Home again!

We are finally back home from an amazing holiday! The drive was long but absolutely stunning! We went through Montana, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. Between the mountains and the Grand Canyon the view all along the way was breathtaking. And Disney, well if you take a look at Kiana's face - I think that says it all. Every penny we spent was worth the trip just to see how the kids enjoyed it. I have added a few photos today and will continue to add a few more so you can see the fun that was our trip. All I can say is that it definitely is the happiest place on Earth!

The time has come

for us to leave. Tomorrow at 4:00 a.m. we will be on the road to California! I can't believe its finally here - I'm not sure who's more excited me or the kids. My gf was saying its HOT out there - like 30 degrees. Huntington and Laguna Beach are only about 1/2 hour from our hotel room, Disney is across the street and shopping is just down the road. I am sooooooooo excited - can you tell?!

I hope you all have a wonderful couple of weeks and I look forward to sharing photos and everything we did with you when we get back!

Ciao for now and we'll see you in a couple of weeks.

For Today...

Outside my Window...is a beautiful, sunny day

I am thinking...that I have let people down today.

From the learning rooms... nobody can make you feel inferior without your approval

I am thankful for... a husband that loves me anyway

From the kitchen...a hot, steaming cup of coffee

I am wearing...sweats and a tank top

I am reading... "In the Grip of Grace" by Max Lucado

I am hoping...to get over myself

I am creating...a mess that is my life

I am hearing... "Change Me On The Inside" by Brian Doerksen

Around the house...is a huge mountain of laundry

One of my favorite things... curling up on the couch with a good book

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... coffee with an old friend, cleaning up my place and packing for Disneyland

Here are pictures I am sharing with you... its what I have been working on!

Monday 7

1. The power of Grace - today I am learning that the grace and mercy shown by my Father is an amazing gift and rather than fight it I just need to embrace it! I can't do anything to earn his love and forgiveness and I just need to remember that!

2. The beauty and wonder of a new baby is always amazing to me. My sister had a beautiful little girl named Lucy on Friday and I am already in love with her.

3. What would I do without my fabulous husband? Chris strengthens me, believes in me and lifts me up when I don't even believe in myself.

4. Vacations are always a good time for me to enjoy my family and to rest my spirit. Its only 11 days until we head to Disneyland. I am so excited that Chris and I are able to fulfill the dream our kids have had of going for the last 5 years.

5. Friends are so important in our lives. I got to catch up with some friends this weekend that I hadn't seen for a long time and have missed alot. I also got to meet some new friends who only know me thru my blog and scrapbooking and it was so wonderful to get to put names and faces together in person too - you know who you are. It was such a pleasure and a joy to meet you in person this weekend!

6. I love my job and the hard work that it entails. Helping little beings be all that they can is so fulfilling and more often than not, they teach me so much more than I could EVER teach them.

7. No one can make you feel bad without your consent - ENOUGH SAID!!!


Hope you have a wonderful day - leave me a comment - I'd love to hear from you!

The Simple Woman

For Today...

Outside my Window...the sun is rising and the potential for another beautiful day is awakening
From the learning rooms...I am preparing a layout for some women that I am teaching a class to on Friday
I am thankful for...the fact that my dh didn't get hurt when he walked in on a robbery at the store across the street last night
From the kitchen...homemade egg mcmuffins for the kids for breakfast
I am wearing...favorite pair of jeans and a button down shirt
I am reading...nothing right now
I am hoping...for a hot, sunny day
I am creating...not very much right now
I am hearing...the chatter of children
Around the house...the busyness of getting ready for work and school
One of my favorite things...is coffee and the computer before work
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...getting ready for my class on Friday and helping my dear friend Kelly at the Creative Stitches and Crafting Alive Show!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... there is nothing that I enjoy more than seeing my children reading - with a book you always have a friend nearby.

Saw this

on Crystal's blog and I found "The Simple Woman" inspiring so I decided to participate.

