.....Something To Tide You Over.....

Things are just starting to wind down from a week of wedding frenzy and visiting family and I've almost folded myself out of five loads of laundry. I've got a bunch of great photos from the wedding that I'm busy putting into a post for ya'll to enjoy but in the meantime enjoy these taken by my husby on Sunday while my big baby girl and I had a dip in the pool!

Check back soon!

:: Happy Birthday Princess Denay ::

I was so eager to get this post up.....I feel like, even though a lot of my readers have never met Denay, that those that follow me in the blog world have watched Denay grow and have been on this journey with me as much as those here in person and I wanted you to feel a little bit of the excitement.

So excuse the plethora of pictures, it was so hard to pick just a few!

We hosted a BBQ lunch at our place for 25 or so friends and family. Trev's parents and sister's family came over, my older (and about be to married brother) and his fiance Brice were here from Manitoba and my youngest brother Ryan (who wasn't supposed to be here until Wednesday from Alberta) surprised us all and showed up and made his big sister cry :)

Some shots from the night before, getting everything ready.....

The birthday girl at dolled up in her tutu and "princess" outfit........

The top right is a picture from my baby photo album on my first birthday. We made a replica cake for Denay's first......a chocolate cake heart with white icing and rainbow sprinkles.Mommy and her birthday baby! Goodness I love that little girl!
Let her eat cake.....it took her a couple seconds to warm up and then she shoveled it in. The bottom right is a lovely plaque that Grammie got Denay for her birthday. It says "I am a princess and my father is the King of Kings" and it's now hanging above her bed.
Presents! Denay got lots of great and useful things. The middle photo is her saying thank you to everyone in sign language.

It was a perfect afternoon to say the least. Denay was a little clingy and sullen for the first while which is really not like her but once she realized everyone was there for her she was the bubbly girl I know her to be.

We're going to celebrate again on her actually birthday when my extended family is here from back east for the wedding.

It was such a big day and so much planning and help went into it and it just went by so fast.

I want to thank my mom for everything she did and brought to help with the day, Trevor's family for coming over and mom for making cupcakes and potato salad, Nat for bringing chips and for all our friends for blessing us.

We are truly surrounded by first class people.

We are loved.

Thanks for reading, thanks for listening.

Until next time.....

~ Canada Day & A Day At Lake ~

Many thanks to my dear mummy (who took my babe last night while we went out and then kept her this morning) I'm able to get caught up on my posting.

Just a couple collages of our Canada Day and day at the lake on Saturday.

We spent our day in Beacon Hill park enjoying the sun and a BBQ before heading to the inner harbour to take in the crowds and entertainment. We would have stayed for the fireworks had Trevor not had to work the next day but Denay was a trooper as usual.

We spent Saturday afternoon at Fuller Lake with a bunch of friends. Denay's has gotten quite a taste for sand and mud and just sits in the water and explores.
The weather has turned cooler for most of the week but we are looking forward to a busy week full of family and fun and then sun again for the big day Saturday!

:: The Eye Of The Storm ::

Well my lovely friends.....it's 10:05 on Saturday night and I really feel like I have nothing to say.

This weeks has flown by in a blur of ups and downs and fun-in-the-sun.

Denay and I spent three days this week up at the lake (one visit spent with my bikini bottoms inside out) plus a day in Victoria for Canada Day (more on that next week) and trip to the airport. And somewhere in there my baby's first birthday party got planned and, oh, did I mention she started walking on Tuesday?? She's taken a step or two during the day then when Trev got home we gave her a yogurt cup (for balance) and she walked 11 steps all the way from him to me. Thank the Good Lord we got it on tape and she's doing it more and more!

Tomorrow is the big party and I've got to finish up the cake......I'll get photos posted hopefully before the wedding chaos begins!

PS - I've decided not to dye my hair and thanks SO much for all the comments.....I can FEEL that love!

{ Ta DAAA!!! }

For all ya'll Facebook friends of mine that got my blog site off of my status comment (and it's your first time here), welcome, welcome!

And to all my faithfuls, good to "see" you too, I'm afraid it's been too long!

I didn't find out until after my hair appointment today with my guru Jen, that I hadn't had a haircut since JANUARY. Yikes, is a ridiculous understatement.

I forgot, in all my scatterbrained glory, to take a before photo today so this one is from our trip to the mainland two weeks ago.

:: BEFORE ::

:: AFTER ::

Ummm, so I feel a tiny bit better.

