2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge - Memorable Vacations

Please come join us today/Monday if you blog. Challenge~ If you can remember going on a family vacation. What was your favorite and why?

My absolute most memorable family vacation is from the summer I was 16 years old. It was 1992. My family and I took 3 weeks and traveled through Western Canada. We went to the Calgary Stampede, the West Edmonton Mall, Jasper Alberta and Banff Alberta. It was the most amazing vacation ever. I loved the sheer beauty of Canada, the mountains, the yellow plains in Saskatchewan - everything. Every night my dad and I would sit in the motel room with maps and plan the next days drives and stops at local tourist attractions. He drove, I navigated from the backseat. It was such a bonding time for the two of us. As he drove, I often took photos and videos from the backseat. This is when my love for photography really developed. This is a trip I plan to do with my girls when they are old enough to appreciate the beauty of Canada ( and when they are old enough to drive that far without crying - hehe.)

2 Peas Friday Blogger Challenge - Comfort Foods

Join us today Friday if you blog. Fave comfort food?? what's yours? blog about it.
I have two very special comfort foods. The first is a hot cup of coffee. It can
something I drink in the morning or very late at night. there is just something so comforting about holding a hot cup of black coffee in my hands. I am not quite sure what it is, perhaps the warm, perhaps the taste. Whatever it is it seems to sooth me. It quites my mind, it relaxes me, and it gives me pure joy.

The second comfort food I have is a hot bowl of mushroom soup with lots of pepper. this is what I eat when I am not feeling well or when I am sad. It warms me throughout my whole body and brings me comfort I can hardly begin to even describe.

2 Peas Wednesday Blogger Challenge - What Others Think...

Join us today/wed if you blog. Challenge: Here is a fun question... would you live your life any differently if you didn't care what people thought?? blog about it.. fun huh???? I am finally at that point in my life where I am realizing that it is not important what other people think about how I act. I am living my life for me, for God and for my kids. I have a keen sense of right and wrong, and a keen sense of how I should be reacting and acting in many situations. As long as I am living every single day loving who I am, as long as I am living every single day serving God, and as long as I am living every single day trying to be the absolute best mom I can be... well then, it does not ever matter what other people think.

Beautiful Sunday 24/02/07

Beautiful Sunday 24/02/07
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My Favorite Things Saturday 24/02/07 - My Grandma's Hands

One of my favorite things is seeing my grandma's hands. I love watching them - whether they are playing the piano or moving as she speaks and tells stories. I love all the lines and love imagining every single thing they have ever done. She is an incredible woman - a real inspiration!!

2 Peas Thursday Blogger Challenge - What I Wanted To Be When I Grew Up

Join us today/Thursday if you blog. Challenge: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up????

Growing up I went through a couple of careers that I wanted. I started out wanting to be a lawyer like my aunt Cathy. I eventually changed my mind about law because I realized that there was something inside me that would keep me from ever being able to defend someone that I knew was really guilty. The thought of doing this weighed so much on my

conscience that I knew I would never be able to do it. After deciding that I could not go through with becoming I lawyer I decided that I was going to go into journalism. I love writing. I love photography. I love getting facts and writing about them. I did a co-op placement in highschool at the local newspaper and loved every single minute of it. Then at Christmas time a local mom and her kids were killed in a car accident. The editor of the paper published a photo on the front page of an adult-sized coffin beside two child-sized coffins. I freaked. I thought it was so insensitive for the grieving family members. I freaked so much I almost got fired from my placement. The editor told me that I was an amazing writer but that I would never make it as a journalist because I had too much heart. I worried about people's feelings instead of only caring about the story. To me that meant not becoming a journalist because I don't see anything wrong with having too much heart. I love my ability to care for and empathize with others. That is a piece of me that will never change no matter what job I ever do.

2 Peas Wednesday Blogger Challenge - Beauty Products

Join us today/Wed if you blog. Challenge: Let's talk beauty products. What are your fave beauty products these days? what is it that you just can't live without? blog about it..let's learn fr one another!!

EASY BREEZY BEAUTIFUL COVER GIRL!

