the best of friends

These three. Together since their mamas bonded in the local hospital's baby group. And now they are one month into Kindergarten at three different schools. They are completely different from one another, and yet their personalities compliment each other beautifully. My daughter asks about them all of the time and always draws things in threes - three fairies, three bunnies, always putting their names on them. We still get them all together once a week to keep this magical bond thriving. Sisters can be chosen. xo

images from the week.....

I get just as excited to see her little friends as she does because I know we always have tremendous days together. xo

you are my sunshine.....

They have been friends since they were babies. Their bond is undeniable. They are so different and special from one another as individuals and so harmonious and supportive as a trio. They don't have siblings but are bonded as sisters. I know our days are a lot brighter ever since our paths crossed with these incredible families. xoxo

Happy New Year!!

Happy 2015!! I hope you had an amazing New Year's celebration! We had the best time ringing in the new year on picturesque Pender Island with friends we love so thoroughly. As we hiked in the fresh crisp winter sun, skipping rocks in the ocean, walking on logs and swapping funny stories, I knew that there was nowhere I'd rather be. I feel like these people just refuelled my tank. I think all of the fresh air, the stunning scenery, the amazing conversations and giant laughs have seriously added years to my life. We were dancing around, cooking a giant New Years dinner, all huddled in the kitchen, and one of my friends turned to me and said, isn't this just the best? It really was. After dinner, we all bundled up and roasted marshmallows over the bonfire. Then, once the kids were tucked in, we sat out by the fire, sang cheesy songs from our teenage years, sipped delicious wine and laughed our way into the new year. I couldn't have asked for a better start to 2015. Is there anything better than friends who are an extension of your family? Happy New Year lovelies!! xoxo

silver linings

At this time of year, I always put together a photo book of our favourite moments of the year. I'm not going to lie to you, this has been the hardest year I've known. As many of you know, about a month into the year, I held my mom's hand in her doctor's office only to have our hearts obliterated when he told her she only had a few months to live, that she had a very rare form of cancer: mesothelioma.
It sat like a pit in our stomachs throughout our days and a heaviness in our hearts. It was a tangible pain. She is the center, the heart of our family. I think it's safe to say I cried pretty much each day this year - mostly in the car on my commute home, where I could let out a day's worth of keeping it in.
But looking back on the photos, while compiling them for this year's re-cap book, this was also an extraordinary year. We spent so much quality time together as a family - every few days we were joined at the dinner table. Cancer taught us to have important conversations, to focus on what's most important in life and to realize how fragile this life of ours is.
Cancer showed us what support looks like. Support looks like my parent's friends who showed up with meal after meal, who cleaned their home time and time again, who threw wonderful parties, who called endlessly checking in. And the support extended to my extraordinary friends, who dropped off meals or gifts for my mom, even though they have never met her. They blew me away with their thoughtfulness.
Support looks like a wall in mom's home, full of beautiful drawings from her grandbabies, who are too young to know what is happening, but just want nana to feel better.
Now don't go thinking I'm pro cancer, because I'm most definitely not. I was just addressing the silver linings from this year. My mantra is actually fuck cancer. Fuck it for seeping into this family and for slowly taking away our favourite person. Fuck it for still existing in all of its multitudes in spite of millions of millions of dollars put into research. Fuck cancer for having no conscience about who it inflicts.
But I'm looking forward to giving my mom this photo book, to show her that in spite of it all, we still shared so many extraordinary days together. Seize the day people. It's not just a catch phrase, there is so much weight behind it. xoxo

friendship

These three little loves have been best of friends since they were babies. They are completely different from one another, and yet compliment each other beautifully. My daughter thinks about them continuously with questions like, "Mom, do you think Emlyn would also like this book?" "Do you think Nyah would like this show?" "Mom, do you love your friends like I love Emlyn and Nyah?"
She talks about them most nights when I tuck her into bed. I'm still really close to my childhood friends and wish nothing more than these three little ones remaining in each other's lives.
With all the visits I've been lucky enough to witness between mom and her lifelong friends lately, there's something extraordinary about people sharing stories and hilarious events from your history, to make your life seem like a beautiful continuum instead of specific, succinct chapters. I've heard so many incredible stories from mom's friends, about when she was young, and some of the antics she got up to; stories she never would have told me. I eat these stories up like candy because they are letting me see my mom in a whole new, edgier way.
I honestly believe our wealth is in our relationships, surrounding ourselves with those who bring us joy and nurturing those bonds so they last us throughout our stories. xoxo

the women in my tribe.....

