....somewhere, on an island, in Canada

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

What a difference from last year. No more little girls here. Not real young ladies either if such a thing exists. Certainly budding women. Clothes and makeup and music and boys and friends..................that sort of thing. And I am okay with it........I think.
It happened so fast.

We had our usual Christmas and it was peaceful and good. Everyone got some nice gifts. Not too little and not too much.
A camera and an ipod and a cell phone. We tried hard to resist the cell phones but eventually gave in. Their world is so much about technology and I worry about time spend on the computer while I love my laptop and enjoy the games. blogs, email and
the rest. I don't know really..........good or bad or simply ok.

I love my girls so much and I am grateful this Christmas for the blessings we have been given. For our health and for our home.

I look forward to 2010 and all the adventures it will bring out family and all the new memories we will make.

Annual State of the Family Dinner.....

2009-12-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

Wherein we go to a more expensive restaurant than is our norm and we order fancy drinks and maybe some alcohol for the adults. The girls had virgin margaritas, a step up from Shirley Temples, I had a G&T and Derek 1 1/2 beers. He gets a little
silly on that and they accuse him of being drunk because they so seldom see us drink. We have a lovely meal in lovely Christmasy
surroundings and we tell them how proud we are of them.

To Isabel we gave congrats on how well she is doing in High School and what a lovely young lady she is and how kind and sweet,
and totally her own person. Kudos also for trying running this year and for being on the swim team. A fine person and a super Christian who lives her faith as well as practicing it. Also for taking on a paying job, babysitting, and saving her money towards her future. Still loves her writing and we look forward to seeing where that takes her. She is a Mommy's girl for sure and I love it.

To Grace we gave congrats for continuing to effortlessly bring home the good grades and is also a rare athlete, as evidenced by her hard work and strong work ethic. She not only became a full black belt in karate a 12 years of age but received a coveted "silk" black belt as the most outstanding student in her dojo. Apparently her gift is rare.............just telling what we were told!! She has many fine friends and loves her music and her facebook. Her love of drawing continues and can't wait to see where she goes with that. A sweet and wonderful person and lots of fun. She and her Dad are best friends and she and I are entering that stormy Mother/daughter stretch which I am confident we will weather. Please God. She is our sensitive and dear Grace.

Our baby Bethie, we gave congrats for doing really well in school and for working very hard. She is our little bouncing Beth jumping into anything and everything. This year it was dance and a slew of sports........basketball and soccer and even some golf. She tried drama and has the lead in the school play as the "director" of the concert. We are looking forward to seeing that and her Christmas hip hop dance recital. She love the girlie stuff........makeup, clothes and hanging out with friends. About ready to hit the Mall. Crazy for music. Still my affectionate one who still wants to sit with me on my lap and will give me kisses and hugs. She has her cheeky side and pretty much knows how to ignore us when we get on her case.

There is so much more I could say about my girls but I can't write enough about how much we love them and how grateful we are for them. What a gift we were given.

We usually ask them for feedback on how we are doing as parents. I get accused of being crabby sometimes and Derek got accused of mortifying them by wearing running shorts that were too short to school, and neither of us is ever allowed to sing in public.........ever. But I think all is well and we are doing good.

It was a wonderful evening.
Forgot the camera..............bad Mummy.

What Grace said.......

2009-12-03T08:49:00.000-08:00

"If you sing in public I will die, be reincarnated and die again."

Nice Grace. I love my preteens.

Life is good and it is busy.

Almost time for a brand new year and I guess I will decide then
about blogging.

We are back...........

2009-11-03T17:02:00.000-08:00

Apologies. Somehow lost blogger completely and have only now figured it out and all blogs are back and accounted for.
Big sigh. Kinda sad that I wasn't able to document the beginning of school and lots of events over the last two months. Not that I am a very reliable blogger anyway. Ever now and then the spirit moves me and you are the happy recipients of my jibberish.

I am just glad to have refound my blogs. Especially the China trips. To have lost those would have been sad.

So we begin again.......

2009-09-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

Not sure why I consider September a new beginning but I do. A new season and a new school year. The big deal is Isabel starting High School and the little girls becoming seniors in grade seven at the elementary school. It just seemed to come up on us so fast!! Yesterday they were tiny girls playing with their toys on the playroom floor. Now the toys are gone or packed away and the "playroom" will become a "study". Since the girls have pretty much taken over the family room it may very well become my room.
I will have to think about that.

In any case as we take one long last lingering look back at the summer of 2009 I am sort of sad. It was a sweet time for our family but a tragic year for others and that cast a cloud over our happiness. There are times when I would just like to stop the clock or better yet turn back time. But we can't. My hope is that one day we will know the big "why" of things and understand that this is as it was meant to be and there is a reason. It is just beyond our understanding now which is so hard to grasp.

Anyhoo........not where I meant to go today. I was looking ahead and planning the future when the past crept up and bit me on the bum.

I am full of plans as usual and full of anxiety that they will never come to fruition. ( gives self big shake!!)

Here is the family I have been so richly blessed with on a beach only God could have made and that will be there long after we are gone.

Also please remember we technically have three weeks of summer left!!!!!! Get out there and enjoy it.

Vancouver was fun and the house is not much further along. I have moved a ton of stuff to my bedroom to use as a sort of staging area and it looks like I am sleeping in some weird junk shop. Honestly there are lampshades and all sorts of art pieces and hardware and paint cans. It is pretty scarey..............Derek has moved into the guest room.

The plan........and there always is a plan........is to get busy once the girls are back in school.
Hardy, Ha, Ha.

Another little adventure....

2009-08-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

One more day and we are off to Vancouver for four days.
The weather is beautiful.

The house is coming along nicely. Before we leave tomorrow we will be having our carpets cleaned upstairs.
They can dry nicely sans benefit of three little girls running all over them while we are away. Tuesday I plan to put all the furniture back where it belongs and to hang all of our photos and art back on my beautiful pale yellow walls.

I plan to hit IKEA and a few other places for a number of items to "fluff" the girls rooms and our new "study"..........our former
"playroom". In my minds eye I can still see tiny pet shop animals and playmobil towns all over that room and 3 happy little girls playing for hours. Like a ghost in the room.

Will post before and afters when done.

Isabel is at the rec centre doing her Bronze Star lifesaving course. The other girls are 1) still sleeping or 2) playing the Wii
upstairs. Derek is running. I am planning. Will be packing today, getting pre school haircuts, and baking upside down cakes with the plums from our backyard tree.

I feel so free with six days of no work in front of me and the city to explore.

First Job.........

2009-08-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Isabel got her first job this summer. She is a babysitter. My baby is now officially watching other babies. I am very proud of her and she is learning the value of earning........and spending.... money. She is also spending time with our sweet friend Mary Anne and hopefully she will be with her for years. She will be a great role model and it is a win win situation from which both will benefit. She had taken the Red Cross babysitting course and has had life saving in her swim classes. She is doing very well.
Hard to get my head around her being such a grown up girl.............and so beautiful and smart.

Beth and Grace are watching from the side lines and are eager for their employment to start........and all the benefits that brings.
Perhaps word will spread that we have three great little workers and who knows.......Beth has earned a few dollars pet sitting across the road at our neighbours. Good girl. Now we have to find Grace some work altho' she is still pretty busy with her karate.

The dynamic in our house is changing again with these lovely young women.

How blessed are we?

Ya' got that right........

2009-08-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

We have had a beautiful summer. Lots of pretty days, lots of activities and time together and whole days of just doing nothing
and enjoying no schedule and no deadlines.

But we have had a shadow over us too and lots of soul searching and wondering why?

Sometimes there are just no answers and things just are. Part of the big picture that maybe someday we will understand.

I will try to be a good person and to be sweet and appreciate the gifts I have been given.

I will try to enjoy the rest of the summer and the freedom and my girls and my home and my life.

Amen.

A sad week....

2009-07-30T09:36:00.001-07:00

This is Ashlyn. She was 2 1/2 years old and the daughter of my friend. She had the croup and was getting better. She stopped breathing and had a cardiac arrest in her home. Yesterday her parents had to watch as she was taken off life support and allowed to pass with peace and dignity in the arms of those who loved her the most. I can not begin to imagine what waking up this morning feels like for them. Please send your prayers.

Ashlyn rest in peace sweet baby girl and go with God.

It's the most wonderful time of the year........

2009-07-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

See the beautiful beach in my header? We are going there tomorrow for our annual visit. This year we are one week later going and only staying for one instead of two weeks. We are kinda sad about that............but we are going to enjoy it for every second we are there. It is our seventh year and I can't see us ever not going. We are in love with this place and I only wish we owned a little of it but no one every sells and can you blame them?

We begin by baking a cake to celebrate the 4th of July..........cousin Emily is American and it is our little homage to her. We decorate it with fresh blueberries and strawberries and it is a win win situation. She gets her celebratory cake and we get to eat it.

Happy 4th to all our American buddies!

Happy Canada Day....

2009-07-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

We are enjoying the lazy days of summer..........and I do mean lazy.
Nothing much is getting done here but that's okay. Really.........it's ok.
It will be here tomorrow and the next day and the day after that.
Meanwhile we will spend some time together and enjoy each other.

Count down to our vacation at the beach house. I hope to catch up on blogging and work on my photos from the last little while.

I am wishing I had time off to take the girls to see the fireworks tonight. Isabel was invited to a suite in a hotel
right on the inner harbor where the fireworks are deployed.It is an annual event for the family that rent it. There will be lots of good food and people dropping in all day. The invitation was extended to us all. Sadly I am working. It would have been such fun and another chance to spend time together, meet some new people and celebrate this great country.

