I have a secret Sept 16,2014

I hear almost daily from people, that they are amazed at how much I do with you kiddos. That we are always out and about and doing things like apple picking, little hikes or a plethora of other adventures to hosting fun little parties, to having our own little school with crafts BUT here's my secret...I am scared to death that I won't always be able to do fun active things with you, I aim to, I hope to and I'm working hard to be healthy but the downside of having kids late in life is that I'm no spring chicken and that scares me to no end. I want to be the mom that is always active with her kids, I want to hike and rock climb and ride bikes and do all those things and let's face it no one wants to get old. I am scared that I'm not going to see you graduate and be that mom

In the crowd fist pumping as you guys walk across the stage. I'm scared  I won't be there for your first loves, marriages, babies or if I am then I'm going to be out of energy, in a body and mind that's failing me.  So while I'm somewhat with it now... most days.   You can bet your bottom dollar that I am going to walk your socks off, make you hike hills, eat snow, try and teach you how amazing and beautiful nature is. That it renews, refreshes and relaxes the soul. Try and enjoy every little exhausting, wonderful, learning, fun moment with you and watch how amazing you three little beings are. I love you "this much", sweet dreams. And here's to a million and more adventures

Aug 15, 2014 Monday

Today's adventures

The progression of a hug 💗 Daniela and Abbie

This picture cracks me up. Mason was thinking they could move it. He was barking orders. Dani was supposed to be pulling and Abbie was helping him push. Honestly though the way he was talking to them and trying to figure it out was so funny. 

I love this picture of Dani. More pumpkin fun. 

Manotick mill

Then home, the usual mom stuff, and for family home evening Alin taught the lesson on healthy bodies and we all did 10 push-ups and 10 sit-ups. 

Aug 8-13 Cabin with the Cappuccino's

We were super lucky and our friends the Cappuccino's invited us to go to a cabin with them for a week.  It was at Lac Serpent on the Quebec side. It was a little of a drive, no cell service (for the boys this was super tough) beautiful beach and a great mini holiday! We spent most of our days on the beach that was amazing, the water was warm and shallow for quite a while. Which is wonderful when you are watching kids. They loved the water and the sand. And the sun

The only downside was it started pouring  on Tuesday and wasn't going to let up. So we ended up going home early on Wednesday. 

Why I need Sundays

Sometimes in the craziness of the moment getting ready for church is a struggle, getting here is a struggle, sitting thru Sacrament is a struggle with our 3 busy littles  BUT then there are slivers of peace and inspiration that are needed in my life.  

The opening song we sang in Relief Society was Did You Think To Pray? 

1. Ere you left your room this morning,

Did you think to pray?

In the name of Christ, our Savior,

Did you sue for loving favor

As a shield today?

[Chorus]

Oh, how praying rests the weary!

Prayer will change the night to day.

So, when life gets dark and dreary,

Don’t forget to pray.

2. When your heart was filled with anger,

Did you think to pray?

Did you plead for grace, my brother,

That you might forgive another

Who had crossed your way?

[Chorus]

Oh, how praying rests the weary!

Prayer will change the night to day.

So, when life gets dark and dreary,

Don’t forget to pray.

3. When sore trials came upon you,

Did you think to pray?

When your soul was full of sorrow,

Balm of Gilead did you borrow

At the gates of day?

[Chorus]

Oh, how praying rests the weary!

Prayer will change the night to day.

So, when life gets dark and dreary,

Don’t forget to pray.

Text: Mary A. Pepper Kidder, 1820–

Music: William O. Perkins, 1831–1902

Psalm 5:3, 12

Mark 11:24–25

The lines that  stuck out so clearly for me today were when your heart was full of sorrow... I find myself so homesick especially with the kids growing up. I wish we were closer to their cousins, and of course to have my siblings around would be amazing. The kids have such a fun time all together and my family really is some of my best friends. Also sometimes this mom thing is wearing on a mom, the constant worry and teaching and need for patience and forgiveness when patience runs out. I had recently been thinking that going back to work would really be a lot easier and maybe a better solution for her family and the struggles I deal with everyday AND THEN I was handed a reading assignment in class. 

“Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood. 

