My reasons for EVERY season!!

So here we are, about a year since I started this blog.  I am not very good at keeping it up to date.  Life is busy.  I have three very good reasons for being busy!  They keep me on my toes but they make my life worth living too! 
Jordan, now 15 is having much success at his new school.  Since Grade 10 began at Eagle Butte High, he has been dedicated to his studies.  He is working very hard to keep his grade point average high so that he can "make alot of money".  I haven't seen him this committed to something.  So handsome at his young age.  Megan is the gift that keeps on giving.  There are times when she will do the laundry or clean the kitchen with no one asking her.  This Christmas that little beauty truly took the spirit of Christmas and applied it to her friends.  On her own & with her own money (for the most part), she picked things up here & there for each one of her friends.  I don't mean a little treat.  I mean a gift bag of treasures that she know they would love.  There were socks & treats, keychains & treasures!  It was awesome to see the spirit of giving. 
Brendan...our resident comedian has been keeping us in stitches as always.  He decided this hockey season to play as a player when he wasn't tending net.  Much to my surprise, he has assisted a couple of goals & apparently got a roughing penalty.  He is the kind of guy that pitches in when it comes to his friends.  They only have 11 players on the team (2 being goalies) so when they play several games like in a tournament, he plays out to help out the team.  Something I respect.  he isn't as adept as a player but he goes out there & works hard & has lots of laughs!!

With warm hearts we wish all of our friends and family a holiday season full of all the blessings life can bring.  Have a Merry Christmas & a blessed & fulfilling new year!!

Almost outta here...

Well...as of today there are 5 more sleeps until my family boards the plane for Aruba!! I cannot wait to walk through the sand in my bare feet.  I cannot wait to watch my kids lazing around on the beach!  I think it will be wonderful.  Aruba only has 90,000 population.  The island is about 19 miles across!  They speak dutch, portugese, spanish & english.  I hear there is a street festival akin to a mini Mardi Gras while we are there along with a cattamaran regatta, & a trip to the butterfly sanctuary.  We will lay around on the beach, snorkel, eat good food...maybe the parents will partake in some nightlife!  Can't wait to be away together as a family with Grandma too!!  The boys are not happy about missing hockey.  Jordan is distraught at the homework he will have when he returns but other than that..we are ready to board that plane!!

Handsome...isn't he?!

Wow!  Been a long time since I posted!  I had my handsome 15 year old son's pictures taken a few weeks ago.  He refused his Grade nine grad....hence, no pictures!  I wanted to celebrate in some way that he moved into High school so I had Epic Photography capture him doing what he loves best!  It strikes me each time I look at him just how grown up he is becoming.  Soon, he will graduate, (not that I am wishing my time away with him), he informs me he wants to leave home & head off to a post secondary institute.  I know it won't be close to home.  He is ready for change.  He is ready to grow up even if we aren't!  I hope he knows that no matter where he goes or what he does...home is where I hope his heart lies... just like he takes a piece of us when he goes!

A little diddy about the rain

Wow!  We have rain...& not just a little bit!!  The school is closed today because the highway is somewhat washed out!!  Some people hate the rain.  I kinda like it!  Maybe not this much of it but it washed away the dirt & debris left from the winter.  The plants, trees, shrubs & grass have a nice long drink.  It is cuddle weather & crafting & baking weather!  There are blessings in everything we are given but you sometimes have to look for them! 

free to be...

wow!!  this has been the end to an amazing weekend.  There was a little bit of planting, some relaxing, a movie, lots of soccer, beautiful weather & time together!!

we wrapped up another obligation this weekend.  I no longer have to take part in our local festival (very small scale) called Dunmore Daze.  Kevin & myself as well as a neighbour, worked on the games for the kids part.  I collected over 300 prizes & masterminded the games.  This was not a commitment I made for myself & one I am not sure I will continue with.  I just know that I don't have to do anything with it anymore.  One less thing tying me down....I am free to be!

