August 22nd 2009

a few shots from a wedding this past summer...













Thank you Joanne for allowing me to share a few of your wedding day photos!

I've been blessed. Almost five years ago a little girl came into my life, followed two years later by her sister Emma. I love them both with all of my heart. I can't even imagine life without them. Not a day goes by that I don't think about how much they have impacted my life. The times that we've spent together. The nights that we spent playing make belief.

For some reason on a random night there was a giant box in the living room. A box the fridge came in, maybe? I was spending the night with just the kids. Justin was away on the boat and Felicia was working. I took the crayons and wrote Aleksi and Emma's place and then drew a heart. Aleksi climbed out of the box with a big beautiful smile on her face as Emma kicked and played within the box. I then explained to Aleksi that it was Aleksi and Emma's place... and the heart was mine.

There's no greater place to be than with the people you love. With the children who love you just for being you.

you make my heart smile

on the hunt!

a bit tired before the walk

"I wanted to not splash in my bath just for you,

BUT there was a storm!"



two or three weeks ago...

"you're splashing water all over the floor!"- T (age 25)

(The splashing stops, she tilts her head and there is a slight pause...)

"...there was a storm."- A (age 3)

(Extreme difficulty to keep from laughing followed)

thank you little critters

I miss you.

I really do.


(I think he likes me.)

We did not make snowmen, we made caterpillars. :)

negatives

I've always loved roaming through old photos. It was even more amusing tonight when my aunt decided to search through negatives! Causing minor neck pains to all those who participated in the search as we held the negatives of the old family photos up to the light. We were in search of an old photograph and we found it!

walk in the park

mommy, daddy, and henrik February 9th 2010




they played a little game of run to mommy and then run to daddy





Some people really really love their dogs. There is a tree in the park where dog owners placed ornaments on the tree for Christmas '09. Some included the names of the pets.


home at last!

They love you fully before even knowing what love is. Before being capable of even saying boo.

Emma (age 1)

Soaked!

I remember when...

My little godchild, Emma, decided to get up off her chair with her drink of juice in hand. It didn't end well. I gave her a little look and said, "Emma you're soaked!" For the rest of my visit she proceeded to repeat the word "soaked, soaked! soaked!!!". It was so cute.

Emma (age 2)

Picture taken September 20th 2009

grow old with me

"Will you always be in my life?"- Aleksi (she's a very smart little girl) "Of course hun. For as long as I can I will always be here- loving you both. Until I'm an old fart."-Tantal

Now she refers to me at random as an old fart and proceeds to giggle for approximately 15 minutes each and every single time.

Aleksi (age 4)

loved by someone special

I've been blessed with one of the greatest grandfathers in the world (better known as Grampy). One thing that I will always remember about this great man is the look of love that he has always given us. Especially to his wife, better known to all of us as nanny. When he's worried, when he misses her, and even when she's being slightly difficult. Love just fills his eyes. He's the very best and I am blessed to be able to call him my grampy.

I love my grampy.

If someday I do marry... I hope that the man I marry loves me the way that he loves her.

I hope to someday hold you in my arms.

Finnegan Mcoy Wing aka newest member of the clan

(photo credit to Kate & Ry)

February 1rst 2010

I'm not going anywhere.

Tonight I had a great conversation with an old friend. We talked about some of the cruel realities of life. One would have though that it would have left me glum with a mad hatred for the way some people are; that I would have left this particular conversation with my blood boiling, or possibly some sorrow? that discussing what she's been through, and the reflection it caused with regards to my past situation would have upset me. The reality isn't so. I left the car feeling a little stronger. Feeling like a better version of myself. Feeling like I was blessed to call her one of my very best. This conversation was worth the trip.

In her moment of grief she reminded me of our strengths. She displayed all of the qualities that I love about her. She allowed me to see how blessed to have her in my life. Our conversation finished with her stating, " I'm going to be fine because I'm a strong woman. You are too. I'll get through it just like I always knew you would too." I know this is true. I didn't feel strong back then, but I made it through with the love of my friends and family. With her love. I made it through because I had strength. I know with confidence that she will be ok too. 'It's a be ok' definitely applies. In reality she's so much stronger than I ever will be. I felt I had to tell her this at the end of our conversation simply because it's true. I love my friend. I cherish everything about her. When life's hard her heart is always exactly where it should be. She is a strong beautiful woman.


I love you. I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me for life.


Speakong