What I Did This Summer

It’s been a long while since I have written anything here, and a lot has happened in our lives.

Noah – you graduated from Senior Kindergarten in June. Your Teacher Assistant Ms. Woods had one word to describe each student and your word was actually two: “Role Model”. Your Dad and I were so proud and still are.

We look forward to watching you grow up to motivate and lead others in the energetic positive way that you already do. You have been in Mrs. Mansfield’s Grade One class for over a month now, and she has even told us that you have begun showing a positive influence in her class. Not only do you still love to read, but you love to write as well. You’re creative thinking pours out of you on paper almost every day.

I would be thrilled to see you fulfill my one-time dream of becoming a writer one day. :)

 

 Julia – you turned a whopping four years old in September and continue to morph into the independent little lady that you already are! (I hope that makes sense :) ).

You had a few days of tears in the mornings of Junior Kindergarten when you realized “your Noah” left you to go to his own class. Mrs. Potts happily reported that you quickly moved on to enjoy the activities of the day. You have been singing a song you learned at school lately:

(To the tune of Twinkle Little Star)

“Orange, yellow,

red and brown,

all the leaves

are falling down.”

It has been so exciting for Dad and me to see you learn new things every day. You amaze us all of the time. Not only have you started school, you began dance at the LaRonde School of Dance (a birthday present from Grammy & Grandpa!) which you love! You have joined the Barrie Sharks hockey team and go out on the ice with Dad every Sunday. You’re not too sure if you like this yet, but you keep going so far! :)






A few other things have happened over the summer and fall as well.

One of your best friends’ “Jazzie” (Grammy & Grandpa’s dog), passed away at 11 years old (some people say that would be 99 in doggie years). She was a wonderful Miniature Schnauzer who followed you both everywhere in hopes of catching a crumb or two. Julia was the only person that Jazzie would allow to kiss her face. It was so cute! Jazzie also love to play ball with Noah up and down the hall until she was tired out!

The other big thing that happened this summer, was when your Dad and I decided not to be married anymore. This was not easy on you Noah, and Julia, you were a bit too young to understand at first, but you did figure it out rather quickly. We told you then, and will continue to tell you that you both mean the world to us and that this is not because of you. Dad and I are working very hard, and doing a very good job at being the best parents we can to you both, and I know that we are already becoming good friends. It hasn’t been easy for us, but I am really proud of how well your Dad and I are doing to get there.

Your Dad and I are especially proud of the both of you. Neither of you aren’t afraid to tell us how you are feeling, nor are you afraid to ask us any questions. We are so happy to see that you have not ‘stopped’ in any way. You continue to enjoy all kinds of activities, friends and family. You seem to be fully aware of all of the love and support from everyone in your life and we could not be happier.

As all of us move onward and upward in many directions, we will always be a family. I look forward to the next chapter of all of our lives with great anticipation. :)

Much love,

Mom xoxo

 

Discussions of God, Thunder and Bowling

“The wise man in the storm prays to God, not for safety from danger, but deliverance from fear”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Tonight was a night of booming thunder and flashes of lightening when Dad and I tucked you both in for the night. While Julia settled in without any concern for the activity happening outside, this was a great concern for you Noah. You sat up in your bed, with ‘Puppy’ in your clutches, and you couldn’t take your eyes off of your window.

I remember being afraid of thunderstorms too. I think it was because I didn’t understand what the loud noise was all about, and I heard stories about people and things getting struck by lightning. I did not know how rare it was for this to happen to people, and that it never happened to anyone tucked safely in their beds. As I got older, I became fascinated by thunderstorms with their booming sounds and claps of light stricken across the sky. I began to realize how beautiful this was, and marvel at how extremely rare it was for lightening to strike twice in the same spot. Yet I understood tonight that you are not ready to accept the beauty of this just yet.

I told you that someone once told me that the sounds of thunder are made when God is bowling, and Dad suggested that lightening occurs when God gets a strike. You asked us if this is true, so we gave you the best answer we could.

We said we didn’t really know.

Then, we asked you what you thought about it. You decided for yourself, that it sounded like God was bowling, and you decided to count the bolts of lightning as strikes. We thought this was a pretty good idea too. It wasn’t long after, that I noticed you weren’t scared anymore. Every time the lightning flashed after that, you called out, “Mom! There goes another strike!” While I should have pointed out that you should have been trying to get to sleep at that point, I couldn’t help but smile.

Since going to church with Grammy, you have started to have your own ideas about God. I’m hoping that you and Julia will help me figure that out one day. Religion itself has always bothered me a bit, or perhaps it’s more like people’s interpretations that have rubbed me the wrong way.

Faith is another story entirely.

