We took advantage of cheap movie Tuesday and saw the new Incredibles movie. The kids said it wasn’t as good as the first, but I heard them belly laughing most of the way through so I’m not so sure that’s true. It was pretty funny.
These little family moments are important. The good times help us bump through the rough ones.
The girl is sitting quietly at the kitchen table mixing borax and glue to make slime. The boy is binge watching Castle. I am watching Chevy Chase and crew in Family Vacation.
Quiet evenings at home. They’re the best.
For the fifth year in a row the kids and I went to Canmore to watch the parade. Things didn’t go exactly as planned and we ended up leaving early, but still it’s awesome that we have these traditions. We also ended up missing my aunt’s annual party, but I’m learning to accept that life doesn’t always go as planned.
We still ended up having a nice and quiet Canada Day. I’m so grateful we live in this country 🇨🇦.
We went to one of my favorite family parties tonight. The hosts throw the absolute best parties and are some of the kindest people I know.
Added bonus is there’s a lot of extended family who goes to this party who I don’t get to see at other times of the year.
Canadian/American tug of war 
Tonight was the awards banquet for the kids’ 4H club. Our club is small enough that each kid gets at least one award, which is awesome considering how much work everyone does over the year.
I was feeling very blessed as we were there tonight. For a few minutes I was overwhelmed with sadness as I looked around at the grandparents and relatives from other members who were there to celebrate. But then I realized that since we are related to half the club, my kids also had family there! I’ve been really missing my parents lately and I think this is how it came out
However, the evening was a huge success and much fun was had by all.
The girl and I took a road trip to Waterton today. It’s a happy place for both of us – we love the mountains but at this time of year the wildflowers are spectacular.
I find it amazing how quickly my soul resets to a peaceful state when we enter the park. It’s so beautiful there you never have to doubt the existence of God. Who else could have created this place?
I was at school today while the kids cleaned out their lockers. A teacher came up to me and asked if I was the girl’s mom. I said yes, and he sat down beside me and told me how much he liked my kid and was looking forward to having her in class again next year.
He left and then came back and sat down and said he needed to share a story with me. He went on to tell of a day when kids weren’t behaving and not only did my girl listen, but she came to him and showed empathy for his frustration.
It’s important to share these kinds of compliments. It warmed my heart, and when I told the girl it warmed hers too. I love the school they attend.
Tonight we spent almost an hour laughing as the boy tried to get Siri to set up our tv.
He was too stubborn to type the commands and Siri wasn’t understanding him.
It’s such a good feeling to have long laughs about small stupid things.
The boy and I watched some of Tony Robbins I am not your guru this afternoon. I was amazed at how fast he connected to what this man was saying. It started with him grumbling when I suggested he might enjoy it, but it ended with him saying what an amazing documentary it was.
When I was 17 I don’t think I even knew what self improvement was, but this kid is working hard all the time to be a better person. He wants to break cycles and become a man he will be proud of.
The boy just walked by me and asked why I haven’t been blogging lately. I said I felt like the fun has been kicked out of me and I just don’t want to.
In the elegant words of a teenager he told me to stop my whining and start appreciating all that I have.
I hate that he’s right, but he is. There are a lot of blessings in my life and I should remember to be grateful for each and every one of them. Even though I just couldn’t make myself do it for the last little while, I really missed finding a moment of happiness in every day. They’re still there, but I feel like I need to celebrate them more.
So, tonight I am happy and grateful for the sound of girl cousins giggling as they play games from their childhood. Balance is coming back to life and that is a wonderful blessing.
