Life's Like That

For my mom

2011-12-21T12:49:00.001-07:00

Katherine the Ballerina

2011-12-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

Win a $100.00 Gift Basket from Baby Gourmet

2011-04-29T14:14:00.000-06:00

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching Baby Gourmet wants to give one lucky Mom a $100.00 gift basket of luxury feeding and baby products, including Baby Gourmet baby food! Simply send me your best memory from your first year as a mom to leronowich@yahoo.ca or by comment by next Friday May 6, 2011 and I will choose the winner and post it on Baby Gourmet Facebook page., Baby Gourmet would like to ask mother’s . where the winning story will win a $100 gift basket.

The day you were born was a special day, the moon whispered your name and I held your little hand and your fingers wrapped around mine and I whispered in your ear “welcome home little one”. My world changed when God came and place such a precious gift in my arms. I have so many plans and hopes for the both of you and I hope that the days are long and the nights are short, and when one door closes a new one is opened. May you always show the world the warmth of your smile and choose the path that comes from your heart. Keep your worries small and your dreams big and always remember the door to home is always open. You are never alone and you will always be loved. I promise to support everything you do and to hold you when you are hurting, I promise to show you a life that is true, honest and with hard work anything is possible. You can be anything you want to be. I hope you always reach for the stars and never quit. You are a special beautiful person and this world changed the moment you took your first breath. I feel truly blessed to be a part of your world I learn from you, I admire you, and I love you. You are a star that shines a light down on this world. I pray every day to be the kind of Mother you need and I promise to show you kindness, patience and to nature all your talents and I will always be proud of you. My heart now beats because of you and I will give you the best life has to offer and you will always know my love. Never worry about the rain, or cold, or dark I will be there to hold you and kiss you and show you faith; in my arms you will always be safe. You are everything that is and that will be you are the wind, the rain, the earth and sea, and because of you the world is more beautiful.

Baby Gourmet

2011-04-01T13:30:00.000-06:00

Everybody loves Baby Gourmet!

Baby Gourmet is a new organic baby food company, with a fresh view on what packaged baby food should taste like. Why feed it to your baby if you wouldn't eat it yourself? It is all natural, safe, 100% organic, conveniently packaged foods for your baby.

It looks like baby food but it will go way beyond the years of infancy! My 3 ½ year old loves Baby Gourmet because it looks and tastes great and I feel good about feeding to my children because it is better for them compared to other company’s baby foods and fruit sauces. And even my husband loved Baby Gourmet he said it taste great!!! The best part all organic and no fillers!!

The Good News:

•100% Organic Ingredients

•No Thickeners or Fillers

•No Added Sugar or Salt

•BPA Free Packaging with a 15 month shelf life

(P.S: Spread the news)

The Sampler Box that I reviewed included the following:

1 pouch of Stage 1 Orchard Apple, Carrot & Prune

1 pouch of Stage 1 Juicy Pear & Garden Greens

1 pouch of Stage 1 Harvest Pear, Pumpkin & Banana

1 pouch of Stage 2 Baby’s Sweet Potato Pie

1 pouch of Stage 2 Apple Sweet Potato Berry Swirl

1 pouch of Stage 2 Roasted Squash & Fruit Medley

1 pouch of Stage 3 Vanilla Banana berry Risotto

1 pouch of Stage 3 Tropical Banana Bliss

1 pouch of Stage 3 Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

I love that the combos taste like yummy fruit but have the hidden ingredients of vegetables! I also love the packaging! No worries of glass bottles breaking in the bottom of your diaper bag or plastic containers cracking. These are easy to carry around and have easy to open lids. Older kids will even love sucking the goodness right from the spout! Plus with 100% organic ingredients, you can put your mind at ease.

You can now get it at Walmart!!!!!

Wean Green Craze

2011-01-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Wean green cubes are super cute glass cubes designed to hold homemade baby food. These colourful cubes are stylish and a must have for any savvy mom! The great design makes them stackable so they are easy to carry with you and while you are feeling like a super mom for feeding you baby healthily baby food you are helping to save the environment as well!!! And clean up is easy these little gems are dishwasher safe and the lid has a lock system so no leaks!!! And just wait the news about Wean Green Cubes gets better, if your babe is grow up and passed the baby stages you can still use them: they are the perfect size for toddler snacks and they fit perfect in your purse, the grab and go snack just turned healthily and environmentally safe. Super easy for toddler fingers to open and close and you can even heat them in the microwave to warm up the food with no worries of harmful chemicals!!! The Wean Green Cubes are a wonderful heat them, freeze them, take them everywhere, smart and sexy! A must have for all moms who want healthy babies and a clean future!!

10 New Year’s resolutions for Real Parents.

2010-12-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

It has been sometime since my last post and I could give you a lot of excuses but truthfully I have chosen to do other things, but given that the dawn of a new decade is approaching I thought it is time to put some words down. And taking into consideration this exciting new decade I thought I would make a list of my 10 new year’s resolutions for real parents.

1. I will make my resolutions Achievable. News year’s resolutions are overrated; you make a list of unachievable plans that will make you happier, prettier and less stressed. This year I am going to make my plans doable and set a lower standard for myself! Achievable.

2. I will not be so hard on myself. If I fail or don’t measure up to those invisible people’s standard (you know that group of people we call “them” or “they”) No one knows who they are but they still make us feel like failures. I will use my setbacks as a learning experience. And when I find myself comparing to others or berating myself I will frolic with my kids, just try to be hard on yourself while frolicking I challenge you to try this. Achievable

3. I will be more patient with my children. Sweet angelic faces that warm your heart and make you smile most of the time, and then there are those days that you would sell them to the first person that came along. When I feel that bubbling of impatience I will tackle my kids and tickle them till laughter takes its place, if that doesn’t work I will drink wine! Achievable

4. I will watch less T.V. Research has proven that while we watch TV are brains mimic being a sleep and aren’t active, so I have decide that I want and active brain so instead of letting my brain snooze I will curl up with a good book or my knitting in my bed and relax there and work my brain, no one wants a lazy brain and my puppy prefers the bed anyways! Achievable

5. I will make decision and stick to them. I am going to take charge make one decision and stand by it, or maybe I’ll just call my mom. Mothers do know best, after all they are older and wiser. Achievable

6. I will pay attention to my body. I will sleep when I am tired, eat when Iam hungry, when I am full I will stop, I will drink less wine and more water. (most days). Achievable

7. I will make mistakes. This is the best resolution; now say it out loud “This year I will make mistakes.” Being human which I cannot change means I am going to make mistakes and that’s ok and I am not going to scold myself instead I will scold my puppy while giving him a belly rub! Achievable

8. I will spend less money. I have what I need and I don’t need more, I will not be sucked in by the fancy commercials or human desire. I will be happy with what I have and I will be less stressed and have more time for the things that matter. And when I feel tempted to go shopping I will drink wine so I can’t drive anywhere. Achievable

9. I will worry less and laugh more. Things have a way of working out, no point in worry. Worry is like a rocking chair keeps you busy but gets you no where. So when I feel those old anxious feelings coming I will take a deep breath and shake my behind to good music. (Important info for life: you cannot worry, be angry or be sad when shaking your behind especially when you are doing it with a 2 and 3 year old!) Achievable

10. I will lose weight. This is the most common resolution everybody wants to lose weight so I plan to lose 20 pounds. My plan is to exercise and eat when my body tells me see #6. I will make a good effort to eat more veggies, and I will only weight myself twice this year once in Jan and once in Dec. And only with the January weigh in I will hold my toddler. Achievable

Life is too important to waste being stressed, live simpler, love more, laugh often!

The challenge ends!

2010-02-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

My challenge has continued but I am finding that it is particularly difficult to manage my time so I am officially ending my challenge after 15 days, but I plan to remember the lessons of I have learned and I planned to show Grace and mercy throughout my day and throughout my life. I feel this challenge has given me softness and compassion I didn’t know I needed, I am more appreciative of people and my life. I thank God for this challenge and I thank God for all he does for me and for everyone. This journey has only started, my eyes are opened and my Grace walk will continue. The last challenges went well I got my mom on a waiting list and hopefully see will she her doctor soon and I'm planning on apologize to my Uncle to keep family peace. I feel I have this quite comfort inside of me, and I pray that God continually shows me ways to be more graceful. This started as a whim and end with a wow!

