Jade Loves Sweet Summertime!

Jade swimming in Grandma Kathy's pool

Jade hanging out on the pebble beach at "Rising Sun" campground in Glacier, Montana

Looks like Jade loves the Coaldale Pool just like her mom does :)

Jade's 1st Birthday Party!

Mom, Grandma Kathy, Auntie Amy and the birthday girl :)

Friends, Family and Fun!

Jade's birthday cake...a chocolate cupcake from 'Crazy Cakes'

Done and done

Our little family-we're so grateful to have Jade. WE LOVE YOU JADE!

June 25...Jade's Birthday!!

Jade got a bike trailer for her birthday...and she LOVES it!

Grandma Kathy and Mark gave Jade an electronic piano

She LOVES treats...just like her daddy :)

Home Again :)

Jade is back to playing in the kitchen while mom tries to whip up something fantastic (or not so fantastic...depending on the day)

Mom, Grandma Kathy, Auntie Amy and Jade-E :)

Jade's outside chillin' while mom works on her garden...she's not sure about grass yet

Need I say more?

Our Shed...a work in progress

I've kind of taken to these power tools!

Jade played with our next door neighbours (her friend Ryder) while we worked

Michigan Memories

Almost daily Devin and I talk about the treasured memories we have of Michigan. It truly was a time for Devin and I to grow closer as best friends and parents. As we look back, several things stand out. First of all, our new friends. We met some amazing people in Michigan. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes :)


Our Canadian Friends: Mike and Kaylee Low and Jenny, Jared and Eli Wiebe

Since the Lows and the Wallaces were literally inseparable...we called ourselves the "Lowaces"

Some people didn't know if Jade belonged to me or to Kaylee!!

Some of our crew: Josh and Maria, Grant and Cami, and the Lowaces!

Our Travelling Adventures

New York--we visited Times Square, Central Park, Wall Street, Ground Zero and many other fun places. We then began our trek to Auburn Hills, driving though New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan

Downtown Detroit--we toured Tigers' Stadium, Ford Field, the GM Center and other jaw-dropping and eye-opening sites

Las Vegas and St. George--Jade and Erin travelled as a duo to meet up with the rest of the Wallace women. It was an amazing week of shopping, eating, laughing and hiking (more laughing, less hiking)
Las Vegas and Anaheim--Devin met the Wallace Bros for a "crazy fun awesome good time" basketball weekend (to quote Devin exactly...and unfortunately he didn't have pictures to share)

Montreal--Erin and Jade met up with Kathy, Mark and Amy in Montreal. The trip was filled with long overdue sleepovers, touring Old Montreal and the Notre Dame Basilica, shopping, shopping and shopping

Niagara Falls, Ont--we decided we needed a short family holiday after a busy semester of grad school. Our "tremendous trio" enjoyed the warm weather (though you can't tell from the picture), great food and breath-taking view of one of the world wonders!!

Our Apartment

Our simple apartment at The Boulevard...

...all we brought with us from Canada was what we could fit in our car (mostly clothes)

We were very blessed to have church members, friends and family donate chairs, a couch, a TV and a bed to help us furnish our apartment

Jade's bedroom :)
She loved to play with her buckets of toys and library books

Our "Kinger"...the favorite item in our apartment!!!

Our Academics

How could we forget school? Devin and Mike had a great semester at Thomas M. Cooley Law School

And Erin had a great semester at Oakland University (as you can see...finals were a little hectic)

Jade is working on both her masters and her law degree :)

Erin had to finish her final seminar paper in the closet because all of our furniture was packed up (including the desk and living room lamp)

Tag Alert--It's a long one :)

In response to Courtney’s Version 1.0 "tagging”:

10 years ago I was:
Getting ready to graduate from Grade 9. I was keeping my eyes open for a cute "Grade 9" grad dress, and I had already picked my date for the night (he was a super cute boy from another school). I had decided on him a year prior to the big night (Shocking, I know)!!

