WW - David X 4

Four generations!

David, David, David and David

My 4 Davids!

For more Wordless Wednesday entries click HERE!
Or if you prefer Wordful Wednesdays, click HERE!

I love me a nerd!

Whilst on vacation I am catching up on some reading. I just finished Gargoyle (Loved it!) I started The toss of the Lemon (Very interesting, just started and I am liking it).

I see vacation reading as an extension of my vacation. I like to bring along books I have been meaning to read, wanting to read, or even just a little book-candy, mindless reading. You know, light, fun, enjoyable reading... you know what I mean.

So, as I take over the wheel, David nestles into the co-pilot seat and pulls out his reading material. Within minutes I can tell he is fully engrossed in his book.

I glance over at his book cover, and do not recognize it.

"Whatcha reading?"
"Secrets of anti-gravity propulsion"
"Oh...........is it, um, good?"
"Ya, really good, it's a physics book."
"A physics book? A physics book is your vacation reading?......You're a nerd!"

Yep. I love me a nerd!

A Sissy Fuddle Duddle!

You know you had a great weekend when you need a day to recover!!!!

Tuesday is the new Monday, don't cha know!

OK - Let's get Monday Menu Plan out of the way!

Monday - Yummy spicy shrimp stir fry with quinoa

Tuesday - broccoli and chicken casserole

Wednesday - Family Pizza Night

Thursday - Three Bean and Pork Slow Cooker Chili - recipe from Weight Watchers - sounds yummy good, easy, kid friendly and only 5 points per serving. Then I will have to factor in my homemade cheesy whole wheat garlic bread for dunking!

Friday - A wonderful friend and I are embarking on a regular Friday exercise date. Our families will eat together first and then head off to swimming laps in prep for our "Try-a-tri-athon" in May. I was thinking maybe I would do a pasta dish with a nice salad.

Saturday - Fire up the grill! Nicely aged steaks and lots of veggies cooked on the bbq...summer cooking is just around the corner!!!

Sunday - Pot roast with carrots, potatoes and onions - nothing too fancy.

Ok - so now for the weekend recap!

The smile on my face in this photo, sums it all up!!!

Friday I drove the kiddies to my parents' place. If you are a frequent visitor to The Fringe, you know how much they LOVE going to Nana and Pépé's house. But, here is yet another cute story that shows the very special bond my parents have with my kiddies.



Mid-way through our 40 minute drive little Madigan, all strapped in her car seat yells out:

Bye-bye Dadda!

Bye-bye house!

Bye-bye Keymew (our cat Cleo)

Helllllllllloooooooooo Nana!

Helllllllllloooooooooo Pépé!

Ok. Seriously, I almost burst a gut! Here is a little 2 year old, in a squeaky, high pitch voice bidding goodbye to one world and welcoming the new! Her HELLO was hilarious - all drawn out and a bit deeper than her regular voice. It was priceless!

Anyways - Friday night friends came over - the plan was for the gals to go swim lanes (prep for "Try-a-tri-athon" and then meet the boys for Pho soup. Comedy of errors, we misread the lane times...so quick change of plans - we went for dinner first and then swimming.

Side note - I need to work on my breathing technique in the front crawl. I am sure I could shave some time off if I got a bit more rhythm in my breathing and stroke.

We had a great Friday evening. We always have a great time with Stephen (the best-man at our wedding) and his wonderful girlfriend Danielle (Hello Danielle, since I now know you visit The Fringe! Yep. Friday sounds great - check your email!)

Saturday AM we woke up early and took off for Mont Tremblant, Quebec. It is about 2 hours away. It was an enjoyable drive. Spring is in the air!

The mountain was very busy - perfect spring ski conditions bring lots of people out! If you ever get a chance to visit this first-class resort - I highly recommend it!

We skied all day. I will not lie - I had a rough time. I really only started to ski when I met David - back in 2000. Then since all my babes are winter babies, my ability, desire and time for skiing dropped in priority. So, I was getting a bit frustrated. I could not seem to get my old rhythm back. I was really fighting my skies and forcing the tails of my skies instead of carving with my edges. On top of that, my middle toe on my right foot was SUPER sore. (I would later discover that when my soccer opponent stepped on my foot last week she cracked my nail and it swelled up) And my feet hurt in my boots. My boots are from the before kids era and my feet are bigger, flatter and more sensitive now. And finally, I was having a fear thing - totally mental! I am not sure what it was, but I was so nervous of falling. Maybe it had to do with Natasha Richardson succumbing to injuries suffered on this very hill? Or maybe I was just nervous? I was having trouble finding my centre of gravity and therefore did not feel stable...could it be from my rapid weight loss? My body has definitely changed! Whatever the case, the first two runs were terrible.

