Heartbroken

We are heartbroken today. We got the devastating news this morning that one of our students in Deer Lake, one that Greg taught this year in Grade 8, died yesterday. He was thirteen years old and he hung himself.
This student is one you would never expect to do anything like this. He ALWAYS had a smile on his face. He always stopped to talk to you. He loved Sawyer and always wanted to give her lots of kisses and talk with her. This student went to church every week, he was a christian, sang in front of the church. He went to visit and talk with the Elders of the community. He loved to hunt and fish and play his guitar. This is what we saw on the outside, obviously no one in Deer Lake realized that there was a lot of hurt going on on the inside.
I am shocked, sad, heartbroken, numb. I feel awful for Greg who spent 5 days a week 7 hours a day with this boy. Please pray for Greg and I, Deer Lake and this boys family as we grieve the loss of this special boy.

Father's Day

Well, it is my first Father's Day and I am disappointed it is being spent thousands of kilometres away.  It is because of Sawyer that this day means something extra special for me this year, and I can't hold her, kiss her, and tell her how much I love her.  But that is one of many sacrifices I (and Claire) have made with living in Deer Lake the past three years. 

The last week I spent leading the Grade 8s on their yearly graduation trip to Toronto and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I couldn't imagine a better way to end my tenure in Deer Lake, than to spend quality time with my students and fellow chaperones.  As much as there is too much work and responsibility on the leader, I wouldn't give up the chance to experience Toronto with the students.  Everyone had fun, stayed safe, and created lasting memories that will be talked about for years to come. 

Last month, Claire had the opportunity to create a blog about what Mother's Day means to her.  I decided to take the similar challenge and spend some time (got nothing but) this day to write what Father's Day means to me. 

The whole world changes when you become a father.  As we were getting ready for Sawyer to come, many people would say things to prepare us for a child.  "Better get your sleep now" "You'll always be tired" "Won't have time for yourself."  Many of these things are true, but as for most things in life, it is all about how you see things.  I do get less sleep now, but it is because I am spending more time with Sawyer.  I do feel more tired, but it is because I am chasing after my giggling daughter.  I do watch less sports, but it is because I can't take my eyes off of her.  You see, life does change and it may, no it will get hard, but there is nothing greater in the world than being a father. 

Why I Love being a father, in no particular order (except #1, it is the best):
1) When Sawyer gets up from a nap and you peek your head in the door, to see Sawyer jump up and have the world's greatest smile.  The smile is the best part.  Knowing she has a grin from ear to ear JUST because she sees you.  You don't need to say anything or have a gift or do anything.  Your presence alone is what makes her day. 
2) The ability to provide for my family.  Being able to provide for oneself is a great thing and being able to provide for a family means so much more. 
3)  When giving Sawyer her bottle, she will cuddle with you.  Before Claire and Sawyer left for home, Sawyer fell asleep on my chest for the first time.  What a magical feeling. 
4)  Sawyer's dance.  Seeing her move her legs when music is played.
5)  Sawyer's infectious laugh.  At times, especially at night, she will walk around the house and just laugh and make sounds.
6)  The future.  I am looking forward to spending time with Sawyer as she grows up and being able to help her through life's challenges.
7)  Buying clothes.  Seems weird right.  But being able to buy pink Toronto Blue Jay shirts and hats is pretty awesome.  Pink has never been my colour.
8)  Sawyer's Kisses.  They will make your day.
9)  Watching Sawyer love life.  I know it will change, but for now, just now, Sawyer has no problems with the world.  She is not concerned about friends, boys, and other worldly problems.  All she wants right now is you and your attention.  And believe me, my eyes are glued to her. 
10)  Completeness.  Sawyer is the smallest member of my family.  Family.  With Claire, myself, the little munchkin (and even Edgar) we are a family.  This is it, this is the start to my family. 

We're On the Move!

