Another evening of Painting~

Last night I had the pleasure of going to another painting class with some friends. In our community we have a wonderful business which combines a painting and socializing.

Social Art KW

What could be any better than that? Our instructor Rachael believes that every person is capable of being artistic. The environment she provides is fun, relaxing combined with an atmosphere that is creative and social.

I truly didn't start out attending these classes with any expectations,  I was so nervous that I was going to fail. Terrified that I was going to make a fool of myself in front of a bunch of artists.
I could not have been more wrong. Pleasantly surprised I left my first paint class very proud of myself.
 What I liked the most about it was how slow, and steady Rachael sets the pace. We are all set up at tables with chairs. Each person with their own easel, your own canvas, 3 different paint brushes, a ball jar with water, a towel for drying brushes or accidental paint spill. As we move along, we are encouraged to get comfortable, grab a drink...soda, wine or a cocktail then sit back and enjoy.
Seriously its the best night out and even better when accompanied by friends or family. 

Rachael does instruct very effortlessly, making each step ever so coolly. Its so simple, truly it is...she takes it step by step and is very accessible for questions or concerns even during the lesson. She has stopped in the middle of a lesson more than once to accommodate my very own special needs, lol.
If you are looking for a fun night out with your friends, significant other (makes a great date night), child, family or even just some time alone I suggest you check this out!
Please visit Social Art's web page, check out some of the painting choices.
http://www.socialart.ca/

 Its 35.00 for the night and that includes everything. Not your drinks or any food that you may order, I forgot to mention that she does move around to different restaurants, bars and pubs usually she's in the area. Farthest I have had to travel was New Hamburg. I usually meet friends a little earlier so we can have a bite to eat, make it a real night out..no cooking dinner :) 

100 things I want to tell my daughter ~#97

# 97 Dance – especially when you’re doing the laundry.

My dearest Kailey, always find a reason to dance even when doing laundry.

When I was young my mom always had music going in the kitchen. Actually my parents pretty much had music going all of the time. When I was young, 8 years or so every Saturday and Sunday mornings the house would be filled with music. 
Initially it was the 8 tracks in the living room. Conway Twitty, Kenny Rogers, Elvis Presley...typically it was country music. I would wake up to these country tunes just outside of my bedroom. It was comforting and the music symbolized happiness. It was peaceful, and it was routine. Routine is safe, routine is comfort. I liked that. As an adult I knew it was something I wanted my children to feel. I knew routine was most important.
Coming home from school back in grade 6, 7 and 8  it was a give in that my mom had music playing in the kitchen. She always played something while preparing dinner. After  the country music came the 80's tunes. Then it was the beautiful melodies of Michael Jackson, Phil Collins and Lional Ritchie that filled the house with aromas of teenage youth  Dreams of love, hopes of future relationships and fantasies of  what my life would end up being. Relishing in all my world revolving around me just as a typical teenager would.
I can't express how important it felt to have that comforting feeling of music throughout the house while growing up.
There was only one time in my youth that the music stopped. It was the day mom papa died. My mothers father. When I came in from school that day, there was no music and my mom was in the kitchen making dinner. I knew something was wrong. There is nothing worse than seeing your mother cry. It was such a sad day, and as sad as I was for my mom and our family...I recall being worried that the music wouldn't play ever again.
I can remember just as clearly the day I walked in from school and heard it again...I was so happy. Thrilled because it was a feeling of safety again, that our family was doing well and we were all going to be ok.
When you hear music, good music...what's the natural thing to do? DANCE!!
SO this is were my word of advice comes in for Kailey. I hope you can remember our kitchen, dancing when you are all grown and have a family of your own. Please try to recognize how it made you feel to see dancing, laughing and love in our home. It was always one of my favorite things to do while making dinner, I guess my mom taught me that. :)
There is nothing happier than a house filled with music and dancing, remember that! If you take that with you into your own family life, my darling I promise you'll always have a reason to smile~

I can only hope that those summer nights, those Saturday morning tunes we shared in our own kitchen will stay with you. I pray you remember our beloved Harley dancing in the kitchen with mom. I can still remember getting you and Braden to dance, typically ending in a game of chase.
I guess I can end this post with the reason's that make the most sense for your name...from where my family comes from down in Nova Scotia, a kitchen party is called a "Kailey or in Irish dialect its Ceilidh". Everyone would gather at the home of a dear friends house during the cold brisk winters in the east coast and have themselves a good ol'fashioned kitchen (Ceilidh) Kailey~

The picture above was definitely taken during a kitchen ceilidh. We were visiting family in Cape Breton Nova Scotia. My grandfather is the second from the left, with my dad beside him on the right. That's me bottom middle, with my dad. 

