Check it out...

Check out the new look of my 'Be Grateful 4 Life' blog - it was for a GREAT cause!

SOLD - in 3 hrs Scrapbook Supplies (the WHOLE lot)

I have decided to switch to digital scrap booking. It was a tough decision - something that actually took me many weeks to work through....considering how much money I spent on supplies, etc. I mean, towards the end 'buying supplies' has been the hobby and not actually scrap booking the pages!!! This new found hobby of mine sparks my interest again (as paper scrap booking once did) and it also aligns with my desire to 'go green'. I believe this will be a more cost effective way of scrap booking (no cost of printing photos, no waste of paper, being able to reuse papers & embellishments over and over, etc) not to mention much better for the environment and way less messy.

So there you have it - my decision is made and I have TONNES of supplies to SELL! Spread the word because these supplies are going to be sold at a FRACTION of the price of what I paid.

If you're interested or know someone else that is interested, please contact me (through email or facebook or personally).

Below are some photos:
To view photos one by one, click this link to my facebook.

Something different

I saw this on a few fellow blogger websites, so I thought I'd copy!

If you read this entry, consider yourself TAGGED!!!

I am: up way too early this morning.
I think: what does my future hold because right now it feels like it's filled with endless possibilities (and this is exciting)
I know: our situation is not THAT bad in the grand scheme of things
I wish: our house would sell and our family could be TOGETHER
I hate: HATE
I miss: Jacques
I fear: the unknown
I feel: anxious
I hear: nothing (other than the humm of the computer and my fingers typing - this is what I LOVE about being up so early)!
I crave: too much junk food these days
I wonder: why our house hasn't sold yet & what God has wanted us to learn from all this?
I love: my family, they are numero uno!
I ache: when I fall asleep at night knowing Jacques will not be there
I care: about the well being of all children
I always: get 'good morning' hugs from my boy
I am not: the kind of mom I wish to be over the past 7 months of our family being separated :(
I sing: to those who will put up with me (mostly Noah - he's my biggest fan - he doesn't mind that I SUCK)!!
I cry: for everything, happy, sad, indifferent
I don't always: act the way I KNOW I should
I write: to remember
I win: the affection & love of Jacques & Noah, just for 'being me' (pretty awesome)
I lose: my emotions too much over the past several months
I never: go a day without telling my family I LOVE them
I listen: to my son's breathing EVERY night before I go to bed
I am scared: of losing another child
I need: my family to be TOGETHER
I think: way too much

Noah's BEST friend

For a cute video that Noah asked me to create of Noah and his best friend, Owen: click here to link to our 'Be Grateful 4 Life' blog.

Birthday fun continued...

Sunday was Noah's 7th birthday - WAAAAAH! Yup, my baby is growing up. As usual we took his height measurements and wrote them on the wall. I couldn't believe it when I realized that he had grown just over 3 inches since his 6th birthday - WOW. He now measures 51 3/4 inches tall.

When Noah woke up (as usual) I was already awake and waiting for my birthday boy. I was downstairs on the computer. Like usual, he came walking in the office with a big grin on his face, came closer looking for his 'morning hug' (my favourite hug of the day) and his usual cuddle in my red snowflake sweater. This sweater is my favourite sweater in the world - it's huge, it's old, it's cozy & warm - etc. Oh yeah...so every weekend morning he sits on my lap, stuffs each of his arms through the arm holes and I zip up over top of him and we cuddle. I LOOOOOOOVE this time of day with my boy - he is all cuddly and we talk about our sleep and any plans for the day.

Of course, I asked him if he wanted to open his present from Mommy & Daddy now and his response 'No Mommy, I want to wait for Daddy to see me open it and we should Daddy sleep in a little bit because he works so hard' - AAAAHHHHHH.... he's such a sweet kid! (Naturally, I set Noah up on the couch with some cartoons and went to wake Daddy up to tell him what a great kid we have!!!)

So we hit JACKPOT this year with his gift. We got him an MP3 player. He was completely SHOCKED - check out the reaction when he opened his gift!!


