Mommy Moments

As most of you know, Kris and I welcomed our daughter into the world in December.  She is absolutely perfect!  But what parent doesn't look at their child and think the same thing?  It is amazing how you spend 9 months praying for the little one as they grow, as God perfectly places each hair on their head, carefully forms each finger and loving moulds His child into the seamless person He wishes them to be.  When they are finally born you are in awe of how He does it and of how they come out with everything they need and knowing what they have to do to survive.
Having a baby has changed my life.  I now know that I can function on little to no sleep, that poop stains everything, that I actually know nothing about parenting, and that crying can last for hours but a little baby smile makes you forget everything but your love for that child.  But most of all, I now know that I am capable of the most incredible love.  First, I never thought I could love my husband more.  Watching him be a father and love our daughter makes my heart skip a beat.  It is so wonderful and I know that Kaitlyn is the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing father.  Secondly, I never thought I could love a person the way I love Kaitlyn.  Yes I love my husband and my family, but the love for your child is like nothing else. The love consumes you from your head to your toes and leave you breathless.  Thirdly, the love I have for my God has forever been changed.  Having a child is a miracle.  That in itself just shows the great power of God.  But I think for me, I have a greater sense of how much God loves us.  I have always known that I am loved by God.  I have been told by others, I read about it in the bible, the fact that he sent His Son to die for us shows us how great His love is.  But as I hold my beautiful daughter in my arms and look into her stunning eyes, I think about how I would do anything to protect her.  I would give my life for her.  But I think above all, I want the best for her.  If she asked for the moon, I would want to do everything in my power to get it for her.  If I love my daughter that much, how much greater is Gods love for me?!  I can't believe that God would want anything less for me in my life.  All He wants is for us to love Him, believe in Him, trust in Him, and allow Him to lead and guide our lives.  He desires our hearts. Knowing this has allowed my heart to fall more in love with my Father who only wants the best for me and loves me because I am His child.

The Adventure Continues

Oh dear... It sure has been a long time since I have blogged.  Over a year.  I am kind of ashamed of myself. 

What has happened in a year?  More than I could tell you in one little blog.  So, I will stick to a couple highlights.

First of all, I graduated from UFV with my diploma in Social Services.  I would really like to go on and finish my degree one day but as you will see life has taken a little detour from school for a while. 

Kris and I decided that we really liked each other a LOT!  The only reasonable thing to do was to get married.  So we tied the knot on November 1st 2014. 

  And well,  First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...

Now I am 5 1/2 months into this crazy adventure that is called pregnancy.  I can feel kicking and lots of movement.  I can't wait to meet this little one.  This kid is going to have so many people to love it.  One lucky baby!!

Happily awaiting the Holidays

My three months of hibernation are over and I couldn't be more happy!  I still have a few more things to do for school but I feel like I have my life back again.  I get a month to rest and then a semester to go before, yes you guessed it, GRADUATION!!!! WOOHOO!  Then I get the task of deciding if I want to do my degree or not... I think I need a break from school before any decision will be made.

Even through my life was consumed by school and work, I was able to find some time to do a few things here and there.  What could I possibly have time for you ask?  Well let me tell you...

I got to go to a Lions game with some of my favourite people.  

I celebrated this little guy's very first birthday!  Where does the time go???  I think I fall more in love with him every day, and he gets cuter every day too!!!

Work got a little crazy!  HAHA!  I think I fell in love with my job over the last three months too.  I finally feel like I have a grasp on what I am doing and I really feel like I found my passion.  Some days are more of a challenge but I love the opportunities that my new job offers!  

I spent some time getting to know this guy!  Even though I have been super crazy this semester he has stuck it out through the worst (stressed and emotional) of me.  HAHA.. We will see if he sticks it out through relaxed and normal.  However, spending time with Kris was some of the best moments I have had over the past three months.  

Today is the first saturday I haven't had to get up at 6 am to rush off to my practicum.  Since I feel like I have piles of free time at the moment ( I am sure that will not last), I decided to decorate for Christmas.  I think that decorating is one of my favourite part of Christmas.  I love how sparkly everything is and if you buy the right candles it smells good too.

