Friday Find - Penguin love...

www.urbandictionary.com

Penguin love
1. penguin love
When a penguin finds it's mate, they stay together forever. Thus, it's the Penguin Love.

<3

Penguin by Christina Perri

The Santa 'issue'.

The holiday season is in full swing.  There are cranky people everywhere just waiting to push past you on the street, jump in front of you in line at the mall and sneer in utter unhappiness at the slightest...well, ANYTHING.  I don't know why this season seems to bring out the worst in people.  Seriously.  If buying gifts makes you THAT unhappy - STOP. BUYING. GIFTS.  It's not that hard!  Your kids are taught what to think of the holidays, they don't need that expensive toy or a room full of crap.  It is the parent's job to show them why.

In the spirit of the season, I do give a couple of gifts.  Our parents, my nephew, Mr. Penguin and the girls (as well as a few Secret Santas).   Which brings us to our new predicament...Santa.  With Monkey's speech delay, we never brought up the story of Santa and how he supposedly comes to the house, as she didn't have the vocabulary and we didn't want to scare her.  So until school, where she is now learning about Santa, she just knew that we bought each other gifts and opened them on Xmas day.  And that Santa could be found at the mall.  However, Baby Penguin will be coming up next year on when kids are normally taught about Santa.  But we're not sure we WANT to start Santa at our house.  I don't want to lie to my kids, I don't want to give gifts from someone else, and I definitely don't want Xmas to become about GIFTS.

At the Penguin household during the Xmas season, we bake: cookies, muffins, cakes, bread - anything we feel like.  We cook: spaghetti, chili, casseroles and pasta dishes.  We donate: our time, our money, our toys, our clothes.  We cherish: each other, our friends, our family,and what we have.  But most of all, we create: drawings, paintings, things out of play doh, blanket forts, play picnics, whatever we feel like!  We choose to use the holiday season to spend time with our girls and experience the joy that can be had during this holiday season. 

On Xmas Day, I like to give my girls colouring books, art supplies, books and usually one toy each.  This year the baby is getting a soft chair for the toy room, a colouring book and a stuffed puppy - with crate and accessories to take care of it - to prep her for the puppy we may be getting next year.  Monkey is getting 4 books, Play Doh, some toy cars (she's obsessed) and a storage case to store them in - to help her learn to organize her smaller toys.  That is it.  There will be The Grinch movie, a wonderful breakfast by Mr. Penguin and tons of snuggles on December 26th this year (Monkey has Xmas with her father, so we'll be celebrating late).  It all sounds wonderful to me.  Even if the girls had no gifts under the tree, I know for a fact that it would still be an amazing day at our house.  <3

So, did you pass the tradition of Santa and gift giving on to your kids (or will you)?  How do you celebrate the holidays?  What is your favorite thing about December that just makes your heart soar?

Happy Holidays!
*hugs*

December

I purchased Mr. Penguin's 30th birthday gift.  He is one lucky man - well obviously as he has moi, but now he's REALLY lucky.  I cannot wait.

It's also my Mom's birthday, my best friend's birthday, Xmas and the holidays.  Decembers are always crazy, but I love them!  I love the family moments and searching for personal gifts for everyone.  I love that people think about one another during this time of year too. 

We have a tradition in the Penguin household of taking the girls food shopping for donations to the Food Bank.  They get to help out and pick some of the food and also learn about charity and helping those in need.  As Monkey is 5 this year, I am also choosing a child's name off of the Xmas tree at the mall who is in need of clothing.  It will be a good thing for her to understand and also pick out some cute clothes for someone else.

Happy Holidays folks!  Remember to hug someone close, call someone you haven't heard from in a while and donate - whether food, clothes, time, money or whatever.  'Tis the season for love!!

*hugs*
 

TADA!!

I present to you the new layout!  What do you think?  Do you like it?  Do you have suggestions for future improvements?

I am so thrilled!  Thank you again Jessica for designing it and making all of my changes, it's great!

*hugs*

Our love story

I'm creating our love story.  Actually, I've been "creating" it for almost a year now on Blurb.  It's 42 pages so far of copied love letters, emails, notes, cards and photos...it's the perfect thing to be working on the week leading up to our anniversary.  <3

It should be done and here for his 30th birthday.

I love my handsome man.  And to be honest, while compiling all of these things in one location, and considering we've been together for 3 years...we have got quite the love story!! 

*hugs*

Do you ever relive YOUR love story?

Pssssst!

Hey!  Guess what?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

My husband is so handsome.  <3

Thought I'd share.
*hugs*

Ramblings

Work has been hell this week.  That is all on that.

I have continued to read "The Happiness Project" and I am now into her month of August.  As I get further into the book, I have grown and tweaked my own project.  I am modifying my goals and challenges and making it unique to me.  I am also stealing some of the challenges from the book!  I have many of the same issues as the author.  We both have 2 young girls, work, run a household, aren't very religious, have a spouse and find it hard to make friends.  I am taking some of her ideas to push me further, but also trying a different spin on others that may not have worked for her.  I am very excited.

