Welcome to my Blog

Since this is my first try at keeping a Blog I can't promise how often I will post. I have always wanted to try - and I admire those who can keep it going. I hope you enjoy your visit......


Sunday, May 13, 2007

My Moms

Today is Mothers Day. It seems I the theme of my blogs lately have be tributes to one thing of another and so today it is of course MOTHERS. I am very greatful to have still have my mother - and have her living close by. I know a lot of my friends and family have lost their mothers or have them living in another country. I feel for them on days like this and know it would be hard. I am very lucky to have a good relationship with my mom and don't know what I would do without her.


My mom and I at a wedding fair

She has always been there for me throughout my whole life. She even worked at my school until my sister and I had both graduated. At the time I probably wasn't so thrilled with that cause she knew if I had homework or detention or a test. As I look back on it now though I am thankful that she wanted to take an active role in all parts of our lives - besides it probably helped me get better grades anyway :)

She is very giving - of both her time and her money. Whenever I seemed to get in a jam she was always there to bail me out when I really needed it. Her and my dad have always been very generous in that way. Whenever you need a hand with painting, cleaning, laundry if there was a reason you couldn't do it yourself she was there to lend a helping hand.
She loves her family very much and would be happy if we could all live on a huge property together. Each one having a seperate house but sharing a courtyard with a pool etc..... That actually doesn't sound to bad to me. Since she likes the whole family to be together she always trys to plan a big family holiday every couple of years. This year is Arizona as you know from a previous post and if it is not a big holiday it is camping for a weekend or something.




I love my mom dearly and she is always there when I need a hug or a sympathetic ear. Especially with me not feeling good quite frequently she is always there to listen and understand. She helps me out or brings me food when I am not able to do it myself - she is completely giving of herself to her family even if she is tired and just needs to be by herself and rest.

I love you dearly mom and I just want you to know how much you mean to me and that you are always in my thoughts. Thank you for always being you and loving me no matter what.


A MOTHER'S LOVE

A Mother's love is somethingthat no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotionand of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfishand enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy itor take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgivingwhen all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falterseven though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believingwhen the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beautyof the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secretlike the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracleman cannot understand
And another wondrous evidenceof God's tender guiding hand.


~Helen Steiner Rice~


My Other Mom



Me, Scott and Mom # 2


I am lucky enought to also have another mother. She is opposite of my mom in a lot of ways - more laid back and easy going. She likes to do the things with me that my mom absolutely hates, like: shopping, going to garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets etc... So I think I am lucky in that what one mom doesn't like the other one does and vise a versa.


I feel blessed that we get along so well and are comfortable going out and doing things together. Some of my friends aren't as lucky and don't get along with their mother-in-laws. She also raised a wonderful son who I am greatful to have married - thank you for the amazing job you did raising such a wonderful, giving, patient, loving son. I am forever blessed because of it. I thank you too for taking me into your family and making the time to go out and do things with me. I enjoy all of our shopping excursions and sharing in the excitement of finding a great deal.


I just wanted you to know today that I love you and I look forward to you being out of the hospital soon so we can continue our hunt for the best buy!!!



WHEN YOU HAVE A MOTHER.


When you have a mother
who cares so much for you
that anything you want
becomes her desires

When you have a mother
who is so understanding
that no matter what is bothering you
she can make you smile

When you have a mother
who is so strong
that no matter what obstacles she faces
she is always confident in front of you

When you have a mother
who actively pursues her goals in life
but includes you in all her goals
you are very lucky indeed


Having a mother like this
makes it easy to grow up
into a loving, strong adult
Thank you for being this kind
of wonderful mother.


~Susan P Schutz~



Scott and I would just like to wish both of our moms a very HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!! We love you both so much and thank you both for being who you are and loving us no matter what.

We hope you both have a wonderful day!!!


A Thousand Thanks


Mother's Day brings to mind
The thousands of things you did for me
that helped make me happier,
stronger and wiser,
because I had you as a role model.


I'm grateful for all the times
you healed my hurts
and calmed my fears,
so that I could face the world
feeling safe and secure.


I'm thankful for all you showed me
about how to love and give--
lessons that now bring
so many blessings to me
each and every day.


Your sacrifices and unselfishness
did not go unnoticed,
Mom.I admire you,
I respect you,I love you.
And I'm so glad you're my mother!


Happy Mother's Day!


By Joanna Fuchs

Have a great day and Happy Mothers Day to all you mothers out there.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

My Grandpa


Jake Janzen - My Grandpa

Today is my Grandpa's birthday. My mom has planned a BBQ for later this afternoon to celebrate. It is always fun getting all of the family together. Who knows maybe I will have some pictures to post after the event.



Emerald is the symbol for enduring love

My grandpa has always been a special part of my life. He was always there at every school function and every important moment of my life. We would eat dinner over there once a week when we were little. I always enjoyed playing the board games or RACK-O - and he was always ready and willing to play. One of my best memories is playing in his shop with the scraps of wood and the smell of fresh sawdust. When I think of my Grandpa that is one of the first things that comes to mind.

