My mom comes to visit (for a week!) tomorrow!
I have a few things planned, like shopping, and dinners, and Mount Royal and stuff. But she has a few things planned too... Like painting the baby's room, filling it with a few cute things, and making rice-paper spring rolls!!!!
How do moms get to be so cool?
I could do a month's posting on the times that my mom had my back. Growing up, she was my best friend. From times that I was bullied in elementary school, to being heart broken by some boy in high school, she was there. Then, even though we were living in different cities, she was with me through every university exam, first-day of new jobs, and when I received my acceptance letter from NSERC for a full scholarship to grad school. She was the one I would call and pace the floor talking to about this guy I was working with, trying to work out why I was falling so fast for him... She was the one I flew up the stairs to call at midnight of March 2nd, 2007, after arriving home from the most important date of my life. She was sleeping when I called, but when she heard it was me, she said "Just a sec, I'm getting up!" You see, she already knew. Tom had asked her (and my father) for my hand in marriage a few days prior.
She bought me the most gorgeous dress I've ever seen to wear on my wedding day. She came into the city to help us pack the uHual to move to Montreal. (We cried so much that day!) But I'll never forget when I was unpacking in Montreal, feeling a million miles away, stuffed inside the packed microwave was a super-cool hard-to-find drip meatloaf pan, and a hand-written card with my mom's meatloaf recipe on it (her meatloaf rocks!) . So, not only was she there supporting us in the move, she was also planing ahead for those hard moments we'd face once getting to the other end, where she wasn't going to be.
I know that if I tun out to be half the mom my mom is, my son's gonna be alright... :)
05/11/2010
02/11/2010
Dear technology, I heart you.
With friends and family now spanning over continents (never mind straight across this one great big country), it's nice to be able to catch up for a few hours with a girlfriend provinces away ... Or phone a friend for a few seconds while prepping bread dough.
How did people survive long-distance without the phone?
And now Skype is entering that same category - being a world shrinker and all. How else would you be able to see your parents' faces after dropping the bomb on them that they are going to be grandparents, when you aren't even on the same continent as them... And for free?
Phones, texting, instant messaging, e-mails, e-cards, blogs, facebook,.... Oh technology, I heart you. Thank you for keeping me connected to those back 'home', because we are starting to have a few of those!!
How did people survive long-distance without the phone?
And now Skype is entering that same category - being a world shrinker and all. How else would you be able to see your parents' faces after dropping the bomb on them that they are going to be grandparents, when you aren't even on the same continent as them... And for free?
Phones, texting, instant messaging, e-mails, e-cards, blogs, facebook,.... Oh technology, I heart you. Thank you for keeping me connected to those back 'home', because we are starting to have a few of those!!
01/11/2010
Well, that was fun!
Blogtober, in my humble opinion, was a huge success!
Not only did four bloggers entertain us on a daily basis - yay Tiffany, Sonya, and Pamela! (I'm not sure if I count, I used the automatic posting tool for days I was without internet...) - but also a few of those who did set out to blog everyday, did indeed succeed at blogging a whole lot more than usual for the month of October, good work gals! And I couldn't help but notice that even a few of you weren't interested in the challenge, still blogged more than usual, awesome! We even have a new Blogger, welcome! And the number of comments per post are at an all-time high. Nice!
For me, Blogtober was great for cultivating my thoughts for posts and getting reconnected with all of you. For readers, apparently, it was refreshing to read something new everyday and made it easier to remember to check up on us.
I hope you've enjoyed the past 31 days as much as I have (even though it was challenging at times!) and that you, too, have developed a habit of remembering to stay in touch!
Not only did four bloggers entertain us on a daily basis - yay Tiffany, Sonya, and Pamela! (I'm not sure if I count, I used the automatic posting tool for days I was without internet...) - but also a few of those who did set out to blog everyday, did indeed succeed at blogging a whole lot more than usual for the month of October, good work gals! And I couldn't help but notice that even a few of you weren't interested in the challenge, still blogged more than usual, awesome! We even have a new Blogger, welcome! And the number of comments per post are at an all-time high. Nice!
For me, Blogtober was great for cultivating my thoughts for posts and getting reconnected with all of you. For readers, apparently, it was refreshing to read something new everyday and made it easier to remember to check up on us.
I hope you've enjoyed the past 31 days as much as I have (even though it was challenging at times!) and that you, too, have developed a habit of remembering to stay in touch!
31/10/2010
30/10/2010
He told me I could tell you.
One day, while living in Costa Rica, Tom decided to help by cleaning the bathroom.
He asked me where the cleaning bucket was.
