Highlights of 2017 January-May....

So, I just can't move onto the current year (2018) without posting some highlights of 2017. It was a year of challenge and growth, and happiness. At the end of January my sweet dear Grandma Prete passed away. It was quite an emotional time for me. Even though my Grandma suffered from dementia for the last 10+ years of her life I remember fondly who she was before the disease started to take her mind away. I have always had a deep love, appreciation, and admiration for my Grandmother since I was a young girl. She lived in Calgary, then Cardston so I didn't get to see her super often. How I wish I could have talked to her in my older years to council and grow closer with her and to hear her experiences as a Mother! She had 9 children! At her funeral while my Mom and Auntie Alana were giving her eulogy I realized her and I had a lot of similarities and it seemed I was like her in ways I did not know. I was deeply touched, and grateful for the woman she was, and oh how loved she is! Her children all adored her, as well as her grandchildren and friends. I was able to witness the deep love her children had for her as they had cared for her so tenderly for many years. I am so looking forward to seeing her again one day!!! My Grandma sang and played piano. I remember singing with her as a little girl, and I loved to listen to her play as I got older. When I would visit her in the nursing home or at my Auntie Alana's, I would then be the one playing for her and sing her favourite hymns. She would almost always sing along, she didn't fully forget her music! One of her favourite hymns was " How Great Thou Art. " In January, she wasn't doing too well, and one day I got the prompting that I should sing and record that hymn on this karaoke app I had; Sing! So I did and sent it to my Uncle Peter to play for my Grandma. All my family that were taking care of Grandma were all touched as they played me singing to her. I'm grateful I listened to that prompting and my Grandma was able to hear me sing one last time in this life. That recording was then played at her service. I feel honoured to have been part of that sacred day. My sweet Grandma Prete, I will always remember your smile and cute little laugh and saying, " Oh Shoot ". Your kind blue eyes and the love you had for our Saviour and his Gospel. When I close my eyes, I can see your hands in my mind and remember how soft they always were, and how comforting it was when you would take your hands in mine. I can picture how your nails were always painted, usually a soft pink. You always took such good care of yourself, and looked beautiful. You always had a clean and tidy house. Your coconut cream pie was the best! I remember your blue dress with white polka dots, and your blue eyeshadow to match, and the sound of your voice.

Doing Grandma's make up and hair for church.

I had a flight booked to visit my cousin Sue in California. It ended up that Grandma's service was the day before I flew out! So I was able to go!! I flew to Calgary, then drove with my brothers and sister-in-law to Carston. I was there a whole 24 hours. I was so grateful I was able to make it!! I got to see lots of cousins and my aunties and uncles whom I love SO much! It was an emotional viewing and service and burial. How grateful for the knowledge I have and believe of eternal families and life after this life! We are all relieved for Grandma, that she is not suffering anymore and is in a place of peace, beauty, and loved ones. Below is me with my Auntie Nee Nee and Mom, Me with Grandma's sister, Theola and Duenna. 7 out of 9 of Grandma's children, and all the cousins that were able to make it.

I was able to have such a nice visit with my brothers, Michael and Josh as we drove to the airport. We talked about life after this and the joy that will await us there. One of the things that really stood out to me was one of my brother said the comment that we will be reunited with friends that we knew before this life, but haven't had the opportunity to meet in this life. Maybe they lived at a totally different time in history. Some very interesting thoughts! My Uncle David and cousin Shane gave beautiful talks at Grandma's service. Her sisters, ages 93 and 87 or somewhere around there sang a gorgeous song called " the Garden " It was just such a beautiful service, I felt like Grandma was there looking down on all of us. To my Grandmother, you were a faithful, dedicated woman. So hard working and full of love. I cannot wait to see you again, the whole you, again. Love you Grandma... January was hard for me. We also just moved into our new house after we sold our first home. That was a challenging experience, but it was the right decision for us. So many things happened that were miracles in our lives actually, and I had SO much peace throughout that experience, and looking back at it all I am still in awe of how Heavenly Father was so there for us. Some pics from my phone in January:

So after my short trip to Calgary, I flew to California to see my cousin Sue and help her out. That was a big experience for both of us, and a rare opportunity. One neither of us will ever forget. In Feb news came that my niece Nikole was diagnosed with stage 4 hodgkins lymphoma. This was very shocking and sad news for our family. She has 3 small kids, the youngest being only around 6 months old. I couldn't imagine her not being here, my heart hurt so much for my sister and Nikole's family, and NIKOLE! She was only 29! Her Mom, ( my half sister ) asked her family to show their support by putting pink in their hair because she would lose her hair soon. My Dad and Jayna also showed support with pink hairspray. Nikole had an amazing attitude and faith through her whole experience and through lots of chemo treatments, she came out on top. She is in remission today and living and loving life as usual with her glowing attitude. Such a huge blessing. Such a big trial to go through! I'm so glad she kicked cancer's butt!! Her hashtage was always #haleyearwegotthis since her last name is "Hale" She is a light in this world, and a dang good mama and wife!

