Fall Family Photos

A friend of ours from our church congregation, who is a wonderful photographer, agreed to do some family photos for us. We're so happy with how they turned out. The weather was great and all the fall colors were beautiful. Can't wait until we can get some of these up in our home!

If you want to check out some more of her work you can see photos from her other sessions here. She has some beautiful photos!

But first, make sure you check out this handsome guy.

The leaves were incredible!

My favorite part of this photo - that you can't see all the spiders that were crawling all over the rock and our legs. So worth it for this cute shot!

Milayla was not smiling for us this day. I think it was in large part to someone other than Mommy being behind the camera (not a usual site). While I am sad that her gorgeous smile isn't in all these photos, she still looks just as beautiful. I love these photos of the kids together.

The closest thing we got to smile until we tried a new technique a little bit later.

Those eyes!

And the smile emerges! Nothing quite like being tossed in the air to get some smiles!

Leaves!

More going in the air for smiles!

Those handsome boys.

Atticus getting his turn in the air.

Sweet kisses from that awesome little boy of mine.

It was a fun morning. Thanks for the fabulous pictures, Robyn!

I am a Triangle

Oh man. I knew us coming back to Canada was going to be an adjustment. Not just for the kiddos, who had never lived in Canada, but also for us who had been gone for 5+ years (Jason being gone longer of the 2 of us).

I thought we were saving ourselves a bit of shock by coming to Montreal - a french speaking and quite diverse city. But if it did save us any shock, it wasn't enough.

Shortly after arriving, around the time of the meltdown actually, a friend who is very accustomed to moving around the world with and without children sent me this article about repatriating and I devoured it with wide eyes as pretty much every word rang true with me. I'm different since I last lived in Canada. Canada - not so much.

Don't get me wrong. I love Canada. And I love Montreal. But at the end of the day I am still closer to the worlds biggest ball of yarn than I am to places like Egypt or Greece. I have to work harder to share history with the kiddos because, well, Canada is still pretty young in that realm.

I'm pretty grateful that we moved to Montreal as I still stand by my feelings that Quebec is one of the most culturally and land rich provinces. It's beautiful. And Montreal is filled to the brim with museums which I adore. Though those museums are surrounded by busy streets and busy people and life is just different. And we still have little bits of our hearts and so many friends scattered throughout the world.

I suppose we had it simpler with our previous moves. We could travel a short distance to experience a different culture and a different language without our way of life needing to change too much. It also meant we could easily travel back to the other places we have lived. We had grown quite accustomed to European living which, in many ways, is so much simpler and enjoyable than North American living.

So why did we move? Because it was time for us to grow in a way that we couldn't there. And while we're still discovering the all the 'whys' of it all I think it's important for me to establish that there was a very firm 'why' that we followed and it was right for us. Because I need that anchor when I am trying to find the balance between empathizing with our kids about missing our old homes and reaffirming to them the greatness of our new home. And there are certainly times when those kids miss their old home.

It varies on what they miss. Most recently it's been our bright German home, Atticus' friend Evia from The Netherlands, and trips to the temple in the Hague. The funny thing is, Atticus picked now, of all times, to start liking to use German. I think it is all for the sake of reminiscing, but I am working to build it so he can keep at least a basic knowledge. At those reminiscing moments we do our best to let them express it, join in conversation with them, and make it a happy thing to discuss rather than a sad thing to discuss because it certainly doesn't need to be sad. We do have a lovely home and are making many lovely friends here yet I think it is natural to miss elements that aren't so large a part of our life anymore. And we need to help these kids figure out this star life of theirs (read the article to learn more about them).

They have so many different reference points, the best thing we are trying to do for them right now is anchor them in this family of ours with love, consistency and communication, work on adaptation and friendshipping skills, and let them explore and adapt on their terms and schedule.

It isn't an easy or quick process, but from time to time, when I catch a glimmer of all the polishing and refining that this change has wrought upon all of us (especially the kids) I feel joy. A deep, rich and filling joy. And it's then that I know that this is exactly where we are supposed to be. I am a triangle. Slightly out of place but in the right place to help these little stars of mine shine.

Exploring the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

I love outings that help the kids and I fall in love with this city that we live in. This trip was one of those outings. We waited until the weekend to make the trip to the museum so that Jason could come along. It was nice to have all of us there. It was so great to explore some new streets and admire all the artwork.

I've got to say that I really love some of the historical apartment buildings once you start working your way into the downtown exterior. Just really beautiful entrances. All of them. And the churches here are quite beautiful as well.

