11 things :)

My friend asked her friends to post 11 random things about themselves, and answer some questions. Thought I would do this, as I have a hard time passing up any opportunity to talk about myself :)

11 random things about MEEE!

1. I have weird family dynamics. My husband is great at making home made bread, and isn't afraid to do laundry and dishes! While I own and operate a business from our home. I love working with children and staying home with mine, but when it comes to evenings and weekends, my husband does most the "child rearing."

2. I love paying bill! I don't like how much they cost sometimes, but it always reminds me how fortunate I am that I have money to make sure all my bills are paid! It hasn't always been that way, so I appreciate it much more!

3. A long term goal for me is to move to southern BC. It's a lifestyle choice more than anything :)

4. I have been with my husband 11 years! Though this sounds like a long time (especially for a 24 year old!) it really doesn't feel that long! I think its because I have such a great relationship with Daniel, he's my best friend. So time just flies by!

5.I enjoy plants, but I HATE watering them!

6. I am an organization FREAK! Sometimes I feel so bad for my kids! There isn't a "junk drawer" allowed in my house. How bad is that?

7. Even though I have been a wife for almost 5 years, and a mother for 4, I spent the last year learning how to be a wife and mother. It made for a rocky year, but I think I have figured it out! :) I thank a select few friends that showed me the way, whether they know it or not!

8. I almost died having my son! And it took over 6 months to recover! True story!

9. I just about will NEVER say no to anyone. I have to learn to say NO! I get myself in quite the predicaments sometimes!

10. Once you are my friend, your a friend for life! It's very hard to loose my friendship!

11. For the second time in my life, I am completely 100% happy. I'd change NOTHING! I count myself lucky. Some people go their whole lives never experiencing that feeling. I am lucky enough to have it twice! :) (For those that care, the first time was the summer I spent with Daniel living in his dad's trailer. We had been engaged for 3 months, and neither of us were in a rush to have the wedding,, we were just living!)

Now, My Questions for YOU!!!

1. Do you have any pets? Tell me about them... Milo is our sheltie dog! And we love him! Other than the fact that he goes CRAZZZZY when the mail man comes, there's not a thing I don't like about him!

2. What's your favourite type of food to eat (mexican, Italian, etc.) I would have to say Italian!

3. Your dream vacation? I don't really know the answer to this question anymore. I guess I have 2! One with my kids & hubby someplace HOT! and the other with just my hubby someplace HOT and romantic!

4. You're home alone in the evening with any tv show you want on DVD. What tv show do you choose to watch all night? No brainer.... FRIENDS!

5. What is your dream job? I don't know... I can tell you I am pretty happy doing what I am doing now!

6. Would you rather eat a home cooked meal (that you didn't have to cook), or go to a fancy restaurant? Homecooked!

7. Do you still keep in touch with your bridesmaids (if you're married)? If not, do you keep in touch with high school friends? Yes and Yes!

8. Curl up with a good book, or go out for appies with your girlfriends? Both! I love nights where I can just curl up with a good book, have a hot bath... glass of wine... BUT I do enjoy appies with my girlfriends! It does my good to have both in my life! :)

9. Where did you meet your significant other? Read for the "awe" effect? I met him when I was 14, adn he was 16. when I was 11, my family moved from southern alberta to northern. I attended a SMALL k-12 school (120 kids MAX). I had no idea who Daniel was, because for the first 2 years I attended Savanna, he home schooled. He came back the same year my parents bought a different farm, changing my bus route. We were the only 2 kids left on the bus from grade 6 and up, so of course we started talking. It wasn't long before we were going to church together, and then dating :)

10. Do you have any phobias? Even if they are "silly"! Feet! They gross me out when they touch me!

11. Would you rather bake a dessert or cook a meal? depends on my mood :) generally though, i hate cooking and baking. Except for Christmas time. I love to bake with my mom then!

Thankful Thursday

I thought I would dedicate this one to my husband!! He got hurt this week at work (don't worry not horribly bad!) but it makes me realize just how much I have in him!

So here are my 20 things that I am super thankful for in my husband this week!!

1. That he is such a great provider for our family. He isn't afraid to work, that's for sure!

2. That he is willing to sacrifice so much just to provide for our family. (time with our kids, holidays, weekends, he misses so much!)

3. That he is such an amazing daddy to our 2 kids.

4. That he tries to build strong relationships with our children. He knows knthe importance of a child having a good relationship with their dad.

