2015
The year 2015 has been one of many changes, lots of fun and a few "growing moments". As we reflect on the year that is almost past, we find gratitude in all the great times as well as the challenging times. The great times give us fantastic memories and the challenges help us grow - in our opinion - they are equally important for a life of fulfillment and joy.
In January, Cam and I started out by flying to Palm Springs for a business event. What a beautiful place Palm Springs, California is. If you ever get a chance to travel there, you will not be disappointed. On our way home (between flights) we learned that my grandmother was in the hospital and the moment we landed in Toronto we got the news that she didn't make it. She was 98 years old and she was a beautiful woman who taught our family so much about living. he picture shown here is the last visit we had with her in December 2014. We sure miss you Grandma!
In January, Cam and I started out by flying to Palm Springs for a business event. What a beautiful place Palm Springs, California is. If you ever get a chance to travel there, you will not be disappointed. On our way home (between flights) we learned that my grandmother was in the hospital and the moment we landed in Toronto we got the news that she didn't make it. She was 98 years old and she was a beautiful woman who taught our family so much about living. he picture shown here is the last visit we had with her in December 2014. We sure miss you Grandma!
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February was a time of change. Jack was having trouble at school and we wanted to keep our minds open to options. At that time we made the decision that we would take a look at alternative education systems in hopes to find a better fit for him. Through much research, we found a school that we would try in March and by attending every other day, he gained confidence and strength and was able to attend both schools until the end of his SK year. Kate also joined him at the Montessori school and she also thrived in that environment.
In March we had so much to celebrate. Jack turned 6, and Cam had his milestone 50th birthday. As a way to celebrate, we decided to take the entire family to Jamaica. It was beautiful. This was our first time in Jamaica as a family and we stayed at Royalton White Sands in Montego Bay. Let's just say, it is a resort we will absolutely go back to. There was something for everyone (no matter what age). The photo above is a selfie that we took before dinner on Cam's actual birthday evening. This was the month that I also had my first article published in a magazine. This was one of my dreams, to become a published author and I had intentions of making it reality by the year 2018. I know that I have multiple books inside, but this was a great start and I felt honoured to be asked to write a piece. 
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April was a busy month and it ended with another flight outside the county, this time it was an incentive trip that I qualified for to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Being with the company now for over 6 years, this was the first time we attended this trip (3rd time qualifying) and both Cam and I felt like royalty. The corporate team treated the 175 of us like gold. Each day we had another gift waiting for us in our room and we learned about things the company was working on as we were all experiencing multiple changes and struggles with the ever changing Canadian/US$.
In May, we enjoyed learning more about ourselves as we were gifted an online program called The 45 day challenge. It was apparent that both Cam and I were ready to shift ourselves and create more life balance and this program proved to be a fantastic window into our greater potential. The kids continued to enjoy their school year and we loved the improvements with Jack - as he was beginning to love school for the first time. This month I had an interview published in the same magazine that I had my first article published. I was honoured to be interviewed about my past 6 years as a business woman, I am so grateful that I saw my potential and now as I grow myself even more, I intend to help even more people reach their potential also.
In May, we enjoyed learning more about ourselves as we were gifted an online program called The 45 day challenge. It was apparent that both Cam and I were ready to shift ourselves and create more life balance and this program proved to be a fantastic window into our greater potential. The kids continued to enjoy their school year and we loved the improvements with Jack - as he was beginning to love school for the first time. This month I had an interview published in the same magazine that I had my first article published. I was honoured to be interviewed about my past 6 years as a business woman, I am so grateful that I saw my potential and now as I grow myself even more, I intend to help even more people reach their potential also.