Oh well. I am happy Isabel will get to see the beautiful fireworks and spend time with friends.

Last Big Thing in June........

2009-06-27T07:21:00.001-07:00

Grace had had a grueling schedule these last few months of training for her black belt in karate. Sometimes she was at the club for 4 hours at a pop. Teaching, assisting and working out. This weekend is the test and it is about 30 hours long and includes an overnighter at the dojo. She is only 12 years old and it is a really big deal. We may watch but aren't allowed to talk to her or stay overnight with her. We may sit from 6 to 12pm and observe and provide sport drinks and suitable snacks and send silent thoughts of love and pride and encouragement......... and wipe away tears and just want to grab her and run home. Then as she wakes up and gets ready for a run before starting again we get to show up at 7am with her breakfast. We are told it will be around 3pm before everything is wrapped up and she has received her award.

She has worked hard and never complained, never said can we skip it tonight or I'm tired. Always came home and did her homework and got straight A's on her report card.

She is an amazing little girl and we are head over heels crazy in love with her and very proud of her strength of character and perseverance. This weekend is all about Grace. Please wish her luck and pray she stays safe.

A job well done.......

2009-06-17T23:04:00.001-07:00

I feel like bragging tonight. Just home form the recognition night put on by the school for the class of 2009 which is Isabel's group and it was awesome. She won three awards including two trophies and a cheque towards her tuition next year. We were so proud of her and she looked so beautiful.

This week we also attended Beth and Grace's celebrations of learning. Grace got a stellar report card and Beth beat Isabel's record last year and took the super duper clean sweep award for meeting all the expectations for the year in class achievements. It has been a great week and we are so grateful for our wonderful girls. They are such nice people and we are over the moon with love and pride.

It has been a very stressful and hectic month and I am so looking forward to some R & R and I am pretty sure everyone here feels the same.

Summertime.......

2009-06-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

I can't promise regular manicures and pedicures but at least we can have one to start the beautiful summer off well groomed and beach ready. Another signal that my girls are becoming lovely young ladies. So sweet. Isabel's feet were off at camp and here is a girl who isn't interested in beautifying...........not yet anyway.

I chose a safe Mommy coral, Beth chose an exotic bright pink and Grace a flaming purple. The only choice for fingers was pale baby pink because we still have 6 days of school left and we are ever so slightly breaking the rules.

We went from two adults with three children to two seniors with three adults. That is what we punch in when booking vacations now. Hard to get my head around.

I am lonely.......

2009-06-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

My Isabel has gone to camp with her grade seven class for three days and I am just missing her. I feel like I am losing something
so precious. Almost a physical rendering that is so hard to bear. I was okay this morning and now I just miss the soft sound of her beautiful long fingers tap, tap, tapping on the computer keys and the sound of her giggles talking to her best friends on Skype. I just miss her being. She seems too far away from me and I am not ready for this.

I hope she is having the time of her life and laughing her head off. I hope she is not thinking about us for one second.

God never makes mistakes but come on, thirteen is not a little baby anymore. It isn't long enough. It's too bloody short.
I want my baby back!!!! Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

I just cannot imagine how I could love that girl any more than I do.

Blog failure......

2009-06-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

Life continues to be frantic............
working, the house, the girls.........
pretty overwhelmed but getting lots done........
if the dust settles i may get time to blog........
exciting things going on ......
so happy summer is here and need to remind myself to enjoy it..........
my mantra is "everything is under control, don't you worry, it is under control"

and also........PEACE, it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in
the midst of those things and still BE CALM IN YOUR HEART................

That's what I'm talkin' about. I am still here.

Some weird mutant Chinese sneaky bug........

2009-04-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

Derek and I both have something nasty going on. We think we got it from Grace who was a little off while in China and has cold/flu like symptoms since coming home....a month ago now. She has a wicked cough. We started with a sore throat and a lot of upper respiratory junk and now I have a tight chest, zero energy etc etc. Derek is feeling punk but still up and about and doing his routine chauffeuring of the girls. I have taken to my bed and am trying to sleep it off..........yet still having trouble sleeping.
I guess I will just "rest" it off. Apparently Emily is not so well either and I am sorry about that.

So tonight it is pizza and ice cream for dinner. I was never one of those starve a fever kind of gals.

Note my new and very first button to the right. Check out the story and send up some prayers. I am a fan of any adoption.
Domestic or international . Children need a home and parents....or even one parent. They are miracles and a gift directly from
God.

Easter 2009

2009-04-16T12:33:00.001-07:00

ISABEL 13, BETH 11/12, GRACE 12, EMILY ALMOST 12

Changing......

2009-04-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Was going to use the label "the best laid plans" and then thought it was better to put "take every day as it comes".
Neither is entirely right. Since the end of March I have been working regular shifts plus an extra here and there to make up for
the switches I did to get the time off to go to China.

Did I mention how hard the jet lag was this time? In all fairness I think it was the jet lag plus going right back to working night shifts that hit me hard. I couldn't sleep and was up wandering the house in the middle of the night. Tried various chemicals aides
with no luck and probably drank too much coffee which totally confused my body.

Grace had a pretty bad cold and is still coughing. Beth wasn't sleeping well. Isabel seems fine and Derek is "off "this week. He and I have very sore throats and low energy. I have had an ear infection. Lovely.

Needless to say not a lot is getting done around here. The family did make the annual trek to Vancouver for Easter at Uncle Ian and Auntie Rosemary's. I missed it and seeing Emily because I had to work. I have exceeded my switches for now and am saving more for the summer. Assuming that ever comes. Spring is sluggish. Some sun and flowers but coolish.

So the things I didn't quite complete in January and February have been moved forward and my plans for April, since it is almost over, will have to be pushed into May. We are crazy busy with the girls activities..........Grace's karate and training for her black belt plus keeping up her school work and planning a birthday party in early May: Beth gave up track this year to work on improving her Math and has a tutor twice a week after school: Isabel is coasting but has a few social commitments and is dealing with adolescent angst re: the opposite sex. She is trying to get all A's this term which may buy her a laptop in the Fall.
Choir schedule is very hectic with early morning practices and singing at several venues to represent the school. Add girls club and Church and a few social happenings and running the house......shopping, cleaning etc. It is time to do our taxes and start tidying the garden. Oh yeah, a few doctor and dentist appointments too. And chinese school twice a week.

I will just have to take a big breath and do what ever I can. It is scaring me.

Thought you may all be interested to know but not sure why.

Life as we know it...........

2009-03-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

We are back from our exciting adventure. Jet lag finally fading away and ready to go forward. It was an almost
perfect trip with nary a snag in the entire 3 weeks away.

Now it is time to move forward again. I need to get back on task.
Spring is still a tease this year. Occasionally she peaks at us between cold blustery days,
but we know she is there and we are ready to welcome her.
China was more summery than spring and it was lovely to feel the sun on our shoulders.

Today is parent teacher conferences to discuss recently arrived report cards.
As usual, except for some minor math issues, the girls did very well and the teachers
said some lovely things about them. They continue to be such nice girls and we are always so
proud of them.

Then we are swinging by the High School to authorize payments for Isabel starting in September. Hard to
believe.

We will celebrate their achievements with lunch out and go on to see Slumdog Millionaire.
A full day with the family.

Grace is back to her preparations for her Black Belt test. She is putting up to three hours a day into her practices
and I don't know how she does it.

The weekend will be full. There is Girl's Club at Church, recycling and more karate and I plan on beginning to sort through
the girl's summer clothes and organizing for our trip to Vancouver for Easter. Of course, amongst all that I have work including
a couple of extra shifts to pay back people who helped with my time off by switching with me for China. Pay back time.

And so it goes........April is just around the corner.

In China.......

2009-03-09T02:04:00.001-07:00

Check out our blog!!!

Home is on my mind and I am grateful for it.

I miss our beautiful island home!!

What was I thinking?.....

2009-02-22T11:25:00.000-08:00

This about sums things up around here.

Oh well. I haven't given up and am hopeful that when we get back from our trip to China
I can play catch up, it will really be Spring and all will be right with the world.

That is the lovely thing about being an optimist.

Myself and my wonderful younger daughters will be busy getting packed up next week.
We are off to volunteer at a special needs foster home In Beijing and to see some of their
homeland together. You may join us via our blog if you are interested.

return to china 2009......over to the right

Home on March 20th...........jet lagging for a few days afterwards.

Being hard on myself......

2009-02-18T10:54:00.000-08:00

Time is passing far too quickly and I am behind on so much.

I am disappointed in my goals for Jan/Feb not being fully met.
That's okay. I will let it go. There is always April......and beyond.
I will make it yearly goals and not monthly in the future.

It is one week Friday until we leave for Beijing by way of San Francisco.
So far I have a small stack of stuff in the kitchen to pack. The suitcases are
resting comfortably in the basement. Something I plan to rectify today.

If I am packed by Thursday pm I can go to work on Friday way ahead of the game.
Just need my American money for the accommodation and I am ready. That is arranged
for pickup next week.

Derek and I were having a discussion this morning about Beth and Grace. Since we are
talking 2 preteens with a case of sibling rivalry I may need to pack a parachute for a hasty exit
somewhere during the 12 hour flight to China. After three weeks in country it is anybodies
guess what will transpire. It maybe that they will learn something about themselves too.

Seriously, we are hoping this is a valuable learning curve for the girls. It would have been easier to book
one of the proliferating "homeland" tours and to have someone lead us around to all the usual tourist sites.
It would cost a whole lot more and the girls would have a very limited idea of what China is. IMHO.
I am hoping this trip makes them stop and think and that they "get" some of what we have told them these last few years.

