You're Doing Okay...

I believe that the universe can speak to you in whispers and nudges in the exact moment you need it. You could be having a bad day and a good friend will call. You could have an issue with your health and have your eyes opened to your health.

Whatever it is, whenever it comes, however it presents itself to you, it is up to you to take it for what it is, or leave it for someone else. When things like this happen to me I think its a little serendipityish...{not a word I know...however I think it works here...}

The other day I was having one of those mom slump days, the ones where you feel like no one listens, they hate the food you make, they have tantrums and talk back, they drain every last bit of energy you have after a very long week....you know the basic shitty mom day.

About 1 hour from the time Craig was due to walk in the door I found comfort in the fact that the girls were miraculously playing together in Taylor's bedroom. I immediately retreated to the family room to try and "rest-up" and figure out where I was going to muster the energy to even think about making dinner for people who, that day, hated anything I made to eat. {I knew Craig would appreciate my effort} but it was seriously looking like an order pizza kind of night!

I flicked on the TV and immediately this commercial from Johnson & Johnson came on...I was meant to see this very commercial at this very moment...the universe was speaking to me...

I love moments like this...what you need at that very moment is given to you. It's your job to recognize it and take what you need from it...whatever that may be.

So after I watched that commercial...I'm not going to lie I cried...if you know me well, you're not shocked in the least. I put on my mommy panties {cringe...panties...not my favorite word} and changed my attitude. The girls helped me make dinner, they set the table, they ATE and we ended up having a great rest of our night....Thanks Johnson & Johnson.

I would also like to thank the universe!

Goodbye Brass

When we moved into our new home in October, there were definitely some changes that we wanted to make and we moved in with the understanding that would happen in time.
One of my least favorite things about the house is the BRASS doorknobs...fireplace...hardware. It's everywhere...in my face...nasty brass staring at me.

One of the pieces in the house that bothered me the most was the fireplace in the family room. We spend a lot of time in this room and it is always taunting me. "Hi it's me..Mr. Nasty Brassy Fireplace. can you see your reflection in my nasty brassy shininess?? "Okay....clearly the brass is making me crazy!

It was time to change it...I came across a fabulous fireplace redo on the blog Crafty Chic Mommy while surfing Pintrest the other day and decided that I must do a fireplace redo of my own ASAP.

I removed the slats and washed and dried them...I then sanded them to rough up the surface. Spray painted them - I did 3 coats and replaced them on the fireplace! So simple...such a big difference!

Here is a before picture - note: I got so excited to get started I forgot to take a before pic..so this one from Christmas will have to do :)

This is the amazing spray paint I used : RustOleum High Heat Spray Paint

***Make sure you use the manufacturer's instructions!*** (obviously)

Here is the much improved fire place with the new black slats

Are you as excited as me?!?!?

This was so easy and literally took me 15 minutes!

I should warn you...I currently have and addiction to spray paint! I have other nasty brass things in my home that will be getting an update!! Including door knobs and hardware...so excited to see how they'll turn out!

Goodbye brass!

Coffee for 2

The other day I snuck away from the fam for a little evening of shopping, talking and walking with twiny Tina. We went to Southgate Mall and wandered around with the newest Wrayling Jackson! We wandered to Crate&Barrel to spend a gift certificate that I received! luckyme...

I could spend hours in that store....I just love it there! Here are the goodies I bought!

The best coffee mug EVER

 A new fruit basket - I really needed one...My old one was embarrassing!

Tongs! I had really cheap tongs when we were first married that we had a funeral for them a few years ago...I don't need them often...but when I do...I always curse myself for not replacing them!

A strawberry hauler...I know...I've never seen  such a thing! It's actually for my friend Brittney...Tina mentioned she was talking about getting one...So I picked it up for her!

I love getting new gadgets and treasures to add to our already overstuffed kitchen!! We put our new coffee mugs to good use this morning. We are blessed with kids that sleep in...not just once in a while but pretty consistently.. (sorry Tina about your luck...6am comes fast...8:30am doesn't)!

A perfect Saturday morning!

Coffee for 2

Now I must go and get 2 little ballerina's ready for their very first dance recital!

