A perfect day

 
Traditionally May-long weekend (a holiday weekend, for you non- Canadians)is chilly and rainy. Just when all the parks open for camping and the frost has finally cleared, Manitobans are met with a reminder that winter was just over, but not yet gone.

However, today, May-long Saturday, was gorgeous!

My in-laws purchased an incredible cottage property with 15 acres last autumn and the whole family went out today to have a work/ play day. 15 acres is a lot to mow, even with 2 riding mowers, but we all got in on the action. Even Eiley wanted to participate, though playing on the play structure and trampoline and trying to find a way to get into the river were a bit more tempting.

 
 
  We enjoyed grilled hamburgers and lots of sun. yippeeeee!

They say tomorrow is 90 percent chance of rain, but we are staying optimistic.

A perfect day continued

 

The park-like cottage property is Eiley's playground. She and Daddy were going to the bridge to cross over the river.
 







Of course jumping on the Trampoline that Daddy and Aunt Judy set up was a highlight too
 







The river was cold , but that did not stop Eiley from wanting to get in.
 





We didn't exactly get a nap today and after all that fun in the sun little bit fell asleep on the way home talking about "horsies".

What a perfect day!

Sweet cousins

 

My favorite things

 

Little bit is growing up too fast , but our days are filled with lots of fun.


She loves coloring and besides a brief episode of coloring our wood floor red, she has managed to keep the crayons on the paper =)
 













With spring upon us she loves to be outside on the slides or 'shwing'
 














At grandma's birthday she just could not help herself and snuck a taste of ice cream....yummmm!
 


















The best part about long spring days is that we play hard and sleep hard.

I love those baby cheeks.

Taking a closer look

  Our sweet neighbor approached me last week and said, "Do you know what you have growing in your backyard?"


Now our back yard has not been seeded or landscaped at all, so we rarely go back there, but before we moved in there were three or four fruit trees, grapevines, horseradish, rubarb, gooseberries and more flourishing on the empty lot. Moving our house onto the property disturbed quite a few living plants, however our wild asparagus survived. My neighbor showed me that tucked in the patch of dirt in the photo is a whole colony of delicious sweet wild asparagus. Yippeeee!
 


I have picked about 30 stalks so far and there are a dozen more coming up. They never made it to the saute pan or steaming pot. They are just too juicy and sweet to cook. We have been eating them fresh every few days.
  Spring is soo much fun.

Making Mama, Making Me

 


We made her a mother. Thirty-one and a half years ago, I was born and Suzie became a mom. My sister followed, and then a brother. After a little break we adopted my youngest two brothers making five children who call her mom. ( Not to mention the hundreds of people who view her as a special "mom" in their lives)

Two years and three days ago, when my first child was born, my mom became a grandmother. By December of this year she will have 5 grandchildren.

I love this picture of my mom in the hospital, the day I was born. She was 26 years old. She looks so beautiful to me. I wonder what she was thinking as she stepped into motherhood. (That is me, the same day, in the picture below)
 
 

Knowing my mom she felt confident and adventurous. that is one thing i love about her. She jumps in to the pool of life with both feet.

Sitting here thinking about motherhood, I realize that my mom gave us kids one of the greatest gifts anyone can give their children. She delighted in us. I never once questioned whether my mom enjoyed being a mom. She showed us every day, playing with us, cooking with us, laughing with us. I felt enjoyed.

The last few months I have been challenged to really enjoy Eiley more, to stop the list of "to dos" in my head and enter into her world, to play to enjoy what she enjoys, as I remember my mother doing with me. I have made it my goal to make Eiley laugh everyday.

Have I heard the rippling brook of giggles tumble from my sweetheart today? Am I laughing with her? Enjoying the moment of fun? That is my mark of success at the setting of each sun.


Visiting my mom recently I realized how much laughter and fun she brings into my world. The effect of her laughing with me fills a deep place in my being that nothing else can touch. It is like fertilizer for my heart, nurturing that place inside that gives me confidence and joy to approach life wholeheartedly.


Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you and miss you and wish so much that we could be together more. But even though the miles separate us, your heart has been given to me and the seeds of love multiply as I give to my own little family as you so generously gave to us. Cheers to YOU today!

Two years ago today

 


Two years ago this evening I was in the middle of labor in our little apartment, waiting just waiting, for my little jewel in come into this world.



 

You took a long time little peach, 28 hours to be exact, because you were turned the wrong way, and my midwife was patiently checking to see if you were going to move so you could come out. Your daddy was amazing. He was wearing a "got milk?" T-shirt during my labor. I think he has a sense of humour =) and he was my strength through the endless hours. He would whisper into my ear " you can do all things through Christ, You can do this Svea" HIs gentle confidence and constant presence helped me stay focused through crazy transition and intense back labor.
 


At 5am on May 6th after pushing for three hours, you breathed your first breath of air in the middle of our kitchen. AS our midwife held you up I saw that you were a girl! My heart lept! I had always wanted a daughter and I knew the moment that you were born that your name was going to be Eiley, which means brilliant light.





Every time I looked at you all I saw was light. And you have been the light of our life ever since. I am amazed by you little peach, they way you LOVE people and embrace life and draw energy and glee from interaction with almost anyone. You still get called "smiley Eiley" because your smile lights up a room, and your laughter tickles my soul!
 


The past two years have been the best yet in my life watching you grow and enjoying your daddy and you each day realizing that we were entrusted to raise you and love on you your whole life long. You will be an amazing big sister as you love little babies noticing each one and engaging them with your sweet greetings and kisses.
I bless you today sweet one. You are your daddy's and my greatest treasure, and our deepest joy comes in being with you. Today I wish you a Happy Birthday.

Love your mommy