After yesterday's post, I had to follow up. I heard from many of you with words of encouragement and love. I appreciate it. I really really do. And now, I must eat my words. Today, I got the call I have been waiting for for months. The call I've been hoping for since September 2008, when I started this crazy journey. My interview is next Tuesday. And I can hardly believe it.
No more excuses.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Long Time No Blog
It has been 14 months since I posted here. If that's not neglect, I don't know what is. The last year has been unreal. I barely survived teacher's college with all my faculties in tact. I can't go back and give you details of one of the toughest years of my life. The only thing I can say is -- I did it!
Brock Graduation June 2009
Here are some pics of the friends I made in school:
Before our formal
REFLECT THIS!
At formal
Me and Jamie
All the women who had children in our cohort group
Primary Junior Group being naughty.
Cohort D, Hamilton Campus.
It was a huge adjustment for my family and I think we are still recovering.
Right now, it feels like we're just in a constant limbo. The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board is a tough egg to crack. I've been volunteering several days a week for the last 5 months (May June Sept Oct Nov) trying to break in. Each one of my school peers has found their way in the door somehow while I seem to be the last one left knocking. It's been tough. Each of them is talented, passionate and creative. But so am I!!!
I don't know why, but I feel like this is just the door that has to open for me so that I can get myself in order again. Living with the unknown hovering over my head is really a difficult position for me to be in. I'm used to being able to control what comes next for me. But this one is out of my hands. I am finding it paralyzing. I find myself bargaining with God, bargaining with myself....and that's not my style. I know some of you are thinking, SUCK IT UP and stop your whining. Believe me, I've said it to myself. I am just hoping tomorrow is my day. Please let it be tomorrow. Or at least the day after.
Brock Graduation June 2009
Here are some pics of the friends I made in school:
Before our formal
REFLECT THIS!
At formal
Me and Jamie
All the women who had children in our cohort group
Primary Junior Group being naughty.
Cohort D, Hamilton Campus.
It was a huge adjustment for my family and I think we are still recovering.
Right now, it feels like we're just in a constant limbo. The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board is a tough egg to crack. I've been volunteering several days a week for the last 5 months (May June Sept Oct Nov) trying to break in. Each one of my school peers has found their way in the door somehow while I seem to be the last one left knocking. It's been tough. Each of them is talented, passionate and creative. But so am I!!!
I don't know why, but I feel like this is just the door that has to open for me so that I can get myself in order again. Living with the unknown hovering over my head is really a difficult position for me to be in. I'm used to being able to control what comes next for me. But this one is out of my hands. I am finding it paralyzing. I find myself bargaining with God, bargaining with myself....and that's not my style. I know some of you are thinking, SUCK IT UP and stop your whining. Believe me, I've said it to myself. I am just hoping tomorrow is my day. Please let it be tomorrow. Or at least the day after.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
the pinhole of light at the end of a very long, long tunnel
I had a great, great work day. I finally feel like instead of just writing due dates in my agenda, on my calendar, and adding to my very LONG list of Things to Do...I actually put a few checkmarks in the boxes.
Last week was overwhelming, to say the least. 9 classes, in 3 days with minimum 3 assignments each...plus the readings...DO THE MATH PEOPLE!!! Going back to school when you have two young children is a CHALLENGE. Chris is working really hard, picking up the slack. But, if I was single, 21 (like my peers at school...for the most part), and free as a bird, I'd still be overwhelmed and exhausted!
Now I remember why students DRINK.
But tonight, as I sat down to watch a lovely, brainless, romantic comedy (What Happens In Vegas...)
at the end of a 10 hour work-day, I felt relaxed...for the first time in two weeks. No math curriculum, no Standards of Ethical Practice, no Piaget or Vygotsky, no Educational Law, just...Ashton Kutcher
and drippy, unrealistic romance.
(Oh Ashton....why are you so adorable?)
Sweet escape.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Last week was overwhelming, to say the least. 9 classes, in 3 days with minimum 3 assignments each...plus the readings...DO THE MATH PEOPLE!!! Going back to school when you have two young children is a CHALLENGE. Chris is working really hard, picking up the slack. But, if I was single, 21 (like my peers at school...for the most part), and free as a bird, I'd still be overwhelmed and exhausted!
Now I remember why students DRINK.
But tonight, as I sat down to watch a lovely, brainless, romantic comedy (What Happens In Vegas...)
at the end of a 10 hour work-day, I felt relaxed...for the first time in two weeks. No math curriculum, no Standards of Ethical Practice, no Piaget or Vygotsky, no Educational Law, just...Ashton Kutcher
and drippy, unrealistic romance.
(Oh Ashton....why are you so adorable?)
Sweet escape.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Whoa. And. I. Mean. It.
I am in teacher's college overload. This week, though exciting was very, VERY, overwhelming. I am so excited about the career path I've chosen...this week has only made it clearer that this is what I want to do. However, if I get through this year without my head exploding...well...I'd be surprised. I'll try to get back here in the next day or two to give more of an update...but right now, I'm off to my first internship day in Grade 1!
