Love Is In The Air

Can't you feel it? 
Okay, okay. Maybe it is just fall sneaking in. But I am opting to think of it as love. Love, sweet love.  Everyone, and I actually mean everyone, around me seems to be falling in love, getting married, getting  engaged, or having a small army of babies. It is everywhere. Facebook is screaming love right in my face every time I log in. Which is a good thing. Don't get me wrong. I love love. Especially when said love includes me in the celebration festivities!
Have I mentioned that I am going to Jamaica soonish? If not, hear it loud because I am proud {and overwhelmingly excited, enthusiastic, hysterical - you get the idea}! Our dear friends Jenn and Greg, whom I have mentioned on numerous occasions around these parts, are tying the knot in the heat of Jamaica {fingers crossed for no rain} come the end of October. And yours truly is lucky enough to be joining in to help them celebrate their love. I can think of no better way for them to promise each other forever than a relaxing tropical vacation with great friends {aka me}, adult beverages, bathing suits, and  zero cooking insight. Sold.
*Just an FYI, as of right now Robert is planning on being my hot date for this week of events but if work interferes my Mother Dearest has graciously offered to step in and tag along. 
I'm not sharing my good fortune to bring you sadness as the hot summer weather nears its end. I would never! How rude. There is a proper reason for my boasting. Over this past weekend the fam and I, Moe included, were invited by the bride and groom to join in with their families to jubilate their nuptials with a wedding shower. This entailed a getaway to their beach front trailer, a potluck, outdoor band, bonfire, and day of beachy activities {swimming, sunning, and Finn getting filthy in the sand}. Essentially the worlds way of foreshadowing what our Jamaica adventure has in store.
We snapped a few shots so you could vicariously tag along and better imagine the mood of the weekend.

The Bride and Groom to be!
As soon as they arrived at their party they were adorned with stunning accessories.

Finn found one of his own to be more like Uncle Greg.

Doesn't a baby look good on them?
Even a tired one!

An early morning family adventure on the sand bars.
Finn and Moe were both in their glory!

Our version of love.

This kid!
Relaxation + Dirt = His Glory

Had to share. Just because he is darling.

Jenn and Greg are missing from the beach shots because they managed to sleep in - lucky ducks. Finley was up with the sun {not to mention the dozen times in the night} so we ventured out on our own to explore the morning haze and chill.
I love the beach. Not in the way that I would eat, breath, sleep sand and beach creatures with my home just steps away from the shore line. This is Nova Scotia, Canada after all and come winter I would be stuck inside for fear of being blown away by a gust of ocean wind. But the summer months whistle a different tune. There is nothing to compare with the feeling of love {on theme} that surrounded and filled me as I walked hand in hand with my love while our boys laughed/barked and played in the surf. The warm rays beaming down, a light breeze swirling the crisp smells of salt and nearby farm lands, with nothing but blue skies, red sand, and endless water in sight. That is love.
On that note, let's all get inspired to search out the small moments of love in our lives {this mornings being my coffee percolator} and be thankful. A full life is a compilation of those special moments with those that we love. Don't let a single one pass you by. Life is much too short. 
A huge congratulations to all those celebrating milestones of love! *Lacey and Adam - you deserve every happiness! Jamie and Norm - a lifetime of special moments are ahead! xo 
And to those reflecting on a full life well lived - do remember all the good and press on with an understanding that nothing in life is promised for forever. Everything is a temporary gift and each moment spent is worth a lifetime of memories. *He is smiling on you Brenna. Forever proud. xo
Enjoy a great week all! Hope to see you back again soon.

Monday Mix-Ups

It is a stereotypical Monday around here. Lovely. 

Due to my lack of projecting as of late I had resolved to do some work around the blog to spruce things up a bit and make our project endeavours more accessible to you. With that mindset, I set out to put a gallery page together and present it as todays post. However, as you can see, that did not pan out so well. 

I am not overly computer savvy - to say the least. There has been some notable progress since embarking on this blogging journey but needless to say I have not yet arrived. After gathering all of the links of projects we have done in the past six months and sitting at the computer night after night, hour after childless hour, I still have nothing to show. I have resolved to figure it out, have no fear, but it just wont be today.

Instead, due to my lack of preparedness, you will be blessed with a few photos and rehashing of our weekend adventures. But first things first, Robert is coming home TODAY! For me that means I get my best friend and partner back. Woohoo! But for you - get ready for it - it means projects coming your way. Make sure you check back soon to keep up with our next endeavour. 

So the weekend. Two of my four nieces returned home with my Mother Dearest. But not before Eloise gave her teeth a thorough brushing with Finn by her side.

I am down to only two extras, Marley and Sophey, the twins. As soon as the others hit the road they sat down at the table to prepare a to-do list for their remaining time with Tantie {that is me}. Inherited perhaps?? Must be! 

