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.