Field Placement

This past April, I had the chance to be a student teacher, for the first time ever!

It was incredibly scary, hard, joyful, stressful, and empowering. I got assigned to the BEST class ever!

Even though my teacher was out for almost two weeks (because of BED BUGS!) I had a great time with the kids and learned so much about the work of a teacher. 

My back gave out on me, towards the end of my month there, so I felt like I was quite literally crawling to the finish line, but I am so grateful to have this particular step behind me. 

I am grateful for this journey I am on, but it has certainly not been easy. 

Jess Festival Week

Back in September, Jessy registered for voice lessons!

Her teacher, Patty, lives right next to us and she has been such a help and source of strength to Jessica. 

Under Patty's tutelage, I've not only seen Jessica develop a new skill, but I have watched her confidence grow. She has had lots of opportunities to perform AND she even competed in the town's annual Rotary Music Festival. 

I was in the middle of a practicum during that week and so I missed a few of her performances. Luckily, I was able to catch her evening competitions. 

She did so so so so SO good!

It has been a total joy and honor to watch her grow in this capacity.

We will forever be grateful for Patty B and all that she has done for our girl!

 

Sadie Hawkins Dance

Sam has officially finished his grade 11 year, but since I'm still catching up on old times, this is worth throwing in there. 

Sam had been invited (by Lucy N) to go to Sadies. She had given him a poster with some really cute photos of the two of them in Junior High, kind of a throwback to the last time they "danced together." It was really cute. 

Sam responded by wrapping up a bunch of candy, gum, and goodies in a ball of saran wrap that she had to unravel. He left a punny little note with it and delivered it to her front door. 

Because of COVID, this dance had to be postponed, but near the end of February 2022, restrictions finally lifted, allowing a return to normalcy.  It was so fun that these kids got to get out and socialize together. What a long spell of isolation they all had endured. 

This group went bowling in Lethbridge together and then got dressed up for the dance. There was a theme of "Disney couples."

 

 I think Sam and Lucy made a darling Peter Pan and Wendy!

Nate Archery Tournament

Nate enjoyed being a part of the Junior High archery team. It's his first year being a part of anything like this, but he has done really well, considering. 

Earlier in the year he had the chance to go to Edmonton to participate in provincials. 

Jess and John were happy to accompany him as it gave them a chance to touch base with Abby too!

Nate loved seeing Abby's digs (is that what people say?) and Abby loved having the company!

Jess and Nate were fans of the LRT system. 

And they had to get a picture of our boy, "Tokyo" standing under a sign that says "Tokyo." 

It's been a couple of years since Nate acquired the nickname "Tokyo" and I still don't understand how that came to be. 

Nate had a blast at the provincial tournament and even took home 3rd place for Grade 6 Boys. 

Isn't that incredible! In all of the province- he placed 3rd in his catagory. 

 I mean, he is a real life Robyn Hood, if I do say so myself!

February Break

Family week in February provided us with a much-needed rest, AND.....ABBY CAME HOME!!!

We went bowling in Lethbridge together.

It's hard to say who the worst bowler was. We all kind of unanimously sucked at it, but man was it fun!

Mason got his mission call, so we all drove down to Claresholm to be with him while he opened it. 
Lucky Toronto!  He will be amazing!

New Years Eve

I spent New Years Eve crying/laying on my kitchen table, dramatically writhing in pain while trying to watch "Meet the Fockers." It pretty much goes down as the WORST New Years ever!

My family, however, had a blast over at Brent and Rachel's house - eating, playing games, and celebrating in all the best ways!

 

Christmas Eve

This Christmas marked our first real holiday welcoming Abby home as a "visitor." It's always a wonderful time when this girl walks through the door!

Other noteworthy points about our Christmas Eve...

* I was experiencing acute sciatic pain as a result of a thrown-out back. I spent the evening on the living room floor. My family picked up the slack. 

* UofA T-shirts were the theme of the year for us all! Go Golden Bears!

 

December Delights

 

Christmas Lights - Throw back post

It's July, people. JULY!  And here I am posting pictures of this past Christmas!!!

Want to know why?  

Well, because life has gotten busy. 

You know all those other times when I have blogged and written and posted about how busy my life was?

Those were all lies.

Misinformed hints of busyness that were completely unaware of what was to come. 

These past six months have truly rocked my world, but here I am. 

Still standing and back to pick up the pieces of the moments that have mattered to me most over this wild and crazy period of time. 

So with that in mind - welcome to my flashback to Christmas 2021!

 

Brace Face

This girl has been waiting a very long time to be able to get her braces. (Why is this something kids want to have so bad?  I guess it compares to my desire for glasses.  I can empathize, without "getting it" right?)

At any rate - here she is!