Sunday, December 06, 2020

Fiona's Half-Birthday

 I remember reading somewhere once that someone's Mom found any excuse to celebrate. I don't think that's exactly me, but I love a silly excuse to celebrate life with my kids!

It was Fiona's half birthday today, and her awesome Daddy made cake mix cupcakes with her, and he even made pink buttercream icing. Fiona has matured so much in the last six months. Her reading continues to improve. She loves her sisters fiercely. She loves to play. She loves to help. We love our seven and a half year old Fiona!



Monday, November 30, 2020

Andrew's Birthday

The rules right now... only see people you live with. I don't like this, no one does. I'm not sure who follows this rule perfectly. Andrew came over for a birthday dinner. We had fun with him! The girls love him so much. 






Saturday, November 28, 2020

Santa

I had assumed that I would not get a Santa picture this year. I had made my peace with that. But then someone on Facebook posted that there were Santa pics happening at the mall! I was so excited! I made an appointment and away we went!


I thought the photographer was so great! She had them do all these cute poses. The girls wore masks, Santa wore a mask. There was plexi-glass. One family at a time near Santa, and one family at a time waiting in the store front six feet apart. It was really well run and super cute! It's fun to get something back right now, when there are so many things that have been taken.





The mall was pretty empty. We went to a couple of other stores. The girls all picked out Christmas presents at Mastermind and Claire's and Alice picked out a little something at the Harry Potter store. It might not be very magical to pick out your own gifts... but goodness that's what I like! I wonder what the girls will think as they get older! 


Thursday, November 26, 2020

A Major Award

Ken was chosen to be Toast Master of the Year for his club. The president and two other members of the club came by and gave him the plaque. It was cool. The girls thought it was cool. They were so proud of him. I think Ken was proud too.

He has done a lot for his club. He has grown so much as a person too. Toast Master's really plays an important role in his life. I'm so glad he joined up!




Saturday, November 07, 2020

Conference Thoughts - October 2020

Russell M. Nelson

·         Use this unique time to grow spiritually

·         Feel the Lord’s perfect love for you

·         Create places of security

·         Prepare your mind to be faithful to God

·         Our spiritual foundations must be solid

·         Never stop preparing

·         Let God Prevail – a definition of Israel

·         The Lord is gathering those who choose Him

·         Expand our perspective – see the eternal

·         God does not love one race more than another, favour with God depends on your devotion – lead out in abandoning prejudice

·         STUDY – make a list of the promises that the Lord has promised covenant Israel

·         The Lord wants you to feel optimism

·         Blessings waiting for us: peace, courage, revelation, harmony, joy

 

David A. Bednar

·         Preparation

 

Scott D. Whiting

·         What attribute of Christ am I in need of?

 

Michelle D. Craig

·         We need to get better at seeing each other deeply

·         What am I doing that I should stop doing?

·         What am I not doing that I should start doing?

 

Quentin L. Cook

·         Strive to be a Zion people, united, righteous

 

Ronald A. Rasband

·         “I want to go recommended to the Lord”

 

Dallin H. Oaks

·         Jesus – love your enemies, bless them that curse you, pray for them

·         Do not contend with anger

 

D. Todd Christofferson

·         If enough of us strive to make our lives guided by the truth of God, virtues would abound

 

Steven J. Lund

·         Helping Jesus – become like Jesus – serve

 

Gerrit W. Gong

·         Change the world from the inside out one person at a time

 

W. Christopher Waddell

·         Principles of preparation should be applied in wisdom and order

·         Take action – faith leads to action

 

Matthew S. Holland

·         We cannot become like God without suffering

·         Don’t listen to the adversary – that your trials are your fault

 

William K. Jackson

·         No us and them – we are all them, we are all us

·         Bring our faith, talents, all that is good in our culture with us

 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

·         We will move forward and we will be better

·         This is God’s work, he holds us in his caring hands

 

Sharon Eubank

·         By union of feeling we obtain power of God

·         Let’s keep each other’s names safe and give each other mercy

·         Clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow

·         We’re never alone when we’re working for unity

·         Not just classes – be part of a collective force that changes the world for good

 

Rebecca M. Craven

·         We can give him change – a change of heart, not a change for His benefit, but for our benefit

·         Because of Christ we can change, and keep the change

 

Christina B. Franco

·         Our brokenness can be healed

·         Through our Savior we can all be healed and mended

 

Henry B. Eyring

·         We will be at the heart – an essential force in creating a Zion people

·         If you live up to your potential the angels cannot be restrained from being your companions

·         The Lord will help you as you help others

 

Dallin H. Oaks

·         The Lord is all powerful, trust Him

·         All tribulations are temporary

 

M. Russell Ballard

·         I plead with you to pray for this country

·         Pray for your enemies, God can change our hearts

·         Prayer will end this pandemic – PRAY

·         The Savior prayed then He went about doing good

 

Lisa L. Harkness

·         Why are ye so fearful, where is your faith?

·         How does Jesus help you?

·         May we trust Him

·         Peace, be still

 

Ulisses Soares

·         As we rely on the Savior our ability to control our thoughts will increase

 

Carlos A. Godoy

·         The Lord is always looking for people willing to be angels in the lives of others

 

Neil L. Andersen

·         A season of physical distancing, but we never have to experience a season of spiritual distancing

·         Focus on Christ

·         As the world talks less about Jesus, we need to talk more about Him

 

Henry B. Erying

·         To choose the right when it is hard

·         Bear burdens with steady faith as the Lord polishes you

 

Jeremy R. Jaggi

·         Count it all joy

·         Where we make covenants – the temple – is temporarily closed, but where we keep covenants – the home – is open

 

Gary E. Stevenson

·         A time of loss – loss of loved ones, so much disappointment and discouragement

·         Joseph Smith: “Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy… Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, …and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing.”

