Addyson turns three-continued

I saw this idea on pintrest and hope I remember to do it every year. We asked Addy some questions; Here are her responses!

1. who's your favorite person-Avery(her new bestie from dance class)

2. Whats your favorite movie to watch-Dora...ugh...hoping that one changes soon:)

3. Whats your favorite color-purple

4. Whats your favorite food-Strawberries (that one I am sure would change daily:)

5. How old are you-Three

6. Favorite toy-Ariel

7. Whats your favorite treat-Cupcakes

8. Whats your favorite pair of shoes- pink shoes. (She wears them every day:))

9. Favorite Song-jesus loves me (I hope this one NEVER changes:))

10. Whats baby Alex's favorite toy- Snow white (its the one princess doll she lets him have. I am guessing her least favorite!)

11. Whats your favorite animal-Kitten

12. Whats mommy's favorite animal- A moose! haha I have no idea, but it was cute:)

13. Addy do you have a boyfriend?-NOO, I don't have a boyfriend. It was in this tone of are you kidding me mom:) haha

So there you have it! We asked a few others, but they were too hard for her to understand quite yet, so maybe we will expand the list next year!!

What I love about you at three:

you are so kind, sweet, loving, gentle, funny, compassionate, and such a beautiful spirit! I don't look back at your two's with, thank God they are done..you really are a great kid! I know three will bring more independence and challenges as you find your place in this world, but i also know that I am so looking forward to you exploring who you are in christ! I love you so much my girl. you truly are my heart walking around in this world!

Life updates

Blog land seems so quiet lately..which makes me feel like everyone is in the same boat as right now...BUSY!
It has been a crazy season with the main theme being birthdays;) lots and lots of birthdays! Its always fun to celebrate life with our friends and family, but at the same time we are continually reminded that its about balance. And with all this craziness and running around all over town and out of town..its time to slow down and focus on what matters most, our little family. So we are working on it. The plan is to sit down and make some house rules so that we can come to a happy medium of balance in all areas of our lives.
I think especially for me, who can go and go..but than I crash, and usually when I crash its a hard crash. So a constant learning curve, but that's life!

Alexander is 3 months old now which is so hard to believe. It really does go by so fast with the second! I love this stage we are entering though. I love when they start to interact and discover the world. And I love the facial recognition and the big smiles I get when he sees me. Makes me feel so loved! And man, do I ever love this little guy! Words can't describe!

Miss Addy is quickly approaching three..another thing that is so hard to believe! I am not sure how I feel about the 3"s yet. Looking back I can honestly say my two's really weren't that bad at all:) They had their moments, but really not so bad. Where I have a feeling, from things already seen that the threes are going to bring more of  a challenge. So I am humbled every day in my parenting and call on God for lots of grace and patience as I am still sleep deprived as well. And I also try to remind myself what a gift she is and really what an amazing, smart, funny, beautiful, and unique little girl she is! And those moments that aren't so pleasant; well they are a stage;)

And I don't know about you but with being constantly bombarded with parenting tips, social media, and news articles..anyone read or see that times article??:) its hard. Its hard to trust your instinct and to know whats right. But like my mom reminded me today, was that whats most important is trusting relationship with God, and going from there..So we truck along:)

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun!!

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend has come and gone; and what an eventful one it was!

Thursday started out with some serious shopping at our new Winners for a much needed Easter dress, that accommodates..well you know, the feeding of the babe:)

Friday morning we had church and than our annual lunch out with my parents to one our favorite restaurants! After that we quickly came home so that Alex and I could get ready to head out to a baby shower for him, hosted by my co workers. It was intimate and a lovely afternoon and evening! Saturday we headed out into the suN! we had a great day at the park with friends, and than back home to get desserts made for sunday, and than a second time with out friends at our place for a spontanious BBQ..it was perfect!

