desks, the original chalkboard and other small treasures. A picture of Queen Victoria and Prince Philip was still hanging up at the front of the classroom. Baseball gloves, bats and even old balls were at the back of the classroom. We found outdated maps in one of the closets and rolled them out on the floor to see all the changes that have occurred, finding the map of Europe to be the one of most interest. We flipped through the school's handwritten library sign out books, read the teaching contracts, looked at class photos from as far back as 1910. We found maps of the land with the quarter-sections all drawn out, and read through the tax records. The kids sat in the old wooden desks. My heart was full.
There is an old well and water pump outside the school - the school has basic electricity now but no running water. We pumped water for the kids to splash in, knowing that my great grandmother had done the same. The outhouses were still there, and explaining to my 5 year old that even in the winter the kids had to go outside to use the washroom was difficult to say the least! She will be entering a "smart school" in just a few days and wow, was this a foreign concept to her. The stable where the kids who came to school via horse kept their horses during the day was no longer there, but we were shown where it used to be. So much history and so little time but so much love and so surreal.
More photos will come as they are made available to me!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
Monday, 26 August 2013
SBC Day 5: Kindergarten, take two
Okay, so I was all chill a couple of days ago about MBear starting Kindergarten. That was, until last night. All of a sudden my little girl seems so grown up. Not since that last post, but I think maybe I`m letting it hit me now. This time next week her outfit will be on the chair in her room, she will be sleeping (hopefully not still vibrating with excitement), her backpack will be by the backdoor and she will be ready to leave me in the morning.
Today, after seeing a back to school commercial, she expressed her extreme detest for homework to me. Then she asked me what exactly homework was and if she would have any. She promptly found a workbook in one of her storage bin drawers, brought it over to me and we spent the next half and hour matching up words that rhyme, words that start with the same sound, coloring in pictures in patterns and more. Little does she know that she LOVES homework without ever being given any. She is such a mini-me. In both good and bad ways, but that is yet another blog post.
I will miss many of our tender moments together as she leaps off the diving board into real, official school. But now I can anticipate the time we spend together after school doing homework or whatever she needs to help her grow. As long as she doesn't lose her childhood wisdom anytime soon.
Me: "MBear, why is there a wet cloth on the floor?" (In the playroom).
MBear: "To get the syrup off my foot."
Me: "How did you get syrup on your foot?"
MBear: "From the poodle nool." (Pool noodle).
Genius child. Pure genius.
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
Today, after seeing a back to school commercial, she expressed her extreme detest for homework to me. Then she asked me what exactly homework was and if she would have any. She promptly found a workbook in one of her storage bin drawers, brought it over to me and we spent the next half and hour matching up words that rhyme, words that start with the same sound, coloring in pictures in patterns and more. Little does she know that she LOVES homework without ever being given any. She is such a mini-me. In both good and bad ways, but that is yet another blog post.
I will miss many of our tender moments together as she leaps off the diving board into real, official school. But now I can anticipate the time we spend together after school doing homework or whatever she needs to help her grow. As long as she doesn't lose her childhood wisdom anytime soon.
Me: "MBear, why is there a wet cloth on the floor?" (In the playroom).
MBear: "To get the syrup off my foot."
Me: "How did you get syrup on your foot?"
MBear: "From the poodle nool." (Pool noodle).
Genius child. Pure genius.
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
SBC Day 4: Sleeeeeeeeeep
Sleep, precious sleep...why must you evade me? Pregnancy insomnia started who knows when, followed by 10 and a half months of 2-4 feedings per night and I can't forget the other nightly wake-ups coming from M-Bear when she has "bad dreams" that are really just bad thoughts that she feels she needs to wake us up about. This mama needs a full night's sleep!! That isn't counting the one night when the monitor battery died and I got 5.5 hours of straight sleep - the pain and shock that I awoke to cancel out any thought that that was close to what is considered a full night's sleep. And who came up with the crazy idea that 6 hours is a full night's sleep? Definitely not a mom. I need 9-10 to function normally. Needless to say, it has been over a year since that has happened here. With two kids, I can't nap when the baby sleeps - that's playtime and one on one time to be spent on the other. Someone, please tell me that sleeping through the night will happen again...I am feeling desperate, tired and well, tired. Sleep used to be my best friend and now it feels like we had an ugly, ugly break up.
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
This post is a part of the Summer Blog Challenge 2013. You can check out the full list of participants HERE, and comment on Liam’s blog to join us! Meanwhile, check out what Liam, Natasha, Zita, Hethr, April, and others are up to!
