Thursday, November 25, 2010

Changed, Renewed, Blessed.

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We had such a breathtaking weekend in Jasper at the beginning of the month. It was chilly, and snowyblowy, but we were calm and joyful and just taking it all in. My girls had never seen the mountains, Tessa didn't much remember snow from last winter and it was our first-ever trip just the 4 of us. The cabin we stayed in was quaint and perfect. It was just liberating to be away with my unit and I returned feeling a deep renewal.

Who wouldn't with scenery like this.

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We were literally out of our vehicle, 6 feet away from these guys.

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The girls missed the Big Horned Sheep close up, but they were resting so peacefully on our quiet, mountain drive that we couldn't wake them.

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We swam in the outdoor, heated pool about 27 times in the 2 and a half days we were there. The girls just couldn't get enough. We walked through town, had lunch at our favorite Greek Family Restaurant, ventured into tiny toyshops to explore and got our picture taken with Jasper the bear. We were touristy and it was so fun.

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Elise is still asking when we will be going back. I think we'll make it annual for sure. It was such a simple getaway.

On the 10th I celebrated the birth of my sweet, sweet friend Anissa. She was away, but I celebrated without her because I am so very grateful she was born and has fallen forever into my life.

I also remembered hard, to cherish every single second - because at any moment, things can change forever - and to do everything I can to live without regrets. November 10th is forever changed, but not for bad. I haven't written yet about my friend Matthew Jay Cook on this blog because I like to write about the good, happy things. It wasn't until recently that I could see through the grey cloud of loss to realize that Matt was a good, happy thing. Matthew was 22 years old when he passed away in April, 2010. He'd been through a long battle and when he could fight no more, he left, hoping only that his family would cope without him and that awareness would be raised about rare-form Cancers. His 23rd Birthday would have been November 10th, and the legacy he has left is untouchable. One of a kind soul. My life is changed for better thanks to Matthew Jay and I am one of thousands. Thousands.

I will hold these girls that much dearer, and breathe in the moments, the tantrums, the sleepy breathing, the giggles. I will know that I am blessed.

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I will not stress about the mullet Elise now sports, I will look back on it and smile. I will remember how, when she was 3 years and 2 1/2 months old, she loved to look through her "spotting scope".

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These lashes will always leave me gasping for air.

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And so will moments like this.

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3 comments:

  1. This is one of the best so far. You have a way of writing that always forces me to reflect, breathe, and feel so full happiness. Plus your pictures of the girls just steel my heart.

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  2. 1. You always have the best songs playing on here when I visit :)

    2. Jasper looks gorgeous. You really are tempting me putting up pictures like that!

    3. Your family is beautiful

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  3. Candice - I am so glad to make you feel all those fabulous things! Thank-you for the compliment. <3

    Bek - 1. I do have fabulous taste in music. Scientific fact.

    2. I will post pictures of Jasper everyday until you are at my doorstep because you can't take it anymore.

    3. Thank-you. <3 You would know, you've got yourself a pretty lovely brood as well.

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