So today, I will help a friend for a while & then I will push forward with all I have to accomplish in my own house.  Just in time for the kids to arrive home from school.  We will have supper & enjoy another evening of soccer & togetherness!!  I hope everyone feels a full with life (happy) as I do!!

Feeling on top of the world!!

Hey all...been feeling so good.  On so many levels.  Even a visit from Mother Nature could not make me sad.  I had a blast this last few days!  Doing things that I love.  Got to see my favorite band, spend time with a few of my favorite people, & shopping in the big city.  Kay, it was a little more than that.  I have been painting a little & building a little & it feels darn good to be able to help a friend out even if she is doing all the choosing & I am simply & gently guiding her to make a choice!! Even bigger than that, I see people every day who are jealous or sad or mad & I don't want to be in those moods.  It feels so much better being thankful for all that God has given me.  I am blessed beyond measure & that is what my focus should be on...

I am not saying (little dis-qualifier here) that I am never going to get in those moods cause let's face it...everyone has a bad day here & there!  I just know I want to spend more time on the positive side of things.  When you don't, you lend yourself to speculation & you can become paranoid.  If you stay positive as much as you can, that is what you bring into your life.  There are some people I know (& it makes me so sad to watch them) struggle through the turbulence.  There are those who live in the turbulence because they thrive on others misfortune & sadness because they don't EXPECT more for themselves!!  How pitiful when they become mean & make others their target!!

So if any of this makes sense...love yourself & all the things you DO have.  Don't worry about the things you don't have for sometimes they can be a burden....

Today...

I found the above quote when I couldn't sleep the other night.  I thought I should have it somewhere on my blog.  I love the colors, the layout, but mostly, it is the sentiment!!  What a feel good statement!!

So, today has been one of those empty kind of days!  The kind where you know there is so much to do but you have no energy or gumption to do what needs to be done.  Here we are on the long weekend & I have watched a little bit of (okay, ALOT) of TV.  Maybe thrown in a bit of laundry, a couple loads of dishes in & out of the dishwasher, & not much else.  I am honestly not feeling great either.  A head cold, & headache are not helping me find that energy!!

On the upsides, we sold our trailer.  I guess I did clean it out before they came to pick it up.  Selling the trailer is bittersweet for us.  Kevin is usually too busy in the summer months to get away but when he can, it is awfully hard for the 5 of us to fit comfortably in that trailer!  Maybe we will look at a bigger but used one in the coming year!  Something with a slideout.  It will have to depend on finances & time available.  Our lives really are full, so if it doesn't happen, there will be something else that fills the void.  I suppose that means that tomorrow, I should get myself out to the garage & sort through the bins that were in the trailer!  An hour or two & I can say that I have accomplished something this weekend.  All I really wanted was to create something or scrapbook a few pages but as I said, I could not find the energy I needed to do so but tomorrow is another day!

I am hoping next week to help T.E. paint her basement.  So far, we have ordered doors & some new windows, as well as blinds.  With a little luck, our long awaited sofa will be delivered & we can give the one here to T.E. so we can start decorating their basement once it is painted!  Her boys will be lucky.  We are creating a playroom for them, getting the family room to be a useful space & then finally, we will tackle her scrap room!  I am mostly excited for that task!  Maybe she will give me the honor of posting some pictures when we get it done.  I hope I can live up to her expectations for making it more homey!!

Love... sweet Love

Been thinking & I know that LOVE makes the world go round.  It picks you up when you are down, it carries you through the most difficult times & so very much more.  I reflect often on what my family does for me.  I feel very dissatisfied in the moment sometimes.  Take Mother's day for example.  My boys were dirtbiking & swimming, my daughter was at a sleepover, & my hubby spent the day enraptured by the tv.  Now to his credit he did offer to do something although neither of us had any good ideas whatsoever.  So game after NHL game prevailed on the screen while I played on my computer, had a bath & moped.  The gift unveiling was a sordid affair.  Not one of the children were there to bear witness to my excitement (oh yeah, there was none), & nothing was wrapped.  I recieved a Snuggie, an "I Love you Mom" mug, and 2 (2 for $10) candles in putrid scents.  But alas, I am not going to complain because I know it is more than some of my counterparts receive.  

