Me - 40 Years in the Making

 1973 ~ 1 week old

 1974

 1975

 1976

 1977

 1978

 1979

1980

 1981 ~ In the stunning paisley gown

 1982

 1983~Back row second from the left

1984 ~ Back row second from the right

1985 ~ Never have had a flat stomach...ever!

1986 ~ In the hot pink cardigan

 

 1987 ~ A lasting friendship begun

1988 ~ Perm-o-rama!

 1989 ~ Beach babes

1990 ~ Ski bunnies

 

 1991 ~ Grad

 1992 ~ Dating Years

 1993 ~ Family

1994 ~ First married Christmas

 1995 ~ Vacationing as married couples

 1996 ~ Family Christmas

 1997 ~ Barely pregnant

 1998 ~ My precious first born

1999 ~ 5 years married!

 2000 ~ Fun times with friends

 2001 ~ Our second bundle of joy

 2002 ~ Mother's Day

 2003 ~ My good friend from Ireland

2004 ~ Sending Keith off to Arkansas for 2 months

 2005 ~ Our first big trip to Mexico

 2006 ~ My heart is full

2007 ~ Enjoying life and loving my husband 

 

2008 ~ 14 years married and a 'surprise' from God on the way!

 

2009 ~ Dream trip to Ireland 

 

 2010 ~ Mom of three! 

 

 

 

2011 ~ Life is grand

 

 

2012 ~ My beauties

 

2013 ~ This is a 40 year old woman who has been blessed beyond measure! 

Lest you think it has all been rainbows and unicorns there have been dark times in my life.  Marriage difficulties, financial woes, miscarriage, job stress, medical emergencies, car accidents, illness and relational issues.  Yet looking back I can see that the bright times outshine any difficulties and I am thankful.  I hope for another 40+ year filled with more precious memories.
Thank you God!

I Told You to be Careful!

So, we spent an hour in the ER last night.  Keith was washing my new knife after cutting up some ham for sandwiches and he neatly sliced into his finger.
A lovely doctor gave him three stitches and we were on our way.  Keith felt awfully dumb.  Just moments before the incident I had called out from the family room where I was lazing on the sofa....'Keith, be careful, that knife is super sharp!".

Let's Get This Party Started!

Kicking off birthday week with a scrumptious homemade Black Forest Cake at my mom's! 

 

 My parents and brother all chipped in for this fabulous chef's knife!  I cannot wait to finally be able to chop herbs properly. 

Drastic Measures?

In an effort to start my scaling moving downward again I am trying a new trick.  I have bought some nice new jeans that I would love to wear.  I can get them on but they don't look so great.  I bet they would look really nice less 10 lbs.
Here we go!  Again...

A Brave New World

These days the kitchen is not solely the woman's domain.    The majority of homes have both mom and dad working outside the home so it's rather important that there is more than one cook in the house.  Nate is fairly keen to cook and has proven himself quite useful when I am looking around for a sister wife to pitch in. Keith fortunately has the excuse of working late most evenings so unless we want to eat around 7:30 or 8:00 pm ( and I certainly do not!) I cook the majority of the meals.  I truly don't mind.  Keith gets Fridays and we cook together on the weekends.
Learning to feed yourself properly is an important skill.  Moms of boys, do them a favour and teach them the basics at least!

Stand Still

Christmas vacation derailed my weight loss mojo.
I undid all my good eating habits with having so many delicious things to eat around the house.
I am proud that even though I let my eating go to pot I didn't do the same with my exercise.  I have kept up my routine faithfully.  Thankfully that prevented any weight gain but on the other hand I have not lost a single pound in a month.
I am working hard to re-establish proper eating habits and it's like starting all over again...it's hard!
Trying to keep focused on my goal and not give up!

My Tall Tin Man

Nate landed a plum role in the spring production this year with A.C.T.

We're so proud!

Between A.C.T., M.E.I.'s musical, fencing club, youth group, babysitting and helping in Sunday School this boy has got one FULL plate which actually translates into Momma having a full plate too.

Century Egg

Do you know what a 'century egg' is?  Take a look at the picture above (or click here for specifics).
William brought one home for us to try a few weeks back.  He told us he got if from a friend.  Hmmmm...suspicious indeed.
It was a nasty vile experience for Keith.  You see, I was not willing to try it.  I am NOT brave about new foods at all.  Keith tried it so you don't have to.  Don't do it.  Ever.
William arrives back to our place today.  Let's hope he got his fill Chinese comfort foods while he was at home because it's back to 100% Canadian cooking for him now!

A Movie Sung

I don't think that I had ever seen a movie before that was almost entirely sung.  I would guess there was 5% actual spoken dialogue and the rest was beautiful singing.
Such a powerful movie.  I went into the theatre knowing nothing...I'd never read the book and had no idea of the story line.
It was beautiful, disturbing, sad, emotional and I do believe this movie will win some big awards.
Les Mis....I do recommend!

