I have an 18 year old.

It seemed so surreal yesterday.  I have an 18 year old.  It’s almost unfathomable to me as I remember giving birth to her as if it were last week.  Young mom and dad full of hopes and dreams and such faith in this world.  Such big dreams for her children…I didn’t think our lives would have turned out this way, but I have no regrets.  I have a girl that is full of love, empathy and an amazing caring, sweet heart.  I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter.  Kayla, I love you so much!  Happy Birthday baby girl!

 

I bought Kayla a pink Sony Cybershop automatic camera.  (not so cheap!).  She was pretty tickled pink to get it.  So, you’ll be seeing alot of pictures from her and I in the near future.  :)

Happy Birthday Stephanie!

Friday, Stephanie turned 18!!  Hard to believe.  I remember when Stephanie was born, I was pregnant with Kayla and Stella was a Godsend to me many times because she became the person I’d call to find things out!  :)  Anyways, i remember how tiny she was and how cute.  Now she’s still cute, but she’s tall and beautiful!  They really do grow so quickly.  Kayla enjoyed spending some time with Stephanie over the weekend to celebrate her birthday.  She had a tremendous time!

I made her this album.  She really liked it.

** I apologize for the colouring on some of these photos…they are slightly skewed due to poor lighting.

b 

And here is a close of the journaling jotters I made/stamped.
Notice…yet another great way to use the leftover Prima Packaging…and recycle.  Great Tip for Earth Day!  :) 
The rest of the weekend was grand.  Sens lost against the Penguins in the first round of the playoffs.   So disappointing.  They tried hard though.

I finally drove!  I went out to see Dennis this weekend.  I needed to get away and change the scenery.  It was so fun and I have been really feeling good.  In fact, today I walked 45 mins around the neighbourhood and just soaked up the sun and sunshine and listened to the birds.  I am getting so tired of doing nothing and being inactive.  I’m looking forward to getting back into shape.  :)
I actually started a new blog today, to inspire myself and motivate myself back into shape.  It’s all about my walking!!
You can find it here. 

Today, I feel good about me.   Tomorrow will be even better.  :)

 

Bad Blogger!

I’d like to apologize for not having updated my blog in almost a month!  Where does the time go??  Since my birthday, there has been alot going on in my life.  I’m going through a rough time personally, so thank you all for your blanket prayers and good thoughts. 

I have this week off.  Needed to get myself together and organize my life and I’ve enjoyed spending this week at home.  I miss being a stay at home mom.  I loved so much to take care of my home and my kids – ahhh…but life has other plans.  :)  It’s sweet while it lasts.

Looking forward to Christmas again.  This year, the kids and I will be home…and I’ve invited Diane and Brenda to spend it with us.  It will be lovely to focus on family and not have to run around everywhere, trying to be at two places at once.  If anyone has nothing to do or nowhere to go, you are invited to my house!

I have not heard back from the doctor yet regarding the mass on my uterus.  They seemed to have mislocated my results, during their move.  SO…i am giving them a couple of days to find them, because I really don’t want to go have that internal ultrasound again!  I will let you know how it goes when I hear.  I have been having pain off and on but am alright.  I am hopeful that the mass is just a fibroid and is benign – but it is causing me trouble so I suspect it will have to come out.  :)  I’ll keep you updated.

I scrapped yesterday for the entire day.  Felt so good.  I love these family photos.  So…without further ado, here are my November Designs.  ENJOY!  Love you all very much!!  xo

By the way...MOM and DAD you should get Facebook!
It's easy to join. All you need is an email address and a password. 
Mataunte Anita is on there and alot of our other relatives - it's a fun way to keep in touch!  K...love you. Bye!

 

Happy Birthday to me

Today I entered the last year of my 30’s.  I could be depressed, but I hear the 40’s are awesome, so i’ll take my friend’s word for it…and just live it up till I get there. 

Not much going on today.  I’m od’ing on chocolate and coffee.   In the meantime, I scrapped (as a present to myself).  Just being a little honest about ME today. 

Happy Birthday to me.

I’ll have some photos of the kids from Halloween soon.  I’ll show ya a bunch this week…right now I gotta go shower, cuz I’m going to Sarah’s for dinner.  I really don’t know what I would do without her and Rob…they love me more than I deserve.  Thank you Lord for the best gift ever…my loyal and caring friends, SARAH and ROB. 