Ok, I totally admit it... I am addicted to cover girl makeup. I'm not sure what it is exactly but this seems to be the only kind of makeup I ever buy. I am totally in love with their new volume exact mascara. I have long eyelashes to begin with but this mascara makes them amazing!! This mascara is my all-time favorite makeup product ever!!

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge - Food

Join us today if you blog. Challenge for Tuesday. What's your most fave food item in your cupboards/fridge at this moment? something u enjoy.. blog about it.
My favorite item recently is sea salt. I have found these chips and they are totally awesome!! I keep a bag beside the couch and eat them every night while watching my favorite shows on TV. Pure Bliss!!

2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge - 5 More Years

Join us today/Monday if you blog. Challenge: If you only had 5 more years to live, would you change anything about your life? I think that the hugest change I would make in my life is to just LIVE IT! To live it for God and to live it for my girls. To stop worry about the small stuff that is so insignificant compared to the love I would have to give all those around me. I would also make a point of getting up to date with all my scrapbooks so that my girls and my family would always be able to remember the events and even the everyday things of our lives together.

2 Peas Sunday Blogger Challenge - SPRING!!

Join us today/Sunday if you blog. Sunday Challenge: What are some things you always do every spring??? Anything??? Since spring is right around the corner, I thought this would be a fun one! The very best thing I do every spring is to to Walmart and have new pictures taken of my girls and I . I love being able to look back over the ones from previous years and see the changes in all of us. Knowing they are always taken at the same time each year makes it awesome for seeing the differences. Every year we also go into Ottawa to see the Tulip Festival. It is my all time favorite festival to go to. Tulips are my favorite flower. Every spring we also go to the Maple Festival in Perth. This is the festival that my girls love the most. Spring is a very happy time in our family.

My Favorite Things Saturday - Feb 16 /07

My Favorite Things Saturday - Feb 16 /07
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

One of my favorite things is hanging out with my boyfriend Cory. We have so much fun together. We can be serious or silly and still have an amazing time together. I took this photo of us at Red Lobster having our Valentine's supper.

2 Peas Saturday blogger - Imperfect Lives

Join us today/Saturday if you blog. Challenge: What's a book you are reading right now? anything? blog about it.

I picked up this book in the city at Chapters the other day. It is amazing!! The stories and layouts in it are amazing - all about scrapping those things in our lives that show the reality of our lives, not just the "perfect things." Really has me inspired to do some layouts I had always thought about but never was sure if they would fit in my albums. I am inspired to create pages about my addiction, my divorce, single-parenting, guilt, panic and depression.

2 Peas Friday Blogger Challenge - Living Life Over

Join us today/Friday if you blog. Challenge: If you had your life to live over again, what would you choose to do over again? Blog about it.... As much as I have had some really bad experiences in my life, and as much as I've made some extremely poor choices I do not believe I would change anything I have gone through or experienced. Every single experience I have had to this point in my life has shaped who I am today. God allowed all those experiences and choices to shape me and to tech me to become the woman He has desired for me since before I was created. God always has a perfect plan for each and every one of us. It is not always the pl,an we want, and many of us question the events that have occurred in our lives. We just have to remember that God knows the plan and He will never leave us. He will take us to where we want to be.

2 Peas Thurday Blogger Challenge - Song Lyrics

Join us today/Thurs if you blog. Challenge: List a song that you just love that you really just love the LYRICS. Which lyrics in which song really speak to you? Blog about it! Right now I am so loving this song called Legacy. It really depicts the way I am feeling about my life right now. About wanting to make something of myself in Jesus' image. I want to live every day for God, doing the work He desires for me.