This will be my last trip to China, I imagine, but I am hoping they, and Isabel, will go back to visit, volunteer and explore and to see much more of the country than we ever have. Time will tell.

It's February 14th........

2009-02-14T08:39:00.000-08:00

Happy chocolatey big smochies kissy face to everyone........but especially my three sweethearts!!!!

Who's a clever girl then for making it through 5 twelve hour night shifts.........and getting vomited upon....not once but twice, and having to spend my shift wearing a pair of patients pajamas.? Well just the tops actually. that would be me but I made it to the other side and am now off for a week. It's all good.

Life is a spectator sport......

2009-02-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

Nights are going well. Tonight is fourth of five. No drama. It is amazing to me how quickly time is passing. I can almost feel it with every beat of my heart.

Not so much cleaning, as rearranging.....

2009-02-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

It will be a race to finish my goals for January and February. Technically, the den is done but by no means "decorated". All of the contents were moved to the living room and that was hard to look at every day. I did some sorting and
I took a load off to Value Village. Today I rearranged what was left and stacked it "neatly" in a corner. Clearly I will need time to go through each and every container. There is a lot of crafting stuff I would like to box up and offer to the school for there pre and after school groups. Oh well, it is at least tidy. I am determined to finish it just won't be to the time line I had planned.....and that is okay.

We had an interesting week and I actually was able to cross a lot off my list. Many appointments and such.

Saturday was exciting because we went to the dojo to watch Grace do her pre test for the Black Belt exam. There is one in June and one in November and only 7 were chosen for the former. Our Grace was one of those and only 2 girls in the group. I am blown away watching her. It is like a dance.So beautiful and she is amazing.......always has been. She is ready faithfully, twice a week, to go to class and never does not want to go. On the other hand she rarely talks about it and doesn't seem to ever want to compete or go and watch the more advanced classes when she has a chance. I don't see a passion for it. Nevertheless, she is definitely ready to begin training three times a week, up to two hours a time for this. It is astonishing to think she will be 12 and have a Black Belt in karate! You are amazing Grace!!

After that we met friends for a celebratory dinner at a local pizza joint. Lovely day and great evening.
Sunday we all laid low. Everyone felt more tired than usual. I made a barley soup and some homemade bread
and we regrouped.

Today I am getting ready mentally for five 12 hour night shifts. They are short at work and I am working 4 anyway to make up
for the time I am taking off to go to China, so I thought one more won't hurt. Famous last words. Let's not even go there!! Next week will be all about packing.

I am trying here.......

2009-02-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

Yipeeeeeeeee............

2009-02-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

Made it through my night shifts..........another set anyway.......and am raring to go. So many things to do!
But first I will sleep.

Lots of stuff happening here that I never write about..... all hit and miss.I suppose I should blog more often for a true picture of life here at Casa Happy.

Isabel is in full blown adolescence and so sweet and innocent as she grapples with lots of new and exciting feelings. She is so lovely.

Beth is full of fire and vinegar. She wants everything and she wants it now. A very dear and kind hearted little lady and such an angelic and sweet face. She is sporting new glasses these days but the novelty is wearing off and it is a chore to keep them on her.

Our beautiful Grace just received her fourth brown belt in karate and will be moving on to the very arduous black belt training.
She expects to get that by June. Imagine? That smile that lights up her face is a joy to behold.

We sure do love our girls!!

February goal....

2009-02-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

That would be the Master Bedroom. Not the Master bedroom closet that needs to be completely emptied, gutted repainted and refitted with an organization system purchased some time ago. That will be another goal as I consider that a separate room.

Just a fairly simple cleaning and rearranging. Should be a piece of cake. If I can get this done in February ( and tweak the Den)
I will be well pleased with my progress and ready to go off to China in March for three weeks( check out our blog in the left sidebar) feeling like everything back home is under control.

I will be able to come home and jump into Aprils goal full of the joys of spring!! Looking forward to a glorious and special Easter season.

Wish me luck.

Did I mention I also have to pack for myself and two eleven year olds? and attend my place of employment on a regular basis.

Mission accomplished........sort of

2009-02-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

I did reach my January goal AKA the Den. Sort of. It is all emptied out and I switched a dresser from the Master with the one that was there. It fits better under the window. I rearranged the furniture and hung a picture and took one down. Well, okay, technically it is not DONE per se, but very close. And sure, there is a lot of stuff from there now in the living room for which a new home will have to be found. I also have boxes of books for the book sale coming up and a bag of clothes for the Goodwill to deliver. I am still calling it done because I think I need only one more day in there and one......or two.....to get rid of the other stuff and it will all be done.

It has a single bed in there which we very rarely use and should get rid of. Basically it is Derek's dressing room. All of his clothes are in the large closet there and the girls and he dump their backpacks there when they come home. It isn't really a Den at all but we will continue to call it that. I have only taken a photo from one angle looking in.

I guess I will have to say a word about the colour. It is orange. We call it the pumpkin room.......that's the colour i was going for.
In a certain light that comes into that particular room it is actually very warm. When everything is back in it makes the orangy
hue more dilute. Most of the time I really like it but sometimes I think I should tone it down. For now I like it and I will post again when it is completely decorated and you tell me what you think? Be nice!

I notice some items being deposited there, ALREADY, that do not have a place there any more. That will have to be remedied!

MIA.........

2009-01-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

That's "missing in action" for you non military folks.

I am off and ready to go but feeling very tired and sluggish today. Usually when I feel like this I indulge myself and play catch up.
What I need to do though is get ready and get myself off to our financial planner for a little strategy session. Just a bit of fine tuning. Derek and I will have a wee lunch afterwards and then it is home again. Think about feeding the girlies and rest some.
Tomorrow is another day.

The rest of the week and indeed the rest of the month is devoted to finishing my January goal and that means get my butt into gear and finish the den. I am looking forward to it!!! If I cannot get it done in three whole days then there is something seriously wrong.

Lots of stuff going on. Lots of good things and I promise to update very soon and get it together.

Happy Chinese New Year....

2009-01-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

The year of the ox. Just finished a set and expecting great things this week. I have a list as long as my arm and looking forward to getting busy and ticking off items one by one. Nothing makes me happier. It is just how I am made. But first......I gotta sleep.

Scrumptious weekend.........

2009-01-10T23:26:00.000-08:00

I am having a busy and fun set off work.

Thursday I did a little shopping and after school the girls and I dropped by to visit our favorite one year old, the adorable Miss
Mary Anne. She had been galavanting all over the globe over the Christmas season and we missed her.

Friday I managed a few chores around the house and then had coffee with a woman here in town who will be traveling to China
about the same time as us. We will all be in Beijing at the same time and hope to meet up for dinner and maybe some sightseeing. They will go onto Starfish to volunteer for a week and I was giving her some suggestions on the area. It will be great to get first hand information on how our kids there are doing and to hear J's opinions.

Saturday we had a house full of girlies. Ellie is with us for the weekend while her parents are away and Grace had a friend over to play Wii for a few hours. She was long over due a play date and let me know it. A friend dropped over for tea and we helped her load her new ipod with a playlist. Easy. While Derek went to the movies I took Beth for new shoes. She isn't getting much taller but her feet keep growing. What's that about? Now size 7 womans'.
Grace made a Mom assisted dinner of pasta, broccoli and garlic bread sticks with a baked apple dessert. Pretty good.

One of my goals this month was to teach each girl two recipes so we can each take turns cooking. Darn smart on my part I think.

Had a peaceful evening browsing decorating blogs and everything was quiet by nine or so.

Did not get started on the den.........but I will.

And I still have 2 and a half days off left.

I am off and running..........

2009-01-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

When I am nor working, my day begins early........around 645 to 7ish. First order of business is help Derek get the kids fed and the lunches made.Then I take my coffee and my laptop and do a little perusing, and plan my day.

From 10 to 11 I will clean out the fridge. Then I am going to inventory the contents of my cupboards and pantry and make a menu plan for the next week. We are therefore going to have an interesting week eating some pretty exotic items lurking there.
I expect to be out shopping by 12 for items needed for the "plan" and a few assorted errands. Home by two and all groceries suitably stored.

My January project is to clean out the room now know as the DEN but really Derek's big closet and a major dumping ground.
Everything lately has been fired in there until we get around to finding a home for it. That starts today.

1) I am going to empty the entire room out and clean it. Unfortunately that means all the things in there will be housed in the hall temporarily.

2) Next I will rearrange whatever furniture is staying and begin to return what we decide needs to be there. It may be come a little organizational area of me.........but I am getting ahead of myself.

3) Then I have to decide what to do with the leftover stuff. Donate items not staying and trash the remainder, possibly the consignment store. You get the idea.

4) This needs to be done by Tuesday when I go back to work or it will drive me crazy.

5) Wish me luck.

Another party......

2009-01-04T17:42:00.000-08:00

Grace and Beth were invited to a disco theme party.
They had the ball and the dancing and it was apparently fantastic and
a great way to end the holiday.
Now back to school!!!

For me, I love the new year. A new planner to fill with daily happenings. Lots of new spreadsheets...
the new budget, a new chore chart, study plans and menu planning...........dreams and hopes and fine new plans
for the near and far future. Love it.
Now I am off to work!!

Our New Teenager.....

2009-01-04T17:04:00.000-08:00

Our Isabel has been a joy since the very second they placed her in our arms, a sleeping little 15 month old. We have loved her from the very first time we saw her little face in a grainy photograph of a sad and solemn little soul and we will always and forever love her. She has brought more to our lives than we deserve or hoped for. We are so proud of her and the sweet, wonderful young lady she has been and is today. Happy Birthday Isabel.