Sunday was church, and than quickly running home to change and head out to easter at Dave's side as well as celebrating his brothers and moms birthday. Today Dave worked and the kids and I headed to friends for an Easter egg hunt and lunch. Again a fantastic day in the sun!!
Tonight was Easter dinner at my parents place as well as celebrating my dads and SIL's birthday's!...whew....I am tired just writing it;) it was a great weekend, but a little intense! LOL

So much to do so little times sometimes:) And I am learning more and more, how shorter time seems with two kids, as everything takes twice as long at this stage:) haha so I have to get more creative!

Hope you all had a great Easter weekend remembering the reason we live!

my baby is growing up!

I had Alex's one month check up today, so I dropped Addy off at a new friends place.
Back track..we put addy into a dance class this year; one that I originally didn't think was going to last, but has turned out to be great for both her and me! the reason..friends! for both of us;) I have always said I don't need more best friends, I have lots of amazing tight girls in my life, but I would love a community. Being fairly new to my town, its something that I have been desiring. And we are starting to find it:) And her dance class has been very instrumental in that process for me. The other great thing is that two of those moms, with little girls live within the same block or so as me; which is even better!

So this weekend when I realized I had his appointment, yet my family wasn't able to watch Addy I had a light bulb moment. my new neighbors! So I messaged one of the mamas and she said no prob! I dropped addy off at quarter to two, with the intention of picking her up a half an hour later...well, i went to pick her up, and what happened?? I was dismissed! haha So the mom said she would be happy to keep addy for a bit and walk her home later as its gorgeous outside today:)! so..two hours later, my girl came home!!

So many feelings in this moment. First of all, i feel so blessed to find some great moms, to be friends with and new friends for Addy!
Second of all, seeing my girl grow up and be more and more independent, and make her own little friends..melts my heart!!
Thirdly, to come home to a quiet house and hang out alone with my boy for a few hours was a treat, and a great reminder...I need breaks once and a while. They rejuvenate me, and fill me up to give more. Again, for the hundredth time, its reminding myself to not feel guilty, and realize that in the long run its doing great things for both of us!!

So all in all a successful lovely day that started out with some great park time and sun with fresh air, and an afternoon of peacefulness!

And with some never ending dark clouds hanging over us, these little breaks of sun in our spirit are so good:)

Happy Candyween:)

This weekend Addy and daddy did some pumpkin carving, which more equalled daddy carving and addy supervising:) It was pretty cute as she didn't want to touch the "dirty" pumpkin..such a girl! At thanksgiving time we had her paint a pumpkin which she did last year, and is something that we will continue to do..something fun, something different that the littles ones can do themselves! Than last night we headed out for some candy stashing! We have taken addy out the past three years and will continue to do so, but halloween isn't something we want to glorify, but its something that we have turned into a fun family night. The last couple of years we have gone out with her cousins, but with one of them moving this weekend, and one set of grandparents gone away right now, it was pretty low key. Going forward I would like to do it more in a group with friends or family as it does make it that much more fun! All in all we had a great time and loved watching her reaction as random people at doors handed her candy! she was quite intrigued by this concept:)

On thing that I have to say though, is that I do get disappointed looking around and seeing costumes getting darker and darker...like when did Zombies come into fashion?? really?? That was hard for me.as well as screening some people's homes as they would come to the door with scary costumes and masks on. Again, people, at six thirty there are babies out there! Can't that wait till after eight?? so that is the part I wasn't really fond of. I guess we will see how it goes in the future. We can always re evalute and hit up some of the local church fairs they put on that night!

This

The pumpkin patch

Over the thanksgiving long weekend we headed to the pumpkin patch. We thought we would check out a different one than last year, and were really happy with our choice for the age addy is at and going forward! She had lots of fun jumping on the upside down trampoline., petting rabbits and goats, and of course all of the pumpkins that she loves! We had a great family day and look forward to doing it again next year..however we learned our lesson and we will not be going on the long weekend:)! it was a little nutty! But otherwise such great memories!

