I finally got a bunch of my section 7 expenses filed. It’s not fun, it is time consuming, and it’s frustrating to feel that I’m filing more expenses that he will refuse to pay. But I’ve got it done.
I wish this part was easier, but we are so much safer and happier, that I figure it’s the price of freedom.
So today I feel a sense of relief and joy that I know I’ve done my part. That’s all I can do.
I was gifted fresh out of the oven buns by a friend today. The smell, the taste, there’s really nothing like it. And best of all I was given some to take home and share with my kids who smiled and made happy noises as they devoured theirs.
Food = Love
The kids had the next level of competition at 4h communications day. They both did really well, but neither moved on. My cousins kids both moved up to the next level and we are looking forward to cheering them on.
It was a good lesson in losing graciously and I really feel like all the kids did a great job. Just getting up in front of all those people and talking is an accomplishment.
Then the club took us out for sushi and we ate and laughed and shared stories. That is just as important as the competition – the bonding and relationship building.
This video, to me, perfectly captures the innocent happiness of children.
I’ve been reading Marianne Williamson lately and one of her quotes is this:
This happy toddler embodies all the innocence and peace that comes from living in love.
We had to go to the city this afternoon, and when it was time to come home it was blowing snow all over the place. We passed several cars in the ditch and apparently parts of the highway near Canmore are closed.
So today I am grateful for my car that consistently gets us safely where we need to be.
Our driveway
My baby had his grad photos taken today. They were allowed to bring a prop and he chose a branding iron.
At first I thought hmm interesting choice but then I realized it’s a visual representation of how important it is for him to be home.
The iron represents the ranch and our home. The house holds all our memories past, present , and future. The land also is full of memories.
But what they both represent is our family, our tribe. And the love that surrounds us all because of that.
There’s a lot of grounding and security in knowing you’ve got roots and people who love you close by.
So, it was one “small” item (a branding iron isn’t exactly small), but it really did represent for him how important home and his tribe are.
We are very blessed.
It was a curling day with our 4h club today. My kids have only curled one other time and it was at the same event last year. They’re total novices, but they love it. And it was fun since the other teams weren’t really experienced either.
Competition is fun, but sometimes just going out and having a good time is even better (with some made up competition included)
Everyone was full of smiles as we left the rink
We went through our board games and found one that we (somehow) haven’t played yet. In a family as Star Wars-y as we are I don’t know how we missed Star Wars monopoly but we had.
I went broke first, as I always seem to in monopoly. I got into a bidding war and lost horribly – but I made my point so maybe it was worth it?
Unplugged family moments are important.
We had to brave the mall today to grab a couple of things. The girl took off to do some window shopping on her own while we grabbed our items. When she met up with us after, she pulled a small bag out of her picked and placed it in my hand and said this is for you.
She’d gone to Purdy’s and bought me a few of my favorite chocolates.
That is love.
