Supermoon Snapshots

Nighttime photography is a new thing for me, but the recent Supermoon provided the perfect opportunity to practice.   

Every Thirty days or so....

Well now, it looks as though this little ol' journal of mine is going to get an update every thirty days or so.   At best!   

I'm pretty certain that I've spent the past 7 years lamenting how busy things are (cue the violin) and I suppose, if I'm not careful, this could be another one of those posts.   However, I feel a little bit different about the busy-ness that I feel right now.  Yes I have far too little time for my online journal and it has been WEEKS since I've felt all caught up with anything - but I LOVE the things we are doing.   Like, really really love what I do each day.  

And that makes all the difference.  

I love where I work.  

It's hard though.  Very hard.   Working full time at the High School has been a huge adjustment for me and not for the reasons I'd expected.   My job is to help the very students who don't want my help.  The walls around some of them are so thick;  I have had to accept that (for now) my job might just be to get to know them.   Some days I come home feeling like I didn't make a single difference and other days I come home feeling elated that I'd connected with one of them in a valuable way.  Perhaps even helped them learn?   Of course, I can only help others learn what I actually know myself, which brings me to a whole other dilemma:  I don't know High School Curriculum.   I don't remember ANY of this stuff!!    My brain feels like it is going to explode some days as I've had to quickly re learn what compound sentences and verbs are,  what words like onomatopoeia mean and re-aquaint myself with theories I failed to learn 20 years ago, like the Pythagorean theorem.  
On a good day I manage to actually connect with a student AND and help them understand something.  Those days are so very rewarding and somehow, that's enough to make the juggle of a busy day feel oh so worth it.   

But I digress, all that to say - life is good and every thirty days or so - I may just find a moment to share why:

   

My boys are all about Stickbots these days.   Cheap little figures with suction cups for hands and feet.  The kids use them to make still motion movies and have acquired quite the collection.  It's not in any way unusual to find a few stuck to my kitchen window or fridge.  The movies these kids make have been pretty hilarious!

This past autumn was beautiful.  I drove the kids out to waterton a few times to watch the Elk.   We always enjoy watching the bulls fight it out and were lucky enough to see some pretty up close!

During one of our Waterton adventures, we hauled Sam's cello out with us for some Piano Guys style photos.  Sam has been working hard on learning this instrument and his music teacher was very complimentary one day, exclaiming that Sam has surprised her with his hard work and willingness to practise.   I'll admit, it was a little tedious, for the first few months, listening to him pluck away on the strings but he is now able to practise with his bow.   It's sounding good!

The kids and I have rekindled our love for Hot Chocolate, enjoying a cup of it (or apple cider) every night before bed.  Occasionally, I drive all the way out to Waterton for a cup.   Sigh....super cozy;)

Hot Chocolate or not - the drive is always worth it!   

The first snowfall is always an exciting time for my family and this year it came on Thanksgiving day!   I'll admit, I wasn't feel too thankful as I shoveled a FOOT (literally) of the white stuff before our big dinner.   I guess I should have looked at it as a welcome and needed workout before the feast?   I'm not even kidding, days after, I was still feeling the ache and so I broke down and bought myself  John a snow blower.
I'm back to loving the cozy-ness of it all!

John's brother Ben and sister Rachel (and their fams) drove through the snow to have Thanksgiving dinner with us.  It was fun to see them and it gave Jessica a chance to go all out with the table setting.  She's a little party hostess, this girl.   

Grandpa made the Turkey and the Stuffing, which is a good thing, because he cooks those dishes up better than anybody else;)    YUMMY!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year, perhaps because for the first time in years, John was actually able to be home with us, which sure made the juggle of where to be that much easier.   John took Abby door to door canvassing for food for the "We scare Hunger"' food drive she was a part of.   Sam disappeared for the evening to trick or treat and watch a movie with friends, and I took Nate and Jess around to some of our favorite places.   We all made it back home around the same time to discover that all of the candy we'd left out, in bowls, on our front steps had been taken.   

(Hopefully not by one trick or treater! haha;)  

Jess was, of course an old granny again, but Nate surprised us by wanting to be a Grandpa!

They were the cutest little couple, out walking the streets together that night, hunched over, inching their way along, Jessica still yelling to him to slow down!   They tried to be authentic, that's for sure.

Sam dressed up as "Buddy" the Turtle.   (FYI:  Buddy is a turtle that lives at the Junior High in Mr. Hardy's room.)   Sam was very concerned that his costume look chill, effortless and very minimal.  In other words, he wanted to be cool and didn't want to make it look as though he really cared.  

