Happy Mother's Day!

I am more than blessed to have these wonderful “kids” call me mom. 

My heart is overjoyed to have been given the opportunity to have them in my life. They've taught me so many things, to love unconditionally, to stretch my faith, to test my patience, they've given me more joy than I could ever imagine, and to laugh, oh how we laugh! . It has been an amazing journey with many exciting, many frantic, many proud, many challenging, many blessed, and many unforgettable moments, which are among my favourite memories. I am very thankful to God for each one of them.

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 19

As I was sitting here looking back over my week, thinking of the beautiful thing that I wanted to post, I really struggled. I had it in my head what I was planning to write, but my mind kept focusing on something else.

I met my friend Heather for tea this week at the local coffee shop and each opportunity we take to get together, I eagerly anticipate our time and the genuine display of friendship that we share. After we ordered our tea and settled into our seats, she dropped a bomb on me. She’s moving to Kirkland lake…. that’s like 8 hours away, folks. As she continued to share, all I could focus on was what I was losing.

You see, making friends as an adult has been much harder that I anticipated. I always assumed by this stage in the game I would have mastered the art of small talk and would have this uncanny ability to attract new friends.

I’m 46 years old and I still struggle to find friends. I’m not very good at it, honestly. But this past this year, I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone to intentionally meet her and get to know her, and I was wonderfully surprised when we just clicked. Our personalities were so similar that it was frightening, and yet so comfortable. There was never that awkward silence, nor was there any of the inner dialoguing for me worrying of what will she think, when I say this or even that. I could be me. And in the past several months we became very close friends. She accepted my thoughts and feelings, whether or not she totally understood them, and was quite open about sharing her heart as well. She is one of those lifetime friends. These are those special friends that come once in a lifetime. You trust them 100%. You can tell them anything and they can tell you anything.

When people enter our lives, we have no idea how long they will stay, or what impact they will make on us.

“A friend is one that knows you as you are,

understands where you have been,

accepts what you have become, and still,

gently allows you to grow.”

~ William Shakespeare

There is nothing quite like friendship is there?

When I spend time with her, I feel better ~ a better person, better about myself and better about my life. I believe that our friendship was a gift from God and one that I will always treasure.

My beautiful thing is not that she is moving and that I’ll likely never see her again, but it’s because friendship is a beautiful thing.

Blessings

Mid-Life

I’ve always been one to look forward to the next stage in life. All through high school I couldn’t wait to get married and have a family to call my own. Once married, I eagerly anticipated our first child, then the second and the third all within four years. Once the kids started school I enjoyed spending my days as a full-time home-maker and gave up all evening meetings to spend quality time as a family, knowing that this too would pass quickly. Before we knew it all three were in high school, busy with band, volleyball and badminton. Each of them getting them their G1 license, then the G2 license, getting jobs, passing their G license, graduating high-school, moving Krystle into dorm at her post-secondary school of choice. Then of course in 2010, there was the wedding and both Kyle & Darcy left for post-secondary school in September, leaving us an empty next to contend with. We quickly adapted and learned to appreciate this life changing moment in our lives.

By definition, “life-changing” moments are ones which completely transform you. They are key moments that alter your life or circumstances in a significant and real way. These moments may be joyful or tragic, dramatic or subtle. Your moment may be a recent one or one from years back. Whatever they are, when they happened, they are your moments and they have helped define you.

But this next stage? This new one I am heading into, where I’ve become itchy, bitchy, sweaty, sleepy, bloated, forgetful & psycho.

That “wonderful” change of life that many women simply dread.  Sadly, though, this is one stage I am not really looking forward to. With it’s multiple symptoms of possible weight gain, insomnia, mood swings, anxiety and hot flashes, which, when you put altogether can be quite bothersome, making life for me and the hubs uncomfortable.

For some it might be a time of reflection and insight, where you don’t mourn the past, but anticipate what the future holds. Some experts even go on to say “you may actually welcome this change wholeheartedly, embracing the next phase of life”. To be grateful for each of the moments that happen in life. To use each stage/opportunity/rite of passage/life-changing moment to appreciate what I already have. Life looks much better, and actually is, when approached with gratitude.

Each stage of life presents it own set of challenges and questions, some quickly answered and overcome, some linger unanswered. It likely will be a little unnerving at times, but, just like everything else, I am sure I will survive this rite of passage and live to tell the tale.

Life is good.
And I want to enjoy every. single. stage. Even this one!