I am sure this picture was also taken the same night. There is a long history of boxers in my family, it wasn't a party until the men starting putting up their dukes and the women were dancing and singing.

Oliver turns 5, Cake, Presents and Missed Celebrations~

      On Friday our sweet Oliver turned 5 years old. Can you believe that? He was a god sent to me, something I wasn't even aware that I had needed. He completed me, (besides my family obviously) the love I have for this little guy is beyond words. I'm not even sure why I have bonded so greatly with him, I guess he allows me to nurture him. With the kids growing up and becoming adults, I hadn't been able to "take care" and nurture. Lets not forget the undying love he has for me...he loves me! lol...ok in all seriousness, he really did provide me with some sort of love. I was missing something in my life, and when he came to us I fell deeply in love. He's my baby boy..and I love him to pieces.

He had quite the celebration, we had balloons and decorations.

He had presents...SO many presents that daddy was pretty sure we went into debt over :)

   Here's a picture of daddy showing him all his presents, he got a new bed as well. That's what is holding his presents.

He had cake..all the puppies shared some dog cupcakes. Overall it was such a wonderful celebration.

Happy birthday baby boy..he is so handsome!

Ella needs to get in the action and check out his presents too...

Finn always helps with opening up the presents..she loves it!

Oliver getting ready to open a present.

I have this rule in life, some people may laugh at the fact that we celebrate our dogs birthdays. But too be honest it started way back with Harley. It started because for much of Braden's childhood he spent sick or even at times hospitalized..even on life support.

Both my children over the years of their childhood have missed many celebrations because of that. . They have missed family gatherings, friends play dates, holiday dinners, sleepovers and many important other life celebrations. So many tears shed. There were countless times of just sadness, not only for the kids but for Paul and I as well. We missed out on may functions, birthdays and get-togethers. When we did have a time where we were missing out on something fun because of an illness or hospitalization we had to be creative! Back then we didn't have the internet to google or Pinterest craft ideas or family party ideas for sick children. We had to come up with exciting ideas...and thankfully we were all in this together. My husband, me, Braden and Kailey..we made our own fun. I remember doing crafts, decorating cupcakes (depending on how bad the illness was) watching movies, making instruments and playing roles in our air bands. I remember the times when Braden was hospitalized and Kailey would come down for the day, we'd watch movies in ICU. Read books, laugh together and we even managed crafts. Or they would have toys, that Paul and I would secretly buy for them.  We had other rituals as well, when Kailey was little she wouldn't really stay with us over night. I remember my parents taking her home with them. It was so hard to send her off, I knew my mom and dad always had their own traditions that they did with Kailey. She always had fun with them. Deep down I knew she was fine, as a mom I hated to see her walk down that hallway and leave us. Of course being parents we'd put on a brave front, tell her how lucky she is too have time with nana and papa, how lucky she was to be going out to dinner with them. I would cry every time, heading back to ICU only to dry my tears quickly so Braden did not notice the remnants of my sadness. We'd have to plan with the kids all the fun things we were going to do when Braden got better. We always made sure to make up for the lost time. In our family, when the children were young we had decided if one couldn't make it too an event none of us would go. It just didn't seem fair that Braden was always missing out on fun family times and Kailey was able to attend. Of course over time that changed. Once Braden was old enough to understand if he couldn't go sometimes Paul would carry on and head to the function with Kailey. Honestly sometimes,  even though we were home and recovering from some sort of illness...I was fearful to be home alone with Braden. He needed so much care, constant hands on care. It was tiring, physically draining and emotionally exhausting. We rarely left one another alone during those times. We were a team, the four of us. If people didn't understand that...we didn't care, it wasn't about them. It's what was best for us, for our family.

