Bittersweet

It was a bittersweet day on Sunday.

We moved Krystle back to school (Heritage) in Cambridge, it was one of those days where you're both happy & sad. Krystle too was both excited and sad.
It's hard some days to remember that Krys is a young woman of 20. I still think of her as my little girl.

Yesterday as I was picking up my mail, my neighbour (Linda) was out with her little girl (Brianna - who is 3). I was sharing with her how we moved Krystle to school and how it's hard to say good-bye. Linda shared with me how Brianna is heading off to JK this fall and she (Linda) is not sure if she can let her go. Linda said she is definitely not ready for her girl to be living away from home. Thank goodness you can slowly let go of your kids, with school, camp, sleep-overs at friends, and then eventually you let them go on their own.

We were able to help Krystle unpack and help get her room organized, she has her own room this year, which I am sure she will like. She hasn't had to share a room while she lived at home. Although last year when Jamie & Kystle shared a room, it was fun and they developed a strong bond between the two of them.

Life will slowly become routine again around here, it does take time to adjust to not having Krystle coming & going. The boys are not quite the social butterfly their sister is.

Blessings

The Lads

I cannot think of anything overtly profound to write about, so I thought I'd give a little update on the boys.

Kyle is almost 19 (gulp) he celebrates his birthday on the first of September. We're going to go to Philthy McNasty's Restaurant. They have a 72oz burger that if you can eat it all you get a free t-shirt, that says "I ate a 72oz burger from Philthy McNasty's. Hey, it's his birthday. Kyle continues to work for Ice Cultures, in Hensall. He's been gone a few set-up jobs that have taken him to New York, Washington, Connecticut & Rhode Island. He's off to California in 3 weeks as well. He was able to get this job right out of highschool and he works full-time. Way to go Kyle!!

Darcy as the faithful readers will remember celebrated his 17th (champagne) birthday, in May. This summer Darcy has been working at The Little Inn of Bayfield as a dishwasher. He's been working close to full - time hours. Starting September he'll be back at Central Huron Secondary School for his final year of highschool. It's SO hard to believe that he's going into Grade 12.

Gerard (is technically not mine, he's been dating my daughter for the past 2 years.) Because he is almost a part of the family, I feel I can give a little update on him as well. Gerard just graduated from South Huron Secondary School and I just found out that he has been accepted into the program at Conestoga College, for his apprenticeship. He'll be able to continue working and he'll go to school for 1 day a week for the next 40 weeks. Sounds like alot, but it you re-phrase it into 8 weeks X 5 days a week, it doesn't sound quite as bad. He'll be a certified Tool & Die manufacturer. I believe it is a 2 year program.

That pretty well brings things up to date on the "boys" in my life.

Blessings

My Girl

I'm feeling a little nostalgic today as it is only 9 days till we move Krystle back to Heritage.

The summer went by SO fast, with everyone's work schedules all over the place, we didn't have alot of family time together. Next year I've decided that we're going to book holidays in advance and everyone who wants to can arrange their schedule accordingly. So we've set August 9-16, 2008 as a family week. I have put our name on a waiting list for Chesley Lake Camp. Hopefully we'll be able to get in.

It's going to be sooner than later, that the kids will out on their own. I want to make the most of our time.

Krystle is getting excited to head back to campus, she'll be an RA (resident's assistant) for the 2007-2008 year. The classes, the profs, the 'rez' life, she totally embraces it with her all. I am SO proud of her, as with all my kids.

So before I start blubbering ~~ I'd better sign off.

Blessings

Love makes the World go 'round

Meet Jamie-Lee, Kyle's girlfriend. It's hard to believe that my 'spike' is old enough to have a girlfriend. But here is the proof.

Kyle met Jamie through Krystle. Krystle and Jamie were roommates at Heritage.
Jamie came for a weekend get-a-way from the dorm life at school. Her family lives in Leamington so it was closer for her to come to our house. She came up, met our family and took a definite liking to Kyle.

They started dating shortly after that and are very much enjoying each others company.

We have had some special moments with these guys.

It's so weird to have my kids dating. To watch them begin a new life with another person, one away from Wayne & I. But that's a good thing.

Kyle spends quite a bit time on weekends down in Cambridge, as Jamie is working there for the summer. It beats having to go to Leamington. LOL

Unknown to Jamie she gave me such a wonderful compliment when she told me that Kyle opens the doors for her. She told me "I've never had anyone open the door for me, he (Kyle) makes me feel like such a princess." That made my heart swell with pride. It's nice to know that when push comes to shove your kids really do listen to you.

Blessings

Great Aunt

JESSICA & ANDY BROADHEAD

June 23, 2007

This is a picture of my niece Jessica on her wedding day.

In the front are Cody, Janee & Andrew (Andy's son) Jessica, Andy & baby Daniel.