Blessings

Birthday Letter

Dear Mom,
Today is your **th birthday {we’ll keep that secret between us}. I have decided to write you something, since writing is the easiest way for me to express myself…

As a young girl when asked what I wanted to be, my answer always was “a mom”. I think that’s because you were the best example of showing me what it truly means to be a great mom. Growing up we had our fair share of arguments, pretty much 80% of the time, and our relationship wasn’t an easy one; we rarely saw eye to eye, and often rubbed each other the wrong way. I know it wasn’t always easy. Thankfully, I grew up…

You have always been involved in my life and my families lives, I love how you love my kids and I love how they love you, making us all so very blessed to have you in our lives. I’ve probably said it before, but it bears repeating ~ Thank you for always, always being at my side and having my back. No one is in my corner quite the way you are. Thank you for being you. Thank you for your unconditional love. I don’t deserve it, but boy am I grateful for it. Thank you for the many wonderful things you taught me. You are an amazing woman! I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I am so glad that God decided to give you to me anyway.

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday, mom!

I hope you break 100 with good health and a strong mind. There’ll never be a day in my life when I won’t need you. I’m here for you too. Please remember that.

I treasure you, mom, and love you so much!

Love your daughter

Blessings

mhmm monday

From my new go-to recipe blog, comes this super scrumptious cookie. 

Chocolate Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces coarsely chopped semi-sweet or milk chocolate
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces semi-sweet or milk chocolate chunks

Directions:
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
In a microwave proof bowl melt the coarsely chopped chocolate and the butter together at 50% power for 25 seconds at a time - stirring after each until they're both completely melted. Cool to luke warm.
Add the melted chocolate mixture to a large mixing bowl or stand mixer with the sugar, eggs, and vanilla - beat on medium speed until combined.
On low speed beat in the flour mixture a little at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Fold in all of the chocolate chunks or only half of them if you prefer to garnish the tops.
Refrigerate the batter 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Scoop up big, heaping tablespoons of the batter and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake 10 - 14 minutes, or somewhere in between
If you held back on the chocolate chunks press a few into the tops of each cookie. Let them cool on the pan 10 - 15 minutes then remove to wire racks and cool completely.
Store in airtight containers in a cool place up to 5 days.
Enjoy!

This is a soft and chewy chocolate cookie bursting with chocolate chunks.  Definitely a coookie made for chocolate lovers...  and Darcy's!

Blessings

Bautiful Thing ~ week # 18

Confession: I had a beautiful thing from last week that I was going to post and then this week I had another beautiful thing happen. While I was trying to decide which one to post, I realized that since they both involved Krystle and that this is my blog, I could make an exception and have two beautiful things to share…

A week ago on Tuesday my daughter and I treated ourselves to Starbucks and went shopping at Costco. Um, shopping? at Costco?

that’s your beautiful thing? Yes, yes and YES! But, here’s the thing, it’s not really the shopping, nor is it the Starbucks, {although I do love me a Venti Tazo Chai made with soy, extra hot Latte } it’s more about the time I get to spend with my girl.

And then on Sunday, after church Krystle invited us to join her for lunch. We ordered a scrumptious take-out meal of Chinese, which we paired with a lovely glass of wine. Took in an open house of a home I have admired for some time, followed by a walk through McNaughton trail with the dogs.

Each opportunity/moment we spend together is precious, no matter what we do, even shopping. Our time together is always fun, enjoyable, delightful and most definitely amusing with her bouts of silly antics. Not only is she my daughter, but she’s also my biggest supporter, encourager, confidant, mentor, walking buddy, co-worker, best friend, and the list could go on and on…

No matter how much time we spend together, I eagerly look forward to the next time!

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

uh, oh!

Uh oh! I been thinkin’! Hit the random button!

I think I absolutely love Criminal Minds on Bravo.

I think I watch a lot of Bravo.

I think I'm glad Morgan, Jeremiah, and Jefra are off Survivor.

I think I need to buy a bottle of wine.

I think I have to go grocery shopping tomorrow.

I think I'm over this cold snap... it is a month into the spring right?

I think I need a haircut.

I think I worry to much. 

I think I think too much about getting a puppy.

I think I'm excited for long May weekend.

I think I've decided to make a big lunch for that Sunday.

I think I'm so over spring cleaning season.

I think I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I think gas prices are stupid.

I think my son is great as security for Encore in Orillia.

I think I'm over being told that my illness is all in my head.

I think I’d like to start a Pinterest account.

I think I found a new hobby to begin.

I think Kevin Costner is an underrated country singer.

I think I need to meet my friend for tea and have a good gab fest {like STAT}.

I think I'm getting panicked about trying to find my daughter something fun for her birthday.

I think its weird I'm still panicking about birthday presents.

I think I need to get a new book to read.

I think I read too much.

I think I’m in awe of my son’s skill for long-boarding.

I think I'm ready for summer holidays.

I think Thursdays are cool.

Blessings