Our new family member...

This is BASIL. He is the newest member of our VW family. And I love him. Ciao all.

I am slowly going crazy...

My month to date has been WAY too crazy! No - my last TWO months to date have been CRAZY!! I am slowly going insane. I am making light of it now, but a few days ago I just wanted to sit down and cry. Full out bawl my eyes out. I am sooo overwhelmed with all that I have going on. And all I can do now is just focus on one day at a time. To look at a week at a time, or a month at a time makes my heart race and my palms sweat and my blood pressure rise. Why you ask?? Well let me share: * I did not take any summer holidays - Marc did not work this summer so I had to... It was a loooong summer... and I am exhausted * I put on a wedding shower for my cousin in August * I stressed over and finally found flower girl dresses for my cousin's wedding for the girls at the end of August * My job has been insanely busy and is not letting up and I am beyond stressed on an HOURLY basis about my files - has been going on since July actually... * I organized a food drive for our Ward and we gathered over 8000 lbs of food and canvassed 5500 + homes - just last week * My son turned 12 and I have a family party to put on this weekend - on Saturday * I have a craft tutorial to teach tomorrow night - Friday * I have a children's Christmas party for my firm to start planning now in order to book the venue - needs to be done either the last week of November or first week of December * I am buying a new car on Saturday - same day as party day... because I have time to do this... NOT * Marc has started teaching night school so starting next week I am a single mom 4 nights a week * Ethan had an endurance test and now his induction is in a few weeks - not even sure if we will be around for it... * Bella started activities every Thurs night - another night I am not home * Ethan's taekwondo schedule now is three nights a week - more nights not home * My cousin's wedding is in three weeks and I have NOT found my outfit or my shoes and I need time to go shopping to find what I want - MAJOR STRESS * I need to book a hair appnt for me to colour my hair before the wedding and then I need another appnt morning of wedding to do my hair and to do Bella's hair * Marc needs a new suit - we need to go and look for one * I got Ethan fitted for his tux but I have to pick it up from downtown Vancouver before the wedding - don't know when... * Oh, did I mention that I am the "go to lady" for the wedding = all problems/concerns/glitches are mine to deal with?? Oh ya. They are. * Oh, and did I mention that I have also been asked to help with the rehersal dinner the night before the wedding - I live in Cloverdale. The rehersal is in the West End of Vancouver. It will take me at least 1.5 hours to get out there for Friday night. And then dinner on top of that??? Insane.. * Oh, and bake cupcakes for the gift opening on the day after the wedding - my aunt asked, how can I say no???? Sigh... * Oh, and make sure all the table centerpieces get put together - I have to take the flowers from the church and bring them to the hotel and put together the pieces... There is more, but I am going to stop. Here comes the crying jag again... I need chocolate. Ciao all.

My tree fascination

Has been fed again thanks to Pinterest. These trees are FABULOUS!! Fabric covered cones. Come on. I sooo can do this. And I will for Christmas. I see my collection growing again this year. Ciao all.

12 Today...

E turns 12 today. I am continuously amazed with all the things this child can do. At 12: 1. He is 5'7" 2. He weighs 115 lbs 3. He is a 2nd Degree Black Belt 4. He has graduated from Primary in Church and completed his Faith In God 5. He is about to be ordained a Deacon and begin Young Mens 6. He is in his last year of Elementary School 7. He has received "Gifted Status" = he is too smart for his own good, and everyone else's... 8. He loves computer games 9. He reads books that are meant for youths in Grades 11-12 (too smart...) 10. He still plays with Lego and is fascinated by the designs he comes up with 11. He intends to become a Mechanical Engineer (which he soooo can do!!) 12. He is quick witted and quick tongued (I blame his father for that!) 13. He is kind and gentle with his sister (who ADORES him!!) 14. He is a loyal friend 15. He is happy 16. He has an almost photographic memory for things 17. He is opinionated 18. He is task oriented (hmm, wonder where that comes from?? ha ha) 19. He still goes to bed at 9 pm (LOVE that!!) 20. He reads his scriptures and prays every night (LOVE that too!!) He is my pride and my joy Happy Birthday baby!! I am going to bake a cake for him. Ciao all.

Here we go again...

 

So this is where we are - Grade 7 and Grade 3. I don't know how we got here actually. I swear if I close my eyes, Ethan was just starting Montessori... And Bella wasn't even born yet. HOW did I get here?? And HOW am I going to cope with the fact that my baby is entering his last year of elementary school. It is on to high school next year!! Oh, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth... To my wonderfully intelligent children. Enjoy this school year. Learn. Grow. Be educated. Have fun. Make friends. Keep friends. Be helpful. Be respectful. Be athletic. Be musical. Be YOU!!

Ciao all.

Field of Dreams...

Lavender fields, France. Gorgeous. Have a lovely day. Ciao