Wordless Wednesday

Sneek Peek

I'm leaving on my honeymoon in just a couple hours and will be gone for a week but I wanted to post just a couple of my favourite pictures from the wedding!

I'll post more when I come back!!!!

What a blast!

The Havelock trip was a blast and went off without a hitch!!  I didn't take too many pictures because Jer's Aunt (who is also one of our photographers) took TONS!  So when I get those I will post some but here are a couple from the weekend:

Now, it's crunch time!  The wedding is just 17 days away now and everything is going swimmingly and it's all falling into place!  I have absolutely no worries!!  I still have a few things to get done but I know it will get done, and if I can't get it done I have a TON of people who have offered to help me out so I know I can delegate.

A few people asked me over the weekend if I was nervous.  I am DEFINITELY not nervous.  I'm anxious and excited yes but this feels so incredibly right and natural and I have absolutely no reservations about this marriage :)

In just 17 short days, I will be Mrs. Lessard!!!!

SQUEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Annual Havelock Trip this weekend!

For the last three years now, I've been attending Jer's family thanksgiving in Havelock, ON.  We go to a cottage resort and have a fire going for the whole 4 days, hang out, they drink and laugh and fish and just be one big happy family....I absolutely adore them and the whole tradition.  We leave Friday to do this again and I'm so excited!  I was a bit worried with it being so close to the wedding that A) we wouldn't be able to afford it and B) we would have too much to do.  Well Jer's Aunt's and some cousins took care of A by giving us our cottage rental for my bridal shower.  As for B, we're going to take some stuff with us and do it while we're there so that we don't get too far behind with only 3 weeks to go.

I'll post pictures when I get back!

Happy Turkey Day!!!

The morning after...

Oh I'm getting OLD!!!

Of course last night was our joint bachelor/ette party and it was fantastic but OMG I'm tired and hurtin' today!!!  I didn't go to bed until 3am!  I never do that anymore!  There was a time when I was on a routine of bed at 6am and sleep all day lol...now I am usually up at 6am!!

So today I feel like a train wreck and I have no idea how people drink all night and then get up in the morning, I would have to stay in bed for days if I did that!

We started at around 3pm yesterday, I had a Passion Party and it was a good time, low key, just a couple people but it was good.  We laughed and talked about dirty things and it was fun!  Then at 7 we went and had dinner at Boston Pizza which was also a blast...of course, being a bachelorette party, there were shots involved...but for me, seeing as I don't drink, my lovely sister in law-to-be's boyfriend got ME a shot of Coke!!  He wanted me to be included in the shot drinking party but knows I don't drink so he arranged it.  I was very happy!!!!  This is why he's one of the groomsman!!  Great guy!

We were originally supposed to go to an outdoor karaoke bar but it was too cold so instead we went to ANOTHER Boston Pizza where they have bowling and I bowled for the first time in my life!  I did HORRIBLE but it was a lot of fun anyway lol...

Then we all came back here and had some penis cupcakes that my lovely sister in law-to be made for me and watched some Bob Ross.

It was such a great night and we're so lucky to have such great friends and family!!!

Thank you everyone!!

Today, Jer and the guys are off to play paintball and me and one of my Maids of Awesome are off to scope out picture locations for the wedding in the falls.

It's gonna be a great day!  Breakfast at 11 with everyone from last night and some people who are going paintball as well....

Loving life!!!!

Bachelorette Party!

I'm getting married in THIRTY FIVE DAYS!!!!

Tonight is our bachelor/ette parties...we collaborated a bit because we have mutual friends and we REALLY enjoy our time out together with our friends.  I'm SOOO excited to be hanging out with a bunch of great friends and having some dinner and doing some kareoke later.

Neither of us are big drinkers so our party won't be what most of these things are, a big drunk-fest where you don't remember what you did in the morning.

I am, however, having a Passion Party with the girls before dinner so that should be a bit of traditional bachelorette fun :)

We still have a few things to get ready for the wedding but it is REALLY coming together and I'm impatiently awaiting the big day....WOOOHOOO!!!

