Scratching things off my bucket list

I remember making a post a while back about bucket lists. I have never had a desire to make a bucket list and do this myself except for this particular day when I started to see the purpose of these lists and why so many people create them for themselves.

Kelly would always ask me, what do you want to do in your life? I have never had an answer for him. What places would you like to see? What goals? And like my previous post, I had never really thought about it before.

As I'm getting older, and as my children are getting older, as I see people struggle, babies sick, friend's parents pass away- I am starting to realize just how short life CAN be.

So I searched deep down and realized some things that I would like to do. Things to do, while I can, while money allows it, while health allows- there are so many obstacles that can get in our way of doing things that we really want.

Bringing me to present day- when last week- I scratched my first item off my bucket list.

Garth Brooks in concert.

Seems like a pretty doable bucket list item for most. For me, it was a little harder. For starters Garth was only playing in Vegas and his last shows ended in November. Kelly's away season works into November. His tickets were also $250.00/piece. Now I know we can afford this, but you see, I come for a very frugal family and am having a hard time realizing that money sometimes is just money. Even if the ticket price is steep- sometimes it is worth it. And the largest obstacle- leaving my children. I have never left the boys longer than 1 night before and quite honestly didn't feel like I was ready just yet. I am kind of a protective mamma bear and I know they do just fine without me; I am more worried about how I do without them. My whole identity at the moment is wrapped up in those sticky faces.

So I pushed that all aside. Kelly and I left for 5 nights in Vegas and got totally wrapped up in each other again. Just the two of us. I never realized just how much we needed each other. Just how much we really get along. Just how perfect we are together.

Waiting for Garth to come on, our second last night there- I started welling up with tears. I was doing it! I wasn't just saying I was going to do it! And my supportive husband who really never had any desire to even go to Vegas let alone see Garth- was by my side- enjoying the experience together.

And can I just saw WOW. Garth had us on the edge of our seats, our hands folded together, singing, crying (ok just me) the entire 2 1/2 hours.

I will never forget this performance. It was not a concert. I will never experience that from him ever again. I feel lucky and so blessed that all the stars aligned- I got to scratch off my very first bucket list item.

And that the reality of doing something that I have always wanted, was just as good in reality and it was in my dreams.

A friendship that will last a lifetime

It's my good friend, Andie's birthday today.

Andie and I have been best friends since 11th grade. Our friendship started off a little rocky as her and I are just soooo different. I thought she was way too crazy for me and I'm sure she thought I was too much a prude. We got past that rocky start and were soon inseparable. We made sure to go to college together (I believe I filled OUT her college application for her). Since college we have gone our separate ways. She fulfilling the career world (your welcome Andie for kicking your butt into college ;) ) and me fulfilling the family world. Our worlds still couldn't be any more different, just like our friendship.

She has been there, even with her busy schedule, for all my important events. Babies, birthday's, baptisms. She is there. She is consistently the one person there.

She has taught me how to let go. How to have a little fun. How situations are only as awkward as you make them. And how to just be yourself.

There is no one in the world like Crazy Andie. And she will always be cherished.

Happy Birthday Andie! Just because we only get to see each other a couple times a year- doesn't make you any less important in our home :)

Love you.

Celebrating New Years Together

We 'maybe' giggle a lot when we are together!

She introduced Kelly and I together.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Maid of Honor at my wedding

Typical Andie

Mama Mia

Limo Ride

Jaime's Wedding. Fighting for Bouquet

Goofing around on a snow day

Helping renovate our first home

Mexico Trip (sorry Andie- the best one I could find!)

Certainty

Ok I admit it. I am the type of person who can't just be told something once and believe without actual proof. Like my friend has said about me, "Alana, you are the girl who has to take 6 pregnancy tests to believe it". Which is true. Which I did. All 5 pregnancies.

So would believing that a little girl was inside my belly really ring true to me if someone just told me? I needed a little more certainty. A little more reassurance.

So many people have come up to me asking boy or girl, and when told girl, have proceeded to get into a story how this person was 'supposed' to have one gender and then had the opposite. Then my father-in-law saw all the pink blankets I was sewing and made an innocent joke- "pink! What if they are wrong!".

Me being the worrywart, got me worried and thinking, "what if they ARE wrong?". As if anxiety isn't at a high in pregnancy already- now I have to worry about this? Alana, stop over thinking it. A reputable radiologist, who told you that he has never been wrong, said he would be the most shocked guy if we had a boy. You think that would be enough. But it wasn't.

So last night, Kelly and I headed to the city for a little confirmation. He thinks I'm silly. He doesn't understand my anxiety. We got a gender determination ultrasound done from a lady who gives 100% confirmations.

And what were the results????

A GIRL. Which we knew. But know we KNOW. And now I can really buy :)

The desire for a girl was hiding in me probably out of protection of never really receiving it. Now that I know she's in there; I feel like I can take a deep breath. And enjoy her.

