Maui

02.26.2012
We just returned from one of the best places in the world, I'm sure.
Sugar Beach, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii...
Everyone I know that has been to Hawaii raves about it, and now I know why.
I loved this trip because:
1) everthing was sooooo family friendly
2) cultural, yet americanized (I felt safe with my kids there in just about any location, with both boys being sick while away I felt comfort in knowing that a medical care system on par with being at home was available to us...this is just different when travelling with your kids than when you are solo, and something that hadn't really entered my stream of consciousness until being there)
3) uniform, great weather (hot, but not too hot, a bit of wind, lots of sun & blue skies)
4) our condo's location (in a more quiet area, fronting on literally miles of beach, relatively calm ocean, central and relatively close to everything)
5) the view from our lanai
6) the sounds from our lanai (specifically the waves crashing on the beach)
7) I had no preconceptions of what the holiday should be, other than relaxing (and boy, did that deliver)
8) laying in the sun
9) swimming in the pool
10) daily walks along the beach, babe on back
11) making sandcastles
12) being together in one place as four
13) watching the whales (fascinating)
14) the sunrises and the sunsets

I did haul my big camera around with me quite a bit, but I actually didn't get it out and take as many pics as I thought I would. Photo opportunities abound on Maui...here are a few of the pics I did snap (sort of wishing I had taken more?!).

catching a humpback mid-breach - spectacular to see in person!

one of my favourite captures of the whole trip (love the colours & composition...I sat very patiently waiting for this guy to poke his head above the water and I totally lucked out and caught him) - sea turtle

our first morning - sunrise (the colours really are that spectacular...I did no editing other than to resize for web) 



building sandcastles was a fav activity for sure

view out over Lahaina harbour 

surfers (man & sea turtle) at Ho'okipa Point - I could have sat and watched the waves, the surfers and the turtles here for hours...

a bunch of surfers waiting to catch the "big one"

back at Ho'okipa - watching the windsurfers at dusk

The Plantation Course - Kapalua (oldest golf course on Maui) - stunning views...a lot in the estates surrounding the course will run you a cool 1.5 million

beautiful vegetation at the golf course

these trees were so interesting

I loved Maui...I could have stayed for a much longer time (I think I could actually live there, lol)...and I hope with all my heart that sometime in the future I will be able to return.

Another post with some of the camera pics I took coming soon.

Hi!

01.17.2012

I just wanted to stop in today and say hello!
You may have noticed a decreased presence here on my blog...
I feel like I should explain a bit.
As I have written previously, I chose EMBRACE as a word to represent and guide my 2012. Life is so fleeting...moments are gone in a blink of an eye and I want to remember and savour every single one. The big moments for sure, but the small things more.
While I found my blog a great place for recording little moments, it was time consuming, and I never seemed to get all the stories told I wanted...and some of that computer time was eating up time I could be spending more of those moments with my family. I always (and still do) write stories on the blog primarily for my own need, whether it be to remember, vent, reflect...but at the back of my mind was all of you, my blog-followers. I didn't (and still don't) want to let you down...it got me thinking.
This year I am embarking on a somewhat "old-fashioned" way to record the little stories - a daily pen & paper journal. So far, so good. I find just a few minutes every day to jot down what I want to remember. As for the photos, I have found my iPhone to be a simple yet amazing way for me to capture the little things of daily life (and to let go of the quest to capture our life "perfectly"). It is serving its purpose exactly as I had imagined...and for that reason is worth every single penny I spent on it! Its not that I have given up on my "big" camera...I am just re-purposing how it will be used in daily life. I am not giving up on you, either! I will continue to post here, but less frequently!
If you are interested in where daily life takes our family, you can find me on instagram (my user name there is jmdcreate). If you don't have an iphone, but still wish to see what's going on in my instagram feed, try this link (then click on my user name).
I'm off to embrace my new process for daily recording and give my kiddos some hugs and kisses :) (a big day around here, B insisted he wear gotchies today!).

- me out for a run on the night the cold snap hit...brrr!

O-man begging for a walk.