What I did LOVE was the card from my children.  They each wrote down a favorite memory of time spent with me!!  Priceless!  Jordan ventured to recall a time when we were camping with out his Dad & it was raining!  While Brendan & Megan watched television, Jordan & I played games all day long.  Brendan's recollection was one of the times when I went to the school to defend his honor against a poor teacher.  He was in the office in another area from me & he could hear things getting quite heated with his principal.  He loved that the principal kept saying "Sherri, Sherri" & I continued my rampage until all of my thoughts were out & on the table.   Then my sweet little Megan said the least of all...simply put, "Disneyland".  I wish she had been more explainatory but she was probably off to pack for her friends when her Dad was tyring to wrangle them all to sign the card!  Nothing gets in the way of her plans...rarely!!  So in short, I know that I have impacted each of my children in one way or another.  I just don't always see the moment at the time.  I know that each one of them knows without a doubt that I LOVE them very much.  I also know that even though they may get mad at me and utter the words "I HATE YOU", that deep down they really do LOVE me too!!

I can't expect them to know at any given moment what I would like most. It isn't their job to know me.  It is their job to be kids vulnerable to the ways of the world & I am to LOVE and guide them through it all the very best that I can.  So, I will continue my journey with them, making sure that they know that my LOVE knows no bounds & I will guide each of them with LOVE & understanding even if it isn't popular in the moment!!  Jordan, Brendan & Megs...I LOVE YOU!!

Day to day Everyday!!

I want everyday to be new & magic!! That sounds divine to me! I guess you do that by living in wonder. I mean the kind of wonder where everything has beauty & value. Guess I will leave that up to my state of mind by appreciating all that I have & all that I am. They say you can have anything if you want itbad enough!



So I guess I am a little nervous! I had some bloodwork done this past Monday! The doctor said he would only have his office call if there was a reason to! Well, he made a call yesterday & has made an appointment for me on Friday morning. If it was anything too serious, I am telling myself that he would have had me come in immediately! Anyway, I wait til Friday & then I will know whether it is good or not so good!!



So in the meantime, I am going on with daily life. Had a little visit from Spider Woman the other day by means of email! Strange...so weird. It perplexes me how one minute you can spread hate & lies & then you can send a beautiful message even if it had an underlying tone of accusation. Anyway, I don't have much time for that crap in my life so I am sweeping it in the garbage where it belongs! I want real & honest & true friendships!!



I went to the antique & collectable store the other day with my hubby. He was not near as interested as me but we did manage to find some treasures!! I have been altering them & feeling a little creative!! It is awesome! Once I take pictures, I will upload!! Does my heart good!!



Today is overcast & a little gloomy so, I am making the most of it. Laundry is caught up, dishes are done, floors swept, supper is made & once I have a bath, I am off to my scrap space to see what I can get my hands on today!! I am sure that I will find a little magic in there!!



Make it an amazing day!!

Be the Change...

I keep promising myself, I am gonna do that, when I get to that, I have to try that! I want to be like that!! So today, as soon as I am done blogging this, I am off to be the change I want to see!

Little funny...now anyway, last night my boys ordered pizza & chinese food to a boy they are just not that fond of. Of course I was mad but in hind site, no real harm was done. Because there is value in every opportunity to learn & grow, I should have taken the chance to calmly tell my boys what they could have done differently...yeah not done it all! Instead, we took away every possible thing that we could, grounded them & with my temper, I had a few choice words for them. Are they going to remember the lesson or me talking ...not so calmly to them over the issue. Ridicule seemed to be first on my mind every time either one says anything. So anyway, I am gonna be the change! For breakfast, they dined on their purchase!! It was good (last night)!! Next time...I promise!

