She's a girly, girl

Kyla. She is ALL girl. She loves to dress up and loves to be a princess. Her favorite is Cinderella. It's probably because it's the first Disney princess movie she saw. She's seen moments of other ones but many of them have scary parts. On this day she borrowed our neighbour and friends dress and did the whole Cinderella story as a play for us - 3 year old version. Many parts were mixed up, there was an eagle (which is very apart of the movie) the mean sisters were the ones who turned into pumpkins, she "spelled" everyone and everyone loved each other in the end. Oh it was priceless to see. Lots of spinning around and dancing. I love the imagination that comes with turning 3. She has blossomed so much this year and her creativity and mimicking is so fun to watch.

She's daddy's little girl. One of my favorite parts of going for a walk is seeing this moment.

She'll be a great babysitter someday. She might have been a good big sister but many times a day/ week I'm thankful to be only raising the two. God knows that's all I can handle.

Just give her a 10 years and she'll be watching these cousins of hers.

She loves her new baby cousins. She loves babies and plays with her dolls all the time. Auntie actually gave her a newborn diaper so she could change her (my old) Cabbage patch doll. The one thing we do have to watch is that she can go through an entire box of wipes on that doll if they are not put away. That baby has a lot of poopy diapers!!

my purse

I don't think of myself as boring or repetitive but somethings in life you just love and you never want to change.

I've never been a girly girl when you think of shopping. I attack it like a chore. I know what I want, go in, and get out. Especially something that I know I need or want. Hence why shopping for others doesn't happen very often. I don't just hang out in mall and enjoy it. I'll do it if I need. Oh, I'll go for walks when I know they won't be busy. Inside walks in the winter are better then do walks at all. The new movie shopaholic would be my nightmare of a life I'm sure.

Speaking of shopping...

I purchased a purse 12 years ago at MEC and found it to be the perfect purse for me. I love the number of pockets, the zippers, the snaps. I appreciate the color - BLACK it goes with everything. Ok ok it's not a fancy purse but nor do I dress up fancy more then once a year. It's an every day bag more like it. It suits me perfect.

Now fast forward 12 years and we have a problem. This purse/ bag has been used and abused every day since. It has been left behind many places, washed too many times to count. Full of toys, snacks, pictures, papers, crayons rather then pens. It's been a life savor.

Needless to say it's zippers are tired. It's time to retire.

I went shopping for a new one. I hate shopping.

I went looking in Mexico...never found one I loved.

I came home and realized I just love my purse and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I went on line and bought it again. The exact same one just brand new!!

A holiday in Mexico

We've been home for a few weeks now. I"m missing the blue sky and the warm weather. Our family vacation to Mexico was much anticipated and very memorable. The kids did great.

Enjoyed the the popular Pelicans. Most of the time they were flying in packs of 20. Most we saw was 22. It was nice to see this one up close on the roof of a hut close along the boardwalk.

We love the pool and ocean view. The swim up bars and all the activities. The kids loved the kids pool with waterslide and also loved swimming up to ask for slushies and Pepsi pop.

The resort from our deck view...

Mark is into drawing lately... he was content sitting and looking out to find things to draw... remember this is our busy monkey child normally...sometimes you look and wonder, where he is on those crazy days. For example...

Kyla's favorite memory is the pool and the Pepsi pop. She got a new Mexico dress and a drum. She was often content to sit on the side of the pool like a typical sun bather...

A hot vacation with children is somthing we have been dreaming of for a while. It was a great get-a-way. Really enjoyed the sunshine and the 30 above temps. Not too hot and not cold like back home.

Playing in the kids pool for many hours....

We stayed at a very family oriented, all inclusive resort. Highly recommended.

Ray and I have both been to Mexico before. For mission trips. To the dirty, slums or major cities. Hard to imagine this beautiful clean place. I can honestly say I don't remember being in a cleaner airport before. Marble floors and all. Travel through the night is the best and worst time to travel with children. It has it's challenges but as that was our only challenges for the week, we can't complain.

Food was pretty good. Lots of selection. Loved the fresh omlets and waffles each morning.

Went on a city bus to the down town to shop...Kyla's first time on a bus ever never mind having to be standing up and jostled around.

Some of our favorite memories were the sea turtles hatching on the public beach.

And our excursions on the catamaran

and the Pirate ship.

While on the pirate ship Kyla and Mel got extremely sea sick with the huge swells while sailing. I got to go on a banana boat with Mark which I have always wanted to try. We got to see a humpback Whale while out on the water...makes you think of how amazing God is...and Ray's highlight was a chance to go snorkeling once we got to the remote beach, and Mark got to seach for burried treasure.

Doesn't this make you want to go? Sure makes us remember that dreams can come ture....

Christmas Day

Christmas day with the Peters...Brunch was amazing with all of us there. I think there is 15 of us now. I guess one or two wee ones were not at the table yet.

The kids enjoyed the gift exchanges and everyone seems very excited with what their cousin got them. Grandpa and Gramma got something for each of them too which they all love too!!