I have faith in a great many things. Even when times are tough, even when it seems like people will never get along; I have faith that there will always be good in this world. I have faith in my friends. I have faith in my family.

I have faith in the two of you.

I have never really felt that I needed to go to a church to have faith. Yet, I do believe that church should be about community, so perhaps I’ll come with you and Grammy one day to see for myself.

You never know when lightning could strike.

;)

Live Curious.

I found this today, and wanted to share it with you.  Mom xoxo

Live Curious.

“If you are you breathe.

If you breathe you talk.

If you talk you ask.

If you ask you think.

If you think you search.

If you search you experience.

If you experience you learn.

If you learn you grow.

If you grow you wish.

If you wish you find.

And if you find you doubt.

If you doubt you question.

If you question you understand and if you understand you know.

If you know you want to know more.

If you want to know more you are alive.”

 









National Geographic - Inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888

Waving the White Flag

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.
~Vietnamese Proverb


This weekend, you both drove your father and me around the bend! :)

“Julia! Get out of my room!”

“Mom, Noah called me stink-bomb!”

“Dad, Julia hit me again!”

“NOOOO-AAAAAAHHHH!!!! STOP IT!!!!!”

You both were fighting like cats and dogs with each other so much; it felt as if it would carry on for the rest of your lives!

When it comes to siblings, I don’t have a clue. Growing up, I always wanted a brother or a sister, and I would cry every time friends or cousins would have to go home after visiting. Being the middle of three boys; your Dad definitely has a better idea. Dad would often say I had it lucky; but I think he was mainly referring to times such as when his expensive ball glove was ‘borrowed’ and not returned, or when his black jeans were washed with bleach.

(don’t get any ideas).

Nobody can make you like each other, but since you’re both human (at least you were when I checked last!) you must learn to respect each other. Remember that to respect someone, is to treat him/her the way you want to be treated too. We all have thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams that are important to each and every one of us. While we may not always agree with each other, we need to understand that everyone matters. This is very hard to remember; even still for many people older than your Mom and Dad.

Noah, when you asked me the other day why Grampie  ‘was in a war’ (WWII), it was basically because a lot of people no longer mattered, when they should have been respected. Because of this, they were treated very badly by another group of people who thought they mattered more. Grampie was one of the soldiers who had to fight that group of people in order for this bad treatment to stop. It’s because of the soldiers like Grampie, we live in a country where we are able to treat each other with respect and still be able to have our own thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams.

There are a lot of other places in the world that still have trouble with figuring out how to do this.

While I’m certain World War Three isn’t going to ‘break out’ in our house (too often anyway), your Dad and I are going to do our best to encourage you both to ‘work it out’. As the years pass on and you create families of your own, you will still find that you will be able to count on each other.

No matter what.

In the meantime, can you both stop bickering? Even for just five minutes?

;)

To Infinity and Beyond

If someone had told me years ago that I would have even one tattoo, I would have laughed and said, "There is NO way; I would EVER inject ink through a needle into my body!"

As I creep up to my 37th year, I now have three.

I used to think all tattoos were ugly. If I saw someone on the street that I didn’t know, plagued with scratchy images that were likely homemade, my first thought would be that the person was ‘from the wrong crowd’. I was wrong to think that way. As the years have passed, not only have tattoo artists perfected their craft, but people who make the decision to permanently mark their body, are doing this to commemorate something that is meaningful and personal to them.

Through the art of tattoos, people are telling their own story.

I began telling my story with a red maple leaf on the right side of my abdomen at 28 years old. I truly am proud to be Canadian, and am one of thousands (if not millions) of people who have some form of patriotism proudly engraved forever. My last tattoo was done on my trip to Vegas last year, along with two ladies that I hold dear to my heart. We decided to have our zodiac signs done; this especially represents who I am, as I am nothing if not a Virgo.

Yet my second tattoo is the most special part of my story. It represents you both. :)

I bonded your birthstone colours into a symbol that represents how I feel about being your mother. It is known as a concept referring to a quantity without bound or end. It is the infinity symbol, which in simple terms means forever.

As you move on through life, you will experience some form of change every single day. People will come and go, technology will continue to evolve and there will always be something new to learn about the world you live in.

But know this:

No matter where you go, what you do and who you will become, I will always be your mother. My love for you both, is without bound or end.

And this, I wear proudly on the back of my neck.

I love you both, to infinity and beyond,

Mom xoxo

45 Lessons in Life

I received this the other day, and thought it would be a great thing to share with you both.  These are very good lessons indeed, and I hope I can follow them as much as possible for the rest of my years.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
20. The most important sex organ is the brain.
21. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.