And then there was this statue that we happened upon which made my heart swell. The bond between a mother and child is so tender. 

We didn't realize how many buildings the museum actually encompassed - it's huge! It was great. We were ooohing and aaahing before we even got inside. Jason was pretty keen on this plastic tree.

The kids and I were pretty keen to get inside and start looking at all the paintings.

I had been working with the kids on pointillism so when we stumbled upon some lovely pointillism in the museum the kids were pretty over the moon about that.

I really loved observing how Atticus and Milayla preferred to explore the museum with very different approaches, yet both enjoyed themselves so much. Milayla always opted to sit on the benches, chairs or couches that were there to observe from and point at her favorites. Atticus would get as close as humanly possibly and remark on the individual colors and strokes. It was just awesome to see them find which way works best for them and to see little glimpses into their personalities.

We all loved the renaissance art sections, and I was impressed when Atticus made connections between the artists at this museum and the artists that we had seen at previous museums in europe.

This piece that was in the main hall fills my heart with mixed emotions. While the baby is beautiful and makes my heart happy, their was something about it being so exposed and alone that made me want to cradle the baby in my arms to warm it and keep it safe. Maternal instinct. In any case, it was beautifully sculpted.

I think the modern art exhibit pretty much snatched up the hearts of Atticus and Milayla the second that we stepped into the exhibit room. 

This was one of Atticus' favorite pieces. As you can see, he is diligently holding the map. Always eager to make sure we didn't miss seeing anything.

By the time we started venturing into the second building the kids were starting to get a bit tired so we started working our way back.

 Though I am pretty sure the kids could have stayed in this room much longer than the few minutes that we let them. It was a moved picture to show the difference in perspective and movement that depth differential can create. It was a really neat idea and it definitely had the kids asking questions, which I love!

Once we had our coats and outdoor gear back on we raced for the bus and snacked on our lunches.

Milayla is really favoring oranges these days (perfect season for it) and every time she eats one she furrows her brow on the first bite. It is pretty cute!

I am so grateful for this family and love getting to share these experiences with them. There are some places where I feel so comfortable and adequately intrigued that I always love going there - art museums (and most museums in general) are one of those places (theatres are another big one) and I feel pretty grateful that I get to share some of that love with these great kiddos and a supportive husband. It feels pretty special. 

Our Kind of Saturday

I just wanted to take a minute to write a few lines before the kids wake up from their little cat nap. Today has been a good day. Seriously. It was simple. Relaxed. Yet productive. And most importantly, it was together.

We cleaned. Got a bit of organizing work done on the computer. Crafted Christmas cards together. Listened to Christmas music and then had 'gym class' (which pretty much constitutes the kids running circles around the house) while Jason put together some lunch. I feel so fortunate to have some great helpers. Sometimes I feel a little guilty that I lucked out with some kids who love helping so much that tasks like laundry are a pleasure and, sometimes, our kids even say doing laundry together was their favorite part of the day (a fact I'm sure I will need to remind them of some day).

The point isn't about what we did though, the point really is that we did it together and all worked toward a common cause. And it was in those moments when we were all cutting and gluing as we sat around our coffee table that I finally felt the Christmas spirit start to fill the room right to the very corners. I felt joy. And with how stressed I have felt with trying get us all settled down here it was the most beautiful feeling I could have asked for. But even better, is that I saw those sparkles in my kids' eyes as they got adequately covered in glitter and glue. We love to create.

We're all excited for the afternoon. It isn't what I am sure most would consider spectacular but it's pretty special to us. We'll go walking. Jason and the kids have asked for me to cut their hair. We'll make messes with bubbles in the bathtub. Lick the spoons from making chocolate chip pancakes then settle in under the glow of the Christmas tree and watch a movie.

And while I am sure that there will likely be some tantrums along the path of this afternoon, they certainly won't be what color the day - we will - with laughter, smiles and hugs. Cheesy? Yes. But these are the kind of Saturdays that fill us up for the busy weeks ahead. The kids have helped us plan so many ways to serve in the coming weeks and we're all pretty excited. So today I feel every bit of pleasure of soaking in the normal, every day, beauty.

Normal day, let me be aware
of the treasure that you are.
let me learn from you, love you,
bless you before we depart.
Let me not pass you by in quest
of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
let me hold you while I may,
for it may not be always so. one day
I shall dig my nails into the earth,
or bury my face in the pillow,
or stretch myself tart,
or raise my hands
to the sky and want, more
than all the world, your return.

 Author: Mary jean iron

Feeling so grateful for this gift of today. Grateful to serve my family as a wife and a mother. And grateful for us to work together to serve others. 