Saturday, 24 August 2013
SBC Day 3: Hold your head and value high
I have some amazingly talented friends. Friends who are talented at making and doing all sorts of things. Baking, sewing, cutting hair, knitting, taking pictures, teaching skills...the list goes on and on. But I've stumbled on something that bothers me...and it has to do with business. Don't get me wrong - I am no business guru, I have no degree in business or marketing. But I do understand the law of supply and demand. A LOT of these friends are in high demand because they have such AMAZING products or services. Here's what I struggle with - friends who don't see the same value in their product and are reluctant to follow through with commitments, or they offer their products/services at drastically reduced prices/rates.
**Please note that this post is NOT directed at any one individual, company or product. These experiences have occured in the last year to 18 months and with more people/companies/products than I can count on both my hands.**
I know that a lot of these friends are moms with small children. And I GET THAT. There never seem to be enough hours in the day, days in the week, weeks in the month, etc. But not returning emails or phone calls when someone is inquiring about a product or service isn't the right answer. Instead, let that person know how busy you are and that your time is a something you value. By doing that, you are allowing yourself a) freedom to give yourself grace with timelines; b) create an even higher value for your product or service; and c) create higher demand!
For example, if I was to call a friend and book an appointment for a haircut, I would appreciate a phone call in return. And if, during that phone call, she told me that she couldn't find childcare for her kids, and really no time before the date I needed her, I would ask her for a recommendation just this once and definitely come back to her. I would be so thankful to see her the next time and would definitely tip well because of the extra service help she provided rather than ignoring me. She has her priorities in line and I absolutely respect that. In the future, I would book further in advance to help alleviate the problem of last minute childcare and after seeing her, rave about how wonderful, amazing and talented she is. After all, her business is just that - a BUSINESS, and both she and it deserve to be treated with respect.
Instead, what I am finding is that phone calls, emails, website inquiries are not being returned at all and therefore I am stuck at square one, looking for something/someone new to fulfill my need and allowing them to wow me, possibly taking the place of the original talent just because they responded! In the future, who am I more likely to contact first? The person who didn't respond to my inquiry or the one who fulfilled my need?
The other issue I have is the provider who doesn't see the same value in themselves or their product, and almost gives it away for free. Don't get me wrong - I like a good sale or a discount for repeat purchases, but FRIENDS! We have to take pride in ourselves and our businesses and not feel the need to just break even! If you're selling at a deeply discounted rate it concerns me that you are not interested in what you are doing any more or that you are not passionate about it and I fear losing you and your talents or products.
I don't want to leave this post without some solutions. They are not amazing - I stated earlier that I am NOT your go-to business adviser. I'm not even going to touch the topic of work/life balance (okay, maybe in a future post, but I am not even close to dreaming of having that answer). Simple solutions of having basic, minimum set hours for your business, especially for responding to inquiries. Even if it's just one hour, twice a week when you check your business email and/or phone number and return those inquiries. Have a message on your phone stating that time, and an out of office notice on your email so that people can know when to expect a response. If you don't need the entire hour, awesome! You just got back some time to do whatever you need to do - take a bath, read a chapter of your neglected book, just BREATHE in this busy world that you live in.
And as far as discounting products, know your market value! If people are willing to pay full price then CHARGE IT. There is no need to discount just to make a sale. At times of the year you will need to move old stock to bring in new, or sell quickly to bring in some extra cash. Make sure you clearly promote these times as sales, using whatever verbage appeals to you. People will not come to expect reduced prices from you unless it is something you continually offer them.
Friends, I hope you all can take just a little nugget from this. You have something amazing that the world needs to know about. You may think it's small and insignificant, but it's making a difference in the lives of others. Whether filling the need for a unique product, providing a service that makes people feel better about themselves, or just helping people put one foot in front of the other and continue moving forwards, please know that you have value. Please take the time to put some simple systems in place to help manage your time effectively and stay true to who you are/what you represent. You have worked hard to get your product or service noticed, now is the time to be proud, stand behind it and it's price with no fear of the dollar amount the market has placed on it!
Much love to you all, and I hope to see you on my shopping ventures soon!
S
**Please note that this post is NOT directed at any one individual, company or product. These experiences have occured in the last year to 18 months and with more people/companies/products than I can count on both my hands.**
I know that a lot of these friends are moms with small children. And I GET THAT. There never seem to be enough hours in the day, days in the week, weeks in the month, etc. But not returning emails or phone calls when someone is inquiring about a product or service isn't the right answer. Instead, let that person know how busy you are and that your time is a something you value. By doing that, you are allowing yourself a) freedom to give yourself grace with timelines; b) create an even higher value for your product or service; and c) create higher demand!
