This is what my child thinks of santa:)

Moments like these:)

Dave and i were leading worship this morning, so addy decided she needed to help too:) It was so cute!

Christmas tradition-cutting down the christmas tree!

This is one of my favorite traditions:) Every year we go with Dave's side of the family and cut down his parents christmas tree, have lunch and than come back at night to decorate and eat lots of treats;)! So yesterday was the day! We had a great day, and now are recovering...so much partying! so much fun! I love this season!

Our sad attempt at a family photo!

Addy helping daddy cut down the tree!

here it is!

My beautiful girl:)!

18 months

18 months is just 5 days away...18 months...almost two..not a baby anymore...18 months..

I am loving this age. OK, I say that about every age because its true;) We are starting to enter the world of temper tantrums now, not going to lie, but besides that, she is so much fun. Such a joy, so full of life, love and personality. I had one of those moments the other day where a tear flowed down my cheek as I watched this little person evolve. She was holding her little lamb stuffed animal, and I asked her if lamby was tired and if she would rock her to sleep. she proceded to rock lamby back and forth while patting her bum than looked down at lamby gave her a kiss and proceded to rock her again...melt this mommy's heart! I love that she has learned that from me, and I have showed her that; hey I am doing something right!:) and a big part of it is also just how God created us. He designed us to love and nurture and comfort, and she is already doing such a great job at that:)

She is also full of words, and amazes me daily at her smarts. recognizing family members in pictures coming out with new words every day, making up things to do to entertain herself, laughing at herself, and us! busy, busy, and more busy! I love this girl, and am so grateful this christmas more than ever to have had God entrust me with her...18 months, lets see where the next six take us!

Traditions

I grew up in a pastors home, which means a couple of things. Well, many things actually, but moving around is one thing that comes with the territory. Well for us it did anyways. My childhood was really stable, wonderful actually, and even though we moved houses, our church, and school stayed the same. It was wonderful. We had some wonderful traditions, that I loved! And have so many cherished memories in my heart. But in 1995 we moved. and that move changed me life. Unfortunately not so much for the better. My highschool years were tough. I have some very fond memories of that time, but also a lot of pain. After highschool I was searching, high and low, for a place that felt like home again. I moved back close to the area i grew up in to try and rekindle my childhood memories, but life was different now, and it took me a while to realize that you can't go back; you can only move forward. I spent a few years living back in "my" city..yes Vancouver is my City, and I loved it! that is a time I will cherish forever, and will be so grateful that I did it! it was my time, time to find my wings, find myself, and have some fun:) In 2006 I realized that my wings were tired and it was time to find roots, and so I did. I did in a place that i never thought I would, but isn't it usually the things we don't plan and let HIM plan go so much better than our plans?? I am just saying....:)
My dream now is to stay rooted. If God calls us somewhere else, than I will obedientely go, but at the same time I secretly pray that this can always be home. Not because I love the smell of fertilizer; no...because I want this for my chilren. The thing that I have been searching for and feel that I missed out on I want to give to them. Roots, a home, and lots and lots of fabulous traditions! We are still working out the kinks in the tradition area, and they will take time to grow and develop but I know they will come, and I am so looking forward to that!!
I am not sure what this holiday season will look like yet, but I will share after its all said in done the things we did, and loved, and wont do again:) This weekend I am looking forward to a baking day with friends...maybe this will become a tradition?? I am doing a cookie exchange with some of my friends out here and this will be year 2 of that...one that I think I quite like!!

So what are some of your favorite holiday traditions??? What do you dream about this time of year for your kids???

chicken, mushroom soup thing..

Hows that for a recipe title?? I don't know what to call it, its just something i like to throw together in a pan, but it is comfort food all the way!

So here's what you need:

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
a can of mushroom soup
pepper
frenches fried onions
half a pack of brown gravy mix
egg noodles

So basically brown up the chicken in a pan with some olive oil. Season it with a little pepper and with whatever else you fancy. Add the mushroom soup and a can of water mix it up and let it simmer till the chicken is cooked all the way through. Cook up the egg noodles. While the egg noodles are cooking, turn the heat down on the chicken to a low simmer, and throw on top some frenches fried onions. Let it heat up so some of the soften a bit. Serve the chicken and sauce over the egg noodles, with some broccolli on the side..easy and delish! Small chow mein noodles are good over the chicken as well if you want a bit of crunch in your bite..enjoy!

