day 31

I have always been a collector.  Over the years, my collections have become more refined.  I have gone from collecting rocks and bottlecaps found on the ground, to sports cards and stickers...and now to tilt-spout jugs.  The shape and texture of these jugs appeal to me.  I also have a few cut glass ones, but I love the colours in these ones.   
This is my first ever (posted) shot taken in manual -yay me!  I am not going to mention the fact that I have had my Nikon for a few years, and just figured out how to change the aperture....ahem.  I love that I didn't need the flash and was able to use natural light.    It really feels more natural.  I did however, find it challenging to find an angle, where I wasn't dead center in the reflection or where you couldn't see me peeking around a corner.  Any suggestions on that front?

day 30

So it was absolutely beautiful here today.  Unfortunately, the boy and I were sick.  And since, he still looks cute when he's sick...and I don't,  today's picture is of him.   I am hoping that this weather sticks around for awhile, so that we can get out and enjoy it!
On a sidenote, I am very happy to have found my camera manual.

day 29

Like a kid in candy shop.  I wish.  Today, we had a coupon for a candy shop we have never been to before.  So we went for a drive.  Frankly, I found it stressful.  The choices! The people! The lack of space!  I had my camera with me, but was hesitant to pull it out.  It could have been great, but the camera stayed in the bag.  And, I snapped this photo at home.  (Also, I had to use the flash, as it is so dark and dreary out today).

day 28

Friday! Pizza and movie night!

day 27

A glimpse into our day.  We went for a nice walk, did some errands, took a break at Starbucks, went to a park and then carried on to home.  Oh and by the way, the boy is drinking espreeso.  ;)

day 26

This morning the boy was a man on a mission.  The first words out of his mouth were... "Good morning Mommy, can I have a long quiet time after lunch today?"  (you can imagine my thought process....and yes it involved mentally jumping for joy and I have to admit the words Mommy gets a nap, popped into my head). He had great plans for his lego.

ps.  Mommy didn't get a nap.  She decided to clean a bathroom instead...silly Mommy!

day 25

One of todays tasks...doing homework.  He is getting so good at writing - it is a joy to see him improve.  And in all honesty....often a struggle to get him to sit down and work!

I had to add this picture, too. It brings a smile to my face everytime I look at it.  I don't know why I didn't take a picture of it when he had given it to me, but here it is.  I guess the Sunday School lesson was about talents.  So the teacher wrote on each petal and in the center things that Jacob thought he was good at and things he needed to work on.  I'll let you guess which category each one falls into.

day 24

It was baking day at our house today.  The rain has been coming down in buckets, so it was the ideal day to stay inside!

day 23

So, last week as you all know if you've been following this blog, I took a trip out to the old Albion Ferry dock.  On my way back, I noticed a park that I have never noticed before.  I knew of the campgrounds there, but was unaware of Brae Island Regional Park.  So today, we went for a wander.  It was a good walk - and my 5 year old did well finishing the 4.5 km jaunt.  I took lots of photos, and these are the ones I will post today.

day 22



Soccer is back on.  After about a month or so of cancelled games, we were back on the pitch.  The boys did really well this morning.  And as usual, the oranges were a hit.

day 21

Friends.  I was counting tonight how long the four of us have been friends.  We all met in Grade 1...more than 26 years ago...  Yes, that makes me feel old, but it also makes me smile .  Within those 26 years, we have been close, we have gone our separate ways...but we all came back to each other.  I love having my circle of friends to laugh with, to be silly with, to be creative with and to get lost with (ahem).  I am thankful for them each and everyday. 

day 20

Well, surprise, surprise...we meet again.  I guess winter isn't quite done with us yet.  Within the past hour, the drab, gray outside has been transformed into a winter wonderland.  It is really quite beautiful. 
I kind of like this photo I took on the way home from walking the boy to school.  I didn't change it to black and white...but it is completely devoid of colour.