Mark loves his remote control truck and his Lego garbage truck,

Kyla for example loves her tea set...looks like Uncle Levi is practicing for Avery in a few years!

She also loves her barbie Princess carriage that goes with her Cinderella dolls.

The guys played guitar hero...obviously playing a real guitar gives you the advantage of strumming skills.

And the two wee ones this year are so beautiful and full of cuddles.

Kyla loves holding the babies too...I guess since she'll never be a big sister she'll have to one day she'll grow up to be a good babysitter.

The night ended with Gramma and Mark and a drawing challenge...
Think of something to draw, find your own spot so no one can see and draw it as fast as you can, reveal your artistic talent. We're pretty proud of both of them. Anything from remote control car, a piano, santa, snowman, apartment building, airplane, grandfather clock, and candles to name a few. Some of the details were impressive.

Christmas with Us

This year we had Christmas on Christmas eve. The struggle with both of us growing up with different traditions is deciding on which one to use with our own immediate family. This year it worked well as the Christmas eve service was early afternoon. We had our family time before heading over to Grandpa and Gramma's house. I'm so glad to share in the traditions that have been passed down and some we keep from my family and some from Ray's.. As long as it works I'm fine with whatever. Some of the best moments that afternoon were... Just US time...

Kyla and her Dream come true Cinderella Barbie doll...

Mark's expression with MarioKart...

Ray's new look with his Ski goggles...

And I re-entered the world of cell phones after 8 years...

There were also many M&M's to last me till next year (thanks Marianne), games to play, Wii fun to be had, transformers to figure out and lego to build. Thanks to Aunties and Uncles and cousins from afar.

Christmas eve ended with Birthday cake for Jesus with the kids, sending them off to bed early so the adults could have some appies.

After the kids were in bed we had a nice bit of adult time! Listing to Dad telling us adults a story and just sitting and talking!!

Gingerbread

A tradition: an unwritten body of beliefs, facts, handed down from generation to generation; custom, practice of long standing...

It has been a tradition in my family to build a gingerbread house every Christmas season. I don't remember when it started, but I don't remember a year without it. I have fond memories as a child creating the gingerbread. Deciding where the gingerbread people go around the house, baby Jesus in a little cradle inside the house with a gingerbread angel, the candy all over especially the smarties all over the roof. Our house smelling of the gingerbread baking...cooling yet mom having to work quickly to cut out the shapes for the creation. The gingerbread house taking form as the icing quickly draws hard as rock.

My favorite year was the year of the CHOCOLATE house. It didn't smell of gingerbread but it was soooo yummy.

I have tried to continue this tradition within our little family too. One year Mom came for her visit and we created a gingerbread train. It wasn't the same yet close enough to the same. We brought it to our playgroup and all the smiles on the kids faces as we smashed the train and everyone got a piece of candy, hard rock icing and a piece of gingerbread cookie cutout as something.

To keep with tradition, my mom was here again this year for the creation. We allowed the kids to help decorate. One wall broke and we talked about how the kids might be a bit too young to help with the actual creation but maybe better to have them just decorate.

Even Kyla got to use the piping bag to decorate a few of the cookies to go with the house. Each of us had a gingerbread created person. The kids decided where candy would be placed and the house came together.


Mom actually made a sled for each of the kids to take to school this year with a gingerbread person on the side of the sled with their teachers initials on them.

Yesterday we invited a few friends over for the annual SMASHING OF THE GINGERBREAD!!

Everyone gathered around the table. The house is placed in the middle and fists are raised in the air...1, 2, 3 SMASH!!!!

Gingerbread pieces everywhere, candy grabbed, rock hard icing is painfully pulled apart.OH the JOYs of sharing our family Tradition with friends.

Visit with Mom

Grandma came for a early Christmas. We love and enjoy the short visits. The chance to visit and hang out. It started with going to Living Nativity at our church. We have lived here 4 Christmas' and mom has seen 3 years worth of Living Nativities. I love that thought - that she is so far away most of the year but she is here for special memories.

The kids loved the chance to break open a few Christmas presents early. Some how it makes waiting for the rest a bit easier. Lego was the "theme" for the weekend. Mark loves all the new things he can create. The race car ramp was attempted over and over again and finally he had to be convinced that the race car doesn't actually need a ramp to be fun. The Helicopter was his favorite as he can build it himself over and over again. Kyla entered the world of "big kid" lego and is delighted with the PINK lego! There were a few other things from Grandma that they love as well, but that was the main event.

While Mark was at School, Kyla and Mom and I enjoyed the nice 'warm' winter weather. A walk in the park seemed like Fall. Kyla took her exploring the upper section of the park. Through the paths. Up and around the corner. Following the footsteps of a three year old. Stopping to see bird seeds and berries. Listening to the bird chirping. Although there is green on the trees there is Winter all around.

Reflection

Ever had a day when so much made you stop and reflect?

