Adventure Day - London Children's Museum

For me, being a mom is sometimes easier when your busy, out and about doing fun things. Karli and I decided to take our little people on an adventure day, to the London Children's Museum. We weren't sure how the day would go but we did our best to time our departure with morning naps, packed lots of snacks and were prepared to laugh off anything crazy that might happen.

On the drive there, we laughed about a road trip we had taken together just the two of us, to go shopping, a few years ago. Oh how things have changed, but in the best way. After remising about the past, we dreamed a little about the future, when our kids are a little bigger and we can all be super silly together in the car. 

I hadn't been to this museum since I was a kid, and I didn't even really remember it. I was excited to check everything out and experience something new with Luke. 

All the exhibits were cool. Luke was a little young for some of them but he was still entertained by all the action of the other kids and his pal V. I am excited to take him back when he gets older, I think this is a place where there will always be something new to discover. 

I am also excited about the friendship that is forming between Luke and Violet. It is so cool that she recognizes him when we get together and that she always wants to give him a kiss. I have said this before but I will say it again, I am so grateful that I have amazing friends to share motherhood with. Karli and I being on leave together, well thats just icing on this big fluffy cake called life. 

I love experiencing things through Luke's eyes for the first time, its like rediscovering everything I knew and learning tons more along the way. I have a question for you moms with a few kids, is it like this with all your children, or just the first? 

One thing I am certain of, children are always changing and evolving, so I am sure family life will always have an element of adventure. 

We made it home without anything crazy happening and everyone even napped together on the ride back to Corunna. 

If your looking for a fun family activity I would definitely recommend the London Children's Museum. 

Gratitude Monday - I Can Do Some Things

I don't know about you, but I can feel overwhelmed and helpless after watching the evening news and learning about all the hurt in our world. The other night I was watching the news and feeling this way and then God said, "Hey Heather, I know you can't do everything but you can do some things. Do not be crippled by your sadness for the world, use your gifts to do what you can and pray for the causes that are out of your hands."

I stopped in that moment and said a prayer for the people in the story I had seen on the news. 

There are a lot of things I can not do but there are definitley things I can do and for that I am grateful. If we all do a few things, we can change our world for the better.

On Sunday, Tyler, Luke and I are walking in the Carstar's Great Strides Walk To End Cystic Fibrosis. We read a story in our local news paper (Special Vest Help Sarnia Teen Breathe ) this year, about a family who is in need of a vest for their son who has cystic fibrosis, we were moved to help this cause. 

If you would like to pledge us in our walk, you can visit this page here Donate Now. If that is out of your hands, maybe you could give this post a share. Lastly, pray for the families who live with this illness and those who are working to end it. 

xoxo

Audrey 

A Day At The Pinery

I needed a family day, just me and my boys. We went to the Pinery for a hike, a visit to the beach and a picnic lunch. Then we went for a stroll through Grand Bend. It was a great day and an awesome way to start the summer. 

Hey, all you Lambton County folk, wouldn't you agree that we live in such a pretty place!!! Here are some pictures from our day. Ty and I agreed, we need to do days like this more often. A new family tradition has been formed. 

Weekend wishes my friends!

Learn more about the Pinery here and consider playing local. 

Light Summer Makeup by H.A.L. Makeup Artistry

When summer hits, I want makeup that is light on my skin, quick to apply and leaves me feeling polished. In this makeup tutorial, I show you how I create one of my "go to", summer looks.

As always, thank you for stopping by and hanging out with me!

Sisterhood

Check out this fun interview video I created with my sisters, all about the awesomeness of sisterhood.

Everyday Extraordinary

Now that I am a mom, people continuously remind me to enjoy every moment of life as a parent because time moves so quickly when you start a family. I would agree that time in moving quickly, in the midst of some days that seem very long. Luke is growing, learning and developing and there is no stopping it. I wouldn't want to freeze time because I am blessed that my son is learning, growing and developing but I do want to cherish our time, each extraordinary moment.

So far, as a parent, the everyday moments of my life are the ones I am cherishing most. The slow moments, the unexpected moments when the camera isn't in my hand and the mundane routine that is our current life. I look at these moments as they happen before me and think, "wow, this is my life, I am so blessed." These everyday moments are extraordinary to me and they are the memories I will hold closest to my heart.