5 Things I must do before I go to bed tonight:
1) Take lunch to Devin
2) Organize visiting teaching
3) Take my dad out for a birthday supper
4) Paint several walls in my house
5) Fill several picture frames and hang them

My Favorite Treats:

*Any treats that are labeled "NEW"
*Fruit (especially strawberries, blackberries & raspberries--perhaps "berries" would have sufficed)
*Smoothies-berry smoothies
*Mars/Milky Way chocolate bars
*Kettle Corn
*Oreos and milk

What if I suddenly became a billionaire:
I'd pay off our "yet to be accrued" grad school and law school debt. If there was anything left (kind of joking), I would help out other people in financial need. I'd really like to donate a chunk to the 'Perpetual Education Fund'--I've always wanted to do that. Lastly, I'd probably invest the rest (because I'm kind of a tight wad).

Places I've lived:
Saskatoon, Sask
Lethbridge, AB
Provo, Utah
Auburn Hills, MI

10 Jobs I've had:
1) Gift Basket Maker
2) Lifeguard/Swimming Lesson Instructor/Pool Manager
3) Banquet Server
4) Restaurant Waitress
5) Personal Care Aid (for the Elderly)
6) Sylvan Learning Teacher
7) Piano Teacher
8) Tutor
9) Middle School Teacher
10) Full-time Mom (I'm still in training)

5 Things You Didn't Know About Me:
1)I’ve been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for almost 7 years. At the time of my baptism I didn’t think I could feel any more gratitude for my life. I was blessed to obtain a great education, and have wonderful family and friends. Little did I know of the blessings my Heavenly Father had in store for me. Since then I have been blessed to marry my best friend for time and all eternity, increase my talents as a student and teacher and have a beautiful little girl. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers and that my Savior lives. I will be forever grateful for my testimony of the living reality of Jesus Christ.
2) I'd love to serve a mission with Devin and organize/open schools in developing countries-I have a soft spot for the 'Perpetual Education Fund.'
3) I like to live/categorize each chapter of my life in stages-bear with me on this one. In other words, I enjoyed having the "University Years" with tons of room-mates and the student life, then I enjoyed the "Newly Wed" stage and the "Lakie teacher" stage. Now I'm enjoying the "New Mom" stage and "Grad student" stage. I get very upset if I think I'm going to miss a stage, or a stage is going to get cut short. I really struggle with change, so these "stages" are a big deal to me.
4) I've always wanted to take a dance class. Apparently I was in ballet in kindergarten and hated it (actually I remember hating it). Now I would want to take a hip-hop or jazz class. I've always worried I was too old for it, or that the moves would be too provocative, or the costumes too revealing. I looked into taking one at Oakland University this semester, but it was one Monday nights (didn't want to miss Family Home Evening). Perhaps next semester.
5) I put on a tougher front about motherhood than is really true. I love being a mom (perhaps one of the first times I've publicly admitted that), and I have tons of fun spending everyday with Jade. It is true that Jade and I are on a schedule, but we both enjoy getting lots done every day. Our three favorite things are: Going to the library, going on walks and going swimming. I love Jade's chill personality. I could learn a thing or two from her...

Lastly I’d admit that I love to work (paid or non-paid, indoor or outdoor, alone or with others)…but that’s something that everyone already knows about me :)

All bloggers are tagged!

Montreal, Quebec

Mom and Mark in our carriage---we took a carriage ride around Old Montreal (mom has been wanting a carriage ride ever since New York). It was so fun...the carriage driver even stopped for us to pick up hot beverages for our ride :)

Our last night in Montreal...getting ready for a delicious supper. Thanks for a great trip mom and Mark :)

Montreal!!!

My sweet sister Amy---how I love her!

Someone once asked us if we were twins..."No, I'm actually 5 1/2 years older"

Grandma Kathy is lovin' life

Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal)

We were caught in the middle of a HUGE snowstorm. It's been a long time since I've seen that much snow.