I am off to Calgary to spend time with some good gals. This weekend is about me and my passion....scrapbooking. Camp Croppin...chocolate, a little shoppin, scrappin, eating at the lobster (Red Lobster, maybe)...all good things. For me, this makes things great.

Oh Yeah...back to being the change, I AM going to listen more, talk less (big one), work harder, find my motivation, Clean this House, kick teh daylights out of my to do list & get healthy physically & mentally....watch & see!!

Change???

They say change is in the wind. With all the wind surrounding us, I am hoping it is blowing something wonderful our way!! It is making me tired & listless & a little grumpy!!

I don't know why I am so hard on me. I just got through making a beautiful meal & it was terrific. All of the stressing & fretting I do and voila...

We had hot cross buns, baked on the bbq potatoes, bbq tri tip roast, honeyed ham, strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed dressing, au gratin vegetables, asparagus with hollandaise sauce. To make my life easy, I purchased a slab cheesecake from Sobeys, & a pumpkin pie with homemade whip cream!! Yumm yum yum!!

Unfortunately, I am tired from two nights of staying up late & imbibing a little (ok, the one night alot) but I have a house full of kids & I don't know how late they think they can stay up...but I am hoping they are quiet.

Happy Easter & Blessings to you...

Oh yummy...I can do this right. So I go to buy a turkey the other day when I am shopping with Kevin. He says...no, we don't need one, there is a huge one in the freezer. I trust in that knowledge... MY FIRST MISTAKE. We do indeed have a turkey but it is from 2005...next MISTAKE, not being thorough enough in the cleaning out the freezer area. So Kevin's Dad & girlfriend Debbie are here, my brother in law Kelly, neice Marissa, nephew Jacob, my Mom & sister, 2 extra kids & my own family of 5. Good thing we had a huge tri tip roast and a large ham. It isn't traditional but who says it has to be...my Easter meal my way. All is well.

So aside from the almost meal debacle, I am feeling blessed. Blessed to have a beautiful, healthy family & terrific friends. Happy to have a nice home with many comforts. Lucky. I know I am cranky sometimes but at the end of the day, I know that there is nothing we cannot handle and everything happens for a reason... it isn't a big deal if the kids leave a light on or do a terrible job of washing the staircase. It is okay if we are a little late....there is always a reason & maybe it was universal!

Today, is a great day to reflect on the reason for Easter. So enjoy the copious amounts of chocolate, jellybeans and yummy desserts. Reflect on the time & care that went into the food prepared for you. Treasure the laughter & opportunity to be together another time, building fond memories. And be grateful of the reason for the season. Bless you and your families & friends.

Why do you scrapbook??!

Ialways get asked "Why do you scrapbook?" A silly question to me but believe it or not there are people out there that don't understand the passion that goes into scrapbooking & card making. I'm know that many of my "non-scrapbook" friends think it is a stupid pastime.

We all scrapbook for various reasons, all different, but reasons that are important to us individually. It is no different than any other hobby one might have. Scrapbooking is a way that I can express my creativity to share with families & friends. I enjoy the memories that working with pictures of memorable times in my life brings to me as I create my pages.

I feel the greatest sense of joy & satisfaction when I present an album or layout, or altered item as a gift. The gift has resurfaced memories & brought joy...

I hope that someday the children in my family will be inspired & influenced by what I've created.... maybe one of them will pick up where I left off. There are also the friendships that I have cultivated through scrapbooking. They are so important to me. I really cannot believe the number of friendships that scrapbooking has brought to my life. I have found some truly amazing friends that I know will be with me for a lifetime like my albums, pictures & so on.

So for all of you who do not scrapbook or card make or stamp, I don't expect you to understand. It is not frivoulous or time wasted...to me, it is TIME WELL SPENT!!

Been thinking...