When you are raising a family and the theme of your life is based around the "health" of one of your children you learn really quick how to "make up" for their stolen moments, their lost celebrations.
IT WAS NOT easy..and if you think its silly or funny that we celebrate our dogs birthdays then I feel sad for you~
If there is one thing I want to leave my children with...one amazing most wonderful piece of our lifehistory, that would be to celebrate everything.
Celebrate the little things, everyday chose to celebrate. The sun is out, you met a friend, you met a new friend, you passed a test, you fell in love...anything and everything is worth celebrating.
Life can change in a heartbeat. Therefore be thankful, give thanks and choose happy.
Why would we not celebrate the dogs birthdays? They are very important members of our family. We get to eat cake, open presents and sing happy birthday. Seems silly to not celebrate if you ask me.

Well friends, if I really sat down and tried to remember actual events of those moments I am sure I could make this post much more interesting. I think what I would like to leave you with is simple:

Celebrate life, celebrate the little things because it is in those moments you are choosing to be happy.

Wild

Tonight we watched the Movie Wild, with Reece Witherspoon. I wasn't sure what it was all about, and I certainly didn't think it would contain Paul's attention like it did. I was absolutely amazing! We loved it...
I truly believe if you have lived a life, where you have at one time felt lost, alone or frightened...then this movie is for you.
Basically the movie is based on the main character Cheryl Strayed memoir, (true story)
In 1995 Cheryl Strayed decided to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. She does this completely alone all in hopes of healing from the death of her mother and the demons from her destructive past.
The movie presents memories in chronological order and flashbacks from earlier points in her life. Moments from her childhood, her marriage, drug addiction and cruel sexual enslavement.
Such a powerful movie that I would highly recommend. Well friends, it was one of those days today. Who else is starting to get affected by this depressing weather?! I am so tired of it, today I really found myself struggling to "be happy".
Hoping and praying the weekend is better, until tomorrow my lovelies good night and god bless~

Chicken & Bacon Carbonara~

Last night for dinner I tried one of the easiest pasta dinners ever. I wanted to share it with you because my whole family liked it and it was so darn easy. I know you'll love it so go ahead and try it! 

First off you need to cook your bacon, I won't give you a certain amount..I used a pack and a half of bacon, technically I am feeding 4 adults now.

Cook your bacon until crispy.

Fry up your chicken in some butter until cooked through. I ended up cutting up my chicken and then fully cooking it. I always get nervous with chicken. Better to be safe then sorry. Set aside with bacon while cooking the sauce.

In a large frying pan..

Sauté 3 cloves of garlic..ok so I doubled this recipe, my instructions are the recipe that would probably feed 2-3 people. I wish I would have added more garlic. So go ahead and add more garlic in this recipe if you like it.

Sauté until golden brown. Then add milk, heavy cream,chicken broth and floury the pan with garlic. Stir until thickened.

Chop your chicken into pieces and cut the bacon into bit sized pieces as well.

Don't forget to add the Parmesan shavings, if the sauce gets too thick add some more chicken broth.

Boil your pasta according to the directions. I used spaghettini noodles but the original recipe used bow tie pasta.

The recipe also calls for fresh parsley.

Mix pasta and chicken/bacon into the cream sauce. Add a dash of salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Ingredients

Ok so I will leave with you the ingredients for 4 people however remember I doubled it and we pretty much finished it without much left over :)

5 strips of bacon cooked and diced

2 chicken breasts-grilled, chicken striped up

Salt & pepper to taste

3 cloves of garlic 

3/4 cup of milk

1/4 cup of heavy cream

1cuo of chicken broth

3 Tablespoons of flour

3/4 cups of Parmesan shavings

2 tablespoons of Parsley 

1 small box of bowtie pasta

 

Enjoy friends...it's delicious! 

The Power of Prayer~

       (Easter cake at the Ronald MacDonald House, so thankful
        for that place and the comfort it provided)
 

