how did you spend your week??

Well , it was a quiet week with no kids here. I haven't walked since Monday. I have been out staining everyday. I just felt the deck was so important and without Tyson here it was so much easier and I worked everyday 3-11pm so it was difficult to fit it in. I feel OK since it is work but not cardio. I had to get it done while I could. Steph came down to help and we will be doing theirs once ours is complete. Easy way to work together and get them done. The spindles are the worst part. but generally I think it looks pretty darn good. I have to admit though I am glad it is done. ( almost)
Happy Birthday to Scotty today too. We love you very much and are glad that you are such an important part of our life!! Love you tons!

called home

Birthdays. Not such a big deal. In fact I spent the morning painting with Tyson.

Steph came by today to see me with Lauryn. They brought me a gift. A beautiful picture of he that Leslie took. My favorite one. One of my many faves. And a gift card. I love it. Thanks Williams family.

Tyson had lots of hugs and kisses for me this morning too.

I have to work today, but first I have to drop Tyson off at Mom's and then a lovely staff meeting. Mom also had a gift card for me. I asked for them because I wanted to finish off the white stone in my front flower beds. I'll post a picture later when I finish them.

Once I got to work all the girls wished me a happy birthday and Angela gave me a mall gift card too. And lots more hugs from my friends that I have at work.

After that, I got to work and into the meeting when the phone rang. The girls gave me the phone and on the other end was Dalton calling from camp to wish me a happy birthday. He sang it to me. I cried. Silly I know but I did. The girls all commented on how he is such a special kid. I loved that and it was probably the best gift I got all day.

I found out after that Dalton had a lonesome night that night. Andrea told me he was homesick after calling. Last year when he called home he talked to Dad. He was fine. So as much as I loved it, I think next year he will have to not call home. I can't be selfish and put him through that. Not fair to him. even though I didn't make him call, I can't have him upset. He is there to have fun and learn not worry about all of us at home and what he is missing.

Kids gone....

So today was the day. Dalton was up at 6am. Normal for Tyson but not Dalton. We had breakfast and got ready for church and a way we went. Dalton knew as soon as church was over it was time to soon head out to camp. I had packed all his stuff last night and finished it up this morning. Dalton can't wait to go. He is hoping his camp leader is there again this year. Andrea travels from New Brunswick with her entire family to run the camp for a couple of weeks. Dalton adores her but we are unsure if she will be there again this year. Dalton is also unsure of how many of his friends will be there from last year. He is hoping to see some of them again, especially Cole and Josh.

This year he is taking another camper with him, Brock. He is also from our church. Dalton is going crazy today. It has to be the single most thing he loves to do that doesn't involve video games, television and riding his bike. His favorite things all left behind for camp. And he can't wait.

At church his was wished a safe and happy trip, and given lots of hugs. And away we went. We arrived home had some lunch and packed up the van and we were on our way. A soon as we pulled in all we heard from the back seat was.... Mom... there's Andrea... there's Cole.... there's Josh. He was so excited. I don't know how to tell you that he was thrilled. I have never seen Dalton so excited. Not even on Christmas. I teared up. I couldn't believe that this camp has impacted him so greatly that he has made such a connection here with these special people. I believe it is one of the things that makes Dalton who he is. You can't even bottle the joy that he had.

He wandered around for a bit, found more of his friends, talked with Andrea and then got his cabin number. He was Jr camper this year so he got to be above the hill. He was excited and ran up to pick his bed and meet his counsellors and cabin mates.

Dalton found his bed and quickly unpacked his stuff. And I mean quickly. So he could find his friends again!

It may have taken him 2 minutes tops! Then we got him a few new camp shirts and he was telling me I could go, he was good. I love the independence but hate that he doesn't need me so much anymore. One last stop to tag his shirts, put them away and grab his friends for a picture and we were gone.

Dalton's cabin was the corner one but most of his friends were in the cabin room next to him. Didn't matter to him though he was at camp with them that was enough.

Tyson couldn't then wait to get back home because he was going to Scott and Colleens for the night. So we got home had some supper and headed over there. Do you think he was in a hurry? Looking back saying come on Mom. I had a visit with them too, they gave me a lovely bath set for my birthday and then I went home to bed. I have to work in the am early. Then I will scoop Tyson up to go back home for the night then off to the trailer with him Tuesday. I am glad that I have such independent children with so many special people in their lives. Life isn't about having money, stuff and popularity. This is what life is all about. And I am thankful for it.

