Joel's first day of preschool!

His first day was actually at the beginning of the month - I've been terrible at taking pictures lately and the memory card just finally made it into the computer. Anyway, he is now attending preschool 2 times a week and he is seeming to love it! He has adapted very well to being there and he really looks forward to seeing his teachers and friends there. It is a Christian preschool based out of a local Baptist church. We are thrilled to have it so near us (only a 15 min walk). So I guess my boy is officially growing up. and I am trying to let him.

One foot in front of the other...

While I was running, that was how I would get home. All I could think was just one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. Right now, I feel like I am going through my day that way. The weeks are disappearing now that I am back to work - I can't believe how fast it is the weekend again (I work weekends - every Saturday). It's November. And I don't know how I got here. Sometimes after a tiring day at work, I get home and hardly remember the drive. That is how the last few months have felt.
I have only run twice since Oct. 11. I have had a headache for 3 days. I miss home so much. Joel is starting preschool tomorrow :) Weeks are flying by and I don't know how or when to get anything done. I feel like I am just making it right now. One step at a time. One foot....Oh how I wish this headache would go away.
What a post. Sorry.
And I just realized I subconsciously stole MckMama's title. I'm tired.

Cozy Coupe

Thanks Leboe's and Costley's for my awesome birthday present!! I love cruising around the house in my new car!

Happy Halloween

I don't know why we bother with this every year. Today has got to be my least favourite day of the year. But they were kind of cute.

Say cheese :)

Fondue on Halloween. Just what I needed to go with all those mini chocolate bars....

Locks of Love

Before....this hair has not seen a pair of scissors in over a year, yup since before Nathan was even born!!

After :) I decided to have it chopped. Needed a change, had a good cause, wanted to let my hairdresser have some fun. I think she really enjoyed cutting through those ponytails!! So, it's just hair. It'll grow again. but for now, I'm going to love it!

Whistler

We had the privilege of spending a weekend up in Whistler at the Four Seasons Resort - THANK YOU Leboes!! Mom and Dad, we are so sorry you couldn't use it :( We had a lovely weekend of pretending to part of the elite super rich (seriously, who pays that much for a hotel room??) and just really enjoyed being away as a family with no other obligations! After a summer of renos and with me back to work, we don't really get to do much together so we just really enjoyed it! We also enjoyed seeing our friends up there, the church retreat was going on and Jen and Aaron and Daniel and Andrea were up for that. Thanks for dinner guys :)

We just had to spend some time at the Olympic Store with all the giant mascots (Quatchi is only $350!!) and you can see that both Nathan and Joel loved sitting with them and then wrestled them on the floor.

The rain cleared and we went for a lovely walk out to and around Lost Lake. The fall colours were amazing and it felt so good to get out and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Weekend Snapshots

We really did have a wonderful weekend in Victoria. We had a great visit with Tammy, Tadd and Khristian and spent Sunday afternoon walking around the Inner Harbour. As you can see we had FANTASTIC weather and even enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the ferry ride over. Now we are all exhausted and looking forward to the work week being over so we can head up to Whistler for another weekend away! I'm going to need a holiday after all this.... :)

WE DID IT!!!!

7:15 am. Jen and I met in the lobby with all 4 kids and both husbands and then quickly made our way to the start where we arrived just in time to join the pack of 4998 other half marathon runners!



We finished the Royal Victoria Half Marathon in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 22 seconds. It was the perfect morning for a run - sunny, cool, no wind!! What a great day for a race! Thank you Jen for your encouragement to get me here and for being a great running partner! I wouldn't have done this without you! And to Brad and the kids for their patience in letting me do the training! It's all been worth it to get to this point - who knew running 21.1 Km could be so much fun??!!

It's not about ME!

This post is about me but it is not about me. I'm not really sure what has brought me to this point tonight. I know this is all kind of obvious, what I'm about to say, but sometimes something happens or God just prompts me to remember... this life is not about me. I get so consumed with how everything affects me - I have to work late, I'm stuck in traffic, I have to help _____ again..., something isn't done how I want it and so on and on and on..... Well, it's not about me. I am here to be a servant. God has called me to a life of servanthood, of faithfulness, of humbleness and self-control. My simple everyday life is to be lived with an attitude of doing whatever for His glory. It's just not easy. But really, it doesn't need to be that hard either. So, what am I going to do to change my attitude? I need to fall on my knees before my Maker and that is where I will always find the answers.