Yes, it is hard to believe that I am a 'Great' Aunt. You always picture Great Aunts as little old ladies. [Bliss - no comment].

In fact I have 6 great nieces & nephews. Jessica had another little girl - Rachel, born the end of June.

Jason & Missy had a little boy - Alex, born the end of May they also have a 2 1/2 year old girl - Emily.

We had a wonderful time at the wedding. Janee & I became friends real fast. The Gingerich family doesn't get together very often so we don't get to see them very often, but each time we do get together, Janee and I have a alot of fun together.

It's one of those things with family, time has a way of slipping by, we seem to get caught up with our own lives that the extended family gets set aside. I know we're guilty of that anyway.

Time is such a precious commodity, once it's gone, it's gone for good and there is no way to get that time back. I look at our fast our kids have grown up, it seems like only yesterday, I was at home full-time with our three.

This summer, I've been enjoying have Krystle home from school, and we only have 4 more weeks before she is back at Heritage. Then we have to find a new balance again.

Time passes too quickly~~~

Season Seconds

This is the second wedding of the year that I was able to help Sandra with. Chris & Carrie Henhoeffer were married on July 14th at the Festival Inn in Stratford.

Carrie & Chris had planned a garden wedding, unfortunately it rained off and on ALL day. But the weather did not dampen their spirits, at all. Sandra just had to become more creative in getting the pictures.

After the ceremony, we went to the Galleria in Stratford, if you've never been there, you definitely should go and see it, there is a waterfall with a small pond, benches, and boulders, picture perfect.

We unfortunately got caught in the rain and quickly sped off to the Shakespearen Gardens, where there is a gazebo so we could run for cover each time the rain started up. Sandra was able to take some amazing photos. Check out Sandra's blog. A few of mine even made it into the slideshow. ~~ woohoo

We stayed for the dinner and the reception, what an amazing dinner. They said speeches between the dinner courses, I even found myself tearing up. The couple had loads of fun at their reception, one could really feel the love between them. Sandra was able to upload a slideshow during the dinner, so that during the reception, guests were able to get a sneak peak.

It was late till I got home, and I was beat. I cannot imagine how Sandra must have felt, after all I really do not do too much, I mostly carry the bags, do the running back & forth from the vehicle, and get a few pictures in. Sandra however, has to come up with all the creative photos you see on the slideshow, and after the evening is all over she puts everything together for the couple. She finalizes all the pictures and makes sure everything is in order, makes a CD of ALL the pictures we've taken.

Over all it's great to be part of someone else's special day. The next one I signed on for will be in September, so there won't be any wedding postings till then.

Blessings

Summer

This is a wonderful time of year. The weather outside is pretty close to perfect, with warm sunshine, gentle breezes and long days to enjoy it.

Wayne & I have been taking advantage of these days as we go for our regular walks. We've started biking as well. Not that we're the cyclists that Tim is. Monica gave Tim a bike for his 40th birthday party and he was speechless. That was a fun day as well. Check out her blog to see the caption of it.

But Wayne and I will go out to Bayfield and bike around and look at all the houses and enjoy the view of the lake. In fact on Father's Day, Wayne & I biked to Bayfield enjoyed a delicious brunch at JD's and biked home. I was so impressed with myself, I wasn't sure I would make it or not. Those Bronson line hills are pretty intense, it took us about 35-40 minutes each way. It was a fun day.

It's a great way to stay in shape too, somehow biking around doesn't really feel like exercise, that is until you get off the bike, LOL I do however enjoy walking, I started when all the kids were in school, we'd walk out the lane together, they'd get on the bus and I'd head out for a walk.

Over the years I have had different walking partners, I find it's easier to stay motivated when someone else is counting on you. I used to walk with Jane Lloyd (now Westerveld) until Jane moved into town. I finally convinced Lorraine to join me, and I am enjoying getting to know her better as we spend more time together.

And as always I walk with husband, we have such good talks while we walk, and it is alone time for us. With a house full of teens we do not have alot of alone time, where things can be discussed without listening ears. We used to be able to just wait till the kids were in bed, but now, we go to bed before they do. My how times have changed.

It's good for us to have that time, as we grow nearer to the empty nest, I want us to have a relationship that's not only focused on raising kids and so involved with the kids lives. I am sure that before we know it our kids will be out on their own and it'll just be the two of us, and if we're enjoying our time now togther, it'll only get better.

Krystle keeps joking with me that Wayne & I have turned into Meme & Papa (my parents) because like my parents we go out to dinner alot more than we used to when the kids were younger, we spend time doing things just the two of us. But that's ok, I am glad that my parents still enjoy each others' company......... Mom & Dad just celebrated their 43rd anniversary!

It's something you continually have to work at, and in this day and age where vows and marriage are dispensable it really says something when you choose to stay together!!

Blessings