My emotions overcome me and tears creep up in my eyes, as she sings a lullaby to her child. She is sharing her soul through her music, but does she realize how much she has touched me. Her song, her story, her heart.

On Wednesday, we had two ladies come in and share their music with us. It was very touching, but even their stories are miraculous. One lady touched me specifically. She has three boys and her and her family live in a small, northern, native community where there is 80% Unemployment and 80% Substance Abuse. One of those communities I heart alot about working with the Coalition, but never really felt personally touched my. Dara's songs often were inspired by her community and the children who live there. These children, start off with basically no chance to get out or change their surroundings. It is proven that most of these kids will most likely be part of the cycle. But Dara shared that when they moved to this community she had a choice, to close her door and protect her family from this obviously dangerous community. Or to "open her door" and open her heart. She chose the ladder and has since started a bible study for women and helped the youth start a small youth group called Y2Y. She was thinking one afternoon about what prayer request she had for the bible study and she decided to ask the other ladies to pray for her son's potty training as it was not going well. That night came and the ladies shared their requests and when it came to Dara's turn, she wide-eyed said she didn't have a request. She then shared with us that while her concern was relative to her life, the other's put her concerns into perspective. Some of the other requests were; abuse, alcoholic abuse, drugs, eviction, ect.... She shared some of her photos from this small community and these individuals who live in the middle of distress without hope of overcoming it, looked happy... at least for the moment that the picture was taken. As I looked closer there was one commonality in every picture, Dara.

What a strong mom this Dara. I don't know her two ways from Sunday, but I can visually see that God has put a calling on her heart. She is confident, seems to know what her purpose is and what direction she is going. Two of her boys came for the presentation and she seemed to be an excellent mom. It got me thinking about who I am to my children. Am I a strong mom? Do I provide a safe haven for them? Do they feel God's calling in my life? Have I taken the time to ensure that this is so. Do I look to my kids for purpose? Or to my Heavenly Father? These are all questions I asked myself while listening to Dara sing. Pretty powerful music to have such deep questions come to mind.

In the New Year, I wrote a list of things I wanted to do this year. Two of them were volunteer and learn. Last week I joined the Design Committee at church which basically means I am helping host once a week. I get to do some public speaking, spend some time learning about scripture in a small group, and volunteering.... Also, I am enrolling in a photography course in April. This will be my first college class since 2001. I am pretty nervous, but excited to be finally investing in myself for a change. I also looked forward to the fall, and if all goes well, I want to take the 2nd Photography Course and the first of three Interior Design course. I have spent some time creating some new things: bracelets, some earrings, scrapbooking, and quilting.... So I would say I am well on my way this year.... now if I could only shed a few pounds while I was at.

PS: I am wondering if there is anyone out there who still reads my blog. I average about 2 comments per post and I was just wondering if I was writing for myself or if there are others getting anything out of this blog? I like writing, so I will continue either way. I was just curious.

Plus ONE!!!!

This has been a fun filled weekend with lots of fun moments. Like the kids in the bath. They love playing together and blowing bubbles.



When mom is away, the kids will play. This is Dana's influence of course, one night while I was out.




We went for a day of taboggoning because the temperature was PLUS ONE!!! That is unheard of in these prairies so we took full advantage. It was SO much fun.

Then I was able to get a little creative while the kids napped. I spent the afternoon creating and working on my scrapbooks. Check out my etsy site for some new creations.

Mommy Diaries: Growth

In November I did a post to the first chapter in this book I am reading with my MOPS group. Today we did a group discussion on Growth (the 2nd Chapter). I actually hadn't read the chapter so I couldn't really relate to where the discussion was going. So I came home, took a bath, and read the 2nd chapter in my book. **Just a side note: I am reading like 4 books. I really am a slow reader, but not that slow.**

Anyway, I really identified with this chapter. It talked about how mothering makes us grow beyond our comfort zones, and stretches us as women. It talked about how God is truly the only one in control of our lives and how we become more of the woman that God wants us to be within the daily adventures of mothering.

In this chapter, one mom shared a story of how her and her daughter went boating one summer and were in the middle of this river. Her daughter and a few other passengers jumped into the cool depths and then looked back to encourage her to do the same. This was apparently out of her zone and she declined. Her daughter begged and pleaded saying that she would like it. But still she refused. She then wrote that combined with the look on her daughters face and the fear of losing that child like play with her children.... she jumped. She said it felt exhilarating and totally worth it. She said from that moment on she made an effort to say "yes" even to things that scare her. Because of her kids, she was pushed beyond her comfort zone and experienced things that she never dreamed she could do.

