What a weekend!

**Warning - this will probably be a little long**

This weekend has been a weekend of personal growth. And it came as a surprise!

Friday - I attended a Professional Development Day in Gibsons, BC. (I will admit I wasn't excited to go. I wanted to attend the conference on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in town but didn't find out about it until I'd RSVP'd to this conference.) Landon and Collin came along since we left the house at 6 AM and didn't make it home until 6 PM. The conference was on assessment. I'm sure you can see why I might have been dragging my feet a little. When my mom found out where I was going she was like, "Ooh how boring, I mean exciting." I've attend three conferences for a total of 7 sessions on this topic in the last two years. But my whole school was attending and I thought I should go. Now I'm not good at being up on who is the new "guru" in the educational world. The speakers were Wayne Hulley and .... (drawing a blank on his name). Wayne Hulley is amazing! I thought I was listening to a stand up comedian not a man convincing me to build relationships with students. I took five pages of notes and not one of them pertained to my classroom. At the last minute he decided to talk about choices and how these choices effect our lives. And that we need to choose to enjoy our work, and our students for who they are! I could write for ever on the things that he taught me. But the most important one that I am putting into place in my life (as of Saturday) is that I am choosing not to complain about the trials in my life. What is happening in my life is because of my choices and if I don't like what's going on then I need to make better choices. And choose to be happy. The pity parties don't help. When you put negative thoughts together than all you get is negative results. There is a solution and if I want it badly enough than I need to make the choices which will make it a reality.

After lunch we had a surprise visit from Willie O'Ree. Now unless you are obsessed with Hockey you may not know who he is. I definitely didn't. He was the first black man to play in the NHL starting in 1959. He is a Canadian from Fredrickton, NB; the youngest of 13 children. And on top of it all he played his 20 year career blind in his right eye. It happened as an accident when he was in the junior leagues. He was told he would never be able to play again. When he was up on his feet again he tried and found he could do everything but make a goal.
**And this is the important part**
"I said Willie you need to stop concentrating on what you can't see and start concentrating on what you can see." WOW! And he went on to playing for 20 years in the NHL. No one ever asked him if he could see out of the eye and so he never told anyone he was blind until he finished playing. He battled, racism, bigotry and ignorance throughout his career and he said he made the decision to not fight with his fists but with his example. He is now the director over the NHL's diversity program. An incredible man.

Landon spent the day with Collin going for drives, looking at electronics at London Drugs and reading in the shade. It was a fantastic day. (The last speaker was really good but I ended up talking with a co worker about how to apply assessment principles to the new program I am making on Life Skills for the high school.)

Saturday - My mom, Steve, Collin and I headed down to Nanaimo on the first ferry with six other sisters from church to a Woman's Day conference. It was fantastic. We get there early enough for me to do some shopping. The sale at Children's Place was FANTASTIC. I bought Emily almost all of her 3T clothes at a great deal. The local talks at the conference were so inspiring. The theme of the conference was on Trust in Lord. Just what I needed after what I had learned on Friday. The part that I took away was that when I put my trust in the Lord and take that leap or step of faith into the unknown he will always be there to catch me. We had a wonderful dinner prepared by the priesthood and then back into the chapel for the broadcast from SLC. Incredible talks were given. What I took away is that the Lord loves us and he wants us to love and support each other. When we are doing service in any capacity the Lord showers us with love. I love going to this conference every year. I love meeting up with acquaintances and friends and visiting with women. We all spent the night in Courtney in two motel rooms. What a blast we had! I will post some pictures when I get them from Joanne. We got into our pjs and took pictures and ate popcorn and laughed. Its been a VERY long time when I have laughed so hard.

Sunday - We caught the first ferry home so it meant we were up and out of the motel by 6 AM. Collin and I waited at the church for Landon and Emily. It was so nice to see Emily since I hadn't seen much of her for two days. I love my children.

This weekend has shown me that the Lord knows each of us. He knows what each of us needs and when. I am excited to be able to choose happiness. This job has more stress and is much more intense and yet I feel happier than I have for years. The Lord knew that this was the job I needed. He knew the support that I would receive from co workers. I'm glad that I took the leap of faith and moved up to the high school.

Finally I got it right!

After 6 years of marriage, and 5 birthday parties, I finally hit a home run on the 6th birthday party I put together for Landon. See I've always done something elaborate, themed cake or a surprise party and even last year I did nothing. (He didn't want to acknowledge he was turning 30.) And every year he was sad. Too many people, or didn't feel like a birthday, etc. (I did tell him that it wasn't my fault if it didn't feel like a birthday I was following his wishes to not have a birthday party.) The answer was so simple, I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before. On his birthday, it was only our family. We had his favourite pizza, from his favourite restaurant. And then the next day, on my mom's birthday, we had a joint party with just a few people. It was so nice and Landon came home saying he really enjoyed himself. I just need to remember this for next year...

