The secret is out

You may remember that I've been very excited but unable to share why. Well, I can FINALLY share :)
We have decided to start an organic vegetable farm. At first it was just a big dream because really... how the heck do you survive by running a vegetable farm???
Darryl had a meeting with the Native Agricultural Society with absolutely amazing results. They loved our idea and are willing to help us get it off the ground. Not only will we have the regular gardens, but a commercial greenhouse and farm store complete with commercial kitchen so we can sell organic baking and canning. We'll also be selling eggs and llama fur products ;)
There are lots of other ideas, but some stuff should be a surprise right???!

I realize that this will sound crazy to some people, but we love the farm life and we aren't afraid of the work involved. Its going to be AMAZING!!!
Its going to take some time to get everything going, so by this time next year we will be settled and getting ready for the spring planting season.

I'm totally going to go all 'farmy'. I'm going to drive my tractor everywhere and wear my rubber boots ALL the time :) I'm sure they make rubber boots with heels right??

This is only funny if you've seen 'Trainspotting'


What do you think about this for a logo???? ;)

I'm looking forward to updating on our most recent 'adventure'.

PS: BOOOOOO on nay sayers!!

You better sleep with one eye open Mr. Bear!

So, in the effort to win the fight against bear terrorism, my Dad bought me a gun (see picture below). I'm actually pretty excited about it. He had a bunch of modifications done to it so when I'm facing a bear and probably pissing my pants I can still have a good chance at actually hitting it.
(For those of you who don't know, all spring and summer we were tormented by an angry, and surprisingly intelligent bear).
I'm not a fan of bears, and yet they seem to be drawn to me. So, no more Mr nice guy... or Mrs nice girl... whatever. In the spring, bears better steer clear of our place or I will be turning them all into bear rugs (and giving them away to my friends as birthday presents... will you be one of the lucky ones?????)

More pics

I received some more pictures from Diane today. Although things were crazy when we were in Vancouver we managed to do some really fun things with Nyla.
Hollie and Tracey brought us all to 'Bright Nights' in Stanley Park. You ride around on the little train and look at all the Christmas lights. Nyla LOVED it.
We also went to the Aquarium... she went crazy for the sea lion. I'll post aquarium pictures next time.


Us at 'Bright Nights'

We took Nyla to meet Santa. One of my favorite memories is when Nyla saw Chloe dressed in her 'princess' dress to meet Santa. Nyla was completely in awe :) We didn't bring any fancy clothes obviously, and I was feeling a bit sad for Nyla because she would have to go in her regular clothes, when Hollie and Tracey brought out a beautiful princess dress for Nyla too. I admit I cried... It seems like such a little thing, but it was a huge deal to Nyla (and me).
You could tell she felt like a million bucks when she was showing off her dress :) I'll post that picture with Santa when I get the scanner hooked up again.

While Diane was with us she'd take Nyla to Hollie and Tracey's house and they'd go for a walk on the sea wall every day. Nyla called it 'walking and laughing with Grandma' :)

Maren in her incubator. This was during our second week when she really started to do well. Her creepy head IV came out and we could finally start doing regular cuddle time!!

When we were finally able to take her out of the incubator it was important for Maren's development and bonding to do skin to skin cuddle time.

It was amazing being able to hold her after just staring at her in an incubator for so long.

Even though that time for us was really challenging, we also have some really great memories.
Hollie, Tracey and Diane really went out of their way to make sure Nyla was taken care of. I'm so happy that when Nyla talks about being in Vancouver she always says how much fun she had.

Some of my recent favorites

I finally found my camera cord!! I can't believe how quickly the pictures loaded. The dial up gods must have been smiling on me today.

I love the back of her head (and the rest of her too). Its unbelievable how big she is!


She takes my breath away.



So does she

My favorites


Diane made this toque :) I love it


What happens when I'm feeding Maren

All we need is love ( man, I'm corny, but I love the Beatles)

I'm not usually very interested in Valentines day. It's kind of like my birthday, I could take it or leave it. My sister and I were chatting about that, and she happened to mention that she likes Valentine's Day because her kids enjoy it so much. I hadn't thought of making it a kid's 'holiday' until that conversation.
Nyla loves crafts... especially super messy crafts, so I dug out all her glitter, glue, puffy things and anything else she has left in her craft cupboard and we decided to make some Valentine's Day cards. I told her we'd keep Daddy's card a secret until he woke up.
Darryl has been working some crazy long days and was catching a couple of hours of sleep, but Nyla was so excited she burst into our bedroom and yelled "Daddy!!! I'm making you a secret Valentines Day card!!!" I love how kids keep secrets :)
I wish I had taken a picture of her after she was done. She's always covered in whatever we've been using for crafts. She was extra sparkly today!

I still can't share anything about why I'm so excited... I've come to realize that it was not very nice to post about it when I can't share about it. I'm just so excited... its hard to keep it to myself. I did mention it to two different friends and their responses almost made me cry. They both said the exact same thing..."That's so you". I LOVE having friends who know me so well that my biggest dream, although crazy to most, is totally accepted and understood.

I know I gush about my friends a lot, but I really am blessed. I was reading Hannah's blog tonight. She was thanking people for being there for her in different ways.
I'm stealing the idea from Hannah. There are some people in my life who have been truer then true, and on this lovey day I'd like to share the love, so to speak.

