Taking some time for me…

A decision I’ve tossed around for some time now, with my own health issues once again taking more priority in my life as well as my children’s I’ve made a very important decision.

My kids are young, yet they are continuously at an awesome stage where we can go and do so much with them, where they are becoming their own little people and developing their personalities even more.

My family time is very important, we work with family everyday, we work together most days, probably good our paths only crossing a few times, if that, a day, but it’s something I am loving. Last July I took on more responsibilities within the family business and I love it!

However what else is important is enjoying our time as a family and each other on our own when we are not at work, to be able to go and do things when hubs has a weekend off work, to enjoy time at the family cottage, on the water in the boat and with family and friends.

Next to my kids, my husband spending evenings and weekends together, unwinding after a hard days work, enjoying our home, enjoying time together.

For my own health, for my self, for illnesses that, we’ll let’s face it they aren’t going away and over the years are going to demand more of my time to be healthy. Including working out, which this year I’ve made time for and I’m feeling fabulous, I need to keep it up.

What does all this mean… I’m taking more time for me. I have been putting off photography sessions and being extremely selective, no offense to anyone of course, photography is something that is ME. I love every bit of it and have learned so much over the past 6 years! However… It’s time at this busy, crazy point in our life…

…to keep photography for me!

To shoot what I want to, when I want to and not feel bad for saying NO! … Why is that so hard 😉

I’ve also been neglecting my duties as being a co-founder of the Mount Forest Camera Club, where I’ve been so fortunate to meet some awesome people in our community who share the love of photography! A priority that must become closer to the top of my list.

I am so thankful for these last year’s and am so excited for what is to come! To pour my heart and soul even more into life and live it!!! LOL pain and all 😉

Oh and to clarify I wont be selling any of my beloved Canon’s, I love my camera equipment 🙂 But I will be going through “stuff” and will be parting ways, lots of newborn blankets, an inexpensive ultra portable backdrop stand, a large grey back drop… I never have used many props, just not my style, however I will go through and figure out what all I’ve got and am clearing out… Perhaps Spring Cleaning helped make this decision as well 😉

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“…After a hurricane comes a rainbow…” no pain, no gain!

I am not the best person to deal with a “hurricane” … For me this past weekend and what has been a significant to part of my life (again) for the past few weeks is pain. Pain that is not fun to deal with. As someone who is very independent, this pain can in its own way paralyze me and my ability to function.

Pain is a fact of life. It’s very much a fact of my life, now in more ways than one.

I’m becoming addicted to exercising. I never thought I would be a gym person, ever. I am enjoying it so much! Pushing myself. Wanting to feel the… Pain.

No Pain, No Gain…

Exercising has helped me deal with the pain from my illness. Pushing me to focus pain on something positive. Feeling the sweat dripping off me, feeling the burn, love that feeling. One of the biggest thing I’ve overcome is my fear of gyms, not being afraid of all the “pretty people” lol I know it sounds silly. But we are all different and are there for our own reasons.  I’ve also learned just focus on myself, enjoying the music, time flies by, and don’t bother looking left or right or feeling “on display” 😉 especially when your on a treadmill beside someone who is clearly much more fit than myself and runs alot.

Using the machines have really pushed me, going from counting down the 20-30 min at home and keeping kids out of the way or the dog, I am now using one machine in the circuit room per song, loooves it! Using the machines I can push myself much more than I would and have with free weights or walking.

The question is can I keep it up, can I mix my Jillian (kick ass) Dvd’s in on days I perhaps don’t make it to the gym… AND I read at the gym tonight there is or might be a fitness credit for adults now on income tax!? Hmmm I’m all for that!

Playing hockey… the boy and his dog!

Love watching these two boys play, even if its sometimes not entirely fair when the dog runs off with the ball!

Thank you to the Sponsors in our 2012-2013 Season!

On behalf of the Mount Forest Patriots team I would like to extend our gratitude and sincere thanks to our valued Sponsors!

