My rose coloured glasses are missing. I lost them somewhere after Amelia was born and the summer of bad news began. I have to admit that the last three months have been beyond rough and despite having many moments of joy and enjoyment I am down. It's been hard to see the brighter side when friends have lost loved ones, people we know are sick and my own family has had a number of blows. I'm in a funk and am in need of a pick me up.
Leaving home is never easy and knowing it is most likely going to be awhile before I am back is hard. Before we left town we paid a visit to my Grandfather. I fixed the flowers on his grave and we said a prayer. Austin noticed I was crying and asked me what was wrong. I told him that I missed my Poppy. He gave me a big hug and told me that my Poppy would be right back and that will make me happy. He is right and that cheered me knowing that G and I are raising such a sweet boy. For a moment I thought I had found my glasses, but then we headed back to the house and packed up. As we pulled out of the driveway, my view was more pessimistic as it always is when I leave not knowing when we are coming back.

Don't get me wrong, we had a great visit with family and friends and knowing that we will see them again at Thanksgiving makes it a bit easier to leave but still it takes me time to get over it. I try to think on the positive side but I really dislike that most of my family is so far away from me and my babies. This blog remains a place where I try to post pictures and updates to keep friends and families up to date and for me to occassionally lament when I'm down.

In the next few days I will post pictures and our Newfoundland adventures but forgive me for being down. I'm looking for my glasses. If you've seen them, I'll reward you with cake pops for their return....

Waiting to exhale

There comes a moment when you just have to exhale. To let your body release the breath that it is desperately holding in, believing that if it stays put the world will not be changed and realize that letting it go will not change the reality but give the new breath a chance to make things better.

Today we exhale...

The past few days have been a blur. Within 24 hours of the phone call saying the words no one truly expected or wanted to hear, we were all either home or on route. We gathered at Nan and Pop's house for dinner and told stories about Pop and talked about the coming days and what to expect. We had one day of visitation before the funeral and a day in between before the burial.

Pop sent us all the signs that he had arrived. Mom had asked him to send sunshine when he arrived in heaven. On Saturday we had sun...the first sun that Corner Brook had seen in awhile. Today it rained. According to my Mom that was a sign that he was at peace. Well he certainly must be at peace because it poured while we were at the cemetery this morning.

The funeral was a perfect tribute to him. The readings were perfectly fitted and as I read the words "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race" I couldn't help but choke up knowing that Pop lived life to the fullest and never gave up. He lived his life with no regrets and thanked God each and every day for his blessings. Pop was a man with a solid, strong faith that guided his life. He was an exceptional man and I certainly hope that I do him proud.

After the burial, we gathered at my parent's home before people started to say their goodbyes and return to their "normal" lives. I don't feel like that is the right word. New normal might be better. Pop was the head of my mom's family. He was the calm in the storm, the rock when strength was called on. He guided his children and he took so much joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I know that he was pleased that we were all here.

Erin is missing but we have lots of pictures proving she was here.



I will never forget our weekends at the cabin, our visits and outings or the way that he lit up when he held my children. I hope that I can keep his memory alive for them.

Farewell Poppy

Walter John Wall

February 4, 1924 - August 11, 2011

It is with great sadness that the family of the late Walter John Wall, a man of strong devotion to his family, faith and fraternity (Knights of Columbus) announces his passing at the Western Memorial Regional Hospital on August 11, 2011 at the age of 87 years.

He leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories the love of his life for 58 years Theresa (Byrne), children: Greg (Cecilia Taaffe) of Ottawa, ON, Mary Lou Martin (Paul) Of Lower Sackville, NS, Helen Coleman (Paul) of Corner Brook, NL, Clare Hewlin (John) of Deer Lake, NL, Colette Noseworthy (Jerome) of Dartmouth, NS, Frances Marie (Gerard Whitty) of St. Johns, NL, Dr. John (Barbara Cartwright) of Ottawa, ON, grandchildren: Natalie, Erin (David), Laura, Patrick, Mark (Bernice), Lisa (Gordon), Janice (Jordan), Sarah Lynn (Evan), Leslie (Matt), Jonathon (Victoria), Andrea (Greg), Ashley (Joel), Lachlan, Skylar, great-grandchildren: Ani, Austin, Amelia, His only sister Frances Squires of Dracut, MA, brother and sister in laws: Kevin Byrne, Jim Byrne (Margaret), Ula Byrne, Shelia Byrne, and Myrtle Byrne and a large number of nieces, nephews and friends. He is predeceased by his parents: John and Mary Wall, In-laws Joseph and Louise Byrne.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. David Coleman for his dedicated and compassionate care, to nephews Dr. Michael O’Reilly and Hon. Gerry Byrne for their support especially during his most recent illness, also to the staff of the Ottawa General Hospital and Western Memorial Hospital 3rd Floor. Visitation will take place at Country Haven Funeral Home 167 Country Road on Sunday, August 14, 2011 from the hours of 2-4 & 7-9 P.M. Funeral service will take place at Most Holy Redeemer Cathedral, Mount Bernard Ave. on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. with Monsignor Gale officiating. Cremation to follow and internment will take place at a later date. As expressions of sympathy donations may be made to the Western memorial Regional Hospital (Cardiac Care), Holy Redeemer Parish or charity of ones choice. The guest book or memorial donations may be made by visiting our website at www.country-haven.ca

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

We love you Pop and will always have the joy of your memory in our heart.

