A New Project

Even though the holidays have been buzzing by, I decided that for Christmas this year I would make for all 4 sets of Camia's grandparents a brag book. Sorry the top picture is on an angle, I tried to change it, but it seems like it did not work. For my birthday from my family, I received a cricut machine and it has been fabulous to do lettering on all sorts of things. Since the cartriges are so expensive, I only use the one that was provided with the machine and share with my brother's girlfriend when we go scrapping together since she has the same machine and has received the cartriges as gifts from her family.


I had to think about how I would put the holes in the pages so I could insert the rings as I used chipboard to mount my pages on. With the help of my brother's girlfriend and her punch, I managed to get perfect holes in a few pages. When I left her house, however, I forgot to take the tool home to borrow, so I had to figure out my own way of doing it. My 1/4 inch hole punch was too big, and my teeny tiny one was too small. So, I used my punch that needs to be hammered. Perfect fit! It got a bit noisy, but it worked.I love working with Camia's pictures because she (in my unbiased eyes:)) is very photogenic. Makes for beautiful photos!

I love this photo of her. I placed her in a rocking chair, and she just hung out for a little while.One of my favourite features is that I can change the photos as she gets older by using photo corners to install the photos on my pages, although I have been specifically ordered by my mother-in-law that I am not allowed to take away from the book, I may only add to it. Since chipboard is not that cheap, I think that perhaps I will reserve updating for occasions such as birthdays and such.

Another Birthday

Wednesday would have been my sister Becky's birthday. She would have been 17. It snowed that day, about 5 or 6 inches in some places. I know that she would have been excited to have a white birthday. I am sure that with this snow, she would have been out there and racing down mountains on skis or a snowboard, another way for her to be active and full of life. It's hard to believe that we have missed having her birthday with her for 6 of her birthdays already. Sometimes it feels as though it has been so long, and sometimes it feels as though it was not that long ago at all. Sometimes it is so hard to see what was intended for our benefit in this situation. I feel as though she has missed out on so much of our lives, and I think often of how she would have felt to be an aunt to my daughter. I am sure she would have loved it. Or maybe she would have been too caught up in her life to love it. Who knows?

It says in the Bible that God works all things for our benefit. It is so hard to believe it still, even though its been 5.5 years. Although, I have to admit that we as a family have seen things happen as a result of her death. That, too, is hard to swallow because we ask why did she have to leave us so this could happen?

Even though at times I feel that her life was cut short, God says that before we are conceived, our days are numbered. So therefore I may not say "if I had done...." because God's purpose for her on this earth was done. It was time for her to go home to glory. This is what I must believe.

A New Week

It's so exciting to have a 6 month old! Every day I love her so much.

Last week she cut her second tooth. I was pretty excited, but not nearly as excited as time she cut her first tooth.

She is so much more interactive these days. She looks at people when they call her name, and she is generally very happy when we are in big groups. It makes me laugh when she yells and 'talks' when we have coffee social after church.

She is almost crawling, it won't be long now! Then she will be into everything, I am sure. These days she moves backwards when she tries to crawl, and ends up under tables and chairs and against walls.

Her laugh is so contagious, and she laughs and talks so much. She amuses me when I am not with her that I can hear her little laugh and babble.

She just makes me so happy!

A Breather

Its been a while! We finally got new carpet yesterday, and with the help of my wonderful mother, alot of stuff has moved around in our household. Suddenly our house seems so big. I think I will need to purchase more furniture :D ! The carpet looks lovely and gives it a brand new look that I love so much. It is a lovely taupe speckled short shag and goes with my colours and decor theme so very well. The house looks so much better than when we first moved in!

There are a few other projects that we would like to tackle one day but, for now, the new carpet has done wonders. Things like new doors and knobs will have to wait until later. Maybe for the time being I will spray the door knobs all black to kinda match what I'd like to have in the future.