Love Mum and Daddy
xoxoxox

I arranged for a little surprize party with her two sisters and 5 of her favorite school friends. Three are boys who serve at Mass with her and she gets along very well with and enjoys. Of course, BFF Ellie and other friend Erin.

It was a bit stressful and I was a little short with the girls before the party. I was trying to shoo them out of the house with their Dad, who was running late. Just as they were leaving a saw one of the guests arriving and was frantically waving them away from the kitchen window. It was funny to see them high tailing it back to their car just in the nick of time. After that everything went perfectly and she was suitably surprized.

We have pocket doors in the family room and I closed those and when they got home everyone was hiding and Isabel opened the doors and...........nothing! She looked at me.......ready with the camera......and I looked at her. Stilll........nothing! So I yelled surprize!!!!!!..........and all the kids jumped up and said the same a nano second later. Isabel was thrilled. Once I got used to the noise.......I put on my earphones and hit the computer..... it was fantastic and everyone had a great time.

One of my better parties, if I do say so myself and a darn good memory.

Too OH OH 9.........

2009-01-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

Goodbye 2008.......

2008-12-31T22:06:00.001-08:00

Tonight is the first ever we have allowed the girls to stay up late. I told them as late as they wanted and then Beth interpreted that
as staying up ALL night. I made a slight adjustment. You may stay up until midnight! Our new family tradition will be stay at home together, eat home made Chinese food and hang out. Whom ever makes it until midnight, great. Just for tonight I am taking them outside at twelve o'clock to bang pots with spoons or crash lids together........just like my Mom did with us.

We lit a candle at dinner for all who aren't with us this year. Family and friends and some we hardly knew but know of.
We had a toast to 2009 and we said a prayer. Our tummies are full, our house is warm and cozy, and we are together.
2009 looks very good to us, God willing. Lots of exciting times.....our trip to China, our return to the beach in June, a family vacation in August. We are hoping by mid year we can begin to plan our big trip to the UK and to Italy

Our beautiful Isabel will turn 13 on January 5th and start High School in September. My lovely Grace will be 12 and be close to getting her Black Belt in karate. My gorgeous baby girl Beth will continue 11, going on 30, until her twelve birthday in November. They will no doubt keep us busy, and young, with all manner of activities and happenings as they continue to blossom into the spectacular young women we see before us. We have always been so proud of all their accomplishments and successes. They are such nice girls. We have been told this over and over again.

How lucky and blessed are we? Many a time Derek and I will look at each other and shake our heads in amazement. It is totally awesome that these three are ours. Some day I will tell you about how this miracle happened.

Sleep tight friends and tomorrow we wake to a bright and shiny, brand new year. A time of new beginnings.
Make it your best ever.

Merry Christmas to all & to all a good night........

2008-12-25T22:15:00.000-08:00

Inhale, exhale. Happy Birthday baby Jesus. It was a good one.

Christmas Eve......pictures in reverse!

2008-12-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve...........the words even sound peaceful to me.
Our home looks lovely and I can smell the paper whites in the living room and the cranberry candles
upstairs. Very festive and homey and very, very nice. I am grateful.

After a not so mad dash yesterday we finished up all our last minute errands and it is done.
I took Beth for a Mom and me breakfast. A right of passage Mother-daughter discussion time
and then a special purchase was made to mark the day... to remember. Very sweet and meaningful
and I so hope she will keep it in her heart forever. Another right of passage for my little woman.

I dropped Isabel off at Ellie's and Grace at Emma's for some last minute girl bonding. Derek was ministering
at the Lodge. All the goodies were purchased for our feast tonight. We go early to children's Mass where the
girls sing in the choir and then we come home, get into brand new PJ's and prepare a spread of finger foods
and nibbles. We watch a Christmas movie. This year it is the Christmas Story. None of us have actually seen it
but it is a classic and hopefully good.

This is the first year the girls are not waiting for Santa. Sad but true. It feels very different for me. Had to come
sometime I suppose. I will still wait until everyone is asleep and then fill the stockings and put the gifts under the tree.
For the 12th year.

In the morning they will wake us before they go into the family room. The tree will be lit and shining, all silver and bronze and gold, as usual and our family will open our presents together. Then we have a special breakfast and hang around in peace
until it is time for dinner. When we first moved here we met a couple across the street who were also transplants
from Ontario and here with no family. Now we are always invited to their home for dinner. I make the traditional trifle
and Laurie the rest. A good time is had by all. I am trying a chocolate trifle this year as well as the usual. They are very
good friends and we are lucky to have them.

On Boxing Day I am back at work, but lets not go there.

As we count down....

2008-12-22T09:21:00.000-08:00

We have been enjoying a visit with family from the mainland and reveling in the very unusual wintery weather. The first photo was taken at night in our backyard and isn't it pretty?

Today we bid adieu to our beloved cousin Emily and her Mom and Dad. There was lots of good food and warm coziness and some snow play and girl bonding. Here is photographic proof.

I threw one of the school concert in just for kicks. It was very nice. Isabel did a flute solo and sang in a quartet with her BFF. We were very proud of our girls.

It is lovely to have the days stretching a head of us with no plans but to spend time together doing what ever we want, when we want and not having to be anywhere or do anything. Except wrap a ton of presents, of course, and feed a family et cetera. Still
you get my drift. It's nice.

It's a marshmallow world that we live in.......

2008-12-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

2008-12-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

Cue the music!!!!!

The dinner out was great. We did Chinese food. ......and the play was fun. It was a good family night.

The caroling was a success. My big girl has aged out of girls club and will move on to youth group at the Church.

This is what we woke up to this morning. Not a big deal for those back east, but huge for us here on the island and in the banana belt! The kids go nuts when they see snow and we are never prepared. The times I have bought boots I ended up just
giving them away because they are out grown so quickly and often worn only a very few times. So we hobble together what we have in the way of winter wear and off they go with our old beat up sled.

It is beautiful, but we will have to revise our plans for the day. Our vehicle is not equipped for snow driving.

O course, Isabel was snug inside with a phone attached to her ear talking to BFF.
"I am not a snow girl, Mom"

Our Christmas plans have changed a bit. Derek's brother and his family are coming for a weekend. Originally we were going there. Since we go every Easter it seems only fair that they come to us. The girls are thrilled to see cousin Emily and we like them to spend as much time as possible with her too.

Over the years, since having the children, my entertaining style has changed a lot!! Now I try to keep it simple. Not as much decorating or as elaborate. The teachers presents are scaled way, way back and simple. Very few cards........mostly to family far away. I really try not to buy too many "things" for the girls. I try to schedule lots of family time. Lots of yummy food!!
It all adds up and I would like to scale back even more. Each year we look at ways to change and we talk about it.
For 2008 we are wrapping gifts for the senoirs' home near us. We had plans to serve at their Tea but that is out because it is the weekend our guests are coming. Fortunately, they have plenty of help. So far doing these things doesn't have much meaning for three pre teens but we are laying the ground work here and someday, it will.

Peace descending........

2008-12-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

Out house is almost ready for Christmas. All our plans are made and most of the things on our list are crossed off.
I sat in the family room last night and looked at our beautiful tree with it's bright and twinkling lights. I could smell the
cranberry, christmasy candles. The girls were all snug in their beds. The cat was curled up in my lap. It was very, very nice.

Now we can relax and enjoy the next few weeks.

Tonight we are playing hookie from Chinese school and going out to dinner and the on to see the play Silverwing
by a local theatre company. It has been a while since we last saw a play and we usually enjoy them.
Saturday the girls are caroling at a senoirs' home with the Girl's Club from Church and Sunday afternoon
I will take them to the mall for their Christmas shopping.
Next week we have the last school assembly at which the teachers do something and it is a good laugh, and then the
formal school concert. Isabel is doing a flute solo and singing in a quartet with her BFF.

I have three shifts to work and then I will be off until Boxing Day.

Life is good.

Christmas is coming, but not quite yet....

2008-12-10T16:52:00.001-08:00

Just bringing everyone up to speed on our life of late.

Beth finished Basketball. She seems to be very interested in all the sports at school lately and does pretty well at them.
She is asking to join a soccer team next year. That will depend on her report card.

Grace is getting more and more into her art. I personally think she is amazing and has a real gift. I see lots of art supplies under the tree this year. I framed this one and we will hang it in her room. I am encouraging her to do little sketches as gifts for family and friends which we will frame.

My big girl got her "grad" hoodie. Where we live high school begins in grade 8 which will be next September. This will be
a big year for my Isabel as the school does a lot of fund raising for fun activities for our graduating class. Nothing over the top
but very special and lots of fun and good times.

So hard to believe she will be thirteen next January. I am making some secret plans to celebrate. Shhhh.......

I think we can safely move on to Christmas now. Since we moved here from back east 7 1/2 years ago our holidays have taken on a different flavour. We used to host a big family get together replete with the big meal and all that went with that. It was
a big deal. Here we have no family close so it is just the five of us. I kind of like it. I plan just a few well chosen things and we spend lots of time at home together. It is a really magical and special time.

I will talk you through it as we go. Tomorrow the tree.........a little late I'll admit, but well worth the wait.

I don't think I told you how lovely the family room and playroom ........soon to become "the study"... turned out?

I will get around to that also.

Toodles for now.

And furthermore........

2008-12-10T16:37:00.000-08:00

Planted my paperwhites and they are blooming now and smell devine.

These were sculpted when the kids were younger one Christmas and I love them. My penquins.

Here is the pile of stuff from the playroom. Here is many years of childhood. Here is only what I did not save.......what is left is a pretty big stash of things I just couldn't part with. My advice to new parents. Don't buy so much stuff. Try to buy quality sets like playmobile........they last forever and give hours of fun and stimulate the children so much.

