100th Post!

Not a snowflake in sight!

My 100th post on this blog and I am sitting in the clubhouse in Mesa and am enjoying a quiet day. Dad and Jay have gone golfing so I am hanging out and enjoying some rest and relaxation. A couple of people have come into the clubhouse and mentioned that it is too quiet around here. I keep thinking this is just the way I like it!

Our flight was uneventful, left on time, and we made our connection in Denver, just in time I hear as flights are delayed everywhere as a storm hits across the country (but not here!). We arrived in Phoenix without Jay's golf clubs, and after a little bit of trouble they were delivered yesterday.

We shopped yesterday, which included clothes for both Jay and I and a new wedding ring for Jay, seeing as he lost his this summer. Tomorrow will also be a quiet day, seeing as shopping is not an option :) We have dinner plans with people Jay and I have never met (or at least don't remember) but other than that the day will be another relaxing one. We have a hotel room booked for Canadian Boxing Day (thanks to a gift certificated from Joel and Ashley). Then more shopping, I am guessing more golfing, and then it will almost be time to head back to Canada. I hear the snow is falling back home, which means that when I get home the skis can get put on and I can enjoy another day or two of my vacation doing the things that make me the most happy!

Wishing everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS! See you in the New Year!

When Time Races!

WOW!! As Jay reminded me this weekend, it has been over a month since my last update. A busy month!
I have taken up curling and for the last four weeks have been curling twice a week. Once in the ladies league, and once in lessons. Both with Jay. On Mondays and Wednesdays I haven't been home before nine, Jay and I usually go out for dinner or bring dinner and eat at the curling rink, going home just doesn't work. Although I am absolutely not good at curling, for the most part I am enjoying it.
We have made some trips to Winnipeg recently to get the Christmas shopping done. In fact, we celebrated Christmas with my immediate family just last weekend as we will be split up this year. Mom made turkey for dinner, we opened presents and played two LOUD games of Cranium (each gender winning one). Of course I always wonder if we disturb the neighbours, we Hayward's aren't known for our quietness!
With the last week of school upon us the practicing seems as though it has overtaken my life as my students prepare for the Christmas concert on Friday night. I always get a little nervous about how my students will do, and so my stress level is a little high, and patience a little low, this time of year is probably not my best.
Of course I keep looking forward to the Christmas concert being over, because that brings us to Christmas break! This year that means a night in MacGregor with Jay's family and then a night in the city before we fly south for 10 days! :) A real, warm, no pressure vacation! Every ounce of my being is craving warmth and time with my husband that is not scheduled and mapped out on a calendar! For ten blissful days we will shop, golf, read,hike, sleep, and relax with no schedule, no meetings, no 10+ hour work days, and no real demands on our time. Maybe that is selfish but my mind, body, soul and relationships need this time! I am very much looking forward to it! Dad will pick us up at the airport on Tuesday afternoon and I hope not to need a winter jacket until mom picks us up on New Years Eve! BRING ON THE WARMTH!!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

Teaching takes up so much of my time that by the time I get home my computer stays in its' case and I refuse to even look at it. Today I am still at work, and am procrastinating. It is almost report card time and that is taking some mental energy, next week it will actually take some physical time and energy too, but for now I will just think about them!

Last weekend we spent time in the city. On a busy Saturday I went shopping with Sheri, to my Grandma and Grandpa's for a quick visit, to the fabric store with mom, and out for dinner with the family to celebrate my mom's birthday. Sunday was a quiet day for me but on both Saturday and Sunday Jay went to the comic convention.

As we sat around the table reminiscing we realized that it had been two years since Ashley's first official family gathering as the girlfriend. Wow, time flies! Their baby continues to grow and the excitement continues to grow right along with it. Today we all saw him/her for the first time on the ultrasound pictures. Of course I am already buying baby gifts for him/her! I can't wait to be an auntie!

I am almost longing for snow now, dreaming of getting on my skis and enjoying the cold and snow. For now I dread the in-between weather and the cold recesses. Of course the count down to Christmas and our trip is on, can't wait to be warm and in the sun!!

New Blog!

