Love and laughter... Letters to my kids.

Dear Adelade, 

I love you. You are the sweetest brightest little girl I know. I sometimes can't believe you are such a big girl. I love when you read your book "Otto & Todd" to me. I love how you look up to me as you "read" the words with a big smile on your face. I love the dance shows you put on, and how you "la-la--la" the whole time. I love how you want to help me in the kitchen, and I'm sorry when I don't have the patience for you, I'm working on it. 

You absolutely love being a princess, you change princess dresses, or princess nightgowns at least 3 or 4 times a day. 

Today we went for a walk and you made snow angels and crawled in the snow and licked the snow, I wish I could replay this moment over and over. Tonight though, when I was yelling at you about not being fast enough at getting dressed, I hope you forget that. I hope you forget all the times I get upset and just remember that I love you, and would do anything for you. I am not perfect....WAY NOT perfect but becoming your mom was the best thing I ever did in my life. You bring so much joy to our family. Your smile and laughter and kisses are little blessings I sometimes, most times, don't deserve, but you love me anyway!! 

Keep being the energetic lovely girl you are, you make the world better.

Love, your Mom xo 

Dear Bentley, 

Oh Benty bear. Your smile, your smile is a gift for God to me, I just know it. It's really a gift to everyone. The other day at superstore we were at the cashand you saw this older man with a big mustache and he couldn't stop waving at him. I put you down and you couldn't walk fast enough over to him. You put your arms up to him and wanted him to pick you up. This complete stranger, you just adored, you made him smile and if he was having a bad day you made it better. 

Today while we were walking, you just loved walking in the snow, you were cracking up. It was hilarious!! You literally were pretending to laugh. It was so cute! You LOVE LOOOOOVE to climb onto everything, especially the piano & and the kitchen table, I just really hope you never learn how to climb onto the fridge. Seriously, no. You love to drink water out of cups (more like spill), play with tooth brushes, and play cars!!! Yes, you love other things, but these things are definitely some of your top 10!! I love how you suck your thumb ONLY in your crib, or when you are almost in your crib. 

Some of the best moments are when you are really tired and you put your head on my shoulder, it doesn't happen often but when it does I wish I could pause life. 

Thank you for bringing joy and laughter into our family and into my life. Keep smiling.

Love, Your Mom xo 

Christmas & New Years!!

Christmas & New Years and all the in between:

1. Christmas: Christmas was simple and sweet. We spent Christmas Eve at my Dads enjoying some yummy appetizers. Then came home and opened 1 gift (pjs), Bentley was not enthused at all he just wanted his bottle & bed. Adelade was genuinely excited about a Dora nightgown. 

Christmas Morning the kids slept in until 9! It was lovely. We opened stockings, ate cereal then opened the rest of the gifts. The kids didn't get much, but they were beyond thrilled with everything they got. Adelade got all things Elsa. Her "uncle" Thomas (was sooo generous) got her a handmade Elsa dress that Adelade wore all day until she ripped it (which reminds me I need to fix it). Bentley didn't get that excited, but he got a few mini trucks that entertained him. We were so blessed to have scored a free "toy tool set", which was a joint gift to them that they played with for at least an hour!! Haha!! Bentley was very amused by the pretend drill that made noise and shone lights. We will be sure not to keep any "real tools" near the play ones!! They are terribly similar. 

Then I rallied everyone together to go to the park, it wasn't super cold, but it was cold enough that our park adventure only lasted about 30 minutes. My favorite moment was pushing them both on the baby swings. They giggled and their cheeks were rosy. It was lovely.  I loved how low key Christmas Day was and it was so easy to be with each other, I am really grateful for my sweet husband and my hooligan kids!! 

We had Christmas Dinner at my Dads. It was yummy and very nice to be with Family. 

Then from Boxing Day to the day before New Years Eve we spent with Matthew's family. There was ice skating (not for Bentley & I...he thought napping would be more fun), Christmas Dinner, Stallen Bread, cross iron mills, Perogie making (I now know how much work is involved in making these tasty morsels!!...they were worth it!...all 300 of them!), outdoor runs, games, going to the movies, Pride & Prejudice & many many hours of Bentley crying and refusing to sleep. It was awesome! And by awesome I mean NOT AWESOME AT ALL!! Eventually by night 3 it only took an hour for him to finally stop crying after countless cuddles. He really wanted to be part of the party!! Adelade & Bentley had a wonderful time building relationships with their cousins--They played with each other so well for 3 days. They also ate their quota for mini candy canes!! I know now Bentley really likes hard candies! Like....a lot!! 