December first...tomorrow...really??

Well its almost here...the big C that is, meaning Christmas, not the tv show;) Which I am curious to watch by the way...ok, anyways, back onto my topic:) Tomorrow is December first and I think I am still a bit in shock over that. As usual time is flying! Things are starting to feel a little settled around here..in some aspects. I am still in the new stages of my new promotion at work, but feeling more settled in it now because now that I have moved up a step my schedule is more routine, and not so much all over the place. I have gone to three maybe four days a week, and full days instead of this five days a week, 4-7 hour long shifts. And no sundays!!
It was way too much..it was killing me emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I definetly wasn't finding a good balance in my life, and I don't function well when my life is out of balance! Anyone else out there that can relate? so yes this 24 hours a week or so is managable, still not ideal, as ideal would be full time at home with my girl; but managable. I know financially i should work more, but its just so not worth it!! and that is a great feeling to know. So basically my priorities are figured out in my heart, and I know God is going to bless my family for that. And even this week things seem more encouraging.
The one poopy part of this last while has been the illness in this house. Due to shift work, going back to work, and life stress I have had a cold for the past three months it feels like. Off and on it keeps coming back and I just can't seem to feel better. And this week my poor little girl got it:( Its been rough, with the multiple wake ups in the middle of the night, and the sick little girl who is not too happy right now..but I believe the antibiotics are starting to kick in and I am hopeful for a better day tomorrow for both of us!
I have also been getting back into my devotions and that has been helping me a lot..what a concept right??!
Another big step for me this week was to start doing something for myself. With having to work a job I don't love, and that is just a job, my heart has been aching. Aching for meaning, purpose, and a plan. So I have finally put into action something that has been on my heart for really, 15 years, but more directly in the past three. I always thought I wanted to be a nurse, a neo natal one to be exact..I love babies!! its true:) But every time i would start out my schooling down that path it just wouldn't work out. I have tried three times now; no joke! well, while I was pregnant with Addyson it started to dawn on me what I wanted to do. I wanted/needed to be in some sort of health care, helper role but I just hadn't figured out what that looks like yet. My dream, if I had the money, and a school closer to me would be to become a midwife. I wouldn't do it with little ones, but once they are all grown up I would be all over it. So than I started researching the Doula program, and realized, hey, this is something tangible that I can do. It got pushed to the back burner, but has started to creep up again this last while. So I decided last week to just go for it. I ordered my first set of books and I am on my way to reading this fantastic material. I have decided for now I want to pursue the post partum Doula program as I don't think it would be smart for me to try and balance, 3am deliveries with my own little ones, but the post partum one is feesable. The other thing I have decided is that i am doing this for myself. Meaning, if Never make a dime off of it I don't care I am doing this for me, and that feels good! I think the post partum thing spoke to me as I know what it is like to adjust in those first couple of weeks under unexcted circumstance, due to a c-section in my circumstances, but I have dear friends who have walked much darker paths than me, and I just want to help, be a light, use it as a ministry, whatever God wants from it, its his...so that is exciting to me, and it feels good to get excited! anyways, just needed to write down my life update for myself, and will be back for some christmas things to look forward to, and some recipes! be blessed my blogger friends!

what I am thankful for.

Even though its not Canadian thanksgiving today, even though part of me wishes it was..I felt the need to write a gratitude list. I like the word gratitude/grateful, to me it just has that much more depth and meaning than thankful..so I use it...With the stressors of life weighing heavily on my heart some days i felt the need to focus on the good, because there is a lot of that, but I have this horrible character trait that allows worry and fear to comsume my need for faith and trust in my FATHER...its a daily battle a daily laying at the cross..but love conquers all, and he is love...

so here is my list for today...cause I am trying to take things one day at a time;)

