New Years Day 

Posted on by
Reply

We got to sleep in a bit and then were spoiled by Judy making us all some crepes.

We then went to church, and the kids loved having so many youth around!

Late afternoon we headed to Salt Lake to go to temple square and go to the visitor’s center.


I really was excited to see all the beautiful lights:




Lots of cousin love:


Unfortunately the conference center was closed.

We headed home and were all zonked (at least the adults) !

Zach and Ellen continued on in their shenanigans :


It was a pretty nice way to start the New Year!

Cousin time 

Posted on by
1

We headed off to fly to Salt Lake City on the 30th where we got to spend some good cousin time before taking Gabe up to BYU-I in Rexburg, Idaho.

We just hung out the first night and had some yummy paninis Aunt Judy made us, and caught up.

Judy had switched up the guest room and beautifully decorated one upstairs for us so that we didn’t have to be in the “heart attack room” as we so affectionately call it (it’s the room where I found Rob having  his heart attack almost 3 years ago!) My nieces, who were staying in the room (home from BYU for the holidays) weren’t so crazy about the room’s nickname!

The next day, we headed up to Midvale where we had lunch (at the same restaurant we had been to with our good friends Roland and Chandra almost three years ago! ). We then went to Ice Castles and had some cold winter fun!






We had a gorgeous ride home:

New Years Eve was pretty low key with lots of talking, eating and then watching some tv and playing some games.


So nice to spend it with my brother and family after so many years!

Christmas Round up

Posted on by
Reply

Better quickly sum up Christmas before I hit the New Year celebrations!

On Christmas Eve day we decided to do some bowling. It’s hard to find a bowling alley around here anymore! My mom and Auntie Di were in town so came with us. We found an alley in the west end and had a good time, although my wrist was aching for the rest of the night (wimp).


Christmas Eve we enjoyed our traditional nativity play and Christmas program.



The kids then went to their rooms and waited to hear the bell before they came running down to open the gifts from us.


We had our traditional feast:


The three kids went to their Mom’s for an overnight and we just hung out with the boys.


Santa arrived in the morning, and then the boys headed off to their Dad’s.

dsc07841 dsc07836

Rob’s mom came for the afternoon and overnight and we all had another Christmas dinner. The kids came back to visit with Grammie and opened Santa’s gifts:

dsc07846 dsc07847

The next day my Mom, sister and Grammie all headed home and Rob and I headed to a movie.

In between the chaos of trying to get Gabe ready for university, we watched a few good movies and did some work.

Then we were off….

Quote of the week 

Posted on by
Reply

Just a simple one to start the new year:


So really, gratitude is really the secret. 

I was reading another article on neuroscience and happiness. One of the top things that they have found that profoundly impacts a person’s happiness? 

Gratitude.

Gratitude for the big, for the little, and everything else in between. 

This year I want to put a big focus on gratitude in my home.

I find my children are showing less and less gratitude and more and more entitlement. 

Sometimes it shocks me. 

Is it that hard to say thank you? Or text it? Or write a note? Provide a hug, a pat on the back, an acknowledgment of gratitude? A head tilt, eye blink, nose twitch? Something?!?

I used to spend a lot more time expressing gratitude more overtly in my house – especially  by leaving little notes, or big hugs, or words or texts. As the kids have gotten older, and pushed back and away, I have expressed less gratitude to them. 

But if I want to see more gratitude from them, I will have to pave the way by showing more gratitude to them and to others around me.

Hopefully it will rub off.

If not, then I know they read this so: yes, I’m talking directly to you. Have you really expressed gratitude for the abundance of blessings and help you have received not just from us, but from others, and from above? Do they/we know you are grateful not just because you think it in your head but because you have communicated it? 

And gratitude is not really for the people who receive it (although I always tell my kids when they are grateful, it makes people want to do more and give more and builds a stronger, happier relationship). Gratitude is for the person who gives it. Gratitude does bring joy and happiness, but it also brings humility, which in turn brings more joy, more happiness, and allows you to grow, develop and learn. A simple thank you really helps build your character.

