Christmas

This year I have gotten to share Christmas with my own family.  However, this is the first Christmas I am away from my parents and siblings.  Which leads me to missing them.

I made this video a year ago and thought I would share it.  Hoping it works.  :)

Merry Christmas to all of you!  May you remember the reason for the season…for to us a saviour was born!

My First Christmas concert as a Mom

Last night I got to attend my first school Christmas concert as a mom.  My son, R, had to play the first and last song of the night on the bells.  Who would have know he would follow in my footsteps.  Yep, in grade 8&9 I played the bells.  Although I don't think that he knows that yet!

It was an amazing concert.  Well put together and they all sounded great.  Plus it was nice to meet other parents afterwards and see the friend that the boys talk about at home with excitement.  Well, and flirting eyes.  My other son, W, had to point out a girl who he has a crush on…a whole year older then him.  But he didn't tell me until we got home and I was tucking him into his bed.

Well, it has been a long week.  I look forward to the weekend with my husband.  And tomorrow night having the boys back after they celebrate Christmas with their biological mom.  Then we have them three weeks to ourselves.  What are we going to do to keep them busy!!!  And all boys to boot!

Hope the video clip works!

Hello, My Name is Tasha

Okay, so over the years I have been called many names.  However, for the second time this week I have been called my husband's ex's name.  Now, it won't be bad if it was one on one but today took the cake.  This time they welcomed me at the front of the church as a new member with that name.  Now, I held back tears.  My husband squeezed my hand and held me tight because he knows this hurts me.  Why did our names have to be so close????   There were many big eyes as lots of people realised the mistake and how hurtfully it was even if it was done innocently.

I have to say, the person who said it felt bad.  He came up hugged me and apologised.  His wife even apologised.  And the minister came up to making sure that I knew the church is here for me.  My brother in law said that is why he calls me Natasha!  Now, hopefully my hubby never calls me that name…although if he does, I will forgive him…after I bug him to no end!!!

A Hairdryer…A Girls Bestfriend.

This is one of my favourite pictures from our honeymoon.  It was a picture right before we went out for a fancy meal.  The most exciting part of this picture (beside the cute guy beside me) is that I had my hair drier!!!

Who would have thought that a hairdryer could bring such a smile to my face.  After not having our luggage for 2 days it felt so good to wash my hair with real shampoo, conditioner, and moose!  The hairdryer with a diffuser was a great addition!

But this night we got to go to a Japanese restaurant.  We got to sit by the grill and watch the cook do his thing.  He put on quite the show.  He was very entertaining.  Mr. R loved it.  I actually believe he said that was a highlight of his trip.  And we got to visit with some nice people that sat around there with us.

Hubby 911

Dad….you will be happy to know that I found a hubby that can answer those 911 calls now.  Isn't that great!

The back story:

Yesterday my hubby and I were to go to a search and rescue meeting.  We were loading up the vehicle and I went to open the back door of the Rav and it won't latch when I went to shut it again.

Okay, so I didn't freak out to begin with.  I just said to my hubby, 'this has happened before, I need a screw driver and I should be able to fix it.'

I grabbed a screw driver but that didn't seem to help at all either.  With the meeting now a half an hour in and we were still trying to figure the door out we decided to get the car going.  Once we scraped through the inch of ice.  We got it going…but then the drivers door won't shut.

At this point in the game I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.  So I did both.

Off we went to drop stuff off at the meeting and then to pick up tools from my hubby's shop so we could look at the latch.

This is where I am so thankful for a handy husband.  And where in the past I was so thankful for my handy dad.  My husband pulled it all apart and got it working.  It latches!!!!  We then took a drive and got to see some nicely decorated Christmas lights.

Hubby:  Thanks for being so handy.  For patiently fixing something when I didn't even know where to start.

Dad:  Thanks for being there the last 35 years.  I believe I found a good man that can help with the items I use to call daddy 911 for.

Love you both!!

My Mom…(Two posts today…you lucky people)

Yesterday was also this lovely mom's birthday.  My mom…my best friend…my supporter…my prayer warrior.  It was different not being able to spend the day with my family to celebrate a day like this.  I haven't missed many in my 35 years.

Instead, this year myself, my hubby, and my kids facetimed mom to sing 'Happy Birthday to Grandma' and just being able to talk to her for a while.  And it was great once we got use to the leg time.  Something we are going to do a lot more often!!

So, back to this special lady.  Mom has always been there for me, my siblings, my dad, and now my family.  She has one of the bigger hearts I have ever met.  She is passionate with what she believes in and will root for the underdog.  She loves to laugh…especially around the dinner table.  She is an amazing cook…which I am missing lots!  Her faith is amazing.  She is our prayer warrior.  She is gifted  musically.  And not only just musically, she is gifted in making everyone feel comfortable.  I know so many people that love having coffee at mom and dads.  Their door is always open for a good visit.

So, even though I wasn't able to be there in body my thoughts were with my family.  And I will cherish the moments we will be able to see each other and spend time together when we can.

We love you mom!!!

One Month…Already!!

It has been one month since I married my best friend.  Where has the time gone?  I have enjoyed this month with getting to know R and his boys.  In this month, we have learnt more about each other then we did in our dating relationship…with living with someone they see all your great attributes and your flaws.  We are learning to work together.  Learning to put our independence aside and work together.  Learning to go to each other over everything.  Learning patience.  Learning when to take moments seriously.  Learning to not be superwoman.

I am having to learn to rely on someone else.  That they want the best for me as well.  Learning to not be superwoman and having things go a certain way.  To trust things will work the way they are suppose to.

I love you R.

A Marriage, A Mother, and a Long Way from Home

So it has been a while since I blogged.  And seeing I am 10 hrs away from my parents and siblings I thought this would be a good way to document my days here in my new home with my new family.

