Changes...

Good morning friends. I hope you are all enjoying the warm days and long, lazy evenings.

I can not believe how quickly this summer has slid through the hour glass of time. Seems like yesterday that my husband & I dropped off my youngest to go to Cadet Camp for the summer, but it's already been 3 weeks.

Then this past weekend we drove down to visit him & to celebrate his 16th birthday. It's so beautiful in the mountains where these kids are! We had a great time canoeing, shopping & eating!



But July has been a seemingly endless stream of life changes for me and for a lot of people I love & care about.

My 'baby' sister started a new job recently, moved & announced that they are expecting their 3rd little rug rat! I am so excited to being an auntie again!

This Spring seemed to be a big deciding season for both my mom & my in-laws as they both decided to sell their homes. This has been huge changes for everyone. My in-laws have been in that home for over 27 years and my mom has been in her home for over 14 years. A lot of memories & love fill those homes, and it's a difficult decision to make. Both ironically put their homes up for sale within days of eachother and this month they all moved within a couple weeks of eachother.



Also putting a 'For Sale' sign up and moving this month is my bestie. We have been neighbors and friends for over 13years & while I am so very excited for them (wow! They have a beautiful new home! I'm hiding in one of the boxes and moving with them!) I am going to miss them very much. From spying on neighbors (Wooo... Did you see the new furniture so & so got delivered?), complaining about barking dogs (never mine of course! Ha!), impromptu bbq's, borrowed kidney beans & teasing our kids and spouses, I am going to miss that all very much. We have shared a very special time in our lives that only neighbors/friends can and I am so glad I shared it with you Bestie! I will miss seeing all of you but I am very glad you won't be that far away!

And last but not least... after much soul searching and debating. Lots of should we... Nooo.... Maybe?.... Yaaaaa?.. I dunno.... To finally YUP!!!!! I am happy to introduce our newest member to the family... Koda! He is a 6.5 week old blue heeler /labradoodle and just a bundle of love. Potty training is going well but my hubby and I miss our sleep. Ha! And the other 2 dogs aren't all that thrilled with baby brother yet. It will come... Right? Ha! But I welcome any hints or tips for training him. It's been a while since I have had a puppy so I am always open to new suggestions. Just leave a comment below! Or email me:-)

Changes... When we are young we are so anxious to for things to change. As parents we often catch ourselves wishing that they would just grow up. We fight change.. dread change, anticipate it... And at the end of the day, change happens.

2013 has been such a year of changes for me and for those around me. Graduation, moves, baby, new jobs... And it's only the end of July folks! So I say let's grab a nice cold margarita, pull up a lawn chair, and just be glad I'm not moving today! Heehee! Love you Bestie! (wonder who's going to be spying on your stuff going in today?)

Enjoy The Journey!

Hi Everyone! The sun is finally fighting a stronger grip on this small spot I call home and has melted the snow! Hurrah! I have some brave crocuses booming and buds on my trees. At last! And best of all...my body feels the relief from the cold and dampness our long 7 months of winter we had. Bring on the sunshine!!!

Next week is an exciting week for our family. Gramma ( my mom ) is flying in to come celebrate my middle son's high school graduation. I must admit I have been feeling a bit nostalgic these past few months and its culminating with this grad party next Thursday. This whole year especially has seemed like a bit of a life changer in our family. Not in a bad way, just in a 'hey they are a grown up' kind of way. 

My oldest is 21, has a steady girlfriend, works full time, and basically comes home to sleep or eat or change clothes. Ha! He's such a pleasant young man, involved in so many wonderful things and we are very proud of him. Now...if we could get him to clean his room....

My 'baby' is going to be 16 this summer while he is gone to Air Cadet camp. He started High School this year and just loves it! He is involved with 3 bands, 2 with his bagpipes and one with his trombone. Everyone I talk to tells me how hard working and polite he is. I'm going to miss him while he's gone for those 6 weeks! 

Jeff Grade 12 Grad 2013

But the nostalgia I've been feeling has been really coming on with my middle son this year. Seems like so many milestones. He turned 18, just got his drivers license, finished his 'career' in high school football. And its not just his milestones, its all of his buddies too...my extended group of kids. I have watched this bunch of kids grow up since grade 5.

 These young men and women now finishing a milestone that just a few years ago seemed so far away. Picking grad dresses and suits now....discussing limos...parties...and then after, college, university? 

I have chatted with my son and some of his friends,and while they are all excited there is that bitter sweet knowledge that things will never be the same, that they can feel things are already changing. And while there is a little bit of sadness in saying goodbye to the comfort of your childhood, there is a whole life time of opportunity and excitement ahead of them all!! 

So to my young man...Congrats to my Grad!!and your dad and I are very proud of you!! and to the crazy bunch that call me 'mom'...I luvs y'all!! and I am so very proud of each and every one of you!! Just listen for the crazy lady at grad cheering for each one of you crossing that stage!!

Enjoy the journey Grads of 2013!!

Changes~

Welcome everyone to my wild and crazy existence! Snow is melting, then falling again, crocuses are blooming, 'herds' of ducks, sometimes known as Canadian Geese, have been seen near our home! Actually as I lay here in my bed in the pre dawn I can hear some flying over head honking at eachother.

My youngest just returned from a 9 day trip to Victoria, B.C. with his Air Cadet Troop. Wow! The things he was able to see and able to do was amazing! He rode a Ferry, went in a light house, boarded a navel ship...it was a whirlwind trip. My young man came back home full of new life experiences.

Matt hugging a Red Wood Tree 

Also this past week, my mom has earned the wonderful bragging rights of being officially RETIRED! Not early retirement, not a package deal, not laid off, not pushed out the door....nope folks! She is one of those few people who has that rare honor and distinction of being able to say she did her job to the very last day and is now officially retired. The only thing that would make this moment any sweeter would be to have my Dad here to celebrate with us. Congrats Mom!! We are VERY proud of you!! 

Part of the 'retirement' changes  that happened this past weekend at my mom's house was my sister and her family moved out after spending several years living there while going to school. My sister and her husband finished their degrees and are now ready to leave the nest. So they packed up the dog, my nephew and niece and headed out to a wonderful new townhouse that I can't wait to see on my next visit out East! (Hey! Send pics when you are all settled in!!!)

Speaking of visits out East and changes...my next visit will involve welcoming a new niece or nephew for my brother and sister in law this Fall. Another little bundle to love and hold and cuddle! It was such a wonderful phone call when we received the news!!! I can hardly wait to meet the newest member of our growing family. ( I wonder if we should have a post on wives tales about pregnancy and babies? hmmm)

2012 has certainly been a year of change for myself and my family. While most of the changes have been wonderful and exciting, I have just one sad change to share. This past week we had to make the very difficult decision to put my very best and loyal companion of 13.5 years down. The house just doesn't seem the same with out my friend pattering beside me and truck rides are definitely not the same without her sitting 'shot gun'. I miss her less then feminine snore at night and her excited face when I would get home from anywhere. But most of all I just miss my girl.

So that, my friends, has been my exciting and eventful week of changes. Not all the changes have been great, but all have been life changing. All have been cause for celebrations...stories told, moments recalled and shared, tears cried & hugs given (thanks Bestie). Each of these changes were shared with loved ones. All the exciting moments with sweat and boxes (gee sorry we missed the move guys...) and celebrations with friends for my mom! Each of these changes (and more to come in the months to follow I'm sure) will set new and exciting moments and stories and friendships into motion.

“The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Change -” 

― Heraclitus

Wow! What a week! I think I need more then a warm cup of something this week! Ha!!

Nala 1998-2012