Adventure Chocolates

Someone gave us a box of assorted chocolates. Last night Hugh and I sat there trying them, and figuring out which ones were good and spitting out the odd gross one (what's with orange chocolate?). I realize I like the adventure of the assorted box of chocolates. Some are good, and some are very bad, and finding the good ones means success!
So, as Forrest Gump's mama says, "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get."

There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine.

On Sunday church was cancelled because of a storm and the highways being closed. Today I started reading the book 'The Shack' and read this in the first chapter:

"There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine. Snow or freezing rain suddenly releases you from expectations, performance demands, and the tyranny of appointments and schedules. Unlike illness, it is largely a corporate rather than individual experience. One can almost hear a unified sigh rise from the nearby city and surrounding countryside where Nature has intervened to give respite to the weary humans slogging it out within her purview. All those affected this way are united by mutual excuse, and the heart is suddenly and unexpectedly a little giddy. There will be no apologies needed for not showing up to some commitment or other. Everyone understands and shares in this singular justification, and the sudden alleviation of the pressure to produce makes the heart merry."

This is exactly how I felt on Sunday. We were supposed to have Praise Team lead the service, and I was tired and just needed a day off, and God provided me with a little break with the storm.

Where's Daddy?

It has snowed here everyday since Sunday. Hugh has been out plowing snow a lot. Numerous times throughout the day, Hayley will ask "Where's Daddy?" Yesterday, when she hurt herself she started crying for Daddy. When he does come in, she has to sit on his lap while he eats or has his coffee. Hayley definitely thinks her Daddy is her hero!

Day Away

Today was the first time Hayley seemed to be really overwhelmed because there was so many strangers around her. We went to Connor Haanstra's baptism, and she cried a lot afterward I think because there was a lot of people and she didn't know them. Normally this wouldn't bother her, but today she seemed really overwhelmed by it all.

This morning Hayley was kind of grumpy, and she got mad when her granola bar "broke". She opened the package really far and when she took a bite, it broke a big chunk off. Later at the baptism, she was playing with Deanna and holding a bun. She got knocked over, and then was very upset, because her finger went through the bun and it was broken. What a kid!

She also learned what snow was on the very long, very snowy drive home.

Who's Kim?

We were laughing the other day about the times I got called Kim. Just after we moved, I had 3 different people in 3 totally separate situations call me Kim. It wasn't just that they called me the wrong name, they all called me Kim as the wrong name. So we started wondering, who is this Kim that I apparently look like? Or do I just look like a Kim?

H is for Hayley

Whenever Hayley sees an H on something, she points and says "Hayley!" Sometimes it's amazing what she's sees an H on. Tim Hortons, Honda, Happy Birthday. She's really observant of the H and sometimes it takes me a minute to see what she is talking about.

Hayley says pillow really cute too. It kind of sounds like pee-low!

Birthdays

Today was my birthday. Hugh gave me my present a few days ago because he'd already bought it and he just couldn't wait to give it to me. He gave me a pink iPod nano. I'm having lots of fun using it and figuring it out. One night when I couldn't sleep, I layed in bed for a while listening to it. I went to my Mom & Dad's for coffee in the morning, and my mom surprised me by inviting a few of my friends for coffee too. Brit, Cindy, Angela, Alicia and their kids (8 girls, plus Hayley and the 3 my mom is babysitting, so 12 girls and one boy, Elliott) came and we had a great time hanging out and chatting. Seemed like everyone was happy to be out, and no one was in a rush to go home. Then we came home and had naps. Hayley was a bit grumpy all day, she didn't quite know what she wanted but would whine for something, but it wasn't too bad. My sister Sarah sent me flowers. I was pumped. I like having flowers in my house, but never buy them for myself and the flowers made it feel like it was a special day. Now I have this beautiful bouquet on my table! Hugh took me out for dinner to Bailey's in Goderich. It's pretty fancy. The food was delicious, especially the dessert. We always have a great time going for special dinners. So my birthday was a great day, filled with simple special moments.

Hockey

Hayley is quite fascinated with hockey. It's on TV right now and she stood there very interested. Whenever she sees a hockey stick, ice or the outside of the Y, she says 'Hockey, hockey.' We are going to take her skating this winter we'll have to see how that goes. Maybe she will take after Hayley Wickenheiser!