I was golfing 2 years ago in the annual Heart & Stroke Golf tourney when this picture was taken. I had a fun day. I been thinking I should make more of those days for myself. Not golf per say because honestly, I just like to play the roll on the course... not very good & NOT denying it! I LOVE to drive the cart.

I know I get to do things here & there. I have the occasional scrap weekend a few times of the year & I go for the odd lunch with a pal, once in a blue moon a coffee... I am talking about getting involved, again like I did with H&S. I miss the interaction with people I don't normally spend time with. I think my purpose in life is to give & help people reach a goal for a common cause. I love to lend a hand and it leaves me feeling good about my roll in life. I don't need a paycheck as much as I need the spirit of giving & spending time with people. So, I am seeking a cause, I am looking to become involved in something... not only for good reasons but maybe selfishly too. I want to feel that again...bring back some fun & some meaning to add to the everyday things I already do for the people I love...

Took a little trip...

So I went on a little road trip today with one of my besties!!! Of course I had a good time & I spent toooooo much money. I rocked out some serious deals today!! I got our family a new panini maker, some skecher shape-ups, new jeans, capris, & 2 shirts, perfume, a huge family frame, new soft & cuddly cotton sheets for my bed & tons of grocery items for my family.

I bought some Christmas presents, some birthday presents & Easter treats too! My final stop was the liquor store & if I would have known how AWESOME our border guards would be I sure would have bought more. As it stands, I bought myself a sweet treat of Black Cherry Vodka.

When I hit Ben Franklin, I could have spent a lot but I only spent a little. I will go back...there is promise of a ladies road trip to buy BEER...

It was nice to take off & be foot loose and fancy free with a great friend!! It was nice to just for a few hours be doing something a little out of the ordinary. Of course on the way home the phone started ringing and plans needed to be made. There was soccer to get to & hockey & meetings but it all worked out thanks to a little help from friends. As I said...great to get away for awhile BUT nice to know that I am needed too!!

Hoping that if I declare it on here that this weekend I will get into my favorite room in the house...no NOT the kitchen. So here is my declaration...Igotta do some scrapping this weekend...even if it is just a little project. Maybe I will post??? Good night.

High School..seriously?!

So last night I attended the informational meeting for Eagle Butte High School. I saw all of the seemingly great things the school has to offer & I wanted to be excited. I want to believe that when Jordan goes to that school in the fall, he will thrive...he will grow & he will succeed. He is very adminant that he can handle a heavy duty workload. In addition to taking all of the core subjects and options, he wants to enroll in a Production Field Officer (PFO) program that includes a diploma after three years from SAIT. He says that he wants to immmerse himself in his studies so that he can "get outta here" right after graduation.

I can't imagine how nervous he must feel or is it me projecting my feelings on to him. He will go to school with all of the kids he has from Irvine but also kids from Seven Persons & so on. I know that I would like for all of his troubles in the past to fade into the past. I know he has grown & learned from them but he needs people to believe in him & give him a break. Your failures DO NOT define you!! They make you better & they help you grow!!

I guess I get all anxious too because I love him so and can still remember the first day of preschool when I left him standing there...then the first day of a new school. A little peice of my heart broke because he is growing up so fast. Everytime we go through a new milestone, I know it isn't too long & that time is closing in on us when he moves on and further away!!

Spring...where are you?!

Do you know that I thought I was untouchable. At least in the way the weather affected me but I am finding that the days are dragging on when I look out my window & the wind is whipping, there is an overcast sky or snow falling.

I guess I am ready for the spring to really be here!! A little sunshine, even some rain but no more cold cold!! I Have aspirations of making my yard a haven for our family. I have to maneuver around the dogs but I thought I would do the yard in sections, starting first with the retaining wall area.

Some flowers & shrubs maybe even some tacky but make me happy yard decorations!! Oh the possibilities. So spring please hurry and save me from the doldrums!!