LEGACY by Nichole NORDMAN

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

And I enjoy an accolade like the rest

And you can take my picture and hang it in a gallery

Of all the Who's Who's and So-and-So's

That used to be the best at such and such

It wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights

We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"

But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides

The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough

To make a mark on things

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace

Who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile

To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy

It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile

Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon

enough destroy

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough

To make a mark on things

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace

Who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

Not well-traveled, not well-read

Not well-to-do, or well-bred

Just want to hear instead

Well done, good and faithful one

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough

To make a mark on things

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace

Who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

2 Peas Wednesday Blogger Challenge - Names

Join us today/Wed if you blog. Challenge: If you could rename yourself, what name would you choose and why? Blog about it! fun! I have been thinking about this one all night. There are so many beautiful names and beautiful meanings. I am really loving my name though and can't seem to think of any other one that I would rather be called. Sandra (or Sandy) seems to really fit who I am. The meaning of Sandra is "defender or helper of mankind." I think this meaning seems to really fit who I am. I'm not sure if it because of my past, or just because of who I am, but this has always been the type of person I am. The type of person who always votes for the underdog, who wants to see justice for everyone, who sees the best in every single person and tries to help them see it as well. I had a lot of fun searching the meaning of my name and was so amazed at how well it fit my personality that I decided to search the meanings of my girl's names. When we named them, it was names that we loved. The meaning of Amber is "jewel". It too fits her personality. She is an amazing girl, so valuable to all around her. She is so unique, just like a precious jewel. The meaning of Emily is " characterized by hard work and perseverance." This too fits, she is the most determined little girl I know. Once she sets her mind to something she works so hard to achieve it.

HAPPY

VALENTINES

DAY!!

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge

Join us today/Tuesday -- if you blog. Challenge - If you could live in any other time period of the world besides right now, what time period would you love to live in??? and why? Have fun blogging .

This used to be something my dad and I talked about all the time while I was growing up. We used to sit down and have the most amazing conversations about

what it would be like growing up in different time periods. I think most of these conversations started after my watching an episode of Dr Quinn Medicine Woman or Christy. I loved watching these shows and seeing the simplicity in those time periods. In the late 1800 things were beginning to develop but the main focus was of family, of friends, and of God. It seemed so much less stressful with candles, home cooked meals, real families, horses and buggies. I guess a girl can always dream about living in a different time period.

2 Peas Saturday Blogger Challenge - Passions

Join us today if you blog/Saturday. Challenge: Blog about your passions. Besides scrapbooking... blog about some of your passions.... in your life. My biggest passion (other than scrapbooking) is living my life for God. I am so lucky that I have a creator who made me just the way He wanted. A creator who accepts me, who forgives me and who loves me unconditionally. I am to live daily for God and to do His will. Sometimes I mess up and try to live for myself but He always brings me back to the knowledge that I need to let Him guide me so that I can live the life He has chosen for me.

My Favorite Things Saturday - Feb 10

My Favorite Things Saturday - Feb 10
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

This is our kitty Oreo. He is so cudly and adorable.

I AM THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!!!

I am the luckiest girl in the world!! I picked up my boyfriend in the city yesterday. When he got in the car he handed me a bag from people's Jeweler's and told me he had found it and that I should open it. He was laughing at the look on my face. Inside with this amazingly beautiful bracelet. He picked three charms for it./ One that says I love you, on that is a heart, and one with a cross that says blessed. He says he saw it and thought I would love it. I can't believe how thoughtful he is and how much I am loving him.

2 Peas Thursday Blogger Challenge - Trading Places

Join us today/Thursday if you blog. Challenge: Who would you like to trade places with for one month???? blog about it!
I keep trying to think this one through. In all honesty, I don't think I would really want to switch places for anyone for a month at this point in my life. There are so many people that I admire, but I am finally at a place in my life where I am getting soooo happy with it. I am finally getting comfortable with being the REAL me. I wouldn't want to miss out on anything that happens with my life right now. I would also really miss my girls and couldn't imagine being away from them for a month. They are a big part of what makes me happy, and a big part of who I am.

GETTING INKED

I got inked again yesterday. This one was a gift from my boyfriend Cory. It is a symbol to celebrate my being clean for a year. The lotus flower is a symbol of long life, health, honor and good luck. The flower rises above the surface and then blooms with remarkable beauty. This is how I see myself now. It is how I see having becoming clean and becoming the woman I have always been meant to be.