Totally worth the $125.00.

This is all the stuff I have gotten for my baby girl PRIOR to my 2nd confirmation. I've been holding back a little. Her nursery items are just about complete, and now clothes shopping can begin! As I told my husband when we found out she's a girl, "honey, this could get expensive" :)

girl stuff

Let's just say lately I have been a little busy. Baby girl in my belly has sunk in and I am in full gear planning, creating, making.....well everything pink. I've made her 3 blankets so far and just finished the most important one- 18 handmade appliquéd stars and 1 fuzzy moon all sewn onto vintage handkerchief white cotton, binded with the softest white flannel I could find. Pure Heaven; In my eyes. I have been dreaming of this quilt since I got pregnant- either boy or girl, this was going to be THE quilt. I have outgrown bedding sets and never used the blankets in them anyways so I have pieced together my own creation. Starting with this blanket, I then purchased a pottery barn white scalloped crib skirt with a trim of pink, and found a steal at the local Good Neighbour Store with an eyelet bumper pad and blanket for $2.50! I see beauty in all things; whether old, used, new.

I have a vision.

I also couldn't find a mobile that wasn't in my opinion 'ugly'. Ok, maybe ugly is a little harsh but I must say I have found 90% of my nursery items NOT in the nursery section. I am not a fan of the 'cutsie' bright little girl things and to find things that fit my dream- did prove to be a little difficult. This mobile will be made with a jewelled Christmas ball (silver) complete with a flower in the middle. It will gorgeous.

Soft pink and soft grey with white compliments. That's the vision. I printed off a nursery I liked off pinterest and hit the stores with one focus in mind. That vision. And boy, did I succeed.

I can't wait to put together this room of my dreams. This will be so fun.

The quilt I just finished for my baby girl. This picture does NOT do this quilt justice. One touch will make you fall in love with the softness. The hearts are different fabric textures. I made an edging with 4 large zig zags to create a stamped look.

This is the nursery that I am trying to recreate. I found that butterfly mobile that I will hang above my chair. So soft and feminine. 

Skating Practice

I am such a proud mom. So would skating/hockey practice with Jack be any different?

He's had 3 lessons so far. The first lesson I was proud because he was the only 3 year old not crying. He sat on the ice or crawled on his knees the entire 45 minutes. He never complained once that he knees were soaked and he was cold. He just kept trying. Bambi legged and all. Something to be proud of.

His second lesson, Grandma Val came to watch and help out with Charlie. Again, I was a proud mom. He improved a little and was even able to stand up without support on his own. He spent most of the time trying to find us and wave to us. He must love us that much and knew we would be watching him with love. Something to be proud of.

And then we had his third lesson. I went with the two boys on my own, lugging a hockey bag, diaper bag, 30 lb 19 month old and trying to hold Jack's hand- all at the same time- all while being 20 weeks pregnant. Exhausting to say the least. My heart was not in it that day as I was feeling nauseous and I was tired but I dragged my sorry butt there. And boy was I glad I did. Not only was Jack able to stand on the ice, he started walking without help and even skated a little!! MY BOY!!! It's amazing what a little bit of practice will do. Something to be proud of.

By no means is he the best one out there. Actually, I would be fibbing if I didn't say he was once of the worst- but he is one of the youngest. But that doesn't matter to me. His determination is what makes me proud. It's the fact that he TRIES. It's hard to see him fall but so wonderful to see him try to get right back up.

Yep, a proud rink Mom over here. I think I'm going to like this life :)

Halloween!

It's been awhile since I've posted because my laptop is still broken :(
I've been able to steal my husband's computer the last couple days so I will get caught up on what's been happening in our house hold!

Two little ghosts. That was my theme this year for the boys. I actually made 2 matching clown costumes because a little 3 year old wanted to be a clown a month ago. Then preschool happened and the 'ghost' talk and of course, he switched his mind. Charlie wants to be whatever Jack wants to be so a week before Halloween I was getting supplies to ghost them up.

Have I mentioned before that my little boys are TOTAL little boys? So would Halloween fun be any different? Who cares if it's cold, there was still candy to be had! It was so fun watching the boys run from house to house, Jack hiding in the trees trying to scare us, and yelling "trick or treat" to get their candy. I shutter at the thought of them being 6 and 8, and myself or Kelly having to still take them out- a couple hours probably won't be enough.

The best part of Halloween this year tho. The love of their Grandparents. They decided to dress up at home, drive 45 minutes in their costumes and come surprise the boys and help take them out. The expressions on my boys face were priceless. Shocked and scared Charlie wouldn't get near them and even Jack (who is friendly to everyone) was a little reserved in giving these two 'lookers' a hug. Laughs were had by all!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween! Kelly missed Halloween this year but he'll make up for it next year :)

These two scary people showed up unexpected!

Charlie the little Ghost.

Jack the little Ghost.

All ready to go out!