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

22 Days Left The Challenge Goes On!

2010-02-16T23:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been a while since my last update on the Grace challenge. I am finding this more challenging then I thought but challenging ourselves is how we enhanced ourselves and I am feeling increasing joy from this challenge and I do believe I am becoming a nicer person and I progressively more benevolent; so all in all this challenge is proving to do good in my life and hopefully in others as well. Back to my challenges, my day of appreciation went favourably l, I found the more grateful I was the more people did for me and they happier they seemed. I asked my husband is a nonchalant way if saying the word “I would appreciate if you did...” or “thank-you I am grateful for what you did” made a difference in how he felt and he stated that everybody likes to feel they are appreciated and it does encourage you to do better quality of work. I also found the best part about saying thank-you I appreciate what you did is people seem to beam from the inside when you said those words, I do believe I am going to try and incorporate expressing my appreciation in the future it is such a simple way to begin to make the world a better place and even baby steps make a difference. So for two more challenges for Wednesday and Thursday I am going to so an enemy kindness a gift of mercy and give someone the gift of time. “God has given me this day to use it as I will. I can waste it - or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.!” [Heartsill Wilson]

Prayer for Mercy

Help me Jesus, that what I ask of You - I will give to others - Mercy, both in deed and word

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge others, but always look for what is beautiful and good in my neighbour

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to others' needs and not be indifferent to their pain

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak wrongly of others, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds so that I may do only good to others and try to take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist others, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness with Your love and mercy.

Amen

25 Days Left, Let's show Thanks Today

2010-02-13T09:36:00.001-07:00

Before I begin I want to let everyone know that my Aunt has contacted my Sister and next Saturday we are all meeting for coffee, maybe after 13 years we can start to rebuild our relationship, I will pray and let you know how our visit goes.
For this challenge I was really unsure of what I was going to do in till the moment I did it. What I should do for my act of grace came upon me at Wal-Mart when I was in the checkout I was waiting for my turn and noticed the cashier was the attractive 20 something girl and she had old scars up her arm that look as if she had been a cutter at one point and she has this look if sorrow in her eyes. But in despite of her sad appearance she was an excellent cashier friendly, efficient, she packed the grocery amazing and overall a good cashier. So I said to myself I am going to call and tell her manger. So when I got home I called that Wal-Mart and at first they assumed I wanted to tell them something bad, I guess most people only call when they have something imperfect to tell, but imagine their surprise when I went on a rant about how amazing this cashier was, they assured me that they would let her know and I hope they do. It is amazing how being appreciated and noticed can make people happy and I hope my comment made her cheery. Sometimes when people are in poor sprite just a simple comment of “thank-you I appreciated that” can make a big difference! This lead to today’s challenge I want you to tell people throughout the day that you appreciated them; old, young, child, husband, wife, everyone; even if they do something for you and in your opinion did it badly still tell them and witness the power you have to make small positive changes in others lives that takes little or no time to you but makes a world of a difference to them!

Gracious God, in the busy-ness of my day, I sometimes forget to stop to thank you for all that is good in my life.

My blessings are many and my heart is filled with gratefulness for the gift of living, for the ability to love and be loved, for the opportunity to see the everyday wonders of creation, for sleep and water, for a mind that thinks and a body that feels.

I thank you, too, for those things in my life that are less than I would hope them to be. Things that seem challenging, unfair, or difficult. When my heart feels stretched and empty, and pools of tears form in my weary eyes, still I rejoice that you are as near to me as my next breath and that in the midst of turbulence, I am growing and learning.

In the silence of my soul, I thank you most of all for your unconditional and eternal love.

Amen.

26 Days this Challenge not so good!!

2010-02-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

Regrettably I was unable to keep this challenge due to the manager of the nursing home wasn`t there, so I will try later and update you. The next Grace challenge is wild card. Pray and do what God tells you to do, he will guide you. All of us are in different places in our lives but pray for grace and God will show you what to do, even small acts make a difference.

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;

you know my sitting down and my rising up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You mark out my journeys and my resting place

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Where can I go then from your spirit?

Or where can I flee from your presence?

If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there your hand shall lead me,

your right hand hold me fast.

PSALM 139

27 Days Left

2010-02-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

For my third challenge I contacted my aunt who I haven't talked to for 13 years, other members of my family have tried to fix the relationship but I have not. I thought that she was the one who cut off all contact, so if she wanted to reunite our relationship then she would make the first move, but as an act of grace I emailed her and invited her to my Valentine’s Day party on Saturday. As of today I have not heard anything back from her so I don't have a lot to report, but I do feel good that I contacted her. Forgiveness has a way of washing your soul and spirit and making you feel uplifted. I hope she reaches back because mended fences are better than broken ones. I will update you later when I have more information. The next challenge is I want you to call your local nursing home and set up a time to be a friendly visitor, if you can go visit tomorrow then even better and try to pick a patient that doesn’t receive a lot of visitors. Good Luck and God Bless.

Loving God ,

there are times in each life

when there is no one .

no one with whom to share

a word ,

a laugh ,

a sad remembrance ,

a gentle touch ,

a fond embrace ,

a kiss of love .

bless each one who suffers

from such loneliness .

enrich life with a friend

or gentle stranger

who will spend a moment

noticing

and loving .

in those times

Your love shines through ,

the world is reborn ,

and Christ is known .

so be it !

amen .

by Vienna Cobb Anderson

28 Days Left and Lesson to be learned

2010-02-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

Challenge number two done, 28 days to go!!! For this challenge I thought I would be friend a man I see walking every day, always alone and always at the same time. I thought this would be rather effortless because I know when he is out walking and he always looks friendly, but to my shock he wasn’t there today and in a mystified I said to God “now what”? But God always has a plan and after that unfortunate incident I went to my Mom’s and as I was driving there I passed by a little white and blue house. Since I can remember the same lady has lived there “the Cat Lady” is what we as children so fondly called her and we all believed she was the town witch!! And if any of you have ever lived in a small town you know that every town has a town witch, and she was ours. Now as an adult I don’t believe in witches anymore but still she is out of the ordinary. So as I passed by that house I got a feeling that she was the person I was to befriend, the nobody, and I said to God “really?” I have never even been close to her front for the fear of being turned into a rat or frog or something, but God replied “Yes” So my rational side of me knew that this lady was just a quiet outsider, not a witch just a regular human, so I took a deep breath and put my foot on her property. As I knocked on the door I felt almost certain that when she opened the door she would turn me into a frog or maybe steal my bones right from out of my skin leaving me a helpless pile of skin, I could hear my heart racing in my ears, but I knocked and waited and when she opened the door, she didn’t steal my bones she was just a regular lady. So I said to her my named and I told her that I have lived in this town my whole life and it occurred to me that we have never met and I gave her a small heart shaped dish full of cinnamon hearts. She looked at me with bright blue eyes, that were gentle and thoughtful and through her wrinkles and bushy hair you could see that this is kind person. She smiled and told me “My name is Glenda...nice to meet you.” And in my head I laughed thinking like the good witch. I walked away from that house no longer afraid, and I hoped that today would remain a wonderful day and full of blessings for this lady that the world has forgotten!! This challenge was a delightful challenge that brought me back in time and it let me see how harsh children can be and how as adults at times we hold on to our childhood notions and those notions may hold us back from making wonderful connections!! So this leads to Challenge number three: Make contact with a person that you have lost contact with and that you may blame for this relationship dissolving.

Lord Jesus, you are the source of all love and goodness. You have created us to love and be loved and you have given us our family, friends and loved ones to experience this love. I come to you now humbly asking for healing as I suffer now because of a broken relationship. Grant me, Lord, the grace of true forgiveness, to let go of all my bitterness, anger and buried resentments and choose to forgive even if it hurts. I ask that you grant me the grace of humility to ask forgiveness, too, for my own mistakes and for patience and perseverance to keep on in this journey towards reconciliation despite the challenges and trials along the way. Lord, you know all things, you can do all things and you love me as you also love (name of person). Touch our heart with your power that can heal all damaged relationships and bring reconciliation realizing the importance of being at peace with ourselves and others. Let all blaming ease and let each person see things from your point of view and through your eyes of love. Let your love break down all dividing walls and barriers, restore this damaged relationship and lead us to seek and follow your will and divine plan for our lives. Let joy rest in our hearts once again.