Maybe it took losing everything to figure that out when we had the house fire, or maybe it is just realizing that we are appreciative of what we have now, since stuff is just that stuff. And the things that matter most are the things that are closest to you that have no monetary value at all.

good Day...

My Birthday is Tuesday but the kids will both be gone. Dalton leaves for camp (which he can't wait) tomorrow and Tyson leaves on Tuesday afternoon to go to the trailer with my parents. I work all this week so the kids are going on vacation without us. They both love going to the trailer with my parents. My Mom used to babysit them but now they are older Dalton only goes to visit, and Tyson only gets there on his non school days. for both of them it isn't nearly enough.

So we decided to have a little special evening tonight. We started out with getting pizza, after supper we headed over to dairy queen. I know that supper was already out of my calories but it was my birthday. Well kinda. Don't get me wrong, I haven't given up but for one day I am going to let myself enjoy food. Enjoy life, and indulge with my kids. It won't be a habit but if I don't let go once in a while, I will never make it through anything because I feel deprived and give in.

We decided to go to Dairy Queen because cake just means we all eat that crap for a week till it's gone. This way we all got what we wanted, ate what we wanted and when it was gone there was no leftovers to munch on. I had a blizzard. Calories for the day in that puppy alone. But I didn't stress I enjoyed every bit of it.

We went to the park and ate our treats and then we came back home.

I was feeling very full and hadn't walked yet today so Dalton and headed out Kerri was just getting home so we asked her to come with us. She did. She walked right along like a trooper and did a great job. (even though I had no doubts.) She questioned the distance of the walk. I thought it was 5kms we were walking. Kerri pointed out that it had to be more, she had clocked it part way with her car one day. So guess what I did it and it turns out that we have been walking 6. 1 kms everyday. Yay us! Thanks Kerri what a great no cost gift for my Birthday. LOVE IT!!

So I got home and we had company. Tina and Mike were here. Had a little visit with them and I found that I felt a lot better after my walk.

So I had a great day even though it was only kinda my birthday!! We were together and happy and enjoying the life that we share.

I love my family.

pool baby!!

One thing is for sure this little gal loves the pool. We have been taking her in regularly now. She has started to kick her feet and let us know she is in there. She doesn't even mind the boys splashing so much. After the first few days and all the sun, even though we were careful, we got her a hat.

Dalton picked this one out. Pink with flowers. We added the ribbons after. I am still on a mission to find her a bonnet. She can't help looking so darn cute!The heat has been so warm and with Steph and I walking everyday, she is just as warm as we are when we get back so, she goes in the pool with us. Not to mention the few extra calories burnt in the pool. There has also been days where she is just so darn fussy about the heat that we have put her in the pool. Never fails that after her head is wet and she has cooled down a bit we know her fist is at her mouth and she is for sure ready to eat.

Doesn't she looked so relaxed after the pool and some chow?

Now wait a sec..or a least a few minutes....this is relaxed!!!The pool has many benefits for Lauryn. ( shh and Mom!!)

We loves that darn babe!! How could you not?

going to the trailer ...

We went to my parents trailer today. It was a beautiful day. My kids had a great time. Dalton was there about 2 minutes and realized his friend Katelyn was there and he was gone down to her water trampoline. Tyson on the other hand wasn't so lucky. He got stuck back at the trailer with us. My Mom had purchased a little pool for Tyson so we filled it up. He did his darnest to get everybody in it with him!! He managed to convince a few!!

Auntie Angino ( as he calls her)

And Dalton....

But then he was all on his own... and by the looks of it he managed quite well. because he spent the next 2 hours doing this...it's sideways but you'll manage and get the point.

On the lifestyle front, I have given up on the scale. I have decided it is not my friend. I feel good, I am walking everyday almost and I have been keeping my food on tact. No emotional or bored eating happening. So whatever it says is just a number. I am doing what I need to do and I have just decided that the scale will not determine how I will let myself feel.

don't get me wrong I am still going to weigh myself but I am not going to let it determine my mood. Or how good I feel.

Proud Momma and Daddy!

Here is my little man sporting his new trophy! Last night was his last night at soccer. I would have gotten a picture of it at the soccer field but, I had to work. I left at 6:30pm. His Auntie Tracy came and got him. So she got to see him play and get his trophy.

He also got to go to Reid's and get a treat so for that he was thrilled.

Here is the animated face......

Here is the "I am just so darned cute face!"

He is so proud of himself, almost as proud as we are of him!

Thanks Auntie, I don't know what we would do without you coming to the rescue. Tyson would have missed this great day! Love you!!