Matthew and I got some nights to ourselves, so we got a few extra hours of delightful SLEEP!!! We even got to go shopping on our own and the new hunger games movie. I am so grateful for family who is willing to lend a helping hand. 

2. New Years 2014 included a couple of cranky parents and kids buying some chicken wings, veggies & dip as well as a short trip to Target. We then came home and put kid number 2 to bed (Benty bear...he was most upset about life!). He missed out on watching Despicable me 2 while having a mini picnic. The wings were so good!! I went to my best friends for a few minutes to help her decide on a New Years dress, it helped me not be so cranky!! (I don't know what it was but I was a major cranky lady the past few days, now I'm all good!! Haha!) Matthew and I watched the last 2 episodes of BBC's Pride & Prejudice....it's all on YouTube you know?! We had been watching it over the last few days with Matthew's family and I really really wanted to watch the last episodes. Matthew must love me a whole bunch because he agreed to the crazy idea! We then ate large amounts of Christmas chips ahoy & Christmas Oreos and actually missed when the clock struck midnight. Good times!! We stayed up until 1:30, why? I have no idea!! 

4. After New Years: 

On Friday (today) we went to Okotoks to pay respect to my Mom, it is the anniversary of her passing in a few days. It was bitterly cold and the wind was blowing hard, so we showed the kids her grave stone, snapped a few pics and said a sweet & simple prayer. It lasted about 2 minutes! We want the kids to remember their "Nana Wenda" so we are trying to teach them about her every so often.

Then we stopped and got some frozen yogurt before heading home. There I was telling Adelade about my Mom, I asked her what color of hair she thought she had, after a few seconds of deliberating Adelade answered enthusiaticly "PINK"!! It was very sweet, I have to regretfully inform her that her hair was brown. I told her about her smile and how kind she was, then Adelade just bursted out "I love her!!! I love Nana Wenda, don't you Mommy? Don't you Daddy? don't you Bentley?" I don't want to forget this moment. Then tonight as we said our prayers Adelade prayed about how thankful she is for Nana Wenda, this was after she said "I'm grateful nana Wenda's not died", then we had to say "no she has died", then she said "I'm grateful nana Wenda died" oh her sweet innocence!! :) 

I'm excited for another wonderful year with my team of 4!!! 

December 22, 2009

On this day 5 years ago, my life was very very different. 

I was happily dating a super stud, and we were in love. I lived at home with my Dad, I had 2 part time jobs, and I was going into my last semester in University. Matthew and I had only been dating since Septmeber but I knew he was the one, we had talked about getting married, we even went ring shopping (which might I add was way more terrifying than I though it would be!! Haha). It was going to be our first Christmas together, except I was getting on a plane in less than 24 hours with my Dad to visit my family in Montreal for the holidays. I was sad to leave him, since it was my first Christmas ever having a boyfriend, and well that in and of itself was enough to make me sad. But I was also happy to go see my family in Montreal as it had been a number of years since I'd seen them. 

So a few days before Matthew had the "talk" with my dad...the "can I marry your daughter" talk. I was just as nervous as he was because I knew my dad wasn't big on marriage, and we hadn't been dating long. at. all. But it went good and he gave Matthew the go ahead, well he technically said " he didn't need his permission" so Matthew was confused for a large portion of the conversation, but in the end it was clear that it was okay to ask me to marry him. Ahhh!!! It was so nerve racking. 

So back to the 22nd, I was eye high in dirty clothes and attempting to pack. I think Matthew was helping me clean my room, or something like that. All I really remember is allllll night my Dad kept saying "so are you engaged yet?" " you know he better ask you soon, because we leave tomorrow", I kept replying "no, we aren't engaged yet, we will be when he asks". I knew Matthew wasn't going to ask me before I left for Montreal because a week earlier he said the ring was going to come in while I was away. Anyway, at around 10:30pm we decided to go for a walk, I remember thinking in my head, maybe he should just ask me so my Dad stops pestering us. (But how romantic is that, "can you please just pop the question already?!") so off on our walk we went. It was freezing and snowing. We went for a walk down into fish creek. It was so quiet out and the snow was cold and fuzzy as it fell from the sky. I don't remember what we talked about, but I'm sure we talked. We had been walking for about 20 minutes and had gotten to a spot we had been to before when we had first started dating. We walked off the path a bit and up this hill, that had a lot of snow. I remember I was not wearing very warm pants or shoes...my legs were numb and my toes were cold. I thought " why are we walking up here, I get it, it's cute, but why---I'm so cold!" But I went along with it because I was in love. So we got about half way up and Matthew put our gloves down in the snow for me to sit on, awe how sweet!! So I sat down and happily did not freeze my tushy. Matthew then sat down, with his back towards me sort of. I remember thinking, why is he sitting like that?!. I think Matthew said something to me like "remember when we were here last? Do you know what we talked about", for the life of me I can't remember what I said but I remember thinking " is he about to ask what I think he might ask?!" And before I knew it he turned toward me and was on one knee opening a small box (it was really quite smooth) with a ring inside. All I know is that I starting balling like a baby. Tears were falling from my eyeballs!!! I wish I could say I remember everything Matthew said, but all I remember (even in the moment) is he pronounced my middle name wrong (that's what happens when you hardly know each other lol) and I'm pretty sure he asked me to marry him. So I said yes!! I was so overwhelmed by my thoughts of "this is it!!! This is your moment!! This is the moment you got engaged!!!!" And I was also afraid he was going to drop the ring in the snow, it really impeded on my listening skills. So after I finished crying and said yes--we hugged and kissed and put the ring on my finger. 

