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.