Crazy Beautiful Life by Thomas Hien & Scott Chesak

Hearing this song and lyrics could not have come at a more pivotal time.

I am really shocked that this particular track doesn't have more views because it is achingly beautiful on so many levels.

🎶Whatever you got, whatever you give, you make it a beautiful life to live.🎶

Thomas Hien & Scott Chesak - Crazy Beautiful Life

from "Why Him?" soundtrack.

Baby Talk with Jordynne Sharp!

Cohen and Mommy

It’s always a great experience when I can meet new people. By “meet” that doesn’t always mean face-to-face either. No matter the distance, the Internet gives us the opportunity to connect with others in all sorts of ways.

Although my blog is not usually on the topic of parenthood, I thought it would be a nice change of pace to collaborate with another blogger and talk about her adventures of being a Mom! :)

I’d like to give a warm welcome to Mommy blogger, Jordynne, for taking the time to do this Q&A with me on my site!

Family time!

Any favourite baby brands that you are passionate about, and can you tell me why they're a staple in your home?

One of my favourite baby items that I honestly never thought was something I would want to splurge on is the baby jogger stroller. It is so smooth and I rave about it all the time to my mommy friends. It folds up so easily and it has big wheels on it so its great for getting through any rough terrain (not that I'm offroading with a stroller!). I love that the straps are so comfortable for my son and really hold him in snuggly since he is a climber and will try to climb out of everything.  The only thing I dislike is that it's a little heavier than other strollers

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It's interesting to note that some women don't experience any morning sickness or any bizarre food cravings, like the most commonly talked about pickles and ice cream! Did you have any issues and if so, how did you handle them?

I experienced morning sickness that lasted around 3 weeks. I lost weight during that time in my pregnancy since everything seemed unappetizing to me. I found that sour gummy candies really helped me through the nausea or any kind of food that was very watery, such as watermelon and cucumbers. Luckily the morning sickness did not last very long with me, however, I did get very bad swelling in my feet later on in the pregnancy. I had to make sure I was elevating my feet when I slept, to help bring the swelling down. I even bought bigger shoes.

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Did you consider a home birth with a doula at any point during your pregnancy, or did you want to just stick to the traditional way of going into the hospital?

I never considered a doula or home birth because I was already so comfortable with my doctor. Everything was so sudden and brand new for me that I basically just did as my doctor suggested. I think for my next child though, it would be something I would consider now that I have already gone through the process once.

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You must be armed with diapers galore right now! Are there any other must-haves that you stocked up before the baby came?

We had so many different brands of diapers before the baby was born; Huggies, Pampers, Kirkland and No Name. After he was born, we found that he leaked out of EVERYTHING! We ended up trying The Honest Company diapers and had very little issues with them. We now subscribe to them and get a package sent to us every month with diapers and wipes. We never need to worry about picking any up at the store. It just comes right to us and the prints are adorable!

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How did you pick your baby's name?

My boyfriend and I could not agree on a name for our baby boy. It wasn't until about the seventh month that we finally agreed on the name Cohen! Someone suggested it and we both lit up and looked at each other and we just knew. It was perfect. This might be cheesy, but if you've ever seen the show the O.C. the main characters last name is Cohen and we both really love that show. He originally wanted to name our son Falcon, but I was very against the idea.

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What is the biggest fear about being a new Mom?

I am such a worrier, everything scared me about being a new mom! No amount of reading could prepare me. I think my biggest fear as a new mom was SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) because it is a common thing and so heartbreaking. I was constantly going in his room and making sure he was breathing. To be honest, he’s 14 months old now and I STILL go in and place my hand on his chest and belly to feel him breathing.

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Thanks Jordynne for this great Q&A!

💜Being a new Mom is quite a journey and so whether you're looking for the best products to buy for your baby, how to deal with finances, or just want to get a new perspective of the crazy yet excited world of Mommy-hood,  you’ll want to follow her on TikTok

We're getting married in 2019!