day 19

I miss the Albion Ferry.  That is all.
Okay, confession.  I shouldn't have driven out there all by myself.  It was kind of creepy and I know my husband won't be pleased when he hears about this...  I just took a couple of pictures and hopped back in the car.

day 18

day 17

Today, was an odd sort of day.  We went for a walk this afternoon and it was quiet.  There were noises and people about, but it was if they were far away and the wind was just carrying their voices.  As a child, if I were to have a bad dream, it was often in a setting much like today.  There was an eerie calmness.  Even the playground seemed forlorn.  Despite this, there was beauty in the many shades of gray.

day 16

Birthdays give us the opportunities to stop and appreciate all the beautiful things we have been blessed with.  Happy Birthday to my niece! Miss T, can't believe you are 4 today!

day 15

This is a photo I took during last weeks snow storm. Yes, we still have our Christmas lights up. The snow makes everything so beautiful. Tonight I was playing around with the editing, and found this effect. I think it makes the snow look like soft wispy clouds.

day 14

Can you guess where we went tonight?

day 13

Don't know quite what to say about this one...except - What a poser!

day 12

Although I felt slightly guilty phoning the boy's absence into the school - the boy's delight in playing in the snow all morning melted any lingering guilt that I had had. Sometimes, we need to take a break from it all and just play. It was good, for both of us.

day 11

This is Taffy. We like to borrow her every once and awhile. Or maybe she likes to borrow us. You see, Jacob is her boy. When I was pregnant and on bed-rest, she would climb up on top of my pregnant belly and sleep...every day. She knew who was in there. When he came into the world...he was her's. When Jacob was little, and still riding in the stroller, she kept a constant watch over it while we were walking. Even today, we walked Jacob to school and dropped him off. The whole way home, she would stop and turn around and wonder where the boy was. I had to remind her that he was at school and that we would go and get him later. For us, I think it might be awhile before we will get a dog...but until then, we have Taffy.

day 10

 I like sheep...I especially like this sheep. It makes me smile. I remember the day I got it. My Mom had picked me up from work and we went shopping. She bought this for me, just because. I have a few sheep hanging around my house. I am not sure why I feel drawn to them. More than likely, it is because of what they represent to me. I have a little book of Jacob's that I love to read, I won't quote the whole book (although I started to), but here is my favourite part:

He's found me and He's saved me -

I'm glad as I can be;

Though He has many other lambs,

My shepherd came for me.

(okay, I have to add this part too)

It doesn't matter where you stray.

The Lord will find you there.

And He will bring you back to Him

And keep you in His care.

I love Jesus' parable of the Lost Lamb.

day 9

day 8

"Daddy, can I help?" It warms my heart to see Jacob and Rich 'working' together. May he always be able learn beside you - and always welcome in your garage!

day 7

More photos from our day in Steveston.

day 6

Nothing better on a gross rainy day than to stay inside...and create! I love how Jacob's penguins turned out - each one has it's own personality. Good job, buddy!

day 5

Today was definately better than yesterday. We spent the afternoon at my sister's house.

day 4

Okay, Day 4 and I am breaking a rule...but if you knew what happened today, you might forgive me. This is a photo of me and my sister outside our home in Chilliwack, taken by our parents. I'd say we are about 5 and 3.

My sister was in a serious car accident today, jaws of life, helicopter ride to hospital -the whole enchilada. Thankfully, she is okay and only has minor injuries. And thankfully, my unborn niece or nephew is okay too. I was so scared today, I didn't know where she was and how she was doing. It makes you realize how precious life is and how precious family is.

day 3

Today was our last day of Christmas holidays. We spent the day in Abbotsford, visiting a few stores and taking a walk around Mill Lake Park. What a beautiful (and COLD) day! Jacob brought his new scooter to try out. It was our first time there - and we will definately go back.

day 2

Un-decorating. Didn't we just put this stuff up? It's always nice to get your house back to normal and give it a fresh start to the year.

day 1

Happy New Year! I love the ocean and can't think of a better way to bring in the new year than wandering around the beach and marina in Steveston.