Ancient Database

I've got mail.
At my parent's house!
I haven't lived there for 18 years and 3 months.
Junk mail will somehow always find you.

Self-Confessed Anglophile

Yes...I said it.  I am an Anglophile.

I caved into the social pressures of watching a TV series (generally I do not enjoy too much TV watching) over the Christmas holidays.  Well, it wasn't any pressure but more than one person who knows I am into 'all things British' recommended this show to me so I thought I ought to give it a chance.

And so.....'Downton Abbey' is now my new favorite show!

The costumes are gorgeous, the accents divine, the mansion is gorgeous and the characters are intriguing.  It's a very well done program!  I understand these types of dramas are not for everyone but this was definitely for me!

 

 

2013 ~ A Big Year!

The last supper.  This was our last indulgent meal of 2012 and they need to stop before I undo all my hard work this fall eating like a bird.  We had our traditional get together with the Jones and Unrau families.  We meant to play games but visited so much that we only managed one short one.  But it was great fun and I split a gut from laughing so hard! 

 

2013 is still a newborn baby....so much will happen in the next 12 months.  Some good, some bad and sometimes it will be plain mundane but I plan to cherish the moments and simply enjoy living.

Quitter

Okay, so I gave up on the December photo challenge.  I have many excellent excuses!  It was super busy at our place over Christmas as we had Keith's sister and family to our place for five nights.  It was great to have them...easy guests are wonderful!  We had some great chats, late night hot-tubbing, walks, and lots of fun. 
We wrapped up Christmas officially with the tree coming down yesterday and a final Klassen gathering in Vancouver.
The next big event will be New Year's Eve.  In 2013, I will endevour to speak more kindly to my children.  Less bark!
Today the sun is shining brightly which is a great treat on the grey, west coast and I do believe we will be spending a good part of it outdoors.  A nice long walk somewhere and a chance for Liam to practice riding his new bike.  He's over the moon with it!

Photo Challenge Day 26 ~ Grateful

I'm grateful for my neighbors.  They rock.  And you have to laugh at Granny in the middle holding the cat.  It's not her cat...what a good sport!

Photo Challenge Day 25 ~ Morning

Spending Christmas morning watching Barrett's first Christmas was pretty cool!  He's such a sweet little boy. 

Photo Challenge Day 24 - Favorite Part of Christmas Eve

Spending it with family!

Photo Challenge Day 23 ~ Scarf

William's parents gifted me this gorgeous wool scarf this summer when they brought him to our home.  It's so soft and luxurious.  I wish that I had more occasion to wear it...it's really long and I'm not quite sure how to wrap it properly.
Anyone care to show me?!

Photo Challenge Day 22 ~ Tradition

This is a picture of our beloved church home.  The tradition of coming here for Christmas Eve service is not one I would ever consider missing. 

Photo Challenge Day 21 ~ Peace

Tomorrow William leaves for a visit to China for two weeks.  It will be a peaceful feeling for me to have him away for a while.  Don't get me wrong, he's really a great student but it's a different dynamic when he's here. 

I hope he has a great trip and eats lots of meat.  I think he's been missing eating large amounts of it!

Photo Challenge Day 20 ~ Tree Topper

This is the tree topper that I wish I had.  I don't like mine one little bit.  It's an ugly star.  So, in the post-Christmas sales I'll just have to keep my eyes open for something similar to this cute rusty angel.

Photo Challenge Day 19 ~ Candy Cane

That is the only candy cane I could find in our house.  It's little and lame!

But look at the snow in the back ground!  Yippee!  It's been a snow day but wouldn't you know it...it's my regular day off anyhow.

Pffft.

Photo Challenge Day 18 ~ Stockings

Our home lacks a mantle.  One day my dear husband will build one for me but it's not really high on the priority list.
Until then, our stockings are hung by the bannister with care!

Photo Challenge Day 17 ~ Presents

I'll be perfectly honest and admit I was wrapping gifts last night JUST so I could have something to post on today's challenge.  Like I have admitted previously, wrapping isn't my thing so it is generally something that gets put off until the last minute.  So maybe this was a good thing all around.  Mind you I still have some large awkward things to wrap up.  I think those will be Keith's job to do!

Photo Challenge Day 16 ~ Outside Christmas Lights

Our lights are humble.
We hope to add a little bit each year and then in about 25 years or so charge admission for a Christmas light extravaganza! 
No.
I have wonderful childhood memories of my dad taking us driving at night to see Christmas lights on houses after church on Christmas Eve.  It would help prolong that long anticipated gift opening time that was coming.

Photo Challenge Day 15 ~ Favorite Holiday Song

 

Without a doubt, 'O Holy Night' is my favorite song.  And it must be sung beautifully and simply.  No vocal gymnastics please!

