She is the woman I love most

She is the woman who loved me before we met,
The one who gave me life.
She is the woman who kissed my bruises and scrapes
The one who made it all right.
She is the woman who often would go without,
So that my life would be better.
She is the woman who showed me how to laugh,
With whom I always have fun.
She is the woman who taught me how to forgive,
No matter what the crime.
She is the woman who showed me how to love,
When I didn't even love myself.
She is the woman who taught me how to work,
And the value of a dollar.
She is the woman who has always encouraged me,
The one who believed I could.
She is the woman who taught me how to be strong,
But also how to be soft.
She is the woman I always miss the most,
When all I need is a hug.
She is the woman who is most beautiful,
More than any flower in the woods.
She is the woman who makes me feel the luckiest,
The one on whom I rely.
She is the woman I strive to be most like,
She is of course, my mother.

"Happy Birthday Mum!!!"

Thank you for being the most wonderful blessing in my life.
I love and miss you so very much and cannot wait to see you in September.

Amelia's First Haircut and Style

Other than one time about a year and a half ago when I trimmed just the bottom of the back of Amelia's hair, she has never had her hair cut.  At the age of three and a half, it seemed like a good time, plus her hair, although long, is fine and was really in need of some styling.

We (I) wanted it to be a really fun experience, so we (all three of us) went to visit a friend from church who has a salon right at her home.   Our friend's name is Leisa, and she and her family are simply wonderful.

Amelia was so good, very quiet, but so still.  She had been very excited about getting her haircut and when asked how she wanted it, she said "like Strawberry Shortcake!"  We ended up cutting off about 3 inches and I was delighted when Leisa cut it off in a ponytail which I can now scrapbook (I know I'm kind of weird and love to keep things like this).  She showed us how to do a twist-braid and then curled Amelia's blonde locks, she looked quite the doll.  Afterwards, we were invited to stay for dinner and dessert (which just happened to be the best strawberry shortcake ever).  It was a great experience, and I feel blessed to have such special people in our lives.

Here she is in the salon chair, complete with penguin cape, which she chose over an undersea theme.

See how pretty the twist-braid is?  Now if only I can recreate - although Matthew probably can, he remembered the directions perfectly.

Next came the curls...

...how pretty are they?

Amelia got over her shyness after a while, and enjoyed playing in the garden with everybody else.

Here she is with Leisa enjoying strawberry shortcake on the swing (which she absolutely loved).

Sitting pretty.

There was even fun with tree frogs, they were found under the rim of the hot-tub cover and the children were rather excited about them.

Another swing, that she just had to sit on.

She's such a little cutie and I'm so proud of how well behaved she was as she got her haircut!

Just Relax Daddy, It's Your Day!

 

Last Sunday we celebrated the very special daddy in our home.  I love Fathers' Day, even though it means more work for me, I think it's important to be able to really focus on the special blessing a father is.  Of course, I had to take photo's of daddy and daughter.

 

A kiss on the forehead...

 

And butterfly kisses, the reason we need eye lashes...

 

Eskimo kisses...

 

Sweet smiles

 

"Peek-a-boo!"

 

Big daddy and daughter smooches.

 

Of course, I spent a lot of my day thinking about my own dad.  What a wonderful dad he is, I love and miss him a lot.  There are so many things about him that make me smile, I am truly blessed.  These days are not so easy though since I rarely have the opportunity to talk to him, he has Alzheimer's Disease and is unable to talk on the phone very well, and of course I live a long way away.  So, now I send emails that are printed and read to him, and photo's to remind him of us.  It's strange to think that the strong man who you always looked up to, the one who made you feel safe when you were scared or happy when you were sad, is probably not going to recognize  you the next time you see him.  This is of course a moment I am fearful of, and cannot truly prepare for, although I was told that he will know that he loves me, even though he won't know why, I am grateful for that.  All that being said, I am thankful for memories that I have and frantically write them down as I think of them, so that Amelia can know just how wonderful her grandad Wood is.

I have to say I am also very blessed to have the best father-in-law and step-father, they are truly fabulous and I love them very much!

I hope your Fathers' Day was great!

Pearly Whites

This is what my 3 year old baby girl looked like when she went to the Dentist for the very first time last week. She was as quiet as the mouse she had chosen to accompany her on her "happy visit". I was so very proud of her, she did just what she was asked and let them have a look at her pearly whites. I love our dentist office, everybody is so lovely and Dr. Harbolt was great with Amelia and complimented her on her sparkly teeth.

Her favourite part was getting to choose a toy and receive a Disney themed battery operated toothbrush with Ariel on it - how lucky is she?

She loves to brush her teeth, and I have to say I love it when she giggles when I clean her top teeth, because it tickles!

Well done Amelia, you did great!!!

Sunday Waves

My girl has the finest hair, which I usually blow-dry on weekends. At daycare they have recently been playing "hairdresser", I never know what style she will be sporting when I pick her up. The funniest thing is most nights after dinner Amelia gets her cup of water and comb and says to her very conservative daddy, "time for your mohawk daddy!", he is happy to oblige as she works creatively on his also very fine hair.

Last Sunday, I decided to try and curl her hair with tongs (or curling iron as we say in the States), Amelia was so excited and sat very still. We were both very happy with the results, and I couldn't help but get my camera and snap a few pics before church...enjoy!

Although the curl had pretty much fallen out by the time church was finished, it was nice to see how happy it made her to have a little bounce in her golden locks!

A Walk in the Park

Saturday was a beautiful day, so we celebrated by going to a little park. It was great just to be able to feel the sunshine and spend time together.

 

 

 

 

Amelia was nervous about going down the slide, since daddy warned her that her legs might stick, so...

 

...she made daddy go down with her!

 

 

Hope you are enjoying sunny days wherever you are!

How sweet it is to be loved by you!

Matthew and Amelia made me feel truly blessed and loved this past mother's day. One of the lovely gifts I received was a beautiful bouquet of tulips. As you can see, they opened up very quickly, which only enhanced their beauty. Aren't I lucky?