I'm Back!

I realized today...yes, it's the end of April...that I have not blogged yet this year!!  How is it possible that I have let my blog go.  This was once a place where I shared all my creative energy as well as the life of my little famiy.  I loved it and cherished it.  And now it has been forgotten and left to sit here doing nothing.  The stories are untold and will be forgotten since I clearly am not recording them anywhere.

Sooo...to get back at it I'm going to share 10 things I don't want to forget right now.

1. A couple of weeks ago we splurged and bought the boys a trampoline.  I had been against getting one for quite awhile cause I honestly didn't want it taking up our backyard, didn't want to spend the money, and was a little bit afraid of someone getting hurt.  BUT...I will admit that it has been the BEST purchase!!  The boys love it and jump on it any chance they get (one boy more than others).  The very best moment that I never want to forget is Ryker's excitement towards it.  I send him out almost every morning to jump before school.  We are talking 7 a.m. jump sessions!!  He waits patiently until I tell him he can go jump and he knows the rule that he has to be super quiet!  There was even a morning it was cold and rainy and he begged to go out and jump.  Having my window open listening to them laugh and play on the trampoline is the absolute best!!!

2.  We've been working really hard the past 4 months to figure out Maguire's food allergies or sensitivities.  His preschool suggested we go see a naturopath because of the bags Maguire always has under his eyes.  I was a little hesitant as I had never been to one before and wasn't sure what it would be like, but this journey has been full of learning and growing.  We went off Dairy, gluten and corn over the course of 4 months...one at a time...and it was really interesting to watch how we reacted to the changes.  I made the commitment to do it for the whole family which I thought was going to be really hard, but it was amazing.  The kids were great at staying away from the foods we weren't supposed to be eating.  And...the results...dairy has been a culprit.  Whenever the kids eat it they complain of stomach aches...and I actually feel the same.  I used to always have stomach aches after supper especially and now it is rare if I have one!  Good news!  We are on a break right now from trying anything new, but we continue to eat dairy free and gluten free any meal that I make for the whole family for Cody.

3.  My little necklace business has been great!  I love having a way to be creative!  And I am so greatful for the support of my family and friends who love my necklaces just as much as me!

4.  My hubby's grandma passed away this past week so he is away for the weekend at her funeral and visiting the place he grew up.  I wish I was able to be with him, but with so much going on at home it just wasn't possible.  It was fun chatting with him yesterday though and hearing that so many of his cousins and siblings were able to be there.  I had mentioned to my hairdresser that she had wanted to die for over 20 years...her daughter and husband had both died within a few months of each other and she had lost another daughter a few years ago) and she looked at me like that was the weirdest thing she had ever heard.  But having the knowledge of the plan of salvation and knowing we can be together forever as families brings comfort and peace.  I am truly thankful for the knowledge I have of this life, that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven again when we leave this earth and be reunited with those we love who have passed on before us.

5.  My favorite snack at this moment is Hummus and Mary's Organic Crackers.  Someone needs to stop me.  I can't get enough.

6.  I have been trying really hard to completely de-junk my house!  I have gathered countless bags of stuff to get rid of, and the kids have managed to unload everything behind me.  Everytime I open a drawer or sort through something I ask myself "Do I need this?"  and "When did I use this last?"  When you've lived somewhere for over 12 years it's hard to believe all the stuff you've collected.

7.  I set a goal for myself to read a book each month.  I have been doing a great job so far and have enjoyed getting back at it.  Some books take over my life, and some seem to last most of the month.  The best book I read was "The Spark"...check it out cause this mother is AMAZING!!!

8.  Can't wait for the nice weather so I can get back outside and take pictures!!!  This year I am offering a couple of days of mini sessions.  I usually only book a handful of shoots since being a momma is my #1 priority.  I seriously can't wait to get back out there though.  I love it!

9.  This week is our 14 year anniversary!  Hard to believe it's been 14 years!!  And sadly with Cody away this weekend and the kids schedules this week we won't really get to celebrate....

