Writing Because I Can

 Here I am without an idea in my head.. just writing because I can! My company is officially out of here! It was so nice having people here to keep me busy during the day. But after nearly a full month of company, I am happy to get some normalcy back in my days.

A tired, messy haired- done with company ME.

 I have many memories to put in my pocket to take out when I start to miss my family, my friends from back home or Rob's family. But for now, I am just happy to be. I love our life. It's simple, it would probably bore some people, but it's mine and I like living it.

Some things I have to look forward to:

//1  Alina starts eating solid foods this week! I am introducing carrots to her, either tomorrow or Wednesday. She is eating rice cereal and is IN LOVE with the first package I bought her. She, on the other hand HATES the cereal I bought her from the health food store. I was trying to be something I'm not, if I'm being totally honest. A cashier at the grocery store told me about this healthier version of the cereal when I was buying the "less healthy" package the other day. I didn't really want to buy it because I was half annoyed that the lady was telling me that the stuff I was buying was bad for my baby. (Mind your business, right?!) But, at the same time I realized that it was for my baby and her health. I figured it would be irresponsible and immature for me to ignore this suggestion just because I'm stubborn. So I went into the dreaded health food store for the first time ever and purchased the organic cereal and some teething cookies. Turns out, my baby girl is a lot like her mom. She would rather eat the stuff that's bad for you...

Okay, I'll give it a try...

She actually gagged and spit up the cereal. Plus she made this face a few times.. 

Alina eating the cereal from the grocery store..

Alina eating the cereal from the health food store...

She did however, love chewing on the teething cookie!

 //2  Spending quality time with just Rob, Alina and I. Uninterrupted, one on one family time! I know it sounds selfish but it feels like it's been awhile since we just existed.. the three of us.

//3  Fall television! I stinkin' love t.v..!!! I'm not going to pretend like I'm too busy or have better things to do because quite frankly, I don't! I love my shows.. but I'll only list my top fav's..

Parenthood - heart warming, gut wrenching and totally emotional! I love this one hour show and wish it was on all year long!

 New Girl- I always end up laughing out loud and I love each and every character, so there is  never a dull moment in the show.

The Voice- I know, I know.. I have to include a reality music show of some sort! We all watch them! I used to be devoted to American Idol and I refused to watch The Voice. But, with all of the judges coming and going, I switched to The Voice. I love that the auditions are done blindly, so it is judged strictly on the person's voice. I enjoyed Shakira and Usher last season. But I always love Blake and Adam's comedic dynamic.

 Chicago Fire- This one I'm a bit ashamed of loving. Rob is a fire fighter and this show is his soap opera. It's smutty, it's soooo unrealistic but it is also action packed and full of cliff hangers. At first I assured Rob that this was his guilty pleasure and I would gladly read my book while it was on. Yeah, well now I'm pretty hooked!

 //4  Spending more time with my mom, now that she seems to have the right attitude towards life! As of recently, mom has taken a hold of her life again.. She's getting out and saying YES to situations rather than no. She was incredibly unhappy and instead of just complaining about it, she took control and did something about it. Her new apartment is very cozy and I look forward to bringing Alina over to spend time with her more often.

Out for lunch..!

Alina with her Baba and Nonna for lunch!

At Baba's new place!

 //5  Finally, I look forward to improving the appearance of my blog with helpful tutorials from Sarah at Venus Trapped In Mars. I also can't wait to really brainstorm some interesting, FUN topics to write about. I have always loved writing but ever since I reentered Blogland, my mind is just screaming for me to keep up with new posts. I feel rejuvenated.. I feel alive.. I feel like writing all day long!

Future writer in the family....???

Friends of Ours

 Wednesday was a different kind of day for me.. For anyone, really.

 My mom decided that living with her mom was putting a heavy strain on their relationship. They are better off, living on their own and they both know it. So my mom found a nice apartment to rent, a bit closer to my house and she moved in on Wednesday night. I'm incredibly happy for her because this was something she desperately needed to do. She was getting very difficult to be around because of her unhappiness. When I heard that she found a place I felt instant relief. She's been riding on a very positive, cheerful and motivational high ever since my sister visited with her family. I don't know where it came from but all I know is that I don't want it to leave. This new and improved mom is really impressing me and also I find myself wanting to be around her more.

Mom with her grand babies.

