As the year comes to end and people start to make their New Years Resolution’s I find my self in a very content place. Life is but a journey and I hopped on for the ride. I used to plan everything. I mean everything. From every penny I spent to every minute of my life. I still love to plan things and I do have goals for the year to come…but I find i they are a  lot more flexible then they used to be. I really do enjoy the curves life may throw me and I must admit I like a little spontaneity in my life these days. I like throwing out my schedule and packing the picnic lunches and off to the beach or anywhere else I may get the urge to go. My resolution’s do not change anymore they are the same goals…to relax, to love, to spend more time with my family and to BE happy. Oh and of course to Scrap more. They seem simple enough but sometimes the hustle and bustle of the day seems to get in my way.

So I offer one advice to all my friends and readers…love it! Love life, love yourself and treasure the moments you live.

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.

Henry David Thoreau

There is no doubt in my mind what an incredible Christmas it was around here. We are all so blessed. There were many memories made in Chilliwack and I am already jotting down ideas for scrapbook page layouts.
Christmas Day was spent here with my husband and kids. It was fun making bracelets with Jessica and watching the boys build Lego and play Wii. I took a hot bubble bath with all my new Goats Milk bath products and starting reading Chicken Soup for the Scrapbookers soul. It is wonderful. I am really enjoying it. To top off the feel good stories I am reading Andie and I watch a few movies to add to it…Julia and Julie, Santa Buddies and my Favorite-The Holiday. It was a wonderful day topped off with a nap in the afternoon and a visit from the Lengerts in the evening. Nicole never minds helping me finish a bottle of wine. It is so wonderful to have friends like Niki and Kris where fun and laughs can be had just hanging out in the living room. She spoiled me with Vegas scrapbook embellishments and a gold Tinkerbell pendant. It is fantastic. Thanks guys.
On to Boxing Day where we had our multi-family Christmas Dinner and all stuffed ourselves full of turkey and ham and of course…perogies. It was so nice to see everyone and to have all my kids granparents together in one room. That was a very special part for me to see. The only thing missing was a few rounds of games for old time sake. Oh well maybe next time.
So as the holidays go I feel this great sense of happiness and look forward to reliving the memory of this Christmas through future scrap pages. One of my favorite things to do. It is a nice way to not feel sad when things come to an end. There is always memories to come and scrapping to do!!
Have a great week…

Oh the laughs, the fun. It was really nice to hang with mom, Baba, Duane and Marty. The bantering and the jokes were flying. It was incredible to watch the children get into the conversations. And of course some good old perogies hit the spot. I made a prawn appetizer and some chicken and mushroom fettuccini while my mom baked a salmon and boiled perogies. We served the dinner with some wine and beer and a Dr. Pepper for the kiddies. Nothing fancy just some tradition. For desert I made a gingerbread spice cake and turtle squares. I had also bought some nanaimo bars. Marty and I had a nanaimo bar over coffee in the kitchen. Duane and Andie tweeted jokes over tweeter on their iPhone(and bantered with me over NOT having an iPhone) LOL. It really was a hilarious evening. Derek got a BMX bike and Jessica got some girly stuff, a hard cover book in her series and gift cards to go shopping in the mall. Andie scored a Wii fit(he really wanted one) and Duane took home a new blender.(to start practicing making margaritas for us) Duane also got some candles and spices from me and the kids bought him a shaving kit with goodies. I was surprised to get some socks and gloves and a hand carved silver necklace and earring set from my mom. (she bought my top for the Christmas party)We gave Baba a digital picture frame and filled it with pictures of the great grandkids. Thanks Judy, I was able to add the new ones you sent before she went home.

So much joy and happiness here tonight. We are wishing you all the same:)“>

My work day ended nicely with hugs, cards and smiles. What a great place to have been today. In the midst of the hustle and bustle laughter and love was shared. Our store hosted a brunch for the staff through out the morning….mmmmm it was good. On my way home I popped in to a store to grab something for my mom and then feeling pleased with the day I drove myself home the scenic route and took in the Christmas lights on peoples home. After a light dinner and happy chatter with the family I relaxed for a bit on the sofa. The phone keeps a ringing and my heart fills with joy to hear all the great voices on the other end of the line. The kids are so excited with anticipation of the fun ahead and to see if they have been good enough for Santa to come. The miracle of a Christmas and it’s pause to enjoy this great life, oh how  I love it!!

So tomorrow I get to piddle around the house and hang with the kids. My mom is bringing my Baba over and we are going to hang out for a visit. With working full time I just do not get see my Baba enough. I am looking forward to tomorrow with no deadlines or stress and then movies with the family just before bed. Christmas morning and day will be here with my kids and hopefully all staying in warm cuddly pj’s. Our Boxing day dinner will be with all of the family and I am so very excited to share the day together. I know with this family we are sure to have laughs and there is no way there will not be enough food-LOL.

