14.10.10

A Thankful Thursday

Well, thanksgiving was on Monday and all weekend/week I've been filled with gratitude. You all saw my last post on one particular friend who's just been amazing to me, and I am very blessed to have many others whom are just amazing and have helped me in so many ways. I'm also especially grateful for my wonderful husband. Saturday marked 6 incredible years of marriage for us. Sometimes I can't believe it's been that long, others I think "that's it?!". But yes, Canadian thanksgiving always marks another anniversary for us and I get my two favorite things (time with my hubby and turkey dinner!). (We also had turkey dinner at our wedding... and let me tell ya, those Hutterites know how it's done!)


Lately, I've just been looking at how blessed we are and how it's not fair that others seem to struggle so much, I mean we definitely have our trials and in just about every aspect of our lives... health, finances.. you name it it's been an up and down kinda journey, but when I look at where we are now, so young with so much, I just know the Lord is wanting us to share. I mean how can we not? Everything in this life is given to us from our Heavenly Father and we have a choice with what we do with it, but how can we not express such gratitude and humility by not giving back?

"Where much is given, much is required"

Ok, I'm totally being random with this post, I started out with the complete intention of just expressing my gratitude in this time of thanksgiving period. A little mush (sincere mush but mush nonetheless) about my family, friends, my husband, and all we are blessed with. Instead I find myself quoting scripture and feeling this intense desire to do more.

I know many of you may be thinking "well don't you own a charity?" Well... yes, BUT I've been really lazy lately. I've been tired (exhausted) and just not feeling quite like myself for the past little while, but is that really an excuse? There is so much to be done in the world, so very much to be done... how can I afford to be lazy? I mean, I've hardly done much work, hardly done much with the charity (the occasional tweet here and there and/or blog post.) I've hardly done much spiritual-wise. So how can I really be thankful? I know all well that all we have is from the Lord, but do I thank Him near enough? I thank Him for my "blessings" but that's like a catch-all. And why do we wait until Thanksgiving when the calendar tells us to give thanks before we do? Once I heard a talk where someone talked about a gratitude journal, where everyday they'd write what they were grateful for and they'd do all they could not to repeat themselves, thus causing them to become very specific in their thanks and causing them to see so many more blessings in their lives. Maybe I'll start that, end each post with an expression of gratitude... of course it would probably be more useful if I wrote more... (this is the third time in a week though!)

Also, I think I'm going to try each day to do one thing to make the world better. Whether it be bringing a special treat to a friend (that was today's) or actively furthering the progress of Child Rescue. I mean, what if God had said "I'm too tired today to answer your prayers... I'll get around to it someday"... I know I'm not as our Heavenly Father and that I am Human and we all have our shortcomings and that there is a time and a season for all things, but maybe if I push just a little harder, maybe if we all push just a little harder the world, or at least our tiny portion of it may be just that much better.


9.10.10

Just a Widdle Guy

No matter what you ask Nixon he is (Are you a baby? Are you a Monkey? etc.) his answer is always the same:

"No, I just a widdle guy!"

Sad to say, but my "widdle guy" is looking not so little these days. I'm grateful he's only 2 (and a half) and I get to spend a long time with him at home still, but still... he's 2 1/2! He's getting so big and doing so many things and although I know I can't make him stay "widdle" forever... I"m making sure I enjoy all the tantrums, no reason hugs and kisses and just all the "widdleness" I can because it sure feels like only yesterday he was like this:




And now he's like this:


Man I love that little man. He'll forever be my baby and will forever be "the boy" and "my little man" and no matter how big and grown up he gets, he will always be "my widdle guy!"

(Yes that picture is from our recent pictures taken by Blue Lily and yes I will post about em... when I get around to it!)




7.10.10

A lil' tribute to my BFFF



This post is dedicated to miss Bree (yes I'm pretty sure I've done this before lol)

But I just had to let everyone know that I have the bestest BFFF! (yes there's an extra f and yes it's an inside joke).