My response? "Bucket? I just use the toilet!"
I was obviously joking; it was my way of dealing with the fact that we'd been there for months and he somehow didn't know where a cleaning bucket was.
About ten minutes later I caught a glimpse of one of the funniest things I've ever seen:
Tom, kneeling beside a suds-filled toilet bowl, dipping in his hand with sponge to retrieve more 'cleaning water' to continue scrubbing the sink.
I laughed so hard I cried.
He asked me where the cleaning bucket was.
My response? "Bucket? I just use the toilet!"
I was obviously joking; it was my way of dealing with the fact that we'd been there for months and he somehow didn't know where a cleaning bucket was.
About ten minutes later I caught a glimpse of one of the funniest things I've ever seen:
Tom, kneeling beside a suds-filled toilet bowl, dipping in his hand with sponge to retrieve more 'cleaning water' to continue scrubbing the sink.
I laughed so hard I cried.
29/10/2010
Bombay Fog
A fraction of the price as Starbucks, but oh just as delicious!
(Plus you don't have to leave the house, bonus!)
2) Froth milk (by hand with whisk, or with hand-held AA powered milk frother for $5)
3) Throw in tea bag and push down with spoon. Let tea steep in hot milk for a few minutes.
4) Add vanilla and sugar to taste
5) Spinkle with cinnamon (or that delicious coffee topper you bought from Tiffany's Eipcure!) for colour.
Enjoy!!
(Plus you don't have to leave the house, bonus!)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 chai tea bag
- splash of vanilla extract
- sugar to taste
- sprinkle of cinnamon for colour
2) Froth milk (by hand with whisk, or with hand-held AA powered milk frother for $5)
3) Throw in tea bag and push down with spoon. Let tea steep in hot milk for a few minutes.
4) Add vanilla and sugar to taste
5) Spinkle with cinnamon (or that delicious coffee topper you bought from Tiffany's Eipcure!) for colour.
Enjoy!!
28/10/2010
x-border bargains!
With a few malls and a great big Wal-Mart (Wait a minute... Why is Wal-Mart so much better in the states?), shopping was a major part of the plan this past weekend in Burlington.
Some of our best bargains:
Some of our best bargains:
- White long maternity pants from Old Navy for $5! ($5 pants are unhead of for me, never mind mat pants!)
- A cute striped t-shirt for $7
- Maternity tops for $5 each
- An adorable brown OshKosh onesie for $0.76!
- New dinnerware with place settings for six
- Measuring/mixing bowl with spout
- An insulated cookie sheet (Why is it easier to justify items like this when you're on a holiday?)
- Sunglasses that Tom has been searching for for a while
- The border patrol waving us through, not requiring us to pay duty on the items even though we were over our $50 limit a piece for one night away.
- A nasty head cold, but so worth it for a weekend away with my man!
27/10/2010
Yay, spring!
Sorry Saskatchewan, but I'm lovin' the effects of this strange weather! It reached 20 degrees today!! Honestly, felt and smelt like spring.
Took in the beautiful weather and went to the park - Realized that I love the Bugaboo Frog stroller that my friend has. This is a problem because it's a bit pricey, and she's offered to lend me anything except the stroller because they use it all the time. And second hand Bugaboos, for some reason, aren't a whole lot cheaper than new ones... And really, I don't know a whole lot about strollers. Can you please tell me what I actually need??? Or, at least, what you love/hate about yours???
Speaking of little people, I've been spending a lot more time with little B lately. Hanging out with him and learning some mommy moves makes me think that I stand a chance... Then I read blogs like this and realize, I really don't.
So stay tuned for more questions in the little people department!
Took in the beautiful weather and went to the park - Realized that I love the Bugaboo Frog stroller that my friend has. This is a problem because it's a bit pricey, and she's offered to lend me anything except the stroller because they use it all the time. And second hand Bugaboos, for some reason, aren't a whole lot cheaper than new ones... And really, I don't know a whole lot about strollers. Can you please tell me what I actually need??? Or, at least, what you love/hate about yours???
Speaking of little people, I've been spending a lot more time with little B lately. Hanging out with him and learning some mommy moves makes me think that I stand a chance... Then I read blogs like this and realize, I really don't.
So stay tuned for more questions in the little people department!
26/10/2010
25/10/2010
Heart-Melting Monday
After a wonderful weekend away with my husband, it was time to get back to business this Monday morning. After dropping hubby off at work, picking up my laptop from the shop (again), and settling in at the home office with a Bombay Fog tea, the doorbell rang.
It was the mailman.
