Marshal's 3rd Birthday Party!

Say what?! My baby is 3 now?! I can't even begin to explain how fast the years have gone by and how crazy it is that I now have a 3 year old. Marshal turned 3 last Saturday we celebrated his birthday on Friday with a little party for him and his friends. I went a little more low key with my party planning and decor this year, hence all the tacky and amazing dollar store decorations! However going with the Disney Cars theme that Marshal requested everything seemed just right! Here are a bunch of pictures from the party!

The birthday boy having breakfast!

Showing off his sweet party hat.

The spread.

Complete with little food signs, cause I'm nerdy like that!

More food.

Nom nom nom.

Nopt a great photo, but some of the decorations. 

The birthday boys cake.

Lightning and Miss Sally!

 Another angle.

 Squishing all the kids in the kitchen for cake time!



Party hats on and we're ready to go!

Here it comes!



All the kids were pretty excited about the cars!

Marshal enjoying his cake.

He thought it was really yummy.

Cohen thought it was pretty sweet too.

Presents at pre schooler partties are always fun!

Enjoying his loot.

Look at those shorts! Thanks grandma.

Cohen looking cute in his party hat!

Family Photos at Ikea!

On Marshal's actual birthday (Saturday) we had a bit more of a low key day since his party had been the day before. We went garage saleing in the morning with Auntie Aeron, Kendra and Grandma and it worked out amazing. I just put a movie on for the kids, Aeron sat in the car with all of them (cause she was tired) and my mom and I were free to pop out and check out the deals! We didn't have much time as Mom had to get to work but we were able to score 3 great sales. The best one was a man who had 2 young daughters and they had a ton of baby clothes they were selling for $0.25 per item. Yes you heard me right 25 cents! My mom and I had a lot of fun here and bought a ton of stuff for hardly nothing. Here is my haul from the best sale of the day.

I got 30 clothing items including 2 brand new items which still had tags and 2 sleep sacks (one brand new with tags still on it) each for 25 cents, 4 pairs of shoes for $1 each for a grand total of $11.50. I couldn't be happier with my first garage saleing day of the year!

After garage sales we went home and had a quiet afternoon. Then we went to Ikea for dinner at Marshal's request. All day I asked him what he wanted for dinner that night and every time his response was, "I want go to Ikea." Lol what a cutie. When we got to Ikea we asked him what he wanted to eat and he said very matter of factly, "Noodles and chocolate milk." Doesn't take much to please a 3 year old palate. 

Grandpa, Aeron, Kendra, Rael and Spencer (Mom had to work) joined us for dinner and we had some fun with the kids trying to run away from us every 5 seconds. After everyone had eaten we decided to walk through the store as that's Marshal's favourite part. Since we were dressed semi nicely I wanted to take a family picture and Rael thought it would be funny if we did it in one of the Ikea living room, setups. The boys didn't want to cooperate but it was still fun and we got some funny shots. 

Trying to wrestle the boys into the photo. 

Somewhat decent. 

Marshal clearly wants to be free!

Laughing our heads off at the struggle the kids are putting up. 

He was mad.

Cohen escapes.

After our walk through Ikea we finished off with some ice cream and then straight home and to bed for two very tired and grouchy little boys! Oh well it was mostly a good day. Life is tough when you are 3!

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 29- 5 Songs That Speak To You

1. Till Kingdom Come by Coldplay: This was our wedding song. I have always loved Coldplay and so has my husband. The album X&Y came out in June 2005 (while my husband was still on his mission) and I remember listening to the album over and over again. I absolutely loved it and felt so connected to the music that it contained. When Dan and I became a couple we shared a lot of music with each other and spent a lot of time listening to it together. This album was one of those that we both shared a love for. We both loved this hidden bonus track on the album and when the time came to choose a wedding song, we chose this as it seemed absolutely perfect. The lyrics and beautiful and the music is amazing. Couldn't be happier with knowing that this is our special song forever.

2. I Will Remember You by Sarah McLaughlin: This was one of the first songs that I ever choreographed to. When I was in Grade 7 or 8 my older dancer teacher, Dorothy Carter, passed away and I choreographed a dance in her remembrance to this song. I remember borrowing costumes from my dance teacher (Dorothy's daughter) and performing the dance for an assembly in front of the school. It will always be a special song to me for all of the memories it contains.