29 Days Left

2010-02-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

Challenge number one done, 29 days left! For my First Grace challenge I made homemade bread for this man in my town. His story is a heartbreaking story, he was a master electrician and when I say master he was the best in his trade. The word on the street was he could do anything with electricity he had a God given talent. So he started a company became a millionaire and then sorrowfully threw it all away for alcohol. In 20 years he went from a respectable member of the community to a miserable alcoholic. His millions gone long ago and now he lives with numerous cats in a small run downed trailer that should be condemned. He has no friends, no family; he looks like skin and bones. His attire is dirty, torn, and has a pungent aroma of cat pee. He has created a gloomy life for himself and people don’t care, he caused all his troubles and people have no sympathy for him. When I was thinking about this challenge he was the first person that came to my mind, so I made him bread and my husband remarked “but he is a stranger!” I replied with a crooked smile “I know.” He gave me a sideways glance like your peculiar, but I’m use to that I am sure hubby thinks I am a little eccentric most of the time, but walking away shaking his head with a smile he said “ He will really like that”. Furthermore, I was met by many demons during this challenge. The demon fear was the chief demon, I was fearful people and this stranger would think I was senseless, I could hear the devil in my ear whispering “You’re not helping....he will laugh.” But I pushed those thoughts away and in spite of fear I completed my challenge and I hope that this cheerless man has a better day today and knows someone has noticed him. After completing this challenge I experienced no life changes but I feel I am thinking and looking for ways I can show Grace and Mercy and that is a start for a better life and world. So I know all you are sitting with enthusiasm on the edge of your seat waiting for the next challenge so wait no more tomorrow’s challenge is... befriend a “nobody”, look around and find that person that is always around but alone and no one ever notices them they are the invisible part of the world, do something to show friendship and help make them feel loved and that they belong.

I am bending my knee

In the eye of the Father who created me,

In the eye of the Son who died for me,

In the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,

In love and desire.

Pour down upon us from heaven

The rich blessing of Thy forgiveness;

Thou who art uppermost in the City,

Be Thou patient with us.

Grant to us, Thou Saviour of Glory,

The fear of God, the love of God, and His affection,

And the will of God to do on earth at all times

As angels and saints do in heaven;

Each day and night give us Thy peace.

Ancient Celtic prayer collected by Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912), published in Carmina Gadelica (Edinburgh: Floris Books, 1992). These are prayers, hymns, and incantations collected in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in the 18th century.

The Proposal

2010-02-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

Today in church we were learning about grace, and the message made me think what is grace? and that if we are made by Christ to be like Christ then we all have it in us to show Grace and mercy regularly; but how many of us do? The Biblical definition of Grace is the unearned gift the Father gives his children, and likewise the Webster dictionary defines Graces as a capacity to tolerate, accommodate, or forgive people, and the infinite love, mercy, favour, and goodwill shown to humankind by God. Also other words for Grace are: mercy which is kindness or forgiveness shown especially to somebody a person has power over, benevolence is the duty to do good by others, blessing which is help believed to come from God, and charity which is the impartial love of other people and the voluntary provision of money, materials, or help to people in need. Therefore Grace’s is the duty to do good, show tolerance, forgive, show impartial love and help others in need even if it is unearned. We have been saved by God’s Grace as pointed out in Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us."And Eph.2 8, 9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” God has given us this unmerited gift of life and continually shows us Grace by giving us blessings when we repeatedly are undeserving of them. Thomas Watson said "How many steps may a man take in the way to the kingdom of God, and yet miss it?" This is true how often we have lost our way, but God by grace shows us the way back. We have Christ in us and we were made in his image, then shouldn’t we try to live like Christ? And if God shows us Grace and Mercy day after day then isn’t our obligation to show our Grace and Mercy to all people? And if everyone made an effort to show Mercy and Grace habitually then wouldn’t our world be a better place? In the Bible there are scripture saying we should live with grace, for instance: Luke 6: 35-36 “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never – I promise – regret it. Live out this God created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you are kind.” And Romans 12: 14-21 “Bless your enemies; [...] get along with each other; don’t be stuck up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Don’t hit back; discover the great beauty in everyone [...] if you see your enemy hungry, go buy the person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing well.” God is telling us to live well and do well; my final question is if we were to show Grace and mercy daily would this have an impact on our life? And this is the question that leads me to my challenge for myself and my readers: I am proposing a 30 day Challenge where we will make an effort to find one person a day and show them our mercy and grace. I will document the challenges, reaction and in the end the difference in my life. This is not for the faint of heart and it could be life changing. One day one person and we WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! February 8 will mark day 1 of the Grace Challenge and challenge number one is: To find a person in need that most people would say about them “they made their bed” and bring them a one dish meal!! A final prayer to help "Dear Lord, bless us and lift us up. Thank you for your wonderful mercy and grace! There is no other like you. Increase those qualities in us. Help us to show mercy and grace to others. Forgive us for the times when we have not. Praise you for your awesome character and your consistent love. Increase our faith and our love for you and others. In Jesus' name, Amen."

I Don't Have Time!

2010-01-21T21:40:00.002-07:00

I realize it has been a while since I have wrote and to be honest I have chosen to spend my time doing other things and also I had a bit of writers block, but today as I was thinking about ideas to write about I was thinking about time and more specifically how we spend our time. And it seems to me that in today’s world people are a lot busier than they were even 10 years ago and I wondered why? With all this new technology out there to make life easier and simpler but in reality our lives are busier than ever, and I think that the reason is that we are caught in the trap of materialism. We want bigger and better and as technology advances so does our notion of what we want. We work hard to gain things and to have a substantial bank balance and the more we buy the more things cost and so we work harder because there is always someone who has the newest and better thing and we want to be the best. We have put all our values on possessions; there was a time when the quality of a man was not judge by the size of his TV but by his character. Why is it that we can find the time to email, twitter, watch you tube videos, and grow fantasy farms online but we don’t have the time to phone an old friend? There was a age when people moved slower, they took the time to care, to call a friend, send a letter by mail, sit on their front porch and read a paper or play with their kids. People went the extra mile; they would R.S.V.P to an event, drop by for lemonade, or give a smile to a stranger. But that time is long past, people are consumed with the desire do better and get more that they can’t even take the time to sit and have a meal! And why do people use the phrase “I don’t have time” “Sorry I don’t have time to be sensitive or considerate my life is just so busy!” I hate to tell you that we all have the same 24 hours in the day you just chose to spend it differently, so instead of saying “I don’t have time” say “Sorry I chose to spend my time gathering stuff to appear like I am enjoying life and I don’t want to slow down and take the time to go the extra mile because then I won’t be able to get all the things I want!” At least you would be being honest; truthfully you have the time you just chose to spend it differently. In the days of the horse and buggy where it took people days to get to town and if they had the time to be kind, respectful and enjoy life then most certainly in a world where you can fly across the country in less than a day we should have the time to go the extra mile! And I don’t understand why people are so fixated on accumulating stuff we all come to the same end and I have never seen a hearse with a luggage rack, we leave our legacy with our love ones that is how we are remembered, that is how we live on. Why can‘t we take the time to slow down our lives and enjoy the time as it pasts us by? We should make homemade bread, read real paper books, talk to people in person, sit down with our family, soak up and enjoy the time, leave a legacy of benevolence and thoughtfulness. Shouldn’t we have our standards set higher for our lives then for our belonging and is it as technology advances our standards for what a quality life goes down? And have we traded simplicity for mediocrity?

Mommy Smokers

2009-12-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

I have some unfortunate news, I lost my friend today. We have been through a lot and we had some good times and I am sure we could have had many more good times, but my friend and I just aren’t good for each other. My friend`s name is Cigarillo. Yes ladies I am a mommy smoker well ex now. I know smoking is bad for you with all the arsenic and carbon monoxide and it is really expensive. But it feels so damn good. That smoke on your lips and the way it feels in your hand, that first puff feels fantastic! And Cigarillo goes so well with so many things like a good cup of coffee or beer or just a relaxing moment. Personally I think my dear friend has gotten a bad rap yeah I know basically he’s a killer but he does provide some good like he is the perfect 7 minute timer and he an excellent excuse to get away from annoying people or he lets you step outside and take a mini mental vacation when the kids are driving you nuts. Although it is regrettable that he is like that expensive friend we all have had, you know the one who always wants to go out but never has any money so every time going out ends up costing you double but you pay it because they’re so much fun to be around; that is what Cigarillo is like pricey but enjoyable to have around and it is also equally regrettable that he gives you things like COPD and Cancer in that way he is like the hot guy you and your friends use to know who gave all your friends the Clap, and in the end your on the phone with your crying girlfriend who is telling you how it was satisfying while it lasted but she wished they never hooked up. So in the end it is probably good that me a Cigarillo are no longer friends, but I am going to miss him. So now I am ex mommy smoker who wishes she was still mommy smoker but because I am human I have a rational side and my rational side will prevail and I know that I will be happy with this decision and really none of the cool kids do it anymore and now that I can breathe maybe I will take up running or with the money I save from smoking maybe I will go to Mexico where I can sun tan, lie on the beach and drink margaritas and smokes are really cheap down there....nothing counts in Mexico!!!

Your Not Listening!

