Sunday 31 December 2017

Bullet Journal for 2018

I'm so excited about 2018. Not that I have any big things planned - but I am going to use a bullet journal this year! For years I used a Franklin Covey planner. I still have guilt over not using it - but I found I had to go electronic. I've loved it. I do still miss paper though so every year I try to keep a journal in a planner type book. That's where I write all the stuff I don't want to put publicly out on my blog. :)

I've struggled to find something I love as much as a Franklin Covey planner. I think I finally have it! This year I'm going to use a bullet journal! I've been looking at blogs online for page ideas and I'm really excited. There's something about paper, journals and nice pens.

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Tuesday 26 December 2017

Christmas 2017

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was relaxing and quiet and great for my soul.

Jill had to leave the evening of Christmas Eve to work so we got up on Christmas Eve and pretended that it was Christmas morning. We actually only planned to open some of the presents so that we could do it again on the actual Christmas morning, but apparently, once that train gets going it is hard to stop. We opened them all and it was great.

 Christmas Eve morning was lit. :) 









 I made a breakfast casserole for the morning. It was a big hit!
This was one of Peirce's snaps from the day. It shows some of his presents: a penny board, cologne, new shoes and a smart watch.

Then, we got the next great gift: One hour of church. One hour felt like we hardly got started - but we happily accepted it. The best part was that I got to play the organ. One of the hymns the choir sang with the congregation and while I played the organ Andrew Hawryluk fancied it up by adding some piano. It was wonderful for my soul!







Dinner was great. I didn't make gravy though. I should have made gravy.




Our actual Christmas Day was pretty quiet - and pretty wonderful.


Saturday 23 December 2017

New Car!

We drove to Edmonton today and bought a new car. It was really a long day for Allen. However, Edmonton was a way better option than some of the other places he found great cars.

It was too cold to get out and take a good picture. This will have to do. It also demonstrates how much I care about cars.

I just want him to be happy with his new car!

Saturday 16 December 2017

Taylor's Wedding

We got up bright and early today and headed for Sparwood. Luckily, the roads were great:





Can't go to Fernie without going to Bang Bagels!


15 cm rule....only in Fernie!



The wedding had a movie theme. Cute posters!







The wedding was in the Fernie Theatre!




He has a lot of nieces and nephews!





Renee and Steve were the MCs. They did a great job.


McNuggets?!




Shelbi was the photographer



The fam jam:




Friday 15 December 2017

Cookies

I took a class to learn to make fancy cookies. When Gaylene saw them she asked if I'd make cookies for Taylor's wedding. Apparently, I still need more classes. I couldn't get the fancy stuff's consistency right so I did regular sugar cookies with butter icing...miles and miles of cookies!





And when I got tired of icing I made snickerdoodles:



Tomorrow is the wedding!

Wednesday 13 December 2017

UFC!

Jill is staying in a hotel in Winnipeg and there is a UFC fight there this weekend. The athletes are staying in her hotel!



Apparently the weather hasn't been great. Most people aren't happy when their flight gets cancelled. She isn't one of those people!

Tuesday 12 December 2017

I'm With the Scorekeeper

Peirce did the scorekeeping for volleyball this year at Aberhart. He is also doing basketball now. I love watching basketball, so I'm always happy to go. Tonight they played Western and it was a great game!

The boys that were playing tonight are the same ones that Bobby played with so there were a bunch of moms there that I got to know when he played. I had some funny conversations:

Them: Nice to see you again! Which one is your son?
Me: I'm here to watch the scorekeeper.



This morning we had a fun seminary day. It was a doctrinal mastery review day so I suggested we have all the classes together. We played battleship. It was pretty fun. Only thing was I forgot to take a picture! Argh!

Monday 11 December 2017

Curling!

Peirce decided to join the curling team. It's a steep learning curve! He gets to play at the Winter Club. Win!






Sunday 10 December 2017

Jill - gone to Frankfurt

Today Jill spent time in Frankfurt!


