Quote of the Week

Posted on by
Reply
“The best things in life aren’t things”


I saw this quote on our very very long drive back from the Outer Banks (I can’t complain, Robbie did all the driving – but it was still long)! It was on a billboard outside one of the many churches we passed along the road.


It reminded me of all the things I have to be grateful for. Yes, I am blessed with a lot of “things”. But most importantly, what I am most grateful for are the people I share my life with and the opportunities we have in our journey together. The best “things” in life really are the people who enrich our lives, and the experiences we have that create our memories.  All the intangible stuff: love, faith, security, belonging, trust, etc. – these are the most valuable things we have.


On my last day of being in my thirties L when I think back on all the special moments in my life – they are moments shared with loved ones, experiences we had together. Very rarely are they about “things”. If they are about “things” – they are linked to a specific person – or a specific event.  My little treasures, my favorite “things”, my home, or even my jewelry…they are all tied to a memory with someone.  


The best “things” in my life are my family and my friends. I am so glad that each and every one are a part of my life – past, present and future. xoxox

Quiet Beach Days

Posted on by
Reply

We had a couple of really nice days.

Yesterday, we woke up and went for a long walk. It was a little chilly – remnants of the storm the day before. It’s amazing how the beach changes drastically from day to day – it’s like we have a different beach outside our door every day!

After our walk, we sat on the swing overlooking the ocean and just chatted and chatted, while we watched the dolphins swim by. We then hung around the house: reading, snoozing and painting. I even did a few little “paintings” too:). I’m not the most creative (hence some repetition) but they are all little sayings that are meaningful to our family.

We had a yummy lunch of clam chowder and crab dip (from Dockside N Duck) and then headed out to Hatteras Beach – the same one that we went to with the kids last summer. It looked so different when it was deserted!



Rob playing with some crabs!



After walking and watching the ocean, we headed into Hatteras Village for dinner. We ate at a little place on the water in the Marina called “Dinky’s”.

We had amazing tuna tartare, roasted scallops, tuna steak and fish of the day (which was just ok). We took our dessert to go (chocolate pecan pie and peanut butter cheesecake). Can we say DIET???

We headed back towards Hatteras beach and watched the amazing sunset (and took some great snaps of the beach):

We headed home in the dusk – and swerved around a deer that jumped right in front of us! Pretty scary. We saw a few more as we continued home. We finished off the day with watching the stars and relaxing in the hot tub.

Today was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day. We went for a beach walk, and then were relaxed on the beach blanket by 9am! I started collecting some purple shells to take home – figured I would try to find 40 great ones to take home with me! 40 shells, representing my 40 years….

We went into Nag’s Head for lunch, checked out the beach there, ate at a place called Tortuga’s Lie (conch fritters, fish sandwich, cocoloco chicken) – it was ok – not our favorite meal. We headed back and stopped at a very quiet beach off of the Pea Island Reserve. We slept and read on the beach blanket -and then went to another beach close by which was totally deserted. There I found many more purple shells!

 (I know I’ve put a lot of beach pictures that look the same, but to ME they are different and help me remember the moment!!)

We headed home, picked up some shrimp and lobster for dinner and came home and packed up, since we are leaving very early tomorrow morning. Of course, we went for another beach walk too (squeeze it in!) – so I could complete my 40 shell goal (I well exceeded it – but figured the kids would want some too!). We made dinner and enjoyed it on the balcony – overlooking the ocean, and looking at the orange lightning in the distance! It was awesome! Hot tub to round off the perfect day – again.

Tomorrow we head home. One of the best parts about being away without the kids is that as sad as we are that vacation is ending – it is pretty exciting to come home and see the kids! Definitely something to look forward to!

Brothers

Posted on by
2

A Hopi Prayer

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet white doves in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.


In memory of Rob’s brother Dave, who passed away 18 years ago today.

I look at my boys today – ages 6,9,10, and 13 and see how they are; how they bug each other, tease each other, wrestle with each other, fight with each other, laugh with each other, cry with each other, share secrets, share stories, make disgusting noises, defend each other, play soccer, play baseball, play tennis, play hockey, watch movies, play video games, study together, take lessons together, sit in the church pew together (complaining), vacation together, hug each other and just plain have fun and love each other – I can not picture one without the other. There is a very special bond between these boys. “Real” or “Step” – they are true brothers. I hope they will always share the closeness and the love they have now – forever.

My message to them is to cherish the special gift of brotherhood that they have; nurture it, love it, have fun with it.

