Maui Family-Moon

Our chosen honey moon was a "family-moon" in Maui, with grandparents.  

If you've travelled at all with kids, you know it's very possible that you will be "those parents" on the plane with the wild kids.  Maisie was a dream, Elliot... Elliot turned us into "those people" on a few occasions.  He was WILD.  (in his defence also only 1.5 years old and fully supposed to be nuts)  The most wild.  Hilarious, wild, running, yelling, WILD baby.  I'm pretty sure the title of this post could very well be "Chasing Elliot"  because that is all any of us really did... however, it was awesome.  Maisie was in her swimming pool loving glory, convincing someone to always go to the pool with her.  We had mini adventures and even a couple nights with just Bryce and I.  All in all pretty freaking great.  Without my parents, impossible!  (or possible but FAR less enjoyable) Thank you mom and dad for joining us on our family-moon!!!  The thing about Maui that I'm addicted to is the sunsets.  The sunsets alone are worth everything to me.  That light, is just something so magical.  To walk out after dinner, into a serious warm and magical paradise?  What is not to love???  To feel that warm breeze, be swallowed up in those orangey, reddy, purplish, golden sunsets.... I'm in.  All day long.  My dear friend Lucy used to always say "lets sit somewhere with good food, company... fresh air and a fabulous view" and, our family vacation in Maui was all of those things.  Sweet memories with our kids and my parents.  Doesn't get much better.  Lucky.  xo  

Elliot is 2.

Oh Elliot.  I don't know where to start, but today I just can't stop my heart from welling up with emotion.  Tears fill my eyes every time I even start to think about where we were 2 years ago.  It is Valentines day, you weren't here yet... but you were coming... soon.  I was anxious to meet you, yet somehow calm about it all.  Your birth was much like you are now.  Kind of laid back, insanely intense at the same time.  You and I were a team.  You were a bit lazy, a bit fierce, a bit chill, a bit wild.  You still are.  You are the youngest "old" man I know.  You kick back, feet up.  Chuckle like a 70 year old man who knows the secrets of the universe.  You laugh at old hockey cards, as if you know that mullets from the 80's actually are hilarious.  You are cool.  A bit shy.  You are a bit obsessive, about hockey... trains.  You know your ABC's, will sit for ages with a giant pile of books and are the best snuggler around.  You love your sister and other kids.  You have a curious little spirit, but also a laid back energy about you that make people want to know what you're up to.  You are strong, cautious, loving and fiercely determined.  You are particular with putting things back in their place, after you play hockey for hours will stack your sticks up nicely on top of the nets and put the balls and pucks back in their place.  You've got things figured out.  

Last week was not our finest around here.  You had the bad tummy bug (it was pretty unkind) but I kept thinking that even in changing more diapers and situations than I knew possible... that I was so lucky.  Lucky to be able to wash you in warm clean water.  Care for you while you weren't well.  I had amazing grandparents whisking your sister away to help me focus on you getting better (ok and keep her away from the bad bug)  and you have the best dad who was keeping it all together with his calm and loving ways and presence.  I felt lucky to have a warm, safe house with running water.  I can't imagine what it must be like for mothers with sick babies.... and nowhere safe and clean for them to care for them.  I am blessed.  In our darkest moments, I feel the light.  I know there is always something to be grateful for.  Always.  I am thankful you are feeling better, that in itself is a gift.  You are such a beautiful soul Elliot Patrick, and I'm forever changed and grateful that you chose me to carry you in my belly, grow you.... and bring you into this world.  You chose us and we're so glad you're here.  2 years goes by in the blink of an eye.  You are precious.  

Happy Birthday my sweet, tough, wild boy.  

You have my heart. ox Love your mom.

(photos... first a flashback to growing you... then, you now. xo)

Blackrock Resort: Jacqui and Mike

I was always the one up late.  Up late scribbling random rambles on countless notebooks.  I was a always a tad dramatic, but writing always helped ease my mind and helped me make sense of the thoughts that would frequent my head and heart.  Blogging has been a bit like that for me as well.  A way to wrap things up, tie it all together.  Share what has happened, what beautiful things I saw and felt and experienced with the beautiful people who've chosen me to capture their moments.  I really love it.  The past few years the blogging has come to a bit of a standstill for no other reason than I had things to do.  The small people who I grew, then take up a whole lot of energy and at the end of a long day... the couch and a glass of wine and an episode or 3 of Vikings became incredibly more appealing than attempting to use more energy for anything.  And, I'm ok with that.  But now, I've been feeling the need to share on something other than Facebook or Instagram.  I'm just going to do what I can, when I can and be ok with that.  Be great with that.  

So, I'm going to start at the end of 2014 for my wedding season.  It was the last glorious, amazing wedding of 2014 for me.  Jacqui and Mike made no error in choosing  Black Rock Resort for their truly remarkable west coast wedding.  My beautiful friend Mother Nature was feeling generous on November 15 2014.  Leading up to the wedding no one could have anticipated a wedding engulfed in the most magical picturesque winter sunshine.  The light and the people were right out of my creative dreams.  Vancouver Islands west coast is beautiful on any day, be it foggy, rainy, stormy.... but winter sunshine may just be my favourite.  Lucky lucky us.  

Thank you Jacqui and Mike for you faith in me and for choosing me.  As always, I am beyond grateful.  ox

Let your life be a painting

Dear Maisie, 

I feel the need to tell you, in writing... that you are magic.  On Christmas morning I read you "Have You Filled a Bucket Today.  A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids." It's a very sweet book that is so great.  In it, it explains that everyone in the world has an invisible bucket.  Throughout the day that bucket can be filled or emptied.  When your bucket is full, you are happy.  A bucket full of happiness.  If your bucket is empty... not so happy.  We talked about it, read it.  You loved it.  You whispered to me "Let's try it out on daddy."   Then looked at your dad and said "you're a good and handsome daddy."  He smiled big and said "aw, why thank you sweetheart."  
"Mom!  It worked"  You said proudly.  My heart was instantly happier.

A few hours later we were at your grandma and papas.  Great Grannie Goodheart was there too.  88 years young.  Everyone was chatting away, checking out presents and out of nowhere you whisper to me "watch this mom.  I'm going to fill up Great Grandmas bucket."  

"Great Grandma you have a sweet heart."  

Big smile from her, big smile from you.  My own heart melted.   

You can do many things with your life Maisie.  You will likely possess many qualities.  You could be strong willed, passionate, independent, smart, wise, charming, sassy, talented or wild.  But the one thing I will always feel most proud of is when you are kind.  When your soul shines with love and compassion.  Nothing makes me feel better, makes my bucket more full.  Your soul is shiny Maisie.  Sparkly.  May you carry on filling buckets wherever you go.  Making magic, spreading yours.  It is your life my darling girls.  You choose what your life will be.  You can make your life the most magnificent painting you can imagine.  Today you asked me to wear your "wedding dress" from our wedding.  We made these photos in about 10 minutes in our kitchen, with love.

So much love, 

oxox mom

“When I say be creative I don't mean that you should all go and become great painters and great poets. I simply mean let your life be a painting, let your life be a poem.” ~Osho

Boys and Pups

Two friends hanging at the beach with their wild pups.  A bag of treats and two mothers covered in sand trying to wrangle all four.  We attempted the nearly impossible, and it was hilarious and lasted all of 30 minutes or less.  Love these little friends and can't wait to see what they get up to in the years to come. xo