the 3 R's...rejeuvenated, relaxed, recommited!

is how I feel since returning home from my trip to BC this past weekend. I had an amazing time...despite my anxiety about flying for the first time in 21 years. It was almost an enjoyable experience and am now ready for our flight to Disneyland in March (more on that as the time draws near).
It was sooo good to see Chrystal and the boys. She picked me up at the airport alone so we got to ramble and catch up. It was nice. Friday was a typical day...running errands and chasing kids but we did go out for supper.
Saturday was awesome...we packed a picnic lunch and made the one hour trip to the ocean...that's right...I spent the entire day walking along the beach, picking seashells and writing in the sand. We walked to the pier and out to the end. It's been quite a few years since I've been to the ocean and was completely blown away by it's beauty and calming effect (for me anyway). I took probably at least 150 pics in total and will share some of the favs with you...

I absolutely am in love with this one because everything is b&w except the blue (my camera has this fun feature called color accent...love it!) *click on any image to see it bigger*
just a couple of collages...
I was able to play with lot's of settings on my new camera...these underwater shots were taken using the "aquarium" mode
awe...I'm such a sap hey...took this using the "beach" mode
another b&w with blue as the only color
I love this one too...the shimmer of the sun setting is so pretty

there are a lot more but some include Chrystal and the boys and I don't have her permission to post them and I'm the only one who really knows her so...ya know!
My flight home was delayed because the pilot flying to pick us up, hit a flock of birds (sparrows I think they said) and the plane had to be inspected before we were allowed to get on it. Brian came to pick me up alone, as the boys didn't want to come...little buggers didn't even miss me because, and I quote, "we had lot's of fun with Dad this weekend", end quote! I was extremely happy to hear that they had some quality time with their Dad, who they don't see too often, because of his working out of town. It was a win-win situation for all of us. I cannot wait to go back...next time, we're having fish'n'chips on the beach from Moby Dick's!!! (we might actually take a summer vacation out that way next year, stopping to do all the touristy things along the way).
I'm feeling so good, about me, my family and life in general that it seems the perfect time to recommit myself to my diet and exercise routine too. I will win the battle this time...I'm tired of it and it has to stop here (picture me putting my foot down!...lol).
In other news, the boys are all adjusting to school, new teachers and getting back into routine. Hockey starts today for Reilly, so that will keep us busy about 5 days/week!!! (don't forget I'm the director so that adds extra busy this hockey season for me).
I guess that's it in a nutshell, so until next time, play safe and have fun (did i just sound like the Bodybreak people...???lol)

leaving on a jet plane...

in the morning I am on my way to visit my friend Chrystal for the weekend in beautiful British Columbia. Weather is supposed to be warm enough for the beach...can you imagine (those of you that live where we've had the heat on and the kids wore gloves to school this week understand how far fetched that may sound..lol). I am also hoping to meet up with my long lost friend Tera...we haven't seen each other since were 8 yrs old and lost touch 16 years ago. We recently reconnected via my brother and facebook (no I am still not a member...lol). Turns out she lives about 45 minutes from Chrystal so we are both hoping that there is time to squeeze in a visit...even coffee at Timmies would be good enough...just to see each other!
Anyway, I will share it all when I get back. I'll have an update on the men in my life then too.
For now, I need to finish putting stuff in my suitcase and making sure I comply with all the regulations so noone feels me up at security....lol!! Have a great weekend everyone!

off he goes...

Kindergarten Wonder
by Wendy Silva

I wonder what you're doing right now
and if everyone is treating you kind.
I hope there is a special person,
a nice friend you can find.
I wonder if the teacher knows just
how special you are to me.
And if the brightness of your
heart is something she can see.
I wonder if you are thinking about
me and if you need a hug.
I already miss the sound of your
voice and how you give my leg a tug.
I wonder if you could possibly understand
how hard it is for me to let you grow.
On this day know that my heart breaks,
for this is the first step in letting my baby go.

well, it's just me here...all alone and Brian just called to check on me! I haven't cried and I thought for sure I would. I was so proud of him this morning...he knew exactly what to do and where to go. He is ready and I was happy and excited for him...it was hard to make that a sad thing. Don't get me wrong, I cannot wait to go pick him up, give him a squishy hug and hear all about his day....ok, now I'm a bit teary eyed! I need to go find something to do!

good stuff

Just thought I would share some good things that have been happening...
The kids are back into the swing of things with school and having a routine (I must admit I am liking having one too...lol). They all seem happy with their teachers and classmates so that gives me hope the year will be a good one...we are only 4 days in but hey...a girls gotta
dream right!!
After some tears in the eyes, Gavin had a great orientation day on Wednesday. He's been beyond excited to go to school, even more so after we bought his school shoes (he'd put them on as soon as he woke up and come out of his room wearing them and just his boxers...lol). While I was buckling him into the van he told me he was scared. I gave him the usual speal about nothing to be afraid of...blah...blah...blah. He was a bit apprehensive at first but when I left he was doing ok. When I got back to pick him up, he looked at me over his shoulder and said, "Mom, I'm not scared anymore." I was relieved to hear that. He was however, pretty mad that he had to leave his shoes at school and that he has to wait 5 sleeps to go back. I'm hoping that Monday, his first official day will be an easy adjustment.
Some good things are also in the works for Brian regarding work...nothing confirmed yet so I don't want to jinx it by putting it out there but I will share as soon as something concrete happens.
And that leaves me...after being in somewhat of a funk lately, I think I have perhaps snapped out of it. I don't mean a creative funk either, although that has been affected by my life-in-general-funk. It's been hard adjusting to living here over the last 2 years (for me not anyone else in my family) and sometimes I let it get the better of me and it brings me down. But...this week I took a step to change that and put myself out there a bit in regards to meeting other parents and making plans with them, calling up a friend to have lunch and even committing to crop at the end of the month. Last night, another friend and I went to Scrapfest and did some shopping after grabbing a bite to eat but most importantly...we laughed like school girls and it was fabulous. I am also looking forward to meeting some of my online friends at a crop soon. I am kind of a social gal and I know that has been the hardest thing for me...not having people to spend time with, scrap with and just have fun with. Things are definitely looking up and my spirits have lifted....that's some good stuff.
Oh, another good thing...actually it's kinda cool...last night when my friend and I were shopping, we saw some ladies we met at a crop we attended for National Scrapbook Day...it was pretty cool they remembered us too. We exchanged email addys and hopefully could hook up with them for a crop.
And last,fellow scrapbookers, check this out...it's too cool. I think she's on too something! I was in it last night and the set up is amazing!! http://memoriesinmotionscrapbooking.com/memshop/
Have a fabulous weekend everyone...I'm off to scrap!

the rest of the story...

hey boys...whatcha doing? I have no idea what possessed me to grab the camera and snap this photo but I did and it's good for a laugh if nothing else..of course the boys don't think it's too funny and Zack is glad he's not in it!!


This special lady is my Great Grandma, who will be 98 years old in October...love her!
she was so surprised to see all of walk in to her room...first my Grandma went in, a few seconds later my Mom, then me, followed by the boys and her eyes lit up more each time. It was awesome!! Here is the latest 5 generation picture. I'm hoping the nurse that took them got a better one on my Mom's camera as my batteries died and she only took a couple. Not that I really care if everyone is smiling and looking at the camera...the idea is just that we have it.


The boys are going back to school tomorrow and I'm sure that will make for a story
for next time.
Until then.....