They say so, but really I just want to combine our blogs to make things a little easier to update! Please head on over to our new blog and add it to your 'favorites!'.
http://www.ourcontinuingjourney.blogspot.com
Here are a few pics of our Trick or Treaters!
Mara-Grace is a cat....
Victoria is a surgeon.... Actually more specifically, she is Izzy off of Grey's Anatomy. Looks like her!
As a mother, I have often felt proud of our girls. The kind of pride that makes your eyes well up in an instant....
Today, I experienced this motherly pride, but it was different in a sense. It struck me that Victoria is getting older. Of course I knew this, but her conscious desire to make a difference in such a worthy cause was so wonderful. It was such a feeling of intense pride in the person Victoria is. She demonstrated such courage, poise, dignity, selflessness and inspired me with her shining spirit. Victoria raised over 2500$ for Breast cancer research and awareness with much hard work, and today she participated in the Shave To Save event at her school. She had her head shaved in front of the students, family and staff at her highschool. Not for one minute did she show fear, regret or any sign of insecurity beforehand or afterwards. She possessed such a grace about her today that took my breath away. She astounded me and inspired me and I am bursting with pride.
xoxo
Our Mara-Grace's actual birthdate is November 1st. However, since we may be travelling (OOOHHHH) we decided to have her party early this year. She wanted a Mickey Mouse party and we had a great time with this theme.
Here are some pics of Mara-Mouse's special day!
We had a lovely evening last night. We dropped Tori and her friend off at their Mini Medical School and drove over to the lantern festival. After a week of much rain, it was a clear, crisp, lovely night. We enjoyed the lanterns very much, and Mara-Grace also enjoyed some mooncakes! It certainly made us nostalgic for China and we look forward to being there soon. xo
We have always tried very hard to tell Mara-Grace her special story about her birth and history etc...
So, last night we were meeting Kevin and as we were waiting for him (in the car) Mara-Grace totally out of the blue (that seems to always be the way) says, "So, Mama, I forget..... when you were born in China who met you to bring you home again?????"..... Wow..... So I say, "Well, remember Mara, Mama grew in Granny's tummy. I wasn't born in China." Before I can say anything more she says, "Oh that's right Mama. And I grew in your heart. And your heart is big enough! Big enough for me, and for baby Hannah, and Tori, and Daddy and Lady... everyone!"
Such an incredibly sweet moment........
xoxo
Ok, I am truly having a great time changing the backgrounds! Anyone who really knows me knows I adore decorating the house for the different seasons, and well, here we are! LOL
Fall is in the air.... I am definitely in the nesting mode lately. I have been sorting, cleaning, getting ready for Miss Hannah to come home....More on this later.
I have just posted on our other blog the wonderful news that we have received our "letter seeking confirmation" today. We expect to travel to China in 6-8 weeks from now. What an incredible gift..... we are so so thankful tonight.
xoxo
It is so hard to believe that summer is over..... Victoria heads back to school on Tuesday. She has had a great summer but is definitely excited to head back to school. Her focus is something that amazes me and it is so wonderful to see her so organized, full of excitement etc. about her future, her school and of course her friends. This year, she is rotating 'study night' with 3 of her closest friends. Every Wednesday the 4 girls will take turns having one another come over immediately after school. They'll have supper and then do some studying. I know that they are all dedicated students, so I am sure they will actually accomplish some work! This Wednesday is our turn.... It is with these same three girlfriends that each Friday (also rotated between the girls) will have supper and host movie night. Also, Victoria has enrolled in a Mini Medical school which will meet weekly and they will have different topics and guest speakers. This will take place at one of the Hospitals. She is BEYOND excited about this!
As for Mara-Grace. Well.... she is into dinosaurs lately. I promised her that when Tori goes back to school we will do a little project on them. Go to the library etc... and also when we finish our project, we'll make a point to take in the dinosaur exhibit at a local museum. She is very excited about this. Also, I have her place reserved for craft and story time at the library this year and we'll also head back to playgroup. There is also storytime at the Ecomuseum and we will get back into our weekly outing there. We were hoping to enroll Mara in gymnastics, but I am still waiting on the info. We'll see. I am toying with the idea of delaying that until the spring and taking her to a class which is closer to home and is held weekly with Parents and Tots. Given the fact that we will be heading off to China, and I don't expect my Mom to drive all over the place, I am trying to find casual commitments close to home!