And he had a package, for me! (Just so you all know, I absolutely LOVE receiving mail.)
And in that package was the most wonderful, sweetest things in the world.
Can you think of anything better to receive on a Monday morning?!?! Seriously!!! How am I so blessed with such an amazing friend?
It was the mailman.
And he had a package, for me! (Just so you all know, I absolutely LOVE receiving mail.)
And in that package was the most wonderful, sweetest things in the world.
A thoughtful gift.
A heartfelt thinking-of-you note.
Lindt chocolates.
Can you think of anything better to receive on a Monday morning?!?! Seriously!!! How am I so blessed with such an amazing friend?
24/10/2010
2000 parts? Really??
A recent house guest left behind a bar of Level 2000 soap. Which got me thinking... Are there really 2000 parts to clean?
So I stayed up late one night scouring the internet for a list of the 2000 body parts Lever 2000 claims to clean.
I've never been so disappointed in the internet before.
Their site even claims the following:
But no list.
There are, however, webpages after webpages of other people wondering the same question. Are there really 2000 parts?
I even found letters written to the Lever 2000 company (Unilever) asking the same question. But they were not given a list with the response letter.
I feel cheated in some way.
So I stayed up late one night scouring the internet for a list of the 2000 body parts Lever 2000 claims to clean.
I've never been so disappointed in the internet before.
Their site even claims the following:
Yes, there really are 2000 parts and Lever 2000 cleans all of them - from head to toe.
But no list.
There are, however, webpages after webpages of other people wondering the same question. Are there really 2000 parts?
I even found letters written to the Lever 2000 company (Unilever) asking the same question. But they were not given a list with the response letter.
I feel cheated in some way.
23/10/2010
Surprise!
We're off to Vermont for a surprise (to me) get-away to celebrate our anniversary and baby boy.
(I'm also wondering if it has something to do with a destination to plug into the GSP navigation app in the iPhone to see how well it works, but I'll take it!!)
Have a great weekend everyone!!!
(I'm also wondering if it has something to do with a destination to plug into the GSP navigation app in the iPhone to see how well it works, but I'll take it!!)
Have a great weekend everyone!!!
22/10/2010
Nearly Speechless
We saw tiny little fingers, and itty bitty toes,
We saw baby sized lips, and a cute little nose,
I lost my breath and my heart filled with joy,
'Cuz oh my gosh, we're having a little boy!
We saw baby sized lips, and a cute little nose,
I lost my breath and my heart filled with joy,
'Cuz oh my gosh, we're having a little boy!
21/10/2010
Dear Baby,
Do you know that we never knew if we could have you? Do you know how delighted we are that we are!?
You see, when I, your mommy, was just 15 years old, the doctors found a really large tumor on one of my ovaries. Ovaries are little organs that play a very special role in the reproductive process. When the doctor operated to remove the (8 pound!) tumor, there was no way to save the ovary so he had to take it out too. This made your mommy very sad.
The doctors told Baba and I that the other ovary 'should' pick up the slack, eventually recognizing that the other one was gone. But there was no guarantee.
This, matched with other health concerns really made me wonder if I could ever have kids. Then I met Jesus and realized that my life goals and dreams weren't what really mattered anyways... It's His will that mattered. So I accepted that he knew what was best, even if that meant no kids of my own.
Then I met your daddy. I started falling in love with him right away, but needed him to know. Out of love and respect I told him as soon as possible that reproduction may not be reality with me. Your daddy, who always thought he wanted to have kids, didn't even leave enough time to blink (never mind time for another tear to fall) before responding that he loved me, no matter what the future held. Two months later he asked me to marry him, and later that year we became husband and wife.
A few years had past before you seriously came to mind. With every check up, the doctors found a cyst on my one last ovary. The OB/GYN (that's a doctor) told us that if we were seriously considering having a biological child, it was time to seriously start working on it.
Your daddy and I weren't sure what to do. We were traveling a lot, working in other countries, and our lives were pretty hectic. We had big goals and dreams (including you!) and weren't sure how to balance everything. So we prayed. We asked that the Lord's will be done, not ours. We asked that our goals and dreams be put aside and have His will be done, no matter what that meant for us. Baby or no baby.
Three short weeks after we starting praying that prayer, we found out you were already with us.
Within another 3 weeks we saw you on the monitor for the first time. (You looked like a kidney bean!)
We've been watching your progress Little One, watching you grow with every glimpse we get on the ultrasound machine when the doctor is checking your heartbeat. And yesterday, when you were kicking with certainty for the first time, I nearly leapt out of my chair with joy. How proud we were as parents!
