Final day in Victoria

This 2nd bed and breakfast is also awesome. Very clean, nicely taken care of but still heritage looking. Breakfast was great, hosts are very friendly and welcoming. 

It feels like a last day. We are both tired, of different things and for different reasons but alas, I trudged on and brought brynn along. First stop, royal bc museum. Fun place, love to come back with Stan so we can learn a little more. Great IMAX movie, Hidden universe. It really made me understand Heavenly Father's love for us more and made me wonder how astronomers can learn so much about space and not believe in God. It seems impossible. 

This picture(above) was in the museum. 

Empress hotel. I want to go inside sometime. I also want to tour the government building which is nearby. I bet these look spectacular in the spring and summer. 

Craigdarroch Castle. So cool. We really enjoyed our self guided tour here. 

Brynn's favorite bedroom in the castle. 

View from the tower(taken through the glass)

We rode the city bus today. So fun. We were really hoping to ride a double decker and we got to!! It's a much better view riding on the top. 

We ate at a wonderful place called Paggliaci's. Bottomless soup and bread, plus a salad. I love Italian food. Tonight we are hanging out at the bnb, packing, watching a movie. 

Courtenay

Here we are at Goose Spit near Courtenay. Beautiful mountains in the background. 

I received acupuncture for the first time by the talented Nicole, pictured above. She is amazing giving massages too. My body is in good hurting mode now, soon to feel better. I can walk taller and my hips feel so flexible. I want new running shoes to exercise my new free legs!

Today I'm again reminded of the importance of good friends. Nicole and I haven't seen each other for years and we didn't know each other too well but have always felt a connection. I feel so blessed to have a handful of amazing friends that I truly connect with, friends who build me up and help me to be a better person, and that I make a contribution to their well being as well. My bucket has been filled this weekend; great conversation, awesome discoveries of so many similarities, laughter, joy, happiness, a person who enjoys somewhat strange, healthy food too. 

I purchased real herbal tea today, yummy stuff, and dark chocolate, for the times I need a little. This will be hidden and I hope my kids don't find it. I'm going to drink tea this winter to keep me warm. 

Brynn really enjoyed the time spent with our friends this weekend. She got to swim today and play in a sawdust pile. Unfortunately no pictures of the jumping into the sawdust pile. 

And now we have returned to Victoria for our final day tomorrow. Bed and breakfasts are so fun. 

Love the old homes here!

Oh and I'll be happy to pay the cell phone bill. Brynn and Joel were texting each other today for quite a well. Joel even said he really missed Brynn. I always knew they were friends. 

Bits of inspiration

As I prepared for a wonderful massage today, these thoughts entered my brain: 

🏡Having children is NOT just about providing bodies for Heavenly Father's spirit children.

🏡There is a huge element in the nurturing of the children.

For me, having few children seems easier in being able to nurture them, even though any nurturing takes lots of time and effort. But, I believe that Heavenly Father can and will increase your ability to handle all that is required of you, if you are doing what's right, and you really desire his help.

I also believe that Heavenly Father knows and cares about our individual needs, strengths, abilities, and especially the challenges that we need to help us grow. 

I want more than anything to be a good mom, to be a positive influence in my kids' lives, to be a leader to them. That's all. 

Brynn's treasure

Sundays are always good. We got to attend the primary presentation in our friends' ward. So cute. 

While Brynn went to the beach with all the kids and the dad, the mom and I enjoyed some quiet time at the house with only a sleeping baby. Good quality bonding is great for the soul. 

Day 3

Friends😀

A 2.5 hour trip by car from Victoria to Courtenay took us 7 hours. We did stop once for 15 minutes and then again in Coombs at the goats on the roof. We ate delicious lunch there and bought some little trinkets. We saw some seals and heard them barking. 

 

And... Roasting marshmallows in the wood stove. 

Hug monster

 

I love you!!!!!!!

Elmo!!! : )

Rarrrrggghhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Brynn 😀

Day 2

We walked Brynn's legs off today. A walk down to the ocean. The most delicious breakfast at the bed and breakfast we stayed at, a hike up Mount Douglas, breakwater, fisherman's wharf, making bead necklaces, and we made it to our friend's house for the night. 