My Grandpa was a carpenter so it was natural for him to have a shop. He has made many things for me over the years, a desk & chair, hope chest, cabinet, shoe rack, table etc..... the list goes on. He has made sooooo many things over the years for soooo many people. He was always giving of his time when it came to carpentry. He volunteered at MCC a lot fixing furniture that would come by donation or building it into something else if it was not fixable.

The second thing that comes to mind is BEAR HUGS. Whenever we come over he always greets you with the BIGGEST bear hug ever. He has done this for as long as I can remember. There are so many memories I have that involve both of my Grandparents that I could go on and on for days. I just wanted to say that I love you very much Grandpa and I wish you a very Happy Birthday with many more special memories to come.

A man can have no greater fame than to be loved and admired by his family. Happy Birthday to a Grandfather who is loved and admired for so many reasons.
I love you Grandpa!!!





So as you know from my previous post yesterday was our 5 year Anniversary. Since you already know what I got Scott I thought I would show you what he got me as well. He came home with a huge bouquet of flowers and a card. Inside the top of the flowers was a ring box. It is the most beautiful ring (next to my wedding ring of course). He said the ring was called the journey ring and it was to symbolize how far we have come in our marriage so far - soooo sweet right?


The Bouquet


He had also made dinner reservations for us at Greek Islands and had asked the owner to bring in my favorite wine just for us. My favorite wine is a B.C. white wine by Gerringer Brothers - Auxerrois 2005. The owner came out and talked to us for a bit and then came back to us with a dessert with a candle in it and sang Happy Anniversary. Scott was a bit embarrassed cause he said he didn't ask the owner to do that :) After that we went to see a stand up comic - play at the Fringe Festival in Abbotsford (the tix I gave him in his gift). It was a wonderful day and a wonderful anniversary. Sorry I didn't have my camera with me so no pictures of the yummy dessert.

"The Journey" - a bit of a close up eh?

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy Day - Enjoy the sunshine!!!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Love, Marriage and the Man of my Dreams


Five years ago today I married my wonderful husband Scott. Yes, that's right. Today we are celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary and our 7 year anniversary of being a couple. May 11, 2002 was one of the happiest days of my life. Todays blog is about love, marriage and the man of my dreams.I have never known anyone, other than family, to love me so unconditionally. He is always there for me no matter what I am going through. He is so understanding when it comes to my illness and I couldn't have asked for a better husband. I know that he is not perfect and and neither am I but I know I want to be by his side, to hold his hand, to wake up with him in the evening and kiss him when we go to bed at night. I vowed then and I vow now to hold him close to my heart both now and for the rest of my life.


How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways
Written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning


How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right:
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.



I Love You Scott,


How do I begin to tell you how lucky I am
to have you in my life?
I'll start by saying what an honor it is
for me to be your wife.
You're my best friend in the good times
and my rock in times of sorrow.
You're the reason for sweet yesterdays
and my promise for tomorrow.
I never thought I could feel this loved
until I became your wife.

You made this year and every year
the best one of my life.


Thank you for being you!
Love always, Cherie



So the following is the traditional chart of what to give for a gift depending on the anniversary year. I have listed it here for those of you who may have an anniversary coming up.


Wedding Anniversary Gifts - Traditional

1st - Paper
2nd - Cotton
3rd - Leather

4th - Fruit, Flowers
5th - Wood

6th - Candy, Sugar, Iron
7th - Copper, Wool

8th - Bronze, Pottery
9th - Pottery, Willow
10th - Tin, Aluminum

11th - Steel
12th - Silk, Linen
13th - Lace
14th - Ivory
15th - Crystal
20th - China
25th - Silver
30th - Pearl
35th - Coral
40th - Ruby
45th - Sapphire
50th - Gold
55th - Emerald
60th - Diamond
75th - Diamonds, Diamond-Like Stones, Gold

When I was trying to decide what to get Scott for our Anniversary I checked the good old traditional anniversary chart. Fifth Anniversary is WOOD. Silverware if you look at the modern chart. I started thinking - What could I get him that was made out of wood that he would like? I couldn't come up with anything. So instead I opted for a card and lottery tickets. - Paper - once a tree = wood. I am reaching right?




So I opted for the above gift choice. A nice bottle of red wine - cause that is what he likes to drink - I prefer white. Three different cigars to add to his collection, a card, a box of mixed chocolates,two lottery tickets and tickets to a play for tonight. The play is called the Naked Newfie and is at the Matsqui Centennial Theatre.


One Cigar from Nicaragua

Two from Cuba where we had our Honeymoon


Humidor # 1 of 2 in his collection


2 Strawberry Creams, 1 Armadillo, 2 Hazelnut Creams

From J&B Candy Shoppe in Old Downtown Abbotsford

If you haven't been to J&B Candy Shoppe it is definitely worth a trip - it is really nice and has tons of fresh yummy treats. So this is the end of my 5 year tribute to ;ove, marriage and the man of my dreams.

Have a great day everyone!!!