Friday, September 5, 2008
First Days...
I couldn't believe my little boy looked like such a big boy as he marched off, without fear, to his first day of Junior Kindergarten.
He's been ready to go to school for a while now. He learned all the letters and their sounds last year at preschool. He counts to 50, he knows the days of the weeks and the months of the year. He is MORE than ready. And this morning, as I put him into line to go off with his little friends, I shed a little tear. He's a big boy now. Just look at him!
Aurora is off to grade 2 this year...and although throughout the summer she shared her nerves with me...she met her new teacher the week before school and was totally pumped for her first day! I can't believe how far she's come!
What was really special was getting to see Rory's big sister instinct take hold. She told me that she spent all three recesses today looking desperately looking for her brother in the school yard. What she didn't know is that the JK's don't do recess right away -- while they are adjusting to the routine. Poor Rory! But how adorable is that???
Here are some pics we took in the morning on each of their first days:
I'm so proud of them BOTH!!!!!!!!!
He's been ready to go to school for a while now. He learned all the letters and their sounds last year at preschool. He counts to 50, he knows the days of the weeks and the months of the year. He is MORE than ready. And this morning, as I put him into line to go off with his little friends, I shed a little tear. He's a big boy now. Just look at him!
Aurora is off to grade 2 this year...and although throughout the summer she shared her nerves with me...she met her new teacher the week before school and was totally pumped for her first day! I can't believe how far she's come!
What was really special was getting to see Rory's big sister instinct take hold. She told me that she spent all three recesses today looking desperately looking for her brother in the school yard. What she didn't know is that the JK's don't do recess right away -- while they are adjusting to the routine. Poor Rory! But how adorable is that???
Here are some pics we took in the morning on each of their first days:
I'm so proud of them BOTH!!!!!!!!!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Killbear Camping
Our family started camping in 2005 or 2006...can't even remember! But I do know it hasn't been long. But we have fallen in love with it! I went from being a person who could never see herself camping to wanting a tent trailer SO badly so we can do it more! That's a dream to be fulfilled down the road. But I digress....
For the third year in a row, we have camped at Killbear Provincial Park. Up to and including this year, we've camped with a group of amazing friends...The Raakmans, The Dryfhouts (Senior and Junior), The Davis', The Wildschuts (Senior and Junior). With all of these families -- it ends up being about 27 people all together. We camp on separate sites but in a well thought-out cluster. This year, most of the kids were on their bikes the whole time -- and since we were all clustered together, they could ride around the sites basically supervised. It was so great to see Aurora on her bike -- as she just learned to ride without trainers...we got her to do it by threatening that she might be the only one at camp not riding...we're bad parents...but it worked!!!! She was off exploring with the group. How amazing to see the kids exploring the outdoors at top speed, all together.
Rory lost her first top tooth at camp!
Here she is in her cool bike helmet...
We had a few hail storms...a flood in our tenting area (sorry...I didn't think to pull out the camera as my poor husband dug a 3 foot cube trench to capture SOME of the water before it went in our tent)...but we had so many many more great memories.
These are some of our favorite things about Killbear...in no particular order:
1) The Beach
The beaches at Killbear are amazing. The sand is clean and soft, the water is crystal clear, and the kids (and the parents) can walk out REALLY far before the water is over their heads. They mark of a shallow area with ropes for the kids also. We spent four solid days sun-worshipping, and swiming.
Rory and Asher playing in the sand...
My Asher...
Chris and Asher playing in the water...
My hubby sunbathing...
Rory sunbathing...
2) The Trails
Killbear has 3 family friendly hiking trails. Even the longest one (90 minutes at a good pace) is not too hard for our kids. We managed to get the kids on all three of them. We love to do this as a family.
Working the Lookout Trail...
A cool log...
Lighthouse Trail...
Come cool roots...
Asher on Lookout trail counting the post markings...
Picking wild bluberries was a favorite activity during hiking...
Lighthouse Trail had the mother-load!
We have to have a yearly rock picture...
3) The Friends
These friends that we camp with are very special to us. So all the time we get with them is cherished. Our kids played so well this year...and I didn't capture everything I should've. We did a lot of crafts at our site with all the girls...but it never occured to me to take out my camera. Silly! Because what was so fun about the crafts is that they would make something beautiful and give it to one of the other kids. It was lots of fun to watch them love each other in this way. Both of our kids talk frequently about how they miss the other kids...since they all live an hour to 3.5 hours away. I miss them too...kids and adults.
Wildschut (Junior) kids portrait...
All the kids gathered at one of the sights...
Rory and Sam blowing bubbles...
Brianna...
Asher and Jakob...buddies...
Mel and Dave...
Uncle Ken...
Mark...
Aunt Lee-Anne...
Jack...
Jeanette...
The kids playing in the water together...
Dryfhouts...(senior)...Connie and Tony...
Water buddies...Rachel and Julia...
Zoe...