For example, if I was to call a friend and book an appointment for a haircut, I would appreciate a phone call in return. And if, during that phone call, she told me that she couldn't find childcare for her kids, and really no time before the date I needed her, I would ask her for a recommendation just this once and definitely come back to her. I would be so thankful to see her the next time and would definitely tip well because of the extra service help she provided rather than ignoring me. She has her priorities in line and I absolutely respect that. In the future, I would book further in advance to help alleviate the problem of last minute childcare and after seeing her, rave about how wonderful, amazing and talented she is. After all, her business is just that - a BUSINESS, and both she and it deserve to be treated with respect.
Instead, what I am finding is that phone calls, emails, website inquiries are not being returned at all and therefore I am stuck at square one, looking for something/someone new to fulfill my need and allowing them to wow me, possibly taking the place of the original talent just because they responded! In the future, who am I more likely to contact first? The person who didn't respond to my inquiry or the one who fulfilled my need?
The other issue I have is the provider who doesn't see the same value in themselves or their product, and almost gives it away for free. Don't get me wrong - I like a good sale or a discount for repeat purchases, but FRIENDS! We have to take pride in ourselves and our businesses and not feel the need to just break even! If you're selling at a deeply discounted rate it concerns me that you are not interested in what you are doing any more or that you are not passionate about it and I fear losing you and your talents or products.
I don't want to leave this post without some solutions. They are not amazing - I stated earlier that I am NOT your go-to business adviser. I'm not even going to touch the topic of work/life balance (okay, maybe in a future post, but I am not even close to dreaming of having that answer). Simple solutions of having basic, minimum set hours for your business, especially for responding to inquiries. Even if it's just one hour, twice a week when you check your business email and/or phone number and return those inquiries. Have a message on your phone stating that time, and an out of office notice on your email so that people can know when to expect a response. If you don't need the entire hour, awesome! You just got back some time to do whatever you need to do - take a bath, read a chapter of your neglected book, just BREATHE in this busy world that you live in.
And as far as discounting products, know your market value! If people are willing to pay full price then CHARGE IT. There is no need to discount just to make a sale. At times of the year you will need to move old stock to bring in new, or sell quickly to bring in some extra cash. Make sure you clearly promote these times as sales, using whatever verbage appeals to you. People will not come to expect reduced prices from you unless it is something you continually offer them.
Friends, I hope you all can take just a little nugget from this. You have something amazing that the world needs to know about. You may think it's small and insignificant, but it's making a difference in the lives of others. Whether filling the need for a unique product, providing a service that makes people feel better about themselves, or just helping people put one foot in front of the other and continue moving forwards, please know that you have value. Please take the time to put some simple systems in place to help manage your time effectively and stay true to who you are/what you represent. You have worked hard to get your product or service noticed, now is the time to be proud, stand behind it and it's price with no fear of the dollar amount the market has placed on it!
Much love to you all, and I hope to see you on my shopping ventures soon!
S
Thursday, 22 August 2013
SBC Day 2: Kindergarten
Today I'm getting ready for Kindergarten. Well, not me exactly. M-Bear is starting in under 2 weeks. I've got her back to school wardrobe done. (I recommend shopping here.) She has labels, indoor shoes, a new backpack and a cheque written for school supplies. I love that her school buys in bulk and the teachers take from the storage closet as needed.
Most moms would be writing about the struggle they are going through letting their baby go. And then there's me. At this moment (I think that is KEY), I am perfectly fine with walking her down the street, giving her a hug and taking a picture for her scrapbook. (Which I do not do, so let's just say for memories sake.) I'm sending her out into that big giant world and I don't think I will shed a single tear or have a moment of hesitation. Am I in denial or is something wrong with me? Sure, I'll miss her for a few hours but I still get all afternoon with her. I'll have some one-on-one time with Mini-D and/or take a nap and then she'll be back. Am I too level headed? Why on earth do I not feel like all the other mom's around me??
#SummerBlogChallenge
#SBC2013
Other #SBC2013-ers: Magz, Natasha, and April with more I'm sure!