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge - 10 Beautiful things

Join us today/Tue if you blog. Challenge: List 10 things that you own that are beautiful and that you just love. Blog about them. 1. the coffee sign in my kitchen 2. my sandcastle collection 3. the shelf I painted that belonged to great aunt Lottie 4. the tv tables I painted 5. the rooster collection from my kitchen 6. all my craft supplies 7. the photo of my family when I was 5 8. my porceline figures from my mom 9.the winter barn painting I did 10. my books

2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge - Something You Didn't Know

Please join us today if you blog Challenge~ Tell us all something about yourself that not many people know. Blog about it, this should be fun to read Wow, Something people don't really know about me... that's tough. I guess the thing I try to hide from most people is the fact that I am insecure. I try to act as if I am a strong woman and that I am outgoing, but inside I have always been very insecure with very little self confidence. This past year that is definitely changing. I am becoming confident with the woman I am. I am beginning to be happy being me. I am becoming more confident with me, with my choices, and with my abilities to think clearly and to react from the heart. I will become the woman I want to be. I will become Powerful. I will become Intimate. I will become Confident. I will become Free.

Beautiful Sunday 04/02/07

Beautiful Sunday 04/02/07
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

I took this photo on a drive through Quebec just outside a little town called Montabello. It was a rest stop with a beautiful view and this amazing statue.

My Favorite Things Saturday 04/02/07

My Favorite Things Saturday 04/02/07 Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

Actually this red velvet dress is one of my favorite things from my past. I wore this dress my first Christmas with my parents when I was 5 after I was adopted. I remember thinking I was a princess in it. This is my daughter Emily wearing the same dress at Christmas this year when she is 5.

2 Peas Friday Blogger Challenge - Fears

Challenge: Are you afraid of anything? What are your fears? Blog about them. I think everyone has fears of some sort. I have some that are kinda silly and some that strike deep within. My silliest fear is of centipedes and bats. I'm not sure what exactly it is about them but I freak if I see either of them. My deeper fears revolve around loosing my strength to stay clean or raising my kids in a way that is detrimental to them. I am often afraid that I am not being a good enough mom. I think recognizing our fears and realizing that everyone has fears is definitely the first step in conquering them.

2 Peas Wednesday Blogger Challenge - Attributes

Join us today/Wed if you blog. Challenge: List your 5 best attributes, in your opinion. Blog about it. Well, I guess it can be hard thinking of your own best attributes. Here are what I would guess would be my best 5: 1 - my smile 2 - my ability to love 3 - my listening skills 4 - my ability to help others 5 - my love for God

1 YEAR CLEAN!!!!!!!

Today is the 1 year anniversary of my being clean from drug use. It has been truly amazing and I am so proud of all that has happened in the past year. I know that this past year and how far I have come is only because of what God has done in my life. Last year at this point, I was at my absolute bottom, I had lost everything that mattered to me and my life felt empty and worthless. God changed all that. He knew me and He knew what was in my heart. He brought me to a place where I could do nothing but fall down on my knees and ask for Him to guide me, to show me what to do, to show me who I am. He answered, and He answered in a HUGE way. He brought me to an amazing recovery group at my church called Celebrate Recovery. It was there that I learned of His true desires and love for me. It was there I learned that I am a special, loved, amazing woman. Without the strength I get from God , from praying and worshiping I would not be where I am today stating that I am clean. He has made over my heart, and has led me to a place where I have been able to make over my life. He has brought me wisdom, love and understanding. I know that God wants this for everyone and I just pray that those who need this love and guidance from Him will seek Him out and invite Him into their hearts. God loves everyone the same way He loves me, He desires for all of us to have an intimate relationship with Him. He desires to show us all the love He has for us, to show us all how special we are to Him, and to show us His understanding and forgiveness. All we need to do is open up our hearts and let Him in.

Beautiful Sunday 01/28/07

Beautiful Sunday 01/28/07
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

2 Peas Sunday Blogger Challenge - Obstacles

Join us today/Sunday if you blog. Challenge: What are the largest obstacles preventing you from realizing your dreams?? Blog about it. When I sit and really think about this topic it really hits home to me that the largest obstacle in preventing me from realizing all my dreams is me. That sucks in a way to finally realize that, but it is good in a way to know as well. The greatest thing stopping me is myself, fear of the unknown, or just fear at what will come, that I won't succeed. I need to learn to trust. To trust that God will guide me to where I need to be, to bring me to the path that He has set out for me. I also need to trust in myself, that I have what I need inside. That I know what is right and that I will know when I am on the path that has been chosen for me. Sometimes I need to let those fears inside me push me forwards instead of keeping me where I am. I need to just always remember to put God first and pray that He will bring me to the place that all my dreams will come true.

