to create...

one's own world,

in any of the arts,

takes courage.

~georgia o'keeffe

taking pause...

for Haiti

Inspired by Coach Steve

Matt enthusiastically asked to go to ball hockey this winter. So, we signed up! So far, it's been a lot of fun for everyone in the family as the coach works hard at including the families of the players in the games too! We have been rather impressed with Coach Steve from the moment we met him. Firstly, he appears to be a genuine person. Genuinely happy, genuinely interested in the kids and genuinely skilled at what he does - coach! Observing the classes reminds me yet again of how wonderful it is to be able to learn along with someone who is knowledgeable AND passionate about what he does... plus, it certainly doesn't hurt that he is kind, funny and considerate. All this makes him someone you just want to be around. I have to say that it is rather refreshing to meet a person like Steve and it reminds me that there are mentors in community who can provide positive experiences and role modeling for kids!

Winter Walk With Josh

These are a few shots from a morning winter walk with Josh at Fairy Lake. It was minus 9, without the windchill on this day, yet the sun was shining which really took the edge off. Lucas was thick into a book and I knew he wouldn't want to be torn away from it and Matt was busy with the wii when we decided to go. Josh is always up for an adventure so, off we went with Willow and cameras in hand. We decided to take turns holding Willow while we took pics. :)

I'm still getting used to the fact that Lucas has his 'babysitting license' which gives our family some more flexibility. Now, not everyone has to always come and do things that we used to have to do altogether. If one person is busy doing something, they don't always have to drop what they are doing to go grocery shopping or whatever pops up. Jeff and I have enjoyed a few 'dates' of late as Lucas can be here with the boys. I find we have to remind ourselves that this is possible. A new phase... more change... it's all good, yet new and different for us.

I don't know about everyone else, but change is all around me lately. I mean, I know it's always there...but, wow, lately, big stuff is going on with everyone it seems. I hope that we can all ride the waves and know that calmer ripples will eventually be more predominant. Right now, I'd go for glass-clear stillness, but that doesn't appear to be realistic. :) Well, as Jeff has been saying a lot lately, "it is what it is." :)

Winter FuN in Ontario!

The kids have enjoyed sledding, sledding and more sledding lately. Willow has been loving the feeling of snow on her face, eating the snow, rolling in the snow, sitting in the snow ~ you get the picture :) I've been having fun with a few pics of the white stuff but can't seem to get warm! EEk! It's been quite chilly for long stretches of time. Not used to that so much. Sometimes it is hard to get motivated to take outdoor pics with these temperatures. Ah well, what can you do?

Hope everyone is enjoying their winter so far! I'm off for a nice hot cup of coffee. Yummm!

Happy 2010!

These are a few shots from our New Year's eve festivities at the Magna Center. For years now, we have shared New Year's with our kids and the Magna Center had an evening laid out just for families. Along with Grandma Caines and our nephew, Daniel, we trekked out on the wet 'n snowy night to share in some fun. There were noisemakers and glow-in-the dark bracelets, castles to jump in, mini golf, skating, swimming, crafts, face painting, musicians, jugglers, fire eater, stilt walkers, a silver Elvis, horse drawn wagon rides, a mini train, fireworks and yummy hot chocolate. The kids hadn't been on skates in a while, but Jeff got them all organized and they were able to get out there and get a preliminary skate 'fix'. Yay!

We came home to watch 'Up', eat snacks and find out how the Junior hockey team was faring. We didn't make it to midnight-I guess that shows our age! :) But, it was a lovely evening filled with memories of being with our family as we welcomed the new year.

We are excited for 2010 and send out wishes to everyone for a year full of good health, fun times, and soul-filling experiences!