YAY

YAY!!!!   Summer is actually HERE!!!!

Welcome (finally!) , and we can't wait to tackle our Summer "to do" adventure list ....

Hi Daddy.  Wow. It's been almost 4 months since we've laughed, ganged up on Mom, or hugged. I miss you. Every single breath, every single minute, of every single day. You truly are the definition of Hero, and I count my lucky stars that I had you for 31 beautifully blessed years.  I still wish I had you for 50 more though.
The boys talk about you lot's. We talk about you lot's, and they ask me to tell stories about you.  bedtime routine is now story telling about our favorite Man.
Daddy, I wonder if you're with Gramps, I hope you are. I wonder if you're finally "retired" and can stop answering all those service calls.  "What Doing Daddy?". Most of all, I'm thankful you're not working 20 hours a day anymore.

I am so very grateful that my sons got to have you in their lives, as short as it was. I am so thankful they have memories to hold onto, late at night, when tears and heartache get the best of them.  You were an amazing father. Not just cause you are mine, but because I knew I was loved, and important,  just by being in the same room as you. But you were an even more amazing Grandfather. What a gift, to my sons, and to me, for I was able to watch my childhood all over again, as you interacted with those two wonderful little boys.  
Countless memories flood me, without warning, at any given time of day, and I stop and smile, and hold them close. I've tried to express just how special You and Me are. But I've realized it's just so special cause only 2 people truly understood ; You and Me.
I meant what I said, the last time I looked into your eyes : I adore you. You are my world, and cherish every single second of those 31 years I had you.  I Love You Daddy.

FishingParty

This year Chace's birthday celebrations were special. They are every year, but this one held extra meaning to us. Grampa had planned a fishing party for my prince, and it was after he passed away in March that we found out. Fishing was a bond my Dad and I shared, so it overwhelmed me that he would do that for my son. 
Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery here in Abbotsford hosts birthday parties, which I wasn't aware of, and let me tell you, it's a blast!! I'd do it over playplace parties ANY day!!  Chace and his classmates had a great time, which is wonderful, and I am so very thankful to the moms that stayed to lend a hand with the rods and baiting of hooks :)
The weather magically held out for us today too ~ our thunderstorm hit as we were driving home, which we all laughed and cheered about!! :) 

Everyone had a super great time, which was this Mommy's goal. Have to admit that today was bittersweet for me, my Dad would have loved to be in the fishin fun with a bunch of 6yr old boys...I know he was watching over us though, cause the forecasted thunderstorm didn't start until the last rod was put away again.
I wouldn't have been able to pull this off without the help of my wonderful neighbors, and friends...thankyou so much for lending patience, hands, and humor to a hectic day :) 
ANd thanks Daddy, for such an awesome idea, and  for being with us, in spirit. 
 

June

Chace had his first official Sports Day, what a blast! Cole and Mommy went to cheer him and his friends along, and we got to participate in some of the activities too.  I remember being in school and watching the parents and teachers go head to head in a tug of war......Who knew that one day it would be me, tugging against the teachers....feels pretty popular when the kids are cheering for ya, and high fiving you afterwards (yes, us parents ROCKED IT!).

Our team color was yellow so Cole and I put on whatever yellow we could find. Cole was a little put out at the attention all being on the older kids, but I was pretty proud of him for sticking it out, and afterwards a Happy Meal was in order.  Chace's class all got pizza so it was only fair we got to go and have a fun meal too :)
I really love being a Mama, and feel so lucky to be able to be a part of the school and involved as much as I am.  I was treated to a parent tea yesterday, and it was nice to sit with the other parents who have all contributed throughout the year, and have our darling little ones "serve" us tea and snacks.  Makes all the loud bus rides, hectic rainy field trips, rushing from work to school, and general chaos worth it.  I thought so anyway, but getting some yummy goodies makes it ten times better. 

 

can't believe we've gone through a whole school year already - next year both MyMen will be in elementary school, and I'll be the newest fulltime PAC member.  We're looking forward to it!! :)

6th

WOW! who knew time could move at such lightning quick speed!?! Hard to believe that 6 years ago today, I was in labor and about to meet you, my darling boy. I knew I loved you, from the moment I found out I was expecting, but I had NO IDEA just how profoundly and deeply True Love would hit me when I first looked into your blue eyes. 
Chace you are an absolute joy. You light up my life, and make my heart grin every single day. I have learned a lot these past 6 years and am so honored to be able to walk together on this adventure... 

Chace William, Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!  

I love you, adore you, and am just so darn proud of you XOXOXO 

Wheels

So we've been without a vehicle for 6 months. We've made it work, but were really missing our independance and freedom.  Yesterday we were blessed to come across a vehicle in our price range (ie; SUPER cheap!! haha). So we drove it home.  Very spur of the moment, and unlike me, who overthinks absolutely EVERYTHING. Well along with a lot of other things experienced in this last few months, I've also learned the literal meaning of "life is too short". So I decided "What the heck, let's take a chance".
Our "new to us" van is older, and not as fancy or Perfect, or pretty, but we're happy to have something to call our own. Another 3Stooges Project we can work on together. 
It needs work, a lot of TLC, but so do we. I think it's a good fit :)

roomy renos

We've been working here and there to finish up the boys' rooms the way they like them.. I lucked out in getting some nifty curtains for their rooms, and the boys were happy with the added personality. Chace has Lightning McQueen curtains, and Cole has, OF COURSE, Spiderman curtains :)  We also found some hockey themed wallpaper border at the thrift store, and Chace fell in love with it. I think it goes nice with his red paint, and newly found "mature man" ego. *sigh*.  baseboards are still on our To Do list, and a couple other little things I'd like to do, but I'm happy with how the rooms are coming along......

Cole's room was a bit trickier, space-wise. He has a twin size carbed, which takes up the majority of the room, so we tried to make it look bigger than it was....so far so good, but there are still a few things left to figure out for MiniMan's space...His closet is an odd size too, so we fit his dresser and toy bin in there, and his Spidey chair...he has a little space now to go when he's needing his own "space" :)  The curtains definitely add his little personality to the room, and we are on the hunt for dinosaur or shark themed wallpaper border...until then he's just thrilled to have green walls :) I'm enjoying fixing up their rooms, and seeing how happy they are in their own little places of our little home. I hope to have them both finished in the next couple of weeks.

And of course, Chace figured the outside needed some "decorating" too. LOL...water gun graffiti :)