-My girl, I looked over at her face today as she watched her praise baby, captivated by the music; she captivates my heart..I am eternally grateful for her in my life.
-My hubby. He's such a good man who loves his girls dearly and we love him for that;)
-Furnaces:) baby its cold outside! so I am so grateful to have a day off today to be tucked inside my warm cozy home its lovely!
-Snow falls, and not having to go outside and drive in said snowfall.
-hot beve's:) warm water with honey(I know I am a granny but with this cold that just wont go away it feels so good), hot coffee...so good...
-comfort food! cause that is what we are having for dinner!
-leggings! I finally got a pair, and I am in love!!
-time for devotions. I have been plugging back in and it feels so good to be doing so. I know my obedience will pay off in so many ways. because the word is so nourishing for the soul.
-muffins..I just made a batch and they are delish!
-Grace...I am so grateful for the grace that is constantly shown in my life...

halloween 2010

This year Addyson was our little dalmation; and in my opinion the cutest one around! She loved being in her little costume and as you can see checking herself out in the mirror! Addy's cousin came over to join us, and her parents too, as we toured our neighborhood on this new adventure of trick or treating. Addy did great and seemed to quite like this idea of going door to door to get things! After a few houses in our area we headed to my parents, than Dave's parents and back home for some late night nacho's with the cousins! it was a fun night! still feels surreal at times that we are doing this, but still fun:)

life update

What a beautiful month October has been but it is official, the rain is here! But that is ok with me. As long as it doesn't go on forever! It does give us a good excuse to curl up inside and not feel guilty about not being out in the sun!

These last three months have definetely been crazy for our little family. Lots of adjusting, busyness, pass offs at the door as one comes home from work and the other one heads off, weekends of single parenting, long days, and lots more. But there has been lots of wonderful moments inbetween and we have cherished those. We had a great day at the aquirium back in September for my parents anniversary, a night at Harrison to celebrate my moms birthday, my birthday, our 3rd anniversary, thanksgiving, and last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch. So we have definetely been working on not letting life get ahold of us but us enjoying life when we can! The last big thing we did was this weekend when Dave and I headed downtown for our first night away from Addy. And it was great! We missed our girl but it was easier than I thought and I think that is because we went at a good age and the right time. I only teared up once when I talked to her on sunday morning. We had such a great time though together, eating, lounging, sleeping in, shopping, and just being togther. It felt like us for a moment in time. It was a really good reminder of something I have always really believed in, and that is our marriage; or marriage in general. Meaning, that as important as children and being a parent are, your marriage needs to be on that priority list! And it is so easy to push it to the bottom of the pile under the unfolded laundry. But when you pull it back to the top and take hold of it again, amazing things happen! So, that is what this weekend was, reclaming our marriage, and our bond and love for eachother. And yes, a start of more things to come, as I know more dates are needed in our world!!!
One thing that I know is going to help is that I got promoted to shift supervisor last week and i start training next week:) This is really good news for our family! For a couple of different reasons. First more money, not tons, but right now every bit helps. Second, better hours. Right now I have been workign about 30 hours a week, but 5 days a week, which basically feels like full time anyways. And its not go to work from 9-5 deal with baby for a few hours and than have the nights and weekends off. Its been, toddler all day, go to work at night...ect. So its been a lot! I am not going to lie. Dave has also been working side jobs, so again, we have been like ships passing in the night. But As hard as its been, God continues to be faithful and i choose to continue to stand on his promise that he hasn't left us or forsaken us, and the fruit of that in our life is so apparent. So I am rejoicing today in Gods promises! Because they are so good!

The pumpkin Patch

This last saturday we headed to the pumpkin patch. I was so excited to do this as I had been waiting since last year to go with Addy! I am so glad we went and I think thatAddyson would agree! We went to one called Willow Farms in Abby; free admission, kids toys, petting zoo, pumpkin patch galore, concession stand with country store, it was perfect! We had such a great day as a family and with our friends we went with! Can't wait for next year and making this one of our family traditions!

3 years later

On wed dave and i celebrated three years of marriage. I have to tell you, of all anniversary's this is the first one I woke up and felt excited. I think that it is because I needed to feel excited. I spent our first anniversary sick(morning sickness that is), and our second one we were just both excited and nervous to leave addy for the first time for more than an hour so we could go to dinner and a movie, and by the end of it my boobs felt like they were about to burst.
So there was something fresh and hopeful about this one. A new start i guess? Maybe the feeling that in someway this year feels like it can only get better than last? whatever the reason, it felt good. And I was also so grateful for the day off of work to spend it with my girl. The absolute best things to come out of our first three years together..she has been worth it all.

