Another wonderful Christmas has come and gone. This year was a bit different for us, as we had relatives from Toronto come out and celebrate with us. This lovely family includes two little girls roughly the same ages as my two, so it was quite the treat for my kiddos to have other children to play with.
Another tidbit of change was my brother announced he and his girlfriend are engaged! We are so excited and happy for them. Both my brothers now are engaged and it will be a joyous year of weddings!
So yesterday was Boxing Day. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I like shopping. And shopping on boxing day has always been a bit of a tradition. Certainly not a tradition my parents instilled in me, but when I was a teen I would go into the city and wait in lines with my cousin, hoping to find a great "deal." This year as Christmas and Boxing day drew closer, I found myself not the slightest bit interested in going shopping on Boxing Day. I'm not sure if it was the abundance of "stuff" that I don't need that is constantly being advertised and pushed in my face that turned me off. Perhaps it was craving the simplicity of life that did it. After a few crazy, (but fabulous days) I really felt the desire to get out and find some solitude. So I laced up my running shoes, donned my new Lululemon running gear, and headed out on that misty, gray morning. I logged 16kms yesterday morning running through farmlands and enjoying the winter scape that surrounded me.
This week we have evenings planned with family and friends, days of tubing and skiing, but most importantly, we have this week as a family.
I feel so blessed this holiday season for the health, comfort, and loving family that surrounds me.
I am taking a few days away from the computer, so enjoy this week and the remnants of 2010. I'll be back in the new year!
Much love,
larajane
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Christmas Love
As I tucked my little guy in tonight I couldn't help but feel his intense excitement over tomorrow being Christmas Eve. He said "I can't believe Christmas is almost here!"
I love Christmas. I have many, many wonderful memories tied with this incredibly special time of year. But it seems the older I get, the more important the real meaning of Christmas becomes. The fact that Jesus was born on this earth in the humblest of settings, just for us amazes me. I'm trying harder this year to focus on the reason we celebrate and less on the commercialism of it all.
It's no big secret that I like shopping. Shopping for my kids I find especially fun, just because I know them so well and I know what they get excited over. A couple of months ago I sat down and created a budget for Christmas. At the time I knew of two or three things each of my children would like, so I kind of budgeted accordingly. But since then, new lists have been made. All of a sudden El is asking for a certain Barbie, and Connor is no longer talking about the Harry Potter Lego set but Mario Cart for the Wii. So I justify myself and say "oh, this little gift can be from the cat" or "maybe this I will just stick in their stocking" and on and on.
So then I feel guilty, like I am super spoiling my kids and I'll end up with so many toys in the house, I'll have to spend 3 days organizing them (which you know will probably never happen!)
So... here I am in deep discussion over the whole spoiling/too many gifts/ what's the right amount etc. with one of my many wonderful sister in laws and she comes up with something brilliant! In keeping with the reason we celebrate Christmas she explained to her boys that this year they were going to get three presents. They were going to be like the Gold, Frankincense, and Muir. The "Gold" gift is something you've really, really wanted and it may be expensive, the Frankincense gift is a gift that is going to help you grow. So it could be a book, art supplies, a class etc., and the Muir is something practical that you need, such as a new winter coat or clothes. So that's what they are doing this year and I think it's fabulous! So come next year, I want to try this.
Anyway, I apologize for the rambling post. It's been a way crazier week than anticipated, ending with me at the dentist today because I have an infection from a tooth that needs filling. T3's here I come!
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas!
Much love,
Larajane
I love Christmas. I have many, many wonderful memories tied with this incredibly special time of year. But it seems the older I get, the more important the real meaning of Christmas becomes. The fact that Jesus was born on this earth in the humblest of settings, just for us amazes me. I'm trying harder this year to focus on the reason we celebrate and less on the commercialism of it all.
It's no big secret that I like shopping. Shopping for my kids I find especially fun, just because I know them so well and I know what they get excited over. A couple of months ago I sat down and created a budget for Christmas. At the time I knew of two or three things each of my children would like, so I kind of budgeted accordingly. But since then, new lists have been made. All of a sudden El is asking for a certain Barbie, and Connor is no longer talking about the Harry Potter Lego set but Mario Cart for the Wii. So I justify myself and say "oh, this little gift can be from the cat" or "maybe this I will just stick in their stocking" and on and on.
So then I feel guilty, like I am super spoiling my kids and I'll end up with so many toys in the house, I'll have to spend 3 days organizing them (which you know will probably never happen!)
So... here I am in deep discussion over the whole spoiling/too many gifts/ what's the right amount etc. with one of my many wonderful sister in laws and she comes up with something brilliant! In keeping with the reason we celebrate Christmas she explained to her boys that this year they were going to get three presents. They were going to be like the Gold, Frankincense, and Muir. The "Gold" gift is something you've really, really wanted and it may be expensive, the Frankincense gift is a gift that is going to help you grow. So it could be a book, art supplies, a class etc., and the Muir is something practical that you need, such as a new winter coat or clothes. So that's what they are doing this year and I think it's fabulous! So come next year, I want to try this.