Halloween

Yesterday was Halloween. Hayley loved her costume and wore the top piece most of the morning. In the afternoon I took Hayley Trick-or-Treating on the Square. After the first 2 stores, she totally got into it- go in the store, get the candy, go to the next store. The weather was beautiful, we both enjoyed the nice walk. It was fun too because everyone loved Hayley's costume. People would be like 'Oh, look at the skunk, isn't that so cute. Oh she's adorable!" Hayley walked most of the way around the Square, but I had to carry her near the end. She loved the BMO Bear (their mascot) and the train set at Fincher's. I was surprised she didn't try to eat the candy. Only once, she wanted to eat what they gave her. We also got a free picture taken at the art gallery. Then I picked up a pizza on the way home. After we ate we went to the neighbours, my grandparents, my parents, Dave & Caroline's and finished at John & Carol's. Hayley fell asleep in the car on the way to town! She was a tired little skunk.
I realize that Halloween has a history of fortune-telling and witchcraft and stuff, but I think it's kind of fun. Hayley loves to try on my shoes and necklaces and stuff, and this was a fun day for her because she loves dress up. Our society is very closed-door and this is one day where people open their doors to each other to hand out candy. People spend money on candy, just to give it away. People openly share with each other, how can that be so bad. I saw on a cartoon (Disney's the Weekenders) in the morning this boy says "Halloween is not just for us kids, it's for the grandparents whose grandkids live far away, and it's for the people who can't have kids." I thought this was a great statement and found it to be true. Our neighbours were so excited for Hayley to come, they even had a special bag of candy for her (with lots of candy in it!) and my grandparents don't get any kids, so they are excited when Hayley comes and she gets lots of candy from them. She made their day, just coming in her cute costume.
So I don't agree with the witchy, ghost and goblin stuff, but dressing up in a costume is kind of fun, and dressing your child up is super fun too!

Change is good!

I was watching What Not to Wear on TLC. It was funny because the girl didn't want to cut her hair because she was worried what her husband would think. I've heard that before that someone didn't want to change because 'their husband likes curly hair' or whatever. I think people with this mind set misunderstand what their husband really thinks. Probably, most of the time, he means that he thinks you are beautiful the way you are. Usually, if you change to look more polished, sophiticated, up-to-date, etc. he will love it. Especially if you are more radiant because you love your new look. (Okay, if you chop off your hair and dye it purple, he might not really like it- kind of extreme). I think most husbands just think their wife is beautiful already, but if you want to change and are happy with the results, they will be too.
I guess I think a woman shouldn't be afraid to accept a makeover (especially if Nick Arrojo is going to do your hair) just because of her husband- he loves you because you're you!

O the Olympics

So like most Canadians I wonder when/if we will ever win a medal. I know we will, but it seems every athlete they say has a good chance at a medal, fails to come through. I'm not blaming the athletes, it's just disappointing. However, watching the Olympics brings back memories of watching when we were kids. During the Olympics, we were allowed to watch TV a lot. We lived in front of the TV. We would come home from school, read the paper to see who won and what was coming up, quickly do our chores, then plant ourselves infront of the TV. We were allowed to do our homework in front of the TV. It was great. There was one winter Olympics in Japan I think, and Canada was playing in the middle of the night and Dad woke us up so we could watch the hockey game.
There's just this thing about the Olympics. I love watching all the different sports, it give me a desire to be better at something. (It also make me wonder if I would be really good at something if I really focused on it and trained for it.) I also feel a little yearning from the sporty part of me to get back into sports. I always loved sports and being athletic, and I like pushing myself. I definitely believe 'no pain, no gain' when it comes to working out.
Maybe I'll go to the gym tomorrow.

Heelarious

I found these after someone mentioned them on facebook. Crazy eh? They are pretty funny, especially in the picture of an actual baby wearing them. That baby does look a little crazy. They are crib shoes that look like high heels. I just can't help picturing a little infant in their infant car seat with these insane shoes sticking out! What will they come up with next? It's funny the things people will buy for their kids. I did see an article with about them with the subtitle "Impractical and Funny, Does This Novelty Gift Cry JonBenet or Miss Piggy?" I think their funny but people shouldn't get so serious and start saying JonBenet about them. Let's just have a good chuckle about them. On another note though, I would never spend $35 on shoes like this for my child. (I would spend it on cute pink baby DC shoes ;). If you want to check out all the different styles, go to www.heelarious.com.

I saw this picture on people.com (a daily stop for me). Seriously? This folded jeans thing is hideous. I remember doing that in grade school, during the ugliness that mars the '80s. I had to refold it so many times a day. And here is Katie Holmes, a busy mom and actress wearing the folded look. Does she have time to refold them? Or does her assistant do that? Maybe these jeans are special made for her. They were a waste of money then. She looks awful. This is my fear as a mom, that I will look 'momish' and tacky. I think Katie Holmes achieved this, along with a dash of frumpy. She was really sleek and stylish for a while there. Hopefully she gets back to that soon, because this is awful!

I have a blog?

I thought I would start a blog, just to try it out. It's just for fun, things that come to mind or I see or hear. Hopefully I will keep it up, but for now we'll see.