- S enjoying his bath (and me enjoying him enjoying his bath)

- B saying "no pictures, Mom"

-out for a night-time walk

- freaky January weather (water running down the street?!)

- embracing my commitment to exercise

- tea becoming part of my daily rituals

- B coloring and making "B's" (really into that right now)

Until next time!

Embrace!

01.01.2012

2012 is my year to embrace.
Literally and figuratively.
Fully and completely.
With all my heart, mind and soul.

Embrace a continually more healthy lifestyle, embrace returning to being a "working mom", embrace my imperfections, embrace the big moments, and all the little everyday moments in between.
Embrace the busy, the quiet, the sad, angry, happy.
Embrace positivity and action while banishing negativity and inactivity.
Embrace those that I love more and wrap them in all the love I am capable of giving, be it physically or spiritually.
Embrace continuing to grow as a person and striving to be the best me possible.
Embrace all that 2012 will bring to my life.

PS: Thanks to my littlest man who decided it was a great idea to embrace his big bro as he sat and squished him into the little brown chair...perfectly timed to add to this post :)

Affirmation

12.30.2011

Funny thing about being mid-thirties...
I have a pretty good knowledge of exactly who I am...
So, when going through my photos to start compiling my December Daily today, I was not all that shocked to see many of what I term the "Christmas bokeh" shot. Let's just say this little thing totally reaffirmed that I know myself well...and that I have a eensy-weensy addiction to the "Christmas bokeh".

December Daily

12.21.2011

So by now you know me. You know I love the idea of projects, but seem to neglect actually completing them...
I've been doing a pretty terrible job of my December Daily...mostly due to the fact that I didn't set up anything before December began...and all of a sudden it is almost over! But I have been trying to pick up my camera a bit more this month, so I'm actually ok with it. (Yay! Go me & my new lower expectations!)
This was one of my captures today.

Today, I want to remember:

- having S "help" me wrap the remaining presents (read - tear paper and chew on bows)

- having S "talk" away to me as I snapped this pic, hence his funny facial expression

- how stinking cute I think these jammies are

- the time just the two of us spent on the floor in front of the xmas tree, playing, giggling, cuddling & listening to xmas carols...the most relaxed I've felt since being home from BC!

- to adjust my camera settings (keep bumping up the ISO for the evening/nighttime pics and forgetting to put it back down again in better light...grrr!)

- some is better than none! (in regards to recording/capturing memories)

December is just going WAY too fast around here!

Hope you are all enjoying the season :)



Poor Boy!

12.10.2011

A day of sewing and trying to catch up on the to-do list...it ended up being a bit of an exercise in futility if I'm completely honest. But that is another story for another day.

I was attempting to help a friend with some digital files (I couldn't figure it out myself so had to google a tutorial...I can not imagine a world without google!).

This is the file that I was playing with, and I thought I would include it here as poor ol' Oscar gets a bit "neglected" here on the blog.

He is chilling out on B's bed just as my hubby was putting B to bed (they were cleaning up the massive block spill located immediately next to bed)....with his Christmas toy. He managed to riffle through all the shopping bags that we brought home that day and found his toy, helped himself, and carried it around with him all evening. He totally saw me going to snap the picture, and I'm sure he put on his very best "feel sorry for me" face just for the camera. We're glad you like your toy, O-man!

Reminiscent

11.29.2011

I just freakin' LOVE mountains.

This is the view "from the road" somewhere between Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek, AB.
I remember when this was my view every day on the way home from work.
Have I said yet that I LOVE mountains?
LOVE.
So glad I was the geek with the camera shooting through the windshield as we drove by...love the contrast of the season in this part of the world...the warm golden browns of the dry, windy Southern Alberta foothills with the cool blue, snowy mountains on the horizon.
LOVE.
Miss this view.

Winter!

11.21.2011

Ever since Grandma taught you that snow = wintertime (you love to go to the window or door when a new snowfall has happened and exclaim "Yook! Snow! Its winteh-time!") you've been pretty big on all things winter.

Wearing new snowboots while naked around the house (that you've put on yourself)? Check.

Wearing dad's big fuzzy touque? Check.