Chalmers Fuels

Dave’s Auto Body

Home Hardware Building Centre

Cros Croft Transports

Hapfield Developments

Bill Nelson Coldwell Banker & Padfield Nelson

McFarlane Health Facility

Pike Lake Golf Centre Limited

Coburn Insurance

Plumeville Construction

Murray Group

Canadian Tire

H Bye Construction

Artic Clear Drinking Water

Waste Management Waste Disposal

Agrisan

Officers Auto Care

Bev & Marion Plume

JJ McLellan & Son

BDO Canada LLP

Desco

WW Electric

Leslie Motors

Deveral & Lemaich Law Office

New Orleans Pizza

Foodland

Rona Building Supplies

Ludachris Hats

Frey Communication

Mount Forest Greenhouse Garden Centre

James & Joan McLuhan

Jim & Karen Bowden

Jeff & Susan Small

Brent & Susan Kaufman

Alex R Wilson Surveying Inc

Ken & Sandy No Frills Store #1334

Independent Auto

Cynthia & Co

Brent Rawn Electric

Robert Farm Equipment

Viking Cives Ltd

Bridgewater Pools & Spas

Vintex

Meat The Butcher

The Spot

www.mountforestpatriots.com

Gym “virgin” no more… I finally joined Saugeen Fitness & Spa!

Well with many thanks to my mom pushing me I have officially joined the gym… I have always had this fear of gyms, yes I know crazy right, well I’m not a cardio lover and I don’t like to feel like I’m on display either, especilaly when dripping in sweat. So one day early this week I dove in… I did it. started on the treadmill and wow did it feel good. best of all the time flew by!

And you know what… I didn’t have to dance around my dog, or have him in my face, have two sweet but very curious and very physically active kids by my side. it was ME. All about me. I had my music on, headphones I. and it was me, not anyone else in there. Go figure huh…

Last night I tried out the circuit and wow, again when using each of those machines with music and minus kids and a dog, it feels amazing. I even finished off on the treadmill… being there for 45 minutes flew by.

Tonight the eliptical kicked my a$$… seriously! I had one pre-kids but got rid of it when my energy went down the tubes.
Now the trick is keeping on track, making sure I make myself go. My own little family has been very supportive aling with my parents. What’s interesting is even though I did work out, I’m not having pelvic pain like I have for the past couple weeks. Perhaps the low impact helps… perhaps I’m grasping at straws, I don’t know. All I know is I’m feeling good and I WANT to continue.

I completed 4 weeks with Jillian at home… I love her dvd’s. Perhaps when its nicer out I can kick the kids and dog outside and get her workouts back into my “routine” too… Its been a long road for me, still is long, however I can see progress, if not in weight loss, I can in muscle tone and the way I feel. I must remember everyone has their own battles, for me this along with my health is mine, if I stay positive regardless, I will win.

One thing I notice when I am working out is my cravings are minimal, I sleep better, I have less stress, I can handle any challenges our sweet kids may throw at me and overall like the saying goes “happy wife, happy life” , well when mama is feeling better its much easier for the household to function…

Yes sometimes I hate to admit when not only my mom, but also my sister were right… just try out the gym it will help you get fit, clear your mind and relax. Yes mom, Erin you were right. Now keep on me so I keep this up!!!

Life. Health. Spirited Children. PCOS. Endometriosis. Hypothryroidism. Staying Positive.

Feeling truly happy.

This Saturday while I was out shopping, Hubby surprised me by tackling the last step of our kitchen project and we got it finished by Saturday afternoon. I am SO thrilled with it! Such a small change but with an amazingly big impact. The best part is getting a new fridge that now matches our stove – yes that excites me, yes its very much a virgo thing. Today being home with the kiddos … I was able to tackle mount laundry – man does it feel good! Everyone has always told me whenever you move you should never make any changes for the first year you are living there, so true. We’ve been here just over a year and a half and I truly feel like we are just now beginning to make it our own. To truly find where things are falling into place and working for us.