My own kids have pushed me in many ways. The one that springs to mind immediately is actually unexpected. They have pushed me to just be. In highschool, I was a very busy gal, always on the go. I had an insane schedule filled with sports, volunteering, leadership, and community involvement. I always felt that is who I am, busy. But my kids stretched me in the sense of just stopping and enjoying little pleasures. Like play dough on a cold winter day and how a globby can look like a dinosaur. How swimming in the bath can make me giggle. And when your daughter learns to say "Helileuia" at 19 months, it blows your mind. They have also stretched me to find myself amongst the chaos. To love myself beyond stretch marks and sagging boobs (too much info?). Granted this is a continual process for me, I am so blessed to have my kids unconditional love and support. God truly knows me better than I know myself. He knows what I need in this life, and who I need to grow to be.

So my question to you other moms is, how have your children stretched you? Made you grow? Has it been a positive experience? Or possibly challenging? Let me know if you identify with this chapter.

Happy Birthday Video!

We had Kynan's Birthday Party at ChuckECheese this year. Kynan's choice, of course. It actually was pretty fun. I even got to ride a rollar coaster. Or at least an assimilated one. Kynan got everything he wished for. Transformers, a remote control car, neurf ball, stickers, and a cool truck. Chucke even made a private appearance just for Kynan (que screaming babies).

Even though this is an expense, there was no prep, no hosting, no clean up. The simplest party I had the pleasure of hosting.

Happy New Years!

Favorite Moments of 2008:
* Completing our home renovations in Saskatchewan. It was the first home we lived in that felt like home to us.
* Vegas Baby!!!
* Witnessing two people exchange vows and share their love.... twice.
* Waterparks and Hot Family Reunions
* Driving home across the prairies with that beautiful Saskatchewan sunset in the rearview mirror.
* Starting a new adventure

Least Favorite Moments:
* Potty Training Kynan
* Redoing our Bathroom Reno
* Leaving Saskatchewan
* Telling our Families we are moving back to Saskatchewan
* Losing a nephew

Aspirations for the New Year:
* Lose weight!!! Of course.
* Maybe gain some baby weight???? LOL.
* Take a class the inspires me.
* Volunteer
* Read my Bible
* Be a better mom
* Create

What are yours?

Happy 4th Birthday Kynan

I can hardly believe that my little baby boy is turning four! The time really does go by in a blink. After looking through four years of photos and selecting ones to share on this post, I reminisce on what a little character my son is. He has always had this little personality, filled with humor on love. While he loves to make people laugh and smile, he also has a real tender heart. He still needs his cuddles and hugs and movie star kisses. He likes when I kiss his boo boos better and give him eskimo kisses. He still sleeps with his baby and like to be tucked in.

But some things change, like he doesn't like me messing his hair up, touching his toys, changing his movie. He has particular foods he likes and he is not big on sharing them. He wants to do up his own jacket, tie his own shoes, and color his own pictures. He wants to learn how to use the computer and gets frustrated because he can't read. He wants to drive the car and get mad when we tell him "Only when you are older". He pretends to be transformers and elephants, and he likes to instruct Ava on how to do things. He LOVES to sing.

He is my baby boy growing up to be a caring, loving, and funny little boy. God truly blessed us with Kynan and the gift he is to our life is priceless.

Happy Birthday, Mr. K! We love you.

Happy 2009

We hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2009. We had a group pf friends over on the eve of 31st to ring in the new year. We played Cannasta and a little Cranium. It was super fun. All I can say is that the girls rocked the night, yeah! It was our first New Years Eve Party ever, and even though it was small, we had such a wonderful time.

It's hard to believe that 2009 is here already. Already so many BIG news to hit the airwaves. Particularly, my sister-in-law is expecting. We are so happy for her as we know it is a dream of hers to have a house full of children one day. And what a way to ring in the New Year with a bang. When she found out she was pregnant with Jaia, she told her husband on top of the empire state building. Both of these moments will be memorable.

As for Dana and I, not much has changed. We are looking to make some changes regarding our living situation. We are a little cramped in our little apartment so we are looking into some non-risky options, like possibly a co-op. So if you wouldn't mind praying for us we would appreciate it. In addition to that someone emailed us regarding our lot. This is great news and we are very hopeful.

Kynan's Birthday is tomorrow and we will be celebrating it at Chucke Cheese. Kynan is very excited and truth be known, so are we. However, it is hard to believe that our little baby is turning 4!!! Where does the time go? Pictures will definitely follow.

That's about it for us.