My little flower Girl:)

This past weekend we were involved with my dear girlfriend Zina's wedding:) Her love story is a pretty cool one. Not always romantic at times, lots of trails to overcome, but after four years her and her now hubby said I do! What was really cool about this wedding for me was that I have know the bride for ten years now, but I also have known the groom since elementary school. So being friends with both sides and being there to see the whole story unfold was such a great experience!

What was even more special was my little girl got to be a flower girl for the first time:)

I have to admit going into the weekend I was super nervous as, again, we all know how unpredictable 2 year olds are! But I have to say she did amazing, and this mama's heart was overflowing that day:) I couldn't have been more proud to be her mom in that moment..it was good:)

The whole weekend was a very busy one though that I don't wish to repeat anytime soon! I had my ultrasound on Friday afternoon, Dave was off work and had an appointment to go to, we quickly whipped home to get packed and were out the door by three o'clock. THREE hours later we were still sitting in traffic on the 99...it wasn't pretty:( So we missed the rehearsal, wasted a night in the car, I had a head cold..all in all we were done! We stayed at my brother and SIL, so we didn't have as long of a trek to go back, laid low that night and next morning and headed out to for the wedding in Kerisdale:) I knew as soon as Addy met the other little flower girl that would help, and I was so right! She loves older girls and immediately she had a new best friend:)

The held hands and walked down the isle like it was nothing! Again, a happy mommy heart:)

After the ceremony, we whiped out to North Vancouver for the reception, where my bro and SIL picked up our girl and took her home:) it was night to have a night off, but at the same time being sick and tired and hungry..I was kind of done:) The view of the city was lovely, and again I was so happy to see my friend beaming on her day!! The past four years of our lives have definitely been filled with weddings and babies, and newness which is always exciting, but also makes for a very full calender:) I savor the moments but also love the mundane of the in between where for me I have learned life really happens:) So until the next one..goodnight:)

First day

I know this is just the beginning of firsts for my girl..and I know this is not the last of my tear filled days. Ok, so lets premise this by saying, I am pregnant...and very very over the top hormonal right now:) ok, so lets move on!

So, today was the first day of Addy's dance class. First of all I thought I signed her up for a fun recreational class that would last for eight weeks. Oh no, I signed her up for a full year apparently with a production at the end!! oh my...

Anyways, second stage of clueless mom part two..I didn't have my child decked to the nines in dance attire that would put me back a fine penny..woops..

So again, feeling like a moron. And than the class begins..oh wait, mom, you can convince your two year old to go in a class by herself with strangers while you stay outside..awesome...so I sat in my dress at the door smashed up so other moms could take pictures as my child ran back and forth to me completely clueless to what was going on. She seemed happy as she got to run around and there was music going..but than I looked to see that all the other little girls were listening to the teacher somewhat following her as they helped hands in the circle and did the hokey pokey..while my kid..well...she was dancing by herself in the mirror:) And of course running back and forth to give me multiple kisses:) So I am sitting there feeling like a smuck. My kids that kid, the odd one out, the free spirit in her own happy world, but the odd one out. And than the environment caught up with her, after I kept telling her she needed to stay in the room, and than the tears came:( and than the took her ribbon away and it was game over...

So needless to say, this hormonal mom who is completely clueless and has no clue what she is doing was overwhelmed, frustrated and wanting to cry with my baby girl. We will try again next week, but I am just not sure. I am not sure if my kids going to be one of these obliging cooperative kids, or the one who just wants to do her thing..she is two..and that's what I feel, but when you are spinning looking around at whats going on and feel completely out of place and like you are the odd man out, well, you panic. But what my head has been spinning about all day is I parented re-actively, but now I am trying to decide how I want to parent this situation. Do I just let her do what she wants to do, run in and out and see what happens..just go with it, until the teacher tells me otherwise, or do I tough love her and make her stick it out and keeping pushing her to stay in the class even if ends up in tears??? I don't know! I am trying to find this balance between not being a toddlers and tiara's mom, as that is NOT my style at all, but at the same time I don't want my kid to try new things, or be afraid, or give up...but is two too young to expect any of this???? again, I am so torn today, and the learning curves, with the lack of sleep don't make for a sane mama:)

