Our Renovated House - at least partially!

Our Bathroom

Our Office 

Looking at part of living room, entry to hallway where there are 3 bedrooms and a bathroom, door open to master bedroom

One side of the house, putting in new windows, looking towards the back yard

Backyard, and new fence...it wasn't finished in this picture but is now.

The back of our house where the backyard attaches to upstairs, you can see our dining room window in the background.

One side of the living room.

This post is for my sister Michelle who has asked to see what our home in Castlegar looks like.  It is an old home, about 1960, built on a hill that really does have a gorgeous view...it was one thing that attracted me to the house.  It had been a rental for a number of years so really needed a lot of updating.  We couldn't do everything we would have liked to do but were able to paint all the upstairs walls, put in some new windows (casings still to be done on those), add new trim, put in a yard and fence to make it child friendly. We are so thankful to our wonderful extended family members on both sides who donated their time and skills to allow us to do these projects with out paying any labour.  It has a basement with a rented out suite and a lot of potential in the other areas for when we have more money to expand!  I will bring more pictures at Christmas; it would take to many pictures to show all the rooms from all sides. :)

Cherishing the Moment

Eating the dough... he doesn't appear to like it!

Making Cookies

In the Laundry Hamper

Playing with blocks - he can put them together by himself now.

Gray working at his desk.

Tragedies are a reminder to enjoy the blessings in life because you don't know how long you will have them.  This morning I found out that a co-worker's teenage son was killed in an accident last night.  My heart stopped and although I know that I cannot understand what they are going through, if it had happened to me, life would not be going on...in an instant things have changed forever.  I had been very productive this morning, feeling proud of all I had accomplished while Gray wandered around playing with a multitude of toys.  When I got the news, I just felt like what I had been doing didn't matter anymore.  I have a beautiful son, here today, and that is what matters.  As I held him and cried, I couldn't help but feel thankful that it wasn't our family going through this tragedy yet burdened by the fact that someone else had to.  Gray and I went on to make cookies together; he didn't have a clue what he was doing, but I felt like I was treasuring the moment.  I've attached a few pictures of what we have been up to.  If your heart has been burdened like mine for this family, please pray for them through this terrible time.

What to do in Castlegar?

Manly Bonding

Gray's favourite thing to do...go out on the town

Colouring

Riding on the Deck

Okay so I just did my annual "change my blog title" but hopefully this one will stick.  Anyways, I am living in Castlegar and although I was excited about Chris going back to school, I am having a hard time knowing what to do with myself in Castlegar (hence the blog update).  This morning I went to a toddler storytime.  Gray enjoyed the snacks the most, although I thought he would love the songs...I think it was the big boy chair he got to sit in.  After snack he wanted to stay in the chair, so...so much for storytime.  The people are very welcoming here but there just don't seem to be too many of them.  There are only two other baby/toddler's that I have seen at the church we have started to attend and only about 5 this morning.  I think it will take a lot more than a couple weeks of storytime to get involved here.  I'll add a couple pictures from our time here just to give a snapshot...although I didn't take any at storytime.

Little Sweet Pea

Changes are coming for Gray... he is now one of two grandchildren on the Perret side and he doesn't seem to think he's ready for that.  I can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since Esme Michelle, my new niece, was born.  She is so very tiny and precious to hold and it is hard to believe that Gray was ever that small.  This week, as I was holding her, Gray stood beside me and fake cried.  It was actually quite cute, although probably not a behaviour we want to encourage.  He is used to being the baby of the family but looks like a little man next to Esme.  Where does the time go?  Enjoy these sleepless nights Kristin and Alain, they are here for such a short time and each stage holds such precious fleeting moments.

Beginnings

I was very excited to wake up this morning and realize that March has arrived.  Winter is over in my mind. We didn't have much snow or cold weather in Kelowna this year (probably because we bought snowshoes that we wanted to use this year) but I still feel like March is the start of warmth and sun.  It is also the kick-off to "Roll up the Rim" at Tim Hortons which is a time of such possibility... I may have to walk over there today and just see if I have won a laptop or car... you never know.
I feel like I hibernated this winter and am now ready to face whatever may come.  Over the winter months, Gray learned to walk, got loads of teeth, and is saying Mama and Dada.  When I look at my son, I realize that something is always beginning in a child's life; there is always something new happening, something to look forward to, something to explore.  If only I could harness that wonder and curiosity in my own life, be excited about whatever the day may bring, even if it is cold weather and a gray sky.