Their flight was delayed three hours because of snow. I guess it doesn't snow much there if this sprinkling causes delays like that!



We haven't had time to put up Christmas decorations yet - so we decorated Chico. He wasn't very impressed.

Saturday 9 December 2017

Charlie Brown Christmas

Today Peirce and I volunteered at Storybook Theatre and got to see Charlie Brown Christmas. I had forgotten about some of the music! It was really great. What made it even greater was the little boy I was seated beside. He had some gut-busting laughs over some of the antics of the characters in the story. It was great.







After the play we enjoyed some ice cream at our favorite place, Village!




Friday 8 December 2017

Curling and FRA and Feeling Great!

Peirce joined the curling team at school!



Jill decided to take an assignment to Frankfurt. What a life!



Allen has been feeling really great the last few days. Tonight we went to a Christmas caroling party at the Hawryluk's. I was amazed at how long he lasted.

I was thinking about the phrase "it's all in his head". Some people make comments that make me think they think he should be better by now. The truth is, it is all in his head. His body feels great - but the brain is an amazing thing. We know so little about it. The fact is, a brain injury is invisible. He looks great, but there are days when he just feels terrible. I think he's starting to get it figured out though - mainly, he is doing some things that seem to help his brain. HBOT and nootropics are making a difference.

For me, report cards went home today. It was a painful process this time. Too much procrastination. Next time, I swear, I will have them ready early!

Thursday 7 December 2017

Beautiful Sky

Every morning, after I drop Peirce off at school, I drive down 24th Avenue straight east, and the sky is amazing! I'm amazed by it every morning.

Here's a picture of the sky tonight. I stopped at Superstore and couldn't believe the color! The world is a beautiful place.



Here's another one from Nov 24:

Wednesday 6 December 2017

High School Swim Meet

I took the afternoon off today to go watch Peirce's swim meet. It was really fun to watch him swim again. He is amazing! He is a natural swimmer with a beautiful stroke. At one point, some girls behind me were noticing him. They said: Look at that guy. The guy in lane 8. Look at how smooth he is?! That is amazing!



Results:




and here are some videos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yXGO8abPCPOdm3og2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yw61MH6ic6lmvAfb2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cg6W1shN9qCvS5zk1


Tuesday 5 December 2017

10,000 Steps

I have very few days where I reach 10,000 steps. It is great feeling to make it. I have learned the secret is making sure I do at least three km in the morning. Even then, it doesn't always happen. On Sundays there is way too much sitting. I've realized that I need to plan ahead for more exercise time in the morning if I have a day coming up that requires a lot of sitting. Teaching is very good for getting enough steps in - especially when you are in a portable (well, I call it paradise...not portable).

Monday 4 December 2017

Morning Exercise and Organizing At Home

I've been exercising every day for almost two years now. Usually I exercise in the morning. This morning I decided to wash my hair instead of exercise (no, there isn't time for both....have you seen my hair??!)

I had a terrible morning. I drove Peirce to seminary and then did nothing with my time. I got to school and continued to feel sluggish. Jill came to get the car and she wondered what was wrong with me. I wondered too....and then it suddenly hit me. I hadn't exercised. It took me forever to get going. Sheesh. It made me wonder how I ever functioned before I became I morning exerciser. My life has been changed because of exercise.

I won't be making that mistake again.

In other news: Jill and Peirce have been moving furniture around. We got Peirce a desk and that meant some shelves had to go. Jill wanted a different dresser so the traded. They've done a lot of work. It's all starting to come together. Look at Jill's great set up on her dresser:



Notice the books are organized by color? I love it!

The jar is from Tivoli from her trip to Copenhagen. So cute!

Sunday 3 December 2017

Sundayzzzz

Peirce takes the greatest pictures and sends them to me in snapchat every day. Here's one:



Jill's coming home today!





