Precious Moment

Do you remember the "Precious Moments" characters? They were a line of sweet child illustrations based on Christian themes. Designed by an artist named Sam Butcher, the images became ubiquitous as porcelain figurines and they adorned everything from snowglobes to picture frames.

As a girl that grew up in the late 1970s and through the 1980s, the distinct Precious Moments look is imprinted on my brain. While I was never interested in their overt religious imagery, I have always found them to be wonderful drawings of a child's innocent joy.

Recently I got my hands on a picture of my niece from this spring. It gives me the same feelings. She even has the delicate floral-print dress. She is a living precious moment.

Kayak Kids

My boyfriend took some on a sunny Saturday morning to share his kayak skills with my niece and nephew. They each took a turn at the controls with really positive results. Who would have thought a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old would be such naturals!

Fathers and Sons

Father's Day was an interesting one for me this year because I actually spent it with two fathers in my family.

One was my actual father - in the biological sense - and if you have known me for awhile he might be a new figure to you. My parents separated just before I was eight years old and were divorced shortly afterward. My mom relocated my brother and I to Ontario while my Dad started a new family in Albert. So for 26 years I have lived quite a distance from my Dad making regular visits a challenge.

Last spring I was finally able to visit him and it was the first time in 7 years that I had been there! That sounds crazy to some people. To others it is a normal reality of living in a heavily-divorced culture. But this year he came to visit us and that visit happened to occur on Father's Day. So I got to give my Dad a bona fide hug on the Day of Dads for the first time in a looooong time. And that was kind of cool.


The second father is the first son and my brother. It has been very interesting coming back to Ontario and spending a lot of time with my brother's family. My brother and I have been living at a distance since I was 19 and so my up-close memories of him have always tended towards him being the "cool" sibling to my "square" self. Now I get to see him in his role as a provider, a guardian, a husband, a role model, a father. I watch my nephew and niece shower him with the affection reserved for dads and see them quiver under the respect that daddy's discipline demands. I am very impressed with the dad my brother has become.

The second son is my brother's little boy and the only grandchild of my Dad to bear the family name (so far!). I wonder if someday he will be a father and if I will still be around to see it. So we had three generations of the male bloodline together for the day. In many families that might be normal but for mine it is a rare occurrence and totally worth celebrating. Happy Father's Day.

Saturday with Family

Today I got to sleep in until 9:30am! My nephew was up at 5am but since I'm only the aunt, I didn't have to be there for that. So at 9:30am I got to walk downstairs and enjoy a breakfast of pancakes that I didn't even have to make. Living with family can be amazing. I am blessed to have my brother and his family open their home to me, and their kitchen. I will officially get fat eating all of their amazing home-cooked leftovers.

After breakfast it was time to suit up and wander out into the big, fat, falling flakes. It was a winter wonderland this morning and perfect snow for snow fights and snowmen. After tossing around a few snowballs with my nephew it was time to help with the family-made snowman. And what a snowman he is! Rob and Kat are hardcore about their winter crafts! There was serious body-shaping and the addition of arms, ears and a crown of spiky hair! With a carrot nose, gravel teeth and kiwi eyes, our 5-foot-plus creation was complete. What a wonderful way to start the day. You never know how fulfilling family time can be until you have gone a long time without it. And then you want it to last forever (okay, maybe not forever outside, but you get the picture).

Marvelous Munchkins

This is one of those posts that is all about showcasing my niece and nephew. Sometimes they offer up moments of amazing-ness that cannot be denied. This one is all about the youthful shagginess of soft, fine hair. And the flushed cheeks. And the coming together of a brother and his little sister standing together on the edge of life's beginning!

Totally Teeth

Here it is ... Maebe's teeth shot. I love the idea that two big chompers in the front take a kid's smile from gumminess to totally adorable. It completely changes the look of her face to have a couple of pearly whites in the mix. And look how happy she is!! Love it!

A Sunny View

I thought it was time to post another pic of my niece as I have been negligent about that. It is that second child curse of there always being fewer pics in the album. But there is something about her fairy-like face that makes me calm inside. And calm is what I need. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of stress, illness, sleep deprivation and mental acrobatics. I have been so tired. And so messed up. And not sure which way was UP so it seemed best to stay horizontal - a lot. But I woke up this morning finally feeling rested. One more major deliverable (god! I am starting to hate that word!) done for school. Only three big steps left in the next two weeks and the MBA commitment is done. And knowing that feels sort of like this image of Maebe - a sense of wonderment of looking out of window and smiling at the view. I am still not sure what the view entails and that is still freaking me out but I am looking again. I am sitting up - for a couple of days at least. I am not kidding myself that the next week will be easy. I have, as usual, procrastinated myself a stuffed plate that it will be a challenge to finish. But I have joy in my darling niece to see me through. Sunshine and smiles CAN save you.

