JCMortgages.ca

Happy Father’s Day ❤️

Today was one of those days that reminds me just how special this season of life really is.

We started the morning at church, then met up with the family for a Father’s Day outing that Holly had planned at the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre to see Charlie Brown. Afterwards, we enjoyed dinner together and simply spent time talking, laughing, and being together. And of course, little River was the highlight for all of us. ❤️

As the years have gone on, I’ve realized that these celebrations become more meaningful. While I loved the years when the kids were little, I truly believe this season is one of the sweetest.

At 48, soon to be 49, I find myself feeling incredibly blessed. I’ve learned that life isn’t about the new barbecue, the shiny things, or the stuff we accumulate. In the end, it’s about the people sitting around the table, the memories you make, and the family you build over a lifetime.

Happy Father’s Day to Craig — my supportive husband and the father of our children. Thank you for helping build this beautiful life together. ❤️

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” — Proverbs 17:6

This photo made me smile. ❤️

Thank you to our wonderful clients for sharing this picture with us while enjoying your strawberry Starbucks drinks — courtesy of the JCMortgages.ca family. Seeing you enjoy a little treat on us truly made my day. ☕🍓

Last year marked the end of an era for us.

For years, we delivered seasonal treats right to our clients’ doors in exchange for donations for various charities. Those door drops created so many special memories, but as our JCFamily grew, we realized that many clients outside our local area couldn’t participate.

So we decided to do something different.

We launched JC ❤️ Just For You.

Three to four times a year, we open it up to our entire database, and the first 200 people to RSVP receive a little treat on us. Nothing complicated. No strings attached. Just a small reminder that we’re thinking about you and that we appreciate you.

Because at the end of the day, good old-fashioned customer service is still what our business is built on.

One thing I wrestled with when we made the change was that our previous events always had a charitable component attached to them. Giving back has always been part of who we are.

That’s when I made a commitment.

As our clients place their trust in us, refer their family and friends, and allow us to guide them through some of life’s biggest decisions, I want that trust to have a ripple effect.

So this year, over and above the other charities we support, I’ve committed to serving 12 kitchens at Ray of Hope.

To me, it all comes full circle.

Your trust allows our business to grow.
Growth allows us to give.
Giving allows us to impact others.

And while a $10 Starbucks card may seem small, I hope it reminds our clients of something much bigger:

You are appreciated.

Thank you for being part of the JCFamily. ❤️

Total mom fail.

Or maybe not.

It’s the eve of the last day of Grade 7, and somehow time got the best of me.

For years, Christmas and the last day of school meant teacher gifts. Not just for teachers, but secretaries, principals, educational assistants and all of the people who poured into my kids. All lovingly thought out and carefully chosen.

Four kids. Three have already made it all the way through elementary school, and tomorrow is Christian’s last day of Grade 7 and his last year of elementary school.

And tonight, sitting in bed after a day that started at 5:30 a.m. and rolling in the door at 9:35 p.m., I realized I have nothing for tomorrow.

Last night was the soup kitchen. Tonight was a dinner meeting that ran longer than expected. There always seems to be one more errand, one more appointment, one more thing to squeeze in. And June just seems to be a lot. Between Father’s Day, birthdays, work, renovations, school trips, groceries, laundry, being Nonna, and just life in general, there just haven’t seemed to be enough hours in the day.

Certainly, I could have stopped at Shoppers Drug Mart or the local convenience store and slipped a Tim card in there. But unfortunately for me, I’m just not a “grab a gift card and run” kind of person. I like things to be meaningful and intentional.

Mom guilt is funny that way. It makes you feel like one missed thing erases all the things you’ve faithfully done for years.

But maybe this isn’t a failure.

Maybe this is just life.

So it’s not that I don’t think teachers are important. It’s not that I’m not grateful.

It’s just that this year, life got the best of me.

And one missed occasion doesn’t erase decades of appreciation.

Maybe teachers don’t measure appreciation by a gift bag.