10.  Setting a goal for myself to get back to blogging.  It's time.

K :)

Time To Get Back At It.

I've really been missing this little blog of mine.  It's been way too long since I've posted and I almost feel like I'm missing out on recording special little thoughts and memories that have been happening in my little families lives.

Instead of trying to "catch up" on all the things that have been happening here I'll just move forward and do my best at starting again.  Life is busy and never seems to slow down, so why spend time stressing over past events, but look ahead and capture the moments right now.

The boys are growing so quickly and life is never boring with them around.  Last month we did our yearly family photos with Talia Audenart Photography and I sadly have to admit that I still haven't been able to sit down and look through them all.  Every single photo I've seen though has been amazing and I am always so very very thankful that we take the time to do this.  This one is probably one of my very favorites so far as it completely captures our life at this stage.  With the boys constantly going and moving and just being boys...just being able to step back and watch as they interact with each other is priceless.  For me a perfect picture doesn't have to be the sit...look at the camera picture that we so often expect, but it's the real moments where we don't even notice the camera there that speak to me.  Those are the ones that I want to have big in my home to look at everyday.  Those are the ones I cherish.

This year, now that Ryker is almost 7....seriously...7!!!....how did that happen???!!!....he is becoming more independent and wanted to do his own hair for pictures.  I am learning to let go of control, which can be so hard to do sometimes and allowed this to happen since fighting over hair for pictures was not a battle I wanted to fight.  hehe.  I will forever look at these pictures and his hair and remember that moment in the bathroom watching him make his hair perfect and exactly how he wanted it.  Hair is such a big deal in this family with these two little boys...they are sooooo particular, that I have learned to let them decide when they are ready to make changes...at such a young age!!  Oh boy.

Ok...I'm really not trying to look back and talk about pictures...but I was trying to say that I am hoping to get going on our Christmas cards soon.  Because before we know it Christmas will be here and I'll be wanting to mail cards.  See how when I haven't been blogging for such a long time I become random with so many thoughts??!!

I am also very thankful for November.  It's National Adoption Awareness Month!!!  I love reflecting back on our journey to becoming a family and I love seeing the posters displayed around my city.  You may have never noticed them, but it was one of the things that brought us to our decision to adopt.  After praying to know what we should do and if adoption was right for us we saw a giant poster for National Adoption Month hanging from an overpass.  It was one of those moments where I was filled with the knowledge that we were supposed to move forward in that direction.  And now every year after, I smile whenever I see these signs.  We also LOVE our birth mom so very much and even though I think about her daily, in November I especially am reminded of what an amazing women she is.  As I think of all the blessings I've been given by the sacrifice this beautiful girl made so many years ago, I always feel like I need to express my love for her at this time of year.  7 years ago I was frantically getting ready for the birth of Ryker.  We knew we had been chosen as the adoptive family, we had met our birth mom, and we knew Ryker's due date was December.  I wanted everything to be ready when we brought him home...to have his room all finished...to have a car seat and all those other important things that we were doing secretly.  hehe.  I was also trying to finish all my Christmas shopping so that I didn't have to even think about it in December...all I wanted to focus on was Ryker.  This is such a special month.

Hopefully I will be back more often.  These gaps in posts are unacceptable!  haha!!  There is so much to share so hopefully I can get back on track.


K :)

Blog You Heart

I have actually sat here many times staring at a blank post not knowing what to really say.  Sometimes there just isn't anything exciting happening to share and then other times I am filled with emotion and can't seem to express my feelings.  This is one of those times.