 

Milton da Rocha

·         Pray about your concerns, listen, then write, revelation is essential to our spiritual survival – recording is an important part of receiving

 

Dale G. Renlund

·         To be Christlike, do justly, not judgmental, live peaceably

 

Jeffrey R. Holland

·         Faith means trusting God in good times and bad

·         One’s life cannot be faith filled and stress free

 

 

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Harry Bowes P.S.

I am just filled with so much gratitude when I think about my new school! I know I haven't posted about it yet this fall so here goes.

Four years ago when we moved to Ajax I thought, I need a transfer, I do not want to do this drive forever! Driving from our home in Ajax to Blue Willow P.S. in Woodbridge was not my idea of a good time long term, and although I did look for a transfer, each year that I didn't get one, a big part of me was grateful that it hadn't happened it. The first year I had no leads. The second year I had two different interviews that were set up and both were cancelled almost at the last minute for really weird reasons. The third year I had one interview for a position at a new school. The principal was super intense and kind of terrified me. I wasn't chosen for the position, and looking back I am totally fine with that! That brings us the the fourth year of looking. 

Harry Bowes was there on the vacancy list but it was only a .74. I wasn't really looking to be part time but Ken and I discussed it and he felt that I should apply anyway. Brian (my principal at Blue Willow) knew Tim (the principal at Harry Bowes) and made a call on my behalf. I had a virutal interview with Tim and Sue on April 23rd (the vp at Harry Bowes) and shortly afterwards they let me know that they'd like to hire me, but that they would have to wait because of some formalities. I can't remember exactly when it was official but it was some time around June 8th?

I was nervous but excited. I shed a few tears, and it felt weird, BUT I was at peace. I knew this was right and I knew the timing was right and I was excited.

Fast forward to the fall. Goodness gracious, I can't remember being so nervous in September, maybe when I first started teaching? I was just so nervous! I didn't doubt the decision exactly, but I felt scared. The week before I was to be going into school to set up my classroom Ken broke his leg, so the option to work virtually for the meetings the week before school started was a good option and I took it. I think I went to school briefly one afternoon and it was weird but okay. The next week I brought my things and started to get settled.

For Covid reasons I wouldn't be teaching in my classroom but no one was going to be using it, so I finally brought my piles of things to school and started to unpack and arrange things, thankful for the space and excited about making it my own. However! This was not meant to be and the intermediate sert was put in the music room. I then took over one of the practice rooms at the back and made it my office, Cara was lovely in the emails and it sounded like it was all going to work out.

I was incredibly nervous for the first day with students, but slowly as the weeks have passed it has gotten easier and easier. I can't remember exactly when I realized that I felt like I was home, but it was pretty seamless and easy. The drive is beautiful. This fall has been so stunning. The kids have been welcoming and fun. The staff have been great. Cara - I call her my roommate has been awesome. We both have three girls that are similar ages, and we enjoy talking and sharing chocolates! It's been so good for my soul - the shorter drive, great students, great staff. And I feel so blessed and I feel so so thankful.

The pictures below were taken in the area just behind my school. There's this awesome little path that I walk on with the 7/8 class that I have DPA (daily physical activity) with twice a week. 

Waiting is hard, not knowing is hard, but there were so many instances along the way that I knew Heavenly Father was mindful of my desires to work closer to home, and that it was just a matter of time. I was so happy at Blue Willow, I still have such love in my heart for the amazing kids and staff I worked with there. I am so grateful to now be at Harry Bowes. I'm so thankful for the way everything worked out. Heavenly Father loves His children so much. He is mindful of our needs and if we endure with faith, things do work out.







Wednesday, September 09, 2020

The First Day of School

The girls first day of school was today. Durham's gradual entry program meant that the girls had one day of school this week. They were nervous but excited. I got special permission to come in late today, as there were no students in the building - York Region's entry plan was different. This was so very special to me. I haven't had a first day of school since Kate was in Kindergarten!

Kate - Grade 6 - Mrs. Dawidek (Mme. Fudali - French)

Alice - Grade 4 Mrs. Pritchard (Mme. Rochleau - French)
Fiona - Grade 2 Mme Hawley
Masks
No masks

We went on a shopping trip to Old Navy and each girl is wearing a new outfit. Having a back to school outfit seems to be a tradition now! We're hopeful that face to face school will be safe and that the girls will thrive being back. 

Tuesday, September 08, 2020

Back to School Blessings

We each received a back to school blessing from Ken tonight. I love back to school blessings. They are such a sweet way to begin a new year, remembering our Father in Heaven and His love and guidance that is always available to us.

Alice
- Be a Light - be an example
- Health and strength
- Carefulness from diseases and other influences
- Excel in school
- Get along with teachers and peers

Fiona
- be happy
- Lift those around you
- Stay safe, know how to stay safe
- Look to your sisters for help
- Learn English and French effectively

Kate
- Your family is behind you
- Your family loves you
- You are precious
- Recognize your true potential as a daughter of God
- Be smart and fearless
- Overcome your anxiety and fears
- Get along with your classmates and teachers
- You'll find friendship and comradery 

Wendy
- Grateful for your job
- Discerning who you can help
- Safety as you travel
- Energy, focus
- Be a light to your family