My Year In Review

WOW! What a year!! There are many things I will especially remember about this year.

1. I married the love of my life in September. It was the most amazing day of my whole life. The weather was perfect and everyone had a fabulous time!
2. My beautiful and wonderful little sister had a beautiful little girl in September as well. Aurora has already stolen my heart and I would do anything for that little girl.
3. In August, Canada lost a wonderful man. Jack Layton lost his battle with cancer. He wanted only the very best for Canada and Canadians and I hope that we will make him proud.
4. The world saw weather craziness like it hasn't seen in ages! I can holy hope that we listen to Mother Nature and heed her warning.
5. The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to the best start they have had in 10 years (I think I will wait until March before I start thinking "playoffs").
6. My new sister-in-law also got engaged this year, which means I get to look forward to another wedding!

There are a lot of other little things that happen every day that I am thankful for. I think everyone should take a few minutes to reflect and think about the past year. Not necessarily "resolutions", but just remember.

Happy Holidays!

Wedding Pictures

Just a few of the many many pictures from our wedding.

My Beautiful Niece!!

Born on September 26th. She joined the world weighing 7lbs 3 oz. My heart is already overloaded with love for this little girl!!

I am so proud of my sister!!

Welcome to the world Aurora!!

A sampling of wedding pictures!!

www.janiceyiphotography.ca

Things I Learned While Planning My Wedding.....

With my wedding to the love of my life only 5 days away I'm sitting reflecting on what I learned about myself, families and planning weddings in general.

First, planning a wedding is a TON of hard work. Sure, picking the big things like, caterer, florist, DJ, location, etc is fairly easy, there are a hundred little things you need to think about. I only very recently (2 days ago, to be exact) picked what music I will walk down the aisle to. That was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.

Families are likely the most difficult piece of planning any wedding. Suddenly people who you barely talk to you, have generally nothing to do with, or who are just not part of your life seem to think they have a say in who is invited to your wedding. Everyone needs to remember that a wedding is NOT about ANYONE other than the bride and groom. Parents - NEWS FLASH - this is not your day. This actually have very little to do with you. This is a day for you to be proud that your child has found someone who makes them happy and who loves them unconditionally. If you can't expect that, then just shut up and smile. Also, just because you share DNA with some, it doesn't make them family. That makes you a relative. And if that relative hasn't met the soon-to-be-spouse, then guess what...they aren't going to be invited!!

I have always been an organized person but planning a wedding takes it to a whole other level. I learned that I am strong. That my fiance is the love of my life. That relatives or "families" will just generally be difficult, brake promises and give you nothing but a headache all the while telling you how happy they are. My relatives decided that my wedding was a good reason to attack me for reasons beyond me.

I could go on and on but here is my advice to future couples:

1. Elope!!

Oh...I guess that's it!! :)

RIP Jack Layton

"My Friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better then despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world" - Jack Layton

Even in his final days we was thinking of Canadians and a better Canada. My hope is that in the future we will look back and say "this is the man that change Canadian polictics. That made people believe we could be better and made people want to vote".

I was surpised by just how sad I was when I woke up the news that his cancer had won. As the tributes poor in and cover Toronto City Hall, one stood out, "Thanks Jack, we'll take it from here".

Let's make him proud.