T’s grandparents were in town to celebrate the hubby’s 45th birthday – and it was wonderful to spend family time together. They arrived Wednesday night and T was so excited to see them. Friday was a PA Day and the hubby and I took the day off work. We took Grammy and Grandad on theirContinue reading “The Loving Hearts of Grandparents”
Category Archives: Family
Candid Conversation: Frances Victory on Her Journey To Find A New You
I am often inspired by those who’ve gone through a journey of discovery and then use their experience to inform and inspire others on similar journeys. Frances Victory is a Life Coach, Speaker, Developmental Psychologist and Adjunct Assistant Professor. She completed her doctoral degree in Developmental Psychology at the City University of New York’s GraduateContinue reading “Candid Conversation: Frances Victory on Her Journey To Find A New You”
This Grateful Heart
When chaos disrupts my peace, gratitude helps reframe my focus to face the challenges ahead. On our recent flight home from a wonderful family vacation in Mexico, T had a full-blown meltdown during boarding. The hubby had deleted his favourite game from the phone, which I had advised the hubby against giving to T beforehand.Continue reading “This Grateful Heart”
Lazy Weekend
I’m on staycaytion the next two weeks and my goal to do nothing got off to a wonderful lazy start. I stayed in PJs all weekend and binged Abbott Elementary – hilarious and highly recommended. I told T he’s going to daycare during the break and he better not screw me over by getting sickContinue reading “Lazy Weekend”
The Simple Life: Exploring Village Historique Acadien in New Brunswick
Less is more. Tight knit community connections. Want not, waste not. These were thoughts that came to mind when we stepped back in time during a visit to the Acadian Village in New Brunswick in August. Le Village Historique Acadien is an historical reconstruction that portrays the way of life of Acadians between 1770 and 1949.Continue reading “The Simple Life: Exploring Village Historique Acadien in New Brunswick”
Wild Blueberries
We’re letting T run wild this summer, taking a more relaxed approach than previous years. Usually by the end of June, I would’ve lined up worksheets and books from his teacher, to work on with T over the summer. I did this to avoid summer learning slide, as I’m mindful of T’s FASD and ADHD.Continue reading “Wild Blueberries”
Postcards from the Edge
The first text message simply and sweetly said, “I love you.” I was en route on my early hour-long commute to work and it was a welcomed surprise. On in-office days, I often leave before T is up and when I do see him before I leave, I get sweet long hugs, which energize meContinue reading “Postcards from the Edge”
Keep the Faith
In 2015, the hubby and I finished our South America trip at Rio de Janeiro. It was our last solo trip before T unexpectedly came into our lives. I revisited this special city last night when Madonna completed her Celebration Tour on Copacabana Beach to a record 2 million people. We watched her show inContinue reading “Keep the Faith”
Family is Forever
Eight years ago today, we got a call from Children’s Aid Society. We were matched with a child! It was a Thursday evening and the hubby and I were shocked, because it had been seven years since we had started the adoption journey. We had given up hope we would be parents. They shared T’sContinue reading “Family is Forever”
The Darkest Dark
We remind our little guy that he is stronger and braver than the monsters in his head. During a recent Sunday morning, around 1:30, I was woken up by the hubby having a fit. T had turned on all the lights in the house, downstairs included, and was up playing with his toys – becauseContinue reading “The Darkest Dark”
Life is a Gift
Live and love as if it’s your first and last day on Earth. Our caring, curious, funny and not-so-little guy turned 9 this weekend. How is that possible?! The past year brought adventures and hard losses and through it all, he steps forward with his fun-seeking, resilient and endlessly energetic spirit. Our consecutive hard lossesContinue reading “Life is a Gift”
All That We Leave Behind
In the end, it’s about memories and we hang onto photos and things that remind us of loved ones. In a year of losses, our family experienced another loss – Ma moved back to Philippines at the end of July. We knew for over a year this day was coming – it was delayed dueContinue reading “All That We Leave Behind”
Tubing Down Elora Gorge
Rushing river leads to calm water. As a parent of a neurodiverse child, I wholeheartedly believe this. We celebrated Canada Day, and the start of the second half of the year, by tubing down Elora Gorge. It’s family tradition to kick off summer break with a weekend adventure. This year, we picked Elora, a charmingContinue reading “Tubing Down Elora Gorge”
A Series of Suddenlies
Life flashes by in a series of suddenlies. Suddenly, the hubby and I are university students randomly meeting on a dance floor then start to date on March 8, 2003. Suddenly, we’re moving in together then getting married. Suddenly, we have a little boy then navigating the horrors of a pandemic. It’s impossible to captureContinue reading “A Series of Suddenlies”
Crab Semetary
A child’s ability to find fun and enjoyment is as limitless as their imagination. The calming breezy saltwater bay ushered in the next wave of our family summer vacation. After a short visit from T’s aunt and cousin, we headed off early Friday morning on a 16-hour drive for our annual visit with T’s grandparents,Continue reading “Crab Semetary”
The Power of Anticipation
After starting his countdown right after Christmas, the big day is finally near. T had a blast spending Christmas in New Brunswick with his cousin. When we got home, he asked how many more days till her visit this July. During a recent bedtime, I told him that it was 45 days until she visitedContinue reading “The Power of Anticipation”
The World Is Larger When You’re A Kid
Never lose your inner child, I thought, as I took T 30 years down memory lane. Last Saturday morning, I took T on a nostalgia visit to my elementary school playground. I was a bit over a year older than T is now when I last played there 31 years ago. It was the firstContinue reading “The World Is Larger When You’re A Kid”
Visiting My Kindergartener’s Class
It’s the horror every child dreads: when the parent visits their class. It began when T’s class, still virtual, was doing a week-long lesson about rainforests. Unbeknownst to me, the hubby reached out to T’s teacher to share a read-aloud video that I had done a few years ago. It was part of a funContinue reading “Visiting My Kindergartener’s Class”
What Our Explosive Child Teaches Us About Love
After breakfast, I handed T a heart-shaped box of Smarties and asked him to be my Valentine. To me, Valentine’s is about celebrating love in all its forms, including love between family. How fitting then that this year’s Valentine’s is sharing a double billing with Family Day long weekend in Canada. This weekend has soContinue reading “What Our Explosive Child Teaches Us About Love”
My 5 Year Old Takes Photos With My Phone Without My Knowing & For My Later Surprise
“There’s no greater joy than that seen through the eyes of a child, and there’s a little bit of a child in all of us.” – “Walt Disney,” Saving Mr. Banks One of the things I love most about being a parent is seeing the world, experiencing the joys of childhood, and living the firsts through the eyes of our little boy. The worldContinue reading “My 5 Year Old Takes Photos With My Phone Without My Knowing & For My Later Surprise”
My Life With T 