WOW lesson ment just for me. I could feel tears welling up and a new resolve to find, and enjoy the nobility in motherhood     I always wanted to be a mom and honestly for years it was all I could think about, so now in the craziness and business and stress and fun of it all I need to breathe, and breathe deep and enjoy these moments that I dreamed of for so long. 

 

So when I'm exhausted and frustrated, it's mostly from having unrealistic expectations. Expecting our home to be spic and span, kids that never fight, dishes always done, dinner cooking (and everyone enjoying and appreciating it) and time for me to exercise, develop talents, date my husband and do all the other things that I think should just happen in a day is not going to happen at this time of my life. 3 busy, curious, healthy kids and husband are going to have to be my accomplishments of the day. I will however make sure my teeth are brushed everyday!!

My Premium Romanian

Blast from the past, isn't he a cutie pie

Never chews just one stick of gum...always puts two in

When taking a picture he always goes to his "picture side" yep he has one funny though are friends even notice we can be all set up for a picture and he'll switch sides

He gets dressed and ready methodically out of the shower dries in an order, puts his underwear on and then grabs 2 q-tips and cleans both ears at same time (for some reason he really loves this)

When he laughs hard I love it

He is quick witted and super funny

He sleeps like he's a corpse

I found him handsome every single day, I love it when he has jeans, t-shirt and bare feet, or when we've been on holiday and he had gruff growing

I DID IT, REMEMBERED WHY I LOVED IT, INSPIRED TO DO BETTER...and didn't die. August 30,2014

Today was the day! To say I was apprehensive, nervous (and by nervous I mean the kind of nervous that you think your going to wet your pants or worse and feeling like I was going to throw up kind of nervous) not feeling ready and concerned about my leg.  Throw in a little excitement to finally be back doing something that I used to love...and you have my morning.  My little family wished me luck, grabbed a few smooches and a concerned husband telling me to be careful and that I could do this, and I headed to orientation. 

The start of the swim was in Mooney's Bay so as we waded in with goggles and swim caps and as the water started to get higher so did my nerves.  AND THEN BANG...away we went, I started doing front crawl but somehow got a little turned around and was swimming toward the beach so I switched it up to breast stroke.  Its amazing how much your thoughts can either motivate you or discourage you, as I saw many bobbing heads in front of me my thoughts turned to negative ones "you can't do this", "your out of shape", "you haven't trained properly", "your too big right now" and the thoughts kept coming UNTIL I made a conscious decision that I was doing it and I was doing it right now and while some of my negative thoughts were true I wasn't about to quit.  I AM NOT A QUITTER! I was doing this for me.  This was the start of my journey about getting back into shape post kids and setting a good example for my family.  The swim ended and I headed to the bike portion, hoped on my bike at the mounting station and headed down the canal.  The first part I felt good, my legs weren't tired and I was passing people, when we hit the turn around it got tougher.  The wind was against us and I could start to feel my legs working harder.  When I was almost done the bike portion I looked up and there was President McAteer cheering us on, it was so nice to see someone you knew, shouting your name and encouraging you.  When I got off my bike to head to the running portion my legs felt a little like jello and that I had forgot them somewhere along the course. 

The run was the portion I was the most nervous about, I had not trained at all for it, for fear my lower leg would flair up again (Physio, x-rays, massage) but I managed to jog/walk/scootch and the surprising thing was it felt okay.   I was hoping the swim training and bike training would cover me for the run and it seemed to.  Then as I was about to cross the finish line I heard my name again and saw another friend Suzanne with her new baby, encouraging me along the way.  Then on to the finish line. 

I FINISHED

I turned the corner and there was my beautiful family.  I was PROUD of myself, for finishing and finishing well above what I thought I would do. 

I need to thank "Kate the Great" for asking me to be a part of this adventure with her.  Had she not asked me to do this with her I wouldn't have started my journey back to me.  She is "great" because first of all her sense of humour is awesome, she's kind, funny, smart, great communicator (inside joke) fun to be around and did I mention she just had her third baby 3 months ago via c-section and she did the triathalon and rocked it! Super Woman!! 

I'm excited to see my progress and return to my former self for our next tri.