No Room at the Inn

It's rather hard for me to believe but we have another international guest staying at our house.   Every bedroom has a resident now!
Daisy arrived from Thailand last Thursday and will be with us until April 27th.  She is the teacher for a group of 16 students who are at MEI for a cultural visit. 
So far so good!
She is a delightful lady who is interested in getting to know us, further her English (which is already quite good) and be a part of our lives. 
Last night she cooked up a Thai dinner for us.  Sadly, I was all stuffed up with a cold so my taste buds weren't very sharp but it was very well received by all.
She loves Liam and he's enjoying all the attention!
I know we'll miss her when she goes but until then we will enjoy showing her around our beautiful area and learning about her Thai culture.

 Note that Daisy is cooking in her coat.  She is finding it quite cold here as it is 35 degrees in her city right now!

Soup, Thai omelette and pork & veggie stir fry on rice.

Dr. Google

Perhaps you already knew this but I just discovered something for myself that makes this curious girl very happy.
One can get ALL the juicy details of all BioMed lab test results online.  This means that after they take your blood, pee or whatever sort of bodily fluid you can get your results YOURSELF before you do or (usually) do not hear back from your doctor.
I recently went to my doctor for a check up (this took great courage!).  It had been about 6 years so I knew it was time.  She's a new doctor for me and very thorough.  This is good and somewhat disturbing as I don't like medical exams of any sort.
Anyhow she sent me for routine blood work and I was able to see all my results and subsequently diagnose myself (ha ha ha!) before too long.
Actually the doctor's office just called me the other day to have my blood drawn again to do a more specific test and I was able to see those results in less than 24 hours!  I love this.
Anyhow, the good news is that I am quite healthy....minus the fact I seem to have a solid case of anemia. 
I have a follow up appointment next week and I can guess that I'll have to go on iron pills.  Double blech!
This is also a bit sad because I really wanted to start donating blood with the Red Cross but with my numbers this is not likely to ever happen.

Celebrations

Celebrating '16' came bright and early as Nathan was super keen to get his learner's lisence straight away!  He did brilliantly on the test and we were out of there before a blink of an eye.  

 In the evening we had the family over for a gourmet meal (by request) of ribs, scalloped potatoes, salad and garlic bread.  The meal ended with a most decadently delicious Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake!

 Liam does his very hardest to remain the centre of attention...always!

Our growing family.  Next month it's Chad and Keith's turn to get a little older!

 Keith and Murray attempted the birthday bumps.  It's a big awkward with a heavy teen that's over six feet tall!

 The next night we took one of Nate's buddies (actually the only friend left in town that was NOT away on vacation!) and him out to Richmond to satisfy some need for speed at an indoor go kart track.

 I didn't race....someone had to take pictures!

 They had a great time...huge smiles when they were finished!

 Keith did win out for the final results.  I guess having some 'real' driving experience is an asset!

16 Years in a Blink of an Eye

My first born.

The baby that expanded my heart.  

The son that realigned every goal, dream and aspiration.

The child that has made me so very proud!

He is 16 years old today.

My heart hurts...in a good way!  

Private Education - A Personal Perspective

I guarantee you that if you would have asked me five short years ago if I was even remotely interested in sending my children to private school the answer would have been 'no'.

We were happy with our decision to have our kids go through the traditional school model in the public system.  We had no complaints...it was working out very well.

The shift in thinking all got started with a surprise blessing named Liam.

During my maternity leave I grew very restless at the thought of returning to the Credit Union after my one year leave.  In this case absence was NOT making the heart grow fonder and I was increasingly becoming agitated about returning to a job I did not enjoy anymore.  I by chance saw a posting online for a one day a week position at MEI middle school as a secretary and thought it was worth a shot.  I would lose nothing by applying.  I figured this was a way to get my foot in the door to being a secretary in a school (long time dream) by working one day a week there and the other hours at the credit union.  It was positively providential that I was called for an interview and then called back and offered the job....four days a week!  This was a sign it was for me.  Although I didn't want to work so much with a little boy at home I was NOT going to let this opportunity slip by.  I happily took the position and well, let's just say I've never looked back.  It has been a massive blessing in my life.  I love my job, my co-workers, the students and the parents.  It's truly a dream come true.  After working two years at MEI,  I grew to find that my desire to have my children be a part of the MEI community quite strong and we moved Nathan over for grade 8.  Best decision ever!  He absolutely thrived and my momma's heart was about bursting to see him so happy.  Chad followed the next year starting grade six and well, it was a no-brainer to have Liam here for Kindergarten.  I am beyond pleased with their experience.  The holistic approach to education...mind, body and spirit fulfills their every need.  They are sincerely loved, cared about, prayed for and educated in a way that makes every financial sacrifice worth it.  