In 17 days it will be my and Mr. Penguin's 1st wedding anniversary!  Yes, we did things all backwards...what can I say?  We're those kind of people!!  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  I was thinking of going to the local nature spa for dips in the hot/cold pools and maybe a treatment or a steam train ride with dinner.  But we'll see what Mr. Penguin has in mind.  Whatever it is, I have baby Penguin at my parent's place for the night and Monkey is at her father's place.  It is just me and my Penguin.  Sounds perfect already.

*hugs*

How to be alone.

Beautiful...



And worth practicing.
*hugs*

Lot# 170

We survived our first family trip camping!  I can't wait to go again next year.  I think we'll even stay on the same lot we had.  It was close to the washrooms/showers, had a water pump on site and was somewhat private from the road.  And the park wasn't far from home either - about 2 hours.

Relaxing.

We went with friends and our little ones.  The babies seemed to have fun.  Baby was interested in getting into everything and wanted to explore more of the site, but until she can walk she couldn't really do so.

Waving at her friend.

It drizzled a bit and we had some winds, but overall it was good weather.  A little cooler, but that just made for better snuggling time!

Hammock snuggles.

The mornings were so peaceful...

Our tents.

There were interesting things to be seen...

MUSHROOM! MUSHROOM! (no snakes...)

And baby napped REALLY well!  Her sleeping bag was great and she actually slept in it with it zipped all the way up the second night.  It was adorable - but unfortunately too dark for a photo. She napped so soundly for her last nap, that us taking down the tent around her didn't even wake her up!

Sound sleeper.

Overall a great family experience.  I cannot wait to take Monkey next year for a few days!  I love creating memories for my babies.  And for me and Mr. Penguin too.

<3

*hugs*

Love

I had a date with my handsome man tonight.  A funny movie and coffee and a long drive after it too.  Lots of hand holding and good conversation.

I'm in love.  <3
3 years and counting...

Opposites

My babies are the exact opposite of one another.  One hates being dirty, the other loves to make a mess.  One loves quiet, the other loves yelling.  One listens and does as she's told, the other looks around to see if you're watching her as she dives into anything and everything she's not allowed to be touching.  Amazing how two little girls can be so opposite from one another.

They both love each other madly though - and that's all that matters.

*hugs*

I'm scared

Actually I'm terrified.  I can handle life changing around me - different job, different house, different city, whatever.  But I have never had so many changes within my personal relationship before.

Things are going to be ok - I do know that.  We're growing as individuals and are just getting our footing - but it's a big change that I'm not quite sure how to deal with at the moment.  I'm learning and growing into who I want to be, Mr. Penguin is doing the same.  For me that means blogging and time alone for reflection and to get back to my hobbies.  For him it means getting more exercise and going back to school.  It is a lot all at once.  We have a ton of responsibilities already with the house, two kids, jobs and still finding time for one another.  I want to be our own people and pursue our own interests outside of our marriage, but I want to make sure that 'US' stays the top priority too.

All of these changes have shaken my 'base', the thing I rely on in my life.  When everything else was going to shit, I could turn to my relationship and feel safe, secure and that I could handle anything.  I know I can handle anything that life throws at me, I do.  Right now I'm just a little more timid in my stance is all.

I am giving into the fear.  I am loving with my entire being and embracing all the changes we are experiencing and loving my penguin with all that I have.   

Our marriage is totally worth it.

It's just going to take some getting used to.  I am very thankful that I have such a wonderful man to hold my hand and make the jump with me.  <3

*hugs*

Focus

As I stated in this post, happiness is a habit.  A habit I've broken recently and am trying to repair.  It's funny, one of the blogs I follow touched on this and explained it better than I ever could.  See here.  Focusing our attention on what we want out of life is what I was trying to say in my post - but I said it in a less direct way. 

Having attention problems running in my family, I find focusing on things difficult at times.  And it's during the times that I lose focus that I tend to slip in my happiness.  Recognizing this makes it easier to correct it.  And gaining a new focus and purpose makes everything a little better.  Life is what you make it.

Just something that's got me pondering on this wonderful Friday as I head into the weekend.

*hugs*

PS - Mr. Penguin arrives back home in FOUR days.  My happiness is about to get a whole lot bigger!!

Deck it to me!

I'm currently relaxing on our swing drinking my morning tea and watching my babies play. Life is peaceful and wonderful.

My thoughts last night involved thinking I might attempt to add onto our deck next year. I have a book with simple deck plans and how to expand and create different levels, and it uses basic tools that we currently have in my workshop. Now the plans themselves are a little scary, but I only looked at them briefly, so I think it could be done. It would definitely be an awesome project to take on with Mr. Penguin!! I'll see what he thinks.

*hugs*


- Sent from my iPod.

I love my deck.