Tag Turns Three

Happy Birthday to my nephew today ... he turns 3!!! I think my sister-in-law is a bit freaked out that she has a 3-year-old but for me I can't believe he is only 3 because if feels like he has been in our lives forever. The little monkey has been a constant source of smiles, laughs and hugs for me. Of course he has moments of screaming brat-ness but then he gets all wiggly cute again and it's a decent trade-off. I miss him. I hear he gets to celebrate twice as he is heading up to see Nana & Nono later this month. I hope this birthday for him is a happy one.

Happy Maker

Every time I get caught up in my own life and have a down day I am fortunate to find new pics of my niece and nephew to make me smile. This one reminds me how small Maebe still is because I have seen the lego box and it is not that big. I think this image is like a mini-version of those ball rooms that kids get to play in at McDonalds or something. Granted she won't be doing any diving in this pond but it is still cute. And look at her hair! All that hair! I love it! She was a purple fairy for Halloween. It appears that purple is emerging as HER colour. Tag was a skeleton pirate and it was way cute - in a disturbing kind of way. He has so much energy! One thing I really notice is how different the pictures are because of the ages. When Tag had his first Halloween he was 7 months old. Maebe is only 4. So while Tag was holding himself up and mugging for the camera, Maebe is still working on her vision and sitting up. Once again I am astounding by the development of children and how wonderful they can be to watch. It really is a happy maker.

Pumpkin Princess

Every year my brother and sis-in-law take the kids to the pumpkin farm. Last year there was only Tag. This year Maebe gets to go for the visit. It's funny that the two of them have such different personalities. Tag is a cheeky monkey and was always a camera star. Maebe has the introspective and contemplative look about her. She also still has all that crazy hair which I think is the cutest thing ever!


I must admit to missing the little munchkins although I barely know them. It is an interesting feeling to feel so drawn to something without any long-standing context to back up the desire. But whenever I see pictures of them I just want to hop on a plane and go hug them. I guess that makes me a typical aunt. And I guess it's easy to be so gushy because I don't see them at their worst. But I know I would love them anyway. Tag and Maebe are the true bounty of my Thanksgiving and they are the best treats for my Halloween.

The Next Generation

I received this new picture today of the next generation in my family. It is interesting to not be the bottom rung of the family ladder anymore. It is also fun that they are all so amazingly cute, adorable, sweet and all those other adjectives used to describe children when you love them very much!


Who they are (clockwise): Taggart (my nephew), Maebe (my niece) & Mathilda (my cousin Meaghan's girl which makes her my first cousin once removed - I think!)

Model Tag

This my nephew in his second Sears modelling gig. He is clearly demonstrating the awesome fun of the Dora plane ... OK - he's actually pointing at the toy next to him like IT is more interesting but he can't be doing everything perfect.

You can see the actual ad at Sears online.

Maebe Motivation

Just to make sure that I don't contribute to the development of a second-child complex for Maebe I thought I would post another pic of my darling neice. This is another chance for me to gush about her awesomeness.

Actually, today is a busy and tiring one for me so I wish I could be sleeping as peacefully as this little pumpkin here. I am really struggling with balance in my life these days. I am feeling completely caged by my work, school, and volunteer obligations and when I get like this I start to get sick and shut down. I have realized that I haven't committed to a job location for more than a year so I think I have itchy-work-feet!

The other stressor is my anxiety over what my "plan" is for the future. I know that I am not satisfied with my current life situation but I am feeling completely overwhelmed about what to do/where to go next. The arrival of Maebe has really made me think about being closer to my family and that requires some planning. I am working towards a May graduation and that requires effort. But I find my motivations depleted these days. I have lost my life inspiration and I am not sure where it is. Of course life is not as gloomy as this post may imply. I am just feeling lost right now (a common theme on this blog is you sift through the archives) but I know it will pass. Good things lay ahead - I just can't see them yet. So I need to remind myself to focus on today. FYI, I am VERY bad at being present-minded! Thus, in moments like this I look to the wonders of children and the warm love that I feel for those in my family and push forward to the bright side of life.