Drinking hot "coffee"? Check. (we make believe...we give you juice, water or milk in a coffee mug...you love it)

Playing, shovelling, and eating snow? Check.

And today...putting on your skipants all by yourself.

I heard you saying "Where are you toes?" and when I came around the corner, there you were trying to get the darn things on. You told me your toes were stuck, so I helped you just a little bit before you shooed my hand away and told me "Bendett do it self". You got them on, pulled them up and zipped them up all by yourself and promptly marched over to the door to put on your boots too. You don't love wearing your own touque, so you proclaimed "Hat!" instead. So that is how you hung out for a few minutes (until you decided you were too hot).

I love the enthusiasm and excitement that being two brings to the everyday.
I love how determined you are and how you've found this new sense of independence.
I love that you decided to stay (semi) still and say cheese for just the amount of time it took to snap one picture...I've definitely got to work on getting you in focus more quickly these days!
I love how most days the preferred "outfit" is no outfit at all (except diaper), followed closely by pj's.
I love how you are embracing the change in season :)
I love you!

Monkeys

10.31.2011

Happy Halloween!

We are super unorganized around here for some reason this year...we still have to decorate for Halloween, carve pumpkins, bake our Halloween cupcakes...and the list goes on (yes, I do realize it is already Halloween day).

I've been talking this day up to the 2 yr old for quite some time...he is not really buying into this whole dress up idea...so first thing this morning I talked him into trying on his costume. It lasted 5 minutes and that might be the beginning and end of our 2011 Halloween (although he loves candy so there may be a chance of coercing him back in costume with the promise of treats). And the baby...well he is not all that interested in monkeying around either.

So here is proof that Halloween 2011 did happen around here, even if only for 5 minutes!

Just the Four of Us

10.30.2011

We are back from an awesome weekend get-away.
It was just a great time doing ordinary things.
Like taking a trip with all four of us in the same vehicle, at the same time.
Going swimming, just the four of us.
Watching B go down the waterslides with his dad and love it. Such a big grin.
Listening to B call for his daddy (and not his mommy)...
Getting all dolled up, all four of us, to head out and celebrate with family.
Watching cousins scamper and play, and dance and play, and giggle and laugh and play some more.
Great conversations with family and friends. Good food.
Amazing atmosphere (my hubby's stepmom & stepsis could seriously be professional wedding planners - what incredible attention to detail!).
All of this and I didn't take a single picture...
Guess I was too busy enjoying just the four of us time, 'cause it happens so rarely these days.
We had a great weekend & hope you did, too!

...and because a post is always better with a picture, here are some snapped exactly one month ago :)

Chunk-a-burnin' Love

10.26.2011

Oh my little soybean...


You are just a chunk!
I love our Wednesdays when we get to hang out one on one...
I love your pudgey little rolls and your big toothless grins and your bright eyes that sparkle so...
I think you are getting cuter by the day.
I love to hug you and cuddle you and kiss you and bury my face in your neck.
I love to make you smile and giggle.
You bring me so much joy and I'm so glad I'm your Momma.
Thanks for rocking your little mini-shoot today to celebrate the fact that you are sitting all by yourself (sorry it has taken me so long to actually take the time to snap some pics).
Love you, buddy.
xoxo Mom

(and one final pic in colour to show your baby blues, orange-tinted hair & your constant squirminess)

Two

10.23.2011

Love these two.

Don't love how frustrating it is to try and get a picture of both of them together at this stage...but after a bit of editing this one may work as a keeper! Yay and a big thank goodness for technology :)

Outakes

10.23.2011

What terrific sunshine today :)
I was a bit under the weather (finally succumbed to the cold that the rest of the family has) and didn't get outside much to enjoy the sun, but didn't want the day to go totally to waste. So, I decided to attempt xmas card photos of the boys(for the umpteenth time) as I'm feeling like the nice days are definitely getting fewer and farther between. Let me tell you...that 2 yr old of mine wants nothing to do with having his picture taken. From the "deer in the headlights stare straight up to the sky, freeze body in weird position" to the "look anywhere but at mom with the camera stare" to the "I can't be still for greater than .5 seconds kiss & run"...let's just say it could get a little frustrating if you were taking this seriously.