3. Slipped Away by Avril Lavigne: I felt a little hesitant about including this song because it brings back a flood of my young adult heartbreak, but it really is a song that meant a lot to me for a significant period of time and helped my get over a particularly heart wrenching, "breakup." I was 19 and for the first time in my life I actually loved somebody. Thing is I was taken for a bit of a ride by the boy that I loved and it ended in complete and utter destruction for me. I truly felt that I would marry this boy and had never been in love before, so when he took my heart and tore it to pieces I was left pretty broken. In the months of sadness that lingered around me I listened to this song on repeat everyday. It may sound completely pathetic but this song really helped my healing process. It took me a long time to get over him and I will admit I went through a few rebound type relationships before I finally healed. Thing is I was still secretly counting on him to come through for me (despite what happened) until I met Dan. When I met Dan I knew that I could finally put my first love behind me and completely walk away.

4. Hope by David Usher: David Usher is an amazing artist that I wasn't exposed to until I met Dan. He is one of Dan's favourite artists and I completely connected with his music when Dan gave me his music to listen to for the first time. I have spent a lot of time listening to David Usher and am always amazed and moved when I hear his songs. This particular song is one that I listened to a lot with Dan before we were married. For me this song is the Hope that Dan gave me and continues to give me in my life. As the lyric say, he is "the one who gives me hope." (Sorry for the cheese fest!)

5. Hello I'm In Delaware by City & Colour (aka Dallas Green): My little sister Hannah introduced me to Dallas Green years ago when he created a solo album and split from the band, Alexisonfire. The first time I hear his voice I immediately fell in love with it. He is such an interesting artist to me with a spectacular sound and an amazing ability to play the guitar. Hello I'm in Delaware is from his first album Sometimes which was released in 2005. It was one of the first songs of his that I heard and when I heard it it moved me to dance. When music makes me want to dance I know that it has touched my soul. I used to turn this song on, blare it in my room (while in University) and just dance my heart out.

You can find a playlist with these songs here: 5 Songs That Speak To Me

And there you have it 5 songs that speak to me. I'm interested what you would have on your playlist!

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 27- A Letter To My Readers

Dear Readers (all 12 of you),

I'm sorry that my blog is not full of fun and interesting facts like so many others out there, that I don't have incredible recipes to share, funny stories that will make you laugh so hard you'll pee your pants, fashion tips to make you feel oh so beautiful and trendy or great crafty ideas.

But I thank you just the same, for reading despite the lack of true entertainment, and for putting up with my posts as I blog my way through the weeks and months trying to make some record of the events and happenings in my not so interesting life.

This blog is really not for you, it is selfishly for me. Writing is something I have always enjoyed and  that's why I love blogging so much. So as long as I'm around and I have things to write about you can count on my boring blog posts to continue. I hope that you can enjoy my blog somehow and if not, well then you don't have to read it.

I hope you have a lovely week,

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Days 22-26

Ok so I really fell off the boat with this blogging every day business. But I'm pretty impressed I did so well for so long. In all fairness to myself I have been a bit busy as we were away for the long weekend (May 17-21) and then I had my son's 3rd birthday party to prep for which we just had this past weekend (May 24). In any case there will be some posts on those events coming soon too. So here's the short version of all the days from the blogging challenge that I missed this past week.

Day 22- Rant About Something: 

To be completely honest I thought about this one and just didn't have something I wanted to rant about. Don't get me wrong sometimes there are things that really get me going but I just haven't been feeling very passionate about anything that makes me excited or angry lately. Maybe because I'm just so pooped with this pregnancy that the thought of exerting a large amount of energy just makes me want to cry. So for this particular day I got nothing. Sorry.