Sad that I never met you Dave. Sad that my boys do not have you in their lives too. But your memory is strong.

Rest assured, your little brother Rob is doing a superb job at raising his boys to be amazing brothers. You’d be proud:)


Stormy Day

Posted on by
Reply

We awoke during the night to some incredible rain and crashing waves here in Rodanthe. Just wish there was a lightning show!

The weather was fine with us as it meant we would have a relaxing stormy day !

I did a tiny bit of work, some art journalling, reading, snoozing and a bit of painting.

Rob did some incredible painting.

He actually painted this scene:

Pretty good eh?

I love this one:

It’s on a cube – and it is painted all around. It looks so much like the beach (today).
We went for lunch in Nag’s Head to another beach restaurant called “The Blue Moon Grill”.

Another fantastic lunch: shrmip burger, tuna BLT and calamari. We came back to have some Key Lime Pie that we had bought a Dockside n Duck (it seriously is the best!).

We went for a long walk on the beach – under the Rodanthe pier. It was cold and the ocean was seriously rough – coming really close to the house – filling up most of the beach. We had to stop walking because there was no more beach to walk on! Really beautiful nonetheless!

Tonight, we will relax, enjoy the hot tub and listen to the ocean storm!

Heading North

Posted on by
Reply

Today we decided to do a little bit more daytripping. We headed north this time – back to where we went last summer, but stopped at a bunch of places along the way that we didn’t quite make it to last summer.

Let’s not forget, last summer it was HOT – so checking out Jockey’s Ridge State Park with it’s huge sand dunes, and climbing 256 steps of a lighthouse were not top priority in the heat with 5 kids!

 But this time, they were.We checked out Bodie’s Lighthouse and bought some cute souvenirs there (including a little Christmas tree ornament for us).

We had checked out the Ocracoke Lighthouse and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse when we headed south on Tuesday, so we completed the round of Lighthouses by climbing the one in Currituck (way up north in Corolla). Stunning views of the ocean and sound and the entire area.

 I love the idea of a Lighthouse. I had been wondering why they weren’t always closer to the sea, but the guide up at Currituck answered it nicely for me: It’s not a port – it’s a warning sign that says, “Stay away! You’re getting too close. Get back”!

I love this as a symbol for life – especially for my kids. Often we have warning signs way before the actual trouble…but we need to pay attention to them when we first see them – and not let ourselves drift to closely to the shore where the danger is. The light tells us to stay away and that will keep us safe – if you adhere to it.

 Before getting all the way up north to see the Currituck Lighthouse, we crossed over the causeway and headed into Manteo. There we shopped in a giant (and I mean 25000 square feet giant) Christmas shop! Perfect place for me to buy my Christmas ornaments for the kids!

We drove around and checked out the Fort area, and the waterfront and then headed back to Nag’s Head, where we had an amazing lunch at a little beach diner called “Kill Devil Grill”. We had cheesesteak eggrolls they are notorious for (they were ok- but not really my thing), grilled fish sandwich, fish of the day (mahi mahi)over grits, followed by some keylime pie. It was sooooo tasty! I need a serious diet. Happy fat though:)

We continued heading up North and checked out the home we stayed in last summer (Bayley’s Light), did some shopping at “Life is Good”, and finally up to the Lighthouse. After exploring it, we headed back to Duck, stopping off at “Dockside N Duck” where we picked up a Steamer pot to go: with crab, clams, lobster, potatoes and corn. It was funny, they remembered us (“and all your kids”). We stopped off at Jockey’s Ridge where we climbed the amazing sand dunes and watched some serious kite flying.

Not sure if the photos do Jockey’s Ridge any justice – it’s amazing – these huge dunes in the middle of town it seems!

We returned home, exhausted, but enjoyed the hot tub, while watching the ocean get rougher and rougher as a storm was coming in. We steamed our pot and enjoyed an awesome seafood feast by candlelight with the waves crashing in the background. We finished the evening off by watching “Nights in Rodanthe” and were able to locate so many of the spots in the movie now that we are staying here! We are a few houses away from the pier featured in it, and saw the house (it has been moved since the movie as it was condemned shortly after the movie was released due to it almost being swept in the ocean! They relocated it a few blocks over – see pic below). Being here we have noticed some inconsistencies in the movie (like the ferry would take him in the opposite direction – never mind not needing a ferry to get to Rodanthe! And the bridge he does go over is the opposite direction of the ferry) – but nonetheless, the scenery is just as spectacular – especially the beach!