 There was a catch to my mom moving out of Gran's house though. She owns two dogs, Audi and Lucy. We've had Audi since I was 15 and Lucy since I was probably 16 or 17. They've been through everything with us; the tragedy, the moving back and fourth that my mom did over the years. Everything. They've been her little sidekicks and I couldn't imagine her without them. Recently we found out that Audi, who is I believe 14 years old is partially blind and deaf. I had no idea, until an Aunt pointed it out and then I tested poor Audi and found it to be true. Lucy has recently developed a shaking problem at night. She wakes up in the middle of the night and shakes for an hour or two. No one knew why and she wouldn't be herself all the next day. The dogs are my mom's little buddies but at the same time, they are very neurotic. Yes, that's right.. Dogs can be neurotic, or at least mom's dogs are. They don't like to be left alone, granted most dogs don't. But they howl wildly until she returns. They are afraid of flies. Yup, that's right.. flies.
 My mom found out that she can't have pets in this apartment or many others that she looked at. I can't take the pups because I already have my hands full with Alina. Gran is getting up there in age, and she isn't as agile as she used to be. In the end, mom had to face a difficult decision. She would have them put down.

 At first I was horrified. My family dogs!! We can't just let them go that easily. Someone has to be able to take them in. Mom talked to the SPCA and found out that they would take them, but that older dogs with anxiety problems would have a bit of a tougher time finding a home. People aren't usually looking for deaf, blind dogs or dogs that are afraid of flies and that can't be left alone. 
 I am sure that this was the hardest decision she's ever had to make. Those dogs are her life and she constantly talked to them and snuggled them on a daily basis. I think she is at a point in her life where a decision this big could really change her life, but in a good way. As much as she loves those girls, they also held her back from doing a lot of things. If there's one thing my mom does not need, it's an excuse. If she has one, she usually uses it to get out of doing anything social. (Except for recently. I'm telling you, she's a changed woman!)

 Audi and I have a very close relationship. It sounds ridiculous, but it's true. She would follow me everywhere when I lived at home. I used to put her in my hoody, zip it up and walk around with her in it, like a kangaroo. To be honest, she still followed me around at mom and grannie's house too. We always had a tight bond because we grew up together. She was there for me during some tough times in my teen years. I would cry and hold her in my arms, listening to sappy music in my bedroom. She was always there for me. So, in Audi's time of need- I decided to see her to the end.
 Lucy was always my step dad Rudi's dog. She was a father's day present for him and those two were very close. She would sit outside the front window around the same time everyday, waiting for his Mazda to putter up to the front yard. She'd see him get out and start whimpering and running around the house in excitement. When he passed away, Lucy was crushed. She didn't understand where he was and continued to sit at the front window until the day we moved to B.C.

 I understand that this post is very controversial. People are going to think that mom just killed the dogs off because she didn't want them anymore. This is honestly not the case. My mom isn't a cruel person. She was in a situation where she had to make a big decision. She didn't feel like it would be a good idea to send them off to the SPCA because they would instantly be separated. Their nerves would most likely get the best of them because again, they were very anxious, nervous puppies. If they did find a home- would it be to a family that would care for them in the right ways? There were just too many questions. Instead mom being a big believer in the after life decided that once she put the puppies down, they would be with their daddy again. Rudi would be waiting for them and they could be with him. I know it sounds like, "Miffy the cat is going to the farm to live with all of the other barn animals. She will be so happy there kids- don't worry!" excuse. I firmly believe that the dogs' little spirits will go be with Rudi's spirit and the will "live on" that way.

 Wednesday. Wednesday at 3:30 was the vet appointment. I met mom there and sat with the dogs in the car before we were waved inside. It's hard to describe the feelings I was having. I felt nervous and dismal at the sight of them. They weren't really excited or afraid in the car, which helped me. Once we carried them into the vet's office, they became shaky and afraid. They never liked going to the vet because it always meant they were getting a thermometer in the bum or a needle of some kind. We sat and listened to the procedure from the vet. The entire process was well done. The dogs were sedated to ease their anxiety and to have them relax. I felt like once they were sedated, I was too. A cloud of calm came over me and that was a tremendous relief. I kept my sunglasses on because I felt a sense of guilt when we first came. I was almost ashamed.. After a bit, the vet and her assistant assured us in their gentle, friendly manner that it was going to be okay. The time arrived and I felt a wave of panic come over me. Mom definitely felt it too. But we stayed strong and held onto our little friends. Mom held Lucy and I held Audi and they passed on in our arms.