Nothing exceptionally special has caused me to write this post, just thinking about thanksgiving I guess and all that I am grateful for. Bree's one of those friends that will just last forever. She's kind, thoughtful, and just all around amazing. Many of you know that after Nixon was born I suffered from post partum depression. (and I'm not ashamed of it, it's normal, it happens, I got help and worked through it.) Anywho, I was sad, depressed but mostly ridiculously hormonal and crazy... and then I met Bree. Bree literally brought buckets of sunshine and happiness to my life. She talked to me every day, brought me cookies, treats, food, treasures, made me leave the house... and what I'm most grateful for... her friendship. Once I kinda got back into the swing of things and was feeling a little more chipper her service and amazing love didn't stop... it continued. Randomly, she'd still bring cookies, brownies, crave cupcakes, make me go on countless adventures, watch my kids, love my kids... there was no end to her loving care and no way out lol. I was hooked, I found a soulmate, someone I could depend on and tell anything and everything to. Someone who would never even think to judge me.

I just want her to know how much I love her and how grateful I am for good friends in my life. I have been blessed with some amazing friends throughout the various stages of my life thus far and hope that I can be as good a friend to them as they have been to me.

Breanna Jean, You're awesome and I wil forever be indebted to you for your graciousness and love. I love you!





2.9.10

Whaaaat? 2 Posts in 2 days?!!

That's right! Another day, another post! And this one is on a very important topic... TELEVISION!
LOL I know I'm random but that's why you love me! (You DO Love me right?) Well I thought I'd post my fave shows since they all start up again soon! Honestly... if you're looking for some good quality entertainment... look no further!



SUCH a good show! I love it... nerds, a hot girl... what more do you need?.... Bazinga!



Tracy Jordan... need I say more?



Dwight... gotta love him!



thoroughly entertaining and will have you scrutinizing everyone's facial expressions around you!



Oh Michael Weston... how I love thee!


LEGEN... wait for it, and I hope you're not lactose intolerent 'cause this next part... is DAIRY!


Yes... that is Angel but don't let that fool you! This is a quality show! Oh Temperance!



Why Yes, that is Al Bundy... and this show is sa-weet!



2 words... Amy Poehler!



Love My Chuckles!



Newer show and it got extra funny towards the end of last season



Not quite as good as Lie to me but still a good show
aaand......




sigh... I'll admit it...



I've fallen victim



to......







yes... it's true. I am a closet Glee-er.


PS. This post has got me thinking I watch entirely too much television...


1.9.10

Crazy Crazy Summer!




So this summer has been INTENSE! We have been back and forth to Utah and organizing all sorts of stuff for Candlelight Serenade (The benefit concert we put on for Child Rescue). It was sooo much work, but at the same time... just so excellent! We had amazing volunteers and help and really put on an awesome show! And we got so much awareness out there.

Child trafficking is such a difficult cause to talk about, but it is very real... right here in North America, so it was great to be able to voice that in a way that causes people to action and not to depression. We had some AMAZING bands! We had Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessionals, Nick Hexum of 311, Relient K, Neon Trees, Vedera, Sherwood, Making April, Priscilla Ahn, Steel Train, Fictionist and Allred, who even wrote a song for the cause that many of the artists came on stage to sing.

Candlelight was such a fun night and definitely the highlight of my summer. I just loved it! Everytime I think about it, it makes me get a little teary-eyed because so many people came together... saw our vision... joined our cause... and helped us on our journey to once again abolish slavery.

Check this out for pictures of Candlelight. or Check out our FB Page. -more pics will be up once I finish setting up our Flickr account.

For ways on how you can volunteer or help out with Child Rescue, check out childrescue.org or contact me.


9.8.10

seee... I'm blogging again!

Just thought I'd prove that I'm serious about my return to the world of the bloggers!

So it's been a fun week... two of my nieces came to visit last Wednesday and will be here until this Thursday. I've really enjoyed having them around. They're my oldest brother's kids and they're teenagers. I was slightly worried at first just 'cause I've never had teenaged girls stay with me... just Tess but she's more like a little sister/best friend. But it's been super fun, we went boating, and to West Ed and we've done some shopping and played more than a few rounds of Uno haha. I love that I'm getting close to them again as I haven't seem them in over 6 years, and this is Nick's first time meeting them.
We also had Liv's Bday! It was fun! We had a Mad Hatter's Tea Party! Good times! We played golfish croquet with flamingos and hat hat hatter and of course... had cake! It was fun and I will get pictures up soon! Well, I'm tired and need to get some other work done but thought I'd post a quick update!

Until I blog again (which will be soon)

2.8.10

SWEEEEEEET GIVEAWAY!!!!