(He sure stressed about not caring about it;)

Abby knew for weeks prior to Halloween that she wanted to dress up as Bellatrix from Harry Potter.  I really didn't know how she would pull that costume off, but she really did.   She looked way too old for her own good though and she enjoyed her temporary tattoo (the dark mark) a little too much!

John's default costume whenever we fail to prepare something good for him is- Einstein.
(No one can rock a wig like this quite as well as he can;)

I actually had to dress up this year as well   At first I thought I'd go to work dressed as Waldo, but then changed my mind and decided to dress up as a burglar.  Then as Halloween neared I decided against that due to the fact that there have been so many break ins in town lately; I figured most wouldn't find my humor funny.     Like John, I resorted last minute to my default costume..... a Hippie.   A few students asked me if I smoked "weed" and for all I know I could be making a gang sign in this photo, but all in all, it was a fun day.  

The end of October is always a fun (and busy) time of year for us.  

Volleyball tournaments, ward parties, Halloween, John's birthday AND Nate's birthday - all in one week!!!

Some things to remember about their birthdays this year:  

* John was actually home for his big day.   (He spent it taking Abby door to door canvassing for food)

* I bought John a snow blower to celebrate his old age.   I'm pretty sure this is comparable to him buying me a vacuum for my birthday, but I have no regrets.   Best gift ever!

* I was thrilled that this was our "year off" for birthday parties.   At least that was the plan.   Apparently one day, Nate had his friend Gray over for a play date and the two of them planned a party together, wrote up invitations and handed them out to classmates the next day.  I could hardly argue;)

* I throw the WORST birthday parties.   I pretty much buy food and crafts and then leave it up to whatever older child is at home (and willing) to oversee and entertain.   This year, the duties fell upon Jessica.  (God bless her;)

* I'll be forever grateful that these two were born into this world.   They're pretty cool!

Every Sunday I have been making the kids write in a little scribbler journal.   Each week, I pose a question for them and they are to write (in full sentences) a response.   The size of their response depends on their age.  For example,  Jessica is 9 years old, so her response each week must be 90 words long.   It'd be a stretch to say the kids are enjoying this writing exercise, but I think it will help them in the long run, and I certainly am enjoying reading what they write.

For example, today I asked Nate to share with me 5 things he can do to be more kind each week.

His fifth sentence/suggestion had me laughing.  It read, "I can not fart in church."   

Clearly, I'm changing lives here with these kids, one journal entry at a time!

Iphone Catchup....

Every few months I like to clear the photos off of my phone.   (I also prefer to delete every text or email I receive as soon as I've read it.   Letting things build up stresses me out - even if it is just some pictures on my phone;)   Anyways, here are a few of the gems that I found while purging, (I'm pretty sure these pics will make the internet a happier place):

This old summer shot made me laugh.   Nate and I had planned a date to the public library.   We'd made it all the way there and almost inside before I actually paused to look at him.   For some reason he had felt it totally appropriate to where one of his sandals and one of Johns.   What the heck!   

Of course we went on inside and acted like nothing was amiss.   

One of my kids' favorite summer past times is walking down the nature trail and wading in Lee Creek.   They splash around for hours, catch snakes, and play along the shore, which is made up of both sand and clay.   Always looking for something to create - Jess made this Mommy bird and nest.   

The kids went through a phase (thankfully it was short lived) where they loved building forts, and of course, the bigger - the better!   The kids were emphatic that this 3 bedroom fort should stay up for a couple of months.   I had the patience to leave it up for two days.  The moment my family were gone (aka: the first day of school) you better believe this baby was G.O.N.E!

There was this magical evening, a couple of days after school started yet before Volleyball got busy, when John took me on a date.   Kinda a shock when John plans a date, but we did go fishing, which isn't really a shock at all;)  It was a fun time though!   I learned how to "troll" for fish, we watched several beavers and marvelled at them every time they clapped their tales on the water, John focused on getting a catch and I put my feet up and watched the sun go down while drifting aimlessly along.  

(How much longer 'till summer?;)

I thought it was incredibly "matchy matchy" of me though to be reading a book titled "FISH" while fishing!

The local Rotary Club donated funds and oversaw the construction/revitalization of a new playground in town.   It's a great new park that as brought a lot of new life to the area.   Nate spent a few weeks trying to work up the courage to climb to the top of this contraption.   By the end of the summer, he almost had!

One day, late in September, I watched Jessica walk across the cross walk after school and climb into the van, lugging her swollen backpack behind her.   When I asked her why her backpack was so heavy that day, she responded by telling me that she had "a brought home a lot of important stuff."   Later that evening I opened up her bag to find nothing but autumn leaves!!!!  

She'd left all of her books at school and brought home a small tree instead.   

