Our Fab Five in our FAVE park

We took some photos today of the kids in the park with all of the beautiful fall leaves. We took 5 photos, and the one on the top was the best. Cameron took the photo of Cliff and I. The other one he cut off Cliff's head lol.

THANK YOU!

Do you write thank you notes or cards? Do you think that thank you notes should be hand written? Should you send a e-card instead or a quick email? or, do nothing at all?

I was taught to write a thank you card, I started when I had my first wedding showers, and never have stopped. I know I have sent MANY cards over the past decade or more! My Mom would help me back then by adding a packet or two of beautiful thank you cards and a guest list complete with addresses to complete the job.

Is writing a thank you card a dying art? Personally, I think there is nothing better than receiving a thank you note in the mail. It is nice to be thanked for something you picked out especially for a person. I know I am still waiting for a thank you card from an ex-best friends wedding that happened over 13 years ago...I guess I should stop checking my mailbox huh.

I just love going to find 'thank you' cards at the local Hallmark. I actually have a drawer full of thank yous. They are like a secret pleasure for me. I think because I used to work in the printing industry, that papers and lovely inks make my day...ahhhh the smell of ink in the morning lol. I think they are beautiful. I know when I receive a card, it makes my day.

I don't know, but I really will be teaching this art to my kids, and I hope they will teach their kids.

Do you write thank yous? or, is a simple verbal thank you when receiving the gift enough?

Motherhood Quotes

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.

Sophia Loren

Women know

Women know

The way to rear up children (to be just)
They know a simple, merry, tender knack
Of tying sashes, fitting baby shoes,
And stringing pretty words that make no sense,
And kissing full sense into empty words.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

love generously
laugh loudly
live fully

Apron Strings

Eight aprons from my childhood!

The kids trying them out, and Cameron chose a 'cape' style instead, can you blame him?

History repeats itself...

I was thinking back to my childhood, and growing up with my two sisters April and Amy. And of course with my cousins Riki, Andrea, Bobby and Bryan. In total, there were 7 of us grandchildren. I know there are a picture or two of us in the very same aprons, unfortunately I searched through my albums, and I don't have a copy. But I have many memories!

We used to have so much fun going over to Granny and Papa's house. I think we went there a lot, but I cannot remember how often that really was. It was so exciting to be able to go and visit, and usually get to do something fun. Like bake bread (Papa was a baker), sleep over, our night time prayers and of course wake up to the smell of oatmeal in the morning. Listening to the sounds of my grandparents talking in the morning. And being awoken by the voices of our grandparents saying 'Wakey wakey rise and shine' and the familiar sound of NW98 blaring over the radio in the living room. I love how my grandparents would also take us ALL for sleepovers. So many grandchildren at a time, and yet I am sure we ALL have precious memories of our childhood!

I remember the 'long' drive to my grandparents home. We would watch for certain landmarks, and know that we were getting closer to their home!

One thing that I particularly remember is being able to wear Granny's special aprons. She had many of them. Fancy ones, cotton ones, embroidered ones. I was doing some remembering, and I said to my Mom, I wonder if Granny still has those aprons...So, I asked my Mom if she could ask Granny for them if she still had them. And, guess what. She did! I received eight of them! That is a gift in itself.

What a treat! When I took them out, I touched each one, and placed them one by one out on the counter. And I took a photo or two. I instantly remembered the fabrics, and instantly was brought back to a time in my life when I had the pleasure of being young and innocent, just being a child.

After I remembered back, I gathered up the kids, and I told them about how we (when were kids wore THE VERY SAME aprons!) Our kids thought that was pretty neat that their Mommy wore the same aprons! Except those aprons don't fit around my waist anymore! But, they are perfect for our little ones! I told them, that I would put these in the baking drawer so that they could use them when they wanted to. And, now they pull them out quite often. Today, Catie had on a green and white one, and Caroline had a blue gingham one. They are so big on them, and they look like little prairie dresses to me! Right up my alley and my Little House on the Prairie fascination! I also told them, that they are to be cherished and respected. I told them also that I want MY grandchildren to wear them. They seemed to understand the importance of these aprons. The love of the aprons! The love of a GG!

These aprons I know were sewn with a great deal of love, and perfect in every way. When I see my own kids in these aprons, it brings me right back to that wonderful time when EVERYTHING was right in the world.