So after a great day with her and visiting the newest member in our village out here Dave and I got to go out for an amazing Thai dinner and had such a great time just talking..because after three years it feels so natural, so right yet still new and exciting at times.

Marriage is hard..that is for sure, but when you pick the right person, when you listen to Gods directing, when you trust him every step of the way, it can be oh so good.

The funny thing, the irony about it all, is what I have learned is that being married isn't the hard part, its dealing with everyone else;)*grin*

Anyways, Dave, I would choose you all over again, in a heartbeat. But I would go back and tell myself three years ago this:
to let all expectations and set steps go, and just love, just go with the flow, have goals and dreams, but don't let them consume you girl, take each day one day at a time, and focus on the good of that day..and just love...love him...love yourself and keep serving the one that brought you together...because he is the one who is going to bless the next three..thirty...and then some even more than you can imagine. So let go to the father, the one who has the master plan, and just love girl, just love..

My future Picasso

I came home from work the other day to discover this waiting on my counter;) Addyson had spent the day with her Nana(my mom) while I was working and it turns out they unleashed their creative juices. I almost cried when I saw this, because I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever(and yes I understand to someone who is not her mother what it looks like), but, it warmed my heart and made me sad all at the same time! Such a great suprise but I told my mom I was a little sad that I wasn't there to see it:) but that is ok, I know that there is much more painting and drawing and art work to be done in the household, and it makes my heart so happy to know that while I go off to work, my girl is in loving hands;) And doing exactly what I would want to do with her! So yes, I am sure there will be much more artwork on this blog of mine; as I am a proud mama!

Hats, headbands and head banging

Here's a few random pictures of recent. Right now, and hopefully for a long time to come, one of addyson's favorite things to do is hug her daddy. Ok, well she just loves to hug in general, but especially after her bath, while looking in the mirror she wraps her little arms around her daddy's neck and squeezes..I love it!

Oh how she loves her stuffed animals. this is Louie..as in Vutton..thats right. For now she has a big stuffed dog, but maybe one day she will be lucky enough to get the bag:)*grin*

I love this headband! it was my latest Etsy treat..isn't it fabulous??:)

So last fall i took a picture of Addy in this hat that I won at a woman's conference I went to. I love it! And I absolutly to this day love the photo of her in it. Well, it was a lot easier at four months old to get a good shot; so this is the best I could get with a 14 month old! Not quite the same but pretty darn cute just the same!:)

A day at the beach

For my moms birthday this year, all she asked for was a day in the city with her girls(addy and myself). Well, as much as we would have LOVED to get into the city, anybody tried recently?? What a gong show! so we did some detouring, did some shopping, had a lovely lunch and headed to white rock. What a perfect day for it!! it was sunny and warm, and this little girl was in love!!! She ran, jeans, shoes and everything right into the warm tiddle pools and thought it was the greatest thing ever! she had lots of admiring fans watching this crazy kid take off without a care in the world or where her mother was, she was on a mission! And oh how I loved watching her run free on the beach; it was heaven for me. And one of those magical moments in the week that make all the other not so nice ones disappear;)!

I am busy...really I am

We might be super busy right now but still have time to do this kind of stuff!

Ten years ago yesterday

Ten years ago yesterday, September 6 2000 my whole life changed. I packed my bags, and came home. Well, technically I left home, but I moved back to the lower mainland which to me was my home. The interior was a temporary stop over for our family, with some good memories, but also a lot of pain. Any other girl out there NOT love her high school years??:) Anyways, it was quite emotional reminiscing of where I was and how far I have come. I look at the 18 year olds i work with and think, wow, I used to be like that, think like that, act like that, wow..has things ever changed. I was no naive, so week, so young, so impressionable, so innocent, but so hopeful for things to come. I don't know if I ever thought I would be here ten years ago, but here I am, and I wouldn't change it for the world. I am blessed. There are hard days, and hard circumstance that we are working through in this season of our life, but I know I am blessed and grateful for the amazing people I call my little family. Sometimes I think there is so much I want to do in life, and I have so much to accomplish still. And this is all true, but looking back I also can't believe how much I have done in the past ten years. So here is my list in review, and I am proud of this list, proud of my accomplishments, my successes and failures, because they have all molded me to be the person I am today, and I am proud of this girl, I think she is alright;)