Maebe & Me

I finally got to meet my precious doll of a niece last week. She is SO amazing. She is smaller than Tag was and such a different personality. She has a full head of hair (obviously) that feels like soft bunny fur. And she smiles ... a lot. I actually got her to fall asleep during my visit so I felt all super-aunt-like until Kat told me to put her in the crib and I couldn't figure out how to get her off my chest and turned around without waking her up. But I managed in the end.The interesting thing about her arrival is that it makes me more motivated to be around. I would really like to be part of the lives of Tag & Maebe. I have no idea if or when I will have kids of my own so these little guys are my current chance to be part of someone's development. And they are so wonderful. Of course I can say that because I don't have them full-time! Anyway, just wanted to show off more pics. This arrival has been the highlight of my summer for sure.

... Aunt Raye Part 1 ...

Beautiful

Some more updated pics of my niece and nephew. Could they be cuter? I think it is images like this that give women "baby pangs". They speak of something so beautiful in new lives full of promise. I just had to share.

It's a Girl!!!

In the middle of the afternoon a new member of my family came into the world. Her name is Maebe Elizabeth Anne Lemke. She was 7lbs and 13ounces and with her dark hair and big smile she is a true stunner. Congrats to Kathryn on another quick delivery, my brother Rob on getting a daughter to spoil, and Tag on having the ultimate test to sharing come into his life. So on this Canada Day I become an aunt for the second time. As Kat said, Maebe will always have fireworks on her birthday! Now I only have to count the days (20 of them!) until I get to meet her myself.

My Nephew the Model

So my nephew got his first modelling job this week and is appearing in the Sears Super Saturday flyer. You may find it in your mailbox this weekend. I found it online. You can see him selling 40% off toddler's clothes if you scroll down the page. Could I be more excited?!

Flyer

Nephew Alert

This is my nephew in full-on toddler status during his visit "out west" to see the other side of his family. Apparently the trip went really well. I haven't bee out there in WAY too long. I used to go once a year but I think the last time I visited Dad and Co. was 2002. I just don't have the means to get out there these days. Anyway, looking at Tag, I am getting all excited to see him again for the holidays. Only 5 more sleeps till I fly back to Ontario and then only 3 sleeps till Christmas. I actually have ALL my shopping done and am happy with all my selected gifts. I bought more than I should (since I am "technically" living on credit) but I had a job this year so it was nice to splurge. It is going to be a small Xmas at my brother's new house and I am looking forward to that. Then I have a mad flurry of visits up in Sudbury for 3.5 days before heading back to Trawna for (hopefully) a mellow and conversation-filled NYE with Jodi & Cindy (fingers crossed). In all, I haven't been this stoked for the holidays in a long time. And I get to hug this awesome little nephew of mine. Happy Holidays!

Beautiful Boy

It has be AGES since I got to post a picture of my rapidly-growing nephew extraordinaire. Well, here he is! Isn't he just gorgeous! Total heart-breaker in the making I think. I will be going back to Ontario for the Thanksgiving weekend so I will get to see him again. It has been 5 months since I saw him last and he has changed so much. But that is the way of children. He is also talking (and singing) so I look forward to having my first conversation with him. I am always amazed at the emotions I have about the little guy since I don't see him much. I am always reminded about the unconditional and uncontrollable love for family when I see pictures or hear stories about him. So I am naturally proud of his development and awed by his happy smile. So I just have to share.

White is the New ...zzzzzzzzz

It has been over a month since I posted a picture of my nephew extraordinaire. How could I have been so careless! Well, here he is again. A little ghost with giant chompers. How cute is that?! Seriously, I think Taggy is one of the few things in the world that turns me into a sentimental moron. Rob says he's begun to show his displeasure with things by throwing objects at the floor. Sort of a "take that" response I guess. These days I can understand. I am totally swamped at my new job. There are no moments of rest. I feel completely overwhelmed and lost and energized and capable all at once. I am actually amazed at how un-stressed I feel. Occassionally I feel stupid. But the stress remains in check. I am, however, dog tired. It takes A LOT of brain power to be productive for 8 hours straight - kudos to all you that have been doing it these past few years. I guess the best thing to hope for is to find a job that makes you smile like buddy here - THAT would be a blessing.