I am so thankful to my Granny for giving these to me, as I will have memories that will last a lifetime. I love you so much Granny. I know when you used to tie these aprons around our waist you probably said a little prayer for us. And, I have been doing that for my kids too! I will continue to do that for them too. And, hopefully I get a few grandchildren from our six kids, and I will do that for them too! I just hope I will have ENOUGH aprons!

I thank you for giving me so many fond memories, and for the apron strings that continue to envelope me, and our whole family in love. You are a treasure. And, we love you Granny/GG.

Swinging from the chandelier?!

Who was swinging from the chandelier? I am not sure, but 'somebody' pulled the wiring out almost to the point where it could have fallen on somebody...like me, who bumped the chandelier with her head. It was hanging so low. I think it is time to take the air hockey table out...'the monkeys' climb up and use it to their advantage...

And, let us add to the list of what Caroline likes to eat:

A mouldy lemon from the garbage
Chips and cheese from the night before from the garbage
Avocado peels from the garbage
and...a rotten tomato from in the garbage and went onto the cream carpet.

Yup...that is my little Oscar! But she sure is no grouch. Thank goodness she has a happy smile! lol.

What made me smile and laugh today!

Walking to school with the kids, and having this fun boy M, who is in an upper grade make all of the kids laugh, and me too.

Poor Cameron's water bottle was not closed right, and the help that all of the kids gave him was so sweet.

Seeing our episode of Crash Test Mommy on TV today, unexpectedly. It was fun to sit with Carly (my then 'baby'...) and Catie (my last baby in my belly at the time) and being able to watch the kids watch the kids. Catie kept asking where she was, and I kept telling her that she was inside my belly. Just seeing how much the kids have grown, and watching some touching, tender moments. Wow, that was such a neat experience. I cannot believe how much we all have changed and grown in the last three years. That was really neat.

The sun, that is bursting through our windows is also making me smile continually. It has been such a lovely day today!

Have a joyful day! Happy Friday!

Plastic Surgery for Mommy

I found this article here, and I so would do this if the price is right, or I can finance it!

I look at it this way, my body has been through the ringer with my seven pregnancies. The varicose veins are my worst part on my body right now. I have awful veins on both legs. I am going to need a lot of work.

I will do as much as I can to get back to where I started from, but I know I will not have the figure I had pre-kids. I am OK with that. I realize, I am almost 10 years older than when I started having kids.

I will exercise, eat right and hope for the best. BUT, if I am not loving my body I will very much consider having my body corrected with plastic surgery. Seriously, I was never one to support cosmetic surgery, but looking at my body...I have changed my mind. It is worth doing, especially because I am still so young! Why would I not want to enjoy my body again?! I want to feel like the old me, but a better me!

Thanksgiving 2007

A bit of Thanksgiving through my Mom's eyes on her blog here! I have photos to download still!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving, but missing one Sister who ditched us for her 'other family' lol. Just kidding April, Nick and Abby. We missed you all, but look forward to celebrating Abby's birthday this weekend.

We had 14 for dinner, and we all fit in our dining room, which was nice! It was our first celebration in our home! That was a great feeling, and it was great to laugh and be thankful for family!

Happy 1st Birthday Abby!

One year ago today, my first niece was born, under the big and golden harvest moon of October 2006. It was so exciting to drive into town to rush to meet you! To finally greet you!

A first visit to see baby Abigail just over one year ago, and boy were the cousins excited to meet her! And, still to this day love her to bits! They all know your name, and they all recognize your sweet face!

Here is me, a proud Aunty Cathy holding my very first niece! (I told you all I should not hold her, and look at me now, almost expecting my sixth baby!!) A sweet smelling precious little bundle!

Doing what all good Aunties do: Fold laundry for the new family! Ahhh...such small little sleepers tucked away!

Dear little Abby,

We wish you a very happy 1st birthday today! Have fun celebrating with your family, and tasting your first cupcake! I am sure if you are like your Aunty and your Mommy...that you will love your sweets too! Because you are a sweetie pie too!

Much love to you today, and always!

Love,

Your Aunty Cathy, Uncle Cliff, and your five (almost six) cousins; Cameron, Claire, Carly, Catie, Caroline and Wee C 6!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Birthday by the Beatles

They say its your birthday, well its my birthday too!

