Tag Archive | Family

Three’s A Crowd & We Like It

Jan22

Want to know the one question that can instantly make me cringe? The one question that makes me silently rage and question the question askers logic, and boundaries? The one question that makes me want to walk away from the conversation…

“When are you having baby number two?”

Or really any question in that line of question war fare! If you’re a Mom of one you know the questions I’m referring to!

“Ready to do it all again?”

“Aww you’re not going to make him be an only child are you?”

“Are you going to try for a girl?”

Sometimes they aren’t questions at all. Sometimes they are disguised as (not) clever little quips and remarks!

“Time for a playmate for Jacob”

“You could fit another car seat in there no problem!”

“You aren’t getting any younger!”

“Being an only child isn’t fair”

First off let me say this… if you ask these questions to anyone STOP IT! These questions are exhausting. Having to explain a personal situation or choice is not fun! Having to discuss infertility,loss.personal health issues because someone thinks it’s their right to know your family dynamics is not ok!!

I can’t tell you how many times in the last five years I’ve been asked these questions. In fact the first time I got asked about baby number two was while baby number one was still baking in my uterus!

People are demanding and nosey! Complete strangers seem to worry about my family make up like it somehow affects their wellbeing. This is mind boggling for me. In what world does Jacob being an only child affect anyone but him, Kevin and myself. I guess maybe it could be stretched to say grandparents but both sets of those aren’t suffering in the number department!

Sometimes it takes unexplainable effort to even personally accept that baby number two is never going to happen. Sometimes it takes time. Sometimes it takes a full fledged grieving process to even begin to come to terms with being a Mom to only one baby for whatever the reason is. Sometimes you might morn the loss of a chance gone by or a chance taken away one New Year’s Eve night. And you know what, that’s ok! Coming to terms with things in your own time is your business and you know what no one needs when they are trying to mourn, grieve, cope, celebrate, live??? “Karen” from accounting asking when you’re going to get on having baby number two!

Just don’t! Don’t be the person who thinks they are entitled to someone else’s reproductive life story.

Thankful Thursday Week 3/52

Jan16

My Thankful thoughts tonight are simple. I’m Thankful my little family is all together under the same roof, warm, safe.

The weather the last few days is usually the type of weather that is panic inducing and stressful for me. As a nurse taking a snow day is often met with employer pushback and irritation. I mean I totally understand why, any healthcare role is a vital role but this week because I’m off work it was pleasant and easy. I know that I’m extremely fortunate to be laying in a warm bed with my child snuggled up to one side and my dog snuggled up to the other. While the faint sounds of the tv down the hall sneak in from whatever show my husband is watching as he enjoys some peaceful quiet time to himself.

With the recognition and realization of how lucky we are I’ve also thought a lot about what it would be like to be out there in this weather with no place to go. The only word I can come up with is terrifying. Terrifying and cold.

Over the holidays there was so many opportunities to giveback, to donate, lend a hand. Now that many of us are settled back in to the day to day of mid January it’s easy to overlook those fundraisers or food drives. So tonight I’m asking you to join us and take a few minutes this weekend and take a peek through your closets or storage, find those winter jackets, boots, unneeded blankets and drop them off at your local shelter. This winter is far from over and you never know, you might be saving a life. ❤️

Coldest Night Cloverdale/Surrey

Snow day Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jan16

So it’s really cold and snowy here the last few days! Which is not typical for our location but it does happen maybe once or twice a year! We usually cancel any plans and appointments and just hunker down at home until it passes! Yesterday We made cinnamon rolls & bacon and enjoyed a family weekend brunch on a Wednesday! Snow days aren’t so bad!

Early this morning Jacob and I took to the kitchen to fulfill hubby’s request for chocolate chip cookies! Now anyone who knows me knows for the past 15 years I’ve stuck to (and been famous for) these Chocolate chip cookies. Now last summer Kevin bought me Joanna Gaines cookbook Magnolia Table and I’ve been obsessed with her chocolate chip cookies!

I pretty much follow her recipe exactly except I use a full tablespoon of real vanilla and sprinkle the tops with chunky sea salt when they come out of the oven! I also add chunks of good quality melting chocolate to each cookie prior to baking! Trust me you can’t go wrong with pools of melted chocolate! For the chocolate chips themselves I use a mix of regular size and mini chips! I find it gives the cookie these amazing caverns of chocolate!!