 Another end to a perfect day:) It’s supposed to storm tomorrow and I’m just fine with that too:)

Heading to Ocracoke

Posted on by
Reply

I can honestly say, the Outer Banks has the most spectacular sunrises I have ever seen.

In all fairness, I haven’t seen the sunrise everywhere, but I have seen them in a few places, and here, in the Outer Banks, it is incredible. (I did research it online however, and it is rated as one of the best places to see the sunrise – and incidentally, the sunset on the other side).

Yesterday ROB woke me up to go see it. Unheard of. I usually wake him up. But he got me up just in the knick of time and we watched the sun peak out over the water and rise – a beautiful, firey, orange ball. I won’t post any more pictures of it – but it is soooo gorgeous!

Yesterday we decided to drive to the most southernest point in the Outer Banks, and catch the ferry over to Ocracoke island. We tried to do this last summer with the kids, but the ferry ride wait was over 3 hours, so we ended up beaching in Hatteras – which was pretty amazing anyhow.

We boarded the ferry within 10 minutes (timing was perfect I must say) and loved the 40 minute ferry ride! It was amazing how the ferry navigated between sandbars. Of course buoys marked the path for it – but man, you really need to know those waters as there are sand bars everywhere! The birds were quite amazing too. Flying along with the ferry. It was beautiful and sunny. Rob was only a tiny bit stressed about his car being so close to other cars and having so many people “brush up” against it. Typical boy.

We arrived on the island and did a little tour. It is really quite tiny – but oh, so beautiful. We checked out the little village of Ocracoke, then went to the lighthouse – the 2nd oldest lighthouse in the nation.

 The island really does feel like time has stood still – with the quaint little houses and laid back vibe.

We lunched at a place called “Dajio” – quite appropriate I thought since Zandra calles her Daddy, “Da-jio” (with the j sounding like a y). We had an amazing – and I mean amazing – lunch. THIS is what I was looking for. We started with some tuna tartar with an amazing salsa and nachos, followed by a fish sandwich and shrimp and grits. Neither of us had ever tried grits before – they were pretty yummy!

We then headed to the beach. It was practically deserted. We found a spot (not hard to do when there are only 10 of you on a beach that stretches 14 miles!) and spent the afternoon marvelling at the beauty. The sand was like icing sugar – so soft and white. The beach is so natural and rugged – the dunes keep it that way. The waves came in layers – and there were really shallow parts that were warm! We walked for a bit, and Rob flew the kite he had bought the day before. Well, we flew the kite – as he bought a fancy one (the woman in the store pressured him he said! She was a world champion kiter!) and needed me to keep throwing it up in the air for him. It was pretty hard to control – but he is getting the hang of it!

The rest of the afternoon was spent snoozing in the sun, and reading a bit too. Certainly one of our favorite beaches ever (hence all the similar pictures!) – although quite similar to the Hatteras beach in my opinion.

We headed back to mainland on the ferry again and then checked out the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

We then started looking for a place for dinner. The place we really wanted to eat at was closed – but we ended up finding a little dive – which served some yummy seafood. It was called “Pop’s” – and when I first walked in I thought I was in an all men saloon (much like Cusino’s in Ste Anne’s!). But no, they served us (outside) some yummy spicy steamed shrimp, and a fish sandwich and a crab cake sandwich. I must say, we stood out a bit but the food was good!

We then hunted down some key lime pie. I never liked it, but had it last summer here and now am trying to find a good slice again! We found a little one in the grocery store – it was ok – but think we will have to head back up to Duck to get the real thing I fell in love with last summer!

We finally made it home – and to end our perfect day – Rob built a bonfire on the beach, right in front of our house, down by the water. It was awesome!! We enjoyed the fire and the incredible stars, and then headed back inside – too tired for the hot tub but fell into bed happily exhausted from such an awesome day!

Best 10’s: 10 Songs Played an Awful Lot in Our Home Right Now

Posted on by
Reply

Ten Songs Played an Awful Lot in Our Home Right Now:

1. Life is Beautiful (Vega4)
2. Beach (Mew)
3. Somebody I used to Know (Gotye) (Zach plays on guitar too!)
4. Playing in the Sand (Mascot’s Distance)
5. Set Fire to the Rain (Adele) (Zach plays on guitar too!)
6. Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Skrillex)
7. If I Die Young (The Band Perry) (Zach plays on guitar too!)
8. 77 (The Big Pink)
9. Stole My Heart (Little & Ashley)
10. Hit the Ground (The Big Pink)

I do have to add #11: Weary Hobo:) Something only my family can appreciate:)

(I would guess that the kids have their own list of their most favorite top 10’s right now – but these are the ones I am hearing at home and in the car most right now – so will forever remind me of this time of life!)