Tomorrow we celebrate 'Birth Mother's Day!' which I love.  I love that tomorrow (and really not just tomorrow) I can remember our special birth mother and what she has done for me and the special role she plays in our lives.  It is because of her that 6 years ago I celebrated my first 'Mother's Day!'...after many painful mother's days of silently crying...wishing, hoping and praying that I would one day become a mother.  We love her and remember her everyday.  I've learned as an adoptive mom that love isn't measured by blood, but is free to take form in many different ways.  I don't love one child more than the other but love them each deeply for who they are and the miracle that they are in my life.  I believe that they were both meant to be my children and to come to our family and I was taught important lessons of faith, patience and understanding that truly has helped me to be a better mother.  There was never anything else I wanted to be.  From the time I was little I knew that I wanted to be a mother.  As I grew older and a little wiser I quickly learned that becoming a mother wasn't going to happen the way I had planned, but eventually it did happen and I am eternally greatful for this experience.

This week I have quietly watched my children.  Pondering on their little lives and how they are growing so quickly.  I have noticed how Maguire has changed into a little boy...the years of babies and diapers long gone and we have now fully jumped into the life of school aged children.  Maguire is my most imaginative child and has a strong personality that pushes me to my limits on most days.  He teaches me to look for the extraordinary in our everyday life...to always watch my actions and words...and to remember to not take life so serious.  I have noticed Ryker determined to do better and trying a little harder in all that he does.  He is my peace maker.  Always happy...loving life...and thinking of others.  His friendliness and outgoing personality sometimes scare me as I worry about his acceptance from others...when it's not even a thought in his mind.  His love has no limits and his forgiveness is easily given when others have hurt him.

Awhile ago I read this statement on facebook "We will spend eternity knowing our children as adults. But today, right here, right now, and for the few precious years, we have the rare privilege of knowing them as a child."  It hit me hard.  These moments are precious.  They don't last forever.  And they will be over before we know it.

As I watched my children this week my heart was full.  The happiness that these two little boys bring into my life exceeds the dreams I had for motherhood.  I could never have imagined how rewarding this time and experience would be.  As I comforted Ryker after losing a race this week and when I picked Maguire up from school after leaving him crying...I was so very thankful that I was the person that got to be there with them in those moments.  I was needed by these boys and it was my love and attention that they were seeking. 

How very blessed I am that after countless years of waiting I was given the opportunity to be a mother. It wasn't how I had thought my life should go, but I know that it has been a better plan for me.

I love you most my sweet little boys.

xox

Keep Your Eyes Open

Last year in a moment of "I don't want to miss out on that..." I signed up for an online scrapbooking class with one of my favorite scrapbookers Heidi Swapp at Big Picture Classes.  I knew signing up I wouldn't be able to actually keep up with the class, but I was excited to have some new inspiration and something that I would work on as I had time.

This is the third project in the class (and yes...I actually completed the first two and am working away on starting another).  I brought everything I needed to the cabin this past summer and worked away on it one night, but it literally took me 4 months to decide on a song to finish this cute album of my boys. 

I knew the message I wanted this album to have, I just really hadn't found the exact words to express what I was feeling until one night when I was watching t.v. and this song came on.  It fit perfectly and expressed what I was hoping to say.  Here is a link to the song if you have never heard it before. 

I always think about my children and the type of mother I want to be to them.  One of the things that I feel so strongly about is encouraging them to do and be whatever they dream.  I want them to know that they can and will do incredible things in their life.  I don't want fear to hold them back, but I want them to have faith in the unknown and strive to achieve great things.  I am not someone that takes a lot of chances.  Change scares me and I will often stay in a comfortable situation out of fear.  I don't want that for these amazing boys.  I want more for them.  It was a feeling I had the moment I held each of them for the first time.  As I looked at their sweet little faces and studied each perfect detail...I knew that I wanted to be their biggest cheerleader...to always tell them that they can do it.

I love this quote by Steve Jobs

"People who are crazy

enough to think they can

change the world, are the

ones who do"

I want these cute boys to believe in themselves and know that I'm believing in them too...because one day they will change the world.  It may be small changes, but it may just be something miraculous!

 As I sat at the table back in my creative element that night...cutting paper and looking at these priceless pictures I was filled with gratitude.  Honestly it was for so many different things, but mostly for having moments like this to create and capture these deep feelings I have for this family I was blessed with and love so very much.  It may just be cutting paper and gluing pictures on...maybe adding an embellishment or two, but it's also a time where I can reflect on my most personal feelings about these messages I want my loved ones to know and remember.