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In June, the children continued to enjoy school and the school year was almost complete. Cam took Tex (his k9) into the classes (as a show and tell) and the children in both schools loved learning more about how Police Dogs help our community. Tara and Cam also celebrated 10 years married. To be honest it was hard to believe that 10 years has gone that fast since the day we said our "I dos" in Cuba, in 2005. At the last minute, Tara decided to get on a plane with her friend and business partner, Briiann and they decided to invest in more personal growth at a 5 day event called Amplified Leadership. Vegas is not my favourite place, but the event was worth it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to shift things in a big way! In July we enjoyed a week of camping with multiple other families. Killbear Park was where we stayed and it was a great week to camp. In July we also invested in renovating our back deck and we even added a hot tub. Moments that as I type this today, I know we are so fortunate to have the ability to do the things we once only dreamed of. 
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August came fast and we continued to enjoy swimming in our pool. Considering we only live 10 minutes away from the World's longest fresh water beach, we didn't spend any time there, unfortunately. Mid month, Cam and I ventured south-west again. This time we flew to San Diego for our company's annual convention. (yes we have a lot of fun - this year our team party was Top Gun themed - aka, aviator glasses) San Diego is one of my favourite places in the United States (that I've been to) and it was Cam's first time there. We enjoyed going to the USS Midway even though it was extremely hot that day, we learned so much about history together the day before our convention started.
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September came fast. It was a month of so much change, a month where I know I started to really struggle inside. I took this time of struggle as a sign that it is time to change the things I've done and to begin to re-invent myself (especially with a year of so much travel and learning). Kate started JK - this was a major shift for us all. She was only 3 in September and to attend school each day was a lot for her. I kept her home almost every other day to allow her to take the time to rest in between. Hannah started grade 3 and she turned 8 in September and she got her biggest wish, to get a kitten. Jack started grade 1 and has loved school since the day he started grade 1. Cam began to train a new dog as Tex is now 10 and will soon retire. Unfortunately for Cam (and for our family), a brutal mix up occurred that made it so that Cam was going to be travelling a very long distance 5 days a week for 4 months to train a new dog. This would be our autumn. Kids in school, Cam traveling daily (leaving between 4:30 and 5:00 am daily and home again around 6:00 and feeling extremely tired, to do it all again the next day.) This was also the month that I took on the challenge to RUN HARD with my business. Something called the 90 day plan, 3 months of something we have heard often, "hot mess express". By the end of September Cam's dog he was training, washed out (meaning that he wasn't working out as a police dog). So for almost a week, Cam was gone as he and two other men went shopping in the states for a new candidate for the k9 course. |
October was the month that Kate turned 4, now getting into school routines more, she cried daily, begging me to keep her home from school. Still to this day as I type this, she cries and says that "my tummy doesn't feel very well, I think I am sick". I want so badly to take her out of the public education system and drive her to the montessori that we had her at with Jack last year, but I know that as I consider that, I am not even sure I could keep up with the drive each day. (30 minutes each way would have me driving 2 hours a day, there and back, there and back.) So we keep talking her through it in hopes that she will begin to love school soon. Challenge is with kindergarten class sizes so massive, it is no wonder our young kids are starting off feeling lost in the hustle. October became my breaking point. I don't write this to alarm anyone, but what I do know is that with every challenge we are provided with opportunity. For me this opportunity is still presenting itself, but one thing that I do know is that as I take time to heal myself, I am sharing my journey for others who may be feeling lost too. If you or someone you know is experiencing challenges right now, click here and read my own journey as you never know if what I've learned will help you or that loved one you care about, too.