My Favorite Things Saturday - 27/01/07

My Favorite Things Saturday - 27/01/07 Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My absolute favorite things in the whole world is being a mommy to these beautiful girls!!

2 Peas Wednesday Blogger Challenge - Tattoos

Join us today/Wed if you blog. Challenge: here's a fun one, If you got a tattoo, what kind would you get and where would you put it?

I already have two tattoos. The first I got about 3 1/2 years ago and is a small four leaf clover on my hip. I had always wanted a four leaf clover tattoo and finally decided to get one after thinking about it for years. This tattoo shown in the picture I got a little over a year ago. I absolutely love it. I designed it and took it into the local tattoo shop to get it done. In the centre is the word Dynamo - someone called me that and it just stuck. The four words around the outside of the circle are the words that describe the woman I strive to be everyday. This tattoo is so very special to me, one that is more special than any I could have ever picked out of a book. I love tattoos and am now thinking about getting a third one, perhaps a butterfly on the top of my back, between my shoulder blades. Who know when that may happen though, for now I am happy with what I have.

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge

Join us today/Tue if you blog. Challenge: Here's a question for you. Blog about it. Would you rather be a great musician, athlete, scientist, artist, politician, or writer??. If I could be one of these I would want to be a great writer. I have always wanted to be a writer. There are always so many thought going around in my head and I love being able to put them to paper. I would love to think that someday I was able to write something great that was able to touch someone. That I was able to take from my experiences and knowledge and use it to perhaps make a difference in someones life.

2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge - Shopping

PLease join us if you blog. Challenge~ Lets talk about our favorite places we like to shop and why you keep going back to this store. Can be any type of store
I love going into the city to shop - all my favorite stores are there. When I make a day of it I love going to Endless Memories, Chapters, Michaels, and Old Navy. There is something about walking through these stores that even if I don't buy anything I feel comfort. I always end my city shopping trips with a coffee from the Second Cup.

2 Peas Sunday Blogger Challenge - Scrapbooking

Please join us if you blog Challenge~ Blog about what got you started in scrabooking and what keeps you in this wonderful hobby. When I first learned about scrapbooking was when I was pregnant with my first daughter back in 1999. I was so sick during my pregnancy that I was on the couch most days reading or watching tv. I fell in love with this show called Aileen's Creative Living. It showcased all kinds of craft projects and scrapbooking was one of them. I fell in love with it instantly. I have almost no pictures of me as a baby or small child so the idea of creating something that my baby could some day look at intrigued me. I then looked scrapbooking up on the Internet, learned everything I could, bout a couple how-to books and magazines and the rest is as they say...HISTORY!!

2 Peas Sunday Blogger Challenge - Scrapbooking

Please join us if you blog Challenge~ Blog about what got you started in scrabooking and what keeps you in this wonderful hobby. When I first learned about scrapbooking was when I was pregnant with my first daughter back in 1999. I was so sick during my pregnancy that I was on the couch most days reading or watching tv. I fell in love with this show called Aileen's Creative Living. It showcased all kinds of craft projects and scrapbooking was one of them. I fell in love with it instantly. I have almost no pictures of me as a baby or small child so the idea of creating something that my baby could some day look at intrigued me. I then looked scrapbooking up on the Internet, learned everything I could, bout a couple how-to books and magazines and the rest is as they say...HISTORY!!

2 Peas Saturday Blogger Challenge - High School Friends

Please join us if you blog Challenge~ Do you still keep in contact with friends you hung out with in High school? Blog about something that you enjoy about them.. Looking back at some of the amazing friend I had in high school it is very sad to say that I am not still friends with many of them. I got married so young that when all my friends were off at University or College I was married and working and going to school so unfortunately we have all drifted apart. I can say though that by having this blog I was able to get re-connected with my absolute best childhood friend of all time. His name is John and we met on the first day of kindergarten. We were in school together through till high school graduation and then never saw each other again. Someone emailed him a link to my blog and he posted a comment. We have talked a couple times since and it has been amazing finding out how his life has turned out!!