Jay is back in the blogging world, you can find his thoughts at: jboknows.blogspot.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

From this....


to this!

Today is Jay's 26th birthday!
I really am lucky to be married to such a great guy.

Ironically our first date was three years ago yesterday (yes I think it has been that long already!!) So happy birthday, and first date anniversary! Love you tons!

Into the Groove, and Loving It!

Routine is getting set, and life is getting into a normal rhythm. In fact with two whole weekends at home it feels like Jay and I actually live in Mennville!
I am loving my job for the most part. I am really enjoying getting to know my kids and they really are great! I have 19 eager beavers! Don't get me wrong, I had great kids these last four years, I am just enjoying the getting to know you part of school. Setting up routine and expectations, learning the students' strengths and likes and dislikes, it really is the good stuff of teaching. Being able to focus strictly on teaching and my students has made this first month at Morweena even more enjoyable, no government paperwork makes teaching much more focused. Of course I am also enjoying dusting off some of my old favourites and re-teaching them. Electricity has reemerged and it looks like my students are enjoying building circuits, lighting up light bulbs and playing with batteries, of course they are learning something too! Poetry has grabbed many of them. Shel Silverstien never gets old, and we have enjoyed many a chuckle as we read his poems. Kids are writing poems like crazy, the boys get to be funny, the girls re-write songs and express their thoughts on everything from hairbrushes to friends. With the lack of planning these old units take it leaves more time for marking and the such. There are still many late nights at work, and work to do in the evenings and on weekends but that is just the life of a teacher. I feel like we have had a really good start to the school year, and I love it!!
In other news Jay has been busy with work, he is coaching highschool soccer, has evening meetings, and such. We joke, but it is true, if we end up having dinner together twice a week we are doing good. Thankfully we have carved out some weekend time together the last couple of weeks. Although the October calendar is filling up so we will see if that continues.

Seeking Routine!

I meant to update sooner but life has been a little crazy! Starting a new job at a new school has taken some late nights and early mornings, by the time I get home from work plugging in my computer is low on my list of things I want to do. Usually fall routine comes quicker to me but Friday was the first day I left work before 5, which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't only the second time I have left before 6. One night I managed to stay until 7:15. Add the half hour drive and my days have been rather long. Other than the adjusting to a new routine the start of the school year has been very enjoyable. I have 19 grade 5 and 6 students, 5 boys and 14 girls. They are really good kids and I have enjoyed the last two weeks of getting to know them. I really like being part of a bigger staff. All things considered it has been a great beginning. My goal for this week is to get into routine, spend less hours at work in the evening and start feeling like I have a life outside of my classroom.

This weekend was an enjoyable one. Joel and Ashley came up for a movie marathon. We ate and watched movies all day yesterday, and by watched movies that means the boys watched and the girls slept! Ashley had a rough week and needed rest, I have no excuse, but I look forward to starting the week well rested! Joel slept in the tent with the dogs while Ashley took the bed in the guestroom. It was nice to be at home this weekend as we haven't had a weekend at home in weeks.

Jay's schedule is picking up steam. between the two of us we are hardly ever home. It seems that that is pretty normal this time of year though. He has just started coaching the highschool's soccer teams so that will keep him busy.

On to completing work things!

A Quick Update!

This is my last Friday with no obligations for 10 long months. I had planned to go into work I today but have decided that I won't and instead will work from home and relax a little before the craziness ensues! As far as school goes things have changed in the last week or so. Originally I was teaching 30 kids in grades 4-6, but that was CRAZY!! So instead I am teaching 17 kids in grades 5 and 6, which seems much more manageable. I love those grades so the whole thing has me very excited. I have spent many hours in my new classroom this week and am feeling close to organized. I will work many more hours next week and feel good about having kids in front of me by the end of the week.

Jay is at work today, the first Friday he has worked since I finished school in June. We have enjoyed many Fridays together this summer and I have been thankful for the extra time we have been able to spend together. This will all end abruptly next week when I go back to work full time, and his fall schedule starts back up. We will keep focused on Christmas time, and the nine days of warmth and shopping we have planned!

Content and Loving It!