I swear I feel like a new women every time I get up from that chair! If any readers from around these parts need a recommendation for a stylist, I got one for you.

The jury (aka my indecisive self) has yet to come to a verdict on whether or not to dye it.

I know, at this moment, the vast majority of you are screaming at your computer monitors, "Why would you ever dye that natural color?!? People PAY for that color".....well, I guess the grass is always greener, right? I'm the type of person who needs things tossed around and mixed up every now and again (hence the tattoos and piercings) and sometimes just a cut doesn't make me feel, well, tossed enough. Problem being, that even though I use a non-permanent dye, because my hair is light and very virgin to color, the dye stains my hair and it basically grows out like a permanent color. So I' m thinking of going with a light golden brown so it won't be such a painful grow-out.

But fear not, dear friends, should I choose to dive into the dying adventure, you'll be the first to know!

:: :: :: ::

As far as my ALMOST-ONE-YEAR-OLD whippersnapper goes, she has discovered her walker (and how to turn it around) and buzzes all over the place and gets quite mad when she gets stuck!

The 1rst birthday preparations have begun and I'm getting so excited to have lots of family and friends come over to just hang out and fellowship. There's nothing I love more than a big party and lots of people around me!

Anyways, I'm going to take the newly-tossed me and sit my butt on the floor and play with my kidlet!

XOXO....until next time.

:: A Moment Of Weakness ::

In just over two week my only big brother is taking the plunge and getting married, so naturally, this girl thinks she needs a pretty new dress! I was perusing the other day and came across this adorable number from Le Chateau that I am in love with......

I've been (very Christ-likely of course) coveting it and imagining myself in there instead of a one-legged, headless, armless, footless stand. Unfortunately, because of our almost-one-income-budget, it is extremely unlikely that I will be able to afford this, ahem, $140 dress or anything else for that matter. So if you experience deja-vu on the post I will do for their wedding, it's because I'll probably be in the $24 bargain dress I picked up at Walmart a couple months ago for B&M's wedding.

I'm taking donations :)

:: Friday Newscast ::

We have had an eventful little while around here.....

Last week Denay and I had our last Roots Of Empathy day. There was cake, and the kids even broke out into a round of "Happy Birthday" for Denay since they won't see her on her birthday.
I'm also thrilled because the kids wanted me to come back again outside of ROE to hang out with them before school's over and I can't wait!

Then on the weekend we shipped across the water to visit Trev's family and celebrate Jacob's 3rd birthday.....enjoy some snapits of the very fun day!
My SIL Shawna is a fabulously talented cake-maker/decorator and did up this completely adorable and oh-so-Jacob train cake. You can visit her website here.
Jacob diving into his cupcake.....

Denay had a blast with this little car. She would stand on the seat and hold on the the frame and I pushed her all over the lawn. She also liked playing with her cousins!
Lining the kidlets up for a cousin shot. These of three of about 20 I snapped trying to get one good one.....and of course an ever growing family picture down at the bottom.
This is what I am MOST excited about! A good friend of mine and myself have been collecting scrapbooking supplies together (to bring down cost) and got together a couple week ago and had our very first night. All I managed to get done in two hours was the picture window (in the top left corner0. Sad, I know. But then last night we got together again I managed to complete two pages that I fell in love with all over again when I looked at them this morning.
I was also getting a little frustrated with trying to transport all the paper and stamps and stickers and pictures and since there is no room in our budget for anything but food buying an organizer was out of the question. I vaguely remember having a laptop bag some time ago so I raided my spare room closet and found it and it fits all of my stuff perfectly!

I will be sure to keep updating with my continued progress......have a fabulous (but supposed to be rainy) weekend and Father's Day!

{ Almost There }

a face only a mother could love, hey? well, maybe not really.

This little gaffer turns 11-months-old today!

So, you ask, what new things is Denay up to? She is......

• getting very comfortable free-standing and can walk while holding just one hand but hasn't really taken that first step
• she's started mimicking and will clap
• she waves "hi" and "bye" and points
• she is doing all sorts of new things with the mouth and tongue
• she has such an incredibly feisty, bubbly, center-of-attention personality (wonder where she gets that from) and is constantly drawing strangers to her
• she started "dancing" a little while ago but now she really responds to music and enjoys moving to it
• she loves the water and we make two or three trips to the lake a week and she walks right in

I know this is so cliche but I am truly astonished how quickly the (almost) year has flown by and that I will be putting on a one year birthday party for my little baby in just one short month. It has been such a delight walking this crazy journey with such a beautiful and radiant little gal.