Outside my Window... is a beautiful sunset
I am thinking...I am glad I am feeling better and glad to be going back to work tomorrow
From the learning rooms...special needs kids teach me more than I could ever teach them
I am thankful for...phone calls from friends who call when they are shopping because something reminds them of you
From the kitchen..hot homemade lasagna
I am wearing...Betty Boop sweats and a tank top
I am reading...the newest book by Danielle Steel
I am hoping...that I am being a good mom and dealt with a discipline issue the right way
I am creating...a (hopefully)great layout for my all about me book
I am hearing...the news
Around the house...dirty dishes from dinner - feeling too crummy to wash
One of my favorite things...watching Criminal Minds on Wednesday night
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...working with some amazing kids
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is a photo from my girlfriend's wedding. It is one of her favourites

Tagged by Sherri

Wow - two posts in one day - that's a record for me. I was tagged by Sherri, so I thot I'd do it now before the day got away from me and I forgot.

The Five TAG:

10 years ago I:
1. had a 9 month old baby and was 3 months pregnant with my second.
2. was stressing about my husband's new job with IKEA and the hours he was working
3. starting to wonder if I had a child with a "problem" - she wasn't developing normally
4. loving being a SAHM
5. spent alot of time between Winnipeg and Edmonton so my parents could get to know their first grandchild


Five things on today's to-do list:
1. "Calling Cinderella" to confirm reservations for lunch
2. Getting travel insurance for our trip
3. Organizing my bathroom
4. Encouraging my children to get their rooms cleaned up
5. Working on a CJ


Five snacks I enjoy:
1. Glutino chocolate wafer cookies
2. Glutino Pizza Bread Stix
3. Popcorn
4. Flavoured Rice Cakes
5. Cucumbers and Green Peppers


Five things I would do if I was a Millionare:
1. Get a second car for my dh
2. Travel with my dh
3. Move home and buy an acreage
4. Help my dh open the consulting business he's always wanted
5. help my family


Five places I have lived:
1. Edmonton - the apartment we live in now
2. Edmonton - the apartment we lived in previously
3. Edmonton - the townhouse we had
4. Edmonton - dh and my first apartment
5. Winnipeg - my parents house for the first 25 years of my life


Five jobs I have had:
1. Teacher's Aide for the public school system
2. Daycare worker
3. Nanny
4. Willson Stationers - Cashier, Customer Service
5. Chinese Restaurant waitress


Tag Five Friends:
1. Stacy
2. Carmen
3. Ki
4. Laura
5. Crystal

Happy day!

It has been awhile since I have updated my blog and its LOOOONG overdue! So, I had a wonderful birthday with my family. My husband and kids took me out for dinner to The Keg and had a wonderful evening together. I got a fabulous "Game ready" Winnipeg Blue Bomber jersey from my family. I had been eyeing them when we were home in July but they were sooooooo expensive (what with us going to Disney sooon and all) that I couldn't justify getting one. I think my husband and children are pretty amazing to get that for me.

And yahoooooooo - only 24 days until we leave for California. I am soooooo excited -totally like the kids. My dad and Chris are being cool and nonchalant about it, but my mom, the kids and I are insanely excited.

So, since I missed it yesterday, here is my list of 7 for this week:

1. Season Premieres - I am sooooooo glad that regular tv is coming back on. I look forward to the start of my shows every fall
2. Family holidays - only 24 days until I get to fulfill one of the biggest wishes the kids have had for years. DISNEYLAND - every kid's dream.
3. A generous husband and children who spoiled me this year for my birthday!
4. Special needs kids - I am having a wonderful time working and I love my job. Its amazing what these little beings can teach you - far more than I could EVER teach them.
5. Government funding - in the last few years the government has provided more funding for special needs kids than has been available before. Every little bit of extra money helps and we are so grateful for that.
6. Reminders - in the last week I have had a ton of reminders that I am being cared for and that God is keeping his eye on me and my family. I am thankful for every little glimpse I get that the Father has His hand on me and is so aware and involved in what is going on in my life.
7. You - my dear blogger friends I am grateful for you. Thankx for coming and sharing a bit of my life with me and letting me share a glimpse of your life as well.


