Another Summer Weekend Over!

This summer we (as in Jay and I) are enjoying three day weekends, thanks to his built up over time he is taking Friday's off. Of course my schedule is very flexible at this point so I get to enjoy his company for three consecutive days every week!
On Friday Joel and Ashley joined us for a Blue Bomber Game. Now that Joel is married I seem to see much more of him! Ashley is a good influence on him! I really do enjoy hanging out with them!
Saturday was mow the lawn, clean the house day, although we did take a trip to Gimli to grocery shop and go for dinner. On our way we bought pic-a-pops, it has been a long time since I have had on of those tasty treats. I love them because they aren't very carbonated, I hate the fizz in normal pop! Pop out of glass bottles makes me happy, and brings me back to my trip to Dominica, where after a long hike handing out fliers we came across a little shack selling pop in glass bottles, it was a answer to our thirsty prayers!
On Sunday Mark an Jobina (and Riker and Trinity of course) came for dinner (Mark spoke at church so they were in Mennville for the day). It seems when we have company over Jay loves to cook (he likes it when we don't have company too, but it is more fun when he can serve his creation to more than just me). I get out of the cooking part, but get stuck with the dishes, not sure that is a good trade!
Not only did he cook diner but he also made a big pasta salad for lunch today and homemade chocolate chip cookies, YUMMY!!

New Look!

Winter is over and I decided a new look for my blog was in order. Of course it had to be pink, nothing else would do! If I missed you on my blog list please let me know!
This past weekend was a busy one as Jay and I helped to organize and run childcare at the EMC confrence. It actually went really smoothly, but by Sunday night it was nice to rest and relax.
We are finding a schedule as summer begins. Jay is working many evening and goes into work later in the day. If we really thought about it and planned we could enjoy breakfast together, as we won't do dinner very often. Alas, we haven't done that yet, maybe next week!
This week has been a quiet one, lazy mornings, some random chores in the afternoons, and some packing time at the school. Today I don't want to leave the house as a storm is brewing outside. Thunder can be heard and the wind looks a little wicked. A large cup of coffee and a yummy breakfast sounds like a good way to start a blustery day! I guess the rain means I won't be cutting grass today, as much as I would have liked to :)

Back in the Saddle

Yup, a blog after all this time! More importantly I am motivated enough to write a blog. After months of not feeling like doing anything (work, dishes, house cleaning, talking, facebook, walking... you get the picture), except of course sleeping, I am feeling like myself again and so happy about it! A little change can make a big difference!

This past weekend we had my whole family come to spend the weekend with us. My family are the most important people in my life, we see them often because we go into the city, it was nice to have them out here! I was a little apprehensive about it because my brother and sister-in-law have two big dogs. The dogs were amazing, they enjoyed our yard and were tuckered out after a couple of tosses of the ball, the slept in the shade. Joel and Ashley tented it on our front lawn because the dogs can't come in the house (Jay has wicked bad allergies). Mom and dad brought up their patio set (one of the many great items we get because of the move), so we enjoyed the sunshine out in the yard for most of the weekend. Bocce ball and games of "dice" were our main forms of entertainment. A great way to spend Father's Day weekend!

School/work is almost over and it is coming with a bitter-sweet ending. Of course students are happy summer is here (okay, so are teachers), but the knowledge that there won't be a next year makes this ending not so sweet. Sweet or not there is lots to be done in the next week (our last day is June 30). Report cards, finish up work, final tests, and, of course, picnic are all on my to-do list. It goes without saying that this blog is one way to procrastinate!

July will be here before I know it! With it comes our EMC Confrence, where Jay and I are helping to organize Childcare. After that it will be back to work for me. As teachers we have a lot of packing and such to do before the end of July. Jay and I plan to go camping, Jay hopes to take some Friday's off so we can spend more time relaxing. Joel and Ashley may join us for a trip as well. Jay has asked me to help with Space camp later in July, and I have committed to helping with DVBS out in Grindstone the first week of August. After that it will be time to prep for next year. I am excited to be teaching grade 4-6 at Morweena. I love those grades!

It will be a full summer! I look forward for being home for most of it as last summer was so unsettled (in winnipeg, at camp, on honeymoon, etc.). this summer holds much promise for relaxation and fun!

With that it is back to those pesky report cards!

The Secret is Out! and Link-up Day!

Last Friday I got a phone call from the Manitoba Coordinator for the Marsville Program. He informed me that one of my students had won the national writing contest to have a small planet named after them. All the Marsville participants had the opportunity to participate in the contest. I had all my students write a 300 or less word entry but they had the choice to enter or not, most of my students did. Of course I had to keep this information as secret as possible (although a few people needed to be told in order for the mom of this student to be there, plus I had a hard time containing my excitement!). I must say that I was a pretty proud teacher!

The announcement took place today, at Link-Up Day! Not only was it announced in the gym we were in but it was announced across the country in all the Marsville sites. I was so excited to see the reaction of this student. Surprises are so fun!