Anyway, I apologize for the rambling post. It's been a way crazier week than anticipated, ending with me at the dentist today because I have an infection from a tooth that needs filling. T3's here I come!
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas!
Much love,
Larajane
Monday, December 20, 2010
Made it to 500!
Wow, I sure cut that one close. When I decided to challenge myself to running 500 miles in one year, I thought it was going to be easy.So here we are, a few days before 2011 and I did it! I actually passed the 500 mark yesterday while doing a 15k run. I am training for a half marathon that is happening in February, so I've had to run quite a bit more than usual. It feels good though.
So, the kiddos are out of school and I can safely say we have survived day one of winter break. Yay! We did a little bit of shopping for Joel's stocking this morning and then enjoyed some time at Starbucks sipping our drinks and sharing a treat. I've been working around the house while the kids have been busy working on their little projects. Connor has been building lego and Elissa made some pine cone bird feeders this afternoon.
I attempted a new fudge recipe to bring to a baby shower tonight, so we shall see how that turns out. Now off to make some dinner!
Much love,
larajane
So, the kiddos are out of school and I can safely say we have survived day one of winter break. Yay! We did a little bit of shopping for Joel's stocking this morning and then enjoyed some time at Starbucks sipping our drinks and sharing a treat. I've been working around the house while the kids have been busy working on their little projects. Connor has been building lego and Elissa made some pine cone bird feeders this afternoon.
I attempted a new fudge recipe to bring to a baby shower tonight, so we shall see how that turns out. Now off to make some dinner!
Much love,
larajane
Monday, December 6, 2010
the balancing act
My days have always been fairly scheduled. I like schedules. I need schedules! Once I had kids my days were wide open! Except, they weren't. They were actually incredibly scheduled. Feedings, diaper changes, naps, play time, groceries, meal prep. baths etc. My kids became toddlers and I began a business. This was a little crazy. I would be with the kids all day and learning and editing all night. I wasn't sleeping, I wasn't exercising, and I was exhausted. Burned out. As the kids got older and I became more efficient at editing and learned what worked and what didn't on the business end of things, life got easier.
And then September came. Both of my kiddos were in school, all day. I would come home after dropping them off wondering what I was going to do for the next 6 hours? And tomorrow? The possibilities were endless! All of a sudden I really didn't have a schedule. But I needed one.
So now as I write this entry, we are in December, and I think I ave finally found a good balance. I know in my day I need to set aside enough time to work at my business, clean, exercise, cook, and be the kind of friend, wife, mother, and daughter God wants me to be.
Much love,
Larajane
And then September came. Both of my kiddos were in school, all day. I would come home after dropping them off wondering what I was going to do for the next 6 hours? And tomorrow? The possibilities were endless! All of a sudden I really didn't have a schedule. But I needed one.
So now as I write this entry, we are in December, and I think I ave finally found a good balance. I know in my day I need to set aside enough time to work at my business, clean, exercise, cook, and be the kind of friend, wife, mother, and daughter God wants me to be.
Much love,
Larajane
Saturday, December 4, 2010
hot chocolate giggles
Isn't it funny how everyone always talks about the weather? Instinctively, I always want to start my blog posts off by talking about what is going on outside. It's either freeeeezing, or so hot, or wet, damp, beautiful, clear, crisp... okay, you get the idea.
So now that the subject of weather is done, I can move on to other topics that no one seems to be discussing, like Christmas! I was trying to explain sarcasm to my 8 year old the other day, and for someone who is a wee bit on the sarcastic side, I couldn't come up with a good example, maybe I will let her read this post.
So, Christmas. I love this time of year. So many wonderful memories growing up. So many fun traditions. I feel so blessed to be creating such traditions for my children right now.
One thing I love is making hot chocolate and treats for my kiddos after they have been outside playing in the cold. I snapped these pics last week when we had snow. I love listening to their conversations and feeling the excitement in the air as they discuss their Christmas wish lists. Ahhh, to be a child again. I have to say though, being a mom to such wonderful children is far more of a blessing than I could have ever dreamed. Hug your kiddos tight tonight and tell them how much you love them, they are never too old or cool to hear it.
Much love,
Larajane
So now that the subject of weather is done, I can move on to other topics that no one seems to be discussing, like Christmas! I was trying to explain sarcasm to my 8 year old the other day, and for someone who is a wee bit on the sarcastic side, I couldn't come up with a good example, maybe I will let her read this post.
So, Christmas. I love this time of year. So many wonderful memories growing up. So many fun traditions. I feel so blessed to be creating such traditions for my children right now.
One thing I love is making hot chocolate and treats for my kiddos after they have been outside playing in the cold. I snapped these pics last week when we had snow. I love listening to their conversations and feeling the excitement in the air as they discuss their Christmas wish lists. Ahhh, to be a child again. I have to say though, being a mom to such wonderful children is far more of a blessing than I could have ever dreamed. Hug your kiddos tight tonight and tell them how much you love them, they are never too old or cool to hear it.
Much love,
Larajane
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