Grouse Mountain with the Kids {The Peak of Christmas}

Several weeks ago we bought an annual family pass to Grouse Mountain. Gary and I had an amazing snowhoeing date and with sunny skies this weekend we decided to go up with the kids. I was nervous that it would be too cold or that they would be tired of the snow due to the fact that we've had it around for about a month now. We were pleasantly suprised with their positive attitudes and how easily they were entertained!  

Thankful Thursday

I will apologize in advance that most of my thankful items and photos are taken from our main living area. I did not venture far this week because I had the flu and it was freezing cold and super icy outside. No, I did not get a flu shot but I did get it for two of my four kids. I'm feeling the pull towards depression right now due to life (flu, weather, Gary has basketball like 12/14 days in a row, busy schedule etc) so I'm really hoping that now that I'm starting to feel physically better I can put more self-care into action!

Being Brave in Marriage

While sifting through my old journals, cards and letters trying to find correspondence with my oma that recently passed away, I came across the journal that contained the dating journey for Gary and I.  Over the next hour, I read two years worth of messy feelings out loud to him (just the parts that related to him–I wrote a lot). He had never heard half of the vulnerable thoughts that I had and now I felt comfortable sharing them over 12 years later.  

What to Know About Autism

I want to thank Bethany, my guest poster, for sharing her knowledge on autism with us.  Did you know that autism affects 1 in 66 children in Canada?  I learned this recently and was so surprised at how common it is.  If you think this doesn't affect you in any way, you may be surprised as autism is a spectrum and someone you know and love could very well be on it. Finally, if time is limited, there is a chart included that is a very useful tool. Thank you to Bethany for the oodles of time she put into this post.

Thankful Thursday

My goal for this year is to rest.  This doesn't mean sit on the couch binge-watching Netflix (although I am loving Luke Cage), it means taking time to quiet my mind.  This week I had several great opporutunities to rest and I am thankful for:

Snowshoeing Date on Grouse Mountain

Gary and I had an adventure date planned as my Christmas gift to him.  Normally we go snowshoeing first thing in the morning (which I do recommend safety wise) but in order to experience the Light Walk we went up in the afternoon.  I had never been snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain and we decided to make the most of it by getting a family annual pass that was on sale so that we can do the Peak of Christmas with the kids next December.  Also, my hope is to do some hiking there in the summer and the Grouse Grind a time or two.

Rest Is for the Strong

What is my hope for 2017? Rest for my body and mind. This past year was hard for me with struggles in parenting (the monotony and busyness having four kids, special needs, fostering etc.) and by September my body shut down. At that point it's not like you get ample sleep and you're back to normal, it took a couple months of purposeful rest, vitamins and fish oils, exercise, counselling and intentionality with my time to get back on track. I've had hard years and months before but when you have others to care for, recovery is different; there's less energy for yourself, but at the same time, there's more people to get healthy for.

Thank You, Oma

My oma passed away yesterday.  We knew it was coming and I'm thankful she is rejoicing in heaven–she made a great entrance, I'm sure.  After losing my mom at the young age of 53, there is something "right" about loss in old age; it's sad but it makes sense and is expected.  There are so many characteristics about oma that I appreciate and I see some of them in my own daughter. Oma loved to chat; she would grab my arm throughout our conversations as she needed that physical connection.  She was animated and I always felt like we had a private inside joke going on with her winks and smiles.  She had wonderful dutch terms of endearment that she used for us frequently like lievy (dear) and every conversation was full of "Ja ja" and "Niet niet" (yes and no). 

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

Top Nine Activities When in Disneyland

Have you thought about going to Disneyland? Does it seem overwhelming? Are you wondering what the "must do" items are?  I have written My Ten Tips For Your Disneyland Trip which includes ideas for saving money, considering the age and height of your kids, and how to have the shortest wait times.  This is all about our favourite things to do in Disneyland!  I took the feedback from the whole family and compiled this list.  

Top Nine Activities When in Disneyland:

1.  Explore Cars Land.  This entire area of Disney California Adventure Park exceeded my expectations and was a highlight. I could not believe the size and detail that went into it.  There are several smaller rides for younger kids (Mater's Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters) that we all enjoyed and then the best one: Radiator Springs Racers.