5. That he is so hands on. He isn't afraid to do anything....not even cloth diapering!

6. That he loves me with 100% of his heart!

7. That he knows how to show me that he loves me so much!

8. That he encourages me, no matter what I try to tackle.

9. That he makes some pretty killer homemade bread!

10. That he is a great cook, and that he doesn't like to share the kitchen! Have ater babe!

11. That he does laundry. Don't know where I would be with out him helping me! I think we would probably suffocate in all the dirty laundry!

12. That when he snuggles me, the world seems right.

13. That he lets me pick whatever I want to watch on the tv, and listen to on the radio.

14. That he is trainable :) cupboard doors now get shut, toilet seat down! Thanks babe! may take him 6 or 7 years, but he gets there.

15. That he does the little things for me. Sets up the coffee pot, plugs in my car, throws my towel in the dryer for me so it's nice and warm after a shower or bath.

16. That he helps out with the daycare soooo much!!! I couldn't imagine having to do it all by myself!

17. That he enjoys date night as much as I do.

18. That he has learned to adapt to my spontaneity.

19. That he chose me :)

I think it's really easy to remember all the things about our other half that ticks us off, or frustrates us. Sometimes it's hard to remember all that the other person does for us, and all we can focus on is what they don't do that we think they should be doing. Next time you get frustrated, try naming 10 things about your other half that you are thankful for. I bet at the end, you won't be so mad!!!!

The number one thing I am thankful for this week?

20. That is took me no time at all to come up with 19 thinks I am thankful for about my amazing husband!!!!!!! :) <3 love you honey!

Thankful Thursday, Daycare Style!

Some days are better than others, and ALL days are crazy. I am talking about my job. As most of you know, I run a daycare in my home. That means 7 little ones running around. Although its hard at times, I love my job. This post is to remind me in crazy, loud, stressful times just why I do love it! :)

1. I am thankful, above all, it allows me to stay home with my children, while making really good cash!!

2. I am thankful for the great parents that stay involved and in tune with their kids. Great home life = better daycare days!

3. I am thankful for those parents that bring me Timmies coffee in the morning. Seriously guys, what a great kick to my day!

4. I am thankful for great kids! They are a good bunch, and want to listen and be good.

5. I am thankful that I get to see a lot of first steps, and first words, without having to put up with the night time feedings and wake-up!

6. I am thankful I have built amazing relationships with all my kids. I become so attached to them, and there's nothing more rewarding than a sweet hug just because.

7. I am thankful it gives my kids someone to play with :)

8. I am thankful that my kids have made "best friends" through my job! People, even little ones, all need best friends!

9. I am thankful it allows me exercise my toy addiction! Seriously, have you seen my basement?!?

10. I am thankful it keeps me busy. Sometimes on weekends Danny works, I wish I had more kids to keep me busy.

11. I am thankful it gives me an excuse NOT to clean the house. I was busy with the kids. playing with them. Doing puzzles. Yes that is more important than getting the dishes done.

12. I am equally thankful my husband understands, and ptiches in with laundry, dishes, and general tidying. I don't think he would be so understanding if I was just a stay at home mom, and truth is, I probably wouldn't clean any more than I do now!!! hehehe

13. I am thankful it give my kids lots of opportunities to learn how to share! And trust me, they could use all the help they can get!

14. I am thankful that each child I take in brings a unique personality. I LOVE getting to know a child, and learning what makes them tick.. like Cows&cows&cows, or the book "Monster at the end of this book".

15. I am thankful for parents that keep their kids home when they are sick!! I get all the fun time, they get all the work!

16. I am thankful that I picked a business/service that is in such desperate need in Dawson that I never have to worry about finding "work". I always have a waiting list.

17. I am thankful that the kids keep ME on a schedule. I thrive when I am on a schedule. Christmas killed me! I was sleeping in every day, and let my kids stay up late, miss napes, etc. BAD IDEA. The whole family felt out of whack!

18. I am thankful for wonderful community resources that entertain, feed, and tier out my little ones. Strong start, wow bus, CCRR play group, preschool... we like to do them all!

19. I am thankful that one of my best friend runs a daycare as well, and that we can get all 14 kids together and do some MAJOR fun stuff!

20. I am thankful that each kid blesses and enriches my life. I believe each one of them has something to teach me, from more patients to compassion, to new distraction/discipline methods. They make me a better person, and constantly give me the case of the giggles!!!