Most moms would be writing about the struggle they are going through letting their baby go. And then there's me. At this moment (I think that is KEY), I am perfectly fine with walking her down the street, giving her a hug and taking a picture for her scrapbook. (Which I do not do, so let's just say for memories sake.) I'm sending her out into that big giant world and I don't think I will shed a single tear or have a moment of hesitation. Am I in denial or is something wrong with me? Sure, I'll miss her for a few hours but I still get all afternoon with her. I'll have some one-on-one time with Mini-D and/or take a nap and then she'll be back. Am I too level headed? Why on earth do I not feel like all the other mom's around me??
#SummerBlogChallenge
#SBC2013
Other #SBC2013-ers: Magz, Natasha, and April with more I'm sure!
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
SBC Day 1: Day One
I love to write. Really and truly. When I was younger I had a number of articles published and I was asked to attend writing conferences. I don't know why I stopped but I knew after last years Summer Blogging Challenge that I needed to do the 2013 version. And here I am.
I have a ton of ideas of what I would like to write about, now I just need the time to get them out of my head. All while getting my daughter ready to start Kindergarten and running before and after school care for the school down the road. Thank goodness for being allowed to write make up posts!! I can't wait to see what my fellow bloggers come up with this year!!
Stacy
#summerblogchallenge
#SBC2013
Also joining in #SBC2013 - check out Magz, Natasha, and April with more to be added I'm sure!
I have a ton of ideas of what I would like to write about, now I just need the time to get them out of my head. All while getting my daughter ready to start Kindergarten and running before and after school care for the school down the road. Thank goodness for being allowed to write make up posts!! I can't wait to see what my fellow bloggers come up with this year!!
Stacy
#summerblogchallenge
#SBC2013
Also joining in #SBC2013 - check out Magz, Natasha, and April with more to be added I'm sure!
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Half Way Point...
So...we are halfway through 2013. Well, more than that but it's going by way too fast. I'll stick with just halfway!
I set some goals back in January and I want to check in on them. Honestly, I can't remember some of them, so I don't think I'm doing very well. This is the check in/check up that I need right now!
~ Stacy
I set some goals back in January and I want to check in on them. Honestly, I can't remember some of them, so I don't think I'm doing very well. This is the check in/check up that I need right now!
- figure out what to do for work, make sure I will LOVE it!
- Until yesterday, I was sure I was done this. Then I saw a job posting and now I'm rethinking everything. Unless I can make the two work together...
- sell the little yellow house. Bittersweet...
- Little yellow house (which is actually green) is currently occupied by two great renters who are expecting a baby! We are going through sales discussions with them, trying to figure out how to make this work for all of us. House will either go up for sale in October OR rent will have to take a significant jump. We are on the fence, we love these renters!
- more meet ups/tweet ups/playdates with amazing women and their kids!
- So far, fail here. But I still have 6 months to go. And the rest of summer...
- unplug more often, be more present especially with family.
- Yes, and no. Sometime I can do it, other times not so much.
- celebrate babies! MOAR babies, as MagzD would say.
- Seriously folks. 42 babies that I know of are scheduled to be born in 2013. 42!!! What is in the water, and boy am I glad that I didn't drink it! 27 have made their entrance so far. One sweet baby girl grew her angel wings and has left us already, but she will never be forgotten... <3
- celebrate 10 years of US - with the family and without... ;)
- Our anniversary came and we had a great date night. I was absolutely shocked to receive a gift...containing diamonds, sapphires, amethyst and more! I am usually the one who does surprises, so this caught me off guard completely. This goal is half completed - due to still breastfeeding Mini-D we were not able to get away for alone time. This is being bumped to a 2014 goal - and I have a secret plan of my own to get away and enjoy JUST each other!
- make that number on the scale a little lower...
- Not happening. It goes up and comes down. Then I stop jumping on the scale. I have contacted a trainer to start a program and am looking into a few options. Also looking into some circus classes to reconnect with my former gymnast/dance self for the fall.
- plan a #kickass2014 New Years Eve par-taaaay!
- THIS IS IN THE WORKS! Planning is happening, lots of pinning on Pinterest, and yes, it will happen! Hoping for awesome weather to incorporate some outside fun into my plans too!
- go to church a little more.
- So far, nope. Not even once. Maybe in the fall when we get into a regular routine? We are away so many weekends this summer. That doesn't account for the previous 6 months. I am completely making excuses, probably because I don't want to go back to the church we were going to before, and church hunting is NOT fun. Plus, we have to do it with kids now. I need to bump this up in priority I think!
- spend some quality time with my sister who lives far away. Too far...