Art in Mount Royal Park

Before the weather started turning snowy (just in time for Christmas) I focused a week on art with the kids. We did a ton of art projects at home and did art-related outings. Our week was topped off with a trip to the art museum (more on that later). Mid-week we invited some friends along with us to go check out the sculptures in the park. 

The kids had a blast and loved running around, finding sticks and holes to drop them into.

And there was a dabbling of art. Atticus was convinced all the pieces looked like some kind of robot. He's in a robot stage right now. It's fun.

The kids decided to make it interactive art by climbing up whatever they could. Hands on learning around here.

And then there was more running as we made our way up the 'mountain' to the Chateau.

Fall really is beautiful around here. Those red leaves with a touch of downtown and the river in the background.

Milayla was pretty excited about getting her picture taken up there. I love her smile these days. Eyes closed with a sweet smile.

Much like mine and Jason's date night the weekend before the kids and I went up, looking out over downtown is pretty cool and all, but it sure does make me ache for the mountains. We'll be exploring once the weather warms up as I am a sip-hot-chocolate-inside kind of person when things get cold..

Robyn snapped a picture of the kids and I with Montreal in the background. 

Then we sat on the steps of the chateau and ate some lunch before heading back down.

It feels a little bizarre to have friends who live so close to us and have kids our age. Our neighborhood is so full of young families, it's awesome.

And with that, we all started walking back down as the kids were starting to get tuckered out. Lovely morning. So glad that Robyn could join us with Sophie and Linc.

November Date Night

I have got to hand it to Jason. He planned a date for us in November without me having any idea. It takes a lot for something to go under the radar. Unfortunately, the night he had planned on there was a big wind storm and we lost power for most of the night and had to postpone the date. But it still worked out in the end. We hiked up Mount Royal for a touristy picture, a view of downtown at night, and some tasty hot chocolate that Jason had lugged along. 

It was pretty cool. It was different to see downtown Montreal from up top. It didn't look as big as I expected it to, probably in part to having so much underground. Also, as pretty as all those lights were, I am really missing the stars. And the mountains. Still a lovely evening though. Thanks, Jason! 

St Joseph's Oratory Montreal

We are finally back into regular rotation of finding things to explore and it feels wonderful. In full disclosure, the kids are pretty excited about most things that we do whether it's running errands, chilling at home, playing with friends or checking out something new in the city, but I think there is an extra spark in their eyes when I tell them we are going to go exploring. They get ready the quickest when they know there is an adventure on the horizon. 

We recently went and checked out St. Joseph's Oratory. We see it daily as it sits built into the side of Mount Royal. It's pretty hard to miss. The kids had been asking what the building was so I figured that I would capitalize on that interest and take them on up there. It was a brilliant idea. The kids loved it.

We had the perfect weather for the day too. Couldn't have gotten better. But in the kids' eyes, it could get better, because they discovered the World's Largest selection of Stairs to Climb! At least they were pretty certain it was the most amount of stairs that they have ever seen. I wish I got a picture of all the stairs from the very base (I didn't) because there are a lot of stairs. The kids agreed, and were quite relieved, to discover that the stairs were not as steep as Germany stairs because, in the words of Atticus, "that would be so much tougher to climb. But that's okay, because we can do tough things. Though I am happy with these stairs, too.". Love those kids.

And love how cute they look even sitting on bird poop covered stairs. Just check out those smiles. They were in love with those stairs.

We also went inside and explore the chapels in there. It was nice, though I think I was expecting something a little more grand especially when the outside is as grand as it is. In any case, the kids loved the stairs and we enjoyed checking out each new vantage point and seeing how far across Montreal we could see. It was pretty neat to learn a bit about the history of the building as well.

More stairs.

When we made it to the very top floor, the kids quite enjoyed the chapel there, but were more intrigued with looking out the stained glass doors to see the view of Montreal just a little bit tinted. We did actually stop in to listen to a service. It was in french, but the kids still had plenty of questions afterwards. It was great to see them so reverent and respectful of the building and the people there. That is something that we work really hard to in still in them. I hope it sticks. They're good kids.

We were a little sad that the gardens were closed when we were there (perhaps due to the crazy wind storm we had just had!) but the kids were just as happy with watching the workers head up in the crane to perform some maintenance on the building.

The original church. It's grown a bit since then.

The exposed rock face inside was actually very cool. It had been made into a small worship chapel as well.

We really enjoyed our visit. As we were leaving the kids declared that it was very nice of them to let us visit their church. I couldn't agree more.