Love to you all!

A new week!

Well, I started working again this week - a little rough, but I'll get through it. It's only a week after all.
So here are my seven for this week:

1. We went to a wedding last Sunday - on our 12th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful way to remember our special day and remember all the reasons I love the man I married. I am thankful every day that God brought him into my life.

2. Tough long days remind me how much I love the easy days and how thankful I am that not every day is like that.

3. Cool fall weather - I think this is the first time that I have actually looked forward to the fall. The smells, the coolness. I am really enjoying it all.

4. Voice lessons started again and I love how excited Kiana gets when she starts singing. She started working on some High School Musical 2 stuff yesterday and she loves it.

5. Fresh veggies from the garden - living in an apartment I don't get them very often, but last weekend our landlords gave us some fresh veggies and there is DEFINITELY nothing better.

6. Working - as much as I HATE getting up at 6 in the morning, I love working with the kids I am working with. I feel so very fulfilled.

7. Friends - I have a wonderful friend named Anne who was willing to watch my kids on the weekend so that Chris and I could go to a wedding. I am so thankful that she would do that for us so we could go out for an evening!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

I'm In Here

12 years!

12 years ago today I married the man of my dreams. I can't believe that it has been that long already. He is my champion, my supporter, my cheerleader, my strength. He supports me when I am weak, he makes me laugh harder than anyone I know, he makes me feel safe when I am worried and afraid. Chris is my best friend and these have been the best 12 years of my life.

Scrapbooking

Well, I actually got to do a lo today - probably the first time in over a month. Just wanted to share it - this photo has been sitting on my desk since I got my "li" tattoo almost 12 years ago. Li means strength!

This is an important lo for me because my husband really wanted me to get it. He believed that it was important for me to realize the strength that he believes I have because of the hand that I have been dealt in my life. Everytime I look at this tattoo, I am reminded of the woman that I am!

Wedding photos

Here are just a few of the photos we took at the wedding last weekend. I am exhausted and destressing as the bride was definitely a bridezilla, but its over and the couple is ridiculously happy! They do make a beautiful couple though. Sorry that the one photo is turned - I thot I had it right but I guess not!

And I am doing my 7 today since it was a long weekend and I didn't get to do it on Monday like I normally do:

1. I am so thankful for my amazingly patient family. They spent all weekend getting yelled at from the bride and from me and they were soooooo understanding and forgiving - something I definitely didn't deserve. But they love me and after lots of tears and hugs life is good again!

2. There is nothing like a wedding to make you appreciate your family and all the love and support that surrounds all of that.

3. It's Back to School time - I am excited for the year as it is laid out for our kids. They have wonderful teachers and aides and I am so thankful that they love my kids so much.

4. Disneyland - in 5 weeks we will be heading to California and I am so grateful that we can do this for our kids. This has been their dream for the last 3 years and finally we are able to take my parents with us and go.

5. My husband's staff is an amazing group of people that I have become so grateful for. He has been working alot of long hours and life has been so stressful, but not only are they supportive of him, but calling me and checking up and making sure that we are all okay. Its so much easier being a boss when you have employees who are supportive and willing to help out at any turn.

6. Scrapping - I am actually going to get some time to scrapbook this week and I have MISSED IT!!!! As you can tell, I haven't posted any los for quite a long time. Summer will do that to you, so I am so thankful to be able to get back into the swing of routine and all that it entails.

7. My dear friends - thank you for letting me rant and rave about the wedding last weekend. I was so tired and so stressed that I just needed to have a good cry and talk to people who loved me and didn't think I was totally useless! You know who you are - THANK YOU!!!!

Have a great week everyone!

Monday 7

Well, I haven't done this all summer and I need to get back to doing it again. So here we go, today I am posting the things I am thankful for:

1. God gives you what you need when you need it. I had forgotten that and then yesterday a long lost friend came into my life again and reminded me of that. God never forgets us, even though it sometimes feels like it or I forget about him.

