Xmas 2012

Our 1st Christmas without Dad/Grandpa....to be very honest I was not looking forward to it at all and struggled at times, to enjoy the moment.  The boys, thankfully, had a great time and were thrilled with all of their treasures.
We were very blessed with a lot of Secret Santas this year...I was overwhelmed adn spent most of the days leading up to Christmas blubbering LOL...thankyou to each and every one of you who took time and effort to make us feel loved and special.

NorthPole

We went to the North Pole this weekend ...it is located at MapleWood Farm out in Vancouver. We went with a friend and her 2 kids too... Us Mommies were disappointed with it, as it was much better a few years ago when out in Maple Ridge. The kids all had a good time though, which is all that matters :)
In the "Elvern hall" Mrs Claus told stories and had some tme with everyone, as they all had hot cocoa and warmed up. It was pretty cold outside!
There was an Elf school, where the kids had to go through some silly moves and rhymes, at the end being declared honorary elves. Chace thought this was hilarious and Cole had a good time doing all the moves. 
After meeting with Santa we were on our way out when we saw this sign. I guess some little elf needs a lesson in spelling!! We had a good chuckle over it.
Another adventure us 3Stooges got to have :)

Funny Guys

I really have funny kids. Both my boys are so witty, funny, and life-loving. Sometimes it strikes me out of the blue just how funny they are!  Look out world, there are 2 hams on there way to greatness!

School photos

Another year, and both my boys are in school now!  
What Handsome Blessings I am gifted with! 

Love my boys!

Halloween 2012

This year I decided to challenge myself and produce our costumes without buying a thing! We've been watching the reruns of a show called 7th Heaven (one of my faves growing up) and we were inspired by them. They have a large family and have a house rule not to buy eachother anything as gifts...it was hard for me, because I'm learning to sew...so it was literally a weeks-long project making the boys' costumes. Mine was pretty easy, I just stapled fake leaves to an old shirt and skirt I had. LOL.  3Stooges this year went as Batman and Robin, with Mommy being the bad enemy, Poison Ivy. The boys were happy with their costumes, so I was too :) We trick or treated in the pouring rain, and ended up with a pillowcase full between the two caped crusaders. Not bad for getting soaked! We even lucked out in getting an extra treat, in seeing some pretty special people along the way! Happy Halloween!

Ghost Train

We had an adventure yesterday and headed out to the Ghost Train in Stanley Park.. I think the boys thought it was a great adventure simply because we were out past bedtime on a school night!

I had so much fun, and it was ten times better, seeing Chace and Cole enjoy themselves and be spooked while having a good time!
***I am choked that some pics while downloading didn't work....if anyone knows how to retrieve or fix that issue I'd be uber-grateful!!!!***

The train ride was a lot of fun - Cole was nervous, so he sat between big brother and Mom - the theme this year was Scary Fairy Tales ~ some WAS creepy but for the most part fun, and humorous. A definite thumbs up!

Struggle/Search

I've been struggling to find inner peace, and not dwell in my despair over losing my Dad....it's been the biggest battle of my life, and daily I find myself wondering if I'm good enough to conquer.   My children are my life purpose, and unfortunately, losing my father has shown me the value of time, and how fleeting it really is.  
I have a lot of self reflection, work, and faith to find, build, and continue, but one thing is a definite constant; my love of being a Mother.

I have remembered my father's way of living....enjoy the moment....planning is wonderful, but sometimes life just calls for spontaneous FUN!!!    I am lucky enough to have great friends who embrace this motto, and thank them for inspiring me, indirectly or not, to keep up the positive vibe my father sent out each and every day of his life.

I got off work Saturday morning at  ten, and after packing a picnic lunch we set off for TeaPot hill in Chilliwack....a spur of the moment inspiration from a super important person in our life ... something I never felt confident within myself to do, and decided to quit wallowing. ... what an AWESOME day!!
Both Chace and Cole were troopers...I know I was tired, and they both pulled through without complaining and even making up songs as we hiked our way to the top.  I'm proud of us for enjoying life, each moment!
And I am super thankful for that special person, who even when they aren't trying or know it, inspire me, and us to keep movign forward, one step at a time.  :)