The student was pretty surprised! The media was there and there were interviews and conversations. It was pretty crazy for a bit! Congrats Sarah!

Of course Link—Up day was not just for the winning student but all my students, who worked hard on their Marsville projects. We set up huge bubbles and presented our projects. It was a crazy, busy day! At times a little unorganized but the end result was that we complete the Marsville Program. Time always becomes a factor when dealing with so many kids, and we didn’t have enough time for everything we wanted to get done. The morning was more productive than the afternoon. Time just flew by! The kids haven’t received their feedback for the galactic visitors but I have seen it and it was pretty positive. They get to read it tomorrow. I was really proud of how all of my students created their bubbles, presented their projects, and their behaviour. I was happy with the day!

We brought a bubble home with us and will be setting it up on Thursday evening at the school for parents and the community to see. Students will also be presenting their projects. This will give us all a chance to celebrate the great learning that has taken place.

About Time For An Update

No excuses but i haven't blogged in awhile! So here is an update (finally!)
Last week I enjoyed a wonderful Spring Break, it was busy, but not too busy! I enjoyed a day in the city with Jay (complete with the purchase of pink rubber boots and pink and black soccer cleats), I went cross-sountry skiing at Hecla by myself on Tuesday. I skied over 15km and afterwards my legs felt a little like jello! At about 10km I would have loved to stop, but it was either 10km back or 5 km ahead, I kept going forward! My dad came out for a couple of days to play in a curling bonspiel with Jay, and then Blake (my youngest brother-in-law) came out for a couple of days. Other than loosing (badly) at a game of Risk it was a good week!
Now back at work my students and I are grearing up for our Link-Up day and preparing for our "trip to Mars". After a week of panic we are on track and I am very much looking forward to seeing my students in a new setting!
Soccer season is gearing up so Jay will become super busy with painting lines, coaching and referee clincs, and organizing coaches and schedules. Next week he has a meeting every day of the week except Sunday! A little crazy if you ask me, but this too shall pass! :)
Of course Jay just bought me a new toy so next week, while he is at meetings I can move files from my old computer to my new laptop! I have wanted on for years now and my computer is dieing so it was time for a new one! LOVE IT!
That is life in a nutshell!

ANOTHER DAY OFF!

This is getting a little bit silly, I mean it is the end of March and we have another school day closed because of weather! Spring break is three days away and I am thinking it won't be springy, instead it will be snowy! I am sure my students don't mind another day off, but right now I do!

A Phone Call Brings A Sister!

On Wednesday morning around 11am my father called me at school. I returned his call and discovered that my little brother was going to get married in Mesa, Arizona, this weekend! Ashley and Joel were planning a wedding for a year from now, but things were getting out-of-control and they were not planning the wedding they really wanted to have. So a quick change in plans resulted in a fairytale!

The biggest problem in all of this was the lack of passports for Jay and I. My parents, her parents, and the bride and groom were already in Mesa for their vacation. Jay and I just needed to get there. With a lot of help from great friends (Sheri, Lorna, Stephanie, and Mark) we got our passports in just over 24 hours! I didn't even know it was possible! Dad booked our flights, and we arrived here at 3:00pm on Saturday afternoon! Of course it was a little crazy on Wednesday because I couldn't get in touch with Jay (who had a surprise meeting). Dad booked our tickets without Jay even knowing about it! It all worked out, and we made it!

I quickly got ready for the wedding (I found a little brown dress in Sears on Wednesday night) and we were off to the wedding location. I could not believe the location of this event! WOW! It was a castle! AMAZINGLY beautiful. Pictures won't do it justice but here are some anyways:

The Reception

The cemony

They planned the entire thing in three days! The dress, the flowers, the rings, the entire thing! They wouldn't have had a more perfect wedding if they planned it in 3 years!

Here they are getting married! I was upgraded to Maid-of-Honor becasue Mel couldn't be here, my dad was the best man. There were 12 guests there to honor this wonderful marriage Ashley's parents, my parents, Jay and I, Ashely's sister and three kids, and my aunt and uncle)!

The food was AMAZING! I don't think have ever had a meal as good as this dinner!

Stonebridge Manor did an amazing job of pulling it all together. They even had a cake for the reception!

I have always wanted a sister! I never imagined I would get such a great one! Isn't she beautiful!

So after the tears (I didn't think I could be there at first), the excitment, and the whirlwind, it was a great wedding! I was so glad to be there and be a part of my brothers wonderful day!

The people at the condo complex that my parents live in put on a reception at the pool when we got back.

We are still in Mesa. Today we are enjoying wearing shorts and doing some shopping! It is nice to finally see the condo my parents bought last year. When they talk about it I now know why they like it here so much! My aunt and uncle have a condo in the same complex and have let us sleep in their spare room (Joel and Ash are in my parents spare room tonight). We head home tomorrow; I like being warm so I wish we were staying a little longer!