Then we walked back home and I don't remember being very cold anymore. I was too busy being excited to be cold!! We got home and my Dad wasn't very surprised that we were engaged, but he was happy for us! I called some of my close girl friends and they came over and then at around midnight Matthew and I celebrated with a big plate of perogies.

It's hard to believe how much my life has changed in 5 years. Matthew and I have grown a lot individually and as a couple. He will always be my one true love. I am just as in love with him as I was 5 years ago, if not more. I'm so grateful he chose me, and asked me to be his companion forEVER!! I know that people spend their life searching for love, so I am going to cherish and hold on to the love that Matthew and I have, it's special and it's ours. 

True love exists, I believe in it, I found it--I opened my heart to it and I'm not letting go. 

The things I must remember & a quote I must remember!!

1. The way Bentley picks up stuffed animals and hugs them under his chin.

2. The way Bentley specifically sits on the heat register in the kitchen.

3. How Adelade reminds me to pray before every meal.

4. How Adelade always goes to bed wearing pajamas, yet ceases to wake up wearing anything.

5. The way Matthew says "I love you" about a bazillion times before we ever leave each other. 

6. How calming the Christmas tree all lit up and decorated is. 

7. The way Bentley smiles at me through his crib when we wakes up from his naps.

8. How Adelade has worn a princess dress every single day since she turned 3. 

9. That Adelade wants cuddles from me every night. I feel bad some nights I say no. 

10. How happy Adelade gets when I lay in her toddler bed with her.

11. How much Adelade and Bentley love to play in the couchfort with flashlights. 

12. How comforting it is to come home to a warm house full of people I love and love me back. 

13. How Bentley loves to "brush" his teeth while standing on the toilet.

14. That no matter how many times I tell Bentley to not climb on the table, he still climbs on the table with the biggest grin on his face. 

15. The way Adelade dances and prances around the living room. 

16. The way Bentley tries to copy Adelade's dances. Instead he toddles around flapping his arms and bending side to side. Seriously so so cute!!

17. How every once and a while I find Matthew steam mopping the floor. Even though it's a knock-off steam mop, he does a great job!

------

I read this the other day & it really struck a cord in me :) 

What happens after midnight is always hard to remember...

So last night I feel like I was awake more than sleeping. 

When we woke up, Matthew says to me "I'm so tired!" "I feel like the kids were up like 8 times last night"...." Didn't I make Bentley's bottle like 4 times". Granted it was a crazy night, but here is what actually happened.

We went to bed WAY later than we should have, all that cold medicine was kicking in and made it hard to fall asleep. Then at around 2 (I think) Bentley woke of screaming!! He was so mad, he wouldn't let me cuddle him or anything. I had Matthew go get his bottle because his Uncle was sleeping on the the couch and I didn't feel like getting caught in my skivvies. So Matthew got his bottle (it was already made). Matthew then put him back to bed. Not even 2 minutes later he was screaming again!!!! Clearly he wanted more to eat. So I had Matthew go down again and make another bottle. Poor Matthew had no clue what was happening. I sat with Bentley in his room, and because he was screaming so loud Adelade woke up and sat with us. Apparently we were having an after hours party! I gave Bentley bottle number 2 and put them both back to bed. Thank goodness it worked!! 

Then around 3 I heard Adelade wake up and walk downstairs. I was worried she was going to freak out because Matthew's uncle was sleeping on the couch. Instead she just came back upstairs and asked me in her most awake voice ever "mommy can we cuddle?" I was so confused! Haha. I put her back to bed...I think?! 

