Thursday, May 05, 2011

Let’s Talk Disney!

Let's Talk Disney

After the Disney post a few weeks ago a couple of friends expressed an interest in booking a Disney trip someday but just not knowing where to start.  They asked if I could do a series of posts sharing some information that might be helpful to know.  I thought it was a great idea as there is so much information that can help people.  Some of the topics I’ve thought of so far are:

  • Where do I begin?
  • Disney’s Dining Plan
  • How many days?
  • Disney with kids
  • Characters and kids
  • Disney’s FastPass
  • Disney’s PhotoPass

If there are other areas you would like me to talk about just leave a comment and I’ll do my best. 

Let’s talk Disney!!

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Enjoy the cuteness!

Saturday morning just before gymnastics Hannah was looking adorable (as always!) so I grabbed the camera and snapped away.  She’s in a phase where she often looks away when I try to take pics or doesn’t want to smile so it was great to capture these precious moments.DSC_7709

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Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Prayer Is The Air We Breathe

For as long as I can remember Hannah and I have said her bedtime prayers as she drinks her final bottle in my arms.  We begin with, ‘Now I lay me down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  Angels watch me through the night, and wake me with the morning light’ and then ask God to bless our family and friends mentioning our closest by name.  After that we thank God for our day, praise Him and pray for whatever comes to mind that night.  I also thank God for creating us to be a family and pray for Hannah’s salvation and that she will ‘stay and not stray.’  (Thank you Nana!  I love that phrase and have been using it since you and I talked about it.)

I treasure this prayer time and love that Hannah is now participating in the prayer by sometimes mentioning the people we pray for as I pray and adding her sweet ah-men to the end.

I am also teaching her the pleasure it is for us to be able to pray whenever, wherever.  Sometimes it’s in the car or around the house and if she were with me at work she would find me praying at my desk too. 

Recently there seems to have been an abundance of opportunities to spontaneously pray for others.  One night 2 weeks ago we faced two situations which required immediate prayer.  An acquaintance was in full labour with her twins at only 25 weeks gestation.  When we heard the news we prayed together as soon as we got into our car.  (Sadly one baby girl lost her battle for life this past weekend although you can still pray for her sister who is still fighting for life.  Thank you!)

That same evening that we found out about the early labour we went to Walmart where a 14 month old little boy fell out of the cart onto his head only feet from us.  It was awful!  I was able to help the young Mom out with her other son while she initially cared for the baby and then helped her contact family.  This little guy was taken to the ER and the Walmart manager called me the next day to say that they’d been back in the store and that he was doing great, laughing and giggling as if nothing had happened!  After we helped this young Mom Hannah and I went down a quiet aisle of the store and prayed for baby Nathan. 

In the past week 2 friends have also had major surgery so we have been praying for each of them.  Sometimes it’s during our bedtime prayers and other times it’s when they cross Mommy’s mind.  I love that we can be in the middle of colouring pictures and I can say, ‘Hannah, let’s pray for _____’ and she willingly stops what she’s doing, squeezes her little eyes shut and together we lift loved ones before the Throne of Grace.

My desire for Hannah is that prayer become the air she breathes too.  May she always know she has a direct line to the listening ear of God.

I must add though that I think she’s already learning this and it’s so sweet!  The other day she lightly bumped her hand and as she lifted it to Mommy for a ‘feel better’ kiss she also said in a sad little voice, ‘Mommy!  Pway!!’  Too sweet!

Monday, May 02, 2011

A Week That Will Go Down In History

The past 4 days have contained so many moments that will go down in history that truly it is hard to believe they’ve all happened at once.


Friday was the joyous celebration of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I woke up shortly before 6am to enjoy as much of it as I could before going to work. Hannah woke up not long after me and even though she didn’t know what was happening she enjoyed watching the horses and being called, ‘Princess Hannah.’ It was a beautiful, perfect joyous celebration! My heart hurt that Wills’ Mom wasn’t there to enjoy it but aside from that it was absolutely wonderful! What fun to watch this young couple and how down-to-earth they are. Years of excitement to come and it’s neat to know that their first international visit is going to be to Canada this July!royal wedding william and kate apr 29, 2011


The second item to go down in history is the death of O$ama B1n Lad3n. As I walked to work this morning I glanced at the newspaper box fully anticipating it to be touting today’s Federal Election. I was shocked (and pleased) to see that headlines. That man caused such destruction almost 10 years ago and hopefully this will allow people to rest a little easier tonight.


The third monumental item is happening as I type this. I purposely avoid politics on my blog but tonight a shift has happened in our country that needs to be recorded here for historical sake. This blog will be turned into a book and this is an important time to record.


Canadians have gone to the federal election polls 4 times in the past 7 years which I’ll tell you gets old very quickly! The past 3 times a minority government was elected which basically meant as soon as the opposition parties got tired of them they forced an election. (At least that’s how it seems to this very uneducated blogger. I’m the first to admit that politics are not my thing.)


Tonight was history in the making and the parties which represent Canada have changed in ways nobody could have imagined. Even all the polls leading up to tonight’s election showed something much different from what is taking place even as I write this post.


The Conservative party has been elected with a majority government. Finally a majority!! The 2008 election saw them end up with 143 seats and it appears this election they are going to end up with 166.


The Liberals have been the official opposition for the past few years and they are barely limping into 3rd place. They went into tonight’s election holding 77 seats and will end the night with only 34.


The NDP who for many years have had a firm hold on 3rd place are now securely in second and will form the official opposition party going from 36 seats in the House of Commons to 104!


The other part of this election that I am thankful for is that the party responsible for trying to separate one province from the rest of our country for many, many years have all but been obliterated. They went into tonight’s election with 49 seats and end the night with 2 or 3 (numbers still to be finalized). This party will no longer even have official party status in the House of Commons.


History was made tonight in Canadian politics. It’s going to be interesting to see where things go from here! (Please note that I am writing this post purely to record it for historical reasons, not to open debate. I ask that you please respect this in the comments section. Thank you.)


So, it is a week that will go down in history for sure! For myself I’m choosing to focus on the wonderful celebration of the wedding of Wills and Kate and also wait with great anticipation to see what will happen on the Canadian political front! 1B09A50D


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Sunday, May 01, 2011

Taking time to smell the flowers…and grass…and even the rocks too!

Hannah and I enjoy going for walks around our complex and she has taught me to slow down and enjoy everything around me.  Although it’s only 0.3 of a km (325 yards) it’s not unusual for it to take us 30 minutes or more to make our way around the loop once!  I think I’ll let the pictures and videos speak for themselves.  (We started with one dolly and her stroller but had to switch it up after a stroller malfunction.)

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Practicing her balance beam skillsDSC_7797

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Every walk is a new adventure and boots can be worn with stickers on them and on the opposite feet and nobody cares!  Mommy has learned to slow down, allow more time for our walks, and learn from the best teacher ever….my child!  Thank you Hannah!  I learn from you daily and love you more than I can express!DSC_7805

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