I'm so glad we gave MEI a chance....it has been so good for us all!

Famoso Pizza

Keith and I have been trying to get out for lunch dates about every 6 weeks or so.  It's nice to meet up in the middle of the day....no babysitting required with Liam at school!  Last week we tried out one of the new eateries at High Street.  It was pretty good.

 I had the soup and small pizza for $10.  The tomato bisque was lovely and fresh tasting.  The Margherita pizza was also quite nice but was lacking in basil.  More please!

 Keith had a personal sized Thai pizza that he really enjoyed.  It was very different he said.  I didn't taste it but it looked good!

It's likely we'll be back to try it again.  It's conveniently located next to the new movie theatre so I'm sure they will get plenty of business.  Truth be told nothing quite beats a Chef's Special pizza from Rendezvous...there is just nothing like it, IMHO of course!

Fluff and Stuff

I think I like my new camera just about as much as these guys!  Nice clear shots in our recent snowfall.  They played while it lasted and in a few days it will be gone, gone, gone.

Next up...spring please!

Harsh Reality

Yeah so, I hadn't weighed myself in a really long time.  Denial and not wanting to face reality were two big reasons.  I bought myself this new fancy schmancy digital scale with birthday money.  It arrived yesterday and well, there was an ugly truth to face.  I can't even utter or type the numbers but I have gained back a big chunk of the weight I lost last year before our cruise.  I could feel it on my flanks and even though my clothes all still fit they aren't fitting as well as they used to.  All that hard work and I lost control of my eating.  Ack!  I feel upset with myself but the only thing to do now is to commit to losing it again.  Weekly weigh ins will keep me accountable.  Thankfully I never gave up the exercise do that won't be something I have to restart!  So now you know my shameful tale and hopefully I can post some positive results here in the next couple of months!

Heartache and Hope

It's been a rough 15 months.  Yes, for me but most entirely for my dearest friends Keri and Kori as they have watched and supported their sister Kristin through her cancer journey.
I have been a part of the Templeton family since 1986 so this hit home in a big way.  I have felt very helpless watching from the sidelines as my friends were hurting and crying their way through the days.
Sadly, Kristin's battle ended on February 9th.  It was a punch in the gut to realize that it was all over and that her four sweet children and husband were left behind to cope with this massive loss.
Yesterday, on Valentine's Day we gathered to commit her body to the ground and then move on to celebrate a life well lived.  Kristin was unlike Keri and Kori in so many ways yet they were bonded as sisters.  Kristin was honoured through a fantastic tribute that K & K bravely spoke at the service.  I even had a few laughs as the words were true and from the heart.
The reason that we don't despair though, is that our great hope is to be reunited with her in Heaven one day.  We all will die.  This is a fact!  But what happens to us when we die is in our capacity to decide.  Jesus promises eternal life to all those who chose to follow him.  What a comfort this is and it is the only reason we can smile through the tears!

Johnson Wedding

We had a whirlwind trip to Comox this weekend to witness the marriage of Keith's sister to her finace Tyler.

It was a very impromtou wedding and considering she only had a week to plan we thought it turned out really well.

They are both quite happy and it was obviously to all who attended that these two are committed and in love.  During the reception dinner I had asked her if she felt 'different' because they had already been living together several years and have a toddler.  She explained she felt a sense of security that she never thought was missing before.  

Marriage IS special.

We wish them every happiness!

Here are a few pictures.....

41 Years Young!

Just a few things that made my birthday on Monday very special!

An unexpected sweet treat at work

A new camera!

And a cake made with love from Keith.

Grouse Snowshoe Grind

We spent a beautiful and warm Sunday afternoon snowshoeing up the Grouse Snowshoe Grind.  Wow.  That was intense!  The elevation was steep and my cardio fitness level was pushed WAY past it's limits.  The view was worth every huff and puff at the top though!

Going down was a lot easier and fun too!

We completed the day with burgers and fries and cokes.  Yep, we went all out and replenished every single burnt calorie!

Frugal House Frau

 

 

All the items below wee purchased for $1 each.  IGA is closing and this thrifty shopper is reaping the benefits! 

 

Kids are Awesome: Fighting

Liam's acting debut.  He's the voice of the principal!

NYE 2013

Had a wonderful dinner out with our cherished friends!  Thankful for traditions such as these.

Swoosh Swoosh

A New Years Day trek up to Manning to test out the new snowshoes happened yesterday.  We had a wonderful time.  The snow wasn't super awesome but there was enough.  

 We did a 5 km trek around Lightning Lakes.  It was invigorating and beautiful.

Afterward the Whiskeyjacks were very friendly and ate all our munchies!

We can't wait to get out there again.

Sharing

Just sharing some snacks with the whiskey jacks up at Manning Park after a great snowshoeing trek around Lightning Lake.