How have you shown your gratitude today? 

Let’s spend the year focusing on how grateful we are for each other and for the blessings in our lives. Let’s try to show that gratitude on a regular basis. 

Flying the nest

Posted on by
2

It’s a bittersweet day.

We are heading out to take this guy to start the adventure of his life:


We leave today to head out to my brother and sister-in-law’s in Utah to spend New Year’s with their awesome family (something we have never done, so we are truly excited).

But then the next big adventure comes: we take Gabe off to BYU- Idaho!

Rob spent the day with Gabe yesterday doing some guy stuff, but didn’t get any pics:( I guess he will have them in his heart. I guess Rob has a lot of pics in his heavy heart as I know I do and I only became involved in Gabe’s life when he was 9. 

What a blessing it has been ever since.

I look at so many people now who have young kids and are in the midst of chaos. Having teenagers brings its own kind of chaos, but I know one day I’ll look back on today and think “where did time go?”

Where does it actually go?

I was looking back on pictures and it really feels like yesterday. 

I decided to pull out a bunch of pics to reminisce and share all the things we will miss about Gabe around here. 

I don’t have any of when he was wee, and I know Rob has been taking a trip down memory lane in his mind. Seeing your kids grow and become adults is hard; beautiful and exciting, but scary and hard.

How is this little boy going to university? 


First four pics are of the NYE and day we spent together in 2007; the first time we really merged our kids’ lives.

It turned out to be quite a success, I would say:


But this boy:


Has become this man:


What will we miss most? In no particular order:

I will miss these boys sharing a room, hearing them talk late into the night, acting like fools together, sharing secrets and jokes:


Gabe has been at his Mom’s since Christmas, but came home last night so he could spend one more night with Zach in their bachelor pad. These boys have shared a lot together, and although Zach is thrilled at getting more space, he’s gonna miss these moments:


Not to say we aren’t going to see Gabe, but it’s the everyday little stuff we will miss him for. 

He’s an awesome big brother and as  I looked through the pics, I saw so much love with his siblings:

With the big kids:




And the littles:


Setting all the right examples:


But mainly just being the best of friends with his siblings: around the dinner table, in the family room, in the car, and especially on vacations when it’s the only time we really get uninterrupted family time:


Gabe is an adrenaline junky and enjoys the fun stuff we do:




But he’ll engage in the littler things too, like flashlight tag:


Or walks through sacred groves:


Or walking many miles:


Beach time is always a favourite:


And he likes to also do his own thing:



While capturing many of our moments:


He’s a sport at doing things he’s not always crazy about (like going on a cruise, or sleeping with his bro’s):

He’s a good sport at indulging me with taking his pic: 

And he clearly loves his Dadio:


I have fond memories of our 15/16 trip, as that was truly a special time:


Yes, he will be missed around here! But, with technology, and his proficient ability to use it, I’m sure he will be face timing us daily, texting us hourly, and even documenting his adventures on a blog with daily pictures, right?

Of course. 

I truly am excited for him. Excited for the independence he is gaining. How he will get to know himself. How he will build lasting friendships and relationships. How he will educate his mind, build his spirit and fine tune his cooking and laundry abilities.

 At times he will likely be homesick, and miss us and all the things familiar to him. But I know he will persevere. He will simply live on:


And know that he is never really far, and we are always there for him. The stars will always unite us.

We are so proud of him and the man he has become and will continue becoming. Love you so much Gabe. I will always love you more.

Xo

Year in a Review – 2016

Posted on by
1

Here are all the big and little things to remember (although I wish I recorded them better throughout the year as my memory is getting old!)

Mrytle Beach and Charleston

Sam’s bionic mouth

Gabe’s high school graduation

Zach’s ref license/course

Josh tournament in Mont Tremblant

Captain Zach

Captain Sam

Zandra dance recital

Zandra forever braces!