I am the type of person who LOVES checking out all the home shows – Property Brothers is a fave of mine right now, or MLS to see the various houses for sale – love to see the layout and design or Pinterest – the ideas seem to be endless there. But Ive never been the crafty type person, ever. Which is why I am thankful I married a very handy man… his carpentry, hvac, electrical skills come in very handy.

However now that the kids are getting older and I am feeling better (most days) its amazing how much I can do myself. Ive always been very independent, there are lots of days hubs would come home to our 2 previous homes and find the furniture rearranged, again. However now its a different feeling, a very distinctly different feeling. A feeling of feeling truly settled and happy where we are and happy in my life. Perhaps it is because the kids are becoming more self sufficient every day, or that I do finally now have more energy (wow its such a great feeling), or  that I am finally talking about my health and not feeling singled out, misunderstood, or crazy.

I am finally feeling ok to admit and speak out about my health, about why I cannot have this or that and not being ashamed to do so and ironically people are now understanding.

Not only that, I am feeling its ok to talk about our children, everyone always says kids develop and grow at different stages but there really isn’t a lot of people who will truly talk the truth and tell you how it really is, for them. We have our challenges, we have these challenges but overall we know we have amazing kids who have amazing qualities and personalities.

Our kids very much are spirited kids.

Not many know what this means, heck I didn’t until talking to our family doctor. However reading the book, within the first few pages I honestly had a huge sigh of relief.

Put the two together and Im sure me having my health issues, perhaps contributed to our kids being more sensitive and more high needs at times. They did not understand why mommy was in pain or not feeling good or upset. I really did try my best, much of their childhood is a slight blur, having kids just shy of 18 mths apart will do that. I am even more thankful for my camera during all those years. Many of my favourite photos during these years are still my favourites now. One of the reasons photography became my true passion. For the art of it and for the amazing everyday moments and memories I’ve captured. A very important thing for someone with PCOS, Endometriosis and Hypothyroidism, having a “hobby” that is truly yours you enjoy and can relax you. For me that is my photography.

Now that I am finally feeling better, now that we are all finally feeling “at home” in our “new” house we are all beginning to adjust much better. I am beginning to feel like I can give my kids more of the attention they need, especially now being in school. We are being much more hand’s on and finding that our kids thrive the most when our house is organized, when we are all comfortable.

A year and a half ago I underwent surgery to help with the pain I am in daily. Thankfully it was alleviated but has progressively been getting worse again. Do I regret the surgery… Not for a second. Do I wish I didn’t have to deal with pain. Yup. Funny though I was warned by a special woman we lost far too early who could truly sympathize with my pain, so similar it was almost scary. Pain that even after exercising, can be worse at times 😦

To be perfectly honest, Ive had difficulty talking about my own health issues and even going to others homes to eat, to this day I do not want to feel like I have to control the menu, however in order for me AND my family to be happy and healthy, I have to. I have to put myself first to be the woman I know I am, health issues and all, to be healthy and happy to help my children to grow to be healthy and happy. Its taken a lot, a LOT of personal reflection and of course support. Personal reflection and support to allow myself to do what’s right for me, without feeling bad for anyone else. Putting my needs first. When I can do this I can be a better mommy.

For all of us, especially me and the kids living an organized, low stress life is very important. The kids need their down time, I need mine as well. Relationships are huge for the kids, change is very difficult, especially change they do not understand or that doesn’t have any reason for happening. The kids can feel the slight bit of stress we may be feeling. They are little smartie pants and love to ask questions and always want to know why. Our boy is much like his mama and analyzes situations or problems.

Our life is no different than many others, in the big picture. Yes I can be in pain many days, some days are better than the other. Our kids can have challenging days. But what matters most is the love we share together and working as a team. Hubs and I working together and us working together with the kids. It’s not going to be an easy road, lord knows from almost day 1 of hubs and I being together we’ve had our share of issues, and we can do it. I can do it. I don’t need to feel embarrassed to talk about my own health or turn something down because it might offend someone. My health and my children’s wellbeing is the very most important and if reaching out and pouring more time within will help… I’m all for it.

