Long Lost Love List

Wow...it's Friday already! As long as the week seems to be taking...Friday always seems to creep up on me!? This week was no different! So - forgetting the fact that I haven't had one of these in a ba-zillion weeks, let's just count down this weeks top ten!

.:1:. For sure - numero uno on this week's list would have to be my family! Jim and I have been enjoying the girls SO MUCH as of late! The stages that they're both at are so enjoyable! We are just savouring these moments we have!

.:2:. A new job title: "Kindergarten Teacher"! I wasn't too sure how much I'd enjoy this knowing that I have currently been teaching Gr. 5/6/7 - switching between the two could cause some major preferences in my attitude! But, this is not the case! When I am with my bigs, I love them! And when I am with my smalls, I love them! Yay!! This position is so specific too, with the concentration being on me working with the Native children in the class and trying to get them to grade-level - working with them, contacting their home support and trying to create a home/school relationship! So fun!!

.:3:. Training for my second Half-Marathon! I love having a running partner this time - the encouragement and accountability! Tomorrow we're set to do a 16k!

.:4:. Sunny days...particularly those of late! It is so enjoyable to get home after work and have the afternoon sun to take the girls out for a walk!

.:5:. Orzo - I know - pretty shallow thing to love, but hey...me and food are like this (crosses fingers)!! And this week I had the pleasure to meet Rachael Ray's Cheesy Orzo along-side some Chicken Parmesan!! Yumm! Definitely one to add to my weekly rotation...and a hit for the girls too!!

.:6:. Counting down to my 10K race with my dear friend! She has wanted to get into running for a while, but didn't have the drive! So...being the loving, caring friend I am...I signed her up for the Fort Langley Historic Half - the 10K version! Yay! I'm looking forward to going with her through her first race experience! Just another thing to add to our list of "Things we've been through together!"

.:7:. Watching Karys create her first pieces of art! I had just been talking to someone about how Karys hadn't yet started drawing anything that looked like...anything! And then...voila! She starts pumping out characters left and right! And, as any Mum would think, "She's pretty good!"

*note: the little lines under the "eyes" of this person are said to be tears, "because she's a sad girl, Mummy" - and I am hoping that Jim is wrong in his assumption that she's drawing sad girls because that's how she feels inside! :(

.:8:. Being able to french-braid Avery's hair! She's got so much, I've gotta do something with it!

.:9:. Looking forward to what God has in store for our lives in the near future!

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.:10:. Early Valentine's! Tomorrow, after my 16K, Jim and I are heading into the big city for the night to enjoy some surprise hockey tickets! Canucks vs. Blackhawks!! We're SO looking forward to wandering Robson, taking in a Hockey game, and spending some time with his Oma and Opa!

Hope your weekend proves to be enjoyable!

Friday's Love List....

Well - here it goes....

I love that it's our Anniversary today!! We've made it to the big 0-5!! Five years!! Who would have thought that we would have come so far in what seems, looking back, to be such a short time! We've lived in four different houses and one barn!! We've survived me completing my University degree! We have had at least five different jobs between us! We have driven 4 different vehicles! We've excitedly picked-up AND dropped off 2 puppies! We've driven across the country! We survived a year in 100 Mile!! And...amidst it all...we've been blessed to welcome 2 beautiful, healthy girls into our family!! Yay to you and me Babe!!

I love that it's Friday, hence the Love List! But also because it's the Friday that begins the Christmas holiday! As of 1:30 this afternoon, my Christmas holidays officially begin!! And I will enjoy 14 blissFULL days off!! Yay to days off!
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I love that it's going to be a white Christmas here! "Why?" you may ask...and I would reply "Because I know it surely won't last until May!!"
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I love that, in my procrastination fashion, the girls' birthday pajamas are still sitting, in pieces, on our dining room table! Not sewn! Not wearable! Not done! Not that I truly love that...but in my mind it's a project...hence the procrastination! Had it simply been a whim, and not dubbed as "Birthday Jammies" they'd have been done long ago!! arg....
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I love that Karys is now loving her preschool! This past week when I dropped her off, she said "Bye Mummy" right after I parked the car!! I reminded her that I needed to take her in first and she said "Oh...okay!" She loves it there and I know it's because of the wonderful teachers who care for her! Here she is proudly sporting her Christmas present from her teachers...
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And...along those same lines...I love that she's starting to bring art home! I love that she does these pieces of art and presents them to me so proudly!! Here's her "Hand and Foot Angel"!!

And last one for today...I love my babies! And how different that are!! So...for today...representing the letter T and brought to you by the word thankful...I say:

One of these things (read: girls) is not like the other!

A long and lean ballerina who loves all things to do with ballerina stuff...

And a Beanie...made up to look like a Ballerina! My Chunky Cherub!

So...here's hoping that your holidays have begun! That your baking is almost done! That your presents are all purchased! And...that you're looking forward to spending some quality time with some quality people!

Blessings to you and yours...

Friday Love List - Seriously!