We will celebrate Thanksgiving at our house tomorrow. We will also celebrate three birthdays (which all happened on this very day, October 7th.) I am looking forward to seeing the family again, and have the chance to celebrate with everybody.



Happy birthday to my Dad! Can you believe that you and I have shared 36 years already?! And, Amy! Happy birthday to you too! We have shared 33 together today! Wow!


I am so thankful to have a shared birthday with the both of you! What could be better! A long weekend for our birthday, and a nice thanksgiving dinner too!

The video above is for Dad, Amy and me! Happy birthday, birthday people! I love you both!

Today, was my birthday and I woke up in Victoria!

At a really lovely beach on the coast, driving back to the ferry terminal. The sun came out for a bit which was lovely and warm!

The largest piece of seaweed we have ever seen! Crazy long!

Another self photo. We never get photos together! But look at the beautiful back ground! Lovely.

On the ferry ride home. I was caught mid bite of a shared egg sandwich from the cafeteria. Look at how sunny it was! It was gorgeous today! Perfect day for a birthday!

Almost home, but what a lovely two days together. It definitely did not feel like groundhog day for the two past days. It was nice to spend time with Cliff and just 'Husband and Wife'. And not as 'Mom and Dad.' It was much needed this get away. We will always remember this weekend as a great time to re-connect. That is a good thing! I can tell you though. I cannot lie. I really missed the kids. We both did. And we were really glad to come home. We look forward to a thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, and to be woken by the kids! We cannot wait to find out how their weekend was!

A little get away to Bitoria!

A self photo taken on the ferry boat on Friday night!

Well, we just got back from a 2 night get away (sans kids) well, except for the baby in my belly. To go for a 'baby moon' slash my birthday get away. Last chance get away before baby arrives. Whatever you want to call it. We called it, a great 2 night vacation. Thank you to my in-laws and parents who took care of the kids whilst we slept in, ate out at restaurants with out kids. And walked hand in hand through the streets of Victoria (named Bitoria by Carly!)

Here is me on the Spirit of Vancouver, on Friday night. This is the first time I have been on a ferry boat to Victoria since 1992. It was just as fun as I remembered! But way more fun to go with my husband, than with a friend!

Here are the Parliament buildings!

I have been wanting to see this exhibit for MONTHS, and really I have been fascinated by the Titanic for YEARS. So, going to Victoria to see countless (well about 280 artifacts) was priceless! It was worth the wait, and I was so moved by the whole exhibit. We even caught an IMAX film on the Titanic too.

Caroline is 17 months and a trip to the Childrens Hospital!

Caroline is 17 months old today. I cannot believe how fast those months have gone by. Today, we ventured into the big city to take her for her yearly check up on her left kidney. As you know, before she was born she had multiple cysts on the upper portion of her left kidney, and was born with an extra ureter on her left kidney as well. She had an ultrasound first, and our little lady stayed so still, and was so calm for the whole exam which I would say took over 15 minutes to complete. They looked at her bladder, her left kidney and her right. And back to the bladder. We were so proud of her. The tech was very happy with how well she did. That's our gal!

The next appointment was with our urology specialist who said to us, she looks great! The upper portion of her left kidney is shrivelling up, and disappearing. Yet, the left kidney continues to grow, and the amount of swelling is so minimal. Both kidneys are functioning and growing!

Yay Caroline. She is growing well, she has had not a fever or anything so, we go back in one year. We are very pleased, and couldn't ask for a better outcome.

So, in one year, we go back.

I have done this all before but...

I always forget how much extra time we have to allow in the mornings to get socks, shoes/boots, coats and fall gear on the five kids! But, we still make it early to school! Even with all of the extra steps to our fall/winter routine. Thankfully my kids are pretty used to our routines! But, still. It takes a 'getting used to it' period. Thankfully we are almost there again!

I also decided I really don't enjoy the rain. Well, maybe being pregnant in the rain. Makes for more challenges just for myself. Not so fun. I don't have shoes that fit my feet, and that is a problem. Flip flops in the rain are not a good idea. Very SLIPPERY! I also don't have a winter coat that fits. So, I layer. But, the layers get wet. Yup. Lovely BC Weather. Can't wait until I can wear some different clothes!