So I started a group for the "sisters" so we can feel more connected to each other across the miles.  Somehow I feel closer when I know we are all painting our toenails or deep conditioning our hair at the same time.  Well this was Renee's week to decide and its a tough one.  Here's her request 
Okay, ladies, all this challenge requires is a pen and a piece of paper. We are just going to make a list.
100 things I like about myself.
I chose 100 because it will get us past the things we usually think about if asked this question, plus we get through the things that we've heard from others, it gets us through the things that our mothers have told us and finally to us looking a bit deeper and really thinking of things that we like about ourselves.
I don't want the lists to have any positive negatives, for example; I like that my hair holds a curl, even though it looks like crap when straight. None of those. Just completely positive.
And here's the kicker...we're going to share these with each other in this group. No one here is going to judge. It's not bragging...it's CELEBRATING the fact that even if we have trouble acknowledging it, we truly are awesome, amazing, inspiring and LOVED women.

1.  Family Oriented
2.  Friendly
3.  Funny
4.  Kind
5.  Non judgemental
6.  Hard working
7.  Try
8.  Love Nature
9.  Love to throw a party
10. Like to make everyone feel included
11. Crafty which means I can copy a great idea of pintrest
12. Loyal
Wow this is hard it took me 30 min to come up with these first 12
13. Sparkling personality...goes without saying
14. Loves deeply
15. Genuinely wants the best things to happen to everyone
16. Love gardening, watching things grow
17. Good neighbor
18. Testimoney
19. Finally at a place where I like my face, the stories it tells, the things it has seen, the babes that kiss it goodnight
20. My ears I have been told by Trina that I have perfect ears
21. That I really do try to be the mother of my dreams, that each day I get up and want to rock this job, and each day try and be a bit better than I was yesterday
22.  My lower crooked tooth, I feel it connects me to cousins and family who I love dearly, even when people have tried to fix it.  I actually love it's uniqueness
23.  I finally like the color and shape of my eyes.  After years of feeling self conscious, I love that they are the same color as Dad's and that my 2 little ones have the same color as me.  Strange that it took babies to finally like them
24.  That my body, housed, feed, comforted 3 amazing little beings.  That after delivery I was like whoa my body just did something amazing.  That this body still comforts little ones
25.  My hands.  They look older, have scars, a little chubbier yet all the things that they do for the ones I love.
26. Family ties, love being with family, brag about my family and feel a little sorry for anyone that's not in our family because I think that they miss out on such fun
Renee 100 really is a lot, I'll keep trying but it does require a lot of searching
27.  My second toe, because it's so much longer and the more people teased me about it the more I felt like it was special
28.  My laugh, the way I can laugh in movies, such a freeing gift
29.  How I try and have lots of little adventures
30.  Great bowel system, generally no problems
31.  How as soon as we get into a vehicle to do a trip I give a hoot and holler and get excited
32. I can keep a secret
33. I help out friends in need
34. Generous
35. How when I hear a good song I just can't keep it in
36. Understanding
37. Forgiving
38. Empathy
39. Determined
100 Humble :)
Well Renee this assignment was a ton harder than the previous ones we've had so far this is all I've got.  Love you and thanks for making us see some positive qualities when so often we spend our days beating ourselves up.
 

June 14, 2014 Alin's birthday

So as I write this we have just finished at Parc Omega, kids have all crashed in their car seat and we are headed to more fun and adventure in mont Tremblant.  

When we arrived we went to check into our hotel room which I was so proud of because I got a great deal. As we were starting to put out stuff down Alin looked at me and said someone is still here. With a quick look around 

June 17 Asking forgiveness

Why is it that we find it easier to apologize to a complete stranger than to apologize to someone who we love. Today it was my 3 turkeys I needed to apologize to, and honestly I found it super hard.  Mostly because you were all turkeys in the real sense of the word and when I'd finally had enough...it wasn't how I should have dealt with it. Man this parenting thing sure has a learning curve and curve and curve:) maybe we feel like if we apologize we are absolving you of all guilt or responsibility.  Or we don't want to seem like we are vulnerable or need help in this parenting maze.  That we should have all the answers and what we say go's...well because I'm the mom right (I may have heard/said that somewhere before) and then sometimes it's just because we are being a stubborn mule.   Today it was a little bit of all the reasons, but then my sweet boy who, was actually the instigator in this case, came up to me wrapped his arms around my leg, looked up at me and said "I'm sorry momma, I love you" I looked down at all 3 of them in different stages of meltdown mode and sat on the floor in the midst of them and said "Do we all need a hug and kiss" as I wrapped my arms around all of them with their arms around my neck.  I swallowed my pride and softly said "I'm sorry too"  kissed each one of those turkeys and told them I loved them. 

