Who Knew?

Mike and I experienced the coolest thing last Tuesday evening - some friends of ours invited us (and many other people) to their place for a backyard concert with a few {semi} local musicians. We didn't really know what to expect, not sure what we were in for, but it was such an amazing experience! It was a beautiful, warm, fall evening (which doesn't really happen here in Edmonton at all), the musicians were fabulous (sherri plett and lance odegard) and the atmosphere was amazing!! We are definitely planning one (or some!) of these in our backyard next summer.

In Memory

Every year, we have remembered Mom Stolte in various ways throughout the year. Around the time of year when she died (May), we have started the tradition of raising money for cancer research at the Relay for Life. For her birthday (Oct), sometimes we go the gravesite, sometimes we go for dinner, sometimes we just get together at someone's house. This year we decided to try a park - a bit more family friendly, as the "families" now outnumber the "couples". We had a great time remembering stories about Mom, watching videos from the past, watching her grandkids play together, and missing her like crazy. She was a wonderful person who loved her children like the dickens. It is quite a testament to her relationship with her kids that 15 years after she died, they all still make it a priority to take some time out of their busy lives to remember her. Awesome.

Wow! Has it really been over a week since I last posted? Life has been crazy...I got hit with the decluttering bug, so there hasn't been much time for anything but sorting through piles and piles (and piles and piles) of paper and books and clothes and junk drawers. It feel GREAT, but it is time-consuming and takes alot. of. patience. (on everyone's part - it isn't easy dealing with me or the piles) I took my inspiration from this website and this e-book...and now we have room on our bookshelves to display all that is beautiful for our family - including these vases that Mike has kept in memory of his mom. One room almost done, and quite a bit more to do...

Like mother, like daughter

Eden cleaned up the play room this afternoon, and promptly set up some rules about how our family might keep this room looking at it's best. I couldn't help but chuckle, because certain traits just have to be genetic: 1. the idea that keeping a space clean is important and 2. making rules about such values and 3. designing a poster for such rules and putting it front and centre so NO ONE will miss it (it is the first thing you see as you go into the basement). This girl sometimes drives me crazy, but everyday is a reminder, that yes, I did give birth to her, she has a large proportion of my genes and I love her so very, very much...


(click on the image to enlarge it, so you can read the translation)

And the rain falls

It seems that whenever the rain falls after some very hot weather, I get into a self-reflective trance. I think it has to do with the fact that I grew up with alot of rain, and I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside whenever it rains. This week has been an emotional week. I didn't think I would have such a hard time with Aaralyn going to kindy, but there were tears on Wednesday morning (and it was not Aaralyn crying). Thankfully Mike was home looking after Ephraim, so I had a good cry with him after I dropped the girls off (with Ephraim saying "What's the matter Mommy?" over and over again). I have also realized that with Eden being in school full days, I really have only a little bit of time with her each day. It is crazy how with kids it is SOOO intense when they are little (and so close together in my case), and then *BOOM* it's done, and they are home for a few short hours before bedtime. It feels like I am going to wake up one day, and Eden will be graduating or something crazy like that. Yikes, these days are sometimes very long, but the years seem to be flying by.

Here's my two (very excited) school girls on their very first day. I sure love these kids...



On another note...Mike has successfully laid a new concrete pad at the front of the house, ripped out most of the the front porch and is almost ready to build the new improved porch! Can't wait to drink some wine at the front of the house.

Life is good. Remember to really live life today.