I know...it's been a while hey??

Well, I can't really claim that it's going to be anything close to the typical Love Lists, but at least it's something...I figure!!

So here it goes...in no particular order...or numbering!

This week I love: my tacked-together-wedding band! Eggnog lattes! Enjoying the idea of snow, but glad to not be stuck in it...like last year! Work...it's great - makes things adventurous...to say the least! In conjunction with the last point - my staff!! LOVE who I get to work with!! Fridays...not that we do anything too extraordinary, but they're nice!! Christmas Concert at my work! It went so well! I wish I had a "real" class to be proud of! Karys' creativity! She is TOO funny! I asked her to dress up warmly tonight for heading outside and she came out...PRICELESS! I need to post that video! Avery...and the fact that, even with Croup, she is so happy! Looking at nice little houses and imagining our little family making it a home! Can't wait! Looking forward to having a weekend to do things that I want to do! I hope to make the girls PJ's - still!! And...get some Christmas baking done!! Butter Tar squares...sugar cookies...ginger gems...homemade Turtles...Thumbprint Cookies...we'll see how much we get done:)

So...that's it for here! Hope you all have a great weekend and have something in it that makes you happy!

~blessings...

Friday LoveList...Forgotten!

Whoa - life has taken over!!

These days it has been

seeming to simply...

consume me!

Work is demanding a lot

and then when I get home,

all I want to do is spend time

with my girls!

And then Jim gets home and...

you ALL know how it goes!!

And yet,

somehow,

you ALL

still have time

to post!

WOW!

You amaze me!

Seriously!

Because, for some reason...

I can't do it all!

And this...

is this first thing

to get crossed off

my list of things-to-do!

So...here I sit,

without my day-plan ready

for the morning!
But needing a place to vent,

a place to pour out

the overflowing consciousness

of my never-ending train

of thought!

Aren't you lucky!

Having to sit thru this

seeming endless,

confusing,

stream of babble!

Lucky!

I am...

Lucky!

Really! (or blessed!)

Blessed to have what I have...

be a Mum to 2 beautiful girls...

married to a wonderful man...

know what I know...

live where I live...

friends who love me...

a Mum who cares...

incredible colleagues...

health...

minimal concerns...

and a God who knows me...

loves me...

cares about what matters to me...

and knows how it will all turn out!

Amen!

Friday Love List

The week has come to and end...again:) And so a list is in order...two times in order I suppose, seeing as how I totally missed last week! But we'll stick to getting through one to begin with:) And then...see if maybe I can get my act in gear to come up with another...soon!

.:1:. Bringing Karys and Avery to a birthday party for a friend! So much fun for both them and myself, seeing as how I got to hang out with a great friend, whom I haven't seen in over a year!!

It was a "bee" theme!

And Karys enjoyed the cake...

Thoroughly!! ...she was the only kid left at the table, savouring the last morsels!


Overall...great time with great people!

.:2:. Spending a whole day (which flew by and still seemed WAY too short) with my best friends from highschool! - minus one who is in South Africa at the moment! We had such a great time and it is always so refreshing to get back together with people who really know you! Thanks gals...I loved it!!

.:3:. Spending time as a family soaking up (literally) life of the Coast! On this particual venture, Karys and I brought Avery and Jim down to the Provincial Park to show them the spawning salmon! This is something I have grown up doing, being that this wonder of nature takes places, virtually, in my back yard - so it was very fun for me to start the tradition with my own family! However, I plan of leaving out the early tradition my family participated in - the making and sharing of fish-head and or fish eye and or fish egg soup!

The forest looks like it's in techni-colour!

Ooops! Someone didn't see a huge root sticking out of the forest floor!


.:4:. The season of traditions - Thanksgiving, Halloween, Rememberance Day, and Christmas! I'm just so glad for this time of year and having kids to share it with! The other night the girls and I went out the the store to pick up our pumpkins! Karys even seemed to vaguely remember us doing this last year in our "white house" - as she refers to our home in 108 Mile! So we got our pumpkins home - Karys designated which one was hers and which was Avery's and we began the carving process! And then, the next day, she was able to bring the toasted seeds to Preschool for their communal snack-time!...yum!

Choosing!

Karys...not seeming to recall how slimey this job really is!

Let's use a spoon instead!

Karys...thinking that her Pumpkin must be a bit hungry!

Avery...not too sure what this thing is doing on her tray!

Although they both look a tad aprehensive, they were actually quite taken with their pumpkin heads!!

.:5:. Committing to another run!! Yay! This time it's a 10k in Fort Langley! I am so glad to have signed up for it as I am hoping it will give me the push I need to get back out running regularily! And...I am hoping to be running it with two of those highschool friends!

.:6:. Hockey! I know I probably had this one on another previous list - but I love hockey...so I'll put it on again! And although the Canucks are recently being compared to the volitile stock market in the way they're performing, Luongo just got a shut-out last night! So...maybe it's a sign of an upward trend!