Beautiful Sunday 01/21/07

January 027
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My Favorite Things Saturday 01/21/07

My Favorite Things Saturday 01/21/07 Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My favorite little rocker girls!!

Moving Sucks

I have just finished moving over the last few weeks and let me tell you that moving totally sucks!! I am so tired of not knowing where anything is, of coming home from work everyday to boxes everywhere. I can not wait to get all settled in. The only good thing is that I am in a larger apartment now, where my girls have their own bedrooms and a small playroom, and I even have my own little crafting space. I will post pics as soon as it is all set up.

2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge

Join us today/Monday if you blog.... today/ Here's the challenge! What object in your home that you posses, that you absolutely love? Blog about it.. about something you have that has special meaning to you. There are few things in my home that I treasure as dearly as these 2 lady figurines. They were both given to me by my mom at Christmas time. I received the first, the one with the lady holding up the baby the Christmas right after my first daughter was born as a remembrance of her birth. The second with the child on her lap was given to me the year my second daughter was born. They mean the world to me and are such symbols of that special time in my life.

Beautiful Sunday 31/12/06

Beautiful Sunday 31/12/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

2 Peas Sunday Blogger Challnge - Traits to Pass On

Join us if you blog today/Sunday. Challenge~ If there is one thing you hope to pass on to someone in your life. What would it be and why? The thing I would hope to pass on to those who know me, especially to my girls is my love of God. I have a strong belief that God guides and challenges us in all we do. That we are forgiven because Jesus died for us, and that being as close to Him as possible is the only way to lead a life that will be full of love, blessings, grace, and honor. I can not imagine living my life without Christ in it and in charge of it, and I spend every day trying to live a godly life, living with a heart of God inside me. I hope this is shown to others in all I do and that they are encouraged to choose a life similar for themselves.

2 Peas Saturday Blogger Challenge - TV Shows

Join us today/Saturday if you blog Challenge~ What show do you miss from when you were growing up? Blog about it

I had many different tv shows that I watched growing up. They all seemed to speak to me at that certain period of my life. Some of the ones I related to the most, and got the most out of were:
The Wuzzles
Saved By the Bell
Rags to Riches
Charles in Charge
The Eddison Twins
Growing Pains
High Mountain Rangers
Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman
Life Goes On
Beverly Hills 90210

My Favorite Things Saturday 12/30/06

My Favorite Things Saturday 12/30/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

This is one of my absolute favorite Christmas ornaments. It was given to me 10 years ago by a really great friend.

2 Peas Friday Blogger Challenge - Resolutions

Join us today/Friday if you blog. Challenge: The New Year is almost here.. thinking of any resolutions?? What do u hope to accomplish in this new year of 2007??? Blog about your goals and aspirations. I have a lot of goals for the new year, well really things I want to accomplish. Sometimes I find it very hard making resolutions though and actually admitting my goals out loud or on paper. I think it is because if I admit them out loud or I put them down in black and white I become very upset if I do not accomplish them and feel like I have failed. Here are some of the things I would like to accomplish in the new year: - find a new place to live (I have to move by Jan 31st) - spend more time crafting (scrapbooking & painting - develop a couple of closer friendships - develop my faith - read more books - keep my house more organized - keep finances better balanced Maybe I'll have to do a layout about my resolutions and challenge my thinking.

Feeling So far Away

I heard somewhere someone say that God never moves, when we feel like He is far away it is us that has moved. For some reason I have been thinking of that all day and today I am feeling so far away from Him. When I first got clean almost a year ago, I know it was because of God. It was God who brought me to that place that I needed Him to guide my life and be with me to show me where He wanted me to be. God was the #1 focus in my life. The past little while though I have felt like I have drifted away. I actually feel like I am so very far away, that I am not sure I can get back to where I want to be. To be where God is leading me to where I need to be to where He is the most important thing in my life. Sometimes I feel so unworthy of His love, and His guidance. It is a difficult thing feeling so far away.