Zach and Zandra 15 trip! Paris, Hamburg, Lübeck, Berlin, Prague, Dresden

Soccer. All. The. Time.

Gabe driving

YM camp (Josh)

Zach reffing and linesmen job

YLC (Zach, Zandra and Leah)

Zandra art camp work/volunteer

Mandarin Buffet

Chinese ordering in

Mother’s Day Bike ride

YW camp

Binge watching netflix shows (Scandal, Suits, Mindy Project and whatever else they have watched non stop)

Josh Orlando, Florida ESPN/Disney tournament

Murder Mystery SYE

Youth Activities: Scouting starts – fires in the parking lot, learning animals

Morning Scriptures

Early Morning Seminary

Fights with Sunday school teacher

Late nights out

Semi formal

Chicago (architecture tour, boat tour, Willis tower, deep dish pizza, Eataly, food tour)

Washington DC temple

Subway tickets constantly needed

Real estate adventures

Condo

Hadati

7th Ave

Sarah’s 40th

Gosset weekend – Gigi, Poutine, McGill exploring

Movie nights

Sushi on Wednesday

Regional dances with fish taco dates

Toronto Temple

BYU applications

Sprained ankle hospital visit

Callings – YM Rob, RS Leah

Christmas Baking

Mission Farewells

Gabe working 3 jobs

Running, exercise videos

Parties

Girls

Soccer camps

LIT camp

Valentine’s Books

Valentine’s Overnight

Summit at the Sheraton

Christmas Market

Weekend chores and laundry

Reggie sleeping in our bed all the time

Birthdays

Exotic Auto show for Father’s Day

Mother’s Day Italian feast

Hearing aid

Incorporating

Collingwood with Gran and Di

Machu Picchu for Zach and Josh

Camp Glen Bernard (Josh)

Regional Scripture Mastery

Shakespeare in the Park volunteering (Zandra)

Instagram with Edgymormon and travelthroughpics (and all the other ones I know nothing about)

Soccer bake sales

ACT (Gabe)

University applications

Day trip Ottawa game (Josh)

Soccer tournaments – Sam and Zach

Biking

Cambridge travels

Remembering Grampy

Sheila and Chris cottage fun!

New iPhones (6’s)

Vacation Contract

HEFY garage sale and registration and start of fundraising

Mindset reading

Turks and Caicos with Robert and Tarina

Orthodics

Sam walking Reggie in the mornings

WWJD and fights with science teacher about Seminary and being LDS

Jupiter and then West Rouge winners

Candy posters

 

 

Rob’s Christmas Eve poem 2016

Posted on by
Reply

2016 a year to remember great trips and milestones, joy and sadness,

But hearts filled with gladness for the blessings we gratefully have with us.

We started the year with no fear, ready to challenge and change, but never certain of what would come our way

With the New Year begun we started out without kids or care and jetted off to Vegas,

Food and fun, the one arm bandit had us on the run.

We did a mini tour of Europe like only can be done under the chili desert sun.

We then went to Charleston and Myrtle, we both kinda needed a post trip girdle,

To Peru Zach and Josh went, they climbed to Machu Picchu and pooed in a tent!

Firmly in to school and work, Victoria bound, a new job for Rob found

Some on their last round of school, we were all following the golden rule

With love all around and action packed lives, too many things to count, a busy bee hive!!

We were all making progress and we truly did thrive!

From baking bread, soccer all over, a hearing aid for Leah so she can hear that I’m right; we kept up our plight to make good with every day and night

We then began to prepare for a trip of a lifetime, Paris, Hamburg, Berlin and Prague, moments in time where generations joined hands, it was quite a sight

But in to the narrow streets and winding beauty of ancient tours, we relived old memories and created some more.

We walked the Champs Elysees and climbed up high and down low, from the tour Eiffel to the Catacombs below

The beauty and grandeur of museums and Versailles, so much history and food you could nearly cry!!

We ate bread and brie on a park bench like true Parisians of France, our European tour was beginning to dance.