.:7:. Slowly getting the girls' rooms in order! We now have them moved to the rooms they will be calling "theirs" while we are here! And we are slowly getting the walls prepped for the paint! Now...to choose a paint colour! I wish Sarah Richardson was my friend!

...oh man! I think that's enough for now! But let's just say #'s 8-10 are to be continued! I am obviously looking forward to tonight and will have pics to post of the girls once they get made-up, but if I stay in here any longer I will have no time to get ready! So...stay tuned and have a great night!

Friday Love List

Well - another week, another list:)
No sweet talking...here it goes...

.:1:. Thanksgiving!! We have so much to be thankful for, and I was glad for the time with family to be able to bring that into perspective!! Although it also brings a LOT of other things into perspective as well...but whose family is all together right?!? Being positive, we are blessed! Truly! This year was very different from last year - being up north and having our own place, we were able to invite people over and I made the whole meal:) This year, being at my Mom's, she was in charge of the turkey and I made some delicious Cranberry Sauce...

from scratch!

Some stuffing...

from scratch and tried a new recipe for brussel sprouts - which was a hit!! An oxymoron, I'm sure, to those of you who feel the same way towards brussel sprouts as Jim! But for those of us who enjoy the added vitamin-intake...they were de-lish!

Oh Right...and who could forget my pumpkin pie?! YUM! Overall - a great day! Especially for the fact that I made it to that day!! Being one day after the Half Marathon...it was questionable for a while there:)

.:2:. My Dad...my Hero...my Inspiration to push past the stereotypes and strive for something greater! My teacher...for setting high personal goals and stopping at nothing to achieve them! Yup...I love him! And, on Wednesday, it was 9 years since he died! I can't believe that it's been that long! But in a way, it's encouraging! To know we ARE making it! We can do life without him. And, although we'd never choose to, there was a point in my family's life where we all felt as though life may stop, and we wouldn't be able to go on. But it didn't...and we are! And we are better for it! So, this week (actually, ever day, but this week in particular) I am reminded of the Man he was and how I long to emulate that!

.:3:. Finding out about community programs!! Love it!! I just found out about one put on by our school district that readies kids for Kindergarten - but it goes from birth - 5 years! So it's all about the things you can do in your home that will encourage and support learning so that your child will enter Kindergarten and experience things that are familiar rather than foreign! Anyhow - I just went to my first class for Avery this past week and it was great!! SO many things I can/will be doing with her! Can't wait for next week when I can find out some new things to do with Karys!

.:4:. Blustery, rainy days:) Love them! Not for too many day consecutively, but a few here and there! I love being warm and cozy and having the option of going outside for a walk and getting completely drenched! ....or not:)

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.:5:. Silence! In a house that constantly has any number of people coming and going...Jim, my Mum and I have been trying to figure out ways to keep our down time mellow! So...right now that looks like no TV and dim lighting....with a bit of soft music in the background, sometimes! Nice! I have also been leaving the TV off any time I am home during the days too, which is great!Not that the girls are any less noisy, but that's to be expected, and quite welcome! It's all that other noise pollution we can do without!

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.:6:. Finally getting to use my 'teacher' clothes! Not that they're anything to write home about, but definitely a step up from my 'mom' clothes! These garments have been packed three different times now in hopes of eventually being pulled out and used and now is the time!

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.:7:. This short work week! There's something about them that just makes things more manageable!? Even in the attitudes of my kids at school...don't know what it is, but I'll take it!

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.:8:. Finding Karys' birthday present on our teacher's buy and sell! What a surprise...and a good deal too! I wasn't really even looking for anything because we knew we were getting here a duvet set to help with her move from a toddler bed to a twin bed - which I don't see her having any issues with at all! But when I popped into our buy and sell and saw this really cute day-bed for sale, I inquired about it right away! And I got it! Yay! So I guess it's a bedroom themed birthday this year:)

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.:9:. That my coffee mug is done from a pottery party I went to with M! And by her needing to get it for me, it means that we'll just have to have another girly day together! Looking forward to it!

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.:10:. And...just really having it "sink in" that we are here...to stay! I know, we've been here for a month an a half already so you'd think we'd get it by now, but we're slow and we just really didn't see ourselves being here so soon! So...the novelty hasn't worn off because it's still sinking in:) And it's nice!

Here's hoping you have a great weekend - some quality time with quality people!

Friday Love List

Well folks! A new horizon is upon us....err...uh....okay then, maybe just upon me;) Only two more sleeps until my first Half Marathon!! And although I am positive that I could presently compile a list of my fears leading up to and during the race - most of which remain unfounded - I will remain positive and not bore you with my antics!

Rather, I'll simply let you know, in no particular order, what I am enjoying as of late! First and foremost...HOCKEY HAS RETURNED!! Life is good!! And, to add to that overall goodness, incase you live in a cave and were "unable" to watch last night's game in Vancouver, the Canucks dedicated their first game of the season to Luc Bourdon (who died this past summer) and they won 6-0! Luongo got a shut-out!!! Way to start the season!!