Bucket List

So...what is in your bucket list?? Things to do before I die...whenever that might be. I have been thinking about it & I have a few things I want to put in my bucket now but I am certain I will add to it. Here it is so far:

1. Experience a sunset (corny as this may sound) somewhere just like in the movie 'Under a Tuscan Sun'. Greece, Italy...someplace like that!

2. Write a letter to each of my kids that they are to receive upon my passing. The letter is to contain my all of the reasons why I love them so, what I think their strongest attributes are, & what it meant to be their Mom through good & bad. Of course I want to let them know about all of my hopes, dreams & wishes for them & their futures.

3.Wanna go to a horse race... bet on a winner & wear a big ole floppy hat & some fancy outfit.

4. Drive a sports car with the top down around the winding curves on the side of a mountain

5. Something a little unattainable but I am allowed to dream... bring a child from a suffering country to live with my family and raise him or her as our own, helping my children to learn humanity & diversity. Hoping that they open their hearts & minds in many ways!

6. RELAX...learn that life isn't supposed to be so serious & that it is full of beauty & love.

Relationships

'Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something: they’re trying to find someone who’s going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take.' ~Anthony Robbins

Wanted to share this. I love this thought & idea. It puts a new perspective & a new way of thinking on my relationships...love & otherwise. Today when you are angry with the way your child is acting, the disappointment you feel in that one certain friend, or even the way your spouse has made you feel...remember this quote and hold them a little closer, spend a little more time, or speak a little softer. In giving, you are sure to recieve!!

hahahaha!!!

I just had a call from a certain Charity asking me to donate some of my old clothes to the starving people throughout the world.
I told them to 'bleep' off!! Can't they see that anybody who fits into my clothes is NOT starving!!

Slowly going crazy!!!

I am trying to amuse myself & all I really need is a visit with a good friend matched up with a steaming cup of java & some belly laughing. I am searching out things to do. I could be cleaning the house....blecchhh!! I could be down in my scrap room but there are 5 boys down there playing pool, farting, & laughing loudly & talking obnoxiously. Then there are two sweet girls watching a movie on the main floor. So here I am BLOGGING again. I might be addicted! Hope you aren't sick of it yet...don't read anymore if you don't want to!

Did you know I have this crazy obsession with peanut brittle lately. I love it. I found this great stuff called...well Peanut Brittle. It has a sweet little ole lady on the front named Hazel Williams & it costs $2.49 per bag. I am happy to note that even though I know the calories, fat & sugar content are obscene, it is not listed on the package so that means it is guilt free right? Yeah right! I tried to find a picture of it for you but I can't & 'someone' feels that it is more important to have my camera then me. Argghhh! Anyway, I purchased 6, yes 6 bags of the stuff today. Let me tell you, I am not sure if I can refrain from eating at least two bags tonight!! Someone needs to save me!! That's it...I am gonna wash the fricken floor!!

Spider Woman

Do you ever get that feeling that there is a bad kid hanging out with yours?? My boys have a few friends over tonight! While I am not unhappy about that, one of them just plain and simple gives me the heebie jeebs!! I kind of want to pull his sweater over his head. For every comment I make, he has a smart mouth one and he is NOT someone who is around well enough to know me to do that!! While I am not judging this child, there is just something....I can't put my finger on it!

Kind of like some of those friends in your life. you know the ones. They are great fun sometimes & then...well then you get to know a side of them you would just as soon not know. You see, I have this "friend" claims to be my friend but has done some damage in a few little aspects of my life...then she hands me a gesture in kind & I don't know what to do with it seeing as I know there is an underlying current of evil...I am not talking about talking behind your back evil. I am talking about the kind that spys on you & spreads evil thoughts & plots to destroy what they can. You might think I sound a little paranoid. NO...she has time & again interfered in things that have nothing to do with her. This has not only occcured in my life but in the lives of some of my dearest friends & aquaintances...all at her hand. When she started hanging out with us, she came in quiet & shy with a great story. Once inside the fold of friendships, she weaved a tangled web like a spider spinning her prey. Slowly, weaknesses were exposed & trusts were broken. It is interesting how it has all fallen apart on her but she still weaves and spins....