Some pics from my phone in February. Beach time with Jorgia and Julian, they pretty much fought over a stick the whole time! lol. I took the kids to the Bug Zoo, park, Hatley Castle with Uncle Josh; he was going to school there!. Julian always steals my drinks and finishing them up! Daddy fell asleep on Jayna's bed while she was at the end of it and Juju on the floor! :

In March, Andrew got to go on an EPIC trip with my brother to Costa Rica! A trip they had talked about for a few years. They both said it was the best trip of their lives thus far!

March iphone pics: Esquilmalt Lagoon with the family, Andrew started a little fire on the beach with the kids, little pic of decor in my bathroom, Mommy/Daughter date with Jayna to the movies to see " Ballerina ", Jayna and her friend Jet from Savory, a new wreath I made for our door, Jayna holding baby Dane, kids kissing my belly, Jay and Juju sharing Tim Hortons, cuddles with Julian, Jayna with straight hair!

March 31st we celebrated our little Juju turning 3! He requested a dinosaur cake, so I tried to get creative:) We just had a special day with family. He is a sweet little boy with a tender heart and a playful spirit. He can be loud and busy, and chill and sweet. We love him so so much!

Some photos of him through his year of being 2! Now as I write this ( July 2018 ) it seems sooo long ago that he was 2!!! He has grown up so much in just 2 years.

Right after Julian's birthday we went to Tofino for a few nights and stayed in an VRBO. It wasn't the best weather, but we still enjoyed ourselves. We went to the Aquarium in Uclelet. Jayna and Daddy went surfing one morning. Then we stopped to spend some cousin time in Courtenay for the day. Grandpa John was visiting and we celebrated his birthday (March 27th) and Julians again with a cake. Andrew got some hang out time with his brother and Dad.

In April, we went to a new little park across from a new community called Royal Bay. The builder is from Alberta and it totally looks like an Alberta community, which is kind of cool! Here are some pics of the kids and us at the park. I wanted to share since I took these with my canon and they just capture that little snip of time so perfectly:) I love how these photos capture some parts of their personality! I can hear Julian's laugh, I love Jayna's side profile. Julian's smile and his crazy expressions holding his spider man toy on the swing make me laugh out loud! Andrew is such a good Daddy, always playing with the kids! The excitement of a new park, and the natural way kids move. All so amazing.

Pics from my phone in April: I finally got a desk! So exciting!! Cuddles with Jayna, Andrew and I went on a DATE which is a rarity1 Jayna gave me a leaf to remember her by when I went to chaperone a youth dance, Jayna and Jorgia at the beach, Daddy building a fire in the soil and roasting marshmallows with the kids! I had no idea you could do that! Jayna dressing up creatively! Easter egg painting. Details of my little craft space, a little drawer cabinet I painted. Jayna and Julian having sibling fun. Having a sports day at Spencer school. Even being 8 months pregnant I was running around! Slurpee day with the kids in April!

We celebrated our 9th Wedding Anniversary May 2nd! We tried a new place to eat and had a nice date, which is kind of a rarity, and probably even more so when baby #3 is born! I am due at the end of the month (May 24th) Sidenote: When I was in Cali, Andrew bleached his hair! When I got back I bugged him that he was a having a break down without me for 11 days! haha

We were so excited to get into a spot at Yellowpoint Lodge. Well, I was mostly so excited because I loved it when I went there with my parents after my mission! Then I went with my BF Heather for one night when I was pregnant with Julian. I've wanted to go there with Andrew for years! The food there is sooo amazing, and it's so beautiful. This was our babymoon! I was due in a few weeks, my Mom and Dad watched Jayna and Julian for 2 nights, and I enjoyed every minute! There was even a live band and dance on Saturday night. They put shocks in the flooring, so it bounces!! It really freaked us out at first because we thought the floor was going to fall through until someone told us! Andrew got up and danced, but I didn't want to risk going into labour lol. The people there are mostly mid aged to older couples there that have been going for years and years. Everyone is really nice, and it was a new experience for us.

Pictures from the month of May: Jayna and her lemonade stand that Daddy built her! We have all organic products, freshly squeezed lemons made to order. Jayna pulls in about $60 for a few hours work. She was able to save and buy a surfboard in the summertime! Elder Uchdorft even stopped by;) Daddy doing all the hard work while his back breaks;)

Spring time play, Jayna set up a picnic, next door neighbor fun with Taylor, Mother's day photo...

The pregnancy pics were taken in the last week of being pregnant, and I went into labor 1.5hrs after the second one was taken! Jesse being born definately was the hilight of May! His face was so bruised! Jayna and Julian were so excited!

Comparing Jesse to Julian at similar ages:

Next up, Jesse's birth story!