Gram & Poppy Slauenwhite visit!

Kisses for Poppy!
Snuggles with Gram!




This past weekend, Shaun's parents came to Essex for a visit! Above are some pictures from their time here. We had a lovely, HOT weekend!

Update

Well, the summer is off to a great start! Braeya has had a few dips in various pools, Mama got a slight sun burn (figures!), and lots of wonderful, relaxing moments as a family!

Shaun's Mom and Dad are in town this weekend, so Braeya is getting LOTS of attention. She is quite thrilled that someone will always be there at her beckon call to hold her rubber ducky to her mouth, so that she can chew on it "hands free!" What a life that kid has!

She is growing up so fast! She's 6 months (just about), and already wearing some 2T size clothing! I'm not sure her current weight..I'm guessing around 18 lbs. She loves to chew on anything in sight (including faces and noses!) She grabs you by both cheeks and kisses away! Too cute. She is excited to be rolling around on the floor as she pleases..and looks forward to the day when she can reach that silly parrot across the floor all on her own! She longs to find her own toys and not be dependent on Mommy & Daddy! Independent I think!

She smiles all the time, and even when she's crying (yes, she does cry!), she often cracks a smile anyway. She's a pleasant little girl, enjoying life and light fixtures (which by the way, if your baby likes light fixtures, check out Kelseys..it was a hit!)

Well, I heard her in her crib talking away, but the chatter is getting less and less..someone must be headed off to dream land!

I best check on her. Have a wonderful weekend, and more pictures to come!

Michelle

Summer fun!

Ready for church!



At play again in her workshop..wonder what invention she's whipping up this time!

Summer fun!

Ready for the pool!
"OH Mama..tell me another joke while you fix me some dinner!"
Ready for a day at the office with Mama!
Thank you Danielle & Peyton for my beautiful dress!
Pool fun!

"Tech-free" Day!

Well, if you've never had a "tech-free" day (no TV & no computer) you should give it a try! I, for one, cannot remember the last time that has happened at our house, but WOW, was it ever freeing!

Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day here in Essex, and we actually enjoyed the day, on top of getting loads of housework done! It was fabulous! We played with Braeya in her new little pool (pics to be posted soon!) I read my Bible out on the deck, looking out over the peaceful field. It was magnificent! Shaun did various odd jobs around the yard. All with NO TV and NO COMPUTER!

I could not believe how much we accomplished at the end of the day. My mind was clear, at peace, and thrilled with such a productive day. I was amazed at how much time would typically be spent on the computer / tv. I guess I didn't realize how often a "quick email check" turned into a "I"ll just quickly check facebook, do some google searches, check the weather, etc!"

Funny thing is, it was difficult yesterday morning (not checking email), but by lunch time, I actually forgot about it! And then when I woke up today, I didn't even bother checking it. It's like it lost its importance.

So, I've come to the conclusion that life is too valuable to waste away at the computer, unnecessarily! Of course I will still check email, keep up with facebook now and again, and enjoy the blogs I read, but I'll be limiting my time doing these things! The timer will be set, and that will be that (or at least that's the goal!)

I'm excited to see all of the things I am able to do in the run of a day with more focused time!

Thank goodness that I stopped to smell the roses on Saturday! Feels like a new beginning :)

Doubt vs Faith

Below is a quote I came across today that I thought I'd share with you. Simple but true.


Doubt sees the obstacles, Faith sees the Way.
Doubt sees the darkest night, Faith sees the Day!
Doubt dreads to take a step, Faith soars on high.
Doubt questions "Who believes?" Faith answers, "I".

Louise Dicks

Braeya Dancing!

We went out for dinner in Detroit for my birthday, and the waiters did this line dance routine...well Braeya was the star of the show..dancing away!

Summer with Little B!

Happy girl waking from her nap!
Concentration!!!

Braeya's First Swim!

Getting ready to take a dip in Auntie Mandy's pool!
Playing in her workshop while she was waiting to leave.
Pictures outside with Daddy..this is a big day!

Snuggling with Mama after her big swim!

High Chair FINALLY arrived!