In fact, I almost gave up. But my wonderful hubby talked me out of it. We stuck to fairly easy hills. David got to do a few bump-runs since Windigo and Upper Fuddle Duddle were mainly moguls. I stuck with Sissy Schuss and Fuddle Duddle...oh ya! I do see the irony of the run names and my state of mind - but, hey! thanks for pointing that out!!!!!!!!

After lunch, I calmed down a bit and was able to find some of my skiing mojo. So, our afternoon was a bit more enjoyable. Besides, it was sunny, warm and I was with the man of my dreams!

A good friend of ours offered us her chalet for the evening (Thanks Jo!). It was great. We went and got cleaned up and headed back to the mountain for dinner and to enjoy the night life. It was great. We had a great dinner - I had yummy trout with veggies, and even was successful at NOT having any of the fresh dinner rolls that kept appearing at our table!

After dinner we strolled around the cute shops and then took in the aerial competitions. Man, they were amazing! Friggin' dare devils to the highest degree!

We returned to the chalet and well, "enjoyed each others company"....wink wink nudge nudge.

It was a wonderful weekend for sure.

We drove back to Ottawa. Picked up the kiddies - one of them very ill with the stomach flu (sorry Mom, but thank you for looking after the barfy-sick kid!). So, it was right back to the grind!!!!

So, how was your weekend?????

PS - I am cheating and keeping the Tuesday date stamp...even though it is now Wednesday morning...now I have the barfy tummy and Madigan is crabby...oh joy! This is going to be a l--o--n--g week...or maybe I am just being a big sissy fuddle duddle?!?!?!?!?!?!?

When did David know I was the one?

The photos I posted the other day were taken in June of 2002. I love those photos - no matter how embarrassing or hilarious they are to others. To me, they represent love, and I think of that evening back in June every Valentine's day!

I was looking forward to our dinner out. David, my fiance, and I were meeting up with one of my dear bride's maids and her boyfriend for dinner. It did not seem odd that they had agreed to go to an expensive fish restaurant - even though Cara hates fish! It did not seem odd that a group of kids were hiding behind the bushes and giggling. It did not seem odd when David stopped just before Cara's apartment and turned me around and planted a wonderful kiss. Nope, it all seemed perfectly normal.

Till I knocked on the apartment door.

Cara certainly was not dressed appropriately for the restaurant, for starters.

And secondly, her apartment was over crowded with all our mutual soccer friends.

A surprise bachelorette party for yours truly.

Ok. So that explains the huge pen*s and my get up! And, yes, the drinking. But how does that relate back to Valentine's day or true love.

Like all totally awesome bachelorette parties, mine involved a few drinking games. One in particular is dear to my heart.

Cara had cornered David at work and drilled him with a million questions. She asked him tons of questions about his likes, dislikes, our relationship, his childhood - no topic was off limits.

From that interrogation she compiled a long list of questions to ask me. The idea was to see how much I knew of my true love...and how much I did not!

If I got the answer wrong, I had to take a shot - or at least what my friend Lynn thought was a shot - which was more like 3-5 ounces of really terrible "girlie" liquor!

At the beginning I did pretty well. More right than wrong...then I was asked, " What was the name of David's first dog?"

CRAP. CRAPPITY CRAP.... Princess? Queenie? I knew it was something "royal".....

DRINK UP! The right answer is Duchess!

For a bunch of questions I was so close, but yet so far...what a slippery slope...soon I was really feeling the effects of my wrong answers. Like my father always says, close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades!

Oh, I got David's favorite colour, his favorite restaurant, what we did on our first and third date right, there were some doozies...some challenging, some easy, then came the big question:

When did David know you were the one?

Hmmmmmmm.....When did David know I was the one? hmmmmm...when???

