Happy Mother's Anniversary Day!

When we chose May 11 for our wedding day, I wasn't thinking about how someday I would have to share anniversary and Mother's Day celebrations.  It wasn't at the top of my mind at the time. But now, how do I know if those roses are for Mother's Day or our anniverary? It's a good thing the card makes it clear! But do I get taken out for dinner once or twice? Once with the kids (Mother's Day) and once just with my honey to celebrate our special day?

I really can't complain. Chris always makes sure I am sufficiently celebrated. This year Lori and Ben and Karen and John came to London on Saturday to visit with their mom, so we had a Mother's Day celebration then. Sunday we took Nana out for lunch, and then Chris and I went out for dessert and a late movie in the evening to celebrate our anniversary, since he unfortunately has a business dinner he has to attend tonight. He came home early this afternoon so we could spend a bit of time together before he had to go out. Lori came for supper and we played games with the kids before bed, and now mother and daughter are downstairs visiting, and I am writing outside Connor's bedroom door.

How my life has changed in 14 years! Fourteen years ago I had no idea I'd find myself living in Ontario. I hoped I'd be lucky enough to be a mom, but I had no idea I'd have two such wonderful kids! The one thing that hasn't changed in 14 years is the man I married. Well, he has changed in some ways, but he is still the kind, loving, brilliant guy that he was then, and I know now as I did then that I am blessed.

Below are my mother's day gifts from the kids, and a few pictures of our Mother's Day celebration. Mother's Day or 14th Anniversary — it doesn't matter which; it's all about cherishing the good things in life!

Connor gave me a necklace and coupon for three monthly breakfasts in bed!

Janelle gave me these lovely embellished rubber gloves!

Lori brought a Mother's Day cake.

The Mothers.

Missed Post #1

According to the rules of the challenge, if I miss a day (a school day that is) of writing my blog, I have to write an extra blog post the next day to explain why I missed the previous's day's post. Yesterday was the first day that I missed — not bad for 7 weeks! Here's my excuse:

Chris's Mom has been here since Friday morning, and yesterday morning she and I went to St. Thomas to visit the Canadale Garden Centre (renowned as the best in Ontario). She bought us a Japanese Maple tree and a purple sandcherry bush, and I bought a silver leaf dogwood and some soil, and got my juices flowing about what I can do with the blank canvas that is my yard. We returned to the house at lunch time, just in time for Karen to arrive from Toronto. We had lunch together, and then Karen and I went out shopping, in search of something to keep her beads in for jewelry making. We came home with new organizer bags (for each of us — we found such a great deal that Karen bought me one for scrapping supplies), and groceries for dinner. After picking up the kids, the day flew by in a flurry of homework, making supper, eating, playing basketball, watching a hot air balloon float by, and putting the kids to bed. Before I knew it, it was 11:00, Karen was leaving to drive back to Toronto, and I was way too tired to think of writing something coherent.

So that's my excuse. Hopefully I'll find time to write another post later. After all, today is a special day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is this Sunday, and I won't see my mother this year. I wish so much that I could give her a hug and breathe in that familiar "mom" smell that I have known so well for 40 years! But, Mom, my thoughts will be with you all day! I love you so much! Have a wonderful day, and enjoy your present. If it hasn't arrived yet, that's just an excuse for you to stretch out your special day for a few more. I hope that Dad and my sister and brother spoil you in the manner in which you deserve to be spoiled!

My mother-in-law arrived this morning, so I will have her to spoil on Sunday. We'll celebrate our special day together with my family.

I know so many wonderful mothers! Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

A Run, Run, Run Day!

No time for more than a list today! Sometimes those crazy days come along when we just have to "run, run, run" all day!

• Started out the day getting everyone up and ready for school/work. Lunches packed, breakfast made, everyone clean and dressed and out the door.
• Drove to Janelle to school while Connor rode his bike.
• Drove Chris to the car repair shop to pick up our now extremely valuable nine-year-old Neon.
• Picked up milk on the way home.
• Grabbed some breakfast and tidied up the kitchen.
• Started cleaning Janelle's room. Now that is a huge job!
• Welcomed Jocelyn and her parents and her beautiful 6-day-old daughter Eliana for a quick visit. I even got to feed the baby!
• Finished cleaning Janelle's room, and going through all the clothes to swap out for summer clothes. Sorted outgrown clothing into bags: good will, back to Tracy, stuff that is still cute enough for Hailey.
• Put laundry in the washer.
• Inhaled a quick lunch.