Certainly hope ya'll have had a good week thus far.......all you creative types, send artsy thoughts my way as tomorrow night I'm taking the first plunge into scrapbooking. I will try and update my progress but we are heading east on a boat on Friday so it will probably be next week!

Love Love!

AND.....breathe

Second post of the day....yes, I know.

Just wanted to be faithful to my loyal readers and give an update on how today's Mom's Luncheon went.......

Well, let me set the scene, okay?

We live in a 15 year old, end unit townhouse with 1198 square feet up and down (which leaves a little less than 600 square feet of space on the main level), a 350 square foot deck and about 700 square feet (nice, I know) of fenced off lawn.

Couple that with, get this, 19 moms and 27 children all between the ages of four and two weeks and we had an amazingly crazy and wonderful afternoon full of chins dripping with watermelon juice and kids, fresh from the sprinkler, dripping in water.

I was so overwhelmed not only with all the people that actually wanted to come over, but also with the need for a time and place for moms to fellowship and encourage one another.

This mamma was so busy keeping everything in order I took a grand total of zero pictures. I had high and lofty hopes to get a group shot......just let me know when you've stopped snorting and laughing hysterically............done? Good.

There was even a couple moms who came, one who isn't saved and one who I used to be best friends with who has fallen away from the Lord, and I just watched all my MOPS friends surround them and include them and minister to them.

I'm totally exhausted but I've said before that the exhaustion that comes with being surrounded by and serving my family in Christ is the best tired there is.

Denay was a trooper! One mum brought a blowup pool and I plopped Denay in it and she sat there for almost an hour just watching the other kids run around and playing with her ball. She's really turned into a very good baby and watching her change so much the past few weeks is a true honor.

I digress.......as if today wasn't enough running around, we're taking our munchkin for some family time at the pool.

Remember friends, lots of fluids in this awesome summer weather!

God Bless!

I am aware I wanted you all to come back yesterday for more news and I didn't post......my excuse is that I didn't have any comments so I assumed no one read it :)

Ignorance is bliss, right?

Anyways, just some random diddy's for you from the past few days.

Sunday evening we enjoyed a little picnic dinner in our backyard since it was such an amazing day!

Yesterday afternoon Denay, Kerry and I drove out to Fuller Lake together to hang out and enjoy the 32 degree weather.....this bad mamma didn't bring a swim diaper OR swimsuit so that meant of course Denay wanted to go in the water. She seemed happy enough squishing her tiny toes in the sand.
Completely random photo of a blue cornflower I took at church last night. If you've never smelt one of these, do it......it's a beautiful scent.
And finally, the news I should have posted last night. I've been wanting the "monroe" piercing for a while and so when I finally donated blood last week I wasted no time getting ahold of my piercer and getting in as soon as possible.....so yesterday afternoon I was pierced for the 20th time.

The site is pretty swollen and the jewelery is a little gaudy but it's necessary during healing. In a couple weeks I'll go back and have it switched out for a cute tiny clear crystal.

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out and can't wait for the swelling to cease to I can change the hardware.........

Anywhoo, I've got to run and start setting up for the big Mom's Luncheon today.

Lots of love from the MaC home to yours and I'll be see "seeing" you soon!

{ Monday's Random Ramblings }

Hey ya'll, is it hot enough for ya?!?

No, no.....this girl isn't complaining. Closed blinds and windows on the main floor and a never-turned-off air conditioner upstairs keeps us very comfy.

:: This week is adding up to be a busy one. I get to babysit a very special little girl tomorrow morning and spend the afternoon with a very special and very pregnant friend ::

:: I'm also gearing up to host a luncheon on Wednesday afternoon for about 20 moms. Our church mom's group MOPS, finished for the year a few weeks ago we were really wanting to maintain our relationships and blanket of support. I'm a little (alot) excited and can't wait for the middle of the week to roll around! ::

:: I do realize I run the risk of raising a few eyebrows again like I'm sure I did in this post but I've got to know if I'm alone. So you're driving and coming up to an intersection with a set of train tracks. Most intersections have enough room for one car in between the tracks and the stop line for the intersection, then all the other cars are supposed to stop before the train tracks at the crossing arm. Whether I'm stopped at the light or stopped at the crossing arms, is it warped that I get a little satisfaction watching the people parked directly on the tracks fervently looking from left to right checking for a train while they get as close as they are physically able to the car parked at the light so they're off the tracks as much as possible? There's almost something satisfying about seeing people squirm at a situation they put themselves in. So if you're parked on the railway tracks and have a blue SUV parked behind you, and the driver is snickering, it might just be me ::