Waves

Posted on by
Reply

On Saturday, Rob and I dropped everyone off with their other parent and started our trip down to the Outer Banks.

It is “My 40th Birthday” trip. When trying to think how to celebrate my birthday, I decided I wanted to return to the beach that I loved so much last summer, and have a peaceful week of walking the beach, listening to the waves, reading, writing, eating seafood and exploring more of the Outer Banks with my man. This was how I wanted my “adult” celebration for my 40th birthday. On my actual 40th birthday (and that week – which is next week) I will celebrate with all the loves of my lives and I’m excited for that too!

But this week, is just for grown ups:) Rob found a magnificent beach house in a more secluded area of the Outer Banks (Rodanthe to be more specific)  than where we were last summer. He planned the drive down and found a route that was much more beautiful and scenic too – which he enjoyed driving all the twists and curves. We stopped in a little town called Front Royal in Virginia and spent the night, before continuing on to shop at some outlets and finally arrive at the beautiful beach. After quick pizza dinner, we relaxed in our hot tub under the stars and listening to the rolling of the waves. Magical.

This morning we awoke (well, I awoke and then naturally had to wake Rob:)) to the most spectacular sunrise I have ever seen:

We then went for a long long walk down the beach. Along the way we soaked up the sunshine, let our feet touch the freezing water, and even stopped and saw a stingray a fisherman had caught!

We also saw two baby sharks washed up on shore. One was quite dead – as the birds had already had their fill of him, and the other little guy was still perfect – but slowly dying. Rob picked him up and threw him back into the ocean where he flopped around before swimming away.

 Ah, my hero. Of course, I forgot what he had touched and reached out to grab his hand walking on the beach and was a bit grossed out when I remembered he now had shark hands! Love him anyways! Hey, he saved the life of a shark today! Rob! Who is deathly afraid of sharks (ok…it was a tiny little, harmless dog shark – but still!)

We spent the remainder of the morning on our balcony, soaking in the sun and watching the families of dolphins swim by. There seems to be a family of about 7-10 of them swimming back and forth in front of us. So cool! (Pictures really don’t do it justice – hard to catch the little guys!)

The sounds and views of the waves from our balcony are pretty amazing. This house is a find!

The waves reminded me of a note I received a few days ago before leaving from a colleague – who has also become a good friend now. The note was a “Have a great trip” note – but it ended with “So glad you are swimming in the waves now”.

This brought me back to a conversation I had had with her about 5 years ago. I remember the exact conversation – and where I was when we had the conversation even. I had pulled off on the side of a country road – we were having a discussion about one of our mutual clients and the reception for my cell was terrible on certain roads, so I had pulled to the side so I could talk to her without losing her. It was winter and freezing cold. After we chatted about our work stuff, she asked me how things were going. At the time, I was doing fairly well. I had taken the attitude that I was just focusing on my boys (5.5 and 4 years at the time) and not going to worry about anything else. Everything else was too discouraging – especially the dating scene. The potential for ever finding happiness and love again was nonexistant. I was lonely and sad and frustrated with being lonely and sad, but wanted to not wallow in any self pity because of my boys. She said to me: “Right now you are in the waves and they are knocking you down, dragging you under, and you feel like you are drowning. Every time you get your bearings and stand up, another waves comes and knocks you down. But one day, I promise you, one day, a wave will come along and it will not knock you down, but it will carry you out to the sea, where you will be able to play in it, and float, and swim gloriously in that water. That day will come”.

Even though I have told my friend how much this meant to me, I’m not sure she will ever comprehend how much it really meant to me. The waves were scary, and overwhelming, and knocking me down at that time. I never believed that I would again see the beauty of swimming in the sea.

Today, as I watch them come rolling in, as I listen to them come crashing down, as my feet touch the icy water, and as I watch the dolphin family swim in the distance, I am so very very very grateful that I am swimming and floating and playing in the waves again. I never thought it was going to be possible. But, here I am, a short 5 years later. Swimming, with my own little dolphin family:)

It’s amazing how those waves can mean such different things depending on where you are at. They can either be debilitating, knocking you down, taking you over, pulling you down; or they can be magical, freeing, and can carry you out to play in the sea. As Josh said last summer, when I was playing in the waves with him and feeling a little intimidated, “Mom. You have to love the wave. You have to think like the wave. You have to be the wave”.