When my parents were over we rearranged the backyard deck.  I liked our deck before...but now I love our deck.  It's covered and therefore great midday when you should be staying out of the sun, but it still lets you be outside and experience the beautiful weather.

The way we positioned the swing now means less sunlight in the eyes.  The kid's pool and slide only get sun at sunset - so my babies won't burn.  There is extra deck space for the baby's outdoor highchair and still room for jumping from the slide structure and baby to crawl and me to stretch my legs...

It's perfect.

I relaxed on my swing this afternoon...not my usual nap, but enough to put a smile on my face.

<------ That's contentment right there.






Man I love sunny, breezy summer weekends!  Hope the weather is treating you all just as nice.

*hugs*

How many is TOO many?!

I'm getting my nephew on Saturday for a few hours -- he's 3.  No problem!!  I only have 2 kids under the age of 5 of my own and no husband around. 

I may be insane.

But it's a good insane!  We'll have hot dogs outside in the kiddie pool for lunch (with a fruit cup and milk to round off the food groups) and a nap in the afternoon and lots of running around and screaming and enjoying the sunny weather.  It'll be great and the kids will love it.  I will crawl into bed at 8pm spent, but it'll totally be worth it.

At the 'ancient' age of 28, I never want another kid of my own -- I'm done.  However that does not mean that some kids aren't cute or that I can't enjoy entertaining them.  I just don't want to push any more of them out of my nether regions.

Bring on Saturday.  I'm ready.

*hugs*

365 is a go!/17 Monkey Facts

I decided to start my 365 photo challenge today.

My Monkey had kindergarten orientation and I wanted to mark the occasion which would usually just be forgotten as any other day.  It was wonderful and too cute to see all the little faces - some excited and some crying in fear - as they met their classmates and experienced the classroom for 45 minutes.

My first baby is growing up fast!  With all the challenges she has faced in the past 3 years, I couldn't have been more proud of her.

::sigh::

On that note:
17 Monkey facts

1) She's SO tall for her age.  Everyone thinks she's 7+.
2) She has the best laugh.
3) She is the splitting image of me at the same age.
4) She loves cars, trains and trucks.
5) She has been in speech therapy for almost 2 years.
6) She loves her sister so much!
7) She loves routine - and is put off when it deviates.
8) She has the thickest hair you've ever seen on a child.
9) She was the flower girl at Mr. Penguin and my wedding.
10) Her favourite colour is blue purple RED at the moment.
11) She is a pasta monster.
12) She is obsessed with the movie 'Cars'.
13) Due to her speech delay/impairment, she has the most awesome words for some things - and I will be sad when they are corrected to 'proper' English.
14) She loves to help me around the house - whether baking or doing laundry - she loves to be my shadow.
15) She tells me she loves me at least a dozen times a day.
16) If tickled enough, she will snort - a female trait on my side of the family (not that *I* do that or anything... ::cough::).
17) She makes me smile.

*hugs*

17 Penguin financial facts

1) We have too much debt.
2) Divorce isn't as expensive as people think...but it is costing me/now us.
3) Our van is worthless before it's paid off.
4) The interest rate on one of my credit cards is high astronomical crazy ...there aren't words.
5) We know how to budget, we just can't seem to follow it.
6) Student loans are not always worth it.
7) Mr. Penguin was less 'poor' when he was working a minimum wage job than he is now - making more than he ever has.
8) Looking around our house...I'm not sure where we spent all our credit.  So was it worth it?
9) Some debt, although a pain to repay, was totally worth it.
10) About 1/3 of our income goes towards debt.
11) Our grocery expense should NOT be that high...and I'm ashamed at the average our financial system spat out (and that doesn't even include dining out!!).
12) We have almost paid off my parents, the bedroom furniture and the van.
13) We paid for our wedding in full ($10,000 with honeymoon), but it hurt us in other areas.
14) Our need desire to go home to the ocean 3-4 times a year has caused some financial strain.  Is it worth it?
15) I am the worst offender when it comes to spending.
16) Our new budget will be strict.
17) Our love for each other, our family and our life will help us join together to make our plan work.  We are working on the life we want -- now and in the future.  <3

*hugs*

Renewing our love.

I strongly believe in renewing our love.  Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly -- whenever the chance presents itself really.  Granted, I've only been married just over 7 months...but Mr. Penguin and I have been through A LOT compared to most couples.  Between moving across the country (him), getting over a divorce (me), 2 kids, a new house, new jobs...we're not exactly your 'typical' newlywed couple.  ;)

Tonight was one of those times.  We attended a friend's wedding.  Sure we had the baby in tow, but that didn't stop the magic.  We dressed up, we smiled at each other across the table (well, over the high chair anyways), we complimented one another and caught each other checking the other out, we danced and laughed.  We relived our own wedding day.  <3

We snuggled and lightly made out at the car before I took the baby back to the hotel to sleep so he could stay and visit with his friends.  My man is an excellent kisser.  Just sayin'.

I am a lucky lady.

Goodnight all.

*hugs*