Thought I would entertain you with some of the outakes from the day:

I love that little bro is just sitting/lying there at all times as he is "supposed" to be doing...and his expression sort of says - what the heck are you doing, brother? Get it together!

A thousand tears...

10.21.2011

I have started this post multiple times.
I have even saved a few drafts.
But I haven't been able to adequately express in words what is in my heart and in my mind.

I have shed thousands of tears this week.
A tiny but bright little light was extinguished, and I mourn her loss and grieve for her loved ones who will so desperately miss her every day of their lives.
I can't think of anything that will diminish their pain, but how I desperately wish I could.

I have been profoundly affected, yet I feel so selfish for feeling this. This was not my loss. 
My little lights are still mine.
But yet...

I feel prompted to live a better life.

I've always felt it, at least to some extent, tucked away in some corner of my heart.
My life philosophy:
No regrets.
Live with intention.
Live. Love. Laugh.

But I need to make more of an effort to live this philosophy, not just leave it tucked into a corner. Tucked away is not enough.

Life is so uncertain.

So short.
So unfair sometimes.

A thousand tears are not enough.
Nothing will ever be enough to replace that little light that was taken.

But living our lives to the best of our abilities each day is a step in the right direction.
I hope that effort in some way honours her memory.

Please...
to all that read this -
make the same effort.

Love. Cherish.
Make every day count.
Carpe diem.

Hugs xoxo

10.17.2011

Just hug those you love with all your might.
Love with all your heart.

Please keep, in your thoughts and prayers, our friends that would give anything to hug their little girl again.

About as good as it gets...

10.17.2011

Well, attempt #2 at a "Christmas card worthy" photo. Just to be clear, I categorize that as any picture with both boys looking at camera, semi in focus, not in pj's/naked/diaper (ie: actually clothed)...
BUT:
This is about as good as it gets...one boy stalling just long enough in the bawlfest to glare down the camera mom with the camera while other boy literally runs circles around first boy (cause that is for sure exactly what "come sit by your brother and smile" looks like).

I had a real vision for this session...but I guess that vision will just have to percolate in my mind a bit longer as it is not going to come to fruition...not with these boys.

Yup, we are totally a 3-ring circus. That's just the way we roll.

And at the end of it all, what is the point in getting frustrated.  Might as well just laugh it off 'cause I love these little men with all my heart and life would be quite boring without them.

So...this just may make the Christmas card after all!

Thankful

10.10.2011

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving...

The boys & I headed to "the farm" aka "Gamma & Gampa's" for some r & r, good food & family time.

We had such a good time.
Spending time with family is like a little mini vacation for this momma as the more people around to be entertained by 2 yr old, the better behaved said 2 yr old becomes.
There is so much that I love about spending time on the farm...but the best part I just don't know how to put into words.
The farm...it is just part of who I am. It has shaped who I have become in a most fundamental way. I feel all rosy and gold and warm and proud and content. I love sharing it with my boys and I am so thankful that they get to experience the farm, even if it is only in small snippets.

This weekend was filled with trips to the field to move machinery, checking pastures, feeding cows, tractor rides, quad rides, being silly, movie watching, puppy training, bird watching, being goofy, lots of hugs, kisses, giggles & belly laughs, friends, good food, pretty sights and quality family hang-out time. It is just what I needed, just what my two little men needed.

So many memories made.
So much to be thankful for.

(Oh, and by the way "boys feed cows" - as stated by my 2 yr. old.
Hey 2 yr. old! Girls feed cows, too...just so you know.)

Here are some glimpses into the weekend...

- late crops...waiting to be harvested or baled for green feed

- B helping Grandpa move the swather

- pretty fall colours

- watching the geese

- being an imp

- eating "popcorn" fresh off the cob

- skies of all shades

- checking cows, learning how to call "cuboss"

- riding in the "twuck" with Grandpa & Pepe checking pastures

- five of the people I love most in the world, all in one shot!

- giving ol' 3J some love...what a wild gal!

- a good momma with her babes