2009-12-19T14:42:00.002-07:00

“A little girl came home from school with a drawing she’d made in class. She danced into the kitchen, where her mother was preparing dinner.

“Mom, guess what?’ she squealed, waving the drawing.

“Her mother never looked up.

“What?’ she said tending to the pots.

“‘Guess what?’ the child repeated, waving the drawing.

“’What?’ the mother said, tending to the plates.

“‘Mom you are not listening.’

“‘Sweetie, yes I am.’

“‘Mom, ‘the child said, ‘you’re not listening with your eyes.’ “

This passage is taken from the novel have a little faith by Mitch Albom, while I was reading this I realized this child’s words are so simple but so true. How many times in your life have you been so preoccupied with whatever your doing whether it was taking care of your children or rushing to get to work or simply shopping that you have missed a whole world around you, because you weren’t listening with your eyes. Only giving one sense like hearing to a person results in missing out on important information like the happiness on our child’s face when they reveal a masterpiece to you made be their own hands, or the pain in the strangers face when they respond to your generic question of “How are you?” Answer “Fine.” But in fact they are in desperate need of compassion. Maybe you missed the exhaustion in your husband’s face after a long day at work when you are nagging him about all the things he hasn’t done. I wonder how many times in life we have praised ourselves on being such devote listeners but in fact we were only listening with our ears and not our eyes. There is a whole world of people out there some close to us and some strangers but aren’t all these people worthy of your full attention when they are talking to you. God did not give us multiple senses that we can use simultaneously if he did not want us using them. When listen incompletely we don’t get the whole story and God places certain individuals in our lives for a reason, we are bound by conscience to do good by these people. We need to open our eyes and observe the world. take in the colors, catch sight of the happiness, notice the grief and destruction. We may not be able to repair everything around us but we can pay attention and show understanding or give encouragement or merely share in the joy of a job well done. Are we too busy to give others around us our consideration? And if we are that busy then we need to slow our lives down. Life is not a race to get everything done but in fact a slow meaningful journey that affects everything and everyone around us. And do you want that affect to be ignorance or thoughtfulness? Time is a wheel in constant motion always going forward never going back. Do want time to pass you by and never see anything around you? Is dishes and laundry more important than the smile on your child’s face? I believe if people stopped and took a breath and saw what was around them the world would be better place. We may hear everything is fine but by looking we would see that things are not good and at times just giving people comforting words when we see they are suffering helps to brighten their day. And sometimes by sharing in a child enthusiasm encourages them to continue their passions. We need to thank the worn out cashier for being so attentive. Tell the janitor that you appreciate what he does. Give you husband a hug and thank him for providing. Be amazed and the scribbles on a pieces of paper. By using our ears and our eyes enables us to be better people and do better by others. How many times has miscommunication happened because what we heard does not give us the entire picture? Starting today put down the dish cloth and open your eyes because you are missing out on a little thing called life!

Friendship Fridays

2009-12-17T22:32:00.000-07:00

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.

Walk beside me and be my friend."

- Albert Camus

" Friends are the whip cream on the pumpkin pie of life."

Products to try

2009-12-16T13:21:00.002-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to review some products from Procter and Gamble and wow I am impressed. They provide excellent products to get your home company ready for the holidays.

The Swifter Duster is excellent for getting rid of all the dust in your home, it even gets into the hard to reach places and it is superior for dusting electronics. When company arrives if you use this there will be no unsightly dust bunnies!!!

Febreze has done it again; they have new holiday scents out guaranteed to make your home smell delightful! Febreze fabric spray in limited edition cranberries and frost makes all the fabric surfaces in your home smell refreshed and I rate it a 10 out of 10. And to make your home smell even better use Febreze limited edition cranberries and frost Air Effects. You just spray it in the air and it doesn’t just fall to the ground like some room sprays it stays in the air and actually eliminates all odours these two will make your home smell like the holidays!!

And for those out of the way places like a guest bedroom or your hallway use Febreze noticeable in cranberry caramel apple. These plug-ins have a night light so they light the way for your guest and the scent alternates so you always smell the scent and it will make your room or hallway smell delightful and bring back memories of all the wonderful Christmas smells from your past like fresh baking in the oven

And to polish and clean all your surfaces like your counters, sinks and floors use Mr Clean with Febreze scent in meadows rain. These cleaners will leave all your hard surfaces clean, shiny and with a fresh clean scent.

And after dinner use Cascade all in one action pacs for your dishwasher. These little packs are full of cleaning power, they do it all pre-soak, wash, scrub and leave your dishes sparkling and clean you will not be disappointed!!

And for all your pots and pans use Dawn plus power scrubbers. The dish soap does all the work for you no need to spend hours scrubbing, this will cut through the grease and lift off all the grim all the while it keeps your hands soft and won’t dry out your skin!!!

Finally don’t forget to light a Febreze candle before your guest arrive these candles expand out and will fill your house full of wonderful scent. You can use limited edition winter evening and warmth for a refreshing clean scent or for a relaxing pine scent that smells identical to pine trees burning limited edition Evergreen and snow.

So hurry up and head to the store and buy all these products I was lucky enough to try because they will make you home company ready for the holidays or any occasion, I know I will continue using them!!!

Tears and Prayers

2009-12-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

A typical weekend was planned this weekend some family time combined with couple time. A little grocery shopping, a little relaxing that was the plan. But plans don’t always work out and my weekend was a little bit of stress mixed with crisis and topped with snow. Here’s the story...the weekend started with a colossal snow storm on Friday that prevented the grocery shopping and our biweekly visit to the Wok Box. Then on Saturday Big Sis woke up sick she felt warm and as luck would have it my thermometer broke so I couldn’t tell her exact temperature. Also, her breathing was also laboured and she laid on the couch all day watching movies, and if you know this two year old this is highly unlike her. So a snow day and a sick day, not to bad but this day took a turn for the worse and drove straight into tears, prayers and sleepless nights. It started with Big Sis wanted to see Bumpa so we drove over there and had a little visit I noticed her breathing had got worse it was more laboured and slightly wheezy but I thought she had croup so I thought I would keep an eye on her, and then as we were driving home I heard a gasp and look in the back seat and Big Sis was completely blue, gasping for breath and trying to claw her way out of her car seat it a panic. I quickly unbuckled her and pulled her into my arms her skin felt like it was burning my lips. I rushed her into a steamy bathroom and gave her Advil and thankfully she did improve a little but I still brought her to the ER. As we were driving to the hospital Big Sis’s Hyper ventilating and wheezing were a strange comfort, but when she became quite that is when I started to get uneasy and I would feel her pulse and recite CPR techniques in my head cursing myself that I didn’t pay more attention in class, then I would pray to God and I told him determinedly “you are not taking her today”! We made it to the hospital which was a blessing because the road were white out conditions and the Doctor gave her medicine and diagnose her with Bronicolitis and sent us home. That night she would wake up gasping and crying asking me to help and I would lie holding her counting her breaths and then the sun came up, the wind died down and I hoped the storm was over. And it appeared I was right on Sunday morning she was feeling better, still wheezing but in general she had improved, but then in the afternoon her temperature soared and her lips and fingers were blue and through laboured, wheezing breath she said “mommy help” so I took my lethargic baby back to the hospital and again I said to God “Not today either!” In the end the Doctor gave her antibiotics and more puffers and today she seems better, I do believe the worse is over. She has been bossy and she ate a little and she has been playing... sweet relief. It is amazing at how you can love someone so much and your world freezes when they need you, without thought you rush to their side and nothing matters but their comfort.