Photo Challenge Day 14 ~ Christmas Tree

Well, I had already posted a picture of my Christmas tree in the early days of the photo challenge so here it is again but a lovelier sight is that of my 14 year old young man all dressed up for MEI's Christmas banquet.
I wonder if next year he'll bring a date?  Yikes!!!

Photo Challenge Day 13 ~ Family

Family by definition is your spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and so on.

Family in reality is really much bigger than that.

I consider so many people in my life as 'family'.

I have my work family, my previous job work family, my church family, my friends which are like family and so forth and so on!

The people in my life that really matter to me are my family!

Photo Challenge Day 12 ~ A Beautiful Sight

There is nothing better than watching my boys grow up.  Raising these guys has got to be the most challenging but rewarding thing I have ever done.  Watching Keith be an awesome father to them is pretty cool too.  My boys will always be my favorite sight.

Photo Challenge Day 11 ~ Green

Nathan's character in 'The Grinch Project' was Professor Green.  He was a tree-hugging environmentalist (we've come to a mutual agreement that afros are not a good look for him!).  He played it well and provided a perfect post for 'green'!

Another ACT play is behind us.  Stay tuned to hear which part he gets in the upcoming 'Wizard of Oz'!

 

Photo Challenge Day 10 ~ Wrapping Paper

Tis no secret that I lack creativity.  And therefore I do not enjoy wrapping gifts.  Heck, I don't even LIKE buying gifts.  I find it very stressful.  Sometimes when I just happen to see something in a store that would be perfect for someone (any time of the year)...now that is a happy moment.  The pressure of buying stuff for Christmas just creates so much anxiety.  ANYHOW...I do get past it but once all the gifts are bought it's time to wrap.  Generally, Keith and I wrap the presents together.  You can certainly tell which ones are his.  The paper is cut straight, the tape is perfect, the folding impecable.  Mine are lumpy, bumpy and just plain messy!  The two-sided wrapping paper you see below has been the same massive roll from Costco we've been using for a few years now.  No bows, no ribbon, no gift bags.  Just plainly wrapped gifts are under our tree come Christmas morning!

 

Photo Challenge Day 9 ~ Something You're Reading

I read these numbers every couple of days.

It's my own dang fault I'm in this predicament!  But the good news is that I can do something about it.  So far I am down 20 lbs and exactly half way to my goal.

Oh Christmas, please be kind to my waistline.

PS.  The dial cover is cracked from me dropping my blow dryer on it, NOT from excessive weight!

Photo Challenge Day 8 ~ Ornament

Right after Christmas last year I went shopping for some new tree ornaments (on clearance). They went straight into storage and it was most delightful to discover them this year when I decorated our tree.  I had forgotten all about them!  I love these little ice skates I bought the best.  My tree would never win any awards for beauty or theme but it's country, cozy and just what I like!

Photo Challenge Day 7 - BRIGHT

The set of Nathan's latest production 'The Grinch Project' was bright.  Very bright indeed.  It looked like a dollar store exploded on stage.

 

Two other bright spots in my week were attending Chad's first band and choir concert at MEI and learning that Nathan was cast in 'The Sound of Music'!
Wow...my boys make me bust my buttons.

Photo Challenge Day 6 ~ Shopping

 

Christmas shopping has spilled onto my dining room table making it very and awfully messy!

Photo Challenge Day 5 ~ Today's Temperature

 

This what 8 degrees celcius looks like through Nathan's window.

Photo Challenge Day 4 ~ Joyous

Photo Challenge Day 3 ~ RED

This is my tree skirt.  It's not super pretty. Actually it's a wee bit ugly and rather plain but it's something my mom made out of her old bedspread a long time ago.  Growing up, I thought my parents had the most beautiful red velour bedspread.  When my mom updated their room from the sleezy velour look she couldn't simply toss out this material but had to remake it into something else.  She is Mennonite and we are the pioneers of reduce, reuse, recycle system!  So this tree skirt is nostalgic and therefore it happily will sit under my tree until I can part with it!

Christmas Challenge

I got this idea from another friend and blogger, Sonya.  I am a litle late starting so I'll have to post Day 1 & 2 together. 

 

 Day 1 is my view in the living room on Saturday as I took a few moments to sit and read.

 

Day 2 would be the Sound of Music.  I do realize that this movie hardly qualifies as a holiday film but when I was a young thing it was shown on TV every Christmas and so therefore it's a Christmas memory for me.  I remember laying on my Grandma's red shag carpet and watching it on her console TV while the adults all visited and laughed in the background.  Extremely fond memories!  I love every song in this movie and will torture my children often by breaking into a Sound of Music tune when they least expect it.

 

Production Week!

I will  not be available physically or mentally next week. 

The chaos otherwise knows as production week begins Monday!

Pulling Pranks...the Conclusion

And so, Nathan came home from school yesterday bearing a gift card from Starbucks.  Mrs Drew had told him to take me on a date to make up for such antics.
Ahhhh...I love Mrs. Drew!