November was a month of hope. Hope based on a few answers and steps that we were taking as a family to work together toward a common goal. No longer did I want us to simply "survive" day to day. No longer did I want to leave left overs for my loved ones. Cam and I started spending more quality time together and with our children. As I heal myself, I know everyone will benefit. As we begin to understand one another for where we all are, as we stop assuming that everyone is "good", we are opening up conversation as a family so that everyone feels valued and heard. The level of respect has increased and we are on our way to a life with more balance, love, joy, laughter, healing, self-love and respect. We are creating an awareness around our feelings and we are becoming aligned with our purpose. I know the kids may seem young to start aligning with their purpose but I feel that if we learn about ourselves at a young age, we can become even stronger as adults to move through the challenges that life can bring. We've just started a new website and it will become a site that our three kids will take more control of every year. One where we help other children understand their self-worth etc. Hannah at 8 years old already understands the reason for this site and she is preparing content to be added to the site also. She loves to write (just like I do) and she expresses herself through art also. I am excited to continue to see that site evolve as we all become authentic in our own skin. Something I've learned is that when we feel that everything "looks good" on the outside, but we don't feel "good" on the inside, something must change or we will continue to live life with masks. I never want to raise my kids to feel they have to "fake it"....I have the desire to help my children and others around the world to find their own inner strength, their self-confidence, self-worth etc... If you are interested to see the beginning of our project, click here.
December hasn't begun just yet, but it is around the corner. We are getting excited about Christmas and we look forward with hope and more love as we look forward to even more wellness in our lives. This is also our 3rd year, together with Tara's parents, where we spend less on us, and we give to those in need. A Christmas Giving Project called Our Christmas Angel. Click here to learn more.
If 2015 was a busy year for you also and if you are feeling disconnected from your purpose or passion for some reason...my hope for you and your family is that you will take the time you deserve to slow down and enjoy your life, rather than become so busy that you can't appreciate all that you have now. As I shift gears myself I know very well that as much as I enjoyed 2015, I overcommitted to a point of burnout. I wouldn't wish this on anyone and I know that I created this myself, so it is up to me to change it for the better.
From our family to yours, Happy Holidays and best wishes for a year filled with hope, dreams fulfilled and time to be present with those you love.
Love, Tara, Cam, Hannah, Jack & Kate
xx
November was a month of hope. Hope based on a few answers and steps that we were taking as a family to work together toward a common goal. No longer did I want us to simply "survive" day to day. No longer did I want to leave left overs for my loved ones. Cam and I started spending more quality time together and with our children. As I heal myself, I know everyone will benefit. As we begin to understand one another for where we all are, as we stop assuming that everyone is "good", we are opening up conversation as a family so that everyone feels valued and heard. The level of respect has increased and we are on our way to a life with more balance, love, joy, laughter, healing, self-love and respect. We are creating an awareness around our feelings and we are becoming aligned with our purpose. I know the kids may seem young to start aligning with their purpose but I feel that if we learn about ourselves at a young age, we can become even stronger as adults to move through the challenges that life can bring. We've just started a new website and it will become a site that our three kids will take more control of every year. One where we help other children understand their self-worth etc. Hannah at 8 years old already understands the reason for this site and she is preparing content to be added to the site also. She loves to write (just like I do) and she expresses herself through art also. I am excited to continue to see that site evolve as we all become authentic in our own skin. Something I've learned is that when we feel that everything "looks good" on the outside, but we don't feel "good" on the inside, something must change or we will continue to live life with masks. I never want to raise my kids to feel they have to "fake it"....I have the desire to help my children and others around the world to find their own inner strength, their self-confidence, self-worth etc... If you are interested to see the beginning of our project, click here.
December hasn't begun just yet, but it is around the corner. We are getting excited about Christmas and we look forward with hope and more love as we look forward to even more wellness in our lives. This is also our 3rd year, together with Tara's parents, where we spend less on us, and we give to those in need. A Christmas Giving Project called Our Christmas Angel. Click here to learn more.
If 2015 was a busy year for you also and if you are feeling disconnected from your purpose or passion for some reason...my hope for you and your family is that you will take the time you deserve to slow down and enjoy your life, rather than become so busy that you can't appreciate all that you have now. As I shift gears myself I know very well that as much as I enjoyed 2015, I overcommitted to a point of burnout. I wouldn't wish this on anyone and I know that I created this myself, so it is up to me to change it for the better.
From our family to yours, Happy Holidays and best wishes for a year filled with hope, dreams fulfilled and time to be present with those you love.
Love, Tara, Cam, Hannah, Jack & Kate
xx