We had some beautiful evenings watching the Elk in Waterton, but one evening was particularly windy.   Not being ones to let that dampen their spirits, the kids decided to "set sail" and see where the wind would take them.   One gust of wind literally pushed Jessica all the way across the road!   

It was legit.

Perhaps you thought this picture was taken on Halloween day?

Nope, this is just an early September (after school) visit from two of Jessica's friends.   

Five minutes later, Jess had gotten more appropriately dressed herself and the three of them were out the door in search of other friends' houses to call on.   This is a very weird (albeit adorable) little trio right here.  

Speaking of weird - all of my kids are.

They are weird.  Every one of em.
Occasionally, I find the strangest things and for the life of me, I just can't figure out "Why!"   

Exhibit A:  Opened my freezer last week, to find this...

Exhibit B:   I went to wrap a present one day....

Exhibit C:   Discovered "Fred" while attempting to make cupcakes.  

(For the record, I wasn't allowed to put friend into the cake, but I did secretly serve him up the next morning with a slice of whole wheat toast and mashed avacado and he was delicious!)  

Why?  Why do they do these things!????   

They obviously have too much spare time on their hands, but I worry they may also be demented.   

Speaking of hands...Sam and Jess sometimes like to be my "helping hands" at the grocery store; Only instead of being helpful, they actually end up making my grocery shopping experience an absolute and colossal waste of time.  Every time.

First, they convince me that they want to help, insisting on having their own cart, and then they take half the grocery list and disappear.  As I shop for my items, I can literally here them laughing, isles away, as they throw everything BUT what we need into the cart.   They think this game is hilarious.

And I keep falling for it.  

You know what they say, fool me once....

Abby was chosen to be part of a "We Club" this year and was able to attend a huge We Day convention at the Saddledome in Calgary.  She (along with thousands of other students) got to listen to Chris Hatfield, Margaret Trudeau (Justin's Mom), Rick Hansen and Paula Abdul Speak.   She came home enthused and repeating the phrase "I am WE."     Apparently, Abby singlehandedly rallied her surround peers together and they got the wave going all around the dome.   

I wasn't the least bit surprised when I heard that as it sounds like something she would do.   

One last picture.   

Months back, my sister Jewel and I had been asked if we would team teach a stake RS class on "Strengthening the Family."  It was an easy assignment to say yes to...back in June!   By the time October 14th rolled around I was reaping first hand the reward procrastination brings.    

A week after teaching this class, John and I spoke during Stake Conference, the subject of our talks being "How to build a refuge for our families."   What a crazy couple of weeks that was as I focused more intently on Family.   Allow me to repeat the old Mormon cliche adage and say that I definitely learned more than those I spoke to ever did.  

  I still find myself reflecting on my family and the role that is mine to help each of them be who they are supposed to be.  That's kind of a big deal, you know?   I've thought a lot lately about all of the things that are expected of me (either my own expectations or those that others have of me) I've determined lately that there are FIVE people in my life that I will move mountains for (proverbial mountains of course) but mountains nonetheless.   

Beyond those five, I offer no promises, but this family of mine - I would do anything for!

Back to School - 2016

Oh man, our summer was so perfect.   

Absolutely perfect.

Therefore, it can't possibly come as a shock to hear me say that I did NOT want September to come.   Not only is it a very expensive month (Checktember is what I refer to it as) with school fees, choir fees, music lessons starting up and sports fees....it also means that it is time to send my chicks off into the world without me.   Again.  

Drat!!!!!!

Thankfully, every year, John makes a point of giving each of our kids a fathers blessing.  (Without a doubt, one of my favorite family traditions)  It's such a beautiful privilege to watch him do this, and so very reassuring to me.  I clung to the words he said to each of our kids and I know they each feel of his love for them, and even more importantly they all feel of their Heavenly Fathers love.  

So, the night before school started - that happened.    

And the next morning - mayhem ensued.   

FIVE bag lunches had to be made.

Piano had to be practiced.  

Abby woke everyone up at 5:45 am because she felt certain she needed that much time to get ready.

Nate didn't like his new backpack.

Before five hoodies, toques and school shoes could be placed at the front door, it all had to be found!

And last but not least... as per tradition (and much to every ones delight;) the obligatory "Back to School photos" had to be taken.   

Oh yes they did!

Sam's heart wasn't really in this but he knew resistance was futile.  

He's in grade 6 now and attends up at the Junior High.   The JUNIOR HIGH!!!!

This can't be.  Despite the fact that I am in denial, Sam has adjusted quite well.   He goes to school, has fun with his friends, runs each day with the cross country team, practices his cello. 

 He's a pretty chill kid.  Super funny and really chill.  Could there be a better combination?