33. Believe in miracles.

 

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. Yield.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
45. The best is yet to come...













Love Mom xoxo

The First of Many

Well since it's my first note, I guess I should begin at a place that makes the most sense - the beginning!  :)

There was a time in my life that I wasn't sure if I wanted to become a Mom or not.  To be honest, I didn't think I would be a very good one.  So from the age of 26 - 28, I spent a lot of time and energy convincing myself, and everyone else in my life that I didn't want to have children.  My parents (now Grammy and Grandpa!)  took this really hard, probably because with me being an only child; this was their only chance to have grandchildren.  My husband (your Dad!) was disappointed too, but was very supportive and stood by me, which shows what a wonderful person he truly is.  At that time, we started planning our future, picturing what it was going to be like with just the two of us.

But just as we were trying to picture this future, I started to realize that the picture had holes in it.  Something was definitely missing.  It wasn't long before I realized that I wanted to be a mother after all, and that it was okay to be scared about whether or not I would make a good one...

I bet there are mothers out there that fear this every day. 

Noah:

I knew I was pregnant with you long before the test confirmed it.  I guess this was the early signs of "Mother's Intuition".  I was sitting in a classroom as a Teacher's Assistant in a high school, when I first felt you kick me and I burst out laughing.  :)  Before we knew you were a boy, we were going to name you Chloe Marie if you were a girl (I'm sure glad you turned out to be a boy!), and we had a heck of a time trying to agree on a boy's name.  We decided to find out what sex you were, and were then faced with trying to come with a boy's name!  Your Dad came up with the idea of both of us making a list of names and whichever name was on both of our lists, was going to be your name.  And lo and behold... Noah Alexander came to be.  :)

You were born via Cesarean section on Tuesday, May 4th 2004 at 8:20 am, weighing 8 pounds and 12 ounces.  You didn't cry at all - in fact you had this really unimpressed look on your face when Dr. Scheeres brought you around the curtain to see me and your Dad for the first time!  I couldn't believe how beautiful you were!  I remember thinking, "Is that my baby?"  Wow.

Now, you are 6 years old.  You are about to finish Senior Kindergarten with Mrs. Potts, and you are going to be starting T-Ball next week with Dad as one of your coaches.  You are "in love" (your words!) with a cute little red-head named Lauren that you have known from daycare since you were both just over a year old.  Your daycare provider Aline now has the nickname "Linnie" ever since you started calling her that as soon as you started talking.  You still sleep with "Puppy" - a stuffed doggie that your Dad picked out and you 'reached' for it for the first time when you were 6 months old.  I am so proud of you, and very thankful that you still love to cuddle!  xo 


Julia:

Once your Dad and I were ready to become parents, I knew I wanted to have 2 children.  Growing up as an only child was pretty lonely at times, so I knew I wanted to have you as soon as I was pregnant with your brother.  Throughout my pregnancy with you, I always felt that you were a girl, but didn't know for sure.  We tried to find out during your ultrasound, but of course you didn't want to show us!  :)  I decorated your room with ladybugs and bees and using alot of greens and oranges and yellows!  If you were to be a boy, your name would have been Nathan Christopher.  Christopher was to be named after a former student of mine that your Dad and I became very close to along with his parents.  And since we no longer liked Chloe Marie as a girl's name, we decided very easily on Julia Grace.

As my belly grew, it became easier for  2 year-old Noah to understand that there was a baby inside.  He loved to talk to my belly, saying, "Hi Baby!"  He also liked to make 'raspberry sounds' on it and thought this was really funny.

You were born via C-Section too on Friday, September 22nd 2006 at 8:35am.  you weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces.  You were squawking like crazy when Dr. Scheeres held you over the curtain and said, "It's a girl!"  Your Dad's faced lit up completely.  :)  Dad would have been happy to have another boy but he REALLY wanted to have a girl this time.  You spent the first couple of days wearing your brother's infant sleepers as we didn't know you were going to be a girl!  Papa Bannister bought your first 'pink' outfit and brought it to the hospital.  Lots of cute pink girly outfits followed soon after.  The first thing Noah did when he first saw you was kiss the top of your head, then he tickled your feet. 

Now you're 3 'and a half' and getting excited about playing "Blastball" (a step before T-Ball).  Dad just signed you up for hockey for the fall, as you spent the last hockey season watching Noah on the ice and 'wanting to play hockey too'.  You love to sing, brush your hair in the mirror and wear 'pretty clothes'.  You love to cuddle too, but it has to be on your terms which I admire about you.  You're growing up way too fast for me, and will always be my baby girl...even as you start Junior Kindergarten in the fall.  xo 



To be continued......

Love Mom xoxo