Do you like Anthropologie? Can you find a way to spend $300 there? How about Dashboard? Wanna see Chris Carabba for free? How about 311 or Third Eye Blind? Hmm.... have I enticed you yet? Maybe need 2 new swimsuits from Lime Ricky? Or a family Photo shoot? Photo Lessons? OK so I know you want at least one of those! Well.... you can win em! And a bunch more if you head over to modsblog and enter the SWEETEST GIVEAWAY EVER!!! Now Go! Try to win some awesome stuff and support an AMAZING cause at the same time! What are still doing here? GO!

Guess who's back??!!

Guess who's back... back again... Keshia's back... tell a friend!!

Haha why hello! Long time no blog! I know, I know... it's been far too long... you're probably wondering what's up with me? Where have I been? Why haven't I been blogging? Why don't I love you anymore??!! haha ORRRR I'm not as important as I think I am and you could care less that I haven't been blogging. I choose the prior!

So.. in answer to all your questions... (in the order you've asked of course..) Not a whole lot.. been busy working and doing new things... I've been here, there and around, but mostly right here at home in front of my puter! I HAVE been blogging! Just not here my friends... I know, I know sad but true.. I'll fill ya in later on. And last but not least... Why don't I love you? I DO!!!! I love all of my adoring fans! I just have been ridiculously busy with all sorts of projects and one REALLY big one in particular! But I am trying to come back for good! Really I mean it! I wanna blog and I wanna keep writing. I love to write and I do miss the old blog. So... here I am -back in the flesh... well.. type I guess.

So now that it's later I can tell you all about my busy life and where I have been blogging. But first, I'll start from the beginning.

Nick and I as well as his Bro and Sis-in-law have started a Charity! Our charity is called the Child Rescue Association of North America, or Child Rescue for short. Now, I want to tell you about the charity, but I don't want to make you sad because it's not a happy issue... so I will do my best to tell you some facts so you understand the necessity for charities like this, but not so you get depressed.

Basically, what our charity does is raise awareness and funds to help fight child trafficking. In laymen terms... child trafficking (or human trafficking) is forced prostitution. Children are being abducted from their homes, sold by their families or mislead and coerced into prostitution and treated as slaves. Often their lives and the lives of their families are threatened to keep them in this trade. -basically, without getting into too much detail, that is what we are trying to end.

Lots of you may know that this is a major problem in Cambodia and overseas, but few... very few people realize this is a problem here in North America as well. It is happening right here in the city that I live in and you can be pretty sure it's happening where you live too. As a mother, this terrifies and sickens me, which is why I have chosen not to turn away and pretend it doesn't happen, but to fight and do everything I can to stop this from continuing to happen.

Human Trafficking is the second most profitable organized crime world-wide... with the first being drugs and third being weapon sales. Annually, human trafficking is more profitable than Nike, Google and Starbucks...combined!

How can't I fight?

I know this is a HUGE problem, but ya know what? It only takes one person! (Mother Theresa, Gandhi, Rosa Parks...) I'm not saying that I'm worthy of any of the prestige that those amazing people deserve. No... I'm using them as an example that a single person can make a difference... and Child Rescue is far from a single person.

We have developed an AMAZING team of staff and volunteers and are doing exciting things!

Our first event to raise awareness will be Candlelight Serenade Acoustic Festival, which will happen on Saturday, August 21 2010 at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. This concert is going to be EPIC! Sooo good... the line up is AMAZING! It will include Dashboard Confessional Chris Carabba, Nick Hexum of 311, Third Eye Blind, Vedera, Neon Trees and a bunch more! We're soo excited about this concert and the awareness and funds it will bring to Child Rescue and this amazing cause!

So back to blogging... I have been in charge of websites and the online presence for Child Rescue and Candlelight Serenade, so I have been taking care of Facebook Pages, Twitter, Blogs and whatever other social media we choose. Luckily I've had an awesome partner who's been heading up a lot of the Candlelight stuff leaving me with only half the social media workload! I tell you though, it is all sooooo much work, but I am absolutely LOVING it! I get so excited any time I see that someone has mentioned us or any time I see the ticket sales. This charity is becoming like another child to me... something I absolutely ADORE with all my heart... I crave it! I can't wait to tell people about it and create events and it just makes me soo happy to know that I am helping such a worthwhile cause... protecting our children!

