SLOW DOWN!

....That was the message I finally let sink in today. I always fill our days with things to accomplish, playdates, shopping trips, long walks with friends. But this past week has allowed me to re-focus on my priorities. The first few days of being sick, I was too sick to care about being busy, but the last few days as I have been on the mend I have been itching to be busy again and to socialize. Thinking we were almost all better yesterday, I started telling friends we could play soon. But last night Danika was up again for a couple of hours with my wonderful hubby taking care of her. Her little eyes were glued shut again, her cough was awful and she had another fever. This morning after a sleep-in I decided we needed to get out of the house for a little bit. So I packed the kids and the dog up and went over to the dog park in Crofton, where I can just let Meeko off his leash and he can do as he pleases. It was a wonderful walk, literally a breath of fresh air for all of us. The girls and I took our sweet time and just enjoyed the creation all around us. I had a bag so we decided to start a collection and find anything beautiful, neat or different to put into it. Adessa was fully into the game and found a lot of neat things to contribute. When we got down to the beach we were the only ones there and we continued our search of neat things. We put our feet in the water, spotted seals and crabs and just enjoyed one anther's company. I am so blessed to have my girls. And sometimes it takes totally slowling down to truly appreciate all of our blessings. My nature is to go hard all of the time and keep our days filled with things to do, but I believe God showed me that there needs to be time for rest, because it is in those times you can really see the hand of God and all the blessings he has poured out onto you. I just hope I can remember this all summer to take the time to slow down and enjoy lifes quiet moments with my girls, because time goes by so quickly!!

Not much going on

The past week we have been sick... very sick. On the bright side, it couldn't have happened at a better time! School ended, no visitors and Steve was off work to take care of us.

We caught a terrible cold. Danika has been fighting it for awhile(most likely picked up from preschool) but then all three of us girls caught it, and it included all symptoms. Poor Danika had pink eye and I pulled an all nighter taking care of her with her chills and fever. But thank God we are all on the mend and Steve hasn't caught it... we pray it stays that way! A peek at our most exciting moments of the week...

The girls sitting while grandma read them a book on skype

Adessa insisted on this get-up one evening...notice the drool/snot? Ya, there has been ALOT of laundry done this week!

My wonderful, thoughtful girlfriend dropped off this bouquet of flowers from her garden... plus a delicious home cooked meal!

One sunny afternoon after being trapped in the house we ventured out onto our new deck to paint! I think most of the paint ended up on Adessa or the deck (photos to come soon!)

Adessa was eating rope licorice which looked the exact same as her red paint brush... the 2 got mixed up often, but I just wasn't up for the fight.

Danika picked me this bouquet from our garden... she loved how they matched!

Our first salad from our garden... Danika and I were so proud!

Preschool Ceremony

Today was Danika's preschool ceremony. It was too sweet. They sang a bunch of songs they had been learning all year, told everyone what there favorite thing about preschool was, they prayed and showed a slide show of the year. Danika did so well, we were so proud of her, and she looked so beautiful! Grandma "Trice" sent DQ money for Danika, so Danika treated us all to ice cream after the ceremony. Adessa did very well, but prior to the ceremony starting her and Kailey were playing in front of the parents and when they realized they had an audience both of their shirts went over their heads and they showed off their belly buttons!

We were so thankful to have put Danika into preschool this year. She made some wonderful friends and had amazing teachers who really loved her. It was precious when Danika's teacher prayed for God's blessing on their lives as they grow up and she cried saying it was such a privilege to know our children.

She got a beautiful journal with her picture on it

The whole preschool class with Mrs. B and Mrs. N, Danika had only 11 in her class.

