May 2016

Way too much fun at gymnastics!!

        

Crazy hair everyday

At the last minute I got my hands on a Time Out For Women ticket. I was a little unsure...it's a long day of speakers, but I am so glad I got the chance to go! Plus I got a super cute tote bag & David Archuleta performed! (He is so cute & his voice is so smooth. Everyone was swooning!!)

Ruby and I decided to check out Wear m Out, a new indoor playground in town and it was awesome...until Ruby went down the slide and landed in a pool of another kids pee. Barf. The worker told me not to worry, because she "cleans up pee all the time here" EW. Anyways, kind of a strange experience, so I let the owner know and she was so apologetic and gave us a free pass.  I understand things like this happen, so I wasn't offended - plus we have a free pass to check it out again! 

My sister Brooke went through the temple for her first time! It was really special having our whole family in the temple. The spirit was really strong and I could feel the presence of family members on the other side there with us. It was such a special night! (Even though we almost missed the session because we were getting Arby's hah!!)

Travis thought it would be a good idea to take Ruby camping. Not wanting to miss out on a potentially hilarious experience, I  (very reluctantly) tagged along. We went to Park Lake and set up our little camp site. Ruby was having a blast...until she realized she had to sleep in the tent. She would grab our faces (while crying) and plead with us to take her home. We were dying laughing. We felt so bad, so we threw everything in the back of the truck and went home about 10pm. I'm still laughing about it!

We have 2 ugly stumps in our front yard. One is cut really low and is falling apart, but there was an ugly one sticking out of the ground, so my dear husband took a chainsaw and hacked it to bits! Now we just need a piece of sod to cover this ugly spot. If only we knew someone with a sod farm...

In May I got to see my bestie of forever get married! I am so happy for Ben & Karina! They are so awesome. 

Such a nice day. There were also milk shots & my mom agreed to take a picture of me pretending to be a bridesmaid. No big deal. 

At Karina's bridal shower! We matched & it wasn't on purpose

We had a little too much fun at our table at the wedding. Poor Sandy. 

First day at the new EMT job!! 

"If you jump in muddy puddles, you must wear your boots"

Fun with grandma! (and having the most delicious meal ever!!)

April 2016

April started off on a great note when we got new family pictures! My Mom always wants pictures of us...so we figured it was time to get some legit ones from a photographer. (I guess she doesn't appreciate our selfies??) Jillan Russel was AMAZING. She was so chill and easy to work with PLUS she made us look good...so she was worth every penny. Check her out! 

And now some completely random pictures & memories. This is mostly for me because I am terrible at writing in my journal.

Just generally being cute & "sharing" a slurpee with me.

BBQ fun! Look at all these cuties in a hammock!!

I guess she likes cheese...

New bedding from Bed Bath & Beyond (which I returned a few months later because it started falling apart!! BOO)

Bike rides and stopping for every. single. flower.

 Travis got an EMT job! YAY! IT is a casual thing with a company based out of Calgary, but it is a foot in the door and we are excited!

We celebrated with ice cream (obviously)

Ruby and Georgia having a playdate

Bucket hats and crocs are cool right? 

Strep Throat. Yuck. She was so close to being potty trained before this hit. Poor thing!! 

She now asks to go to the zoo at least once a week!

March 2016

March was a really weird month. 

March stared off on a strange note when I came into work one day to learn that a coworker at my office had passed away. We were the same age. It was so weird because we had all just worked with her a few days before. When things like this happen so sudden, I am grateful to have a knowledge of what happens after we die & the Plan of Salvation.

A week later...
Travis and I decided back in January that we were ready to expand our family and we finally got a positive test in March! We were excited, but knew it was early so I booked a doctors appointment and then waited. When I was pregnant with Ruby we didn't tell a single person until 10 weeks - not even family! I guess I was just paranoid about something happening. But there is something so special having that knowledge between you & your spouse before the whole world knows!!

A week later.... 