I knew for me, it was after our FIRST date that I gushed to my girlfriends I just knew he was the one....could he have known that early???

No. Probably not. OH! Could it have been at this time? That would make sense...

Yep. That had to be it...so, I confirmed, that was my final answer.

I held my breath...

Cara yelped a big, "Nope - it was when your ski broke, or something like that..." and Lynn poured me another drink to chug!

I accepted defeat, and slugged back my "punishment" and started to reminisce about the night my ski broke... even in my drunken state, I could remember it perfectly!

David knew I was the one when one cold February night we went downhill skiing. I was not a skier - had not been for years. So, I dusted off my 10 year old skis I had lugged to Ottawa when I first moved to the area, but had never used. And, hoped for the best. David had suggested I rent newer skis - but I insisted mine were perfectly fine.

I had great fun. I stayed mostly on the smaller hills and slowly started to get the hang of it. So midway through the evening, the bunch of us decided to go to a more challenging hill.

During the chairlift ride David and I held hands. I was loving it all!

We did the top half of the slope. Met up, and then continued down the hill. All was going great.

I zipped passed David and then he zipped past me.

David finished the run before me and waited at the chairlift line.

And waited.

And waited.

He got a bit nervous, and started to make his way back to the ski run. He turned the bend, and little did he know that the next 5 minutes would change his life forever!

There I was, walking down the hill, carrying my skis!! And boy, was I giggling!

When we met up - I burst out laughing and gave him a big hug. He looked so concerned and worried.

You see, my ancient binding had exploded...yep, exploded.

I was in the middle of making a turn when I heard a strange noise and then I saw my ski take off down the hill...without me!

I went tumbling down the hill!

After getting up, dusting myself off, I could not stop giggling...I picked up all my equipment (I would later learn that it is called a yard sale wipe out when you loose your equipment all over the hill in a spill!)

With skis in hand, I walked down the rest of the hill. Laughing.

All I could think about was, "Wow, this is sure going to impress David! NOT! Hope he asks me out again, but I will have to buy new skis!"

Once he confirmed I was ok. He asked if I wanted to go home - I quickly replied, "No way - let's stay, you do a few more runs and I will wait in the chalet. Go have fun, but promise me you will help me buy a new pair of skis!"

David gave me a hug, and said, "Sure, I am so glad you like skiing..." he hugged me again, kissed me and told me, "love you lots".

I never imagined that at that moment, he was realizing that I was the one. The ONE for him.

All I knew was no matter what we did, no matter what, I always had fun with David. Even in the midst of huge wipe outs, I super enjoyed being with this man. Little did I know, that during our night of skiing, David was coming to the same realizations about me!

I waited in the chalet and watched the man of my dreams ski a few more runs. I was happy. Truly happy... and I still am today!!!!

Now, every Valentine's day, I give David a big hug and innocently ask, "Remember when my ski broke?"

And David replies with a grin, "I certainly do!"

Then, I giggle and say, "Remember my giant pen*s?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?"

(I will not post his routine response...just in case my mother or mother-in-law are reading!!!)

Happy belated Valentine's day everyone - I hope you had a wonderfully happy day with your loved one. Me, I went skiing!!!!

With the man I love with all my being...

... and with two of the three products of this mutual love!

IT ROCKED!

and I was happy!

PS - sorry for the delay - my access to Blogger is a bit wonky!

I knew you were the one, when...

A few photos to spark your interest...the real love story to follow...stay tuned!

OK. With photo evidence like that, can you just IMAGINE the story I am going to tell next post?!?!?!?!?!

Off to go celebrate Valentine's day with the sweetest, most wonderful man in the world......catch ya later!

Fooled You All!

As I type this, my lucky parents are cruising the Mediterranean. They live about 35 minutes away from us and asked if we would mind sharing house sitting duties with their neighbours. Basically the neighbours would look over at the house on a daily basis and we would go in two or three times to water the plants and collect the mail. Not a problem. So, this morning after church we headed out.

About 8 minutes away from their house my hubby asks, "You remembered the keys, right?"

"Ah, FRIG, SHOOT! Nope!"

Silence.

"I'm an idiot...sorry....but, hey you are a bigger idiot!

"Me? Why?"

"Cause you married me! That makes you a bigger idiot than me!"

"Ah, no...I was fooled and did not know what I was getting into!"