Our boy is FINALLY getting into LEGO. He got an Indiana Jones LEGO set from one of his friends at his birthday party. Did I mention how much DADDY loves LEGO!!! So, Jacques was so anxious to help Noah out on Sunday with his new LEGO set - but Noah told him that he was old enough to do it on his own now and he didn't need Jacques help. I was THRILLED to see Noah following the directions and building the set....WOW! He did a fantastic job assembling the set!

Sunday afternoon we had the family in Moncton get together for a good ol' fashion baseball game. Every night (for the past week) Noah had been bugging me to use his new ball & bat that he had got from Mike & Brenda (his Godparents/Aunt&Uncle) for his birthday. So this was our way to break in his new ball & bat....what a terrific time (note to self: must do this more often), the weather was perfect and the company was even better!

Some photos below of the great time had by us all!

I think we can say, without a doubt that Noah's 7th birthday weekend was a BLAST!

SEVEN

So I'm having a hard time believing that my BABY is actually 7 years old TODAY! Yup....7 years ago (tonight) we gave birth to our little (4 lb) preemie baby boy. At the toss of that fateful LOONIE (our Canadian one dollar coin) - Noah's name was chosen (changed from what was supposed to be Lucas)! I just showed Noah that lucky loonie the other day (we kept it for memory sake)!

So yesterday Noah was running on HIGH SPEED all day - anticipating the fun to be had at his 7th birthday party! We went shopping to buy him a new 'cool' shirt just for the party. Can you believe this is the FIRST time I found 'West 49'? Like, DAHHH! For a mother of a boy who is SO into skateboarding - WHY have I not discovered this store? Oh yeah....because I HATE shopping, the malls and I spend as little time shopping as I can!!! Second question I am exciting about: Can you believe I actually got my boy into a BUTTON down shirt? AMAZING - I'm so excited now that I found this store. I think it may be my new favourite store (next to Walmart, of course)!!! This is the first time since Noah was like 3 yrs old that I could pick something for him that was 'COOL' enough and something we agreed on. (I never really fought about this. I figured if he got himself dressed on his own, I wasn't going to complain. That being said, so many days I WISHED I could have picked his clothes)

Naturally I had to take some cutzie photos of my (not-so) baby boy looking so smart in his new BUTTON down shirt. Of course, my idea of a 'nice' photo and his idea of a 'nice' photo differed (again, not a fight I'm going to fight)!


When we went shopping at West 49 - Noah also spotted the skateboards (something he has wanted FOREVER). We couldn't get him away from the board section of the store. It was adorable to watch him taking in every little move the older boys as well as the clerk were making as they assembled skateboards. Now is mind was set on what to spend Grandma & Grandpa's birthday money on. "Please, please, please" he begged us over and over - and how could you refuse? After all, it was HIS money.

As soon as we got home - he hit the board. Fully equipped with knee pads, elbow pads, wrist pads and his new boarding helmet he got for Easter. He thought he was pretty cool - and he was. You should have seen him go! What a pro - he didn't even fall. I guess the next step is taking him to the BIG skate park downtown. (Hopefully there will be a skateboarding park somewhere around where we live - considering our new driveway is gravel)



Last night was the BIG night. Man - were the boys (11 in all) every HYPER. We rented the gym and the games room at the Boys & Girls Club of Dieppe (where he goes to daycare) for 2.5 hours. We 'thought' the boys would tire themselves out - woooof! We kinda underestimated the energy levels of 11 - 6&7 year old boys. They started the night off by playing pool, ping-pong, air hockey and games in the games room. As soon as all the boys arrived, we headed to the gym where they played hockey. It was cute to see Jacques with all the little guys....whether he admits it or not - he IS a big kid. I think he was having as much fun as the little kids. When he was done being goalie, he was all sweaty!

After we ate pizza, we did the cake then opened presents. Ha, this was COMPLETE kaos. One kid on top of the next wanting to see what each present was. Through it all, I remained a very proud mom as Noah (for most of the gifts) was ever so grateful and thanked each person over an over for such cool gifts! After all the presents were opened - BACK TO THE GYM for the pinata. NOW - if you think opening the gifts was kaos I couldn't believe my eyes when the pinata broke open. WOOOOOF - it was MADNESS....the boys were laying on the floor on top of the candy to protect 'their' portion (if they only knew that I was going to 'divvy' it up evenly)!!! Of course, thanks to Jacques we had MORE than enough candy!! LOL It must have been one of those things he wanted when he was a kid, but never got. We ended up spending about $45 on candy and HE thought there wasn't enough (until we had trouble fitting it all in)!



