2018 Family Photoshoot

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We have been in the habit of doing a Family Photoshoot every couple years. But, with this being the last year of Zach and Zandra being at home, and Gabe soon starting the next chapter (or is it a whole new book??) of his life, we wanted to squeeze an extra one in.

We asked our friend/photographer Emily Lim to take them again, and loved how she captured our family – and the silliness too. She also got to see the drama and spice of life that we all live with too – but she politely didn’t document that. (But it will be a funny memory to see all these smiling faces while remembering how mad I was at a few choice spirits when they broke out into a fight…. I constantly have to remember that the times with this kind of drama, upset, frustration etc. are often the best stories to remember later and keep it real now in the times of “perfect glossy smiley pictures”)

I am going to share a ton of pictures (and unfortunately they aren’t perfectly ordered, despite me uploading them in the right order?!?!) Feel free to abandon this post right now, because this kind of blog post is purely for my later viewing pleasure:)

Love this of them; they goof around all the time:

Individuals of the kids with us:

Sam schooling Rob:

  

Gabe trying to drive home his point:

   

Getting a little love from my boy (I liked this little series, so included them all!):

  

We got some cute ones of Gabe and Shannon:

Some individual shots. Zandra was more keen to have more taken and I think more just turned out so you’ll notice more of her:)

My goofy kids:

Love this of them:

Yes, we are a cool family:

More individual:

    

Love the series of all the kid shots:

I rarely have individual pics of me, so decided to throw a couple in:

  

This is who they are:

     

She’s a good big sis:

This boys; forever competitors (Josh is only a cm taller in real life, but is standing on higher ground!)

We’ve been the CDF family for over 10 years, and this is how we all started out:

The Cs:

The D and Fs:

And how we’ve ended up, forever: The CDFs:

 

Wisdom from a 15 year old

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I found this in my drafts. I guess I forgot to post it when I wrote it last year !

Sometimes one of my kids says something and I think to myself: this is such proof that as parents we do matter, and it’s so important how we raise our kids, but there is also a deep wisdom, profoundness, and soul that is so deeply theirs that has nothing to do with me. And boy, can I learn a lot from this kid of mine. He was sent to be my teacher, and this is one of his profound lessons.

Josh has been playing for a new soccer team this year. It has been a different experience due to new players, new coaches and new team culture. One thing that has frustrated him a bit is the attention that is given to the opposing team. The time and energy spent on discussing if the other team is good, where they stand, how they play.

The comparison. It drives him crazy.

In discussing it, he said me: “We should never be worried or thinking about the other team (who they are or what they have accomplished or if we think they are good etc). We should always be focused on ourselves and how we can play our best game. If we focus on that, and play our absolute best, then it never matters who we are playing because we can beat anyone”.

Can we say that this just doesn’t only apply to soccer, but in absolutely every aspect of life?

Comparison IS the thief of joy. It can also rob us of confidence, and the desire to try. It can lead us to frustration, misery, sadness, depression, anger, victimhood etc.

***Although I do think that occasionally it’s good to poke out to check out the competition, especially for some people, as it can be motivating to see what others are doing and then you can say “If they can do it, so can I!” We don’t want to get into a place where we think everything is impossible and that becomes our reason to settle for mediocrity. I think it’s important to see comparison is the thief sometimes, but other times it will be your motivator. The KEY is what pushes you to do your absolute best. You need to learn for yourself how to best use comparison.***

As I start different work ventures, I look around me and it’s intimidating! Look at the experience people have! The followers, the network, the creativity, the process, the money…. It very quickly becomes a thief of my joy.

But then I think of that wise 15 year old son of mine, and I know that I need to focus on myself, on doing my best. When I do that, it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing. I gain some motivation from a quick reminder that if they could succeed, so can I, and get my head back in MY game.

PS – Don’t you love how much he loves taking selfies with me…. lol.

(I know. Crazy Mom.

And proud of it.)

Engagement

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On the same day that Rachael left, Gabe had some exciting news.

He had proposed to Shannon earlier in the day at a park in the city that was meaningful to them.