Just to catch everyone up.  On Nov 6, 2015 I married my best friend…and became a step mom of 4 boys.  Ages 18, 14, 12, and 8.  Life has become a whole different kind of busy.

Today I find myself missing my family LOTs!  Don't get me wrong, I love being with my boys here but sometimes one just needs a hug from their mom.  But for now I will just take a friendly phone call and the anticipation for an upcoming visit!

These pictures were from the day of my beautiful bridal shower that was put on for me.

May 16, 2015…BEST.DAY.SO.FAR

I would love to say it is the best day ever…but really, I have had many memorable days and know I have many favourite days ahead.

On Saturday, my best friend and love, asked me to marry him.  And of course I said YES!!  I not only will gain a husband and partner for life but I also get the added joy of his 4 boys.  God has truly blessed us and it just makes me smile.  I think of all that both R and I have been through, and I believe that that God gave us those moments to go through so we could truly see how a real relationship is.  How love should be!

Now we get to do some planning and prepping.

I have to say, I can't wait to marry my man but I will also find it hard to move from my family.  But I am sure there will be many visits back and forth!

March 23, 2015…Been a While

So my family was informing me that when my love life seems to be going well, my writing skills really slow down!  I thought maybe it was time to update…and well, I am not making any promises in when I will write next.

2015 has been great.  Family all together.  I met an amazing man that is Christ centred and very caring. He even listens to my stories and enjoys them!   Plus he doesn't like me driving on winter roads so he has been making the trips here so far…but April and I hoping to make my way to visit him and his family.

I was also able to head to Hawaii and celebrate my 35th there.  It was a nice holiday.  Although we came back to some really cold weather…we missed the nice weather here!  Now I am working on some scrapbooking to get that trip done!

I eagerly await the snow to leave and to see the sun…even to ear the frogs again!!

December 25, 2014…Day 25…Y:Yuletide season is a time to Celebrate Z:Zealously the shepherds sought Jesus!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my faithful readers.  What a reminder of God's love.  That He sent His Son for our eternal life.  To save us from eternal condemnation.

Today, which now when I look at this picture it doesn't show it great but we got beautiful silver necklaces from Michael Hill.  Totally blew me away.  What was awesome is that I got to open it with my sister right there opening hers as well.

What I was excited about is that I bought this David's cross (from Jerusalem) when I was there in March.  I didn't have a necklace to put it on as I didn't have a silver one for it to go on.  So now, you will see me sporting this!!

Thank you mom and dad for all your thoughtfulness for the 25 day advent boxes.  You guys did perfect even with being on cold medication!

Today we had our butterhorns…such a great Christmas morning tradition.  Then we sat down and started opening our gifts and being able to watch the joy on each others faces.  And for once, mom had no idea what we did for her and dad and it was great to watch the reaction!!!

Then we watched a movie and just spent time together.  Also got the 26 lb turkey stuffed and in the oven!  Mom once again knocked our socks off with an amazing meal!

December 24, 2014…Day 24..X:Xtra ordinary love is felt at Christmas time!

Christmas Eve today.  Had to head off to work thinking it was still going to be a full day.  We ended up only having to work half a day which was a really nice treat.  An added bonus was that my Mom and sister braved the crowds and grabbed me some groceries.  Which was wonderful to not have to worry about because the stores were crazy!!!

Christmas Eve has always meant that we, as a family, would head to church in the evening.  Once we were done church we would then head back to mom and dad's and have finger foods, games, and movies.

This year we decided to just celebrate at home with the family.  It was such a special Christmas having everyone all together again.  Last year we were all everywhere but together.  Mom found a good pod cast with Max Lucado.  Then we did some singing with mom playing the piano, my sister on her trumpet, and the rest of us singing some Christmas carols.

We did have games afterwards.  I had planned some fun ones….like who could wrap a gift in a quick time but still have good presentation.  As well as, 'what's in the stocking'….all I can say my poor orange that was in there and they all thought was a ball…they were squeezing that quite hard!!  And then pictures and trying to guess what Christmas song it was trying to be.  After some of those games we played a game called Quelf.  And well, I don't think I have laughed that hard in a while.  Nor did I ever thing I would see everyone slapping their butt saying 'yeehaw giddy up little dogie'

December 23, 2014…Day 23…W:Wise men followed the star to Bethlehem!

Last full day of work before Christmas.  Today when I opened it there was a tea inside.  This one was a vanilla Chia.  Had a nice cup of this on boxing day!

December 22, 2014…Day 22…V:Virgin Mary bore the Son of God in her womb!

Today I opened the box and there was this beautiful necklace.  I was way to busy in the morning to give my mom a call to thank her.  Later that evening we got together and I was able to thank her and dad.  Apparently this necklace came from a jewellery store.  I think mom and dad spoil us far to much!!!

Here is a picture of it on…just don't mind my whipped up hair.  My brother had worked me out hard that day!

December 21, 2014…Day 21..U:Unto us a hold is born, unto us a Son is given!!

Day 21…and another yummy hot tea!

Today was a nice quiet day around my place.  It was a grab a book and do some reading sort of day.  So this tea was a great addition.

December 20, 2014…Day 20…T:The word was made flesh and dwelt among us!

Day 20 already!  We are counting down now!  What a blessed Christmas it will be!  Our whole family, together.  Celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Today I got some nice and shimmery bracelets.  This year these boxes sure helped fill up my jewellery box!

Thank you mom and dad.

December 19, 2014…Day 19…S:Sweet little Jesus boy, we didn't know who He was!

Today is a snow day…so I thought I should catch up on my blogging.

 Today was a tea day.  I have so many good teas to try.  And life around Christmas gets busier and busier.  Between Christmas programs, parties and work.