Yup, I am feeling content this week, and I love it. It seems that all fog has passed and I am felling normal. Some may know that this winter was unpleasant for me, apparently a hormonal imbalance isn't good for you. Since going off the dreaded pill I am happier, cry less, and have the energy and motivation to actually get things done. Amazing!

This weekend Jay booked our plane tickets for our trip. After visiting Arizona for 44 hours last February we have decided to make another trip. The original plan was for us to go to Mexico for Joel and Ashley's wedding so the money is saved and they are already married, thus the decision to go somewhere else.We are going for 9 days over my Christmas break. The condo is in a 55+ complex so my dad is joining us for at least some of the trip, mom will stay home and celebrate Christmas with Joel and Ash. Mom and Dad will go again in February but that just doesn't work for Jay and I. I am grateful that my parents are willing to accommodate us! We are so looking forward to this trip as a chance to spend some time together without thoughts about work or demands on our time. Being warm will be wonderful, and shopping is a must!

I am back to thinking and getting excited about work! The planning has begun. There are some definite pluses to the whole situation. I am teaching at a new school and therefore don't have to plan everything from scratch. My favourite read aloud novel study (The Tale of Despereaux) has been dusted off, unit plans from past years are reviewed, but not planned from scratch. I also look forward to meeting new kids and setting up new routines with them. Of course the fact that I could have up to 30 kids is a little intimidating! I can't wait to get into my classroom and organize it (plus that means getting some of this stuff out of my office and basement!!).

Ashley and I hit the mall this weekend. Bonus number 101 of having a sister I have someone to shop with! My cousin is getting married in a couple of weeks and the invitation says "black tie optional" so we shopped for outfits and accessories for that occasion. Ashley is defiantly showing and didn't have anything to wear. We found some dressy tops she could wear with her black maternity pants. I found earrings, a necklace, and a purse to complete the dress I bought when I was in Mesa.

Dad is doing pretty good. He is feeling restless at home and has made a couple of trip on the bus to keep himself occupied. His pneumonia has cleared up and his antibiotics have ended. Another week and he should be able to go back to work, and drive, and do more; a doctors appointment hopefully will confirm this.

Life is good!

Someone is Having a Baby!!

No Not me!

My little brother and his lovley wife are adding a new member into our tight-knit family. Which means I get to be an auntie! I keep saying I want to be an auntie before I am a mommy and it looks like that will be happening. They are due in March and anticipation and excitment is already growing!

No Place Like Home!

I finally arrived home yesterday. I love spending time with my family and I am happy to help out when needed but I understand why dad is going crazy being at home! After some outings, trips to his job site, shopping errands, and doctors appointments there wasn't much else to do. As he continues to feel better and less tired he will get more and more restless, I am sure he will be doing things he shouldn't be doing next week!
Mom and dad's new condo is great and it will really suit them and their lifestyle. Thanks to many helpers it was set up and organized before dad got home from the hospital. seeing as he can't lift things over 5 or 10 pounds he wouldn't have been much help in moving furniture etc.
I am now home and happy to get settled after two weeks of craziness. I am excited to go into work on Monday. The rainy weather we have been having makes me feel like I should be heading back to work and I am excited to go and get inspired! i want to find out what curriculums I am teaching, etc. So I can start planning and dreaming about the next ten months.

Life As I Know It!

Dad is now out of the hospital and recovering at home! His diet is changing and he has been given strict orders (from MOM) that things will change! He is already bored and has asked me to take him to the job site tomorrow (so I will). I am spending the next couple of days in the city driving him around. I have a list of errands that I need to accomplish while I am in the city.

I am longing to start back at work. I love the planning time, and even more so the time spent setting up a new classroom. I am hoping that next week I can have some of that time! Until then it is hanging out with my family while Jay is at home alone!

Heart Attacks, Hospitals and Family

Not long after I posted the last post my mom called. In her calm and collected voice she informed me that the ambulance was at their house because dad was having a heart attack. How she stays so calm I will never know, because my reaction was at the other end of the spectrum. Jay rushed upstairs thinking I had cut my hand off. We jumped in the car and headed for St. Boniface hospital... not knowing what we would find when we arrived there. We actually got gas but didn’t pay for it until the next day, small towns are great!