2. I have an amazing husband who gives me a ton of love and support when I am feeling less than loveable. Not having a permanent job(such is the life of a substitute TA) makes it difficult to know when you are going to start working again.

3. Marguerite turned 40 last week. I hope I look and have the attitude that she does at 40. She is a wonderful friend who is always there when I need her.

4. I LOOOOOOVE carrot and zucchini cake. Marguerite's talented husband made it for her birthday and it is sooooooo yummy! I think its my new favourite cake.

5. I have missed scrapbooking terribly the last two months. I finally got to do some on the weekend. The nicest thing about it is that I am able to do things that (using my dd's words) MAKE MY HEART SMILE, rather than doing a job for someone or finishing up a project for someone else.

6. Only one more week until school starts and life returns to routine. I am so excited not only for my kids to go back to school, but to see where I am going to be working this year. I LOVE my job!

7. I have 2 weddings in the next two weeks: one at which I am the matron of honour on the long weekend. The other is a co-worker and old friend of Chris. I am really looking forward to the second one as it is being held on our 12 year anniversary. I love weddings - and I can't think of a better way to spend my anniversary. I LOVE WEDDINGS!

So, tell me one thing that "MAKES YOUR HEART SMILE" this week!

Tag Time

So I was tagged by Stacy and Laura, so I figured if I didn't do this now I would forget so here goes:

The Nitty Gritty details:
It’s a random tag and here are the rules!

1. Link to the person who ‘tagged’ you!
2. Post the rules on your blog!
3. List 6 random facts about yourself!
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post!
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by commenting on their blog!
6. Let the tagger know the entry is posted on your blog!

1. That would be Laura
2. Done - see above
3. - I was in a movie (documentary) that was shown all around the world when I was 12
- I caught a hockey puck and was on Hockey Night in Canada on the very last game the Winnipeg Jets ever played, thus fulfilling 2 dreams I made as a 12 year old kid.
- I hate the colour pink and anything frilly
- People without common sense really annoy me
- I can't live without coffee in the morning
- I tell my family things about other members of my family just to see how long it takes to get back to me and cause trouble.
4. Done - see below
5. Done
6. Done

And I was given this lovely award from Stacy:

The rules of this award:

1. Only 5 people allowed.

2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog

3. one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. you must link back to whoever gave you the award. Quite simple really it is a way of saying thank you to those who take time out for wonderful comments to boost your day.It's hard to choose only 5!!

So, I tag: Carmen, Ki, Sherri, Lacintha and my friend Karen who, after not having spoken for about 20 some odd years, I finally touched base with again!

Catching up!

It is so good to be home and finally catching up with all my wonderful friends after a long time away. As nice as it is to go away, its always nice to be home again. The weather in Winnipeg was soooo nice - we got alot of beach time to splash around in the lake and spend time making sand castles and sand boats:




When I was a little girl I used to love to go to Kildonan Park and check out the Witches' Hut from Hansl and Gretl. Obviously it was better in my mind because my memories are that of a preschool child, but the kids had fun checking it out anyway:
And as we usually do we headed to Fun Mountain waterslides again this year. This is Malachi's favourite place to visit and if we didn't go every year I think his heart would be broken. Kiana actually got the courage up to try the slides this year - a HUGE step for her!
Another of the kids favourite places was this place:
it has the yummiest food around! All in all a pretty good trip I think. I think that's all I'm going to share for now.

Laura and Stacy I haven't forgotten that you tagged me - I will hopefully get to that this afternoon, but I still have a ton of stuff to unpack and hopefully you understand.
Off to clean my house and hopefully get some scrapping done today - its amazing how much you miss it when you haven't done it for a month! Kisses!

A loooooong time!

It seems like its been years since I have updated here! Life has been crazy for the past weeks - summer in Winnipeg is always busy. But its been alot of fun too! We got out here on the 19th of July and its been nonstop ever since. We celebrated my parents 40th wedding anniversary on the 20th of July by taking them out for dinner. It was just my parents, siblings and spouses, but it was alot of fun. I can't believe that my parents have been married for 40 years. Through good, bad and ugly they are still together. I guess that says alot, hey?!