Welcoming in 6-9months...

Today was the big day... I packed up Collin's 3-6 month clothes and put his 6-9 month clothes in his dresser. I was happy to discover that there is nothing I need to buy. Well except maybe a bathing suit... but I'm sure I can squish him into his 3-6 month one. :) And look how cute he looks in this Tigger outfit from my friend Linda!

Memories and Exercising

After Collin was born I was determined to get into shape and lose all that baby weight. I got within 5 lbs, (with another 5 lbs till I was at my ideal weight) and went on vacation to Idaho/Utah. Its been downhill from there. I think I worked out twice the rest of the summer. When I pulled out all my work clothes I realized that they were all a little tight. With no money for new clothes I decided to buckle down and work out. That was two weeks ago. Hmmmm... But I am happy to say TODAY I went to Aquasizes with my mom! So FUN! I loved it. My body is still tired and it has been eight hours. Can't wait till tomorrow morning. I love having a sore body! :) My mom and I are going twice a week. I may sneak in for a time without her but we are starting out slow.

As I was working out in the pool (with a dopey grin on my face) I remembered all the times my friend Nancy and I went to Water Aerobics at Utah State. I would drag myself out of bed around 5:30, pick up/wake up Nancy by 5:45 and we would be in the pool by 6AM four times a week. LOVED IT! I was in the best shape of my life! Don't know how I survived because most nights I wasn't home/asleep till between 1am and 2am. But hey that was University. :) All those early morning conversations that will never be repeated....Love you Nancy!

I am so excited to create memories with my mom, our friend Joanne and my sister in law Ashley. Watch out world, here we come!

silly snaps from Aubrey's closet

I must say I am completely surrounded by talented friends and family. A friend of mine from Victoria makes the cutest clips and shoes for little boys and girls. She just made me an adorable pair of shoes for Collin! And her prices are SO affordable.
felt clips - $5 ea.
ribbon clips - pkg. of 2 for $5 ea. (or 2 pkg. for $8)
Headbands - $7
shoes - $15
leather bottoms shoes - $20

Let me know if you are interested in any of it and I will put you in contact with Shannon.

Here is a sample of her products. Aren't they the cutest!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Grandma (aka my mom)!

We love you so much! Thank -you for all the help that you give me with the kids and house. I couldn't make it through the week without your help. We hope that the day is everything you could wish for and that this year you reach your dreams!

Happy Birthday Landon!

My fabulous husband turned 31 yesterday.

This blog is a tribute to him.

Thank you for all that you do for the kids and I. We couldn't ask for more. You show your love for us everyday. I hope that this next year will be the best yet!

Mommy's first day

Continuing the tradition of having my picture taken on my first day of school! Emily didn't want to get out of bed....

Collin's Six Month Appointment

Collin has another bill of clean health!

16lbs 10oz

My little man is growing! His head circumference is still in the 50th %ile rank. He kept moving so she couldn't get a length measurement. I will try and get one in the next few days. He is healthy and meeting all his milestones. She loved how much he smiled. He was showing off! I have to make sure he is getting enough iron. Just because he is so fair haired and fair skinned. :)

Desktop Picture

I just had to put a page together for my desktop at work. Its for those moments I need a little shot of happiness and love to make it through the day.

Book

A few of you have mentioned that you would like to know what book I am reading. It is Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers by Tracy Hogg. I really like her first book for infants and so I decided to read this.

Beautiful Lesson

Today our fantastically, wonderful stake president was visiting Powell River. In church he spoke about many great things. But one example he gave filled me with so much hope. He talked about a metaphor he had read about what God expects of us. How we are like the child that comes to our parents with the gift of a flower. How a young child brings in a dandelion and presents it to their parent as if they are delivering the most precious and rare flower. And as a parent we accept it because we know that at that time it is. How we "present" to our Heavenly Father different "gifts" and that he accepts these "dandelions" because he knows what it takes for us to present them. And he has faith in us that one day these gifts will turn into roses, etc. He only expects us to give the best that we can at this time.

I know that Lord accepts me for who I am, and he knows what is in my heart. He loves me as much as he loves all of his children. No matter where they are at in their lives. Their gift to him is as beautiful and precious as mine. I am so grateful for this knowledge.

My Wonderful Knight in Shining Armour

I have to relate a lesson I learned today about my husband.