So... that's what I've been up to... busy busy busy! If you'd like to learn more about the charity or the concert here are some links for ya:

http://childrescue.org
http://childrescue.org/blog
http://candlelightserenade.com
http://candlelightserenade.com/blog
http://twitter.com/childrescue_na
http://twitter.com/childrescuecalg
http://twitter.com/candleserenade

Search for both Child Rescue and Candlelight Serenade on Facebook


15.4.10

Enchanted with Entitlement

So the kids and I just finished watching the movie "Enchanted" and it got me thinking....
At the beginning, it starts out with the princess or I guess maiden... all happy and waiting for her prince to come and for them to share in "Love's true kiss". And of course, he comes, sweeps her off her feet (literally) and then says "We shall be married in the morning". So naturally, I scoffed at this and was like "oh right, we meet and are married in the morning and will live happily ever after". And then the movie goes on and the queen casts her to NYC and there she meets Robert who teaches her about the reality of life and she teaches him of course of happily ever afters and they end up in love and together and then Robert's girlfriend ends up with Prince Edward. So what had me thinking was the ending, when it showed Robert's girlfriend and the Prince getting married. This led me to thinking of a simpler time when roles were clearly defined and people knew what they had to do to make life work.

Now just so we are ALL CLEAR... I am a working mom who LOVES her work, and I totally understand the necessities of working and the importance of being with your family and that we live in the 21st century... this is just a train of thought that I am sharing with you!

Now... when the movie ended, I thought now they'll get married and have kids and live happily ever after. And we all know that "Happily Ever After" is relative... that one person's H.E.A might not be yours and there are different ways to define it. But I started to think... they'll have kids, she'll be the nurturer, he'll be the provider and they'll live that life. But wait a minute... why are there so many issues with THAT life? I am striving to live THAT life but still find myself longing for more.... why is that?

I mean, THAT life has worked for years and years and years... and then all of a sudden we decided it didn't and all hell broke loose! What I am referring to (in case you haven't realized) is the Women's Movement. Now HOLD ON! And stop badmouthing me under your breath! I'm not saying the Women's movement was bad.. lotsa good came out of it... changes of laws on reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, voting rights, sexual harassment etc. etc. What I'm referring to is the change in attitude that came from this.

All of a sudden, being a mom and caring for your kids and being the person to kiss all their boo-boos and teach them right from wrong, and taking care of your family and their health and their needs failed to be enough. Women wanted MORE... they wanted to be seen as the men (and I believe we are equal in every way), they wanted to be out there proving their worth instead of caged up in a house with their offspring all day. (I Am Woman Hear Me ROAR!) Now, this is what I see as a negative. Yes we are equal, I believe that! But that doesn't mean we have to pull the "anything you can do I can do better" thing. There is something special and quite noble about a woman who can truly find joy in loving, caring for and raising her family. (Now I am one of those who strives for MORE... I wish I didn't and am working towards finding true happiness and contentment in my primary role as a mother).

So my thoughts had led me to thinking of the past... thinking of that simpler time, when men worked hard to provide for and take care of their family, and when women where nurturing and loving and happy. (Not JUST happy to stay at home... but just overall... HAPPY!)

Ok, so like I mentioned before, I work and LOVE what I do. I am also a stay at home mom and am proud of it! I love my kids and I LOVE being the one who is there for them and who gets to see every side of them and watch them grow on a daily.. hourly.. second-by second basis!

Back to that simpler time... Roles were clearly defined, everyone knew what they did to make life work and it worked. Where they happy? Honestly? I think they were!

I picture a family where the husband gets up to go to work and the wife is there by his side, helping to make his morning easier. I picture that wife ironing his shirt (I HATE IRONING.... just a side-note) and I picture the husband giving her an appreciative kiss as he takes his shirt and buttons up his boots and gets ready for the morning. I picture the wife lovingly making him a hearty homemade breakfast that will help him to have the energy to go about his daily labours. I see their children waking up and doing some chores and having breakfast and I see them getting ready for school or other chores. I see them as a family seeing their father off and telling them they love him as he heads off to work. I see the Mother then helping the children finish getting ready for school and what not and singing a happy little tune as she tidies the kitchen and gets on with her day. I picture the mother cleaning and cooking and tending to their home which is her sanctuary and because of all of her diligence and hard work in making it beautiful and a haven, I see her enjoying it. I see the mother after a busy morning and some chores, reading a book in the afternoon or taking a nap. I see her getting dinner started and her husband coming home from a very busy day and helping set the table. I see the father playing with the kids and asking them about their days. I see the family sitting down for dinner and enjoying each others' company. I see the family kneeling in prayer at the end of the day to offer gratitude to their Father in Heaven for all that they have been blessed with... and aren't they blessed?

