August 2016

 August was a FULL month. We had lots planned and everything went perfectly!

 We made it to Nova Scotia! 22 hours in the van and these kids were awesome!!

 Matty's happy to be here!

 Visiting with the Aunties

Great Grammie June helping Ben with his drift wood fort

 Delicious dinner at Aunt Eileens house.

Ben discovered the hard way that he gets car sick!

 This photo makes me think of Jacob at his truest self. He was dancing in that ocean as though there was nothing else in the world. This was one of our favourite memories of the trip. We found this incredible beach outside of Lunenburg and we were among only a handful of other people.

No one else in site!

Dear Elizabeth- Your Fourth Bithday Letter... ( I forgot to post in June!)

Dear Elizabeth.

Today you are 4 years old.

I remember the fear and difficulty that surrounded us when you were born. Your dad was so sick that he went right from the room you were born in to the oncology unit on the other side of the hospital. But first he got to smother his brandnew little daughter in kisses.

He wouldn’t hold you again for 3 more days. During that time you and I were on our own for the most part while one gramma took care of your Daddy and the other Grammie took care of your brothers and I took care of you. We had a lot of time to think over those few days when it was just the girls.

I remember wondering what kind of girl you would be…what kind of a life you would have…would any of this affect you?

I have the answers to those questions now. The ones that seemed so very important then.

What kind of girl are you?

You are a girl with  mind of her own. You would be the type of person to march into a family going through hell…turn it upside down and yank us in a different direction. You were a girl with a purpose…right from the start. You are feisty and head strong and determined. You are  smart and you are also soft, and sweet and sensitive. You are a nurturer and you fiercely love your family. Your brothers mean everything to you. You have a uniquely special relationship with each of them and you call Matthew “my little sweetie”.

What kind of life would you have?

The life you would have would be full of love. You would have parents who learned not to take a moment for granted. They would help you seize any and every opportunity. They would give you a love of learning and encourage you to experience all that you can. You would have a life where you are free to be who you are and where you are loved unconditionally. You have a beautiful life.

Would your early experiences affect you?

I would tell that new mother of a daughter who worried so much about so many things when you were born that you would be affected.. you would spoiled with attention and love from doting brothers and a Daddy who needed you then more than ever. You were a baby who new her purpose. And you did it well. You lit up a room, you changed the energy, you gave us hope in the face of fear. You were affected by this I am sure, in all the right ways.

I love having a daughter. I love the bond we have and how we know what one another is thinking and you are so intuitive you will slip your hand in mine and whisper “do you know I love you Mommy?” just when I really need to hear it. I love your outfits and doing your hair. I love tucking you in and reading you princess and pinkalicious books. I love how much you love dancing and singing and what a good little Mommy you are to your babies. You tell people “do you know I am a busy Mommy?” You have 4 main babies that you dote on. With their little clothes hung in your closet and their bed next to yours where you tuck them in each night.

You are such a joy. We are so very blessed to know you, to raise you and to call you ours.

We love you so much Elizabeth Annabella-Joy (to which you would say “call me ELLA!”) Happy birthday darling girl!!

Love Mommy xoxo

July 2016

 Canada Day!

 Matthew was a loyal spectator this summer at swimming lessons.

 He learned the hard way that sand is not for snacking on.

 Ella got to attend a bridal shower that Gramma had for Jon's cousin. She was such a little lady.

 We had Ella's birthday party! Gramma made cupcake flowers.

 Matthew had a sink bath...the party isn't over until a baby is in the sink bath!

 Ella trying out her new "tu-tu table" and tea set she got as gifts.

 The kids had lots of fun playing at the pond and watching the transformation over the spring and summer as well as the tadpole to frog metamorphosis.

 Our garden is growing! It didn't take long at all!

 The kids made garden pets as a fundraiser for the humane society.

 We joined Gramma for her birthday.