Chris and I also took Malachi to his first Blue Bomber game - thankfully it happened to be the one game that they actually won. I even got a new jersey which I have been coveting for quite awhile. But Chris' time with us out here didn't last long as he had to leave on the 26th and get back to the dregs of IKEA. So, the kids and I have been here without him since.

We've been busy without him too. Spending time with family, going to movies with friends and even going to the Witches Hut (from Hansl and Gretl)have been some of the things we've been busy with. Isn't this a cute little cottage - I remember coming here with my preschool class when I was a little girl and really wanted to show it to the kids. They seemed to enjoy it too.


There has been one sad note this summer though. As many of you know, last year at this time I lost my best friend to cancer. Well, tomorrow I am going to celebrate the life of her dear husband Ray who died of cancer last week. Chris and I have sad hearts as we think that he is gone now too.
Anyway, I hope you are all well. I miss you all and hope that I can catch up with you all soon. I will be home on the 16th so I plan on catching up with everyone the best I can. Hope your summers are all going well and that you miss me as much as I miss you. Love ya!

I am SOOOOOOOOO ANGRY!!!!!!

In today's paper it said that the Smitty's in the West Edmonton location kicked out a family from Wainwright because their daughter was autistic. They didn't have the food that she normally ordered and when she kicked up a fuss the manager asked her family to leave. When they explained that she was autistic and that they were handling the situation and she would be fine, the manager had the audacity to tell the family that if she was autistic they shouldn't be taking her out in public!!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!? Since when is it okay to discriminate against special needs people? This guy is a retard (I don't mean this offensively, but I am pissed off!!!!!) but his family still lets him out in public!!! I know that Smitty's isn't a phenomenal restaurant, but when you have autistic or sensory issue kids, those kinds of restaurants are usually safe for your kids to eat at - they have something that these kids love. I often take my kids there because its one of the few restaurants that we can frequent where they will eat. Now I have one less restaurant to take my kids to for fear that we will be kicked out!!!!

I HATE PEOPLE WHO ARE INTOLERANT!!!!!!! Kiana was heartbroken when she heard me telling Chris about this. She said "Mom, do people do that alot to autistic people?" and I had to tell her that this is becoming more and more common. In the last 3 weeks 2 children have been kicked out of planes while crying because they are autistic. How do I tell my kids that this behaviour is becoming the norm and that people think its okay to treat autistic kids this way. If we don't stand up for these kids, who will?!

Alright, I'm done with my rant. But I am not done with being angry - and I won't be done until society accepts autistics for the people they are.

Hey all,

hope you are all enjoying your summer - I know I am. It was bittersweet for me to end my work for the summer - I am going to miss the kids. It broke my heart when they realized I might not be back at the same school next year. The tears and hugs touched my heart. It boggles my mind to see that I actually reached somed of these kids.

Life is busy this week. Kiana has Musical Drama camp all week. They are performing "Alice in Wonderland". I am so excited for Kiana - her amazing voice teacherTaylene Lyon has created such a passion in Kiana to sing. I am so grateful to her for all her work with Kiana this year and Kiana and I are both sad that she will not be teaching her in the fall. So, we are on the hunt for a new Voice Instructor.

Malachi is enjoying Kiana being at camp because it gives him exclusive one on one attention from Dad. Kiana talks so much and is soooooo full of energy, Malachi barely gets a chance to get a word in edgewise, so for 7 hours a day, mom and dad are all his.

I am pretty busy too - gotta get ready for home. The kids and I are spending 4 weeks in Winnipeg this summer. It'll be interesting to see how Chris copes without us for a month - he hates being alone.


And a huge shout out and congratulations to my dear friend Rhonda on the birth of her new baby boy. Congrats to you Regan and the kids - I can't wait to see photos.
So, what are your plans for the summer?! Going anywhere exciting? Doing anything? Let me know - I'd love to hear from you.

This is where I am right now