A Special Place... A Special Day...

 A special place....
 On a special day....
A special moment......that will last forever.


humble & kind

I just can't stop listening to this.
What more could a Momma ask for her boys.  Always be humble and kind.
My love for these rascals far out weighs my love for anything beside the love of my life, my forever boyfriend, my husband.
These lessons start now and continue forever.
 
 

Life is Wonderful

I just couldn't resist sharing this wonderful photo by Little Black Dress Photography.  Carrie was wonderful at accommodating our hectic schedules and crazy Pintrest ideas :)
Instagram has taken the place of my blogging lately.  With our family growing beautifully I love how quickly and easily I can document out family memories on Instagram.  Sorry blog. 
Life is great. Life is busy. Most importantly life is exactly what we choose it to be.  I am thankful for each person and experience that enters my life.  Lessons to learn come with each new day and each day I focus on being the best Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister and Friend I can. 
"Live your life like a book you would want your children to read."

Once Upon A Time

What if I read to you a story,
Starting; "Once Upon A Time",
And you realized that it was your life,
Spelt out on every line,
Would you hear my voice with wonder,
As it brushed across each word,
And pray my arms had strength to hold,
The truth about your world,
Would your view on life be different,
And would it shock you most to find,
That the things you thought defined you,
Could be summed up in just two lines,
And all the ones you took for granted,
The ins and outs of every day,
Play a bigger part in who you are,
Than you'd ever dared to say,
Would you wonder at the pages left,
And all the places that they'll lead,
Then vow to make each moment,
One that you'd be proud to read,
Because there is a story of your life,
But it's you that holds the pen,
And I hope you fill the pages right,
Before you reach the end.

e.h.
 

Why It all Began II

How my life has changed since my first post so many years ago.
And now it is about to change again...
This may be where my blogging road ends.
Not sure.
 
 

Why it all began.

I've been thinking lately why I started this blog.
It was an online journal for me. A chance to express and share my loves, my family.
 
 
 

Happy Father's Day!

A week of fun is coming our way!
We are just back form one trip and ready to dive into a crazy week of Father Day Celebrations and special suppers, school and field trips, raising butterflies, waiting for special mail deliveries, Birthday's, soccer games, marking (for Mommy), gardening and prepping for our next big lake adventure coming up not soon enough!
 I just couldn't resist sharing this sweet snapshot of my boys.
Little Brother was not in a photo mood.
 Daddy finally joined our rubber boot club.  His request for Father's Day. (he wanted to be like us!)
I am a huge Hunter boot fan.  We as a family spend a ton of time outdoors and even more with our northern getaway now.
When Big Brother was two we went through three pairs of rubber boots in three months, each pair sprung a leak.  I was frustrated. So I researched.  Now his boots are passed down to Little Brother.  Really great boots.
I have a few pairs myself, I'd be lost without them.  I wear them four seasons thanks to the warm wool/fleece Hunter socks! 
Welcome to the boot club Daddy!
Top Ten Reasons Why You are a #1 Daddy
(by Big Brother Age 6)
1.  You go to work everyday and work hard. 
2.  You play with us in the basement.
3.  You take me swimming.
4.  You are good at building Lego with me.
5. You take care of me sometimes.
6.  You know how to BBQ chicken legs (my FAVORITE!)
7.  You are good at getting wood for campfires.
8.  You are good at canoeing us to the park.
9.  You let us visit with Pa.
10.  You took us all to Disney World.
 
xox Your Family
 
 

all about family

Ages since my last post.
Our family trip was amazing.
It was all about family.
We did so many things other than Disney.  Totally off the beaten path stuff that reminds me of our first trips to Bermuda, Thailand, Carmel, San Francisco, Waterton and Val Marie.  The before kids kinda adventure that my soul needed.  I love the magic of Disney but I need the magic of random Mexican restaurants and road stops that promise "World's Best" strawberry shortcake, orange groves with giant lemons and beaches with piles of shells and creatures to discover.
Our little family is blossoming and together we all learn a little more about ourselves, each other and the world around us everyday.  I am so happy for each day.
Blogging is taking a backseat to these boys right now. 
It's all about family.
I just had to add this article link.  Never done this. The are numbers I need to focus on but number 10 I love and it feels good to read it. People who know me ask if I sleep, being lazy is one thing I am not!  Good things come to those who work for it (see photo above for proof!).
http://www.the-open-mind.com/ten-choices-you-will-regret-in-10-years/#3wd6bu6WH358jCh4.99

baby...moon!


 It was time to celebrate!



 A special book that used to be Mums!
 Sweet friends.
Sweet sisters!

 So lucky to have friend like these gals!

 Oh, how this picture melts my heart! My boys LOVE babies!  They crashed the party just to practice their baby holding techniques!  Soon it will be our new baby they get to hold! 
I think (Ok, I know!) my baby loving husband even won an award from those new Mama's who just loved him on the baby ward!
 The star of the show!

From baby shower to baby-moon!
We are off for ten glorious days of sun and fun.
Reboot, re-energize, re-love, re-live, re-connect, re-luckytobesohappy!


quick spelling game




 Supper was running late.
The ideas for fun are always fresh!
Big Brother has been reading up a storm and I thought it was time to do a little formal spelling too.
He journals after lunch each day but I focus on writing for enjoyment and let him use his own spellings mostly.  I thought formal spelling would be more into the Fall once he begins grade one but I am embracing his beautiful spongy mind and encouraging more. 
Shaving cream was  great opportunity for fun and spelling.
He has already told me he can't wait to spell more words on the table!
  (we did the ake word family because he LOVES snakes)


Ra Ra Raspberry!

 
The organic raspberries from my Aunty and Uncles farm are usually to great to freeze but it was a bumper crop last year and I did sneak a few bags in to jam and into the freezer before my family ate them up.
Little Brother and I passed by Starbucks and my eye caught a quick glimpse of a raspberry loaf.  Three hours later it was on my counter!
My Mr. had it in his lunch today and raved about it later when he got home from work.
 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
  • 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups 1-1/2cups(375 mL) (375 mL) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) grated lemon zest
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 1/2 cup  (125 mL) buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) lemon juice
  • 2 cups (500 mL) frozen raspberries, thawed and drained

Preparation

In bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy; beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Whisk together flour, lemon zest, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, making 3 additions of flour mixture and 2 of buttermilk. Stir in lemon juice.

Spread one-third of the batter in parchment paper–lined 8- x 4-inch (1.5 L) loaf pan. Arrange half of the raspberries over top. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining batter.

Bake in 350ºF (180ºC) oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack; let cool completely.

I like to slice up pieces and wrap individually for lunches, sharing and on the go.  Not a slice went to waste!