2009-12-03T12:54:00.003-07:00

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An Extraordinary Idea

2009-12-03T12:34:00.001-07:00

William Shakespeare wrote: “And this above all unto thine own self be true and it shall follow as the day the night - thou can'st not then be false to any man.” He certainly hit the nail on the head with that one, what wonderful advice. So simple yet poetic, basically be true to you. But no us humans can’t be that way we try day after day to mold ourselves into what society wants us to be. You see it all around you: the teenage girl who much rather be playing in the mud, but does she do this no she conforms to what she believes a girl should be doing; she works hard to fit in and this patterns continues throughout her life, you will see it again when she’s dating, or try to pick a college and again when she is a mother and she is constantly plagued with guilt because she feels she is inferior to all the other mothers and so what does she do. She works relentlessly trying to be what she thinks the world around her wants her to be ignoring who she is and what she wants and believes. You don’t see this kind of insanity with animals a dog is a dog he sleeps because he is tried, he eats when he is hungry, plays when he is playful; he is happy being his cute doggy self he doesn’t look at the dog next door and think ‘I better start acting like a better dog’. But in the human world throughout our life we work very hard on being “normal” and doing what we believe other people think we should be doing. I wonder what it would be like to act extraordinarily uncommon would it be a breath of fresh air, I think it would be freeing. I am unsure as to why we all want to be alike, God created us as individuals we are his finest creation and really did he intend on having a band of identical instruments strumming the same tune, I certainly hope not how incredibly boring. We are all unique instruments playing our own tune in the musical called life. But so often we do not like our music and the neighbors sounds so much better so we stay up at night working and pondering try to ‘Keep up with the Jones’ so to speak. We put pressure on our kids, husband and everyone around us to be “normal” because we don’t want to be embarrassed by our husbands acting goofy or our kids being different or our slow mother talking to complete strangers about her breakfast. So instead of letting our husbands act absurdly foolish and laughing with him, or letting your kids wear mix matched shoes or enjoying the slow pace of your mom we criticize and force the people around us to act appropriate and in the end we are not happy and well adjusted all we have achieved is stress and resentful feeling. So instead of trying to fit in we should embrace the eccentricities around us, we should let our hair down put on a feather boa or floppy hat and stop try to be ordinary because acting like a normal person is exhausting let’s try to be true to ourselves and play our unique instrument loudly exclaiming to world that I am wonderfully extraordinary!!!

You can't have a Rainbow without Rain

2009-11-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

One could define life as a series of unfortunate and fortunate events spread out over a period of years. Webster’s dictionary defines life as: “the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living.” Fundamentally life is consist of good times and bad times and it depends on who you talk to one could argue life has more bad than good or some would say life has more good than bad. But everyone would agree that life shouldn’t have any destitution. People want to sail through life with only pleasurable times behind and ahead of them. You would never meet a person who wished for a substandard life. So the question to ask is: why do we have hardships? Can’t life be a bowl of cherries? The Bible states in Ecclesiastes 3:1-9: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.
In summary this passage states that in life there is a time for happiness and a time for sorrow. But what is the purpose of suffering? Life would be much sweeter if there were no difficult times, but on the other hand if there were no bad times we would have nothing to compare the good times to and ¬-would we recognize life`s blessings if we never experienced life`s hardships? It is possible to believe that if the outcome of all life’s events were superlative we would become ungrateful and have feelings of entitlement. A passage Ecclesiastes 7:14 highlights this by saying “on a good day, enjoy yourself; on a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted.” Essentially in God’s plan we are to have good days and bad days and the hard times enable us to distinguish and be grateful for the everyday miracles we have been given. Life cannot be perfect so don’t spend your life dwelling on the events that have caused you misfortune and suffering instead eat, drink and be merry, enjoy yourself. You only live once and the beginning and the end are all the same it is the middle that counts it is where the story is, so while you are here live life to its fullest and let your tale be tale of optimism even in the face of adversary. Let it rain you were thirsty anyways and remember you cannot have a rainbow without rain.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.

Helen Keller

A Mother's Love

2009-11-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

For My Mom and all moms

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a Mother's love

Can understand our tears,

Can soothe our disappoints

And calm all of our fears.

There are times when only a Mother's love

Can share the joy we feel

When something we've dreamed about

Quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a Mother's faith

Can help us on life's way

And inspire in us the confidence

We need from day to day.

For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith

And a Mother's steadfast love

Were fashioned by the Angels

And sent from God above...

- Author Unknown.

Bizarre Beauty

2009-11-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

The old saying is beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but who really believes that? Beauty is how you feel you look today in the mirror and I think most women out there are well aware of the 10 extra pounds they have gained and the ever so little laugh lines that magically appear overnight, I also think that most women out there spend a lot of money each year to keep their youthful appearance but some women have gone to the extreme and are paying outrageous amounts of money for outrageous treatments. In recent days bizarre new beauty treatments having been emerging in the United States and what I find outlandish is people are doing these treatments and paying big bucks for things like the Bird Poop facial, where dehydrated nightingale poop in ground up into a powder and applied to your face which is said to make your skin softer and remove makeup, these facial will cost you $144 to $255. Other ridiculous trends are the Tape worm diet, yes the tape worm diet. Believe it or not people are paying up to $2000 to ingest a tape worm to lose weight. Basically with this diet you consume a tape worm and let it live in your small intestines for 3 months while it grows to 3 feet and you will lose weight if you are foolish enough to have a parasite residing in your intestines. This trend is pure luxury. 24 karat gold facial has been developed in Japan to rejuvenate the skin, clear blemishes and make it younger.

Cost starts from $230 per person.

So if you are reading this and think wow some people are absurd hold on because the next three fads will blow your socks off!!! The craziness of craziness starts with the placenta facial, which is being done in upscale Beverly Hills spas and will cost you $300-$500 a session. The next ludicrous product is an anti aging cream called TNS Recovery Complex by Skin Medica which contains human foreskin and will cost you $100 and up. Finally the leading outrageous treatment real women are trying is the sperm facial done at Townhouse Spa in New York. A Norwegian company, aptly named Bioforskning, has synthesised a compound found in the little swimmers and claims the resulting concoction is the ultimate new wrinkle-busting antioxidant. The formula is the foundation for the latest "in" treatment, stateside. This treatment will cost you $250.

No-one said the quest for eternal youth was going to be easy but, really, does it have to be quite so disturbing? "Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies for instance." (John Ruskin, The Stones of Venice, 1851). Personally I will keep my 10 pounds, wrinkles and money and then I can sleep well at night knowing that haven’t put placenta, bird poop, or sperm on my face or that I don’t have a 3 foot tape worm calling my small intestines home.

Beauty... is the shadow of God on the universe. ~Gabriela Mistral, Desolacíon

Chinese Food Exposed

2009-11-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

My story starts on Friday evening when my husband and I were watching Sex in the City, well in reality I was watching Sex in the City and my husband was putting up with it, but on this particular episode the gals order Chinese takeout and they were eating out of those fancy New York style boxes and I said to my husband that I would love to do that. So he said while he was at work on Saturday if I could find a place that provided their Chinese in those boxes he would go and get it for me. Sure enough after much research I found a little Chinese takeout place outside of Calgary called the Wok Box that served their food in those NY style boxes. So after the kids were bathed my husband drove an hour one way to get me Chinese food while I put the kids to bed. I was so thrilled, it was a delightful time and I believe the food even tasted superior in those boxes. Not only was the food served in such an extraordinary way, it was delectable and my husband reported that the restaurant was a charming little shop that was clean, and with excellent service, I advise everyone to try it. We ate our Chinese right from the box while having naked TV. Which naked TV is watching TV naked and cuddling under a blanket, we try to do naked TV at least once a month and now the Wok Box is going to be our Naked TV feast!!! I suggest this for everyone as well, being exposed with your partner in an affectionate stress-free setting enhances your relationship and you will find a renewed affection for each other, it is a beneficial tradition, and it helps self confidence. So tonight order Wok Box and have some naked TV and feel like a sexy movie star, well you might not feel like a sexy movie star but it still would be cool! Also ordering Wok Box and having a couple cosmos on a girl’s night out would be entertaining too, which I am planning on doing in the future. No matter what you decide to do just give the food a try and have some fun!!!

Visit http://www.wokbok.ca/

Where's the fire?

2009-11-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

Its 5:30ish and I am getting ready for my evening out with my dearest girlfriend. I am wearing my black shiny pants which my mom so eloquently calls them my “sluty” pants but I don’t care they match my attitude and with my black stilettos my ass looks great. I meet up with my friend in front of the local pub and she is wearing an oversize sweatshirt and jeans that are two sizes too big, she looks dreary. And if you were to ask her why she’s is dressed like that she would replied “I am too fat, and too tired to care!” So it wasn’t a surprise that after our first round of drinks our conversation lead to sex, well the lack of sex. She expressed concern for the lack of passion and fire in her marriage, she loves her husband and he is a good father and provider but the fire is gone, and rightfully so she’s worried about having no fire and if her marriage can last years without passion. Her belief is the lack of eagerness is from her husband; apparently his libido just doesn’t match up to hers. So I asked her if she felt sexy and if she was showing him her sexy side, well she quickly said “that two kids and twenty pounds later she was no longer sexy.” When I looked at her and I saw a sexy woman hidden in a cocoon of oversized cotton and denim just waiting to break free and I wonder why is it that we can see our friends clearly, but our friends can never see themselves clearly. I did agree with her that as moms we are nurses, maids, taxi cab drivers, cooks and bottle washers and it seems that we no longer have time to be sex kittens so we replaced it with couch potatoes. So we just settle for remembering the good old days when fire and passion were commonplace and having sex on the kitchen table was an acceptable place and sex itself was and anticipated event instead of a dreaded chore. So I asked myself what happened. Why can’t we be moms and sex kittens? I asked my friend maybe if you felt sexy and good about yourself then your husband would have more of a libido? And thankfully she did agree with me. I told her tomorrow send the kids to their grandparents and greet your husband at the door in your red lacy teddy and black stiletto heels and I am certain you will see fireworks and maybe you can reclaim the kitchen table as an excellent place to have sex! Passion and fire are verbs, they are action words they aren’t passive things that just happen you have to create them. It seems to me that along the way we have replaced sultry excitement with indifference, but we still long for that red hot romance we once had, and igniting the smouldering embers most defiantly won’t happen in oversized denim and hairy legs. Having kids doesn’t mean you have to surrender your inner goddess and submissively watch TV night after night. You are women and you and your husband were a couple first, so dig deep into yester years and find that passion you once had. And several cosmos later my friend and I came to the conclusion that a marriage can’t stand the test of time without zeal, we are humans who have needs and sometimes our needs are very hot-blooded. And we need to get excited about sex again and getting excited about sex isn’t being apathetic it is feeling and acting sexy and creating fiery romance regularly.