Maybe being stretched thin doesn’t mean you’re falling short.

And maybe after all these years, it’s okay to admit that sometimes there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.

And tomorrow morning, Christian will head off for his last day of elementary school.

Without the carefully wrapped packages.

And I think I just have to accept that. ❤️

If I’m being honest… I can’t stand myself right now. 😂

It’s something I say all the time when I’m overtired, have worn myself too thin, and have packed too much into too few hours. It doesn’t mean I actually can’t stand myself. It’s just code for, “Janna needs to go to bed.”

June always feels like this, doesn’t it?

Between work, renovations, gardening, kids’ birthday parties, gifts to buy, end-of-school activities, and trying to get organized for summer, it feels like life is packed into every corner of the calendar.

There were definitely a few moments this weekend where I lost my cool, got impatient, and needed everyone around me to just lovingly stay out of my path. 😂

But all in all, it was a lovely and productive weekend.

Friday night I escaped work before 5:30 and made it to Warren Greenhouses for more flowers.

Saturday started with an 8 a.m. massage. Craig gave me a year of massages for my birthday last year, and apparently I’m slowly working my way through them. After that, we headed to Meadow Acres Garden Centre to order river rock for a backyard project and pick up some wall décor.

Back home, I started planting, realized I was short on supplies, and made another trip to RONA for flowers, a few extras, and a little swimming pool for River to enjoy with Poppy on Thursdays.

Of course, we stopped at Dairy Queen, where I stocked up on Dilly Bars — my favourite treat and one I don’t particularly enjoy sharing. 😂

By the end of the day, 27 pots and planters were finished.

Sunday was slower. We celebrated my mother-in-law Lorna’s 89th birthday, and before climbing into bed tonight, I tackled the laundry mountain.

Somewhere between eight and ten loads later, everything was washed, folded, and put away. Honestly, that may be one of my greatest accomplishments of the weekend. 😂

Now Craig and I are ending the evening quietly, watching church from home and calling it a night.

Because when I start saying, “I can’t stand myself,” what I really mean is…

“I’m tired, I’ve had enough, and I need to go to bed.”

And I have a feeling I’m not the only one feeling that way in June. 🤍

I’m a loner.

There, I said it.

And no, I don’t mean that in a sad way, and I certainly don’t say it as an insult to myself. I’m genuinely okay with it.

Not because I don’t love people. Not because I don’t have friends. Not because I’m lonely.

Quite the opposite.

I love people. I love my family. I love hosting. I love meaningful conversations. I love helping others. I love having a house full of people and a table full of food.

But if I’m being honest, I don’t have FOMO.

I don’t feel like I’m missing out.

I don’t need a packed social calendar, girls’ trips, industry events, or constant plans to feel fulfilled.

Years ago, I probably did. I wanted to belong. I wanted to fit in. I wanted to be invited and included.

But somewhere along the way, I discovered that I actually love being alone.

I love quiet.

I love having my headphones on, listening to worship music, puttering around the house, doing laundry, organizing, gardening, and just being with my own thoughts.

Even when the kids were growing up and involved in sports and school activities, I was never the mom standing around chatting for hours. I mostly kept to myself. Not because I didn’t like anyone, but because I’ve never enjoyed the noise.

The gossip.

The chatter.

The endless conversations that don’t really say anything.

I’ve found that avoiding empty conversations is much easier than participating in them.

And protecting my peace has become far more important than feeling included.

Don’t get me wrong—I love people.

I love opening my home. I love hosting dinners and barbecues. I love celebrating and making memories with family and friends.

But when everyone leaves, I’m just as happy putting on my headphones, tending to my flowers, and spending a day—or even five days—completely by myself.

I’ve learned there’s a difference between being lonely and loving solitude.

And maybe that’s who I am.

I’m a loner.

I’ve learned there’s a difference between being lonely and loving solitude.

And maybe, if you’re someone who finds joy in the quiet too, you’ll understand exactly what I mean. 🌿🌸