:: Anyways.....I've got to get my baby up but please check back tomorrow when I will update you on another life "to-do" list item getting checked off ::

Happy Monday Friends

:: For Grammie ::

Consider this an addition to my last post......I was gently informed by someone that they might like to see some pictures of something other than a pin :)Took these at Transfer Beach today.....our friends brought along their toy shopping cart and Denay was buzzing all over the place. It won't be too much longer before this girl starts walking.

Love you Grammie and Grampie!

{ It's My First Time }

Yesterday I finally ticked something of my life "to-do" list......I donated blood for the first time.

No, I didn't get a fancy schmancy pin like this but they did make me wear a sticker that said the same thing.

I've wanted to give blood for the longest time; simply because there is a need, it's free to donate and I know if I needed blood, I'd be confident getting mine. I don't eat 100% organic or run 10 miles everyday but I think I'm pretty healthy. I got treated really well and met some really nice people. It took a little longer than I was hoping but I will be back!

Why, you ask, did it take me so long to do it? CBS policy used to be that if you'd had a tattoo or piercing in the last year you weren't allowed to donate. For the past five years I've either been tattooed, pierced or pregnant and I've been having an urge for a new piercing so I promised myself I would donate before I did.

I would encourage all my loyal readers to call 1-888-2DONATE or visit the CBS website www.bloodservices.ca and book an appointment for a clinic near you.

It's rewarding and worth it!

All it takes is a little time, that's it.....and you can save up to three lives with one donation.

:: That's my bid for good deeds for the day......hope you all have plans to get out and soak up the beautiful (almost) summer we're having ::

{ It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year }

I'm just gonna come right out and say it.....I hate winter. I don't mind snow, but let's face it, out here on the West Coast our winters see more rain than snow. The only thing that gets me through wet, sunless winters is knowing days like our past weekend are coming along with spring.

:: This picture is unrelated to the theme of the post but I had a Creative Memories party last Thursday and my friend Natalie ended up bring her daughter Abigail and we sent both girls upstairs for bathtime with Trevor. I have the most amazing husband who sent Natalie away without her baby (even though Abigail was not very happy) so she could enjoy the party......I took this after he brought them both washed and dressed back downstairs ::

:: Last Tuesday our mom's group at church had a year wrap up party and I snapped this diddy of our little Peek-a-boo in the swing ::
:: On Saturday Trevor and I and some friends met at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith for the day then enjoyed a BBQ at our place after. Then Sunday Trevor and three friends went fishing with my dad while the wives took the babies back to Transfer Beach then went to Pizza Hut for dinner. Four moms and five kids under two was an interesting dinner but it was such a great day ::

It never ceases to amaze me the difference the weather makes on my outlook and mood. I feel like I've got some zest back in my step and air in my lungs. It's an added blessing to have so many good girlfriend who are also SAHM's so there's always someone wanting to do something.

I'm definitely going to be making the most of every sunny day we get!

:: Old New News ::

A comment on a Facebook picture from my SIL reminded me that I'd yet to blog about our newest baby items......way back in April (terrible, I know) I had an epiphany - we needed a new stroller.

Not that there was anything wrong with ours but for our lifestyle, I just didn't think that the plastic wheels on our Graco would cut it. So I hopped onto Craigslist and found a used Bob Revolution just outside Vancouver. And as luck would have it, we were going across the water for Easter that weekend. Long story short I got this exact stroller, with car seat adapter, cup holder and warm snuggli for $400.....brand new with taxes all that would run you over $650. As the local Bob retail store owner would put it, I'm a "Bob-Snob" now. I l-o-v-e it. And the best part it when we have another I can trade it in for what I paid towards a double! Yay.

Then a few weeks ago we started noticing Denay trying so hard to sit up in her infant carrier and was not comfortable in there anymore.....so we started looking for a convertible car seat and checking Consumer Reports. We really liked the Safety First Alpha Omega Elite and just our luck I was browsing through the Toys-R-Us online flyer to discover that that very seat was on sale for $50 off. Ahhh. I was really hoping to get the pink/brown one (since it would take Denay until she doesn't need a seat anymore and I like pink things) but they didn't stock them so we got the last black/charcoal that actually matches our Jeep interior really well.
Denay is much happier sitting up and being able to look out the window and we are so pleased with our purchase.