If you want to try these yourselves but don’t have the cook book you can find the recipe Here.

If you do try these please let me know what you think! Or any changes you’ve made! The recipe itself minus the chocolate chips makes an amazing cookie base for your creations! At Christmas time I used this recipe with white chocolate chips, cranberries, and a pinch of cinnamon! So delicious!

Thankful Thursday – Week 2/52

Jan9

Happy Thursday friends!! How’s everyone holding up through the first full week of 2020? We’re doing ok! It’s a bit of a hurry up and wait week for us as we edge our way towards Friday and a very important meeting! More about that in a week or so.

We are slowly falling back into a schedule now that Christmas is over. We’ve started back to the gym and Jacob’s next set of swimming lessons has started. It’s nice to have a bit of routine back. I mean we still lack serious routine because I’m not back to work but still more then we had in December.

So another Thursday which means Thankful Thursday! This week I’m grateful for the little moments I get to share with Jacob.

This child is 55 pounds of cuddle monster! He incredibly sensitive and instinctively seems to know when someone needs a bit of love.

Yesterday he and I had a little lunch date at the mall before his swimming lessons and he was so happy to just chat and chat! He always makes me laugh. We also checked out the new City LEGO at Toys R Us and of course he picked out his favourites.

He is my why. He is my little king. He makes me a better person and because of him I hold it all together even when I think I can’t. ❤️

Thankful Thursday Week 1/52

Jan2

The first thankful Thursday of 2020! I’ve been thinking all day what I wanted to share tonight as my Thankful Thursday topic.

Practicing gratitude is definitely something I try to do daily and especially when I’m feeling off. Spoiler alert, I’m feeling very off today!

So today I’m thankful for quiet, rainy afternoon runs to Starbucks! I know that may sound frivolous and spoiled but sometimes it’s nice to take a few minutes out of the day to reset and quiet my brain!

What are you thankful for today?

Consoled a cup of coffee but it didn’t want to talk…

Jan2

2020 …. How did that happen? Wasn’t it just 2010? Didn’t I just start nursing? Get married? Become a mother? How did 10? 20? Years go by so fast?

I’ve got very little advice to offer at this point other then to be weary of people in the darkness who hold flashlights. Not everyone drawing you towards them wants to help you.

A Fresh Start… 

Jan1

As the first day of January in this brand new year winds down I thought I’d share my day and my thoughts with you! 

As some of you know I am taking part in Epicure’s new healthy living program Good food real results. Today was my kick off day! While I can’t share specific recipes and program material, I can show you what I’m eating these days!! I’ve decided that sharing my food and blogging more both things I want to do to help keep myself on track! 

My meals today have been healthy and delicious! Full of clean, whole ingredients.  

    
   
I’ve never been one to jump on the resolution bandwagon or get into that “New year, new me” mentality. However this year the things in my life just line up as January being a starting point. I don’t want to call these things I’m taking part in “resolutions”,  I see them more as goals, opportunites and experiences! 

One of my goals is more family time. We send lots of time together in general but I mean uninterrupted family time! No phones, no tv, no internet! Today my little family ventured to the duck pond to feed the ducks and go for a walk! Afterwards we had a quick visit with Grandpa and Grandma. Jacob was a big fan of both.  

    
 
Muffin didn’t come on our like family outing because she has an ear infection. Her and I did venture out for a walk this morning and discovered a little fairy garden in our neighborhood.  I love seeing thoughtful little things people do to make others smile.

 

The rest of my day has been pretty quiet. We took down the Christmas decorations, did some planning for the week and enjoyed the sunshine.

I hope everyone enjoyed the first day of the year. 

2015 The Year That Changed Everything! 

Jan1

I’m not really sure where the year went. They say as you age time goes by faster. I must be 102 for how fast 2015 passed me bye! 

2015 changed my life forever! It was the year I was blessed with having my amazing son. He is the light of my life, my whole world, my everything.  

2015 taught me that I have to stand up for myself, love myself, and be prepared to walk away from those willing to hurt me. 