And now I'm writing my blog. Still to do today:

• Start some pizza dough in the bread maker.
• Go visit Connor at school to watch part of his "Medieval Feast".
• Run to Walmart for soccer cleats and dress shoes for Janelle.
• Stop at the grocery store for pizza toppings.
• Pick up the kids at school.
• Laundry.
• Help Connor get his room tidied.
• Get the guest room ready for Nana.
• Laundry.
• Clean all three bathrooms.
• Supervise homework.
• Feed supper.
• Take Janelle to her first soccer practice of the season.
• Clean up the kitchen.
• Laundry.
• Put two kids to bed (unless I can convince Daddy to do it tonight!)
• Finish whatever I haven't gotten done yet.
• Fall into bed, definitely exhausted!

Sorry! No time for being literary or philosophical today. Today I have to be a Mom!

Sunshine-y Attitude

I was in a crabby mood this morning. I don't deal well with pain, and prolonged pain really messes with my attitude. This morning I woke up and the pain in my neck was a bit better. I can look to the left and the right with almost no pain at all. There is still, however, a stabbing pain under my right shoulder blade that gives a sharp twinge with every step I take. It makes me grumpy.

And what makes me even more grumpy is that I don't have a car today. In order to have our vehicles registered in Ontario they have to pass a one-time inspection. Yesterday Chris took our 9-year-old Neon in. We feared it wouldn't be pleasant, but didn't expect too many problems since it passed inspection in New Brunswick in December. But of course, the mechanic found $1500+ work that needs to be done before he will give it safety approval. That also means it wasn't ready to come home last night. So I am without a vehicle today.

Chris had a meeting at 9:00. He was running late, so he needed to leave exactly 2 minutes before the kids were ready to leave for school. Which meant that I had to walk them to school. I made sure to let Chris know exactly how much pain he was causing me by insisting that I walk them to school. I'm not sure whether I caused any actual guilt, but that was my intention of course. I stepped out the door in a very crabby mood.

But there's a funny thing about beautiful, sunny mornings in May. They have a way of making crabby moods dissipate. It is an absolutely gorgeous morning. It is about 15 degrees C, and there is not a cloud in the sky. We only live about a kilometre from the school, so it was really a quick walk there and back. Breathing that fresh air had to be good for my aches and pains — and it was certainly good for my attitude. I came home feeling like I may be able to tackle a few more things on my list today. Maybe I could even scrub the floor!

But I have about 20 pages left of my book, and I think my lounge chair on the back deck would be the perfect place to finish it. Then I'll think about scrubbing the floor.

Excuse for a Day Off

I have a list of things I need to get done this week. A long list! And I am NOT a list maker! But there are certain things that I want to get done, and I don't want to forget anything. Yesterday I was pretty successful. I had high hopes for today. Until I woke up this morning.

I have had a sore neck that spreads out to my shoulder and down my back for several days now. In the night last night it was nearly unbearable. This morning it was a bit better, but not scrubbing the floor and dyeing my hair better! So after I took the kids to school I went back to bed. I slept nearly three hours and woke up still not feeling well enough to tackle much on my list.

Sitting at the computer is one of the more painful things I do. Reading a book is not bad at all. And I still have that great book to read. Maybe I'll finish it today...

Stars on Ice

I had been feeling sorry for myself because I didn't have anyone to go to Stars on Ice with. No friends here in London, except one brand new mom freshly home from the hospital with her baby. No babysitters, so my husband couldn't go with me. Then Chris suggested "Why not take Janelle?" He has taken Connor to hockey games and basketball games, but we've never taken Janelle to anything "big" like that. I don't think she had ever even been in a large arena like the John Labatt Centre. I wondered if she would enjoy it — it's not exactly "Disney on Ice". But then I thought about how we were all glued to the TV during the Olympics this year, and how memories of Scott and Tessa and Joannie are still fresh in her mind. Maybe she would enjoy a date with mom, especially watching Scott and Tessa skate in their hometown.

She LOVED it! And I loved watching her almost as much as watching the skating! When I finally got the tickets about a month ago there were only 7 left, so we ended up in the VERY BACK ROW! It was scary being that high! Every time Janelle leaned forward I pushed her back. But it was worth it!

I have to say, watching Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue skate here in London was a unique experience. The proud hometown crowd was wild with excitement went they came out, the first skaters on the ice. Later we got to see their Gold Medal winning routine from the Olympics, as well as their Exhibition routine with the hockey sweater and tutu. I didn't think the standing ovation would ever end! What a thrill!

Then there was Kurt Browning, as entertaining as ever — even skating in hockey skates for one of his routines, Joannie Rochette, who stole the hearts of every mom in the crowd, and Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, my personal favourites whose gravity defying lifts amaze me, along with several other great Canadian skaters. This is the first time Stars on Ice has done an "all-Canadian" tour, and it was clear that this country knows how to grow great skaters!

But the best part of it all was being there with my little lady, whose wide eyes were full of stars the whole time. What a treat to share that "first time" experience together! A precious new memory made!