where the deer and the antelope play

Five.  That is the number of times we have moved in the past two years.  And by the end of April, the number will be SIX!

We have thoroughly enjoyed California and all the perks of living in a warm climate, and although Josh's coworkers and bosses have been wonderful to us, it just felt like this job wasn't exactly the right fit for our family.  So Josh started browsing job offers and put in for numerous jobs, not thinking he'd be offered any of them.  To our delight and surprise Yellowstone was hiring, and after going through the process, HE GOT IT!!   

So yes, we are moving yet again.  Lots of you Gardiner folks already knew, but I wanted to wait until it was "official" before writing about our newest adventure.  We are unbelievably excited to return to our loved community, to jump back into the swing of things, and reconnect with our family and friends.

Goodbye, my wonderful California weather.  You will be missed dearly.  This Canadian mama will think of you fondly and wistfully while she shivers in the Montana cold.          

Photo Cred: 

www.worldofstock.com/stock-photos/original-roosevelt-arch-north-gate-to-yellowstone/NEA3036

tears of laughter

Last night I read way too far into the early morning, but it was TOTALLY worth the lost sleep.  Not only did I need to read something other than Goodnight Moon, I needed a good laugh.

Now, I hardly ever laugh so hard I have tears rolling down my face.  And even more rarely do I shed tears of laughter while reading a book.  All of that changed yesterday.  

While browsing free kindle books on Amazon a couple weeks ago, I happened upon the best free book ever:  "Ketchup is a Vegetable: and other Lies Moms Tell Themselves" by Robin O'Bryant.  

It's a masterpiece.  

Anyone who is a parent, or pondering whether or not parenthood is for them, this book is for you.

It's a breath of fresh air, a good dose of hilarity and honesty, and most of all: only 266 pages.  Her arrangement of chapters are fantastically perfect for a busy mom.  Since I don't want to spoil all the good stories, I'm going to leave my description as it is.   (Plus I'm always scared of the plagiarism police, being thrown in jail, and leaving Josh to care for Bee all on his own.  Which might mean our daughter would NEVER wear pink, read Little House on the Prairie, have ballet lessons or wear hair bows!)

Sadly for you all, the book is no longer free, but it's only 5.99 if you buy the kindle version.  And I think you should, if not because you like reading good books, then to support a Mama who works from home and has three deliciously mischievous little girls, all born within four years! 

Go now....and purchase. 
http://www.amazon.com/Ketchup-Vegetable-Other-Themselves-ebook/dp/B0065B0ONQ/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

please excuse my crazy

I recently read an article written by a mother who was debating whether or not children should be learning how to write in cursive anymore.  It made me think back to Strathcona Elementary, in my Grade 2 class when my teacher Mrs.VanderFlyer was teaching us to hand-write.  We were all grumbling that we would NEVER have to use it outside of school.  (turns out, we were right!)  But because I was a smartypants and complete teacher's pet, I worked my hardest and beamed with pride when Mrs.VanderFlyer announced that I was the best in the class and my handwriting made her "sick with envy".  Sigh.  Those were the glory days.    

Of course after reading the article, I had to then immediately try and see if I could still hand-write the entire alphabet to my superior standards.  And because of my superior standards I am too ashamed to show a picture of how bad my letters looked.  At least I still remembered how to do them!  

I for one, would be sad to see cursive writing leave our schools.  I know I want my daughter to learn, even if she never uses it outside of school.  I feel like it's an important skill to know, and only a little part of me wants her to have the best handwriting in her class.  OK, I dream of those elementary school awards assemblies.  In them Bee is given the award for best handwriting, and as everyone is applauding her genius, I dab my eyes with a hankie and blurt out with pride, "THAT"S MY BABY!"

What are your thoughts?  Do you think handwriting is an important skill to still learn these days?  Or should schools throw it out altogether?  

   

about a lady

We went to a wildlife sanctuary last week with a coworker of Josh's.  She's an incredible, generous woman, often bringing goodies for all at work, and has sent Josh home with spices and yoga DVDs for me.  When we first moved here, we hadn't found a bed yet, and hardly knowing Josh, she let us borrow her camping mats so we wouldn't have to sleep on the floor.  I had never met her before, but after our afternoon together, there was no question:  this lady rocks. 

 The sky was bright blue, the sun shining and Bee was happy to be out of the house.  We walked around the sanctuary for almost 3 hours, and boy did it feel good!  We ended the afternoon meeting Vikki's niece,  her niece's adorable 7 month old twins, and super cute older daughter.  

And the best part....the whole afternoon completely wore out Bee! 

this is when I become that parent who cries when their kid ages

Briella is now a year old.  Wowsa!  


It's surreal to realize that a year ago I was in the hospital, holding my new fragile baby, and my breath.  At 4 lbs 9 oz, a month and a day early, I was terrified I would break her.  The first few months went by in a blur; feeding her every 3 hours for 5 months did nothing for our sanity or sense of time.



She was a good baby; rarely fussed, readily ate, and mostly slept whenever she could.

This year has been a pleasure, watching her learn motor skills, how to roll, how to crawl and most recently, how to walk.  We are constantly in awe of this little girl and are so grateful that God blessed us with her.