Halloween and Such

2009-11-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

This Halloween was unlike any other Halloween or day, it was "one of those days" you know those days that you feel like you got the D- mother award. The events of this Halloween started on October 31st at 3:00am when I was woken up by my little girl crying. I rushed into her room to find her sitting up in bed crying and calling "mommy, mommy!" As I picked her up I could feel her hot skin touch mine and I knew she was sick. When I took her temperature I found it to be 39.4 C so I dosed her up when anti febrile medications and took her to bed with me and needless to say I didn't get much sleep. Then as morning came her temperature was still 39.4 and after more medications, Popsicles, a temped bath and watching her favourite movie "Happy Feet" finally her temperature broke!!! Which I was very grateful for because even though she was very sick she kept asking me when do we go trick or treat!! Meanwhile while this was happening her little brother was sick as well, he didn't have a temperature but he was coughing and he just wanted mom and every time I would set him down he would cry. And even still today they remain unwell and they are both calling for my undivided attention. Days like these are the real test of motherhood, because who do you choose and what do you do first? I pride myself on being the queen of prioritizing, I can prioritize anything, anywhere without much thought and I am able to efficiently and effectively get the job done, except with my children. How do you decide who needs you more, you have two little people wanting you at the same time so you are jumping back and forth between them trying to meet their needs and you feel like you are spinning out of control and you want to shout stop!!! Then at the end of the day you fall into a crumpled tired ball feeling like you were neither a good mom or a good caregiver and you feel as though you just didn't do enough and you pray tomorrow they will be feeling well again. Yes this is a motherhood test it happens to us all and I am certain we all feel the same way. We try our best never actually feeling like we are doing our best but our kids are happy and well taken care of, never knowing just how insecure we are. At the end of the day instead of beating ourselves up we just need to relax and say we did our best even if the day was a crazy whirl wind and we aren't quite sure what we did but we do know we made our kids feel better and that is worth putting up our feet up, having a glass of wine and saying today we might not have gotten the A+ mother award but we did a fine job!!! In the end on Halloween my kids were well enough to get dress up, they both were in very cute giraffe costumes and they did a little trick or treating. We also had a lovely supper at my sisters house and all in all the day wasn't so bad and I think everyone was happy and I was grateful that the kids got to enjoy Halloween. And right now my kids are sleeping, so my feet are up and I thought I would pass on some encouraging advice to all the mothers out there today who feel they are being pulled in 100 different directions and never feel they measure up. You are a good mom and tonight have soak in the tub and tell yourself you did your best and today will pass by like all other days and tomorrow the sun will come up followed by laughter and smiles and little voices saying " I love you mom" and that's what makes it all worthwhile!!!

Letters of Love

2009-10-29T15:13:00.000-06:00

To My Darling Children,
The day you were born was a special day, the moon whispered your name and I held your little hand and your fingers wrapped around mine and I whispered in your ear “welcome home little one”. My world changed when God came and place such a precious gift in my arms. I have so many plans and hopes for the both of you and I hope that the days are long and the nights are short, and when one door closes a new one is opened. May you always show the world the warmth of your smile and choose the path that comes from your heart. Keep your worries small and your dreams big and always remember the door to home is always open. You are never alone and you will always be loved. I promise to support everything you do and to hold you when you are hurting, I promise to show you a life that is true, honest and with hard work anything is possible. You can be anything you want to be. I hope you always reach for the stars and never quit. You are a special beautiful person and this world changed the moment you took your first breath. I feel truly blessed to be a part of your world I learn from you, I admire you, and I love you. You are a star that shines a light down on this world. I pray every day to be the kind of Mother you need and I promise to show you kindness, patience and to nature all your talents and I will always be proud of you. My heart now beats because of you and I will give you the best life has to offer and you will always know my love. Never worry about the rain, or cold, or dark I will be there to hold you and kiss you and show you faith; in my arms you will always be safe. You are everything that is and that will be you are the wind, the rain, the earth and sea, and because of you the world is more beautiful.

With Love,

Mommy

To all my readers email me your letters of love to your children and I will post them on Thursdays. You can include your link and name if you like.

One of Those Days!

2009-10-28T15:59:00.000-06:00

So it is 7:00am she’s out of bed and ready to go. I personally am out of bed but not so ready to go! Well maybe I would like to go make a cup of coffee but she exclaims “I need shoes!!” I think who needs shoes at 7:00am, but she doesn’t care what time it is she just needs shoes and not any shoes she needs the red shoes with the sparkles. And just my luck I can only find one of them so now the search is on.... so I am looking near and far and wondering where could a little red shoe go? And behind me I can hear “Mommy shoe please” and I am think ‘Mommy coffee please’! So finally we find the shoe but now I hear a little voice saying “I need a hat” and so we walk over to the hats and she ponders over which one she would like to wear today and this seems to take oh about 10 years, but at last she decides and she puts her hat on and looks up and smiles and I smile back, and I think hooray we have our hat, our shoes, now mommy can have coffee! As I am pouring my first cup I hear a little voice “Mommy dress please”. So I put down my cup and we walk into the bedroom and I take off her jammies and she contemplates over what dress she would like to wear. I suggest a few but my suggestion is met with a loud “NO!” finally she decides!!! And again she looks up and smiles, I smile back and give her a kiss and I look over at her brother and like every good male he looks up at me with a little giggle and goes back to play with his toys and I am sure he is thinking “You look fine let’s go eat!!” and she seems to agree too so she gets her baby and runs into the living room to play. Finally I get my coffee and as I am drinking I daydream of a way to event a machine that can create the energy of a two year old. Just think if we had that kind of energy how productive we would be!!! I could sell my machine for “One Million Dollars” and then I’d be rich!! Unfortunately my million dollar fantasy is ended with a loud bang and a crying little boy. I rush into the living room to find my little boy with his tooth through his lip and his mouth is pouring blood, I scoop him up and ask my lovely daughter what happened and she tells me “ I pushed him, he touch my baby”. So I send her to the couch and now she is screaming because she figured that pushing someone’s head into the coffee table is an appropriate way to handle someone touching your baby. I clean up my little boy and his wound isn’t that bad and now he is smiling and laughing, I think he will live. My lovely daughter then comes over and says sorry; she must have decided maybe that wasn’t so nice! I look over at the clock and it says 8:00 am, I think umm... maybe I shouldn’t have asked God for patience and my last thought is if God always gives you opposite of what you ask then tomorrow I am going to ask to be poor!!

Thoughtful Tuesdays

2009-10-27T15:12:00.000-06:00

For most people life is frantic, we have to do lists that realistically will take us years to complete and as one item gets crossed off a new item is added. And we Moms wear this to do list like a badge of honour. We feel if we are busy, then we are productive and perfectionism is more valued then anything. Every mom is striving to be perfect because if we have perfect kids, a perfect husband, a perfect house and we are little perfect people then we have done something right. Daily we drive ourselves crazy with our to do lists and we run about from task to task without putting thought or feeling into anything we do. And God forbid our children throw a tantrum or someone drops by when the house is less then clean. We want everyone to believe life is perfect and we can do everything in heels and with a smile. And then when we do get a small break we get together with our mom friends and brag about how busy we are and imply that if you are not living a frantic life then you are doing something wrong! What happened to the phrase stop and smell the roses! Today I want every mom out there to set that do list a side, don't worry it will still be there tomorrow. And my wish for you today is to enjoy life and to:

To Dance like know one is watching

Belly laugh everyday.

Walk barefoot outside.

Take a moment to admire Gods finest creation.

Create your own unique style because you are a special person.