I have pictures in my mind, looking at myself in the reflection of my kitchen window in the middle of the night, rocking Luke to sleep. I can feel his tiny newborn weight on my chest as he sleeps and I watch Mindy Project on the couch. I can picture his little eyes looking up at me as I nurse him. All of these moments didn't require planning or a special event, they are simply my life, my everyday extraordinary.

In addition to doing my very best to take mental snapshots in my mind, I wanted to capture some of our everyday extraordinary moments with the help of a professional. My friend Shannon, who photographed Luke as a newborn came over to spend some time with us while we do our everyday thing and the result could not be more perfect.

Now that Luke is a little bigger and moving around, I really need to get creative and make chores into a game, if I want to get things done during the day. Sometimes that means playing in the laundry or getting a little wet while we wash a few dishes but thats how I am making everyday extraordinary. And then there are those long afternoons, waiting for dad to come home and the only thing that will make that time special, is a good old sprinkle donut.

Shannon & I believe these real, uncensored moments deserve to be captured and would like to see how you make your, everyday extraordinary. Please share your pictures on Facebook or Instagram and use #everydayextraordinary for a chance to win a complimentary makeup application & mini lifestyle photography session with Shannon and myself. You also need to "Like" the Shannon Turner Photography & H.A.L. Makeup Artistry   Facebook pages to qualify. The contest will run until Thursday May 21 at midnight.

We can not wait to see your everyday extraordinary moments!

Natural Smokey Eye by H.A.L. Makeup Artistry

In this makeup tutorial, I was getting ready to spend the night downtown for Sarnia's First Friday, that takes place each month. I love this look for day and night and hope you find some tips in this video that help you to improve your makeup game. Below are the products I used to create this look.

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Peach Smoothing

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Cupcake 

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Mocha 

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Corrupt 

Caryl Baker Visage Eyeshadow in Pure  

Caryl Baker Visage Ultimate Gel Eyeliner in Quest

Maybaline Colour Show Crayon in Matita

Caryl Baker Visage Brow Blend in Brunette 

Maybelline Lash Sensational Blackest Black Mascara 

The Body Shop Lip Liner in Beach

Nars Satin Lip Crayon in Rikugien

Caryl Baker Visage Blush in Spring Awakening

Prom Beauty Tips

Its prom season! What an exciting time for anyone graduating this year. 

I had the pleasure of working with these beautiful ladies over the weekend to create their prom looks, and I thought I would offer a few beauty tips, for anyone attending prom in the next few weeks. 

Prom Beauty Tips

Wear sunscreen on your face and body to avoid a burn and tan lines leading up to prom night.  

Search inspiration for your hair and makeup and bring the pictures with you to your appointments so you and your beauty team are working from the same page. 

Get some blotting papers or a pressed powder to keep in your purse, to take care of oil in your t-zone before pictures. 

Purchase the lip colour from your look so you can stay polished all day. 

If you can, get some rest the day before prom so you are not puffy and tired on the big day. 

Smile in your pictures, the duck face is a fad, smiles are classic!

Thank You Mom

Now that I am a mom, I have a new level of appreciation for my parents. Mom, I just want to say thank you for the following:

Loving me unconditionally, even when I make bad choices.

Supporting me and encouraging me to follow my heart and dreams.

Showing me what it is to be an excellent mom.

Sacrificing your time to do things that I wanted to do.

Making me food.

Teaching me about Jesus.

Letting me pick out my own clothes and dress myself.

Making sure I was involved in activities that I was passionate about.

Always making holidays and birthdays extra special.

Doing my laundry and cleaning our home.

Simply being around when I needed you there.

Being an amazing Grandma.

You have a true mothers soul, mothering is your greatest and most beautiful talent.  I am so proud that Luke has you as his Grandmother.

Love,
Heather

Luke - 8 Months

Things just keep getting better and better with you Luke. This month you finally figured out how to crawl!!! You have been trying hard for 3 weeks and now that you are moving, you are happier then ever.

You love other kids, especially boys who are a little older than you. I think your thinking, "wow, I can't wait to do what those guys are doing", when you see them playing.

You like to talk a lot, it sounds like yelling but I know your just expressing yourself. 

You are a pretty good little eater. We share smoothies every morning for breakfast. As soon as I start using the blender, you get really excited. You love drinking smoothies and water from mine and your dads cups.

You make life so much fun and you are a shinning light in everyones life who has the pleasure of knowing you.

I love you more everyday.

When you go to bed, your dad and I look at pictures of you and talk about all the cool things we got to see you do that day.

Keep being awesome,

Love Mom