We got a text with this picture to let us know what had gone down!

Wow! They were smiles all around!

We are happy that they have found each other! They are young and in love ❤️

Congratulations Gabe and Shannon!

Temples and Goodbyes

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When we arrived home from our trip to the Maritimes, we had two girls come almost immediately to our house. Ah, young love.

Shannon arrived from Colorado to stay 2.5 weeks visiting Gabe, and Rachael arrived to spend the last couple of nights visiting Zach before she headed off on her adventure to be an aupaire in France!

We got out to a local festival that evening with the big kids. The little guys were content to stay home and chill in front of video games:

Had a nice family dinner too:

The next day we all headed to the Toronto Temple:

And a few more of these kids who were getting ready to say goodbye:

They had some fun too (spelling temple in first picture)

The next day Zach and Rachael went out for their final dinner together:

And then we took her to the airport where she met up with her family, and they said their final goodbyes (after listening to the saddest songs ever on the way to the airport!)

Sad times at the airport, but exciting years ahead for them both as they head off and explore separate adventures for a few years.

Quote of the Week

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“Never worry alone.”

Dr. Ned Holloway

In an age where we are seeing more and more people talking about mental illness, and more and more people struggling with anxiety, depression, or some other mood challenges, when I heard this quote, I though it was simple, but so important.

I was listening to Marie Forleo who was interviewing Dr. Ned Holloway and he shared the simple concept.

He explained: “It is a fact of human nature that the intensity of worry diminishes the moment it is shared, even though the external reality hasn’t changed one bit.”

He goes on to talk about how this simple idea of not worrying alone can actually save your life.

He suggests that you share, then you collect the “facts” (because so many of our worries are not based on facts – or on things that have even happened yet), and then you make a plan. These things are so much easier to do when you are doing them with someone else.

Someone else who can sometimes see more clearly. Someone else who can let you know you are not alone. Someone else who can help lighten your load. Someone else who can help you see another perspective. Someone else who can help unpack the feelings. Or someone else to just stand by your side.

Doesn’t matter what they do, just having someone else helps.

(And helpful to remember that sometimes we will be the worrier and other times we will be the person called on to support the worrier.)

Never worry alone. Words to live by.

My newest adventure

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I have some exciting news! For the past 20 years I have loved helping people who have suffered a TBI, on their rehabilitation journey. And while I love it, it’s also an emotionally challenging job.

This past year I decided I was going to embark on a side adventure that would revitalize me personally and focus on one of my biggest passions (aside from my family)…travel! ☀️ I have been working hard at creating my own travel company – and it’s ready to launch! ✈️

I am thrilled to invite you to check out my website and come on over to Leah Davidson Travel or follow me on instagram @leahdavidsontravel

I’m also going to be doing some travel blogging over at my website and be sending out a newsletter, so be sure to sign up! You can also get my “Ultimate Guide to Strengthening Family Through Travel” here.

I would also love it if you could spread the word and share this info! (PS – you don’t have to live in Toronto for me to help! I’m able to help you wherever you live!!)

Happy Travels!

xo

First Day of School

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This is finally it.

This is the last day first day of school picture we will ever do with our 5 kids.

Gabe is starting 3rd year university, but has always been around for this picture. But we know next year, he won’t be here at the start of the year.

This is Zach and Zandra’s last year of high school, and they both have big plans for next year, so they won’t be here either.

We will be down to two.

Before I melt into a complete puddle of tears, let’s focus on this year and the photos that we were able to take!

Here’s our Uni boy:

Here’s the beautiful grade 12 girl:

And the dashing grade 12 Zach:

Our handsome Josh (who forgot he is actually starting grade 10, lol):

And last, but not least, the cutie, Sam:

Oops, sorry. We also have our adorable Reggie:

I always like to get the series of these pictures:

See how Josh is showing grade 9 (Zandra is using 2 of her toes):

He realized it’s grade 10:

And our prize family photo:

Sam was the only one who actually headed off to school right away:

The rest were just troopers who got us 2 hours early so we could do the photos before Sam left!

They all had a great first day of school though!