When we arrived at the hospital mom met us outside. Dad was still in pain, and was getting pumped full of medications. I guess things got a little scary when the ambulance people couldn’t get an IV in. My dad has really bad veins from all his chemo so they couldn’t give him the medication that they wanted. It took a couple of people and tries before the IV’s were in. The bruises will probably last weeks.
We went into the emergency room dad was in and talked with him. The nurses were watching him really closely and the pain was being managed with lots of drugs. They were hoping the clot busting drug would stop the pain but it didn’t work. As a family we talked, poked fun and each other and talked some more. Being around a hospital bed isn’t that foreign to us. At midnight we sent Jay and Joel home (Ashley had gone home earlier). Mom and I prepared for a long night of waiting.

Around 1am they took dad for an angiogram to see where the blockage was and if they could get it out. Mom and I slept (at least we tried to sleep) in the waiting room and waited, and waited and waited some more. They told us that these things don’t take that long, 30 minutes or so.... but we waited for over two hours with no updates or signs of human life (the hospital seemed empty). The doctors and nurses had to be called in from home, I am sure those 1am phone calls don’t make them that happy.

Just after 3am they called us into the room to see dad. The nurse said the doctor had performed two miracles getting the two shunts in to keep the artery open. He was doped up on whatever drugs they gave him but was feeling a little better. The nurse got him settled in the cardiac care unit and we said good bye. By the time we caught a taxi (mom came in the ambulance, me with Jay) we got home at 4:30am. After cleaning up the medical supplies that the ambulance left we fell into bed and slept soundly until 7ish when dad’s cell started ringing with guys wondering why he wasn’t at work.

By 10:30 we were up again, and phone calls were the main objective for the first little while. To the hospital, to family that didn’t know yet, to update Joel, Jay, and Ashley. In my panic the night before I didn’t bring anything with me so a trip to Zellers saved the day and I picked up necessities. Mom and I headed up to the hospital to check in on dad. He was still receiving drugs, on a heart monitor, and such but was feeling better. He was very happy to learn lunch had been delivered, he couldn’t sit up so mom fed him lying down. His normal heart rhythm had returned and his stats looked good.

When we left we headed to the new condo (mom and dad had started moving, hence the over exertion and therefore the heart attack) and checked it out, and ran some errands and headed home. June (my mother-in-law) popped in to see how we were doing. We headed to Joel and Ashley’s to eat (thanks again Ash). Thankfully between Joel and Ash and Ashley’s parents I was able to borrow a car to get home (family is a wonderful thing). I made one last visit with dad before driving back home last night. Dad was up walking, and frustrated he couldn’t walk further. He was off everything but the heart monitor, he even made phone calls to work last night.

Today things sound like the improvement has continued. I am back in Riverton as Jay and I are running Space camp, exhausted today, and looking forward to getting a full night’s sleep. We are heading back to the city on Friday morning after space camp is over. We will help mom get the old house cleaned and ready for the new owners.
We don’t know when dad is coming home yet, but we hope to have the condo all set up and ready to go so he has nothing to do when he gets there. Mom has hired movers to finish up the move on Thursday morning.

I am sure the recovery will be a little slower than dad would want it to be. I hope to spend next week with mom and dad in city, to help where I can.

Thank you for your prayers, phone calls, emails, offers of help and concern, they have meant a lot to us all.

A Weekend Away

This weekend we embarked on our first camping trip. After running some errands and such in Winnipeg on Thursday morning/afternoon Jay and I headed to St. Malo Provincial Park. We set up camp in the rain/drizzle and I was thankful we had set the tent up in our basement so we had a clue what to do. I was pleasantly surprised with this campground. We had a very wooded and private site in Bay 9. Other than the campsite across the bay we couldn’t see or hear our neighbours. On the map it looked like we were a ways away from the nearest bathroom and the showers but with the many paths through the woods it wasn’t so far away.

