Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Winter Blues

This is my week's predicted weather. Last year at this time the snow was gone the weather was warmish and we were able to be outside.

Five months stuck inside with two ADD toddlers, 3 moody teenagers and a cling on for a tween?  I am so done.  

SO DONE WITH WINTER.  

Send wine.  
And a ticket for some place warm.  If you need me before May, I will be the chanting woman hiding under a quilt.

Thank You Google Weather for ruining my day. 









Tue
Chance of Snow
-22° | -6°
Wed
Chance of Snow
-31° | -17°
Thu
Chance of Snow
-42° | -20°
Fri
Mostly Sunny
-22° | -16°

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Not That I am Bragging

But I my Biggest Boy is going to the BC Provincial Championships for Midget Rep Hockey.

Twas a wonderful, hockey filled weekend.  Check THIS out.

A special thank you to Laureen Carruthers Photography for putting this together.

Monday, February 14, 2011

It's All in a Name: Epilogue

I wrote HERE about why we were considering changing the girls names, and the options that were before us.  In the end, we chose to change the girls' names to a completely different option than I listed there.

Their original names were First Name * Middle Name #1 * Middle Name #2 * Father's Last Name

We changed to:  First Name *  Middle Name #1 - Hyphen My Middle Name * Mother's Last Name  *Our Last Name

There were a variety of reasons that we went with this name change and in the end we are very satisfied with our decision to include the names we did.  I have felt steadfast and firm in our decision, our request was granted legally by the province of the girls' birth.  It is done.

BUT we had yet to share that decision with the girls' "other mother".

There were many reasons for the delay in telling her, first and foremost the fact she hadn't been around much, and when she was, she wasn't alone.  We wanted her to be the first we told before any other members of the family were informed.  And so I prayed.  Alot.  For the right time, and the right words, to explain to her our decision.

This past week she came by for a visit, the first in several months.  At the end of the visit, after we had tucked our daughters into bed and both kissed them goodnight, I began to drive her home.

"So" she said, "Have you found out how much it would cost to change the girls' names, because I really want you to".

I knew that NOW was the moment I had been praying for.

"It's already done" I said quietly.  "As the girls' parents we had to make a decision that we felt was in their best interest.  We talked to psychologists, and social workers, our kids.  And we prayed.  Alot."

And so I shared with her our reasoning.  A desire to recognize the fact that SHE was the one that stood before the judge and asked him to allow her to transfer her parental rights to us.  A desire to recognize the fact that she is the one that toughs out visits as a mother who isn't a mommy.  A desire to honour her role in choosing the life the girls have when she was all alone and against huge opposition.

And, of course, a desire for the girls to know they always, fully belong in our family too.

And she cried.  And cried. And cried.

With joy.

"Thank you" she said "It's perfect".                            

And a weight, a large one, lifted off my soul.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Snowed In

This was our park last year at this time.  It was lovely. 



This is our park this year.  Not so lovely. 
6 kids, one mom and a whole lot of snow.   



This is Jayde, exactly a year ago, wearing a dress I was buying "for the future".  Not knowing if the future would come for us. 


Here is Jayde wearing that dress this weekend.  
The future came.  And baby got HAIR!