Day 23- Things I've Learned That School Didn't Teach Me: 

1. Sleep is very valuable, get as much as you can when you can.
2. Road trips are the best way to develop a true and everlasting friendship or even a marriage. That's how me and my hubby came to be (seriously we went on a road trip and as friends and came back a couple) and we've shared many a road trip since we were married 6.5 years ago. 
3. Best friends will always be there for you even if you live miles apart and don't talk all the time. Sometimes your lives will  take very different paths but there will always be something that connects you together. 
4. Kids are serious work and sacrifice.
5. Kids are totally worth the work and sacrifice. They are, as my dad says, "The icing on the cake!"
6. Only you can make yourself happy.
7. Life is short so make the most of it. Don't stress too much over things that seem important but really aren't. We only have one life to live and the purpose of our journey here on earth is far greater than we can see with our mortal eyes. Just do your best, life your life fully and be satisfied with what you have.
8. Family is everything.
9. Food is delicious.
10. Be yourself  Don't ever try to be something else for someone else. Just embrace your inner weirdo, we all have our quirks but that's what makes us all so special!

Day 24- Top 3 Worst Traits:

1. I'm super self critical. A battle a have fought my whole life that I know has often held me back and prevented me from really putting myself out there and achieving the dreams I have wanted to. But is is something I have improved on greatly over the years. Maybe in the future I'll stop judging myself.
2. I always lose things. I'm so bad for putting things somewhere and then totally forgetting where that somewhere is! It drives my husband nuts! I'm the worst at putting things back where they belong too. I will put something down and swear it was there but then find it in a completely different location much later. Oops. I guess I should work on my home organization skills!
3. I lack patience. Having kids has helped a lot but I think I still have a serious way to go in the development of my patience. Sometimes I do alright but other times...let's just say I'm an impatient person at times. 

Day 25- Something Someone Told You About Yourself That You Will Never Forget:

When I was 8 years old my ballet teacher told me that I had a lot of potential as a dancer because I worked very hard and was very precise, but she also told me that I would never be a ballerina because I had flat feet and bowed legs. She had my parents put me in foot orthotics right away, but it was of no use. My bodily flaws were too much to be accepted by the elite world of ballet. However this never stopped me from loving dance and becoming the best dancer I could be. Dance is still my biggest passion in life besides my family. 

Day 26- Something I Read Online:

I'm certain there are many wonderful things I have read on line but right now I'm so pooped I don't have the brainpower to go back and try to find something that got me thinking, so instead I'll share with you this funny link that popped up on facebook the other day. If you are a dancer/dance kid you'll appreciate this, it gave me a good laugh!

27 Signs You Were A Dance Kid

And there you have it folks 5 days of blogging in one post! Hopefully I can stay on track for the last week of this challenge!

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 21- Favourite Posts from the Archives

As this blog is newer to me and not super full of posts from the past so I have selected some of my favourite posts from both this blog and my former blog.

In Honour Of Mothers

Everything Is Beautiful At The Ballet

Fall Mourning

Once Upon A Dream

Kindred Spirits

Coldplay

Moments Like These

I easily could have had a whole page full of favourite posts especially if I included all those about my little kidlets, but I decided to share these posts which are mainly just about me and my thoughts, dreams, ambitions, experiences and things that are important to me.

Cheers- Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 20- Get Real. Something I'm Struggling With Right Now

Ok so I realize that this is most likely a serious topic, and often I am struggling with something a little more on the serious side, but today what I am really struggling with is this:

Picking a name for my baby girl.

I don't know about you but choosing a baby name is hard work! I quite seriously think I may have a problem when it comes to name choosing because it takes me forever to find something I like and then I analyze the heck out of the name before I make my final decision. Then throw in the fact that my husband also has to agree on the name and well, that leaves us with pretty much nothing!

I realize that picking a name is a process for everyone, but some people seem to have a breeze picking names while I always take forever!

However I've really been struggling with a girls name, way more that I ever did with my boys. It just seems that there are so many options for girls and what you want her name to say about her. There are pretty names, feminine names. strong names, unique names, unisex names, classic names, plain names, nature names, creative names, yuppy names, exoctic names, foreign names and the list goes on.

I just can't help but feel overwhelmed by all the name possibilities out there and finding something that really fits with our family, my style and something I hope my daughter will like in the future too.

Its a struggle let me tell you. I'm 31 weeks today and we have two possible names but aren't really sure about either of them. In fact I don't know if I would actually use either of them but right now they are all I have. I think I have narrowed down my style a bit- I tend to be drawn toward more unique, unpopular, unisex, creative names but it's still super hard.

