Gordon's birthday

Gordon's birthday was a day I was dreading for a while.  I just wanted to make it a special day and remember him and I wanted our angel to know that we love him and miss him and I wanted to stay busy.
So we started out the day going to the cemetery to sing to Gordon and blow him some bubbles.

 Then my husband took the younger two kids to my sister in-law's house and I took the other kids to school.  I dropped off cupcakes for Jamin's and Neil's classes and the principal and vice-principal.  Gordon would be in third grade this year.  I asked them if I could bring cupcakes and read a new story I had written for my kids.  I showed them the book and they decided they would just like me to read the story and not bring cupcakes so that it would be more about the story.  I'll post it on here when all the pictures are completely finished.  So first thing when school started, the third graders came into the library and I read to them.  They were great to read to.  They laughed in all the right places and at the end asked if I would write another story to read to them.  It really brightened my day.
Then I went to pick up Dallin and Tegan and took them to the gym.  I ran 8K on the treadmill(I didn't have time for 8miles) since he would have been 8 this birthday, and worked with my trainer.  Then we picked up some lunch and headed back to my sister in-law's house.  I had a primary meeting.  We talked for a long time and I didn't end up leaving until it was pretty much time to go pick up my kids from school.  I picked up my kids and was at home for a couple minutes to grab the kids swimsuits and work out clothes.  I found flowers, ornaments, and a balloon for Gordon and chocolates and herbal tea for me.  So on the way to the kids lessons, I swung by the cemetery again to bring Gordon his things.
I noticed almost everyone at the cemetery has wreaths for their loved ones, but I thought I would be different and get him a little tree.  It was a bad idea.  I am going to get him a wreath too.  The tree had fallen over.
This is an ornament that my good friends gave me for the tree.  Isn't it beautiful?  I'll put it on the wreath when I get.

 His favourite colour is red, so of course everything is red.  I think there is a rule that I am not suppose to put flowers in the vase this late in the season.  I really need to look into that, but I figured for a few days till I get a wreath, it won't be a big deal.  I saw one other one with flowers in the vase.

Then I took my kids to their squash and swimming lessons at the Winter club.  They always love going there.  Then the kids went to babysitting where the get to go bowling, do crafts, and have dinner.  I watched Matthew play hockey and the Jets game and had an interesting chat with some friends.  

I enjoyed this day and I hope that Gordon enjoyed watching us.  

In two weeks we will have a birthday party for Gordon and remember him with friends and family and enjoy some time doing one of his favourite things, ice skating.

Time Doesn't Stop. We Keep on Moving.

It has been so long since I have posted on here.
I keep wishing time would stop.  Stand still for just a moment, so I can breathe and think.  But it keeps moving, things keep happening.  My kids are growing up.  Big things keep happening.  Life Keeps on moving.
Another birthday...

 My sweet Neil turned 6.

 He is a boy that is full of questions, loves learning, swimming, playing the piano... maybe because he only gets to play on the iPad if he does, and he loves his friends.  Most nights we have long chats before bed.  He is very curious about lots of things.  He often talks about where his brother, Gordon, is, about death, and a million other things.  Some things I wish he didn't have to worry or think about, but it is nice to talk to him and he has a nice way of thinking about things.

And then another birthday...

 My princess Tegan turned 4.

She is a girl who loves everything pink and sparkly.  She loves the water and gymnastics and is learning to play the piano and ice skate.  She is fun to go shopping with and finds cute things and shows them to me, but as long as she isn't tired will happily put it back when I ask.  

She had a girl only pool party at Grandma and Grandpa's(well, with a couple babies and Grandpa dropped by).  It was very sweet.

And they started school again! Preschool, 1st grade, 6th grade.  Jamin is turning into such a great kid.  Such a helper.  He is my right hand, my personal assistant.  

Can't forget this cool little guy.  Officially nursery age now(1 1/2), although he has been going for a long time already.  He loves to play and giggle.  He especially likes when I play 'this little piggy went to market' with his toes.

We went to Disney World!  It was lots of fun.  The best part was having my husband around.  We drove, so we were gone for 3 weeks.  Matthew is super busy when we are at home, so it was nice that he was around.   Going on a safari at Animal Kingdom.    =)

 The wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon was awesome.

 My first time going to Universal studios.  The rides were incredible.  I'd say this park is more enjoyable for older kids, but they did have stations at the end of most lines where one parent can wait with the kids that can't ride and then can get right on when the other parent comes off.  And the kids that can ride get to go twice.  Oh, and definitely spend the 20 dollars extra and bypass all the lines.

 Uncle Ryan flew to hang out with us our second week there.  My kids love their uncle!  This was at Blizzard Beach at Disney World.

 On our way home, we dropped by my parent's home for a couple days and we went to Incredible Pizza!  That place is so fun.

 Then Halloween came.  I am working on another book for this year.  I am totally excited about it.
Gordon is in it too.

Big things keep coming and going.  We still keep having fun and enjoying each other.  There is always one piece missing on all of these big days.  We miss our Gordon.  I enjoy life and try to treasure every moment with my children, but I still need moments to reflect and cry.  Every holiday is difficult.  I imagine it will be easier next year.  We'll see.