Back to School

Exciting day in our house. Kids were so happy to get back to school and see their friends. They couldn't wait to wear their new clothes, sport their new backpacks and meet their new teachers. Their eagerness made it easier for me to send them off along with the fact that I am volunteering the next two days so will get to check in on them in their new classrooms.


In a blink they went from being ages 2, 4, and 6 to all of a sudden being in grades 2, 4 and 6. I am really hoping for a great year for all of them.

94

Here we are on the very last weekend of summer. It is cold and wet outside as I sit wrapped in a blanket savouring the last cup of coffee with bubbles on top.

It's been a good, fairly uneventful summer with highlights being camping--always a good time. Camping as a family brought us to new and exciting places and experiences that are etched in our memory banks forever. We travelled the "Going-to-the-sun-Road" which was spectacular although I must admit my heart was in my throat for most of the drive. I have discovered I have fear of heights, especially alongside a mountain!

Our last camping trip we shared with friends which was awesome. I love sharing life and living in community. We had some great chats around the campfire.

Now we as a family are all set and ready for September. The kids are looking forward to another year with old and new friends at school and Steve and I begin new roles and responsibilities as well. It will be interesting to see how it plays out for us.

I am very interested in dreams. Last night I had one where the number 94 was repeated consistantly. In fact it was page 94. A little freaky I think!

Stuff

Julia has been bugging me for days (Literally) to scrapbook with her. She is working on an album and feels all grown up when we can do it together. I however had all of my stuff packed away and haven't done anything in months! Fiinally I relented, even though there is always stuff to do around the house that prevents me from plunking down in the middle of the chores needing to be done. I was feeling bad for putting her off. So, bit by bit we hauled everything up the stairs onto the kitchen table. It put the table out of commission for the week and therefore we had to eat in the TV room. How fortunate for the boys that it was the Stanley Cup finals week, right at supper time! We never eat in front of the TV.

My creative juices are a bit thick these days and not flowing too smoothly. I just could not get into it. Julia was whipping off page after page while it took me 3 days for one layout. 3 days!

Last night as we were sitting at the table, working very hard Julia asked, "mom, am I a reptile or a mammal...cause mammals have fur?" So cute. I love it when they make me laugh. And I can see how that would be a confusing one.
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This morning, Joel comes to the breakfast table wearing a clean white T-shirt that I picked up for his concert (and was hoping to keep it on hand for more concerts in the future). I said, "Joel, I don't think it is a good idea for you to wear a white shirt to school, it is going to get all stained and dirty and ruined."

"Oh that's okay mom, it will just get a few grass stains when I play football and soccer at recess."

"Exactly Joel, grass stains are the worst and don't come out."

"OH YES THEY DO, didn't you see that new Sunlight commercial?? It even takes ot grass stains. You need to get that stuff mom."

I let him go, not because the sunlight 3x concentrate works (because it doesn't), but because the t-shirt was $4, bordering on being too small, and not worth the energy of a fight.

I am so enjoying my kids these days but wish they would stay this age forever. I am in denial that they will ever get bigger, graduate and leave home.

NotSure

I haven't decided if life is just not interesting enough to blog about of if I just couldn't be bothered.

We had a great time camping on the weekend. The weather was warm and Kananaskis is always beautiful and a peaceful place to be. The only downfall of the weekend was the water wasn't turned on yet from being shut off all winter. That meant no bathrooms except at the camper center at the entrance. We were about as far away as possible. Not good when you gotta go bad! I could expect a 10 min walk every time I needed to go. Good exercise though. Finally near the end of our stay we found the outhouse. Usually a negative experience but again, since this was the first weekend of camping, they were so nice and clean. And in the words of Jake, they were, "minty fresh".

Tomorrow I start my shift at a senior's residence. I am looking forward to spending a couple of days a week there. I hope it goes well. I will be doing a variety of things to lend a hand wherever possible. Somehow I see a lot of cards and bingo games in my future.

Today Steve and I mark 14 yrs of marriage. Over those 14 years I have laughed and cried and yelled and screamed. It truly has been a 'for better and for worse' expereince. Thankfully the better far outweighs the worse and we genuinely enjoy each others company. Steve is the most authentic person I know and I so appreciate the realness even though it is not always easy for me. He is a true gift and understands fully what partnership and commitment mean in a marriage. He makes me feel safe and wanted, like I am the only woman on the planet. Thank you for the laughter and the tears for they have both made me grow. Here's to the future, both the blissful and hellish days. Know that I am yours.

Good Times

I have been waiting for this day for a while now. We are opening up the trailer for our first trip of the season. We are supposed to have hot temperatures all weekend, yay! I am also looking forward to the fact that we will be hanging out with hockey friends we made over the winter. I've got my stash of spitz, my bandana, my coffee press, a good book so I'm good to go!

When we get back on Sunday we are super excited that we will get to hang out with long time friends who are in town for the weekend. Party over here!

Got to go make a menu plan and pack!

Mother's Day

Jake scored a goal at his soccer game on Saturday afternoon. That was very exciting for us. I am so proud of him for being a part of a group activity like this.

The kids were up late on Saturday night during our house church gathering. No big deal, they had Sunday then to sleep in. I was actually looking forward to everyone sleeping in on Mother's Day. However, they were so excited that it was Mother's Day, they were up early, anxious to make me breakfast in bed.

I was awakened to the sounds of giggling outside my bedroom door as they paraded in one at a time bringing a steaming cup of coffee, pancakes and bluberries, and gifts and hugs and kisses too. They all made me cards and crafts and Jake even made me a mixed CD. He searched itunes for some of my favorite songs and burned them to CD, making a 'mother's day' soundtrack for me. On the playlist were songs from, Aerosmith, Barenaked Ladies, Billy Talent, Avril, and of course the Black Eyed Peas!

I basically did nothing the whole day which was sooo relaxing.

I have three great kids who I love dearly. I am so proud to be their mom!

A Jot Thot

I heard on the news last night that the Canadian Olympic team attire is being made in China! ugh. What is with that? They should of course be made in Canada. Common sense to me.

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This is a weekend filled with soccer and three on three spring hockey, birthday parties and house church. Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-choo-choo! Here we go.