In my 44 years I have to say I have had more prayers answered than not. I would consider that blessed. Maybe those looking in from the outside might wonder how I can possibly believe that.
I suppose that's because its all in how you look at it.
I learned at a young age that god is always there for you, he loves you regardless of your choices. I would pray for things most or many may pray for. Please lord let the weather be nice tomorrow, I want to straighten my hair. Dear lord, please let me pass this test. I would pray for just about anything...more clothes, more money, popularity and even desperately a boyfriend. Eventually I learned with age that those things are not important...and then my prayers shifted to praying for strength, even guidance.
After my car accident, which paralyzed my infant son...all I ever prayed for was answers. Please lord, why did this happen to us? Why me? Please god...help him heal, make him walk, give me back my son. WHY?.
That was the biggest, most difficult question and prayer of my life. Never once was I given an answer...not ever did I feel a sense of why this had happened in my life. I guess we could look at the realistic aspect...clearly I didn't look the third time before I pulled out to turn left. Obviously the other guy was speeding, and we both crossed the yellow line which in turn caused the accident. There it is...that's it right?!
Maybe it is that simple. When living through a tragedy like this, that explanation isn't the one you want to cling to inorder to survive. You grasp at straws, you reach out to faith..you scope your surroundings for hope. Its a desperation in times of catastrophe that you learn exactly what it is you need. This past Easter Sunday marked the 20th year anniversary of one of the best days of my life. If I had ever had any doubt in the power of prayer or the presence of God in my life all of that doubt was lifted.
It was the Saturday night before Easter Sunday and this was our second Easter with Braden. Sadly, Braden was in ICU on life support fighting for his life. We had been in the hospital for 6 weeks by this time and seeing no improvement at all. He laid still, not moving anyting except his eyes. Over time more and more tubes were introduced to his tiny body. Breathing tubes, feeding tubes, drainage tubes, urinary tubes every kind of tube you can think of was injected into our son. Life sustaining of course, was I afraid of those tubes? Absolutely not I didn't even see them all I could see was Braden.
With it being only our 2nd Easter with our baby boy we were still pretty new at this parenting. I will tell you however Easter celebrations were of the utmost importance. The Easter bunny was going to come regardless of where Braden was laying his head to sleep. We did have our plans for the bunny, we had bought him a few toys, movies and clothes.
It was a happy time, I was grateful that our son was still here and at this time we were able to celebrate in that. Give thanks to god for that blessing alone. We were still unsure of what the future was going to hold for our young family. I was still having up and down moments of hope and despair.
That Saturday night when Paul and I were leaving the hospital, the sadness I had felt was crushing. I will never forget the pain, the feeling of loss. I hated where we were, I hated the situation we were in. We headed back to the Ronald MacDonald house that night, we were just across the street from the hospital. Braden had fallen asleep for the night, we had said our goodbyes to the nurses and we left our son. He was so tiny, so little and helpless. All I could think about is how it isn't suppose to be this way. We should be at home, hiding chocolate eggs and getting all our Easter treats out and ready for the Easter Bunny.

             (Paul stretching his hand to encourage more movement, you can see one of the treats the nurses hid up top. Cute Micky Mouse Hat with sunglasses and a little gold chocolate egg)