Holy !! I was only talking about not being fond of one of my boy's friends. I guess I can let that one go. Moved on to other thoughts!! He probably isn't bad... just not what I am used to and I am not one to judge other kids...I work on NOT doing that because I know how it feels and how damaging it can be!!

These are a few of my favorite things...

So I have been compiling a long list of favorites! There are so manmny things that make me happy and I am going to take the time to list them right here on MY blog, cause I can...add that to my "makes me happy list". Here goes...

~my family ~Venti caramel machiatto w/xtra drizzle from Starbucks ~sunsets ~cats purring ~springtime in the mountains ~scrapbooking ~colors in the fall ~Chapters bookstore ~a clean house (preferably mine) ~sock free feet (mine ONLY) ~speeding ~buttered popcorn jellybeans by Jelly Belly ~all kinds of music ~pretty packaging ~fresh laundry ~sunroofs ~bonfires ~cupcakes (the prettier the better) ~earl grey tea ~cashews ~streams & creeks ~Gerbera Daisies (orange & hot pink are the best) ~a good book ~travelling ~Williams & Sonoma stores ~massages ~bubble baths ~cuddling ~candlelight ~rainy days ~Sweet Georgia Browns from Purdy's ~Lobster Ravioli from Joey's Only ~birthday cake drinks (Rum & Diet Coke) ~Grey's Anatomy (oooh McDreamy) ~Desperate Housewives ~fresh washed babies ~belly laughing ~wave watching on the beach ~silver jewelry ~the glow of Christmas trees ~ribbon ~new furniture

There are so many more but this was just a start. Now that I am in a better mood....thanks for listening!! I will probably write more later!!

Do you know what I feel like having today?? A few of these... yep, I am in the mood. Know why, cause I never get to. Instead, Kevin is off watching the Kootenay vs. Tigers Game with some friends. Mom is still sitting in emergency while Kerri sits with her for her shift, the boys (with a few extra) are hunting in the field & Megan is who knows where with Michelle & Kalli. You always want what you can't have right?!

Instead, I am having pizza with a house full of kids. I guess that is what I signed up for. Maybe I will be able to pull out some adhesive & glitter & paper & stamps & pictures ...some of the things that make me smile!! I do have a few good movies I could pop in while enjoying my favorite sport.

More Pictures of my crew

I cannot stop...this is so fun!! Here is a just a snap to show you how much Jordan is growing... either that or Grandma is shrinking!! These were taken New Years Day. Grandma wanted to host a meal for the Pattersons at her newly renovated house. Thanks Grandma!!

Baptism 2009

Guess what... I figured out how to put pictures up!! So these are a couple of my favorite pictures of my children from last summer. They all chose to be baptized at Eagles Nest Ranch. I was so moved to hear their reasons as to why they wanted to be closer to God. I know God is not an every Sunday part of our lives but both Kevin and I are believers and we want that to be a part of what helps our children define themselves. They are exposed to religion a bit but we have never comitted to a church because we simply don`t know where to go and for those of you who think this is wrong...I apologize but we were in a hockey rink almost every Sunday! That does not mean that God is any less important to us...it simply means we made a choice. He is with us in our prayers before we go to sleep at night and sometimes for me in the day when I need strength to get through this or that.... enough babbling, here are my beautiful babies!!

Brendan's Champion Picture

I cannot believe that I hadn't mentioned the big news!! Brendan's hockey team won the 2009/2010 Championship for PeeWee hockey. #1 in the League. These boys and one girl worked hard. Congratulations PeeWees'. You had a stellar year!

A Little Reflection...

I got a little bit of teasing today because I have either deleted posts (so people will mind their own business) or the fact that I haven't blogged in forever. I am watching PVR tv with my hubby and so I thought I would kill a little time....