So....where was I.........

2008-12-10T16:09:00.000-08:00

I had my Birthday and got this cute little swan vase and pretty pink rose. Really enjoy having fresh flowers around and that is all I want to say about my birthday, except I am happy to be alive.

Look at my beautiful girls............are they not lovely?

Took my growing up babies for haircuts and this was the first time Grace (below) wanted an actual "style". Beth (above) has always loved anything remotely spa like. She had her hair curled and it had sparkles in it for her official party prior to going to see Twilight ( based on the hugely popular teen books) movie, with a gang of friends. So fun. the tweenagers giggles were so worth it. I was surprized at how two or three were so wrapped up in the romance. Oh, oh!!!

Here is the table...and Smudge looking out the window. I did everything in black, red and white, with apples.....they feature in the book and vampiresk accents.

As mentioned we had an ice cream cake for our Family dinner and I did double chocolate cupcakes with white frosting and black candles and red "blood" icing for the party day. Our favours were bottles of Anti vampire pills, aka jelly beans.
Get a load of those earrings Beth is wearing. Loves her bling.

We had friends over for dinner that night and had pork tenderloin, scalloped potatoes and veggies. It was a very cordial
ending to a fun day.

Lots to write but no inclination...........

2008-12-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Maybe this week..........off to work now.

41 seconds

Created by Bunk Beds.net

Happy Birthday to me.......

2008-11-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to me.

Okay I am over it .............now back to work and I will blog as able.

Enjoying catching up with everyone. Lots of good thinks happening out there in this
beautiful world.

My Baby turns 11.....

2008-11-25T08:11:00.000-08:00

If there is a Birthday in our house it means:

1) the Birthday Banner is hung
2) the "Princess for a Day" crown must be worn, even thought it barely fits anymore and even if you aren't a female and have an abnormally large manly head
3) your Mother (or wife) will get up super early and make a special breakfast, usually French toast or pancakes, and
4) there will be a present or two, or more.

It's all good.

This not the end. Oh no. On the evening of your Birthday there will be a special dinner prepared just for you and requests may be made , in advance please. This is followed by cake, naturally, and in our family that means a DQ ice cream cake. The actual party
follows at a later date and we have had lots of different venues and themes. The celebration of your birth is always on the actual birthday and always the same.

I love our family rituals.
Happy Birthday, my lovely Beth.

Twilighters..........

2008-11-24T16:18:00.000-08:00

I was happy to see that I wasn't the only Mom who wasn't prepared to shell out $25 plus times three for the tee shirts. I was
thrilled that the other girls made their shirts. Actually I should have had the girls make their own. I paid $6 for the tee and about $3 or so for the iron on letters. They were quickly put togehter when the girls were at Chinese school and all laid out to squeals of delight when they got home and found them....... and pizza for dinner on Friday night.

I am a good Mom!!!! I rock!!!!

Being grateful.........

2008-11-22T08:41:00.000-08:00

I have had two and a bit weeks off of work and have made good use of my time. Part of that was organizing all our old photos
before we all went digital. It was lovely to look back.......way back. Hard to believe the babies were ever so small and so dang
cute.

I went through all of the toys and have saved what I couldn't bear to part with and what someday may be what my grandchildren
play with while their Mummy's watch them tenderly. We now have an extra room in our house without a designated purpose.
The girls are trying to take over the family room, but I won't go quietly. I am a creature of habit and am used to my chair and all
that I need beside me.

The girls have been evolving into young women. We saw glimpses here and there but now it is hard to ignore. It is every bit as sweet as all the other stages. They are such nice girls and we are so proud of them. Good people, good students, good sisters.
It is all good and we are so dang blessed. Not sure how we got so lucky. My miracle family.

This weekend Isabel is going to see the movie Twilight with a group of girls from school. This is the first of that.......I remember doing the same when I was her age. She read all the books as did a lot of her peers, and Beth and Grace. She found them interesting but wasn't as captivated as some of her group. She is not into the boy/girl thing as some at her school.....yet.
We had a discussion about the kind of relationship the heroine has in these books and how Hollywood and our society shapes what girls think is real. Then there is the real world and what a good relationship for a young girl is and what our family wants for our girls. For the moment they are kind of swept up in the romance with their schoolmates, but mostly enjoying be part of it with friends.

I am going to hang out with Beth and Grace. They will be going to see the movie as part of Beth's 11th birthday party on the 6th of Dec. Her birthday is actually next Tuesday but that was a better day for the party. I will get on that next week.

So I have one more week to be home and to finish all my chores. It has been good and I have enjoyed it.
I will be ready to go back to work.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
-Melodie Beattie

Nothing to say......just playing.....

2008-11-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

Back to reality.......

2008-11-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

By that title I mean work of course. My compassionate leave is over and it is back to the grind stone. I am okay
with that. After this set of three nights I have some holidays to use up and if I can I will take nearly two and a half weeks off.
I plan not to leave the house for the first week. I plan to finish the family room at least and get stuck into the playroom.
Hopefully in the second half of that time off I can play a little.

Well that's what I plan. Let's see what actually happens.

OOPs!!! .....

2008-11-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

Missed a day.......does it count if you do several posts in one day?

Yesterday we had torrential rain all day long. I personally love being at home and cozy and snug while all that weather happens outside.

I roasted a chicken just for the smell of it when everyone got home.

Ventured out quickly for some shopping and to pick up
a photograph I had had reframed. Working on a photo wall for the family room.

Have gotten a little distracted
and am trying to complete the family room before I resume the work in the playroom.

Don't even ask!

I spent stupid time pinning fabric to a chair and fantasizing about lovely oatmeal coloured slipcovers I would sew for the family room.This would require buying a sewing machine and learning how to sew. How hard can slipcovers be?

Today I am actually off to the upholstery shop to price having them made. Will also have a poke around in Chinatown.

I am NOT Martha Stewart........

2008-11-05T22:40:00.000-08:00

Puttered around most of the morning and then headed upstairs to retackle the playroom. Got sidetracked and decided I better do the family room first. That meant I had to move all the extra stuff from the family room to the playroom and then the furniture moving began. Hey, ya' gotta start somewhere. I am hoping I will be done by Christmas. As the kids get older I get more disorganized it seems......or maybe that's just me getting older. At least I am the eternal optimism and I always hope it will be done someday and it will be lovely. I am having some fun in the trying and that's a good thing, right?

Three beauties..........

2008-11-04T08:59:00.001-08:00

The girls have had a lot of exposure to music. From kindermusic classes as tiny girls with Mom, one on one, to the school and Church choirs. They have always loved to sing and never been shy about it. There is nothing more smile provoking that to hear it echo through the house.

This morning we heard the sweet sound of their voices as the girls got ready for school. A lovely song about having the first
dance from High School Musical 3. That is where we are today, in this moment in time. Wish you could hear it too.

BETH@11, ISABEL@ almost 13 and GRACE@ 11 1/2

Packing up childhood..........

2008-11-03T23:28:00.000-08:00

I finally started to clean the playroom today. The dollhouses, the lego, all the tiny characters and small villages of playmobile, the stuffed animals, books and favorite videos and music. All those littlest pet shop animals. All those happy hours of building tiny worlds and all that imagination. Derek and I loved to hear them play. It was sad for me.

Over the past few months I have asked the girls if I could put the stuff away and they said no. I guess none of us were ready. But it had to be done. It has been months now since they have spent any time at childish games. Now Isabel is talking to me about boys and the school dances. Beth listens to music in her room or watches videos or visits favorite sites on the computer. Grace will draw or play her Nintendo. They are slowly taking over the family room and we watch a few TV shows together. Soon I will have to carve out a space somewhere in the house for me.

I imagine it will take me the entire week to sort out that room.

That's okay. They will have a life time to remember those happy times in their special place together.

Sweet Mary Anne........

2008-11-02T19:01:00.000-08:00

Had a short but lovely visit with the adorable Mary Anne and her Mom.
Who could not love this face?

Blogorama........

2008-11-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

Trying to blog everyday for a month. Not sure why or who would be interested but I am going to do it anyway.

Today was a beautiful golden warm fall day. Spectacular. There was a pretty impressive cloud burst in the middle of that but we didn't let it spoil the day.

After Church Derek took the girls for a walk along the ocean front and I ran some errands. We went out for an early dinner and then I dropped off Ellie.......Isabel's BFF.......who makes the effort every Sunday to come and participate at Mass most weeks.
This makes Isabel very happy and we admire Ellie for making that commitment every week.

By three we were home and just took it easy. Grace still tires easily and I am trying to keep her low key. Beth has started her
new puffer. Isabel is over her little blip so, so far so good.

Now that Halloween is over we are moving on to the next family event. That would be Beth's eleventh birthday celebration.
Then, of course Christmas. I would like Grace to have a little party because she missed her birthday because of her hand injury
in April and she missed her friend's Halloween party because of the pnuemonia. I owe her one. Have lots of plans for
Christmas. Looking forward to it.

Then in January my big girl will turn thirteen. A teenager!!! There will have to be a memorable event for that.

Life is very, very good. we are blessed beyond belief and I am looking forward to the days and the years ahead
with my amazing young ladies.

In the week since My Mom passed on I have been seeing pictures of poppies everywhere. My Dad was called Poppy
by all the grandchildren and so the name has been special to me. I felt comforted seeing those poppies because it was like
a little sign from Dad that he was there with Mom and everything was okay. It finally dawned on me today that the poppies
are everywhere because it is Remembrance Day soon. Nevertheless, I am going with the original thought. He was there in life for us and now, there in death. I am happy with that.