Jessica's heart was perhaps a little too much into it.  

Sigh...all that work giving her a new haircut and trying to make her look cute as a bug for her first day of Grade 4 and this is how she thanks me?     My kids should know by now that they are only prolonging the torture when they refuse to "smile nicely for the camera"  

Here's our third or fourth try:

Jess keeps insisting that grade 4 is "The Grade."   She can't give us any reasons as to why it is the grade to be in - it just is.  She's sweet as honey, this girl, and I'm confident she is going to just sail through the year.

Abby has been the one consuming most of my thoughts since school began.   She's a darling girl, but grade 8 can be rough, no?   The first few days were particularly challenging for her as she realized that for much of the day she is in classes without any of her friends.   She would tell me of moments when she felt so isolated and alone that she didn't know who to talk to or sit with and would resort to siting by Sam.   (You know it is bad when she chooses to sit with her grade 6 brother and his friends.)  One night I went down to check on her after she'd fallen asleep and her pillow was wet with tears.
It sure can pull at a mamma's heartstrings to watch your kid go through hard things.   We've spent lots of time talking about friendships, how to be a friend always and how to feel comfortable even when alone.   

Luckily, things have improved for her.  She is more comfortable in her lonely classes and even though some of her friendships are changing (they were bound to) she is reaching out to others and trying to be a friend to everyone.   In an amazing show of courage, she ran for Student body president- and she WON!!   This alone has done wonders for her confidence and has forced her to look at what she can do for others rather than wait for others to do things for her. 

She also made the Volleyball team this year, which again, impressed me.   Her team consists of every girl that she has felt afraid of over the past couple of years.   These girls probably have no idea how intimidated Abby is of them, yet she has thrown herself into their circle as part of the team.   Dang, she's brave!  I couldn't be more proud of her and more excited for the growth that I'm certain she will experience as she reaches outside of her comfort zone.   

And then there is this sly guy.  

Oh how I will miss him each day.   (He's off to school every day, all day, for the first time ever)

No more morning snuggles or monopoly games.  No more sneaking off to Daves or Dairy Queen for a snack.  No more kids at home during the day.    Just me.  Alone.  Wishing my kids didn't have to grow up.   

Actually,  as much as I hate that my kids are all growing up on me, I made sure to mark their "Back to School" day in my own special way.   As soon as they were safely in their new desks at their home away from home - I drove out to Waterton.   I drove all the way up to Red Rock, taking in the beauty of the changing fall leaves.  

Before leaving for home, I made sure to enjoy a hot bowl of soup while cozied up in one of my favorite big red chairs.   It was divine! 

We are now one month into the school year and I have to say, the house is more quiet than I ever expected.   I finally worked up the courage to apply for an EA position at our local High School and was offered the job.  It is not quite full time (and I don't start until October) but I am looking forward to joining these five on the "Back to School train." (Choo Choo!!)

 I'm confident that as I adjust to my own new job, all I will need to do is take a little lesson from each of these five.  If I can be as steady as John, as chill as Sam, as kind and loving as Jess, as fun as Nate and as brave as Abby - all will be well!

Wish us luck!  I have a feeling it is going to be quite the year!

And they're off!

This darling girl was over the moon excited to get her braces off this past week.   

We went into Lethbridge early one morning for an 8:30 appointment and then had to wait in the city all day long for a second appointment later that afternoon.  

We spent the time in between - sampling food at Costco, shopping for clothes, singing to the radio at the top of our lungs, going to Crazy Cakes and just enjoying each others company. 

I enjoyed this day with her immensely and she is THRILLED to finally have those braces off.  

Congrats darling girl!

Waterton in the Fall

One of our favorite autumn activities consists of driving out to Waterton to watch the Elk.  During the rut, they are quite down low in the park and every evening they emerge from the trees and put on quite a good show, bugling and all!

A couple of weeks ago, John 's school held a staff party in which we all went on a guided horseback ride in search of Elk.   Our guide took us past the stables, behind Camp Columbus, along a side of the lake that one doesn't normally get to see and then back into the forest where dozens and dozens of Elk rest during the day.  At one point, we found ourselves completely surrounded by Elk.  We could see a giant bull in front of us, but could hear others on each side.  They were bugling to each other and it was beyond awesome!!!    Can't beat a staff party like that;)

Anyways, after that cool evening, I knew it was time to take the kids out too.  John rarely has an available evening (thanks Volleyball season;) so I took my four as well as Dane and Brooke.  We grabbed some pizza from our favorite shop in town and headed out.  

The following pictures were taken by Jess (my resident outdoor enthusiast):  

It was a beautiful fall evening!!!