Friday January 13, 2012.
Cheers To Your Weekend - I survived the first week back to school, and more importantly, Friday the Thirteenth.  That deserves a drink.  Cheers to Your Weekend.

296/365

Saturday January 14, 2012.
Better Than Flowers -

297/365

Sunday January 15, 2012.
Weekly Self Portrait - I walked into the kitchen that was flooded with the bright winter sunlight. As the sun shone through the blinds, rows of light and shadows appeared on the front of the fridge. I grabbed my camera phone, pressed my head to up against the fridge and got a quick selfie. 

298/365

Monday January 16, 2012.
Lego Club, week 2 - Monday is Lego Club after school.  The Little Man and I enjoy the time out of the house with our friends.  And I love coming home to dinner made for us.  Thanks babe.

299/365

Tuesday January 17, 2012.
Clarity -  Day 300.  I'm almost at the end of my second 365 journey.  I've documented 665 days of my story.  As I get closer and closer to the end I'm wondering what I will do with my 365 blog (actually it's 366, this year is a leap year.)  Some days, I know with crystal clarity that sharing the everyday moments of my life worthwhile.  Other days I wonder if anyone really needs to see another picture and if it serves any purpose at all.  Searching for clarity.

300/365

Wednesday January 18, 2012.
Create -  The Little Man has been on a creative surge lately.  His medium of choice has been the kitchen chalkboard. I keep finding these chalkboard dudes popping up.  Awesome.

301/365

Thursday January 19, 2012.
Makeshift Ice Rink -  We had our first taste of winter.  Even though it was cold, the other mommies and I decided to stay and let the kids play in the snow.  A group of kids found a patch of ice to skate on.  Each time a kid ran and slid across the ice, I could feel my own tailbone hurt.  Ouch, that's going to hurt if they fall.  I had to force myself not to stop Charlie joining in the fun of this childhood ritual.

302/365

Friday January 20, 2012.
This Little Piggy - I held this sweet little boy as I visited with his mommy.  My friendship with her has grown slow and steady over the past twenty years.  First she was a girl from school, then she was my neighbour, next a member of my extended family, then my hairdresser now I would consider her my friend.  I have only recently realized how much her friendship, our connection means to me.  That realization filled my heart. 

303/365

Saturday January 21, 2012.
Cousins -  They say that cousins are your first friends.  These boys have been each other's playmate as long as they can remember.  Trust me, they never run out of adventures to find, together they can be double trouble.  I took this picture at my nephew's birthday party, in a quiet moment before the rest of the kids arrived.  My nephew is proudly showing off his new pet Thunder, and my son just a little unsure.

305/365

Sunday January 22, 2012. 
Looking Forward - The sunrise this morning was beautiful, the heavens joining me in wishing my daughter a happy Sweet Sixteen today.  I can't wait to see how she will move FORWARD this year.  (She choose FORWARD for her One Little Word for 2012.)
Happy Birthday Honey Bear.

306/365

Friday January 6, 2012.
Through the Years - I always fan out the pictures from previous years' when I update the frames.  I laid out their portraits and admired what great people they have become.  Each one of them growing into their best selves.  

289/365

Saturday January 7, 2012.
Special Sunrise - I was full of eager anticipation when I went outside with my morning coffee. This was the kind of day that was going to be a life changer. The sun was just beginning to rise; a beautiful, full pink sun rose behind streaks of blue grey clouds. I felt validated, even the heavens knew how important this day was. On Saturday, I met my half brother for the first time.

 

Embrace - My mother and her first born son.  An embrace that was forty-six years in the making.  Read more here. 

290/365

Saturday January 8, 2012.
Joy Hangover -  I didn't want the visit to end, and I'm so glad it didn't.  We ordered take out and ate off of paper plates with plastic utensils.  It was felt so good, so easy, in so many ways.  This morning I woke up with a smile on my face.  A Joy Hangover.