Let's all get ready for a great week ahead everyone.

Good Bye Mum.......

2008-11-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night I got a call that my Mother had passed away. She has been in a nursing home for several years and was gradually in decline, mentally and physically. She was 86 and had been to the hospital with infections once or twice lately.
I knew in my heart that she was on a slippery slope and that I would get "the call" one of these days. Still I was not as prepared
as you would think. Now I am an orphan and no longer have a Mom or Dad. It is a sad time in ones life.

Friends gave us a bouquet of white roses and every time I pass them I think of Mum and say a little prayer for her. I cannot say if her life was what she would have chosen or if it was good or bad. Only she could have answered that. I imagine there was some of each. My Dad died back in 1982 at only 59. She says he was the love of her life and I like to think of them somewhere beautiful now. Young and healthy and fit, laughing and holding hands and enjoying their reunion.

I am so glad I had the chance to go back home many times over the last 7 years, since we moved to the coast, and spend
real quality time with her. We had some really good one on one conversations and we talked about all there was to talk about.
I got to tell her what a good Mother she was and how I loved her.

One last time.........I love you Mum.

The last 10 days........

2008-11-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

It seems like such a lot to happen in such a short time.

I had my little trip to the big city. Flew on a float plane for the first time and that was great. Was a mere 25 minutes and I was right downtown. Had a very nice room with a very nice view and room service, as mentioned.

Came home and got over my little "bug" and finished up another set of nights. Peaceful and quiet and rather nice.
Meanwhile Beth is still coughing and hacking and showing signs of asthma and my poor Grace, is getting sicker by the day.

I tried to wait it out but it was clear we needed medical intervention. So, by Monday we were at the docs and having an xray.
Pneumonia!!! Both lower lobes of her lungs!!! Antibiotics!!! Bad Nurse Mother for not taking your sweet baby angel for medicine sooner.

On Wednesday we were back. Better.

On Friday, back again and much better. Beth went too and is probably allergic to our cats and now on another puffer and nasal
washes et cetera, et cetera. Have suspected it for a while. Guess who the cats love to sleep with the best? Now they are band from her room and Beth is learning how to vacuum.

Last night Isabel complained of a sore throat. Mercy me!!!

Happy Eat All The Candy You Want Day........

2008-11-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

...........because after a week it will all be gone!!! Not sure where but out of this house for sure.

Beth was Alice from the Twilights Books all the kids are reading. She is sort of a modern day vampire girl and she did a great job on the makeup,even though the teeth were a bit too big for her mouth. Isabel was a movie star cum Marilyn Monroe, but just called herself a "blondie". Grace was the Grim Reaper but had her hood off for the shot.

It was a perfect Halloween night, fresh and crisp, and my friend Laurie and I walked around with the girls while her hubby stayed home with mine to drink wine and give out the candy. Girls were out for an hour and that was that. It was fun!

Funky town.....

2008-10-21T12:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah that's where we are today!!!

Cold. flu.......who knows!!! Coughs we have by the barrel full.

Last week was busy with a capital B. Worked and then spent the morning. before a quick nap, getting food prepared for my family so they would not starve in the three days I was away.

I was able go to Vancouver for an all expenses paid three day meeting. It was bittersweet
Nice to hop a float plane for a 30 minute trip right downtown. Nice to have a very quiet and tidy hotel room just for moi. And you better believe I did room service. And I enjoyed the meeting very much. But........I just couldn't sleep!!! Dang!!!!
So I was brewing Beth's cold before I even came home and have spent the weekend in bed for the most part hacking and coughing, and on one occasion, cleaning up vomit from my sweet but also ill middle child. Yeah!

Tonight it is back to work for one, off for one and back at it for 3 more. Then I have five lovely days off. And 50 million things to do.

All the outdoor sports have finished at school and 2 of the fab 3 are starting volleyball.
Plus our usual activities.........karate for Grace, guitar for Beth and swimming for Isabel, school and Church choirs x3, and ushering and altar serving. Homework, assorted parties etc, etc. Halloween and Christmas and a trip to China in March.
I am letting my mind race on. This weekend it is just my girls and I and High School Musical 3 at the movies with pizza to follow.

Hey life is good. I have no complaints.

Once the dust settles I will post pictures and chat with you some more. Right now I am not into blogging to tell you the truth.

Take care friends.

Fund raiser for Starfish Foster Home....

2008-10-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

November is National Adoption Month!!!!!!
Check out this site for a lovely addition to any woman/girls wardrobe.
Very nice and it will help more than you will know.

http://www.thestarfishfosterhome.org/youcanhelp.aspx

Welcome sports fans..........

2008-10-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

Isabel is swimming. Sorry, no photos. she does not enjoy any competitive sports but does like this and walking so we will continue. She likes the little Starbuck's snack before the event.

Beth is into soccer and doing well. I have learned I am not a soccer Mom and don't like standing around watching it. I do it to support my sweetie and I catch up with the other parents. She is okay with that. She likes the sporty goodness snacks I lug to the field after the games.

Grace runs like the wind and quietly likes to beat the pants off her school mates. She is crazy for the ice cream stand we frequent
that is conveniently located close to the track. If it is a nice day I enjoy standing in the sunshine chatting.

Today is the day.........

2008-10-03T10:47:00.001-07:00

We are going to the airport just to welcome home Mary Anne and Qing Qing. It is good for my girls to see the happiness we felt too all those years ago. It is good to see a new beginning and to share the love. They are pleased to be getting out of school early and to be a little late for Chinese school. Still I am sure they will be happy to see our new neighbours.

This is Mary Anne's horoscope for today..........just for fun!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): This is the ideal time to start something new and exciting, something that will reignite the passion that has been noticeable only by its absence of late. Do it alongside a friend or family member who also needs to kick-start their life. You will feed off each other.

Blog diet............

2008-09-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

Almost titled this post "closed due to illness". Nothing major...just a touch of Isabel's thing from last week or so. Low energy and low spirits. So much to do and bugger it, just isn't getting done. About this time I am wishing I didn't have a computer. I am thinking of all the time I spend reading blogs and doing "research" and looking at pretty pictures. Babies and kids and beautifully decorated rooms. Meanwhile I could be doing so much more here. I need to go on a blog diet and lose some blog fat. Life is busy and wonderful and I need to be directing my efforts elsewhere for a bit.

I have kept a journal most of my life as previously discussed, but this just isn't as satisfying because I constantly find myself editing because I feel I have said too much.......or not enough.....or gone off on a tangent or rant. And really, who gives a monkey's? I like my lovely blank pages just waiting to be filled and smelling all new and inky. Crisp and white and clean. I very seldom write lately, although I like that it can be months and then I jot down something. It is definitely a history.

I have only been blogging since last March when Isabel and I did our return to China trip. Someone suggested we do it so everyone at home could follow our journey......and they did and it was great. Now I can't bring myself to shut that down because
I feel we owe it to follow all the kids we met there until they find a home. Not sure what the alternative is if they don't......and all of them will not find a home. This I know in my heart.

Really looking forward to the 2009 return trip with Grace & Beth and we certainly will blog that and make a DVD as I did for Isabel. Same for our England trip, if and when it happens. I think it is kind of fun to monitor how much these trips cost for others to see. Sort of like mini travelogues. I am a detail person and I like to know this stuff.

Let's see what happens and perhaps tomorrow when I feel better I will change my mind.

Final observation........I have taken pictures of my kids and some video since we first met, but I think this latest generation of children must be the most photographed and videod group ever. They have a digital device pointing and clicking in their faces every single day. Not sure if that is good or bad. Think about it.

Drumroll please.......

2008-09-22T08:09:00.001-07:00

Our wonderful island awoke this morning to welcome two new members to our community. And we are so happy to finally have the opportunity. Look upon the happy faces of these newly formed families on the other side of the world.
A very warm cyber welcome to the beautiful Qing Qing, age 13, and the adorable little Mary Anne, 10 months old.
We can't wait to meet them in person!!! Congratulations my friends.

Official new runner in our house...

2008-09-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

More of our money will now be directed to more shiney new running shoes at our house. Go Grace!!!

Dad is proud and happy.......the peanut gallery not as supportive!!!
(they are actually, just not feeling it today)

The sun has gone away........

2008-09-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

Bad case of the blues!!! It is overcast and chilly. Shades of days to come no doubt. Tonight I am back at work for two. That will pass quickly so I am okay with it.

Was doing some posts on the other blogs and had a little reality check. Just over five months until we go to China. I am having some anxiety about that because I really want this trip to be a very positive thing for Grace and Beth. I want them to have as good an experience as Isabel and I had. Time will tell.

Over the next three months I have a pretty busy schedule. Of course, there is work and the girls activities and such to coordinate, plus I have a work related meeting at a hotel in town, a two day educational thingy also at a hotel here in town and 3 nights away while I attend a Council meeting as an observer. You guessed it.....at a hotel, this time on the mainland. That one might be fun. Alone in a big city with my evenings free.

As well, I finally booked a flight to Ontario to visit my Mum. She is in a nursing home there and I usually go once or twice a year. It gets harder and harder to go and I have been putting it off. For 86 she is pretty sharp and she always knows it is me when I phone, but she isn't always sure of when it is or when she saw me last. She has a good support system back there and considers the facility her "home". That's good, right? God bless the people who take care of the residents in these places. They work hard and do a great job and aren't paid nearly enough for what they do. I am also thankful for the health care system that provides our old people with this service.

In the past I have taken one of my daughters at a time with me on these trips. It was a lovely one on one experience and they got to see Grandma......all be it a different one.....whom they had forgotten since we moved out west and some other lost family and friends. It was a good time and good memories.