More than ever, I've noticed how after spending time with friends, I've walked away feeling so inspired by the courageous way they live their lives. Through their actions, and conversations we share I always leave feeling ready to tackle the world.
When Janet lost her son, at 10 days old, I stayed by her side in the hospital, bringing her food and holding her hand. It wasn't until I had a daughter of my own, did I truly realize the gravity of what she experienced or the sheer magnitude of her resilience. I always knew she was strong, but now when I reflect upon how she handled that life altering situation, I realize that she just may be the strongest person I know.
When my friend Tam lost her father to cancer, she quickly learned the value of time and how limited ours is on this planet. She sold her home and traded in a highly successful management position for a part time position and turned her focus to charity - selling her homemade cards and amazing baking, with all of the proceeds going to charities she holds close to her heart, including the S.P.C.A and the hospice that lovingly cared for her father. I've never been so proud of her. For more of her amazing work, look here.
My friend Danielle was fed up with the rat race in the Lower Mainland. Danielle and her hubby quit their jobs and packed up their family, driving across Canada until they found a place they wanted to call home. You can read about her adventurous life in Nova Scotia here.
My friend Tricia is one of those people who inspire you to be a better person because she is the most thoughtful person I have ever come across. For example, my daughter was sick, she left us a new puzzle wrapped beautifully on our doorstep. When it was my anniversary, I came home from work to find an amazing bottle of Prosecco on my doorstep. She slips me beautiful cards all the time. Whenever we spend any time together, I always say to my husband that her kindness is beyond measure and she always makes me want to do better.
My friend Forbes lives true to who she is in a world that I'm ashamed to say does not make that road easy. It should be easy because love is love - that should be the end of the story....but for some reason, there are still people who are ignorant and prejudiced, who haven't fully evolved yet. I am always proud of her and hope one day her daughter realizes that she has these amazing moms blazing a trail for future generations to be brave too.
My friend Kim listened to her heart and her gutt and walked away from the familiar into the unknown, which is never an easy choice for anyone. As I saw her setting up her new home, starting over, I knew what she had endured to get to that place, and that it wasn't an easy journey, but I could see that she was finally exhaling and at peace. She persevered.
My friend Leah became a mom before she was ready to, providing a loving and stable home to a little girl desperately in need of one. She was brave and strong at just the right moment and her impact will have a lasting impression, I have no doubt of this.
I have so many stories like these from women I know and love dearly. I don't want any of my friends to feel excluded who I didn't write about because they really are so inspiring to me - whether it's my friend Caroline who is always the first person to show up in a time of crises and is continuously making food for someone who is sick or in need, or my friend Kerry who chose love, even at the risk of losing friends, because love is always the right road.  There are so many stories of heros in the news, but I often find them right across the table from me while we're sharing a cup of coffee.

science! for reals.....

    Today's attempts at science were a huge hit: Try pouring baking soda into a bowl, adding drops of food colouring and letting your little one pour vinegar onto it  - it froths up as carbon dioxide is generated from the mixture. If you want a more science based explanation, click here. All I know is with all of the colour combinations we tried, it kept her entertained for a good 45 minutes, and with toddlers, that is HUGE. Don't judge me that my scientific equipment may have been Ikea bowls and shot glasses.

We also had friends over for dinner and watching these two little cuties race around and make one another laugh by fake falling -who doesn't love a good pratfall? Let me tell you, it was pretty adorable to witness. Everyday is amazing if you look in the right places. xoxo

off to bed...

Hi guys, did you have a fun weekend?
We had friends over Friday night for cocktails, Saturday night for dinner and went to a potluck Sunday. It was one of those weekends where I really have to pinch myself and think, am I this lucky to know all of these amazing people?
Don't you think if you're surrounded by the right people, they can make even the most ordinary events extraordinary? There are so many wonderful quotes on friendship out there,  like how true friends can "grow separately without growing apart"....or how good friends are like stars, you don't always see them, but you know they are there....
When I think of the friends I have collected in my life, I get the warm and fuzzies.
With friendship, I think it's definitely quality over quantity - those who truly let you be yourself, who make you laugh, who support your dreams, who help you back up or lie down next to you if you fall down, who accept your quirks and who make you feel like they are just as excited to see you, as you are them.
Here's are some cards about friendship that made me smile:

xo

Going back to cali........

Once a year, the girls and I try to have a getaway for a long weekend - where we can have quality time together and share in new adventures. This year's trip was to L.A. We stayed in Santa Monica where there is plenty of great restaurants and shops to choose from.

If you're planning a trip to Santa Monica, I'd definitely recommend staying at the Huntley Hotel, having an Aperol Smash cocktail at the rooftop Penthouse resaurant, dining at Tar and Roses or venturing to Gjelina in Abbot Kinney. We definitely savoured a lot of amazing cuisine, sampled several cheese platters, and walked every square inch of the area. 

We're all so uniquely different but I am so appreciative of the time we were able to share together.

Fun fact: celebs spotted: Cathy saw Mike Tyson at the airport, we spotted Laura Innes from ER shopping in Brentwood  and Empire of the Sun were on my flight from LA to Vancouver.