This is the first year that I have decorated alone.  I really missed having Jaime to decorate with me.  When we lived together, it was a roommate date decorating day.  We would spend all day putting up decorations and making our house feel cozy for the holidays.  Missed ya James!!!  I will have to have you over for some HoCHO and an epic movie night watching Elf so you can enjoy my decorations with me!!!  Sound like a deal?

Anyways, I will try to blog more than once every 3 months!

I hope everyone enjoys the holiday season... In all the business, remember to take time to enjoy family and friends and to remember the birth of our Saviour!

It's September Again

September always brings new beginnings and firsts.  In the past it always brought me a new bunch of eager preschool kids who were so excited to start their first school experience.  Well, this september is the first time I haven't set up my classroom and been there to welcome those new students.  I am a little sad about that.

However, this september has brought some first for me.  This is the first month of my last year of school.  WOOT WOOT.  Well, the last year of my diploma that is.  Regardless, when April hits I will be a graduate.

I always heard about these crazy students who worked full time, went to school full time, hung out with their friends, had a boyfriend, worked out, and never slept.  I never knew how they did it and I always thought that they were insane!  Now I am that person.  Mind you I do sleep whenever I can!  The next few months will be crazy as I complete my practicum, do a class, and work.  So far it's been good.  And I have still had time for friends.  That might end as midterm season approaches though.

And with school starting, so does a life of procrastinations, hence the new blog.  I got up early to do my homework and what am I doing... Blogging.  LOL.  Actually, I already finished my homework for the week and I had time to spare.  It's usually the other way around though.

Wishing everyone a wonderful september!

Here are some pics of the latest happenings in my life.

Kris and I in Penticton

Baby Lexi came for a visit... With her family of course.

Auntie Ashley time

Crazy Cousins

I have the best view from my new place.  Enjoying one of the last sunny days of the summer.

Lions game with the Sinclair's

LOVE

Besties!

A year in rewind.

I know, I know, I know, I haven't blogged in what seems to be forever.  Therefore, we have some catching up to do.  I think it has almost been a year since I last blogged about my life.  I know that you are all so disappointed that you haven't been able to keep up with what I am doing every second of my life.  So, I am now going to catch you up and hopefully I will be a better blogger from here on out.  

I guess I have to start somewhere, so here it is...

I recently started selling epicure.  I wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to do but I love their product and I use it all the time, so I thought why not.  It has brought in a bit of extra cash which is nice and now I am never at a lack of recipe ideas for dinner.  I actually find myself feeling conflicted because I have too many options.  Plus, their products are gluten free.  I am happy!  

OH, and I turned 30.  I had to practice saying that for a while because it didn't roll naturally off the tongue.  I think my 30's are going to be awesome for a number of reasons.  I am in the best shape I have ever been in my life, I am going to finish my diploma in social services in my 30's and, well, I am sure that there are going to be many more reasons my 30's are going to be awesome.  

Do you ever wish you could add things to your bucket list as you do them?  I have a bucket list, however, there are times when I do something that I am so excited about or that I am so proud of myself for, that I feel like I should add them to my list just so I can cross them off.  You may be asking yourself where I am going with this. Well here it is,  I ran my first ever half marathon.  It was SO hard, but I did it.  I was so proud of myself that I cried when I crossed the finish line.  Although, now that I think about it, I could have been crying because of the complete exhaustion and lack of fluids... 

Whatever the case, I was proud and I can say I did it.  And now, 3 months later I can honestly say I would run another one.  I will train better for the next one though! 

So, I have really been enjoying hiking the local hikes around Chilliwack.  I am hoping to do a few more this summer but we do the close ones weekly.  I have a few weekly hiking partners that come with me and it's good therapy.  You get to take out your aggression on the mountain and on your friends at the same time.  I am thankful for friends who will take the time to listen to vent.  

