My favorite holiday!

Valentine's day is my favorite holiday! I have so many awesome memories with my Chaddy. From high school to now he always has a way of making me feel SO special. This year was our grandest Valentine's ever!!! He TOTALLY out did himself! We got to spend a night at the Pan Pacific hotel downtown.
After we checked in & freshened up we headed to my favorite restaurant, Boneta's. It was so nice to laugh about past memories and talk about our plans for the future...grown up conversations how I love them. The next morning we had a couples massage and then went shopping and out for lunch. It was awesome! It felt like when we were dating.

I honestly know how blessed I am to have such a romantic, thoughtful husband! He doesn't miss a beat and he's always putting my needs first. It was for sure 1 of the things that I fell in love with when we first started dating.

Our very 1st Valentine was back in high school. I was super excited and remember my brain drifting off to la la land all day in class. Chad picked me up in the family car. :) He wore a red dress shirt and khaki's (pretty much a Gap poster boy back in the day) and I puffed up my massive Dharma hair, put a dress on and we headed into the city. I suffered with some interesting food allergies when I was in high school. Garlic was one of the worst things I could eat. When I did have garlic, either my lips would puff up or I'd break out in hives. Super attractive time in my life. ;)

Chad had made reservations at an adorable little Italian restaurant in Kitts. The lighting was low, the candles were drippy and I was head over heals! Everything about the atmosphere was so romantic. We got our menu's and panic started to settle in. My moment of bliss was over when I realized everything on the menu had garlic. I thought at first about just ordering something. Who cares if I have an allergic reaction? The only problem was Chad & I hadn't kissed yet and I'm pretty sure balloon lips and a hives covered girlfriend doesn't equal a good first kiss for any guy.

I remember Chad interrupting my state of panic asking if I wanted to order an appetizer. Then it dawned on me, maybe the kitchen could make me up something without garlic. A special dish. Sure, that would work. I couldn't be the only person with a garlic allergy in Vancouver. They probably saw this all the time. So I decided what I wanted and returned to my blissful state. When the server came to take our orders I told him what I wanted and that I needed that without garlic as I was highly allergic. The server kindly informed me that everything on their menu had garlic and there was no way he could guarantee a garlic free meal. Oh boy! Of course my husband, apologized and grabbed my hand and escorted me out of the restaurant. We headed to Earls for wings. I never forgot that moment though. I knew that Chad would always take care of me in this way by his simple and kind gesture.

I love my husband so much! This year and every year to come I will make sure he knows I'm better because he's in my life. Love you babe!!!

The next Sidney Crosby???

You know you're Canadian when you sign your 2 year old up for floor hockey! Chase plays hockey all throughout our house so I thought it would be good to get him out in the community and play with other little boys his age. He was so cute running around.

I just wanted to squish him!

Chase was also in love with the idea of a coach. As we drove to hockey that's all I heard about.

Caleb was also in the class. When did they get so big?!?

Honored

Chad & I have had the massive privilege of witnessing our friends and family get married over the years! Every wedding has something that stays with us. A piece of the bride & grooms special day that will stick with us throughout the years. After we left Devan & Amy's wedding both Chad & I said it was an honor/privilege to be a guest at this wedding. I felt like I was watching a very sacred moment between a family through a frosted window. Here's why...

Devan & Amy met the Spring of 2010. They had known each other casually in high school but lost track of each other over the years. Their lives had taken them down separate journeys. Each path strengthening them and making them both stronger. When their paths crossed again last Spring a spark was awoken in them both. Then, when Amy introduced Devan to her daughter Emma a family was born. Devan, fell in love with this little girl and as they dated he became determined to marry Amy so that Emma would only ever know him as Daddy! *yep, I'm crying* Shortly after Emma turned 1 Devan and Amy got married!!! Here are some highlights from their day.

Devan gave Emma a necklace as a symbol to her of his love. Not a dry eye in the room!

I fell in love with Amy as soon as I met her! She's an amazing woman!!!

The Hull's are always a TON of fun but when Kris got his wife's Nana out there dancing I was loving every second of it. ;)

The cousins

Lovely little ladies!

The 2nd week in January was filled with sugar and spice & everything nice for us! Two of my very dear friends welcomed baby girls into their families. I love this stage of life! From the announcement of pregnancy to the phone call that they're in labour...it's all so exciting!!!

Vince & Kristy welcomed beautiful Sierra Gonsalves on January 11th. Kristy has always been my friend who loved pink and anything that sparkles. ;) So I was over joyed to hear she was having a little girl!

4 days later the incredible Lundgren family welcomed Leksya! How beautiful does Melissa look just hours later? Melissa truly is my hero! After everything she's been through these last couple of weeks she's still thanking God for His faithfulness. She's an incredible woman that I admire greatly!

Chase thought Leks was really cute! I guess it's another option for him if things didn't workout with her big sister. ;) Love you Livy!!!

Thank you for letting us celebrate this milestone with you! We're so excited to be apart of your lives and to raise our wee ones together. We pray blessing & wisdom over you as you raise these sweet girls!

Hi Baby!

To my sweet baby,

I'm truly thankful everyday that God has given me the gift of being a Mommy again! I come alive just thinking about what our family will look like one day. I promise to love you with my whole heart and to do my best to be here for you always. I'm so excited to meet you! At 25 weeks your birthday will be here before we know it. I love feeling you roll around and kick. You are very active just like your big brother was. ;) Even though you've brought on a bit more heart burn and nausea (ha ha) Mommy loves you. Keep growing strong! I love you!!!

xx Mommy

Christmas 2010

Some of the highlights from Christmas 2010! This year we celebrated with my side of the family. Chad, Chase & I started the day off waking up early to open gifts as a wee family. We had to wake Chase up so he was a bit groggy while opening gifts at our house. He came alive at my Mom's. It was a special morning for me enjoying our time with Chase. Next year there will be 2 kids and I'm sure a lot more chaos! ;)

I love stockings!

Chase's gift from us this year was a train table. I'm sure you can tell by the wrapping paper and his pj's that he's into Thomas! ;)

Christmas at my Mom's

More trains

We found out the beginning of December that my Aunt had breast cancer. It was a massive shock to everyone. Her surgery was scheduled for Dec. 24th in the morning. She came on Christmas day for dinner and left shortly after as she was in a great deal of pain. It wasn't an easy Christmas for Auntie Miriam or the rest of the family. Her journey continues as she's scheduled for another surgery this month. We're praying for a complete healing in her body and lives to be touched from her testimony!

Watching the cousins open presents

Turkey time!

This Christmas was very reflective for me. I was surrounded with the simple message that life is precious. As the baby kicked and wiggled inside of me I was bursting with joy. Bringing another baby into this world is such a thrill for me! However, watching my Aunt suffer in pain was the harsh reality. I need to savour each moment, the good and the bad. I know this is to easily said but far often never done. I want to speak joyfully and encourage the beautiful people in my life. As I said before, life is precious! We only get a short time here...might as well do our best!

CHAD

My husband has worked for Apex Wireless ever since he moved home from New York. He started at the bottom and over the years he's worked his way up and is now managing 2 stores. I've LOVED every second of watching him grow as a manager. He is excellent at cultivating a "team" and diligent at growing his business. My amazing husband works long hours. However, the moment he walks through the door it's all about Chase and me. ;) I'm so proud of him and I'm believing with him for even greater things next year!

Chaddy, I love you to pieces and I'm thankful for all your hard work! xx

Chad & the Surrey store