New Year's thoughts...better late than never.

I've been pondering whether or not to make a New Year's resolution or not.  I'm not really all that good at keeping them, so why bother?  But as I kept thinking about 2009, one word kept coming to mind.  Posture.  It took me a really long time to figure out what that meant. Here's what posture means to me:

Physical Posture:  I have terrible posture.  The more stressed I am, the worse it is.  So I want to work on my physical posture because I am raising Amazon beauties (otherwise known as Pookie and Bear).  They are destined to be tall, and I want them to stand up straight, proud and tall.

Spiritual Posture: I need to regain a worshipful posture.  I need to take a posture of humbleness and waiting before God.  I need to relearn how to be in the presence of God.

Emotional Posture: I want to become more balanced in my emotional posture instead of having wild swings.

Posture of a Mother: Less nagging, more listening.  Less busyness, more play.

Posture of a Wife: Less nagging, more listening.  Less excuses, more loving.

So, there you go.  2009, the year of Posture.  Wish me luck.

Christmas Hangover

We are one day away from returning to the left coast and we are SICK! I blame our extended family, an abundance of food and lack of normal routine. However, it still means that tomorrow I get to take 2 sick kids and a nauseous hubby on a 5 hour flight. I am packing lots of extra clothes in case of vomit. I wish there was some way to warn the people travelling with us in the plane...

Turning 40 and other such things...

I am a longish way away from turning 40, but I am currently in Ontario celebrating my bro-in-law's birthday. There have been a lot of conversations around turning 40 and its made me think. One conversation with my father-in-law about his turning 40 was very interesting. He had certain goals around financial issues, family stuff etc and he hadn't quite made it at 40...so for him 40 was a disappointment. But at 41, he had achieved it. Since I just signed up for a 30 yr mortgage, it would be a miracle for us to be debt free by 40, but who knows?

I started thinking about what I wanted at 40:
2 healthy, beautiful daughters aged 11 and 9
1 wonderful hubby aged 39 1/4
A job that made me smile
A savings account
More smile wrinkles and gray hair
A body that was healthy

That is it so far, check back in a couple of years to see if the list changed!

Ah...Advent

I've decided that unless you actually live in an igloo, it is impossible not to be swayed by the hype of Christmas.  As the girls get older, our Christmas traditions are starting to take more depth and goodness.  However, we are also bombarded with requests for "things" and the relentless questioning about Santa.  Pookie and Bear are well aware of the fact that Santa is not real(in fact we needed to have a talk with Pookie about not ruining for the kids in her kindergarten class).  Pookie has found my achilles heel with Christmas and constantly pokes at my thinly veiled disgust with Santa.  Drives. Me. Crazy!  

Christmas this year is taking a different shape.  We are off to Hubby's family in Ontario for 12 days.  We have decided to give the girls one 'big' present ($30 or less) and stocking stuffers, no presents for us and one present from the girls to us.  There are 2 big reasons for this change.  The first is that we don't need more stuff!  The girls and I all did a sweep of the clothes and toys to give away, which was great.  They really can't play with everything anyway.  The second reason that our Christmas is a bit less is because Hubby just got laid off from his job.  The camp he was working for is in HUGE financial trouble, and he was the first casualty.  

So, this Advent season where we wait on the mystery of Christ to be revealed to us has really taken on new meaning for us.  We are grateful for what we have in each other, friends and family and we trust God will lead us through this time.

I leave you with a beautiful Pookie as Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer!

Life in the 'burbs. Part 1

Driving in the purple mini van, listening to your kids singing Praise Jesus songs, sipping a Starbucks Eggnog Latte and wondering how the #@$# you got there.

And it has only been 3 months...

My baby is 3!

October 15, 2005 my little bear came into this world at a whopping 9 pounds 9 ounces.  Now she is a beautiful little girl with green eyes, curly hair and a smile to die for.  She is a lover and a hugger, a fearless physical player and a sensitive soul.  She has made our family complete and I can't imagine life without her.

We celebrated on Monday with a trip to the pumpkin patch.  Due to camera difficulties, we have no pictures, but go here to see the day.  Last night we celebrated with family and Bear's preschool.  

It always amazes me how quickly kids grow.  Especially during days that seem to stretch forever as a parent!  But now, I have 2 little girls that alternately frustrate and amuse me each day.  Each with their own personality and quirks that give me glimpses of the women that they will eventually become.  I feel blessed to raise these beautiful girls!

Great GooglyMoogly!

Welcome to October!  I know...there has been a lack of postings.  As g. mango aka 'super nanny' likes to point out, the girls literally give me a post a day in the things they say or do.  I have no excuse!  Right now I'm sitting on the couch with Bear as she eats marshmallows and chocolate chips.  So healthy!  But she did just vacuum the stairs by herself and proudly suggested the snack she should have.  Frankly, she is just so cute, I couldn't resist!

A September recap complete with bullet points:

• First days of school
• Surprise visit from the mom-in-law for Hubby's birthday
• Hubby's birthday
• A mad rush to finish our house in time for an Open House
• Open house with 50+ guests, so fun!
• Work trip to Calgary and a work retreat
• And a bunch of other stuff that I'm sure was important, but now forget!

To make up for the lack of posts, here are some pictures from the month. . .