Planning is something that has been very difficult for me and a bit of a fear to be honest. However, re-framing my thoughts and continuing my own personal healing journey, having things to look forward to is important, knowing that adjustments may need to be made because life doesn't go in a straight line, it is certainly a winding road.

We're quite the quirky couple and so this was pretty fitting, plus we both love the 80's! :)

Can you guess who is in the photo and the movie?

This is not the official wedding invite that our family and friends will get, but something fun to post at the moment.

As an entertainer, Bill's weekends are busy and so we both liked the idea of a week-day wedding. Plus this means he won't miss out on any prime-time gigs!

9 Year Anniversary

Today is our 9 year anniversary! 💜

What can I really say that hasn't already been said?

I never really thought that I would find someone who complemented me so well. Sure we may have disagreements and may approach situations differently, but we are always growing. We make mistakes and try to learn from them. We have no secrets from each other. We laugh more than cry together. We go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Your heart is bigger than anyone I have ever met and I don't think my family could have asked for a better future son-in-law. I couldn't imagine getting through so much heartache in the last while without your cheesy humour, support and logical mind. I appreciate and value all the countless hours, energy and love you have given me without hesitation.

Thank you for welcoming me into your family. It has been amazing to cultivate relationships that I never dreamed I would have in my life.

Considering my slight obsession with Sing Street, when I heard this song, I knew it would always be ours.  <3

I love you to pieces my sweet William and here's to many more blissful years together in love!

WE ARE ENGAGED!

Pinch me...

I'm engaged!!!!

Bill proposed to me tonight.

Thank you to our families for sharing such an important moment with us.

Also, a huge thank you to the amazing Bobby Sproat with his version of "In A World Like This" by The Backstreet Boys.

I am so happy and totally excited to plan our wedding!!

8 Year Anniversary

Bill is the most genuine person I have ever met in my life. He is my best friend and partner and continues to make my heart burst with happiness. Even on my worst days, he has the true gift of making me laugh.

Although it took us a very long time to have our first kiss, it was truly worth the wait.

Happy 8 year anniversary honey!

I love you and I hope to spend many more years together!

Another first.  "Let's go fly a kite!"

Bill surprised me with a wonderful kite flying adventure.

Parents 41st Anniversary!

7 Year Anniversary

7 years ago, serendipity took place. Meeting Bill has been the most exciting and wonderful adventure and I am glad that we took the chance to let our hearts fall in love again.

Together, we are like peanut butter and jam, peas and carrots, and even mashed potatoes and gravy! Thank you for being such an amazing partner and welcoming me into your family.

I hope that we can continue our beautiful journey together for many years to come.

Jai Ho babe. I love you!

Happy 7 year anniversary!

Swarovski is one of my favourite jewelry stores and I often admire  all the shiny items. We picked this out together while shopping at Devonshire Mall. It is part of the new collection. It's quite pretty, isn't it? Oh and purple, my favourite colour. Sparkly, purple and given to me with love.

Attempts at selfies with my new phone. Bare with me. lol

3 Year Anniversary

You Are My Joy - The Reindeer Section

This poster (obviously had to decrease in size to fit here)

was made by Mike Longstreth, a very talented graphic artist.

 I thought it was the perfect gift for Bill to showcase his many talents.

http://www.nuvoentertainment.com/

-for all your entertainment needs.

Dating: You Said I Wasn't Your Kind, Only Here For The Ride

I recently met a man who told me that “the worst punishment anyone can be faced with in life is loneliness. We need air to breathe, food to keep our bodies working, and companionship to feel alive. He believed that “no man (or woman) is an island.” He didn’t mention anything about sex, which was very surprising, as it is human nature to have those needs, but I allowed him to continue.

“Sex is important in a relationship,” he blatantly told me. “To be intimate, to make love with another is a wonderful feeling, so don’t get me wrong there, but it’s not everything.” When he said “it’s not everything” those words seemed to echo in my head. “Having someone to share some good conversation with over a cup of coffee and to explore all the beauty that life has to offer together, holds more value in the end, my dear lady.”