I know you're wondering what could top that right?? Well, again these are in no particular order! So the next thing I am particularily fond of these days is the crisp weather!

I love wearing all the cozy, warm Fall clothes!

I love that my hair-dresser is only 20 steps away and that she's going to attempt to fix my creative measures in half an hour:)

I love the (please remember that I use the term "love" in many scenarios of my life - overdramatically in some cases! So where I say it regarding trivial matters, it would not mean that I feel the same way as when I say I love my children)...now that that's clear...I love the book I am reading! The Shack - if you haven't heard of it yet, is refered to as "the modern day Pilgrim's Progress!" And although I have yet to get half way through it, I am already contemplating buying 923849875 copies to give away to anyone who happens upon me:)

I love that we are not still living in 100 Mile! Not that I didn't 'enjoy' it while we were there - it was where we knew God wanted us! But, we are extremely thankful for where He has us now!

I love my morning coffee - which is currently almost cold because it is taking me so long to do this!

I love that we have a cozy place to stay when we head out to Kelowna this afternoon! And by cozy I mean - clean, good company, welcoming, and free! Thanks Dawn:)

I love that my Mum has decided to spare the girls (and I honestly did feel bad for them suffering through the monotony of such a long drive/ quick stay) the stuck-in-their-carseats-for-way-too-long drive to Kelowna and instead has offered to keep them! Which means Jim and I have 2 days together! Yay!

And this one may sound mean...but I love it when Avery cries! Not in the way you are thinking - she's just so cute, that when she cries and is truly sad about something she just looks that much cuter, and she'll let me cuddle her:)

And...I love that when I log back into blogger, I will be doing so as a Half Marathon FINISHER!!
So...this is me signing off and hoping you have a great Thanksgiving weekend! Counting your blessings and being reminded of the many things in life you have to be thankful for:)

Catchya Later...

Friday's Love List....

Whoa...that was quick!! I thought time flew when I stayed home! It goes 2x as fast when I'm at home and at work! So...here's my attempt to remember the 10 things I enjoyed about this week!

.:1:. The wedding is DONE! Man, what a feat! We enjoyed 2/3's of the ceremony! Given that it ended up being 3 hours long, I think we did pretty good! And, I think that we all were glad to be able to expereince such a unique ceremony - with tradition dancers and drummers! The girls behaved beautifully!!

.:2:. Vegging with friends - after we invited ourselves over! HA!! Jim needed somewhere/thing to escape to and look forward to after getting through with the wedding, so I invited ourselves over to our friends' place and we enjoyed their company! But, I'll refrain from speaking for them and saying they enjoyed our venting!

.:3:. That it's Friday! Duh...I know...but this week, in particular, was a challenge to get through! My sister and her 'husband' left for a week after their wedding and my Mom volunteered to watch their daughter. Now, all of this would have been fine had we never moved in with her! But seeing as how she had made the commitment long before she even knew we were moving, she was obviously going to stick to it! What that meant for us was that we had a house with 3 kids aged 2 1/2 and under! Suffice it to say "I am so glad that my kids are mine! And they are sooo good!"

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.:4:. My daughter's creativity!! I came out into the backyard the other afternoon, fearing what I would find! Given that Karys had been back there for a while, very quietly, I think my fear was justified! But, to my surprise, this is what I found!! She had creatively crafted herself a resting place...in the sandbox!

.:5:. My creativity! I know..tooting my own horn...but I remember as a child how much I LOVED making forts! And, the other night we had some down time and didn't want to watch TV! So, I decided to introduce Karys to the art of "fort-making"!

I think she liked it!

.:6:. Avery's new, oh-so-true shirt...and her ever increasing cuteness!! I still could eat her up...entirely!

Sit still....Thank you:)

.:7:. The new view I get to enjoy while running! Nothing else like it!

.:8:. Finding things out:) This week, both Jim and I were able to find out what we'd both be making at our jobs! I know it sounds silly, but both of us did accept and begin our jobs with no knowledge of what we'd be getting paid!! But something is better than nothing!! Anyhow - it's nice to know!

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.:9:. Baking...love doing it and consuming it!! Should do more of the former and less of the latter!! But, either way, it's enjoyable to create and taste the results! Unfortunately, nothing I make ever lasts as long as it is expected to!

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.:10:. And....tonight's dinner! Home-made pizza! Mmmmm! Always enjoyable and even moreso when there's a bit of dough left over to make fresh cinnamon buns...which I did!!

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~So, that's all folks! Enjoy your weekend!

Friday's Love List...

Well, I am a blogging slacker!! I have noticed a sad pattern in my posts as of late...only on Fridays:( So sorry for my reader! I will get in a grrove one day, and then I will have the time and desire to update you on my life! But, right now...no groove=no blog! Except on Friday:) Here it goes...

