this is me.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday :: A Perfect Week

A few weeks ago, my favorite little man and I ventured into the city for a few play dates, some cross-border Christmas shopping, and much needed coffee date with one of my girlfriends.  Wednesday :: A long, crisp walk full of deep conversation about our hearts and desires and dreams, shared sugar cookies between generous babies, hot Starbucks treats.  A woman's night full of old friends, dressed for the season, sharing our lives over miniature cheesecake, teas, and candle light.  An inspiring cause and an inspiring friend, working so hard, though pregnant, over the last few weeks to change women's lives in another country.  Thursday :: Showing my Judah our city of White Rock, wandered Chapters, admiring the notebooks and mugs and all things pretty Daddy has ban us from buying, finding a delicious floral romper for our newest family member and sharing a hot bowl of goulash and fresh bread at our old bakery. Cherishing the moments and deciding that a weekly cafe date should be a new momma & babe ritual, to bond, to observe, to socialize, to love.  Then off to photography lessons on the other side of the bridge, exploring new areas of the Lower Mainland.  Watching Judah play with the older children, discussing homeschooling and child-rearing and our faiths and where we have come from.  Excitement over new friendships, appreciating and in awe of the wisdom she shared so willingly about life, herself, her photography.  The night was full of laughter and a babbling, sometimes screeching baby at the pizzeria with my father-in-law.  Spending time alone, him learning about having a daughter and the change in dynamics it brings, me learning a new kind of father, so different than my own.  Friday :: A cross border morning, finding bargain treasures for our loved ones, finding the perfect 1st Christmas ornament for our tree.  A cold afternoon at an ocean side park, playing and dodging and swinging, full of baby laughter.  A daddy & a bulldog, unexpected energy.  Our family complete again.  Reliving our week, animated, Christmas music the soundtrack.  A Christmas party with good friends, alive and sparkly and passionate, inspiring conversations, birth stories, momma stories, loud basement games.  Saturday ::  Breakfast cafe in Crescent Beach, a friend and his beautiful new wife.  A beachside walk, our fur babies meeting other spoiled pets.  A miniature horse & attempting again to convince Jody they make good pets.  Me, alone, exploring antique stores and boutiques in Fort Langley, one of my favorite places.  Private time, so rare.  Finding small trinkets - a new bib for my wee one and luxurious Butter nail polish for myself, a splurge.  Finding inspiration on the darkest sidewalk, breathing crisp air, and dreaming of the future.  A night of new friends mixed with old, card games and delicious food.  Sunday :: Lazy mornings & eggnog lattes, running errands and finding the perfect Christmas treasures for our loved ones.  Out of town friends and the Stanley Park Christmas train, a new tradition.  Laughing over babies squirming and small children escaping.  Braving the bitter cold together, a lifelong friendship, a new generation.  
I love my life.