So,
-I have had 8 different jobs
-Attended 3 different schools, one which I completed my Marketing diploma at. One of the best times in my life those two years were!! I would never take those years back.
-I have moved 9 times! yikes!
-Had three different room ates
-Lived on my own
-Lived in the city(LOVED this time!!)
-Owned two places
-Traveled to California a few times, New York, Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Cuba, Oregon, and Washinton Multiple times!
-Got married
-Had a baby
-Gone back to work after mat leave
-Lived, loved, partied, studied, drank lots of Starbucks, laughed, watched many movies, drank lots of red wine, taken many walks along the beaches and rivers, sat on patios, ate at amazing restaurants, watched gorgeous sunsets, hung out with friends, taken many road trips with friends, planned my wedding, lounged on catamarans, read amazing books, shopped, shopped and shopped some more, grew a big belly, breast fed my baby, snuggled her and loved her more than I thought possible, kissed my husband, loved my husband, laughed with my husband, and loved Jesus the whole way through...wow, life is good...you forget the pains of the day, you don't forget the people you lost, but slowly over time its a warm memory in your heart that's etched on the walls of your soul. The sadness doesn't linger the pain dissipates, and all you hold dear is the love, the memories and the pride you have of saying, I did all this..me..wow, and whats even more exciting is I am just getting started so watch out world, here I come!!

mother may I...

I am in love!! that is all i have to say...


http://www.hollyyashi.com/other/new-arrivals/elizabeth-earrings-BC10060.html?FEA_SKU=10950&related=xsell

while browsing through Etsy..

Seriously??? People buy this stuff??? seriously??? Ok if you are really bored or just want to do something meaningless with your life for five minutes go see what the most ridiculous thing you can find on etsy is!!

facebook time out

So I deactivated my facebook account. Yes its true. The plan is to make this a temporary move, but we will see. I don't have a definite timeline, a month maybe, maybe longer. I know there are things about facebook I couldn't give up long term, like its a great way to keep in touch and see updates on friends and family that live far away, and it makes me feel like I am still apart of their lives. But i just felt it was time. I would check facebook a couple of times a day I usually wouldn't stay long, but I definetly was on there. I love looking at pictures, and status updates are always fun to see what people were up to..so..why am I having a time out?? well...we are in a season of our life that I don't really love. I am not going to lie, this has been a really tough year, and just when I don't think it can get harder it does. but I am praying that we are going to come through this storm now, not sink deeper into it. I know God has been with us, and that he has us going through this desert for a reason, but some days it just really sucks. And i am not saying this for sympathy or a pitty party, that is the last thing I want. But if I hear one more time, oh this could be worse, or look on the bright side, I think i might slap someone. Because until you have walked in our shoes, you have no place for opinions or judgements...ok I am done my rant..that feels better. So yeh, I just felt that looking at everyones life and comparing wasn't helping my mental state, so I shut it down. Ok, so its only been three days, but i got to tell ya, I feel better. I feel happier and more positive that things are going to be ok, and that I have the mental space and more energy to focus on my family and work right now, because that is all the energy i have right now..and that is ok. Anyways, thats that..I guess its kind of a fast in some ways, and its good, I feel like its another step in obedience. And I hope after we get out of this season in our lives I can come back and share lots of lovely insight and wisdom that can encourage others because that will make all of this worth it!!

So my challenge for you today, is there anything in your life that is dragging you down, not lifting you up, and is it maybe time to deactive this thing???

Addyson update..14.5 months old!

Its been a while since I updated about my girl, so I figured it was time! I can't believe she is almost 15 months. I thought the first year went fast, but I already feel like this year is going faster. It has been a busy summer for us but not necessarily in the way I expected, or hoped. But this is life. The one constant good in my life through all the change and tough times we are going through right now in this stage of life is my girl. She keeps me going, everything I do I do it for her, and it is SO worth it. Some days are fabulous and feel easy peasy, but on the hard days..those days where it feels like life is swallowing you up, she keeps me swimming to the surface! Oh how I love this girl...