What I do know is this...I stinkin love my kid, and think she is the coolest little person and the world, as much as I feel the social pressures, I want to rise above it and let me kid be who God made her to be:) That much I know to be true..the rest, well I guess one day I will figure it out:)

Maan Farms

I have become quite a fan of groupon this past year, and its for reasons like these. Finding great deals to places I wouldn't normally think to go to, at a great price, and having a great day! Its a great source for entertainment! So a few months back I found a 50% groupon for a place called mans farm in Abbotsford, so this so this Saturday we went to check it out! It cost us a whole six bucks, which was totally worth it. The groupon was for two people, and she let us take addy in for free which was great because she said usually they charge for two year olds which I think is a little silly:) So I guess if we were paying regular price it would have been $18, and we were there two hours..not sure if it would be worth it. But again for $6 it was so worth it:) they had a great big sandbox, and slide, goats, bunnies and other great animals to see. A corn maze, sunflower maze and a little wagon/tractor ride that went to the edge of their property overlooking the fraser valley; it was beautiful! All in all a great afternoon and day off with my little family:) We finished the night off with a bbq and our annual croquet game with friends..such a great way to spend a Saturday!!

Searching for crickets with daddy!

The gorgeous view of the fraser Valley!
Sweaty baby:)
The sunflower maze!
Gorgeous Sunflowers!!

July 1st weekend:)

They its summer but I don't believe it:) Its been rainy and gross around here overall. But every spare moment that we get to sneak out side and enjoy some plus 20 weather we are there!

I had to work canada day evening but in the morning I went to our local Canada celebration with my girlfriend for the morning:) The kids had fun checking out the farm animals, seeing big tractors, getting canada day stickers on their faces, and mostly going on a little train ride! I thinks its something we will definetly do in the future! I ended up working late that night and just got home in time to see the last of a few fireworks that we can see from our deck!

The next day Dave had to work in the morning, but got home in time for us to go out and enjoy the day as a family:) It was a lovely day. We hung out at the beach, had some lunch, played in the sand and addy met her first catapiller! Afterwards we went for gelato..delish! I love this age that she is at; where she is starting to enjoy the same things we do, not just run around and take off on me all the time like she did last year;)*grin* So it actually makes a relaxing day for this mama!

Addy turns two!

Two weekends ago now, we celebrated my baby girls second birthday! It was a three day long celebration! Friday night started with dave's side of the family, and celebrating Addy, my niece and nephew, as their birthdays are all within 5 days! Saturday was her friends birthday party:) We got plagged with illness which made the party a bit smaller than expected, but it was nice and intimate without too many meltdowns...so that is a pretty successful toddler party as I am learning now a day! We are so grateful to have so many great friends to celebrate our girls life with and so many great friends to walk this journey of parenthood with! Sunday, was day three, my famil, and our little one was quite puckered out. After church she opened presents and than went right to bed:) So we had a nice quiet adult conversation around the lunch table, and after she woke up we sang happy birthday and had more cupcakes..her favorite!!!

I can't believe my girl is two. It feels like yesterday and forever all at the same time that I have know this girl. At two years old, she is one smart cookie:) She has an amazing vocabulary and comprehnsion skills. She is full of joy and laughter, but a sensitive soul too. She is shy at times, and crazy at other times. She loves to sing, and walk her babies, read books, and run around! She loves out side, adores minnie mouse, and elmo too:) She is truely 100% the best thing I have ever done in my life! She is our joy, our light in the dark days, the thing that keeps me striving to better to do more, and to make this world a better place for her! Addyson grace, there are no words to truely express...my cup is overflowing with love for you..and may you always know it!

Dressing ourselves:)

Addy chilling with her cuz:)
Imitating Elmo..one of her favorites right now:)

Putting iggle piggle to bed:) her new thing, playing make believe..I love it!