"Well, then, you are fool & an idiot who just drove 55km and have no keys to get into the house, and you are stuck with an idiot wife!"

"You're right, I guess I am an idiot fool fooled into love with you! My fault!"

-----

Along with my hubby, here are a few other people I have recently fooled!

Mrs. Schmitty, over at It's A Schimitty Life thinks I am deserving of this award:

I also fooled Diane over at Forgetfulone at thinking I deserved this award:

Hee hee...do I ever have them fooled!!!! Both awards are handed out to blogs that show great attitude and gratitude. I am honoured to accept these super awesome, cool awards, and to pass them both off to the following bloggers, who are, in fact, the real deal! They all ROCK! Go check them out!

Tara over at If Mom Says OK.

Mrs. Incredible at That's Life 2.0.

Meredith at Pregnantly Plump.

Lainey-Painey at Life is Just so Daily.

Melissa at Hope Floats.

Kat over at Seeking Sanity.

Miss Sniz

Barry over at Barrie Summary.

Mighty Morphin' Mama

I'm Being Held Hostage at In the Gutter

And any of my other wonderful readers who would like to participate - ya, you! Here is what you gotta do to pay it forward:

1. Put one of the logos on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs with a great attitude / gratitude.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know you have given the award by leaving them a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link this post and to the person from whom you received this award.

Seriously...I am super duper appreciative and humbled by these two awards...and what means even more to me is that they come from two bloggy friends I adore. I. ADORE.

The Best Role Model

My hubby is the best. Every day I feel so lucky to have met him and very lucky that he is mine forever. He takes good care of me. Remember the necklace story? Remember the support he gave me for my run? Remember the time he rescued a chipmunk from drowning? And how he is great Daddy? Or how he is a great fashion consultant? Well, that type of stuff happens all the time.

Long story short: David bailed me out of a silly (yet, sadly, regular) predicament on Sunday evening.

With relief, I thanked David and returned to cleaning up from dinner.

DJ then asks me why I thanked Daddy. I told him, "because he takes good care of me. When you boys get to be husbands and have wives, I hope you find someone who takes good care of you - just like how your Daddy takes care of me..."

"Mommy, don't worry, we will just take care of ourselves and we will take care of our lady-wives. That's what we will do!"

I reached down, smiled, and hugged my little 5 year old with a all my might, "I am sure you will little man, I am sure you will."

**Thank you David for being such a wonderful role model for our children. LOVE YOU. BEAR! Not a day goes by that I do not love, appreciate and respect you more than the last...

Gift Wrapped in Love

On Monday I worked an extended shift from 4am to 430pm. When I called home throughout the day there was never an answer.

I kind of figured that hubby had braved the stores with three young children. (Fool!)

Due to terrible traffic, I did not get home until hubby was feeding the kiddies.

As soon as I walked into the kitchen, Anderson squealed with excitement and shouted," Mommy, Mommy, go into the garage and look to see if you like your new 'puter we bought you for Christmas!!!"

DJ then yelled out, "Anderson, SHUSH! We hid Mommy's new computer in the garage 'cause it is a surprise, SHUSH! Don't tell her about it!"

Wide-eyed at all the sudden excitement, Madigan then calls out, "'puter, Mama, 'puter, Mama!"

Yep, guess I am getting a new computer...while it will not be a surprised, it certainly is wrapped in love!!!

(Thanks Hubby, you are the best. Love you so very much!)

Come to Papa!

After searching for weeks, and only 17 days before Christmas, I have finally found the one and only gift my hubby wants for Christmas! I am now completely done all Christmas shopping! Yippee!

The Best Batman Episode Ever!

August 4, 2002

Six years ago today...

I got all prettied-up...

drove myself and my bridesmaids to Srathmere...

got dressed with the help of my mother and my best friend...

had my father walk me down the aisle...

to proclaim my love and respect for a very special man...

who decided to not leave me at the alter...


and we were pronounced man and wife...

we celebrated our union with our family and friends...

had a bit of fun...

toasted our happiness and love...

and walked off together.

I love David more and more each day. My respect for him as a person, a friend, a lover, a confident, a father and a provider of all things knows no boundaries. David has taught me how to be more accepting, caring and how to value myself for the person I am today, the person I was yesterday and for the person I will be. He has helped me realize my limitations while encouraging me to push my boundaries and be all that I can be. His love is unconditional and non judgemental. His love is never-ending and so greatly appreciated and reciprocated.