Turning One!!

A couple weeks ago we had a party for Nathan's first birthday! We really enjoyed having everyone over to help us celebrate his first year. We had lots of fun! It was a gorgeous September day and we were able to use the backyard, deck, upstairs and downstairs!! Thank you all for coming and thank you for the wonderful gifts for our little guy! He (and Joel) is really enjoying them all :) By the way, I think Madison won the best moustache/beard competition!!
It's still hard to believe that Nate's already one. I have been back to work for 2 weeks now and it seems to be going okay but it's just never easy. The commute is long. The days feel short. By the time I am home we have dinner and it's bedtime. Time just goes that much faster and I'm still trying to figure out how to fit everything in!! We have been so busy!! A baby shower, a wedding, a party, a CPR course this past weekend, next weekend is another baby shower, the Fall banquet, a Stampin' Up party, the next weekend is Victoria and the half marathon plus work on the stat and the following weekend (after a full week of work) is a trip to Whistler!!! Are we nuts??!! I have to say I have enjoyed all that we have done and been involved in and am looking forward to all the other events - just wish the spacing was little better. Anyway, so when do I do my everyday things? I don't know. Like I said, I'm still trying to figure it out :)

Last days of summer

The boys and I spent the last days of summer in PG. We enjoyed Grandma and Grandpa's backyard and took a walk down to the Fraser River behind the house, hopefully not the last walk down there before they destroy it with houses....

We spent a morning at Fort George Park. A favourite of anyone who has grown up in PG.

And what trip up there would be complete without a hike in FFTW.
We had a fantastic time and the weather was great. Joel stayed there for 4 extra days without me and then drove back here with Grandma and Grandpa. It was a needed break for all of us but we sure missed him and are very happy to have him at home again. I know he loved all that extra time with his cousins though. He hasn't stopped talking about them!! We miss you all very much and look forward to spending Christmas with you. It's not that far away....
While we were up in PG, Nathan got 2 more teeth (total of 10 now) and he started taking steps on his own!! He's still not fully walking but I think that seeing Mitchell getting around on 2 feet really motivated him! Since we've been home Nate had his 1 year check up and shots. He is 24 lbs, 9 oz and 31.5 inches long. His growth has really slowed down and we are not complaining!! He's hasn't done overly well with the shots and we are hoping he gets back to his normal happy self soon. I'm pretty sure a couple more molars are working their way through so we can't really blame him for being cranky.
Also, I have started working again. I don't know what else to say about that because right now I don't have much good to say. I don't mind being at work and doing my job again BUT I would way rather be home! I just can't believe how fast things have changed. Time has flown - one of the doctors I work with thought I had only been gone 3 months instead of 13! I have a lot I could say right now but I really can't formulate my thoughts. I am tired. I feel sad. I love fall but I am not loving that it is already here and bringing so many changes.

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Yesterday was Nathan's first birthday! We can't believe our little guy is already one. What a fast year it has been!! Nathan has grown and changed so much. Last week he finally started waving, got two more teeth and took his first steps!! He is a funny little guy with tonnes of personality and we are looking forward to this next year with him! We love you Nathan!

Here's what I came home to :)

It is so nice not to have to put on shoes in the basement, to be able to put Nathan down and to actually see usable space! Now I can't wait to fill it! We are very happy with the results of all the hard work everyone has put in - THANK YOU to all who helped!!! We can almost have a movie night now and seeing as the rain has started, that's kind of what I want to do.

Rascal!

Here he is! Tonight we had a little visit from our raccoon. He is not a shy little guy - I got within about 4 metres from him and I'm not sure who was more nervous! He digs in the gardens and lawn for bugs. I guess he can stick around if he helps control our crazy bug population. I won't be happy if he raids my garden next year though!

Conversations

Conversation with Joel. Regarding 2 earthworms, found while working on our future garden spot.

Joel: "Aww, they are so cute."

Me: "Um, I don't really think they are cute, Joel."

Joel: "Yes they are. God made them."

How not to construct a wall....

I don't care what your budget is like. Seriously. Cardboard.

Some fun!

Just some random pictures. Jen and I ran a 5K race in Ladner a few weeks ago - my first race since who knows when! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the little update on us. All I do lately is take care of the kids, run, then paint. I can't wait to sit on the couch and watch a movie. Can't wait.

Where we spend a lot of time.