Catch up!

Nola completed 10 weeks of gymnastics! She will be starting up again in February of 2017. She LOVED it and it was amazing to see her push herself a grow. I still cannot believe how big she is getting!!

Daddy's birthday!! The kiddos decorated Doug's chair for dinner and made him a special birthday cake - cantaloupe filled with yogurt!!

Fun cuddles with these kiddos

Dress up!!

Dinner out at Boston Pizza

Garden goodies

Doggy-pile on Daddy!!

A boy and his blanket

Turkey-bingo date night with my best girl

Sleepy boy

30 things before I turn 30

On July 18, 2017, I will turn 30 years old. I have no issues with turning 30… I don't feel sad or anxious or nervous about it. A few years back, a friend of mine made a list of 40 things to do before her 40th and I thought it was a brilliant idea! So, I am going to follow her lead and give this a go.

In no particular order, here is my list!

1. Read the Harry Potter books. I love the Harry Potter movies and watch them over and over and over, so it's about time I pick up the books give them a go.
2. Start my personal history: complete my history journal. I have purchased at history journal from the church bookstore. It is filled with questions about my life up until now, so I'm going to fill it in.
3. Complete a triathlon.
4. Take a family name to the temple. In my 12 years of membership, I have yet to take any family names to the temple. It's about time I do that!
5. Learn how to braid my own hair.
6. Significantly reduce my wardrobe. We live in a world filled with 'stuff'… I want to reduce my 'stuff'.
7. Take the family on a luxurious vacation.
8. Try 30 new recipes.
9. Print my blog books.
10. Organize a service project. We often do these within our church, however I would like to do one on my own, inviting my own circle of friends to assist me.
11. Learn how to play 30 songs on the piano.
12. Write a new song.
13. Host a fancy dinner party.
14. Bring my children to see live music.
15. Explore Lethbridge. There are tons of little shops, little restaurants, museums and galleries that I have never stepped foot in!!! Let's see what our town has to offer!
16. Take a spin class.
17. Write a letter to each of my children for them to open on their 30th birthday.
18. Climb a mountain. It doesn't matter which one, where it is, or how big it is. I just want to hike one.
19. Where no make up. I'll blog a little bit more about this :)
20. Complete a full pull up, unassisted. Wish me luck!
21. Watch my favorite movies from my youth. Wayne's world, biodome, sword in the stone, the great panda adventure, Beethoven's second, Dracula: Dead and loving it.
22. Play scatagories with Ali.
23. Grow a herb garden.
24. Read a history book. I know very little about any kind of history, so it doesn't matter what kind of history I read about.
25. Face of fear: shoot a gun.
26. Write a letter to President Monson.
27. Ask 30 different women about their 'story' and record them.
28. Watch a live sports event.
30. Play my guitar and sing for some of my friends.

Well, there you have it. I have about 8 months to complete all these goals, so wish me luck. I will update as I go along :)

A new journey

Things are changing.
I am changing.

Life and the things I am encountering are taking me on a new journey. I am facing obstacles new to me... I am climbing mountains I didn't know existed, I am drinking the dregs of cups both bitter and sweet. I cry more, feel more and need more. Honestly, I've been in a state of survival. I'm treading water, trying to keep my lips above the surface, desperately sucking in all the oxygen I can possibly get.

This may sound like a bad thing, but it's not.

I am growing. I am being stretched, twisted and manipulated in the hands of my God. I trust him and I trust His Son. Jesus is my advocate. He advocates my cause with the father. He loves me, sustains me, redeems me and is always by my side.

I have been recording my thoughts and feelings in my personal journal however I hope to be able to share some of this growth through my blog. I hope that my experiences can touch the hearts of those who may read this, namely my posterity.

I believe in vulnerability, so I'm going to allow myself to be vulnerable.

My hope is to show my growth through my trials and for the praise to be to my God, for it is He who gives me strength to face adversity.

I love thee, O Lord. My soul followeth hard after thee.

Kindy boy!!!

After a bunch of back and forth at the school, the decision was made for Robbie to start Kindergarten this year instead of repeating Pre-K. I was little unsure at fisrt, but once we went to the Kindy parent-teacher-child conference, I knew Robbie would do just fine. He was so excited his first day and is still happy to go now, which I am going to say is a success! Its funny the difference between Rob and Nola - when Nola gets home from school, she goes on and on about everything she did. With Robbie? Its like pulling teeth! M: How was your day? R: Good M: What did you do? R: I don't know M: what did you have for snack? I can't remember. Haha! Mrs Fender is his teacher and he loves her.

These pictures are hilarious! I promise he was happy to be there!!

Welcome to school, Big Guy! I am so proud of you and I know you will do great! Love you Duffy!

Grade one!!

The time has come...Nola is in school full time!! As emotional as I feel about the whole ordeal, I am truly so happy for her. She was so excited to start Grade One and so far, she is loving every minute of it. I do find that she has been pretty tired and emotional, however that comes with the territory. She is in Mrs. Sewards class and enjoying it well. Both Melissa and I were a little sad when we discovered that Nola and Eleanor would not be in the same class this year, however they find each other at the park during recess and play :) They are still such sweet friends. Nola does running club every Wednesday at noon hour which she loves!!! My busy, athletic girl.

Look how cute she is in her desk :)

After her first day, we went out to Montana's for dinner to celebrate.

Nola, I love you so dearly. I am proud of the little girl you have become. Enjoy your special days, Grade One-r!!

How I love these kids!

Our days are filled with fun and love. What a privileged to be a mother!!!