What Happened When I Joined a Hockey Team

Leaving university was a tricky transition for me. For seventeen years straight I had worked hard at my role as a student; I knew what to do each day and what the end goal was. I had the consistent support of my family and my friends – my village. Once I left the city I had been in and started teaching, it felt like everything changed and I floundered. My friends dispersed into their various roles, my evenings were spent planning and marking, and I had to engage with a new community.

Building new relationships isn't something you can rush. 

Over time, I became connected to the school community I was teaching at. I made new friends and ended up marrying another teacher – how's that for building strong relationships? I joined a flag football team with friends from my university days and within a few years felt that I had transitioned well into my new role as a working and married adult in the suburbs.

Growing Together

Our son, Kai, has been playing ball hockey for the past few months. I've faithfully attended his games and practices because I love watching.  Gary and I really enjoy playing sports (Gary played basketball in university) and both of us have a bit of a competitive side to us.  This competitive background, along with the experience of coaching, makes it a bit tricky navigating how much to encourage and challenge Kai.   I love seeing him learn positioning, teamwork and ball handling.  I don't want him to be the best; I want him to be his best.   It's a struggle for me when I see him running around the arena and I know that he could push harder– but maybe he's not sure he can.

We're both learning.  He's figuring out the game and how to be a better teammate. I'm learning about what kind of feedback I should provide him with to make him feel encouraged yet challenged.  Confident yet humble.  Together we are exploring how these post-game discussions should go.  Do I point out the great moves?  What about the things he could work on?  Can he recognize these areas himself?  Do we just celebrate that he had a fun time?

One of my favourite moments of the ball hockey season came last week.  We had our marriage class on the same night as his hockey game.  It was the first game that I would miss but fortunately my in-laws could take him.  I jokingly told him before leaving, "Don't score tonight!" as he had yet to score and was really wanting to– I didn't want to miss it!  Half way through our class, Gary got a text from his dad saying that he wasn't sure if he should tell me but our Kai Bear had scored his first goal.  I was so happy for him and yet sad that I wasn't there to see it and celebrate with him.

Early the next morning, Kai came to see me.  As we cuddled, he filled me in on the game and shared what his big moment was like.  Side by side we sat, smiling, celebrating, and savouring.  Even if I'm not sure that I'm saying the right things post-game, the fact that he wants to share it all with me sure means a lot.  Maybe helping him be his best is as simple as being there and taking an interest–letting him know that he matters and I care.

It's interesting entering a new stage of parenting and I look forward to learning more about myself and my kids as we go through it together.   If you have any words of advice on preteens (he's almost a preteen, right?!) and how to approach their activities and/or competition, I'd love to hear it!

Love,
Louise

Cuteness. Stress. Hockey. Life.

Okay, there are 11 days until we are on holidays.  This is crazy.  We are going to Whistler first.  I know, crazy timing to go right from Whistler to the Philippines but we are going with my extended family and will come back for a night in between.  I never usually say when we are going somewhere but we will have several people house sitting so I feel better about it...I hope to blog about once/week on our trip.

There is a lot going on now.  I am wrapping up all photography sessions from June.  One more wedding package to mail off and then one more family session this Saturday.   I have two sick kids (Kai has a double ear infection) so both Kai and Koen have stayed home the last 2 days. I still had them doing school work each day :)

In case I forget, my thyroid levels are fantastic and taking vitamin B complex daily has really helped my emotional stability.  So far.  We'll see how it does in the next few weeks :)

I think I'm a bit stressed about our trip.  I feel a bit anxious about the plane ride there.  We leave at 2 am with 3 kids.  Oh man, I hope Nya is okay.  Otherwise, we will have some very unhappy people around us.  Thank goodness I'm still breastfeeding, that is the only way I could soothe her.  Well, that and arrowroot cookies. 

I'm also a bit stressed about photography.  I know I'm decent at it but the past few months I've been very critical of myself when I'm editing the photos.  Should've increased the aperture, should've lowered the ISO, should've used a different lens, should've done this pose, should've done this family combo etc.  I don't care about our own personal photos that way but for clients is does tend to stress me out.  It's funny because I'm pretty confident in all other areas of my life.  Maybe it's because I'm self taught?  Maybe because there's just so much more to always learn?  Maybe because I compare myself to others work? Maybe because you are working with so many other people all the time who are judging your work?  Maybe because I expect more of myself?  I'm a confident mom and teacher and wife and even though my body is not what it used to be (`Kai: Mommy are you SURE there isn't a baby in your belly?'), I'm not insecure in those ways.  Just needed to say that part as I've been struggling with it more recently and trying to figure out what to do. I guess I just need to keep in mind that people hire me for ME and what I do so they know what they are getting and I'm not going to magically make something happen that isn't `me' right? Right?!!

All right, here are a random bunch of photos from the past week:)

Nya recently modeled the Blossom Hat for Simple Things.  Kim is a local designer and I love what she does.  I also really love this hat because it allows her to see very well and yet covers her ears nicely.  And seriously, the reversible option and gorgeous fabric?  Awesome.  So fun to take pictures of my little girl. 

{She also makes the pdf pattern for the booties that Nya is wearing.  Nya has worn these booties for 6 months and I love them for the early walker because they aren't clunky on her feet.}

For Father's Day, our usual unspoken limit is $50.00.  Well, this year I went a little wild.  Usually Gary purchases all of our electronic equipment but I knew this was something that he might like even though he had NEVER mentioned it.  I asked several of his friends and my dad (who has one) and they helped me decide what to get.  I did get an LCD screen and extra battery for it.  I hope that he can use it on his school hikes as he is no longer `allowed' to bring our DSLR's (my rule) and then also as an underwater camera while we are in the Philippines.

