Monday, June 28, 2010

Movin' On Up!

In April our house sold (finally after being listed for about 2.5 years). We knew that we would build again and this time we chose to build in town! I'm quite excited to live in town - the main street is so sweet with lots of little shops to visit and I'll be able to walk downtown to visit them :) Where we are now it's a 10 minute drive to get there, and a 20-25 minute drive to fast food LOL. I shouldn't be excited to be closer to it, but I am. I'm mostly excited for convenience, of stores being right there when we need something and not have to pay $3 extra for a box of tampons. I think I rage about that even more when I need them since the hormones are flying wild during that time :)

So we picked our lot in the cutest little subdivision that won't really have any traffic that doesn't live there, that has basically a dog or two in every home, and that has children running and playing on the street. I am so excited to live here, and I'm excited for us to start our family here, God willing :)

Mike has been working so hard to build this house. This is the first time I've been able to see him working and I'm so amazed with what he does! He's been so great with organizing all the trades to do the work on the house. And he spends most of his spare time working on it himself (even after working a 13hr day and then doing it all again the next day). I knew he had a very strong work ethic, but I've truly seen how amazing it is. Even though we have so much going on right now between the wedding, setbacks with school, me not having a job right now, and building this house our relationship continues to grow and we are able to see how well we can work together - it does take effort though. But it is so so worth it.
It's been crazy how fast Mike has pulled this house together! I still don't think we'll be in it on time, maybe a week or two late. But it's been amazing how quickly it can go.
There are more updates but I haven't taken pictures of them, I'll have to get on that! We've got windows and doors and it's getting drywalled right now! We'll be painting in no time! I picked out the colours today :) I'm quite excited.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

My Mom is an Inspiration.

Last week my mom graduated from college! She decided to go back two years ago and become a Social Service Worker - in her 50's. She's amazing! She worked her way through school with more effort and determination than any student I've ever seen in all my years of being in school. She became friends with her colleagues and teachers. She branched out of her shell and her comfort zone. And she excelled extraordinarily and made the Dean's List (above 80% average). She overcame physical, financial, geographical (commuting over an hour each way every day to school), and learning challenges as well as judgment from some for entering school so late in life. My mom has shown us what an inspiration she is and to go for your dreams! And also to ignore those nay-sayers!!
My brothers and I drove up from all our different locations to be with mom while she achieved this milestone.
Mom and I:
My oldest brother M:

My other older brother G:
And by far the most stylish person who attended convocation was this man. He had a 70's stache, bow tie and tux on top, kilt, knee-high socks, and of course skater shoes. Oh and he accessorized it all with a polka dot purse :)
Sorry it's crooked.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Niece Count is Up to Two!

This May my step-sister had her first baby, a little girl, E. She is so sweet! Such a good baby, with lots of hair!!
We had a baby shower for them and I decided to make them a rag quilt. I saw one on KevinandAmanda.com and she said it was super easy so I thought I could do that! And it really was so easy! I think my step-sister really appreciated the gift, and it turned out big enough that E will be able to use it on a twin sized bed!
I just loved this quilt so much, I wanted to keep it for myself when I have kids! I love how girl, bright and soft it is :)
This one is a little dark, but you can see the fray detail (after only one wash!).
The back of the quilt looks nice and finished, which is nice to have the option of mixing it up! However you want to display the lovely quilt!

For this particular blanket I used 9" squares of flannel. For the inner lining I always grab a neutral (I actually used white in this quilt) flannel and cut the same 9" size of squares. Make sandwiches with the colours (obviously printed side out) and sew it all together! SO EASY :) I have two friends and one sister-in-law who are pregnant right now so I'd better get started on some more quilts for gifts :)

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Beginning of Many Updates :)

SO much has happened since I last posted! I'm pretty sure there was snow in the last pictures! That's insane, but in my defense I have been busy. I'm going to split these update into different posts because it would be ridiculously long if I didn't!


Let's see where to begin...I completed my last semester in school, working as an RN student doing post-partum, paeds, and intensive care nursery and fell in love with that area. I finally found the area of nursing that I'm comfortable, interested, and good at. However the hours were less than ideal. Shift work bites! What was I thinking becoming a nurse? I worked 12hr shifts, two weeks of days two weeks of nights, on a schedule that is basically 2 on-2off-3on-2off-2on-3off. It was insane. Plus my drive to work was 1hr10 min, which makes for a LONG day, especially when getting off of nights! Luckily one those difficult mornings I was able to call my mom to talk while I drove. Bad, I know since now it's illegal here in Ontario, but it's the only thing that kept me awake. Thanks mom!

So after surviving all this I was about a week and half away from writing my RN exam and graduating and I found out that my overall average for school was .18 too low to graduate :( BOO. So now it's going end up taking a whole year before I can get it sorted out and write my exam. Luckily I have my RPN to fall back on until I finish up!


On a happier note! I GOT ENGAGED!! hurrah!

Mike proposed in between Christmas and New Years up at his parent's cottage in the snow at the waters edge. It was perfect!

I picked out my dress quite quickly too. My mom and I went looking in town and I really wasn't expecting to find it so easily! I sort of wish I didn't so that I can keep trying dresses on - it's SO much fun and makes you feel so happy and skinny if you've never done it before! I highly suggest doing it, even just for fun. So I've been busy trying to get this wedding pulled together. The date is November 13th, 2010. We are SO excited!

And of course Brady is still here being his cute, wonderful, snugly self! He's actually still in our bed right now, even though I got up an hour ago! These Boston Terriers have personality I tell ya!

Will update more soon!