This one made me laugh. She sends me snaps of dogs all over the world. These guys at the Calgary airport drive us all crazy, for more than one reason. This pictures was just too funny:



I'm all about color in my food lately. Apparently, it's the secret to a healthy brain. Look at this crazy healthy dinner:



Meatloaf, beets and little peppers. I have no idea what those little peppers are called. Allen found them one day. They're sweet and wonderful!

Funniest quote from RS today:

 "Some Sundays the bishop will choose the topic. Other weeks it'll be inspiration." LOL  I think I know what she meant.

Saturday 2 December 2017

My Favorite Things

This time of year there are always shows with people's favorite things. Today I was thinking about how this is one of my favorite things:



My cousin, Heidi gave it to me. We used to spend a lot of time together and she knew me well. This was such a perfect gift for me. It's for making frothy milk. Hot frothy milk with a little hazelnut syrup is so good for the soul. I think of her everytime I use it. It's definitely one of my favorite things!

Friday 1 December 2017

Copenhagen, Denmark

Jill has been in Copenhagen all week. I'm so proud of her for going on these adventures even though none of her friends can go with her!


























Copenhagen temple!
















Thursday 30 November 2017

Back in the Pool

Peirce joined the swim team at school and has loved being back in the pool. He didn't even mind that swim practices were early in the morning (of course, they're not quite as  early as seminary....so no big deal!)

Today was the last practice. He was sad!



Sunday 26 November 2017

Missionaries

We have an exciting thing about to happen. Jill has submitted her mission papers! Soon she will know where she is going. Am I really ready for this?? I'm not sure - but I'm sure she is.

Today we also went to a farewell for Kylan Rice, one of Peirce's friends. He is going to the Paris France mission.


Left to right: Riley D, Jarom H, Ethan H, Brennan T, Kylan R, Carter S, Peirce and Aubrey H.

Saturday 25 November 2017

Busy Saturday!

Today we started the day by picking up a desk for Peirce that someone was giving away. It is perfect for him!





Later in the afternoon I went to a cookie decorating class. It was balm to my soul to sit and create. I loved it!



Tonight was our ward Christmas party. The dinner was fabulous and I was able to sit with my friend, Jan and have a great visit. It was nice to have Jill and Peirce and Tony there and even Allen came for a bit.

The program was lots of fun!



Friday 17 November 2017

Back To Blogging

I have been reading my patriarchal blessing and have decided to recommit to blogging.
Today Jill decided to go to Montreal. She has a friend there from her flight attendant  training  that she has plans with. 

 I probably should have worked on report cards, but instead I did a lot of reading and baking.



Looks Jill is visiting some interesting places!

Tuesday 3 October 2017

Snow Storm? No problem!




This is what it looks like in our city today.

Jill decided to take advantage of her job and leave it all and go to Hawaii!!









Wednesday 20 September 2017

Happy Birthday Allen!

We had a great time celebrating Allen tonight. I was glad he was feeling great. It made it much more fun for him!

He chose Popeye's for dinner. I'd never had Popeye's before. Their biscuits were AMAZING!! The chicken was pretty good too: crispier than KFC. We had gf cake and even drank pop (we have not been having sugar and carbs lately, so this was a real indulgence!)

Then we opened presents. He got a pocket knife, essential oils and a diffuser, two new shirts (blue with flowers??!! It's what he wanted!) and a canvas bag for his yoga mat.


He actually ordered the pocket knife himself then gave it to Jill to put away for his birthday and then forgot about it. LOL


One day maybe I'll be one of those women who make fancy cakes and does it ahead of time. We kind of like chocolate cake without icing best...but on your birthday, you have to be a little crazy.

Sunday 17 September 2017

Perspective

The week Allen had his stroke our friend, Merlin was in a surfing accident while in Hawaii. Merlin has always been a great example to us in Primerica. He continues to humble me.

Sometimes I get caught up in a pity party that Allen's recovery is taking a long time. I appreciate Merlin's smile. This is him at the fundraiser they put on last night to help pay for renovations in his house so that it is wheelchair accessible.