Then a few hours later I heard Adelade go pee, she came in asking for more underwear. Matthew and I didn't know what was going on, we told her to go get her underwear as she knows where it is. She was all like "okay, yah sure" The thing that threw me off is she sounded so awake, it was as if it was the middle of the day. Oh Adelade!! Haha

Then a few hours after that I woke up and it was 8:30AM!! What the??! How is that even possible! It's like Christmas when the kids sleep past 7. 

So as it turns out the kids were not awake 8 times rather 3, maybe 4. Also, only 1 bottle was made...not 4. Oh what the minds thinks when you are completely delirious! Paha!! 

It's all worth it for these 2 cuties!! 

Parenting rocks....eh?! 

Saturday mornings!

I wish I could say Saturday mornings are filled with pancakes and adventures, but I can't. 

Saturday mornings used to consist of me waking up before everyone else and going for a long run. This kind of impeded any family weekend traditions. For the last 12 weeks I haven't run, so no long runs on Saturdays. Lately I've been hitting the gym around 8, then coming home to the kids watching cartoons and then depending on how we are feeling, which is usually cranky...hah! Well usually one very small cute person with big blue eyes and crazy curly hair (Benty boo!) is cranky so he naps while I get ready and then sometimes we go out, and sometimes we don't. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by all the "things" I didn't do all week--laundry, cleaning, dishes, organizing, so it kind of puts a damper on the day when I go all "momfreak". 

When Matthew and I first got married we talked about how much we hated HATED doing chores on Saturday mornings. We had big plans of doing chores during the week, thus leaving Saturday's for fun!! Well let me tell you how great that worked out, or didn't. We have a really messy house and our chores definitely don't get done during the week. So this leaves me with the question, maybe Saturday morning chores are where it's at? Who knows?! 

I used to feel bad about how our Saturday's weren't filled with exciting adventures and weekend getaways, but now I'm realizing that simpleness is more my thing. I used to get overwhelmed by planning trips, having enough food, clothes-- etc. etc. but now sometimes all we have to do is leave the house. Seriously sometimes we do just that, we get in the car--crankiness and all and then decide on where to go. If we don't have something we need, we buy it, or go back home. Less stress, more fun. I'm working at it! 

Tender moments

The other day I hit my head on the corner of the kitchen cupboard. Ouch!! It hurt so bad. I was keeled over holding my head as Adelade asked me "what's wrong mommy?" I replied "mommy hurt her head". I was in the middle of dishing up lunch so as I was putting food on the table, Adelade then said to me "mommy do you want me to kiss it better?" (Awwww) I of course said yes!! 

Then this morning I was sitting on the couch with a really bad terrible awful worst headache. Adelade came over and again asked "do you want me to kiss it better?" Yes please!! 

Lately Adelade has really been into dancing. She turns on this little Christmas toy that plays music. Then she uses the rug in the living room as her stage. She spreads her arms and twirls on her tippy toes. Sometimes she even closes her eyes and tumbles around on the ground. It's actually quite emotive. Even Bentley now walks around trying to stand on his tippy toes and spread his arms. It is seriously the cutest thing ever. 

Am I looking forward to Christmas

Yes.

And 

No. 

I am looking forward to being with family, and watching Adelade take in the magical of Christmas. Bentley doesn't quite know what's going on, but I'm sure he'lol love ripping open gifts and being with family. Christmas was so magical to me as a kid. I want it to be like that for my kids. I have a hard time not getting everything done--I want to because something always seems to come up. Or I get lazy, or I just don't make time for it. Every year I want to make 'nuts and bolts', but I haven't....yet. 

I want to build traditions with my little family. 

I also think being pregnant 2 out of the last 4 Christmas's doesn't help. Of course I was grateful to be pregnant but it was during my first trimester so I remember spending most of Christmas holidays in bed. This year I'm not pregnant nor do I have a new born baby so who knows what it'll be like. Haha!! 

What I look forward to most on a Friday night.

Lately, as in the last 5 months since I started working part-time, on Friday nights I am a zombie. So I usually look forward to laying on the couch and not having to go to work. The occasional Friday when I find a sitter, Matthew and I go on a date and then I look forward to getting frozen yogurt. This has only happened twice but I still look forward to it, even though it doesn't happen every Friday. Haha!! 

I look forward to Friday's, the day part, before I become I zombie. Friday's are a day I get to spend with my kids and I don't have to worry about getting ready for work, planning sessions, and planning our daily activities around me going to work. 

That's about it. 

TGIF!! 

The last time I cried...

....it was happened last Saturday.

I was attempting to nap with Adelade (bad choice), because I had a bad chest cold that was really kicking my trash. I really REALLY wanted to nap. Even Adelade was sick, so I thought it would be easy pesy!!