My relationship with David is strong and simply wonderful and perfect in every way. I will love him forever and forever - and then some.

I thank him for taking me as his wife - with my faults and all. I thank him for making me a mother to three special and precious children. I thank him for teaching me what love really is and what happiness involves. I thank him for always being there for me and the kids. I thank him for saying yes when I asked him out! I thank him for making my world perfect. I thank him for being.

I love David and I will love him forever!

52560 Hours Ago...

David was sporting new socks my parents gave to him...so that he would not get cold feet!

My dress was hanging in the window of my hotel room.

Tomorrow would be the big day!

A post full of resentment

This post is just full of resentment...I have come up with a list of five things I hate:

1) I hate coming into work for 3AM. It sucks!

2) I hate covering off for a co-worker on vacation, who is very self-centred and arrogant. This idiot does not appreciate what we all do for him, especially in terms of coming in at 3-frigging AM so he can take time off!

3) I hate that my kids do not fall asleep until after 8PM. And that they insist on barging into my bedroom when I am trying to get to sleep!

4) I hate that unsettled weather or pressure systems cause me to have massive headaches and migraines. Making it almost impossible to get a restful night of sleep when a thunder shower is moving into the area.

5) I hate that my hubby is so wonderful, cute, intelligent, witty, caring and S-E-X-Y. Oh, why did he come into the bedroom at 9:10 PM to tell me to get to sleep.... Wink. Wink. Nudge. Nudge. Say no more! Say no more! Y-A-W-N. Grin.

I hate coming into work for 3AM!

All my love...

To my best friend...

To my wonderful husband...

To the fabulous father of three great kids...

To the man I respect, adore, cherish and admire...

(well, most of the time!)

Happy Father's Day!!

BEAR!

XOXOXO

Coming to the rescue!

Go Diego Go! Coming to the rescue!

Ok, for those of you with 3-6 year olds, is that snappy tune in your head? For over a day now my boys have been singing the theme song to Go Diego Go!

Why? Well, because Daddy has a big heart and Mommy is quick with digital scrapbooking software!

Huh?

Let me explain!

The other morning hubby was removing the pool cover and came across a struggling little chipmunk. He probably fell in trying to get a drink. David rolled the cover till the little water-logged critter was near the edge. He called the boys over instructing them to get a little bread and a towel.

Then everyone shifted into rescue gear!

The boys hovered over Daddy as he lifted the chipmunk to safety.

The poor thing was in rough shape - who knows how long he had been treading water to stay afloat.

I, being the Mommy grabbed the camera and got photos of the entire rescue.

The boys, well, they were so proud to have, "saved an animal, just like Diego!"

So, as David got the boys ready for preschool, I quickly downloaded the photos and made the boys each a Rescue Certificate. I thought it would be cute - well, you would have thought the boys won the lottery. They were beyond beaming - they were gushing pride!

Clutching their Rescue Certificates they went off to preschool. When they arrived, pandemonium broke out! The excitement grew all during the 2.5 hour program. The boys retold and retold the story over and over and over and over.

My heart swelled as I left the school hearing each boy explain their role and proudly show off their Rescue Certificate.

DJ is now convinced that Diego keeps tabs on everyone. If you become an animal rescuer and help save an animal, then Diego knows about it and will send you a Rescue Certificate and you become just like Diego! Since the chipmunk rescue he has saved 7 beetles, 4 ants and 1 unidentifiable centipede-like creature - all from danger!

It is soooo cute and adorable. They have been clutching their Rescue Certificates and beaming. I cannot help but imagine them with the same enthusiasm accepting their high school diplomas, bringing home their first girlfriends, showing off their first set of wheels, getting accepted into college or university, falling in love, graduating from higher education, landing their dream job, getting married, holding their own children for the first time, and the list of possible life experiences goes on and on and on and on.

My caring, sensitive, fun-loving animal rescuers are growing up fast...I better not blink, in fear of missing something.

Janet Jackson in the Role of Tired Wife

The following conversation occurred on Thursday morning at 8:20. The names of the innocent, dry-humoured/smug and sleepy have been changed to protect their identities.