I guess I'm just searching for that perfect name and don't feel like I've found it yet. If you have any ideas for me please send them my way. I'm still on the hunt.

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 19- 5 of Your Favorite Blogs and Why

I'm not a super crazy blog follower, but there are a few I enjoy looking at when I have the time!

1. Food That's De! - Two of my girlfriends started this food blog awhile ago and I love it! They are both health conscious eaters and always cooking up yummy healthy dishes for their families. I was super thrilled when they decided to share many of their recipes and tips with the rest of the world through this blog. I've only tried a few recipes to date, but I have plans to cook many more of the yummy things that they have shared.
2. Picked & Painted - I found this blog once upon a time when I was looking for furniture makeover tips and I can't say how much I love it! This blogger has an amazing talent for finding ugly, old, worn out furniture pieces and restoring them into lovely, beautiful amazing treasures! Seriously check out her work and you will be inspired. I love being able to see a new life in something old. 
3. A Diamond In The Stuff - Another great blog for furniture tutorials and a lot of other great craft ideas. I love reading about and seeing other people's craft ideas. I'm a crafter at heart and wish I had more time to do it. Maybe one day!
4. Fun Cheap of Free Queen - This gal has a lot of great financial tips and advice. I also feel a small connection with her because her name is also Jordan and she has 3 kids within basically the same time frame as my 3 will be born. lol. Anywho I like reading her posts.
5. The Pretty Life Anonymous - A fun fashion blog that I like because it's realistic for the budget frame that I live within. These gals have lots of DIY ideas and always put together cute outfits on a dime. They also keep their blog anonymous which is kinda cool. Seems like they do it more cause they love too rather than  for recognition and I can't lie, I really like that. 

Well that's that. Maybe I've suggested some new reading material for all your blog followers!

Jordan 

May Blogging Challenge Day 17- A Favourite Photo of Me And Why

I'm not at home right now so I don't have access to all my photos...but here is one I was able to grab off facebook. 

Reasons this is one of my favourite photos:

1. Me and all my favourite boys, what more could I ask for.

2. Everyone's expression is so real and true to who we really are!

3. This photo was taken by one of my favourite photographers.

4. Family- need I say more. 

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 16- Something Difficult About Your Lot In Life

I'm having some trouble with this one, so I may think on it for a few days.

Jordan

Pregnancy Diary: 30 weeks!

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Weight Gain: 27lbs
Size of Baby: Head of Cabbage
Food Cravings: Nothing in particular.
Food Aversions: None! Yay!

Baby Movement: This little lady is moving like crazy in there. Just like both of her brothers, who were also super active, she is tap dancing, somersaulting and high kicking in there for sure. She's bound to be born a dancer with all the movement going on! Her movements are getting a lot stronger and a lot more uncomfortable too. As she continues to grow I'm sure space is becoming more limited so I get to pay the consequences with being poked, kicked and generally used like some sort of punching bag!

Overall Mood/Feeling: For the most part I'm doing alright. I'm still tired but that's partly because I'm anemic. I must admit I am really ready for this pregnancy to be over, but am slightly terrified about life after she arrives. As I've mentioned my body is having a hard time with this pregnancy and I've been experiencing a lot more aches and pains than in my first two. Thank goodness I'm almost there!

Symptoms: I wrote an entire post about my lovely varicose veins! So those are still there and the most obvious symptom of this pregnancy. Who knew that in addition to being hideous, varicose veins are also truly uncomfortable and even painful by the end of a long day. I'm trying to stay off my feet as much as possible but that's pretty much impossible with two very busy little boys to take care of.  I'm also having lots of aches and pains in the hips and lower back. I feel so stiff and sometimes I can barely get off the floor if I've been sitting there for too long. It's getting very hard to get up and down, so changing diapers, playing with the boys and picking stuff up off the floor are getting to be real chores! My legs are also so tired (from the varicose veins) that going up the stairs feels as though I've just done a super intense squat class, or danced for a few hours straight- not fun at all! Lastly I think I've finally developed that pregnancy waddle. You know the one. I think I may have avoided it in the first two pregnancies but the other night I went out without the kids and I was definitely waddling. I was just so tired and achy from the day it's all I could manage! Oh yes and sleeping is becoming more and more uncomfortable, I'm tossing and turning all night long. 

