February oh February

I generally love the month of February. Hey it's my birthday month, Valentines, and generally a pretty good month. Now I don't like to be a negative Nanny but February....enough is enough....so much snow, and ice. Everyday has been something. There that's my February vent. 

Oh I also had  to say good bye to sweet Sophia and daughter Laura...never a pretty occasion. Miss them dearly.

This month has also been my sister Julie's 70th birthday. Her children asked me to organize a celebration for her. I love my sister deeply but a party planner I am not. However I could not let them or her down and a celebration we had. ( I'll leave out the planning part)

The celebration went very well ( I think) The siblings all gathered at Hong's Kitchen for dinner. ( first surprise of the night) That was extra special as we love to get together and it doesn't happen very often. Remember February has been weather challenged BUT Dianne and Bill made it from Cape Breton, Glenn and Joan made it from Bridgewater; Eric made it from work in Moncton, Jack and Bev from Sackville and me from Halifax. Well done family !! Dinner was delicious and the service great. We then headed back to Julie's and the next surprise...a room full of special friends. Before we got to the room we had a big surprise. The morning of the party I felt impressed to message  an old neighbor from our family childhood, Robie Davison. The Davisons were great neighbors, and Robie brought his Mom ( now 95 yrs old) with him. Julie was thrilled to have them, and the rest of the siblings were slightly shocked. The room of friends was welcoming, and indeed the icing on the cake. Julie watched a cool video that her children created, read an awesome list that her children created, did lots of visiting and I think I can safely say....had a great birthday.
The following evening ( despite more snow !!!) the February girls did dinner at Resto Urban Diner...fun to be with Penny, Jane ,Dianne, and Julie

I continue to love the photo memories that I save...and never get to post them all.

Rather than write....enjoy

 

 

 

Love this photo

Pincent wedding

All for now....sweet dreams

Valentines Day Post

Here are my  ten LOVEly thoughts for yet another Valentines Day...Feb 14.2015

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER....

1. LOVE the wonderful family that I've been blessed with. Past, present and future.Would LOVE  to have them all close by!!

2.LOVE that I got to sleep in today.....first time in forever...and it felt divine

3.LOVE THE INCREDIBLE SUNSHINE TODAY....melt that snow

4.LOVE that I sold another kijiji thing today ( just LOVE selling things)

5.LOVE the warm home that I have to live in.

6.LOVE the friends that are so extra caring.

7.LOVE LOVE my scripture reading....had a grand read this morning about the Miracles of Jesus

8.LOVE that media lets me connect with family far away.

9.LOVE that I am safe....scares me with so many bad things out there in the world !

10. LOVE that I have a testimony of the restored Gospel and all that it blesses my life with

11. Did I really think that I could stop at TEN.....just one more....LOVE the Temple and all that it represents in my life

12. LOVE my husband, Bill despite both of our many imperfections...after 40 years...he's my Valentine still !!!

I have so much to be grateful full and when I focus on the positives in my life I am strengthened and at peace.

LOVE that we can take photos to remember:

HAVE A LOVELY DAY

Roller coaster remembrances

Good morning blog. You made it to my 'to do list' today. As the snow piles higher I'm starting to think that we may never see green grass again. 

Time to make a list of remembrances.....

1. Appreciate the great thoughtfulness on my birthday. Can I really be 64 yrs. old....yes OLD !!
Spent Saturday before my birthday in Bridgewater with Mike, Karen, and Laura and the gang. Mike got called off to basketball so the ladies ( and Ren) went to dinner at Boston Pizza which was really delicious. I even got sung to. Back at Mike's we enjoyed an amazing strawberry cheesecake. I have the best DIL !!! Monday on my actual birthday I treated myself to a face wax,and haircut in the morning, puttered around the house helping Laura get ready for her departure 
( sad part of the day), went for a pedi-manicure with Karen,Laura and Monica, had Thai for dinner and a yummy ice cream cake. A few visitors in to see Laura and more packing :(

2. Did some sewing...bibdanas; heart quilts;and pillowcases.

3.Bid farewell to my Laura and Sophia. I've cried everyday since. 

