Mimi, Claudia and Grateful once again!

OK....so I've decided to come out of hiding now (long stories that I won't share but I'm back).

Thought I'd share some cute photos I took of Mimi, our dog last week. Not that she's getting old or sick, but I want to always remember (by documenting, writing, video & photos) how good of a dog she is.

This is HER pose.... you'll often find her sleeping like this and it's just SO darn cute.


She has such a calm (you would have never known that her first 2 years) and loving personality. She is MY dog without a doubt. Anywhere I am, she is. She is a lap dog through and through. If there is a lap in sight, she will curl up on it. BUT, if she is on someones lap and I come to sit down she comes to me (what a momma's girl).

She sleeps on our bed and we let her. I am the type of dog mom that if she is sleeping in my legs, I will move to accommodate her on our bed. Crazy as it sounds, that's just who I am.

She's a spoiled girl and we all love her to bits in our family.



Surprise, surprise....I got off my butt this year and finally got Claudia (our sponsor child from Guatemala, through World Vision) her Christmas present shipped (hopefully in time).

Not too long ago, we received our Annual Progress Report with a long letter from her and a photo. She has grown up SO much and is SO adorable. We just found out that she dreams of being a doctor when she grows up...WOW.

I hope one day to meet her and her family and give her the BIGGEST hug ever!



So life in our neck of the woods has been busy, challenging and this is why I disappeared for a while....just couldn't write what I didn't feel. And considering this blog was created for remembering all I am grateful for.....I felt a tad hypocritical by writing that I felt grateful...because I didn't.

I do again...it's a whole new me and I'm baaaa-aaaack!!!

Hope you will begin to follow our family's journey once again!

Sponsor Surprise

Well, well, well....something happened today that completely made me smile.

I received my first letter from our sponsor child (Claudia - from Guatemala). Unfortunately, I still do NOT know if she received our birthday gift - but her letter DID say that she received a little parcel with a bunch of stickers I sent her!!!

I am SO happy!

On the other end of the spectrum, with the proceeds from our lemonAID sale we sponsored a new child.

This time, Isabelle and Noah decided WHO we would sponsor. Their first choice was a little boy we sponsored is from Kampala, Uganda and his name is Sekalema INNOCENT (seriously about his last name - and part of the reason the kiddos were SO excited to choose Sekalema). He is 6 years old and loves soccer and hide & seek. In the photo below, Sekalema is the little boy on the bottom left with the BIG, HUGE smile!

We sponsored Sekalema through Christian Upliftment Nursery & Primary School for only $35 for the ENTIRE year!

If I hadn't said it before now, I will say it again: I AM SO PROUD OF MY KIDDOS for their dedication and perseverance while selling the lemonade for almost 6 hours!!!

Happy Birthday to our sponsor child

Our sponsor child, Claudia, has a birthday coming up on April 11 (the same day as my nephew). Considering her family lives in such poverty....I like to spoil her with enough goodies to share for all. I am a little late shipping (considering I also shipped ground) so it will most likely be late arrive - but I guess better late than never.

We started sponsoring her last July so this is her first birthday gift from us. I bought her a cute little spring dress and LOTS of goodies from the dollar store that she can easily share with her family. I only pray she receives the package considering 1. we never did hear if she received her Christmas gift and 2. the package was quite a bit larger than is allowed. (*fingers & toes crossed*)

For any of you with sponsor children through World Vision, please let me know if your kids have received their gifts.

First Christmas Present....

...for our sponsor child, Claudia! I feel so happy...


I just mailed it last week (but just getting around to upload photos)! I am SO excited! I only wish I could be there to watch her open it - my favourite part of gift giving!!


After I bought what I wanted to get Claudia, I realized that I somehow had to fit all of this into a 6x9 envelope (the rules at World Vision, where we sponsor Claudia through).....eeeeesh!


Though it was a VERY tight squeeze and just a 'tad' bit larger than 6x9, I managed to get all of it to fit!!! I pray that they allow it to pass.....as well, pray that it will arrive in time for Christmas.

Happy Anniversary

Just wanted to share my anniversary present from my honey. Eight years ago today (July 1 - CANADA DAY), I married my best friend and the love of my life. Though we've seen some tough times, we've managed to stay in love and have grown together beyond what I dreamed we ever would. Today, I am MORE in love with Jacques than ever before. I can't wait to live the rest of our life and grow old together. If you could only see him with Noah, our son, he is an amazing DAD. He's so funny, passionate and such a great husband, provider and protector. I am so thankful our 9 month ordeal of living apart is OVER!

Happy Anniversary honey and thank you SO MUCH for my gift!

I wanted to share with you my anniversary present from my honey. Meet Claudia V, we began sponsoring Claudia today, our 8th wedding anniversary! I think this is the best present I have ever received. Claudia is a 9 year old little girl from Guatemala. I am so excited, pumped and overjoyed to be doing something I've dreamed of doing for a very long time!

If you have the resources (only $35 per month), why not help a child in need. Visit the World Vision Canada website for more information. And, if you decide to sponsor a child - let me know!