Matthew was on the computer downstairs and Bentley was sleeping in his crib in the next room.

Adelade was determined to share a pillow with me (it was cute for 5 minutes)

I felt so sick, I had been "on" all day ---So I was highly irritable, my patience was very thin.

My bed was so comfortable and Adelade would not STOP moving. She was laying beside me pretending to talk on her "cell phone"(one of Matthew's bookmarks). It was kinda funny and cute, but not enough to trump a desperate need for a nap. All the while her pointy knee caps were jabbing me in the back, seriously so pointy!

Finally after an hour, I kicked her OUT. not literally I just told her to go in the play pen. I thought I was home free to dreamland. (yah right) 

She still wouldn't stop moving, and I could NOT sleep. I was so frustrated and tired and frustrated. I huffed myself out of bed and stormed downstairs and dropped onto (our amazing) couch and burst into tears!! It was kind of pathetic, but when I am sick I am highly sensitive and emotional. 

Thank goodness my Husband loves me and didn't ask any questions he just tucked me in under 4 blankets as my fever set in and I was off to dreamland before my tears dried up.

What happened today at 6pm

If someone were to look in my front window at around 6 pm tonight you would have seen me, my husband, & two kidlets listening to 'pentatonixs' Christmas album as we decorated the Christmas tree. Side note: it's a great Christmas album!!! It's all a Capella, seriously so good!!  

Adelade & Bentley were obsessing about this stuffy that sings and dances (we gave it to Adelade for her second Christmas). Then we pulled out the nativity set, that Matthew's sister kindly gave to us, it was the first year we've been able to put it on display. It really is beautiful. We...I, let the kids play with it for 5 minutes but that was long enough to realize how bad of idea that was. One day I'd like the little people nativity set, the plastic one they can't break. I remember as a kid playing (breaking) the nativity set was one of my favorite things about Christmas. 

Unfortunately Bentley has now caught the cold Adelade & I were battling the last few days. He's all hoarse sounding and is really congested. He seemed really enamored by all the lights and sounds of the decoration even between the heaving breathing and croaking giggles. Poor guy! 

With every decoration I handed to Adelade to hang on the tree, three were knocked off the tree by Bentley. For some reason it didn't bother me at all. I was just happy to watch them enjoy all the new things to look at and touch. 

So that's what happened at 6pm in my silly little wonderful world. 

I did take pictures (even before I realized what today's post was about) but it's on my real camera which takes too long to download to my computer, but one day I'll put them up....one day. Haha! 

Something I feel guilty about.

Okay, so this post is a very honest account, so no judgements. Please :) 

Something I feel guilty about right now is, how often I lose my cool, raise my voice, yell, lose my patience, get angry with myself, my husband but especially my kids. 

It is something I work on daily and it is such a struggle to not lose my cool after asking Adelade to do the same thing 5 times...or 10. Lately The only time she'll listen is once I get angry, and then I say "why do I have to get angry for you to listen" and she then looks at me with her big blue eyes as they fill up with tears and doesn't say anything. I immediately wish I could erase the last 2 minutes from her life, but I can't. I then hold her and kiss her and tell her "mommys sorry, and that I love you". I wish I could say this only happened once and I learned my lesson, nope it's happened probably 3 times this week. It makes me feel so awful. I feel like a terrible mother who yells at her innocent 3 year old. I just can't do it all sometimes. It gets so overwhelming just to leave the house by a certain time, I'm not actually angry at Adelade for taking 5 minutes to put one sock one--yes I'm super annoyed but angry-no. I'm angry because the dishes aren't done, my rooms a mess, the laundry hasnt been touched in a week, we are out of groceries, or I'm angry because of how I feel about my body, or I'm upset about something Matthew's done, or hasn't done (this one doesn't usually boil over onto the kids though), or I'm at my wits end with our bills, work, keeping a tidy organized house and it's the last straw. 

I want my children to know I love them beyond all belief. I want them to know that even though I may get angry more than I'd like to admit I would do anything for them. I want to do better and I know I can, I just need to keep trying and asking for help from my Saviour wouldn't hurt either ;) 

I don't want to dwell on these feelings of guilt rather I'd like to acknowledge my weaknesses and to keep on pushing forward. Parent is no cake walk, unless you like really hard, dense, lumpy, some parts are good others not so much--kind of cake. 

I Know that My Redeemer Lives

Every time I hear this song my heart is heavy. 