I missed home, I missed my bed and I longed for my life back. We were so scared, no idea what our life had in store for us. All our plans, hopes and dreams were shattered. Nothing was going to ever be the same again...and the scariest part of all this, was he had no control over any of it.
That night we sat in our kitchen at the Ronald MacDonald house. It was a room with about 10 other round tables with chairs. It was so sterile, so clean. We were very appreciative of the atmosphere they provided for all of the families living there. It really was a place of comfort away from home.
The lights were dim, the kitchen was empty. But I wasn't ready to sleep, it was 1am and I was so tired but so full of sadness. I was lost, couldn't bring myself to sleep.
I remember making a cup of tea in that quiet kitchen, Paul and I sat at the table and I just cried. I was devastated. It all came to head, the severity of my accident the reality of his injuries. Where would we go from here...why won't he move? Please god...make him move.
Then it began, my prayers.
Paul had decided to go up to bed, I was beside myself and he knew there was nothing he could do. I was angry with him at the time. How could he leave me sitting there in that kitchen so sad, crying and distraught. But he did, he went to bed. I stayed at that little table, crying and praying...praying that god would give me a sign. My prayers were so desperate that I stopped praying for him to "fix" Braden, know I prayed for just a sign that he was going to be ok.
Looking back, maybe this was the moment I accepted our fate. I will take anything, as long as he is alive and here with me...I will make the best of it. But regardless, I need a sign. It had been 6 weeks and nothing showing me that Braden was going to recover, no signs of a future. Where was my family going to go from here?.
Eventually I wore myself out, and managed to get myself to bed. I guess I sat there for 45minutes or so, barganing with God and begging for a sign.
That Easter Sunday when we woke, I had a feeling something was going on outside our door. I got up and looked out our door and was so surprised and excited to see some Easter treats right outside our door. Chocolate bunnies for Paul and I, and a few other things. I can't really remember exactly what was at our door but I will tell you one thing..my day was looking brighter all ready. It was such a feeling, so amazing that someone had donated these things to the Ronald MacDonald house. There was people thinking of us out there and I was thankful. We proceeded to get ready that moring and had to be at the hospital for 8am. We liked to get there as early as possible. I wanted to be there when he woke up, we had some things to give him from the Easter Bunny.
It had seemed my grey cloud had lifted for the time being. I was feeling lighter, happier and just excited to be celebrating with my family.
We walked to the hospital. Got our breakfast and headed into ICU, when we got to his room we were once again overwhelmed with Easter surprises.
The nurses who worked that night had decorated his room with Easter decorations, chocolate eggs and presents all for him.
I cried.
They had done this while he slept, tiptoed around his hospital bed doing all they could to bring a sense of the holiday to us. How wonderful~
Again...we were blessed. We had so much fun with Braden showing him his gifts and treats, now he couldn't really eat the chocolates but we did let him "lick" the chocolate eggs..lol..just to get a taste.
Once the excitement died down and everyone had left his room, we were left alone together just the three of us. We watched cartoons, opened up some of his toys and just talked. I sat at the side of his bed on a stool..and we had a little red car that I was "driving" up and down his body.
I believe I was playing with him almost like a peek a boo..and then I asked him to "touch mommy's nose", again I repeated and asked him to reach up and "touch mommy's nose".
He was laughing (with no sound) but his eyes were laughing..I was grabbing his nose. I was so desperate, please I just need to see you move. Anything..move anything..please...
Then he did it...he reached up and touched my nose.
He had no difficulties at all..it was like he had been able to do it all along. I was beside myself once again, tears streamed down my face, shocked.
I yelled for Paul to watch...I praised Braden so much for his hard work, How happy he made me. We called in the nurses to see him move his right arm. They opened all the glass doors, they brought everyone in...doctors, surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists...everyone!!
It truly was a miracle, the doctors said this is impossible. This isn't even comprehendible. He shouldn't have any movement, he is a complete transection of the spinal cord at a C2 level.
It was the best day of my life, this was my sign. This was my clarification that there is a god and that he just answered my prayer. He answered it on the day he was risen. Good Sunday...how else would you explain this?
There is clearly much more to my story, we had many tests that followed in those coming days. Much more to share, but one thing I can say for certain...there is a god, and there is  power in prayer.
Good Sunday will always be my reminder of god's grace. Its my personal reminder that he is there and he is listening.
I am so sad for those who do not believe, but I am thankful that I do~

      (Nana celebrating our answered prayers)

Until tomorrow my friends, god bless~

Tye Dying Easter Eggs~

This year I tried something a little different. I found this idea on Pinterest and thought I'd be pretty neat to try. It was actually really easy..follow below.

First off you need ties. 100% silk ties, I went to value village and picked up these few.i would suggest going to a Salvation Army or an actually Thrift store. These ties still cost 5 dollars which is pricy if you want to do a few of them. 

Next you cut the lining of the ties. And cut the tie to fit the egg.

Try to get the tie as tight and smooth around the egg as possible. It will transfer the pattern better.

You then have to use an old pillow case which I bought also at value village and tie it around your already tied egg. Then put them in a pot and cover with water.

You also need to add a 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the pot of eggs. Then boil for 20 minutes. Once the eggs have been boiled you can remove them and place them on a towel and let cool. 

Once cooled..remove the tie and pillowcase and check out the design. 

Pretty cool isn't it! I was surprised with how well they turned out. It was fun too..u think my family thought this wasn't going to turn out, but look at that..proved the wrong didn't i..lol

Love them!

Just wanted to share s couple pics from our day..it was wonderful. Family, food, wine and chocolate..life was pretty darn good today!

Some treats from today...mini lemon tarts..one of my favorites and of course some deviled eggs..dyed for the celebration.

Happy Easter from these two gorgeous beasts...check out Oliver's Easter tie! Adorable!!

Found out tonight one of my close friends used my Easter cake recipe idea and made her own cake today! Looks amazing doesn't it..I am so proud of her!!l Look out Martha Stewert! 

Well it was a busy weekend, filled with family and friends..loved every minute of it. Just wished the weather would have been nicer. 

Wishing all my lovelies a very Hoppy Easter. Until tomorrow good night and God bless~