10 Things I Love About Christmas

I love Christmas time. Here is the 10 things I love about Christmas:
1. being able to celebrate the birth of Christ
2. being with my family
3. sitting in a darkened room watching the lights on my Christmas tree
4. decorating my house for Christmas
5. going to the Christmas Eve service at my church
6. listening to and singing Christmas carols
7. seeing the joy and excitement on my girl's faces
8. going to the Nutcracker ballet
9. the scents of Christmas (pine & cinnamon)
10. giving gifts to those I love

CHRISTMAS DAY

The girls woke up so early (and so excited) on Christmas morning. Amber was up at 5 and Emily at 5:30. They were so excited to see that Santa had come and that he had eaten the cookies and drank the milk, and that the reindeer had eaten their carrots. They had so much fun opening their presents and were such thankful little girls. It was so amazing watching the excitement.

Christmas Eve At Our House

This year was my year to have the girls for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and it worked out so well. I ended up not being booked to work Christmas Eve and so the girls and I had the whole day together. We all got dressed up and went to the regular Sunday morning church service. Amber wore the dress she picked out to got o the Nutcracker Ballet and Emily wore a red velvet dress. The red velvet dress was the one I wore the year that I was 5 on Christmas. It is still in amazing condition and looked so beautiful on her. In the afternoon we baked cookies for Santa and hung around the house just relaxing as a family. It feels like it has been forever since I have had a chance to do that with the girls. I made a beautiful dinner for the girls, my mom and I. It has always been a tradition in my family that we have ham and scalloped potatoes on Christmas Eve. Another tradition has always been to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve. That gift has always been new Christmas PJ's. The girls also opened a gift from friends of ours from New Jersey. They were given beautiful musical dolls. The girls changed into their pj's and we went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. It was beautiful!! There is so much talent in our church. I am so blessed to be part of a church that can worship so freely and openly. When I worship there I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and I am so blessed. After the service we went over to Sue & Fred's for a little while. The girls had a blast hanging out with their teen girls. We then went home and put out milk & cookies for Santa, letters that Amber had written to Santa, Rudolph and the Elves, and a bag of money Emily had found around the house so that Santa could get himself a present. Out on the porch we left a bag of reindeer food that Emily had made at school and carrots for the reindeer. Then the kids went off to bed. It was an amazing day. One I am so very thankful for.

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER UPDATE

Man, it has felt like it has been forever since I had a chance to get on my computer and blog. This past month has just flown by with working 65 hour weeks. I am absolutely loving my job though and have not minded the extra hours. I have never before loved a job so much.

There has been so much happen with our family in the past month or so so here's my very quick update.

Emily's Birthday Party

Emily had her birthday party at her gymnastics club. Our friend Cisco the clown came and made balloons for the girls. It was awesome. Emily's favorite coach was the one who did the party. She had so much fun!!

The Nutcracker Ballet

My mom and I took the girls to see the Nutcracker Ballet at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. This is Amber's third year that she has gone and Emily's first year. We went into the city and had supper and then saw the ballet. The girls loved it and were in awe and I love watching their delight.

Amber's Birthday Party

Amber decide that she wanted to have a Canadian Idol themed birthday party this year. It was cool. She even made her own invitations. The girls had a lot of fun - believe me I have never in my life seen girls tear apart a pinata so viciously. It was hilarious!

School Christmas Concert

The girls had their annual Christmas concert this past week. It was beautiful. Amber was asked to be in the choir again this year and did an awesome job. She did not seem as timid singing as last year. Emily's class "I'm the Happiest Christmas Tree", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and "He Came Down the Chimney." Amber's class dressed like little elves and sang "Time to Pack the Sleigh". They both had a lot of fun!

2 Peas Sunday Blogger Challenge

Challenge: Blog about the things in life that are offensive to you.. do you take offense easily, or not???? Blog about it.
10 Things That Are Offensive to Me
1. People who spit on the ground
2. People who smoke while I'm eating
3. People who are late
4. People who are rude
5. People who have no manners
6. People who don't use their signal lights
7. People who are lazy
8. Telemarketers
9. People who are always negative
10. automated phone messages when you are trying to get ahold of a real person