 I wanted to write about it even though it's a ... different sort of situation. I know that I will be judged for having been there, for not "saving" them, for allowing my family pets to go without a fight. But I needed to release the experience. I have to let it go, like I let them go. I don't regret being there for Audi and Lucy because I feel like having both of us there made them feel more at ease. Audi was very adamant about staying on my lap and I'm glad I could provide comfort to her, when she needed it the most.

 This post wasn't about convincing anyone else that what we did was okay.. I needed to write it out, so I could convince myself that it was.. I needed to write what I felt and how I feel. I needed to quietly share this with the world.. even though it's hard.

Audi and Lucy you were two really good girls. You lived long lives and I think you went out of this world, when things were still good. You weren't peeing your beds or full of arthritis. You were spry, you were happy and you had a good time while you were here. I love you, little friends. I'm sorry my time with you is over, but I'm so happy that you get to be with your biggest fan of all; your daddy.

Lucy

Audi

Snail Mail Collective - Under The Sea

Last month I was going through my list of blogs I always read, when I came across one of my fav. bloggers - Amanda from Rhyme and Ribbons. She participated in something called the Snail Mail Collective hosted by Melyssa and Chelsea. 

 Basically Chelsea and Melyssa came up with an idea for all of us bloggers to interact in a way that we probably never would have otherwise.. It's an international package exchange with fellow bloggers from all over the world.  The sign up for the Snail Mail Collective is on the first of every month.  Each month is assigned a theme and August was Under The Sea. I signed up and within a few days I was matched up with Erica from Tanzania, Africa. We sent a couple of friendly messages to get to know the other and went on our mission to come up with a nice care package for the other. The parcels are not supposed to cost more than $5.00 and a post card or letter is also sent.                

 Erica is away on a wild adventure right now, so my package will be waiting in the mail when she returns. (Update: You can see what I sent her HERE)
  Erica is a mom of a gorgeous little girl, who is over a year old and a total beach baby. She's from Hawaii originally, married the love of her life and now lives in Tanzania, Africa with her family and as of very recently- a new wee one on the way! Check out some of her adventures at To The Sea. When I read that the theme for August was Under The Sea and that Erica blogs over at "To The Sea" I realized we were a match! We both live by the beach and have little ones, both born in March with similar names.

 Right before leaving on her trip to Italy, Erica tried sending my parcel and was told it was going to cost A LOT more than necessary. So instead, she ordered me something online and had it shipped directly to my house.

Alina trying to eat the package at the mail box this morning..

Then, I read the SAFETY FIRST warning and promptly took it away from her........

 Erica sent me a beautiful Jack Will's bracelet. The purchase of each bracelet helps raise money to end malaria deaths in Africa. I'm happy that I could be a reason for her to give money to a good cause. She wrote about Do Good By Us in a recent post a few weeks ago.. If anyone is interested, please visit the post or go to Jack Wills Website for more information on how to help!

 I enjoyed participating in the Snail Mail Collective this month. I plan to sign up again in October! It's a great way to connect with people all over the world. I now, Follow Erica on Bloglovin' and have since started following some of her followers too. You just never know who you're going to "meet" through activities like these..!

Baby Gone Batty

It's been awhile since I've posted about my baby girl, Alina. She continues to be my day to day and it is hard to think up non-Alina related things to blog about because she is usually sitting by me smiling, blowing spitty raspberries and shrieking in happiness. (So cute, so distracting.)

Being 'batty' with her dad.

 She's recently entered a phase at night time.. usually around 6 pm, where she turns crazy. Rob calls it the "witching hour". We still aren't completely sure why she gets like that, but without fail 6 pm rolls around and she's a mad woman baby!
 No, it has a lot to do with her getting tired and we don't want to put her down for a nap because she'll over sleep and then she won't be going to bed at her usual 8 pm.  I love my baby with all of my heart but once the clock ticks 8 pm, it's Mom and Dad time! I don't mean that in a dirty way, I mean it in a "me time" way. She gets tired and then she gets wild. She sits in her little exersaucer aka her office and chews on anything and every thing that she can get her dripping with spit, little hands on..!
   The "witching hour" is not an uncommon thing either. I was at a play date (yes, I just wrote that.. I am now a woman that goes to play dates!) with a few other moms and they all agreed that their little ones get a bit rambunctious before bedtime too.

Okay, not too crazy in this one...yet.

Ohhh there's my crazy girl..!