Just need to remain positive! I would love to connect with other moms with my own health issues or mama’s parenting Spirited Children. They really are amazing 🙂

Happy Easter … Cheers to the long weekend!

After the crazy week that I had, it was so nice to have a long weekend to look forward to. Spending time as a family and getting things done around the house, yes you know you’re getting older when you look froward to a long weekend to get stuff done at home 😉

An awesome end to the week, at Camera Club listening to James Cowie speak about Lightroom and Photoshop, it was so amazing to have Friday morning to awake naturally and not to a blaring alarm. Ahhhh so nice, relaxing in bed, the kids playing nicely and I get up to find… we had NO water! Yup thats right NO water. Hello country living… of course I immediately step into panic mode, we had family coming that afternoon for Easter and we have no water. Which means no flushing of toilets, no showering, no water in general!

Thank god it was so nice out on Friday!

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Now this is where I have to give my hubby and dad huge huge huge thanks. Hubby got right at it while Dad was out on another call, by 1pm they had our water back on and we have a brand new pump. I can now honestly talk to customers with another personal home heating/plumbing issue… go me! LOL

My boys beginning the process before Dad got here.

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This was not the best thing to wake up to and although we got water back on, my body was once again this week having pain issues. I guess its not that bad if I can trade off the horrible pain I was having over a year and a half ago for the pain I do get now, however, with kids and a job and a house with chores it really doesn’t make it any easier. However Ive made a promise to myself to not hold onto any sort of stress and be incredibly thankful, ha at times its thankful that Im here and can be stressed, or that I have gorgeous children who yes at times can be challenging. But its life, its my life and hmmm 8 times out of 10 its amazing 😉 lol Alas we had a great time.

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This little guy is a family tradition that begun when I was young. I love that Grama is still doing this, now not just for her grandkids but for her great-grandkids! Our little’s loved it. Lil man was quite excited to eat his face haha.

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GORGEOUS day on Saturday… some fun times in the backyard for the littles…

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She is growing up way too fast… and looking way too big 😉 Love her!
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Saturday morning our lil girl woke up and declared… ITS SPRING! The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the grass is peeking out through the snow!

Lil man getting taller everyday, love this pic it shows his true amazingly full of energy personality.
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Happy Easter – the bunny was here!
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Technology has made some amazing improvements and now we are able to actually “share” the important dates and holidays with our family who are unable to come home (from California – lucky ducks!) for every event.
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Our littles on Easter Sunday. Love them. It took some work to get them to actually sit lol but it was worth it. I love this image of them!
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Had to let the lil man get at least one of “his” pictures. 😉
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Easter Egg Hunt!!!
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Our miss took a pic of mommy and daddy. Yes have to make sure its not all about the little’s on the holiday’s! We need some time in front of the lens too 🙂
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HAPPY EASTER from our two little bunnies!
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Great Grandma (the birthday girl as our lil lady was calling her) and the “kids”
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Cheers to a fabulous weekend and Happy Easter! I truly hope you enjoyed the time with your family and friends – which is what the holiday is exactly about. Appreciating those around you, spending time together, eating, drinking, laughing and having fun!
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(p.s. Im trying a new web re-sizing action for my photos and Im not liking it… they certainly are not very sharp…)

Lil man playin the puck

I LOVE this shot of him… he has been extremely laid back this season not wanting to be aggressive in anyway to “take” the puck, but he’s getting it and loving it! Showing what he really can do and he is so proud, we are so proud. Looking forward to next year and seeing him grow even more ! 🙂

Proud Daddy on the bench

Our lil man was quite proud to have his daddy helping on the bench for the last two games as the other dad had to leave to help with his daughters team. #ForTheLoveOfHockey #CanadianSport

Your Life As Art Photography by Pam

Artist & Intuitive | Pamela Zmija

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