No. 3 turns 4!

To my dearest baby girl,

It's hard to believe that you are four today!

I still remember the painful delivery like it was 

yesterday but all that hard work was definitely worth it.  

You complete our family so perfectly!  

You are loving, generous and so full of life.  

I cannot wait to see what God has in stored for you!

I love you all the way to the moon and back,

Mommy

Many firsts...

Our family has gone through many firsts lately and we wanted to share them with you:

• First day of Grade 3 for A, First day of Grade 1 for N, and First day of Preschool at Dino-Mites for E.
• First Ballet recital for Miss E and she was so stoked to perform in a cute popcorn costume (and to put make-up on, of course!)
• First Krav-Maga experience for the boys and they loved it
• First amazing VBS at the Tap
• First time camping at Fort Casey
• First family bike ride to Garry Point
• First time that our home is DIAPER-FREE!!  Miss E finally doesn't need diapers at night and honestly, we are jumping for joy because this is definitely a huge FIRST for us :)  :)  :)  

• Our first cruise, and it was a Disney Alaskan Cruise!!!  

Here are some of the professional pictures that we took during our cruise.  Enjoy!

Looking back and pushing forward

2014 was not an easy year.  It was difficult watching loved ones go through cancer, illnesses, marital problems and divorce.  The teacher's strike was blah and despite our best efforts, what we ended up getting after weeks and weeks of negotiation, I am not sure if it was all worth it.  My initial reaction was to fix all problems and pray that everything will go away but what I've come to realize is that I am never in full control of anything at all.  As my father-in-law said the other night "we need to trust the Guy upstairs".  I needed to accept suffering as part of my life on earth and "trust in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding but in all ways, acknowledge Him and He will make my paths straight"  Proverbs 3:5-6

Much easier said than done, though.

If I choose to look at things from one lens, then I would only see the negative but there were some really awesome things that also happened this past year.  Aidan has been really helpful and responsible and continues to astound us with his fervour to learn.  Noah absolutely loves Kindergarten (and his teacher!) and wonders why there's a winter break because he would rather be in school.  Emilia is stringing many words together and we are finally understanding the full extent of her thoughts!  She loves to sing and go to ballet with her little friends.  My hubby continues to be supportive in many aspects and I am grateful that he's constantly trying to make things better for us at home i.e. his on-going renos!  I know that I am surrounded by an amazing supportive community of old and new friends.  

Special visitors for Christmas: Poh poh, Uncle Nick and Auntie Wendy!

With 2014 in the past, I brace myself and push ahead for 2015... 

I leave you with one of the songs that have helped me a lot this past year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqd8MoiCbcI