But this morning my love, this morning we get to find out even more... It's the day we've been awaiting for nearly 20 weeks now. We get a head-to-toe ultrasound exam, finding out details of you we can't even imagine.
I've been dreaming about you. And every time I've met you in my dreams you have been a baby boy. Are you a boy? Doña Macha and Baba say you are a girl. Are you a girl? I love you no matter what, but am really excited to find out everything and anything about you that I can.
I'll see you in a couple of hours my sweet babe.
Love,
Your Proud Mama
You see, when I, your mommy, was just 15 years old, the doctors found a really large tumor on one of my ovaries. Ovaries are little organs that play a very special role in the reproductive process. When the doctor operated to remove the (8 pound!) tumor, there was no way to save the ovary so he had to take it out too. This made your mommy very sad.
The doctors told Baba and I that the other ovary 'should' pick up the slack, eventually recognizing that the other one was gone. But there was no guarantee.
This, matched with other health concerns really made me wonder if I could ever have kids. Then I met Jesus and realized that my life goals and dreams weren't what really mattered anyways... It's His will that mattered. So I accepted that he knew what was best, even if that meant no kids of my own.
Then I met your daddy. I started falling in love with him right away, but needed him to know. Out of love and respect I told him as soon as possible that reproduction may not be reality with me. Your daddy, who always thought he wanted to have kids, didn't even leave enough time to blink (never mind time for another tear to fall) before responding that he loved me, no matter what the future held. Two months later he asked me to marry him, and later that year we became husband and wife.
A few years had past before you seriously came to mind. With every check up, the doctors found a cyst on my one last ovary. The OB/GYN (that's a doctor) told us that if we were seriously considering having a biological child, it was time to seriously start working on it.
Your daddy and I weren't sure what to do. We were traveling a lot, working in other countries, and our lives were pretty hectic. We had big goals and dreams (including you!) and weren't sure how to balance everything. So we prayed. We asked that the Lord's will be done, not ours. We asked that our goals and dreams be put aside and have His will be done, no matter what that meant for us. Baby or no baby.
Three short weeks after we starting praying that prayer, we found out you were already with us.
Within another 3 weeks we saw you on the monitor for the first time. (You looked like a kidney bean!)
We've been watching your progress Little One, watching you grow with every glimpse we get on the ultrasound machine when the doctor is checking your heartbeat. And yesterday, when you were kicking with certainty for the first time, I nearly leapt out of my chair with joy. How proud we were as parents!
But this morning my love, this morning we get to find out even more... It's the day we've been awaiting for nearly 20 weeks now. We get a head-to-toe ultrasound exam, finding out details of you we can't even imagine.
I've been dreaming about you. And every time I've met you in my dreams you have been a baby boy. Are you a boy? Doña Macha and Baba say you are a girl. Are you a girl? I love you no matter what, but am really excited to find out everything and anything about you that I can.
I'll see you in a couple of hours my sweet babe.
Love,
Your Proud Mama
20/10/2010
3
Today, three years ago, I married you my best friend.
The Lord has brought us many places over the past three years, beyond anywhere we could've imagined. We've been through challenging and amazing times and I am reminded on a daily basis that you are my better half. You are a gift from God.
As I reflect over the past three years I can't help but get butterflies about our future. The Lord's plans are far greater and far better than any of our own, and I look forward to experiencing them with you.
I love you.
19/10/2010
I'm baaaaa aaaccck!
Well, that was fun!
Here are some highlights:
Here are some highlights:
- Seeing all of those that we were so close to last year. My heart skipped a beat so many times!! We were taking the bus in to town and after climbing aboard someone excitedly shrieked from the back "Candi?!?!!" in disbelief that a ghost just got on the bus. Then we would spend the ride catching up. Sooo welcoming, like visiting home!
- Noticing many positive changes have taken place over the past 6 months. Yes, change is sad sometimes, but for the most part they were positive changes.
- Playing Dutch Blitz with the youth... Neither they nor I have played since April. It was a 'throw back' for all of us. We even played the full-sized version.
- Informing people that we are pregnant. There, babies are viewed as a true blessing from God, so they are happy to see we have been blessed.
- Attending a church service at the Voz Que Clama mission. I've especially missed their praise and worship time. What energy!!
- Catching up with A, who is originally from Canada but now lives and works there. Her and her husband were married two weeks before Tom and I were... And now they are due two weeks before Tom and I are!! It was so nice to talk to someone at the (exact) same life stage.
- Going to the beach with our Costa Rican family. The Caribbean ocean was warm, the pick-nick was delicious, the company was fantastic, and the rain held off for most the day.