Hockey is over...Yahoo! There are only two more functions and those will be fun. I thought I would be happy but I am elated. I haven't felt so overwhelmed as I did this year. There were a lot of changes for my oldest son's team this year and being the manager, I got to be the person to deal with it! Phew!! I think I will leave the volunteering for things like that to the crazy people...(yep, I am certain there are crazier then me!) The boys are almost relieved too. They have started remodelling their fort. It's a mish mash of scrap materials they have found here and there! I will have to get out there and take some pictures of it to show off the ingenuity my boys hold. They have also pulled out the dirtbikes and quad, much to the neighbours chagrin. I LOVE it! There were 3 quads and 4 bikes parked here on the weekend while they all came in for snacks and to tease me!! Saturday night was a full house too with about 5 extra kids sleeping over. There is nothing better then being the place they happen to all be at in the moment.

So that brings me to Meg. My sweet Megan is becoming a teenager rapidly. There is some eyeliner and fancy hair. Much more attention to clothes although she isn't at that girlie girl stage quite yet!! She loves to be with her friends. I am starting to miss her ...and the boys! Anyway, I think we are going to have to invest in another quad or convince her to ride the extra dirt bike. She is logging more miles on the quad than either boy.

Other then that, Mom had knee surgery last week. She is a trooper although today was a rough day for her. She spent a fair bit of time asleep. Hopefully she can take it easy over the next few weeks and heal so she can maximize the effects of such a major surgery!

I am working on this blog thing...learning as I go. Soon, there will be pictures and artwork and more stuff about the people I love and really like!!

Happy New Year....

I have been trying to get a blog up for a long time now. I thought being the new year, I would conquer of few of the things on my to do list. I am excited at the prospect of sharing my day to day stories with anyone who wants to listen. I can't imagine they would be interested but...you never know. Today started a little rough for me....I have pnuemonia so I woke up coughing and sputtering like an old truck that has ran out of gas. Thats okay...I am bound to get better. Here it is, 2pm and I am still in my pj's but I am watching a movie with two of my very favorite people; Kevin and Megan. I guess they are watching the movie and I am working on my blog. The boys, home today at 12:30pm after a sleepover at a friends, are off showering and cleaning up for supper at Grandma's place.

2009 was tumultuous for my family after losing my Dad. I miss him every day but am thankful he is at peace and no longer suffering. I am looking at 2010 with optimism. I want to think of it as an awakening. You know when all the snow melts and there is growth and renewed energy and the opportunity for a fresh start....that is my hope. And more then my hope, it is my goal.

After supper tonight, I have a few projects to work on. There is some hockey posters for an upcoming tournament and my stamp of the month projects...just three months to get finished and then I can send those off.The exciting project for me is the Christmas project I am planning for next year. I am going to build a Year of Change scrapbook of my kids for their Grandparents. I am going to take a picture of each child monthly and scrapbook the changes and differences in their lives...I might even make one for me while I am at it.

It seems like I blinked and they are now 14, 12, and 11. They all have busy lives and I am just their tour guide....getting them from point A to point B and of course paying for it!! But it is fun stuff. The things that life is made of. Hockey pratices and games all over the place, sleepovers, soccer, dirtbiking, and snowboarding/skiing to name a few!! It was only yesterday I brought home each of my bundles of joy and could never have imagined I would be here today....and only a few gray hairs came with it. Jordan, my beautiful disaster! He keeps me on my toes and sometimes I think he may be smarter then me. He is intense but forgetful...he is so many things but he is just a boy! Brendan my social butterfly....why come home, they (the 'rents') will always be there...this is fun now with my friends. We logged it. He stayed home all of 8 days over the summer. (Some of those days away were spent with us ~ but not many)!! Megan my giggly, but serious and most organized little lady! No one loves animals the way this girl does and her whole life revolves around their happiness and comfort!

I should hit the shower....time is wasting away.