:: I've been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to think of something else interesting to blog about or witty to say but, well, it's 10:00pm and I got nothin'.

Happy Weekend Friends.

{ Tofino Road Trip }

Well ya'll, we're back and I'm still busy trying to wash the campfire smell out of, well, everything.

The weather forecast was less than favourable but it only rained during the night and for less than an hour one morning.......it was far from warm but we were grateful for dry!

:: Yes, Denay had just been crying when I took this picture..... ::

:: We left at 10:00 and arrived around 3:00 and Denay did so well....she did have some babysitters in the back seat though ::

:: We hit up Long Beach on Saturday morning ::
:: Some family shots ::
: We jumped over to Chesterman Beach to meet up with the other half of our group for some Bocce Ball.....Denay loved the sand (see lower left hand corner) ::
:: Great story behind this......we brought Pilsbury cinnamon buns for breakfast and were waiting for the oven to heat up and had Denay in her seat and the buns in the pan on the table. We were both outside for just a minute and I came back in to find this......
.....our little monkey had climbed out of her seat, onto the table and right into the pan of unbaked cinnamon buns. And what's the first thing this momma does? Grab her camera and yell for daddy to come look! She wasn't too happy when we took it away though ;)

:: Football on the beach (my team beat Trevor's team, cough) and campfires.....I love camping! ::
:: We went exploring on Sunday and found a great lookout where all I did was take pictures of Denay ::
:: Denay was not pleased when I wouldn't let her have any more of my ice cream cone......there's also a great story behind the patio lights in the bottom right corner. My parents bought a set of these way back when in the States and ever since I can remember they've been strung up when we went camping.......so when we got a trailer of our own, yours truly was scouring Ebay for my very own set and was lucky enough to find some! I got teased that they looked like granny lights but they are very sentimental to me....... ::
:: We also made a stop in Catherdral Grove on our way home.....in the picture of Trevor on the left, the tree he is standing in front of, is 76 meters tall ::
woah- Picture overload......anyways, we had a great time and I think the overall consensus was to make it annual!

Our next camping trip will be this summer for two weeks at Quadra island and I'm counting down the days already.....

Hope everyone had an awesome long weekend.......until next time.

Farewell For Now

What a week.......gracious, who knew getting ready for a holiday would make me need that holiday!

We're packing ourselves up and towing our trailer north and then west for a long weekend of fun (and probably rain) with 25 friends in spectacular Tofino.....rest assured I will return with photos documenting our maiden voyage with our home-on-wheels.

Until then I leave you with a little bit of spring taken by moi on a walk in the sun Tuesday afternoon.......

.....can't you just smell the lilac??

Happy Long Weekend Ya'll!

{ A Double Celebration }

: Happy Mother's Day ::

We not only celebrated that around here today but also Denay's 10 month birthday.

Enjoy some recent pictures of our ever-growing Princess......

I took these Friday night when Opa babysat while Mom went to a card-making party. Next time I'm at my parent's place I'm going to scan in a picture taken of my brother and I on the same mower when we were little.

One of my mom's dogs just had puppies last Thursday and Denay was getting acquainted.

She continues to grow and has a few news 'tricks' if you will........

-when she is standing or on her knees she likes to bounce up and down like she's dancing

-she can say da-da, mum-mum and her newest is nan-nan

-is easily furniture walking and has started free standing but has yet to take a step

-no more new teeth yet

-can climb up and downstairs (with close supervision of course) and has almost figured out that she can't turn around and sit down

-loves to wave at everyone and will mimick you if you pat the counter she will do the same

-loves being read to and playing with her ball

This girl just loves being out and about people and the attention she gets. She will actually stare at people and smile until they see her and smile back.

Trevor took this one this morning on our way to church....me and my girly.
We enjoyed church, came home and played with the baby and are relaxing watching CSI: Miami boxset. I was delighted to open this after getting out of bed this morning......
The newest (New York Times Bestsellers list maker) book from my favourite author Ted Dekker......I'd seen it at Walmart and managed to refrain from buying it since I have lots of other books I can read.

We are gearing up for a four day camping trip to Tofino with about 20 friends and their kids this weekend and a great new book is just the ticket. My hubby's got something else planned tonight after which we are hunkering down again here with two other couples to watch the season finale of The Amazing Race.

Hope you all had a great weekend and all you mom's were appreciated today!