291/365

Monday January 9, 2012.
Resume Play -  Back to life, on Monday the kids went back to school.  After school, I took The Little Man to the library for the first week of his Lego and Literacy program.  He loved it.  At dinner, the table was full of chatter.  All three kids were eager to tell us about their day. 

292/365

Tuesday January 10, 2012.
Moonlit - I was watching television in my room, when I noticed the moon from my window.  Knowing how quickly the sun and the moon can change, I raced.  I grabbed my camera and tripod, forgot my coat and shoes, tripped over the cat and went outside to get my shot.  It was worth it.  Straight Out Of Camera.  Yeah baby.

293/365

Wednesday January 11, 2012.
Cat's Eye -  There is something wrong with my sweet girl's eye.  For the past few months, she has been developing spots in her eye.  It doesn't seem to bother her though.  Anyone know what it might be? 

294/365

Thursday January 12, 2012.
Tendrils and Ponytail-  the BAM weekly self portrait returns. 

295/365

Sunday December 11, 2011.
An Ordinary Morning - We sat drinking our morning coffee, discussing our plans for the day.  The To Do list was growing quickly.   I was grateful for our few moments of quiet togetherness.

263/365

Monday December 12, 2011.
Locked Together - It is a tradition for the grade eight students to put their locks on the chain link fence on the last day of elementary school.  Kenzie and her friend, Chelsea put these locks here.  I would call them best friends, but not in the way you usually think of best friends. 
They met on the first day of kindergarten, although, these two girls rarely socialize at school.  I remember once in grade three listening to the girls fight upstairs.  One minute they were yelling and screaming, the next they were in a fit of laughter.  Uncontrollable laughter.  That is how Kenzie and Chelsea are.  There is bond between these two that goes beyond popularity, social status, or a bad day.

264/365

Tuesday December 13, 2011.
Lines of Light -

265/365

Wednesday December 14, 2011.
Baby Fix -  I had the chance to photograph my friends granddaughter and got my baby fix too.  As much as I love the stage my kids are at, I miss having a baby in my world.   Last year, we finalized our decision not to have more children.  I know it was the right decision for us.  But moving ahead, farther and farther away from some of the most precious years of my life makes me a little sad.   

266/365

Thursday December 15, 2011.
Sincerely Yours - I hope he gets all he has wished for.

267/365

Friday December 16, 2011.
New Word - Last year for Ali Edwards One Little Word project, I choose the word Thrive.  I think I over shot.
Thrive -verb,

1.  to prosper; be fortunate or successful.

2.  to grow or develop vigorously; flourish: The children thrived in the country.

What I`ve learned this past year is that thriving - growing and developing vigorously is often accompanied with growing pains. 

After the year we`ve had, I`m considering words like comfort, enjoy, and easy for my 2012 one little word. 

268/365

Thursday December 1, 2011.
Missed the Moment - It was a sweet moment.  But by the time I went to the other room to get the camera, it was gone.  Instead of capturing the boys, both working on massaging one of their Dad's shoulders I got this goofy picture.  Yep, missed it.

253/365

Friday December 2, 2011.
The Walk Home -  We stayed later then we should have playing at the park after school.  It was cold, but the kids didn't seem to notice.  It was Friday and the sun was shining: those two things put all of us - The Mommies and The Kids in a good mood. 

254/365

Saturday December 3, 2011.
A Good Day -  It was Saturday and I had to work.  It could have been a bummer of a day, but it wasn't.  The day began with a beautiful sunrise and ended with a dinner at my mom's house.  I had so much to be thankful for.

255/365

Sunday December 4, 2011.
You Hold the Key - Everyone has or should have some go to ways to unwind during the craziness of the holiday season.  Mine is usually my camera, but lately music is becoming a key to stress relief.  One of my favourites?  The Fairytale of New York.  There's nothing like an angry Irish duo singing and cursing to wash away the tension.

256/365

Monday December 5, 2011.
The View From Here - The best part of the drive home was home.