.:1:. That I made it through my first week on School!! In my first real job!!! I don't know if it just hasn't sunk in yet...or, iwth me, if it will EVER sink in, but it's so much fun!! Fun in a way that makes me think "this is gonna end soon...it's can't be this enjoyable all the time...can it?" Well, I'll take the postive perspective and outlook and say "YES, it CAN be this enjoyable!"

.:2:. My kids - biological and non! All together I have 24!! And they're all so different and unique and I am glad that they are mine to help...I only hope that I can do them justice!!

.:3:. Getting home from work and finding out that Daddy took Karys on a date to the beach!

.:4:. Photocopying - yup...love it!! And maybe that novelty will wear off as well, but when I have something to photocopy, it means I have something planned which makes me feel accomplished - for that moment at least:)

.:5:. Finding out about friends' babies arriving!!! Welcome Mason and Ezra!! Hope I can meet you two soon!! Way to go Kels and Kel!!!

.:6:. Getting UNDER an hour on my 10k this past Sunday! I know...for some out there, that's nothing to blink at, but I am slow! And under and hour was a goal for me:)

.:7:. That Jim and the girls were able to be at the race with me!! I love having a cheering section, and it doesn't happen often, so this time was GREAT! SO nice to know that your running across the finish line to celebrate with someone...not just for yourself!!

.:8:. Making connections...Jim just started his job this week and he's getting to know people around town! It's nice that he's making his own connection here now so it won't just be me feeling "at home!"

.:9:. Dressing the girls up in matching dresses! I know...visions of therepy in their future, but they look cute and it's only occasionally!! So, for this wedding we have tomorrow, they'll be twins! Thanks Lisa!!

.:10:. And...to end it all on my bestest note...FALL!!! I LOVE FALL!! I love getting out the warm clothes, I love the foggy/cloudy days, I love the smell of the leaves turning colour - YES, you can smell them changing - I love the idea of school-time around Thanksgiving, I love that this year we will be able to enjoy the crisp weather without it taking 20 mintues to get ready, and that we'll be able to breath outside without our lungs closing shut, I love that it gives me an excuse to start doing baking with spices in it, and more than anything, I love that it means we're evn closer to...Christmas!!!

FRIDAY'S LOVE LIST!!!!!

Yipppeeeee!! I am soo excited to do today's post!! Not that my news will be anything that exciting for friends on Facebook, but I have been waiting to blog about this topic for what seems like FOREVER!!! So, let's get started!!

.:1:. Getting my first, official teaching job! Like a real contract! No more TOCing this year!! No more making tentative plans, based only on whether I get called in at 6AM!! I have an official school, with the greatest staff and the best children!! Not including mine, of course!! The school where I will be working is one that I have been involved with since 2000! So, I have a connection there that I was really hoping, and praying, I would be able to strengthen! And now I have the chance! Although I am freaked out of my mind, because following the "Teacher's" day plan now means following MY day plan, I am also very excited about this new opportunity!

.:2:. What could top #1?? Nothing really, but there ARE still good things happening that can make up the rest of the list!! So, next would be....getting to finally go out to our favorite restaurant here on the Coast - and with a purpose of celebrating!! This pasta place is to die for! And although Karys was pretty grouchy, the food made up for the whispered threats being made across the table to a 2 1/2 year old who refused to enjoy any aspect of life! ...until we were right about to leave!! Of course!

.:3:. The newly realized reality of some semblance of routine that is soon to be present in our lives! WOW!! We haven't had "routine" in our life for...EVER! Now with both Jim and I acquiring relatively full-time work, we're gonna really have to be on the ball with meals, schedules, etc!

.:4:. Surprises...and no longer having to keep secrets!! This past Wednesday I hosted a Bridal Shower for my older sister, who is getting married in 2 weeks!! And, as much as I love surprises - giving and receiving - I am not a good 'hider'! Like I kept leaving pieces of paper that had shower plans/menu ideas on them and my sister kept finding them! Leaving the awkward silence more awkward to fill!! Anyhow - it went off without a hitch and fun was had by all!!

.:5:. Enjoying the reality of living in a small town - walking distance to everywhere!! This week I have had the pleasure of taking the girls wherever I go!! Not that I used to leave them when I went somewhere, but simply having to load them into the stroller and walk away just seems so much more convenient! And, when Avery is down for one of her marathon naps, and Karys and I are getting bored, we enjoy taking the 2 block walk into town and either going to visit the library (awesome-books-overload!!), or strolling through the mall, or even going a bit further down to the beach!! It is good to be back home...to stay!!

.:6:. Having this week off before getting this new job - and although it didn't feel like a blessing at the time, when I kept being NOT called in - both Jim and I have had a good week to get small things done and just feel that much more settled-in before getting fully involved in "working" life!!

.:7:. The thought of being "housewifey" in a more deliberate way!! With the reality of Jim returning to a more normal job in a few days, I have been itching to get my Bosch machine out and make those fateful "work buns"! The buns that he has had in his lunch every day since he started work! Yup, no joke! I mean his mom's are 100x better than mine, but if there's bun in the freezer that what he takes!! So, I am hoping to get them baked off this weekend! Where I'll find the time is another question!!