OK... now I know some if not MANY of you will tell me that I'm delusional and that's not how life is... that the kids will fight, the parents will fight, the house will be a mess and they'll all be miserable! (ok maybe that's a bit much). I wonder though... how that wife felt. If she felt like she was missing out on a stressful busy day at the office, or if she enjoyed being at home in HER home with her family. I wonder if that husband felt that he was doing all the work and his wife should step up to the plate and do more. If they are truly happy (and I suspect they are). I don't think so.

I think the wife understands her worth and her value in the home. I think she understands the potential she has to influence her children and her family in ways that no secondary caregiver ever could. I think the husband respects and appreciates his wife. I think he knows how much she works to tend to their family and is truly grateful for her as his equal partner.

I think the children see their parents' love for one another and it makes them feel happy and secure. I think they see that their parents don't love every thing they are doing, but they do it happily because they absolutely love whom they are doing it for.

I don't believe every day is a day full of bliss and cheer. I believe many hardships will come to this family, but because they are so happy to be working together and for one another that these hardships will come and go and that this family will remain in tact... completely unshaken.

This family in my mind, was living in a sweet cottage in the prairies sometime in the late 1800s or early 1900s... not unlike Anne of Green Gables. But that doesn't mean that we can't have this family in our homes today.

I am well aware of the drastic changes in time since the picture I had in my head would have been a reality... but that doesn't mean that we can't still have the same spirit that this family had.

I understand that we have sports and school and dance and work and a million things to complicate such a simple life... but still, I wonder... why are we so unhappy? Depression rates are increasing and we seem to be less happy and less content. Why is this? (Just an interesting side-note... that study said that generations have been increasingly more depressed since those born in 1915... since the women's movement started in the 50s... those women born in 1915 would have been 35 at the time of the movement... I'm just saying is all). But why are we getting increasingly more depressed? Didn't women like the one in my little picture get sad or depressed? Didn't they have extremely difficult lives and hormonal imbalances?

My sister-in-law and I were talking about a similar subject not too long ago, she had read a book in which they talked about this. They talked about how women now a days are over thinking, that we are so educated (not a bad thing) that we over analyze. In the book, the author interviews some elderly women, and asked what they did when they got depressed... and the women replied "depressed? Oh honey, we had some hard times, but we just pulled up our socks and worked through it". (Now those may not be the exact words... but something quite similar.) The book went on to say how now a days, we basically diagnose ourselves with all sorts of problems (and I'm not saying chemical depression is just a myth or anything.. trust me I know it isn't) when they just didn't have time or maybe even the knowledge of/for such things.

Now I really hope I didn't totally butcher that book but it made me think, why isn't it enough? Why do we always long for more? Why can't we be happy with what we have? Weren't they happy back then? Part of me wonders if it's that we now feel entitled to soo much. We should work too!(as if being a stay at home mom isn't loads and loads of work and I understand needing to work), We should have a bigger house, We should have a nicer car, We should etc. etc. But is that it? Do we feel entitled to so much that we lose sight of what we do have... and what is so quickly slipping away from us?

And to tell you the truth... this is where my thought process ends... I have no idea why we're so much unhappier as a society... more crime? more murder? would happier homes and families change that? Would a simpler life change that? I don't know... do you?

9.4.10

Nixon- Calgary's Cutest Kid!



So our local radio station has a concert for Calgary's Cutest Kid! And I've entered Nixon in to win! We entered last year I think (maybe the year before) and didn't win, but I had entered both kids and may have split the vote that way lol. Anywho, Here's the link to vote for him... and you can vote once a day per browser (I voted for him today on firefox and safari).. I'm just sayin' is all ;)

http://cutestkid.vibemorningshow.com/showcase/View.aspx?ID=142886







If you are planning to support Nixon and vote for him, why not win a prize for doing so?! Check out the Urban Design Studio 1 Blog for more deets!