And yes, I haven't been doing as much as I used to and would like...but I knew that this class was something I didn't want to miss out on....

K :)

The Simple Things

I asked my hubby to take a quick picture of me with my boys right before we headed out the door to church last week.  Someone wasn't very cooperative, but this is totally what life is like.  Sometimes happy and fun...and then other times it's a little grumpy and difficult.

Poor little Ryker woke up with a fever on Friday and has been really sick.  I hate when the kids are sick because they seem so helpless.  I miss having Ryker's bubbly self bouncing around the house...instead he's moping around barely able to walk.  I slept with him last night cause he was having a hard time between all his coughing, stuffy noise and just all the aches and pains.  I am exhausted this morning, but when they're not feeling good I love having them close.  I love the snuggles and cuddles and the power you have as a mother to comfort them.  

Here's hoping he has a better day today and will start feeling better...and can I add that I hope NO ONE else gets sick.....

K :)

The People I Love

Happy Valentine's Day! 

The boys have been looking forward to this special day for weeks now...so trying to be on top of things I set up a quick little photo shoot for their Valentine's this year.  I actually have been trying to get these done last minute...as always.  hehe!

But....

I just want to tell these sweet boys and my amazing hubby how much I love each of them!  As a mother I wanted to always make sure my children knew how much I loved them and cared for them.  I make sure to tell them every single day and to kiss and hug them lots!  They mean so much to me.  As a little girl I often dreamed of having a family one day, but I honestly never imagined just how much I would love these boys in my life.  They make me a better person and teach me sooo many lessons in patience and love.  Of course being a mom isn't easy and you really often feel like a slave with little appreciation for the many tasks you do, but these little lives are being shaped by me and I want to do the very best for them. 

I couldn't have asked for a better husband...he is so helpful and completely adored by both these boys.  He spends so much time playing with them and doing fun things with them...he can do everything for them that I can do and was even always the one to do the night time feedings when they were babies!!  Yes...I'm spoiled!!  hehe!!  He works so hard to support us, but he also loves to play and have fun.  He definitely teaches me to lighten up and he loves to joke around.  I love him so much!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

K :)

The Simple Things

My boys are OBSESSED with Skylanders.

Maguire is so animated whenever he talks about it that you'd think all he does all day is play...trust me he doesn't.  But they sure do have fun playing with their dad!!  hehe!!  Boys and video games...I'm not sure this girl will ever understand it.

Maguire even takes "the map" to school in his backpack just so he can show everyone.  Oh my.  And the ugly creatures have been known to come grocery shopping, on car rides and to the swimming pool with us.  Seriously.

As a parent it's so fun to see what obsessions and interests my kids develop...even if I don't quite understand it myself!

K :)

The Simple Things

One of my little blessings this year has been the one on one time I get to spend with both of my children.  When I switched Ryker from the morning class to the afternoon...instead of having alone time I have been able to spend quality time with my kids and I LOVE it!!  Some days are just normal days at home, but then sometimes we make something ordinary...special.

On this particular day it had been snowing and was cold outside, so after we dropped Maguire off at school, Ryker and I sat at the kitchen table drinking hot chocolate together!  It wasn't anything crazy, didn't take me all day and night to get ready, I didn't spend a fortune buying it and yet this 30 minutes talking and laughing together is priceless!!!

I quickly snapped a couple of pictures of my cute date and hadn't checked my settings to notice that he was over exposed!  Oops!!!  It's not always about a perfect picture...sometimes just capturing the moment however it may be is what is most important.  I say it ALL the time, but I just don't want to forget these precious moments with my children....  

When they're all grown and have families of their own I want to be able to look back in the family photo albums and remember how cherished these years were....