With the holiday season approaching, I decided that it might be fun to spruce up my blog accordingly. I went to www.thecutestblogontheblock.com and found a background that I like, and so much more! So much fun! Now I have to figure out how to load pictures.....or you could just check out my photo albums on my facebook:)!

I thought that since my house is almost all set up, I would also spruce my house up with some holiday cheer. I purchased some Pointsetta's from Safeway and set one of them at the top of my stairs in a little corner where is looks festive. Christmas is such a wonderful season!

Now, while my sweetie is sleeping, I am going to unpack some boxes.

So many things

So many things are going on in our lives right now that I often feel as though we are living life in fast forward mode.

Ryan and I got the keys to our very own place this past Friday and we were there with some amazing friends all day on Saturday painting and cleaning.

Originally we had thought that we would wait to pull up the carpet and save our pennies so we could replace it. When we were cleaning, however, we discovered that the carpet had enough fur in it to clothe 5 dogs comfortably (and that was only in the carpet. There was enough for 3 more elsewhere in the house) and smelled of dogs that had either marked their territory or roamed around to look for places "to go"... So we ended up ripping out all the carpet on Saturday as well. A bit premature, but in the end it will be for the better, considering the carpet was also about 30 years old.

We proceeded to rip off the dark green wallpaper in the main bathroom and rip out the carpet in all of the upstairs. That updated it greatly seeing that the carpet in two of the three bedrooms was a yellow and gold colour. Perhaps we should have left it and purchased a disco ball and created a 1970's dance room instead?

Despite this minor (??) setback, we had a very productive day. The living/dining room has the first coat on 4 of the six walls in a "Georgian Brick" colour, Camia's room has the first coat on all the walls and the master bedroom has the first coat on two walls. Already the place looks much more updated.

Upon getting home, I saw that there should have been laundry getting done there. So I got to doing that. Ryan and I also babysat two of our nephews whose parents were out for the evening. We sat and were entertained while they raced on Ryan's XBOX and then while they watched Madagascar. I laughed while watching the movie. Good times, Good times!

Seeing as today is Sunday, the term 'a day of rest' was highly anticipated. However, since we rotate between both families for lunch each week, we again had a busy day. Not that we don't enjoy it, of course. Family time is an asset on both sides. We then went to Ryan's brothers house where we had a fabulous dinner prepared by his wife. We are again babysitting my nephews while their parents are out for the evening.

Tomorrow is another day, but is already filled with a huge to do list. Since we are moving in on Saturday this week, carpet needs to be ordered and painting needs to be completed before the carpet gets installed.

Considering the busy week ahead, I am glad for this moment of peace. I am going to read my book and not think about it.

Till next time!

A typical day in the lives that God has so graciously given us...

Today is like any other day that I wake up to every morning. Our daughter Camia is awake and shining and greets us with smiles and grins.

It is November, and the crisp fall air nips at the tips of our noses and ends of our ears. The world is changing colour right before our eyes, and our hearts and minds are overcome with excitement as the holidays draw nearer. One might think that with the excitement welled up in our hearts that this has never happened before. On the contrary, it has happened for many years. It amazes me to think that it never tires our human minds out. God has created this wonder of the changing season for His children to enjoy, and every year we approach each season with new wonder and powerful excitement.

As I sit here listening to Christmas music and the sounds of my daughter talking, it brings me such joy that God has allowed Ryan and I to reach this chapter in our lives and that we may once again enjoy the fall weather as well as the approaching holidays, this time with our five (almost 6) month old daughter. At the same time, however, I wonder why it is that at this time of year we plan the family time, turkey dinners and gift exchanges? Should this not be a time of celebrating the birth of our Saviour who later in His life died on the cross to forgive all that we have done and will do that was sinful?

While I do love a beautifully and lovingly decorated Christmas tree as well as other Christmas decor, I do have to remind myself why we have this holiday. It is because of Him that I may live with the comfort that there is life after death.

OK, now Camia is crying, so my moment of peace must come to an end for now.

Till Next time!