Well-meaning Husband: Hey Hon, how was your morning?

Tired Wife: Pretty good. There was lots of news to cover this morning. It was pretty busy.

(Loving hug and kiss exchanged)

Well-meaning Husband: Oh, there was Canadian news? I turned on CBC this morning and all they were covering was that New York guy and the prostitute ring.

Tired Wife: Oh there was lots of coverage on that, but there were also clips on all the confidence votes coming up.

Well-meaning/smug Husband: Did they report on the new fashion trends in Ottawa?

Tired Wife: Ummm...no.... (raise eyebrow here to signal confusion over why hubby would be interested in fashion clips from the news)

Well-meaning/smug Husband: I figured that is where you heard that inside out sweaters are all the rage in Ottawa this season.

Tired Wife: (looking down at her sweater) Ah SHIT...


I guess that happens when you get up at 3AM and dress half in the dark and half asleep.

1) Note to self: Double check clothes before leaving each morning.

2) Note to self: Find out if Janet Jackson is available to play me in my life movie...since she has experience in wardrobe malfunctions and all.

The Language of Love

Every Valentine's day I think back to my first Valentine's day with the wonderful man who would become my husband.

Back then, newly courting, DINK*, Valentines meant wonderful (read expensive), romantic dinners, with drinks, kisses, hand-holding and dreamy glances into each other's eyes. A cute stuffed, plush pal was always accompanied by chocolates and flowers!

Well, on that wonderful Valentine's eve in 2000, after a simply wonderful evening, I snuggled up to the most wonderful guy in the world and whispered, "I love you so very much!"

In response David hugged me tighter and replied,"Bear".

Yep, you read that right. BEAR.

I was a bit confused, then I remembered the stuffed, plush bear David had presented me earlier that evening. This enormous plush bear was holding a heart that read, "I love you!"

I smiled and felt all warm inside, and said,"Bear" right back.

Ever since, when David and I want to say, "I love you", we simply say "Bear". It is our language of love.

Do you have a special language of love with your love?

*Double income, no kids!

I'd be game for that!

Soccer has always been a big part of my life. As a kid I played on a travel team and got to go all over Canada, and the USA to play in tournaments. In university I played on the varsity team and had a blast. Over the years I got to make great friends and play a game I love.

I never really imagined I would find true love on the soccer pitch.

Back in July of 2000 I was playing in my regular two summer soccer leagues. One Saturday morning a friend invited me to play soccer on her work co-ed team. They were risking a default since their girl players were unavailable. I thought it would be fun and so I accepted her offer. That one soccer game changed my life!

One of the defenders and I hit it off. So, when I was asked to play again the next week, I agreed, hoping that David would be there as well.

After a few games, it became apparent that there was a connection between the tall, blond, shy defender! My girlfriends on the team worked with him and knew he was not seeing anyone. They kept saying that they would hook us up...but never did.

So, one day, after a cold, rainy game I found the courage to ask him out.

I ran up to him on the way to the parking lot and I asked if he had a sec. Right away he commented on my play and how well I played. I blushed, then began my, now infamous, monologue:

"Thanks, well, um, I did not really want to talk about soccer actually. You see, Rue, Sherri-Lynne and Cara have been saying that we have alot in common and that we should, like, you know, get to know each other. They keep saying they will set us up, but, um, they are all talk and, well. no action. So, I guess I figured I would take matters in my own hands. So, um, keeping with the soccer theme, um, well, if you would like to get to know me off the soccer pitch, I'd be game for that!"

David looked at me. Smiled, and said, "Sure..."

And before he could say anything else, I ran off to my car. I was so excited. Too excited. I forgot to make arrangements for our first date!

We had a wonderful first date. So wonderful, that I was late to pick up my soccer friend to go to an out-of-town tournament. I was suppose to pick her up at 930PM and I did not get there till after 11PM! And then for the 90 minute drive to our lodging, I talked her ear off -reliving every second of the date.

Then, my last sentence to her was, "You know, I think he is the one."

The next day, at the out-of-town soccer tournament while I was relaxing between games, I looked up to see David walking over. I thought I was dreaming. He had driven all the way to Perth to watch me play! It was wonderful!

We have been together ever since. And each and every day I love him more.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!