Reach for the stars, they are closer then you think.

Take a breath and listen to the music.

And stop and look at the beauty on this earth.

Time is a wheel is constant motion always going forward never going back, don't let time pass you by and wonder where the years went. Being happy and productive is not how busy we are but how at peace we are. Don’t measure the quality of your life by the length of your to do list, take time to enjoy your life. Instead of worrying about the dust gathering on the shelves, sit down and play in the dirt with your kids; the dust can wait but your kids can’t!!! If you died tomorrow I am certain you won’t be saying "gee I sure wished I accomplished more on my to do list!” So live like your dying and enjoy every minute of today!!!!

Worthwhile

2009-10-23T22:47:00.000-06:00

Read Muti-Taskers. Get Things Done! at http://barb-insearchofeden@blogspot.com it is well writen and a worthwhile read!!!

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate: The H1N1 Vaccine

2009-10-23T21:42:00.000-06:00

Many people recently are asking the question should I vaccinate myself and my family against H1N1. In hopes of helping to answer this question I have done extensive research to provide you with up to the date information from both sides of the debate this information should help you to make an informed educate decision regarding the H1N1 vaccine.
Health Canada and the CDC recommends ages 6 months to 24 years and people over the age of 65 to get the H1N1 vaccine. Health Canada feels the dangers of vaccine preventable diseases are far greater than the risk of the vaccine. In a poll done in the US ½ of health care workers said they are not confident with the vaccine and are planning on refusing it. On the other hand I did my own survey at my work and discovered that 2/3 of those health care workers were for the vaccine and one of my co-workers made a valid point by say “He felt the vaccine is safe and since it is predicted that 30-50% of the population will contract H1N1 he felt the risk of getting the side effects are better than the risk of death for his children if they get the virus.” Also, in a recent ABC poll 3 out of 10 people were not confident in the safety of the H1N1 vaccine and 4 out of 10 parents were unsure if they would vaccinate their child. The two main concerns people had were they felt the vaccine maybe unsafe due improper testing, Although Health Canada states that this vaccine meets the requirements of being safe and effective and has been tested by the manufacturer before the approval of sale was made. The other concerns were the two main ingredients in vaccine which are: squalene which is oil based derivative that can cause blindness, auto-immune dysfunction, inability for sperm production and death. And Thimerosal which is mercury which people feel may cause autism. Other ingredients in the vaccine include formaldehyde and potassium sulphate which is a soluble salt used in fertilizer. In response to these concerns Health Canada states the vaccine is safe and effective and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization http://atlantique.phac.gc.ca/naci-ccni/index-eng.php has reviewed the latest science and has concluded, “There is no legitimate safety reason to avoid the use of thimerosal-containing products for children and older individuals”. Other concerns surrounding the vaccine are serious side effects like autism and Guillan-Barre syndrome which is an incurable auto immune disorder that attacks the protective myelin sheath surrounding the nerves and it has been reported that many of the people that received the vaccine in the 1970’s contacted Guillian-Barre syndrome. In response this concern Health Canada and the CDC state the causes of these disorders are not known and there is no link between these disorders and the vaccine. In conclusion I hope the information provided here helps you to make an informed educated decision. The choice is yours; you have to decide for your self is the known side effects of the disease greater than the unknown side effects of the vaccine. And remember for every action there is a reaction so please educate yourself and give this topic some serious thought before you make a decision.

Visit Design it Chic to win

2009-10-22T13:03:00.000-06:00

Visit this site and you can win!!! http://designitchic.blogspot.com/2009/10/100th-post-giveaway.html

Information On H1N1 Aka Swine Flu

2009-10-21T20:48:00.000-06:00

What is pandemic H1N1 influenza virus?

• It is a new strain of the influenza A virus (2009). The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a pandemic virus.
• It contains a combination of genes from pigs (swine), bird (avian) and human influenza viruses that have never previously been detected in humans and swine.
• Most people have no immunity to protect them from getting sick with this new virus.
• This virus is being detected in humans in many countries around the world and is spreading from person to person in communities.
The severity of illness has been similar to seasonal influenza, causing mostly mild illness. However, there have been some cases of severe disease requiring hospitalization and a few deaths.

• It spreads the same way as seasonal influenza – from person to person through “droplets” that are released through the air when an infected person coughs and sneezes. The droplets can then be breathed in by others.
• The virus can also be contracted through:
o Shaking hands that are contaminated with the virus; and
o Touching a hard surface, such as a counter or door handle that has been contaminated with the virus.
• A person then becomes infected by then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
• The virus is considered infectious for up to eight hours on hard surfaces and only a few minutes on soft surfaces.
• People with mild symptoms generally do not require testing.
• Usually persons are contagious from one day before, up to seven days after symptoms begin.
• Children, especially younger children, immunocompromised individuals and those with severe illness may be contagious for a longer period, i.e. up to 10 days
• If you are sick with influenza-like illness, stay home from work or school for seven days from the start of your symptoms or until you are able to resume normal activities, whichever is shorter.
• Avoid close contact with others as much as possible. This is to keep you from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

The symptoms of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in Canada have been generally mild, but illness can be severe for some individuals. The symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza and may include:
• Sudden onset of fever and cough;
• Fatigue;
• Muscle aches;
• Lack of appetite;
• Some people may also experience a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

What can You do to protect yourself and others from pandemic H1N1 influenza virus?

You can take simple measures to minimize the risk of being infected.
1. Stay home from work or school for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you are feeling well enough to resume normal activities, whichever is shorter.
2. Help prevent infection with pandemic influenza by getting the vaccine that is anticipated to be available to the public in November 2009.
3. Clean hands frequently, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. When done correctly, this is the single most effective way to reduce the spread of infections.
4. Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand.
5. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth after shaking hands or touching hard surfaces like counters and door handles or other surfaces that may harbour influenza and other viruses. Keep common surfaces clean and disinfected.
6. Stay at least two metres (six feet) away from people who are experiencing influenza-like symptoms. This is called social distancing and includes staying away from crowds when influenza is circulating in the community.
7. Other steps to keep yourself healthy include:
o Healthy eating;
o Maintaining an active lifestyle; and
o Getting enough rest and sleep.
Pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine

Clinics will begin immunizing all Albertans over six months of age against H1N1 as early as October 26.
• The seasonal influenza vaccine being used in Canada this year is not effective against this new strain of influenza, but is an important measure to prevent infection with seasonal influenza.
• Immunization is an important measure to prevent getting influenza.
• Find an influenza clinic in your area.

How to care for yourself and others
What should you do if you are concerned that you have symptoms of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus?•

Refer to answer on pandemic H1N1 influenza home page.

What should I do if I have been in contact with someone who is sick with pandemic H1N1 influenza virus?

• If you are well, no further action is needed. Monitor yourself for symptoms of influenza illness for four days.
o The incubation period for the virus is the time from when people become infected until they develop symptoms.
• If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection with a sudden fever and cough. Go the ER or call your Doctor

A six-phased pandemic alert is used to determine the approach to activating plans that prepare for and respond to a new influenza virus capable of causing a worldwide epidemic.
• More information is on the WHO website.

What does WHO raising the pandemic level to Phase 6 mean?

The Phase 6 designation is a measure of where and how widespread the new virus is around the world.
• It is not indicative of how severe the disease is. The risk level to the general public remains low.
• Alberta has a pandemic plan that has been unfolding in response to the levels of pandemic alert.
Information gathered from Alberta Health Services Website ( www.health.alberta.ca)

Our Sweet Peas: Flashback Friday

2009-10-21T16:28:00.000-06:00

Please check out this post it is heart warming and an excellent read!!!
Our Sweet Peas: Flashback Friday

Today

2009-10-20T23:21:00.000-06:00

I find it amazing how two year olds work and oh how they have changed since birth. When they were born they were this cute, little easygoing bundle of joy and today although still cute and joyful their behavior is well manic. If we adults behaved like a two year old we would be locked up and the key thrown away. Let me elaborate: today she is full of kisses, hugs and loves. Her favorite place is on my lap and all she wants to do is cuddle, but then tomorrow her favorite word is no and mine (seriously how can everything be yours?) she has a clear plan in her head of what she wants to do and if you get in the way she has no problem throwing herself on the floor and screaming because for some reason she feels this will work ( although it never does). But I don't worry to much because tomorrow this little person who some what resembles a crazy person will be as sweet as candy! So can you imagine yourself behaving this way!!! Although truthfully I think sometimes it would be nice to act like were two, maybe even just for a day. Imagine your at the grocery store and someone takes the last can of formula and you feel it is okay to yell "NO" and take it back because it is yours and if your boss denies your vacation time surely throwing yourself on his office floor screaming will achieve your goal ( well that actually might work). And the sweetest part of being two is going home and saying to your mom I just want to cuddle and she wraps you in a blanket and this is where you can relax for the rest of the day. See people would think you lost your marbles if you were acting like that. But two year olds are who they are and I am sure glad we outgrow the acting like we are crazy phase, imagine the chaos the world would be in if we all were that free spirited and stubborn but on the other hand the world could use more of the sweetness, unconditional love, carefree attitude and imagination of a two year old. So moms if we should learn anything from our toddlers we should learn how to smile and laugh more, to love harder and to get more joy out of all things and to see old things as new and to play. So today we should be nicer, and compliment a stranger and maybe even turn clouds into shapes, take your shoes off and dance in the streets enjoy life and act like your two!!!!