Happy St. Patrick's day!!

Reno Fun!

There is some new excitement in the Ible house! We are starting some little renovations.
We are starting with our main bathroom upstairs. It will be a nice start to the house we want....especially as the cabinet doors were falling off.

The best part is it was so very random. We like random spontaneity! We were at Totem the other day and saw a toilet for a steal of a deal - so we bought it. The next thing we knew we bought tiles...a vanity....Yes!

Here is a list of what of we are going to do:

• Tile floor
• Replace toilet
• Replace vanity
• Replace counter top
• Change all hardware
• Paint
• New mirror

I'll keep posting about the progress, hopefully it won't be too long...we have guests coming on the 24th!

Here are the very starting stages:

Thanks Hubby for all your hard work!

Witness

I witnessed life come into this world...

My twin sister delivered my beautiful new nephew on February 20th. She had the longest labour EVER....and by the third day of contractions was beyond exhausted. Once they admitted her I stayed with her and her husband Johnny while she laboured.

Now...I must say just because I have had my own children, it did not prepare me for this. I'm not going to lie..I was nervous. For me, for Tina and for Johnny...a very, very pale Johnny. I was not right beside Tina, Johnny took charge and it was amazing to see what two people in love can do together.

I was hanging around watching in the background, silently watching my sister kick her labours ass and push Jackson out in 19 minutes...like it was no big deal. At one point I realized that I was sitting on the chair, clapping like a silent and very much brain damaged seal....with the kind of open mouth smile on my face that looked like there should be a laugh coming out....nope.

Once Jackson was born I couldn't hold my excitement in. The tears started flowing and I have never...been so proud! (Tina had 2 c sections before and nearly everyone was against her trying to have a V-back)....She did it!!!

Also - another amazing thing happened in the delivery room. I GOT TO CUT THE CORD!!...That's right, it was so amazing! (Johnny doesn't do cords....makes him squirm) I was so honored that they let me have such a moment, what a gift!

Baby Jackson was born at 3:09pm on February 20th weighing in at 7lbs 10oz. He is perfect.

Tina & Johnny - Thank you for allowing me to be apart of such an amazing and intimate moment in your lives - It truly was a beautiful experience that will be with me forever! I love you.

Nephews

This year Craig and I are gaining 2 new nephews!! So far our niece/nephew count is:

2 Nieces - Mara & Addison
2 Nephew - Loghan & AJ

Craig brother's wonderful girlfriend Amber is expecting a boy in April. They are going to the best parents! They are so wonderful with our daughters, and it comes naturally to them. Craig and I are so, so excited to meet this new little guy. His name will be Brady and he will be beautiful!

My sister Tina and her hubby Johnny are expecting their 3rd baby ANY DAY NOW!!!! I can't wait to lay eyes on him...that's right it's a boy! His name will be Jackson...They have a son Loghan who is 3.5 years and a daughter Mara who is 17 months! Needless to say they will have their hands full.

Tina, I hope everything goes smoothly and you are an amazing person who is a fantastic mom...Jackson is a lucky boy to be joining the Wray clan!

Here's to nephews!

Change the World...

Children are so accepting and are brought into this world complete with no biased opinions of anyone or anything. Just a pure need to be loved and cared for. Perfection.

I have wondered when my children would inquire about someone of a different skin colour. It happened.

Taylor was playing the other day and looked up and said "Dad, some people have brown hands and faces..and feet."

It was so neat to watch her thinking about others and the fact that they look a little different then us - I told Taylor that it doesn't matter what someone skin colour is or what they look like - It just matters what's on the inside. She says "I know that mom!"

She had been celebrating Chinese New Years at school in January, so I'm thinking that's what got her thoughts flowing regarding different races/cultures. Some of our very best friends come from all different parts of the world and they have been our children's lives since the moment they were born, they were in our wedding party and we have grown up with them. We are lucky that our families and their families had open hearts welcoming arms.

It is our duty as parents to ensure that our children leave our homes with open hearts, tolerance for others, knowledge regarding other cultures (if you don't know the answers, find the answers with them) and kind words.

We can change this world one child, one family, one community at a time.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
~Mohandas Gandhi