Facts and Reasonings

Just some things I need to get off my chest...the person involved will know it's for them...anyone who's "wondering" if it's about them, it's probably not.

This time in my life is an extremely happy time, no matter the amount of stress or the amount of shit people try to put on me.  It doesn't matter what you say, or how you say it. 

I'm not nervous or anxious about our wedding.  We're secure and happy and loving and trusting and loyal to each other in our relationship.  We don't say mean things to each other and when we argue, it's short lived and we apologize to each other if we happen to hurt one another or if we're wrong.  We never go to bed angry and we always say I love you.  We're affectionate with each other.  We enjoy each other's company.  We could talk for hours.  Or we could be quiet for hours and it's not uncomfortable.  I miss him when he's away for a couple hours and he tells me the same thing, yet we're both independent enough to go out without one another to hang out with other friends, and we trust each other to do so.  He has lovingly accepted my children as his own, has already adopted one and is in the process of adopting the other.  We have created a beautiful daughter together.  We are kind to each other, we are considerate of each other and we respect each other.

This is the foundation for an amazing marriage.

It may not be traditional, but it will be beautiful nonetheless.  I will wear white even though I'm clearly not virginal.  We will stand before our friends and family, the ones who support us and our marriage, say our vows and commit to one another, for our whole lives.

Then, we will eat dinner and party on a beautiful day in October (as if there are no beautiful days in October, how could there not be with all that colour and coolness and crispness in the air!  Even if it rains or snows it will still be lovely!).  Our guests will dress up in Halloween costumes (or not lol) because we love the holiday so much we've added the theme to our wedding reception.  They will eat and drink and dance and laugh and have a wonderful time.

But even if none of that happens, even if we have some unforeseen circumstances and our reception hall falls down the day before, we'll still get married, and then we'll order pizza and find a backyard and still, we will celebrate and have a fantastic time.  Because it's not about the dress, cake, church, food, music, reception hall, limo, flowers, guests or anything else.......it's about Jeremy and I becoming ONE.

To you, the naysayer, the one who is oh-so-negative about this wonderful and deserved event in my life.

Poo on you.  Poo poo poo.

I'm am NOT, nor have I EVER, made my children go without ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY food, so I could afford this wedding.  There are things, such as braces, that will be postponed a couple of months (with no consequences might I add), so that we can have the wedding first.  And, in our defense, we didn't know about the braces before we started planning and this does NOT mean he won't be getting them (much to his chagrin).  Not that it's any of your business anyway.  Last Saturday we went and signed our boys up for bowling for the second year.  $45/child plus $16/week.  Not a necessity but something they both enjoy and are good at...so we found the money to do it, even though the wedding is a huge expense.  Last night, we took them to their swimming lessons...again, not free, but we figure it out...even with my "big traditional wedding".  They're not deprived in any way.

The night of our stag and doe?  You offered the pizza, this coming from my eldest's mouth.  And when children say they're STARRRRVVVVIIIINNNNG!!!!!!, it does not mean you haven't fed them in a week and a half, it means that they're over dramatic because they're 6 and 12 and they haven't eaten....since their last meal 3 hours ago.  And there was plenty of food in the cupboards, fridge and freezer.  Yes, we were busy, we didn't cook a frigging pot roast, but there was food to eat, all they had to do was go and make it.  Every other night of the week, every other night of the year, we sit down to dinner as a family and they leave the table full.  Trust me, they're perfectly capable.  So stop telling people I'm starving my children.

Our oldest son has a slight "health" problem.  In your "humble" opinion, we should be getting a Dr. to "fix" it instead of paying for our wedding (not sure where you live but health care here is FREE).  FYI, he has a pediatrician and a regular Dr., we've tried several different meds, sleep therapy and just regular "over the counter" stuff recommended.  Nothing has worked and our Dr.'s advise that he will grow out of it.  Again, not that it's any of your business but you seem to be under the impression that we're IGNORING the issue...I assure you we are not.  But thank you for your opinion, duly noted.