Mrs. B

Daddy and his big girl

'Great' Aunt and Uncle Come for a Visit

This past weekend my Aunt Dolores and Uncle Gary from Oregon came up the West coast and visited with us for a couple of days. The evening they arrived we took them out for a walk to the ocean and then came home for dinner and present opening. I was a little bit nervous about the visit as I have known my aunt and Uncle for the majority of my life as a child or teen. And to now be the one hosting, as an adult with my own family was a different feeling. We didn't see them a whole lot growing up as we lived so far apart, however I do have some awesome childhood memories of visiting their home in Oregon and doing some awesome trips and sightseeing. They are the most wonderful hosts, with such a gorgeous home. I also remember being spoiled endlessly with clothing. She would always bring up loads of clothing for us from the states, which was always exciting as it was different styles. Apparently Joel and Linsey liked to model their clothing, but I was never too keen on doing so! Surprise... I am still like that!
So it was only right that as Danika and Adessa opened bags full of clothing that they would have to put on a fashion show for us! Adessa was instantly into an outfit and Danika happily tried on her clothing as well. They all fit wonderfully and a few items to grow into as well. Great Grandma also had a clothing present for both of the girls, and everything was just perfect.
Auntie Dolores also brought up giant sticker sheets for the girls, which were a big hit.
Danika made a new best friend with her 'Great' Aunt as Dolores spent much of her time either coloring with Danika or playing in her sticker books. And the night they had to leave ended with some money for Danika for graduating from pre-school, Danika was pretty ecstatic!
On Monday we went over to Salt Spring Island for the afternoon to hike in Ruckle park, then strolled around downtown with ice cream cones. We went back home to watch the Canucks get their butts kicked, while eating steaks and sipping wine gifted by Dolores and Gary for our birthday dinner.

Adessa with a birthday present, she hadn't received one yet so she wasn't quite sure what to do!

Didn't take her too long to try the outfit on!

The girls with their Great Uncle and Great Aunt in their new clothes

Adessa trying to steal Aunties drink!

We had a great time visiting and catching up and are looking forward to the day we can take a road trip down to Oregon for a visit... we'll wait until Adessa gets a bit older first!

Birthday Party!

Danika received this book from Grandma and it had

her voice reading the book, Danika was so amazed and told me she almost cried because she missed grandma so much!

On Saturday Danika had her 5th birthday party. She specifically requested an all girls party and wanted just a few of her favorite friends. One girl couldn't make it and one little girls family forgot so there ended up being only 2 friends, but Danika didn't mind, she still had a blast. We set up the bouncy castle, the girls made there own fabric goodie bags, they played Danika's favorite game (a modified princess version of pin the tale on the donkey), ate birthday cake, opened presents and smashed a pinata.

And then since it was actually Steve's birthday we took him out for dinner to the white spot and had a wonderful time with the girls, Adessa sat still and other than calling out waitress 'grandma' things went pretty smoothly! All in all I would say it was a great day!

Danika with her birthday present from daddy and mommy and grandma and grandpa! She loved it! Notice her favorite new barbie (Rapunzel, from grandma!) sleeping in the bed.

By the end of the week Adessa perfected the birthday song... as she figured out that by singing the song it would end in birthday cake!

My Birthday Night Pictures

Sharon... the wonderful friend who planned the event... she is the most thoughtful, creative person I know. I'm so glad to have her as a friend!

We were told to make a goofy face, does this count??

Ashley on the right, we are just getting to know one another, but I can tell we are going to be great friends! And she is the one who brought the amazing camera!

Girls with attitude

We were in a sketchy part of Duncan and so Sharon pulled out her bear spray saying her dad would be proud of her! I was scared I was going to get it in the eye!!!

Kim on the left is also a new friend of mine, she has a little girl named Penny who is 3 days younger than Adessa! She is also a wonderful photographer, and soon I shall hire her to photograph our family!

The beginning of our night at the Noodle restaurant, cheering our specially designed, "Niki-tinis"

So lucky to have such wonderful, thoughtful friends!

My Darling Danika Turns 5....

And seriously where did the time go? Can you believe she is 5? Because I can't. It doesn't feel like too long ago when we were in the hospital with the tiniest baby we both had ever seen or held... let alone have to take care of! But God knew what we needed at that time, and it came in the package of a 4 pound baby girl. She has changed out lives for the better, and I believe she makes an impression on most she meets! I didn't realize at the time how to truly love someone with all your being. But my Danika has made me realize that in the deepest way possible. She has the sweetest little soul and just thinking about the preciousness of my girl brings me to tears. My Danika with her endless big brown eyes, and sensitive little heart. She always knows when mommy is sad or mad and wants to make it all better. With her sweet little smile, her gentle hugs. Sometimes I feel like I am the child when she is stroking my hair and telling me its alright. This little girl just knows things. I remember meeting our land lord at our apartment in Calgary and after her meeting Danika she commented on how she is an "old soul." Those words have been said a few times about Danika, and its true. While she can still be my crazy little monkey, and talk any one's ear off- she has a sweet, sensitive heart, which is very rare for a girl her age.
Steve and I both just feel utterly blessed to be Danika's mommy and daddy, and we hope we can raise her in a way that would make God proud!

"Shout your praises to God, everybody!

Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!

Round up an orchestra to play for God,

Add on a hundred-voice choir.

Feature trumpets and big trombones,

Fill the air with praises to King God."

Psalm 98:4-6

The Message (MSG)

Danika in the play room one night... Steve caught her on camera!

"Danika-The One Man Band!"

Birthday Blessings

I would have to say my 24th Birthday has probably been one of my favorites. Writing it down and telling others, the age does still seem quite young, especially for where I am in life at the moment. However I feel satisfied with life these days, I mean sure I have my moments, probably too many moments, but I am happy. I am married to the most wonderful, loving man who makes me feel like I am the prettiest princess around, and I have two beautiful, perfect, healthy little girls. We own a home, and live in the nicest area in Canada (as far as I am concerned!) And then to top it all off I am blessed with amazing parents, who love and support me and who I consider very good friends. I have wonderful siblings, in-laws and the list could go on and on.

And then to top it all off I have been blessed with some amazing friendships here on the island. Even though we have only been around for 2 years, I really feel God has blessed me immensely.

Yesterday after dropping Danika off at preschool, a good friend took me for coffee and then to Winners, where she took Adessa so I could try on clothes. And once I found what I loved (a cute summer dress!) she bought it for me! Talk about a GREAT friend!

Steve bought me a wonderful gift (he is on a roll... he remembered our anniversary and my birthday!) and the girls made me beautiful cards... Adessa scribbled on a piece of paper and she came running across the house (she stomps loudly) yelling "Happy birtday youuuuuu!" It was precious.

And then I was told to be dressed nice and I would be picked up at 6pm... which I was. And three wonderful friends took me for dinner, coffee and then a hang out in the park. I was so blown away! It was so nice to have a day for me, where I just felt so loved and appreciated! Thanks for making my birthday so special! :)

At the end of the evening the camera was brought out and we went for a fun photoshoot!

Busy Weekend

The Sun was finally shining for the entire weekend and we were able to get out and enjoy the weather. Yesterday Steve volunteered at the Camp Qwanoes work day and helped to build a cabin. The girls and I tried helping out by weeding for a little bit and Adessa was a great little helper. As people pulled up the weeds she ran over and grabbed them and put them in a bucket, she was so proud of herself.... and I was one proud mama! She does so well when she is given a job to do and is in the best mood when she is kept busy. In the evening we had some camp friends over to watch the big Canucks game!
Today we went to church, and then headed out to our friends house on Mesachie Lake for an afternoon of fun. We sat around the backyard while the kids played and then headed to the beach where I endlessly threw in sticks for Meeko to catch. He was full-on swimming and I was so proud of him!
The girls were so dirty and tired by the time we left... a sign of a fun-filled day!

The giant pine cone Danika found

Danika trying to surf, the wind was actually blowing the board a bit and she loved it!

Surfing girl, with her puppy swimming in the background!

A few more pictures of our week...

Sweet, cuddly little Max. At one point he was sleeping in his car seat when all of a sudden we hear him crying and we run over to see Adessa applying glittery lip gloss to his lips!

Sipping the AMAZING mochas at Jumping Jimineys

Having so much fun together!

We had a morning where we did face painting on the girls, this is as far as Adessa would let us get....

The beautiful butterfly's!

Fun times at the park!

Max just chillin... like usual!

At the petting zoo in Victoria, there were something like 22 new little goats. We all fell in love with them!

Feeding the ducks at the park, after we were done a loaf of bread we turned around and saw a sign on the bench that read- "DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS" ....oops!

Sister's and Cousin's Re-united

This past week we had Linsey, Ella and my new little nephew Max visit for the week. We had a wonderful time together! The weather wasn't great, yet we still kept very busy and had lots of fun together.

We went for walks to the park and to the ocean, went to Jumping Jimineys in Nanaimo (a giant indoor play place), we went to the circus that was in town and to Victoria's Beacon hill park- to the petting zoo and to feed the ducks. My wonderful husband also kept the girls one evening and Linsey, Max and I headed out to watch Soul Surfer in Nanaimo. Max is the sweetest little baby and just cuddled me the entire time, not making a peep! After the movie Linsey took me out for my birthday dinner. She bought me a Beautiful necklace/earring combo and a new book. We had so much fun together.

My sister sent me this wonderful slide show she put together of our week. It captures some great new memories made. Thanks sis for the wonderful week. We love you and your family so much and wish we lived closer!!! Enjoy....

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