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???