Frozen Cherry "Mojitos"

I'm not sure that it can be called a mojito if it doesn't have mint but man it was good! I am newly addicted to My Baking Addiction and have been trying out recipes as often as I can. This woman knows what she is doing and I'm so pleased that she's imagining and creating all these things because I don't have the creative juices in me at the moment to do so.

Cherries were on sale at Superstore so I picked them up not knowing what I would do with them besides add some variety to our fruit selection. I remembered a post for the Frozen Cherry Mojito that I saw when I was making the raspberry lemonade and knew it was time to sit down and have a drink, these looked too good to pass up and I am so happy that I made them.

Do you see the frost on the glass? Oh so good!

A friend (who shall remain nameless) forgot the freshly picked mint at home, so we improvised and were very pleased with the results!

Frozen Cherry "Mojito"- adapted from My Baking Addiction

2 cups frozen cherries
1 cup white rum
2/3 cup simple syrup
Zest and juice from one lime
ice

Put ingredients in a blender and combine. Garnish with lime slices and whole cherries and serve right away. Enjoy!

Campfire!

Last Friday night we had our first fire with our new campfire! (Thank you Mom and Dad) We invited a few friends over to share in the fun. It was a great night.

gooey goodness!

S'mores are fun. And why just have plain chocolate when you can do some many more fun things like york peppermint paddies, Caramilk bars, Reese Peanut Butter Cups, Celebration cookies....and I am sure that we can find a few more things to melt on graham crackers with gigantic campfire marshmallows!!

 

Just wanted a plain marshmallow

diving in to the gooey goodness!

yup, I'm eating the first s'more

Curling up and relaxing near the fire

 We had campfires on Friday and Saturday night and were so happy that friends could join us to enjoy it with us...now if only we could send our rain to the people who needed it and then we could sit out again. This weekend's weather report is looking promising and I am excited to spend some more quality time by the fireside.

To Grandma's House We Go

In July, Amelia had her first trip to Newfoundland. It was an adventure getting there and the kids just did not settle until the last day or so but I am so very glad that we went.

Poppy met his new girl. Mom had met Amelia in the airport on her way back from Ottawa but my Dad still hadn't had the chance. It was so lovely to see him with her!

I wanted more than anything for my grandfather to meet his newest great grandchild and he did. His face lit up when I brought her in the room and he was so happy to see her.  All our love and prayers are in Newfoundland right now and I'm praying for a miracle for our family. It has been a rough few months and we are still unsure of how it will all work out but any and all positive thoughts and prayers are welcome!

Austin provided some much needed comic relief. He was all out of sorts but he had moments where his true spirit came through.....and don't you just dig the sunglasses!

Wordless Wednesday

And finally...some smiles!

Busy Weekend

As usual the weekend came crashing into the end of our week and I was so happy to see it. Friday started out wonderfully. Austin was very well behaved and we made it through a trip to Avery's and the Superstore with no drama, no tantrums and the only crying was done by Amelia.  The moment we stepped through the door of our home a switch flick and Austin did everything he could to drive me crazy. Every word went in one ear and out the other and after 4 hours of this I called G and told him I would pick him up early if he could manage it. Thankfully he could and the extra set of hands help bring some sanity to my world.

Saturday morning was a fresh start.I was up at 6:40 and made muffins and raisin oatmeal cookies and enjoyed my first cup of coffee before 7:30am. The rest of the house stirred around 8 and we started our day.  We cleaned and played with our littles. We didn't leave our house. Late naps meant a late night and Sunday morning came sooner than I could imagine.

Sunday was a day for adventure. We began our day with diapers on the line. I know that doesn't sound like much of an adventure...but I'm a bit of a dork and clean diapers hung on the line to dry in the sunshine makes me happy, especially when they have been hung by my hubby :)



Oh the colours you get when you have a girl!

Then we headed into Windsor to meet friends for some fun on the miniature trains. If you have never been here you have to check it out!!! So much fun and it is by donation so you pay what you can afford. The old guys who put this off are a hoot.

After a picnic lunch, we headed back to the city and ended up at my Aunt's house for a swim in her pool. It was crazy hot and a dip in the pool was just what the doctor ordered. Austin swam all by himself and was daring and showing no fear as he lept from the edge of the pool into the water (no worries, daddy was close by). And there Miss Amelia took her first swim!

"Look Mom1 I swim all by myself!"

She looks sad but she really did enjoy the water...

All tuckered out from the swim.

Today was a low key day. We were suppose to go to Moncton to spend the day at Magic Mountain but I was exhausted and was happy to spend the day at home. We lingered in bed until 8:30,a rare and wonderful treat. We set up Austin's personal pool and then had friends over for a BBQ. A great night with a part of our village.

The water was a tad bit cool....

Keeping ice cream away from Madden

Yeah, I'm chill

Crazy chocolate covered boy.

The only thing that could have made this night better was a campfire. Austin is now settled into his bed for what I am hoping will be a nice long sleep. Miss Amelia is waiting to be cuddled and loved to dream land. I'll try to catch up on pictures and updates this week... as soon as my laptop cable arrives from Newfoundland :) In the meantime there really isn't anything better to end this post with than patio lanterns...