Elijah...
Cousins playing...
Me and Julia...
Raakman kids being so fly...Rachel, Brianna and Zion...
Tristan is getting so handsome...
Rory with two of her favorite girls...
4) The Campfires
The campfire is a time for all the families camping to come together (especially after the kids have gone to bed) and relax and share stories. We always have a PILE of laughs around the campfire, often getting noise violations after 11pm.
5) The Sunsets
This is the first time that we have gone out to Granite Saddle Campground (we stay at Beaver Dams) to see the sun set. Breathtaking...if you can keep the kids from the edge of the cliff long enough to relish it.
Waiting on the rocks for the sunset...
6) The Family Memories
We have already made some spectacular memories together at Killbear. But what I really love to watch is how my kids spend time together that they normally don't get because of the daycare in my home. They rarely fight when we're camping...and they seem to enjoy their time playing together. Spending time, in a peaceful, beautiful place, enjoying my family's company is my greatest pleasure. Can't wait to go back and make a million more.
These two laughing together...love it...
Love this pic...
Asher and Chris...so fearless!
For the third year in a row, we have camped at Killbear Provincial Park. Up to and including this year, we've camped with a group of amazing friends...The Raakmans, The Dryfhouts (Senior and Junior), The Davis', The Wildschuts (Senior and Junior). With all of these families -- it ends up being about 27 people all together. We camp on separate sites but in a well thought-out cluster. This year, most of the kids were on their bikes the whole time -- and since we were all clustered together, they could ride around the sites basically supervised. It was so great to see Aurora on her bike -- as she just learned to ride without trainers...we got her to do it by threatening that she might be the only one at camp not riding...we're bad parents...but it worked!!!! She was off exploring with the group. How amazing to see the kids exploring the outdoors at top speed, all together.
Rory lost her first top tooth at camp!
Here she is in her cool bike helmet...
We had a few hail storms...a flood in our tenting area (sorry...I didn't think to pull out the camera as my poor husband dug a 3 foot cube trench to capture SOME of the water before it went in our tent)...but we had so many many more great memories.
These are some of our favorite things about Killbear...in no particular order:
1) The Beach
The beaches at Killbear are amazing. The sand is clean and soft, the water is crystal clear, and the kids (and the parents) can walk out REALLY far before the water is over their heads. They mark of a shallow area with ropes for the kids also. We spent four solid days sun-worshipping, and swiming.
Rory and Asher playing in the sand...
My Asher...
Chris and Asher playing in the water...
My hubby sunbathing...
Rory sunbathing...
2) The Trails
Killbear has 3 family friendly hiking trails. Even the longest one (90 minutes at a good pace) is not too hard for our kids. We managed to get the kids on all three of them. We love to do this as a family.
Working the Lookout Trail...
A cool log...
Lighthouse Trail...
Come cool roots...
Asher on Lookout trail counting the post markings...
Picking wild bluberries was a favorite activity during hiking...
Lighthouse Trail had the mother-load!
We have to have a yearly rock picture...
3) The Friends
These friends that we camp with are very special to us. So all the time we get with them is cherished. Our kids played so well this year...and I didn't capture everything I should've. We did a lot of crafts at our site with all the girls...but it never occured to me to take out my camera. Silly! Because what was so fun about the crafts is that they would make something beautiful and give it to one of the other kids. It was lots of fun to watch them love each other in this way. Both of our kids talk frequently about how they miss the other kids...since they all live an hour to 3.5 hours away. I miss them too...kids and adults.
Wildschut (Junior) kids portrait...
All the kids gathered at one of the sights...
Rory and Sam blowing bubbles...
Brianna...
Asher and Jakob...buddies...
Mel and Dave...
Uncle Ken...
Mark...
Aunt Lee-Anne...
Jack...
Jeanette...
The kids playing in the water together...
Dryfhouts...(senior)...Connie and Tony...
Water buddies...Rachel and Julia...
Zoe...
Elijah...
Cousins playing...
Me and Julia...
Raakman kids being so fly...Rachel, Brianna and Zion...
Tristan is getting so handsome...
Rory with two of her favorite girls...
4) The Campfires
The campfire is a time for all the families camping to come together (especially after the kids have gone to bed) and relax and share stories. We always have a PILE of laughs around the campfire, often getting noise violations after 11pm.
5) The Sunsets
This is the first time that we have gone out to Granite Saddle Campground (we stay at Beaver Dams) to see the sun set. Breathtaking...if you can keep the kids from the edge of the cliff long enough to relish it.
Waiting on the rocks for the sunset...
6) The Family Memories
We have already made some spectacular memories together at Killbear. But what I really love to watch is how my kids spend time together that they normally don't get because of the daycare in my home. They rarely fight when we're camping...and they seem to enjoy their time playing together. Spending time, in a peaceful, beautiful place, enjoying my family's company is my greatest pleasure. Can't wait to go back and make a million more.
These two laughing together...love it...
Love this pic...
Asher and Chris...so fearless!
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