The days are long, but man, those years are short.

 

Bay of Fundy

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We bid PEI goodbye and started the king journey home.

We decided to stop and spend a night outside of Moncton so we could go to Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy.

So glad we did!

It is amazing to see.

We arrived for low Tide and spent a few hours exploring around. Bear with me, there are a lot of pics!

Stop for some photos:

It was a little tricky to get around without getting too muddy! Some embraced the mud more than others!

Can you tell who was more hesitant about the mud?

Zach was worse than me – just sayin’.

It was pretty cool:

We kept walking to explore, climbing over super slippy rocks.

Some posed pictures:

After exploring, we went fur lunch and then checked into our Airbnb.

Had a few tender moments:

We returned to see the high tide. So unbelievable that the tides are so drastic.

It was certainly something I’m glad we didn’t miss!

We spent a low key night, and then trekked back to Montreal to spend another night with my Mom.

We arrived back into Toronto and immediately jumped into having a few visitors.

Overall we had an incredible trip; sad to realize it’s likely our last one with all five for many years:(( Cherish those memories!!

P.E.I

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Our days in P.E.I are pretty easy to summarize:

Beach. Lobster. Friday Night Lights.

We spent the first day at beautiful Basin Head beach.

Sam was the only one brave enough to jump off the bridge into the cold water. But we were great cheerleaders!

So funny that these signs are placed everywhere, and yet there’s a lifeguard posted right there too….

We spent some time just relaxing, reading, and napping. The kids swam and then the boys played on the beach their usual games.

We took a super long walk on the gorgeous forever beach – this beach reminds me a lot of the Outerbanks- which of course is a very good thing!

We had a late lunch of leftover fish soup and everyone wanted to take a siesta!

Of course our vacation siestas always include Friday Night Lights (used to include Gilmore Girls too, but FNL took over back on our Outerbanks trip in 2015).

We headed out later in the day to go check out Charlottetown.

I swear, we all fall asleep as soon as we start driving!!

We had a great meal at the “Chip Shack” right on the water. A few of us ventured deeper into the menu and had more than just a lobster roll: Rob and Zandra had fish and chips, while Zach and I had yummy lobster poutine!

We couldn’t resist the Cow’s ice cream (this was not a food day for champs!!)

We walked along the waterfront, shopped a bit and listened to the band.

Back at the car, we had a little fun with a chalk outline that we found:

We drove around Charlottetown and admired its quaintness, before heading back for another late night watching FNL.

The next day was more of the same. Back to Basin Head and more lobster for lunch.

Rob and I did leave the kids for a bit and drive around checking out neighbouring towns (and beaches).

Dinner was homemade lobster Mac and cheese (which I must say was very very good!), and more FNL.

Such a beautiful island. Both Rob and I had been here before in our previous lives, but we seemed to be very taken by the beauty and laid back feel this time. Likely representative of the time of our lives and our dreams that are in sync with each other’s.

P.E.I has certainly captured my heart!!

Heading to P.E.I.

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We left Halifax early to get a head start to our next destination: P.E.I. We decided to take the cool confederation bridge (12.9km) route rather than a ferry because we didn’t think we’d make the ferry times (and there was question about the height of our truck with the Thule on it!)

We arrived by lunch, and of course felt obligated to check the lobster situation out.

It did not disappoint.

We checked into our Airbnb – the cutest little cottage right on the ocean (Roma’s cottage) all the way in the east of PEI and spent the afternoon on our near private beach. I wish I got some pictures of the cottage! But the beach was great!

We found some fraggle rockers. LOL

These two wrote some messages in the sand:

The boys also went “exploring” all along the rocks bordering the ocean.

We had forgotten to get some marshmallows for the fire, so the kids headed out to pick some up. It’s mighty convenient that Zach can drive!

We had an awesome fish soup dinner that I made (with fish from the guy at the corner of the bridge near where we are), amazing fire and s’mores, starry night, and watched a little “Friday Night Lights” (our Outerbanks tradition, lol).

Zach was busy playing chiropractor too!

Couldn’t ask for a better day!