.:8:. Veggie Platters! What?!?! I know - seems pretty lame! But, I love the ever-ready healthiness of those freshly cut-up crunchy sticks! And as yummy as they are, I never feel guilty for my over-consumption!! So, because of hosting a shower, I have been enjoying the residual contents of the veggie/fruit platters ever since! Why I don't make up my own fruit/veggie platters for no apparent reason is beyond me, but maybe THAT'S why...no apparent reason!!

.:9:. My hubby's newly found desire to join me for my runs!! YAY!!!! And although I can never go as far when he decides to come, I am always up for company for ANY distance, rather than no company for a long distance!

.:10:. Getting mentally prepared to run the Half Marathon!! The deadline is fast approaching and I know that things are way more mental than physical! So, I am continually prepping my mind for getting thru those miles!! Although, my training is very much lacking!! I am planning on doing the 10k Terry Fox run here in 2 weeks and then have 2 weeks until the Half!! And then my running partner and I will train for another Half that takes place HERE on the Coast in April and I am planning on doing the SunRun again too!! So, as long as I keep my legs moving, I am hoping that all of these goals are attainable!

~ So, that's it for me this week!! I hope yours went well too! And, hope you enjoy your weekend!!

Yesterday's Love List!!

I KNOW!!! I've been MIA for a while! But, all in good reason! I promise!! With this move and settling in and going to work and needing to pack up the rest of the house...I've been a bit preoccupied!

Anyhoo...enough excuses, at least it's only one day late, and not non-existent!! Here goes this week's list.....

.:1:. Today is Avery's Nine Month Birthday!!!!!!!!!!! wahhhhhhh!!! My baby is getting soooo big!! And as much as that is a good thing, because she's learning and thriving and oh-so-cute - I just wish I had my bitty baby back!! Nothing lasts forever, but I sure wish newborns and kittens did!!

.:2:. ummm...next would be...Nailing a 20km run in honour of my baby's nine month b-day and MY birthday present to ME! Yup...I did it!! 20km clocked and only 1.1 left to reach my goal of a Half Marathon!! Whoa - only one month left!!

.:3:. One last trip up to the Cariboo to say goodbye and finish packing up the rest of the house! Not that I enjoyed doing all that packing, but I loved that we got to go alone, that we had a lot of help, and that we were able to pay one last visit to a place that was nice to call "home" for a year!!

.:4:. The newly found excitement of being involved! Now that we are in a place we hope to remain, we are excited about planting roots and getting involved! There are so many opportunities here for us and, primarily, the girls!! I am looking into getting Karys into Music and Dance! So exciting!!

.:5:. My first call into work! I know that some may turn their noses up to the 6am call into work at "such and such" a school, with "so and so" aged children...but I am soooo glad to be back on the TOC list, and am welcoming those wee AM phone calls!! This week I went in for a Gr.6 class with no day-plan! So, we made decorations for their next day "Fun Day" and played outside!! Whoa - hold back your excitement!!

.:6:. Sushi...mmmmmmmm!! Mom called us on our way back down to the coast to see if we would like to order Sushi for dinner?! DUH!! We've been living in Hicksville! Read: Sushi is an anomaly! Of course we'd enjoy some sushi!! And enjoy.we.did!

.:7:. Getting to run my first (and hopefully not last) 20 km run around one of the nicest routes in the province!! My only regret is that I didn't snag any pics of it before we left! But imagine if you will: a dirt trail, around two adjoining lakes, through a heritage site, the middle of nowhere! Yup...it's that nice!! Even when your limping and trying to stop the back spasms!
Looks a little something like this....

.:8:. Getting back in touch with all the people I have tried to forget about for the past year! If you don't know me that well, I am a people-person! Relationships are very important to me and although I don't have many friends, the ones I have are very special to me! SO, given this recent move, MUCH closer than before, I am excited to be more of a part of those lives I've missed! And meet those babies that are soon to arrive!! Come ON Baby Ens!!!!

.:9:. Missing my babies! I know some may consider us selfish and/or awful parents for not taking our girls with us for the 1 1/2 day treck up to the Cariboo and back...but (as bad as it may sound) the break was nice. And it really help us both realize that life is NOTHING without them!! We are so blessed with the children we have!! And...absence does make the heart grow fonder, if not for but a moment! Until #1 starts to reef on #2's hair and watch her scream...I think there was even a slight bit of glee in her eyes!

.:10:. Now...this is a happy/sad one! As much as I LOVE birthdays...especially mine...I am getting to an age in my life where I just want the numbers to cease increasing!! I really liked the ring of "26"!! But seeing as how that is long past (;P), I figure I'll simply cling to the ease at which those numbers flow off my tongue! So, yup, tomorrow's my Birthday! I still get "little girl" excited about it, and..."little girl" disappointed at the lack of attention it is paid as of late - what with babies and jobs, who has time to celebrate?! However, I still hold on to that little ray of hope...that one day...some day....someone may throw me a HUGE surprise birthday party! And then all those years of waiting will have paid off! And...until then, I'll be happy for the ways in which my loved ones show their gratitude for my entering the world!