Include in that time frame Thanksgiving and Christmas. In January we seriously have to look at our finances and make some decisions about what we want to do next year. Of course China in March and our beach vacation end of June when school lets out, but do we want to go to England in August or do some work on the house. What to do ? What to do?

Why.........

2008-09-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

Randomness....

2008-09-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

I can't hum. It makes my lips itchy.

Today I have to go out and buy birthday presents for two parties. One is tomorrow and one on Saturday. One for Beth and one for Grace. Tonight we have Chinese school and I suppose I could whip over to the mall and grab something there? Nah, better go now to my usual places and get them sooner rather than later.

Beth was up and out by 730 for soccer. On the way home Derek approached the girls who recognised the van and stuck out their thumbs like hitchhikers. Who knew they even had a clue about hitchhikers? He said they were thrilled to be picked up and driven to school and he couldn't resist because they had such huge smiles on their faces when they saw him approaching. We live 15 minutes from school so it wasn't like they were getting such a big break on the walk.

I need to check off some more stuff on the lists. I am going into the basement to sort through the girls outgrown clothes and will take a pile to the consignment store and a pile to Goodwill. The money goes into our travel jar.

Last nights meeting was fun. All the parents were like kids and we signed up for all the proposed events we will do during the year to raise money for the grade seven farewell activities. The school is stressing that it is not a graduation and wants to keep it simple and fun. No grandiose limo and tux thing, but just a nice dinner and dance for the kids to bid the school adieu. It is a tradition to send them to a camp for three days also. We actually don't have that much to raise so it shouldn't be too tense. We will do our bit.

Our life is so easy and we are so blessed. It sounds trivial when elsewhere in the world very real struggles go on every single day. Everyday we try to be mindful and give thanks for our family and our little life and to remember that it is hard for so many.

We are praying for a family who arrived in China to find their little girl in "hospital" and very ill. They are fighting the system to try to have her adoption go through so she is legally theirs and they can try to get better care and home ASAP. Please add your prayers. The parents are beside themselves with grief and worry and are losing hope.

Lots and nothing........

2008-09-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

As usual, I am busy doing nothing. I suppose it actually adds up in the end but when I look at my "to do" list, which has actually become a smallish "to do' notebook, it isn't much. My anxiety is not helped by that little voice that whispers "you are never gonna get caught up". Today I was up and out by 9am. Did some returns and some grocery shopping and took a load of things and clothes to the Goodwill Store. Wandered and browsed and was home by one.

It is nice to be off work again. I tell ya' nursing is just getting harder and harder. The patients are older and sicker and we see a lot of delirium that is tough to handle. I do what a can and pray for patience and love. Not sure how long I will continue. I suppose I will know when it is time to pack it in.

The weather is still perfect. I am thinking about putting my garden to bed for the winter but it is too soon.

I am excited for two families who live in our community. They leave on Friday to begin their journeys to China to meet their new daughters. One is a baby not yet a year old and one is a thirteen year old girl. Both are thrilled and excited and I am glad those feelings never change and remember all they are experiencing now. I wish everyone would adopt. I don't care from where or how old or young or what colour or if they have a special need or not. Just give a child a home and love. It is not a lot and yet it is so much.

Tonight is "meet the teacher night". Looking forward to it. Always great to hear teachers telling us how wonderful our girls are....and rightfully so! Also the big " grade 7 class meeting". This is where the parents discuss the graduation plans, the end of school right of passage camping trip and various fund raising efforts. Next year Isabel will be in High School. Gulp!!!!!!!!

Thanks Ang for becoming my first follower.............I hope for more but we will see. Check out the link top right>>>>>>
I now feel a certain pressure to write and to damn well make it interesting!!!!! I will do my best, but my life is pretty small in the grand scheme of things.

School accomplishments.......

2008-09-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

Grace is running cross country. Her athleticism comes naturally and she has been flexible from the get go. Her flat feet are proving a challenge and we may need to get special footwear to help with that. The competitiveness conflicts her. She quietly goes out to beat her peers but says she doesn't like it. Maybe it is the attention she gets when she wins that she doesn't like? She has her third brown belt in karate and will go for her black sometime in the next year or so. It is beautiful to watch her do her katas. Last night the girls were watching "The Little Princess" and it made her cry. She is a kind hearted and sweet little girl but not big on sharing her thoughts and feelings. That's okay. I know my Grace well.

Beth is on fire this year. She comes home every night overflowing with things to tell us.( maybe that is why Grace is so uncommunicative......she can't get a word in edgewise) She is reading book after book after book. The love of reading developed over the summer. She likes the mysteries and spy books best, but now she is reading anything and everything. She signed up for soccer and is really enjoying that. Playing goalie. She leaves a trail of her belongings behind her wherever she goes and if someone is to forget something at home it is Beth. The phone rings frquently with her many friends calling. School seems to be going very well for Beth. Our firecracker girl.

Isabel had a poem published in last years yearbook and we were all very proud of her. She continues to be an amazing little writer and we are constantly astonished at her prowess in that department. Every now and then we get a glimpse of our little girl of old and snippets of our big girl just beginning. We love them both.

Our smart and beautiful, miraculous girls.

Behind schedule......

2008-09-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

I had great plans for what I was going to do this week, when the days were stretching out before me so full of promise and shiney new. It is dawning on me that I should not chronicle in my blog what I hope to get done because I always feel lacking when it fails to come to fruition. But, you know, it was a good week.

My Isabel was sick........for the entire school week. She came home Monday at eleven and ran a high fever which finally broke only yesterday. Last night I heard that familiar high pitched giggle filtering downstairs. Ah, music to my ears. I sincerely hope it wasn't shared with her sisters and that is the end of the dreaded lurgy.

I got outside a fair bit and enjoyed spectacular weather. Had coffee with friends and explored my favourite neighbourhoods.
Did a little shopping for the girls fall wardrobes. Bit of cooking and baking. Heard from some old friends from as far away as England and China. Dreamed about the future. What I will do and where we will go. I gave thanks for all we have and all that is good in this tired world. I felt content and at peace.

That's a pretty good week if you ask me.

I am happy to be going back to work.....

2008-09-13T08:43:00.001-07:00

NOT!!!!

Yoo,hoo....

2008-09-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

I am curious just like everyone else as to who is reading my many blogs. If you would like to become a follower.......a new blogger feature.......follow the link on the right>>>>>>>.........and maybe it will help us get to know each other and I might write more often or more eloquently. Thanks for checking in on us and totally understand if you would rather just lurk.

What a day.........

2008-09-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

I cannot express to you what a beauty today was. The blue, blue sky and the warmth of a briliiant sun on my shoulders. I had so much to do in the house but I had to play hookie. By 930 I was out there!!! Good stuff.

Isabel has been ill for three days and running a high fever. I except it is something viral but she is one grumpy girl.
Hopefully she will not miss too much work at school.

Grace is settling into school and in her usual fashion not sharing much of what is happening. Our hope is one day she will.....or not. I guess that is our Grace.

Beth got herself up and was at school by 730 for soccer, which she signed up for last week. Of she went dragging her uniform in a bag, plus her back pack with all the forms that had come home and needed signed, tucked away and ready for her teacher. She did forget her flute and Derek ran it over to her, but that's okay.

They are three individuals each with their own personality and quirks. Each with strengths and weaknesses. It is so fun to see them becoming young ladies. Bittersweet. We just love "em.

Which Crayola colour are you?.....this is Isabel!

2008-09-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

Not sure why I have this big gap. Not sure why we are goofing around with the computer this early. Time for school and other serious business.

You are most like: You are Orange
Brilliant and stunning, you provide a pleasant surprise to any room into which you walk. This is a hard color to pull off, but you do it well.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

You are most like:

You are Orange

Brilliant and stunning, you provide a pleasant surprise to any room into which you walk. This is a hard color to pull off, but you do it well.

Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?

Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

First week is over....

2008-09-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

Honestly time does really fly. First week went very well and we were well organized which was a huge help. The girls were pretty tuckered out in the evenings especially Isabel. The teenage hormone thing kicking in again. Am grateful I was able to be home for the first week. We have a homework area all set up and the girls are back into their routine and the "a place for everything and everything in it's place" rule is again in effect. Everyone seems to like their teachers and was happy to see their friends. I took extra care with lunches and other meals and we will see how long that lasts. It was fun to putter around in the kitchen. The introduction of new chores has begun and is also going well. My girls are so growing up!! It is bittersweet.

I have decided to travel to Ontario in mid November to see my Mom. She is in a nursing home and it can be a sad time. I have been lucky enough to be able to do it once or twice a year since we moved west. I have taken each of the girls with me over the years and they got to spend time with family and to see Grandma. They loved the one on one with Mom.

I have a couple of educational work related days in October and in November including a 2 day conference in Vancouver I am looking forward to. My thoughts are turning toward Christmas and then our China trip in March. There is much to do.

It is a beautiful late summer day here and the ocean looked so lovely today. Everyone is beginning to embrace the coming of fall
and preparing to hunker down for another winter. Not that we really have a winter here, but a time of cooler temps and cozy dark evenings and often,the rains. But let's enjoy this while we still have it.

Blogging vs a journal........

2008-09-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

Now I blog when I used to journal and they are different. A blog is our there and you have to edit what you write and a journal is private and personal. After rereading my journals which I have kept on and off since I was about 13, I am thinking I need to throw these all out. Although I am sure the girls would love to read all about their journey to us from the very germ of conception, I am not sure they would want to read my adolescent super ego ramblings on up to my post menopausal anxieties. I am presently undecided about whether I want to share my life so intimately even with those I love the most. I haven't decided yet.