4. Continued my quest to read my scriptures better. This has been an area of personal revelation for me. More and more the world moves away from the Savior. Many preach that He never was. Many struggle to believe. For the most part this isn't my struggle but when I have some of my moments of depression, Satan sends lots of discouragement my way and I doubt just about everything. Why am I stating this....well actually it relates to reading my scriptures.... the more I read, and with consistency I receive the witness of the truths of the Savior. I am NEVER disappointed when I read. Yesterday after reading I opened a book that I have called
 " Please pass the scriptures...From reading to feasting" by John Hilton III. In a chapter  titled...Why read your scriptures....I liked the following
 acronym to remind me of why I read....

Protection

Easier to feel the Spirit

All things that we should do

Covenants

Easier to feel the Spirit

and that brings us PEACE

Yes the scriptures bring us PEACE. Just felt that I needed to record these feelings.

5. Two funny moments to record: 

.....while visiting at Mike's, Finley headed off to the bathroom. A few minutes later she called for me. When I arrived there didn't seem to be any problem. When asked, Finley said that she needed someone to talk to. It's lonely in the bathroom !!! What a kid

....Second moment has been Olivia's reaction to Sophia leaving. She's looked for her every day, cried for awhile yesterday because she missed her, and then this morning when I was blessing breakfast she told me to whisper so I didn't wake up Sophia. Oh my heart.!! Yes we miss them oh so much!!!!

Time to sign off....just a few quick photos::

Go Patriots!!

 

Miss you Sophia and Laura.

Dear blog....SORRY

Yes dear blog...SORRY....time is getting away from me as usual !! My Jan blog photos are back logged and I'm feeling like the days are being robbed from me lately.Sometimes it feels like my life is on a runaway train...so much to do....and getting nowhere!

Okay that might sound like a vent but it was purely an expression of where I see myself....slightly out of control !  HOWEVER I will quickly add that I have many wonderful things included in that madness. I have a wonderful life....safe and cosy here in Halifax. I have the best of families, both past present and future. Most especially this month has brought one of my western daughters/granddaughters home and I LOVE HAVING THEM  HERE.  Everyday is full of the best snuggles with precious Sophia, and so much love from Laura. A mother couldn't ask for much more. We have had lots of fun...visiting, playing games, sewing quilts and bibdanis,eating yummy treats  and daily smoothies, We have weathered some snowstorms, made snowmen, and gone sliding. ( yes even Sophia) I've loved watching Sophia grow right before my eyes, and I tear up thinking of her leaving ! We've enjoyed visits with friends and family. We've said goodbye to Francesco ( such a sweetheart from Italy) and welcomed Ren from Japan. Olivia joins us on many days and she has continued to delight us with her ballet, drawings, storytimes and so much more. We loved having Mike, Keah and the girls here ( watching international students come and go) and we've treasured lots of facetime with the Saskatchewan fab five. Karen and Laura have Jessica and Sarah doing a photo a day and that makes my heart smiles.

I have continued to enjoy my times in the scriptures, embracing our Bishop's challenge. I think it was my morning read today that inspired me to get back here to my blog. I was reading from 2 Nephi 11 and deeply appreciated the testimonies of those who wrote and bore witness that they had seen the Savior. While I profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ, somedays I struggle with how the word pulls away from Jesus Christ. I was strengthened today in my belief by the witnesses of these writers. I journaled that,'God proves all his words' and indeed he does. Nephi said...His soul delighteth in proving, covenanting,in the grace,justice, power and mercy of the Lord. Mine does too...and my reading today reminded me of this today. I lastly wrote....WE NEED TO BE A WITNESS....and on that note I'll write that I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I don't need to see him for myself. I know that the day will come when He will return and all will be fulfilled. I am grateful to know this.

I'll close with a few photos.....oh I've taken soooooooo many !!! 

 

 

 

My oldest Gdaughter
My youngest Gdaughter

CHEERS EVERYONE

GIVE THANKS TODAY