My Grandpa Binning had been in the hospital for a few days, as he had fallen and the doctors thought he might have a touch of pneumonia. Travis had was at Young Men's on a Wednesday, so Ruby and I were going to go over to swim in my parent's hot tub. They weren't going to be there because they were going up to visit my Grandpa, so I decided we would tag along, as I hadn't been up to see him yet. When we got there he was pretty loopy from his meds and wasn't making a whole lot of sense. He recognized Ruby right away and started chatting with her & then on our way out my Dad mentioned that he would come up and visit him tomorrow. My grandpa told him "no your not, I won't be here" we all looked at each other and kind of snickered as we all knew he wasn't going anywhere fast. My grandpa said "I'm going home". Again, we just laughed it off and left the hospital that night. The next morning my phone rang pretty early and it was Mom - right away I knew something was up because my mom would never be calling me before 7:30am. Her voice was shaky, but she told me that the Doctor had just called Dad and said that Grandpa passed away in his sleep that night.
I am so thankful we decided to go visit him just hours before. Perhaps he had some clarity and really knew he was  "going home". We were all in shock as we figured my Grandpa was going to live forever. Before my Grandma died 10+ years ago she told us "Only the good die young, Bill is going to live forever"
My sister Brooke put it so well - "Either he finally got good or 89 is forever"
I think if we can all live until we are 89 and then die peacefully in our sleep we will be so lucky.

2 days later...

I was about 5 weeks when I started bleeding. I went to the ER for some waiting, tests, more waiting, an ultrasound and MORE waiting. (Seriously, I was there for 5 hours) I'll never forget the look on the Doctor walking down the hallway (they kicked me out of a room and sat me in a chair in a back hallway because they were running out of beds) The doctor told me that "my pregnancy had failed". I already knew at that point - I've done my research & I've heard stories from others. I felt like I should have felt more sad. (don't get me wrong, there were many tears shed!) Maybe it was because I was still dealing with 2 other deaths in my life? Unfortunately miscarriage is a natural thing that happens to more people than we probably know. I understand that the risk of losing a baby in those first 12 weeks is high, but I also understand it happens for a reason. My body knew something wasn't going to be right. I feel lucky to know I'll get the chance to meet that baby one day after I die.

If your reading this and thinking "what the heck?! Why didn't she tell me? Why is this the first I am hearing about it??" With everything that was happening at the time with my Grandpa dying and the funeral, it felt weird to share the news. When people said "I'm sorry for your loss" was I supposed to say "Oh yeah...one more thing for you to feel sad for me about!" 

A friend on Facebook shared a great quote and it really said exactly how I was feeling in a much more eloquent way - as I am NOT a writer!!  

Even as I am writing this I am cringing - I don't want to make people feel sad or weird. I want you to know that this crappy thing happens to a lot of people and life goes on.

Ok, well that was a depressing post...so here are some random pictures to hopefully make it better! 

Going through old photo albums & baking shenanigans 

I love Snapchat. Add me: Macaulj

Last minute Marianas Trench concert with Brooke. Front row!

The Easter bunny came and brought Ruby trains & treats...and some new kitchen chairs!

Feeding ducks, first haircut and ghost catching - I mean Ruby in a poncho.

February 2016

 January flew by! (As it usually does...) Resolutions are slowly dying...oops.

Every time I opened this cupboard, something would fall out. Out of control!
So I bought some dollar store jars and went a little label crazy.  It seems I'm slowly labeling everything in my house...but it is so cute! Also, now my cupboard is actually organized and I can get what I need without pulling everything out.

Ruby was hit with the flu the first week of February. She had never thrown up before, so it was so sad! (But she did throw up for the first time on Grandma...so that was funny!) Travis stayed home from work to snuggle with her (only because my job pays more! Haha!). 

Ruby turned 2!! It seems like yesterday she was a newborn and now she is a sassy toddler! We Celebrated with family and friends at The Movie Mill with pizza, cake, mini-golf and way too many presents!! We also went to Montanas for dinner so she could wear the horns...she was not impressed. Hah! Also, thumbs up - mom survived the party!!

"Ride bike to cookie store?" It is so dangerous living right around the corner for the cutest little bakery. Not only does Ruby ask to ride her bike everyday, she also asks to go to the cookie store. (Don't worry, we don't go everyday...even though they have the best cronuts! This is why I will never be skinny)

-President's Ball with some friends! It was fun to dress up and go to a dance!
-I got free hockey tickets from work...so we enjoyed a hockey game! Lethbridge lost so bad and there were a ton of fights. But lets be real...we just went for the snacks. 

 We have so much fun around here! 

Travis applied for a private school in Calgary to finish his Paramedic degree (He is an EMT).

It seemed great, but it was CRAZY expensive. He had an interview, but he was not accepted. Boo. 