The tattoo I covered?  I covered it because it's a place in past I won't be a part of anymore.  I'm not hiding anything, those who matter, know.  Those who don't, don't need to, and if they ask, I'll be honest.  I don't feel the need to hide it.  I'm not ashamed.  But I also respect my future husband who asked me, "Why don't you cover that before the wedding?".  So I did just that.  And my arm?  I'm covering that too, but not because it's a rainbow, because it was done poorly.  I have plans to have another rainbow on my back at some point...not covering, fixing.  I want to be proud of the art I have on my body that will be in my wedding pictures, that is all.

As for me "being with him for the money, van and roof", whatever.  That's so far from the truth.  You think that I didn't help with any of the things we have?  You think it was all him that paid for everything?  Oh right, I forgot, I'm fat and lazy and selfish right?  Have a mirror handy????  We're in an equal partnership...we both contribute to this relationship, whether it's paying for things or doing things for each other and helping out around the house cooking meals and doing laundry.  Our whole family is involved in making our home run smoothly...it's not just financial.  And again, not that it's any of your business, but FYI, yes he is the breadwinner, but that doesn't mean that I don't contribute at all.  I'm not a "welfare case" and collecting while lying about it or something like that.  I have a job, I go to work and I work my damned ass off for peanuts.  But, it's a contribution.  And then I come home and I take care of our three children.  I care for them while he's at work.  I don't just work "part time".  Life is a full time job!

You, are not a real friend.  I'm sure these opinions of yours are not new.  You have always thought that I don't deserve the things I have.  Why?  Because I was weak at one point in my life?  Because I was on welfare before?  My past does NOT make me a bad person and undeserving.  I have made some bad choices in my life, but I have also worked my ASS of to get where I am today.  You don't just "find some guy to pay for everything".  It doesn't work that way.  I've had to work at it to get this far.  I am only as selfish as normal human beings are...and we are all selfish in some way.  Sure, I want things to go my way, who doesn't?!  But I don't hurt people or lie or say mean things because someone is doing better for themselves.  And I certainly don't do those things to get ahead in my own life.

I didn't forget about you or not have time for you....I'm choosing to walk away.  I'm choosing to not have time for the drama.  I'm choosing to not be friends with someone who constantly puts me down and calls me selfish.  (I think you forgot about the time you burned your house down and I didn't even blink an eye before offering you a place to stay, not sure if that's selfish or not.)  You talk about me behind my back to other people, mutual friends, and people who you have no business contacting and if you were a friend, would have never contacted in the first place knowing all the shit he's done and put me and his son through over the last 13 years.  And you do this because you don't have the balls to confront me about things you're not happy with....

Oh I forgot, you don't have balls, you have a vagina right?

Disgusting G20 Summit Video

Please view this video to see what was really happening in Toronto this past weekend.  The media has a skewed version of it....they cover what they're told to cover...

New blog name and header

So, I have a new blog name!  I just felt like it was time for a change.  While we are a family under construction, I just felt like that wasn't the best fit for this space anymore.

Autumn, for me, invokes feelings of happiness and peace.  The cool, crisp air and the smell of the falling leaves and ripe apples on the trees, the ripe, round, brilliantly orange pumpkins all bring me great joy.  I wish it was always fall!!!

And no matter what season it is, I'm feeling that joy in my life....it has become an Eternal Autumn for me!

Tada!  :)  Hope you like it!  I LOVE it :D

Kitchen Sink post

Hey all!  I know I've been slacking but I have been SUPER busy these last few weeks.  Things for the wedding have kicked it in to high gear and not a day goes by that I don't do a little something regarding the wedding even if it's just get another address on my guest list!  Things are going very well and it looks like things will stay the way they were, no scaling back or changing anything AND we should be able to keep all of our family on our list!  It was starting to look like I was going to have to start cutting family we hardly see but are close enough to that they need to be invited but now we should be fine to keep everyone where they're at now....our number is about 155, give or take and not including the 12 children that are cheaper than adults.

