sharing the love

Thanks to my fabulous friend Julie, I have been given this award...



Here are the rules

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.

2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Provide links to their blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees


I proudly pass it on to these lovely ladies and friends.
Sherri for always putting a positive spin on things and who's outlook on life I hope to adopt a little of.
To Mona for her ability to find joy in the simple things in life and take things one day at a time. To Jocie cause she is a sweetie and designs awesome scrapbook pages. For Joce who keeps on plugging away no matter what life throws at her and has pretty cool blog templates! Last but not least, I pass this award to Stacy who is definitely a scrappy mom. She designs some pretty cool stuff!

I feel honored to have all of my fellow bloggers part of my life in one way or another. Whether we have met live and in person or not, I treasure our friendships.

An update soon to follow as I have to go. Our dishwasher installer is coming over soon and I need to do some things before he shuts off the water and electricity.

adjusting

to working full time! Yep...that's right...I ended up getting on full time at the elementary school and I LOVE IT!! The principal called last Sunday and left a message asking me to prepare for a full day on Monday and when we spoke, he asked if I would like to work there more and of course the answer was yes! It's very busy though as I am in 6 classrooms throughout my day so it goes by very quickly. With that, comes adjusting to getting up at 6:30am to pretty much get myself ready before the boys start getting up at 7:30.Adjusting to packing a lunch mylef and being out of the house all day. Adjusting to wearing "good" clothes. Adjusting to finding a new schedule for cleaning. Adjusting to not being able to go to the city shopping on a whim after work. Even Higgins has to adjust to being home alone now during the day (although I think Zack is going to start coming home for lunches so he can let the dog out and feed him too).
Soon, we'll be adjusting to having a built in dishwasher....woohoo!! I ordered it and came home to a message today that it's ready for pick up!
Lot's of adjusting for everyone but so far so good. I know it's only been a week but the boys have really responded well to me working. And let's be honest, the hours are great and I get the same holidays they do so it's pretty good!
Perhaps this a better way to look at my fear of change...adjusting doesn't seem as scary to me for some reason.
I have to say it feels pretty darn good to have the school ask me to take this on. I feel like I have a purpose...that I am doing something. I am not minimizing my role as a Mom and perhaps it's hard to explain or for you to understand but I was feeling like something was missing or that there had to be something more for me. Does that make sense? I am proud of what I do and I know I am good at it and it's nice to know the school sees that too.

Alright, I am done blowing my own horn.
Hope things are well with everyone.

battle of the colas

there has been an ongoing battle at my favorite hangout LIITD and I just want it to be clear where my loyalties lie...



even this guy that works for Pepsi knows the difference...



and I thought I would post this link to snopes dot com cokelore so you can read the truths for yourself about


Have a great weekend everyone!!

all treats....no tricks

Halloween is over and done with but the boys will be eating candy for the next several months!!
A lot of it was last minute but we managed to get all 6 pumpkins carved, decorations out, candy ready and costumes on and were able to enjoy a fun time with the boys and some of their friends.
I had to work that morning but dressing up didn't take place till the afternoon so I got out of that!! I did go back to help Carsyn and Gavin get their costumes on and while I was doing that Brian was at home carving his pumpkin and decorating the yard. After the Halloween parade, I came home and carved mine and he put out the yard stuff. The boys came home from school pumped up on treats they had at their parties. Reilly brought 3 boys home and we fed them all pizza before getting them ready to go out. Zack went to a friends acreage and not doing the "Halloween thing" (although his pumpkin is pretty cool). My friend came over with her daughter and Brian took her out with Carsyn and Gavin while we stayed home to pass out candy (and indulge in a few coolers...lol). When all was said and done, the kids weighed their bags and averaged about 5.5 pounds of candy each!
Here are a few pics of our October 31st....
here's Brian working on his masterpiece
Reilly wanted to paint his to look like the WM smiley face guy
Zack and Carsyn cleaning out their pupmkins

Gavin doesn't like to clean the pumpkins out so when I saw this fun foam sticker kit, I knew it would be perfect for him...

Carsyn all ready to go trick or treating
Gavin looks like he's ready to take on any one who tries to get in his way

this is Zack's Vancouver Canucks logo carving

this is Carsyn's peace symbol that looks like it's made with bones

this was the "piece de resistance"...everyone oogled over Brian's Mario

and this was mine...