So it is official. This Martin family is making a move, as of the end of August we will be living in Saskatchewan. Carievale, Saskatchewan. We are really excited about this move and the new opportunities we will have. We have also found a place to live, which is great. Everything seems to be following into place.

Mother's Day

I had an awesome Mother's Day yesterday. I was spoiled by Greg (who told me this morning I only had to change 2 diapers yesterday because he did the rest). I never swept the floor (I think he did 3 times), I never did the dishes (he did at least twice), I never cooked (he did 2 times... and made me rickity uncles), I didn't change as many diapers yesterday. I got to sleep in, nap and do what ever I wanted. I got to cuddle with Sawyer, and play with her. I got to go for a walk with my family, watch a movie with Greg and visit with two medical students while we watched the hockey game (Go LEAFS Go)!! I got a nice letter from Greg and a beautiful card from Sawyer (that she made with Greg's help of course). I had an amazing day. We didn't need to go out and spend money. We didn't need to go out for dinner (not that we could if we wanted to). We were happy just spending the day together.  It was perfect. Thank you Greg and Sawyer for giving me an amazing first Mother's Day!

As I was reflecting on Mother's Day and what it means to be a mother, I read my cousins blog where she challenged everyone to write down 10 reasons why your mother is awesome and why being a mother rocks! I decided to take her up on her challenge but add one more special woman in my life to my list, my mother-in-law.

Why my Mom is awesome....

       1.  She is selfless
       2. She is a dedicated worker (in everything she does)
       3. We (her family, especially her children) come first
      4. She is always available to give advice, or share a hug
      5. She is an amazing friend
      6. She is always up for an adventure
      7.  She is funny and likes to have fun
      8.  She enjoys reading and sharing books with me
     9. She is an awesome Nana

    10. God is the centre of everything she does

    Why my Mother-in-law is awesome....

        

      1.   She will do anything for her children

      2. She is goes after the things she wants (i.e. aquafit, weight loss)
      3. She puts 150% into everything she does
      4. She is an amazing Grandma
      5.  She is a hard worker
      6. She takes an interest in everything her children does and wants to be involved (i.e. endless sporting    events)

7. She is a fantastic listener
8. She has many friends and makes time for all of them
9. She accepted James, Lisa and myself into her family with open arms and treats us like her own
10. She is very giving (of her time, of her home to Greg and I, of anything she has)

  

     Why I love being a Mom...

   1.     I love the way being a mom gives me a sense of purpose. Sawyer relies on me for everything she   needs.

   2.  I love when she puts her head on my shoulder and cuddles up with me

   3. I love how her smile and laughter is infectious and no matter what is going on it melts my heart.

   4. I love going into her room to get her in the morning or after a nap and seeing her standing up eagerly waiting to see me

   5.  This year has been a year of firsts and I love watching her discover all the new things in her life (her  hands, crawling, standing, walking)

   6. I love listening to her talk/squeal as she plays with her toys

   7. She has unconditional love for me, no matter what I look like, how much I weigh, what I am wearing etc.

   8.  I love that every time I go some where without her and walk in the door she crawls right over to me and wants to be picked up

   9. I love how she wants to be apart of everything I do

   10. I love how when I am in the kitchen cooking or baking she comes and holds on to my leg and wants to make sure I know she is still there

       

      

Changes at the Martins

Since coming back from our Christmas Break Sawyer has changed SO much. She loves to play! She will sit on the floor with her toy box of toys and play all on her own with them. She also LOVES hanging out with Edgar. He is often laying beside her on her blanket while she plays. I do have to watch these two though because Edgar loves to share with her. He often brings her his toys to play with, and Sawyer loves to put everything in her mouth EWW! She enjoys sharing with him too and I will quite often find her feeding Edgar part of her rice cracker and then taking a bite herself. I know it sounds gross, but I do honestly watch these two, and try to catch them and teach them that this is not appropriate sharing. 