Well, after 8 months, our high chair FINALLY arrived at the door today! We ordered it back in November through a Windsor shop downtown, but there were a few complications. Anyway, she seems to like it! All smiles!
Guzzie & Guss high chair - very excited to try it out as Braeya will be starting to eat more foods very soon!

Crystal Clear

The pictures above are some of the views I have from our backyard. I feel SO blessed to live here! It is peaceful, tranquil, and beautiful!

This past weekend, Shaun watched Braeya and gave me some quiet time outside (well actually, he forced me to go outside and relax), but I'm glad he did! I haven't sat outside since we moved here, with a book, and just relaxed! It was wonderful.

As I reclined in my chair, I looked up into the sky, and noticed all of the perfect green leaves in the trees above. They were so clear! It reminded me of a time, years ago, when I needed glasses. I didn't realize how blurred everything was until I wore my first pair. Suddenly, everything seemed so clear, so perfect!

I can recall driving in the car with my Mom & Dad (and Diana of course!) and saying to myself, "wow, I never realized how detailed the leaves were in the trees until now!"

Pretty amazing moment.

I think this is the kind of "awakening moment" that happens also when we realize who God is, what the meaning of our life is, and why we were placed on this earth! It's like everything that was once grey and blurred becomes crystal clear! (Or at least that's how I feel!)

Enjoy the beauty all around you today, God's amazing creation! With my new patio chairs (thanks Shaun!), I'm hoping to spend a lot more time outside this summer. Why not?! Time goes by so fast - we need to cherish every moment!

First swimming trip!

Thank you Auntie Mandy for letting us swim in your pool! (And thanks Ben for sharing your pool with Braeya! It's Ben's little voice you can hear in the background!)

Randoms!

Here I come world..look out!
Play time with Auntie Joanne :)
Buddies!
"OK Mama, you caught me..I'm eating the parrot before lunch!"

Giggles from Braeya!

Braeya giggling at Mama!

Braeya 5 1/2 months!

Church day with Mama...Mama turned 29 today!
Snuggles with Daddy before church :)
Two peas in a pod!
Big girl!
Tinkerbell!

Randoms!

Big girl!

Chatty Braeya!

What an accomplishment on Canada Day!

Lots of laughs with Aimee!
Loves this rattle! Whoever gave us this, please let us know where you purchased it! It is her favourite rattle..she has lots of very fancy rattles..but they are more difficult for her to hold..but we cannot find where this was purchased!
The beautiful graduate! We are so proud of you Nichole!
Snuggles with Auntie Joanne after her nap!
Hair blowing in the wind!

Well, Braeya had a BIG accomplishment on Canada Day!

She ROLLED over from back to tummy! (she had tummy to back down pat)..but now she rolls either way!

Good job baby girl!

Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Canada Day! Last night we celebrated a wonderful girl's graduation. A few pictures of that are posted above!

Happy Long Weekend Everyone!

Baking - and a self realization about what I DON'T like to bake!

Well, I'm not typically one to bake, but this week, I made this "dessert in a pan" (which will remain further unnamed..and Joanne, YOU know why!!!) twice! And actually quite enjoyed it! I think I've discovered what I DON'T like to bake!

1. Due to my "lack of patience with baking", I do not like making cupcakes or muffins, or any such similar thing (because I have to scoop the batter into paper cups (which of course involves being very careful, or else having batter all over the pan, which drives a perfectionist like me nuts!!)

2. I do not like icing anything!!! I don't have the patience to wait for something to cool, and then nicely ice it! When I've tried in the past, I end up making a mess of a cake, for example, because I have no patience to wait for the cooling process, and when I add the icing, my cake begins to break off and mush into the icing, as I continue to spread it, because it's still to warm!

But this dessert was easy! A bit of mixing, pouring, sprinkling! I can handle that! The base is basically just flour, butter & peanuts. A layer of chocolate pudding, layer of peanut butter mixture! Cool whip...that about wraps it up! Tasty, but perfect for my impatient, perfectionist self!

A few randoms :)

Chilling in her swing.
Super baby with her "bib cape!"
Thank you great-nanny for my bear!