K :)

2013

Its the beginning of a new year, which usually means it's time to set some goals and make some new resolutions.  I read through my post from last year of my goals and I was a little bit proud of myself seeing how far I've come this year and recognizing changes that I've made.  Some things definitely took me all year...like reading the Book of Mormon, but I can say that I actually accomplished some of my goals and really worked at balancing my life.  There is still a lot of room to grow and change, but I feel like I am headed in the right direction.

I'm not choosing a word this year, but I still have a list of goals for myself that I plan to work on.  Some are too personal to share, but what I found super fun was an article from pinterest...don't ask me what it was cause apparently I didn't pin it and I can't seem to find it anywhere...but it was a list of questions that Cody and I asked each other as we drove the 7 1/2 hours home.  These were questions about our past year, how we felt about our accomplishments, what our difficulties were, what we want to accomplish in the new year...etc...etc...etc.  It was actually a lot of fun to just sit there and talk and reflect on the year and think about the things we were looking forward to in the next year.

As I've been thinking about where life is headed and what is important it's been fun to read other peoples blogs and read about their ways of doing things.  My sister has decided to try something new, learn something new and .... something else (can't remember what the things were exactly) everyday.  She's focusing on trying new things...I love that!  I tend to be set in my ways...but that doesn't mean other peoples ways of doing things are wrong, they're just different.  What a great way to change your perspective and maybe find some new favorite things in the process.  Some other blogs do monthly goals...another great idea!  I'm good at making lists, but if I had a monthly goal list of things I want to accomplish that month I think I could get a lot done!!  Hmmm.  I'm thinking I like that.  hehe!  And then of course I've browsed the one little word list of all the different words people have picked in the past and words people are thinking of this year.  I really loved that process last year and loved focusing on a word that encompassed all aspects of my life.  One word that jumps out at me is "Create."  Not just because I really want to get back to scrapbooking this year and being creative in those ways, but because this year I want to create opportunities for myself.  There are so many different ways to approach your goals...and I love them all.

This is going to be a great year...one where I am going to push myself to grow a little more.

K :)

And p.s....I should explain why I posted that picture of Ryker from today.  We met my mom and sister...and kids and went sledding.  It really was so much fun and the kids all loved it.  But one of the reasons I posted a picture of my sweet little Ryker is because he is the most determined person I know.  He is such an example to me of trying new things...and trying again.  If he sets his mind to something he's going to do it.  This kid eats pretty much anything.  Seriously...fish, sushi, olives...(I'm trying to think of anything that people don't like) but the one thing he's never really liked is tomatoes.  The funny thing about that though is that anytime he sees a tomato he has to try eating it.  My mom always has tomato plants in the summer and Ryker has been known to pick the tomatoes and try eating them.  This summer he was determined...all on his own...to like tomatoes and he tried them and tried them and tried them until he could say he liked them.  Now the look on his face tells a different story, but he will always eat a tomato if its in a salad or whatever.  He's such a good example to me and it's something I really admire about him!!

The birthday party!

The tree this year was my FAVORITE!!!

When I picked the colour scheme this year (yellow and grey) I was kind of excited, but then as I was looking at things to do it seemed like all it was was gold and silver...haha!!  I thought it was kind of funny, but it turned out really cute no matter what!  Ryker was beyond excited...but so was Maguire...not sure who loved it more actually.  haha!

Cody and I spend Saturday night decorating the birthday tree and getting everything ready for Ryker's birthday.  We stayed with tradition and had a small party with cousins...and decorated gingerbread houses!  I think the adults almost love that part more than the kids.  My sister takes it quite seriously...hehe!!

We always start with cake and presents...I know a little backwards, but the rest of the night is spent decorating the gingerbread houses and with school the next day it makes for a short party.  Ryker picked his cake (chocolate mudslide cake) and I also made cupcakes.  I really need to just buy the cake next time.  I am not a baker and I just really struggle with it.  The cake turned out great, but if I leave that stress to someone else it will just make the party that much better!  Remind me next year....

