A Christmas wish from our family to yours....

http://www.thedeliberatemom.com/2012/12/merry-christmas.html#.UNipt-TO1Ns  

It started about three weeks ago... my daughter began asking us if we can make a gingerbread house. This is a major challenge considering she has an anaphylaxis allergy to dairy (not to mention wheat, peanut and egg allergies).



I began to think that this would be an impossible feat, but then I remember back in the summer we got Smoreable Graham Crackers (which are made by Kinnikinnick). We began our hunt for the crackers but couldn't find them anywhere. So, we…

Yesterday was my birthday. Outside of working a regular work day, I was unsure of what I wanted to do in the evening. Dinner and a movie? Wine and appetizers? A quiet night at home with the family? After much deliberation, I finally concluded that I wanted to start my 38th year of life by helping others. So last night I had a date with my husband (and some dear friends) baking Christmas cookies at Ronald MacDonald…

Oh how I love Christmas music! There are so many great songs that fill me with joy and nostalgia. This festive season wouldn't be the same without my favourite tunes... but then there's the songs that I can't stand! This posting is all about the Christmas songs that DRIVE ME CRAZY! 

 …

I'm done! Did you get that? I'm done! What am I done? I'm done the course I was in! My final assignment was due next Sunday, but I worked on it this past weekend and e-mailed the final copy today. Whew! What a relief!

So, here's where I'm at....

http://www.thedeliberatemom.com/2012/11/bring-it-on.html#.ULgm_eTO1Ns 

I'm a perfectionist. I bet you already knew that about me. I want need everything to be just right... and when it's not, well, you better watch out.



Lately I've been falling short from perfection. Actually, to tell you the truth, I don't think I've ever been "happy" with perfect, but lately, I've been feeling far from perfect. My work, my schooling, my home, my fitness regime, my dietary habits, my everything, has felt like it's not quite right. Not quite perfect.…

Well another Halloween has passed. I thought I would share a few of my favourite photos from our Halloween. Enjoy!

http://www.thedeliberatemom.com/2012/11/halloween-2012.html#.UJboDW_7KSo 

Life has been rough lately. At times like this, it seems all too easy to scream at God and ask Him what is going on... and to tell Him that I'm mad at Him.



It's been two weeks since I had my traumatic experience with the cap gun wielding lunatic and I've been processing a lot since then. However, there's something that I just don't understand.... …

Even in the midst of a difficult time in my life... it's nice to take the chance to reflect on a wonderful moment from the week. Here's a picture capturing my special moment from the week:

http://www.thedeliberatemom.com/2012/10/this-moment.html#.UIqFeW_A8i4

Yesterday I went to WalMart. Now before you roll your eyes and say big deal, you have to understand that it WAS a big deal. Ever since last week's frightening incident, I've been afraid of leaving the house. My husband has been driving me to and from work, my sister-in-law chauffeured me to yoga and my parents even drove me to and from church.



In this…

It's almost 4 am. I can't sleep. I'm crying. I'm a wreck.



I have to go to work today. That's what the trauma counselor said I needed to do in order to get better....



It happened on Monday.



I had just parked my car and was walking along the sidewalk to work. As I was stopped at a crosswalk, I noticed a disheveled looking man across the street, standing with his bicycle. He was holding something in his hands and he was yelling nonsensical stuff at nothing in…

I've been so overwhelmed by school work lately. I have a major assignment due October 21st and despite spending most of my weekend working on it, I'm nowhere near being finished. Moreover, other than attending my mother-in-law and sister-in-law's birthday party "combo", it was a pretty dull, uneventful weekend, packed full with homework.



But then... while I was busy studying....…

She looks at me with those big eyes and says, "Mama."



It's a word that lifts my spirit and makes my heart soar.



"Mama."



Just one word.



She reaches up to me and I gather her into my arms. My baby girl.



She's growing so fast. If only I could hold on tight and keep her here, in this moment, like this, right now....…

I recently had the pleasure of seeing Carl Honoré (author of: In Praise of Slow and Under Pressure) speak on "Slow Parenting". He addressed the fast paced world in which we live and the negative impact it is having on our children. He also addressed the common mistake of over-scheduling our children.



Although my husband and I already take a "slow" approach with our children, Carl's talk reaffirmed my/our choices as parents. This posting…

She cries that awful cry. As her mom I want to help her. I want to solve the problem for her. I want to make everything better.

Here's how we create some "magic" with our daughter's bedtime routine....

http://www.thedeliberatemom.com/2012/09/our-bedtime-routine.html 

Yesterday my daughter started "kindergarten". Although excited for this new phase in her life, I've had some nervousness as well. Will we do a "good" job? Will she have as many opportunities as other children? Have we made the right decision?

http://www.thedeliberatemom.com/2012/09/contemplating-homeschooling.html

I've been laying on the couch for over an hour. The idea of walking a few steps to the kitchen is exhausting. It just figures that I'm sick for the long weekend. I've been looking forward to the extra day off for a long time, yet here I am... coughing, dripping mucous and achy. Why me?!

My eyes are closed and I open them in time to see my oldest....…

Here's my special moment from the week!

http://www.thedeliberatemom.com/2012/08/this-moment-rolling.html#.UEFA0cFlTRZ

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

It's Monday. Time to find the Magic in the Mundane. Lately the magic hasn't been easy to find. I have to search... I have to look really hard. I have to scrutinize, evaluate and then put my conclusions into words that sound good.



It's challenging.



But would this practice be as meaningful if the magic of the mundane was always easy to find?



What....…