We moved on to Hamburg, met relatives from afar, visited sacred places, and watched mini cars.

We got dessert in Lubeck and traced Granny’s steps, went to her school and found a farmstead,

Then to the Baltic Sea for a toe tip for sure, an orderly German beach wasn’t too far out of reach

We walked and we walked, schnitzel without beer.

We were even reminded by some we were going too slow, oh well what did he know!

We traveled and walked paths trodden before, someone called Hallloooooo we nearly fell on the floor!

We headed to Berlin and started again, where once it was divided we could now freely wander, a fascinating city of success and blunder

At last our weary feet brought us to Busing Street,

It’s true, we snapped more than a few more pics honouring those we couldn’t meet

We paid our respects to those who suffered, we all thought how great a sacrifice they offered

Finally to Prague and Dresden too, Mozart in a Church and playing a tiny piano too.

We returned from our trip and back to the world, a graduation for Gabe and target set,

We knew he would be bound for BYU yet.

We sunned in Wasega and relaxed with Gran and Di too, warm summer’s nights and melted marshmallow goo!

YLC and Camps and soccer some more, we went to Chicago and toured a great city for sure

Then in to the fall we had to endure,

With the challenge and fight for my father the last time, we comforted and looked to hold each other tight.

We can only hope he fell asleep on that October night, knowing we all loved him with all of our might.

He will be missed and we wish for him to be here, but we know he is with our families on the other side so dear

So proud was I to have all of my boys carry him for the last time, with Zandra reading a lovely good bye

I know he would be smiling down on them in heaven sublime

We also had a big 40 to celebrate too, we drove to Montreal right through the snow! What a party and fun, it was a great show!

We have a big journey about to begin, for the oldest of the children about to start and begin

His life as an adult new things to learn for sure, but always remember that family is there and will endure

We are blessed to be family and to see through this year, as we prepare for more changes we have no fear.

This Christmas we are happy to be the CDF family all

With much love and cheer, we are going to have a ball.

So quiet Elfie away (a little delinquent some say) and presents and gifts unwrapped, we will bring in 2017 knowing so much potential to be tapped.

Merry Christmas and let’s begin, we on the path to win, win, win!

Christmas traditions 

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve been sick the past few weeks, and it’s such a crazy time to get sick. 

I think I pretty much get sick every year at this time! 

This year I missed some Christmas traditions, which some of the kids noticed, and others not so much….

We still had some favourite things to do, like enjoy our visitor, Quiet Elfie: 


We made our sugar cookies, and delivered them too but no pics:( Darn:



We decided this year to head to the Toronto Christmas Market as we had never been! It was really pretty. We enjoyed some schnitzel sandwiches (reminiscent of our Germany trip this year) and good old fashion poutine (reminiscent of our heritage:)) 




We were trying to find a good Christmas sweater for Zach. No such luck, but had a good laugh at him in some Christmas Pj’s (which I didn’t get them this year… I’ll get back on track next year.)


We had an nice afternoon visiting Grammie and enjoying her new digs (again, lacking on the pics I know…) 


We had a nice early Christmas dinner:



But sadly had a little fire with my favourite German pyramid that we bought in Dresden. I had texted Gabe to tell him (he’s missed out on most of the festivities because of work) and he responded he knew because Zach has already texted him:


The main traditions still lie ahead with a little bowling this afternoon, followed by our Christmas Eve extravaganza….

Day 10 – Walking

Posted on by
1

I need to squeeze in a few “real time” posts in the ones that I am trying to catch up on.

We have been doing “25 ways over 25 days” Christmas initiative to Light The World in Service that you can find here.

As we were leaving for church this morning, Zach mentioned that we needed to watch the video for Saturday (day 10) as well since we had missed that. We said we’d (well, they – I’m driving) would watch it in the car (because of course, we were late).

So, we watched December 10th (you can see it here). The theme yesterday was “Jesus helped people walk, and so can you.”