The two of us enjoyed a quiet night and all day on Friday by ourselves. We enjoyed a walk to the beach and great cookie dough ice cream from the stand near the big beach. Our tent (thanks Mark and Jobina) has a big vestibule at the front. I was very thankful that during the showers we had we could sit in there and read, play cards, or eat.




Friday evening Joel and Ashley (and puppies) came to join us. They set up their camp and then we cooked dinner over the fire. The next morning breakfast was cooked and served at our site (we realized that Jay and I had too much stuff to haul back and forth so they came to us). We enjoyed another walk to the beach, more ice cream, and a sunny walk back to camp. Oh, and MANY discussions! In fact Joel and Jay mocked the chatter between Ashley and I (a sister is a great thing!!).
We brought so much food that after cooking it all up on Saturday night we realized we had more than we could eat! Of course we left room for wild berry pie irons for dessert!




Sunday morning the rain came and Joel and Ashley packed up quickly (the only benefit of a small tent is the quick set-up and take-down). Jay and I hung out and waited for the rain to stop before we packed up and headed home.
Jay and I have spent a lot of time with Joel and Ash this summer. I look back at our teenage years and laugh at the time we now spend together. I really enjoy that we now have a much closer relationship than we have ever had. I think it might have something to do with his wife, but none the less it is nice to be closer.

I really enjoyed the weekend away. I would recommend St. Malo campground to everyone, it was a great place to spend the weekend!

A Year Ago Today...

I married a great man!



I re-read my blog posts about the wedding the other day it is hard to believe it was a year ago. A day really can change the rest of your life! I loved that day, I loved wearing the dress, I loved seeing family and friends... but over the last year I have loved that that day allowed me to be married to a great guy.



He does so many little things to try to make my life easier. I have come home on many occasions to a cooked dinner, a clean house, a planned date... I was so worried that I would be responsible for so much around the house, I am grateful that he helps out and contributes.



As with anything in life this year has brought some great things and some not so great things. I am blessed to be married to a man who will stand by me in those not so great times! One of the most important things I have realized through the not so great times is that I can count on Jay to be there for me. I guess when it comes down to it that is one of the most important part of any marriage.



The last year has been a year of growth and adjusting but I am so happy that I have been able to grow and adjust with Jay. I am blessed to be married to Jay and can’t wait to spend many more years loving him.

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!

My Life Has Been Overtaken By Aliens!

Okay not really, but close! My students and I have started a new unit on Space. I figured I could teach it the old boring, read this, answer these questions, way, or I could do something neat! I chose to have some fun and we are now embarking on a trip to Mars. Okay, not really, but close!

We are part of the Marsville project. A project sponsored and put on (for free, teachers like that word) by the National Research Council. Throughout the next three months we will be learning about Space, Mars specifically, doing crazy, but interesting experiments, learning about Space Travel, talking about nutrition and fitness (astronauts need to be physically fit), and building life-support systems. Students even blog and make their own mission patches. In the end we will spend a day “on Mars” with the rest of the Manitoba participants. We build massive bubbles (I built one on Friday and it was big, trust me!) and present our projects inside of them (“on Mars”). Already it has been lots of fun, and we have only just begun.

Of course a project like this means a little more prep for me to do, but the smiles and excitement of students is worth the late evenings! In fact I am becoming very interested in Space too. It was really never my thing until now, but wow are there some interesting finds out there in our big, wide universe. God created Earth, which was awe-inspiring. But WOW!, He also created so much else, all of which are also awe-inspiring! So while Aliens have not really overtaken my life the study of Space (which does not include aliens) has me hooked!

New Hobby and COLD Days!

Over Christmas I invested my Christmas gift money in a pair of Cross Country Skis. Mom had gotten some for her birthday in November, and after a ski with her (I rented skis) I was hooked! I went out and bought a nice set and have used them a couple of times already. I have made a loop around the school yard; it was tough to plow it out the first time (and then it snowed a ton the next day), I have since made my track again. I have also been to Windsor Park a couple of times with mom. It has been fun, and a great way to get active! I do have a rule though; I won’t go out if the wind chill is below -30!