This birthday boy was so sweet and let his brother and cousins help unwrap presents.  I think everything he got was "his favourite!"  He was just so happy with everything!  He's so easy to please :)

I just love this boy!!!  And love the traditions we have to celebrate his special day.  My hubby teases me that one day he'll be grown and married and I'll still be decorating a birthday tree and gingerbread houses!!  hehe!!

K :)

Visiting Santa!

Tonight we took the boys to see Santa!  They were both super excited and happy to sit right up on his lap.  Maguire of course wasn't too sure about leaving Cody, but he sat so quietly while Ryker talked away.  I think this picture expresses perfectly the events of the visit.  Ryker talking and entertaining Santa while Maguire sat without making a sound.  hehe!!

Ryker was so excited to tell Santa all about his birthday, that when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas they decided together that he would bring a surprise!!  I was quite relieved since you never know what they're going to ask for...so there's a little bit of pressure to find that perfect gift.  This way...whatever he gets he'll be soooo excited for!!  (He would actually be excited for anything really...he's the type of kid that loves anything and everything!).

Maguire on the other hand asked for Wall E again this year...which is the first time I've heard him ask for that since he got it last year.  But he is going to love whatever Santa brings!!

I think I'm just as excited as them :)

Our mall did things different this year...you had to bring toys or make a donation to the Christmas Bureau and you could take your own pictures instead of hiring a photographer.  I loved this idea since it's nice to see people donating to help those in need.  BUT...the Santa setup was so dark that it was hard to get a good picture that wasn't grainy.  And that was even using my camera that takes great pictures in low light!!  It's one of those moments where you wish you could just take a little more time to get that perfect shot, but you really don't have the time and you just gotta snap what you can get before the moment passes.  It's a cute Santa snapshot...it's good.  I'm happy with it.....

Now just over a week until the holiday party begins starting with my friend Christmas...then "The Henderson Family" Christmas, and then off to the cabin with my own little family!!!  I can't wait :)

I really need to go finish up my Christmas cards.  I made it a much bigger job this year than it needed to be.  But they're cute!!

K :)

Happy Birthday!!

6 years ago we were arriving at the hospital...soooo extremely excited and nervous.  We were meeting our Birth Mother (who was getting induced) and her Mom and Sister.  I remember seeing her and giving her a big hug!  She went up to get things started with her sister and Cody and I stayed downstairs with her Mom.  We got to visit with her until we needed to go upstairs.  Poor Cody spent most of the day in the waiting room while we were all upstairs taking care of our Birth Mom.  I remember being so nervous...but our Birth Mom was giving me the most incredible gift I would be blessed with.  She wasn't only placing her baby with us, but she was letting me be a part of his birth!!  It not only prepared me for moments when I would get to tell Ryker all about his special birth, but also prepared me for other events that would take place later in my life.  She is amazing and we love her so very much.  We feel so blessed that she can be a part of not only Ryker's life, but ours!  And every year on Ryker's birthday we think of her and hope and pray that she knows how much we love and appreciate her!!  This difficult time in her life was one of the greatest blessings in ours.  She is strong, loving and selfless...and I want to be more like her.

It's easy to get caught up in comparing your children's characteristics to yourself or others...and when we talk about Ryker, Cody and I always comment on not only how much we think he looks like his Birth Mom, but also how friendly and loving he is towards others.  He gets his musical talents from her and love for life from her.  I really could go on and on....

But somehow today...this boy is turning 6!!!!  Oh how we love you Ryker!!!  You make life soooo much fun and entertaining...you easily brighten our days and make us laugh!  You are so sweet to others and so kind to your brother.  You are the peacemaker in our home...always making sure Maguire is happy and sharing whatever you have with him.  There isn't a day that goes by that you don't sing or dance or stand on your head.  You always love to help us with whatever we are doing and you LOVE school!!  You are getting to be such a big boy...and I just can't handle it!!!  You Ryker, will always be my baby!!!  