257/365

Tuesday December 6, 2011.
From Where I Stand -  Last day at the greenhouse, last day of looking down at my work boots.  Last day.  I had mixed emotions.  I always find endings and goodbyes difficult, yet I was looking forward to having more time.  More time.  In December.  Yeah, right.

258/365

Wednesday December 7, 2011.
Every Little Thing -  It's the little things that make my heart melt.  Charlie was being particularly sweet the other night.
"Why are you such a good boy?" I asked him.
"I don't know, besides" he said, "I don't mind trouble that much.  Trouble is just a chance to learn." he told me.
Then he thought about it for a moment.  "But some kids don't learn that well." he said.
"That's okay Charlie, some adults don't learn that well either."
Smart Kid.

259/365

Thursday December 8, 2011.
Up and Down - The tree had been sitting outside for two days before we finally managed to get it in the house.  Up it went, and then down it came.  That is about how Christmas 2011 is going so far.  Two steps forward one step back.

260/365

Friday December 9, 2011.
School Work - I found her preschool artwork in with some of the Christmas decorations.  A dozen years have passed since she got off the bus telling me stories from her day.  Mitchell, the boy who rode on the bus beside her had given her a plastic Santa ring and asked her to marry him.  In her book bag was her Christmas Tree painting, that she was so excited to show off.  So many years have passed and things aren't that different.  She still tells me about all the happenings of her day, and she still works hard to be able to show off her school work.       

261/365

Saturday December 10, 2011.
Twinkle, Twinkle - The tree is decorated.  I keep looking at John's trailer ornament, wishing we were small enough to camp inside. 

262/365

November 19, 2011.
My Guys - I found them playing Lego together in Josh's room when I got home from work on Saturday.  The truth is that more than likely, Josh had tried to escape from his little brother's nagging.  Charlie thinks of Josh as his personal play toy.  So occasionally Josh will retreat to his room, to rejuvenate his patience. It's usually not too long before he is found, and by that time Josh is good to go again. He is the best big brother ever.

241/365

November 20, 2011.
Measure and be Sure - I watched her measure out the water for her Italian Meringue Icing that she was making for the cake club she joined.   Looking at her, I know it won't be long before she is in her own kitchen.  I am reminded again how quickly her childhood is passing.  The days of her pulling a chair up to the counter to help me bake are gone.  Instead it is me who is off to the side, waiting for instructions, eager and hopeful that she will ask for my help.

242/365

November 21, 2011.
Game Time - The boys aren't the only ones who enjoy their evening game time.  Miss Piggy sits pretty, patiently waiting for the ~GAME OVER~ so that she can be rewarded with an absent minded scratch behind the ears.

243/365

November 22, 2011.
A Beautiful Soul - It is my hope that she knows just how much her father and I love and admire her when she steps out the door.  And I hope that somehow all our love will be enough to protect her from any heartbreak, but I doubt it.

244/365

November 23, 2011.
Hurt - Not emotionally, physically.  The change of seasons has been doing a number on my skin.  The colder temperatures and our heating system has left my face feeling like a desert on fire.  Ouch.

245/365

November 24, 2011.
A New View - The broken front window is finally being replaced! 

246/365

November 25, 2011.
Movember - The Little Man asked his sister to do his make up for Crazy Mustache Day.  And just so you know, he requested the green squares.  When I asked him if I could take his picture, he gave me this tough guy pose.  What a ham!


247/365


November 26, 2011.
Santa Clause is Coming to Town - I love the charm of a small town parade.  Dance troupes, the high school band, and local businesses all proudly strutting their stuff.  ~ and of course there is always Santa! 

248/365

November 27, 2011.
Winter Greens - 

249/365

November 28, 2011.
Monday Mornings - I might be the only person I know who likes Monday mornings.  Full of promise and hope. 

