Today marks the last day of my vacation and now we are baking and putting up the decorations. Jessica loves the santa hat that daddy wears every Christmas morning. They will fight over the hat for the next few weeks each teasing each other and stealing it off one anothers head. The 2 of them are hilarious. I love it. My Jessica is so full of spirit. Her spirit is so contagious. I love you Jessica.

My adorable boy…he wanted to be a Christmas tree. He laughed so hard. He is so funny. I love you bud.

The gingerbread house…

This weekend is the annual weekend that we pull out the decorations and share is the joys of the upcoming holiday season. The bacon is on and smells wonderful with the coffee brewing. Sugar cookies and the gingerbread house will be made tomorrow while we put up the tree. The kids sing and dance and beam from ear to ear. This marks the end of my holiday week and the start of a whirl wind of the holiday season. Working at the grocery store, which is busiest this time of year, I really have to stay on top of our life and balance well. You never want to not enjoy the celebrations or the memories you children make for you. This month will be busy with Jessica’s gymnastic shows, then the school play and 3 Christmas dinners with family. We will love every minute and have lots of fun-thats what life is about!

What a bright time, its the right time

To rock the night away….

My brother wrote an article I think everyone should read:

http://www.duanestorey.com/2008/11/the-world-will-be-better-off-without-you/

My seven year old came home last week so hurt by another boy at school. Derek was so excited to have another boy in his class and was so hoping to arrange some play dates. However, on the playground this new boy kept saying he hated Derek and wanted him to go away. Since our family has always discouraged the use of the word ‘hate’ Derek was very confused over this incident. I wish we could do more for our children, take their hurt away. This, sadly, will not be the first of many cruel things they will face. All we can do is try to teach them right and love them through the difficult times.

What a beautiful sunny morning. I had to jump in the car and enjoy the day. Andie was feeling better, not 100%, but better. So if I was going to relax today it was going to need some retail therepy. The mid week flyers were out last night and now a days Canada likes to have sales to compete with Black Friday in the US. Micheals had a huge Cricut sale and since I am in the market I needed to do some research. The cartridges were $80.00 off. Can you believe it? The new Cricut Create machine was on sale for $199.00 from $399.00 but the verdict in the room from Cricut owners was ‘Go Expressions’. So that is what I will need to do!! Expressions it will be…..Walmart price dropped it to $297.97 this week. Maybe it will be under the tree for me….

Jude and I are venturing to Black Friday to see what we can find. We always score a good deal on some toys and clothes for our kiddies. But even if we end up with nothing-the Cinnabon, coffee, and the company will be worth the day.

This morning I had a glimpse of just how fast my children are growing. I am on vacation so that meant I could go to the school every morning and give the kids a hand. Jessica, well at grade 5, she is in no need of moms help at school. lol. But Derek, he is only 7 and in grade 2. I expected to help him take his AR tests. So off we go this morning. I connected with a few other moms and caught up while the classes got settled, then I went to see if I could help him. With that adoring smile, he said “no mom, I have a buddy”. Off he went, as I watched. He tilted his head back, smiled at me, as to let me know ‘I got this one mom; I am a big boy now.’ A part of me wanted to cry as he, and Jess, are just growing so fast. I could not help smiling back and my heart warming at the sight of him gaining that independence. It was just 2 months ago when he told his teacher that he didn’t have help anymore because his mommy was working now. How sad he had been. I am so proud of you Derek. I am so proud of Jessica too!. I have amazing children that give me so much to be thankful for.

Now, it is not just children that are growing. Off we go now to the doctors to see if they can sort out my hubbys health. He has been suffering for over a few months with a constant headache. It moved into the debilitating kind last week and he has been off work since struggling to get rid of it. He is vomitting everyday and is mentally and physically exhausted. Last week they sent him to emergency to see if his heart was ok now we want more tests and some medication to give him some relief. So off we go, and the older we get…

It was a great day today. We had a nice breaky before school, counted hot lunch money with some of the PAC, had lunch with a dear friend, and got some house work done-and still had half a day to go. It is amazing what you can accomplish with out work interferring.LOL. Just kidding. It is just so nice to be home. I just got in from the school PAC meeting and now I just made a fire to curl up next to and finish my book. I am so glad to be off this week! Unfortunately, Andie is not feeling the same. He has suffered some health issues and we are praying his follow up with the doctors tomorrow will be helpful.

My great in laws, Ron and Barb Finnigan, married exactly 50 years this past weekend. What an incredible expereince. They are a neat couple and I am proud to call them family. We got together with all the family and friends and for a great evening and we danced the night away. It was a wonderful day and I believe they had a marvelous time at their party. Congratulations on such an achievement. We love you.

I am officially on vacation. I drove Jessica to gymnastics and I am now feet up with a Timmy’s decafe beside me. I am about to start getting party favours ready for the big weekend. Andie’s parents are celebrating 50 years of marriage and all us kids are throwing them a bash to celebrate the day. I have a few more things to do on my part then I get to enjoy the party. My holiday plans start with this celebration day then I plan to enjoy my home life for a week. I will make lunches, drop and pick up my kiddies, coffee and Christmas shopping with my cuz Judy, walk the dog with my BFF, and a big sleep over the following weekend for the kids. Sounds busy, yup, and blissfully wonderful to me. I have been working so much and I really miss home so this will be a week filled with treasures for me.

Adrienne Shipton an amazing mother of 4 is blogging. I have the great privilege of working with her husband (actually I work for him as he is my Supervisor). Her husband, Mark, arranged for us and our kids to have a play date and we really enjoyed our visit. She loves God, family and treasures what truly is important. Their family inspires me, Adrienne inspires me. I am posting her new blog as a favourite because I know others will enjoy her blog and take similar inspiration from it.

Well yesterday we enjoyed voting for our cities new Mayor. The first ever female mayor and I get to call her a special friend. Sharon Gaetz, a wonderful lady in every way, won by a landslide yesterday. She is an incredible person who will cherish each part of our city and do everything in her power to do great things for us. I treasure Sharon for many reasons. Sharon and her husband Jim married Andie and I and then they dedicated both of our children. Chilliwack, we are lucky to have her!.

Congratulations Sharon.