Sometimes we wear boots with pajamas because we are cool like that!

we also like to wear our canucks hat backwards with our oatmeal, again because we are cool:)

Basically we just like to wear our hat backwards all the time:)

And we like to walk like an old man in our moms wedding shoes:)

Well this is an update post on life. Its been a while:) but when I looked at the pictures over the last month, I realized that they had a theme...my almost two year old dressing herself! Crazy girl:) Never a dull moment in our household..never;)!

May was another busy month for us...no suprise there! Its amazing how much my life has changed in the past 5 years, and to be honest I don't think I have caught up to it yet..hopefully one of these days I will:) but for now, we keep going! May was overall a good month, from what I can remember. Between the exhausted, the wondering of whats going to come next and everything else that life brings, there was some fun moments. I started to get out more, which was good. I mean with work and everything I am out ALOT, but not fun out:) I started to play a bit, go out with my hubby to hear our friends band, see a movie with my girls, dinner out, girlsnights in..it was good. I need more of that in my life, it really does fuel my fire for life as I am a people person. Sometimes I just have to remind myself of that. but its hard, a never ending learning to balance it all..as the guilt of working three nights of week tells me I should stay home, or not leave Addy with nana again so I can escape for a bit with Dave..I fight it to remind myself, don't forget about you..because without you..meaning me, this ship doesn't keep sailing!:) so I have to continuely remind myself, like most of us mommies out there do; its ok, its ok to still want to have a life, live it, and love it!

So with that we move into June. Which has had an intersting start. We have got smacked down with some lovely car bills the last few months, another one coming, and than on top of the so much uncertainty regarding Dave's job. He was off for awhile which at this point means I will be taking a week off in July by myself, but he went back to work yesterday. and I praise God for that! I definetly can focus on the things that seem to continuely don't want to go "our" way but I am constantly reminded to be grateful for all the good in my life, and the blessings that do over flow..but its hard, I am human, I am selfish, and some days its just dang hard! But I know most of the time thats just fatigue talking, pure, exhaustion. So i give myself a cup of grace, and move forward, because all the good is in moving forward, perserving, finding the hope and loving what you have been given to love in this moment. We have lots of birthday celebrating to do this week, and that is so exciting! Addy turns two next week so this weekend will be FULL of celebrating, so I will be back with the updates on all that!

This is my something to love;) And its a pretty good something to love...good things to come in fair skinned, blue eyed little packages..she keeps my heart going every day:)

When I think of Easter..

Ok, I am only a little bit behind here..not bad:) Easter has come and gone, and mothers day is right around the corner. Personally, they are way to close together this year!
On a quick side note, the sun is out today, so I am happy;) But of course I have to go to work! it always seems to work out that when the sun comes out its NOT on my days off;) Oh well, at least there are lots of windows at my work and I am sure lots of happy people and kids enjoying the glorious sun today!
So back to Easter..We have been watching the veggie tales Easter movie for what feels like a month straight now:) And I can't get the song out of my head.."when I think of Easter, when i think of Easter, when I think of Easter, I think about the lord..". Maybe that is a good thing:)
Good Friday we were off and running as Dave and I were leading worship at our joint service we always do with another church in town. It was great! A long morning though for miss Addy as were at the church at 9am and didn't leave till almost 1, but she did great! We headed out for our new Easter tradition with my parents..greek food:) yumm yumm..
I worked saturday, and than Sunday morning we did our Easter egg hunt with addy..as seen below. She loved it!!! She has been asking "where Egg?" for the past week! best ten bucks I ever spent! after that we headed to church and than over to dave's sisters for turkey dinner..yummy:) We were pretty exhausted by the end of it all, with working weekends in a busy holiday mix it can get a little much sometimes. but we survived:)
I do find it kind of sad though that at this stage in life I am finding holidays to be more of a burden than a blessing?? Can anyone else relate?? Does that make sense? I guess I just feel like at the end of it all, I so desperatly want to have five minutes alone with MY little family:) Since its such a rare and special thing these days! Anyways, the purpose of Easter is something so much greater and that was not forgot this year, as it will never be forgot any year in our household!