2.4.10

Busy Busy Busy! (Re-Post from UDS1 Blog)

So I haven't been able to post for a while because I've been sooo busy doing exactly what I love! I have been spending time with family and doing a ton of work! Yes it's had it's stressful times, but overall I'm doing what I love and am completely enjoying it! I have been doing blog designs, finishing up some websites, working on logos and business cards and all sorts of graphicy goodness! My favourite project I've been working on has been a website for a charity called Child Rescue of North America. I really enjoyed working with Lindsay and donating some of my time and talents to help with their wonderful cause. I decided to do an interview with Lindsay to help promote their cause and spread the word about their charity so here's the interview:

  1. What exactly does Child Rescue of North America do?
    Child Rescue is a non-profit organization that exists to fight the horrors of child trafficking.

  2. Isn't child trafficking mainly happening overseas?
    It is true that the numbers are incredibly high in developing countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, and India but child trafficking happens in every region of the world including The US and Canada. This is one of the most important things for us to understand- that this is happening in our own back yard. There are an estimated 1,200 child trafficked into Canada each year and somewhere around 18,000 in the United States. These statistics are shocking to say the least, but when you see and hear the actual stories of young people exploited into sexual slaver you will connect in your mind and your heart that there are thousands upon thousands of these nightmare stories that are being realized right now as we speak.

  3. Aren't local police taking care of this problem?
    They do try but the funding and resources are just no where near where they need to be in order for them to have a chance. Training, equipment, constant incoming tips from the general public need to be provided in order for them to save more kids. They need simple things like servers to hold all of the information on these criminals so that when they are prosecuted they can have more evidence against them. This costs money, so we need to be apart of the solution.


  4. Are there many other efforts being made to solve these problems?
    Unfortunately not enough, human trafficking is the second largest criminal activity on the planet today. Sexual slavery is a nearly 30 billion dollar industry and is growing rapidly. These are huge numbers to combat so we need all the help we can get, but there are amazing government and law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and other groups doing there best to stop this unthinkable problem.

  5. What is your main goal?
    Our mission is to reduce child trafficking in the US and Canada by 90%before the end of 2019.

  6. How do you plan to accomplish this goal?
    We have intended to accomplish this by two main efforts intervention and education. Education will be a comprehensive approach, we are engaging in aggressive public awareness campaigns to generate enough disgust in the community to influence political will. We need to create the demand to end this! We also focus on supporting the actual Task forces that rescue kids from trafficking and we want to help finance education for law enforcement or other agencies so they can be more effective in their efforts. Education also includes teaching indivduals at risk how to avoid becoming trafficking vicitims. Intervention goes hand in hand with these educational models and includes strategies of financing equipment to law enforcement, providing services to victims, creating a tip hot line, and funding rehabilitation facilities.

  7. How did you first hear about child trafficking?
    I believe I first heard about it on the news years and years ago but it wasn't until I recently began to work for Child Rescue that I really understood the scoope of the problem and the startling numbers world wide let alone in the United States and or my home state of Utah.

  8. Why did you decide to help head up this charity?
    I have known the founders for years and they are some of the kindest most selfless people I have ever known but aside from the fantastic team I work with at Child Rescue I am a mother of two small children and I cannot think of a more worthy cause for my time and energy. All children deserve to be safe and to have their childhood preserved. All humanity is worthy of more. I just can't stand by any more.

  9. Where can I learn more about this issue and how to help?
    The most comprehensive report done to date was done by the US State Department Tip Report on Human trafficking 2009. You can find it on their website, also just google human trafficking and you can read and or see any number or articles or new reports on the issue. The information is everywhere, you just need to open your eyes.

  10. How can I as a regular person help out?
    There are many ways in which you can get involved both specifically in Child Rescue as well as in the anti-human trafficking movement. You can contribute your time by volunteering. We have an every increasing need for help in any capacity and Child Rescue staff are willing to figure out with you where and how you can best be involved. Some examples are promoting our benefit concert coming up this fall, working on branding and messaging, fundraising, helping to get the public aware of this issue, and or even just licking envelopes. If you yourself are not in a position to volunteer then you can help connect us to those who can. Your friends, family, or associates maybe willing and able and if you can send them our way we would appreciate it. Also, if you know business owners or influential celebrity type figures that could help our voice be heard you can be that link. You can also always give your money. Donate by visiting our website. You can pledge as little as 3 dollars a week or even contribute a one time $5 donation. Every penny counts. You truly are the difference in this fight!
Being a mother myself, I can't believe that this is happening seriously right in our own backyards! After researching more into the subject, I learned that my very own city is a part of 2 major child trafficking routes in Canada. It was such an eye opener that many of us really do live in a bit of a bubble and I have decided to help out with Child Rescue where I can. If you'd like to help out as well or donate, feel free to email Lindsay at