When the night came to an end - I have to say my 'sore throat' was very relieved!!! We gathered everything up and headed home. Straight to bed for Noah and straight to the couch for me (where I fell asleep watching the hockey game with Jacques within - I'm sure - 5 minutes)!!!

On today's agenda - we're going to play a game of baseball (with Noah's new bat & ball from Mike & Brenda - his god parents) then having the family over for barbeque'd Prime Rib steak and Caesar Salad! Yummy!

Happy 7th Birthday Noah....

Made with love from Aunt Tricia, Uncle Ed, Alex & Nick (in Ontario).

Happy 13th Birthday NICK!

How? Why? When?

Have you ever been stuck in the middle of a bad dream? Wished that you could just wake up and it would be over? That's how I'm feeling this week. I'm feeling pretty down about our family situation, being separated from Jacques and Noah from his Dad. As well, the spinner was and incident that happened Monday night (although I will not discuss the specifics, out of respect for my bravest little soldier) that made it painfully clear how much our family situation is affecting Noah's little soul. I was in complete SHOCK to say the least and frankly, it was the wake up call needed to made us decide that this is IT. We are done. It's simply black & white now. We are taking action to make something happen. To end this separation for our family and bring us back TOGETHER.

As much as I have begun to lean on my faith and as much as I am beginning to understanding the deeper meaning of why this has had to happen - it still hurts. It hurts so much. How can it not? I have found many positive aspects of our situation and I continue to be positive. That being said, I have allowed myself to feel moments of sadness and this is now. These past 7 months have been rocky - first negative & difficult and now positive & easier. We have been a family that has been separated - waiting for our house to sell - waiting, waiting, waiting. I've been separated from my pillar of strength, my best friend and Noah has been separated from his dad, his best friend and it's just been WAY too long now. Many people have told me they understand, but do they REALLY understand? Have they walked in my shoes? Have they been separated from their spouse for this long? Have they had to listen to their child cry themselves to sleep so many countless night? Have they longed for their companion at night - so much that you (too) cry yourself to sleep? I'm not so sure. It's been hard - possibly one of the hardest times I've been through. We've seen some tough times in our marriage, but through it all we've been together....and I think this is why these past seven months have been so difficult. Because we have not been TOGETHER!

Not only my heart hurts for my husband but it also hurts for more children to join our family through our adoption that has been placed on hold because of our move. Then again, this is a whole other topic - this topic opens a whole other flood gate of emotions. Our adoption continues to be on hold until we get moved and settled. On Mother's Day 2008, it will be one full year since we mailed in our application to adopt. The day we mailed our application, we were of the belief that we would have had placement by the Spring of 2008. This has all changed (as it most often does in adoptions), not only because of our move but because of a mis-communication by the adoption social worker. So here we are, one full year later and still no farther in our process, with no end in sight........no PRIDE training to look forward to & no home study to dread - even in our near future. Yet, many nights I still dream of the day when I hear the 'pitter-patter' of more than one pair of feet (too early) on a Saturday morning, the rumble of children arguing over a toy, the giggles of the children keeping a secret from Mom & Dad or the day I hear "MOOOO-OOOOM" being hollered to give bedtime cuddles filled with love & affection.... or the day I see more than one set of finger prints on the freshly washed windows & walls....all of these hopes and dreams so far off in the future and it all pivots around us selling our house. It's so frustrating and heart breaking.

As I continue to talk to Noah (and keep him focusing on all the positives), one of his primary focuses continues to be our adoption. For him it's an adoption of a brother, a sister or both into our family, into HIS world. He SO looks forward to having someone to share with and one of the most positive focuses in his life.

So for now, I HAVE to trust that this is all happening for a greater reason, a greater purpose that only He knows! And that's just all...