I think it's important, even when it's hard to apologize to our kids. I think it helps them understand that we are not perfect. Gasp! I know that shocks you kiddos because you thought mom and dad were perfect.  That we are trying our hardest and tomorrow's another day to work on being a little better than we were today.  So kiddos I love you, this much and sweet dreams!

Other happenings of the day:

We talked dad into coming strawberry picking with us in the morning before he had to go to work. So at 8 am our family was enjoying the beautiful sunny day while picking/eating strawberries

Then dad wanted to go for breakfast so we headed to tutti-fruiti for breakfast.  Ps I hate eating out at this stage of the game and dad loves eating out.

Alin left for work and as I was looking at all the strawberries we had I decieded it would be a nice treat to give some to three of our neighbours. So I put some in two little bowls and wrote a little note that said "For our sweet neighbours. We ❤️ You" and then dropped them off before piano lessons.  We later took some to John and Tania as well.  

Went to piano, then home, later on it was soccer time and just as we arrived at the field it started raining.  Awesome (said sarcastically) funny because Mason loved it and didn't want to go home early so I put the girls in the truck and we watched him.  

That's him with his shirt over his head for the warm up, at least it was still warm out

Ps at the soccer game one of neighbours son in law who we ran the strawberries over for was talking to me and saying how thoughtful and kind that gesture was. They were tickled pink and perfect timing because later that afternoon our neighbour ended up in the hospital. She's home now and resting but was quite a scare for everyone.  Made me glad I didn't put off a kind gesture.  Well my turkeys goodnight and sweet dreams, love mom

Renee's assignment for me. June 11,2014

Renee was making a book for my mom and dad so she asked for some things that we were thankful for them sacrificing so this is what I wrote...So I've thought long and hard about this assignment. I came up with a few scenarios. Firstly I have given up my right to privacy. Picture this in your mind if you dare. A fairly new mom six weeks old baby a two-year-old little boy and a one-year-old little girl. Going for a routine exam postpartum. As I lay on the table one baby decides that they need to eat right now another one decides that they want to see what the doctors doing and another one decides that this is just plain too much for them and starts screaming. So there I lay one baby on my chest nursing a doctor down below a little boy wondering what is going on trying to check things out and a little girl deciding that this is too much. In my mind I thought really, has it really come to this. I know appreciate my parents sacrifice of privacy. This is one example followed by many. Such as trying to use the washroom alone impossible. One little one when flushing the toilet whilevI'm trying to take care of business another one grabbing toilet paper and another one standing behind trying to see if they can see anything not for the weak of heart. Things that had someone told me before I had kids I would not have believed. Showers have become parties and forget about amourous activity, the kids have a radar. 

Secondly I have given up my sanity, calmness, and luscious hair... They may all be entwined since I figuratively pull my hair out daily not to mention the gray strip that my daughter so nicely pointed out to me the other night at dinner. " mom you have white hair" yep thanks kiddo. Like it doesn't already bother me. Swearing heck before kids words didn't even enter my mind, now I can relate to moms bs comment (brown sugar) and dad swearing all the way to the vehicle window then talking to me, turning around and swearing all the way back ( vehicle related) I know appreciate my dad's thining hair and my moms effort in the kitchen (by the way mom I still feel horrible about 17th street comment on our sunflower peanut butter sandwiches)

My body nevermind the shape it's become but just the simple things, such as not having anyone hang off me like a jungle gym and how my lap becomes prime location if anyone else dares sit there. How things leak and creak that didn't use to how sleep has now become this elusive thing that you hear people talk about but don't know if it really exists. How simple things like brushing your teeth and flossing become so much of a chore when your run ragged.  Mom and dad I appreciate your sleepless nights, taking care of sick kids, laundry, chores and everything else a kid doesn't appreciate till they become the parent

AND THEN this happens these little beings that you care for, drive you around the bend all day, exhaust you to the point that you just high five your husband in the hallway and make a date for next year... Wrap those lite chubby arms around your neck, snuggle in, kiss you and say " I luf you" and you would do it all over again.  Mom and dad thanks for your amazing example if I can be glad the parents you were I will be happy.  Love you!!!

