I've got bronchitis.  I'll be back when I don't have bronchitis anymore!

Whopper Wednesday

Justin and Magda have been together for 3 years now.  They celebrated their 3 year anniversary last Wednesday.  Magda, being a female, was quite excited about their upcoming anniversary, and told Justin that she was excited that they would have been together for 3 years on Wednesday.  Justin, being a male, told Magda that he was excited that it would be Whopper Wednesday on Wednesday. 

As a direct result of the above conversation, Justin felt as though he needed to do something to make it up to Magda.  So, he made her sushi. (and for you to understand how much of a big deal that is, you need to know that Magda would eat sushi for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Every day.  For the rest of her life if she could!)

It's teriyaki chicken with avocado.  It was yummy (I stole a piece the next day!)

Magda came over on Wednesday morning, and she came bearing a gift for Justin....

...a whopper! I thought it was very sweet!

Happy Belated Anniversary guys!

Date Night

Last Saturday night, Helmut and I embarked on our first date of the year.  It was very simple, we went skating and then to Starbucks for coffee afterwards. And, even though the ice kept popping under my skates and made me feel as though I could fall through at any moment, it was a fantastic date.

On the way home, we ordered food from Earl's, picked it up (48 minutes after we ordered, 28 minutes after it was supposed to be ready) and went home to relieve our wonderful babysitter (and daughter), Kelsey. 

Notes for next time:

- Make sure Helmut wears a proper toque or a belaclava.  He was cold before I was!
- Find a pond that doesn't "pop" under my skates.
- Order Earl's at the beginning of the date.  Maybe then it will be ready by the time we go pick it up!

Helmut wore his new contacts, and we skated around the pond at St. Vital Park; talking about nothing in particular and holding hands.  It was a wonderful and relaxing evening of just being with each other.  I love you baby!

**As a side note, I apologize for my absence this week.  I've been very sick and am currently typing this in bed, with one hand; a cup of tea in the other hand and a pile of dirty kleenex surrounding me.  I will be blogging about Whopper Wednesday later this weekend.

This year...

Helmut and I are focusing on each other more.  We found that last year, we just didn't connect enough.  Yes, we were in the same house with each other most evenings, and worked together every day, 10 feet away from each other, from September on, but it doesn't mean we were actually focusing on each other.  I think it's important to do in a normal marriage, but when you're in your second marriage, in a blended family, with children between the ages of 3 and 21, with all kinds of activities, it's even more important.  There's a reason second marriages have an 85% divorce rate. 
We're in love with each other; we love our kids.   That should be enough.  But it isn't. 
What is almost enough is the fact that we are committed to each other.  I can tell you now that if we weren't, we would have split up last year.  To be honest, we almost did. Twice. The things we've been through together aren't worth doing for/with someone you aren't committed to.  They were hardly worth doing/going through at all; irregardless of committment. 
We are committed to the Lord and that is the basis for our committment to each other.  That's the real reason we are still together today. 

Once we realized how very real the end of our relationship could be; we talked.  We really really talked.  We both listened.  It was great, and things have been slowly improving. 

This year, we are taking a few steps to strengthen our marriage, and because I have a blog (and therefore have the ability to tell you all) I'm going to tell you what those steps are.

1) A date night every month.  This was actually my Christmas present to Helmut.  One date a month, pre-planned and paid for.  This is one thing we've not done at all over the last 4 1/2 years.  Part of that is because we have kids.  We never seem to find the time, unless we are deliberate about making it.  This year, we are going to make the time.

2) Go to bed at the same time every night.  This is actually something we do every night already, and always have.  So, this one will be easy.  It gives us time to talk and wind down with each other every night.  Makes a big difference in *many* areas of our life. 

3) Doing little things that we know make things easier for each other.  For example, Helmut asked me to have the kitchen table completely clean when he came home from work tonight.  I don't understand why (because I would have rather made an extra batch of buns, I only got 3 batches done today) but I knew it was important to him, even though it was such a little thing, so I did it. 

4) When we talk to our friends about any difficulties we are facing, we only talk to friends who believe in marriage forever and remaining committed to your spouse.  They support us, help us through, talk us down (me more so than Helmut) and are there for us when we need them.  (I should make it clear here that we do not tell them specifics of what we're going through.  They just remind us that we are committed to each other and help us through the rough times). 

So.  Those are just a few steps things we will be doing consistently this year to grow closer to one another.  I'm sure there are a thousand other things we could be doing, and these are certainly not the only things we are doing, but these are some conscious efforts we will be making to stay connected. Because this marriage will last.

pretty pretty!

Okay, so these are the cutest little people I've seen!  I'd love to see these ending up in my Valentine's Day gift! So special!

found here.

Love!  I really really really need to stop browsing Etsy.  I am finding waaaaay too many things that I want to buy.  And seeing as we are being very frugal this year, it's not much fun.  I've got a favourites list 10 pages long in my Etsy account! It's gonna be a long year if this keeps up!

But, one of this year's goals is to try to buy most of my gifts handmade or vintage/upcycled.  Etsy is the perfect place to fulfill that goal! So, at least I'll get to buy a few things from there.  Hee hee.



A Memorable Occasion

Khai and his hockey team the Dakota Canadiens, had the honor of playing 7 minutes at the MTS Center yesterday; during the 1st and 2nd period of the 17 and under Junior Hockey bronze medal hockey game.  Helmut took him, and from the looks of things, they had an amazing time! Khai was very excited that he "played with the Moose" (he didn't really, but you know what he means) .  It was a great experience for him and the team! Wish I could have been there!

I hope you remember how excited you were yesterday, forever.  I hope you have this boyish enthusiasm for life always.  It's infectious and I love it.

2011

Photo by Erin Keown Photography

This year will be filled with new things.

This year will be filled with lots of family time.

This year will be filled with more laughter (and less tears).

This year will be filled with consistency.

This year will be filled with prayer.

This year will be filled with loud noises and big messes and smiling children.

This year will be filled with choices.

This year will be filled with love.

Happy New Year to you all!