So...hope your week/wkend have been enjoyable! And I hope that this - meals, life, sleeping patterns...and Blogging - will soon regain feelings of normalcy!

Friday Love List

Ahhh...another week has come and gone!! And I have yet to do *gasp* a load of laundry!!! You see, I am a pro when it comes to procrastination!! And, given that we returned from a trip to the coast last Sunday evening, and Jim had to return to work first thing Monday morning, I figured I'd "keep him company" - read: avoid doing all the necessary house-keeping that is involved with returning from a trip! And given that this week has been one filled with nice weather, I figured, "May as well continue going to the lake!!" So, here we are, it's Friday again and I must face reality! I am house-bound today in hopes to get a handle on all things going awray, and what am I doing...blogging! But I figured I couldn't keep my faithful reader(s) waiting for my list! So...here it is!

.:1:. Definitely at the top for this week is completing my 15km run on Thursday morning! Man was I dreading this one! Not like adding one km to my agenda makes the whole thing impossible, but it's a mental thing! Yup, I'm mental!! And 15k freaked me out!! But I changed up my route a bit and psyched myself out into thinking it was like two different runs!

.:2:. Having company at the lake! You see, it is a vast amount of property intended to be used by many, but up until now, nobody has taken the offer! So this week there were 3 different families camping with us and it was nice! Along with that, Jim's cousins were also camping nearby and they came over for 2 afternoons to swim and play with my girls! So nice for Karys especially!

.:3:. Watching Avery's new little discoveries, that turn into an added point on my "to-do" list! (must lower crib!)

.:4:. Going to Car Shows with Jim! Especially ones on the Coast! We have gone to this one on the Coast for the past 5 years and thought that this year would be one we'd have to miss, but thanks to my generous Gramma, we were able to enjoy another Sleepy Hollow show! I know that there are many ladies out there who may go to these thing under duress, but I enjoy them because I know how much he enjoys them! And then I get a chance to make some artistic attempts at photography!

.:5:. Cute little toes...my favorite regardless! But even cuter when pink!

.:6:. Super savings! I know it may be nonsense to some, but when I see a good deal in a weekly flyer, I get happy! And this week's deal was no different!! You see, when I head out for my weekly "long run," I make sure to have a hearty amount of high calorie sugar water with me, aka: Powerade/Gatorade! And up until this week, I had simply been purchasing them at our local gas station for a little over $2 each! Imagine my surprise, and almost shock, when I saw that Save-On Foods (whose name I feel is false advertising in itself!) had these said drinks on sale: 20 for $10!! That's 50 cents each people! Whoa! So, now before those long runs all I have to do is take a wander downstairs and choose from my plethora of sweetness!

.:7:. Crossing things off my list of "things to do" - when I am at home I usually make a list every morning and cross things off as they get done! And...today, I have yet to cross anything off!

.:8:. Spicy stuff! Like as in HOT! I have recently been hoover-ing my way through a Costco-sized jar of banana peppers that I couldn't pass up, and am so glad I didn't pass up! You see, I love spicy stuff, but could never justify spending $5 on a teeny jar of peppers at "Rip-Off" (save-on) - so, the last time we were at Costco and I saw this jar for $3.79 I thought it had to be wrong!! But I wasn't, so my life is now spiced!

.:9:. Learning new things! Like how to make the background of your photo fuzzy when you don't have a SLR! It is something I am determined to figure out now that I know I can manually adjust my camera! It is the figuring-it-out part that I am interested in and I have yet to have the time to sit down and experiment/read the manual! But, one day, I will and I will be glad!

.:10:. And, best for last, sitting down with Karys and watching my all-time favorite childhood movie...Annie! She is seeming to enjoy it as much as I! We have watched it twice already!!

So...off I go, feeling a bit like Cinderella herself! But, it must be done, so go I will, and do!

Friday Love List...

Here's hoping that things will start looking up!

.:1:. Finishing 14kms for the second time!! Although not having anyone to run with is a bit challenging, 14k is 14k! Maybe a bit easier when endured with company!!

.:2:. Being able to surprise my Mom and Grandma with a short visit to the coast - from which, I am presently blogging!!

.:3:. Changing up - after a minor catastrophe - the look of my blog! Ahhh, purple! Me love purple!

.:4:. Hamburgers! Given the copious amounts of beef residing in my deep freeze, I don't have much of a choice when it comes to what kind of meat I'll be serving! But I do have a choice in the cut, and how I will prepare it!! And sometimes - often times - the cut I choose is "ground" and the method I use for prep is "mixed and mashed"! I honestly love homemade hamburgers and find it sacrilege to purchase the store-bought version! So, as of late, we have been partaking in our fair share of these literal "hand-fulls"!