- HAPPENING and I couldn't be more excited! I can't take any credit for this at all - she is planning a trip out here in just over a month. I am focusing on the QUALITY part of this goal. I want her to be super involved with the kids (her only niece/nephew) and feel like she doesn't live so far away. Still waiting on dates from her so we can plan this time to it's fullest!!
- get our amazing back yard landscaped.
- This is going to be a fail, but not our fault at all. Our builders have yet to get approval for our rough grade, so we can't touch landscaping at all. Very, very disappointed in this, as we have a gorgeous space that we can't use at all. Except weed picking. Which was not a goal at all. :(
- grow my already awesome business even more!
- I just returned from an amazing business conference and this is also happening. A little differently than originally planned as my eyes have been opened and my direction/vision has shifted. I do so much more than sell clothes. Watch for future updates on this!
- do something that is WAY outside my comfort zone. Yet to be determined...
- COMPLETED! In a way I never imagined. I am still processing this, it will get the focus of one entire post!
~ Stacy
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Hate is a strong word
Let me preface my preface by saying I love my husband. I really do. Maybe if I keep saying it I'll feel better about all of this...
The real preface. I should have won wife of the year a couple of years back. Right before Christmas I found the LAST Xbox 360 console at a dirty Superstore and decided to surprise D with it. I knew he wanted one badly but they were all sold out everywhere. What a score!! He would love me like the day he married me when he opened it. And he probably did, but a lot has changed since then.
Current day. My kids are normally very happy and healthy. This last week had been one of colds and immunizations, so they aren't their normal selves. Bear is a suck and is sure that her elbows, knees and tummy all hurt from the shot. She has the sniffles now too, her cold is starting. Mini-D woke up with a goopy eye, sniffles and a cough. He's super cuddly and I've enjoyed his snuggles. Overall, we did good today despite the sore arms and colds. Until bedtime that is.
For some weird reason, Bear likes to fall asleep in our bed. Even weirder, D lets her. It drives me crazy because Mini-D still sleeps in a bassinette in our room so D has to come up and carry Bear to bed before I can nurse Mini-D to sleep. Tonight D was engrossed in his game and I had to wait a good 10 minutes before he got up here to move Bear. Mini-D was a sobbing disaster until that happened. I nursed his to sleep but he's not himself and was NOT happy in the bassinette. I try to keep him out of the bed as much as possible so D and I can sleep so I took him to his crib hoping that maybe tonight he would be tired enough to just fall asleep in there. Boy was I wrong.
After at least 20 minutes of crying, Mini-D woke up Bear. I went into her room to check on her and found her disoriented, sitting on the floor outside her closet. I helped her back into bed, promised I would get Mini-D's crying under control and she could go back to sleep. In the meantime Mini-D was crying harder than ever. I leaned over the bannister in case the monitor in Mini-D's room wasn't working (that's right, he should have been able to hear the crying and that I needed help) and called D up to help. I could hear the Xbox game playing.
I went back to Mini-D's room to try and comfort him without taking him out of the crib. I think this angered him and he cried even louder (if that's possible). I heard whimpering and knew Bear was up again. What I didn't know was that she was in the room with me!! I felt something against my leg and when I looked down I saw a figure of a little girl. I thought she was a ghost!! After a deep, calming breath I told her I was doing the best I can and she could go down and ask daddy to come up to try and help her get back to sleep. I lifted Mini-D out of the crib and rocked him, feeding him once again. Within minutes Bear was back in his room in years because Daddy "didn't want to come up yet". LAST FUCKING STRAW. I picked up the monitor base and strongly said "can't you hear ANY of this?". The Xbox got quiet, so I knew he had been able to hear all the crying and problems from earlier. Why he ignored us, I do not know. He came up and took Bear to her room after I told him I wasn't physically capable of keeping them both from crying and in bed at the same time. His response was that he told Bear he just needed a few more minutes to finish his game. ENOUGH WITH THE FUCKING GAMES!! Angry with me for calling him up he did take Bear and get her settled in bed. When he came in to see what Mini-D's problem was he suggested just putting him in bed with us. I balked. I don't usually do that. But putting Mini-D in bed with us results in me getting very little sleep and D eventually going to sleep on the couch but complaining the next day about how horribly he slept.