17...almost 18 years ago my mother passed away. It happened on a Saturday, the next day we went to church. I remember during sacrament meeting I was in the foyer for some reason while this song played. As I heard it play I felt my mother's presence with me, I felt calm and at peace, even though I had never felt so alone or unsure of the future in my life. I didn't know what life would be like anymore. I felt like I was watching my life happen and wanted to press rewind. Somehow during all of these feelings and emotions this song made time stand still and I knew that each time I would hear this song it would be another way to remember my mom, and that she was still a part of my life even though she's wasn't physically with me anymore. 

I Know that My Redeemer Lives is one of my most cherished hymns, sometimes it makes me cry to hear it (sometimes it doesn't) and other times I feel very happy. Happy to know that I will see my mother again. But every single time I hear this song I remember my mom; I remember her smile, her soft voice, the wrinkles around eyes when she smiled, I remember her rough hands that would hold me close and tell me everything would be okay. I remember how much she loved me and still does. 

This post was inspired by #lifecapturedproject 

http://www.lifecapturedinc.com/blog/write-your-heart-out-2

What I see when I look out my kitchen window

I see snow. 

A backyard. 

A tree. 

A garage. 

A playhouse. 

If I look slightly to the left I see....dirty diapers,garbage & recycling!! (This is my least favorite thing to look at, so I don't look left too often) 

If I look long enough out my kitchen window 

I either see all the dirty spots of old crusted food on the window 

or 

I see memories had.

I can picture Adelade running around in her swimsuit....or birthday suit and playing with her chalk or toys in her playhouse. 

I can see Matthew pushing Bentley around in his toy car. 

I can hear giggling, crying, and Adelade shouting "mommy!" 

I try NOT to see all the leaves I didn't rake up, or the toys I didn't clean up, or garbage I haven't put in the bin yet, because this just makes me feel overwhelmed and like I can never catch up...here's to looking out my kitchen window and seeing memories. 

This post was inspired by #lifecapturedproject 

http://www.lifecapturedinc.com/blog/write-your-heart-out-2

What is the first thing I do in the morning

My mornings are never exactly the same, it's always a gamble when you have young kids. 

On most mornings, I am woken by my alarm on my phone or Bentley crying. If my alarm wakes me I roll over and say a quick prayer with Matthew and kiss him goodbye, terrible breath and all, and let me tell you his breath is pretty terrible, so both of ours together-wow!! I stumble out of our room trying to miss all the super squeaky spots, which I never do because ALL of the floor squeaks!! Then I go pee, get my smelly gym clothes on, brush my teeth & put my hair in a pony tail. I then tip-toe down the stairs and gather my things and head to the gym. 

On mornings that I don't go to the gym, I am either awoken by a hungry Benty bear, that sometimes will go back to bed after a bottle, or Adelade standing in our doorway asking for a cuddle. Or for all honesty....my bladder. 

----the last thing(s) I do at the end of the day is:

Read scriptures. (So lets me honest, I usually sleep during this part, I need to do better, but right now it's usually like pre-sleep time)

Pray with Matthew. I try my best NOT to fall asleep during this part, though I'm not always successful. 

Say warm fuzzies. We tell each other all the nice things that one another has done for us that day. It's nice to finish the day feeling like a rock star. Hah! No but for real, it's something Matthew and I have done since our first year of marriage, it sure beats fighting ;) it has helped us keep the love alive! 

Then it's off to dream land...zzzzzzzzzzz

#lifecapturedproject

http://www.lifecapturedinc.com/blog/write-your-heart-out-2

A moment from today that I always want to remember & my favorite chair

Today was busy; filled with my coming and going. Thursday's are always a tough and busy day!!

When I got home this morning from the gym, I was standing in the living room in the chaos of everything. Umizoomi was playing on the TV and Bentley was standing in front of it pointing at it going "baaaa....baaaaa", then he would shake his hips and smile from ear to ear. Adelade twirled around behind him in her fairy dress she's been wearing for about 2 weeks now, which reminds me I should wash it. Then out of no where Bentley looks up at me and toddles over with his arms outstretched towards me! He walked up to my legs and nuzzled himself in between my knees. It was the sweetest little moment that made my heart melt. I picked him up and kissed him and wrapped him in my arms and danced along to the show, and watched his face light up as we bounced up and down. The happiness my children exude is something I want them to always have and share with others. 

-----

Last June (2013) we made our very first 'adult purchase', we bought a couch, that wasn't from a garage sale! Matthew went with a friend to pick it up the day before we had flash floodings in Calgary. We couldn't have gotten it at a better moment. Due to the flood we were home bound for a few days. This couch ---let me tell you feels like a dream to sit on, though it's hard not to lye on it---It's just that comfortable. At least once a month Matthew or I say how much we love our truly comfy couch!!!! I have had many glorious naps on my couch, it is my favorite chair. 