I AM finally the wave, Josh. I get it now. You have no idea. I am swimming in the waves.

Weekly Summary of Life (no snaps this week!)

Posted on by
Reply

I didn’t have my camera around a lot his week, but I thought I’d summarize some of the goings on around here:

We celebrated Easter Monday, starting with an egg hunt, followed by a brunch with crepes, filled with strawberries and blueberries, topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Rob’s parents joined us for that occasion, so it was a nice little Easter celebration. Unfortunately, Rob had a big meeting and dinner meeting that afternoon and evening, so he went off to that, but not before a quick soccer game. Unfortunately, he took a very rough tumble when playing soccer (I thought he had broken his arm for sure – but I think he just bruised some ribs). Zach was quick to point out that was why he was always worried when playing with “the parents” – we could really hurt ourselves! Rob went off bruised and battered but had very successful meeting, and the kids and I continued playing at the park – but switched to baseball and biking.

Back to school on Tuesday, where Zandra was busy trying out for both soccer and ultimate Frisbee – and happily made both teams! Yah Zandra! Zach was also trying out for soccer and shot put – but hasn’t heard yet. Sam was busy planting a bean plant – and brought it home making me promise to not kill it – his exact words were “not to die it” (of course I don’t deliberately kill plants, they just don’t do well). He is also busy trying to grow his two front teeth – I have told him we’ll have to put chicklets in soon! We had family night on Tuesday night this week too where we got to really discuss the true meaning of Easter through a little Q&A game, which was a lot of fun!

Soccer is in full swing, with both Zach and Josh playing Rep – which means a lot of time on the soccer field! Zach was on Wednesday, and Josh on Thursday this week then both have practices on the weekend too. Zach also has guitar on Thursdays. This week he was working on “Somebody I Used to Know” (Gotye). Love how his teacher teaches all the popular songs – keeps him interested. Luckily swimming is covered on Monday (Sam, Josh and Zandra) and Tuesday (Zach and Gabe) afterschool, and will end just in time when more soccer kicks in (for Sam, Josh and Zach) and baseball for Gabe. Life is just getting busier – especially when you add in all the school work!

Rob and I were still able to squeeze in a sushi date on Wednesday though. It was a super busy work week for us both as we will be off next week as we are heading to the Outer Banks! It is my 40th Birthday Trip!

On Friday, despite me always claiming “I don’t work on Fridays”, I saw 3 clients, did groceries, then headed to pick the kids up after school. Rob was able to squeeze in a lunch date with Sam, which they both enjoyed, and then after school Sam went over to his buddy’s for a playdate. I stood around the school yard for a bit and watched Zach, Zandra, and Josh all stand around with their friends chatting and discussing who had made what team and who was doing what for the weekend. I got a little sad thinking how grown up they are all becoming – hanging with their friends, planning their social lives. But I was happy too because the three are all so close in age so it will be nice for them as they ge older to share some social circles. Zach went to his friend’s house for a bit, and Zandra went home to prepare for a party she headed to later that evening. Josh played a little soccer at the park, and Gabe hung out at the park with his friends a bit too. Everyone all gathered back for dinner (except Zandra who was at a party) and I cherished the fact that we could still have dinner together – as soon, they will be wanting to stay out way past dinner. Zandra got home, and we debriefed about the party – also a taste of what many nights in our future will look like!

Time is flying by! They are literally growing up before my eyes – so I had to capture a little week in review!

Quote of the Week

Posted on by
Reply

“Watch your thoughts: They become your words.
Watch your words: They become your actions.
Watch your actions: They become your habits.
Watch your habits: They become your character.
Watch your character: It becomes your destiny”.

Isn’t that great!

In the movie Iron Lady, there is a scene where Meryl Streep talks about how all we worry about now is about “how people feel”. We never ask “what are you thinking”. She goes on to say, we need to focus on what we are thinking because it leads to your actions…and then goes on to say this quote.

I have heard this quote before many times, but as my kids are getting older, I see how important it is for them to understand this!

I would add one more layer though. Prior to “watching your thoughts”, you need to watch “what you are feeding your brain – for that becomes your thoughts”.

I have recently found myself so many times seeing something on TV and saying to the kids, “In the real world, that would never happen. They would be suspended, they would be expelled if they did that”. Or, “That is not funny – it is just plain mean. In the real world you’d be called a bully for that”.

And yet, many seem to turn a blind eye to what our kids are watching, listening to, observing, idolizing. We need to watch these things carefully, for they influence our children’s thoughts, and that flows right down to their destiny.