Six

For my dearest sweet Grace turned 6 yesterday. The excitement was there! Twinkling in her eyes, slipping across her shy smile, and overall glowing off her face! She greeted the day with a smile and lapped up the hugs and kissed and happy birthdays. From all around her family! Her breakfast of choice would not have been my choice and I think I sensed a hint of rebellion in her eyes as she ate. (Either was lunch my choice, - Kraft dinner - but has hubby said, if that's the treat of choice, they are being fed GOOD food other wise!)

A trip with daddy to the store, and guests arriving just for her!  O the shyness, the hand holding and the way she looked for security.

How my Grace has grown in the past year! She is swimming, and reading, and dancing. She can concentrate forever, and as she is reading up on babies in the Baby Encyclopedia I think she knows more about babies then I do!

First's. She had some first's this year. First ballet lesson, sleep over for Saint Nick at Nana and Paka's, and the first time dealing with death of some one she luved. (Nana's dog Amber and our loss of our unborn baby.) All of these things she learned leaps and bounds, asked all the right questions, and nodded her understanding during explanation. She smiled and rocked the baby of a dear friend to sleep, and continues to carry her real baby around that she got for her birthday last year. Introducing her to friends and family taking her to bed, and 'nursing' her.

she was so proud

 She has energy and a thirst for knowledge. I didn't 'teach' her to read in the traditional way. I exposed her to books, and some simple alphabet games. Her thirst for knowledge got her there. Reading ANY picture book from the library, and any words she finds in public, on my iphone, and in instructions. 

Oh my Grace. I take pictures, and lock away these years in my heart. It goes by so fast, and the more I try to hang on, the faster it goes. You change and grow. Compassion, slyness, kindness, and sweetness. All wrapped into one.

Happy Birthday my Girl!! Momma luves you!!

the luv of sisters

cousins!

cake time

trying to get a picture of the wee ones together....-not so much!

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Linked from Soule Mama

Accept (ing)

New Years week has been one filled with routine. It was a bit tough to get into it. My poor boy was lost on Monday when everyone went to their jobs, and felt lonely and like he had no one to play with. But by today, 4 days later, everyone fell into the routine right after breakfast. The girls quickly found there places with books open at the table, and Bryn found his place at the picnic table drawing his pics. Klara found a quiet spot to read a book we had read the night before. The house was quiet and I was able to do the breakfast  dishes without interruption. And once the work was done, the girls bounced down from their chairs and Bryan waited patiently to play. Klara followed behind and slipped down the steps backward to join the play.

"ROAH" she says in her wee voice.

I treasure these moments in my heart.

look at those people he is drawing!

I am so so thankful for routine.

Accept

From One Word Three Sixty Five I have picked MY word for 2012. I have linked the site and and will link my blog to it too.

But my word. Accept. I am accepting, I am trying and learning and reminding myself to accept. Accept what I can do.

Accept that I will try as hard as I can  but sometimes I will fail. Accept that sometimes I will succeed!

Accept the hard times, because them make the good time better!

I will stop fighting the things I can't do, and accept the things I can do.

I can be a good mom. I can be a good teacher. I can be a good friend. I can be a good daughter. I can luv, and laugh, and try, and move forward. Accepting. My word for 2012.

I will try to post once a week about my journey through accepting.

Celebrating

A wee celebration for my dear Grace as she turns 6 on Saturday. Celebrating with friends that can't be here on Saturday. The shy smile she gets when the attention is on her. She is happy and excited, but keeps it inside, except the smile.

that sweet smile

 Whats your word of the year?

these moments

Often on Fridays I am inspired to do 'this moment' inspired by Amanda Soule from SouleMama. Well today I'm making my own 'these moments' because our week has been made up of moments. Moments I have lived in. I have chosen to revel in the moments that make up my kids days. The smiles, the teetering steps, the quiet moments they play together. I have hung up their carefully colored pictures on the fridge, and bribed Bryan to kiss me every night, although he says he's too big...

My heart has been plagued with sadness over the changes in my life I can't control. I won't say its easy or pretend it isn't there. I have days when it hangs heavy, and something small sets me off to tears. Sometimes its a touching blog post, a picture, or a long day and a short night.  But the choices I have made, this week, and past month, to live in the moment, to give the extra hug, to stop what I am doing, and help put on dolly's shirt, or build the lego house, have made the difference. I have these memories and moments treasured up and put away in my heart.

Christmas

look Klara!

footies in her size

my vintage deal. we named her Anne because she has red hair and green eyes like Anne of Green Gables

so happy with the homemade gift

Angelina made this for her momma. it adorns my desk now

sleeping in a cozy place through it all

'the gift' that one perfect gift. made me cry to see her joy

chowing down on some treats

Snow - long awaited

smiles :)

mitts bought in love

Today - leaving the smallest ones with Tata, me and the biggest girls went to see and enjoy a much luved gift from a very dear friend. Although plans got shifted slightly, my girls and I got dressed up, I pinned and netted ballet buns, and dabbed on a wee bit of makeup. Memories. On the smiles the clapping, and the dreams dancing in their eyes. 

