Hi-Knoll Park {Surrey, B.C.}

Hi-Knoll Park is located on the Surrey/Langley border on Colebrook Road.  It was given to the city by the Skelton family in 1974 and is a great little place to explore.   The north side of the trail is a meadow which we ran around first. We have had our family photos done here before–it's quite picturesque in the summer! Being that we have recently had a lot of rain, it was a little flooded north of the bridge so we turned around to explore other trails. 

You Got It, Dude {Fuller House}

You got it, dude. Have mercy. How rude. Cut it out. Oh man, I can still hear my sisters and I saying these catch phrases from Full House.  When we were growing up, this was one show that we would watch together because it was something that worked for our age ranges and it was deemed appropriate by our parents.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

1.  Netflix.  I love it!  Gary and I are still watching Prison Break and I love that time that we have together.

Lighthouse Park {West Vancouver}

Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver is one of our favourite parks to explore. Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, it offers a variety of trails for all ages.  I've gone there with our family for hikes and picnics and also for photo sessions.  It is about an hour from our home but it is so worth it!  Winter or summer, the views and trails never cease to amaze me.

Manning Park {Family Day}

It was Family Day in B.C. yesterday and the weather was gorgeous! We decided to go to Manning Park as we had never taken the kids there in the winter before (but LOVED it in the summer!)  It is a two hour drive which is longer than we prefer but the scenery is incredible.  If we didn't have kids in the van, I would've asked Gary to stop so many times so I could get out and take photos.  

Strength in the Journey

When people say "I don't think I could be a foster parent" I understand because I didn't think I could either. Years ago, after having our two sons, we were waiting to adopt locally and somehow found ourselves on a different path. We had another biological child, our daughter Nya, and then became foster parents. It came from the gentle prodding of a friend who encouraged us to love those in need in our own communities. Slowly, what we had thought our family would look like, and the timeline we hoped for, morphed into something else...something unknown and unexpected. 

Project 365 | Week 6

A photo a day for a year...well, it's supposed to be.  Today I'm sharing seven photos from the week but a whole lot were taken on the same day.

Five Funny Things My Kids Have Said

One of my favourite things about having kids is that they are usually quite funny. That's a good thing too because parenting is hard work! One of my favourite stories in the Bum Rash Chant which you can find here but here are some other moments that made me smile:

Here are five amusing things that my kids have said over the years...

Me: Kai, I'd like you to make a card for grandma.
Kai: What should it say?
Me: Whatever you want. (see photo below)

Kai: Look mommy, I made you you this beautiful necklace.
Me: Oh thank you!
Kai: It will cost you $1.00.
Me: What?
Kai: Well, usually jewelry costs like $50 so I just saved you $49!
("beautiful necklace" below)

Koen: Mom, you look so old.
Me: Um, thanks. I think most moms want to hear that they look beautiful.
Koen: You look like a beautiful old lady.

Me: What should I bring to the baby shower?
Koen: Soap, of course!

Kai (on seeing Froot Loops for the first time): I LOVE these so much, they're my favourite!! I've never had them before.

Bonus one:

Kai loves the show Amazing Race and hopes to be on it one day. I applied but I don't really have a "thing" that makes me interesting enough.
Kai: Mom, you and dad need to apply for the next Amazing Race! Your thing will be that you broke your jaw and dad broke his clavicle. You can be team hashtag #brokenbones.

What is something funny that your kids have said?

Love,
Louise

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

Choosing to Love

"I made the choice to love you." What?! A choice? Like, you didn't really feel it but made yourself?  Does this mean that your heart doesn't feel "the love"? I was so confused by my husband's statement – weren't you supposed to be in love with your spouse?  Slowly I have realized that this is truly a wonderful thing. He does not base his love for me on his feelings; it is unconditional. I don't need to worry about earning his love through awesome home-cooked meals, wearing skirts, and assuring him daily that he is a hot provider (although this probably wouldn't hurt our marriage). He loves me when I'm irritable and in my sweats (although he draws the line at a pair of onesie pj's I have!)  He is committed, in love, to our relationship. I wish I was better at this.  I do love him, every day, but I often let my emotions get in the way – I'm a passionate woman; I feel those highs and lows to the extremes.  In those moments, where I'm frustrated, I remind myself, "He is a great man. I love him. I love him. I love him."