Christmas music playing in the stores I shopped in today reminded of Christmas' past. Traditions and hopes and dreams of Christmas' to come.
The real meaning of Christmas and the grace we have been given.
Whether or not our kids understand that yet?
How much we have worked on not being selfish and still struggle with it.
How much I struggle with the materialism in this world and wish we could skip the Worldly Christmas as we had hoped to.
Looking forward to family time, family that is visiting...

Looking at my cousins pictures of his new baby girl on his face book, and sitting in the hospital with my two sister-in-laws reminiscing about our childbirth experiences made me think about how much our children have grown in such a short period of time.
It made me think of all that has happened in only 3 or 5 years.
It makes you wonder why things happen at the timing that it does...
Our little baby girl sleeping in my arms during the service, how much I love her and how much little things can annoy me and yet they wouldn't be the same without them. How much we love them and protect them. Are we raising them up to be Godly children of God?

God knows every day in our lives before one of them even occurs. He knits us together. He knows what we will go through and yet it is up to us to decide how much we will let Him into each and every situation life gives us. People wonder why things happen and yet we appreciate that God gave us free choice. Everything can be given to God for His work to be completed through us.

This whole month I have been struggling with the idea of journaling. Some times I wonder why people do it, and why it has come into so many of my conversations lately. Why can I not get over my fears of it. I think I have burned all of my past journals. Maybe this is like journaling...maybe my scrapbook is like a photo journal...
What good is journaling? Do I feel relief while I write? Does it really help me sort out my thoughts? It makes me think back at all my past journals. What would it be like to read them now?

The smells of yeast rising in my kitchen reminds me of my Nana, and the fact that she would make loaves of fresh bread. That she was the one that taught me how to make it. I am reminded of her, the happy moments and the sad ones. Her marriage and her relationship with God, her friends, her own family and my own mom and dad. Wondering how she is doing and does God speak to people with that late of a stage of Alzheimer's?...I believe He does, until we go to live with Him...and on and on I have thought!
I love that I am carrying on at least one of her skills. I love the fresh buns rising on the counter and remember her counters full of rolls, cinnamon buns, tea rings and more. A full days worth of a labour of love. I love that my husband is right beside me in this labour of love. That he remembers cooking and baking with his mom and wants to share these moments with me. That it is a team effort in this house!

Tonight at church we were asked to think about our own funerals...to imagine ourselves watching and being at our own funeral. It is often wondered what people will think of us after we have died. It's a morbid thought, and yet how we live each day is a reflection on ourselves. It's a reflection of how we love and live for our God...

What will my family think of my life? What will I be remembered for? Honestly, I don't want to think of it. I want to live my life for now. I want to lean on Him in all my worst situations. I want to learn from them. I want to be able to look back and see how much I have learned from life and grown. Sure, I will make mistakes along the way. I will look back and reflect, and see that I could have done things differently, but can't.

I want to be a prayer warrior and yet feel far from one. I want to use my gifts for God. I want to be an encourager. I want to be remembered as a friend people can count on. A lover and supporter of my husband. Someone my family could count on in times of need. I know I'm a people pleaser and as much as that has caused me pain, I hope that it has also been a blessing.

Today has been a day of reflection...there is so much to think about...not enough words to describe it all, not sure if journaling is my way of expressing it. So this has been my attempt...

Puzzled??

Some people are born to be puzzlers. We got into the discussion the other day if someone could be trained to be a good puzzler? Some people have the patience to sit for hours and love to gaze over a thousand or more, small unique pieces of cardboard looking for the exact piece they need. Others, like myself love to puzzle and can sit for a long time but my eyes need to take breaks once in awhile to refocus. Some times I come back and the piece I've been searching for was right in front of me the whole time. After I came back from our church women's retreat, we still had still two days before the week of work began. We took out a puzzle. For the last few years our own children have been too young to trust not to destroy a puzzle. Now that they are old enough to know better, my daycare kids are too young. Needless to say we scattered the 1000 pieces all over the table and started our fun. Our kids played near by and sooner then later Mark had 10 puzzles out himself and worked on the floor beside us putting his own puzzles together. He started with all his 24 piece puzzles as he can whip through them like nothing. Next he did one 48 piece and 3 49 piece puzzles. He spread the completed puzzles on the floor telling Kyla to for a walk through his museum of puzzles. Finally, he started on a 100 piece puzzle and said "I need help with this one". We started our puzzle Sunday afternoon and at about 1am Tuesday I was done for the day and Ray stayed up to put the last few pieces in, it was completed by 1:30am on Tuesday morning. It was a tough puzzle right to the last few pieces he said. The blues in the sky were so realistic. I would say it wasn't our toughest puzzle yet, but it was difficult. I love doing puzzles that are actual photos. So here to starting a puzzle season. Our first Winter (1st year of marriage and prior to children) we completed 8 puzzles, we've had a number of years with only one puzzle a year (at Grandmas house or visiting family in Calgary), we hope to complete at least one or two more this year and bring back our tradition.