The city of Lethbridge was also hiring again around that time. We were so excited as the Deputy Chief had asked him to apply again. The last time they had a hiring Travis made it to the final round of interviews, but wasn't hired. They suggested he take some interview prep classes, so he had been going to LDS business services and taking classes for a few months. He submitted his resume and started prepping for the physical exam (as he had to do last year). Unfortunately he didn't even get invited to take the physical test as too many paramedics applied. BOO. So now it's back to the drawing board. We know something will work out eventually..but it's just taking a really long time to get there. 

January 2016

A New Year comes with new goals. We stared the year off confident that it would bring new and exciting things. I made it a goal to try and make & sell more projects. I have been having so fun with my vinyl cutting machine and new new foiling machine that I got for Christmas! You can LIKE my craft page on Facebook "Crafts By MJ" or follow my projects on Instagram @MJFOILS

Reading with Dad, Sledding (she was a little unsure at first), being cute & painting! (Maybe she will like to craft just like mom!)

-Having fun at Asher's first birthday! Ruby was so excited to play the fishing game and get a prize!
-I helped throw a baby shower for my friend Alanna! It was lumberjack themed and I had a blast making some decorations. How funny is that sign we put on the front door? I am still laughing about it months later!! (maybe I am just lame!) Anyways, we had a pancake bar! Such a fun idea & so easy!!

-I can't remember exactly what the photo on the left was from, but clearly Ruby wasn't feeling our selfie.
-We went to the Food & Beverage Expo with some friends. It was so much fun and we got to sample so much yummy food! This is a deep fried burger patty. It looks and sounds gross but oh man! It was so good. Heart attack on a stick. Literally.

My friend Sam left town (Boo) and was selling her twin bed, so we made the transition from the crib without the rails to a big girl bed! (Jan 25th) She loves her bed so much! One day after she is potty trained we will get a super cute bedding set. (Curse you Bed Bath & Beyond! I spend way too much money there now that they are open in Lethbridge!! I would also love to paint that room!!)

  

Glo-stick bath!

Life is busy, and I don't see it ever slowing down. Travis is still working as a framer and I am still at the dental surgery office 2/3 days a week. We are looking for other options for Travis to complete his Paramedic course. (We will not go back to Medicine Hat College) Our callings keep us busy - Travis is in the YM presidency and I am still the primary pianist. 

October/November/December

Playing catch up! Keeping up a blog is hard...don't judge me!! 
Here are a few things that happened from October-December 2015.

-October 27th - Took down the crib & moved to a big girl bed! She has only fallen out a few times. WHERE IS MY BABY!?
-Ruby and I were Bees for Halloween. She was super cranky that day. But she still managed to get a sweet haul of candy.

Christmas beard 2015. Ruby rubs his face all the time and says "Wheres daddy's lickers? (whiskers)"

One set of tenants moved out, and another set moved into our basement suite. We decided to rip out the ceiling, insulate and put in a drop ceiling. We (Travis) managed to do it all in a weekend. It was a crazy fast & messy time trying to finish before our new tenants moved in. CRAZY story about that couch. Originally my brother in law got this couch secondhand, then he sold it to his friends who then lived in our basement - when they were moving out, they put the couch on kijiji. The couple who ended up purchasing the couch just happened to be the same tenants moving into the basement the following week. What are the chances!! They were so lucky they didn't have to move that heavy couch!

Here are a few of the projects I did over Christmas. A wedding gift, a Christmas gift and some random signs - which I ended up selling. 

Christmas day. Ruby is OBSESSED with her bike. She wants to ride it everyday. 

-Ruby was terrified of Santa. It was hilarious.
-First Christmas in our house & our Christmas party! It was so much fun to have so many fun people over, have a gift exchange and  eat yummy food! #chickendip

-Playing with Ruby in outside. This is my favorite picture of us!
-Channeling my inner Khloe.
-At RS retreat with Jasmine in Waterton. I was really hesitant to go, but I am so glad I did. There was great food, company and fun! Some of us even hiked Bear's Hump. (I don't hike...but I did it! It was great!)

-Travis rebuilt our deck! It was literally rotting and I risked my life every time I stepped on it. He is so handy and wonderful. I am so lucky!
-We went bowling for my work Christmas party. It was SO fun. I did SO bad. I was so embarrassed, but at least I got a certificate to prove I am the worst.
-Me and Ru were looking at the fish one morning and then I noticed this on the floor. I literally started gagging. uhhhh!! SICK. Let's just say our tank now has nice glass tops.

As you can see, Ruby is a pretty big part of our lives. She is our whole world! We have so much fun & she keeps us laughing everyday!!