This is down by the ocean.  We can see the mountains in Washington from here!

This is our hike on Mt. Doug.  Brynn found a huge leaf that looks like a maple leaf.

This is Brynn at the top Mt. Doug

Mom at the top of Mt. Doug

Little Lighthouse on the Breakwater.

We walked on the side of the Breakwater.    It was fun.

This is at fisherman's wharf and we have a story. I decided we should walk the 10-15 minutes to fisherman's wharf from the breakwater. Brynn was very tired by this point and hungry. We got almost there and I realized I didn't have my money. We were going there for famous fish and chips. We had to walk all the way back, get the car and drive there. After arriving, we realized that the place where we wanted to eat was closed for the season! We were so disappointed. 

Victoria!

We surprised Brynn with a mother/daughter trip to Vancouver Island. Today is day one. 

First airplane ride that she remembers. She loved the take-off and was giddy. 

After living on the prairies for the past 10 years, we were stunned with the scenery!

Butchart Gardens!

We caught the very tail end of fall colours. This place is serene, peaceful, beautiful, and heavenly. We loved it here. 

These were all from the sunken garden. That was our favourite. But, there was this really cool path and amazing trees in the Japanese garden. 

Then we wandered around Victoria by car. It's hard to be navigator and driver. We eventually found the spaghetti factory, Brynn's dinner request, and all the activities for tomorrow. 😀

Now we are safe in our cozy bed and breakfast, excited to chill for the evening and enjoy great fresh food in the morning. 

Children

I love this video on lds.org.  The Savior always had time for the children.  This really struck me today.

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/suffer-the-little-children-to-come-unto-me?cid=HPFR110113137&lang=eng

Family fun

Making memories can be simple and cheap. Waterton is nearly closed at this time of year. No shops or bathrooms are open. Hotels are closed. But we were headed to the temple in Cardston and the weather was lovely. We took the kids along so we could do some hiking. I have to admit that in the past I've shrugged off little trips for fun because it takes so much work from me and the kids often complain until the end when they finally realized they had fun. I'm just now seeing that it's worth it. Plan ahead, do the work, ignore kids' complaints and have fun!  I finally did. (Not sure I'll change my mind about camping in a tent though... )

Beautiful red rock canyon. Next year when it's warm we'd like to hike up the stream. 

Bear's Hump for the first time ever!  Steep but quick and a rewarding view at the top. 

A prayer answered

It snowed for the first time this season. Over the summer I bought me some new boots to wear to church. Yesterday, I was desperately searching for them. I had prayed to know where they were. In church, someone mentioned that they love it when Heavenly Father answers the little prayers and I immediately thought of my boots. The kids didn't have school today. Previous days off have been anything but fun. I told Stan that this time I would tell the kids that I would be available to them all afternoon, to play games or do what they want to do. We were searching for our packed up games and in the game box were my new boots!! I was so excited. It never ceases to amaze me how The Lord helps and guides us, each step of the way. 

A near perfect evening

Last night we played, we read and discussed a children's short story, we ate dinner, we practiced piano, we practiced singing. All very ordinary events around here. But Happiness was everywhere, children were cooperating and enjoying each other. The difference... I did all these things with them. That's all it ever takes. One day they might not want me around but they do now and it was worth my whole evening. The only thing missing was Dad. However, I find it hard to loosen up and let myself go when he is here. Not sure why but I'll have to work on it. 

Discovery

My kids progress much faster in piano when I help them. They were hesitant at first to let me help. Their teacher said I was smart and pretty cool. That did it. I'm finding satisfaction in helping them and love to see their progress. 

I also have thoughts of completing the royal conservatory music program in Canada to buff up theory and playing skills and help me feel confidant to teach. Piano teachers are in demand, most places. It would be nice to have, for self reliance purposes. A job, without leaving my home. We will ponder it and pray about it...

