Beth at her Best

How would I describe my 3 1/2 year old?

  

silly

creative

energetic

spunky

girly

exhausted

Storm Hair Group

I know there are tons of great salon's out there, but I need to brag for a minute about the hair salon that I go to.  It's called Storm Hair Group.  It's a really fantastic Aveda concept salon and spa.  They have three locations in Niagara. I attend the Fonthill location for my hair and the Lake Street location for my esthetics:)

Anyways, I am a big fan of Storm for so many reasons.  They have fantastic customer service, great staff, a focus on social justice, give back to their community and their products are chemical free.  I so love the way this company cares about the environment.  The fact that a hair cut and style includes a head, neck and shoulder massage and a hair wash includes a scalp massage and hot towel is pure heaven.  Honestly, I try to make up reasons to get my hair done!

Anyways, Storm has always used Aveda products (which I love) and recently has come out with their own line of products:

I recently tried the Intense Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner and loved them!  The lavender scent is divine.  I also found out that they are made in Canada.  Can I tell you how happy that makes me? 

I couldn't help but share.  Check out their website at stormhairgroup.com

Spring is in the Air

It's Monday morning after the March Break.  All three girls are off to school.  Grace and Eva are off to 'real school' and Beth is off to 'nursery school'.  The house is q-u-i-e-t.  And it's a beautiful thing.  I just realized that yesterday was the first day of spring.  You have no idea how happy that makes me.  Spring is my favourite season.  It's my favourite for so many reasons.

Steve and I started dating in the springtime.  We planned a wedding and were married in the spring.  All of my pregnancies included the springtime.  My favourite flowers are tulips.  As an aside, tulips always remind me of the spring that I spent in Schladming, Austria when I was 21.  That's where I first discovered my love for tulips.  More than tulips, it was a season that marked me and will stay with me forever.  Tulips remind me of that.

I love the anticipation of spring too.  The hope and the promise that it brings. The arrival of new life.  Life after death.  Spring after a long, harsh and cold winter.  As much a I would love to live in a climate where it is warm all year round, there is something about coming through winter that allows one to anticipate, appreciate and yearn for spring.  When everything is dull and grey and lifeless, the thought of spring brings promise and hope.

Here are a few more reasons I love spring:

 - Tulips and fresh flowers in general.

 - Flipflops and sandals

 - My anniversary

 - Running - I am so ready to get out in the fresh air and beat this body into shape!

 - Local fruit.  Need I say more?  In our family, berry picking is a recreational activity:)

Can I also just say that the spring fashion out this year is amazing?  I am itching to do some shopping.  The styles and the colours out this year are amazing.  Is anyone else with me on this one?

This March Break, I'm Thankful For...

Shamrocks

Watching Bethie play with her little people

Catching up with friends

Kids having sleepovers

St. Patrick's Day Themed Dinner Party
(although never again will I attempt to make 'Champ'!)

Family fun night in Waterloo

Windows open

Good hair days

Kids happily playing outside

Learning vulnerability and courage

Kids sleeping in

Gradually being freed from perfectionism

Cousin time

Breakfast at Cora's

My Mom's homemade Soda Bread

Life giving friendships

Size 4 Skinny Jeans

Kids with great imaginations.  Eva was disguising herself, so that Beth wouldn't "bug" her. Never a dull moment around here :)

A God, who is good.  Even when life is hard.  A God, who is worthy of my trust.  A God, who is for me and not against me.

What's Your Story?

Have any of you read Donald Miller's latest book 'A Million Miles in a Thousand Years'?  It is a fantastic book! One of my all time favourites.  If you're looking for a challenging and inspiring book to read, you'll want to pick this one up.  This little clip gives you a taste of what the book is like. It just got released today into paperback :)