We love you!!!

xo

the simple things

after the day we've had i'm so thankful that these two will let me take pictures of them...even when they really don't want me to!!  hehe!!

it took me 30 minutes to round these two up after church...and that was with the help of 4 youth!  yup...my children decided they were going to do their own thing and took off on me just as we were headed to the door to leave.  i couldn't find them anywhere and i was getting so frustrated walking around the crowded church.

seriously.  it just seemed like one thing after another today.

so when they sit and hug and look all cute...i take all i can get.

K :)

The World According To Me

Even before Ryker started school the amount of artwork...coloring...crafty things was adding up!...And I just didn't know what to do with it all.  I bought these storage boxes from Ikea so that at least I had somewhere to keep it all, but once school started Ryker was bringing home paintings by the armful and the box quickly started overflowing.  

All year I collected and collected...not being able to through any of it away...hehe!  I was using paintings as wrapping paper, Ryker created his own little art gallery behind the door in his room (which has spread down the wall), we have taped pictures to the fridge and even other areas...but there was just too much of it and I knew that before anything went in the garbage I wanted to do something special with it.  

Finally I found my answer!!!

I have always LOVED paislee press...and Liz's style (her work is gorgeous!), so when she shared this book that she made I knew that's what I was going to do.

I chose to take pictures of all his artwork (I included church and school), combined it with pictures of his creations I had taken throughout the year and added pictures from the disk of pictures his class gave us at the end of the year of different activities from school to compile his art book.

I then threw away the pile of artwork I had saved all year...YES...that's right I threw it away (okay...I kept a couple of favourite pieces that I really love, but it's probably under 10 items!) and it felt so good to get that all cleaned up and organized.  There is NO WAY that we needed 14 of those big boxes (one for each year of his school from preschool all the way up to grade 12) and then times that by 2 since I have 2 children....  Where would I even put something like that???  This way I can still remember all these perfect little creations without the mess!

It took many hours (2 hours just to take all the pictures!!!), but 100 pages later and we now have this collection of Ryker's artwork!  

It is a true keepsake.  I can't even begin to describe how much I love it!  I have always had a special love for children's art...I love they way they see the world around them and how they express that through art.  There are no rules to children's art and their imagination is unique.  They aren't afraid to make mistakes or add colors that aren't technically correct.  I just love it!

The book is created through Shutterfly so it's easy to just upload your pictures (I did not edit my pictures to make them all pretty...I just cropped them after uploading to make them fit the space I put them in (adjusted the size that way...make sense??).  I needed to keep it as quick and simple as I could and then I added any information to different pages.  I tried to keep that simple as well.  A lot of the artwork from school was written on with information that Ryker had given them while he was creating the piece, so there wasn't always a need for a big write up or explanation.  I also tried to choose layouts that would hold a lot of pictures...I tried to cut down the number of pages in the book to keep the cost down.  You can always find sales, but even with a sale the book still cost me quite a bit. 

On the last page I included a picture of Ryker on his last day of school with a write up about him.

Done!

I thought I had taken a picture of the back cover...it's sooooo cute!!  There's a picture of Ryker wearing one of his many headbands he created.  I guess I forgot that one.  Oops!

K :)

Happy National Adoption Month

I had a few moments so I wanted to share a simple thought at the beginning of this special month.

This month is special not only because it's the first day of national adoption month, but also because it's almost been 6 years since our sweet Ryker was born!!  Hard to believe how big he's getting!  But I can still remember perfectly the snowy November day when Cody and I got to be with our birth mom during an ultrasound!!  It was amazing to be a part of that moment.  Seeing Ryker really for the first time in an ultrasound (he had curly hair!).  We have the BEST birth mom!!!  Seriously!!  She let us be a part of sooo many special moments and events that I truly feel so blessed.

I know that adoption is a special blessing for not only us...adoptive couples, but birth moms and families...these precious babies bring a sweet spirit into this world of love, faith and the reminder of a watchful Heavenly Father who has a plan for each of us.  His loves makes miracles happen and I'm so very very thankful!

