Cuteness surrounds me!

Rowan

Avery

Jaden

Being Canadian!

On Sunday, a few of us hiked down into the valley to this frozen pond to play a little good old fashioned pond hockey. It was so so fun. I wanted to get out last year and it never was cold enough, but we have had many cold cold days this year so the ice was great. It started to snow these HUGE flakes just after these pictures were taken so it felt like a truly Canadian moment. Oh, and the hockey was great too....I finally got to go head to head against Brad in our favourite sport! I'm sure he loved his girlfriend skating circles around him!! No, Brad's a great player. We both had to deal with some sore muscles the next day though! I hope we get out again before the season is over.

SNOW DAY!!!!

You know that scene in "The Notebook" where Ally and the guy played by Ryan Gosling (forgetting the character name here) are lying in the middle of the street just for fun? Well, I did that today, except for a few different variables such as: I was by myself, there was no stoplight AND it is in the middle of snowstorm. It's amazing how lying in 2 feet deep snow, in the middle of the road making a snow angel can make you feel great!!

It's a snow day today...the words every child looks forward too in the middle of winter....and let me say, teachers too!! They are calling it the BIG STORM of 2007 and its definetly the most snow we have seen around these parts in years. The snow is still falling hard and the wind is blowing. My parents and I tackled the driveway already, however we only got halfway. We're opting for the snowblower this time!!

I think the kids knew a snow day was coming yesterday cause they were all a little nutty! I've definetly had some ups and downs in teaching lately. Supply teaching is such a different ball game than having your own class. I've realized that I really have to approach it very differently than I would if I had my own class. I cannot really teach how I would teach, or manage the class how I feel best becuase I am always stepping into someone elses territory. Not to mention you are already lower on the respect scale since you are not their REAL teacher. Somedays I feel so on top of it and I love all the kids I meet and then I know for sure I want to teach that grade. And then the next day, I'll teach the same grade in a different school and my perspective totally changes. I've been teaching everything from kindergarten to grade 8 and still can't say for sure what grade I would love to teach consistently. Each age has their frustrations and joys. I guess that's what teaching is all about though.

It's funny that it takes a snow day for me to post anything significant about my life. I guess it's just the spontaneity of a day off and knowing that your stuck at home to allow time for things that you neglect to do the rest of the time.
I've been thinking and learning a lot lately about selfishness. Its so crazy how ingrained it is in our nature and how, even though we acknowledge it in our life, it so subtley and slowly creeps back in all the time. Its a constant battle with ourselves. Maybe easier for some than for others, but its always there. I think the hardest part of the battle is our tendancy to justify our thoughts and desires as something we are DESERVING of. But the opposite is true. We fact, we are worthy of nothing and its only by the grace of God we are given anything.

I struggle with anxiousness and worry sometimes and if I think about it, probably the root of it all is because I want things to turn out MY way......again, selfishness! I decided to start battling this problem by posting this verse on my wall right in my line of view as I sit at my desk. I really believe that the only solution to our human problem of selfishness is to constantly fill our minds with what is TRUE, RIGHT and GOOD and allow God to change our perspective from self to others.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me - or seen in me- put it into practice! And the peace of God will be with you."
Phillipians 4:6-9

Welcome baby JADEN!

Ted and Julie gave birth to a beautiful new baby boy yesterday....little JADEN LUCAS. He is so beautiful and looks different from his big sister Avery. Welcome to the world JADEN. I can't wait to see you grow and play. Love Auntie Nineen!!

The unveiling of the mysterious thing!

Okay everyone! i'm sure you're all dying to know what that interesting object was in the picture. I was quite amused by your comments! So no, its not poo, or vomit, or a dried up mouse or insect, or even my beloved blankie (which by the way, JENNA, is not 'internet public' knowledge!!!). Jenna was the closest however...its not MY blankie, but a friends blankie! Seriously...this is what's left of his blankie. I'm not too sure how he feels about being exposed so he will remain nameless, but I could not believe that this is what he sleeps with. Apparently, there are bigger peices somewhere, but this is all he had at the time! I'm not promising, but I will try to get rid of mine before it becomes that small!

While I'm at it....

I found this picture while I was looking for ones of Jane and I. It made me remember what a great time this was with the girls, when we all went hiking in Banff. I remember 'convincing' the girls to hike up this mountain, which ended up taking quite a while. Sorry about that girls! It was worth it though, wasn't it? Not sure what's going on with my 'square hair' there. I'll blame it on the wind! Anyways, those were some good times. Hard to believe that was almost 6 years ago already.

This ones for you JANE!

I recently got an email from my long lost mate from down under. My met my friend Jane through Capernwray when we were on staff together in the summer. We kept in touch a bit afterwards and she even came to visit me out here in Ontario. She just got engaged over new years to a Scottish gentleman. Anyways, she told me she checks this thing once in awhile so I thought I'd post one for her. These pics were from summer 2001 when we did the tourist thing in Niagara Falls. JANE...leave me a comment when you read this!!