A first favourite

Spencer loves music!  His first song that he could sing was kumbaya. No joke. Joel learned it on the piano last spring and played it a thousand times. Spencer quickly learned the tune, then the words. His other first favourite is from a church cd I got for a dollar at the LDS bookstore. It's called "hold your light up" by Conlon Bonner. It's a good one. Up beat, great message, makes you want to dance. Look it up. 

A trip to America for Canadian thanksgiving

I've lived in Canada over ten years and have spent most thanksgivings in the U.S. Now that we are three hours closer to my parents, weekend trips are feasible and Stan had a day off. The drive home was beautiful! I love the fall colors and the mountains, something I see less of in southern Alberta. I have no pictures. I would love to have a nice camera and skills to capture what I see. It's not a hobby for me though. iPhones just don't do well with scenery pictures or far away objects. It was a great time and we celebrated thanksgiving there and got to eat thanksgiving dinner here when we got home. What luck!

Green grass

Contentment in life is important and something I'm striving to have. Living is expensive. Often we think the grass is greener elsewhere. We sat down to do our budget while living mortgage free for over a year. We were hoping to save a pile of money. But we spend more than twice as much on gas here because we have to drive so far to get places. The cost of moving and finishing house projects in beaumont was more than expected, as usual. I'm trying to be better at meal planning so the shopping can be done in lethbridge by Stan where the groceries are cheaper. 

We pay an honest tithe and The Lord promises that we will be blessed and we always are. It works out. Elder Bednar's talk from the recent general conference about tithing was awesome. 

Potty training

I had high hopes that I could potty train spencer this fall. I even bought him a potty chair and underwear for his 2nd birthday. He used to tell me when to change his diaper. I think I missed my window of opportunity. I'm not forcing him now but with the oldest two I did force them to learn so they didn't go to sunbeams in diapers. I think when you wait longer, they get more stubborn and they are lazy. I can't get him to even sit on his potty with his clothes on. Too scary, he says. This is one parenting job I want to pass off to dad or aunt Tonya!  I was hoping to save money on diapers but alas, we shall wait... Until who knows when. I'm not sure what to wait for. A first step would be not screaming if I try to get him to sit on the potty. 

School

I think this is such a funny picture of the donkeys. They must be best friends. Brynn and Joel were so excited. This was their first sighting of the donkeys since we've been here. 

Here's to a great new school year in grades 1, 4, and 6!

All three had a great day, new friends and nice teachers. I love that they all go to the same school. What a treat. 

Interesting

My little spencer is so fun. He has transformed into such a good boy!  He plays and plays and plays while the kids are at school. I'm able to keep the house cleaner than usual, which I love. I'm not sure if he's reached a new stage or if I'm more relaxed and so he is too!  Maybe both but I like it. I think he likes all the attention he gets from me too. I play with him way more than I did my other ones. This was an obvious toddler behaviour. He was colouring on paper and got a little carried away. I'm glad it was on him and not my bed. 

The best family home evening

We just started piano lessons and they run right through the time we usually have family home evening. Stan is not with us yet so we were extra creative. On the 10 minutes of gravel road driving, we sang primary songs. The washboards on the road made us sound like sheep. We all laughed every song we sang. It was the best because everyone was happy, there wasn't any fighting and I didn't have to force anyone to sit still and pay attention. Lesson: it is often good to have variety. The prophet doesn't tell us exactly how to have family home evening but that we should do it. I need to remember that. 

Funny farm

After visiting the kids' new school today, we found a bird flying around the master bedroom. I was really glad Stan was here. 

Moving, motherhood, and more

I've learned something very important this week. Never sit down!  When you have to do more than you have energy for, when you're tired but still have laundry to do and dinner to make, don't sit down. I never realize how tired I am until I sit, then I start to lose motivation. But tonight I finally get to sit down. Our uhaul is loaded and we had room to spare. Our house is clean enough for the next two weeks and I'm ready for some good sleep and a BIG drive tomorrow. I can't wait to get my kids back and spend time just sitting down or hopefully we will walk around our new "home" and see animals and the river, maybe jump on the trampoline. I will spend Tuesday before they start school doing what they enjoy as we say goodbye to summer and hello to a new phase in our lives. 