We talk about Hannah Faith every day and we are busy preparing for her arrival! And also for our trip! I wish I knew EXACTLY when we would be travelling. As it is, we are trying to get everything prepared both for her arrival and the trip there, but also at home. We will most probably travel in November. I would like to be ready for Christmas BEFORE we travel. Before that is Halloween and Mara's birthday. We have been talking a lot about both. She is going to be a Kitty cat for Halloween and we have the costume! And as for Miss Mara's birthday..... well.... I love to have a theme. It makes decorating and planning so much fun! I LOVE planning! So I have been talking with Mara about some possible ideas.... Here's the kicker! When I asked her where she would like to have her party and named a few places she said, "Nooo..... I really want a 'home sweet home' party." OK.... At home it is! And I asked her what she would like to eat.... She says, "Some nice cosy cake". ALRIGHT! Now, who would she like on her napkins (and of course this sets the tone for the other decorations)?????? Her answer is one that hits it out of the park for me! She said, "Tori". TORI? I know she loves her sister but really??????? She is absolutely adamant! She would like to have a picture of Tori on her napkins. LOL OK! So.......... I have been trying to convince her of something/someone else. Barney? Little Bear? Kai Lan? Dinosaurs? Farm again????????????? Zoo?????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO--------------TORI. Actually, tonight she said, "How about all our family?" Victoria is so impressed that she was her choice! She even suggested we play pin the hair on Tori- as she will just have had her head shaved for breast cancer awareness! LOL
May it be a safe, healthy, enriching year ahead at school! Enjoy!!!!!!! xoxo
Please head on over to our other blog for some exciting news!
xo
http://www.ourchinadreams.blogspot.com/
Tonight we were in the restaurant having supper and Tori was talking about her future. She wants to be a surgical oncologist in pediatrics preferably. She has strict goals set for herself and I admire her for that. I know that she will make her dreams come true. I then asked Mara-Grace if she has any idea what she would like to be when she grows up. She replies, "A Mirror"...... A Mirror???? She then continues on to demonstrate how she will put her arms, legs, head..... She was certain! She never ceases to amaze me!
As a little add on to our special day at Santa's, when I talked about making Santa a picture and perhaps a list of something Mara-Grace may like for Christmas (yes A LONG way off?!!!!), M-G told me the following instantly!
Without batting an eye she quickly said, "A headlamp!" A headlamp?!!!!!!! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that response. I wasn't even sure what it was:) Well, Mara-Grace explained that she would love a headlamp to wear on her head (hehe) like Diego's. Ahhhh, ok.........
She also added the following to her list:
-button...... no actually buttons now. (much later she explained that the buttons would not be used in her usual manner. Usually Mara enjoys "planting" them in the "Ground" (floor) and describing that they will be 'bootiful' flowers. But these special Christmas buttons are for making snowmen!
-candle (hmmm)
-RED flower
-little spoon, bowl, cup
-'tend' (pretend) microwave (as opposed to the real microwave Santa would bring for a toddler?!!! :))
-little tiny phone
For some reason, I think Santa looked as though he could handle that list!
xo Jen
Note that we have all eaten, cleared the table, washed the dishes and Mara-Grace was still enjoying her gravy! LOL She CHERISHED it!
Well, we are now home from our trip to London.
First off, our girls had a wonderful visit with their grandparents! They had the chance to spend some time alone, and did many special things with them. They also got to spend some extra time with their cousins, which is always nice. It gave us such peace of mind to know that our girls were in such good hands.
We did our very best to prepare Mara-Grace for her first experience away from us. I made her a countdown calendar with a note and heart in each little pocket. Apparently she loved reading her 'mail' every day. Also, I had wrapped a little present for her to open each morning. They were small little activity type gifts which were also a big hit.