These posts were inspired by #lifecapturedproject 

http://www.lifecapturedinc.com/blog/write-your-heart-out-2

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27 days until Christmas....

This happened tonight as we watched the movie "elf". Bentley actually sat in my arms for about 10 minutes without squirming---it was so wonderful (hence why I had Matthew snap a pic). We only got through about 30 minutes of it, but it is our first Christmas memory this season :) --love 

This was followed by a 6:30pm bedtime & a short walk outside freezing my face off dropping something off at a friends house. That wind-is for real!! Haha! 

Night night 

Sometimes

Sometimes:

1. Sometimes I wish I could nap whenever I want. Don't we all. 

2. Sometimes my kids are completely happy eating apples as a snack. 

3. Sometimes I give Adelade a craft to do, but instead of waiting for help she pours sparkles everywhere. I wish I could say I kindly said "that's okay, let's clean it up together", yah no! It was more like the opposite!! (I'm so thankful for my children's sweet forgiving attitudes)

4 

Sometimes I take silly selfies with my kids. 

5. Sometimes I find Adelade first thing in the morning huddled up under her blanket sitting by the heater--which happens to be under the sink in the bathroom. 

6. Sometimes Bentley sits in the seat of the shopping cart, but usually he is climbing out of it, standing up in it or leaning into the cart part about to topple head first onto the groceries. 

7. Sometimes I don't do the dishes or laundry or any daily chores so I can sit and cuddle on the couch with Adelade and watch a movie. 

8. 

Sometimes we go on a Costco date with Kelsie instead of napping, so this is what happens on the way home.  Bliss! 

9. Sometimes (more like all the time) I wish I went to bed earlier than I actually do. 

10. 

Sometimes I take selfies with Adelade in the car....when the car is stopped--because she is so cute. 

10. 

Sometimes I write a motivating quote on my chalkboard & it makes me feel happy. 

11. 

Sometimes....translation ALL.THE.TIME if Bentley isn't climbing up the stairs, onto the kitchen table or onto the piano he's in his bed sleeping...or crying! Okay he does do some other things, but he learned to climb before he learned to walk, so I should have seen this coming.

12. 

Sometimes (one time) we get all dressed up for a murder mystery party and had a great time. Matthew and I were the "bradfords". He was a big-shot know it all (which he pulled of perfectly, maybe a little too perfectly--haha) and I was eccentric and was supposed to wear a colorful dress--haha! I was a "future-teller"--I basically talked in a Texan accent and acted out of the loop. Value village came through for us for our costumes. 

13.

Sometimes we go to the farmers market and Bentley gets to play with his future girlfriend 'Poppy'. These 2 are so cute. We love playing with our friends!! It is lovely having kids the same age as your friends kids. Seriously lovely. 

14. 

Sometimes I bake and don't burn things....and eat most of it!! 

15. 

Sometimes Adelade eats a pomegranate to herself on a Friday night wearing her Sunday dress. 

16.

Sometimes I can't believe I have fallen in love with someone who loves me back and we love each other more than we did 5 years ago when we met. I know it's cheesy but being married to my best friend is one of my greatest treasures. 

--the end :) 

Back from a long break of blogging

Well I wish I had a great excuse to give you as to why I have written in what 11 months....no good reason just laziness AND my computer is as slow as molasses!! I want to add pictures to my posts and it takes so long to upload a picture I could have written 10 posts. Anyway, moving on! 

Our little family of 4 doesn't feel so little, especially when we are driving in our Toyota Echo. I do love our car ( her name is Dot), but I dream about the day when we will have a bigger vehicle. Oh it will be luxurious, or just a bigger space to make messy! Haha! 

Here's a little update on the kidlets....I know it's not a word. autocorrect wanted to change it to kidneys, but let's all be happy I don't have to update you on those!

Okay so first up is Adelade. she is now 3! Do you realize this means I've been a parent for THREE YEARS! It's madness I say. I definitely don't feel mature enough to have 1 kid let alone 2! 

So Adelade is such a little person, the other day I had a full conversation with her on the phone. I was in shock when I hung up the phone. She even said "I love you" without me having to tell her too. It was very sweet.

Adelade love LOVES LOVES to not wear clothes....I thought she'd grow out of it, but not yet! Knowing her love to be in her birthday suit all the time (underwear on obviously), and her equal love for wearing. Princess dresses, we have come to the compromise that she at least has to put on her princess dress after breakfast, and that a blanket is not suitable attire when people are over. It's a work in progress, but hey she's in the comforts of her own home so why not. I'd just like a few pictures of her to be with clothes on. 