K

xo

The Simple Things

Yesterday as I was cleaning up I looked out the window to see my neighbours daughter watering her plants.  She loves her yard more than anything and takes amazing care of it.  I have watched my neighbour the past 10 years that we have lived across the street as she has planted each tree and each flower...hauled countless wheel barrels full of dirt and built her own fence...deck...you name it.  This lady is amazing.

She has the cutest little puppy that my boys LOVE!  When Coco is outside my kids are always asking to play with her.  On this particular June day Ryker insisted I take a picture of them with Coco...as we watched the boys play my neighbour told me that she was given a month to live.  She has struggled for years with a rare form of cancer and knew that when it came back she would not have long to live.

She is a fighter.  She is still holding on and even though she is now living in the hospital she is still fighting.  

I'm so thankful for her example.  For the blessing of good neighbours.  And even more thankful for the knowledge I have of this life...that it is not the end.

K

First Day!

The night before Ryker's first day of school I was sitting at the computer going through all the information I was given about his upcoming school year.  As I was thinking about this new experience I started to feel a little emotional...thinking about my sweet little Ryker going off to school everyday.  I haven't been overly excited about Kindergarten...for no particular reason, but I also have felt really calm and peaceful about it too.  Everything has just felt right.  I normally stress about anything and everything when it comes to my children, but I just haven't had any of those feelings this time and I feel like it has been such a blessing.  I love this child so much and am always trying to do the very best for him.  To not have any worry about school has been kind of weird, but I know he is going to have a great year and love it! Cody gave him a sweet father's blessing the night before school...more for me than him, but it reminded me of Ryker's sweet and precious spirit.  His outlook and love for life is special.  He brings an enthusiasm that just bursts from within him.  I just hope and pray that his teachers will feel of it and love him...and help him learn and grow.



Thursday was Ryker's first day of school and he was really excited.  His school does a staggered start and parents were invited to join which was really nice for me!

I had to do the usual first day of school pictures!  hehe!!

We dropped Maguire off at grandma's and then the two of us headed to his new elementary school...Mills Haven!  I took a couple of pictures in front of the school and then we continued in to meet his teacher Mrs. Holmes.  He got to see where his new cubby is and she took him down to the boot room to hang up his sweater and take off his outdoor shoes.

A friend in our ward who has a daughter in Grade 5 (I think...or maybe grade 6) came to see Ryker!  She is so sweet...she wanted to see him on his first day of school :)

Then we went into his new classroom where they sat at the little tables while they looked at their new agendas and were given their school supplies of crayons, pencils, eraser and glue.  He put all his items in his new blue and black pencil case and then they learned to put them in their blue bag.  Each child has their own little blue bag where they keep all their school items.  Mrs. Holmes had the kids come sit on the alphabet carpet after where she read a book about starting school and being prepared.  All the kids had a lot to say and wanted to chat and talk...it was really funny!  Each of the kids then got to do a craft which showed how they got to school.  Ryker made a bus since he'll be taking the bus to school...scary!!  He is not much for coloring so he quickly scribbled the bus brown and cut it all out.  The teachers took this time to make notes of areas the kids might need help. Then we went on a little walk to the bathrooms to wash our hands and get ready for snack.  Mrs. Holmes had made bus cookies for all the kids and Mrs. Hart (the helper) brought an apple for each of the children.  After snack time they got to play at the different centers around the room.  Ryker wasn't too sure about what he wanted to do so he checked them all out!  The toys are quite different than at his preschool last year, but I think he'll have fun.  The teacher even had all the kids sit in a circle and they made chocolate chip cookies on the ipads.  Ryker loves video games and electronics...but I was surprised how many kids had never really used an ipad before.  Then it was time to clean up and get ready to go....  Whew.  

I had so much fun being there with him and getting a little more glimpse of what the year will be like.  It's definitely a lot different than last year, but we are focusing on having a 'social' year this year.  I'm so thankful that they split his class....  There were 31 kids registered in his class and they split the class so that there are now only 19 in the morning.  So much better!

First day of kindergarten!!!

K :)