Friday

The weekend is upon us and Sterling is heading to c's house at 5 to hangout and Kaedo is stuck with us old fogies making homemade pizzas and watching the Muppet Movie (can you hear Craig groaning?)
We don't have much planned for the weekend. The weather isn't supposed to be spectacular but it won't be too bad. Craig is playing football in the morning - only 2 weeks to the league season opener - Kaedo is playing soccer and Sterling will probably get together with a friend at some point. We have Science Fair projects to work on and homework help to give.

On a positive note - I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism today! Finally an explanation for why I am always so tired!!!! I'm not saying I want to take more medicine - as it is I'm a walking pharmacy, but an explanation is great news. I'm heading to my family doc on Monday for a review and prescription. Soon I won't have any excuse for falling asleep on the couch. Boo!

Dear Older Self

As I turn 40 this year, I don't feel this crushing need to look back. What is, is. What I want to do is look forward. So here we go.....

Dear 50 year old self -
My what a 10 years you have had. They have been filled with more joy than you can imagine and some hardship that is expected. Sterling is 24 and loving life. He has completed his post secondary career and has a job in his field of choice. Kaedo is 22 and is just finishing up with his schooling and will soon be joining the workforce full time. You are lucky enough to have children who still want to be with their parents (on occasion) and you see them often. They are still and always will be your pride and joy. Craig still works for the bank and enjoys his current position but his real passion is still football. He plays quarterback now as his knees aren't what they used to be. He loves his Saturday morning games as it guarantees some time with Kaedo who has been playing with him for the last few years.
You, my dear are finally living life. No, it hasn't taken 10 years, but it took a little longer than anyone expected. You found yourself and a career you are happy with. You still read, write letters, blog, spend time with your family. You are happy. Not every day is a walk in the park but you have the skills now. If there was one thing I could tell you to carry forward to your 60s it would be this - LIFE IS. It is good and bad, it is happy and sad, it is up and down, it is thrilling and overwhelming. Never look at the day without a smile for today may very well be the best day yet. Make the most of every day, every minute, every second because if you don't you will surely miss something miraculous. And last but not least, be proud of yourself, of who you are, of who you've become. Your strength of will, your courage and your motivation brought you here. Be thankful of all you have done and all you still will do for if you are proud of yourself you will walk with a happy heart.

Love Shannon

week 27

Week 27 and the weather is not too bad at all. Jeans and sweaters but I don't mind that. I'm making my least favorite meal in the world for supper tonight - BREAKFAST. Yuck. We are trying a new format where one day Craig picks, next day Kaedo, the Sterling then me and so on and so on. The kids both asked for breakfast on their days and I said no, so tonight is my night and bacon it is. Did I mention how much I hate cooking bacon? HATE. The other problem for me is getting everything to come out on time. I know that's why we have ovens but really, shouldn't toast be able to butter itself!
Oh well, must go - there is bacon calling my name - zweeee zweeeee zweeeee

today

LOVING
Getting a huge project completed with Craig. We work well together and he makes me laugh. It took a long time but there is no one I would rather work with in that capacity. Thanks Craig - you rock!

THINKING ABOUT
De-cluttering our home. We always have a pile here, a pile there. I need to do some serious work in this department. Maybe get the kids involved??? I've started and got a major chore accomplished but there are many more on my list.

ANTICIPATING
True Spring where I get to see knobby knees and no jackets every day. I love seeing my boys in shorts. I love pulling the cars off the driveway for games of basketball and hockey. The weather is still up and down here - although I'll take it with no complaints - but I'm ready and so are the men in my life.

LISTENING
To the sounds around me - the birds chirping, the breeze blowing, the kids laughing, my husband watching TSN on his cell phone. Just trying to be in the moment and be aware of what is going on around me. Listening to life!

WISHING
Wishing for life to be just a little easier. I'm not asking for a lot, but a little. Wishing that my family was not dragged along the roller coaster of my mental health. Wishing for a few more smiles and a few less tears. It's coming. I can feel it. Who says wishing doesn't work??

what a weekend

I don't know about you but we were busy. Friday night Sterling went to his buddy C's house for a birthday sleepover. Sterling doesn't often go for sleepovers, so I was glad he did. We stayed home and watched Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) and Kaedo and I loved it. It was like sticking forks in Craig's eyes. Saturday morning Craig went to football and I took Kaedo to soccer. In the in-between time I had to pick up Sterling from C's house. When he got in the car he told me he had had 9 Dr. Peppers, a bag of chips and half a cheeseburger pizza. And to boot, hadn't been to bed all night. Yikes. I dropped him off at home before picking up Kaedo and told him to go to bed. He didn't. We had some errands to run in the afternoon, of which he had to be included (don't ask me why). By 6pm we were so sick of him we sent him to bed and he slept until 8am this morning. Ha.
Today Craig and I went out for a while then we came home the boys put on their shorts and spent the whole afternoon outside while we sat inside and worked on Parent Council work for the rest of the day. At 6 Craig and Sterling went to the gym, Kaedo's playing video games and I'm doing this. Soup and sandwiches for supper tonight and early to bed for everyone.
Here's to a good week!