21.2.10

And the Saga Continues (Part 3)

Sorry this is being dragged out so long but life is crazy and kids have needs! So back to the story....
So we get into the major city and capital (Kingstown, also where my dad and his family grew up) and it reminds me very much of New York! There are street vendors everywhere -a very large marketplace- and half of them are selling bootlegged movies and music! Disney's Princess and the Frog was being pushed quite heavily when they saw Liv lol. It was like I'd said in the first post, such a different world. I loved that you had to interact with people in every setting. Walking down the street there's street vendors, and I love that they're not pushy. St.Vincent isn't uber touristy yet so 90% of the people who go through the markets are locals. So through the markets, you interact with people, at the grocery stores, there's at least 3 or 4 people at the checkouts working the cash, bagging, helping you to your car... I loved it! In Canada I usually favor self-checkouts and ATMS (usually drive-through) but it was so nice to feel so connected to so many people... it reminds you that people are people and I just really enjoyed it! So back to the markets, there was fruit of all kinds, there's a fish market by the harbour (I stayed away) and then you can buy clothes and stuff (all really highly priced and clearly from the states). I think the majority of people there do their shopping in a mixture, purchasing from people on the streets and in the grocery stores.


Market

So we decided to visit family first and then get our groceries before heading back to the guest house. We met up with my mom's cousin at the bank (love that they had ATMS that accepted our cards! We just withdrew and got out some Eastern Caribbean money or EC$ which looked a fair bit like Canadian $... maybe it's 'cause they're a part of the British Commonwealth as well so the Queen was on their moola too.). So my mom's cousin, Calvin was one of the only people I remembered 'cause he had just moved back to the Caribbean from New York and I remember visiting him in the States. So I think he had a busy day that do so we talked for a little bit and then we were off to my Grandpa's.


EC$

So my Grandpa is my Dad's father (my mom's dad died shortly after I was born) and my parents are divorced, but my mom is soo sweet. She gets along really well with my dad's family and she's the one who called and made arrangements to meet up with all of his relatives. Anywho, so it was wonderful to see my Grandpa, he has Glaucoma as does the majority of my dad's side and can hardly see, so it was soo nice to have him be with my children and meet them. He hasn't seen me since I was just a year or two older than Liv, He has pictures from my Dad, but I brought a large photo album with pictures of my family from the birth of Liv till now... don't think I put wedding ones in... but maybe.. can't remember. Anywho, we brought some gifts for him and my aunt Rosie lives with him and takes care of him, but she was working that day so we had a nice visit just with him. The kids just loved him! They sat on his lap and gave him tons of hugs and kisses... it was soo sweet! He happens to be their only great grandfather that's alive now and it was just so wonderful to see them together.... my family!


Grandpa & the Kids

After we visited with my Grandpa, we went back to the market, got the food we needed and then took another van-cab back to Layou (the town where the guest house was and where my mom and Grandma grew up).

So, the guest house wasn't anything extraordinarily beautiful, but it was perfect! It's kinda set up like a motel, each room has 2 double beds, a bathroom with a shower, toilet and sink, a wardrobe to hang clothes in and a TV (only one channel). Our room also had a mini-fridge which was awesome for us 'cause Nixon pounded through a LOT of milk! Our room also adjoined to another room which we had the kids in. So there was about 10 or 12 rooms and then on the main floor, there was a big kitchen with a little rec-room typed thing attached. So we had a fridge and stove and cooked a bunch of our meals, it was really nice not to have to eat out 3 x a day for 2 weeks!




The Guest House


Liv eating in the rec area, my mom cooking in the kitchen, Nixon sitting on the step

One of my favourite things about St.Vincent was how much fruit there was and how green it was! At the base of the guesthouse there was a fairly large open green space with a couple of mango trees, and some orange trees and some lime trees and a fruit called sugar apple, Papaya and Coconut... among some pretty flowers and plants! It was soo neat to see so much that you can use and live off of. When I got home, it seemed like such a waste that we have all these ornamental trees that pretty much don't do anything. Anywho, I just loved how simple it was... we wanted limeade... so we picked some limes and made some juice... we wanted a mango, we went and picked one! I was beginning to think I could live here happily ever after lol... I really didn't miss home at all... just my friends and family!




Some of the Fruits & Flowers that were at the guesthouse