Cheesy `card' for Gary below.  By the way, I like this frame!  It's a cheaper option than the Organic Bloom ones I buy.  I got it at Michael's and could use a 50% off coupon so it was $20.00.  I think that I am most impressed with graphic designers as I am the furthest thing from it.  So excuse it's lack of awesome design and just appreciate the cheesiness of it.

Kai's Father's Day gift for Gary.  We may have found it at a garage sale for $1.

Koen has been wearing his Mario costume everywhere (even to bed!) and people think he is the cutest.  I didn't let him wear it to church.  Talking about church, we won the Father's Day draw they had!  Movie date night and La Senza gift card.  Yes.  La Senza. Church.  :)

And the pictures below make my heart smile.  I hope that all of our kids cook and bake and play sports and race cars.  Boy or girl, both doing the same things.  Love it.  

Kai Bear spending some time one on one passing with Nya. C.U.T.E.

Nya is not intimidated or scared of the boys, she gets right in there.  

Love the shot (ha ha, totally a pun) below even though she missed it :)

Okay, and since a lot of people read this daily and only about 1% comment, I would encourage you to leave a comment!!!

Come on, isn't Nya playing hockey cute?

Aren't you excited for our trip?

Do you also struggle with certain insecurities?

Do YOU have a GoPro camera?

Did you check out Nya on Simple Things?

Would you recommend anything for international travel with three kids?

La Senza gift card...what would you get?

Did you run around in costumes when you were little?

There you go. There must be something you can say :)

Love, Louise

Our Weekend and Two Teeth

On Saturday, Gary and I had a wedding to shoot and it went well.  Phew. No rain and I loved shooting in New West for a change!  It was my first time leaving all three kids with someone (Gary's parents) for 8 hours and being away from Nya for that long.  What did I think of it? Well, I missed Nya so much!  I feel like she's still way too little to leave for so long.  She also refused the bottle but fortunately just ate food instead.

{Her eyes are so beautiful!!! They are starting to turn a bit greener.}

Our little Nya has changed so much this month.  More than any month in her little life.  She is crawling, sitting confidently, pulling herself up to standing and today she even let go! Crazy kid.  Full of bumps and bruises.  I thought she wouldn't be walking until after she was a year old considering how long it took her to start crawling but I think she's making up for lost time now!  She also has two teeth. Wow.  For each tooth, there was at least one sleepless night and two VERY irritable days.  Last night was the bad one.  Up from 3:30am onwards.  Not fun!  Not that the other nights are much better. Ha.  Doesn't help that she is on her fourth or fifth cold.

{Two teeth!}

On Sunday, we skipped church because Nya has a cold and the boys were going to the Canucks Super Skills competition.  Kai was soooooooooooooooo excited.  He is into any sport and throw in some competition and it's heaven for him.  Koen was just excited to see a Zamboni.  In the morning, I ran 5km, then Gary did.  It was easy enough to run but it took everything out of me energy wise, so, I'm not doing the race next weekend.  Lame. Oh well.  Health first.  Time to find a good yoga program.  Did I tell you that I have my third sinus infection in 3 months?  Who knew that it is common with those that have Graves' Disease?  Not me, until recently.  Boo.

{They went with Kris and my nieces, Ani and Izzy}

{Mascot Musical Chairs, another highlight for Koen}

{Apparently they had pizza afterwards}

Sunday night we went out for sushi with all my sisters, Joanne, and her daughters.  8 women.  All you can eat. So good!  Annelise and Trisha are both pregnant.  I was feeling terrible from my run so I couldn't eat very much:(  I think that I was dehydrated and then just had no energy.  It doesn't tire my muscles out, it's like it takes every last reserve that I have and makes me feel miserable.  Lesson learned.  Will wait until my thyroid is behaving.

{We all look like sisters, don't we?}

Monday was Family Day. So great.  Gary helped our friends move in the morning and then we took the kids to the pool in the afternoon.  We didn't even go when the deal was on and it was still CRAZY there.  Oh man, the change rooms make me want to vomit with the smell of urine and whatever else. Yuck.  Gary pretty much took the boys and I had Nya.  When Kai went to the waterslide, then I would take Koen too.  Nya was sooooooooo cute in her one piece blue bathing suit.  With yellow bows.  She was giggling and splashing and so happy.  Can't wait to see all the kiddos on a sandy beach in the sun!  Then, my dad took the boys out for `coffee' which they LOVED.

{Terrible picture of the boys.  I cut their hair this weekend and used a pinterest thingy for help.  Should've stuck with how I always do it.  Poor Gary.  At least he doesn't care.  And, just because I'm proud of Gary...he is now wearing a size smaller in his pants size.  This is the first time in 12 years! I likey!!}

I've been busy selling stuff.  Time to get rid of as much stuff as I can as I don't like clutter and if we need more clothes for Kai, I better make some money selling Nya's!

I know this is boring.  But, it's our life and I'm thankful for it.  And you know, it's a really good thing that my fallopian tubes are out.  I could not do this thyroid journey with a baby again.  If I had gotten Graves' Disease after Kai (instead of Koen), who knows if we would've gone for a third.  Who knows if we would have had our beautiful baby girl?

All right, kids are in bed...time to work!

Love, Louise