Our week..

So the days are flying by since I have been back to work. It has been almost 4 weeks and I am enjoying my new job. Lots of challenges but it is interesting, educational and working on many projects. I am glad to be there.
With the hours in the days flying by James has been amazing and does the groceries and prepares dinner so as soon as I walk in the door supper is served and we eat together.
I was worried that eating together every night might happen less and less..but I enjoy our family dinner where we laugh, talk and share what happened over the course of the day. Sometimes of course it doesn't always turn out that way and we have crying, fighting amongst other emotions..

This weekend the kids are busy and we are driving. I should have a meter installed in my car now.

Kennedy has a sleepover with her good friend, Jaden and Presley are having a few friends over for a play date. They are looking forward to it. We will make cookies together for their snack. They will love it.

Madison is away on her grade 6 Grad trip at Jouvence. She has been looking forward to it since September. She was all packed and ready to go on Monday...even though she wasn't leaving until Wednesday. She comes home on Friday. The house has been much quieter without her smiley(wink wink)face around. We love you Maddy...and miss you ..

Had dinner with some friends this week..always a good time...talking about adoptions and helping in any way I can.

Thinking of the people of Haiti as I watch CNN each night. So happy that some of the orphaned children have been brought home to be with their families who were in the process of adopting them. My heart goes out to all those who are now without their families, without food and a home to call their own. It is so horrible to watch but incredible at the same time to see the resilience of so many who are trying to go on with their lives regardless of the devastation around them.

I have 2 friends of mine who had just arrived in Haiti, arrived in their hotel and the earthquake hit. They were so fortunate to make it out of the hotel that collapsed on top of them and find their way to the Canadian Embassy. They are home safe and sound. Thank God he watched over them!

Presley gets her new brace(sporting kitties and hearts) tomorrow. She will have to wear it all day day..and she is not a happy camper about it. She needs it though as her right foot has been getting worse. Her knee is always hyper extending and with the brace they are hoping this will help with that.

Always a busy life...but it is all good...we are so fortunate...we are alive...we have a home..love, family, friends, food, clean water.....we are so lucky to have what we do.

Hugs,
Karen

Adopting a child with Special needs-What lies beneath that label..Check it out!

Some pictures from Colby's birthday celebration

I thought I would share some pictures from our crazy home.

A weekend of Birthdays!

Well today is our Colby's 9th birthday! WOW! 9 years old I can't beleive it. That means I now have two six year olds until Sunday and two 9 year olds. I love you Colby and hope that you have a wonderful birthday. Colby has cubs tonight and he loves going..so we will have a quick supper(his favorite-Shepherd's Pie) followed by his birthday day (cake with ice cream cones all around) and than of course presents.

My niece Kate also celebrates her 8th birthday today and a party will be held for little miss tomorrow. Our girls are going to the party and than the rest of the family will head over to Nancy's for Kate's favorite meal of Spaghetti. We love you Katie..Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Sunday brings Jaden's 7th birthday and both Colby and Jaden love bowling so we will go to play bowling(our family and Nancy's as well), have lunch there and finish things off with Jaden's birthday cake. She has chosen Sponge Bob this year. I hope you love your presents Jaden. Big hugs to you my baby girl.

My babies are no longer babies and are growing up so fast. Time just goes so quickly you don't see them growing up...you turn around one day they are 2 and than you turn around and they are 7. I just can't beleive it.

Jaden and Colby..we love you so much. You are so special to me and Daddy and life would just not be the same without you both in it. I thank my lucky stars everyday that you are part of our family..

Enjoy your BIRTHDAY weekend. We love you!

Mom and Dad

10 years have flown by...

This Friday was our 10th anniversary. We celebrated with a ring for moi and Wee Fit for James. Hmmmmmm...I still like my gift better. LOL
Anyways we celebrated at one of my favorite restaurants "La Perle". They have the best Hunan Dumplings aside from the ones I make. We had a nice dinner and were finished by 8pm. Kennedy was holding down the fort while we were out...we headed to the video store and ended up with a family movie for everyone. We came home..the kids were excited to see us. We had hot chocolate, watched "9" which was pretty good, we made a fire in the fireplace and just vegged out. It was a nice evening...and we ended up where we belong..home sweet home.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband James...who has helped me with our brood...we are a pretty good team. I love you honey! Are you ready for 10 more? The picture below is too funny...he makes me laugh...we were at the museum where there were some unicorns...



Next year we will celebrate out 11th anniversary, standing by my brother in Miami while he says his " I do's" to his lovely lady. We will than leave for a week in the Carribean. We are all looking forward to it. A nice way to celebrate our anniversary I must say.

Hugs to all,
Karen

First day on the job...

Well my first day has come and gone and it went very well. I think I am really going to like it there. The people were warm and welcoming, invited me to dine with them at lunchtime...and with meeting new people and finding out about what I will be doing and what projects are in the pipeline for me. I recognized a few faces who I had worked with before and knew a handful of people as well so that made things easier. All in all a great first day. Day 2 tomorrow...looking forward to it! Thank you to those who were thinking of me today. Appreciate the kind thoughts!

Karen

The end of the year...

Well I cannot say that I am sorry to see 2009 go...it was a tough year for us...or should I say challenging. Anyways..onto bigger and brighter things and challenges in 2010. Happy New Year to all our friends and family. We love you so.
We have spent time this holiday season with family and friends and that is truly special to us. There is never enough time in everyones' schedules except for holidays and we took advantage of that this year.

We visited Colleen and Alan's and had a great afternoon with the kids. Thank you for the invitation and we hope to see you very soon. We headed up to Jason and Deanna's in Ottawa for the day. Nancy and Kevin and their kids came as well and my Dad joined us too. We spent the afternoon at Jason's place and than all went out for a nice dinner. A great time was had by all. Thank you both!

New Year's Eve day we headed up to Burlington, Vermont for two nights. The kids loved their time swimming and playing and shopping. Nancy and Kevin were there and what a nice surprize that Sue and her 3 kids joined us there as well. The kids played together for hours and enjoyed each others company. Hot chocolate was had by all. There were many Montrealers's at the hotel that we had recognized from past years. Seems like spending New Year's with family in front of a roaring fireplace or by poolside is the way to go.

And now...the time has ticked away and this week we are heading back to work and school. The time off has been amazing.

Tomorrow I start my new job and am really looking forward to it. My new company is located about 3 buildings down from where Nancy works so perhaps we can meet up for lunch once in awhile. It has been almost a year since I have been in the work and home routine so I am expecting a bit of a tough week..but it is time for me to get back to work. Bills have to be paid.... My job is something I have not done before (Education) and I am really looking forward to the new challenges. I have a friend who works at my new company so that will help. New year, New start...great way to start the year off.

Should be a challenge as I will now leave before the kids get on the bus and will be home around 6pm (weather and traffic permitting) so James will be holding down the fort in the AM as well in the PM...thank god he loves to cook.

We will have to change our routine a bit as we will need to make the mornings go a little smoother and less stressful.

Anyways..here are a few pictures from the past week or so..