Adelade is quite the chatter box. She loves to talk, and giggle and talk, and then have the occasional impromptu dance show that consists of her standing and singing the same 4 words as she twirls and then bows. It is really cute....even after 50 shows. 

I love seeing her grow up and learn and ask me things. I am usually taken back at least once a day by something she says or does. It amazes me how well she can remember some of the things I say. 

She also loves to watch TV, who doesn't. 

Adelade is also very forgiving. Many times after I have apologized to her for getting upset or raising my voice she will lean into me and give me a hug and say "it's okay Mommy, you not mean to". Seriously how cute. 

During the summer Adelade realized that she did not have any sisters after her cousins had come to visit. She has a lot of cousins, girls and boys. After they left she kept asking for her sisters. We had to tell her that they were her cousins, and they technically weren't her sisters ( I didn't want to open the whole earthly sister/ heavenly sister can at that very moment) and that she only had a brother. She was pretty disappointed and quickly asked to have a sister and that she wanted 3.  I started to laugh and said "we'll we shall see--- it's not as simple as placing an order of 3 sisters,but we will see". She's asked many times since for a sister. I guess Bentley just isn't cutting it!! (and no this isn't an announcement....it's just a funny story) 

Adelade loves to eat spinach and broccoli and carrots---oh and she LOVES PEAS!!!.... Okay that was a complete lie she can barley stomach any of those foods. Actually she did just eat a veggie lasagna that had all of those things in it. She's getting better. If she had her way she would eat peanut butter and jam wraps everyday with bananas and oranges and pomegranate. 

Her hair is finally long enough to put in ponytails and small...very small braids. It's fun...except the whole crying part because I'm hurting her. Pain is beauty sista!! Joking joking...though when you have oatmeal stuck in your hair I'm pretty sure it's going to hurt to brush out, it's kind of a given. She has gotten better at keeping her food out of her hair, now that I think about it. 

Adelade loves her brother, though she wants a sister, 3 to be exact she loves her little Benty bear. We all do, actually I'm pretty sure people that just meet him love him. He's that cute. It is mostly because his face lights up into this huge grin and it makes you love him. He's got 4 teeth, I think...maybe a few more....but mainly 4. Two of which are top notch front teeth. They are so funny looking it's adorable. Combined with his crazy Einstein hair that I never do...ever. He can pretty much make any outfit I puton him look cute. Perhaps it's his gift. Cuteness. 

Okay enough about Bentley's cuteness. He is also a very happy and a very unhappy 1 year old. He can smile and laugh and have the time of his life, but once you take him off the table or off from on top of the piano or take the phone, iPad, computer, knife, bead, etc away from him, he losses it....seriously losses it-it's like his life is over and well really his life is longer (especially in that knife scenario). He is driven by his emotions at this stage of the game. He loves to walk, it's really more of a toddle, all around the house while holding a remote or toy car to his cheek as he babbles away. Oh did I mention he is really good and saying the word " dada" and absolutely awful at saying " mama" maybe he's waiting for my birthday because he doesn't know what to get me. 

Bentley is a pretty good eater, he's adamant on feeding himself though. Some days I feel like I blinked and my baby turned one (now he's almost 15 months--whoa!! Slow down time) It goes by really really fast. 

Lastly one thing about Bentley that is really odd/unique/not normal for babies is he likes men. Like a lot! I remember hearing that kids tended to be more comfortable around women. Yah, no- not Bentley. He will gladly sit with a man he's just met at church then with me. I'm not sure how I feel about it. This has happened most weeks at church where he will make friends with a man during the Sunday school lesson and even walks to him over me. One time a husband tried to hand him to his wife and Bentley didn't want anything to do with her, he just wanted the husband. He's a guys guy I suppose, maybe that's why he can't say "mama" yet. 

I sure love my little ones, they make life fun and exciting and exhausting all at the same time. 

Matthew is doing good at being a husband, friend, Dad, student and homemaker. He is working hard at Mount Royal University and has 1 more year of his current program before he can apply to get his teaching degree. There are still a number of years of school in our future, but it all pays off in the end. Right? Please say I'm right. When he's at school I'm at home with the kids, and when he's home I'm either at home too or working. We are getting better at juggling our schedules and trying to balance it all. I am working as a personal trainer, it is going well. I love helping people lead healthier lives. It is still a struggle to leave my kids to go to work, but I know it's what I need to do for our family. I am grateful I get to do something I love to do while helping to support our family.  

Well I think that's enough for tonight.

Take care friends--Angela is signing off. 

Here are some family shots :) from back in January 2014.... So long ago!!