250/365

November 28, 2011.
Grey, Cold and Wet - All day I was cold.  Cold and damp.  When I got home, I added layers: shirt, hoodie, vest, winter coat, hat, gloves and scarf.  I put on a double layer of socks and sat in front of the fire place trying to shake the cold that went so deep even my bones were freezing.  I must have looked pathetic, because  The Kid made me a cup of herbal tea.   It warmed my bones and my heart. 

251/365

November 30, 2011.
Deck the Halls - I decorated the house for Christmas on my day off.  It was the bottom of the last box that made me cry.  Buried at the bottom were the decorations that I no longer put up, but are the ones with the sweetest memories.  Like salt dough ornaments and the tin foil and glitter star Kenzie made for the tree when she was a little girl.  And then there were my weak attempt at crafts -a Santa made from an old javex bottle, a reindeer made from an old work sock and the Christmas tree wall hanging that I made from a old red sweatshirt, and scrap fabric from the green velvet left over from my bridesmaid dresses.  Crafts that I made with little or no money as a young wife trying to fill our home with Christmas magic. 

252/365

November 5, 2011.
Frozen Over -  The fountain in the backyard was frozen over Saturday morning.  It shouldn't have surprised me, it's November after all, the days are shorter and the temperatures colder.  But seeing the ice shocked me a little.  On the verge of another winter, and I wondered where the year went, and how it passed us by so quickly.

227/365

November 6, 2011.
Fall Portrait Day - Each fall, I drag my kids outside for their annual portraits.  In past years portrait day meant coordinating outfits, cheesy smiles and perfect hair.  Sunday was individual portrait day (I'll do the family and group shots another day.)  This year, I gave the kids a ten minute warning: brush your teeth and hair, put on something decent and meet me out back for your fall pictures.  Picture day this year was relaxed, dare I say fun.  I wasn't so much trying to capture the perfect shot, as much as trying to capture the essence of my kids, who are each the perfect version on themselves.   My chill attitude was contagious.  Here is an outtake of The Little Man.  Captain Charlie. 

228/365

November 7, 2011.
Silver - When I pulled into the parking lot of my work on Monday morning, the view in front of me made my heart beat a little faster.  I am a watcher; a tracker of light.  I know that most sunrises wash the world in vibrant shades of yellow and orange.  On Monday morning the sunrise was beautifully different.  Instead of the usual golden glow, the sun cast the world in a shades of silver and white. 

229/365

November 8, 2011.
Habit - I love finding new blogs to read and I found a sweet one.  It's called Habit.  Habit is a collection of candid photographs, posted daily, along with a short thirty word description summing up the day.  Check out the link.  It's pretty cool.    

230/365

November 9, 2011.
November Rain -  Now that I'm a working girl, I'm not able to pick up Charlie everyday from school.  It sucks.  I didn't think that I would miss pick up duty so much.  I was looking forward to picking up Charlie myself on my day off.  Unfortunately because of the rain, it was a quick grab and go.  No playing at the park, no visiting with my mommy friends.  Straight home.  Both of us were bummed. 

231/365

November 10, 2011.
Sunrise::Two Ways -  Okay, obviously someone is enjoying the time change.  Thursday morning brought another beautiful sunrise.  This one golden.  Once more I went out to play with the light.  I took two sunrise photos on Thursday.  The first picture was taken with my Nikon.  Although I love it, and it's a stunning photograph, it's not my picture of the day.  
It's the second picture that  gets me excited.  The second picture was taken with my iPhone.  I shot it with the amber acrylic panel on my gazebo acting as a filter.  The end image has a distorted dream like quality that I find enchanting. 

232/365

232/365

November 11, 2011.
Lest We Forget - BAM weekly self portrait - Friday was Remembrance Day in Canada.  It's a pretty emotional day for me, maybe because, the older I get the younger the boys seem to be that so bravely fought for our freedom. 
I was thinking not only of the unmarked graves full of kids, but of the boys who made it home, like my Grandfather.  In the spring of 1945 he would have been fighting overseas, by the next summer he would have been a young husband and father.  It blows my mind how he would have adjusted in a time where Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome wasn't heard of. 

233/365