A long post - reflecting

Thank you all so much for the wonderful birthday wishes for Kayla.  Can’t believe my baby girl is 17.  It seems like just yesterday I was lying in the hospital bed, holding her in my arms for the first time.  She is growing up too fast, but she is growing up into such a sweet girl, with a head on her shoulders.  I’m sure everyone is enjoying their long weekend – sleeping in!  I went to D’s this weekend, but came back last night, so I could spend today cleaning and catching up on laundry.  We started cleaning out the basement last week, so we’ll work on that for a couple of hours again today.  We’ve been throwing out all kinds of crap. 

It’s odd, because you all know how much I love to decorate!  It’s been pretty evident in the past several years I haven’t given much thought to decorating.  I mean, i live in this house, but it’s a holding cell.  That place in between where I was and where I want to be.  I live here, because it’s a roof over my head – not because i want to. 

God has been gracious in providing this for us and has blessed us beyond anything I can ever express, but my heart is not in this place.  It’s big, it’s old, it has memories of a past life…and although it’s where we (as a family) have found our place again, it’s quite a burden.  Please pray for us.  More and More each passing week, this place depresses me and I really want out.  I’m taking the walk in faith, believing God has a better place for us that we can afford, and so I’m cleaning out the basement and getting rid of stuff, which will make it easier for us to move out.  I’ll be ready to go in a week, when the time comes.  :)

Enough of the depressing stuff. 

I hope all of you are doing well!  Brenda and Diane, i hope you are enjoying your new apartment and are starting to settle in.  I am sure the commute to work is a heck of alot of easier and you are saving time as well. 

Mom and Dad, I love and miss you and I think of you OFTEN!  I am looking forward to seeing you all again soon…we miss you so much.
 
Many people do not understand how difficult it is to raise two teenaged children when you are by yourself.  I am endlessly driving them places, to friends houses, to events and school functions.  Driving them to a date, picking them up…cleaning so their friends can come and visit.  Taking them shopping, getting groceries, going to the dentist…stopping at the drug store and yet still manage to have somewhat of a social life of my own.  I honestly do not know how I do it.  I am tired.  I am exhausted.  My mind, my body and my spirit are drained.  I dream about someone taking care of me for once.  It is difficult for people to understand me, unless they have walked a mile (or a day) in my shoes.  I have lost faith in society.  I have lost faith in the goodness of people.  I have lost faith that people stand with integrity and that the things they tell me are the truth.  I’m jaded…I’m faded and at times I feel hopeless. 

The kids are growing up – and in a few years, there’s no doubt they’ll be off on their own – starting their own lives.  I wonder if at any time, they will ever realize the sacrifices I have made to ensure they grew up happy and healthy, strong and independent.  I wonder.  Arghh…don’t mean to be depressing, but this is what happens to me when I have ‘time off’ and time to reflect.  The good thing about being busy all the time is that I don’t have time to think too much about how unhappy I truly am.  There are some days I curse Steve and all that he has done to me. 

Okay, here are some pictures of my Baby Girl, who is now 17!!  Isn't she gorgeous??  AND so grown up!  She is beaming from ear to ear because her boyfriend Jeremy is sitting to her left…Jeremy is so nice, and has been one good friend to Kayla.  She thinks the world of him. 

 

 

You can click each picture to see it larger…and then just use your back button browser to get back.  Enjoy!!

xo

Tomorrow is my baby girl’s birthday!!

I can’t believe Kayla is going to be 17 tomorrow. 

Jory is now 14!!!

Just wanted to quickly post some photos of Jory, which I took on his birthday!! My baby boy is growing up and looking so handsome!! Thank you all for the birthday wishes!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Yesterday was Allison's Birthday. Eight already. Seems like just yesterday I was trying to rest you on my shoulders for our first apple picking date. :-) You were only 5 then. You know it's good when the years start running into eachother. :-) Love you darling. xo

Happy Birthday Gordie!

Made this for you for your birthday! My gift to you... :-)
With love and thanks from Diane and Jacqueline...my little photographers! :-)
xoxo

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Mom and Dad, I know you read my blog often, so thought I'd send you this very special birthday wish.

Dad, you have always been the Greatest Dad ever. I love that you have vast amounts of wisdom and that you have such a caring and gentle heart. My fondest of memories growing up as a child, and ones that I think of often are of you coming home from work, and me jumping up on you to squeeze your belly and take off your workboots. I loved snuggling with you on the couch. I also miss making you tea. :-) Those are just little things though. I will always cherish how you have always been there for me and your love and support throughout the years. I love you ever so much. Have a wonderful day! xo

Just another birthday, but oh so sweet...