So on to the updates..well folks there is never a quiet or dull moment in our house! We have a busy one!! Busy but so good. I do find being out and about a challenge only because most of the time I am chasing after her, and I am still not quite use to it:) But she is so good; self entertains so well, smiles, laughes, amusses herself as well as her mommy and daddy and everyone else around! She doesn't walk, she runs. She talks non stop. She laughes, and mimics, and closes doors, and open cupboards and presses the stereobuttons multiple times a day! Again, never a dull moment. But than there are things that make her..her. her uniqueness, one of a kindness, the things we love! She loves to mimic, this is her latest thing. The funniest one she came up with this month was mimicing yawning. For some reason one day she saw her daddy yawning and just started to chuckle. So now, all you have to do is say, addy are you so tired and her arms go up in the air and she makes this little grunt sound..its so cute! She loves going up and down the stairs. And at bed time, all you have to do is ask her if its time for bed, and she marches right up to the gate and wants to go up..so precious;) A few weeks ago, she had a little blanky in her hand from her doll and she took it to the floor like she was wiping something up. So now if you give her a cloth and ask her to wash the floor, she will do it!..thats right, starting them young!haha
Her favorite show is in the night garden as she has a little igglepiggle doll..strangest show, but she loves it! her favorite video is still her praise baby or baby einstein. She loves puppets!!
And dogs, she loves dogs!! and yes, everytime she sees one she barks at them..arf. arf..arf..arf, it so cute;) but she still can't seem to understand yet that cats don't bark; so for now, according to her they do! She has quite a list of vocabulary. She is well known already for her "whats that?? oh, what is it??...non stop multiple times a day! so cute!! She says bupa(papa), ba(ball), baba(bottle), bubo(bubble), dada, mama, hi. She signs, please, thank you, more and finished. She knows where her nose and head are, but is still convinced her belly is her bum!

Oh, there is just so much, she is so full of personality, funny faces and expressions, laughs, wierd monster sounds where we are not sure where she gets them from, and so much more!! Just love her, just love her....

Here are a few pics; I really have not taken many recently with the busyness of life, and well, my camera isn't the greatest with moving targets!!

So this is how most of the pictures turn out...give me that camera mama!!

As much as she loves her videos, she loves the cases!

Styling in her rain boots!!

ten things I love about fall!

So I still will be back with an update on my girl, but she is a little tricky to take pictures of right now..so for now I will share this. I am ready for fall, so ready. which is wierd because usually I can't stand the thought of summer ending. But this summer was a little different for us, with a one year old, an extremely tight budget, and me going back to work, it just didn't feel the same. I would say my highlight of the whole summer was the Lion King...fantastic, that is all I have to say!! Anyways, so I am ready to embrace fall, and here are a few things I am looking forward to!

1. Hot drinks. I have been drinking cold drinks galor, but I am ready for them!! Gingerbread lattes, bailey's with coffee, Earl Grey Tea lattes..yumm yumm!

2. Another drink that I am so ready to embrace again is my other lover; Red wine!! oh how I have missed you this summer;)!

3. Comfort food..I am talking lasagna, casserols, mashed potato's and gravy...ohhhh, bring on the carbs!!!

4. And to cover the bloated belly I will be sporting from all those carbs; its hoodie time! i love Hoodies, in the summer, in the fall, year around, I love hoodies!! and cardigans, I love cardigans!! and for an early birthday present, my mom took my shopping at Joe for some fall clothes, including some fabulous sweaters!!

5. the leaves, I love leaves, and I can't wait to see my daughter playing in them!

6. Cold crisp clean air!! ahhh, i have missed you!

7. My birthday/anniversary/thanksgiving week-weekend!!!woohoo!!

8. The pumpkin patch with addy, it will be her first time, and choosing which halloween costume she will wear this year; so much fun!!!

9. fireplaces!! I cant wait to use our fireplace. since we moved into our new place in march, we only got to use it a few times; I can't wait to use it more!!

10. oh and the last one..well, I can't wait to see my girl in her new fall wardrobe its going to be adorable!! have I mentioned I love having a girl????


Sooooo...whats on your list...post it to your blog and share with all if you want!! i can't wait to hear!

Its been weeks!