Thanks guys! I love you all, parents and children! <3

Happy Birthday Ashlyn

Wow! It doesn't seem like 4 years since Ashlyn graced us with her presence. I remember 4 years ago, 36 weeks & 5 days pregnant, my water broke. I wasn't expecting to have her for another month. I had convinced myself I was going to be over due. 36+ hrs of labour later, here was my beautiful daughter. It was an amazing experience. One I will never forget.

Ashlyn has grown into an amazing little girl. She is smart beyond belief, says the cutest things ever, and has love of life. She loves to experience life. Riding horses, swimming, dancing, sledding. You name it, she's up for it.

Recently, Ashlyn's come out of her shell soooo much. It doesn't take her hardly any time at all to warm up to people, and makes friends with other kids easily. A completely different child from last year this time.

She never stops amazing me. For this, I thank you daughter. Thank you for enriching my life every day with your zest of life. You keep me young, and help me focus on what matters in life.

I know this year is going to be just as amazing as the last 4 have been. <3

Thankful Thursday.

Today I am thankful for just 2 things. My kids!!!!

My kids are so amazing. Sure they give me hard days, and nights. But whenever I am having a rough day because I am frustrated or sick, they know. And the behave!! Recently, I have been sick ALOT. They always are on their best behavior. They seem to be content to watch tv and play. Probably because they never get tv so when i turn it on, they are glued. Ashlyn even makes me get well pictures. It's so cute.

Ashlyn even helps her little brother finish his supper by spoon feeding him while mommy dies on the couch. She has a lot of patients with him. I'm so thankful she is such a good big sister. And that he's a good little brother and listens to her :)

I love my kids more than anything in the world. They are my life. And I can't imagine what my life would be like without them. :). Thanks for being so awesome kids. :). Mommy loves you!!

WINTER FUN

Daniel and I both took 10 days off this Christmas to spend with the kids as a family. It was a lot of fun. One of the things we did was take the kids sledding for the first time. There is a great hill not to far from our house that is amazing for it. Pretty soon Ashlyn got the confidence and wanted to go down the hill by herself. Mommy was a little scared, but I sent her off on her own. SHE LOVED IT! She amazes me everyday! Who knew my little 3 year old could go (and want to go) sledding down the hill by herself!!!!! Unfortunately, we did not get to stay very long, as Rowan was in a very BAD mood!!! Can't wait to go back there though!!! Here is a little clip of our amazing little girl's first Solo Sled!!! Hope it amazes you as much as it does me!!!!

Thankful Thursday

It's that time of week again!!!

Today, I am thankful for one specific friend! :) I don't know this person very well, though I feel like I have known her forever. She has inspired me SOOOO many times in the past months, in more ways than one. Jade Steckly, this one's dedicated to you! :) Thanks for being my friend!!!

1. I am thankful, first off, that Jade accepted my friend request about a year ago! :)

2. I am thankful that she is so loving, caring, compassionate, inspiring, and so darn easy to talk to! This has helped us become good friends fairly quickly!

3. That she is an amazing parent! I strive to learn all that I can from her!

4. That she has 4 kids! Because most my friends don't want to hang out with me mon-friday because of daycare crew!

5. That she loves "Friends" as much as I do!

6. For her inspiring Thankful Thursday post on her daughter Myka in a hard time. That post helped me SO much in dealing with Rowan in a hard phase!

7. That she has a great marriage!!! She has so much to teach me about give and take, forgiving, moving on, and most of all... loving!

8. That she cloth diapers!! I always love to have friends that cloth diaper too!!!

9. That she makes amazing towels, that are so soft, and that my kids love!

10. That I know I can call her anytime, with any problem, and she will be there to talk, and support!! <3

11. That she loves to talk. Because I do too!!!!

12. That she can talk "points" with me!!!

13. For her Zumba skills. Seriously steller. She needs to teach me!!!!!!

14. That she introduced me to "sweet Georgia Browns!!!" (Tasted one the other day... ugggggghhhhhhh! <3<3<3!)

15. That she stops in when she is in town sometimes! Breaks my day up!!! And gives me some Adult time!

16. for her Pintrest invite!!!

17. For her blog! Always sooo inspiring!!!

18. For her sweing skills... one day I hope we can get together and she can teach me!

19. That she always has something nice to say! Makes her easy to be around!

20. The biggest thing I am thankful for is that she is my friend!!!

Thanks Jade :) <3 I hope we can grow our friendship in the future and become even better friends!!