Adoption and Family
Parenting by adoption is bigger, louder, and often harder to start with. From the assessment and waiting process to the adoption probation period, it can seem endless and like it will never happen. Then you get the call and your life changes forever in a miraculous way. But what next? Sure there is often a honeymoon and parenting is a blessing no matter how you get there. It is a new adventure every single day. AND also adoption comes with numerous other ups and downs.
Find Your Supports Early and Stick With Them
Very often there's minimal support for adoptive parents and families after they leave the courthouse finalizing their adoptions. Consider this your supportive honest space where we share what's worked, what doesn't work, and all the challenges in between. Share your stories, learn and grow together.-
Building Healthy Families Should Be A British Columbia Health Care Priority #IVF4BC
Building healthy families should be a British Columbia Health Care Priority every day of the year. This Family Day, patient advocates in BC are calling on the government to fund IVF treatment. And with good reason. BC infertility patients are currently in the minority in Canada. With four provinces funding IVF in Canada, BC patients are being left out. 1 in 6 couples in BC struggle wth infertility. Often the most effective treatment prescribed for infertility is In Vitro Fertilization. However, the cost of fertility treatments and the lack of access in numerous regions in B.C. prevent many British Columbians from growing their family. Lack of Funding Creates Difficult Choices That…
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Valentine’s Gifts for all Your Loves #LoveHallmarkCA
Truth be told I was feeling a bit sad and nostalgic this Valentine’s Day. My kids are older and Valentine’s Day no longer holds childlike magic for them. My youngest daughter and I had a chat recently about her feeling too old to write out Valentine’s cards any more. BUT, then Hallmark sent a batch of their cute and fun Valentine’s Day Treasures for 2017 and I am OVER THAT entirely. Valentines gifts from Hallmark are timeless. There are cute items to suit all ages and all of your many loves. There is a gorgeous wristlet this year that is FOR MOM (i.e. MINE) I have been looking for one for…
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On Mindfulness Tools and Month One of Living Mindfully #LoveHallmarkCA
This year, I decided 2017 would be my year of living mindfully. Mindfulness was, and still is, my own personal goal. I challenged myself to stop, take stock daily and be present. Be Mindful. So here’s where I am at one month after starting this mindfulness experiment. In fact, I thought mindfulness would be easier than this, so I am looking to build in some new relaxation and mindfulness tools to help get there. This morning, walking alone, on a beautiful winter day, it was easy to close my eyes, block out jobs, tasks, To Do Lists, and reflect on the beautiful surroundings. Southern Ontario in the winter can be pretty…
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20 Printable Star Wars Valentines
Is there anything cuter than Star Wars Valentines? I can’t think of much, unless it’s a newborn baby with all of their precious newborn smells. This is the year my kids are all grown up and no longer showing interest in giving out Valentine’s cards. That makes me a little bit sad. But, I know many of you have younger children than I do so I thought you could use this printable Star Wars Valentine’s guide. Yoda best Valentine! Some of these adorable printable Star Wars Valentines have me laughing out loud. There’s really no end to the puns you can make with Star Wars sayings. So it’s a natural topic…
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Valentine’s Day Bouquets – The Classic “I Love You”
Valentine’s Day bouquets are the classic “I love you” gift. They’re a wonderful way to show someone how much you care. The wonderful scents. The beautiful blooms. The colours. Flowers, especially Valentine’s Day bouquets, are the most romantic thing in the world to me. They’re so classic, and they have this way of making me feel appreciated, loved and cheerful. Sigh… I love them. The Best Valentine’s Day Bouquets If you’re going to give a bouquet as a Valentine’s Day gift – and you should – make sure you get the best of the best. I love Teleflora bouquets. Their blooms are always beautiful and long lasting. That’s the winning…
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How to Plan for an Early Retirement
Rather than waiting to turn 65 many people are planning for early retirement by making smart financial decisions early in life. The key to early retirement is knowing that you have enough money to live on, and set aside for emergencies once you retire. How to Plan for an Early Retirement Save, save, save! That might sound simple but it’s truly the first step. Not only do you need to save money, you need to make sure that your savings are in high interest accounts, or GICs, and RRSPs. Stashing cash in your mattress only gives you the money that you stash. But placing every extra penny into interest bearing…
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Must Make – Cherry Red Velvet Valentine’s Day Cupcakes
February is such a great month. There’s Family Day and Valentine’s Day and frankly love and family abound. This month you need to make these Cherry Red Velvet Valentine’s Day Cupcakes. Could anything be sweeter for your sweetheart than red velvet and cupcakes combined? I have been craving a good cupcake recipe for months here and who can say No to red velvet? My kids also love red velvet so I know these will be well received this month. The sweetest Cherry Red Velvet Valentine's Day Cupcakes [tweetthis]You need these cherry red velvet Valentine’s Day Cupcakes in your life. [/tweetthis] Share the love and Pin this for later. What are…
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Happy Heart Health Month – Facts About This Vital Organ #ad
This post has been generously sponsored by Bayer. Heart Health is incredibly important to me. Why is that? Well, a few years ago I had a high blood pressure reading, followed by another one and so on until I was worried I’d need regular high blood pressure medication. I narrowly turned that around with lifestyle changes and my wireless home blood pressure monitor, but I still monitor it. But heart health remains top of mind for me daily. This month everyone has hearts and love on their mind. Every single store is full of heart shaped chocolates and pillows and candies. Romantic love is celebrated and Valentine’s cards are shared. Maybe…
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Healthy Habits to Get You Through the Winter #ChurchandDwight
Healthy habits are important all year long, but I have to say, they’re even more important during the winter. Winter is when all the worst germs come out to play. By now everyone I know has had the colds, the flu bugs and even pink eye (TWICE in my case). However, if you practice healthy habits, you can help stave off the onslaught of all those nasty bugs and feel as good as possible all season long. Simple Healthy Habits You can Start Today These healthy habits can be started immediately and can help you feel better now and later. When you make healthier choices, your body gets stronger, and when…
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25 Healthy Homemade Granola Recipes
I am not a crunchy granola Mom, but I do like to have options. And I really love having different healthy homemade breakfast and lunch recipes available to my family. Each of the members of my family love granola. So, I occasionally try to add it to their meals, or create something new for them with this great ingredient. These are 25 of my favourite healthy homemade granola recipes. The top of this list os Peanut Butter Granola from Bunny’s Warm Oven. My youngest daughter is the world’s biggest peanut butter fan. Combining peanut butter and granola will make her ridiculously happy. These two are bound to be huge hits…