Currently, D and Mini-D are watching Walking Dead episodes while I catch up on sleep in our bed. I have no idea what the rest of the night will bring but I do know one thing. I HATE that Xbox. If "something" happens to it this week, there will NOT be a replacement allowed in this house. Ironically, the next Xbox was revealed this week and *someone* wants to preorder as soon as possible. Absolutely NOT happening. I am done with video game consoles until my husband can grow up enough to understand the time and place for them. I don't use the word hate often. I believe that there is always some element of good in almost everything, everyone and every situation and therefore hate doesn't apply. But I HATE the Xbox. It will be gone soon. Very soon..
UPDATE: as if anyone can believe this...I got up this morning and found Bear playing on the iPad. She has some great games on there, but this is one of only two mornings a week where she gets to snuggle with daddy and watch cartoons. Hmmmm...I came down the stairs and to my surprise (really? Should this be a surprise anymore??) the Xbox was on and he didn't even look up when Mini-D and I walked in. After a night with a sick kid (who woke up several times and needed Tylenol which I had Dan get up and find - so he knew I had been up several times!) he didn't ask how his little guy was doing or if he/we needed anything. Sigh...today is going to be a loooooong day. If anyone knows how to damage an Xbox to the point of no return without any visible signs on the outside, feel free to share.
The real preface. I should have won wife of the year a couple of years back. Right before Christmas I found the LAST Xbox 360 console at a dirty Superstore and decided to surprise D with it. I knew he wanted one badly but they were all sold out everywhere. What a score!! He would love me like the day he married me when he opened it. And he probably did, but a lot has changed since then.
Current day. My kids are normally very happy and healthy. This last week had been one of colds and immunizations, so they aren't their normal selves. Bear is a suck and is sure that her elbows, knees and tummy all hurt from the shot. She has the sniffles now too, her cold is starting. Mini-D woke up with a goopy eye, sniffles and a cough. He's super cuddly and I've enjoyed his snuggles. Overall, we did good today despite the sore arms and colds. Until bedtime that is.
For some weird reason, Bear likes to fall asleep in our bed. Even weirder, D lets her. It drives me crazy because Mini-D still sleeps in a bassinette in our room so D has to come up and carry Bear to bed before I can nurse Mini-D to sleep. Tonight D was engrossed in his game and I had to wait a good 10 minutes before he got up here to move Bear. Mini-D was a sobbing disaster until that happened. I nursed his to sleep but he's not himself and was NOT happy in the bassinette. I try to keep him out of the bed as much as possible so D and I can sleep so I took him to his crib hoping that maybe tonight he would be tired enough to just fall asleep in there. Boy was I wrong.
After at least 20 minutes of crying, Mini-D woke up Bear. I went into her room to check on her and found her disoriented, sitting on the floor outside her closet. I helped her back into bed, promised I would get Mini-D's crying under control and she could go back to sleep. In the meantime Mini-D was crying harder than ever. I leaned over the bannister in case the monitor in Mini-D's room wasn't working (that's right, he should have been able to hear the crying and that I needed help) and called D up to help. I could hear the Xbox game playing.
I went back to Mini-D's room to try and comfort him without taking him out of the crib. I think this angered him and he cried even louder (if that's possible). I heard whimpering and knew Bear was up again. What I didn't know was that she was in the room with me!! I felt something against my leg and when I looked down I saw a figure of a little girl. I thought she was a ghost!! After a deep, calming breath I told her I was doing the best I can and she could go down and ask daddy to come up to try and help her get back to sleep. I lifted Mini-D out of the crib and rocked him, feeding him once again. Within minutes Bear was back in his room in years because Daddy "didn't want to come up yet". LAST FUCKING STRAW. I picked up the monitor base and strongly said "can't you hear ANY of this?". The Xbox got quiet, so I knew he had been able to hear all the crying and problems from earlier. Why he ignored us, I do not know. He came up and took Bear to her room after I told him I wasn't physically capable of keeping them both from crying and in bed at the same time. His response was that he told Bear he just needed a few more minutes to finish his game. ENOUGH WITH THE FUCKING GAMES!! Angry with me for calling him up he did take Bear and get her settled in bed. When he came in to see what Mini-D's problem was he suggested just putting him in bed with us. I balked. I don't usually do that. But putting Mini-D in bed with us results in me getting very little sleep and D eventually going to sleep on the couch but complaining the next day about how horribly he slept.
Currently, D and Mini-D are watching Walking Dead episodes while I catch up on sleep in our bed. I have no idea what the rest of the night will bring but I do know one thing. I HATE that Xbox. If "something" happens to it this week, there will NOT be a replacement allowed in this house. Ironically, the next Xbox was revealed this week and *someone* wants to preorder as soon as possible. Absolutely NOT happening. I am done with video game consoles until my husband can grow up enough to understand the time and place for them. I don't use the word hate often. I believe that there is always some element of good in almost everything, everyone and every situation and therefore hate doesn't apply. But I HATE the Xbox. It will be gone soon. Very soon..