So I have just one more thing to say….Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night:)

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say “Hi”?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift….
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

The poem was written by David L. Weatherford and published by the Russ Berrie Company in 1991

Well the days are sure busy filled with helping shoppers find just what they need down at PriceSmart Foods. It has been a very nice change for me to be down the isle assisting customers and helping pick out stocking stuffers. I think the only real problem I have  is not buying everything I help people find! Today I had to have some new eye colors, the limited edition Burt’s Bees lip shimmers and balms, the many stocking stuffers I suggested for others and so much more! I really love my job. That being said I have two more shifts and then the celebrations begin.:) My children have been so helpful around the house and it warms my heart as they count the days to the holidays. I phoned and reserved some movies for Christmas Eve in hopes that it offers some distraction to the awaited arrival of old Saint Nick.
We are home this year for the 24th and 25th so recipes have been brought out and the shopping list has been made. I can’t wait to make Christmas Eve Chicken and Mushroom Fettucini and for Christmas morning the children have asked for sausages to go with their waffles with whipped cream and strawberries. I am still undecided about Christmas day dinner as I am cooking the turkey for a pot luck style multi-family celebration on Boxing Day. I have found some new recipes to try for the potluck dinner and one will be a chick pea dish with sage and garlic for my Vegetarian sister in law. I will post the recipe if it is a hit.
I am looking forward to playing with the kids, to snuggling up on the couch with my hubby and the movies, to taking many pictures(and the future scrapbook pages I will do), I am just plain looking forward to the new memories to be made. I can feel the love in the air already.
I just have to wrap the stocking stuffers and will do that on the 23rd with a nice cup of tea. I may even put a movie on while I wrap them up.

Wishing you the love in the air and many new memorys filled with joy~

What a great day off in the midst of the busy season. This morning my darling daughter made us scrambled eggs, toast and orange juice. She and I sat and chatted our breaky away. It was a wonderful moment and I loved watching her while she told stories. It is so amazing how fast our babies grow. She is becoming a little lady.
Then we worked as a team to do some house work and had a few laughs while doing it. I love those days. I like our rocking house work days too were we dance to loud music and sing while working. It is always a fun way to make chores go by fast. The kids love it.
Jessica is staying over at moms tonight and Derek is enjoying having the house to himself. He and dad headed out to do some Christmas shopping this afternoon. It was neat to see how much fun they had together. While they were gone mommy had some alone time here at the house. I decided to watch Love Actually(one of my brothers favorite movies) followed by one of mine, The Holiday, while I wrapped up some gifts. Now daddy gets to pic a movie and he is talking about an action film. We ordered in dinner tonight and I have been doing laundry. I am relaxed and feeling the joy of the season.
The festive week is off to a great start and I think today was a wonderful day.
God Bless you everyone!

It really is hard to believe that the year is almost done. Looking back it has been a great adventure. Sure there are some moments that  might have been harder then others, but aren’t there always? I think life is truly what we make it. We had an amazing summer with good friends and family. We enjoyed the beauty of nature and many trips to the lake and ocean. We had a weekend to Vegas and I got to share a weekend at The Falls with the girls. It really was a memory filled year.
I think one of my favorite memories was the day I worked and the Finnigerts all headed to the lake to prepare our fav spot across the lake. When I was off I got the BBQ food and headed right up to meet them. The most amazing thing happened…it started to pour big fat rain drops. The water is usually still warm and the kids so wanted to fish. Kris came across the lake on the boat to pick me and the burgers up. People stared as we drove back across the lake as everyone was headed in. The kids and us had a ball…swimming in the rain and bbqing under the bush. What a memory. To hear one of the 5 kids tell the story is truly priceless. One of those moments that take your breath away…so much joy.
I won’t lie…the year has been an adjustment for me. This last year is when I went full time. I am so blessed to have a great job that I love filled with these awsome people that are like a family. Yet my heart was heavy. I was missing all the little things…not being able to take and pick up my kids from school, having play dates with their friends, scrapbook time, making dinners and baking for my family, lunch with my Baba, and so much more. I miss being caught up on housework and laundry….I miss my play dates with Niki and Judy. But, life is good and as it should be. I am watching the kids enjoy their dad doing these takes and I am watching dad start new traditions with them. It is a beautiful thing in itself. We are blessed.
Now we venture into holiday festivities and that brings more laughter and family filled days. This is going to be a little different for us as we do not have a dinner to go to everyday of the holidays. I have enjoyed those dinners but I am looking forward to spending Christmas Day at home with my kiddies and playing with them and watching movies with them. I plan to treasure each moment. They are just growing up so fast. I am looking forward to a multi-family pot luck dinner on boxing day. We are mixing my families together and everyone is looking forward to it. The kids are too. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will remain an open door to all our family that may want to drop in…coffee and tea will be readily available.
I guess the next thing for me is to wrap the gifts and plan out some movies…I know that I will enjoy a few kids movies and I will personally snuggle up to a cup of tea and my copy of Holiday(got to love a good chic flic).
Well thats a wuick update for today…wishing you all wonderful holiday adventures. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Yes, I did it!! I made one card I sorta like. So funny how I can power scrap but ask me to make a card and I get so stuck. Well my goal was to make one and with one of my favorite Christmas stamps from Close to my Heart-Merry Little Christmas. These are the cutest mice. I really love them.
So here is the card…not terrific but a keeper:
“>.jpg”>

Thanks for stopping in~Merry Christmas!

It has been a busy month, but a great month. We finally got our tree up and have started to feel the seasons joy. We have had several gatherings to attend and it has been so very nice to see friends we haven’t been able to spend much time with. It is so great that at least once a year we enjoy each other.
I am pulling out the stamps tonight and plan to create a few cards. I haven’t been very good at cards but I love dabbling with my stamps. If I actually manage to create a few good ones I will post them. LOL
All my shopping is done and today I will do some wrapping. I am going to finish up the laundry and make a roast for dinner. Sounds yummy doesn’t it? I love home days. I do not nearly get enough of them anymore….so I appreciate the ones I do have very much.
Well thats all for now…just a quick note…Did everyone notice my hubby was able to change the photos on my blog…thanks Andie-I love it!
Wishing you all the Merriest Christmas-Love, Mandi Lee