Busy Weekend Photos

These are pictures from when I went to High School Musical (Harrison Trimble's version) - got lots of video but not too many photos. Just a bunch of pictures of girls that Noah took on his own (most of which are blurry). I wonder WHY he got sat with all girls...hmmmm. Anyways, the two little girls next to him were the cutest (the one in the red - Sam - is a daughter of a man I work with)!

(below) Some more self portraits taken after we finished getting ready to go to the ADULT hockey team party - and 1 bottle of wine later! What a night - I also got many video and photos at the party. However, many of the 'wild' women that attended are teachers in local schools and they asked me not to post any! Let's just say it was one wild night - a much needed night out with adults acting like fools, drinking too much and letting loose! ALTHOUGH, I wasn't saying how much fun it was on Sunday morning - ouch!

(below) In Noah's hands, he holds his badge for passing Level 1 in the Red Cross swimming classes. The teacher gave great feedback - spoke of Noah being a very strong swimmer. On ward to level 2 (maybe not until we move, though)!

That's it, that's all folks!

Enough videos....

Okay - I have been spending WAY too much time making videos! Oops - I've gotten behind on my New Earth online classes among other things!

This week I had the opportunity to attend Harrison Trimble's (a local high school) production of High School Musical with Noah's class. What a great performance - I was impressed. I also had so much fun with Noah. I think I have to admit it now - I AM a High School Musical JUNKIE! I love it!! I have video & photos that I still have not downloaded - oops!

Our busy weekend schedule:

• last night, we had a 2nd showing of our house by a couple who wanted to show their parents our house (they also had 2 other houses that they wanted to show their parents as well). As of 8:02 am Saturday morning - no news yet (but our fingers are crossed, tight).

• we have another showing at 11:00 am on Saturday morning
• an open house on Sunday.
  
  Lots of action - can't wait, getting excited!!!

PLUS

• we have Noah's last 2 swim lessons (Saturday & Sunday)
• an ADULT party for the hockey parents on Saturday night
  
• last night, I made an appetizer for the party
  

PLUS

• last night, I FILLED the van with excess 'stuff' so.....today
• we have to go to the Dump
• the bottle Recycle place
• Moncton Headstart (they are an organization that accepts donations to recycle household items for people in need)
  

MAN, does it feel great to unload so much excess 'stuff' in our life.

PLUS

• 4 loads of laundry
• and I'm guessing I'll be nursing a hang over Sunday morning
  

So that's our busy weekend schedule - I doubt I'll get time to get caught up on A New Earth or download the video/photos of my outing with Noah's class. :o( stay tuned...

We miss you....

This much.....

From ME!


From Noah & I!


We love you and can't wait to be together again!

Happy 40th Birthday, ED

Hope you have a great day (on Apr 3)....

Rather than a card - we made you this little video!

Happy Saint FOOLS Day

So APRIL FOOLS DAY officially has a new name - by none other than Noah!! I kept correcting him - but it was 'Happy Saint Fools Day' to him and that's all that mattered!

It all started with me in tears....I know, I'm a sap. I've already admitted it...WAAAAH! Okay, so Noah and I are in the middle of our morning routine - rushing of course so we can call Daddy. When out of no where, I look over and watched my little boy (not so little any more) eating his breakfast while swinging his legs under the chair. Before I had tears in my eyes, I thought to myself - 'man, those feet are close to touching the floor - it won't be long before they do touch'. That's all and this made me cry - boo hoo! Where (no, seriously), where does time go. He'll be 7 in a few weeks - WAAAAH!

So on a funnier note, our list of practical jokes today were as follows:

• Noah & I tricked Daddy that we had water in the basement.
• Noah tricked me that he got a red light at school today for fighting.
• Noah tricked Daddy that he lost another tooth.
• Daddy tricked Noah & I that he was in a car accident. He said that he had 2 broken legs, a broken arm and that he would be in the hospital for 10 days.....grrrr. For a SPLIT second (as foolish as that sounds) I actually believed him.
• A little girl at school tricked Noah into (almost) eating a GRAVOL pill - eeesh.

And I think that's it.....the events of our Happy Saint Fools Day!