.:5:. "The Next Food Network Star" - there are not many shows that I can attest to faithfully watching, and even this one is hard for me to remember! But when it shows up on the guide, it is a must-view!! Love it!

.:6:. Letting Karys play "dress-up"! I know that I could avoid a lot of mess if I would simply avoid going along with her wishes, but when she gets that perfect outfit together that makes her feel "just so," the joy that fills her eyes is priceless! And, frankly, I just put myself in her shoes ... I would want someone to help me fulfill my momentary desires!

.:7:. Enjoying an incredibly delicious meal - ocean-front!

.:8:. Knowing that in one month, my worries will no longer be! Not that they are anything serious, but simply having things hanging over me is unsettling! I can only trust and surrender!

.:9:. The start of the Olympics!! I love the Olympics and watching whatever it is that is broadcasted at the moment I flick on the telly! Who knows how much that will be this year, with such stiff competition as Franklin and Backyardigans...but I'll enjoy what I can get!

.:10:. "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord... "Plans to give you a hope and a future" ~Jer. 29:11! What better promise exists?!

~Hoping you have a great weekend...doing whatever it is that makes a weekend enjoyable for you!

Saturday's Love List

Well, I have never been one for sticking to any type of a schedule, so here's this week's list...on Saturday!!

.:1:. Definitely my number one, top of the list, best thing this week, is finally being able to run with company!! My how much lighter the load, when carried alongside a friend!! I have been running for over 5 months now and my only companion has been some music! So when I had the opportunity to join a friend this weekend for a jaunt down the dusty, ankle-busting-rock covered, critter-loaded Canim Lake road, I jumped at it! I didn't care what time she had in mind! And run we did - amongst some highland dancing impressions - whatever the case, it was enjoyed...by all! Thanks again KJ!!

.:2:. Staying along the same lines...my next best thing this week...finishing the longest run of my life, to date! What a mental challenge!! 14 kms done...unfortunately, converting this mileage into miles in order to make the 21kms sound like a much more manageable 13 miles, makes my 14 km accomplishment not sound so impressive! So let's just stick with the big numbers, all around!

.:3:. Okay, changing gears here, next up would have to be Avery's newest habit/talent! There is no rhyme nor reason for her to do her bit, nor can I yet get her to do it on command, but this "Acting tough"/ "being a pirate" still makes us laugh...every time she does it!!

.:4:. Seeing Karys share with her little sister! And the joy that brings to all! Obviously, the fact that it has made my list goes to show you that we are having sharing issues in this house...as of late!

.:5:. Making my husband smile...it is pretty easy, but this is one seriously happy man - once he figured out how to work it!

.:6:. Avery's first teeth...visible! I know it's a stretch, but they're there and we're proud of her!

.:7:. New recipes - seriously...I love trying new things and even more when they turn out!! So...let me know some of your faves, please!!! My family is soo tired of the same old same old!

.:8:. Our surprise reimbursement from...the government!! Whoa...they actually admit when they owe you money?!?! This time they did, but we have an inkling that that money has more to do with God blessing us rather than the government fessing up to what they owed us!

.:9:. The afternoon hours of silence in my home when both girls are down, the chores are done and I get to sit and...journal...read...bask in the silence!

.:10:. Did I mention I was really glad to have someone to run with this morning?? Oh...well...I did really enjoy it! And, hope you are able to enjoy this "long" weekend - quoted as such, because when you work for/with family, holidays don't really matter! There's many other perks though...right?! Anyhow...enjoy!

Friday Love List

Whew...is it me or did this week seem to fly by?! Feels like I just did one of these (hee hee)!! Here's this week's list....

.:1:. http://www.picnik.com/ ...absolutely LOVE this web-page!! Here's an example of time well-wasted!

.:2:. Cute kids who love playing with my cute kid!

.:3:. Little gifts! While at the lake, Jim's mom surprised Karys with a really cute pair of Levi's and me with a set of 3 brightly coloured, extremely comfy tank tops! Oh how I love getting things:)

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.:4:. Playing with the girls in the Lake - minus the part where I heartlessly threw a leech onto the shore it the hopes of it's ultimate demise!

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.:5:. Morning runs at the Lake! Such fresh air when there's endless acres of forest!! Although, 14 kms anywhere still sounds a tad daunting (KJ!!)

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.:6:. My smarty-pants...

.:7:. A good night's sleep - having just spent time at the lake where our room is Karys' room is Avery's room, my bed in my room with wall separating my from them is a very welcoming and anticipated thought!!

.:8:. The ease at which I can please my family when my heart (forgive me) isn't into making dinner! Seriously - and, no, it wasn't KD! That stuff only held a space on our shelves when I was pregnant:o)

.:9:. Unexpected blessings that are definite proof that God cares - always, but particularly in our time of need!

.:10:. And...finally...my overly vocal #2! I thought Karys was loud:)

~ Hope your weekend goes swimmingly...