June 10 Perspective

Abbie                         Daniela

Yesterday I was complaining about not having 2 minutes to myself to finish chores around the house and I have to admit it made me crabby.  This morning I would give anything to have my 2 girls into all the mischief they are usually into.  They are SICK and I mean the worrisome, pray your heart out sick. With fevers running up to 40.1 and noses and eyes running, deep chunky coughs and tired, worn out, lethargic little girls.   I was able to get them into the doctor and she did a swab on them to see if it's strep throat, but they seemed to take a turn for the worse after we left.  Poor Dani, I just held her and she fell asleep in my arms, it seems like when she gets sick she does it full throttle no halfway business for her.  It's all or nothing, I just want to wave a magic wand and have her back to her busy, fun, driving me crazy self.  Abbie's has started but she still can breathe thru her nose a bit better but her fever is raging.  It's so worrisome and I want them to be healthy, running around and driving me bonkers.  I need these kids of mine, I need them to get better and I need them to live long and full lives. I've been praying all day of how to help them and that this would pass quickly. Mason has a cough but no fever, here's hoping it stays like that.  

June 5, 2014 The loving touch of babes

To say I am disappointed in my body right now is an understatement.  How I look affects how I feel and in turn how I deal and act with the routine of motherhood...but then there are sweet moments that my Heavenly Father reminds me that I am still worth it.  Moments that my body is used to comfort, play, cuddle, kiss these 3 amazing albeit crazy busy kids of ours.  

How Abbie needs to touch me to drift off easily to sleep, how she puts her arm down my shirt and her little chubby hand rests so comfortably in a place she considers home.  IT IS A SENSE OF COMFORT TO HER, THIS BODY OF MINE

How Dani wants to snuggle in as close as she can possibly get...on the snugglable days, using my arm as her pillow and needs to hold hands.  It makes me smile when she holds your hand because she only wants to hold it a very specific way (I was talking to Alin about this one night and he laughed and said I was the same way) IT IS A SENSE OF COMFORT TO HER, THIS BODY OF MINE

How Mason likes to snuggle, hold hands and kiss me and is definitely our snuggly kid.  Last night he looked over at me and said " mom your my best buddy" my heart exploded.  IT IS A SENSE OF COMFORT TO HIM, THIS BODY OF MINE

May 31, 2014

Today was beautiful out, enough for the swimsuits to go on and sprinkler.  We were watching James and Joseph as Amy is still in the hospital with their new little one (Aymon) and Dan come over with the girls while Kate rested with their new little one (Arthur). This morning started with breakfast, dishes, cleaning and then at 8 I got to go downstairs and do a tiny bit of exercise which makes my day go SO MUCH better. Then the boys got here and the fun began.

Anderson's came to pick the boys up and then Alin wanted to take the kids to a movie which is great for Mason and him but not so great for the girls in this family as we all have a tough time sitting thru a show.  We went to "Rio 2" and honestly the snacks came to $52 CRAZY.  The movie or what we saw of it was cute and Alin and I had to laugh because we saw ourselves in the bird parents of this movie.  The mom loves nature and being outside and roughing it and the dad not so much.  The dad bird was wearing a fanny pack and had his gps in hand so like Alin and the one that sent me over the edge laughing was the Grampa bird kinda gives the dad bird a little ribbing for not being up early and the husband bird turns to the wife and says why didn't you wake me. Which she says you sleep in every day at home.  These birds were us.  We didn't get to watch the whole movie as Abbie and Daniela were  wild.  

After the movie we met up with Yamen and his girls at the park and then home.  Our street had a festival every year and I always like going to it so when we got home it was late but I wanted to go so I took Mason and Daniela and we had a lot of fun. 

  Late night and tired kiddos and parents.