My Thoughts: Wooohooo I am three quarters of the way there! Knowing that I am only going to be pregnant for a maximum of 11 more weeks and maybe only 9 more is making me very ecstatic! I can't believe that I am so close. This pregnancy has definitely gone by really fast. I am done work now which is really nice as it was getting a little hard on the body, so now I can really focus on getting my house in order and finishing up all the projects I want to get done before this little lady arrives. I have to say I for the first time in this pregnancy I got a little bit scared about having a girl! It seems silly but all I know is boys and I think I've gotten them figured out pretty well so far! I feel like things are going to be so different with a girl! Maybe not but I'm interested to see just how things will be and how our family dynamic may change with a new little princess around! I'm also having the time of my life trying to find a name for this girl! Who knew picking a girls name would be so hard! All I have to say is I seriously need help. I think I have a problem when it comes to names. Hopefully we'll pick one or two before she comes so she won't have to be nameless for a week!

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 15- A Day In The Life

8:30 Awoken by Marshal crawling into my bed with his cars that he proceeds to drive all over me.
8:49 Finally get out of bed because Marshal won't, "leave me alone," and head downstairs to get this show in the road.
8:55 Turn on CBC kids and grab two bananas (one for me one for Marshal), sit at the laptop to catch up on a few blogs posts while I'm still groggy.
9:10 Get Cohen out of his crib
9:20 Make scrambled eggs for the boys
9:30 Attempt to eat breakfast while also continually getting things for the boys to eat
9:45 Clean up the boys who are a mess. Forget to put away the peanut butter, milk and cereal, don't bother to clean the kitchen up.
9:55 Sit at the laptop again to check emails while the boys play and watch cartoons

Little cutie!

Still groggy.

Yes this is what my house looks like every morning!

10:20 Send an important business related email!
10:40 Finally decide I should take a shower
10:55 Boys follow me upstairs
11:56 Marshal rushes to the potty and pees and poops
11:05 I finally get dressed
11:15 Call Dan to discuss some things
11:30 The boys are hungry again so we head to the kitchen for some veggies and fruit

yum yum.

11:40 The boys have made yet another mess in the kitchen that I don't bother to clean up
11:45 Everyone is getting grouchy so I toss the kids outside while I plan to clean the bathroom
11:50 The boys are surprisingly quiet outside and play nicely for about 40 minutes! WIN! I clean the bathroom, much needed!
12:30 Marshal and Cohen come in from playing outside and Cohen goes for a much needed nap! Mr, Whiny!
12:40 Marshal decide he's hungry again so we head back to the kitchen for a popsicle (don't judge), I hop back on the laptop to try to catch up on the last of the blog posts I'm, behind on
1:34 Still sitting at the laptop while Marshal still munches away on all sorts of food.
1:39 Potty break
1:41 Marshal packs his suitcase for our weekend trip
1:45 While Marshal "packs" I write up some notes for the teachers at ths studio taking over my classes
2:00 Cohen wakes up! Way too early to be waking up from a nap!
2:10 Print off papers and burn cds for the teachers at work
2:20 Marshal pee pants
2:30 Load the kids up in the van to go drop off the stuff at the studio
2:40 Arrive at the studio, lug the kids in with me
2:45 Marshal uses the potty
2:50 Clean out my bin at the studio (I'm done teaching for the year!)
2:55 Lug the kids back to the van
2:57 Sit there to recover for a few minutes
3:05 Decide to go to Canadian Tire to kill some time. Wander around the store for awhile very carefully avoiding any view of the bike section because if they see the bikes I am in big trouble and will never get them out of there. Thankfully they stay strapped in the "car" shopping cart the entire time we're there! A miracle!
3:45 Check out and load up in the van again
3:55 Get home, Marshal uses potty and we head out back to play. The boys play with Thomas who also comes out and I socialize with Rachel and Dave for a while.
5:30 Finally go inside to make dinner
6:00 Dan gets home! Hurray!
6:07 Eat dinner
6:35 Toss those dirty suckers in the tub!
6:50 Pjs, story time, tooth brushing and prayer
7:00 And they're off to never never land by my wonderful hubby!
7:05 I'm sitting on the couch, feet up, while thinking about cleaning the house and finishing up this post!