The new year approaches. For us with the wee ones, it will be a evening with family, and then its a quiet night at home, making memories, and being together.  Sharing hopes, dreams for the new year, resolutions, and moving forward. Kisses at midnights, even for littles ones tucked into bed and sleeping. Yes, thats right. After midnight and before we go to bed, we slip into quiet rooms with night lights glowing, we smooth back soft curls, and kiss the plump cheeks and smooth foreheads of those wee babe's we luv so much.  New Years Day will take us to my mom and dads for new year wishes, and more memories to make.

How are you spending you New Years Eve?

The Day Before

The day started with high spirits and happy children. The sun was shining, and the day was spread out before us. We stayed close together, talking, sharing, helping. It was easy to stay on task and move towards time together as a family. As the day evolved, I realized we weren't moving towards that, but doing it! We were spending time as a family. In the preparation for Christmas.

We baked cookies and packed them up to spread some holiday cheer in our neighborhood. The girls finished up they're tree ornaments and  we attached them to cards. We knocked on doors and the children waited, watching the door, shifting from foot to foot. The door would open and they would call out "Merry Christmas!" The joy and smiles, and happy words. It was heart warming to do it with my kids, and watch the delight on their faces to make someone else so happy.

We have this tradition. We only began 2 years ago, but it works out so well. We bundle them up, and head over to Simoce to see the Christmas lights. They have a park in the middle of town all decorated. The kids luved it the 1st year and have asked continually each for the following year. This year they were checking with me and asking me already in November that we would go and Daddy would come too. They have been so excited. On the way home we listen to the weather man update us on where Santa is!

"Shhhhhh, quiet!" Angelina yells form the back seat.  She's at the age, looking for every sign that the big old guy in red is really real. I continue to do my best to keep the spirit alive, knowing the years of this are winding down for her.

Baka came, we ate pizza and snuggled babies in bed in warm pj's and hugs and kiss. it was quiet, and gifting began.

The house is quiet now. The tree in ready for the excitement of tomorrow. With thoughtful handmade, and refurbished gifts. I reflect on the day and smile. We did it. And joy swims through me knowing we are make new traditions, and people smile, and teaching them important lessons.

 

Merry Christmas! May your day be filled with wonder, and you heart with joy, and love.

1, 2, 3 & 4

I'm trying to make this my blog header but having problems. Have a great day! 2 more sleeps!!

Nana's Day and Being Versatile

Today is Nana's day. We got up early, rushing around,  eating on the run, packing clothes, potty, crock pot full of soup, and running out the door. Only to go back for my keys! But we made it out the door, the second time and headed over in an enjoyable ride. Talking and sharing with my children about random things and pulling in right on time.

A Christmas tree in the corner, platters of cookies and buns and pots of soups. Company, and laughter and lots of hugs and kisses is the tradition I remember growing up. I was so happy to include my children in this tradition, and that for them it will be part of the tradition of Christmas!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Versatile Blogger Award

Kristyn awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. I'm not sure I fit the criteria, but am happy to play along! She syas: "The premise behind the award is that the blogger who receives this award is invited to share seven things about themselves with their readers, and then pass on the award to 15 other bloggers." Of all the blogs I follow, I don't know anyone personal (other then Kristyn) so I have no one to pass it on to! But I will share 7 things about me!

1. Hubby and I bought Iphones about 6 weeks ago, and although I didn't want one to begin with, I stand in awe at how amazing it is, and I am slowly falling in luv with the thing!

2. Goran and I met on a blind date with a couple that knew each other already. The 2nd time I was with him I knew I could luv him and marry him and spend my life with him.

3. I suffer from chronic sinus problems. Sometimes it doesn't bother me at all, but when I get worn down and over tired, my sinuses begin to ache and they make me even more exhausted. I use a neti pot, eat garlic, and drink lemon tea like crazy to overcome it. These remedies REALLY help.

4. I would like to live in a big old country home, and have farm animals, have a baby in the house, and raise our family there. I'm enjoying the house I have now, and the neighborhood, but I don't know if this is my forever home.

5. I would like to have an unassisted birth.

6. This Christmas is hard for me. Over the last year my circle of friends has changed drastically. Some have been my decision, and others have not. I have tried to reach out, with phone called and emails, and have had no or little response back. This Christmas is different and I am trying really hard to make new traditions, and move forward with a different circle, and my growing family, but there is a part of me that hurt over the losses. 

7. With this warm weather with fall and winter I have worn my Birkenstock's as long as possible. I wore them today!

7 randoms things :)

A few more pics that are on my favorits this week.

bob sleeping in and empty Christmas bag. luv u bob

she's was trying to walk and pull at the same time, but was having time with balance and pulling :)

perfect - hole in the stocking!

story time at the library last night. yes, in pj's!

3 more sleeps! I hope your week is going well!