Hello September...

2008-09-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

Have taken the same picture on the stairs, in order of age, youngest up to oldest, for years. Look how big they are now.
Grades 6& 7. Believe it when people say "enjoy it, they grow up so fast."

First day of school!!! Had a few worries. For a while there I was certain I wouldn't have everything on the supply lists. Lay awake at night wondering when I would get the labels done and if the gym bags were okay, the shoes, the uniforms and all that stuff that Mothers everywhere worry about. Of course, we got pretty much all that was required. We were up on early, had a nice breakfast and were able to leave the house with plenty of time for a reasonable stroll to school. Derek followed in the van with three bulging bags of learnin" supplies. After coffee I came home and had a cooking frenzy and am more than able to meet the culinary requests for my hungry brood. Isabel and her friend hung out after school and Beth went to a friends. Grace entertained herself. I was able to clean a few factoids about first day happenings. Isabel felt very grown up because she was able to chose where she was sitting by herself and has a LOCKER! Wow!! Grace's first impression of her male teacher is positive. He seems to have a sense of humour and told them he is her Daddy while at school........parentus loco...and related it to the latin. I like those teaching moments. Beth hasn't said too much yet. Has told me who she is sitting next to and about the new girls in her class.
It is all good and it is great to be back in our routine.

I think summer is over....

2008-08-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

We are savouring the very last precious hours of the summer. Getting ready for school and nesting. I will update about our little get away and the happenings here at our house when I have finishing pondering and puttering. Please check by later.

I am off for a whole week....

2008-08-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

Today I am having a little fun.

I am a
Daisy

What Flower
Are You?

Well said, Maya.......

2008-08-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

Maya Angelou once wrote:
"When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'." I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven." When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide. When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak And need His strength to carry on. When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed And need God to clean my mess. When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible But, God believes I am worth it. When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name. When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow"

Coming attractions...

2008-08-17T16:51:00.001-07:00

Going on a road trip next weekend. First stop Vancouver to visit with Uncle Ian and Aunt Rosemary and to see cousin Emily again. Time for the second annual PNE visit. (Pacific National Exhibition=big fair). Not my thing at all....but Rosemary loves it and my girls are the happy recipients of that passion.

Phase two is on to Washington, just outside Seattle, and a shopping expedition and fun hotel stay with pool, meals out/room service and family time. Grace and Isabel are not shoppers but will enjoy the adventure. We should be set for school then and will kick back and enjoy these last days of summer vacation 2008.

First Mom has to work three shifts and do the packing and try to get a little more done in the house.

Multiply by millions of school children....

2008-08-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

Mary Anne's welcome party...

2008-08-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

This was a good week....

2008-08-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

I have done very little but putter around this week and yet I have so enjoyed it. Went through the den and cleaned stuff out that had been there since 2006, and longer I'm sure. Very theraputic and I highly recommend it.

Now I am left with getting all the different piles to their final destination. The consignment store,Big Brother and Canadian Diabetes, Value Village and the good old dump or garbage.

The girls school supplies are pretty much done. Just a few items to purchase and some labeling to do. It felt good to recycle some of their things from last year. It makes me sad that we just assume everything has to be brand new every year and I was determined not to go there this year. Tomorrow we will go through the uniforms and shoes and see what is needed in that department.

I need to sort through our old craft supplies and maybe give some to our preschool at St Pat's

and then a terminal clean and reorganize of the den and, Voila......c'est fini!!! It will go on the list for painting. I am seeing a soft chocolate colour.

Was beginning to think I had lost control and things were falling behind schedule........so I let the schedule go and am just plugging away in the hopes that eventually the house will be stripped of all unnecessary stuff. This includes furniture, accessories, knick-knacks and old worn out, unloved or unwanted items of any kind! Bear with me this may take longer than anticipated.

Another miracle today.....

2008-08-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

After three long years of waiting, friends have received the referral for their baby girl

from China.....of course. She is only 7 and 1/2 months old and from the same province as our Beth.

She is very sweet and I am so happy she will have a home and a rosy future and the love of two

good people and a Mommy and a Daddy. We hope to go over and hug those people tonight.

I love for my girls to see what joy and happiness happens when that long awaited picture comes,

so they can somehow see how it was for our family when we first saw their little faces. How can you love someone before you have even met them? But you can, you really can.

Congratulations my friends and all the others who met their babies this month.

Taking a bloggy break....

2008-08-07T10:26:00.001-07:00

The summer goes by so fast and it is so beautiful just now I need to be enjoying every second. Rest assured

soon we will return. Get out there people........or just relax and bask in the gorgeousness!!!

Starfish and China....

2008-08-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

If you have the time you should check out our other blogs. There is always some news there

and we love to share the good news.

Last one & then free again....

2008-08-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Nights.........gotta love 'em.

At least tonight is overtime and

I am getting double time. That can really

motivate me to get up and at 'em.

I do envy those stay at home Mom's,

but I also like my job and am grateful

that what I earn allows us to do what we

do and pays for the frills, like our travels.

I often think if I didn't work I wouldn't

enjoy my time off so much.

The girls finished an action packed and fun week at camp. We received brilliant reviews on their leadership skills and they were pretty proud of their efforts and had a good time. Derek and I enjoyed helping out with kitchen duties and snack prep. Our thanks to the organizers and the selfless people who work so hard each year on behave of our dear children. We want the Church to always play a part in our lives and those of our girls and for them to grow in the light of Christ. We look forward to next year.

In September Grace and Beth will continue in Girls Club once a month on Saturday and Isabel,

we hope, will begin Youth Group on Friday evenings also once a month.

We received the calendar for the new school year in the mail today. Time to begin preparing for that.........but still time to enjoy the rest of summer together. Life is good!!

Church Camp 08...

2008-07-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

We have a week of Church Camp every summer and this year our three girls are camp "Leaders".

It is a big group this time around with over 100 children. They do a tremendous job and it is great for the girlies. I am working in the kitchen and doing clean up. Today it is raining which will keep the kids inside and up the decibel level just a tad. I really admire the work and commitment the organizers put into the camp every year and it is great role modeling for our three.

I enjoy seeing all the children from our school and all the new little ones in the preschool and talking to the other Moms.

Dolce Vida.....

2008-07-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Pics from the weekend:
al fresco dining, mini-golf and chilling with a buddy in Isabel's room.

We had a good day today. Everybody hung out doing their own thing until

around eleven and then we did some housework. I set the goal of doing Isabel's closet. It's a big one and has held some of the other girls' clothes. Now they want to keep everything separate. So I put a load of laundry in........mostly bedding and we began.

I emptied and vacuumed the closet and the girls culled their rooms for anything they no longer wanted. This included cleaning out desks and drawers. We set a limit

for 2 hours. Amazing what you can accomplish in that time.

Then we grabbed a quick lunch and dropped Isabel at her BFF's house.. You know who! Isabel dislikes shopping......for now.

Grace & Beth and I headed to the Mall to scout out new bedding and accessories. We got two big pillows for Beth's room in soft yellow pretty close to her wall colour and we will accent with aqua. She wants to move her twin beds into a day bed type look. Not sure about that.

Grace found a perfect blue sheet for her box spring mattress that matches her lovely grey blue floral bedding we have had for a while now. Her pink room will soon be blue and she wants

white and BLACK accents. OKAY!!!!!! Actually it looks good.

So we are happy and will carry on tomorrow. Maybe three hours. Wish us luck.

One down, one to go....

2008-07-22T10:05:00.001-07:00

Night shift, my friends. What a way to make a living.

At least it is cool and overcast today and I won't lie here thinking about what I am missing.

I will post photos of the weekend when energy permits.

Holy cow....

2008-07-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

I booked our flights to China!!!!!!!! (see under other blogs to the right.....)

The house is not even close to being done!!!!!

I am being audited!!!!!!!

Under some pressure!!!!!!

Still smiling.......I guess.

Family Sunday....

2008-07-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

We woke to another spectacular day here in paradise. The sky was a clear deep blue and the sun shone warmly. After Church we had our usual coffee and then home for a little regrouping. Around one we headed out to Mattick's farm for a lovely lunch and a family chat al fresco and then some mini golf. Dad won and he wasn't very gracious about it!!! Boys are so competitive while we girls just like to be supportive and have fun. Our evening was simple. Little TV and some music and cereal for dinner. Pretty nice..........pictures to follow.

Contentment.....

2008-07-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

I am so enjoying these days off. Nothing exciting. Waking up early and relishing the birdsong and peace of that time as I sip a cup of coffee and plan my day. No schedule. The girls sleep until they wake and we make a special breakfast including yummy summer fruits.....blueberries and raspberries. I catch up on some blogs and look forward to the hours ahead of just doing what ever I want. Lovely.

I have been surfing for airfares to China and have found some pretty good fares. I know I should buy them while they are there but will hold off just a little while longer for budgetary reasons.

Today I will catch up on some laundry and do a little tidying upstairs. My little ones are off to a sleepover party and Izzy is having the BFF over for her own overnighter. I offered to take them to a movie but they just want to hang out together so I will make that happen. I amy go on a little adventure of my own. It is interesting , now that the kids are able to stay home alone, to have that luxury again.

I was reading on a parenting site about things we do to stay connected. One was a family journal where everyone leaves notes, poems, thoughts, quotes and shares plans, hopes, dreams or simply asks for pancakes for dinner. I love the idea and will look for a suitable book and implement this idea.

Need to add some pictures and need to get restarted on the upstairs rehab. I am falling behine schedule and we can't have that.