Sawyer has gotten two teeth! She is such a champ. No complaints at all. She is such a great kid. She has also leaned to pull herself up to standing position. She loves to stand. Lastly, and our newest achievement, she has learned to crawl FORWARD!!! She just started doing this and is only doing it a little bit but I am sure she will be crawling all over soon. 

That has been all for the new developments lately! 2 weeks until we are home for March Break!

 She loves crawling in her toy box, once she has pulled all her toys out.

 I'm 7 months old!

 Look at me I stand!

I stand using my buddy now too! She loves to play with Edgar and use him to pull herself up.

Update!

Well, we have all made it back safe and sound to Deer Lake after an awesome trip home. Sawyer and I flew home 8 days earlier then Greg in order for Edgar to be able to fly home too. We enjoyed our trip home and were able to spend sometime with friends, family and of course do some activities that we do not get to participate in with being up north (ie. going to the movies). Sawyer and I also stayed home 2 extra weeks after Greg went back. My dad turned 50 on January 16th and we wanted to be home to celebrate with him.

Our trip back was eventful. Our WestJet flight was maybe half full, Sawyer and I had a full row to ourselves so I was able to lay her down on the seat. One of the flight attendants had finger puppets and were playing with those with her. Once we made it to Thunder Bay we learned our flight was delayed and they were unsure if we were actually going to fly. Well we ended up waiting for four hours to find out our flight was flying. During our wait Edgar was allowed to be out of his cage and sit with us. A little native boy really liked him and was playing with him. At some points the boy was laying on the floor nose to nose with Ed. Sawyer also just wanted to play with Edgar during our layover and at one point she wouldn't stop fussing unless she was sitting on the floor beside Edgar. Those two really do LOVE each other. 

Once we boarded our plane we flew to Sioux Lookout. Our wait here was only about 15 minutes and then we boarded the plane again. This time though we got to the runway and sat there for 30 minutes to find out our plane was having maintenance problems. We had to turn back and completely unload the plane. We waited for another 45 minutes and they got us a new plane. We finally made it home by 7pm. Needless to say it had been a LONG day. We had been up since 5 am- Niagara time (4am Deer Lake time). 

Since we have been back everything has went back to normal. Sawyer has started on real food- I have made here sweet potatoes so far and she seems to be enjoying them. She is also teething, so she is a little fussier and clingy. School is going good for Greg- nothing new to report there. He has had a few mornings off school because it has been so cold, and the busses won't start. This morning our thermometer read -41. It was quite nippy. Yesterday when Sawyer and I walked to the school in the afternoon it was -35. It is tolerable, as long as you are dressed warm (everything covered) and there is no wind chill.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Below are some pictures of our trip home. 

 Our family Christmas picture.

 Sawyer's Christmas photo.

 Sawyer's first trip to the park with her friends Sadie and Lucas.

Sawyer and Sadie. 

Sawyer also turned 6 months old while we were home. 

Back up north, after Greg had just given her, her first taste of sweet potatoes.

Sawyer at School!

For the last few weeks Sawyer and I have been going to school about once a week. I am taking and AQ course while I am on maternity leave. One of the requirements for this AQ is to do 10 hours of observation. I have been fortunate enough to be able to bring Sawyer to the school with me while I am doing these observations. She is such a good baby and is generally quite while we are there. Plus, the kids love her. She gets lots of attention. I have been doing my observations in a grade four class. Today, I took a few pictures of Sawyer in class. 

 Sawyer hanging out on the floor during the math lesson on measurement.

 Sawyer was really interested in how to convert metres into centimetres. Hopefully, she is like her Dad and is good with numbers.

 One of the students took a special interest in Sawyer today. When the students had library time he choose a special book to read to Sawyer. She was really interested in it. Sawyer loves reading books already (she likes the pictures).

 Class picture with the class. Quite a few students were out today because we recently had lice checks.

Sawyer getting lots of attention.