Its been weeks since i have posted, and it seems like yesterday! crazy!! I can't believe its been almost three weeks that I have been back to work; time is flying!! So work, first of all, overall its good. I enjoy the environment, the day's tend to go by fairly quickly, the perks are fantastic, and it makes time fly!! The shift work is giving me lots of time with my girl, and that is the most important part! I am learning lots, doing well as I am told, which feels so great!! Its great to have adult conversation and be social. Its funny being one of the oldest people there though, and having older gentlemen asking me how they let someone as young as me get married??hahaha!! its the ponytail I have to wear;) The negatives..there are some, I am not going to lie..I am tired, oh so tired. I now feel like I have two full time jobs. This week is better, and overall I do better in life when I am busy, but sometimes I don't feel like i have time to breathe or any for myself, and than I get a little edgy:) I haven't worked this hard, in well..never!! And I get my first paycheck this friday and I am pretty sure I am going to cry:( See, the job market is a little tight out there, and for the convience of being with my child I have taken a MASSIVe pay cut..so that is going to sting..but I am continuely grateful and trying to focus on the benefits; but once in awhile, I like to feel sorry for myself for a bit, just a bit:) So that is work, work is life, but its a stage of life, that I keep reminding myself as well! And its character building, oh is it ever character building!!

So besides that, not much else to report on in life. We have a birthday party this weekend, than a fun shopping day in the city with my mom in a few weeks for her birthday, than hopefully another fun family day at the end of the month to celebrate my parents 35 anniversary! and than soon it will be October, and well, I love October....our third anniversary, my birthday, halloween which now equals adorable costumes for my girl. and sweaters, fireplaces, wine..lots of red wine...I am ready to embrace fall!!! ooohhh, I think I might have to come back with my top ten things Iam looking forward to for fall..stay tuned!

Oh, and I will be back with an update of my girl, its been a while, and she has changed..oh she has changed...my baby no more, my toddler, oh how I love my toddler:)! But I need pics, and Ihavent taken those in a while, so I will be back!!

Hope you all are having a great week, enjoy whats left of the sun!!xoxo, me:)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its back to work I go:)

Yes tomorrow is the big day, I am heading back to work! I can't believe the time is come; it all feels so surreal. So yes I did manage to find a job after what seemed like an eternity. Turns out we still aren't out of this recession:) Its not what I was hoping for, its not what I expected or had planned in my head, but I am trusting God for great things to come out of this. One being, and this is the best part out of all of it..I get to raise my child!! I will be working some lovely shift work, but it means only working a few days which hopefully my mom can watch her, and than the rest evening shifts. Its going to mean some very long days for me, lots of hard work, and a big change in lifestyle, but I know in time we will adjust, we always do:) So if you can say a little prayer for me this week as I am nervous not only about going back to work, but to a new job, lots to learn, and some days I still have "mommy" brain:) I will keep you updated on this new venture and new stage of our life, but until than I am off to savour my 16 hours left of my etended mat leave;)

Its in the details

We haven't been inspired to do much painting around our house since we moved in. We painted the two bathrooms upstairs as the color was, well, ugly, so they needed to be painted. And maybe in the fall when the paint wont melt off the walls we will continue with some other rooms.
So for now, Addyson's room had to be decorated with details, as the paint color is quite neutral. Again to save $$ I have been trying to keep it simple but to add a few fun things. And oh does this girl love stuff on her walls. She is such a little smarty pants already and will point to anything new on the wall as she knows that wasn't there before!

First...I was finishing addyson's one year scrapbook and had purchased this peice of paper. But I decided that it was too cute to scrapbook over so I came up with the idea to frame it. So off to Michaels we went and I found this scrapbook frame for 40% off, so the whole cost for this picture and frame was $8! And she loves to point to it and ask what it is! I think its pretty cute;)

This clock Dave picked out. We thought it was so cute and very fitting for a wee girl who has no concept of time! yet, that is:)

I found this wall decals at Home Depot and I love them! They are textured, and bright and glossy and oh so much fun!



These letters were given to Addyson when she was born but came in white. So I decided to paint them pink with white poka dots..I love them:) And had lots of fun painting them too!

This Chandelier...oh this chandelier..well this one wasn't in the budget, but her birthday gift from her Nana and Papa, and I adore it, and so does she!

So there you have a little taste of our sweet girls room. We decided one of the reasons we don't want to paint either because one day she will be moving into the room next door, so we will wait to paint her big girl room instead! but not yet!! she is NOT a big girl yet, even if she thinks she is sometimes, I will keep my baby a little longer thank you very much!