We have still been pretty busy and me working 3 full days this week hasn't helped! I am looking so forward to having next Monday and Tuesday off to recoop and get stuff done around here. The good news is, I am losing some weight with all the busy-ness so that's a bonus!!

Gotta go...baking to come out of the oven and laundry to fold!

sick and tired

well...we've lost the fight against the cold and flu that has been going around.
I've had three sick boys since last Thursday...I'm sure Zack is next! Not to mention the incredible sore throat I have. I'm no doctor but I have had strep enough in my life to think that I have it again. Figures! We have been ridiculously busy the entire month of October plus I am at school every day now with all those kids and their germs. Not to mention all the places we've been traveling for various sporting events! Wouldn't you know it...this time of the year the doctors office is booking into next week instead of the usual day or two max. Off to the drugstore I go to find something to make myself a little more comfortable.
I have had no time to be creative...had great intentions of doing all sorts of things this month and haven't done any. I seriously have had no free time. Good thing the PVR has a huge memory cause there are a wack of shows waiting to be watched...someday!
The hockey season has been crazy, volleyball is outta control and Brian has been working like mad trying to get things wrapped up before winter. I have developed such an understanding of what my Mom went through with us. I have no idea how she did it...three kids, 2 hockey players, a figure skater, a full time job, housework, school functions...ya know how the list goes on and on. I can't even imagine what my life will be like in another couple of years when Carsyn and Gavin are in things. Zack is going to have to help with the driving...if he has time then with graduating and all. I know that is still a few years away but it feels like it's going so fast.
I know you all have busy lives too...how do you balance it all? I feel like it's more hectic than busy...make sense? Like we are all just running from one thing to the next. However, we are still managing to have family dinners most of the week...even if they aren't as elaborate as they used to be...lol!
In all the running, I have been able to pick up some Christmas gifts...which is nice to feel like I have a bit of a grip on that.
We do have to get through Halloween though...pumpkins are almost done...had to do them is shifts as we all do one so it takes time. Will share pics next post...of the boys in costume too.
Gavin is being The Dark Knight Batman, Carsyn is being the Pilsbary Doughboy, Reilly wants to be a ghost and Zack is not dressing up. In fact, he isn't even planning on being home...made plans to go to a friends instead. Brian comes home tomorrow just in time for his favorite holiday!
I better go...today's to do list is pretty long but it does include a nap so that's good ;)
Take care everyone, hope you are all well and I am going to do my nest to make blog rounds to those of you I have been neglecting...I am soooo very sorry. I still love ya though!

change

is not something I normally deal well with but when it comes to my blog...change is good!
I'll be playing around with my photshop to see if I can figure out how to make a new banner and I would like to figure out how to do sketches too. If anyone wants to leave me some tips or tricks...that would be super! If not, I'll just play around...sometimes that's the most fun way to learn.
I'll be back soon to update what we've been up to and happenings around here.

lucky #13

I Swear - All 4 1

i swear by the the moon
and the stars in the sky
and i swear like the
shadow that's by your side
i see the questions in your eyes
i know what's waiting on your mind
you can be sure i know my part
'cause i stand beside you through the years
you'll only cry those happy tears
and though i make mistakes
i'll never break your heart
and i swear by the moon
and the stars in the sky i'll be there
i swear like the shadow that's by your side
i'll be there for better or worse
till death do us part
i'll love you with every beat of my heart
and i swear

i'll give you every thing i can
i'll build your dreams with these two hands
we'll hang some memories on the wall
and when (and when) just the two of us are there
you won't have to ask if i still care
'cause as the time changes the page
my love won't ever age at all

and i swear (i swear) by the moon
and the stars in the sky i'll be there (i'll be there)
i swear (and i swear) like the shadow that's by your side
i'll be there (i'll be there) for better or worse
till death do us part i'll love you
with every single beat of my heart and i swear

and i swear (i swear) by the moon
and the stars in the sky i'll be there (i'll be there)
i swear (and i swear) like the shadow that's by your side
i'll be there (i'll be there)
for better or worse (better or worse)
till death do us part i'll love you
with every single beat of my heart
i swear i swear i swear