I thought about all the people who have faced terrible illnesses and how amazing it was that their partner’s still stuck by their side. I’ve read stories of others who couldn’t participate any longer in sexual relations because of trauma and/or medical reasons, not only females, but males too. They wondered when their partner would leave or even have an affair due to that gap in the relationship. It’s often embarrassing and makes you feel like a solitary existence is easier on your heart.
I had hoped that someday there would be a dating service that offered companionship on a level that took out the physical component. You could hold hands or cuddle, but the rest was never really brought into the equation. It was almost like an unwritten rule that wasn’t discussed, sort of the way it’s known to stay away from topics like politics, sex, and religion on a first date.

Needless to say, a friend on Facebook posted a link to this site called Romance Only (formerly 2date4Love.com) The founder, Laura B. was diagnosed with Stage IV cervical cancer and after treatments found that her body no longer responded the same way as it did before, which made it a challenge to date. The site is geared towards people who are looking for love that doesn’t focus on the physical. It is about finding a compatible partner who respects and understands your decision that intimacy can be much more than what it initially is portrayed in the media and in society.

My only hope is that people will genuinely sign up and the fakes who prey on the vulnerable will just continue to browse the other dating sites and leave this one alone.

After reading more on the site, it appears to be a great resource for connecting with others who truly feel the way you do.

It really doesn’t matter what your story is. Everyone deserves to have someone special in their life to come home to and ask “hi honey, how was your day?” and to feel a warm embrace without the expectation that something else has to follow.

There are billions of people in the world, but finding that connection is far from easy. As my gentleman friend told me “you kiss a lot of frogs to get to your prince and the one who stays through the worst times is worth keeping around for the better times ahead.”

2-Year Anniversary

Lyrical Expressions

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Looking from a window above

It’s like a story of love

Can you hear me?

Listen to some music, maybe just talking

Get to know you better

Wise men say, only fools rush in

I know that we can be so amazing

And being in your life is gonna change me

I’ll take my chances, I forgot how nice romance is

I think I know why the dog howls at the moon

So save the last dance for me

Say good-bye to not knowing how to cry

You taught me that

The telephone call that tied up the line for hours and hours

Wouldn’t you agree?

Baby you and me, got a groovy kind love

She will listen to me when I want to speak

About the world we live in and life in general

She could dance all night and shake the paint off the walls

You stand by me

I’m forever yours

Faithfully

Darling come here

Slide on down beside me baby

I wanna feel your ecstasy

Aiming fingers searching secret pleasures

Roaming where your river seems so deep

I never thought tonight could ever be this close to me

My life is simple like the wrinkles on my skin

Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe yes to love you

Truths you find through your adversities will defend you

As your powers and all your energies conspire to carry you

I’m going to smile because I deserve to

It will all get better in time

I see my future in an instant

And there it goes

I think I've found my best friend

Words are all I have to take your heart away

He kissed me in a way that I've never been kissed before

He kissed me in a way that I wanna be kissed forever more

Now I think it's kinda funny that you say you love me

You tell me that I'm crazy then you smile

God only knows what I’d be without you 

****

I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words,

How wonderful life is, 

Now you’re in the world. 

Happy 2 year Anniversary, I love you!

~Melissa~ 

I was truly inspired by many artists/bands to create something personal that would remind us of all the memories we have shared together for the last 2 years and counting. 

*Credit for all the lyrics goes to: 

Yazoo, Abba, UB40, Michael Buble, Billy Joel, Johnny Clegg, The Drifters, Madonna, Erasure, Phil Collins, Depeche Mode, The Hooters, Journey, Lords of Acid, Wolfsheim, The Cure, Jann Arden, The Hollies, VNV Nation, Leona Lewis, Savage Garden, The BeeGees, The Crystals, Chantel Kreviazuk, The Beach Boys and Elton John.