To preface this I must say that the nature of my job leads me to work with some parents who are highly emotional and protective of their children. This last week we had to make a hard call on class composition and some students (who happen to be on my caseload) had to be removed from one class and placed in another. I had personally talked to one set of parents who did not want their son removed. Long story short there was nothing we could do but move the students. This afternoon I received a very nasty phone call from the father of this student. (Yes, it is Saturday and it was made to my home phone.) I was taken back when I realized who was on the phone and then content and language was more than I could handle. As I tried to explain the school's position I was continuously interrupted and received another barrage of insults and swearing. Needless to say I was in tears by the time I hung up the phone. The parent was demanding a meeting with me, the principal and vice principal Monday morning. Luckily I have a brother with access to all school district personnel phone numbers so I was able to contact my principal. I was a little hysterical on the phone but my principal calmed me down and said that I should use my caller id and only answer phone numbers I recognized. When I got off the phone with her Landon asked for the phone. I asked why, and he informed me he was calling this man back to tell him to never call our home again. I begged him not to because I thought it would make the situation worse. And my shining knight told me that he would not sit by and watch his wife be verbally assaulted in her own home. That if this man had a problem with what was going on at school than he should contact the school not my home. He promised he would be calm and non threatening. He only wanted to inform him if he called our home again then he would be hearing from the police. Landon went outside for the call. He came back in five minutes later. The man had stepped out but Landon talked with the wife. He explained that he did not appreciate receiving phone calls on the weekend and he did not appreciate how I was talked to. He told her that I was a young mom of two just returning from maternity leave. I was new to the position and that I cared deeply about all of my students. (I was accused of removing student because they were "slow and handicapped.") He explained my side of the story and told her that there had better not be a next time and if there was than they would be hearing from the police. She apologized for her husband and said that when he gets upset he becomes very emotional and says things without thinking. And that they hadn't realized all the facts. Landon said that it was too bad that the husband hadn't called to find out facts and informed her that I had tried to explain them multiple times but that her husband had interrupted with language that was unacceptable. She apologized again and they ended the conversation. Just over an hour later we received another phone call from an unlisted number. I did NOT pick up the phone. Landon answered and it was the husband calling to apologize. He apologized for the way he spoke to me and promised it would not happen again. Landon thanked him for the apology and told him it was accepted and said that he was right it had better not happen again. I cried in relief. Landon told me that he will never (and I am never to ask him again) stand by idly as his wife or any of his children are treated with any kind of disrespect. I married such a wonderful man. I don't know if I could have called them back and spoken calmly and reasonably. I would have been saying hurtful things and getting angry.

I know that my husband loves me and that he will always be there for me and the kids.

Side note: About 10 minutes later, my principal called to make sure that I was okay. She informed me that since Monday is my day off that I am not to come in to the meeting and that she would take care of everything. The only reason I have survived this last week at work is because of the incredible support system I have at work and at home. One of my coworkers in the special education department told me that the department was all in the same boat. That we would either arrive safely or all go down together. They have helped me so much and without complaint or annoyance. If anything I have never had so much praise and encouragement ever. And Landon and my parents have helped me in every possible way at home to keep my head above water. I am so blessed!

Sleepover at Grandma and Papa's House

My parents have asked to have Emily over once a month for a sleepover. They pick her up at 1pm and then drop her off 1pm the next day. Last night was Emily's sleepover. She had a blast! Grandma picked her up and they walked back to Grandma's house. They stopped at every telephone pole and fire hydrant so that Emily could hug it and dance "Ring around the Rosie". (Mom didn't know that was what Emily was singing. I told her when she related the story to me.) For dinner they had hamburgers and chips. Then Papa took everyone (Grandma, Papa, Stephen, and Emily) out in the boat on Powell Lake. Emily fell asleep on the way there but they kept moving her to get her life jacket on so she woke up. When she opened her eyes and saw that she was in the boat, she got really excited. Papa figured out quick that Emily likes to go really fast in the boat. :) They stopped for awhile under the Powell Lake bridge and watched cars go by above them. Emily kept saying, "Look, trees in water." Grandma kept saying no until she realized Emily was pointing at the reflection in the water. It was so calm that the lake was like a mirror. It did look like the trees were in the water. After the boat ride, Emily and Stephen played bowling on the Wii. (She can actually play it without help!) Lots of laughter. Papa, Emily and Stephen watched Blue's Clues before bed. When Emily first heard that it was time for bed she asked to see her dad. Grandma offered her a bottle and dad was quickly forgotten. She thought it was cool that Grandma and Papa put a cot in their room for her to sleep. Around midnight Emily woke up crying. Her bed was soaking wet. My mom changed her and then realized it wasn't from pee, Emily's bottle was empty... Too late to do anything else, Emily climbed into Grandma and Papa's bed. Grandma couldn't believe how close Emily liked to sleep to her. :) They woke at 8:30 am and had pancakes for breakfast. Then off to the beach. Mommy and Collin were invited for lunch. Emily is already looking forward to her next sleepover. (She is going through withdrawls, she asked to talk to them on the phone at 4:30 pm. She took the phone into her room to talk because mom was getting in the way....)