(these names are listed in no particular order...)

Imelda: I love that no matter where we are, when we're together, regardless of the circumstance we laugh until it hurts. I'm humbled that you were willing to leave your family in the days before Christmas to come help me take care of mine.
There's a lifetime of friendship that can't be summed up in a paragraph, but I'm really glad that no matter what, we're in it together. I'm really happy that we never have to be worried about losing each other. You're my actual sister/friend.

Diane: Its not common for a mother in law to become a great friend, but we've achieved it. I love that I can be completely myself around you. I miss our movie nights and shopping trips. I like that we can talk on the phone almost ever day and not get sick of each other. Most of all I love seeing how much you love Nyla (I know you'll love Maren just as much). I didn't grow up with a Grandma so I love watching your relationship with her.
You sacrificed a lot of your time to be with us when Maren was born. I absolutely could not have made it through that situation without you. You really went above and beyond the call of duty and I know not many people would have done the same.

There are 3 ladies who have always been there, no matter what.

Kelly: You are one of the only people on the planet that knows absolutely everything about me. You put up with a lot from me and I can't tell you how I appreciate you not kicking me to the curb :)
I trust you, rely on you and love who you are. I can tell you anything and know that even if you don't agree with what I've done, you'll always support me. You're one of the few people who really know me and 'get' me. I know that we'll be sister/friends forever and its not just a cliche.

Christy: I love our friendship. We can go ages without talking, but can pick up where we left off as soon as we see each other. I can tell you anything without worrying what you'll think of me. We have such a unique friendship, and I feel like I really 'grew up' with you.
I love how deeply you care for your friends, and how willing you are to help in any way. You're an amazing support to me.
I love your sense of humor :) I love that we can laugh together like crazy people, and cry together... also like crazy people ;)
I can always count on you... no matter what. You're another sister/friend forever.

Jenn: You have been a true friend, and have also shared your family with me. You and your parents have had such a huge impact on my life... I'd be lost without you. I feel completely at home with your family, and you actually understand why that means so much to me.
You've witnessed some of my highest highs, but also my lowest lows, and you brought the love of a sister plus the love of parents to me. How can I thank you for that??
You are the most honest person I know. I love that you say what you think at all times (even if it sometimes makes me want to beat you :) Yes, that's right... another sister/friend :)

You three ladies are so special and so important to me. You have absolutely touched my life and changed who I am. I feel like I grew up with all of you. So many of my great memories includes at least one, if not all of you.

Cindy R: Our friendship is also very special and important to me. It usually takes me a very long time to make a friendship like ours, but it seems like there was some kind of divine intervention involved. I feel like we're so alike, and understand each other so well. We can share great stuff, but the really awful stuff too. We can be completely real with each other, and still have a great time :)
I know that our friendship will always be there... I say 'sister/friend' a lot, but its just so true. You make me check in when things are rough, and aren't afraid to tell me to get my head out of my ass (although you usually say it much nicer...)
You're there, always, without question.

Darryl: You are the most amazing man I've ever known. You know me and love me, and allow me to be me. We've made it through more in the last (almost) 6 years than some people will see in a lifetime, and even though sometimes we hung on by a thread, we always hung on. You are the person I want to tell everything to. I could spend every day with you and not get tired of your company. Nothing is scary when you're with me...
We're so made for each other, that this next adventure doesn't scare you but makes you just as excited as I am.
I love you, and I like you. I'm proud of who you are.

This post is already long, and I know Maren is about to wake up to eat... but there are other people who have influenced my life in crazy amazing ways... Carmen, Hannah, Peter, Kelsey. I think this post will have to be continued...

Happy Valentines Day

OH YEAH BABY!!

First of all I'd like to report that at Maren's last weigh in she was up to 8lbs 3oz! She's doing great! We can take her outside on nice days now, which is AMAZING for us. Now the llamas and dogs will get some more attention and we won't become crazy 'cabin fever' people. (Scenes from 'The Shining' keep going through my mind).
We had some amazing above zero weather, but now we've plummeted back to crazy cold. I need some global warming over here...

I have lots of exciting news that I can't share :) (I know, I'm awesome). Hopefully I can share soon because I'm SO FREAKING EXCITED!!! (NO, I'm not pregnant... if you ask me I swear I'll go ninja on your ass!)

I tried adding pictures today, but my computer/internet is being pissy. I'll try again soon - I have some great ones.

H'mmm at this point I could start making up news about other people for fun, but I'll refrain (for now)...

I'll update again when I have updatable news.

What's that smell????

Maren's official due date was January 31... its nice that she's now officially supposed to be born :)
At her last weigh in she was 7 pounds! (did I already share that??? I can't remember). She's doing great. She's a little poop machine... I'll spare you all the joy of my baby poop stories. Let me assure you that they're really gross.

The kiddos are great. Maren is a night owl (like me) and Nyla is an early bird (like Darryl). This translates into me going 'bbbba ba baba ba ba baba' a lot (you'll understand if you've ever seen 'Overboard'). I know the no sleep thing doesn't last forever, so I'm not going to curl into the fetal position and hum to myself... I will survive and I will remain sane(ish).

I don't really have any news. Just saying hi.