There you have it a day in the life. Super busy and not all exciting.

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 14- 10 Things That Make Me Really Happy

1. Watching the joy on my kids faces when they do something for the first time, get something they have really been waiting for or just have a plain old great day! Nothing better than a happy little toddler or preschooler face! 
2. "Baby" hugs and snuggles. I know they are too big to be actual babies now, but they will always be my babies!
3. Dan.
4. Watching inspirational choreography.
5. Going to the Ballet.
6. When my dance students finally master something after many hours of hard work and practice. 
7. Going to any musical theatre production (it has been way too long!)
8. Girls nights. 
9. Shopping by myself.
10. The peace and quiet that surrounds me at the end of a long day. 

Jordan 

May Blogging Challenge Day 13- Issue a Public Apology

This one was a little tricky for me. When I first thought about it I didn't know exactly who I wanted to apologize to. I try to live life without needing to apologize to people, or when I do need to making sure that I give an appropriate apology in person. However I've come up with an apology that is long overdue. They won't be able to read it but hopefully I'll be able to show it.

I'd like to apologize to my kids for all those day that I just can't seem to cope. For getting frustrated with them and losing my cool. For not always being as patient and kind as I should. For locking myself in the bathroom to cry. For plopping them in front of the TV so I can sleep. For not always being loving. For the tears that I have caused in moments of upset. I'm sorry that I'm not a better mom. I'm sorry that I can't always treat you with perfect love and gentleness. I'm sorry that I am still a selfish human being and sometimes just want time for myself. I'm sorry that I cannot always give you everything you need. I'm sorry that you have to deal with my trial and error as I figure out how to be your mom. I'm sorry I can't just give it all to you. But I am eternally grateful that I get to be your mom and I love you so much. I'll keep trying to take each day as it comes and show you how much I love in you in all my words and actions.

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 12- What You Miss Most

It's very clear to me that what I miss the most about my past are my dancing days a Victoria Carter London Dance Center.

I practically lived at my dance studio growing up. I danced from 4-6 days a week, every year from about the age of 10 to 17.

I absolutely LOVED to dance. It was everything to me and it was no sacrifice for me to be there so often. I would always rather be there than socializing, attending parties or hanging out with friends. Probably why my friends were pretty limited throughout my teen years.

I miss all my lovely LDC ladies. We had so much fun together. We went through much and learned much during those years that we danced. They were like my sisters and we so close.

I miss all the wonderful and creative shows that we got to be a part of. The cheesy annual Christmas shows and all the silly and embarrassing costumes that we wore. I miss the Spring shows and the fun choreography that we got to learn and perform  I miss costume days when we got to open boxes of treasured costumes who had been worn by decades of dancers before us and were sewn by our dance teacher!

It was a very special time in my life that I cherish very dearly. I am so grateful that my dance teacher truly instilled in me a very deep and sincere passion for dance. As I grew up with it and so involved with it, it truly became a part of me and a very important part of me at that! I can't imagine what my life would be without dance!

I miss being able to devote so much of my energy and effort to something I love so much! Those dancing days are a wonderful part of my past that I would never trade.

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 11- Sell Yourself in 10 Words or Less

Determined mom and overachiever creatively determined to make a difference.

Kind of an old picture but that's me.

May Blogging Challenge Day 10- Most Embarrassing Moments

There are only two moments I can vividly remember in my life when I truly felt completely, utterly and awkwardly embarrassed. Here they are:
1. I was 8 and it was parent viewing day for my ballet class. I was a very shy and quiet child and never liked to draw attention to myself. I would especially never talk in my dance class. I really had to go to the bathroom, but I would rather hold it in than raise my hand ask if I could go. I'm not sure why I was so afraid to ask to go to the bathroom, but I kept holding it and holding it until I could hold no more and I peed my pants in front of all the kids and all the parents there to. This is a moment I have never forgotten and doubt I ever will. It was truly horrible. 
2. I was 16 and two of my dance friends and I were performing a jazz dance we had choreographed for our High School Airbands show. My mom had made us awesome costumes of shiny red pants and blue sequined tops. Each top was a different design and mine happened to have only one strap. I'm sure you can imagine what happened. We were dancing with a lot of energy and as we were dancing I could feel my shirt getting lower and lower on one side. I couldn't touch my costume because we had been drilled at our school to never touch your costume unless in fell off, literally, we would get in so much trouble! Anyway the top kept getting lower and I pulled it up as I felt it slide down just a bit too low. But is was too late. I had flashed my entire high school. Yup that was a great moment. But of course I just kept dancing like nothing had happened, because you never draw attention to anything on stage! Needless to say we sewed on another clear strap before I wore that costume again!
And there you have it, my two most embarrassing moments! Here's hoping there are no more!
Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 9- A Moment in Your Day