Looking back on this past year and knowing just how great it's been; makes me so excited for this next year of Briella's precious life.  As excited as I am for this next year, I'm hoping it doesn't go by too fast.  I don't think I'm quite ready to accept the fact that my baby's not really a baby anymore. 

      sidenote:  I love this picture of Bee and I, but everytime I look at it I think, why didn't I take the 5 minutes it would have taken to put some concealer on my eye bags...geez.

sweet destruction

When Josh noticed Bee coming out of her room, holding her clothes in raised triumph, we knew something was up. 

              I think it's time to invest in some dressers.    

       yup, she was very proud of her handiwork!

perfection

Feb 13th was the day Josh and I "celebrated" Valentines Day this year.  Mostly because he worked on the 14th all evening, but also because it suited us.  As a couple, we don't go all out for anniversaries or holidays.  Or even birthdays. (I think the birthday thing is going to change soon since Miss Bee is turning one (I know!) next week, and Josh has BIG ideas for her)  

A few examples: our honeymoon was small.  We stayed in Sisters, Oregon at my aunt's family's condo for a couple days and then drove to Montana for our American reception.  It wasn't a big trip to somewhere exotic but it was still meaningful and special.  Our first anniversary we spent watching NCIS seasons and eating crap food with delicious wine.  Our second anniversary we were blessed with being able to ditch our baby with my Mother-in-law and escape overnight to the next town.  Best part of that date?  WE GOT TO SLEEP!  Oh Blessed Sleep.  It was wonderful.  

This Valentines, Josh took "his girls" as he is so fond of saying, to the Olive Garden.  We were pleasantly surprised to find out what a good restaurant baby Bee is.  As she was chowing down on her bread ,tomatoes, ravioli and black olive, we declared that she was a baby MADE to eat in a public setting, and we decided to find more excuses to eat out.  (Now I realize that I've probably jinxed her and the next time we try eating out she's going to throw a fit and the manager will kindly ask us to leave our daughter at home next time, and I will simmer with righteous anger and indignation for a LONG time afterwards.  geez) 

Then we went home and watched The Bachelor, or I should say:  I watched, Josh mocked, and Bee slept.  Fitting, I'd say.  We got to celebrate our love and life as a family and then watch someone be rejected in quite possibly one of the most superficial reality TV shows ever.  I LOVED IT!  What is it about watching a bunch of ladies fight for the same man, without really knowing who he is, that makes me so grateful for my own husband?  Probably because I know he hasn't gone skinny dipping with another girl, nor would he ever!

Feb 14th, I started my day with the breakfast of champions:  coffee and a piece of chocolate.

All in all, our day together was not flashy, there were no long stem roses, "every kiss begins with Kay" did not apply to us, and I wore the same old jeans I've had forever.   But for me, it was perfection. 

the result of learning to walk

She loves, loves, loves her teddy bear,

and now that she can walk, she carries him around a lot

but because of her new skill, its harder to get good quality pictures of her kissing said teddy!

Briella talking to herself

who knew reality tv could be so thought provoking?

 So, I sometimes watch Toddlers and Tiaras.  Its a TLC show that features different families who have children in beauty pageants.  Is it worth wasting your time watching?  Not really.  But sometimes, the people they feature are so ridiculous it's hard to look away.  Like how a man who swallows a sword at a circus is hard to stop watching.  You really want to look away, but you're so fascinated you just can't help watching.  

That's kind of how it is with me and this show.  Luckily, I don't watch it that often, and if I do get hooked and I'm self tanning Briella and giving her false eyelashes to wear...please stage an intervention.  

But I digress.  Watching the show has brought quite a few questions to my mind. 

• 1.  Why in the world would you want to sexualize your child?
• 2.  If beauty pageants have such a bad rap for being a competition and lifestyle, why are child athletes not given a bad rap?  
• 3.  Why would you spend thousands of dollars on a dress for a 6 month old?  Come on people!  
• 4.  Why does that 7 year old have better posture than me? 
• 5.  Is it ok for a pageant director to say that "fat contestants should not enter this pageant"?
• 6.  Should a prepubescent girl be counting calories?
• 7.  Why does that 4 year old girl have fake butt and chest implants?  
• 8.  Why can't I stop watching this stupid show?

There are many questions that I have when watching the show, but what do I think about after I'm done watching it?  Let's see:

• The mom who yells, pouts, and claims she has "nothing" when her daughter wins second place. 
• The mother who says on camera that she "had children specifically so we could do pageants with them". 
• The parents who constantly are criticizing their children for not being good enough, even though they are winning titles.

Then I look at my beautiful baby girl and I hug her (if she lets me) and tell her she's beautiful and smart and that she will do great things.  And then i try to picture her all dolled up like one of the beauty contestants...and I laugh as I picture her trying to rip the wig off, or spitting up all over her 3000 dollar dress, or going around and clobbering people with her little wooden hammer.  Who needs that stress?  Not this mama.

Hopefully I can learn something from this show since I can't stop watching it!

mirror, mirror

who's this other baby in my house?

 let's be friends!

 we have ALL day to play!

 my favourite game is peek-a-boo!

and I love to eat anything I find on the floor!