Jory's been sick with a cough. Drove out to the clinic tonight, and can you believe it, they turned us away?!! Sorry, we're not taking any more patients...we are full. GRRR...so I went to the drugstore and bought cough medicine - against my better judgement. We'll see if it makes any improvement.
I have sinus congestions...these friggin allergies. Bought some Reactine. It's pretty nasty today.

Mrs. C came over just now and brought me a birthday gift. A gorgeous wicker basket with christmas stuff in it. What a wonderful idea...to get ready for the christmas party. Candles, candy, napkins, and all kinds of goodies. I can barely wait to try out the foot soak basket. THANK YOU!

Allison made me this beautiful birthday card, which I treasure along with all the things my own children have made for me over the years. (I will always love you too baby girl!) Dennis...your card sits high on my fireplace...it ain't ever coming down. (It's very special.)

Okay...enough for now...gonna go make some tea. I've been drinking alot of the herbal stuff lately...green teas and stuff.

My Birthday

It's been a fun day so far. :-)
I would rather not be 36, but it's been a pretty cool day.

I got the most awesome balloon from Brenda, and the rest of the gang up there...there couldn't have been a more perfect balloon. When you whack it, it sings, "WILD THING"...there's a blonde on the front of it with long hair with a big smile. :-) All of those little gifts the girls sent me (You guys are hillarious!)...anyways, they made me laugh for sure. I almost forgot the CHOCOLATE FUDGE cake - B, you are awesome!

Then...i got back from lunch and there flowers from the guys here at work. Awwwwwwww...the most beautiful roses. White, pink and red. How sweet.

Going to ESM for dinner tonight. Although, I'm thinking I'd rather just stay home...I got a headache, from all the attention today. HA!

Winter is coming...

Ahhhh...Saturday, rain all day. Sunday it was so freakin' windy! We woke up at Dennis' with no power. Wondered how I'd ever make my coffee and just when my migraine started to get out of hand, the power went back on and I was able to get my coffee. (hehehe)...can you say 'addicted to caffeine?"
I absolutely felt like this all weekend, being treated like a princess by my luv'r. I love you babe. Absolutely every time I see you, you confirm that absolutely no one but you could ever make me this happy. :-)



Sarah, your spaghetti was great. I tried your recipe...loved it!
Friday night I watched "The Lakehouse" with Sarah. I love that movie. GREAT CHICK FLICK! ;)

I have decided that I am going to skip my birthday this year. I don't wanna be 36. :-(

Birthday Dinner

We went to Swiss Chalet with Grandma and Grandpa tonight...to celebrate Kayla's Birthday. Kayla's really into Bobby Jack at the moment, so she was thrilled to get her new Bobby Jack watch, hoodie, t-shirts and bathrobe. She will also look great in her new jeans! Grandma and Grandpa are awesome! :-)

Here's a picture I clumsily took of Kayla when they brought her the cake...and sang HB to her...so cute. Jory is in the background there... :-)

K...off to get homework finishes, lunches made and showers! BUSY, BUSY!

I'm exhausted

Spent the whole weekend cleaning the house, and organizing. Every night I'd climb into bed, body aching and back feeling like it was broken in half. I made brownies, did about 15 loads of laundry, washed and scrubbed floors, scrubbed bathroom tiles, shopped, washed curtains and got rid of about 5 bags of crap from the kids' bedrooms. It was like spring cleaning, in the fall!

Kayla's birthday was on Saturday. We spent the day cleaning. Poor Kayla. I made her a gourmet breakfast...french toast, with whipped cream, topped with fresh berries, and for dinner we had her favorite: salmon, rice and brocolli. For desert we had angel food cake. Not a typical birthday party, but at least we were together. Kayla has decided that she'll wait for her birthday present till September 18th, because that's when Pokemon DS new game comes out in stores...and that's what she wants.

Can't believe how nervous I am the night before my baby girl goes off to high school. I logged on to the computer to print out our emergency phone # lists...to stick in their backpacks. I've put everything in there...tylenol, cell phones, emergency telephone quarters (In case battery on cell phone is dead) and some emergency cash for lunches, incase they forget theirs at home. Hope I didn't forget anything. LOL! I'm manic! LOL! I guess that's all part of being a mom. I had been thinking of going into work late tomorrow to see Kayla and Jory off to school, but I've decided that they will be fine with gramma and grampa seeing them off. I shall remind Kayla to phone me on her lunch hour...just to check in!

Hope she remembers where to ring the bell when the bus drops her off at home. EEK! I'll have to remind her when I get off.

Having said that...it's time to go make their lunches. Ahhh...the school routine has begun. :-)