2015 reminded me family isn’t defined by bloodlines or marriage.

2015 proved to me that even the darkest cloud has a silver lining.

2015 provided me the opportunity to take risks and to be brave enough to say “why not”. 

2015 solidified that I can do anything I put my mind to, even if the task is excruciating! 

2015 was the year that really opened my eyes. I became a mother, a 1/2 marathoner!  I felt emotions I never dreamed of. I learned what it feels like to love something more than life itself. To be willing to give up everything to protect something else. I let go of my belief in keeping the peace and doing things I don’t want to just to appease others. I trusted myself more than I ever have. I trusted my ability and my strength. 

I’m ready to take on 2016 with my little man by my side!! Let’s do this!!   

‘Twas The Week Before Christmas…

Dec19

I know we are all busy this week! Busy seems to be a common thread that ties us all together in the chaos.

I made sure to take time this week for a few important (to me) moments.  A few little things that remind me of what this season is all about. Giving, sharing, and enjoying the simple things!

This week I made a point of supporting local businesses and home based business as much as possible!  While I shop local as much as possible all year long this week I treated myself to beautiful handmade bracelet by a local artisan, Eva. I bought our cases of Christmas wine from The GrapeVine in Abbotsford. We bought our gorgeous Christmas tree from an Aldergrove family farm. We got our eggs from a nearby farm and made sure to recommend local options to friends and family seeking advice on their purchases. If we all made a point of trying to support home based business, local farmers and our local communities amazing things could happen!


This week I was also fourtune enough to get to spend an evening with some of my amazing girlfriends. We had a fun little cookie swap at my house! We all baked a different kind of cookie and gathered for some snacks, some mulled Apple cider and some much needed relaxing together!  It’s tough to get a group together these days but in the last few months I’ve really found my groove of organizing little events. That paired with my friends being extremely supportive of my Epicure adventure I’ve been very blessed with their presence.


Giving…I try my hardest all year to share. I try to share my time, my love, anything I can to help others. I believe a little giving goes a long way. Many people think giving has to be monetary but it doesn’t. It can be time, support, kind words, advice, anything.  Every Christmas we try to help somewhere, some how. This week a local need in our own neighborhood was brought to my attention and we made our choice to give our Christmas giving to that cause. It’s not a secret this year has been a tough one for my little family given my health issue and Kevin’s injury so it really made me happy to be able to do something for someone else. I’m not going into detail because I don’t want praise. It’s simply  a reminder to myself that even when things are tough I am truly blessed.

 I think this week I really made a point of being present, being hopeful, and embracing things.

I love this time of year but this year feels different. It feels like the first time ❤️

A Little Life Update 

Nov23

Hi friends! I’ve missed you!  Jacob is napping so I thought I’d take a few minutes and say hello! I’ve been busy chasing my tiny terror everywhere! He’s small but he can move!! 

Last week I did something I’ve been considering for a long time, I signed up with Epicure as an independent consultant. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about this. I’ve been using and loving Epicure products for a couple years now. Any of you who follow me on Instagram know how often I share my creations featuring Epicure spices, blends, and cookware! I love that their products are low/no sodium, healthy, gluten free, and many are certified non-Gmo! I also love that it’s a local, woman run company!  I look forward to sharing my Epicure adventures with you all! 

Erica McGavin with Epicure – check out all Epicure’s awesome products here!
 
On the home front we had a koi pond emergency this past Saturday. We aren’t sure what exactly happened but the pond drained from 5 feet to 1 foot over night. Needless to say we had our hands full trying to relocate and save our fish! Between the raccoons, heron and leak it’s been a tough year for those suckers! Rest assure they are safe… They will be spending the winter in our hot tub. We had to quickly seal the jets with pond tape but it’s done and they are as happy as can be!  I bet we have the only indoor pond on the block! 

I was lucky enough to receive free passes for The Westcoast Christmas show this past weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed browsing, shopping and seeing Santa!  

  

   

 

The weekend prior we got to check out the Langley Christmas show and I picked up some great local products! 

 We’ve also been busy celebrating Kevin’s birthday and our 5th wedding anniversary! Seriously where does the time go??? Wherever it goes, we’re exhausted!

 

I hope everyone is happy and healthy!  ❤️