Now, normally,  I hear the theme, watch the little video and can quickly see what I can do, or say to act that day. But this one stumped me. “Jesus helped people walk, and so can you?” What are we supposed to do?

Zach read some of the ideas, and as he was saying them, my mind drifted to my Dad. And his death. And the eulogy I spoke at his funeral, 13. 5 years ago.

I shared with the boys (it was just Zach and Josh), how their grandfather loved to walk. He walked every day. Miles and miles. He would often be gone for hours, but you never worried, as you knew he just met someone along the way and probably had stopped to visit.  He spoke to everyone that he met. He listened, he talked (I think we all got his talking gene) and he shared. At his funeral, so many strangers came up to me saying they knew my Dad from his walks! It was amazing and a true testament of his kindness and character.

At is funeral, I said this:

“…After he retired… he loved taking literature and writing courses and write poetry and short stories. He also had time to exercise: swimming, weights, and of course, continue the biggest passion of his life – that of walking. He loved his daily walks. He loved the people he met when he was walking and loved sharing their lives. He loved his walking partners.”

I shared with the boys that as my Dad’s cancer spread, it spread to his bones throughout his body. He one day tried to get up out of the hospital bed and his legs gave out. He was no longer able to walk. He was devastated. Walking was his passion and represented his life. During one of my visits, he shared with me how he could “still feel like he was walking — and could close his eyes and feel like he was walking with his visitors like he had so many times before his illness. “

My final comment in his Eulogy summed it up: ” On Friday, June 13, 2003, the final piece of the puzzle was laid as my Dad completed his journey here on earth. He was sad at the prospect of leaving this life, especially leaving behind his walking partners – the greatest one being my Mom. He told me only hours before he slipped into the coma that he would be watching over us as we completed our journeys here on earth. He quietly, peacefully slipped away and took his place walking beside our God.”

I told the boys, I love how they both have my Dad’s “walk”. It is a very distinct walk and I often think of him as I watch them walk and run on the soccer field.

I shared with them how he loved his grandchildren – even though he only knew them for a very short time (Zach wasn’t quite 2 and Josh was 4 months when he died), but I knew that he was walking with them ever since then. If they ever felt alone, they could turn and count on him being right there beside them walking the journey.

The Spirit in the car was very thick and I would have to say, it was a thin moment for all of us. The veil between heaven and earth seemed very thin and I’m pretty sure my Dad was right there with us.

“Jesus helped people walk and so can you”. We may not physically help people walk, but walking beside each other in this journey is certainly something we all can do.

Gearing up for Christmas

Posted on by
2

It was reallllllyyyy hard this year to find the time to get ready for Christmas.

But, I really didn’t want to miss out on our usual routine of walking in our Santa hats with the wagon to buy our tree at the “tree farm” that sets up at a local church on the corner….



After they tortured poor Reggie, we headed off:


And found our awesome tree:


And I’m so happy the big boys can help with set up:


We had to wait for the next day to decorate though.

While we waited for everyone to get home to decorate, Zandra got Reggie dressed up, and I divided all the ornaments into everyone’s own piles (each year I buy everyone their own ornament (or 2 or 3). So when they head out on their own, they will have ornaments to take with them! )

Then the fun began:

thumb_dsc07801_1024 thumb_dsc07805_1024 thumb_dsc07812_1024 thumb_dsc07811_1024 thumb_dsc07824_1024 thumb_dsc07823_1024 thumb_dsc07826_1024 thumb_dsc07825_1024

I totally forgot to get my pic of all the kids in front of the tree… so we’ll will have to wait until everyone is home again and  we are all just sitting around looking at our pretty tree (ha).

The next day, a few of my ornaments were adorned with little “orange pieces of paper”


What are those little orange pieces of paper you might ask? Well, they have the name “Zach” on them… he is “calling” these decorations/ornaments when I DIE!!!! Oh my. The ones he selected so far are the ones that I bought this past summer in Germany with Zach and Zandra on their 15 trip. They are meaningful, but they are still MINE (for a long while…)