We talked twice each day via Skype. We had our webcams set up so that we could also see one another. We enjoyed lots of kisses via the computer!
Given it was our first time separated, all went very well. I have to say though that it was wonderful coming home to give our kisses in person!
What a trip it was! As I have mentioned, I always hold London close in my heart. I was so thankful to have the chance to visit again. The last time I was there I went with my Dad and it was primarily to see Concorde fly before retirement. It was an incredible holiday and one I will always appreciate for so many reasons.
We arrived in London on Saturday morning and spent the day walking around. We went for supper and then despite not having slept, we went for another long walk in the evening. We slept like babies that night and got straight onto the time difference!
We took a bus tour (The Original Bus Tour) all around London and also took a boat trip to Greenwich. Greenwich, England defines both time and place for the whole world. All time is measured relative to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and all places have a latitude (their distance North or South of the Equator) and a longitude (their distance East or West of the Greenwich Meridian). It was quite interesting but quite an uphill climb!
I should note that the entire time we spent in London, they were having an extreme heat wave. Hotter than it has been in many years! Not to be a grinch, but I was so looking forward to some cooler weather and voila extreme heat! Although, uncomfortable at times, really..... I was in London........ All was well!
Sunday night we went back on the bus tour and hopped off in Hyde Park. Although the concert was sold out, we got to peek through the walls and saw a glimpse of Bruce Springsteen who was putting on a great concert in Hyde park! We walked through the park listening to the Boss, and then all around London, and then eventually back to the hotel (Southwark Rose Hotel) on the southbank. We figure we walked around 5 miles that night. If you ever have the chance to walk in London at night, I highly recommend it. Drink all of it's splendour in! Gorgeous!
Monday we took a tour of Westminster Abbey, walked some more and went out to dinner. We walked again in the evening and back to bed! Tuesday and Wednesday Kev had a seminar in the daytime. I mapped my way and took the tube to Green Park. Walked to Buckingham Palace and I did what I dreamed of doing. I walked for a long time, alone in St. James' Park. It is my favorite park in the world! Something so entirely magical to me. I wandered along, sat for a bit, did some dreaming and it may sound weird, but just let the beauty of this park, fill my spirit. I am never alone.... And I am so thankful for that... But at the same time, walking alone, in the silence of my dreams was so incredible. I did a lot of dreaming and thinking and it was wonderful. I made my way back on the tube and stopped and had lunch ALONE in a restaurant. Ok, this NEVER happens. At first it felt entirely odd. It was definitely different for me. I sat and took my time:) After lunch I headed back to the hotel, took a shower and met up with Kev and his colleagues. We had a dinner reservation on "Bateaux London". It was a three hour, dinner cruise. We went up and down the Thames and had a beautiful dinner. There was dancing afterwards and really the setting was pure bliss! It was a lovely evening. We walked to Piccadilly Circus and stopped in at a pub on the way home. We didn't stay long and headed back to the hotel. What a great night! Definitely one for the memory bank!
Wednesday, I opted to take the bus tour again and hopped off and on. It was brutally hot though! The open double decker red bus was well enjoyed despite the heat! Even the guide was so hot that he had to stay below. I thought he was about to faint! He started talking to me, and I had also gone down below before I got off the tour. He was saying that it was much hotter in London than Africa that day! I believed it! Also, interesting bit of info. The final Harry Potter was being filmed while we were there! Tori was so excited to hear about this! Also, Wednesday was Canada Day! They had a party in Trafalgar Square! They were serving Bison burgers! ?!!!!! hehe I have never had one! LOL Apparently a popular thing to eat in Canada....????!!!!!
Wednesday night was our last evening in London and we ate with our group on the terrace of a lovely restaurant with Tower Bridge all lit up in all it's glory in the background. Simply breathtaking.
As we walked back to the hotel, I stared, mesmerized by the beauty of the bridge. I love London. It is beyond majestic to me... I pray I will return again one day.