I didn't actually take any pictures today! Which is pretty rare as I try to always snap a photo of my kids with my phone. But yesterday I snapped quite a few when we went for a family walk/bike ride at Fish Creek Park. So maybe it's sort of cheating, but I thought I'd share some of those photos for today's post!

My boys ready for a ride!

Poor little Cohen has to watch from the wagon, haven't found a bike small enough for him yet. 

Cohen and I decided to walk up the hill Marshal and Dan biked up. 

Cohen likes to eat rocks. 

Marshal trying to "bike" down stairs just like Daddy!

"It's bumpy mommy!"

All my boys, what a lucky lady I am!

Checking out some ants!

We've been fortunate to finally get some warm weather here in Calgary! It felt like winter was never going to end so now that we have warm days we've been living outside as much as possible! You definitely have to enjoy it while you can here because the weather is so unpredictable. Here's hoping its stays this way!

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 8- A Piece of Advice

My plain and simple piece of advice would be to follow both your heart and your dreams. You never know where exactly they will lead you but if you follow both of these things you are guaranteed to be happy with your life. Living a life with no regrets and feeling full satisfaction with what you have accomplished is high on my list of things to achieve. I definitely have times where I struggle with this but I am trying to enjoy what I have been given in this life and try to make each day count. Here's to life fulfillment!

May Blogging Challenge Day 7- The Things You're Most Afraid Of

1. Open bodies of water or any deep water in general. I can't swim people and deep water really makes me uncomfortable.
2. Losing Dan. I seriously don't think I could live without him. I would truly be terrified to go through life on my own.
3. Losing one of my kids. Even though I know that we are a forever family I think this would be impossibly difficult to deal with. 
4. Birds. Completely irrational I know, but when birds get too close or fly near by my head I get a little freaked out.
5. Having regrets in my life. I tend to be a bit of a cautious person and am sometimes too afraid to do things I really do want to do. I want to make sure I live my life to the fullest so that I am truly satisfied with what I have done. 

Well I'm sure I could add on but I don't want to think too much about things that make me sad or scared so I will leave it at that!

Jordan

May Blogging Challenge Day 6- 'What do you do?'

If I were asked, "What do you do?" and couldn't answer with my job title, my answer would be something like this:

Even though I could list a zillion things I do everyday that I really don't like (such as laundry, sweeping the floor 10 times, loading the dishwasher, unloading the dishwasher, changing poopy diapers, wiping snotty noses, scraping food off my floor, picking up cars, picking up cars, picking up cars, stepping on cars and "cursing" because my foot hurts so much, wiping poopy butts, changing peed pants- you get my drift) I am very blessed to do the very best thing in the whole world- I GET TO BE A MOM.

While I cannot lie that is is the toughest job I have ever had and I often feel that I am a complete failure at it, I know I am blessed to be a mom. I get to do the most important thing each and every single day- I get to love my children and watch them grow. 

So what do I do?

I snuggle sweet little bodies. I give kisses to owies. I sing songs on repeat. I read books on repeat. I play with cars. I feed hungry mouths. I wipe away tears. I hug sad upset little boys who can't have their way. I listen to stories. I give kisses. I marvel at how quickly a baby becomes a child. I watch trial and error at it's finest. I learn through little eyes. I grow my patience. I watch skills develop. I listen to sweet little voices. I hear simple sounds become words. I feel my heart grow with love every day. I see the simplicity of life. I cherish the moments that will one day disappear. I get to be present when it matters the most. I get to be with my children as they grow and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

My boys back in January.

And something more recent, my two little boys with their cousin. 

That's what I do. What about you?

Jordan