Random May

May was a treat. A real special month.

With no more school work and only a handful of subbing days each week, I felt blessed with both employment and time to catch my breath. 

Of course, I got to enjoy my weekly phone calls from my missionaries!

We got lots of sunshiny days in May and radar loved having someone home with him, full time. 

Jess and Nate both played ball all month long.  Jess loved her team!

Radar and his ol' buddy reunited. These little encounters made for the sweetest spring walks. 

3rd Ward participated in Youth Days. 

My one job for the day was to stir the taco meat, which I think I did a very good job of.

I miss my calling as Young Woman President, but I'm grateful for those who lead now. 

May brought my favorite Sunday afternoon routine - FatDog! 

It involves eating and then sleeping. Last one up is the fattest dog of all.

Nate kept us on our toes in May, breaking his moped, buying a new moped and not knowing how to park our vehicles. In his defence, he would say that he does know how to park properly. He just insists on not doing so. 

May also brought the BEST Northern Lights show that I have perhaps ever seen. It was magical. 

I did not want the night to end and at 2 am, I was still driving around town, trying to capture it all. 

We planted our garden in May.  (Always a fulfilling feeling)

Jess and her friend Macie grew quite close as their boyfriends are good friends. There were a lot of fun dates in May, for these four, including a spring formal dance. 

And John was asked to give the Teachers replay at CHS' graduation ceremony. 

He was sweet and candid and hopefully something he said resonated with the young people. 

It's crazy to think that next May...it will be Jessica we will celebrate!

Pretending for a day

My brother and sister in law went away for a few days in May and we signed on to watch their kids for them. For the most part, Nate and Jess both had other commitments so it often fell on John and I to keep our three visitors company. 

One day, we ordered chicken strips and fries from the four fast food chains in town and rated each one. 

I think we determined that KFC had the best chicken and the best fries. Who knew? 

We took the kids in to the wave pool in Lethbridge. It's been years since we did the YMCA. It made me wish I had little kids again. 

We stopped at Crumbl for some more sampling fun. 

And on our final day together, we went to Waterton where we window shopped and snacked on poutine and beaver balls. 

Despite the fact that John and I were a little tuckered out at the end of those few days, they were such good kids and we enjoyed having little ones to look after again. 

Perhaps a glimpse of what it might be like one day, with Grandkids to love and entertain!

(From my lips to God's ears.)

 

Soup Kitchen Service

The day I finished my practicum, the kids, John and I went into Lethbridge to serve at the Lethbridge Food kitchen. I remember feeling so grateful that I was being blessed with a degree and I wanted our family to serve others who had far less than us. 

The Lethbridge food kitchen was new to us but it was a really remarkable place. 90% of the food served is donated by people and businesses in the Lethbridge area. Though the lead chef each night was a paid employee, everybody else that helps to prepare and serve food 3 x a day, 365 days a year, is a volunteer. It was fun to be a part of that, for just one evening. 

Nate and Jess handled the drinks, John cut the meat and I ran plates from those dishing up, to those who were receiving. Everybody had a job to do. I was a little surprised/impressed with Jess and nate's coffee making abilities. Who knew? 

It was so very humbling to witness so many homeless. At first, I was trying not to stare at them, not to make them uncomfortable. Partway through the evening though, I realized that what I wanted was for them to know that I did see them. They were seen and known and their place in that chair was important. 

 It was a great experience and I can't wait to take the family back around Christmas time to do it again. 

Though we aren't considered rich by worldly standards, I am thankful to God for giving me a life that is free from addiction and isolation. 

Mothers Day

Jessica knows how to make Mother's Day special.  She always has. Sometimes, when others have forgotten, she figures out a way to smooth it all over and make it great. This year, she was on the ball and secretly orchestrated a family brunch in Waterton.  

After church (and work for her) we met up for chicken salad croissants, chips, cheesecake and drinks in fancy goblets. Im so ipressed that she got Nate and John on board.

It was, without a doubt, my favorite day in May. 

Hands down!

Offer Accepted

 

A week after finishing my practicum/four years of school, I was hired to teach English at the Cardston Junior High. I remember jumping at the opportunity and feeling SO nervous to do so. 

My nieces brought me some celebratory cupcakes, which was sweet. 

Time will tell if I have it in my to be good at this job or not. 
I pray that I will no best how to help the students that I need to!

Signed, 

Grateful and Afraid

Naamtok on the Farm

Sometimes, when passing through my hometown, we make sure to stop at the farm. Stopping at the farm most always means that my sister in law Heather will make something delicious to eat. On this particular occasion, she made Naamtok!

This Thai dish might possibly be my favorite dish ever made. It is minty and fresh and delicious and you can eat SO much of it (which I do) and still not feel full. 
Umm...Ummm.. So yummy!

hey also made roasted chicken with their own farm raised and butchered birds. 

There is just nothing like this goodness. 

I'm so thankful for the once-a-month dinners that bring my family together for this.

The company is always fun. 

And there is nothing better than seeing these cousins together. (Three on missions, two engaged, and four of Crystals kids in Tofino at this time. We gathered with who we could!)

Until next month, fam jam!