Bad Blogger

I have been a terrible blogger - haven't posted in awhile, but I am finally getting back here. We have had a beautiful weekend and since Chris had it off, we spent some time with the kids. Friday night we took the kids to see "Shrek the Third" They absolutely loved it - I was a little disappointed - not as good as the other ones. Saturday we took the kids to the park with my gf and her dd. They had alot of fun and I got to play with my camera a little bit. Today is a quiet day - church and hopefully finishing some los for the Upsy Daisy Designs contest. How was your weekend? Hope you have a wonderful day.

I love this photo of my kids - I can't believe how big they have gotten. And they still enjoy spending time with us - Kiana's almost 10 so I know that won't happen much longer. So I am appreciating every minute I have with them. I have been very blessed to have some really amazing kids - they surprise me and make me proud every day. These photos aren't from yesterday, but I wanted to finally post them.


Honesty is telling the truth to ourselves and others. Integrity is living that truth.

I'm an auntie again!!!

My ds Tanya and her husband finally had their 5th child yesterday! She was only a week overdue, but our family has been waiting anxiously for her to come. Her name is Adalia Stephanie. I am waiting for photos - can't wait to see her. I love babies - as long as I am not the one having them, and now I have another baby to spoil. I can't wait to get back to Winnipeg and see the little angel.

Malachi was disappointed. There are 7 girls and 2 boys in the clan of grandchildren so he was hoping for a little girl. My sister Nanette is due in 5 weeks so he's keeping his fingers crossed for a little boy. In the meanwhile, we are all very excited to have another little one to love in the family.

Happy Mother's Day!

I love this day - I love celebrating with my wonderful husband and beautiful children. I have been so blessed to be given these two amazing children. I have never enjoyed a day as much as it realizes that what I do is the most wonderful job in the world. Chris is making dinner, the kids each made me gifts at school and we spent the day together as a family.

I also called my mom today. This year, I looked at her really differently. If any of you had the opportunity to watch Oprah on Friday, Demi Moore was on and she discussed her dysfunctional relationship with her mother. She said something that was particularly interesting to me. When her mother was dying she said that she was hoping to get an apology for the childhood she had and the way her mother treated her. But when her mother died, instead of getting an apology, her mother took with her what was hers. Whatever wrongdoings her mother did to her she took with her and Demi no longer had anywhere she could push her anger, frustration or negativity. That was Demi's to hang on to. She said "Forgive, before its too late, because once they are gone, they are gone. There is nowhere to push your negative feelings." The other thing she said was that this mother's day she's going to ask her mother to forgive her for her "righteousness" as a daughter. What a great message for me - and my mom is still here so I have time to get it right with her.

So, tell me - did you all have a wonderful mother's day? To all my dear friends who are mothers I wish you a wonderful day. The job is long and hard but the most fulfilling thing you will ever experience.

When God thought of mothers, He must have laughed with satisfaction and framed it quickly - so rich, so deep, so divine, so full of soul, power and beauty was the conception.--Henry Ward Beecher

Congratulations

to my dear friend Melissa Buhler and her husband. On Monday May 7 they welcomed their beautiful daughter Taryn into the world. She is a stunning little girl. Congrats to you both -may she be a real blessing to your lives.

Good Monday morning

Here is one of just many projects I got done this weekend for NSD! Had a great cropping weekend and I got alot of stuff done. Haven't scrapped that much in a long time. All in all a fun weekend.

Ugh, I don't like Mondays and this one more so than most. I have a meeting with the Principal at school this morning. My dd and her bully have been going at it again but this time my dd was the one to start it. She called the girl and her family trash and now the mother wants to have a meeting with all of us. GREAT - just what I need. This kid has tormented Kiana so much that I think she had it coming, but I can't tell her or the principal that. Poor Kiana - she has to apologize to the little girl and who knows what else the mother will want from us. But only about 6 weeks of school left and then this will all be over.

Someone sent me this over the weekend and I just loved it, so I wanted to post it here:

TOP 10 TERRIFIC TRAITS OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM

1. THEY RARELY LIE: To them truth is truth--a good word from them is the real deal.

2. THEY LIVE IN THE MOMENT: They truly attend to the sensory input that surrounds them. Many have achieved the ideal of mindfulness.

3. THEY RARELY JUDGE OTHERS: People on the spectrum often see through surface appearances such as size, wealth or colour to discover the real person.

4. THEY ARE PASSIONATE: They are truly passionate about the things, ideas and people in their lives.

5. THEY ARE NOT TIED TO SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS: Social expectations can be honestly irrelevant. What matters is true liking, interest and passion -- not keeping up with the Jones's.

6. THEY HAVE TERRIFIC MEMORIES: They are much more tuned in to details. They may have a much better memory than their typical peers for all kind of critical details.

7. THEY ARE OFTEN LESS MATERIALISTIC: They are often less concerned with outward appearance than their typical peers. As a result, they worry less about brand names, hairstyles and other expensive but unimportant externals than most people do.

8. THEY PLAY FEWER HEAD GAMES: Who was that woman, and why were you looking at her? I know I TOLD you I didn't mind if you went out, but why did you believe me? Most autistic people don't play games like these -- and they assume that you won't either. It's a refreshing and wonderful change from the Peyton Place emotional roller coaster that mars too many typical relationships!

9. THEY HAVE FEWER HIDDEN AGENDAS: If he tells you what he wants -- he is telling you what he wants. No need to beat around the bush, second guess, and hope you're reading between the lines!

10. THEY OPEN NEW DOORS FOR NEUROTYPICALS: For some of us neurotypicals, having an autistic person in our lives has had a profound positive impact on our perceptions, beliefs and expectations. For me, at least, being the mom of two kids on the autism spectrum has released me from a lifetime of "should" -- and offered me a new world of "is."

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Have you ever wondered

how you can be raised by the same people as other family members and yet be sooooo different? I mean, morally different?!?!? I have been thinking of that ALOT in the last couple of days. I don't understand how two people in one family raised in the exact same way, by the exact same parents could be as different as night and day. One is a functioning member of society, married to a wonderful spouse, great kids and a successful career. The other has spent the last 20 years in and out of jail, abandoned his wife and children, is a drug addict, has never held a job for more than 3 days and has such little moral conscience that he assaulted someone and left them for dead (thankfully this person is okay) without so much as a glance or a moment of guilt. And they were both raised by God fearing parents who, even though they made mistakes, tried their best. I just don't get it. What makes him so different than me? Why is he the one that turned out that way and I didn't. He's not my brother, but we were raised in the same way, we grew up together and he was like a brother to me. I just don't get it.

Enough of my dusty thoughts in my mind - what are y'all doing for NSD?! Anything exciting going on? Well, my favourite place to shop - Scrapbooking Fanatics is having a weekend of fun. I am really looking forward to hanging out there. They are starting Friday night. There will be some classes, prizes, challenges and more. Come and check it out if you have a minute - its a great place to hang out and it would be great to see you there.

Tell me, what are you doing for NSD?!?!?!