Either way, things are really shaping up and I have now started stamping the candy bags for our candy buffet, started assembling the favours and tags, my dress is being altered as we speak and my stag and doe, shower and bachelorette are being planned for with vigor.  I have to give a big shout out to my Maids of Awesome Marnie and Marci for helping out SO FRIGGITY MUCH over the last couple of weeks and a huge thank you in advance for all the planning and helping that is about to come in the next 4.5 months!!!  This is why you're my Maids of Awesome!!!!  You guys RAWK!!!

Aside from the wedding there are a lot of other things going on too and I have something to do EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. until July 1st!!!

Tomorrow is my baby girl's first birthday...already!!!  I cannot believe she is a year old already, it feels like it just flew by!  We're having a small (*rolls eyes* if you call 20 people, all family, small) cake party for her tomorrow night.  Everyone is busy and or working and or can't get together in the next MONTH all on the same day for a few hours for us to have a big party for her so we're going to do cake and presents on her actual birthday.  BIG party next year for sure!!!

Work is going well, I've been getting quite a few hours at work since we're down to three girls now...which has been nice for the paycheque but I'm starting to get behind on things at home again...we are hiring someone in the next week or so so my hours should slow down so I can catch up around here soon.  I didn't think I would stay at the job after Jer went back to work but it turns out I like it quite a bit and it's not a bad job, the people are nice and it's nice having that bit of extra money too!  I'll probably stay for quite a while!

This week has been busy (since last Thursday essentially...we went and picked out my sister's bridesmaids dress on Thursday)...I worked Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, was off yesterday and got a bit of cleaning done and then went to my painting class to start finishing up the stag and doe prizes I'm painting...today I'm working again and then tomorrow I'm dropping Marryn off with my mom so I can shop and then come home and clean so everyone can come over tomorrow night. 

Then Friday I'm going to get an IUD put in...this was a long thought out decision with help from the opinion of our Dr.  We had thought we might get Jer snipped because we're really not sure if we want anymore children.  Our Dr. suggested something long term but still not permanent, an IUD for me.  We talked about it, weighed the pro's and con's and decided this is the route for us...if I don't like it I will just go and get it taken out and we'll move on to the next option.  But for now, no more babies and definitely no unplanned miracles!

Marryn also has her one year shots on Friday.  Then Saturday morning I'm going dress shopping with Maid of Awesome #1...I'm so excited!!  I love going to the bridal store and (almost) drooling over all the beautiful yards of fabric skillfully sewed into dresses that I would wear to the grocery store if I wouldn't look like a nutjob!  I LOVE bridal stores!  Such beautifullness all crammed in to rows and rows of gorgeous gowns!

Then on Sat night a friend and one of our photographers is going to take some more engagement pics of us since I wasn't happy with the first ones.  We'll probably grab some dinner with her as well, should be relatively relaxing which will be nice.  Sunday we have an anniversary party to go to for Jer's step mom's parents and then it's also father's day...so we have to figure out something to do for that as well if there is time at all that day!

Monday I will probably be working again, Tuesday is painting again, Wednesday is probably work again and then Thursday we're meeting with the harpist (squee!!!) that Maid of Awesome #2 and all her and Jer's siblings got us as a wedding gift!!!  She'll go over what stuff she can play and let us know if she can learn anything we like that she doesn't already know.  She will play at the ceremony and for 2 hours over dinner at the reception...my whole life I dreamed of walking down the aisle to Canon in D being played on the harp and now I get my wish!!!!  Hence why she is Maid of Awesome #2...she TOTALLY deserves it!  :)

Then, Friday, Saturday, Sunday I'll be working again...then possibly Monday again...Tuesday is painting and also the kids last at school and also my second G road test.  I'm PRAYING I don't fail again...:S  Then, Wednesday possibly working again...Thursday brings us to July 1st!  Jer is off that day and so are the rest of us so I want to go and partake in some Canada Day festivities somewhere.

Whew!  Busy, busy busy, but HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!  Things are coming together and going well and I'm so content and happy I could spit!