UPDATE: as if anyone can believe this...I got up this morning and found Bear playing on the iPad. She has some great games on there, but this is one of only two mornings a week where she gets to snuggle with daddy and watch cartoons. Hmmmm...I came down the stairs and to my surprise (really? Should this be a surprise anymore??) the Xbox was on and he didn't even look up when Mini-D and I walked in. After a night with a sick kid (who woke up several times and needed Tylenol which I had Dan get up and find - so he knew I had been up several times!) he didn't ask how his little guy was doing or if he/we needed anything. Sigh...today is going to be a loooooong day. If anyone knows how to damage an Xbox to the point of no return without any visible signs on the outside, feel free to share.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
13 for 13
I love myself lists, some MagzD and Frugal Edmonton Mama, so I'm going to "borrow" from them. You can read their posts here and here!
Here is MY list on what's going to make 2013 fantastic!
Here is MY list on what's going to make 2013 fantastic!
- figure out what to do for work, make sure I will LOVE it!
- sell the little yellow house. Bittersweet...
- more meet ups/tweet ups/playdates with amazing women and their kids!
- unplug more often, be more present especially with family.
- celebrate babies! MOAR babies, as MagzD would say.
- celebrate 10 years of US - with the family and without... ;)
- make that number on the scale a little lower...
- plan a #kickass2014 New Years Eve par-taaaay!
- go to church a little more.
- spend some quality time with my sister who lives far away. Too far...
- get our amazing back yard landscaped.
- grow my already awesome business even more!
- do something that is WAY outside my comfort zone. Yet to be determined...
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Fantastic 2013
I read a lot about resolutions today. It has been years since I made any myself, I much prefer setting goals or making plans or writing lists. Today I stumbled upon this amazing comment on my newsfeed: "Instead of making resolutions consider making
intentions for your new year. Resolution means something needs to be
resolved. You are beautiful as you are you just intend to become more
and to nurture yourself". Can I get an amen? ;)
So what's going to make 2013 so freaking fantastic? I want to make goals and make plans. And be people oriented. I have a ton of things planned so I'll just share a few.
My "job". I don't even know what this is now, and that's the beauty of maternity leave. I have a few ideas of what I would like it to be and things are in the works. It will definitely be centered around my family and my home. The location of our home is ideal for what I'm planning...and I still have a little time to finalize it. I think it will make our whole clan happy!
Our little yellow house. That isn't really yellow. It needs to sell. But we have great renters right now and the possibility that they will buy the house before their lease is up is pretty good. If that doesn't pan out, we still need to sell before the end of 2013 as owning a rental property was never in our plans. It is working for now but just working.
I need to spend time with some of the amazing women I hang out with on Twitter - and their children. Now before anyone thinks it's all weird, I have met them all in real life already and knew most of them before I sent my first tweet. So it's cool. Not weird. I'm thinking about some glitter, some ziplining, some cross-country skiing, some SEO, some feminism chat, gagging at the kombucha on some people's counters, laughing about jalapeno-coconut-oil-douche...I think we need to spend more time together. Hopefully their coolness will rub off on me just a bit.
Handydan's family does annual trips to "the lake" - different lakes, different cabins each year. There are 14 of us in total and it has yet to be a boring trip. Read into that what you will. This year, I want it to be kickass. As in I'm bringing crafts for the kids to do, I will be doing the lake trips (if we don't have waterfront property) with the kids, I just want to give that time my 100%. I will probably unplug for it too, for those of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
BABIES. But not mine. I have two darling children, Bear and Mini-D. Don't need more, don't really want more. BUT so far I know of 19 babies that will be born in 2013 and those are only those announced up to June, so I am expecting even more. I am NOT expecting, hopefully others will be. Bring on the babes 2013!
Our anniversary! This year we celebrate TEN years of marriage. Whoa, Nelly! On one hand I want to celebrate with a huge, extravagant trip for two to somewhere hot and secluded. But then my heart says that's a lot of money spent on just two of us when the FOUR of us could have a sensible, memory making vacation. What to do, what to do...either way, we won't be going anywhere hot in the middle of summer so we have some time to plan.