What a gift this trip was to me. It was pure magic for my spirit. It was a wonderful present to us as we celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful for everyone I hold dear. I am home now, and am thankful to be. Life is so incredibly appreciated.
xoxo
Well, since the sudden, tragic passing of our Mischief O'Reilly London Whiskers Paddington Tabby B. cat over a year ago, we have really missed his presence in our lives.
For the past 6 months or so, Victoria has been on this mission of adopting another cat into our family. When I spoke with Mara about Father's day and any ideas of what we could do that would be special for Kev, she said, "Oh I know... Let's get him a little kitten to fit in my jewellery box." Hmmmm really......
Anyway, a few months ago, in very early spring, Mara-Grace and I were on our way out and when we stepped outside, we were greeted by a timid kitten (not that small, but definitely a teenage cat. One who still hasn't quite grown into it's paws yet!). Anyway, we delayed our exit by about 30 minutes as we talked with the little one in the carport and I went in to open a can of salmon and heat a little milk. All of this to say that the kitten was thrilled. And really, so were we:) So, eventually we left and when we came home, the kitten was gone too.... Now, since then, he/she has come around a few times and I always feed it salmon or roast or whatever I can find. A few weeks ago I was out very early one morning and saw this cat on someone's doorstep at a house that has a little cat house in the front. The man was in the doorway talking to it and I concluded a little wistfully that " our cat" was probably NOT ours:))) We have been on the look out for it and Mara-Grace calls it, "Our friend cat".
Ok, on a funny side note, I have had a picture of this cat as a background on my phone since our first meeting. LOL Kev thinks I am crazy!!!! But I took the pictures to show him! hehe
So, fast forward to tonight! Tori arrived home this evening right before dark and called us to say that she was outside with "our cat". I rushed out and sure enough our friend was back and very sociable. Mara-Grace missed the event as she was asleep. I cannot wait to tell her tomorrow morning. She will be thrilled and even more on the lookout for her friend. Tori and I talked and pet the cat who still wears no collar. I then brought out water and turkey. This reminds me, yesterday I saw this cat on our deck and he/she drank from our pool. It seemed hungry as it devoured the turkey. Poor little thing. We brought it into our backyard and invited it to spend the night on our lounger in the gazebo. Tori and I decided to name our friend Abbie if she is a girl, and Windsor if he is a boy. Kev is staying out of it! I think he knows me too well:)
Now, realistically, the cat may already have a family, but surely it could use some more friends?!!!! hehe Also, Lady may be a little old to get used to having a cat around. She barked at it from the patio door. I was very disappointed in her attitude! At the same time, I guess I can understand her! I will be watching for Abbie/Windsor and I will be waiting with some food and water when we have a visit.
On a funny little note, Mara-Grace said one of the cutest things the other day. When we came out of the library, it was pouring (and I mean POURING) rain. As we were running to the car, I saw a caterpillar on the busy walkway. Now Mara-Grace had her total rain gear on, but I am afraid I wasn't quite prepared. However, I couldn't have lived with myself if I didn't help the poor little thing. So, I showed M-G, we found a stick, and helped it on and walked it off the walkway and into a safe bush, flower bed. Mara looked up at me and I was soaked to the skin by now. Water dripping down my head, hair soaked, looking like a drowned rat! Anyway, Mara hugs me and she says, " Mommy, you are just like a WonderPet! You are my hero!!!!!!!!" Her hero!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, really, could life be sweeter? My two girls are soft hearts and I am the luckiest Mom on the planet!
Happy Father's Day!!!!!!
Victoria surprised Kevin with this video this morning. The pictures were all taken within the last 8 years (digital!).
Have a beautiful day!
xo
We have started the day in such a fantastic way! Thanks to Victoria's imagination, we have already been on a pirate treasure hunt! Mara-Grace was given the following note along with a map.
Mara-Grace,
On this day you embark on a mission of bravery, skill and luck. the department of Pirates would like to wish you good luck and provide you with 2 things: a clue to your first item and a map of the fantastic pirate world.
Sincerely, Department of Pirates
At each point of treasure, Mara-Grace was then given a clue and an item (such as, eye patch, pirate outfit etc...).
Such fun!!!!! 
Have a great day!!!!!