Working Mom: Any Hope?

Just after I went back to work (after Emily), I was talking with two other people about kids and raising them: pitfalls, etc. We represented a full time mom, part-time working mom and then me a full time working mom. The full time mom started talking about how she couldn't see how a working mom could do everything a child needed because they weren't there for so much and when they got home they were tired. She was talking about kids, home, husband etc. I don't believe she was meaning to be malicious. She was overwhelmed with everything on her plate and she just couldn't see how you could add in work and keep up with it all. I was hurt, and worried. I'm a full time working mom who feels guilt about all of that every time I walk out the door to work and during every meeting that doesn't allow me to get home right after school. Even being home everyday for the last 7 months hasn't relieved any guilt. I have a very precocious two year old and a beautiful baby boy. I'll admit I'm scared to go back to work. I haven't been able to keep up with everything (kids, house, husband) and I've been home each and every day. Now I will be gone between 7-9 hours a day, four days a week. Not counting the reading intervention practicum work that I have to get done by March. I think back to that conversation and worry, do my kids have a chance? I've been reading a parenting book because I realize that I have no idea what to do with Emily. I'm tired of being frustrated with her behaviour. I love the book and have gotten great suggestions, but its added to my guilt. It describes three parents which are all behaving in different way that stifles a child's personality and can lead them to feel bad about themselves. I am doing two and half of the behaviours! So much to work on. Do my kids have a chance? They have their dad and grandma to look after them while I am gone, and both love them as much as I do. But is that enough?

Sleep oh Sleep Where are you???

My kids have gone on a sleep strike. Yesterday Collin took 2 20 minute naps. Emily took 1 30 minute nap. At 9pm Collin went to sleep, so I figured Emily would go down early since she really hadn't taken a nap. Nope... She woke Collin a few times screaming about not going to bed. At midnight Collin wouldn't go back down after Emily woke him up for a third time. He was just sitting there bright eyed. I was a little punch drunk tired. Landon had fallen asleep at 9 pm because he had a headache. I woke him up just after midnight. At 1 AM I decided that I couldn't handle it anymore and took Collin to bed with me. He fell asleep nursing. Emily finally fell asleep at 1:30 am. Collin woke up two more times before 8 AM. He would wake up and start laughing and talking to the ceiling. Cute but I really wanted sleep. Emily came into our room about 7:30 AM wanting to sit and chat. I crawled out of bed at 8:15 AM since I had an appointment with the massage therapist about my neck. When I got home at 10 AM both kids are wide awake and looking like they have no nap plans in the near future.

Did I tell you how excited I am to put up a door on their bedroom?

Family Dinner Night

What are you doing on September 17th? My friend Nicole posted about this on her blog. Spend dinner with your family and benefit a great cause!

For everyone who registers their participation in National Family Dinner Night, M&M Meat Shops will make a $1 donation to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, up to a maximum of $100,000.

This is only open to Canadian residents but please register for a great cause.


http://www.nationalfamilydinnernight.com/home.asp

First Day, Long Day

Today was my first full day back at work and what a day it was! I left the house at 8:30 am. I was in meetings until 11:30 am. At noon Landon brought the kids and lunch to work (so I could feed Collin.) More meetings in the afternoon. Run a few errands in town and then to the massage therapist who is working on my neck trying to get rid of the headaches I've had since the accident. I get home just after 5pm. Feed Collin. Laugh because Emily (for the first time) asks to wear her dancing skirt to the beach. Off to a BBQ at Gibsons Beach at 5:30pm. My friend Jolene (Holmgren) Anderson is in town with her husband Carl and son Ryan. Her mom threw a BBQ for a few friends and family. The food was great and so was the company. So much fun to visit with Jolene and family, Audrey, Colleen and her family and Amanda and her family. Emily loved being on the beach, throwing rocks into the water. A birthday cake for Ryan. Emily came running as we sang Happy Birthday to Ryan. She loves a "Happy Day". Everyone got a piece of delicious chocolate cake. Mmmmm! Head home, feed Collin, put him to bed. Watch Jane Austen's Persuasion with my fantastic spouse. (Loved it! Especially the fact that we got to sit next to each other for most of the movie. I love that my husband loves period films!) Finally convince Emily to go to bed. And now I am excited to have a well deserved sleep!

Mommy, go to sleep...

I lay next to Emily hoping she will go to sleep. I will admit that laying down on her bed was not where I want to be. But as I lay here, next to my daughter, with her snuggled under my arm, I start to relax. The stress of the day melts away. I can hear her breath slow down and feel her body relax. I am content. I start to contemplate getting up and going to my own bed. I hear a soft, quiet voice say, "Mommy, go to sleep..."

I guess I'll lay here a little longer.