Alina is nearing six months at the end of next week and I can comfortably admit that she is a good baby. She really is. She sits quietly playing by herself a lot during the day. I don't leave her to play alone all day long, but if I wanted to I know that I could and she would be just fine. My girlfriend was in town months ago and she was impressed with how well Alina took to her surroundings. I have stations all around the house that I put her in. There's the exersaucer which is her newest and absolute favourite spot. She stands in that thing and plays to her heart's content. I put her in it so often because she loves it. She used to love her swing but now that she's older she doesn't like being on her back as much. We have a new swing, that can be tied to a tree branch that we've introduced. She's a little dare devil and really enjoys swinging up up up in that one! It doesn't matter where she is, she is usually happy.

 One way that we can get Miss A calm when she's in one of her whacky moods, besides an early bedtime is with the guitar. That baby LOVES her some music. But not just music, live music. It doesn't matter what she's doing, where she is, mid cry, mid bite; as soon as the music starts, her attention goes right to the guitar. I love that she is so into it. I can only hope that she'll be interested enough when she can learn to play herself. I really want her to play one day.

So, this post was really all about my girl. I love her and can't help writing about her from time to time! She's my world exclusively this year. Next year, she'll still be my world but I'll be working full time again. I'm enjoying every last minute, full time with her. I don't even want to imagine what I'll miss when I return to work!!!

Ailurophobia- say whaaa?

Alright, it's time to share with the world one quirky thing about me.. I have a fear of cats.

Now it's not an intense fear like some people have for spiders and snakes. I can see a cat and it doesn't gross me out or scare the hell out of me. I can even have them near me. But, I don't trust them. No one should trust a cat. (*Unless they are very familiar with that particular cat and it has been good for many, many years and has built up trust. There are exceptions.)

 I loathe the walking fur balls for a few reasons.

//1 Cats have sharp teeth and claws. I know a lot of animals with teeth and claws that I can be comfortable around. Cats have sharp teeth and claws and I don't trust them. It's called common sense people... If someone you don't trust is sitting near you, with a sharp knife in one hand and a broken bottle in the other, I'm pretty sure you're going to go ahead and leave that situation as fast as possible.

//2 I am allergic, as in VERY allergic. My girlfriend has four cats and I've visited her place twice since I moved away. She will clean that house from top to bottom, bleaching, sweeping, dusting, vacuuming- you name it. I will walk in and within five minutes I'm sneezing. I sneeze and she promptly yells, "Son of a bitch, already!!!??" I have always been allergic so I don't know how to handle a cat because I've never actually held one before.

This is how I feel when I'm super allergic to cats.. Drooling, snotting, half in a daze from allergy pills that aren't working!!!

  //3 Cats are completely foreign to me. I am allergic so I just don't hold cats. I have always kept away from them because I have to.. Cats are always drawn to me for some reason too.( I think they sniff out my apprehension towards them.) They will hop up onto my lap and this has actually happened a number of times in different scenarios. I never know what to do. I am always really uneasy and very politely ask the owner if they could please get their cat off of me. Like I said, I don't know how to handle them and plus, I don't trust them therefore I don't touch them.

Okay, so this picture basically makes me a liar. It is the FIRST time I ever held a cat. Such a moment that I made Rob take FOUR pictures of me....!

 //4 The stories!! How many horror cat stories have I heard in my lifetime!?!? A million- that's how many. I recently read a post from a fellow blogger and good family friend about her new kitten that just had me howling with laughter but also completely proving my point and theory on cats; they can't be trusted!! There's a show called "My Cat From Hell".. and the cats on this show are terrifying!!




(If you get a minute, check out this one. There were many, many horrifying cats with some serious deep seeded issues- this was just one..!)

//5  Bad experiences. We had family friends growing up that had a mean cat, Fritz. You didn't mess with him. I never did but he was pretty bad ass. I remember going into the bathroom once to wash my hands and I turned around and there Fritz was, half a tail, scratches and scars on his face from cat fights, blocking my exit. I just remember nervously yelling for my mom to rescue me. My dad had a hay wire cat named Tux that was just wild. I always slept on the couch at my dad's and Tux would just wait for my hand to drop in my sleep. He didn't ever do anything, he just spazzed out all of the time and freaked me out in the process. Max- my Auntie's crazy kitten that would attack my baby cousin's FACE. Yup, his cute little unsuspecting face. Terrified the crap out of me. My best friend, with her four cats... I stayed at her house two years ago on the pull out couch. Cats sleep during the day and yup- you guessed it.. they're up all night, or at least her's were. So I was going to sleep and I could hear them running, playing and fighting all around me. UNDER my bed.. it made my back arch in fear. I remember wanting to let them out of the house so I could relax and get some sleep but I was too terrified to get off of my bed in fear that one of them was waiting under the bed for my bare ankles to drop and attack. Shudder. No joke, I just shuddered.

