983 posts ago this little blog was born.  January 31, 2006.

I chose the name “Shasher’s Life” for my blog because that is my nickname. I’ve been called Shash or a variation of it by my family and close friends for the last 30 years, since my nephew started calling me Shashi when I was 10 years old.

I started it while I was on maternity leave with my fourth child, Jake would have been about five months old at the time. Liam was barely three years old, Emma was in senior kindergarten and our oldest, Quinton, would have been in grade 2. Looking back, it seems so long ago!

It was 4 months after these picture were taken…

We spent almost a month (middle of Sept to beginning of Oct 2005) traveling from my parent’s place in British Columbia down to the Oregon Coast, along the Oregon Trail, across to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons, through the flat-lands of the Midwest, up through Chicago and finally to our home in Ontario. We packed 4 little ones, my father-in-law, my hubby and me all into a 24′ RV – what an adventure that was!!

We’ve always been an adventurous crew, all the way back to our three week backpacking, train-riding, couch-surfing, hostel-staying journey through France, Switzerland and Italy with a seven month old (May 1999). Quinton keeps telling us we need to take him again so he can actually remember seeing Michelangelo’s David, the Eiffel Tower and the Matterhorn.


A family on the move! That’s us. Always ready and willing to explore new things.

When you think how fast the last seven years has gone by, I’m glad we’ve done as much together as we’ve done. We’ve sacrificed the big salary jobs for ones which give us far more flexibility, to be able to travel and so that I can be at home when the kids get off the school bus. We’ve supplemented our income with flipping houses, hosting International students, and renting out rooms to friends and family over the years. We’ve scrimped and saved on grocery bills, heating & electrical costs and have settled into being a one-car family.

Quinton will be fifteen towards the end of this year, Emma turns thirteen in a few months, I remember what I was like at that age, Lord have mercy! I don’t know how much longer they’ll want to hang out with their ultra cool parents… so for right now… I’ll take what I can get.

Don’t think our life is all about our children either. Dave and I manage to get away a lot just as a couple. We have to. Life is far too hectic these days, as the Pastor’s family or not, to not put time and attention into the marriage. The last great trip we took as a couple… a 7 day cruise around the Caribbean for our 16th anniversary.

This year we are celebrating a few big milestones:

The biggest one… my husband has been pastoring our church for 20 years as of Easter weekend. TWENTY YEARS! Pastor years are like Dog years… 🙂 Holy-moly that’s a lot of years. This is a really huge deal. He deserves to be celebrated, we tried to put together a group cruise but it fell through. Hopefully something happens, it’d be a shame to let it pass by.

This year we’ll also celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary, our oldest son will turn 15 and our daughter will officially become a teenager.

This year there are a few goals I aim to hit:

I’m determined to increase my social media marketing skills & business to the next level.

I’m determined to get into better shape, I’m aiming for healthy and fit. 

I’m determined to make a bigger impact in the lives of others.

I’m determined to heal from the hurt I’ve experienced in the last few years.

I’m determined to show greater appreciation to those in my life who love me.

I’m determined to sparkle!

Thanks to those who have been reading Shasher’s Life for the last seven years!! 🙂