New Years 2014. Yes, I'm a planner. And this year I decided that I want to throw a big shin-dig for NEXT New Years. A family event, hosted here, with indoor and outdoor fun. The special event planner in me is bubbling over with excitement and plans. It's going to be a gooder and I only have 365 days to figure it all out! :)
And...of course...the ever haunting number. You know the one. The one on the scale that never seems to make you happy. Before I got pregnant with Mini-D, I was happier with the number on the scale. I know what I did to get it there. But then pregnancy hit (sounds like the flu) and those numbers went up. Not as high as they did with Bear, but still. The numbers need to come down and I have a bit of a plan to get started. Also, all the holiday baking and partying is ending so the temptation to eat all the treats (because I'm breastfeeding and I NEED those extra 500+ calories...) is disappearing. Fingers crossed that the extra weight will disappear as fast as those goodies did. Sigh. A girl can dream can't she?
For 2013 I would like things to stay relatively the same. We don't have huge plans for anything and for once I would like to keep it that way. When we make changes in our lives we tend to change EVERYTHING at once. That was 2011/2012 for us and now for some calm after the storm. Some peace. Finding our groove. 2013 - the year of finding our groove.
So what's going to make 2013 so freaking fantastic? I want to make goals and make plans. And be people oriented. I have a ton of things planned so I'll just share a few.
My "job". I don't even know what this is now, and that's the beauty of maternity leave. I have a few ideas of what I would like it to be and things are in the works. It will definitely be centered around my family and my home. The location of our home is ideal for what I'm planning...and I still have a little time to finalize it. I think it will make our whole clan happy!
Our little yellow house. That isn't really yellow. It needs to sell. But we have great renters right now and the possibility that they will buy the house before their lease is up is pretty good. If that doesn't pan out, we still need to sell before the end of 2013 as owning a rental property was never in our plans. It is working for now but just working.
I need to spend time with some of the amazing women I hang out with on Twitter - and their children. Now before anyone thinks it's all weird, I have met them all in real life already and knew most of them before I sent my first tweet. So it's cool. Not weird. I'm thinking about some glitter, some ziplining, some cross-country skiing, some SEO, some feminism chat, gagging at the kombucha on some people's counters, laughing about jalapeno-coconut-oil-douche...I think we need to spend more time together. Hopefully their coolness will rub off on me just a bit.
Handydan's family does annual trips to "the lake" - different lakes, different cabins each year. There are 14 of us in total and it has yet to be a boring trip. Read into that what you will. This year, I want it to be kickass. As in I'm bringing crafts for the kids to do, I will be doing the lake trips (if we don't have waterfront property) with the kids, I just want to give that time my 100%. I will probably unplug for it too, for those of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
BABIES. But not mine. I have two darling children, Bear and Mini-D. Don't need more, don't really want more. BUT so far I know of 19 babies that will be born in 2013 and those are only those announced up to June, so I am expecting even more. I am NOT expecting, hopefully others will be. Bring on the babes 2013!
Our anniversary! This year we celebrate TEN years of marriage. Whoa, Nelly! On one hand I want to celebrate with a huge, extravagant trip for two to somewhere hot and secluded. But then my heart says that's a lot of money spent on just two of us when the FOUR of us could have a sensible, memory making vacation. What to do, what to do...either way, we won't be going anywhere hot in the middle of summer so we have some time to plan.
New Years 2014. Yes, I'm a planner. And this year I decided that I want to throw a big shin-dig for NEXT New Years. A family event, hosted here, with indoor and outdoor fun. The special event planner in me is bubbling over with excitement and plans. It's going to be a gooder and I only have 365 days to figure it all out! :)
And...of course...the ever haunting number. You know the one. The one on the scale that never seems to make you happy. Before I got pregnant with Mini-D, I was happier with the number on the scale. I know what I did to get it there. But then pregnancy hit (sounds like the flu) and those numbers went up. Not as high as they did with Bear, but still. The numbers need to come down and I have a bit of a plan to get started. Also, all the holiday baking and partying is ending so the temptation to eat all the treats (because I'm breastfeeding and I NEED those extra 500+ calories...) is disappearing. Fingers crossed that the extra weight will disappear as fast as those goodies did. Sigh. A girl can dream can't she?
For 2013 I would like things to stay relatively the same. We don't have huge plans for anything and for once I would like to keep it that way. When we make changes in our lives we tend to change EVERYTHING at once. That was 2011/2012 for us and now for some calm after the storm. Some peace. Finding our groove. 2013 - the year of finding our groove.
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