 //6 Catmares. Oh yes, that's a word. I made it up, based on the nightmares I have of cats. I have no idea when these nightmares started but it has been in the last ten years. I used to have one for sure a month. Lately I have had a catmare maybe once every two to three months. I even know in my dream what is going on. I see a cat and I'm like, "Oh shit. It's a f**king cat, here we go. This is turning bad really soon." The cat is normal at first but then something happens and boom that cat is always and I mean always attacking me. Biting me, and not letting go. I pull it off and it's jaw latches onto another body part. It's awful and gruesome and seriously f**cking terrifying. Plus the cats in my dreams are like f**cking cat ninjas. They can get through tiny cracks under closed and locked doors. I am never safe. I wake up out of breath and always sweating my ass off. I am soaked after a catmare. It sucks...

"Sweet Dreams"

So yeah, I'm afraid of cats. They make me nervous. A cat enters the room and I am like, "Ohhhh you have a cat. Great." I instantly have the urge to bring my knees up to my chin and to hold onto my ankles and feet to prevent any temptations to these untrustworthy psychopaths. It's not their fault- they're cats! They can't help their psycho tendencies.. it's who they are....!

But I will be nice and admit that I have met one cat that melts my heart. Rob's parents have two cats; Buddy and Carling. Buddy is still kind of psycho. I remember coming home from the bar and I was pretty wasted. I decided I wasn't afraid of cats anymore and I started petting Bud. Buddy goes kind of creepy when you pet him. He gets really into every pet like he's never had human hands touch his head before.. When I decided to stop he clawed at me to continue and that was enough to give me a heart attack. But, Carling is a sweet cat. He is so lazy that even if I angered him he would probably just talk about me to his cat friends instead of do anything about it.

A very lazy, very happy Carling.

Oh and don't even get me started on BIG cats. Sometimes just to freak myself out, I go on Google and type in the words black panther and I work up my nerve to press ENTER. Oh. My. God. I just did it so that I could use the link on my blog and I am sweating. No JOKE! I am seriously sweating. The very image of a black panther snarling makes me want to pee my pants.
So there it is! My big fear of cats is out. Now Blogland knows of my weird, quirky fear and my strange never ending catmares. Please feel free to feel sorry for me... If you have a cat, be careful.... they can not be trusted..

Oh and I guarantee I'll be having a catmare soon just because I wrote about cats and googled black panthers AND searched so many cat images. Darn it!!

This Is Me Today

 A girlfriend of mine told me about this commercial that was on t.v. and I had to find it online. 






 A retired forensic artist is hired to sketch people. He is told to ask a person behind a curtain questions about his features so that he can paint a portrait, so to speak. He asks questions like, "What is your most pronounced feature?" or "Tell me about your hair.. your chin, etc." 
 Then a stranger comes in and is asked the same questions but about the other person. Two pictures are produced. One picture is from a stranger's point of view of that person. The other is the person's point of view of himself.

Looks like Florence, like the rest of us, is hard on herself... Here's the picture to prove it.

 Isn't it sad that we see ourselves in such an ugly light? I know for a fact that if someone asked me to describe myself I would more than likely give out unflattering details. My nose has a bump, my chin juts out, my eyes are big and I have one front tooth that sits in front of the other tooth a bit so it appears longer at certain angles. See! I already offered up the ugly details. I will however add that most people wouldn't describe themselves in a flattering light in order to avoid sounding self centered. It would be easier for me to say that I have big eyes, rather than admit that I think my eyes are nicely shaped. But I don't think I would say it in fear of sounding vain. Why would I shy away from saying something nice about myself just to avoid sounding self centered? Perhaps we're all programmed that way, to put ourselves down..

I chose this one because Kela didn't look anything like the person she described. She was the woman at the end of the video in tears when she saw the pictures

I love the Dove campaigns. I respect the women that model for Dove because they are what I love and admire so much in people.. they are REAL. These models weren't afraid to show off their bodies to the world because it's honest, because it represented who they were at that time in their lives.

