Am I Really Unique?

First trip away from the kids in 16 years!!

So, Today’s Parent put out a call for bloggers, to share with them what makes us unique. I have been thinking about it, and of course, I have procrastinated as long as possible!

I am a mom (not unique). One of my kids has special needs (also not unique). I homeschooled for 6 years (not as unique as it used to be). I have buried a child (sadly, this does not make me unique). I have 5 kids (crazy, but still not unique). So, how am I unique?

I think each of us comes to a point where we realize we are not like everyone else. We are all made differently, raised differently and that makes us each unique. With 5 kids, from 4 years old to 16 years old, I have so many stories to tell, both funny and sad. This is the main reason I started my blog, almost 6 years ago. My blog has taken many turns through the years, from funny homeschooling tidbits to conversations in the van, to my brutal honesty about the issues in my life and an online journal through my youngest daughters fight for life.

So, to write a post about what makes me unique is hard. I am kind of all over the place!

We raise our kids in a way that most look at as odd. Our parenting philosophy is that we are raising these children to leave us. Shocking...but true! We are bringing up the next generation, and we want to make sure they are independent, respectful and have a good sense of the world NOT revolving around them. That means that at the age of 13 they travel to another country to do mission work. To see how privileged they truly are. My 13 year old has been to Peru, while my 16 year old has been to Guyana, and twice to Romania. They want to go more, they want to be the change in this world! Our 9 year old is counting down the days when she is able to go.

We are not a perfect family. We fight, we yell, we make mistakes, but we love and we apologize and we are honest with each other. We are a tight knit family that has been through so many storms, and these storms statistically, should have broken us apart, however, they have made us stronger. We have fought to stay strong and would have it no other way.

Maybe that is how we are unique...

3 of my favourite blog posts are:

1. Questioning
2. Grieving
3. Laughter

Wordless Wednesday (with some words) - Family

So, normally this is a "quiet" post, but I have some things I need to share, and this photo tends to inspire me to share...

I have had a few medical issues arise...and not with the kids, I am talking about me. 

THEO: God's Love - Movie

My family was given the chance to review this DVD.  My kids LOVE Adventures in Odyssey (and I admit that I do too:-), so we jumped on this opportunity!

Empire Reel Babies in a City Near You!!

See this sweet little girl?  She is a bundle of energy, and can sometimes be hard to leave at home if I want to head out with friends for a movie.  With medical issues, and seizures, I often don't like to leave her with people who aren't familiar with her protocols, which means I only go out when they are available, or when Pete is home.

Wordless Wednesday - Winter Cottaging with 8 Kids!!

Invisalign Teen

I remember growing up and wanting braces as a teen. It wasn't something that my family could do at the time, and now that I am an adult (yes, I am one;-) I feel fine about the way my teeth look. I have a bit of an overbite, but that is ok with me now.

Being a teen is hard, and it seems to be getting more difficult as time goes on. These kids tease and poke fun at each other, and while it may seem to be "fun" it slowly eats away at them. Self confidence is hard to gain and keep when teens care so much about what their friends think. Their friends are their world during that time in their life!!


I just heard about a great product called Invisalign Teen that I would love to have for my kids.  Both Devin (16yo) and Keri (13yo), should have braces.  Until I get a job with benefits, we won't be able to do this, but when the time comes, I think this is the type that I would love to get for them.

CentrSource Twitter Party!!

Have you RSVP'd for the CentrSource twitter party yet???

• When: Wednesday November 23th, 2011
• Time: 6:30-8:00PM ET
• Party Hosts: @shasherslife and @tarasview & the sponsor @CentrSourceCA
• Twitter Hashtag: #CentrSource

There are 23 Visa Gift Cards and other Gift Cards (from $10-$250) to be won, for a total of $1000 in prizes!!

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? LOL!!

All you have to do is go to the CentrSource twitter party registration page and then join in on Twitter on Wednesday, and follow the hashtag #CentrSource

• @shasherslife and @tarasview will ask the questions
• Don't forget to include #CentrSource at the end of your tweet
• Winners will be chosen randomly out of the correct answers  

The party is open to Canadian residents, excluding Quebec, but Quebec is still included in the CentrSource  Dream Big Canada Vacation contest with a GRAND PRIZE of $10,000!!

LOTS OF WAYS TO WIN SOME GREAT PRIZES!! 

HOPE TO "TWEET" YOU ON WEDNESDAY!!

The Zombies are Coming!! A Kodak Review

I was sent a Kodak EasyShare Camera a few weeks ago and finally figured out how to do these amazing "creepy" pictures!!

We went out for appetizers with some friends the other night and we were able to figure out how to do it...

Just imagine, sitting in Casey's and 4 adults at the table...snapping pics and ducking out of the way!!  It was actually a lot of fun!

Hunting for #EqualCanada at Caseys - #CBias

This weekend, my hubby was supposed to be in the US watching a football game with a bunch of guys from church.  Long story short, he wasn't allowed across the border because of a record he had from 20 years ago.  We wanted to have a fun weekend anyways and make the best of the time, so we went out A LOT!!  We spent some time with a few people that we enjoy being around and last night was the "final treat" to end the weekend.

Barbie I Can Be...Inspiring Our Girls

Shash and Mini Shash

Growing up, I can't say that I specifically remember having a "mentor" per se, but I had many women that I looked up to.  My mom, aunts, friends of the family.  When I was married and started having kids, I learned from moms who had been down this road previously.  Then I had 4 girls, after our son.  Now, as a mom, I want to expose my girls to positive, successful role models and mentors.  I want them to know that they can do anything in this world, from being a stay at home mom to being the Prime Minister, if that is what they want to be. 

Wordless Wednesday - 4 Years of Miracles!

Have to add some words to this one...