Sleepy Time

I've got a boy at home sleeping right now. He recently started back on his Tourette's meds and was asleep in class. When he spoke to his teacher he sent him to the office to call home. When I got there 10 minutes later he was almost asleep in the chair. So, we gathered up his things and took him home. I suggested he crawl into my bed and try and sleep but he assured me he wouldn't be able to. He'd probably just watch tv. Five minutes later I went upstairs and he was konked out, fast asleep. It'll take about a week for him to get adjusted but its kind of sad to see. This big hulking boy knocked over by a little pink pill.

week 26

Half way through the year! Week 26!
The boys spent all their after school time last night playing hockey and basketball with the neighborhood kids. They didn't come in until well after dark but I think it is getting a little cooler through the weekend, so I wanted them to have a chance to play. Kaedo was playing with his good buddy next door L and Sterling ended up playing with a little boy down the street that idolizes him. He's about 5. Sterling loves little kids and so it all worked out. Today again the weather is beautiful and the boys are in shorts and t-shirts. Hopefully they will take the time this afternoon and head back into the sun and enjoy.
Our new Shoppers Drug Mart opened across the street today so with my luck they'll want to go there!

Spring is Here!

Yesterday we were in the high double digits and all around me there were teenage boys with their knobby knees wearing their madras shorts, sporting their helmets and riding their bikes and scooters. I had initially dropped them off at Ns house to meet up with their gang and slowly 9 of them migrated to our house where the smell of sweat, the sounds of crappy music and the talk of which neighborhood to terrorize next were all on the agenda.

In almost as big of a blur of them arriving, they all left like little bees leaving the hive. They headed to our neighborhood school to practice their tricks and have some fun. I love it!

Flowers

From Roseline


From mom and dad


From Jessica

I have been blessed this week with some beautiful flowers from Jessica, Mom and Dad and Roseline. They have brightened up our house and made me smile. Thank you for thinking of me. It has taken me some time to get back into the swing of things. I never thought I would feel so sad, after wishing for her to go, as she wanted. While I know it is time to get on with life it is taking me a little longer. With these beautiful flowers surrounding me, I'm sure I'll feel better soon.

Gramma

As many of you know, my gramma passed away on Thursday night. She was 101 years old. She had lived a very full life, one of tragedy and triumphant and was an amazing woman right to the end. She loved her family so much and was so proud of us. She loved completely and fully. She was quick with a comment,and was happy with the smallest thing. She was virtually deaf and blind but didn't let that stop her. She figured out how to get around, how to manage, and amazed me in the process. The last year or so found her wheelchair bound but she took that in stride too. She was loved by the people who cared for her and tears were shed on the night of her death.
Her strength of will was evident even in the last days of her life. She wanted so badly to join her departed family and son and the Lord and she made the decision herself that this was the end. I was amazed at her strength.
I was blessed to spend the last three days of her life her and was present at her death. When she took her last breath I was holding her hand, telling her I love her. It is a moment in time I will never forget.

October 31, 1910 to March 15, 2012 Rest In Peace

Week 25

As you can see the sun is bright and is it is very warm here. Kids are enjoying their Spring break.

Day 3

Picture circa Spring Break 2008

Day 3 is almost ending and it has been a busy one - at least for the social butterflies in our family. Kaedo ended up sleeping over at J's house (surprise, surprise) and got picked up at 12. Sterling headed to C's house at 12:30 and I picked him up at 5. Craig went to the gym and played football with Kaedo this afternoon and then we took Ketchup for a walk. I got the opportunity to talk with both my mom and Jessica today, so I was happy for that.
The rest of the afternoon has been books, playbooks, TV and video games with lots of loud music. Another beautiful day is expected tomorrow so who knows what we'll do. The kids will probably do some biking and scootering and maybe even hit the skate park. We'll see.

DAY 2

We're on day 2 of Spring Break and all is well. Kaedo took off around 1:30pm for his friend J's house. He should be home around 8pm. Sterling spent the morning playing video games online with J's brother, S. I could here him yelling at the TV from all the way upstairs. I noticed when he came up from the basement for some food that he was still wearing the shirt and pajama bottoms he had on on Friday. Those clothes may walk themselves to the washer. I can tell you one thing - I'm not going anywhere with him until he gets a shower!
Not to much else going on today except IT'S MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Happy Birthday dad - we hope you have a wonderful day. We love you and can't wait to see you!

*** terrible picture but its the only one I could get of Sterling playing

Week 24 and the weather is great. Spring Break is here and the boys are enjoying their first day off. Both are still in their pajamas and I think Kaedo is still in bed watching YouTube videos on his iPod. Aaaah the wonders of technology. Craig is home on holidays as well but he is working at the kitchen table. So much for a break!

I'm sorry the blog has been a little sparse but I haven't been well so that's how it goes. I am hoping to take many pictures through the break and will post them here.

Happy Friday all!

One from the archives!

This picture was taken at Kelly and Petrica's wedding and it was the first time the boys had ever met Emma. They were instantly in love with her. She is such a doll. This was the first time they had ever held a baby, so they were super excited.

I'm so blessed to have both my family and Craig's family get along so well. It makes it so much easier for us and I like the fact that my parents and my in-laws have a relationship that has nothing to do with us.

Happy Tuesday all!

Style Cat

About a month ago, we headed to Value Village for a look around. While there we found these perfect pants for Sterling. Don't you think they'd be perfect for the first day of high school?

week 23

Week 23!
I LOVE this gnome! Wouldn't he be a perfect addition to our collection? I'm dreaming about him. The kids loved it. Middle of Wal-Mart, weekly gnome picture. So glad I have such great kids - and a husband with eagle eyes!