It reminds me that I should be more grateful and patient.

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, indoor

Saturday 16 September 2017

Great Saturday Mornings

Today I got up to drive Jill to the airport at 4:30 am....almost my usual weekday wake up time. I decided to stay up. After all, they do say that one should keep a regular schedule. My schedule is pretty unique. It does bring me joy though. I get up early because I find if I exercise in the morning I get it in. If I wait, I never seem to have the time. Plus, starting the day with seminary has to be the best way to start a day. I love studying. I love the gospel and I love teaching. It's perfect for me. 

This morning I tackled my pile of picture books. I'm always looking for great books to share with my class. It was a great soul-filling time. 




I'm also re-reading Better Than Before. I read quite a lot of it this morning and was reminded of how much I love this book. I like doing things that not everyone likes. I've often felt the disapproval from family about things I love, and as a result, felt shamed. The problem is, I then begrudge feeling shamed. This book reminds me that everyone is unique and in order to be happy, one needs to recognize these things about themselves and work with it. I love the page where she inashamably describes herself: 



She lists all these things that make me scream, "but that's not ok!" But it's only not ok because they're things that people in my family do and make fun of people who don't. I don't like shopping. I like music, but I don't always know all the words and can't remember the performers name. And here she s just saying those things like she's proud of it! Wow. How freeing!!

I'll never forget going to a big family event in my husband's family early on in our marriage. Someone was always off reading. Now and then they'd leave the world of their book and engage in a lively discussion about the book, especially if someone else had read it....and it big family events there almost always was someone who had read it. I was amazed and delighted at how ok everyone was with someone in the room being absorbed in a book. 

In another area of my life, I have a goal to be a runner. Whenever I tell other runners this they tell me the things I need to do: join Gord's Running Room (they're often on Sunday mornings or evenings.....not a time for me) or sign up for races.  This year I signed up for six races. Although I do realize some of the benefits of these races, I hate them. I spend the entire time arguing with myself over whether or not I should just ditch the rest of the race. The rebel part of my personality doesn't want to follow the rules and despises the crowd taking over what I enjoy most about running (or in my case, walk/runs). I love the alone time I get when walking. Next year, I may still do a couple races, but certainly not six. 

Bottom line: this book gives me permission to be me, and even seems to celebrate recognizing what makes me. 


Sunday 3 September 2017

Seminary Seminary Seminary

Today's focus for me was seminary. Seminary starts this week and today we had a meeting with students and parents. The meeting wasn't well attended, but it is a long weekend. It did give me time to organize some thoughts about seminary. We have some good kids in our ward. I challenged them to get 100% attendance this year and we talked about how to do make up lessons. I also told them that seminary really gets you off to a running start on your mission. Later today Peirce got to go watch while Kylan Rice opened up his mission call. It was a perfect ending.


Thursday 31 August 2017

Summer: Over and Out

Well, I really faded out as summer drew to a close. I did a terrible job of blogging. Here's a bit of a summary of the end of my summer:

We had a great time celebrating Jill on her 19th birthday. It was Food Truck Frenzy, and since food and food trucks are two of her favorite things, it was a natural way to celebrate.





On Sunday she had a "friends dinner". It was fun listening to all these crazy kooks.






I canned A LOT of peaches. I did it all in a day too. It was exhuasting, but well worth it.



Cali and Beau came to stay again. As you can tell, they're so overcome with joy they "fell to the earth".
\

And then, on August 23, it was officially back to school for me. I should have unpacked all those boxes over summer. *sigh* Live and learn.



This great day happened on August 24....my friend, Gabe's birthday! She just moved back to Alberta and so I invited her for dinner on her birthday. I surprised her by inviting Paige Devuyst and Marilyn Reagh too. We had such a great visit. We almost forgot to take a picture!






I'm trying out a new app, where you take a picture or a video every day. August's isn't that impressive, but I plan to continue. I'll get better!