Oh, I joined a new bible study with a bunch of fabulous ladies.  It's nice to meet new people who are in a similar place in life.  I have really enjoyed getting to know them and going on adventures with them.  We even went wine touring together.  It was so much fun.  Six wineries in one day made my tongue feel like sandpaper but I didn't let that get in the way of tasting more wine.  I also bottled wine for the first time in my life.  It was way too much fun.  I think I will be doing that again soon. 

Oh, here is something else that is new, I am no longer a preschool teacher.  Sometimes it makes me sad to think about and I know that I will really miss setting up my classroom for a new year in september but I am excited for a new challenge.  I got a job with community services and the Youth Parent Support Worker.  My new job is really keeping me on my toes and I have learned so much.  I am happy to have a job that is in the area I am studying to work in.  

One last think I need to add it that my brother got married a month ago.  I am so happy that he has found the person he want's to spend his life with and I wish them all the happiness in the world.  I am so lucky to have a new sister in law and I am happy to have her as part of the family. 

I guess that brings my updates to an end.  I am sure there was more to tell but I am sure no one wants to read much more than this.  I know that 2013 is going to bring many more adventures so stay tuned and I will try and post more often.  

Thanks for reading. 

It's a new year.

If you didn't already know it, I was able to spend the holiday's in LA with my brother.  We really had a good time.  I got to do some sight seeing and spend some quality time with both my brother and his fiancé Charlyn.  I was hoping for a warm holiday but it was cold in LA.  I was a little disappointed about that but all in all it was a fantastic trip!

Now it's 2013.  I guess I should have some sort of new years resolution or something like that.  I haven't been able to think of one.  I would like to take more photo's.  I feel like I never take enough pictures.  I think I will put that on the list.  There is nothing wrong with a february new years resolution right?  If I think of something else I will keep you posted!

I want to wish everyone the best for 2013!   I hope it has many blessings in store!

Christmas Love

This is it.. The time has come to enjoy some Christmas Merriment.  Exams are finished, I have one day of work left, and then I am off to LA to spend Christmas with my brother and sister-in-law.  I can't wait. 

Even though school was busy, I was able to enjoy some Christmas fun.  We had our annual Christmas Gingerbread Party but this year we did it a little different.  This year we did girls vs boys.  It was a fun to change it up this year and try something new.  The best part of this yearly event is spending time with great friends!  

The girls probably ate more candy than we decorated with. 

The boys panning there next step

Incase you are confused... it a scene from The Land Before Time.  The dino's don't show up very well. 

The boys and their beach christmas house. 

I am going to go ahead and say this was the winning gingerbread scene of the year. 

Oh, and we had to wear our ugly christmas sweaters.

I also did some crafting this christmas.  I can't show all of my creations because there are some people who will be receiving them this holiday season but I will show you the wreath I made.  The lucky new owner is Jaime. I had to give it to her early so she could enjoying over the holidays. I think she loved it.  

I recently made a trip home to visit some family and friends.  I was lucky enough to meet some new babies this weekend.  They are so sweet.  This fall has been the season of babies and more specifically baby boys.  I fell in love with all three of them.  My cousin, who is home from a visit in china, had a new baby boy and he is so precious.  I also was able to spend some time with her other children too.  They are some of the cutest kids I know.  But, I sure know a lot of cute kids.  I wish they were in Canada more often so I could spend more time getting to know their kids.  I think after our visit I am going to have to set up Skype so I can keep getting to know them.  

My new baby cousin 

This is his big sister.  She loved my new head band that looks more like a toque on  her.   I missed getting a photo of her big brother, but he is pretty cute too!

And then a good friend of mine had a baby as well.  He just loves to be cuddled and I am really good at cuddling babies, so we got along great! 

This is a really bad picture but isn't he a Sweet little boy.

This is his big brother.  He didn't really want a photo so we were a little grumpy.  

So, to say the least, I had some serious baby love this weekend.  Plus I played with some of my favourite kids... They had me laughing the whole weekend.  I feel so blessed to have all these kids in my life. 

I am extra lucky to have this one near home to give cuddles to as much as I want.  He loves his Auntie Ashley!

My Christmas baby.

Well, now I better get packing.  I can't wait to blog about my Christmas adventures in LA.  

Merry Christmas everyone!