I guess that brings me to the cold day topic! I am currently on day 2 of no students. The wind chill has just been too much to have kids driving to school. When it hits -45 they get to stay home. From the phone calls I made today I gather they don’t really mind. Yesterday was extremely productive. I am participating in a very cool space program (Marsville) with my students starting this month, and I managed to get it all planned yesterday! What a great gift to have a whole day to work on it. If only I could start already (I am a tad excited about it!)!! Today I set my sights on the pile o’marking! I managed to get some of it done, plus a few random things that have been on my to-do list. These days are really blessings (except of course for the walk to and from school, which is a little cold!). Tomorrow I want students in desks here at school though. In order to start Marsville we need to finish our current unit in Science, plus three days at work without students will be very boring!! We have work to do!

When the cold comes I think about next February! I am already dreaming about warm beaches!!

Those of you going to Mesa, don’t rub it in! You will be warm, the rest of us won’t be, I already know that!

The Reason to Collect Coins!

I have bags, envelopes, and stashes of coin all over my house (I am clearly my grandfather’s grandchild). Every year my students have done a Christmas project, which has involved bringing in money for either World Vision or Gospel for Asia (this year Room 4 students raised enough to buy 2 pigs, 4 chickens, a water filter, a blanket and gospel tracks!). Kids, being kids, bring every form of money they can, they do bring in the occasional bill, but with it always comes many pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, loonies and toonies. Neither of these two charities want to be shipped a bag full of pennies so I always pay for the gifts and take the coins, etc. Students also pay for book orders with random change. I have taken all these coins, and many others that I have found at the bottom of my purse (and often I leave some in old purses that find their way into the closet), in pockets, in the washing machine, the list is endless. The bags have grown, and when I moved, they all found their way into a drawer of my desk.

Last night Jay and I decided that this money would become the start of our Mexico trip fund. It was all just sitting there, and we have a trip to go on! At first we guessed that maybe there was $200 dollars. We sorted the coins, and then the counting began… We counted, and counted, and counted (okay it didn’t really take that long but it was a process). We passed $200 quite easily and kept on counting. In the end we had counted almost $600!! Maybe I shouldn’t have had all that money sitting in my desk!

In the end the Mexico fund has started (we even added more to it with a gift we received over Christmas!). Now I just need next February to come, bring on the warmth!

I now love coins! My new coin collection will start tomorrow!

Welcome 2009, Goodbye To One of The Best Years Of My LIfe!

With 2009 now begun it might be fun to think about the year that has just past, what a year it was! My friends Dayna and Alyssa did month by month recaps on their blogs, I very much enjoyed reading them; however many of the months in 2008 would include wedding planning, wedding planning and more wedding planning (with very little other news)! While it was exciting then I just can’t write a whole month-by-month post about it! So here is my year recap, with a little different format:

It was certainly a big year in my life! The highlight, of course, was the wedding! After months of planning the day went by so quickly! All of a sudden it was over and we were married! I don’t know if you can get much more life changing than that!

Of course there were other events and milestones this year, it was a whole 12 months after all! Jay moved into what would be “our” house, and I spent less time at my apartment, and more time across the road. Of course one of my sacriest moments happened in the house when I was there alone. I will never forget the bird visiting! I slowly moved my stuff over (things I didn’t need/want at home), the big move didn’t come until the end of June, when I threw all of my stuff into the kitchen and left for my parent’s house. Of course I enjoyed setting up my house after we were married, what fun!

I spent the second week of our marriage at BCBC. It was under sad circumstances that I went, but I love camp and love what camp is about, at least it was something I could do. It was a ton of fun with some great kids!

This summer the cottage sold, so we had no weekends out there. As much as I didn’t want it to go I had so little time for it this year that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. My parents bought the condo in Mesa, one of these years we might even get to go down there.

In November my little brother asked Ashley to be his wife. My parents might have thought the wedding planning (and spending) was over, but not for long. We get to look forward to their wedding in 2010!
Now Christmas has come and gone and I look forward to another (maybe a little less life-changing year). At this time last year I knew some of the things that would happen in my life in 2008, 2009 is a big blur. The blur make life a little exciting, God has a big open door to do great things!