Macy loves to shop

Macy is so easy to shop for. She is so obsessed with new school clothes and that is pretty much all she talks about each night I put her to bed. Gotta love this girl. 

What a fun day!

We rode our bikes in the river valley this morning. It's a favorite activity of ours. The weather was perfect, the kids were troopers. After the ride we ate at my new favorite sandwich place called Press'd. So delicious. We finished the outing with a couple of milkshakes from Fatburger to share. We all have been working so hard this week packing, cleaning, and renovating. This was a much needed and very rewarding break!

Too many journals

I currently record events of all kinds in 2 journals, and 2 blogs. We have this blog and Stan and I have a private blog that is our family history/life history stuff. I have a spiritual journal where I record impressions I get from the spirit as I read scriptures, conference or special meetings, also priesthood blessings I receive. Then I have a personal journal that I use for lots of things. I'm realizing that some memories or thoughts aren't getting recorded in all the right places. I don't think I completed my thoughts about Stan's surgery. We met with the heart surgeon in June and he will not operate on Stan until his condition gets worse, ie his quality of life is altered. As for now, he feels nearly normal. The docs will monitor him more frequently and schedule the surgery when the need arises. The type of problem he has will not worsen overnight so being in southern alberta will not be a problem. They will still care for him and do surgery in edmonton. I'm really grateful to have more time before the surgery. 

We are leaving Beaumont

We met Stan for a picnic near his work. The park had this small treed area. The kids spent most of their time there playing all sorts of games. I love the outdoors and how happy everyone is when we are outside. If I were to choose my climate, I think I would like it to be moderate temperatures all year, not rainy or cloudy though. We are looking forward to living in grassy lake at the ranch where there are endless amounts of outdoor space, not a lot of trees but we will love the prairie. We are actually moving in 3 weeks!!

I like to ride my bicycle

My mom used to sing this song as she bicycles a baby's leg when she is playing with them or changing their diaper:  "I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride my bike, I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride it where I like."  The band Queen sings a song called Bicycle Race that some of my older brothers liked.  I'm trying to find an original for it.  I thought of the song today as I went for a bike ride.  A new road was recently re-done just minutes from our house and it goes out into the country.  I biked it part way a month or more ago.  Today I wanted to go to the end.  It's a little over 8 miles.  It was so much fun, so peaceful, and a good workout.  I just was reminded again how much I love to ride my bike, but I do like to ride on paved roads, and not in traffic.  Tall order, huh?  It seems to me that I enjoy small town living more than I thought. Now, if we could just transport the Beaumont/Edmonton region to just north of the Alberta border, things would be in perfect order.

Joel

Summer is a challenge. I was looking forward to it mostly but my kids are fighting and being rude to each other ALL THE TIME!  I want to pull my hair out everyday. We've had good moments every day along with all the rotten ones. This was a good moment. Joel wrote me a nice letter and it made me laugh.

"Dear mom, I love you mom!! I wish that it wasn't so hard to be a mom because you do lots of work every single day. :)

Please help dad make the choice to move because I really want to move!!

You are the best mom in the whole entire world!!

I hope we will be able to go to the west edmonton mall because it is really fun, but I am not going to go on the dolphin slide if we do go because that's how I cracked my chin. :)

I hope you have a good day!!  I love you!!

Love, Joel"

This is proof that he is sweet. 

Drops of Awesome

In relief society today we had a lesson about making a choice to see good in ourselves and to be less critical. Satan always tempts us to focus on the bad and to tear ourselves and others down to his level. During the lesson a story was shared about a mom who chose to fill an imaginary bucket with drops of awesome. As she noticed little things she did right, she discovered she really was becoming the person she wanted to become and that Heavenly Father really is happy with who she is. It made me think. When I get compliments from others, I often think about all the bad traits and weaknesses I possess instead of putting a drop of awesome in my bucket. Another point is that when we start to do this, Heavenly Father blesses us with more than our bucket can hold and we feel amazingly blessed. I can choose each day and each moment to have "drops of awesome" in my bucket instead of listening to satan's temptations of worthlessness.