Sleepyhead

2009-10-20T20:18:00.000-06:00

I believe that a baby that sleeps well is a happy baby and a happy baby is a happy mom and a happy home. Which I am sure you all are saying yes I agree, but what baby sleeps well? Well I am here to hopefully get you on your way to a good nights sleep!!So lets get started: The first and most important thing is a routine. In order for your baby to sleep well at bedtime and nap time you need a routine; this routine may include a bath, book, story and snack, or anything you choose. Design your own routine to fit your life. It doesn't really matter what your routine is, it is just important that you have one and you do it at the same time and in the same order each time you are trying to get your child asleep. Also, your sleep routine should not take more the 1 hour!! The purpose of this routine is that it cues your child that it is time to go to sleep, this is both psychological and physiological reaction. So starting today if you child is 5 days old or 5 years old develop a routine. Next you need an appropriate bedtime this time should be no earlier then 6:30 pm and no later then 8:00 pm, this is you child`s natural sleep window and your child should sleep about 10 to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep *If your child is older then 4 months* (younger babies need to still feed in the night). And your child should nap at regular times throughout the day. If your child is 1 month to 12 months they need 3-4 hours made up in one to two naps a day and 12 months to 3 years your child should have a 2-4 hour nap a day. Length and time depends on your child`s age and sleep needs. Use sleep cues such as rubbing eyes, cranky, dark eye circles etc... to determine when to nap your child. Also your child should be in their own crib or bed in a quiet dark room. In order for your child to sleep well they have to self soother. Self soothing should be one of first thing you teach them. It is VERY important for you child to self soother they will use these soothing techniques for life. So in order for your child to self soother you have to stop soothing them. I warn you if your child is older then four months you are going to have a rough couple of nights, but it will be worth it, trust me! The sleep well steps are: do your sleep routine, then make sure you child is comfortable, warm and in a quite dark room and then lay them down in their crib or bed and shut the door. Don't use mobiles or soothers or any other device tohelp your child sleep, if fact these devices only steal their sleep and trust me in long run using them will be harder on you and your child. After you do these steps expect that your child will try and not go to sleep but you have to be firm and if they get out of bed then escort them back to bed; DON'T stop for stories or cookies or milk or pees just bring them back to bed and tell them that it is time to sleep. DO NOT give in this will only set you back further. If your baby is crying then let them cry for up to 10 minute. Your baby can cry safely for up to 10 minutes before you should go in and assess their needs again, but remember don't give in. The last and final step is not to make your house super quiet your child can sleep through normal household noise, if you make you house quite and turn off phone ringers or doorbells or other noise makers your child will get use to the quiet and every little noise will wake them and steal their sleep. I hope this helps all you sleepless moms, be strong and follow this plan and you can have your sleep back!!!

Baby Steps

2009-10-19T13:35:00.000-06:00

I find it amazing to watch your baby grow and develop, each new milestone he accomplishes bring joy yet saddness. As you watch him grow you know soon he will no longer be a baby. He will soon be a toddler, then a little boy then one day far to soon in the future a man. I look forward to our late night cuddles and comforting him when he crys; I wish he could stay and baby longer. Today we take baby steps together, I watch him walk away from me. As he learns to walk I learn to withstand all my fears about what's ahead for him along lifes way. He trips over a toy and crys out for me, my heart leaps and he lets me hold him for a brief moment before he breaks away and tries again. Then he turns awkardly to search for my face of approval, only to tumble again, and this time he giggles and I smile. As he grows and reaches new milestones and develops into the person he will be one day; I think back to that day when his tiny hand wraped around mine for the first time. I watched him sleep and prayed that he would never let go. Each day that has passed since we first met I have joined in the angel's applause of the gift I have been given, I have memorized every detail from his nose to toes and I hope he will always know love, and as I promised then and I still promise today I will hold his hand, craddle his heart, and lead him down a path that is good and true and I hope he will always know he is the best part of me. Today we take baby steps together and I am overcome with joy of who he has become and I am remined to enjoy all the moments of today because time does not stand still.

Take time for you self

2009-10-15T11:50:00.000-06:00

Mothers remember back to those days when you could sleep all day and no one care much less noticed and a warm cup of coffee you just took for granted. Life was easy, care free, and simple. Then one day this little person comes into your life and says "not only can you not sleep in I want you to get up every two hours and yes I think you can enjoy cold coffee my needs are much greater then yours". And then as a mother this crazy, slept deprived life becomes normal and oh how you love it! But some days you lay in bed and you can hear that baby crying and you think back to those simple days, but because you are a wonderful breed; a mother you happily with sleep in your eyes go make a bottle. Perhaps it is through sleeplessness we find out how strong we really are. But every mothers no matter how strong needs a break, you can only be everything to everyone for so long before you need to call up your girlfriend and go let your hair down! Every mother can relate to those days when everything is driving you crazy your kids are getting into everything and your husband is trying to help but to no avail is just getting under you feet and forcing you to have visions of strangling him. Now ladies listen up you've all been there, so instead of throwing in the dish towel and buying a one way ticket to Mexico call up your dearest friend and go out for drinks or get your hair done find that sexy carefree self you used to be, the key is to relax. I like to call this a mini vacation from reality. Trust me gals it will make you a better mother well, actually it will make you a better person because no one likes you when your on the edge. Then after this mini vacation when you get home you will feel refreshed revived and at peace and then tomorrow you can wake up and go back to your old ways of cold coffee and picking up toys, but for today you can just simply be you and think of you. Women so often get caught up in that tangled web of lies that tells you because you are a mom you can never think of your self, and true most of the time you can't think of yourselves but every now again you can, well you have to! Yes your life is now crazy, and unglamourous and down right hard work, but those sweet faces and little giggles make it worth while. So ladies tonight tuck those babies in bed run your self a bubble bath, pour a glass of wine, relax and live in the moment and remember your life is wonderful and full of joy.

Stay at home moms vs Working moms

2009-10-14T14:04:00.001-06:00

Today I was watching the Dr Phil show about stay at home moms vs working moms and I thought this is crazy women fighting over what way is the right way; to work or not to work. Personally I feel as women we should stand together, we are all moms aren't we? And truthfully there is no manual on how to raise children, we do what our instincts tell us is best and when our children are grown that is when we will find out how we did. There are critiques in every crowd, telling us what we should or shouldn't do as mothers, but what I find particularly upsetting is we as moms are the first to criticize our fellow moms and not only do we criticize each other but we find ways to put other moms down; we brag: "Johnny" is doing so well and he is such a good kid, he so smart oh yes he walked at two days old he's so advanced, I am so lucky. And we say this well our fellow mom is trying to pull her two year old down off the curtains. Maybe just maybe we should put aside the competition and sympathize and tell the TRUTH. Yes Johnny is wonderful but remember that night long ago at 2 am when you couldn't stand his little crying face and you felt like your life was over and you were on the verge of going over the metaphorical cliff. So wouldn't it be better to say to your friend, I understand but this moment will pass and there will be many wonderful ones ahead of you I HAVE BEEN THERE TOO! So back to the debate of stay at home moms vs working moms, we do what is in our children's best interest and you fellow moms should support that, because isn't that what you are doing? If you feel you are a better mom when you are working and your child is in a high quality day care and you child is happy, well taken care of then I am sure you are doing a wonderful job. And on the other side if you feel you can not divide you attention between work and home and you are better mother when you stay home, good for you. Personally I work part time, but I am home more with my children then I am working and I feel getting out of the house away from my children does make me a better mom. But on the other hand I know moms who work too much and when they are home they are just as absent and their children suffer. Also, I know moms who stay at home and are absent from their children's lives and maybe they would be better moms if they worked. So in conclusion moms gather together and celebrate your differences, tell the truth of the ups and downs and the truth is 90% of the moms out there are doing what they feel is best! So who cares if you work or you stay at home we are all raising children and what we need is support and compassion!!!