- Chasing a Capuchin monkey away from rummaging through our stuff. Malo mono!!! ("Bad monkey!") Yes, I really did yell that at him!! He hissed at me. Then I got a little scared.
- Putting on a big pre-warmed jacket at the Montreal airport upon our return... And when slipping my passport into the pocket, feeling something strangely techy and rectangularish inside... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18/10/2010
Before and after... Livin' it!
We're flying home today and needed to leave wwwaaaaaaayyy too early to compose something crafty, so I prewrote this for your enjoyment. 'Tomorrow', when I'm home, I'll tell you all about our trip. Probably.
***
When we moved out of our last apartment we sold the couch. It was a relatively new couch, but it was cheap and uncomfortable. At least it looked good.
Because this
is what we had when we moved back.
Ick.
And our living looked like a student's apartment.
Double ick.
I really couldn't stand it.
The plan was to buy a replacement couch when we returned... I spent hours scouring Kijiji and Craigslist for a good deal. We even visited a used one, but it didn't work out.
I dreamed of making over the living room.
What do you think?
Not so icky, at least?
And the best part is that everything was on the cheap!
***
When we moved out of our last apartment we sold the couch. It was a relatively new couch, but it was cheap and uncomfortable. At least it looked good.
Because this
is what we had when we moved back.
Ick.
And our living looked like a student's apartment.
Double ick.
I really couldn't stand it.
The plan was to buy a replacement couch when we returned... I spent hours scouring Kijiji and Craigslist for a good deal. We even visited a used one, but it didn't work out.
I dreamed of making over the living room.
So we did.
What do you think?
Not so icky, at least?
And the best part is that everything was on the cheap!
17/10/2010
Cheesed.
A flashback post... Because we're off to the beach today!!!
**
Last Friday night on our way home from dinner, we decided to stop in at the fondue restaurant to enjoy some wonderfully melty cheesy goodness on the board walk.
Romantic, no?
We order an appetizer to share. We'd already eaten, so it was just for a taste.
The waiter told us no. He said that the tab was simply too small and if we weren't ordering more we couldn't stay.
Excuse me?
Seriously?
Here's a little black heart sticker for you, sir.
So we walked to our little grocery store, bought a No Name cheese fondue and enjoyed a whole mound of it, for half the price, while coozied up watching a movie at home.
Believe me, it was much better than anything that restaurant could have offered!
**
Last Friday night on our way home from dinner, we decided to stop in at the fondue restaurant to enjoy some wonderfully melty cheesy goodness on the board walk.
Romantic, no?
We order an appetizer to share. We'd already eaten, so it was just for a taste.
The waiter told us no. He said that the tab was simply too small and if we weren't ordering more we couldn't stay.
Excuse me?
Seriously?
Here's a little black heart sticker for you, sir.
So we walked to our little grocery store, bought a No Name cheese fondue and enjoyed a whole mound of it, for half the price, while coozied up watching a movie at home.
Believe me, it was much better than anything that restaurant could have offered!
16/10/2010
changes
I knew it would happen.
Some things changed.
Some youth grew.
Some now have cellphones.
Some are dreaming of visiting the states.
Some of the elderly passed away.
Some of the young adults are going to get married.
Some parents are sick, and because of it are now out of work.
Some can't afford groceries.
Some bought a car.
Gardens have grew, trees have been removed.
As time passes, some things change.
But our God does not.
How blessed are we to live in such an ever-changing world, yet serve an unchanging God.
Some things changed.
Some youth grew.
Some now have cellphones.
Some are dreaming of visiting the states.
Some of the elderly passed away.
Some of the young adults are going to get married.
Some parents are sick, and because of it are now out of work.
Some can't afford groceries.
Some bought a car.
Gardens have grew, trees have been removed.
As time passes, some things change.
But our God does not.
How blessed are we to live in such an ever-changing world, yet serve an unchanging God.
15/10/2010
Because I don't think anyone will let that fly...
Hi all!
We made it and are doing well. It's sooooo nice to see everyone again (and realize I haven't completely lost my Spanish). And wow, I haven't had my belly kissed so many times in my life!
The word here is that I'm carrying a girl, because apparently my behind and love handles are significantly larger than before :P I guess we'll have to wait until next week to see if they're right!
We made it and are doing well. It's sooooo nice to see everyone again (and realize I haven't completely lost my Spanish). And wow, I haven't had my belly kissed so many times in my life!
The word here is that I'm carrying a girl, because apparently my behind and love handles are significantly larger than before :P I guess we'll have to wait until next week to see if they're right!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)