Looking very REAL ladies!!

 In the spirit of being real- I'm going to post two pictures that I HATED when I saw them the other day.. I had to stomp out the urge to erase every single picture of myself from that beach day. BUT- I didn't. So I am going to post REAL images of myself. I declare that I am all about being real, right? So I need to back up what I say and be real myself. I am all about being true to myself and for being proud of who I am, so here I go...

 But you know what.. I don't really care. I had a baby nearly six months ago and I am aware that I need to work out. I know that my body isn't perfect. I do feel like I should be able to wear a bikini at the beach because I want to tan my tummy and it is hot out. I don't look down at my tummy jiggling when I walk. I don't usually let Rob take my picture when I'm in full bikini because I'm not ready to see what I look like. But now that I do know, it's okay. It is who I am right now. And for right now, I'm pretty happy with life. This is me today.... and that's okay.

The Quiet

 I'm feeling the blues. I can't pinpoint what it is exactly that is making me feel this way...
I think it could be a combination of things..

//1  My sister and the family left the other day. It's crazy how three years went by where I missed her so much. I can't even describe how difficult it is to live so far away from my "sneestor", someone that I adore and love with all of my heart. I sound dramatic but that is how much I love her. So as soon as I heard that she was coming to visit - finally!!!! I burst into tears and profusely thanked my mom for getting her here. I counted down the months, weeks, days and hours until she arrived.. and then she was here! But it felt like one or two days went by and we were already hugging goodbye. I am a sap when it comes to family. My family, Rob's side.. I love my people. I miss my family and am always sad to see them go. So, having the house so quiet is hard for me.. The silence in the house is the constant reminder that they aren't here anymore and that it is going to be a very, very long time until I see them all again..

//2  While the family was here- it was so nice having all of us under the same roof. Mom, Ky, Linc and I .. the original four! Our step dad passed eight years ago and our dad three years.. So when we're all together like that, which isn't often anymore- it is impossible not to think of them. They are certainly missing from our lives everyday, but more so when we're together as a family. I will admit that I wasn't thinking of them as much while everyone was together. I'm thinking of them now, more than ever. I think with everyone having come and gone, I'm feeling the family blues and with those blues the missing my dads blues as well!
 I know Dad and Rudi would have made great Papa's to their grandchildren. Dad met Quinn, but not Sophie or Alina. Rudi, sadly missed out on all three. But I know that there is a Heaven of some form and they are there watching over all of us. I know that they are hanging around here, especially when we are all together again. So as much as I didn't think about them while the family was here, I am thinking now, that they were most definitely here in spirit...

//3  We have some family out here that live nearby. They have been dealing with a family member getting seizures and a new discovery of a brain tumour. They are all anxiously waiting to hear if the tumour is cancerous. I believe this family member will be getting operated on very soon and it is a very uneasy time for everyone. I am experiences extra feelings of anxiety for all of them. I know what it feels like to have your life turned upside down with news of a tumour. As everyone probably knows by now, our story ended tragically. I am trying not to think too much about it because I'm afraid I'll get too upset if I do. I'm not so sad for myself but for this person and the family members closest to him. I can't imagine how he's feeling; fear, desperation, anger.. We were visiting them today and we could just see the sadness living in all of them. This family is normally very upbeat and happy and that was not the case today. It's just hard to see.. I feel for them so much and can only hope for good news.

 So here I am, with my husband and baby girl sitting by my side, watching the evening news. My mother in law Andrea is back for another visit. She arrived yesterday, when my brother was leaving from his holiday. I welcomed her visit with opened arms.. She always takes good care of us while she is here. I'm glad to have her because I would probably be feeling more bluesy without her here, making us suppers, keeping me company while Rob returns to work after his holidays and entertaining Miss Alina with her high energy and whacky sing songs.
 I may be feeling bluesy today but I am so grateful for our health, the love we share and family.

Wishing On A Fountain

 The other day, while my sister was visiting on holidays she shared a really cute story with me. As soon as the story passed her lips I was instantly inspired to write a new post about it.
 Quinn is four years old and he was born in Victoria, B.C. He moved to Nova Scotia when he was just over a year old. He doesn't remember my husband Rob and I or that he lived here at all. So this visit feels like the first time he's been here and the first time he's ever met us.
 Quinn was having breakfast with his parents and near the restaurant is a beautiful fish fountain that children are always drawn to. Children are drawn to all fountains and I think that is a beautiful thing in itself. Quinn stood at the fountain, closed his eyes and he made two wishes. I realize that most people do not share their wish with people openly in fear that it won't come true. But lucky for his parents and us now, he decided to take his chances..

