Monday, February 17, 2014

Loving the Warm Weather

Not to much has happened the last few weeks. I have been working full time for the last 5 weeks and have one week left of a six week contract. I have really been enjoying my time with the grade one class but am looking forward to being back home with Sawyer a few days a week. 

We had a busy week this past week. Monday was 100s day (100th Day of school) so it was a very exciting day. Greg also had curling that day. Tuesday and Wednesday this past week Greg started badminton at school. On Wednesday Kids Club at church started up again so I had to run off to that right after school. Thursday is curling for both Greg and I. We have really enjoyed getting out Thursday nights and spending time with other people and learning a new sport. It has been a lot of fun (although I really suck). Unfortunately, I think there are only 2 weeks left of curling this season. Friday was obviously Valentine's day. The students were super excited not only because it was Valentines but also because they had a hot lunch that day and it was the Nickel Carnival. The Nickel Carnival is where the students go around playing a bunch of different games designed by the grade 4/5s. Each game cost a nickel or two. All money raised was then given to Telemiracle. 

Greg and I have not done anything for Valentines yet. We are planning to go out for dinner and a movie (Monuments Men) this upcoming Friday. I honestly didn't want to fight the crowds on Friday night. Saturday we enjoyed an evening with friends, playing games and enjoying food. The rest of the weekend has been very quite and relaxing.

Today was a beautiful day and we took advantage of the awesome weather and spent some time outdoors. We played in the backyard for awhile, then walked to the school, went sledding and down the slide. It was great to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. 

Well as most of you guys know we are expecting another baby in August. We are very excited about our new addition. Sawyer really does not understand what is going on and when you ask her if she is going to be a big sister she shakes her head no. If you ask her where mommy's baby is she pats her own stomach. She is such a character and I enjoy watching her learn and explore many things. She watches everything we do and has begun to imitate us. You know you have been throwing up a lot during this pregnancy when you hear your daughter walk over to the toilet and make throw up sounds. Or if she walks by a garbage can she stops to make the same noises. We definitely have gotten a kick out of watching her. 

Well we hope you have all enjoyed your Family Day as much as we have enjoyed ours. 

 Daddy and Sawyer playing in the snow. Sawyer is crawling to Daddy since the snow is to deep for her and Edgar is burying his head.




Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Glory Season

Its been just over a week and school is back in full swing.  The first day of school was interesting as the busses didn't run (-49 with wind chill), and with the far majority of students coming from farms, the entire school only had 22 students.  Needless to say, my 5 students and I had a lot of fun playing a variety of games.  There haven't been too many surprises or differences than before Christmas.

I started my basketball team/intramurals this week.  My plan is to teach some basic basketball skills to those wanting them.  If after some time there is still a high level of participation and the skill level drastically improves, we will enter a team toward the District tournament.  Also starting this week is the school's curling program.  We are sending one team to Districts and I am the teacher attending.  Even though I don't have a wealth of knowledge I am giving pointers wherever I can.  It should be fun as our team has 5 excellent female curlers who are hoping to do very well.  And finally next week another teacher and myself will be starting our badminton practices for the upcoming tournament.  It sounds like a lot to handle, and maybe it is, but I am really enjoying getting out and participating anywhere and anyway I can.

Over the weekend I had a chance to go and see one of Carievale's minor hockey teams play.  They were the Grades 4 and 5, but only have 8 players on their team.  And they don't need anymore.  They are a perfect 12 for 12 this year.  It isn't too alarming that they have won every game, something that is accomplished quite regularly by teams in small leagues.  But digging a little deeper and one will find how dominant this team actually is.  In 12 games they have scored 246 goals (averaging 20.5 goals/game) and allowed 35 goals (2.92 goals/game).  The average scores of their games are 20-3!!!!!  Their worst game, or closest, was a real nail biting...17-3.  

Our church is voting on a Pastor this weekend.  He is an older man, originally from Markham, transplanted to Winnipeg working in missions at a larger church.  He was a guest paster before Christmas and we really enjoyed his message.  It would be nice to have a full time pastor.  

Sunday, January 5, 2014

New Year

We made it back to Carievale and are thankful for safe travels.  After thoroughly enjoying spending time with family and friends, we began our trek back to Saskatchewan.  As many of you know, our flight barely made it before the ice storm before Christmas.  We had a lot of luck (prayers were answered) that all connections were made.

The same was similar on our way back to Saskatchewan.  We left Niagara during the heaviest snowfall while at home.  We passed several motorists that had ended up the ditches, as we thought, "oh no, not again!"  We made it to the airport 1 hour before take off.  We made it through check-in and security quickly and only had to wait for 10 minutes before boarding.  Our flight was uneventful, save Sawyer deciding she didn't want to sit in either of our laps.  Overall we definitely lucked out in flights and the details surrounding them.

When we landed in Thunder Bay the temperature was a brisk -40 with wind chill.  It wouldn't have been that bad, except before leaving the parking lot I had to: clean the car, brush the snow off, scrape the ice, install Sawyer's car seat, and oh yeah, replace a burned out headlight.  On Friday we left for Saskatchewan, a drive of 12 hours (at least normal driving hours).  Unfortunately we only made it to Dryden (4 hours or 1/3 of the total length) as the weather and roads slowed us down.  The roads weren't that treacherous, but the heavy snowfall and blowing, drifting snow caused for very low visibility.  The storm was predicted to last until early Saturday morning, so we decided to spend the night in Dryden.  Part of our decision to fly out on Thursday was the cautious plan to leave 3 days for driving.

The weatherman/woman/people were right as the next morning the skies were clear and the sun was out.  The roads in Ontario weren't great as we were slowed by about 20 km/h, but better to arrive late than in a box.  Once we reached Manitoba the roads were almost perfect.  Besides the -40, with wind chill, it was a beautiful day.  Even better, I was able to get gas in Manitoba for 105.9, which was a lot cheaper than the 134.9 it was in Kenora (about 150 km away).

After a full day of driving, a little more than 9 hours, we emptied the back seat and went to gather Edgar.  He loved his vacation on the farm, as he was extremely hesitant to come back with us when it was time to go.  Sawyer especially loved having him back, giving him plenty of hugs and kisses.

Looking back over the past 15 days, our little family travelled roughly 5,000 km round trip (plus two trips to the GTA).  The two flights were Sawyer's 15th and 16th and an unheard of number of hours spent in a vehicle.  We are thankful she is a great traveller, although the last flight she wanted nothing to do with sitting still.

It was an extremely busy 12 days, but we were glad with how we spent them.  While there were rushed afternoons, long drives, and short sleeps, they made for lasting memories.