There list entailed the following:

1. Swimming
1. Pool
2. Beach
2. Eating Pizza {@ a Restaurant}
3. Going to the store {their idea of shopping}
4. Walk Moe
5. Go to Mr. Stuart and Mrs. Elaines {Rob's Parents - They have a hot tub!}
6. Go for a drive on Mr. Stuarts boat
7. Do Yoga
8. Watch a Movie
9. Wash Uncle Rob's Car
10. Go for Ice Cream

What can I say? They know what they want. And as all Tantie's who love to spoil do, I happily obliged.  We managed to complete everything on the list except for washing the car and doing yoga. Where those two even came from I am not sure.

They swam like fishes at Robs uncle Craig's pool and at the local beach. Actually, they both successfully swam out to a floating dock without a life jacket. I can remember when they were born! Where has the time gone? We went out for pizza at a 'fancy' restaurant by their standards so they had to wear their new shoes we picked up on our shopping trip to the Super Store {I had to get a few groceries}.

On Sunday they were up and at it early beaming with excitement to go to Mr. Stuart and Mrs. Elaine's. The day was absolutely beautiful! We had a delicious lunch of barbecued sausage and fresh corn, hit the beach, got our second ice cream treat of the weekend, and took a tour out on Mr. Stu's boat. Honestly, there are no words. The view from the boat, the calm water, the sounds, smells... It was the perfect end to a busy weekend - for the girls that is. Mine ended with a glass of wine on our deck watching the sunset.

I snapped a few shots of our visit and even attempted a spontaneous photo shoot with Mr. Finn and his grandparents.

Pops took the whole gang, Moe included, on a walking adventure.

Capturing moments like these mean so much to me.
Finn is blessed to have a father and grandfather who love him so.

Camera worthy.

Moe wanted to get in on the action.
What a pup!

Those eyes.
He is going to get up to mischief I dare say...

Smiles.

'Button/Bouton'
A recent discovery Finn wanted to share with Meema.

My two beauties.
After nearly a week of go, go, go these gals were still smiling.

I hope you had a great weekend as well. What did you get up to? Chat soon.

To A New Leaf

I'll cheers to that!
Life has been up and down for me as of late. 
The truth is, life is always up and down. It has been for as long as I can remember. For years I thought it was 'normal' to feel the way I felt. Not that anything is truly normal but I didn't know that back when I was trying to find myself and my place in this life. But after years of struggle and self discovery I at least have a name for the feelings that seem to have set me apart for so long - depression. Boom. There it is.
There seems to be such a stigma attached to the word. Depression. See, it isn't so scary. {I'm the latest spin off of Harry Potter.} Anxiety. Perhaps even Bipolar. I'll just put it all out there. Do with it as you will. Judgement will likely do its best to creep up but if you can please make every effort to keep it at bay. If you can't I certainly wont hold it against you. I've been there myself.
For those of you who have never struggled an inward battle with hopelessness and angst or loved someone close to you who has I understand that you have your doubts. It has been an obstacle Robert and I have had to overcome ourselves. He is beyond relaxed in every avenue of life - Finley and Moe being the sole exceptions. So for him to wrap his mind around anxiety for no particular reason, overwhelming sadness with no distinct trigger, or the struggle to escape the swirling thoughts in ones head is understandably a leap. We continue to work on it daily.
This blurb of honesty is a bit of a twist from what you would generally find when stopping by to catch up with our going-ons and latest project. I hope I have not offended. Either way however, this is my truth to share. This blog is my happy place. A project in and of itself. A source of motivation to help channel my energy toward productivity, the epitome of happiness and refuge in my books, and better my family. *I'd take a busy bodied yet upbeat Mom over Down in the Dumps Debbie any day of the week. 
However, working up the gumption to put myself out there for all to openly see and criticize was an inward battle in and of itself. And in the spirit of honesty, continues to be. The anxiety of putting my ideas, opinions, handy-work, home, and family out there is a daily mental juggling act. One, after a week of relaxation, quality family time, and soul searching has proven itself worthy. It just requires a bit more practice. 
Which brings us full circle to the opening honesty. I have challenged myself to be more honest online. Instead of tiptoeing around topics and pretending everything is honkey-dorey one hundred percent of the time. This most certainly does not mean Slippers by Day will become a weekly rant session or dark place. It just simply means you will be seeing the real me on a daily basis. You can then decide for yourself if the extended version is someone who you want to continue checking in on. 
You will undoubtedly find the busy, dry person who takes everything in life, and herself, way too seriously. The gal who loves her little family, organizing, scheming up plans, and bossing along the way. She who has an opinion about everything and constantly walks the line between blunt and rude. A person who is spending every day working towards being the best version of herself, failing, and trying again. That is me. You can't miss me. I'm the one in the slippers making every effort to cherish each and every moment.
Moment like these...

Peaceful Sleep

Childs Play

Moments of Rest

All my Boys

New Friends

Peaceful Moments

Pure Joy

Forever

Stories

Generations

Friendship

Teamwork

Snuggles

Exploration

Beauty

Silliness 

There are so many things to be thankful for.
I hope my frankness has not frightened you to the point of no return. 
Chat soon?

Photo Tale

A photo says a thousand words.

Well, here is my official novel recording our trip to visit Gram and help her launch her retirement years with style. And by style I most certainly mean smiles, smirks, snacks, and sand!

Moments to be cherished.

The End.