Rob and Alina by the fountain. Wonder what she's wishing for..

His first wish: " I wish that I could stay here forever.."

  

I mean, seriously. How sweet of him to want to stay here with his Auntie and Uncle that he "just met". His Baba also lives here and she does deserve a lot of credit for that statement. My mom is so in love with her grandchildren and it's really heart warming for me to watch.

His second wish: "I wish I was a talking fish."

 Okay, now that is more like it! Children crack me up. He is a total sweetheart for making his first wish about staying with his newly discovered family. But let's be honest, I bet he would rather be a talking fish!

 I love the innocence and honesty that children convey on a daily basis. They have zero filter and just say exactly what they're thinking, or feeling. There isn't any second guessing or wondering when it comes to children.. They just basically tell you what is what. 

Quinnster in all of his innocence.

 I always wonder at what point in life, does a child go from speaking his thoughts and feelings to hiding the truth and having guilt for hurting feelings? Is it more like a gradual change, or something that happens that changes a child overnight? It's hard to say- but I don't think it really matters. It goes away. Why can't people hold onto those true, childlike feelings? Why do we have to grow up and forget what it's like to wish for impossible things?

 If there was a magic fountain, or any fountain- what would I wish for? I can't wish for money to pay off bills or my house. I have to wish for something impossible.. Something that comes straight from the heart.. innocence, honesty and all.....

My wish: I wish that people became airplanes. We would have to take lessons as children and get our flying license, of course. There would be order and traffic laws like on the roads.. But wouldn't that be amazing to be able to get up and go fly to wherever we ever dreamed!? Or simply, to just visit family or friends that lived too far!? Yup, that is my ultimate kid wish: to become an airplane.

So take a minute and think, really think .. what would you wish for if you could have any impossible child like wish?

A Little Recap

I have been so busy! My family arrived on Thursday early, early morning and I haven't had a chance away until this very moment! I opted out of going to the beach with the family (it's not a very nice day out) so that I could have a minute to myself to write.
 It's funny that my sister has been away for three years and she's at the beach but I would rather sit in my living room, like I usually do- to write in my blog. Weird! But our house is very little and when more than three people are living in it, it gets even smaller. So a little alone time is needed, for my sanity. I'm really enjoying my time with my family- but I also need a little bit of quiet.
 I think for today's post I will choose my top 13 picture moments to recap the last few days.

//1  I finally got to meet and hold my niece Sophie for the first time!! She played shy for a little bit, but got comfortable with me enough, so I could hold her. I love this kid. My sister describes her as "spicy" and she's got that right! Sophie likes to play hard, touch people's hair and she says "Deesh" for everything.

//2

//3 Quinn, my nephew can't get enough of his cousin Alina. As soon as he met her at the airport he immediately wanted to hold her in his arms. He is really good at being gentle with her and gives her plenty of kisses and cheek squishes so last her another three years!

//4

//5 My sister is back!! It is honestly so nice to be able to see her everyday. As soon as she arrived in Vancouver, the day before I saw her, I instantly felt closer to her based on the fact that she was in my time zone again. It is so tough living on opposite coasts but the time zone really ruins any chances of phone chats. I miss my sister and am so happy that we are together again.

 //6

//7  It is so nice seeing our kids interact. Sophie is younger and doesn't always understand that she plays a bit rough. But she is being really good with Alina considering. She loves to pet her head and she is always showing us where Alina's eyes are by pointing and sometimes her little finger might graze A's eyeball. BUT- she's working on it. She's good at handing Alina her pacifier and her blankie. She wants to play with all of A's toys, even if she's too big for them. The kids are really fun to watch and I'm just enjoying their time together, as cousins.

 //8

 //9

 //10

//11  The gang is all back together! My brother Lincoln arrived on Saturday and Rob's sister Erin and her boyfriend Jay joined us on Saturday night for a little reunion. We played music, introduced Jay and Erin to the boot of beer that we used to drink out of many, many times in our past. It was so much fun letting loose that night. Loved every minute of it.

 //12

 /13

 Again, I can't describe how nice it is to be around my family. I love having my brother, sister and I under the same roof again. It just feels right! I'm going to get off this computer and jump in my Jeep and join them all at the beach now. The weather took a turn for the better!!